CN117461896A

CN117461896A - Aerosol supply device

Info

Publication number: CN117461896A
Application number: CN202210868148.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 郑晓远; 迈克尔·托马斯
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2022-07-21
Filing date: 2022-07-21
Publication date: 2024-01-30
Also published as: GB202211343D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision system, an aerosol provision device, a charging unit and a method of charging an aerosol provision device. The aerosol supply system includes: an aerosol provision device having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a first alignment feature and a first magnetic retention feature disposed on the distal end of the aerosol provision device; and a charging unit comprising a cavity for receiving the aerosol provision device, wherein the charging cavity comprises a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a second alignment feature for engaging with the first alignment feature, and wherein the base portion further comprises a second magnetic retention feature for engaging with the first magnetic retention feature.

Description

Aerosol supply device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision system, an aerosol provision device, a charging unit and a method of charging an aerosol provision device.

Background

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars, etc. burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles by producing products that release the compounds without burning. Examples of such products are so-called "heat but not burn" products or tobacco heating devices or products, which release compounds by heating but not burning materials. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

Aerosol delivery systems are known that cover the above devices or products. Common systems use a heater to generate an aerosol from a suitable medium, which is then inhaled by the user. Typically, the medium used needs to be replaced or changed to provide a different aerosol for inhalation. It is known to use an induction heating system as a heater to generate an aerosol from a suitable medium. Induction heating systems typically include a magnetic field generating device for generating a varying magnetic field, and a susceptor or heating material that can heat a suitable medium by penetrating it with the varying magnetic field.

Conventional aerosol delivery devices include a cylindrical heating chamber into which a rod-like consumable is inserted.

It is known to provide an aerosol provision device which is charged by a charging unit, and wherein electric power is supplied to the aerosol provision device by the charging unit in order to charge the aerosol provision device.

It is desirable to provide an improved aerosol delivery system.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising:

an aerosol provision device having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a first alignment feature and a first magnetic retention feature disposed on the distal end of the aerosol provision device; and

a charging unit comprising a cavity for receiving an aerosol provision device, wherein the charging cavity comprises a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a second alignment feature for engaging with the first alignment feature, and wherein the base portion further comprises a second magnetic retention feature for engaging with the first magnetic retention feature.

According to various embodiments, an aerosol provision device and a charging unit are provided, wherein the aerosol provision device may be inserted into the charging unit in a self-guiding manner, and wherein the aerosol provision device may interface with the charging unit for recharging the charging unit and/or for transmitting data to or receiving data from the charging unit. The aerosol provision device may be inserted into the charging unit in a plurality of different orientations, but may be caused to interface with the charging unit in a single orientation, thereby providing improved connection with the charging unit.

Alternatively, in use, the aerosol provision device may be inserted into the cavity of the charging unit in a plurality of different orientations relative to the cavity.

Optionally, the first alignment feature comprises one or more recesses provided in the distal end of the aerosol provision device.

Optionally, the second alignment feature comprises one or more protrusions provided in a base portion of the charging unit.

Optionally, the one or more protrusions comprise one or more conical protrusions arranged to guide the aerosol provision device onto the base portion such that the aerosol provision device is oriented in a single orientation relative to the cavity.

Optionally, the first alignment feature comprises one or more protrusions disposed in a distal end of the aerosol provision device.

Optionally, the second alignment feature comprises one or more recesses provided in a base portion of the charging unit.

Optionally, the first magnetic retention feature comprises one or more permanent magnets, one or more electromagnets, or one or more magnetizable elements.

Optionally, the second magnetic retention feature comprises one or more permanent magnets, one or more electromagnets, or one or more magnetizable elements.

Optionally, the aerosol provision system further comprises one or more electrical and/or data connections provided in the distal end of the aerosol provision device, and a corresponding one or more electrical and/or data connections provided in the base portion of the charging unit.

According to another aspect, an aerosol provision device is provided having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the aerosol provision device includes an alignment feature and a magnetic retention feature disposed on the distal end of the aerosol provision device.

According to another aspect, there is provided a charging unit for charging an aerosol provision device, the charging unit comprising a cavity for receiving the aerosol provision device, wherein the charging cavity comprises a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises an alignment feature for engaging with an alignment feature provided on the aerosol provision device, and wherein the base portion further comprises a magnetic retention feature for engaging with a magnetic retention feature provided on the aerosol provision device.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method of charging an aerosol provision device, comprising:

providing an aerosol provision device having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a first alignment feature and a first magnetic retention feature disposed on the distal end of the aerosol provision device;

providing a charging unit comprising a cavity for receiving an aerosol provision device, wherein the charging cavity comprises a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a second alignment feature for engaging with the first alignment feature, and wherein the base portion further comprises a second magnetic retention feature for engaging with the first magnetic retention feature; and

an aerosol supply device is inserted into the cavity of the charging unit.

Drawings

Various embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1A illustrates an aerosol provision device positioned within a charging unit according to one embodiment, fig. 1B illustrates a perspective view of a cross section of the aerosol provision device and charging unit of fig. 1A taken along line B-B in fig. 1A, fig. 1C illustrates the aerosol provision device of fig. 1A separated from the charging unit, and fig. 1D illustrates the charging unit separated from the aerosol provision device;

fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol provision device located within a charging unit;

fig. 3 shows the distal end of the aerosol provision device according to one embodiment and shows a recess feature intended to engage with a corresponding protrusion provided in the base portion of the charging unit; and

fig. 4 shows the lower part of the charging unit, showing a plurality of electrical contacts and a conical protrusion intended to engage with a recess feature provided in the distal end of the aerosol provision device.

Detailed Description

Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed or described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be conventionally implemented and are not discussed or described in detail for the sake of brevity. Thus, it will be appreciated that aspects and features of the apparatus and methods discussed herein, which are not described in detail, may be implemented in accordance with conventional techniques for implementing these aspects and features.

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) do not burn or burn in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

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

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping 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-combusting 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, one or more of which may be heated, to generate an aerosol. 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 delivery device. These consumables are sometimes referred to in this disclosure as articles of manufacture.

In some embodiments, a non-combustible sol supply system, such as 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 the aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material adjacent the exothermic power source.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery 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 delivery 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.

An aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating an aerosol, for example, when heated, irradiated or stimulated in any other way. The aerosol-generating material may for example be in the form of a solid, liquid or semi-solid (e.g. gel), which may or may not contain an active substance and/or a fragrance.

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 of 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 particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of tobacco.

In some embodiments, 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 that can retain some fluid (e.g., liquid) within their interior. 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 one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials.

An aerosol generator is a device configured to cause the generation of an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to thermal energy in order to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure or electrostatic energy.

A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of an aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed by a user during use. The consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, a packaging material, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol modifier. The consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, which in use emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol. The heater may for example comprise a combustible material, a material which is heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

The non-combustible aerosol delivery system may comprise a modular assembly comprising a reusable aerosol delivery device and a replaceable aerosol-generating article. In some implementations, the non-combustible sol supply device may include a power source and a controller (or control circuit). The power source may, for example, comprise an electrical power source, such as a battery or rechargeable battery. In some implementations, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may further comprise an aerosol generating component. However, in other implementations, the aerosol-generating article may comprise, in part or in whole, an aerosol-generating component.

For the sake of completeness, aerosol provision devices comprising inductive elements are known. The aerosol provision device may comprise one or more inductors and a susceptor arranged to be heated by the one or more inductors.

A susceptor is a heating material that can be heated by penetration with a varying magnetic field (e.g., an alternating magnetic field). The susceptor may be an electrically conductive material such that it penetrates with a varying magnetic field resulting in inductive heating of the heating material. The heating material may be a magnetic material such that it is penetrated by a varying magnetic field resulting in hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be electrically conductive and magnetic such that the susceptor may be heated by two heating mechanisms. An aerosol provision device configured to generate a varying magnetic field is referred to herein as a magnetic field generator.

Various embodiments will now be described in more detail.

Fig. 1A shows an aerosol provision device 100 according to one embodiment, which is shown as being located within a charging unit 101. Fig. 1B shows a perspective view of a cross section of the aerosol provision device 100 and the charging unit 101 taken along line B-B in fig. 1A, with the internal components of the aerosol provision device 100 removed for clarity. The aerosol supply means is shown as being located within the elongate cavity 110 of the charging unit 101. As shown in fig. 1B, the cavity 110 and the aerosol provision device 100 may share a longitudinal axis L-L.

The charging unit 101 may include a power source (generally indicated as 111 in fig. 1B). The power source 111 may include, for example, a battery (disposable or rechargeable), a rechargeable supercapacitor, a rechargeable Solid State Battery (SSB), a rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery (LiB), or the like, a hermetically sealed battery, a pouch-cell battery, or some combination thereof.

The aerosol provision device 100 may remain in the charging unit 101 for a predetermined time in order to allow for sufficient charging of the aerosol provision device 100. For example, the charging unit 101 may be arranged to charge the aerosol provision device 100 to full charge for a period of < 10 minutes, 10-20 minutes, 20-30 minutes, 30-40 minutes, 40-50 minutes, 50-60 minutes or > 60 minutes.

The charging unit 101 and/or the aerosol provision device 100 may optionally have an indicator to give a visual or other indication to the user of the charge level of the aerosol provision device 100. In addition, a separate indicator may be present to give a visual representation of the charge level of the charging unit 101. The current charge level of the aerosol provision device 100 and/or the charging unit 101 may be determined by a control device provided in the aerosol provision device 100 and/or the charging unit 101.

The visual indicator may include one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). However, other embodiments are contemplated in which the visual indicator may be replaced by an audio indicator (e.g., a speaker) or a tactile indicator.

The aerosol provision device 100 may include a housing 108, which may have a tubular and/or cylindrical shape, or a substantially tubular and/or cylindrical shape. For example, fig. 1C shows the aerosol provision device 100 in isolation, and the housing 108 of the aerosol provision device 100 is shown as cylindrical, except that: (i) A planar region 113 that intercepts the cylindrical shape and extends longitudinally along the length of the housing; and (ii) an inclined region 114 located at the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100. However, other embodiments are contemplated in which the aerosol provision device 100 may take other desired forms, for example, the aerosol provision device 100 may be box-shaped. According to one embodiment, the housing 108 of the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise an electrical insulator and may be formed, for example, from polyetheretherketone ("PEEK").

Fig. 1D shows the charging unit 101 isolated from the aerosol provision device 100 such that the interior of the elongated cavity 110 is partially visible. The base portion 115 of the charging unit 101 is shown at one end of the elongated cavity 110.

As discussed, the aerosol provision device 100 may be substantially rod-shaped, substantially tubular, or substantially cylindrical. In other examples, the aerosol provision device 100 may also be substantially rectangular, diamond or triangular in cross-section, multi-faceted, etc. It will be appreciated that the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101 may be manufactured according to the shape of the aerosol provision device 100, e.g. the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101 may be correspondingly substantially rod-shaped, substantially tubular, or substantially cylindrical, substantially rectangular, diamond-shaped or triangular in cross-section, multi-faceted in shape, etc.

According to one embodiment, the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise one or more orientation features and/or one or more magnets for securing the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 to the base portion 115 of the charging unit 101, as discussed in more detail below with respect to fig. 3 and 4.

The aerosol provision device 100 may be inserted into the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101 in order to recharge the aerosol provision device 100 by receiving power from the charging unit 101. The charging unit 101 may include an internal battery (e.g., a power source 111) to provide power to the aerosol provision device 100. The charging unit 101 may also be connected to an external power source.

The charging unit 101 may comprise a cover or lid 102 that is slidable by a user between an open position and a closed position. The cap or cover 102 is disposed at an inlet of a cavity 110 disposed within the charging unit 101 and configured to receive the aerosol provision device 100.

The aerosol provision device 100 comprises an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material. According to one embodiment, the aerosol-supplying device 100 comprises an electrical resistance heater for heating the aerosol-generating article.

When the lid or cover 102 is in the open position, the opening to the cavity 110 is exposed, thereby enabling a user to remove the aerosol provision device 100 from the charging unit 101 (in order to use the aerosol provision device 100) or alternatively insert the aerosol provision device 100 into the charging unit 101 (in order to charge the aerosol provision device 100).

It will be appreciated that the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101 may also be open along the lateral side 118 of the charging unit 101, as shown in fig. 1D. This lateral opening 118 may correspond to a planar area 113 of the aerosol provision device 100, for example such that the aerosol provision device is partially visible to a user when inserted into the charging unit. However, the lateral opening 118 may be sized such that a user cannot or is prevented from inserting the aerosol provision device 110 into the charging unit through the lateral opening 118. Thus, the lateral opening may be configured to enable a button or user interface 119 of the aerosol provision device 100 to be seen and/or accessed by a user when the aerosol provision device 100 is in the charging unit 101. In some embodiments, the button or user interface 119 of the aerosol provision device 100 may be configured such that, if the button or user interface 119 is substantially aligned with the lateral opening 118 of the charging unit 101, orientation of the aerosol provision device 100 is enabled upon insertion of the aerosol provision device into the charging unit 101, merely by enabling a user to fully insert the aerosol provision device 100.

In other embodiments, the cavity 110 is shaped such that the opening exposed when the lid of the cover 102 is in the open position is the only opening to the cavity 110.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the aerosol provision device 100 and the charging unit 101 above line B-B in fig. 1A, which shows the aerosol provision device 100 positioned or docked within the charging unit 101. The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a main housing 105, wherein the heating element 104 protrudes within the main housing 105. The aerosol provision device 100 further comprises a removable cap 106 which may be magnetically held to the main housing 105.

The removal cap 106 includes a receptacle 120 for receiving a consumable. In use, the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the container 120. The container comprises a tubular housing having a base portion 121. The base portion 121 of the container 120 has an aperture and the heating element 104 is arranged to protrude through the aperture. The aerosol-generating article (not shown) may be inserted into the aerosol-supplying device 100 by inserting the aerosol-generating article through an opening in the removable cap 106, and then inserting the aerosol-generating article into the container 120 and onto the heating element 104. The heating element 104 may have a blade-like profile and, in use, the aerosol-generating article may be pushed onto the heating element 104 such that the blade-like profile of the heating element 104 is inserted into the distal end of the aerosol-generating article. The heating element 104 is arranged to internally heat the aerosol-generating article.

In some embodiments, the heating element 104 may be a resistive heating element, wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to pass an electrical current through one or more resistive heating elements in order to resistively heat the heating element 104.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the heating element 104 may be a susceptor or other heating material that is heatable by penetration of a varying magnetic field. In such an embodiment, the aerosol provision device 100 comprises one or more magnetic field generators (e.g. one or more induction coils) to generate a varying magnetic field that penetrates the susceptor or other heating material to heat the heating element.

At the end of the period of use, when the aerosol-generating article has been consumed, the removable cap 106 may then be separated from the main housing 105. It will be appreciated that the process of dismantling the removable cap 106 will have the effect that the base portion 121 of the container 120 will contact the underside of the aerosol-generating article. When the removable cap 106 is withdrawn, the base portion 121 of the container 120 will contact the distal end of the aerosol-generating article and will cause the aerosol-generating article to be pulled down or otherwise removed from the heating element 104.

Fig. 3 shows the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 according to one embodiment. Fig. 4 shows a corresponding base portion 115 of the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101 configured to receive the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100.

The cavity 110 of the charging unit 101 may have a fixing mechanism to fix the aerosol provision device 100 within the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101 when the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101. The securing mechanism may, for example, comprise one or more magnets. According to one embodiment, one or more magnets 160 may be disposed in the bottom portion 115 of the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101, and one or more magnets 107 may be disposed at the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100. The one or more magnets 107 disposed on the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 may have a polarity opposite to the polarity of the one or more magnets 160 located in the bottom portion of the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101 such that when the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101, there is an attractive magnetic force that attracts the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 towards the base portion 115 of the charging unit 101.

Other securing mechanisms are contemplated, such as a screw mechanism at the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 and the base portion 115 of the cavity of the charging unit 101. According to further embodiments, the aerosol provision device 100 may be in a press fit engagement or an interference fit engagement with the charging unit 101.

According to one embodiment, the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise one or more orientation features 116 and/or one or more magnets 107 for securing the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 to the base portion 115 of the charging unit 101.

Fig. 4 shows the base portion 115 of the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101 in more detail. A plurality of electrical contacts 121a to 121d are shown provided in the base portion 115 of the charging unit 101, which facilitate electrical and/or data connection with the aerosol provision device 100. In use, the conductive tracks 117a to 117d may be provided on the aerosol provision device 100 so as to form electrical and/or data connections with respective contacts 121a to 121d provided on the charging unit 101. The charging unit 101 may comprise a battery pack that may be used to charge the aerosol provision device 100 through a connection formed between one of the conductive tracks 117a to 117d provided on the aerosol provision device 100 and the one or more contacts 121 provided on the charging unit 101. According to various embodiments, the number of conductive tracks 117a to 117d provided on the aerosol provision device 100 may correspond to the number of electrical contacts 121a to 121d provided in the base portion 115 of the charging unit 101. One or more contacts may be used to facilitate power transfer, one or more contacts may be used to facilitate ground, and one or more contacts may be used to facilitate data transfer. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, conductive track 117a and corresponding electrical contact 121a may facilitate power transmission, conductive track 117b and corresponding electrical contact 121b may facilitate ground, and conductive tracks 117 c-117 d and corresponding electrical contacts 121 c-121 d may facilitate data transmission. While four conductive tracks 117 a-117 d and corresponding electrical contacts 121 a-121 d are shown, it should be understood that the number may be less than four, or greater than four.

The orientation feature 140 and the one or more magnets 160 may be provided in the base portion 115 of the charging unit 101, and these may be arranged to engage with a complementary orientation feature 116 and one or more magnets 107 provided on the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100.

The orientation feature 116 provided on the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 may be recessed into the housing 108 of the aerosol provision device 100, while the corresponding orientation feature 140 provided in the base portion of the charging unit 101 may comprise a protrusion, which may correspond to the volume of the recess of the orientation feature 116 of the aerosol provision device 100. As a result, the aerosol provision device 100 may be arranged such that it can only be docked to the charging unit 101 in a single orientation, in order to ensure that the one or more conductive tracks 117a to 117b provided on the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 are connected with the correct corresponding contacts 121 provided in the base portion of the charging unit 101.

In other examples, the orientation feature 116 of the aerosol provision device 100 may alternatively comprise a protrusion and the orientation feature 140 of the charging unit 101 may comprise a recess. The one or more magnets 107 disposed on the distal end of the aerosol provision device 100 may have a polarity opposite to the polarity of the one or more magnets 160 located in the base portion of the charging unit 101 such that when the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the cavity of the charging unit 101, there is an attractive magnetic force that attracts the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 towards the base portion of the charging unit 101.

The magnetic attraction causes the orientation feature 116 provided on the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 and the orientation feature 140 provided in the base portion of the charging unit 101 to connect or dock with each other in a self-guiding manner.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the aerosol provision device 100 may be configured to connect to the charging unit 101 in a self-guiding manner via the conductive tracks 117a to 117d provided on the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 and the contacts 121a to 121d provided in the base portion of the charging unit 101 once the user places the aerosol provision device 100 within the cavity of the charging unit 101.

The orientation feature 140 of the charging unit 101 may have a substantially trapezoidal shape at an end of the orientation feature furthest from the base portion 115.

It will be appreciated that the aerosol provision device 100 may be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the cavity 110 (e.g., about line L-L shown in fig. 1B) when inserted into the charging unit 101 by a user. For example, the shape of the aerosol provision device 100 and the cavity 110 may be such that the aerosol provision device 100 is free to rotate to some extent within the cavity 110 without being prevented by the corresponding shape of the cavity 110. Otherwise, this may result in the conductive tracks 117a to 117d of the aerosol provision device 100 not being connected with the contacts 121a to 121d of the charging unit, or being connected only in a suboptimal manner (e.g. in order to reduce the size or quality of the power or data transfer therebetween).

Thus, the orientation feature 116 provided on the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 and the orientation feature 140 provided in the base portion of the charging unit 101, together with the one or more magnets 107 provided on the distal end of the aerosol provision device 100 and the one or more magnets 160 located in the base portion of the charging unit 101, serve to guide the aerosol provision device 100 into the correct orientation for interfacing with the charging unit 101 when the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101.

In particular, even when the center points 151, 152 of the orientation features 140, 116 are not perfectly aligned, the trapezoidal shaped tapered or inclined surface of the orientation feature 140 of the charging unit 101 will engage and mate with the corresponding tapered or inclined receiving surface of the orientation feature 116 of the aerosol provision device 100, thereby enabling the aerosol provision device 100 to interface with the charging unit 101 in a self-guiding manner.

In embodiments, the protrusions of the orientation feature 140 may have a shape other than trapezoidal, such as triangular, or any shape with one or more chamfered or beveled edges. As will be appreciated, an orientation feature having an inclined side extending over a larger section around the circumference of the base portion 115 will enable self-guiding over a wide range of misalignment angles between the aerosol provision device and the charging unit.

Although the orientation features 116, 140 of fig. 3 and 4 are shown as providing rotational indexing, angled sides may be provided in a particular direction (other than radially about the base portion) in order to provide lateral indexing of the aerosol provision device 100 interfacing with the charging unit 101. For example, the protrusions of the orientation feature 140 have a cross-arrow shape to provide lateral self-guiding in the orthogonal direction.

In some embodiments, the aerosol provision device 100 and the charging unit 101 may include one or more pairs of corresponding orientation features.

In some embodiments, the cavity of the charging unit 101 and the aerosol provision device 100 may further comprise corresponding grooves, for example grooves on the inner surface of the cavity and grooves on the outer surface of the aerosol provision device 100, to further ensure that self-guiding occurs.

The magnetic force between the two opposing magnets 107, 160 may be sufficient to ensure that the aerosol provision device 100 interfaces to the charging unit 101 in order to facilitate power/data transfer without the connection being interrupted, e.g. by knocks, vibrations or the like.

It will thus be appreciated that in accordance with various embodiments, an improved aerosol provision system is provided which enables an aerosol provision device to be docked to a charging unit in a self-guiding manner.

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, that other embodiments may be utilized, and that changes 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 delivery system comprising:

a charging unit comprising a cavity for receiving the aerosol provision device, wherein the charging cavity comprises a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a second alignment feature for engaging with the first alignment feature, and wherein the base portion further comprises a second magnetic retention feature for engaging with the first magnetic retention feature.

2. An aerosol provision system according to claim 1, wherein, in use, the aerosol provision device is insertable into the cavity of the charging unit in a plurality of different orientations relative to the cavity.

3. An aerosol provision system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first alignment feature comprises one or more recesses provided in a distal end of the aerosol provision device.

4. An aerosol provision system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the second alignment feature comprises one or more protrusions provided in a base portion of the charging unit.

5. The aerosol provision system of claim 4, wherein the one or more projections comprise one or more conical projections arranged to guide the aerosol provision device onto the base portion such that the aerosol provision device is oriented in a single orientation relative to the cavity.

6. An aerosol provision system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first alignment feature comprises one or more protrusions provided in a distal end of the aerosol provision device.

7. The aerosol provision system of claim 6, wherein the one or more protrusions comprise one or more conical protrusions arranged to guide the aerosol provision device onto the base portion such that the aerosol provision device is oriented in a single orientation relative to the cavity.

8. The aerosol provision system of claim 1, 2, 6 or 7, wherein the second alignment feature comprises one or more recesses provided in a base portion of the charging unit.

9. An aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, wherein the first magnetic retention feature comprises: one or more permanent magnets, one or more electromagnets, or one or more magnetizable elements.

10. An aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, wherein the second magnetic retaining feature comprises: one or more permanent magnets, one or more electromagnets, or one or more magnetizable elements.

11. The aerosol provision system of any preceding claim, further comprising: one or more electrical and/or data connections disposed in a distal end of the aerosol provision device, and a corresponding one or more electrical and/or data connections disposed in a base portion of the charging unit.

12. An aerosol provision device having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises an alignment feature and a magnetic retention feature disposed on the distal end of the aerosol provision device.

13. A charging unit for charging an aerosol provision device, the charging unit comprising a cavity for receiving the aerosol provision device, wherein the charging cavity comprises a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises an alignment feature for engaging with an alignment feature provided on the aerosol provision device, and wherein the base portion further comprises a magnetic retention feature for engaging with a magnetic retention feature provided on the aerosol provision device.

14. A method of charging an aerosol delivery device, comprising:

providing a charging unit comprising a cavity for receiving the aerosol provision device, wherein the charging cavity comprises a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a second alignment feature for engaging with the first alignment feature, and wherein the base portion further comprises a second magnetic retention feature for engaging with the first magnetic retention feature; and

the aerosol provision device is inserted into a cavity of the charging unit.