Inhalation Device Sequential Input Control for Child Resistance

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inhalers lack effective child-resistant mechanisms that prevent misuse by children without compromising convenience for legitimate users.

Innovation Solution

An inhalation device with a control unit that requires multiple sequential inputs, such as mounting a base material and a mouthpiece, followed by a specific operation, to generate aerosol, thereby preventing operation by children who do not grasp the correct use method.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a simple operation mechanism is used, then ease of operation is improved, but child resistance function deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidchild resistance function

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The operation is divided into multiple sequential steps: first mounting the mouthpiece, then pressing the operation button. This segmentation ensures that children cannot accidentally activate the device since they cannot complete the full sequence, while adults can easily perform both steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mouthpiece must be mounted on the main body portion before the operation button can be pressed. This preliminary action creates a prerequisite condition that prevents accidental activation by children who cannot understand the mounting step, while maintaining ease of operation for adults who can easily perform the mounting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a complex operation mechanism is used, then child resistance function is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechild resistance functionVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The operation is divided into multiple sequential steps: first mounting the mouthpiece, then pressing the operation button. This segmentation ensures that children cannot accidentally activate the device since they cannot complete the full sequence, while adults can easily perform both steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mouthpiece must be mounted on the main body portion before the operation button can be pressed. This preliminary action creates a prerequisite condition that prevents accidental activation by children who cannot understand the mounting step, while maintaining ease of operation for adults who can easily perform the mounting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4573941A1Inhalation device, control method, and program

Publication Date: 2025.06.25 JAPAN TOBACCO INC

Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B

AI summary

An inhalation device (100B) that generates an aerosol from a stick-type base material (150) having an aerosol source and delivers the generated aerosol to a user via a mouthpiece (124B), comprises: a main body part that is configured so as to be able to mount the stick-type base material (150) and the mouthpiece (124B); a sensor part (112B) that includes an input part that accepts an input from the user; and a control part (116B) that controls the operation of the inhalation device (100B). The control part (116B) causes the inhalation device (100B) to operate in accordance with the input accepted by means of the input unit when the stick-type base material (150) and the mouthpiece (124B) are mounted to the main body part of the inhalation device (100B).