Printed Battery Casing for Electronic Cigarette Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic cigarettes are often bulky, pose a risk of explosion due to traditional batteries, and have complex manufacturing processes, making them unsafe, environmentally unfriendly, and costly.

Innovation Solution

A printed battery, such as a zinc-manganese dioxide system, is integrated into the electronic cigarette as both the energy source and casing, replacing the plastic tube and internal battery, providing flexibility and safety by eliminating the need for complex wiring and reducing material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a traditional spatially extended galvanic cell battery is used in electronic cigarettes, then sufficient electrical energy can be provided, but the device becomes bulky and poses a risk of explosion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical energyVSAvoidexplosion risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a printed battery in the form of a thin film or flexible structure instead of a traditional bulky galvanic cell. This printed battery can be integrated into the housing structure, providing sufficient electrical energy while eliminating the explosion risk associated with conventional batteries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The printed battery serves multiple functions: it provides electrical energy to power components, acts as part of the housing structure, and eliminates the need for separate battery compartments. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by integrating energy storage into the structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If a traditional battery and plastic tube structure are used, then the electronic cigarette can be assembled, but it takes up most of the space inside the device

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveassemblyVSAvoidspace occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the battery function with the housing structure by using a printed battery that can be integrated directly into the plastic tube or housing. This combination eliminates the need for separate battery compartments and reduces overall device volume while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The thin film printed battery allows for compact integration into the device structure, enabling the battery to conform to available spaces and reducing the volume occupied by energy storage components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If hand assembly of traditional batteries is used in China, then electronic cigarettes can be manufactured, but the process is complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical battery assembly with a printed battery system that can be manufactured using printing processes. This substitution simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces assembly complexity, and enables more efficient production while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Strength

If a plastic tube housing is used to accommodate the battery, then the electronic cigarette structure is complete, but harmful gases can escape during heating operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidharmful gas emission
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material structures where the printed battery integrates with the housing to create a sealed system. This composite construction maintains structural integrity while preventing harmful gas escape during heating operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 results in a compact, safer, and more environmentally friendly electronic cigarette with reduced risk of explosion, simplified manufacturing, and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

The printed battery can, for example, be designed as a casing for the respective components of the electronic cigarette, while at the same time supplying electrical energy to components of the respective electronic cigarette

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

The light-emitting diode is particularly suitable for displaying an operating state of the electronic cigarette

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 3

a heating element, and then inserted into the plastic tube... The printed battery can... supplying electrical energy to components of the respective electronic cigarette, such as a heating element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 4

the printed battery is based on a zinc-manganese dioxide system that is free of mercury

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentEP3057454B1Electronic cigarette with printed battery
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 THEPEOPLE DE GMBH
  • EP3057454B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3057454B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric cigarette with a printed battery (1). Electric components which are to be supplied with electric energy by means of the printed battery (1) are surrounded by the electric cigarette. The invention also relates to a corresponding production method.