Aerosol Delivery System Proximity Sensor State Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aerosol provision systems, such as e-cigarettes, lack efficient and timely responses to user interactions, which can impact their secure and efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
An interactive aerosol delivery system that includes a proximity sensor and an activity state processor to detect user proximity and change operational states based on detection signals, optimizing power usage and functionality accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the aerosol provision system operates continuously with power supplied to the heating element, then the system is ready to deliver aerosol on demand, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operational states (first and second activity states) that allow the system to adapt its power consumption characteristics based on real-time sensor inputs. The heating element and other components dynamically switch between active and standby modes, optimizing the balance between aerosol delivery readiness and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs multiple sensors (proximity sensor, airflow sensor, temperature sensor) that provide continuous feedback to the control system. This feedback enables the system to adjust its operational state in response to user presence, actual puffing behavior, and thermal conditions, thereby optimizing power usage while maintaining productivity.
2Loss of time
If the system activates heating element immediately upon detecting user presence, then aerosol delivery response time is reduced, but unnecessary power consumption occurs when user is not actually puffing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by transitioning to a second activity state when user presence is detected, which prepares the system for potential aerosol delivery without fully activating the heating element. This intermediate state allows the system to be pre-positioned for rapid response while avoiding the energy cost of full heating activation unless actually needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by activating only certain subsystems (such as sensors and control circuits) in the second activity state without fully activating the heating element. This selective partial activation reduces energy consumption compared to full system activation, while still maintaining the capability for rapid aerosol delivery when required.
3Ease of operation
If multiple sensors and activity states are implemented, then system responsiveness and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into distinct functional modules (proximity sensing, airflow sensing, temperature sensing, heating, control logic) that can operate semi-independently. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized separately and simplifies the control architecture by defining clear boundaries between functions, thereby managing complexity while maintaining responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed with multi-functionality, where the same control circuitry and processing unit handle multiple sensor inputs and manage multiple operational states. This universal control approach reduces the need for separate dedicated control circuits for each sensor and state, thereby improving responsiveness without proportionally increasing 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
Enhances the system's responsiveness and efficiency by adjusting power settings and functionality based on user presence, improving situational awareness and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
at least one proximity sensor configured to detect a person without physical contact
Implementation Method 2
an electric current is supplied to the heater, e.g. resistance heating element
Implementation Method 3
electrical power is supplied to the heating element to vaporise the aerosol source (a portion of the payload) in the vicinity of the heating element, to generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user
Implementation Method 4
a reservoir of a source liquid containing a formulation, typically including nicotine, from which an aerosol is generated, e.g. through heat vaporisation. An aerosol source for an aerosol provision system may thus comprise a heater having a heating element arranged to receive source liquid from the reservoir, for example through wicking/capillary action
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol delivery system comprises an aerosol delivery device, at least one proximity sensor configured to detect a person without physical contact by them with the sensor: and configured to output a detection signal when a person is detected, and an activity state processor configured to receive the detection signal, and to determine whether to change an operational state of the aerosol delivery device between a first activity state and a second activity state based at least in part on the received detection signal.