E-Cigarette Airflow and E-Liquid Sealing Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic cigarettes lack efficient mechanisms for adjusting vapor volume and preventing e-liquid leakage, which affects user experience and device reliability.

Innovation Solution

The electronic cigarette incorporates a magnetically connected atomization and battery assembly with a slidable button to adjust air inlet size and a spring mechanism to control e-liquid flow, utilizing a heating wire with layered cotton and an e-liquid tank to produce selectable vapor volumes while sealing the air inlet to prevent e-liquid from entering the battery assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a slidable button mechanism is added to adjust air inlet size for vapor volume control, then user experience and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevapor volume adjustmentVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a slidable button mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the air inlet size, enabling users to control vapor volume according to their preferences. This dynamic structure transforms a static device into an adaptable one, resolving the contradiction by providing adjustability while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical design through linear motion control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a spring mechanism is introduced to control e-liquid flow, then reliability and consistent performance are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvee-liquid flow controlVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring mechanism is designed to automatically control e-liquid flow based on the position of the slidable button, without requiring additional active control systems. The spring provides self-regulating force to maintain consistent e-liquid flow to the heating element, improving reliability while avoiding excessive complexity by using passive mechanical feedback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If multiple sealing components are added to prevent e-liquid leakage into the battery assembly, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage preventionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the sealing function into multiple segments, placing sealing components at different critical locations where e-liquid could potentially leak into the battery assembly. This segmentation approach isolates leakage risks to specific zones, improving overall reliability while allowing each sealing component to be relatively simple in design, thereby balancing manufacturing ease with leak prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If magnetic connection is used to connect atomization and battery assemblies, then ease of assembly and disassembly are improved, but connection strength may be insufficient compared to mechanical fasteners

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidconnection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical fasteners with a magnetic connection system to join the atomization assembly and battery assembly. This substitution eliminates the need for screws or clips, significantly improving ease of assembly and disassembly. The magnetic force provides sufficient connection strength for normal use while allowing simple separation when needed, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and connection strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 configuration allows for adjustable vapor volume and effective prevention of e-liquid leakage, enhancing user experience and device reliability by ensuring consistent performance and preventing damage from e-liquid exposure.

Implementation Method 1

The atomization assembly and the battery assembly are magnetically connected to each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic connection: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a heating wire disposed in the cylindrical bushing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

a spring mechanism to control e-liquid flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3799732B1Electronic cigarette
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 LIU TUANFANG
  • EP3799732B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3799732B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3799732B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic cigarette, including: an atomization assembly and a battery assembly. The atomization assembly includes a first cover (1); a first seal (2); a cylindrical bushing (3); a heating wire (4) disposed in the cylindrical bushing; a monolayered cotton (5); a multilayered cotton (6); a funnel (7); a spring (8); a second seal (9) sealing the funnel; an e-liquid tank (10); a third seal (11); a seal plug (12); a fixed seat (13) fixing the heating wire; a fourth seal (14) sealing the fixed seat; a first insulation ring (15); a joint (16); a second insulation ring (17); a fifth seal (18); a second cover (19); a sixth seal (20) sealing the second cover; a magnet (21); and a casing (22). The battery assembly includes a seal ring (23); a first silicone gasket (24); a support frame (25); a foam (26); a battery (27); a control plate (28); a hollow air column (29); a pneumatic switch (31); a seventh seal (30) sealing the pneumatic switch; a position limiter (32) limiting the pneumatic switch; a slidable button (33); a second silicone gasket (34); a connector (35); a housing (36); a first decorative plate (37); a second decorative plate (38); a power button (39).