Aerosol Inhalator Control Device for Depletion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol inhalators, such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers, face challenges in determining the residual amount of the aerosol source accurately due to changes in heater temperature caused by inhalation, leading to insufficient aerosol supply and incorrect determination of aerosol depletion.
Innovation Solution
A control device with sensors to detect inhalation and correct temperature values or thresholds, ensuring accurate determination of aerosol source depletion or insufficiency regardless of inhalation, by adjusting values based on inhalation strength and temperature changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If heater temperature is monitored to determine aerosol source depletion, then depletion detection capability is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to temperature changes caused by inhalation
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors heater temperature and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the threshold for determining aerosol source depletion. When inhalation is detected, the threshold is adjusted to account for the expected temperature drop, ensuring accurate depletion detection despite the temperature fluctuation caused by inhalation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used for depletion detection from absolute temperature to temperature change rate (dT/dt). This parameter transformation allows the system to distinguish between temperature changes caused by inhalation and those caused by actual aerosol source depletion, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy despite temperature fluctuations.
2Reliability
If threshold is lowered to detect insufficient aerosol source, then sensitivity is improved, but false positive rate increases due to inhalation-induced temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the detection parameter from absolute temperature to temperature change rate (dT/dt). This allows the use of a lower threshold for sensitivity while avoiding false positives, because the rate of change distinguishes between normal inhalation-induced temperature drops and actual depletion conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The threshold for depletion detection is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system adjusts the threshold based on the current operating state and detected inhalation events, allowing high sensitivity during non-inhalation periods while maintaining accuracy during inhalation when temperature naturally fluctuates.
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
Enables proper determination of aerosol source depletion, leading to energy savings by ensuring timely replacement and maintaining consistent aerosol supply, independent of inhalation effects on heater temperature.
Implementation Method 1
a load configured to atomize an aerosol source using heat generated by supply of electric power
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a control device for an aerosol inhalator capable of compensating changes in temperature of a heater due to inhalation.A control device for an aerosol inhalator includes a first sensor for obtaining a first value relating to a temperature of a load which atomizes an aerosol source stored in a reservoir or retained by an aerosol base using heat generated by supply of electric power, a second sensor configured to detect an inhalation, and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to determine, based on a second value based on the first value and a threshold, whether the aerosol source in the reservoir or the aerosol base is depleted or insufficient (850A), and correct at least one of the second value and the threshold when detecting the inhalation (840) and, in the determination, compare the second value and the threshold, at least one of the second value and the threshold being corrected (842).