Rotating Aerosol Article Heating for Consistent Vapor Taste

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol-generating devices heat the entire substrate segment of the aerosol-forming article, leading to a decrease in taste consistency over time, affecting user experience.

Innovation Solution

An aerosol-generating device with a drive assembly that rotates the aerosol-forming article around a central axis, allowing for circumferential segmented heating through a microwave heating assembly, ensuring consistent taste by heating a local region during each rotation cycle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the entire substrate segment of the aerosol-forming article is heated, then the heating efficiency is improved, but the taste consistency deteriorates over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidtaste consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The heating process is segmented into multiple local heating zones around the aerosol-forming article. The microwave heating assembly includes multiple heating regions arranged circumferentially, so that different segments of the article are heated sequentially during rotation rather than all at once. This segmentation allows the heating efficiency to be maintained while preventing rapid depletion of any single region, thus preserving taste consistency throughout the heating cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces dynamic rotation of the aerosol-forming article around the central axis during microwave heating. This dynamic movement allows different portions of the article to pass through the microwave heating field sequentially, distributing the thermal energy input over time and space. The rotation speed and heating power are coordinated to ensure consistent aerosol generation, resolving the contradiction between efficient energy use and taste stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the aerosol-forming article is rotated during heating, then the taste consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetaste consistencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation function and heating function are merged into a single integrated system. The drive assembly is positioned within the microwave heating assembly, and both functions operate simultaneously in the same spatial envelope. The rotating article passes through the microwave field while being driven by the integrated drive mechanism, eliminating the need for separate rotation and heating systems. This merging reduces overall device complexity while achieving consistent taste through continuous rotation and heating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The central cavity serves multiple functions: it accommodates the aerosol-forming article, contains the microwave heating field, and provides the rotational path for the article. The drive assembly also serves dual purposes by both rotating the article and positioning it within the heating zone. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining taste consistency through rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If local segmented heating is implemented through rotation, then the taste consistency is improved, but the heating time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetaste consistencyVSAvoidheating time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation and heating processes continue simultaneously without interruption. As the aerosol-forming article rotates through the microwave heating field, heating is applied continuously to different segments in sequence rather than in discrete steps. This continuous action ensures that the entire article is uniformly heated over time, maintaining taste consistency while minimizing the total heating duration by keeping the system in constant operation throughout the heating cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Ensures consistent taste of the aerosol throughout the heating process, enhances vapor outlet speed, and is more energy-efficient compared to traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

An aerosol-generating device may heat and atomize an aerosol-forming article through microwave heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave heating: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a transmission unit, respectively connected to the drive motor and the aerosol-forming article, to transmit power generated by the drive motor to the aerosol-forming article

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPower transmission: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP4696166A1Aerosol generating device
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 SMOORE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED
  • EP4696166A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4696166A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4696166A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may include an accommodating seat and a drive assembly. The accommodating seat defines an accommodating cavity for accommodating an aerosol-forming article. The accommodating cavity has a central axis for the aerosol-forming article to be arranged in the accommodating cavity rotatably around the central axis. The drive assembly includes a drive motor and a transmission unit. The transmission unit is respectively connected to the drive motor and the aerosol-forming article, to transmit power generated by the drive motor to the aerosol-forming article, for the aerosol-forming article to rotate around the central axis. The device can ensure consistency of the taste of the aerosol within one rotation cycle.