E-Vapor Pod Assembly with Segmented Cartridge and Smart Authentication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
E-vapor devices face challenges in efficiently delivering vaporized precursors and securely storing and authenticating vapor precursor cartridges, with existing designs often leading to leakage, tampering, and inefficient vapor delivery.
Innovation Solution
The e-vapor apparatus incorporates a pod assembly with a vapor precursor compartment, a device compartment containing a vaporizer, and a vapor channel that aligns with the dispensing body's vapor passage for efficient vapor delivery, along with a memory device for authentication and secure storage of operational parameters, and an attachment structure for easy and secure insertion and removal of the pod assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a threaded connection is used to couple the replaceable cartridge to the reusable fixture, then the device can be assembled and disassembled, but leakage may occur at the connection interface
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a replaceable cartridge section and a reusable fixture section that can be easily separated. The cartridge includes an outer tube with an inner tube positioned within it, creating a segmented structure that allows for simple assembly and disassembly while maintaining seal integrity through dedicated sealing surfaces at the interface between sections.
Solution Approach 2:
A seal element is introduced as an intermediary component at the threaded connection interface between the cartridge and fixture. This seal acts as a mediator that prevents leakage while allowing the threaded connection to maintain its assembly and disassembly functionality. The seal is positioned to create a vapor-tight barrier at the critical interface.
2Reliability
If the reservoir is sealed with a stopper at the downstream end, then vapor precursor leakage is prevented, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the existing structural components of the cartridge. The downstream end of the reservoir is closed by integrating the seal with the cartridge's end structure, eliminating the need for separate, complex sealing mechanisms. This integration maintains vapor precursor containment while simplifying the overall device structure.
3Productivity
If the vapor channel is positioned to traverse the vapor precursor compartment, then efficient vapor delivery is achieved, but the risk of tampering with the vapor precursor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner tube containing the vapor channel is nested within the outer tube of the cartridge. This nested structure protects the vapor channel and vapor precursor compartment from external tampering while maintaining the vapor delivery pathway. The outer tube acts as a protective barrier that prevents unauthorized access to the internal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge employs a sealed outer tube structure that acts as a protective shell around the vapor precursor and vapor channel. This shell prevents tampering with the vapor precursor while allowing the vapor to pass through the channel efficiently when the cartridge is properly installed in the device.
4Volume of moving object
If the inner tube is coaxially positioned within the outer tube, then the device achieves compact design, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coaxial positioning requirement is applied locally to the critical vapor delivery pathway (inner tube within outer tube) rather than throughout the entire cartridge structure. This localized precision requirement achieves compact design in the vapor channel area while allowing greater manufacturing flexibility in other non-critical portions of the cartridge.
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 ensures efficient vapor delivery, secure storage and authentication of vapor precursors, reducing leakage and tampering risks while enhancing user convenience and vaping experience.
Implementation Method 1
The vaporizer is configured to heat the vapor precursor to produce a vapor
Implementation Method 2
a vapor channel extending from the device compartment and traversing the vapor precursor compartment
Data Source
AI summary
An e-vapor apparatus may include a pod assembly and a dispensing body configured to receive the pod assembly. A vaporizer may be disposed in the pod assembly and/or the dispensing body. The pod assembly may include a vapor precursor compartment, a device compartment, and a vapor channel extending from the device compartment and traversing the vapor precursor compartment. The pod assembly is a smart pod configured to receive, store, and transmit information that can be communicated with the dispensing body and/or another electronic device. The proximal portion of the dispensing body includes a vapor passage and a through-hole. The vapor passage may extend from an end surface of the proximal portion to a side wall of the through-hole. The through-hole is configured to receive the pod assembly such that the vapor channel of the pod assembly is aligned with the vapor passage of the dispensing body.