Heat Transfer Section for Smoke-Free Cigarette Depot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current smokeless cigarettes and pipes face challenges in ensuring a defined and efficient release of nicotine due to high energy requirements for heating and long reaction times, leading to inefficient nicotine delivery and rapid depletion of energy storage devices.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a heat transfer section with high thermal conductivity materials like aluminum, copper, or their alloys, and a hybrid structure with open-pore macroporous support and nanopores to facilitate targeted and efficient heat transfer and nicotine release, minimizing energy consumption and heat loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the air stream is heated to sufficiently high temperature (around 80°C) to release nicotine from the depot, then nicotine release is achieved, but the energy consumption is so high that accumulators are quickly depleted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature of air streamVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two functional parts: a heat transfer section (made of materials with high thermal conductivity like aluminum, copper, or their alloys) that rapidly conducts heat from the heater to the depot, and the depot itself containing the nicotine reservoir. This segmentation allows efficient heat transfer with minimal energy loss, resolving the contradiction between achieving sufficient temperature and minimizing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heat transfer section acts as an intermediary between the heat source (heater) and the nicotine depot. It efficiently mediates heat transfer from the heater to the depot through conduction, ensuring that the nicotine is released at the required temperature while minimizing the total energy required from the accumulator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If the air stream is heated to sufficiently high temperature to release nicotine from the depot, then nicotine release occurs, but the reaction time from user's first suction until sufficient temperature is provided is too long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature of air streamVSAvoidreaction time
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the heat generation function (heater) from the heat transfer function (heat transfer section), the system achieves rapid temperature rise. The heat transfer section, being a dedicated component with optimized thermal conductivity, quickly transfers heat to the nicotine depot, reducing the reaction time from user's first suction to sufficient nicotine release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the thermal conductivity parameter of the heat transfer section by selecting materials with high thermal conductivity (aluminum, copper, or their alloys). This parameter change enables faster heat transfer, thereby reducing the reaction time while maintaining the required temperature for nicotine release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If heat is applied to the depot to release nicotine, then nicotine release is achieved, but heat losses occur during the heating process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature of depotVSAvoidheat losses
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heat transfer section serves as an efficient intermediary that minimizes heat losses during transfer. By using materials with high thermal conductivity, it ensures that heat is transferred directly and efficiently from the heater to the nicotine depot, reducing heat losses to the surrounding environment and improving overall energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution enables a rapid, uniform, and efficient release of nicotine with reduced energy requirements, enhancing the stability and accessibility of nicotine, while preventing oxidation and ensuring safe release of substances into the air stream without hazardous particles.

Implementation Method 1

Heat is transferred directly from outside into the depot by heat conduction or by heat radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

Heat is transferred directly from outside into the depot by heat conduction or by heat radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

the sucked air flow is heated to a sufficiently high temperature before flowing through the depot to release the nicotine or the nicotine-containing compound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP2675305B1Smoke-free cigarette, cigar or pipe
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 SURFLAY NANOTEC
  • EP2675305B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2675305B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2675305B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a smoke-free cigarette, cigar or pipe with at least one depot (10) for storing nicotine and/or nicotine-containing compounds and for releasing the nicotine and/or nicotine-containing compounds in a defined manner, by delivery of external heat, into an air stream to be conveyed through the depot (10). According to the invention, the depot (10) has at least one heat transfer section (16) for targeted delivery of heat for releasing the nicotine and/or the nicotine compound in a defined manner into the air stream.