Electronic Cigarette Sliding Assembly for Automated Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic cigarettes are difficult to produce mechanically, especially in terms of electrically connecting the power device to the vaporizer, which complicates manufacturing and requires manual labor.
Innovation Solution
The electronic cigarette design allows for electrical connection of the power device and vaporizer without direct attachment, enabling them to be slid into the housing along a longitudinal axis, using conductive members and protrusions to establish contact, facilitating mechanical production and automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrical power device is attached to the vaporizer via electrical wires to provide electrical power, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes difficult and requires manual labor
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection is segmented into separate contact members on the power device and vaporizer that establish contact through proximity rather than physical attachment. This allows the power device and vaporizer to be manufactured separately and assembled automatically without complex wiring operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Conductive members act as intermediaries between the power device and vaporizer, enabling electrical connection without direct attachment. The conductive members transmit electrical power through close proximity contact, eliminating the need for traditional electrical wire connections.
2Reliability
If traditional electrical attachment methods are used to connect the power device and vaporizer, then stable electrical connection is achieved, but automated mechanical production becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system is designed to self-align and self-contact during automated assembly. The contact members are positioned and dimensioned to automatically establish electrical connection when the power device and vaporizer are placed in their respective housing positions, without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive members serve multiple functions: they provide electrical connection, enable automated assembly, and maintain connection stability through their geometric design. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to achieve both automation and reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the power device and vaporizer are dimensioned to be slided in the housing, then simplified assembly is achieved, but precise positioning for electrical contact must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The contact members and their supporting structures are designed with asymmetric geometries that provide unique orientation and positioning. This asymmetric design ensures that the power device and vaporizer can only be assembled in the correct orientation, maintaining precise contact alignment during automated sliding assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact members are pre-positioned on the power device and vaporizer during their respective manufacturing processes. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the components are slid into the housing, the electrical contact is already aligned and ready to engage, maintaining precision without requiring complex final adjustment 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
This design simplifies the production process, allowing for cost-efficient, machine-based manufacturing of electronic cigarettes, reducing manual labor and improving production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrical contact member of the electrical power device and a third electrical contact member of the vaporizer are both positioned against and in contact with a first conductor without being attached to the first conductor
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic cigarette for providing a vapour, which electronic cigarette comprises; a housing comprising a wall defining an inner space, and an inlet and an outlet providing access to the inner space, a vaporizer to produce the vapour and being located in the inner space of the housing, an electrical power device to provide electrical power to the vaporizer and being located in de inner space of the housing, wherein the electrical power device comprises a device outer surface, a first electrical contact member located on the device outer surface and being electrically connected to one of an anode and a cathode of the electrical power device, and a second electrical contact member located on the device outer surface and being electrically connected to the other of the anode and the cathode of the electrical power device, the vaporizer comprises a vaporizer outer surface, a third electrical contact member located on the vaporizer outer surface, and a fourth electrical contact member located on the vaporizer outer surface.