Aerosol Heating Control Using Moisture-Adaptive Preheating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol generating devices face challenges in determining and adjusting the moisture content in aerosol generating articles to ensure optimal aerosol production, as excessive moisture can lead to high-temperature aerosols and insufficient moisture can result in inadequate aerosol generation during preheating.

Innovation Solution

The aerosol generating device includes a processor that detects the moisture level in the aerosol generating article by measuring the temperature during the preheating period and adjusts the preheating duration to maintain the moisture within a preset range, thereby controlling the temperature profile to optimize aerosol production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the amount of moisture in the aerosol generating article is increased, then sufficient aerosol generation during preheating is improved, but excessive vapor generation and high-temperature aerosols occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of aerosolVSAvoidaerosol temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a preheating period before the main heating phase. During this preheating period, the heater operates at a lower temperature to gradually evaporate moisture from the aerosol generating article. This preliminary moisture removal prevents excessive vapor generation during subsequent high-temperature heating, while still ensuring sufficient aerosol generation by the time the main heating begins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Temperature

If the amount of moisture in the aerosol generating article is decreased, then aerosol temperature is reduced, but insufficient aerosol generation occurs during preheating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol temperatureVSAvoidamount of aerosol

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing a dynamic temperature profile that changes over time. The heating process is divided into multiple phases: an initial preheating phase at lower temperature to generate sufficient aerosol, followed by a main heating phase at higher temperature. The temperature is dynamically adjusted based on the heating stage, allowing the system to adapt between the conflicting requirements of aerosol quantity and temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a fixed temperature profile is used for heating, then device operation is simplified, but inability to adapt to varying moisture content reduces aerosol generation quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating controlVSAvoidaerosol generation quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by dividing the heating process into distinct time periods with different temperature characteristics. The heating cycle includes a preheating period with lower temperature followed by a main heating period with higher temperature. This periodic temperature variation allows the system to handle varying moisture content reliably while maintaining relatively simple control through predefined heating stages.

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 enables the aerosol generating device to produce aerosols at a suitable temperature for inhalation and ensures sufficient atomization, addressing the issues of excessive or insufficient moisture.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the aerosol generating article

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature measurement:

Implementation Method 2

a heater configured to heat an aerosol generating article accommodated in an accommodation space of the aerosol generating device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

control a duration of the preheating period according to whether the amount of moisture in the aerosol generating article is included in the preset range

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

a battery configured to supply power to the heater

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery electrochemical conversion: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentUS20250113863A1Aerosol generating device and control method for same

Publication Date: 2025.04.10 KT&G CO LTD

AI summary

An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes a heater configured to heat an aerosol generating article accommodated in an accommodation space of the aerosol generating device, a battery configured to supply power to the heater, a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the aerosol generating article, and a processor configured to control power supplied to the heater from the battery according to a preset temperature profile including a preheating period and a heating period, wherein the processor is further configured to detect whether an amount of moisture in the aerosol generating article is in a preset range based on the temperature of the aerosol generating article in the preheating period, and control a duration of the preheating period according to whether the amount of moisture in the aerosol generating article is included in the preset range.