Vaporizer Inhalation Detection With Adaptive Pressure Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vaporizer devices face challenges with leakage and electrical disruption due to the viscosity of cannabis oil, particularly when dry, leading to clogging and disruption of electrical components.
Innovation Solution
The vaporizer device incorporates a robust leak-resistant cartridge design and uses a pressure sensor and ambient pressure sensor to adjust sampling frequency based on inhalation, ensuring accurate vaporization and preventing false triggers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the pressure sensor operates at a high sampling frequency to detect inhalation accurately, then the inhalation detection precision is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor operates at different sampling frequencies based on operational context: a first sampling frequency when the vaporizer is inactive, and a second (higher) sampling frequency when the vaporizer is active. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain high measurement precision during critical inhalation detection periods while reducing energy consumption during non-critical periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the sampling frequency parameter of the pressure sensor based on the operational state of the vaporizer. When the heater is inactive, a lower sampling frequency is used; when the heater is active and inhalation detection is critical, the sampling frequency increases to the second frequency, optimizing both precision and energy efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If the pressure sensor operates at a low sampling frequency to reduce energy consumption, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the inhalation detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the pressure sensor sampling frequency based on operational needs. During periods when the vaporizer is inactive or the heater is not operating, the system uses a lower sampling frequency to conserve energy. When the heater becomes active and accurate inhalation detection becomes critical, the sampling frequency automatically increases to ensure detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling frequency parameter is changed based on the operational state: a first (lower) frequency is used when energy efficiency is prioritized, and a second (higher) frequency is activated when the heater is on and accurate inhalation detection is required, thus optimizing the trade-off between energy loss and measurement precision.
3Reliability
If the vaporizer device uses a robust leak-resistant cartridge design to prevent leakage, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is pre-filled with vaporizable material in a controlled environment before use, sealing the material inside a leak-resistant container. This preliminary action ensures that the viscous cannabis oil is contained properly from the start, preventing leakage and electrical disruption before the device is even activated, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex active control mechanisms during operation.
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 solution effectively prevents leakage and maintains device functionality by adapting to user inhalation, ensuring consistent vaporization and reducing false activation, thus enhancing user experience and device reliability.
Implementation Method 1
measuring, by a pressure sensor, a first pressure in an air flow path of a vaporizer device
Implementation Method 2
measuring, by an ambient pressure sensor, a second pressure corresponding to an atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 3
determining, while the vaporizer device is in an active mode, that the first pressure is a first threshold quantity less than the second pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the current subject matter are directed to transitioning a vaporizer device between different modes of operation including an active mode, a standby mode, and a deep standby mode. The vaporizer device may include a pressure sensor to measure a first pressure in an air flow path, and an ambient pressure sensor to measure a second pressure corresponding to an atmospheric pressure. The transition between different modes of operation may change the sampling frequency and/or resolution of the pressure sensor and/or the ambient pressure sensor such that sampling occurs at a higher frequency and/or resolution when the vaporizer device is in an active mode. Additionally, a comparison of the pressure in the air flow path with the ambient pressure after a heating element is activated may serve as a verification by the vaporizer device that a user is drawing on the vaporizer device.