E-Cigarette Charging Pack Circuits for Fire Risk Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
E-cigarettes and their charging packs face safety and reliability concerns due to the high energy density of lithium-ion batteries, which can lead to rare but potentially hazardous fires, and existing solutions lack systematic safety features.
Innovation Solution
A recharging pack with a re-chargeable battery, protection circuit modules to regulate electrical power flow, and a temperature sensor to prevent overheating, ensuring safe charging and operation of both the e-cigarette and the pack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If lithium-ion batteries with high energy density are used in e-cigarettes and packs, then the charge capacity and operational duration are improved, but the risk of fire and safety hazards increases
Solution Approach 1:
A protection circuit module is introduced as an intermediary between the battery and the charging/discharging processes. This circuit monitors and controls the electrical parameters (current, voltage, temperature) to prevent unsafe conditions while allowing the high-capacity lithium-ion battery to operate, thus resolving the contradiction between charge capacity and fire risk
Solution Approach 2:
The protection circuit implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring battery status (temperature, voltage, current) and automatically adjusting or stopping the charging/discharging process when thresholds are exceeded. This feedback loop ensures safe operation of high-capacity batteries without requiring external intervention
2Productivity
If the pack is provided with a large-capacity battery for multiple recharges, then the frequency of external recharging is reduced, but the pack size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pack battery serves multiple functions: it acts as the primary power source for multiple e-cigarette recharges, provides safety monitoring through the protection circuit, and functions as a portable power bank. This multi-functionality justifies the larger capacity battery while maximizing its utility beyond simple weight considerations
3Reliability
If protection circuit modules are added to regulate power flow, then the safety and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection circuit module combines multiple safety functions (overcharge protection, over-discharge protection, short-circuit protection, temperature monitoring) into a single integrated circuit. This merging approach improves reliability through comprehensive protection while minimizing the increase in device complexity by consolidating functions rather than adding separate components for each protection type
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
Enhances the safety and reliability of e-cigarette charging by preventing electrical overflows and overheating, reducing the risk of fires and ensuring convenient, self-sustained operation without the need for frequent external charging.
Implementation Method 1
The first recharging mechanism comprises a first protection circuit module for preventing electrical power flow from the external power source to the pack battery when the current supplied to the pack battery exceeds a first predetermined current threshold or the voltage supplied to the pack battery exceeds a first predetermined voltage threshold
Implementation Method 2
ensuring safe charging and operation of both the e-cigarette and the pack
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
A pack for containing and recharging an e-cigarette comprises: a re-chargeable pack battery; a first connector which is electrically connectable to an external power source; a first recharging mechanism for re-charging the pack battery using the external power source when the first connector is electrically connected to the external power source; a second connector which is electrically connectable to an e-cigarette contained within the pack; and a second recharging mechanism for re-charging the e-cigarette when the e-cigarette is electrically connected to the second connector. The first recharging mechanism comprises a first protection circuit module and the second re-charging mechanism comprises a second protection circuit module, wherein the protection modules protect the pack and e-cigarette against excessive voltage or current during re-charging.