Inside the new 2020 Airwick unit. (With 1 Volt microcontroller!)

Between the weird microcontroller with integrated boost converter and a spectacularly complex 3D moulding, this humble air freshener is an education in cost optimisation. The grey moulding inside could be classed as art. I thought this was going to be an easy video to make. Especially when I saw the minimalist PCB. But it had me puzzling for a while. I haven't a clue who makes that weird microcontroller. It's the first time I've seen one with a boost converter built in. In hindsight the choice of the switching components may have been down to the drive voltage. The discrete transistors are getting a solid 5V gate current, but the positive pair can only be pulled down to near 0V from the battery supply which is between 1 and 1.5V, and that would be a very low gate current if it's a MOSFET. If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:- http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.