Downstream Cooling Layer in Flavor Inhaler for Low Airflow Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flavor inhalers face challenges in efficiently cooling the generated flavor without increasing ventilation resistance, often requiring complex designs with internal cooling elements that complicate airflow.

Innovation Solution

A flavor inhaler design featuring a cooling layer on the inner surface of the cylindrical holding member downstream of the flavor source, with ventilation holes allowing external air to directly enter the flow path, and a separate thermal conductor for heat transfer, eliminating the need for internal cooling elements and simplifying ventilation resistance design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If internal cooling elements are added to cool the flavor, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity and ventilation resistance increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the cooling function from internal complex cooling elements and relocates it to the outer cylindrical holding member. The cooling layer is formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical holding member, separating the cooling function from the internal flavor generation structure, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling function is moved from a three-dimensional internal structure to a two-dimensional outer surface layer. The cooling layer is formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical holding member, utilizing the external surface area for heat exchange rather than requiring internal volumetric cooling structures, thus reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Temperature

If internal cooling elements are added to cool the flavor, then cooling efficiency is improved, but ventilation resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidventilation resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling function is extracted from the internal airflow path and placed on the external surface of the cylindrical holding member. This prevents any obstruction to the internal airflow path, maintaining low ventilation resistance while achieving effective cooling through the external cooling layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling operation is shifted from the internal airflow dimension to the external surface dimension. The cooling layer on the outer surface cools the flavor without interfering with the internal airflow path, thus avoiding increased ventilation resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Temperature

If a cooling layer is provided on the inner surface facing the flow path, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling layer is extracted from the internal flow path structure and placed on the outer surface of the cylindrical holding member. This external positioning simplifies the internal structure while maintaining effective cooling through thermal conduction through the cylinder wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cylindrical holding member serves multiple functions: it contains the flavor source, provides structural support, and acts as a thermal conduction path from the external cooling layer to the internal flavor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate internal cooling structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design achieves efficient cooling of the generated flavor while maintaining low ventilation resistance, enhancing cooling efficiency through turbulent airflow and uniform gas cooling, and allowing easy production and assembly.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling layer provided only downstream of the flavor source, wherein the cooling layer is provided on an inner surface of the cylindrical holding member, and faces the flow path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a first thermal conductor that transmits heat generated by a combustion heat source to the flavor source, the combustion heat source provided at an ignition end of the cylindrical holding member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

a first thermal conductor that transmits heat generated by a combustion heat source to the flavor source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4397341B1Flavor inhaler
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 JAPAN TOBACCO INC
  • EP4397341B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4397341B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4397341B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A flavor inhaler comprises: a flavor source configured to generate flavor without combusting; a cylindrical holding member including at least the flavor source inside; a flow path that is provided in the cylindrical holding member and that is extending from the flavor source toward a suction port for sucking the flavor; and a cooling layer provided only downstream of the flavor source. The cooling layer is provided on an inner surface of the cylindrical holding member, and faces the flow path.