Aerosol Heating Control with Feed-Forward Warm-Up Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol generation devices face challenges in quickly heating aerosol generation articles to enable user inhalation and stabilizing aerosol production, which affects flavor and taste quality.

Innovation Solution

The aerosol generation device employs a control unit that uses feed-forward control during the preparation phase to rapidly heat the aerosol generation article and transitions to feedback control during the use phase, adjusting power supply to maintain stable aerosol production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If high power is supplied to rapidly heat the aerosol generation article, then the time to aerosol readiness is reduced, but aerosol generation becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime to aerosol readinessVSAvoidaerosol generation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs preliminary heating action in the preparation phase by supplying high power to the load to rapidly increase temperature before aerosol generation begins. This preliminary action reduces the time to readiness while preventing instability during actual use by separating the heating phase from the generation phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts power supply based on operational phase: high power during preparation phase for rapid heating, then transitions to controlled power during use phase for stable generation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between speed and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If power supply is controlled to stabilize aerosol generation, then flavor and taste quality is improved, but the time to reach operational temperature increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerosol generation stabilityVSAvoidheating time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs preliminary heating action in the preparation phase by supplying high power to the load to rapidly increase temperature before aerosol generation begins. This preliminary action reduces the time to readiness while preventing instability during actual use by separating the heating phase from the generation phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If high power is supplied continuously, then heating speed is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts power supply based on operational phase: high power during preparation phase for rapid heating, then transitions to controlled power during use phase for stable generation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between speed and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit implements periodic power supply with distinct phases: preparation phase with high power for heating, and use phase with controlled power for stable generation. This periodic action pattern optimizes both heating speed and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 significantly reduces the time to aerosol readiness and stabilizes aerosol generation, ensuring consistent flavor and taste throughout the heating process.

Implementation Method 1

The load is configured to heat an aerosol generation article, which includes an aerosol-forming substrate configured to hold or carry at least one of an aerosol source and a flavor source, by using power that is supplied from a power source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The control unit is configured to control the power that is supplied from the power source to the load. When starting the supply of power to the load in a non-operation state, or when the load is in a preparation state in which the load cannot generate a predetermined amount or more of aerosols from the aerosol generation article, the control unit is configured to control the power that is supplied from the power source to the load by feed-forward control

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFeedback control: Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3777574B1Aerosol generation device, control method, and program
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 JAPAN TOBACCO INC
  • EP3777574B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3777574B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3777574B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In the present embodiment, this aerosol generation device is provided with a load and a control unit. The load uses power supplied from a power source to heat an aerosol generation article which includes an aerosol-forming substrate holding or carrying an aerosol source and/or a flavor source. The control unit controls the power supplied from the power source to the load. When the supply of power to the load is started while the load is in a non-operating state or when the load is in a preparing state in which the load cannot generate a predetermined amount or more of an aerosol from the aerosol generation article, the control unit controls the power supplied from the power source to the load by feed-forward control.