Rotatable Off-Center Microwave Heating for Faster Aerosol Atomization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol generation apparatuses using central heating methods for aerosol-generating articles suffer from slow atomization speed and long preheating times, requiring high-temperature maintenance during puffing intervals.
Innovation Solution
A microwave heating component with an inner conductor unit featuring a rotatable microwave radiation element positioned off-center and a rotatable aerosol-generating article, enabling circumferential segmented heating and immediate heating cessation during puffing intervals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a central heating method is used with a probe at the center position, then the heating structure is simple, but the atomization speed is slow and preheating time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The microwave radiation element is divided into multiple segments arranged circumferentially around the accommodating cavity. Each segment independently radiates microwave energy to different regions of the aerosol-generating article, enabling parallel heating of multiple zones simultaneously. This segmentation transforms the single-point central heating into multi-point distributed heating, thereby increasing atomization speed and reducing preheating time.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating approach transitions from a one-dimensional central axis arrangement to a two-dimensional circumferential distribution. The microwave radiation elements are positioned at different angular positions around the cavity, creating a planar heating pattern that covers the aerosol-generating article more comprehensively. This dimensional expansion enables simultaneous heating of multiple regions, improving heating efficiency and reducing preheating time.
2Ease of operation
If central heating is used, then the device structure is simple, but high-temperature maintenance is required during puffing intervals
Solution Approach 1:
The microwave radiation elements operate in periodic pulses synchronized with the puffing cycles. During active puffing, the radiation elements deliver heating energy; during puffing intervals, the heating is reduced or suspended. This periodic operation pattern matches the user demand, eliminating the need for continuous high-temperature maintenance and reducing energy consumption during non-puffing periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system transitions from a static central heating configuration to a dynamic circumferential segmented system. The microwave radiation elements can be independently controlled and adjusted in real-time based on operational requirements. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt heating intensity and distribution to match actual demand, reducing energy waste during puffing intervals while maintaining ease of operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If a probe is arranged at the center position, then the device complexity is low, but the heating uniformity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The single central probe is segmented into multiple microwave radiation elements distributed circumferentially. Each segment targets a specific region of the aerosol-generating article, ensuring uniform heat distribution across the entire article. This segmentation approach improves heating uniformity by eliminating the temperature gradients inherent in single-point heating, while the modular segmented structure maintains manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the aerosol-generating article receive tailored heating from correspondingly positioned microwave radiation elements. Each radiation element is optimized for its specific location, providing localized heating quality that contributes to overall uniformity. This local quality approach ensures that each part of the article receives appropriate heating intensity, improving overall heating uniformity without excessive complexity.
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
Enhances heating speed and atomization efficiency, reducing preheating time and allowing for immediate heating cessation, resulting in more even heating and faster atomization.
Implementation Method 1
The aerosol generation apparatus can heat and atomize an aerosol-generating article through microwave heating
Implementation Method 2
an inner conductor unit arranged in the cavity, the inner conductor unit comprising a microwave radiation element
Data Source
AI summary
A microwave heating component for heating an aerosol-generating article includes: an outer conductor unit defining a cavity; an accommodating cavity formed in the cavity, the accommodating cavity having a central axis and for accommodating the aerosol-generating article; and an inner conductor unit arranged in the cavity, the inner conductor unit including a microwave radiation element. The microwave radiation element is arranged deviating from a central axis of the accommodating cavity and located on a periphery of the accommodating cavity. The microwave radiation element is rotatable around the central axis, or the aerosol-generating article is rotatable around the central axis of the accommodating cavity.