Open-Porous Ceramic Susceptor for Induction Heating

Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol-generating systems face inefficiencies due to inhomogeneous heating of aerosol-forming substrates, leading to partial underheating and potential overheating, resulting in suboptimal aerosol formation and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

An open-porous inductively heatable ceramic susceptor is used to homogeneously heat aerosol-forming liquids within aerosol-generating devices, ensuring consistent vaping and efficient aerosol production by utilizing an alternating electromagnetic field to induce heat uniformly across the susceptor material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If heating power is increased to heat all portions of the substrate to the required temperature for aerosol formation, then the temperature of previously underheated portions is improved, but local overheating occurs in portions being in direct contact with the susceptor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstrate temperatureVSAvoidlocal overheating

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The susceptor is divided into multiple discrete elements rather than used as a single compact body. This segmentation allows the induction field to heat each element separately, preventing localized overheating while ensuring uniform temperature distribution across the entire substrate contact area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different susceptor configurations (compact body vs. multiple elements) to different spatial regions of the substrate. This allows tailored heating characteristics in different zones - ensuring adequate heating where needed while avoiding overheating in regions with direct susceptor contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If a compact susceptor body is used, then device complexity is reduced, but heating homogeneity across the substrate volume deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesusceptor structureVSAvoidheating homogeneity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The susceptor is divided into multiple discrete elements rather than used as a single compact body. This segmentation allows the induction field to heat each element separately, preventing localized overheating while ensuring uniform temperature distribution across the entire substrate contact area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If susceptor contact with aerosol-forming substrate is increased, then heating efficiency is improved, but temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The susceptor is divided into multiple discrete elements rather than used as a single compact body. This segmentation allows the induction field to heat each element separately, preventing localized overheating while ensuring uniform temperature distribution across the entire substrate contact area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different susceptor configurations (compact body vs. multiple elements) to different spatial regions of the substrate. This allows tailored heating characteristics in different zones - ensuring adequate heating where needed while avoiding overheating in regions with direct susceptor contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The solution achieves homogeneous heating of aerosol-forming liquids, enhancing aerosol formation efficiency, reducing the risk of overheating, and providing a leak-proof, high-retention capacity for the aerosol-forming material, thereby improving the overall performance and usability of aerosol-generating devices.

Implementation Method 1

an induction source including an induction coil configured to generate an alternating electromagnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

which induces at least one of heat generating eddy currents or hysteresis losses in a susceptor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHysteresis losses: Hysteresis

Implementation Method 3

which induces at least one of heat generating eddy currents or hysteresis losses in a susceptor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEddy currents: Eddy Currents

Implementation Method 4

configured to heat the portion of the aerosol-forming liquid under the influence of an alternating electromagnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20240122253A1Susceptor for use with an inductively heated aerosol-generating device or system

Publication Date: 2024.04.18 ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC

AI summary

An inductively heatable susceptor for use with an inductively heated aerosol-generating device or system includes an open-porous inductively heatable ceramic material configured to hold an aerosol-forming liquid and configured to heat the aerosol-forming liquid under the influence of an alternating electromagnetic field. A cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device includes an aerosol-forming liquid and a susceptor. An aerosol-generating device includes a susceptor.