E-Cigarette Reservoir and Pump Refilling Without Disassembly
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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 re-filling 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 re-filling and battery recharging of e-cigarettes without disassembly, featuring a user-replaceable e-liquid reservoir and 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 basic vaporization function is achieved, but the user experience is inconvenient due to frequent manual e-liquid refilling and battery recharging
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation through automated e-liquid refilling via pump mechanisms and automatic battery recharging through wireless charging, eliminating the need for manual user intervention in maintenance tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing e-liquid in reservoirs and maintaining battery charge levels through continuous connection to charging bases, ensuring the device is always ready for use without requiring user intervention at the moment of need
2Ease of operation
If manual refilling methods are used, then e-liquid can be replenished, but the process is messy and inconvenient requiring disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The refilling function is extracted from the main device body and implemented through a separate charging case that contains the e-liquid reservoir and pump mechanism, allowing refilling to occur externally without opening or disassembling the vaporizer unit
Solution Approach 2:
The charging case serves as an intermediary device that mediates the refilling process between the e-liquid source and the vaporizer, providing a controlled interface that eliminates direct user handling of e-liquid and prevents mess
3Duration of action of moving object
If traditional cigarette-like simplicity is desired, then the device should require minimal maintenance, but conventional e-cigarettes require frequent battery replacement and e-liquid refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The charging case combines multiple functions including battery charging, e-liquid refilling, and device storage into a single integrated unit, allowing simultaneous or sequential performance of maintenance tasks without requiring separate operations
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, mess-free, and efficient method for re-filling and re-charging 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
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.