Vaporiser Reconnection Wake Control for Low-Power E-Cigarettes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic vapour provision devices, such as electronic cigarettes, face inefficiencies in power consumption and accidental activation due to lack of a reliable mechanism to transition between inactive and active modes without user intervention.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a processor that enters a low-power sleep mode when the vaporiser is connected and remains inactive for a predetermined time, requiring user-initiated disconnection and reconnection to switch to a usable mode, utilizing a capacitor and sensor arrangement to detect vaporiser connection and disconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the device remains in a low-power sleep mode to minimize energy consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but the device cannot accidentally activate and requires user-initiated disconnection and reconnection to switch to usable mode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidactivation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device dynamically transitions between sleep mode and usable mode based on operational state. The processor enters sleep mode after an inactive time period to conserve power, and transitions to usable mode upon detecting vaporiser disconnection and reconnection, providing adaptive power management that balances energy efficiency with operational readiness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses feedback from the connection status of the vaporiser to control mode transitions. The processor monitors whether the vaporiser is connected and uses this information to determine when to exit sleep mode, ensuring that activation only occurs when the user intentionally reconnects the vaporiser after disconnection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the device requires disconnection and reconnection to exit sleep mode to prevent accidental activation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional detection mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivation controlVSAvoiddetection mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses its existing connection detection capability to trigger mode transitions. The processor already monitors vaporiser connection status for normal operation, and this same detection mechanism is leveraged to determine when to exit sleep mode, eliminating the need for separate activation sensors or complex control circuits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The connection detection mechanism serves multiple functions: it monitors vaporiser attachment for safety, triggers mode transitions from sleep to usable state, and provides operational status information. This multi-functional use of a single detection mechanism reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliable activation control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3831224B1Electronic vapour provision device
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 NICOVENTURES TRADING LTD
  • EP3831224B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3831224B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3831224B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

An electronic vapour provision device comprises a body 4 and a vaporiser 24. The body 4 comprises a power cell 10 and a processor 16, and the vaporiser 24 is releasably connectable to the body 4. The processor 16 is configured to enter a sleep mode when the vaporiser 24 is connected to the body 4 and the device is inactive for an inactive time. Furthermore, the processor 16 is configured to leave the sleep mode and enter a usable mode when the vaporiser 24 is disconnected from the body 4 then reconnected to the body 4.