CN117461897A

CN117461897A - Method for manufacturing aerosol supply device

Info

Publication number: CN117461897A
Application number: CN202210868150.9A
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: GB202211350D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an aerosol provision device, an aerosol generating system, a method of charging an aerosol provision device and a method of transmitting data to and/or from an aerosol provision device. The method for manufacturing the aerosol supply device comprises the following steps: providing a first housing having a proximal end and a distal end; providing one or more channels in a longitudinal direction along the aerosol provision from a distal end of the housing; and depositing or printing one or more conductive tracks in the one or more channels.

Description

Method for manufacturing aerosol supply device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an aerosol provision device, an aerosol generating system, a method of charging an aerosol provision device and a method of transmitting data to and/or from 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 resistive heaters to generate aerosols from a suitable medium.

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 so as to charge the aerosol provision device.

It is desirable to provide an improved aerosol provision device.

Disclosure of Invention

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

providing a housing having a proximal end and a distal end;

providing one or more channels in a longitudinal direction along the device from a distal end of the housing; and

one or more conductive tracks are deposited or printed in the one or more channels.

According to various embodiments, an aerosol provision device is provided wherein a plurality of electrical contacts are provided on the distal end of the housing by etching one or more channels into the distal end of the housing, and then depositing or printing conductive tracks in the one or more channels. Once deposited or printed, the conductive tracks may be disposed substantially flush with the distal end of the housing. The channels and thus the completed electrical contacts may follow a tortuous path that is not feasible using conventional wires. Further, the finished electrical contact may be made smaller than conventional wires, and the cross-sectional profile of the electrical contact may vary along the length of the conductive track as compared to conventional wires. Thus, the use of conductive tracks that have been deposited into the channels provides increased design flexibility and freedom.

Optionally, the one or more conductive tracks are non-planar.

Optionally, the one or more conductive tracks follow a curved or tortuous path.

Optionally, wherein the curved or tortuous path is curved or tortuous in a radial direction.

Optionally, the one or more channels have a circular, oval, polygonal or rectangular cross-sectional profile.

Optionally, the one or more conductive tracks comprise copper, silver, gold, zinc, aluminum, nickel, iron, platinum, or tungsten.

Optionally, the step of providing one or more channels in a longitudinal direction along the distal end of the housing comprises: etching.

Optionally, the step of etching comprises laser etching.

Optionally, the step of etching comprises wet etching.

Optionally, the aerosol provision device comprises a base portion, and wherein at least a portion of the one or more conductive tracks is flush with the base portion.

Optionally, the method further comprises positioning the first housing within the outer shell.

Optionally, the housing comprises an electrical insulator. The housing may, for example, comprise polyetheretherketone ("PEEK").

According to another aspect, there is provided an aerosol provision device comprising:

a first housing having a proximal end and a distal end; and

one or more conductive tracks disposed in the distal end of the first housing, the one or more conductive tracks comprising a conductive material deposited or printed within one or more channels disposed in the first housing.

Optionally, the one or more conductive tracks are non-planar.

Optionally, the one or more conductive tracks follow a curved or tortuous path.

Optionally, the one or more conductive tracks comprise copper.

Optionally, the one or more channels are provided by etching or laser etching.

Optionally, the first housing is located within the outer shell.

Optionally, the housing comprises an electrical insulator. The housing may include polyetheretherketone ("PEEK").

According to another aspect, there is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising:

an aerosol supply device as described above; and

and a charging unit for charging the aerosol supply device.

Optionally, the charging unit includes:

a cavity for receiving an aerosol supply device; and

a base portion, wherein the base portion further comprises one or more electrical and/or data connections for connecting to one or more conductive tracks provided on the aerosol provision device.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method of charging an aerosol provision device, comprising: the aerosol provision device as described above is connected to a charging unit.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method of transmitting data to and/or from an aerosol provision device, comprising: the aerosol provision device as described above is connected to a charging unit.

Drawings

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

fig. 1 shows an aerosol provision device according to an embodiment located within a charging unit;

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

FIG. 3 illustrates a distal end of an aerosol provision device according to one embodiment, showing a plurality of electrical contacts formed in a base portion of the aerosol provision device;

fig. 4 illustrates electrical contacts formed on the distal end of an aerosol provision device according to various embodiments with the housing of the aerosol provision device removed, wherein the electrical contacts are formed by etching a channel into the distal end of the aerosol provision device and then depositing or printing conductive tracks in the channel; and

fig. 5 shows a lower portion of the charging unit, showing a plurality of electrical contacts and an alignment feature, wherein the electrical contacts in the charging unit are arranged to contact electrical contacts provided on a 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.

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. 1 shows an aerosol provision device 100 according to one embodiment, which is shown as being located within an elongated cavity of a charging unit 101. The charging unit 101 may include a power source (not shown). The power source 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 comprise a housing, which may have a tubular and/or cylindrical shape, however, other embodiments are conceivable, wherein the aerosol provision device 100 may take other desired forms, e.g. the aerosol provision device 100 may be box-shaped. According to one embodiment, the housing of the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise an electrical insulator and may be formed, for example, from polyetheretherketone ("PEEK").

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

The aerosol provision device 100 may be inserted into the cavity 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 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. A cap or cover 102 is provided at the entrance of a cavity provided 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 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).

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view showing 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 resistive 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 resistive heating element 104 is arranged to protrude through the aperture. The aerosol-generating article 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 has 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 120 is inserted into the distal end of the aerosol-generating article. The heating element 104 is arranged to internally heat the aerosol-generating article.

At the end of the period of use, when the aerosol-generating article has been consumed, the removable cap 106 may then be disengaged from the main housing 105. It will be appreciated that the process of disengaging 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 will contact the distal end of the aerosol-generating article and will cause the aerosol-generating article to be pulled off 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.

The cavity of the charging unit 101 may have a securing mechanism to secure the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 within the cavity 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 first magnets may be provided in a bottom portion of the cavity of the charging unit 101, and one or more second magnets 107 may be provided on 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 located in the bottom portion of the cavity 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.

Other securing mechanisms are conceivable, for example a screw mechanism at the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 and the base portion 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.

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 of the charging unit 101 may be manufactured according to the shape of the aerosol provision device 100, e.g. the cavity 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 shape, etc.

The aerosol provision device 100 includes a housing 108 that may have a tubular and/or cylindrical shape. 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"). The housing 108 of the aerosol provision device 100 may surround or enclose the sub-assembly. According to one embodiment, multiple channels may be etched into the subassembly during manufacture. The vias etched into the subassembly may then be filled with a conductive material, which may be deposited into the vias or printed in or on the vias. The process of etching the channels into the sub-assembly may be performed by, for example, wet etching, wherein the material of the sub-assembly may be dissolved by a suitable chemical solution. During the process of wet etching the subassembly, a mask may be used to mask areas other than the intended locations of the trenches to be etched in order to allow for selective etching.

According to other embodiments, the channels may be formed by dry etching, which may include processes such as physical etching, reactive ion etching, sputter etching, or gas phase etching. As will be appreciated, the one or more channels may be formed by a variety of suitable methods. Once the one or more vias have been formed, one or more conductive tracks 120 may be deposited into or printed in or on the vias to form one or more electrical connections.

According to one embodiment, the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise one or more orientation features 106 and/or one or more magnets 107 for securing the distal end of the aerosol provision device 100 to the base portion of the charging unit 101.

Fig. 4 shows in more detail a plurality of conductive tracks 120a to 120d which have been deposited or printed on/in the channels etched into the sub-assembly. According to one embodiment, four conductive tracks 120 a-120 d may be provided on the sub-assembly in respective channels that have been etched into the sub-assembly. The conductive tracks 120 a-120 b may be deposited or printed in the respective channels.

According to various embodiments, the one or more conductive tracks 120 a-120 d may be printed on or in a channel formed in the subassembly by a laser activated process ("LAP").

The one or more conductive tracks 120 a-120 d may be formed of copper, but according to other embodiments, the one or more conductive tracks 120 a-120 d may be formed of ferrite material. As will be described in more detail below, at least a portion of the conductive tracks 120 a-120 d may form electrical contacts for contacting corresponding electrical contacts in the charging unit 101. According to one embodiment, one conductive track may be used to transfer power from the charging unit 101 to the aerosol provision device 100, a second conductive track may be used for ground purposes, and the remaining two conductive tracks may be used for data transfer.

It has been found that the LAP conductive tracks 120 a-120 d may take a thinner form in the housing 108 than would be conventionally used. Furthermore, the LAP conductive tracks 120 a-120 d can take the form of complex or tortuous shapes or paths following paths, which is not possible when using conventional wires. Thus, the conductive tracks 120a to 120d provide a greater degree of freedom of design.

As will be appreciated, no separate flexible component is required to route in the channel, as conventional routing is not required. As a result, the use of LAP conductive tracks 120 a-120 d results in a finished part that operates as a single part after manufacture. Furthermore, the LAP conductive tracks 120a to 120d transform the structural component into a bi-functional component, as the LAP conductive tracks can be routed three-dimensionally through the housing structure of the aerosol provision device 100.

Fig. 5 shows the base portion of the internal cavity of the charging unit 101 in more detail. A plurality of electrical contacts 121 are shown provided in the base portion of the charging unit 101, which facilitate electrical and/or data connection with the aerosol provision device 100. In use, the conductive tracks 120a to 120d provided on the distal end of the aerosol provision device 100 form an electrical and/or data connection with the contacts 121 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 120a to 120d provided on the distal end of 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 120a to 120d provided on the aerosol provision device 100 may correspond to the number of electrical contacts 121 provided in the base portion of the charging unit 101. One or more contacts may be utilized to facilitate power transfer, one or more contacts may be utilized to facilitate ground, and one or more contacts may be utilized to facilitate data transfer.

An optional orientation feature 140 and one or more magnets 160 may be provided in the base portion of the charging unit 101. The orientation feature 140 may be arranged to engage with a complementary shaped orientation feature 106 provided on the distal end of the aerosol provision device 100. The one or more magnets 160 disposed in the base portion of the charging unit 101 may be arranged to interact with one or more magnets 107 disposed on the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100.

The orientation feature 106 provided on the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 may be recessed into the base of the subassembly or alternatively may be recessed into the housing 108 of the aerosol provision device 100.

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 106 provided on the distal end 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 one or more of the conductive tracks 120a to 120d 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.

According to other embodiments, the orientation feature 106 provided on the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 may alternatively comprise a protrusion and the orientation feature 140 provided in the base of the charging unit 101 may comprise a recess. 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 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 force causes the orientation feature 106 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.

Thus, it will be appreciated that once the user places the aerosol provision device 100 within the cavity of the charging unit 101, the aerosol provision device 100 may be configured to connect to the charging unit 101 in a self-guiding manner via the conductive tracks 120a to 120d provided on the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 and the contacts 121 provided in the base portion of the charging unit 101. 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 so that the power/data transmission is not interrupted, e.g. by knocks, vibrations, etc.

Thus, it will be appreciated that according to various embodiments, an aerosol provision device is provided and may be manufactured by etching a plurality of channels into the distal end of the aerosol provision device and depositing a conductive material such as copper into the already formed channels. The channels and conductive tracks may have a cross-sectional profile that varies along the length of the conductive tracks. The conductive track may be provided in a housing as an electrical insulator, so that unlike conventional arrangements, no wires with an insulating sheath need be used. The conductive tracks can make abrupt changes in direction and angle, which is not possible with conventional wires. Furthermore, the conductive tracks may be integrated into the body portion of the housing in a manner that conventional wiring is not feasible.

It will thus be apparent that an aerosol provision device according to various embodiments and a method of manufacturing an aerosol provision device according to various embodiments are particularly beneficial.

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. A method of manufacturing an aerosol delivery device, comprising:

providing a first housing having a proximal end and a distal end;

providing one or more channels in a longitudinal direction along the aerosol provision from a distal end of the housing; and

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more conductive tracks are non-planar.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more conductive tracks follow a curved or meandering path.

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the one or more channels have a circular, elliptical, polygonal or rectangular cross-sectional profile.

5. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more conductive tracks comprise copper, silver, gold, zinc, aluminum, nickel, iron, platinum, or tungsten.

6. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the step of providing one or more channels in a longitudinal direction along the distal end of the housing comprises: etching.

7. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the step of etching: including laser etching or chemical etching.

8. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a base portion, and wherein at least a portion of the one or more conductive tracks are flush with the base portion.

9. The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising: the first housing is positioned within an outer shell.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the enclosure comprises an electrical insulator.

11. An aerosol provision device comprising:

a first housing having a proximal end and a distal end; and

12. The aerosol provision device of claim 11, wherein the one or more conductive tracks are non-planar.

13. The aerosol provision device of claim 11 or 12, wherein the one or more conductive tracks follow a curved or tortuous path.

14. The aerosol provision device of claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the one or more channels have a circular, elliptical, polygonal or rectangular cross-sectional profile.

15. The aerosol provision device of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the one or more conductive tracks comprise copper, silver, gold, zinc, aluminum, nickel, iron, platinum or tungsten.

16. The aerosol provision device of any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the one or more channels are provided by etching, laser etching or chemical etching.

17. The aerosol provision device of any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a base portion, and wherein at least a portion of the one or more conductive tracks are flush with the base portion.

18. An aerosol provision device according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the first housing is located within a housing.

19. The aerosol provision device of claim 18, wherein the housing comprises an electrical insulator.

20. An aerosol-generating system comprising:

the aerosol provision device of any one of claims 11 to 19; and

and the charging unit is used for charging the aerosol supply device.

21. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 20, wherein the charging unit comprises:

a cavity for receiving the aerosol provision; and

a base portion, wherein the base portion further comprises one or more electrical and/or data connections for connecting to the one or more conductive tracks provided on the aerosol provision device.

22. A method of charging an aerosol delivery device, comprising: the aerosol provision device according to any one of claims 11 to 19 is connected to a charging unit.

23. A method of transmitting data to and/or from an aerosol provision device, comprising: the aerosol provision device according to any one of claims 11 to 19 is connected to a charging unit.