Aerosol Carry Case Lid Sensing for On-Demand Battery Indication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for enhanced carry cases for aerosol delivery devices, particularly those with tobacco heating systems, that provide a secure and user-friendly way to indicate the battery status when the lid is opened, while ensuring the device remains non-combustible and efficient in aerosol generation.
Innovation Solution
A carry case with a magnet and hall sensor pair to detect the lid's position, triggering a battery status indicator, such as light emitting diodes, to display the battery status when the lid is opened, integrated with a non-combustible aerosol delivery device capable of heating or generating aerosol without combustion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a magnet and hall sensor pair is added to detect lid position, then the ability to indicate battery status when lid is opened is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switch mechanisms with a magnetic field-based detection system using a magnet attached to the lid and a hall sensor in the case body. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical contacts while providing reliable lid position detection to trigger battery status indication, thereby improving ease of operation without requiring complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnet as an intermediary element that mediates between the lid position and the hall sensor. The magnet creates a magnetic field that the hall sensor detects to determine whether the lid is open or closed, enabling indirect detection of lid position and subsequent triggering of battery status indication without direct mechanical or electrical connection between the lid and sensor.
2Loss of information
If a battery status indicator is activated upon lid opening, then user awareness of battery status is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by activating the battery status indicator only at specific moments - when the lid transitions from closed to open position. The hall sensor detects this transition and triggers the indicator temporarily to display battery status. This on-demand activation rather than continuous operation significantly reduces energy consumption while ensuring users receive battery status information when they need it most.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the hall sensor continuously monitors the magnetic field generated by the magnet to detect lid position changes. When the lid opens, the sensor provides feedback to the controller which then activates the battery status indicator. This feedback-based triggering ensures the indicator operates only when necessary, minimizing energy usage while maintaining effective communication of battery status to the user.
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
The solution provides a user-friendly and secure method to monitor battery status, ensuring efficient aerosol generation and device operation, while maintaining the non-combustible nature of the aerosol delivery system.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet and hall sensor pair configured to provide a signal indicative of whether the lid is in the open position or the closed position
Implementation Method 2
a battery status indicator, wherein the controller is configured to activate the battery status indicator upon detection of the lid changing from a closed position to an open position. The battery status indicator may, for example, comprise one or more light emitting diodes.
Implementation Method 3
tobacco heating devices heat an aerosol provision substrate such as tobacco to form an aerosol by heating, but not burning, the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A case for an aerosol delivery device, and a method for using the case, is described and can include a lid having an open position and a closed position; a magnet and hall sensor pair configured to provide a signal indicative of whether the lid is in the open position or the closed position; and a controller configured to receive a signal from the hall sensor indicative of whether the lid is open or closed.