WO2019020151A1 - Système à fumer électronique - Google Patents

Système à fumer électronique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019020151A1
WO2019020151A1 PCT/DK2018/050152 DK2018050152W WO2019020151A1 WO 2019020151 A1 WO2019020151 A1 WO 2019020151A1 DK 2018050152 W DK2018050152 W DK 2018050152W WO 2019020151 A1 WO2019020151 A1 WO 2019020151A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
liquid cartridge
control circuitry
force
fluid
active
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DK2018/050152
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Casper Sejer Larsen
Original Assignee
Odin & Thor Aps
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
Priority claimed from DKPA201770591A external-priority patent/DK179373B1/en
Application filed by Odin & Thor Aps filed Critical Odin & Thor Aps
Priority to EP18839366.4A priority Critical patent/EP3657968A4/fr
Priority to JP2020504221A priority patent/JP2020528751A/ja
Priority to KR1020207003630A priority patent/KR20200037790A/ko
Priority to CN201880049652.0A priority patent/CN110996695A/zh
Priority to AU2018305652A priority patent/AU2018305652A1/en
Priority to CA3070106A priority patent/CA3070106A1/fr
Priority to US16/633,939 priority patent/US20200237004A1/en
Publication of WO2019020151A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019020151A1/fr

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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
    • A24F40/53—Monitoring, e.g. fault detection
    • 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
    • A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
    • 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
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A24F40/51—Arrangement of sensors
    • 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
    • A24F40/57—Temperature control
    • 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
    • A24F40/65—Devices with integrated communication means, e.g. wireless communication means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M11/00—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes
    • A61M11/04—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by the vapour pressure of the liquid to be sprayed or atomised
    • A61M11/041—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by the vapour pressure of the liquid to be sprayed or atomised using heaters
    • A61M11/042—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by the vapour pressure of the liquid to be sprayed or atomised using heaters electrical
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M15/00—Inhalators
    • A61M15/06—Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes
    • 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
    • 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
    • A24F40/30—Devices using two or more structurally separated inhalable precursors, e.g. using two liquid precursors in two cartridges
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes
    • A61M16/0003—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure
    • A61M2016/0015—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure inhalation detectors
    • A61M2016/0018—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure inhalation detectors electrical
    • A61M2016/0021—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure inhalation detectors electrical with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes
    • A61M16/0003—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure
    • A61M2016/0027—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure pressure meter
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes
    • A61M16/0003—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure
    • A61M2016/003—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure with a flowmeter
    • A61M2016/0033—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure with a flowmeter electrical
    • A61M2016/0039—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure with a flowmeter electrical in the inspiratory circuit
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/33—Controlling, regulating or measuring
    • A61M2205/332—Force measuring means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/33—Controlling, regulating or measuring
    • A61M2205/3368—Temperature
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/35—Communication
    • A61M2205/3546—Range
    • A61M2205/3569—Range sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/35—Communication
    • A61M2205/3576—Communication with non implanted data transmission devices, e.g. using external transmitter or receiver
    • A61M2205/3592—Communication with non implanted data transmission devices, e.g. using external transmitter or receiver using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/36—General characteristics of the apparatus related to heating or cooling
    • A61M2205/3653—General characteristics of the apparatus related to heating or cooling by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/50—General characteristics of the apparatus with microprocessors or computers
    • A61M2205/502—User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
    • A61M2205/505—Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/82—Internal energy supply devices
    • A61M2205/8206—Internal energy supply devices battery-operated
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/82—Internal energy supply devices
    • A61M2205/8237—Charging means

Definitions

  • the disclosure relates to an electronic smoking system, such as an electronic cigarette or a so-called "heat-not-burn” electronic cigarette system, and particularly to an electronic smoking system having a liquid cartridge holding a deliverable-containing fluid to be vaporized and inhaled by a user.
  • An e-cigarette is a device that emulates tobacco cigarette smoking, by producing smoke replacement that may be similar in its physical sensation, general appearance, and sometimes flavor (i.e., with tobacco fragrance, menthol taste, added nicotine etc.).
  • the device may use heat to atomize/vaporize a liquid (for example based on propylene glycol, or glycerin, for example including taste and fragrance ingredients) solution into an aerosol mist.
  • a liquid for example based on propylene glycol, or glycerin, for example including taste and fragrance ingredients
  • the generated mist may be sensed similar to cigarette smoke. Because it is electronic, an e-cigarette may provide opportunities for increased options, communication, and control.
  • a personal inhalation device or e-cigarette may be battery powered.
  • US 8851068 discloses a battery powered personal inhalation device, which includes an outer shell having an orifice formed therein and containing a medium having one or more deliverables and an atomizing unit disposed within the shell. The atomizing unit atomizes the medium when a user puffs on the orifice such that vapor containing the deliverables is discharged through the orifice.
  • the personal inhalation device is further capable of metering the deliverables discharged with the vapor.
  • US 20139240775 discloses a battery powered e-cigarette, which includes a controller for providing various operations within the e-cigarette.
  • the controller provides operations and control for the e-cigarette with a consumer device, such as a smartphone.
  • Applications on the smartphone may be developed for improving the operations and the control of the e- cigarette, as well as making use of data communicated from the e-cigarette.
  • Applications may be developed for controlling smoke properties, monitoring operations, adjusting settings, receiving product notifications, or compiling/analyzing data from the e-cigarette.
  • Applications may also provide other capabilities that may not be unique to an e-cigarette.
  • the electronic cigarettes disclosed in US 8851068 and US 20139240775 both holds a pressure or airflow sensor, which reacts to a pressure increase due to air flowing through the housing of the electronic cigarette caused by a user taking a puff for starting a smoking session.
  • the pressure sensor When activated by the increased air flow, the pressure sensor then activates control electronics and a heating system being part an atomizing unit, which heats and vaporizes the liquid being consumed during a smoking session.
  • control electronics and a heating system being part an atomizing unit, which heats and vaporizes the liquid being consumed during a smoking session.
  • the heating system when the user takes a puff, there is a delay in obtaining the needed temperature for vaporizing the liquid, meaning that the user has to take a longer puff in order to obtain a full smoking experience.
  • a general problem for battery powered personal inhalation devices is the duration of use time before re-charging of the battery, which is an even bigger problem for personal inhalation devices including wireless communication circuitry for communicating data with an external consumer device, such as a smartphone.
  • Another general problem for personal inhalation devices is to keep track of the remaining deliverable-containing fluid, which is to be vaporized and inhaled.
  • WO 2017/045897 A1 discloses a cartridge for an aerosol-generating system for use in an e-cigarette, which cartridge holds a capacitor sensor with two capacitor plates for sensing the amount of liquid or fluid within the cartridge.
  • the disclosed liquid cartridge with capacitor plates may not be a convenient design for refilling of the cartridge.
  • a personal inhalation device or e-cigarette having an improved sensor system for detecting the fluid level of a liquid cartridge holding a deliverable- containing fluid, which is to be vaporized and inhaled, and which sensor system allows an easy refill of the cartridge.
  • This object is achieved in accordance with a first aspect by providing a method of controlling power consumption during a smoking session performed by use of an electronic smoking system comprising an activation contact, a heating system for heating a fluid to be vaporized or for heating a tobacco plug and including a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heating system, a short range wireless communication module configured for wireless data communication with an external computer or smartphone, control circuitry in electronically communication with the activation contact and the heating system and the short range wireless communication module, and a battery for powering the heating system and the short range wireless communication module and the control circuitry, said method comprising:
  • the user starts a smoking process by use of the activation contact, which the user holds in a smoking position during the smoking process. The user may then start taking a puff after the activation contact is brought into the smoking position.
  • the control circuitry and the heating system is activated just after the activation contact is brought into the smoking position. The heating of the fluid to be vaporized during a puff will then in most cases start before the user takes a puff, and thereby enhancing the smoking experience.
  • the heating system by monitoring the temperature of the heating system, excess heating of the fluid is avoided, and excess use of battery power is avoided.
  • the method further comprises:
  • the wireless communication circuitry for communicating data with an external consumer device is another main power consuming component of an electronic smoking system.
  • the wireless communication circuitry is maintained in an active data communication mode, when the electronic smoking system is active during a smoking session. By using a predetermined period for data communication, excess use of battery power is avoided.
  • the method further comprises:
  • the operation mode of the control circuitry is only shifted from the powered active mode into the powered non-active mode or sleep mode when the operation mode of the short range wireless communication module has been shifted into the powered non-active mode or sleep mode.
  • the operation mode of the electronic smoking system is shifted from a non-powered off mode to a powered mode in which the electronic smoking system is in a non-active or sleep mode, said operation mode being shifted by several consecutive user activations of the activation contact, whereby the operation mode of the control circuitry is shifted from a non-powered mode to the powered non-active sleep mode and the operation mode of the short range wireless communication module is shifted from a non- powered mode to the powered non-active mode or sleep mode.
  • the operation mode of the electronic smoking system is shifted from the powered non-active or sleep mode to the non-powered off mode by several consecutive user activations of the activation contact, whereby the operation mode of the control circuitry is shifted from the powered non-active sleep mode to a non-powered mode and the operation mode of the short range wireless communication module is shifted from the powered non-active mode or sleep mode to the non-powered mode.
  • the temperature sensor is a power consuming sensor
  • the method comprises supplying battery power to the temperature sensor when supplying battery power to the heating system, determining the temperature of the activated heating system, and de-activating the battery power supply to the temperature sensor when de-activating the battery power supply to the heating system.
  • control circuitry is configured for determining remaining battery charge, and the data representing the determined remaining battery charge is communicated by the control circuitry to the short range wireless communication module and further communicated by the short range wireless communication module to the external computer or smartphone when both the control circuitry and the short range wireless communication module are in the active mode.
  • the electronic smoking system comprises an electronic cigarette having an outer shell with an orifice, said outer shell holding a liquid cartridge with a fluid to be vaporized into a vaporized mixture of air and vaporized fluid, and said outer shell further holding an atomizer for vaporizing the fluid, wherein the heating system is part of the atomizer and the atomizer is arranged for vaporizing the fluid into said mixture when a user puffs on the orifice and heat is delivered from the heating system, and wherein the electronic cigarette holds an airflow sensor for detecting a change in air pressure caused by user puff, and wherein the method further comprises:
  • the electronic cigarette holds a liquid volume sensor for sensing the volume of fluid in the liquid cartridge, and the method further comprises:
  • data representing the number of detected and stored user puffs and/or data representing the last detected and stored fluid volume is communicated by the control circuitry to the short range wireless communication module, and further communicated by the short range wireless communication module to an external computer or smartphone when both the control circuitry and the short range wireless communication module are in the powered active mode.
  • an electronic smoking system comprising:
  • a heating system for heating a fluid to be vaporized or for heating a tobacco plug and including a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heating system; a short range wireless communication module configured for wireless data communication with an external computer or smartphone;
  • control circuitry in electronically communication with the activation contact, the heating system and the short range wireless communication module;
  • a battery for powering the heating system, the short range wireless communication module, and the control circuitry;
  • control circuitry is configured for: shifting operation mode from a powered non-active mode or sleep mode into an active mode when the activation contact is maintained in a first, active smoking position for at least a predetermined minimum puff time period;
  • activating the heating system by directing battery power supply to the heating system when the activation contact is maintained in said first, active smoking position; determining the temperature of the activated heating system;
  • control circuitry is further configured for:
  • control circuitry is configured for shifting operation mode from the powered active mode into the powered non-active mode or sleep mode when the activation contact is turned or switched from the first, active smoking position into the second, non-active position.
  • control circuitry is configured for shifting operation mode from the powered active mode into the powered non-active mode or sleep mode only when the operation mode of the short range wireless communication module has been shifted into the powered non-active mode or sleep mode.
  • the activation contact and the control circuitry are configured for shifting the operation mode of the control circuitry from a non-powered mode to the powered non-active sleep mode by several consecutive activations of the activation contact.
  • control circuitry is configured for shifting the operation mode of the short range wireless communication module from a non-powered mode to the powered non-active mode or sleep mode when the operation mode of the control circuitry is shifted into the powered non-active or sleep mode by said several consecutive activations of the activation contact.
  • the activation contact and the control circuitry are configured for shifting the operation mode of the control circuitry from the powered active mode or powered non-active sleep mode into the non- powered mode by several consecutive activations of the activation contact.
  • control circuitry is configured for shifting the operation mode of the short range wireless communication module from the powered active data communication mode or the powered non-active mode or sleep mode into the non-powered mode when the operation mode of the control circuitry is shifted into the non-powered mode by said several consecutive activations of the activation contact.
  • the temperature sensor is a power consuming sensor
  • the control system is configured for:
  • activating the temperature sensor by directing battery power to the temperature sensor when activating the heating system
  • control circuitry is configured for determining remaining battery charge
  • control circuitry is configured for communicating data representing the determined remaining battery charge to the short range wireless communication module
  • short range wireless communication module is configured for communicating the received battery charge data to the external computer or smartphone when both the control circuitry and the short range wireless communication module are in the active mode.
  • the electronic smoking system comprises an electronic cigarette having an outer shell with an orifice, said outer shell holding a liquid cartridge with a fluid to be vaporized into a vaporized mixture of air and vaporized fluid, and said outer shell further holding an atomizer for vaporizing the fluid, wherein the heating system is part of the atomizer and the atomizer is arranged for vaporizing the fluid into said mixture when a user puffs on the orifice and heat is delivered from the heating system, and wherein the electronic cigarette holds an airflow sensor for detecting a change in air pressure caused by a user puff.
  • control circuitry is configured for communicating data representing a number of detected user puffs to the short range wireless communication module
  • short range wireless communication module is configured for communicating the received user puff data to the external computer or smartphone when both the control circuitry and the short range wireless communication module are in the active mode.
  • the electronic cigarette holds a liquid volume sensor for detecting the volume of fluid in the liquid cartridge.
  • control circuitry is configured for communicating data representing the detected fluid volume of the liquid cartridge to the short range wireless communication module
  • short range wireless communication module is configured for communicating the received fluid volume data to the external computer or smartphone when both the control circuitry and the short range wireless communication module are in the active mode.
  • a liquid cartridge holding a fluid to be vaporized into a vaporized mixture of air and vaporized fluid
  • the outer shell has one or more inner side wall surfaces and an inner bottom wall surface, which inner surfaces at least partly enclose the liquid cartridge, said liquid cartridge being formed by a least one or more side wall parts, a bottom wall part and a top part.
  • at least one sensor is positioned between the inner bottom wall surface of the outer shell and the outer bottom wall surface of the liquid cartridge.
  • At least one sensor is positioned between an inner side wall surface of the outer shell and an outer side wall surface of the liquid cartridge.
  • the sensor system holds at least two sensors arranged for detecting a force or pressure exerted by one or more outer wall surfaces of the liquid cartridge on said sensors.
  • At least one sensor is positioned between the inner bottom wall surface of the outer shell and the outer bottom wall surface of the liquid cartridge, and at least one sensor is positioned between an inner side wall surface of the outer shell and an outer side wall surface of the liquid cartridge.
  • the liquid cartridge comprises one or more flexible parts providing a flexibility to the liquid cartridge relative to the outer shell, thereby allowing the liquid carrier to exert a gravity force or pressure on said sensor(s), said gravity force or pressure being at least partly a function of the fluid volume of the liquid carrier.
  • the gravity force or pressure may be a function of both the fluid volume and the vertical position of the liquid cartridge relative to the position of the force/pressure sensor(s).
  • the liquid cartridge comprises one or more flexible wall parts, and the sensor(s) is/are positioned for detecting a gravity force or pressure exerted from an outer surface of said one or more flexible wall parts.
  • the bottom wall part of the liquid cartridge holds a flexible wall part facing said at least one sensor positioned between the inner bottom wall surface of the outer shell and the outer bottom wall surface of the liquid cartridge.
  • at least one side wall part of the liquid cartridge holds a flexible wall part facing said at least one sensor positioned between an inner side wall surface of the outer shell and an outer side wall surface of the liquid cartridge.
  • the liquid cartridge has one or more side wall parts, a bottom wall part, a top part attached to the outer shell, and a flexible interconnection part providing a flexible connection between the top part and the side wall parts, and the sensor(s) is/are positioned for detecting a gravity force or pressure exerted from an outer surface of said one or more side and/or bottom wall parts.
  • the top part may be a rigid top part, also the side wall parts may be of a rigid material.
  • the bottom wall part may also be of a rigid material.
  • the one or more force or pressure detecting sensors include one or more piezoresistive strain gauge type sensors and/or one or more force sensing resistor type sensors.
  • the one or more force or pressure detecting sensors may include one or more compression load cells, such a micro-machined piezoresistive strain gauge cell.
  • the liquid cartridge is formed by a least one or more side wall parts, a bottom wall part and a top part, and the side wall parts and the bottom wall part are at least partly made of a plastic material or flexible plastic material.
  • the top part comprises a threaded part for attachment of the liquid cartridge to the outer shell.
  • the flexible interconnection part is made of a flexible plastic material.
  • the electronic cigarette further comprises:
  • control circuitry in electronically communication with the sensor system, said control circuitry being configured for determining the remaining volume of the fluid within the liquid cartridge based at least partly on received force/pressure data detected by the one or more force/pressure detecting sensors.
  • control circuitry is configured for determining the remaining volume of the fluid within the liquid cartridge based at least partly on received force/pressure data detected by at least two force/pressure detecting sensors.
  • control circuitry is configured for combining or summing the received force/pressure data detected by the at least two force/pressure detecting sensors, and for determining the remaining volume of the fluid within the liquid cartridge based at least partly on the resulting combined or summed force/pressure data.
  • control circuitry is configured for determining a maximum value of the received force/pressure data or for determining a maximum value for the combined or summed force/pressure data, and further configured for determining the remaining volume of the fluid within the liquid cartridge based at least partly on said determined maximum value.
  • the control circuitry holds stored information representing minimum and maximum gravity force or pressure values, wherein the minimum value represents the force or pressure exerted by a liquid cartridge holding a minimum fluid volume and the maximum value represents the force or pressure exerted by a liquid cartridge holding a maximum fluid volume; and the control circuitry is configured for determining a remaining volume of the fluid within the liquid cartridge based on received force/pressure data detected by the one or more force/pressure detecting sensors and the stored minimum and maximum force/pressure values. In a possible implementation form of the system of the second aspect, the control circuitry is configured for determining the remaining volume of the fluid within the liquid cartridge based at least partly on the combined or summed force/pressure data and the stored minimum and maximum force/pressure values.
  • control circuitry is configured for determining the remaining volume of the fluid within the liquid cartridge based on said determined maximum value and the stored minimum and maximum force/pressure values.
  • electronic cigarette further comprises a short range wireless communication module in electronically communication with the control circuitry and configured for wireless data communication of a determined remaining fluid volume to an external computer or smartphone.
  • the electronic cigarette further comprises a heating system for heating the fluid to be vaporized, which heating system includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heating system, wherein the heating system is part of the atomizer and the atomizer is arranged for vaporizing the fluid into said mixture when a user puffs on the orifice and heat is delivered from the heating system.
  • the electronic cigarette further comprises a power delivering battery.
  • the electronic cigarette further comprises an airflow sensor for detecting a change in air pressure caused by a user puff; wherein the control circuitry and the airflow sensor are configured for detecting a lowering in air pressure; and wherein the control circuitry is configured for determining the remaining volume of the fluid within the liquid cartridge following a detection of a lowering in air pressure.
  • a fluid containing liquid cartridge which can interact with one or more sensors arranged for providing a measure being a function of the volume of the fluid within the container.
  • a liquid cartridge for holding a consumption fluid for an electronic cigarette said liquid cartridge comprising one or more side wall parts, a bottom wall part, a rigid top part, and a flexible interconnection part providing a flexible connection between the top part and the side wall parts.
  • the top part comprises a threaded part for attachment of the liquid cartridge to an outer shell of an electronic cigarette.
  • the flexible interconnection part is made of a flexible plastic material.
  • the one or more side wall parts and the bottom wall part are at least partly made of a non-flexible or rigid plastic material.
  • Figs. 1 a and 1 b are an exploded view and a bottom view, respectively, of an electronic cigarette according to an example embodiment
  • Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating local communication between an electronic cigarette and a smartphone, and network communication via the smartphone according to an example embodiment
  • Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustration components of an electronic smoking system according to an example embodiment
  • Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a smoking control process according to an example embodiment
  • Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating details of the smoking control process of Fig. 4 according to an example embodiment
  • Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating further details of the smoking control process of Fig. 4 according to an example embodiment
  • Fig. 7 is a timing diagram for a smoking control process according to an example embodiment
  • Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the arrangement of an atomizer according to an example embodiment
  • Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating heating of a tobacco plug according to an example embodiment
  • Fig. 10 shows a liquid cartridge for use in an electronic cigarette according to an example embodiment
  • Fig. 1 1 shows another liquid cartridge for use in an electronic cigarette according to an example embodiment
  • Fig. 12 is a block diagram illustrating the arrangement of an atomizer and a liquid cartridge according to an example embodiment.
  • Figs. 1 a and 1 b are an exploded view and a bottom view, respectively, of a personal inhalation device or electronic cigarette 100 according to an example embodiment.
  • the electronic cigarette 100 has a housing comprising a first outer shell 101 and a second outer shell 104.
  • the electronic cigarette 100 includes: an electronics section with control circuitry, sensors and a battery (see Fig. 3), which may be housed in the first outer shell 101 , an atomizing unit 102 and a liquid cartridge 103, which are housed in the second outer shell 104.
  • the atomizing unit 102 may hold a heating system, such as a heating coil, for heating a liquid to be vaporized when a user takes a puff.
  • the electronics section may be connected to one end of the atomizing unit 102 by means of a screw-on connection, and the liquid cartridge 103 may be connected to the other end of the atomizing unit 102 by an interference fit.
  • the electronic cigarette 100 defines an elongated shape having a length-to-diameter ratio that may be close to the length-to-diameter ratio of a standard cigarette as illustrated in Fig. 1 b.
  • the second outer shell 104 of the housing has an outlet hole or orifice 107 at the end (i.e. a mouth end), where a user can place his lips to breathe in vapor or gas generated by the atomizing unit 102.
  • An inlet hole or orifice 106 may be provided at the opposite end of the housing, i.e. at the end of the first outer shell 101 to allow air to enter the housing when a user draws or puffs on the mouth end holding the orifice 107, thereby drawing air through the housing of the electronic cigarette 100.
  • the liquid cartridge 103 stores a deliverable-containing medium which is atomized in the heated atomizing unit 102, when a user draws or puffs on the mouth, which creates a vapor that is inhaled by the user through the orifice 107.
  • the operation of the electronic cigarette 100 is controlled by the control circuitry contained in the electronics section of the first outer shell 101 , and a user activation contact, such as a push button, 105, which may be positioned at the bottom side of the first outer shell 101 , close to the second outer shell 104.
  • the heating system may be connected to or include a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heating system, and an airflow sensor may be provided as part of the electronic section within the first outer shell 101.
  • the airflow sensor may be activated by a pressure drop across the sensor caused by a user taking a puff, thereby creating a a change in air pressure within the first outer shell 101.
  • the electronic section holds or is connected to one or more sensors for detecting the volume of fluid in the liquid cartridge 103.
  • the electronic cigarette 100 holds one or more force sensors arranged for detecting a weight change of the liquid cartridge 103, which is caused by the
  • the electronic section may also hold a short range wireless communication module, which may be a BlueTooth module, for wireless data communication with an external computer or external user device, such as a smartphone.
  • a short range wireless communication module which may be a BlueTooth module
  • Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating local communication between an electronic cigarette 100 equipped with a BlueTooth module 304, for wireless communication between the electronic cigarette 100 and a user device, such as a smartphone 200.
  • the smartphone may hold an application program, App, 201 , which may be a "Smoke Management Application", and which may store data received from the electronic cigarette 100. Such data may include numbers of detected user puffs, used or remaining liquid in the liquid cartridge 103, and remaining battery charge.
  • the received data may further be communicated from the smartphone to a server 202 via network
  • Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustration components of an electronic smoking system 300 according to an example embodiment.
  • the electronic smoking system 300 comprises an activation contact 301 , a heating system 305 for heating a fluid to be vaporized or for heating a tobacco plug, a temperature sensor 306 for sensing the temperature of the heating system 305, a short range wireless communication module, such as a BlueTooth module, 304 configured for wireless data communication with an external computer or smartphone 200 holding an application program, App, 201 , control circuitry 302 with input-output interface circuitry 303, I/O, a battery 307 and battery charging control circuitry 308.
  • a short range wireless communication module such as a BlueTooth module
  • the control circuitry 302 is in electronically communication with the activation contact or button 301 , the heating system 305 with the temperature sensor 306, the short range wireless communication module 304, and the battery charging control circuitry 308.
  • the battery 307 delivers power to the heating system 305, the control circuitry 302, and short range wireless communication module 304, and the control circuitry 302 controls the operation modes and thereby the power consumption of the temperature system 305 and the wireless communication module 304.
  • the heating system 305 may be part of the atomizing unit 102, which together with the fluid or liquid cartridge 103 are positioned within the second outer shell 104, which holds the vapor outlet hole 107.
  • the activation contact 301 may be a push button 105 positioned at the bottom side of the first outer shell 101 , and the control circuitry 302 with the interface circuitry 302, the battery 307, the battery charge control circuitry 308, and the wireless communication module 304 may all be positioned within the first outer shell 101.
  • the electronic cigarette 100 may be provided with an airflow or pressure sensor 309, which may be part of the electronic smoking system and positioned within the first outer shell 101.
  • the airflow sensor 309 may be activated by a pressure drop across the sensor caused by a user taking a puff, thereby creating a change in air pressure within the first outer shell 101.
  • the electronic cigarette 100 may hold a volume sensor 310 for monitoring the remaining fluid or liquid in the liquid cartridge 103.
  • the volume sensor 310 may be one or more force sensors, such as two force sensors arranged for detecting a weight change of the liquid cartridge 103. The remaining liquid within the cartridge 103 can then be calculated based on the weight output of the force sensors 310.
  • the two force sensors 310 may be arranged within the second outer shell 104 such that a first force sensor contacts an outer bottom part of the liquid cartridge 103 and a second force sensor contacts an outer side part of the liquid cartridge 103 when the liquid cartridge is positioned within the second outer shell 104 and secured to the atomizing unit 102. Electric contacts may be provided between the first and second outer shells 101 , 104 in order for the control circuitry 302 to be in electronic communication with the force sensors 310.
  • the two force sensors may measure the weight of the liquid cartridge 103 including the fluid or liquid within the cartridge 103 by gravity.
  • the first force sensor may be pressurized by the weight of the liquid cartridge 103
  • the second force sensor may be pressurized by the weight of the liquid cartridge 103.
  • both of these sensors are optional for the electronic smoking system 300 of the present disclosure.
  • a smoking control process from system power on to system power off is illustrated in Fig. 4, and the timing of the process is illustrated in Fig. 7.
  • the system 300 is in power off, step 401 , with no battery power being used by the electronic components of the system 300.
  • the user presses the activation contact or button 105, 301 several times, such as three times, quickly in a row in order to power on the system 300, step 402.
  • the control circuitry 302 is powered on and changes mode from a non-powered off mode to a powered mode in which the control circuitry 302 is in a non- active or sleep mode, step 403.
  • the change of mode of the control circuitry 302 also changes the operation mode of the short range wireless communication module 304 from a non-powered mode to a powered non-active mode or sleep mode.
  • the user starts a smoking process by pressing the activation contact or button 105, 301 into an active smoking position and keeping the button 105, 301 in this position, step 404.
  • the operation mode of the control circuitry shifts from the powered non-active mode or sleep mode into an active mode, steps 404 and 405.
  • the active mode of step 405 the electronic smoking system is fully active, and the control circuitry 302 proceeds and monitors the heating system 305, the wireless communication or BlueTooth module 304, collects sensor data, and forward sensor data to the wireless communication or BlueTooth module 304, step 406.
  • the operations performed at step 406 are further described in connection with Figs. 5 and 6.
  • the control circuitry 302 controls the operation mode of the wireless communication or BlueTooth module 304 to be in the powered, non-active sleep mode, before the control circuitry 302 itself turns into the sleep mode.
  • the user may decide that he wants a new smoking session, by pressing the activation contact or button 105, 301 into the active smoking position at time t6 and keeping the button 105, 301 in this position, step 404.
  • the steps 405, 406, 407 and 408 are now repeated, with the user taking a puff between times t7 and t8, and releasing the activation contact or button 105, 301 from the active smoking position into the non-active position at time t9.
  • the user decides that no further smoking puffs will be taken, and from time t10 to time t11 1 , the user presses the activation contact or button 105, 301 several times, such as three times, quickly in a row in order to power off the system 300, steps 409 and 410.
  • Figs. 5 illustrates process operations between the control circuitry 302 and the heating system 305 with heating sensor 306, and between the control circuitry 302 and the wireless communication or BlueTooth module 304.
  • the user starts a smoking process by pressing the activation contact or button 105, 301 into an active smoking position and keeping the button 105, 301 in this position, step 404.
  • the operation mode of the control circuitry shifts from the powered non-active mode or sleep mode into an active mode, steps 405 and 501.
  • the control circuitry 302 activates the heating system 305, step 502, by controlling battery power to be supplied to the heating system 305, while at the same time monitoring the temperature of the heating system 305 by reading the output from the temperature sensor 306.
  • the control circuitry 302 de- activates the heating system 305, step 504, by de-activating the supply of battery power to the heating system 305.
  • the heating system 305 is configured to obtain the maximum temperature within a time period, such as 2-3 seconds, which is less than the duration of a typical user puff, which may be 3-4 seconds.
  • the wireless communication or BlueTooth module 304 is first in the sleep mode, but the control circuitry 302 now controls the operation mode of the wireless communication or BlueTooth module 304 to shift from the powered non- active mode or sleep mode into an active mode, 505, from where the wireless communication or Bluetooth module 304 goes into an active data communication mode, step 506.
  • the wireless communication or Bluetooth module 304 is configured for being in the active data communication mode for a predetermined communication time, which may be no more than or less than 1 second, and lesser than the duration of a typical user puff, which may be 3-4 seconds.
  • the control circuitry 302 controls whether the wireless communication or BlueTooth module is still in a data communication session with an external computer or smartphone, steps 507 and 508, and if not, then the control circuitry 302 control the operation mode of the wireless communication or BlueTooth module 304 to shift from the active mode into the powered non-active mode or sleep mode, step 509. If yes, then the control circuitry 302 control the operation mode of the wireless communication or BlueTooth module 304 to shift from the active mode into the powered non-active mode or sleep mode when the data communication session is ended, step 509.
  • the block diagram of Fig. 5 further illustrates that when in the active mode of step 501 , the control circuitry 302 may communicate with the battery charging control circuitry 308 to determine remaining battery charge, step 510, and the control circuitry 302 may then forward data representing the determined remaining battery charge to the wireless communication or BlueTooth module 304, see step 601 of Fig. 6.
  • the wireless communication or BlueTooth module 304 may then forward the received data to the external computer or smartphone 200, step 505, when both the control circuitry 302 and the wireless communication or BlueTooth module 304 are in the active mode.
  • the system may also include an airflow sensor 309, which detects whenever a user puff is performed by detecting a change in air pressure caused by a user puff.
  • an airflow sensor 309 detects whenever a user puff is performed by detecting a change in air pressure caused by a user puff.
  • the control circuitry 302 when the control circuitry 302 is in the active mode of step 501 , it may activate the airflow sensor 309, and communicate with the airflow sensor 309 to determine if any user puffs are recorded, and the control circuitry 302 may then forward data representing detected user puffs to the wireless communication or BlueTooth module 304, see step 601 of Fig. 6.
  • the wireless communication or BlueTooth module 304 may then forward the received data to the external computer or smartphone 200, step 505, when both the control circuitry 302 and the wireless communication or BlueTooth module 304 are in the active mode.
  • the control circuitry 302 may de-activate the airflow sensor 309, step 603, before the control circuitry 302 shifts to the powered, non-active sleep mode, step 408 of Fig. 4 and step 604 of Fig. 6.
  • the system may also include one or more liquid volume sensors 310 for monitoring the remaining fluid or liquid in the liquid cartridge 103.
  • the control circuitry 302 When the control circuitry 302 is in the active mode of step 501 , it may activate the liquid volume sensor(s) 310, and communicate with the volume sensor(s) 310 to determine the remaining liquid volume of the liquid cartridge 103.
  • the control circuitry 302 may then forward data representing determined remaining liquid volume to the wireless communication or BlueTooth module 304, see step 601 of Fig. 6. Again, the wireless communication or BlueTooth module 304 may then forward the received data to the external computer or smartphone 200, step 505, when both the control circuitry 302 and the wireless communication or BlueTooth module 304 are in the active mode.
  • the control circuitry 302 may de-activate the liquid volume sensor(s) 310, step 603, before the control circuitry 302 shifts to the powered, non-active sleep mode, step 408 of Fig. 4 and step 604 of Fig. 6.
  • the user presses the activation contact or button 105, 301 several times, such as three times, between to to t1 when powering on, or between t10 and t1 1 when powering off.
  • the three times of activation shall be performed within a time limit of 2 seconds in order to change the operation mode of the control circuitry 302. From Fig. 7 it is seen that the time period from to to t1 holds 2,5 activation press periods, and when having the minimum puff time period, which is the minimum period for maintaining the button 105, 301 in the smoking position, set to be longer than one activation press period, this minimum puff time period should be at least 1 second, such as at least 1 ,5 second, or such as at least 2 seconds.
  • the duration of a typical user puff may be in the range of 3-4 seconds, and the predetermined communication time period, after which period the control circuitry 302 controls whether the wireless communication or BlueTooth module 304 is still in a data communication session with an external computer or smartphone, may be set to no more than 1 second, such as no more than 0,8 seconds, such as no more than 0,5 seconds.
  • the heating system may hold a heating coil for heating the liquid to be vaporized, and the temperature sensor may be a thermistor, such as a negative temperature coefficient, NTC, thermistor.
  • the predetermined maximum temperature may be selected within the range of 150 to 350 °C, such as set to 150 °C, such as set to 250 °C or such as set to 350 °C.
  • the battery is a 5 V battery, which will supply a voltage about 5 V to the electronic circuits of the smoking system 300.
  • the battery power supplied to the heating system may be controlled to be either 4, 1 V, 3,6 V or 3 V, depending on the kind of liquid to be vaporized.
  • the control circuitry 302 may be programmed to select the desired heating system voltage and a corresponding maximum heating temperature by several consecutive user activations of the activation contact or button 105, 301 , following the number of user activations of the contact or button 105, 301 used for powering on the electronic smoking system 300 from the non-powered off mode to the powered sleep mode.
  • a number of 4 consecutive user activations of the contact or button 105, 301 may program the control circuitry 302 to set the supply voltage to the heating system to about 3 V and the maximum temperature to about 150 °C; a number of 5 consecutive user activations of the contact or button 105, 301 may program the control circuitry 302 to set the supply voltage to the heating system to about 3,6 V and the maximum temperature to about 250 °C; and a number of 6 consecutive user activations of the contact or button 105, 301 may program the control circuitry 302 to set the supply voltage to the heating system to about 4, 1 V and the maximum temperature to about 350 °C.
  • the 4 consecutive user activations of the contact or button 105, 301 should take no longer than 3 seconds, such as no longer than 2,5 seconds, such as no longer than 2 seconds; the 5 consecutive user activations of the contact or button 105, 301 should take no longer than 3,5 seconds, such as no longer than 3 seconds, such as no longer than 2,5 seconds; and the 6 consecutive user activations of the contact or button 105, 301 should take no longer than 4 seconds, such as no longer than 3,5 seconds, such as no longer than 3 seconds.
  • the liquid being consumed may hold a certain concentration of nicotine, which concentration may vary for different types of liquid.
  • the concentration (which may be in mg/ml) will be known by the user, and the user can then enter the concentration into the application program 201 of the external computer or user device or smartphone 200.
  • the data representing the remaining liquid volume and thereby the consumed liquid volume of liquid from the cartridge 103, which may be forwarded to user device 200, may then be used by the user device 200 to calculate the absolute amount of consumed nicotine.
  • the consumed amount of nicotine can then be read by the user from the user device or smartphone 200.
  • the user may also read the total number of puffs and/or the remaining battery charge from the user device or smartphone 200.
  • the user data to be forwarded to the user device or smartphone 200 may be stored by the control circuitry 302 of the electronic cigarette 100 for a minimum time period of one or several days, such as for example 2 to 5 days, which allows a user to receive the data if connecting the user device or smartphone 200 to the electronic cigarette 100 after one or more smoking sessions.
  • Fig. 8 is a block diagram, which in further detail illustrates the arrangement of the atomizing unit 102 within the electronic cigarette 100 according to an example embodiment.
  • the first outer shell 101 is connected to the second outer shell 104, where the atomizing unit 102 is housed in the second outer shell 104 while being connected to the electronic section, which is housed by the first outer shell 101.
  • the liquid cartridge 103 is connected to the atomizing unit 102, which in one end holds a wick 1 10, which may suck the liquid from the cartridge 103, and in the other end holds the heating system 305, which in this case is a heating coil.
  • the temperature sensor 306 of the heating system is not shown in Fig. 8.
  • Electric connections are provided between the heating system 305 and the electronic control circuitry 302 and 303 within the first outer shell 101.
  • the second outer shell 104 has an air outlet orifice 107a at the mouth end, and the atomizing unit 102 has an air inlet orifice 107b for inlet of air.
  • An airflow sensor 309 is arranged in the first outer shell 101 and may face the air inlet orifice 107b of the atomizing unit 102.
  • One or more air passages 107c are provided within the first outer shell 101 between the airflow sensor 309 and the air inlet orifice 106 (not shown in Fig. 8) of the first outer shell 101.
  • the vaporized mixture of air and liquid or fluid is the passed through a number of small air passages (not shown) in the atomizing unit 102, along the sides of the cartridge 103, through the air outlet orifice 107a, and into the mouth of the user.
  • the flow or air, when a user takes a puff, is illustrated by the arrows in Fig. 8
  • Two volume sensors 310a and 310b may be arranged within the second outer shell 104.
  • the volume sensors may be a first force sensor 310a and a second force sensor 310b, where the first force sensor 310a contacts an outer bottom part of the liquid cartridge 103 and the second force sensor 310b contacts an outer side part of the liquid cartridge 103.
  • Electric contacts (not shown) may be provided between the first and second outer shells 101 , 104 in order for the control circuitry 302, 303 to be in electronic communication with the force sensors 310a, 310b.
  • Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating heating of a tobacco plug 903 according to an example embodiment.
  • An electronic smoking system similar to the system 300 of Fig. 3, but without the airflow sensor 309 and the volume sensor 310, may be arranged within a housing 901.
  • a heat transfer element 902 is arranged at one end of the housing and holding a heating system 905, which may be equivalent to the heating system 305 of Fig. 3, which heating system 905 may also hold a temperature sensor (not shown).
  • the heat transfer element 902 is configured for being attached to a tobacco plug, which may be of the kind used for "Heat-not-burn" cigarettes.
  • the predetermined maximum temperature may be selected within the range of 150 to 350 °C, such as set to 150 °C, such as set to 250 °C or such as set to 350 °C.
  • Fig. 10 shows a liquid cartridge 1003 for use in an electronic cigarette according to an example embodiment.
  • the liquid cartridge 1003 is formed by a cylindrical side wall 1003a, a bottom wall 1003b, and a top part 1003c.
  • the side wall 1003a and the bottom wall 1003b may both be made of a flexible material, such as a flexible plastic material, while the top part 1003c may be made of a substantially rigid material, such as a rigid plastic material.
  • the top part 1003 may hold a threaded part for attachment of the liquid cartridge to the outer shell 101 , 104, of an electronic cigarette.
  • the threaded part may be inwards threaded in order to fit an outwards threaded part of the outer shell 101 , 104.
  • Fig. 1 1 shows another liquid cartridge 1 103 for use in an electronic cigarette according to an example embodiment.
  • the liquid cartridge 1103 is formed by a cylindrical side wall 1 103a, a bottom wall 1 103b, a top part 1 103c, and a flexible interconnecting part 1 103d.
  • the interconnecting part 1 103d provides a flexible interconnection between the top part 1 103c and the side wall 1103a.
  • the side wall 1 103a and the bottom wall 1103b may both be made of a flexible or rigid material, such as a flexible or rigid plastic material, while the top part 1 103c may be made of a substantially rigid material, such as a rigid plastic material. It is within a preferred embodiment that the side wall 1 103a and the bottom wall 1 103b are both made of a rigid material, such as a rigid plastic material.
  • the top part 1 103 may hold a threaded part for attachment of the liquid cartridge to the outer shell 101 , 104, of an electronic cigarette.
  • the threaded part may be inwards threaded in order to fit an outwards threaded part of the outer shell 101 , 104.
  • the use of the flexible interconnection part 1 103d allows the side and bottom walls 1 103a and 1 103b to change position relative to the top part 1 103c, where the change in position may vary as a function of the fluid volume within the cartridge 1 103, which may cause a changing gravity force exerted by the cartridge 1 103 when being in touch with force or pressure sensors 310a, 310b, 310c, see Fig. 12.
  • Fig. 12 is a block diagram illustrating the arrangement of an atomizer or atomizing unit 102 and the liquid cartridge 1003 within the electronic cigarette 100 according to an example embodiment.
  • the electronic cigarette 100 and the atomizer 102 is similar to the components described in connection with Fig. 8.
  • the electronic cigarette 100 has the first outer shell 101 connected to the second outer shell 104, where the atomizing unit 102 is housed in the second outer shell 104 while being fixedly connected to the first outer shell 101 by fastenings elements 108, which may be inwards threaded with the atomizing unit having an outwards threaded part for connecting to the elements 108.
  • the atomizing unit is also electronically connected to the electronic section, which is housed by the first outer shell 101.
  • the top part 1003c of the liquid cartridge 1003 is fixedly connected to the first outer shell 101 by fastenings elements 109, which may be outwards threaded with the top part 1003c being inwards threaded for connecting to the elements 109.
  • the elements 108 and 109 are positioned and configured to hold the liquid cartridge 1003 in a desired position relative to the atomizing unit 102. It is noted that the cartridge 1003 is detachably secured to the first outer shell 101 , allowing an easy refill of the liquid cartridge 1003, when the fluid volume gets too low.
  • the first outer shell 101 is connected to the second outer shell 104, which may be by use of a push fitting or snap fitting.
  • a number of force or pressure sensors 310a, 310b, 310c are arranged within the second outer shell 104 and positioned in order to contact outer wall surfaces of the liquid cartridge 1003, when the liquid cartridge 1003 is brought into position inside the second outer shell 1004 by the first outer shell 101 being connected to the second outer shell 104.
  • the walls 1003a and 1003b may be deformed as a function of the fluid volume within the cartridge 1003, which may cause a changing gravity force exerted by the cartridge 1003 when being in touch with the force or pressure sensors 310a, 310b, 310c.
  • Fig. 12 shows the arrangement of the liquid cartridge 1003 of Fig. 10 into the electronic cigarette 100.
  • the present disclosure also covers embodiments in which the liquid cartridge 1 103 of Fig. 1 1 is taking place of the cartridge 1003 in the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 12.
  • the use of the flexible interconnection part 1 103d allows the side and bottom walls 1 103a and 1 103b to change position relative to the top part 1 103c, where the change in position may vary as a function of the fluid volume within the cartridge 1 103, which may cause a changing gravity force exerted by the cartridge 1 103 on the force or pressure sensors 310a, 310b, 310c.
  • a force or pressure sensors 310a, 310b, 310c which are arranged within the inner side wall surface of the second outer shell 104, where sensors 310b and 310c are contacted by the outer wall surface of the side wall 1003a, and sensor 310a are contacted by the bottom wall 1003b. It is also within embodiments of the present disclosure that only one force or pressure sensor is used, which could be a single sensor 310a arranged to contact the bottom wall 1003b, or a single sensor 310b or 310c arranged to contact the side wall 1003a.
  • two force or pressure sensors are used, which could be a single sensor 310a arranged to contact the bottom wall 1003b, and a single sensor 310b or 310c arranged to contact the side wall 1003a, or it could be two sensors 310b and 310c arranged to contact the side wall 1003a with no sensor 310a in contact with the bottom wall.
  • Electric contacts are provided between the first and second outer shells 101 , 104 in order for control circuitry 302, 303 (see Fig. 3) within the first outer shell to be in electronic communication with the force or pressure sensors 310a, 310b, 310c.
  • the force or pressure detecting sensors 310a, 310b, 310c may be piezoresistive strain gauge type sensors, such as compression load cells, which may be micro-machined piezoresistive strain gauge cell. It is also within embodiments that the force or pressure detecting sensors 310a, 310b, 310c are force sensing resistor type sensors.
  • the second outer shell 104 has an air outlet orifice 107a at the mouth end, and the atomizing unit 102 has an air inlet orifice 107b for inlet of air.
  • An airflow sensor 309 may be arranged in the first outer shell 101 and may face the air inlet orifice 107b of the atomizing unit 102.
  • One or more air passages 107c are provided within the first outer shell 101 between the airflow sensor 309 and the air inlet orifice 106 (not shown in Fig. 8) of the first outer shell 101.
  • the control circuitry 302, 303 may be configured for determining the remaining volume of the fluid within the liquid cartridge based at least partly on received force/pressure data detected by the force/pressure detecting sensors 310a, 301 b, 310c.
  • the control circuitry may be configured for combining or summing the detected and received force/pressure data, and for determining the remaining volume of the fluid within the liquid cartridge 1003, 1 103 based at least partly on the resulting combined or summed force/pressure data.
  • the gravity force of pressure detected by the sensors 310a, 310b, 310c varies as a function of the vertical/horizontal position of the liquid cartridge 1003, 1103 and thereby with the position of the electronic cigarette 100.
  • the electronic cigarette 100 and cartridge 1003, 1 103 are held in a vertical position, there is a maximum pressure on the sensor 310a being in contact with the bottom wall 1003b, 1 103b, while when the electronic cigarette 100 and cartridge 1003, 1103 are held in a horizontal position, there is a maximum pressure on the sensor 310b being in contact with the side wall 1003a, 1 103a.
  • control circuitry 302, 303 may be configured for determining a maximum value of the received force/pressure data or for determining a maximum value for the combined or summed force/pressure data, and further configured for determining the remaining volume of the fluid within the liquid cartridge based at least partly on said determined maximum value.
  • the control circuitry 302, 303 may be necessary to have a measure for the minimum and maximum gravity force or pressure values, wherein the minimum value represents the force or pressure exerted by a liquid cartridge 1003, 1 103 holding a minimum fluid volume or being empty, and the maximum value represents the force or pressure exerted by a liquid cartridge 1003, 1 103 holding a maximum fluid volume.
  • control circuitry 302, 303 may hold stored information representing such minimum and maximum gravity force or pressure values, and the control circuitry 302, 303 may be configured for determining a remaining volume of the fluid within the liquid cartridge 1003, 1 103 based on received force/pressure data detected by the one or more force/pressure detecting sensors 301 , 301 b, 301 c and the stored minimum and maximum force/pressure values.
  • the control circuitry 302, 303 may be configured for determining the remaining volume of the fluid within the liquid cartridge 1003, 1 103 based at least partly on the combined or summed force/pressure data and the stored minimum and maximum force/pressure values.
  • the control circuitry 302, 303 may also or alternatively be configured for determining the remaining volume of the fluid within the liquid cartridge 1003, 1103 based on the determined maximum value and the stored minimum and maximum force/pressure values. It is within embodiments of the disclosure that the electronic cigarette 100 comprises a short range wireless communication module 304 (see Fig. 3) in electronically communication with the control circuitry 302, 303 and configured for wireless data communication of a determined remaining fluid volume to an external computer or smartphone 200 (see Fig. 3).
  • the airflow sensor 309 may be configured for detecting a change in air pressure caused by a user puff, and the control circuitry 302, 303 and the airflow sensor 309 may be configured for detecting a lowering in air pressure, which may be caused by a user taking no more puffs.
  • the control circuitry 302, 303 may be configured for determining the remaining volume of the fluid within the liquid cartridge 1003, 1103 following a detection of a lowering in air pressure.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Anesthesiology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • Telephone Function (AREA)

Abstract

Système à fumer électronique (300), lequel système à fumer comprend une cigarette électronique (100) ayant une enveloppe extérieure (101) ayant un orifice (106, 107), l'enveloppe extérieure (101) comprenant une cartouche de liquide (103) contenant un fluide à vaporiser en un mélange vaporisé d'air et de fluide vaporisé, un atomiseur (102) pour vaporiser le fluide, et un système de capteur avec un ou plusieurs capteurs (306, 309, 310) conçus pour détecter une force ou pression exercée par une surface de paroi extérieure de la cartouche de liquide (103) sur le(s) capteur(s) (310). La force ou pression détectée peut être utilisée comme mesure pour le volume de fluide de la cartouche de liquide (103). Une cartouche de liquide (103) destinée à contenir un fluide de consommation d'une cigarette électronique (100) est fournie. L'invention concerne également un procédé et un système de commande de la consommation d'énergie pendant une session à fumer effectuée à l'aide d'un système à fumer électronique (300).
PCT/DK2018/050152 2017-07-27 2018-06-21 Système à fumer électronique WO2019020151A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18839366.4A EP3657968A4 (fr) 2017-07-27 2018-06-21 Système à fumer électronique
JP2020504221A JP2020528751A (ja) 2017-07-27 2018-06-21 電子喫煙システム
KR1020207003630A KR20200037790A (ko) 2017-07-27 2018-06-21 전자 흡연 시스템
CN201880049652.0A CN110996695A (zh) 2017-07-27 2018-06-21 电子吸烟系统
AU2018305652A AU2018305652A1 (en) 2017-07-27 2018-06-21 Electronic smoking system
CA3070106A CA3070106A1 (fr) 2017-07-27 2018-06-21 Systeme a fumer electronique
US16/633,939 US20200237004A1 (en) 2017-07-27 2018-06-21 Electronic smoking system

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DKPA201770591 2017-07-27
DKPA201770591A DK179373B1 (en) 2017-07-27 2017-07-27 Electronic smoking system and method for controlling power consumption of an electronic smoking system
DKPA201770957A DK179681B1 (en) 2017-07-27 2017-12-19 ELECTRONIC SMOKING SYSTEM
DKPA201770957 2017-12-19

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WO2019020151A1 true WO2019020151A1 (fr) 2019-01-31

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CN112401296A (zh) * 2019-08-30 2021-02-26 湖北中烟工业有限责任公司 一种烟弹及具有该烟弹的电子烟
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EP3864977A1 (fr) * 2020-02-14 2021-08-18 Nerudia Limited Système de substitution du tabac
CN114223956A (zh) * 2021-12-30 2022-03-25 西安稳先半导体科技有限责任公司 一种烟弹及电子烟
EP4094598A4 (fr) * 2020-01-21 2023-11-01 Japan Tobacco Inc. Cartouche et unité d'alimentation pour dispositif de génération d'aérosol, et procédé de détermination de type de cartouche

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