Aerosol Chamber Protrusions for Consumable Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generation devices face inefficiencies in heating uniformity and aerosol yield due to loose consumables within the heating chamber, leading to suboptimal aerosol generation and nicotine delivery.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a heating chamber with inward protrusions that engage and compress the consumable, positioning it centrally for uniform heating, and a substrate with specific density and composition to enhance aerosol generation efficiency, including a resilient wrapper and strategically placed ribs for improved heat distribution and airflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the heating chamber width is made greater than the rod-shaped portion width to ease insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but heating uniformity deteriorates due to loose positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertionVSAvoidheating uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inward protrusions are pre-formed on the heating chamber wall to automatically guide and position the rod-shaped consumable into the correct location upon insertion, ensuring both easy insertion and precise positioning for uniform heating

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The inward protrusions act as intermediary elements between the heating chamber and the consumable, providing mechanical guidance and compression to achieve proper positioning and contact with the heating element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If inward protrusions are added to position the consumable centrally, then heating uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidchamber structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating chamber wall is segmented into multiple protrusions distributed around the circumference, with each protrusion independently providing positioning and compression function, allowing simple geometric modifications rather than complex overall restructuring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If pressure is applied to the consumable to improve aerosol generation efficiency, then aerosol yield is improved, but risk of deformity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol generation efficiencyVSAvoidconsumable structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The consumable is designed with a flexible wrapper that can withstand compression from the inward protrusions without permanent deformation, allowing the wrapper to elastically deform under pressure and return to its original shape, maintaining structural integrity while enabling efficient aerosol generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The wrapper material properties are optimized to have appropriate flexibility and elastic recovery characteristics, allowing it to tolerate the compression pressure needed for efficient aerosol generation while maintaining its structural integrity through elastic deformation rather than permanent damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration improves aerosol generation efficiency, increasing nicotine delivery by 50% and overall aerosol production, while maintaining a user-friendly insertion process and intuitive operation.

Implementation Method 1

heating an aerosol substrate that typically comprises moist leaf tobacco or other suitable aerosolisable material to a temperature typically in the range 150° C. to 350° C.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

heat, rather than burn, tobacco or other suitable aerosol substrate materials by conduction, convection, and/or radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

the protrusions are configured to engage with and apply pressure to the resilient portion in order to position the consumable within the chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS20230100677A1Aerosol Generating System

Publication Date: 2023.03.30 JT INTERNATIONAL SA

AI summary

An aerosol generating system includes a consumable having a rod-shaped portion containing aerosol generating substrate; a heating chamber having a first end, a second end and a side wall extending around the heating chamber between the first and second ends, the heating chamber being configured to receive the rod-shaped portion of the consumable; and a heater configured to deliver heat to the heating chamber from the side wall, wherein: a width of the chamber is greater than a width of the rod-shaped portion, the consumable includes a resilient portion around a length axis of the rod-shaped portion, the heating chamber further includes a plurality of inward protrusions extending from the side wall and distributed around an inner perimeter of the heating chamber, and the protrusions are configured to engage with and apply pressure to the resilient portion in order to position the consumable within the chamber.