Aerosol Generating Device Water Content Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aerosol generating devices struggle to provide a consistent and controlled dose of active ingredients, such as nicotine, due to variations in water content and composition of the aerosolisable liquid over time.

Innovation Solution

The aerosol generating device is equipped with a sensor to penetrate the consumable article and measure the water content of the aerosolisable liquid, and a short-range wireless reader to read data on the composition from a transponder, allowing for controlled power supply based on these values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the same amount of power is always applied to the aerosolisable liquid, then the device operation is simple, but the dose of active ingredient varies over time as water content increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply simplicityVSAvoiddose consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a sensor to detect water content in the aerosolisable liquid and feeds this information back to the control circuitry, which adjusts the power supply accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the dose of active ingredient remains consistent despite changes in water content over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply is made dynamic rather than static. The control circuitry continuously adjusts the amount of power applied to the heater based on real-time water content measurements, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining dose consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a sensor and wireless reader are added to measure water content and composition, then dose control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedose controlVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with a sensor that directly penetrates the consumable article to measure water content. Wireless communication (RFID) is used to read composition data without physical contact, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

A short-range wireless reader acts as an intermediary between the consumable article's transponder and the control circuitry. This allows composition data to be transmitted wirelessly, reducing the need for direct physical connections and simplifying the interface between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If power supply is adjusted based on water content and composition, then active ingredient delivery is consistent, but energy management becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactive ingredient deliveryVSAvoidpower management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuitry adjusts power supply parameters (voltage, current, duration) based on measured water content and composition values. By dynamically changing these electrical parameters, the system maintains consistent active ingredient delivery while optimizing energy consumption for each specific consumable article.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enables the delivery of a controlled dose of active ingredient throughout the lifetime of the consumable article, ensuring consistent aerosol production by correlating water content and composition with power supply parameters.

Implementation Method 1

the sensor is configured to sense the water content of the aerosolisable liquid contained within the consumable article

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric measurement: Dielectric Permittivity

Implementation Method 2

a short-range wireless reader configured to read data indicative of an aspect of a composition of the aerosolisable liquid from a short-range wireless transponder in the consumable article

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRFID electromagnetic communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

power is supplied from the aerosol generating device to the heater in the cartridge, thereby generating heat and producing an aerosol for inhalation by a user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 4

the heater...generating heat and producing an aerosol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS20250176636A1Aerosol Generating Device

Publication Date: 2025.06.05 JT INTERNATIONAL SA

AI summary

An aerosol generating device configured to receive a consumable article containing aerosolisable liquid is disclosed. The aerosol generating device comprises a sensor arranged to penetrate the consumable article when the consumable article is received by the aerosol generating device, wherein the sensor is configured to sense the water content of the aerosolisable liquid contained within the consumable article; a short-range wireless reader configured to read data indicative of an aspect of a composition of the aerosolisable liquid from a short-range wireless transponder in the consumable article; and control circuitry configured to control a supply of power to the consumable article to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user, wherein the supply of power is controlled based on the water content and the aspect of the composition of the aerosolisable liquid.