Heater Array for Aerosol Devices with Zoned Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol-generating devices face inefficiencies in heating aerosol-generating articles, leading to uneven heating, waste of consumable material, and undesirable aerosol release, as they often require lengthy heating times and overheat certain portions, resulting in a less desirable user experience and energy inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A highly-configurable heating system with an array of individually addressable heating elements, arranged in a grid to heat different sections of the aerosol-generating article consecutively, allowing for faster heat-up times and consistent heat delivery across the entire article, avoiding overheating and optimizing flavor profile and energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single heating element is used to heat the aerosol-generating article, then the device structure is simple, but the heating time is long and heat distribution is uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is divided into multiple independent heating zones (first heating zone, second heating zone, third heating zone) arranged along the longitudinal axis. Each zone can be controlled independently to heat different sections of the aerosol-generating article simultaneously, reducing total heating time while maintaining structural feasibility
2Stability of the object's composition
If the entire aerosol-generating article is heated uniformly, then complete heating is achieved, but certain portions are overheated causing material waste and undesirable aerosol release
Solution Approach 1:
Different heating zones are configured with different heating characteristics to match the local requirements of different article sections. The first heating zone (higher power) targets the mouth end requiring faster heating, while the third heating zone (lower power) targets the filter end requiring gentler heating. This prevents overheating and material waste while achieving complete heating
3Speed
If high power is used to heat the aerosol-generating article quickly, then heating speed is improved, but energy consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element operates in periodic cycles with different power levels. High power is applied only during the initial heating phase when the article requires rapid temperature increase, then power is reduced to maintenance levels. This periodic action achieves fast heating while minimizing overall energy consumption and preserving battery life
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 efficient and consistent aerosol generation, minimizing waste and energy consumption, while ensuring optimal flavor and aroma, providing a better user experience and extending device battery life.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of heating elements may include at least three heating elements. Two or more heating elements of the plurality of heating elements may be positioned within a plane orthogonal to the cavity axis, and two or more heating elements of the plurality of heating elements may be positioned in different positions along the cavity axis
Data Source
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AI summary
An aerosol-generating device (100) including a heater array (120) and methods for use therewith may generate aerosol using aerosol- generating articles (130). The heater array includes a plurality of heating elements (122) arranged about an aerosol-generating device to direct heat to an aerosol-generating articles coupled thereto. At least one property of the aerosol-generating article may be identified and the aerosol-generating article may be heated using the heater array based on the identified at least one property.