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WO2019012359A1 - Commutateur d'activation enveloppant pour dispositifs de génération d'aérosol - Google Patents

Commutateur d'activation enveloppant pour dispositifs de génération d'aérosol Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2019012359A1
WO2019012359A1 PCT/IB2018/054721 IB2018054721W WO2019012359A1 WO 2019012359 A1 WO2019012359 A1 WO 2019012359A1 IB 2018054721 W IB2018054721 W IB 2018054721W WO 2019012359 A1 WO2019012359 A1 WO 2019012359A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
switch
aerosol
user
electrical conductor
aerosolizer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/IB2018/054721
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Tony Reevell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Philip Morris Products SA
Original Assignee
Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Philip Morris Products SA filed Critical Philip Morris Products SA
Publication of WO2019012359A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019012359A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—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
    • A24F40/60—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
    • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H2003/007—Mechanisms for operating contacts the contacts being actuated by deformation of a flexible housing

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates to activation switches.
  • this disclosure relates to wraparound activation switches for aerosol-generating devices.
  • Handheld aerosol-generating devices such as cartomizer electronic cigarettes, which utilize liquid to be evaporated or tobacco material to be heated to generate an inhalable aerosol. These devices may provide an alternative experience to conventional combustion cigarettes. Some devices may adopt a similar look and feel to conventional cigarettes, which may be familiar, easy to handle, portable, and easy to manufacture. In particular, some devices are shaped with a rotationally symmetric cylindrical body and have an internal breath- activated switch to activate the generation, or release, of the inhalable aerosol.
  • Various devices utilize an external button switch disposed in a single location on an outer surface to activate the generation, or release, of aerosol, which may provide manual control as an alternative to breath-activated switches.
  • Various electronic cigarettes have a controller portion including a battery, a control circuit, and the external button and a cartomizer portion including a liquid store, a wick, and a heater coil.
  • the use of the external button may feel unnatural to some users and may require extra steps to activate. For example, users may have to orient the device before pressing the external button.
  • This disclosure provides a wrap-around switch that may be engaged from any radial direction.
  • the switch may be pressed to activate the device and generate, or release, an aerosol.
  • the switch may be operatively coupled to a control circuit that is operatively coupled to an aerosolizer.
  • the control circuit may be configured to activate an aerosolizer to generate, or release, the aerosol from an aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the switch may be disposed adjacent to an outer surface of the device and flush or sub-flush with the outer surface.
  • the switch may be disposed on a controller portion distal to a mouth portion of the device.
  • the switch may be flexible.
  • a device including a housing having an outer surface surrounding a longitudinal axis.
  • the device also includes a flexible wrap-around switch disposed adjacent to the outer surface and wrapping around the longitudinal axis at least 90 degrees.
  • the switch comprises a flexible capacitive switch configured to be pressed by a user.
  • the device further includes an aerosolizer to generate aerosol from an aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the device includes a control circuit configured to activate the aerosolizer in response to the switch being pressed by the user.
  • the switch is disposed flush with the outer surface.
  • the switch is disposed sub-flush with the outer surface.
  • the wrap-around switch includes an electrical contact switch.
  • the switch includes an outer electrical conductor configured to flex to electrically couple to an inner electrical conductor when the switch is pressed by the user. In one or more aspects, the switch wraps around the longitudinal axis at least 90 degrees.
  • the switch includes an outer electrical conductor configured to flex and an inner electrical conductor capacitively coupled to the outer electrical conductor to define a capacitance that changes as the outer electrical conductor flexes.
  • the switch includes a flexible spacer between the outer and inner electrical conductors.
  • the flexible spacer includes open spaces to allow electrical contact between the outer and inner electrical conductors when the switch is pressed.
  • the flexible spacer insulates the outer and inner electrical conductors even when the switch is pressed. In one or more aspects, a distance between the outer and inner conductors varies in response to a varying pressing force applied to the switch by the user.
  • control circuit is further configured to vary the generation of aerosol in response to varying the distance.
  • control circuit is further configured to vary a temperature of the aerosol-generating substrate in response to varying the distance.
  • the device further includes a mouth portion and a controller portion distal to the mouth portion.
  • the mouth portion and the controller portion may at least partially define the housing.
  • the controller may be coupled to the controller portion and the aerosol- generating substrate is coupled to the mouth portion.
  • Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a controller for an aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the controller includes an aerosolizer to generate aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the controller also includes a wrap-around switch surrounding a longitudinal axis and configured to be engaged by a user.
  • the switch includes at least one of an electrical contact switch, a capacitive touch switch, and a flexible capacitor switch.
  • the controller further includes a control circuit operatively coupled to the switch and configured to activate the aerosolizer in response to the switch being pressed by the user.
  • Utilizing the wrap-around switch allows users to simply pick up the device in any rotational orientation and activate the device by pressing the switch in from any radial direction, or any side of the outer surface. Users may not need to rotate the device to look for and find the switch, particularly when the switch is distinguishable from the outer surface through tactile means, such as being sub-flush compared to the outer surface. Being sub-flush may also prevent unintended activation.
  • proximal distal
  • distal side
  • outer inner
  • inner outer
  • otherterms are used to describe relative positions or orientations of the device.
  • longitudinal axial
  • radial lateral
  • lateral may be used with reference to a substantially cylindrical device.
  • aerosol-generating substrate refers to a device or substrate that releases, upon heating, volatile compounds that may form an aerosol to be inhaled by a user.
  • Suitable aerosol generating substrates may include plant-based material.
  • the aerosol generating substrate may include tobacco or a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds, which are released from the aerosol generating substrate upon heating.
  • an aerosol generating substrate may include a non-tobacco containing material.
  • the aerosol generating substrate may include homogenized plant-based material.
  • the aerosol generating substrate may include at least one aerosol former.
  • the aerosol generating substrate may include other additives and ingredients such as flavorants.
  • the aerosol generating substrate is a liquid at room temperature.
  • the aerosol forming substrate may be a liquid solution, suspension, dispersion or the like.
  • the aerosol generating substrate includes glycerol, propylene glycol, water, nicotine and, optionally, one or more flavorants.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate includes nicotine.
  • aerosol-generating device refers to a device including an aerosol generating substrate.
  • the aerosol-generating device also includes an aerosolizer, such as an atomizer or heater.
  • tobacco refers to a substance including tobacco, which includes tobacco blends or flavored tobacco, for example.
  • This disclosure relates to a wrap-around switch that may be engaged from any radial direction.
  • a switch on handheld aerosol-generating devices such as electronic cigarettes
  • the switch may be used on any handheld or portable device for activation or other user input.
  • Various other applications will become apparent to one of skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure.
  • the wrap-around switch may be used with any suitable aerosol-generating device.
  • the device may be elongate and extend along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end or proximal end portion to a distal end or distal end portion.
  • An example of an aerosol-generating device is a cartomizer electronic cigarette.
  • Cartomizer electronic cigarettes may include a controller portion and a mouth portion. The mouth portion may also be described as a cartomizer portion.
  • the controller portion may be coupled to the mouth portion.
  • the controller portion may be integrated with or separably coupled to the mouth portion.
  • the controller portion may be disposed distal to the mouth portion.
  • the mouth portion may include one or more of a liquid store, a wick, and an aerosolizer.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may be initially stored in the liquid store.
  • the wick may draw the aerosol-generating substrate out of the liquid store and dispose at least some of the aerosol- generating substrate adjacent to the aerosolizer.
  • a wick may not be needed.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may be non-liquid.
  • the aerosolizer may include a heater, a heater coil, or any suitable means for generating an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the aerosolizer may receive electrical energy or power to release aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the aerosolizer is a heater that varies in temperature depending on the electrical energy received. For example, the heater may rise in temperature in response to a higher voltage received.
  • the aerosolizer may be disposed adjacent to the aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the aerosolizer may be disposed adjacent to the liquid store, the wick, or both.
  • the controller portion may include one or more of a battery, a control circuit, the wraparound switch, and optionally the aerosolizer.
  • the aerosolizer may be considered part of the mouth portion, the controller portion, or both. In some embodiments, part of the aerosolizer may be disposed in the mouth portion and part of the aerosolizer may be disposed in the controller portion.
  • an inductive aerosolizer may include a susceptor in the mouth portion and a heater coil inductively couplable to the susceptor in the controller portion.
  • the control circuit of the controller portion may be operatively coupled to the switch, the battery, or both.
  • the control circuit may be configured to activate the aerosolizer in response to the switch being pressed by the user.
  • the control circuit may deliver electrical energy or power from the battery to the aerosolizer in response to the switch. Any suitable control means may be used to deliver electrical energy or power form the battery to the aerosolizer in response to the switch.
  • the control circuit may be configured to vary the amount of energy or power delivered to the aerosolizer in response to varying engagement of the switch by the user.
  • the mouth portion of the device may be configured to at least partially, or entirely, receive an aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the aerosol-generation substrate may be contained in a liquid store.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may include nicotine and may release nicotine as an aerosol. Once released, a user may inhale the aerosol through the mouth portion.
  • the device may include an outer surface that defines the shape or body of the device along the longitudinal axis.
  • the outer surface defines a cylindrical shape.
  • the outer surface may define a constant diameter along at least part of the mouth portion, controller portion, or both.
  • the outer surface may extend a device length along the longitudinal axis.
  • the outer surface may surround the longitudinal axis along the device length.
  • the outer surface may be at least partially defined by the mouth portion, the controller portion, or both.
  • the mouth portion and the controller portion may each define part of a housing that at least partially defines the outer surface.
  • Each portion may extend a separate length of the device. However, one or more components of a portion may overlap with, or extend into, the other portion. In some embodiments, part of the mouth portion may be inserted into the controller portion, or vice versa.
  • the switch may be disposed distal to the mouth portion.
  • the switch may be disposed adjacent to the outer surface and may, in particular, be disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the controller portion.
  • the switch may wrap-around the device to any suitable extent.
  • the switch may wrap around the longitudinal axis at least about 90 degrees, at least about 180 degrees, or at least about 270 degrees.
  • the switch wraps around the longitudinal axis 360 degrees and surrounds the longitudinal axis.
  • the switch may extend an axial length parallel to the longitudinal axis along the device length.
  • the axial length may be at least about 10%, at least about 12.5%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, or at least about 33% of the device length.
  • the axial length may be at most about 90%, at most about 80%, at most about 75%, or at most about 66% of the device length.
  • the controller portion may have a controller length at least about 33%, at least about 50%, or at least about 66% of the device length.
  • the switch may extend at least partially along the length of the controller portion.
  • the switch may extend only partially along the length of the controller portion.
  • the switch may define a lateral width.
  • the lateral width may be an outer diameter.
  • the switch is disposed flush or level with the outer surface.
  • the outer diameter of the switch may be about the same as an outer diameter of the outer surface.
  • the switch is disposed sub-flush to or recessed below the outer surface.
  • the outer diameter of the switch may be less than the outer diameter of the outer surface.
  • the difference in diameters may provide a discontinuity that is sufficient to be felt or perceived by the touch of the user. The difference in diameters may also reduce the likelihood of unintended activation of the switch.
  • the switch may be engaged by the user between an open state and a closed state. Engagement by the user may include pressing, touching, or otherwise interfacing with the switch, which may change a detectable property of the switch, such as electrical conductivity, resistance, or capacitance.
  • the control circuit may detect the change in a binary manner, such as on/off or open/closed.
  • the control circuit may detect a plurality of levels of the switch being on or closed. For example, the control circuit may detect different capacitances as the user presses with more or less force on the switch.
  • the control circuit may release aerosol in a manner that is proportional to the force of the user (for example, greater force on the switch corresponds to a greater amount or rate of aerosol being released). Any suitable type of wrap-around switch may be used as the switch.
  • the switch may be flexible. The flexible switch may flex, deform, compress, or buckle when pressed by the user. The switch may be considered open while unflexed and closed while flexed.
  • the switch may include an outer electrical conductor.
  • the outer electrical conductor may be described as an outer layer.
  • the outer electrical conductor may define an outer surface of the switch or the outer diameter of the switch.
  • the outer electrical conductor may be flexible. When the user presses the switch, the outer electrical conductor may flex inwardly toward the longitudinal axis. Only part of the outer electrical conductor may flex inwardly toward the longitudinal axis while the remaining part of the outer electrical conductor maintains a nominal or unpressed outer diameter.
  • the flexible conductor may include a thin metallic film to provide flexibility and electrical conduction.
  • Non-limiting examples of flexible conductors include aluminium, copper, steel, other alloys, or plastics films coated in metal or conductors (such as carbon).
  • the flexible conductor may be transparent.
  • a transparent conducting oxide layer (TCO) such as zinc oxide may be used to provide a transparent conducting film.
  • the switch may include an inner electrical conductor.
  • the inner electrical conductor may be described as an inner layer.
  • the inner electrical conductor may define an inner surface of the switch or inner diameter of the switch.
  • the inner electrical conductor may or may not be flexible. When the user presses the switch, the outer electrical conductor may flex toward the inner electrical conductor.
  • a distance between the outer and inner electrical conductors may be defined in the nominal or unpressed shape of the switch, in which the switch may be in an open state. When pressed by the user, the distance between the outer and inner conductors may vary in response to varying pressing force applied to the switch by the user. The distance the conductor is moved when pressed to close a switch may be small to mitigate fatigue. In some embodiments, the conductor is moved less than or equal to about 1 mm. The varying distance may be detected by the control circuit and used to vary the generation, or release, of aerosol from the aerosol- generating substrate.
  • a smaller distance between the conductors may correspond to a higher temperature provided by the aerosolizer to heat the aerosol-generating substrate, a higher voltage provided by the control circuit to the aerosolizer, or a greater the generation, or release, of aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the switch may include a flexible spacer disposed between the outer and inner electrical conductors.
  • the flexible spacer may provide a spring-like response.
  • the flexible spacer may return the outer electrical conductor to the nominal or unpressed outer diameter in the absence of pressing by the user.
  • the flexible spacer may or may not allow electrical contact between the outer and inner electrical conductors when the switch is pressed.
  • the flexible spacer may be formed as a mesh.
  • the flexible spacer may include open pores, spaces, or gaps to allow electrical contact or coupling.
  • the electrical contact or coupling may be direct or indirect.
  • the flexible spacer may be at least partially formed of an insulating material.
  • the switch may be configured as an electrical contact switch.
  • the electrical contact switch may include outer and inner electrical conductors that electrically contact one another to close the switch when the user presses the switch. The user may press on the outer electrical conductor to close the switch. The outer electrical conductor may be moved toward the inner electrical conductor to contact the outer and inner electrical conductors. Closing the switch may activate the device.
  • the control circuit may detect the electrical contact between outer and inner electrical conductors and activate the device. In some embodiments, the closed switch may complete an electrical circuit to deliver electrical energy or power to the aerosolizer.
  • the electrical contact switch may include the flexible spacer.
  • the flexible spacer may include open spaces to allow the outer and inner electrical conductors to make electrical contact through the spaces.
  • the outer electrical conductor When the switch is not pressed, the outer electrical conductor may return to a nominal or unpressed shape, which may be facilitated by the flexible spacer.
  • the spring or return force of the switch returning, or reverting, to the nominal shape may be sufficient to keep the conductors apart when not pressed while also allowing contact of the conductors when pressed with intentional force.
  • the flexible spacer may be formed of a rubber material, foam material (for example, polyurethane foam), or any other suitable material capable of reverting to a nominal shape.
  • the outer and inner electrical conductors may be separated by any suitable distance to electrically isolate the conductors. In some embodiments, the conductors are separated by greater than or equal to about 0.2 mm. In some embodiments, the conductors are separated by less than or equal to about 1 mm. The conductors may be separated about 0.2 mm to about 1 mm.
  • the spacer may include a material with open pores, spaces, or gaps.
  • the electrical conductors may make contact within the spaces.
  • the spaces may be circular (for example, like the numerous holes formed in a block of swiss cheese), rectangular (for example, in a mesh), or other shape.
  • the spaces may have a width of greater than or equal to about 1 mm.
  • the spaces may have a width of less than or equal to about 5 mm.
  • the width of the spaces may be about 1 mm to about 5 mm.
  • the spacer may be formed of a mesh or other similar material.
  • the electrical contact switch may include a substantially rigid or incompressible spacer.
  • the spacer may be semi-rigid or semi-compressible.
  • the outer electrical conductor may still flexto make contact with the inner electrical conductor within the open spaces around the substantially rigid or semi-rigid spacer.
  • the spacer may be formed of a plastic material (for example, polypropylene), paper, wax paper, thin film polymers, or any other suitable substantially rigid or semi-rigid material.
  • the spacer may wrap-around the device to any suitable extent.
  • the spacer may wrap around the longitudinal axis at least about 90 degrees, at least about 180 degrees, or at least about 270 degrees.
  • the switch wraps around the longitudinal axis 360 degrees and surrounds the longitudinal axis.
  • the switch may be configured as a capacitive switch.
  • the capacitive switch may be arranged as a cylindrical capacitor.
  • the capacitive switch may include outer and inner electrical conductors that form opposing capacitive plates separated by a dielectric and a distance.
  • the dielectric may be air or other insulating material.
  • the capacitive switch may be a capacitive touch switch activated by touch from the user or other human body. The distance between outer and inner electrical conductors may be fixed.
  • the capacitive switch may be a flexible capacitive switch activated by pressing from the user to flex the switch.
  • the user may press on the outer electrical conductorto flex and close the switch.
  • a change in the capacitance of the switch may be detected, for example, by the control circuit.
  • the switch may be closed to varying degrees.
  • the pressing force of the user may vary or otherwise change the distance between the outer and inner electrical conductors. For example, greater pressing force by the user, or harder press, may correspond to a smaller distance between the outer and inner electrical conductors.
  • the varying distance may be detected as a varying capacitance by the control circuit and may activate the aerosolizer by varying amounts.
  • Th e flexible capacitive switch may include the flexible spacer.
  • the flexible spacer may be at least partially formed of a dielectric material and may function as a dielectric for a capacitor formed with the outer and inner electrical conductors.
  • the flexible spacer may not include open spaces and may electrically isolate the outer and inner electrical conductors. When the switch is not pressed, the outer electrical conductor may return to a nominal or unpressed shape, which may be facilitated by the flexible spacer.
  • the flexible spacer may be formed of a rubber material, foam material (for example, polyurethane foam), or any other suitable material capable of reverting to a nominal shape. Preferably, the material reverts to the nominal shape quickly.
  • the spacing of the outer and inner electrical conductors forming the flexible capacitive switch may be greater than the spacing of the electrical contact switch, which may facilitate detection of the change in capactiance.
  • the conductors are separated by greater than or equal to about 1 mm. In some embodiments, the conductors are separated by less than or equal to about 2 mm.
  • the conductors may be separated between about 1 mm and about 2 mm.
  • the flexible outer conductor when pressed, may flex across the full spacing (for example, about 1 mm to about 2 mm).
  • the switch may include a conductive polymer.
  • the switch may be formed of a polymeric foil impregnated with carbon black.
  • the conductive polymer may be pressure sensitive. The change in pressure may be detected as a change in resistance. Preferably, resistance change in the conductive polymer is detectable due to similar pressing force as the electrical contact switch or flexible capacitive switch described herein.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device 10 including an example of the switch 30.
  • the device 10 may include a mouth portion 12 defining a proximal portion of the device and a controller portion 14 defining a distal portion of the device.
  • the portions 12, 14 may each define part of a housing that at least partially defines an outer surface.
  • the controller portion 14 may include a wrap-around switch 30.
  • the switch 30 may be disposed adjacent to and flush (or level) with the outer surface of the controller portion 14.
  • the switch 30 may have a generally cylindrical shape that is rotationally symmetric.
  • the switch 30 may be flexible or inflexible.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a device 20 including an example of the switch 32.
  • the device 20 may include a mouth portion 12 defining a proximal portion of the device and a controller portion 16 defining a distal portion of the device.
  • the controller portion 16 may include a wrap-around switch 30.
  • the switch 30 may be disposed adjacent to and sub-flush to (or below the level of) an outer surface of the controller portion 16.
  • the switch 30 may have a generally cylindrical shape that is rotationally symmetric.
  • the switch 30 may be flexible or inflexible.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic elevation view of a device 100 including an example of the switch
  • the device 100 may include a mouth portion 112 and a controller portion 114.
  • the mouth portion 112 and the controller portion 114 may be integrally formed together or separable.
  • the mouth portion 112 may include an aerosol-generating substrate 120 and an aerosolizer 122 that may be activated to release an aerosol from the substrate.
  • the aerosolizer 122 may be a heater or heater coil.
  • the mouth portion 112 may define an air inlet 128 at an end portion opposite to the controller portion 114 to allow a user to inhale aerosol therethrough.
  • the controller portion 114 may include a control circuit 124 and a power source 126.
  • the control circuit 124 may manage delivery of energy or power from the power source 126 to the aerosolizer 122 in response to user engagement with the switch 130.
  • the power source 126 may be a battery.
  • the switch 130 may be disposed distal to the mouth portion 112 (for example, closer to the controller portion 114 than the mouth portion 112).
  • the switch 130 may be disposed on the controller portion 114.
  • the switch 130 may surround a longitudinal axis 150 that extends through the mouth portion 112 and the controller portion 114 (for example, the switch 130 may extend entirely around the longitudinal axis 150).
  • the air inlet 128 may be aligned to the axis 150.
  • the switch 130 may be flexible or inflexible.
  • the switch 130 may be flush or sub-flush to an outer surface of the device 100.
  • FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of the switch 200.
  • the switch 200 may include a flexible spacer 210 disposed between an outer electrical conductor 212 and an inner electrical conductor 214.
  • the switch 200 may surround a longitudinal axis 250 (extending into the paper, illustrated as a dot). As illustrated, the switch 200 may be in a nominal or unpressed shape, when the switch is open. When open, the outer electrical conductor 212 may be electrically isolated from the inner electrical conductor 214.
  • the flexible spacer 210 may be at least partially formed of insulating material and provide the space between the electrical conductors 212, 214.
  • the switch 200 may be pressed by a user in any direction as seen in the pressed shapes 202, 204, 206 (user engagement, or press, illustrated by an arrow), when the switch is closed.
  • the outer electrical conductor 212 may be electrically coupled to the inner electrical conductor 214.
  • the flexible spacer 210 may include open spaces that allow the electrical conductors 212, 214 to touch therethrough.
  • the outer electrical conductor 212 may be flexible. In any of the pressed shapes 202, 204, 206, the outer electrical conductor 212 may flex and electrically couple to the inner electrical conductor 214. The electrical coupling may be direct or indirect. Only a portion of the outer electrical conductor 212 may contact the inner electrical conductor 214.
  • FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of the switch 300.
  • the switch 300 may include a flexible spacer 310 disposed between an outer electrical conductor 312 and an inner electrical conductor 314.
  • the switch 300 may surround a longitudinal axis 350 (extending into the paper, illustrated as a dot). As illustrated, the switch 300 may be in a nominal or unpressed shape, when the switch is open. When open, the outer electrical conductor 312 may be electrically isolated from, but capacitively coupled to, the inner electrical conductor 314.
  • the flexible spacer 310 may be at least partially formed of insulating material and provide the space between the electrical conductors 312, 314 and function as a dielectric for a capacitor.
  • the switch 300 may be pressed by a user in any direction as seen in the pressed shapes
  • the switch may be considered closed.
  • an aerosol-generating device may release aerosol.
  • the capacitance between the outer electrical conductor 312 and the inner electrical conductor 314 may differ from the unpressed shape of the switch 300.
  • the difference in capacitance may depend on the difference in distance between the electrical conductors 312, 314, which in turn may depend on the pressing force by the user.
  • the varying capacitance may be measured and used to vary the amount or rate of aerosol released by the aerosol-generating device.
  • the flexible spacer 310 may not include open spaces and may electrically isolate the electrical conductors 312, 314 even when pressed.
  • the outer electrical conductor 312 may be flexible. In any of the pressed shape 302, 304,
  • the outer electrical conductor 312 may flex and change the capacitance between the inner electrical conductor 314 and the outer electrical conductor 312. Only a portion of the outer electrical conductor 312 may flex when pressed by the user.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un commutateur (30) enveloppant destiné à un dispositif de génération d'aérosol (10) pouvant être enclenché depuis n'importe quelle direction radiale par un utilisateur. Le commutateur (30) peut être enfoncé pour activer le dispositif (10) et libérer un aérosol. Le commutateur peut être accouplé de manière fonctionnelle à un circuit de commande (124) qui est accouplé de manière fonctionnelle à un aérosol (122). Le circuit de commande peut être conçu pour activer un aérosol afin de libérer l'aérosol depuis un substrat de génération d'aérosol. Le commutateur peut être disposé de manière adjacente à une surface extérieure du dispositif et affleurant ou sous-affleurant la surface extérieure. Le commutateur peut être souple.
PCT/IB2018/054721 2017-07-10 2018-06-26 Commutateur d'activation enveloppant pour dispositifs de génération d'aérosol Ceased WO2019012359A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP17180608.6 2017-07-10
EP17180608 2017-07-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2019012359A1 true WO2019012359A1 (fr) 2019-01-17

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PCT/IB2018/054721 Ceased WO2019012359A1 (fr) 2017-07-10 2018-06-26 Commutateur d'activation enveloppant pour dispositifs de génération d'aérosol

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112017892A (zh) * 2020-09-09 2020-12-01 深圳市艾维普思科技有限公司 一种气溶胶发生器的按键安装结构及气溶胶发生器
KR20220104011A (ko) * 2020-02-27 2022-07-25 니뽄 다바코 산교 가부시키가이샤 디바이스
WO2024037388A1 (fr) * 2022-08-19 2024-02-22 深圳麦时科技有限公司 Dispositif de génération d'aérosol et dispositif de détection et de commande de couvercle mobile associé
WO2025112702A1 (fr) * 2023-11-29 2025-06-05 深圳市基克纳科技有限公司 Dispositif d'atomisation et boîte d'alimentation associée

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EP2976954A1 (fr) * 2014-05-30 2016-01-27 Shenzhen Jieshibo Technology Co. Ltd. Appareil d'atomisation électronique comportant une entrée en mesure d'être ouverte et fermée
EP3182432A1 (fr) * 2015-12-17 2017-06-21 Foster Electric Co. Ltd. Câble équipé d'un commutateur

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US4379287A (en) * 1978-08-08 1983-04-05 Robertshaw Controls Company Capacitive switch and panel
US5451735A (en) * 1993-06-03 1995-09-19 Worthington Data Solutions Flexible circumferential switch
US20150059783A1 (en) * 2013-08-29 2015-03-05 Qiuming Liu Electronic cigarette
DE102014207154A1 (de) * 2014-04-14 2015-10-15 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Rauchprodukt mit einer elektrischen Energiequelle und mindestens einer elektrischen Funktionseinheit
EP2976954A1 (fr) * 2014-05-30 2016-01-27 Shenzhen Jieshibo Technology Co. Ltd. Appareil d'atomisation électronique comportant une entrée en mesure d'être ouverte et fermée
EP3182432A1 (fr) * 2015-12-17 2017-06-21 Foster Electric Co. Ltd. Câble équipé d'un commutateur

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20220104011A (ko) * 2020-02-27 2022-07-25 니뽄 다바코 산교 가부시키가이샤 디바이스
KR102806384B1 (ko) 2020-02-27 2025-05-13 니뽄 다바코 산교 가부시키가이샤 디바이스
CN112017892A (zh) * 2020-09-09 2020-12-01 深圳市艾维普思科技有限公司 一种气溶胶发生器的按键安装结构及气溶胶发生器
WO2024037388A1 (fr) * 2022-08-19 2024-02-22 深圳麦时科技有限公司 Dispositif de génération d'aérosol et dispositif de détection et de commande de couvercle mobile associé
WO2025112702A1 (fr) * 2023-11-29 2025-06-05 深圳市基克纳科技有限公司 Dispositif d'atomisation et boîte d'alimentation associée

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