Aerosol Device Puff Detection via Heater Temperature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aerosol generating devices that heat instead of burn aerosol materials do not provide the same level of satisfaction as combustion-type cigarettes, lacking in terms of feeling, number of puffs, and aerosol quantity, leading to a need for adaptive feedback that mimics the smoking experience.

Innovation Solution

A device equipped with a battery, heater, sensors, and a controller that detects user puffs through temperature and flux variations, providing feedback via output units such as vibration motors, LED lamps, and sound outputs based on puff characteristics, predicting and modifying the number of available puffs, and controlling the device's operation to enhance user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If aerosol generating material is heated instead of burned, then health risks are reduced, but user satisfaction and feeling are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehealth risksVSAvoiduser satisfaction
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through sensors that detect puff characteristics (temperature variations, flux changes) and provide real-time information to a controller. The system adjusts heating parameters and provides notifications based on detected puff patterns, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to user behavior and enhances satisfaction while maintaining the health benefits of non-combustion heating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Quantity of substance

If heating temperature is increased to improve aerosol quantity, then aerosol generation is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerosol quantityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic control of heating parameters based on real-time puff detection. The controller adjusts heating temperature and duration according to detected puff characteristics, allowing the system to optimize aerosol generation dynamically rather than using fixed high temperatures. This reduces overall device complexity while maintaining effective aerosol quantity when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If puff detection sensitivity is increased to improve feedback accuracy, then feedback precision is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepuff detection accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves multi-functional sensing where the heater itself serves dual purposes: generating heat for aerosol production and acting as a temperature sensor for puff detection. Additionally, flux sensors detect both aerosol flow and puff characteristics. This universal approach allows accurate puff detection without adding separate dedicated sensing systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 provides adaptive feedback that enhances user satisfaction by mimicking the smoking experience, offering real-time notifications and optimal aerosol generation, ensuring a similar feeling to conventional cigarettes while minimizing health risks associated with combustion.

Implementation Method 1

an aerosol-generating device... by heating instead of burning an aerosol generating material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the heater, and the controller may detect a user's puff by measuring a variation in the temperature of the heater

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature measurement: Thermocouple

Implementation Method 3

a flux sensor, and the controller may detect a user's puff by measuring a variation in flux in the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlux measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP3984393A1Aerosol generating device and method for providing adaptive feedback through puff recognition
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 KT&G CO LTD
  • EP3984393A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3984393A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3984393A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided is a device including: a battery (110) configured to supply power; a heater (150) configured to heat an aerosol generating material (3) by receiving power from the battery; a sensor (130); at least one output unit (140); and a controller (120), wherein the controller detects a user's puff by using the sensor and controls at least one output unit based on puff characteristic data based on a result of the detection.