Electronic Cigarette Sealing and Refilling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic cigarettes are not durable and degrade quickly with use, lacking a reliable sealing mechanism for the e-liquid inlet.
Innovation Solution
The electronic cigarette design features a robust structure with multiple seal rings and assemblies, including a mouthpiece, atomizing, and base assemblies, utilizing stainless steel components and a threaded connection for durability, with a protective cover that can be rotated to expose and seal the e-liquid inlet for easy refilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electronic cigarette design is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but durability and sealing reliability deteriorate quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into three main assemblies (mouthpiece assembly, atomizing assembly, base assembly) that can be separately manufactured and assembled. Each assembly contains specific sealing components (first seal ring, second seal ring, third seal ring, fourth seal ring) positioned at critical interfaces, allowing targeted improvement of sealing reliability without redesigning the entire device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple seal rings are nested within the device structure at different levels and positions. The first seal ring is positioned at the mouthpiece interface, the second and third seal rings are integrated into the atomizing assembly, and the fourth seal ring is located at the base interface. This nested arrangement provides multi-layer sealing protection while maintaining a compact overall structure.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If multiple seal rings and stainless steel components are used, then durability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from conventional materials to stainless steel for critical components (mouthpiece, protective cover, housing) to enhance durability and resistance to corrosion and wear. The seal rings are made from elastomeric materials with specific durometer ranges (30-70 Shore A) to optimize both sealing performance and manufacturability. These parameter changes extend device lifespan while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs composite material construction combining stainless steel for structural components with elastomeric seal rings. This composite approach leverages the strength and corrosion resistance of metal for durable structural elements while using flexible elastomeric materials for sealing functions, achieving both durability and ease of manufacture through material specialization.
3Ease of operation
If protective cover is made rotatable for refilling, then ease of refilling is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is designed with rotational freedom around the cylinder axis, transforming it from a static to a dynamic component. This rotational capability allows users to easily access the e-liquid inlet by rotating the protective cover, perform refilling operations, and then rotate it back to seal the inlet. The dynamic design simplifies the refilling operation while the sealing mechanism remains relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover serves multiple functions: it protects the e-liquid inlet when closed, acts as a rotational access mechanism for refilling, and provides structural support for the slide block assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, maintaining ease of refilling while limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic cigarette, including a mouthpiece assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a base assembly. The mouthpiece assembly includes a mouthpiece, a first seal ring adapted to seal the mouthpiece, a cylinder, a protective cover, a pin, and a slide block. The atomizing assembly includes a silicone seal, a silicone ring, a housing, a threaded connection ring, an atomization unit, a sealing element adapted to seal the atomization unit, a second seal ring adapted to seal the sealing element, a glass tube, and a third seal ring adapted to seal the upper part of the glass tube. The base assembly includes a fourth seal ring, a support adapted to support the glass tube, a vapor regulating ring, a base, a fifth seal ring adapted to seal the vapor regulating ring, a sixth seal ring adapted to seal the base, an insulation ring, and a joint.