EA043525B1 - AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE AND AEROSOL GENERATING SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system, in accordance with the preamble of the independent claims.

Aerosol generating devices and systems have the ability to generate aerosol as a result of the heat generated by electrical power supplies. The aerosol is designed to be drawn into the user's mouth. Of particular interest are aerosol delivery devices and systems that provide tobacco components in aerosol form, such as those provided by devices commonly known as electronic cigarettes. The term aerosol as used herein is intended to include vapors, gases, aerosols and/or particulate matter of a form or type suitable for human inhalation, whether visible or not, and whether or not in a form that can be considered like smoke.

One example of an aerosol generating device is described in US 2018/0056015 A1. US 2018/0056015 A1 describes a double evaporator having an evaporator assembly with a first plant matter chamber for storing dry plant matter. The dry plant matter is heated by the first heating element. Additionally, the dual evaporator includes a second chamber with a second heating element in which a wick in fluid communication with the second chamber draws in liquid. The wick is heated by a coil to generate steam.

Another aerosol generating device is shown in CN 103431525 B. The device includes a housing with a tobacco column assembly. The unit contains heating rods, which are located in a column. However, the heating rods only penetrate the peripheral area of the inserted consumable. As a result, during operation, the periphery of the consumable is heated to a temperature different from the temperature of the interior of the consumable, causing the periphery or interior to either become insufficiently hot or heated to too high a temperature, which may result in an unpleasant taste.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an aerosol with a mild taste that is palatable to the consumer.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating device is provided with a housing. The aerosol generating device includes a first aerosol generating unit. The first aerosol generating unit is designed to generate the first type of steam from a solid substrate. The first aerosol generating unit further includes a receiving interface for the consumable. The interface includes a plurality of spiked heating elements that are arranged such that they are inserted into the consumable when the consumable is placed into the interface. The interface may include a temperature sensor that is designed to be inserted into the consumable.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing includes a chamber in which at least a portion of the interface is located. The heating element spikes are located in at least two arrays. An array can be understood as the correct or incorrect arrangement of heating elements. For example, heating elements may be arranged in a column (ie, a 1-by-X array) or in multiple columns (ie, a 2, 3, or 4-by-X array). The distance between the heating element in the column can be constant, in particular the same. Columns can run in the same direction. The distance between the columns can be regular, in particular the same. Each array can be 2, 3, or 4 columns wide, with each column being 4, 6, 8, or more heating elements long.

By providing spikes to the heating elements in the above arrays, the consumable material containing the solid substrate is heated more evenly. This ensures reliable and constant quantity and quality of steam produced.

Additionally, opposing arrays of spiked heating elements may be configured to uniformly heat the area of consumable material between the opposing arrays. Even distribution of heat results in even smoke production throughout the heated area and creates a milder tasting aerosol. Additionally, the entire solid substrate between the arrays can be heated to the desired temperature, resulting in higher efficiency.

The spines of one array may have a length equal to at least one-fourth, preferably at least one-third, or at least one-half of the distance between opposing arrays. The distance between opposing arrays is, in particular, the direction in which the camera extends. For example, the chamber may be a cylinder with a circular base having a diameter (eg, 30 mm). In this case, the distance between the opposing arrays may be 30 mm (or less), and the tenons have a length of at least 7.5, 10 or 15 mm. Preferably, the spines of both opposing arrays have a length equal to at least one-fourth, preferably at least one-third, or at least one-half of the distance between the opposing arrays.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the aerosol generating device may comprise a second aerosol generating unit configured to generate a second type of vapor from

- 1 043525 liquid substrate. In addition, the first aerosol generating unit may be located upstream or downstream of the second aerosol generating unit with respect to the air flow passing through the aerosol generating device during normal operation by the user.

Both options (upstream and downstream) can improve the quality of the steam produced.

Surprisingly, it has been discovered that the combination of spiked heating elements and positioning upstream of the first aerosol generating unit results in a softer aerosol and a significantly improved user experience due to a richer aroma compared to prior art devices.

In preferred embodiments, the heating elements themselves may form spikes. For example, heating elements may be formed by resistive wires that are bent to form a sharp tip. In additional embodiments, the spikes are made of a current-receiving material at least partially and are heated by a magnetic coil, or the spikes are coated with a resistively heated material, or the spikes are at least partially made of a resistively heated material.

In specific embodiments, the camera may contain 2, 3, 4 or more arrays.

In a preferred embodiment, the chamber is cylindrical in shape and has a central axis. The at least two arrays may extend in the direction of the central axis or in the direction of the cylindrical circle. This ensures uniform heating of the consumable material. Note that arrays can extend in the same direction or in different directions from each other. The arrays can be arranged around the circumference of the cylindrical chamber.

In a preferred embodiment, the spikes extend along the axial or radial direction of the chamber. Specifically, when the heating elements are located on the end portion of the cylindrical chamber, they extend along the axial direction of the chamber, and when the heating elements are located on the curved surface of the cylinder, they extend in the radial direction.

In a preferred embodiment, the tenons of the at least two arrays are located on generally opposite sides of the chamber such that the consumable can be held at the interface by the tenons. When the spikes are located on generally opposite sides, the consumable is securely secured in the chamber and accidental release is prevented. In addition, the heating inside the consumable is particularly uniform.

In a preferred embodiment, the spikes as a whole on opposite sides of the chamber are connected to each other, forming a closed circuit. This ensures heat penetration through the center of the consumable.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing includes a cover for the chamber, with at least one of the heating element arrays extending from the cover into the chamber. The lid securely holds the consumables inside the chamber. Heating elements, in particular spikes protruding from the lid, fix the consumable material inside the interface in the required position in which heat is applied. This ensures that consumables are securely placed inside the interface.

It is particularly advantageous if the lid is a door, which can be hinged. Alternatively, the door may also be sliding or detachable from the housing, or any other suitable mechanism may be used to move the door. The hinged door has the advantage that pressure can be easily applied to insert the spikes into the consumable.

In a preferred embodiment, at least two arrays extend from opposite sides of the chamber into the chamber and the arrays are offset relative to each other. For example, one of the arrays may be offset in the axial or circumferential direction of the camera relative to the other array. In this way, a more uniform heat distribution is achieved and the space inside the consumable is used more efficiently.

In a specific embodiment, the consumable material may be a tobacco stick.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the tenons overlap at least partially. For example, the spikes may extend from opposite sides of the consumable and may overlap with respect to the direction of extension of one of the arrays. This ensures that the thorns penetrate deeper into the consumable, and even more thorns can be inserted into a tobacco stick of the same length. In addition, the solid substrate can be heated more evenly. Opposite spines can run in the same direction.

In a preferred embodiment, the interface includes a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is designed to be inserted into the consumable.

Preferably, the sensor is a thermocouple and is further preferably located in a position downstream of the interface along the direction of the air flow. The temperature sensor may be designed to measure the temperature at the center of the consumable. The temperature sensor may form a spike or may be inserted through the spike. The temperature sensor spike may form part of one of the previously mentioned arrays or may be located separately from them. It is further preferred that the temperature sensor be located at the downstream end of the interface along the direction of the air flow.

The temperature sensor can measure the temperature, and therefore the condition, of the tobacco, in particular in the center of the consumable. This ensures constant temperature and composition of the supplied tobacco vapor. In one example, a temperature sensor may be used to control the temperature of tobacco and steam in a feedback loop. The feedback loop may contain a temperature sensor, a controller, and heating elements. This makes it possible to actively monitor the center of the tobacco part in the consumable, which optimizes control.

In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a controller and at least portions of the heating elements are independently controlled by the controller. As a result, the tobacco can heat up from the first end to the second end, similar to the combustion of a cigarette. Alternatively or additionally, consumables may be provided containing different tobacco blends that need to be heated to different temperatures. For example, if a consumable is packed unevenly, the thermal energy can be adjusted according to the density of different areas of the consumable.

In a preferred embodiment, the chamber includes a first heating zone and a second heating zone. Each of the heating zones contains one or more heating elements, in which the controller is adapted to control the heating elements independently of each other. Defining heating zones can allow the use of individually adjustable consumables. For example, one of the heating zones may be turned on or off depending on user preference or user input. The consumable may only contain a portion in which specific additives, such as methanol, are an additive, and the user can decide whether to consume a particular additive. In addition, heating zones can allow partial consumption of consumables for subsequent continuation. In the event that only the solid material in the first heating zone is consumed during the first use session, the user can turn on the device later and begin consuming solid material in the second heating zone, with a user experience similar to that of a new consumable.

In a preferred embodiment, the heating element spikes may comprise an air duct. The air duct may be configured to allow air flow through the spikes and into the consumable. In this way, the air flow is directed to the center of the tobacco stick, and the air is heated through the spikes after entering. As a result, more flavors and aromas of the consumable are released.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and second aerosol generating units are connected to the air passage, and the second aerosol generating unit includes an inlet opening of the second unit for receiving the first type of vapor through the air passage. The housing may not have an inlet for supplying air flow directly to the second aerosol generating unit without passing through the first aerosol generating unit. Thus, all air flow passing through the second aerosol generating unit is forced to pass through the first aerosol generating unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the spikes are configured to pierce the wall of the consumable when the consumable is placed in the interface. Thus, the consumable may have a wall that isolates the solid substrate from the environment while retaining the solid substrate.

In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a steam outlet located downstream of the first and second steam generating units such that the first and second types of steam are completely mixed before entering the outlet of the aerosol generating device.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to an aerosol generating system comprising the aerosol generating device described above and a consumable material. The consumable material may contain a solid substrate. In a preferred embodiment, the system contains a liquid substrate. In one embodiment, only one of the substrates, preferably a solid substrate, contains nicotine.

Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention are described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1: discloses a schematic drawing of a system for generating an aerosol in accordance with the present invention;

fig. 2: reveals a detailed view of a first embodiment of an interface for a consumable of an aerosol generation system;

fig. 3A: Reveals a detailed view of a second embodiment of an interface for a consumable of an aerosol generation system;

fig. 3B: reveals a detailed view of an embodiment of a first unit for generating an aerosol;

fig. 4: Reveals a detailed view of a third embodiment of an interface for a consumable of an aerosol generation system;

fig. 5: Reveals a detailed view of a fourth embodiment of an interface for a consumable of an aerosol generation system; and FIG. 6: Reveals a detailed view of a fifth embodiment of an interface for a consumable of an aerosol generation system.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic drawing of an aerosol generating system in accordance with the present invention. The system for generating an aerosol contains a device 1 for generating an aerosol. The aerosol generating device 1 may accommodate one or more consumables 30 containing liquid and/or solid matter. The aerosol generating system is then formed by the aerosol generating device 1 in combination with consumable material(s) containing liquid and/or solid matter.

The aerosol generating device 1 comprises a housing 2 which has a generally longitudinal shape. Specifically, the housing 2 has a cylindrical shape about the central axis 5 and includes a first end 43 and a second end 45. For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may be circular and cylindrical. Inside the housing 2 there is a reusable section 40, a first aerosol generating unit 10 and a second aerosol generating unit 20. Air enters the housing through an inlet located at the first end 43. Alternatively, the inlet may be provided at any location along the reusable section 40 or at the end of the first aerosol generating unit 10 facing the first end 43. Typically, the air then flows through the aerosol generating device 1 along the direction of the air flow 18 and exits from the aerosol generating device through the outlet 44. In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the outlet 45 is located at the second end.

When the air flow passes through the aerosol generating device 1, a first type of steam is added to the air flow by the first aerosol generating unit 10 and a second type of steam is added to the air flow by the second aerosol generating unit 20.

The reusable section 40 contains a battery 42 and a controller 8 (see Fig. 2). The aerosol generating units 10, 20 and the reusable section 40 can be separated from each other so that they can be replaced individually.

The second aerosol generating unit 20 includes a liquid reservoir containing a liquid substrate 22. The liquid substrate 22 may contain a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and typically does not contain nicotine. Alternatively, liquid substrate 22 may contain a nicotine component derived from tobacco material. Liquid substrate 22 may also contain a flavoring agent such as menthol. The liquid contained in the liquid reservoir is drawn to the heater 25 by the wick 24. The heater 25 is wound on the wick 24 and causes the liquid drawn by the wick from the liquid substrate 22 to evaporate, thereby producing a second type of vapor. The second type of steam is directed through the pipe 26 to the outlet 44 of the aerosol generating device 1.

The first aerosol generating unit 10 is located at an upstream position relative to the air flow 18 compared to the second aerosol generating unit 20. The first aerosol generating unit 10 includes a receiving interface 14 for a consumable material 30. The consumable material contains a solid substrate 32. The substrate may contain tobacco material in various forms, such as cut tobacco and granular tobacco, and/or the tobacco material may contain tobacco leaf and/or or reconstituted tobacco. The receiving interface 14 is formed by a chamber 4 in a housing 2. A plurality of heating elements 16 are located within the chamber 4. The heating elements 16 include spikes 17. The spikes 17 may be made entirely or partially of induction-heated current-receiving material. In this case, the aerosol generating device also includes an inductive heating coil for generating an electromagnetic field for heating the current-receiving material.

Alternatively, the spikes may comprise resistive material that heats up when electrical current from the battery 8 passes through the spike. For example, the spikes may be formed by bending a resistive wire to form a sharp tip, or the spikes may be coated with a conductive layer of resistive and electrically conductive material. Exemplary embodiments of suitable heating elements and spikes are shown in patent documents CN 103431525 B, CN 208676371 U and CN 104026740 B.

As shown in FIG. 1, the spikes 17 are located in two arrays 12 on opposite sides 7 of the receiving interface 14. Each of the arrays 12 includes a column of regularly spaced 4 spikes (ie, a 1x4 array).

One particularly preferred embodiment of the first aerosol generating unit 10 is shown in FIG. 2. Each of the heating elements 16, which contain spikes 17, is connected to a controller 8 and a battery 42 (see FIG. 1). The 16 heating elements are grouped into

- 4 043525 three sections: section A, section B and section C. Each section contains two sets of opposing heating elements 16 and can be controlled by a controller 8 separately from the other sections. As consumable 30 is introduced into chamber 4, heating elements pass through the wall of consumable 30 and into the solid substrate 32 within consumable 30. This arrangement is shown in FIG. 2.

When the smoker begins to consume the consumable 30, only the heating elements 16 located in section A are initially heated. When the solid substrate (e.g., a humectant located in the portion of the consumable pierced by the heating elements 16 grouped in section A) ends in section A, the temperature in heating elements 16 sections A are reduced. Thereafter, the temperature of the heating elements 16 in section B is increased until the solid substrate in the consumable in the area of section B runs out. The heating elements in section C are then heated in a similar manner. Thus, the smoke generated by the consumable is more optimal in over the life of the consumable 30. In the example shown in FIG. 2 controller groups heating elements into 3 sections. However, the heating elements can also be grouped into six opposing heating element sections or 2 opposing heating element sections. In addition, the rows of heating elements shown may be longer and the sections may also contain 1, 3 or more sets of opposing heating elements.

A further preferred embodiment of heating elements 16 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 3A. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the heating elements are electrically heated and are formed by resistive heating element material. For example, the spikes 17 may be at least partially formed by, or coated with, a resistive heating material. Suitable resistive heating materials must have sufficient electrical resistance to produce a suitable operating temperature (i.e., approximately 150 to 350°C), a melting point well above the operating temperature required to evaporate the first type of steam, and sufficient temperature resistance. Examples of materials are carbon (eg graphite) and metal alloys such as nickel alloys, molybdenum alloys or tungsten alloys. In some embodiments, silicon carbide ceramics may also be suitable.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3A, an electrical circuit containing resistive heating elements is formed only when opposing heating elements 16 are connected to each other within the consumable 30. The consumable 30 is inserted into the chamber, and then the heating elements 16 pierce the wall of the consumable and are pushed through the consumable substrate. 30 until they connect. Current 11 can then flow through two opposing heating elements 16. During insertion of the consumable, the heating elements 16 pierce the center of the consumable (eg, a tobacco stick). In this way, substantially uniform heating of the consumable material 30 is ensured. Moreover, the heating element can only be activated if the heating elements are positioned correctly and malfunctions can be avoided.

In one example (see FIG. 3B), chamber 4 of aerosol generating unit 10 may include a hinged door 52. The chamber 4 is opened by rotating the door 52 about one or more rotation points 51 (eg, formed by hinges). When the doors are open, as shown in FIG. 3B, consumable 30 may be inserted into chamber 4 and then door 52 is closed. While the door is closing, the spikes 17 of the door 52 and the spikes 17 in the chamber 4 are pressed into the consumable and penetrate the consumable substrate.

In alternative embodiments, the spikes 17 may be movable, for example by an electric motor, so that they penetrate the consumable after the chamber is closed. In another alternative embodiment, the door may be sliding or detachable from the aerosol generating unit 10.

Another preferred interface embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the spikes 17 are located in two opposite rows of six evenly spaced spikes in each. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the opposing rows of spikes are offset by a distance 34 in the direction of the consumable axis 31. Since the opposite rows of spikes are offset relative to each other, the heat inside the consumable is distributed more evenly. In addition, due to the offset 34, the spikes 17 can penetrate deeper into the consumable 30 and even overlap by a distance 33 relative to the radial direction of the consumable or aerosol generating device.

Another embodiment of the interface is shown in FIG. 5. Heating elements 16 shown in FIG. 5 may be similar to the heating elements provided in the previous embodiments. Moreover, the heating element 16 shown in FIG. 5 contains a hollow channel 19 through which the air flow is directed. The hollow channel 19 may be located in the center

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Claims (8)

heating elements 16. As indicated by arrows 13, air is directed directly into the central portion of the consumable 30 through channels 13. As the air is directed through the spike heating elements 17, the air is heated as it is directed into the consumable 30. The heated air causes more aroma to be released from a solid substrate. An additional embodiment of interface 14 is shown in FIG. 6, showing the fifth interface option. Basically, the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. Unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, one of the spikes 17 does not include a heating element 16. In the specific example of FIG. 6 shows a spike 17' which is located at the downstream end of one of the arrays 12 and contains an integral temperature sensor 15, in particular a thermocouple. The temperature sensor 15 is inserted through the spike and located in the center of the consumable 30. This means that the thermocouple can measure the tobacco and air flow right at the center of the tobacco. The temperature sensor 15 can be located anywhere along the direction of the air flow. Preferably, however, a temperature sensor 15 is located at the end of the interface 14 in the direction of the air flow 18. The addition of such a temperature sensor 15 or thermocouple can provide closed-loop control of the temperature of the tobacco or vapor and active monitoring of the center of the tobacco portion with optimized control. A spike with a temperature sensor 15 or a similar device where the temperature sensor 15 is inserted into the consumable 30 may be provided with any of the arrays 12 provided in the embodiments above. CLAIM 1. Device (1) generating an aerosol with a housing (2) containing: a first aerosol generating unit (10) configured to generate a first type of steam from a solid substrate (32), the first aerosol generating unit comprising a receiving interface (14) for a consumable material (30), the interface (14) comprising a plurality of heating elements (16) with spikes (17) arranged so that they are inserted into the consumable (30) when the consumable (30) is placed in the interface (14); and a chamber (4) in which at least a portion of the interface (14) is located, and wherein the spikes (17) of the heating elements (16) are located in at least two arrays (12), and wherein the opposing arrays of heating elements with the spikes made with the possibility of uniform heating of the area of the consumable material between the opposite arrays, characterized in that the spikes (17) in general on the opposite sides (7) of the chamber (4) are connected to each other, forming a closed circuit. 2. Device (1) generating an aerosol according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber (4) has a cylindrical shape and a central axis (5), while at least two arrays (12) extend in the direction of the central axis or in direction of the cylindrical circle (6). 3. An aerosol-generating device (1) according to any of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the spikes (17) of at least two arrays extend from opposite sides of the chamber into the chamber, and in that the at least two arrays are offset (34) each other relative to each other. 4. An aerosol generating device (1) according to one of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the interface comprises a temperature sensor (15), in particular a thermocouple, the temperature sensor being designed to be inserted into a consumable (30), the temperature sensor being preferably located at the downstream end of the interface (14) along the direction of the air flow (18). 5. An aerosol-generating device (1) according to any of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that it contains a controller (8), wherein at least parts of the heating elements are independently controlled by the controller, and the chamber contains a first heating zone (35) and a second heating zone (36), each of which contains one or more heating elements (16), while the controller (8) is configured to control the heating zones independently of each other. 6. Device (1) generating an aerosol according to any of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the spikes (17) of the heating elements (16) contain an air duct (19) configured to pass an air flow (18) through the spikes (17) into consumables (30). 7. The aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the first and second aerosol generating units are connected to the air flow channel, and in that the second aerosol generating unit contains an inlet opening of the second aerosol generating unit. receiving steam of the first type through an air flow channel, wherein the housing does not have an inlet opening to provide air flow into the second aerosol generating unit without passing through the first aerosol generating unit. 8. An aerosol-generating device (1) according to any of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that it contains a second aerosol-generating block (20) designed to generate a second type of steam from a liquid substrate (22), wherein the first block (10) aerosol generating unit is located upstream or downstream of the second aerosol generating unit (20) with respect to -