Battery-Powered Volatilization Device With Sequential Heating Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating devices for volatile compound-impregnated pads face issues such as high costs, poor performance in cold weather, and lack of temperature control, particularly with gas-powered flame heaters, and safety concerns when stored with flammable items.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered heating device with a dual heating element arrangement and controller that optimizes energy use by energizing one element at a time to avoid battery drain, includes safety features for detecting overheating and ambient temperature, and incorporates a single circuit board with integral heating elements and insulation to prevent heat loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If both heating elements are energized simultaneously in cold environment, then heating efficiency is improved, but battery drain increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The controller energizes the first heating element before the second heating element when the ambient temperature is below the threshold. This preliminary action allows the first element to warm up and reduce thermal loss to the environment before the second element is activated, thereby achieving efficient heating while controlling battery consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the energizing sequence of heating elements based on ambient temperature conditions. The controller switches between simultaneous energizing and sequential energizing modes depending on whether the temperature exceeds or falls below the threshold, optimizing the balance between heating efficiency and power consumption.
2Ease of operation
If heating device is left on and stowed with flammable items, then portability is improved, but fire hazard increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the internal temperature of the housing and compares it against a safe threshold. When the temperature exceeds the threshold, the controller automatically shuts off power to the heating element, preventing overheating and potential fire hazards while allowing the device to be portable and convenient to use.
3Power
If gas-powered flame heater is used, then heating power is improved, but cost and cold weather performance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gas-powered mechanical heating system with an electric heating system using heating elements powered by a battery. This substitution eliminates the need for gas canisters, removes cold weather performance issues related to gas pressure, and provides controlled heating power suitable for the intended application.
4Ease of manufacture
If single circuit board with integral heating elements is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but heating precision may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The controller circuit and heating elements are merged into a single printed circuit board assembly. The heating elements are formed as conductive traces on the PCB, integrating the heating function with the control circuitry. This integration reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while the controller maintains precise temperature control through feedback from the temperature sensor.
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 efficient heating in cold environments, enhances safety by preventing overheating, and reduces manufacturing costs while improving battery life and heat retention, ensuring effective volatilization of compounds without excessive power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a heater arrangement... Each of the first and second heaters comprise a printed circuit trace on the substrate
Implementation Method 2
an enclosure designed to shield and insulate the heating element to prevent heat and thus power loss
Implementation Method 3
at least one temperature sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A heating device for volatizing materials contained in an impregnated pad has a housing including a chamber to receive an impregnated pad for heating, a battery contained in the housing, and a heater arrangement. The heater arrangement in one mode includes at least two heaters, a temperature sensor, and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to power the first heater based on a first temperature and then to power the second heater after the first temperature reaches a second temperature. In another mode, the heater arrangement has at least one heater, temperature sensor, and controller, wherein the controller is configured to provide battery power to the at least one heater to volatize materials in the impregnated pad. The housing has at least one opening to allow volatized materials from the impregnated pad to escape from the housing.