Power Supply Unit Liquid Leakage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply units in aerosol generation apparatuses fail to accurately diagnose liquid leakage or entry, which can lead to operational issues and continued use despite internal faults, and do not effectively recognize external liquid exposure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a power supply unit with a controller and multiple electrostatic capacitance sensors that detect changes in electrostatic capacitance to diagnose liquid leakage or entry, allowing for precise monitoring and preventing operational influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a bulkhead or sealing layer is provided to prevent electrolytic solution leakage, then the harmful influence of leakage is reduced, but the ability to detect leakage is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor is introduced as an intermediary component between the electrolytic solution and the controller. The sensor detects the presence or state of the electrolytic solution through electrical conductivity measurement, enabling the controller to identify leakage conditions without direct contact between the electrolytic solution and other components. This mediator approach allows both protection and detection functions to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives feedback signals from the sensor regarding the electrolytic solution state and adjusts its control actions accordingly. When the sensor detects abnormal conductivity indicating leakage, the controller receives feedback and can respond by stopping operation or alerting the user, creating a closed-loop feedback system that enables both prevention and detection.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect liquid leakage and entry, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality where a single sensor or sensor type serves multiple detection purposes. The sensor can detect both internal electrolytic solution leakage and external liquid entry by measuring electrical conductivity, eliminating the need for separate sensors for each function and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
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 enables accurate detection of liquid states within the power supply unit, preventing operational disruptions and ensuring safe and reliable aerosol generation by prohibiting charging or discharging when liquid anomalies are detected.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of electrostatic capacitance sensors, wherein the controller is configured to diagnose, based on outputs of the plurality of electrostatic capacitance sensors
Data Source
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AI summary
A power supply unit of an aerosol generation apparatus includes: a power supply capable of discharging to a load for generating an aerosol from an aerosol source; a controller configured to control the power supply; a housing configured to house the power supply and the controller; and a plurality of sensors capable of outputting the same physical quantity inside the housing. The controller is configured to diagnose a state of the power supply unit based on outputs of the plurality of sensors.