CN117981912A - Lighting system and method of electronic cigarette device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to atomizing devices and systems. An electronic cigarette system may include a reservoir having a reservoir for storing a liquid to be atomized. The reservoir may include one or more light pipes extending from a location distal to the reservoir to a light emitting portion of the reservoir. An LED may be in optical communication with the light pipe such that light from the LED may be transmitted through the light pipe to the light emitting portion of the reservoir. The LEDs may be located on a printed circuit board which are also energized when the heating element is energized, thereby providing a visual indication for the user to identify the activation state of the heating element.

Description

Lighting system and method of electronic cigarette device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to devices that use inhalable liquid precursors. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the present disclosure relates to electronic cigarette device systems, electronic cigarette device lighting methods, and methods of making the same.

Disclosure of Invention

Various aspects of an electronic cigarette device are disclosed. The electronic cigarette device of the present disclosure comprises a reservoir having a reservoir therein for storing a liquid to be atomized, wherein the reservoir comprises a body having a proximal end connected to a mouthpiece and a distal base portion, and a light emitting portion extending radially outwardly from the body of the reservoir, the light emitting portion providing a visual indication for a user to identify an activated state of the electronic cigarette system; and a light guide is arranged in the liquid storage groove, the light guide extends from the distal end to the light emitting part, and light emitted by the light emitting diode on the printed circuit board can be transmitted to the light emitting part through the light guide.

In another aspect, an electronic cigarette system includes: a housing containing at least a portion of the reservoir slide; the liquid storage groove sliding seat is connected to the shell; the suction nozzle is connected with the liquid storage groove sliding seat; the liquid storage groove sliding seat comprises a liquid storage groove, the liquid storage groove is provided with a luminous strip extending outwards in the radial direction, the luminous strip is connected to a light pipe, the light pipe extends from the luminous strip to the far end of the liquid storage groove, a battery and a printed circuit board, a first light emitting diode is arranged in the printed circuit board, the first light emitting diode is in optical communication with the light pipe, and light is transmitted from the first light emitting diode to the luminous strip through the light pipe.

In another aspect, a reservoir in an electronic cigarette system comprises: a light pipe connected to the proximal end of the suction nozzle, to the distal end of the printed circuit board, and extending from said distal end of said reservoir to the light diffusing portion.

In another aspect, a reservoir in an electronic cigarette system comprises: a proximal end connected to the suction nozzle, a distal end connected to the printed circuit board, and wherein the reservoir further comprises a light pipe extending from the distal end of the reservoir to the light emitting portion.

In another aspect, the invention discloses a reservoir in an electronic cigarette system, the reservoir comprising: a proximal end connected to the suction nozzle, a distal end connected to the printed circuit board, and wherein the reservoir further comprises a light pipe extending from the distal end of the reservoir to the light guide portion. In some configurations, the light guide portion of the reservoir further includes a radially outwardly extending luminescent band plate for emitting light from an LED on the printed circuit board.

In another aspect, an electronic cigarette system includes: a reservoir having a reservoir for storing a liquid to be atomized, wherein the reservoir includes a proximal end connected to the mouthpiece and a distal base portion, the reservoir further including a luminescent band plate extending radially outwardly to an outer edge of the electronic cigarette system to form a luminescent strip that provides a visual indication for a user to identify an activated condition of the electronic cigarette system; and a light pipe is arranged in the liquid storage groove, the light pipe extends from the far end to the luminous strip, and light emitted by the light emitting diode on the printed circuit board can be transmitted to the luminous strip through the light pipe.

In another aspect, an electronic cigarette system includes: a visual indicator for providing a visual light indication to identify an activated state of the heating element; a light pipe in communication with the visual indicator; and the LED is communicated with the light pipe, and emits light, and the light is transmitted to the visual indicator through the light pipe.

In another aspect, a method of providing a visual indication to identify an activation state of an e-cigarette heating element includes: providing a printed circuit board with LEDs, said printed circuit board in communication with a power source of said heating element; when the power supply of the heating element is energized, the LED is also energized; providing a reservoir having a reservoir for storing a liquid to be atomized, the liquid stored in the reservoir being atomized by the heating element, the reservoir having a light emitting portion and a light pipe; the light pipe is positioned in optical communication with the LED such that light from the LED is transmitted through the light pipe to the light emitting portion.

In another aspect, the reservoir portion of the e-cigarette system may be formed as a unitary, integral structure, such as by molding or the like (e.g., injection molding or the like).

Drawings

The drawings are for reference only and do not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims. Individual drawings do not explicitly show each element of the disclosure, and thus not every drawing shows each element of the disclosure. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

In the accompanying drawings:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electronic cigarette device.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the e-cigarette device of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the e-cigarette apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 4A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a reservoir without a printed circuit board, and fig. 4B is a perspective view of an embodiment of a reservoir with a printed circuit board.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the reservoir slide of fig. 4A.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the distal end of the reservoir of fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a distal end embodiment of a reservoir slide.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the distal end embodiment of the reservoir slide of fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the proximal end of the reservoir of fig. 4.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure relates generally to an electronic cigarette system and apparatus. Herein, "proximal" refers to the portion of the system or device that is proximal to the user's mouth when the electronic cigarette device is in use, and "distal" refers to the portion of the system or device that is distal to the user's mouth when the electronic cigarette device is in use. For example, some of the systems and methods described herein may have a suction nozzle that can be connected to the proximal end of the reservoir, and a base that can be connected to the distal end of the reservoir.

Figures 1-3 illustrate one embodiment of an electronic cigarette system 10. Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an electronic cigarette system 10 including a housing 15, a luminescent band plate 30, and a mouthpiece 24. Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the electronic cigarette system 10 of fig. 1, wherein the electronic cigarette system 10 includes the housing 15, the slider 20 embedded in the housing 15, and the mouthpiece 24. The carriage 20 includes a reservoir 35, wherein the luminescent band plate 30 extends radially outwardly from the reservoir 35 and/or from a longitudinal axis of the carriage 20. In some embodiments, the luminescent band plate 30 is positioned between the housing 15 and the suction nozzle 24, whereby the luminescent band plate 30 provides an interface where the housing 15 and the suction nozzle 24 are in close proximity to opposing surfaces of the luminescent band plate 30, forming a secure connection. The visual appearance of the electronic cigarette system 10 includes the housing 15, the luminescent band plate 30, and the mouthpiece 24 (see fig. 1, etc.). As described in detail below, the luminescent band plate 30 is part of a system, and some luminescent band plates may also provide a visual indication to a user that the e-cigarette system 10 is enabled.

The reservoir 35 includes a distal end 39 and a proximal end 41, with a body 35b extending from the distal end 39 to the proximal end 41. One or more structures may be included in the distal end 39 to increase the functionality of the electronic cigarette system 10, reduce the number of components in the system, and/or improve manufacturability of the system.

For example, the distal end 39 of the reservoir 35 may include structure therein for receiving a atomizer or heating element for heating e-liquid (e.g., liquid precursor) to generate vapor. Structures for receiving one or more anodes or electrical connections of a battery system may be included in the distal end 39 of the reservoir 35 to provide power to the atomizer or the heating element (the void 43 as shown in fig. 6 may receive an electrical connection). A structure for receiving a central lumen or stem may be included in the distal end 39 of the reservoir 35 to deliver vapor proximally to the suction nozzle 24 of the system 10.

Fig. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the e-cigarette system 10 of fig. 1 and 2. As shown, the reservoir 35 is housed in the housing 15. The luminescent band plate 30 is located between the suction nozzle 24 and the housing 15 so that the suction nozzle 24 and the housing 15 are closely attached to the opposite surfaces of the luminescent band plate 30, forming a firm connection. In certain embodiments, the reservoir 35 may house a central rod and central lumen 25. In certain embodiments, the central lumen 25 may house a nebulizer. Furthermore, the central lumen 25 may be in fluid communication with a reservoir in the reservoir 35 to enable liquid in the reservoir 35 to flow into the central lumen 25 and be atomized by the atomizer. The generated vapor may then be drawn proximally through the central lumen 25 and expelled from the mouthpiece 24 for inhalation by the user, creating a "throat feel".

The reservoir 35 includes a light emitting portion 30. In some embodiments, the light emitting portion is integrated into the radially outwardly extending light emitting band plate 30. Herein, the luminescent band plate 30 and the luminescent portion 30 may be used interchangeably. The luminescent band plate 30 forms a luminescent strip or a luminescent portion of the reservoir 35. The light emitting portion 30 of the reservoir 35 may be of any suitable shape and size and may be positioned at any desired location on the reservoir 35. In the embodiment shown in fig. 4, the light emitting portion 30 is located near the proximal end 41 of the reservoir 35. In other embodiments, the light emitting portion 30 may be located near the middle of the reservoir 35 or near the distal end 39 of the reservoir 35. Or in other embodiments, a plurality of light emitting portions 30 may be provided. Similarly, the lighting portion 30 shown in fig. 4 is a relatively thin ribbon that extends around the circumference of the electronic cigarette system 10. In other embodiments, the light emitting portion 30 may be thicker, thinner, not a ribbon, but in a polygonal shape, in various shapes, or the like.

Further, as shown in fig. 4A and 4B, the light emitting portion 30 is in a continuous state on the circumference of the electronic cigarette system 10. In some embodiments, the light emitting portion 30 may be interrupted and/or may include a plurality of light emitting portions 30 disposed along or within the same plane.

Attached to the luminescent band plate or luminescent section 30 is a light pipe 45. In some embodiments, only a single light pipe 45 is provided. In other embodiments, two, three, four or more light pipes may be provided. In the embodiment shown in fig. 4 two light guides 45a and 45b are provided, both light guides 45a and 45b being connected to the light emitting part 30. As shown in fig. 4A and 4B, the light pipes 45a and 45B may be disposed on opposite sides (e.g., front-to-back) of the reservoir 35. The light pipes 45a and 45b may be approximately cylindrical, or may be other elongated shapes, such as elongated rectangular parallelepiped shapes. As shown in fig. 4B, a printed circuit board 50 may be associated with or connected to the distal end 39 of the reservoir 35. The light pipes 45a and 45b may extend from the printed circuit board 50 to the luminescent band plate 30 and/or the proximal end 41 of the reservoir 35.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the carriage 20, wherein the light pipe 45a extends from the distal end 39 of the reservoir 35 to the luminescent band plate or portion 30. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the distal end 39 of the reservoir 35 of fig. 4. As shown in fig. 6, the distal end 39 of the reservoir 35 may include one or more voids 43 for receiving electrical connections (e.g., anode, cathode, leads, etc.) for a power source such as a battery. When the power source or battery is enabled, power may be supplied to components of the atomizing system 10 (e.g., atomizer or heating element, light emitting diode, lamp, etc.).

In fig. 7 and 8, each light pipe 45a and 45b is in optical communication with a light emitting diode LED 47 on a printed circuit board 50 located below the reservoir 35. In some embodiments, the printed circuit board 50 is adjacent the distal end 39 of the reservoir 35 such that light from the LEDs 47 is transmitted, conducted or illuminated along the light pipes 45a and 45 b. Light is transmitted from the LED 47 through the light pipes 45a and 45b to the light emitting portion 30 of the reservoir 35. When the light emitting portion 30 is a radially outwardly extending light emitting band plate, light may be transmitted to the exterior of the electronic cigarette system 10 as a visual indicator of the exterior of the system 10.

The LEDs 47 on the printed circuit board 50 may typically be activated by a sensor that detects the user's aspiration or inhalation of air proximally through a central lumen or shaft. For example, a microphone may be used to detect when a user is inhaling, or an air pressure sensor may be used to detect inhaling or inhaling, etc. The user activates the sensor when aspirating, and the battery is energized to cause the atomizer to heat the liquid or oil to be atomized. Similarly, when the sensor is triggered, the LED 47 is also energized. In some embodiments, the LED 47 will be energized when the battery is powered. In certain embodiments, the LEDs 47 are also energized at approximately the same time when the battery is powered and/or when the atomizing system is activated. When the LED 47 is lit to provide a device indication or the system 10 is activated, the light pipe 45 (typically located directly above the LED 47, see fig. 8) located in optical communication with the LED 47 receives light from the LED 47, which is transmitted through the light pipe 45 to the light emitting portion 30 of the reservoir 35. The light is then transmitted to the outside of the reservoir 45 through the light emitting portion 30 of the reservoir 35.

The light guide 45 transmits light from the LED light source 47 to a light emitting area that is located on a different surface than the actual location of the LED 47. For example, a light emitting region may be located at the other end of the reservoir 35, opposite the LED 47. The light pipe 45 may be made of an optically transparent polymer such as Polycarbonate (PC) or acryl (PMMA), etc. The use of the light conduit 45 simulates the situation where the LED 47 is on the top surface of the product or reservoir 35, even though the LED 47 is on the printed circuit board 50 below the top surface. The use of longer rectangular/square or cylindrical light pipes 45a and 45b may produce light in the form of long lines to radiate along the length of the light pipe. In some embodiments, a portion or all of the light pipe is encased in the housing. In other embodiments, the light pipe is not enclosed by the housing.

Light diffusing portions, frosted portions, opaque portions, reflective portions, transparent portions, translucent portions, etc. may be used at the proximal end 41 of the reservoir 35 to prevent light from escaping from the proximal end 41 and/or may direct light to the light emitting portion 30. A frosting process or the like may be used to direct light from the light pipe 45 to a desired location depending on the light application desired and the lighting effect desired. For example, a proximal cap 55 may be placed over the reservoir 35, and the proximal cap 55 may be made of an opaque material. Or the proximal end 41 of the reservoir 35 may be frosted or the like.

Fig. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the proximal end 41 of the carriage 20 of fig. 4. The carriage 20 includes therein the luminescent band plate 30 and the reservoir 35 having a proximal end 41 and a distal end 39. As shown in fig. 9, the luminescent band plate 30 extends around the circumference of the reservoir 35 and/or the proximal end 41. The luminescent band plate 30 is shown as a band structure surrounding the recess of the reservoir 35. For example, the first groove H1 may receive a central lumen (see central lumen 25 in fig. 3). The luminescent band plate or luminescent part 30 surrounds the groove H1 or frames the groove H1 without covering the groove H1. In some embodiments, the luminescent band plate or luminescent portion 30 may be solid rather than band-shaped, such that the luminescent band plate 30 forms a floor for the proximal end 41 of the reservoir 35.

The foregoing description is only exemplary of the principles of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the scope of the following claims, which define the full scope of the disclosure. Various aspects discussed in one figure may exist and/or be used in connection with an embodiment shown in another figure, and each element shown in multiple figures may be discussed only once. The described features, structures, or characteristics of the configurations in this disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more configurations. In some cases, unnecessary redundant descriptions may be avoided to omit detailed descriptions of known items or to omit repeated descriptions of substantially identical configurations for ease of understanding by those skilled in the art. All statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof, and are not limited to the specific details recited.

Reference in the specification to "one configuration," "one embodiment," "configuration," "example," or "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the configuration is included in at least one configuration, but does not require that the feature, structure, or characteristic be present in any particular configuration, unless explicitly stated in the claims. The appearances of the phrase "in one configuration" or "in one example" in various places are not necessarily limited to the fact that an element in the disclosure may exist in only a single configuration, but may exist in other or all configurations discussed.

As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a circular recess" may include one or more such circular recesses, and reference to "the nozzle" may include one or more such nozzles.

In this document, the term "generally" refers to something that generally more conforms to the characteristics of the specified adjective, rather than vice versa. In this context, the term "about" is used to provide flexibility to the end points of a numerical range, i.e., a given value may still perform a function associated with that range in the case of "slightly above" or "slightly below" the end point. For example, "about" may be within 10% of a given number or a given range. In this document, for convenience, a plurality of items, structural elements, constituent elements, and/or materials may be listed in the same list. But even if listed in the same list, each item in the list should be understood to have separate and unique attributes and characteristics.

Although the method is described herein as a series of discrete steps and illustrated in a particular order for clarity, in practice, the steps do not need to be in a particular order and multiple steps may be performed simultaneously. For example, the subsequent steps may begin before the previous steps are completed. Or the subsequent steps may be completed before the previous step begins. Furthermore, for clarity of description, the words "connected" and "coupled" are used throughout this document, which may mean either a direct connection or an indirect connection.

While the foregoing disclosure provides many details, such as the use of the system in an electronic cigarette device, it should be noted that other embodiments are contemplated and should not be construed as limiting any subsequent claims. Other embodiments and configurations may be devised without departing from the scope of the claims. Features of different embodiments and configurations may also be employed singly or in combination. Therefore, any addition, deletion, and modification of the disclosed subject matter should be considered as part of the disclosed subject matter as falling within the scope of the claims. The scope of each claim is defined and limited only by the specific language, and the full range of available legal equivalents of the elements thereof.

Furthermore, if patents and printed publications are cited in this disclosure, each cited patent and printed publication is individually and fully incorporated by reference herein.

Claims (10)

1. An atomization system comprising:

A reservoir having a reservoir for storing a liquid to be atomized, the reservoir comprising a body having a proximal end connected to a mouthpiece and a distal base portion, and a light emitting portion extending radially outwardly from the body of the reservoir, the light emitting portion providing a visual indication for a user to identify an activated state of the electronic cigarette system,

The liquid storage groove is internally provided with a light pipe, the light pipe extends from the far end to the light emitting part, and light emitted by the light emitting diode on the printed circuit board can be transmitted to the light emitting part through the light pipe.

2. The atomizing system of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board is secured to the distal end of the reservoir, the light pipe being positioned over the light emitting diode of the printed circuit board.

3. An electronic cigarette system comprising:

A housing, said housing containing at least a portion of a reservoir slide, said reservoir slide being attached to said housing; and

A suction nozzle connectable to the reservoir slide,

Wherein, the reservoir slide includes:

A reservoir having a radially outwardly extending light bar therein, the light bar being connected to a light pipe extending from the light bar to a distal end of the reservoir; and

A printed circuit board includes a first light emitting diode in optical communication with the light pipe, transmitting light from the first light emitting diode through the light pipe to the light bar.

4. The electronic cigarette system of claim 3, wherein the reservoir slide is connected to the housing by the light bar.

5. A reservoir for use in an atomization system, the reservoir comprising:

a proximal end connected to the suction nozzle;

A distal end connected to a printed circuit board, said printed circuit board having at least one light emitting diode; and

A light pipe extending from the at least one light emitting diode to the light emitting portion of the reservoir.

6. The reservoir of claim 5, wherein the light guide portion of the reservoir includes a radially outwardly extending luminescent band plate for conducting light emitted from an LED on the printed circuit board.

7. A reservoir according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the reservoir is connectable to a suction nozzle which, when connected to the proximal end of the reservoir, will abut the light guide portion.

8. A reservoir according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said at least one light guide in said reservoir comprises two light guides each extending from said printed circuit board to a light guide portion of said reservoir.

9. An electronic cigarette system comprising:

A reservoir having a reservoir for storing a liquid to be atomized, the reservoir comprising a body having a proximal and a distal base portion connected to the mouthpiece, a light pipe, and a luminescent band plate extending radially outwardly to an outer edge of the electronic cigarette system,

The luminescent band plate forms a luminescent strip that can provide a visual light indication for a user to identify an activation state of the electronic cigarette system.

The reservoir has a light pipe extending from a distal base portion of the reservoir to the light emitting strip for transmitting light from the light emitting diode on the printed circuit board to the light emitting strip.

10. A method to identify a visual indication of an activation state of an e-cigarette heating element is provided, the method comprising:

providing a printed circuit board with LEDs, said printed circuit board in communication with a power source of said heating element;

When the power supply of the heating element is energized, the LED is also energized; and

A reservoir is provided having a reservoir for storing a liquid to be atomized, the liquid stored in the reservoir being atomized by the heating element, a light emitting portion and a light pipe in the reservoir, the light pipe being in optical communication with the light emitting portion such that light from the LED is transmitted through the light pipe to the light emitting portion to provide a visual indication for identifying an activated state of the heating element.