Aerosol Inhaler Power Supply Control for Non-Simultaneous Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply units for aerosol inhalers face accelerated deterioration when discharging and charging are performed simultaneously, which can lead to increased temperature and structural changes, especially in lithium-ion batteries, making it crucial to prevent simultaneous charging and discharging to manage temperature effectively.
Innovation Solution
A power supply unit with separate discharging and charging terminals, where the control unit detects aerosol generation requests and prohibits simultaneous charging and discharging by controlling the charger and switch to ensure that charging and discharging occur alternately or only when necessary, using PWM or PFM control, and requiring specific user actions or time intervals to switch between charging and discharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If charging and discharging terminals are separately provided to enable simultaneous charging and discharging, then user convenience is improved, but power supply deterioration accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the charging and discharging process by using a control unit that monitors the state of charge and automatically adjusts the charging current. The system transitions between different charging phases (constant current phase and constant voltage phase) based on real-time battery status, preventing simultaneous full charging and discharging while maintaining user convenience through separate terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors battery parameters (voltage, current, temperature) and uses this feedback information to regulate the charging process. When the battery reaches certain charge levels or when discharging is detected, the system automatically adjusts or stops charging current, preventing harmful simultaneous operations while preserving the separate terminal configuration for user convenience.
2Use of energy by moving object
If charging is performed while discharging is possible through separate terminals, then charging efficiency may improve, but temperature management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit incorporates temperature monitoring and uses this feedback to regulate the charging process. When temperature exceeds predetermined thresholds during charging, the system automatically reduces or stops charging current, preventing thermal runaway while maintaining efficient charging under normal conditions through the separate terminal configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes charging parameters (current, voltage) based on real-time battery state. During the constant current phase, maximum efficient charging current is applied, but when approaching full charge or when temperature rises, the system transitions to constant voltage mode or reduces current, optimizing both charging efficiency and temperature management.
Data Source
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AI summary
A power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler includes: a power supply unit; a charging terminal electrically connected to an external power supply charging the power supply; a discharging terminal electrically connected to a load generating an aerosol from an aerosol source; and a control unit detecting a request for aerosol generation and controlling discharging of the power supply through the discharging terminal and charging of the power supply through the charging terminal. The external power supply can be electrically connected to the charging terminal in a state where discharging of the power supply through the discharging terminal is possible. The control unit performs control such that the charging and the discharging are not performed at the same time in a case where the control unit detects the request in a state where the charging terminal and the external power supply are electrically connected.