Cartridge Thermally Conductive Elements Heat Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating devices, particularly heat-not-burn devices, are limited in their ability to efficiently and reliably heat aerosolisable liquid cartridges, as they are designed for aerosol generating substrates like tobacco rods, lacking compatibility and efficient heat transfer for liquid-based consumables.

Innovation Solution

A cartridge design featuring thermally conductive elements around its exterior, which conduct heat into a capillary transport element, allowing for efficient aerosolization of aerosolisable liquid, and compatible with conventional heat-not-burn devices by orienting the conductive elements within the heating chamber's grooves or ridges for optimal heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a cartridge containing aerosolisable liquid is used instead of a tobacco rod, then user flexibility and choice of consumable form are improved, but the device's ability to efficiently and reliably heat the consumable deteriorates because the device is designed for solid substrates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of consumable formVSAvoidreliability of aerosol generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a capillary transport element as an intermediary between the liquid reservoir and the heating chamber. This element is specifically designed to transfer liquid from the reservoir in a form that can be reliably heated by the device's heating mechanism, bridging the gap between liquid consumables and solid-substrate-designed heating systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state and transport parameters of the aerosolisable liquid by using capillary action to move the liquid from liquid form in the reservoir to a form suitable for heating. The capillary element transforms the liquid's position and delivery mechanism to ensure reliable aerosol generation compatible with the device's heating parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If external heating is applied to a cartridge, then compatibility with conventional heat-not-burn devices is improved, but heat distribution into the cartridge deteriorates without proper thermal conduction paths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with heat-not-burn devicesVSAvoidheat distribution efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The capillary transport element serves as a thermal intermediary, conducting heat from the external heating chamber into the cartridge and distributing it to the aerosolisable liquid. This mediator ensures efficient heat transfer from the device's heating element to the consumable, enabling effective heating despite the cartridge's liquid-based design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes thermal conduction principles where the capillary transport element conducts heat from the external source into the cartridge. The thermal energy propagates through the capillary structure, expanding and distributing heat throughout the aerosolisable liquid to achieve uniform heating and reliable aerosol generation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #37Thermal expansion

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

Enables reliable and efficient aerosol generation from aerosolisable liquid in aerosol generating devices originally designed for solid substrates, ensuring compatibility and effective heat distribution for a wide range of devices, with the aerosol being cooled and safer for inhalation.

Implementation Method 1

one or more thermally conductive elements, wherein the one or more thermally conductive elements are arranged around an exterior of the cartridge between the distal end and the proximal end and are configured to conduct heat into the cartridge towards the capillary transport element when the cartridge is heated within a heating chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a capillary transport element arranged to receive aerosolisable liquid from the reservoir

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

heating element configured to heat the cartridge to a temperature sufficient to vaporise the aerosolisable liquid contained within the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted into the heating chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4046503B1Cartridge for an aerosol generating device
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 JT INTERNATIONAL SA
  • EP4046503B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4046503B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4046503B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A cartridge for an aerosol generating device is disclosed. The cartridge has a distal end and a proximal end, and comprises: a reservoir configured to store aerosolisable liquid therein, a capillary transport element arranged to receive aerosolisable liquid from the reservoir, an air inlet configured to supply air to the capillary transport element, and one or more thermally conductive elements. The one or more thermally conductive elements are arranged around an exterior of the cartridge between the distal end and the proximal end and are configured to conduct heat into the cartridge towards the capillary transport element when the cartridge is heated within a heating chamber of an aerosol generating device.