Aerosol Cartridge Holder with Spring-Loaded Loading and Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional smoking articles suffer from issues such as scorching of wrapping material, production of undesirable gases, and poor aerosolization, while also being prone to combustion by-products, and often lack ease of use and reusable/replaceable components.
Innovation Solution
Aerosol delivery devices with removable and replaceable cartridges, featuring holders with mechanisms like rotating portions, slider buttons, and spring-loaded latches that facilitate easy insertion and ejection of cartridges, while protecting the heat source and ensuring efficient aerosol delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional smoking articles are used, then combustion of tobacco is achieved, but scorching of wrapping material and production of undesirable gases occur
Solution Approach 1:
The smoking article is divided into separate functional components: a heat source (ignitable fuel element) and a substrate (tobacco or alternative material). This segmentation allows the heat source to be controlled and contained, preventing uncontrolled combustion that causes scorching and harmful by-products, while still enabling effective heating of the substrate for aerosol generation.
Solution Approach 2:
An ignitable fuel element acts as an intermediary between the user's action (lighting) and the substrate material. This intermediary controls the heat transfer process, providing sufficient heat for aerosolization without direct combustion of the wrapping material or excessive combustion of the substrate, thereby reducing scorching and harmful combustion by-products.
2Strength
If traditional smoking articles with fixed components are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but ease of replacement and reusability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The smoking article is designed with separable components including a reusable holder and replaceable cartridges or substrates. This segmentation maintains structural integrity of each component while enabling easy replacement of consumable parts, improving both reusability and ease of operation without compromising the strength of individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static, fixed-structure design to a dynamic system where components can be easily assembled and disassembled. The holder is designed to securely retain cartridges during use while allowing straightforward insertion and removal, providing both structural stability when needed and operational flexibility when required.
3Ease of operation
If simple insertion mechanisms are used, then ease of cartridge loading is improved, but protection of heat source and secure retention may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is pre-configured with receiving chambers, retention features, and alignment guides that automatically engage with the cartridge during insertion. This preliminary preparation ensures that the cartridge is securely retained and the heat source is properly protected without requiring complex manual operations from the user, maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion mechanism is designed to automatically perform multiple functions: guiding the cartridge into place, securing it through retention features, and positioning the heat source for optimal operation. This self-service approach ensures secure retention and proper assembly without requiring complex user actions, balancing ease of operation with reliability.
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 a user-friendly smoking experience with reduced combustion by-products, improved aerosolization, and allows for easy replacement of components, enhancing user satisfaction and safety.
Implementation Method 1
utilize heat sources, such as combustible carbon-based ignition sources, for the production of aerosol
Implementation Method 2
vaporizing components of tobacco and/or other tobacco related materials to form an inhalable aerosol
Implementation Method 3
a spring-loaded latch mechanism comprising a first button and a second button, the latch mechanism configured to actuate the receiving member to and from a loading position and a use position
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a holder for use with a removable substrate cartridge. In one implementation, the holder comprises a main body, an inner sleeve configured to move relative to the main body, and an actuating element configured to slide the inner sleeve to and from a retracted position, in which an outer surface of the inner sleeve is not visible, and a use position, in which the inner sleeve protects an inserted cartridge. In another implementation, the holder comprises a main body, a receiving member located within the main body, and a spring-loaded latch mechanism. The latch mechanism may be configured to actuate the receiving member to and from a loading position, a use position, and an ejecting position.