EP4051030A1

EP4051030A1 - Aerosol generating device and system

Info

Publication number: EP4051030A1
Application number: EP20796593.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrew Robert John ROGAN; Alec WRIGHT
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2019-10-31
Filing date: 2020-10-28
Publication date: 2022-09-07
Also published as: WO2021083921A1; JP7569371B2; JP2022553899A; CN114554888A

Abstract

An aerosol generating device (10, 50) comprises a housing (16) defining a cavity (18) for receiving an aerosol generating material (26), a power source (20), a controller (22) and a plurality of heating circuits (40a-e) for heating the aerosol generating material (26). Each heating circuit comprises an electrical circuit component (42a-e, 52a-e) movable between a first position in which the electrical circuit component does not extend into the aerosol generating material (26) and a second position in which the electrical circuit component extends into the aerosol generating material (26). The controller (22) is configured to control the power source (20) to independently supply electrical energy to one or more of the heating circuits (40a-e) when the electrical circuit components are in the second position.

Description

AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE AND SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly to an aerosol generating device for heating an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user. Embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to an aerosol generating system.

Technical Background

Devices which heat, rather than burn, an aerosol generating material to produce an aerosol for inhalation have become popular with consumers in recent years. Such devices can use one of a number of different approaches to provide heat to the aerosol generating material.

One approach is to provide an aerosol generating device which employs a resistive heating system. In such a device, a resistive heating element is provided to heat aerosol generating material positioned within a cavity of the device and thereby generate a vapour which typically cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the device.

The resistive heating system can be an internal resistive heating system in which one or more resistive heating elements (e.g. a heating blade arranged within the cavity of the device) are arranged to be positioned within the aerosol generating material during use of the aerosol generating device and/or an external resistive heating system in which one or more resistive heating elements are arranged to at least partially surround the aerosol generating material. The use of an internal resistive heating system may be preferred because the heating process is generally more efficient and requires a lower power input due to the fact that most of the heat is transferred directly from the heating element to the aerosol generating material, with minimal heat transfer to other components. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system which has a reduced power requirement and/or which provides improved control over the heating of the aerosol generating material.

Summary of the Disclosure

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising: a housing defining a cavity for receiving an aerosol generating material; a power source and a controller; a plurality of heating circuits for heating the aerosol generating material, each heating circuit comprising an electrical circuit component movable between a first position in which the electrical circuit component does not extend into the aerosol generating material and a second position in which the electrical circuit component extends into the aerosol generating material; wherein the controller is configured to control the power source to independently supply electrical energy to one or more of the heating circuits when the electrical circuit components are in the second position.

The aerosol generating device is adapted to heat the aerosol generating material, without burning the aerosol generating material, to volatise at least one component of the aerosol generating material and thereby generate a vapour which cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating system/device.

In general terms, a vapour is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that the vapour can be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature, whereas an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. It should, however, be noted that the terms ‘aerosol’ and ‘vapour’ may be used interchangeably in this specification, particularly with regard to the form of the inhalable medium that is generated for inhalation by a user. The provision of a plurality of heating circuits which can be independently supplied with electrical energy from the power source allows the heating circuits to be selectively energised. This allows different portions of the aerosol generating material to be selectively heated to generate an aerosol with suitable characteristics for inhalation by a user and avoids the need to simultaneously heat all of the aerosol generating material in the cavity. This in turn reduces the time taken to heat the aerosol generating material and, thus, improves the energy efficiency of the aerosol generating device. In addition, aerosol generating material can easily be positioned in the cavity when the electrical circuit components are in the first position, whilst movement of the electrical circuit components to the second position may advantageously help to retain the aerosol generating material in the cavity.

Each electrical circuit component may be movable between a first position in which the electrical circuit component does not extend into the cavity and a second position in which the electrical circuit component extends into the cavity and into a portion of the aerosol generating material. Such an arrangement may facilitate insertion of aerosol generating material into the cavity, by ensuring that the electrical circuit components do not extend into the cavity when in the first position.

The electrical circuit components may be simultaneously or sequentially movable between the first and second positions. Movement of the electrical circuit components is thus achieved in a simple manner.

The controller may be configured to control the power source to sequentially supply electrical energy to one or more of the heating circuits when the electrical circuit components are in the second position. Such an arrangement allows different portions or regions of the aerosol generating material to be heated sequentially, thereby further improving energy efficiency and providing for generation of an aerosol with optimum characteristics.

The cavity may be an elongate cavity having a longitudinal axis and the electrical circuit components may be spaced along the longitudinal axis. Such an arrangement may facilitate positioning of aerosol generating material in the cavity and/or optimal heating of aerosol generating material positioned in the cavity.

The aerosol generating device may comprise a positioning mechanism configured to move the electrical circuit components between the first position and the second position in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. Movement of the electrical circuit components may, therefore, be achieved with relative ease.

The positioning mechanism may be arranged for simultaneously moving the electrical circuit components from the first position to the second position. In this mode, the positioning mechanism may comprise a radially movable pusher. The radially movable pusher may be manually activated by a user.

In an alternative, the positioning mechanism may be arranged for sequentially moving the electrical circuit components from the first position to the second position. In this mode, the positioning mechanism may comprise an axially movable pusher. The axially movable pusher may be manually activated by a user.

In one embodiment, each electrical circuit component may comprise a pair of electrical contacts, and the controller may be configured to control the power source to independently supply electrical energy to one or more pairs of the electrical contacts when the electrical contacts are in the second position, and possibly to sequentially supply electrical energy to one or more pairs of the electrical contacts when the electrical contacts are in the second position.

The electrical contacts may be spaced from a heating element positioned in the aerosol generating material when the electrical contacts are in the first position and may be arranged to contact the heating element at different locations when the electrical contacts are in the second position. The contact between the electrical contacts and the heating element at different locations allows different sections of the heating element to be selectively heated. This in turn allows different portions or regions of the aerosol generating material to be selectively heated. The heating element may be mounted on the housing and may project into the cavity. With such an arrangement, the heating element is a component part of the aerosol generating device. Thus, the manufacture of an aerosol generating article, e.g., comprising the aerosol generating material, for use with the aerosol generating device may be simplified.

The heating element may alternatively be provided with the aerosol generating material, for example in the form of an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating material and a heating element positioned in the aerosol generating material. With such an arrangement, the heating element forms part of the consumable element, i.e., the aerosol generating article. This may lead to a further improvement in heating efficiency and may simplify the structure of the aerosol generating device by avoiding the need to provide a heating element that is a component part of the device. This may in turn avoid the need for cleaning and/or replacement of the heating element.

In another embodiment, each electrical circuit component may comprise a heating element. With such an arrangement, the heating elements are a component part of the aerosol generating device.

The controller may be configured to control the power source to independently supply electrical energy to one or more of the plurality of heating elements when the heating elements are in the second position, and possibly to sequentially supply electrical energy to one or more of the plurality of heating elements when the heating elements are in the second position.

The or each heating element may comprise a resistive heating element. The or each heating element may comprise an electrically resistive material. Examples of suitable electrically resistive materials include, but are not limited to, metals, metal alloys, electrically conductive ceramics, for example tungsten and alloys thereof, and composite materials comprising a metallic material and a ceramic material. According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device as defined above and an aerosol generating article positioned in the cavity, wherein the aerosol generating article comprises an aerosol generating material and a heating element positioned in the aerosol generating material.

As noted above, with such an arrangement, the heating element forms part of the consumable element, i.e., the aerosol generating article. This may simplify the structure of the aerosol generating device by avoiding the need to provide a heating element that is a component part of the device. The need for cleaning and/or replacement of the heating element is thereby eliminated.

The aerosol generating article may comprise an aerosol generating material circumscribed by a paper wrapper. The aerosol generating article may be formed substantially in the shape of a stick. The aerosol generating article may include a filter, for example comprising cellulose acetate fibres. The filter may be in abutting coaxial alignment with the aerosol generating material. Alternatively, the aerosol generating article may be formed substantially in the shape of a disc or plate.

The aerosol generating material may be any type of solid or semi-solid material. Example types of aerosol generating solids include powder, granules, pellets, shreds, strands, particles, gel, strips, loose leaves, cut leaves, cut filler, porous material, foam material or sheets. The aerosol generating material may comprise plant derived material and in particular, may comprise tobacco. It may advantageously comprise reconstituted tobacco.

The aerosol generating material may comprise an aerosol-former. Examples of aerosol- formers include polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof such as glycerine or propylene glycol. Typically, the aerosol generating material may comprise an aerosol- former content of between approximately 5% and approximately 50% on a dry weight basis. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may comprise an aerosol- former content of between approximately 10% and approximately 20% on a dry weight basis, and possibly approximately 15% on a dry weight basis.

Upon heating, the aerosol generating material may release volatile compounds. The volatile compounds may include nicotine or flavour compounds such as tobacco flavouring.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figures 1 and 2 are diagrammatic cross-sectional views of a first example of an aerosol generating device which utilises a plurality of pairs of movable electrical contacts to contact a heating element of an aerosol generating article;

Figures 3 and 4 are diagrammatic cross-sectional views of a second example of an aerosol generating device which utilises a plurality of movable heating elements that are insertable into the aerosol generating article;

Figures 5 and 6 are diagrammatic views of the first example of the aerosol generating device illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, illustrating a first type of positioning mechanism; and

Figures 7 and 8 are diagrammatic views of the second example of the aerosol generating device illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, illustrating a second type of positioning mechanism.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown diagrammatically a first example of an aerosol generating system 1. The aerosol generating system 1 comprises an aerosol generating device 10 and a first example of an aerosol generating article 24. The aerosol generating device 10 has a proximal end 12 and a distal end 14 and comprises a housing 16 which defines a cavity 18. The housing 16 includes one or more air inlets 19 for supplying air to the cavity 18. The aerosol generating device 10 further includes a power source 20 and a controller 22. The power source 20 typically comprises one or more batteries which could, for example, be inductively rechargeable.

The aerosol generating device 10 is generally cylindrical and the cavity 18 defined by the housing 16 is also cylindrical and takes the form of a cylindrical heating compartment. The cavity 18 is arranged to receive a correspondingly shaped generally cylindrical or rod-shaped aerosol generating article 24 comprising an aerosol generating material 26 and a resistive heating element 27 positioned in the aerosol generating material 26. The resistive heating element 27 is an elongate heating element 27 and extends in the longitudinal direction through the aerosol generating material 26. In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the resistive heating element 27 is positioned in the aerosol generating material 26 during manufacture of the aerosol generating article 24. In an alternative example not illustrated in the drawings, the resistive heating element 27 could be mounted on the housing 16 so that it projects into the cavity 18 and so that it is inserted into the aerosol generating material 26 during insertion of an aerosol generating article 24 (without an integral heating element 27) into the cavity 18 by a user. For example, the heating element 27 could be a blade or elongate pin which enters the aerosol generating material 26 as the aerosol generating material 26 is placed in the cavity 18.

The aerosol generating article 24 is a disposable article which may, for example, contain tobacco as the aerosol generating material 26. The aerosol generating article 24 has first and second ends 28, 30 and comprises a paper wrapper 32 surrounding the aerosol generating material 26. The aerosol generating article 24 also comprises a filter 34 at the first end 28 which is in abutting coaxial alignment with the aerosol generating material 26 and the paper wrapper 32. The filter 34 acts as a mouthpiece and comprises an air-permeable plug, for example comprising cellulose acetate fibres. Both the paper wrapper 32 and the filter 34 are overwrapped by an outer wrapper 36 typically comprising tipping paper. In an alternative example not illustrated in the drawings, the filter 34 could be omitted and instead the aerosol generating device 10 could include an integrated mouthpiece. The aerosol generating device 10 comprises a plurality of heating circuits 40a-e for heating the aerosol generating material 26. The heating circuits 40a-e are electrically connected to the power source 20 and the controller 22, although the electrical connections are not shown in the drawings for simplicity.

In the illustrated first example, each heating circuit 40a-e comprises an electrical circuit component in the form of a pair of electrical contacts 42a-e. The pairs of electrical contacts 42a-e are movable between a first position shown in Figure 1, in which the electrical contacts 42a-e do not extend into the aerosol generating material 26 of the aerosol generating article 24 positioned in the cavity 18, and a second position shown in Figure 2, in which the electrical contacts 42a-e extend into the aerosol generating material 26. As will be apparent from a comparison of Figures 1 and 2, when the pairs of electrical contacts 42a-e are in the first position, the electrical contacts 42a-e are spaced from the heating element 27 of the aerosol generating article 24, whereas the electrical contacts 42a-e are arranged to contact the heating element 27 when they are in the second position.

The controller 22 is configured to control the power source 20 to independently supply electrical energy to one or more of the heating circuits 40a-e, and more particularly to sequentially supply electrical energy to one or more pairs of electrical contacts 42a-e. In more detail and in one mode, the controller 22 includes control circuitry which is configured to control the power source 20 to supply electrical energy to the first pair of electrical contacts 42a. The heating element 27 is thereby heated in the region designated A in Figure 2 so that a first portion of the aerosol generating material 26 proximate the heated region A of the heating element 27 is heated by heat transferred from the heated region A.

The controller 22 may be configured to detect the consumption of the first portion of the aerosol generating material 26, e.g., by detecting the number of inhalations or ‘puffs’ by a user of the aerosol generating device 10 or by detecting that a predetermined period of time has elapsed. After detecting a predetermined number of puffs or after detecting that a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the controller 22 may be configured to decrease the supply of electrical energy to the first pair of electrical contacts 42a and to simultaneously increase the supply of electrical energy to the second pair of electrical contacts 42b, until such time as the energy supply to the first pair of electrical contacts 42a ceases and the energy supply to the second pair of electrical contacts 42b reaches a maximum level. As a consequence, the heating element 27 is now heated in the region designated B in Figure 2 so that a second portion of the aerosol generating material 26 proximate the heated region B of the heating element 27 is heated by heat transferred from the heated region B.

After detecting a predetermined number of puffs or after detecting that a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the controller 22 may be configured to decrease the supply of electrical energy to the second pair of electrical contacts 42b and to simultaneously increase the supply of electrical energy to the third pair of electrical contacts 42c, until such time as the energy supply to the second pair of electrical contacts 42b ceases and the energy supply to the third pair of electrical contacts 42c reaches a maximum level. As a consequence, the heating element 27 is now heated in the region designated C in Figure 2 so that a third portion of the aerosol generating material 26 proximate the heated region C of the heating element 27 is heated by heat transferred from the heated region C.

The controller 22 continues to implement the methodology described above so that electrical energy is sequentially supplied by the power source 20 to the fourth and fifth pairs of electrical contacts 42d, 42e, thereby causing the heating element 27 to be sequentially heated in the regions designated D and E in Figure 2 so that fourth and fifth portions of the aerosol generating material 26 are sequentially heated.

After detecting a predetermined number of puffs or after detecting that a predetermined period of time has elapsed during the supply of electrical energy to the fifth pair of electrical contacts 42e, the controller 22 decreases the supply of electrical energy to the fifth pair of electrical contacts 42e until the electrical energy supplied to the electrical contacts 42e ceases. At this point, no further heating of the aerosol generating material 26 takes place and the controller 22 may be configured to prevent the supply of electrical energy from the power source 20 to the pairs of electrical contacts 42a-e until the used aerosol generating article 24 has been removed from the cavity 18 and a replacement aerosol generating article 24, containing previously unheated aerosol generating material 26, has been inserted into the cavity 18.

In another mode, two or more of the heating circuits 40a-e may be supplied with electrical energy at the same time to simultaneously heat two or more portions of the aerosol generating material 26. For example, the methodology can consist of supplying electrical energy to the pair of heating circuits 40a, 40b to simultaneously heat two regions A and B of the heating element 27, and hence to heat the corresponding portions of the aerosol generating material 26, while the other heating circuits 40c-40e remain unelectrified. The heating operation can be continued for heating the other regions C, D, E of the heating element 27 with the heating circuits 40c-e, either individually or in pairs or groups.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown diagrammatically a second example of an aerosol generating system 2 which is similar to the first example of the aerosol generating system 1 described above and in which corresponding components are identified using the same reference numerals.

The aerosol generating system 2 comprises an aerosol generating device 50 comprising a plurality of heating circuits 40a-e for heating the aerosol generating material 26. In the illustrated second example, each heating circuit 40a-e comprises a heating element 52a-e. The heating elements 52a-e can be simultaneously movable between a first position shown in Figure 3, in which the heating elements 52a-e do not extend into the aerosol generating material 26 of the aerosol generating article 24 positioned in the cavity 18, and a second position shown in Figure 4, in which the heating elements 52a-e extend into the aerosol generating material 26. Note that in the second example illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the aerosol generating article 24 does not include an integral heating element 27. The controller 22 is configured to control the power source 20 to supply electrical energy to one or more of the heating circuits 40a-e, and in some embodiments to sequentially supply electrical energy to each of the heating elements 52a-e. In more detail and in one mode, the controller 22 includes control circuitry which is configured to control the power source 20 to supply electrical energy to the first heating element 52a. The heat transferred from the first heating element 52a thereby heats a first portion of the aerosol generating material 26 in the region designated A in Figure 4.

After detecting a predetermined number of puffs or after detecting that a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the controller 22 may be configured to decrease the supply of electrical energy to the first heating element 52a and to simultaneously increase the supply of electrical energy to the second heating element 52b, until such time as the energy supply to the first heating element 52a ceases and the energy supply to the second heating element 52b reaches a maximum level. As a consequence, a second portion of the aerosol generating material 26 is now heated in the region designated B in Figure 4 by heat transferred from the second heating element 52b.

After detecting a predetermined number of puffs or after detecting that a predetermined period of time has elapsed during the supply of electrical energy to the second heating element 52b, the controller 22 may be configured to decrease the supply of electrical energy to the second heating element 52b and to simultaneously increase the supply of electrical energy to the third heating element 52c, until such time as the energy supply to the second heating element 52b ceases and the energy supply to the third heating element 52c reaches a maximum level. As a consequence, a third portion of the aerosol generating material 26 is now heated in the region designated C in Figure 4 by heat transferred from the third heating element 52c.

The controller 22 continues to implement the methodology described above so that electrical energy is sequentially supplied by the power source 20 to the fourth and fifth heating elements 52d, 52e, thereby sequentially heating fourth and fifth portions of the aerosol generating material 26 in the regions designated D and E in Figure 4. After detecting a predetermined number of puffs or after detecting that a predetermined period of time has elapsed during the supply of electrical energy to the fifth heating element 52e, the controller 22 decreases the supply of electrical energy to the fifth heating element 52e until the electrical energy supplied to the heating element 52e ceases. At this point, no further heating of the aerosol generating material 26 takes place and the controller 22 may be configured to prevent the supply of electrical energy from the power source 20 to the heating elements 52a-e until the used aerosol generating article 24 has been removed from the cavity 18 and a replacement aerosol generating article 24, containing previously unheated aerosol generating material 26, has been inserted into the cavity 18.

In another mode, two or more of the heating circuits 40a-e may be supplied with electrical energy at the same time to simultaneously heat two or more portions of the aerosol generating material 26. For example, the methodology can consist of simultaneously heating two regions A and B of the aerosol generating material 26 while the other regions C, D, E remain unheated. The heating operation can be continued for heating the other regions C, D, E with the heating elements 52c-52e either individually or in pairs or groups.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown a first type of positioning mechanism 54 in combination with the first example of the aerosol generating device 10 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, for simultaneously moving the pairs of electrical contacts 42a-e from the first position shown in Figures 1 and 5 to the second position shown in Figures 2 and 6. The positioning mechanism 54 comprises a radially movable pusher 56, which may be activated manually by a user. The radially movable pusher 56 is movable in the radial direction (as shown by the double headed arrow in Figures 5 and 6) between a first (retracted) position shown in Figure 5 and a second (advanced) position shown in Figure 6.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, there is shown a second type of positioning mechanism 58 in combination with the second example of the aerosol generating device 50 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, for sequentially moving the heating elements 52a-e from the first position shown in Figures 3 and 7 to the second position shown in Figures 4 and 8. The positioning mechanism 58 comprises an axially movable pusher 60, which may be activated manually by a user. The axially movable pusher 60 is movable in the axial direction (as shown by the double headed arrow in Figures 7 and 8) between a first (retracted) position shown in Figure 7 and a second (advanced) position shown in Figure 8.

Although the first type of positioning mechanism 54 has been described in combination with the first example of the aerosol generating device 10 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, it could equally be used with the second example of the aerosol generating device 50 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Similarly, although the second type of positioning mechanism 58 has been described in combination with the second example of the aerosol generating device 50 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, it could equally be used with the first example of the aerosol generating device 10 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to those embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments.

Any combination of the above-described features in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device (10, 50) comprising: a housing (16) defining a cavity (18) for receiving an aerosol generating material (26); a power source (20) and a controller (22); a plurality of heating circuits (40a-e) for heating the aerosol generating material (26), each heating circuit comprising an electrical circuit component (42a-e, 52a-e) movable between a first position in which the electrical circuit component does not extend into the aerosol generating material (26) and a second position in which the electrical circuit component extends into the aerosol generating material (26); wherein the controller (22) is configured to control the power source (20) to independently supply electrical energy to one or more of the heating circuits (40a-e) when the electrical circuit components are in the second position.

2. An aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the controller (22) is configured to control the power source (20) to sequentially supply electrical energy to one or more of the heating circuits when the electrical circuit components are in the second position.

3. An aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cavity

(18) is an elongate cavity having a longitudinal axis and the electrical circuit components are spaced along the longitudinal axis.

4. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the electrical circuit components (42a-e, 52a-e) are simultaneously movable between the first and second positions.

5. An aerosol generating device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electrical circuit components (42a-e, 52a-e) are sequentially movable between the first and second positions.

6. An aerosol generating device according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the aerosol generating device (10, 50) comprises a positioning mechanism (54, 58) configured to move the electrical circuit components between the first position and the second position in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

7. An aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein the positioning mechanism (54) comprises a radially movable pusher (56).

8. An aerosol generating device according to claim 7, wherein the radially movable pusher (56) is configured for manual activation by a user.

9. An aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein the positioning mechanism (58) is arranged for sequentially moving the electrical circuit components from the first position to the second position.

10. An aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein the positioning mechanism (58) comprises an axially movable pusher (60), which may be configured for manual activation by a user.

11. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein: each electrical circuit component comprises a pair of electrical contacts (42a- e); and the controller (22) is configured to control the power source (20) to independently supply electrical energy to one or more pairs of the electrical contacts (42a-e) when the electrical contacts are in the second position.

12. An aerosol generating device according to claim 11, wherein the controller (22) is configured to control the power source (20) to sequentially supply electrical energy to one or more pairs of the electrical contacts (42a-e) when the electrical contacts are in the second position.

13. An aerosol generating device according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein: the electrical contacts (42a-e) are spaced from a heating element (27) positioned in the aerosol generating material (26) when the electrical contacts are in the first position and; the electrical contacts are arranged to contact the heating element (27) at different locations when the electrical contacts are in the second position.

14. An aerosol generating device according to claim 13, wherein the heating element (27) is mounted on the housing (16) and projects into the cavity (18).

15. An aerosol generating device according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein each electrical circuit component comprises a heating element (52a-e).

16. An aerosol generating device according to claim 15, wherein the controller (22) is configured to control the power source (20) to sequentially supply electrical energy to one or more of the plurality of heating elements (52a-e) when the heating elements are in the second position.

17. An aerosol generating device according to any of claims 14 to 16, wherein the or each heating element (27, 52a-e) comprises a resistive heating element.

18. An aerosol generating system (1) comprising an aerosol generating device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 13 and an aerosol generating article (24) positioned in the cavity (18), wherein the aerosol generating article (24) comprises an aerosol generating material (26) and a heating element (27) positioned in the aerosol generating material (26).