Smoking Device Temperature Sensing for Depleted Article Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol-generating devices face the challenge of detecting when an aerosol-generating article is depleted, which can lead to unsatisfactory aerosol generation if a user attempts to reuse it, particularly in devices configured for sequential usage sessions.

Innovation Solution

The device includes a controller that operates in low and high power modes, measuring the rate of change of temperature to determine if a fresh or depleted aerosol-generating article is inserted, preventing main usage if a depleted article is detected, and indicating to the user through a user interface if an error mode is triggered.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the device allows sequential usage sessions without detection, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of using depleted articles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesequential usage sessionsVSAvoiddetection of depleted article

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs a preliminary temperature measurement in low power mode before initiating high power aerosol generation. This preliminary action detects whether the article is depleted (indicated by abnormally high initial temperature) and prevents main usage if depletion is detected, thus maintaining reliability while enabling sequential usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If temperature measurement is performed continuously in high power mode, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurementVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs temperature measurements periodically rather than continuously. Specifically, a preliminary measurement is taken in low power mode before high power mode, and subsequent measurements are taken at specific intervals during usage. This periodic approach maintains sufficient measurement precision to detect depleted articles while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If the device uses a temperature sensor to detect depleted articles, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidtemperature sensing means

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heater assembly serves dual functions: it heats the article during normal operation and simultaneously acts as a temperature sensing means by measuring its own temperature or the temperature of the article through electrical parameters (resistance changes). This self-service approach improves reliability through accurate temperature detection while avoiding the addition of separate temperature sensor components, thus not increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 effectively prevents the use of depleted aerosol-generating articles, ensuring consistent aerosol quality by switching to high power mode only when a fresh article is detected, thereby minimizing the risk of unsatisfactory aerosol generation and conserving power.

Implementation Method 1

The heating may be a result of resistive heating of a heater element of the aerosol-generating device that is in thermal contact with the aerosol-forming substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResistive heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

or inductive heating of a susceptor element of the aerosol-generating device or aerosol-generating article, the susceptor element being in thermal contact with the aerosol-forming substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInductive heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 3

The aerosol-generating device may comprise temperature sensing means for sensing a temperature of the heater assembly or of the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermistor

Implementation Method 4

The power supply may be controlled by the controller to be operable in at least a low power mode in which aerosol is not generated and a high power mode in which aerosol can be generated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20250089809A1Smoking device with consumable temperature sensing means

Publication Date: 2025.03.20 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA

AI summary

An aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating article is provided, including: a cavity to receive the article; a heater assembly to heat the article received in the cavity; and a power supply to supply power to the heater assembly and controlled by a controller operable in a low power mode in which aerosol is not generated and a high power mode in which aerosol can be generated, the controller controlling the power supply to operate in the low power mode initially, and, in the low power mode, measuring a parameter related to a rate of change of a temperature of the heater assembly or of the article received in the cavity, and the controller being further configured to switch from the low power mode to the high power mode only if the measured parameter satisfies a predetermined criterion.