Microwave Antenna and Cavity Layout for Compact Aerosol Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol-generating devices face challenges in miniaturization due to the size requirements of induction coils needed for heating aerosol-generating substrates, limiting their compact design and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol-generating device that uses microwaves to heat a cigarette containing an aerosol-generating substrate, eliminating the need for an induction coil by incorporating a microwave generator, microwave cavity, and microwave antenna to efficiently generate and transmit microwaves for heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an induction coil is used to heat the aerosol-generating substrate, then the substrate can be heated effectively, but the device size increases and miniaturization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the induction coil heating system with a microwave-based heating system. The microwave generator produces microwaves that directly heat the aerosol-generating substrate without requiring a large induction coil, thereby achieving effective heating while reducing device size and enabling miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating mechanism from electromagnetic induction (requiring large coils) to microwave radiation (enabling compact design). This parameter change in the heating method allows the device to maintain effective heating performance while significantly reducing the volume required for the heating component.
2Volume of moving object
If the aerosol-generating device is miniaturized, then portability improves, but internal space utilization becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the microwave cavity is positioned to accommodate the cigarette, and the microwave antenna is strategically located to transmit microwaves into the cavity. This nested configuration allows efficient use of internal space in the miniaturized device, with each component fitting within or around the others to maximize spatial utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement within the microwave cavity, positioning the antenna outside the cavity to transmit microwaves inward. This dimensional approach allows efficient packing of components in the miniaturized device, transforming two-dimensional space constraints into three-dimensional spatial optimization.
3Volume of moving object
If heating components are reduced in size, then device miniaturization is achieved, but heat generation and thermal management become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the induction coil with a microwave generation system that produces electromagnetic radiation for heating. This substitution reduces the physical size of heating components while the microwave energy efficiently generates heat within the substrate, and the generated heat is managed through the device structure including air gaps for thermal control.
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 approach allows for the miniaturization of the aerosol-generating device while effectively utilizing internal space and reducing heat generation through secure air gaps, enhancing the device's compactness and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a microwave generator generating microwaves; a microwave cavity located in the aerosol-generating device, configured to accommodate a cigarette containing an aerosol-generating substrate, and including at least one outlet for passing an aerosol generated from the cigarette heated by the generated microwaves
Implementation Method 2
a microwave antenna located outside the microwave cavity and transmitting the generated microwave to a predetermined effective area range in the microwave cavity
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed an aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol through microwaves, the device including a microwave heater generating microwaves; a microwave cavity located in the aerosol-generating device, configured to accommodate a cigarette containing an aerosol-generating substrate, and including at least one outlet for passing an aerosol generated from the cigarette heated by the generated microwaves; and a microwave antenna located outside the microwave cavity and configured to transmit the generated microwaves to a predetermined effective area range in the microwave cavity.