Retractable Heater Structure for Cleaner Aerosol Article Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol-generating devices face issues with unwanted residues of aerosol-generating substrate remaining in the heating chamber and on the heating element after the article is removed.

Innovation Solution

The heating element is configured as retractable, allowing it to be withdrawn from the heating chamber before the aerosol-generating article is removed, reducing residue accumulation by minimizing friction and enabling easy article insertion and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the heating element remains stationary in the heating chamber during article removal, then the article can be easily pulled out, but residues of aerosol-generating substrate adhere to the heating chamber walls and heating element

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of article removalVSAvoidresidue accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is made movable between a first position (arranged in the heating chamber) and a second position (retracted from the heating chamber). During article removal, the heating element is retracted to the second position, allowing the article to be pulled out without contact, thereby preventing residue accumulation while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the heating element is retracted from the heating chamber before article removal, then residue accumulation is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to the retraction mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresidue accumulationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is received within the aerosol-generating device housing, with the retraction mechanism integrated into the existing device structure. The heating element can be retracted into a recess or space within the device, minimizing additional space requirements and reducing overall device complexity while achieving the residue reduction benefit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Productivity

If the heating element penetrates deeply into the aerosol-generating substrate, then effective aerosol generation is achieved, but small crumbs and material loosen during article removal and adhere to the heating chamber

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerosol generation efficiencyVSAvoidcrumb and material residues
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element dynamically adjusts its position: during operation, it penetrates deeply into the aerosol-generating substrate for effective aerosol generation; during article removal, it retracts to the second position to prevent crumbs and material from loosening and adhering to the heating chamber walls.

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

This design effectively prevents residues from adhering to the heating chamber and element, enhancing user convenience and device cleanliness.

Implementation Method 1

These devices heat aerosol-generating substrate to a sufficiently high temperature for creating an aerosol for inhalation by the user

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a heating element is arranged within the heating chamber. An aerosol-generating article comprising aerosol-generating substrate can be inserted into the heating chamber and heated by the heating element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3806675B1Retractable heater for aerosol-generating device
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA
  • EP3806675B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3806675B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2E
  • EP3806675B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol. The device comprises a housing, a heating chamber (12) configured to receive an aerosol-generating article (16) containing aerosol-generating substrate and a heating element (14). The heating element is arranged in the heating chamber. The heating element is configured to be arranged in a first position, in which the heating element penetrates the aerosol- generating substrate, and configured to be arranged in a second position, in which the heating element is at least partly retracted from the heating chamber. The heating element is configured to move, during retraction from the heating chamber, relative to the housing.