Stacked Microwave Heater Assembly for Compact Dielectric Aerosol Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating devices using dielectric heating methods face challenges in miniaturization and heating efficiency, necessitating improved component arrangement and design to enhance usability.

Innovation Solution

A heater assembly comprising an oscillating unit stacked on a resonating unit, with a coupler connecting them, to efficiently transmit microwaves for heating aerosol generating articles using a dielectric heating method.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the aerosol generating device is miniaturized, then the device size is reduced, but the heating efficiency and heat dissipation are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidheating efficiency and heat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a planar arrangement of components to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. The oscillating unit is positioned above the resonating unit with vertical spacing, utilizing the Z-axis dimension to achieve compact integration while preserving functional performance. This dimensional change allows the device to be miniaturized in the horizontal plane without compromising heating efficiency or heat dissipation capabilities.

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

2Volume of moving object

If the oscillating unit and resonating unit are arranged in a stacked configuration, then the device is miniaturized, but the component arrangement complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidcomponent arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the oscillating unit and resonating unit into a single integrated heater assembly structure. By stacking these units vertically and connecting them through a coupler, the design combines multiple functional components into a compact modular unit that reduces overall device size while managing arrangement complexity through systematic integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If the oscillating unit is stacked on the resonating unit, then the device is miniaturized, but the microwave transmission efficiency may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidmicrowave transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a coupler as an intermediary component between the oscillating unit and the resonating unit. This coupler serves as a mediator that facilitates efficient microwave energy transfer from the oscillating unit to the resonating unit, ensuring that the stacked configuration maintains high transmission efficiency despite the vertical arrangement and spacing between units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 achieves a miniaturized aerosol generating device with enhanced heating efficiency and heat dissipation, ensuring effective aerosol production.

Implementation Method 1

an oscillating unit configured to generate microwaves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a resonating unit configured to generate an electric field by resonating the microwaves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 3

generate an electric field by resonating the microwaves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 4

a coupler having one end in contact with the oscillating unit and another end in contact with the resonating unit and configured to transmit the microwaves generated by the oscillating unit to the resonating unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave transmission: Waveguide

Data Source

PatentEP4581957A1Heater assembly, aerosol-generating apparatus comprising same, and method for manufacturing same heater assembly
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 KT&G CO LTD
  • EP4581957A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4581957A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4581957A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A heater assembly for heating an aerosol generating article through a dielectric heating method includes an oscillating unit configured to generate microwaves, a resonating unit configured to generate an electric field by resonating the microwaves, and a coupler having one end in contact with the oscillating unit and another end in contact with the resonating unit and configured to transmit the microwaves generated by the oscillating unit to the resonating unit, wherein the oscillating unit includes a printed circuit board stacked on the resonating unit.