Aerosol Generating Device Residual Amount Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating devices face challenges in accurately measuring the residual amount of aerosol-forming substrates in cigarette-type aerosol-forming articles, affecting user experience and nicotine intake notification.

Innovation Solution

An aerosol generating device equipped with a puff factor detecting unit that measures changes in pressure, flow rate, or temperature, and a controller that calculates the residual amount of the aerosol-forming substrate based on these factors, allowing for precise control and notification of the residual number of puffs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If puff detection methods are used to calculate residual amount, then user experience and nicotine intake notification are improved, but measurement precision of residual amount deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experience and nicotine intake notificationVSAvoidresidual amount measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct physical measurement of residual substrate with a computational model that uses puff detection data (pressure changes, flow rate, temperature) to calculate consumption amount. This substitutes mechanical measurement with a field/electronic calculation system, allowing indirect but accurate residual amount determination through mathematical modeling of consumption patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces puff detection parameters (pressure change, flow rate, temperature) as intermediary variables between user puffing action and residual amount calculation. These intermediaries provide measurable data that feed into the consumption model, enabling accurate residual amount estimation without directly measuring the substrate itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple puff factors are detected to improve residual amount calculation accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresidual amount calculation accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing device components (pressure sensor, flow rate sensor, temperature sensor) serve multiple functions: they monitor operational parameters for heating control while simultaneously providing data for puff detection and residual amount calculation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated sensors, thereby limiting complexity increase.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple detection functions (puff detection, temperature monitoring, flow rate measurement) into a unified control system that processes all parameters through a single consumption calculation model. This integration merges separate measurement functions into one cohesive system, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 accurately estimates the consumption amount of the aerosol-forming substrate, improving user experience by providing accurate residual amount calculations and adjusting the target temperature to maintain consistent mist production.

Implementation Method 1

when an inhalation material included in the cigarette portion is vaporized by an electronic heater, a user inhales through the filter portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

the factor related to the user's puff detected by the puff factor detecting unit includes any one or more of a change in pressure in the air flow path, a flow rate of air flowing through the air flow path, a change in temperature in the heating space or the heating unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure change detection:

Data Source

PatentEP4305987A1Residual amount measurement aerosol generating device
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 EM TECH CO LTD
  • EP4305987A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4305987A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4305987A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments relate to a residual amount measurement aerosol generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating device capable of calculating a residual amount of an aerosol-forming substrate due to puff and calculating a residual number of puffs of a cigarette or appropriately controlling a temperature using the calculated residual amount of an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol generating device of an embodiment includes a case including a heating space and an air flow path connecting the heating space to an external space, a heating unit heating an aerosol-forming article inserted into the heating space, a puff factor detecting unit detecting a factor related to a user's puff, and a controller controlling at least the heating unit and calculating a residual amount of the aerosol-forming substrate based on detection contents of the puff factor detecting unit.