Segmented Heating Element for HNB Cigarette Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat-not-burn (HNB) cigarettes suffer from poor uniformity in aroma and taste emission due to inadequate heating uniformity.
Innovation Solution
A heating element comprising a conductive substrate, an insulating layer, a heating layer, a first conductive member, and a second conductive member, which forms a current circuit to improve heating uniformity and reduce energy consumption, enhancing the aroma and taste uniformity of HNB cigarettes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional heating element is used in HNB cigarettes, then the heating function is achieved, but the heating uniformity is poor resulting in inconsistent aroma and taste emission
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is segmented into multiple independent heating zones with separate heating wires arranged in parallel. Each heating zone can be controlled independently to achieve uniform heat distribution across the tobacco material, resolving the contradiction between heating function and heating uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the heating element are designed with different heating characteristics by varying the density and arrangement of heating wires in different zones. This local differentiation ensures optimal heating uniformity across the entire tobacco material surface, improving both heating precision and aroma emission consistency.
2Productivity
If the heating temperature is increased to improve aroma emission, then the heating effectiveness is enhanced, but the energy consumption increases and maximum temperature becomes too high
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element divides the heating function into multiple parallel heating zones, allowing the total heating load to be distributed across multiple lower-power elements. This segmentation enables effective tobacco heating while reducing the peak temperature and overall energy consumption compared to a single high-temperature heater.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single high-temperature heating source, the patent employs multiple heating zones that collectively provide the necessary heating effect. Each zone operates at a moderate temperature, but the combined effect achieves sufficient tobacco utilization with lower energy consumption and reduced maximum temperature.
3Productivity
If the heating power is increased to improve aroma emission, then the heating effectiveness is enhanced, but the structural stability of the heating element deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The high-power heating function is segmented into multiple parallel heating zones with individual heating wires. Each wire operates at lower power, reducing thermal stress and mechanical load on the substrate. This segmentation maintains structural stability while achieving effective aroma emission through cumulative heating effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating wires are strategically arranged in different zones with varying densities optimized for local heating requirements. This local optimization ensures effective aroma emission from each zone while distributing thermal stress uniformly across the substrate, maintaining structural stability under operating conditions.
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 achieves improved heating uniformity, reduced energy consumption, and enhanced fragrance and taste consistency in HNB cigarettes by forming a conductive circuit that increases the high-temperature area and reduces maximum temperature, thereby improving tobacco utilization and structural stability.
Implementation Method 1
a heating layer located on the insulating layer and electrically connected to the conductive substrate; a first conductive member located on the insulating layer and electrically connected to the heating layer; and a second conductive member located on the conductive substrate and electrically connected to the conductive substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A heating element includes: a conductive substrate; an insulating layer located on the conductive substrate; a heating layer located on the insulating layer and electrically connected to the conductive substrate; a first conductive member located on the insulating layer and electrically connected to the heating layer; and a second conductive member located on the conductive substrate and electrically connected to the conductive substrate.