Electronic Vapor Provision Control Using Payload Rate Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of electronic vapor provision systems like e-cigarettes face challenges in monitoring their consumption of active ingredients, as the payload reservoir is often hidden and the amount of active ingredient consumed is not easily quantifiable, especially with varying concentrations of active ingredients in different e-liquids.
Innovation Solution
An active ingredient adjustment system that includes a memory to store a target amount, a payload usage sensor to detect usage, a usage timing processor to calculate delivery rates, and an adjustment processor to alter the system's operation to ensure the target amount is not exceeded within a predetermined period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the payload reservoir is hidden within the e-cigarette, then the device appearance is simplified and compact, but the user cannot easily monitor the amount of payload consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system between the e-cigarette and the user's smartphone. The e-cigarette's sensor data about payload consumption is transmitted wirelessly to the smartphone, which then displays the information through an application. This mediator resolves the contradiction by keeping the physical device simple while providing comprehensive consumption monitoring through the external smartphone interface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different e-liquids with varying active ingredient concentrations are used, then user preference and flavor variety are improved, but reliable monitoring of active ingredient consumption becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different concentration values to different e-liquid types in the system's database. When a user selects a specific e-liquid, the system uses the concentration value associated with that specific liquid type to calculate active ingredient consumption. This allows the system to maintain versatility with multiple e-liquid options while ensuring precise measurement by using the locally appropriate concentration value for each specific e-liquid being used.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the concentration parameter based on which e-liquid is currently in use. The processor adjusts the calculation parameters according to the detected e-liquid type, ensuring that the active ingredient consumption is accurately measured regardless of which specific e-liquid formulation the user is using. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between variety and measurement precision.
3Reliability
If the target amount of active ingredient is strictly controlled, then health safety is improved, but user autonomy and flexibility in usage are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors active ingredient consumption and provides real-time feedback to the user through the smartphone application. The system alerts users when they are approaching their target limit, allowing them to make informed decisions about continued usage. This feedback loop maintains reliability by enforcing the target constraint while preserving user autonomy, as the user remains in control of the decision to continue or stop usage based on the provided information.
Data Source
AI summary
An active ingredient adjustment system for an electronic vapor provision system (EVPS), comprises a memory configured to store data indicating a target amount of active ingredient to be delivered by the EVPS within a predetermined period having a predetermined start point; a payload usage sensor configured to detect the amount of payload being used; a usage timing processor configured to calculate the rate of active ingredient being delivered to the user based upon the amount of payload being used; and an adjustment processor adapted to alter the operation of the EVPS to reduce the rate of active ingredient being delivered to the user in response to the usage timing processor calculating a rate of active ingredient being delivered that will result in exceeding the target within the predetermined period.