Electronic Cigarette Power Connection via Pop-Up Pin Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic cigarettes have complex internal structures that lead to inefficient battery utilization and risk of nicotine solution spillage when refilling, due to separate wire connections and insecure cartridge separation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An electronic cigarette design utilizing a power supply system with a center pin and contact pin that connect via a pop-up pin structure with an elastic body, allowing for stable power connection and disconnection without wires, and a connector mechanism that releases before the cartridge is fully separated, preventing solution spillage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wires are used to connect internal elements for power supply, then power transmission is reliable, but the internal structure becomes complicated and battery utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the wire connections from the internal structure. Instead of using wires to connect the power supply portion and smoke generating portion, it employs direct contact through contact pins (first and second contact pins) that make electrical contact when the cartridge is inserted. This removes the unnecessary wire components, simplifying the internal structure while maintaining reliable power transmission through the contact pins.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact pins serve multiple functions: they provide electrical connection for power supply, act as mechanical engagement elements for the cartridge, and enable the power on/off control through their contact/separation mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, further simplifying the overall structure.
2Ease of operation
If a separate switch is used to control power on and off, then power control is precise, but the internal structure becomes more complex and battery utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separate switch component entirely. Instead of using a switch to control power, it relies on the mechanical insertion and removal of the cartridge itself to make or break the electrical contact through the contact pins. This eliminates the need for a separate switch, simplifying the internal structure while maintaining precise power control based on cartridge presence.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge insertion and removal actions perform the power on/off function automatically. When the user inserts the cartridge, the contact pins make contact and power is supplied; when the cartridge is removed, contact is broken and power stops. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate control components.
3Ease of operation
If the cartridge can be easily separated for refilling, then ease of operation is improved, but nicotine solution spillage may occur during separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preliminary action sequence where the power supply connection is broken before the cartridge is fully separated. The elevating portion rises to disconnect the power contact pins first, and only after this disconnection does the cartridge become fully separable. This preliminary power disconnection prevents solution spillage by ensuring the sealing connection is maintained until power is safely disconnected.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic movement through the elevating portion that can change position between lowered (connected) and raised (disconnected) states. This dynamic mechanism allows the system to transition smoothly from a connected state to a disconnected state, controlling the sequence of separation to prevent spillage while maintaining ease of operation.
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 simplifies the internal structure, improves battery utilization efficiency by preventing discharge when power is off, and securely prevents nicotine solution spillage during refilling.
Implementation Method 1
a contact pin and a center pin which have a pop-up pin structure including an elastic body inside
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electronic cigarette and, more specifically, to an electronic cigarette, comprising: a power supply portion which supplies power to the electronic cigarette; an elevating portion being controllable up and down by the supplied power; a smoke generating portion coupled to the elevating portion to be movable up and down; and a connector portion which connects between the smoke generating portion and the elevating portion.