EP4602937A1

EP4602937A1 - Aerosol generating apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP4602937A1
Application number: EP24157785.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: designation of the inventor has not yet been filed The
Original assignee: Imperial Tobacco Ltd United Kingdom
Current assignee: Imperial Tobacco Ltd United Kingdom
Priority date: 2024-02-15
Filing date: 2024-02-15
Publication date: 2025-08-20
Also published as: WO2025172412A1

Abstract

An aerosol generating apparatus (100, 200, 300) comprising: a device (120, 320) having a first device end (121a) and, opposite thereto, a second device end (121b); a cavity (122, 322) formed in the device, wherein the cavity (122, 322) has a first cavity end (123) proximal to the first device end (121a) and a second cavity end (124) distal to the first device end (121a); an aerosol generating element (126) arranged in the cavity (122, 322); an opening (144, 384) at the first device end (121a), the opening (144, 384) for receiving a consumable (70) into the cavity (122, 322); a closure (140, 340) that is movable between a first position in which the closure (140, 340) obstructs the opening (144, 384), and a second position in which the opening (144, 384) is exposed for receiving a consumable (70) into the cavity (122, 322); and a sensor system (160, 360) configured to detect the position of the closure (140, 340); wherein the sensor system (160, 360) is at the second cavity end (124) or between the second cavity end (124) and the second device end (121b). Advantageously, this means that the sensor system (160, 360) is placed further away from the closure (140, 340), meaning that there is more room around the closure (140, 340) that can be exploited for other mechanisms and purposes.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating apparatus.

BACKGROUND

A typical aerosol generating apparatus may comprise a power supply, an aerosol generating unit that is driven by the power supply, an aerosol precursor, which in use is aerosolised by the aerosol generating unit to generate an aerosol, and a delivery system for delivery of the aerosol to a user. The apparatus may further comprise a body which houses the power supply and aerosol generating unit, as well as a cavity for inserting the aerosol precursor. It is known to detect the position of a part of the device relative to another part and to control the aerosol generating apparatus based on the control detection.
A drawback with known aerosol generating apparatuses is that it can be difficult to accurately detect the position of the part of the device. Since the detection of the position can be used to control components within the apparatus such as the aerosol generating unit, inaccurate readings are undesirable because they could lead to such components being activated at the wrong time, causing damage to the apparatus or harm to a user. Consequently, often close proximity sensors are used. Here, the proximity sensor is located close to the part of the device being detected, which limits the location of the proximity sensor.
In spite of the effort already invested in the development of aerosol generating apparatuses/systems further improvements are desirable.

SUMMARY

At its broadest, there is provided an aerosol generating apparatus including a device, a closure that is movable to cover/uncover an opening into the device, and a sensor system that is distant to the closure and the opening.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating apparatus comprising: a device having a first device end and, opposite thereto, a second device end; a cavity formed in the device, wherein the cavity has a first cavity end proximal to the first device end and a second cavity end distal to the first device end; an aerosol generating element arranged in the cavity; an opening at the first device end, the opening for receiving a consumable into the cavity; a closure that is movable between a first position in which the closure obstructs the opening, and a second position in which the opening is exposed for receiving a consumable into the cavity; and a sensor system configured to detect the position of the closure; wherein the sensor system is at the second cavity end or between the second cavity end and the second device end.
Advantageously, by positioning the sensor system at a distance from the closure and the opening (i.e., either at a second end of the cavity or at a point between the second end of the cavity and the second end of the device), space may be freed up in the regions around the first end of the cavity for use by the closure and other device mechanisms and the need for electrical wiring to a sensor system at the closure/opening is removed.
The first position of the closure refers to a position in which the closure covers or blocks the opening to inhibit access to the cavity of the device via the opening (i.e., the opening is 'closed'). In the closed position, the consumable is prevented from being inserted into the cavity. For instance, the closed position the closure restricts the opening to the cavity or causes the opening to be fully or at least partially blocked.
The second position of the closure refers to a position in which the opening is exposed (i.e., the opening is open), and a passage into the cavity is accessible via the opening through which a consumable can be inserted into the cavity. This may mean that the entirety of the opening is revealed, or only a portion of the opening. This passage may be provided through the closure itself or may refer to a case in which the closure has been wholly moved out of the way of the opening, such that the consumable bypasses the closure entirely in entering the cavity. When open, a consumable can be inserted and/or removed from the cavity.
The statement that the sensor system is "at the second cavity end" is used to describe that the sensor system may be located in the cavity directly at or close to the second end of the cavity (i.e., at least within a second half of the cavity, defined as being a portion of the cavity closer to the second end of the cavity than the first end). In other words, when the sensor system is located within the cavity, it is closer to the second end of the cavity than the first end of the cavity. Suitably, when the sensor system is located within the cavity, the sensor system is located on the second end of the cavity, such that the sensor system is as far away from the first end of the cavity as is possible to be within the cavity. In such cases, the construction of the apparatus is advantageously simplified, as the sensor system does not require a dedicated space within the apparatus.
Additionally, the statement "at the second cavity end" further includes examples in which the sensor system is located outside of the cavity, but faces in to the second end of the second end of the cavity (in a wall facing into the cavity). For example, the sensor system may be located within a wall of the cavity directly adjacent to the second end of the cavity, or maybe located in the wall of the cavity that directly defines the second end of the cavity. In other words, the sensor system may be located proximate to the second end of the cavity, but outside of the cavity itself.
Suitably, the sensor system may be located in its entirety in a single position either at the second end of the cavity or between the second end of the cavity and the second end of the device. However, the present disclosure is not limited in this way. For example, the sensor system may instead include components within the cavity, as well as components that are located outside the cavity.
In examples where the sensor system is located outside the cavity, the sensor system can more easily be prevented from becoming damaged from the insertion and retraction of consumables into the cavity. In some embodiments, the sensor system may include a light emitter configured to emit light toward the closure, and a photodiode configured to detect light reflected from the closure. The intensity of the reflected light will be different depending on whether the closure is in the first position or the second position, and so the detection of the reflected light at the photodiode will indicate the position of the closure. Advantageously, this provides a cheap and reliable method of detecting the position of the closure.
For the avoidance of doubt, the light that is reflected from the closure is light that was emitted by the light emitter.
Suitably, the light emitter and photodiode may be configured to emit and detect infrared (IR) radiation. However, the present disclosure is not limited in this way, and other types of light are envisaged as being emitted and detected by the light emitter and photodiode respectively.
Further, the present disclosure is not limited to a sensor system using a light emitter and photodiode. In some embodiments, the sensor system may be configured to detect the position of the closure by measuring a magnetic flux generated by one or more magnetic elements in the closure.
Movement of the closure from the first position to the second position causes a corresponding movement in the one or more magnetic elements, which will cause a change in the magnetic flux detected at the sensor system. For example, the movement of the magnetic elements toward or away from the sensor system will cause a change in the intensity of magnetic flux received at the sensor system, and movement of the one or more magnetic elements about (or substantially about) the sensor system will cause a change in orientation of the magnetic flux received at the sensor system.
In some examples, the magnetic flux intensity is used to determine the closure position. Suitably, the sensor system detects the magnetic flux intensity, and this magnetic flux intensity is then compared to a predetermined threshold value. If the magnetic flux is below the threshold value, the closure is determined to be in one of the two positions (e.g., the first position), and if the magnetic flux is above the threshold value, the closure is determined to be in the other position (e.g., the second position). Alternatively, a first predetermined magnetic flux intensity value, corresponding to the first position of the closure, and a second predetermined magnetic flux intensity value, corresponding to the second position of the closure, may be stored. If the sensor system detects a magnetic flux intensity within a predetermined range of the first predetermined value, it is determined that the closure is in the first position, and if the sensor system detects a magnetic flux intensity within a predetermined range of the second predetermined value, it is determined that the closure is in the second position.
In some examples, an orientation of the magnetic flux is used to determine the closure position. The detected magnetic flux orientation may be used to determine the position of the closure in a similar manner to how the detected magnetic flux intensity is described as being used above. For example, a predetermined magnetic flux orientation corresponding to the magnetic flux orientation detected by the sensor system when the closure is in the first position may be used to determine whether the closure is in the first or the second position based on whether the detected magnetic flux orientation is inside or outside of a predetermined range of this predetermined magnetic flux orientation. Alternatively, separate predetermined magnetic flux orientations corresponding to the magnetic flux orientation typically detected by the sensor system when the closure is in the first and second positions respectively may be recorded, and used to determine whether the closure is in the first/second position based on whether the sensor system detects a magnetic flux orientation within a predetermined range of the first/second predetermined magnetic flux orientation.
In some examples, the aerosol generating apparatus comprises magnetic shielding for shielding the sensor system from magnetic noise. Said magnetic noise may come from magnetic elements in other parts of the device, or from magnetic elements proximal to the device at any given time.
In some examples, the one or more magnetic elements in the closure secure the closure in the first position and the second position.
For example, it is also envisaged that the sensor system may include a Hall effect sensor that is configured to detect magnetic flux generated by one or more magnetic elements in the closure, and thereby determine whether the closure is in the first position or the second position.
In some embodiments, the aerosol generating apparatus may further comprise a passage (i.e., a channel) extending between the sensor system and the closure, wherein the sensor system is configured to detect the position of the closure via the passage. Having a passage between the sensor system and closure makes it easier for the sensor system to accurately detect whether the closure is in the first position or second position, as signals can be transported between the sensor system and the closure through a passage specifically configured for this purpose. Further, the passage makes it easier to isolate a particular part of the closure for detection, as the end of the passage defines the region to be detected by the sensor system. As such, the sensor system can be advantageously placed further away from the closure, whilst still accurately determining the position of the closure.
Suitably, the passage extends through non-cavity portions of the device. However, the present disclosure is not limited in this way, and the passage may instead be defined by a tubular structure within the cavity running along a side wall of said cavity.
The passage may be a hollow tubular pathway. In some examples, the passage may extend along a single direction between the sensor system and the closure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples, and the passage may instead take a winding path through the device.
In some embodiments, the sensor system detects a part of the closure located at the end of the passage nearest the closure. More specifically, the sensor system and/or passage is/are configured to define a 'detection region' at the end of the passage, such that the sensor system is optimised for detecting elements within the detection region. In other words, the sensor system detects portions of the closure within the detection region but is (wholly or at least partially) isolated from parts of the closure outside of the detection region. For example, when the closure is in the first position, the detection region of the sensor system may encompass a first part of the closure, whilst a second part of the closure will be outside the detection region. Then, when the closure is moved to the second position, the second part of the closure will be within the detection region, whilst the first part of the closure will be outside the detection region. Put another way, the closure is movable relative to the detection region, such that different parts of the closure can move into and out of the detection region, and thereby be detected by the sensor system. The detection region does not encompass the whole of the closure. The detection region might be limited to a part of the surface of the closure, or may also comprise an internal part of the closure. For example, when a part of the closure includes a magnet embedded therein, the sensor system may be able to detect the magnetic flux generated by said magnet even when the magnet is not visible on the surface of the closure.
In some embodiments, the passage is configured to guide light from the light emitter toward the closure, and from the closure to the photodiode. For example, the passage may include one or more reflective surfaces positioned along the inner surfaces of the passage, for preventing attenuation of light along the passage. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. For instance, in one alternative example, the passage may instead comprise a flux guide material that is configured to guide magnetic flux generated by one or more magnetic elements in the closure. A non-limiting example of this may be a passage including a steel tube or rod.
In some embodiments, the closure is movably attached to the device. Suitably, the closure is slidably attached to the device, such that the closure is slidable relative to the device between the first and second position.
The device may define an internal space within the device through which the closure is movable between the first position and the second position. Alternatively, the door may be movable over an external surface of the cavity.
In some embodiments, the aerosol generating apparatus further comprises a cap that is attached to the device, wherein the cap includes the closure and the opening; and the cap is movable relative to the device between a first state in which the cap is engaged with the device such that the cavity is bounded in part by the cap and is accessible via the opening in the device, and a second state, in which the cap is disengaged from the device such that the cavity is opened for user access
For avoidance of doubt, "opened for user access" may refer to an opening being made into the cavity other than the opening for receiving the consumable into the cavity. Non-limiting examples include openings into one or more sides of the cavity.
In some embodiments, the sensor system is configured to detect the state of the cap by detecting a magnetic flux generated by one or more magnetic elements in the cap.
Suitably, the magnetic elements are configured to secure the cap relative to the device when in the engaged state. Conveniently, this allows the magnetic elements to serve a dual purpose within the apparatus (i.e., as a source of magnetic flux that is usable in combination with the sensor system to determine the state of the cap, and to secure the cap in at least the engaged state), meaning the number of necessary components can be reduced. Alternatively, the cap may include the magnetic elements for the sole purpose of allowing detection of the cap state.
In some embodiments, the state of the cap is determined by detecting an intensity of magnetic flux generated by one or more magnetic elements in the cap. In some examples, the detected magnetic flux intensity is compared to a predetermined magnetic flux intensity value, with the determination of whether the cap is in the first or second state depending on whether the detected magnetic flux intensity is larger or smaller than the predetermined value. Advantageously, using just the intensity of the magnetic flux to detect the state of the cap simplifies the construction of the sensor system.
In some embodiments, the state of the cap is determined by detecting an orientation of magnetic flux generated by one or more magnetic elements in the cap. In some examples, a first magnetic flux orientation value, corresponding to the magnetic flux orientation detected by the sensor system when the cap is in the first state, and a second magnetic flux orientation value, corresponding to the magnetic flux orientation detected by the sensor system when the cap is in the second state, are stored, and the determination of whether the cap is in the first state or second state is made by comparing the detected magnetic flux orientation to the first and second stored magnetic flux orientation values. I.e., if the detected magnetic flux orientation is within a predetermined range of the first or second stored magnetic flux orientation value, then it is determined that the cap is in the first or second state.
In some embodiments, the orientation of the magnetic flux may be detected by a multi-axis magnetic sensor. Alternatively, the orientation of the magnetic flux may be detected by a plurality of individual magnetic flux sensors. Suitably, the plurality of individual magnetic flux sensors will comprise three magnetic flux sensors, with each respective magnetic flux sensor being configured to detect the magnetic flux along a respective orientation that is perpendicular to the orientation of magnetic flux detected by the other two magnetic flux sensors.
The present disclosure is not limited to using only intensity or only orientation measurements to detect the state of the cap, however. For example, a combination of intensity and orientation measurements may be used to determine the state of the cap.
In some examples, the aerosol generating apparatus includes a controller or processor, which uses the data detected by the sensor system to determine whether the closure is in the first or second position. Alternatively or additionally, the controller/processor may use the data detected by the sensor system to determine whether the cap is in the first state or the second state. The controller or processor may be housed within the housing, and/or may form part of the sensor system.
In some examples, the aerosol generating apparatus further includes a memory for storing one or more predetermined magnetic flux intensity and orientation values, and one or more predetermined light beam intensity values.
In some embodiments, the sensor system comprises one or more Hall-effect sensors. For example, the sensor system may comprise one hall effect sensor to detect a magnetic flux intensity. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor system may comprise a plurality of magnetic flux sensors for detecting a magnetic flux orientation.
Preferably in these examples, the aerosol generating apparatus comprises magnetic shielding which removes/reduces the external magnetic noise received at the one or more hall effect sensors. This magnetic shielding advantageously improves the magnetic flux signal quality, and so improves the accuracy of cap state detection. In some embodiments, the device further comprises a flux guide material that is configured to guide magnetic flux generated by the one or more magnetic elements in the cap towards the sensor system. Advantageously, this increases the accuracy of detection of the sensor system.
In some embodiments, the apparatus is configured to enter a pre-heat mode when the closure is detected in the second position and the cap is detected in the first state, wherein in the pre-heat mode the aerosol generating element is heated in preparation for use.
Suitably, the pre-heat mode refers to the aerosol generating element being raised to a temperature that is above room temperature, but that is below the 'operational' temperature. In other words, the aerosol generating element is raised to a temperature that is below the temperature to which the aerosol generating element is raised when a consumable has been inserted into the cavity, and is being vapourised to generate vapour for the user.
In some embodiments, the second state of the cap refers to a state in which the cap is detached from the device.
In some examples, the sensor system may include multiple sensors for detecting the position of the closure and the state of the cap respectively. For example, the sensor system may comprise a first sensor for detecting the position of the closure that is either a photodiode or hall effect sensor, and a second sensor for detecting the state of the cap that is a hall effect sensor.
The preceding summary is provided for purposes of summarizing some examples to provide a basic understanding of aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, the above-described features should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Moreover, the above and/or proceeding examples may be combined in any suitable combination to provide further examples, except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following text and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of examples in reference to the appended drawings in which like numerals denote like elements.

Fig. 1 is a block system diagram showing an example aerosol generating apparatus.
Fig. 2 is a block system diagram showing an example implementation of the apparatus of Fig. 1, where the aerosol generating apparatus is configured to generate aerosol from a solid precursor.
Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example implementation of the apparatus of Fig. 2.
Figs. 4a -b are cross sectional views of an aerosol generating apparatus according to a first example of the present disclosure.
Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of an aerosol generating apparatus according to a second example of the present disclosure.
Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an aerosol generating apparatus according to a third example of the present disclosure.
Figs. 7a -c are cross-sectional views of the aerosol generating apparatus of Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of an aerosol generating apparatus according to a fourth example of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Before describing several examples implementing the present disclosure, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited by specific construction details or process steps set forth in the following description and accompanying drawings. Rather, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the systems, apparatuses and/or methods described herein could be embodied differently and/or be practiced or carried out in various alternative ways.
Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used in connection with the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) shall have the meanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, and known techniques and procedures may be performed according to conventional methods well known in the art and as described in various general and more specific references that may be cited and discussed in the present specification.
Any patents, published patent applications, and non-patent publications mentioned in the specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
All examples implementing the present disclosure can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While particular examples have been described, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the systems, apparatus, and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the inventive concept(s). All such similar substitutions and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the inventive concept(s) as defined by the appended claims.
The use of the term "a" or "an" in the claims and/or the specification may mean "one," as well as "one or more," "at least one," and "one or more than one." As such, the terms "a," "an," and "the," as well as all singular terms, include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Likewise, plural terms shall include the singular unless otherwise required by context.
The use of the term "or" in the present disclosure (including the claims) is used to mean an inclusive "and/or" unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or unless the alternatives are mutually exclusive. For example, a condition "A or B" is satisfied by any of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
As used in this specification and claim(s), the words "comprising, "having," "including," or "containing" (and any forms thereof, such as "comprise" and "comprises," "have" and "has," "includes" and "include," or "contains" and "contain," respectively) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
Unless otherwise explicitly stated as incompatible, or the physics or otherwise of the embodiments, examples, or claims prevent such a combination, the features of examples disclosed herein, and of the claims, may be integrated together in any suitable arrangement, especially ones where there is a beneficial effect in doing so. This is not limited to only any specified benefit, and instead may arise from an "ex post facto" benefit. This is to say that the combination of features is not limited by the described forms, particularly the form (e.g. numbering) of example(s), embodiment(s), or dependency of claim(s). Moreover, this also applies to the phrase "in one embodiment," "according to an embodiment," and the like, which are merely a stylistic form of wording and are not to be construed as limiting the following features to a separate embodiment to all other instances of the same or similar wording. This is to say, a reference to 'an,' 'one,' or 'some' embodiment(s) may be a reference to any one or more, and/or all embodiments, or combination(s) thereof, disclosed. Also, similarly, the reference to "the" embodiment may not be limited to the immediately preceding embodiment. Further, all references to one or more embodiments or examples are to be construed as non-limiting to the claims.
The present disclosure may be better understood in view of the following explanations, wherein the terms used that are separated by "or" may be used interchangeably:
As used herein, an "aerosol generating apparatus" (or "electronic(e)-cigarette") may be an apparatus configured to deliver an aerosol to a user for inhalation by the user. The apparatus may additionally/alternatively be referred to as a "smoking substitute apparatus", if it is intended to be used instead of a conventional combustible smoking article. As used herein a combustible "smoking article" may refer to a cigarette, cigar, pipe or other article, that produces smoke (an aerosol comprising solid particulates and gas) via heating above the thermal decomposition temperature (typically by combustion and/or pyrolysis). An aerosol generated by the apparatus may comprise an aerosol with particle sizes of 0.2 - 7 microns, or less than 10 microns, or less than 7 microns. This particle size may be achieved by control of one or more of: heater temperature; cooling rate as the vapour condenses to an aerosol; flow properties including turbulence and velocity. The generation of aerosol by the aerosol generating apparatus may be controlled by an input device. The input device may be configured to be user-activated, and may for example include or take the form of an actuator (e.g. actuation button) and/or an airflow sensor.
Each occurrence of the aerosol generating apparatus being caused to generate aerosol for a period of time (which may be variable) may be referred to as an "activation" of the aerosol generating apparatus. The aerosol generating apparatus may be arranged to allow an amount of aerosol delivered to a user to be varied per activation (as opposed to delivering a fixed dose of aerosol), e.g. by activating an aerosol generating unit of the apparatus for a variable amount of time, e.g. based on the strength/duration of a draw of a user through a flow path of the apparatus (to replicate an effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article).
The aerosol generating apparatus may be portable. As used herein, the term "portable" may refer to the apparatus being for use when held by a user.
As used herein, an "aerosol generating system" may be a system that includes an aerosol generating apparatus and optionally other circuitry/components associated with the function of the apparatus, e.g. one or more external devices and/or one or more external components (here "external" is intended to mean external to the aerosol generating apparatus). As used herein, an "external device" and "external component" may include one or more of a: a charging device, a mobile device (which may be connected to the aerosol generating apparatus, e.g. via a wireless or wired connection); a networked-based computer (e.g. a remote server); a cloud-based computer; any other server system.
An example aerosol generating system may be a system for managing an aerosol generating apparatus. Such a system may include, for example, a mobile device, a network server, as well as the aerosol generating apparatus.
As used herein, an "aerosol" may include a suspension of precursor, including as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. An aerosol herein may generally refer to/include a vapour. An aerosol may include one or more components of the precursor. As used herein, a "precursor" may include one or more of a: liquid; solid; gel; loose leaf material; other substance. The precursor may be processed by an aerosol generating unit of an aerosol generating apparatus to generate an aerosol. The precursor may include one or more of: an active component; a carrier; a flavouring. The active component may include one or more of nicotine; caffeine; a cannabidiol oil; a non-pharmaceutical formulation, e.g. a formulation which is not for treatment of a disease or physiological malfunction of the human body. The active component may be carried by the carrier, which may be a liquid, including propylene glycol and/or glycerine. The term "flavouring" may refer to a component that provides a taste and/or a smell to the user. The flavouring may include one or more of:
Ethylvanillin (vanilla); menthol, Isoamyl acetate (banana oil); or other. The precursor may include a substrate, e.g. reconstituted tobacco to carry one or more of the active component; a carrier; a flavouring.
As used herein, a "storage portion" may be a portion of the apparatus adapted to store the precursor. It may be implemented as fluid-holding reservoir or carrier for solid material depending on the implementation of the precursor as defined above.
As used herein, a "flow path" may refer to a path or enclosed passageway through an aerosol generating apparatus, e.g. for delivery of an aerosol to a user. The flow path may be arranged to receive aerosol from an aerosol generating unit. When referring to the flow path, upstream and downstream may be defined in respect of a direction of flow in the flow path, e.g. with an outlet being downstream of an inlet.
As used herein, a "delivery system" may be a system operative to deliver an aerosol to a user. The delivery system may include a mouthpiece and a flow path.
As used herein, a "flow" may refer to a flow in a flow path. A flow may include aerosol generated from the precursor. The flow may include air, which may be induced into the flow path via a puff by a user. As used herein, a "puff" (or "inhale" or "draw") by a user may refer to expansion of lungs and/or oral cavity of a user to create a pressure reduction that induces flow through the flow path.
As used herein, an "aerosol generating unit" may refer to a device configured to generate an aerosol from a precursor. The aerosol generating unit may include a unit to generate a vapour directly from the precursor (e.g. a heating system or other system) or an aerosol directly from the precursor (e.g. an atomiser including an ultrasonic system, a flow expansion system operative to carry droplets of the precursor in the flow without using electrical energy or other system). A plurality of aerosol generating units to generate a plurality of aerosols (for example, from a plurality of different aerosol precursors) may be present in an aerosol generating apparatus.
As used herein, a "heating system" may refer to an arrangement of at least one heating element, which is operable to aerosolise a precursor once heated. The at least one heating element may be electrically resistive to produce heat from the flow of electrical current therethrough. The at least one heating element may be arranged as a susceptor to produce heat when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. The heating system may be configured to heat a precursor to below 300 or 350 degrees C, including without combustion.
As used herein, a "consumable" may refer to a unit that includes a precursor. The consumable may include an aerosol generating unit, e.g. it may be arranged as a cartomizer. The consumable may include a mouthpiece. The consumable may include an information carrying medium. With liquid or gel implementations of the precursor, e.g. an e-liquid, the consumable may be referred to as a "capsule" or a "pod" or an "e-liquid consumable". The capsule/pod may include a storage portion, e.g. a reservoir or tank, for storage of the precursor. With solid material implementations of the precursor, e.g. tobacco or reconstituted tobacco formulation, the consumable may be referred to as a "stick" or "package" or "heat-not-burn consumable". In a heat-not-burn consumable, the mouthpiece may be implemented as a filter and the consumable may be arranged to carry the precursor. The consumable may be implemented as a dosage or pre-portioned amount of material, including a loose-leaf product.
As used herein, an "information carrying medium" may include one or more arrangements for storage of information on any suitable medium. Examples include: a computer readable medium; a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder; codes encoding information, such as optical (e.g. a bar code or QR code) or mechanically read codes (e.g. a configuration of the absence or presents of cutouts to encode a bit, through which pins or a reader may be inserted).
As used herein "heat-not-burn" (or "HNB" or "heated precursor") may refer to the heating of a precursor, typically tobacco, without combustion, or without substantial combustion (i.e. localised combustion may be experienced of limited portions of the precursor, including of less than 5% of the total volume).
Referring to Fig. 1, an example aerosol generating apparatus 1 includes a power supply 2, for supply of electrical energy. The apparatus 1 includes an aerosol generating unit 4 that is driven by the power supply 2. The power supply 2 may include an electric power supply in the form of a battery and/or an electrical connection to an external power source. The apparatus 1 includes a precursor 6, which in use is aerosolised by the aerosol generating unit 4 to generate an aerosol. The apparatus 2 includes a delivery system 8 for delivery of the aerosol to a user.
Electrical circuitry (not shown in figure 1) may be implemented to control the interoperability of the power supply 4 and aerosol generating unit 6.
In variant examples, which are not illustrated, the power supply 2 may be omitted since, e.g. an aerosol generating unit implemented as an atomiser with flow expansion may not require a power supply.
Fig. 2 shows an implementation of the apparatus 1 of Fig. 1, where the aerosol generating apparatus 1 is configured to generate aerosol by a-heat not-burn process.
In this example, the apparatus 1 includes a device body 50 and a consumable 70.
In this example, the body 50 includes the power supply 4 and a heating system 52. The heating system 54 includes at least one aerosol generating element 54, which in the present example is provided as a heating element. The body may additionally include any one or more of electrical circuitry 56, a memory 58, a wireless interface 60, one or more other components 62.
The electrical circuitry 56 may include a processing resource for controlling one or more operations of the body 50, e.g. based on instructions stored in the memory 58.
The wireless interface 60 may be configured to communicate wirelessly with an external (e.g. mobile) device, e.g. via Bluetooth.
The other component(s) 62 may include an actuator, one or more user interface devices configured to convey information to a user and/or a charging port, for example (see e.g. Fig. 3).
The body 50 is configured to engage with the consumable 70 such that the at least one aerosol generating element 54 of the heating system 52 penetrates into the solid precursor 6 of the consumable. In use, a user may activate the aerosol generating apparatus 1 to cause the heating system 52 of the body 50 to cause the at least one aerosol generating element 54 to heat the solid precursor 6 of the consumable (without combusting it) by conductive heat transfer, to generate an aerosol which is inhaled by the user.
Fig. 3 shows an example implementation of the aerosol generating device 1 of Fig. 2.
As depicted in Fig. 3, the consumable 70 is implemented as a stick, which is engaged with the body 50 by inserting the stick into an aperture at a top end 53 of the body 50, which causes the at least one aerosol generating element 54 of the heating system 52 to penetrate into the solid precursor 6.
The consumable 70 includes the solid precursor 6 proximal to the body 50, and a filter distal to the body 50. The filter serves as the mouthpiece of the consumable 70 and thus the apparatus 1 as a whole. The solid precursor 6 may be a reconstituted tobacco formulation.
In this example, the at least one aerosol generating element 54 is a rod-shaped element with a circular transverse profile. Other aerosol generating element shapes are possible, e.g. the at least one aerosol generating element may be blade-shaped (with a rectangular transverse profile) or tube-shaped (e.g. with a hollow transverse profile).
In this example, the body 50 includes a cap 51. In use the cap 51 is engaged at a top end 53 of the body 50. Although not apparent from Fig. 3, the cap 51 is moveable relative to the body 50. In particular, the cap 51 is slidable and can slide along a longitudinal axis of the body 50.
The body 50 also includes an actuator 55 on an outer surface of the body 50. In this example, the actuator 55 has the form of a button.
The body 50 also includes a user interface device configured to convey information to a user. Here, the user interface device is implemented as a plurality of lights 57, which may e.g. be configured to illuminate when the apparatus 1 is activated and/or to indicate a charging state of the power supply 4. Other user interface devices are possible, e.g. to convey information haptically or audibly to a user. The body may also include an airflow sensor which detects airflow in the aerosol generating apparatus 1 (e.g. caused by a user inhaling through the consumable 70). This may be used to count puffs, for example.
In this example, the consumable 70 includes a flow path which transmits aerosol generated by the at least one aerosol generating element 54 to the mouthpiece of the consumable 70.
In this example, the aerosol generating unit 4 is provided by the above-described heating system 52 and the delivery system 8 is provided by the above-described flow path and mouthpiece of the consumable 70.
Referring to Figs. 4a and 4b, there is shown an aerosol generating apparatus 100 which may be implemented in any of the preceding examples. The aerosol generating apparatus 100 comprises a device 120 extending in a longitudinal direction between a first end 121a and a second end 121b, a closure 140, and a sensor system 160.
The device 120 comprises a cavity 122 extending in the longitudinal direction between a first end of the cavity 123, proximate to the first end of the device 121a and a second end of the cavity 124 (i.e., the cavity base). In this way, the cavity 122 is defined by inner walls of the device 120 itself. However, the present disclosure is not limited in this way, and alternatives are also envisaged. For example, there may be a structure inserted into the device 120 which instead defines the cavity 122.
The inner walls of the cavity 122 (that is, the walls of the device 120 facing into the cavity 122) extend along the longitudinal direction, such that the cavity 122 has a constant, cylindrical, cross-sectional shape (that is, the shape of the cavity 122 in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) along the longitudinal direction. However, in other embodiments the inner walls of the cavity 122 may taper inward, such that the cavity 122 has a smaller cross section at one end than the other end. For example, the cross section of the cavity 122 at the base 124 may be smaller than the cross section of the cavity 122 at the opening 123. Further, the cavity 122 may have an alternative cross-sectional shape, including a triangular or square shape. This may be the same cross-sectional shape as the device 120, or a different shape.
The device 120 further comprises an aerosol generating element 126, which in the present example is provided as a heating element, protruding from the cavity base 124 into the cavity 122. The aerosol generating element 126 receives power from a power supply (not shown), and the power supplied to the aerosol generating element 126 may be controlled by a controller (not shown) of the aerosol generating apparatus 100. It is noted that the present disclosure is not limited to this aerosol generating element structure, however. For example, the aerosol generating element 126 may instead be a plate that lines the base of the cavity 124, and/or parts of the side walls of the cavity 122 (i.e., the walls of the cavity 122 that extend between the base of the cavity 124 and the opening of the device 121a), so as to surround the consumable and heat the consumable from the outside in.
In use, a consumable ((not shown, see Fig. 3: 70) can be received within the cavity 122 via an opening in the apparatus (described below). As the consumable is inserted, a bottom of the consumable is pierced by the aerosol generating element 126. Power is then supplied to the aerosol generating element 126, whereby the consumable is heated from the inside out to generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user.
The closure 140 is positioned at the first end of the cavity 123 (i.e., the cavity 122 entrance), and is configured to cover/uncover the cavity 122. The closure 140 comprises a circular disc 142 with an opening 144 extending therethrough from a first peripheral side 146 of the disc 142 to a second peripheral side 148 of the disc 142 that is on the opposite side of the disc 142 to the first peripheral side 146. The closure 140 further comprises a first surface part 150 having a first reflective coefficient and a second surface part 152 having a second reflective coefficient that is different to the first reflective coefficient. Note that here, the opening 144 providing access to the cavity 122 is in the closure 140. However, the present disclosure is not limited in this way, and in other embodiments the opening 144 may be in the device 120.
The closure 140 is slidably attached to the device 120 so as to be rotatable relative to said device 120 between a first, closed, position (Fig. 4a) and a second, open, position (Fig. 4b). In the first position, shown in FIG. 4a, the closure 140 is blocking the cavity 122. More specifically, the opening 144 is misaligned with the cavity 122 (i.e., the opening 144 is at a 90-degree angle relative the longitudinal axis of the cavity 122), such that the disk 142 blocks the cavity 122 entrance. In the second position, shown in Fig. 4b, the closure 140 has been rotated clockwise about an axis that is normal to the plane of the page. Now, the opening 144 is aligned with the cavity 122 (i.e., the longitudinal axis of the opening 144 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cavity 122), such that a consumable is insertable through the opening 144 into the cavity 122.
The sensor system 160 is configured to detect the position of the closure 140. More specifically, the sensor system 160 is configured to detect whether the closure 140 is in the first, closed, position (Fig. 4a) or the second, open, position (Fig. 4b). In the present example, the sensor system 160 is located in the cavity base 124, and comprises a light emitter 161 and a photodiode 162. In use, the light emitter 161 emits a pulse (or alternatively a continuous beam) of light (for example, IR radiation) up the cavity 122 toward the closure 140. Upon reaching the closure 140, at least a portion of the pulse is reflected from the surface, and travels back down the cavity 122, where it is detected by the photodiode 162. The sensor system 160 is fixed relative to the device 120, such that when the closure 140 is moved relative to the device 120, the closure 140 is also moved relative to the sensor system 160. As such, the part of the closure 140 that the light reflects from varies depending on whether the closure 140 is in the first position (Fig. 4a) or the second position (Fig. 4b). In other words, when the closure 140 is in the first position, the pulse from the light emitter 161 reflects off the first surface part 150, and when the closure 140 is in the second position, the pulse reflects off the second surface part 152. As the first surface part 150 and the second surface part 152 have different reflective coefficients, the reflected pulse detected by the photodiode 162 varies depending on whetherthe closure 140 is in the first position or the second position, such that the sensor can detect the position of the closure 140.
The present disclosure is not limited in this way, however. For example, the sensor system 160 may instead be configured to detect magnetic flux, and the position of the closure 140 may be determined based on the detected magnetic flux generated by one or more magnetic elements (not shown) in the closure 140. For example, the sensor system 160 may be configured to detect the orientation of the magnetic flux generated by the one or more magnetic elements, and use this to determine the position of the closure 140. This is described in more detail in relation to Fig. 7
The aerosol generating element 126 is controlled based on the determination made by the sensor system 160 of whether the closure 140 is in the first position or the second position. For example, if the sensor system 160 detects that the closure 140 is in the first position (i.e., the opening 144 is not aligned with the cavity 122, such that entry to the cavity 122 is blocked), it may be assumed that the aerosol generating apparatus 100 is not going to be used imminently. Therefore, a supply of power to the aerosol generating element 126 is prevented. On the other hand, if the sensor system 160 detects that the closure 140 is in the second position (i.e., the opening 144 is aligned with the cavity 122), it can be assumed that the user is preparing to use the apparatus 100, and therefore the aerosol generating element 126 is controlled to enter a 'pre-heat' mode, in which the aerosol generating element 126 may be heated to a temperature above room temperature but below the operation temperature (the operation temperature being the temperature at which the aerosol generating element 126 operates to heat the consumable to produce aerosol). The present disclosure is not limited to this however, and the pre-heat mode may instead involve heating the aerosol generating element 126 to the full operational temperature.
The aerosol generating apparatus 100 can include a controller (not shown) for this purpose, wherein the controller controls the apparatus 100 based on whether the closure 140 is detected to be in the first position or the second position. Referring to Fig. 5, there is shown an aerosol generating apparatus 200 according to a second example of the present disclosure. The aerosol generating apparatus 200 is similar to the aerosol generating apparatus 100, only differing in that the aerosol generating apparatus 200 includes a passage 262 extending between the sensor system 160 and the closure 140. More specifically, the passage 262 opens into a portion of the space in which the closure 140 is movable, such that a part of the closure 140 is adjacent to the passage 262.
In the aerosol generating apparatus 200 of Fig. 5, the sensor system 160 detects the position of the closure via the passage 262. For example, where the sensor system 160 includes a light emitter 161 and a photodiode 162, the light emitter 161 emits a beam of light up the passage 262, where it is reflected off the closure 140 and travels back down the passage 262 to the photodiode 162 of the sensor system 160. As in Figs. 4a and 4b, the part of the closure 140 off which the light is reflected is dependent on whether the closure 140 is in the first position or the second position, wherein the first and second parts vary in a property that can be detected by the sensor system 160 (for example, a reflective coefficient). Thus, the sensor system 160 is able to detect whether the closure 140 is in the first position or second position in the same way as described in relation to Figs. 4a-b.
Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, there is shown an aerosol generating apparatus 300 according to a third example of the present disclosure, comprising a device 320, a cap 380 including a trapdoor 340 (i.e., a closure), and a sensor system 360. Fig. 6 shows an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the aerosol generating apparatus 300. Figs. 7a-c show a cross sectional view of the third embodiment of the aerosol generating apparatus 300.
The device 320 comprises a shell 330 extending in a longitudinal direction, a main chassis 332 enclosed within the shell 330, and a cavity 322 defined by the main chassis 332. The cavity 322 is located at a longitudinal end of the device 320, and is exposed to the external environment.
The cap 380 comprises an inner cap part 382 having an opening 384 therethrough, an outer cap part 386 having a slot 387 therethrough, and cap body inserts 388a 388b that hold the inner cap part 382 and outer cap part 386 together in such a way that the opening 384 and slot 387 are aligned. The cap 380 is slidably attached to the device 320 such that the cap 380 is movable between an engaged state and an extended state (described in more detail below). More specifically, the inner cap part 382 is configured to be slidably attached to the main chassis 332, such that the inner cap part 382 covers the cavity 322, and the opening 384 (and therefore the slot 387) is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the device 320. In use, a consumable is insertable into the cavity (322) along the longitudinal direction via the slot 387 and the opening 384.
The cap 380 further includes a trapdoor 340 (i.e., another example of a closure), the trapdoor 340 comprising a sliding carriage 342 having an aperture 343 therethrough, a door 344 and a door shell 346. The sliding carriage 342 is slidably located in a gap between the inner cap part 382 and the outer cap part 386. More specifically, the sliding carriage 342 is positioned between the opening 384 and the slot 387. The door 344 is located on an external surface of the outer cap part 386, and is fixedly connected to the sliding carriage 342 via a screw 348 which extends through the slot 387. The door shell 346 is attached to an outer surface of the door 344.
In use, the trapdoor 340 is slidable relative to the inner cap part 382 and outer cap part 386 between a first position and a second position. More specifically, the door 344/door shell 346 are slidable across the surface of the outer cap part 386 by the user between the first and second positions, which causes a corresponding movement in the sliding carriage 342 between the first and second positions. In the first position, the sliding carriage 342 blocks the gap between the opening 384 and the slot 387, thereby blocking the entry of a consumable into the cavity 322. In the second position, the aperture of the sliding carriage 342 is aligned with the opening 384 and the slot 387, thereby opening a path into the cavity 322 via the slot 387, aperture of the sliding carriage 342 and opening 384.
The sensor system 360 is located in a base of the cavity 322, and includes a hall effect sensor 363 (described in more detail below) and a light sensor. The light sensor comprises a light emitter 361 and a photodiode 362. The light emitter 361 emits a pulse (or alternatively a continuous beam) of light up the opening 384. The pulse (beam) is reflected off an internal surface (not shown) of the sliding carriage 342 back down to the photodiode 362, where the pulse is detected. More specifically, the pulse is reflected off a first part of the sliding carriage 342 when the sliding carriage 342 is in the first position, and a second part of the sliding carriage 342 when the sliding carriage is in a second position. The first part and the second part of the sliding carriage 342 have different reflective surfaces, such that the pulse detected by the photodiode when the sliding carriage 342 is in the first position is different to the pulse detected by the photodiode when the sliding carriage 342 is in the second position. In this way, the sensor system 360 is able to detect whether the trapdoor 340 is in a first position (corresponding to the first position) or a second position (corresponding to the second position).
However, the present disclosure is not limited in this way. For example, the aerosol generating apparatus 300 may further include a passage extending through the interior of the device between the sensor system 360 and the trapdoor 340, similarly to the apparatus 200 shown in Fig. 5. In this way, light may be guided between the sensor system 360 and the trapdoor 340 without having to travel up the opening 384. Additionally, instead of the pulse of light being transmitted up the opening 384, the aerosol generating apparatus 300 may further comprise a passage (not shown) in the device 320 and the cap 380 between the sensor system 360 and the siding carriage 342, via which the pulse is transmitted/reflected.
The aerosol generating apparatus 300 further comprises a set of cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b, and a set of trapdoor retention magnets 392a 392b. The cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b bias the cap 380 into either the engaged state or the extended state. The trapdoor retention magnets 392a 392b bias the trapdoor into either the first, closed, position or the second, open position. This is described in more detail in relation to Figs. 7a-c.
Looking specifically now at Figs. 7a-c, there is shown a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating apparatus, wherein the cap 380 is respectively in the engaged state (Fig. 7a), an intermediate state (Fig. 7b) and the extended state (Fig. 7c).
In the engaged state, shown in Fig. 7a, the cap 380 is pressed down onto the device 320, such that the cavity 322 is sealed from the external environment except via the opening 384. In the intermediate state, shown in Fig. 7b, the cap 380 is in the process of being transitioned between the engaged state and the extended state. In the extended state, shown in Fig. 7c, the cap 380 is extended away from the device 320, such that a gap 394 is opened into the cavity 322 between the cap 380 and the device 320. The cap 380 is retained in one of either the engaged state or the extended state by the cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b as outlined below.
It is noted that the present disclosure is not limited to engaged and extended states. In particular, the cap may also be attached from the device. This detachment may either be in addition to the extended state, such that the detachable cap can either be in an engaged, extended or detached state, or may be an alterative to the extended state, such that the cap can either be attached (engaged) or detached from the device.
A first pair of the cap retention magnets 390a 390b are located on a first side of the aerosol generating apparatus 300 at a point where the inner cap part 382 is slidably adjacent to the main chassis 332. Similarly, a second pair of the cap retention magnets 391a 391b are located on a second side of the aerosol generating apparatus 300 where the inner cap part 382 is slidably adjacent to the main chassis 332.
Each pair of cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b has a first magnet 390a 391a attached to the device 320, and a second magnet 390b 391b attached to the cap 380 so as to be slidable past the first magnet 390a 391a. Further, the first and second cap retention magnets of each pair of cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b face each other with the same polarity. I.e., for the first pair of cap retention magnets 390a, 390b, the side of the first cap retention magnet 390a facing the second cap retention magnet 390b has the same polarity as the side of the second cap retention magnet 390b facing the first cap retention magnet 390a. Similarly for the second pair of cap retention magnets 391a, 391b, the side of the first cap retention magnet 391a facing the second cap retention magnet 391b has the same polarity as the side of the second cap retention magnet 391b facing the first magnet 391a. The polarity of the facing surfaces of the cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b may be either north or south, and may be different for the first pair of cap retention magnets 390a 390b and the second pair of cap retention magnets 391a 391b (i.e., the facing sides of the first pair of cap retention magnets 390a 390b may be north, whilst the facing sides of the second pair of cap retention magnets 391a 391b) may be south, or vice versa).
The corresponding polarity of each pair of cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b described above generates a repulsive force between the magnets, which works to push the pairs of cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b apart. As a result, the repulsive force acts on the cap 380 to push the cap 380 in a direction which maximises the distance between each pair of cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b.
When the cap 380 is in the engaged state, the second cap retention magnet 390b 391b of each pair of cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b is located on a first side of the first cap retention magnet 390a 391a of each pair of cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b, which, in the orientation of the aerosol generating apparatus 300 shown in Fig. 7, corresponds to the second cap retention magnets 390b 391b being 'below' the first cap retention magnets 390a, 391a. In other words, the second cap retention magnets 390b 391b are longitudinally closer to the device than the first cap retention magnets 390a 391a. In this position, the repulsive force generated between each pair of the cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b acts on the cap 380 in a downward direction. I.e., pushing the cap 380 toward the device 320, and thereby holding the cap 380 in the engaged position.
When the cap 380 is in the intermediate state, the second cap retention magnet 390b 391b of each pair of cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b is adjacent the first cap retention magnet 390a 391a of each pair of cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b. In this position, the repulsive force generated between each pair of the cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b acts on the cap 380 in a radial direction. I.e., pushing the cap 380 radially outward from the device 320. As such, the repulsive force does not act to move the cap 380 toward the engaged state or the extended state.
When the cap 380 is in the engaged state, the second cap retention magnet 390b 391b of each pair of cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b is located on the opposite side of the first cap retention magnet 390a 391a of each pair of cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b compared to when the cap is in the engaged state (i.e., in the orientation of the aerosol generating apparatus 300 shown in Fig. 7, the second cap retention magnets 390b 391b are 'above' the first cap retention magnets 390a, 391a). In other words, the first cap retention magnets 390a 391a are longitudinally closer to the device 320 than the first cap retention magnets 390b 391b. In this position, the repulsive force generated between each pair of the cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b acts on the cap 380 in an upward direction. I.e., pushing the cap 380 away from the device 320, and thereby holding the cap 380 in the extended position.
The hall effect sensor 363 of the sensor system 360 detects the change in magnetic flux caused by the movement of the second cap retention magnets 390b 391b, and thereby detects whether the cap 380 is in the engaged state or the extended state. More specifically, the hall effect sensor 363 may detect changes in the intensity of the magnetic flux, and determine the state of the cap 380 based on these changes. The present disclosure is not limited in this way however. For example, the sensor system 360 may include a plurality of hall effect sensors 363, which are used to determine the orientation of the magnetic flux relative to the sensor system 360, based on which the state of the cap 380 is determined. Alternatively, the sensor system 360 may include a single multi-axis magnetic sensor to detect the orientation of the magnetic flux.
The hall effect sensor 363 of the sensor system 360 may further detect a change of flux caused by the cap 380 being detached from the device 320.
The trapdoor retention magnets 392a 392b work in a similar way to the cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b, as described below.
A first trapdoor retention magnet 392a is attached to the cap 380, whilst a second trapdoor retention magnet 392b is attached to the sliding carriage 342, such that the second trapdoor retention magnet 392b is slidable past the first trapdoor retention magnet 392a. Further, the first and second trapdoor retention magnets 392a 392b face each other with the same polarity. I.e., the side of the first trapdoor retention magnet 392a facing the second trapdoor retention magnet 392b has the same polarity as the side of the second trapdoor retention magnet 392b facing the first trapdoor retention magnet 392a. The polarity of the facing surfaces of the trapdoor retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b may be either north or south.
The corresponding polarity of each pair of trapdoor retention magnets 392a 392b described above generates a repulsive force between the magnets, which works to push trapdoor retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b apart. In particular, the repulsive force acts on the sliding carriage 342 to push the sliding carriage 342 in a direction which maximises the distance between the trapdoor retention magnets 392a 392b.
In particular, when the trapdoor 340 is in the first, closed, position (shown in Figs. 7a-c), the second trapdoor retention magnet 392b is on a left side of the first trapdoor retention magnet 392a. As such, the repulsive force generated by the trapdoor retention magnets 392a 392b acts to push the trapdoor 340 further to the left, holding the trapdoor in the first position. In other words, the sliding carriage 342 is held in a position in which it blocks the gap between the opening 384 and the slot (not shown), and thus prevents the insertion of items into the cavity 322.
Similarly, when the trapdoor 340 is in the second, open, position (not shown), the second trapdoor retention magnet 392b is on a right side of the first trapdoor retention magnet 392a. As such, the repulsive force generated by the trapdoor retention magnets 392a 392b acts to push the trapdoor 340 further to the right, holding the trapdoor in the second position. In other words, the sliding carriage 342 is held in a position in which the aperture 343 is aligned with the opening 384 and the slot (not shown), such that items may be inserted into the cavity 322 via the slot, aperture 343 and opening 384.
The inclusion of a sensor system 360 that is capable of detecting the position of a trapdoor 340 (closure) based on what part of the trapdoor 340 is detected allows the sensor system 360 to be advantageously placed further from the trapdoor 340, as the sensor system 360 does not need to track a point on the trapdoor 340 across the entire movement range of the trapdoor 340.
Referring to Fig. 8, this shows an aerosol generating apparatus 400 according to a fourth example of the present invention. The aerosol generating apparatus 400 is similar to the aerosol generating apparatus 300 (and like components are given the same reference numerals). The light sensor (i.e., the light emitter 361 and photo diode 362) is here replaced with a multi axis magnetic sensor 464. The multi axis magnetic sensor 464 detects magnetic flux orientation, which is used to determine whether the trapdoor 340 is in the first position or the second position. More particularly, the multi-axis magnetic sensor 464 is configured to detect changes in the orientation of the magnetic flux caused by the movement of the second trapdoor retention magnet 392b relative to the multi axis magnetic sensor 464 when the trapdoor 340 is moved between the first and second positions. In other words, the multi-axis magnetic sensor 464 detects a first magnetic flux orientation when the second trapdoor retention magnet 392b and trapdoor 340 are in the first position, and a second magnetic flux orientation when the second trapdoor retention magnet 392b and trapdoor 340 are in the second position. The aerosol generating apparatus 400 can then use this information to determine whether the trapdoor 340 is in the first position or the second position.
The aerosol generating apparatus 400 further includes magnetic shielding 465, which is configured to shield the multi-axis magnetic sensor 464 from magnetic noise. Said magnetic noise includes sources of magnetic flux that are external to the apparatus 400 (i.e., not a part of the apparatus 400), and may also include the magnetic flux generated by the cap retention magnets 390a 390b 391a 391b.
In the present example, the magnetic shielding 465 surrounds to the multi-axis magnetic sensor 464 on five sides, whilst leaving a sixth side facing toward the trapdoor 340 open so as to not disrupt detection of the magnetic flux generated by the first trapdoor retention magnet 392b. In this way, magnetic noise can be reduced/limited whilst preventing disruption to the detection of the trapdoor 340 position.
The present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment however. For example, the magnetic shielding 465 may instead encompass the entirety of the apparatus 400. In other words, the magnetic shielding 465 may be located in walls of the device 320 and/or cap 380, so as to isolate the components housed within the apparatus 400 from external magnetic elements.

Claims

An aerosol generating apparatus comprising:
a device having a first device end and, opposite thereto, a second device end;
a cavity formed in the device, wherein the cavity has a first cavity end proximal to the first device end and a second cavity end distal to the first device end;

an aerosol generating element arranged in the cavity;

an opening at the first device end, the opening for receiving a consumable into the cavity;

a closure that is movable between a first position in which the closure obstructs the opening, and a second position in which the opening is exposed for receiving a consumable into the cavity; and

a sensor system configured to detect the position of the closure;
wherein the sensor system is at the second cavity end or between the second cavity end and the second device end.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor system includes a light emitter configured to emit light toward the closure, and a photodiode configured to detect light reflected from the closure.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor system is configured to detect the position of the closure by measuring an orientation of magnetic flux generated by one or more magnetic elements in the closure.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a passage extending between the sensor system and the closure, wherein the sensor system is configured to detect the position of the closure via the passage.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 4, wherein the sensor system detects a part of the closure located at the end of the passage nearest the closure.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 4 or claim 5, when dependent on claim 2, wherein the passage is configured to guide light from the light emitter toward the closure, and from the closure to the photodiode.
The aerosol generating apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the closure is movably attached to the device.
The aerosol generating apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising a cap that is attached to the device, wherein the cap includes the closure and the opening; and the cap is movable relative to the device between a first state in which the cap is engaged with the device such that the cavity is bounded in part by the cap and is accessible via the opening in the device, and a second state, in which the cap is disengaged from the device such that the cavity is opened for user access.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 8, wherein the sensor system is configured to detect the state of the cap by detecting an intensity of magnetic flux generated by one or more magnetic elements in the cap.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 8, wherein the sensor system is configured to detect the state of the cap by detecting an orientation of magnetic flux generated by one or more magnetic elements in the cap.
The aerosol generating apparatus of claim 3 or claim 10, wherein the sensor system includes a multi-axis magnetic sensor or a plurality of magnetic sensors configured to detect the orientation of the magnetic flux.
The aerosol generating apparatus of any one of claim 3 or claims 8-11, wherein the sensor system comprises one or more Hall-effect sensors.
The aerosol generating apparatus of any one of claims 8-12, wherein the device further comprises a flux guide material that is configured to guide magnetic flux generated by the one or more magnetic elements in the cap towards the sensor system.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 8-13, wherein the apparatus is configured to enter a pre-heat mode when the closure is detected in the second position and the cap is detected in the first state, wherein in the pre-heat mode the aerosol generating element is heated in preparation for use.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 8-14, wherein in the second state the cap is detached from the device.