E-Cigarette Liquid Preheating for Cold-Start Aerosol Generation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic cigarettes lack a preheating method to facilitate vapor production in cold temperatures, where the viscosity of the cigarette liquid increases, making it difficult for the liquid to be permeated or fed to the heating device.
Innovation Solution
An electronic cigarette preheating method that sets preheating parameters and a routine in a microcontroller unit (MCU), activating a preheating function when a button is pressed, detecting real-time temperature, and controlling a heating device to preheat the cigarette liquid to a preset temperature or for a preset time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If no preheating method is provided in existing electronic cigarettes, then the device structure remains simple, but the cigarette liquid viscosity increases at low temperatures making it difficult to be permeated or fed to the heating device for vaporization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a preheating function that activates before normal vaporization. When the preheating button is pressed, the heating device preheats the cigarette liquid in the storage chamber for a preset time or until a preset temperature is reached, reducing viscosity before the user takes a puff. This preliminary heating action ensures the liquid is ready for immediate vaporization even in cold conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by using the electronic cigarette's own heating device to preheat its own cigarette liquid. The heating device that would normally be used for vaporization is also utilized for preheating the liquid in the storage chamber, eliminating the need for separate heating components and allowing the system to service itself.
2Productivity
If preheating is activated to reduce viscosity and improve fluidity of cigarette liquid at low temperatures, then vapor production is facilitated, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing intermittent preheating rather than continuous heating. The preheating function is activated only when needed (when the preheating button is pressed and temperature threshold is not met) and operates for a preset time or until preset temperature is reached, then stops. This periodic activation reduces overall energy consumption compared to continuous heating while still ensuring vapor production capability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by heating the liquid to a preset temperature threshold rather than continuously maintaining high temperature. Once the preset temperature is reached or preset time elapses, heating stops and the system enters standby state. This partial heating approach provides sufficient preheating to reduce viscosity and enable vaporization without excessive energy consumption from prolonged or overheating.
3Ease of operation
If the heating device continuously heats the cigarette liquid to maintain low viscosity, then fluidity is improved, but the temperature control precision deteriorates and energy waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing temperature detection and comparison logic. The microcontroller unit continuously detects the temperature of the cigarette liquid in the storage chamber and compares it with the preset temperature value. Based on this feedback, the system determines whether preheating is required, activating or deactivating the heating device accordingly. This closed-loop feedback control maintains temperature within acceptable ranges without excessive heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by making the heating state adjustable and responsive to conditions. The preheating function can be activated or deactivated based on temperature conditions and user input (preheating button press). The heating device dynamically switches between heating mode, standby mode, and deactivation state, allowing the system to adapt to different temperature conditions and user needs rather than operating in a fixed continuous state.
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 method effectively reduces the viscosity and increases the fluidity of the cigarette liquid at low temperatures, ensuring vapor production even in cold conditions by preheating the liquid before vaporization.
Implementation Method 1
the viscosity of the cigarette liquid or tobacco tar or liquid substances containing drugs of the electronic cigarette is increased and the fluidity thereof is reduced due to the low temperature... preheats the cigarette liquid or liquid substances containing drugs by means of the heating device... to facilitate production of the vapor
Implementation Method 2
detecting a real-time temperature value by means of a temperature sensor arranged in the electronic cigarette
Implementation Method 3
controlling a heating device arranged in the electronic cigarette by means of the MCU to perform the preheating
Implementation Method 4
heats and vaporizes liquid substances or paste-like substances, such as drugs and cigarette liquid, to generate aerosol or vapor for users to use
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic cigarette preheating method comprises setting preheating parameters and preheating routine in a microcontroller MCU. The preheating parameters at least include preset temperature value, and preset heating time or preset target temperature value. The preheating routine comprises: after turning on the electronic cigarette, activating preheating function when preheating button arranged on the electronic cigarette is pressed, detecting real-time temperature value by means of a temperature sensor; by means of the microcontroller MCU, comparing the real-time temperature value with the preset temperature value, and determining whether preheating of the cigarette liquid stored inside the liquid storage chamber is required. If no, directly entering an available stand-by state. If yes, controlling a heating device by means of the microcontroller MCU to perform preheating for the preset heating time or until the preset target temperature value is reached, and then ending the preheating and entering the available stand-by state.