Aerosol Article End Deformation for Reuse Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Users may reuse aerosol generating articles, leading to changes in flavor and discomfort due to the reuse of the aerosol generating article.

Innovation Solution

The aerosol generating device includes a deformation guiding portion that deforms one end of the aerosol generating article upon initial insertion, allowing the device to detect reuse and prevent operation or notify the user through an alarm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users re-insert a used aerosol generating article, then the device allows operation, but the flavor changes and user comfort decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operationVSAvoidflavor change

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The deformation guiding portion performs a preliminary action by deforming the aerosol generating article during initial insertion. This deformation creates a permanent physical change that serves as a marker to prevent subsequent reuse, thereby maintaining flavor consistency while allowing initial operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex chemical or electronic detection systems with a simple mechanical deformation mechanism. The deformation guiding portion mechanically deforms the article structure, and this mechanical change is detected by a sensor to prevent reuse, simplifying the overall system while effectively preventing flavor degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a deformation guiding portion deforms the aerosol generating article, then reuse is prevented, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereuse preventionVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deformation guiding portion merges multiple functions into a single structural element: it guides the article during insertion, deforms the article to create a reuse marker, and works with the sensor to detect deformation. This integration reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliable reuse prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The deformation guiding portion uses a simple, inexpensive mechanical structure that creates a permanent deformation in the disposable aerosol generating article. This approach avoids the need for complex reusable detection systems by leveraging the disposable nature of the article itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the device detects deformation to prevent reuse, then flavor consistency is maintained, but the detection system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflavor consistencyVSAvoiddeformation detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is positioned at a specific location where it detects only the local deformation caused by the deformation guiding portion. This localized detection approach simplifies the sensing requirement compared to detecting overall article state, maintaining flavor consistency through simple binary detection of deformation presence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3873279B1Aerosol generating device

Publication Date: 2026.01.28 KT&G CO LTD

Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2D
Figure 2E~3A

AI summary

An aerosol generating device includes: an accommodation portion configured to accommodate an aerosol generating article through an opening; and a deformation guiding portion that comes into contact with one end of the aerosol generating article when the aerosol generating article is inserted into an accommodation portion. The deformation guiding portion deforms the one end of the aerosol generating article when the aerosol generating article is inserted for the first time into the accommodation portion such that the aerosol generating device detects whether an aerosol generating article is being reused based on whether its end is deformed or not.