Movable Heater Aerosol System for Safety and Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol provision devices face user safety concerns due to high operational temperatures of heaters, which can cause burns and damage to the device, and existing solutions do not adequately address the risk of users contacting hot components during maintenance or usage.

Innovation Solution

The aerosol provision system features a heater that moves between an aerosol generating position and a stowed, protected position within the device, reducing the likelihood of user contact and extending device lifespan by shielding the heater from access and preventing aerosol condensation on the heating element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the heater is positioned close to the aerosol generating medium for efficient heating, then aerosol generation efficiency is improved, but user safety deteriorates due to risk of contact with hot components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol generation efficiencyVSAvoiduser safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heater is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position between a stowed position (for safety) and an aerosol generating position (for efficiency). This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to optimize for safety during storage/transport and for efficiency during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A mouthpiece assembly acts as an intermediary component between the heater and the user's mouth. The mouthpiece can be removed and replaced, providing a barrier that prevents direct contact with the hot heater while still allowing aerosol delivery. This intermediary element resolves the safety-efficiency contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the heater operates at high temperature for effective aerosol generation, then aerosol generation effectiveness is improved, but device reliability deteriorates due to potential damage to the heater and surrounding components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol generation effectivenessVSAvoiddevice reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The movable heater design allows the system to control the heater's proximity to the aerosol generating medium. By positioning the heater close only when needed for effective heating and retracting it when not in use, the system maintains aerosol generation effectiveness while reducing cumulative thermal exposure that could degrade components and reduce reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The heater is extracted from a fixed position and made movable, allowing it to be removed from the high-temperature zone when not actively heating. This extraction reduces the time the heater and surrounding components are exposed to high temperatures, thereby improving overall device reliability while maintaining effective aerosol generation during active use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of repair

If the heater is accessible for maintenance and replacement, then ease of repair is improved, but user safety deteriorates due to increased risk of contact with hot components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheater accessibilityVSAvoiduser safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The movable heater design naturally positions the heater in a stowed, protected location during normal operation and storage, reducing the risk of user contact. During maintenance, the heater can be accessed by removing the mouthpiece assembly, providing ease of repair while maintaining safety during normal use through its protected position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The removable mouthpiece assembly serves as an intermediary that, when removed, provides access to the heater for maintenance purposes. When attached, it acts as a protective barrier. This intermediary mechanism enables easy maintenance access while maintaining user safety during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration enhances user safety by preventing direct contact with hot components and reducing maintenance costs through reduced wear and tear, while maintaining efficient aerosol generation and cleanliness within the device.

Implementation Method 1

the source of energy for heating is configured to cause heating of the aerosol generating medium to form an aerosol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12178250B2Aerosol provision system and a method of providing an aerosol

Publication Date: 2024.12.31 NICOVENTURES TRADING LTD

AI summary

There is provided an aerosol provision system comprising: aerosol generating medium; a source of energy for heating, wherein the source of energy for heating is configured to cause heating of the aerosol generating medium to form an aerosol; and a housing configured to house the aerosol generating medium and in which the source of energy for heating is located, the housing further comprising a protected region for protecting the heater; wherein the source of energy for heating is configured to move within the device between an aerosol generating position proximate to the aerosol generating medium and a stowed position in which the source of energy for heating is in the protected region.