Vaping Heater PWM Memory Circuit for Nicotine Level Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nicotine e-vaping devices lack efficient mechanisms for accurately tracking the remaining nicotine pre-vapor formulation and communicating this information to the user, leading to inconsistent vaping experiences.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a memory module with an array of fuses and a memory controller, which uses pulse width modulated power signals to record and transmit information about the nicotine pre-vapor formulation levels, allowing the power control circuit to adjust heating accordingly and display status through an LED array.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a memory module with fuses and memory controller is integrated to track nicotine levels, then measurement precision of nicotine pre-vapor formulation levels is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the memory module, fuses array, and memory controller into an integrated system within the vaping device. The memory controller merges multiple functions including detecting PWM signal pulses, opening fuses based on pulse counts, and transmitting status information back to the power control circuit, thereby achieving precise tracking while managing complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory controller serves multiple purposes: it counts PWM pulses to determine nicotine levels, controls fuse opening sequences, transmits status information to the power control circuit, and enables LED status indication. This multi-functionality allows precise measurement without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Loss of information
If pulse width modulated power signals are used to record and transmit information, then information transmission accuracy is improved, but power control circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic PWM power signals with varying pulse widths to encode information about nicotine levels. The power control circuit generates these periodic signals, and the memory module detects pulse counts within each period, enabling accurate information transmission through a standardized control mechanism without requiring complex custom signaling protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory controller transmits status information back to the power control circuit by modifying the PWM signal characteristics. This feedback loop allows the power control circuit to adjust heating parameters based on real-time nicotine level information, achieving accurate information exchange through the existing PWM control infrastructure.
3Manufacturing precision
If an array of fuses is used to store information about nicotine levels, then manufacturing precision of memory storage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The memory storage is segmented into multiple individual fuses arranged in an array, where each fuse represents a discrete memory element. The memory controller opens specific fuses in sequence based on detected PWM pulse counts, creating a permanent binary record of nicotine consumption levels. This segmentation provides reliable, non-volatile storage without requiring complex memory chips.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential memory storage function into a separate fuse array module that can be independently controlled by the memory controller. This extraction allows the main power control circuit to remain relatively simple while delegating memory management to a dedicated controller that handles fuse operations and information transmission separately.
4Reliability
If real-time monitoring of nicotine levels is implemented, then reliability of vaping experience consistency is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The memory module operates autonomously using the existing PWM power signals from the power control circuit. The memory controller detects pulses during normal heating operations and opens fuses based on pulse counts, all without requiring separate power consumption for monitoring. The system leverages the already-present electrical signals to perform memory functions, achieving reliable tracking with minimal additional energy use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the interpretation of existing PWM signal parameters (pulse counts within each period) to encode nicotine level information. By utilizing the frequency and pulse width parameters of the existing power signals for dual purposes (heating control and information encoding), the system achieves reliable real-time monitoring without adding separate sensing circuits that would consume additional energy.
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 tracking of nicotine levels, optimizing heating and providing users with accurate feedback on the remaining formulation, enhancing the consistency and user experience of nicotine e-vaping.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element that heats a nicotine pre-vapor formulation to produce a nicotine vapor
Implementation Method 2
Each fuse in the array of fuses is configured to open based on a threshold voltage. The memory controller is configured to receive a pulse width modulated power signal via a wire, and apply a voltage greater than or equal to the threshold voltage across one or more fuses
Data Source
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AI summary
A nicotine e-vaping device (10) includes a heater (240), a power control circuit (120), and a memory module (210). The heater (240) is configured to heat nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The power control circuit (120) is coupled to the heater (240) through a wire (150). The power control circuit (120) is configured to apply a pulse width modulated power signal to the heater (240) through the wire (150), and to receive information over the wire (150). The memory module (210) is configured to detect a plurality of pulses in the pulse width modulated power signal, record information based on the detected plurality of pulses, and output the recorded information to the power control circuit (120) via the wire (150).