# US 2018/0020731 A1 · Electronic cigarette power supply portion > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0020731 A1 - Document ID: US20180020731A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/219,226 - Filed: 2016-07-25 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-25 - Assignees: Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. - Inventors: Dennis Rasmussen; Christopher Myles - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180020731A1 ## CPC - A61M 15/06: Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes - A24F 40/40: Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts - A24F 40/50: Control or monitoring - A61M 11/042: {electrical} - H01M 10/0525: Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries - H01R 4/48: utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member (H01R4/52 takes precedence) - H01R 24/76: with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall - H05B 1/0244: {Heating of fluids (H05B1/0247 takes precedence)} - H05B 1/0252: {Domestic applications} - H05B 1/0297: {Heating of fluids for non specified applications} - H05B 3/42: non-flexible - H05B 3/46: heating conductor mounted on insulating base - A24F 40/10: Devices using liquid inhalable precursors - A24F 47/00: Smokers' requisites not otherwise provided for - A61M 15/0085: {using ultrasonics (spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06)} - A61M 2016/0021: {with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor} - A61M 2016/0027: {pressure meter} - A61M 2016/0039: {in the inspiratory circuit} - A61M 2205/3653: by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance - A61M 2205/584: having a color code - A61M 2205/8206: battery-operated - H01M 2220/30: Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop - H01R 9/223: {Insulating enclosures for terminals (for switches H01H9/0264)} - H01R 13/502: composed of different pieces (H01R13/514 takes precedence) - H01R 13/516: Means for holding or embracing insulating body, e.g. casing {, hoods} - H05B 2203/012: Heaters using non- flexible resistive rods or tubes not provided for in H05B3/42 - H05B 2203/021: Heaters specially adapted for heating liquids - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A24F: SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES (inhaling appliances for medical purposes, shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes A61M15/06) - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract Aspects of the instant disclosure relate to electronic cigarettes; more particularly, to electronic cigarettes including a power supply portion. In various embodiments, the eCig power supply portion includes a sub-assembly housing substantially containing a battery, an airflow sensor, and controller circuitry. Aspects of the disclosure are further directed to an eCig power supply portion further including a hemicylindrical port and/or electrical contacts aligned along a longitudinal axis of the power supply portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An eCig power supply portion comprising: a sub-assembly housing including an upper sub-assembly housing portion including a first portion of an integral locking feature, and a lower sub-assembly housing portion including a second portion of the integral locking feature coupled to the first portion of the integral locking feature. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sub-assembly housing further includes a locating pin; and a locating aperture configured and arranged to receive the locating pin from the upper sub-assembly housing portion and thereby align the lower and upper sub-assembly housings portion along at least one axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further including an exterior tube with a keying feature along an interior surface of the tube; and wherein at least one of the upper and lower sub-assembly housings include a second keying feature along an exterior surface, the second keying feature configured and arranged to mate to the keying feature of the exterior tube, and axially align the sub-assembly housing within the exterior tube. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further including a battery; an airflow sensor electrically connected to the battery and configured and arranged to detect a flow of air in response to a draw on an air inhalation port of an eCig; controller circuitry electrically connected to the battery and configured and arranged to operate the eCig; and wherein the sub-assembly housing substantially enclosing the battery, the airflow sensor, and the controller circuitry. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the upper sub-assembly housing further includes another locating pin configured and arranged to interface with the lower sub-assembly housing through a portion of the controller circuitry. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the upper sub-assembly housing and at least one of the controller circuitry and the airflow sensor form an aperture, the airflow sensor further configured and arranged to detect a flow of air through the aperture. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, further including contacts aligned along a longitudinal axis of the eCig power supply portion, the contacts electrically coupled to the controller circuitry, and extending from the controller circuitry toward an exterior surface of the eCig power supply portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the contacts are configured and arranged to electrically couple an external power source to the battery, and communicatively couple the controller circuitry with external circuitry. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further including a communication port at a proximal end of the eCig power supply portion, the communication port configured and arranged to mechanically couple the eCig power supply portion to a mating communication port of an atomizer/liquid reservoir portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the communication port is further configured and arranged to electrically couple the controller circuitry of the power supply portion with at least one of a heater coil, and memory storage circuitry on the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the communication port is further configured and arranged to transfer a fluid from the power supply portion to the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion in response to a draw. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, further including an air seal that is coupled to the communication port and is configured and arranged to hermetically seal the mechanical coupling between the communication port at the proximal end of the eCig power supply portion and the mating communication port of the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the communication port is a hemicylindrical female port and includes three electrical contacts configured and arranged to be communicatively coupled with three corresponding electrical pads on the mating communication port of the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion. ### Claim 14 An eCig power supply portion comprising: a battery; controller circuitry; and a hemicylindrical port including a fluid outlet, and a plurality of electrical contacts electrically coupled to the battery and the controller circuitry. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the port is configured and arranged to couple the power supply portion to an atomizer/liquid reservoir portion, and electrically couple the battery and the controller circuitry within the power supply portion to a heater coil in the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion via the plurality of electrical contacts. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the port is a female port that includes three or more electrical contacts configured and arranged to be communicatively coupled with three or more corresponding electrical pads on a male port of a atomizer/liquid reservoir portion. ### Claim 17 An eCig power supply portion comprising: a battery; a printed circuit board including controller circuitry; a housing encompassing the battery and the controller circuitry; and electrical contacts aligned along a longitudinal axis of the eCig power supply portion, the contacts electrically coupled to the controller circuitry and the battery, and extend from the printed circuit board toward an exterior surface of the housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the contacts are configured and arranged to electrical couple the controller circuitry and external circuitry. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the contacts are configured and arranged to electrically couple an external power source to the battery, and communicatively couple the controller circuitry with external circuitry. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least one of the contacts extend from the exterior surface of the housing, and is configured and arranged to prevent the power supply portion from rolling along the longitudinal axis.