Inhalation Controller Mode Switching for Power and Responsiveness

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generation systems face challenges in balancing power saving and responsiveness to user operations, with a need for improved mode switching between operation and sleep modes to optimize power consumption and user interaction.

Innovation Solution

The aerosol generation system incorporates a controller and external power supply with a processor-controlled mode switching mechanism, allowing for efficient switching between operation and sleep modes, enabling both power saving and enhanced responsiveness to user operations by managing the heater's energization and charging processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the system switches to sleep mode to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but responsiveness to user operations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidresponsiveness to user operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on real-time conditions. The processor transitions between operation mode and sleep mode depending on whether charging is detected and whether user operations occur. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize power consumption while maintaining responsiveness when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from charging detection circuits and operation detection circuits to make mode switching decisions. When charging is detected or a user operation is detected, the system switches from sleep mode to operation mode, ensuring power saving during idle charging periods while maintaining responsiveness when users interact with the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If the system remains in operation mode to maintain responsiveness, then responsiveness to user operations is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponsiveness to user operationsVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic monitoring of charging status and user operations to determine mode transitions. Rather than continuously operating at full power, the system periodically checks for charging connections and user interactions, switching to sleep mode between these checks to reduce power consumption while maintaining the ability to respond quickly when events occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically manages its own power state based on detected conditions without requiring user intervention. The processor autonomously transitions between operation and sleep modes based on charging detection and operation detection, eliminating the need for users to manually manage power states while still achieving power savings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If mode switching is implemented for power saving, then power consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidmode switching mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments its operational states into distinct modes (operation mode and sleep mode) with clearly defined transition conditions. This segmentation simplifies the control logic by creating discrete, manageable states rather than continuous complexity, making the mode switching mechanism easier to implement and maintain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The processor performs multiple functions by operating in different modes - full operational processing in operation mode and minimal monitoring in sleep mode. This multi-functionality allows a single processor to handle both high-performance tasks and low-power monitoring without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 achieves both power saving and improved responsiveness to user operations by effectively switching between modes, ensuring efficient power management and optimal performance in the aerosol generation system.

Implementation Method 1

aerosol generation device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol forming substance by a heater

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3964088B1Aerosol generation system, controller for inhalation device, and power supply device
Publication Date: 2023.05.24 JAPAN TOBACCO INC
  • EP3964088B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3964088B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3964088B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides an aerosol generation system comprising: a controller for an inhalation device, the controller including a first power supply, a first connector, and a first processor configured to perform energization control of a heater which is used to heat an aerosol source, and a power supply device including a second power supply, a second connector which is electrically connected to the first connector at the time of charging of the first power supply, and a second processor configured to perform control of power supply from the second power supply to the controller via the second connector, wherein the first processor has a first operation mode and a first sleep mode, and the second processor has a second operation mode and a second sleep mode.