Infrared Heating Structure for Sensitive Vaping Puff Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol generating devices face low sensitivity in detecting puffing actions due to the inefficiency of airflow sensors and temperature drop detection methods, which complicates the airway structure and reduces detection accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol generating device equipped with a heating structure, temperature measurement unit, and control part, where the heating component generates infrared light to heat an aerosol-forming substrate, and the temperature measurement unit monitors temperature changes to detect puffing actions, utilizing thermocouples or resistance temperature measuring films for precise temperature sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If an airflow sensor is used to detect puffing action, then detection capability is provided, but the airway structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the puffing detection function from the airflow sensor and implements it through the existing heating element by monitoring temperature drop. This removes the need for separate airflow sensing components and simplifies the airway structure while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element serves dual functions: heating the aerosol-forming substrate and detecting puffing actions through temperature monitoring. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated airflow sensors and reduces overall device complexity.
2Device complexity
If the heating element is used to detect puffing action by temperature drop, then device structure is simplified, but detection sensitivity is low due to continuous heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element operates in periodic cycles with heating phases and idle phases. During idle phases when the heating element is not actively generating heat, temperature drop detection becomes highly sensitive to puffing actions, resolving the sensitivity issue caused by continuous heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares the heating element to be in an idle or low-heat state before detection is needed, ensuring that temperature changes from puffing are clearly detectable. This preliminary preparation of the thermal state enhances detection sensitivity.
3Device complexity
If the heating element is closely attached to the housing, then structural compactness is achieved, but temperature measurement accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements spatially differentiated temperature measurement by placing temperature sensors at specific locations on the housing that are thermally coupled to the heating element. This localized sensing approach maintains structural compactness while achieving accurate temperature measurement for puff detection.
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 device achieves high sensitivity in detecting puffing actions by measuring temperature changes, simplifying the airway structure, and reducing product costs without the need for complex airflow sensors, thereby improving detection accuracy and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the heating component is electrified for heating and generates infrared light, and the infrared light passes through the housing to heat an aerosol-forming substrate
Implementation Method 2
the temperature measurement unit includes a first temperature sensor or a second temperature sensor; the first temperature sensor includes a thermocouple
Implementation Method 3
the second temperature sensor includes a resistance temperature measuring film or a thermistor
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device and a puff detection method therefor. The aerosol generating device includes a heating structure, a temperature measurement unit, and a control part. The heating structure includes a heating component and a housing. The heating component is at least partially spaced apart from the housing. The heating component is electrified for heating and generates infrared light, and the infrared light passes through the housing to heat an aerosol-forming substrate. The temperature measurement unit is arranged on the heating structure or is spaced apart from the heating structure, and is configured to measure the temperature of the heating structure. The control part monitors the temperature of the heating structure and detects a puffing action of a user according to a change in the temperature of the heating structure. According to the aerosol generating device, the temperature of the heating structure is measured by the additionally-arranged temperature measurement unit, and then whether a puffing action occurs can be accurately determined according to the change in the temperature of the temperature measurement unit. Sensitivity of puffing action detection is high, and a test result is stable and reliable.