Aerosol-generating system with improved electrical connector
An electrically operated aerosol-generating system is provided, including: an aerosol-generating device; a charging unit to receive the device; and first and second connector parts, the device having one of the first and the second connector parts and the charging unit having the other one of the first and the second parts, in which the first part includes a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact circumscribing the first contact, and a third electrical contact circumscribing the second contact, the second part includes a face and a projection arranged centrally in the face, the projection being defined by an end face, and a sidewall extending between the face and the end face of the projection. An electrically operated aerosol-generating device, a charging unit for charging an aerosol-generating device, and an electrical connector for an electrically operated aerosol-generating system, are also provided.
1 . An electrical connector for an electrically operated aerosol-generating system, the electrical connector comprising:
a first connector part and a second connector part, the first connector part including a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact at least partially circumscribing the first electrical contact, and a third electrical contact at least partially circumscribing the first electrical contact,
wherein the second connector part includes
a face and a projection arranged substantially centrally in the face, the projection being defined by an end face, and at least one sidewall extending between the face and the end face of the projection,
a first electrical contact arranged on the projection at the at least one sidewall of the projection,
a second electrical contact arranged at the face, spaced radially outwardly from the first electrical contact, and
a third electrical contact arranged at the face, spaced radially outwardly from the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact,
wherein no electrical contacts are arranged at the end face of the projection of the second connector part.
2 . The electrical connector according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first connector part comprises a face and a recess arranged substantially centrally in the face of the first connector part, the projection of the second connector part being receivable in the recess of the first connector part,
the first electrical contact of the first connector part is arranged within the recess,
the second electrical contact of the first connector part is arranged at the face of the first connector part, the second electrical contact being radially spaced from the recess by a first distance, and
the third electrical contact of the first connector part is arranged at the face of the first connector part, the third electrical contact being radially spaced from the recess by a second distance greater than the first distance.
3 . The electrical connector according to claim 2 , wherein:
the recess of the first connector part is defined by a closed end face, an open end at the face, and at least one side wall extending between the open end and the closed end face.
4 . The electrical connector of claim 3 , wherein the first electrical contact of the first connector part is arranged at the at least one side wall of the recess.
5 . The electrical connector of claim 3 , wherein no electrical contacts are arranged at the closed end face of the recess of the first connector part.
6 . The electrical connector of claim 2 ,
wherein the second connector part comprises a fourth electrical contact arranged at the face, the fourth electrical contact being radially spaced from the projection by the second distance and angularly spaced from the third electrical contact of the second connector part, and
wherein the fourth electrical contact is configured as an insertion detection contact, to detect when the first and the second connector parts are electrically engaged.