Multi-Element Heater for Personalized Aerosol Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerosol provision systems do not offer personalized aerosol options, requiring users to replace or access internal components to change aerosol types, which can be inconvenient and limit user customization.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol provision system with a consumable containing multiple regions of aerosol generating material and a heater with multiple heating elements, allowing for controlled heating of these regions to produce personalized aerosols, with optional movement mechanisms and substrate identification systems for tailored heating profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional aerosol provision systems use a single heating element and single aerosol medium, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot provide personalized aerosol options and requires users to replace or access internal components to change aerosol types
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is divided into multiple independent heating elements (first heating element, second heating element, etc.), each corresponding to a specific region of aerosol generating material. This segmentation allows selective heating of different material regions to produce different aerosol types, enabling personalization without requiring users to access internal components or replace the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of aerosol generating material are assigned different properties (flavors, compositions, or characteristics), and corresponding heating elements are configured to heat these regions selectively. This local differentiation enables the system to provide customized aerosol experiences by activating specific heating elements based on user preference, while maintaining a unified device structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system uses multiple heating elements for personalized aerosol production, then aerosol customization is enabled, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the activation of specific heating elements, manages the inhalation session timing, and coordinates with the consumable identification means. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle complex aerosol personalization tasks through a single, unified control interface, maintaining ease of operation despite the presence of multiple heating elements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system includes substrate identification means and configuration data, then aerosol production can be tailored to specific consumable types, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The consumable itself carries identification information (such as codes or markers on the substrate) that the system's identification means can automatically detect. This self-identification approach eliminates the need for manual configuration or complex user input, allowing the system to automatically tailor aerosol production to the specific consumable type while keeping the interface simple for the user.
4Productivity
If multiple portions of aerosol generating material are heated simultaneously, then personalized aerosol is produced faster, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates only the specific heating elements corresponding to the portions of aerosol generating material that need to be heated for the current user request, rather than heating all portions simultaneously. This partial action approach enables personalized aerosol production at the required speed while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary heating of unused material regions.
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
Enables the production of customized aerosols by selectively heating different regions of aerosol generating material, providing users with personalized inhalation experiences and efficient energy use, while reducing the need for frequent system maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a heater arranged to heat the plurality of regions of aerosol generating material to produce an aerosol for inhalation
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol provision system including a consumable having a plurality of regions of aerosol generating material, and a heater comprising a plurality of heating elements, each heating element corresponding to a region of the plurality of regions of aerosol generating material, wherein in use the heater is arranged to controllably heat at least two of the plurality of regions of aerosol generating material to produce a personalised aerosol for inhalation.