Aerosol Heating Assembly ESD Pathway for Electronics Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smoking alternatives that heat instead of burn tobacco or other materials face challenges in managing electrostatic discharge, which can damage sensitive electronic components.

Innovation Solution

An aerosol provision device with an electrostatic discharge pathway provided by a contact member, such as a spring element, connecting the electrically conductive housing part to a ground point, isolating sensitive electronics from discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If heating assembly is integrated with electronics module, then device compactness is improved, but electrostatic discharge damage risk to electronics increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidelectrostatic discharge damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A contact member is introduced as an intermediary element between the heating assembly and the electronics module. This contact member provides a dedicated electrostatic discharge pathway that mediates the interaction between the heating assembly and electronics, allowing ESD to be directed safely without compromising the integrated compact design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrostatic discharge pathway is extracted as a separate functional element from the main heating and electronics integration. By taking out the ESD protection function as a distinct contact member, the patent maintains the compact integration of heating and electronics while adding the necessary ESD protection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If contact member is made resiliently deformable, then assembly tolerance compensation is improved, but contact reliability under vibration may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly tolerance compensationVSAvoidcontact reliability under vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contact member is designed with resilient deformability, making it a dynamic element that can adapt to assembly variations. This dynamic characteristic allows the contact member to compensate for tolerance variations while maintaining electrical contact, though vibration resistance is considered in the design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient deformability of the contact member provides beforehand cushioning for assembly tolerance variations. This cushioning effect is built into the contact member's mechanical properties, allowing it to absorb dimensional variations without compromising electrical contact during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Effectively directs electrostatic discharge away from sensitive electronic components, preventing damage and ensuring reliable operation of the device.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one contact member is in electrical contact between the housing part and the electronics module to provide an electrostatic discharge pathway

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Data Source

PatentUS20250386866A1Aerosol provision device

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 NICOVENTURES TRADING LTD

AI summary

An aerosol provision device for generating an aerosol from aerosol-generating material includes a heating assembly and an electrically conductive housing part arranged to at least partially receive the heating assembly. The device includes an electronics module and a contact member. The at least one contact member is in electrical contact between the housing part and the electronics module to provide an electrostatic discharge pathway.