Inductive Heating Susceptor Calibration for Aerosol Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol-generating devices with inductive heating systems face challenges in accurately and reliably monitoring and controlling the temperature of the susceptor, which affects the quality and consistency of aerosol production, especially when using separate aerosol-forming articles not manufactured with the device.
Innovation Solution
A method for calibrating the inductive heating device during user operation, using calibration values obtained from monitoring conductance, resistance, or current measurements to maintain target operating values, ensuring accurate temperature control and flexibility for various susceptor types, and preventing unauthorized article use through pre-heating processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If calibration is performed at manufacturing, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different susceptor types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs calibration during the first heating phase of operation, which is a preliminary action taken before normal aerosol generation. This preliminary calibration establishes baseline values (minimum and maximum heating power) that enable the device to adapt to different susceptor types while maintaining controlled complexity in the calibration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-calibration automatically during initial operation without requiring external intervention or specialized manufacturing processes. The system uses its own heating elements and sensors to determine calibration values, making the device adaptable to different susceptors while keeping the calibration mechanism simple and integrated.
2Reliability
If temperature monitoring is more frequent and accurate, then aerosol production consistency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent continuously monitors temperature during the second heating phase using the same heating elements in a feedback loop, rather than performing discrete measurement actions. This continuous monitoring maintains reliable temperature control while minimizing additional energy consumption by reusing the existing heating infrastructure for dual purposes (heating and sensing).
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where temperature measurements from the susceptor are used to adjust heating power in real-time during aerosol generation. This feedback mechanism ensures consistent temperature control and reliable aerosol production without requiring excessive monitoring energy, as the system only adjusts power when deviations are detected.
3Adaptability or versatility
If calibration values are stored for multiple susceptor types, then adaptability is improved, but memory requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent determines calibration values (minimum and maximum heating power) as quantitative parameters during the first heating phase. These parameter values are stored in memory and used by the controller to adjust heating power during subsequent phases. By using simple numerical parameters rather than complex calibration profiles, the system achieves multi-susceptor adaptability while keeping memory requirements and device complexity low.
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 method provides accurate, reliable, and cost-effective temperature regulation, ensuring consistent aerosol production and preventing unauthorized article use, while allowing for multiple susceptor types and maintaining optimal aerosol quality throughout device use.
Implementation Method 1
The inductor generates an alternating magnetic field that causes heating in the susceptor
Implementation Method 2
Inductive heating devices typically comprise an inductor that inductively couples to a susceptor. The inductor generates an alternating magnetic field that causes heating in the susceptor.
Implementation Method 3
heat is transferred from the susceptor to the aerosol-forming substrate primarily by conduction
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A method (800) for controlling aerosol production in an aerosol-generating device (200) is provided. The method comprises: performing (820), during a first heating phase during user operation of the aerosol-generating device (200) for producing an aerosol, a calibration process for defining a first calibration value and a second calibration value of an inductive heating arrangement (320), wherein the first calibration value is associated with a first calibration temperature of a susceptor (160) inductively coupled to the inductive heating arrangement and the second calibration value is associated with a second calibration temperature of the susceptor, wherein the susceptor is configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate (110); and during a second heating phase, controlling (840) power provided to the inductive heating arrangement to maintain a target operating value of the inductive heating arrangement within the first calibration value and the second calibration value.