Removable Heater Module Control for Consistent Aerosol Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated aerosol generating devices require replacement of the entire unit when a single component malfunctions, leading to inconsistent smoking experiences due to manufacturing variations, and calibration is necessary to ensure uniform performance.
Innovation Solution
A modular design where a removable heater module with stored intrinsic properties is used, allowing the controller to adjust control conditions for consistent heating, enabling easy replacement and accurate temperature measurement without external calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an integrated aerosol generating device is manufactured with all components combined, then the device structure is simple and compact, but when a component malfunctions the entire device must be replaced causing waste and increased cost
Solution Approach 1:
The aerosol generating device is divided into a main body and a removable heater module. The heater module contains the heating element and can be independently replaced when malfunctioning, while the main body remains usable. This segmentation enables partial replacement rather than complete device replacement.
2Ease of manufacture
If an integrated aerosol generating device is manufactured with all components combined, then manufacturing process is simplified, but manufacturing variations cause inconsistent smoking impressions across different products
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the heater module from the main body, each component can be manufactured and calibrated independently. The heater module can be pre-calibrated during its manufacturing process to ensure consistent heating performance, while the main body is manufactured separately. This independent calibration approach reduces variability in the final product.
3Reliability
If a removable heater module with stored intrinsic properties is used, then consistent heating performance is achieved through controller adjustment, but the device requires additional memory component and data storage capability
Solution Approach 1:
The intrinsic properties of the heater module (such as resistance, heating characteristics, and calibration data) are stored in advance in a memory device attached to the heater module. When the heater module is installed, the controller automatically reads this pre-stored information and configures the heating parameters accordingly, eliminating the need for manual calibration and ensuring consistent performance.
4Measurement precision
If heater module information is obtained during manufacturing process and stored in first memory, then accurate temperature measurement is achieved without external calibration, but the manufacturing process requires additional information recording step
Solution Approach 1:
During the heater module manufacturing process, the intrinsic properties and calibration data are measured and stored in the memory device attached to the heater module. This preliminary recording of temperature characteristics eliminates the need for external calibration devices and manual calibration steps after manufacturing, as the heater module comes pre-configured with its own calibration data.
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
Enables straightforward replacement of defective components, ensures uniform heating performance, and eliminates the need for additional calibration, improving user experience and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
a heater configured to heat an aerosol generating article
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol generating device includes: a main body including a controller and a battery; and a removable heater module removably combined to the main body and including a heater and a first memory, the heater being configured to heat an aerosol generating article, wherein the first memory stores heater module information about intrinsic properties of the removable heater module, the heater module information being obtained during a manufacturing process of the removable heater module, and the controller is configured to obtain the heater module information from the first memory when the removable heater module is combined to the main body, determine a control condition corresponding to the removable heater module by using the obtained heater module information, and control the aerosol generating device based on the determined control condition.