E-Vapor Pod Connector Geometry for Secure Leak-Resistant Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing e-vapor devices lack an efficient and secure mechanism for dispensing pre-vapor formulations and communicating with vaporizers, leading to potential leaks, tampering, and suboptimal vaping experiences.
Innovation Solution
An e-vapor apparatus with a pod assembly featuring a pre-vapor formulation compartment, a vaporizer, and a dispensing body that includes a semi-circular contact area for secure electrical connections, spring force application, and a smart pod system for authentication and usage tracking, ensuring secure and optimized vapor delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electrical connectors are used in e-vapor devices, then the device structure is simple, but the connection is insecure and prone to leaks and tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector employs a semi-circular contact area instead of a traditional flat or point contact design. This curved geometry provides a larger surface area for electrical contact, improving connection security and reliability while preventing tampering through its unique shape that must align correctly with the corresponding connector.
2Reliability
If secure electrical connections are implemented, then connection reliability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector integrates multiple functions into a single component: the semi-circular contact area serves both as the electrical contact surface and as a mechanical alignment feature. The contact area is formed as an integral part of the connector body, eliminating the need for separate alignment features or multiple assembly steps, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving secure connections.
3Reliability
If spring force is applied to maintain contact, then connection stability improves, but the force parameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design changes the contact geometry from a point or line contact to a semi-circular area contact. This geometric parameter change distributes the contact force across a larger surface area, reducing the pressure intensity while maintaining overall connection stability. The semi-circular shape naturally conforms to the corresponding connector surface, ensuring stable contact without requiring excessive spring force.
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
The solution provides a secure, efficient, and user-friendly mechanism for vapor delivery, preventing leaks and tampering while optimizing the vaping experience through secure electrical connections and smart pod functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the first power electrode including a first contact portion on an exterior of the first electrical connector and a first extended portion configured to contact an anode portion of the vaporizer, the second power electrode including a second contact portion on the exterior of the first electrical connector and a second extended portion configured to contact a cathode portion of the vaporizer
Implementation Method 2
each of the first contact portion and the second contact portion includes a part that extends away from the exterior of the first electrical connector, wherein the part that extends away from the exterior of the first electrical connector is semi-circular and defines a half cylinder shape that provides a contact area along a width of a tangent of the semi-circular part
Data Source
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AI summary
An e-vapor apparatus may include a pod assembly including a pre-vapor formulation compartment, a first electrical connector, a vapor channel traversing the pre-vapor formulation compartment, and a vaporizer, the pre-vapor formulation compartment configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation therein and in fluidic communication with the vaporizer during an operation of the e-vapor apparatus, the first electrical connector including first and second power electrodes, the first power electrode including a first contact portion on an exterior of the first electrical connector and a first extended portion configured to contact an anode portion of the vaporizer, the second power electrode including a second contact portion on the exterior of the first electrical connector and a second extended portion configured to contact a cathode portion of the vaporizer. The e-vapor apparatus may further include a dispensing body including a second electrical connector configured to connect to the first electrical connector.