Aerosol Provision System Inhalation Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of vapor provision systems, such as electronic cigarettes, face difficulty in gauging the intensity of their inhalation due to the lack of visible vapor feedback, particularly in scenarios where the vapor is invisible or obstructed, making it challenging to perceive the amount of aerosol inhaled.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol provision system with a detector to measure instantaneous inhalation strength and a controller that generates varying feedback, including haptic, visual, or audio cues, to inform the user of the inhalation intensity, ensuring the user can perceive the aerosol intake effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vapor precursor material is used to generate vapor for inhalation, then the user receives nicotine delivery and taste sensation, but the vapor may have low visibility making it difficult for the user to gauge inhalation strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism using an indicator (such as an LED) that provides visual information to the user about the strength of their inhalation. The indicator intensity varies based on the detected inhalation strength, compensating for the lack of visible vapor feedback and allowing users to gauge their aerosol intake effectively.
2Loss of information
If the vapor is made more visible to provide inhalation feedback, then the user can better perceive aerosol intake, but the user may draw attention to their use of the vapor provision system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary indicator mechanism (such as an LED light) that indirectly communicates inhalation strength without requiring the vapor itself to be visible. This mediator provides the necessary feedback information while keeping the actual vapor cloud minimal or invisible, thus avoiding social attention.
3Loss of information
If a detector and indicator system is added to provide inhalation feedback, then the user can perceive aerosol intake, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the indicator into existing device components, such as using an LED that serves both as a power status indicator and as an inhalation feedback mechanism. This multi-functionality approach provides comprehensive inhalation strength information while minimizing the addition of separate dedicated components, thus controlling device complexity.
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 system provides users with real-time feedback on inhalation strength, allowing them to adjust their puffing behavior and aerosol intake, even when vapor visibility is low or obstructed, enhancing user control and awareness of aerosol consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a detector configured to detect an instantaneous strength of inhalation by detecting an amount of air flow or a pressure difference in the air channel during an inhalation by the user
Implementation Method 2
a detector configured to detect an instantaneous strength of inhalation by detecting an amount of air flow or a pressure difference in the air channel during an inhalation by the user
Implementation Method 3
a vapour generation chamber containing a vaporiser, e.g. a heating element, arranged to vaporise a portion of precursor material to generate a vapour in the vapour generation chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
An aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol for inhalation by a user comprises a housing enclosing at least partially an air channel and an aerosol generating element; a detector configured to detect an instantaneous strength of inhalation by detecting an amount of air flow or a pressure difference in the air channel during an inhalation by the user; a first indicator configured to provide a haptic indication to the user; and a controller connected to the detector and the indicator, the controller configured to control the first indicator to generate the haptic indication to the user during the inhalation, the haptic indication varying during the inhalation based on the instantaneous strength of inhalation detected by the detector.