Aerosol Provision Refilling with Negative-Pressure Suction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Refilling electronic aerosol provision systems, such as electronic cigarettes, is difficult and expensive, discouraging users from using refillable devices.
Innovation Solution
A system with a transfer mechanism that generates a negative pressure in the aerosol-generating material storage portion to cause suction of the material from a refilling device, using a resilient wall or pumping mechanism to facilitate easy and cost-effective refilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional refilling methods are used for electronic aerosol provision systems, then the refilling process can be completed, but the process becomes difficult and expensive to use
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer mechanism automatically transfers aerosol-generating material from the refilling device to the storage portion using negative pressure generation, eliminating the need for manual refilling operations and making the process self-executing once initiated
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses negative pressure (vacuum) to draw aerosol-generating material through a transfer mechanism from the refilling device to the storage portion, replacing manual or mechanical transfer methods with pneumatic suction
2Loss of substance
If refillable reservoirs are provided to reduce material wastage, then material waste is reduced, but the refilling process becomes difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic transfer mechanism performs the refilling operation without requiring complex user intervention, making the environmentally friendly refillable option practical and user-friendly
Solution Approach 2:
Negative pressure-driven material transfer provides a simple, clean, and controlled refilling method that avoids spillage and complexity, making refillable reservoirs attractive to users
3Ease of operation
If a transfer mechanism generates negative pressure to cause suction of aerosol-generating material, then refilling becomes easy and cost-effective, but the system requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient wall provides automatic feedback control for negative pressure generation - when material is transferred and volume decreases, the wall naturally rebounds to restore volume and maintain the suction cycle without external control
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the wall (from compressed to rebounded) to automatically regulate negative pressure generation, using material properties rather than complex control systems
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 system allows for easy and cost-effective refilling of aerosol-generating material, reducing material wastage and encouraging the use of refillable devices.
Implementation Method 1
the resilient wall is capable of being deformed from an at rest position to decrease the volume of the aerosol-generating material storage portion or the volume fluidly coupled to the aerosol-generating material storage portion under application of a suitable force, and to revert back to the at rest position when the suitable force is removed from the resilient wall to thereby cause suction of the aerosol-generating material from the refilling device
Implementation Method 2
The transfer mechanism is configured to operatively generate a negative pressure in the aerosol-generating material storage portion of the aerosol provision device to cause suction of the aerosol-generating material from the refilling device
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2~5
Figure 4
AI summary
Described is a system including: an aerosol provision device comprising an aerosol-generating material storage portion for storing an aerosol-generating material, the aerosol provision device arranged to aerosolise aerosol-generating material stored in the aerosol-generating material storage portion; a refilling device comprising a reservoir for storing aerosol-generating material to be transferred to the aerosol-generating material storage portion of the aerosol provision device; and a transfer mechanism for transferring aerosol-generating material from the refilling device to the aerosol-generating material storage portion when the aerosol provision device is coupled to the refilling device. The transfer mechanism is configured to operatively generate a negative pressure in the aerosol-generating material storage portion of the aerosol provision device to cause suction of the aerosol-generating material from the refilling device. Also described is an aerosol provision device, a refilling device and a method for refilling.