Aerosol Device Humidity Detection for Heating Profile Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol-generating systems face challenges in maintaining the consistency of generated aerosol, particularly under varying humidity conditions.

Innovation Solution

The system includes a pack with an inner liner that seals aerosol-generating articles and a humidity indicator arranged inside the inner liner. This setup allows for optimal heating conditions by adapting the heating profile based on the relative humidity level of the aerosol-generating articles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If aerosol-generating articles are stored in a pack without humidity monitoring, then the pack structure is simple, but the aerosol generation consistency deteriorates under varying humidity conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol generation consistencyVSAvoidpack structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The humidity indicator is placed inside the inner liner before the aerosol-generating articles are used, allowing humidity conditions to be assessed in advance. This preliminary measurement enables the heating element to be pre-configured with appropriate parameters, ensuring consistent aerosol generation without requiring complex real-time monitoring systems during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The humidity indicator acts as an intermediary element between the storage environment and the aerosol-generating articles. It provides humidity information that mediates the relationship between varying environmental conditions and the heating process, enabling consistent aerosol generation without direct complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the heating profile is fixed without humidity adaptation, then the device operation is simple, but the aerosol quality deteriorates under varying humidity conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol quality consistencyVSAvoidheating control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The heating profile is made dynamic by allowing it to change based on humidity conditions. The system transitions from a fixed heating parameter approach to an adaptive approach where the heating element's operation is adjusted according to the humidity indicator's readings, ensuring optimal aerosol quality across different environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The heating parameters (temperature, power, duration) are changed based on humidity levels detected by the indicator. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain consistent aerosol quality without requiring complex real-time control algorithms, as the adjustments are based on pre-assessed humidity conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If no humidity indicator is provided, then the pack is simpler and cheaper, but the ability to optimize heating conditions is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepack manufacturingVSAvoidaerosol generation optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The complex mechanical or electronic humidity sensing and control systems are replaced with a simple chemical or physical humidity indicator mechanism. This indicator provides sufficient humidity information to enable heating optimization without requiring sophisticated manufacturing processes or expensive components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The system ensures consistent aerosol generation by optimizing the heating process according to humidity levels, thereby improving the quality and reliability of the aerosol produced.

Implementation Method 1

The pack may further comprise a humidity indicator. The humidity indicator may be arranged inside of the inner liner.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHumidity detection: Hygrometer

Implementation Method 2

A heating element may be arranged in or around the heating chamber for heating the aerosol-forming substrate once the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

Such devices may heat aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate are volatilised without burning the aerosol-forming substrate.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVolatilization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS20250197096A1Aerosol-generating system with humidity indicator

Publication Date: 2025.06.19 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA

AI summary

An aerosol-generating system is provided, including at least two aerosol-generating articles, a pack for the articles, and an aerosol-generating device, the pack including: an inner liner arranged to seal the articles before usage; a humidity indicator arranged inside of the inner liner; and an outer housing, an inner liner being arranged within the outer housing, and the device including: a controller, and a communication element to receive humidity information of an article and including a humidity detector including a camera pointed toward the humidity indicator of the pack, the device being configured to be operated in two different operating regimes, and the controller to control operation of the device in the operating regimes based upon the received humidity information. An aerosol-generating article, and a kit including at least two aerosol-generating articles, are also provided.