Interchangeable Aerosol Generator Reservoir Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol generating apparatuses are costly and operationally complex, with issues such as premature component failure, contamination, and waste due to the need for entire apparatus replacement when components become faulty or the medicament is depleted.
Innovation Solution
Design of an aerosol generating apparatus with interchangeable parts, where a detachable reservoir with a membrane is engaged with a holder and oscillation generator, allowing for the reservoir to be replaced independently, extending the apparatus' service life and reducing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire aerosol generating apparatus is replaced when components become faulty or medicament is depleted, then reliability is improved, but loss of substance and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The aerosol generating apparatus is divided into separable components: a reusable holder containing the oscillation generator and structure plate, and a replaceable reservoir containing the membrane and medicament. This segmentation allows the reservoir to be replaced independently when medicament is depleted or contaminated, while the expensive holder and oscillation generator can be reused, thereby reducing waste and cost while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables selective discarding of only the reservoir component (containing depleted or contaminated medicament) while recovering and reusing the holder, structure plate, and oscillation generator. This partial discarding approach eliminates the need to discard functional components, reducing material waste and operational costs
2Reliability
If the oscillation generator is damaged before liquid medicament is depleted, then reliability deteriorates, but replacing the entire apparatus increases loss of substance
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the apparatus into a reusable holder and a replaceable reservoir, the design isolates the oscillation generator (in the holder) from the consumable reservoir. When the oscillation generator is damaged, only the holder needs replacement while the reservoir with remaining medicament can be transferred to a new holder, minimizing waste of functional components
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design enables recovery of the reservoir containing remaining medicament when the oscillation generator fails. The reservoir can be detached and attached to a replacement holder, allowing recovery of valuable medicament and reducing waste of functional components
3Reliability
If the source for providing liquid medicament is contaminated before depletion, then reliability deteriorates, but replacing the entire apparatus increases loss of substance
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of the reservoir (containing medicament) from the holder (containing oscillation generator and structure plate) allows independent replacement of the reservoir when contamination occurs. This enables disposal of only the contaminated reservoir while preserving the non-contaminated holder and any remaining clean medicament in the reservoir
Solution Approach 2:
When medicament contamination is detected, the reservoir can be discarded and replaced while the holder, structure plate, and oscillation generator are recovered and reused. This selective replacement minimizes waste of non-contaminated components and any remaining clean medicament
4Ease of operation
If the reservoir is made detachable and interchangeable, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is segmented into a holder and a reservoir with distinct interfaces. The reservoir includes a flange that engages with the holder, creating a simple mechanical connection for detachable engagement. This segmentation enables easy replacement of the reservoir while adding minimal structural complexity through standardized coupling mechanisms
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 solution enables efficient aerosolization with adjustable membrane vibration, reduces waste and costs by allowing for the replacement of only the reservoir, and prevents contamination by ensuring other components can be reused or preserved.
Implementation Method 1
When the piezoelectric material receives power, it vibrates and the resulting energy is transmitted to the membrane to aerosolize the liquid provided thereto
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
An aerosol generating apparatus with interchangeable parts is disclosed. The aerosol generating apparatus includes a holder for accommodating a structure plate and an oscillation generator. The structure plate includes an inlet surface, an outlet surface, a projection extending from the face of the inlet surface, and a through hole. The through hole penetrates the structure plate. The oscillation generator is coupled with and vibrates the structure plate. A reservoir for providing a liquid medicament is also disclosed. The reservoir is detachably engaged with the holder and includes a membrane with a plurality of orifices. During aerosolization, the liquid medicament passes through the plurality of orifices. When the reservoir is engaged with the holder, the membrane of the reservoir is in contact with the projection extending from the face of the inlet surface. In addition, the oscillation generator vibrates the membrane through the projection on the inlet surface. As such, the liquid medicament aerosolizes and ejects via the outlet surface of the structure plate.