Corrugated Aerosol Consumable With Selective Trough Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol provision systems lack flexibility in tailoring the aerosol generating component and material to provide a desirable aerosol for inhalation, limiting user experience and personalized aerosol production.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a consumable with a corrugated surface featuring troughs filled with aerosol generating material, where a heating element sequentially supplies heat to selected troughs, allowing for precise control over aerosolization and personalized aerosol production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a heating element heats all aerosol generating material simultaneously, then aerosol production is continuous, but flexibility in tailoring aerosol profiles is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The aerosol generating material is divided into multiple discrete troughs arranged in a circular array. The heating element can selectively heat individual troughs or groups of troughs independently, allowing different aerosol generating materials in different troughs to be activated in different sequences and patterns. This segmentation enables flexible tailoring of aerosol profiles while maintaining efficient production through parallel heating capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic or sequential heating of different troughs rather than continuous simultaneous heating. The heating element can move between troughs and activate them in a predetermined sequence or based on user selection, creating periodic aerosol generation from different materials. This periodic action provides versatility in aerosol profiling while maintaining overall productivity through structured timing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple aerosol generating materials are used in different troughs, then personalized aerosol production is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single heating element is designed to perform multiple functions by sequentially heating different troughs. Rather than having separate heating elements for each trough, one multi-functional heating element can activate any or all troughs in various sequences and patterns. This universal approach enables personalized aerosol production while minimizing device complexity through component consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is made movable relative to the circular array of troughs, allowing dynamic selection of which troughs to heat and in what sequence. This dynamic capability enables personalized aerosol profiles without requiring static, dedicated heating elements for each material. The movement mechanism adds minimal complexity while maximizing versatility.
3Measurement precision
If sequential heating of troughs is implemented, then aerosol profile control is improved, but heating time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sequential heating is implemented through periodic activation of different troughs in a controlled sequence. The heating element moves between troughs and activates them one after another or in grouped patterns, providing precise control over aerosol profiles. The periodic nature of this sequential heating allows for optimized timing to balance profile control precision with acceptable heating duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The sequential heating process is designed to maintain continuous useful action by efficiently transitioning between troughs and minimizing idle time. The heating element follows an optimized path through the circular array of troughs, and the system can be configured to heat multiple troughs in sequence during a single operational cycle, ensuring that the aerosol generation process remains continuous and productive despite the sequential activation of different materials.
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 enables efficient and flexible aerosol production, allowing for tailored aerosol profiles and improved user experience by selectively heating different aerosol generating materials in the troughs.
Implementation Method 1
sequentially supplying heat to selected one or more troughs, such that at a given time, heat is directly applied to the selected one or more troughs by a heating element
Implementation Method 2
aerosol generating material in the troughs... sequentially supplying heat to selected one or more troughs... enables efficient and flexible aerosol production
Data Source
AI summary
A method of generating aerosol from a consumable is disclosed. The consumable comprises a corrugated surface having troughs extending along the consumable in an axial direction, the troughs being provided with aerosol generating material. The method comprising sequentially supplying heat to selected one or more troughs, such that at a given time, heat is directly applied to the selected one or more troughs by a heating element.