Pressurised Refill Canister Stem Valve Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refill systems for simulated cigarettes and similar products face challenges in providing a robust and reliable mechanism for refilling at high pressures without misalignment issues and the risk of filling with hazardous substances, as existing valves are prone to damage and do not ensure proper sealing.
Innovation Solution
A pressurized refill canister with a non-metered outlet valve featuring a stem with a blind bore and lateral bore, surrounded by an annular seal, which is spring-loaded to exert a force of at least 10N, ensuring reliable refilling by overcoming spring force and providing a secure seal, and a larger outer diameter with a thick wall to prevent leakage and ensure compatibility only with authorized refills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional refill nozzle with small diameter and high length is used, then the refill canister structure is compact, but the probability of misalignment during filling increases significantly due to slippage, making the filling mechanism prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the refill nozzle, specifically increasing the diameter and reducing the length-to-diameter ratio. This creates a shorter, wider nozzle that is less prone to slippage and misalignment during the filling process, directly resolving the reliability issue while maintaining compact canister dimensions through optimized proportions rather than simply increasing overall size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spherical seating surface at the end of the refill nozzle where it contacts the device valve. This curved spherical interface provides self-aligning properties and increased contact area, preventing slippage and ensuring reliable alignment during filling operations, thereby solving the misalignment problem without compromising the compact structure
2Reliability
If a spring-loaded valve mechanism is added to vent the device during refilling, then the refilling process becomes more reliable by preventing overpressurization, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the venting function with the existing refill valve structure by integrating a spring-loaded check valve mechanism into the same component. The refill valve serves dual purposes: controlling the refill flow and providing a safety vent path when the spring is compressed beyond its set force, thereby improving safety without significantly increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded valve mechanism automatically activates when the internal pressure exceeds the spring force during refilling, providing self-regulating safety venting without requiring external control or additional complex systems. The mechanism serves itself by using the pressure differential to trigger the venting action, maintaining reliability while keeping the system simple
3Length of moving object
If the refill nozzle has a small diameter to maintain compact canister size, then the canister is more portable, but the nozzle is more prone to damage during misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the nozzle dimensions by increasing the diameter and reducing the length, creating a stubbier, more robust nozzle structure. This dimensional change inherently increases the nozzle's mechanical strength and resistance to damage, while the compact overall size is maintained through the optimized proportions of the canister and valve assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical seating surface at the nozzle tip provides a larger, more forgiving contact area that distributes mechanical stresses during alignment and contact. This curved interface reduces stress concentration points that would otherwise exist in a narrow, long nozzle, thereby enhancing durability while maintaining the compact form factor
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 a robust, reliable refill mechanism that minimizes misalignment issues and prevents filling with hazardous substances, ensuring efficient and safe refilling of simulated cigarettes by maintaining high pressure and secure sealing, while only allowing authorized refills.
Implementation Method 1
a stem displaceable from a first position to which it is biased by a first resilient member when no external force is applied to a dispensing position against the action of the first resilient member which exerts a force on the stem of at least 10N
Implementation Method 2
With a propellant based system, the propellant (such as hydrofluoroalkane (HFA)) will expand as liquid leaves the reservoir thereby maintaining a constant high pressure within the reservoir
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A pressurised refill canister (5) containing a reservoir (31) of composition including a propellant, and a non-metered refill outlet valve (20) comprising a stem (6) displaceable from a first position to a dispensing position against the action of a resilient member. The stem (6) comprises a blind bore open at an outlet end and closed at the opposite end and a lateral bore (27) in the side wall of the stem (6) leading to the blind bore. The refill outlet valve further comprises an annular seal (22) which surrounds the stem (6) whereby, in the first position, the lateral bore (27) is not in communication with the inside of the canister, and in the dispensing position, the lateral bore (27) is arranged to move inside the canister with respect to the seal (22) to open a flow path from the inside of the canister via the lateral bore (27) and along the blind bore to the outlet end.