Self-Activated Electric Heater for Aerosol Substrate Depletion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically heated vaping systems inaccurately determine the depletion of liquid aerosol-forming substrate due to variations in heater temperature caused by negative pressure application, leading to potential overheating and system damage.
Innovation Solution
An electrically operated aerosol-generating system with electronic circuitry that self-activates the electric heater during periods of inactivity to determine depletion of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate based on power applied and resulting temperature change, allowing for precise estimation of substrate levels without requiring vape activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the electric heater is activated only during vaping, then power consumption is reduced, but the measurement precision of substrate depletion is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement actions by activating the heater during inactivity periods before actual vaping occurs. This allows substrate depletion to be measured in advance under controlled conditions without liquid flow interference, improving measurement precision while limiting power consumption to specific predetermined time windows.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater is activated periodically during predetermined inactivity periods rather than continuously or only during vaping. This periodic activation pattern enables regular substrate level checks while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the heater temperature varies during vaping, then the system responds to user demand, but the measurement precision of substrate depletion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the heater's operation into distinct functional modes: measurement mode during inactivity periods when the heater is activated for substrate assessment, and vaping mode when the heater responds to user demand. This segmentation allows each mode to optimize its performance without interfering with the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic circuitry acts as an intermediary that controls heater activation based on system state. It determines when to activate the heater for measurement purposes versus when to leave it inactive, mediating between the need for accurate substrate monitoring and the need to preserve battery power.
3Measurement precision
If the electric heater is self-activated during inactivity, then substrate depletion is accurately determined, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically activating the heater during inactivity periods to assess its own substrate levels. The heater serves dual purposes: both heating during vaping and self-monitoring during inactivity, eliminating the need for separate sensing hardware and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the heating element during vaping and as a measurement tool during inactivity periods. This universal component performs multiple functions, reducing the need for additional dedicated sensors or measurement devices.
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 more accurate determination of liquid aerosol-forming substrate depletion, preventing overheating and potential system damage by allowing for independent substrate level monitoring, and reducing power consumption through infrequent self-activation.
Implementation Method 1
an electric heater including at least one heating element configured to heat the liquid aerosol-forming substrate
Implementation Method 2
the battery power supply is switched on to activate the electric heater and vaporize the heated aerosol-forming substrate
Implementation Method 3
a capillary wick configured to convey the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid storage portion to the heating element
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic vaping device includes a liquid storage portion, an electric heater and electronic circuitry. The liquid storage portion is configured to store liquid vapor-forming substrate. The electric heater includes at least one heating element, the at least one heating element configured to heat the liquid vapor-forming substrate. The electronic circuitry is configured to self-activate the electric heater for a first time interval during a period of inactivity of the electric heater to determine depletion of the liquid vapor-forming substrate based on a relationship between a power applied to the at least one heating element and a resulting temperature change of the at least one heating element.