Multi-Stage Heating Control for Aerosol-Generating Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol-generating devices fail to provide sufficient initial atomization and are prone to carbonization of the heating unit, affecting user experience and flavor perception.

Innovation Solution

The device employs a controller to manage power supply to a heating unit based on a temperature profile with multiple target temperatures, including a preheating section with distinct first and second target temperatures, and a smoking section with a third target temperature, to stabilize heating and prevent carbonization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the heating unit is heated at only one target temperature, then the heating process is simple, but the initial atomization amount is insufficient and the heating unit may be carbonized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating control complexityVSAvoidheating unit reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating process is divided into multiple stages with different target temperatures. The preheating section uses a first target temperature while the smoking section uses a second target temperature, allowing the heating unit to be warmed gradually to prevent carbonization while ensuring sufficient atomization performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A preheating section is introduced before the smoking section to gradually warm the heating unit to the appropriate temperature. This preliminary heating action prevents thermal shock and carbonization that would occur if the heating unit were immediately heated to the high smoking temperature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the heating unit is heated rapidly to high temperature, then the atomization amount increases, but the heating unit becomes carbonized and flavors deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatomization amountVSAvoidcarbonization
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heating process is segmented into a preheating section at a lower first target temperature and a smoking section at a higher second target temperature. This segmentation allows the heating unit to reach the necessary temperature for sufficient atomization without experiencing rapid heating that would cause carbonization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The target temperature parameter is changed between different sections of the heating process. The preheating section operates at a lower temperature parameter while the smoking section operates at a higher temperature parameter, optimizing both atomization performance and preventing carbonization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the heating unit is heated slowly to prevent carbonization, then carbonization is reduced, but the initial atomization amount becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbonization preventionVSAvoidinitial atomization amount
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating process is divided into two distinct sections: a preheating section that slowly heats the unit to prevent carbonization, and a smoking section that operates at higher temperature to ensure sufficient atomization amount. Both requirements are satisfied through this segmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heating process continues without interruption through both the preheating and smoking sections. The useful action of heating is maintained continuously, transitioning from a protective low-temperature phase to a productive high-temperature phase, ensuring both carbonization prevention and sufficient atomization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 ensures stable heating, prevents carbonization, and provides a sufficient vapor amount during smoking, enhancing user experience by maintaining optimal flavor and atomization.

Implementation Method 1

a heating unit configured to heat an aerosol-generating substrate based on power supplied to the battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3982771B1Aerosol generating device
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 KT&G CO LTD
  • EP3982771B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3982771B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7
  • EP3982771B1 patent drawingFigure 8~9

AI summary

An aerosol-generating device controls power supplied to a heating unit based on a first target temperature during a first preheating section and control the power based on a second target temperature higher than the first target temperature during a second preheating section, such that the heating unit is stably heated to a target preheating temperature without carbonizing the aerosol generating substrate.