Segmented Induction Coils for Uniform Aerosol Substrate Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol-generating devices face challenges in uniformly heating aerosol-generating substrates through induction heating, leading to inconsistent smoking experiences.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a plurality of coils with different winding numbers to generate alternating magnetic fields, controlled by a controller to differentially heat portions of the susceptor, ensuring uniform heating of the aerosol-generating substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single coil is used for induction heating, then the device structure is simple, but the heating uniformity of the aerosol-generating substrate is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single coil into multiple coil segments (first coil segment, second coil segment, third coil segment, etc.) arranged along the length of the susceptor. Each segment can be independently controlled to provide differential heating to different regions of the aerosol-generating substrate, thereby improving heating uniformity while maintaining relatively simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different heating intensities to different regions of the susceptor by controlling each coil segment independently. The first coil segment heats the first region, the second coil segment heats the second region, and so on, ensuring that each local region receives appropriate heating to achieve overall uniform heating of the substrate
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple coils are used for differential heating, then the heating uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coil into multiple independent coil segments that can be controlled separately. This segmentation allows differential heating of different susceptor regions while keeping each segment's structure simple and manageable, balancing heating precision with device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs alternating current through the coil segments, creating periodic magnetic fields that induce eddy currents in the susceptor. This periodic action enables efficient induction heating while allowing independent control of each segment to achieve uniform heating without excessive complexity
3Productivity
If high power is used for rapid heating, then the productivity is improved, but the temperature control precision deteriorates leading to overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating function into multiple coil segments that can operate at different power levels simultaneously. This allows high overall heating power for rapid heating while enabling precise local temperature control in each region, preventing overheating while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different heating intensities to different coil segments based on local requirements. Some segments may operate at high power for rapid heating where needed, while other segments operate at lower power to prevent overheating, achieving both high productivity and precise temperature control
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 approach provides a consistent smoking experience by uniformly heating the aerosol-generating substrate, preventing overheating and ensuring high-quality aerosol generation.
Implementation Method 1
a coil arranged to surround at least a portion of the cavity, an electrical power source, and a power supply electronics connected to the electrical power source and to the coil, for supplying an alternating current to the coil
Implementation Method 2
heating an aerosol generating substrate by inserting a cigarette having the aerosol generating substrate into a susceptor heating portion of a filter rod, and heating the aerosol generating substrate by using a phenomenon in which material constituting a susceptor is heated by an alternating magnetic field generated by alternating current flowing through a coil
Data Source
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AI summary
An embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of coils which have different numbers of windings and generate an alternating magnetic field when alternating current is applied; a susceptor for generating an aerosol by heating adjacent aerosol-generating substrates using heat generated through the alternating magnetic fields generated from the plurality of coils; and a controller for controlling a predetermined alternating current to be supplied to each of the plurality of coils, wherein the controller controls a first portion and a second portion of the susceptor to be heated differentially by alternating current supplied to the plurality of coils.