Vapor Flow Temperature Feedback for E-Cigarette Heater Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic cigarettes lack precise control over vapor temperature, which can be influenced by various factors such as heater distance, mouthpiece material, liquid type, ambient air, pressure, and airflow rate, leading to inconsistent vapor quality and potential non-compliance with regulatory guidelines.
Innovation Solution
An electronic cigarette device with a sensor in the vapor flow channel, configured to measure vapor temperature and adjust the atomizer's power accordingly, ensuring accurate control of vapor temperature by determining the temperature of the vapor itself rather than relying on heater temperature measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If heater temperature is measured and used to control vapor temperature, then temperature control is simpler, but vapor temperature accuracy deteriorates due to indirect correlation and multiple influencing factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements direct feedback by measuring the actual vapor temperature with a temperature sensor positioned in the vapor flow channel and using this measurement to adjust the heater power. This closed-loop feedback system ensures the vapor temperature itself is controlled rather than relying on indirect heater temperature correlation, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining acceptable system complexity through the use of simple temperature sensing and power adjustment mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If sensor is positioned close to atomizer for direct vapor measurement, then temperature measurement accuracy improves, but sensor exposure to high heat and potential damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the vapor flow channel as an intermediary medium to transmit the vapor from the atomizer to the temperature sensor. The sensor is positioned in the vapor flow channel where it can measure vapor temperature without being directly exposed to the extreme heat and potential damage conditions at the atomizer location. This intermediary positioning allows accurate vapor temperature measurement while protecting the sensor's reliability.
3Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are used to account for manufacturing variations, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses manufacturing variations by implementing a calibration process that adjusts the temperature measurement parameters rather than using multiple sensors. The system includes a calibration mode where the temperature sensor readings are adjusted based on reference measurements, allowing a single sensor to achieve accurate readings across different devices. This approach maintains measurement precision while avoiding the complexity and cost of multiple sensors.
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 approach provides more precise control over vapor temperature, ensuring it meets regulatory standards and accommodating manufacturing variations, improving user experience by maintaining optimal vapor quality.
Implementation Method 1
a heater arranged to heat a vaporisable product. In operation, the vaporisable product is heated with the heater to vaporise the constituents of the product
Implementation Method 2
a sensor arranged in the vapor flow channel to determine a temperature in the vapor flow channel at a position physically displaced from an atomizer
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 1D
AI summary
An electronic cigarette device is provided, wherein the electronic cigarette device has a vapor flow channel (105, 205, 305, 405) arranged to guide a generated vapor to a mouthpiece opening (118, 218, 318, 418), and a sensor (150, 250, 350,450) arranged in the vapor flow channel to determine a temperature in the vapor flow channel at a position physically displaced from an atomizer. The electronic cigarette device further comprises one or more processors configured to retrieve from the sensor a measured temperature data set comprising one or more temperature measurements as a function of time (701), compare the measured temperature data set with predetermined temperature data, wherein the predetermined temperature data is indicative of the temperature of the vapor in the vapor flow channel of the electronic cigarette device at different fluid transfer element saturation levels (702), and determine and perform a further action based upon the comparison (703).