ELECTRIC CIGARET

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention falls within the field of daily necessities and relates to an electric cigarette according to the preamble of claim 1. State of the art, technological background of the invention

[0002] Conventional electronic cigarettes are handheld devices that use electrical energy to generate an inhalable aerosol from a precursor composition. For this purpose, each electronic cigarette contains at least the following functional elements: a power source, electronic control components, a precursor composition, and an aerosolization unit. The latter can consist of a heating element, e.g., a filament or a heating chip, or another assembly capable of converting the precursor composition into an aerosol, e.g., using an ultrasonic atomizer or a single- or dual-component atomizer nozzle. The precursor composition can consist of a liquid or contain solid components, such as prepared tobacco products (so-called heat-not-burn products).

[0003] Electronic cigarettes are designed to be used in the same way as traditional tobacco cigarettes. One usage scenario, which is typical when consuming a traditional tobacco cigarette and therefore within the realm of expectation with electronic cigarettes, would involve inhaling the aerosol generated by the electronic cigarette several times in succession, with short breaks between each puff. Such a process, in which the electronic cigarette is usually held in the hand, brought to the mouth, and finally the aerosol is inhaled in the form of a mist or vapor and then partially exhaled, is also influenced by the desired visibility and perceptibility to outsiders. Smoking traditional tobacco cigarettes has been and continues to be heavily promoted in many parts of the world. Attempts have been and continue to be made to associate it with positive values ​​such as sociability, authenticity, and freedom.The global success of traditional tobacco cigarettes, reflected in the high number of consumers (more than one billion people), could be a sign that this attempt has been at least partially successful. The fact that tobacco cigarette smoking is extremely widespread, but not the use of similarly effective, often cheaper, and in some cases far less harmful nicotine-containing products, such as oral tobacco, suggests that the high visibility and perceptibility of the smoking process and the product itself has a significant influence on its success, or rather, its ability to be associated with positive values.

[0004] These considerations lead to the conclusion that the success of an electronic cigarette also depends to a large extent on the external perception of the product itself and on the external perception during use. In the same sense, it is also obvious that the design plays a decisive role in determining the extent to which an electronic cigarette can be credibly linked to the very values ​​that have contributed to the success of tobacco cigarettes. It should be noted that these values, described above, can be described as timeless, at least insofar as they are fundamental human values, discussed extensively and intensely in almost every culture, and can be assumed to remain relevant in the future.Product design is therefore a key differentiator from both other electronic cigarettes and traditional tobacco cigarettes, and may, under certain circumstances, be the only distinguishing feature visible from the outside. It can therefore be a decisive advantage for success if an electronic cigarette is characterized by one or more of the following aspects: high-quality materials for the externally visible components, high-quality workmanship, a long service life, options for customizing the exterior design, for example, through interchangeable components, and a small product size that allows for pleasant handling and / orThe aim is to create a product that is as close as possible to the shape and size of a traditional tobacco cigarette, as it can be assumed that many people are accustomed to the shape and size of traditional tobacco cigarettes, as well as their weight. Furthermore, aspects such as environmental friendliness, waste minimization, recyclability, and waste separation are important today. The same applies to the choice of materials. Selected materials, such as wood or ebonite, are well known to smokers from cigarette-related products such as tobacco pipes, meaning that the use of such materials in electronic cigarettes could also evoke a sense of familiarity among smokers.

[0005] Furthermore, control electronics in the electronic cigarette should ensure reliable and safe functioning of aerosol generation and, if necessary, include extended functions, such as the possibility of a Bluetooth connection to a smartphone or authentication of the consumable in a so-called cartridge, as well as quantity control. This expanded range of functions directly entails an increased space requirement for electronic components, e.g., for more complex circuit structures in and around integrated circuits (ICs). Furthermore, such control electronics includes a switching element in the form of a switch, button, or sensor capable of registering a customer's airflow (e.g., pressure sensor, airflow sensor, temperature sensor), as well as, if necessary, display elements, such as an LED, and components for evaluation.Furthermore, the modularity of e-cigarettes is advantageous for the replacement of individual components in the event of further developments and improvements, or in the event of damage. This requires various interfaces and contacts, which may require additional space.

[0006] For a rechargeable battery cell, a high available current and the highest possible usable capacity are advantageous as an energy source, whereby this is accompanied by the positive correlation between battery capacity and maximum discharge current, as well as the usually disadvantageous positive correlation between capacity, maximum discharge current and a correspondingly large volume or mass of such a rechargeable battery cell.

[0007] Of course, with a view to low production costs, economic aspects are not ignored, which focus on correspondingly simple assembly, inexpensive components, the most cost-effective and thus optimized size or a high degree of automation.

[0008] Some of the above-mentioned requirements for electronic cigarettes are in conflict with each other and therefore require a balance between the advantages that must be met and the secondary disadvantages that accompany them.

[0009] For example, the use of natural materials such as wood or ebonite requires a certain minimum wall thickness for stability, which is greater than with stainless steel or other metals and alloys, so that tubes made of wood or ebonite, for example, require more space. In order to remain as true to the shape and size of a tobacco cigarette as possible while simultaneously creating a technically advanced electronic cigarette, a space-saving design is essential.

[0010] Furthermore, a circular-cylindrical housing shape, for example, means that the battery cell must also be circular-cylindrical in order to fit optimally into this shape. However, at least for small cell sizes, cuboid-shaped battery cells can be realized with a higher capacity than circular-cylindrical battery cells for the same volume. This is due to the basic layer structure of battery cells. In a round cell, the electrode and separator layers are usually rolled up, which creates an unused hollow space in the center due to the limited angle of curvature of the layers used. This makes efficient use of space in a circular-cylindrical housing all the more important. A cuboid-shaped housing structure also accommodates the construction of printed circuit boards.A flat, rectangular PCB shape is easier to implement without sacrificing size or functionality, and at the same time, it can be integrated into a cuboid housing in a space-efficient manner. The electronic components used to populate the circuit board of a control unit are often rectangular themselves, so they can be arranged more efficiently on a rectangular PCB surface than on a round one. A cuboid housing therefore better accommodates the design of battery cells and circuit boards than would be the case with a circular cylindrical one, and would, for example, simplify the conflicting goals of small product size, the most powerful battery cell possible, and efficient use of circuit board space. However, this would result in a departure from the goal of resembling a tobacco cigarette.

[0011] From the perspective of sustainability and cost-effectiveness, the use of high-quality materials or investing in high-quality workmanship only makes sense if the corresponding components demonstrate a certain durability. Consequently, it would be disadvantageous if the service life of a battery casing, which takes up most of the visible surface of the assembled electronic cigarette and represents a central design element, were tied to the comparatively limited service life of the battery cell contained therein if both parts were permanently connected. In order to make high-quality workmanship and the use of high-quality materials, particularly in the area of ​​the battery casing, sustainable and economically viable, a modular, separable structure of the control electronics or control unit, the battery cell, and the battery casing is a prerequisite.A high degree of modularity often conflicts with a small product size, as the individual parts must have separable mechanical and electrical connections, which generally take up additional space. Furthermore, as higher demands are placed on the design, it can become more complex: more and / or more complex components may be required, or a greater number of manufacturing steps may be required, which would have a negative impact on final assembly and production costs.

[0012] The highest possible power of the battery cells is counteracted by the highest possible functionality of the control electronics and a small product size. Simple assembly of the e-cigarette can conflict with increasingly complex control electronics, which sometimes requires the use of flexible circuit boards or various cabling and additional parts to connect the circuit board to the housing, such as injection-molded parts.

[0013] Simple technical operation can also have a negative impact on space requirements and product size; however, it is also desirable for the electronic cigarette to remain in an assembled and quasi-functional state while the battery is charging. This type of chargeability may take up additional space compared to a permanent closure, which does not provide any additional functions, for example because additional cabling may be required. Likewise, increased demands on functionality or electrical design can lead to increased space requirements. The detection of changes in air pressure or air flow during smoking, so that the electronic cigarette can be used like a tobacco cigarette, for example, requires airflow management. This often requires additional components in addition to a pressure sensor.

[0014] From WO 2019 / 104441 A1, an electronic cigarette is known that uses an air mass sensor for pressure measurement. In this case, the air mass sensor has an upstream inlet port and a downstream inlet port. The air mass sensor can include a pressure sensor element arranged between the upstream port and the downstream port. The pressure sensor element can determine the air mass passing the upstream opening and the downstream opening by determining the pressure difference between the upstream opening and the downstream opening. In the same cases, a thermal hot-wire anemometer or a solid-state hot-wire air mass sensor can be used for the air mass sensor. In other cases, individual barometric pressure sensors can be provided at each of the upstream and downstream ports.A difference between the barometric pressure sensors - resulting from the pressure drop element within the fluid channel - can be used to determine the air mass flow.

[0015] EP 3 369 328 A2 discloses a charging system for electronic cigarettes, comprising an electronic cigarette with a first set of electrical contacts, an atomizer, and a rechargeable battery for powering the atomizer. The system further comprises an electrode assembly connectable to a power source and having a second set of electrical contacts arranged to mate with the first set of electrical contacts, whereupon the electronic cigarette receives power via the electrode assembly to recharge the battery while remaining ready for use by a smoker.Electrical circuits connected to the first set of electrical contacts include a first circuit for supplying battery power to the atomizer and a second circuit for supplying power to the battery from a battery charger to charge the battery, the first circuit cooperating with the second circuit to interrupt the flow of current through the electrode assembly to the battery when the atomizer is activated and to resume the flow of current when the atomizer is no longer activated.

[0016] EP 2 477 514 A2 describes an electronic cigarette with an inhalation detector and a smoke effect generating circuit. The inhalation detector comprises an airflow sensor configured to detect the direction and speed of the airflow through the smoking device, and the smoke effect generating circuit is configured to actuate the smoke effect generating circuit to generate a smoke effect when the direction of the airflow corresponds to inhalation through the device and the airflow speed reaches a predetermined threshold. Such an electronic smoke mitigates the problem of accidental activation due to ambient vibrations or noise, or children playing and blowing into the device. Description of the invention

[0017] It is therefore the object of the present invention to further develop an electronic cigarette in such a way that, by utilising all the advantages of known electronic cigarettes (with or without harmful substances, healing or medicinal additives, smoking cessation aids, pure vaping without additives...), a simplified structure with a high degree of modularity is made possible and, compared to conventional electronic cigarettes, a smaller design is made possible and an expanded, safe and long-lasting functionality is achieved, in particular with regard to air flow management, for which a pressure sensor is often used.

[0018] The problem underlying the invention for the electric cigarette is solved by the features of claim 1; the features further developing this inventive concept are the subject matter of subclaims 2 to 10, respectively.

[0019] Advantageously, the electric cigarette according to the present invention comprises a cartridge unit and a control unit detachably arranged thereon along a central Z-axis from bottom to top, wherein the electric cigarette terminates at a first end at the bottom with a mouthpiece end and at a second end at the top with a charging tip, and wherein this electric cigarette has a cylindrical or polygonal cross-sectional area over its entire length and comprises a first and / or a second and / or a third control element body with a respective body diameter perpendicular to the central Z-axis, and wherein this respective body diameter is selected such that the respective control element body forms a snug fit with the electric cigarette internally, and wherein the respective control element body is further designed as a printed circuit board structure with at least one printed circuit board insulated by means of an insulating filling,which is aligned transversely to the Z-axis, and wherein at least one pressure sensor is arranged on this circuit board, which is operatively connected to a cavity in the circuit board structure.,

[0020] Compared to the prior art, the electric cigarette according to the invention stands out with its cylindrical or polygonal cross-sectional area and its compact design, and in particular with its compact and protected pressure sensor. Furthermore, the arrangement of the control element body by means of a snug fit in the electric cigarette enables significantly improved space utilization within this electric cigarette and also a significantly higher degree of modularity, since each control element body is designed to be non-destructively replaceable if necessary or desired.

[0021] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control element body is designed as a control unit that is arranged between the cartridge unit and the control unit with a snug fit, sealing off the control unit from this cartridge unit. This arrangement of the control unit is advantageous due to its central location between the control unit and the cartridge unit, as it allows direct control and regulation of both units, namely the control unit and the cartridge unit.

[0022] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the at least one pressure sensor with the at least one circuit board is designed as an integrated electronic component embedded in the circuit board structure. The pressure sensor can also advantageously be completely surrounded by the cavity, with the exception of its direct, also electrical, circuit board connection; in this embodiment, the cavity can be directly closed off to the outside by means of the insulating filling, or the pressure sensor surrounded by the cavity can initially be covered by a cap, whereby this cap can be fixed to the outside by means of the insulating filling. The advantage of using the cap or a hood is that it can be designed to be more dimensionally stable than the insulating filling, and the cavity can therefore be defined.It may also be advantageous if, in a further embodiment of the invention, the pressure sensor is partially surrounded by the insulating filling in addition to the cavity. This provides a compact, stable, and secure connection between the circuit board and the pressure sensor. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cavity is designed intrinsically in the pressure sensor or is itself arranged therein, and this pressure sensor, including the cavity, is integrated into the circuit board structure.

[0023] Various state-of-the-art processes are available for manufacturing the cavity. In this case, the circuit board structure is manufactured in a closed state, including any internal, embedded, and integrated electronic components. The opening to the cavity is then created so that the pressure sensor in the cavity can communicate with pressure changes in the airflow of the electronic cigarette through this opening. For example, conventional processing methods for circuit board materials or insulation materials, such as mechanical drilling, laser drilling, etching, etc., can be used to create the opening.

[0024] With a view to the desired high degree of modularity, it is particularly advantageous if the control element body's snug fit, formed between the electronic cigarette and the control element body, is designed as a loose fit, whereby the control element body is arranged so that it can be moved just slightly, or if the control element body's snug fit, formed with the electronic cigarette, is designed as a transition fit, whereby the control element body is arranged so that it can be moved with little pressure. In any case, the arrangement with a snug fit enables at least the most precise positioning of each control element body in the electronic cigarette while requiring the smallest possible space and, in the case of a transition fit, also provides the desired degree of fixability.

[0025] Of course, it is also conceivable within the scope of the present invention to integrate the at least one pressure sensor or a further pressure sensor into the circuit board structure of the charging tip control and / or the cartridge control.

[0026] Further advantageous embodiments are highlighted in the following figures in connection with the detailed description of the invention. Short description of the characters

[0027] The invention is explained below using exemplary figures. Identical objects are generally provided with the same reference numerals in the figures. It should be noted that the figures do not limit the subject matter of the invention in any way, but merely represent possible embodiments of the inventive concept. They show purely schematically the

[0028] Fig. 1A longitudinal sectional view of an electric cigarette according to the invention with a central Z-axis for the purpose of simple description when locating individual elements of the electric cigarette using the terms "top", "bottom", "upwards", "downwards", "upper end", "lower end", "top side", "bottom side" also partially used in the figures; also shown is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a cartridge unit of this electric cigarette; Fig. 2 a cross-sectional view of a control element body of the electric cigarette using the example of a control unit which is designed as a printed circuit board structure; Fig. 3 an embodiment of the cross-sectional view of the control element body of the electric cigarette using the example of the control unit; Fig. 4 a further embodiment of the cross-sectional view of the control element body of the electric cigarette using the example of the control unit; and Fig. 5 yet another embodiment of the cross-sectional view of the control element body of the electric cigarette using the example of the control unit, which is designed as a printed circuit board structure. Ways to implement the invention

[0029] Fig. 1shows a longitudinal sectional view of an electric cigarette 1 according to the invention. The electric cigarette 1 is shown here with a central Z-axis with an arrowhead at the upper end for the purpose of simple description when locating individual components of the electric cigarette 1 by means of the terms "top", "bottom", "upwards", "downwards", "upper end", "lower end", "top side", "bottom side", etc. which are also partially used in the figures. In the present case, the electric cigarette 1 according to the invention comprises, from bottom to top, a cartridge unit 2 and a control unit 3 detachably arranged thereon, wherein the charging tip 4 is arranged on an end of this electric cigarette 1 facing away from the cartridge unit 2.This charging tip 4 has a number of electrical contact surfaces 14, 14a, which can be contacted for the purpose of charging the electric cigarette 1 and / or for the purpose of exchanging data with the electric cigarette 1. The charging tip 4 comprises a control element body 5, which is designed here as a charging tip control 5a with a body diameter 6a perpendicular to the central Z-axis, wherein this body diameter 6a is selected such that the charging tip control 5a forms a snug fit with the electric cigarette 1. With this type of configuration, in particular with regard to the body diameter 6a, the greatest possible use of space is enabled with the smallest possible space requirement of the charging tip control 5a, which is also equipped with the electrical contact surfaces 14, 14a, 14b at the top and bottom. The charging tip control 5a is designed here as a printed circuit board structure 17, which will be discussed below and in particular with the aid of FIG. Fig. 2 to 5 The charging tip 4 is assigned to a battery unit 10, which has a battery 13a with a surrounding battery insulation 13b in a battery sleeve 9, which battery 13a has an electrical contact surface 14i facing upwards to the charging tip control 5a or to its lower electrical contact surface 14b, wherein a connecting spring contact 16a is arranged between these two electrical contact surfaces 14b, 14i.

[0030] The battery sleeve 9 has a conductive inner tube 12a and is surrounded on the outside by an insulating outer tube 11. At the lower end, the conductive inner tube 12a is closed by a control element body 5 designed as a control unit 5b. This control unit 5b has contact surfaces 14f and 14e at the top, which are connected to lower contact surfaces 14c, 14d of the battery 13a, with a spring contact 16b bridging the contact surfaces 14c and 14f. The control element body 5 of the control unit 5b has a body diameter 6b, which also forms a snug fit with the electronic cigarette 1.

[0031] The control unit 5b is equipped at its lower end with a number of contact pins 19 which are electrically connected to contact surfaces 14g of the cartridge unit 2. In this case, the control unit 5b, like the charging tip control 5a, is advantageously designed as a printed circuit board structure 17, which will be discussed later. It is particularly advantageous that the charging tip control 5a is electrically connected via the conductive inner tube 12a of the battery sleeve 9 and by means of a jacket surface contact 15 of the control unit 5b or to a further control element body 5 in the cartridge unit 2, wherein this further control element body 5 is designed here as a cartridge control 5c. By means of these electrical connections, the control unit 5b orIn addition to charging the electronic cigarette 1, the cartridge control unit 5c also allows for a continuous data exchange, which may include, for example, switching commands, or parameterization or programming data. The control element body 5 of the cartridge unit 5c has a body diameter 6c, which also forms a snug fit with the electronic cigarette 1, in this case with a cartridge end 35.

[0032] In the present embodiment of the invention, the cartridge unit 2 comprises a reservoir housing 36, which is provided at the top with the cartridge closure 35 and the cartridge control 5c arranged therein and is filled with an aerosol precursor composition 37; a mouthpiece end 25 with a mouthpiece opening 18 closes the reservoir housing 36 at the bottom.

[0033] The tightly positioned control element bodies 5, namely the charging tip control 5a, the control unit 5b, and the cartridge control 5c, can be arranged in the electronic cigarette 1 in two different ways: firstly, with a so-called transition fit and secondly, with a loose fit. In the present case, the control unit 5b is fixed with its lateral surface contact 15 in the inner tube 12a by means of a transition fit and can thus be moved therein only with slight pressure, whereas the charging tip control 5a, which is supported upwards against a flange 12b, forms a loose fit with the inner tube 12a and is therefore arranged so as to be easily movable therein.

[0034] In the present case, the cartridge unit 2 comprises, in addition to the cartridge control 5c, a micropump 42 and, subsequently, a heating chip 47. The micropump 42 draws the aerosol precursor composition 37 from a reservoir housing 36, for example, via a hollow needle 43. This cartridge unit 2 comprises, for example, two parts groups, one of which is detachably arranged on the electronic cigarette 1 and remains there, and the other part group is designed as a consumable item for replacement after consumption. The first part group, which remains on the electronic cigarette 1 even after use, comprises the cartridge end 35 with the cartridge control 5c, the micropump 42, and the heating chip 47, surrounded by the cartridge sleeve 48 and the needle 43; the second part group essentially comprises the reservoir housing 36 inserted into the cartridge sleeve 48, containing the aerosol precursor composition 37, and the mouthpiece end 25.After use of the electronic cigarette 1, only the second group of parts is replaced as a unit. After insertion into the cartridge case 48, the aerosol precursor composition 37 can be sucked in by the micropump 42 through this needle 43, and then forwarded via a feeder 44 to a distributor 45 and finally to a distributor substrate 46 in the heating chip 47. Air flowing from an air channel 39a to an aerosolization zone 20 is provided there with an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition 37 via the air channel 39b to a consumer at the mouthpiece opening 18.

[0035] As already mentioned above, the charging tip control 5a, the control unit 5b and the cartridge control 5c can advantageously be designed as a printed circuit board structure 17, as shown in the Fig. 2 to 5are shown in more detail. This circuit board structure 17 can have one or more of the functions of the electronic cigarette 1 listed below, namely an air flow measurement, a residual quantity determination for an aerosol precursor composition 37, a charge level determination of the battery 13a, an authentication device, or a communication device (RFID, Bluetooth, etc.), optionally for data exchange with a smartphone or a smartwatch, whereby this list of functions is not to be considered exhaustive.

[0036] Fig. 2 now shows an exemplary embodiment of the circuit board structure 17 of the control unit 5b ( Fig. 1 ), with several electrical contact surfaces 14 on the top or bottom thereof; for the sake of simplicity, all contact surfaces - not as in the Fig. 1shown—here merely provided with a general reference numeral "14". The printed circuit board structure 17 present here also comprises, in a highly simplified form, a number of conductor tracks or vias 27 as well as a number of integrated structures such as a microcontroller 29 and a pressure sensor 30, which are arranged on printed circuit boards 33 insulated from one another by means of insulating fillings 32. A multitude of functions of the electronic cigarette can be implemented using such a printed circuit board structure 17, with additional structures being able to be added or omitted if necessary. Without departing from the spirit of the invention, it is of course also conceivable that additional functions not explicitly mentioned here could be integrated into this printed circuit board structure 17.

[0037] Disclosed here Fig. 2in a greatly enlarged sectional view of a possible embodiment for the printed circuit board structure 17. In its simplest form, this printed circuit board structure 17 comprises at least one printed circuit board 33, which is equipped with a pressure sensor 30 and a microcontroller 29 as integrated components. An exemplary structure based on embedded electronic components is shown here. In this single-embedding technology variant shown here, the components that will later be located inside are soldered onto the respective copper layer, e.g. structured by etching, using a soldering process and are covered in the further printed circuit board manufacturing process by cover layers made of an insulating filling or printed circuit board material 32 (prepregs). The copper layers to which the components are soldered can either be individual foils or, as in the case shown, components of prepared two- or multi-layer printed circuit boards, consisting of at least one insulator, e.g.consisting of a hardened prepreg 32 and two pressed-on copper layers. Depending on the design and material selection, the resin in the cover layer materials is used, for example, to fill the gaps around the embedded components during the subsequent PCB pressing process.

[0038] Other embedding technologies are available that also enable the processing of unpackaged active electronic components, such as microcontrollers or ASICs, without a separate soldering process. These technologies utilize standard processes from the printed circuit board industry, such as micro-drilling (HDI technology, microvias) and electroplating, to contact the electronic components that will later be embedded. However, the basic structure with embedded components remains largely the same regardless of the chosen embedded variant. Multilayer printed circuit boards with embedded components can also be manufactured using 3D printing / additive processes, such as paste / resin-based processes with drying or curing with UV light.

[0039] In addition to embedding electronic components, the use of printed circuit board technology suitable for large-scale production also enables complex 3D structuring of the resulting assembly using standard processing methods while maintaining high precision and tight tolerances. Mechanical guides and additional external contact elements can be easily implemented in subsequent printed circuit board processes.

[0040] The various levels of the multilayer printed circuit board with embedded electronic components are connected to each other by means of through-contacts 27 (microvias, vias) in a standard printed circuit board process and secure the electrical connections in the Z-axis of the compact assembly.

[0041] A printed circuit board structure 17 designed in this way is distinguished from the prior art not only by improved miniaturization but also by lower energy consumption and lower power dissipation. In the present case, the printed circuit board structure 17 comprises a plurality of circuit boards 33 arranged in isolation from one another with embedded elements, such as the microcontroller 29 and the pressure sensor 30, which are intended here merely as examples of other equivalently equipped embodiments. Typically, the printed circuit boards 33, arranged horizontally and thus perpendicular to the Z-axis, are spaced apart by insulating fillings 32, with conductor tracks or vias 27 partially or completely electrically connecting the printed circuit board structure 17.

[0042] In the present case, the printed circuit board structure 17 has a cavity 41 with the internal pressure sensor 30, wherein this pressure sensor 30 is completely surrounded by the cavity 41, with the exception of the direct, also electrical connection between the pressure sensor 30 and the printed circuit board 33. The cavity 41 has an opening 50, with which the pressure sensor 30 outside the cavity 41 comes into active connection with the air flow in the air channels 39a, 39b of the electronic cigarette 1, see also Fig. 1 Due to the fact that the pressure sensor 30 is only connected to the circuit board 33 and is otherwise arranged in the cavity 41 without contact, thermal and / or mechanical influences on the pressure sensor - for example from the insulation filling 32 - can be largely avoided.

[0043] With particular advantage, the control unit 5b is designed as such a printed circuit board structure 17, wherein the pressure sensor 30 is directly connected to the air duct 39, 39a or 39b, see also Fig. 1 to switch on the electronic cigarette 1 when sucking through the mouthpiece opening 18. Thus, the pressure sensor 30 can be formed in this circuit board structure 17 as an embedded, integrated electronic component.

[0044] The further embodiment according to the invention shows in Fig. 3 an almost identical representation as in the Fig. 2 , with the difference that the pressure sensor 30 is partially surrounded by the insulating filling 32 in addition to the cavity 41. In this case, while accepting any thermal or mechanical influences of the insulating filling 32 on the pressure sensor 30, a Fig. 2Improved fixation of the pressure sensor 30 in the circuit board structure 17 is achieved. Such a design makes the pressure sensor 30, and thus the entire circuit board structure 17, insensitive to strong accelerations that can occur, for example, when the electronic cigarette falls.

[0045] Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment according to the invention, in which, in contrast to the embodiments in the Fig. 2 and 3 The cavity 41 is designed as an intrinsic component of the pressure sensor 30, and the pressure sensor 30 is otherwise completely surrounded by the insulating filling 32. This embodiment represents, comparatively, the most stable and most impact-resistant embodiment of the invention.

[0046] In Fig. 5 a further embodiment of the invention is shown, in which the pressure sensor 30 - based on the embodiment in Fig. 1-is completely surrounded by the cavity 41, which itself is surrounded by a cap 51 or hood 51 in the insulating filling 32. This cap 51, in a dimensionally stable design, can offer the best possible protection against any influences of the insulating filling 32 on the pressure sensor 30. List of reference symbols

[0047] 1 Electric cigarette 2 Cartridge unit 3 Control unit 4 Charging tip 5 Control element body 5a Charging tip control 5b Control unit 5c Cartridge control 6a, b, c Body diameter 9 Battery sleeve 10 Battery unit 11 Outer tube of the 9, electrically non-conductive 12a Inner tube of the 9, electrically conductive 12b Flange on 12a 13a Battery 13b Battery insulation 14, 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e, 14f, 14g, 14h, 14i, 14j Electrical contact surface 15 Shell surface contact 16a, 16b Spring contact 17 Circuit board structure 18 Mouthpiece opening 19 Contact pin 20 Aerosolization zone 25 Mouthpiece end 27 Through-hole 29 Microcontroller 30Sensor, pressure sensor 32Insulation filling 33Printed circuit board 35Cartridge closure 36Reservoir housing 37Aerosol precursor composition 39, 39a, 39bAir channel 41Cavity in 17 42Micropump 43Needle 44Feeder 45Distributor 46Distributor substrate 47Heating chip 48Cartridge sleeve 49Opening in 36 50Opening in 32 to cavity 41 51Cap

Claims

1. Electronic cigarette (1), comprising a cartridge unit (2) and a control unit (3) removably arranged thereon, the electronic cigarette (1) terminating at a first end with a mouthpiece end (25) and at a second end with a charging tip (4), characterized in that the electronic cigarette (1) has a cylindrical or polygonal cross-section over its entire length along a Z-axis and comprises a first and / or a second and / or a third control element body (5) having a respective body diameter (6a, 6b, 6c) perpendicular to the Z-axis, wherein said respective body diameter (6a, 6b, 6c) of the respective control element body (5) forms an interference fit in the electronic cigarette (1), and wherein the respective control element body (5) is further formed as a printed circuit board structure (17) having at least one insulated printed circuit board (33) which is insulated by means of an insulating filling (32) and is aligned transversely to the Z-axis, and at least one pressure sensor (30) being arranged on this printed circuit board (33) and being operatively connected to a cavity (41) in the printed circuit board structure (17).

2. Electronic cigarette (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the control element bodies (5) is designed as a control unit (5b) which is arranged with an interference fit between the cartridge unit (2) and the control unit (3) and terminates the control unit (3) towards this cartridge unit (2).

3. Electronic cigarette (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one pressure sensor (30) with the at least one printed circuit board (33) is designed as an integrated electronic component embedded in the printed circuit board structure (17).

4. Electronic cigarette (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pressure sensor (30) is arranged on the printed circuit board (33) in such a way that this pressure sensor (30) is completely surrounded by the cavity (41) on its sides facing away from the printed circuit board (33).

5. Electronic cigarette (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the pressure sensor (30) is arranged on the printed circuit board (33) in such a way that this pressure sensor (30) is completely surrounded by the cavity (41) on its sides facing away from the printed circuit board (33) side facing away from the printed circuit board (33) is completely surrounded by the cavity (41), and the cavity (41) is surrounded by a cap (51) embedded in the printed circuit board structure (17).

6. Electronic cigarette (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pressure sensor (30) is arranged on the printed circuit board (33) in such a way that this pressure sensor (30) is partially surrounded by an insulating filling (32) next to the cavity (41).

7. Electronic cigarette (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one pressure sensor (30) in the printed circuit board structure (17) intrinsically encompasses the cavity (41).

8. Electronic cigarette (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cavity (41) is operatively connected to an air channel (39, 39a, 39b) in the electronic cigarette (1) by means of an opening (50).

9. Electronic cigarette (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the snug fit of the control element body (5) formed with the electronic cigarette (1) is designed as a clearance fit, the control element body (5) being arranged such that it can just still be displaced slightly.

10. Electronic cigarette (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the fit of the control element body (5) formed with the electronic cigarette (1) is designed as a transition fit, the control element body (5) being arranged such that it can be displaced with slight pressure.