Vaping Device Nicotine Level Detection and Auto Shutdown

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Solution Overview

Problem

Nicotine electronic vaping devices lack effective mechanisms for accurately monitoring and managing nicotine pre-vapor formulation levels, leading to inefficient vaporization and potential device shutdown issues due to depleted formulations.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a nicotine pod assembly with a memory storing vaporization parameters and an aggregate amount of vaporized nicotine, along with a controller that estimates vaporized amounts based on power application during puff events, determines updated aggregate amounts, and outputs indications of nicotine levels or disables vaping when thresholds are met, ensuring proper nicotine reservoir management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a heater is used to vaporize nicotine pre-vapor formulation, then nicotine vapor is produced, but the device lacks effective monitoring mechanisms leading to inefficient vaporization and potential shutdown issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operation reliabilityVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors the aggregate amount of vaporized nicotine pre-vapor formulation and compares it against threshold values. When the aggregate amount exceeds the threshold, the controller shuts down the heater to prevent inefficient vaporization and potential device issues. This closed-loop feedback system ensures reliable operation without requiring complex mechanical monitoring components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-monitoring by tracking the aggregate amount of vaporized formulation through computational means rather than physical sensors. The controller uses stored vaporization parameters and power application data to calculate and monitor nicotine levels, enabling the device to self-regulate and self-shutdown when necessary, eliminating the need for additional complex monitoring hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the device monitors nicotine levels continuously, then vaporization efficiency is optimized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevaporization efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical monitoring systems with computational methods. The controller uses electrical measurements (power applied to the heater over time) and stored vaporization parameters to calculate the aggregate amount of vaporized formulation. This substitution of mechanical sensors and monitors with electronic computation simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining continuous monitoring capability for optimized vaporization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary computational layer between the heater and the monitoring function. Rather than directly sensing nicotine levels, the controller acts as an intermediary that infers the aggregate vaporized amount by calculating power application over time using stored vaporization parameters. This intermediary approach enables efficient monitoring without requiring direct physical interaction with the nicotine formulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the device shuts down when nicotine is depleted, then device damage is prevented, but user convenience is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice protectionVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by setting predetermined threshold values for the aggregate amount of vaporized nicotine pre-vapor formulation before depletion occurs. The controller monitors the aggregate amount and shuts down the heater proactively when the threshold is reached, preventing complete depletion and potential device damage. This preliminary shutdown mechanism protects the device while providing timely notification to the user, balancing protection with convenience.

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

This solution enables precise monitoring and management of nicotine levels, optimizing vaporization efficiency and preventing unnecessary device shutdowns by accurately detecting when the nicotine pre-vapor formulation is depleted, thereby enhancing user experience and device performance.

Implementation Method 1

a heater configured to vaporize nicotine pre-vapor formulation drawn from the nicotine reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS20240415195A1Nicotine electronic vaping devices having nicotine pre-vapor formulation level detection and auto shutdown

Publication Date: 2024.12.19 ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC

AI summary

A device assembly includes a controller, which is configured to control the nicotine electronic vaping device to output an indication of a current level of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the nicotine reservoir of a nicotine pod assembly in response to determining that an aggregate amount of nicotine pre-vapor formulation drawn from the nicotine reservoir or an aggregate amount of vaporized nicotine pre-vapor formulation is greater than or equal to the at least one nicotine pre-vapor formulation level threshold.