Portable Vape Mouthpiece Shielding via Pivot Housing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable aerosol or vapour-generating devices face challenges in keeping the mouthpiece clean and preventing accidental use, especially when not in use.

Innovation Solution

A portable device design featuring a main body with a mouthpiece, pivotally connected to first and second housing parts. The device can be manipulated between a non-use configuration where the mouthpiece is shielded and a use configuration where it is exposed, with additional components like a heating system and electrical connections distributed across the parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the mouthpiece is exposed for easy access during use, then ease of operation is improved, but the mouthpiece becomes contaminated and accidental use is more likely when not in use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of access to mouthpieceVSAvoidmouthpiece contamination and accidental use

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing parts are designed to be movable relative to each other, transitioning between a closed configuration where side panels shield the mouthpiece and an open configuration where the mouthpiece is exposed. This dynamic structure allows the device to adapt between protection and accessibility states, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is divided into multiple separable parts (first housing part with first side panel, second housing part with second side panel) that can move independently relative to the main body. This segmentation enables the side panels to be positioned to either expose or shield the mouthpiece, allowing easy access during use while preventing contamination when stored.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the mouthpiece is shielded when not in use, then cleanliness and prevention of accidental use are improved, but ease of access during use is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemouthpiece protection from contaminationVSAvoidaccess to mouthpiece during use

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The movable housing parts enable dynamic transition between protected and accessible states. During storage or non-use periods, the side panels naturally position to shield the mouthpiece, preventing contamination. When use is required, the housing parts can be easily manipulated to open, providing immediate access to the mouthpiece without compromising protection during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed to automatically or naturally return to a closed, protected configuration after use, preliminarily preparing the mouthpiece for storage by shielding it before contamination can occur. This preliminary action ensures the mouthpiece is protected during the transition from use to storage state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250120438A1A Portable Device and a Method of Manipulating a Portable Device

Publication Date: 2025.04.17 JT INTERNATIONAL SA

AI summary

A portable device includes a first part includes a mouthpiece, a second part pivotably connected to the first part about a first axis, and a third part pivotally connected to the first part about a second axis. The second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The portable device is adapted to be manipulated by a user between a non-use configuration where the mouthpiece is substantially surrounded by the side panels of the second and third parts, and a use configuration where the mouthpiece is exposed at an end of the portable device.