Inhaler with Simultaneous Refill and Recharge Docking Station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional E-cigarettes face issues with dosage consistency due to high viscosity propylene glycol vaporization at high temperatures, leading to degradation and contamination, and require large batteries for power, which is inconvenient and poses safety concerns. Additionally, they are cumbersome to recharge and refill, and the disposable nature is not environmentally friendly.
Innovation Solution
A combination of an inhaler with a small reservoir and a refill pack that simultaneously refills the inhalable composition and recharges the capacitor, using a super capacitor for low power requirements, allowing for quick refills and recharges, and a heating element that volatilizes components at lower temperatures to prevent degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high temperature vaporization is used to vaporize propylene glycol-based composition, then vaporization efficiency is improved, but composition degradation and contaminant production increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from high temperature vaporization to low temperature volatilization (below the boiling point of propylene glycol), thereby preventing composition degradation and contaminant production while maintaining effective delivery of inhalable composition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal vaporization mechanism with a mechanical volatilization mechanism using a vibrating transducer (ultrasonic atomizer) that creates fine aerosol droplets through vibration, eliminating the need for high temperature heating and associated degradation
2Duration of action of moving object
If large battery capacity is used to power high temperature vaporization, then total dose delivery is improved, but device size and safety concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the high-power thermal vaporization system with a low-power mechanical volatilization system using ultrasonic vibration, dramatically reducing power consumption and enabling small battery capacity while maintaining sufficient duration for multiple inhalations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power consumption parameter by transitioning from high-temperature thermal processing to low-temperature mechanical volatilization, enabling the use of small rechargeable batteries that fit within cigarette-sized devices
3Ease of operation
If disposable E-cigarettes are used to simplify refilling, then ease of operation is improved, but environmental friendliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a rechargeable system with a docking station that automatically refills and recharges the device through electrical contacts, eliminating the need for manual disassembly and refilling operations while enabling environmental sustainability through reuse
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the refilling and recharging functions into a single integrated docking station operation, where the inhaler is placed in the station to simultaneously receive composition refill and electrical recharge, simplifying the user operation to a single action
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual refilling is required to maintain composition supply, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automatic refill system where the inhaler draws composition from the docking station reservoir through electrical contact and pressure differential, eliminating manual disassembly and refilling operations while maintaining continuous composition supply
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
This solution provides a convenient, environmentally friendly, and safe way to manage nicotine dosage with reduced power consumption, allowing for frequent refills and recharges, minimizing nicotine intake fluctuations, and reducing the need for large batteries, while maintaining effective vaporization without degrading the composition.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element and/or vibrating transducer to selectively volatilise at least some components of the composition
Implementation Method 2
using a super capacitor for low power requirements
Implementation Method 3
a battery coupled to a refill capacitor, and being arranged to engage with the inhaler and to simultaneously refill the reservoir and recharge the inhaler capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
A combination of an inhaler and a refill pack. The inhaler comprises a reservoir for an inhalable composition, a heating element and/or vibrating transducer to selectively volatilise at least some components of the composition and at least one inhaler capacitor arranged to supply electrical power to the heater and/or vibrating transducer when a user inhales from the inhaler. The refill pack comprises a refill reservoir of inhalable composition and a battery coupled to a refill capacitor, and is arranged to engage with the inhaler and to simultaneously refill the reservoir and recharge the inhaler capacitor from the refill capacitor. The invention also extends to the inhaler and refill pack separately and to a method of refilling and recharging the inhaler.