Capacitive Liquid-Level Refill for Reusable Vaping Pods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vaping devices have complex user interactions, are not recyclable, and lack the simplicity of traditional cigarettes, making them less appealing for mass-market adoption and public health benefits.
Innovation Solution
The AYR vaping system features an automatically re-fillable liquid reservoir, a liquid level sensing sub-system, and a fluid transfer system that automatically refills the reservoir, enhancing user convenience and reducing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional pre-filled pods are used, then the device is simple to use, but the device is not recyclable and creates environmental waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automatically refillable reservoir system that recovers and reuses the liquid reservoir instead of discarding it. The fluid transfer system automatically replenishes liquid from a larger storage container to the atomizer reservoir, eliminating the need to discard pre-filled pods while maintaining simple operation for the user.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual refilling is implemented, then recyclability is improved, but user interaction becomes complex and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-service mechanism where the device automatically refills its own liquid reservoir using an integrated fluid transfer system. The system monitors liquid levels and automatically transfers liquid from the storage container to the atomizer reservoir without requiring user intervention, thus maintaining recyclability while preserving operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical refilling process (user opening, pouring, closing) with an automated fluid transfer system that uses pumps or pressure differential mechanisms to transfer liquid automatically, eliminating the complex user interactions associated with manual refilling.
3Ease of operation
If automatic refilling system is added, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the fluid transfer system into the existing vaping device architecture, allowing the same device to function both as a traditional vaping device and as an automatically refillable system. The reservoir design accommodates both the atomizer section and the liquid storage section, enabling multi-functionality without requiring entirely separate systems.
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 AYR system simplifies user interaction, promotes recyclability, and addresses environmental concerns by allowing for automatic re-filling and re-use of the vaping device, thereby enhancing its public health potential.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid level sensing sub-system that directly or indirectly measures, infers or detects the amount of the liquid, or the level of liquid, in the liquid reservoir, by measuring electrical characteristics of the liquid reservoir that vary depending on the amount or level of liquid in the liquid reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A re-fillable liquid tip or pod for a vaping device that includes capacitive sensor plates in the tip liquid reservoir. A liquid re-filling device provides liquid to the vaping device, drawn from a refill bottle; the re-filling device includes a capacitance measuring circuit; a microcontroller uses the data from the capacitance measuring circuit to determine if the level of liquid in the tip liquid reservoir is above or below a threshold level; if below, then a liquid pump in the re-filling device is activated to draw liquid from the refill bottle and pump it through the vaping device and up into the tip liquid reservoir. Pumping ceases once the liquid reaches the threshold level.