Electronic Cigarette Microwave Heating Module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic cigarettes degrade the quality of tobacco material due to direct contact with heating wires, and existing microwave-based solutions lack efficiency in heating and atomization.

Innovation Solution

An electronic cigarette design incorporating a microwave heating module with a cylindrical shielding net, magnetron, and silicone sleeve to concentrate microwave energy on a non-metallic cup containing tobacco material, improving heating efficiency and preventing material degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a heating wire is directly immersed into the tobacco material, then heating efficiency is improved, but the quality of the tobacco material degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidtobacco material degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (liquid-guiding material or ceramic cup with liquid) between the heating source and tobacco material. This intermediary absorbs microwave energy and transfers heat to the tobacco material indirectly, preventing direct contact with the heating wire while maintaining efficient heating through thermal conduction from the heated liquid medium.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional direct-contact mechanical heating system with a microwave-based heating system. The microwave generator produces electromagnetic waves that heat the intermediary substance, which then transfers heat to the tobacco material, eliminating the need for direct mechanical contact between the heating wire and tobacco.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If microwave energy is released into the cylindrical shielding net, then heating efficiency is improved, but microwave energy may be lost without proper containment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidmicrowave energy loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful microwave energy leakage into a beneficial containment system. The cylindrical shielding net with its specific mesh structure and the cover work together to reflect and concentrate microwave energy back onto the tobacco material, turning what could be energy loss into enhanced heating efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The cylindrical shielding net serves multiple functions: it contains and directs microwave energy, supports the cup structure, and works with the cover to create a closed heating chamber. This multi-functional design improves overall system efficiency while preventing energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If a cover is added to hold microwave energy in the cylindrical shielding net, then heating efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a cover that forms a flexible or semi-rigid closure for the cylindrical shielding net. This thin-film or shell structure effectively contains microwave energy while adding minimal structural complexity, maintaining simplicity in the overall device design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a non-metallic cup is used to accommodate tobacco material, then material degradation is prevented, but microwave penetration may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetobacco material degradationVSAvoidmicrowave energy absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies that the non-metallic cup should have porous characteristics, allowing microwave energy to penetrate through the cup walls and reach the tobacco material. The porous structure enables sufficient microwave transmission while maintaining the benefit of non-metallic contact that prevents material degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous 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 microwave heating module efficiently heats and atomizes tobacco material without degrading it, providing a more environmentally friendly and efficient alternative to conventional heating wires.

Implementation Method 1

the magnetron emits microwave; the microwave is released via the microwave source into the cylindrical shielding net to heat and atomize the tobacco material in the cup

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave heating: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 2

the microwave is released via the microwave source into the cylindrical shielding net to heat and atomize the tobacco material in the cup

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 3

the cover is disposed on the cylindrical shielding net so as to hold the microwave emitted by the microwave source in the cylindrical shielding net, thereby concentrating the microwave energy on the tobacco material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave concentration: Focusing

Implementation Method 4

a microwave heating module and an aerosol generator; the microwave heating module comprises a cup, a cylindrical shielding net, a magnetron, and a microwave source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP3973799B1Electronic cigarette
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 SHENZHEN EIGATE TECH CO LTD
  • EP3973799B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3973799B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3973799B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic cigarette includes a microwave heating module and an aerosol generator. The microwave heating module includes a cup (4), a cylindrical shielding net (5), a magnetron (7), and a microwave source (8). The cup is fixed in the cylindrical shielding net for accommodating a tobacco material. The cylindrical shielding net is disposed above the microwave source. The magnetron is disposed on the microwave source. In a power-on state, the magnetron emits microwave. The microwave is released via the microwave source into the cylindrical shielding net to heat and atomize the tobacco material in the cup. The microwave heating module is disposed in the aerosol generator.