Flexible Membrane Sealing for Electronic Cigarette Atomizer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing atomizing devices in electronic cigarettes face issues with tobacco oil leakage due to the configuration of the porous body and liquid storage components, which are not effectively sealed, leading to inefficiencies in smoke generation and user experience.

Innovation Solution

The atomizing device incorporates an upper and lower oil obstructing ring with a tubular electrode and flexible membrane, where the flexible membrane, made of silicon dioxide, deforms to facilitate airflow and prevent oil leakage by forming a seal between the tubular electrode and screw sleeve, ensuring air passage while maintaining oil containment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a porous body is used to absorb tobacco oil from the reserving space, then the atomization process can proceed, but tobacco oil may leak out of the atomizing device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatomization efficiencyVSAvoidoil containment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible membrane made of elastomer material that can deform elastically. This membrane is configured to seal between the porous body and the housing, preventing tobacco oil leakage while allowing the atomization process to continue. The flexible nature of the membrane enables it to adapt to dimensional changes during atomization, maintaining the seal effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the dynamic deformation capability of the flexible membrane to maintain sealing under varying conditions. As the porous body absorbs tobacco oil and undergoes dimensional changes, the membrane dynamically adjusts its shape and position to maintain contact and sealing, ensuring continuous oil containment throughout the atomization process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the porous body extends into the tobacco oil reserving space to absorb oil, then atomization can occur, but the sealing mechanism becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatomization functionVSAvoidsealing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a flexible membrane as a simple yet effective sealing component. This thin film structure seals the interface between the porous body and the housing without adding significant structural complexity. The membrane's flexibility allows it to conform to the existing geometry, providing effective sealing with minimal additional design complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible membrane acts as an intermediary sealing element between the porous body and the housing. Rather than redesigning the entire sealing mechanism, the membrane serves as a mediating component that fills the sealing gap and prevents oil leakage, simplifying the overall sealing structure while maintaining atomization functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a rigid sealing structure is used to prevent oil leakage, then sealing is improved, but airflow passage is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil containmentVSAvoidairflow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane provides sealing while maintaining airflow passage because of its elastic properties. Unlike rigid sealing structures that would block air flow, the membrane can deform to allow air to pass through while still preventing tobacco oil leakage. This resolves the contradiction by providing both sealing and airflow functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the sealing material from rigid to flexible. This parameter change allows the sealing structure to adapt its degree of openness based on operational conditions, maintaining oil containment while permitting necessary airflow for atomization to occur efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration enhances the sealing mechanism, preventing tobacco oil leakage and improving the atomization process by maintaining a consistent air flow and smoke quality, thus enhancing user experience and device functionality.

Implementation Method 1

the flexible membrane, made of silicon dioxide, deforms to facilitate airflow and prevent oil leakage by forming a seal between the tubular electrode and screw sleeve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2801270B1Atomizing device and electronic cigarette having same
Publication Date: 2017.08.30 SHENZHEN FIRST UNION TECH CO LTD
  • EP2801270B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2801270B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2801270B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An atomizing device (100) includes an atomizing sleeve (4), an air pipe (21) received in the atomizing sleeve, an annular space (24) being formed between the air pipe and the atomizing sleeve for containing a tobacco oil, an oil obstructing ring (22,23) located at an end of the air pipe, the oil obstructing ring having an oil hole (231), an atomizing assembly (3) positioned under the oil obstructing ring, a screw sleeve (32) and an electrode (33) respectively electrically connected to the atomizing assembly; and a flexible membrane (37) having an inner wall attached to the electrode, and an outer wall in contact with an inner wall of the screw sleeve. The flexible membrane is capable of deformable to form an air space between the outer wall of the flexible membrane and the inner wall of the screw sleeve. An electronic cigarette using the atomizing device is also provided.