Aerosol Provision Device Heating Control for Charring Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol provision systems, such as e-cigarettes, face challenges in efficiently heating aerosol generating materials without causing charring or burning, which leads to undesirable constituents in the aerosol, and often require significant time to reach operating temperature.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that supply power to a heating element to heat the aerosol generating material to an operational temperature, with a predetermined time delay before signaling to the user to inhale and reducing power supply after inhalation, using a control circuitry to set the operational temperature based on the delay time, and incorporating an amorphous solid composition with specific weight percentages of gelling agent, tobacco extract, and aerosol generating agent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the heating element is heated to a high operational temperature to generate sufficient aerosol quickly, then the heating time is reduced, but the material may char or burn creating undesirable constituents in the aerosol
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is pre-heated to an initial temperature before the user activates the device. This preliminary heating action allows the system to reach operational temperature faster without requiring excessively high temperatures during active use, thereby reducing charring while maintaining efficient aerosol generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the heating temperature based on the operational state. During pre-heating, a higher temperature is applied to reach operational state quickly. During active aerosol generation, the temperature is maintained at an optimal level that prevents charring while ensuring sufficient aerosol production. This dynamic temperature control resolves the contradiction between heating speed and material safety.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the heating element is heated to a lower operational temperature to prevent charring, then undesirable constituents are reduced, but the time to reach operating temperature increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating to an initial temperature state before full operation. This allows the heating element to be closer to its target operational temperature when activated, reducing the time penalty associated with lower operating temperatures while still preventing charring through controlled temperature maintenance during active use.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating process is divided into periodic stages: an initial pre-heating phase at higher temperature to quickly reach operational state, followed by a maintenance phase at controlled temperature during active use. This periodic heating strategy minimizes total heating time while preventing charring during the aerosol generation phase.
3Reliability
If continuous power is supplied to the heating element to maintain operational temperature, then consistent aerosol delivery is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element retains heat in its thermal mass after the power supply is reduced or interrupted. This self-service capability allows the system to maintain operational temperature without continuous power input, reducing energy consumption while preserving consistent aerosol delivery through the stored thermal energy.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous power supply, the system uses periodic or pulsed power delivery. Power is supplied in cycles that maintain the heating element at operational temperature, allowing thermal dissipation during off-periods while ensuring sufficient heat is available during on-periods for consistent aerosol generation. This reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining reliability.
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 allows for efficient aerosol generation with reduced off-notes in taste, faster heating times, and improved energy efficiency, while preventing charring and ensuring consistent aerosol delivery.
Implementation Method 1
supplying power to a heating element to begin heating the aerosol generating material to an operational temperature
Implementation Method 2
electrical power is supplied to the heating element to vaporize source liquid in the vicinity of the heating element to generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user
Implementation Method 3
a heater having a heating element arranged to receive source liquid from the reservoir, for example through wicking/capillary action
Data Source
AI summary
A method of generating aerosol from aerosol generating material using an aerosol provision device is disclosed. The method comprises supplying power to a heating element to begin heating the aerosol generating material to an operational temperature (e.g. a temperature at which aerosol is generated). After a first predetermined time period, the method provides a signal to a user to signify that the user may begin inhaling on the device. After a second predetermined time period or after a user has stopped inhaling, the method reduces the supply of power to the heating element. In this way a user can be guided as to when to inhale on a device. The timing may be adjusted to suit a particular delivery and/or device. Also described are aerosol provision devices and systems.