Inductive Susceptor Heating for Aerosol Substrate Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol-generating devices for tobacco heating products face challenges in controlling the temperature profiles of aerosol-generating substrates to achieve both fast aerosol production and longevity of use, as they often rely on single heat sources or simple heating profiles that do not allow for precise control over the temperature variations needed to optimize puff profiles.

Innovation Solution

The use of multiple heat sources with distinct heating profiles allows for the creation of different temperature profiles in various portions of the aerosol-generating substrate, enabling staggered heating to facilitate rapid aerosol production and extended use, with the first heat source initiating heating before the second and continuing until the end of a session, and optionally utilizing thermally insulative components to manage heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single heat source is used to heat the aerosol-generating substrate, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to control temperature profiles and achieve both fast aerosol production and longevity of use deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of heat sourcesVSAvoidaerosol production rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is divided into multiple heat sources (first heat source and second heat source), each capable of independently heating different portions of the aerosol-generating substrate. This segmentation allows different regions of the substrate to have different temperature profiles, enabling fast aerosol production from the first portion while maintaining longevity through the second portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the aerosol-generating substrate are assigned different temperature profiles through the use of multiple heat sources. The first portion receives heating from the first heat source with a specific heating profile, while the second portion receives heating from the second heat source with a different heating profile, optimizing both fast production and extended use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple heat sources with different heating profiles are used, then the control over temperature profiles and aerosol production is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature profile controlVSAvoidnumber of heat sources
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is divided into multiple heat sources (first heat source and second heat source), each capable of independently heating different portions of the aerosol-generating substrate. This segmentation allows different regions of the substrate to have different temperature profiles, enabling fast aerosol production from the first portion while maintaining longevity through the second portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heating profiles of the multiple heat sources are controlled with different parameters - the first heat source operates with a first heating profile while the second heat source operates with a second heating profile. This parameter differentiation enables precise control over temperature profiles across different portions of the substrate, achieving optimal aerosol generation characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If the first heat source begins heating before the second heat source, then fast aerosol production is achieved, but the heat management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerosol production speedVSAvoidheating control coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first heat source is activated before the second heat source to initiate heating of the aerosol-generating substrate. This preliminary action allows the first portion of the substrate to reach optimal temperature for fast aerosol production while the second heat source is prepared to activate subsequently, providing a staged heating approach that optimizes both speed and longevity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The first heat source continues heating the aerosol-generating substrate until the end of a session, providing continuous useful action. This continuous operation from the first heat source ensures sustained aerosol production throughout the session, while the second heat source supplements when activated, maintaining optimal temperature profiles throughout the extended use period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful 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 enables a consistent and prolonged delivery of aerosol, maintaining a desired puff profile by controlling the temperature profiles of the substrate, ensuring efficient aerosol generation without burning the substrate, and allowing for a tobacco component composition that balances flavor and longevity.

Implementation Method 1

heats smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, typically to form an aerosol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3868231B1Method of generating aerosol
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 NICOVENTURES TRADING LTD
  • EP3868231B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3868231B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3868231B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided herein is a method of generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating substrate using an aerosol-generating device with at least one heat source disposed to heat, but not burn, the aerosol-generating substrate in use. The aerosol-generating substrate (comprises first and second portions and there is no physical separation between the portions. The at least one heat source is a susceptor, which is capable of being inductively heated. The method comprising the steps of: heating the aerosol-generating substrate (200) in the aerosol-generating device over a period of time corresponding to a session of use, so that a temperature profile of the first portion of the aerosol-generating substrate during heating is different from a temperature profile of the second portion of the aerosol-generating substrate.