CN117356760A

CN117356760A - Aerosol supply device

Info

Publication number: CN117356760A
Application number: CN202210760897.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 乔治·戈麦斯; 克雷格·古丁; 康纳尔·麦格拉思; 马修·霍尔登; 吕姝慧; 潘惠平; 刘亮
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2022-06-30
Filing date: 2022-06-30
Publication date: 2024-01-09
Also published as: GB202210591D0

Abstract

The present disclosure describes an aerosol provision device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material. The aerosol provision device comprises a heating assembly and an electrically conductive housing part arranged to at least partially receive the heating assembly. The aerosol provision device comprises an electronic module and a contact member. At least one contact member makes electrical contact between the housing portion and the electronic module to provide an electrostatic discharge path.

Description

Aerosol supply device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision device. The invention also relates to an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol provision device and to an article comprising an aerosol generating material.

Background

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars, and the like burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these tobacco-burning articles by creating products that release compounds without burning. An example of such a product is a heating device that releases a compound by heating rather than burning the material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products that may or may not contain nicotine.

Disclosure of Invention

According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device comprising a heating assembly, an electrically conductive housing portion arranged to at least partially receive the heating assembly, an electronic module, and a contact member, wherein at least one contact member makes electrical contact between the housing portion and the electronic module to provide an electrostatic discharge path.

The contact member may extend from the electronic module. The contact member may be fixedly mounted on the electronic module. The contact member may be an elastically deformable member.

The contact surface of the contact member may be biased away from the electronic module.

The contact member may be a spring element. The contact member may comprise a spring pin.

The electronic module may include a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA).

The contact member may extend from the PCBA. The contact member may be biased against the housing portion. The housing portion may include a connection structure, and the contact member may be in contact with the connection structure.

The device may include a support. The electronic module may be located between the support and the heating assembly. The electronic module may be mounted on a support.

The contact member may be one of a plurality of contact members. The at least one contact member may be electrically connected to a ground point in the device. The ground point may include a ground component. The ground element is at zero volts.

In use, electrostatic discharge is directed from the housing to a ground point through at least one contact point.

The at least one contact member may be electrically isolated from other electrical elements of the electronic module.

The conductive housing portion may surround the heating assembly. The conductive housing portion may comprise aluminum.

According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol provision device as described above and an article comprising an aerosol generating material.

According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of assembling an aerosol-supplying device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, the method comprising: providing an electronic module having an electrostatic discharge contact member; the conductive housing portion and the electronic module are disposed together such that the electrostatic discharge contact member contacts the conductive housing portion and an electrostatic discharge path is provided between the housing portion and the electronic module.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an aerosol provision device, wherein the housing is shown partially cut away;

fig. 2a and 2b show perspective views of the aerosol provision device of fig. 1 without a housing;

fig. 3a and 3b show perspective views of a battery assembly and an electronic module of the aerosol provision device of fig. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the battery assembly and PCBA of the aerosol provision device of FIG. 1;

fig. 5 shows a side perspective view of a contact member of the aerosol provision device of fig. 1; and

fig. 6 shows a partial top perspective view of the aerosol provision device of fig. 1.

Detailed Description

As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating material" is a material capable of generating an aerosol, for example, when heated, irradiated, or excited in any other way. The aerosol-generating material may for example be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel, which may or may not contain an active substance and/or a fragrance. The aerosol-generating material may comprise any plant-based material, such as a tobacco-containing material, and may, for example, comprise one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. The aerosol-generating material may also comprise other non-tobacco products that may or may not comprise nicotine depending on the product. The aerosol-generating material may for example be in the form of a solid, liquid, gel, wax or the like. The aerosol-generating material may also be a combination or blend of materials, for example. Aerosol-generating materials may also be referred to as "smokable materials".

The aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder and an aerosol-former. Optionally, active agents and/or fillers may also be present. Optionally, a solvent such as water is also present, and one or more other components in the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of plant material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of tobacco.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise or may be an "amorphous solid". The amorphous solid may be a "monolithic solid". In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. Amorphous solids are solid materials in which some fluid (e.g., liquid) may be retained. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, from about 50wt%, 60wt%, or 70wt% amorphous solids to about 90wt%, 95wt%, or 100wt% amorphous solids.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise or be a sheet, which may optionally be shredded to form shredded sheets. The aerosol-generating sheet or shredded sheet may be substantially free of tobacco.

According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustible" aerosol supply system is an aerosol supply system in which the constituent aerosol-generating materials of the aerosol supply system (or components thereof) are capable of delivering at least one substance to a user without combustion or ignition.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible sol supply system, e.g., a powered non-combustible sol supply system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vapor cigarette device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol generating material is not required.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible sol supply system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also referred to as a heated but non-combustion system. One example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that uses a combination of aerosol-generating materials to generate an aerosol, wherein one or more of the aerosol-generating materials may be heated. Each aerosol-generating material may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the mixing system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, a tobacco or non-tobacco product.

In general, a non-combustible sol supply system may include a non-combustible sol supply device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible sol supply device.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material and configured for use with a non-combustible aerosol supply device. These consumables are sometimes referred to in this disclosure as articles of manufacture.

In some embodiments, a non-combustible sol supply system (e.g., a non-combustible sol supply device thereof) may include a power source and a controller. The power source may be, for example, an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon matrix that can be energized to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or a heat transfer material in the vicinity of the exothermic power source.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system may include a region for receiving a consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating region, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and/or an aerosol modifier.

In some embodiments, a consumable for use with a non-combustible aerosol supply device may include an aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage region, an aerosol generating material delivery member, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating region, a housing, a packaging material, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol modifier.

The aerosol-generating device may receive an article comprising aerosol-generating material for heating. In this context, an "article" is a component that includes or contains, in use, an aerosol-generating material that is heated to volatilize the aerosol-generating material, and optionally other components in use. The user may insert the article into the aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol prior to heating the article, the user then inhaling the aerosol. The article may be, for example, a predetermined or specific size configured to be placed within a heating chamber of the device, the heating chamber being sized to receive the article.

Fig. 1 shows an aerosol supply device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material. The device 100 may be used to heat an alternative article (not shown) comprising an aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium that is inhaled by a user of the device 100.

The device 100 includes a body 104. The body 104 includes a housing 120. The housing 120 encloses and accommodates the various components of the device 100. An article aperture 115 is formed in one end of the body 104 through which an article may be inserted for heating by the aerosol generator 102 (see fig. 2). In use, the article may be fully or partially inserted into the aerosol generator 102, where the article may be heated by one or more components of the aerosol generator 102. The aerosol generator 102 includes a heating assembly 140. The article and the device 100 together form an aerosol supply system (not shown).

The housing 120 includes a first housing serving as a first housing portion 121 and a second housing serving as a second housing portion 122. The first housing portion is attached to the second housing portion 122. The first housing portion 121 and the second housing portion 122 together define an outer shell of the body 104. It will be appreciated that the number of housing parts may vary.

The device 100 may also include a user operable control element 106 (fig. 2), such as a button or switch, upon which the device 100 operates. For example, the user may turn on the device by operating a switch.

The body 104 has an end surface of the device 100. The end of the device 100 closest to the product aperture 115 may be referred to as the proximal (or mouth end) 114 of the device 100, since it is closest to the user's mouth in use. In use, a user inserts an article into the aperture 115, operates the aerosol generator 102 to begin heating the aerosol-generating material, and aspirates aerosol generated in the device 100. This causes the aerosol to flow through the device 100 along a flow path toward the proximal end 114 of the device 100.

The other end of the device is furthest from the orifice 115 and may be referred to as the distal end 116 of the device 100 because, in use, it is the end furthest from the user's mouth. As the user aspirates the aerosol generated in the device, the aerosol flows in a direction toward the proximal end 114 of the device 100. The terms proximal and distal as applied to the features of the device 100 will be described with reference to the relative positioning of such features with respect to one another in a proximal-distal direction along the longitudinal axis 112.

The first housing portion 121 may be a one-piece component. The second housing portion 122 may be a one-piece component. As used herein, a one-piece component refers to a component of the device 100 that is not separable into two or more components after assembly of the device 100. Integrally forming involves two or more features that are formed as a one-piece component during the manufacturing stage of the component.

The first housing part 121 and the second housing part 122 are fixedly mounted. The first housing part 121 is tubular. The first housing part 121 is open along one side. The second housing part 122 is open along one side. The second housing portion 122 is tubular. The first housing portion 121 is at least partially received by the second housing portion 122. It should be appreciated that the configuration of the first housing portion 121 and the second housing portion 122 may be different. The first housing part 121 accommodates the aerosol generator 102. The second housing portion 122 houses the electronic component 170. The body 104 includes a seat 160. The first housing part 121 is mounted to the support. The second housing portion 122 is mounted to the mount 160. The seat 160 is received in the second housing portion 122. The first housing portion 121 and the second housing portion 122 enclose the support 160.

The heating assembly 140 may include an induction type heating system that includes a magnetic field generator that includes an induction coil assembly. The heating assembly 140 includes a heating element. The heating element is also called susceptor.

A susceptor is a material that can be heated by passing through it with a varying magnetic field (e.g., an alternating magnetic field). The susceptor may be an electrically conductive material such that a varying magnetic field is passed through the susceptor to cause the heating material to inductively heat. The heating material may be a magnetic material such that the heating material is hysteresis heated by a varying magnetic field across the heating material. The susceptor may be electrically conductive and magnetic such that the susceptor may be heated by two heating mechanisms. The device configured to generate a varying magnetic field is referred to herein as a magnetic field generator.

The heating assembly 140 forming part of the aerosol generator 102 is an induction heating assembly and comprises a plurality of components for heating the aerosol-generating material of the article via an induction heating process. Induction heating is a process of heating an electrically conductive object (e.g., susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. The induction heating assembly may comprise an induction element (e.g. one or more induction coils) and means for passing a varying current (e.g. an alternating current) through the induction element. The varying current in the inductive element generates a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field passes through a susceptor that is suitably positioned relative to the inductive element and eddy currents are generated in the susceptor. The susceptor has an electrical resistance to eddy currents, so that eddy currents oppose this resistive flow such that the susceptor heats up by joule heating. In case the susceptor comprises a ferromagnetic material (e.g. iron, nickel or cobalt), heat may also be generated by hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e. by the varying orientation of the magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material as a result of their alignment with the varying magnetic field. In induction heating, heat is generated inside the susceptor, allowing for rapid heating, as compared to heating by conduction, for example. Furthermore, no physical contact is required between the induction heater and the susceptor, allowing for enhanced degrees of freedom in construction and application.

The heating element may be hollow, thus defining at least a portion of a container having aerosol-generating material received therein. For example, the article may be inserted into a heating element. The heating element is tubular with a circular cross-section. The heating element has a substantially constant diameter along its axial length. In some embodiments, the heating element protrudes in the container. Other arrangements are contemplated.

The heating element is made of an electrically conductive material suitable for heating by electromagnetic induction. The susceptor in this example is made of carbon steel. It will be appreciated that other suitable materials may be used, such as ferromagnetic materials (e.g. iron, nickel or cobalt). The heating element may be an elongate member extending in a heating region defined by the container.

In other embodiments, the features used as heating elements may not be limited to being inductively heated. Thus, the feature serving as a heating element may be resistance heatable. Accordingly, the aerosol generator 102 may comprise electrical contacts for electrically connecting with a device for electrically activating the heating element by flowing electrical energy through the heating element.

The electronics assembly 170 is located in the body 104. The electronic assembly 170 is housed within the second housing portion 122. The electronic assembly 170 includes a power supply 174. The power source 174 may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, lithium batteries (e.g., lithium ion batteries), nickel batteries (e.g., nickel cadmium batteries), and alkaline batteries. The battery 174 is electrically coupled to the heating assembly 140 to supply electrical power to heat the aerosol-generating material when needed and under the control of the controller.

The electronics assembly 170 includes an electronics module 150. The electronic module 150 includes a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA). The PCBA may include, for example, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) that supports at least one controller (e.g., a processor) and memory. The PCB may also include one or more electrical traces to electrically connect the plurality of electronic components together. The battery terminals may be electrically connected to the PCB so that power may be distributed throughout the device 100.

The aerosol generator 102 comprising the heating assembly 140 and the first housing portion 121 defines a first sub-assembly.

The cradle 160 and the electronics module 150 define a second subassembly.

Fig. 2a and 2b show perspective views of the device 100 with the first housing part 121 and the second housing part 122 omitted to illustrate the aerosol generator 104 and the electronic assembly 170. Fig. 3a and 3b show perspective views of the mount and the electronic assembly 170. The heating assembly 140 defines a longitudinal axis and the electronics assembly 170 defines a longitudinal axis, with the axes being parallel to one another. The heating assembly 140 defines a heating chamber (not shown). The article is received in the heating chamber to be heated by the heating assembly 140. The heating assembly 140 is axially inserted into the first housing portion 121.

The electronics assembly 170 includes a heat distribution assembly 172. The heat distribution assembly 172 surrounds the battery 174. The heat distribution assembly 172 includes a heat distribution panel. The heat distribution panel comprises a sheet of highly thermally conductive material, such as a graphite sheet. The control element 106 is mounted externally to the heat distribution assembly 172. The second housing portion 122 may include a cutout or an elastically deformable portion to allow a user to activate the control element 106.

The support 160 serves as a battery bracket. A battery 174 is mounted on the support 160. The battery 174 extends on one side of the support 160. The electronic module 150 is mounted on the other side of the stand 160. The electronics assembly 170 includes a mount 160. The support 160 is adjacent the aerosol generator 102. The stand 160 receives a portion of the first housing portion 121. The first housing part 121 is attached to the mount 160. The second housing portion 122 surrounds the electronics assembly 170 and surrounds an exterior portion of the mount 160.

PCBA150 is mounted on a mount 160. The standoffs 160 position and support the PCBA 150. The support 160 is made of a non-conductive material. The standoffs 160 electrically isolate components of the PCBA150 from the second housing portion 122.

The standoff 160 is located between the PCBA150 and the second housing portion 122. The openings in the support provide access from each side of the support 160 to the electronic module 150. The PCBA150 has a first surface 152 and a second surface 153. The first surface 152 is adjacent to the battery 174. The second surface is adjacent to the aerosol generator 102. The PCBA150 and the stand-off 160 bisect the body 104. In some embodiments no stand-offs are present. The PCBA150 may be attached to other components within the electronic assembly 170.

The PCBA150 includes an electrostatic discharge path structure 154. The electrostatic discharge path structure 154 provides a discharge path from the PCBA150 to the first housing portion 121. The electrostatic discharge path structure 154 includes a contact member 155. In some implementations, the PCBA may include a single contact member. In some embodiments, the number of contact members is different and may be a single contact member. The present structure includes three contact members 155a, 155b, 155c, as shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 4 shows a battery 174 and PCBA 150. The support is omitted from fig. 4. PCBA150 is in electrical contact with battery 174. Fig. 4 shows three contact members 155a, 155b, 155c. The contact members 155a, 155b, 155c are fixedly mounted on the PCBA 150. The contact member 155 is integrally formed with the PCBA 150. The contact member 155 extends from one side of the PCBA 150. The contact member 155 is disposed on the first surface 152 of the PCBA 150. The contact members 155 extend from the PCBA150 away from the first surface 152. The contact member extends from the PCBA150 towards the first housing portion 121. The contact members 155 extend from the first surface 152 of the PCBA 150.

Fig. 5 shows the interaction of the contact member 155 with the first housing part 121. The contact member 155 is in electrical contact with the first housing portion 121. The contact members 155 provide an electrostatic discharge path from the first housing portion 121 to a discharge trace on the PCBA 150. The first housing part 121 is electrically conductive.

Each contact member 155 includes an elastically deformable member. The contact member 155 is a spring element. The contact member 155 may be a spring pin. The contact member 155 may include a plate spring. In some embodiments, the contact member may not be elastically deformable or spring loaded. The contact member may be static and fixed. In some embodiments, the contact member 155 may be at least one of a spring contact, a spring pin, a spring loaded connector, or a conductive plate.

The contact member 155 is biased against the first housing portion 121. The contact member 155 includes a contact surface 156. The first housing part 121 comprises a connection structure 124. The connecting structure 124 connects the first housing portion 121 with the support 160. A connector (not shown) is arranged to mount the first housing part 121 with the support 160.

Fig. 6 shows the connection structure 124 and its interaction with the first housing part 121, the abutment 160 and the second housing part 122. The first housing portion 121 is generally tubular. The first housing portion 121 is open along one side to allow electrical connection between the heating assembly 140 and the electronics assembly 170.

The connection structure 124 includes an extension. The protruding portions are provided on both sides of the open side of the first housing portion 121. The protruding portion protrudes from the first housing portion 121 toward the stand 160 and PCBA 150. The connecting structure 124 extends axially parallel to the axis of the heating assembly 140. The connection structure 124 is attached to the mount 160 to hold the first housing portion 121 in place relative to the second housing portion 122. In some embodiments, the first housing portion 121 and the second housing portion 122 are connected to each other.

The connection structure 124 is fixed in position relative to the PCBA150 such that it is held in a position immediately adjacent to the PCBA 150. The connection structure 124 includes a connection contact surface 123. The contact surface 156 of the contact member 155 is in electrical contact with the connection contact surface 123.

The contact surface 156 is biased away from the PCBA150 toward the first housing portion 121. The contact members 155 are biased toward the connection contact surface 123 of the first housing portion 121 to provide continuous contact between the surfaces 156, 123 to provide a constant electrical path despite different tolerances and/or movements between the respective components. By providing such an arrangement, ease of assembly is maximized.

Each contact member 155 has a corresponding connection contact surface 123 on the first housing portion 121. The connection structure 124 may have one or more connection contact surfaces 123. The connection contact surface 123 is a distance from the first surface 152 of the PCBA 150. The space between the connection contact surface 123 and the first surface 152 of the PCBA150 ensures that any electrostatic charge flows only through the contact member 155. The connection contact surface 123 may be recessed from the connection structure 124 of the first housing portion 121 that protrudes toward the first surface 152 of the PCBA. The connection structure 124 does not contact and is spaced apart from the first surface 152 of the PCBA. The depth of the recess is less than the depth of the protrusion of the contact member.

The contact member 155 is connected to the ground point of the device 100. The ground point may include a ground component. The connection between the first housing portion 121, the contact member 155, and the ground component (not shown) allows electrostatic discharge to flow from the first housing portion 121 to the ground point without affecting other components on the PCBA 150. The ground point may be within the body 104 of the device 100. The contact members 155 are electrically isolated from other components on the PCBA150 to prevent static discharge from flowing through the PCBA150 and causing damage to the PCB or components thereof. The electrostatic discharge path includes a ground path. The ground path provides a path for electrostatic discharge to flow from the first housing portion 121, through the standoff 160, and to the contact members 155 of the PCBA 150. The first housing part 121 is connected to the support 160 by a fixing point (not shown). The support 160 contacts the PCBA150 via contact members 155a, 155b, 155c on the PCBA 150. In some embodiments, contact members 155a, 155b, 155c are soldered to points on PCBA150 that are connected to a ground point. The ground path is the same for all contact members. The ground point is at zero volts. Other methods of attaching the contact members to the PCBA150 may be used.

The first housing portion 121 may be painted or anodized. The contact surface 124 is untreated so as to provide an uninterrupted conductive path between the first housing portion 121 and the ground point. The first housing portion 121 may comprise a tubular member. The tubular member may receive a heating assembly 140. The tubular member may include holes in the side walls of the tubular member to allow electrical connection between the heating assembly 140 and the electronics assembly 170. The first housing portion 121 may comprise aluminum.

In use, any static electricity that builds up on the first housing portion 121 flows through the contact surface to the contact member 155 and the ground point. This transfers the static charge away from the sensitive components on the PCBA 150. The electrical components or elements of the PCBA150 are electrically isolated from the electrically conductive first housing portion 121. The flexible contact member 155 allows for greater tolerances in the manufacture of the first housing portion 121.

The device 100 is assembled by attaching the PCBA150 to the mount 160, forming a second sub-assembly. The aerosol generator 102 comprising the heating assembly 140 and the first housing part 121 is assembled as a first sub-assembly. The first subassembly including the first housing portion 121 is then assembled with the second subassembly including the carrier 160 and the PCBA150 such that the contact member 155 abuts the first housing portion 121 as part of the assembly. The connection contact surface 124 is brought into contact with the contact surface 156 of the contact member. The contact member 155 protrudes and is biased against the first housing portion 121. The heating assembly 140 is electrically connected to the PCBA 150. A battery module subassembly including a battery 174 and a heat distribution assembly 172 is assembled with PCBA150 and carrier 160. The second housing portion 122 is assembled to the electronics assembly 170 so as to surround a portion of the mount 160.

The various embodiments described herein are only used to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as representative examples of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, the appropriate combination of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., in addition to those specifically described herein. In addition, the present disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. An aerosol-supplying device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, the aerosol-supplying device comprising:

a heating assembly;

an electrically conductive housing portion arranged to at least partially receive the heating assembly;

an electronic module; and

a contact member;

wherein at least one of the contact members makes electrical contact between the housing portion and the electronic module to provide an electrostatic discharge path.

2. The aerosol provision device of claim 1, wherein the contact member extends from the electronic module.

3. An aerosol provision device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact member is fixedly mounted on the electronic module.

4. An aerosol provision device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the contact member is an elastically deformable member.

5. The aerosol provision device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the contact surface of the contact member is biased away from the electronic module.

6. An aerosol provision device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the contact member is a spring element.

7. The aerosol provision device of claim 6, wherein the contact member comprises a spring pin.

8. The aerosol provision device of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the electronic module comprises a printed circuit board assembly.

9. The aerosol provision device of claim 8, wherein the contact member is protruding from the printed circuit board assembly.

10. An aerosol provision device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the contact member is biased against the housing portion.

11. The aerosol provision device of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the housing portion includes a connection structure and the contact member is in contact with the connection structure.

12. The aerosol provision device of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a support.

13. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the electronic module is located between the support and the heating assembly.

14. An aerosol provision device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the electronic module is mounted on the support.

15. The aerosol provision device of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the contact member is one of a plurality of contact members.

16. An aerosol provision device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein at least one of the contact members is electrically connected to a ground point in the aerosol provision device.

17. The aerosol provision device of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein at least one of the contact members is electrically isolated from other electrical elements of the electronic module.

18. An aerosol provision device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the electrically conductive housing portion surrounds the heating assembly.

19. An aerosol provision system comprising: an aerosol provision device according to any one of claims 1 to 18; and an article comprising an aerosol-generating material, the article being arranged to be at least partially received by the aerosol-supply device.

20. A method of assembling an aerosol provision device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material, comprising:

providing an electronic module having an electrostatic discharge contact member;

an electrically conductive housing portion is provided with the electronic module such that the electrostatic discharge contact member is in contact with the electrically conductive housing portion and provides an electrostatic discharge path between the housing portion and the electronic module.