Elastic Support for Sidestream Smoke Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sidestream smoke removal devices often fail to provide stable support and ignition for cigarettes of varying lengths, leading to poor ignition performance and the need for multiple devices.

Innovation Solution

A sidestream smoke removal device with an elastic support portion that stretches to accommodate different cigarette lengths, coupled with an ignition portion that comes into close contact with the cigarette for improved ignition, and a control method that includes a temperature sensor for automatic smoking detection and extinguishing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed support structure is used for cigarettes of a specific length, then the device can provide stable support and ignition for that specific length, but it cannot accommodate cigarettes of various lengths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with various cigarette lengthsVSAvoidsupport stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a movable support member that can dynamically adjust its position along the longitudinal direction to accommodate different cigarette lengths. The support member is configured to move between a first position for short cigarettes and a second position for long cigarettes, providing stable support regardless of cigarette length. This dynamic adjustment mechanism resolves the contradiction by making the support structure adaptable while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the positional parameter of the support member to adapt to different cigarette lengths. By adjusting the position of the support member along the longitudinal axis, the device can accommodate various cigarette lengths while maintaining proper support stability. This parameter adjustment allows the same device to reliably support different cigarette types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the support member is positioned for long cigarettes, then long cigarettes are stably supported, but short cigarettes cannot be properly supported

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport for different cigarette lengthsVSAvoidignition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ignition device is configured to dynamically adjust its position based on the detected cigarette length. When a short cigarette is detected, the ignition device moves to a first ignition position; when a long cigarette is detected, it moves to a second ignition position. This dynamic positioning ensures that the ignition device can reliably ignite both short and long cigarettes, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ignition stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a detection mechanism that identifies cigarette length and provides feedback to control the ignition device's position. Based on this feedback, the ignition device automatically adjusts to the appropriate ignition position, ensuring stable ignition for both short and long cigarettes. This feedback-controlled adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the system responsive to cigarette length variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If manual operation is required to select device settings for different cigarette lengths, then the device can be optimized for each length, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveignition performanceVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an automatic detection and adjustment system where the device autonomously identifies the cigarette length and positions both the support member and ignition device without user intervention. The detection mechanism automatically triggers the appropriate positioning, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining reliable ignition performance. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by automating the optimization process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary detection of cigarette length before ignition occurs. The detection mechanism identifies the cigarette type in advance, allowing the support member and ignition device to pre-position themselves at the correct locations before the ignition process begins. This preliminary action ensures optimal ignition performance without requiring complex manual operations during the ignition moment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 support and ignition stability for cigarettes of various lengths, reduces user purchasing costs, and provides automatic extinguishing to prevent fires.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic support portion which is disposed to elastically support an upstream end of the smoking article as the smoking article is inserted through the article insertion portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a temperature sensor which is disposed to measure a temperature near a downstream end of a smoking material portion constituting the inserted smoking article

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Temperature Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4011222B1Sidestream smoke removal device and method for controlling same
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 KT&G CO LTD
  • EP4011222B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4011222B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4011222B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided herein are a sidestream smoke removal device and a control method thereof. The sidestream smoke removal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure includes a housing in which a smoking space is formed, an article insertion portion which is disposed at one end of the housing and forms an opening for insertion of a smoking article into the smoking space, an elastic support portion which is configured to support the smoking article inserted through the article insertion portion, an ignition portion which is configured to ignite the smoking article inserted into the smoking space, and a sidestream smoke processing portion which is configured to process sidestream smoke generated from the smoking article inserted into the smoking space. By elastically supporting an upstream end of the smoking article, the elastic support portion may improve support stability and ignition stability for the smoking article.