Heating Member Protrusions for Uniform Aerosol Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional 'heat-not-burn' aerosol-generating devices face issues with uneven temperature distribution between the inner and outer periphery of the aerosol-generating substrate due to inefficient heat transfer, leading to inadequate heating of the inner substrate.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a heating member with protrusions on its inner surface, creating airflow channels that facilitate a combination of heat conduction and convection, slowing down the heat transfer rate to match the inner and outer periphery heating rates, thereby reducing temperature differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electromagnetic induction heating is used to heat the aerosol-generating substrate, then heating efficiency is improved and the substrate reaches high temperature quickly, but temperature distribution between inner and outer periphery becomes uneven

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heating member is segmented into multiple protrusions distributed on its inner surface, creating multiple airflow channels instead of a single continuous channel. This segmentation allows heat to be distributed more uniformly across the aerosol-generating substrate by creating multiple heat transfer paths, resolving the contradiction between fast heating and uniform temperature distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Airflow channels are introduced into the heating system to utilize convection for heat transfer. The protrusions create channels through which air flows, carrying heat from the heating member to the aerosol-generating substrate. This pneumatic approach complements thermal conduction and ensures more uniform temperature distribution while maintaining high heating efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If the aerosol-generating substrate is heated at high temperature quickly, then aerosol generation speed is improved, but harmful substances may be generated due to overheating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerosol generation speedVSAvoidharmful substance generation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow channels create a natural feedback mechanism where air continuously flows through the heating zone, carrying away excess heat and preventing localized overheating. This feedback loop ensures that the temperature remains within the optimal range for aerosol generation without reaching levels that would produce harmful substances, while still maintaining high aerosol generation speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the thermal parameters by introducing convective heat transfer through airflow channels, which modifies the heat distribution pattern. This parameter change allows the substrate to be heated uniformly at high temperature without creating hot spots that would generate harmful substances, thus maintaining both high productivity and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If the outer periphery of the substrate is heated intensely, then heating speed is improved, but inner heat transfer becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating speedVSAvoidinner substrate heating adequacy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating approach is extended into the radial dimension by creating airflow channels that reach from the outer periphery toward the inner core of the substrate. This dimensional extension allows heat to be transmitted not only from the outer surface but also through the thickness of the substrate, ensuring adequate heating of the inner regions while maintaining high overall heating speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 effectively addresses the uneven temperature distribution issue by promoting heat convection, ensuring more uniform heating and reducing the risk of overheating, while also improving inhalation resistance and user experience.

Implementation Method 1

heat is conducted to the aerosol-generating substrate, and baking and heating are performed on the aerosol-generating substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

at least one protrusion is disposed on the inner surface of the first sidewall, the protrusion makes a second airflow channel formed between the first sidewall and the aerosol-generating substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat convection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4285758B1Aerosol generating device
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 SHENZHEN SMOORE TECH LTD
  • EP4285758B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4285758B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4285758B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An aerosol generating device (10), comprising a heating base (17) and a heating member (19), wherein the heating base (17) is provided with a heating cavity (173); the heating member (19) is used for accommodating and heating an aerosol generating matrix (11); the heating member (19) is arranged in the heating cavity (173); the heating member (19) comprises a first side wall (191); a first airflow channel (21) is formed between the first side wall (191) and an inner surface of the heating cavity (173); an inner surface of the first side wall (191) is provided with protrusions (193); a second airflow channel (20) is formed between the first side wall (191) and the aerosol generating matrix (11) by the protrusions (193); and the first airflow channel (21) and the second airflow channel (20) both lead to the bottom of the heating cavity (173) from the outside of the aerosol generating device (10). The aerosol generating device (10) can solve the problem of the temperature of the inner periphery and of the outer periphery not being uniform when an aerosol generating matrix is heated.