Aerosol Generating Device Dynamic Determination Period Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol generating apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting the remaining quantity of the aerosol source, leading to potential continued power supply when the source is depleted, resulting in wasted energy and inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a power source, a load with varying electric resistance, and a sensor to measure current, with control means that adjusts the determination period based on measurement values to improve precision in detecting aerosol source depletion, using multiple power supply paths to optimize power usage and prevent unnecessary aerosol generation during detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If power supply is continued to maintain heater temperature, then heater temperature stability is improved, but energy wastage increases when aerosol source is depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of aerosol source remaining quantity by monitoring current values during feeding sequences before complete depletion occurs. By detecting trends in current values across multiple feeding sequences, the system proactively identifies when the aerosol source is running low and pre-adjusts power supply control to prevent continued operation after depletion, thereby avoiding energy wastage while maintaining temperature stability during valid operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors current values flowing through the heater during power supply operations and uses this feedback to determine aerosol source remaining quantity. The control unit analyzes changes in current values across feeding sequences and adjusts power supply control accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that maintains heater temperature stability when aerosol source is sufficient while automatically reducing or stopping power supply when depletion is detected, thus preventing energy wastage
2Speed
If determination period is shortened to improve detection speed, then responsiveness is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The determination period is made dynamic rather than fixed. The control unit adjusts the determination period length based on the detected trend of current values. When current values show clear depletion trends, the system can use shorter determination periods for faster response. When current values are stable or the trend is uncertain, longer determination periods are used to accumulate more measurement data and improve detection precision. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between responsiveness and precision based on real-time operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs multiple partial measurements across different feeding sequences rather than relying on a single excessive long measurement period. By accumulating current value data from multiple feeding sequences and analyzing trends, the system achieves high detection precision through aggregated partial observations. This approach allows for more responsive detection compared to waiting for a single long determination period to complete, while still maintaining high precision through multiple data points
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 configuration enhances the precision of estimating the remaining aerosol source quantity, reduces power wastage, and improves the efficiency of power usage by selectively using different power supply paths during determination operations.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor that outputs a measurement value corresponding to a current value of a current flowing through the load
Implementation Method 2
power supply from a power source to a heater is controlled such that the temperature of the heater is near the boiling point of an aerosol source
Implementation Method 3
a load that atomize an aerosol source or heat a flavor source when supplied with power from the power source
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5
AI summary
An aerosol generating apparatus comprises: a power source; a load configured to have an electric resistance value that varies according to a temperature and atomize an aerosol source or heat a flavor source when supplied with power from the power source; a sensor configured to output a measurement value corresponding to a current value of a current flowing through the load; and a control unit configured to control power supply from the power source to the load and perform a determination operation for determining that there is an abnormality if the measurement value becomes smaller than a threshold value within a determination period, on a time axis, in a feeding sequence during which power is supplied from the power source to the load, wherein the control unit adjusts a length of the determination period based on the measurement value.