Induction Heater Assembly Layout for Compact Aerosol Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Induction heating type aerosol generating devices face challenges in miniaturization due to the need for a separate space for the heater outside the bobbin, leading to increased device size and reduced heating efficiency due to the separation distance between the heater and susceptor.

Innovation Solution

A heater assembly for aerosol generating devices that includes a support unit surrounding the aerosol generating article, with the heater overlapping the support unit to minimize space and reduce the separation distance, allowing for miniaturization and improved heating efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the heater is wound along the outer surface of the bobbin, then the heater has space to be arranged, but the device size increases and heating efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheater arrangement spaceVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heater is positioned inside the bobbin rather than on the outer surface, nesting the heater within the existing bobbin structure. This eliminates the need for external heater mounting space while maintaining proper heating function through the bobbin walls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional arrangement (heater on outer surface) to a three-dimensional arrangement (heater inside bobbin), utilizing the internal volume of the bobbin structure to house the heater and reduce overall device footprint.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If the heater is wound on the outside of the bobbin, then the heater has space to be arranged, but the separation distance between heater and susceptor increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheater arrangement spaceVSAvoidheating efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heater is nested inside the bobbin structure, placing it in close proximity to the susceptor through the bobbin walls. This eliminates the separation distance problem while maintaining manufacturability by utilizing the bobbin's internal space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing the heater outside the bobbin (conventional approach), the invention inverts the arrangement by placing the heater inside the bobbin, thereby reducing the distance to the susceptor and improving heating efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If a separate space is prepared for the heater outside the bobbin, then the heater can be arranged, but the device becomes larger

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheater arrangementVSAvoiddevice length
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heater arrangement space is merged with the bobbin internal volume rather than being separate from it. This combines two functions (bobbin support and heater housing) into one structure, eliminating the need for additional external space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heater is nested within the bobbin structure, utilizing the bobbin's internal cavity as the heater housing. This eliminates the need for separate heater arrangement space and reduces the overall device length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 heater assembly achieves miniaturization and enhances heating efficiency by reducing the space occupied by the heater and minimizing the separation distance between the heater and susceptor.

Implementation Method 1

an induction heating type aerosol generating device that heats an aerosol generating material by generating a magnetic field to heat a susceptor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 2

a heater that generates a magnetic field to heat a susceptor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4646952A1Heater assembly for aerosol generating device, and aerosol generating device comprising same
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 KT&G CO LTD
  • EP4646952A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4646952A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4646952A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A heater assembly for an aerosol generating device includes a body including an accommodation space for accommodating an aerosol generating article, a first cover coupled to the body and including an article insertion portion into which the aerosol generating article is inserted, a support unit provided inside the body and the first cover and surrounding the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodation space, and a heater provided between an inner surface and an outer surface of the support unit and configured to heat the aerosol generating article by applying a magnetic field to a susceptor in the accommodation space, wherein the heater completely overlaps the support unit, based on a second direction crossing a first direction in which the support unit extends.