E-cigarette Carrier with Frictional Retention and Impact Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of electronic cigarettes face challenges in transporting and accessing their devices and components, as they need to carry multiple parts such as batteries, cartomizers, and chargers, which can be cumbersome and inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

An electronic cigarette carrier with a retention feature and external manipulation access window that allows for secure enclosure and easy access to the e-cigarette, utilizing a combination of compliant and non-compliant materials to provide frictional coupling and impact-based release mechanisms for secure storage and easy retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the carrier uses a secure enclosure with retention features to protect the electronic cigarette, then the reliability and protection of the device is improved, but the ease of access and manipulation of the device is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of electronic cigaretteVSAvoidaccess to electronic cigarette

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary access mechanism that mediates between the secure enclosure and the electronic cigarette. This mechanism allows the cigarette to be accessed and manipulated without compromising the overall security of the carrier, as the intermediary controls and guides the release process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The retention features are designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing them to transition between locked and unlocked states. This enables the carrier to maintain security during transport while allowing easy access when needed, resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the carrier provides easy access to the electronic cigarette, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of accidental release or damage is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to electronic cigaretteVSAvoidaccidental release or damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The access mechanism is designed to require deliberate user action to activate, making it self-protecting against accidental activation. The mechanism serves itself by having built-in safeguards that prevent release unless the proper activation sequence is followed, thus reducing harmful factors while maintaining ease of legitimate access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the carrier encloses multiple components (battery, cartomizer, charger), then the convenience of transport is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport convenienceVSAvoidcarrier structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate components (battery, cartomizer, charger) into a single integrated carrier structure. This consolidation provides several benefits: it simplifies transport by having one unified container, reduces the total space required compared to multiple separate containers, and while it does increase carrier complexity, this is offset by the elimination of multiple separate carrying solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier is designed as a universal container that can accommodate multiple different components with different functions. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace multiple separate carriers, improving transport convenience while the modular design helps manage the inherent complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 carrier provides a convenient and secure way to transport and access electronic cigarettes, minimizing the risk of accidental release or damage while allowing easy access and manipulation of the device and its components.

Implementation Method 1

frictionally couple the eCig to the enclosure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the top portion is deformed relative to the bottom portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 3

In response to a first compression force applied transverse to a plane of the interface, the top portion is deformed relative to the bottom portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact Force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentUS11712061B2Electronic cigarette carrier

Publication Date: 2023.08.01 FONTEM VENTURES

AI summary

Aspects of the instant disclosure relate to carrying and dispensing electronic cigarettes, electronic cigarette components, and electronic cigarette accessories; and more particularly for dispensing an electronic cigarette while one or more electronic cigarettes and electronic cigarette components remain secured within a carrier.