Mouthpiece with Nested Tubular Sections for Aerosol Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mouthpieces for aerosol-generating devices often suffer from poor connections with the aerosol-generating articles, leading to aerosol loss, pressure drops, and unintended ambient air intake.

Innovation Solution

A mouthpiece design featuring an inner tubular section with a minimum outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the aerosol-generating article's filter portion, and an outer tubular section with a maximum inner diameter larger than the article's outer diameter, ensuring a secure and robust connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional mouthpiece connection design is used, then the device structure is simple, but the connection is poor leading to aerosol loss and pressure drops

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidmouthpiece structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mouthpiece is divided into two separate tubular sections: an inner tubular section and an outer tubular section. These segments are positioned concentrically with respect to one another, creating a tapered slot between them. This segmentation allows the aerosol-generating article to be inserted into the slot, providing a secure mechanical interlock that prevents aerosol loss and pressure drops while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner tubular section is nested within the outer tubular section, forming a concentric arrangement. The tapered slot is created by the difference in diameters between these nested sections. This nesting configuration provides a firm fit for the aerosol-generating article while keeping the overall mouthpiece structure compact and simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a secure connection between mouthpiece and aerosol-generating article is ensured, then aerosol loss and ambient air intake are prevented, but the attachment and detachment process becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection sealabilityVSAvoidattachment and detachment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tapered slot configuration creates a dynamic connection mechanism. During insertion, the aerosol-generating article is pushed into the tapered slot which gradually narrows, creating a firm mechanical interlock. During removal, the same tapered geometry allows easy extraction by applying force along the insertion axis. This dynamic engagement provides sealability while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connection mechanism operates primarily along the longitudinal axis (insertion and removal direction) rather than requiring complex multi-directional fastening. The tapered slot geometry converts radial pressure during insertion into axial retention force, allowing secure attachment through a single-dimensional motion while maintaining ease of detachment through the same motion in reverse.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12232535B2Mouthpiece with inner and outer tubular sections
Publication Date: 2025.02.25 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA
  • US12232535B2 patent drawing
  • US12232535B2 patent drawing
  • US12232535B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A mouthpiece for attachment to a hollow tubular filter portion of an aerosol-generating article is provided, the mouthpiece including: an inner tubular section having a minimum outer diameter, which is smaller than an inner diameter of the hollow tubular filter portion; an outer tubular section having a maximum inner diameter, which is larger than an outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article; a central airflow channel arranged along a longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece, the airflow channel including a Venturi portion, the Venturi portion including an inlet portion and an outlet portion, the inlet portion being configured to converge in a downstream direction and the outlet portion being configured to diverge in a downstream direction; and a hinge section configured to attach the mouthpiece to an aerosol-generating device. A system including the mouthpiece, and a method for attaching the mouthpiece to the hollow tubular filter portion are also provided.