Sensor for an aerosol delivery device

• US 9,877,510 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2014
• Issued: 01/30/2018
• 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 J
• Application Number:
  US14/245,105
• Publication Number:
  US 20150282527A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,397 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. An aerosol delivery device comprising:

a housing;

a bend/flex sensor within the housing, the bend/flex sensor comprising an electrical connection and an extension that is substantially elongate having a length that is greater than a width of the extension and that is greater than a thickness of the extension, the bend/flex sensor including a free end and being configured to detect an airflow through at least a portion of the housing and output a variable signal that varies based upon one or more properties of the airflow; and

a controller configured to receive the variable signal from the bend/flex sensor and control the operation of at least one functional element of the device based on the variable signal from the sensor.

2. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the variable signal output by the sensor corresponds to an angular displacement of the extension.

3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, further comprising an electronic circuit board, and wherein the electrical connection of the sensor is attached to the electronic circuit board.

4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 3, wherein the electronic circuit board comprises an aperture positionally aligned with the extension and the airflow through the housing.

5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the housing defines a flow channel configured to receive airflow therethrough, and wherein at least a portion of the extension is positioned in the flow channel.

6. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal length of the extension is oriented in a non-parallel direction relative to a longitudinal length of the housing.

7. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal length of the extension is oriented in a non-parallel direction relative to the airflow.

8. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the variable signal output by the sensor varies based on airflow rate.

9. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the at least one functional element is selected from the group consisting of a heating member, a fluid delivery member, a sensory feedback member, and combinations thereof.

10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the extension comprises a substrate and an electrically conductive array in physical connection with the substrate.

11. The aerosol delivery device of claim 10, wherein the electrically conductive array is configured to exhibit a change in one or more electrical properties thereof in response to bending or flexing of the substrate.

12. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the bend/flex sensor is configured to provide a resistive output that changes relative to a bend radius of the extension.

13. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the bend/flex sensor is configured as a variable analog voltage divider.

14. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the bend/flex sensor comprises a base in contact with the electrical connection, the base being electrically connected to the controller.

15. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the electrical connection is positioned at an end of the extension.

16. An aerosol delivery device comprising:

a housing;

a bend/flex sensor within the housing, the bend/flex sensor comprising an extension that is substantially elongate that extends between an end including an electrical connection and a free end, the bend/flex sensor being configured to detect an airflow through at least a portion of the housing and output a variable signal that varies based upon one or more properties of the airflow; and

a controller configured to receive the variable signal from the bend/flex sensor and control the operation of at least one functional element of the device based on the variable signal from the sensor.