Non-nicotine electronic vaping device with dryness detection function

Abstract

The present invention provides a dry puff and automatic shutdown control system configured to control one or more elements of a non-nicotine electronic vaping device in order to maintain the device within defined operating limits for different parameters. [Solution] The non-nicotine electronic vaping device includes a processing circuit configured as follows: determining multiple resistance values ​​of a heater during a time window; calculating the rate of change of the heater's resistance between a first resistance value of the multiple resistance values ​​and a second resistance value of the multiple resistance values; determining whether the rate of change of the heater's resistance value exceeds a threshold for the rate of change of the resistance value; and disabling the heater's power in response to the determination that the threshold for the rate of change of the heater's resistance value has been exceeded.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A non-nicotine e-vaping device includes a heater that vaporizes a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation material to produce vapor. The non-nicotine e-vaping device may also include several non-nicotine e-vaping elements, including a power supply, a non-nicotine cartridge or non-nicotine e-vaping tank containing a heater, and a non-nicotine reservoir capable of holding the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation material.

[0003] [Summary] One or more exemplary embodiments provide a dry puff and automatic shutdown control system configured to control one or more elements of a non-nicotine electronic vaping device to maintain the device within defined operating limits for different parameters.

[0004] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, parameters of a non-nicotine electronic vaping device may include heater temperature, rate of change of heater resistance, combinations thereof, or the like. In one or more exemplary embodiments, an automatic shutdown control system may automatically shut down or disable one or more subsystems or elements of a non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to detecting the presence of dry puff conditions in the device. After shutdown or disabling, reactivation or re-enabling of one or more subsystems or elements may require corrective action (e.g., by an adult vaper).

[0005] At least one exemplary embodiment provides a method for controlling the operation of a non-nicotine electronic vaping device including a heater, the method comprising: determining a plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater during a time window; calculating the rate of change of the heater's resistance between a first resistance value of the plurality and a second resistance value of the plurality; determining whether the rate of change of the heater's resistance exceeds a rate of change threshold; and disabling power to the heater in accordance with the determination that the rate of change of the heater's resistance exceeds a rate of change threshold.

[0006] At least one other exemplary embodiment provides a non-nicotine electron vaping device comprising a processing circuit configured as follows: determining a plurality of resistance values ​​of a heater during a time window; calculating the rate of change of the heater's resistance between a first resistance value of the plurality and a second resistance value of the plurality; determining whether the rate of change of the heater's resistance exceeds a rate of change threshold; and disabling the heater's power in response to the determination that the rate of change of the heater's resistance exceeds the rate of change threshold.

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

[0008] The resistance rate threshold can be obtained from the memory of the non-nicotine pod assembly of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device.

[0009] Whether the heater's resistance has stabilized may be detected based on the current flowing through the heater. Multiple resistance values ​​for the heater during a time window may be determined in response to the detection that the heater's resistance has stabilized.

[0010] Whether the heater's resistance value has stabilized can be determined from the current flowing through the heater and the threshold of the wetting current.

[0011] In response to determining that the rate of change of the heater's resistance value exceeds a threshold for the rate of change of resistance value, a dry puff state indicator may be displayed in a non-nicotine electronic vaping device.

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

[0013] The non-nicotine electronic vaping device may be returned to operating mode by clearing any faults related to the dry puff state in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to the determination that the non-nicotine pod assembly has been removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after disabling power to the heater.

[0014] Vaping in a non-nicotine electronic vaping device may be activated in response to the determination that another non-nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval, after the non-nicotine electronic vaping device has been returned to operating mode.

[0015] The non-nicotine electronic vaping device may power off in response to determining, after returning the non-nicotine electronic vaping device to operating mode, that no other non-nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval.

[0016] At least one other exemplary embodiment provides a method for controlling a non-nicotine electronic vaping device including a heater, the method comprising: determining a plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater during a time window; calculating a rate of change of the heater's resistance between a first resistance value of the plurality and a second resistance value of the plurality; determining whether the rate of change of the heater's resistance exceeds a rate of change threshold; and, in response to determining that the rate of change of the heater's resistance exceeds a rate of change threshold, outputting an indication of the dry puff state of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device.

[0017] At least one other exemplary embodiment provides a non-nicotine electronic vaping device that includes a processing circuit configured to cause the non-nicotine electronic vaping device to: determine a plurality of resistance values ​​of a heater during a time window; calculate the rate of change of the heater's resistance between a first resistance value of the plurality and a second resistance value of the plurality; determine whether the rate of change of the heater's resistance exceeds a rate of change threshold; and output an indication of the dry puff state in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that the rate of change of the heater's resistance exceeds the rate of change threshold.

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

[0019] The resistance rate threshold can be obtained from the memory of the non-nicotine pod assembly of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device.

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

[0021] Whether the resistance value of the heater is stable can be determined from the current flowing through the heater and the threshold value of the wet current.

[0022] After the non-nicotine electronic vaping device outputs a display of the dry puff state, in response to determining that the non-nicotine pod assembly has not been removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the first threshold time interval, the power supply may be turned off.

[0023] The power to the heater may be invalidated in response to detecting that the rate of change of the resistance value of the heater exceeds the rate-of-change threshold value of the resistance value. The non-nicotine electronic vaping device can return to the operating mode by clearing a fault related to the dry puff state in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that the non-nicotine pod assembly has been removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the first threshold time interval after disabling the power to the heater.

[0024] The vape in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device may be enabled in response to determining that another non-nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval after the non-nicotine electronic vaping device returns to the operating mode.

[0025] After the non-nicotine electronic vaping device returns to the operating mode, in response to determining that another non-nicotine pod assembly has not been inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval, the power supply may be turned off.

[0026] At least one other exemplary embodiment provides a method of controlling a non-nicotine electronic vaping device, the method comprising detecting a dry puff state in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device and then determining whether the non-nicotine pod assembly has been removed before a first time interval has elapsed, and in response to determining that the non-nicotine pod assembly has been removed before the first time interval has elapsed, clearing a fault associated with the dry puff state in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device and returning the non-nicotine electronic vaping device to an operating mode.

[0027] At least one other example embodiment provides a non-nicotine electronic vaping device comprising a processing circuit configured to return to an operating mode by clearing a fault associated with a dry puff condition in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device after detecting the dry puff condition in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device and determining whether the non-nicotine pod assembly has been removed before a first time interval has elapsed and in response to determining that it has been removed before the first time interval has elapsed.

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

[0029] The dry puff state in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device may be detected based on whether a rate of change of a resistance value of a heater in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device exceeds a rate of change threshold value of the resistance value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Various features and advantages of non-limiting embodiments of this specification will become more apparent by considering 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 claims. The accompanying drawings should not be considered to be drawn to scale unless expressly noted. For clarity, various dimensions in the drawings may be exaggerated.

[0031] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a front view of a non-nicotine electron vaping device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0032] [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a side view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device shown in Figure 1.

[0033] [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a rear view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device shown in Figure 1.

[0034] [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a proximal end view of the non-nicotine electron vaping device shown in Figure 1.

[0035] [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a distal end view of the non-nicotine electron vaping device shown in Figure 1.

[0036] [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the non-nicotine electron vaping device shown in Figure 1.

[0037] [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a magnified view of the pod entrance in Figure 6.

[0038] [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device shown in Figure 6.

[0039] [Figure 9]Figure 9 is a perspective view of the main body of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device shown in Figure 6.

[0040] [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a front view showing the main body of the device shown in Figure 9.

[0041] [Figure 11] Figure 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the through hole in Figure 10.

[0042] [Figure 12] Figure 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the device's electrical contacts in Figure 10.

[0043] [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a partial exploded view of Figure 12, including the mouthpiece.

[0044] [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a partially exploded view including the bezel structure shown in Figure 9.

[0045] [Figure 15] Figure 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the mouthpiece, spring, retaining structure, and bezel structure in Figure 14.

[0046] [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a partially exploded perspective view including the front cover, frame, and rear cover shown in Figure 14.

[0047] [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device shown in Figure 6.

[0048] [Figure 18] Figure 18 is another perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly shown in Figure 17.

[0049] [Figure 19]Figure 19 is another perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly shown in Figure 18.

[0050] [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly of Figure 19 without the connector module.

[0051] [Figure 21] Figure 21 is a perspective view of the connector module shown in Figure 19.

[0052] [Figure 22] Figure 22 is another perspective view of the connector module shown in Figure 21.

[0053] [Figure 23] Figure 23 is an exploded perspective view including the wick, heater, electrical leads, and contact core from Figure 22.

[0054] [Figure 24] Figure 24 is an exploded perspective view including the first housing portion of the non-nicotine pod assembly shown in Figure 17.

[0055] [Figure 25] Figure 25 is a partially exploded perspective view including the second housing portion of the non-nicotine pod assembly shown in Figure 17.

[0056] [Figure 26] Figure 26 is an exploded perspective view of the activation pins shown in Figure 25.

[0057] [Figure 27] Figure 27 is a perspective view of the connector module shown in Figure 22, excluding the wick, heater, electrical leads, and contact core.

[0058] [Figure 28] Figure 28 is an exploded perspective view of the connector module shown in Figure 27.

[0059] [Figure 29] Figure 29 shows the electrical systems of the device body and non-nicotine pod assembly of a non-nicotine electronic vaping device according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0060] [Figure 30] Figure 30 is a simple block diagram showing a dry puff and automatic shutdown control system according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0061] [Figure 31] Figure 31 is a flowchart showing a method for detecting the degree of dryness according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0062] [Figure 32] Figure 32 shows graphs of resistance versus time for three scenarios: when a dry puff state exists at the start of puffing ("Dry Puff"), when a dry puff state occurs during puffing ("Drying Puff"), and when no dry puff state exists ("Standard Puff").

[0063] [Figure 33] Figure 33 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of operation of a non-nicotine electronic vaping device after the vaping function is shut down in response to the detection of a hard pod malfunction event, such as a dry puff condition, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0064] [Figure 34] Figure 34 shows a heater voltage measurement circuit according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0065] [Figure 35] Figure 35 shows a heater current measurement circuit according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0066] [Figure 36] Figure 36 shows a pod temperature measurement circuit according to several exemplary embodiments.

[0067] [Figure 37] Figure 37 shows a pod temperature measurement circuit according to several other exemplary embodiments.

[0068] [Figure 38] Figure 38 is a circuit diagram showing a heating engine control circuit according to several exemplary embodiments.

[0069] [Figure 39] Figure 39 is a circuit diagram showing a heating engine control circuit according to several other exemplary embodiments.

[0070] [Figure 40] Figure 40 shows a temperature-sensing transducer according to several exemplary embodiments.

[0071] [Figure 41] Figure 41 shows a temperature-sensing transducer according to several other exemplary embodiments. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0072] Several detailed exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein. However, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for the purpose of illustrating the exemplary embodiments. However, the exemplary embodiments may be embodied in many alternative forms and should not be construed as being limited only to the exemplary embodiments described herein.

[0073] Therefore, while the exemplary embodiments are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, they are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in detail here. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments are not intended to be limited to any particular form disclosed, but rather encompass all their modifications, equivalents, and alternatives. Throughout the description of the figures, similar numbers refer to similar elements.

[0074] When an element or layer is said to be “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” “attached to,” “adjacent to,” or “covering” another element or layer, it should be understood that it may be directly connected to, coupled to, attached to, adjacent to, or covering the other element or layer, or there may be an intervening element or layer. On the other hand, when an element is said to be “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there is no intervening element or layer. In this specification, the same number means the same element. In this specification, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations or subcombinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0075] In this specification, terms such as first, second, third, etc., may be used to describe various elements, regions, layers, and / or sections, but it should be understood that these elements, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one element, region, layer, or section from another. Thus, the first element, region, layer, or section described below may be referred to as the second element, region, layer, or section without departing from the teaching of the exemplary embodiments.

[0076] In this specification, for the sake of clarity, spatially relative terms (e.g., "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," etc.) may be used to describe the relationship between one element or function and another, as shown in the diagrams. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device during use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the diagrams. For example, if the device in the diagram is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" of other elements or features will be oriented "above" of those elements or features. Therefore, the term "below" may encompass both up and down orientations. Furthermore, the device may be oriented in other directions (it may be rotated 90 degrees or oriented in other directions), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0077] The terms used herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” as used herein are intended to include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and / or “comprising” as used herein identify the presence of the described 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.

[0078] Where the terms “about” and “substantially” are used in relation to a number in this specification, unless otherwise explicitly defined, the relevant number is intended to have a tolerance of ±10% around the stated number.

[0079] Unless otherwise specified, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as they would be generally understood by a person skilled in the art in which the exemplary embodiments belong. Terms, including those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having the meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and it will be further understood that they should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein.

[0080] As used herein, the terms "non-nicotine electronic vaping device" or "non-nicotine e-vaping device" may sometimes be used as synonyms with "non-nicotine e-vapor apparatus" and / or "non-nicotine e-vaping apparatus."

[0081] Figure 1 is a front view of a non-nicotine electronic vaping device according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 is a side view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a rear view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of Figure 1. Referring to Figures 1-3, the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 includes a device body 100 configured to receive a non-nicotine pod assembly 300. The non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is a modular article configured to hold a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The “non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation” is a material or combination of materials that can be converted into vapor. For example, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation may be a liquid, solid, and / or gel formulation containing water, beads, a solvent, an active ingredient, ethanol, a plant extract, a natural or artificial flavor, and / or a non-nicotine vaporizing agent such as glycerin and propylene glycol, but is not limited to these.

[0082] In exemplary embodiments, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation does not contain or is not derived from tobacco. The non-nicotine compound in the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation may be part of or contained in a liquid or partial liquid, including an extract, oil, alcohol, tincture, suspension, dispersion, colloid, general non-neutral (weakly acidic or weakly basic) solution, or a combination thereof. During the preparation of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, the non-nicotine compound may be infused, mixed with, or otherwise combined with other components of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation.

[0083] In exemplary embodiments, non-nicotine compounds undergo a slow, natural decarboxylation process over a long period at relatively low temperatures, including below room temperature (e.g., 72°F). Furthermore, if non-nicotine compounds are exposed to relatively low pressures, such as 1 atmosphere, for a certain period (several minutes or hours), particularly to high temperatures in the range of approximately 175°F or higher, they may undergo a significantly increased decarboxylation process (e.g., 50% or more decarboxylation). High temperatures above approximately 240°F can cause rapid or instantaneous decarboxylation with relatively high decarboxylation rates, but even higher temperatures may cause some or all of the chemical properties of the non-nicotine compound(s) to deteriorate.

[0084] In exemplary embodiments, the non-nicotine compound may be derived from a medicinal plant (e.g., a naturally occurring component of a plant that provides a medically recognized therapeutic effect). The medicinal plant may be a cannabis plant, and the component may be at least one cannabis-derived component. Cannabinoids (e.g., phytocannabinoids) and terpenes are examples of cannabis-derived components. Cannabinoids interact with receptors in the body and produce a variety of effects. For this reason, cannabinoids are used for a variety of medicinal purposes. The cannabis-derived material may include leaves and / or flowers from one or more cannabis plants, or extracts from one or more cannabis plants. For example, one or more species of cannabis plants may include Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. In some exemplary embodiments, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation comprises 60–80% (e.g., 70%) Cannabis sativa and 20–40% (e.g., 30%) Cannabis indica, or a mixture of Cannabis and / or Cannabis-derived components.

[0085] Non-exclusive examples of cannabis-derived cannabinoids include tetrahydrocannabinol (THCA), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabichromene (CBC), and cannabigerol (CBG). Tetrahydrocannabinol (THCA) is a precursor of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is a precursor of cannabidiol (CBD). Tetrahydrocannabinol (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) can be converted to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), respectively, through heating. In exemplary embodiments, heat from a heater may cause decarboxylation to convert tetrahydrocannabinol (THCA) to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, and / or decarboxylation to convert cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) to cannabidiol (CBD) in a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation.

[0086] In examples where both tetrahydrocannabinol (THCA) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are present in a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, decarboxylation and the resulting conversion will cause a decrease in tetrahydrocannabinol (THCA) and an increase in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). At least 50% (e.g., at least 87%) of tetrahydrocannabinol (THCA) may be converted to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) via a decarboxylation process during heating of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation intended for vaporization. Similarly, in examples where both cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and cannabidiol (CBD) are present in a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, decarboxylation and the resulting conversion will cause a decrease in cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and an increase in cannabidiol (CBD). At least 50% (e.g., at least 87%) of cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) may be converted to cannabidiol (CBD) via a decarboxylation process during heating of a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation intended for vaporization.

[0087] Non-nicotine prevapor formulations may contain non-nicotine compounds that provide medically recognized therapeutic effects (e.g., treatment of pain, nausea, epilepsy, or mental disorders). Details of the therapeutic methods are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 845,501, filed on 18 December 2017, entitled "VAPORIZING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING A COMPOUND USING THE SAME," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0088] In exemplary embodiments, at least one flavorant is present in an amount ranging from about 0.2% to about 15% (e.g., about 1% to 12%, about 2% to 10%, or about 5% to 8%) based on the total weight of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The at least one flavorant may be at least one of a natural flavorant, an artificial flavorant, or a combination of a natural flavorant and an artificial flavorant. The at least one flavorant may contain volatile cannabis flavor compounds (flavonoids) or other flavor compounds in place of, or in addition to, cannabis flavor compounds. For example, the at least one flavorant may contain menthol, wintergreen, peppermint, cinnamon, clove, combinations thereof, and / or extracts thereof. Furthermore, flavorants may be included to provide other herbal flavors, fruit flavors, nutty flavors, alcoholic flavors, roasted flavors, mint flavors, savory flavors, combinations thereof, and any other desired flavors.

[0089] During vaping, the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 is configured to heat a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation to generate vapor. As referred to herein, “non-nicotine vapor” is any substance produced or output from any non-nicotine electronic vaping device according to any exemplary embodiment disclosed herein.

[0090] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the non-nicotine electron vaping device 500 extends longitudinally and has a length greater than its width. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the length of the non-nicotine electron vaping device 500 is also greater than its thickness. In addition, the width of the non-nicotine electron vaping device 500 may be greater than its thickness. Assuming an xyz Cartesian coordinate system, the length of the non-nicotine electron vaping device 500 may be measured in the y direction, the width in the x direction, and the thickness in the z direction. The non-nicotine electron vaping device 500 may have a substantially linear form with tapered ends based on its front, side, and rear views, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0091] The device body 100 includes a front cover 104, a frame 106, and a rear cover 108. The front cover 104, frame 106, and rear cover 108 form a device housing that encloses the mechanical, electronic, and / or circuitry related to the operation of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. For example, the device housing of the device body 100 may enclose a power supply configured to power the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500, which may include supplying current to the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. The device housing of the device body 100 may also include one or more electrical systems for controlling the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. Electrical systems according to exemplary embodiments will be described in more detail later. Furthermore, when assembled, the front cover 104, frame 106, and rear cover 108 may constitute the majority of the visible portion of the device body 100.

[0092] 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 non-nicotine pod assembly 300. The through-hole 150 is discussed in more detail herein, for example, in reference to Figure 9.

[0093] 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 edges), but 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, and the button housing 122 is configured to expose a first button lens 124 and a second button lens 126 (e.g., Figure 16). The first button lens 124 and the upstream portion of the button housing 122 may form a first button 118. Similarly, the second button lens 126 and the 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 configuration, the first button 118 and the second button 120 can move with a more independent feel when pressed.

[0094] The operation of the non-nicotine electronic 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. Although two buttons are shown in the drawing in relation to the placement of the light guide, it should be understood that more (or fewer) buttons may be provided depending on the available functions and the desired user interface.

[0095] The frame 106 (e.g., the base frame) is the central support structure of the device body 100 (and the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 as a whole). The frame 106 is sometimes referred to as the 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 are sometimes referred to as the downstream end and the upstream end, respectively. In this specification, “proximal” (and conversely “distal”) is in relation to the adult vapor in the vape, and “downstream” (and conversely “upstream”) is in relation to the vapor flow. For further strength and stability, a bridging section may be provided between the opposing inner surfaces of the side sections (e.g., about midway along the length of the frame 106). The frame 106 may be integrally formed to form a monolithic structure.

[0096] Regarding the structural materials, 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. Furthermore, the frame 106 may be provided with a surface finish for functional and / or aesthetic reasons (e.g., to provide a high-quality appearance). In exemplary embodiments, the frame 106 (e.g., formed of an aluminum alloy) may be anodized. In another embodiment, the frame 106 (e.g., formed of a zinc alloy) may be coated with hard enamel or painted. In yet another embodiment, the frame 106 (e.g., formed of polycarbonate) may be metallized. In yet another embodiment, the frame 106 (e.g., formed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) may be electroplated. It should be understood that the structural materials for frame 106 can also be applied to the front cover 104, rear cover 108, and / or other suitable parts of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500.

[0097] The rear cover 108 (e.g., a 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 exemplary embodiments, the opening of the rear cover 108 is smaller than the primary opening of the front cover 104. In addition, although not shown, it should be understood that, in addition to (or instead of) the light guide arrangement on the front of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500, a light guide arrangement (e.g., including buttons) may be provided on the back of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500.

[0098] 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 of 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 of the frame 106 (e.g., projections having 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 (sometimes called a press fit or friction fit). However, it should be understood that the front cover 104, the frame 106, and the rear cover 108 may be joined using other suitable arrangements and techniques.

[0099] The device body 100 also includes a mouthpiece 102. The mouthpiece 102 may be fixed to the proximal end of the frame 106. Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment where the frame 106 is sandwiched between a front cover 104 and a rear cover 108, as shown in Figure 2, the mouthpiece 102 may be adjacent to the front cover 104, the frame 106, and the rear cover 108. Furthermore, in a non-limiting embodiment, the mouthpiece 102 may be bonded to the device housing via a bayonet connection.

[0100] Figure 4 is a proximal end view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of Figure 1. Referring to Figure 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. Furthermore, 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 and second crossbars intersect perpendicularly and may be integrally formed parts of the mouthpiece 102. Although the outlet surface is shown 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, two) vapor outlets, or four or more (e.g., six, eight) vapor outlets.

[0101] Figure 5 is a distal end view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of Figure 1. Referring to Figure 5, the distal end of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 includes a port 110. The port 110 is configured to receive current from an external power source (e.g., via a USB cable) to charge the internal power supply within the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. Furthermore, the port 110 may also be configured to send data to and / or receive data from another non-nicotine electronic vaping device or other electronic device (e.g., a phone, tablet, or computer) (e.g., via a USB cable). In addition, the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 may be configured to communicate wirelessly with another electronic device, such as a phone, via application software (app) installed on that electronic device. In such an example, an adult vaper may control or otherwise interface with the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 via the app (e.g., to locate the non-nicotine electronic vaping device, check usage information, change operating parameters).

[0102] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of Figure 1. Figure 7 is a magnified view of the pod inlet in Figure 6. Referring to Figures 6-7, and as briefly described above, the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 includes a non-nicotine pod assembly 300 configured to hold a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The non-nicotine pod assembly 300 has an upstream end (which faces the light guide arrangement) and a downstream end (which faces the mouthpiece 102). In a non-limiting embodiment, the upstream end is the opposite surface of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 from the downstream end. The upstream end of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 defines the pod inlet 322. The device body 100 defines a through-hole (e.g., through-hole 150 in Figure 9) configured to receive the non-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 rim. In particular, as shown in Figure 7, the upstream rim of the bezel structure 112 is angled (for example, recessed inward) so as to expose the pod inlet 322 when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is seated in the through-hole of the device body 100.

[0103] For example, rather than following the contour of the front cover 104 (so as to be relatively flush with the front surface of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, and thus concealing the pod inlet 322), the upstream rim of the bezel structure 112 is in the form of a scoop configured to guide ambient air to the pod inlet 322. This angled / scoop configuration may help reduce or prevent blockage of the air inlet (e.g., pod inlet 322) of the non-nicotine electronic 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 non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is exposed. Furthermore, in a non-limiting embodiment, the pod inlet 322 is in the form of a slot. Furthermore, if the device body 100 is considered to extend in a first direction, the slot may be considered to extend in a second direction, the second direction being lateral to the first direction.

[0104] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of Figure 6. In Figure 8, the cross-section is photographed along the longitudinal axis of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. As shown, the device body 100 and the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 include mechanical elements, electronic elements, and / or circuits related to the operation of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500, which are discussed in more detail herein and / or incorporated herein by reference. For example, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may include mechanical elements configured to act to release a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation from an internal sealed non-nicotine reservoir. The non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may also have mechanical sides configured to engage with the device body 100 to facilitate insertion and seating of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300.

[0105] Furthermore, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may be a “smart pod” including electronic elements and / or circuits configured to store, receive, and / or transmit information to and from the device body 100. Such information may be used to authenticate the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 for use with the device body 100 (e.g., to prevent the use of unauthorized / counterfeit non-nicotine pod assemblies). Furthermore, the information may be used to identify the type of non-nicotine pod assembly 300, which is then correlated with a vape profile based on the identified type. The vape profile may be designed to define general parameters for heating the non-nicotine pre-vaper formulation and may be adjusted, modified, or otherwise adjusted by the adult vaper before and / or during vaping.

[0106] The non-nicotine pod assembly 300 can also communicate other information that may be relevant to the operation of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 with the device body 100. Examples of relevant information may include the level of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation in the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 and / or the length of time that has elapsed since the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 was inserted into the device body 100 and activated. For example, if the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 was inserted into the device body 100 and activated more than a certain period of time ago (e.g., more than 6 months ago), the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 will not allow vaping, and even if the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 still contains a sufficient level of non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, the adult vaper may be prompted to switch to a new non-nicotine pod assembly.

[0107] The device body 100 may include mechanical elements (e.g., complementary structures) configured to engage, hold, and / or operate the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. Furthermore, the device body 100 may include electronic elements and / or circuits configured to receive current to charge an internal power source (e.g., a battery) configured to power the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 during vaping. Furthermore, the device body 100 may include electronic elements and / or circuits configured to communicate with the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, different non-nicotine electronic vaping devices, other electronic devices (e.g., phones, tablets, computers), and / or adult vapers. The information communicated may include pod-specific data, details of the current vaping session, and / or patterns / history of past vaping sessions. Adult vapers may be notified of such communication by feedback that is tactile (e.g., vibration), auditory (e.g., beeping), and / or visual (e.g., colored / flashing lights). Charging and / or information communication may be performed using port 110 (for example, via a USB cable).

[0108] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the device body of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of Figure 6. Referring to Figure 9, the bezel structure 112 of the device body 100 defines a through-hole 150. The through-hole 150 is configured to receive a non-nicotine pod assembly 300. To facilitate the insertion and seating of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 into the through-hole 150, the upstream rim of the bezel structure 112 includes a first upstream projection 128a and a second upstream projection 128b. The through-hole 150 may have a rectangular shape with rounded corners. In an exemplary embodiment, the first upstream projection 128a and the second upstream projection 128b are integrally formed with the bezel structure 112 and are located at the two rounded corners of the upstream rim.

[0109] The downstream side wall of the bezel structure 112 may define a first downstream opening, a second downstream opening, and a third downstream opening. The retaining structure, including the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b, is engaged with the bezel structure 112 such that the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b protrude into the through hole 150 through the first downstream opening and the second downstream opening of the bezel structure 112, respectively. Furthermore, the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 extends into the through hole 150 through the third downstream opening of the bezel structure 112, so as to be located between the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b.

[0110] Figure 10 is a front view showing the device body of Figure 9. Referring to Figure 10, the device body 100 includes a device electrical connector 132 located upstream of the through-hole 150. The device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100 is configured to electrically engage with the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 seated in the through-hole 150. As a result, power can be supplied from the device body 100 to the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 via the device electrical connector 132 during vaping. Furthermore, data can be transmitted to and / or received from the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 via the device electrical connector 132.

[0111] Figure 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the through-hole in Figure 10. Referring to Figure 11, the first upstream projection 128a, the second upstream projection 128b, the first downstream projection 130a, the second downstream projection 130b, and the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 protrude into the through-hole 150. In exemplary embodiments, the first upstream projection 128a and the second upstream projection 128b are stationary structures (e.g., stationary pivots), and the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b are pullable structures (e.g., retractable members). For example, the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b may be configured to default to a retracted state (e.g., spring-loaded), while being configured to temporarily transition to a retracted state (and reversibly return to a retracted state) to facilitate insertion of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300.

[0112] In particular, when inserting the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 into the through hole 150 of the device body 100, the non-nicotine pod assembly may oscillate (around the first upstream protrusions 128a and 128b) until the recess on the upstream end face of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 first engages with the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b, and then the recess on the downstream end face of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 engages with the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b. In such an example, the axis of rotation (during pivoting) of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device body 100. Furthermore, the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b, which may be asymmetrical for ease of handling, can retract and elastically extend when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is pivoted into the through hole 150, and can engage with a recess on the downstream end face of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. In addition, the engagement of the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b with the recess on the downstream end face of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may generate tactile and / or auditory feedback (e.g., an audible click) to inform the adult vaper that the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is properly seated in the through hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0113] Figure 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the device electrical contacts in Figure 10. The device electrical contacts of the device body 100 are configured to engage with the pod electrical contacts of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is seated in the through-hole 150 of the device body 100. Referring to Figure 12, the device electrical contacts of the device body 100 include the 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 non-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 (these are positioned closer to the front cover 104 than to the rear cover 108). The first pair of power contacts (e.g., the pair adjacent to the first upstream projection 128a) may be a single, separate, integral structure from the second pair of power contacts, and when assembled, include two projections extending into the through-hole 150. Similarly, the second pair of power contacts (e.g., the pair adjacent to the second upstream projection 128b) may be a single, separate, integral structure from the first pair of power contacts, and when assembled, include two projections extending into the through-hole 150. The first and second pairs of power contacts of the device electrical connector 132 may be mounted and biased in a manner that, by default, protrudes into the through-hole 150 and retracts (e.g., independently) from the through-hole 150 when subjected to a force that overcomes the bias.

[0114] The data contacts of the device electrical connector 132 are configured to transmit data between the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 and the device body 100. As shown, the data contacts of the device electrical connector 132 include a row of five protrusions (these are positioned closer to the rear cover 108 than to the front cover 104). The data contacts of the device electrical connector 132 may also be separate structures that extend into the through-hole 150 when assembled. The data contacts of the device electrical connector 132 may also be mounted and biased for easy handling so that they extend into the through-hole 150 by default and retract (e.g., independently) from the through-hole 150 when subjected to a force that overcomes the bias. For example, when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is inserted into the through-hole 150 of the device body 100, the pod electrical contacts of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 are pressed against the 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) into the device body 100, but their elastic arrangement keeps them pressed against the corresponding pod electrical contacts, thereby helping to ensure a proper electrical connection between the device body 100 and the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. Furthermore, such a connection can also be mechanically secure and have minimal contact resistance to ensure reliable and accurate transfer and / or communication of power and / or signals between the device body 100 and the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. While various embodiments relating to the device electrical contacts of the device body 100 have been discussed, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto and other configurations may be utilized.

[0115] Figure 13 is a partially exploded view including the mouthpiece in Figure 12. Referring to Figure 13, the mouthpiece 102 is configured to engage with the device housing via a retaining structure 140. In an exemplary embodiment, the retaining structure 140 is positioned primarily between the frame 106 and the bezel structure 112. As shown, the retaining structure 140 is positioned within the device housing such that its proximal end extends through the proximal end of the frame 106. The retaining structure 140 may extend slightly beyond the proximal end of the frame 106, or it may be substantially equal to it. The proximal end of the retaining structure 140 is configured to receive the distal end of the mouthpiece 102. The proximal end of the retaining structure 140 may be a female end, while the distal end of the mouthpiece may be a male end.

[0116] For example, the mouthpiece 102 may be coupled to the retaining structure 140 by a bayonet connection (for example, reversibly coupled). In such an example, the female end of the retaining structure 140 may define a pair of opposing L-shaped slots, while 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 retaining structure 140. Each of the L-shaped slots of the retaining structure 140 has a longitudinal portion and a circumferential portion. Optionally, the end of the circumferential portion may have a serration portion that helps reduce or prevent the possibility of the radial members 134 of the mouthpiece 102 being inadvertently disengaged. In a non-limiting embodiment, the longitudinal portion of the L-shaped slot extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device body 100, and the circumferential portion of the L-shaped slot extends around the longitudinal axis (e.g., central axis) of the device body 100. As a result, in order to connect the mouthpiece 102 to the device housing, the mouthpiece 102 shown in Figure 13 is first rotated 90 degrees to align the radial member 134 with the entrance of the longitudinal portion of the L-shaped slot of the retaining structure 140. The mouthpiece 102 is then pushed into the retaining structure 140 so that the radial member 134 slides along the longitudinal portion of the L-shaped slot until it reaches the joint with each of the circumferential portions. At this point, the mouthpiece 102 is then rotated so that the radial member 134 moves across the circumferential portion until it reaches each end. If a serif portion is present at each end, tactile and / or auditory feedback (e.g., an audible click) may be generated to inform the adult vaper that the mouthpiece 102 is properly connected to the device housing.

[0117] The mouthpiece 102 defines a vapor passage 136 through which non-nicotine vapor flows during vaping. The vapor passage 136 is in fluid communication with a through-hole 150 (where the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is seated within the device body 100). The proximal end of the vapor passage 136 may include a flared portion. Furthermore, the mouthpiece 102 may include an end cover 138. The end cover 138 may taper from its distal end to its proximal end. The outlet surface of the end cover 138 defines multiple vapor outlets. While four vapor outlets are shown on the end cover 138, it should be understood that exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0118] Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view including the bezel structure of Figure 9. Figure 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the mouthpiece, spring, retaining structure, and bezel structure of Figure 14. Referring to Figures 14-15, the bezel structure 112 includes an upstream side wall and a downstream side wall. The upstream side wall of the bezel structure 112 defines a connector opening 146. The connector opening 146 is configured to expose or receive the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100. The downstream side wall of the bezel structure 112 defines a first downstream opening 148a, a second downstream opening 148b, and a third downstream opening 148c. The first downstream opening 148a and the second downstream opening 148b of the bezel structure 112 are configured to receive the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b of the retaining structure 140, respectively. The third downstream opening 148c of the bezel structure 112 is configured to receive the distal end of the mouthpiece 102.

[0119] As shown in Figure 14, the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b are located on the concave side of the retaining structure 140. As shown in Figure 15, the first post 142a and the second post 142b are located on the opposing convex sides of the retaining structure 140. The first spring 144a and the second spring 144b are positioned on the first post 142a and the second post 142b, respectively. The first spring 144a and the second spring 144b are configured to offset the retaining structure 140 relative to the bezel structure 112.

[0120] Once assembled, the bezel structure 112 may be secured to the frame 106 via a pair of tabs adjacent to the connector opening 146. Furthermore, the retaining structure 140 will bias the bezel structure 112 such that the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b extend through the first downstream opening 148a and the second downstream opening 148b, respectively. The mouthpiece 102 will be coupled to the retaining structure 140 such that the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 extends through the retaining structure 140 and also through the third downstream opening 148c of the bezel structure 112. The first spring 144a and the second spring 144b will be located between the frame 106 and the retaining structure 140.

[0121] When the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is inserted into the through-hole 150 of the device body 100, the downstream end of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is pressed against the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b of the retaining structure 140. As a result, the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b of the retaining structure 140 elastically yield and retract from the through-hole 150 of the device body 100 (by compression of the first spring 144a and the second spring 144b), thereby allowing the insertion of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 to proceed. In an exemplary embodiment, once the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b are fully retracted from the through-hole 150 of the device body 100, the displacement of the retaining structure 140 may cause the ends of the first post 142a and the second post 142b to abut against the inner end face of the frame 106. Furthermore, since the mouthpiece 102 is connected to the retaining structure 140, the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 retracts out of the through hole 150, and therefore the proximal end of the mouthpiece 102 (for example, the visible portion including the end cover 138) also moves by a corresponding distance away from the device housing.

[0122] When the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is fully inserted so that the first downstream recess and the second downstream recess of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 reach a position where they can engage with the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b, respectively, the energy stored by the compression of the first spring 144a and the second spring 144b will cause the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b to elastically extend and engage with the first downstream recess and the second downstream recess of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, respectively. Furthermore, the engagement may generate tactile and / or auditory feedback (e.g., an audible click) to inform the adult vaper that the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is properly seated in the through-hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0123] Figure 16 is a partially exploded perspective view including the front cover, frame, and rear cover of Figure 14. Referring to Figure 16, various mechanical, electronic, and / or circuitry related to the operation of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 may be fixed to the frame 106. The front cover 104 and rear cover 108 may be configured to engage with the frame 106 via a snap-fit ​​arrangement. In exemplary embodiments, the front cover 104 and rear cover 108 include clips configured to interlock with corresponding mating members of the frame 106. The clips may be in the form of tabs having orifices configured to receive corresponding mating members of the frame 106 (e.g., projections with chamfered edges). In Figure 16, the front cover 104 has two rows, each having four clips (a total of eight clips for the front cover 104). Similarly, the rear cover 108 has two rows, each having four clips (a total of eight clips for the rear cover 108). The corresponding mating members of the frame 106 may be located on the inner sidewalls of the frame 106. As a result, when the front cover 104 and the rear cover 108 are snapped together, the engaged clips and mating members can be made invisible. Alternatively, the front cover 104 and / or the rear cover 108 may be configured to engage with the frame 106 via interference mating. However, it should be understood that the front cover 104, the frame 106, and the rear cover 108 may be joined using other suitable arrangements and techniques.

[0124] Figure 17 is a perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device of Figure 6. Figure 18 is another perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly of Figure 17. Figure 19 is another perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly of Figure 18. Referring to Figures 17-19, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 for the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 includes a pod body configured to hold a non-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 (Figure 20). The downstream end of the pod body defines a pod outlet 304 that is in fluid communication with the cavity 310 at the upstream end. A connector module 320 is configured to seat in the cavity 310 of the pod body. The connector module 320 includes an outer surface and side surfaces. The outer surface of the connector module 320 forms the exterior of the pod body.

[0125] The external surface of the connector module 320 defines the pod inlet 322. The pod inlet 322 (through which air enters during vaping) is in fluid communication with the pod outlet 304 (through which non-nicotine vapor is released during vaping). In Figure 19, the pod inlet 322 is shown as a slot. However, it should be understood that this is an exemplary embodiment and other forms are possible. When the connector module 320 is seated in the cavity 310 of the pod body, the external surface of the connector module 320 remains visible, but the sides of the connector module 320 are almost hidden, being only partially visible through the pod inlet 322 based on a predetermined angle.

[0126] The outer surface of the connector module 320 includes at least one electrical contact. This at least one electrical contact may include multiple power contacts. For example, the multiple power contacts may include a first power contact 324a and a second power contact 324b. The first power contact 324a of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is configured to electrically connect to a first pair of power contacts on the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100 (e.g., the pair adjacent to the first upstream projection 128a in Figure 12). Similarly, the second power contact 324b of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is configured to electrically connect to a second pair of power contacts on the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100 (e.g., the pair adjacent to the second upstream projection 128b in Figure 12). Furthermore, at least one electrical contact of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 includes multiple data contacts 326. The multiple data contacts 326 of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 are configured to electrically connect to the data contacts of the device electrical connector 132 (e.g., the row of five protrusions in Figure 12). While two power contacts and five data contacts are shown in relation to the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, it should be understood that other variations are possible depending on the design of the device body 100.

[0127] In exemplary embodiments, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 includes a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, a first side surface between the front and rear surfaces, a second side surface opposite the first side surface, an upstream end surface, and a downstream end surface opposite the upstream end surface. The corners of the side surfaces and end surfaces (e.g., the corner between the first side surface and the upstream end surface, the corner between the upstream end surface and the second side surface, the corner between the second side surface and the downstream end surface, and the corner between the downstream end surface and the first side surface) may be rounded. However, in some cases, the corners may be angular. Furthermore, the periphery of the front surface may be in the form of a ledge. The outer surface of the connector module 320 can be considered as part of the upstream end surface of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. The front surface of the non-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 relative to each other. The upstream end surface and the downstream end surface may also be angled inward relative to each other. Because it has an angled surface, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is inserted in one direction (for example, from the front side of the device body 100 (the side associated with the front cover 104)). As a result, the possibility of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 being improperly inserted into the device body 100 can be reduced or prevented.

[0128] As illustrated, the pod body of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 includes a first housing portion 302 and a second housing portion 308. The first housing portion 302 has a downstream end that defines a pod outlet 304. The edge of the pod outlet 304 may optionally be a recessed or sunken area. In such an example, this area may resemble a bay, and the side of the rim adjacent to the rear of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may be open, while the side of the rim adjacent to the front may be surrounded by a raised portion of the downstream end of the first housing portion 302. The raised portion may function as a stopper for the distal end of the mouthpiece 102. As a result, this configuration for the pod outlet 304 facilitates the reception and alignment of the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 (e.g., Figure 11) through the open side of the rim, and then allows it to seat against the raised portion of the downstream end of the first housing portion 302. In a non-limiting embodiment, the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 may also include (or be formed from) an elastic material to help create a seal around the pod outlet 304 when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is properly inserted into the through-hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0129] The downstream end of the first housing portion 302 further defines at least one downstream recess. In exemplary embodiments, 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 a first downstream projection 130a and a second downstream projection 130b of the device body 100, respectively. As shown in Figure 11, the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b of the device body 100 may be located at adjacent corners of the downstream side wall of the through hole 150. The first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b may also be in the form of a V-shaped notch. In such an example, the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b of the device body 100 may each be in the form of a wedge structure configured to engage with the corresponding V-shaped notches of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. The first downstream recess 306a may be in contact with the downstream end face and the corner of the first side surface, and the second downstream recess 306b may be in contact with the downstream end face and the corner of the second side surface. As a result, the ends of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b adjacent to the first side surface and the second side surface may each be open. In such an example, as shown in Figure 18, the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b may each be a three-sided recess.

[0130] The second housing portion 308 has an upstream end that defines a cavity 310 (Figure 20). The cavity 310 is configured to receive a connector module 320 (Figure 21). Furthermore, the upstream end of the second housing portion 308 defines at least one upstream recess. In exemplary embodiments, the at least one upstream recess is in the form of a first upstream recess 312a and a second upstream recess 312b. The pod inlet 322 may be located between the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b. The first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b are configured to engage with a first upstream projection 128a and a second upstream projection 128b of the device body 100, respectively. As shown in Figure 12, the first upstream projection 128a and the second upstream projection 128b of the device body 100 may be located at adjacent corners of the upstream side wall of the through hole 150. The depth of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b may be greater than the depth of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. Also, the ends of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b may be more rounded than the ends 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 projection 128a and the second upstream projection 128b of the device body 100 may each be in the form of a round knob configured to engage with the corresponding U-shaped recesses of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b. The first upstream recess 312a may substantially coincide with the corner of the upstream end face and the first side surface, and the second upstream recess 312b may substantially coincide with the corner of the upstream end face and the second side surface. As a result, the ends of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b adjacent to the first side surface and the second side surface may be open.

[0131] The first housing 302 may include an internal non-nicotine reservoir configured to hold the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The non-nicotine reservoir may be configured to seal the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation until the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is activated and releases the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation from the non-nicotine reservoir. As a result of the sealing, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation can be isolated not only from the environment but also from internal elements of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 that may potentially react with the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, thereby reducing or preventing the possibility of adverse effects on the shelf life and / or sensory characteristics (e.g., flavor) of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. The second housing 308 may include a structure configured to activate the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 and receive and heat the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation released from the non-nicotine reservoir after activation.

[0132] The non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may be manually activated by an adult vaporizer before insertion of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 into the device body 100. Alternatively, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may be activated as part of the insertion of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 into the device body 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the second housing portion 308 of the pod body includes a puncture device configured to release a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation from a non-nicotine reservoir during activation of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. The puncture device may be in the form of a first activation pin 314a and a second activation pin 314b, which will be discussed in more detail herein.

[0133] To manually activate the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, the adult vaporist may press the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b inward (for example, simultaneously or sequentially) before inserting the non-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 flush with the upstream end face of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the inward movement of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b causes the seal of the non-nicotine reservoir to be punctured or otherwise penetrated, thereby releasing the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation.

[0134] Alternatively, to activate the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 as part of inserting the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 into the device body 100, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is initially positioned such that the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b engage with the first upstream projection 128a and the second upstream projection 128b, respectively (e.g., upstream engagement). Each of the first upstream projection 128a and the second upstream projection 128b of the device body 100 may be in the form of a round knob configured to engage with the corresponding U-shaped recess of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b, so that the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 can subsequently be rotated relatively easily around the first upstream projection 128a and the second upstream projection 128b to enter the through hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0135] With respect to the pivoting of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, the axis of rotation can be considered to extend through the first upstream projection 128a and the second upstream projection 128b and be oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device body 100. During the initial positioning and subsequent pivoting of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are in contact with the upstream side wall of the through hole 150, and as the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 moves into the through hole 150, the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are pushed into the second housing portion 308 (for example, simultaneously), transitioning from an extended state to a retracted state. When the downstream end of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 reaches the vicinity of the downstream side wall of the through hole 150 and contacts the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b, the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b retract and elastically extend (e.g., spring back), and the positioning of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 causes the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b of the device body 100 to engage with the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, respectively (e.g., downstream engagement).

[0136] As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment, the mouthpiece 102 is fixed to the retaining structure 140 (of which the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b are part). In such an example, the retraction of the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b from the through hole 150 causes the mouthpiece 102 to move simultaneously by a distance corresponding to the same direction (e.g., downstream). Conversely, once the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is fully inserted and downstream engagement is facilitated, the mouthpiece 102 springs back simultaneously with the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b. In addition to the elastic engagement by the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b, the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 is also configured to be offset relative to the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 (and to align with the pod outlet 304 to form a relatively vapor-tight seal) when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is properly fitted into the through hole 150 of the device body 100.

[0137] Furthermore, the downstream engagement may generate an audible click and / or tactile feedback to indicate that the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is properly seated within the through-hole 150 of the device body 100. Upon proper seating, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 will be mechanically, electrically, and fluidly connected to the device body 100. In non-limiting embodiments of this specification, the upstream engagement of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is described as occurring before the downstream engagement, but it should be understood that the proper mating, activation, and / or electrical arrangement may be reversed so that the downstream engagement occurs before the upstream engagement.

[0138] Figure 20 is a perspective view of the non-nicotine pod assembly of Figure 19 without the connector module. Referring to Figure 20, the upstream end of the second housing portion 308 defines a cavity 310. As described above, the cavity 310 is configured to receive the connector module 320 (e.g., via interference mating). In an 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. In the absence of the connector module 320, the insert 342 (Figure 24) and the absorbent material 346 (Figure 25) are visible through the recessed opening of the cavity 310. The insert 342 is configured to hold the absorbent material 346. The absorbent material 346 is configured to absorb and retain the amount of non-nicotine prevapor formulation released from the non-nicotine reservoir when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is activated. The insert 342 and the absorbent material 346 are discussed in more detail herein.

[0139] Figure 21 is a perspective view of the connector module of Figure 19. Figure 22 is another perspective view of the connector module of Figure 21. Referring to Figures 21 and 22, the general framework of the connector module 320 includes a module housing 354 and a faceplate 366. Furthermore, the connector module 320 has multiple surfaces, including an outer surface and side surfaces, with the outer surface being adjacent to the side surfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer surface of the connector module 320 consists of the faceplate 366, the first power contact 324a, the second power contact 324b, and the upstream surface of the data contact 326. The side surfaces of the connector module 320 are part of the module housing 354. The side surfaces of the connector module 320 define the first module inlet 330 and the second module inlet 332. Furthermore, two lateral surfaces adjacent to the side (which are also part of the module housing 354) may include rib structures (e.g., crush ribs) configured to facilitate interference fitting when the connector module 320 is seated in the cavity 310 of the pod body. For example, each of the two sides may include a pair of rib structures tapering away from the faceplate 366. As a result, the module housing 354 will encounter increased resistance through friction of the rib structures against the sidewalls of the cavity 310 as the connector module 320 is pushed into the cavity 310 of the pod body. Once the connector module 320 is seated in the cavity 310, the faceplate 366 may be substantially coplanar with the upstream end of the second housing portion 308. Also, the sides of the connector module 320 (defining the first module inlet 330 and the second module inlet 332) will face the sidewalls of the cavity 310.

[0140] The faceplate 366 of the connector module 320 may have a grooved edge 328 that defines the pod inlet 322 in combination with the corresponding side of the cavity 310. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the faceplate 366 of the connector module 320 may be alternatively configured to define the pod inlet 322 completely. The side of the connector module 320 (defining the first module inlet 330 and the second module inlet 332) and the side of the cavity 310 (facing the side) define an intermediate space between them. The intermediate space is downstream from the pod inlet 322 and upstream from 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 an example, when air is received by the pod inlet 322 during vaping, the first module inlet 330 may receive the primary flow of incoming air (e.g., a larger flow), while the second module inlet 332 may receive the secondary flow of incoming air (e.g., a smaller flow).

[0141] As shown in Figure 22, the connector module 320 includes a wick 338 configured to transfer a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation to a heater 336. The heater 336 is configured to heat the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation during vaping to generate vapor. The heater 336 may be mounted on 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 of the heater 336 (e.g., the first end) may be connected to a first power contact 324a, and the other end of the heater 336 (e.g., the second end) may be connected to a second power contact 324b. In exemplary embodiments, the heater 336 includes a folded heating element. In such examples, the wick 338 may have a planar form configured to be held by the folded heating element. Once the connector module 320 is seated in the cavity 310 of the pod body, the wick 338 is configured to fluidly communicate with the absorbent material 346 so that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, which would be in the absorbent material 346 (when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is activated), is transferred to the wick 338 via capillary action.

[0142] Figure 23 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 22, including the wick, heater, electrical leads, and contact core. Referring to Figure 23, the wick 338 may be a fibrous pad or other structure having pores / gaps designed for capillary action. Furthermore, the wick 338 may have an irregular hexagonal shape, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The wick 338 may be manufactured in a hexagonal shape or cut into this shape from a larger sheet material. The lower part of the wick 338 tapers towards the winding portion of the heater 336, thereby reducing or avoiding the possibility that the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is in a portion of the wick 338 that continuously avoids vaporization (due to its distance from the heater 336).

[0143] In an exemplary embodiment, the heater 336 is configured to undergo Joule heating (also known as ohmic / resistive heating) when an electric current is applied thereto. More specifically, the heater 336 may be formed of one or more conductors configured to generate heat when an electric current passes through it. The electric current is supplied from a power source (e.g., a battery) within the device body 100 and may be transmitted to the heater 336 via a first power contact 324a and a first electric lead 340a (or via a second power contact 324b and a second electric lead 340b).

[0144] Suitable conductors for the heater 336 include iron-based alloys (e.g., stainless steel) and / or nickel-based alloys (e.g., nichrome). The heater 336 may be manufactured from a conductive sheet (e.g., metal, alloy) from which a winding pattern is pressed. The winding pattern may have curved segments arranged alternately with horizontal segments such that the horizontal segments extend parallel to each other and move in a zigzag pattern 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, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. To obtain the form of the heater 336 shown in the drawings, the winding pattern may be folded to grip the wick 338.

[0145] The heater 336 may be fixed to the contact core 334 by a first electrical lead 340a and a second electrical lead 340b. The contact core 334 is formed of an insulating material and is configured to electrically isolate the first electrical lead 340a from the second electrical lead 340b. In an exemplary embodiment, the first electrical lead 340a and the second electrical lead 340b each define a female opening configured to engage with the corresponding male member of the contact core 334. Once engaged, the first and second ends of the heater 336 may be fixed to the first electrical lead 340a and the second electrical lead 340b, respectively (e.g., by welding, soldering, or brazing). The contact core 334 may then be mounted in the corresponding socket of the module housing 354 (e.g., via interference mating). Once the connector module 320 is assembled, the first electrical lead 340a electrically connects the first end of the heater 336 to the first power contact 324a, while the second electrical lead 340b electrically connects the second end of the heater 336 to the second power contact 324b. The heater and related structures are described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 729,909 (Atty. Dkt. No. 24000-000371-US), filed on 11 October 2017, entitled “Folded Heater For Non-nicotine electronic vaping device,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0146] Figure 24 is an exploded perspective view including the first housing portion of the non-nicotine pod assembly of Figure 17. Referring to Figure 24, the first housing portion 302 includes a vapor channel 316. The vapor channel 316 is configured to receive non-nicotine vapor produced by the heater 336 and is in fluid communication with the pod outlet 304. In exemplary embodiments, the size (e.g., diameter) of the vapor channel 316 may gradually increase as it extends toward the pod outlet 304. Furthermore, the vapor channel 316 may be formed integrally with the first housing portion 302. A wrap 318, an insert 342, and a seal 344 are located at the upstream end of the first housing portion 302 and define the non-nicotine reservoir of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. For example, the wrap 318 may be located on the rim of the first housing portion 302. The insert 342 may be seated within the first housing portion 302 so as to engage with the inner surface of the first housing portion 302 along the rim (e.g., via interference fit) so as to ensure that the interface between the circumferential surface of the insert 342 and the inner surface of the first housing portion 302 is liquid-tight (e.g., liquid-tight and / or air-tight). Furthermore, the seal 344 is mounted upstream of the insert 342 to provide fluid-tight (e.g., liquid-tight and / or air-tight) containment of the non-nicotine prevapor formulation within the non-nicotine reservoir, closing the outlet of the non-nicotine reservoir within the insert 342.

[0147] In an exemplary embodiment, the insert 342 includes a holder portion protruding from the upstream side (as shown in Figure 24) and a connector portion protruding from the downstream side (not visible in Figure 24). The holder portion of the insert 342 is configured to hold the absorbent material 346, and the connector portion of the insert 342 is configured to engage with the vapor channel 316 of the first housing portion 302. The connector portion of the insert 342 may be configured to seat within the vapor channel 316 and thus to 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 to engage with the exterior of the vapor channel 316. The insert 342 also defines a non-nicotine reservoir outlet through which the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation flows when the seal 344 is punctured (as shown in Figure 24) during operation of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. The holder and connector portions of insert 342 may be located between the non-nicotine reservoir outlets (e.g., the first and second non-nicotine reservoir outlets), although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. Furthermore, insert 342 defines vapor conduits extending through the holder and connector portions. As a result, when insert 342 is seated within the first housing portion 302, the vapor conduits of insert 342 align with and fluidly communicate with the vapor channel 316, forming a continuous path through the non-nicotine reservoir to the pod outlet 304 for the non-nicotine vapor generated by the heater 336 during vaping.

[0148] The seal 344 is mounted upstream of the insert 342 so as to cover the non-nicotine reservoir outlet within the insert 342. In exemplary embodiments, the seal 344 defines an opening (e.g., a central opening) configured to provide adequate clearance for accommodating the holder portion (protruding from the upstream side of the insert 342) when the seal 344 is mounted on the insert 342. It should be understood that in Figure 24, the seal 344 is shown in a punctured state. In particular, when punctured by the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, the two punctured portions of the seal 344 are pushed into the non-nicotine reservoir as flaps (as shown in Figure 24), thus forming two puncture openings in the seal 344 (e.g., one on each side of the central opening). The size and shape of the punctured openings in the seal 344 may correspond to the size and shape of the non-nicotine reservoir outlet in the insert 342. In contrast, when not punctured, the seal 344 has a planar shape and only one opening (e.g., a central opening). The seal 344 is designed to be strong enough to remain intact during the normal movement and / or handling of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 so as to prevent premature / inadvertent rupture. For example, the seal 344 may be a coated foil (e.g., thoritan backed with aluminum).

[0149] Figure 25 is a partially exploded perspective view including the second housing of the non-nicotine pod assembly of Figure 17. Referring to Figure 25, the second housing 308 is structured to include various elements configured to release, receive, and heat the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation. For example, the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are configured to puncture the non-nicotine reservoir in the first housing 302 to release the non-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 308. In exemplary embodiments, the distal ends of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are visible after assembly (e.g., Figure 17), while the remaining portions of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are hidden from view within the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. Furthermore, each of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b has a proximal end positioned adjacent to and upstream of the seal 344 before activation of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. When the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are pressed into the second housing portion 308 to activate the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, the proximal ends of the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b will advance through the insert 342, thereby puncturing the seal 344 and releasing the non-nicotine prevapor formulation from the non-nicotine reservoir. The movement of the first activation pin 314a may be independent of the movement of the second activation pin 314b (and vice versa). The first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b will be described in more detail herein.

[0150] The absorbent material 346 is configured to engage with the holder portion of the insert 342 (which protrudes from the upstream side of the insert 342, as shown in Figure 24). The absorbent material 346 may have an annular shape, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. As depicted in Figure 25, the absorbent material 346 may resemble a hollow cylinder. In such an example, the outer diameter of the absorbent material 346 may be substantially equal to (or slightly larger than) the length of the wick 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 result in interference mating. To facilitate engagement with the absorbent material 346, the tip of the holder portion of the insert 342 may be tapered. Furthermore, although not visible in Figure 25, the downstream side of the second housing portion 308 may define a recess configured to receive and support the absorbent material 346. An example of such a recess may be a circular chamber that is in fluid communication with the cavity 310 and is located downstream of the cavity 310. The absorbent material 346 is configured to receive and retain the amount of non-nicotine prevapor formulation released from the non-nicotine reservoir when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is activated.

[0151] The wick 338 is positioned within the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 so as to be in fluid communication with the absorbent material 346, allowing the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation to be drawn from the absorbent material 346 to the heater 336 by capillary action. The wick 338 may be in physical contact with the upstream side of the absorbent material 346 (for example, the bottom of the absorbent material 346 based on the diagram shown in Figure 25). Furthermore, the wick 338 may be aligned with the diameter of the absorbent material 346, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0152] As shown in Figure 25 (similar to the previous Figure 23), the heater 336 may have a folded configuration to grip opposing surfaces of the wick 338 and establish thermal contact. The heater 336 is configured to heat the wick 338 during vaping to generate vapor. To facilitate such heating, the first end of the heater 336 may be electrically connected to the first power contact 324a via the first electrical lead 340a, while the second end of the heater 336 may be electrically connected to the second power contact 324b via the second electrical lead 340b. As a result, 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 via 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 Figure 23) may engage with the contact core 334 (as shown in Figure 25). Relevant details of other embodiments of the connector module 320 configured to seat in the cavity 310 of the second housing 308 have been described above (for example in relation to Figures 21-22) and will not be repeated in this section for the sake of brevity. During vaping, the non-nicotine vapor generated by the heater 336 passes through the vapor conduit of the insert 342, through the vapor channel 316 of the first housing 302, exits from the pod outlet 304 of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, and is drawn out through the vapor passage 136 of the mouthpiece 102 to the vapor outlet(s).

[0153] Figure 26 is an exploded perspective view of the activation pin of Figure 25. Referring to Figure 26, the activation pin may take the form of a first activation pin 314a and a second activation pin 314b. Although two activation pins are shown and discussed in relation to non-limiting embodiments of this specification, it should be understood that, alternatively, the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 may include only one activation pin. In Figure 26, the first activation pin 314a may include a first blade 348a, a first actuator 350a, and a first O-ring 352a. Similarly, the second activation pin 314b may include a second blade 348b, a second actuator 350b, and a second O-ring 352b.

[0154] In exemplary embodiments, the first blade 348a and the second blade 348b are mounted or attached to the upper portions (e.g., proximal portions) of the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b, respectively. Mounting or attachment may be achieved via snap-fit ​​connections, interference-fit (e.g., friction-fit) connections, adhesives, or other suitable bonding techniques. The upper portions of each of the first blade 348a and the second blade 348b may have one or more curved or concave edges that taper upward toward 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 between them, and a curved edge adjacent to each pointed tip. The radii of curvature of the concave and curved edges may be the same, but their arc lengths may differ. The first blade 348a and the second blade 348b may be formed from sheet metal (e.g., stainless steel) that is cut to have a desired profile or otherwise shaped and bent into its final form. In another embodiment, the first blade 348a and the second blade 348b may be formed from plastic.

[0155] Based on the plan view, the size and shape of the first blade 348a, the second blade 348b, and the portions of the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b to which they are mounted may correspond to the size and shape of the non-nicotine reservoir outlet in the insert 342. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 26, the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b may include projections (e.g., curved inner lips facing each other) configured to push the two puncture portions of the seal 344 into the non-nicotine reservoir as the first blade 348a and the second blade 348b advance into the non-nicotine reservoir. In a non-limiting embodiment, when the first activation pin 314a and the second activation pin 314b are fully inserted into the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, the two flaps (from the two puncture portions of the seal 344, as shown in Figure 24) may be located between the curved side wall of the non-nicotine reservoir outlet of the insert 342 and the corresponding curves of the projection edges of the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b. As a result, the possibility of the two punctured openings of the seal 344 being blocked (by the two flaps from the two puncture portions) can be reduced or prevented. Furthermore, the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b may be configured to guide the non-nicotine prevapor formulation from the non-nicotine reservoir toward the absorbent material 346.

[0156] The lower portion (e.g., distal portion) of each of the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b is configured to extend through the bottom (e.g., upstream end) of the second housing portion 308. These rod-shaped portions of the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b are sometimes referred to as shafts. The first O-ring 352a and the second O-ring 352b may be seated in annular grooves provided on the respective shafts of the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b. The first O-ring 352a and the second O-ring 352b are configured to engage with the shafts of the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b, and with the inner surfaces of the corresponding openings in the second housing portion 308, in order 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 non-nicotine pod assembly 300, the first O-ring 352a and the second O-ring 352b may move with the respective shafts of the first actuator 350a and the second actuator 350b within the corresponding openings of the second housing 308 while maintaining their respective seals. This helps to reduce or prevent leakage of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation through the openings in the second housing 308 by 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.

[0157] Figure 27 is a perspective view of the connector module of Figure 22, excluding the wick, heater, electrical leads, and contact core. Figure 28 is an exploded perspective view of the connector module of Figure 27. Referring to Figures 27-28, the module housing 354 and faceplate 366 generally form the external 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 (which is defined by a bypass structure 358). However, it should be understood that the grooved edge 356 can also be considered to define a module inlet (for example, in combination with the faceplate 366). The faceplate 366 has a grooved edge 328 that defines a pod inlet 322, along with the corresponding side of the cavity 310 of the second housing portion 308. Furthermore, the faceplate 366 defines a first contact opening, a second contact opening, and a third contact opening. The first and second contact openings may be square in shape and configured to expose a first power contact 324a and a second power contact 324b, respectively, and the third contact opening may be rectangular in shape and configured to expose a plurality of data contacts 326, but the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0158] The first power contact 324a, the second power contact 324b, the printed circuit board (PCB) 362, and the bypass structure 358 are arranged within an outer frame formed by the module housing 354 and the faceplate 366. The printed circuit board (PCB) 362 includes a plurality of data contacts 326 on its upstream side (hidden in Figure 28) and a sensor 364 on its downstream side. The bypass structure 358 defines a second module inlet 332 and a bypass outlet 360.

[0159] During assembly, the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b are positioned so that they are visible through the first and second contact openings of the faceplate 366, respectively. Furthermore, the printed circuit board (PCB) 362 is positioned so that the multiple data contacts 326 on its upstream side are visible through the third contact opening of the faceplate 366. The printed circuit board (PCB) 362 may overlap the rear surfaces 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 airflow 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 can be considered to be surrounded on at least four sides by the meandering structure of the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b. In an exemplary embodiment, the branched ends of the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b are configured to be electrically connected to the first electrical lead 340a and the second electrical lead 340b.

[0160] When incoming air is received by the pod inlet 322 during vaping, the first module inlet 330 may receive the primary flow of incoming air (e.g., a larger flow), while the second module inlet 332 may receive the secondary flow of incoming air (e.g., a smaller flow). The secondary flow of incoming air can improve the sensitivity of the sensor 364. After exiting the bypass structure 358 through the bypass outlet 360, the secondary flow recombines with the primary flow and is drawn into the contact core 334 to encounter the heater 336 and wick 338, forming a combined flow through it. In a non-limiting embodiment, the primary flow may be 60-95% (e.g., 80-90%) of the incoming air, while the secondary flow may be 5-40% (e.g., 10-20%) of the incoming air.

[0161] The first module inlet 330 may be a resistance-to-draw (RTD) port, and the second module inlet 332 may be a bypass port. In such a configuration, the draw resistance of the non-nicotine electronic 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 so that the draw resistance is between 25 and 100 mmH2O (e.g., between 30 and 50 mmH2O). For example, a diameter of 1.0 mm for the first module inlet 330 can result in a draw resistance of 88.3 mmH2O. In another example, a diameter of 1.1 mm for the first module inlet 330 may result in a draw resistance of 73.6 mmH2O. In yet another example, a diameter of 1.2 mm for the first module inlet 330 may result in a draw resistance of 58.7 mmH2O. In yet another example, a 1.3 mm diameter for the first module inlet 330 could result in a draw resistance of 43.8 mmH2O. Notably, the size of the first module inlet 330 can be adjusted for its internal placement without affecting the external aesthetics of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300, thereby enabling a more standardized product design for pod assemblies with various RTD (resistance-to-draw) characteristics, while simultaneously reducing the possibility of accidental blockage of incoming air.

[0162] Figure 29 shows the electrical system of the device body and non-nicotine pod assembly of a non-nicotine electronic vaping device according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0163] Referring to Figure 29, the electrical system includes the device body electrical system 2100 and the non-nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200. The device body electrical system 2100 may be included in the device body 100, and the non-nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200 may be included in the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 described with respect to Figures 1 to 28.

[0164] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 29, the non-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). One or more pod sensors 2220 may include temperature-sensing transducers.

[0165] The non-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 non-nicotine pod assembly 300. According to at least one exemplary embodiment, for example, the electrical contacts 324a, 324b and 326 shown in Figure 17 may function as the body electrical / data interface.

[0166] 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 called a heating engine stop circuit) 2127, a vapor indicator 2135, on-product controls 2150 (e.g., buttons 118 and 120 shown in Figure 1), 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 non-nicotine pod assembly 300. According to at least one exemplary embodiment, for example, the device electrical connector 132 shown in Figure 12 may function as the pod electrical / data interface.

[0167] The power supply 2110 may be an internal power supply for supplying power to the device body 100 and the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 of the non-nicotine electronic 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 adjusting the power output from the power supply 2110. The power supply 2110 may be a lithium-ion battery or a variant thereof (e.g., a lithium-ion polymer battery).

[0168] The controller 2105 may be configured to control the overall operation of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the controller 2105 may include processing circuits such as hardware including logic circuits; a combination of hardware and software such as a processor that runs software; or a combination thereof. For example, the processing circuits may, but are not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a system-on-a-chip (SoC), a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the like.

[0169] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 29, the controller 2105 includes general-purpose input / output (GPIO) and integrated circuit (I 2 C) The controller is illustrated as a microcontroller including an interface, 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 embodiment, the controller 2105 may be a microprocessor.

[0170] The controller 2105 is communicatively coupled to the device sensor 2125, the heating engine control circuit 2127, the vapor indicator 2135, the memory 2130, the on-product control 2150, the clock circuit 2128, and the power supply 2110.

[0171] The heating engine control circuit 2127 is connected to the controller 2105 via GPIO pins. The memory 2130 is connected to the controller 2105 via SPI pins. The clock circuit 2128 is connected to the clock input terminal of the controller 2105. The vapor indicator 2135 is I 2 The device sensor 2125 is connected to the controller 2105 via C interface pins and GPIO pins. The device sensor 2125 is connected to the controller 2105 via the respective pins of the multi-channel ADC.

[0172] The clock circuit 2128 may be a timing mechanism such as an oscillator circuit, enabling the controller 2105 to track the idle time, vape length, combinations of idle time and vape length, etc., of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. The clock circuit 2128 may also include a dedicated external clock crystal configured to generate the system clock for the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500.

[0173] Memory 2130 may be non-volatile memory configured to store one or more shutdown logs. In one example, memory 2130 may store one or more shutdown logs in one or more tables. Memory 2130 and the one or more shutdown logs stored therein will be described in more detail later. In one example, memory 2130 may be electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), such as flash memory.

[0174] Still referring to Figure 29, the device sensor 2125 may include a plurality of sensors or measuring circuits configured to provide the controller 2105 with signals indicating sensor or measurement information. In the example shown in Figure 29, the device sensor 2125 includes a heater current measuring circuit 21258, a heater voltage measuring circuit 21252, and a pod temperature measuring circuit 21250.

[0175] The heater current measurement circuit 21258 may be configured to output a signal (e.g., voltage) indicating the current passing through the heater 336. Exemplary embodiments of the heater current measurement circuit 21258 will be described in more detail later with reference to Figure 35.

[0176] The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 may be configured to output a signal (e.g., voltage) indicating the voltage across the heater 336. Exemplary embodiments of the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 will be described in more detail later with reference to Figure 34.

[0177] The pod temperature measurement circuit 21250 may be configured to output a signal (e.g., voltage) indicating the resistance and / or temperature of one or more elements of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. Exemplary embodiments of the pod temperature measurement circuit 21250 are described in more detail later with reference to Figures 36 and 37.

[0178] As described above, the pod temperature measurement circuit 21250, the heater current measurement circuit 21258, and the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 are connected to the controller 2105 via the pins of the multi-channel ADC. To measure the characteristics and / or parameters of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 (e.g., voltage, current, resistance, temperature of the heater 336), the multi-channel ADC of the controller 2105 may sample the output signals from the device sensors 2125 at a sampling rate suitable for predetermined characteristics and / or parameters measured by each device sensor.

[0179] Although not shown in Figure 29, the pod sensor 2220 may also include the sensor 364 shown in Figure 28. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the sensor 364 may be a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) flow or pressure sensor, or another type of sensor configured to measure airflow, such as a hot-wire anemometer.

[0180] The heating engine control circuit 2127 is connected to the controller 2105 via GPIO pins. The heating engine control circuit 2127 is configured to control (enable and / or disable) the heating engine of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 by controlling the power to the heater 336. As will be described in more detail later, the heating engine control circuit 2127 can disable the heating engine based on a control signal from the controller 2105 (sometimes referred to herein as a device power status signal).

[0181] When the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is inserted into the device body 100, the controller 2105 also 2 It is communicatively coupled to at least the NVM2205 and the pod sensor 2220 via a C interface. In one example, the controller 2105 may obtain operating parameters of the non-nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200 from the NVM2205.

[0182] The controller 2105 may control the vapor indicator 2135 to show the adult vaper the status and / or operation of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. The vapor indicator 2135 may be at least partially implemented via a light guide (e.g., the light guide arrangement shown in Figure 1) and may include a power indicator (e.g., an LED) which may be activated when the controller 2105 senses a button pressed by the adult vaper. The vapor indicator 2135 may also include a vibrator, speaker, or other feedback mechanism to indicate the current state of a vaping parameter controlled by the adult vaper (e.g., non-nicotine vapor volume).

[0183] Still referring to Figure 29, the controller 2105 may control the power to the heater 336 to heat the non-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 non-nicotine pod assembly 300.

[0184] Figure 30 is a simple block diagram showing a dry puff and automatic shutdown control system 2300 according to an exemplary embodiment. For simplicity, the dry puff and automatic shutdown control system 2300 may be referred to herein as the automatic shutdown control system 2300.

[0185] The automatic shutdown control system 2300 shown in Figure 30 may be implemented in the controller 2105. In one example, the automatic shutdown control system 2300 may be implemented as part of a device manager finite state machine (FSM) software implementation running on the controller 2105. In the example shown in Figure 30, the automatic shutdown control system 2300 includes a dryness detection module 2610. However, it should be understood that the automatic shutdown control system 2300 may include various other subsystem modules.

[0186] Referring to Figure 30, the automatic shutdown control system 2300, more commonly the controller 2105, may identify a dry puff condition in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 and cause the controller 2105 to control one or more subsystems of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 to perform one or more resulting actions in response to the identification of a dry puff condition. A dry puff condition is sometimes referred to as a dry puff fault or dry puff fault condition. Identification of a dry puff condition may be based on information and / or inputs such as threshold parameters of the non-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. A dry puff condition is an example of a hard pod failure event in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. A hard pod failure event is an event that may require corrective action (e.g., replacement of the non-nicotine pod assembly) to re-enable the vaping function in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500.

[0187] The controller 2105 can control one or more subsystems by outputting (or asserting or deasserting) one or more control signals, as will be described in more detail later. In some cases, the control signals output from the controller 2105 may be called device power status signals, device power status commands, or device power control signals. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may output one or more control signals to the heating engine control circuit 2127 to shut down the vaping function in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 in response to detecting a dry puff state in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500.

[0188] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the type of resulting action in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 may be based on dry puff conditions and / or the current operation of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. Multiple resulting actions may be performed sequentially in response to a failure event such as a dry puff condition. In one example, the resulting operation may include: (i) An auto-off function that switches the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 to a low-power state (e.g., equivalent to turning off the non-nicotine electronic vaping device using the power button). (ii) The heater off operation cuts off or disables power to heater 336, ending the current puff, but otherwise leaving the vape ready; or (iii) A vape-off operation that disables the vape subsystem (for example, by disabling all power to heater 336), thereby preventing vaping until corrective action (for example, replacing the non-nicotine pod assembly) is taken.

[0189] As described above, the automatic shutdown control system 2300 includes a dryness detection subsystem 2610 (also referred to as a dryness detection subsystem module, circuit, or circuit). Through the dryness detection subsystem 2610, the controller 2105 monitors the wetness (or dryness) of the wick 338 to detect the presence of dry puff conditions in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. As described above, when a dry puff condition is detected, the controller 2105 may shut down or disable one or more subsystems or elements of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500.

[0190] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 monitors the wettability of the wick 338 based on the rate of change of the resistance of the heater 336 over time during vaping. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may receive one or more signals from the pod temperature measurement circuit 21250 indicating the resistance value of the heater 336.

[0191] 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.

[0192] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, if the rate of change of the resistance of the heater 336 over a time window exceeds a rate of change threshold for the resistance, the controller 2105 determines that a dry puff condition exists in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 (e.g., the wick 338 is dry). The controller 2105 may obtain the rate of change value of the resistance threshold from the NVM 2205 in the non-nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200. The rate of change threshold for the resistance may be set by the manufacturer of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 based on empirical data, non-nicotine pre-vaper formulations, the structure of the heater 336, their subcombinations, their combinations, etc. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the rate of change threshold for the resistance may be between about 0.1% and 25.5% (in increments of about 0.1%). In one example, the rate of change for the resistance may be about 2.0% for a heater constructed from 316L grade stainless steel.

[0193] In one example, a dry puff condition may exist because the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation is not supplied to the wick 338 at a flow rate sufficient to maintain the standard temperature profile of the heater 336. Therefore, the rate of change in resistance can indicate the flow rate of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation to the wick 338, and the dryness detection subsystem 2610 can be characterized as being configured to determine whether a dry puff condition exists based on the flow rate of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation to the wick 338. Furthermore, a dry puff condition may result from the depletion of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation within the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. Therefore, detection of a dry puff condition may also indicate a depleted and / or empty non-nicotine pod assembly.

[0194] The controller 2105 may utilize a sliding measurement window of N samples of the heater 336's resistance so that the determination is made over the most recent time slice during vaping. This allows the controller 2105 to accommodate the application of relatively long negative pressure by adult vapers, while also providing faster detection of dry puff conditions where the resistance of the heater 336 begins to change relatively rapidly while negative pressure is applied.

[0195] In response to detecting a dry puff state, the controller 2105 can control the heating engine control circuit 2127 to cut off power to the heater 336 (heater off) and / or disable vaping in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 (vape off).

[0196] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a first-in, first-out (FIFO) memory storing about 100 samples (N=100) may be used to set a sliding measurement window of about 100 milliseconds (ms) in which the resistance of the heater 336 is periodically updated (e.g., recalculated) at 1 ms "tick". The FIFO memory may be integrated into the controller 2105 or may be contained in the memory 2130 shown in Figure 29.

[0197] According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the sliding window may not begin until the resistance measurement of heater 336 is relatively stable, otherwise spurious values ​​inserted into the FIFO may cause false positives later in the process. The resistance measurement is considered relatively stable when it reaches an operating state where the expected measurement error is less than a threshold for the rate of change of resistance. In one example, the resistance of heater 336 may become relatively stable when the current flowing through heater 336 exceeds a “wetting” current threshold (e.g., about 100 milliamperes (mA)). The controller 2105 may determine that the “wetting” current threshold has been achieved by monitoring the current through heater 336 based on a signal from the heater current measurement circuit 21258.

[0198] Figure 31 is a flowchart illustrating a dryness detection method according to an exemplary embodiment. For illustrative purposes, the flowchart shown in Figure 31 is illustrated with respect to the electrical system shown in Figure 29. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiment is not limited to this example. Rather, the exemplary embodiment is applicable to other non-nicotine electronic vaping devices and their electrical systems. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 31 is illustrated with respect to the operations performed by the controller 2105. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiment may be illustrated in a similar manner with respect to the automatic shutdown control system 2300 and / or dryness detection subsystem 2610 performing one or more of the functions / operations shown in Figure 31.

[0199] Referring to Figure 31, when the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is inserted into the device body 100 and the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 is powered on, in step S2702, the controller 2105 obtains the resistance threshold (also called the resistance change rate parameter) Δ%R_THRESHOLD stored in the NVM2205 in the non-nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200.

[0200] In step S2704, the controller 2105 determines whether vaping conditions exist for the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 can determine whether vaping conditions exist for the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 based on the output from the sensor 364. In one example, if the output from the sensor 364 indicates the application of a negative pressure exceeding a threshold at the mouthpiece 102 of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500, the controller 2105 may determine that vaping conditions exist for the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500.

[0201] If the controller 2105 detects a vaping state in step S2704, the controller 2105 controls the heating engine control circuit 2127 to apply power to the heater 336 for vaping. An example of the control of the heating engine control circuit 2127 to apply power to the heater 336 will be described in detail later with reference to Figures 38 and 39.

[0202] 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 passing through the heater 336 reaches a "wetting" current threshold (for example, about 100 milliamperes (mA)). The controller 2105 may also determine that the current passing through the heater 336 has reached the "wetting" current threshold based on the output signal from the heater current measurement circuit 21258.

[0203] If the controller 2105 determines in step S2706 that the resistance value of heater 336 has stabilized, it begins storing the measured resistance value of heater 336 in the FIFO memory at 1ms intervals (1ms "tick").

[0204] In step S2710, the controller 2105 determines whether the FIFO memory is full (for example, whether a threshold number of samples have been collected). For example, the FIFO memory may be full when approximately 100 samples of the heater 336's resistance have been stored (for example, approximately 100 ms after it is determined in step S2706 that the heater 336's resistance has stabilized).

[0205] If the controller 2105 determines that the FIFO memory is full, in step S2712, it returns the first resistance value R stored in the FIFO memory. t_0 (at t0) and the last (most recent) resistance value R t_N-1 (t N-1 Calculate the rate of change Δ%R of the resistance value between ( ) and ( ).

[0206] In step S2714, the controller 2105 compares the calculated rate of change Δ%R of the resistance value with the resistance rate of change threshold Δ%R_THRESHOLD obtained from the NVM2205 in step S2702.

[0207] If the calculated rate of change Δ%R of the resistance is greater than the threshold rate of change threshold Δ%R_THRESHOLD, in step S2716, the controller 2105 controls the heating engine control circuit 2127 to shut down (e.g., cut off power to) the heater 336. In one example, the controller 2105 may control the heating engine control circuit 2127 to perform a vape-off operation. As described above, a vape-off operation disables all energy to the heater 336, thereby preventing vaping until corrective action is taken (e.g., by an adult vaper). As will be described in more detail later, the controller 2105 may control the heating engine control circuit 2127 to disable all energy to the heater 336 by outputting a vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN having a logic high level (Figure 38) and / or by deasserting (or stopping the output of) the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM (Figure 39). In at least one embodiment, the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM may be a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal. Exemplary modified behavior will be described in more detail later.

[0208] Returning to step S2714, if the calculated rate of change Δ%R of the resistance value is less than or equal to the rate of change threshold Δ%R_THRESHOLD of the resistance value, return to S2708 and continue processing as described above.

[0209] 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.

[0210] Returning to step S2706, if the controller 2105 determines that the resistance value of the heater 336 is not yet stable, the controller 2105 continues to monitor the resistance value of the heater 336. Once the resistance value of the heater 336 is stable, the process proceeds to step S2708 and continues as described above.

[0211] Returning to step S2704, if the controller 2105 determines that no vaping conditions exist, the controller 2105 continues to monitor the output of sensor 364 for vaping conditions. Once vaping conditions are detected, the process continues as described above.

[0212] Figure 32 shows graphs of resistance versus time for three scenarios: when a dry puff state exists at the start of puffing ("Dry Puff"), when a dry puff state occurs during puffing ("Drying Puff"), and when no dry puff state exists ("Standard Puff").

[0213] As shown in Figure 32, if dry puff conditions are present at the start of puffing, the resistance increases more rapidly over time. In this example, the controller 2105 may shut down the vaping function of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 at the end of the first sampling interval (e.g., about 100 ms) because the rate of change Δ%R of the resistance of the heater 336 at the end of the first time interval is greater than the rate of change threshold Δ%R_THRESHOLD.

[0214] When a dry puff state begins to occur during puffing, the heater resistance starts to increase more rapidly (the slope of the graph becomes steeper). In this case, the controller 2105, when the rate of change Δ%R of the heater resistance value between the oldest and newest heater resistances in the FIFO exceeds the resistance rate of change threshold Δ%R_THRESHOLD, enters a period of time t SHUTOFF Use the button to shut down the vape function.

[0215] If no dry puff conditions exist (i.e., standard puff conditions exist), the puff ends and power to the heater 336 is cut off in response to the cessation of negative pressure application or after the expiration of a threshold time interval. In this case, a heater-off operation may be performed instead of a vape-off operation.

[0216] As described above, the dry puff condition is an example of a hard pod malfunction event in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500.

[0217] Figure 33 is a flowchart illustrating an example of how a non-nicotine electronic vaping device operates after shutting down the vape function (vape-off operation) in response to detecting a hard pod failure event, such as a dry puff condition, according to an exemplary embodiment. For illustrative purposes, the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 33 is described in relation to a dry puff condition. However, the exemplary embodiment should not be limited to this example.

[0218] Furthermore, for illustrative purposes, the flowchart shown in Figure 33 illustrates the electrical system shown in Figure 29. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments are not limited to this example. Rather, the exemplary embodiments are applicable to other non-nicotine electronic vaping devices and their electrical systems. Moreover, the exemplary embodiments shown in Figure 33 describe the operations performed by the controller 2105. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments can similarly describe the automatic shutdown control system 2300 and / or dryness detection subsystem 2610 performing one or more of the functions / operations shown in Figure 33.

[0219] Referring to Figure 33, in step S3804, the controller 2105 logs the occurrence of the dry puff condition to the memory 2130. In one example, the controller 2105 may store an identifier for the event (dry puff condition or dry puff event) in association with the resulting action (e.g., vape-off action) and the time when the event and the resulting action occurred.

[0220] In step S3806, the controller 2105 controls the vapor indicator 2135 to output a display indicating that a dry puff condition has been detected. In one example, the display may be in the form of audible, visual, and / or haptic feedback to the adult vaper. For example, the display may be a flashing red LED, a software message containing an error code sent (e.g., via Bluetooth) to a connected "App" on a remote electronic device, which can then trigger an in-App notification providing the adult vaper with information about corrective actions, or any combination thereof, or similar.

[0221] In step S3808, the controller 2105 determines whether the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 was removed from the device body 100 within the removal threshold time interval (before expiration) (corrective action) after indicating a dry puff condition to the adult vaper (for example, in response thereto). In at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may determine that the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 has been digitally removed from the device body 100 by confirming that the set of five contacts 326 of the non-nicotine pod assembly have been removed. In another example, the controller 2105 may determine that the non-nicotine pod assembly has been removed from the device body 100 by sensing that the electrical contacts 324a, 324b and / or 326 of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 have been removed from the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100. In at least one example, the controller 2105 may sense that the electrical contacts 324a, 324b, and / or 326 of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 have been disconnected from the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100 by detecting infinite resistance between the electrical contacts 324a, 324b, and / or 326 of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 and the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100.

[0222] If the controller 2105 determines, after indicating a dry puff state to the adult vaper (for example, in response thereto), that the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 has been removed from the device body 100 within the removal threshold time interval, then in step S3814, the controller 2105 controls the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 to return to normal operation (fault-free state). In this case, since the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 has been removed, the energy to the heater 336 is still ineffective, but the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 is otherwise ready to vape in response to the application of negative pressure by the adult vaper once a new non-nicotine pod assembly is inserted.

[0223] In step S3812, the controller 2105 determines whether a new non-nicotine pod assembly was inserted into the device body 100 within (before expiration) the insertion threshold time interval, after removing the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 in step S3814 and returning the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 to normal operation. In at least one example, the insertion threshold time interval may have a length between approximately 5 minutes and approximately 120 minutes. The insertion threshold time interval may be set by an adult vaper to a length within this range. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may determine that a new non-nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the device body 100 by sensing the resistance of the heater 336 between the electrical contacts 324a and 324b of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 and the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100 (e.g., between approximately 0.5 ohms and approximately 5.0 ohms). In a further exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may determine that a new non-nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the device body 100 by sensing the presence of a pull-up resistor included in the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 between the electrical contact 326 of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 and the device electrical connector 132 of the device body 100.

[0224] If the controller 2105 determines that a new non-nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the device body 100 within the insertion threshold time interval, in step S3810, the controller 2105 controls the heating engine control circuit 2127 to re-enable the vape module (for example, to enable power to be applied to the heater 336). As will be described in more detail later, the controller 2105 may also control the heating engine control circuit 2127 to re-enable the vape module by outputting a vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN having a logic low level (Figure 38) and / or asserting a vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM (Figure 39).

[0225] Returning to step S3812, if the controller 2105 determines that a new non-nicotine pod assembly has not been inserted into the device body 100 within the insertion threshold time interval, in step S3816, the controller 2105 outputs one or more additional control signals to perform an auto-off operation in which the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 is powered off or enters a low-power mode. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, in the context of a normal software auto-off, the controller 2105 may output a number of GPIO control lines (signals) to turn off all or substantially all peripherals of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 and cause the controller 2105 to enter a sleep state.

[0226] Returning to step S3808, if the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 is not removed within the removal threshold time interval, the process proceeds to step S3816 and continues as described above.

[0227] Figure 34 shows an example of an embodiment of the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252.

[0228] Referring to Figure 34, the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 includes resistors 3702 and 3704 connected in a voltage divider configuration between a terminal configured to receive the input voltage signal COIL_OUT and ground. The input voltage signal COIL_OUT is the voltage (at the input terminal) that is input to the heater 336. Node N3716 between resistors 3702 and 3704 is coupled to the positive input of the operational amplifier (Op-Amp) 3708. Capacitor 3706 is connected between node N3716 and ground, forming a low-pass filter circuit (R / C filter) to stabilize the input voltage to the positive input of the operational amplifier 3708. This filter circuit reduces inaccuracies due to switching noise induced by the PWM signal used to energize the heater 336 and can also have the same phase response / group delay for both current and voltage.

[0229] The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 further includes resistors 3710 and 3712 and capacitor 3714. Resistor 3712 is connected between node N3718 and a terminal configured to receive the output voltage signal COIL_RTN. The output voltage signal COIL_RTN is the voltage output from heater 336 (the voltage at the output terminal).

[0230] Resistor 3710 and capacitor 3714 are connected in parallel between node N3718 and the output of op-amp 3708. The negative input of op-amp 3708 is also connected to node N3718. Resistors 3710 and 3712 and capacitor 3714 are connected in a low-pass filter circuit configuration.

[0231] The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 uses 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, which represents the voltage across the heater 336. The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 outputs the scaled heater voltage measurement signal COIL_VOL to the ADC pin of the controller 2105 for digital sampling and measurement by the controller 2105.

[0232] The gain of the operational amplifier 3708 may be set based on the 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 operational amplifier 3708 may be achieved by scaling the voltage so that the maximum voltage output matches the maximum input range of the ADC (e.g., about 1.8V). In at least one exemplary embodiment, the scaling may be about 267mV per 1V, and therefore the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 may measure up to about 1.8V / 0.267V = 6.74V.

[0233] Figure 35 shows an example of an embodiment of the heater current measurement circuit 21258 shown in Figure 29.

[0234] Referring to Figure 35, the output voltage signal COIL_RTN is input to a 4-terminal (4T) measuring resistor 3802 connected to ground. The differential voltage across the 4-terminal measuring resistor 3802 is scaled by the operational amplifier 3806 and outputs a heater current measurement signal COIL_CUR, which indicates the current flowing through the heater 336. The heater current measurement signal COIL_CUR is output to the ADC pin of the controller 2105 for digital sampling and measurement of the current flowing through the heater 336.

[0235] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 35, the four-terminal measuring resistor 3802 may be used to reduce errors in current measurement using the “Kelvin current measurement” technique. In this example, noise in the voltage measurement path can be reduced by separating the current measurement path from the voltage measurement path.

[0236] The gain of the operational amplifier 3806 may be set to improve the dynamic range of the measurement. In this example, the scaling of the operational amplifier 3806 may be approximately 0.577 V / A, and therefore the heater current measurement circuit 21258 can measure up to approximately the following: JPEG2026062984000002.jpg1035.

[0237] Referring more closely to Figure 35, the first terminal of the four-terminal measuring resistor 3802 is connected to the terminal of the heater 336 to receive the output voltage signal COIL_RTN. The second terminal of the four-terminal measuring resistor 3802 is connected to ground. The third terminal of the four-terminal measuring resistor 3802 is connected to a low-pass filter circuit (R / C filter) including resistor 3804, capacitor 3808, and resistor 3810. The output of the low-pass filter circuit is connected to the positive input of the operational amplifier 3806. The low-pass filter circuit reduces inaccuracies due to switching noise induced by the PWM signal applied to energize the heater 336 and can also have the same phase response / group delay for both current and voltage.

[0238] The heater current measurement circuit 21258 further includes resistors 3812 and 3814 and capacitor 3816. Resistors 3812, 3814 and capacitor 3816 are connected in a low-pass filter circuit configuration to the fourth terminal of the four-terminal measuring resistor 3802, the negative input of the operational amplifier 3806, and the output of the operational amplifier 3806, with the output of the low-pass filter circuit connected to the negative input of the operational amplifier 3806.

[0239] The operational amplifier 3806 outputs a differential voltage as the heater current measurement signal COIL_CUR to the ADC pin of the controller 2105, which is used by the controller 2105 to sample and measure the current flowing through the heater 336.

[0240] According to at least this exemplary embodiment, the configuration of the heater current measuring circuit 21258 is similar to that of the heater voltage measuring circuit 21252, except that a low-pass filter circuit including resistors 3804 and 3810 and capacitor 3808 is connected to the terminals of the four-terminal measuring resistor 3802, and a low-pass filter circuit including resistors 3812 and 3814 and capacitor 3816 is connected to the other terminals of the four-terminal measuring resistor 3802.

[0241] The controller 2105 may average a plurality of samples (e.g., voltages) over a time window corresponding to the "tick" time used in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 (e.g., about 1 ms), and convert the average into a mathematical representation of the voltage and current across the heater 336 through the application of a scaling value. The scaling value may be determined based on the gain settings implemented in each operational amplifier, which may be specific to the hardware of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500.

[0242] The controller 2105 may filter the measured values of the converted voltage and current using, for example, a 3-tap moving average filter to attenuate measurement noise. The controller 2105 may then use the filtered measured values to calculate the following. · The resistance R of the heater 336 HEATER JPEG2026062984000003.jpg1036 · The power P applied to the heater 336 HEATER JPEG2026062984000004.jpg651 · The supply current JPEG2026062984000005.jpg1027 Here JPEG2026062984000006.jpg1053. Efficiency is the ratio of the power P supplied to the heater 336 over all operating conditions in In one example, Efficiency may be at least 85%.

[0243] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the gain settings of the passive elements of the circuit shown in FIGS. 34 and / or 35 may be adjusted to match the output signal range to the input range of the controller 2105.

[0244] Figures 36 and 37 show a pod temperature measurement circuit according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0245] Referring to Figure 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 in response to a pod temperature measurement control signal HW_ENB to supply power to the pod sensor 2220. 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 indicating the temperature of one or more elements of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. The inputs to and outputs therefrom of an exemplary embodiment of the pod sensor 2220 will be described in more detail later.

[0246] More specifically with respect to Figure 36, the driver stage 3902A receives the 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 with a duty cycle adjusted by the controller 2105 to vary the 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 and output the pod temperature measurement power signal HW_POWER, or the output of the driver stage 3902A may be disabled.

[0247] The pod temperature measurement control signal HW_ENB is input to the enable terminal EN of the low dropout voltage regulator (LDO) U10, and the pod temperature measurement control signal HW_ENB, which is a low current drive strength processor signal, is converted to the pod temperature measurement power signal HW_POWER, which is a high current drive strength PWM signal.

[0248] A resistor R80 is connected as a pull-down resistor between the enable terminal EN of the LDO U10 and ground so that the output of the driver stage 3902A is disabled when the pod temperature measurement control signal HW_ENB is in an undefined state.

[0249] The driver stage 3902A further includes capacitors C43 and C44. Capacitor C44 is connected to the input terminal IN of the LDO U10 and the voltage source, providing a non-nicotine reservoir and filter, which can improve the speed at which the pod temperature measurement power signal HW_POWER reaches its on-voltage. Capacitor C43 is connected between the output terminal and ground, providing filtering and a non-nicotine reservoir for the pod temperature measurement power signal HW_POWER.

[0250] Resistors R60 and R61 form a feedback network 39028 in the form of a voltage divider circuit. The feedback network 39028 outputs a feedback voltage to the adjustment or feedback terminal ADJ of LDO U10. Based on the feedback voltage input to feedback terminal ADJ, LDO U10 sets the precise voltage output of the pod temperature measurement power signal HW_POWER. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the precise voltage output of the pod temperature measurement power signal HW_POWER and the feedback voltage V ADJ The relationship between the output and the result is given by the following equation. JPEG2026062984000007.jpg1048 In this example, the resistance values ​​of resistors R60 and R61 are known, and the voltage V ADJ This is also known based on the type of LDO U10.

[0251] In measurement stage 3904A, the pod sensor signal SP_HW from the pod sensor 2220 is input to the negative input of the operational amplifier U11A via resistor R66, and the voltage of the pod sensor signal SP_HW is gain-scaled for measurement by the ADC in the controller 2105. The operational amplifier U11A is an inverting amplifier whose gain is set according to the resistance value of resistor R66 and the resistance value of resistor R67 connected between the negative input and output of the operational amplifier U11A. Capacitor C47 is connected in parallel with resistor R67 and forms a low-pass filter circuit to remove high-frequency noise from the pod sensor signal SP_HW.

[0252] 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 sets the reference voltage level of the operational amplifier U11A, selects the differential voltage applied to the operational amplifier U11A, and 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 the voltage at each step of the DAC to control finer range settings. The ratio of resistors R63 and R64 can approximate the balance resistor and the pod sensor 2220 (e.g., at its maximum temperature). Capacitor C46 is connected in parallel with resistor R64, forming a low-pass filter circuit to filter out noise from the DAC comparison signal HW_DAC. Resistor R69 is connected between the output of voltage divider 39042 and the positive input of op-amp U11A.

[0253] The pod sensor signal SP_HW from the pod sensor 2220 may have a relatively small voltage level (e.g., about 2mV), 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 of the ADC in the controller 2105 (e.g., about 1.8V). 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.

[0254] Referring to Figure 37, the pod temperature measurement circuit 21250B includes a driver stage 3902B and a measurement stage 3904B. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 37, the driver stage 3902B and the measurement stage 3904B are similar to the driver stage 3902A and measurement stage 3904A shown in Figure 36, respectively, except that the driver stage 3902B further includes a measurement balancing resistor R93, and the capacitance of capacitor C43 may be reduced to increase the rise / fall time of the pod sensor signal SP_HW. In at least one example, the measurement balancing resistor R93 may have a resistance of about 3 ohms and may be moved from the non-nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200 to the device body assembly electrical system 2100 to reduce the cost of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300. Furthermore, in at least the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 37, the passive elements may be arranged and adjusted to configure the gain setting so that the output signal range matches the input signal range of the controller 2105.

[0255] Figure 38 is a circuit diagram showing a heating engine control circuit according to several exemplary embodiments. The heating engine control circuit shown in Figure 38 is an example of the heating engine control circuit 2127 shown in Figure 29.

[0256] Referring to Figure 38, the heating engine control circuit 2127A includes a CMOS charge pump U2 configured to supply a power rail (e.g., approximately 7V power rail (7V_CP)) to one or more gate driver integrated circuits (ICs) to control a power FET (also called the heating engine drive circuit or circuit, not shown in Figure 38) that energizes the heater 336 in the non-nicotine pod assembly 300.

[0257] In the example operation, the charge pump U2 is controlled (selectively activated or deactivated) based on the vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN (device power status signal; also called the vape enable signal) from the controller 2105. In the example shown in Figure 38, the charge pump U2 is activated in response to an output where the vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN has a logic low level, and deactivated in response to an output where the coil shutdown signal COIL-SHDN has a logic high level. After the power rail 7V_CP stabilizes after the activation of the charge pump U2 (for example, after the settling time interval has elapsed), the controller 2105 may enable the heater activation signal GATE_ON to supply power to the heater power control circuit and the heater 336.

[0258] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 may perform a vape-off operation by outputting (enabling) the vape-shutdown signal COIL_SHDN, which has a logic high level, to disable all power to the heater 336 until the controller 2105 disables (transitions to a logic low level) the vape-shutdown signal COIL_SHDN.

[0259] In response to detecting the presence of vaping conditions in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500, the controller 2105 may output a heater activation signal GATE_ON (another device power state signal) having a logic high level. In this exemplary embodiment, transistors (e.g., field effect transistors (FETs)) Q5 and Q7A' are activated when the controller 2105 enables the heater activation signal GATE_ON to a logic high level. The controller 2105 can output a heater activation signal GATE_ON having a logic low level to deactivate the power to the heater 336, thereby performing a heater off operation.

[0260] If a power stage failure occurs where transistors Q5 and Q7A' do not respond to the heater activation signal GATE_ON, the controller 2105 may output a vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN having a logic high level to cut off the power to the gate driver, thereby also cutting off the power to the heater 336 to perform a vape cutoff operation.

[0261] In another example, if the controller 2105 cannot boot properly and the vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN results in an indeterminate state, the heating engine control circuit 2127A automatically pulls the vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN to a logic high level and automatically cuts off the power to the heater 336.

[0262] Regarding FIG. 38, described in more detail, capacitor C9, charge pump U2 and capacitor C10 are connected in a positive voltage doubler configuration. Capacitor C9 is connected between terminals C- and C+ of charge pump U2 and functions as a non-nicotine reservoir of charge pump U2. The input voltage terminal 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 terminal VOUT of charge pump U2 at node N3802. Capacitor C10 provides a filter and a non-nicotine reservoir for the output from charge pump U2, thereby making the voltage output from charge pump U2 more stable.

[0263] Capacitor C11 is connected between node N3801 and ground and serves as a filter and a non-nicotine reservoir for the input voltage to charge pump U2.

[0264] Resistor R10 is connected between the positive voltage source and the shutdown terminal SHDN. Resistor R10 functions as a pull-up resistor that ensures the input to shutdown terminal SHDN is definitely high when the vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN is in an uncertain state, thereby disabling the output (VOUT) of charge pump U2 and cutting off the power to heater 336.

[0265] Resistor R43 is connected between ground and the gate of transistor Q7A' at node N3804. Resistor R43 functions as a pull-down resistor that ensures transistor Q7A' is in a high impedance (OFF) state when the heater activation signal GATE_ON is in an uncertain state, thereby disabling power rail 7V_CP and cutting off the power to heater 336.

[0266] Resistor R41 is connected between nodes N3802 and N3803 between the gate of transistor Q5 and the drain of transistor Q7A'. Resistor R41 functions as a pull-down resistor to ensure that transistor Q5 switches off more reliably.

[0267] Transistor Q5 is configured to selectively isolate the power rail 7V_CP from the VOUT terminal 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 functions as the output terminal of power rail 7V_CP. This configuration allows capacitor C10 to reach its operating voltage faster by isolating the load and provides a fail-safe mechanism that prevents power from being supplied to heater 336 unless both the vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN and the heater start signal GATE_ON are in the correct state.

[0268] Transistor Q7A is configured to control the operation of transistor Q5 based on the heater activation signal GATE_ON. For example, when the heater activation signal GATE_ON is at a logic high level (e.g., ~2V or higher), transistor Q7A is in its low impedance (ON) state, which grounds the gate of transistor Q5, causing transistor Q5 to transition to the low impedance (ON) state. In this case, the heating engine control circuit 2127A outputs the power rail 7V_CP to the heating engine drive circuit (not shown), thereby enabling power supply to the heater 336.

[0269] If the heater activation signal GATE_ON is at a low logic level, transistor Q7A transitions to a high impedance (OFF) state, which in turn causes the gate of transistor Q5 to discharge via resistor R41, thereby causing transistor Q5 to transition to a high impedance (OFF) state. In this case, the power rail 7V_CP is not output, and power to the heating engine drive circuit (and heater 336) is cut off.

[0270] In the example shown in Figure 38, transistor Q5 requires a gate voltage (~7V) approximately equal to the source voltage to enter a high-impedance (OFF) state; therefore, controller 2105 does not directly control transistor Q5. Transistor Q7A provides a mechanism to control transistor Q5 based on a lower voltage from controller 2105.

[0271] Figure 39 is a circuit diagram showing another heating engine control circuit according to an exemplary embodiment. The heating engine control circuit shown in Figure 39 is another embodiment of the heating engine control circuit 2127 shown in Figure 29.

[0272] Referring to Figure 39, the heating engine control circuit 2127B includes a rail converter circuit 39020 (also known as a boost converter circuit) and a gate driver circuit 39040. The rail converter circuit 39020 is configured to output a voltage signal 9V_GATE (also known as a power signal or input voltage signal) to supply power to the gate driver circuit 39040 based on a vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM (also known as a vape shutdown signal). The rail converter circuit 39020 uses the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM to adjust the 9V_GATE output, which may be defined in software.

[0273] The gate driver circuit 39040 uses the input voltage signal 9V_GATE from the rail converter circuit 39020 to drive the heating engine drive circuit 3906.

[0274] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 39, the rail converter circuit 39020 generates the input voltage signal 9V_GATE only when the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM is asserted (present). The controller 2105 may disable the 9V rail and cut off power to the gate driver circuit 39040 by deasserting (stopping or terminating) the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM. Similar to the vape shutdown signal COIL_SHDN in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 38, the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM may function as a device state power signal for performing a vape-off operation in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. In this example, the controller 2105 may perform a vape-off operation by deasserting the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM, thereby disabling all power to the gate driver circuit 39040, the heating engine drive circuit 3906, and the heater 336. Subsequently, the controller 2105 may enable vaping in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 by asserting the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM again to the rail converter circuit 39020.

[0275] Similar to the heater activation signal GATE_ON in Figure 38, the controller 2105 may output a first heater enable signal GATE_ENB with a logic high level to enable power to the heating engine drive circuit 3906 and heater 336 in response to detecting vaping conditions in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500. The controller 2105 can output a first heater enable signal GATE_ENB with a logic low level to disable power to the heating engine drive circuit 3906 and heater 336, thereby performing a heater off operation.

[0276] Referring more closely to the rail converter circuit 39020 in Figure 39, a capacitor C36 is connected between the voltage source BATT and ground. Capacitor C36 functions as a non-nicotine reservoir in the rail converter circuit 39020.

[0277] The first terminal of inductor L1006 is connected to node Node1, which is between the voltage source BATT and capacitor C36. Inductor L1006 functions as the main energy storage element of rail converter circuit 39020.

[0278] The second terminal of inductor L1006, the drain of transistor (e.g., 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 the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM from controller 2105.

[0279] In the example shown in Figure 39, transistor Q1009 functions as the main switching element of the rail converter circuit 39020.

[0280] A resistor R29 is connected between the gate and ground of transistor Q1009, acting as a pull-down resistor. This ensures that when the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM is in an uncertain state, transistor Q1009 is more reliably switched off, preventing the heater 336 from operating.

[0281] The second terminal of capacitor C1056 is connected at node Node3 to the cathode of Zener diode D1012 and the anode of Zener diode D1013. The anode of Zener diode D1012 is connected to ground.

[0282] The cathode of Zener diode D1013 is connected to the terminal of capacitor C35 and the input of a voltage divider circuit including resistors R1087 and R1088 at node Node4. The other terminal of capacitor C35 is connected to ground. Also, the voltage at node Node4 is the output voltage 9V_GATE output from rail converter circuit 39020.

[0283] A resistor R1089 is connected to the output of the voltage divider circuit at node Node5.

[0284] In an exemplary operation, when the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM is asserted to 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. As a result, energy is stored in inductor L1006 and the current increases linearly with time.

[0285] When the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM is at a logic low level, transistor Q1009 switches to a high impedance state (OFF). At this time, inductor L1006 maintains the current flow (decays linearly), and the voltage at node Node2 rises.

[0286] The duty cycle of the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM determines the amount of voltage rise for a given load. Accordingly, the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM is controlled in a closed loop by controller 2105 using the feedback signal COIL_VGATE_FB output from the voltage divider circuit at node Node5 as feedback. The switching described above occurs at a relatively high rate (e.g., about 2 MHz, however, different frequencies may be used depending on the required parameters and element values).

[0287] Still referring to the rail converter circuit 39020 in Figure 39, capacitor C1056 is an AC coupling capacitor that provides a DC block to remove DC levels. Capacitor C1056 blocks the current flowing from the voltage source BATT through inductor L1006 and diode D1013 to the gate driver circuit 39040 when the vape enable signal COIL_VGATE_PWM is low (for example, when the non-nicotine electronic vaping device 500 is in standby mode) to conserve battery life. The capacitance of capacitor C1056 may be selected to provide a relatively low impedance path at the switching frequency.

[0288] The Zener diode D1012 establishes the ground level for the switching signal. Since the capacitor C1056 removes the DC level, the voltage at node Node3 can usually be bipolar. For example, the Zener diode D1012 can clamp the negative half-cycle of the signal to a voltage approximately 0.3V lower than ground.

[0289] Capacitor C35 functions as the output non-nicotine reservoir for the rail converter circuit 39020. Zener diode D1013 prevents current from flowing from capacitor C35 through capacitor C1056 and transistor Q1009 when transistor Q1009 is ON.

[0290] When the decaying current from inductor L1006 causes a voltage rise at node Node4 between Zener diode D1013 and capacitor C35, the current flows into capacitor C35. Capacitor C35 maintains the 9V_GATE voltage while storing energy in inductor L1006.

[0291] The voltage divider circuit, including resistors R1087 and R1088, reduces the voltage to an acceptable level for measurement by the ADC of the controller 2105. This reduced voltage signal is output as the feedback signal COIL_VGATE_FB.

[0292] In the circuit shown in Figure 39, the feedback signal COIL_VGATE_FB voltage is scaled by approximately 0.25 times, and therefore the 9V output voltage is reduced to approximately 2.25V for input to the ADC by the controller 2105.

[0293] Resistor R1089 provides current limiting against overvoltage faults at the output of the rail converter circuit 39020 (e.g., node Node4), protecting the ADC in controller 2105.

[0294] A 9V output voltage signal, 9V_GATE, is output from the rail converter circuit 39020 to the gate driver circuit 39040, supplying power to the gate driver circuit 39040.

[0295] Referring more closely to the gate driver circuit 39040, the gate driver circuit 39040 includes, among other things, an integrated gate driver U2003 configured to convert low-current signals (or more) 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 into voltage levels required by the transistors in the heating engine drive circuit 3906. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 39, the integrated gate driver U2003 is a half-bridge driver. However, exemplary embodiments should not be limited to this example.

[0296] More specifically, the 9V output voltage from the rail converter circuit 39020 is input to the gate driver circuit 39040 via a filter circuit including resistor R2012 and capacitor C2009. The filter circuit including resistor R2012 and capacitor C2009 is connected at node 6 to the VCC terminal (pin 4) of the integrated gate driver U2003 and the anode of Zener diode S2002. The second terminal of capacitor C2009 is connected to ground. The anode of Zener diode D2002 is connected at node 7 to the first terminal of capacitor C2007 and the boost terminal BST (pin 1) of the integrated gate driver U2003. The second terminal of capacitor C2007 is connected at node 8 to the switching node terminal SWN (pin 7) of the integrated gate driver U2003 and to the heating engine drive circuit 3906 (for example, between two MOSFETs). In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 39, the Zener diode D2002 and capacitor C2007 form part of a bootstrap charge pump circuit connected between the input voltage terminal VCC and the boost terminal BST of the integrated gate driver U2003. Since capacitor C2007 is connected to the 9V input voltage signal 9V_GATE from the rail converter circuit 39020, it is charged via diode D2002 to a voltage approximately equal to the voltage signal 9V_GATE.

[0297] As shown in Figure 39, the high-side gate driver terminal DRVH (pin 8), the low-side gate driver terminal DRVL (pin 5), and the EP terminal (pin 9) of the integrated gate driver U2003 are also connected to the heating engine drive circuit 3906.

[0298] The resistor R2013 and capacitor C2010 form a filter circuit connected to the input terminal IN (pin 2) of the 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 terminal. Note that the second heater enable signal COIL_Z may be a PWM signal from the controller 2105.

[0299] Resistor R2014 is connected to the filter circuit and the input terminal IN of node Node9. Resistor R2014 is used as a pull-down resistor and, if the second heater enable signal COIL_Z is floating (or undefined), holds the input terminal IN of the integrated gate driver U2003 at a logic low level, preventing the heating engine drive circuit 3906 and heater 336 from operating.

[0300] The first heater enable signal GATE_ENB from the controller 2105 is input to the OD terminal (pin 3) of the integrated gate driver U2003. A resistor R2016 is connected to the OD terminal of the integrated gate driver U2003 as a pull-down resistor, and if the first heater enable signal GATE_ENB from the controller 2105 is floating (or undefined), the OD terminal of the integrated gate driver U2003 is held at a logic low level to prevent the heating engine drive circuit 3906 and heater 336 from starting.

[0301] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 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 terminal DRVL (pin 5) of the integrated gate driver U2003, the drain of transistor 39064 is connected to the switching node terminal SWN (pin 7) of the integrated gate driver U2003 at node Node8, and the source of transistor 39064 is connected to ground GND.

[0302] When the low-side gate drive signal output from the low-side gate driver terminal DRVL is high, transistor 39064 enters a low-impedance state (ON), which connects node Node8 to ground.

[0303] As described above, capacitor C2007 is connected to the 9V input voltage signal 9V_GATE from rail converter circuit 39020, and is therefore charged via diode D2002 to a voltage equivalent to or substantially equivalent to the 9V input voltage signal 9V_GATE.

[0304] When the low-side gate drive signal output from the low-side gate driver terminal DRVL is low, transistor 39064 switches to a high-impedance state (OFF), and the high-side gate driver terminal DRVH (pin 8) is internally connected to the boost terminal BST in the integrated gate driver U2003. As a result, transistor 39062 enters a low-impedance state (ON), which allows the switching node SWN to be connected to the voltage source BATT, thereby drawing the switching node SWN (Node 8) to the voltage of the voltage source BATT.

[0305] In this case, node 7 is boosted to a voltage V(BST) ≈ V(9V_GATE) + V(BATT), 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 independently of) the voltage from the voltage source BATT. As a result, switching node SWN (node ​​8) provides a high-current switching signal that can be used to generate a voltage output to heater 336 that is substantially independent of the voltage output from the battery voltage source BATT.

[0306] Figures 40 and 41 show exemplary embodiments of a temperature-sensing transducer included in the pod sensor 2220 shown in Figure 29.

[0307] Referring to Figure 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 value of about 3 ohms. The sensor transducer R3604 may be a resistor having a variable resistance value that changes with temperature. The resistor R3602 and the sensor transducer R3604 are arranged in a voltage divider circuit so that the voltage across the sensor transducer R3604 (voltage at measurement node N3606) is output to the pod temperature measurement circuit 21250 for scaling and may then be used to measure the temperature of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 or one or more elements of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300.

[0308] In an exemplary operation, the driver stage 3902A of the pod temperature measurement circuit 21250A (Figure 36) applies the pod temperature measurement power signal HW_POWER to the temperature sensing transducer 3600A, the measurement stage 3904A of the pod temperature measurement circuit 21250A scales the voltage sensed by the pod sensor signal SP_HW at the measurement node N3606, and outputs the scaled voltage to the controller 2105 as the pod temperature measurement output signal HW_SIGNAL. The controller 2105 then determines the temperature of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 or one or more elements of the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 based on the pod temperature measurement output signal HW_SIGNAL.

[0309] 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 can also calculate the current through resistors R3602 and R3604, since the resistance of resistor R3602 is a known resistance.

[0310] Referring to the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 41, the temperature-sensing transducer 3600B is similar to the temperature-sensing transducer 3600A in Figure 40, except that the resistor R3602 is omitted from the temperature-sensing transducer 3600B and relocated to the driver stage 3902B of the pod temperature measurement circuit 21250B in Figure 37, as described above with respect to Figure 37. By relocating the resistor R3602 to the driver stage 3902B of the pod temperature measurement circuit 21250B, the cost of the non-nicotine pod assembly electrical system 2200 and / or the number of terminals required for the interface between the device body 100 and the non-nicotine pod assembly 300 can be reduced. Furthermore, the resistance of the sensor transducer R3606 in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 41 may be greater than the resistance of the sensor transducer R3604 in Figure 40 in order to reduce the current consumption by the temperature-sensing transducer 3600B.

[0311] While exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein, it should be understood that other modifications are possible. Such modifications should not be considered to deviate from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, and all such modifications that are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the operation of a non-nicotine electronic vaping device including a heater, The steps include determining a plurality of resistance values ​​for the heater during a time window, A step of calculating the rate of change of the heater's resistance between a first resistance value and a second resistance value among the plurality of resistance values, The steps include determining whether the rate of change of the resistance value of the heater exceeds a threshold for the rate of change of the resistance value, A method comprising the step of disabling power to the heater in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that the rate of change of the resistance value of the heater exceeds a threshold for the rate of change of the resistance value.

2. In the method according to claim 1, The step further comprises storing multiple resistance values ​​for the heater in a first-in, first-out (FIFO) memory. Of the multiple resistance values ​​for the heater, the first resistance value is the oldest resistance value stored in the FIFO memory. The method wherein the second resistance value among the multiple resistance values ​​for the heater is the latest resistance value stored in the FIFO memory.

3. In the method according to claim 1, A method further comprising the step of obtaining a rate of change threshold of the resistance value from the memory of the non-nicotine pod assembly of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device.

4. In the method according to claim 1, A step of detecting that the resistance value of the heater has stabilized based on the current flowing through the heater; and A method further comprising the step of determining a plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater during the time window in response to detection that the resistance value of the heater has stabilized.

5. In the method described in claim 4, The detection step is a method for detecting that the resistance value of the heater has stabilized based on the current passing through the heater and a wetting current threshold.

6. In the method according to claim 1, A method further comprising the step of outputting an indicator of the dry puff state in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that the rate of change of the resistance value of the heater exceeds a threshold for the rate of change of the resistance value.

7. In the method according to claim 1, A step of determining whether the non-nicotine pod assembly was removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after the deactivation step; and A method further comprising the step of turning off the power to the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that the non-nicotine pod assembly has not been removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the first threshold time interval after the deactivation step.

8. In the method according to claim 1, A step of determining whether the non-nicotine pod assembly was removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after the deactivation step; and A method further comprising the step of restoring the non-nicotine electronic vaping device to an operating mode by clearing a fault associated with the dry puff state of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device, in response to the determination that the non-nicotine pod assembly was removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the first threshold time interval after the deactivation step.

9. In the method described in claim 8, A step of determining whether another non-nicotine pod assembly was inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after the return step; and A method further comprising the step of making the non-nicotine electronic vaping device vapeable in response to the determination that the other non-nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval after the return step.

10. In the method described in claim 8, A step of determining whether another non-nicotine pod assembly was inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after the return step; and A method further comprising the step of turning off the power to the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that the other non-nicotine pod assembly has not been inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval after the restoring step.

11. A method for controlling a non-nicotine electronic vaping device including a heater, The steps include determining a plurality of resistance values ​​for the heater during a time window, A step of calculating the rate of change of the heater's resistance between a first resistance value and a second resistance value among the plurality of resistance values, The steps include detecting whether the rate of change of the resistance value of the heater exceeds a threshold for the rate of change of the resistance value, A method comprising the step of outputting an indication of the dry puff state in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to detecting that the rate of change of the resistance value of the heater exceeds a threshold for the rate of change of the resistance value.

12. In the method according to claim 11, The step further comprises storing multiple resistance values ​​for the heater in a first-in, first-out (FIFO) memory. Of the multiple resistance values ​​for the heater, the first resistance value is the oldest resistance value stored in the FIFO memory. The method wherein the second resistance value among the multiple resistance values ​​for the heater is the latest resistance value stored in the FIFO memory.

13. In the method according to claim 11, A method further comprising the step of obtaining a rate of change threshold of the resistance value from the memory of the non-nicotine pod assembly of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device.

14. In the method according to claim 11, A step of detecting that the resistance value of the heater has stabilized based on the current flowing through the heater; and A method further comprising the step of determining a plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater during the time window in response to detection that the resistance value of the heater has stabilized.

15. In the method according to claim 14, The detection step is a method for detecting that the resistance value of the heater has stabilized based on the current passing through the heater and a wetting current threshold.

16. In the method according to claim 11, A step of determining whether the non-nicotine pod assembly was removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after the output step; and A method further comprising the step of turning off the power to the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to the determination that the non-nicotine pod assembly has not been removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the first threshold time interval after the output step.

17. In the method according to claim 11, In response to determining that the rate of change of the resistance value of the heater exceeds the threshold for the rate of change of the resistance value, the steps include disabling power to the heater, A step of determining whether the non-nicotine pod assembly was removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after the deactivation step; and A method further comprising the step of restoring the non-nicotine electronic vaping device to an operating mode by clearing a fault associated with the dry puff state of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device, in response to the determination that the non-nicotine pod assembly was removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the first threshold time interval after the deactivation step.

18. In the method according to claim 17, A step of determining whether another non-nicotine pod assembly was inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after the return step; and A method further comprising the step of making the non-nicotine electronic vaping device vapeable in response to the determination that the other non-nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval after the return step.

19. In the method according to claim 17, A step of determining whether another non-nicotine pod assembly was inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after the return step; and A method further comprising the step of turning off the power to the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that the other non-nicotine pod assembly has not been inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval after the restoring step.

20. A method for controlling a non-nicotine electronic vaping device, After detecting a dry puff state in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device, the steps include determining whether the non-nicotine pod assembly was removed before a first time interval elapsed; and A method comprising the step of restoring the non-nicotine electronic vaping device to an operating mode by clearing a fault associated with the dry puff state in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device, in response to the determination that the non-nicotine pod assembly was removed before the expiration of the first time interval.

21. In the method of claim 20, A step of determining whether another non-nicotine pod assembly was inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after the return step; and A method further comprising the step of making the non-nicotine electronic vaping device vapeable in response to determining that the other non-nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval after the return step.

22. In the method of claim 20, A method further comprising the step of detecting the dry puff state in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device based on whether the rate of change of the resistance value of the heater of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device exceeds a threshold for the rate of change of the resistance value.

23. A non-nicotine electronic vaping device, Determine multiple resistance values ​​for the heater during the time window. The rate of change of the heater's resistance between the first resistance value and the second resistance value among the plurality of resistance values ​​is calculated. Determine whether the rate of change of the resistance value of the heater exceeds the threshold for the rate of change of the resistance value. A non-nicotine electronic vaping device comprising a processing circuit configured to disable power to the heater in response to determining that the rate of change of the heater's resistance exceeds a threshold for the rate of change of the resistance.

24. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 23, The system further comprises a first-in, first-out (FIFO) memory configured to store multiple resistance values ​​for the heater, Of the multiple resistance values ​​for the heater, the first resistance value is the oldest resistance value stored in the FIFO memory. A non-nicotine electron vaping device in which the second resistance value among a plurality of resistance values ​​for the heater is the most recent resistance value stored in the FIFO memory.

25. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 23, The non-nicotine pod assembly further includes a memory that stores the rate of change of the resistance threshold, A non-nicotine electronic vaping device, wherein the processing circuit is configured to acquire a threshold value for the rate of change of the resistance from the memory in the non-nicotine pod assembly.

26. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 23, The aforementioned processing circuit is Based on the current flowing through the heater, it is detected that the resistance value of the heater has stabilized. A non-nicotine electron vaping device configured to determine a plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater during a time window in response to detection that the resistance value of the heater has stabilized.

27. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 26, A non-nicotine electron vaping device, wherein the processing circuit is configured to detect when the resistance value of the heater has stabilized based on the current passing through the heater and a wetting current threshold.

28. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 23, The processing circuit is configured to output a dry puff status indicator in response to determining that the rate of change of the heater's resistance exceeds a threshold value for the rate of change of the resistance.

29. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 23, The aforementioned processing circuit is Determine whether the non-nicotine pod assembly was removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after the power to the heater was disabled. A non-nicotine electronic vaping device configured to turn off the power to the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that the non-nicotine pod assembly has not been removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the first threshold time interval after power to the heater has been disabled.

30. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 23, The aforementioned processing circuit is Determine whether the non-nicotine pod assembly was removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after the power to the heater was disabled. A non-nicotine electronic vaping device configured to return the non-nicotine electronic vaping device to operating mode by clearing faults related to a dry puff state in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining that the non-nicotine pod assembly was removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after power to the heater has been disabled.

31. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 30, The aforementioned processing circuit is After returning the non-nicotine electronic vaping device to the operating mode, within a second threshold time interval, it is determined whether another non-nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device. A non-nicotine electronic vaping device configured to enable vaping in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to the determination that, after the non-nicotine electronic vaping device has been returned to the operating mode, the other non-nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval.

32. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 30, The aforementioned processing circuit is After returning the non-nicotine electronic vaping device to the operating mode, within a second threshold time interval, it is determined whether another non-nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device. A non-nicotine electronic vaping device configured to turn off the power to the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining, after the non-nicotine electronic vaping device has been returned to the operating mode, that the other non-nicotine pod assembly has not been inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval.

33. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 23, A non-nicotine reservoir configured to store non-nicotine prevapor formulations; and The heater is provided, A non-nicotine electron vaping device, wherein the heater is configured to heat the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation drawn from the non-nicotine reservoir.

34. A non-nicotine electronic vaping device, The non-nicotine electronic vaping device is equipped with a processing circuit configured to perform the following: The aforementioned processing circuit is Determine multiple resistance values ​​for the heater during the time window. The rate of change of the heater's resistance between the first resistance value and the second resistance value among the plurality of resistance values ​​is calculated. The system detects whether the rate of change of the heater's resistance exceeds a threshold for the rate of change of the resistance. A non-nicotine electronic vaping device configured to output a display indicating the dry puff state in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to detection that the rate of change of the resistance value of the heater exceeds a threshold for the rate of change of the resistance value.

35. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 34, The system further comprises a first-in, first-out (FIFO) memory configured to store multiple resistance values ​​for the heater, Of the multiple resistance values ​​for the heater, the first resistance value is the oldest resistance value stored in the FIFO memory. A non-nicotine electron vaping device characterized in that the second resistance value among a plurality of resistance values ​​for the heater is the latest resistance value stored in the FIFO memory.

36. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 34, The non-nicotine pod assembly further includes a memory that stores the rate of change of the resistance threshold, A non-nicotine electronic vaping device, wherein the processing circuit is configured to acquire a threshold value for the rate of change of the resistance from the memory in the non-nicotine pod assembly.

37. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 34, The aforementioned processing circuit is Based on the current flowing through the heater, it is detected that the resistance value of the heater has stabilized. A non-nicotine electron vaping device configured to determine a plurality of resistance values ​​of the heater during a time window in response to detection that the resistance value of the heater has stabilized.

38. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 37, The processing circuit is configured to detect when the resistance value of the heater has stabilized, based on the current passing through the heater and a wetting current threshold, in a non-nicotine electron vaping device.

39. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 34, The aforementioned processing circuit is After outputting the dry puff condition display, within the first threshold time interval, it is determined whether the non-nicotine pod assembly has been removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device. A non-nicotine electronic vaping device configured to turn off the power to the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to determining, after outputting the dry puff state indication, that the non-nicotine pod assembly has not been removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the first threshold time interval.

40. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 34, The aforementioned processing circuit is In response to determining that the rate of change of the resistance of the heater exceeds the threshold for the rate of change of the resistance, the power to the heater is disabled. Determine whether the non-nicotine pod assembly was removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after the power to the heater was deactivated. A non-nicotine electronic vaping device configured to return the non-nicotine electronic vaping device to operating mode by clearing faults related to the dry puff state in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to the determination that the non-nicotine pod assembly has been removed from the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within a first threshold time interval after power to the heater has been disabled.

41. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 40, The aforementioned processing circuit is After returning the non-nicotine electronic vaping device to the operating mode, within a second threshold time interval, it is determined whether another non-nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device. A non-nicotine electronic vaping device configured to enable vaping in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to the determination that, after the non-nicotine electronic vaping device has been returned to the operating mode, the other non-nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval.

42. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 40, The aforementioned processing circuit is After returning the non-nicotine electronic vaping device to the operating mode, within a second threshold time interval, it is determined whether another non-nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device. A non-nicotine electronic vaping device configured to turn off the power to the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to the determination that, after the non-nicotine electronic vaping device has been returned to the operating mode, the other non-nicotine pod assembly has not been inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval.

43. A non-nicotine electronic vaping device, Equipped with a processing circuit, The aforementioned processing circuit is After detecting a dry puff state with the non-nicotine electronic vaping device, before the first time interval has elapsed, it is determined whether the non-nicotine pod assembly has been removed. A non-nicotine electronic vaping device configured to return the non-nicotine electronic vaping device to an operating mode by clearing a fault related to the dry puff state in the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to the determination that the non-nicotine pod assembly was removed before the expiration of the first time interval.

44. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 43, The aforementioned processing circuit is Determine whether another non-nicotine pod assembly was inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within a second threshold time interval after the non-nicotine electronic vaping device was returned to the operating mode. A non-nicotine electronic vaping device configured to enable vaping of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device in response to the determination that the other non-nicotine pod assembly has been inserted into the non-nicotine electronic vaping device within the second threshold time interval after the non-nicotine electronic vaping device has returned to the operating mode.

45. In the non-nicotine electron vaping device according to claim 43, The aforementioned processing circuit is A non-nicotine electronic vaping device configured to detect the dry puff condition based on whether the rate of change of the resistance value of the heater of the non-nicotine electronic vaping device exceeds a threshold for the rate of change of the resistance value.

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