Rotating Multi-Chamber Cartridge for Aerosol Medium Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol-generating devices face challenges in maintaining optimal quality of the medium, allowing for medium replacement, extending the replacement period, preventing medium decomposition, and enabling user selection of different media while ensuring a passage structure for medium flow and selective sealing.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a cartridge with a first container, a rotatably coupled second container having isolated chambers, a wick, a coupling disc, and a seal, along with a housing, dial gear, and battery configuration to facilitate medium rotation, replacement, and selective passage and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single container is used to hold the medium, then the device structure is simple, but the medium cannot be replaced or selected
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple isolated chambers (first chamber, second chamber, etc.) within a single container body. Each chamber can be independently filled with different media, allowing users to replace or select media by rotating the container to bring different chambers into the active position, thereby achieving medium replacement capability without requiring multiple separate containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis, transforming a static single-chamber structure into a dynamic multi-chamber system. This rotation mechanism allows the same physical container to present different media to the aerosolization system at different times, providing adaptability and versatility while maintaining a single container structure.
2Reliability
If the medium is continuously supplied, then the aerosol generation is continuous, but the medium quality deteriorates and decomposition occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The medium supply system is segmented into multiple isolated chambers instead of a single continuous reservoir. Each chamber contains a discrete amount of medium, and the system switches between chambers rather than continuously depleting a single supply. This segmentation prevents the medium from being exposed to degradation conditions for extended periods while maintaining continuous aerosol generation through chamber switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic switching between different chambers to supply medium to the aerosolization system. Instead of continuous flow from a single reservoir, the medium supply occurs in periodic intervals as different chambers are brought into position and activated. This periodic action allows each chamber's medium to be used efficiently before switching, preventing decomposition while maintaining overall continuity of aerosol generation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple media are stored in separate containers, then medium selection is possible, but the device structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple chambers that would traditionally require separate containers are merged into a single integrated container structure. The container body houses multiple isolated chambers (first chamber, second chamber, etc.) that can each hold different media, combining the functionality of multiple separate containers into one unified structure. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining media selection capability through the rotation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The single container structure serves multiple functions: it stores multiple different media in isolated chambers, provides a rotation mechanism for selecting between media, and interfaces with the aerosolization system. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate container units, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining full media selection capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the container is stationary, then the structure is stable, but medium replacement and selection are not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed with rotational freedom about its longitudinal axis, transforming from a completely stationary structure to a dynamically adjustable one. The rotation mechanism allows the container to change its angular position to bring different chambers into alignment with the aerosolization system, enabling medium replacement and selection while maintaining structural stability through controlled rotational movement rather than complete repositioning.
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 solution enables the device to maintain medium quality, allow for replacement, extend the replacement period, enable user selection of media, and provide selective medium passage and sealing, enhancing user experience and device functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a wick, which extends through the hollow shaft in a diametrical direction of the hollow shaft
Data Source
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AI summary
An aerosol-generating device is disclosed. The aerosol-generating device includes a cartridge including a first container having a cylindrical form, the first container including a hollow shaft such that liquid is containable between an inner surface of the first container and an outer surface of the hollow shaft; a second container, which is rotatably coupled to the first container, and which includes a plurality of chambers, the plurality of chambers being isolated from each other along a circumference of the second container, and each of the plurality of chambers having a plurality of holes formed at upper and lower ends thereof; a wick, which extends through the hollow shaft in a diametrical direction of the hollow shaft; a coupling disc including a duct, the duct being positioned between the first container and the second container to allow an upper end of the hollow shaft to communicate with the lower end of one of the plurality of chambers; a first seal, which is positioned around the duct between the first container and the coupling disc to seal the duct; a housing having a reception space into which the cartridge is inserted; a dial gear, which is disposed in the housing, includes a rotating shaft parallel to a rotating shaft of the second container, and engages the second container to rotate with the second container; and a battery disposed in the housing adjacent to the dial gear and the reception space in a longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft of the dial gear.