Aerosol Generating Apparatus Puff Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol generating apparatuses suffer from the accumulation of condensed aerosol, leading to leakage into the user's mouth, despite existing improvements.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol generating apparatus with a detector unit that detects the start of a puff and generates a corresponding signal, triggering the aerosol generating unit to operate only during the puff and cease operation before its end, utilizing electrical circuitry to control the aerosol generation based on airflow, pressure, or power supply changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the aerosol generating unit operates throughout the entire puff duration, then continuous aerosol generation is achieved, but aerosol condensate accumulates and leaks into the user's mouth
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by ending the aerosol generation operation before the puff actually ends. The control unit calculates a predetermined time period based on average puff duration and terminates heating early, allowing the user to continue drawing the remaining aerosol without generating new condensate that would leak into the mouth
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by detecting puff characteristics (duration, flow rate) and using this information to determine when to end the heating operation. The control unit monitors the puff signal and uses this feedback to calculate the optimal termination time, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to actual user behavior
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the aerosol generating unit operates for a shorter duration, then condensate accumulation is reduced, but aerosol generation may be insufficient during the puff
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates sufficient aerosol quantity during the critical early phase of the puff when the user's demand is highest. By ending operation early rather than reducing power during the puff, the system ensures adequate aerosol production while preventing condensate accumulation during the tail end of the puff when aerosol delivery is less critical
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter from continuous heating to interrupted heating, altering the thermal state of the aerosol generating unit. This parameter change allows the unit to operate at full power when needed and then cool down naturally, preventing condensate formation without compromising overall aerosol delivery quantity
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
Prevents or reduces the likelihood of aerosol condensate leakage by ensuring all generated aerosol is inhaled by the user, minimizing residual aerosol within the apparatus and reducing condensation.
Implementation Method 1
an aerosol generating unit (4) configured to generate the aerosol from the precursor
Implementation Method 2
a detector unit configured to detect a start of a puff by the user of the aerosol generating apparatus and to generate a corresponding puff signal
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3B
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an aerosol generating apparatus (1) for delivering an aerosol to a user, comprising a storage portion adapted to store a precursor, an aerosol generating unit (4) configured to generate the aerosol from the precursor, a detector unit (18, 60) configured to detect a start of a puff and to generate a corresponding puff signal, and an electrical circuitry configured to start the operation of the aerosol generating unit (4) upon receiving the puff signal, and end the operation of the aerosol generating unit (4) before the puff ends.