Circumferential Data Contacts for Orientation-Independent Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smoking substitute devices face issues with delicate electrical contacts that are prone to bending or breaking, requiring precise orientation for connection, which can lead to damage and increased user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A smoking substitute consumable with a data contact region configured to interface with the device regardless of orientation, featuring circumferential data contacts that allow for robust and secure connection, reducing the need for precise alignment and enhancing user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional point-contact electrical contacts are used for connection, then the connection structure is simple, but the contacts are delicate and prone to bending or breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contact is divided into multiple contact points arranged circumferentially around the consumable. Instead of a single point contact, multiple contact points are distributed around the circumference, which distributes the mechanical stress and electrical load, reducing the risk of any single contact point failing while maintaining overall connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical contact transitions from a single-point contact (0D) to a circumferential distribution of contact points (1D along the circumference). This dimensional change allows the contact to interface with the device over an extended arc, providing both mechanical robustness and electrical reliability through distributed contact rather than concentrated stress at a single point.
2Measurement precision
If precise orientation is required for connection, then the contact alignment is accurate, but the user convenience deteriorates due to the need for precise alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential data contact region is designed to interface with the device regardless of the rotational orientation of the consumable. The contact points are arranged in a pattern that maintains electrical and data connectivity across multiple orientations, making the connection universal and eliminating the need for precise angular alignment while preserving reliable contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact design uses asymmetric positioning of contact points around the circumference, where at least one data contact region is offset from the electrical contact. This asymmetric arrangement, combined with the circumferential distribution, ensures that the connection remains functional across different orientations without requiring symmetric alignment, thereby improving ease of operation.
3Reliability
If circumferential data contact regions are implemented, then the connection robustness and ease of operation improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contact and data contact regions are merged into a single circumferential interface structure on the consumable. Instead of separate mechanical and data connection components, both functions are integrated into the same circumferential contact arrangement, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall connection structure while maintaining robustness.
Solution Approach 2:
The circumferential contact interface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical power connection, data exchange capability, and mechanical coupling. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated structures for each function, reducing overall device complexity while achieving reliable and robust connection across multiple orientations.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a smoking substitute consumable insertable into a smoking substitute device in at least a first orientation and a second orientation. The consumable comprising: an electrical contact configured to interface with a corresponding electrical contact of the smoking substitute device, the electrical contact located at a contact end of the consumable; and at least one data contact region configured to interface with at least one corresponding data contact region of the smoking substitute device for data exchange when the smoking substitute consumable is inserted into the smoking substitute device in either the first orientation or the second orientation.