Refill Diverter Isolation Member for E-Cigarette Cartridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic cigarette designs face challenges in creating a cost-effective, easily refillable cartridge that maintains a sealed relationship between the electrical interface, liquid storage, and atomization functions, especially when the refill opening is located near the electrical interface or mouthpiece end.
Innovation Solution
A refillable atomizing assembly with a housing, mouthpiece, and a liquid reservoir that includes an atomizing chamber, aerosol conduit, and an isolation member with a shield portion to prevent liquid from entering the aerosol passage, allowing for refilling through the mouthpiece end without flooding the atomizer chamber, while ensuring efficient aerosol flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the refill opening is located at or adjacent to the electrical interface end or mouthpiece end of the cartridge, then the refilling operation becomes easier, but maintaining a sealed relationship between the electrical interface, liquid storage function, and atomization function becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into distinct functional zones: an outlet chamber at the mouthpiece end for refilling, a liquid reservoir for storage, and an atomizing chamber for vaporization. The isolation member with shield portion segments the outlet chamber from the aerosol conduit, allowing the refill opening to be at the mouthpiece end while preventing liquid from contaminating the atomization pathway. This spatial segmentation enables easy refilling while maintaining sealed relationships between functional areas.
2Ease of operation
If the liquid refill opening is located at the mouthpiece end of the cartridge, then refilling is more convenient, but liquid may inadvertently enter the aerosol conduit and flood the atomizer chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation member acts as an intermediary barrier between the outlet chamber (where liquid is added) and the aerosol conduit (which leads to the atomizer). The shield portion specifically blocks the aerosol conduit opening, preventing liquid from entering while allowing aerosol to pass through the vent portions. This intermediary structure enables convenient mouthpiece-end refilling while protecting the atomizer from liquid flooding.
3Reliability
If the isolation member completely seals the outlet chamber from the liquid reservoir, then liquid containment is improved, but liquid flow into the reservoir during refilling is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation member exhibits different local qualities: the shield portion provides complete sealing to prevent liquid leakage and maintain containment, while the vent portions provide controlled openings that allow aerosol flow and facilitate liquid drainage into the reservoir. This local differentiation of sealing and venting functions enables both reliable liquid containment and proper liquid flow during refilling operations.
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
Enables easy refilling of the liquid reservoir while maintaining a sealed system, ensuring effective atomization and aerosol flow, thus enhancing the usability and performance of electronic cigarettes.
Implementation Method 1
An isolation member is disposed within the outlet chamber and arranged to substantially seal the liquid reservoir from the outlet chamber
Implementation Method 2
A shield portion of the isolation member is located about the aerosol conduit to prevent liquid from entering. An aerosol vent through a periphery of the shield portion enables the flow of the aerosol therethrough
Implementation Method 3
An aerosol conduit, which passes through the liquid reservoir from the atomizing chamber to the outlet chamber, communicates an aerosol of the liquid generated by the atomizer in response to a negative pressure induced at the mouthpiece
Data Source
AI summary
A refillable atomizing assembly with a liquid reservoir for an electronic cigarette. The assembly includes a housing and a mouthpiece that is removably engaged to the housing. A liquid reservoir is disposed within the housing, and separated from the aerosol outlet by an outlet chamber. The liquid reservoir is refillable by removing the mouthpiece and dispensing the liquid into the outlet chamber. An atomizing chamber is adjacent to the reservoir and opposite of the outlet chamber. An aerosol conduit connects the atomizing chamber to the outlet chamber. An isolation member is disposed within the outlet chamber. A liquid passage through the isolation member allows the liquid placed into the outlet chamber to flow into the reservoir. A shield portion of the isolation member is located about the aerosol conduit to prevent liquid from entering. An aerosol vent through the shield portion enables the flow of the aerosol therethrough.