Vapour Heating Assembly With Feedback Control for Substance Aging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vapor generating devices using induction heating face inefficiencies and safety concerns due to unsuitable temperature production, power wastage, and ineffective use of vapor generation substances, as they lack comprehensive monitoring and control of factors beyond temperature, such as the age and type of the substance.

Innovation Solution

A heating assembly that includes a temperature sensor, memory accessor, and controller to monitor temperature and power usage, determining characteristics like age and type of the vaporizable substance, and adjusting the heating profile to optimize power supply and maintain efficient, safe vapor generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If induction heating is used to generate vapour, then controlled heating and vapour generation is achieved, but unsuitable temperatures are unknowingly produced resulting in power wastage and potential damage to components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrolled heatingVSAvoidpower wastage
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors temperature during the heating process and uses this feedback to adjust or terminate heating when predetermined temperature thresholds are reached, preventing power wastage and component damage while maintaining controlled heating

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes predetermined temperature thresholds and heating profiles before the heating process begins, allowing the heating to be controlled according to pre-planned parameters that optimize energy efficiency and prevent overheating

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If temperature monitoring is implemented, then overheating is prevented, but factors other than temperature such as length of use are not considered affecting performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverheating preventionVSAvoidcomprehensive performance monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is designed to track multiple parameters including temperature, heating duration, and power consumption simultaneously, making it capable of assessing overall device performance and substance characteristics rather than just temperature control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If comprehensive monitoring of power usage and temperature is implemented, then characteristics of the substance can be determined, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstance characteristics determinationVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines substance characteristics (such as substance type or age) by analyzing the relationship between power consumption and temperature monitoring data that is already being collected for heating control, eliminating the need for separate sensing mechanisms and reducing overall system 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 enables efficient and safe vapor generation by determining the characteristics of the substance, optimizing heating profiles, and reducing power wastage, ensuring consistent performance and user safety.

Implementation Method 1

electrical power is provided to heat the element, the element in turn heating the substance to generate vapour

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

an induction coil is provided within the device and a susceptor is provided within the vapour generation substance. Electrical energy is provided to the inductor when a user activates the device which in turn creates an electromagnetic (EM) field. The susceptor couples with the field and generates heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

The susceptor couples with the field and generates heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEddy currents: Eddy Currents

Data Source

PatentEP3731675B1Heating assembly for a vapour generating device
Publication Date: 2022.12.28 JT INTERNATIONAL SA
  • EP3731675B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3731675B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3731675B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a heating assembly (10) for a vapour generating device (1). The heating assembly comprises: a heating device arranged to heat, in use, a body, the body comprising a vaporisable substance (22) located in use in a heating compartment of the heating assembly, the heating assembly being arranged to supply, in use, power to the heating device to heat the body; a temperature sensor (11) arranged to monitor, in use, a temperature related to heat generated from the body, temperature information related to heat generated from the body being determinable from the monitored temperature; and a memory accessor arranged to access, in use, a memory (28) that holds a relationship between the temperature information, the amount of power supplied to the heating device or the profile of power supplied to the heating device, and at least one condition, the at least one condition including an age of the body, or a type of the body, or the presence of the body.