Aerosol Provision Heater Priming for Consistent Initial Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-combustible aerosol provision systems often experience reduced aerosol generation performance on initial activation, leading to unsatisfactory delivery for users.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol provision system with a heater element and control circuitry that determines the need for priming, applying a priming power signal with reduced duration and/or magnitude to alter the properties of the aerosol-generating material, such as viscosity or state, without generating aerosol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a full power signal is applied to the heater element upon initial activation, then the heater element reaches operational temperature quickly, but the aerosol-generating material viscosity is insufficiently reduced leading to poor aerosol generation performance
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuitry applies a priming power signal to the heater element before the main heating phase. This preliminary action reduces the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material and prepares the heater surface, ensuring optimal aerosol generation when the full power signal is subsequently applied. The priming phase modifies the material properties in advance to prevent poor performance on initial activation.
2Productivity
If a high magnitude power signal is applied to generate aerosol immediately, then aerosol generation is achieved, but the heater element cannot effectively alter the viscosity and state of the aerosol-generating material
Solution Approach 1:
The heating process is divided into two distinct phases: a priming phase with reduced power magnitude dedicated to modifying material properties (viscosity reduction and state change), and a main heating phase with full power magnitude dedicated to aerosol generation. This segmentation allows each phase to optimize its function without compromise.
3Productivity
If the heater element is operated without priming, then the system is simpler and faster to activate, but aerosol generation performance is reduced on first activation
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuitry automatically detects whether the heater element requires priming by monitoring operational history (e.g., whether this is the first activation or following a shutdown). The system self-manages the priming requirement without user intervention, applying the priming power signal only when necessary. This maintains simplicity while ensuring optimal performance.
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
Enhances aerosol generation performance by preparing the heater element effectively, ensuring consistent and satisfactory aerosol delivery.
Implementation Method 1
an aerosol generator which is capable of converting an aerosol-generating material into an aerosol. In some instances, the aerosol generated is a condensation aerosol whereby an aerosol-generating material is first vaporised
Implementation Method 2
a heater element configured to generate heat for aerosolising an aerosol-generating material; applying the priming power signal causes the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material to decrease
Implementation Method 3
control circuitry configured to supply a first power signal to the heater element to cause heating of the heater element
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Described is an aerosol provision system (10) configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material (200). The aerosol provision system (10) includes: a heater element configured to generate heat for aerosolising an aerosol-generating material (200); and control circuitry configured to supply a first power signal to the heater element to cause heating of the heater element to generate aerosol from an aerosol-generating material (200). The control circuitry is configured to determine whether the heater element requires priming with aerosol-generating material (200), and in response to determining the heater element requires priming, the control circuitry is configured to apply a priming power signal to the heater element, wherein the priming power signal is set such that a duration and/or magnitude of the priming power signal is less than a duration and/or magnitude of the first power signal. Also described is an aerosol provision device (20), and a method of operation.