Vaping Article Design System Using In Silico Simulation

Solution Overview

Problem

Designing vaping articles that replicate sensory attributes and nicotine delivery of existing products while varying composition and heating profiles is inefficient, requiring extensive consumer testing and computational resources.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for designing vaping articles by calculating design parameters based on input parameters such as flavor composition, nicotine delivery, and physical properties, using stochastic optimization and stored vaping article descriptors to simulate and prototype new products in silico, reducing development time and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If extensive consumer testing is conducted to ensure accurate replication of sensory attributes and nicotine delivery, then the reliability of the vaping article is improved, but the development time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of sensory attribute and nicotine delivery replicationVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a computational model that copies and simulates the behavior of physical vaping articles. The model replicates sensory attributes and nicotine delivery characteristics through in silico testing, eliminating the need for extensive physical prototyping and consumer testing while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of physical consumer testing with a computational simulation system. The model uses algorithms to calculate and predict vaping characteristics, substituting human consumers and physical devices with a digital representation that provides equivalent but faster and cheaper insights.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If extensive consumer testing is conducted to ensure accurate replication of sensory attributes and nicotine delivery, then the reliability of the vaping article is improved, but the development cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of sensory attribute and nicotine delivery replicationVSAvoidcomputational resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a computational model that copies and simulates the behavior of physical vaping articles. The model replicates sensory attributes and nicotine delivery characteristics through in silico testing, eliminating the need for extensive physical prototyping and consumer testing while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of physical consumer testing with a computational simulation system. The model uses algorithms to calculate and predict vaping characteristics, substituting human consumers and physical devices with a digital representation that provides equivalent but faster and cheaper insights.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the vaping article design process is simplified to reduce development time, then productivity is improved, but the precision of design parameter calculation may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign and prototyping speedVSAvoidprecision of design parameter calculation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of physical consumer testing with a computational simulation system. The model uses algorithms to calculate and predict vaping characteristics, substituting human consumers and physical devices with a digital representation that provides equivalent but faster and cheaper insights.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs stochastic optimization algorithms that systematically vary design parameters to achieve optimal configurations. The model calculates relationships between input parameters (flavor composition, nicotine delivery, physical properties) and output characteristics, enabling precise prediction without extensive physical testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20240427956A1Vaping article design system and method

Publication Date: 2024.12.26 BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LTD

AI summary

A method of designing a target vaping article includes receiving respective values for a plurality of input parameters, calculating respective values for a plurality of design parameters for the liquid formulation for the vaping article based on the received values for the plurality of input parameters, the plurality of design parameters including at least two parameters selected from: a proportion of a component of a liquid formulation for the vaping article; nicotine and/or other active substance deliveries; a sensory attribute; a number of puffs associated with the vaping article; a heating profile; a flavor composition; physical properties of the vaping article; composition of the vaping article and providing the calculated values as an output.