Aerosol Generating System Usage Profile Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrically operated aerosol generating systems lack customization options to adapt to different usage profiles, leading to inefficient aerosol consumption and varying performance characteristics based on usage patterns.

Innovation Solution

An electrically operated aerosol generating system that includes a monitoring procedure to determine usage profiles at different times of day, allowing for selective operation modes based on measured parameters such as activation duration and frequency, enabling accurate estimation of aerosol substrate consumption and optimizing system performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the aerosol generating system operates with fixed parameters, then the device structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to different usage profiles leading to inefficient aerosol consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage profile adaptationVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic operation by allowing the aerosol generating system to automatically adjust its heating parameters and power consumption based on detected usage patterns. The system transitions from static fixed parameters to dynamic adaptive parameters that change according to real-time usage profile detection, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system monitors its own usage patterns over time and uses this information to automatically adjust its operating parameters. This closed-loop feedback enables the system to adapt to different usage profiles without requiring complex manual configuration, balancing adaptability with manageable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the system monitors usage parameters continuously, then accurate consumption estimation is achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage parameter measurementVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial monitoring by selectively measuring only the essential usage parameters needed for consumption estimation rather than continuously monitoring all possible parameters. This approach achieves sufficient measurement precision for accurate consumption estimation while minimizing the energy overhead associated with continuous comprehensive monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If the system adapts to different usage profiles, then performance optimization is achieved, but the control system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol consumption efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service control where the aerosol generating system automatically detects and adapts to usage profiles without requiring external intervention or complex user configuration. The system serves itself by autonomously adjusting its parameters based on detected usage patterns, achieving performance optimization while keeping the control system relatively simple through automated decision-making algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 system effectively customizes its operation according to usage patterns, providing accurate aerosol substrate consumption estimates and optimizing performance characteristics, such as temperature and power consumption, by adapting to different usage profiles throughout the day.

Implementation Method 1

Electric current passing through the wire causes resistive heating of the wire which vaporizes the liquid in the capillary material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The vaporizer is typically a heater assembly... the aerosol-forming substrate is a liquid aerosol-forming substrate and the vaporizer comprises a coil of heater wire wound around an elongate wick soaked in liquid aerosol-forming substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

a sensor configured to detect an activation of the electrically operated aerosol generating system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20240398032A1Aerosol-generating systems with usage determination

Publication Date: 2024.12.05 ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC

AI summary

An electrically operated aerosol generating system may include a storage portion configured to store an aerosol forming substrate, at least one heating element configured to heat the aerosol forming substrate, a sensor configured to detect an activation of the system, a clock, and electric circuitry connected to the sensor. A usage parameter associated with operation of the system may be measured and compared, to a threshold value. A usage profile of the system may be determined based on the comparison. Such operations may be repeated at different times of day. An operating mode of the system may be selectively executed based on the determined usage profile associated with the current time of day. A monitoring procedure may be ended when the measured usage parameter exceeds a threshold value, and the duration of the monitoring procedure may be compared to a threshold duration to determine the usage profile.