Aerosol Heater-Sensor Integration for Wider Electromagnetic Sensing

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol-generating devices face challenges in increasing sensing area without additional sensor devices, optimizing space utilization, and improving manufacturing efficiency and costs.

Innovation Solution

An aerosol-generating device with a heater that heats an insertion space, a substrate with a sensor pattern to sense electromagnetic changes, and a connector to electrically connect the heater and substrate, allowing the heater to sense electromagnetic changes in its surroundings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If an additional sensor device is added to increase sensing area, then sensing area is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing areaVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heater is designed to perform dual functions: heating the insertion space and sensing electromagnetic changes in the surrounding region. By making the heater universal (serving both heating and sensing purposes), the patent eliminates the need for a separate sensor device, thereby increasing sensing area without adding device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the heater and sensor into a single integrated component. The heater structure is combined with the sensor pattern on the substrate, allowing the heater to sense electromagnetic changes while performing its heating function. This merging eliminates the need for additional sensor devices and reduces overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Area of stationary object

If an additional sensor device is added to increase sensing area, then sensing area is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing areaVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heater is designed to perform dual functions: heating the insertion space and sensing electromagnetic changes in the surrounding region. By making the heater universal (serving both heating and sensing purposes), the patent eliminates the need for a separate sensor device, thereby increasing sensing area without adding device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the heater and sensor into a single integrated component. The heater structure is combined with the sensor pattern on the substrate, allowing the heater to sense electromagnetic changes while performing its heating function. This merging eliminates the need for additional sensor devices and reduces overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If space is optimized in the device, then space efficiency is improved, but device complexity may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the heater and sensor into a single integrated component. The heater structure is combined with the sensor pattern on the substrate, allowing the heater to sense electromagnetic changes while performing its heating function. This merging eliminates the need for additional sensor devices and reduces overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heater is designed to perform dual functions: heating the insertion space and sensing electromagnetic changes in the surrounding region. By making the heater universal (serving both heating and sensing purposes), the patent eliminates the need for a separate sensor device, thereby increasing sensing area without adding device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 sensing area without additional sensors, improves space efficiency, and reduces manufacturing costs and complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a heater configured to heat the insertion space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a substrate having a sensor pattern mounted thereon which is configured to sense an electromagnetic change of a surrounding region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

an induction coil wound around the insertion space at a position corresponding to the heater

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction heating: Induction Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20260000126A1Aerosol-generating device

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 KT&G CO LTD

AI summary

An aerosol-generating device is disclosed. The aerosol-generating device of the disclosure includes a pipe configured to define an insertion space; a heater configured to heat the insertion space; a substrate having a sensor pattern mounted thereon which is configured to sense an electromagnetic change of a surrounding region; and a connector configured to electrically connect the heater and the substrate, wherein the connector allows the heater to sense electromagnetic change of a surrounding region of the heater.