Microwave Aerosol Heating Using an Intermediary Heat-Generating Body

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol-generating devices using electromagnetic waves face challenges in efficiently heating aerosol-generating articles due to high power consumption, necessitating a solution to reduce power usage while maintaining effective heating.

Innovation Solution

An aerosol-generating device equipped with an antenna for emitting electromagnetic waves and a heat-generating body that absorbs these waves to efficiently heat the aerosol-generating article.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electromagnetic waves are used to heat the aerosol-generating article, then heating efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a heat-generating body as an intermediary between the microwave irradiation unit and the aerosol-generating article. The heat-generating body absorbs microwave energy and converts it to thermal energy, then transfers this heat to the article. This mediator approach allows more efficient energy transfer compared to direct microwave heating, thereby improving heating efficiency while managing power consumption requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a dielectric heater that changes its dielectric properties in response to microwave irradiation. By adjusting the dielectric constant and loss tangent of the heat-generating body, the system optimizes the absorption and conversion of microwave energy to thermal energy, enhancing heating efficiency while controlling the overall power consumption of the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device efficiently heats the aerosol-generating article using electromagnetic waves, reducing power consumption and extending device usage.

Implementation Method 1

a heat-generating body which generates heat by absorbing the electromagnetic waves emitted from the antenna

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

heating systems employing electromagnetic waves (microwaves)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4656076A1Aerosol generation device
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 JAPAN TOBACCO INC
  • EP4656076A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4656076A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4656076A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4

AI summary

This aerosol generation device into which an aerosol generation article including an aerosol source is inserted comprises: an antenna that emits electromagnetic waves; and a heating element that generates heat by absorbing the electromagnetic waves emitted from the antenna and heats the aerosol generation article.