Conductive Ceramic Heater Geometry for Faster Aerosol Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating devices face issues with parts of the conductive ceramic base body not generating heat and having large heat capacity and low heating efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The base body is designed with a thicker first portion at the ends and a thinner middle portion, and a conductive electrode is arranged on the end surfaces, reducing heat capacity and improving heating efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a conductive ceramic base body with uniform thickness is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the heat capacity is large and heating efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidheating efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The base body is designed with non-uniform thickness distribution, where the first portion (at the ends) has greater thickness than the second portion (middle section). This local variation in geometry allows different regions to serve different functions: the thicker end portions provide structural support and electrical connection areas, while the thinner middle portion reduces heat capacity and improves heating efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the thickness of the base body is reduced to improve heating efficiency, then the heating efficiency increases, but the structural strength and electrical connection area are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The base body employs non-uniform thickness distribution where the first portion at the ends has greater thickness than the second portion in the middle. This design strategically places thicker sections at locations requiring structural strength and electrical connection, while reducing thickness in the middle section to minimize heat capacity and improve heating efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If the conductive electrode is arranged on the side surface of the base body, then the electrical connection is simplified, but the electrical contact area and heating performance are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection simplicityVSAvoidheating performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive electrode is arranged on the end surfaces of the base body rather than on the side surface. This dimensional change from lateral placement to end-face placement increases the effective electrical contact area with the aerosol-forming substrate and improves heating performance while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enhances heating efficiency by reducing heat capacity and facilitating better electrical connection, while maintaining consistent heating performance.

Implementation Method 1

the base body is configured to generate an infrared ray for radiative heating of the aerosol-forming substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a conductive coating is mainly coated on an outer side surface of a conductive ceramic base body. After being energized, the conductive ceramic base body may heat an aerosol-forming substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4721594A1Heater and aerosol generating device
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 SHENZHEN FIRST UNION TECH CO LTD
  • EP4721594A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4721594A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4721594A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided in the present application are a heater and an aerosol generating device. The heater comprises: a base body, the base body being provided with a near end and a far end which are opposite to each other, the material of the base body comprising conductive ceramic, the base body being used for heating an aerosol generating substrate to generate aerosol, the base body comprising a first part close to the near end or the far end and a second part located between the near end and the far end, and the thickness dimension of the first part being greater than that of the second part; and a conductive electrode, disposed on the end surface of the near end and/or the far end. In the heater of the present application, the conductive electrode is disposed on the end surface of the near end and/or the far end of the base body, and the thickness dimensions of two ends of the base body are greater than that of a middle part of the base body, so that the conductive electrode is convenient to be disposed on the end surfaces of the two ends of the base body. In addition, the thickness of the middle part of the base body is relatively lower, thereby further reducing the heat capacity of the conductive ceramic base body, and improving the heating efficiency of the heater.