Electronic vaping device and connector assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11245235-B2
Application number	US-201615349377-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 11, 2016
Priority date	Nov 11, 2016
Publication date	Feb 8, 2022
Grant date	Feb 8, 2022

Abstract

A connector assembly of a cartridge of an electronic vaping device may be formed by metal in-molding. The connector assembly may include a connector body that is integrally formed. The connector body may include a base portion that is generally cylindrical, a nose portion extending from a first end of the base portion, and at least two slots extending longitudinally through the base portion and on opposing sides of the nose portion. An electrical lead extends through each of the at least two slots.

First claim

We claim:

1. An electronic vaping device comprising;
a cartridge;
a first connector body including,
a first base portion that is cylindrical,
a nose portion extending from a first end of the first base portion, the nose portion being cylindrical, and the nose portion having a smaller diameter than the first base portion,
a collar portion extending longitudinally from a second end of the first base portion,
at least two slots extending longitudinally through the first base portion and on opposing sides of the nose portion, and
a first orifice extending longitudinally through the first base portion and the nose portion;

a first set of electrical leads including a first electrical lead and a second electrical lead, each including a first end and a second end, the first end of each of the electrical leads extending through a respective one of the at least two slots, wherein at least a portion of the first set of electrical leads is in-molded within the first connector body;
a second connector body including,
a second base portion that is cylindrical, the second base portion configured to receive the collar portion of the first base portion at a first end of the second base portion,
a tubular portion extending longitudinally from a second end of the second base portion, and
a second orifice extending through the second base portion and the tubular portion, the second orifice configured to receive a portion of the first base portion of the first connector body and the second end of each of the electrical leads of the first set, such that the second end of the electrical leads of the first set abuts an inner surface of the second orifice; and

a power supply section including:
a control circuit;
a battery; and
a second set of electrical leads including a first lead, a second lead, and a third lead, the third lead electrically coupling the control circuit to a second terminal of the battery, the first lead electrically coupling the control circuit to the cartridge when the cartridge is connected to the power supply section, and the second lead electrically coupling the control circuit to a first terminal of the battery.

2. The electronic vaping device of claim 1 , wherein the electrical leads are formed of stainless steel.

3. The electronic vaping device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a third slot extending longitudinally through the first base portion;
a third electrical lead of the first set extending through the third slot;
a fourth slot extending longitudinally through the first base portion; and
a fourth electrical lead of the first set extending through the fourth slot.

4. The electronic vaping device of claim 1 , wherein each of the first connector body and the second connector body is formed of at least one polymer.

5. The electronic vaping device of claim 1 , wherein each of the electrical leads of the first set includes a U-shaped notch at the second end thereof.

6. The electronic vaping device of claim 1 , further comprising:
an air inlet in the second base portion of the second connector body, the air inlet in fluid communication with the first orifice in the first connector body.

7. An electronic vaping device comprising;
a cartridge including:
a housing extending in a longitudinal direction, the housing having a first end and a second end;
an inner tube coaxially positioned in the housing;
a heating element in the housing; and

a connector assembly including,
a first connector body including,
a first base portion that is cylindrical,
a nose portion extending from a first end of the first base portion, the nose portion being cylindrical, the nose portion having a smaller diameter than the first base portion, and the nose portion extending into the inner tube,
a collar portion extending longitudinally from a second end of the first base portion,
at least two slots extending longitudinally through the first base portion and on opposing sides of the nose portion,
a first orifice extending longitudinally through the first base portion and the nose portion, and
a first set of electrical leads including a first electrical lead and a second electrical lead, each including a first end and a second end, the first end of each of the electrical leads extending through a respective one of the at least two slots, wherein at least a portion of the first set of electrical leads is in-molded within the first connector body; and

a second connector body including,
a second base portion that is cylindrical, the second base portion configured to receive the collar portion of the first base portion at a first end of the second base portion,
a tubular portion extending from a second end of the second base portion, and
a second orifice extending through the second base portion and the tubular portion, the second orifice configured to receive a portion of the first base portion of the first connector body and the electrical leads of the first set, such that the electrical leads of the first set abut an inner surface of the second orifice; and

a power supply section including:
a control circuit;
a battery; and
a second set of electrical leads including a first lead, a second lead, and a third lead, the third lead electrically coupling the control circuit to a second terminal of the battery, the first lead electrically coupling the control circuit to the cartridge when the cartridge is connected to the power supply section, and the second lead electrically coupling the control circuit to a first terminal of the battery.

8. The electronic vaping device of claim 7 , wherein the electrical leads are formed of stainless steel.

9. The electronic vaping device of claim 7 , further comprising:
a third slot extending longitudinally through the first base portion;
a third electrical lead of the first set extending through the third slot;
a fourth slot extending longitudinally through the first base portion; and
a fourth electrical lead of the first set extending through the fourth slot.

10. The electronic vaping device of claim 9 , further comprising:
a microprocessor configured to control temperature of a heater, the microprocessor in the housing.

11. The electronic vaping device of claim 7 , wherein the first connector body and the second connector body are formed of at least one polymer.

12. The electronic vaping device of claim 7 , wherein each of the electrical leads of the first set includes a U-shaped notch at the second end thereof.

13. An electronic vaping device comprising;
a cartridge including:
a housing extending in a longitudinal direction, the housing having a first end and a second end;
an inner tube coaxially positioned in the housing;
a heating element in the housing;

a connector assembly including,
a first connector body including,
a first base portion that is cylindrical,
a nose portion extending from a first end of the first base portion, the nose portion being cylindrical, the nose portion having a smaller diameter than the first base portion, and the nose portion extending into the inner tube,
a collar portion extending longitudinally from a second end of the first base portion,
at least two slots extending longitudinally through the first base portion and on opposing sides of the nose portion,
a first orifice extending longitudinally through the first base portion and the nose portion, and
a first set of electrical leads including a first electrical lead and a second electrical lead, each including a first end and a second end, the first end of each of the electrical leads extending through a respective one of the at least two slots, wherein at least a portion of the f

Assignees

• Altria Client Services Llc

Inventors

• Patil Bipin
• Sundberg Sean
• Mckenna Kelli
• Sundar Rangaraj
• Nelson Greg
• Bennett David

Classifications

• H02J7/70

  characterised by the mechanical construction · CPC title

• A24F40/40 Primary

  Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts · CPC title

• H05B3/06

  Heater elements structurally combined with coupling elements or holders · CPC title

• H01R13/2407

  characterized by the resilient means · CPC title

• A61M15/06

  Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes · CPC title