Power Module for Electronic Smoking Device with Portable Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic smoking devices often lack a convenient method for recharging their batteries, especially in mobile situations, as integrating a battery level indicator increases production costs and may not be universally available for recharging.

Innovation Solution

A module that connects to both the electronic smoking device and a portable electronic device, utilizing a power supply element with an energy storage to receive and store energy from the portable device, enabling charging and powering of the smoking device, including its atomizer and battery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a battery level indicator is integrated with the electronic smoking device, then the user can monitor battery status to avoid discharge, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery status monitoringVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a portable electronic device as an intermediary that provides battery level indication functionality externally. The portable device communicates with the electronic smoking device to display battery status, eliminating the need for an integrated battery level indicator in the smoking device itself, thus reducing production costs while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery level indication function is extracted from the electronic smoking device and relocated to the portable electronic device. This separation allows the smoking device to maintain its core functionality without the added cost and complexity of an integrated indicator system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the electronic smoking device is recharged using a portable electronic device, then on-the-go recharging is enabled, but the charging time increases due to lower current output

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobile recharging capabilityVSAvoidcharging time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by allowing the energy storage element to accumulate charge in advance during periods when the portable device is available. This stored energy can then be rapidly deployed when needed, effectively reducing the perceived charging time during actual use scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts between two charging modes: slow charging when connected to the portable device for extended periods, and rapid discharge when immediate power is needed. This dynamic approach optimizes the balance between convenience and charging time based on usage patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If an energy storage element is added to the module, then power conversion from lower current to higher current is enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent outputVSAvoidmodule structure
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The energy storage element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a power buffer for current conversion, provides extended operating time, and enables independent operation from the portable device. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single component addition

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

This solution allows for on-the-go recharging and extended use of electronic smoking devices by converting the lower current from a portable device into a higher current for the device, supporting multiple puffs without additional power sources and enabling remote battery charging.

Implementation Method 1

The power supply element comprises an energy storage. The module is adapted to supply energy, received from the portable electronic device via the second coupling element, to the energy storage.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy storage: Accumulator (energy)

Data Source

PatentEP3308661B1Module for powering an electronic smoking device portion
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 FONTEM HOLDINGS 1 BV
  • EP3308661B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3308661B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3308661B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a module (40, 140, 240) for powering an electronic smoking device portion (10, 12, 14, 100). The module (40, 140, 240) comprises a first coupling element (41) adapted to connect to the electronic smoking device portion (10, 12, 14, 100), a second coupling element (42) adapted to connect to a portable electronic device (50), and a power supply element (60) adapted for powering the electronic smoking device portion (10, 12, 14, 100). The power supply element (60) comprises an energy storage (60). The module (40, 140, 240) is adapted to supply energy, received from the portable electronic device (50) via the second coupling element (42), to the energy storage (60).