Atomization Unit Electrode Insulation for Conduction Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The reliability of conduction between pin electrodes and planar electrodes in non-combustion suction devices is not adequately secured, leading to potential short circuits and inconsistent performance.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a configuration where pin electrodes are positioned to avoid direct contact with multiple planar electrodes, with a wider insulation area and semicircular planar electrodes to absorb dimensional variations, along with a restriction portion to prevent rotation and ensure stable contact, and a tapered restriction portion for easy alignment and attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pin electrodes are positioned closer to planar electrodes to improve conduction reliability, then electrical connection stability improves, but risk of short circuit between multiple planar electrodes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconduction reliabilityVSAvoidshort circuit risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An insulation portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the pin electrodes and planar electrodes. This insulation portion prevents direct contact between multiple planar electrodes while still allowing the pin electrode to maintain reliable electrical connection with the planar electrode through controlled contact points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulation portion is strategically positioned only in specific locations where short circuit risk exists, rather than providing uniform insulation everywhere. This localized insulation approach maintains good electrical contact where needed while preventing short circuits only where necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If insulation portion width is increased to prevent short circuits, then short circuit prevention improves, but dimensional variation absorption capability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort circuit preventionVSAvoiddimensional variation absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation portion width is optimized to provide just enough insulation to prevent short circuits while leaving sufficient space for dimensional variations. The insulation is positioned strategically rather than uniformly, allowing the planar electrodes to accommodate manufacturing tolerances while still being protected from short circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If restriction portion is added to prevent rotation, then connection stability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The restriction portion is integrated into the existing electrode assembly structure rather than being added as a separate component. This merging approach prevents rotation and improves connection stability while minimizing the increase in device complexity by using the same structural elements for multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reliability of conduction between pin and planar electrodes, preventing short circuits and ensuring stable electrical connections, thus improving the overall performance and usability of the non-combustion suction device.

Implementation Method 1

the heater disposed in the atomization unit generates heat by the power supplied from the storage battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a pin electrode formed in the main body unit and a planar electrode formed in the atomization unit are electrically connected by assembling the main body unit and the atomization unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3871543B1Atomization unit of non-combustion suction device, power unit of non-combustion suction device, and non-combustion suction device
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 JAPAN TOBACCO INC
  • EP3871543B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3871543B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3871543B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An atomization unit according to an embodiment of the present invention has a container main body, a heater, and a first planar electrode and a second planar electrode. The first planar electrode and the second planar electrode are at least disposed in an arc-shaped region including both of a first virtual circle with the axis as a center and through the first pin electrode and a second virtual circle with the axis as a center and through the second pin electrode in an attaching state of the container main body to the power unit. An insulation portion configured to partition the first planar electrode and the second planar electrode in a circumferential direction around the axis is disposed on a second virtual straight line along a tangential direction of the second electrode configuration surface and through the center of the second electrode configuration surface.