Gas Inhalation Device Using Electrical Arc Ionization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smoking devices that use combustible materials, such as tobacco or cannabis, often expose users to harmful chemicals and produce unhealthy positively ionized particles when burning these materials with flames, which are not efficiently filtered out.

Innovation Solution

A device that employs electronic circuitry to create an electrical arc between electrodes within a glass pipe, ionizing ambient air and promoting the inhalation of healthier, lighter negatively ionized particles by heating the combustible material without external heat sources, thereby reducing exposure to chemicals and filtering out positively ionized particles using a pinch mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a flame is used to burn combustible material, then the material is heated and gas is produced, but harmful chemicals and positively ionized particles are generated and exposed to users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion temperatureVSAvoidharmful chemicals and positively ionized particles

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical combustion process (flame burning) with an electrical field-based heating process. Electrodes generate an electrical arc or corona discharge that directly heats the combustible material without requiring external flame, thereby eliminating the generation of harmful chemicals and positively ionized particles associated with traditional combustion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the heating parameter from chemical combustion (flame) to electrical field energy (electrical arc or corona discharge). This parameter change fundamentally alters the heating mechanism, producing negative ions instead of positive ions and avoiding the formation of harmful combustion byproducts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If external heat sources are used to heat combustible material, then gas production is achieved, but exposure to harmful chemicals increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating temperatureVSAvoidchemical exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes external heat sources (such as lighters or matches) with an integrated electrical field generation system. The electrodes and electronic circuitry are built into the device, creating an electrical arc or corona discharge that heats the material from within the device structure, eliminating the need for external combustion sources and reducing chemical exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If flame combustion is used, then gas is produced efficiently, but positively ionized particles are not efficiently filtered out

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas production efficiencyVSAvoidpositively ionized particles

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the ionization outcome by using an electrical field that generates negative ions instead of positive ions. The electrodes are configured to create corona discharge or electrical arcs that ionize air molecules and combustible material vapors in a way that produces predominantly negative ions, which are then inhaled by the user, reversing the harmful effect of traditional flame combustion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 device effectively reduces exposure to harmful chemicals and enhances the inhalation of healthier, negatively ionized particles, improving user health by ionizing ambient air and filtering out heavier positively ionized particles, while being portable and self-sufficient.

Implementation Method 1

electronic circuitry is configured to provide electricity to the electrodes such that an electric arc is formed between the first and second electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical arc: Electric Arc

Implementation Method 2

ionizing ambient air and promoting the inhalation of healthier, lighter negatively ionized particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 3

the electrical arc causing combustion of the combustible material so as to form a gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS11470875B2Gas inhalation devices and methods utilizing electrical discharge

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 TWEEDIE XANDER VICTOR

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to devices for inhaling gases, such as smoke or vapor, produced from a combustible material, as well to methods for producing these devices and methods for inhaling such gases. Devices according to the present disclosure utilize one or more electrical arcs for the combustion of the desired combustible material as opposed to prior art methods that utilize, e.g., fire. The electrical arcs produced by devices according to the present disclosure cause an electrical field to form that ionizes the gas to be inhaled by the user, and cause a larger proportion of negatively ionized particles to be ingested by the user. Methods for forming such devices, including methods for assembly that allow for access to electronic circuitry for forming the electrical arcs for, e.g., recharging purposes, are also described, as are methods for inhalation of the gas produced by the combustible material.