Aerosol Cartridge Connector With Nested Contacts for Reliable Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol delivery devices, such as electronic cigarettes, often have connectors that wear out from repeated use, are difficult to engage or disengage, and provide unreliable electrical connections, leading to mechanical and electrical connection issues.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a first connector portion with a coupler and a second connector portion on the cartridge, featuring a receptacle and extension with insulated contact sections and a tip-ring-sleeve plug configuration, which provides a secure and reliable electrical connection while minimizing wear and debris exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional connectors are used in aerosol delivery devices, then the device can be assembled with separable components for refilling and replacement, but the connectors wear out from repeated usage, are difficult to engage or disengage, and provide unreliable electrical connections
Solution Approach 1:
The extension is nested within the coupler, with the extension inserted into a receptacle formed in the coupler. This nesting arrangement allows the electrical contacts to be housed protectively within the connector structure, reducing exposure to wear and debris while maintaining reliable electrical connection. The extension can be removed and replaced independently while the coupler remains part of the reusable control body.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into separate components: the coupler attached to the control body and the extension attached to the cartridge. This segmentation allows the extension (with electrical contacts) to be replaced with a new one when worn, while the main coupler structure remains reusable. The electrical contacts are further segmented as separate elements on the extension, allowing them to be replaced without replacing the entire connector assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional connectors are used in aerosol delivery devices, then the device can be assembled with separable components, but the connectors are difficult to engage or disengage
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates dynamic elements that facilitate easy engagement and disengagement. The extension can be inserted into and removed from the coupler receptacle with simple linear motion. The electrical contacts are designed to make and break contact smoothly during engagement and disengagement, reducing operational difficulty.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional connectors are used in aerosol delivery devices, then the device can be assembled with separable components, but electrical connections become unreliable due to wear and debris exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The extension is nested within the coupler, with the extension inserted into a receptacle formed in the coupler. This nesting arrangement allows the electrical contacts to be housed protectively within the connector structure, reducing exposure to wear and debris while maintaining reliable electrical connection. The extension can be removed and replaced independently while the coupler remains part of the reusable control body.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension acts as an intermediary component between the control body and cartridge, isolating the electrical contacts from direct exposure to external debris. The receptacle in the coupler serves as an intermediary structure that guides and protects the extension during engagement and disengagement, reducing wear on the electrical contacts.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device may include a control body with a first connector portion and a cartridge with a second connector portion. The first connector portion and the second connector portion may be configured to releasably engage each other. One of the first connector portion and the second connector portion may include an extension and the other of the first connector portion and the second connector portion may include a receptacle configured to receive the extension. The extension may include contact sections positioned along a longitudinal length thereof. The contact sections may be electrically insulated from one another by at least one spacer and may be configured to form an electrical connection with the receptacle. A related assembly method is also provided.