E-Cigarette Power Chip Closed-Loop Control for Stable Vapor Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic cigarettes lack stable and adjustable output voltage and power due to internal battery voltage fluctuations and changing heating resistor resistance, leading to unstable vapor production, and do not have a power chip capable of managing power output effectively.
Innovation Solution
An electronic cigarette with a power chip featuring automatic closed-loop control, including a microcontroller, full bridge buck-boost module, and operational amplifying unit, which adjusts output voltage based on heating element resistance to maintain constant vapor production, incorporating PID control and overvoltage/undervoltage protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If internal battery is used for power supply, then the electronic cigarette structure is simplified, but the output voltage becomes unstable and vapor production becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback control system where the microcontroller continuously monitors the actual heating power through voltage and current sensing circuits, compares it with the target power value, and dynamically adjusts the PWM duty cycle to maintain stable heating power despite battery voltage fluctuations. This feedback mechanism directly resolves the contradiction by ensuring output stability while keeping the battery-based simplified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical voltage regulation methods with electronic PWM control and digital signal processing. The microcontroller uses software algorithms to calculate and adjust control signals, substituting mechanical adjustment mechanisms with electronic control systems that provide more precise and stable power output without adding significant structural complexity.
2Productivity
If heating resistor resistance changes with temperature, then vaporizing efficiency improves, but output power becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs real-time feedback control where the microcontroller continuously monitors heating element resistance changes through voltage division circuits and current sensing. When resistance varies with temperature, the system automatically adjusts the PWM duty cycle to compensate, maintaining constant heating power. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to exploit temperature-dependent resistance for efficient vaporization while actively stabilizing output power through closed-loop control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power adjustment where the control system continuously adapts the output parameters based on real-time operating conditions. The microcontroller modifies PWM duty cycle dynamically in response to changing resistance values, ensuring that the heating power remains stable despite the inherent resistance-temperature relationship of the heating element. This dynamic control enables both efficient vaporization and stable power output.
3Reliability
If buck-boost circuit is added for stable output control, then output voltage stability improves, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional analog buck-boost voltage regulation circuits with digital PWM-based power control implemented by a microcontroller. Instead of using complex voltage-switching topology with multiple inductors and transformers, the system uses software-controlled PWM modulation with simple MOSFET switching and RC filtering to achieve stable output voltage and power, significantly reducing circuit complexity and component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcontroller serves multiple functions: it generates PWM control signals, performs voltage and current sensing, executes power calculation algorithms, implements feedback control, and manages protection functions. This multi-functional integration eliminates the need for separate dedicated voltage regulation circuits, achieving stable output control while minimizing device complexity through functional consolidation.
4Device complexity
If existing power chip with single switch transistor is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adjustable output voltage and constant power cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic PWM control where the microcontroller continuously adjusts the duty cycle of the power switch based on real-time feedback from voltage and current sensing circuits. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to provide可调 output voltage and maintain constant power output, transforming a simple fixed-structure power chip into a versatile, adaptively controlled power management system without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds feedback control functionality to the power chip by incorporating voltage sensing and current sensing circuits that provide real-time information to the microcontroller. The microcontroller processes this feedback information and dynamically adjusts the PWM duty cycle to achieve precise output voltage control and constant power operation, enabling the simple power chip structure to deliver advanced control capabilities.
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 stable and adjustable output voltage and power, ensuring consistent vapor production, reducing power consumption, and allowing for precise control of vaporizing amount, while integrating protection mechanisms to prevent damage and enhance performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element for heating and vaporizing cigarette liquid
Implementation Method 2
determining the resistance value of the heating element and feedback signal for output voltage
Implementation Method 3
full bridge buck-boost module
Data Source
AI summary
The electronic cigarette having a power chip with automatic closed-loop control for output comprises a vaporizer and a battery assembly which are connected with each other. The vaporizer comprises a heating element. The battery assembly comprises a battery and a control circuit board arranged with a control circuit. The control circuit comprises a microcontroller, and comprises a power chip, a microcontroller power supply unit, and a starting switch, which are electrically connected with the microcontroller, respectively. The control circuit is further arranged with a reference resistor connected with the heating element. The power chip is electrically connected with the battery, the reference resistor, and the heating element. The power chip is configured to perform automatic closed-loop control by determining the resistance value of the reference resistor and feedback for output voltage under a command of the microcontroller, to output precisely adjustable voltage to the heating element.