Solar Powered Electric Cigarette

摘要

An electric cigarette (EC) is disclosed having an array of solar cells that are mounted directly on an outer surface of the EC. The solar cells are provided to recharge an internal battery for the EC. In more detail, the EC includes a base member for holding a rechargeable battery, a tank section for holding and selectively vaporizing a liquid, and a mouthpiece. For example, the liquid can contain nicotine and/or a flavoring. A heating element is submerged in the liquid. For the electric cigarette, a user depressible switch is mounted on the base member to selectively connect the rechargeable battery with the heating element to heat the liquid. A vaporizer is provided to vaporize the heated liquid and output a vapor. The vapor flows through a passageway in the EC from the vaporizer to the mouthpiece and exits the EC though a hole in the mouthpiece.

主权项

1. A solar powered electric cigarette which comprises:
an elongated substantially tubular shaped base member having a proximal end and a distal end with a chamber extending therebetween, wherein the base member has an outer surface surrounding the chamber; a plurality of solar cells mounted on the outer surface of the base member to form an array for use in generating electrical energy; a storage battery positioned in the chamber and connected to the array for receiving and storing electrical energy as it is generated by the solar cells; a tank section formed with a liquid compartment for holding a liquid and an air passage passing through the tank section and bypassing the liquid compartment; a heating element inside the liquid compartment for submersion in the liquid; and a switch for selectively interconnecting the storage battery with the heating element when the tank section is joined to the proximal end of the base member, and wherein the switch is operated by a user to heat the liquid in the liquid compartment and create a vapor from the liquid, for mixing the vapor with air from the passageway during an inhalation of the vapor/air mixture by the user.