Capacitance-Based Airflow Sensing to Prevent E-Cigarette Auto-Start
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airflow sensing devices in electronic cigarettes often cause automatic smoking due to high and low level control of the electric heating wire, leading to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An airflow sensing device that converts airflow into capacitance values, using oscillation units and counters to generate target data for processors to adjust output power and sensitivity, preventing automatic starting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electric heating wire is controlled to generate heat through high and low levels, then automatic smoking is easily caused, but the reliability of the electronic cigarette is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the capacitance value output by the airflow sensor and comparing it with a threshold. The processor adjusts the heating wire control based on this feedback, enabling precise control of heating levels and preventing automatic smoking while maintaining reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from simple high/low level switching to continuous capacitance-based control. By monitoring capacitance values and adjusting heating levels dynamically based on detected airflow, the system achieves both ease of operation and reliability.
2Device complexity
If the airflow sensor outputs raw capacitance values, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision and control accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between the airflow sensor and the control system. The processor acts as a mediator that receives raw capacitance values, compares them with thresholds, and translates them into appropriate heating control signals, thereby improving measurement precision without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Productivity
If the electric heating wire is controlled at high levels, then the productivity of vapor generation is high, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by controlling the heating wire to operate at different levels based on actual airflow detection. Instead of continuous high-level operation, the system activates heating only when necessary and adjusts the level according to detected airflow magnitude, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining high productivity when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the heating parameter based on capacitance values. By adjusting the heating level from low to high or vice versa according to real-time airflow detection, the system optimizes the balance between productivity and energy consumption.
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 device effectively adjusts output power and sensitivity, preventing automatic starting and enhancing user control over the electronic cigarette.
Implementation Method 1
an airflow sensor configured to output a capacitance value according to a detected airflow magnitude
Implementation Method 2
a first oscillation unit provided with an internal capacitor and configured to output a first oscillation signal
Implementation Method 3
a second oscillation unit externally connected with a measuring capacitor and configured to convert the capacitance value into a second oscillation signal
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of electronic cigarette technologies, and particularly discloses an airflow sensing device and an electronic cigarette. The airflow sensing device includes: an airflow sensor configured to output a capacitance value according to a detected airflow magnitude; a first oscillation unit provided with an internal capacitor and configured to output a first oscillation signal and send the first oscillation signal to a frequency divider; the frequency divider configured to divide a frequency of the first oscillation signal to obtain a frequency-divided signal; a second oscillation unit externally connected with a measuring capacitor and configured to convert the capacitance value into a second oscillation signal and send the second oscillation signal to a counter; the counter configured to count the second oscillation signal according to the frequency-divided signal and output a count signal; and an encoder configured to perform operation and encoding on the count signal and output target data; the target data including an initial value and a difference value between the initial value and a real-time value.