Heater assembly, method for manufacturing heater assembly, and aerosol generating device including heater assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating devices face challenges in precisely controlling the temperature of cigarettes heated by magnetic fields due to the difficulty in measuring the temperature without additional sensors, leading to uneven aerosol generation and decreased smoking quality.

Innovation Solution

A heater assembly with a susceptor material that generates heat via an external magnetic field, integrated with a sensor pattern embedded in an insulating layer to measure temperature, allowing for precise temperature control without separate sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a coil and magnetic body are arranged in an aerosol generating device for induction heating, then heating capability is improved, but device complexity increases and temperature measurement becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the heating function and temperature measurement function into a single integrated heater assembly. The susceptor material serves both as the heating element (when exposed to magnetic field) and as the object whose temperature needs to be measured, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensors and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The susceptor material performs multiple functions: it generates heat through magnetic field exposure and simultaneously allows for temperature measurement. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed in the aerosol generating device while maintaining both heating and temperature monitoring capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If no separate temperature sensor is used, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidtemperature measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The susceptor material serves itself by being both the heated object and the measurement target. The temperature sensor measures the temperature of the susceptor material directly, which is the same component that generates heat, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensors while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If temperature control is not precise, then device complexity is reduced, but aerosol generation quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidaerosol generation quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated temperature sensor provides real-time feedback on the susceptor material temperature, enabling the control system to adjust the magnetic field power to maintain optimal heating temperature. This feedback mechanism ensures precise temperature control for consistent aerosol generation quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 enables accurate temperature measurement and control of cigarettes, improving aerosol quality by ensuring consistent heating.

Implementation Method 1

a heating layer having at least a portion including a susceptor material generating heat by an external magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 2

an external magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

a sensor pattern embedded in the insulating layer and configured to measure a temperature of the heating layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical resistance temperature detection: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP3818852B1Heater assembly, method for manufacturing heater assembly, and aerosol generating device including heater assembly
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 KT&G CO LTD
  • EP3818852B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3818852B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3818852B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A heater assembly includes a heating layer having at least a portion including a susceptor material generating heat by an external magnetic field and having a cylindrical shape therein in which an accommodation space configured to accommodate the cigarette is formed, an insulating layer surrounding at least a portion of an outer side surface of the heating layer, and a sensor pattern embedded in the insulating layer and configured to measure a temperature.