Heating Element Cleaning Tool With Rotation-Preventing Main Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol-generating devices face challenges in cleaning their heating elements without damaging them, as residues often stick to the heating element, and existing cleaning methods can inadvertently harm fragile heating blades during the process.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning tool with a rotatably attached handle and a main body equipped with cleaning elements, such as brushes, is designed to prevent rotation of the main body during insertion, ensuring the heating element is cleaned without damage by allowing only translational movement, and utilizing a bearing for smooth handle rotation without affecting the main body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cleaning tool is inserted into the heating chamber to clean the heating element, then the residues can be removed from the heating element, but the heating element may be damaged due to rotation of the cleaning tool
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning tool is divided into two functionally independent parts: a handle that can rotate independently and a main body that remains stationary during insertion. This segmentation allows the user to rotate the handle for ergonomic purposes while the main body with cleaning elements maintains a fixed orientation, preventing damage to the heating element during cleaning operations
Solution Approach 2:
A bearing is introduced as an intermediary component between the handle and the main body. This bearing enables relative rotation between the handle and main body while maintaining their functional connection. The bearing acts as a mediator that decouples the rotation of the handle from the main body, allowing independent rotation without transmitting rotational force to the cleaning elements
2Device complexity
If the handle is rigidly attached to the main body, then the structure is simple, but rotation of the handle causes rotation of the main body which may damage the heating element
Solution Approach 1:
A bearing is introduced as an intermediary component between the handle and the main body. This bearing enables relative rotation between the handle and main body while maintaining their functional connection. The bearing acts as a mediator that decouples the rotation of the handle from the main body, allowing independent rotation without transmitting rotational force to the cleaning elements
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment between handle and main body is changed from a rigid static connection to a dynamic connection that allows controlled relative motion. The bearing provides a dynamic interface that permits rotation of the handle while keeping the main body stationary, adapting the structure to meet different operational requirements
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 cleaning tool effectively removes residues from the heating element while minimizing the risk of damage, allowing for repeated use and ensuring all parts of the heating element are cleaned without causing harm, even when the element has a fragile shape like a heating blade.
Implementation Method 1
The handle is rotatably attached to the main body of the cleaning tool... the handle can be rotated without the main body being also rotated
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cleaning tool configured for cleaning a heating element (22) of an aerosol-generating device (20). The cleaning tool comprises a handle (10) and a main body (12). The main body comprises one or more cleaning elements (14). The handle is rotatably attached to the main body. The present invention further relates to an aerosol-generating device and a cleaning tool and a method for cleaning a heating element of an aerosol-generating device.