Dual-Power Heated Smoking Unit for Compact Temperature Hold
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically operated smoking systems are bulky and inconvenient for smokers, lacking the compact size and ease of use similar to a lit-end cigarette.
Innovation Solution
A dual-power supply system is implemented, with a secondary unit containing a heating element and a secondary power supply, connected to a primary power supply for pre-heating and maintaining the aerosol-forming substrate temperature, allowing the secondary unit to be compact and similar in size to a cigarette.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a single power supply system is used to heat the aerosol-forming substrate during both pre-heating and smoking modes, then the system can maintain substrate temperature, but the device size becomes too large to be held like a cigarette
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is divided into two separate units: a compact secondary unit with its own power supply for temperature maintenance during smoking, and a larger primary unit with power supply for pre-heating and charging. This segmentation allows the secondary unit to be small enough to hold like a cigarette while maintaining temperature reliability through the dedicated secondary power supply.
2Volume of moving object
If the secondary unit is made compact for portability, then it can be held like a cigarette, but it lacks sufficient power to pre-heat the substrate
Solution Approach 1:
The primary power supply performs preliminary action by charging the secondary power supply before the smoking mode begins. This allows the compact secondary unit to accumulate sufficient energy in advance to maintain substrate temperature throughout the entire smoking experience without requiring large battery capacity in the portable unit.
3Volume of moving object
If the secondary power supply is made small for portability, then the device fits in the hand, but the pre-heating time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary pre-heating of the aerosol-forming substrate using the primary power supply before the user needs to use the device. This advance preparation ensures that when the secondary unit is activated, the substrate is already at the required temperature, eliminating delays and allowing immediate smoking without extended pre-heating periods.
4Volume of moving object
If a dual-power supply system is implemented, then the device can be compact and portable, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-power supply system is segmented into two independent but complementary units, each with its own power supply and control circuitry. The secondary unit contains minimal necessary components for temperature maintenance, while the primary unit handles charging and pre-heating functions. This segmentation manages complexity by distributing functions across separate units rather than consolidating everything in one device.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary power supply acts as an intermediary energy storage device between the primary power supply and the heating element. It receives energy from the primary unit and delivers it during smoking, mediating the power transfer and simplifying the control architecture by decoupling the charging/pre-heating functions from the temperature maintenance functions.
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 achieves a compact design that can be held like a cigarette, maintaining substrate temperature efficiently during smoking without increasing pre-heating time, and supports bi-directional communication with intelligent devices.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heating element... supplying electrical power to the at least one heating element during a pre-heating mode, to increase the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate
Implementation Method 2
secondary power supply arranged to supply electrical power to the at least one heating element during a smoking mode, to maintain the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate at substantially the operating temperature
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically heated smoking system includes a secondary unit capable of receiving a smoking article having an aerosol-forming substrate. The secondary unit includes at least one heating element and an interface for connection to a primary power supply for supplying electrical power to the at least one heating element during a pre-heating mode, to increase the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate to an operating temperature. The secondary unit further includes a secondary power supply arranged to supply electrical power to the at least one heating element during a smoking mode, to maintain the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate at substantially the operating temperature. The secondary unit also includes secondary circuitry. The electrically heated smoking system optionally includes a primary unit.