Vaping Device Modular Capsule Storage Spring Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vaping devices with capsules face issues of non-replaceable or disposable capsules, inconsistent liquid volume, and the need for multiple capsules to accommodate varying user needs, leading to inconvenience and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A vaping device with a modular capsule storage system featuring a spring element that allows multiple capsules to be interconnected and loaded, ensuring continuous vaporization, along with a design that accommodates varying capsule sizes and flavors, and a mechanism for efficient liquid transfer and vaporization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If multiple capsules are loaded in the vaping device, then the usage duration is extended, but the device complexity increases due to the need for mechanisms to accommodate multiple capsules

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusage durationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple capsules are nested within the capsule storage portion in a compact arrangement, with each capsule containing liquid substance and being positioned adjacent to one another. The spring element is nested within the same storage space, creating a space-efficient configuration that accommodates multiple capsules without significantly increasing device volume or complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring element automatically pushes the capsules toward the liquid channel, providing self-service functionality that ensures continuous liquid supply to the heating element without requiring user intervention or complex control mechanisms. This automatic feeding mechanism simplifies the overall device complexity while enabling extended usage through multiple capsules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If capsules are made disposable, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of substance increases due to discarding unused liquid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidloss of substance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid substance is segmented into multiple separate capsules, each containing a portion of the total liquid volume. Users can load only the number of capsules needed based on their consumption requirements, thereby reducing waste of unused liquid while maintaining the simplicity of disposable capsules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static single-capacle design to a dynamic multi-capacle configuration where capsules can be selectively loaded and replaced. The spring element enables automatic advancement of capsules, allowing the system to adapt to varying usage needs without requiring users to carry or manage excessive inventory, thus reducing overall substance loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the capsule storage portion is enlarged to accommodate more capsules, then the productivity is improved, but the volume of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule storage portion is designed as an elongated compartment within the housing that efficiently nests multiple capsules in a compact linear arrangement. This nested configuration maximizes the number of capsules that can be stored within a minimal volume, thereby improving productivity (extended usage duration) without significantly increasing the overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of expanding the storage portion in all dimensions, the design utilizes the longitudinal dimension of the housing to arrange capsules in a linear sequence along the length of the device. This dimensional approach allows multiple capsules to be accommodated without increasing the cross-sectional area or overall bulk of the device, maintaining portability while extending usage duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The solution enables efficient vaporization of multiple capsules, providing a flexible and convenient vaping experience by allowing multiple capsules to be loaded, ensuring consistent vapor production and user-friendly operation, with the ability to mix flavors and extend usage without frequent replacements.

Implementation Method 1

at least one spring element is provided to the capsule storage portion, slidable or movable along the capsule storage portion in a longitudinal direction, wherein the spring element is configured in such a way to be urged to a first position when no capsule are being loaded in the capsule storage portion, and the spring element is pushed to a second or further positions when one or more capsule are being loaded to the capsule storage portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the power supply section comprises an electrical power supply and a controller, the controller is configured to control the electrical connection from the power supply to a heating or a fueling element in order to generate heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

the spring element allows the capsules to be constantly fed towards the liquid channel such that liquid substance can be vaporized by the heating or fueling element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4144237A1Improved vaping device and disposable capsule for use thereof
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 JT INTERNATIONAL SA
  • EP4144237A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4144237A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4144237A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Present invention relates to a vaping device (100) comprising a housing having a holding end (HE) and a mouth end (ME), comprising a power supply section (220), a vaporizing section (240), a capsule storage portion (260), the power supply section (220) comprises an electrical power supply (222) and a controller (224), the controller (224) is configured to control the electrical connection from the power supply (222) to a heating or a fuelling element (242) in order to generate heat, the vaporizing section (240) comprises the heating or fuelling element (242), a liquid channel (244) and a vapour channel (246), the heating or fuelling element (242) is connected through the liquid channel (244) to one end of the capsule storage portion (260), the capsule storage portion (260) is capable of accepting a plurality of capsule (20) arranged next to each other, forming an interconnected capsule assembly, the vapour channel (246) comprises a vapour inlet and a vapour outlet, allowing vapour to be released from the vaping device, characterized in that at least one spring element (25) is provided to the capsule storage portion (260), slidable or movable along the capsule storage portion (260) in a longitudinal direction, wherein the spring element (25) is configured in such a way to be urged to a first position when no capsule (20) are being loaded in the capsule storage portion (260), and the spring element (25) is pushed to a second or further positions when one or more capsule (20) are being loaded to the capsule storage portion (260).