Aerosol Heater Control Using Cigarette Type Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating devices fail to optimize the heating process for different types of cigarettes, leading to an unsatisfactory smoking experience due to the use of a single temperature profile without considering the specific characteristics of the inserted cigarette.

Innovation Solution

An aerosol generating device that identifies the type of cigarette inserted and controls the heater's temperature profile based on the detected temperature change trends during a preheating section, using a controller to adjust heating in the smoking section accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single temperature profile is used for heater control, then the device structure is simple, but the smoking experience is unsatisfactory due to lack of optimization for different cigarette types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating optimization for different cigarette typesVSAvoidtemperature control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of cigarette type during a preheating section before the actual smoking section. By detecting temperature change trends in advance and identifying the cigarette type early, the system prepares the appropriate temperature profile beforehand, enabling optimized heating without adding significant complexity to the overall control structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature profile is made dynamic and adjustable based on the identified cigarette type. Instead of using a fixed single temperature profile, the system selects from multiple pre-defined temperature profiles (first, second, third temperature profiles) according to the detected cigarette characteristics, allowing the heating parameters to adapt dynamically to different cigarette types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If temperature profiles are tailored for each cigarette type, then smoking sensation is optimized, but the control system becomes more complex requiring cigarette type identification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmoking experience qualityVSAvoidcigarette type identification system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-identification of cigarette type by automatically detecting temperature change trends during the preheating section. No separate user input or manual selection is required - the system autonomously identifies the cigarette type based on the thermal characteristics observed during initial heating, and automatically selects the appropriate temperature profile for the smoking section

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from temperature sensors to monitor temperature change trends during preheating. By continuously detecting the thermal response of the cigarette to heating and comparing it against expected patterns, the system identifies the cigarette type and adjusts the subsequent heating profile accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes smoking experience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Extent of automation

If a preset temperature range is used for identification, then the identification process is simple, but the temperature control precision may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic cigarette type detectionVSAvoidtemperature change detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature detection process is segmented into distinct phases: a preheating section for identification and a smoking section for optimized heating. Within the preheating section, the system further segments the analysis by focusing on specific temperature change trends and patterns. This segmentation allows the system to use a preset temperature range for practical identification while maintaining sufficient precision by analyzing the temporal pattern of temperature changes rather than relying solely on absolute temperature values

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Provides an optimized smoking sensation for each cigarette type without additional user input by tailoring the heating process to the specific characteristics of the inserted cigarette, enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

a heater assembly configured to, when a cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device, heat the cigarette to generate an aerosol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the heater assembly in the preheating section and the smoking section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal sensing: Thermistor

Data Source

PatentEP4670538A1Aerosol generation device, and method for controlling aerosol generation device
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 KT&G CO LTD
  • EP4670538A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4670538A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4670538A1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

Provided are an aerosol generating device and a method of controlling the same. When a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device, a heater assembly is used to heat the cigarette to generate an aerosol in a preheating section and a smoking section after the preheating section, a temperature sensor is used to sense a temperature of the heater assembly in the preheating section and the smoking section, and a controller is used to identify a cigarette type of the cigarette, based on a trend in a temperature change within a preset temperature range of the preheating section, and control heating of the heater assembly during the smoking section by using a temperature profile corresponding to the identified cigarette type.