EP4076055A1 - Aerosol generation device and consumable article with thermal properties recognition - Google Patents

Aerosol generation device and consumable article with thermal properties recognition

Info

Publication number
EP4076055A1
EP4076055A1 EP20830227.3A EP20830227A EP4076055A1 EP 4076055 A1 EP4076055 A1 EP 4076055A1 EP 20830227 A EP20830227 A EP 20830227A EP 4076055 A1 EP4076055 A1 EP 4076055A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
generation device
aerosol generation
consumable article
electrical
heat transfer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP20830227.3A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Andrew Robert John ROGAN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
JT International SA
Original Assignee
JT International SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by JT International SA filed Critical JT International SA
Publication of EP4076055A1 publication Critical patent/EP4076055A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A24F40/57—Temperature control
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/46—Shape or structure of electric heating means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an aerosol generation device and a consumable article for use with the aerosol generation device.
  • the invention relates to an aerosol generation device with an electrical interface for connecting with an electrical interface of the consumable article for determining the thermal properties of a heat transfer element of the consumable article.
  • An aerosol generation device configured to be used with a consumable article, such as an e-liquid cartridge, generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating substrate contained in the consumable article.
  • a consumable article such as an e-liquid cartridge
  • Some configurations employ a heating element which is provided in the consumable article next to the aerosol generating substrate, and the temperature of the heating element in the consumable article is measured for controlling power supplied to the heating element. This offers a relatively accurate determination of the heat transferred to the aerosol generating substrate.
  • the disadvantage is increased manufacturing costs because a heating element needs to be provided with each consumable article.
  • a first aspect of the invention is an aerosol generation device comprising a heating element having a contacting surface providing a thermal interface, circuitry and an electrical interface, the aerosol generation device configured to be connected to a consumable article, the consumable article comprising a heat transfer element configured to be heated by contacting the heating element at its thermal interface, an aerosol generation substrate configured to be heated by the heat transfer element, and an electrical interface in connection with the heat transfer element, wherein the electrical interface of the aerosol generation device is configured to be electrically connected with electrical interface of the consumable article when the consumable article is connected to the aerosol generation device such that an electrical circuit is formed between the circuitiy of the aerosol generation device and the electrical interface of the consumable article, and wherein the aerosol generation device is configured to obtain the temperature of the heat transfer element by means of the electrical circuit.
  • the heating element may comprise or consist of more than one component.
  • the heating element may comprise a separate thermal interface for contacting the thermal interface of the consumable article.
  • Formation of an electrical circuit between the circuitry of the aerosol generation device and the electrical interface of the consumable article means in particular that an electrical circuit is formed between the electrical circuitry of the aerosol generation device and electrical circuitry of the consumable article, more particularly between the electrical circuitry of the aerosol generation device and the heat transfer element of the consumable article.
  • the expression “circuitry” is to be understood to encompass active as well as passive components, wherein active or passive components may comprise or consist of any one of resistors, transistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, conductive wires, printed circuit boards, or any suitable combination thereof.
  • connection between the thermal interfaces affords a secure and stable thermal connection for transferring heat generated by the heating element in the aerosol generation device to the heat transfer element in the consumable article and subsequently to the aerosol generating substrate, so that the consumable article does not need to be provided with a heating element.
  • the connection between the electrical interfaces affords a secure and stable electrical connection so that the temperature of the heat transfer element can be reliably provided to the aerosol generation device. Obtaining the temperature of the heat transfer element rather than the heating element provides the aerosol generation device with a more accurate means of determining the temperature of the aerosol generation substrate due to the proximity of the heat transfer element to the aerosol generating substrate. Additionally, depending on the type of the aerosol generating substrate, the determined temperature, in particular an increase of the temperature of the heat transfer element, in particular an increase above certain temperatures, may be used as an indication that the aerosol generating substrate is depleted.
  • the electrical interface of the aerosol generation device is configured to mechanically connect with the electrical interface of the consumable article to releasably secure the consumable article to the aerosol generation device.
  • the electrical interface of the aerosol generation device comprises one or more second electrical connectors complementary to one or more corresponding first electrical connectors of the consumable article.
  • the electrical and the mechanical connections maybe achieved by means of any suitable electrical connectors.
  • the one or more first and second electrical connectors of the aerosol generation device and the consumable article comprise one or more pogo pins and one or more complementary pogo pin receptables, and/or vice versa.
  • the mechanical connection of the consumable article to the aerosol generation device as well as the stability of the electrical connection of the aerosol generation device with the heat transfer element can be releasably secured.
  • a stable electrical connection can be established.
  • pogo pins and pogo pin receptacles provides a strong, releasable mechanical connection as well as a stable and secure electrical connection.
  • the electrical circuit is configured such that the electrical resistance of the heat transfer element can be measured in the aerosol generation device. This affords a simple way for the aerosol generation device to obtain the temperature of the heat transfer element.
  • the consumable article is configured to determine the temperature or the resistance of the heat transfer element and the electrical circuit is configured to transmit signals representative of the temperature or the resistance of the heat transfer element.
  • the electrical circuit is configured to transmit signals representative of the temperature or the resistance of the heat transfer element.
  • Transmitting signals representative of the temperature or the resistance may comprise transmitting the determined value of the temperature and/or the determined value of the resistance as information, and/or transmitting the detected electrical signals when measuring the resistance of the heat transfer element to the aerosol generation device so that the temperature can be determined in the aerosol generation device instead of in the consumable article.
  • the consumable article comprises a temperature sensor configured for determining the temperature of the heat transfer element.
  • Employing a dedicated temperature sensor allows an accurate determination of the temperature of the heating element.
  • the aerosol generation device is configured for controlling the power supplied to the heating element based on the temperature of the heat transfer element obtained by the aerosol generation device. This affords a more accurate control of the aerosol generation device because the temperature of the heat transfer element is more representative of the temperature of the aerosol generating substrate than the temperature of the heating element.
  • the power control is based on a predetermined threshold temperature.
  • the threshold temperature may be predetermined based on a specific temperature limit above which damage to the aerosol generation device, the consumable article and/or a user of the aerosol generation device and the consumable article is to be expected, for example in case of a malfunction.
  • the specific temperature limit maybe set to correspond to a state of the consumable article in which the aerosol generating substrate contained therein is depleted.
  • controlling the power supplied to the heating element comprises turning the heating element on or off and/or adjusting amount of power supplied to the heating element.
  • An eleventh aspect of the invention is a consumable article for use with an aerosol generation device comprising a heating element having a contact surface forming a thermal interface, circuitry and an electrical interface, the consumable article comprising a heat transfer element configured to be heated by the heating element of the aerosol generation device by contacting the heating element at its thermal interface, an aerosol generation substrate configured to be heated by the heat transfer element, and an electrical interface to be electrically connected with the electrical interface of the aerosol generation device when the consumable article is connected to the aerosol generation device such that an electrical circuit is formed between the electrical interface of the consumable article and an circuitry of the aerosol generation device, and the aerosol generation device is enabled to obtain the temperature of the heat transfer element by means of the electrical circuit.
  • the heat transfer element may comprise or consist of more than one component, in particular the heat transfer element may comprise a separate thermal interface for contacting the thermal interface of the aerosol generation device.
  • the advantages of this aspect are analogous to the advantages of the first aspect.
  • the electrical interface of the consumable article is configured to mechanically connect with the electrical interface of the consumable article to releasably secure the consumable article to the aerosol generation device.
  • the electrical interface of the consumable article comprises one or more second electrical connectors complementary to one or more corresponding first electrical connectors of the consumable article.
  • the one or more first and second electrical connectors of the aerosol generation device and the consumable article comprise one or more pogo pins and one or one or more complementary pogo pin receptables, and/or vice versa.
  • the advantages of this aspect are analogous to the advantages of the fourth aspect.
  • the electrical interface of the consumable article is integrally formed with the heat-transfer element. This reduces the manufacturing costs and complexity by reducing the number of required parts.
  • the heat-transfer element comprises or is made of a metal, a metal alloy, or a heat conductive ceramic. These materials afford a good heat transfer between the heating element of the aerosol generation device and the aerosol generating substrate.
  • the consumable article is configured to determine the temperature or the resistance of the heat transfer element and the electrical circuit is configured to transmit signals representative of the temperature or the resistance of the heat transfer element.
  • the consumable article comprises a temperature sensor configured for determining the temperature of the heat transfer element.
  • Employing a dedicated temperature sensor allows an accurate determination of the temperature of the heating element.
  • a nineteenth aspect of the invention is a system comprising an aerosol generating device according to anyone of the first aspect to the tenth aspect, and a consumable article according to any one of the eleventh aspect to the eighteenth aspect.
  • Fig. l shows a schematic illustration of an aerosol generation device and a consumable article for us with the aerosol generation device, according to embodiments of the invention
  • Fig. 2 shows a schematic illustration of an aerosol generation device and a consumable article connected to the consumable article, according to embodiments of the invention
  • Fig. 3 shows an electrical connector of the consumable article and a respective electrical connector of the aerosol generation device, according to embodiments of the invention.
  • an aerosol generation device 100 comprises a heating element 120 that is configured for heating a thermal interface 110 of the aerosol generation device.
  • the aerosol generation device further comprises an electrical interface 130 and circuitry 140 connected with the electrical interface 130.
  • the consumable article 200 comprises a thermal interface 210 that is configured to transfer heat to a heat transfer element 220.
  • the thermal interface 210 and the heat transfer element 220 maybe formed integrally together and/or formed as a single component.
  • the heat transfer element 220 is configured to transfer heat to an aerosol generating substrate 250.
  • an electrical interface 230, and circuitry that is connected with the electrical interface 230 are provided with the consumable article.
  • the circuitiy maybe connected with the heat transfer element 220.
  • the heat transfer element 220 may be provided adjacent to the aerosol generating substrate 250.
  • the liquid may be adsorbed on an absorbing element such as a mousse or solid foam pad or the like at least partially in contact with the heat transfer element 220 such that heat can be transferred to the pad and liquid adsorbed therein by conduction and/or convection to evaporate it.
  • the absorbing element may be arranged in an evaporation chamber arranged between the aerosol generation substrate 250 reservoir and the heat transfer element 220 as disclosed in WO 2017179043 Ai.
  • the thermal interface 110 of the aerosol generation device and the thermal interface 210 of the consumable article are configured to connect with each other such that a thermal bridge between the heating element 120 of the aerosol generation device and the heat transfer element 220 may be formed that allows heat to be transferred from the heating element 120 to the thermal interface 110 of the aerosol generation device, then to the thermal interface 210 of the consumable article, then to the heat transfer element 220, and finally to the aerosol generating substrate. It should be noted that while the thermal interfaces 110 and 210 of the aerosol generation device and consumable article are shown in Fig.
  • thermo interfaces 110/210 are designed integrally, i.e. as an integral part, of heating element 120 and of heat transfer element 220, respectively, or separately therefrom, i.e. as heat conducting members arranged in contact with the heating element on the one end and with the heat transfer element on the other hand.
  • the 230 of the consumable article are configured to connect with each other, such that an electrical circuit may be formed.
  • the formed electrical circuit may comprise the circuitry 140 of the aerosol generation device such that the circuitry 140 can connect the electrical interface 230 of the consumable to determine the temperature of the heat transfer element 220.
  • the consumable article may comprise a suitable temperature sensor configured for determining the temperature of the heat transfer element 220.
  • the heat transfer element 220 may be configured such that the temperature of the heat transfer element 220 may be determined based on an electric property of the heat transfer element, in particular based on a detected temperature dependent electric resistance of the heat transfer element.
  • the heat transfer element 220 may comprise one or more materials, each material having a well- known and suitable temperature coefficient of resistance and/ or a well-defined temperature dependent resistance characteristic. This maybe achieved by the consumable article 200 determining the temperature of the heat transfer element 220 via the temperature sensor in the consumable article 200 and subsequently transmitting the determined temperature as information to the aerosol generation substrate via the electrical circuit. Additionally, or alternatively, this may be achieved by the consumable article 200 determining the temperature of the heat transfer element 220 based on a detected temperature dependent electric resistance of the heat transfer element and subsequently transmitting the determined temperature as information to the aerosol generation substrate via the electric circuit.
  • the consumable article 200 may transmit the detected electric signals for determining the temperature dependent resistance of the heat transfer element 220 to the aerosol generation device 100 via the electric circuit, and the aerosol generation device too may determine the temperature of the heat transfer element based on the transmitted the detected electric signals. Additionally, or alternatively, the consumable article 200 may transmit detected signals of the temperature sensor to the aerosol generation device too via the electric circuit, and the aerosol generation device too may subsequently determine the temperature of the heat transfer element 220 based on the detected signals of the temperature sensor.
  • the aerosol generation device 200 may be configured to control the power supplied to the heating element 120 based on the determined temperature of the heat transfer element 220.
  • the supplied power maybe controlled by adjusting the level of power supplied, or by turning the supplied power on or off. Additionally, the power supplied may be controlled based on the determined temperature and one or more predetermined threshold temperatures. Power supplied to the heating element 120 may be controlled, and/or the one or more predetermined threshold temperatures maybe configured such that a certain temperature or temperature range of heat transfer element may be achieved. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more threshold temperatures may be configured such that a certain temperature limit of the heat transfer element is not exceeded to prevent damage to the aerosol generation device or the consumable article.
  • Such a case may arise if the heating element, the aerosol generation device or the consumable article malfunction or if the aerosol generating substrate 250 in the consumable article 200 is depleted and the heat transferred from the heating element 120 to the heat transfer element 220 is consequently not used for generating aerosol.
  • the electrical interface 130 of the aerosol generation device too and the electrical interface 230 of the consumable article 200 may further form a mechanical connection that releasably secures the consumable article 200 to the aerosol generation device too to provide a stable mechanical, electrical and thermal connection.
  • This may be achieved by one or more electrical connectors 131 provided with the electrical interface 130 of the aerosol generation device 100 and by one or more electrical connectors 231 provided with the electrical interface 230 of the consumable article 200 that may be counterconnectors to electrical connectors of the one or more electrical connectors 131 of the consumable article.
  • the one or more connectors 131 connect with the corresponding one or more counterconnectors 231 to form the mechanical connection.
  • the number of connectors 131 maybe the same or different from the number of counterconnectors 231.
  • the one or more electrical connectors 131 of the aerosol generation device may comprise connectors of a male and/or female type, and the one or more electrical counterconnectors 231 of the consumable article may comprise corresponding connectors of the corresponding female and/or male type. Additionally, the one or more electrical connectors 131 and counterconnectors 231 may comprise connectors and corresponding counterconnectors of different types.
  • one or more electrical connectors 131 of an electrical interface of an aerosol generation device which may be an electrical interface 130 of an aerosol generation device too as described in the context of Figs. 1 and 2
  • one or more electrical counterconnectors 231 of an electrical interface of a consumable article which maybe an electrical interface 230 of a consumable article 200 as described in the context of
  • Figs. 1 and 2 may comprise one or more pogo pin receptacles or counterconnectors, or vice versa.
  • the one or more electrical connectors 131 and the one or more counterconnectors 231 may comprise connectors and/or counterconnectors that, instead of including a male and female type, rotatably connect with each other to releasably secure the consumable article 200 to the aerosol generation device too.
  • the one or more electrical connectors 131 and 231 may comprise electrical connectors that connect to each other via magnetic forces.

Landscapes

  • Control Of Resistance Heating (AREA)
  • Resistance Heating (AREA)

Abstract

An aerosol generation device (100) has an electrical interface (130) for connecting with an electrical interface (230) of the consumable article (200) for determining the temperature of a heat transfer element (220) of the consumable article. The aerosol generation device further comprises a heating element (120) having a contacting surface providing a thermal interface (110) and circuitry (140). The consumable article comprises the heat transfer element heated by contacting the heating element (120) at its thermal interface (210), an aerosol generation substrate (250) heated by the heat transfer element, and an electrical interface (230) in connection with the heat transfer element. When the consumable article is connected to the aerosol generation device, the aerosol generation device obtains the temperature of the heat transfer element by means of the electrical circuit formed between the circuitry of the aerosol generation device and the electrical interface of the consumable article.

Description

AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE AND CONSUMABLE ARTICLE WITH THERMAL PROPERTIES RECOGNITION TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an aerosol generation device and a consumable article for use with the aerosol generation device. In particular, the invention relates to an aerosol generation device with an electrical interface for connecting with an electrical interface of the consumable article for determining the thermal properties of a heat transfer element of the consumable article.
BACKGROUND
An aerosol generation device configured to be used with a consumable article, such as an e-liquid cartridge, generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating substrate contained in the consumable article. Some configurations employ a heating element which is provided in the consumable article next to the aerosol generating substrate, and the temperature of the heating element in the consumable article is measured for controlling power supplied to the heating element. This offers a relatively accurate determination of the heat transferred to the aerosol generating substrate. The disadvantage is increased manufacturing costs because a heating element needs to be provided with each consumable article.
Other configurations provide the heating element in the aerosol generating device, and the aerosol generating substrate is heated via a heat transfer element provided in the consumable article that transfers heat from the heating element to the aerosol generating substrate. Also, in this configuration, the temperature of the heating element is measured for controlling power supplied to the heating element for controlling the temperature of the aerosol generating substrate. While this configuration eliminates the need for a heating element provided in the consumable article, thus saving costs, it leads to a less accurate determination of the temperature of the heat transfer element and thus the aerosol generating substrate. Therefore, there is a need for an aerosol generating device and a consumable that afford a more accurate determination of the temperature of the aerosol generating substrate in the consumable with reduced costs and manufacturing complexities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above objective is solved by the invention as defined by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined by the sub features of the dependent claims.
A first aspect of the invention is an aerosol generation device comprising a heating element having a contacting surface providing a thermal interface, circuitry and an electrical interface, the aerosol generation device configured to be connected to a consumable article, the consumable article comprising a heat transfer element configured to be heated by contacting the heating element at its thermal interface, an aerosol generation substrate configured to be heated by the heat transfer element, and an electrical interface in connection with the heat transfer element, wherein the electrical interface of the aerosol generation device is configured to be electrically connected with electrical interface of the consumable article when the consumable article is connected to the aerosol generation device such that an electrical circuit is formed between the circuitiy of the aerosol generation device and the electrical interface of the consumable article, and wherein the aerosol generation device is configured to obtain the temperature of the heat transfer element by means of the electrical circuit.
The heating element may comprise or consist of more than one component. In particular, the heating element may comprise a separate thermal interface for contacting the thermal interface of the consumable article. Formation of an electrical circuit between the circuitry of the aerosol generation device and the electrical interface of the consumable article means in particular that an electrical circuit is formed between the electrical circuitry of the aerosol generation device and electrical circuitry of the consumable article, more particularly between the electrical circuitry of the aerosol generation device and the heat transfer element of the consumable article. Herein, the expression “circuitry” is to be understood to encompass active as well as passive components, wherein active or passive components may comprise or consist of any one of resistors, transistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, conductive wires, printed circuit boards, or any suitable combination thereof. The connection between the thermal interfaces affords a secure and stable thermal connection for transferring heat generated by the heating element in the aerosol generation device to the heat transfer element in the consumable article and subsequently to the aerosol generating substrate, so that the consumable article does not need to be provided with a heating element. The connection between the electrical interfaces affords a secure and stable electrical connection so that the temperature of the heat transfer element can be reliably provided to the aerosol generation device. Obtaining the temperature of the heat transfer element rather than the heating element provides the aerosol generation device with a more accurate means of determining the temperature of the aerosol generation substrate due to the proximity of the heat transfer element to the aerosol generating substrate. Additionally, depending on the type of the aerosol generating substrate, the determined temperature, in particular an increase of the temperature of the heat transfer element, in particular an increase above certain temperatures, may be used as an indication that the aerosol generating substrate is depleted.
According to a second aspect, in the preceding aspect, the electrical interface of the aerosol generation device is configured to mechanically connect with the electrical interface of the consumable article to releasably secure the consumable article to the aerosol generation device. By additionally serving the function of establishing a secure mechanical connection between the aerosol generation device and the consumable article, the manufacturing complexity can be reduced and the connection between the aerosol generation device and the consumable article can be ensured to achieve a stable electrical and thermal connection between the aerosol generation device and the consumable article. According to a third aspect, in any one of the preceding aspects, the electrical interface of the aerosol generation device comprises one or more second electrical connectors complementary to one or more corresponding first electrical connectors of the consumable article. The electrical and the mechanical connections maybe achieved by means of any suitable electrical connectors. According to a fourth aspect, in the preceding aspect, the one or more first and second electrical connectors of the aerosol generation device and the consumable article comprise one or more pogo pins and one or more complementary pogo pin receptables, and/or vice versa. In this manner, the mechanical connection of the consumable article to the aerosol generation device as well as the stability of the electrical connection of the aerosol generation device with the heat transfer element can be releasably secured. By using one or more electrical connectors on the aerosol generation device and corresponding electrical connectors on the consumable article, a stable electrical connection can be established. In particular, the use of pogo pins and pogo pin receptacles provides a strong, releasable mechanical connection as well as a stable and secure electrical connection.
According to a fifth aspect, in any one of the preceding aspects, the electrical circuit is configured such that the electrical resistance of the heat transfer element can be measured in the aerosol generation device. This affords a simple way for the aerosol generation device to obtain the temperature of the heat transfer element.
According to a sixth aspect, in any one of the preceding aspects, the consumable article is configured to determine the temperature or the resistance of the heat transfer element and the electrical circuit is configured to transmit signals representative of the temperature or the resistance of the heat transfer element. Depending on the setup of the aerosol generation device and/ or the consumable article, it may be advantageous to first determine the temperature or the resistance of the heat transfer element corresponding to the temperature of the heat transfer element in the consumable article, and to subsequently transmit signals representative of temperature or the resistance corresponding to the temperature of the heat transfer element to the aerosol generation device. Transmitting signals representative of the temperature or the resistance may comprise transmitting the determined value of the temperature and/or the determined value of the resistance as information, and/or transmitting the detected electrical signals when measuring the resistance of the heat transfer element to the aerosol generation device so that the temperature can be determined in the aerosol generation device instead of in the consumable article.
According to a seventh aspect, in the preceding aspect, the consumable article comprises a temperature sensor configured for determining the temperature of the heat transfer element. Employing a dedicated temperature sensor allows an accurate determination of the temperature of the heating element. According to an eighth aspect, in any one of the preceding aspects, the aerosol generation device is configured for controlling the power supplied to the heating element based on the temperature of the heat transfer element obtained by the aerosol generation device. This affords a more accurate control of the aerosol generation device because the temperature of the heat transfer element is more representative of the temperature of the aerosol generating substrate than the temperature of the heating element.
According to a ninth aspect, in the preceding aspect, the power control is based on a predetermined threshold temperature. This allows the temperature of the aerosol generating substrate to be controlled to be within a certain temperature range, or to not exceed a certain temperature limit. The threshold temperature may be predetermined based on a specific temperature limit above which damage to the aerosol generation device, the consumable article and/or a user of the aerosol generation device and the consumable article is to be expected, for example in case of a malfunction. Depending on the type of substrate, the specific temperature limit maybe set to correspond to a state of the consumable article in which the aerosol generating substrate contained therein is depleted.
According to a tenth aspect, in any of one of the ninth to the tenth aspects, controlling the power supplied to the heating element comprises turning the heating element on or off and/or adjusting amount of power supplied to the heating element.
An eleventh aspect of the invention is a consumable article for use with an aerosol generation device comprising a heating element having a contact surface forming a thermal interface, circuitry and an electrical interface, the consumable article comprising a heat transfer element configured to be heated by the heating element of the aerosol generation device by contacting the heating element at its thermal interface, an aerosol generation substrate configured to be heated by the heat transfer element, and an electrical interface to be electrically connected with the electrical interface of the aerosol generation device when the consumable article is connected to the aerosol generation device such that an electrical circuit is formed between the electrical interface of the consumable article and an circuitry of the aerosol generation device, and the aerosol generation device is enabled to obtain the temperature of the heat transfer element by means of the electrical circuit.
The heat transfer element may comprise or consist of more than one component, in particular the heat transfer element may comprise a separate thermal interface for contacting the thermal interface of the aerosol generation device. The advantages of this aspect are analogous to the advantages of the first aspect.
According to a twelfth aspect, in the preceding aspect, the electrical interface of the consumable article is configured to mechanically connect with the electrical interface of the consumable article to releasably secure the consumable article to the aerosol generation device. The advantages of this aspect are analogous to the advantages of the second aspect.
According to a thirteenth aspect, in any one of the eleventh or the twelfth aspects, the electrical interface of the consumable article comprises one or more second electrical connectors complementary to one or more corresponding first electrical connectors of the consumable article. The advantages of this aspect are analogous to the advantages of the third aspect.
According to a fourteenth aspect, in the preceding aspect, the one or more first and second electrical connectors of the aerosol generation device and the consumable article comprise one or more pogo pins and one or one or more complementary pogo pin receptables, and/or vice versa. The advantages of this aspect are analogous to the advantages of the fourth aspect.
According to a fifteenth aspect, in any one of the eleventh to the fourteenth aspects, the electrical interface of the consumable article is integrally formed with the heat-transfer element. This reduces the manufacturing costs and complexity by reducing the number of required parts.
According to a sixteenth aspect, in any one of the eleventh to the fifteenth aspect, the heat-transfer element comprises or is made of a metal, a metal alloy, or a heat conductive ceramic. These materials afford a good heat transfer between the heating element of the aerosol generation device and the aerosol generating substrate.
According to a seventeenth aspect, in any one of eleventh to the sixteenth aspects, the consumable article is configured to determine the temperature or the resistance of the heat transfer element and the electrical circuit is configured to transmit signals representative of the temperature or the resistance of the heat transfer element.
According to an eighteenth aspect, in the preceding aspect, the consumable article comprises a temperature sensor configured for determining the temperature of the heat transfer element. Employing a dedicated temperature sensor allows an accurate determination of the temperature of the heating element. A nineteenth aspect of the invention is a system comprising an aerosol generating device according to anyone of the first aspect to the tenth aspect, and a consumable article according to any one of the eleventh aspect to the eighteenth aspect.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. l shows a schematic illustration of an aerosol generation device and a consumable article for us with the aerosol generation device, according to embodiments of the invention;
Fig. 2 shows a schematic illustration of an aerosol generation device and a consumable article connected to the consumable article, according to embodiments of the invention;
Fig. 3 shows an electrical connector of the consumable article and a respective electrical connector of the aerosol generation device, according to embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of invention are described hereinafter and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, an aerosol generation device 100 comprises a heating element 120 that is configured for heating a thermal interface 110 of the aerosol generation device. The aerosol generation device further comprises an electrical interface 130 and circuitry 140 connected with the electrical interface 130. The consumable article 200 comprises a thermal interface 210 that is configured to transfer heat to a heat transfer element 220. The thermal interface 210 and the heat transfer element 220 maybe formed integrally together and/or formed as a single component. The heat transfer element 220 is configured to transfer heat to an aerosol generating substrate 250. Additionally, an electrical interface 230, and circuitry that is connected with the electrical interface 230 are provided with the consumable article.
The circuitiy maybe connected with the heat transfer element 220. Depending on the type of consumable article and the aerosol generating substrate contained therein, the heat transfer element 220 may be provided adjacent to the aerosol generating substrate 250. In case of a liquid aerosol generating substrate, the liquid may be adsorbed on an absorbing element such as a mousse or solid foam pad or the like at least partially in contact with the heat transfer element 220 such that heat can be transferred to the pad and liquid adsorbed therein by conduction and/or convection to evaporate it. Preferably, the absorbing element may be arranged in an evaporation chamber arranged between the aerosol generation substrate 250 reservoir and the heat transfer element 220 as disclosed in WO 2017179043 Ai. The thermal interface 110 of the aerosol generation device and the thermal interface 210 of the consumable article are configured to connect with each other such that a thermal bridge between the heating element 120 of the aerosol generation device and the heat transfer element 220 may be formed that allows heat to be transferred from the heating element 120 to the thermal interface 110 of the aerosol generation device, then to the thermal interface 210 of the consumable article, then to the heat transfer element 220, and finally to the aerosol generating substrate. It should be noted that while the thermal interfaces 110 and 210 of the aerosol generation device and consumable article are shown in Fig. 1 as independent or separate parts of the heating element 120 and heat transfer element 220, respectively, such representation shall not be interpreted as limitative and shall also encompass any realisation where the thermal interfaces 110/210 are designed integrally, i.e. as an integral part, of heating element 120 and of heat transfer element 220, respectively, or separately therefrom, i.e. as heat conducting members arranged in contact with the heating element on the one end and with the heat transfer element on the other hand. The electrical interface 130 of the aerosol generation device and the electrical interface
230 of the consumable article are configured to connect with each other, such that an electrical circuit may be formed. The formed electrical circuit may comprise the circuitry 140 of the aerosol generation device such that the circuitry 140 can connect the electrical interface 230 of the consumable to determine the temperature of the heat transfer element 220. The consumable article may comprise a suitable temperature sensor configured for determining the temperature of the heat transfer element 220. Additionally, or alternatively, the heat transfer element 220 may be configured such that the temperature of the heat transfer element 220 may be determined based on an electric property of the heat transfer element, in particular based on a detected temperature dependent electric resistance of the heat transfer element. The heat transfer element 220 may comprise one or more materials, each material having a well- known and suitable temperature coefficient of resistance and/ or a well-defined temperature dependent resistance characteristic. This maybe achieved by the consumable article 200 determining the temperature of the heat transfer element 220 via the temperature sensor in the consumable article 200 and subsequently transmitting the determined temperature as information to the aerosol generation substrate via the electrical circuit. Additionally, or alternatively, this may be achieved by the consumable article 200 determining the temperature of the heat transfer element 220 based on a detected temperature dependent electric resistance of the heat transfer element and subsequently transmitting the determined temperature as information to the aerosol generation substrate via the electric circuit. Additionally, or alternatively, the consumable article 200 may transmit the detected electric signals for determining the temperature dependent resistance of the heat transfer element 220 to the aerosol generation device 100 via the electric circuit, and the aerosol generation device too may determine the temperature of the heat transfer element based on the transmitted the detected electric signals. Additionally, or alternatively, the consumable article 200 may transmit detected signals of the temperature sensor to the aerosol generation device too via the electric circuit, and the aerosol generation device too may subsequently determine the temperature of the heat transfer element 220 based on the detected signals of the temperature sensor.
The aerosol generation device 200 may be configured to control the power supplied to the heating element 120 based on the determined temperature of the heat transfer element 220. The supplied power maybe controlled by adjusting the level of power supplied, or by turning the supplied power on or off. Additionally, the power supplied may be controlled based on the determined temperature and one or more predetermined threshold temperatures. Power supplied to the heating element 120 may be controlled, and/or the one or more predetermined threshold temperatures maybe configured such that a certain temperature or temperature range of heat transfer element may be achieved. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more threshold temperatures may be configured such that a certain temperature limit of the heat transfer element is not exceeded to prevent damage to the aerosol generation device or the consumable article. Such a case may arise if the heating element, the aerosol generation device or the consumable article malfunction or if the aerosol generating substrate 250 in the consumable article 200 is depleted and the heat transferred from the heating element 120 to the heat transfer element 220 is consequently not used for generating aerosol.
When connected to each other, the electrical interface 130 of the aerosol generation device too and the electrical interface 230 of the consumable article 200 may further form a mechanical connection that releasably secures the consumable article 200 to the aerosol generation device too to provide a stable mechanical, electrical and thermal connection. This may be achieved by one or more electrical connectors 131 provided with the electrical interface 130 of the aerosol generation device 100 and by one or more electrical connectors 231 provided with the electrical interface 230 of the consumable article 200 that may be counterconnectors to electrical connectors of the one or more electrical connectors 131 of the consumable article. The one or more connectors 131 connect with the corresponding one or more counterconnectors 231 to form the mechanical connection. The number of connectors 131 maybe the same or different from the number of counterconnectors 231. The one or more electrical connectors 131 of the aerosol generation device may comprise connectors of a male and/or female type, and the one or more electrical counterconnectors 231 of the consumable article may comprise corresponding connectors of the corresponding female and/or male type. Additionally, the one or more electrical connectors 131 and counterconnectors 231 may comprise connectors and corresponding counterconnectors of different types. As shown in Fig. 3, one or more electrical connectors 131 of an electrical interface of an aerosol generation device, which may be an electrical interface 130 of an aerosol generation device too as described in the context of Figs. 1 and 2, may comprise one or more pogo pins or similar electrical connectors, and one or more electrical counterconnectors 231 of an electrical interface of a consumable article, which maybe an electrical interface 230 of a consumable article 200 as described in the context of
Figs. 1 and 2, may comprise one or more pogo pin receptacles or counterconnectors, or vice versa. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more electrical connectors 131 and the one or more counterconnectors 231 may comprise connectors and/or counterconnectors that, instead of including a male and female type, rotatably connect with each other to releasably secure the consumable article 200 to the aerosol generation device too. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more electrical connectors 131 and 231 may comprise electrical connectors that connect to each other via magnetic forces.
While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the scope of this disclosure, as defined by the independent and dependent claims. LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS loo: aerosol generation device no: thermal interface of the device 120: heating element of the device 130: electrical interface of the device
131: electric connector of the device 140: circuitry of the device 200: consumable article 210 thermal interface of the consumable article 220: heat transfer element of the consumable article
230: electrical interface of the consumable article 231: electrical connector of the consumable article 250: aerosol generating substrate

Claims

December 16, 2020ernational S.A. J156840WO CKA/Zhl/brt
Claims l. An aerosol generation device comprising: a heating element having a contacting surface providing a thermal interface; electrical circuitry; and an electrical interface; the aerosol generation device configured to be connected to a consumable article comprising a heat transfer element configured to be heated by contacting the heating element at its thermal interface; an aerosol generation substrate configured to be heated by the heat transfer element; and an electrical interface in connection with the heat transfer element; wherein the electrical interface of the aerosol generation device is configured to be electrically connected with the electrical interface of the consumable article when the consumable article is connected to the aerosol generation device such that an electrical circuit is formed between the electrical circuitry of the aerosol generation device and the electrical interface of the consumable article; and wherein the aerosol generation device is configured to obtain the temperature of the heat transfer element by means of the electrical circuit.
2. The aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the electrical interface of the aerosol generation device is configured to mechanically connect with the electrical interface of the consumable article to releasably secure the consumable article to the aerosol generation device.
3. The aerosol generation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical interface of the aerosol generation device comprises one or more second electrical connectors complementary to one or more corresponding first electrical connectors of the consumable article.
4. The aerosol generation device according to any one of claims l to 3, wherein the one or more first and second electrical connectors of the aerosol generation device and the consumable article comprise one or more pogo pins and one or more complementary pogo pin receptables, and/ or vice versa.
5. The aerosol generation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical circuit is configured such that an electrical resistance of the heat transfer element of the consumable article can be measured in the aerosol generation device.
6. The aerosol generation device according to any one of the preceding claims, configured for controlling the power supplied to the heating element based on the temperature of the heat transfer element obtained by the aerosol generation device.
7. The aerosol generation device according to the preceding claim, wherein the power control is based on a predetermined threshold temperature.
8. The aerosol generation device according to any of claims 6 to 7, wherein controlling the power supplied to the heating element comprises turning the heating element on or off and/or adjusting amount of power supplied to the heating element.
9. A consumable article for use with an aerosol generation device comprising a heating element having a contact surface forming a thermal interface, and an electrical interface, the consumable article comprising: a heat transfer element configured to be heated by the heating element of the aerosol generation device by contacting the heating element at its thermal interface; an aerosol generation substrate configured to be heated by the heat transfer element; and an electrical interface to be electrically connected with the electrical interface of the aerosol generation device when the consumable article is connected to the aerosol generation device such that an electrical circuit is formed between the electrical interface of the consumable article and an electrical circuitiy of the aerosol generation device, and the aerosol generation device is enabled to obtain the temperature of the heat transfer element by means of the electrical circuit.
10. The consumable according to claim 9, wherein the electrical interface of the consumable article is configured to mechanically connect with the electrical interface of the aerosol generation device to releasably secure the consumable article to the aerosol generation device.
11. The consumable article according to any of claims 9 or 10, wherein the electrical interface of the consumable article comprises one or more first electrical connectors and the electrical interface of the aerosol generation device comprises one or more second electrical connectors corresponding to the one or more first electrical connectors for connecting with the first one or more electrical connectors.
12. The consumable article according to the preceding claim, wherein the one or more first electrical connectors comprise one or more pogo pins and the one or more second electrical connectors comprise one or more pogo pin receptables, and/or vice versa.
13. The consumable article according to any one of claim 9 to 12, wherein the electrical interface of the consumable article is integrally formed in the heat- transfer element.
14. The consumable article according to any of claims 9 to 13, wherein the heat-transfer element comprises or is made of a metal, a metal alloy, or a heat conductive ceramic.
15. A system comprising an aerosol generating device according to anyone of claims 1 to 8 and a consumable article according to any one of claims 9 to 14.
EP20830227.3A 2019-12-20 2020-12-18 Aerosol generation device and consumable article with thermal properties recognition Pending EP4076055A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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EP19218786 2019-12-20
PCT/EP2020/087275 WO2021123348A1 (en) 2019-12-20 2020-12-18 Aerosol generation device and consumable article with thermal properties recognition

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US4947874A (en) * 1988-09-08 1990-08-14 R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Smoking articles utilizing electrical energy
US9854841B2 (en) * 2012-10-08 2018-01-02 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Electronic smoking article and associated method
US10334882B2 (en) 2016-04-13 2019-07-02 Md&C Creative Masion Sa Electronic cigarette
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