Micropump Driver Circuit With Boost Converter For Aerosol Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol delivery devices, such as electronic cigarettes, lack improved electronics for enhanced usability and efficient aerosol production.
Innovation Solution
The aerosol delivery device incorporates a housing with a reservoir, a heating element, a micro pump, a driver circuit with a boost converter, and processing circuitry to control the delivery of aerosol precursor composition, enabling precise and efficient aerosol production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a micro pump is added to deliver aerosol precursor composition, then aerosol production efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the micro pump driver circuit with the existing power source and control circuitry, integrating multiple functions into a unified system. The driver circuit is configured to receive power from the same power source that powers the heating element, and both are controlled by the same microcontroller, thereby reducing overall device complexity despite adding the micro pump functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The power source serves multiple functions: it powers both the heating element and the micro pump through the driver circuit. The microcontroller also performs multiple functions including controlling the micro pump, managing the heating element, and processing sensor data, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function.
2Power
If a driver circuit with boost converter is used to power the micro pump, then the micro pump can operate at higher voltage, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boost converter provides dynamic voltage adjustment capability, allowing the micro pump to receive higher voltage when needed and lower voltage when not needed. This dynamic power management enables the micro pump to operate at optimal voltage levels without requiring a completely separate high-voltage power circuit, thereby managing complexity while achieving high power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver circuit acts as an intermediary between the existing power source and the micro pump. It interfaces the standard voltage power source with the micro pump requiring higher voltage, translating and conditioning the power without requiring direct high-voltage battery connections or complex isolation circuits.
3Productivity
If processing circuitry controls switchable connection of power source to heating element, then aerosol generation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing circuitry receives feedback from sensors monitoring aerosol generation parameters and adjusts the power delivery to the heating element accordingly. This feedback control optimizes aerosol generation efficiency by dynamically adjusting power levels based on real-time conditions, while the same microcontroller that provides feedback also manages the switching logic, avoiding the need for separate complex control circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational parameters and sensor feedback to automatically adjust power delivery to the heating element. The microcontroller monitors the system state and autonomously manages power switching without requiring external complex control systems or manual intervention, thereby improving efficiency while keeping control logic integrated and manageable.
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 device provides improved usability and efficient aerosol generation, mimicking traditional smoking experiences without significant combustion, using electrical energy to heat aerosol precursors.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element configured to convert electricity to heat and thereby vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition
Implementation Method 2
a heating element configured to convert electricity to heat and thereby vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition
Data Source
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AI summary
An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes power-source terminals to connect a power source to the aerosol delivery device, and a heating element to vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition. The device includes a micro pump to deliver aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir to the heating element, and a driver circuit to drive the micro pump. The driver circuit includes a boost converter to step up voltage from the power source to the micro pump to thereby power the micro pump. And the device includes a control component with processing circuitry to control the driver circuit to switchably drive the micro pump to deliver the aerosol precursor composition to the heating element. The processing circuitry is also to switchably connect the power source to the heating element independent of the boost converter and thereby power the heating element to vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition.