Handheld Vaporizer Power Control Using Alkaline Batteries and Supercapacitors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current hand-held vaporizing devices are cumbersome, lack precision in delivering consistent and reliable metered doses of medicants, and rely on volatile lithium-ion batteries, posing safety and environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held vapor delivery device with a power control system using an integrated circuit to provide precise power for vaporization and a fluid delivery system that ensures consistent dosing, independent of orientation, and utilizes safer alkaline battery chemistry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If lithium-ion batteries are used to provide sufficient power for vaporization, then the power and energy density requirements are met, but safety hazards and environmental concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power storage function from lithium-ion batteries and implements it separately using alkaline batteries combined with a supercapacitor. The alkaline batteries provide sustained power while the supercapacitor delivers the high-power pulses needed for vaporization, eliminating lithium-ion safety hazards while meeting power requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The supercapacitor acts as an intermediary between the alkaline batteries and the heating element. It stores energy from the alkaline batteries and releases it in controlled high-power pulses during vaporization, enabling safe power delivery without directly connecting alkaline batteries to the high-power demand.
2Measurement precision
If precise power control is implemented to deliver consistent metered doses, then dosing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-determines the exact power and duration needed for each vaporization event based on the predetermined liquid volume. The microcontroller calculates and stores the required power parameters in advance, eliminating the need for complex real-time measurement and adjustment mechanisms during actual dosing.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit automatically controls the power delivery timing and duration based on predetermined parameters, making the dosing process self-regulating. The system inherently delivers consistent doses without requiring complex external monitoring or adjustment mechanisms.
3Volume of moving object
If the device is made compact for portability, then ease of transport improves, but the size of safety-containing components may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the supercapacitor from the handheld vaporizer unit and places it in an external power pack. This extraction allows the handheld device to be compact while the safety-critical supercapacitor resides in a separate, larger housing that can be properly contained and managed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into two separate units: a compact handheld vaporizer and a larger external power pack containing the supercapacitor. This segmentation allows the handheld device to maintain portability while the power pack provides safe containment for the high-energy safety component.
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 device delivers reliable, repeatable, and precise metered doses of medicants efficiently and safely, with improved battery life and reduced environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element positioned adjacent to the fluid delivery system outlet to vaporize the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
An improved medicant delivery system 100 is disclosed wherein the carrier for the medicant is a fluid that can be atomized or vaporized by exposure to heat. The system provides for repeatable dose of medicant, can be stored in any orientation, and/or has an ability to maximize energy efficiency.