Sliding Cover Mechanism for Electronic Cigarette

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic cigarettes are inconvenient to use and carry due to varied user hand sizes and holding methods, and they can be unsafe and unsanitary, with potential for accidental activation and contamination.

Innovation Solution

An electronic cigarette design featuring a sliding mechanism with a main body and sliding portion that allows for intuitive switching on/off and locking states, preventing accidental activation and maintaining hygiene, along with a detachable intake portion for easy cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a switch button is located at a specific position for operation, then the electronic cigarette can be switched on/off, but it causes inconvenience to users with different hand sizes and holding methods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitching operationVSAvoiduser hand size adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding portion serves multiple functions: it acts as both a protective cover for the intake portion and a switching mechanism. By sliding the cover to expose the intake area, the system simultaneously opens the aerosol passage and activates the device, eliminating the need for separate button operations and improving adaptability to different user hand sizes and holding methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the electronic cigarette is kept in a cloth pocket for carrying, then portability is improved, but the intake portion becomes contaminated with foreign substances

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidintake portion contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding cover is designed to automatically protect the intake portion when the device is not in use. By sliding the cover to close position, the system preliminarily prevents contamination before it occurs, ensuring the intake area remains clean during portability storage in pockets or bags.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding cover acts as a flexible protective shell that can slide between open and closed positions. This thin film structure effectively isolates the intake portion from external contaminants while maintaining ease of access when needed, solving the contradiction between portability and contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Extent of automation

If the electronic cigarette is switched on in an unintended state, then activation occurs, but the user may be injured by fire or other hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic activationVSAvoidaccidental activation prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the protective cover function and switching function into a single sliding mechanism. The aerosol passage is blocked when the cover is closed, and activation only occurs when the cover is slid open to expose the intake area. This combination ensures that the device cannot activate accidentally, as the mechanical action of opening the cover simultaneously opens both the passage and triggers activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If a protective cover is added to prevent contamination and accidental activation, then safety and hygiene are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety and hygieneVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding cover is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides protection against contamination, prevents accidental activation by blocking the aerosol passage, and serves as the switching mechanism. This consolidation of multiple functions into a single component improves safety and hygiene without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 convenient, safe, and sanitary use and carrying of the electronic cigarette, allowing users to easily switch between smoking and non-smoking states and maintain the intake area's cleanliness.

Implementation Method 1

a heating or vaporizing device... After aerosol is produced by heating or vaporizing the leaf cigarette processed material, the leaf tobacco extract, and the nicotine-free liquid substance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporizing: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3320790B1Electronic cigarette

Publication Date: 2021.03.10 KT&G CO LTD

Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4

AI summary

Disclosed is an electronic cigarette including: a main body portion including a main body cover; an intake portion that generates an aerosol by power supply, sucks the aerosol, and is detachably coupled to the main body 5portion, and a sliding portion coupled to the main body portion and performing a reciprocating sliding motion and including a slide cover. The electronic cigarette includes a sliding close state in which the main body portion and the sliding portion are pulled to each other and a sliding open state in which the main body portion and the sliding portion are pushed to each other.