Ultrasonic Article Identification in Aerosol-Generating Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol generating articles are difficult to visually identify when inserted into a device due to variations in structure and composition, making it challenging to determine the type without product specifications, and ultrasonic wave properties are affected by material density and compressibility.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol generating device uses ultrasonic sensing to analyze constituent materials of the article by measuring time and intensity differences of ultrasonic waves at multiple frequencies, with a control unit determining the article's type and state through a deep learning model.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If aerosol generating articles use varied structures and compositions to differentiate taste and heating methods, then product diversity and functionality are improved, but visual identification and type determination become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual identification (optical system) with ultrasonic wave-based material analysis (acoustic system). The ultrasonic sensing unit transmits ultrasonic waves through the aerosol generating article and analyzes the transmitted waves to determine material composition, enabling automatic type determination without relying on visual characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ultrasonic waves as an intermediary medium to probe the internal composition of aerosol generating articles. The ultrasonic sensing unit uses these waves to indirectly detect material properties and constituent materials, serving as a mediator between the device and the article being analyzed.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If ultrasonic waves are used to analyze material composition, then non-contact identification capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensing components
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic sensing unit is designed to perform multiple functions: transmitting ultrasonic waves, receiving transmitted waves, determining material composition, and identifying article types. This multi-functional design consolidates what could be separate components into a single integrated unit, managing complexity while expanding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system analyzes changes in ultrasonic wave parameters (transmission time, intensity, frequency characteristics) as they pass through different materials. By measuring these parameter variations, the system can identify constituent materials and article types without requiring complex physical contact or multiple specialized sensors.
3Measurement precision
If multiple frequencies of ultrasonic waves are used to analyze different regions, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption and analysis time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic sensing unit transmits ultrasonic waves at multiple predetermined frequencies in a periodic or sequential manner. By alternating between different frequency transmissions and analyzing the results, the system achieves comprehensive material analysis while managing energy consumption through structured, periodic operation rather than continuous multi-frequency transmission.
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 non-contact identification of aerosol generating articles by determining their type and state based on ultrasonic wave analysis, ensuring accurate recognition and operation.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic sensing unit configured to output ultrasonic waves corresponding to a plurality of predetermined frequencies to an aerosol generating article and receive ultrasonic waves reflected from the aerosol generating article
Implementation Method 2
Ultrasonic waves may vary in the speed of transmission or the amount of attenuation depending on the density of the medium or the compressibility of the material
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an embodiment, an aerosol-generating device is provided, which comprises: a battery for supplying power used for operating the aerosol-generating device; a heater for heating an aerosol-generating article; an ultrasonic sensing unit for outputting ultrasonic waves according to a plurality of preset frequencies to the aerosol-generating article and receiving ultrasonic waves reflected from the aerosol-generating article; and a control unit for analyzing a constituent material of the aerosol-generating article by using a time difference value between transmission time of the output ultrasonic waves according to the plurality of frequencies and reception time of the reflected ultrasonic waves corresponding thereto, and an intensity difference value between the intensity of the output ultrasonic waves and the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic waves.