Movable Induction Coil and Heating Element for Variable Aerosol Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol-generating devices with induction heaters lack the ability to vary heating of consumables without increasing structural complexity, limiting user flexibility in aerosol generation preferences.
Innovation Solution
The aerosol-generating device features a movable induction coil and heating element with adjustable positions, allowing for varying magnetic flux and heating effects by changing the relative orientation of the heating element and coil, enabling different heating regions within the consumable to be selectively heated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the heating element position is fixed within the induction coil, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to vary heating of consumables is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is made movable relative to the induction coil through a drive mechanism, allowing dynamic adjustment of the heating position along the consumable. This enables variable heating of different consumable regions without requiring multiple fixed heating zones, thus improving adaptability while maintaining relatively simple structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The single induction heater assembly serves multiple functions: it can heat different portions of the consumable by moving the heating element, control heating depth and intensity, and adapt to various consumable types. This multi-functionality is achieved through the movable heating element rather than multiple separate heating systems.
2Quantity of substance
If the heating element penetrates deep into the consumable, then more volatile components are accessed, but the heating control precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element's penetration depth and position are dynamically adjustable through the drive mechanism, allowing precise control of the heating location and depth. This enables the system to access different volatile components at controlled depths, maintaining heating precision while varying the quantity of volatile components extracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element can be positioned to heat specific local regions of the consumable with precise control. By adjusting the heating element position and the induced current distribution, the system applies different heating intensities to different depths and regions, achieving both deep volatile component extraction and precise local heating control.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the induction coil surrounds the entire heating element, then heating is uniform, but the ability to create different heating patterns is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element can move relative to the induction coil, creating dynamic heating patterns. By positioning the heating element at different locations within or relative to the coil, the system can produce different heating distributions - from uniform when centered to concentrated at edges or specific regions, thus achieving both uniformity and pattern diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds the dimension of motion to the heating process. Instead of relying solely on spatial arrangement, the movable heating element introduces temporal and positional variability, allowing the same coil-heating element configuration to produce different heating patterns through movement, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while increasing heating pattern versatility.
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 configuration provides users with flexibility in aerosol generation by allowing for customizable heating effects, optimizing the amount and distribution of volatile components, enhancing the user experience through adjustable heating patterns without adding significant complexity to the device.
Implementation Method 1
An induction heater comprises an induction coil and a heating element, wherein the heating element is arrangeable within the induction coil
Implementation Method 2
The alternating magnetic field penetrates the heating element thereby creating eddy currents within the heating element. These currents lead to a heating of the heating element
Implementation Method 3
In addition to heat generated by eddy currents, the alternating magnetic field may also cause the susceptor to heat due to the hysteresis mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to an aerosol-generating device (10) comprising a housing (12+14) having a chamber (16) configured to receive at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article (34). The device further comprises an induction heater for heating an aerosol-forming article received within the chamber of the housing. The induction heater comprises an induction coil (20) and a heating element (18), wherein the heating element is arrangeable within the induction coil. The induction coil is movable relative to the chamber of the housing. The induction coil and the heating element are configured moveable with respect to each other between at least a first operable position and a second operable position.