Aerosol Cigarette Color Sensing for Adaptive Heating Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol generating systems fail to distinguish between different types of cigarettes, such as those filled with cut tobacco, tobacco granules, or nicotine liquid, and cannot differentiate between normal and excessively moist cigarettes, leading to inconsistent atomization and flavor delivery.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol generating system that uses color bands on cigarettes, detectable by a color sensor, to determine the type of tobacco filling unit and moisture level, adjusting the heater temperature profile accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a uniform heating profile is applied to various types of tobacco filling units, then the heating process is simple and consistent, but the optimal amount of atomization and flavor cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system transitions from a static uniform heating profile to a dynamic adaptive heating profile. The controller adjusts heating parameters in real-time based on feedback from sensors (optical, temperature, humidity) that detect the specific tobacco type and moisture content, enabling the heating profile to dynamically optimize atomization for each cigarette variant
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple heating parameters simultaneously including temperature setpoints, heating rates, and duration based on detected cigarette characteristics. Different tobacco filling units (cut tobacco, granules, liquid) and moisture levels trigger specific parameter adjustments to achieve optimal atomization for each case
2Quantity of substance
If moisture content in the aerosol is high, then the aerosol generating material is well-hydrated, but the user feels more heat than when inhaling air of the same temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The controller adjusts heating parameters based on detected moisture content to optimize the balance between aerosol hydration and temperature. When high moisture is detected, the system modifies temperature profiles to prevent excessive heat sensation while maintaining adequate hydration for proper atomization
Solution Approach 2:
Humidity sensors provide real-time feedback on the moisture content of the aerosol generating material and the resulting aerosol. This feedback loop enables the controller to dynamically adjust heating power to maintain optimal moisture levels without creating excessive heat sensation in the inhaled aerosol
3Manufacturing precision
If the system uses color bands and color sensors to distinguish cigarette types and moisture levels, then atomization and flavor delivery are optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The color sensor serves multiple functions: identifying cigarette type (cut tobacco, granules, liquid), detecting moisture content through color changes in moisture-sensitive indicators, and potentially verifying proper insertion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate detection systems for each parameter
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes color bands with moisture-sensitive indicators that change color based on hydration levels. The optical sensor detects these color changes to determine moisture content, providing a simple optical method for moisture detection without requiring complex electronic humidity sensors
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 distinguishes between different cigarette types and moisture levels, ensuring optimal atomization and flavor delivery by adjusting the heating profile based on detected colors.
Implementation Method 1
a color sensor adjacent to the insert space and configured to detect a color of a color band on the cigarette inserted in the insert space
Implementation Method 2
an aerosol is generated by heating an aerosol generating material in a cigarette without combustion
Data Source
Figure 1~4a
Figure 4b~4c
Figure 5
AI summary
An aerosol generating system according to one embodiment includes a cigarette having a first color band of which color changes in response to humidity, and an aerosol generating device including a main body including an accommodation passage for accommodating the cigarette, a heater for heating the cigarette, a color sensor arranged on one side of the accommodation passage and detecting a color of the first color band, and a controller for determining a humidity state of the cigarette, based on a detected color of the first color band.