Movable Heater Aerosol Generator Residue Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol generating apparatuses with fixed heaters face challenges in cleaning due to residue accumulation from cigarettes, as users typically pull out the cigarette, leaving tobacco material attached to the heater, which condenses and increases adhesive forces, making it difficult to maintain the apparatus's cleanliness.

Innovation Solution

The aerosol generating apparatus features a movable heater that rotates opposite to the cigarette extraction direction, allowing the heater to detach easily from the cigarette and carry attached residue outside with the cigarette, facilitating convenient separation and cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the heater is fixed in position, then the structure is simple and stable, but the cigarette and heater cannot be easily separated and residue remains on the heater

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation of cigarette and heaterVSAvoidheater structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heater is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to move in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette. This dynamic structure enables the heater to be pulled out together with the cigarette during the separation process, facilitating easy removal of residue while maintaining operational simplicity through a straightforward linear movement mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the heater remains stationary during cigarette extraction, then the heating function is maintained, but tobacco residue condenses and adheres to the heater surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresidue accumulation on heaterVSAvoidheater temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heater is pulled out together with the cigarette before the cigarette is fully extracted from the apparatus. This preliminary action removes the heater and any attached residue from the heating chamber, preventing residue accumulation and maintaining cleanliness without requiring the heater to be stationary or hot during the extraction process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the heater is moved in the direction of cigarette extraction, then separation is facilitated, but the heater may detach too early from the cigarette

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation processVSAvoidheater-cigarette contact
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heater is designed with movable components that allow it to move dynamically in the longitudinal direction. The support portion and rotating member enable controlled movement that facilitates separation while maintaining reliable contact during the heating process, allowing the heater to be pulled out together with the cigarette without detaching prematurely

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design enables efficient separation of the cigarette and heater, ensuring that residue is discharged along with the cigarette, maintaining the apparatus's cleanliness and ease of use over time.

Implementation Method 1

a heater that has an end portion which is inserted into a cigarette and heats the cigarette by operating by means of an electrical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a rotating member rotatably coupled to the support portion, and rotating and transmitting a driving force to the heater to move the heater in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3610745B1Aerosol generating apparatus provided with movable heater
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 KT&G CO LTD
  • EP3610745B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3610745B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3610745B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An aerosol generating apparatus provided with a movable heater includes a heater that has an end portion into which a cigarette is inserted and heats the cigarette by operating by means of an electrical signal; a support portion supporting the heater to be movable within a pre-determined range in a longitudinal direction of the cigarette; and a rotating member rotatably coupled to the support portion, and rotating and transmitting a driving force to the heater to move the heater in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette.