Non-Combustion Flavor Inhaler Capacitive Sensing with Shielded Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-combustion-type flavor inhalers face challenges in accurately measuring electrostatic capacitance due to noise interference, which affects measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a capacitive sensor with electrodes and a shield member to electrically shield the electrodes, along with an amplification unit to enhance signal detection, reduces noise interference and improves measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a capacitive sensor with small electrodes is used to detect microscopic electrostatic capacitance, then measurement sensitivity is improved, but susceptibility to noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
A shield member is introduced as an intermediary element between the electrodes and external noise sources. This shield member, positioned adjacent to the electrodes, acts as a mediator that blocks or redirects electromagnetic noise while allowing the electrostatic field between electrodes to remain intact for measurement purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield member creates an electromagnetically inert environment around the electrodes by reflecting or absorbing external electromagnetic interference. This protective enclosure isolates the sensitive measurement zone from noisy external conditions, similar to how an inert atmosphere protects chemical reactions from unwanted environmental interactions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the electrode area is increased to improve signal strength, then noise susceptibility decreases, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield member is constructed as a thin film or shell structure that provides comprehensive electromagnetic protection around the electrodes. This thin-film shielding approach achieves effective noise blocking without requiring large additional space, maintaining compact device dimensions while protecting against noise.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing electrode area in the planar dimension to improve signal strength, the solution transitions to a three-dimensional approach by adding the shield member as a vertical or lateral enclosure. This dimensional transition allows noise protection to be achieved through spatial arrangement rather than scaling up electrode size.
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 reduces noise and enhances the accuracy of electrostatic capacitance measurement in non-combustion-type flavor inhalers.
Implementation Method 1
a shield member which covers at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes to electrically shield the portion of the electrodes
Implementation Method 2
detects an electrostatic capacitance between the plurality of electrodes which varies depending on the state of the flavor stick
Data Source
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AI summary
A non-combustion-type flavor inhaler according to the present disclosure is provided with: a housing section in which a flavor stick having a flavor rod part and a suction part is housed in an insertable and extractable manner; a capacitive sensor which is provided with a plurality of electrodes arranged along the housing section and detects an electrostatic capacitance between the plurality of electrodes which varies depending on the state of the flavor stick that is inserted into and extracted from the housing section; and a shield member which covers at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes to electrically shield the portion of the electrodes. With the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a technology for reducing the effect of noise and improving measurement accuracy when an electrostatic capacitance is measured.