Heating Assembly With Heat Transmitting Member For Flavor Inhaler

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flavor inhalers lack novel structures for efficiently heating flavor generating articles without burning them, which can lead to suboptimal aerosol generation and flavor delivery.

Innovation Solution

A heating assembly with a flexible polyimide heater and a heat shrinkable tube is used to heat the flavor generating article, ensuring even heat distribution and aerosol vaporization without combustion, integrated into a handheld flavor inhaler design with a user-friendly interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a heating element is used to heat the flavor generating article, then aerosol generation is achieved, but the flavor source may burn instead of vaporizing evenly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol generation consistencyVSAvoidcombustion of flavor source

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a heat-transmitting member as an intermediary between the heating element and the flavor generating article. This mediator distributes heat evenly across the article surface, preventing direct contact between the heating element and the flavor source, thereby avoiding combustion while ensuring consistent vaporization and aerosol generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct thermal contact (mechanical heating system) with a heat conduction system through a heat-transmitting member. This substitution allows for controlled heat distribution that prevents localized overheating and combustion while maintaining effective vaporization for aerosol generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If conventional heating structures are used, then heating function is achieved, but the structure lacks novelty and efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidstructural simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the heating element, heat-transmitting member, and flavor generating article into an integrated heating assembly. This combination optimizes heat transfer efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity, achieving high productivity without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat-transmitting member is designed with specific thermal conductivity properties tailored for the heating application. By optimizing the local thermal characteristics of the heat-transmitting member, the patent achieves efficient heat distribution while keeping the overall structure simple and effective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution provides a consistent and efficient aerosol generation, enhancing the delivery of flavors without burning the flavor source, improving user experience and aerosol quality.

Implementation Method 1

heating a flavor generating article including a flavor source containing an aerosol source... aerosol vaporization without combustion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

a heat transmitting member... configured to transmit heat generated in the heating member to the flavor generating article

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a heat shrinkable tube... configured to shrink when being applied with heat in a position disposed on an outer peripheral side of the heating member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentEP3995015B1Heating assembly and flavor inhaler

Publication Date: 2023.11.08 JAPAN TOBACCO INC

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

Provided is a flavor inhaler and an insertion guide member which have novel structures. Provided is a heating assembly. The heating assembly comprises a heating member (43) configured to heat a flavor generating article, and a heat transmitting member (42) configured to transmit the heat generated in the heating member to the flavor generating article. The heating member includes a heat generator (43a) configured to generate heat and an insulating substrate (43b) configured to support the heat generator. The heat generator and the substrate form a heat generation region (43d) in which the heat generator is disposed and a non-heat generation region (43e) which is located adjacent to the heat generation region and in which the heat generator is not disposed. The heat transmitting member includes a first surface in which the heating member is disposed, a second surface configured to face the flavor generating article when the flavor generating article is fitted in the heating member, and a protrusion that is provided in a region of the second surface which coincides with the non-heat generation region of the heating member disposed in the first surface, the protrusion being configured to press and hold the flavor generating article fitted in the heating member.