Segmented Induction Heating Element for Tobacco Aerosol Articles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional smoking devices face issues with unintended overheating and burning of tobacco material due to direct contact with heating elements, affecting the taste of tobacco smoke.

Innovation Solution

Aerosol-generating articles with a heating element wrapped in or disposed within the tobacco material, using high-frequency electromagnetic induction for uniform heating, where the heating element is in contact with the tobacco material to prevent overheating and ensure consistent flavor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a heating element is inserted into tobacco material, then the tobacco material can be heated to generate smoke, but the direct contact may result in unintended overheating and burning of the tobacco material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating temperatureVSAvoidoverheating and burning
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is segmented into multiple heating wires arranged in parallel within a support structure. This segmentation distributes the heating function across multiple elements, preventing any single point from concentrating excessive heat and causing burning, while collectively providing uniform heating across the tobacco material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A support structure acts as an intermediary between the heating element and tobacco material. The support structure holds the heating wires at specific positions, ensuring controlled contact with the tobacco material while preventing direct, uncontrolled contact that would lead to burning. The support structure mediates the thermal interaction to achieve uniform heating without overheating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the heating element is in sheet or rod shape, then the structure is simple, but the heating area is limited and heating uniformity is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating element structureVSAvoidheating area
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is divided into multiple heating wires arranged in parallel, increasing the total heating surface area compared to a single rod or sheet. This segmented configuration maintains relative structural simplicity while significantly expanding the effective heating area for more uniform heat distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element transitions from a two-dimensional sheet or single rod to a three-dimensional array of multiple parallel wires. This dimensional change increases the heating surface area by utilizing spatial arrangement, allowing heat to be applied from multiple points simultaneously across the tobacco material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The solution provides uniform heating throughout the tobacco material, improving the taste of tobacco smoke by ensuring the heating element fully contacts the tobacco material, thereby preventing overheating and burning.

Implementation Method 1

the coil is configured to produce an electromagnetic field and induce an electric current in the heating element placed in the electromagnetic field, causing the heating element to produce heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the tobacco material of the aerosol-generating article is heated through high-frequency electromagnetic induction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 3

the heating element fully contacts with the tobacco material to provide a uniform heating throughout the tobacco material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4140330A1Aerosol-generating article and aerosol-generating system comprising the same
Publication Date: 2023.03.01 SHENZHEN EIGATE TECH CO LTD
  • EP4140330A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4140330A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4140330A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An aerosol-generating article (2) includes a heating element (202) and a tobacco material (201). The heating element is wrapped in the tobacco material, or the tobacco material is wrapped in the heating element, or the heating element is disposed in the tobacco material.