Aerosol Heater With Interleaved Sensor Track

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating devices with heaters lack accurate and uniform temperature sensing, which affects the efficiency and consistency of aerosol generation.

Innovation Solution

The aerosol generating apparatus incorporates a heater with a first and second electrically conductive heating element and a temperature sensor track formed along a third path between the heating elements on an electrically insulating substrate, along with a battery and controller for power management and temperature monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single heating element is used, then the device structure is simple, but the temperature sensing accuracy and uniformity are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature sensing accuracyVSAvoidheater structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating function is divided into multiple independent heating elements (first heating element and second heating element) with separate control. Each heating element can be independently controlled to achieve uniform heating across different regions, while the temperature sensor track positioned between them provides accurate temperature measurement for feedback control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A temperature sensor track is introduced as an intermediary element positioned between the first and second heating elements. This sensor track measures the temperature in the heating region and provides feedback to the controller, enabling precise control of the heating process and improving temperature sensing accuracy without requiring complex heating structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If heating elements are positioned close together, then the heating area is compact, but the temperature distribution becomes non-uniform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature distribution uniformityVSAvoidheating area size
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the heating area are served by different heating elements with independent control. The first heating element heats the first region while the second heating element heats the second region. By controlling each heating element independently based on local temperature feedback from the sensor track, uniform temperature distribution is achieved across the entire heating area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration allows for accurate and uniform temperature sensing in the heating portion of the heater, enhancing the efficiency and consistency of aerosol generation.

Implementation Method 1

a first electrically conductive heating element formed along a first path on an electrically insulating substrate, a second electrically conductive heating element formed along a second path on the electrically insulating substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The one or more electrically conductive tracks have temperature coefficient of resistance characteristics such that the one or more electrically conductive tracks can act as resistive heaters and as a temperature sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature coefficient of resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP3704973B1Aerosol generating device having heater
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 KT&G CO LTD
  • EP3704973B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3704973B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3704973B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an aerosol generating apparatus including: a heater configured to generate aerosol by heating a cigarette, the heater including a first electrically conductive heating element formed along a first path on an electrically insulating substrate, a second electrically conductive heating element formed along a second path on the electrically insulating substrate, and a temperature sensor track formed along a third path in a region between the first path and the second path; a battery configured to supply power to the heater; and a controller configured to control the power supplied from the battery to the heater and monitor a temperature sensed using the temperature sensor track.