Heater Temperature Slope Detection for Over-Humidified Aerosol Articles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating devices face challenges in determining whether an aerosol generating article is over-humidified, which can lead to the generation of high-temperature aerosols, causing user discomfort. Additionally, incorporating a separate humidity sensor complicates device miniaturization.

Innovation Solution

The aerosol generating device employs a temperature sensor to determine if the aerosol generating article is over-humidified by measuring the heat capacity of the article. This is done by controlling the heater to reach a specific temperature and analyzing the temperature inclination over a preset time period.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a separate humidity sensor is provided to determine whether the aerosol generating article is over-humidified, then the determination accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases and miniaturization becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidity determination accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the humidity detection function into the existing temperature sensor by analyzing the temperature inclination characteristics during the heating process. Instead of using a separate humidity sensor, the system determines humidity status by examining how the temperature changes over time, specifically the inclination value calculated from temperature measurements at different time points. This integration eliminates additional sensors and reduces device complexity while maintaining determination accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature sensor is given a multi-functional role: it not only monitors the heater temperature for normal operation but also serves as the primary sensor for determining whether the aerosol generating article is over-humidified. By analyzing the temperature inclination (rate of change) during the heating phase, the same sensor provides humidity-related information, eliminating the need for dedicated humidity sensing components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If a separate humidity sensor is provided to determine whether the aerosol generating article is over-humidified, then the determination accuracy is improved, but the miniaturization of the aerosol generating device becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidity determination accuracyVSAvoiddevice volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the aerosol generating article is over-humidified and heated, then the aerosol generation process continues, but high-temperature aerosol is generated causing user discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol generation continuityVSAvoiduser discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the temperature inclination during the heating process. When the inclination value falls within a predetermined range indicating over-humidified conditions, the controller adjusts the heating power or terminates the heating process to prevent high-temperature aerosol generation. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt heating parameters based on real-time humidity status detection, ensuring user comfort while maintaining operational continuity for normally humidified articles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 allows for accurate determination of aerosol generating article humidity without the need for a separate humidity sensor, enabling the device to adjust heating temperatures accordingly and prevent the inhalation of high-temperature aerosols, thus enhancing user comfort and facilitating miniaturization.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the heater

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat capacity measurement: Calorimetry

Implementation Method 2

a heater configured to heat an aerosol to generate an aerosol generating article

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4088600B1Aerosol-generation apparatus for determining whether aerosol-generation article is over-humidified

Publication Date: 2025.06.18 KT&G CO LTD

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AI summary

According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes: a heater configured to heat an aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol; a battery configured to supply power to the heater; a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the heater; and a controller configured to control power supplied to the heater from the battery to: increase the temperature of the heater to a first temperature; obtain an inclination indicating an amount of change in the temperature of the heater with respect to time during a preset time period from a time when the temperature of the heater is expected to reach the first temperature; and determine whether the aerosol generating article is over-humidified based on the obtained inclination.