Electronic Smoking Device Positioning Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic smoking devices require users to manually open and insert solid smoking materials, such as wax or gel, which is time-consuming and complicates the refilling process, often necessitating additional tools.

Innovation Solution

An electronic smoking device with a housing containing a receiving unit and a primary heating element, where a positioning element forces the solid smoking material towards the heating element for liquefaction and atomization, allowing for easy manual insertion and consistent aerosol generation without additional tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users manually open and insert solid smoking materials using tools such as spatulas or scoops, then the solid smoking material can be inserted into the device, but the refilling process becomes complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of refillingVSAvoidrefilling time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the need for external insertion tools (spatulas, scoops) by integrating a receiving unit directly into the device housing. The receiving unit is designed to accept solid smoking material directly, eliminating the requirement for separate insertion tools and simplifying the refilling process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving unit acts as an intermediary component between the user and the heating element. It provides a dedicated space where solid smoking material can be inserted and positioned automatically, mediating the interaction between manual insertion and automated heating/atomization processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If solid smoking material is inserted manually without positioning mechanisms, then the refilling process is simple, but the material position becomes inconsistent affecting aerosol generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertionVSAvoidmaterial positioning consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning element provides self-service functionality by automatically positioning the solid smoking material within the receiving unit after insertion. This eliminates the need for users to manually position the material precisely, while ensuring consistent positioning for optimal heating and atomization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning element performs preliminary positioning action on the solid smoking material immediately after insertion. By pre-positioning the material in the correct location before heating begins, the system ensures consistent aerosol generation without requiring precise manual placement by the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If additional tools such as spatulas or scoops are provided for inserting solid smoking material, then the material can be inserted more effectively, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial insertion effectivenessVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of material reception, positioning, and heating into a single integrated assembly within the device housing. The receiving unit and positioning element are combined with the heating element to form a unified structure, eliminating the need for separate external tools and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Simplifies the handling and refilling of solid smoking materials by enabling easy manual insertion and automatic positioning for aerosol generation, reducing the frequency of material adjustments and eliminating the need for tools, while ensuring consistent aerosol production.

Implementation Method 1

The primary heating element is adapted to liquefy solid smoking material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquefaction: Melting

Implementation Method 2

The primary heating element is adapted to atomize liquefied solid smoking material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAtomization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS10918137B2Electronic smoking device

Publication Date: 2021.02.16 FONTEM VENTURES

AI summary

An electronic smoking device includes a housing, a receiving unit for the reception of a solid smoking material and a primary heating element. The primary heating element and the receiving unit are arranged adjacent to one another. The electronic smoking device further comprises a positioning element for forcing solid smoking material inserted in the receiving unit towards the primary heating element. Solid smoking material within the receiving unit which is forced towards the primary heating element by the positioning element is liquefied and atomized by the primary heating element. The receiving unit, the primary heating element and the positioning element are arranged within the housing.