Magnetic Heating Elements for Uniform Smokable Material Vaporization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smoking alternatives, such as 'heat not burn' products, face challenges in efficiently heating smokable materials without combustion, leading to inadequate vaporization of components.
Innovation Solution
A mixture of smokable material and magnetic electrically-conductive heating elements with an open-cell structure, aligned magnetically, is used, which can be heated by a varying magnetic field for efficient Joule and magnetic hysteresis heating, ensuring uniform heat distribution and preventing combustion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional heating elements are used in heat not burn products, then the structure is simple, but the heating efficiency is insufficient and combustion cannot be effectively prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining magnetic particles (for magnetic hysteresis heating) with electrically conductive particles (for Joule heating) within a single heating element. This dual-material composite enables both magnetic heating and electrical heating mechanisms to operate simultaneously, significantly improving heating efficiency and temperature control while preventing combustion through uniform heat distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous heating elements with open-cell structures that allow smokable material to be in direct contact with the heating element throughout its volume. This porous structure increases the surface area for heat transfer and ensures uniform heating, preventing hot spots that could lead to combustion while maintaining structural integrity
2Productivity
If heating temperature is increased to improve vaporization efficiency, then vaporization improves, but combustion risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by exploiting the temperature-dependent properties of magnetic particles. As the heating element temperature increases, the magnetic particles undergo changes in magnetic susceptibility and hysteresis loss, which naturally regulate the heating rate. This self-regulating mechanism allows efficient vaporization at optimal temperatures while preventing temperature excursions that would cause combustion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the inherent relationship between temperature and magnetic hysteresis heating efficiency. As the heating element temperature rises, the magnetic particles' response to the alternating magnetic field changes, providing natural feedback that prevents runaway heating and combustion while maintaining efficient vaporization
3Temperature
If heating elements are dispersed randomly in smokable material, then manufacturing is simple, but heat distribution is non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming heating elements with embedded magnetic and electrically conductive particles in specific spatial arrangements before incorporating them into the smokable material. This pre-arrangement ensures uniform heat distribution when the elements are activated, while the modular pre-formed structure simplifies the overall manufacturing process by separating heating element production from product assembly
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 solution enables efficient vaporization of smokable material components without combustion, providing a more uniform and rapid heating profile, reducing material costs and minimizing residue issues.
Implementation Method 1
heating elements being made from a magnetic electrically-conductive material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
efficient Joule and magnetic hysteresis heating
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a material for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material. The material can comprise smokable material (21) and open-cell structures / foam particles (24) of heater material or elements (22) comprising a closed circuit of heater material. The heater material is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field by penetration with a varying magnetic field.