Aerosol Session Limiting Control for Battery Life Extension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol-generating devices face limitations due to limited energy storage capacity, leading to frequent charging and potential degradation, which affects their functionality and usability.

Innovation Solution

An aerosol-generating device with control circuitry that limits operation based on a user-defined number of usage sessions after charging, allowing flexible adaptation to user habits and reducing excessive charging and discharging, thereby extending the energy storage's lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the energy storage capacity is increased to provide more usage sessions, then the operational duration is improved, but the device size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational durationVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts power consumption based on usage patterns and environmental conditions. The controller modifies heating power, puff detection sensitivity, and session parameters in real-time to optimize energy utilization without requiring larger energy storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters such as heating temperature, power delivery profiles, and session duration thresholds based on detected usage patterns. This allows the same energy storage to provide effectively more usage sessions by optimizing how energy is consumed rather than increasing storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the user-defined limitation is set to allow more usage sessions, then the versatility is improved, but the energy storage degradation accelerates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage flexibilityVSAvoidenergy storage lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller continuously monitors usage patterns, energy storage state, and session characteristics. Based on this feedback, it dynamically adjusts the user-defined limitation parameter and operational settings to balance usage flexibility with energy storage protection, preventing excessive degradation while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system makes the usage session limitation parameter dynamic rather than fixed. It adjusts the limitation based on real-time conditions including energy storage health, usage patterns, and environmental factors, allowing the device to be more versatile when conditions permit while protecting the energy storage when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the heating power is increased to generate aerosol faster, then the productivity is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol generation speedVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic heating cycles with variable power levels rather than continuous high-power heating. It delivers concentrated heating pulses during aerosol generation phases followed by lower-power intervals, maintaining productivity while reducing overall energy consumption through optimized thermal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller dynamically changes heating power parameters based on real-time feedback from sensors detecting aerosol generation progress, user inhalation patterns, and energy storage state. This allows high productivity when needed while minimizing energy consumption during lower-demand periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances device versatility and functionality by adapting to user-specific demands, reducing wear on the energy storage, and increasing its operational lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

heating at least a part of an aerosol-generating article or substrate... based on heating the substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

an energy storage configured to supply electrical energy to the control circuitry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

The control circuitry is configured to receive a limitation parameter indicative of a user-defined number of usage sessions... and to limit operation of the aerosol-generating device to the user-defined number of usage sessions based on the limitation parameter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectronic control:

Data Source

PatentUS20260060319A1Aerosol-generating device

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA

AI summary

An aerosol-generating device is provided, including: control circuitry and an energy storage configured to supply electrical energy to the control circuitry operatively coupled to the energy storage and further configured to: receive a limitation parameter indicative of a user-defined number of usage sessions which the aerosol-generating device provides after the energy storage has been charged, and limit operation of the aerosol-generating device to the user-defined number of usage sessions based on the limitation parameter. An aerosol-generating system including the aerosol-generating device an aerosol-generating article couplable or coupled to the aerosol-generating device is also provided.