Full-Bridge Vibrator Drive Circuit for High-Voltage Aerosol Generation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating devices for electronic cigarettes lack an efficient driving circuit to effectively power the vibrators, which are crucial for generating aerosols.

Innovation Solution

A full bridge driving circuit is designed to supply power to the vibrator of an aerosol generating device, comprising specific electrical contacts, inductors, switches, and power supplies to achieve a high voltage across the vibrator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a conventional driving circuit is used to power the vibrator, then the circuit structure is simple, but the voltage across the vibrator is insufficient for effective aerosol generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage across vibratorVSAvoidcircuit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driving circuit is divided into a full-bridge configuration with four switches (first, second, third, and fourth switches) arranged in a bridge structure. This segmentation allows independent control of each switch to generate high voltage across the vibrator through sequential switching operations, resolving the contradiction between achieving high voltage and maintaining circuit simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit employs dynamic switching of the four switches in a coordinated sequence, where each switch is turned on and off in specific time intervals. This dynamic operation transforms the low-voltage DC input into high-voltage AC output across the vibrator, enabling effective aerosol generation while managing circuit complexity through controlled temporal dynamics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If high voltage is applied to the vibrator for effective aerosol generation, then aerosol generation efficiency improves, but the risk of component overheating increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol generation efficiencyVSAvoidcomponent overheating risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The four switches are operated in periodic cycles with specific duty ratios, where each switch remains on for a controlled duration and then turns off. This periodic switching prevents continuous high current flow through any single component, allowing heat dissipation between cycles while still delivering sufficient energy to the vibrator for effective aerosol generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

While individual switches are turned off for cooling, the full-bridge configuration ensures that another switch pair is simultaneously conducting, maintaining continuous power delivery to the vibrator. This continuity of useful action keeps the vibrator operating at high voltage for efficient aerosol generation while distributing thermal load across multiple components and time intervals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Manufacturing precision

If the driving circuit uses multiple switches and power supplies, then the voltage control precision improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage control precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The four switches in the full-bridge configuration serve multiple functions: they act as voltage switches, current controllers, and thermal management devices simultaneously. Each switch can be controlled with the same type of control signal from the controller, allowing precise voltage control across the vibrator while using standardized components that simplify manufacturing processes.

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

The proposed driving circuit efficiently generates a high voltage across the vibrator, enabling effective aerosol generation while reducing the risk of component overheating and improving overall device performance.

Implementation Method 1

an inductor connected to the first electrical contact, wherein a first end of the inductor is connected to the first electrical contact

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a vibrator configured to generate an aerosol by vibrating an aerosol generating material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250072491A1Aerosol generating device with full bridge driving circuit

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 KT&G CO LTD

AI summary

A driving circuit according to an example has a form of a full bridge including four switches, and the driving circuit includes a first alternating current power supply that provides a voltage to a gate terminal of a first switch and a gate terminal of a fourth switch, a second alternating current power supply that provides a voltage to a gate terminal of a second switch and a gate terminal of a third switch, and a direct current power supply that provides a direct current voltage to a drain terminal of the first switch and a drain terminal of the third switch.