E-Vapor Heater Control Using Pod Power Profiles and PID Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nicotine electronic vaping devices lack efficient control mechanisms for heating nicotine pre-vapor formulations, leading to inconsistent vapor production and user preference adaptation.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling the heater in nicotine e-vapor devices by detecting power information from removable pods, adjusting power levels based on selected preference levels, and using a PID controller to maintain target temperature, allowing for adaptive heating profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heater is used to vaporize nicotine pre-vapor formulation material, then nicotine vapor production is achieved, but inconsistent vapor production and temperature control occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a temperature sensor continuously monitors the heater temperature and compares it to a target temperature. Based on this feedback, the control algorithm dynamically adjusts the power supplied to the heater, ensuring consistent vapor production while maintaining simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating control system transitions from static fixed-power heating to dynamic adaptive heating. The control algorithm adjusts power levels in real-time based on temperature feedback and user preferences, enabling consistent vapor production without requiring complex mechanical control mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed power levels are supplied to the heater, then device operation is simple, but user preference adaptation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables user preference adaptation by allowing dynamic changes in heating parameters (power levels, temperature targets, heating duration). The control algorithm processes user inputs and adjusts these parameters accordingly, providing versatility without requiring complex hardware modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The control algorithm serves multiple functions: it maintains temperature control, adapts to user preferences, and optimizes vapor production. This multi-functionality is achieved through software-based control rather than separate hardware systems, avoiding increased device complexity.
3Productivity
If temperature is increased to improve vapor production, then vapor quantity increases, but energy consumption and potential harm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature feedback mechanism prevents overheating by continuously monitoring heater temperature and reducing power when the target temperature is reached. This ensures efficient vapor production while eliminating harmful effects of excessive heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system uses periodic or pulsed heating cycles rather than continuous high-power heating. The control algorithm adjusts power delivery in cycles, maintaining vapor production efficiency while preventing thermal accumulation and harmful overheating effects.
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
This solution enables precise control of heating, ensuring consistent nicotine vapor production and user preference adaptation, enhancing the vaping experience by adjusting power levels and temperature settings dynamically.
Implementation Method 1
A nicotine e-vapor device includes a heater which vaporizes the nicotine pre-vapor formulation material to produce nicotine vapor
Implementation Method 2
controlling a level of power provided to the heater, based on the heater temperature value and the target temperature value
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a heater of a nicotine e-vapor device includes detecting, from a removable pod included in the nicotine e-vapor device, power information indicating a first power level and a second power level; and supplying power to the heater based on the detected power information by determining a first amount of power based on the first power level, supplying the first amount of power to the heater during a first operation mode of the heater, determining a second amount of power based on the second power level, and supplying the second amount of power to the heater during a second operation mode of the heater, the second amount of power being higher than the first amount of power.