SPR Heater Structure for Light Utilization and Thermal Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating devices face challenges in optimizing the utilization of light and ensuring thermal stability and the manufacturing of surface plasmon resonance heaters with complex structures.

Innovation Solution

A heater comprising a substrate with a surface plasmon resonance structure, including a cavity and a reflective layer and a heat transfer body, and a substrate with a complex structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a conventional heater structure is used, then the device complexity is low, but the light utilization efficiency is insufficient and thermal stability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight utilization efficiencyVSAvoidheater structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heater is divided into multiple functional layers: a substrate layer, an SPR structure layer with metal particles, an absorbing layer, and a heat transfer body layer. Each layer performs a specific function to optimize light utilization while maintaining manageable structural complexity through systematic segmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heater employs composite material structures combining different materials with complementary properties: the substrate provides mechanical support, metal particles enable SPR for light absorption, the absorbing layer enhances thermal conversion, and the heat transfer body distributes heat efficiently. This composite approach achieves high light utilization efficiency through synergistic material combination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a conventional heater structure is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but thermal stability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heater structure is segmented into distinct functional layers, each optimized for thermal performance. The substrate layer provides thermal stability, the SPR and absorbing layers ensure consistent heat generation, and the heat transfer body maintains uniform temperature distribution. This segmentation enables manufacturing of each layer with controlled precision, achieving thermal stability without excessive manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heater design optimizes parameters such as the thickness of each layer, the concentration and size distribution of metal particles in the SPR structure, and the thermal conductivity of the heat transfer body. By carefully controlling these parameters during manufacturing, the heater achieves superior thermal stability while maintaining manufacturability through standardized parameter specifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If a simple heater structure is used, then the manufacturing is easy, but the light utilization and thermal performance are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight to heat conversion efficiencyVSAvoidheater structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heater utilizes composite material layers where metal particles in the SPR structure convert light to heat, the absorbing layer enhances this conversion, and the heat transfer body efficiently distributes the heat. This composite material approach achieves high light-to-heat conversion efficiency by combining materials with complementary optical and thermal properties, maintaining the structure through systematic layering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The heater is segmented into functionally optimized layers: the substrate layer for mechanical support and thermal stability, the SPR structure layer for light absorption, the absorbing layer for enhanced thermal conversion, and the heat transfer body layer for efficient heat distribution. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently for its specific function, achieving high productivity while keeping the overall structure manageable through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 heater ensures efficient utilization of light and thermal stability, enabling the manufacturing of a complex surface plasmon resonance structure.

Implementation Method 1

an SPR structure configured to generate heat by SPR and disposed on the first surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface plasmon resonance:

Implementation Method 2

an absorbing layer disposed on the second surface and configured to absorb the light penetrating through the substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

a heat transfer body disposed on the second surface and configured to transfer the generated heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4666890A1Aerosol-generating device including surface plasmon resonance heater and device for manufacturing surface plasmon resonance heater
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 KT&G CO LTD
  • EP4666890A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4666890A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4666890A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This heater may include: a substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein the first surface includes a curved surface and the first surface defines a cavity; a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) structure which is configured to generate heat by an SPR and is disposed on the first surface; and an opening which is configured to allow light to pass through the cavity and is defined by the first surface.