Aerosol Device Cigarette Insertion Detection and Heater Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating devices, such as electronic cigarette devices, often consume unnecessary power when the cigarette is not inserted and require user input to initiate heating, leading to increased heating time.

Innovation Solution

An aerosol generating device equipped with a cigarette insertion detecting sensor, temperature detecting sensor, or position detecting sensor that automatically determines the presence of a cigarette and controls the heater operation without additional user input, allowing for immediate heating when a cigarette is inserted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the heater operates automatically upon cigarette insertion without additional user input, then the time to reach target temperature is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to insertion detection sensors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating timeVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically detects cigarette insertion through sensors (optical, capacitive, or mechanical) and initiates heating without requiring additional user input. The system serves itself by monitoring insertion state and autonomously controlling the heater, eliminating the need for manual button presses or inputs while reducing heating time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs preliminary detection of cigarette insertion before initiating the heating process. By detecting insertion in advance and automatically triggering heating, the system prepares and executes the heating action before the user would otherwise need to manually start it, thereby reducing the overall time to reach target temperature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If the heater operates continuously without cigarette insertion detection, then the response speed is fast, but unnecessary power consumption occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses feedback from insertion detection sensors to control heater operation. When the sensor detects cigarette insertion, it sends a signal to activate the heater; when insertion is not detected, the heater remains off. This feedback mechanism ensures the heater only operates when necessary, eliminating wasteful continuous operation while maintaining fast response to actual usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The heater operation transitions from a static continuous state to a dynamic state that responds to insertion detection. The system adjusts its operation based on real-time sensor input, activating the heater only when cigarette insertion is detected and deactivating it otherwise, thereby optimizing both response speed and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the device requires additional user input to initiate heating, then the device complexity remains low, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically detects cigarette insertion through sensors and initiates heating without requiring additional user input such as button presses or touchscreen interactions. The system monitors insertion state autonomously and controls the heater accordingly, making the device easier to operate while adding minimal complexity through integrated sensor functionality.

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 device reduces unnecessary power consumption and shortens the time to reach the target temperature by automatically initiating heating upon cigarette insertion, enhancing user convenience and device efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol by heating a cigarette

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a cigarette insertion detecting sensor, a temperature detecting sensor configured to detect a temperature change of a heater, or a position detecting sensor configured to detect a position change of a door

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

a temperature detecting sensor configured to detect a temperature change of a heater

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3632240B1Aerosol generation device having cigarette insertion detection function and method

Publication Date: 2024.01.17 KT&G CO LTD

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AI summary

Provided are an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol by heating a cigarette and a method of generating an aerosol by heating a cigarette. The aerosol generating device may determine whether or not a cigarette is inserted, by using at least one of a cigarette insertion detecting sensor, a temperature detecting sensor configured to detect a temperature change of a heater, or a position detecting sensor configured to detect a position change of a door, without receiving an additional input from a user, and based on whether or not the cigarette is inserted, may control the operation of the heater.