Inductive Susceptor Heating Control for Even Aerosol Preheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol-generating devices face challenges in accurately monitoring and controlling the temperature of electrically-operated heat sources to ensure even heating of aerosol-forming substrates, preventing overheating, and maintaining optimal taste and aroma while avoiding undesirable compound generation.
Innovation Solution
An inductive heating device with a pre-heating process and calibration mechanism to adjust susceptor temperature based on measured power source parameters, ensuring even heat distribution and reliable temperature regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the pre-heating time is extended to improve heat distribution, then the heating evenness is improved, but the user experience is degraded due to longer wait time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a pre-heating process before the calibration process. During this pre-heating phase, power is provided to the inductive heating arrangement to cause an increase in susceptor temperature, allowing heat to spread evenly within the aerosol-forming substrate before measurements begin. This preliminary thermal equilibration enables subsequent calibration measurements to be taken under more uniform thermal conditions, improving measurement reliability without significantly extending total operation time.
2Speed
If the power provided to inductive heating arrangement is increased to reduce pre-heating time, then the heating speed is improved, but the temperature control precision is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by dividing the heating process into distinct phases with different power levels. The pre-heating phase uses higher power to rapidly increase temperature and reduce wait time, while the subsequent calibration and measurement phases use controlled, lower power levels to maintain temperature stability and measurement precision. This periodic modulation of heating power allows the system to achieve both fast heating and precise temperature control at different stages of operation.
3Loss of time
If the calibration process is performed immediately without pre-heating, then the measurement time is reduced, but the reliability of calibration values is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a pre-heating process before the calibration process. During this pre-heating phase, power is provided to the inductive heating arrangement to cause an increase in susceptor temperature, allowing heat to spread evenly within the aerosol-forming substrate before measurements begin. This preliminary thermal equilibration enables subsequent calibration measurements to be taken under more uniform thermal conditions, improving measurement reliability without significantly extending total operation time.
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 pre-heating process enhances even heat distribution and reduces temperature gradients, improving the reliability of aerosol production without extending pre-heating time, while preventing unauthorized aerosol-generating articles from being used.
Implementation Method 1
an inductive heating arrangement and a power source for providing power to the inductive heating arrangement
Implementation Method 2
a susceptor inductively coupled to the inductive heating arrangement, wherein the susceptor is configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate
Implementation Method 3
the susceptor is configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling aerosol production in an aerosol-generating device is provided, the device including an inductive heating arrangement and a power source, the method including: performing, during a first heating phase, a calibration process for measuring calibration values associated with a susceptor inductively coupled to the arrangement; during a second heating phase, controlling power such that a temperature of the susceptor is adjusted based on the calibration values; and performing a pre-heating process, during the first heating phase and before the calibration process, the process including: controlling the power provided to cause an increase of susceptor temperature, monitoring a power source parameter based on current, and interrupting provision of power at a first predetermined value of the parameter, the first predetermined value being associated with a current value greater than a minimum operating current, and the first value of the parameter being determined during manufacture.