Aerosol Heater Cycle Analysis for Early Source Shortage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol generating devices, such as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products, face challenges in detecting aerosol source depletion or shortage in a timely manner, and in distinguishing between the states of the storage unit and holding unit, leading to inadequate aerosol supply and inability to generate intended fragrance flavors.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a control unit that analyzes temperature data from a sensor during electric power supplying cycles, using standard deviation and variance to determine aerosol source depletion or shortage, and estimates the states of the storage and holding units by comparing temperature behavior in past and present cycles, allowing for early detection and precise identification of issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threshold-based detection methods are used to determine aerosol source depletion, then detection reliability is improved, but judgment speed deteriorates due to the need to set thresholds not affected by noise and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from threshold-based absolute value comparison to statistical parameter (standard deviation) analysis. By monitoring the standard deviation of temperature values during heating and comparing it to a reference standard deviation, the system achieves both reliable detection and fast judgment without needing to set thresholds immune to noise
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical threshold-setting mechanism with a statistical analysis mechanism. Instead of using fixed thresholds that must be carefully calibrated to avoid noise, the system uses standard deviation calculations that inherently adapt to the system's natural variability, enabling faster and more reliable detection
2Device complexity
If conventional detection methods are used to determine aerosol source depletion, then device complexity is kept simple, but measurement precision deteriorates as depletion cannot be detected early or distinguished by location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the heating element and temperature sensor to serve dual purposes: not only do they perform their primary function of heating and temperature monitoring, but they also provide depletion detection data through standard deviation analysis of temperature values. This self-service approach improves measurement precision without adding separate detection hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring temperature standard deviation during heating cycles and comparing it to a reference standard deviation. This feedback mechanism provides early and precise detection of aerosol source depletion, allowing the system to identify the problem before it affects aerosol generation quality
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 solution enables early detection of aerosol source depletion, improves precision in determining aerosol availability, and identifies issues in the storage and holding units, ensuring consistent aerosol supply and fragrance generation.
Implementation Method 1
a load for atomizing the aerosol source by heat generated by receiving supply of electric power from an electric power source
Implementation Method 2
a sensor for outputting a value relating to temperature of the load
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol generating device which can infer or detect the state of at least one of a storage and a receptacle for an aerosol source, the aerosol generation device includes: a load which atomizes the aerosol source by generating heat with power supplied from a power source; a sensor which outputs values relating to the temperature of the load; and a controller. The controller infers or detects the state of at least one of the storage and the receptacle based on at least an output value of the sensor in a first power supply cycle, an output value of the sensor in a second power supply cycle, or a value relating to behavior of the temperature of the load in the second power supply cycle.