Aerosol Heater Temperature Control Using Current and Voltage Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerosol generating apparatuses face challenges in accurately controlling the temperature of their heating elements due to thermal lag in temperature sensors, space constraints, increased complexity, and inaccuracies in power consumption monitoring caused by variable voltage supplies.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus introduces a processor-controlled temperature monitoring system that enables electrical current to flow through the heating element, waits for a predetermined settling time to stabilize signals, and then samples current and voltage to determine the instant temperature, allowing for more accurate control and reducing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are positioned on or near the heating element to monitor temperature, then temperature sensing capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical temperature sensors (mechanical/thermal system) with an electrical measurement system. The processor monitors the electrical characteristics of the heating element itself to infer temperature, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensing components and their associated complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element serves dual purposes: it both heats the aerosol precursor and acts as the sensing element for temperature monitoring. By measuring the electrical characteristics of the heating element itself, the system uses the heating element's own properties for self-diagnosis and temperature control.
2Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are positioned on or near the heating element to monitor temperature, then temperature sensing capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element serves dual purposes: it both heats the aerosol precursor and acts as the sensing element for temperature monitoring. By measuring the electrical characteristics of the heating element itself, the system uses the heating element's own properties for self-diagnosis and temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical temperature sensors (mechanical/thermal system) with an electrical measurement system. The processor monitors the electrical characteristics of the heating element itself to infer temperature, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensing components and their associated complexity.
3Measurement precision
If conventional temperature sensors are used to monitor heating element temperature, then temperature monitoring is achieved, but temperature control accuracy deteriorates due to thermal lag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical temperature sensors (mechanical/thermal system) with an electrical measurement system. The processor monitors the electrical characteristics of the heating element itself to infer temperature, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensing components and their associated complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element serves dual purposes: it both heats the aerosol precursor and acts as the sensing element for temperature monitoring. By measuring the electrical characteristics of the heating element itself, the system uses the heating element's own properties for self-diagnosis and temperature control.
4Measurement precision
If power consumption monitoring is used to sense heating element temperature, then temperature sensing is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to variable supply voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the electrical characteristics of the heating element and uses this feedback to control the heating process. By measuring both voltage and current, the system can calculate power consumption and infer temperature while compensating for voltage variations through closed-loop control.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element serves dual purposes: it both heats the aerosol precursor and acts as the sensing element for temperature monitoring. By measuring the electrical characteristics of the heating element itself, the system uses the heating element's own properties for self-diagnosis and temperature control.
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 enables precise temperature control of the heating element, maintaining it closer to the target temperature while using lower bandwidth components and unregulated power sources, thus improving accuracy and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element configured to heat an aerosol precursor wherein the heating element configured to produce heat from a flow of electrical current therethrough
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3b
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An aerosol generation apparatus comprises a heating element, an electrical power source 602, and a processor 600. The heating element is configured produce heat from a flow of electrical current therethrough and heat an aerosol precursor. The processor is configured to enable and disable the supply of the electrical current to the heating element by providing a control signal to a switch 604, 606 and perform a temperature control routine. The temperature control routine comprises enabling the supply of the electrical current from the electrical power source to the heating element such that the electrical current flows through the heating element, waiting for a predetermined settling time, receiving a sample current through the heating element and a sample voltage across the heating element, and determining an instant temperature of the heating element from the sample current and the sample voltage.