Driver Circuit Power Switching for Inductive Aerosol Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smoking articles that combust tobacco to create smoke lack efficient alternatives for generating aerosol without burning, and there is a need for improved power management in aerosol generating devices to optimize energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a switching arrangement to generate alternating current for inductive heating of a susceptor to produce aerosol, featuring a driver circuit and a power mode switching arrangement to disconnect components from the power source in a power saving mode, controlled by a control module based on device activity and battery level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the driver circuit remains connected to the power source during idle periods, then the device can quickly transition to heating mode, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the connection state of the driver circuit based on operational needs. During active heating, the driver circuit is connected to the power source for immediate operation. During idle periods, the driver circuit is disconnected to save power, with a control mechanism that ensures rapid reconnection when heating is required again, thus balancing responsiveness with energy conservation.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the driver circuit is disconnected from the power source in power saving mode, then battery life is extended, but the device cannot immediately resume heating operation
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit is designed to detect user intent or operational conditions in advance and pre-activate the driver circuit connection before actual heating is needed. This preliminary action ensures that when the user initiates a heating cycle, the driver circuit is already connected and ready, eliminating startup delays while still allowing the system to enter power-saving mode during extended idle periods.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all circuit components remain powered during idle periods, then the device maintains full functionality for immediate use, but energy waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system segments the circuit into different functional blocks with independent power control. The driver circuit can be disconnected from the power source while the control circuit and other essential components remain powered. This segmentation allows the system to maintain basic functionality and readiness while significantly reducing energy consumption during idle periods, resolving the contradiction between full functionality and energy waste.
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
This solution enables efficient aerosol generation with reduced power consumption by automatically switching between heating and power saving modes, optimizing energy use and extending battery life.
Implementation Method 1
an inductive element of a resonant circuit (such as an LC resonant circuit) for inductively heating a susceptor arrangement to heat an aerosol generating material of an aerosol generating device to thereby generate an aerosol
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method of application are described, which include a first switching arrangement configured to generate an alternating current from a power source. The alternating current flows through an inductive element of a resonant circuit for inductively heating a susceptor arrangement and heats an aerosol generating material of an aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol in a heating mode of operation. A driver circuit generates a control signal for controlling the first switching arrangement and a power mode switching arrangement is configured to disconnect at least a part of the driver circuit from the power source in a power saving mode of operation.