Nicotine e-vaping device with dryness detection and automatic shutoff

Abstract

To provide a nicotine electronic vaping device.SOLUTION: The nicotine e-vaping device 500 includes a nicotine reservoir, a heater 336, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to determine a plurality of resistance values of the heater (336) during the time window, calculate a percent change in resistance of the heater (336) between the first plurality of resistance values and the second plurality of resistance values, determine whether the percent change in resistance of the heater (336) exceeds a percent change in resistance threshold, and disable power to the heater (336) in response to determining that the percent change in resistance of the heater (336) exceeds the percent change in resistance threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] One or more exemplary embodiments relate to a nicotine electronic vaping (nicotine e-vaping) device. [Background technology]

[0002] A nicotine electronic vaping device (or nicotine e-vaping device) includes a heater that vaporizes a nicotine pre-vapor formulation material to produce a vapor. The nicotine e-vaporizing device may include several nicotine e-vapor elements, including a power source, a nicotine cartridge or nicotine e-vapor tank that includes the heater, and a nicotine reservoir capable of holding the nicotine pre-vapor formulation material. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One or more exemplary embodiments provide a dry puff and auto-shutoff control system configured to control one or more elements of a nicotine e-vapor device to maintain the nicotine e-vapor device within defined operating limits for different parameters.

[0004] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the parameters of the nicotine e-vapor device may include the temperature of the heater, the percent change in resistance of the heater, combinations thereof, etc. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the automatic shut-off control system may automatically shut off or disable one or more subsystems or elements of the nicotine e-vapor device in response to detecting the presence of a dry puff condition in the nicotine e-vapor device. After shutting down or disabling, corrective action (e.g., by an adult e-vapor device user) may be required to restart or re-enable one or more subsystems or elements.

[0005] At least one exemplary embodiment provides a method for controlling operation of a nicotine electronic-vaporizing device including a heater for heating a nicotine pre-vapor formulation drawn from a nicotine reservoir, the method including: determining a plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater during a time window; calculating a percentage change in resistance of the heater between a first plurality of resistance values ​​and a second plurality of resistance values; determining whether the percentage change in resistance of the heater exceeds a percentage change in resistance threshold; and disabling power to the heater in the nicotine electronic-vaporizing device in response to determining that the percentage change in resistance of the heater exceeds the percentage change in resistance threshold.

[0006] At least one other exemplary embodiment provides a nicotine e-vaporizing device including a nicotine reservoir storing a nicotine pre-vapor formulation, a heater configured to heat the nicotine pre-vapor formulation drawn from the nicotine reservoir, and a processing circuit configured to determine a plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater during a time window, calculate a percentage change in resistance of the heater between a first plurality of resistance values ​​and a second plurality of resistance values, determine whether the percentage change in resistance of the heater exceeds a percentage change in resistance threshold, and disable power to the heater in response to determining that the percentage change in resistance of the heater exceeds the percentage change in resistance threshold.

[0007] According to at least some example embodiments, the plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater may be stored in a first-in, first-out (FIFO) memory, where a first plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater may be the oldest resistance value stored in the FIFO memory and a second plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater may be the most recent resistance value stored in the FIFO memory.

[0008] The threshold percent change in resistance may be obtained from a memory within the nicotine pod assembly of the nicotine electronic vaping device.

[0009] Whether the resistance of the heater has stabilized may be detected based on the current through the heater. Multiple resistance values ​​of the heater during the time window may be determined in response to detecting that the heater has stabilized.

[0010] Whether the resistance of the heater has stabilized may be determined based on the current through the heater and a wetting current threshold.

[0011] In response to determining that the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds a percent change in resistance threshold, an indication of a dry puff condition in the nicotine electronic vaping device may be output.

[0012] The nicotine electronic vaping device may be powered off in response to determining that the nicotine pod assembly has not been removed from the nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after disabling power to the heater.

[0013] The nicotine electronic vaping device may return to an operational mode by clearing a fault associated with a dry puff condition in the nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that the nicotine pod assembly has been removed from the nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after disabling power to the heater.

[0014] Vaping in the nicotine electronic vaping device may be enabled in response to determining that another nicotine pod assembly is inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after returning the nicotine electronic vaping device to the operational mode.

[0015] The nicotine electronic vaping device may be powered off in response to determining that another nicotine pod assembly has not been inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after returning the nicotine electronic vaping device to the operating mode.

[0016] At least one other exemplary embodiment provides a method for controlling a nicotine electronic-vaporizing device including a heater for heating a nicotine pre-vapor formulation drawn from a nicotine reservoir, the method including: determining a plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater during a time window; calculating a percentage change in resistance of the heater between a first plurality of resistance values ​​and a second plurality of resistance values; detecting whether the percentage change in resistance of the heater exceeds a percentage change in resistance threshold; and outputting an indication of a dry puff state of the nicotine electronic-vaporizing device in response to detecting that the percentage change in resistance of the heater exceeds the percentage change in resistance threshold.

[0017] At least one other exemplary embodiment provides a nicotine electronic-vapor device including a nicotine reservoir storing a nicotine pre-vapor formulation, a heater configured to heat the nicotine pre-vapor formulation drawn from the nicotine reservoir, and a processing circuit configured to cause the nicotine electronic-vapor device to determine a plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater during a time window, calculate a percentage change in resistance of the heater between a first plurality of resistance values ​​and a second plurality of resistance values, detect whether the percentage change in resistance of the heater exceeds a percentage change in resistance threshold, and output an indication of a dry puff in the nicotine electronic-vapor device in response to determining that the percentage change in resistance of the heater exceeds the percentage change in resistance threshold.

[0018] According to at least some example embodiments, the plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater may be stored in a first-in, first-out (FIFO) memory, where a first plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater may be the oldest resistance value stored in the FIFO memory and a second plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater may be the most recent resistance value stored in the FIFO memory.

[0019] The threshold percent change in resistance may be obtained from a memory within the nicotine pod assembly of the nicotine electronic vaping device.

[0020] Whether the resistance of the heater has stabilized may be determined based on the current through the heater, and in response to determining that the resistance of the heater has stabilized, multiple resistance values ​​of the heater during the time window may be determined.

[0021] Whether the resistance of the heater has stabilized may be determined based on the current through the heater and a wetting current threshold.

[0022] The nicotine electronic vaping device may be powered off in response to determining that the nicotine pod assembly has not been removed from the nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after outputting an indication of a dry puff condition at the nicotine electronic vaping device.

[0023] In response to detecting that the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds a percent change in resistance threshold, power to the heater may be disabled, and in response to determining that the nicotine pod assembly is removed from the nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after disabling power to the heater, the nicotine electronic vaping device may return to an operational mode by clearing a fault associated with a dry puff condition in the nicotine electronic vaping device.

[0024] Vaping in the nicotine electronic vaping device may be enabled in response to determining that another nicotine pod assembly is inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after returning the nicotine electronic vaping device to the operational mode.

[0025] The nicotine electronic vaping device may be powered off in response to determining that another nicotine pod assembly has not been inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after returning the nicotine electronic vaping device to the operating mode.

[0026] At least one other exemplary embodiment provides a method for controlling a nicotine electronic vaping device, the method including determining whether a nicotine pod assembly is removed before expiration of a first time interval after detecting a dry puff state in the nicotine electronic vaping device, and in response to determining that the nicotine pod assembly is removed before expiration of the first time interval, returning the nicotine electronic vaping device to an operational mode by clearing a fault associated with the dry puff state in the nicotine electronic vaping device.

[0027] At least one other exemplary embodiment provides a nicotine electronic vaping device including a processing circuit configured to determine whether a nicotine pod assembly is removed before expiration of a first time interval after detecting a dry puff state in the nicotine electronic vaping device, and in response to determining that the nicotine pod assembly is removed before expiration of the first time interval, return the nicotine electronic vaping device to an operational mode by clearing a fault associated with the dry puff state in the nicotine electronic vaping device.

[0028] According to at least some example embodiments, it may be determined whether another nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after returning the nicotine electronic vaping device to the operational mode, and in response to determining that another nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval after returning the nicotine electronic vaping device to the operational mode, vaping in the nicotine electronic vaping device may be enabled.

[0029] A dry puff condition in a nicotine electronic vaping device may be detected based on whether a percent change in resistance of a heater in the nicotine electronic vaping device exceeds a percent change in resistance threshold. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] Various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodiments herein may become more apparent upon consideration of the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale unless expressly noted. Various dimensions of the drawings may be exaggerated for purposes of clarity.

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a nicotine e-vaping device according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a proximal end view of the nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a distal end view of the nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the pod entrance of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the device body of the nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view of the device main body of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the through hole of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the electrical contacts of the device of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a partial exploded view of the mouthpiece of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a partial exploded view of the bezel structure of FIG. [Figure 15]15 is an enlarged perspective view of the mouthpiece, spring, retaining structure, and bezel structure of FIG. 14. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a partial exploded view of the front cover, frame, and rear cover of FIG. [Figure 17] 17 is a perspective view of a nicotine pod assembly of the nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 18] 18 is another perspective view of the nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 17. FIG. [Figure 19] 19 is another perspective view of the nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 18. FIG. [Figure 20] 20 is a perspective view of the nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 19 without the connector module. [Figure 21] 21 is a perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 19. FIG. [Figure 22] 22 is another perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 21. FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is an exploded view of the wick, heater, electrical leads and contact core of FIG. [Figure 24] 24 is an exploded view of the first housing section of the nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 17. FIG. [Figure 25] 25 is a partially exploded view of the second housing section of the nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 17. FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is an exploded view of the actuation pin of FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 22, excluding the wick, heater, electrical leads and contact cores. [Figure 28] 28 is an exploded view of the connector module of FIG. 27. FIG. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 illustrates the electrical system of the device body and nicotine pod assembly of a nicotine e-vaping device according to one or more exemplary embodiments. [Figure 30]FIG. 30 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a dry smoke and automatic shutoff control system according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 31] FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a dryness detection method according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 32] FIG. 32 shows a graph of resistance against time when a dry puff condition occurs during a puff ("Drying Puff"), when a dry puff condition is present at the start of the puff ("Dry Puff"), and when a dry puff condition is not present ("Standard Puff"). [Figure 33] FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of operation of a nicotine e-vapor device after shutting off the vaping function in response to detecting a difficult fault pod event, such as a dry puff condition, according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 34] FIG. 34 illustrates a heater voltage measurement circuit according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 35] FIG. 35 illustrates a heater current measurement circuit according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 36] FIG. 36 illustrates a pod temperature measurement circuit according to some exemplary embodiments. [Figure 37] FIG. 37 illustrates a pod temperature measurement circuit according to some other exemplary embodiments. [Figure 38] FIG. 38 is a circuit diagram illustrating a heating engine control circuit according to some exemplary embodiments. [Figure 39] FIG. 39 is a circuit diagram illustrating a heating engine control circuit according to some other exemplary embodiments. [Figure 40] FIG. 40 illustrates a temperature sensing transducer according to some exemplary embodiments. [Figure 41] FIG. 41 illustrates a temperature sensing transducer according to some other exemplary embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Some detailed exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein. However, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing the exemplary embodiments. However, the exemplary embodiments may be embodied in many alternative forms and should not be construed as being limited to only the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.

[0033] Accordingly, while exemplary embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, such exemplary embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the exemplary embodiments to the particular forms disclosed; on the contrary, the exemplary embodiments are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives. Like numerals refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.

[0034] When an element or layer is referred to as "on," "connected to," "coupled to," "attached to," "adjacent to," or "covering" another element or layer, it should be understood that this is directly on, directly connected to, directly coupled to, directly attached to, directly adjacent to, or directly covering the other element or layer, or that intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any or all combinations or subcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0035] It should be understood that terms such as first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, regions, layers, and / or sections, and that these elements, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, region, layer, or section discussed below could also be referred to as a second element, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0036] Spatial relationship terms (e.g., "below," "below," "lower," "above," "above," and the like) may be used herein to help describe the relationship between one element or feature and another element or feature when illustrated in the figures. Of course, the spatial relationship terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device during use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "below" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the term "below" may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be oriented otherwise (rotated 90 degrees or at another orientation), and the spatial relationship descriptors used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0037] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing various exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "includes," "including," "comprises," and / or "comprising," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, and / or elements, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or groups thereof.

[0038] When the terms "about" or "substantially" are used herein in conjunction with a numerical value, unless expressly defined otherwise, it is intended that the accompanying numerical value include a tolerance of plus or minus 10 percent around the stated numerical value.

[0039] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the exemplary embodiments belong. It should further be understood that terms (including terms defined in commonly used dictionaries) should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the meaning of those terms in the context of the relevant art, unless expressly so defined herein, and not in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0040] As used herein, "nicotine electronic vaping device" or "nicotine e-vaping device" may occasionally refer to, and may be considered synonymous with, nicotine e-vapor equipment and / or nicotine e-vapor devices.

[0041] FIG. 1 is a front view of a nicotine e-vapor device according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the nicotine e-vapor device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the nicotine e-vapor device of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the nicotine e-vapor device 500 includes a device body 100 configured to receive a nicotine pod assembly 300. The nicotine pod assembly 300 is a modular article configured to hold a nicotine pre-vapor formulation. A "nicotine pre-vapor formulation" is a material or combination of materials that can be transformed into a vapor. For example, the nicotine pre-vapor formulation may be a liquid formulation, a solid formulation, and / or a gel formulation, including, but not limited to, water, beads, a solvent, an active ingredient, ethanol, a botanical extract, a natural or artificial flavor, and / or a nicotine vapor former such as glycerin and propylene glycol. The nicotine e-vapor device 500 is configured to heat the nicotine pre-vapor formulation to generate a nicotine vapor during vaping. As referred to herein, "nicotine vapor" is any substance generated or output from any nicotine e-vaping device according to any of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 extends longitudinally and has a length that is greater than its width. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the length of the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 is also greater than its thickness. Furthermore, the width of the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 may be greater than its thickness. Assuming an xyz Cartesian coordinate system, the length of the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 may be measured in the y-direction, the width may be measured in the x-direction, and the thickness may be measured in the z-direction. Based on its front, side, and rear views, the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 may have a substantially linear configuration with tapered ends, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0043] The device body 100 includes a front cover 104, a frame 106, and a rear cover 108. The front cover 104, the frame 106, and the rear cover 108 form a device housing that encloses mechanical elements, electronic elements, and / or circuitry related to the operation of the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500. For example, the device housing of the device body 100 may enclose a power source configured to power the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500, which may include providing current to the nicotine pod assembly 300. The device housing of the device body 100 may also include one or more electrical systems for controlling the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500. Electrical systems according to exemplary embodiments are described in more detail below. Furthermore, when assembled, the front cover 104, the frame 106, and the rear cover 108 may comprise the majority of the visible portion of the device body 100.

[0044] The front cover 104 (e.g., the first cover) defines a primary opening configured to accommodate the bezel structure 112. The primary opening may have a rounded rectangular shape, although other shapes are possible depending on the shape of the bezel structure 112. The bezel structure 112 defines a through hole 150 configured to receive the nicotine pod assembly 300. The through hole 150 is described in more detail herein, for example, in connection with FIG. 9 .

[0045] The front cover 104 also defines a secondary opening configured to accommodate a light guide arrangement. The secondary opening may resemble a slot (e.g., an elongated rectangle with rounded ends), although other shapes are possible depending on the shape of the light guide arrangement. In an exemplary embodiment, the light guide arrangement includes a light guide housing 114 and a button housing 122. The light guide housing 114 is configured to expose a light guide lens 116, while the button housing 122 is configured to expose a first button lens 124 and a second button lens 126 (e.g., FIG. 16 ). The first button lens 124 and an upstream portion of the button housing 122 may form a first button 118. Similarly, the second button lens 126 and a downstream portion of the button housing 122 may form a second button 120. The button housing 122 may be in the form of a single structure or two separate structures. In the latter form, the first button 118 and the second button 120 may be actuated with a more independent feel when pressed.

[0046] Operation of the nicotine e-vaping device 500 may be controlled by a first button 118 and a second button 120. For example, the first button 118 may be a power button and the second button 120 may be an intensity button. Two buttons are shown in the drawings in relation to the light guide arrangement, although it will be appreciated that more (or fewer) buttons may be provided depending on the available features and desired user interface.

[0047] The frame 106 (e.g., a base frame) is the central support structure of the device body 100 (and the entire nicotine e-vaping device 500). The frame 106 may be referred to as a chassis. The frame 106 includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a pair of side sections between the proximal and distal ends. The proximal and distal ends may also be referred to as the downstream and upstream ends, respectively. As used herein, "proximal" (and conversely, "distal") refers to the adult e-vaping device user during vaping, and "downstream" (and conversely, "upstream") refers to the vapor flow. Bridging sections may be provided between opposing inner surfaces of the side sections (e.g., approximately midway along the length of the frame 106) for additional strength and stability. The frame 106 may be integrally formed to be a monolithic structure.

[0048] With regard to materials of construction, the frame 106 may be formed of an alloy or plastic. The alloy (e.g., die-cast grade, machinable grade) may be an aluminum (Al) alloy or a zinc (Zn) alloy. The plastic may be polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or a combination thereof (PC / ABS). For example, the polycarbonate may be LUPOY SC1004A. Additionally, the frame 106 may be provided with a surface finish for functional and / or aesthetic reasons (e.g., to provide a premium appearance). In an exemplary embodiment, the frame 106 (e.g., when formed of an aluminum alloy) may be anodized. In another embodiment, the frame 106 (e.g., when formed of a zinc alloy) may be coated with hard enamel or painted. In another embodiment, the frame 106 (e.g., when formed of a polycarbonate) may be metallized. In yet another embodiment, the frame 106 (e.g., when formed of an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) may be electroplated. Of course, the materials of construction for the frame 106 may also apply to the front cover 104, the rear cover 108, and / or other suitable parts of the nicotine e-vaping device 500.

[0049] The rear cover 108 (e.g., the second cover) also defines an opening configured to accommodate the bezel structure 112. The opening may have a rounded rectangular shape, although other shapes are possible depending on the shape of the bezel structure 112. In the exemplary embodiment, the opening in the rear cover 108 is smaller than the primary opening in the front cover 104. Additionally, although not shown, it will be appreciated that a light guide arrangement (e.g., including a button) may be provided on the rear of the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 in addition to (or instead of) the light guide arrangement on the front of the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500.

[0050] The front cover 104 and the rear cover 108 may be configured to engage with the frame 106 via a snap-fit ​​arrangement. For example, the front cover 104 and / or the rear cover 108 may include clips configured to interlock with corresponding mating members on the frame 106. In a non-limiting embodiment, the clips may be in the form of tabs having orifices configured to receive corresponding mating members on the frame 106 (e.g., protrusions with beveled edges). Alternatively, the front cover 104 and / or the rear cover 108 may be configured to engage with the frame 106 via an interference fit (which may also be referred to as a press fit or a friction fit). However, it will be appreciated that the front cover 104, the frame 106, and the rear cover 108 may be coupled via other suitable arrangements and techniques.

[0051] Device body 100 also includes mouthpiece 102. Mouthpiece 102 may be secured to a proximal end of frame 106. Further, in an exemplary embodiment in which frame 106 is sandwiched between front cover 104 and rear cover 108, as shown in FIG. 2, mouthpiece 102 may abut front cover 104, frame 106, and rear cover 108. Further, in a non-limiting embodiment, mouthpiece 102 may be coupled to the device housing via a bayonet connection.

[0052] FIG. 4 is a proximal end view of the nicotine e-vaporizing device of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 4, the outlet surface of the mouthpiece 102 defines a plurality of vapor outlets. In a non-limiting embodiment, the outlet surface of the mouthpiece 102 may be elliptical. Further, the outlet surface of the mouthpiece 102 may include a first crossbar corresponding to the major axis of the elliptical outlet surface and a second crossbar corresponding to the minor axis of the elliptical outlet surface. Furthermore, the first crossbar and the second crossbar intersect at a right angle and may be an integrally formed part of the mouthpiece 102. While the outlet surface is shown as defining four vapor outlets, it should be understood that exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the outlet surface may define fewer than four (e.g., one or two) vapor outlets or more than four (e.g., six or eight) vapor outlets.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a distal end view of the nicotine e-vaporizing device of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 5, the distal end of the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 includes a port 110. The port 110 is configured to accept current from an external power source (e.g., via a USB cable) to charge an internal power source within the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500. Additionally, the port 110 may also be configured to transmit and / or receive data (e.g., via a USB cable) to and from another nicotine e-vaporizing device or other electronic device (e.g., a phone, tablet, computer). Furthermore, the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 may be configured for wireless communication with another electronic device, such as a phone, via application software (app) installed on the electronic device. In such an example, an adult e-vaporizing device user may control or otherwise interface with the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 (e.g., locate the nicotine e-vaporizing device, check usage information, change operating parameters) through the app.

[0054] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the nicotine e-vaporizing device of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the pod inlet of FIG. 6. Referring to FIGS. 6-7, and as briefly mentioned above, the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 includes a nicotine pod assembly 300 configured to hold a nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The nicotine pod assembly 300 has an upstream end (facing the light guide arrangement) and a downstream end (facing the mouthpiece 102). In a non-limiting embodiment, the upstream end is the surface opposite the downstream end of the nicotine pod assembly 300. The upstream end of the nicotine pod assembly 300 defines a pod inlet 322. The device body 100 defines a through-hole (e.g., through-hole 150 of FIG. 9) configured to receive the nicotine pod assembly 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the bezel structure 112 of the device body 100 defines the through-hole and includes an upstream edge. As shown particularly in FIG. 7, the upstream edge of the bezel structure 112 is angled (e.g., inwardly recessed) to expose the pod entrance 322 when the nicotine pod assembly 300 is placed within the through-hole of the device body 100.

[0055] For example, rather than following the contours of the front cover 104 (so as to be relatively flush with the front surface of the nicotine pod assembly 300 and thus overshadow the pod inlet 322), the upstream edge of the bezel structure 112 is in the form of a scoop configured to direct ambient air into the pod inlet 322. This angled / scoop configuration may help reduce or prevent blockage of the air inlet (e.g., the pod inlet 322) of the nicotine e-vaping device 500. The depth of the scoop may be such that less than half (e.g., less than a quarter) of the upstream end face of the nicotine pod assembly 300 is exposed. Furthermore, in a non-limiting embodiment, the pod inlet 322 is in the form of a slot. Furthermore, when the device body 100 is considered to extend in a first direction, the slot may be considered to extend in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction.

[0056] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the nicotine e-vapor device of FIG. 6. In FIG. 8, the cross-section is taken along the longitudinal axis of the nicotine e-vapor device 500. As shown, the device body 100 and the nicotine pod assembly 300 include mechanical elements, electronic elements, and / or circuitry associated with the operation of the nicotine e-vapor device 500, which are described in more detail herein and / or incorporated by reference herein. For example, the nicotine pod assembly 300 may include a mechanical element configured to actuate to release a nicotine pre-vapor formulation from a nicotine reservoir sealed therein. The nicotine pod assembly 300 may also have mechanical features configured to engage with the device body 100 to facilitate insertion and seating of the nicotine pod assembly 300.

[0057] Additionally, the nicotine pod assembly 300 may be a "smart pod" that includes electronic elements and / or circuitry configured to store, receive, and / or transmit information to and from the device body 100. Such information may be used to authenticate the nicotine pod assembly 300 for use with the device body 100 (e.g., to prevent the use of unauthorized / counterfeit nicotine pod assemblies). Furthermore, the information may be used to identify the type of nicotine pod assembly 300, which is then correlated with a vaping profile based on the identified type. The vaping profile may be designed to define general parameters for heating the nicotine pre-vapor formulation and may be subject to adjustment, refinement, or other adjustment by the adult e-vaping device user prior to and / or during vaping.

[0058] The nicotine pod assembly 300 may also communicate other information with the device body 100 that may be relevant to the operation of the nicotine e-vapor device 500. Examples of relevant information may include the level of nicotine pre-vapor formulation within the nicotine pod assembly 300 and / or the amount of time that has elapsed since the nicotine pod assembly 300 was inserted into the device body 100 and activated. For example, if the nicotine pod assembly 300 was inserted into the device body 100 and activated for more than a certain period of time (e.g., more than six months ago), the nicotine e-vapor device 500 may not allow vaping, and the adult e-vapor device user may be prompted to replace the nicotine pod assembly 300 with a new nicotine pod assembly, even if the nicotine pod assembly 300 still contains an appropriate level of nicotine pre-vapor formulation.

[0059] The device body 100 may include mechanical elements (e.g., complementary structures) configured to engage, hold, and / or activate the nicotine pod assembly 300. Additionally, the device body 100 may include electronic elements and / or circuitry configured to receive electrical current and charge an internal power source (e.g., a battery), which is then configured to provide power to the nicotine pod assembly 300 during vaping. Additionally, the device body 100 may include electronic elements and / or circuitry configured to communicate with the nicotine pod assembly 300, different nicotine e-vaping devices, other electronic devices (e.g., phones, tablets, computers), and / or adult e-vaping device users. The communicated information may include pod-specific data, current vaping details, and / or past vaping patterns / history. The adult e-vaping device user may be notified of such communication using feedback that is tactile (e.g., vibration), auditory (e.g., beep), and / or visual (e.g., colored / flashing light). Charging and / or communication of information may be accomplished through port 110 (eg, via a USB cable).

[0060] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the device body of the nicotine e-vaping device of FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 9, the bezel structure 112 of the device body 100 defines a through-hole 150. The through-hole 150 is configured to receive the nicotine pod assembly 300. To facilitate insertion and seating of the nicotine pod assembly 300 into the through-hole 150, the upstream edge of the bezel structure 112 includes a first upstream protrusion 128a and a second upstream protrusion 128b. The through-hole 150 may have a rectangular shape with rounded corners. In the exemplary embodiment, the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b are integrally formed with the bezel structure 112 and are positioned at the two rounded corners of the upstream edge.

[0061] The downstream wall of the bezel structure 112 may define a first downstream opening, a second downstream opening, and a third downstream opening. The retention structure including the first downstream protrusion 130 a and the second downstream protrusion 130 b engages with the bezel structure 112 such that the first downstream protrusion 130 a and the second downstream protrusion 130 b protrude through the first downstream opening and the second downstream opening, respectively, of the bezel structure 112 and into the through-hole 150. Furthermore, the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 extends through the third downstream opening of the bezel structure 112 and into the through-hole 150 so as to be between the first downstream protrusion 130 a and the second downstream protrusion 130 b.

[0062] Figure 10 is a front view of the device body of Figure 9. Referring to Figure 10, the device body 100 includes a device electrical connector 132 disposed upstream of the through-hole 150. The device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100 is configured to electrically engage with the nicotine pod assembly 300 placed in the through-hole 150. As a result, during vaping, power can be supplied from the device body 100 to the nicotine pod assembly 300 via the device electrical connector 132. Furthermore, data can be transmitted and / or received between the device body 100 and the nicotine pod assembly 300 via the device electrical connector 132.

[0063] Figure 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the through-hole of Figure 10. Referring to Figure 11, the first upstream protrusion 128a, the second upstream protrusion 128b, the first downstream protrusion 130a, the second downstream protrusion 130b, and the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 protrude into the through-hole 150. In an exemplary embodiment, the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b are fixed structures (e.g., fixed pivots), and the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b are retractable structures (e.g., retractable members). For example, the first protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b may be configured (e.g., spring-loaded) to be in an extended state by default, and may be configured to be temporarily retracted (and reversibly return to the extended state) to facilitate insertion of the nicotine pod assembly 300.

[0064] In particular, when the nicotine pod assembly 300 is inserted into the through-hole 150 of the device body 100, the recessed portions on the upstream end surface of the nicotine pod assembly 300 first engage with the first upstream protrusion 128 a and the second upstream protrusion 128 b, and then the nicotine pod assembly 300 is rotated (about the first upstream protrusion 128 a and the second upstream protrusion 128 b) until the recessed portions on the downstream end surface of the nicotine pod assembly 300 engage with the first downstream protrusion 130 a and the second downstream protrusion 130 b. In such an example, the axis of rotation of the nicotine pod assembly 300 (during rotation) may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device body 100. Furthermore, the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b, which may be retractably biased, may retract and elastically extend to engage with recesses in the downstream end surface of the nicotine pod assembly 300 when the nicotine pod assembly 300 is pivoted into the through-hole 150. Furthermore, the engagement of the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b with the recesses in the downstream end surface of the nicotine pod assembly 300 may generate tactile and / or auditory feedback (e.g., an audible click) to notify the adult e-vaping device user that the nicotine pod assembly 300 is properly placed in the through-hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0065] FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the device electrical contacts of FIG. 10 . The device electrical contacts of the device body 100 are configured to engage with the pod electrical contacts of the nicotine pod assembly 300 when the nicotine pod assembly 300 is placed in the through-hole 150 of the device body 100. Referring to FIG. 12 , the device electrical contacts of the device body 100 include a device electrical connector 132. The device electrical connector 132 includes power contacts and data contacts. The power contacts of the device electrical connector 132 are configured to supply power from the device body 100 to the nicotine pod assembly 300. As shown, the power contacts of the device electrical connector 132 include a first pair of power contacts and a second pair of power contacts (positioned closer to the front cover 104 than to the rear cover 108). The first pair of power contacts (e.g., the pair adjacent the first upstream protrusion 128a) may be a single, integral structure separate from the second pair of power contacts and include two protrusions that extend into the through-hole 150 when assembled. Similarly, the second pair of power contacts (e.g., the pair adjacent the second upstream protrusion 128b) may be a single, integral structure separate from the first pair of power contacts and include two protrusions that, when assembled, extend into the through-hole 150. The first and second pairs of power contacts of the device electrical connector 132 may be retractably mounted and biased to extend into the through-hole 150 by default and to retract (e.g., independently) from the through-hole 150 when subjected to an overcoming force.

[0066] The data contacts of the device electrical connector 132 are configured to transmit data between the nicotine pod assembly 300 and the device body 100. As shown, the data contacts of the device electrical connector 132 include five rows of protrusions (positioned closer to the rear cover 108 than to the front cover 104). The data contacts of the device electrical connector 132 may be separate structures that extend into the through-holes 150 when assembled. The data contacts of the device electrical connector 132 may also be manufacturably mounted and biased (e.g., with springs) to extend into the through-holes 150 by default and to retract (e.g., independently) from the through-holes 150 when subjected to a force that overcomes the bias. For example, when the nicotine pod assembly 300 is inserted into the through-hole 150 of the device body 100, the pod electrical contacts of the nicotine pod assembly 300 press against corresponding device electrical contacts of the device body 100. As a result, the power and data contacts of the device electrical connector 132 retract (e.g., at least partially retract) into the device body 100, but continue to press against the corresponding pod electrical contacts due to their resilient arrangement, thereby helping to ensure a proper electrical connection between the device body 100 and the nicotine pod assembly 300. Furthermore, such a connection may also be mechanically secure and have minimal contact resistance to allow power and / or signals between the device body 100 and the nicotine pod assembly 300 to be reliably and accurately transmitted and / or transferred. While various aspects have been described in connection with the device electrical contacts of the device body 100, it should be understood that example embodiments are not limited thereto and other configurations may be utilized.

[0067] FIG. 13 is a partially exploded view of the mouthpiece of FIG. 12. Referring to FIG. 13, mouthpiece 102 is configured to engage with the device housing via a retaining structure 140. In the exemplary embodiment, retaining structure 140 is located primarily between frame 106 and bezel structure 112. As shown, retaining structure 140 is positioned within the device housing such that the proximal end of retaining structure 140 extends through the proximal end of frame 106. Retaining structure 140 may extend slightly beyond or substantially evenly with the proximal end of frame 106. The proximal end of retaining structure 140 is configured to receive the distal end of mouthpiece 102. The proximal end of retaining structure 140 may be a female end, and the distal end of the mouthpiece may be a male end.

[0068] For example, the mouthpiece 102 may be coupled (e.g., reversibly coupled) to the retention structure 140 using a bayonet connection. In such an example, the female end of the retention structure 140 may define a pair of opposing L-shaped slots, and the male end of the mouthpiece 102 may have opposing radial members 134 (e.g., radial pins) configured to engage with the L-shaped slots of the retention structure 140. Each of the L-shaped slots of the retention structure 140 has a longitudinal portion and a circumferential portion. Optionally, the ends of the circumferential portions may have serrated portions that help reduce or prevent the likelihood of the radial members 134 of the mouthpiece 102 being inadvertently disengaged. In a non-limiting embodiment, the longitudinal portions of the L-shaped slots extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device body 100, and the circumferential portions of the L-shaped slots extend around the longitudinal axis (e.g., central axis) of the device body 100. As a result, to couple the mouthpiece 102 to the device housing, the mouthpiece 102 shown in FIG. 13 is first rotated 90 degrees to align the radial member 134 with the entrance to the longitudinal portion of the L-shaped slot in the retaining structure 140. The mouthpiece 102 is then inserted into the retaining structure 140 such that the radial member 134 slides along the longitudinal portion of the L-shaped slot until it reaches a junction with each of the circumferential portions. At this point, the mouthpiece 102 is then rotated such that the radial member 134 moves across the circumferential portions until it reaches each end. If serif portions are present at each end, tactile and / or auditory feedback (e.g., an audible click) may be generated to notify the adult e-vaping device user that the mouthpiece 102 has been properly coupled to the device housing.

[0069] The mouthpiece 102 defines a vapor passageway 136 through which nicotine vapor flows during vaping. The vapor passageway 136 is in fluid communication with the through-hole 150 (where the nicotine pod assembly 300 is positioned within the device body 100). The proximal end of the vapor passageway 136 may include a flared portion. Additionally, the mouthpiece 102 may include an end cover 138. The end cover 138 may be tapered from its distal end to its proximal end. The outlet surface of the end cover 138 defines a plurality of vapor outlets. While four vapor outlets are shown on the end cover 138, it should be understood that the illustrative embodiment is not so limited.

[0070] FIG. 14 is a partially exploded view of the bezel structure of FIG. 9. FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the mouthpiece, spring, retaining structure, and bezel structure of FIG. 14. Referring to FIGS. 14-15, bezel structure 112 includes an upstream wall and a downstream wall. The upstream wall of bezel structure 112 defines a connector opening 146. Connector opening 146 is configured to expose or receive device electrical connector 132 of device body 100. The downstream wall of bezel structure 112 defines a first downstream opening 148a, a second downstream opening 148b, and a third downstream opening 148c. First downstream opening 148a and second downstream opening 148b of bezel structure 112 are configured to receive first downstream protrusion 130a and second downstream protrusion 130b, respectively, of retaining structure 140. The third downstream opening 148c of the bezel structure 112 is configured to receive the distal end of the mouthpiece 102.

[0071] As shown in Figure 14, first downstream protrusion 130a and second downstream protrusion 130b are on the concave side of retention structure 140. As shown in Figure 15, first post 142a and second post 142b are on opposite convex sides of retention structure 140. First spring 144a and second spring 144b are disposed on first post 142a and second post 142b, respectively. First spring 144a and second spring 144b are configured to bias retention structure 140 against bezel structure 112.

[0072] When assembled, the bezel structure 112 can be secured to the frame 106 via a pair of tabs adjacent the connector opening 146. Additionally, the retention structure 140 abuts the bezel structure 112 such that the first and second downstream protrusions 130a and 130b extend through the first and second downstream openings 148a and 148b, respectively. The mouthpiece 102 is coupled to the retention structure 140 such that the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 extends through the retention structure 140 and the third downstream opening 148c of the bezel structure 112. The first and second springs 144a and 144b are between the frame 106 and the retention structure 140.

[0073] When the nicotine pod assembly 300 is inserted into the through-hole 150 of the device body 100, the downstream end of the nicotine pod assembly 300 presses against the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the retaining structure 140. As a result, the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the retaining structure 140 elastically yield and retract from the through-hole 150 of the device body 100 (due to compression of the first spring 144a and the second spring 144b), thereby allowing for further insertion of the nicotine pod assembly 300. In an exemplary embodiment, when the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b are fully retracted from the through-hole 150 of the device body 100, displacement of the retaining structure 140 may cause the ends of the first post 142a and the second post 142b to contact the inner end surface of the frame 106. Furthermore, because mouthpiece 102 is coupled to retaining structure 140, the distal end of mouthpiece 102 retracts from through-hole 150, and therefore the proximal end of mouthpiece 102 (e.g., the visible portion including end cover 138) also shifts a corresponding distance away from the device housing.

[0074] When the nicotine pod assembly 300 is properly inserted such that the first and second downstream recesses of the nicotine pod assembly 300 reach a position that allows engagement with the first and second downstream protrusions 130a and 130b, respectively, the stored energy from the compression of the first and second springs 144a and 144b causes the first and second downstream protrusions 130a and 130b to elastically expand and engage with the first and second downstream recesses, respectively, of the nicotine pod assembly 300. Furthermore, the engagement may generate tactile and / or auditory feedback (e.g., an audible click) to notify the adult e-vaping device user that the nicotine pod assembly 300 is properly positioned within the through-hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0075] FIG. 16 is a partially exploded view of the front cover, frame, and rear cover of FIG. 14 . Referring to FIG. 16 , various mechanical elements, electronic elements, and / or circuitry associated with the operation of the nicotine e-vaping device 500 may be secured to the frame 106. The front cover 104 and the rear cover 108 may be configured to engage with the frame 106 via a snap-fit ​​arrangement. In an exemplary embodiment, the front cover 104 and the rear cover 108 include clips configured to interlock with corresponding mating members on the frame 106. The clips may be in the form of tabs having orifices configured to receive corresponding mating members (e.g., protrusions with beveled edges) on the frame 106. In FIG. 16 , the front cover 104 has two rows of four clips each (for a total of eight clips for the front cover 104). Similarly, the rear cover 108 has two rows of four clips each (for a total of eight clips for the rear cover 108). Corresponding mating members of the frame 106 may be present on the inner sidewall of the frame 106. As a result, the engaged clips and mating members may be hidden from view when the front cover 104 and rear cover 108 are snapped together. Alternatively, the front cover 104 and / or rear cover 108 may be configured to engage with the frame 106 via an interference fit. However, it should be appreciated that the front cover 104, frame 106, and rear cover 108 may be coupled via other suitable arrangements and techniques.

[0076] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a nicotine pod assembly of the nicotine e-vaporizing device of FIG. 6. FIG. 18 is another perspective view of the nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is another perspective view of the nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 18. Referring to FIGS. 17-19, a nicotine pod assembly 300 for a nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 includes a pod body configured to hold a nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The pod body has an upstream end and a downstream end. The upstream end of the pod body defines a cavity 310 (FIG. 20). The downstream end of the pod body defines a pod outlet 304 in fluid communication with the cavity 310 at the upstream end. A connector module 320 is configured to be placed within the cavity 310 of the pod body. The connector module 320 includes an exterior surface and a side surface. The exterior surface of the connector module 320 forms the exterior surface of the pod body.

[0077] The outer surface of the connector module 320 defines a pod inlet 322. The pod inlet 322 (through which air enters during vaping) is in fluid communication with the pod outlet 304 (through which nicotine vapor is expelled during vaping). The pod inlet 322 is shown in FIG. 19 as being in the form of a slot. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiment is not limited in this respect, and other forms are possible. When the connector module 320 is placed within the cavity 310 of the pod body, the outer surface of the connector module 320 remains visible, while the side of the connector module 320 is largely obscured, such that it is only partially visible through the pod inlet 322 based on a given angle.

[0078] The outer surface of the connector module 320 includes at least one electrical contact. The at least one electrical contact may include a plurality of power contacts. For example, the plurality of power contacts may include a first power contact 324a and a second power contact 324b. The first power contact 324a of the nicotine pod assembly 300 is configured to electrically connect with a first pair of power contacts of the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100 (e.g., the pair adjacent to the first upstream protrusion 128a in FIG. 12 ). Similarly, the second power contact 324b of the nicotine pod assembly 300 is configured to electrically connect with a second pair of power contacts of the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100 (e.g., the pair adjacent to the second upstream protrusion 128b in FIG. 12 ). Furthermore, the at least one electrical contact of the nicotine pod assembly 300 includes a plurality of data contacts 326. The plurality of data contacts 326 of the nicotine pod assembly 300 are configured to electrically connect with the data contacts (e.g., the five rows of protrusions in FIG. 12 ) of the device electrical connector 132. While two power contacts and five data contacts are shown in connection with the nicotine pod assembly 300, it should be appreciated that other variations are possible depending on the design of the device body 100.

[0079] In the exemplary embodiment, the nicotine pod assembly 300 includes a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, a first side surface between the front surface and the rear surface, a second side surface opposite the first side surface, an upstream end surface, and a downstream end surface opposite the upstream end surface. Corners of the side surfaces and end surfaces (e.g., corners of the first side surface and the upstream end surface, corners of the upstream end surface and the second side surface, corners of the second side surface and the downstream end surface, and corners of the downstream end surface and the first side surface) may be rounded. However, in some examples, the corners may be angled. Furthermore, the peripheral edge of the front surface may be in the form of a ledge. The outer surface of the connector module 320 may be considered to be part of the upstream end surface of the nicotine pod assembly 300. The front surface of the nicotine pod assembly 300 may be wider and longer than the rear surface. In such examples, the first side surface and the second side surface may be angled inward toward each other. The upstream end surface and the downstream end surface may also be angled inward toward each other. Due to the angled surface, insertion of the nicotine pod assembly 300 is unidirectional (e.g., from the front side of the device body 100 (the side associated with the front cover 104)). As a result, the possibility of improper insertion of the nicotine pod assembly 300 into the device body 100 can be reduced or prevented.

[0080] As shown, the pod body of the nicotine pod assembly 300 includes a first housing section 302 and a second housing section 308. The first housing section 302 has a downstream end that defines a pod outlet 304. The lip of the pod outlet 304 may optionally be a recessed or sunken region. In such an example, this region may resemble a cove, and the side of the lip adjacent to the rear surface of the nicotine pod assembly 300 may be open, while the side of the lip adjacent to the front surface may be surrounded by a raised portion at the downstream end of the first housing section 302. The raised portion may function as a stopper for the distal end of the mouthpiece 102. As a result, this configuration of the pod outlet 304 may facilitate receiving and aligning the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 (e.g., FIG. 11 ) via seating against the open side of the lip and the subsequent raised portion at the downstream end of the first housing section 302. In a non-limiting embodiment, the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 may also include (or be formed of) a resilient material that helps create a seal around the pod outlet 304 when the nicotine pod assembly 300 is properly inserted into the through-hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0081] The downstream end of the first housing section 302 additionally defines at least one downstream recess. In the exemplary embodiment, the at least one downstream recess is in the form of a first downstream recess 306a and a second downstream recess 306b. The pod outlet 304 may be located between the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. The first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b are configured to engage with the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b, respectively, of the device body 100. As shown in FIG. 11 , the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the device body 100 may be disposed at adjacent corners of the downstream wall of the through-hole 150. The first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b may each be in the form of a V-shaped notch. In such an example, each of the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the device body 100 may be in the form of a wedge-shaped structure configured to engage with a corresponding V-shaped notch of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. The first downstream recess 306a may abut a corner of the downstream end face and the first side face, and the second downstream recess 306b may abut a corner of the downstream end face and the second side face. As a result, the edges of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b adjacent to the first side face and the second side face, respectively, may be open. In such an example, as shown in FIG. 18 , each of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b may be a three-sided recess.

[0082] The second housing section 308 has an upstream end defining a cavity 310 ( FIG. 20 ). The cavity 310 is configured to receive a connector module 320 ( FIG. 21 ). Additionally, the upstream end of the second housing section 308 defines at least one upstream recess. In the exemplary embodiment, the at least one upstream recess is in the form of a first upstream recess 312 a and a second upstream recess 312 b. The pod entrance 322 may be located between the first upstream recess 312 a and the second upstream recess 312 b. The first upstream recess 312 a and the second upstream recess 312 b are configured to engage with the first upstream protrusion 128 a and the second upstream protrusion 128 b, respectively, of the device body 100. As shown in FIG. 12 , the first upstream protrusion 128 a and the second upstream protrusion 128 b of the device body 100 may be disposed at adjacent corners of the upstream wall of the through-hole 150. The depth of each of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b may be greater than the depth of each of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. The ends of each of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b may also be more rounded than the ends of each of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. For example, the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b may each be in the form of a U-shaped recess. In such an example, the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b of the device body 100 may each be in the form of a rounded knob configured to engage with the corresponding U-shaped recess of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b. The first upstream recess 312a may abut a corner of the upstream end face and a first side surface, and the second upstream recess 312b may abut a corner of the upstream end face and a second side surface, such that the edges of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b adjacent to the first side surface and the second side surface, respectively, may be open.

[0083] The first housing section 302 may define a nicotine reservoir configured to hold a nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The nicotine reservoir may be configured to seal the nicotine pre-vapor formulation until activation of the nicotine pod assembly 300 to release the nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the nicotine reservoir. As a result of the airtight seal, the nicotine pre-vapor formulation is isolated from the environment and internal elements of the nicotine pod assembly 300 that may react with the nicotine pre-vapor formulation, thereby reducing or preventing potential adverse effects on the shelf life and / or sensory characteristics (e.g., flavor) of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The second housing section 308 may contain structure configured to activate the nicotine pod assembly 300 and to receive and heat the nicotine pre-vapor formulation released from the nicotine reservoir after activation.

[0084] The nicotine pod assembly 300 may be manually activated by an adult e-vaping device user prior to inserting the nicotine pod assembly 300 into the device body 100. Alternatively, the nicotine pod assembly 300 may be activated as part of inserting the nicotine pod assembly 300 into the device body 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the second housing section 308 of the pod body includes a perforator configured to release the nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the nicotine reservoir during activation of the nicotine pod assembly 300. The perforators may be in the form of a first activation pin 314a and a second activation pin 314b, which are described in more detail herein.

[0085] To manually activate the nicotine pod assembly 300, an adult e-vaping device user may first press the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b inward (e.g., simultaneously or sequentially) before inserting the nicotine pod assembly 300 into the through-hole 150 of the device body 100. For example, the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b may be manually pressed until their ends are substantially even with the upstream end surface of the nicotine pod assembly 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the inward movement of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b pierces or otherwise compromises the seal of the nicotine reservoir so as to release the nicotine pre-vapor formulation therefrom.

[0086] Alternatively, to activate the nicotine pod assembly 300 as part of inserting the nicotine pod assembly 300 into the device body 100, the nicotine pod assembly 300 is first positioned such that the first and second upstream recesses 312a, 312b engage with the first and second upstream protrusions 128a, 128b, respectively (e.g., upstream engagement). Each of the first and second upstream protrusions 128a, 128b of the device body 100 may be in the form of a rounded knob configured to engage with a corresponding U-shaped recess of the first and second upstream recesses 312a, 312b, so that the nicotine pod assembly 300 can then be relatively easily pivoted about the first and second upstream protrusions 128a, 128b into the through-hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0087] With respect to the pivoting of the nicotine pod assembly 300, the axis of rotation can be considered to extend through the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b and be oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device body 100. During initial positioning and subsequent pivoting of the nicotine pod assembly 300, the first actuation pin 314a and the second actuation pin 314b contact the upstream wall of the through-hole 150 and transition from an extended state to a retracted state as the first actuation pin 314a and the second actuation pin 314b are pushed into the second housing section 308 (e.g., simultaneously) as the nicotine pod assembly 300 advances into the through-hole 150. When the downstream end of the nicotine pod assembly 300 reaches near the downstream wall of the through hole 150 and comes into contact with the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b, the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b retract and then elastically extend (e.g., downstream engagement) when the positioning of the nicotine pod assembly 300 allows the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the device body 100 to engage with the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b of the nicotine pod assembly 300, respectively.

[0088] As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment, the mouthpiece 102 is secured to the retention structure 140 (of which the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b are a part). In such an example, retraction of the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b from the through-hole 150 causes a simultaneous shift of the mouthpiece 102 a corresponding distance in the same direction (e.g., the downstream direction). Conversely, when the nicotine pod assembly 300 is fully inserted to facilitate downstream engagement, the mouthpiece 102 springs back simultaneously with the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b. In addition to the elastic engagement by the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b, the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 is also configured to be biased against the nicotine pod assembly 300 (and aligned with the pod outlet 304 to form a relatively vapor-tight seal) when the nicotine pod assembly 300 is properly placed within the through-hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0089] Additionally, the downstream engagement may produce an audible click and / or tactile feedback indicating that the nicotine pod assembly 300 is properly seated within the through-hole 150 of the device body 100. Once properly seated, the nicotine pod assembly 300 is mechanically, electrically, and fluidly connected to the device body 100. While the non-limiting embodiments herein describe upstream engagement of the nicotine pod assembly 300 occurring before downstream engagement, it should be appreciated that the associated mating, activation, and / or electrical arrangements may be reversed such that downstream engagement occurs before upstream engagement.

[0090] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 19 without the connector module. Referring to FIG. 20 , the upstream end of the second housing section 308 defines a cavity 310. As described above, the cavity 310 is configured to receive the connector module 320 (e.g., via an interference fit). In the exemplary embodiment, the cavity 310 is located between the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b, and also between the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b. When the connector module 320 is not present, the insert 342 ( FIG. 24 ) and the absorbent material 346 ( FIG. 25 ) are visible through the recessed opening of the cavity 310. The insert 342 is configured to retain the absorbent material 346. The absorbent material 346 is configured to absorb and retain an amount of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation released from the nicotine reservoir when the nicotine pod assembly 300 is activated. The insert 342 and absorbent material 346 are described in more detail herein.

[0091] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 19 . FIG. 22 is another perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 21 . Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22 , the general framework of the connector module 320 includes a module housing 354 and a face plate 366. Furthermore, the connector module 320 has multiple surfaces, including an exterior surface and a side surface, with the exterior surface adjacent to the side surface. In the exemplary embodiment, the exterior surface of the connector module 320 consists of the face plate 366, the first power contact 324 a, the second power contact 324 b, and the upstream surfaces of the data contacts 326. The side surface of the connector module 320 is part of the module housing 354. The side surface of the connector module 320 defines the first module inlet 330 and the second module inlet 332. Furthermore, two lateral surfaces adjacent to the side surface (which are also part of the module housing 354) may include rib structures (e.g., crush ribs) configured to promote an interference fit when the connector module 320 is placed within the cavity 310 of the pod body. For example, each of the two lateral faces may include a pair of rib structures that taper away from the face plate 366. As a result, the module housing 354 provides increased resistance when the connector module 320 is pressed into the pod body cavity 310 via friction of the rib structures against the lateral walls of the cavity 310. When the connector module 320 is placed within the cavity 310, the face plate 366 may be approximately flush with the upstream end of the second housing section 308. Additionally, the sides of the connector module 320 (defining the first and second module inlets 330, 332) face the side walls of the cavity 310.

[0092] The face plate 366 of the connector module 320 may have a grooved edge 328 that, in combination with the corresponding side of the cavity 310, defines the pod inlet 322. However, it should be understood that exemplary embodiments are not limited in this respect. For example, the face plate 366 of the connector module 320 may alternatively be configured to completely define the pod inlet 322. The side of the connector module 320 (defining the first module inlet 330 and the second module inlet 332) and the sidewall of the cavity 310 (facing the side) define an intermediate space therebetween. The intermediate space is downstream of the pod inlet 322 and upstream of the first module inlet 330 and the second module inlet 332. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, the pod inlet 322 is in fluid communication with both the first module inlet 330 and the second module inlet 332 via the intermediate space. The first module inlet 330 may be larger than the second module inlet 332. In such a case, when incoming air is received by the pod inlet 322 during vaping, the first module inlet 330 may receive a primary flow (e.g., a larger flow) of the incoming air, while the second module inlet 332 may receive a secondary flow (e.g., a smaller flow) of the incoming air.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 22 , the connector module 320 includes a wick 338 configured to transfer the nicotine pre-vapor formulation to a heater 336. The heater 336 is configured to heat the nicotine pre-vapor formulation to generate a vapor during vaping. The heater 336 may be mounted within the connector module 320 via a contact core 334. The heater 336 is electrically connected to at least one electrical contact of the connector module 320. For example, one end (e.g., a first end) of the heater 336 may be connected to the first power contact 324a, and the other end (e.g., a second end) of the heater 336 may be connected to the second power contact 324b. In an exemplary embodiment, the heater 336 includes a folded heating element. In such an example, the wick 338 may have a planar configuration configured to be held by the folded heating element. When the connector module 320 is placed within the cavity 310 of the pod body, the wick 338 is configured to be in fluid communication with the absorbent material 346 such that the nicotine pre-vapor formulation within the absorbent material 346 is transferred to the wick 338 via capillary action (when the nicotine pod assembly 300 is activated).

[0094] FIG. 23 is an exploded view of the wick, heater, electrical leads, and contact core of FIG. 22. Referring to FIG. 23, the wick 338 may be a fibrous pad or other structure with pores / interstices designed for capillary action. Additionally, the wick 338 may have a non-uniform hexagonal shape, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The wick 338 may be fabricated into the hexagonal shape or cut to this shape from a larger sheet of material. Because the lower section of the wick 338 tapers toward the wound section of the heater 336, the possibility of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation becoming a portion of the wick 338 that avoids continuous vaporization (due to its distance from the heater 336) may be reduced or avoided.

[0095] In the exemplary embodiment, heater 336 is configured to undergo Joule heating (also known as ohmic / resistive heating) as an electric current is applied to it. More specifically, heater 336 may be formed of one or more conductors and configured to generate heat when an electric current is passed through it. The electric current may be supplied from a power source (e.g., a battery) within device body 100 and may be transferred to heater 336 via first power contact 324 a and first electrical lead 340 a (or via second power contact 324 b and second electrical lead 340 b).

[0096] Suitable conductors for heater 336 include iron-based alloys (e.g., stainless steel) and / or nickel-based alloys (e.g., nichrome). Heater 336 may be fabricated from a conductive sheet (e.g., metal, alloy) stamped to cut a winding pattern therefrom. The winding pattern may have curved segments alternating with horizontal segments such that the horizontal segments run parallel to one another while zigzagging back and forth. Furthermore, the width of each horizontal segment of the winding pattern may be substantially equal to the spacing between adjacent horizontal segments of the winding pattern, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. To obtain the configuration of heater 336 shown in the drawings, the winding pattern may be folded to grip core 338.

[0097] The heater 336 can be secured to the contact core 334 using the first and second electrical leads 340a, 340b. The contact core 334 is formed from an insulating material and configured to electrically insulate the first electrical lead 340a from the second electrical lead 340b. In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second electrical leads 340a, 340b each define a female opening configured to engage a corresponding male member of the contact core 334. Once engaged, the first and second ends of the heater 336 can be secured (e.g., welded, soldered, brazed) to the first and second electrical leads 340a, 340b, respectively. The contact core 334 can then be placed (e.g., via an interference fit) into a corresponding socket of the module housing 354. Upon complete assembly of the connector module 320, a first electrical lead 340a electrically connects a first end of the heater 336 to the first power contact 324a, while a second electrical lead 340b electrically connects a second end of the heater 336 to the second power contact 324b. Heaters and related structures are described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 729,909, filed October 11, 2017, entitled "Folded Heater For Nicotine Electronic Vaping Device" (Atty. Dkt. No. 24000-000371-US), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0098] FIG. 24 is an exploded view of the first housing section of the nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 17 . Referring to FIG. 24 , the first housing section 302 includes a vapor channel 316. The vapor channel 316 is configured to receive nicotine vapor generated by the heater 336 and is in fluid communication with the pod outlet 304. In an exemplary embodiment, the vapor channel 316 may gradually increase in size (e.g., diameter) as it extends toward the pod outlet 304. Furthermore, the vapor channel 316 may be integrally formed with the first housing section 302. The wrap 318, the insert 342, and the seal 344 are disposed at the upstream end of the first housing section 302 and define the nicotine reservoir of the nicotine pod assembly 300. For example, the wrap 318 may be disposed on a lip of the first housing section 302. The insert 342 may be positioned within the first housing section 302 such that the peripheral surface of the insert 342 engages along a lip (e.g., via an interference fit) with the inner surface of the first housing section 302 such that the interface between the peripheral surface of the insert 342 and the inner surface of the first housing section 302 is fluid-tight (e.g., liquid-tight and / or air-tight). Additionally, a seal 344 is attached to the upstream side of the insert 342 to seal the nicotine reservoir outlet of the insert 342, providing fluid-tight (e.g., liquid-tight and / or air-tight) containment of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation within the nicotine reservoir.

[0099] In the exemplary embodiment, the insert 342 includes a holder portion (shown in FIG. 24 ) protruding from the upstream side and a connector portion (hidden in FIG. 24 ) protruding from the downstream side. The holder portion of the insert 342 is configured to hold the absorbent material 346, while the connector portion of the insert 342 is configured to engage with the vapor channel 316 of the first housing section 302. The connector portion of the insert 342 may be configured to be positioned within the vapor channel 316 and thus engage with the interior of the vapor channel 316. Alternatively, the connector portion of the insert 342 may be configured to receive the vapor channel 316 and thus engage with the exterior of the vapor channel 316. The insert 342 also defines a nicotine reservoir outlet through which the nicotine pre-vapor formulation flows when the seal 344 is pierced (as shown in FIG. 24 ) during activation of the nicotine pod assembly 300. The holder portion and connector portion of the insert 342 may be between the nicotine reservoir outlets (e.g., the first nicotine reservoir outlet and the second nicotine reservoir outlet), although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. Additionally, the insert 342 defines a vapor conduit extending through the holder portion and the connector portion. As a result, when the insert 342 is placed within the first housing section 302, the vapor conduit of the insert 342 is aligned with and in fluid communication with the vapor channel 316 such that a continuous pathway is formed through the nicotine reservoir to the pod outlet 304 for nicotine vapor generated by the heater 336 during vaping.

[0100] The seal 344 is attached to the upstream side of the insert 342 so as to cover the nicotine reservoir outlet of the insert 342. In an exemplary embodiment, the seal 344 defines an opening (e.g., a central opening) configured to provide adequate clearance to accommodate the holder portion (protruding from the upstream side of the insert 342) when the seal 344 is attached to the insert 342. It should be understood that in FIG. 24 , the seal 344 is shown in a perforated state. In particular, the two perforated sections of the seal 344, when perforated by the first and second actuation pins 314a, 314b of the nicotine pod assembly 300, are pushed into the nicotine reservoir as flaps (as shown in FIG. 24 ), thus creating two perforated openings in the seal 344 (e.g., one on each side of the central opening). The size and shape of the perforated openings in the seal 344 may correspond to the size and shape of the nicotine reservoir outlet of the insert 342. In contrast, when unperforated, the seal 344 has a planar configuration and only one opening (e.g., a central opening). The seal 344 is designed to be strong enough to remain intact to avoid premature / inadvertent tearing during normal movement and / or handling of the nicotine pod assembly 300. For example, the seal 344 may be a coated foil (e.g., aluminum-backed Tritan).

[0101] FIG. 25 is a partially exploded view of the second housing section of the nicotine pod assembly of FIG. 17. Referring to FIG. 25, the second housing section 308 is structured to contain various elements configured to release, receive, and heat the nicotine pre-vapor formulation. For example, the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are configured to pierce the nicotine reservoir of the first housing section 302 to release the nicotine pre-vapor formulation. Each of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b has a distal end that extends through a corresponding opening in the second housing section 308. In the exemplary embodiment, the distal end of the first activation pin 314a and the distal end of the second activation pin 314b are visible after assembly (e.g., FIG. 17), while the remainder of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are hidden from view within the nicotine pod assembly 300. Furthermore, each of the first and second activation pins 314a, 314b has a proximal end positioned adjacent to and upstream of the seal 344 prior to activation of the nicotine pod assembly 300. When the first and second activation pins 314a, 314b are pushed into the second housing section 308 to activate the nicotine pod assembly 300, the proximal end of each of the first and second activation pins 314a, 314b advances through the insert 342, thereby piercing the seal 344 and releasing the nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the nicotine reservoir. Movement of the first activation pin 314a may be independent of movement of the second activation pin 314b (or vice versa). The first and second activation pins 314a, 314b are described in more detail herein.

[0102] The absorbent material 346 is configured to engage with a holder portion of the insert 342 (protruding from the upstream side of the insert 342, as shown in FIG. 24 ). The absorbent material 346 may have an annular configuration, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 25 , the absorbent material 346 may resemble a hollow cylindrical shape. In such an example, the outer diameter of the absorbent material 346 may be substantially equal to (or slightly greater than) the length of the core 338. The inner diameter of the absorbent material 346 may be smaller than the average outer diameter of the holder portion of the insert 342 to provide an interference fit. To facilitate engagement with the absorbent material 346, the tip of the holder portion of the insert 342 may be tapered. Additionally, although not visible in FIG. 25 , the downstream side of the second housing section 308 may define a concave surface configured to receive and support the absorbent material 346. An example of such a concave surface may be a circular chamber in fluid communication with and downstream from the cavity 310. The absorbent material 346 is configured to receive and retain an amount of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation released from the nicotine reservoir when the nicotine pod assembly 300 is activated.

[0103] The wick 338 is positioned within the nicotine pod assembly 300 so as to be in fluid communication with the absorbent material 346 such that the nicotine pre-vapor formulation can be drawn from the absorbent material 346 to the heater 336 via capillary action. The wick 338 can be in physical contact with the upstream side of the absorbent material 346 (e.g., the bottom of the absorbent material 346 based on the illustration shown in FIG. 25 ). Additionally, the wick 338 can be aligned with the diameter of the absorbent material 346, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 25 (as well as FIG. 23 above), the heater 336 may have a folded configuration to grip opposing surfaces of the wick 338 and establish thermal contact therewith. The heater 336 is configured to heat the wick 338 to generate a vapor during vaping. To facilitate such heating, a first end of the heater 336 may be electrically connected to the first power contact 324a via a first electrical lead 340a, while a second end of the heater 336 may be electrically connected to the second power contact 324b via a second electrical lead 340b. As a result, electrical current may be supplied from a power source (e.g., a battery) within the device body 100 and transmitted to the heater 336 via the first power contact 324a and the first electrical lead 340a (or the second power contact 324b and the second electrical lead 340b). The first electrical lead 340a and the second electrical lead 340b (shown separately in FIG. 23 ) can be engaged with the contact core 334 (as shown in FIG. 25 ). Relevant details of other embodiments of the connector module 320 configured to be placed within the cavity 310 of the second housing section 308, described above (e.g., in connection with FIGS. 21 and 22 ), will not be repeated in this section for the sake of brevity. During vaping, nicotine vapor generated by the heater 336 is drawn through the vapor conduit of the insert 342, through the vapor channel 316 of the first housing section 302, out the pod outlet 304 of the nicotine pod assembly 300, through the vapor passageway 136 of the mouthpiece 102, and to one or more vapor outlets.

[0105] FIG. 26 is an exploded view of the actuation pin of FIG. 25. Referring to FIG. 26, the actuation pin may be in the form of a first actuation pin 314a and a second actuation pin 314b. While two actuation pins are shown and described in connection with the non-limiting embodiments herein, it will be appreciated that the nicotine pod assembly 300 may alternatively include only one actuation pin. In FIG. 26, the first actuation pin 314a may include a first blade 348a, a first actuator 350a, and a first O-ring 352a. Similarly, the second actuation pin 314b may include a second blade 348b, a second actuator 350b, and a second O-ring 352b.

[0106] In the exemplary embodiment, the first blade 348a and the second blade 348b are configured to be mounted or attached to the upper (e.g., proximal) portions of the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b, respectively. The mounting or attachment may be achieved via a snap-fit ​​connection, an interference (e.g., friction) connection, adhesive, or other suitable coupling technique. The upper portion of each of the first blade 348a and the second blade 348b may have one or more curved or concave edges that taper upward to a pointed tip. For example, each of the first blade 348a and the second blade 348b may have two pointed tips with a concave edge therebetween and a curved edge adjacent each pointed tip. The radii of curvature of the concave edges and the curved edges may be the same, and their arc lengths may be different. The first blade 348a and the second blade 348b may be formed from sheet metal (e.g., stainless steel) that is cut or shaped to have a desired profile and bend into its final form. In another example, the first blade 348a and the second blade 348b may be formed from plastic.

[0107] Based on a plan view, the size and shape of the first blade 348a, the second blade 348b, and the portions of the first and second actuators 350a, 350b on which they are mounted may correspond to the size and shape of the nicotine reservoir outlet of the insert 342. Additionally, as shown in Figure 26, the first and second actuators 350a, 350b may include protruding edges (e.g., curved inner lips facing each other) configured to push the two perforated sections of the seal 344 into the nicotine reservoir as the first and second blades 348a, 348b advance into the nicotine reservoir. In a non-limiting embodiment, when the first actuation pin 314a and the second actuation pin 314b are fully inserted into the nicotine pod assembly 300, two flaps (from the two perforated sections of the seal 344, as shown in FIG. 24 ) can be present between the curved sidewall of the nicotine reservoir outlet of the insert 342 and the corresponding curvature of the protruding edges of the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b. As a result, the likelihood of the two perforated openings of the seal 344 being obstructed (by the two flaps from the two perforated sections) can be reduced or prevented. Furthermore, the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b can be configured to guide the nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the nicotine reservoir toward the absorbent material 346.

[0108] A lower portion (e.g., distal portion) of each of first actuator 350a and second actuator 350b is configured to extend through the bottom section (e.g., upstream end) of second housing section 308. This rod-like portion of each of first actuator 350a and second actuator 350b may also be referred to as a shaft. First O-ring 352a and second O-ring 352b may be disposed in annular grooves in the shafts of first actuator 350a and second actuator 350b, respectively. First O-ring 352a and second O-ring 352b are configured to engage with the shafts of first actuator 350a and second actuator 350b and the inner surfaces of corresponding openings in second housing section 308 to provide a fluid-tight seal. As a result, when the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are pushed inward to activate the nicotine pod assembly 300, the first O-ring 352a and the second O-ring 352b move with the shafts of the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b, respectively, within the corresponding openings in the second housing section 308 while maintaining their respective seals, which may help reduce or prevent leakage of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation through the openings in the second housing section 308 relative to the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b. The first O-ring 352a and the second O-ring 352b may be formed of silicone.

[0109] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 22 , excluding wicks, heaters, electrical leads, and contact cores. FIG. 28 is an exploded view of the connector module of FIG. 27 . Referring to FIGS. 27 and 28 , a module housing 354 and a faceplate 366 generally form the exterior framework of the connector module 320. The module housing 354 defines a first module inlet 330 and a grooved edge 356. The grooved edge 356 of the module housing 354 exposes a second module inlet 332 (defined by a bypass structure 358). However, it should be understood that the grooved edge 356 can also be considered to define the module inlet (e.g., in combination with the faceplate 366). The faceplate 366 has a grooved edge 328 that, together with a corresponding side of the cavity 310 of the second housing section 308, defines the pod inlet 322. Additionally, face plate 366 defines first, second, and third contact openings. The first and second contact openings may be square and configured to expose first and second power contacts 324a and 324b, respectively, while the third contact opening may be rectangular and configured to expose multiple data contacts 326, although example embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0110] First power contact 324a, second power contact 324b, printed circuit board (PCB) 362, and bypass structure 358 are disposed within an external framework formed by module housing 354 and faceplate 366. Printed circuit board (PCB) 362 includes a plurality of data contacts 326 (hidden from view in FIG. 28 ) on its upstream side and a sensor 364 on its downstream side. Bypass structure 358 defines second module inlet 332 and bypass outlet 360.

[0111] The first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b are positioned such that they are visible through the first contact opening and the second contact opening of the face plate 366, respectively, during assembly. Additionally, the printed circuit board (PCB) 362 is positioned such that the plurality of data contacts 326 on its upstream side are visible through the third contact opening of the face plate 366. The printed circuit board (PCB) 362 may also overlie the backside of the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b. The bypass structure 358 is positioned on the printed circuit board (PCB) 362 such that the sensor 364 is within the air flow path defined by the second module inlet 332 and the bypass outlet 360. When assembled, the bypass structure 358 and the printed circuit board (PCB) 362 may be considered to be surrounded on at least four sides by the serpentine structure of the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b. In the exemplary embodiment, the bifurcated ends of the first and second power contacts 324a, 324b are configured to electrically connect to the first and second electrical leads 340a, 340b.

[0112] When incoming air is received by the pod inlet 322 during vaping, the first module inlet 330 may receive a primary flow (e.g., a larger flow) of the incoming air, while the second module inlet 332 may receive a secondary flow (e.g., a smaller flow) of the incoming air. The secondary flow of the incoming air may improve the sensitivity of the sensor 364. After the secondary flow exits the bypass structure 358 through the bypass outlet 360, it recombines with the primary flow to form a combined flow that is drawn into and through the contact core 334 to encounter the heater 336 and wick 338. In a non-limiting embodiment, the primary flow may be 60 to 95 percent (e.g., 80 to 90 percent) of the incoming air, while the secondary flow may be 5 to 40 percent (e.g., 10 to 20 percent) of the incoming air.

[0113] The first module inlet 330 may be a resistance to withdrawal (RTD) port, while the second module inlet 332 may be a bypass port. In such a configuration, the withdrawal resistance of the nicotine e-vaping device 500 may be adjusted by changing the size of the first module inlet 330 (rather than changing the size of the pod inlet 322). In an exemplary embodiment, the size of the first module inlet 330 may be selected to provide a withdrawal resistance of 25 to 100 millimeters of water column (e.g., 30 to 50 millimeters of water column). For example, a 1.0 millimeter diameter of the first module inlet 330 may provide a withdrawal resistance of 88.3 millimeters of water column. In another example, a 1.1 millimeter diameter of the first module inlet 330 may provide a withdrawal resistance of 73.6 millimeters of water column. In another example, a 1.2 millimeter diameter of the first module inlet 330 may provide a withdrawal resistance of 58.7 millimeters of water column. In yet another example, a 1.3 mm diameter of the first modular inlet 330 may result in a resistance to withdrawal of 43.8 millimeters of water column. Notably, the size of the first modular inlet 330 may be adjusted for its internal arrangement without affecting the external aesthetics of the nicotine pod assembly 300, thereby allowing for a more standardized product design of pod assemblies having various resistance to withdrawal (RTD), while also reducing the likelihood of inadvertent blockage of incoming air.

[0114] FIG. 29 illustrates the electrical system of the device body and nicotine pod assembly of a nicotine e-vaping device according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0115] 29, the electrical system includes a device body electrical system 2100 and a nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200. The device body electrical system 2100 may be included in the device body 100, and the nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200 may be included in the nicotine pod assembly 300 of the nicotine e-vaping device 500 described above with respect to FIGS.

[0116] 29, the nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200 includes a heater 336, one or more pod sensors 2220, and a non-volatile memory (NVM) 2205. The NVM 2205 may be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) integrated circuit (IC). The one or more pod sensors 2220 may include a temperature-sensing transducer.

[0117] The nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200 may further include a body electrical / data interface (not shown) for transferring power and / or data between the device body 100 and the nicotine pod assembly 300. According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the electrical contacts 324a, 324b, and 326 shown in FIG. 17 may function as the body electrical / data interface, for example.

[0118] The device body electrical system 2100 includes a controller 2105, a power supply 2110, a device sensor or measurement circuit 2125, a heating engine control circuit (also referred to as a heating engine shut-off circuit) 2127, a vapor indicator 2135, on-product controls 2150 (e.g., buttons 118 and 120 shown in FIG. 1 ), a memory 2130, and a clock circuit 2128. The device body electrical system 2100 may further include a pod electrical / data interface (not shown) for transferring power and / or data between the device body 100 and the nicotine pod assembly 300. According to at least one exemplary embodiment, for example, the device electrical connector 132 shown in FIG. 12 may function as the pod electrical / data interface.

[0119] The power supply 2110 may be an internal power source for supplying power to the device body 100 and the nicotine pod assembly 300 of the nicotine e-vaping device 500. The power supply from the power supply 2110 may be controlled by the controller 2105 via a power control circuit (not shown). The power control circuit may include one or more switches or transistors for regulating the power output from the power supply 2110. The power supply 2110 may be a lithium-ion battery or variant thereof (e.g., a lithium-ion polymer battery).

[0120] The controller 2105 may be configured to control the overall operation of the nicotine e-vaping device 500. According to at least some example embodiments, the controller 2105 may include processing circuitry, such as hardware including logic circuitry, a hardware / software combination, such as a processor executing software, or a combination thereof. For example, the processing circuitry may more specifically include, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), an arithmetic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a system on a chip (SoC), a programmable logic device, a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.

[0121] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 29, the controller 2105 includes a general purpose input / output (GPIO), an inter-integrated circuit communication (IC 2 21. The controller 2105 is shown as a microcontroller including an input / output (I / O) interface, such as a Serial Peripheral Interface Bus (SPI) interface, a multi-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a clock input terminal. However, exemplary embodiments should not be limited to this example. In at least one exemplary implementation, the controller 2105 may be a microprocessor.

[0122] The controller 2105 is communicatively coupled to the device sensor 2125 , the heating engine control circuitry 2127 , the vapor indicator 2135 , the memory 2130 , the on-product control 2150 , the clock circuitry 2128 , and the power supply 2110 .

[0123] The heating engine control circuit 2127 is connected to the controller 2105 via a GPIO pin. The memory 2130 is connected to the controller 2105 via an SPI pin. The clock circuit 2128 is connected to the clock input pin of the controller 2105. The vapor indicator 2135 is connected to the I 2 C interface pins and GPIO pins to the controller 2105. The device sensors 2125 are connected to the controller 2105 via respective pins of the multi-channel ADC.

[0124] The clock circuit 2128 may be a timing mechanism, such as an oscillator circuit, that allows the controller 2105 to track idle time, vaping length, a combination of idle time and vaping length, etc. of the nicotine e-vaping device 500. The clock circuit 2128 may also include a dedicated external clock crystal configured to generate a system clock for the nicotine e-vaping device 500.

[0125] Memory 2130 may be a non-volatile memory configured to store one or more interruption logs. In one embodiment, memory 2130 may store the one or more interruption logs in one or more tables. Memory 2130 and the one or more interruption logs stored therein are described in more detail below. In one embodiment, memory 2130 may be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), such as flash memory.

[0126] 29, the device sensor 2125 may include multiple sensors or measurement circuits configured to provide signals indicative of sensor or measurement information to the controller 2105. In the example shown in FIG. 29, the device sensor 2125 includes a heater current measurement circuit 21258, a heater voltage measurement circuit 21252, and a pod temperature measurement circuit 21250.

[0127] The heater current measurement circuit 21258 may be configured to output a (e.g., voltage) signal indicative of the current through the heater 336. An exemplary embodiment of the heater current measurement circuit 21258 is described in more detail below with respect to FIG.

[0128] The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 may be configured to output a (e.g., voltage) signal indicative of the voltage across the heater 336. An exemplary embodiment of the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 is described in more detail below with respect to FIG.

[0129] The pod temperature measurement circuit 21250 may be configured to output a (e.g., voltage) signal indicative of the resistance and / or temperature of one or more elements of the nicotine pod assembly 300. Exemplary embodiments of the pod temperature measurement circuit 21250 are described in more detail below with respect to FIGS.

[0130] As described above, the pod temperature measurement circuit 21250, heater current measurement circuit 21258, and heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 are connected to the controller 2105 via pins of the multi-channel ADC. To measure characteristics and / or parameters of the nicotine e-vaping device 500 (e.g., the voltage, current, resistance, temperature, etc. of the heater 336), the multi-channel ADC in the controller 2105 may sample output signals from the device sensors 2125 at a sampling rate appropriate for the given characteristic and / or parameter being measured by the respective device sensor.

[0131] Although not shown in Figure 29, pod sensors 2220 may also include sensors 364 shown in Figure 28. In at least one exemplary embodiment, sensors 364 may be micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) flow or pressure sensors, or another type of sensor configured to measure airflow, such as a hot wire anemometer.

[0132] The heating engine control circuitry 2127 is connected to the controller 2105 via a GPIO pin. The heating engine control circuitry 2127 is configured to control (enable and / or disable) the heating engine of the nicotine e-vaping device 500 by controlling power to the heater 336. As described in more detail below, the heating engine control circuitry 2127 may disable the heating engine based on a control signal (sometimes referred to herein as a device power state signal) from the controller 2105.

[0133] When the nicotine pod assembly 300 is inserted into the device body 100, the controller 2105 also 2 The controller 2105 is communicatively coupled to at least the NVM 2205 and the pod sensor 2220 via a C interface. In one embodiment, the controller 2105 may obtain operating parameters of the nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200 from the NVM 2205.

[0134] The controller 2105 may control the vapor indicator 2135 to indicate to the adult e-vapor device user the status and / or operation of the nicotine e-vapor device 500. The vapor indicator 2135 may be implemented at least in part via a light guide (e.g., the light guide arrangement shown in FIG. 1) and may include a power indicator (e.g., an LED) that may be activated when the controller 2105 senses a button being pressed by the adult e-vapor device user. The vapor indicator 2135 may also include a vibrator, speaker, or other feedback mechanism and may indicate the current status of a vaping parameter (e.g., nicotine vapor amount) controlled by the adult e-vapor device user.

[0135] 29 , the controller 2105 may control power to the heater 336 to heat the nicotine pre-vapor formulation according to a heating profile (e.g., heating based on volume, temperature, flavor, etc.). The heating profile may be determined based on empirical data and may be stored in the NVM 2205 of the nicotine pod assembly 300.

[0136] 30 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a dry puff and automatic shutoff control system 2300 according to an exemplary embodiment. For brevity, the dry puff and automatic shutoff control system 2300 may be referred to herein as the automatic shutoff control system 2300.

[0137] The automatic shutoff control system 2300 shown in Figure 30 may be implemented in the controller 2105. In one embodiment, the automatic shutoff control system 2300 may be implemented as part of an equipment manager finite state machine (FSM) software implementation running in the controller 2105. In the embodiment shown in Figure 30, the automatic shutoff control system 2300 includes a dryness detection module 2610. However, it will be appreciated that the automatic shutoff control system 2300 may include various other subsystem modules.

[0138] 30 , the automatic shutoff control system 2300, and more generally, the controller 2105, may identify a dry puff condition in the nicotine e-vaping device 500 and cause the controller 2105 to control one or more subsystems of the nicotine e-vaping device 500 to perform one or more resulting actions in response to identifying the dry puff condition. The dry puff condition may be referred to as a dry puff fault or a dry puff fault condition. Identification of the dry puff condition may be based on information and / or inputs such as threshold parameters of the nicotine pod assembly 300, pod sensor information from one or more pod sensors 2220, sensor information from one or more sensors 2125 of the device body electrical system 2100, or any combination thereof. The dry puff condition is an example of a difficult pod fault event in the nicotine e-vaping device 500. A difficult pod fault event is an event that may require corrective action (e.g., replacing the nicotine pod assembly) to re-enable vaping functionality in the nicotine e-vaping device 500.

[0139] The controller 2105 may control one or more subsystems by outputting one or more control signals (or asserting or deasserting respective signals), as described in more detail below. In some cases, the control signals output from the controller 2105 may be referred to as device power state signals, device power state instructions, or device power control signals. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may output one or more control signals to the heat engine control circuit 2127 to shut off the vaping function in the nicotine e-vaping device 500 in response to detecting a dry puff state in the nicotine e-vaping device 500.

[0140] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the type of resulting action in the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 may be based on the dry puff state and / or the current operation of the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500. In response to a fault event, such as a dry puff state, multiple resulting actions may be performed sequentially. In one example, the resulting actions include:

[0141] an auto-off operation in which the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 switches to a low power state (e.g., equivalent to turning off the nicotine e-vaporizing device using the power button);

[0142] a heater-off operation in which power to the heater 336 is cut off or disabled, terminating the current puff but otherwise remaining ready to vape;

[0143] and a vape off operation in which the vaping subsystem is disabled (e.g., by disabling all power to the heater 336), thereby preventing vaping until corrective action is taken (e.g., replacing the nicotine pod assembly).

[0144] As mentioned above, the automatic shut-off control system 2300 includes a dryness detection subsystem 2610 (also referred to as a dryness detection subsystem module, circuit, or electrical circuit). Through the dryness detection subsystem 2610, the controller 2105 monitors the wetness (or dryness) of the wick 338 and detects the presence of a dry puff condition in the nicotine e-vaping device 500. As mentioned above, when a dry puff condition is detected, the controller 2105 may shut down or disable one or more subsystems or components of the nicotine e-vaping device 500.

[0145] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 monitors the wetness of the wick 338 based on the percent change in resistance of the heater 336 over time during vaping. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may receive one or more signals indicative of the resistance of the heater 336 from the pod temperature measurement circuit 21250.

[0146] In another exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may calculate the resistance of the heater 336 based on signals from the heater current measurement circuit 21258 and / or the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252.

[0147] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, if the percent change in resistance of the heater 336 over the time window exceeds a percent change in resistance threshold, the controller 2105 determines that a dry puff condition exists in the nicotine e-vapor device 500 (e.g., the wick 338 is dry). The controller 2105 may obtain the percent change in resistance threshold from the NVM 2205 of the nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200. The percent change in resistance threshold may be set by the manufacturer of the nicotine pod assembly 300 based on empirical data, the nicotine pre-vapor formulation, the heater 336 structure, subcombinations thereof, or combinations thereof. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the percent change in resistance threshold may be approximately 0.1 percent to 25.5 percent (in increments of approximately 0.1 percent). In one example, the percent change in resistance may be approximately 2.0 percent for a heater constructed from 316L grade stainless steel.

[0148] In one example, a dry puff condition may exist because the nicotine pre-vapor formulation is not being supplied to the wick 338 at a rate sufficient to maintain the normal temperature profile of the heater 336. Thus, the percentage change in resistance may be indicative of the flow rate of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation to the wick 338, and the dryness detection subsystem 2610 may be characterized as being configured to determine whether a dry puff condition exists based on the flow rate of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation to the wick 338. Furthermore, a dry puff condition may result from depletion of the nicotine pre-vapor formulation within the nicotine pod assembly 300. Thus, detection of a dry puff condition may also indicate a depleted and / or empty nicotine pod assembly.

[0149] The controller 2105 may utilize a sliding measurement window of N samples of the resistance of the heater 336 such that a determination is made for a recent time slice during vaping. This allows the controller 2105 to accommodate relatively long periods of negative pressure application by adult e-vaping device users, while providing more rapid detection of dry puff conditions, where the resistance of the heater 336 begins to change relatively quickly while negative pressure is being applied.

[0150] In response to detecting a dry puff condition, the controller 2105 may control the heating engine control circuit 2127 to cut off power to the heater 336 (heater off) and / or disable vaping in the nicotine e-vaping device 500 (vaping off).

[0151] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a first-in, first-out (FIFO) memory storing approximately 100 samples (N=100) may be used to establish a sliding measurement window of approximately 100 milliseconds (ms) during which the resistance of heater 336 is periodically updated (e.g., recalculated) at 1 ms "ticks." The FIFO memory may be integral to controller 2105 or may be included in memory 2130, as shown in FIG. 29.

[0152] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the sliding window may not begin until the resistance measurement of the heater 336 is relatively stable; otherwise, spurious values ​​inserted into the FIFO memory may cause false positives later in the process. The resistance measurement is considered relatively stable when the resistance measurement reaches an operating condition where the expected measurement error is less than a threshold percentage change in resistance. In one example, the resistance of the heater 336 may begin to become relatively stable after the current through the heater 336 exceeds a "wet" current threshold (e.g., approximately 100 milliamps (mA)). The controller 2105 may determine that the "wet" current threshold has been reached by monitoring the current through the heater 336 based on a signal from the heater current measurement circuit 21258.

[0153] FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a dryness detection method according to an exemplary embodiment. For illustrative purposes, the flowchart shown in FIG. 31 is described with reference to the electrical system shown in FIG. 29. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiment is not limited to this example. Rather, the exemplary embodiment may be applied to other nicotine e-vaping devices and their electrical systems. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 31 is described with reference to operations performed by the controller 2105. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiment may similarly be described with reference to the automatic shut-off control system 2300 and / or dryness detection subsystem 2610 performing one or more of the functions / operations shown in FIG. 31.

[0154] Referring to FIG. 31 , when the nicotine pod assembly 300 is inserted into the device body 100 and the nicotine e-vaping device 500 is powered on, in step S2702, the controller 2105 obtains a resistance percentage change threshold (also referred to as a percentage resistance change parameter) Δ%R_THRESHOLD stored in the NVM 2205 in the nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200.

[0155] In step S2704, the controller 2105 determines whether a vaping state exists in the nicotine e-vaping device 500. According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may determine whether a vaping state exists in the nicotine e-vaping device 500 based on the output from the sensor 364. In one example, the controller 2105 may determine that a vaping state exists in the nicotine e-vaping device 500 if the output from the sensor 364 indicates application of a negative pressure above a threshold at the mouthpiece 102 of the nicotine e-vaping device 500.

[0156] If the controller 2105 detects a vaping condition in step S2704, then in step S2705 the controller 2105 controls the heating engine control circuit 2127 to apply power to the heater 336 for vaping. Exemplary control of the heating engine control circuit 2127 to apply power to the heater 336 is described in more detail below with respect to Figures 38 and 39.

[0157] In step S2706, the controller 2105 determines whether the resistance of the heater 336 has stabilized. As described above, the controller 2105 may determine that the resistance of the heater 336 has stabilized when the current through the heater 336 reaches a "wet" current threshold (e.g., approximately 100 milliamps (mA)). The controller 2105 may determine that the current through the heater 336 has reached the "wet" current threshold based on the output signal from the heater current measurement circuit 21258.

[0158] In step S2706, if the controller 2105 determines that the resistance of the heater 336 has stabilized, the controller 2105 begins storing resistance measurements of the heater 336 in a FIFO memory at 1 ms intervals (1 ms "tick").

[0159] In step S2710, the controller 2105 determines whether the FIFO memory is full (e.g., a threshold number of samples have been collected). In one embodiment, the FIFO memory may become full when approximately 100 samples of the heater 336 resistance have been stored (e.g., approximately 100 ms after the heater 336 resistance has stabilized as determined in step S2706).

[0160] If the controller 2105 determines that the FIFO memory is full, then in step S2712, the controller 2105 reads the first resistance value R stored in the FIFO memory. t_0 (at t0) and the latest (most recent) resistance value R t_N-1 (Time t N-1 Calculate the percent change in resistance Δ%R between (at) and (at).

[0161] In step S2714, the controller 2105 compares the calculated percent change in resistance Δ%R with the percent change in resistance threshold Δ%R_THRESHOLD obtained from the NVM 2205 in step S2702.

[0162] If the calculated percent change in resistance Δ%R is greater than the percent change in resistance threshold Δ%R_THRESHOLD, then in step S2716, the controller 2105 controls the heating engine control circuit 2127 to shut off (e.g., shut off power to) the heater 336. In one embodiment, the controller 2105 may control the heating engine control circuit 2127 to implement a vaping-off operation. As described above, a vaping-off operation may disable all energy to the heater 336, thereby preventing vaping until corrective action is taken (e.g., by an adult e-vaping device user). As described in more detail below, the controller 2105 may control the heating engine control circuit 2127 to disable all energy to the heater 336 by outputting a vaping shut-off signal COIL_SHDN ( FIG. 38 ) having a logic high level or by deasserting (or stopping output of) the vaping enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM ( FIG. 39 ). In at least one embodiment, at least the vaping enable signal COIL_VPATE_PWM may be a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal, and examples of corrective actions are described in more detail below.

[0163] Returning to step S2714, if the calculated percent change in resistance Δ%R is less than or equal to the percent change in resistance threshold Δ%R_THRESHOLD, the process returns to S2708 and continues as described above.

[0164] Returning to step S2710, if the controller 2105 determines that the FIFO memory is not yet full, the process returns to step S2708 and continues as described above.

[0165] Returning to step S2706, if the controller 2105 determines that the resistance of the heater 336 has not yet stabilized, the controller 2105 continues to monitor the resistance of the heater 336. Once the resistance of the heater 336 has stabilized, the process proceeds to step S2708 and continues as described above.

[0166] Returning to step S2704, if the controller 2105 determines that a vaping condition does not still exist, the controller 2105 continues to monitor the output of the sensor 364 for a vaping condition. If a vaping condition is detected, the process continues as described above.

[0167] FIG. 32 shows a graph of resistance against time when a dry puff condition occurs during a puff ("Drying Puff"), when a dry puff condition is present at the start of the puff ("Dry Puff"), and when a dry puff condition is not present ("Standard Puff").

[0168] As shown in Figure 32, if a dry puff condition exists at the beginning of a puff, the resistance increases rapidly over time. In this example, the controller 2105 may shut off the vaping function of the nicotine e-vaping device 500 at the end of an initial sampling interval (e.g., about 100 ms) because the percent change in resistance Δ%R of the heater 336 at the end of the initial time interval is greater than the percent change in resistance threshold Δ%R_THRESHOLD.

[0169] As dry puff conditions begin to exist during a puff, the heater resistance begins to increase more rapidly (the slope of the graph increases). In this case, the controller 2105 determines the time t at which the percent change in resistance of the heater 336, Δ%R, between the oldest heater resistance in the FIFO and the most recent heater resistance exceeds the percent change in resistance threshold, Δ%R_THRESHOLD. SHUTOFF Blocks vaping function.

[0170] If a dry puff condition does not exist (a standard puff condition exists), the puff is terminated and power is cut off to the heater 336 in response to ceasing application of negative pressure or after the expiration of a threshold time interval. In this case, a heater-off operation may be implemented rather than a vaping-off operation.

[0171] As discussed above, a dry puff condition is an example of a difficult pod failure event in the nicotine e-vaping device 500.

[0172] 33 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of operation of a nicotine e-vapor device after shutting off the vaping function (vaping off operation) in response to detecting a difficult fault pod event, such as a dry puff state, according to an exemplary embodiment. For illustrative purposes, the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 33 is described with respect to a dry puff state. However, the exemplary embodiment should not be limited to this example.

[0173] Also, for illustrative purposes, the flowchart shown in FIG. 33 will be described with reference to the electrical system shown in FIG. 29. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments are not limited to this example. Rather, the exemplary embodiments may be applied to other nicotine e-vaping devices and their electrical systems. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments shown in FIG. 33 will be described with reference to operations performed by the controller 2105. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments may similarly be described with reference to the automatic shut-off control system 2300 and / or dryness detection subsystem 2610 performing one or more of the functions / operations shown in FIG. 33.

[0174] 33, in step S3804, the controller 2105 records the occurrence of the dry puff condition in memory 2130. In one embodiment, the controller 2105 may store an identifier of the event (dry puff condition or dry puff event) in association with the resulting action (e.g., a vaping-off action) and the time the event and resulting action occurred.

[0175] In step S3806, the controller 2105 controls the vapor indicator 2135 to output an indication that a dry puff condition has been detected. In one embodiment, the indication may be in the form of an audio, visual indication, and / or tactile feedback to the adult e-vaping device user. For example, the indication may be a flashing red LED, a software message containing an error code that may be sent (e.g., via Bluetooth) to a connected “application” on a remote electronic device and subsequently trigger a notification within the application that provides the adult e-vaping device user with information about corrective action, any combination thereof, etc.

[0176] In step S3808, the controller 2105 determines whether the nicotine pod assembly 300 has been removed from the device body 100 (a corrective action) within (before the expiration of) a detachment threshold time interval after indicating (e.g., responding to) a dry puff state to the adult e-vaping device user. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may determine that the nicotine pod assembly 300 has been removed from the device body 100 by digitally checking that the set of five contacts 326 of the nicotine pod assembly has been removed. In another example, the controller 2105 may determine that the nicotine pod assembly has been removed from the device body 100 by sensing that the electrical contacts 324a, 324b, and / or 326 of the nicotine pod assembly 300 have been removed from the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may sense that the electrical contacts 324a, 324b, and / or 326 of the nicotine pod assembly 300 have been disconnected from the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100 by detecting a finite resistance between the electrical contacts 324a, 324b, and / or 326 of the nicotine pod assembly 300 and the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100.

[0177] If the controller 2105 determines that the nicotine pod assembly 300 has been removed from the device body 100 within the detachment threshold time interval after indicating (e.g., responding to) the dry puff state to the adult e-vaping device user, then in step S3814 the controller 2105 controls the nicotine e-vaping device 500 to return to normal operation (non-fault state). In this case, energy to the heater 336 is still disabled because the nicotine pod assembly 300 has been removed, but the nicotine e-vaping device 500 is otherwise ready to take a puff in response to the application of negative pressure by the adult e-vaping device user when a new nicotine pod assembly is inserted.

[0178] At step S3812, the controller 2105 determines whether a new nicotine pod assembly 300 is inserted into the device body 100 within (before the expiration of) the insertion threshold time interval following removal of the nicotine pod assembly 300, and returns the nicotine e-vaping device 500 to normal operation at step S3814. In at least one embodiment, the insertion threshold time interval may have a length between about 5 minutes and about 120 minutes. The insertion threshold time interval may be set by an adult e-vaping device user to a length within this range. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may determine that a new nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the device body 100 by sensing the resistance (e.g., between about 0.5 ohms and about 5.0 ohms) of the heater 336 between the electrical contacts 324a and 324b of the nicotine pod assembly 300 and the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100. In a further exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may determine that a new nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the device body 100 by sensing the presence of a pull-up resistor included in the nicotine pod assembly 300 between the electrical contacts 326 of the nicotine pod assembly 300 and the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100.

[0179] If the controller 2105 determines that a new nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the device body 100 within the insertion threshold time interval, then in step S3810, the controller 2105 controls the heating engine control circuit 2127 to re-enable the vaping module (e.g., enable application of power to the heater 336). As described in more detail below, the controller 2105 may control the heating engine control circuit 2127 to re-enable the vaping module by outputting a vaping shut-off signal COIL_SHDN (FIG. 38) having a logic low level and / or asserting a vaping enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM (FIG. 39).

[0180] Returning to step S3812, if the controller 2105 determines that a new nicotine pod assembly has not been inserted into the device body 100 within the insertion threshold time interval, then in step S3816 the controller 2105 outputs another one or more control signals to implement an auto-off operation in which the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 powers off or enters a low power mode. According to at least some example embodiments, in a typical software auto-off context, the controller 2105 outputs a number or multiple GPIO control lines (signals) to turn off all or substantially all peripherals of the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 and the controller 2105 enters a sleep state.

[0181] Returning then to step S3808, if the nicotine pod assembly 300 is not removed within the removal threshold time interval, the process proceeds to step S3816 and continues as described above.

[0182] FIG. 34 shows an exemplary embodiment of a heater voltage measurement circuit 21252.

[0183] 34, the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 includes resistor 3702 and resistor 3704 connected in a voltage divider configuration between a terminal configured to receive an input voltage signal COIL_OUT and ground. The input voltage signal COIL_OUT is the voltage (the voltage at its input terminal) input to the heater 336. A node N3716 between resistor 3702 and resistor 3704 is coupled to the positive input of an operational amplifier (op amp) 3708. A capacitor 3706 is connected between node N3716 and ground, forming a low-pass filter circuit (R / C filter) to stabilize the voltage input to the positive input of the op amp 3708. The filter circuit can also reduce inaccuracies due to switching noise induced by the PWM signal used to energize the heater 336 and has the same phase response / group delay for both current and voltage.

[0184] The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 further includes resistors 3710 and 3712 and a capacitor 3714. Resistor 3712 is connected between node N 3718 and a terminal configured to receive an output voltage signal COIL_RTN, which is the voltage at its output terminals output from the heater 336.

[0185] Resistor 3710 and capacitor 3714 are connected in parallel between node N 3718 and the output of operational amplifier 3708. The negative input of operational amplifier 3708 is also connected to node N 3718. Resistors 3710 and 3712 and capacitor 3714 are connected in a low pass filter circuit configuration.

[0186] The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 utilizes an operational amplifier 3708 to measure the voltage difference between the input voltage signal COIL_OUT and the output voltage signal COIL_RTN and outputs a scaled heater voltage measurement signal COIL_VOL representative of the voltage across the heater 336. The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 outputs the scaled heater voltage measurement signal COIL_VOL to an ADC pin of the controller 2105 for digital sampling and measurement by the controller 2105.

[0187] The gain of the op-amp 3708 may be set based on surrounding passive electrical elements (e.g., resistors and capacitors) to improve the dynamic range of the voltage measurement. In one example, the dynamic range of the op-amp 3708 may be achieved by scaling the voltage so that the maximum voltage output matches the maximum input range of the ADC (e.g., approximately 1.8 V). In at least one exemplary embodiment, the scaling may be approximately 267 mV per V, so the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 may measure up to approximately 1.8 V / 0.267 V = 6.74 V.

[0188] FIG. 35 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the heater current measurement circuit 21258 shown in FIG.

[0189] 35, the output voltage signal COIL_RTN is input to a four-terminal (4T) measurement resistor 3802 connected to ground. The differential voltage across the four-terminal measurement resistor 3802 is scaled by an operational amplifier 3806, which outputs a heater current measurement signal COIL_CUR indicative of the current through the heater 336. The heater current measurement signal COIL_CUR is output to an ADC pin of the controller 2105 for digital sampling and measurement of the current through the heater 336 in the controller 2105.

[0190] 35, a four-terminal measurement resistor 3802 may be used to reduce errors in current measurements using the "Kelvin current measurement" technique. In this example, separating the current measurement path from the voltage measurement path may reduce noise on the voltage measurement path.

[0191] The gain of the op-amp 3806 can be set to improve the dynamic range of the measurement. In this example, the scaling of the op-amp 3806 can be approximately 0.577 V / A, so the heater current measurement circuit 21258 can measure up to approximately

number

[0192] 35 in more detail, a first terminal of a four-terminal measuring resistor 3802 is connected to the terminals of the heater 336 to receive the output voltage signal COIL_RTN. A second terminal of the four-terminal measuring resistor 3802 is connected to ground. A third terminal of the four-terminal measuring resistor 3802 is connected to a low-pass filter circuit (R / C filter) including a resistor 3804, a capacitor 3808, and a resistor 3810. The output of the low-pass filter circuit is connected to the positive input of an operational amplifier 3806. The low-pass filter circuit may reduce inaccuracies due to switching noise induced by the PWM signal applied to energize the heater 336 and may have the same phase response / group delay for both current and voltage.

[0193] The heater current measurement circuit 21258 further includes resistors 3812 and 3814 and a capacitor 3816. The resistors 3812 and 3814 and the capacitor 3816 are connected to the fourth terminal of the four terminal measurement resistor 3802, the negative input of the operational amplifier 3806, and the output of the operational amplifier 3806 in a low pass filter circuit configuration, the output of which is connected to the negative input of the operational amplifier 3806.

[0194] The op-amp 3806 outputs the differential voltage as a heater current measurement signal COIL_CUR to an ADC pin of the controller 2105 for sampling and measurement of the current through the heater 336 by the controller 2105.

[0195] According to at least this exemplary embodiment, the configuration of the heater current measurement circuit 21258 is similar to the configuration of the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252, except that a low pass filter circuit including resistors 3804 and 3810 and a capacitor 3808 is connected to a terminal of the four terminal measurement resistor 3802, and a low pass filter circuit including resistors 3812 and 3814 and a capacitor 3816 is connected to another terminal of the four terminal measurement resistor 3802.

[0196] The controller 2105 may average multiple samples (e.g., of voltage) over a time window (e.g., about 1 ms) corresponding to the "tick" time used in the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500 and convert the average value into a mathematical representation of the voltage and current across the heater 336 through the application of scaling values. The scaling values ​​may be determined based on the gain settings implemented in each op-amp, which may be specific to the hardware of the nicotine e-vaporizing device 500.

[0197] The controller 2105 may filter the converted voltage and current measurements to attenuate measurement noise, for example, using a 3-tap moving average filter. The controller 2105 then uses the filtered measurements to calculate the resistance R of the heater 336. HEATER

number

number

number

number

[0198] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the gain settings of the passive elements of the circuits shown in FIG. 34 and / or FIG. 35 can be adjusted to match the output signal range to the input range of the controller 2105.

[0199] 36 and 37 illustrate a pod temperature measurement circuit according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0200] 36, the pod temperature measurement circuit 21250A includes a driver stage 3902A and a measurement stage 3904A. The driver stage 3902A is configured to generate a pod temperature measurement power signal HW_POWER to deliver power to the pod sensor 2220 in response to a pod temperature measurement control signal HW_ENB. The pod temperature measurement power signal HW_POWER may be a PWM signal. The measurement stage 3904A is configured to generate a pod temperature measurement output signal HW_SIGNAL based on a DAC comparison signal HW_DAC from a DAC (not shown) in the controller 2105 and a pod sensor signal SP_HW from the pod sensor 2220. The pod temperature measurement output signal HW_SIGNAL may be a differential voltage signal indicative of the temperature of one or more elements of the nicotine pod assembly 300. Inputs and outputs to and from the pod sensor 2220 of the exemplary embodiment are described in more detail below.

[0201] 36, the driver stage 3902A receives a pod temperature measurement control signal HW_ENB from the controller 2105. In this example, the pod temperature measurement control signal HW_ENB may be a PWM signal having a duty cycle adjusted by the controller 2105 to vary power based on the pod sensor signal SP_HW from the pod sensor 2220. When the pod temperature measurement control signal HW_ENB is asserted (activated), the driver stage 3902A may be enabled to output the pod temperature measurement power signal HW_POWER; otherwise, the output of the driver stage 3902A may be disabled.

[0202] The pod temperature measurement control signal HW_ENB is input to the enable pin EN of a low dropout voltage regulator (LDO) U10, which converts the pod temperature measurement control signal HW_ENB, a low current drive strength processor signal, into the pod temperature measurement power signal HW_POWER, a high current drive strength PWM signal.

[0203] Resistor R80 is connected as a pull-down resistor between enable pin EN of LDO U10 and ground to ensure that the output of driver stage 3902A is disabled when pod temperature measurement control signal HW_ENB is in an indeterminate state.

[0204] Driver stage 3902A further includes capacitors C43 and C44. Capacitor C44 is connected to the input pin IN of LDO U10 and to a voltage source and provides a filter and a filter that may improve the speed at which the pod temperature measurement power signal HW_POWER reaches its on-voltage. Capacitor C43 is connected between the output pin IN and ground and provides filtering and a filter for the pod temperature measurement power signal HW_POWER.

[0205] Resistors R60 and R61 form a feedback network 39028 in the form of a voltage divider. Feedback network 39028 outputs a feedback voltage to the adjustment or feedback terminal ADJ of LDO U10. LDO U10 sets the precise voltage output for pod temperature measurement power signal HW_POWER based on the feedback voltage input to feedback terminal ADJ. According to at least some example embodiments, the precise voltage output for pod temperature measurement power signal HW_POWER and the feedback voltage V ADJ The relationship with the output is

number

[0206] In measurement stage 3904A, the pod sensor signal SP_HW from the pod sensor 2220 is input through resistor R66 to the negative input of operational amplifier U11A to scale the voltage of the pod sensor signal SP_HW for measurement by the ADC in controller 2105. Opamp U11A is an inverting amplifier with gain set according to the resistance of resistor R66 and resistor R67 connected between the negative input and output of operational amplifier U11A. Capacitor C47 is connected in parallel with resistor R67 to form a low pass filter circuit to filter out high frequency noise from the pod sensor signal SP_HW.

[0207] The DAC comparison signal HW_DAC from the DAC in the controller 2105 is input to the positive input of the operational amplifier U11A via a voltage divider circuit 39042 including resistors R63 and R64. The DAC comparison signal HW_DAC essentially selects the differential voltage applied to the operational amplifier U11A and sets the reference voltage level of the operational amplifier U11A, which suppresses or prevents saturation of the operational amplifier U11A. In other words, the DAC comparison signal HW_DAC sets the operating point of the operational amplifier U11A to suppress saturation of the pod temperature measurement output signal HW_SIGNAL output by the operational amplifier U11A. The voltage divider 39042 reduces each DAC step of voltage, providing finer control of the range setting. The ratio of resistors R63 and R64 may approximate the balance resistor and the pod sensor 2220 (e.g., at its maximum temperature). Capacitor C46 is connected in parallel with resistor R64 to form a low pass filter circuit to filter noise out of the DAC comparison signal HW_DAC. Resistor R69 is connected between the output of voltage divider 39042 and the positive input of operational amplifier U11A.

[0208] The pod sensor signal SP_HW from the pod sensor 2220 may have a relatively small voltage level (e.g., about 2 mV), and therefore the relatively high gain of the operational amplifier U11A may be used to match the pod temperature measurement signal HW_SIGNAL to the dynamic signal range (e.g., about 1.8 V) of the ADC in the controller 2105. Thus, the operational amplifier U11A amplifies the pod sensor signal SP_HW and outputs the amplified signal as the pod temperature measurement output signal HW_SIGNAL to the ADC for sampling and measurement in the controller 2105.

[0209] 37 , the pod temperature measurement circuit 21250B includes a driver stage 3902B and a measurement stage 3904B. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 37 , the driver stage 3902B and the measurement stage 3904B are similar to the driver stage 3902A and the measurement stage 3904A, respectively, shown in FIG. 36 , except that the driver stage 3902B further includes a measurement balance resistor R93, and the capacitance of the capacitor C43 may be reduced in value to increase the rise / fall time of the pod sensor signal SP_HW. In at least one embodiment, the measurement balance resistor R93 may have a resistance of approximately 3 ohms and may be moved from the nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200 to the device body assembly electrical system 2100 to reduce the cost of the nicotine pod assembly 300. Furthermore, in at least the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 37 , passive components may be arranged and adjusted to configure gain settings such that the output signal range matches the input signal range of the controller 2105.

[0210] 38 is a circuit diagram illustrating a heat engine control circuit according to some example embodiments. The heat engine control circuit shown in FIG. 38 is an example of the heat engine control circuit 2127 shown in FIG.

[0211] Referring to FIG. 38, the heating engine control circuit 2127A includes a CMOS charge pump U2 configured to supply a power rail (e.g., an approximately 7V power rail (7V_CP)) to one or more gate driver integrated circuits (ICs) to control a power FET (heater power control circuit, also called a heating engine drive circuit or circuit, not shown in FIG. 38) that conducts the heater 336 in the nicotine pod assembly 300.

[0212] In exemplary operation, charge pump U2 is controlled (selectively activated or deactivated) based on a vaping shut down signal COIL_SHDN (device power state signal, also referred to as a vaping enable signal) from controller 2105. In the example shown in FIG. 38, charge pump U2 is activated in response to the output of vaping shut down signal COIL_SHDN having a logic low level and is deactivated in response to the output of coil shut down signal COIL-SHDN having a logic high level. Once power rail 7V_CP is stabilized after charge pump U2 is activated (e.g., after a settling time interval has expired), controller 2105 may enable heater activate signal GATE_ON to supply power to the heater power control circuit and heater 336.

[0213] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may perform a vaping off operation by outputting (enabling) a vaping stop shutoff signal COIL_SHDN having a logic high level, disabling all power to the heater 336 until the vaping shutoff signal COIL_SHDN is disabled (transitioned to a logic low level) by the controller 2105.

[0214] The controller 2105 may output a heater activation signal GATE_ON (another device power state signal) having a logic high level in response to detecting the presence of a vaping state in the nicotine e-vaping device 500. In this exemplary embodiment, when the controller 2105 enables the heater activation signal GATE_ON to a logic high level, transistors (e.g., field effect transistors (FETs)) Q5 and Q7A′ are activated. The controller 2105 may output the heater activation signal GATE_ON having a logic low level to disable power to the heater 336, thereby implementing a heater-off operation.

[0215] If a power stage failure occurs in which transistors Q5 and Q7A′ do not respond to the heater activation signal GATE_ON, the controller 2105 may perform a vapor off operation by outputting a vaping shut-off signal COIL_SHDN having a logic high level to shut off power to the gate driver, which in turn shuts off power to the heater 336.

[0216] In another embodiment, if the controller 2105 does not start up properly and as a result the vaping shut down signal COIL_SHDN has an indeterminate state, the heating engine control circuit 2127A automatically pulls the vaping shut down signal COIL_SHDN to a logic high level and automatically shuts off power to the heater 336.

[0217] 38, capacitor C9, charge pump U2, and capacitor C10 are connected in a positive voltage doubler configuration. Capacitor C9 is connected between pins C- and C+ of charge pump U2 and serves as a nicotine reservoir for charge pump U2. The input voltage pin VIN of charge pump U2 is connected to voltage source BATT at node N3801, and capacitor C10 is connected between ground and the output voltage pin VOUT of charge pump U2 at node N3802. Capacitor C10 provides a filter and nicotine reservoir for the output from charge pump U2, which may ensure a more stable voltage output from charge pump U2.

[0218] Capacitor C11 is connected between node N3801 and ground and provides a nicotine reservoir for the filter and input voltage to charge pump U2.

[0219] Resistor R10 is connected between a positive voltage supply and the shut down pin SHDN and acts as a pull-up resistor that ensures the input to the shut down pin SHDN is high, thereby disabling the output (VOUT) of charge pump U2 and cutting off power to heater 336 when the vaping shut down signal COIL_SHDN is in an indeterminate state.

[0220] Resistor R43 is connected between ground and the gate of transistor Q7A' at node N3804. Resistor R43 acts as a pull-down resistor that ensures that transistor Q7A' is in a high impedance (off) state, thereby disabling power rail 7V_CP and cutting off power to heater 336 when heater enable signal GATE_ON is in an indeterminate state.

[0221] Resistor R41 is connected between node N3802 and node N3803, which is between the gate of transistor Q5 and the drain of transistor Q7A'. Resistor R41 acts as a pull-down resistor, ensuring that transistor Q5 is more reliably switched off.

[0222] Transistor Q5 is configured to selectively isolate power rail 7V_CP from the VOUT pin of charge pump U2. The gate of transistor Q5 is connected to node N3803, the drain of transistor Q5 is connected to the output voltage terminal VOUT of charge pump U2 at node N3802, and the source of transistor Q5 serves as the output terminal for power rail 7V_CP. This configuration allows capacitor C10 to reach its operating voltage more quickly by isolating the load, and creates a fail-safe as long as both vaping shut-down signal COIL_SHDN and heater enable signal GATE_ON need to be in the correct state to provide power to heater 336.

[0223] Transistor Q7A is configured to control the operation of transistor Q5 based on heater enable signal GATE_ON. For example, when heater enable signal GATE_ON is at a logic high level (e.g., above 2V), transistor Q7A is in its low impedance (ON) state, which pulls the gate of transistor Q5 to ground, causing transistor Q5 to transition to its low impedance (ON) state. In this case, heat engine control circuit 2127A outputs power rail 7V_CP to the heat engine drive circuit (not shown), thereby enabling power to heater 336.

[0224] When the heater enable signal GATE_ON has a logic low level, transistor Q7A transitions to a high impedance (off) state, discharging the gate of transistor Q5 through resistor R41 and causing transistor Q5 to transition to a high impedance (off) state, in which case power rail 7V_CP is not output and power to the heating engine drive circuit (and heater 336) is cut off.

[0225] 38, controller 2105 does not directly control transistor Q5 because transistor Q5 requires a gate voltage as high as the source voltage (~7V) to be in a high impedance (off) state. Transistor Q7A provides a mechanism for controlling transistor Q5 based on a low voltage from controller 2105.

[0226] 39 is a circuit diagram illustrating another heat engine control circuit according to an exemplary embodiment. The heat engine control circuit shown in FIG. 39 is an alternative implementation of the heat engine control circuit 2127 shown in FIG.

[0227] 39, the heating engine control circuit 2127B includes a rail converter circuit 39020 (also referred to as a boost converter circuit) and a gate drive circuit 39040. The rail converter circuit 39020 is configured to output a voltage signal 9V_GATE (also referred to as a power signal or an input voltage signal) to power the gate drive circuit 39040 based on a vaping enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM (also referred to as a vaping cut-off signal). The rail converter circuit 39020 can be software defined with the vaping enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM used to regulate the 9V_GATE output.

[0228] The gate drive circuit 39040 utilizes the input voltage signal 9V_GATE from the rail converter circuit 39020 to drive the heating engine drive circuit 3906 .

[0229] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 39, the rail converter circuit 39020 generates the input voltage signal 9V_GATE only when the vaping enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM is asserted (present). The controller 2105 may disable the 9V rail and cut off power to the gate drive circuit 39040 by deasserting (stopping or terminating) the vaping enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM. Similar to the vaping shut-off signal COIL_SHDN in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 38, the vaping enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM may function as a device state power signal for implementing a vaping-off operation in the nicotine e-vaping device 500. In this example, the controller 2105 may implement a vaping-off operation by deasserting the vaping enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM, thereby disabling all power to the gate drive circuit 39040, the heating engine drive circuit 3906, and the heater 336. The controller 2105 may then enable vaping in the nicotine e-vaping device 500 by again asserting the vaping enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM to the rail converter circuit 39020.

[0230] 38 , in response to detecting a vaping state in the nicotine e-vaping device 500, the controller 2105 may output a first heater enable signal GATE_ENB having a logic high level to enable power to the heating engine drive circuit 3906 and the heater 336. The controller 2105 may output a first heater enable signal GATE_ENB having a logic low level to disable power to the heating engine drive circuit 3906 and the heater 336, thereby implementing a heater off operation.

[0231] Referring more particularly to the rail converter circuit 39020 of Figure 39, a capacitor C36 is connected between a voltage source BATT and ground. Capacitor C36 functions as a nicotine reservoir for the rail converter circuit 39020.

[0232] A first terminal of inductor L1006 is connected to node Node1 between voltage source BATT and capacitor C36. Inductor L1006 functions as the main storage element of rail converter circuit 39020.

[0233] The second terminal of inductor L1006, the drain of a transistor (e.g., an enhancement-mode MOSFET) Q1009, and the first terminal of capacitor C1056 are connected at node Node2. The source of transistor Q1009 is connected to ground, and the gate of transistor Q1009 is configured to receive a vaping enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM from controller 2105.

[0234] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 39, transistor Q1009 functions as the main switching element of rail converter circuit 39020.

[0235] Resistor R29 is connected between the gate of transistor Q1009 and ground and acts as a pull-down resistor to ensure that transistor Q1009 is more reliably switched off and that operation of heater 336 is prevented when vaping enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM is in an indeterminate state.

[0236] The second terminal of capacitor C1056 is connected to the cathode of Zener diode D1012 and the anode of Zener diode D1013 at node Node 3. The anode of Zener diode D1012 is connected to ground.

[0237] The cathode of Zener diode D1013 is connected to a terminal of capacitor C35 at node Node4 and to the input of a voltage divider circuit that includes resistors R1087 and R1088. The other terminal of capacitor C35 is connected to ground. The voltage at node Node4 is also the output voltage 9V_GATE from rail converter circuit 39020.

[0238] Resistor R1089 is connected to the output of the voltage divider circuit at node Node5.

[0239] In exemplary operation, when vaping enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM is asserted and at a logic high level, transistor Q1009 switches to a low impedance state (on), thereby allowing current to flow from voltage source BATT and capacitor C36 through inductor L1006 and transistor Q1009 to ground, causing the current to increase linearly over time and storing energy in inductor L1006.

[0240] When the vaping enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM is at a logic low level, transistor Q1009 switches to a high impedance state (off), in which case inductor L1006 continues to allow current to flow (decay linearly) and the voltage at node Node2 increases.

[0241] The duty cycle of vaping enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM determines the amount of voltage rise for a given load. Thus, vaping enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM is controlled by controller 2105 in a closed loop using feedback signal COIL_VGATE_FB output by a voltage divider circuit at node Node5 as feedback. The switching described above occurs at a relatively high rate (e.g., approximately 2 MHz, although different frequencies can be used depending on the required parameter and component values).

[0242] 39, capacitor C1056 is an AC coupling capacitor that provides a DC block to remove DC levels. Capacitor C1056 blocks current from voltage source BATT through inductor L1006 and diode D1013 to gate drive circuit 39040 when vaping enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM is low to conserve battery life (e.g., when the nicotine e-vaping device 500 is in standby mode). The capacitance of capacitor C1056 may be selected to provide a relatively low impedance path at the switching frequency.

[0243] Zener diode D1012 establishes the ground level of the switching signal. Capacitor C1056 removes DC levels so the voltage at node Node3 may be generally bipolar. In one embodiment, Zener diode D1012 may clamp the negative half-cycle of the signal to approximately 0.3V below ground.

[0244] Capacitor C35 functions as the output nicotine reservoir for the rail converter circuit 39020. Zener diode D1013 blocks current from capacitor C35 from flowing through capacitor C1056 and transistor Q1009 when transistor Q1009 is on.

[0245] As the decaying current from inductor L1006 causes a voltage rise at node Node4 between Zener diode D1013 and capacitor C35, current flows into capacitor C35, which maintains the 9V_GATE voltage while energy is stored in inductor L1006.

[0246] A voltage divider circuit including resistors R1087 and R1088 reduces the voltage to an acceptable level for measurement in the ADC of controller 2105. This reduced voltage signal is output as the feedback signal COIL_VGATE_FB.

[0247] In the circuit shown in FIG. 39, the feedback signal COIL_VGATE_FB voltage is scaled by approximately 0.25x, so the 9V output voltage is reduced to approximately 2.25V for input to the ADC in the controller 2105.

[0248] Resistor R1089 provides current limiting for overvoltage faults at the output of the rail converter circuit 39020 (eg, at node Node4) to protect the ADC in the controller 2105.

[0249] The 9V output voltage signal 9V_GATE is output from the rail converter circuit 39020 to the gate drive circuit 39040 to power the gate drive circuit 39040.

[0250] Referring now in more detail to the gate drive circuit 39040, the gate drive circuit 39040 includes, among other things, an integrated gate driver U2003 configured to convert one or more low current signals from the controller 2105 into high current signals for controlling the switching of transistors (e.g., MOSFETs) in the heating engine drive circuit 3906. The integrated gate driver U2003 is also configured to convert voltage levels from the controller 2105 to voltage levels required by the transistors in the heating engine drive circuit 3906. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 39, the integrated gate driver U2003 is a half-bridge driver. However, the exemplary embodiment should not be limited to this example.

[0251] More specifically, the 9V output voltage from the rail converter circuit 39020 is input to the gate drive circuit 39040 through a filter circuit including resistor R2012 and capacitor C2009. The filter circuit including resistor R2012 and capacitor C2009 is connected to the VCC pin (pin 4) of the integrated gate driver U2003 and the anode of Zener diode S2002 at node Node6. The second terminal of capacitor C2009 is connected to ground. The anode of Zener diode D2002 is connected to a first terminal of capacitor C2007 and the boost pin BST (pin 1) of the integrated gate driver U2003 at node Node7. The second terminal of capacitor C2007 is connected to the switching node pin SWN (pin 7) of the integrated gate driver U2003 and the heat engine drive circuit 3906 (e.g., between two MOSFETs) at node Node8. 39, Zener diode D2002 and capacitor C2007 form part of a bootstrap charge pump circuit connected between input voltage pin VCC and boost pin BST of integrated gate driver U2003. Because capacitor C2007 is connected to the 9V input voltage signal 9V_GATE from rail converter circuit 39020, capacitor C2007 charges through diode D2002 to a voltage approximately equal to the voltage signal 9V_GATE.

[0252] Still referring to FIG. 39, the high-side gate driver pin DRVH (pin 8), the low-side gate driver pin DRVL (pin 5), and the EP pin (pin 9) of the integrated gate driver U2003 are also connected to the heating engine drive circuit 3906.

[0253] Resistor R2013 and capacitor C2010 form a filter circuit connected to input pin IN (pin 2) of integrated gate driver U2003. The filter circuit is configured to remove high frequency noise from the second heater enable signal COIL_Z input to the input pin. The second heater enable signal COIL_Z may be a PWM signal from controller 2105.

[0254] Resistor R2014 is connected to the filter circuit and input pin IN at node Node 9. Resistor R2014 is used as a pull-down resistor so that if second heater enable signal COIL_Z is floating (or indeterminate), input pin IN of integrated gate driver U2003 is held at a logic low level, preventing activation of heating engine drive circuit 3906 and heater 336.

[0255] A first heater enable signal GATE_ENB from the controller 2105 is input to the OD pin (pin 3) of the integrated gate driver U2003. A resistor R2016 is connected to the OD pin of the integrated gate driver U2003 as a pull-down resistor so that if the first heater enable signal GATE_ENB from the controller 2105 is floating (or indeterminate), the OD pin of the integrated gate driver U2003 is held at a logic low level, preventing activation of the heating engine drive circuit 3906 and heater 336.

[0256] 39, the heating engine drive circuit 3906 includes a transistor (e.g., MOSFET) circuit including transistors (e.g., MOSFETs) 39062 and 39064 connected in series between a voltage source BATT and ground. The gate of transistor 39064 is connected to the low-side gate driver pin DRVL (pin 5) of integrated gate driver U2003, the drain of transistor 39064 is connected to the switching node pin SWN (pin 7) of integrated gate driver U2003 at node Node8, and the source of transistor 39064 is connected to ground GND.

[0257] When the low side gate drive signal output from the low side gate driver pin DRVL is high, transistor 39064 is in a low impedance state (ON), thereby connecting node Node8 to ground.

[0258] As described above, because capacitor C2007 is connected to the 9V input voltage signal 9V_GATE from the rail converter circuit 39020, capacitor C2007 charges to a voltage equal to or substantially equal to the 9V input voltage signal 9V_GATE through diode D2002.

[0259] When the low-side gate drive signal output from low-side gate driver pin DRVL is low, transistor 39064 switches to a high-impedance state (off) and high-side gate driver pin DRVH (pin 8) is internally connected to boost pin BST within integrated gate driver U2003. As a result, transistor 39062 is in a low-impedance state (on), thereby connecting switching node SWN to voltage source BATT and pulling switching node SWN (node ​​8) to the voltage of voltage source BATT.

[0260] In this case, node Node7 provides boost voltage V(BST), which allows the gate-source voltage of transistor 39062 to be the same as or substantially the same as the voltage of the 9V input voltage signal 9V_GATE (e.g., V(9V_GATE)), regardless of (or independent of) the voltage from voltage source BATT.

number

[0261] 40 and 41 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a temperature sensing transducer included in the pod sensor 2220 shown in FIG.

[0262] 40 , the temperature sensing transducer 3600A includes a resistor R3602 and a sensor transducer R3604. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the resistor R3602 may have a fixed resistance of approximately 3 ohms. The sensor transducer R3604 may be a resistor having a variable resistance that changes with temperature. The resistor R3602 and the sensor transducer R3604 are arranged in a voltage divider circuit such that the voltage across the sensor transducer R3604 (the voltage at the measurement node N3606) may be scaled and then output to the temperature measurement circuit 21250 for use in measuring the temperature of the nicotine pod assembly 300 or one or more components of the nicotine pod assembly 300.

[0263] In exemplary operation, the driver stage 3902A of the pod temperature measurement circuit 21250A (FIG. 36) applies the pod temperature measurement power signal HW_POWER to the temperature sensing transducer 3600A, and the measurement stage 3904A of the pod temperature measurement circuit 21250A scales the sensed voltage of the pod sensor signal SP_HW at measurement node N 3606 and outputs the scaled voltage as the pod temperature measurement output signal HW_SIGNAL to the controller 2105. The controller 2105 then determines the temperature of the nicotine pod assembly 300 or one or more components of the nicotine pod assembly 300 based on the pod temperature measurement output signal HW_SIGNAL.

[0264] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the voltage of the pod temperature measurement power signal HW_POWER may be fixed, and therefore the pod temperature measurement circuit 21250A may also calculate the current through resistors R3602 and R3604 because the resistance of resistor R3602 is a known resistance.

[0265] 41 , the temperature sensing transducer 3600B is similar to the temperature sensing transducer 3600A of FIG. 40 , except that the resistor R3602 has been omitted from the temperature sensing transducer 3600B and relocated to the driver stage 3902B of the pod temperature measurement circuit 21250B of FIG. 37 , as described above with respect to FIG. 37 . Relocating the resistor R3602 to the driver stage 3902B of the pod temperature measurement circuit 21250B may reduce the cost of the nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200 and / or the number of pins required for the interface between the device body 100 and the nicotine pod assembly 300. Furthermore, the resistance of the sensor transducer R3606 in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 41 may be greater than the resistance of the sensor transducer R3604 of FIG. 40 to reduce the current consumption by the temperature sensing transducer 3600B.

[0266] While exemplary embodiments have been disclosed herein, it should be understood that other variations are possible and should not be considered a departure from the scope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications that would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. A method for controlling the operation of a nicotine e-vapor device including a heater for heating a nicotine pre-vapor formulation drawn from a nicotine reservoir, the method comprising: determining a plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater during a time window; calculating a percent change in resistance of the heater between a first of the plurality of resistance values ​​and a second of the plurality of resistance values; determining whether the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds a percent change in resistance threshold; and disabling power to the heater in the nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds the percent change in resistance threshold.

2. storing the plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater in a first-in, first-out (FIFO) memory; the first plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater are the oldest resistance values ​​stored in the FIFO memory; The method of claim 1 , wherein the second plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater are the most recent resistance values ​​stored in the FIFO memory.

3. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising obtaining the resistance percent change threshold from a memory in a nicotine pod assembly of the nicotine electronic vaping device.

4. detecting that the resistance of the heater has stabilized based on a current through the heater; 4. The method of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said determining determines the plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater during the time window in response to detecting that the resistance of the heater has stabilized.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said detecting comprises detecting that the resistance of the heater has stabilized based on the current through the heater and a wetting current threshold.

6. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: outputting an indication of a dry puff status of the nicotine e-vaping device in response to determining that the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds the percent change in resistance threshold.

7. determining whether a nicotine pod assembly is removed from the nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after the deactivation; 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: powering off the nicotine vaping device in response to determining that the nicotine pod assembly has not been removed from the nicotine electronic vaping device within the first threshold time interval after the deactivation.

8. determining whether a nicotine pod assembly is removed from the nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after the deactivation; 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in response to determining that the nicotine pod assembly has been removed from the nicotine electronic-vaporizing device within the first threshold time interval after the deactivation, returning the nicotine electronic-vaporizing device to an operational mode by clearing a fault associated with a dry puff state in the nicotine electronic-vaporizing device.

9. determining whether another nicotine pod assembly is inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after the return; 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: enabling vaping in the nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that another nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval after the returning.

10. determining whether another nicotine pod assembly is inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after the return; 10. The method of claim 8 or 9, further comprising: powering off the nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that another nicotine pod assembly has not been inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval after the returning.

11. 1. A method for controlling a nicotine e-vapor device including a heater for heating a nicotine pre-vapor formulation drawn from a nicotine reservoir, the method comprising: determining a plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater during a time window; calculating a percent change in resistance of the heater between a first of the plurality of resistance values ​​and a second of the plurality of resistance values; Detecting whether the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds a percent change in resistance threshold; and outputting an indication of a dry puff status of the nicotine electronic vaping device in response to detecting that the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds a percent change in resistance threshold.

12. storing the plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater in a first-in, first-out (FIFO) memory; the first plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater are the oldest resistance values ​​stored in the FIFO memory; The method of claim 11 , wherein the second plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater are the most recent resistance values ​​stored in the FIFO memory.

13. 13. The method of claim 11 or 12, further comprising obtaining the percent change in resistance threshold from a memory in a nicotine pod assembly of the nicotine electronic vaping device.

14. determining that the resistance of the heater has stabilized based on a current through the heater; 14. The method of claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein said determining determines the plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater during the time window in response to determining that the resistance of the heater has stabilized.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein said determining determines that the resistance of the heater has stabilized based on the current through the heater and a wetting current threshold.

16. determining whether a nicotine pod assembly is removed from the nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after the output; 16. The method of any of claims 11-15, further comprising: powering off the nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that the nicotine pod assembly has not been removed from the nicotine electronic vaping device within the first threshold time interval after the output.

17. Disabling power to the heater in response to detecting that the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds the percent change in resistance threshold; determining whether a nicotine pod assembly is removed from the nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after the deactivation; and in response to determining that the nicotine pod assembly has been removed from the nicotine electronic-vaporizing device within the first threshold time interval after the deactivation, returning the nicotine electronic-vaporizing device to an operational mode by clearing a fault associated with a dry puff state in the nicotine electronic-vaporizing device.

18. determining whether another nicotine pod assembly is inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after the return; 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: enabling vaping in the nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that another nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval after the returning.

19. determining whether another nicotine pod assembly is inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after the return; 19. The method of claim 17 or 18, further comprising: powering off the nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that another nicotine pod assembly has not been inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval after the returning.

20. 1. A method for controlling a nicotine electronic vaping device, said method comprising: determining whether a nicotine pod assembly is removed before the end of a first time interval after detecting a dry puff state in the nicotine electronic vaping device; and in response to determining that the nicotine pod assembly has been removed before the end of the first time interval, returning the nicotine electronic vaping device to an operational mode by clearing a fault associated with the dry puff state in the nicotine electronic vaping device.

21. determining whether another nicotine pod assembly is inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after the return; 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising: enabling vaping in the nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that another nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval after the returning.

22. 22. The method of claim 20 or 21, further comprising detecting a dry puff in the nicotine electronic vaping device based on whether a percent change in resistance of a heater of the nicotine electronic vaping device exceeds a percent change in resistance threshold.

23. 1. A nicotine e-vaping device comprising: a nicotine storage section for storing a nicotine prevapor formulation; a heater configured to heat the nicotine pre-vapor formulation drawn from the nicotine reservoir; A processing circuit, determining a plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater during a time window; calculating a percent change in resistance of the heater between a first of the plurality of resistance values ​​and a second of the plurality of resistance values; determining whether the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds a percent change in resistance threshold; and processing circuitry configured to disable power to the heater in response to determining that the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds the percent change in resistance threshold.

24. a first-in, first-out (FIFO) memory configured to store the plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater; the first plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater are the oldest resistance values ​​stored in the FIFO memory; 24. The nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 23, wherein the second plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater are the most recent resistance values ​​stored in the FIFO memory.

25. a nicotine pod assembly including the nicotine reservoir, the heater, and a memory, the memory storing the percent change in resistance threshold; 25. The nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 23 or 24, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to obtain the resistance percentage change threshold from the memory within the nicotine pod assembly.

26. the processing circuitry detecting that the resistance of the heater has stabilized based on a current through the heater; 26. The nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 23, 24 or 25, configured to determine the plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater during the time window in response to detecting that the resistance of the heater has stabilized.

27. 27. The nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 26, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to detect that the resistance of the heater has stabilized based on the current through the heater and a wetting current threshold.

28. 28. The nicotine electronic vaping device of any of claims 23-27, wherein the processing circuit is configured to output an indication of a dry puff state in response to determining that the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds the percent change in resistance threshold.

29. the processing circuitry determining whether a nicotine pod assembly is removed from the nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after disabling the power to the heater; 29. The nicotine electronic vaping device of any of claims 23 to 28, configured to power off the nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that the nicotine pod assembly has not been removed from the nicotine electronic vaping device within the first threshold time interval after disabling the power to the heater.

30. the processing circuitry determining whether a nicotine pod assembly is removed from the nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after disabling the power to the heater; 30. The nicotine electronic vaping device of any of claims 23 to 29, configured to, in response to determining that the nicotine pod assembly has been removed from the nicotine electronic vaping device within the first threshold time interval after disabling the power to the heater, return the nicotine electronic vaping device to an operational mode by clearing a fault associated with a dry puff condition in the nicotine electronic vaping device.

31. the processing circuitry determining whether another nicotine pod assembly is inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after returning the nicotine electronic vaping device to the operational mode; 31. The nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 30, configured to enable vaping in the nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that another nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval after returning the nicotine electronic vaping device to the operational mode.

32. the processing circuitry determining whether another nicotine pod assembly is inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after returning the nicotine electronic vaping device to the operational mode; 32. The nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 30 or 31, configured to power off the nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that another nicotine pod assembly has not been inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval after returning the nicotine electronic vaping device to the operational mode.

33. 1. A nicotine e-vaping device comprising: a nicotine storage section for storing a nicotine prevapor formulation; a heater configured to heat the nicotine pre-vapor formulation drawn from the nicotine reservoir; The nicotine e-vaping device comprises: determining a plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater during a time window; calculating a percent change in resistance of the heater between a first of the plurality of resistance values ​​and a second of the plurality of resistance values; detecting whether the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds a percent change in resistance threshold; and processing circuitry configured to cause output of an indication of a dry puff status of the nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds the percent change in resistance threshold.

34. a first-in, first-out (FIFO) memory configured to store the plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater; the first plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater are the oldest resistance values ​​stored in the FIFO memory; 34. The nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 33, wherein the second plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater are the most recent resistance values ​​stored in the FIFO memory.

35. a nicotine pod assembly including the nicotine reservoir, the heater, and a memory, the memory storing the percent change in resistance threshold; 35. The nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 33 or 34, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to obtain the resistance percentage change threshold from the memory within the nicotine pod assembly.

36. the processing circuitry detecting that the resistance of the heater has stabilized based on a current through the heater; 36. The nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 33, 34, or 35, configured to determine the plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater during the time window in response to detecting that the resistance of the heater has stabilized.

37. 37. The nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 36, wherein the processing circuit is configured to detect that the resistance of the heater has stabilized based on the current through the heater and a wetting current threshold.

38. the processing circuitry determining whether a nicotine pod assembly is removed from the nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after outputting the indication of the dry puff condition; 38. The nicotine electronic vaping device of any of claims 33 to 37, configured to power off the nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that the nicotine pod assembly has not been removed from the nicotine electronic vaping device within the first threshold time interval after outputting the indication of the dry puff state.

39. the processing circuitry Disabling power to the heater in response to determining that the percent change in resistance of the heater exceeds the percent change in resistance threshold; determining whether a nicotine pod assembly is removed from the nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after disabling the power to the heater; 39. The nicotine electronic vaping device of any of claims 33 to 38, configured to, in response to determining that the nicotine pod assembly has been removed from the nicotine electronic vaping device within the first threshold interval after disabling the power to the heater, return the nicotine electronic vaping device to an operational mode by clearing a fault associated with the dry puff state in the nicotine electronic vaping device.

40. the processing circuitry determining whether another nicotine pod assembly is inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after returning the nicotine electronic vaping device to the operational mode; 40. The nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 39, configured to enable vaping in the nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that another nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval after returning the nicotine electronic vaping device to the operational mode.

41. the processing circuitry determining whether another nicotine pod assembly is inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after returning the nicotine electronic vaping device to the operational mode; 41. The nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 39 or 40, configured to power off the nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that another nicotine pod assembly has not been inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval after returning the nicotine electronic vaping device to the operational mode.

42. 1. A nicotine e-vaping device comprising: A processing circuit, determining whether a nicotine pod assembly is removed before the expiration of a first time interval after detecting a dry puff state in the nicotine electronic vaping device; a processing circuit configured to, in response to determining that the nicotine pod assembly has been removed before the end of the first time interval, return the nicotine electronic vaping device to an operational mode by clearing a fault associated with the dry puff state in the nicotine electronic vaping device.

43. the processing circuitry determining whether another nicotine pod assembly is inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after returning the nicotine electronic vaping device to the operational mode; 43. The nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 42, configured to enable vaping in the nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that another nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval after returning the nicotine electronic vaping device to the operational mode.

44. the processing circuitry 44. The nicotine electronic vaping device of claim 42 or 43, configured to detect the dry puff state in the nicotine electronic vaping device based on whether a percentage change in resistance of a heater of the nicotine electronic vaping device exceeds a percentage change in resistance threshold.

Images