E-Cigarette Atomizer Venting for Easier Refill and Clear Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic cigarettes lack an air vent in their atomizers, making refilling e-liquid difficult and prone to blockage due to e-liquid condensation when not in use.

Innovation Solution

The electronic cigarette design includes an atomization assembly with a vent tube and a ceramic core heated by a pneumatic switch, allowing bubbles to escape through gear or knurling grooves on the atomizer head, preventing blockages and ensuring the e-liquid remains in a free state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If no air vent is provided in the atomizer, then the structure is simpler, but refilling e-liquid becomes difficult and blockage occurs due to condensation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatomizer structureVSAvoidrefilling operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The atomizer is segmented into functional components: a vent tube for air intake, a heating assembly for vaporization, and a liquid storage section. This segmentation allows the vent tube to independently manage air pressure and prevent condensation blockage, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and refilling ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vent tube acts as an intermediary component that introduces air into the atomizer to prevent e-liquid condensation and blockage. This intermediary element enables smooth refilling operation without significantly complicating the overall atomizer structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If no air vent is provided in the atomizer, then fewer components are needed, but e-liquid condensation obstructs the inlet

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidflow path clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the atomizer into distinct functional zones including a vent tube for air intake and a heating assembly for vaporization, the design prevents e-liquid condensation and maintains flow path clarity without adding excessive components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vent tube enables the atomizer to self-regulate air pressure and prevent condensation automatically during operation, maintaining reliable flow path clarity without requiring additional active components or complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If extra pressure is applied for refilling, then e-liquid can be filled, but the device becomes harder to operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvee-liquid fillingVSAvoidrefilling operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vent tube serves as an intermediary that introduces air into the atomizer during refilling, equalizing pressure and enabling e-liquid to flow in naturally without requiring the user to apply extra pressure, thus maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The vent tube utilizes pneumatic principles by introducing air pressure to balance the internal pressure of the atomizer during refilling, allowing e-liquid to be filled easily without requiring the user to apply excessive force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 enhances ease of refilling and prevents e-liquid blockages, maintaining a clear flow path and ensuring efficient heating of the e-liquid, making the device compact and user-friendly.

Implementation Method 1

the thermal vapor flow can enter the heating tube to drive the pneumatic switch to work and heat the ceramic core

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

the thermal vapor flow can enter the heating tube to drive the pneumatic switch to work

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal vapor flow detection:

Implementation Method 3

the head of the atomizer comprises a plurality of gear grooves or knurling grooves; the bubbles produced by the e-liquid can release from the gear grooves or knurling grooves thus preventing the blockage of the inlet of the e-liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBubble release through grooves:

Data Source

PatentEP3711505B1Electronic cigarette
Publication Date: 2021.12.15 LIU TUANFANG
  • EP3711505B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3711505B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3711505B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic cigarette, including an atomization assembly and a battery assembly. The atomization assembly includes a mouthpiece (1), a glass tube (15), a first seal ring (2) sealing the glass tube, an atomizer, and an atomization core. The atomization core comprises a silica seal (9), a silica vent (10), a ceramic core (11), a pedestal (12), a first insulation ring (13), a heating tube (7), and a first joint (14). The battery assembly includes a second joint (16), a second insulation ring (17), a threaded ring (18), a first elastic electrode part (19), a spring (20), a second elastic electrode part (21), a third elastic electrode part (22), a third insulation ring (23), a magnet (24), a silica sleeve (25), a steel tube (26), a compression ring (27), a control plate (28), a battery core (29), a first inner casing (30), a first outer casing (31), a middle casing (32), a first silica gasket (33), a first button (34), a transparent film (35), a second button (36), a second silica gasket (37), a second outer casing (38), and a second inner casing (39).