Inductive Heating with Segmented Susceptors for Uniform Aerosolization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aerosol delivery systems with induction heating face issues of non-uniform aerosolization due to varying coil properties and the need for precise alignment, leading to inconsistent flavor release and consumer experience.

Innovation Solution

An aerosol delivery system with a plurality of aerosol-forming segments and at least two different susceptors, where the inductive heating device generates a controlled alternating magnetic field to selectively heat each segment, ensuring uniform thermal power greater than heat loss, allowing for sequential or simultaneous heating of segments with different susceptors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If individual separate coils are used to heat different segments of the tobacco-laden substrate, then sequential heating of segments can be achieved, but the properties of the individual coils (e.g. inductance) vary causing non-uniform heating and non-uniform aerosolization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesequential heating capabilityVSAvoidheating uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The aerosol-forming substrate is divided into multiple segments, each containing its own susceptor. Different susceptor materials are used in different segments to enable selective heating through a single coil, achieving both sequential heating capability and uniform heating control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each segment of the aerosol-forming substrate is assigned a specific susceptor material with tailored magnetic properties. This local differentiation allows each segment to respond differently to the alternating magnetic field, enabling precise control over which segments are heated at any given time while maintaining uniform heating within each active segment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If a single coil surrounds all segments of the aerosol-forming substrate, then the device structure is simplified, but precise axial alignment of multiple coils is required to produce homogeneous alternating magnetic fields

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoil structureVSAvoidmagnetic field homogeneity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the magnetic properties (susceptibility, permeability) of susceptors in different segments rather than changing the coil structure. This allows a single coil to selectively heat different segments by exploiting the different responses of various susceptor materials to the alternating magnetic field, avoiding the need for precise multi-coil alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of moving object

If the entire tobacco-laden substrate is heated during the whole consuming run, then continuous aerosol generation is maintained, but flavor compounds in the immediate vicinity of the susceptor are depleted first requiring increasing power to maintain temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsuming run durationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-arranges different susceptor materials in different segments before the consuming run begins. This preliminary configuration allows the system to sequentially activate different segments as flavor compounds are depleted, extending the consuming run duration without requiring continuous power increases, as each segment provides fresh flavor compounds in turn.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach results in uniform aerosolization of flavor compounds, providing a consistent consumer experience by controlling the heating of individual segments with different susceptors, preventing unintended heating and ensuring efficient energy use.

Implementation Method 1

an alternating magnetic field generated by an induction source, for example a coil, so that an alternating magnetic field is induced in the susceptor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

at least some of this heat generated in the susceptor is transferred from the susceptor to the aerosol-forming substrate arranged in thermal proximity to the susceptor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

heat-activated elements that release the flavored aerosol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11234457B2Aerosol delivery system and method of operating the aerosol delivery system

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA

AI summary

An aerosol delivery system includes an inductive heating device and an aerosol-forming article. The aerosol-forming article includes a plurality of aerosol-forming segments and at least two different susceptors. The inductive heating device includes a device housing including a cavity to accommodate at least a portion of the aerosol-forming article including the plurality of aerosol-forming segments, a coil arranged to surround the cavity, an electrical power source, and a power supply electronics connected to the electrical power source and to the coil. The power supply electronics supplies an alternating current to the coil to generate an alternating magnetic field having magnetic field strength and a frequency to, in at least one aerosol-forming segment, generate a thermal power which is greater than the rate of heat loss of this aerosol-forming segment.