Elastomeric Cleaning Tool for Aerosol Device Heating Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning tools for aerosol-generating devices are not effective in removing residues and debris from heating elements and cavities, leading to reduced performance and unpleasant flavors, and are often cumbersome for frequent use.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning tool with an elongate body and a recess for receiving a heating element, featuring a protrusion that extends into the recess for effective cleaning, made from flexible materials like thermoplastic elastomers, allowing easy handling and storage, and a scraping surface for cleaning the cavity base.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning consumable such as a brush is used to clean the heating element, then cleaning effectiveness may be improved, but the device becomes more cumbersome and less convenient for frequent use
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning tool uses a flexible elastomeric body that can deform to conform to the heating element surface, providing effective cleaning contact while maintaining a compact, brushless design that is convenient for frequent use
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning tool utilizes the elastomeric material's ability to change shape under compression, allowing it to adapt to the heating element's geometry for effective cleaning, while its flexibility enables it to be stored compactly with the aerosol-generating articles
2Reliability
If pyrolysis is used to clean the heating element by heating it to high temperatures, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases and the process may not be completely effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal pyrolysis process with a mechanical cleaning approach using a compressed elastomeric body that physically removes residues through deformation and contact with the heating element surface, avoiding high energy consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning tool is designed to be used by the consumer without requiring external energy input or complex equipment, allowing the user to manually clean the heating element by compressing and moving the elastomeric body along the surface
3Reliability
If prior art cleaning consumables are used, then some cleaning function is provided, but they cannot completely clean all of the heater blade and cavity, leading to reduced performance
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning tool is divided into functional zones within the elastomeric body, including a compressed cleaning surface for the heating element and an extended portion for reaching into the cavity, allowing comprehensive cleaning of all surfaces without requiring multiple separate tools
Solution Approach 2:
The single elastomeric cleaning tool performs multiple cleaning functions: cleaning the heating element blade surface through compression, cleaning the cavity through the extended portion, and can be used with different aerosol-generating article types, replacing the need for multiple specialized cleaning devices
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 tool effectively cleans heating elements and cavity surfaces, reducing debris contact and improving user convenience by being compact and easy to store with the aerosol-generating articles.
Implementation Method 1
the cleaning tool comprises an elastomeric body which is compressible under the action of a heating element to which it is inserted
Implementation Method 2
a cleaning tool comprises an elongate body... made from flexible materials like thermoplastic elastomers
Implementation Method 3
the initial heating of portions of the substrate that are in contact with the heating element will be effected by conduction
Implementation Method 4
When an aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco substrate, is heated, volatile compounds are released
Implementation Method 5
Cleaning may be effected by a pyrolysis method, in which the heating element is heated to a temperature sufficiently high to burn any residues or deposits
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning tool for an aerosol-generating device is provided, the cleaning tool including an elongate body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the distal end portion defining a recess configured to receive a heating element of an aerosol-generating device, the recess extending from an opening in a distal end face of the elongate body towards the proximal end portion of the elongate body, the distal end portion of the elongate body being provided with at least one protrusion inwardly projecting into the recess, and the elongate body further including a scraping surface at the distal end face of the elongate body.