Moveable Carriage Induction Coil Aerosol Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol generating devices are difficult to clean and pose challenges in safely inserting and removing aerosol precursors due to their design, which complicates maintenance and user access.

Innovation Solution

The aerosol generating device features a moveable carriage with an induction coil that allows for easy access to the heating element, enabling safe cleaning and user access through an access window, while the induction coil's electrical connection/disconnection mechanism ensures safe operation during cleaning and precursor handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the induction coil is fixed in position to ensure stable electromagnetic field generation, then the heating function is reliable, but the device becomes difficult to clean and maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating function stabilityVSAvoidcleaning accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The induction coil is made moveable relative to the susceptor through a carriage mechanism. The coil can be positioned close to the susceptor for effective heating, then moved away to expose the susceptor for cleaning. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between maintaining stable heating (when coil is close) and enabling cleaning access (when coil is retracted).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the carriage is designed to fully enclose the susceptor for safety, then user safety is improved, but access for cleaning and maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser safetyVSAvoidcleaning accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The carriage is designed with movable walls that can transition between enclosed and open states. When the coil is in the heating position, the carriage provides enclosure for safety. When the coil is retracted, the carriage opens to expose the susceptor through an access window, enabling cleaning while maintaining safety during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The carriage structure is segmented into movable sections that can be opened independently. The access window is positioned to allow cleaning access without compromising the overall enclosure when closed, enabling both safety and maintenance requirements to be met through structural segmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the induction coil remains electrically connected during carriage movement, then operational readiness is maintained, but safety risks arise during cleaning operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational readinessVSAvoidelectrical safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically disconnects the induction coil from its electrical supply before the carriage reaches the open/cleaning position. This preliminary disconnection action ensures that the susceptor is electrically inactive before user access is required, eliminating safety risks while maintaining operational readiness through automatic reconnection when the carriage returns to the closed position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enhances the ease of cleaning and safety by allowing exposure of the heating element for maintenance and prevents electrical heating during cleaning, improving user safety and device maintenance efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an induction coil extending around the inner wall and fixedly coupled to the carriage, the induction coil configured to generate an alternating electromagnetic field within the receiving cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the induction coil configured to generate an alternating electromagnetic field within the receiving cavity, wherein the carriage is moveably coupled to the main body such that the carriage is moveable between a closed position in which the elongate susceptor is surrounded circumferentially along its length by the carriage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 3

the elongate susceptor is configured to heat the aerosol precursor received in the receiving cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic to thermal energy conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4487708A1Aerosol generating device
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 IMPERIAL TOBACCO LTD
  • EP4487708A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4487708A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3b
  • EP4487708A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An aerosol generating device comprising a main body, an elongate susceptor extending from the main body, a carriage comprising an inner wall defining a receiving cavity, the receiving cavity configured to receive an aerosol precursor and the elongate susceptor, wherein the elongate susceptor is configured to heat the aerosol precursor received in the receiving cavity, and an induction coil extending around the inner wall and fixedly coupled to the carriage, the induction coil configured to generate an alternating electromagnetic field within the receiving cavity, wherein the carriage is moveably coupled to the main body such that the carriage is moveable between a closed position in which the elongate susceptor is surrounded circumferentially along its length by the carriage, and an open position in which a portion of the elongate susceptor is exposed for user access via an access window located between the carriage and the main body.