Cannabis Vaporizer Battery Voltage Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vaporizers lack controlled heating, leading to uncontrolled temperature and rapid terpene degradation, resulting in poor flavor and potential battery damage due to inconsistent Atomizer-Battery combinations.
Innovation Solution
A battery system with an integrated controller that modulates output voltage using pulse width modulation to provide selectable voltage-time profiles, ensuring controlled heating and minimizing terpene degradation by measuring Atomizer resistance and adjusting voltage output accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If uncontrolled heating is used in vaporizers, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control precision deteriorates leading to terpene degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system using a thermocouple to continuously monitor the atomizer temperature and adjust the heating element power accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains temperature within the optimal range (350-550°F) to prevent terpene degradation while avoiding the complexity of precise manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by controlling the voltage and current to the heating element based on real-time temperature feedback. By dynamically adjusting electrical parameters rather than relying on fixed thermal mass or passive cooling, the system achieves precise temperature control without complex mechanical structures.
2Productivity
If high voltage is supplied to the heating element, then vaporization efficiency is improved, but terpene degradation increases due to excessive temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system continuously monitors temperature and adjusts voltage to the heating element in real-time. This ensures high vaporization efficiency through adequate heating while preventing terpene degradation by reducing voltage when temperature approaches the degradation threshold, thus dynamically optimizing the trade-off between productivity and harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element operates in periodic cycles of high-power heating followed by reduced-power maintenance heating, controlled by the temperature feedback loop. This periodic action pattern allows efficient vaporization during high-power phases while preventing sustained excessive temperatures that would cause terpene degradation.
3Manufacturing precision
If temperature feedback devices are added to control heating, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simple thermocouple-based feedback system that leverages the existing thermal dynamics of the atomizer. By placing the thermocouple in direct thermal contact with the atomizer chamber and using basic proportional control, the system achieves effective temperature control without complex algorithms or additional actuators, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback control system utilizes the atomizer's own thermal mass and heat distribution characteristics to self-regulate temperature. The thermocouple monitors temperature and the control circuit automatically adjusts heating power without requiring external intervention or complex control logic, allowing the system to self-manage temperature control with minimal added complexity.
4Power
If batteries with high discharge rate are used, then power output is improved, but battery reliability deteriorates due to catastrophic failure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature feedback control system indirectly protects battery reliability by preventing overheating of the atomizer. By maintaining atomizer temperature within safe limits through feedback-controlled heating adjustment, the system avoids thermal runaway conditions that could damage the battery or cause catastrophic failure, thus protecting battery reliability while allowing high power output capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback control system acts as a preventive measure by continuously monitoring temperature and reducing heating power before dangerous temperature levels are reached. This beforehand cushioning approach prevents thermal conditions that could lead to battery damage or catastrophic failure, thus protecting reliability in advance while maintaining high power output capability when conditions are safe.
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 achieves controlled temperature profiles between 400F and 550F, significantly reducing terpene degradation and preventing battery damage, while optimizing vapor flavor and safety.
Implementation Method 1
Most Vaporizers operate through ohmic resistance heating, in which a battery portion of a Vaporizer supplies a voltage to a resistance heating element contained in an Atomizer
Implementation Method 2
Temperature feedback devices such as thermocouples and thermistors may be used for temperature feedback and control
Data Source
AI summary
It is an objective of the present invention to reduce the disadvantages in currently available Vaporizers by providing a method and system of controlling the output voltage of the Battery such that the electrical current within and the temperature of the heating element and Extract are controllable. The present invention discloses the Battery that operates by supplying voltage that varies with time and provides various automatically or manually selectable voltage-time profiles. The voltage is controlled by an integrated controller that is able to vary the battery output voltage via voltage modulation and is able to continuously vary the output voltage. The voltage is modulated using pulse width modulation. The integrated controller is capable of storing and executing an embedded program for voltage modulation.