Conductivity-Sensed Aerosol Atomizer Control for Nicotine Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol-generating systems face challenges in accurately determining and controlling the nicotine concentration of different liquid formulations, which can lead to inconsistent nicotine delivery, and there is a need for standardized manufacturing regardless of the aerosol-forming substrate used.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a conductivity sensor with at least two electrodes to measure the electrical conductivity of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, allowing the control electronics to determine the nicotine concentration and adjust power supply to the atomizer based on these measurements, thereby standardizing nicotine delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different liquid formulations with different nicotine concentrations are used, then the system can accommodate various substrate compositions, but the nicotine concentration of the generated aerosol becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a conductivity sensor that provides real-time feedback on the electrical conductivity of the liquid formulation. The control electronics use this feedback signal to dynamically adjust the power supplied to the atomizer, ensuring that the aerosol generation process compensates for variations in nicotine concentration, thereby maintaining consistent nicotine delivery despite using different liquid formulations
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the atomizer based on the measured electrical conductivity of the liquid formulation. By adjusting parameters such as power supply voltage or current according to the conductivity reading, the system optimizes the atomization process for each specific liquid formulation, ensuring reliable nicotine concentration control while accommodating versatile substrate compositions
2Measurement precision
If a conductivity sensor is added to measure nicotine concentration, then nicotine concentration control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductivity sensor serves multiple functions within the system: it measures the electrical conductivity of the liquid formulation, provides information about nicotine concentration, and enables the control electronics to adjust atomizer power accordingly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving precise nicotine concentration measurement and control
3Reliability
If the control system adjusts power supply based on conductivity measurements, then nicotine delivery consistency is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control electronics implement a feedback control mechanism where the conductivity sensor output is continuously monitored and used to adjust the power supply to the atomizer. This closed-loop control ensures that nicotine delivery remains consistent by automatically compensating for variations in liquid formulation composition, while the feedback architecture provides a systematic approach to managing control complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs self-adjustment based on conductivity measurements without requiring external intervention or complex manual calibration. The system automatically correlates conductivity readings with appropriate power levels and adjusts accordingly, enabling the control electronics to maintain nicotine delivery consistency through self-service operation, thereby limiting the practical complexity burden
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 accurate determination and control of nicotine concentration, ensuring consistent nicotine delivery and standardized manufacturing across different aerosol-forming substrates.
Implementation Method 1
The conductivity sensor comprises at least two electrodes and is arranged to sense the electrical conductivity of liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid storage portion
Implementation Method 2
an atomiser in fluid connection with the liquid storage portion... for atomising liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid storage portion
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol-generating system comprising: a liquid storage portion for holding a liquid aerosol-forming substrate; an atomiser in fluid connection with the liquid storage portion; a conductivity sensor; a power supply; and control electronics. The conductivity sensor comprises at least two electrodes (104, 106) and is arranged to sense the electrical conductivity of liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid storage portion. The control electronics are configured to: control a supply of power from the power supply to the atomiser for atomising liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid storage portion; and control a supply of power from the power supply to the electrodes (104, 106) of the conductivity sensor, the supply of power being provided to the conductivity sensor as an alternating voltage. The control electronics are further configured to: receive one or more measurements indicative of the conductivity of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the conductivity sensor; and determine the nicotine concentration of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate based on one or more of the measurements from the conductivity sensor.