Replaceable Battery Temperature Sensing in Aerosol Generators

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inhalation devices do not adequately address the temperature management of replaceable batteries, leading to potential faults and issues as battery temperature rises.

Innovation Solution

An aerosol-generating system with a temperature sensor to monitor battery temperature, a control unit to regulate the load based on detected temperature, and a cover sensor to manage battery access, ensuring the battery operates within suitable temperature ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the battery is made replaceable for consumer protection and environmental burden reduction, then ease of operation and environmental sustainability are improved, but temperature management becomes more difficult and reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery replaceabilityVSAvoidtemperature control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a temperature sensor that continuously monitors battery temperature and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts the load operation accordingly, creating a closed-loop feedback system that maintains battery temperature within safe ranges even with replaceable batteries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/physical temperature management approaches with electronic sensing and control. Instead of relying on passive thermal management, the system uses electronic temperature sensors and electronic control of the load to actively manage battery temperature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If the temperature sensor is positioned to monitor the highest temperature area of the battery, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery temperature detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning the temperature sensor specifically at the location on the battery surface most likely to reach highest temperature during operation. This targeted placement ensures accurate monitoring of the critical thermal zone without requiring sensors throughout the entire battery structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a single temperature sensor at the most critical location rather than multiple sensors throughout the battery. This partial monitoring approach provides sufficient temperature management by focusing on the hottest spot, avoiding the complexity of comprehensive multi-point temperature measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the control unit regulates load operation based on battery temperature, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery temperature managementVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit receives temperature feedback from the sensor and automatically adjusts load operation to maintain safe battery temperatures. This feedback-based control improves reliability by preventing overheating without requiring complex manual intervention systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system automatically manages battery temperature based on sensor input, making the system self-regulating. The control unit independently adjusts load operation without external intervention, improving reliability while keeping the control logic relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 system effectively maintains battery temperature within safe limits, reducing the likelihood of faults and enhancing user safety by controlling battery operation and charging based on temperature readings.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor which is arranged in the second accommodating portion and measures a temperature of the battery accommodated in the second accommodating portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermistor

Implementation Method 2

a load for generating energy for heating the aerosol source contained in the substrate accommodated in the first accommodating portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4681566A1Aerosol generation system
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 JAPAN TOBACCO INC
  • EP4681566A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4681566A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4681566A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

PROBLEM: To provide an arrangement enabling a battery to operate at a more suitable temperature. SOLUTION: An aerosol-generating system comprising: a first accommodating portion accommodating a substrate containing an aerosol source; a load for generating energy for heating the aerosol source contained in the substrate accommodated in the first accommodating portion; a second accommodating portion accommodating a battery for supplying power to the load; a temperature sensor which is arranged in the second accommodating portion and measures a temperature of the battery accommodated in the second accommodating portion; and a control unit for controlling operation of the load based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, wherein the second accommodating portion has a second opening and insertably/removably accommodates the battery in such a way that the battery is inserted in a third direction and removed in a fourth direction through the second opening, and the temperature sensor is arranged on an inner wall of the second accommodating portion on the third direction side or the fourth direction side.