Heat-Not-Burn Device With Reflective Thermal Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating non-combustion devices suffer from significant heat transfer loss to the casing, making it hot to the touch and resulting in low battery efficiency, especially with circumferential heating elements, and existing insulation materials like aerogel provide only partial relief.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a thermal insulation layer with reflective materials such as aluminum foil and hollow glass microspheres, or upconversion materials, combined with strategic air gaps and pillars, to redirect thermal radiation and enhance insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a thermal insulation layer is added to reduce heat transfer to the casing, then the casing temperature decreases, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecasing temperatureVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple insulation layers (aerogel layer, vacuum insulation layer, reflective barrier layer) with different thermal properties. Each layer addresses specific heat transfer mechanisms (conduction, convection, radiation), creating a multi-functional composite insulation system that achieves superior thermal performance while managing structural complexity through functional specialization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements nesting by placing the heating element inside the outer pipe, then surrounding it with multiple concentric insulation layers (aerogel layer, vacuum layer, reflective layer). This nested arrangement allows each insulation layer to be positioned optimally around the heat source, maximizing thermal efficiency while organizing the complex structure in a compact, hierarchical manner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Loss of energy

If aerogel is used for thermal insulation, then heat transfer is partially reduced, but the casing still becomes hot when multiple cigarettes are consecutively smoked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer lossVSAvoidcasing temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines aerogel (for conductive insulation) with vacuum insulation (for convective insulation) and reflective barriers (for radiative insulation). This composite approach addresses all three heat transfer mechanisms, preventing heat accumulation in the casing even during consecutive smoking operations, thereby solving the limitation of using aerogel alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The vacuum insulation layer acts as an intermediary between the heating element and the outer casing, creating a thermal barrier that significantly reduces heat transfer. The vacuum environment prevents both conduction and convection, while the reflective layers intercept thermal radiation, effectively mediating the thermal interaction and preventing casing overheating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If the heating element is positioned within the outer pipe, then the device structure is compact, but significant heat transfer occurs making the casing hot to the touch

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidheat transfer to casing
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses nesting to place the heating element inside the outer pipe, then surrounds it with multiple concentric insulation layers. This nested structure achieves compactness by organizing components in a space-efficient hierarchical arrangement while the multiple insulation layers effectively block heat transfer to the casing, resolving the contradiction between compactness and thermal isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite insulation materials (aerogel, vacuum layer, reflective barriers) that provide high thermal resistance in a thin profile. These composite materials enable effective heat blocking within the compact outer pipe structure, preventing casing overheating while maintaining device compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite 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

Significantly reduces the temperature of the casing, improving user safety and battery efficiency by minimizing heat transfer, with aluminum foil showing a 14.1% reduction in power consumption and 42°C decrease in outer wall temperature.

Implementation Method 1

The inner wall of the outer pipe is provided with a thermal insulation layer, and there is or is not a gap between the thermal insulation layer and the inner wall of the outer pipe. In one embodiment, the thermal insulation layer is an aluminum reflective layer.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

In one embodiment, the thermal insulation layer is a hollow glass microsphere layer.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

In one embodiment, the first thermal insulation layer is an aluminum reflective layer, and the second thermal insulation layer is an upconversion material coating.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUpconversion:

Data Source

PatentEP4578304A1Heat-not-burn device and electronic cigarette having same
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 SHENZHEN GEEKVAPE TECH CO LTD
  • EP4578304A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4578304A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4578304A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A heating non-combustion device and its electronic cigarette, the heating non-combustion device includes a cigarette stick (1), an outer pipe (2), and a heating element (4); the cigarette stick (1) is at least partially located within the heating element (4), the heating element (4) is located within the outer pipe (2), and there is a first gap (3) between the heating element (4) and the outer pipe (2); and the inner wall of the outer pipe (2) is provided with a thermal insulation layer (5), and there is or is not a gap between the thermal insulation layer (5) and the inner wall of the outer pipe (2). The present utility model significantly improves the thermal insulation effect by setting a thermal insulation layer (5), effectively preventing the casing from being hot to the touch.