Dual-Heater Aerosol Power Sequencing to Prevent Battery Voltage Drop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol generating devices with two heaters face power management challenges due to limited battery capacity, leading to potential malfunctions and voltage drops when power is simultaneously supplied to both heaters.

Innovation Solution

A controller manages power distribution to the two heaters using multiple control modes, prioritizing one heater over the other based on user preferences, ensuring stable operation by controlling power transmission times to prevent voltage drops.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If power is supplied to both heaters simultaneously to satisfy all power needs, then both heating functions operate, but voltage drop occurs causing device malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice operation stabilityVSAvoidpower supply capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The controller alternates between first control mode and second control mode in periodic cycles. In each cycle, power is first supplied to the first heater (heating element) and then to the second heater (vaporizer), preventing simultaneous power demand that would cause voltage drop. This periodic switching enables both heating functions to operate reliably within the battery's power capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different control modes based on operational requirements. The controller adjusts power distribution in real-time by transitioning between first control mode (prioritizing heating element) and second control mode (prioritizing vaporizer), optimizing power usage and preventing voltage drop while maintaining both heating functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If power is distributed to two heaters within limited battery power range, then device can operate, but power transmission timing must be controlled to prevent voltage drop

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedual heater operationVSAvoidpower control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply process is segmented into distinct phases: first control mode supplies power to the heating element, then second control mode supplies power to the vaporizer. This temporal segmentation of power distribution allows dual heater operation within limited battery power while simplifying control logic through clear mode transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller prepares and executes power supply in a predetermined sequence: first supplying power to the heating element, then to the vaporizer. This preliminary planned power distribution sequence prevents voltage drop by avoiding simultaneous power demand, enabling productive dual heater operation with manageable control complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control modes are implemented for user customization, then user preferences can be satisfied, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser preference customizationVSAvoidcontrol modes
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle both first control mode and second control mode operations. This universal control system can switch between different power distribution strategies based on user preferences, providing adaptability for different usage scenarios while maintaining a single integrated control unit that manages both heating functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Stabilizes power supply to both heaters, allowing for consistent heating profiles and user customization of smoking taste and aerosol amount, preventing device malfunctions.

Implementation Method 1

a battery to be used while moving

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

One heater may be used to heat a cigarette including nicotine, and the other one heater may be used to heat a cartridge including a liquid substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3818870B1Aerosol generating device supplying power to two heaters by using one battery
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 KT&G CO LTD
  • EP3818870B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3818870B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3818870B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Provided is an aerosol generating device distributing and transmitting power from a battery to two heaters, wherein the aerosol generating device includes the battery, a first heater heating a first aerosol generating substrate, a second heater heating a second aerosol generating substrate, and a controller controlling power supplied from the battery to the first heater and the second heater, wherein the controller controls power to be supplied from the battery to the first heater and the second heater at different times.