Flavor Inhaler Flow Path Design to Prevent Sidestream Smoke
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flavor inhalers face challenges in preventing flavor from flowing out through the first flow path without a puff action, leading to sidestream smoke and inefficient heating of the flavor source.
Innovation Solution
A flavor inhaler design featuring a cylindrical holding member with a combustion heat source at one end and a flavor source at the other, incorporating an inside holding member with a flow-path forming member that extends the first flow path length, ensuring air introduction and flavor suction without direct contact with the combustion heat source, and a second flow path for flavor diffusion and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the first flow path is made shorter, then air can reach the flavor source faster, but flavor may flow out through the flow path without puff action causing sidestream smoke
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is extended by introducing a circumferential direction component through the flow-path forming member, transforming a potentially direct linear path into a longer path that winds around the flavor source outer perimeter, thereby increasing path length without increasing device volume
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the flow path is extended to prevent flavor leakage, then sidestream smoke is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-path forming member acts as an intermediary structure that defines the extended flow path geometry. This mediator component simplifies the overall design by providing a standardized element that creates the necessary flow path extension without requiring complex shaping of the entire device
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the first flow path is made longer, then flavor leakage is prevented, but the heating efficiency of the flavor source decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path has different characteristics in different regions: the section passing between the first and second side walls is extended to prevent flavor leakage, while the section passing through the flavor source maintains appropriate heating contact. The flow path forming member creates local variations in path length to balance these competing requirements
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 effectively prevents flavor from flowing out during non-puff actions, ensures uniform heating, and enhances cooling efficiency, reducing sidestream smoke and improving the overall flavor delivery experience.
Implementation Method 1
a combustion heat source provided at the ignition end
Implementation Method 2
The aerosol generation source generates an aerosol in accordance with heat generated by the combustion heat source
Implementation Method 3
a first flow path connecting the through-hole and the introduction port each other and passing between the first side wall and the second side wall
Implementation Method 4
the second flow path has a cavity that diffuses flavor
Data Source
AI summary
A flavor inhaler includes a cylindrical holding member having a second side wall; a combustion heat source; a flavor source; an inside holding member that retains at least the flavor source and has a first side wall; and an introduction port. The second side wall has a through-hole that is fluidly coupled to external air. The flavor inhaler further includes a first flow path connecting the through-hole and the introduction port each other and a second flow path connecting the flavor source and a suction port. A flow-path forming member is formed such that a length of a flavor source outer perimeter segment that is a section corresponding an outer perimeter of the flavor source, in the first flow path, is longer than a shortest length connecting the introduction port and a location where fluid flows into the flavor source outer perimeter segment.