Thermopile Flow Sensor for E-Cigarette Battery Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic cigarettes require large and costly pressure sensors to detect user draw, which consume significant battery energy and lack efficient flow monitoring capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A flow sensor system incorporating a thermopile with a microcontroller that detects medium flow, logs data, and adjusts heater control parameters, including pulse width modulation and liquid solution dispensing, to accurately monitor and manage flow without false activations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure sensor is used to detect user draw, then the detection function is achieved, but the device size increases and battery energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure sensor system with a thermal-based flow sensor system. The flow sensor uses a thermopile and heater element to detect medium flow through temperature changes, eliminating the need for mechanical pressure sensing components. This substitution reduces device size and power consumption while maintaining reliable user draw detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameter from pressure measurement to temperature-based flow measurement. By monitoring temperature changes in the medium caused by the heater element, the system achieves accurate user draw detection with lower energy consumption and smaller component size compared to pressure sensing.
2Reliability
If a pressure sensor is used to detect user draw, then the detection function is achieved, but the device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical pressure sensors with a more cost-effective thermal sensing system using a thermopile and heater element. This substitution reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable user draw detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs inexpensive thermal sensing components (thermopile and heater element) that can be manufactured at lower cost compared to pressure sensors, making the overall device more economical while achieving the same detection purpose.
3Reliability
If conventional flow detection is used, then basic flow detection is achieved, but false activations occur and flow direction cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flow detection function into multiple thermal sensing zones using a thermopile with multiple thermocouples. This segmentation allows the system to detect temperature gradients in different directions, enabling flow direction determination and reducing false activations by analyzing spatial temperature patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements feedback control by continuously monitoring temperature changes and using this information to determine flow direction and validate actual user draws. The system uses temperature profile analysis to distinguish between intentional draws and accidental blowbacks, preventing false activations.
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 provides a compact, low-energy consumption device capable of precise flow detection and management, reducing battery drain and enhancing user experience by minimizing false activations and optimizing aerosol delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a flow sensor that includes a thermopile, wherein the thermopile may include a first thermocouple and a second thermocouple
Implementation Method 2
the thermopile may include a first thermocouple and a second thermocouple
Implementation Method 3
The heater element may comprise a heater resistor
Data Source
AI summary
A system, a method, a device and a computer program are provided for detecting and monitoring medium flow. The device comprises a flow sensor (350) that includes a thermopile (352), wherein the thermopile (352) may include a first thermocouple and a second thermocouple. The device can further comprise a microcontroller (340) that can be configured to generate a reference baseline and can further be configured to compare an output of the mass airflow sensor to the reference baseline (503). The heater element may comprise a heater resistor.