Loop-Gap Resonator for Uniform Aerosol Substrate Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerosol-generating devices face challenges in achieving uniform heating of aerosol-generating substrates due to mechanical deformation and orientation issues with resistance heating blades, and inhomogeneous heating with susceptor-based systems, leading to inconsistent aerosol generation and substrate waste.
Innovation Solution
The use of a loop-gap resonator (LGR) to heat aerosol-generating substrates, which generates uniform alternating electric and magnetic fields for efficient inductive and microwave heating, ensuring consistent substrate temperature and minimizing mechanical wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a resistance heating blade is used to heat the substrate, then heating function is provided, but mechanical deformation and abrasion occur due to insertion/removal process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical resistance heating blade with a loop-gap resonator that uses electromagnetic induction to heat the substrate. This eliminates direct mechanical contact between the heating element and substrate, preventing mechanical deformation and abrasion while maintaining effective heating function.
2Temperature
If a resistance heating blade is used, then heating is provided, but inhomogeneous heating occurs due to orientation and distance variations
Solution Approach 1:
The loop-gap resonator generates an oscillating electromagnetic field that penetrates the substrate uniformly throughout its volume. This electromagnetic resonance heating mechanism ensures homogeneous temperature distribution regardless of substrate orientation or position, eliminating the inhomogeneous heating problem of contact-based heating blades.
3Temperature
If a susceptor material is used for inductive heating, then heating function is provided, but inhomogeneous heating occurs due to different orientations and distances
Solution Approach 1:
The loop-gap resonator creates an oscillating electromagnetic field that resonates at a specific frequency, generating uniform heating throughout the substrate volume. This approach eliminates the orientation and distance sensitivity inherent in susceptor-based systems, achieving homogeneous heating distribution.
4Productivity
If localized heating is applied to generate aerosol, then aerosol generation function is provided, but substrate waste occurs due to insufficient heating of other parts
Solution Approach 1:
The loop-gap resonator provides uniform volumetric heating throughout the entire substrate, ensuring all portions reach the necessary temperature for effective aerosol generation. This eliminates substrate waste caused by localized heating approaches, where unheated portions cannot contribute to aerosol production.
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 LGR provides homogeneous heating, reducing substrate waste and enhancing the consistency of aerosol generation, with improved energy efficiency and mechanical robustness.
Implementation Method 1
The LGR may be configured to heat the at least one part of the aerosol-generating substrate based on inductive heating
Implementation Method 2
The LGR may be configured to heat the at least one part of the aerosol-generating substrate based on microwave heating
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol-generating device configured to generate aerosol by heating at least one part of an aerosol-generating substrate is provided, the aerosol-generating device including a loop-gap resonator configured to heat the at least one part of the aerosol-generating substrate in order to generate aerosol. An aerosol-generating article for an aerosol-generating device is also provided, the aerosol-generating article including a first portion arranged and/or formed to fit in a loop of a loop-gap resonator of the aerosol-generating device; and a second portion arranged and/or formed to fit in a gap of the loop-gap resonator. An aerosol-generating system is also provided, including the aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating article.