Thermal Conductor Aerosol Source for Consistent Low-Power Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrically heated smoking devices suffer from inconsistent performance characteristics and require large battery capabilities, limiting their ability to provide the sensations of cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking without substantial combustion.

Innovation Solution

An aerosol delivery device with a control body, heating member, power source, and removable aerosol source member featuring a continuous thermally conductive framework that enhances heat transfer to aerosol forming material, using a coil or interwoven braid for efficient heating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If electrically heated smoking devices are used to avoid combustion, then harmful combustion products are reduced, but performance consistency deteriorates and battery size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion productsVSAvoidperformance consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A thermally conductive member is introduced as an intermediary between the heating element and the aerosol-forming material. This mediator efficiently transfers heat from the heating element to the material, ensuring consistent heating performance and reliable aerosol generation without requiring excessive battery power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermally conductive member can be constructed from composite materials such as metal foam, ceramic foam, or carbon-based structures. These composite materials provide both high thermal conductivity for efficient heat transfer and appropriate structural properties to maintain consistent performance while managing battery requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If electrically heated smoking devices are used to avoid combustion, then harmful combustion products are reduced, but battery capability requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion productsVSAvoidbattery capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The thermally conductive member acts as an efficient heat transfer intermediary, reducing energy losses and improving heating efficiency. This allows the system to achieve the required heating performance with lower battery capability, extending operational duration without increasing battery size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the thermal conductivity parameter of the system through the introduction of the thermally conductive member, heat transfer efficiency is improved. This parameter change enables the system to operate effectively with reduced battery capability requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If direct heating of aerosol-forming material is used, then device structure is simplified, but heat transfer efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The thermally conductive member serves as an intermediary that enhances heat transfer from the heating element to the aerosol-forming material. Rather than complicating the device structure, this intermediary component is strategically positioned to maximize thermal contact and minimize energy losses, improving heat transfer efficiency without significant structural complexity.

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 device provides consistent aerosol production with improved performance characteristics and reduced battery requirements, mimicking smoking sensations without significant combustion.

Implementation Method 1

a heating member positioned within the control body and in proximity to the aerosol source member when inserted, configured to heat the aerosol source member to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the aerosol forming material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the substrate portion includes a continuous thermally conductive framework integrated with an aerosol forming material, wherein the continuous thermally conductive framework is configured to enhance heat transfer from the heating member to the aerosol forming material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

configured to heat the aerosol source member to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the aerosol forming material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4714274A1Aerosol delivery device with integrated thermal conductor
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS INC
  • EP4714274A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4714274A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4714274A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aerosol delivery devices and aerosol source members are disclosed herein. In one aspect, an aerosol delivery device may comprise a control body having a closed distal end and an open engaging end, a heating member, a control component located within the control body and configured to control the heating member, a power source located within the control body and configured to provide power to the control component, and a removable aerosol source member that includes a substrate portion. The substrate portion may include a continuous heat conductive framework integrated with an aerosol forming material, wherein the continuous thermally conductive framework is configured to enhance heat transfer from the heating member to the aerosol forming material.