Battery Pre-Heating for Cold Weather Aerosol Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered aerosol-generating devices, such as e-cigarettes, face performance degradation at low temperatures, particularly below 10 degrees Celsius, affecting their ability to deliver consistent power in varying environmental conditions, which is critical for handheld devices that need to operate in both cold and warm environments.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol-generating system with an electrochemical energy storage device (EESD) temperature control system, comprising a temperature sensor and an electrical heater, which monitors and adjusts the EESD's temperature to maintain optimal performance, using a microcontroller and PID regulator to manage power supply and heating, ensuring the device operates effectively across a wide temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the battery size is reduced to keep the device compact, then the device portability is improved, but the battery capacity and power delivery capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is pre-heated before use to optimize its performance. The system includes a temperature sensor and heating element that activate the battery early in the charging or usage process, ensuring the battery reaches optimal operating temperature before power delivery is required, thereby maximizing power output from a compact battery
2Adaptability or versatility
If the battery operates in cold environments below 10°C, then the device can be used in various climates, but the battery performance and available discharge capacity significantly deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the battery by incorporating a heating element controlled by a temperature sensor. When the battery temperature drops below optimal levels (particularly below 10°C), the heating element activates to raise the temperature, thereby maintaining discharge capacity and power delivery across varying environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a temperature sensor to continuously monitor battery temperature and provides feedback to a control mechanism. This feedback loop enables the system to activate the heating element when cold temperatures are detected and deactivate it when optimal temperature is reached, maintaining consistent battery performance across different climates
3Ease of operation
If a portable charger is added to enable frequent recharging, then the device usability is improved, but the overall device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The portable charger functionality is merged with the temperature control system. The same heating element used to warm the battery is also used during charging to optimize charge acceptance at low temperatures. This integration eliminates the need for separate heating and charging systems, reducing overall complexity while maintaining ease of operation
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 ensures consistent performance and power delivery for aerosol-generating devices across a broad temperature range, maintaining device functionality and user experience regardless of ambient conditions, without compromising size or ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical heater configured to heat the first EESD, wherein the EESD temperature control system operates the electrical heater dependent on an output from the at least one temperature sensor
Implementation Method 2
at least one temperature sensor positioned to sense a temperature of the first EESD
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol-generating system provided, including an electrically operated aerosol-generating element; a first electrochemical energy storage device (EESD) configured to supply electrical power to the aerosol-generating element; and an EESD temperature control system including at least one temperature sensor positioned to sense a temperature of the first EESD and an electrical heater configured to heat the first EESD, wherein the EESD temperature control system operates the electrical heater dependent on an output from the at least one temperature sensor.