Atomizer Snap-Fit Sealing Layer Piercing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic cigarettes experience unsatisfactory user experience due to tobacco liquid leakage during the assembly process, where the atomizing component needs to be screwed multiple turns to achieve a hermetic seal, leading to liquid leakage through screw threads.

Innovation Solution

An atomizer design featuring a liquid supply with a sealing layer and an atomizing component that uses a snap-fit mechanism, incorporating a piercing element, buffer chamber, and atomizing unit, which pricks the sealing layer to direct tobacco liquid into the buffer chamber, preventing leakage by ensuring a tight seal through a sealing ring and check valve.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the atomizing component is screwed multiple turns to achieve hermetic seal, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the tobacco liquid leakage through screw threads occurs during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidliquid leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The piercing element is pre-configured in the atomizing component to automatically pierce the sealing layer when the atomizing component is engaged with the liquid supply. This preliminary action ensures the liquid pathway is opened before any leakage can occur during the assembly process, eliminating the need for multiple screw turns while preventing liquid leakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A sealing layer is introduced as an intermediary element between the liquid supply and the atomizing component. This sealing layer is designed to be pierced by the piercing element, creating a controlled liquid pathway while maintaining hermetic sealing through the snap-fit connection. The sealing layer acts as a mediator that enables both liquid flow and leak prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the atomizing component is detachably coupled by snap fit, then the ease of operation is improved, but the hermetic seal may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidhermetic seal
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The piercing element is pre-configured to automatically pierce the sealing layer during the snap-fit engagement process itself, rather than requiring separate actions. This ensures that the liquid pathway is opened and the hermetic seal is maintained simultaneously through the single snap-fit operation, achieving both ease of operation and sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing layer serves as an intermediary that is designed to be pierced by the piercing element during snap-fit engagement. This intermediary element enables the detachable coupling to maintain hermetic seal by providing a controlled pathway that opens only when properly engaged, combining ease of operation with reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the piercing element pricks the sealing layer immediately upon engagement, then the liquid flow is initiated quickly, but the liquid may leak before the seal is established

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid flow initiation speedVSAvoidliquid leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The piercing element is positioned and oriented such that it pierces the sealing layer at the exact moment when the snap-fit connection establishes the hermetic seal. This synchronized preliminary action ensures that the liquid pathway is opened only after the seal is secure, achieving quick liquid flow initiation without leakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing layer acts as a controlled intermediary that is pierced only when the snap-fit connection is properly established. The design ensures that the piercing action and seal establishment occur simultaneously, allowing quick liquid flow initiation while preventing leakage by maintaining seal integrity during the transition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively prevents liquid leakage during assembly and operation, ensuring a reliable and efficient aerosol generation process by maintaining a tight seal between the liquid supply and atomizing component, enhancing user satisfaction.

Implementation Method 1

The piercing element is configured for pricking the sealing layer, so that the tobacco liquid in the liquid chamber flows into the buffer chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

The atomizing component is configured for heating the tobacco liquid to vaporize

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

The atomizing component is configured for heating the tobacco liquid to vaporize

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

The atomizing component is configured for heating the tobacco liquid to vaporize

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase Change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP3020290B1Atomizer and electronic cigarette having same
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 SHENZHEN FIRST UNION TECH CO LTD
  • EP3020290B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3020290B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3020290B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An exemplary atomizer includes a liquid supply (10) and an atomizing component (20). The liquid supply is configured for storing tobacco liquid. The liquid supply has an open end and a sealing layer (13) for sealing the open end. The atomizing component is detachably coupled to the liquid supply by snap fit. The atomizing component is configured for heating the tobacco liquid to vaporize. The atomizing component includes a piercing element (22), a buffer chamber (25), and an atomizing unit (241). The piercing element is configured for pricking the sealing layer, so that the tobacco liquid in the liquid chamber flows into the buffer chamber, when the atomizing component is engaged with the liquid supply. The buffer chamber is configured for storing tobacco liquid flowed from the liquid chamber. The atomizing unit is configured for absorbing the tobacco liquid from the buffer chamber, and generating aerosol from the tobacco liquid.