Electronic cigarette

Abstract

The electronic cigarette 1 of the present invention includes, from bottom to top along a central Z-axis, a tubular unit 4 and an adjustment unit 2 removably disposed on the tubular unit 1. The electronic cigarette 1 has a control unit 21 for control and a battery device 199 for power supply, the battery device 199 including a battery cell 200 having a negative pole 203 and a positive pole 202 spaced from the negative pole 203 by an insulator 204, and the negative pole contact 301 and the positive pole contact 309 are disposed on the control unit 21 such that the negative pole contact 301 and the positive pole contact 309 are electrically connected to the corresponding negative pole contact 203 or positive pole contact 202 of the battery cell 200. The control unit 21 forms a geometric spatial structure with a diameter perpendicular to the central Z-axis, and the control unit 21 forms an interference fit within the electronic cigarette 1 by this diameter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of consumer goods and relates to an electronic cigarette according to the generic concept described in claim 1.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional electronic cigarettes are portable devices that use electricity to generate an aerosol that can be inhaled from a precursor composition. For this reason, each electronic cigarette has the following functional elements: a power source, an electronic control element, a precursor composition, and an atomizer. The atomizer can be composed of a heating element (filament or heater chip) or other modules that can transfer the precursor composition into an aerosol using, for example, an ultrasonic atomizer or a one-fluid atomizer nozzle or a two-fluid atomizer nozzle. In this case, the precursor composition can, on the one hand, already consist of the liquid described above, or, on the other hand, may contain solid components, for example, a ready-made tobacco product (so-called non-combustion heating type product).

[0003] Electronic cigarettes are configured to be used in the same manner as conventional cigarettes. The method of use is the same as in the case of inhaling conventional cigarettes, and thus in the case of electronic cigarettes, the aerosol generated by the electronic cigarette is inhaled continuously and repeatedly within a predictable range by short interruptions between individual inhalations. The manner in which the electronic cigarette is normally held by hand, brought to the mouth, and finally the aerosol in the form of a mist or vapor is inhaled and a portion of it is exhaled again is appealing and perceptible to a third party. The smoking of conventional cigarettes is widely promoted in most parts of the world. In this case, attempts are sometimes made to associate it with positive values such as friendship, trust, and freedom. The worldwide success of conventional cigarettes, which can be inferred from the fact that there are more than one billion users, indicates that at least some of these attempts have been successful. While there is the fact that cigarette smoking is extremely widespread, the use of products that act similarly, are often better, and contain little or no harmful nicotine in some products, such as oral cigarettes, does not suggest that the smoking manner and the excellent appearance and impression of the product can be associated with positive values as a decisive influence on the success of the product or the characteristics of the product.

[0004] According to the above considerations, the success of electronic cigarettes comes to the result that it depends greatly on the appearance of the product itself and the appearance during the use of the product. Also, similarly, with regard to the question of how closely electronic cigarettes can approximate the above-mentioned successful value obtained by traditional cigarettes, it comes to the result that design is important. In this case, it should be noted that these values already mentioned above are not affected by the passage of time at least to a certain extent. Because these values are absolute and well-examined fundamental values for humans in almost all cultures. In the case of these values, they will still be meaningful in the future. Therefore, the design of the product is a fundamental feature for other electronic cigarettes as well as for traditional cigarettes, and in some cases, it can be the only identification criterion visible from the outside. Therefore, the fact that an electronic cigarette is superior in one or more of the following aspects can be an advantage determining success. That is, the selection of high-quality materials for externally visible modules, high processing quality, long lifespan, and the possibility of individualization of the outer design, which are achieved, for example, by the replaceability of modules, small product dimensions, good operability or feel, and easy handling, can be an advantage determining success. And dimensions as close as possible to those of traditional cigarettes in shape and size can be an advantage determining success. Because it is known that many people are accustomed to the shape and size of traditional cigarettes and furthermore to the weight of traditional cigarettes. Today's perspectives such as environmental protection, waste problems, recyclability, and waste separation are important. The same holds true for the selection of materials. For example, selected materials such as wood or ebonite are well-known to smokers from products similar to cigarettes such as pipes. Therefore, a return to such materials can also make smokers feel familiar in the case of electronic cigarettes.

[0005] Furthermore, in an electronic cigarette, the control electronic device should guarantee a stable and reliable aerosol generation function and, in some cases, should have extended functions such as, for example, the option of a Bluetooth connection to a smartphone, or the option of authenticating consumables in a so-called cartridge or tube case, and furthermore quantity control. In this case, expanding the scope of the function directly increases the necessary space within and around the integrated circuit (IC) for electronic elements or electronic components, for example, for more complex circuit configurations. Furthermore, such a control electronic device has activation elements in the form of switches, buttons or sensors (for example, pressure sensors, air flow sensors, temperature sensors) that can record the user's inhalation and, in some cases, has display elements such as, for example, light-emitting diodes and components for evaluation. Furthermore, modularization of the electronic cigarette for the purpose of further expansion and improvement or replacement of individual components in case of damage is beneficial. For this purpose, various interfaces and contacts are required that may require additional necessary space.

[0006] In the case of a battery cell, a high current output drawn and as large a capacity as possible that can be utilized is beneficial as a power source. In this case, there is a positive correlation between the battery capacity and the maximum discharge current, and an unfavorable positive correlation between the capacity and the maximum discharge current and the correspondingly large capacity or correspondingly large weight of the battery cell.

[0007] Considering the corresponding simple assembly, inexpensive components or low production costs compatible with a high level of automation, naturally, the economic aspect cannot be ignored.

[0008] Some of the requirements for the above-mentioned electronic cigarette are in a trade-off relationship with each other and therefore require a balance to be taken between the advantages that must necessarily be met and the secondary disadvantages associated with these advantages.

[0009] Therefore, for example, when using natural materials such as wood or ebonite, it cannot be made thinner than a specific minimum wall thickness to ensure stability. This minimum wall thickness is larger than that in the case of, for example, stainless steel or other metals and alloys. As a result, a tubular case made of wood or ebonite increases the required space. To make it possible to approach as closely as possible the shape and dimensions of a cigarette, and at the same time to enable a technically advanced electronic cigarette, the use of such natural materials requires a space-saving structure.

[0010] Furthermore, for example, if the housing is made cylindrical, the battery must also be made cylindrical to fully conform to this shape. However, in the case of the same volume, a cuboid battery cell can have a higher capacity than a cylindrical battery cell, at least for small cell dimensions. This is due to the basic layer structure of the battery cell. In the case of a circular cell, a plurality of electrode layers and a plurality of separator layers are often wound. As a result, an unused hollow space is generated in the center due to the limited bending angle of these layers used. Moreover, an efficient installation space within a cylindrical housing is more important. A cuboid housing structure is also compatible with a structure consisting of a plurality of printed circuit boards. A flat and rectangular printed circuit board can more easily achieve the manufacturing dimensions or functions without breakage during manufacturing, and at the same time, it can be incorporated with high space efficiency within a rectangular housing. The electronic components themselves mounted on the printed circuit board of the adjustment unit are often rectangular. Therefore, the electronic components can be arranged more effectively on the rectangular printed circuit board surface than on the circular printed circuit board surface. Therefore, different from the case of a cylindrical housing, a cuboid housing conforms to the structural shapes of the battery cell and the printed circuit board, and for example, it can easily achieve a balance between small manufacturing dimensions and good space utilization of a high-output battery cell and a printed circuit board. However, as a result, it is not suitable for the purpose of approaching a cigarette.

[0011] From the perspective of sustainability and economy, the use of high-quality materials and investment in high processing quality are only meaningful if the corresponding components have a certain durability. Therefore, when the tubular battery case and the battery cell are fixedly connected to each other, it is a drawback that the lifespan of the tubular battery case, which occupies most of the visible surface in the assembled state of the electronic cigarette, leads to the relatively limited lifespan of the battery cell arranged in this tubular battery case. In order to make the use of high manufacturing quality and high-quality materials meaningfully sustainable and economically viable, especially in the area of the tubular battery case, a modularly separable structure of the control device or adjustment unit, the battery cell, and the tubular battery case is a prerequisite. In this case, generally, high-quality modularization is not compatible with small manufacturing dimensions. This is because the individual components must have separable mechanical and electrical connection parts. These connection parts generally occupy additional space. Furthermore, since higher requirements are imposed on the structure, the structure becomes more complex. More or more complex or more and more complex components may be required for manufacturing, or a large number of working steps for manufacturing may be required. This has an adverse effect on the final assembly and manufacturing costs.

[0012] The highest possible performance battery cells are contrary to the highest possible functionality of the control electronics and small manufacturing dimensions. The simple assembly of the electronic cigarette is not compatible with the increasingly complex control electronics, which may involve the use of flexible printed circuit boards or additional components, such as molded parts, for connecting various wirings and printed circuit boards to the housing.

[0013] In addition, simple technical operations may have an adverse impact on the required space and manufacturing dimensions. In this case, it is further desirable that the electronic cigarette be assembled and in a substantially functional state while the battery is charging. In this case, such charging performance may occupy additional space that is continuously unclosed and has no other function. This is because, for example, wiring is required. Also, as the requirements for functions or electrical configurations increase, the required space may increase. To enable the electronic cigarette to be used in the same way as a paper cigarette, recognizing changes in air pressure or air flow during smoking requires, for example, controlling the air flow. In this case, in many cases, additional components are required together with a pressure sensor.

[0014] International Patent Publication No. 2015 / 130598 discloses a known electronic cigarette. In this case, the electronic cigarette is mainly composed of two parts that are separably fitted and connected to each other, namely a tubular unit also called an adjustment unit and a cartridge unit. The adjustment unit , bar Battery tubular case and bar Battery cell and closely is composed of a sealing unit. The sealing unit is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the electronic cigarette formed by and has a printed circuit board. Further, the sealing unit has a non-separable connection portion to the battery tubular unit.

[0015] The electronic cigarettes in U.S. Patent No. 10,111,470 and International Patent Publication No. 2016 / 127401 are also mainly composed of two parts that are separably fitted and connected to each other, namely an adjustment unit and a cartridge unit. In this case of the electronic cigarette, each adjustment unit is fixedly attached in a non-removable manner, and thus it is impossible to replace individual parts of the adjustment unit after the respective electronic cigarette is assembled for use.

[0016] In the European Patent No. 3130238 specification of the publication, another conventional electronic cigarette mainly includes, from the upper side to the lower side, an upper device having a suction port, an atomization core, a liquid tank, and an adjustment unit as a power supply and a control unit that terminates downward. In this case, it is proposed that the adjustment unit has a battery cell for supplying power and a control unit for controlling the electronic cigarette. In this case, this adjustment unit is non-removably sealed by an upper support portion. Further, a USB terminal that enables charging of the battery cell by an adjustment unit fixed in the adjustment unit in the same manner is fixedly installed in this adjustment unit. For this reason, the adjustment unit has an externally operable switch / button. The electronic cigarette can or must be operated during operation using the switch / button. Here, the adjustment unit can be composed of a single-layer or multi-layer printed circuit board that can be arranged at a right angle to the longitudinal extension portion of the electronic cigarette, as proposed.

[0017] The disclosed electronic cigarette, particularly in terms of each adjustment unit having a battery cell and a control unit, constitutes a section that is non-removably sealed on the outside, which is common to the above-described conventional technologies. Therefore, the lifespan of such an adjustment unit necessarily coincides with the lifespan of the weakest, i.e., the shortest-lived, individual component in or among these adjustment units. In this case, the shortest-lived individual component in such an adjustment unit can be the battery cell or the control unit, and in some cases, it can be an electrical terminal such as a switch / button or a USB connector arranged on the individual component. Further, each of the currently available electronic cigarette products is configured according to the design of off-the-shelf products, and thus is significantly different from the structure and dimensions of conventional paper-wrapped cigarettes.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0018]

Patent Document 1

[0019] The problem of the present invention is to achieve better replaceability of individual parts, improve the space utilization of the components of the electronic cigarette while maintaining the structure and dimensions of the conventional paper cigarette, and further improve the electronic cigarette so that it can be assembled more simply than the conventional electronic cigarette. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0020] The problem of the present invention of the electronic cigarette is solved by the features described in claim 1. The features for improving the idea of the present invention are described in dependent claims 1 to 11, respectively.

[0021] Preferably, the electronic cigarette of the present invention is upward from bottom along the central Z-axis pipe a cylindrical unit and removably arranged in this cylindrical unit adjusted an atomizer unit. In this case, the electronic cigarette has a control unit for control controlled and a battery device for power supply. In this case, the control unit forms a geometric space structure having a diameter perpendicular to the central Z-axis directly and the control unit is arranged in the electronic cigarette by this diameter fitting part is formed. This means that the control unit effectively utilizes or occupies the space provided for this control unit within the electronic cigarette at a right angle to the central Z-axis, and thus realizes a compact device having the adjustment unit after being assembled for use. In this way, improved space utilization compared to the prior art and even higher modularity are achieved for the electronic cigarette according to the present invention. Furthermore, the control unit can be replaced as necessary. As a result, for example, a new control unit can be replaced with the old one when damaged or when the function is expanded without necessarily having to replace another individual component mechanically and / or electrically connected to the control unit together. This measure - comprehensively - extends the life of the electronic cigarette of the present invention and enhances environmental awareness by considering resources.

[0022] A preferred embodiment proposes that the formed between the electronic cigarette and the control unit fitting part is formed as a clearance fit portion, and the control unit is arranged to be movable within the electronic cigarette without difficulty. In this case, the control unit + has a contact surface of the negative pole, and it is beneficial that the contact surface of the + pole is electrically connected to the inner tube of the adjustment unit. Furthermore, the control unit , tightened is fixed by a removable pressing ring within the fastening member, and it is beneficial that this fastening member is also arranged to be removable within the adjustment unit. In this case, the contact surface of the + pole of the control unit is connected downward to the inner tube of the adjustment unit by the pressing ring and the fastening member.

[0023] In another preferred embodiment of the electronic cigarette, the formed between the electronic cigarette and the control unit fitting part is intermediate It is formed as a fitting part. In this case, the control unit can be inserted into the electronic cigarette with a small pressure or can be removed and moved from the electronic cigarette with a small pressure. Another advantage can be recognized in that the control unit has a coating surface contact part on its outer periphery. In this case, the control unit is intermediate formed as a fitting part tightened bonding member fitting part with forming it and is electrically connected to the inner tube of the adjustment unit.

[0024] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is that the control unit is absolute proposes to include at least one printed circuit board insulated from the electronic cigarette by an edge filling part. In this case, this at least one printed circuit board is oriented at a right angle to the Z axis. Thus, the at least one printed circuit board insulated from the outside constitutes the control unit and uses, for example, substantially the entire volume in the adjustment unit provided for the control unit after assembly by a fitting member.

[0025] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the present invention, one sensor or a plurality of sensors , electricity a plurality of such devices of electronic components and / or one or a plurality of microcontrollers are electrically connected to each other on the printed circuit board on the one hand and to an external contact such as, for example, an upward + pole contact or a - pole contact or a downward + pole contact surface of the control unit via a through connection part as a conductive path on the other hand. It is proposed that they are electrically connected.

[0026] In order to be able to provide as many electronic cigarette functional units as possible in a space unit that is as small as possible, another embodiment in which a control unit having one or more printed circuit boards provided on one or both sides and electronic components covered with, for example, a printed circuit board material is configured as a compact integrated electronic device is particularly beneficial. The control unit is a system (system board) composed of a plurality of electronic elements that are inseparably embedded, for example, in a multilayer printed circuit board, in a three-dimensional structure composed of a conductive connection part and an insulating material. In this case, these electronic elements are protected from mechanical loads and other environmental influences by embedding these elements. Also, the embedding enables significantly improved protection from tampering of the electronic system and protection from another external access. The compact and integral system thus formed is much more reliable and enables easier assembly, thereby significantly contributing to, for example, the easy replaceability of this module by a user.

[0027] In a suitable embodiment of the control unit, the control unit has a circular cross-section. In this case, the Z-axis of the electronic cigarette coincides with the central axis of the control unit. At this time, the external shape of the control unit is a cup shape, a button battery shape, or a tablet shape. Therefore, hereinafter, this control unit is also referred to as a printed circuit board tablet.

[0028] A further preferred embodiment is described based on the subsequent figures related to the detailed description of the invention.

[0029] The present invention is illustrated below based on the drawings. The same objects are basically denoted by the same reference numerals in the figures. Note that the drawings do not limit the object of the present invention, but merely show possible embodiments of the idea of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of the electronic cigarette of the present invention along the central Z-axis, for the purpose of simply explaining the positional relationship of the individual components of the electronic cigarette using terms such as "upper side", "lower side", "upward", "downward", "upper terminal", "lower terminal", "above", "below", etc., which are also used in part in the drawings in this application. [Figure 2a] It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper part of the electronic cigarette according to FIG. 1. [Figure 2b] It shows an embodiment of the upper part of the electronic cigarette in the enlarged cross-sectional view according to FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is another enlarged cross-sectional view of the electronic cigarette according to FIG. 1 having an accompanying control unit. [Figure 4a] It is another cross-sectional view according to FIG. 2a having a plurality of electrical connection paths. [Figure 4b] It is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment according to FIG. 2b having a plurality of electrical connection paths. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view of the control unit having a plurality of outer contacts of the control unit according to FIG. 2a. [Figure 6] It is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view of the control unit of the electronic cigarette. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view of the control unit as viewed from the upper side. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view of the control unit as viewed from the lower side. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view of the side surface of the fastening member having a control unit arranged on the fastening member. [Figure 10] It shows another embodiment of the fastening member according to FIG. 9. [Figure 11] It shows yet another embodiment of the fastening member according to FIG. 9.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0031] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic cigarette of the present invention along the central Z-axis upward from the bottom, for the purpose of briefly explaining the positional relationship of the individual components of the electronic cigarette using terms such as "upper side", "lower side", "upward", "downward", "upper terminal", "lower terminal", "above", "below", etc., which are also used in part in the drawings in the present application. The positions of all these components are based on the direction of the Z-axis indicating the central axis of the electronic cigarette of the present invention throughout the description of the present application. In order from the bottom upward, the electronic cigarette 1 includes at least one tubular unit 4 (also known as a "cartridge unit") and control a control unit for controlling the electronic cigarette 1 and for power supply bar and a battery device 199. adjusted It includes an adjustment unit 2 (see also FIG. 2a or FIG. 2b). Although shown in this embodiment, although not necessarily required, the electronic cigarette 1 may have a fastening unit 3 that connects the tubular unit 4 and the adjustment unit 2, which are the two units. A part of the fastening unit 3 extends upward into the adjustment unit 2 and a part of it extends downward into the tubular unit 4.

[0032] An enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper part of the electronic cigarette 1 in FIGS. 2a and 2b shows a battery unit 199 having a battery cell 200 within a tubular battery case 100. The charging end 600, i.e., the associated + pole contact ring 601, ring insulator 604, and - pole contact end 603, closes this tubular battery case 100 upwardly towards the end of the electronic cigarette 1. The adjustment unit 2 is closed downwardly by the control unit 21. In this case, this control unit 21 is disposed within the fastening member 700 of the fastening unit 3. In this case, this fastening member 700 can be screwed to the female thread 102 of the adjustment unit 2 by a male thread 705 within the upper member 702 - see also FIG. 3. As described above, the embodiment having the control unit 21 of the adjustment unit 2 within the fastening member 700 described here is merely shown as a particularly preferred embodiment. Instead, any other connection structure or fixing structure that is not a main part of the present invention is also conceivable and is considered to be within the scope of the present invention. In this case, clearly, it is also conceivable to dispose the control unit 21 directly within the adjustment unit 2, i.e., without the fastening unit 3. Here, further figures that are possible as additional figures attached to the specification are omitted. This is because such other figures would show a narrower idea of the present invention than the embodiment described here.

[0033] In contrast, the arrangement of the control unit 21 as a detachable fitting member (Passung) within the electronic cigarette 1 is important. In the embodiment according to FIG. 2a, the fitting member has, for example, a clearance fit (Spielpassung). fitting part (Passsitz). In this case, the control unit 21 is arranged slidably within the electronic cigarette 1 without difficulty. In the embodiment of FIG. 2b, the fitting member intermediate has a transition fit (Uebergangspassung). fitting part In this case, the control unit 21 can be inserted into the electronic cigarette 1 with slight pressure or removed from the electronic cigarette 1 with slight pressure.

[0034] Considering the miniaturization of the fitting member used here that exhibits the above advantages in the control unit 21, this control unit 21 satisfies all the conditions regarding the optimal space utilization in the electronic cigarette according to the present invention.

[0035] As the clearance fitting portion in FIG. 2a fitting part The control unit 21 arranged by has a + - pole contact surface 303 or a + - pole ring contact 303. The control unit 21 is fixed downward by a removable pressing ring 306. This pressing ring 306 fixes the control unit 21 to an overhanging portion 703 as a contact surface in the clamping member 700. The female screw 102 of the adjustment unit 2 is arranged at the lower end of this adjustment unit 2 inside the inner tube 110. This inner tube 110 is covered by an outer tube 111. This outer tube 111 is the most visible part from the outside of the electronic cigarette 1, and thus has a unique and interesting outer shape, that is, an impression that is perceived by the user and third parties. Different from FIG. 2a, the embodiment of FIG. 2b intermediate As the fitting portion fitting part shows the control unit 21 arranged by. This control unit 21 is fixed to an overhanging portion 703 as a contact surface in the clamping member 700. The control unit 21 has a covering - surface contact portion 312 on its outer peripheral surface. This covering - surface contact portion 312 is, on the one hand, used as the fitting part and is also used as an electrical contact portion. In this case, this covering - surface contact portion 312 can cover, within the scope of the present invention, the entire outer periphery of the control unit 21 or only a part thereof. In the case of an embodiment not shown in detail here, it is also conceivable within the scope of the present invention that the control unit is fitted and connected to the electronic cigarette, for example, in a plug - in manner or a snap - fit manner. Thereby, the control unit can be inserted without twisting, or in the case of a clearance fitting portion, it cannot come off naturally.

[0036] In the case of the two embodiments of FIGS. 2a and 2b, the battery cell 200 is supported by a spring contact 602 at the upper end of the battery cell 200 having a - pole 205 against the - pole contact end 603 of the charging end 600. Since the battery cell 200 has a metallic outer surface in its typical configuration, the - pole 205 extends downward to the - pole ring contact surface 203. The battery cell 200 has an insulating plastic film 209 facing the inner tube 110. The + pole 202 insulated from the - pole ring contact surface 203 by an insulating ring 204 is installed at the center of the lower end 206 of the battery cell 200. The - pole ring contact surface 203 and the + pole 202 of the battery cell 200 are in contact with the + pole contact 309 configured as the - pole contact 301 or here the + pole contact 309 which is the upward connection part of the control unit 21.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the control unit 21 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2a. In this case, however, the following features for both embodiments of FIGS. 2a and 2b are the same. That is, the fastening unit 3 houses the control unit 21 in the upper part 702 on the one hand and forms a female thread 704 on the inner surface of the lower part 701 on the other hand. The tubular unit 4 is engaged with the female thread 704 - see also FIG. 1. Since it is shown enlarged, the suction port 706 in the fastening member 700 is more recognizable here, and further, a plurality of contact pins 302 directed downward from the control unit 21 towards the tubular unit 4 not shown here are recognizable.

[0038] Figures 4a and 4b schematically show the electrical connections of the electronic cigarette 1. In addition to the electrically operating contacts or components already described above, that is, the +-pole contact ring 601, the ring insulator 604, the -pole contact end 603 having the associated spring contact 602 of the charging end 600, the -pole 205 at the upper terminal of the battery cell 200, and the -pole ring contact surface 203 formed at the lower terminal of the battery cell 200 by the housing and separated from the +-pole of the battery cell by the insulating ring 204 (in this case, the +-pole and the -pole are appropriately in contact with the -pole contact 301 or the +-pole spring contact 309 of the control unit 21), another conductive path or connection path is provided. In Figure 4a, the pressing ring 306 is laid in a conductive manner and thus connects the +-pole ring contact 303 at the lower terminal of the control unit 21 to the conductive fastening member 700. This fastening member 700 provides a +-pole connection portion up to the charging end 600 via the conductive female screw 110 through the connection portion <the male screw 705 in the fastening member 700 and the female screw 102 in the battery tubular case 100>. As already explained, the battery cell 200 is surrounded by the insulating plastic film 209 with respect to the female screw 110 of the battery tubular case. Thereby, the +-pole connection portion is laid substantially parallel to the plastic film 209 towards the charging end 600, that is, up to the +-pole contact ring 601 of the charging end 600. Similarly, the covering surface contact portion 312 is connected to the conductive fastening member 700. Similarly, this fastening member 700 provides a +-pole connection portion up to the charging end 600 via the conductive female screw 110 through the connection portion <the male screw 705 in the fastening member 700 and the female screw 102 in the battery tubular case 100>. Figures 5 to 10 following show other features of the present invention, but only illustrate the embodiments of Figure 2a or 4a by way of example. This is because the other features are effective for both embodiments of Figures 2a, 2b or 4a, 4b, and repeated descriptions of the same features are omitted.

[0039] Figure 5 shows the control unit 21 alone. In this case, the structure of this control unit 21 can be mainly called a cup (topffoermig) - shaped structure, a button - battery (knopfbatteriefoermig) - shaped structure or a tablet (tabblettenfoermig) - shaped structure having a plurality of electrical contacts at the upper or lower terminals of this control unit 21. As an example, a plurality of pin contacts are labeled 302a, 302b, and 320c below. Thereby, these codes represent - here - different electrical functions. The pin contact 302a is formed here as a spring - contact pin of the pole, the pin contact 302b is formed as a communication spring - contact, and the pin contact 302c is formed as a spring - contact pin of the + pole. In this case, all three pin contacts are directed towards a tubular unit 4 not shown here - see also FIG. 1 - and are electrically connected to this tubular unit 4 after the conventional assembly. In this regard, it should be noted that the embodiment shown here must be regarded as representative and is not limited as the idea of the present invention. Therefore, it is clearly conceivable that only one of these pin contacts or only two of these pin contacts are used and the third contact is constituted by the housing element of the electronic cigarette. Surface contacts or zebra contacts can be considered as the opposing contacts of these pin contacts.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows a greatly enlarged cross-section of a possible embodiment for the control unit 21 of the electronic cigarette 1 according to the present invention. In the simplest configuration of this embodiment, this control unit 21 has at least one printed circuit board 212. One sensor 213 and / or one or more electrical devices 215 and / or one microcomputer 214 are mounted on the printed circuit board 212. FIG. 6 shows a representative configuration based on an embedded electrical device. In the variations of this embedding technique shown here, the ultimately internal elements 213, 214, 215 are soldered, by a soldering process, onto a copper-clad layer patterned, for example, by etching, and are covered with a surface layer made of a printed circuit board material 216 (pre-preg) during another printed circuit board manufacturing process. The copper-clad layer onto which these elements are soldered may be an individual foil, or, as in the case shown, a two-layer or multi-layer printed circuit board composed of, for example, one cured pre-preg 212 made of at least one insulator and two copper-clad layers pressed together. Depending on the selection of the configuration and materials, for example, the resin in the surface layer material is used to fill the empty space within the vicinity of the embedded device during the subsequent pressing process of the printed circuit board.

[0041] Another embedding technique that also enables the use of unpackaged active electronic components, such as a microcontroller or an ASIC, is available without an additional soldering process. In the case of this technique, standard methods in the field of printed circuit boards, such as microdrilling (high-density interconnect (HDI) technology, microvias) and electroplating, are used for contact to the ultimately internal electronic elements. However, the basic structure with the embedded device is substantially the same regardless of the variation of the selected embedding technique. A multi-layer printed circuit board with embedded devices can also be manufactured by a three-dimensional printing method / three-dimensional additive method based on a paste / plating involving drying or curing by ultraviolet light.

[0042] In addition to the embedding of the electronic components, the use of printed circuit board technology suitable for mass production enables, by means of standard processing methods, the complex three-dimensional structure of the modules to be manufactured while maintaining high precision or small tolerances at the same time. In this case, mechanical guide members and additional external contact elements, such as, for example, terminal areas for connection pins or recesses for contact springs 309, can be realized very easily in the last printed circuit board process.

[0043] A plurality of different planes of the multilayer printed circuit board with embedded electronic components are connected to each other by means of through-connections 211 (microvias, vias) in a standard process of the printed circuit board, ensuring the electrical connection in the z-axis direction of the compact module.

[0044] The control unit for the electronic cigarette according to the invention thus formed is superior in terms of improved miniaturization, lower power consumption and less power loss compared to the prior art. In FIG. 6, the control unit 21 comprises a plurality of printed circuit boards 212 which are arranged insulated from each other and have embedded elements such as a microcomputer 214, a sensor 213 and an electrical device 215. Here, these elements are only examples for other embodiments which are implemented in the same way. In general, here the printed circuit boards 212 which are arranged horizontally, that is to say at right angles to the Z-axis, are spaced apart from the insulating filling 216. In this case, part or all of the conductive paths and the through-connections 211 are electrically connected to the control unit 21.

[0045] In FIG. 7, one embodiment of the control unit 21 is illustrated in a perspective view. The upper terminals of the control unit 21 are shown. The upper terminals have a + pole spring contact arranged in a stop hole 304 of this control unit 21 and a corresponding - pole contact 301 which is formed here in a ring shape. Also, this largely enlarged figure shows the appearance of the control unit 21 which is similar to the already mentioned 《PCB tab (Leiterplattentablette)》. FIG. 8 shows a perspective view from below of the embodiment of the control unit 21 according to FIG. 7, that is to say the spring contact pins 302 arranged on this control unit 21.

[0046] FIG. 9 shows a perspective side view of one embodiment of a fastening member 700 having a spring contact of the + pole that terminates upwardly of the already inserted control unit 21. The fastening member 700 shown here is divided into a plurality of portions that alternately act as conductive or insulating in its longitudinal direction. That is, each one conductive element 708 is adjacent to the insulating element 707 on both sides thereof. Such a division enables the formation of a plurality of conductive paths in the longitudinal direction by the fastening member 700. These conductive paths interact internally with a control unit appropriately inserted into these conductive paths.

[0047] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of another embodiment as seen from the lower terminal of the fastening member 700. In the case of this lower terminal, a contact support member 310 is inserted. This contact support member 310 has a spring pin contact portion 302. FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the contact support member 310. In this case, this contact support member 310 has a surface contact portion 311 (for example, an elastic acting portion as a partitioned contact portion composed of conductive rubber and non-conductive rubber) formed mainly in a ring shape or a circular shape instead of the -pin contact portion.

[0048] Without departing from the idea of the present invention regarding the efficient use of space of the control unit in an electronic cigarette, it is also conceivable to arrange this control unit above the battery cell, or to provide a plurality of recesses as a plurality of spaced circular sections or a plurality of circular portions, for example, to provide a plurality of flow paths for ventilation, in a part of the outer covering portion of this control unit. Naturally, a structure outside the battery tubular case in which the structure of the control unit having the plurality of spaced circular sections described above expands outward is also easily conceivable. What should be emphasized regarding the contact pins used in the control unit is that the contact pins only mean appropriate embodiments of electrical contact portions that can be arbitrarily inserted by the same function. Note that this application relates to the invention described in the claims, but includes the following as other aspects. 1. An electronic cigarette (1) including a tubular unit (4) extending upward from the bottom along the central Z-axis and an adjustment unit (2) removably disposed in the tubular unit (4), The electronic cigarette (1) has a control unit (21) for control and a battery device (199) for power supply, The battery device (199) includes a battery cell (200) having a - pole (203) and a + pole (202) separated from the - pole (203) by an insulator (204), In the electronic cigarette (1) disposed in the control unit (21), the - pole contact (301) and the + pole contact (309) are electrically connected to the corresponding - pole contact (203) or + pole contact (202) of the battery cell (200), The control unit (21) forms a geometric spatial structure having a diameter (23) perpendicular to the central Z-axis, and the control unit (21) forms a fitting part in the electronic cigarette (1) by this diameter (23). Electronic cigarette (1). 2. The fitting part formed between the electronic cigarette (1) and the control unit (21) is formed as a clearance fit part, The electronic cigarette (1) according to the above 1, wherein the control unit (21) is disposed so as to be movable without difficulty in the electronic cigarette (1). 3. The control unit (21) has at least one + pole contact surface (303) facing downward toward the tubular unit (4), and the + pole contact surface (303) is electrically connected to the inner tube (110) of the adjustment unit (2). Electronic cigarette (1) according to the above 2. 4. The control unit (21) is fixed by a pressing ring (306) removable within a fastening member (700), and this fastening member (700) is removably disposed within the adjustment unit (2). The electronic cigarette (1) according to item 3 above, characterized in that the contact surface (303) of the positive pole of the control unit (21) is connected to the inner tube (110) of the adjustment unit (2) via the pressing ring (306) and the fastening member (700). 5. The fitting portion formed between the electronic cigarette (1) and the control unit (21) is formed as an intermediate fitting portion. The electronic cigarette (1) according to item 1 above, characterized in that the control unit (21) can be inserted into the electronic cigarette (1) by a small pressure or can be removed and moved from the electronic cigarette (1) by a small pressure. 6. The control unit (21) has a covering surface contact portion (312) on its outer periphery. The electronic cigarette (1) according to item 5 above, characterized in that the control unit (21) forms a fitting portion with the fastening member (700) formed as an intermediate fitting portion by this covering surface contact portion (312), and is electrically connected to the inner tube (110) of the adjustment unit (2). 7. The control unit (21) includes at least one printed circuit board (212) insulated from the electronic cigarette (1) by an insulating filling portion (216). The electronic cigarette (1) according to any one of items 1 to 6 above, characterized in that this at least one printed circuit board (212) is oriented at a right angle to the Z-axis. 8. The at least one printed circuit board (212) has at least one sensor (213) and / or at least one microcontroller (214) and / or at least one electronic component (215), and the at least one sensor (213) and / or at least one microcontroller (214) and / or at least one electronic component (215) are electrically connected on this at least one printed circuit board (212) and / or are electrically connected to the positive contact (309), the negative contact (301) or the positive contact surface (303) or the covering surface contact portion (312) by a conductive path (211). The electronic cigarette (1) according to item 7 above. 9. The electronic cigarette (1) according to item 8 above, wherein the at least one sensor (213) and / or the at least one microcontroller (214) and / or the at least one electronic component (215) are configured in the control unit (21) together with the at least one printed circuit board (212) as an embedded integrated electronic element. 10. The electronic cigarette (1) according to any one of items 1 to 9 above, wherein when the electronic cigarette (1) is assembled in a usable state, the control unit (21) has at least one contact pin (302) that is electrically connected to the tubular unit (4) downward toward the tubular unit (4). 11. The electronic cigarette (1) according to any one of items 1 to 10 above, wherein when the electronic cigarette (1) is assembled in a usable state, the control unit (21) has at least one negative contact pin (302a), a positive contact pin (302c), and a communication contact pin (302b) that are electrically connected to the tubular unit (4) downward toward the tubular unit (4).

Description of Symbols

[0049] 1 Electronic Cigarette 100 Tubular Case for Battery 102 Female Thread of Tubular Case 100 for Battery 110 Inner Tube of Tubular Case 100 for Battery Made of Conductive Stainless Steel 111 Insulating Outer Tube of Tubular Case 100 for Battery 199 Battery Device 2 Adjustment Unit 21 Intelligent Control Unit Vertical dimension of the intelligent control unit 21 Diameter of the intelligent control unit 21 200 Battery cell 202 Positive electrode 203 Negative electrode 204 Insulating ring of the battery cell 200 205 Negative electrode, upper terminal of the battery cell 200 206 Lower terminal of the battery cell 200 209 Insulating plastic film 211 Conductive path 212 Printed circuit board 213 Sensor 214 Microcontroller 215 Device 216 Insulating filling part, prepreg 3 Fastening unit 301 Negative electrode contact of the intelligent control unit 21 302 Contact pin 302a Negative electrode contact pin 302b Communication contact pin, data connection part, authentication 303c Positive electrode contact pin 303 Positive electrode contact surface or contact surface of the intelligent control unit 21 304 Stop hole of the intelligent control unit 21 306 Pressing ring 308 Recess 309 Positive electrode contact of the intelligent control unit 21 310 Contact support member with a pressing ring 311 Surface contact part 312 Coated surface contact part 4 Tubular unit (cartridge unit) 600 Charging end 601 Positive electrode contact ring 602 Spring contact 603 Negative electrode contact end 604 Ring insulator 700 Fastening member 701 First part 702 Second part 703 Protrusion part 704 Female thread of the fastening member 700 705 Male thread of the fastening member 700 706 Suction port 707 Insulating element arranged in the longitudinal direction 708 Guide element arranged in the longitudinal direction

Claims

1. An electronic cigarette (1) comprising a tubular unit (4) extending upward from below along a central Z-axis and an adjustment unit (2) removably disposed in the tubular unit (4), The electronic cigarette (1) has a control unit (21) for control and a battery device (199) for power supply, The battery device (199) includes a battery cell (200) having a negative electrode (203) and a positive electrode (202) spaced from the negative electrode (203) by an insulator (204), The negative electrode contact (301) and the positive electrode contact (309) are arranged in the control unit (21) such that they are electrically connected to the corresponding negative electrode contact (203) or the positive electrode contact (202) of the battery cell (200), In the electronic cigarette (1), the control unit (21) forms a geometric spatial structure having a diameter (23) perpendicular to the central Z-axis, and the control unit (21) forms a fitting portion with a fastening member (700) having an overhanging portion (703) forming a contact surface against the control unit (21) inside the electronic cigarette (1) by an outer peripheral surface of the control unit (21), The control unit (21) includes at least one printed circuit board (212) insulated by an insulating filling portion (216) with respect to a battery tubular case (100) of the electronic cigarette (1) having an inner tube (110) and an outer tube (111) of the adjustment unit (2) and the fastening member (700), The electronic cigarette (1), wherein the at least one printed circuit board (212) is oriented perpendicular to the Z-axis.

2. The fitting portion formed between the electronic cigarette (1) and the control unit (21) is formed as a clearance fit portion, The electronic cigarette (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (21) is arranged to be movable without difficulty within the electronic cigarette (1).

3. The control unit (21) has at least one +-pole contact surface (303) facing downward toward the tubular unit (4), and the +-pole contact surface (303) is electrically connected to the inner tube (110) of the adjustment unit (2). The electronic cigarette (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that.

4. The control unit (21) is fixed by a removable pressing ring (306) within a fastening member (700), and this fastening member (700) is removably arranged within the adjustment unit (2). The electronic cigarette (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the +-pole contact surface (303) of the control unit (21) is connected to the inner tube (110) of the adjustment unit (2) via the pressing ring (306) and the fastening member (700).

5. The fitting portion formed between the electronic cigarette (1) and the control unit (21) is formed as an intermediate fitting portion. The electronic cigarette (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (21) can be inserted into the electronic cigarette (1) by a small pressure or can be removed and moved from the electronic cigarette (1) by a small pressure.

6. The control unit (21) has a coating surface contact portion (312) on its outer periphery. The electronic cigarette (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the control unit (21) forms a fitting portion with a fastening member (700) formed as an intermediate fitting portion by this coating surface contact portion (312), and is electrically connected to the inner tube (110) of the adjustment unit (2).

7. The at least one printed circuit board (212) has at least one sensor (213) and / or at least one microcontroller (214) and / or at least one electronic component (215), and the at least one sensor (213) and / or at least one microcontroller (214) and / or at least one electronic component (215) is electrically connected on the at least one printed circuit board (212) and / or to the positive contact (309), the negative contact (301), or the positive contact surface (303) or the coated surface contact portion (312) of the conductive path (211). The electronic cigarette (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that.

8. The at least one sensor (213) and / or the at least one microcontroller (214) and / or the at least one electronic component (215) is configured in the control unit (21) together with the at least one printed circuit board (212) as an embedded integrated electronic element. The electronic cigarette (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that.

9. When the electronic cigarette (1) is assembled in a usable state, the control unit (21) has at least one contact pin (302) that faces downward toward the tubular unit (4) and is electrically connected to the tubular unit (4). The electronic cigarette (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that.

10. When the electronic cigarette (1) is assembled in a usable state, the control unit (21) has at least one negative contact pin (302a), a positive contact pin (302c), and a communication contact pin (302b) that face downward toward the tubular unit (4) and are electrically connected to the tubular unit (4). The electronic cigarette (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that.

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