Heat Source Holder for Flavor Inhaler Package
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flavor inhaler designs with separate heat sources and tubular members lack a convenient configuration for inserting small heat sources, such as carbon heat sources, which are less than 1 cm³, into the tubular member, making it difficult for users to properly insert them.
Innovation Solution
A package design featuring a partition member that separates the space into a heat source housing area and a tubular member area, with a heat source holder that positions the heat source so its insertion end protrudes from the top, allowing easy alignment and insertion into the tubular member, and a tubular member with a supporting end that has a decreasing internal dimension towards the mouthpiece side to facilitate correct insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the heat source is provided separately from the tubular member, then the heat source can be small (less than 1 cm³), but it becomes difficult to insert into the tubular member
Solution Approach 1:
The heat source is pre-held in a predetermined posture by the holder before insertion. The holder positions the heat source with its longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the package, ensuring correct orientation before the user inserts it into the tubular member. This preliminary positioning action resolves the contradiction by making small heat sources easy to insert while maintaining their compact size.
2Volume of moving object
If the heat source is small, then it can be compact, but incorrect orientation during insertion cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The holder pre-positions the heat source in the correct orientation before insertion, eliminating the need for the user to judge orientation manually. The holder's structure ensures the heat source's longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the bottom surface, providing built-in orientation guidance that prevents incorrect insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The package bottom surface is designed with asymmetric features including a recessed portion and a protruding portion that correspond to asymmetric features on the heat source. This asymmetric design creates a unique fit that only allows correct orientation, making it impossible to insert the heat source incorrectly while maintaining its compact size.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the heat source holder holds the heat source securely, then the heat source position is stable, but the insertion end portion cannot protrude for easy insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed with differentiated local qualities: it provides strong holding force at the non-insertion end portion to maintain stable positioning, while allowing the insertion end portion to protrude freely. This localized differentiation of holding strength enables both stable storage and easy insertion of the compact heat source.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A package (100) houses a heat source (50) having a columnar shape extending along a predetermined direction and houses a tubular member (30) having a tubular shape. The package (100) comprises a bottom surface (11) (bottom surface (11A)) and a heat source holder (13A) holding the heat source (50) so that the predetermined direction is directed toward a direction crossing the bottom surface (11).