WO2020205811A1 - Dispositifs de vaporisateur avec capteurs intégrés - Google Patents

Dispositifs de vaporisateur avec capteurs intégrés Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020205811A1
WO2020205811A1 PCT/US2020/025853 US2020025853W WO2020205811A1 WO 2020205811 A1 WO2020205811 A1 WO 2020205811A1 US 2020025853 W US2020025853 W US 2020025853W WO 2020205811 A1 WO2020205811 A1 WO 2020205811A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vapor
heating element
air quality
quality parameter
vaporizer
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2020/025853
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ariel ATKINS
Nikhil Bhat
Steven Christensen
Joseph R. FISHER, Jr.
Nicholas J. HATTON
Vittal KADAPAKKAM
Andrew L. MURPHY
James W. PACE
Bryan White
Original Assignee
Juul Labs, Inc.
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 Juul Labs, Inc. filed Critical Juul Labs, Inc.
Publication of WO2020205811A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020205811A1/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
    • 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
    • A24F40/60—Devices with integrated user interfaces
    • 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. Wi-Fi

Definitions

  • the subject matter described herein relates to vaporizer devices, and more particularly, to vaporizer devices and accessories having integrated sensors.
  • Vaporizer devices which can also be referred to as vaporizers, electronic vaporizer devices, or e-vaporizer devices, can be used for delivery of an aerosol (for example, a vapor-phase and/or condensed-phase material suspended in a stationary or moving mass of air or some other gas carrier) containing one or more active ingredients by inhalation of the aerosol by a user of the vaporizing device.
  • an aerosol for example, a vapor-phase and/or condensed-phase material suspended in a stationary or moving mass of air or some other gas carrier
  • an aerosol for example, a vapor-phase and/or condensed-phase material suspended in a stationary or moving mass of air or some other gas carrier
  • an aerosol for example, a vapor-phase and/or condensed-phase material suspended in a stationary or moving mass of air or some other gas carrier
  • active ingredients by inhalation of the aerosol by a user of the vaporizing device.
  • ETS electronic nicotine delivery systems
  • Vaporizers
  • a vaporizer device In use of a vaporizer device, the user inhales an aerosol, colloquially referred to as“vapor,” which can be generated by a heating element that vaporizes (e.g., causing a liquid or solid to at least partially transition to the gas phase) a vaporizable material, which can be liquid, a solution, a solid, a paste, a wax, and/or any other form compatible for use with a specific vaporizer device.
  • a heating element that vaporizes (e.g., causing a liquid or solid to at least partially transition to the gas phase) a vaporizable material, which can be liquid, a solution, a solid, a paste, a wax, and/or any other form compatible for use with a specific vaporizer device.
  • the vaporizable material used with a vaporizer can be provided within a cartridge (e.g., a separable part of the vaporizer device that contains vaporizable material) that includes an outlet (e.g., a mouthpiece) for inhalation of the aerosol by a user.
  • a cartridge e.g., a separable part of the vaporizer device that contains vaporizable material
  • an outlet e.g., a mouthpiece
  • a user may, in certain examples, activate the vaporizer device by taking a puff, by pressing a button, and/or by some other approach.
  • a puff as used herein can refer to inhalation by the user in a manner that causes a volume of air to be drawn into the vaporizer device such that the inhalable aerosol is generated by a combination of the vaporized vaporizable material with the volume of air.
  • a vaporizer device generates an inhalable aerosol from a vaporizable material involves heating the vaporizable material in a vaporization chamber (e.g., a heater chamber) to cause the vaporizable material to be converted to the gas (or vapor) phase.
  • a vaporization chamber can refer to an area or volume in the vaporizer device within which a heat source (e.g., a conductive, convective, and/or radiative heat source) causes heating of a vaporizable material to produce a mixture of air and vaporized vaporizable material to form a vapor for inhalation of the vaporizable material by a user of the vaporization device.
  • a heat source e.g., a conductive, convective, and/or radiative heat source
  • a vaporizer device may generate an inhalable aerosol from a vaporizable material using a heating element.
  • the heating element may heat the vaporizable material to a temperature that causes the release (or generation) of certain undesirable materials, such as gases or other substances, including formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and/or the like.
  • gases or other substances including formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and/or the like.
  • undesirable materials may become entrained in the air and/or mixed with the vaporized vaporizable material in the airflow path as the air passes over the heating element, and to an air outlet (e.g., in a mouthpiece for inhalation by the user).
  • Such undesirable materials may cause harm to the user when the user takes a puff on the vaporizer device.
  • a vaporizer device and/or a vaporizer cartridge including a sensor (e.g., an integrated gas sensor).
  • the sensor may detect the generation of an undesirable material (or a particular concentration of the generated undesirable material).
  • the vaporizer device may limit vapor production when the sensor detects the generation of an undesirable material.
  • the vaporizer device may alert the user when the sensor detects the generation of an undesirable material.
  • a vaporizer device includes a heating element configured to heat a vaporizable material to form a vapor, an outlet configured to deliver the vapor to a user for inhalation, one or more sensors configured to detect one or more air quality parameter levels of the vapor, and one or more controllers.
  • the vaporizable material may be contained in a reservoir, within a removable cartridge.
  • the one or more gas sensors are positioned along an airflow path between the heating element and the outlet.
  • the one or more controllers are configured to determine whether the one or more air quality parameter levels exceed one or more threshold levels, and limit, in response to determining that the one or more air quality parameter levels exceed the one or more threshold levels, formation of the vapor.
  • the one or more controllers are further configured to determine whether the user is puffing on the outlet and/or provide, in response to determining that the user is puffing on the outlet, power to the heating element to heat the vaporizable material.
  • limiting the formation of the vapor includes preventing delivery of power to the heating element regardless of whether a cartridge comprising the vaporizable material is replaced with another cartridge, preventing delivery of power to the heating element for a specified period of time, preventing delivery of power to the heating element until the one or more air quality parameter levels do not exceed the one or more threshold levels, and/or reducing the power provided to the heating element.
  • the one or more air quality parameter levels can include a level of carbon monoxide in the vapor and/or the one or more threshold levels can include a level of carbon monoxide indicative of a temperature of the heating element being too high.
  • the vaporizer device includes a cartridge including the vaporizable material and a wick configured to deliver the vaporizable material to the heating element. Limiting the formation of the vapor can include preventing delivery of power to the heating element until the cartridge is replaced with another cartridge.
  • the one or more controllers can be configured to limit the formation of the vapor until the cartridge is replaced with another cartridge.
  • the one or more air quality parameter levels can include a level of formaldehyde in the vapor and/or the one or more threshold levels can include a level of formaldehyde indicative of the wick being dry.
  • the one or more controllers are further configured to provide an indication in response to determining that the one or more air quality parameter levels exceed the one or more threshold levels.
  • the indication can include illuminating at least one light emitting diode according to a light pattern, emitting a sound, and/or producing a vibration.
  • the indication can indicate that the user should not inhale the vapor, that the user should replace a cartridge of the vaporizer device, that one or more components of the vaporizer device are malfunctioning, and/or that one or more of the components are not properly connected.
  • the one or more sensors include an integrated microelectromechanical systems gas sensor, a combustible gas sensor, a photoionization detector, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an electrochemical gas sensor, and/or a semiconductor sensor.
  • the one or more air quality parameter levels include a concentration of gas or other substance in the vapor, a temperature of the vapor, and/or a density of the vapor.
  • determining whether the one or more air quality parameter levels exceed the one or more threshold levels includes continuously monitoring signals from the one or more sensors or periodically monitoring signals from the one or more sensors.
  • the vaporizer device also includes a removable cover that includes the one or more sensors.
  • the vaporizer device also includes a device body including the controller, and the removable cover is attached to the device body by a snap fit, a friction fit, latches, and/or magnets.
  • the vaporizer device also includes a mouthpiece including the outlet, and the removable cover includes a film of material applied to the mouthpiece.
  • a method includes detecting, by one or more sensors, one or more air quality parameter levels of a vapor formed from a heating element heating a vaporizable material, determining whether the one or more air quality parameter levels exceed one or more threshold levels, and/or limiting, in response to determining that the one or more air quality parameter levels exceed the one or more threshold levels, formation of the vapor.
  • the one or more gas sensors can be positioned along an airflow path between the heating element and an outlet configured to deliver the vapor to a user for inhalation.
  • the method further includes determining whether the user is puffing on the outlet and/or providing, in response to determining that the user is puffing on the outlet, power to the heating element to heat the vaporizable material.
  • limiting the formation of the vapor includes preventing delivery of power to the heating element regardless of whether a cartridge comprising the vaporizable material is replaced with another cartridge, preventing delivery of power to the heating element for a specified period of time, preventing delivery of power to the heating element until the one or more air quality parameter levels do not exceed the one or more threshold levels, and/or reducing the power provided to the heating element.
  • the one or more air quality parameter levels can include a level of carbon monoxide in the vapor and/or the one or more threshold levels can include a level of carbon monoxide indicative of a temperature of the heating element being too high.
  • the method can include limiting the formation of the vapor until a cartridge, comprising the vaporizable material and a wick configured to deliver the vaporizable material to the heating element, is replaced with another cartridge.
  • the one or more air quality parameter levels can include a level of formaldehyde in the vapor and/or the one or more threshold levels can include a level of formaldehyde indicative of the wick being dry.
  • the method further includes providing an indication in response to determining that the one or more air quality parameter levels exceed the one or more threshold levels.
  • the indication can include illuminating at least one light emitting diode according to a light pattern, emitting a sound, and/or producing a vibration.
  • the indication can indicate that the user should not inhale the vapor, that the user should replace a cartridge of the vaporizer device, that one or more components of the vaporizer device are malfunctioning, and/or that one or more of the components are not properly connected.
  • the one or more sensors include an integrated microelectromechanical systems gas sensor, a combustible gas sensor, a photoionization detector, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an electrochemical gas sensor, and/or a semiconductor sensor.
  • the one or more air quality parameter levels include a concentration of gas or other substance in the vapor, a temperature of the vapor, and/or a density of the vapor.
  • determining whether the one or more air quality parameter levels exceed the one or more threshold levels includes continuously monitoring signals from the one or more sensors or periodically monitoring signals from the one or more sensors.
  • a non-transitory computer program product stores instructions which, when executed by at least one data processor, causes operations including detecting, by one or more sensors, one or more air quality parameter levels of a vapor formed from a heating element heating a vaporizable material, determining whether the one or more air quality parameter levels exceed one or more threshold levels, and/or limiting, in response to determining that the one or more air quality parameter levels exceed the one or more threshold levels, formation of the vapor.
  • the one or more gas sensors can be positioned along an airflow path between the heating element and an outlet configured to deliver the vapor to a user for inhalation.
  • the operations further include determining whether the user is puffing on the outlet and/or providing, in response to determining that the user is puffing on the outlet, power to the heating element to heat the vaporizable material.
  • limiting the formation of the vapor includes preventing delivery of power to the heating element regardless of whether a cartridge comprising the vaporizable material is replaced with another cartridge, preventing delivery of power to the heating element for a specified period of time, preventing delivery of power to the heating element until the one or more air quality parameter levels do not exceed the one or more threshold levels, and/or reducing the power provided to the heating element.
  • the one or more air quality parameter levels can include a level of carbon monoxide in the vapor and/or the one or more threshold levels can include a level of carbon monoxide indicative of a temperature of the heating element being too high.
  • the operations further include.
  • the one or more air quality parameter levels can include a level of formaldehyde in the vapor and/or the one or more threshold levels can include a level of formaldehyde indicative of the wick being dry.
  • the operations further include providing an indication in response to determining that the one or more air quality parameter levels exceed the one or more threshold levels.
  • the indication can include illuminating at least one light emitting diode according to a light pattern, emitting a sound, and/or producing a vibration.
  • the indication can indicate that the user should not inhale the vapor, that the user should replace a cartridge of the vaporizer device, that one or more components of the vaporizer device are malfunctioning, and/or that one or more of the components are not properly connected.
  • the one or more sensors include an integrated microelectromechanical systems gas sensor, a combustible gas sensor, a photoionization detector, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an electrochemical gas sensor, and/or a semiconductor sensor.
  • the one or more air quality parameter levels include a concentration of gas or other substance in the vapor, a temperature of the vapor, and/or a density of the vapor.
  • determining whether the one or more air quality parameter levels exceed the one or more threshold levels includes continuously monitoring signals from the one or more sensors or periodically monitoring signals from the one or more sensors.
  • FIG. 1A depicts a block diagram illustrating an example of a vaporizer device consistent with implementations of the current subject matter
  • FIG. IB depicts a top view of an example of a vaporizer device consistent with implementations of the current subject matter
  • FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram illustrating an example of an airflow path in a vaporizer device having a sensor consistent with implementations of the current subject matter
  • FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of an example of a vaporizer device having a sensor consistent with implementations of the current subject matter
  • FIG. 4 depicts an example vaporizer device having a sensor, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter
  • FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for limiting vapor production, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter.
  • FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for alerting a user of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter.
  • Implementations of the current subj ect matter include methods, apparatuses, articles of manufacture, and systems relating to vaporization of one or more materials for inhalation by a user.
  • Example implementations include vaporizer devices and systems including vaporizer devices.
  • the term“vaporizer device” as used in the following description and claims refers to any of a self-contained apparatus, an apparatus that includes two or more separable parts (for example, a vaporizer body that includes a battery and other hardware, and a cartridge that includes a vaporizable material), and/or the like.
  • A“vaporizer system,” as used herein, can include one or more components, such as a vaporizer device.
  • vaporizer devices consistent with implementations of the current subject matter include electronic vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), and/or the like.
  • Such vaporizers are generally portable, hand held devices that heat (such as by convection, conduction, radiation, and/or some combination thereof) a vaporizable material to provide an inhalable dose of the material.
  • the vaporizable material used with a vaporizer device can be provided within a cartridge (e.g., a separable part of the vaporizer that contains the vaporizable material in a reservoir or other container and that can be refillable when empty, or disposable in favor of a new cartridge containing additional vaporizable material of a same or different type).
  • a vaporizer device can be a cartridge-using vaporizer device, a cartridge-less vaporizer device, or a multi-use vaporizer device capable of use with or without a cartridge.
  • a vaporizer device can include a heating chamber (e.g., an oven or other region in which material is heated by a heating element) configured to receive a vaporizable material directly in the heating chamber and also to receive a cartridge or other replaceable device having a reservoir, a volume, or the like for at least partially containing a usable amount of vaporizable material.
  • a vaporizer device can be configured for use with a liquid vaporizable material (e.g., a carrier solution in which an active and/or inactive ingredient(s) are suspended or held in solution, or a liquid form of the vaporizable material itself), a paste, a wax, and/or a solid vaporizable material.
  • a liquid vaporizable material e.g., a carrier solution in which an active and/or inactive ingredient(s) are suspended or held in solution, or a liquid form of the vaporizable material itself
  • a paste e.g., a wax, and/or a solid vaporizable material.
  • a solid vaporizable material can include a plant material that emits some part of the plant material as the vaporizable material (e.g., such that some part of the plant material remains as waste after the vaporizable material is vaporized for inhalation by a user) or optionally can be a solid form of the vaporizable material itself (e.g., a “wax”) such that all of the solid material can eventually be vaporized for inhalation.
  • a liquid vaporizable material can likewise be capable of being completely vaporized or can include some part of the liquid material that remains after all of the material suitable for inhalation has been vaporized.
  • a vaporizer device 100 can include a power source 112 (such as a battery, which can be a rechargeable battery), and a controller 104 (e.g., a processor, circuitry, and/or the like, capable of executing logic) for controlling delivery of heat to an atomizer 141 to cause a vaporizable material 102 to be converted from a condensed form (e.g., a solid, a liquid, a solution, a suspension, a part of an at least partially unprocessed plant material, etc.) to the gas phase.
  • the controller 104 can be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with certain implementations of the current subj ect matter.
  • At least some of the gas-phase vaporizable material can condense to form particulate matter in at least a partial local equilibrium with the gas phase as part of an aerosol, which can form some or all of an inhalable dose provided by the vaporizer device 100 for a given puff on the vaporizer device 100.
  • the interplay between gas and condensed phases in an aerosol generated by a vaporizer device 100 can be complex and dynamic, due to factors such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, chemistry, flow conditions in airflow paths (both inside the vaporizer and in the airways of a human or other animal), mixing of the gas-phase or aerosol- phase vaporizable material with other air streams, etc. which can affect one or more physical parameters of an aerosol.
  • the inhalable dose can exist predominantly in the gas phase (e.g., formation of condensed phase particles can be very limited).
  • the atomizer 141 in the vaporizer device 100 can be configured to vaporize a vaporizable material 102.
  • the vaporizable material 102 can be a liquid. Examples of the vaporizable material 102 include neat liquids, suspensions, solutions, mixtures, and/or the like.
  • the atomizer 141 can include a wicking element (e.g., a wick, not shown in FIG. 1 A) configured to convey an amount of the vaporizable material 102 to a part of the atomizer 141 that includes a heating element (not shown in FIG. 1 A).
  • the wicking element can be configured to draw the vaporizable material 102 from a reservoir 140 configured to contain (and that may in use contain) the vaporizable material 102, such that the vaporizable material 102 can be vaporized by heat delivered from a heating element.
  • the wicking element can also optionally allow air to enter the reservoir 140 and replace the volume of vaporizable material 102 removed.
  • capillary action can pull vaporizable material 102 into the wick for vaporization by the heating element, and air can return to the reservoir 140 through the wick to at least partially equalize pressure in the reservoir 140.
  • Other approaches to allowing air back into the reservoir 140 to equalize pressure are also within the scope of the current subject matter.
  • the terms“wick” or“wicking element” include any material capable of causing fluid motion via capillary pressure.
  • the heating element can be or include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiative heater, and/or a convective heater.
  • a resistive heating element which can be constructed of or at least include a material (e.g., a metal or alloy, for example a nickel-chromium alloy, or a non-metallic resistor) configured to dissipate electrical power in the form of heat when electrical current is passed through one or more resistive segments of the heating element.
  • the atomizer 141 can include a heating element that includes a resistive coil or other heating element wrapped around, positioned within, integrated into a bulk shape of, pressed into thermal contact with, or otherwise arranged to deliver heat to a wicking element, to cause the vaporizable material 102 drawn by the wicking element from a reservoir 140 to be vaporized for subsequent inhalation by a user in a gas and/or a condensed (e.g., aerosol particles or droplets) phase.
  • wicking elements, heating elements, and/or atomizer assembly configurations are also possible.
  • Certain vaporizer devices may, additionally or alternatively, be configured to create an inhalable dose of gas-phase and/or aerosol-phase vaporizable material 102 via heating of the vaporizable material 102.
  • the vaporizable material 102 can be a solid-phase material (such as a wax or the like) or plant material (e.g., tobacco leaves and/or parts of tobacco leaves) containing the vaporizable material.
  • a resistive heating element can be part of, or otherwise incorporated into or in thermal contact with, the walls of an oven or other heating chamber into which the vaporizable material 102 is placed.
  • a resistive heating element or elements can be used to heat air passing through or past the vaporizable material 102, to cause convective heating of the vaporizable material 102.
  • a resistive heating element or elements can be disposed in intimate contact with plant material such that direct conductive heating of the plant material occurs from within a mass of the plant material, as opposed to only by conduction inward from walls of an oven.
  • the heating element can be activated in association with a user puffing (e.g., drawing, inhaling, etc.) on a mouthpiece 130 of the vaporizer device 100 to cause air to flow from an air inlet, along an airflow path that passes the atomizer 141 (e.g., wicking element and heating element).
  • air can flow from the atomizer 141 through one or more condensation areas or chambers, to an air outlet in the mouthpiece 130.
  • Incoming air moving along the airflow path moves over or through the atomizer 141, where vaporizable material 102 in the gas phase is entrained into the air.
  • the heating element can be activated via the controller 104, which can optionally be a part of a vaporizer body 110 as discussed herein, causing current to pass from the power source 112 through a circuit including the resistive heating element, which is optionally part of a vaporizer cartridge 120 as discussed herein.
  • the entrained vaporizable material 102 in the gas phase can condense as it passes through the remainder of the airflow path such that an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material 102 in an aerosol form can be delivered from the air outlet (e.g., in a mouthpiece 130) for inhalation by a user.
  • Activation of the heating element can be caused by automatic detection of a puff based on one or more signals generated by one or more sensors 113, such as for example a pressure sensor or sensors disposed to detect pressure along the airflow path relative to ambient pressure (or optionally to measure changes in absolute pressure), a motion sensor or sensors (for example, an accelerometer) of the vaporizer device 100, a flow sensor or sensors of the vaporizer device 100, a capacitive lip sensor of the vaporizer device 100, detection of interaction of a user with the vaporizer device 100 via one or more input devices 116 (e.g., buttons or other tactile control devices of the vaporizer device 100), receipt of signals from a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device 100, and/or via other approaches for determining that a puff is occurring or imminent.
  • sensors 113 such as for example a pressure sensor or sensors disposed to detect pressure along the airflow path relative to ambient pressure (or optionally to measure changes in absolute pressure), a motion sensor or sensors (for example, an accelerometer) of the
  • the vaporizer device 100 can be configured to connect (e.g., wirelessly or via a wired connection) to a computing device (or optionally to two or more computing devices) in communication with the vaporizer device 100.
  • the controller 104 can include communication hardware 105.
  • the controller 104 can also include a memory 108.
  • a computing device can be a component of a vaporizer system that also includes the vaporizer device 100, and can include its own hardware for communication, which can establish a wireless communication channel with the communication hardware 105 of the vaporizer device 100.
  • a computing device used as part of a vaporizer system can include a general-purpose computing device (such as a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, some other portable device such as a smartwatch, or the like) that executes software to produce a user interface for enabling a user to interact with the vaporizer device 100.
  • a device used as part of a vaporizer system can be a dedicated piece of hardware such as a remote control or other wireless or wired device having one or more physical or soft (i.e., configurable on a screen or other display device and selectable via user interaction with a touch- sensitive screen or some other input device like a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor buttons, or the like) interface controls.
  • the vaporizer device 100 can also include one or more outputs 117 or devices for providing information to the user.
  • the outputs 117 can include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to provide feedback to a user based on a status and/or mode of operation of the vaporizer device 100.
  • LEDs light emitting diodes
  • a computing device provides signals related to activation of the resistive heating element, control, or other functions of a vaporizer device 100
  • the computing device can execute one or more computer instruction sets to provide a user interface, for underlying data handling, and/or the like.
  • detection by the computing device of user interaction with one or more user interface elements can cause the computing device to signal the vaporizer device 100 to activate the heating element to reach an operating temperature for creation of an inhalable dose of vapor/aerosol.
  • Functions of the vaporizer device 100 can be controlled by interaction of a user with a user interface on a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device 100.
  • the temperature of the heating element of the vaporizer device 100 can depend on a number of factors, including an amount of electrical power delivered to the resistive heating element and/or a duty cycle at which the electrical power is delivered, conductive heat transfer to other parts of the electronic vaporizer device 100 and/or to the environment, latent heat losses due to vaporization of the vaporizable material 102 from the wi eking element and/or the atomizer 141 as a whole, and convective heat losses due to airflow (e.g., air moving across the heating element or the atomizer 141 as a whole when a user puffs on the vaporizer device 100).
  • the vaporizer device 100 may, in some implementations of the current subject matter, make use of signals from the sensor(s) 113 (for example, a pressure sensor) to determine when a user is puffing on the mouthpiece 130.
  • the sensor(s) 113 can be positioned in the airflow path and/or can be connected (for example, by a passageway or other path) to an airflow path containing an inlet for air to enter the vaporizer device 100 and an outlet via which the user inhales the resulting vapor and/or aerosol such that the sensor(s) 113 experience changes (for example, pressure changes) concurrently with air passing through the vaporizer device 100 from the air inlet to the air outlet.
  • the heating element can be activated in association with a user’s puff, for example by automatic detection of the puff, or by the sensor(s) 113 detecting a change (such as a pressure change) in the airflow path. In some implementations, activation of the heating element may be disabled if signals from the sensor(s) 113 indicate a potential issue with operation of the vaporizer device 100.
  • the sensor(s) 113 can be positioned on or coupled (e.g., electrically or electronically connected, either physically or via a wireless connection) to the controller 104 (e.g., a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board).
  • the controller 104 e.g., a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board.
  • the seal 150 which can be a gasket, can be configured to at least partially surround one or more of the sensor(s) 113 such that connections of the sensor(s) 113 to the internal circuitry of the vaporizer device 100 are separated from a part of the sensor(s) 113 exposed to the airflow path.
  • the seal 150 can also separate parts of one or more electrical connections between the vaporizer body 110 and the vaporizer cartridge 120. Such arrangements of the seal 150 in the vaporizer device 100 can be helpful in mitigating against potentially disruptive impacts on vaporizer components resulting from interactions with environmental factors (such as water in the vapor or liquid phases, other fluids such as the vaporizable material 102, and/or the like) and/or to reduce the escape of air from the designated airflow path in the vaporizer device 100.
  • environmental factors such as water in the vapor or liquid phases, other fluids such as the vaporizable material 102, and/or the like
  • Unwanted air, liquid or other fluid passing and/or contacting circuitry of the vaporizer device 100 can cause various unwanted effects, such as altered pressure readings, and/or can result in the buildup of unwanted material, such as moisture, excess vaporizable material 102, etc., in parts of the vaporizer device 100 where they can result in poor pressure signal, degradation of the sensor(s) 113 or other components, and/or a shorter life of the vaporizer device 100.
  • Leaks in the seal 150 can also result in a user inhaling air that has passed over parts of the vaporizer device 100 containing, or constructed of, materials that may not be desirable to be inhaled.
  • the vaporizer body in some implementations of the current subject matter, the vaporizer body
  • the 110 can include the controller 104, the power source 112 (e.g., a battery and/or the like), one more sensors 113, a seal 150, and a cartridge receptacle 118 configured to receive the vaporizer cartridge 120 for coupling with the vaporizer body 110 through one or more of a variety of attachment structures.
  • the cartridge receptacle 118 may include one or more receptacle contacts, for example, a first receptacle contact 125a and a second receptacle contact 125b, configured to form an electric coupling with a first cartridge contact 124a and a second cartridge contact 124b in the vaporizer cartridge 120 when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is coupled with the vaporizer body 110.
  • the vaporizer cartridge 120 can include a reservoir 140 for containing a vaporizable material 102, and a mouthpiece 130 has an aerosol outlet for delivering an inhalable dose to a user.
  • the vaporizer cartridge 120 can include an atomizer 141 having a wi eking element and a heating element, or alternatively, one or both of the wicking element and the heating element can be part of the vaporizer body 110.
  • the vaporizer device 100 can be configured to supply vaporizable material 102 from the reservoir 140 in the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the part(s) of the atomizer 141 included in the vaporizer body 110.
  • Cartridge-based configurations for the vaporizer device 100 that generate an inhalable dose of a non-liquid vaporizable material 102, via heating of a non-liquid vaporizable material are also within the scope of the current subject matter.
  • the vaporizer cartridge 120 can include a mass of a plant material that is processed and formed to have direct contact with parts of one or more resistive heating elements, and the vaporizer cartridge 120 can be configured to be coupled mechanically and/or electrically to the vaporizer body 110 that includes the controller 104, the power source 112, and one or more receptacle contacts 125a and 125b configured to connect to one or more corresponding cartridge contacts 124a and 124b and complete a circuit with the one or more resistive heating elements.
  • the power source 112 the power source 112
  • one or more receptacle contacts 125a and 125b configured to connect to one or more corresponding cartridge contacts 124a and 124b and complete a circuit with the one or more resistive heating elements.
  • the vaporizer device 100 can include electrical connection features (e.g., means for completing a circuit) for completing a circuit that includes the controller 104 (e.g., a printed circuit board, a microcontroller, or the like), the power source 112, and the heating element (for example, a heating element within the atomizer 141).
  • electrical connection features e.g., means for completing a circuit
  • the controller 104 e.g., a printed circuit board, a microcontroller, or the like
  • the power source 112 e.g., a heating element within the atomizer 141.
  • These features can include at least two contacts (referred to herein as cartridge contacts 124a and 124b) on a bottom surface of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and at least two contacts (referred to herein as receptacle contacts 125a and 125b) disposed near a base of the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer device 100 such that the cartridge contacts 124a and 124b and the receptacle contacts 125a and 125b make electrical connections when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into and coupled with the cartridge receptacle 1 18.
  • the circuit completed by these electrical connections can allow delivery of electrical current to a heating element and can further be used for additional functions, such as for measuring a resistance of the heating element for use in determining and/or controlling a temperature of the heating element based on a thermal coefficient of resistivity of the heating element.
  • the cartridge contacts 124a and 124b and the receptacle contacts 125a and 125b can be configured to electrically connect in either of at least two orientations.
  • one or more circuits necessary for operation of the vaporizer device 100 can be completed by insertion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 in the cartridge receptacle 118 in a first rotational orientation (around an axis along which the end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110) such that the first cartridge contact 124a is electrically connected to the first receptacle contact 125a and the second cartridge contact 124b is electrically connected to the second receptacle contact 125b.
  • the one or more circuits necessary for operation of the vaporizer device 100 can be completed by insertion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 in the cartridge receptacle 118 in a second rotational orientation such that the first cartridge contact 124a is electrically connected to the second receptacle contact 125b and the second cartridge contact 124b is electrically connected to the first receptacle contact 125a.
  • the vaporizer body 110 includes one or more detents (e.g., dimples, protrusions, etc.) protruding inwardly from an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 118, additional material (such as metal, plastic, etc.) formed to include a portion protruding into the cartridge receptacle 118, and/or the like.
  • detents e.g., dimples, protrusions, etc.
  • additional material such as metal, plastic, etc.
  • One or more exterior surfaces of the vaporizer cartridge 120 can include corresponding recesses (not shown in FIG.
  • the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110 are coupled (e.g., by insertion of an end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110), the detents or protrusions into the cartridge receptacle 118 can fit within and/or otherwise be held within the recesses of the vaporizer cartridge 120, to hold the vaporizer cartridge 120 in place when assembled.
  • Such an assembly can provide enough support to hold the vaporizer cartridge 120 in place to ensure good contact between the at least two cartridge contacts 124a and 124b and the at least two receptacle contacts 125a and 125b, while allowing release of the vaporizer cartridge 120 from the vaporizer body 110 when a user pulls with reasonable force on the vaporizer cartridge 120 to disengage the vaporizer cartridge 120 from the cartridge receptacle 118.
  • the shape of the vaporizer cartridge 120, or at least a shape of the end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 that is configured for insertion into the cartridge receptacle 118 may have rotational symmetry of at least order two.
  • the vaporizer cartridge 120 or at least the insertable end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 may be symmetric upon a rotation of 180° around an axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118.
  • the circuitry of the vaporizer device 100 may support identical operation regardless of which symmetrical orientation of the vaporizer cartridge 120 occurs.
  • the vaporizer cartridge 120 can have a non circular cross section transverse to the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118.
  • the non-circular cross section can be approximately rectangular, approximately elliptical (e.g., have an approximately oval shape), non-rectangular but with two sets of parallel or approximately parallel opposing sides (e.g., having a parallelogram- like shape), or other shapes having rotational symmetry of at least order two.
  • the at least two cartridge contacts 124a and 124b and the at least two receptacle contacts 125a and 125b can take various forms.
  • one or both sets of contacts can include conductive pins, tabs, posts, receiving holes for pins or posts, or the like.
  • Some types of contacts can include springs or other features to facilitate better physical and electrical contact between the contacts on the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110.
  • the electrical contacts can optionally be gold-plated, and/or can include other materials.
  • FIG. IB illustrates an implementation of the vaporizer body 110 having a cartridge receptacle 118 into which the vaporizer cartridge 120 can be releasably inserted.
  • FIG. IB shows a top view of the vaporizer device 100 illustrating the vaporizer cartridge 120 positioned for insertion into the vaporizer body 110.
  • air can pass between an outer surface of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 118 on the vaporizer body 110.
  • Air can then be drawn into the insertable end 122 of the cartridge, through the vaporization chamber that includes or contains the heating element and wick, and out through an outlet of the mouthpiece 130 for delivery of the inhalable aerosol to a user.
  • the reservoir 140 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 can be formed in whole or in part from translucent material such that a level of the vaporizable material 102 is visible within the vaporizer cartridge 120.
  • FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram illustrating an example of an airflow path in the vaporizer device 100, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter.
  • the vaporizer device 100 can include the atomizer 141 as well as a sensor 200 (which can be part of and/or in addition to the one or more sensors 113) positioned along an airflow path 202.
  • the atomizer 141 can include a heating element for heating a vaporizable material and/or a wi eking element for transporting vaporizable material 102 to the heating element.
  • the heating element can be activated (e.g., by the controller 104) in association with a user puffing on the mouthpiece 130 of the vaporizer device 100.
  • the user puffing on the mouthpiece 130 can cause air to flow from an air inlet, along an airflow path 202 that passes the atomizer 141 (e.g., wicking element and heating element), and the sensor 200, through an air outlet in the mouthpiece 130.
  • the sensor 200 can be positioned along the airflow path 202, between the atomizer 141 and the outlet at the mouthpiece 130 (and/or another portion of the vaporizer device) before exiting through the outlet to be inhaled by the user.
  • Incoming air passing along the airflow path 202 can pass over, through, along, etc., the atomizer 141, where gas phase vaporizable material is entrained into the air.
  • the heating element can become too hot and/or can heat the vaporizable material to a temperature that is too high (e.g., to an unacceptable level that is above a certain threshold temperature).
  • certain vaporizer device 100 such as heat-not-bum devices (e.g., devices configured to heat tobacco and/or other solid materials), are often configured to heat at higher temperatures.
  • Heating tobacco products, for example, to a high enough temperature can cause the release (or generation) of certain undesirable materials, such as gases or other substances, including Acetaldehyde, Acetamide, Acetone, Acrolein, Acrylamide, Acrylonitrile, Aflatoxin Bl, 4-Aminobiphenyl, 1-Aminonaphthalene, 2-Aminonaphthalene, Ammonia, Anabasine, o- Anisidine, Arsenic, A-a-C (2-Amino-9 H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole), Benz[a]anthracene, Benz[j]aceanthrylene, Benzene, Benzo[b] fluoranthene, Benzo[k]fluoranthene, Benzo[b]furan, Benzo[a]pyrene, Benzo[c]phenanthrene, Beryllium, 1,3 -Butadiene, Cadmium, Caffeic acid, Carbon Monoxide (CO
  • the user when the user takes a puff on the vaporizer device 100, the user can inhale the reduced air quality vapor, thereby causing harm to the user. In some instances, other people in the vicinity of the user may also be exposed to and/or inhale at least some of the reduced air quality vapor.
  • the sensor 200 can be integrated with the vaporizer device 100 (such as integrated with the vaporizer body 110 and/or the vaporizer cartridge 120), and can be positioned at a location along the airflow path 202 between the atomizer 141 and a portion of the vaporizer device 100 (or attachment) that provides the generated vapor to the user of the vaporizer device 100, such as an outlet of the mouthpiece 130, an outlet of an attachment to the vaporizer device 100, and/or another outlet.
  • the sensor 200 is positioned at a location along an airflow path, such as along the example airflow paths described in more detail in U.S. PatentNo. 10,201, 190, which issued on February 12, 2019, and is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, to the extent permissible.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate example configurations of a vaporizer device 100 including the sensor 200, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter.
  • the vaporizer device 100 can include the vaporizer body 110, the vaporizer cartridge 120, and a cover 204.
  • the cover 204 can include the sensor 200.
  • the air when assembled, and when the user takes a puff on the vaporizer device 100, the air can flow along the airflow path 202, which extends through an inlet of the vaporizer cartridge 120, across the atomizer of the vaporizer cartridge 120, through an outlet of the vaporizer cartridge 120, across the cover 204 (and sensor 200), and through an outlet to be inhaled by the user.
  • FIG. 1 the example shown in FIG.
  • the vaporizer cartridge 120 can be inserted into a cartridge receptacle 118 at one end of the vaporizer body 110, and the cover 204 can at least partially enclose the vaporizer cartridge 120 (e.g., when inserted within the vaporizer body 110) to allow the generated vapor to pass the sensor 200 before being inhaled by the user.
  • the cover 204 can be separable from the vaporizer body 110 or permanently coupled to the vaporizer body 110, such as at one side of the cover 204 (e.g., via a hinge or other coupling mechanism).
  • the cover 204 is press-fit into the vaporizer body 110, is mechanically coupled to the vaporizer body 110, such as via snap fit, friction fit, latches, magnets, or other coupling mechanisms, or can form a film that is applied to the mouthpiece 130.
  • the cover 204 forms an attachment to the vaporizer body 110 and/or vaporizer cartridge 120 that surrounds at least a portion of the mouthpiece 130, the vaporizer body 110, and/or the vaporizer cartridge 120.
  • the cartridge receptacle 118 can instead include an oven or other heater enclosure configured to receive a vaporizable material that is not contained within a vaporizer cartridge 120.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates another example configuration of a vaporizer device 100 including the sensor 200 along the airflow path 202, between the atomizer 141 and the portion of the vaporizer device 100 that provides the generated vapor to the user for inhalation.
  • the vaporizer body 110 includes a receptacle 206 configured to completely receive (e.g., surround and/or enclose) the vaporizer cartridge 120.
  • the air can flow along the airflow path 202, which extends through an inlet of the vaporizer cartridge 120, across the atomizer 141 of the vaporizer cartridge 120, through an outlet of the vaporizer cartridge 120, across a portion of the vaporizer body 110 (and sensor 200), and through an outlet to be inhaled by the user.
  • the receptacle 206 can include an oven or other heater enclosure configured to receive a vaporizable material that is not contained within a vaporizer cartridge 120.
  • the sensor 200 can measure an air quality parameter of the generated vapor passing along the airflow path 202 from the atomizer 141, before the vapor is inhaled by the user.
  • the sensor 200 can include one or more gas sensors (e.g., one or more sensors or types of sensors), such as an integrated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)- based gas sensor, a combustible gas sensor, a photoionization detector, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an electrochemical gas sensor, a semiconductor sensor, and/or the like.
  • MEMS microelectromechanical systems
  • the sensor 200 can detect, measure, and/or record one or more air quality parameters of the vapor passing the sensor 200 along the airflow path 202.
  • the one or more air quality parameters can include a concentration of gas or other substance in the vapor (e.g., formaldehyde, carbon monoxide (CO), and/or the like), a vapor temperature, a vapor density, and/or the like.
  • the sensor 200 optionally along with a controller 104, can detect when the vapor has a reduced air quality, such as when the generated vapor has an air quality parameter level (e.g., a concentration of undesirable material) that is greater than or equal to an air quality parameter threshold or desired level. Detection of the reduced air quality can indicate that the vaporizer device 100 is malfunctioning in some way.
  • an air quality parameter level e.g., a concentration of undesirable material
  • detection of the reduced air quality can indicate that the heating element is too hot and/or is heating the vaporizable material to a temperature that is greater than or equal to a threshold temperature (e.g., 250°C, 260°C, 270°C, 280°C, 290°C, 300°C, and/or the like).
  • a threshold temperature e.g. 250°C, 260°C, 270°C, 280°C, 290°C, 300°C, and/or the like.
  • detection of the reduced air quality can indicate that the vaporizer cartridge 120 is not properly connected with the vaporizer body 1 10, certain components are not properly connected, a leak has formed in the vaporizer device 100, a component of the vaporizer device 100 (e.g., of the vaporizer body 110 and/or the vaporizer cartridge 120) is otherwise malfunctioning, and/or the like.
  • the sensor(s) 113 (which can include the sensor 200), can be positioned on or coupled (e.g., electrically or electronically connected, either physically or via a wireless connection) to the controller 104 (e.g., a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board).
  • the sensor 200 can detect an air quality parameter (and the air quality parameter level) and transmit the air quality parameter level to the controller 104 (or one or more other controllers).
  • the sensor 200 sends signal(s) to the controller 104 (or one or more other controllers), when the sensor 200 detects an air quality parameter level that is greater than or equal to the air quality parameter threshold level.
  • a sensor 200 sends a signal to a controller 104 to indicate that a threshold level has been exceeded
  • the sensor 200 can send signals indicative of information sensed or detected by the sensor 200 (e.g., one or more air quality parameter levels) continuously, periodically, and/or the like, without first determining whether the threshold level has been exceeded.
  • the signal(s) can indicate to the controller 104 that the controller 104 should perform one or more corrective actions, such as limiting (e.g., stopping or reducing) vapor production, sending an alert to the user, and/or the like.
  • a sensor 200 integrated with the vaporizer device 100 can reduce or prevent undesirable materials from being inhaled by the user or other people in the vicinity of the user, thereby improving the health of the user and others.
  • the sensor 200 integrated with the vaporizer device 100 can also improve vaporizer performance by, for example, limiting or reducing vapor production or otherwise alerting the user when one or more components of the vaporizer device 100 are malfunctioning.
  • the heating element can be activated in response to a signal generated by one or more sensors 113 (see FIG. 1). When the heating element is activated, the heating element can generate heat as a result of current flowing from the power source 112.
  • the generated heat can be transferred to at least a portion of vaporizable material in a wicking element through conductive, convective, and/or radiative heat transfer such that at least a portion of vaporizable material drawn into the wicking element is vaporized.
  • air entering the vaporizer cartridge 120 or vaporizer body 110 flows along an airflow path 202, over the wicking element and the heating element, and facilitates delivery of the vaporized vaporizable material into the airflow path 202, where the vapor is condensed and delivered in aerosol form, for example, through an opening in the mouthpiece 130.
  • the vaporizer device 100 can include the sensor 200.
  • the sensor 200 can detect or otherwise measure one or more air quality parameters (e.g., air quality parameter levels) of the vapor generated by the heating element and passing along the airflow path 202, before the user inhales the generated vapor.
  • the sensor 200 can transmit the detected air quality parameter levels to the controller 104 (which can include one or more controllers).
  • the controller 104 when the controller 104 determines that an air quality parameter level is greater than or equal to an air quality parameter threshold level, the controller 104 can reduce or otherwise limit (e.g., stop or disable) vapor production by the vaporizer device 100 by, for example, preventing power from being supplied to the heating element, reducing the amount of power supplied from the power source 112 to the heating element, reducing the temperature of the heating element, preventing power from being supplied by the power source 112, and/or the like.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates an example method 500 of limiting vapor production by the vaporizer device 100, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter.
  • the sensor 200 detects one or more air quality parameter levels of the air passing along the airflow path 202, such as along a portion of the airflow path 202 past the atomizer 141.
  • the sensor 200 can communicate with a controller, such as the controller 104 or another controller of the vaporizer device 100, by transmitting the detected one or more air quality parameter levels to the controller 104.
  • the controller 104 compares the detected one or more air quality parameter levels to one or more corresponding air quality parameter threshold levels.
  • the one or more corresponding air quality parameter threshold levels can be predetermined, and/or can vary depending on the air quality parameter (e.g., CO levels compared to formaldehyde levels). In some implementations, the air quality parameter threshold level can vary depending on the type of material (e.g., type of gas, particle, etc.) detected by the sensor 200.
  • the controller 104 determines whether the detected one or more air quality parameter levels are greater than or equal to their one or more corresponding air quality parameter threshold levels.
  • the controller 104 limits (e.g., stops and/or reduces power provided to the heating element) vapor production by the vaporizer device 100 in response to a determination that the detected one or more air quality parameter levels are greater than or equal to the one or more corresponding air quality parameter threshold levels.
  • the controller 104 can be configured to prevent production of vapor permanently, for a period of time, until a specific condition is satisfied (e.g., indefinitely, until the one or more air quality parameter levels do not exceed the one or more threshold levels), and/or the like depending on the implementation.
  • a predetermined threshold level for acceptable CO e.g., factoring in for error
  • a particular air quality parameter level is determined to be at or above a threshold indicative of an issue with the vaporizer cartridge 120 (e.g., formaldehyde at a specific level indicative of a dry wick condition)
  • the controller 104 can be configured to prevent production of vapor until the vaporizer cartridge 120 is replaced.
  • a threshold indicative of an issue with the vaporizer body 110 e.g., CO at a specific level indicative of a temperature control protocol not functioning properly
  • the controller 104 can be configured to prevent production of vapor permanently (e.g., by preventing activation of the heating element regardless of whether the vaporizer cartridge 120 is replaced), or at least until the vaporizer body 110 is serviced.
  • the controller 104 when the controller 104 determines that an air quality parameter level is greater than or equal to a corresponding air quality parameter threshold level, the controller 104 can alert the user by illuminating at least one light emitting diode according to a light pattern, emitting a sound, producing a vibration, and/or another indicator.
  • the alert can specifically indicate to the user that the user should not take a puff on the mouthpiece 130 or inhale the generated vapor, that the vapor generated by the vaporizer device 100 includes unacceptable levels of an undesirable material, that the vaporizer cartridge 120 should be replaced, that one or more components of the vaporizer device 100 (e.g., of the vaporizer body or the vaporizer cartridge) is malfunctioning, that one or more components of the vaporizer device 100 (e.g., of the vaporizer body or the vaporizer cartridge) is not properly connected, and/or the like.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates an example method 600 of alerting the user or otherwise indicating to the user that the air quality parameter level is unacceptable (e.g., the air quality parameter level is greater than or equal to the air quality parameter threshold level).
  • the sensor 200 detects one or more air quality parameter levels of the air passing along the airflow path 202, such as along a portion of the airflow path 202 past the atomizer 141.
  • the sensor 200 can communicate with a controller, such as the controller 104 (which can include one or more controllers), by sending the detected one or more air quality parameter levels to the controller 104.
  • the controller 104 can compare the detected one or more air quality parameter levels to one or more corresponding air quality parameter threshold levels.
  • the one or more corresponding air quality parameter threshold levels can be predetermined, and/or can vary depending on the air quality parameter (e.g., CO levels compared to formaldehyde levels). In some implementations, the one or more corresponding air quality parameter threshold levels can vary depending on the type of material (e.g., type of gas, particle, etc.) detected by the sensor 200.
  • the controller 104 can determine whether the detected one or more air quality parameter levels are greater than or equal to the one or more corresponding air quality parameter threshold levels.
  • the controller 104 can send an alert to the user or otherwise indicate to the user that one or more of the air quality parameter levels are unacceptable (e.g., the relevant air quality parameter level(s) is greater than or equal to the corresponding air quality parameter threshold level).
  • the sensor 200 can reduce or prevent undesirable materials from being inhaled by the user or other people in the vicinity of the user.
  • the sensor 200 can also improve vaporizer device 100 performance, by for example, limiting or reducing vapor production or otherwise alerting the user when one or more components of the vaporizer device are malfunctioning.
  • a feature or element When a feature or element is herein referred to as being“on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements can also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being“directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being“connected”,“attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements can be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being“directly connected”,“directly attached” or“directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present.
  • references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature can have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
  • Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and implementations only and is not intended to be limiting.
  • the singular forms“a,”“an,” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
  • phrases such as“at least one of’ or“one or more of’ can occur followed by a conjunctive list of elements or features.
  • the term “and/or” can also occur in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it used, such a phrase is intended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually or any of the recited elements or features in combination with any of the other recited elements or features.
  • the phrases“at least one of A and B;”“one or more of A and B;” and“A and/or B” are each intended to mean“A alone, B alone, or A and B together.”
  • a similar interpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items.
  • phrases“at least one of A, B, and C;”“one or more of A, B, and C;” and“A, B, and/or C” are each intended to mean“A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together.”
  • Use of the term“based on,” above and in the claims is intended to mean,“based at least in part on,” such that an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.
  • first and“second” can be used herein to describe various features/elements (including steps), these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms can be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed below could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed below could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings provided herein.
  • a numeric value can have a value that is +/- 0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- 1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- 2% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- 5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- 10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc.
  • Any numerical values given herein should also be understood to include about or approximately that value, unless the context indicates otherwise. For example, if the value“10” is disclosed, then“about 10” is also disclosed. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.
  • One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof.
  • ASICs application specific integrated circuits
  • FPGAs field programmable gate arrays
  • These various aspects or features can include implementation in one or more computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which can be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device.
  • the programmable system or computing system can include clients and servers.
  • a client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.
  • machine-readable signal refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.
  • the machine-readable medium can store such machine instructions non-transitorily, such as for example as would a non-transient solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or any equivalent storage medium.
  • the machine-readable medium can alternatively or additionally store such machine instructions in a transient manner, such as for example, as would a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de vaporisateur (100) pour autosurveillance au moyen de capteurs. Le dispositif de vaporisateur comprend un élément chauffant (141) configuré pour chauffer un matériau vaporisable pour former une vapeur, une sortie (130) configurée pour délivrer la vapeur à un utilisateur pour inhalation, un ou plusieurs capteurs (200) configurés pour détecter un ou plusieurs niveaux de paramètre de qualité d'air de la vapeur, et un ou plusieurs dispositifs de commande. Les un ou plusieurs capteurs de gaz sont positionnés le long d'un trajet d'écoulement d'air (202) entre l'élément chauffant et la sortie. Les un ou plusieurs dispositifs de commande sont configurés pour déterminer si les un ou plusieurs niveaux de paramètre de qualité d'air dépassent un ou plusieurs niveaux de seuil et limiter, en réponse à la détermination du fait que les un ou plusieurs niveaux de paramètre de qualité d'air dépassent les un ou plusieurs niveaux de seuil, la formation de la vapeur. L'invention concerne en outre des systèmes, des procédés et des articles de fabrication.
PCT/US2020/025853 2019-03-29 2020-03-31 Dispositifs de vaporisateur avec capteurs intégrés WO2020205811A1 (fr)

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