Resonant Heating Circuit for Real-Time Susceptor Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol generating devices struggle to efficiently and accurately measure the temperature of a susceptor in real-time, which is crucial for consistent aerosol production without combustion.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs an impulse generation circuit that applies an impulse to a resonant circuit comprising an inductive element and a capacitor, inducing an impulse response with a resonant frequency. An output circuit processes this impulse response to generate a signal indicative of the resonant frequency, which is used to determine the temperature of the susceptor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional temperature sensing methods are used to measure susceptor temperature, then the measurement approach is simple, but the measurement precision and real-time accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/physical temperature sensors with an electrical circuit-based measurement system. The resonant circuit measures temperature by detecting changes in resonant frequency caused by temperature-dependent inductance changes in the inductive element coupled to the susceptor, eliminating the need for direct thermal contact and achieving higher precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the temperature-dependent electrical parameters (inductance, resistance) of the inductive element as a proxy for temperature measurement. By monitoring how these parameters change with temperature and correlating them to resonant frequency shifts, the system achieves accurate temperature measurement through electrical parameter changes rather than direct thermal sensing.
2Speed
If direct thermal contact measurement is used, then the measurement method is straightforward, but the real-time response speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces slow thermal conduction-based measurement with rapid electrical resonance-based measurement. The resonant circuit responds almost instantaneously to temperature changes by detecting shifts in resonant frequency, providing real-time temperature data without the thermal lag inherent in contact-based methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic excitation of the resonant circuit to continuously monitor temperature. By periodically applying excitation signals and measuring the resonant response, the system achieves continuous real-time temperature tracking with high response speed and reliability.
3Measurement precision
If complex temperature sensing circuits are implemented, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic impulse excitation rather than continuous power consumption. The resonant circuit is excited periodically with short impulse signals, and the natural resonance response is measured. This approach achieves high-precision temperature measurement while consuming minimal energy, as the circuit only requires brief excitation pulses rather than continuous power.
Solution Approach 2:
The resonant circuit itself serves as both the measurement tool and the signal source. The circuit's natural resonance characteristics provide the measurement signal, eliminating the need for additional complex sensing circuits or external signal generation hardware, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision.
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 solution allows for precise and real-time temperature measurement of the susceptor, enabling efficient and consistent aerosol production in aerosol generating devices, such as tobacco heating systems and electronic cigarettes.
Implementation Method 1
an inductive element (for inductively heating a susceptor)
Implementation Method 2
inductively heating a susceptor
Implementation Method 3
an impulse response has a resonant frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and computer program is described including: applying an impulse to a resonant circuit including an inductive element, for inductively heating a susceptor, and a capacitor, wherein the applied impulse induces an impulse response between the capacitor and the inductive element of the resonant circuit, wherein each impulse response has a resonant frequency; and generating an output signal dependent on one or more properties of the impulse response.