Induction Heating Structure for Progressive Smokable Material Volatilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smoking articles combust tobacco to create smoke, and alternative 'heat not burn' products face challenges in efficiently releasing volatilized components without combustion.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method using a varying magnetic field to heat smokable material through induction and magnetic hysteresis, with a thermally-conductive element and heating material to achieve progressive heating of the smokable material without combustion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If combustion is used to create smoke from tobacco, then smoke is generated effectively, but harmful combustion byproducts are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the heating process from combustion (burning) to induction heating. By using a magnetic field to induce eddy currents in a conductive element, the system heats the tobacco material without combustion, eliminating harmful byproducts while still generating vapor. This is achieved through the magnetic field generator creating a time-varying magnetic field that penetrates the conductive element, inducing currents that generate heat through electrical resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the chemical combustion process with an electromagnetic induction heating process. Instead of using oxygen and chemical reactions to generate heat and smoke, the system uses a magnetic field generator to create eddy currents in a conductive element, which then transfers heat to the tobacco. This substitution of the heating mechanism eliminates the need for combustion while maintaining smoke/vapor generation capability.
2Speed
If rapid heating is applied to volatilize smokable material components, then aerosol release speed is improved, but risk of combustion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a conductive element as an intermediary between the magnetic field generator and the smokable material. The magnetic field heats the conductive element, which then acts as a heat transfer medium to gradually warm the tobacco. This intermediary approach allows rapid energy transfer from the magnetic field while controlling the temperature profile to prevent combustion of the organic material.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a time-varying magnetic field with controlled frequency and duty cycle to heat the conductive element periodically. By adjusting the frequency and pulse width of the magnetic field generator, the system can control the heating rate and temperature profile, enabling rapid aerosol release when needed while preventing sustained high temperatures that would cause combustion.
3Stability of the object's composition
If uniform heating is applied to the smokable material, then complete volatilization is achieved, but localized overheating and combustion may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the heating function across multiple components: the magnetic field generator, the conductive element, and the smokable material. The magnetic field penetrates and heats the conductive element uniformly, which then distributes heat across its surface area in contact with the tobacco. This segmentation of the heating system allows for more controlled and uniform heat distribution, preventing localized hot spots that could cause combustion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from direct contact heating (one-dimensional heat transfer) to electromagnetic field penetration (three-dimensional energy distribution). The magnetic field penetrates through the conductive element and can heat it volumetrically and uniformly. When the conductive element is shaped as a mesh or screen, it provides uniform heat distribution across the entire surface area in contact with the smokable material, preventing localized overheating.
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
Enables rapid and controlled volatilization of smokable material components, providing a time-dependent aerosol release without combustion, enhancing user experience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a body of heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
heating of the heating material by penetration with the varying magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
a non-smokable thermally-conductive element in thermal contact with the body of heating material and arranged relative to the body of heating material so that heating of the heating material causes progressive heating of the element
Implementation Method 4
heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus includes a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field; a body of heating material that is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field; a non-smokable thermally-conductive element in thermal contact with the body of heating material and arranged relative to the body of heating material so that heating of the heating material by penetration with the varying magnetic field causes progressive heating of the element; and a heating zone for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising smokable material. The heating zone is in thermal contact with the element and is arranged relative to the element so that the progressive heating causes progressive heating of the heating zone.