Dual-Heater Aerosol Control for Battery Voltage Drop Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol generating devices face malfunctions due to instantaneous voltage drops when power is supplied to two heaters from a battery with limited capacity, leading to potential device defects.

Innovation Solution

A controller is used to manage power distribution to the two heaters at different times, allowing for various control modes that prioritize either the heating of a cigarette or a cartridge based on user preferences, ensuring stable power supply and preventing voltage drops.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If power is supplied to both heaters simultaneously to satisfy all power needs, then heating function is improved, but voltage drop occurs causing malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating temperatureVSAvoiddevice reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller alternates between first and second control modes in periodic cycles, supplying power to the first heater during the first period and to the second heater during the second period, preventing simultaneous power supply that would cause voltage drop while ensuring both heaters receive adequate heating over time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The heating cycle is segmented into distinct time periods: a first period for heating the cigarette via the first heater, and a second period for heating the cartridge via the second heater. This temporal segmentation allows the limited battery power to be distributed to different heating elements sequentially rather than simultaneously, avoiding voltage drop while maintaining heating functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If power is distributed to two heaters at the same time, then heating coverage is improved, but power consumption exceeds battery capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating coverageVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic action by alternating between two control modes in time-separated periods, allowing both heaters to be utilized over time while ensuring that at any given moment only one heater consumes power, thus keeping instantaneous power consumption within battery capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller dynamically switches between first and second control modes based on the heating cycle progress, adjusting which heater receives power at each moment. This dynamic power distribution maintains adaptability to provide comprehensive heating coverage while dynamically managing power consumption to match battery capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Duration of action of stationary object

If power is supplied continuously to maintain heating, then heating effectiveness is improved, but voltage drop causes malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating durationVSAvoiddevice reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller implements periodic action by operating in cycles that alternate between first and second control modes, with each mode maintaining heating for its designated period. This ensures continuous heating effectiveness over the full cycle duration while preventing voltage drop by not supplying power to both heaters simultaneously during any sub-period

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 solution prevents device malfunctions by controlling power transmission to the heaters, allowing for preferred taste and aerosol production, and enabling users to select modes based on their preferences, ensuring stable operation and user satisfaction.

Implementation Method 1

a battery; a first heater heating a first aerosol generating substrate; a second heater heating a second aerosol generating substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

a first heater heating a first aerosol generating substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

a second heater heating a second aerosol generating substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11589612B2Aerosol generating device supplying power to two heaters by using one battery

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 KT&G CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is an aerosol generating device distributing and transmitting power from a battery to two heaters, wherein the aerosol generating device includes the battery, a first heater heating a first aerosol generating substrate, a second heater heating a second aerosol generating substrate, and a controller controlling power supplied from the battery to the first heater and the second heater, wherein the controller controls power to be supplied from the battery to the first heater and the second heater at different times.