Rigid Susceptor Particles for Uniform Inductive Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inductively heatable tobacco products face challenges in manipulating and homogeneously distributing susceptor particles, leading to inefficient heat transfer and potential burning of tobacco, especially in peripheral regions, due to the difficulty in achieving uniform rigidity and preventing curling of susceptor particles during manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

The development of inductively heatable consumables with rigid susceptor particles composed of a combination of a rigid aerosol forming substrate layer and a susceptor layer, where the susceptor layer's rigidity is substantially equivalent to or slightly greater than the substrate layer's, ensuring uniform heating and minimizing curling, thereby optimizing aerosol generation without burning the tobacco.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thin susceptor particles are used in crimped tobacco sheets, then cost is reduced, but manipulation and homogeneous distribution become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidmanipulation and distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines susceptor particles with a binding agent to form a composite material. This composite structure allows the susceptor particles to be easily manipulated and distributed while maintaining their inductive heating functionality. The binding agent provides structural integrity that enables homogeneous distribution throughout the tobacco sheet without compromising the susceptor particles' ability to generate heat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Power

If susceptor particles are dispersed in crimped tobacco sheets, then inductive heating is enabled, but homogeneous heat transfer is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinductive heating capabilityVSAvoidhomogeneous heat transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical parameters of the susceptor particles, specifically their shape and size distribution. By controlling these parameters, the patent achieves more uniform heat transfer throughout the tobacco sheet. The modified particle characteristics ensure consistent electromagnetic coupling and heat generation, leading to homogeneous temperature distribution during inductive heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If peripheral regions of tobacco plug are heated, then aerosol generation is improved, but burning of tobacco occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol generationVSAvoidburning of tobacco

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates temperature sensing and control mechanisms that provide feedback to the heating system. This feedback loop allows real-time monitoring of temperature distribution throughout the tobacco plug, enabling the system to adjust heating power dynamically. The feedback mechanism prevents overheating in peripheral regions while ensuring sufficient heating for effective aerosol generation, thereby avoiding burning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of operation

If susceptor particles are made rigid, then manipulation is improved, but curling during manufacturing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemanipulationVSAvoidcurling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different mechanical properties to different parts of the susceptor particle structure. The binding agent provides rigidity for easy manipulation, while the susceptor particle core maintains flexibility to prevent curling. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows the particles to be easily handled during manufacturing while maintaining their shape stability during the heating process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution allows for efficient and uniform heating of tobacco products, reducing the risk of burning and enhancing aerosol generation by maintaining a consistent temperature distribution, ensuring that peripheral regions are heated uniformly, thus improving the overall performance and efficiency of aerosol generation.

Implementation Method 1

Inductively heatable consumable for aerosol generation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInductive heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 2

susceptor layer for obtaining a rigid susceptor particle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

the tobacco plug is heated to evaporate the volatile compounds in the plug material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11700874B2Inductively heatable consumable for aerosol generation

Publication Date: 2023.07.18 JT INTERNATIONAL SA

AI summary

An inductively heatable consumable for aerosol generation includes an aerosol forming substrate in the form of particles and a susceptor in the form of a plurality of particles, wherein the susceptor is a combination of an aerosol forming substrate and a susceptor for obtaining a rigid susceptor, wherein the rigid aerosol forming substrate layer has a rigidity greater than the rigidity of the susceptor layer.