Aerosol Filter Segment with Adjustable Suction Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating articles with filter segments lack an effective mechanism to adjust suction resistance, which is crucial for optimizing the flow of aerosol while filtering out components.

Innovation Solution

The aerosol generating article incorporates a front-end and rear-end filter segment, each featuring a channel extending from the upstream to the downstream end, along with a filter structure. The suction resistance is adjusted by varying the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the channel to the filter structure, allowing for customizable porosity and resistance levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a filter segment is added to filter out components of aerosol, then the purification effect is improved, but the suction resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerosol componentsVSAvoidsuction resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The filter segment utilizes a porous structure with controlled porosity (15-40% of sectional area) to allow aerosol passage while filtering components. The porous configuration provides multiple flow paths that reduce resistance compared to dense filtration structures, balancing purification effectiveness with acceptable suction characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The filter is divided into multiple segments arranged in series, where each segment provides a portion of the total filtration function. This segmentation allows the aerosol to pass through multiple filtering stages while distributing the pressure drop across segments, preventing excessive suction resistance at any single point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the filter structure density is increased to improve filtration, then the purification effect is improved, but the aerosol flow becomes restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerosol componentsVSAvoidaerosol flow
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter employs porous materials with optimized pore size and distribution that provide effective component filtration while maintaining sufficient open area for aerosol flow. The porous structure creates a large surface area for filtration without significantly restricting the volumetric flow rate of aerosol.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The filter structure extends in multiple dimensions with a three-dimensional porous network rather than a two-dimensional barrier. This dimensional approach provides extensive filtration surface area while maintaining permeability, allowing aerosol to flow through the depth of the filter structure rather than being blocked by a flat dense layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enables adjustable suction resistance, facilitating easier passage of aerosol while effectively filtering out components, thereby enhancing user experience and aerosol quality.

Implementation Method 1

a filter structure filtering out some components of aerosol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3818883B1Aerosol-generating article
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 KT&G CO LTD
  • EP3818883B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3818883B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3818883B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided is an aerosol generating article including a filter segment in which a channel is formed, the aerosol generating article including: a front-end filter segment arranged at an upstream end that is to be inserted into an aerosol generating device; a rear-end filter segment arranged at a downstream end that is to contact a mouth of a user; and a tobacco rod arranged between the front-end filter segment and the rear-end filter segment, wherein at least one filter segment of the front-end filter segment and the rear-end filter segment includes: at least one channel extending from the upstream end toward the downstream end; and a filter structure filtering out some components of aerosol, and wherein the at least one filter segment has a suction resistance corresponding to a ratio between a cross-sectional area of the at least one channel and a cross-sectional area of the filter structure.