Multi-Functional Induction Heater for Battery Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol-generating devices face challenges with battery performance at low and high temperatures, leading to reduced capacity and voltage, and potential damage during charging, which can result in device inoperability and increased costs, weight, and size due to the need for additional heaters.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a dual-function heater that utilizes existing components to maintain battery temperature within optimal ranges by switching between heating functions based on temperature sensors and external data, avoiding unnecessary overheating and using a single induction coil for both heating and charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional heater is included to heat the battery at low temperatures, then battery performance is improved, but device weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is designed to perform dual functions: heating the aerosol-generating substrate during operation and heating the battery when needed. By making the heating element universal, the patent eliminates the need for a separate battery heater, thereby avoiding increased device weight and size while still ensuring reliable battery performance at low temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the battery heating function with the existing heating element that heats the aerosol-generating substrate. These two heating functions are merged into a single component, allowing the system to maintain battery temperature without requiring additional heater components, thus preventing weight and size increases
2Reliability
If an additional heater is included to heat the battery at low temperatures, then battery performance is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is designed to perform dual functions: heating the aerosol-generating substrate during operation and heating the battery when needed. By making the heating element universal, the patent eliminates the need for a separate battery heater, thereby reducing device cost while still ensuring reliable battery performance at low temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the battery heating function with the existing heating element that heats the aerosol-generating substrate. This merging of functions reduces the total number of components required, simplifying manufacturing and reducing device cost
3Reliability
If the battery is unchangingly heated to prevent cold, then battery temperature is maintained, but overheating and damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The heating control system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The controller adjusts the heating element's operation based on real-time temperature sensor feedback, switching between heating modes (battery heating, substrate heating, or idle) as conditions change. This dynamic control prevents continuous heating and avoids overheating damage while maintaining battery temperature when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where temperature sensors continuously monitor battery and substrate temperatures, and the controller adjusts heating element operation based on this feedback. This closed-loop control ensures the battery is heated only when necessary and at appropriate temperatures, preventing overheating and damage while maintaining reliable temperature maintenance
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 battery operation within desired temperature ranges, reduces device weight and size, and avoids overheating, while using existing components to save costs and enhance portability and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The heater (14) is an induction heater comprising an induction coil
Implementation Method 2
The heater (14) is an induction heater comprising an induction coil
Implementation Method 3
The heater (14) further comprises a susceptor in thermal proximity to the battery (12) and to the aerosol-generating substrate (24)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An electronic device comprises a battery (12) and a heater (14) for heating the battery as a first heating function. The heater further performs a second heating function, different from the first heating function. The device is configured to switch between the first and second heating functions depending on the temperature of battery. The heater also has a third function of inductively charging the battery by an auxiliary circuit (26). The battery and the heater are mounted on a flexible substrate (16). A functional circuit (20) includes a control unit (22) to determine the optimal time and parameters to operate the heater (14) for each function, and is able to communicate with an external data source (28) to obtain the time and parameters. The device may be an aerosol generating device for heating an aerosol-generating article (24).