Membrane Vent Structure for Waterproof Aerosol Generators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating devices face issues with air pressure difference, waterproof performance, and durability.

Innovation Solution

The device includes an elongated body with a heater, battery, controller, and a membrane-covered through-hole to improve air pressure difference and waterproof performance, featuring a base with a recessed portion for the membrane and a gasket for enhanced durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If a through-hole is formed at the second end of the body to provide passage between inside and outside, then air pressure difference is improved, but waterproof performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair pressure differenceVSAvoidwaterproof performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A membrane is introduced as an intermediary component covering the through-hole. The membrane allows air to pass through while blocking water, serving as a mediator that resolves the contradiction between maintaining air pressure difference and preventing water ingress. The membrane selectively permits gas molecules to pass while blocking liquid water molecules based on size and phase differences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a thin membrane film to cover the through-hole. This flexible film structure maintains the required air passage while providing waterproof protection. The thin film nature of the membrane allows it to be integrated into the device structure without significant bulk, while still effectively separating air and water pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a membrane is added to cover the through-hole, then waterproof performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproof performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides waterproof protection, maintains air pressure difference, and allows air passage. By combining these functions into a single component, the design avoids adding separate mechanisms for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving multiple objectives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The use of a thin membrane film provides an elegant and simple solution compared to more complex waterproofing mechanisms. The membrane can be directly integrated into the through-hole structure, requiring minimal additional components or assembly steps, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the body is made waterproof, then durability is improved, but air pressure difference deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidair pressure difference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane acts as an intermediary that reconciles the conflicting requirements of waterproofing and air pressure maintenance. It allows the device body to be effectively waterproof while maintaining the necessary air pressure difference through selective permeability to gas molecules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The membrane functions as a porous material that allows air molecules to pass through while blocking water molecules. This porous structure enables the device to maintain both waterproof integrity and air pressure difference, resolving the contradiction between durability and pressure maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Data Source

PatentUS20260068957A1Aerosol generating device
Publication Date: 2026.03.12 KT&G CO LTD
  • US20260068957A1 patent drawing
  • US20260068957A1 patent drawing
  • US20260068957A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An aerosol generating device is provided. The aerosol generating device includes: an elongated body formed to provide an insertion space having an opening at a first end of the body and extending along a longitudinal direction of the body; a heater coupled to the body; a battery configured to supply power to the heater; a controller configured to control the power supplied to the heater; a through-hole formed at a second end of the body providing a passage between an inside and an outside of the body; and a membrane covering the through-hole.