Flavor Inhaler Puff Control for Consistent Aerosol Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-burning type flavor inhalers struggle to maintain a consistent aerosol amount per puff action throughout the usage, as the aerosol amount varies due to differences in puff period and battery charge depletion.
Innovation Solution
A controller is implemented to manage power supply to the atomizer, stopping power after a predetermined period shorter than the average puff duration, adjusting instructions based on battery charge and puff statistics to maintain the desired aerosol range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power supply is continuous to maintain aerosol amount, then aerosol delivery consistency is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements periodic power supply to the atomizer through pulse control, turning power on and off in cycles. This allows the aerosol generation to be maintained during active periods while reducing overall power consumption during off periods, thereby extending battery life while maintaining consistent aerosol delivery during usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the duty ratio of power supply based on battery charge level. When battery charge is high, a higher duty ratio maintains optimal aerosol generation. When battery charge decreases, the duty ratio is reduced to conserve power, ensuring consistent aerosol delivery across different battery states while extending overall battery life.
2Reliability
If power supply duration is extended to cover long puff periods, then aerosol amount consistency is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous power supply, the controller uses periodic pulse control to power the atomizer. The power is supplied in pulses synchronized with the puff detection, maintaining aerosol generation only when needed during the puff period, thereby reducing overall power consumption while ensuring consistent aerosol delivery during actual usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes the power supply parameters (duty ratio and pulse width) based on battery charge level and puff characteristics. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes the balance between aerosol amount consistency and power consumption, ensuring reliable performance while minimizing energy use.
3Quantity of substance
If initial aerosol amount is high to satisfy user demand, then user satisfaction is improved, but battery depletes faster
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power supply duty ratio based on real-time battery charge detection. Initially, when battery charge is high, a higher duty ratio provides sufficient aerosol amount for user satisfaction. As battery charge decreases, the duty ratio is automatically reduced to extend battery life, while still maintaining acceptable aerosol delivery through optimized pulse control.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes operational parameters (power supply duty ratio and pulse characteristics) according to battery charge level. This parameter adaptation allows the system to provide high aerosol output when energy is abundant, while conserving energy when battery charge is low, thus balancing user satisfaction with extended battery life.
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 ensures the aerosol amount remains within a desired range from the initial to final stages of usage, regardless of user puff duration or battery depletion.
Implementation Method 1
an atomizer that atomizes an aerosol source using power supplied from a battery
Data Source
AI summary
This non-combusting flavor inhaler is provided with a control unit which, as an instruction to a battery, outputs to the battery a prescribed instruction instructing the battery that the amount of aerosol vaporized by a vaporizer unit should fall within a desired range. The control unit stops power supply from the battery to the vaporizer unit once a prescribed period has elapsed since the start of supplying power to the vaporizer unit. The prescribed period is shorter than the upper limit value of a standard puff period, which is derived from a statistic of the user's puff period.