Aerosol Device Controller Detecting Depleted Substrate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol-generating devices risk generating unsatisfactory aerosol when a depleted aerosol-forming substrate is used, either intentionally or accidentally, particularly in devices configured for sequential usage sessions.

Innovation Solution

The device includes a controller that detects a fresh or depleted aerosol-generating article by monitoring the rate of change of temperature during a low power mode, switching to high power mode only if a predetermined criterion is satisfied, and indicating or preventing usage if depleted, using electrical parameters to indirectly measure temperature changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the device operates in high power mode to generate aerosol, then aerosol generation capability is improved, but the risk of using depleted substrate increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol generation capabilityVSAvoidrisk of depleted substrate usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs a preliminary temperature check in low power mode before transitioning to high power mode. This preliminary action detects whether the substrate is depleted by measuring temperature change rate, preventing harmful operation before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors temperature change rate and provides feedback to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller determines whether to allow transition to high power mode, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents depleted substrate usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the device performs temperature monitoring to detect depleted substrate, then detection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial heating (low power mode) solely for the purpose of temperature monitoring, rather than full heating (high power mode) required for aerosol generation. This partial action enables detection without excessive energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

Temperature monitoring is performed periodically at specific intervals - before power mode transitions and during operation. This periodic measurement approach provides necessary detection accuracy while minimizing overall power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

This method effectively prevents the use of depleted aerosol-generating articles, ensuring satisfactory aerosol generation by distinguishing between fresh and depleted articles with minimal power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

The heating may be a result of resistive heating of a heater element of the aerosol-generating device that is in thermal contact with the aerosol-generating article

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResistive heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

or inductive heating of a susceptor element of the aerosol-generating device or aerosol-generating article, the susceptor element being in thermal contact with the aerosol-forming substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInductive heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 3

the controller is configured to measure a parameter related to a rate of change of a temperature of the heater assembly or a rate of change of a temperature of the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical resistance temperature dependence: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP4472454B1Smoking device with consumable temperature sensing means

Publication Date: 2026.04.08 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA

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AI summary

There is provided an aerosol-generating device (100) for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating article (200). The aerosol-generating device comprises a cavity (10) for receiving an aerosol-generating article (200); a heater assembly for heating the aerosol- generating article received in the cavity; and a power supply (142). The power supply (142) is configured to supply power to the heater assembly and controlled by a controller (140) to be operable in at least a low power mode in which aerosol is not generated and a high power mode in which aerosol can be generated. The controller (140) is configured to control the power supply to operate in the low power mode initially. In the low power mode, the controller (140) is configured to measure a parameter related to a rate of change of a temperature of the heater assembly or a rate of change of a temperature of the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity. The controller (140) is configured to switch from the low power mode to the high power mode only if the measured parameter satisfies a predetermined criterion. There is also provided a method of detecting a defect in an aerosol-generating system.