Inductive Resonant Heating Control for Aerosol Susceptor Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol generating devices for smoking alternatives, such as tobacco heating devices, face challenges in efficiently and effectively heating aerosol generating materials without combustion, requiring innovative solutions for controlled heating processes.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a resonant circuit with inductive and capacitive elements, coupled with a switching arrangement and control module, to inductively heat susceptor arrangements, switching between heating and non-heating phases to generate aerosol, with frequency and duty cycle settings based on heating requirements and temperature measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If inductive heating is used to heat aerosol generating material, then heating efficiency is improved, but control precision of heating temperature deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic switching between heating phase and non-heating phase in the inductive heating process. The control module switches the resonant circuit between conducting state (heating phase) and non-conducting state (non-heating phase), creating periodic heating action that enables better temperature control while maintaining heating efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the duty cycle ratio (ratio of heating phase duration to total cycle duration) based on temperature feedback from the temperature sensor. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt the heating intensity in real-time, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high heating efficiency and achieving precise temperature control
2Productivity
If continuous heating is applied to generate aerosol, then aerosol generation effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic heating with alternating heating and non-heating phases instead of continuous heating. During the heating phase, aerosol is generated; during the non-heating phase, the system reduces energy consumption while maintaining sufficient aerosol generation through thermal retention, thus improving energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous aerosol generation effectiveness by optimizing the duty cycle ratio and heating frequency, maintaining sufficient heating duration within each cycle to sustain aerosol production while introducing non-heating phases to reduce overall energy consumption
3Productivity
If heating frequency is increased to improve aerosol generation speed, then productivity is improved, but temperature control stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a temperature sensor and control module that form a feedback loop. The temperature sensor continuously monitors the heating element temperature, and the control module adjusts the duty cycle ratio based on this feedback, stabilizing temperature control even at higher heating frequencies
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the duty cycle ratio in response to temperature feedback, allowing the system to maintain temperature stability while operating at higher frequencies for improved aerosol generation speed
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 enables efficient and controlled aerosol generation, ensuring effective heating of aerosol materials without combustion, optimizing heating modes for non-combustible aerosol provision systems like tobacco heating systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first resonant circuit comprising one or more inductive elements and one or more capacitive elements, wherein the one or more inductive elements of the first resonant circuit are for inductively heating a first susceptor arrangement to heat an aerosol generating material
Implementation Method 2
a first resonant circuit comprising one or more inductive elements and one or more capacitive elements
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method and computer program can include generating, obtaining or receiving a first control signal, at or from a control module, for switching elements of a first switching arrangement, wherein the control module implements a heating phase operation and a non-heating phase of operation of a first resonant circuit. The first resonant circuit includes one or more inductive elements and one or more capacitive elements, wherein the one or more inductive elements are for inductively heating a first susceptor arrangement to heat an aerosol generating material to thereby generate an aerosol. The first switching arrangement has a first state (in which a varying current is generated from a voltage supply and flows through the one or more inductive elements of the first resonant circuit) and a second state (in which the first switching arrangement is non-conducting).