Microwave Antenna Layout for Partial Heating of Aerosol Articles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol-generating devices struggle to control electromagnetic wave irradiation to achieve a desired heating distribution within the aerosol-generating article, necessitating a configuration that allows partial irradiation.

Innovation Solution

An aerosol-generating device with a dielectric substrate, a first antenna, and a microstrip line to transmit electromagnetic waves to a portion of the aerosol-generating article, along with a ground layer, enabling partial irradiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If microwave irradiation is applied to heat the aerosol-generating article, then heating is achieved, but uniform heating distribution and controlled partial irradiation are difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating distributionVSAvoidirradiation control configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The aerosol-generating article is divided into multiple heating zones along its longitudinal axis, with different antenna elements (first antenna, second antenna, third antenna) positioned at different locations to irradiate different segments. This segmentation allows independent control of microwave irradiation for each zone, enabling precise heating distribution control without requiring complex overall system redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different antenna elements are configured with different characteristics (frequency, power, positioning) to provide locally optimized heating. The first antenna operates at a first frequency, the second antenna at a second frequency, and the third antenna at a third frequency, allowing each local region of the article to receive tailored irradiation appropriate for its specific heating requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If electromagnetic waves are transmitted to heat a portion of the aerosol-generating article, then partial irradiation is achieved, but heating distribution control becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepartial irradiation capabilityVSAvoidheating distribution control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operation of different antenna elements based on real-time requirements. The control unit can selectively activate or deactivate specific antennas (first, second, or third antenna) and adjust their power levels independently, enabling flexible adaptation to different heating scenarios while maintaining precise control over the heating distribution pattern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes multiple frequency parameters (first frequency, second frequency, third frequency) for different antenna elements to achieve varied heating penetration and distribution. By changing the frequency parameter for different zones, the system optimizes heating effectiveness for each region while maintaining overall heating distribution control.

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 allows for partial irradiation of the aerosol-generating article, enhancing heating distribution control and aerosol generation.

Implementation Method 1

a first antenna arranged on the first face of the dielectric substrate so as to emit electromagnetic waves toward a portion of the aerosol-generating article

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4656075A1Aerosol generation device
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 JAPAN TOBACCO INC
  • EP4656075A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4656075A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4656075A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An aerosol generation device into which there is inserted an aerosol-generating article that contains an aerosol source, the aerosol generation device comprising: a dielectric substrate having a first surface that faces toward the aerosol-generating article inserted into the aerosol generation device, and a second surface that is on the side opposite from the first surface; a first antenna disposed on the first surface of the dielectric substrate so as to emit electromagnetic waves toward a part of the aerosol-generating article; a first microstrip line disposed on the first surface of the dielectric substrate so as to transmit the electromagnetic waves to the first antenna; and a ground layer formed on the second surface of the dielectric substrate