Induction Heating Susceptor Configuration for Multi-Zone Aerosol Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a technique to heat multiple materials and/or areas of a cigarette at different temperatures using an induction heating method, as existing aerosol generating devices struggle to achieve varied temperature control effectively.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol generating system that includes a cavity for accommodating a cigarette and an induction coil generating an alternating magnetic field, with multiple susceptors positioned along the cigarette's longitudinal direction to be heated at different temperatures, allowing for varied temperature control using a single induction coil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single induction coil is used to heat a cigarette, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot heat multiple materials or areas at different temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating system into multiple independent susceptors (first susceptor and second susceptor) positioned at different locations along the cigarette. Each susceptor can be heated to different temperatures by the single induction coil, enabling multi-temperature zone heating without requiring multiple coils. This segmentation allows different materials in different sections of the cigarette to be heated optimally for their specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making each susceptor have different properties (different materials, shapes, or positions) to achieve different heating characteristics. The first susceptor and second susceptor are designed with different specifications so that when exposed to the same induction coil's magnetic field, they reach different temperatures, thereby providing localized temperature control for different cigarette sections.
2Temperature
If multiple induction coils are used to heat different areas at different temperatures, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces susceptors as intermediary elements between the single induction coil and the cigarette materials. These susceptors act as heat transfer mediators that convert the electromagnetic energy from the induction coil into localized thermal energy at different temperatures. By adjusting the susceptor properties rather than the coil configuration, the system achieves multi-temperature control with simplified hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the susceptors (material composition, geometry, size, or magnetic properties) rather than changing the induction coil parameters to achieve different heating zones. This approach allows a single induction coil to produce different temperature effects by simply varying the susceptor characteristics, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining temperature control capability.
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 the heating of multiple materials and/or areas of a cigarette at distinct temperatures, enhancing the taste and vapor production of aerosol generating devices by utilizing a single induction coil and multiple susceptors made of different materials or specifications.
Implementation Method 1
an induction coil located around the cavity and configured to generate an alternating magnetic field, and a plurality of susceptors configured to be heated at different temperatures by the alternating magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
an induction coil located around the cavity and configured to generate an alternating magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol generating system includes: a cavity accommodating at least a portion of a cigarette; and an induction coil located around the cavity to generate an alternating magnetic field, wherein a first susceptor and a second susceptor arranged in series along a longitudinal direction of the cavity are heated at different temperatures by the induction coil to heat the cigarette.