Refill Adapter Cap Slope Section for Spill-Free E-Cig Refilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic smoking devices face issues with spillage and inconvenience during liquid refilling, as current refill bottles often cause liquid to spill and can flood the atomizer, leading to unpleasant experiences and potential ingestion risks.
Innovation Solution
A refill adapter cap with a funnel-shaped liquid flow channel and air release portion that slows down liquid flow, preventing spills and ensuring safe refilling by connecting to the device's refill receptacle, allowing for precise liquid delivery into the reservoir.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple pipette-like attachment is used for refilling, then the device structure is simple, but liquid spills during refilling and can flood the atomizer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary refilling device that acts as a mediator between the refill bottle and the liquid reservoir. This device includes a refilling outlet with controlled opening, a liquid flow channel with slope section, and an air release portion that facilitates safe liquid transfer without direct contact between the simple pipette attachment and the reservoir, thereby preventing spills while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of liquid delivery by introducing a slope section in the liquid flow channel that reduces liquid flow speed, and by controlling the opening/closing of the refilling outlet. These parameter changes (flow speed reduction, controlled opening) enable reliable liquid delivery without flooding, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and reliable control
2Productivity
If liquid flows quickly during refilling, then the refilling process is fast, but liquid spills and floods the atomizer
Solution Approach 1:
The refilling outlet is designed to be openable and closable, enabling periodic action during refilling. The outlet can be opened to allow liquid flow, then closed to prevent spills, creating a controlled periodic flow pattern that maintains refilling efficiency while preventing harmful flooding of the atomizer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by introducing an air release portion that allows air to escape during liquid refilling. This hydraulic-pneumatic balance prevents liquid spillage by ensuring air can escape as liquid enters, maintaining pressure equilibrium and enabling fast refilling without flooding
3Ease of operation
If the refill opening is exposed during refilling, then liquid can be refilled into the reservoir, but liquid may spill onto the user's fingers and be ingested
Solution Approach 1:
The refilling device serves as an intermediary that allows liquid to be transferred from the bottle to the reservoir without the user's fingers needing to be near the open refill opening. The device structure (including the needle-like protrusion and controlled outlet) enables operation where the user manipulates the refilling device rather than directly handling liquid near the exposed opening, preventing contact and ingestion risks while maintaining ease of operation
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 refill adapter cap enables spill-free and efficient refilling of electronic smoking devices, reducing the risk of liquid coming into contact with the user's skin and preventing flooding of the atomizer, thus enhancing the refilling process.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid flow channel comprises a slope section (160) having the shape of a funnel, the slope section comprising an accumulative portion (160-1) for the reception of liquid entering the slope section and a discharge portion (160-2) for the transport of liquid from the funnel to a lower part of the liquid flow channel
Data Source
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AI summary
A refill adapter cap (100) is provided for a refill receptacle adapted to refill the liquid reservoir of an electronic smoking device via the refill adapter cap, wherein the refill adapter cap comprises a first end (101) with an opening (110) and a connection portion (120), adapted for the connection to a refill receptacle. Furthermore, the refill adapter cap comprises a second end (102) with an injection portion (130) that protrudes from the second end and defines a liquid outlet hole (131). Moreover, the refill adapter cap comprises a liquid flow channel (140) interconnecting the first end and the second end, allowing for liquid to flow through the refill adapter cap. The liquid flow channel comprises a slope section (160) adapted to reduce the flow rate of liquid passing the liquid flow channel.