Laser Aerosol Heating with Adjustable Beam Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electric heating-type aerosol generation devices experience long standby times due to slow temperature rise and heating of the aerosol-generating article, leading to decreased user satisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A laser-based aerosol generation device with a controller that adjusts the laser radiation area and focal length to precisely control heating, allowing for immediate aerosol generation without preheating, and includes movable components to ensure efficient heating of the aerosol-forming substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If electrically resistive heater or induction heating-type heater is used, then heating function is provided, but standby time before smoking increases due to time taken for temperature rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrically resistive heater or induction heating-type heater with a laser radiation part that uses laser beams for heating. This substitution of heating mechanism dramatically reduces the standby time before smoking by enabling faster and more direct heating of the aerosol-generating article, while maintaining effective heating power through the concentrated energy of the laser beam.
2Productivity
If laser radiation area is increased, then heating efficiency improves, but temperature control precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a focal length adjustable lens that allows dynamic adjustment of the laser radiation area. The controller can change the focal length in real-time based on heating requirements: using a smaller radiation area for precise temperature control when needed, and a larger radiation area for faster heating when efficiency is prioritized. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between heating efficiency and temperature control precision.
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 solution enables precise temperature control, reduces the risk of carbonization, minimizes smoking standby time, and enhances user satisfaction by providing immediate aerosol generation and reduced power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a laser radiation part configured to radiate a laser and heat an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol
Implementation Method 2
the laser radiation part may include a focal length adjustable lens, and the controller may adjust a focal length of the lens to adjust the radiation area of the laser
Implementation Method 3
the controller may control heating of the aerosol-generating article on the basis of characteristics of the laser reflected from the aerosol-generating article
Data Source
AI summary
A laser-based aerosol generation device and a heating method thereof are provided. The aerosol generation device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may include an aerosol-generating article, a laser radiation part configured to radiate a laser and heat the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol, and a controller configured to control the laser radiation part. The controller may adjust a radiation area of the laser to precisely control heating of the aerosol-generating article, and accordingly, development of a burnt taste during smoking can be limited, and smoking satisfaction can be improved.