Aerosol Delivery Charge Indication Triggered by Device Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol delivery devices, such as smoking substitute systems, lack an efficient method to indicate the charge status of the power source to the user when the device is not in use.

Innovation Solution

The aerosol delivery device incorporates a movement sensor and a user feedback element, allowing the device to provide feedback on the charge status of the power source when the device is moved by the user, without requiring activation or inhalation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the device provides continuous visual feedback on charge status, then user awareness of charge level is improved, but light pollution and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge status informationVSAvoidlight pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses periodic action by triggering visual feedback only at specific moments (when movement is detected) rather than continuously. The controller monitors movement sensors and activates the visual feedback element only during these periodic check-points, reducing light pollution while maintaining useful charge status information delivery to the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The device enables self-service by automatically detecting user movement and providing charge status information without requiring the user to actively query or activate the display. The movement sensor automatically triggers the feedback mechanism when the user picks up or moves the device, making the information delivery autonomous and context-aware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If the device provides charge status feedback only during activation, then energy consumption is reduced, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by automatically detecting when the user moves or picks up the device through movement sensors, and autonomously providing charge status feedback without requiring the user to press buttons or activate the device manually. This maintains energy efficiency while significantly improving user convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring movement sensor data and automatically responding with visual charge status information when movement is detected. This creates a responsive feedback loop that provides useful information at the moment the user needs it, enhancing convenience without excessive energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of time

If the device uses movement sensors to trigger feedback, then information delivery timing is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation delivery timingVSAvoidsensor integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movement sensor serves multiple functions: it detects device pickup, triggers charge status feedback, and can potentially monitor usage patterns. By making the sensor multi-functional, the patent reduces overall device complexity while improving information delivery timing, as the same hardware component serves several purposes rather than requiring dedicated sensors for each function.

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

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 solution enables users to easily and conveniently check the charge status of the device without activating it, reducing light pollution and enhancing user experience by providing intuitive visual feedback based on the charge level.

Implementation Method 1

a heater configured to heat the aerosol precursor so as to form an aerosol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

The light source is configured to emit light having a first wavelength when the current charge level of the power source is at or above a first charge threshold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 3

The light source is configured to emit light having a second wavelength when the current charge level of the power source is below the first charge threshold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP4151105B1Aerosol delivery device/system
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 IMPERIAL TOBACCO LTD
  • EP4151105B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4151105B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4151105B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device and system e.g. a smoking substitute device and system. In particular an aerosol delivery device comprising: a movement detection unit configured to detect a movement of the device; a power source having a charge status; and a feedback element configured to provide feedback based on the charge status of the power source wherein the feedback element provides feedback in response to a movement of the device detected by the movement detection unit.