Aerosol Delivery Venting for Audible Feedback and Inhalation Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delivery devices lack effective mechanisms for providing audible and tactile feedback to users, and they suffer from pressure misactivation due to internal pressure changes unrelated to user inhalation, leading to inefficient aerosol generation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a sound generator and vent openings that act as an acoustic channel to enhance sound transmission, along with a pressure sensor system to accurately detect user inhalation and prevent misactivation, while ensuring gas exchange through permeable membranes and conduits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a sound generator is added to provide audible feedback, then user feedback is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent opening is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides acoustic enhancement for the sound generator, enables pressure equalization for the pressure sensor, and maintains breathability for the membrane. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by integrating feedback mechanisms into existing structural elements rather than adding separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the acoustic channel function with the pressure equalization function by having both the sound generator and pressure sensor communicate with the vent opening through the same conduit system. This merging of functions reduces overall device complexity while achieving multiple objectives.
2Measurement precision
If pressure sensor is added to detect user inhalation, then activation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent opening serves as a shared interface for both acoustic signal transmission and pressure sensing. The conduit system is designed to simultaneously support sound wave propagation and pressure equalization, allowing the pressure sensor to accurately detect inhalation events without requiring a separate pressure equalization mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent opening acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the internal housing pressure and external atmospheric pressure, enabling the pressure sensor to detect pressure changes caused by user inhalation while maintaining overall pressure balance in the system.
3Illumination intensity
If vent opening is enlarged to improve acoustic output, then sound transmission is improved, but internal pressure balance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vent opening is positioned and dimensioned to provide optimal acoustic enhancement for the sound generator while maintaining sufficient pressure equalization capability. The conduit system is designed with specific geometry to balance acoustic impedance and pressure flow requirements, achieving local optimization for both sound transmission and pressure balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically balances acoustic and pressure functions by optimizing the vent opening dimensions and conduit geometry to achieve the right balance between sound transmission efficiency and pressure equalization rate, preventing both over-pressurization and excessive acoustic loss.
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
Enhances user feedback and ensures accurate activation based on user inhalation, preventing misactivation and maintaining internal pressure balance, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of aerosol generation.
Implementation Method 1
the sound generator is positioned relative to the vent opening such that the vent opening acts as an acoustic channel to enhance the sound transmitted from the housing
Implementation Method 2
A membrane formed from a gas permeable material may extend over the vent opening in the housing
Implementation Method 3
The pressure sensor may be configured to detect when a user draws on the device through the mouthpiece and to activate the device based on said detection
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery device is disclosed and includes a housing and a sound generator in the housing configured to provide an audible indication to a user relating to a function of the delivery device. The delivery device also includes a vent opening in the housing. The sound generator is positioned relative to the vent opening such that the vent opening acts as an acoustic channel to enhance the sound transmitted from the housing. A delivery system including the delivery device and a substrate aerosolizing module including a heater and a consumable having an aerosolizable substrate is also disclosed. The substrate aerosolizing aerosolising module is configured to aerosolize the substrate in response to activation of the delivery device.