Elongate Temperature Sensor for Aerosol Substrate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol-generating devices lack direct measurement of the temperature inside the aerosol-forming substrate during use, relying on extrapolated temperature readings from the heating element, which can deviate from the actual substrate temperature.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an elongate temperature sensor within the aerosol-generating device's cavity that penetrates the aerosol-forming substrate, allowing for direct and accurate temperature measurement of the substrate, separate from the external heating element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If temperature of heating element is measured and extrapolated to estimate substrate temperature, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidtemperature measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature measurement function is extracted from the heating element and placed directly into the aerosol-forming substrate through a separate temperature sensor. This allows independent measurement of substrate temperature without relying on heating element temperature extrapolation, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A temperature sensor acts as an intermediary element inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate to directly measure its temperature. This intermediary provides accurate substrate temperature data without requiring complex extrapolation from heating element temperature, achieving precise measurement while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If elongate temperature sensor penetrates aerosol-forming substrate, then temperature measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor is integrated into the cavity structure of the aerosol-generating device, merging the measurement function with the existing housing. This combination approach achieves precise substrate temperature measurement while minimizing additional device complexity by utilizing existing structural elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If temperature sensor is provided separately from heating element, then reliability of temperature measurement is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of temperature measurementVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cavity structure serves multiple functions: it houses the temperature sensor, contains the aerosol-forming substrate, and provides structural support for the heating element. This multi-functionality approach allows separate temperature measurement components while avoiding proportional increases in overall device complexity.

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

Enables precise temperature monitoring of the aerosol-forming substrate, eliminating the need for estimation and ensuring consistent aerosol generation with minimal user effort and resistance-to-draw, providing a reproducible user experience.

Implementation Method 1

an external heating element with which the aerosol-forming substrate is heated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

An elongate temperature sensor is provided in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. The elongate temperature sensor is configured to penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate when said aerosol-forming substrate is received in the cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature detection: Thermocouple

Data Source

PatentEP4017302B1Temperature detection in peripherally heated aerosol-generating device
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA
  • EP4017302B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4017302B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4017302B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The aerosol-generating device comprises a cavity for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate, an external heating element, and an elongate temperature sensor. The elongate temperature sensor is provided in the cavity and in use of the aerosol-generating device is inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate. The invention also relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article. The invention further relates to a method for generating an inhalable aerosol in an aerosol-generating device.