Aerosol Heater Temperature Feedback for Overheat-Safe Operation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol generating devices face risks of overheating, overcurrent, short circuits, overcharging, and over-discharging, leading to dangerous situations in various use environments.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a controller with temperature sensors to monitor internal and external temperatures, preventing abnormal operations by adjusting power supply to the heater and vaporizer, and includes a battery management system to detect and mitigate overheating, overcharging, and over-discharging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the heater is operated at high temperature to generate aerosol, then aerosol generation efficiency is improved, but the risk of overheating and dangerous situations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerosol generation efficiencyVSAvoidsafety against overheating
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a temperature feedback control system using temperature sensors (first temperature sensor near the heater, second temperature sensor in the housing) that continuously monitor temperatures and provide signals to the controller. The controller adjusts power supply to the heater based on these temperature readings, maintaining optimal aerosol generation temperature while preventing overheating conditions. This closed-loop feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling high-temperature operation with automatic safety regulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Power

If the battery is operated at high power to support heater operation, then aerosol generation performance is improved, but the risk of overcharging, over-discharging, and short circuits increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply capabilityVSAvoidbattery safety
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a battery management system with voltage and current sensors that continuously monitor battery status and provide feedback to the controller. The controller regulates power delivery to the heater based on battery charge level, current draw, and voltage conditions, preventing overcharging, over-discharging, and excessive current conditions. This feedback-based battery management enables high power operation while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If temperature monitoring is enhanced with multiple sensors, then safety against overheating is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature monitoring accuracyVSAvoidnumber of temperature sensors
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent places temperature sensors at specific critical locations with different monitoring functions: a first temperature sensor positioned near the heater to monitor heating element temperature for aerosol generation control, and a second temperature sensor positioned in the housing to monitor overall device temperature for safety. Each sensor serves a localized monitoring purpose, enabling comprehensive temperature management without excessive sensor quantity. The controller differentiates between local heating conditions and overall device temperature conditions.

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

Ensures stability and safety by preventing dangerous situations such as overheating, overcurrent, and battery-related issues, ensuring reliable operation in diverse environments.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the heating element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermistor

Implementation Method 2

a heating element configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate for generating an aerosol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3883411B1Aerosol generating device and operation method thereof
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 KT&G CO LTD
  • EP3883411B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3883411B1 patent drawingFigure 5
  • EP3883411B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment may include: a housing that forms an exterior of the aerosol generating device and includes an opening into which a cigarette is inserted; a heater that generates an aerosol by heating the cigarette; a battery that supplies power to the heater; a temperature sensor that senses a temperature of an internal component of the aerosol generating device; and a controller that prevents abnormal operation of the aerosol generating device based on the temperature of the internal component sensed by the temperature sensor.