Compressible Consumable Sections for Controlled Aerosol Pressure Drop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-combustible aerosol provision devices face challenges in efficiently heating aerosol-generating materials while maintaining optimal pressure drop and material consistency, leading to inconsistent aerosol production.

Innovation Solution

A consumable design with a compressible second section that compresses to form a tapered portion upon insertion, increasing pressure drop by 7-30 mm Wg, combined with a first section that can be compressible or crushable, to maintain consistent pressure drop and aerosol generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If aerosol-generating material is reduced in the consumable, then the duration of action is extended, but the pressure drop decreases leading to inconsistent aerosol production

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduration of actionVSAvoidpressure drop
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The consumable is divided into two distinct sections: a first section containing aerosol-generating material and a second section that is compressible to form a tapered portion. This segmentation allows the second section to be optimized for creating pressure drop while the first section provides aerosol generation, resolving the contradiction between extending duration and maintaining pressure drop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second section is designed to change its physical parameters (density, shape) through compression when inserted into the receiving portion. This parameter change creates the necessary pressure drop (7-30 mm Wg increase) without requiring additional aerosol-generating material, thus extending duration while maintaining pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the consumable is designed with compressible sections to increase pressure drop, then aerosol generation consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerosol generation consistencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second section is designed to automatically compress and form the tapered portion through the mechanical action of insertion into the receiving portion. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional actuators, motors, or control systems, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The consumable is pre-designed with the second section in an uncompressed state that will automatically transform into the tapered configuration upon insertion. This preliminary preparation ensures consistent pressure drop generation without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stress or pressure

If the second section is made compressible to form a tapered portion, then pressure drop is increased by 7-30 mm Wg, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure dropVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The second section is designed as a compressible structure that can be deformed into the tapered portion through compression. This flexible design allows for the creation of the required pressure drop geometry without requiring extremely precise manufacturing tolerances, as the final shape is achieved through controlled compression rather than precision machining.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

The design ensures stable aerosol production by compensating for reduced aerosol-generating material with increased pressure drop, enhancing the efficiency and consistency of aerosol generation in non-combustible devices.

Implementation Method 1

the second section is compressible so as to be compressed (or crushable so as to be crushed) when the consumable is inserted into the receiving portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

The heating volatilises at least one component of the material, typically forming an inhalable aerosol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

The heating volatilises at least one component of the material, typically forming an inhalable aerosol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVolatilization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4599709A1A consumable for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device and a system for heating aerosol-generating material
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 NICOVENTURES TRADING LTD
  • EP4599709A1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4599709A1 patent drawingFigure 5
  • EP4599709A1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A consumable (101) for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device (1) having a receiving portion for receiving a consumable therein. The consumable comprises a first section (102), the first section comprising aerosol generating material, and a second section (112) upstream of the first section of aerosol generating material. The second section is compressible so as to be compressed when the consumable is inserted into the receiving portion of the non-combustible aerosol provision device so as to provide a tapered portion of the second section which tapers towards an upstream most end of the consumable. The pressure drop across the second section increases by between 7 mm Wg to 30 mm Wg after the consumable is inserted into the receiving portion of the non-combustible aerosol provision device.