Refillable Clearomizer Venting for Pressure-Stable eCig Refills

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic cigarette clearomizers lack efficient refill mechanisms and pressure management systems, leading to performance degradation and user inconvenience due to gas pressure buildup and vacuum states during juice depletion.

Innovation Solution

A refillable eCig clearomizer design featuring a rotatable mouthpiece and tank with aligned fill and vent apertures, a pressure release valve, and electrical coupling for the heater coil, facilitating easy refilling and preventing juice escape, while ensuring consistent airflow and power delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a refillable tank design is used, then ease of refilling is improved, but risk of juice escape during refilling increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of refillingVSAvoidjuice escape
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure release valve is pre-positioned to automatically activate when pressure differential exceeds the spring preload force, preventing juice escape before it can occur during the refilling process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-loaded pressure release valve acts as an intermediary mechanism between the sealed tank and the refilling operation, mediating pressure changes to prevent harmful juice escape while allowing safe refilling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of substance

If the clearomizer is sealed to prevent leakage, then juice loss is reduced, but gas pressure buildup during refilling occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejuice lossVSAvoidgas pressure buildup
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure release valve provides self-service pressure management by automatically activating when the spring force is overcome by pressure differential, releasing gas pressure without user intervention while maintaining juice loss prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The spring preload force parameter is calibrated to allow the pressure release valve to remain closed during normal operation (preventing juice loss) but activate automatically when gas pressure exceeds safe thresholds during refilling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If fill and vent apertures are aligned during refilling, then pressure management is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure managementVSAvoidaperture alignment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clearomizer is segmented into distinct functional components (tank, mouthpiece, pressure release valve) with independently optimized structures, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable pressure management through aperture alignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enhances user experience by allowing easy refilling, preventing performance degradation from gas pressure and vacuum issues, and ensuring continuous operation by aligning fill and vent apertures to manage pressure and maintain juice flow effectively.

Implementation Method 1

The refillable tank is designed to contain eCig juice, which is drawn from the refillable tank to the heater coil by capillary action

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP4039115B1Refillable electronic cigarette clearomizer
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 FONTEM VENTURES
  • EP4039115B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4039115B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4039115B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Aspects of the instant disclosure relate to electronic cigarettes; more particularly, to electronic cigarettes including a clearomizer. Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a clearomizer comprising a hemicylindrical port including fluid inlet, and electrical pads, at least one of the electrical pads electrically coupled to a heater coil within the clearomizer. The hemicylindrical port is configured and arranged to electrically couple the heater coil with electrical circuitry of a power supply portion, and transfer a fluid from the power supply portion to the clearomizer in response to a vacuum pressure within the clearomizer.