Vaporizer Inhalation Detection With Dynamic Pressure Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vaporizer devices face challenges with viscous vaporizable materials like Cannabis oil, which can lead to leakage and clogging, disrupting electrical components and control systems.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a robust leak-resistant cartridge with a near-field communication tag for seamless integration with a vaporizer body, allowing for wireless communication and control, and includes pressure sensors to adjust heating based on inhalation pressure, ensuring efficient vaporization and preventing device malfunction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure sensors operate at high sampling frequency to detect inhalation accurately, then inhalation detection precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sampling frequency adjustment where the pressure sensor operates at a first sampling frequency when the vaporizer is inactive and switches to a second, higher sampling frequency when active mode is detected. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high measurement precision during inhalation detection while minimizing energy consumption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter (sampling frequency) of the pressure sensor based on the operational state of the vaporizer. By transitioning between different sampling frequencies (first frequency when inactive, second frequency when active), the system optimizes the balance between detection precision and energy usage according to actual operational needs.
2Measurement precision
If pressure threshold is set low to detect weak inhalations, then detection sensitivity is improved, but false positive detections increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary comparison of the first pressure (from pressure sensor) with the second pressure (from ambient pressure sensor) before making inhalation detection decisions. This preliminary action of comparing pressures and calculating pressure differences helps filter out ambient pressure variations, thereby reducing false positives while maintaining sensitivity to actual inhalations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the pressure comparison to dynamically adjust detection decisions. By continuously monitoring the pressure difference between the first and second pressure sensors and comparing it against threshold values, the system can distinguish between actual inhalation events and false triggers, improving reliability while maintaining detection sensitivity.
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 provides reliable operation with viscous materials by preventing leakage and ensuring consistent vaporization, enhancing user safety and device performance.
Implementation Method 1
measuring, by a pressure sensor, a first pressure in an air flow path of a vaporizer device; measuring, by an ambient pressure sensor, a second pressure corresponding to an atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 2
a heater in a cartridge of the vaporizer device may be activated to cause a vaporization of a vaporizable material contained in the cartridge
Implementation Method 3
a heater in a cartridge of the vaporizer device may be activated to cause a vaporization of a vaporizable material contained in the cartridge
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.