Inductive charging for an electronic cigarette

• US 9,901,117 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2014
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC (Altria Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sis Resources, Ltd. (Green Smoke USA, Inc.)
• Inventors: Levitz, Robert, Levy, Dorron, Amir, Nehemia, Juster, Bernard C., Peleg, Eyal
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Michael H
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILL, KATHERINE A
• Application Number:
  US14/178,545
• Publication Number:
  US 20140224267A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,476 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/10 Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/40 Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/95 structurally associated with cases
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 27/085 wherein the PWM mode is adapted on the running conditions of the motor, e.g. the switching frequency

Abstract

An electronic cigarette (“e-Cig”) may be wirelessly charged through an inductive charging system. A receiving coil in or on the e-Cig may be in proximity to a wireless charger that transmits electrical power to the battery of the e-Cig. Alignment of the receiving coil in the e-Cig with a charging base can wirelessly charge the battery of the e-Cig.

Claims

1. An electronic cigarette wireless charging system comprising:

an electronic cigarette comprising a barrel, a battery and a power receiving coil coupled with the battery, wherein the battery is within the barrel, the battery has a bottom surface, the power receiving coil is wrapped around or surrounding the battery in a lengthwise manner such that portions of the power receiving coil pass under the bottom surface of the battery, and the power receiving coil charges the battery upon receiving wireless power; and

a charger comprising a primary coil that is positioned to wirelessly connect the power receiving coil with the primary coil during a charging operation.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the charging operation comprises Placement of the electronic cigarette on or near the charger.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the charger comprises a container for receiving the electronic cigarette, wherein the charging operation begins when the electronic cigarette is located in the container.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the container comprises a personal carrying case for storing and transporting the electronic cigarette.

5. An electronic cigarette for wireless charging comprising:

an electronic cigarette cartridge;

a barrel;

a battery that is within the barrel and provides power to the cartridge; and

a receiving coil coupled with the battery, wherein the battery has a bottom surface, the receiving coil is wrapped around or surrounding the battery in a lengthwise manner such that portions of the power receiving coil pass under the bottom surface of the battery and the receiving coil receives power wirelessly from a primary coil in a wireless power transmitter, further wherein the power received charges the battery.

6. The electronic cigarette of claim 5 wherein the cartridge comprises:

a container for a liquid;

a wick that is soaked with the liquid; and

a heating element that atomizes the liquid by heating the wick.

7. The electronic cigarette of claim 6 wherein the atomization generates a mist from the liquid that acts as a smoke replacement.

8. The electronic cigarette of claim 5 wherein the battery is rechargeable.

9. The electronic cigarette of claim 5 wherein the receiving coil is disposed near a tip of a battery portion end of the electronic cigarette.

10. The electronic cigarette of claim 9 wherein the battery portion end of the electronic cigarette is opposite of the cartridge.

11. The electronic cigarette of claim 5 wherein the primary coil is located in a base charger.

12. The electronic cigarette of claim 11 wherein the electronic cigarette further comprises a magnet that corresponds with a magnet in the base charger, wherein the magnet in the electronic cigarette is configured to position the electronic cigarette relative to the base charger.

13. The electronic cigarette of claim 12 wherein the positioning comprises an alignment of the primary coil in the base charger with the receiving coil in the electronic cigarette.