Electrode-Based Puff Detection in Aerosol-Generating Systems

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol-generating systems require multiple components, including separate airflow paths for puff detection, which increases complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

An aerosol-generating system with a liquid storage portion positioned between electrodes, measuring electrical properties to detect user puffs, eliminating the need for separate airflow paths and additional detectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate airflow paths and additional puff detectors are used, then puff detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepuff detection reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the puff detection function with the existing liquid storage portion by positioning electrodes within it. The liquid storage portion serves dual purposes: storing liquid and enabling electrical property measurement for puff detection, thereby reducing the need for separate airflow paths and additional detectors while maintaining detection reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid storage portion is designed to perform multiple functions: it stores the liquid aerosol-forming substrate and simultaneously acts as the medium for electrical property measurement during puff detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate components for puff detection

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

2Reliability

If separate airflow paths for puff detection are included, then puff detection capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepuff detection capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the puff detection mechanism into the liquid storage portion structure, eliminating the need for separate airflow paths. This integration simplifies the overall manufacturing process and reduces assembly steps while maintaining the puff detection capability through electrical property measurement of the liquid

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If additional puff detectors are added, then detection accuracy is improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid storage portion serves itself by enabling puff detection through its own electrical properties. The system uses the liquid's inherent electrical characteristics (resistance, capacitance, or inductance) to detect puffs, eliminating the need for external additional detectors and reducing system cost while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 configuration provides a reliable and accurate puff detection method, reducing system complexity and cost by integrating puff detection into the liquid storage portion, while minimizing power consumption and extending the system's lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

The control system may be configured to measure at least one of impedance, capacitance and resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

The control system may be configured to measure at least one of impedance, capacitance and resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

The control system may be configured to measure at least one of impedance, capacitance and resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Impedance: Electrical Impedance Tomography

Data Source

PatentEP3413733B1Aerosol-generating system with puff detector
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA
  • EP3413733B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3413733B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP3413733B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

An aerosol-generating system, a cartridge for an aerosol-generating system and a method of detecting user puffs on an aerosol-generating system. The aerosol-generating system comprises a liquid-storage portion (201) for holding a liquid aerosol-forming substrate; a first electrode and a second electrode (304, 305) and a control system. The second electrode is spaced from the first electrode and at least a portion of the liquid storage portion (201) is arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode (304, 305). The control system is configured to measure an electrical quantity between the first electrode and the second electrode (304, 305), and detect a user puff on the aerosol-generating system based on the measured electrical quantity information.