E-Cigarette Charging Pack Protection Circuit for Overcharge Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing e-cigarettes and their charging packs lack systematic safety features to prevent potential hazards from lithium ion batteries, such as fire risks, and require frequent recharging due to separate battery systems.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable e-cigarette pack with integrated protection circuit modules to regulate electrical power flow and temperature, and a timer to prevent overcharging, ensuring safe and convenient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protection circuit modules are integrated into the charging pack to regulate electrical power flow, then safety and reliability are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A protection circuit module is introduced as an intermediary component between the battery and charging/discharging pathways. This circuit monitors electrical parameters (current, voltage, temperature) and automatically interrupts power flow when thresholds are exceeded, providing systematic safety without requiring complex user intervention or redesigning the entire system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection circuit module operates autonomously to monitor and regulate electrical power flow during charging and discharging. It self-regulates by detecting abnormal conditions (overcurrent, overvoltage, overheating) and automatically cutting off power without external intervention, enabling the battery system to protect itself.
2Productivity
If a pack battery with larger capacity is used to reduce recharging frequency, then productivity is improved, but the pack size and portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into two distinct components: a small-capacity battery integrated into the e-cigarette for immediate use, and a larger-capacity pack battery for recharging purposes. This segmentation allows the pack to provide extended operational capability without requiring the user to carry a single excessively large battery, as the e-cigarette battery remains compact for portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pack serves multiple functions: it acts as a protective case for the e-cigarette, provides a larger-capacity battery for recharging the e-cigarette battery multiple times, and includes integrated protection circuits for safety. This multi-functionality justifies the larger size by delivering additional value beyond mere battery capacity.
3Duration of action of moving object
If lithium ion batteries with high energy density are used to extend operation time, then duration of action is improved, but harmful factors such as fire risk are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The protection circuit module implements preliminary anti-action by proactively monitoring battery conditions during charging and discharging and preemptively interrupting power flow when abnormal conditions are detected. This prevents potential fire hazards from developing by addressing thermal and electrical stress before they can lead to thermal runaway or combustion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the inherent risks of high-energy-density lithium ion batteries into benefits through the protection circuit, which transforms potential harmful thermal and electrical stress into controlled operating conditions. By monitoring and regulating parameters like current, voltage, and temperature, the circuit ensures that the high energy density is harnessed safely for extended operation without proportionally increasing fire risk.
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 safety and reliability by preventing electrical overloads and temperature extremes, while allowing multiple recharges without external power sources.
Implementation Method 1
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
preventing electrical power flow from the pack battery to the e-cigarette when the current supplied by the pack battery exceeds a second predetermined current threshold or the voltage supplied by the pack battery exceeds a second predetermined voltage threshold
Implementation Method 3
The pack battery allows the e-cigarette to be re-charged from the pack without the need for the pack to be connected to an external power supply during the re-charging
Data Source
AI summary
A pack for containing and recharging an e-cigarette includes: 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 includes a first protection circuit module and the second re-charging mechanism includes a second protection circuit module, wherein the protection modules protect the pack and e-cigarette against excessive voltage or current during re-charging.