Inductive charge ashtray

[nqhqhz]

Has anyone thought of this? I almost think I should patent it but I will never get to produce it so here you go, I officially release the following idea into the public domain:

In a manner similar to electric toothbrush chargers and the new SplashPower charging system for gadgets, I propose the creation of a device resembling an ashtray, complete with the Smoke Grooves (tm) from a normal ashtray that allow you to store your e-cigarette without it rolling off the table or having to balance it between the function keys and the number row of a keyboard like most of us.

The groove wherein the electronic cigarette is rested actually contains a small induction coil capable of transmitting the correct current electromagnetically to an induction coil inside the electronic cigarette, charging the lithium ion battery within while the e-cigarette rests thereon. The ashtray itself is powered either by a battery, by USB if possible, or from a transformer connected to the mains.

Issues:

Lithium Ion batteries don't like to be charged like this, that is to say, all the time, on and off. (possibly? I may be mixing it up with NiMH - can a battery expert if there is one here weigh in?)

Potential solution:
The e-cigarette somehow signals to the ashtray (I don't know much about the work of Faraday but there ought to be a weigh of using this system in a two way manner - or else using some simple RF mechanism) that it is more than half charged, and as such, does not require current for the time being. Thus, the battery is charged when the e-cigarette needs it and not all the time.

Coil takes up space in cigarette
Depending on the size of the coil required, of course.

Potential solution:

The coil need not be that big, and the battery requirement is lower because of the availability of current from the ashtray.

Not necessary due to USB passthrough batteries
Self-explanatory

Potential solution:
This ties you down less, quite literally, and you can still walk away with the e-cigarette in hand.

Issues with charging multiple batteries
All the unscrewing could get tedious and it destroys the ashtray resemblance

Potential solution:
Multiple Smoke Grooves for multiple batteries, of course, but also, the necessity for multiple batteries is reduced when operating near the ashtray.

Additional features proposed

LEDs on the ashtray itself or audible feedback indicating the completion of charging or battery status.

Some sort of convenient way of storing cartridges (and in fantasy world, refilling them...)

Indications based on the storage by the ashtray of information around how much you are using the cigarette. (and in fantasy world, the cigarette uploads this information to the ashtray via RF/bluetooth/infrared)

Feel free to add to this. I am terribly sorry if someone already invented this, I just haven't found it.

[Keltrey]

For those with USB Pass throughs(UPTs), the addition of USB ports around the base.

[dc2k08]

Funnily enough, this was one of the methods proposed in a patent for charging Philip Morris' earlier version of the electronic cigarette way back in the early 90's.

[nqhqhz]

Funnily enough, this was one of the methods proposed in a patent for charging Philip Morris' earlier version of the electronic cigarette way back in the early 90's.

Except their version probably had a button for invoking satan on it.

For those with USB Pass throughs(UPTs), the addition of USB ports around the base.

oddly enough I have an ashtray with a USB hub blu-tacked to the bottom of it for a UPT cable. my girlfriend thinks I'm insane.

[nqhqhz]

From PM's patent

In another alternative embodiment, energy is coupled to the article by magnetic or electromagnetic induction, and rectified and conditioned prior to charging the capacitor. The external power source typically may be a specially designed ashtray containing a suitable generator and inductor for coupling the magnetic or electromagnetic energy to the article.

Nothing new here to add, although it is strange how the patent is for a "flavour delivery device". Interestingly, that idea is not specifically patented, so a manufacturer could still create this without prior art or violating PM's patent.

[syntaxevasion]

This idea did cross my mind!

I was looking into the potential of getting these manufactured but there are some pitfalls to using inductive charging, the most applicable to our gadgets of interest would probably be the bulk in creating a suitable transformer to the electronic cig side of the proposed equation.

Also, lithium ions shouldn't be a problem but are sensitive to overcharging, so the charge needs to be cut more or less as soon as the battery is topped off... You know, to prevent Sony Laptop-esque explosions.