Spring-Mounted Connector for E-Cigarette Re-Charging Pack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing e-cigarette re-charging systems lack convenience and reliability, particularly in scenarios where an external power supply is not readily available, due to the need for frequent re-charging of both the e-cigarette and its pack, and the complexity of ensuring safe and efficient charging mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A re-charging pack with a built-in battery that allows for wireless or wired re-charging of e-cigarettes without the need for an external power source, featuring a connection assembly with spring-mounted contacts for secure and efficient charging, and LED indicators for charging status, enabling multiple re-charges of the e-cigarette battery within the pack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pack is provided with a built-in battery for re-charging the e-cigarette, then the convenience for users is improved by eliminating the need for external power supply during re-charging, but the pack size and weight increase to accommodate the larger battery
Solution Approach 1:
The e-cigarette nests within the pack housing, with the pack serving as both a protective case and a charging device. The connector is integrated into the pack structure, eliminating the need for external charging cables or power supplies. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization and reduces the need for additional components that would increase weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The pack serves multiple functions: it protects the e-cigarette during transport, charges the e-cigarette battery when connected, and provides a portable power source. The built-in battery and integrated connector enable the pack to function as a universal charging solution without requiring external power supplies, thereby improving convenience while managing size and weight constraints.
2Reliability
If the connector is spring-mounted to provide resilient electrical contact, then the reliability of charging connection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a spring-mounted design that provides resilient electrical contact. The spring mechanism allows the connector to dynamically adapt to slight misalignments or movements, maintaining reliable electrical connection between the pack and e-cigarette throughout the charging process, thereby improving connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is integrated directly into the pack housing, combining the electrical contact function with the structural housing. This merging reduces the need for separate mounting brackets, fasteners, and alignment mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the resilient contact benefit of spring-mounting.
3Productivity
If the pack accommodates a larger battery with higher charge capacity, then the productivity is improved by reducing the frequency of re-charging, but the volume of the pack increases
Solution Approach 1:
The e-cigarette nests within the pack, allowing the pack battery to be positioned around or adjacent to the e-cigarette battery. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of available space within the pack volume, enabling accommodation of a larger-capacity battery without proportionally increasing the overall pack size.
Solution Approach 2:
The pack battery is designed with a higher charge capacity (e.g., 800 mAh compared to 60 mAh for the e-cigarette battery), changing the energy storage parameter. This allows the pack to recharge the e-cigarette multiple times before requiring external re-charging, thereby improving productivity by reducing re-charging frequency while managing volume through efficient spatial arrangement.
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
Provides convenient and reliable re-charging of e-cigarettes, reducing the need for frequent external power connections and enhancing user experience by ensuring safe and efficient charging operations, with the pack battery capable of re-charging the e-cigarette multiple times before needing re-charge itself.
Implementation Method 1
the outer contact of the connection assembly is spring-mounted so as to establish resilient contact with the connector when the e-cigarette is received in the tube
Implementation Method 2
the pack is provided with a battery which has a charge capacity that enables it to re-charge the e-cigarette a number of times before the pack battery itself needs to be re-charged
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A pack 100 holds and re-charges an e-cigarette 10 which has a tip connector 900 with first and second charging contacts 900A, 900B. The pack 100 comprises a pack battery 151; a body 120 including a tube 132A having an open first end 132A1 for receiving the e-cigarette 10; and a connection assembly 700 which is positioned at a second opposite end 132A2 of the tube 132A and includes a connector 703 with a central contact 704B and an outer contact 704A for re-charging the e-cigarette 10 using the pack battery 151. The outer contact 704A of the connection assembly 700 comprises a generally annular base 741 and at least two lugs 742 which project from the base 741 in the direction of the first end 132A1 of the tube 132A and which define a docking station 743 between the lugs 742 for receiving the tip connector 900 of the e-cigarette 10. The base 741 of the outer contact 704A is spring-mounted, such as by a spring 720, relative to a housing 702, 706 of the connection assembly 700.