Electronic Cigarette Dual Pressure Sensor Auto-Start

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic cigarettes with induction auto-start mechanisms are prone to false triggering due to leaking tobacco liquid or condensed aerosol reaching the sensor, leading to inconsistent performance and user experience.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a dual air pressure sensor system with a controller that differentiates between air pressure within the electronic cigarette's airflow path and ambient atmosphere, using a pressure differential to initiate or close the atomizer, thereby avoiding false triggers and ensuring consistent operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If an elastic membrane sensor is used to detect air pressure changes for auto-start, then the electronic cigarette can be automatically initiated when the user puffs, but leaking tobacco liquid or condensed aerosol can reach the sensor and cause false triggering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic initiationVSAvoidfalse triggering

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is divided into two separate sensing surfaces: a first sensing surface exposed to the air flow path and a second sensing surface exposed to the ambient atmosphere through a second channel. This segmentation isolates the second sensing surface from tobacco liquid and aerosol contamination while still enabling automatic initiation through pressure differential detection between the two surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A second channel filled with inert gas (such as nitrogen or air) acts as an intermediary medium between the ambient atmosphere and the second sensing surface. This intermediary protects the sensor from direct contact with tobacco liquid and aerosol while transmitting pressure changes from the ambient atmosphere to the sensing surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the sensor is exposed to the air flow path for detecting user puffing, then the sensor can detect pressure changes, but the sensor is vulnerable to contamination from tobacco liquid and aerosol

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure detectionVSAvoidsensor contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor structure is segmented into two independently exposed sensing surfaces: the first sensing surface is exposed to the air flow path for detecting user puffing pressure changes, while the second sensing surface is exposed to the ambient atmosphere through a separate second channel. This segmentation prevents contamination of either surface while maintaining detection precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the sensor have different exposure characteristics: the first sensing surface is locally exposed to the air flow path for detection purposes, while the second sensing surface is locally protected from direct exposure to tobacco liquid and aerosol by being accessed through the sealed second channel filled with inert gas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 reliable and consistent initiation of the atomizer based on pressure differential, preventing false triggering and ensuring a better user experience by isolating the sensor from tobacco liquid and aerosol interference.

Implementation Method 1

the controller configured for receiving the second air pressure and the first air pressure and controlling an atomizer to be on/off based on a pressure differential between the second air pressure and the first air pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential detection: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11660405B2Electronic cigarette and method thereof

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 SHENZHEN FIRST UNION TECH CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic cigarette and a method of controlling the electronic cigarette are disclosed, the electronic cigarette includes a controller; and at least one air pressure sensor coupled with the controller; the at least one air pressure sensor is configured for detecting a first air pressure in an air flow path of the electronic cigarette and a second air pressure of an ambient atmosphere where the electronic cigarette is located, and sending the first air pressure and the second air pressure to the controller; the controller is configured for receiving the second air pressure and the first air pressure and controlling an atomizer to be on or off based on a pressure differential between the first air pressure and the second air pressure.