EP4236711A2 - Dispositif de génération d'aérosol à niveau de luminosité réglable - Google Patents

Dispositif de génération d'aérosol à niveau de luminosité réglable

Info

Publication number
EP4236711A2
EP4236711A2 EP21799043.1A EP21799043A EP4236711A2 EP 4236711 A2 EP4236711 A2 EP 4236711A2 EP 21799043 A EP21799043 A EP 21799043A EP 4236711 A2 EP4236711 A2 EP 4236711A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
level
user interface
generation device
aerosol generation
new
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP21799043.1A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Layth BOUCHUIGUIR
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
JT International SA
Original Assignee
JT International SA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by JT International SA filed Critical JT International SA
Publication of EP4236711A2 publication Critical patent/EP4236711A2/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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
    • A24F40/90—Arrangements or methods specially adapted for charging batteries thereof
    • 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
    • A24F40/60—Devices with integrated user interfaces

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an aerosol generation device.
  • an atomizer configured for heating an aerosol-forming precursor to generate an aerosol, when receiving electrical energy from the rechargeable battery
  • controller electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery and controlling the working of the atomizer during a vaping session and charging of the rechargeable battery during a charging session
  • a user interface coupled to this controller and comprising a display (or screen) for displaying information relative to a vaping session or charging session (such as a current status, for instance) and allowing a user to control the controller.
  • the atomizer comprises a heating device comprising one or more electrically activated resistive heating elements arranged for heating the aerosol-forming precursor (by conduction, convection and/or radiation) to generate an aerosol for inhalation.
  • a heating device comprising one or more electrically activated resistive heating elements arranged for heating the aerosol-forming precursor (by conduction, convection and/or radiation) to generate an aerosol for inhalation.
  • the aerosol-forming precursor is stored into a storage portion (for instance a reservoir) belonging to the aerosol generation device.
  • the aerosol is released into a flow path extending between an inlet and an outlet of the aerosol generation device.
  • This outlet may be arranged as a mouthpiece through which the user inhales the generated aerosol, but this is not mandatory.
  • the aerosol generation device may be portable, i.e. usable when held by a user.
  • the aerosol generation device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol, e.g. by activating the heating device partially or totally possibly for a variable amount of time (as opposed to a metered dose of aerosol).
  • This variable amount of aerosol can be controlled by a part of the user interface, such as a vaping button and/or inhalation sensor.
  • the inhalation sensor may be sensitive to the strength of inhalation as well as the duration of inhalation to enable a variable amount of vapor to be provided (so as to mimic the effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe).
  • the aerosol generation device may also include a temperature regulation control to drive the temperature of the heating device and/or the heated aerosol-forming precursor to a specified target temperature and thereafter to maintain the temperature at the target temperature that enables an efficient generation of aerosol.
  • aerosol may include a suspension of precursor as one or more of solid particles, liquid droplets and gas. Such a suspension may be in a gas including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to, or include, a vapor, and may include one or more components of the precursor.
  • the term “aerosol-forming precursor” may refer to one or more of a liquid, solid, gel, mousse, foam or other substance(s).
  • the precursor may be processable by the heating device of the aerosol generation device to form an aerosol, and may comprise one or more of nicotine, caffeine or other active components.
  • An active component may be carried by a carrier, which may be a liquid.
  • the carrier may include propylene glycol or glycerin, for instance.
  • a flavoring may also be present in the aerosol-forming precursor.
  • the flavoring may include Ethylvanillin (vanilla), menthol, Isoamyl acetate (banana oil) or similar, for instance.
  • a solid aerosol-forming substance may be in the form of a rod, which contains processed tobacco material, a crimped sheet or oriented strips of reconstituted tobacco (or RTB), for instance.
  • the user interface comprises at least one light source that allows the user to see the displayed information relative to the current vaping session or charging session.
  • the (each) light source may comprise at least one light emitting diode (or LED) which may also, possibly, participitate (or contribute) to the display of information.
  • the (each) light source could comprise at least one oled (organic led) or q-led (quantum- led) or else liquid crystal device (led), for instance.
  • this (each) light source provides a fixed light intensity, and therefore the brightness level of the user interface is fixed, whatever the light environment. So, in a dark environment the fixed brightness level may be too high (or bright) which causes a visual discomfort to the user, and in a bright environment the fixed brightness level may be too low (or dim) which may prevent the user to see the displayed information.
  • the proposed invention provides an embodiment of an aerosol generation device comprising :
  • an atomizer configured for heating an aerosol-forming precursor to generate an aerosol, when receiving electrical energy from this rechargeable battery
  • controller electrically coupled to this rechargeable battery and controlling working of this atomizer during a vaping session and charging of the rechargeable battery during a charging session
  • a user interface coupled to this controller and comprising a display for displaying information relative to a vaping session or charging session and allowing a user to control this controller.
  • This aerosol generation device is characterized in that its user interface is configured to allow the user to choose a display brightness level of the display by carrying out at least one dedicated interaction with a predefined part of the user interface.
  • This control of the brightness level of the user interface allows advantageously the user to have a comfortable viewing of the displayed information during a vaping session or a charging session.
  • the embodiment of aerosol generation device may comprise other features, considered separately or combined, and notably :
  • the user interface may be configured to allow the user to choose the display brightness level in a group of N predetermined levels whose definitions are stored into a memory, with N > 2;
  • the user interface may be configured in order each new dedicated interaction induces the choice of a new level differing from a previously chosen level
  • the user interface may be configured in order a continuous duration of the dedicated interaction induces the choice of a new level having a difference with a previously chosen level which depends from this duration;
  • the user interface may be configured in order each new dedicated interaction induces the choice of a new level which is greater than the previously chosen level, as long as the latter is not a highest level.
  • the user interface may be configured, when the previously chosen level is this highest level, in order the new dedicated interaction induces the choice of a lowest level;
  • the user interface may be configured in order each new dedicated interaction induces the choice of a new level which is smaller than the previously chosen level, as long as the latter is not a lowest level.
  • the user interface may be configured, when the previously chosen level is this lowest level, in order the new dedicated interaction induces the choice of a highest level;
  • the user interface may be configured to impose a predefined level when a new vaping session or charging session starts;
  • the user interface may be configured to trigger a storing of a definition of a level chosen by the user during a current vaping session or charging session, and to impose the level with this stored definition when a new vaping session or charging session starts;
  • the user interface may comprise at least one light emitting diode (or led) with a variable light intensity participating to the chosen brightness level.
  • at least one light emitting diode may participate (or contribute) to the information display;
  • FIG.1 schematically illustrates an example of embodiment of an aerosol generation device according to the invention.
  • the invention aims, notably, at offering an aerosol generation device 1 intended for allowing its user to control manually the brightness level of its user interface 2 in order to have a comfortable viewing of the displayed information during a vaping session or a charging session.
  • the aerosol generation device 1 is (or constitutes) an electronic cigarette (or e-cigarette or else personal vaporizer). But an aerosol generation device according to the invention could be of another type, as soon as it allows the generation of an aerosol by heating an aerosol-forming precursor.
  • an “aerosol-forming precursor” may be a liquid, solid, gel, mousse or foam or else another substance, and may comprise one or more active components such as nicotine or caffeine and/or a flavoring.
  • anosol may include a suspension of precursor as one or more of solid particles, liquid droplets and gas, and that such a suspension may be in a gas including air.
  • an aerosol generation device 1 comprises at least a rechargeable battery (or power source) 3, an atomizer 4, a controller (or control device) 5, and a user interface 2.
  • the rechargeable battery 3, controller 5 and user interface 2 may belong to a first body 6, while the atomizer 4 may belong to a second body 7 coupled to the first body 6 (for instance by screwing by means of two corresponding threaded portions, as illustrated).
  • the rechargeable battery 3 is arranged for storing electrical energy that is necessary to the working of the atomizer 4, controller 5 and user interface 2.
  • the first body 6 may comprise an electrical connector 8 to which a charger cable may be connected during a charging session of the rechargeable battery 3.
  • a charger cable may be coupled to an (AC) adapter or to a wall socket.
  • the charger cable and/or the (AC) adapter may belong to the aerosol generation device 1 .
  • the atomizer 4 is configured for heating an aerosol-forming precursor to generate an aerosol, when it receives electrical energy from the rechargeable battery 3 (during a vaping session).
  • This atomizer 4 comprises a heating device (not illustrated) comprising one or more electrically activated resistive heating elements arranged for heating the aerosol-forming precursor (by conduction, convection and/or radiation) to generate an aerosol.
  • the atomizer 4 comprises a first chamber 9 fed with the aerosol-forming precursor through at least one opening 10 and fed with air (sucked by the user) through at least one first air inlet 11 . This air comes from outside through at least one second air inlet 12.
  • each second air inlet 12 is defined in the housing of the first body 6. But, each second air inlet 12 could be defined in the housing of the second body 7.
  • the heating device is preferably housed into the first chamber 9.
  • the aerosol-forming precursor may be stored into a second chamber 13 of a reservoir (or tank) 14.
  • the reservoir 14 belongs to the second body 7, but it could belong to the first body 6 or could define a third body.
  • the reservoir 14 comprises at least one outlet 19 feeding a corresponding opening 10 of the atomizer 4.
  • the aerosol, generated into the first chamber 9, is released into a flow path 15 feeding an outlet 16 of the aerosol generation device 1.
  • This outlet may be part of a mouthpiece 17 through which the user inhales the generated aerosol (during a vaping session), but this is not mandatory.
  • the flow path 15 is a passage defined in the central part of the reservoir 14.
  • the controller 5 is electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery 3 and controls working of the atomizer 4 (and notably its heating device) during a vaping session and charging of the rechargeable battery 3 during a charging session.
  • the controller 5 may be fixed onto a printed circuit board 18 (here housed into the first body 6).
  • controller should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, processor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), read only memory (ROM) for storing software, random access memory (RAM), and non volatile storage. Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be included.
  • DSP digital signal processor
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • FPGA field programmable gate array
  • ROM read only memory
  • RAM random access memory
  • non volatile storage Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be included.
  • the functions of the controller 5 may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually (by the user). These functions may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate software.
  • the user interface 2 is coupled to the controller 5 and comprises a display (or screen) 20 arranged for displaying information relative to a current vaping session or a current charging session and for allowing the user to control the controller 5.
  • the displayed information may be a current status representing the current percentage of charge (with respect to the full charge) of the rechargeable battery 3 during a charging session or the current percentage of remaining (or elapsed) vaping time (with respect to a programmed (or chosen) vaping duration) during a vaping session.
  • the current percentage may be represented by the length of a straight line or by the number of parallel bars or else by a value, for instance.
  • the representation can be a number, an alphanumeric term or a pattern made up of dots, squares, triangles, crosses, or symbolic representation like a battery image (similar to the one used in smartphones).
  • This user interface 2 is also configured to allow the user to choose a display brightness level of its display 20 by carrying out at least one dedicated interaction with a predefined part 21 of the user interface 2. To this effect the user interface 2 is fed with electrical energy stored into the rechargeable battery 3, either directly by the latter (3) or indirectly through the controller 5.
  • the predefined part 21 of the user interface 2 may be dedicated to the dedicated interaction(s) allowing the user to control manually the brightness level, but this is not mandatory. Indeed, the predefined part 21 may have at least two functions, one of them being automatically the brightness level control during a vaping session or a charging session.
  • the user interface 2 may belong to the first body 6.
  • the housing of the first body 6 may comprise an opening in which the display 20 of the user interface 2 is installed.
  • the user interface 2 could belong to the second body 7.
  • the user interface 2 may be fixed partly to the printed circuit board 18 to ease and simplify its connections with the controller 5.
  • the user interface 2 may be configured to allow the user to choose the display brightness level in a group of N predetermined levels whose definitions are stored into a memory, with N > 2.
  • This memory belongs preferably to the user interface 2 in order to optimize the reactivity, but it could also belong to the controller 5.
  • the number N of predetermined levels can take any value greater than, or equal to, two. So, it may be equal to three, four or five, or even (much) more (for instance ten or hundred (notably when the N predetermined levels are considered as percentages of a maximal (or highest) level)).
  • the user interface 2 may be configured in order each new dedicated interaction induces the choice of a new level differing from the previously chosen level (level n level n+1 or level n level n-1 ).
  • the user interface 2 may be configured in order a continuous duration of the dedicated interaction induces the choice of a new level having a difference with the previously chosen level which depends from this duration (level n level n+1 level n+2 level n+3, and so on, or level n level n-1 level n-2 level n-3, and so on). In other words the longer the duration, the bigger the difference between the previously and new chosen levels will be.
  • the type of dedicated interaction depends on the technology of the predefined part 21 the user has to interact with. For instance, if the predefined part 21 is a button, the user will have to push on it or press it briefly to induce a single change of level or continuously (“press and hold”) to induce successive changes of levels. Now, if the predefined part 21 is a sensitive touch (or key) or touch-button, with resistive or capacitive technology, the user will have to touch it briefly to induce a single change of level or continuously to induce successive changes of levels.
  • the user interface 2 may be configured, when the previously chosen level is the highest (or maximal) level (amongst all the achievable levels), in order the new dedicated interaction induces the choice of the lowest (or minimal) level (amongst all the achievable levels).
  • the user interface 2 may be configured, when the previously chosen level is the lowest level (amongst all the achievable levels), in order the new dedicated interaction induces the choice of the highest level (amongst all the achievable levels).
  • the user interface 2 may be configured to impose a predefined level when a new vaping session or charging session starts.
  • the predefined level of a new vaping session may be different from the predefined level of a new charging session.
  • the predefined level of a new vaping session may be equal to the predefined level of a new charging session.
  • the (each) predefined level may be either initially defined by programming in the factory (and therefore cannot be changed by the user) or chosen by the user (for instance by selecting a (sub) menu accessible through the user interface 2).
  • the user interface 2 may be configured to trigger the storing of a definition of the level chosen by the user during the current vaping session or charging session.
  • the user interface 2 is configured to impose the level whith the stored definition when a new vaping session or charging session starts.
  • the storing of the level definition is performed in a memory which belongs preferably to the user interface 2 in order to optimize the reactivity. But this storing could be also performed in a memory belonging to the controller 5. So, each time a new vaping session or charging session starts, the level used in the preceding vaping session or charging session is automatically reused.
  • the chosen level of a vaping session is independent of the chosen level of a charging session, it is possible to use two memories or two sub-parts of a memory dedicated respectively to the vaping session and charging session, in order to store a level definition for the vaping session and a level definition for the charging session.
  • the user interface 2 may comprise at least one light emitting diode (or led) 22 with a variable light intensity which participates (or contributes) to the chosen brightness level.
  • a variable light intensity which participates (or contributes) to the chosen brightness level.
  • other types of light source of small dimensions may participate (or contribute) to the chosen brightness level, and notably those comprising at least one oled (organic led) or q-led (quantum-led) or else liquid crystal device (led), for instance.
  • At least one light emitting diode 22 may also participate (or contribute) to the information display.
  • a light emitting diode 22 does not only participate (or contribute) to the chosen brightness level but also participates (or contributes) to the display of the information provided to the user by the display 20.
  • the user interface 2 comprises nine light emitting diodes (or leds) 22 with a variable light intensity and participating (or contributing) to the chosen brightness level and to the display of the information provided to the user by the display 20.
  • the nine leds 22 define together a straight line whose length is representative of the current percentage of charge of the rechargeable battery 3 during a charging session or of the current percentage of remaining (or elapsed) vaping time during a vaping session.
  • three of the nine leds 22 are in grey color to indicate to the user that 2/3 of the vaping session have elapsed, for instance.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
  • Secondary Cells (AREA)

Abstract

Un dispositif de génération d'aérosol comprend : - une batterie rechargeable (3) ,- un atomiseur (4) conçu pour chauffer un précurseur de formation d'aérosol pour générer un aérosol, - un dispositif de commande (5) électriquement couplée à la batterie rechargeable (3) et commandant le fonctionnement de l'atomiseur (4) pendant une session de vapotage et la charge de la batterie rechargeable (3) pendant une session de charge, et - une interface utilisateur (2) comprenant un dispositif d'affichage (20) pour afficher des informations relatives à une session de vapotage ou à une session de charge et permettre à un utilisateur de commander ce dispositif de commande (5) et de choisir un niveau de luminosité d'affichage de ce dispositif d'affichage (20) en réalisant au moins une interaction dédiée avec une partie prédéfinie (21) de celle-ci (2).
EP21799043.1A 2020-10-27 2021-10-26 Dispositif de génération d'aérosol à niveau de luminosité réglable Pending EP4236711A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20204164 2020-10-27
PCT/EP2021/079695 WO2022090234A2 (fr) 2020-10-27 2021-10-26 Dispositif de génération d'aérosol à niveau de luminosité réglable

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4236711A2 true EP4236711A2 (fr) 2023-09-06

Family

ID=73043020

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21799043.1A Pending EP4236711A2 (fr) 2020-10-27 2021-10-26 Dispositif de génération d'aérosol à niveau de luminosité réglable

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4236711A2 (fr)
JP (1) JP2023546663A (fr)
WO (1) WO2022090234A2 (fr)

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN205321202U (zh) * 2013-06-05 2016-06-22 吉瑞高新科技股份有限公司 头灯亮度可调的电子烟
CN205385867U (zh) * 2013-06-17 2016-07-20 吉瑞高新科技股份有限公司 电子烟
CA3128944A1 (fr) * 2019-02-06 2020-08-13 Jt International Sa Cigarette electronique et affichage

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2022090234A3 (fr) 2022-06-16
JP2023546663A (ja) 2023-11-07
WO2022090234A2 (fr) 2022-05-05

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