Aerosol Generating Device Inductive Conductive Heating Zone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol generating devices for tobacco and non-tobacco products often burn the material, leading to inefficiencies and potential health concerns. There is a need for a device that can generate aerosol without burning, using alternative heating methods.
Innovation Solution
The aerosol generating device employs a magnetic field generator with an inductor coil to create a varying magnetic field, which heats a tubular heating element through inductive and conductive heating methods. This allows for the efficient generation of aerosol from aerosol-generating material without burning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If inductive heating is used to heat the heating element, then heating efficiency is improved, but the entire heating zone cannot be uniformly heated
Solution Approach 1:
The heating zone is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion heated by inductive heating and a second portion heated by conductive heating. This segmentation allows each portion to be heated by the most appropriate method, achieving both high efficiency and uniform temperature distribution across the entire heating zone.
Solution Approach 2:
Different heating methods are applied to different regions of the heating element. The first portion receives inductive heating for high efficiency, while the second portion receives conductive heating for temperature uniformity. This local differentiation of heating quality resolves the contradiction between efficiency and uniformity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conductive heating is used to heat the heating element, then uniform temperature distribution is improved, but heating efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is segmented into two portions with different heating mechanisms. The second portion uses conductive heating to ensure uniform temperature distribution, while the first portion uses inductive heating for efficiency. This segmentation allows each method to excel in its appropriate region.
Solution Approach 2:
Conductive heating is applied locally to the second portion of the heating element where uniform temperature distribution is critical, while inductive heating handles the first portion. This localized application of different heating qualities resolves the efficiency-uniformity trade-off.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the inductor coil encircles the entire heating zone, then heating efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inductor coil is segmented to encircle only the first portion of the heating zone rather than the entire heating zone. This segmentation reduces the coil structure's complexity while maintaining efficient inductive heating where most needed, with the second portion relying on conductive heating from the first portion.
Solution Approach 2:
Inductive heating is applied locally to the first portion of the heating zone where it provides the greatest benefit, rather than applying it uniformly across the entire heating zone. This localized approach reduces device complexity while maintaining overall heating efficiency.
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 generates aerosol by utilizing a combination of inductive and conductive heating, ensuring efficient energy use and minimizing the risk of combustion, thus providing a safer alternative to traditional smoking devices.
Implementation Method 1
the inductor coil encircles a first portion of the heating zone such that the first portion is heated at least predominantly by inductive heating
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic field generator comprising an inductor coil configured to generate a varying magnetic field; and a heating element that is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
a second portion of the heating zone is free from being encircled by any inductor coil so that the second portion of the heating zone is heated predominantly by conductive heating
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol from aerosol-generating material. The device has a magnetic field generator with an inductor coil configured to generate a varying magnetic field. The device also has a heating element that is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field. The heating element defines a heating zone configured to receive at least a portion of an article including aerosol-generating material. The heating element is fixed relative to the inductor coil. The inductor coil encircles a first portion of the heating zone such that the first portion is heated at least predominantly by inductive heating. A second portion of the heating zone is free from being encircled by any inductor coil so that the second portion of the heating zone is heated predominantly by conductive heating.