Aerosol-Generating Device With Coupling-Based Wick Absorption Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol-generating devices face challenges in allowing independent replacement of components, smooth liquid flow to the wick, notification of sufficient liquid flow, reducing unnecessary power consumption, determining liquid absorption into the wick, and ensuring liquid is stored in the cartridge before generating aerosol.

Innovation Solution

The device includes a first container with a wick and heater, a second container for liquid storage, and sensors to detect coupling and heater temperature, controlling initial power supply based on container coupling and determining liquid absorption or exhaustion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the first container and second container are detachably coupled to allow independent replacement, then the ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but the device complexity increases due to coupling detection mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent replacement of containersVSAvoidcoupling detection mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separable first and second containers that can be independently replaced. The wick system is segmented into portions in each container, allowing modular replacement without replacing the entire device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A sensor detects the coupling state between the first and second containers and provides feedback to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to determine when the containers are properly coupled and to control the heating operation accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If initial power is supplied to the heater upon container coupling to ensure liquid flow, then the reliability of aerosol generation is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol generationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Initial power is supplied to the heater immediately upon detecting container coupling, before aerosol generation is requested. This preliminary heating ensures the liquid flows properly into the wick, preventing operational failures and ensuring reliable aerosol generation when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller monitors the coupling state via sensor feedback and automatically activates the heater only when containers are properly coupled. This feedback-based control ensures the heater operates only when necessary, avoiding unnecessary power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If the controller determines liquid absorption status before aerosol generation, then the quality of aerosol output is improved, but the response time increases due to additional detection steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol qualityVSAvoiddetection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The controller determines whether liquid has been absorbed into the wick immediately upon container coupling, before the user requests aerosol generation. This preliminary check ensures optimal aerosol quality by confirming proper liquid presence in the wick.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The heating operation continues continuously from the initial coupling detection through the aerosol generation request. This continuous heating ensures the liquid remains at optimal temperature for absorption and aerosolization, maintaining high aerosol quality without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Enables smooth liquid flow to the wick, notifies users of sufficient liquid flow, reduces power consumption, and determines liquid absorption before aerosol generation, ensuring efficient operation.

Implementation Method 1

aerosol-generating device is a device that extracts certain components from a medium or a substance by forming an aerosol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

a first container including a wick and a heater, a second container configured to store a liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS20250302118A1Aerosol-generating device and operation method thereof

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 KT&G CO LTD

AI summary

An aerosol-generating device and an operation method thereof are disclosed. The aerosol-generating device of the disclosure includes a first container including a wick and a heater, a second container configured to store a liquid, a first sensor configured to detect a coupling between the first container and the second container, a second sensor configured to sense a temperature of the heater and a controller. The first container and the second container are detachably coupled to each other. The controller is configured to control so that initial power corresponding to coupling of the first container and the second container is supplied to the heater, based on the first container and the second container which have been separated from each other being coupled, and determine at least one of whether the liquid is absorbed into the wick or whether the liquid in the second container is exhausted, based on a temperature of the heater corresponding to supply of the initial power.