Dual Inductance Cigarette Detection to Prevent False Smart-On
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol generating devices with smart-on functions can be inadvertently activated by magnetic substances, leading to battery waste and heater overheating when such substances are mistakenly detected as aerosol materials.
Innovation Solution
An externally heated aerosol generating device with inductance channels that detect the presence of a cigarette using two inductance channels, one of which is shielded by a heater, to prevent activation of the smart-on function when a magnetic substance is present, ensuring accurate detection of aerosol materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single inductance channel is used for smart-on function detection, then the device can detect the presence of a cigarette, but magnetic substances can cause false activation leading to battery waste and heater overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single inductance channel into two separate inductance channels (first and second inductance channels) with different configurations. The first inductance channel is positioned to detect objects in the cigarette insertion space, while the second inductance channel is shielded by the heater and positioned differently. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between actual cigarettes and magnetic substances by comparing detection results from both channels, thereby improving detection accuracy while managing the complexity through modular sensor design.
2Ease of operation
If the smart-on function is activated by any magnetic substance, then the device responds to detected objects, but this causes battery waste and heater overheating when non-cigarette objects are detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller receives detection results from both the first and second inductance channels and uses this information to make intelligent decisions about activation. The controller compares the detection signals from both channels and only activates the heater when the detection pattern matches that of an actual cigarette (i.e., when the first channel detects an object and the second channel does not detect significant magnetic interference). This feedback-based decision-making ensures automatic activation works correctly while preventing false activation that would waste battery energy.
3Temperature
If the heater is positioned to surround the cigarette insertion space, then effective heating is achieved, but the heater shields the second inductance channel from detecting objects in the insertion space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different functional roles to different inductance channels based on their spatial positions. The first inductance channel is positioned where it can effectively detect objects in the cigarette insertion space without being shielded, making it suitable for primary detection. The second inductance channel is deliberately positioned behind the heater where it serves as a reference for detecting magnetic substances that might cause false activation. Each channel's detection characteristics are optimized for its specific location and purpose, allowing the system to combine their outputs for accurate object identification while maintaining effective heating.
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
Prevents unnecessary activation of the smart-on function by magnetic substances, reducing battery waste and heater overheating, thereby enhancing device efficiency and user safety.
Implementation Method 1
a first inductance channel in which a frequency of current is changed by an object inserted into the cigarette insertion space
Implementation Method 2
a heater configured to generate an aerosol by heating a cigarette
Implementation Method 3
a second inductance channel shielded by the heater so that a frequency of current flowing therethrough is not changed by the object inserted into the cigarette insertion space
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol generating device, including an inductance channel, includes: a heater configured to generate an aerosol by heating a cigarette; a cigarette insertion space into which the cigarette is inserted; a first inductance channel; a second inductance channel; and a controller configured to generate a control signal by using information received from the first inductance channel and the second inductance channel, wherein the controller measures, when an amount of a change in frequency of current flowing through the first inductance channel exceeds a first reference value due to an object adjacent to the cigarette insertion space, an amount of a change in frequency of current flowing through the second inductance channel and controls, when the measured amount of the change in frequency of the current is less than a second reference value, a power supply to the heater to be started.