Aerosol Generator Battery Contact Layout for Safe Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inhalation devices, such as e-cigarettes and nebulizers, lack a suitable arrangement for battery replacement, which is essential for consumer protection and environmental sustainability.

Innovation Solution

An aerosol generation system with a housing, accommodating portion, electrical contacts, and a control circuit, where the electrical contacts are positioned further to the opening side than the battery pack, and offset from the load, along with a charging terminal positioned similarly, to facilitate easy and safe battery replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the electrical contacts are positioned at the battery pack end, then the battery pack can be easily inserted and removed, but the electrical contacts are exposed to heat from the load and suffer from wear and short-circuiting risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery replacement easeVSAvoidelectrical contact reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the electrical contacts from the battery pack end (longitudinal dimension) to the substrate end (transverse dimension relative to battery insertion). This spatial reconfiguration in another dimension allows the contacts to be electrically connected to the battery while being physically separated from the heat-generating load, resolving the contradiction between ease of battery replacement and electrical contact reliability under thermal stress

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of energy

If the electrical contacts are positioned close to the load, then power transmission efficiency is improved, but the contacts are exposed to high temperature and experience increased wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower lossVSAvoidthermal exposure to electrical contacts
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the substrate as an intermediary component between the electrical contacts and the load. The substrate's terminal block serves as a mediation point where electrical connections are made, allowing the contacts to be positioned away from the heat-generating load while maintaining efficient electrical connectivity. This intermediary structure decouples the thermal and electrical pathways, protecting the contacts from thermal damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the battery pack is made replaceable, then consumer protection and environmental sustainability are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery replaceabilityVSAvoiddevice structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the device into distinct functional modules: a replaceable battery pack with its own terminal block, and a substrate with corresponding electrical contacts. This segmentation allows the battery to be independently replaced without affecting other components. The modular design with clear separation of electrical connection points simplifies the overall device structure while enabling battery replaceability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This configuration enables efficient, safe, and aesthetically pleasing battery replacement, minimizing power loss, preventing short-circuiting, and reducing wear on electrical connections.

Implementation Method 1

a load for generating energy for heating an aerosol source contained in the substrate accommodated in the accommodating portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4646957A1Aerosol generation system
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 JAPAN TOBACCO INC
  • EP4646957A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4646957A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4646957A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

PROBLEM: To provide a more suitable arrangement relating to battery replacement in an inhalation device. SOLUTION: An aerosol generation system comprising: a housing; a first opening provided at one end of the housing in a first direction; an accommodating portion for accommodating a substrate which is inserted/withdrawn through the first opening; a load for generating energy for heating an aerosol source contained in the substrate accommodated in the accommodating portion; a plurality of electrical contacts detachably connected to each of a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a battery pack for supplying power to the load; and a control circuit for controlling power supply from the battery pack to the load, wherein, in a state in which the plurality of electrical contacts, and the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the battery pack are connected, the plurality of electrical contacts are positioned further to the first opening side than the battery pack in the first direction.