Alternating Spiral HNB Consumable for Uniform Tobacco Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat not burn (HNB) systems for tobacco consumption often experience uneven and incomplete heating of tobacco, leading to potential burning of tobacco regions.
Innovation Solution
A heat not burn consumable is designed with alternating layers of plant product and thermally conductive material, both in a spiral configuration, to ensure even heating and minimize burning. The thermally conductive material comprises laminar sheets rolled into interleaved spiral configurations, which are in intimate contact with the plant product layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional heating methods are used in HNB systems, then the tobacco can be heated to release vapour, but the heating is uneven and incomplete leading to burning of tobacco regions
Solution Approach 1:
The tobacco material is segmented into multiple discrete heating zones along the longitudinal axis, with each zone independently controlled by separate heating elements. This segmentation allows different regions to be heated to optimal temperatures simultaneously, preventing overheating and burning in any single zone while ensuring complete vaporization throughout the tobacco column.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the tobacco material are subjected to different heating characteristics - the central region receives higher heat flux for rapid vaporization, while peripheral regions receive lower heat flux to prevent burning. The heating elements are designed with varying power densities matched to the local thermal requirements of each tobacco zone, achieving uniform heating without burning.
2Reliability
If heating elements are added to improve heating uniformity, then tobacco burning is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple heating elements are merged into a single integrated heating assembly that functions as one cohesive unit. The heating elements are positioned in close proximity and controlled through a unified system, combining their individual functions into a single device component that achieves uniform heating without requiring separate complex control systems for each element.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide thermal energy for vaporization, act as structural support for the tobacco material, and function as sensors for temperature monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining reliable heating control.
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 provides more even heating of the tobacco, reducing burning and incomplete heating by ensuring each layer of tobacco is heated in a controlled manner, with less than 5% of the tobacco being burned or unspent after heating.
Implementation Method 1
The thermally conductive material comprises a plurality of laminar sheets of thermally conductive material rolled into a plurality of interleaved spiral configurations of thermally conductive material which are then interleaved with a plurality of spirally formed portions of plant product
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention provides a heat not burn (HNB) consumable (1) comprising a plant product (5) interspersed with a thermally conductive material (4). A transverse cross-section through the consumable comprises alternating layers (e.g. radially alternating layers) of the plant product and the thermally conductive material. The thermally conductive material may comprise at least one tubular element or may have a spiral configuration.