Sensor for an aerosol delivery device

• US 10,568,359 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2017
• Issued: 02/25/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC. (British American Tobacco PLC)
• Original Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC. (British American Tobacco PLC)
• Inventors: Henry, Jr., Raymond Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Calandra, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US15/850,264
• Publication Number:
  US 20180132536A1
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/10 Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/485 Valves; Apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/50 Control or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/51 Arrangement of sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/60 Devices with integrated user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/042 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0091 mechanically breath-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/06 Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/28 by drag-force, e.g. vane type or impact flowmeter

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device including a variable output flow sensor. The variable output flow sensor particularly can be a flex/bend sensor wherein output from the sensor varies based upon changes in electrical current flow (e.g., resistance) along an extension of the sensor relative to flexing or bending of the extension resulting from airflow across the extension. The disclosure further provides methods for controlling operation of an aerosol delivery device through utilization of a variable output flow sensor. In particular, control of functional elements (e.g., a heating member, a fluid delivery member, and a sensory feedback member) can allow for real-time changes in the operation of the aerosol delivery device relative to airflow through the device.

Claims

1. A method for controlling operation of an aerosol delivery device comprising:

detecting one or both of an airflow rate and an airflow volume of an airflow through the aerosol delivery device using a sensor that is configured for measurement of an electrical property that varies along a continuous range based upon one or both of the airflow rate and the airflow volume;

providing from the sensor an output that varies across a continuous range relative to the measurement of the electrical property that varies along a continuous range based upon one or both of the airflow rate and the airflow volume; and

controlling the operation of a heating member of the aerosol delivery device based upon the output provided from the sensor, controlling the operation of a sensory feedback member of the aerosol delivery device based upon the output provided from the sensor, said sensory feedback member including a lighting element and said controlling including controlling a lighting configuration of the lighting element, and optionally controlling the operation of a fluid delivery member of the aerosol delivery device based upon the output provided from the sensor;

wherein detecting the one or more properties of the airflow through the aerosol delivery device comprises detecting angular displacement of an extension that is substantially elongate of the sensor, the extension having a free end.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising controlling at least one property of the electrical current supplied to the heating member.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising supplying the electrical current to the heating member proportionally to one or both of the airflow rate detected and the airflow volume detected.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising controlling the supply rate of an aerosol precursor composition from a reservoir to an atomizer.

5. The method of claim 4, comprising supplying the aerosol precursor composition to the atomizer proportionally to one or both of the airflow rate detected and the airflow volume detected.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising changing at least one of a color, a lighting pattern, a lighting duration, and an intensity of the lighting element based on one or both of the airflow rate detected and the airflow volume detected.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the aerosol delivery device includes a sealing member substantially surrounding the sensor and being configured to direct the airflow through the aerosol delivery device and across the extension of the sensor.