Electronic Vaporiser Automatic Refill Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional e-cigarettes are complex and require users to manually refill e-liquid, which is not intuitive and does not replicate the simplicity of smoking a conventional cigarette, hindering mass-market adoption and effective nicotine reduction.

Innovation Solution

An electronic cigarette vaporiser system with a mechanical valve that automatically fills with e-liquid from a fluid transfer mechanism, mimicking the simplicity of a conventional cigarette by eliminating manual refilling and integrating e-liquid filling and battery charging within a portable case.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual refilling is required, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of refillingVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs refilling automatically without user intervention. The mechanical valve and fluid transfer mechanism enable the vaporizer to refill its own e-liquid supply autonomously when placed in the portable case, eliminating the need for manual user actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The refilling action is performed in advance automatically when the vaporizer is stored in the portable case. The system proactively refills e-liquid before the user needs to use the device again, ensuring the vaporizer is always ready without requiring user initiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If automatic filling is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of refillingVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two segments: a simple portable vaporizer unit and a portable case containing the fluid transfer mechanism. The complex automatic refilling components are segregated into the case, keeping the vaporizer itself simple while providing automated functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The portable case serves as an intermediary that houses the complex fluid transfer mechanism. This mediator enables automatic refilling functionality without requiring the vaporizer itself to contain complex mechanisms, thus resolving the complexity contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If manual refilling is required, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefilling efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vaporizer system performs refilling automatically without user intervention. The mechanical valve and fluid transfer mechanism enable the vaporizer to refill its own e-liquid supply autonomously when placed in the portable case, eliminating the need for manual user actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10136674B2Electronic vaporiser system

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 AYR LTD

AI summary

A electronic cigarette vaporizer that includes a mechanical valve that is (i) pushed up from its seat to enable automatic filling of the vaporizer with e-liquid from a fluid transfer mechanism and (ii) returns to seal against its seat at other times when the vaporizer is being vaped or inhaled from (e.g. when filling is complete).