Aerosol Device Multi-Sensor Liquid Level Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating devices struggle to accurately measure the remaining amount of aerosol generating material, which is crucial for notifying users of replacement times and ensuring uniform taste.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates multiple residual amount detection sensors arranged on different portions of the liquid storage, along with a controller that measures the remaining material by considering the inclination of the liquid, thereby enhancing accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single residual amount detection sensor is used, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement accuracy of remaining aerosol generating material is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracy of remaining materialVSAvoidstructure complexity of sensor arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid storage is divided into multiple portions (first portion, second portion, third portion, fourth portion) with separate detection sensors for each. This segmentation allows the system to measure remaining material at different locations and orientations, improving overall measurement accuracy while managing structural complexity through modular sensor placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces multi-dimensional sensing by placing sensors at different spatial positions and orientations within the liquid storage. This dimensional approach enables accurate measurement regardless of the device's inclination angle, as sensors are distributed across multiple spatial dimensions to capture the liquid level from various perspectives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are arranged on different portions of liquid storage, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of remaining amount measurementVSAvoidcomplexity of sensor arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple detection sensors perform the same function of measuring liquid level but are positioned to handle different orientations and inclination angles. This multi-functional arrangement allows a single sensor system to universally measure remaining material accurately regardless of how the device is held or oriented.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If residual amount detection is not accurate, then user convenience is reduced, but manufacturing cost is lower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidcomplexity of detection system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection sensors provide continuous feedback on the remaining aerosol generating material to the controller, which then provides feedback to the user about replacement timing. This feedback loop ensures users receive accurate information about material levels, improving convenience and allowing for timely replacement before the material is fully depleted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12290108B2Aerosol generating device

Publication Date: 2025.05.06 KT&G CO LTD

AI summary

An aerosol generating device includes: a liquid storage configured to store an aerosol generating material; a first residual amount detection sensor and a second residual amount detection sensor respectively arranged on a first inner surface and a second inner surface that face each other among inner surfaces of the liquid storage; a third residual amount detection sensor and a fourth residual amount detection sensor respectively arranged on a third inner surface and a fourth inner surface of the liquid storage that face each other and are different from the first inner surface and the second inner surface of the liquid storage; and a controller configured to measure a remaining amount of the aerosol generating material based on a first detected value output by the first residual amount detection sensor and a second detected value output by the second residual amount detection sensor.