Dual-Sensor Airflow Switch Circuit for Electronic Cigarette Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic cigarettes fail to accurately detect and adjust the user's smoking process due to limitations in current switch mechanisms, such as microphone switches and key buttons, which do not reflect the true smoking action or adjust atomizing power effectively.
Innovation Solution
A switch control circuit with a sensing circuit comprising a heating part and two sensors, a controller, and a power supply system that detects temperature changes in airflow to determine voltage differentials, allowing for precise adjustment of atomizing power based on airflow variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a microphone switch is used to detect smoking actions, then the electronic cigarette can identify whether a smoking action exists, but it cannot measure the degree of capacitance change to reflect the true smoking process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single sensor detection into two separate sensors (first sensor and second sensor) positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows the system to capture different aspects of the smoking action and compare them, thereby recovering the lost information about capacitance change magnitude that a single microphone switch cannot provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temperature as an intermediary parameter between the capacitance change and the final detection result. By measuring temperature changes at two different points and calculating the voltage differential, the system indirectly captures the magnitude of the smoking action that the microphone switch alone cannot measure.
2Ease of operation
If a key button is used to control the electronic cigarette, then the user can manually initiate or adjust atomizing power, but it cannot automatically reflect the true smoking process
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the user's own smoking action (airflow) to automatically control the atomizing process. The two sensors detect the temperature changes caused by the user's breath, and the controller automatically adjusts the atomizing power based on the voltage differential, eliminating the need for manual key button operation while accurately reflecting the true smoking process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback loop where the sensors continuously monitor the user's breathing pattern, the controller processes the voltage differential signal, and the atomizing power is adjusted in real-time based on this feedback. This closed-loop system automatically adapts to the user's smoking intensity without requiring manual intervention.
3Device complexity
If traditional switch mechanisms are used, then the structure is simple, but condensation issues occur around the switch mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical key button or microphone switch with a non-contact thermal sensing system. The two temperature sensors detect the user's breath through thermal changes in the air flow, eliminating the need for physical switches that are prone to condensation. This substitution removes the harmful condensation effect while maintaining detection functionality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the voltage differential is used to control atomizing power, then the atomizing power can be adjusted according to smoking intensity, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the two temperature sensors and their signal processing into an integrated sensing circuit that directly outputs the voltage differential. By merging the detection and processing functions into a unified circuit, the system achieves adaptable atomizing power control based on smoking intensity while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
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 accurately mimics the user's smoking action, enhancing the smoking experience by real-time adjustment of atomizing power, improving safety and reliability by avoiding condensation issues around traditional switch mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the heating part is disposed between the first sensor and the second sensor for conveying heat to the first sensor and the second sensor
Implementation Method 2
the first sensor is configured for detecting a first voltage generated by change of temperatures when an air flow is flowing over the first sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A switch control circuit and method for an electronic cigarette and the electronic cigarette are disclosed, the circuit includes a sensing circuit including a first sensor, a second sensor and a heating part disposed between the first sensor and the second sensor for conveying heat to the first sensor and the second sensor; the first sensor is for detecting a first voltage generated by change of temperatures when an air flow is flowing over the first sensor; the second sensor is configured for detecting a second voltage generated by change of temperatures when the air flow is flowing over the second sensor; and a controller coupled with a sensing circuit and stores a preset voltage threshold for receiving the first voltage and the second voltage, comparing a voltage differential of the first voltage and the second voltage with the preset voltage threshold, and outputting corresponding action signals based on comparison.