Aerosol Consumable Push-Push Mechanism for Secure Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol generating systems face challenges in providing a user-friendly and secure mechanism for engaging and disengaging consumables, leading to potential accidental removal and a less than optimal user experience.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a push-push mechanism that allows a consumable to be engaged and disengaged from the body by a relative movement in a first and second direction, using a push-push insertion and receiving member, which enhances security and user experience by reducing accidental disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple engagement mechanism is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to accidental removal
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism transitions from a static connection to a dynamic two-stage engagement system. The consumable first engages in a preliminary position, then requires a second pushing action to reach the final secured position, making accidental removal unlikely while maintaining simple operation
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement process is divided into two distinct stages: a first engagement position and a second secured engagement position. This segmentation allows the mechanism to provide both ease of initial engagement and security against accidental removal through the required second pushing action
2Reliability
If a secure engagement mechanism is used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism uses the user's own pushing action twice to both engage and disengage the consumable. The system serves itself by using the same simple pushing motion for both engagement and disengagement, avoiding the need for complex locking or actuating mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism achieves high reliability through dynamic two-stage engagement rather than complex static locking. The requirement for two pushing actions provides security without adding mechanical complexity, as the same simple motion is used in reverse for disengagement
3Reliability
If a multi-step engagement mechanism is used, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism uses the same simple pushing motion dynamically in two stages, rather than requiring different complex operations. The first push engages preliminarily and the second push secures, but both use the same intuitive motion, maintaining operational simplicity while achieving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Disengagement is achieved by inverting the engagement action - pushing twice in reverse order rather than pulling or using a separate release mechanism. This inversion maintains operational simplicity by using the same type of motion (pushing) for both engagement and disengagement
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating apparatus (100) wherein a consumable (104) is engaged with a body (102) by pushing the consumable toward the body in a first direction, and wherein the consumable is disengaged from the body by subsequently pushing the consumable in the same first direction. Consequently, the consumable is fixed to the body by a mechanism (300) that enables a relative movement of the consumable and body in a first, push direction, to engage the mechanism, and a second relative movement of the consumable and body in the first, push direction to disengage the mechanism. Thus, in the exemplary embodiments, the consumable is engaged to the body by a push-push mechanism.