Capacitive Pod Refill Control for Electronic Vaping Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vaping systems are complex and inconvenient to refill, lacking the simplicity of traditional cigarettes, which hinders mass-market adoption and public health benefits.
Innovation Solution
The AYR vaping system features an automatically re-fillable liquid reservoir with a liquid level sensing sub-system and a fluid transfer system, allowing for seamless and automatic re-filling, mirroring the simplicity of traditional cigarettes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional refillable vaping devices are used, then the liquid reservoir can be refilled, but the user interaction becomes complex and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects liquid level through sensing electrodes and refills the reservoir without user intervention. The microprocessor controls the refill process by activating the fluid transfer system when liquid level drops below a threshold, eliminating complex manual operations while maintaining refill capability
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid level sensing sub-system continuously monitors the liquid level and provides feedback to the microprocessor. This feedback mechanism enables automatic control of the refill process, allowing the system to respond to liquid level changes and perform refilling only when necessary, thus simplifying user interaction
2Ease of operation
If pre-filled pods are used, then the device is simple to operate, but they are not recyclable and create environmental waste
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables recovery and reuse of the liquid reservoir through automatic refilling. Instead of discarding the entire pod when liquid is depleted, the reservoir can be refilled multiple times, reducing waste while maintaining simplicity through automatic operation
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir is designed to serve multiple functions: it can be factory-filled at manufacture, then automatically refilled multiple times during use. This multi-functionality allows the same component to replace multiple single-use pods, reducing environmental waste while keeping the device simple for users
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual refilling is implemented, then the device can be refilled, but the process is messy and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical refilling process (unscrewing, pouring, squeezing) is replaced with an automated fluid transfer system controlled by a microprocessor. The system uses electrical signals to activate the fluid transfer mechanism, eliminating messy manual operations while maintaining the refill function
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid transfer system acts as an intermediary between the liquid source and the reservoir. It mediates the refilling process by automatically transferring liquid through controlled mechanisms, eliminating the need for direct user handling of liquid and thus preventing messiness
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 AYR system enhances user experience by simplifying the refilling process, reducing environmental impact through recyclable components, and promoting mass-market adoption of e-cigarettes for public health benefits.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid level sensing sub-system that directly or indirectly measures, infers or detects the amount of the liquid, or the level of liquid, in the liquid reservoir, by measuring electrical characteristics of the liquid reservoir that vary depending on the amount or level of liquid in the liquid reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A re-fillable liquid tip or pod for a vaping device that includes capacitive sensor plates in the tip liquid reservoir. A liquid re-filling device provides liquid to the vaping device, drawn from a refill bottle; the re-filling device includes a capacitance measuring circuit; a microcontroller uses the data from the capacitance measuring circuit to determine if the level of liquid in the tip liquid reservoir is above or below a threshold level; if below, then a liquid pump in the re-filling device is activated to draw liquid from the refill bottle and pump it through the vaping device and up into the tip liquid reservoir. Pumping ceases once the liquid reaches the threshold level.