Electronic Cigarette Pneumatic Switch Staggered Air Column Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic cigarettes face issues with e-liquid flow causing short circuits due to airflow, and existing designs lack effective solutions for preventing e-liquid from reaching critical components during operation.
Innovation Solution
The electronic cigarette incorporates a battery assembly with a charging plate made of epsilon-type nickel steel, featuring three thimbles soldered by laser welding, and a staggered air column design to prevent e-liquid from reaching the pneumatic switch, along with a magnet for attracting the charging unit, ensuring proper e-liquid containment and efficient charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the air column is vertically aligned with the pneumatic switch to enable airflow-driven operation, then the pneumatic switch can be driven by airflow, but e-liquid may flow to the pneumatic switch causing short circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement from vertical alignment to offset positioning. The air column is positioned offset from the pneumatic switch rather than directly above it, creating a staggered configuration that prevents e-liquid from reaching the switch while still allowing airflow to activate the switch through the offset air passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an offset air passage as an intermediary structure. This passage connects the air column to the pneumatic switch without requiring direct vertical alignment, allowing airflow to reach the switch while the offset positioning prevents e-liquid contamination.
2Reliability
If the air column is offset from the pneumatic switch to prevent e-liquid flow, then short circuit is prevented, but airflow-driven operation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The offset air passage is designed to extend horizontally from the air column to the pneumatic switch, creating a lateral airflow path. This dimensional change allows the air column to be positioned offset for safety while maintaining effective airflow delivery to activate the switch.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional soldering is used for assembling battery components, then manufacturing is simpler, but welding quality and reliability may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional soldering with laser welding technology. The laser welding device uses optical energy to melt and join the thimble to the battery plate, providing superior welding quality, stronger bonds, and more reliable electrical connections compared to traditional soldering methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manufacturing process parameters by using laser welding instead of soldering. This involves changing from thermal diffusion bonding (soldering) to localized melting and fusion (laser welding), resulting in improved joint strength, better electrical conductivity, and higher manufacturing precision.
4Weight of moving object
If the electronic cigarette is designed for portability, then carrying convenience is improved, but charging functionality may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The battery assembly is designed with dual functionality: it serves as both the power source for the electronic cigarette and as a charging device. The exposed charging plate with thimbles allows the battery assembly to charge atomization assemblies, eliminating the need for separate charging devices and maintaining portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery assembly performs self-charging functions by serving as the charging device for other components. The charging plate with thimbles allows the battery assembly to transfer charge to atomization assemblies, enabling the system to charge itself without external equipment.
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 effectively prevents e-liquid from short-circuiting the pneumatic switch and facilitates efficient charging by using a magnetically attracted charging unit, enhancing the operational reliability and convenience of the electronic cigarette.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet disposed on the bottom end of the support to attract the charging unit when the battery assembly is being charged
Implementation Method 2
the thimble is three in number and is soldered on an epsilon-type nickel steel sheet by laser welding technology
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic cigarette including an atomization assembly and a battery assembly. The atomization assembly is disposed on the battery assembly. The battery assembly includes an air column and a plate including a pneumatic switch. When in use, airflow passes through the air column to drive the plate including the pneumatic switch to work. The air column and the plate are disposed on the top end of the battery assembly, and the air column is staggered with the plate thus preventing an e-liquid from flowing onto the plate.