MEMS Sensor Waterproof Membrane for E-Cigarette Impurity Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
MEMS sensors in electronic cigarettes are prone to degradation and damage due to the entry of impurities like water, oil, dust, and aerosols through acoustic holes, which affects their performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating waterproof breathable membranes to cover the acoustic holes in the MEMS sensor, preventing impurities from reaching the MEMS Die and ensuring reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If acoustic holes are provided in the shell to communicate airflow signals to the MEMS Die, then the sensor can detect airflow vibrations, but impurities such as water, oil, dust, and aerosols will enter the MEMS Die through the acoustic holes, leading to performance degradation or damage
Solution Approach 1:
A waterproof breathable membrane is introduced as an intermediary component between the acoustic hole and the MEMS Die. This membrane selectively allows airflow vibrations to pass through to the sensor while blocking impurities such as water, oil, dust, and aerosols from entering the internal cavity and damaging the MEMS Die, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining sensor functionality and preventing harmful substance ingress
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a waterproof breathable membrane, which is a flexible thin film structure, to cover the acoustic hole. This thin film allows acoustic vibrations to transmit through while providing a physical barrier against impurities, enabling the system to maintain both airflow detection capability and protection against contaminant intrusion
2Adaptability or versatility
If the MEMS Die is exposed to acoustic holes for airflow detection, then airflow signal conversion is enabled, but the MEMS Die is vulnerable to damage from environmental impurities
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof breathable membrane serves as a protective intermediary that allows the MEMS Die to remain exposed to airflow vibrations for detection purposes while simultaneously shielding it from environmental impurities that would cause damage, thus maintaining both adaptability for airflow detection and reliability for long-term operation
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 effectively prevents impurities from entering the MEMS Die, maintaining sensor performance and preventing damage, thereby enhancing the reliability and longevity of the electronic cigarette's airflow signal conversion process.
Implementation Method 1
a first waterproof breathable membrane fixed to the shell and completely covering the first acoustic hole, and a second waterproof breathable membrane fixed to the shell and completely covering the second acoustic hole
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic cigarette includes a cigarette body housing and a MEMS sensor located in the cigarette body housing. The MEMS sensor includes a shell with a receiving cavity, a MEMS Die with a back cavity received in the receiving cavity, an ASIC Die located in the receiving cavity and electrically connected to the MEMS Die, a first waterproof breathable membrane fixed to the shell and completely covering the first acoustic hole, and a second waterproof breathable membrane fixed to the shell and completely covering the second acoustic hole. The shell includes a first acoustic hole and a second acoustic hole penetrating the shell and communicating with the receiving cavity and an outside. Compared with the related art, the MEMS sensor disclosed by the present disclosure provides a MEMS Die with good performance.