Charging Case Ribs That Create an Air Gap for Easy Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a charging case that effectively spaces the aerosol provision system from the case to provide an air gap, reducing friction and facilitating easy connection and disconnection of the aerosol delivery system, while also ensuring thermal insulation and cooling of the device.
Innovation Solution
The charging case incorporates protrusions, such as ribs, that are strategically positioned to create an air gap between the aerosol delivery system and the case, reducing contact area and friction, and includes a ramp for easy removal of the aerosol delivery system, with the protrusions being integrally formed with the case and designed to maintain contact with the system during disconnection and support it when sliding away from the port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the aerosol delivery system is placed directly against the charging case surface, then the contact area is maximized for stable positioning, but friction increases and thermal insulation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The charging case surface is segmented into contact regions and non-contact regions using protrusions (ribs) that divide the interface into discrete contact points rather than a continuous surface, reducing overall friction while maintaining positioning stability
Solution Approach 2:
Protrusions (ribs) are introduced as intermediary elements between the aerosol delivery system and charging case surface, creating an air gap that reduces direct contact and friction while still providing mechanical support and positioning
2Use of energy by moving object
If the aerosol delivery system is placed directly against the charging case surface, then thermal contact is maximized for charging efficiency, but heat transfer to the case increases causing overheating
Solution Approach 1:
An air gap created by protrusions serves as a thermal intermediary, allowing controlled thermal contact for charging while preventing excessive heat transfer to the charging case body, thus managing thermal effects during charging
Solution Approach 2:
The charging case surface has non-uniform thermal contact properties created by protrusions, with localized contact regions for charging and separated regions for thermal insulation, achieving different thermal qualities in different areas
3Ease of operation
If protrusions are added to create an air gap, then friction is reduced and thermal insulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions (ribs) combine multiple functions into a single structural element: they create the air gap for friction reduction, provide thermal insulation, and serve as mechanical support features, thereby reducing overall device complexity despite adding structural elements
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions serve multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical support, friction reduction through air gap creation, and thermal insulation, making the added structural complexity worthwhile by achieving multiple benefits from a single feature
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
This design reduces friction and heat transfer, making it easier to connect and disconnect the aerosol delivery system, promotes cooling of the device, and prevents damage by providing a reaction surface during disconnection, enhancing user safety and device longevity.
Implementation Method 1
provide an air gap... reducing friction and facilitating easy connection and disconnection
Implementation Method 2
provide an air gap... promotes cooling of the device... reducing heat transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A charging case for an aerosol delivery system includes one or more formations that are configured to space at least a portion of the aerosol provision system from the charging case to provide an air gap. A kit of parts can include a charging case and an aerosol delivery system.