Aerosol Generation Apparatus Residual Quantity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerosol generation apparatuses, such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers, face challenges in determining whether the aerosol source is insufficient during user inhalation, limiting the supply of aerosol and potentially leading to unintended flavor emissions due to insufficient aerosol quantity.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol generation apparatus with a first sensor that measures electric resistance value changes based on temperature, a second sensor for user inhalation detection, and a control section that manages switches to estimate residual aerosol quantity and control power supply, ensuring continuous aerosol generation during inhalation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If liquid level detection is performed only during heater inactivity periods, then the detection method is simple, but the opportunity to determine aerosol source insufficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary estimation of aerosol source residual quantity during the aerosol generation phase by monitoring heater temperature and electric power consumption, rather than waiting for the inactivity period. This allows real-time detection during user inhalation, improving reliability while maintaining acceptable complexity through integrated sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection function operates continuously during both aerosol generation and inactivity periods, not just during inactivity. By maintaining continuous monitoring of heater parameters, the system ensures uninterrupted detection capability, improving reliability without significant complexity increase.
2Measurement precision
If heater temperature is measured after predetermined time since aerosol generation completion, then liquid level can be determined, but detection opportunity is restricted to inactivity period
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of heater temperature and electric power consumption during the aerosol generation phase itself, rather than waiting for post-generation inactivity. This preliminary action enables real-time detection during user inhalation, increasing productivity while maintaining measurement precision through continuous parameter monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement function operates continuously throughout the entire operational cycle including both aerosol generation and inactivity periods. This continuous operation ensures no detection opportunities are lost, maximizing productivity while maintaining accurate measurement through uninterrupted monitoring.
3Ease of operation
If aerosol source quantity is not monitored during inhalation, then device operation is simple, but sufficient aerosol cannot be supplied to user
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-monitoring of aerosol source quantity through integrated sensing of heater temperature and power consumption, eliminating the need for separate complex monitoring mechanisms. This self-service approach maintains ease of operation while ensuring sufficient aerosol supply through real-time detection and user notification.
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 accurate determination of aerosol sufficiency during inhalation, preventing aerosol shortages and maintaining consistent aerosol quality by controlling the power supply and switch states to stabilize aerosol generation.
Implementation Method 1
heat generated by electric power from a power supply
Implementation Method 2
atomizes the aerosol source using heat generated by electric power
Implementation Method 3
a first sensor that outputs a value related to an electric resistance value of a load, which its electric resistance value changes depending on a temperature of the load
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol generation apparatus comprises a power supply, a load in which an electric resistance value changes depending on a temperature, a first sensor, a second sensor, a first circuit including a first switch, a second circuit including a second switch, and has an electric resistance value higher than an electric resistance value of the first circuit, and a circuitry configured to estimate a residual quantity of the aerosol source based on the value output by the first sensor when the second switch is in an on state, wherein a period during which the output is generated by the second sensor includes a time point at which the second switch become an on state when the first switch is in an on state or a time point at which the second switch Q2 turns an on state and the first switch Q1 turns an off state.