Dual-Track Heater Control for Faster Aerosol Preheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol generating devices face challenges in preventing unintended heating and minimizing power loss while providing an optimal smoking experience.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a first electrically conductive track with a low temperature coefficient of resistance for preheating and a second track with a high temperature coefficient of resistance for maintaining the smoking temperature, optimizing current flow and reducing power loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a single electrically conductive track is used for heating the cigarette, then the device structure is simple, but the preheating time is long and power loss occurs during temperature maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is divided into two separate electrically conductive tracks: a first track for preheating and a second track for temperature maintenance. This segmentation allows each track to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall preheating time while avoiding unnecessary power consumption during maintenance phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically switches between the first and second electrically conductive tracks based on the heating phase. During preheating, the first track is activated; during temperature maintenance, the second track is activated. This dynamic switching optimizes power usage and reduces time loss.
2Speed
If high current is continuously applied to heat the cigarette quickly, then preheating speed increases, but unintended heating of the device occurs and power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first electrically conductive track is designed with specific electrical properties suitable for high-current preheating, while the second track has properties optimized for low-current maintenance. This local differentiation of electrical characteristics allows fast heating when needed while minimizing power loss during maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit changes the electrical parameters (current magnitude) based on the heating phase. High current is applied during preheating for fast heating, while low current is applied during maintenance to prevent unintended heating and reduce power loss.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the heater operates at high power continuously, then the cigarette heats quickly, but the device structure experiences unnecessary thermal stress and energy waste
Solution Approach 1:
The heating process is divided into two periodic phases: high-power preheating phase using the first track, and low-power maintenance phase using the second track. This periodic switching of power levels achieves fast heating when needed while avoiding continuous high-temperature stress 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 approach minimizes preheating time and prevents unintended heating, ensuring efficient and optimal power usage during smoking sessions.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrically conductive track... heat a cigarette accommodated in the aerosol generating device by using the first electrically conductive track in a first temperature change section
Implementation Method 2
a second electrically conductive track... heat the cigarette by using the second electrically conductive track in a second temperature change section
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6
AI summary
An aerosol generating device includes: a heater including a first electrically conductive track and a second electrically conductive track having a higher temperature coefficient of resistance than the first electrically conductive track; and a controller configured to heat a cigarette accommodated in the aerosol generating device by using the first electrically conductive track in a first temperature change section and heat the cigarette by using the second electrically conductive track in a second temperature change section.