Electronic Cigarette Optical Vaporization Safety Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for enhanced safety in vaporisers using lasers to prevent user exposure to laser radiation, as existing designs do not adequately prevent radiation emission when the cartridge is disassembled from the main body.
Innovation Solution
The electronic cigarette incorporates a light guide connected to the cartridge that directs radiation from the vaporising light source towards the absorber only when the cartridge is assembled, and includes a sensor and control electronics to ensure radiation is inhibited when the cartridge is disassembled, providing both mechanical and electronic safety enhancements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cartridge is made removable for ease of replacement, then user convenience is improved, but safety deteriorates due to potential laser radiation exposure when disassembled
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide acts as an intermediary component between the laser source and the absorber. When the cartridge is properly assembled, the light guide transmits laser radiation to the absorber. When disassembled, the light guide is positioned such that it blocks or redirects the radiation, preventing exposure to external surfaces. This intermediary mechanism enables safe removable cartridge design.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide's position and orientation change dynamically based on whether the cartridge is assembled or disassembled. When assembled, it aligns to transmit radiation; when disassembled, it shifts to block or redirect radiation. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between removable design and radiation safety.
2Speed
If the light source is always on to ensure readiness, then responsiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases and safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor detects whether the cartridge is properly assembled and provides feedback to the control system. The control electronics use this feedback to enable or disable the light source accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the light source is only active when needed (cartridge assembled), reducing energy consumption while maintaining readiness when proper assembly is detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of cartridge assembly status before enabling the light source. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary power consumption by ensuring the light source is only activated after confirming proper cartridge installation, while still maintaining quick response when cartridge is correctly assembled.
3Productivity
If the light guide is always positioned to direct radiation, then vaporization efficiency is improved, but safety deteriorates when cartridge is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide's positioning is dynamic rather than fixed. When the cartridge is assembled, the light guide is positioned to efficiently direct radiation to the absorber for vaporization. When the cartridge is removed, the light guide shifts position to block or redirect radiation, preventing harmful propagation. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between efficiency and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide system is segmented into functional portions that can independently position themselves based on assembly status. The portion that directs radiation to the absorber is separated from the blocking/redirecting portion, allowing each to function optimally for its specific purpose depending on whether the cartridge is assembled or not.
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 solution effectively prevents laser radiation from escaping when the cartridge is disconnected, ensuring user safety and preventing counterfeit products by authenticating the cartridge, while also optimizing power usage by disabling the light source when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
an enabling device comprises a light guide connected to the cartridge, wherein, when the main body and the cartridge are assembled together the light guide is positioned to direct radiation emitted by the vaporising light source towards the absorber
Implementation Method 2
an absorber configured to be heated by radiation emitted by the vaporising light source in order to vaporise the vaporisable medium
Implementation Method 3
The vaporisable liquid can receive heat from the absorber when it is heated by the vaporisable light source so that it can vaporise for inhalation by a user
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic cigarette includes a main body and a replaceable cartridge that can be disassembled from the main body. The main body includes a laser. The cartridge includes a liquid store and an absorber configured to be heated by radiation emitted by the laser in order to vaporise a vaporisable medium. An enabling device is also provided to enable propagation of radiation from the laser to the absorber when the cartridge is assembled to the main body and to inhibit propagation of radiation from the laser to the absorber when the cartridge is disassembled from the main body.