Vaporizer Puff Sensing Circuitry for False Pressure Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vaporizer devices face challenges with liquid vaporizable materials causing damage to internal components, such as circuit boards and electrical contacts, leading to issues like intermittent puff sensing, premature device failure, and corrosion, due to exposure to moisture and liquids.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating absolute pressure sensors to detect airflow and ambient pressure, along with additional sensors like accelerometers, to accurately determine puff occurrence and prevent false positives, while using gaskets and liquid-resistant electrical contacts to prevent liquid ingress and corrosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If liquid vaporizable material is used in vaporizer devices, then aerosol generation is enabled, but internal components such as circuit boards and electrical contacts are damaged by moisture and liquids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol generation capabilityVSAvoidcomponent durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate zones: a vaporization chamber where liquid contact occurs, and an electronic component housing where circuit boards and contacts are protected. Physical barriers and sealed compartments segment the liquid exposure zone from the electronics zone, allowing aerosol generation while preventing liquid ingress to sensitive components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Protective intermediaries are introduced between the liquid vaporizable material and electronic components. These include liquid-resistant coatings on electrical contacts, sealed membranes, and protective conformal coatings on circuit boards. The intermediaries allow the system to function with liquid present while blocking direct contact between liquid and sensitive electronics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If pressure sensors are used to detect puff occurrence, then puff detection accuracy is improved, but false positives occur due to ambient pressure changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepuff detection accuracyVSAvoidfalse positive rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors pressure sensor output and compares it against learned normal ambient pressure variations. The controller distinguishes between ambient pressure changes (normal) and puff-induced pressure changes (signal) by analyzing the pattern, timing, and magnitude of pressure fluctuations. This feedback mechanism allows accurate puff detection while filtering out false positives from environmental pressure changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The puff detection threshold and parameters are made dynamic rather than fixed. The system adapts to changing ambient conditions by continuously calibrating baseline pressure values and adjusting detection sensitivity. This dynamic approach allows the sensor to maintain high accuracy across varying environmental conditions while minimizing false positives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enhances the reliability of puff detection, reduces maintenance, and improves long-term operability by preventing damage from liquid exposure, ensuring consistent aerosol production and extended device durability.

Implementation Method 1

an absolute pressure sensor positioned to detect a first pressure of air along an airflow path connecting air outside of a vaporizer device body with a vaporization chamber of the vaporizer device and a mouthpiece of the vaporizer device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Implementation Method 2

an additional absolute pressure sensor positioned to detect a second pressure of air representative of ambient air pressure to which the vaporizer device is exposed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Implementation Method 3

causing electrical current to be delivered to a resistive heating element of the vaporizer device... The delivered electrical current causes heating of a vaporizable material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 4

heating the vaporizable material in a vaporization chamber to cause the vaporizable material to be converted to the gas (vapor) phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 5

The gasket can include a connective feature via which a pressure sensing device that is connected to part of the internal electronic circuitry is exposed to air pressure in the cartridge-receiving receptacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid barrier:

Data Source

PatentUS11825877B2Puff sensing and power circuitry for vaporizer devices

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 JUUL LABS INC

AI summary

Vaporizer devices are disclosed that are configured to detect when a puff is occurring and exclude a pressure change unrelated to the puff based on at least first and second signals. Methods for detecting a puff and excluding a pressure change unrelated to the puff based on at least first and second signals are also disclosed.