Accessory Case for Aerosol Device and Mobile Phone Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol delivery devices lack integrated functionality with portable electronic devices, limiting their synergistic effects and user experience.

Innovation Solution

An accessory device that connects an aerosol delivery device to a portable electronic device, enabling electrical and data connections, allowing for battery charging, indicator activation, and usage data transfer, while maintaining access to the device's user interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If aerosol delivery devices are used standalone without integration with portable electronic devices, then device simplicity is maintained, but functionality and user experience are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegrated functionalityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The aerosol delivery device is nested within the protective case that contains the portable electronic device. The case has a first cavity for the electronic device and a second cavity for the aerosol delivery device, allowing both devices to coexist in an integrated system while maintaining their individual functionalities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective case serves as an intermediary structure that enables integration between the aerosol delivery device and portable electronic device. It provides physical housing, electrical connection interfaces, and data transfer pathways without requiring direct modification of either device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the portable electronic device is fully enclosed in the case for protection, then device protection is improved, but access to user interfaces is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice protectionVSAvoidinterface accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The case is designed with selective openings at specific locations to provide access to particular user interfaces of the portable electronic device while maintaining protection for other areas. This allows users to access necessary functions without compromising overall device protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Use of energy by moving object

If electrical connection is established for charging, then energy transfer capability is improved, but connection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery chargingVSAvoidconnection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical connection interface is designed to serve multiple functions: charging the battery of the aerosol delivery device, transferring data between devices, and providing power management capabilities. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated connections for each purpose.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3051967B1Accessory for an aerosol delivery device and related method
Publication Date: 2017.12.27 RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS INC
  • EP3051967B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3051967B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3051967B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an accessory device usable with a portable electronic device and an aerosol delivery device. The accessory device may include a case configured to receive the portable electronic device and the aerosol delivery device therein. Further, the accessory device may include an interface that provides an electrical connection and/or a data connection between the aerosol delivery device and the portable electronic device. Thereby, the portable electronic device may charge the aerosol delivery device or vice versa and/or data may be exchanged therebetween. A related method and a computer program product are also provided.