Aerosol Control Housing With Light Guide and Liquid Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol delivery devices, such as electronic cigarettes, lack features that enhance user experience and provide effective resistance to liquid infiltration, which can lead to device malfunction and water damage.
Innovation Solution
The aerosol delivery device incorporates a light guide and a control component that adjust light intensity based on user input, along with sealing members and micro-perforations to improve water resistance and prevent liquid infiltration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a light source is positioned within the outer housing to provide visible lighting, then user experience is enhanced, but the device becomes more susceptible to liquid infiltration through the window area
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the window. The light guide transmits light from the offset position to the window area while maintaining sealing integrity, thus mediating between the lighting function and water resistance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is segmented into separate components: the light source is positioned away from the window, and a light guide is used to transmit light to the window area. This segmentation allows the window area to be sealed while still providing visible lighting
2Use of energy by moving object
If the light source is positioned proximate to the window, then lighting efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to sealing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide serves as a mediator that allows the light source to be positioned away from the window while still efficiently transmitting light to the window area, avoiding the need for complex sealing arrangements
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of positioning the light source directly at the window (zero-dimensional point contact), the solution uses a light guide that extends light transmission along a spatial path, utilizing dimensional space to resolve the sealing challenge
3Reliability
If sealing members are added to improve water resistance, then reliability against liquid infiltration is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide serves multiple functions: it transmits light from the offset source to the window area and simultaneously acts as a sealing element that prevents liquid infiltration, reducing the need for additional separate sealing components
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 device provides a favorable user experience with adjustable lighting and improved resistance to liquid infiltration, ensuring the device remains functional and resistant to water damage.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide positioned within the outer housing and proximate the window, the light guide being of sufficient size to substantially fill the window and at least partially overlap with the light source
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device comprising a control device that is connectable with a cartridge and that can include one or more additional elements for improving one or both of visible indications of use to a user and resistance to infiltration of liquid into the control device. More particularly, the control device may include a light guide configured for transmitting to a window from a light source that is off-set from the window and a controller configured to direct a varying level of light from the light source. The control device may include one or more elements that are configured to limit infiltration of liquids into the control device and thus may be consider to be water-resistant or water-proof.