Induction-Heated Aerosol Device Susceptor Temperature Estimation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol generating devices face challenges in accurately estimating the temperature of a susceptor due to non-correspondence between actual power of the battery or induction coil and stored temperature data, leading to potential damage to temperature sensors and increased manufacturing costs from additional components like infrared sensors.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol generating device that includes a power supply, a power conversion unit, an induction coil, a susceptor, a flange temperature sensor, and a controller, which uses a switching frequency sweep to calibrate the non-correspondence between power and temperature data, enabling accurate temperature estimation of the susceptor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is arranged in direct contact with the susceptor to measure temperature, then temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but the temperature sensor is damaged due to heating of the susceptor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using a flange temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the flange (which supports the susceptor) instead of directly contacting the susceptor. The controller then estimates the susceptor temperature based on the flange temperature and calibration data, thereby avoiding direct contact between the temperature sensor and the heated susceptor while still achieving accurate temperature measurement.
2Reliability
If additional components such as infrared sensors are added to detect susceptor temperature in a non-contact manner, then temperature sensor damage is avoided, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a copying approach by creating a correlation model between the flange temperature (easily measurable) and the susceptor temperature (difficult to measure directly). The controller stores calibration data that maps flange temperature readings to corresponding susceptor temperatures, allowing the system to estimate susceptor temperature using a simple and inexpensive flange temperature sensor rather than expensive infrared sensors.
3Ease of manufacture
If temperature data is estimated by comparing power of battery or induction coil with stored temperature data, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but accuracy deteriorates due to non-correspondence between actual power and stored temperature data according to accumulation of heating cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the accuracy issue by changing the measurement parameter from power-based estimation to temperature-based estimation. Instead of estimating temperature by comparing power consumption with stored data (which degrades over heating cycles), the system directly measures the flange temperature using a temperature sensor and uses this physical measurement combined with calibration data to accurately estimate susceptor temperature, maintaining accuracy regardless of heating cycle accumulation.
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
Accurately estimates susceptor temperature by calibrating power-source and induction coil data discrepancies, reducing sensor damage risks and manufacturing costs while maintaining device performance.
Implementation Method 1
an induction coil configured to receive the AC power and generate an alternating magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
a susceptor configured to generate heat by the alternating magnetic field generated by the induction coil
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol generating device obtains, when a flange temperature detected by a flange temperature sensor is included in a predetermined reference temperature range, at least one direct current (DC) value from a current detection sensor by sweeping a switching frequency of a power conversion unit within a reference frequency range, and generates, based on the DC value, temperature data for estimating a temperature of a susceptor.