Membrane-Covered Vent Window for Pressure Relief and Light Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delivery systems for smoking alternatives, such as heat not burn products, face challenges in pressure management and gas venting, which can lead to build-ups and potential damage due to the lack of effective venting mechanisms combined with visible light sources.
Innovation Solution
A delivery device with a housing featuring a membrane-covered opening that serves as both a vent for gas escape and a window for a light source, utilizing a light-transmissive or diffusing membrane with specific permeability and thickness to manage pressure and prevent liquid ingress, while also incorporating a light transmitting element for additional protection and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vent opening is provided in the housing for gas egress, then pressure build-up is prevented, but liquid may ingress through the opening
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible membrane is positioned at the vent opening to allow gas to pass through while blocking liquid ingress. The membrane's flexibility enables it to deform under pressure differential, permitting gas egress while maintaining liquid barrier functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane incorporates porous material with controlled pore sizes that allow gas molecules to pass through while preventing liquid droplets from penetrating. The porous structure provides selective permeability based on molecular size and phase differences between gas and liquid.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a membrane is placed over the opening to prevent liquid ingress, then liquid protection is improved, but light transmission may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A thin, flexible membrane is used that maintains light transmission properties while providing liquid barrier functionality. The membrane's thinness and material composition allow light to pass through while still effectively blocking liquid ingress.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane employs porous material with controlled pore dimensions that are small enough to block liquid but large enough to allow light transmission. The porous structure creates selective permeability that preserves optical properties while providing liquid protection.
3Illumination intensity
If the light source is positioned close to the opening for visibility, then light transmission is improved, but pressure relief may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into functional zones: a light transmission zone with the light source positioned for visibility, and a pressure relief zone with dedicated vent pathways. This spatial segmentation allows the light source to be optimally positioned for visibility without interfering with pressure relief functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane acts as an intermediary element between the light source area and the vent opening. It allows light to pass through while maintaining the pressure differential needed for effective venting, thus mediating between light transmission and pressure relief requirements.
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 effectively prevents pressure build-up and ensures safe gas venting while maintaining the visibility of the light source, enhancing the durability and water resistance of the device, thus addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
The membrane may be formed from a gas permeable material that extends over the opening and through which light emitted by the light source is visible
Implementation Method 2
The membrane may have a pore size in the region of 0.6 μm. The membrane may have a venting capacity of 1900-2400 ml/cm2/min at a pressure of 7 kpa
Implementation Method 3
The membrane can be made from, or be coated with, a material that diffuses light emitted by the light source
Implementation Method 4
a light transmitting element on the circuit board. The light transmitting element may be positioned between the circuit board and the opening in the wall of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a delivery system that includes a housing (6) having an opening (22) formed in a wall of the housing and through which a light source (29) within the housing can be seen. A battery (4) is contained within the housing so that the opening also functions as a vent to allow gases to escape from the housing through the opening, thereby preventing a build-up of pressure within the housing in the event that the battery is damaged In another embodiment, the housing (6) has an opening (22) in a wall of the housing through which lightfrom a light source (29) is visible and in which the opening is covered by a membrane (23). The membrane is such that the light is visible through the membrane.