Side-by-Side Cartridge Terminals for E-Cigarette Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved information transfer capabilities and precise temperature control in personal vaporizing devices, such as electronic cigarettes, to monitor consumable usage and ensure optimal vaporization conditions, which existing technologies fail to address effectively due to variations in consumable manufacturing processes and lack of accurate resistance measurement.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an electrical circuitry with memory and a controller in the consumable cartridges, allowing for data storage and retrieval, and a method to determine the resistance of the heating element by providing reference values, enabling precise temperature measurement and regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If circuit terminals are integrated into the consumable cartridge, then data transfer capability between cartridge and main body is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical circuitry is segmented into two parts: a simple connector section integrated into the disposable cartridge for data transfer, and a more complex processing section located in the reusable main body. This allows the cartridge to remain simple and disposable while enabling sophisticated data monitoring and temperature control functions in the main device.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit terminals act as an intermediary interface between the consumable cartridge and the main body, enabling data transfer without requiring complex electronics in the disposable cartridge. The terminals serve as a simple bridge that connects to the more capable main body processing unit.
2Measurement precision
If reference values for heating element resistance are stored in memory, then temperature measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Reference values for heating element resistance are pre-calculated and stored in memory during the cartridge manufacturing process. This preliminary action allows the system to compensate for manufacturing variations without adding complex real-time measurement or adjustment mechanisms, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while improving temperature control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pre-determined resistance parameter values stored in memory that account for variations in heating element manufacturing. By storing multiple reference values corresponding to different resistance characteristics, the system can adapt to manufacturing variations and maintain precise temperature control without requiring complex manufacturing processes.
3Reliability
If sequential connection of circuit terminals is implemented, then connection reliability is improved, but connection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit terminals are connected sequentially in a predetermined order rather than all at once. This periodic connection approach ensures that connections are established in a controlled sequence, improving reliability by preventing short circuits or improper connections while minimizing the total connection time through optimized sequencing.
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
This solution enables accurate monitoring of consumable usage and precise temperature control, ensuring consistent vaporization quality across different cartridges by accounting for variations in heating element resistance, thereby improving the overall performance and user experience of personal vaporizing devices.
Implementation Method 1
Vaporization occurs when the heating element heats up the vaporizing material for instance a vaporizing liquid in or on a liquid transfer element (such as a wick) to a temperature exceeding the boiling temperature of the material (e.g. liquid), where vaporization occurs.
Implementation Method 2
the heating element heats up the vaporizing material
Implementation Method 3
determine the resistance of the heating element by means of providing a current through the heating element, measuring a resulting voltage at ends of the heating element, and determining the resistance of the heating element therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge for releasable connection to an electronic cigarette includes a substance to be vaporized and is provided with an electrical circuitry, wherein the electrical circuitry includes circuit terminals configured to engage with circuit connectors located on a main body of the electronic cigarette and configured to establish a data connection between the cartridge and the main body, a memory for storing data, and wherein the circuit terminals of the cartridge are located on a housing of the cartridge, and one or more of the plurality of circuit terminals, or at least initial connection portions thereof, are provided at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge relative to the longitudinal positions of the circuit connectors, or at least initial connection portions thereof.