Atomizing Unit Heating Element Spiral Groove Manufacturing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing manufacturing methods for atomizing units face challenges in producing high-quality heating elements that are resistant to deformation during the manufacturing process, leading to inefficiencies in aerosol atomization without burning.

Innovation Solution

A manufacturing method involving a resistance heating element disposed along a spiral groove or projection on a base member, where the base member is rotated to separate the heating element and a liquid holding member is positioned to contact the heating element, ensuring proper alignment and support to prevent deformation and enhance aerosol atomization efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the heating element is manually positioned and fixed during manufacturing, then the alignment with the liquid holding member can be achieved, but the heating element undergoes deformation and positioning becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating element positioning precisionVSAvoidheating element fixation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a base member with spiral grooves or projections as an intermediary structure. The heating element is disposed along these pre-formed spiral features, which act as a mediator between the heating element and the final positioned state. This intermediary structure guides the heating element into correct alignment while distributing mechanical stresses, preventing deformation during the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The base member is prepared in advance with spiral grooves or projections formed on its surface. These pre-formed features create a template that dictates the exact path and position of the heating element. By performing this preliminary structuring of the base member, the heating element's positioning is simplified and standardized, improving both precision and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the heating element is tightly fixed to maintain position, then positioning accuracy improves, but deformation of the heating element occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating element position stabilityVSAvoidheating element structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The base member provides localized support to the heating element at specific points along its spiral path, rather than applying uniform tight fixation throughout. The spiral grooves or projections create discrete contact zones that maintain positional accuracy while allowing the heating element to retain its structural integrity in non-contact regions. This localized support approach prevents deformation while ensuring position stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If conventional manufacturing methods are used, then production can proceed with simple processes, but high-quality heating elements resistant to deformation cannot be produced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidheating element quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing process is segmented into distinct stages: first, the base member is prepared with spiral grooves or projections; second, the heating element is disposed along these pre-formed features; third, the liquid holding member is positioned. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, maintaining productivity while achieving high manufacturing precision for the heating element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 method effectively prevents deformation of the heating element and enables the production of atomizing units with high-quality resistance heating elements, improving aerosol atomization efficiency and productivity.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element (atomizing portion) for atomizing the aerosol source held by the liquid holding member... a resistance heating element disposed along a groove or a projection having a spiral shape

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResistive heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3311683B1Manufacturing method of atomizing unit and atomizing unit
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 JAPAN TOBACCO INC
  • EP3311683B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3311683B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3311683B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

This method for producing an atomization unit comprises: a step A in which a resistance heating element is disposed so as to be parallel to a spiral-shaped groove or protrusion formed on a side surface of a base member having an axis that extends in a prescribed direction; a step B in which the base member is rotated using said axis as the axis of rotation, and at least a portion of the resistance heating element is separated from the groove or protrusion; and a step C in which a liquid holding member that holds an aerosol source is disposed so as to be in contact with or in close proximity to at least a portion of the resistance heating element.