Wireless charging device for an electronic cigarette

Abstract

An electronic cigarette wireless charger (2) is disclosed comprising: a coil (14) configured to inductively charge an electronic cigarette; a position indicator that locates an electronic cigarette (28) so that it is correctly positioned with respect to the induction coil (14) for wireless charging; and a plurality of sensors (22a to 22f) configured to detect the position of one or more corresponding measurable features of an electronic cigarette (28).

Description

[0001] WIRELESS CHARGING DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a wireless charging device for an electronic cigarette. The disclosure is particularly applicable to a portable wireless charging device, that transfers energy to an electronic cigarette by electromagnetic induction.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Consumer interest in reduced-risk or modified-risk aerosol generation devices (also known as vaporisers) has increased significantly in recent years. Vaporisers offer an aid to habitual smokers wishing to quit using traditional tobacco products such as: cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and rolling tobacco. Additionally, consumer interest in wireless charging devices has also increased significantly in recent years. Many devices such as: phones, watches, and wireless earphones, now utilise wireless charging, to provide convenient charging for the user.

[0006] Traditionally, electronic cigarettes do not have the capacity for wireless charging. Instead, a user must plug their electronic cigarette into a socket, by using an adaptor. This can be a frustrating experience for the user.

[0007] Known wireless chargers for electronic cigarettes are sub-optimal and may not always provide effective charging.

[0008] The present invention aims to address one or more of these issues.

[0009] SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic cigarette wireless charger, comprising: a coil configured to inductively charge an electronic cigarette; a position indicator that locates an electronic cigarette so that it is correctly positioned with respect to the induction coil for wireless charging; and a plurality of sensors configured to detect the position of one or more corresponding measurable features of a component on an electronic cigarette.

[0011] In this way, it is ensured that the electronic cigarette is positioned in a preferred charging configuration. When a user places the electronic cigarette on, or near, the wireless charging device, the sensors can detect the orientation of the electronic cigarette to ensure that it is in the correct position for effective energy transfer. Otherwise, the sensors can determine if the electronic cigarette is in an incorrect position.

[0012] In a preferred configuration the plurality of sensors comprise magnetic field sensors configured to detect the position of at least one magnet on the component of the electronic cigarette. The sensors may be configured to produce a response that is proportional to the magnetic field strength received at the respective magnetic field sensors. In this way, the position of the component of the electronic cigarette on the wireless charging device can be identified. Magnets can be easily integrated into the electronic cigarette at low cost, and magnetic field sensors can be effective at a distance and can provide detection with a high level of precision.

[0013] Preferably, the electronic cigarette wireless charger further comprises an antimovement grip that resists movement (such as translation or rotation) of the component of the electronic cigarette during charging. As a result of induction being used to charge the electronic cigarette, a force may be created that may cause the electronic cigarette to rotate, vibrate or otherwise move. Such movement can be resisted by the anti-movement grip. The anti-rotation grip may also be configured to prevent movement of the electronic cigarette away from the preferred charging configuration if the device is knocked or bumped during charging. The anti-movement grip may comprise a textured surface. In addition, or alternatively, the anti-movement grip may comprise a material such as rubber or a synthetic material like plastic with a high coefficient of friction.

[0014] Preferably, the electronic cigarette wireless charger further comprises a plurality of position indicators that indicate a plurality of spaced rotational positions that locate the component of the electronic cigarette in respective rotational positions that can support wireless charging. From the perspective of the user, it may be convenient to have a plurality of positions for charging. This may be advantageous so that the user does not need to twist the electronic cigarette into an unnatural position, depending on the direction in which they approach the charger. Each of the plurality of spaced rotational positions may have a respective anti-movement grip. In a preferred embodiment the electronic cigarette wireless charger further comprises a plurality of position indicators that indicate a plurality of spaced rotational positions that locate the component of the electronic cigarette in respective preferred rotational positions that can support wireless charging from the inductive charger coil.

[0015] Preferably the electronic cigarette wireless charger further comprises a plurality of printed circuit board (PCB) arms extending from the charger coil and configured to dissipate heat therefrom, wherein each PCB arm is aligned with a respective position indicator. This can provide an effective design for dissipating heat that is produced by the charging coil during an inductive charging process. Advantageously, this can utilise a design that can also allow charging in a variety of rotational orientations (from the perspective of the charging coil).

[0016] Preferably, the electronic cigarette wireless charger further comprises heat dissipation body in contact with the plurality of PCB arms. This can allow heat to be transferred away from the coil along the PCB arms and then absorbed into the heat dissipation body. This design can provide an effective system for managing heat production by the induction coil. In one desirable configuration the heat dissipation body may be positioned between respective PCB arms. The heat dissipation body may comprise a material with a high thermal capacity such as acrylic, in one example.

[0017] Preferably, the electronic cigarette wireless charger further comprises a light emitter configured to indicate correct and / or incorrect positioning based on information provided from the sensors. In this way, the charger can communicate correct and incorrect positioning to the user in a way that is unambiguous and intuitive. For example, a green light may indicate correct positioning, and a red light may indicate incorrect positioning. Preferably, the light emitter is configured to indicate correct or incorrect positioning based on information from the plurality of sensors and to indicate a corrective action for the user to move the component of the electronic cigarette into the correct position. Displaying a corrective action allows a user to understand how they must move the device in order to achieve the preferred charging configuration. In one example, it may be possible to visually convey directional information to a user by illuminating one part of the device and not illuminating another part of the device. This would readily be understood, by a user, to mean that the component of the electronic cigarette should be moved in the direction of the lights.

[0018] Preferably, the light emitter is configured to indicate a charging operation and / or the end of a charging operation. This can help a user charging an electronic cigarette to know when their device has finished charging or can help to update them as the state of charging.

[0019] Preferably, the wireless charger further comprises a magnetic field reflector. The magnetic field generated by the coil may extend in both the direction towards the electronic cigarette, and the direction away from it. The magnetic field reflector may help to reflect the magnetic field extending in the direction away electronic cigarette so that it subsequently extends in the direction towards the electronic cigarette, thus increasing the amount of energy successfully transferred by the coil, to the electronic cigarette. In one desirable configuration, the magnetic field reflector may comprise graphite or germanium. In another preferred configuration, the magnetic field reflector is placed on the face of the coil directly opposite the face of the coil in which the electronic cigarette sits above.

[0020] The component of the electronic cigarette may be a battery section which is removable. Alternatively, the battery may be integrated within the electronic cigarette main body so that it cannot be easily removed by a user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an electronic cigarette wireless charger in an embodiment of the invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is an exploded side-view of the electronic cigarette wireless charger shown in Figure 1 ;

[0024] Figure 3 is a top perspective view of the PCB arms within an electronic wireless charger in an embodiment of the invention;

[0025] Figure 4 is a top perspective of an example electronic cigarette;

[0026] Figure 5A is a top perspective view of an electronic cigarette in a preferred charging configuration;

[0027] Figure 5B is a top perspective view of a removable battery module of an electronic cigarette in a preferred charging configuration;

[0028] Figure 6 is a top perspective view of the electronic cigarette wireless charger positioned incorrectly;

[0029] Figure 7A depicts a flow diagram demonstrating the instructions a microcontroller would perform if an electronic cigarette is in a correct charging position; and

[0030] Figure 7B depicts a flow diagram demonstrating the instructions a microcontroller would perform if an electronic cigarette is in an incorrect charging position.

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an electronic cigarette wireless charger 2; Figure 2 is an exploded view of this same charger. Figure 3 is a top perspective view of PCB arms: 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f, of a PCB 15, within the wireless charger 2. The charger 2 comprises a circular charging area 3 with a wireless charging symbol 5 at its centre. An induction coil 14 is provided in the charging area 3. The induction coil 14 is a circular winding of copper wire, which in this embodiment has a diameter of 0.3mm. Beneath the induction coil 14, is a magnetic field reflector 42, which redirects magnetic field lines extending perpendicularly away from the charging area 3 so that the reflected magnetic field extends towards the charging area 3. Around the perimeter of the charging area 3 is a circular anti-movement grip 6, which in some embodiments comprises rubber. The anti-movement grip 6 is raised slightly above the surface of the charging area 3 to resist movement of an electronic cigarette (not shown) that rests on the charging area 3.

[0033] The wireless charger 2 comprises six arms: 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, that extend radially from the central charging area 3. Here “radially” is taken to mean a direction defined by a vector, starting in the centre of the charging area 3 and extending in a plane that is parallel to the planar orientation of the charger 2. Each pair of parallel arms: 4a, 4b; 4c, 4d; 4e, 4f; define one of three spaced rotational positions that locate an electronic cigarette in respective rotational positions that can support wireless charging from the induction coil 14. Therefore, each pair of parallel arms, overlying the charging area 3, act as position indicators to provide a visual indication to the user that the electronic cigarette can be placed on one of the pairs for a charging operation. Here “parallel” means that the two arms comprising each pair of arms: 4a, 4b; 4c, 4d; 4e, 4f; are separated from one another by a 180-degree rotation around the charging area 3. The skilled person would understand that the wireless charging device 2 could comprise any number of spaced rotational positions, defined by a corresponding number of parallel arm pairs, or even by a single radial arm. In another arrangement there could be a single rotational position in which an electronic cigarette is aligned with a single arm. In some embodiments, the arms 4a-4f comprise acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. A heat dissipation body 8 is positioned between each of the arms 4a- 4f. In some embodiments, the heat dissipation body 8 may comprise acrylic glass, such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PM MA). During operation of the device, heat is generated, by the induction coil 14 in the charging area 3. One way of dissipating this heat is to conduct the heat along the arms 4a-4f, and then dissipate the heat into the heat dissipation body 8.

[0034] The wireless charging device 2 comprises a PCB 15 that is enclosed by a top cover ? and a bottom cover 18. The PCB 15 comprises arms: 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f, that are laser cut and fit within a cavity between the top cover 7 and the bottom cover 18. Each pair of parallel PCB arms: 16a, 16b; 16c, 16d; 16e, 16f; are below corresponding pairs of parallel arms: 4a, 4b; 4c, 4d; 4e, 4f. The skilled person would readily understand that the number of PCB arm pairs will be the same as the number of parallel arm pairs, which may be more than or less than three. In the embodiment where there is only one arm, there will only be one PCB arm. The top cover 7 and the bottom cover 18 comprise ABS plastic and are ultrasonically welded together before casting with the heat dissipation body 8. The skilled person would understand that the top cover 7 and bottom cover 18 may comprise another suitable material, and may be joined by a different method. To prevent the wireless charger 2 slipping on the table, the bottom cover includes an anti-slip ring 9, which in some embodiments is made of rubber and over-moulded into the bottom cover.

[0035] Each of the PCB arms 16a-16f contain a corresponding magnetic field sensors: 22a-22f, respectively, each of which is configured to detect the magnetic field produced from at least one magnet on the electronic cigarette (not shown). Each pair of parallel PCB arms: 16a, 16b; 16c, 16d; 16e, 16f; have corresponding pairs of parallel magnetic field sensors: 22a, 22b; 22c, 22d; 22e, 22f. The number of pairs of parallel magnetic field sensors is the same as the number of pairs of parallel PCB arms. Each pair of parallel magnetic field sensors are positioned below one of the three spaced rotational positions, defined by pairs of parallel arms: 4a, 4b; 4c, 4d; 4e, 4f. Instead of magnetic field sensors it would be possible to use different kinds of sensors configured to detect the position of one or more corresponding measurable features of a component on an electronic cigarette (not shown) could be used. For example, optical sensors may be used, such as a sensor which emits a laser that is subsequently reflected by a detectable feature such as a mirror on the electronic cigarette. The sensors 22a-22f are connected to a microcontroller 17 that can be used to control the device.

[0036] Each of the PCB arms, 16a-16f, further comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs). The individual LEDs are arranged into groups of three U-shaped LED curves: 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, wherein each individual U-shaped LED curve in each group of three U-shaped LED curves, 20a-20f, comprise three individual LEDs. Each group of three U-shaped LED curves, 20a-20f, on each PCB arm, 16a-16f, is aligned with corresponding groups of three U-shaped holes: 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f, respectively, cut into the top cover ?. Each group of three U-shaped LED curves, 20a-20f, are vertically aligned with a corresponding group of three U- shaped holes, 10a-10f. Each individual U-shaped LED curve in each group of three U-shaped LED curves, 20a-20f, are placed at progressively increasing radii from the centre of the charging area 3. Corresponding groups of three U-shaped light guides: 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, and 12f, respectively, slot into the groups of three U-shaped holes, 10a to 10f, such that they provide a flush finish on the top surface of arms, 4a-4f. The groups of three U-shaped light guides, 12a-12f, are positioned directly above corresponding group of three U-shaped LED curves, 20a-20f, and couple the light from the groups of three U-shaped LED curves, 20a- 20f, through the groups of three U-shaped holes, 10a-10f. As a result, the light is easily visible for a user. Each individual U-shaped light guide in each group of three U-shaped light guides, 12a-12f, comprise PM MA. The skilled person would readily appreciate that they could, however, be made of any suitable translucent, or transparent, material. The number of individual U-shaped LED curves in each group of LED curves, 20a-20f; the number of individual U-shaped holes in each group of U-shaped holes, 10a-10f; and the number of individual U-shaped light guides in the group of U-shaped light guides, 12a-12f, are all in one-to-one correspondence, and can take any positive integer value. Similarity, the number of individual LEDs in each individual U-shaped LED curve from a given group of U-shaped LED curves, 20a-20f, is not limited to three. At the end of one of the PCB arms, 16a-16f, is a USB type C port 24, configured to receive a USB type C cable 26. The USB type C cable 26 is attached to a power source (not shown) and will convey a current through this source, to the USB type C port 24, which will subsequently convey the current along one of the PCB arms, 16a to 16f to the induction coil 14. When the current flows around the induction coil 14, it produces a changing magnetic field that is responsible for inducing a current within a coil in the electronic cigarette (not shown).

[0037] Figure 4 is a top perspective of an example electronic cigarette 28 which comprises a top (mouthpiece) section 36, and a battery section 34. Two magnets 30 and 31 are provided on the battery section 34. In this way, the magnets 30, 31 are provided in fixed positions with respect to the battery to facilitate wireless charging. The magnets 30, 31 are integrated so that they provide a flush finish in an outer casing. In some embodiments, the battery section 34 may be detached, by an end user or otherwise, from the electronic cigarette 28. The battery section 34 can then be reattached to the electronic cigarette 28, or be replaced with a new battery section 34, by an end user or otherwise.

[0038] Figure 5A is a top view of the electronic cigarette 28, of Figure 4, in a charging configuration on the wireless charger 2, depicted in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 5B shows a configuration where only the battery section 34 is placed upon the electronic cigarette wireless charger 2. Figure 6 is a top view of the electronic cigarette 28, of Figure 4, in an incorrect charging configuration on the wireless charger 2, depicted in Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 5A, the electronic cigarette 28 can be seen placed in one of the three spaced rotational positions that locate the electronic cigarette 28 in respective rotational positions that can support wireless charging from the induction coil 14. In Figure 5B, the battery section 34, which in this embodiment is detachable from the electronic cigarette 28, can be seen in a similar configuration. Placing the electronic cigarette 28, or the battery section 34, in one of the three spaced rotational positions that locate the electronic cigarette 28 in respective rotational positions that can support wireless charging from the induction coil 14 means that the longitudinal axis of the electronic cigarette 28, or the battery section 34, is aligned with a pair of parallel arms which, in this particular embodiment, are arms 4c, 4d. With the longitudinal axis of the electronic cigarette 28 aligned with the pair of parallel arms 4c, 4d, the electronic cigarette 28 is also positioned on top of PCB arms 16c, 16d, and is additionally covering magnetic field sensors 22c, 22d. When the electronic cigarette 28 is in a correct charging position, the magnets 30, 31 are positioned on top of the magnetic field sensors 22c, 22d. Consequently, the magnetic field sensors 22c, 22d detect a higher value of magnetic field strength than any of the other magnetic field sensors: 22a, 22b, 22e, and 22f. The magnetic field strength detected by the pair of magnetic field sensors 22c, 22d is also approximately equal, since similar magnets 30, 31 are used in the electronic cigarette 28. In order to indicate correct placement of the electronic cigarette 28, all of the groups of U-shaped LED curves 20a-20f are illuminated in the same colour which, in the embodiment shown, is white; this action is controlled by the microcontroller 17.

[0039] In an alternative embodiment a single magnet may be provided in the electronic cigarette 28. For example, an elongate magnet may be provided at a position that is between the magnets 30, 31 illustrated in Figure 4. When the electronic cigarette 28 is in a good position for charging the elongate magnet is provided between the magnetic field sensors 22c, 22d such that these two sensors detect an equal magnetic field strength that is higher than that detected by the other magnetic field sensors 22a, 22b, 22e, 22f. The magnetic field strengths of the sensors 22a-22f are determined by the microcontroller 17 to determine whether the electronic cigarette 28 is in a preferred charging position.

[0040] In Figure 6, the electronic cigarette has been displaced to the right of the pair of parallel arms 4a, 4b, which means it is in an incorrect charging position. In this position, the magnetic field sensors 22d, 22f detect a value of magnetic field strength greater than the values recorded at the other magnetic field sensors: 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22e. In particular, magnetic field sensors 22e, 22c detect values of magnetic field strength that are less than the values recorded by magnetic field sensors 22a, 22b, which are in-turn less than the values detected at magnetic field sensors 22d, 22f. Hence, the groups of U-shaped LED curves 20e, 20c, positioned under the groups of U-shaped light guides 12e, 12c, respectively, turn green to indicate that the electronic cigarette 28 should be moved closer to sensors 22e, 22c. Conversely, groups of U-shaped LED curves 20d, 20f, positioned under the groups of U-shaped light guides 12d, 12f, respectively, turn red to indicate that the electronic cigarette 28 should be moved further away from sensors 22d, 22f. The groups of U-shaped LED curves 20a, 20b, positioned under the groups of U-shaped light guides 12d, 12f, respectively, stay off, indicating to a user that these sensors are closest to a correct charging position. These actions are controlled by the microcontroller 17. Any one of a number of suitable visual indications could be used to indicate to the user how to move the electronic cigarette 28. Modifying the properties of the individual LEDs in the groups of U-shaped LED curves 20a-20f may include, but is not limited to: pulsing, illuminating colours, changing colour, changing intensity or a combination thereof. Figure 6 only shows one possible incorrect charging position and, in general an incorrect charging position is anything that does not correspond to a correct charging position. While the electronic cigarette 28 is in an incorrect charging position, an LED 13 on the electronic cigarette 28 turns red. This is possible because the current produced in an electronic cigarette induction coil (not shown) inside the electronic cigarette 28 is measured by an ammeter (not shown) inside the electronic cigarette 28. If the measured value is less than a certain threshold value, then a microcontroller (not shown) inside the electronic cigarette 28 turns the LED 13 on the electronic cigarette 28 red. Of course, any other suitable method of measuring current could be used, and the LED 13 on the electronic cigarette 28 may visually indicate to the user an incorrect charging position in other ways such as: pulsing, illuminating a colour other than red, changing colour or intensity, or a combination thereof.

[0041] Figure 7A depicts a flow diagram demonstrating the instructions the microcontroller 17 would perform if the electronic cigarette 28 is in a correct charging position. Figure 7B depicts a flow diagram demonstrating the instructions the microcontroller 17 would perform if the electronic cigarette 28 is in an incorrect charging position. Firstly, in step 100, the microcontroller 17 measures the magnetic field strength detected by all six magnetic field sensors 22a-22f. Next, in step 101 , the microcontroller 17 determines the two greatest values of magnetic field strength, and checks whether these values are being detected by a pair of parallel magnetic field sensors 22a, b; 22c, d; 22e, f. If this condition is false, then the microcontroller performs step 200 of Figure 7B. Otherwise, at step 102, the microcontroller determines if the values being detected at the pair of magnetic field sensors 22a, b; 22c, d; 22e, f are within a predetermined range. In other embodiments, the predetermined range could be a single value, and step 102 could determine if the values being detected at the pair of magnetic field sensors 22c and 22d are equal to this value. If the condition of step 102 is not met, then the microcontroller performs step 200 of Figure 7B. Otherwise, in step 103, the microcontroller 17 determines that the device is in a correct charging position, and instructs the groups of U-shaped LED curves 20a- 20f to illuminate accordingly.

[0042] At step 200 of Figure 7B, the microcontroller 17 determines the closest changing position using the values of magnetic field strength measured in step 100. Next, in step 202, the microcontroller 17 illuminates groups of U-shaped LED curves 20a-20f to indicate how the user should move the electronic cigarette 28 into a correct charging position. There are many different ways of indicating corrective action to a user, and Figure 6 provides one example for a scenario in which the electronic cigarette 28 is to be moved so that it is aligned with the pair of parallel arms 4a, 4b. In the example embodiment of Figure 6, adjacent arms 4d, 4f, have groups of U-shaped LED curves 20d, 20f, illuminated red, and adjacent arms 4c, 4e, have groups of U-shaped LED curves 20c, 20e, illuminated green. A number of alternative illumination techniques may be used to indicate to the user how to move the electronic cigarette 28. In one example, the LEDs 20a, 20b on the arms associated with the correct charging position may be illuminated.

[0043] It is possible that the user may need to translate and / or rotate the electronic cigarette 28 into a correct position. A rotational movement can be indicated to the user by illumination of the LEDs 20a-20f. In one example, the LED’s 20a-20f may be illuminated sequentially in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction in order to demonstrate the direction of rotation that is required to move the electronic cigarette towards the desired charging position.

[0044] Once the microcontroller 17 has processed step 202, it returns to step 100. In this way, the microcontroller 17 can again determine whether the electronic cigarette 28 is in a correct charging position, following the corrective action performed by the user.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An electronic cigarette wireless charger, comprising: a coil configured to inductively charge an electronic cigarette; a plurality of position indicators that indicate a plurality of spaced rotational positions that locate a component of the electronic cigarette in respective rotational positions that can support wireless charging from the inductive charger coil; and a plurality of sensors configured to detect the position of one or more corresponding measurable features of the component on an electronic cigarette.

2. The electronic cigarette wireless charger of claim 1 , further comprising an anti-movement grip that resists translation or rotation of the component of the electronic cigarette during charging.

3. The electronic cigarette wireless charger of any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of printed circuit board, PCB, arms extending from the charger coil and configured to dissipate heat therefrom, wherein each PCB arm is aligned with a respective position indicator.

4. The electronic cigarette wireless charger of claim 3, further comprising a heat dissipation body in contact with the plurality of PCB arms.

5. The electronic cigarette wireless charger of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a light emitter configured to indicate correct and / or incorrect positioning based on information from the plurality of sensors.

6. The electronic cigarette wireless charger of claim 5, wherein the light emitter is configured to indicate incorrect positioning based on information from the plurality of sensors and to indicate a corrective action for the user to move the component of the electronic cigarette into the correct position.

7. The electronic cigarette wireless charger of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the light emitter is configured to indicate a charging operation and / or the end of a charging operation.

8. The electronic cigarette wireless charger of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a magnetic field reflector.

9. The electronic cigarette wireless charger of any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of sensors configured to detect one or more corresponding measurable features of a component on an electronic cigarette are magnetic field sensors.

10. The electronic cigarette wireless charger of claim 9, wherein the one or more corresponding measurable features of an electronic cigarette are magnets positioned on the component of the electronic cigarette.

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