Rotating Locking Mechanism for E-Cigarette Child Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing e-cigarettes have complex and costly child locking structures that are inconvenient to operate, posing a challenge in preventing children from easily accessing the liquid storage chamber.

Innovation Solution

An atomizer and electronic cigarette design featuring a simple child locking mechanism with a movable upper cover assembly, locking member, and recesses that allow for easy rotation to lock or unlock the liquid storage chamber, ensuring safety and convenient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a push-pull child locking structure is adopted, then children are prevented from easily opening the liquid storage chamber, but the structure becomes complicated and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechild safetyVSAvoidlocking structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a locking member with locking protrusion, a movable member with recess, and a fixed member with locking groove. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining effective child locking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking member is designed to be movable relative to the fixed member, transitioning between locked and unlocked states. The locking protrusion can move in and out of the locking groove based on user operation, providing dynamic locking control without requiring complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a push-pull child locking structure is adopted, then children are prevented from easily opening the liquid storage chamber, but the operation becomes inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechild safetyVSAvoidlocking operation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to be self-operating through a simple rotational motion. The movable member rotates to automatically engage or disengage the locking protrusion with the locking groove, eliminating the need for complex pushing or pulling actions and making the operation intuitive and convenient for users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the liquid storage chamber is made openable for repeated liquid filling, then economic practicality is improved, but children can easily access the e-liquid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid filling flexibilityVSAvoidchild access to e-liquid
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The child locking mechanism is activated by default, with the locking protrusion positioned to engage the locking groove before any opening operation. This preliminary anti-action prevents children from accidentally opening the chamber while allowing controlled access for liquid filling through the designated opening mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP3964091B1Atomizer and electronic cigarette thereof
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 CHANGZHOU PATENT ELECTRONICS TECH CO LTD
  • EP3964091B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3964091B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3964091B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An atomizer and an electronic cigarette comprising same. The atomizer (100) comprises an upper cover assembly (20) and a fixed component; the upper cover assembly (20) comprises an upper cover (21), a movable component (24) capable of rotating relative to the upper cover (21), and a locking component (22) movably provided between the upper cover (21) and the movable component (24); the movable component (24) is partially accommodated in the upper cover (21); a through hole (2122) is provided on the upper cover (21); a groove (2421) is provided on the movable component (24); the fixed component is sleeved at outside of the upper cover (21); a clamping groove corresponding to the through hole (2122) is provided on the fixed component; when the movable component (24) is rotated until the groove (2421) is staggered with the locking component (22), the locking component (22) partially penetrates through the through hole (2122) and is locked with the clamping groove. By providing the groove (2421) corresponding to the locking component (22) on the movable component (24), when the movable component (24) is rotated relative to the upper cover (21), the movable component (24) can abut against the locking component (22), so that the locking component (22) is provided at outside of the upper cover assembly (20) in a protruding mode and clamped in the clamping groove. The present invention is easy to operate and prevents a child from easily opening the atomizer to be in contact with an e-liquid.