Aerosol Heater PWM Preheating Between Puffs to Cut Power Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol generating devices face challenges in efficiently maintaining the temperature of a heater between puffs while minimizing power consumption, affecting user satisfaction and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A device with a controller that adjusts the power supplied to the heater, increasing it to a preheating temperature lower than the heating temperature during idle periods and increasing it further as heat energy decreases, using pulse width modulation to optimize power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heater is maintained at a high temperature between puffs, then aerosol generation readiness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is preheated to a first temperature (lower than the target heating temperature) during idle periods between puffs. This preliminary heating action maintains the heater in a warm state, reducing the time and energy required to reach full operating temperature when a puff is detected, thus balancing readiness with power savings
Solution Approach 2:
The heater temperature control is made dynamic by switching between different temperature levels based on operational state: a first temperature during idle periods and a second (higher) temperature during active puff generation. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between maintaining readiness and minimizing power consumption
2Use of energy by moving object
If the heater temperature is reduced between puffs, then power consumption is reduced, but aerosol generation response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is preheated to a first temperature (maintained between puffs) rather than being completely cooled down. This preliminary maintenance of warmth serves as a preparatory action that significantly reduces the additional heating time required when a puff is detected, minimizing the trade-off between power savings and response time
3Use of energy by moving object
If variable power adjustment is implemented, then power consumption efficiency is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the heater power between two distinct temperature levels (first temperature during idle, second temperature during active use). This dynamic control achieves power consumption optimization while maintaining relatively simple system architecture by using discrete temperature states rather than continuous complex control algorithms
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 quick aerosol delivery on demand while reducing power consumption by maintaining the heater at an appropriate temperature, enhancing user satisfaction and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heater that generates the aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material
Implementation Method 2
using pulse width modulation to optimize power usage
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a device for generating an aerosol, the device including: a heater that generates the aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material; and a controller that variably increases an amount of power supplied to the heater to heat the aerosol generating material at a preheating temperature lower than a heating temperature for generating the aerosol.