Concealable Mouthpiece Mechanism for Electronic Cigarettes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic cigarettes have exposed mouthpieces that are prone to contamination when not in use, lacking a mechanism to conceal the mouthpiece and protect it from surrounding elements.
Innovation Solution
A concealable mouthpiece assembly for electronic cigarettes that includes an E-liquid storage tank with a rotatable design, a mouthpiece moving mechanism, and an E-liquid separation mechanism, allowing the mouthpiece to be raised for use and retracted into a cover when not in use, utilizing a sliding mechanism and sealing rings to prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mouthpiece is fixed and always exposed, then the device structure is simple, but the mouthpiece is prone to contamination from surrounding elements
Solution Approach 1:
The mouthpiece is transformed from a fixed structure to a movable one, capable of transitioning between exposed and concealed states. The movable mouthpiece is guided by grooves in the rotating body and connected via a moving rod mechanism, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position based on usage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouthpiece is nested within the device body when not in use, specifically concealed within a recess or cover structure. The moving rod allows the mouthpiece to be stored inside the main body, similar to a nested doll configuration, reducing exposure to contaminants when not actively used.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the mouthpiece is concealed when not in use, then contamination is prevented, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The concealment function is merged with the existing rotating body structure. The rotating body integrates multiple functions: storing e-liquid, providing a sealing interface, and guiding the mouthpiece movement through integrated grooves. This combines what could be separate components into a unified structure, reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating body serves multiple purposes: it acts as the e-liquid storage container, provides the sealing surface against the base, guides the mouthpiece movement through its grooves, and enables the rotation mechanism itself. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components for each function.
3Reliability
If a rotating mechanism is added to conceal the mouthpiece, then mouthpiece protection is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation mechanism is designed to be operated by the user's natural handling of the device. When the user holds and uses the electronic cigarette, their grip and manipulation naturally facilitate the rotation action. The lightweight rotating body and simple groove-guided mechanism require minimal effort to operate, making the protection feature activate itself through normal usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation mechanism is segmented into simple, independent components: the rotating body, the grooves for guidance, and the moving rod connection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function with minimal complexity, making the overall system easier to operate compared to a more integrated complex mechanism.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the E-liquid storage tank is rotatable, then the mouthpiece can be concealed, but the risk of E-liquid leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing interface between the rotating body and base is designed and positioned in advance to maintain continuous contact during rotation. The groove structures and sealing surfaces are pre-configured to ensure that as the rotating body turns, the seal remains engaged, preventing e-liquid leakage before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism utilizes flexible sealing elements or thin film barriers at the interface between the rotating body and base. These flexible components can accommodate the rotational movement while maintaining the seal, preventing e-liquid from leaking during the rotation process that conceals the mouthpiece.
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 conceals the mouthpiece when not in use, preventing contamination and ensuring the electronic cigarette remains clean and functional, while allowing easy activation and use by rotating the E-liquid storage tank.
Implementation Method 1
heating element that vaporizes a liquid solution (E-liquid)
Implementation Method 2
airflow caused by the sucking action activates an airflow activated switch
Data Source
AI summary
Present disclosure relates to electronic cigarettes having concealable mouthpiece and methods of using the same. In certain embodiments, the electronic cigarette includes: an E-liquid storage tank for storing E-liquid, a concealable mouthpiece assembly having a concealable mouthpiece to be concealed in a mouthpiece cover, a vaporizer assembly, and an E-liquid separation mechanism. The E-liquid storage tank is positioned on the E-liquid separation mechanism and the E-liquid separation base is rotatably positioned on a vaporizer base. The E-liquid separation mechanism has the E-liquid separation base and an E-liquid separation silicone gel ring to separate the E-liquid from the E-liquid storage tank from the vaporizer assembly. When a user rotates the E-liquid storage tank against the vaporizer base in a first direction, the concealable mouthpiece is raised upward for user to use. When user rotates E-liquid storage tank against vaporizer base in an opposite direction, concealable mouthpiece is concealed in mouthpiece cover.