Non-combustible Smoking Device with Dual Heating Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic vaping devices lack an effective method to combine the vaporization of pre-vapor formulations with the delivery of tobacco aroma without combustion, which is essential for a non-combustible smoking experience.

Innovation Solution

A non-combustible smoking device design featuring a pre-vapor formulation reservoir, a heating element for vaporizing the formulation, and a tobacco heating element that generates aroma, where the vapor is passed through a tobacco housing to combine the flavors, using a detachable cartridge system to ensure cleanliness and prevent cross-contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single heating element is used to vaporize pre-vapor formulation, then the device structure is simple, but the tobacco aroma delivery is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating system structureVSAvoidtobacco aroma delivery
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is divided into two separate heating elements: a first heating element for vaporizing the pre-vapor formulation and a second heating element for heating tobacco to generate aroma. This segmentation allows each heating element to be optimized for its specific function, ensuring reliable tobacco aroma delivery while maintaining reasonable structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines two distinct heating functions (vaporization and aroma generation) into a single integrated device. The first heating element vaporizes the pre-vapor formulation while the second heating element simultaneously heats tobacco to generate aroma, merging multiple functions into one unified system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If tobacco is directly heated in contact with pre-vapor formulation, then the flavor combination is effective, but cross-contamination and clogging occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflavor combinationVSAvoidcross-contamination and clogging
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts tobacco from direct contact with the pre-vapor formulation by placing it in a separate compartment. The second heating element heats tobacco independently, and the generated aroma is delivered separately, preventing cross-contamination and clogging while maintaining effective flavor combination through coordinated delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tobacco heating system is nested within the device structure in a way that allows independent operation. The second heating element and tobacco are contained in a separate compartment that is integrated into the overall device, enabling simultaneous vaporization and aroma generation without direct contact between the two materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If a fixed cartridge system is used, then the device structure is simple, but cleanliness and hygiene are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecartridge system structureVSAvoidcleanliness and hygiene
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge system is designed to be replaceable and detachable, allowing users to remove and replace cartridges as needed. This dynamic design enables easy cleaning and maintenance, improving hygiene while maintaining simple device structure through modular architecture

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

The device effectively vaporizes pre-vapor formulations and imparts a tobacco aroma without combustion, providing a clean and efficient non-combustible smoking experience with a detachable system that maintains hygiene and prevents clogging.

Implementation Method 1

a pre-vapor heating element coupled to the pre-vapor formulation reservoir element and configured to heat at least a portion of the pre-vapor formulation material into a vapor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

a tobacco heating element configured to heat at least a portion of tobacco and generate an aroma

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3383461B1Non-combustible smoking device and elements thereof
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA
  • EP3383461B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP3383461B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3383461B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

There is provided a non-combustible smoking element (60) including a pre-vapor formulation reservoir element (22) configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation material, a heating element (14) coupled to the pre-vapor formulation reservoir element (22) and configured to heat at least a portion of the pre-vapor formulation material into a vapor and provide the vapor to a first channel (9). The non-combustible smoking element (60) further includes a tobacco containing element (23) defining at least a portion of the first channel (9), the tobacco containing element (23) overlapping at least a portion of the heating element (14).