Aerosol Heater Control with Feed-Forward Warm-Up and Stable Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol generation devices face challenges in quickly and consistently heating aerosol generation articles to generate aerosols, leading to variability in flavor and taste, and inefficiencies in power usage.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol generation device with a control unit that employs feed-forward control during the preparation phase to rapidly increase the temperature of the aerosol generation article, followed by feedback control in the use phase to stabilize aerosol production, using a combination of power control methods such as PWM and DC/DC conversion to optimize heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If feed-forward control is used to rapidly increase temperature during preparation phase, then heating speed is improved, but temperature stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically switches between feed-forward control during the preparation phase for rapid heating and feedback control during the use phase for temperature stability. This dynamic control strategy adapts the control method based on the operational phase, resolving the contradiction between heating speed and temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Feed-forward control is applied during the preparation phase to proactively heat the aerosol generation article to the required temperature before actual aerosol generation begins. This preliminary heating action ensures that when the use phase starts, the system is already at optimal temperature, achieving both fast heating and subsequent stability.
2Loss of time
If high power is supplied during preparation phase, then aerosol generation time is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action by dividing operation into distinct phases: a preparation phase with high power feed-forward control to rapidly reach target temperature, and a use phase with lower power feedback control to maintain temperature. This periodic switching optimizes the balance between aerosol generation time and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
High power is supplied only during the preparation phase as a preliminary action to quickly heat the aerosol generation article before aerosol generation begins. Once the target temperature is reached, power is reduced to maintenance levels during the use phase, minimizing overall power consumption while ensuring fast aerosol availability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If feedback control is used during use phase, then aerosol production stability is improved, but response speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Feedback control is implemented during the use phase to continuously monitor and adjust the temperature of the aerosol generation article, ensuring stable aerosol production. The feedback mechanism compensates for temperature fluctuations by adjusting power supply based on actual temperature measurements, maintaining consistent aerosol output.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically transitions from feed-forward control in the preparation phase to feedback control in the use phase. This dynamic switching optimizes performance by using feed-forward for rapid initial heating and feedback for stable sustained operation, balancing response speed and production stability.
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 significantly reduces the time to generate aerosols, stabilizes aerosol production, and improves the consistency of flavor and taste, while also extending the lifespan of the device components and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a rod-shaped electric heating element is inserted into the aerosol generation article, and the electric heating element inserted into the aerosol generation article heats the aerosol generation article
Implementation Method 2
a metal piece (also referred to as 'susceptor') that generates heat by eddy current generated therein by a magnetic field penetrating the metal piece is inserted in advance in the aerosol generation article
Implementation Method 3
the aerosol generation article is mounted to an aerosol generation device having a coil, AC current is enabled to flow through the coil to generate a magnetic field, and the metal piece in the aerosol generation article mounted to the aerosol generation device is heated using an induction heating (IH) phenomenon
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol generation device includes: a load configured to heat an aerosol generation article by using power that is supplied from a power source, the aerosol generation article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate configured to hold or carry at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source; and a control unit configured to control the power that is supplied from the power source to the load. When starting the supply of power to the load in a non-operation state, or when the load is in a preparation state in which the load is not capable of generating a predetermined amount or more of aerosols from the aerosol generation article, the control unit is configured to control the power that is supplied from the power source to the load by feed-forward control.