Ventilated Filter Element with Inclined Holes for Uniform Smoke Dilution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional filter-tipped cigarettes suffer from uneven smoke and air mixing at the mouth end, resulting in higher undiluted smoke volumes near the axis and lower air incorporation in radially outer zones, leading to inefficient smoke dilution.

Innovation Solution

A filter element with a ventilating piece having internal channels and inclined holes that allow air to mix with smoke, creating a whirling motion and uniform dilution, is integrated into a smoking article, where the holes are strategically positioned and perforated to ensure optimal airflow and smoke mixing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If small holes are made radially in the filter to provide ventilation, then air intake is improved, but smoke and air mixing becomes uneven with higher undiluted smoke volumes near the axis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair intakeVSAvoiduniformity of smoke dilution
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is divided into multiple functional zones with different hole patterns. The first ring of holes provides primary ventilation while the second ring of holes provides secondary ventilation, creating segmented airflow paths that improve mixing uniformity throughout the filter cross-section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the filter are given different properties through the use of two distinct rings of holes with different characteristics. The radial distribution and spacing of holes in each ring are optimized to create locally appropriate airflow patterns that collectively achieve uniform overall mixing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If two rings of holes are used to increase ventilation, then smoke dilution is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation efficiencyVSAvoidfilter structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Both rings of ventilation holes are integrated into a single filter body structure, combining the functions of primary and secondary ventilation in one unified component. This merging approach achieves enhanced smoke dilution without requiring separate filter elements or complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 achieves uniform smoke and air mixing at the outlet of the filter, enhancing dilution and stability of the smoke flow, resulting in a more consistent smoking experience.

Implementation Method 1

the holes are strategically positioned and perforated to ensure optimal airflow and smoke mixing, creating a whirling motion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWhirling motion: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentEP3073845B1Filter element and smoking article comprising the filter element
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 GD SPA
  • EP3073845B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3073845B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A filter element (2) for a smoking article (1) of the tobacco industry comprises at least one ventilating piece (6) comprising at least one internal channel (8) and at least one hole (9) having an inlet (10) in communication with an outside surface (11) of the filter element (2) and an outlet (12) in communication with the internal channel (8) in order to ventilate a main flow (F1) of smoke passing through the filter element (2).