Cigarette Heater Control for Visible Smoke and Smoke-Free Aerosol

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for an aerosol-generating system that can operate in both a smoke-free mode and a smoke mode, allowing users to use it without environmental restrictions and provide visual satisfaction, respectively.

Innovation Solution

The system includes a first heater to heat the medium part directly and the flavor unit indirectly, with a processor controlling the heaters to operate in smoke-free mode by heating at specific temperatures to generate aerosol without visible smoke, and in smoke mode by generating visible smoke.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the aerosol-generating apparatus heats the aerosol-generating material at high temperature to generate visible smoke, then visual satisfaction is provided to the user, but the apparatus cannot be used without environmental restrictions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisible smoke generationVSAvoidusage environment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic heating control with multiple temperature modes (smoke mode and smoke-free mode) that can be switched based on user preference and environmental conditions. The control unit adjusts the heating temperature dynamically: in smoke mode, higher temperature generates visible smoke for visual satisfaction; in smoke-free mode, lower temperature generates invisible aerosol for unrestricted usage environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the heating temperature parameter to achieve different operational modes. By controlling the heating temperature within a specific range (100°C to 200°C for smoke-free mode, higher for smoke mode), the system can generate either visible smoke or invisible aerosol, thus adapting to different usage scenarios and environmental restrictions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the aerosol-generating apparatus operates in smoke-free mode to allow unrestricted usage, then environmental flexibility is improved, but visual satisfaction is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage environment flexibilityVSAvoidvisible smoke generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between smoke-free mode and smoke mode based on user selection. The control unit enables users to choose the operational mode, dynamically adjusting the heating temperature accordingly: lower temperature for smoke-free operation in restricted environments, higher temperature for visible smoke generation when visual satisfaction is desired.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The aerosol-generating apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to operate in both smoke-free mode and smoke mode. This universal design allows the single device to satisfy both unrestricted usage requirements and visual satisfaction needs, making it adaptable to various environments and user preferences without requiring separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Illumination intensity

If the heater temperature is increased to generate visible smoke, then visual satisfaction is provided, but the continuity of flavoring material transition may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisible smoke generationVSAvoidflavoring material transition continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the heating temperature parameter within a specific range (100°C to 200°C) for smoke-free mode to ensure continuous and stable flavoring material transition without generating visible smoke. This controlled temperature parameter maintains the stability of aerosol generation while preventing excessive heating that could disrupt flavoring material transition continuity.

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

The system provides convenience and satisfaction by allowing smoke-free operation without visible smoke and smoke mode for visual satisfaction, enhancing flavor transition continuity and providing different smoking sensations.

Implementation Method 1

a first heater (13) arranged on a portion corresponding to the medium part (22) and configured to directly heat the medium part (22) and indirectly heat the flavor unit (21) by using heat transmitted through the wrapper

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

heating at specific temperatures to generate aerosol without visible smoke

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP3964083B1Aerosol generation system

Publication Date: 2026.01.21 KT&G CO LTD

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AI summary

An aerosol-generating system includes a cigarette and an aerosol-generating apparatus. The cigarette includes a medium part including a tobacco material, a flavor unit including a flavoring material and a moisturizer, and a wrapper configured to wrap the medium part and the flavor unit. The aerosol-generating apparatus includes a first heater arranged on a portion corresponding to the medium part and configured to directly heat the medium part and indirectly heat the flavor unit by using heat transmitted through the wrapper, and a processor configured to control the first heater to make the aerosol-generating apparatus operate in a smoke-free mode in which no visible smoke is generated.