Gelled E-Liquid Supply Mechanism for E-Cigarette
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Solution Overview
Problem
E-cigarettes using gelled e-liquid face issues with leakage due to poor sealing, inefficient heating, limited supply, and restricted gelling agent selection, leading to suboptimal user experience and aerosol production.
Innovation Solution
An e-cigarette design featuring a gel container with a holder and press mechanism that allows for quantitative and continuous supply of gelled e-liquid, utilizing a heating plate system to heat the e-liquid in sections, reducing energy consumption and avoiding repeated liquefaction-solidification cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large gelled e-liquid piece is used to provide hundreds to thousands of inhalations, then the e-liquid storage capacity is improved, but the repeated heating-cooling process consumes excessive electric energy and causes delay in the first inhalation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large gelled e-liquid piece into multiple smaller pieces, each sufficient for a single round of inhalation (7-8 inhalations). This segmentation eliminates the need for repeated heating-cooling cycles of a large mass, as each small piece is heated only once from solid to liquid state, significantly reducing energy consumption and eliminating inhalation delays.
2Productivity
If only a small amount of gelled e-liquid pieces are used each time for complete atomization, then the aerosol production is improved, but the user experience is worsened due to limited continuous inhalations and the need for frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pressing mechanism that dynamically controls the e-liquid supply process. When the user presses the button, the mechanism pushes the gelled e-liquid piece toward the heating element for atomization. After inhalation, pressing again retrieves any remaining e-liquid and prepares the next piece. This dynamic mechanical control allows seamless transition between pieces, maintaining continuous aerosol production while simplifying user operation.
3Speed
If the gelled e-liquid is supplied continuously through e-liquid guide cotton, then the fluidity supply is improved, but the gelled e-liquid cannot be heated and liquefied far away from the heating element, causing inhalation interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pressing mechanism as an intermediary between the gelled e-liquid storage and the heating element. Instead of relying on passive capillary action through guide cotton over long distances, the pressing mechanism actively pushes the gelled e-liquid piece into direct contact with the heating element, ensuring reliable and continuous supply regardless of distance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the e-liquid container, e-liquid guide cotton, and electric heating element are assembled with inconsistent sizes, then the device assembly flexibility is improved, but the sealing performance deteriorates leading to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the e-liquid from liquid to gelled state. This parameter change fundamentally alters the sealing requirements - gelled e-liquid has much lower fluidity and can be contained with simpler sealing structures, accommodating size inconsistencies in assembled components while preventing leakage.
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 consistent aerosol production, reduces energy consumption, expands gelling agent options, and minimizes chemical degradation, enhancing user experience and device efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a heating plate system to heat the e-liquid in sections
Implementation Method 2
The gelling agent usually has the property of thermo-reversible phase transition, which makes the e-liquid solidify into gel (a jelly or a solid). The gelling agent usually has the property of thermo-reversible phase transition, which makes the e-liquid solidify into the gel at a low temperature, liquefied after being heated
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) capable of holding, heating, and quantitatively supplying a gelled electronic liquid (e-liquid) is provided. The e-cigarette includes an upper housing, a lower housing, a gel container, a press and reset mechanism, and an aerosol channel. The gelled e-liquid is supplied quantitatively to a heating chamber by manually pressing the press and reset mechanism. The user can adjust the time interval between pressing and releasing the press and reset mechanism according to the needs of the user for each inhalation by adjusting the length of the gelled e-liquid stick supplied to the heating chamber. Besides, a holder is provided therein with heating plates at different positions, and the holder also serves as a heating element. The design avoids the need to provide the heating element and the heating chamber separately, which reduces the volume of the smoking device.