Aerosol Heater Control Unit with Multi-Stage Temperature Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-combustion-type aerosol generation devices face challenges in reducing electric power consumption while maintaining efficient aerosol production, often requiring large batteries that increase device size and weight, and existing heating profiles do not effectively manage temperature transitions to prevent aerosol generation issues.

Innovation Solution

A control unit that dynamically controls the heater to reach a high first target temperature, then a lower second target temperature, and finally a third target temperature, with specific off periods and reporting events to manage aerosol generation efficiently, reducing power consumption and preventing excessive temperature drops.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a battery with large capacity is loaded to maintain high temperature heating, then aerosol generation performance is improved, but device size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerosol generation performanceVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating process is segmented into multiple temperature stages: a first high-temperature period for rapid aerosol generation, followed by a second lower-temperature period for sustained generation, and a third even lower period for efficient consumption. This segmentation allows the system to achieve reliable aerosol generation without requiring a single high-capacity battery, as each stage is optimized for its specific temperature and duration requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heating operation employs periodic temperature adjustments with distinct phases including heating periods and cooling periods. By alternating between high-temperature rapid heating and lower-temperature sustained heating, the system optimizes power consumption patterns, allowing the battery to operate more efficiently without requiring excessive capacity, thus reducing overall device weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If high temperature heating is applied to generate aerosol efficiently, then aerosol generation speed is improved, but electric power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerosol generation speedVSAvoidelectric power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system dynamically adjusts temperature based on operational phase: it rapidly increases to a first high target temperature for quick aerosol generation, then transitions to a second lower target temperature for sustained generation, and finally to a third even lower temperature for efficient consumption. This dynamic temperature control optimizes the balance between aerosol generation speed and power consumption at each stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes key operational parameters including target temperature and heating power across different periods. By adjusting the target temperature from a first high value to a second lower value, and then to a third even lower value, the system maintains effective aerosol generation while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to sustained high-temperature heating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If temperature is rapidly increased to generate aerosol quickly, then aerosol generation response time is improved, but temperature control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature rise speedVSAvoidtemperature control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature control process is segmented into distinct phases with different control strategies. During the first high-temperature period, rapid heating is applied for quick response. During the second and third periods, lower temperatures are maintained with more precise control to ensure stable aerosol generation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both rapid response and precise control by applying appropriate control intensity at each stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically adjusts heating power based on the current operational phase. During rapid heating phases, higher power is applied to achieve quick temperature rise. During sustained generation phases, power is reduced and finely tuned to maintain precise temperature control. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to optimize both response speed and temperature precision throughout the aerosol generation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 approach reduces electric power consumption, extends the aerosol generation period, and stabilizes aerosol production by optimizing temperature transitions and power usage, preventing insufficient aerosol generation due to temperature drops.

Implementation Method 1

a non-combustion-type aerosol generation device, which is used in place of a prior-art combustion-type cigarette and delivers, to a user, aerosol generated by atomizing an aerosol source by a heater

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

aerosol generated by atomizing an aerosol source by a heater

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAtomizing: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3871530B1Control unit, aerosol generation device, and method and program for controlling heater
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 JAPAN TOBACCO INC
  • EP3871530B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3871530B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3871530B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This control unit is provided with a controller for controlling a heater that heats an aerosol source. The controller is configured so as to control the temperature of the heater toward a first target temperature during a first period, control the temperature of the heater toward a second target temperature lower than the first target temperature during a second period after the first period, and control the temperature of the heater toward a third target temperature lower than the second target temperature during a third period after the second period.