Electronic Cigarette Rotatable Inlet Seal for Leak-Proof Refilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic cigarettes with unfixed plugs at the e-liquid inlet are prone to leakage, causing the pneumatic switch to malfunction when e-liquid leaks, as the e-liquid tank and pneumatic switch are vertically aligned, leading to unreliable sealing and operational issues.
Innovation Solution
The electronic cigarette design features a rotatable cover that horizontally aligns the pneumatic switch and e-liquid tank, allowing for reliable sealing of the e-liquid inlet through a silicone seal and seal ring, ensuring the pneumatic switch remains functional even during e-liquid leakage, with a rotatable cover that exposes and seals the inlet for easy e-liquid injection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the e-liquid inlet is sealed by an unfixed plug, then the structure is simple, but the sealing reliability deteriorates and the plug is squeezed out by external force
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is changed from a static unfixed component to a dynamic rotatable cover that can rotate between an open position (for e-liquid injection) and a closed position (for sealing). This dynamic transformation allows the same component to serve multiple functions: easy access for refilling and reliable sealing during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful effect of e-liquid leakage is extracted and isolated by positioning the pneumatic switch in a first position and the e-liquid tank in a second position, both horizontally aligned, separated from the e-liquid inlet sealing area. This spatial separation ensures that sealing issues at the inlet do not directly affect the pneumatic switch functionality.
2Volume of moving object
If the pneumatic switch and e-liquid tank are vertically aligned, then the structure is compact, but the pneumatic switch fails when e-liquid leakage happens
Solution Approach 1:
The arrangement of the pneumatic switch and e-liquid tank is changed from vertical alignment to horizontal alignment. This dimensional change in spatial arrangement allows both components to be positioned side-by-side in the same horizontal plane, reducing the risk of e-liquid leakage affecting the pneumatic switch while maintaining compact overall device dimensions.
3Reliability
If the rotatable cover is added to seal the e-liquid inlet, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable cover is designed to perform multiple functions: it seals the e-liquid inlet when closed, provides access for e-liquid injection when rotated to the open position, and integrates sealing elements (silicone seal and seal ring) directly into its structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is merged with the cover structure by integrating silicone seal and seal ring elements directly into the rotatable cover. This combination eliminates the need for separate sealing mechanisms and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining reliable sealing.
4Reliability
If the e-liquid inlet is always sealed, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the ease of operation for e-liquid injection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable cover provides dynamic access to the e-liquid inlet by allowing the user to rotate it to an open position for easy e-liquid injection, then rotate it back to a closed position for reliable sealing. This dynamic mechanism maintains sealing reliability while providing convenient access when needed.
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 provides a reliable and leak-proof e-liquid inlet system, maintaining the pneumatic switch's functionality and allowing for easy e-liquid refilling while ensuring the electronic cigarette remains compact and easy to carry.
Implementation Method 1
a silicone seal and seal ring, ensuring the pneumatic switch remains functional even during e-liquid leakage
Implementation Method 2
The rotatable cover can horizontally rotate on the cartridge. When the rotatable cover is pushed to one side, the e-liquid inlet of the cartridge is exposed and the e-liquid can be injected. After the injection is finished, push the rotatable cover to seal the e-liquid inlet.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic cigarette, including a mouthpiece assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a battery assembly. The mouthpiece assembly is disposed on the atomizing assembly. The atomizing assembly is disposed in the battery assembly. The mouthpiece assembly includes a mouthpiece and a mouthpiece cap covering the mouthpiece. The atomizing assembly includes a limit cover, a heating wire, a silicone support, and joints. The battery assembly includes a rotatable cover, a silicone seal, a seal ring, a cartridge, a silicone connector, a battery cell, a pneumatic switch, a silicone base, and a base sleeve.