Supercapacitor Power Supply for Heated Aerosol Current Bursts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically heated aerosol generating systems, such as smoking devices, are larger than conventional cigarettes and lack efficiency in power delivery due to the use of battery packs, which are not optimal for high current bursts and result in increased size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The system employs supercapacitors as a power supply, which charge and discharge through heating elements, allowing for a smaller form factor and improved efficiency by using voltage step-up or step-down circuitry and arranging supercapacitors in parallel for charging and series for heating, with switches controlling the power flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If battery packs are used as power supply in electrically heated aerosol generating systems, then the system can provide sufficient power for heating elements, but the device size and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power supply parameters by switching from battery-based continuous power delivery to supercapacitor-based pulsed power delivery. This parameter change enables high current bursts for heating while reducing overall device weight and size, as supercapacitors have higher power density for short-duration applications compared to batteries.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If battery packs are used as power supply, then the system can maintain continuous operation, but the device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using pulsed heating cycles instead of continuous heating. The supercapacitor charges during non-heating periods and discharges during heating periods, enabling continuous operation capability while simplifying the power supply system architecture and reducing device volume.
3Productivity
If high current pulses are delivered for aerosol formation, then heating efficiency improves, but battery performance degrades due to insufficient burst capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the supercapacitor during non-heating intervals before delivering high current pulses for aerosol formation. This ensures the supercapacitor is ready to provide the necessary burst current, improving both aerosol formation efficiency and power delivery reliability without the degradation issues associated with batteries.
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 configuration reduces the size and weight of the device while enhancing efficiency by providing a high current pulse for aerosol formation, improving user convenience and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a power supply comprising: a voltage source, two or more supercapacitors, and appropriate switches between the voltage source and the two or more supercapacitors
Implementation Method 2
heating elements for heating the substrate to form the aerosol
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically heated aerosol generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate includes at least one heating element for heating the substrate to form the aerosol and a power supply for supplying power to the at least one healing element. The power supply includes a voltage source, two or more supercapacitors, and switches between the voltage source and the two or more supercapacitors. The switches are arranged so that, during a charging mode, the supercapacitors are connected so as to be charged by the voltage source and, during a heating mode, the supercapacitors are connected so as to discharge through the at least one heating element.