Planar Coil Aerosol Generator Reducing Device Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerosol generating devices with helical induction coils are bulky and inefficient in heating aerosol generating materials, leading to suboptimal aerosol production and user experience.
Innovation Solution
The use of a planar coil electromagnetic field generator with a first and second planar coil positioned on either side of a heating chamber, allowing for improved coupling of electromagnetic fields with an inductively heatable susceptor, which is integrated into a plate-shaped aerosol generating article, enhancing energy efficiency and aerosol generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a helical induction coil is used in conventional aerosol generating devices, then the device can generate aerosol, but the device dimensions become large and heating efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional helical coil structure to a two-dimensional planar coil structure. The planar coil is positioned adjacent to the heating chamber in a planar arrangement, reducing the spatial footprint required for the electromagnetic field generator while maintaining effective heating capability through optimized field coupling with the susceptor.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system is segmented into distinct functional components: a planar coil for electromagnetic field generation, a susceptor layer integrated with the aerosol generating material, and a heating chamber. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the planar coil providing focused heating only where the susceptor is present, improving energy efficiency and reducing overall device volume.
2Loss of energy
If a helical induction coil is used, then the device can heat aerosol generating material, but energy efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The planar coil structure provides localized electromagnetic field generation directly at the heating chamber interface, concentrating energy input precisely where the susceptor and aerosol generating material are located. This localized heating approach eliminates energy waste in heating surrounding air or non-target areas, improving both energy efficiency and aerosol generation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The susceptor acts as an intermediary material between the planar coil's electromagnetic field and the aerosol generating material. The susceptor absorbs electromagnetic energy and converts it to heat through hysteresis losses, then transfers this heat to the aerosol generating material. This intermediary mechanism enables efficient energy transfer and controlled heating, improving overall system energy efficiency.
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 minimizes device dimensions, maximizes energy input, and improves aerosol production, providing a more efficient and user-friendly aerosol generating system.
Implementation Method 1
an induction coil is provided with the device and an inductively heatable susceptor is provided typically with the aerosol generating article. Electrical energy is supplied to the induction coil when a user activates the device which in turn generates an alternating electromagnetic field. The susceptor couples with the electromagnetic field and generates heat
Implementation Method 2
The susceptor couples with the electromagnetic field and generates heat which is transferred, for example by conduction, to the aerosol generating material and an aerosol is generated as the aerosol generating material is heated
Implementation Method 3
The first and second planar coils may be arranged to generate electromagnetic fields that penetrate the heating chamber in different directions. This may provide improved coupling of the electromagnetic fields with the inductively heatable susceptor, thereby ensuring improved heating of the inductively heatable susceptor whilst maximising energy efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol generating system includes an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article including aerosol generating material and an inductively heatable susceptor. The aerosol generating device includes: an electromagnetic field generator including a first planar coil and a second planar coil; a heating chamber for receiving the aerosol generating article, the heating chamber being positioned between the first and second planar coils and including an air inlet and an air outlet; and an airflow path extending between the air inlet and the air outlet.