Solvent-Evolving Cleaning Consumable for Aerosol Device Heating Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol-generating devices with heating elements face residue buildup from aerosol-forming substrates, leading to suboptimal performance and unpleasant flavors, requiring effective cleaning methods that are delicate to avoid damage.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning consumable with a solvent-evolving substrate, designed to be pierced by the heating element, releases a cleaning solvent that dissolves residues and is encapsulated to prevent egress until engagement with the device, ensuring safe and efficient cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a brush or scraper is used to clean the heating element, then residues can be physically removed, but the heating element may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning methods (brush or scraper) with a chemical cleaning system. A cleaning consumable containing cleaning fluid is heated by the heating element to generate cleaning vapor, which chemically cleans the heating element surface without mechanical contact, thus avoiding damage while achieving effective cleaning
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning vapor acts as an intermediary between the heating element and the cleaning consumable. The vapor transfers cleaning action to the heating element surface through chemical interaction rather than direct mechanical contact, enabling effective cleaning while preserving the heating element integrity
2Ease of manufacture
If pyrolysis is used to burn residues, then cleaning can be achieved, but it may not always be effective and requires high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cleaning parameter from high-temperature pyrolysis to moderate-temperature vaporization. The heating element operates at a lower temperature range (60-120°C) to generate cleaning vapor, which effectively removes residues through chemical action rather than thermal decomposition, avoiding the need for excessive temperatures
3Ease of manufacture
If the heating element is heated to high temperatures for pyrolysis, then residues can be burned off, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameter from high-temperature pyrolysis to low-temperature vaporization. The heating element operates at 60-120°C to generate cleaning vapor, which achieves effective residue removal through chemical cleaning action, significantly reducing energy consumption compared to high-temperature burning methods
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 cleaning consumable effectively loosens and removes residues without damaging the heating element, ensuring the device functions optimally and preventing unwanted flavors, with the solvent evaporating swiftly to avoid contamination.
Implementation Method 1
The cleaning consumable is dimensioned to engage with the aerosol-generating device such that the heating element can heat the solvent-evolving substrate to evolve the cleaning solvent
Implementation Method 2
the solvent evaporating swiftly to avoid contamination
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
A cleaning consumable (10, 310) for cleaning a heating element (290) of an aerosol- generating device (210) comprises a solvent-evolving substrate (20, 320) capable of releasing a cleaning solvent into contact with the heating element when heated by the heating element. The cleaning solvent is capable of dissolving, partially-dissolving, or otherwise chemically interacting with one or more deposit or residue that may be left on the heating element after normal use. The cleaning consumable is dimensioned to engage with the aerosol-generating device such that the heating element can heat the solvent-evolving substrate. In some embodiments the cleaning consumable wipes the heating element as it is removed from engagement with the aerosol-generating device.