Heating Element Pulse Control for Stable Aerosol Temperature
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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 in smoking substitute devices, using a controller to maintain the temperature at a predetermined threshold by determining the heating element's temperature at regular intervals and adjusting power supply accordingly, employing a sensor and an electronic switch to prevent overheating or underheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If power is supplied continuously to the heating element, then aerosol production is maintained, but temperature overshoot and harmful substance generation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic pulsed power supply to the heating element instead of continuous power supply. The controller delivers power in controlled pulses, allowing the heating element temperature to rise during pulse periods and cool during inter-pulse periods. This periodic action maintains aerosol production while preventing temperature overshoot that generates harmful combustion byproducts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a temperature sensor to continuously monitor the heating element temperature and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller adjusts the power supply pulse duration and frequency based on the feedback temperature signal, ensuring the temperature remains within the optimal range for aerosol generation without exceeding thresholds that produce harmful substances.
2Productivity
If power supply is increased to prevent under-heating, then aerosol production improves, but over-heating and combustion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power supply control where the controller adjusts the pulse width and frequency of power delivery based on real-time temperature feedback. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to respond to changing thermal conditions, maintaining optimal temperature for aerosol production while preventing both under-heating and over-heating scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power supply parameters (voltage, current, pulse duration, frequency) dynamically based on temperature conditions. By adjusting these parameters in response to temperature feedback, the system maintains the heating element temperature within the optimal range for aerosol generation without causing combustion or harmful byproduct formation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If temperature control precision is improved, then harmful substance generation is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-regulating temperature control system where the temperature sensor continuously monitors the heating element temperature and automatically adjusts power supply through the controller. This self-service mechanism maintains precise temperature control without requiring external intervention or complex manual regulation, achieving harmful substance reduction while keeping the control system relatively simple.
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 effectively maintains the heating element's temperature at an optimal level, reducing overshoot and improving user experience by preventing over-heating and under-heating, thus ensuring a consistent aerosol production.
Implementation Method 1
electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heating device, which heats the e-liquid to produce an aerosol
Implementation Method 2
determining, by a sensor, the temperature of a heating element at each signal event of the periodic signal
Implementation Method 3
employing a sensor and an electronic switch to prevent overheating or underheating
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(c)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3
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.