Geared Heating Element Cleaning Tool for Controlled Residue Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning tools for aerosol-generating devices lack precision and safety, often causing damage to the heating element during the cleaning process due to manual operation, leading to residue accumulation and inefficient cleaning of the heating element and heating chamber.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning tool with a mechanical actuator element and gears that transmits a defined driving force to cleaning elements, such as brushes or microfiber cloths, to safely and effectively clean the heating element and inner walls of the heating chamber, preventing damage and ensuring thorough residue removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual cleaning tools are used to clean the heating element, then cleaning operation is simple, but the heating element may be damaged due to uncontrolled cleaning force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning operationVSAvoidheating element integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A mechanical actuator element serves as an intermediary between the user and the cleaning element. The actuator transmits controlled mechanical force through a driving element to the cleaning element, mediating the interaction between user operation and the heating element to prevent damage while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct manual manipulation with a mechanical transmission system consisting of an actuator element, driving element, and cleaning element. This substitution transforms uncontrolled hand movements into controlled mechanical actions, ensuring reliable cleaning without damaging the heating element.

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

2Device complexity

If direct manual cleaning is performed, then device complexity is low, but cleaning precision and uniformity are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning tool structureVSAvoidcleaning uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The driving element acts as a mechanical intermediary that translates actuator movement into precise cleaning element motion. This intermediate mechanism ensures uniform and controlled cleaning action across the heating element surface, improving cleaning precision without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If uncontrolled manual cleaning force is applied, then cleaning intensity can be high, but residue removal efficiency is reduced due to heating element damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresidue removal efficiencyVSAvoidheating element condition
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical transmission system replaces direct manual force application with controlled mechanical actuation. This substitution maintains sufficient cleaning intensity for effective residue removal while preventing overheating or damage to the heating element through controlled force transmission.

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

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 facilitates safe and reliable cleaning of the heating element and heating chamber by providing controlled mechanical movement, ensuring uniform cleaning and preventing damage, while also collecting residues for easy extraction.

Implementation Method 1

The driving element is configured to transmit a mechanical driving force from the actuator element to the cleaning element. Furthermore, the driving element comprises one or more gears.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force transmission: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP3823493B1Cleaning tool for heating element with gears
Publication Date: 2022.07.13 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA
  • EP3823493B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3823493B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3823493B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cleaning tool configured for cleaning a heating element of an aerosol-generating device. The cleaning tool comprises a mechanical actuator element, one or more cleaning elements, and a driving element. The driving element is configured to transmit a mechanical driving force from the actuator element to the cleaning element. The driving element comprises one or more gears. The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device together with a cleaning tool and a method for cleaning a heating element of an aerosol-generating device.