Aerosol Delivery Device Power Profile Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol delivery systems, such as e-cigarettes, face challenges in maintaining consistent aerosol generation due to variations in power supply voltage, leading to inconsistent aerosol production and user experience, as they often employ power control methods that reduce maximum power delivery to ensure consistency, resulting in slower aerosol generation.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol delivery device with a controller that manages power delivery to an aerosol-generator using a first power delivery profile based on the voltage of the power supply, followed by a subsequent profile, ensuring consistent power output and aerosol generation, utilizing pulse width modulation to maintain a constant average power level despite voltage changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power control methods (PWM) are used to normalize power delivery throughout the discharge cycle, then consistent power delivery is achieved, but the maximum power delivery is reduced and aerosol generation becomes slower
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power delivery profile based on the discharge cycle stage. During the initial phase, maximum power is delivered to rapidly heat the aerosol-generating component. As the discharge cycle progresses and voltage naturally declines, the controller transitions to a normalized power delivery mode, adapting the power profile to match the declining voltage while maintaining consistent aerosol generation throughout the cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller pre-establishes a first power delivery profile for the initial phase of the discharge cycle that delivers maximum power to rapidly bring the aerosol-generating component to operating temperature. This preliminary high-power action ensures that aerosol generation begins immediately at full capacity, resolving the contradiction by preparing the system in advance rather than attempting to maintain maximum power throughout the entire cycle.
2Productivity
If maximum power is delivered throughout the entire discharge cycle, then rapid aerosol generation is achieved, but power consistency deteriorates as voltage reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic power profile switching based on the discharge cycle stage. The controller monitors the discharge progress and automatically transitions from a first power delivery profile (maximum power for rapid aerosol generation) to a second power delivery profile (normalized power for consistency). This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by delivering maximum power only when the power source can sustain it, then adjusting to maintain consistency as voltage declines.
Solution Approach 2:
The power delivery is structured in distinct periodic phases: an initial high-power phase for rapid aerosol generation, followed by a transition to a normalized power phase for consistent delivery. This periodic structure allows the system to maximize productivity during the initial phase when voltage is high, then maintain reliability during the subsequent phase when voltage naturally declines, resolving the contradiction through time-based power segmentation.
3Reliability
If the heater temperature increases slowly to maintain consistent power delivery, then power consistency is improved, but aerosol generation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller applies maximum power in the initial phase specifically to rapidly heat the aerosol-generating component to operating temperature. This preliminary heating action occurs before the normalized power phase begins, so the component reaches optimal temperature quickly despite the subsequent reduction in power. This resolves the contradiction by performing the time-critical heating action in advance when maximum power is available.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the heating rate based on the discharge cycle stage. During the initial phase, the high power delivery causes rapid temperature increase to minimize aerosol generation time. During the subsequent normalized power phase, the temperature is maintained at the operating level with reduced power input. This dynamic temperature control resolves the contradiction by allowing rapid heating only when necessary, then maintaining temperature with lower power to ensure consistency.
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 ensures consistent aerosol generation and user experience by maximizing initial power delivery to achieve rapid aerosol formation and maintaining aerosol density, while adjusting to ensure consistent power delivery throughout the device's charge cycle, thereby reducing perceived malfunctions and improving aerosol quality.
Implementation Method 1
the aerosol generated is a condensation aerosol whereby an aerosolizable material is heated to form a vapor
Implementation Method 2
One such example of a power control system is referred to as 'pulse width modulation' or PWM. When a PWM control system is implemented, the controller is configured to partition the delivery of power to the aerosol-generator into phases
Implementation Method 3
an aerosolizable material is heated to form a vapor
Implementation Method 4
which is then allowed to condense into an aerosol
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an aerosol delivery device including a power source and controller, the controller being configured to control delivery of power from the power source to an aerosol-generator during a single aerosol-generation event according to a first power delivery profile and a subsequent power delivery profile having a different profile to the first power delivery profile, wherein the first power delivery profile has a predetermined output based on the voltage of the power supply.