Heatable Temperature Sensor for E-Cigarette Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of manufacturing electronic vapor provision systems, such as e-cigarettes, due to the use of components like manual activation facilities or airflow sensors for vaporizer activation.
Innovation Solution
An electronic vapor provision system with a heatable temperature sensor mounted in the air flow path, where air flow is directed to disrupt the airflow around the sensor, and a controller supplies power to the vaporizer based on detected temperature changes, reducing manufacturing costs and improving sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual activation facilities or airflow sensors are used for vaporizer activation, then the vaporizer can be activated during inhalation, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor serves dual functions: it detects temperature changes caused by inhalation airflow and simultaneously acts as the activation trigger for the vaporizer, eliminating the need for separate airflow sensors or manual activation facilities
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor is designed to perform multiple functions within a single component: temperature monitoring, inhalation detection, and vaporizer activation triggering, replacing what would traditionally require separate components
2Measurement precision
If air flow is directed at the temperature sensor to disrupt airflow around it, then the temperature detection sensitivity improves, but the sensor may be affected by direct air impact
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow path is specifically designed to direct airflow at a particular portion of the temperature sensor that is mounted adjacent to the air flow path wall, creating localized enhanced detection while the rest of the sensor remains protected
Solution Approach 2:
The wall of the air flow path serves as an intermediary structure that positions and protects the temperature sensor while allowing controlled air flow interaction for detection purposes
3Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is heated to detect temperature changes during inhalation, then the detection accuracy improves, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is heated periodically or only when activation is needed, rather than continuously, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining detection accuracy when required
Solution Approach 2:
The heating power and temperature of the sensor are dynamically adjusted based on operational requirements, using just enough power to achieve the necessary detection sensitivity without excessive energy consumption
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 system effectively activates the vaporizer during inhalation while minimizing power consumption and preventing unintended activation, thus reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing user safety.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor mounted in the air flow path adjacent a portion of the wall of the air flow path; and a controller configured to cause power to be supplied to the temperature sensor to heat the temperature sensor and to cause power to be supplied to the vaporizer to vaporize the aerosol precursor material in response to detecting a change in temperature of the temperature sensor
Implementation Method 2
the air flow path is arranged such that, during inhalation or exhalation by the user, air travelling along the air flow path is directed at the temperature sensor in a direction that is towards the portion of the wall adjacent to which the temperature sensor is mounted so as to disrupt the airflow around the temperature sensor
Implementation Method 3
a vaporizer for vaporizing aerosol precursor material for inhalation by a user of the electronic vapor provision system
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic vapor provision system including: a vaporizer for vaporizing aerosol precursor material for inhalation by a user of the electronic vapor provision system; a power supply for supplying power to the vaporizer; a wall defining an air flow path along which air travels through the electronic vapor provision system when a user inhales or exhales on the electronic vapor provision system; a temperature sensor mounted in the air flow path adjacent a portion of the wall of the air flow path; and a controller configured to cause power to be supplied to the temperature sensor to heat the temperature sensor and to cause power to be supplied to the vaporizer to vaporize the aerosol precursor material in response to detecting a change in temperature of the temperature sensor; wherein the air flow path is arranged such that, during inhalation or exhalation by the user, air travelling along the air flow path is directed at the temperature sensor in a direction that is towards the portion of the wall adjacent to which the temperature sensor is mounted so as to disrupt the airflow around the temperature sensor.