Heating Element with Segmented Surface Structures for Aerosol Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating devices struggle to heat multiple areas of an aerosol generating article at different temperatures, which is necessary to improve the quality and taste of the aerosol, due to structural complexity and increased manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

The aerosol generating device features a heating element with a cylindrical shape, divided into two portions that are continuously arranged in a longitudinal direction. These portions have different surface structures, including grooves or protrusions, to allow for varying heat transfer and temperature control across different areas of the aerosol generating article.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If multiple heating elements or complex heating structures are used to heat different areas at different temperatures, then the aerosol quality and taste are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature distributionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is divided into multiple sections along its length, with each section having a different surface structure (smooth, grooved, or protruding). This segmentation allows different portions of the aerosol generating article to be heated at different temperatures simultaneously, improving aerosol quality without requiring multiple separate heating elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the heating element are given different local properties through varying surface structures. Smooth portions provide one heating characteristic, grooved portions provide another, and protruding portions provide a third. This local differentiation enables precise temperature control across different heating zones while using a single integrated heating element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If multiple heating elements or complex heating structures are used to heat different areas at different temperatures, then the aerosol quality and taste are improved, but the manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature distributionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple heating functions that would traditionally require separate heating elements are merged into a single heating element. The different surface structures (smooth, grooved, protruding) are integrated along the length of one element, reducing the number of parts to manufacture, assemble, and quality-check, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while achieving differentiated heating

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a single heating element is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot heat different areas at different temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidheating capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element incorporates different local surface qualities along its length - smooth sections, grooved sections, and protruding sections. Each local quality creates a different heating pattern, allowing the single element to adapt to heating different types of materials or different portions of the aerosol generating article at different temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The surface parameters of the heating element are varied along its length to change heating characteristics. By modifying surface geometry (smooth vs. grooved vs. protruding), the heat transfer coefficients are changed, enabling the same heating element to provide multiple heating modes and temperatures for different heating zones

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 solution enables the aerosol generating device to heat respective portions of the aerosol generating article at different temperatures, providing a better smoking sensation by optimizing the heating of aerosol generating materials and tobacco materials.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element (140) heating the aerosol generating article (20000)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

At least a heating surface of the heating element comprises a surface structure which is configured for enabling lateral airflow between the heating surface and a planar aerosol-generating article

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction enhancement: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3860374B1Aerosol generating device including heating element and method of processing such a heating element

Publication Date: 2025.02.19 KT&G CO LTD

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Figure 5~7a
Figure 7b~9

AI summary

An aerosol generating device includes a heating element of which inner surface have different portions having different structures such that the portions of the heating element may heat corresponding areas of an aerosol generating article which is inserted in the aerosol generating device at different temperatures, thereby providing a good quality of aerosol to the user.