Airflow Sensor Membrane Chamber for Aerosol Contamination Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Airflow sensors in aerosol delivery systems, such as e-cigarettes, are susceptible to contamination by aerosol or liquid, which can impair their functionality.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a deformable membrane attached to at least half of the surface area of the chamber walls surrounding the sensor chamber to protect the airflow sensor from contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an airflow sensor is provided to detect airflow in an airflow channel, then user inhalation detection capability is improved, but the sensor becomes susceptible to contamination by aerosol or liquid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinhalation detection capabilityVSAvoidsensor contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A deformable membrane is introduced as an intermediary between the airflow sensor and the aerosol/liquid environment. The membrane allows pressure changes from user inhalation to be transmitted to the sensor while physically blocking direct contact between contaminants and the sensor surface, thus maintaining both detection capability and contamination resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

A deformable membrane (thin film) is used to cover the airflow sensor. This flexible film transmits pressure variations caused by inhalation to the sensor while preventing direct contact with aerosol and liquid contaminants, solving the contradiction between maintaining sensor functionality and protecting from contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a deformable membrane is attached to chamber walls to protect the sensor, then contamination resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination protectionVSAvoidsensor housing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane is integrated directly into the sensor chamber structure, merging the protective function with the existing housing design. This approach adds contamination protection while minimizing additional structural complexity by combining multiple functions into a unified design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 deformable membrane effectively prevents aerosol and liquid from entering the sensor chamber, ensuring the airflow sensor's reliability and accuracy by equalizing pressure and preventing damage from excessive pressure differentials.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure equalization: Pascal's Law

Data Source

PatentUS12569012B2Aerosol provision systems

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 NICOVENTURES TRADING LTD

AI summary

An aerosol delivery system comprising an airflow sensor in a sensor chamber defined by one or more chamber walls and a deformable membrane attached to at least one of the one or more chamber walls, wherein the membrane is attached to the one or more chamber walls over more than half of its surface area.