Heating Element Temperature Control for Smoking Substitute Aerosol
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smoking substitute devices face challenges in controlling the power supplied to heating elements, leading to over-heating or under-heating of e-liquid/tobacco, which can result in an undesirable user experience and exposure to harmful substances.
Innovation Solution
A system for controlling the power supplied to a heating element using a receiver module, sensor, and controller that determines the temperature of the heating element based on a periodic signal, ensuring it converges to a predetermined threshold, thereby preventing over-heating and under-heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If power is continuously supplied to the heating element to maintain aerosol production, then the heating element may overheat and produce harmful substances, but if power is reduced or interrupted, then the heating element may underheat and fail to produce adequate aerosol
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by supplying power to the heating element in controlled cycles rather than continuously. The controller activates the heating element for a first period, then interrupts power supply for a second period, creating a periodic heating pattern. This prevents overheating and harmful substance generation while maintaining adequate aerosol production through the alternating heating and cooling cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors the heating element's temperature and adjusts power supply accordingly. The controller receives signals from temperature sensors and modifies the heating element's power supply in response, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents both overheating and underheating while maintaining consistent aerosol production.
2Productivity
If the heating element is heated to high temperatures to ensure adequate aerosol production, then the user experiences better vapor generation, but the heating element may overheat and generate harmful by-products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action to heat the aerosol-former material to optimal temperatures for efficient aerosol generation, then interrupts heating to prevent overheating. The controller supplies power in periodic cycles, allowing the material to be heated sufficiently for good vapor generation while preventing the temperatures that would produce harmful by-products.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter dynamically by controlling the heating element's power supply in periodic cycles. The controller adjusts the heating intensity and duration to maintain temperatures within the optimal range for aerosol generation, avoiding both underheating and overheating conditions that would produce harmful substances.
3Productivity
If the heating element is heated to high temperatures to ensure adequate aerosol production, then the user experiences better vapor generation, but combustion may occur producing tar and harmful substances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action to control the heating element's temperature, supplying power in controlled cycles that prevent the material from reaching combustion temperatures. The alternating heating and cooling periods ensure adequate vapor generation while maintaining temperatures below the combustion threshold, thereby preventing tar and harmful substance production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of overheating into a benefit by using controlled periodic heating cycles. The interruption of power supply creates cooling periods that prevent combustion, transforming what would be a harmful continuous heating process into a beneficial controlled heating cycle that generates vapor without combustion by-products.
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
The system efficiently maintains the heating element at the optimal temperature, reducing overshoot and improving user experience by ensuring consistent aerosol production without harmful substance exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element configured to heat the e-liquid or the tobacco when powered
Implementation Method 2
a sensor configured to determine a temperature of the heating element in response to the receipt of a signal event
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling a smoking substitute device having a heating element. The system comprises a receiver module configured to receive a periodic signal. The periodic signal is in the form of a series of signal events. The system also comprises a sensor configured to determine a temperature of the heating element in response to the receipt of a signal event of the periodic signal by the receiver module, and a controller. If the determined temperature is below a predetermined threshold, the controller is configured to cause power to be supplied to the heating element for a heating period, the heating period being shorter than or equal to the period of the periodic signal.