Vaping Device Carrier Hinge Design for Snag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic article carriers with protruding hinges can cause cuts, scratches, and clothing snags when accessing the device, compromising user safety and convenience.
Innovation Solution
An article carrier design featuring a recessed top portion and relieved lower portion in the connector band made of elastomeric material, which connects the base and lid portions, providing a smooth surface and minimizing protrusions, and includes multiple device receptacles for USB devices, vaping device cartridges, and power cartridges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a protruding hinge is used to connect the base and lid portions, then the hinge provides mechanical connection and movement, but it causes cuts, scratches, and clothing snags
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connector is inverted from a protruding design to a recessed design. The recessed top portion and relieved lower portion create a smooth, flush surface that eliminates protruding edges, thereby preventing cuts, scratches, and clothing snags while maintaining the mechanical connection and movement functionality between the base and lid portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge incorporates an elastomeric material in the connector band that provides flexibility and cushioning. This flexible material allows the hinge to maintain mechanical connection while creating a smooth, non-protruding surface that prevents harmful effects to users and clothing.
2Strength
If the connector band width is increased to accommodate edge thicknesses, then structural strength is improved, but the profile becomes less sleek
Solution Approach 1:
The connector band has varying width across its structure: it is wider in the relieved lower portion to accommodate and support the edge regions (providing strength), and narrower in the recessed top portion (maintaining sleek profile). This local variation in dimensions optimizes both structural strength and aesthetic profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge design transitions from a uniform two-dimensional cross-section to a three-dimensional structure with recessed and relieved portions. This dimensional variation allows the connector band to provide structural support where needed while maintaining a smooth, low-profile appearance from the exterior.
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 design enhances user safety by eliminating sharp edges and snags, while maintaining a secure and versatile storage solution for electronic devices, ensuring easy access and reduced risk of damage.
Implementation Method 1
The connector band may be made of an elastomeric material such as rubber or plastic
Data Source
AI summary
At least one example embodiment discloses an article carrier for an electrical vaping device. The article carrier may include a base portion, a lid portion and a hinge. The base portion may include a first edge region and the lid portion includes a second edge region. The hinge may include a connector band and first and second anchors. The connector band connects the first edge region of the base portion to the second edge region of the lid portion and may include a recessed top portion and a relieved lower portion. The recessed top portion may include a recess. And the relieved lower portion may include a relief for receiving the first and second edge regions.