Heating Element Depletion Detection via Thermal Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically operated aerosol generating systems, such as smoking systems, face challenges in determining the depletion of liquid aerosol-forming substrates within the liquid storage portion, leading to inconsistent aerosol properties and user experience, as they lack effective monitoring mechanisms to detect remaining substrate levels.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating electric circuitry that monitors the temperature change of the heating element in relation to the power applied, allowing for estimation of the aerosol-forming substrate's amount, which can deactivate the heater when the substrate is depleted and provide user notifications for refilling, thereby maintaining aerosol quality and user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no monitoring mechanism is used to detect substrate depletion, then the device complexity is reduced, but the aerosol properties become inconsistent and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element serves dual functions: heating the liquid substrate and simultaneously acting as a temperature sensor to detect substrate depletion. The electric circuitry monitors the heating element's temperature and power consumption to determine when substrate is depleted, eliminating the need for separate sensing components while maintaining reliable aerosol generation throughout the liquid supply duration
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the relationship between power applied to the heating element and resulting temperature change. When substrate depletion causes temperature deviations from expected values, the feedback mechanism enables the system to detect this condition and provide user notifications or deactivate the heater, ensuring consistent aerosol properties throughout operation
2Ease of operation
If substrate depletion is not detected, then the device operation is simplified, but suboptimal aerosols are created resulting in poor user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element's thermal characteristics are exploited to simultaneously perform heating and depletion detection functions. By monitoring temperature and power consumption patterns, the system self-determines substrate depletion status without requiring separate mechanical or optical sensing mechanisms, maintaining operational simplicity while ensuring aerosol quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in the heating element's thermal parameters (temperature, power consumption rate) to detect substrate depletion. As liquid substrate is consumed, the heating element's temperature response to applied power changes in a detectable manner, enabling the system to maintain aerosol quality through parameter-based detection rather than complex mechanical monitoring
3Loss of information
If the liquid storage portion is empty, then refilling is needed, but without detection the user cannot know when refilling is required
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element serves as both the heating component and the detection sensor for substrate depletion. The electric circuitry analyzes the heating element's temperature and power consumption to determine when liquid substrate is depleted, providing users with information about substrate levels without requiring separate sensors or complex detection systems
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element acts as an intermediary that translates substrate depletion into detectable thermal signals. By monitoring the relationship between applied power and temperature change, the system converts the abstract concept of 'liquid level' into measurable thermal parameters that trigger user notifications
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 ensures consistent aerosol properties by accurately detecting substrate depletion, preventing the creation of suboptimal aerosols and informing users when the substrate is low, thus enhancing user experience and maintaining system hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
an electric heater comprising at least one heating element for heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate
Implementation Method 2
The heated aerosol-forming substrate contained in the vaporizer will be vaporized
Implementation Method 3
a capillary wick for delivering liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid storage portion to the heating element
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an electrically operated aerosol generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate. The system includes a liquid storage portion for storing liquid aerosol-forming substrate, an electric heater including at least one heating element for heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, and electric circuitry for determining depletion of liquid aerosol-forming substrate heated by the heater based on a relationship between a temperature of the heating element and power applied to the heating element. There is also provided a method in an electrically operated aerosol generating system including a liquid storage portion for storing liquid aerosol-forming substrate and an electric heater including at least one heating element for heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, the method including determining depletion of liquid aerosol-forming substrate heated by the heater based on a relationship between a temperature of the heating element and power applied to the heating element.