Thin-Walled Tubular Heating Element for Uniform Induction Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smoking alternatives, such as heat-not-burn products, face challenges in efficiently heating aerosolisable materials without combustion, particularly in achieving uniform heat distribution and cost-effective design.

Innovation Solution

A tubular heating element with a wall thickness of no more than 1 millimeter, comprising a ferromagnetic coating and a heat-resistant protective layer, is heated by a varying magnetic field, allowing for efficient Joule and magnetic hysteresis heating, and is designed to minimize thermal mass for rapid temperature rise and uniform heat distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the wall thickness of the tubular heating element is reduced to minimize thermal mass, then heating speed improves, but structural strength and heat distribution uniformity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating speedVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element employs a composite structure combining a ferromagnetic material (for induction heating) with a protective coating layer. This composite design allows the thin-walled tube to maintain structural integrity while enabling efficient electromagnetic heating and uniform heat distribution across the material surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of time

If the wall thickness is reduced for rapid heating, then thermal mass decreases, but manufacturing precision and quality control become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating timeVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the wall thickness (0.5-2.0mm) and incorporates a protective coating with specific thickness requirements. These controlled parameters ensure that the thin-walled heating element achieves rapid heating while maintaining manufacturability and quality consistency through defined specification ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a protective coating is added to the heating element, then durability and heat distribution improve, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective coating is applied specifically to the outer surface of the heating element where it contacts the aerosolisable material. This localized treatment provides enhanced durability and uniform heat distribution precisely where needed, without adding complexity to the entire device structure or requiring complex manufacturing processes throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 tubular heating element achieves efficient and uniform heating of aerosolisable materials, reducing thermal mass for faster heating and maintaining system efficiency while minimizing cost and design complexity.

Implementation Method 1

heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

efficient Joule and magnetic hysteresis heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic hysteresis: Magnetic Hysteresis

Implementation Method 3

induction coil arrangement for use with apparatus for heating smokable material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3732934B1Tubular heating element suitable for aerosolisable material
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 NICOVENTURES TRADING LTD
  • EP3732934B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3732934B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Disclosed is a tubular heating element (1) for use in apparatus for heating aerosolisable material to volatilise at least one component of the aerosolisable material. The tubular heating element (2) further comprises heating material layer (lb, 2b) that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field on a tubular support (2a). The tubular heating element (1, 2) has a wall thickness (T) of no more than one millimetre. Further, the tubular heating element (2) can comprises a protective layer (2c). The heating layer comprising a ferromagnetic material based on cobalt or nickel.