Haptic Output Elements for Aerosol-Generating Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrically heated smoking systems provide limited and confusing feedback to users, often disturbing others and failing to convey timely information, leading to a diminished user experience due to reliance on auditory and visual signals that may be obscured or distracting.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a plurality of haptic output elements that convey information through tactile feedback, allowing for targeted and discreet communication with the user, regardless of their interaction with the device, to enhance user experience and minimize disturbance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If auditory and visual signals are used to provide feedback to users, then information can be conveyed to the user, but the feedback may be obscured, distracting, or disturbing to others
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces auditory and visual feedback systems with a haptic feedback system using vibration motors. The control circuit is configured to activate vibration motors to provide tactile feedback to the user, substituting the mechanical vibration mechanism for the acoustic and optical feedback systems that cause obscuration and disturbance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vibration motors as an intermediary mechanism between the control circuit and the user. These motors convert electrical signals into tactile vibrations that the user can feel, serving as a mediator that conveys information without the harmful effects of auditory and visual signals.
2Loss of information
If multiple output elements are used to convey different functionalities, then comprehensive feedback can be provided, but the feedback becomes confusing for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the feedback system into multiple independent vibration motors distributed at different locations on the device. Each vibration motor can be independently controlled to provide specific tactile feedback, allowing the system to convey different types of information through spatially distinct vibration patterns rather than using multiple confusing output elements.
3Loss of information
If visual signals are continuously displayed during waiting times, then users can be informed of device status, but the signals may be distracting for others nearby
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces continuous visual displays during waiting times with periodic haptic feedback. The control circuit activates vibration motors at specific intervals or upon user interaction to indicate device status, substituting mechanical vibration for visual signals that distract others.
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 use of haptic output elements provides clear and timely feedback to users, improving their interaction with aerosol-generating systems by conveying relevant information through touch, thus enhancing user experience and reducing disturbance to others.
Implementation Method 1
The haptic output elements are configured to convey information to a user via the user's sense of touch
Implementation Method 2
an aerosol-generating element disposed within the housing and configured to generate an aerosol
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided an aerosol-generating device (10/20). The aerosol-generating device (10/20) comprises a housing (11/21). The housing (11/21) optionally comprises an air inlet (15), an air outlet (22), and an airflow path (23) extending therebetween. The aerosol-generating device (10/20) includes an aerosol-generating element disposed within the housing (11/21) and configured to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-generating device (10/20) includes a plurality of haptic output elements (30/51/61). The aerosol-generating device (10/20) includes a circuit (13) operably coupled to the plurality of haptic output elements (30/51/61) and configured to independently actuate each haptic output element (30/51/61) of the plurality of haptic output elements (30/51/61).