Charging solutions for aerosol generators

Abstract

This provides a convenient and effective method for charging rechargeable batteries. [Solution] A charging system for charging the first battery of an aerosol generator may include a charger having a cord connection to a power source and a charging case 300. The charging case may include a housing 320 having a sleeve portion 322 configured to fit with a part of the aerosol generator, a power module 330 installed in the housing and configured to directly or indirectly supply power to the aerosol generator, and a wireless charging assembly 350 which is operationally coupled to the housing and supplies power to the power module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiment examples generally relate to a non-combustible aerosol providing system, and more particularly to a charging device for use in a non-combustible aerosol providing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] A non-combustible aerosol providing system (e.g., an e-cigarette / tobacco heating product or other such device) generally contains an aerosolizable substance, such as a reservoir of a supply liquid containing a formulation. The formulation generally contains nicotine or a solid such as a tobacco product, and an aerosol is generated therefrom, for example, through thermal vaporization, for inhalation by a user. However, devices containing formulations with other substances such as cannabinoids (e.g., tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and / or cannabidiol (CBD)), plants, drugs, caffeine, and / or other active ingredients are also possible. Thus, a non-combustible aerosol providing system generally includes an aerosol generating chamber that houses a heater arranged to vaporize a portion of the aerosolizable substance in a vaporizer, e.g., an aerosol generating chamber, to generate an aerosol. When a user inhales through the mouthpiece of the device to supply power to the heater, air is also drawn into the device and into the aerosol generating chamber where the air mixes with the vaporized aerosolizable substance to form a condensed aerosol. A flow path is provided between the aerosol generating chamber and the opening of the mouthpiece such that the air drawn into the aerosol generating chamber travels through the flow path while carrying a portion of the condensed aerosol to the opening of the mouthpiece and exits through the opening of the mouthpiece for inhalation by the user.

[0003] Aerosol delivery systems include heated tobacco products (THPs), along with vaporized products that deliver nicotine, such as those commonly known as "electronic cigarettes," "E-cigarettes," or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDs). Many of these products take the form of a system that includes a device and consumables, with the consumables containing the substance that delivers the drug. Generally, the device is reusable and the consumables are disposable (although some consumables are refillable, as in the case of so-called "open" systems). Therefore, in many cases, consumables are sold separately from the device, usually in multi-packs. Furthermore, subsystems of the device or consumables and several individual components can be sourced from specialized manufacturers.

[0004] Aerosol dispensing devices like those described above can usually be powered via rechargeable batteries. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a convenient and effective method for charging these rechargeable batteries. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] This invention was made to solve the problems of the above-mentioned conventional technology. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In the embodiment, a case or accessories for an aerosol generator may be provided. The case may include a housing, a power module, and a wireless charging assembly. The housing may include a sleeve portion configured to mate with a portion of the aerosol generator. The power module may be installed in the housing and configured to supply power to the aerosol generator directly or indirectly. The wireless charging assembly may be operationally coupled to the housing to supply power to the power module.

[0007] In another embodiment, a charging system for charging a first battery of an aerosol generator may be provided. The charging system may include a charger having a cord connection to a power source and a charging case. The charging case may include a housing having a sleeve portion configured to fit with a portion of the aerosol generator, a power module installed in the housing and configured to directly or indirectly supply power to the aerosol generator, and a wireless charging assembly operationally coupled to the housing and supplying power to the power module.

[0008] It will be recognized that the summary is provided solely for the purpose of compiling several implementation examples to provide a basic understanding of several aspects of the disclosure. Therefore, it will be recognized that the implementation examples described above are merely examples and should not be interpreted as narrowing the scope or intent of the disclosure in any way. Other implementation examples, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description below, when interpreted in conjunction with the attached diagrams illustrating the principles of some of the described implementation examples. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] Having briefly described several embodiments, we will now refer to the attached drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to a fixed ratio. [Figure 1] A rough block diagram of a non-flammable aerosol supplying system that may be used in connection with one embodiment is shown. [Figure 2] A schematic representation of a partial breakaway view of an END device that may be used in relation to one embodiment is shown. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of the device shown in Figure 2, which is operationally coupled to a charging case to facilitate interaction with the charger, according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] A block diagram of an example of an implementation configuration for a wireless charging assembly and wireless charger using electromagnetic induction or radiated electromagnetic resonance charging, according to one embodiment, is shown. [Figure 5A] ~ [Figure 5C]An example of a charging case incorporating solar charging, according to one embodiment, is shown. [Figure 6A] ~ [Figure 6B] An example of a charging case configured to perform wireless charging via a charging pad, according to one embodiment, is shown. [Figure 7A] ~ [Figure 7D] This shows a wireless charging dish and a corresponding charging case according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] This example shows a charging base having a charging slot and a charging surface, configured to charge an aerosol generator simultaneously with charging another device, according to one embodiment. [Figure 9A] ~ [Figure 9B] This shows a charging base having a storage section according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Now, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show some, though not all, examples of embodiments, several examples of embodiments are described in more detail below. In fact, the examples described and depicted herein should not be considered limiting to the scope, applicability, or configuration of this disclosure. Rather, these examples of embodiments are provided to satisfy the legal requirements to which this disclosure is applicable. Throughout, similar reference numbers refer to similar elements. Furthermore, as used herein, the word "or" shall be interpreted as a logical operator that is always true when one or more of the operators are true. As used herein, operation coupling should be understood in all cases to refer to a direct or indirect connection that enables the functional interconnection of components that are operation coupled to one another.

[0011] As noted above, non-flammable aerosol supply systems, such as END devices, can be powered via batteries. Having to shut down the device to charge the battery can be frustrating for some users. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a solution that maximizes the ease with which charging is achieved. Additionally or alternatively, it is desirable to provide a device that allows for longer charging times or charging under highly convenient conditions. Furthermore, in some cases, it would be preferable for such solutions to be provided for existing devices so that users of such devices do not necessarily need to purchase new devices to benefit from new services. Accordingly, several embodiments provide solutions to the above problems, and such solutions can be implemented individually or in combination with each other. Solutions may include providing extended battery life and / or simplified battery charging in a case designed to accommodate an aerosol generator. The case may have simplified battery charging capabilities and / or an auxiliary battery to extend the battery life of the aerosol generator. Such cases may give users the freedom to improve or customize the device without requiring the manufacturer to redesign or reconfigure the device. Therefore, for example, costly processes such as evaluating design changes to comply with marketability and / or regulatory systems are avoided, while allowing users to meet their own unique requirements regarding device operation and availability.

[0012] If the embodiments are to be adopted in connection with improving and / or enhancing the battery life and availability of a non-flammable aerosol supply system such as an END device, some aspects of the cases described herein may be adapted to interface with the device examples, and a general description of such a device is given. In this regard, Figure 1 shows a general block diagram of a non-flammable aerosol supply system that may be used in connection with the embodiments. On the other hand, Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a partial breakaway of an END device that may be used in connection with the embodiments.

[0013] Referring first to Figure 1, the non-flammable aerosol supplying system 100 may include a housing 110 in which a power supply 120 and a control circuit configuration 130 can be housed. The housing 110 may further include an aerosol generation assembly 140 and an aerosol precursor container 150 in which an aerosol precursor material (e.g., an aerosolizing material) can be stored or contained. The housing 110 may be a single structure or may be formed from two or more parts that are detachable from each other. For example, in an open system, the housing 110 may be a single structure in which the aerosol precursor container 150 can be refilled. However, for a closed system, the housing 110 includes at least one part in which the aerosol precursor container 150 is housed, and when the aerosol precursor material is depleted, the part in which the aerosol precursor container 150 is housed can be removed for replacement with a new or full aerosol precursor container 150. In some examples that include a detachable part in which the aerosol precursor container 150 is housed, the detachable part may be called a cartridge.

[0014] The control circuit configuration 130 is configured to detect or sense an exhalation event initiated by the user, and upon detection of an exhalation event, the control circuit configuration 130 can activate the aerosol generation assembly 140 to convert the aerosol precursor substance into an aerosol. Therefore, the control circuit configuration 130 may include a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, and / or other suitable devices that can be configured to detect an exhalation event. A mouthpiece 152 defining an opening 154 in the housing 110 is associated with the aerosol precursor container 150 and can be used by the user to initiate an exhalation event by inhalation through the mouthpiece 152. Thus, upon detection of an exhalation event, an aerosol can be generated by the aerosol generation assembly 140 and delivered orally to the user via the mouthpiece 152.

[0015] The aerosol generation assembly 140 is configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol precursor material using some suitable means. For example, the aerosol generation assembly 140 may be embodied as a heated device in which an aerosol is generated by exposing the aerosol precursor material to a heating element (e.g., induction heater, conduction heater, dielectric heater, microwave heater, radiant heater, arc heater, electrical resistance heater, etc.). In such an example, the aerosol precursor material may be provided as a consumable that can be exposed to the aerosol generation assembly 140 to generate an aerosol from the aerosol precursor material by heat. In some cases, the aerosol precursor material may include a substrate and / or susceptor that facilitates heating and aerosol release. Alternatively, in the case of a non-heated device (e.g., a nebulizer), the aerosol generation assembly 140 may be embodied as or include a vibrating piezoelectric or pressure-magnetic mesh. However, compressed gas, ultrasound, surface acoustics, and other techniques may be employed as alternatives. The nebulizer may be configured to atomize the aerosol precursor material into an aerosol without heating the aerosol precursor material. In other words, heat generation may or may not be involved in the operation of the aerosol generation assembly 140. In some cases, the aerosol generation assembly 140 may also include a combination of elements that may include both heating and additional elements, such as a vibratory aerosol generation component (e.g., vibratory piezoelectric ceramic and / or other piezoelectric or pressure-magnetic material) that cooperates to generate an aerosol from the aerosol precursor material. Such a combination may be called a hybrid product.

[0016] The aerosol precursor material can be a solid, semi-solid, or liquid substance. Therefore, the aerosol precursor container 150 can be configured to hold such a substance regardless of the form the aerosol precursor material takes. In some cases, the aerosol precursor container 150 can be a reservoir configured to store a liquid that is (e.g., directly or indirectly) operatively coupled to the aerosol generation assembly 140 for aerosol generation as described above. In some examples, the aerosol precursor material is provided on a substrate (e.g., coated or absorbed on / within the substrate) such that the aerosol precursor material can be integrated, stored, or deposited on the substrate before being used for aerosol generation.

[0017] The power source 120 can be a switching or rechargeable battery. A rechargeable battery can be beneficial for avoiding or limiting waste generation and for facilitating ease of operation. A charging interface 122 can be provided to facilitate charging of the power source 120. The charging interface 122 can include a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, or other charging ports into which a charger cord or other charging device can be plugged or inserted. Therefore, the charging interface 122 can form a through-hole or opening in the housing 110.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a non-flammable aerosol providing device 200 that can be implemented in relation to an embodiment example. The non-flammable aerosol providing device 200 is a more detailed example of the non-flammable aerosol providing system 100 of FIG. 1 and can be considered an example of an aerosol generating device together. The non-flammable aerosol providing device 200 of FIG. 2 is a two-component device (i.e., a closed system) including a control unit 210 and a cartridge 220. The cartridge 220 is called a consumable part (or a replaceable / disposable part, and sometimes called a "pod"), and the control unit 210 can be called a reusable part.

[0019] During normal use, the control unit 210 and the cartridge 220 can be releasably coupled together at the coupling interface 230. When the cartridge 220 is depleted or the user simply wants to switch to a different cartridge 220 (e.g., a different flavor), the cartridge 220 can be removed from the control unit 210, and a replacement (i.e., a different or new example of the cartridge 220) can be installed in the control unit 210 in place of the original cartridge 220. The coupling interface 230 can be established according to prior art, including threads, latching mechanisms, or bayonet fastenings, which may include appropriately arranged electrical contacts and openings to establish an electrical connection and air passage between the cartridge 220 and the control unit 210. The specific method for mechanically attaching the cartridge 220 to the control unit 210 is not important to the principles described herein, and for the sake of specificity, it is assumed here to involve a latching mechanism in which a portion of the cartridge 220 is received by a corresponding receptacle on the control unit 210 by, for example, a cooperative latching element. It will also be recognized that in some implementations the coupling interface 230 does not support electrical connection between the components. For example, in some implementations the vaporizer may be provided on the control unit 210 rather than the cartridge 220.

[0020] The cartridge 220 may include a consumable housing 222 (for example, the aerosol precursor container 150 in Figure 1). The consumable housing 222 may be made of plastic, composite, or metal material. The consumable housing 222 supports other components of the cartridge 220 and serves as a support for a portion of the mechanical coupling interface 230 with the control unit 210. The consumable housing 222 in this example is roughly circularly symmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis along which the cartridge 220 is coupled to the control unit 210. The consumable housing 222 in this example may have a length of approximately 4 cm and a diameter of approximately 1.5 cm. However, it will be recognized that specific geometric shapes, more broadly the overall shape and materials used may differ in different implementations.

[0021] A reservoir 224 is provided within the consumable housing 222 to store a liquid aerosolizing substance (e.g., the aerosol precursor substance in Figure 1). The aerosolizing substance may be called E-liquid in some examples. Although the liquid reservoir 224 in this example has an annular shape, it will be recognized that other shapes having an outer wall defined by the consumable housing 222 and an inner wall defining an air passage 226 in the cartridge 220 are within the scope of this disclosure. The reservoir 224 is closed at each end by end walls to store the E-liquid. The reservoir 224 may be formed according to the prior art and may be formed of a plastic material molded integrally with the consumable housing 222, for example. The opening of the air passage 226 at the end of the cartridge 220 becomes the mouthpiece outlet 228 of the non-flammable aerosol dispensing system for the user to inhale the aerosol generated by the non-flammable aerosol dispensing device 200 during use.

[0022] In this example, cartridge 220 may further include a wick 250 and a heater element 260 (e.g., a vaporizer) positioned close to the end of reservoir 224 opposite the mouthpiece outlet 228. In this example, the wick 250 extends laterally in the air passage 226, with its end extending into the reservoir 224 for the e-liquid through an opening in the inner wall of reservoir 224. The opening in the inner wall of reservoir 224 is approximately sized to accommodate the wick 250, providing a adequate seal against leakage from reservoir 224 to air passage 226 without undue pressure on the wick 250, which could be detrimental to fluid transmission performance.

[0023] The core 250 and heater element 260 can be arranged in the air passage 226 of the cartridge 220 such that the region of the air passage 226 around the core 250 and heater element 260 effectively defines the vaporization region of the cartridge 220. The E-liquid in the reservoir 224 permeates the core 250 through the end of the core 250 extending into the reservoir 224 and is drawn into the core 250 by surface tension / capillary action (i.e., core action). In this example, the heater element 260 can be embodied as an electrical resistance wire wound around the core 250. In this example, the core 250 may be a bundle of glass fibers, but other configurations are possible. During use, power is supplied to the heater element 260 so that a certain amount of E-liquid (e.g., aerosolized material) drawn into the vicinity of the heater element 260 by the core 250 can be vaporized. The vaporized E-liquid then travels with the air drawn from the vaporization region into the air passage 226, forming a concentrated aerosol that exits the system through the mouthpiece outlet 228 for user inhalation. Power is then supplied to the heater element 260 to selectively generate an aerosol from the E-liquid in the cartridge 220. While the device is in use and generating an aerosol, the amount of power supplied to the heater element 260 can be modified, for example, through pulse width and / or frequency modulation techniques, to control the temperature and / or rate of aerosol generation as desired.

[0024] The control unit 210 may include an external housing 212 (for example, as part of the housing 110 in Figure 1) having an opening that defines an air inlet 214 for the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200. The non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 may also include a battery 270 within the external housing 212 that provides operating power for the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200. The battery 270 may be operationally coupled to a control circuit configuration 280 configured to control and monitor the operation of the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200. The battery 270 is an example of the power supply 120, and the control circuit configuration 280 may be an example of the control circuit configuration 130 in Figure 1.

[0025] The control circuit configuration 280 is operationally coupled to an inhalation sensor 282 (e.g., an exhalation detector), which in this example includes a pressure sensor located in a pressure sensor chamber 284. The control circuit configuration 280 may also be operationally coupled to a (optional) visual display 286. The visual display 286 may include one or more lights configured to indicate various status conditions of the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 based on the color of the lights, flashing sequences, or other indications. Alternatively or additionally, the visual display 286 may be configured to display characters, images, and / or other information via a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), or other display options. Thus, the visual display 286 may be provided to give the user a visual indication of various characteristics associated with the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200. For example, the visual display 286 may provide information indicating current power and / or temperature setting information, remaining battery power, and other information. As alternatives (or additions) to the visual display 286, some embodiments may include other means for providing the user with information relating to the operating characteristics of the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200, such as using audio signal transmission or haptic feedback.

[0026] The control circuit configuration 280 may be configured to monitor the output from the inhalation sensor 282 and determine when the user is inhaling through the mouthpiece opening 228 of the cartridge 220, so that power is automatically supplied to the heating element 260 upon user inhalation to generate an aerosol. In other implementation examples, as an alternative to the automatic operation of the heating element 260, a button 288 may be provided instead of the inhalation sensor 282, and power may be supplied to the heating element 260 when the user manually operates the button 288 to activate aerosol generation. Therefore, the button 288 is entirely optional and may be omitted in some cases.

[0027] The external housing 212 may be formed from, for example, plastic or metal material and may be shaped to have a desired external form. In some examples, the external housing 212 may be substantially cylindrical and therefore have a circular cross-section that roughly matches the shape and size of the cartridge 220 so that a smooth transition between the two parts is obtained at the coupling interface 230. In some examples, the control unit 210 may have a length of approximately 8 cm so that the total length of the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 is approximately 12 cm when the cartridge 220 and the control unit 210 are coupled together. However, as already noted, it will be recognized that in different embodiments, the overall shape and size of the components may be changed without altering the principles described herein.

[0028] The air inlet 216 is connected to the air passage 216 within the control unit 210. The air passage 216 of the control unit 210 then connects to the air passage 226 of the cartridge 220, beyond the coupling interface 230, when the control unit 210 and the cartridge 220 are coupled together. The pressure sensor chamber 284, which houses the pressure sensor 282, can be in fluid communication with the air passage 216 of the control unit 210 (i.e., the pressure sensor chamber 284 branches off from the air passage 216 of the control unit 210). Therefore, when the user inhales through the mouthpiece opening 228, a pressure drop occurs in the pressure sensor chamber 284, which can be detected by the pressure sensor 282, and air is drawn in from the air inlet 214, passes through the air passage 216 of the control unit 210, crosses the coupling interface 230, passes through the aerosol generation region near the heating element 260 (when the heating element 260 is operating, aerosols generated from the aerosolized substance are carried by the airflow), passes through the air passage 226 of the cartridge 220, and exits through the mouthpiece opening 228 for user inhalation.

[0029] In this example, the battery 270 is rechargeable and can be charged via the charging connector 290. In this regard, the battery 270 can be charged through an opening in the control unit external housing 212 where the charging connector 290 is formed and a charging plug or other charging device can be operationally coupled. The charging connector 290 may take any suitable configuration, including, for example, a USB connector, another standard power connector, or a custom-developed charging connection.

[0030] The control circuit configuration 280 may be configured or programmed to control the operation of the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 and provide its various functions. The control circuit configuration 280 may be considered to logically encompass various subunits or circuit components related to diverse modes of operation of the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200, according to the principles described herein and other conventional modes of operation of the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200, such as display driving circuit configurations and user input detection. It will be recognized that the functionality of the control circuit configuration 280 may be provided in a variety of ways, such as by using one or more appropriately programmed programmable computers and / or one or more appropriately configured application-specific integrated circuits / circuit configurations / chips / chipsets, configured to provide the desired functionality.

[0031] In some cases, the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 may have three basic operating states. However, additional or different operating states are also possible. The three basic operating states may include an "off" state, an "on" state, and a "standby" state. In the off state, the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 cannot generate aerosols (i.e., in the off state, the control circuit configuration 280 may prevent the supply of power to the heating element 260). For example, the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 may be placed in the off state between periods of use, for example, when the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 is put away or placed in the user's pocket or bag. In the on (or active) state, the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 can actively generate aerosols (for example, the control circuit configuration 280 may supply (or enable)) power to the heating element 260). Therefore, the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 is generally in the ON state when the user is in the process of inhaling aerosol from the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200. In the standby state, the non-flammable aerosol dispenser system may be ready to generate aerosol in response to user input (for example, ready to apply power to the heater element 260 in the illustrated embodiment), but this is not currently being done. The non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 will generally be in the standby state when the user first comes out of the OFF state and begins a period of use (for example, when the user first turns on the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200), or between uses during an ongoing period of use (for example, between exhalations when the user is using the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200). While it is common for non-flammable aerosol dispensers 200 using liquid aerosolized materials to return to a standby state between exhalations, non-flammable aerosol dispensers 200 using solid aerosolized materials often remain on between exhalations to maintain the aerosolized material at a desired temperature during a period of use encompassing a series of exhalations.

[0032] To generate aerosols in the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200, power from the battery 270 is supplied to the heater element 260 under the control of the control circuit configuration 280. When the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 is on, that is, actively generating aerosols, power can be supplied to the heater element 260 in pulses, for example, by using pulse-width modulation (PWM) to control the level of power delivered. Therefore, the power supplied to the heater element 260 during the aerosol generation cycle can include an alternating sequence of on periods, in which power is connected to the electric heater, and off periods, in which power is not connected to the heater element 260. The pulse-width modulation cycle period (i.e., the duration of adjacent off and on period pairs) is 0.020 seconds (20 milliseconds) in this example (i.e., the pulse-width modulation frequency is 50 Hz). The proportion of each cycle period in which power is supplied to the heater (i.e., the length of the on period), as a division of the cycle period, is the so-called duty cycle of the pulse-width modulation. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the control circuit configuration of the non-flammable aerosol supplying system may be configured to adjust the duty cycle of pulse width modulation to change the power supplied to the heater, for example, to achieve a target average power level or a target temperature.

[0033] As described above, to avoid redesigning the aerosol generator itself and still improve the overall capability or performance of the device, it is possible (and perhaps even desirable) to provide methods to improve the functionality and / or operability of the device through other means. In some embodiments, this problem can be addressed by providing an improved charging case that interfaces with the aerosol generator and is configured to improve the battery's charging capacity and / or extend its battery life. The charging case may be configured to mate with the aerosol generator and, in various embodiments, at least partially surround or enclose it, thereby adding to or improving the battery capacity and charging capacity of the aerosol generator. Thus, for example, in some cases the charging case may extend along all sides of the aerosol generator. However, in others, the charging case may have one opening side (e.g., a longitudinal end) into which the aerosol generator can be inserted. In yet another case, the charging case may have two opening sides (e.g., both longitudinal ends, thereby forming a bottomless sleeve). In yet another case, the aerosol generator may have more than two opening sides. Examples of charging cases in several embodiments are shown in Figure 3 and described with reference thereto. Notably, although the example in Figure 3 describes the interface connection with the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 in Figure 2, it should be recognized that interface connection is also possible under similar conditions with the non-flammable aerosol dispenser system 100 in Figure 1.

[0034] In one embodiment, the charging case 300 may be specifically configured for connection to the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 to maintain a streamlined and attractive appearance. However, the charging case 300 may be further, or alternatively, configured to provide additional functionality that enables charging and / or improved battery life for the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200. Thus, when connected together, the combination of the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 and the charging case 300 forms a functionally improved or modified version of the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200, without any other design changes.

[0035] In some embodiments, the charging case 300 may include a housing 320 configured to receive and mate with or interface with the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 so as to securely mount the device together. In this regard, in some cases, the mountable accessory 300 may be constructed to include a sleeve portion 322 formed in the housing 320. The sleeve portion 322 is a hollow recessed portion inside the housing 320 and may have an inner diameter and / or shape configured to substantially conform to the outer diameter and / or shape of the control unit 210 (or another part of the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200). In particular, as indicated by arrow 324 in Figure 3, the distal end of the control unit 210 relative to the cartridge 220 may be configured to slide into and be received inside the sleeve portion 322. The diameter of the sleeve portion 322 may taper slightly as it extends inward into the housing 320 so that the control unit 210 and the sleeve portion 322 remain in contact with each other after insertion of the control unit 210 into the sleeve portion 322. However, in alternative embodiments, other fastening methods (including latching mechanisms, catch members, complementary protrusions / grooves, magnetic coupling, and / or others) may be employed. For example, the outer housing 212 of the control unit 210 may be made of metal or have metal parts or magnets, and the sleeve portion 322 may include magnets (or magnets or magnetic parts of the outer housing 212 of the control unit 210) that are positioned to mate with the control unit 210.

[0036] Other examples are possible for defining the interface between the housing 320 and the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200. For example, the housing 320 may include a portion that is attached via a hinge, which can be opened so that the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 can be inserted into the housing 320 and closed so that the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 can be held in the housing 320. The hinge may be an independent component or a living hinge (i.e., it may be formed from the same material that forms the portion of the housing 320 to be joined). Another alternative example may include a case with a flexible side or portion. The side or portion can be biased to a closed (fitted) position so that the side or portion can be operated from the closed (fitted) position to an open position to facilitate insertion and / or fitting into the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200. Once the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 is positioned in the housing 320, the force used to operate the side or part to the open position is removed, the side or part is released and returns to the closed (fitted) position, and the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 can be held in the housing 320.

[0037] The housing 320 and sleeve portion 322 may be configured to expose a desired portion of the control unit 210 and / or cartridge 220. In some cases, the housing 320 and sleeve portion 322 may expose only the cartridge 220. In some cases, only the mouthpiece of the cartridge 220 may remain exposed. By exposing the cartridge 220 (rather than being surrounded by the sleeve portion 322), the cartridge 220 may be replaceable without removing the control unit 210 from the sleeve portion 322. Therefore, for example, the sleeve portion 322 may extend along the control unit 210 to the coupling interface 230 (although the sleeve portion 322 may extend beyond the coupling interface 230, or in an alternative embodiment, to just before the coupling interface 230). Furthermore, as long as the visual display 286 and / or button 288 are included in the control unit 210, the sleeve portion 322 and housing 320 may be configured to leave both the visual display 286 and / or button 288 exposed, or to include a window or operating member (e.g., a transparent second and / or pressing section of the sleeve portion 322 aligned with the visual display 286 or button 288) through which the visual display 286 can be viewed and / or which button 288 can be operated. Thus, the charging case 300 can be mounted on the control unit 210 without negatively affecting the function of the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 in any way. However, in another example, the housing 320 may include a display portion 325, which may be configured to display information about the charging case 300 (e.g., charging status).

[0038] As described above, the battery 270 of the control unit 310 can be charged via the charging connector 290. Therefore, in some cases, the housing 320 may have an opening 326 located at the distal end of the housing 320 (relative to the opening forming the sleeve portion 322) and aligned with the charging connector 290. The opening 326 allows air to flow into the sleeve portion 322 (and also, for example, into the air inlet 214 of the control unit 210). The opening 326 can also interface a charger or charging device with the charging connector 290 (directly or indirectly). Direct charging of the battery 270 is possible via the opening 326, but in some cases, the opening 326 may instead interface directly with a power module 330. The power module 330 may act as a backup, emergency, or extended power source for the battery 270. Therefore, for example, the power module 330 may be a rechargeable or replaceable battery. Furthermore, in some cases, the power module 330 may be a lithium-ion battery or another battery capable of providing a large amount of power in a relatively small form factor. By providing the power module 330 as an independent power source for the battery 270 of the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200, the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 may be able to be charged due to the extended power provided by the power module 330, or an improvement in operability between charges may be observed.

[0039] Therefore, for example, the power module 330 is independent of the battery 270 (i.e., two separate battery packs or batteries), and the power module 330 can serve as an alternative power source for the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 or as a charging source for the battery 270. In some cases, both the battery 270 and the power module 330 can be charged independently (and potentially simultaneously) via the charging connector 290 and the opening 326, and also via the power module 330. In such cases, the opening 326 can be configured as a charging port itself.

[0040] In some cases, the power module 330 can supply power to the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 directly or indirectly. For direct power supply, the power module 330 may provide power to the control circuit configuration 280 when the battery 270 is depleted or below a threshold charge level. For indirect power supply, the power module 330 may be configured to interface with the battery 270 and charge it. For example, the power module 330 may include a charging interface 334 configured to engage with the charging connector 290 of the control unit 210 when the control unit 210 is inserted into the sleeve portion 322. When the charging interface 334 engages with the charging connector 290, the power module 330 is operationally coupled to the battery 270, allowing the power module 330 to charge the battery 270. Therefore, for example, the power module 330 may have a configuration that supplies a higher voltage than the battery 270 so that the battery 270 can be charged when operationally coupled to each other.

[0041] In such examples, even if an exhalation event is detected, the operation of the control circuit configuration 280 is not hindered in that it still supplies power to the heater element 260, and power can still be supplied from the battery 270. However, the battery 270 can be charged simultaneously or continuously (i.e., when not in operation) for the heater element 260. Therefore, in some cases, charging of the battery 270 from the power module 330 is only possible when the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 is not operating. In some cases, the power module 330 can charge the battery 270 only when the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 is in the off state. In other cases, charging of the battery 270 from the power module 330 is only possible when the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 is in the off state or standby state. However, as described above, in some cases, charging is also possible while the device is on. In some cases, the power module 330 may be configured to receive information indicating the status of the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 and to control the charging of the battery 270 (or the direct supply of power to the control circuit configuration 280) based on the received information. Therefore, for example, charging may be stopped when the non-flammable aerosol dispenser 200 is operating and / or in standby status.

[0042] When a display portion 325 is provided as a display element (e.g., one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), LED tubes, or other charge status indicators), the display portion 325 is operationally coupled to the power module 330 to indicate the charge status of the power module 330. For example, the display portion 325 may indicate the charge level (based on the number or color of lights illuminated, or the degree of illumination of the LED tubes). Alternatively or additionally, the display portion 325 may simply indicate whether the power module 330 is charged or discharged.

[0043] Accordingly, as can be seen from the example in Figure 3, the charging case 300 is reconfigurable to charge or enhance the battery 270. In this regard, the opening 326 may be used to interface with the power module 330, or directly with the battery 270 of the control unit 210, by providing a corded charger or other charger plug. However, as an alternative to, or in addition to, the opening 326, some embodiments may further or alternatively include a wireless charging assembly 350. The wireless charging assembly 350 may include components and circuit configurations configured to interface with the power module 350 to enable charging of the battery of the power module 330, or (for example, if the power module 330 does not contain its own battery but simply interfaces to the battery 270) enable (direct or indirect) charging of the battery of the control unit 210 via power generated by the wireless charging assembly 350. In this regard, the wireless charging assembly 350 may be configured to receive power transmitted by a wireless charger 370 which can receive power from an external power source such as a wall outlet (e.g., a mains power source). However, as described below, the wireless charger 370 is optional and may be omitted in some cases.

[0044] As can be seen from the above description, any of several wireless charging methods may be adopted based on the inclusion of a wireless charging assembly 350 and a wireless charger 370 (if included) and their configurations. For example, the wireless charging assembly 350 may include or be embodied an example of one or more solar cells capable of generating power that can be used to charge the power module 330 and / or battery 270 when exposed to light. In such an example, the solar cells generate power locally and there is no need for an external charger, so the wireless charger 370 is not required. In another example, the wireless charging assembly 350 may include or be embodied an antenna assembly configured for tightly coupled electromagnetic induction or non-radiative charging. In such an example, the wireless charger 370 may be configured to employ an antenna to transmit power to the wireless charging assembly 350 via electromagnetic induction or non-radiative charging. In yet another example, the wireless charging assembly 350 may include or be embodied an antenna assembly configured for loosely coupled or radiated electromagnetic resonant charging. In such examples, the wireless charger 370 may be configured as a power source for transmitting power to the power module 330 and / or battery 270 via loose coupling or radiant electromagnetic resonant charging. In either case, an antenna assembly provided as part of the wireless charging assembly 350 may interface with a charging pad or other charging device that forms an example of a wireless charger 370 configured to transmit power to the wireless charging assembly 350 via a loop or antenna assembly.

[0045] Figure 4 shows a block diagram of an example implementation of a wireless charging assembly 350 and a wireless charger 370 using electromagnetic induction or radiated electromagnetic resonant charging. In this regard, the wireless charging assembly 350 may include a receiving antenna 410 (or coil). The receiving antenna 410 is operationally coupled to an adjustment board 420, which may include a control circuit configuration and other circuit configurations that adjust the power transmitted to the receiving antenna to power useful to the power module 330. In this regard, for example, the adjustment board 420 may include a power conversion circuit configuration for converting AC power at the receiving antenna 410 to DC power for the power module 330. The adjustment board 420 may also provide other adjustment and / or control functions.

[0046] The receiving antenna 410 can communicate with a wireless charger 430 (an example of the wireless charger 370 in Figure 3) when in close proximity. The wireless charger 430 may include a charging cord 460 together with the control board 440 and the transmitting antenna 450. In this embodiment, the receiving antenna 410 may be configured to receive power wirelessly transmitted from the transmitting antenna 450 via the mechanism described above. The charging cord 460 is connected to a power source (e.g., a mains power supply) that can provide power to the transmitting antenna 450 under the control and / or adjustment provided by the control board 440. In this regard, the control board 440 may include control circuit configurations and / or signal adjustment circuit configurations required for the transmitting antenna 450 to transmit power to the receiving antenna 410.

[0047] While not required, some embodiments may further include a magnetic assembly that holds the charging assembly 350 in close proximity to the wireless charger 430. In this regard, for example, the magnetic assembly may include a first magnetic portion 470 (e.g., a magnet or a metal component that can be attracted to a magnet) installed on the wireless charging assembly 350 and a second magnetic portion 472 (e.g., a magnet or a metal component that can be attracted to a magnet) installed on the wireless charger 430. At least one (and sometimes both) of the first and second magnetic portions 470 and 472 may include a magnet. The first and second magnetic portions 470 and 472 can be attracted to each other when they are close together.

[0048] As can be seen from the above description, the charging case 300 in Figure 3 (and the implementation of the wireless charging assembly 350 in Figure 4) can be realized in various ways. Figure 5, divided into Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C, illustrates an example of the charging case 300 in Figure 3, specifically an example of a charging case 500 designed to incorporate solar charging. In this regard, the charging case 500 in Figure 5 is configured to interface with an aerosol generator 505, which includes a control unit 510 and a cartridge 520 (examples of the control unit 210 and cartridge 220 described above, respectively). Figure 5A is a perspective view of the aerosol generator 505, and Figure 5B is a perspective view of the charging case 500. Figure 5C shows the aerosol generator 505 inserted into the charging case 500.

[0049] The charging case 500 includes a housing 530 having a sleeve portion 532 and an opening 534, which may correspond to the housing 320 and sleeve portion 322 and opening 326 described above, respectively. The control unit 510 may include a charging interface 512 which can interface directly with the opening 534 or with a power module of the charging case 500 similar to the example described above. However, the wireless charging assembly 350 in this example is embodied as a solar cell assembly or photovoltaic assembly 540 which may be embedded in the housing 530 or provided on its side. The photovoltaic assembly 540 is capable of generating electricity by exposure to solar or ambient indoor lighting.

[0050] In this example, the solar cell assembly 540 is visible only on one side of the housing 530, but in some cases, other examples of the solar cell assembly 540 may be repeatedly provided on the opposite side of the housing 530. In some embodiments, the solar cell assembly 540 may be provided over most of the surface of the housing 530 having the largest surface area (or both such surfaces if two solar cell assemblies 540 are employed). This can increase the charging potential of the charging case 500. As shown in Figure 5, in some cases, the housing 530 may further include a charging indicator 536 in part of it. However, to avoid interference with the solar cell assembly 540, the charging indicator 536 may be provided on a narrow side of the housing 530.

[0051] Figure 6, divided into Figures 6A and 6B, shows another example of a charging case 600 that may employ an embodiment of the wireless charging assembly 350. Figure 6A shows the charging case 600 with the aerosol generator 505 of Figure 5 already inserted (the cartridge 520 is exposed). Figure 6B, on the other hand, shows the charging case 600 installed on a wireless charging pad 630, which may be an example of the wireless charger 430 of Figure 4 above (but without the magnet assembly). The wireless charging pad 630 may employ the Qi charging interface standard or other suitable charging technology. The wireless charging pad 630 may be replaced by a pack, mat, or other charging surface / device. As shown in Figure 6B, the wireless charging pad 630 may be powered by a cord 640 from a wall outlet or other mains power source. In some examples, the charging case 600 of Figure 6 may include an example of the receiving antenna 410 of Figure 4 installed on the side of the charging case 600 opposite the charging status indicator 650. The user intuitively places the charging case 600 on the wireless charging pad 630, making the charging status indicator 650 visible.

[0052] Figure 7 shows an example similar to that of Figure 6, except that the charging case 700 is configured to orient the aerosol generator 505 perpendicular or right to the ground instead of horizontally, by incorporating a magnetic assembly as described above with reference to Figure 4. In this regard, Figure 7, divided into Figures 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D, shows another example of the charging case 700 that may employ an embodiment of the wireless charging assembly 350. Figure 7A shows the charging case 700 with the aerosol generator 505 of Figure 5 already inserted (the cartridge 520 is exposed). Figure 7B, on the other hand, shows the extent to which the charging case 700 may be installed on a wireless charging dish 730, which may be an example of the wireless charger 430 of Figure 4 above (including the magnetic assembly as described below). The wireless charging dish 730 may employ the Qi charging interface standard or other suitable charging technology, including inductive charging. As shown in Figure 7A, the wireless charging dish 730 may be powered by a cord 740 from a wall outlet or other mains power source. In some cases, the charging case 700 in Figure 7 may include an example of the receiving antenna 410 in Figure 4, which is installed on the charging case 700 at a location suitable for facilitating wireless charging when the charging case 700 is placed on the wireless charging dish 730, such as the distal end of the charging case 700 (relative to the cartridge 520 of the aerosol generator 505). In other words, the wireless charging dish 730 and the charging case 700 may be configured to interface with each other such that the placement of the charging case 700 on the wireless charging dish 730 necessarily places the charging case 700 within the transmission range of the wireless charging dish 730 to facilitate charging. The charging case 700 may also have a magnet 750 (or other ferrous component) that can interface with a magnet (not shown) installed beneath the charging surface 760 of the wireless charging dish 730. The magnets 750 of the charging case 700 interface with the magnets (or metal on the charging surface 760) beneath the charging surface 760, allowing the charging case 700 to be held in an ideal position to maximize charging efficiency by the wireless charging dish 730.Furthermore, regardless of how the user places the charging case 700 on the charging surface 760, the magnets 750 on the charging case 700 are attracted by the magnets beneath the charging surface 760, causing the charging case 700 to stand upright. In this regard, as shown in Figure 7D, in order to position the charging case 700 upright in the best location for charging, any charging case 700 located within the range of positions shown in Figure 7B will move until it stands upright, as shown in Figure 7C.

[0053] The wireless charging pad 630 in Figure 6 and the wireless charging dish 730 in Figure 7 are just two examples of specific methods in which a standard charging device (e.g., the wireless charger 430 in Figure 4) can be implemented. Other methods are also possible, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. In this regard, Figures 8 and 9 each illustrate an example in which the aerosol generator 505 in Figure 5 is inserted into a charging device with diverse peripheral device capabilities.

[0054] In the example shown in Figure 8, the aerosol generator 505 is inserted into the charging base 800. More specifically, the charging base 800 has a charging slot 810, and a charging surface 820 may be installed adjacent to the charging slot 810. The charging slot 810 may be configured to match the shape of the distal end of the control unit 510 (relative to the cartridge 520), or it may be adapted to several different sizes and shapes of the bodies of various examples of aerosol generators. For example, the charging surface 820 may be configured to wirelessly charge another device (e.g., a mobile phone 830) or the aerosol generator 505 when the aerosol generator 505 is first inserted into the charging case 600 in Figure 6. The charging base 800 may have a cord that supplies power to the charging base 800, allowing the aerosol generator 505 to be charged via a wire while the mobile phone 830 is being wirelessly charged at the same time. Alternatively, two (or more) examples of the aerosol generator 505 may be charged simultaneously with one such example placed in the charging slot 810, and one or more other examples may be placed on the charging surface 820 (and in the example of the charging case 600).

[0055] Notably, in some cases, the charging slot 810 can also be configured for wireless charging. For example, the charging slot 810 may be configured to receive the charging case 700 shown in Figure 7, and the aerosol generator 505 may be wirelessly charged via the charging case 700.

[0056] Figure 9, divided into Figures 9A and 9B, shows different versions of the charging base 900. In this regard, as shown in Figure 9A, the charging base 900 may include a removable cover 910 that can expose the storage section 920 when removed. The storage section can store cartridges 520 and / or other consumables (e.g., in a blister pack 930 or individually) that can be used with an aerosol generator such as the aerosol generator 505, accessories for the aerosol generator, etc. The charging base 900 of Figure 9 may also include a charging slot 940 that may be formed in the charging base 900 and a charging indicator 950 that may be installed adjacent to the charging slot 940. The charging slot 940 may be configured to provide wired charging for the aerosol generator 505 (similar to the charging slot 810 above). However, as described above, the charging slot 940 may alternatively be configured for wireless charging of the aerosol generator 505, for example, when the aerosol device 505 is first inserted into the charging case 600 in Figure 6. The charging base 900 may have a cord 960 that supplies power to the charging base 900.

[0057] Therefore, as can be seen from the above example, a charging system for charging a first battery of an aerosol generator may be provided. The charging system may include a charger having a cord connection to a power source and a charging case. The charging case may include a housing having a sleeve portion configured to mate with a portion of the aerosol generator (for example, to hold this portion of the aerosol generator in the housing), a power module installed in the housing and configured to directly or indirectly supply power to the aerosol generator, and a wireless charging assembly operationally coupled to the housing and supplying power to the power module.

[0058] The charging system (or its charging case, which may be broadly considered an accessory) may include several modifications, enhancements, or optional additions, some of which are described herein. The modifications, enhancements, or optional additions listed below may be added in any desired combination. In this context, the charging system (or charging case) may be considered the first embodiment, and other embodiments may be defined by each combination of such modifications, enhancements, or optional additions. For example, a second embodiment may be defined in which the power module includes a second battery, and the first battery may be charged from the second battery. Alternatively or additionally, a third embodiment may be defined in which the aerosol generator may be continuously powered from the first or second battery based on the respective charge states of the first and second batteries. A fourth embodiment may be defined in which the wireless charging assembly may include a solar cell assembly or photovoltaic assembly installed on at least one portion of one or more sides of the housing. The fourth embodiment may be combined with any or all of embodiments 1 to 3. In some examples, a fifth embodiment may be defined in which the photocell assembly is embedded in the side of the housing over at least a portion (e.g., most of) of the housing surface having the maximum surface area. The fifth embodiment may be combined with any or all of embodiments 1 to 4. In an example embodiment, a sixth embodiment is defined in which the charger may include a wireless charger, and the wireless charging assembly may include a receiving antenna configured to receive power transmitted from the transmitting antenna of the wireless charger by electromagnetic induction or resonant power transmission. The sixth embodiment may be combined with any or all of embodiments 1 to 5. In some examples, a seventh embodiment is defined in which the wireless charger may include a wireless charging pad, and the receiving antenna may be mounted on the side wall of the housing so that the aerosol generator is laid flat on the wireless charging pad during power transmission. The seventh embodiment may be combined with any or all of embodiments 1 to 6. In an example embodiment, an eighth embodiment is defined in which the wireless charger may include a wireless charging dish having a charging surface, and the receiving antenna may be mounted on the distal end of the housing so that the aerosol generator is perpendicular to the charging surface of the wireless charging dish during power transmission.The eighth embodiment may be combined with any or all of embodiments 1 to 7. In some embodiments, a ninth embodiment is defined in which the wireless charging dish may include a first magnetic portion located in close proximity to the charging surface of the wireless charging dish, and the housing may include a second magnetic portion located at the distal end of the housing, and the first and second magnetic portions interact with each other to operate the aerosol generator so that it is perpendicular to the charging surface upon placement of the housing on the wireless charging dish. The ninth embodiment may be combined with any or all of embodiments 1 to 8. In an example embodiment, a tenth embodiment is defined in which the charger may include a charging slot configured to receive an aerosol generator for charging, and the charger may further include a charging surface located in close proximity to the charging slot. The charging surface may be configured to wirelessly transmit power to either a second example of a charging case or another device configured to be wirelessly charged. The tenth embodiment may be combined with any or all of embodiments 1 to 9. In some examples, an eleventh embodiment is defined in which the charger may include a charging slot configured to receive an aerosol generator for charging, and the base of the charger may also include a storage section capable of storing one or more cartridges of the aerosol generator. The eleventh embodiment may be combined with any or all of embodiments 1 to 10.

[0059] A person skilled in the art relating to the present invention who benefits from the teachings presented in the preceding description and the associated drawings will be able to conceive of many modifications and other embodiments described herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, while the preceding description and the associated drawings illustrate examples of embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be recognized that a variety of combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, a variety of combinations of elements and / or functions specified above are also conceivable, as described in some of the appended claims. Where advantages, merits, or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be recognized that such advantages, merits, and / or solutions are applicable to some embodiments but not necessarily to all embodiments. Therefore, it should not be considered that any advantage, merit, or solution described herein is important, necessary, or essential to all embodiments or embodiments claimed herein. Certain terms are used in this specification, but they are used only in a general and descriptive sense, not for restrictive purposes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 100 Non-flammable aerosol supply systems 110 Housing 120 Power supply 122 Charging Interface 130 Control circuit configuration 140 Aerosol Generation Assembly 150 Aerosol precursor containers 152 Mouthpiece 154 Opening 200 Non-flammable aerosol dispensing device 210 Control Unit 212 External Housing 214 Air Inlet 216 Airway 220 cartridges 222 Consumable Housing 224 Reservoir 226 Airway 228 Mouthpiece Outlet 230 Joint Interfaces 250 cores 260 heater elements 270 batteries 280 Control circuit configuration 282 Inhalation Sensor 284 Pressure Sensor Room 286 Visual Display 288 buttons 290 Charging Connector 300 Charging Case 320 Housing 322 Sleeve portion 324 Arrow 325 Display section 326 Opening 330 Power Modules 334 Charging Interface 350 Wireless Charging Assembly 370 Wireless Charger 410 Receiving Antenna 420 Adjustment Board 430 Wireless Charger 440 Control Board 450 Transmitting Antenna 460 charging cord 470 First Magnetic Section 472 Second Magnetic Section 500 Charging Case 505 Aerosol Generator 510 Control Unit 512 Charging Interface 520 cartridges 530 Housing 532 Sleeve portion 534 Opening 536 Charging Indicator 540 Solar Cell Assembly 600 Charging Case 630 Wireless Charging Pad 640 Code 650 Charging Status Indicator 700 Charging Case 730 Charging Dish 740 Code 750 Magnets 760 charging surface 800 Charging Base 810 charging slots 820 charging surface 830 Mobile phone 900 Charging Base 910 Detachable Cover 920 Storage Department 930 blister packs 940 charging slots 950 Indicator

Claims

1. Accessories for aerosol generators, A housing comprising a sleeve portion configured to fit with a part of the aerosol generator, A power module installed in the housing and configured to directly or indirectly supply power to the aerosol generator, A wireless charging assembly that is operationally coupled to the housing and provides power to the power module, An accessory that is equipped with the following.

2. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the power module includes a first battery, the aerosol generator includes a second battery, and the second battery is charged from the first battery.

3. The power module includes a first battery, and the aerosol generator includes a second battery. Based on the respective charge states of the first and second batteries, the aerosol generator is continuously powered by either the first or second battery. The accessory described in claim 1.

4. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the wireless charging assembly comprises a solar cell assembly installed on the surface of the housing.

5. The accessory according to claim 4, wherein the solar cell assembly is embedded in the side surface of the housing over most of the surface of the housing having the maximum surface area.

6. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein the wireless charging assembly comprises a receiving antenna configured to receive power transmitted from the transmitting antenna of a wireless charger by electromagnetic induction or resonant power transmission.

7. The accessory according to claim 6, wherein the wireless charger comprises a wireless charging pad, and the receiving antenna is installed on the side wall of the housing such that the aerosol generator is placed flat on the wireless charging pad during power transmission.

8. The accessory according to claim 6, wherein the wireless charger comprises a wireless charging dish having a charging surface, and the receiving antenna is installed at the distal end of the housing such that the aerosol generator is perpendicular to the charging surface of the wireless charging dish during power transmission.

9. The wireless charging dish is provided with a first magnetic portion that is installed in close proximity to the charging surface of the wireless charging dish, The housing is provided with a second magnetic portion installed at the distal end of the housing, Upon placement of the housing on the wireless charging dish, the first and second magnetic portions interact with each other to move the aerosol generator so that it is perpendicular to the charging surface. The accessory described in claim 8.

10. A charging system for charging the first battery of an aerosol generator, A charger equipped with a power connection, It is a charging case, A housing comprising a sleeve portion configured to fit with a part of the aerosol generator, A power module installed in the housing and configured to directly or indirectly supply power to the aerosol generator, A wireless charging assembly that is operationally coupled to the housing and provides power to the power module, A charging case equipped with, A charging system equipped with the following features.

11. The power module includes a second battery, The first battery is charged by the second battery. The charging system according to claim 10.

12. The power module includes a second battery, Based on the charge state of the first and second batteries, the aerosol generator is continuously powered by either the first or second battery. The charging system according to claim 10.

13. The charging system according to claim 10, wherein the wireless charging assembly comprises a solar cell assembly installed on the side of the housing.

14. The charging system according to claim 13, wherein the solar cell assembly is embedded in the side surface of the housing over most of the surface of the housing having the maximum surface area.

15. The aforementioned charger encloses the wireless charger, The wireless charging assembly includes a receiving antenna configured to receive power transmitted from the transmitting antenna of the wireless charger by electromagnetic induction or resonant power transmission. The charging system according to claim 10.

16. The charging system according to claim 15, wherein the wireless charger comprises a wireless charging pad, and the receiving antenna is installed on the side wall of the housing such that the aerosol generator is placed flat on the wireless charging pad during power transmission.

17. The charging system according to claim 15, wherein the wireless charger comprises a wireless charging dish having a charging surface, and the receiving antenna is installed at the distal end of the housing such that the aerosol generator is perpendicular to the charging surface of the wireless charging dish during power transmission.

18. The wireless charging dish is provided with a first magnetic portion that is installed in close proximity to the charging surface of the wireless charging dish, The housing is provided with a second magnetic portion installed at the distal end of the housing, Upon placement of the housing on the wireless charging dish, the first and second magnetic parts interact with each other to move the aerosol generator so that it is perpendicular to the charging surface. The charging system according to claim 17.

19. The charger is equipped with a charging slot configured to receive at least a portion of the aerosol generator for charging, The charger further comprises a charging surface adjacent to the charging slot, and the charging surface is configured to wirelessly transmit power to either a second embodiment of the charging case or another device configured to be wirelessly charged. The charging system according to claim 10.

20. The charger is equipped with a charging slot configured to receive at least a portion of the aerosol generator for charging, The base of the charger is provided with a storage section capable of storing one or more cartridges of the aerosol generator. The charging system according to claim 10.

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