Aerosol Inhaler Load Temperature Control via Voltage Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol inhalers face challenges in accurately controlling the temperature of the load, which can lead to decreased control accuracy and increased cost and size, as existing techniques do not adequately consider the temperature accuracy required for effective aerosol generation.
Innovation Solution
A control device for aerosol inhalers that includes a voltage sensor, a known resistor connected in series with the load, and a control circuit capable of acquiring the load's temperature with a resolution of 10 °C or less, using a load with a resistance temperature coefficient of 200 ppm/°C or more, such as stainless steel or nichrome, to accurately measure and control the temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the required accuracy of the temperature of the load is excessively high, then the control accuracy is improved, but the cost and size of the aerosol inhaler are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of temperature measurement resolution to 10°C or less, which provides sufficient control accuracy for aerosol generation without requiring excessively high precision measurements that would increase device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex temperature measurement systems with a simpler voltage-based measurement system that uses a voltage sensor to measure voltage across a known resistor, from which temperature is calculated based on the resistance-temperature correlation of the load
2Measurement precision
If the required accuracy of the temperature of the load is excessively high, then the control accuracy is improved, but the cost of the aerosol inhaler is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent sets the temperature resolution parameter to 10°C or less, which balances measurement accuracy with manufacturing cost by avoiding unnecessarily high precision requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes expensive complex temperature sensing systems with a cost-effective voltage measurement approach using standard voltage sensors and known resistors, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining adequate temperature control accuracy
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 solution enables precise temperature control of the load, improving the accuracy of aerosol generation while minimizing the cost and size of the inhaler, ensuring efficient aerosol production with appropriate temperature resolution.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage sensor configured to output a voltage value applied to the load; and a control circuit configured to acquire the temperature of the load based on output of the voltage sensor
Implementation Method 2
a load heating an aerosol generation source
Implementation Method 3
a load, which is configured to heat an aerosol generation source and is formed of stainless steel or nichrome having a resistance temperature coefficient of 200 [ppm/° C.] or more
Data Source
AI summary
A control device of an aerosol inhaler including a load heating an aerosol generation source, in which a temperature and an electric resistance value of the load are correlated. The control device includes: a voltage sensor configured to output a voltage value applied to the load; a known resistor which is connected in series to the load; and a control circuit configured to acquire the temperature of the load based on output of the voltage sensor. The control circuit is configured such that a resolution of the temperature of the load acquired based on the output of the voltage sensor is 10 [° C.] or less.