Inductive Heating Circuit Temperature Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol generating devices face challenges in accurately determining the temperature of a susceptor arrangement without significantly heating it, which is crucial for efficient aerosol production and user safety.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a control arrangement that switches between operational and temperature determination modes by altering the voltage supplied to the heating circuit, using a resonant LC circuit with a voltage regulator to adjust the voltage and determine the susceptor's temperature based on electrical properties such as frequency, current, and impedance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the heating circuit is supplied with voltage to inductively heat the susceptor arrangement for aerosol generation, then aerosol production is enabled, but the susceptor temperature becomes difficult to determine without significant heating
Solution Approach 1:
The system alternates between operational mode (first voltage for aerosol generation) and temperature determination mode (second voltage for measurement). This periodic switching allows temperature measurement at specific intervals without continuous heating, resolving the contradiction between enabling aerosol production and accurately determining temperature without excessive heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the voltage parameter from a first voltage level during operational mode to a second voltage level during temperature determination mode. This parameter change enables the heating circuit to function as a measurement tool at lower voltage, allowing temperature determination without the significant heating that occurs at higher voltage levels.
2Measurement precision
If a separate temperature sensing circuit is added to measure susceptor temperature, then temperature measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating circuit is designed to perform dual functions: aerosol generation in operational mode and temperature determination in measurement mode. By making the heating circuit multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for a separate temperature sensing circuit, thereby improving temperature measurement capability without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the temperature determination function with the existing heating circuit by utilizing its inductive coupling capability. This merging of functions allows the same hardware to serve both heating and measurement purposes, avoiding the addition of separate temperature sensing components and reducing overall device complexity.
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 approach allows for precise temperature determination of the susceptor arrangement without substantial heating, enabling optimal aerosol generation and improved device performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heating circuit comprising an inductive element for inductively heating a susceptor arrangement to heat an aerosol generating material to thereby generate an aerosol
Implementation Method 2
a temperature determiner for determining a temperature of the susceptor arrangement based on one or more electrical properties of the heating circuit influenced by the temperature of the susceptor arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for an aerosol generating device includes a heating circuit including an inductive element for inductively heating a susceptor arrangement to heat an aerosol generating material to thereby generate an aerosol, a temperature determiner for determining a temperature of the susceptor arrangement based on one or more electrical properties of the heating circuit influenced by the temperature of the susceptor arrangement, and a control arrangement. Aerosol generating systems and methods of operating an aerosol generating system are also provided.