Aerosol-Generating Device Extractor for Secure, Clean Substrate Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol-generating devices face issues with tobacco residue adherence to heaters, difficulty in cleaning, and the risk of the aerosol-generating substrate being unintentionally pulled out during removal, leading to integrity loss and potential user harm.

Innovation Solution

An aerosol-generating device with a detachable extractor and mouthpiece design, where the storage portion and mouthpiece are connected via engaging mechanisms, allowing the mouthpiece to radially expand outward for separation, and the main body restricts this expansion to prevent direct extraction, ensuring the substrate remains fixed during smoking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cigarette is fixed directly in the sliding receptacle by a clamping device, then the cigarette can be held securely during heating, but the tobacco residue adheres to the heater surface and becomes difficult to clean

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecigarette fixation stabilityVSAvoidheater cleaning difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separable components: the extractor (containing the cigarette holder) can be detached from the main body (containing the heater). This segmentation allows the cigarette to be securely held during heating while enabling easy separation for cleaning the heater surface of tobacco residue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The extractor is extracted as a separate removable component from the main body. After heating, the user can remove the extractor containing the spent cigarette, and the heater remains accessible for cleaning without needing to disassemble the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the storage portion and mouthpiece are detachably connected, then the device can be disassembled for cleaning and maintenance, but the user may unintentionally pull out the aerosol-generating substrate during removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice disassembly convenienceVSAvoidsubstrate retention security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between storage portion and mouthpiece is designed to be dynamically controllable. During normal operation, the connection is secure to prevent accidental substrate loss. During intentional disassembly, the user can apply sufficient force to overcome the engagement mechanism, allowing separation for cleaning while maintaining security during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the mouthpiece is allowed to expand radially outward for separation, then the extractor can be detached from the main body, but the aerosol-generating substrate may be pulled out directly during removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextractor detachment easeVSAvoidsubstrate position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into extractor and main body that can be separated. The radial expansion mechanism allows the mouthpiece to open for detachment while the substrate remains secured in the storage portion, enabling clean separation without substrate loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The extractor is extracted as a complete unit from the main body through radial expansion of the mouthpiece. This extraction mechanism allows easy detachment for cleaning while the substrate remains contained within the extractor's storage portion, preventing accidental substrate removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The device effectively fixes the aerosol-generating substrate, preventing tobacco residue from falling and ensuring clean removal by restricting radial expansion of the mouthpiece, thus maintaining cavity integrity and user safety.

Implementation Method 1

a heater configured to extend into the cavity and for heating the aerosol-generating substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

when the storage portion and the mouthpiece are respectively subjected to forces in directions that are opposite in the axial direction, the end of the mouthpiece adjacent to the main body expands radially outward

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

prior to the extractor being detached from the main body, the main body restricts the end of the mouthpiece adjacent to the main body from expanding radially outward

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3729982B1Aerosol generating device
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 SHANGHAI NEW TOBACCO PRODUCTS RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO LTD
  • EP3729982B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3729982B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an aerosol-generating device. The cavity defined together by the storage portion and the mouthpiece for accommodating the aerosol-generating substrate can effectively fix the aerosol-generating substrate, hereby preventing the aerosol-generating substrate or a tobacco residue from falling during a smoking process. In addition, when a user directly pulls an extractor out of a main body, that is, the storage portion and the mouthpiece are subjected to an axially force, the mouthpiece can radially expand outward such that the mouthpiece is separated from the storage portion. Before the extractor is detached from the main body, the main body would restrict the end of the mouthpiece adjacent to the main body from radially expanding outward. In this way, before the extractor is detached from the main body, the storage portion and the mouthpiece cannot be separated because the mouthpiece cannot radially expand outward, thereby preventing the user from directly and unintentionally pulling out the aerosol-generating substrate so as to ensure the cleanness of the cavity.