Plastic Snap Fastener for E-Cigarette Holder Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic cigarette holder structures face challenges such as time-consuming assembly and disassembly, high material and precision requirements for snap fasteners, and increased costs due to the need for precise claw buckles.
Innovation Solution
A pluggable locking-type electronic cigarette structure featuring a suction nozzle assembly with a plastic snap as a fastener, riveted or glued into the suction nozzle, and equipped with four claw buckles for improved durability and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded structure is used as the connection structure of the cigarette holder, then the assembly and disassembly are secure, but the assembly and disassembly process is time-consuming and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the threaded mechanical connection system with a snap-fit plastic snap system. The plastic snap engages with corresponding grooves to provide secure connection while enabling rapid assembly and disassembly without threading operations, thus improving productivity while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the connection mechanism from threaded (rotational) to snap-fit (linear insertion with elastic engagement). This parameter change in the connection method allows for faster assembly while maintaining sufficient connection security for the cigarette holder application.
2Reliability
If a snap fastener is fixed in a suction nozzle by means of ultrasonic welding, then the fastener is securely attached, but the process is time-consuming and not sufficiently productive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the plastic snap as a separate component from the suction nozzle, allowing it to be pre-manufactured and then quickly attached. This separation enables the snap to be fixed with simpler, faster methods such as riveting or gluing instead of time-consuming ultrasonic welding, thereby improving production efficiency while maintaining attachment security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the attachment method from ultrasonic welding to riveting or gluing. These alternative methods reduce production time and increase productivity while still providing sufficient attachment security for the plastic snap in the suction nozzle assembly.
3Device complexity
If 2 claw buckles are disposed on the snap fastener, then the structure is simple, but when one fails the suction nozzle cannot be locked and needs to be replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an odd number (3) of claw buckles instead of an even number (2), creating an asymmetric distribution that provides redundancy. With 3 claw buckles, the system can tolerate the failure of one buckle while maintaining locking functionality, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing structural complexity.
4Reliability
If high precision is required for the claw buckles, then the locking function is reliable, but the cost of materials and manufacturing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing the claw buckles with localized engagement features (claw grooves) that concentrate the locking function in specific areas. This allows for reliable locking with moderate precision requirements overall, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining functional reliability through localized precision features where needed.
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
The solution enables rapid and low-difficulty assembly, reduces material and precision requirements, and provides wear resistance and anti-failure effects, making it more suitable for wide-scale production and use.
Implementation Method 1
the plastic snap is mounted at the first mounting position, and a second mounting position for mounting the elastic silica gel is maintained between the plastic snap and the suction nozzle
Implementation Method 2
the plastic snap is bonded to the first mounting position by riveting or gluing
Implementation Method 3
an elastic silica gel, where the suction nozzle is provided with a first through-cavity running up and down, the first through-cavity is provided with a first mounting position for mounting the plastic snap, the plastic snap is mounted at the first mounting position, and a second mounting position for mounting the elastic silica gel is maintained between the plastic snap and the suction nozzle
Implementation Method 4
an upper side of the plastic snap is extended with claw buckles, the center rod is provided with a claw groove adapted to the claw buckles
Data Source
AI summary
A pluggable locking-type electronic cigarette structure, including a suction nozzle assembly, a center rod, an outer cylinder, and a base assembly, where the base assembly is connected to a lower end of the outer cylinder, the center rod is disposed in the outer cylinder, and the suction nozzle assembly is connected to the center rod; the suction nozzle assembly includes a suction nozzle, a plastic snap, and an elastic silica gel, the plastic snap and the elastic silica gel are mounted in the suction nozzle; the plastic snap is provided with claw buckles, and the center rod is provided with a claw groove.