Optical Aerosol Sensor with Temperature-Based Emission Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol generating devices face challenges in accurately distinguishing genuine cigarettes from counterfeits, suffer from sensor degradation and performance limitations due to heater issues, and have power consumption problems due to limited battery capacity and mounting space.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol generating system with an optical sensor package that includes a package substrate with an emission portion and light-receiving portion, a temperature sensor unit, and a controller to identify cigarette type and authenticity using wavelength-specific light emission and detection, along with a semiconductor chip to adjust emission amount based on temperature and lookup tables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are added to detect cigarette types and authenticity, then identification accuracy is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (authentication sensing and cigarette type sensing) into a single optical sensor package. The emission portion emits light at multiple wavelengths (first wavelength for authentication, second wavelength for type detection) and the light-receiving portion detects both authentication status and cigarette type using the same sensor structure, eliminating the need for separate sensor systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor package performs multiple functions: it detects both the authenticity of the cigarette and the specific type of cigarette using the same physical sensor components. The controller processes signals from the same sensor package to determine both authentication status and cigarette type, making the sensor system universal rather than requiring dedicated sensors for each detection task.
2Power
If heater power is increased to ensure sufficient heating performance, then aerosol generation is improved, but sensor degradation accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a temperature sensor that continuously monitors the temperature near the cavity during heater operation. The controller uses this temperature feedback to regulate heater power output, preventing excessive heating that would cause sensor degradation. The system adjusts heater power dynamically based on real-time temperature readings, maintaining optimal heating performance while protecting the optical sensor from thermal damage.
3Device complexity
If existing sensor packages are used for identification, then device complexity is reduced, but sensor sensitivity is insufficient for accurate detection
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor package is segmented into distinct functional components: an emission portion with light sources at specific wavelengths, a light-receiving portion with photodetectors, and a temperature sensor unit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall compact integration. The emission portion can be positioned to illuminate the cigarette from optimal angles, and the light-receiving portion can be configured to capture reflected or transmitted light efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temperature dimension to the optical sensing system by incorporating a temperature sensor unit within the same package substrate. This temperature sensing capability provides an additional parameter for analysis that can compensate for variations in optical sensing signals caused by temperature changes, thereby improving overall measurement precision without significantly increasing device complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If more identification means are added to detect various cigarette types, then identification capability is improved, but mounting space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple identification functions into a single integrated optical sensor package. The emission portion emits light at multiple wavelengths that can detect different cigarette types through their unique optical properties, while the same light-receiving portion captures the reflected or transmitted light patterns. This consolidation achieves versatile cigarette type identification without requiring separate mounting spaces for multiple identification devices.
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
Enhances sensor sensitivity, accurately identifies cigarette types, and optimizes power usage by adjusting emission amounts and heater control based on cigarette type, improving user experience and device efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a cigarette including an identification portion that emits light of a second wavelength when excited by light of a first wavelength
Implementation Method 2
an emission portion arranged on the package substrate and emitting the light of the first wavelength
Implementation Method 3
a light-receiving portion arranged on the package substrate and configured to receive the light of the second wavelength
Implementation Method 4
a temperature sensor unit arranged on the package substrate and configured to measure a temperature near the cavity
Implementation Method 5
the semiconductor chip is configured to adjust an emission amount of the emission portion when the measured temperature near the cavity is higher than an upper limit of a preset reference temperature range
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol generating system includes a cigarette including an identification portion emitting light of a second wavelength when excited by light of a first wavelength, wherein the second wavelength is different from the first wavelength, a main body including a cavity into which the cigarette is inserted, an optical sensor package near the cavity and configured to detect the identification portion, and a controller configured to identify whether the cigarette is counterfeit and a type of the cigarette based on a sensing value detected by the optical sensor package, wherein the optical sensor package includes a package substrate, an emission portion on the package substrate and emitting the light of the first wavelength, a light-receiving portion on the package substrate and configured to receive the light of the second wavelength, and a temperature sensor unit on the package substrate and configured to measure a temperature near the cavity.