Portable Extinguisher Sliding Shell for Solid Heat Source

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol generating articles with combustible solid heat sources require more effort to extinguish compared to conventional cigarettes, as they have a larger and more dense combustion zone, making them difficult to dispose of safely.

Innovation Solution

A portable extinguisher with an inner element and outer shell that can be slid between open and covered positions, featuring a cavity to receive and extinguish the solid heat source, and optionally includes a heating element for igniting the heat source, allowing for single-handed operation and heat dissipation or retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a solid heat source with larger and more dense combustion zone is used in aerosol generating articles, then the heat energy and aerosol generation capability are improved, but the difficulty to extinguish and dispose of the heat source increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat energyVSAvoidease of extinguishing

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the heat source containment by providing a separate cavity within the housing that receives and isolates the solid heat source from the aerosol generating article, allowing the heat source to be extinguished independently while maintaining the integrity of the aerosol generation system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cavity acts as an intermediary structure between the solid heat source and the external environment, providing a controlled space that facilitates extinguishing by isolating the heat source and enabling heat dissipation through controlled pathways

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If a solid heat source with larger and more dense combustion zone is used in aerosol generating articles, then the heat energy and aerosol generation capability are improved, but the effort required to remove heat for disposal increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat energyVSAvoidheat removal effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The housing structure provides localized thermal management by configuring the cavity and surrounding walls to facilitate heat dissipation in specific areas, allowing efficient heat removal from the solid heat source without requiring energy-intensive active cooling systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cavity creates a controlled environment around the solid heat source that facilitates cooling by allowing heat to dissipate into the housing structure and surrounding air, effectively removing heat energy in a passive manner

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Ease of operation

If a portable extinguisher structure is added to contain and extinguish the solid heat source, then the ease of extinguishing is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of extinguishingVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The extinguishing function is merged with the housing structure of the aerosol generating article, integrating the cavity and cooling features into the existing device architecture rather than adding a separate standalone extinguishing system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure serves multiple functions: it contains the aerosol generating components, provides a cavity for receiving and extinguishing the solid heat source, and facilitates heat dissipation, thereby reducing overall device complexity through multi-functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 portable extinguisher effectively extinguishes solid heat sources while maintaining an outer surface temperature below 50°C, allowing for safe disposal and can simultaneously ignite and extinguish heat sources, making it a dual-purpose device.

Implementation Method 1

The outer shell may maintain an outer surface temperature of less than 50 degrees Celsius when extinguishing a combusting heat source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The portable extinguisher may include a heating element on the second portion of the inner element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11439179B2Portable extinguisher for aerosol generating article

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA

AI summary

A portable extinguisher for an aerosol generating article having a solid heat source is described. The extinguisher includes an inner element extending between a first portion and an opposing second portion and having a longitudinal axis. An outer shell completely surrounds at least a portion of the inner element. The outer shell is slidable along the longitudinal axis of the inner element between an open position and a covered position. The first portion includes a cavity sized to receive a solid heat source of an aerosol generating article. The cavity is accessible in the open position and surrounded by the outer shell in the covered position.