GB2502163A - Electronic smoking device - Google Patents
Electronic smoking device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2502163A GB2502163A GB1218911.4A GB201218911A GB2502163A GB 2502163 A GB2502163 A GB 2502163A GB 201218911 A GB201218911 A GB 201218911A GB 2502163 A GB2502163 A GB 2502163A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- smoking device
- electronic smoking
- computer
- vaporiser
- battery assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
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- Secondary Cells (AREA)
Abstract
An electronic smoking device comprising a battery assembly 8 and a vaporiser 24, where the battery assembly 8 comprises a power cell 10 and a computer 12, the vaporiser 24 is releasably attachable to the battery assembly 8 and the computer 12 comprises a computer processor 16, a memory 18 and an input-output means 20; wherein the computer 12 is configured in use to detect whether the vaporiser 24 is connected to the battery assembly 8, and the battery assembly 8 further comprises a capacitor 38, where the computer 12 is configured in use to first charge the capacitor 38, and then detect whether a vaporiser 24 is connected to the battery assembly 8 by measuring whether the capacitor 38 is discharged.
Description
Electronic Smoking Device
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electronic smoking devices.
More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention concerns electronic cigarettes comprising a computer.
Background cf the Invention
It is well known that smoking tobacco is bad for your health and reduces your life expectancy. Smokers have an increased chance of developing lung cancer, suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and having heart attacks.
However, smokers can find it difficult to quit smoking because they are addicted to the nicotine found in tobacco. A number of smoking cessation techniques have been developed to help people quit, including the use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NET) to introduce nicotine into the body in a form other than tobacco. NRT products include nicotine gums, nicotine patches and electronic smoking devices.
Electronic smoking devices are popular because they replicate the smoking habit. These devices are typically cigarette-sized and function by allowing a user to inhale a nicotine vapour from a liquid store by applying a suction force to a mouthpiece. Some electronic smoking devices have an airflow sensor that activates when a user applies the suction force and causes a beater coil to beat up and vaporise the liquid.
Electronic smoking devices include electronic cigarettes.
Summary of the Invention
An electronic smoking device comprising a battery assembly and a vaporiser, where the battery assembly comprises a power cell and a computer, the vaporiser is releasably-attachable to the battery assembly and the computer comprises a computer processor, a memory and an input-output means; wherein the computer is configured in use to detect whether the vaporiser is connected to the battery assembly, the battery assembly further comprises a capacitor, where the computer is configured in use to first charge the capacitor and then detect whether a vaporiser is connected to the battery assembly by measuring whether the capacitor is discharged.
This has the advantage that the technical interaction between the computer and the smoking device enables the computer to distinguish between a vaporiser connected state and a vaporiser non connected state. The device can then be configured accordingly.
Suitably, the electronic smoking device is an electronic cigarette.
Suitably, the computer processor is a microprocessor. Suitably, the computer is a microcontroller.
Using a microcontroller has space saving advantages since the entire computer is located on a single chip and therefore the size of the device is minimised. Fewer components to assemble also provides reduced manufacturing times are costs.
Suitably, the computer is configured in use to substantially remain in a sleep mode until the vaporiser is connected to the battery assembly.
Suitably, the sleep mode is a low power mode. Suitably, the sleep mode is the lowest non-zero power mode of the device.
By remaining in a low power sleep mode the device remains active yet consumes very little power. This has the advantage that the device can be charged, for instance during manufacture, and remain in a sleep mode until purchased and used by a consumer. The device will therefore have sufficient power remaining to be used without first charging the device.
This also provides an efficient use of power and minimises energy wastage. The device has a further advantage that it can remain in a low power mode without the additional user of a switch to deactivate and activate.
Suitably, the computer is configured in use to re-enter sleep mode if a vaporiser is not connected to the battery assembly.
Suitably, the computer is configured in use such that the time between consecutive sleep modes when the vaporiser is not connected is less that the sleep time. Suitably, the time between sleep modes is such that the vaponiser connection would be easily established by the computer before use of the device by a user.
In such an arrangement the device enters a low power sleep mode then wakes to test connection before guickly reentering a low power sleep mode. This maintains a low power usage while in a sleep mode and between sleep modes.
Suitably, the sleep time has a value between 0.5 and 5 seconds.
Suitably, the sleep time is substantially 2 seconds.
Suitably, the computer comprises a watchdog timer; wherein the watchdog timer is configured in use to set the sleep time for sleep mode.
Suitably, the computer is configured in use to enter a sleep mode when the capacitor is not substantially fully discharged.
Suitably, the computer is configured in use to enter a connected mode when the capacitor is substantially fully discharged.
Suitably, the battery assembly further comprises first and second battery assembly connection terminals, and the vaporiser comprises first and second vaporiser connection terminals, such that the vaporiser is connected to the battery assembly when the first battery assembly connection terminal is connected to the first vaporiser connection terminal and the second battery assembly connection terminal is connected to the second vaporiser connection terminal; wherein the capacitor is connected in parallel with the first and second battery assembly connection terminals.
Suitably, the battery assembly further comprises a resistor in series with the capacitor; wherein the capacitor and resistor are in parallel with the first and second battery assembly connection terminals.
Suitably, the computer is configured in use to send out a pulse and the capacitor is charged for a period of time equal to the width of the pulse. Suitably, the pulse is a square wave.
Suitably, the electronic smoking device further comprises a transistor,wherein the pulse is sent to the transistor and the transistor opens the current from the power cell to the capacitor for a period of time equal to the width of the pulse.
Suitably, the vaporiser comprises a heating element. Suitably, the heating element is a hearing coil. Suitably, the vaporiser further comprises a mesh wick.
Brief Description of the Drawings
For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how example embodiments may be carried into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side perspective view of an electronic smoking device; Figure 2 is an exploded side perspective view of the electronic smoking device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side sectional view through the device of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side perspective view of an electronic smoking device with separated mouthpiece and cigarette body; Figure 5 is a side perspective view of an electronic smoking device with separated mouthpiece, vaporiser and battery assembly; Figure 6 is a side sectional view through the electronic smoking device of Figure 4 with connected mouthpiece and cigarette body; Figure 7 is a side sectional view of a battery assembly having a capacitor; Figure 8 is a side sectional view of a battery assembly having a capacitor and resistor; Figure 9 is a side sectional view of a battery assembly having a capacitor, resistor and transistor; and Figure 10 is a circuit diagram for the battery assembly of Figure 9.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Referring to Figures 1 to 3 there is shown an electronic smoking device having a mouthpiece 2 and a cigarette body 4.
The electronic smoking device is shaped like a conventional c garatte and both the mouthp ccc 2 and c garette body 4 are cylindrical. The mouthpiece 2 is attachable to the cigarette body at a first end and has an air outlet 6 at a second end.
The cigarette body 2 is a battery assembly 8 and contains a power cell 10 connected to a computer 12 on a circuit board 14.
The computer 12 has a computer processor 16, a memory 18 and input-output means 20. In this example the computer 12 is a microcontroller.
The mouthpiece 2 contains a liquid bottle and a vaporiser 24 having a heater coil 26. The mouthpiece 2 is attachable to the battery assembly 8 by a screw thread that connects a first battery assembly terminal 28 to a first vaporiser terminal 30 and a second battery assembly terminal 32 to a second vaporiser terminal 34.
In use, the power cell 10 has charge and provides power to the computer 12. To maximise the lifetime of the charge in the power cell 10, the computer 12 is configured to detect whether the vaporiser 24 is connected to the battery assembly 8. If the vaporiser 24 is not connected the computer 12 is configured to enter a low power sleep mode. If the vaporiser 24 is connected the computer 12 is configured to enter a higher power connected mode. The computer 12 has a computer program stored in its memory 18 and accessed by its computer processor 16. The connection state is sensed by the input-output means 20.
In order to conserve power in the power cell 10, the computer 12 sends a pulse to the battery assembly terminals and determines if the vaporiser 24 is attached. If the vaporiser 24 is not attached the computer 12 goes into sleep mode for two seconds during which time no processing takes place and minimal power is consumer. After the sleep time, the computer 12 wakes and immediately and quickly checks again for a vaporiser connection. Again, if the vaporiser is not connected the computer 12 goes into sleep mode for another two seconds. The tme that the computer 12 s awake is extremely short compared to the sleep time so the circuit remains predominantly in a low power mode, thus conserving power. During the sleep time no checks are made to determine whether the vaporiser 24 is attached however a user would take several seconds to assembly the device so the vaporiser 24 connection would be easily established by the computer 12 before use of the device by a user.
Figures 4 to 6 show another example of an electronic smoking device. This device is similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 3, however in this example the vaporiser 24 does not form part of the mouthpiece 2. The mouthpiece 2 contains a liquid bottle 22 and is attachable to the vaporiser 24. The vaporiser 24 has a heater coil 26 and additionally a wick 36. When the mouthpiece 2 is attached to the vaporiser 24 the wick 36 acts to communicate liquid from the liquid container 22 onto the vaporiser 24. To interaction between the vaporiser 24 and the battery assembly 8 to conserve power is as described above.
Examples of how the vaporiser 24 is detected by the computer 12 are now described with reference to Figures 7 to 10.
Figure 7 shows a battery assembly 8 similar to that shown in Figure 3 and Figure 6, additionally comprising a capacitor 38.
The capacitor 38 is arranged in a circuit such that it is in parallel to the battery assembly terminals. To test whether the vaporiser 24 is connected to the battery assembly 8, the computer first charges the capacitor 38, then waits a short time and checks the charge of the capacitor 38. If the vaporiser 24 is connected, the resistance of the vaporiser 24 causes the capacitor 38 to discharge quickly so the computer 12 measures a discharged capacitor 38. If the vaporiser 24 is not connected the capacitor is not fully discharged when checked by the computer 12. Figure 8 shows an arrangement similar to that shown in Figure 7, additionally comprising a resistor 40 in ser as w th the capa ci ton 38.
In the example shown in Figure 9 and Figure 1Cr a battery assembly 8 further comprises a transistor 42. To test whether the vaporiser 24 is connected, the computer 12 sends a square wave pulse to the transistor 42. The transistor 42 supplies current to the capacitor 38 for a period of time equal to the width of the pulse, thereby charging the capacitor 38. As described above, if the vaporiser 24 is connected The computer 12 measures a discharged capacitor 38.
Although examples have been shown and described it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The sleep time is not restricted to 2 seconds and other suitable values could be used. A computer such as a microcontroller could utilise a watchdog timer to implement the sleep time wait in the low power mode. The device is not restricted to being cigarette shaped. The computer is not restricted being a microcontroller and could be fabricated from separate processor, memory and input-output components.
The vaporisers described are examples only.
Claims (23)
- Claims 1. An electronic smoking device comprising a battery assembly and a vaporiser, where the battery assembly comprises a power cell and a computer, the vaporiser is releasably-aitachable to the battery assembly and the computer comprises a computer processor, a memory and an input-output means;wherein the computer is configured in use to detect whether the vaporiser is connected to the battery assembly, the battery assembly further comprises a capacitor, where the computer is configured in use to first charge the capacitor and then detect whether a vaporiser is connected to the battery assembly by measuring whether the capacitor is discharged.
- 2. The electronic smoking device of claim 1, wherein the electronic smoking device is an electronic cigarette.
- 3. The electronic smoking device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the computer processor is a microprocessor.
- 4. The electronic smoking device of any preceding claim, wherein the computer is a microcontroller.
- 5. The electronic smoking device of any preceding claim, wherein the computer is configured in use to substantially remain in a sleep mode until the vaporiser is connected to the battery assembly.
- 6. Tbe electronlii smoking device of c1arn 5, wberen the sleep mode is a low power mode.
- 7. The electronic smoking device of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the sleep mode is the lowest non-zero power mode of the device.
- 8. The electronic smoking device of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the computer is configured in use to re-enter sleep mode if a vaporiser is not connected to the battery assembly.
- 9. The electronic smoking device of claim 8, wherein the computer is configured in use such that the time between consecutive sleep modes when the vaporiser is not connected is less that the sleep time.
- 10. The electronic smoking device of claim 9, wherein the time between sleep modes is such that the vaporiser connection would be easily established by the computer before use of the device by a user.
- II. The electronic smoking device of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the sleep time has a value between 0.5 and 5 seconds.
- 12. The electronic smoking device of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the sleep time is substantially 2 seconds.
- 13. The electronic smoking device of any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the computer comprises a watchdog timer; wherein the watchdog timer is configured in use to set the sleep time for sleep mode.
- 14. The electronic smoking device of any preceding claim, wherein the computer is configured in use to enter a sleep mode when the capacitor is not substantially fully discharged.
- 15. The electronic smoking device of any preceding claim, wherein the computer is configured in use to enter a connected mode when the capacitor is substantially fully discharged.
- 16. The electronic smoking device of any one of any preceding claim, wherein the battery assembly further comprises first and second battery assembly connection terminals, and the vaporiserIIcomprises first and second vaporiser connection terminals, such that the vaporiser is connected to the battery assembly when the first battery assembly connection terminal is connected to the first vaporiser connection terminal and the second battery assembly connection terminal is connected to the second vaporiser connection terminal; wherein the capacitor is connected in parallel with the first and second battery assembly connection terminals.
- 17. The electronic smoking device of any preceding claim, wherein the battery assembly further comprises a resistor in series with the capacitor; wherein the capacitor and resistor are in parallel with the first and second battery assembly connection terminals.
- 18. The electronic smoking device of any preceding claim, wherein the computer is configured in use to send out a pulse and the capacitor is charged for a period of time equal to the width of the pulse.
- 19. The electronic smoking device of claim 18, wherein the pulse is a sguare wave.
- 20. The electronic smoking device of claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the electronic smoking device further comprises a transistor; wherein the pulse is sent to the transistor and the transistor opens the current from the power cell to the capacitor for a period of time equal to the width of the pulse.
- 21. The electronic smoking device of any preceding claim, wherein the vaporiser comprises a heating element.
- 22. The electronic smoking device of claim 21, wherein the heating element is a heating coil.
- 23. The electronic smoking device of any preceding claim, wherein the vaporiser further comprises a mesh wick.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1218911.4A GB2502163B (en) | 2012-05-14 | 2012-05-14 | Electronic smoking device |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1218911.4A GB2502163B (en) | 2012-05-14 | 2012-05-14 | Electronic smoking device |
GB201208349A GB2502053B (en) | 2012-05-14 | 2012-05-14 | Electronic smoking device |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB201218911D0 GB201218911D0 (en) | 2012-12-05 |
GB2502163A true GB2502163A (en) | 2013-11-20 |
GB2502163B GB2502163B (en) | 2014-06-25 |
Family
ID=47359234
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB1218911.4A Active GB2502163B (en) | 2012-05-14 | 2012-05-14 | Electronic smoking device |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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GB (1) | GB2502163B (en) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2519101A (en) * | 2013-10-09 | 2015-04-15 | Nicoventures Holdings Ltd | Electronic vapour provision system |
US9462832B2 (en) | 2012-10-19 | 2016-10-11 | Nicoventures Holdings Limited | Electronic inhalation device with suspension function |
US10034988B2 (en) | 2012-11-28 | 2018-07-31 | Fontem Holdings I B.V. | Methods and devices for compound delivery |
US10194693B2 (en) | 2013-09-20 | 2019-02-05 | Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. | Aerosol generating device |
US10398180B2 (en) | 2012-05-14 | 2019-09-03 | Nicoventures Holdings Limited | Electronic vapor provision device |
US10477893B2 (en) | 2012-05-14 | 2019-11-19 | Nicoventures Holdings Limited | Electronic vapor provision device |
US10945463B2 (en) | 2015-07-01 | 2021-03-16 | Nicoventures Holdings Limited | Electronic aerosol provision system with multiple modes based on sensed events |
US11701482B2 (en) | 2012-10-19 | 2023-07-18 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Electronic inhalation device |
US11819608B2 (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2023-11-21 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Electronic aerosol provision system |
Citations (5)
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CA2641869A1 (en) * | 2008-11-06 | 2010-05-06 | Hao Ran Xia | Environmental friendly, non-combustible, atomizing electronic cigarette having the function of a cigarette substitute |
GB2468932A (en) * | 2009-03-24 | 2010-09-29 | Beijing Green World Technologies Ltd | Electronic cigarette |
WO2010118644A1 (en) * | 2009-04-15 | 2010-10-21 | 中国科学院理化技术研究所 | Heating atomization electronic-cigarette adopting capacitor for power supply |
US20110265806A1 (en) * | 2010-04-30 | 2011-11-03 | Ramon Alarcon | Electronic smoking device |
WO2011147699A1 (en) * | 2010-05-25 | 2011-12-01 | British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited | Aerosol generator |
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2012
- 2012-05-14 GB GB1218911.4A patent/GB2502163B/en active Active
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CA2641869A1 (en) * | 2008-11-06 | 2010-05-06 | Hao Ran Xia | Environmental friendly, non-combustible, atomizing electronic cigarette having the function of a cigarette substitute |
GB2468932A (en) * | 2009-03-24 | 2010-09-29 | Beijing Green World Technologies Ltd | Electronic cigarette |
WO2010118644A1 (en) * | 2009-04-15 | 2010-10-21 | 中国科学院理化技术研究所 | Heating atomization electronic-cigarette adopting capacitor for power supply |
US20110265806A1 (en) * | 2010-04-30 | 2011-11-03 | Ramon Alarcon | Electronic smoking device |
WO2011147699A1 (en) * | 2010-05-25 | 2011-12-01 | British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited | Aerosol generator |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10398180B2 (en) | 2012-05-14 | 2019-09-03 | Nicoventures Holdings Limited | Electronic vapor provision device |
US11931507B2 (en) | 2012-05-14 | 2024-03-19 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Electronic vapor provision device |
US11185649B2 (en) | 2012-05-14 | 2021-11-30 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Electronic vapor provision device |
US10477893B2 (en) | 2012-05-14 | 2019-11-19 | Nicoventures Holdings Limited | Electronic vapor provision device |
US11129418B2 (en) | 2012-10-19 | 2021-09-28 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Electronic inhalation device with suspension function |
US11701482B2 (en) | 2012-10-19 | 2023-07-18 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Electronic inhalation device |
US9462832B2 (en) | 2012-10-19 | 2016-10-11 | Nicoventures Holdings Limited | Electronic inhalation device with suspension function |
US10034988B2 (en) | 2012-11-28 | 2018-07-31 | Fontem Holdings I B.V. | Methods and devices for compound delivery |
US10194693B2 (en) | 2013-09-20 | 2019-02-05 | Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. | Aerosol generating device |
US10159279B2 (en) | 2013-10-09 | 2018-12-25 | Nicoventures Holdings Limited | Electronic vapor provision system |
US11116254B2 (en) | 2013-10-09 | 2021-09-14 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Power regulation system and method of supplying power to an electronic vapor provision system |
GB2519101A (en) * | 2013-10-09 | 2015-04-15 | Nicoventures Holdings Ltd | Electronic vapour provision system |
US10945463B2 (en) | 2015-07-01 | 2021-03-16 | Nicoventures Holdings Limited | Electronic aerosol provision system with multiple modes based on sensed events |
US11752284B2 (en) | 2015-07-01 | 2023-09-12 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Electronic aerosol provision system with motion sensing |
US11819608B2 (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2023-11-21 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Electronic aerosol provision system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB201218911D0 (en) | 2012-12-05 |
GB2502163B (en) | 2014-06-25 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
COOA | Change in applicant's name or ownership of the application |
Owner name: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO(NC) LIMITED Free format text: FORMER OWNER: CN CREATIVE LTD |
|
732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) |
Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20210422 AND 20210428 |