Heating Chamber Metallic Layer for Uniform Aerosol Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generation devices face challenges in efficiently heating aerosol substrates to release aerosols while minimizing energy consumption and preventing hotspots, and there is a need for improved thermal isolation and heat distribution in portable devices.

Innovation Solution

A portable aerosol generation device with a heating chamber featuring a thin, thermally conductive tubular side wall and a metallic layer with high thermal conductivity, where the heater is located on the metallic layer, and the chamber is thermally isolated using insulating materials to enhance heat localization and reduce energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a heater is applied directly to the heating chamber, then heating efficiency is improved, but hotspots and uneven heat distribution occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidhotspot prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A metallic layer is introduced as an intermediary between the heater and the heating chamber. This metallic layer acts as a heat distribution medium that receives heat from the heater and distributes it evenly across the heating chamber surface, preventing direct contact hotspots while maintaining heating efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating chamber is designed with a metallic layer that has high thermal conductivity specifically at the heating zone. This creates local quality enhancement where heat is rapidly distributed across the surface, ensuring uniform temperature distribution only where needed without affecting other parts of the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If thermal isolation is enhanced to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but heat distribution to the aerosol substrate becomes less effective

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidheat distribution efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Thermal isolation materials are applied selectively only to specific regions of the heating chamber where heat containment is needed, rather than covering the entire chamber. This allows heat to be effectively distributed to the aerosol substrate through the metallic layer while preventing energy loss in non-heating zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The heating chamber is segmented into different thermal zones: a metallic layer region for active heat distribution and isolation regions for energy conservation. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of both heat distribution efficiency and energy efficiency in different spatial zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If the side wall is made thin to reduce device size, then portability is improved, but thermal isolation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidthermal isolation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The side wall is constructed as a composite structure combining a thin base material with an integrated metallic layer. The thin base material maintains device portability and small size, while the metallic layer provides enhanced thermal management and isolation properties without significantly increasing overall thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Thermal isolation properties are enhanced locally at the metallic layer interface rather than requiring the entire side wall to be thick. This localized quality enhancement provides effective thermal management while maintaining the thin overall profile needed for portability.

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 enables rapid heating of aerosol substrates, efficient heat distribution, and reduced energy consumption, ensuring comfortable handling and effective aerosol release without hotspots, improving the overall performance and user experience of the device.

Implementation Method 1

a metallic layer in direct contact with the heating chamber and covering a portion of an outer surface of the side wall... wherein the metallic layer comprises a metal having a thermal conductivity of at least 150 W/mK

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a heater is located at least partially on the metallic layer... the heater arranged to supply heat to the heating chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

the chamber is thermally isolated using insulating materials to enhance heat localization and reduce energy consumption

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3863448B1Aerosol generation device and heating chamber therefor
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 JT INTERNATIONAL SA
  • EP3863448B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3863448B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3863448B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)

AI summary

An aerosol generation device (100) has a heating chamber (108) for receiving a substrate carrier (114) containing an aerosol substrate (128). The heating chamber (108) comprises a tubular side wall (126) having an open first end (110), the tubular side wall (126) defining an interior volume of the heating chamber (108). A metallic layer (144) is provided in direct contact with the heating chamber (108) and covering a portion of an outer surface of the side wall (126).