Aerosol Load Temperature Variance for Source Shortage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol generating devices, such as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products, face challenges in detecting aerosol source depletion or shortage efficiently, leading to insufficient aerosol supply and inability to generate intended fragrance flavors, with existing methods being slow and prone to noise errors.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a control unit that analyzes temperature deviations during electric power supplying cycles to determine aerosol source depletion or shortage by calculating standard deviations and variances, excluding noise data and using phase-based analysis to precisely detect issues in the storage and holding units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If threshold-based detection methods are used to determine aerosol source depletion, then detection can be performed, but the judgment speed becomes slow and the system is prone to noise errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from simple threshold comparison of temperature to calculation of standard deviation of temperature values. This transforms the detection method into one that measures temperature fluctuation characteristics, enabling faster and more accurate depletion detection without being affected by noise in the same way as threshold-based methods.
2Device complexity
If simple threshold comparison methods are used for depletion detection, then the system structure remains simple, but the detection precision and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple threshold comparison logic with a statistical analysis approach using standard deviation calculation. This substitution transforms a crude detection method into a precision measurement system while maintaining relatively simple implementation through software-based statistical processing of temperature data.
3Reliability
If conventional detection methods are used, then aerosol source depletion is detected, but the location of depletion (tank, wick, or path) cannot be identified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the aerosol delivery system into distinct components (tank, wick, path) and analyzes temperature characteristics specific to each segment. By monitoring temperature fluctuations at different locations and comparing them against expected patterns, the system can identify not only that depletion has occurred but also precisely where in the system the depletion is located.
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 approach allows for early detection of aerosol source depletion, improving precision and accuracy in determining the state of the aerosol source, enabling timely intervention and maintaining consistent aerosol supply and flavor generation.
Implementation Method 1
a load (132) for atomizing the aerosol source by heat generated by receiving supply of electric power from an electric power source (110)
Implementation Method 2
a sensor (112) for outputting a value relating to temperature of the load (132)
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
In order to provide an aerosol generating device (100A) which can infer or detect the state of at least one of a storage unit (116A) and a holding unit (130) of an aerosol source, this aerosol generation device includes: a storage unit which stores an aerosol source; a load (132) which atomizes the aerosol source by generating heat with power supplied from a power source (110); a holding unit which holds the aerosol source, supplied by the storage unit, in a manner in which the load can be heated; a sensor (112) which outputs values relating to the temperature of the load; and a control unit (106). The control unit, in response to an aerosol generation request, supplies power from the power supply to the load to carry out a power supply cycle, and infers or detects the state of at least one of the storage unit and the holding unit on the basis of at least a first value, which is an output value of the sensor in a first power supply cycle, which is a load in the first power supply cycle, and a second value, which is an output value of the sensor in a second power supply cycle, which is a single power supply cycle after the first power supply cycle, or a value derived from said output value and relating to behavior of the temperature of the load in the second power supply cycle.