Cigarette Heating Element Clearance for Aerosol Flow Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating devices fail to provide an appropriate balance between aerosol transfer amount and suction resistance, which affects the smoking experience.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a heating element that passes through a hole in the accommodation part, with a specific ratio of cross-sectional areas to optimize airflow and aerosol transfer, ensuring an enhanced smoking sensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the hole size in the accommodation part is increased to improve aerosol transfer amount, then aerosol transfer amount is improved, but suction resistance decreases (affects smoking experience)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerosol transfer amountVSAvoidsuction resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the cross-sectional area ratio of the hole to the heating element within a specific range (1.8-3.6). This quantitative parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal balance point where aerosol transfer amount is maximized while suction resistance remains within acceptable limits for smoking experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the heating element dimensions are changed to improve heating efficiency, then aerosol generation is improved, but the fit with the hole and aerosol transfer are affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidaerosol transfer amount
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by establishing a specific parameter relationship: the cross-sectional area ratio between hole and heating element should be 1.8-3.6. This parameter constraint ensures that heating efficiency is maintained while optimizing aerosol transfer, preventing either parameter from compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the accommodation part design is optimized for aerosol transfer, then aerosol delivery is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerosol transfer amountVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies manufacturing by defining a specific parameter range (1.8-3.6 for the area ratio) rather than requiring complex geometric optimizations. This parameter-based approach allows standard manufacturing processes to produce the optimal design, avoiding excessive manufacturing complexity while achieving improved aerosol transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design stabilizes suction resistance and promotes aerosol transfer, providing an improved smoking experience by balancing airflow and aerosol delivery.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element passing through a hole formed in a bottom surface of the accommodation part, protruding into the accommodation part and capable of heating the cigarette inserted into the accommodation part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3818847B1Aerosol generating device
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 KT&G CO LTD
  • EP3818847B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3818847B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3818847B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device includes: an accommodation part into which a cigarette is capable of being inserted; and a heating element passing through a hole formed in a bottom surface of the accommodation part, protruding into the accommodation part and capable of heating the cigarette inserted into the accommodation part, wherein, on the bottom-surface, the ratio of a cross-sectional area of the hole with respect to a cross-sectional area of the heating element is greater than or equal to 1.8.