Vibration Component in Flow Delivery Articles for Tactile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow delivery articles, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes, lack effective mechanisms to provide tactile stimulation to users, which can enhance the smoking experience and user engagement.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a vibration component, typically an eccentrically-weighted rotary member or turbine, that vibrates in response to airflow, providing tactile feedback to the user's lips and fingers, with the vibration amplitude and frequency varying based on the draw strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a vibration component is added to provide tactile stimulation, then user engagement and sensory feedback are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration component is designed to be self-actuating through the smoke flow itself. The turbine or rotary member is directly driven by the user's draw on the article, converting the inhalation flow into rotational motion that generates vibration. This eliminates the need for separate power sources, control circuits, or activation mechanisms, thereby providing tactile feedback while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the pneumatic flow of smoke drawn by the user to directly drive the vibration mechanism. A turbine or rotary member positioned in the smoke pathway is set into rotation by the flowing smoke, which then generates vibrational motion. This pneumatic actuation method converts the useful draw flow into mechanical vibration without requiring additional energy systems.
2Loss of time
If vibration component is activated by smoke flow, then tactile feedback is provided with minimal lag, but the vibration may not be consistent across different draw strengths
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration component is designed to dynamically respond to varying draw strengths. The turbine or rotary member's rotational speed automatically adjusts according to the force and volume of the user's inhalation, creating a dynamic vibration intensity that correlates with draw strength. This dynamic response provides immediate tactile feedback while adapting to different user inputs, maintaining reliability across varying conditions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the vibration component is positioned at the mouth end, then tactile stimulation to lips is maximized, but the component may interfere with smoke delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration component is nested within the existing structure of the smoking article, specifically positioned within or adjacent to the filter assembly. The turbine or rotary member is housed in a compact configuration that allows it to occupy minimal space within the article's longitudinal structure, enabling tactile feedback at the mouth end without compromising the smoke delivery pathway or overall article 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 vibration component enhances the user experience by providing sensory feedback, increasing user engagement and perceived quality of the smoking article, while minimizing lag time between draw initiation and vibration perception.
Implementation Method 1
The vibration component may comprise a turbine. The turbine may comprise a substantially spherical turbine, a fan turbine, a cylindrical turbine, a positive displacement turbine, an axial turbine, or a progressive cavity turbine.
Implementation Method 2
In embodiments, the vibration component comprises an eccentrically-weighted rotary member and/or an eccentrically mounted rotary member.
Implementation Method 3
The movable member may comprise an aerodynamic element arranged to move in response to receiving flow.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 1d~2
AI summary
A flow delivery article to deliver a gaseous flow to the mouth of a user comprises a vibration component to provide tactile stimulation to the user, and a motor configured to drive vibration of the vibration component in response to flow drawn by the user.