VAPOR SAFETY RING FOR MECHANICAL MODS
A vapor safety ring for a mechanical mod having a battery, atomizer and push button. The vapor safety ring includes a battery electrical conductor and an atomizer electrical conductor. LEDS are connected to the vapor safety ring and are electrically positioned between the battery electrical conductor and the atomizer electrical conductor. A microprocessor is electrically positioned between the battery electrical conductor and the atomizer electrical conductor and is programmed to control power flow to the LEDS and to the atomizer. Power is provided to the microprocessor and a mechanical mod electrical circuit is completed when the mechanical mod push button is pushed and the mechanical mod battery makes contact with the battery electrical conductor. In a preferred embodiment, the microprocessor is programmed to stop power flow to the atomizer if the push button has been held down for a time limit exceeding a preset value. In a preferred embodiment the preset value is 8 seconds.
The present invention relates to electronic cigarettes, and in particular, to safety and decorative devices for mechanical mods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONAn electronic cigarette is a cigarette-shaped device that commonly contains a nicotine-based liquid that is vaporized and inhaled, and is used to simulate the experience of smoking tobacco. There are different types of electronic cigarettes (also known as electronic vaping devices, e-cigarettes or e-cigs). A typical e-cigarette includes a built in microprocessor that acts as a safety device and is used to protect and guard against short circuits, The microprocessor is often a problem to the user and negatively affects the amount of vapor created by the e-cigarette.
In response, many users of personal vaporizers prefer to utilize a mechanical mod. A purely mechanical mod is a very basic personal vaporizer device. In essence, it is a tube that holds a replaceable rechargeable battery and on the tube is a push button that when engaged completes a circuit that delivers unregulated current to the atomizer. A mechanical mod contains no wiring or soldering, nor any electronics.
Because mechanical mods are void of circuit protection, they must be handled with a higher degree of caution as to prevent damage to the device and potential harm to the user. Mechanical mods are powered by unregulated voltage directly from the battery source. The only “built in” protection provided by some mechanical mods are ventilation holes drilled through the battery tube.
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Prior art mechanical mod 10 has many desirable qualities. For example, battery 20 can be replaced or recharged as appropriate. Also, there is not a complicated microprocessor that interferes with vapor production, as with typical e-cigarettes. However, the absence of a microprocessor for safety control means that the user must be very careful in operating the mechanical mod. For example push button 18 can become accidently continuously pressed, causing the circuit to overheat. Mechanical mod 10 can then melt or even explode causing injury to the user.
What is needed is a safety device for the mechanical mod that adequately monitors the mod, warns the user as appropriate and does not negatively impact vapor production.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a vapor safety ring for a mechanical mod having a battery, atomizer and push button. The vapor safety ring includes a battery electrical conductor and an atomizer electrical conductor. LEDS are connected to the vapor safety ring and are electrically positioned between the battery electrical conductor and the atomizer electrical conductor. A microprocessor is electrically positioned between the battery electrical conductor and the atomizer electrical conductor and is programmed to control power flow to the LEDS and to the atomizer. Power is provided to the microprocessor and A mechanical mod electrical circuit is completed when the mechanical mod push button is pushed and the mechanical mod battery makes contact with the battery electrical conductor. In a preferred embodiment, the microprocessor is programmed to stop power flow to the atomizer if the push button has been held down for a time limit exceeding a preset value. In a preferred embodiment the preset value is 8 seconds.
In one preferred embodiment, vapor safety ring 30 is a self-contained unit that be sold for utilization with preexisting mechanical mods. Safety ring 30 includes attachment threads so that it can be securely connected between atomizer section 11 and battery housing section 15.
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Preferably multiple LEDS 33 are 4-8 LED surface mounted lights that are blue in color. In another preferred embodiment LEDS 33 are dual colored, for example blue and red.
Microprocessor ControlAs the circuit is completed, microprocessor 40 is programmed to light LEDS 33 continuously as the circuit remains complete.
Microprocessor 40 preferably includes programming to complete the additional safety functions listed below:
1) If circuit remains complete for 8 seconds microprocessor 40 includes programming to open switch 70 removing power to atomizer 22. Microprocessor 40 further includes programming to send a control signal to LEDS 33 causing them to blink until the circuit is broken either by push button 18 being released or battery 20 being removed or atomizer 22 being removed.
2) If a short occurs, microprocessor 40 includes programming to stop power flow to LEDS 33 and atomizer 22 so that neither works. Mechanical mod 50 will not function until the short is fixed.
3) If the battery is over-drained (below 7 amps), microprocessor 40 includes programming to stop power flow to LEDS 33 and atomizer 22 so that neither works. Mechanical mod 50 will not function until the battery is replaced with a charged one.
4) If the battery is over-discharged, microprocessor 40 includes programming to stop power flow to LEDS 33 and atomizer 22 so that neither works. Mechanical mod 50 will not function until the problem is remedied.
5) If the battery is placed backward into the mod, microprocessor 40 includes programming to stop power flow to LEDS 33 and atomizer 22 so that neither works. Mechanical mod 50 will not function until the battery is reversed.
6) In another preferred embodiment if the battery is placed backward into the mod, microprocessor 40 includes programming to stop power flow to LEDS 33 but continue to permit power flow to atomizer 22. Mechanical mod 50 will not function properly until the battery is reversed.
Other Preferred EmbodimentThe above preferred embodiments discussed how vapor safety ring 30 is a self-contained unit that can be securely connected between atomizer section 11 and battery housing section 15 of a preexisting mechanical mod via a threaded attachment. This is a preferred embodiment because vapor safety ring 30 can be purchased separately and used with a mechanical mod that the user may already own. In another preferred embodiment vapor safety ring 30 is built into a mechanical mod so that threaded attachment is not necessary. For example
Although the above-preferred embodiments have been described with specificity, persons skilled in this art will recognize that many changes to the specific embodiments disclosed above could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the attached claims and their legal equivalents should determine the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A vapor safety ring for a mechanical mod having a battery, atomizer and push button, comprising:
- A. a battery electrical conductor for removable connection to said battery,
- B. an atomizer electrical conductor for electrical connection to said atomizer,
- C. at least one LED electrically positioned between said battery electrical conductor and said atomizer electrical conductor, and
- D. a microprocessor electrically positioned between said battery electrical conductor and said atomizer electrical conductor, wherein said microprocessor comprises programming to: i. permit and stop power flow to said at least one LED, and ii. permit and stop power flow to said atomizer, wherein power is provided to said microprocessor and wherein a mechanical mod electrical circuit is completed when said push button is pushed and said battery contacts said battery electrical conductor.
2. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1 further comprising a printed circuit board, wherein said microprocessor and said electrical power switch are mounted onto said printed circuit board.
3. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said at least one LED is a plurality of LEDS.
4. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said mechanical mod comprises:
- A. an atomizer section, and
- B. a battery housing section, wherein said vapor safety ring is attached via attachment threads between said atomizer section and said battery housing section.
5. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said mechanical mod comprises:
- A. an atomizer section, and
- B. a battery housing section, wherein said vapor safety ring is attached between said atomizer section and said battery housing section.
6. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said microprocessor comprises programming to light said at least one LED when said push button is pushed and said battery contacts said battery electrical conductor.
7. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said microprocessor comprises programming to stop power flow to said atomizer after said push button is pushed and said battery contacts said battery electrical conductor for a time period exceeding a preset limit.
8. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said preset time limit is eight seconds.
9. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said microprocessor comprises programming to stop power flow to said at least one LED and said atomizer when a short occurs.
10. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said microprocessor comprises programming to stop power flow to said at least one LED and said atomizer when said battery is over-drained.
11. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said microprocessor comprises programming to stop power flow to said at least one LED and said atomizer when said battery is over-discharged.
12. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said microprocessor comprises programming to stop power flow to said at least one LED and said atomizer when battery is placed backward into said mechanical mod.
13. The vapor safety ring as in claim 1, wherein said microprocessor comprises programming to stop power flow to said at least one LED when said battery is placed backward into said mechanical mod.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 29, 2014
Publication Date: Feb 4, 2016
Inventors: Joe Benites (Rancho Cucamonga, CA), Kimberly Do (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Application Number: 14/445,908