Aerosol-Generating Article With Airflow-Guided Tubular Substrate

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol-generating articles face inefficiencies in heating the aerosol-generating substrate, leading to uneven aerosol generation and waste of substrate material, with prolonged pre-heating times and suboptimal delivery.

Innovation Solution

The aerosol-generating article features a hollow tubular substrate with an airflow guiding element extending into the substrate cavity, enhancing airflow acceleration and optimizing aerosol generation by ensuring uniform heating and reducing substrate material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If an external heating element is used to heat a rod of aerosol-generating substrate, then the outer portions of the rod are effectively heated, but the central portion of the rod is unlikely to generate aerosol or generates insufficient aerosol

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating effectivenessVSAvoidsubstrate material waste

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The solid cylindrical substrate is segmented into a hollow tubular structure with wall thickness of 0.5mm to 2mm, creating an internal cavity that allows airflow guiding elements to reach the center and distribute heat more uniformly throughout the substrate material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An airflow guiding element is introduced as an intermediary component extending into the substrate cavity to channel airflow through the center of the rod, enabling uniform heat distribution and aerosol generation from both outer and central portions of the substrate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a solid cylindrical substrate is used, then the structure is simple, but the pre-heating time is prolonged and aerosol generation is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstrate structureVSAvoidpre-heating time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is transformed from a solid cylinder to a hollow tubular structure, segmenting the material distribution to reduce thermal mass in the center and enable faster heat penetration and more uniform heating throughout the substrate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The airflow guiding element acts as a mediator that channels air through the internal cavity to contact the substrate from the inside, significantly reducing pre-heating time by enabling heat to reach the center of the rod much faster than external heating alone could achieve

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If external heating is used, then the heating system is simple, but heat transfer through the substrate is imperfect and aerosol generation is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating systemVSAvoidaerosol generation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow guiding element serves as an intermediary that improves heat transfer efficiency by directing airflow through the substrate cavity, enabling more effective and uniform heating of the substrate material and significantly improving aerosol generation efficiency from both outer and central portions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes pneumatic flow through the internal cavity to enhance heat transfer, using the kinetic energy and directional flow of air to improve thermal contact with the substrate and maximize aerosol generation efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 design achieves efficient aerosol production with reduced substrate waste, shorter pre-heating times, and cost-effective manufacturing, while maintaining sensorially acceptable aerosol delivery.

Implementation Method 1

enhancing airflow acceleration and optimizing aerosol generation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow acceleration: Bernoulli Effect

Implementation Method 2

the transfer of heat from a heat source to a physically separate aerosol-generating substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-generating substrate by heat transfer from the heat source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS20250280872A1Aerosol- generating article comprising airflow guiding element extending into tubular substrate

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA

AI summary

An aerosol-generating article for producing an inhalable aerosol upon heating is provided, the aerosol-generating article including: an aerosol-generating substrate in a form of a hollow tubular segment defining a substrate cavity extending from an upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate to a downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate; an upstream section located upstream of the aerosol-generating substrate and including an upstream element adjacent to the upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate; and an airflow guiding element coupled to the upstream element and extending longitudinally into the substrate cavity, an airflow channel being defined between an external surface of the airflow guiding element and an internal surface of the aerosol-generating substrate. An aerosol-generating system including the aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device is also provided.