Aerosol Article Preheating Control Using Heating-Rate Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol-generating articles with defects or stored in unfavorable conditions can lead to insufficient smoke generation and compromised tobacco taste, affecting user satisfaction.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol-generating device determines the state of the article based on the heater's heating rate and adjusts the preheating profile by adding compensation times to the temperature decrease section when the heater reaches the target temperature outside a preset range, ensuring adequate heating regardless of thickness or moisture content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed preheating profile is used for all aerosol-generating articles, then the device operation is simple, but articles with defects or abnormal moisture content cannot be properly compensated, leading to insufficient heating
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures the actual heating rate by monitoring the temperature change over time during the preheating process. Based on this feedback, the controller determines whether the heating rate is normal or slow, and accordingly adjusts the preheating profile by extending the preheating time, thereby compensating for articles with abnormal moisture content or defects
Solution Approach 2:
The preheating profile is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system adjusts the preheating time based on the measured heating rate, extending the preheating duration when the heating rate is slow and using the standard duration when normal, allowing the system to adapt to different article conditions
2Reliability
If the preheating time is extended for all articles, then thin or moist articles are sufficiently heated, but normal articles are overheated, affecting taste and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback control by measuring the actual heating rate of each article. Only articles with slow heating rates (indicating abnormal moisture content or defects) receive extended preheating time, while articles with normal heating rates use the standard preheating time, avoiding unnecessary time loss
3Reliability
If the heating rate is not monitored, then the device operation is simple, but articles with defects or abnormal moisture content cannot be identified, leading to poor smoking quality
Solution Approach 1:
The controller measures the temperature change of the heater over time during preheating and calculates the heating rate. This feedback mechanism allows the system to identify articles with abnormal moisture content or manufacturing defects by detecting slower than expected heating rates
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the heater's own temperature measurement capability to self-diagnose the condition of the inserted article. By monitoring its own heating performance, the system automatically identifies problematic articles without requiring additional external sensing devices
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 device ensures sufficient heating of thin or moist articles by adjusting the preheating profile, enhancing smoke generation and maintaining taste consistency.
Implementation Method 1
a heater configured to heat at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5(a)~5(c)
AI summary
An aerosol-generating device includes a heater configured to heat at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article and a processor configured to control supply of power to the heater according to a preheating profile including a first section and a second section, wherein the processor is further configured to, when a time taken for the heater to reach a target temperature in the first section is less than or greater than a preset range, obtain a changed preheating profile in which a time corresponding to the second section is changed, and supply power to the heater according to a changed preheating profile.