Aerosolisation Chamber Uniform Cross-Section Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol delivery devices face challenges in reliable assembly and leakage issues due to the build-up of aerosol precursors, leading to inconsistent droplet sizes and potential sanitation concerns.

Innovation Solution

The provision of an aerosolisation chamber with a uniform cross-sectional area, combined with a constricted airflow path and a passive aerosol generating portion, minimizes the space between the chamber walls and the aerosol generating element, reducing leakage and ensuring consistent droplet sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a conical aerosolisation chamber is used, then assembly is easier, but aerosol precursor build-up occurs leading to leakage and inconsistent droplet sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidaerosol delivery consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameter of the aerosolisation chamber from conical to cylindrical with uniform cross-sectional area. This parameter change eliminates the expansion space where aerosol precursors could accumulate, thereby preventing leakage and ensuring consistent droplet sizes while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple cylindrical geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If larger space is provided between chamber walls and aerosol generating element, then assembly is easier, but aerosol precursor build-up increases causing leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidleakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the spatial parameter by maintaining a uniform, minimized distance between the cylindrical chamber walls and the aerosol generating element throughout. This eliminates the variable spacing in conical designs that creates accumulation zones, thereby preventing precursor build-up and leakage while keeping the assembly process simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If uniform cross-sectional chamber is used, then droplet size consistency improves, but surface area for precursor accumulation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedroplet size consistencyVSAvoidprecursor accumulation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameter from conical to cylindrical, creating a uniform cross-sectional area that eliminates expansion spaces. This geometric transformation simultaneously improves droplet size consistency by preventing precursor build-up and reduces the total surface area available for accumulation, thereby addressing both aspects of the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If conical chamber design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but sanitation issues arise due to precursor accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechamber design simplicityVSAvoidsanitation concerns
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chamber geometry parameter from conical to cylindrical with uniform cross-section. This simple geometric change eliminates the expansion space at the wider end of conical chambers where precursors accumulate, thereby preventing sanitation issues while maintaining device simplicity and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration enhances the consistency of aerosol droplet sizes, reduces leakage, and improves sanitation by minimizing the surface area where aerosol precursors can accumulate, resulting in a more reliable and efficient aerosol delivery.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid transfer element in contact with the aerosol precursor. The liquid transfer element comprises a conveying portion and an aerosol generating portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

a passive aerosol generating portion, minimizes the space between the chamber walls and the aerosol generating element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPassive aerosol generation: Aerosol

Data Source

PatentEP4218866B1Aerosol delivery device
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 IMPERIAL TOBACCO LTD
  • EP4218866B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4218866B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4218866B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

An aerosol delivery device comprising: a storage tank defining a storage chamber for storing a liquid aerosol precursor and a porous liquid transfer element for transferring the liquid aerosol precursor from the storage chamber to an aerosolisation chamber in an activated state of the device. It further comprises an air bleed channel configured to allow the bleeding of air into the chamber of the storage tank to replace liquid aerosol precursor as it is transferred by the liquid transfer element in the activated state of the device. A sealing element for seals the air bleed channel in a deactivated state of the device. The device further comprises first and second activation members depending from an inner surface of a terminal element. In a first orientation of the terminal element, the first activation member is longitudinally aligned with the sealing element, and in a second orientation of the terminal element, the second activation member is longitudinally aligned with the sealing element. Also disclosed is an aerosol delivery device having an aerosolisation chamber extending longitudinally into the device from a mouthpiece aperture of the device. The aerosolisation chamber has a transverse cross-sectional area that is uniform along a longitudinal length of the aerosolisation chamber. Also disclosed is an aerosol delivery device having a hinged cap rotatable relative to a mouthpiece of the device so as to be moveable between a sealing configuration and an open configuration.