Folded Sensor FPC Layout for Compact Aerosol Power Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generation devices face challenges in reducing the size of the power source and heating unit while accommodating sensors and a control device, limiting their compactness.

Innovation Solution

A power source unit and aerosol generation device design featuring a flexible circuit board with sensors mounted on a rigid board, housed within a case, allowing for compact integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the power source and heating unit are made larger to meet use time and heating temperature requirements, then the device functionality is improved, but the device size increases and cannot fit in the hand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuse timeVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit board is folded along a fold line to arrange components in three-dimensional space rather than purely two-dimensional layout. This allows the power source, heating unit, and sensors to be positioned at different spatial levels, reducing the overall device volume while maintaining sufficient space for each component to function properly

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

2Device complexity

If sensors and control devices are mounted on a traditional rigid circuit board, then the device structure is simple, but the device size cannot be reduced further

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit board structureVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit board transitions from a flat rigid structure to a folded flexible structure. The fold line enables the board to bend and arrange components vertically, reducing the horizontal footprint and overall device size while maintaining structural integrity and electrical connectivity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit board uses a flexible substrate that can be folded along a designated fold line. This flexible construction allows the board to conform to compact three-dimensional arrangements, enabling smaller device volume compared to traditional rigid boards that require more horizontal space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP4635328A1Power source unit for aerosol generation device, and aerosol generation device
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 JAPAN TOBACCO INC
  • EP4635328A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4635328A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4635328A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An inhalation device (100) comprises: a power source unit (111C) that supplies power to a heating unit (121C); stick detection sensors (12), an inhalation sensor (13), and a case temperature sensor (14); a sensor FPC (73) that is a flexible circuit board on which said sensors are mounted; a main board (50) that is a rigid board fixed to the sensor FPC (73) via a sensor FPC connection part (55); and a case (20). The stick detection sensors (12), the inhalation sensor (13), and the case temperature sensor (14) are electrically connected to the main board (50) via the sensor FPC connection part (55).