Vaping Formulation Level Indicator Using Heating Duty Cycle Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic vaping devices lack an effective mechanism to indicate the level of pre-vapor formulation remaining in the reservoir, leading to uncertainty and potential misuse or wastage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a pre-vapor formulation level indicator with discrete segments and a processor that determines the difference in power duty cycles to adjust the indicator accordingly, providing a visual representation of the formulation's remaining amount.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a pre-vapor formulation level indicator is added to the e-vaping device, then the user can monitor the formulation level accurately and reduce waste, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the processor continuously monitors the duty cycle of power supplied to the heating element and adjusts the indicator segments accordingly. The indicator provides real-time feedback to the user about the formulation level, enabling informed usage decisions while maintaining automated monitoring through the processor.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator is divided into multiple discrete segments that can be independently controlled. Each segment represents a different formulation level threshold, allowing the system to provide granular information about remaining formulation without requiring a continuous complex display mechanism.
2Measurement precision
If the processor monitors duty cycle differences to adjust the indicator, then the formulation level can be tracked precisely, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor monitors the duty cycle at periodic intervals rather than continuously, comparing duty cycle differences between successive measurements. This periodic monitoring approach maintains measurement precision by detecting significant changes in formulation level while reducing overall energy consumption by keeping the processor in a low-power state between measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses duty cycle parameter changes as an indirect measure of formulation level. By monitoring changes in the power delivery parameters (duty cycle) rather than directly measuring formulation volume or mass, the system achieves precise tracking with minimal additional energy expenditure, leveraging existing power management circuitry.
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
Enables users to monitor the pre-vapor formulation level accurately, reducing waste and enhancing user experience by ensuring informed usage.
Implementation Method 1
The battery is electrically connected to the heating element to power the heating element, such that the heating element heats to a temperature sufficient to convert the pre-vapor formulation to a vapor
Implementation Method 2
a heating element, which vaporizes a pre-vapor formulation to produce a vapor to be drawn through outlets of the e-vaping device
Data Source
AI summary
The e-vaping device includes a vaporizer assembly, which includes a heating element, a pre-vapor formulation reservoir, a pre-vapor formulation level indicator including a plurality of discrete indicator segments, and at least one processor. The pre-vapor formulation reservoir may be configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation and the at least one processor may be configured to determine a difference between a first duty cycle of power supplied to the heating element and a second duty cycle of power supplied to the heating element; and adjust the indicator based on the determined duty cycle difference.