Aerosol System Electrode Liquid Level Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol-generating systems lack an accurate method to determine the amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate held in the liquid storage portion, leading to potential operation issues and user experience problems when the substrate is depleted.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol-generating system with a control system that uses electrodes to measure electrical properties such as impedance, capacitance, or resistance between the electrodes, allowing for accurate determination of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate level, and preventing system operation when the substrate falls below a predetermined threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If no measurement method is used, then the system structure remains simple, but the determination of liquid substrate amount is inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or optical measurement systems with a simple electrical measurement system. By using electrodes to measure electrical properties (capacitance, impedance, or resistance) of the liquid substrate, the system achieves accurate measurement without requiring complex mechanical sensors or optical components. This substitution maintains measurement precision while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in electrical parameters (capacitance, impedance, resistance) of the liquid substrate as the liquid level changes. By monitoring these electrical parameter variations between two electrodes, the system can determine the amount of liquid substrate present. This approach converts a physical quantity measurement (liquid amount) into an electrical parameter measurement, enabling simple yet accurate detection.
2Reliability
If the system operates without accurate monitoring, then the operation is continuous, but the system reliability deteriorates when substrate is depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control system continuously monitors the electrical properties between electrodes and compares them against threshold values. When the liquid substrate level falls below a predetermined threshold, the system receives feedback and automatically shuts down operation. This feedback loop ensures reliable operation by preventing the system from running when insufficient substrate is available, while maintaining automated monitoring without complex intervention mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If electrical measurement is implemented, then substrate level monitoring becomes accurate, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or optical measurement systems with a simple electrical measurement system. By using electrodes to measure electrical properties (capacitance, impedance, or resistance) of the liquid substrate, the system achieves accurate measurement without requiring complex mechanical sensors or optical components. This substitution maintains measurement precision while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs multiple functions: it controls the aerosol-generating elements and simultaneously monitors liquid substrate levels by measuring electrical properties. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating control and measurement functions into a single integrated system rather than requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
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
Enables reliable and accurate monitoring of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate level, preventing system operation when insufficient substrate is present, thus ensuring proper function and extending the system's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
The control system is configured to measure an electrical quantity between the first electrode and the second electrode and determine the amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate held in the liquid storage portion based on the measured electrical quantity information
Implementation Method 2
The control system may be configured to measure at least one of impedance, capacitance and resistance between the first electrode and the second electrode
Implementation Method 3
The control system may be configured to measure at least one of impedance, capacitance and resistance between the first electrode and the second electrode
Data Source
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AI summary
An aerosol-generating system, a cartridge for an aerosol-generating system and a method of determining the amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate held in a liquid storage portion of an aerosol-generating system. The aerosol-generating system comprises a liquid storage portion (201) for holding a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode (322, 324) spaced from the first electrode, aerosol-generating means comprising one or more aerosol-generating elements and a control system. At least one of the aerosol-generating elements comprises one of the first electrode and the second electrode (322, 324). The first electrode and the second electrode (322, 324) are arranged such that at least a portion of the liquid storage portion (201) is arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode (322, 324). The control system is configured to measure an electrical quantity between the first electrode and the second electrode (322, 324) and determine the amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate held in the liquid storage portion (201) based on the measured electrical quantity information.