Heated Aerosol Device Temperature Profiling for Consistent Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol-generating devices face challenges in maintaining consistent aerosol properties over time due to depletion of aerosol-forming substrates during continuous or repeated heating, leading to reduced flavor, taste, and nicotine delivery.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that control the heating element's temperature through multiple phases, adjusting power to maintain consistent aerosol production by varying temperatures based on substrate depletion and thermodiffusion effects, using electrically resistive heating elements and circuitry to manage temperature and power delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the temperature of the heating element is kept constant during continuous heating, then energy consumption is reduced and control is simplified, but aerosol delivery decreases over time due to substrate depletion and reduced thermodiffusion effects
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element temperature is made dynamic rather than constant. The controller adjusts the temperature profile over time, implementing three distinct phases: an initial phase to rapidly heat the substrate, a middle phase to maintain optimal aerosol generation, and a final phase where temperature is increased to compensate for substrate depletion and maintain aerosol delivery levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating actions in specific phases. The initial phase rapidly heats the substrate to operational temperature before full aerosol generation begins. The controller pre-plans and executes these temperature phases to optimize aerosol delivery throughout the heating cycle, addressing substrate depletion before it significantly impacts performance.
2Productivity
If the heating element temperature is increased during the final phase of heating, then aerosol delivery is maintained despite substrate depletion, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating process is divided into periodic phases with distinct temperature profiles. The controller implements periodic temperature adjustments: an initial heating phase, a middle maintenance phase, and a final increased-temperature phase. This periodic action optimizes aerosol delivery at different stages of substrate consumption while managing energy consumption through phased rather than continuous high-power operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the substrate is heated continuously to maintain aerosol generation, then consistent aerosol properties are harder to maintain due to substrate depletion, but stopping heating interrupts aerosol delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter over time to compensate for substrate depletion. As the heating cycle progresses and substrate is consumed, the controller adjusts the temperature profile, particularly increasing temperature in the final phase to maintain aerosol generation efficiency. This parameter change ensures consistent aerosol properties despite decreasing substrate quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors the heating process and substrate consumption, adjusting the temperature profile based on the phase of heating. This feedback mechanism ensures that temperature is optimized at each stage: rapid initial heating, maintenance during middle phase, and increased heating in final phase to compensate for depletion, thereby maintaining aerosol consistency throughout the heating cycle.
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
Ensures consistent aerosol delivery by compensating for substrate depletion and thermodiffusion, maintaining desired aerosol constituents over an extended period.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element, and to control a temperature of the heating element
Implementation Method 2
generate an aerosol by heating an aerosol-forming substrate... the substrate is heated to generate an aerosol
Implementation Method 3
as the temperature in the aerosol-forming substrate reaches a steady state, aerosol delivery is reduced because thermodiffusion effects are reduced
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a method of controlling aerosol production in an aerosol-generating device, the device comprising: a heater comprising at least one heating element configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate; and a power source for providing power to the heating element, comprising the steps of: controlling the power provided to the heating element such that in a first phase power is provided such that the temperature of the heating element increases from an initial temperature to a first temperature, in a second phase power is provided such that the temperature of the heating element drops below the first temperature and in a third phase power is provided such that the temperature of the heating element increases again. Increasing the temperature of the heating element during a final phase of the heating process reduces or prevents the reduction in aerosol delivery over time.