Post-Puff Battery Level Indication for Electronic Aerosol Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic aerosol provision systems, such as e-cigarettes, lack effective indicators for notifying users of the remaining battery power level, which can lead to unexpected device failure due to low battery conditions.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an indicator light system that automatically emits a light signal after each puff to inform the user of the battery power level, using a combination of color and pattern to indicate the charge status, thereby conserving battery life and providing timely notifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a continuous power level indicator is provided, then the user is always informed of battery status, but battery power is consumed continuously reducing operational life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery status informationVSAvoidbattery operational life
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The indicator operates periodically rather than continuously, providing power level information at specific intervals (e.g., when the device is activated or at predetermined time intervals) rather than maintaining constant illumination. This periodic operation maintains user awareness of battery status while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous indication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Loss of information

If the indicator provides detailed power level information, then the user has precise awareness of battery status, but the indicator complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower level detailVSAvoidindicator system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The indicator provides different levels of information detail based on the specific context or power level range. For example, it may show simplified status at low power levels and more detailed information when power is充足, or adjust the granularity of power level divisions dynamically. This allows detailed information provision without requiring the entire system to be designed for maximum complexity at all times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the indicator is always visible, then the user can随时 check battery status, but the device外观设计 is compromised and power is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery status accessibilityVSAvoidbattery power
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares and stores battery status information in advance, then presents it to the user only when needed (e.g., upon activation or request). This allows the indicator to be readily available when the user needs to know the status without requiring continuous visibility, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining ease of status checking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 communicates the battery status to the user after each use, ensuring they are aware of the power level and can take action to recharge or replace the battery, thereby preventing unexpected device failure and optimizing battery life.

Implementation Method 1

The indicator may comprise a light emitter visible on the outside of the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP4072363B1Power level indication in a device for an electronic aerosol provision system
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 NICOVENTURES TRADING LTD
  • EP4072363B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4072363B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4072363B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A device for an electronic aerosol provision system (10) that includes an indicator for showing power level is described. The device comprises: a battery (5) for providing electrical power to an aerosol generating component in the system; an indicator light (44, 46) configured to emit a light signal for a signal period that indicates a level of electrical power available from the battery; and a controller (28) configured to activate the indicator light to emit the light signal after detecting that a puff period on the system has been completed.