Powder Inhaler Piercing Layout for Vortex-Assisted Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inhalers face challenges in inducing a vortex behavior and ensuring smooth discharge of functional substance powder, particularly in delivering substances like nicotine or pharmacological agents directly to the lungs.

Innovation Solution

The inhaler design includes a holder with piercing members and a functional substance accommodation member, where piercing members are spaced to cut the substance, inducing a vortex behavior and smooth discharge through internal airflow, with markers to control the degree of insertion and puff amount.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If piercing members are positioned to cut the functional substance accommodation member, then smooth discharge of functional substance powder is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple piercing members and insertion control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge smoothnessVSAvoidpiercing member configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The piercing member is divided into multiple segments (first piercing member and second piercing member) positioned at different locations. Each piercing member has a cutting edge that contacts the functional substance accommodation member at different stages of insertion, enabling controlled cutting and discharge without requiring a single complex piercing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The piercing members are pre-positioned within the holder before the functional substance accommodation member is inserted. The first piercing member is positioned to contact the accommodation member at a first insertion state, and the second piercing member is positioned to contact at a second insertion state, preparing the cutting action in advance to ensure smooth discharge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If markers are added to indicate insertion states, then ease of operation is improved through user guidance, but device complexity increases due to additional markers and insertion control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion controlVSAvoidmarker system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Markers are provided on the holder or functional substance accommodation member to indicate different insertion states. The markers use visual differentiation (such as color changes or distinct visual patterns) to show when the first piercing member contacts the accommodation member and when the second piercing member contacts it, guiding the user through the insertion process without requiring complex mechanical indicators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Productivity

If the horizontal distance between piercing members is reduced, then vortex behavior is induced for better powder delivery, but manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevortex inductionVSAvoidpiercing member spacing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The horizontal distance between the first piercing member and second piercing member is specifically controlled to be less than the horizontal width of the functional substance accommodation member. This parameter adjustment creates the necessary conditions for inducing vortex behavior of the functional substance powder during discharge, optimizing delivery efficiency while maintaining feasible manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design effectively induces a vortex behavior and ensures smooth discharge of functional substances, enhancing delivery efficiency and preventing leakage.

Implementation Method 1

An inhaler according to various embodiments may induce a vortex behavior of functional substance powder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVortex behavior: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

smooth discharge of functional substance powder may be performed by internal airflow introduced into an inhaler penetrating a center of a functional substance accommodation member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20250352746A1Inhaler

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 KT&G CO LTD

AI summary

An inhaler for inhaling a functional material according to various embodiments comprises: a holder that includes an opening and an inner space communicating with the opening; piercing members which protrude into the inner space; and a functional material-accommodating member which is inserted along the longitudinal axis of the holder into the inner space of the holder from the opening and accommodates the functional material. One end of each of the piercing members is fixed to one side of the holder, and the tip of each of the piercing members faces the longitudinal axis.