Rotational Alignment Mechanism for Non-Cylindrical E-Cigarette Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic cigarettes with threaded connections struggle to achieve accurate alignment between non-cylindrical atomizing devices and battery devices, leading to aesthetic and usability issues.
Innovation Solution
An atomizing device with a connecting assembly, a movable assembly, and a locking mechanism that allows for rotational alignment and secure locking with the battery device, featuring a locking mechanism with a sliding rod, gear, and toggle lever to ensure precise alignment and electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If threaded connection is used to connect atomizing device and battery device, then the connection is detachable and easy to assemble, but accurate alignment between non-cylindrical components cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed to be movable along the positioning hole, transitioning between a locked state (blocking rotation) and an unlocked state (allowing rotation for alignment). This dynamic mechanism enables the system to first achieve accurate alignment through rotation, then lock the position to maintain the aligned state, resolving the contradiction between ease of assembly and alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member acts as an intermediary between the movable assembly and the connecting assembly. It engages with the locking groove to prevent relative rotation, thereby maintaining the aligned position. This intermediary component enables both detachable connection and accurate alignment by mediating the rotational freedom and positional constraint.
2Shape
If non-cylindrical shapes are used for atomizing device and battery device, then aesthetic appeal and user preference are improved, but alignment accuracy deteriorates with threaded connection
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into distinct functional components: the connecting assembly (female thread), the movable assembly (male thread), the positioning hole, the locking groove, and the locking member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the threaded connection provides detachable assembly while the locking mechanism with positioning features ensures accurate alignment of the non-cylindrical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member's ability to move between locked and unlocked states enables the non-cylindrical components to be dynamically aligned during assembly and then statically fixed in the correct position. This dynamic locking mechanism accommodates the aesthetic non-cylindrical shapes while ensuring precise alignment.
3Manufacturing precision
If locking mechanism is added to enable alignment, then alignment accuracy and aesthetic appeal are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the existing threaded connection structure. The locking member is integrated into the movable assembly, and the locking groove is formed on the connecting assembly. This merging approach allows the locking function to be added without requiring completely separate alignment mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving accurate alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member is designed to be manually operable by the user, who can easily move it between locked and unlocked states. The elastic member provides automatic resetting functionality, and the positioning hole and locking groove automatically engage when aligned. This self-service design minimizes the need for complex external mechanisms while achieving the alignment function.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic cigarette has an atomizing device and a battery device electrically connected to the atomizing device. The atomizing device has a connecting assembly connected to the battery device, a movable assembly rotatable about the connection assembly, and a locking mechanism disposed between the movable assembly and the connecting assembly, the locking mechanism is capable of releasing the locking between the movable assembly and the connecting assembly under external force, to make the movable assembly rotate circumferentially around the axis of the connecting assembly, to achieve alignment between the atomizing device and the battery device. When the locking mechanism is in the unlocked state, the user can align the atomizing device with the battery device by rotating the movable assembly so that the assembled electronic cigarette has a more pleasant appearance and more convenient to handle after the alignment.