Aerosol Generator Sensing Below 100°C to Reduce Material Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-combustible aerosol delivery systems face inefficiencies in power management, leading to unnecessary aerosol generation and power depletion due to the use of aerosol generators as sensors, which can result in waste of aerosolizable material and rapid battery drainage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a controller that delivers power according to a sensing power profile below 100°C to detect airflow without significant aerosolization, switching to an aerosolization power profile upon inhalation detection, thereby minimizing power consumption and aerosol generation until needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the aerosol generator is used as a sensor to detect airflow, then airflow detection is achieved, but power is depleted rapidly and aerosolizable material is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The power delivery is segmented into distinct phases: a sensing power profile phase with limited power delivery for airflow detection, and an aerosolization power profile phase with full power delivery for aerosol generation. This segmentation allows the system to separate the detection function from the aerosol generation function in terms of power consumption, enabling airflow sensing without continuous high power usage that would deplete the battery rapidly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power delivery parameter dynamically based on operational mode. During sensing mode, the power delivered to the aerosol generator is limited to a sensing power profile that provides sufficient power for detection but restricts aerosolization. When aerosol generation is required, the system switches to an aerosolization power profile that delivers full power. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adjusting power levels according to the current operational requirement.
2Productivity
If the aerosol generator is heated to high temperature for aerosolization, then aerosol is generated, but aerosolizable material is wasted when not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary airflow detection using a sensing power profile before initiating full aerosolization. This preliminary action allows the system to determine whether aerosol generation is actually needed based on detected inhalation patterns. Only after confirming airflow (indicating user inhalation) does the system switch to the aerosolization power profile to generate aerosol. This prevents wasteful heating and aerosol generation when no user is present or inhaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The power delivery to the aerosol generator is made dynamic rather than static. The system continuously monitors airflow and adjusts power delivery in real-time, switching between sensing and aerosolization power profiles based on detected inhalation events. This dynamic adjustment ensures aerosolizable material is only consumed when actually needed for aerosol generation, preventing waste while maintaining productivity when required.
3Reliability
If power is continuously delivered to detect airflow, then airflow detection is continuous, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous power delivery, the system uses periodic sensing power delivery according to a sensing power profile. The controller delivers power in controlled intervals sufficient to detect airflow events, then reduces or stops power delivery when no inhalation is detected. This periodic action maintains reliable airflow detection capability while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous operation, thereby extending battery life.
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
Effectively detects airflow without overheating the aerosol generator, conserving power and aerosolizable material, and optimizing power usage by limiting aerosolization until inhalation occurs.
Implementation Method 1
an aerosol generator which is capable of converting an aerosolizable material into an aerosol... the aerosolizable material is heated to form a vapor which is then allowed to condense into an aerosol
Implementation Method 2
the aerosolizable material is heated to form a vapor which is then allowed to condense into an aerosol
Implementation Method 3
a power according to the sensing power profile is insufficient to increase the temperature of the aerosol generator above about 100° C.... determining whilst delivering power according to the sensing power profile a change in a relationship between the power delivered to the aerosol generator and temperature of the aerosol generator
Data Source
AI summary
A non-combustible aerosol delivery device including a controller and a power source, the controller configured to deliver power to an aerosol generator according to one or more power profiles selected from at least a sensing power profile and an aerosolization power profile, wherein the sensing power is insufficient to increase the temperature of the aerosol generator above about 100° C.