Electronic Cigarette Sensor Isolation via Partitioned Airflow

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic cigarettes with airflow sensors located far from the mouthpiece suffer from reduced response speed and sensor sensitivity due to smoke condensation, affecting the user's smoking experience.

Innovation Solution

The electronic cigarette design includes a housing with separate airflow passages, isolating the sensor from the smoke passage with a partition member, ensuring the sensor is not affected by smoke condensation and maintaining sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the airflow sensor is disposed opposite to the mouthpiece (far away), then the device structure is simplified, but the response speed of the airflow sensor is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor positioning structureVSAvoidresponse speed of airflow sensor

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the airflow passage into two separate passages: a first airflow passage for smoke flow and a second airflow passage for sensor detection. This segmentation allows the sensor to be positioned close to the mouthpiece in the second passage while the atomizing assembly remains in the first passage, thereby improving response speed without complicating the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If the airflow sensor is located in the smoke passage, then the sensor can detect airflow directly, but smoke condensation accumulates on the sensor and influences its sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor sensitivity affected by smoke condensation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the airflow path into two independent passages separated by a partition member. The second airflow passage contains the sensor and is isolated from the smoke-containing first airflow passage, preventing smoke condensation from affecting the sensor while still allowing the sensor to detect airflow accurately for controlling the atomizing assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition member acts as an intermediary structure that separates the smoke flow from the sensor detection flow. It allows the sensor to indirectly detect airflow related to user inhalation without being directly exposed to smoke condensation, thereby maintaining sensor sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If the sensor is positioned close to the mouthpiece, then the response speed is improved, but the sensor is more easily affected by smoke condensation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speed of airflow sensorVSAvoidsensor sensitivity affected by smoke condensation

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses segmentation to create two separate airflow passages. The sensor is positioned in the second airflow passage close to the mouthpiece for fast response, while the partition member isolates it from the smoke in the first airflow passage, preventing condensation issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 design improves the user's smoking experience by maintaining sensor sensitivity and preventing smoke condensation from influencing airflow sensor performance.

Implementation Method 1

The first airflow passage and the second airflow passage are isolated from each other by a partition member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical separation:

Implementation Method 2

When a heating element of an atomizer of the electronic cigarette is energized by a battery, cigarette liquid is heated by the heating element to generate smoke

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

the sensor is disposed in the second airflow passage... the second air inlet is in fluid communication with the second airflow passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11213071B2Electronic cigarette

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 JOYETECH CHANGZHOU ELECTRONICS

AI summary

An electronic cigarette includes a sensor, an atomizing assembly and a liquid storage unit, which are disposed in a housing. The atomizing assembly is provided with a first airflow passage. A second airflow passage is provided in the housing, and the sensor is disposed in the second airflow passage. The housing is defined with a first air inlet and a second air inlet. The first air inlet is in fluid communication with the first airflow passage. The second air inlet is in fluid communication with the second airflow passage. The first airflow passage and the second airflow passage are isolated from each other by a partition member. Since the first airflow passage is isolated from the second airflow passage by the partition member, the sensor is unaffected when a user inhales smoke from the smoke passage, the sensitivity of the sensor is not reduced, the smoking experience for the user is improved.