E-Cigarette Reservoir and Pump Refill Case for Easy Recharging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) designs face challenges in replicating the user experience of traditional cigarettes, including inconvenient e-liquid refilling and battery recharging, which hinders mass-market adoption and public health benefits.
Innovation Solution
A portable, personal storage and carrying case that allows e-liquid refilling and battery recharging without disassembling the e-cigarette, featuring a user-replaceable e-liquid reservoir and an electrical pump system for efficient fluid transfer, enabling the e-cigarette to maintain optimal performance and user experience similar to traditional cigarettes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional e-cigarette designs are used, then the device structure is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to inconvenient e-liquid refilling and battery recharging requiring disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the e-cigarette device with a carrying case that integrates both e-liquid reservoir and battery charging functions. The case houses a pump system that automatically transfers e-liquid to the atomizer and simultaneously charges the battery when the device is placed inside, eliminating the need for separate refilling and charging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs an automatic pump mechanism that activates when the e-cigarette is inserted into the case. The pump automatically detects fluid levels and transfers e-liquid from the case reservoir to the device reservoir without user intervention, while electrical contacts automatically establish charging connections.
2Productivity
If manual refilling methods are used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity deteriorates due to frequent time-consuming refilling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual refilling operations with an electrical pump system. The pump uses electrical power from the case battery to drive fluid transfer through controlled pumping action, eliminating the need for manual pouring, squeezing, or syringe-based refilling methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The e-liquid is pre-stored in a larger reservoir within the carrying case. Before each use, the user simply places the e-cigarette in the case, and the pump automatically transfers the required amount of e-liquid in advance, so the device is ready for immediate use without time-consuming refilling during the day.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the e-cigarette maintains optimal performance, then the duration of action is improved, but the loss of substance increases due to potential e-liquid leakage or waste
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates level sensing mechanisms that detect when the e-liquid reservoir or battery is low. The pump operation is controlled by feedback from these sensors, transferring e-liquid only when needed and stopping when the reservoir is full, preventing overflow and waste. Similarly, charging is controlled by battery level feedback.
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 convenient and efficient way to refill and recharge e-cigarettes, reducing the need for frequent battery replacement and e-liquid replenishment, thus enhancing user experience and potentially increasing mass-market adoption and public health benefits.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical or electronic pump, being configured to transfer e-liquid from the e-liquid reservoir to an atomizing unit in the device
Implementation Method 2
They generally use a heating element known as an atomizer, that vaporizes a liquid solution known as e-liquid or 'juice'
Implementation Method 3
They generally use a heating element known as an atomizer, that vaporizes a liquid solution
Data Source
AI summary
A user-replaceable e-liquid reservoir for dispensing e-liquid, the reservoir being inserted into, or otherwise attached to, a portable, personal e-cigarette device and engaging with an electrical or electronic pump fluid transfer system in the device, the device including: an electrical or electronic pump, being configured to transfer e-liquid from the e-liquid reservoir to an atomizing unit in the device, the pump delivering a pre-defined or variable quantity of e-liquid from the reservoir; and in which the reservoir is not user-refillable.