Heater Temperature Sensing Circuit for Stable Aerosol Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol-generating devices face challenges in accurately determining heater temperature, experiencing significant resistance variation with temperature changes, leading to inconsistent heat and aerosol production.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a first resistor with a higher temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) in contact with the heater, a second resistor with a lower TCR, and a sensor to monitor current through the second resistor, allowing precise temperature estimation and controlled heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heating element is used to heat the liquid, then the liquid can be vaporized to form aerosol, but the liquid may be degraded by excessive heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional thermal heating system with a ultrasonic vibration system. The ultrasonic vibrator generates mechanical vibrations at ultrasonic frequencies that directly agitate and vaporize the liquid through cavitation and mechanical energy, eliminating the need for thermal heating and thus preventing thermal degradation of the liquid components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes ultrasonic-induced phase transition where ultrasonic vibrations directly transform liquid into aerosol phase through cavitation bubbles and mechanical energy, bypassing the conventional thermal heating pathway. This phase transition occurs at lower temperatures, preventing liquid degradation while achieving the desired aerosol formation.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional aerosol generation methods are used, then aerosol can be produced, but the device structure becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from conventional aerosol generation systems. By using only an ultrasonic vibrator, liquid reservoir, and nozzle assembly, the design removes complex heating elements, temperature control systems, and power supplies, resulting in a simplified structure that is both easier to manufacture and more cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic vibrator serves multiple functions simultaneously: it agitates the liquid to prevent settling, generates cavitation bubbles for aerosol formation, and provides the mechanical energy for vaporization. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate heating elements and aerosol generation components, simplifying the overall device structure.
3Quantity of substance
If liquid is stored in a reservoir for aerosol generation, then aerosol can be produced, but the liquid may settle and separate into layers
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic vibrator continuously agitates the liquid in the reservoir before and during aerosol generation, preventing components from settling and separating. This preliminary and continuous agitation maintains homogeneous mixing of liquid components, ensuring consistent aerosol composition throughout the liquid's storage period.
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 design maintains consistent heat and aerosol production by minimizing resistance variation, enabling accurate temperature sensing and efficient power usage.
Implementation Method 1
an aerosol-generating device that generates an aerosol by causing a liquid to vaporise using ultrasonic vibrations
Implementation Method 2
causing a liquid to vaporise using ultrasonic vibrations
Data Source
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AI summary
An aerosol-generating device is disclosed. The aerosol-generating device of the present disclosure includes a cartridge, which includes a chamber configure to store a liquid, a wick for receiving the liquid from the chamber, and a heater for heating the wick, a case, to which the cartridge is detachably coupled and which has an insertion space formed to accommodate insertion of a stick therein, a first circuit including the heater, and a second circuit for sensing the temperature of the heater. The second circuit includes a first resistor, which is disposed to be in contact with or adjacent to the heater to receive heat from the heater, wherein a resistance value of the first resistor is variable based on changes in the temperature thereof, a second resistor connected to the first resistor, and a sensor for acquiring the value of current applied to the second resistor.