EP4658116A1

EP4658116A1 - Aerosol generation device heating part

Info

Publication number: EP4658116A1
Application number: EP24702169.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Grzegorz Aleksander PILATOWICZ; Tilen CEGLAR
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2023-01-31
Filing date: 2024-01-29
Publication date: 2025-12-10
Also published as: KR20250120368A; CN120640992A; WO2024160731A1; JP2025542534A

Abstract

An aerosol generation device heating part (102; 602; 702) is provided. The heating part is configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating substrate (120; 620), and comprises a heating chamber (116; 616; 716) configured to receive the aerosol generating substrate. A supercapacitor module (106; 606; 706) is configured to power a heater (118; 618; 718) associated with the heating chamber. The supercapacitor module is adjacent to the heating chamber. A phase change material (122; 622; 722) is disposed between the heating chamber and the supercapacitor module to separate the heating chamber from the supercapacitor module.

Description

AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE HEATING PART

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to aerosol generation devices, and more specifically aerosol generation device heating parts and power systems.

BACKGROUND

Aerosol generation devices such as electronic cigarettes and other aerosol inhalers or vaporisation devices are becoming increasingly popular consumer products.

Heating devices for vaporisation or aerosolisation are known in the art. Such devices typically include a heating chamber and heater. In operation, an operator inserts the product to be aerosolised or vaporised into the heating chamber. The product is then heated with an electronic heater to vaporise the constituents of the product for the operator to inhale. In some examples, the product is a tobacco product similar to a traditional cigarette. Such devices are sometimes referred to as “heat not bum” devices in that the product is heated to the point of aerosolisation, without being combusted.

Problems faced by known aerosol generation devices include providing effective power management and heating.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In a first aspect, there is provided an aerosol generation device heating part configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating substrate, the heating part comprising: a heating chamber configured to receive the aerosol generating substrate; a supercapacitor module configured to power a heater associated with the heating chamber, wherein the supercapacitor module is adjacent to the heating chamber; and a phase change material disposed between the heating chamber and the supercapacitor module to separate the heating chamber from the supercapacitor module.

Aerosol generation devices that are configured to heat an aerosol generating material, without burning it, need to provide a relatively high thermal energy to the aerosol generating material given their size. Moreover, to meet operator or consumer expectations, the devices need to have a small form factor; this presents a challenge for heat management within the device. An approach is to insulate the heat source as much as possible from the rest of the device, with an insulation material having a very low thermal conductivity, and direct heat transfer toward the consumable. However, over a longer aerosolisation session (e.g., around 5 minutes) the heat conducts to other parts of the device. Therefore, to protect other components such as the supercapacitor module or a battery module, sufficient amounts of material in insulation and thermal mass need to be built into the device. This inherently increases the size.

By positioning the supercapacitor module adjacent to the heating chamber rather than separated from it, the size of the heating part can be reduced thereby providing a compact aerosol generation device heating part. This can be easier for the operator to hold and use, as well as store and transport. The user experience is therefore improved.

The provision of the phase change material between the heating chamber and the supercapacitor module provides protection for the supercapacitor module from the heat of the heating chamber, thereby allowing the supercapacitor module to be closer to the heating chamber, and contributing to a reduced device size. The phase change material also inhibits the transfer of heat from the heating chamber to the outer shell of the device, thereby improving the usability of the device.

The use of the phase change material can reduce the size of the device, compared to using only insulation material. Components such as the supercapacitor module can then be protected from excessive temperatures whilst the device has a small form factor. Additionally, the outer shell temperature of the aerosol generation device can be reduced, or the same outer shell temperature can be achieved but with a smaller heating part.

In this way, a compact aerosol generation device heating part with an integrated supercapacitor module is provided.

Preferably, the phase change material at least partially surrounds the heating chamber.

In this way, heat energy from the heating chamber is efficiently absorbed by the phase change material to provide protection to the supercapacitor module and inhibit heat flow the outer shell over the device.

Preferably, the supercapacitor module at least partially surrounds the heating chamber.

In this way, a compact arrangement of the heating chamber and supercapacitor module is achieved, allowing for a reduced device size.

Preferably, the supercapacitor module is conformed to the shape of the heating chamber.

Preferably, the supercapacitor module comprises two supercapacitors, and the two supercapacitors are arranged on opposite sides of the heating chamber to at least partially surround the heating chamber.

Preferably, the heating chamber is planar in shape, and configured to receive a planar aerosol generating substrate.

In this way, a compact aerosol generating substrate can be used, reducing the overall device size. Preferably, the heating chamber is cylindrical in shape, and configured to receive a rod-shaped aerosol generating substrate.

In this way, a rod-shaped aerosol generating substrate can be used for an aerosolisation session that provides the operator with a similar experience to traditional smoking.

Preferably, the rod-shaped aerosol generating substrate is a tobacco rod.

In this way, a tobacco rod can be used for an aerosolisation session that provides the operator with a similar experience to traditional smoking.

Preferably, the heater is integrated into or onto sidewalls of the heating chamber.

In this way, a compact and easy to use heating chamber is provided.

Preferably, the aerosol generation device heating part further comprises control electronics integrated into a flexible circuit board.

In this way, the flexible circuit board can adapt to any changes in shape of the phase change material as it undergoes phase transitions. This allows for a more compact device. Moreover, the circuit board can be conformed to make a better use of reduced space in the heating part, thereby contributing to a reduced device size.

Preferably, the phase change material is substantially indium based.

In this way, the beneficial properties of indium based phase change materials can be leveraged. Preferably the phase change material is substantially or completely indium.

Alternatively or additionally, the phase change material can be based on one or more of liquid ammonia, liquid hydrogen, acetic acid, paraffin wax.

Preferably, the phase change material comprises a hydrated salt phase change material. Preferably, the phase change material is, or is substantially, a hydrated salt phase change material. Hydrated salt phase change materials have been identified as having particularly beneficial heat storage capabilities in an aerosol generation device heating part.

Preferably, the phase change material comprises an organic solution phase change material. Preferably, the phase change material is, or is substantially, an organic solution phase change material.

Organic solution phase change materials have been identified as having particularly beneficial heat storage capabilities in an aerosol generation device heating part.

Preferably, the phase change material comprises a solid-solid phase change material. Preferably, the phase change material is, or is substantially, a solid-solid phase change material.

Solid-solid phase change materials have been identified as having particularly beneficial heat storage capabilities in an aerosol generation device heating part.

Preferably, the aerosol generation device heating part further comprises a thermal insulation layer disposed between the heating chamber and the phase change material.

In this way, the thermal insulation layer can improve the efficiency of the aerosol generation device heating part by reducing heat loss from the heating chamber through directing the heat towards the aerosol generating substrate.

Preferably, the thermal insulation layer has a total thickness that is approximately double a total thickness of the phase change material in a radial direction of the aerosol generation device heating part.

Preferably, the phase change material is approximately 1 mm in thickness, and the thermal insulation layer is at least 1 mm in thickness, or preferably the thermal insulation layer is 1.5 mm in thickness, or more preferably the thermal insulation layer is 2 mm in thickness, or wherein the thermal insulation layer is up to 3 mm in thickness. These arrangements of thermal insulation layer thickness and phase change material thickness have been found to be particularly beneficial in inhibiting heat flow to the supercapacitor module.

Preferably, the thermal insulation layer comprises a plurality of layers of insulation.

Preferably, the thermal insulation layer comprises an aerogel.

Preferably, the phase change material comprises a plurality of layers of phase change material.

Preferably, the aerosol generation device heating part further comprises a first temperature sensor configured to monitor a temperature of a heater of the heating chamber, and a second temperature sensor configured to monitor a temperature of the phase change material; wherein a controller of the aerosol generation device heating part is configured to recalibrate the monitored temperature of heater based upon a determination of the phase change material reaching a melting temperature at which the monitored temperature of the phase change material substantially plateaus based upon a predetermined relationship between the temperature of the heater and the melting temperature of the phase change material.

In this way, the phase change material can be used to provide a reference for continuously recalibrating the control of the heating temperature in an aerosolisation session. This ensures that the aerosol generating substrate is being heated to the correct temperature, thereby improving the quality of the aerosolisation session. This improves the user experience.

In a second aspect, there is provided an aerosol generation device comprising the aerosol generation device heating part of the first aspect, and further comprising an auxiliary power part, wherein the auxiliary power part comprises a battery module; and wherein the auxiliary power part is removably connectable to the heating part, and when connected the battery module is configured to charge the supercapacitor module by an electrical connection between the heating part and the auxiliary power part.

In this way, a modular system is provided in which the battery module can be replaced by removing the auxiliary power part. This provides increased flexibility with decoupled power between the supercapacitor module and the battery module. Moreover, the supercapacitor module can be charged from the battery module so that it has a sufficient charge level to power the pre-heating phase of a subsequent aerosolisation session. Pre-heating phases are energy intensive and powering these with a battery alone can stress the battery; moreover, a supercapacitor can power the heater to pre-heat faster. As such, the higher charge storage capacity of the battery module can be used to ensure the supercapacitor module is ready to power the heater for a subsequent aerosolisation session.

Preferably, the battery module is configured to power the heater associated with the heating chamber when the auxiliary power part is connected to the heating part by the electrical connection between the heating part and the auxiliary power part.

In this way, the battery module can supplement the powering of the heater. This can allow for a reduced size supercapacitor, leading to a more compact heating part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a conceptual cross-sectional diagram of a first aerosol generation device;

Figure 2 is a conceptual circuit diagram of a power and heating system for an aerosol generation device including a supercapacitor module, a battery module and a heater; Figure 3A is a diagram of a planar aerosol generating substrate;

Figure 3B is a diagram of the aerosol generating substrate of Figure 3A inserted into a heating chamber;

Figure 3C is a diagram of a heating part of an aerosol generation device with a mouthpiece fitted;

Figure 4 is a conceptual cross-sectional diagram of a heating part for the aerosol generation device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a plot of phase change material temperature against heater temperature;

Figure 6A is a conceptual cross-sectional diagram of a second aerosol generation device;

Figure 6B is a conceptual cross-sectional diagram of a heating part for the aerosol generation device of Figure 6A;

Figure 6C is a conceptual cross-sectional diagram of an alternative heating part for the aerosol generation device of Figure 6A;

Figure 7 is a diagram of an exemplary aerosol generation device heating part;

Figure 8A is a perspective view of an exemplary layout of a heater track;

Figure 8B is a perspective view of the heater track of Figure 8A encased in an electrically insulating layer;

Figure 8C is a cross-sectional diagram of a portion of the heater track encased in the electrically insulating layer of Figure 8B;

Figure 8D is a perspective view of a heating chamber and heater track in combination with a mouthpiece; Figure 8E is a diagram of a position at which a temperature probe can be positioned on the heating part;

Figure 9 a diagram of a heating part consistent having six layers of thermal insulation;

Figure 10 is a plot of temperature recorded at temperature probes Ti , T₂, T₃, T₄ as a function of time during an aerosolisation session of a heating part with six layers of thermal insulation;

Figures 11 A to 11 E show diagrams of aerosol generation device heating parts consistent with that of Figure 9, but with one or more of the thermal insulation layers replaced with phase change material layer(s);

Figures 12A to 12E show plots of temperature against time in an aerosolisation session at the first temperature probe Ti, the second temperature probe T₂, the third temperature probe T₃ and the fourth temperature probe T₄ for the aerosol generation device heating parts of Figures 11 A to 11 E;

Figures 13A to 13F show plots of temperature against time in an aerosolisation session at the first temperature probe Ti, the second temperature probe T₂, the third temperature probe T₃ and the fourth temperature probe T₄ in a heating part with insulation and phase change material layers structured in accordance with Figure 11 E, and different phase change materials;

Figure 14 shows a plot of temperatures as a function of time recorded at the fourth temperature probe T₄ in an aerosolisation session for heating parts structured as described with reference to Figure 11 E with different phase change materials;

Figure 15 is a simulated heatmap of a heating part with insulation and phase change material layers structured as described with reference to Figure 11 E; and

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional diagram of a heating part with insulation and phase change material layers structured as described with reference to Figure 11 E, and a supercapacitor module adjacent to and at least partially surrounding the heating chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 is a conceptual cross-sectional diagram of an aerosol generation device 100, also known as a vapor generation device or an electronic cigarette. The cross section is viewed perpendicular to the axial direction of the aerosol generation device 100; that is, a cut-away view along the length of the aerosol generation device 100.

For the purposes of the present application, it will be understood that the terms vapor and aerosol are interchangeable. The aerosol generation device 100 is configured to heat an aerosol generating material without burning the aerosol generating material, to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generating material can comprise tobacco, or a combination of tobacco with other constituents such as one or more humectants. Alternatively, or additionally, the aerosol generating material can comprise other non-tobacco materials suitable for generating an aerosol, such as aerosol generating liquids.

The aerosol generation device 100 comprises a heating part 102 (also referred to as a heating module) and an auxiliary power part 104 (also referred to as an auxiliary power module). The heating part 102 comprises a heating cavity or chamber (not shown in Figure 1 , but discussed in more detail subsequently) into which an aerosol generating substrate 120 (also known as an aerosol generating consumable) is inserted. The aerosol generating substrate 120 can comprise, or can itself be, an aerosol generating material. A heater 118 in the heating chamber 116 is configured to heat the aerosol generating substrate 120 to produce an aerosol that can be inhaled by a consumer through a mouthpiece 110 of the heating part 102.

A supercapacitor module 106 is arranged in the heating part 102, to power the heater 118. A battery module 108 is arranged in the auxiliary power part 104. The battery module 108 can be operated to charge the supercapacitor module 106 and/or power the heater 118 when the heating part 102 and auxiliary power part 104 are in connection. This is discussed in more detail with respect to Figure 2.

The supercapacitor module 106 can comprise one or more supercapacitors. The battery module 108 can comprise one or more batteries. In an example, the supercapacitor module 106 can be implemented as two supercapacitors connected in series, such as in a 2s1 p pack. In such an example, these supercapacitors can be traditional-type supercapacitors, and each can have a voltage of 2.5 V thereby providing the supercapacitor module 106 with a total voltage of 5 V. In another such example, the supercapacitors can each have a voltage of 3 V thereby providing the supercapacitor module 106 with a total voltage of 6 V. In another such example, the supercapacitors can each have a voltage of 3.3 V thereby providing the supercapacitor module 106 with a total voltage of 6.6 V. More generally, the supercapacitors can each have a voltage of 2.5 V to 3.3 V, thereby providing the supercapacitor module 106 with a total voltage of 5 V to 6.6 V.

In other examples, a plurality of supercapacitors can be connected in series to meet the voltage requirements needed for powering the heater 118. Connecting a plurality of smaller supercapacitors in series, rather than using a single larger supercapacitor, is advantageous in allowing greater design flexibility.

The life expectancy of a supercapacitor depends on the maximum operating voltage, as well as temperature. In some examples, a compromise on life expectancy can be made when using a supercapacitor with a higher operating voltage to achieve smaller device size with better energy density.

In an example, the battery module 108 can be implemented as a single battery. This can be a high energy battery, such as a battery using lithium-ion technology, aluminium-ion technology, or zinc-ion technology, or any other suitable type of battery. Alternatively, the battery module 108 can comprise a plurality of batteries. In a specific example, the battery is a lithium-ion battery with a voltage of 3.7 V. As such, the voltage of the battery module 108 can be 3.7 V. The heating part 102 and the auxiliary power part 104 can each have corresponding electrical connectors 112 so that when the heating part 102 and the auxiliary power part 104 are brought into connection with one another, power can flow from the battery module 108 to the components of the heating part 102.

The heating part 102 can include a controller configured to control the operation of the aerosol generation device 100, including controlling the power flow from the supercapacitor module 106 to the heater 118, and controlling the power flow from battery module 108 to the supercapacitor module 106 and/or the heater 118. The controller can be implemented as a microcontroller unit (or any other suitable control unit) comprising memory with instructions stored thereon for operating the aerosol generation device 100, and one or processors configured to execute the instructions. The controller can be part of a circuit board 114, such as a printed circuit board, that comprises the control electronics of the aerosol generation device 100.

In operation, the controller can control the aerosol generation device 100 to perform an aerosolisation session in which the aerosol generating substrate 120 is heated to produce the aerosol for the operator to inhale. An aerosolisation session can include a pre-heating mode and a heating mode. In the pre-heating mode, the controller controls a power flow to the heater 118 so that the heater 118 can be heated to a predetermined temperature for the generation of an aerosol from the aerosol generating substrate 120. A pre-heating phase can be considered the time during which the pre-heating mode is being executed, for example the time it takes for the heater 118 to reach the predetermined temperature. The pre-heating mode occurs during a first time period of the aerosolisation session. In an example, the first time period can be a fixed predetermined time period. In other examples, the first time period can vary corresponding to the length of time needed to heat the heater 118 to the predetermined temperature. When the heater 118 reaches the predetermined temperature, the controller ends the pre-heating mode and controls the aerosol generation device 100 to perform the heating mode. In the heating mode the controller controls power flow to maintain the heater 118 substantially at the predetermined temperature so that an aerosol is generated for the consumer to inhale. A heating phase can be considered the time during which the heating mode is being executed, for example the time during which the heater 118 is aerosolising one (or at least part of one) aerosol generating substrate 120 after the pre-heating phase. The controller can control the power system to operate the heating mode for a second time period of the aerosolisation session. The second time period can be predetermined and stored at the controller.

Figure 2 shows a conceptual circuit diagram of the supercapacitor module 106, the battery module 108 and the heater 118.

The supercapacitor module 106 can be connected to the battery module 108. Optionally, a DC/DC voltage converter 134 can be arranged between the two. The DC/DC voltage converter can be used to step up the battery module voltage when charging the supercapacitor module 106 from the battery module 108.

A first switching means 128 is arranged between the battery module 108 and the supercapacitor module 106. The supercapacitor module 106 is connectable to the heater 118, represented as the load, with a second switching means 130 arranged between the two. In an example, the first switching means 128 and the second switching means 130 can be transistors connected to the controller (not shown in Figure 2).

The supercapacitor module 106 and the battery module 108 can be configured to operate in many different ways to power the heater 118 and recharge the supercapacitor module 106.

In a first example, only the supercapacitor module 106 is controlled to power the heater 118 during the pre-heating mode. Then, during the heating mode, only the battery module 108 is configured to power the heater 118. This arrangement is beneficial because the higher discharge rate from a supercapacitor allows for a faster pre-heating than using a battery. This also prevents the battery being stressed during the pre-heating phase during which higher currents can be needed. The lower and more constant discharge rate from the battery module 108 can then be used for the longer heating mode, which requires lower power than the pre-heating mode.

In a second example, similar to the first example, both the supercapacitor module 106 and the battery module 108 can be controlled to power the heater 118 during the pre-heating mode. Then, during the heating mode, only the battery module 108 is configured to power the heater 118. This arrangement is beneficial as the supercapacitor module 106 can support the battery module 108 during preheating. However, as the supercapacitor module 106 is only supporting the battery module 108 rather than exclusively powering the heater 118 during the pre-heating mode, a smaller supercapacitor module 106 can be used thereby reducing the device size.

In a third example, only the supercapacitor module 106 is controlled to power the heater 118 during the pre-heating mode. Then, during the heating mode, both the battery module 108 and the supercapacitor module 106 are configured to power the heater 118. In this way, the supercapacitor module 106 can support the battery module 108 during the heating phase.

In a fourth example, both the supercapacitor module 106 and the battery module 108 can be controlled to power the heater 118 during the pre-heating mode. Then, during the heating mode, both the battery module 108 and the supercapacitor module 106 are configured to power the heater 118. In this way, the supercapacitor module 106 can support the battery module 108 during the preheating phase and the heating phase.

The pre-heating phase in particular can require high discharge rates to power the heater 118 for a rapid pre-heating. Such high discharge rates can stress a battery, shortening its useful lifespan. Using the supercapacitor module 106 during the pre-heating reduces/removes the stress on the battery module 108 compared to heating with battery alone, thereby improving the useful lifespan of the battery. Moreover, the higher discharge rates available for the supercapacitor module 106 allow for a more rapid pre-heating, thereby improving the user experience. In these preceding examples, the battery module 108 can be controlled by the controller to direct a power flow to the supercapacitor module 106 between aerosolisation sessions to recharge the supercapacitor module 106 for a subsequent aerosolisation session. In this way, the supercapacitor module 106 can be adequately charged for the pre-heating phase of a subsequent aerosolisation session.

The power flows between battery module 108 and supercapacitor and/or heater 118, and supercapacitor and/or heater 118 can be controlled using the first switching means 128 and the second switching means 130. For example, opening the first switching means 128 and closing the second switching means 130 can be used to direct a power flow from the supercapacitor module 106 to the heater 118. Opening the second switching means 130 and closing the first switching means 128 can be used to direct a power flow from the battery module 108 to the supercapacitor module 106 to charge the supercapacitor module 106. Closing both the first switching means 128 and the second switching means 130 can be used to direct power flows from both the battery module 108 and the supercapacitor module 106 to the heater 118.

The first switching means 128 and the second switching means 130 can be controlled by the controller to apply pulse width modulated (PWM) power flows by rapidly switching the switching means between open and closed states. Changing the opening and closing switching rate, to adjust the duty cycle, can be used to adjust the power flow.

In further examples, the battery module can be configured to charge the supercapacitor module 106 during the aerosolisation session, in addition or alternatively to charging the supercapacitor module 106 between aerosolisation sessions.

In a first example of the battery module 108 charging the supercapacitor module 106 during the aerosolisation session, the battery module 108 charges the supercapacitor module 106 during both the pre-heating mode and the heating mode. In such an example, the controller controls a PWM power flow in which the supercapacitor module 106 is controlled to power the heater 118 and the battery module 108 is controlled to recharge the supercapacitor module 106. Only the supercapacitor module 106 powers the heater 118 in the pre-heating mode and the heating mode; the battery module 108 recharges the supercapacitor module 106. During the PWM cycle on periods of the pulse width modulated power flow from the supercapacitor module 106 to the heater 118, the supercapacitor module 106 powers the heater 118, and the battery module 108 recharges the supercapacitor module 106 during the PWM cycle off periods of the pulse width modulated power flow from the supercapacitor module 106 to the heater 118. That is, during the pre-heating mode and the heating mode the supercapacitor module 106 switches between powering the heater 118 during the on portion of the duty cycle, and being recharged by the battery module 108 during the off portion of the duty cycle. The battery module 108 does not charge the supercapacitor module 106 during the on portion of the duty cycle.

The pulse width modulated power flow from the supercapacitor module 106 to the heater 118 in the heating mode can operate with a first duty cycle regime that comprises one or more PWM cycles with a first duty cycle ratio Di. In the preheating mode, the supercapacitor module 106 can power the heater 118 with a pulse width modulated power flow with a second duty cycle regime that comprises one or more PWM cycles with a second duty cycle ratio D₂. The relationship between Di and D₂ can be considered as D₂ = Di*K, where K is a coefficient that is » 1 and can be selected as an implementation choice. In an example, the first duty cycle ratio can be much less than 1 , and the second duty cycle ratio can be close to but less than 1. In other examples, the first duty cycle ratio can be « 0.5 and the second duty cycle ratio can be > 0.5. In further examples, the first duty cycle is configured such that < 3 Wis applied in the heating mode, and the second duty cycle is configured such that approximately 16 Wis applied in the pre-heating mode. More generally, 2 W to 6 W could be applied during the heating mode, and 10 W to 30 W could be applied during the pre-heating mode. The controller, the first switching means 128, and the second switching means 130 bring about this control over the heating and charging. During the PWM cycle on periods of the pulse width modulated power flow, the controller controls the second switching means 130 to be closed and the first switching means 128 to be open. In this way, power flows from the supercapacitor module 106 to the heater 118 during the PWM on period whilst the battery module 108 is isolated from the supercapacitor module 106 and the heater 118. During the PWM cycle off periods of the pulse width modulated power flow, the controller controls the second switching means 130 to be open and the first switching means 128 to be closed. In this way, power flows from the battery module 108 into the supercapacitor module 106 to recharge the supercapacitor module 106 whilst the supercapacitor module 106 is isolated from the heater 118. As such, during the pulse width modulated power flow, a rapid switching occurs between powering the heater 118 in the PWM cycle on periods and recharging the supercapacitor module 106 in the PWM cycle off periods. In some examples, there may be a small delay between opening the first switching means 128 and closing the second switching means 130. This prevents the power flow from the battery module 108 inadvertently reaching the heater 118 during the on period of the duty cycle of the pulse width modulated power flow.

In a second example of the battery module 108 charging the supercapacitor module 106 during the aerosolisation session, the battery module 108 charges the supercapacitor module 106 during the heating mode as described in the previous example. However, the battery module 108 does not charge the supercapacitor module 106 during the pre-heating mode. In such an example, the controller controls a PWM power flow from the supercapacitor module 106 to the heater 118 during the pre-heating mode using the second switching means 130, and the first switching means 128 remains open throughout the pre-heating mode. As a higher duty cycle is used in the pre-heating mode, not charging the supercapacitor module 106 during the pre-heating mode reduces the complexity of the system as the battery module 108 does not need to have PWM switching applied with this higher duty cycle.

As discussed with regard to Figure 1 , the heating part 102 and the auxiliary power part 104 can each have corresponding electrical connectors 112 so that when the heating part 102 and the auxiliary power part 104 are brought into connection with one another, power can flow from the battery module 108 to the components of the heating part 102. These electrical connectors 112 are represented in Figure 2 by the connection node 132.

Figures 3A to 3C show diagrams of an arrangement by which a planar aerosol generating substrate 120 can be implemented in the heating part 102 of an aerosol generation device described with reference to Figure 1 . Figure 3A is a diagram of a planar aerosol generating substrate 120, and Figure 3B is a diagram of the aerosol generating substrate 120 inserted into a heating chamber 116, suitable for implementation in the aerosol generation device described with reference to Figure 1 . Figure 3C is a diagram of a heating part 102 of an aerosol generation device 100 in accordance with Figure 1 , with the mouthpiece 110 fitted. In this example, the heating chamber 116 is arranged within the housing 126 of the heating part 102. As can be seen, the mouthpiece 110 fits over the mouthpiece portion 138 of the aerosol generating substrate 120 that extends from the heating chamber 116 so that an opening in the mouthpiece 110 coincides with the end of the aerosol generating substrate 120 through which the generated aerosol is drawn when the operator inhales upon the mouthpiece 110.

Referring to Figure 3A, the aerosol generating substrate 120 can be planar or flat in shape, for example in the form of flat-shaped cuboid. In a specific example, the length of the substrate 120 according to the substrate axis is substantially 33 mm, and the width and depth are substantially 12 mm and 1.2 mm, respectively. That is to say, the substrate 120 can be considered planar in shape in that it has a depth that is much shorter than the length and width. However, in other examples, the aerosol generating substrate 120 and corresponding heating chamber 116 can be of other suitable shapes or dimensions. For example, the aerosol generating substrate 120 be in of a circular tube shape, similar to a traditional cigarette.

The aerosol generating substrate 120 can comprise a heating portion 140 and a mouthpiece portion 138. The heating portion 140 is received in the heating chamber 116, and the mouthpiece portion 138 is received in the mouthpiece 110 of the aerosol generation device 100. That is, the heating portion 140 defines an abutting end of the substrate 120 that can abut or be proximal to the bottom 150 of the heating chamber 116, and the mouthpiece portion 138 defines a mouth end of the substrate 120.

The heating portion 140 is configured to be heated by a heater 118 in the heating chamber 116 and comprises an aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating material can be a material that may for example comprise nicotine or tobacco and an aerosol former. Tobacco may take the form of various materials such as shredded tobacco, granulated tobacco, tobacco leaf and/or reconstituted tobacco. Suitable aerosol formers include: a polyol such as sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols like propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; a non-polyol such as monohydric alcohols, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, glycerin or vegetable glycerin. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating agent may be glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol. The substrate 120 may also comprise at least one of a gelling agent, a binding agent, a stabilizing agent, and a humectant. When the aerosol generating material is heated, an aerosol or vapour is formed.

The mouthpiece portion 138 is intended to be received inside the mouthpiece 110 of the heating part 102 of the aerosol generation device 100. The mouthpiece portion 138 comprises a core 144 that can provide a filtering functionality. In some examples, the core 144 can be a foam, or packed strands of fibres. The mouthpiece portion 138 can have a plurality of venting holes 142 arranged on walls of the substrate 120 allowing fresh air entering inside the substrate 120 to achieve particular vaping/tasting effects.

Referring to Figure 3C, the mouthpiece 110 has a through-hole designed to receive the mouthpiece portion 138 of the aerosol generating substrate 120. The through-hole can have the same cross-sectional shape as the aerosol generating substrate 120 with internal dimensions slightly greater than the external dimensions of the mouthpiece portion 138 of the aerosol generating substrate 120.

In some cases, the substrate 120 may not include the venting holes 142; in such cases the air can flow into the substrate 120 by being drawn in through the abutting end. For example, air can be drawn into the device through a flow inlet 146 in the mouthpiece 110, or sidewalls of the device, to counteract a pressure drop caused by the operator inhaling upon the mouthpiece 110.

Turning to Figure 3B, the heating chamber 116 can be cup-shaped with an open end 148 into which the aerosol generating substrate 120 is inserted, and an opposing sealed end 150. The heating chamber 116 receives the heating portion 140 of the aerosol generating substrate 120. The heating chamber 116 has substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the aerosol generating substrate 120. Walls of the heating chamber 116 can comprise one or more heating elements of the heater 118 therein or thereon. Each, or one or more of, the walls of the heating chamber 116 have a heating element therein or thereon.

Walls of the heating chamber 116 can be ceramic with heater wires or tracks embedded therein or thereon. In an example, the heating elements can be arranged in contact with one of the heating chamber walls outside of the heating chamber 116. As depicted in the example of Figure 3B, the heating element is arranged on an outer surface of the chamber wall. Likewise, a second heating element can be arranged on an outer surface of the opposing chamber wall (not shown). Thus, the chamber walls transfer heat from the heating elements to the aerosol generating substrate 120. In other examples, the heating elements can be embedded within the chamber walls. In a further example, the heating elements can be on the chamber walls, internal to the heating chamber 116. As explained, the chamber walls can be a ceramic material with a heater track or wire therein or thereon. In an alternative, each heating element may comprise a polyimide film heater extending along substantially the total area of the outer surface of the corresponding heating wall or only along a part of this surface.

In a preferable example, the heating chamber 116 has two major internal faces corresponding the opposing wider faces of the planar aerosol generating substrate 120, and two minor internal faces corresponding to the opposing narrower faces of the planar aerosol generating substrate 120. The minor internal faces can be perpendicular to the major internal faces, and connect the major internal faces. The walls of the heating chamber 116 corresponding to the major internal faces can be arranged with heater wires or tracks embedded therein or thereon forming two ceramic heaters. In some examples, walls of the heating chamber 116 corresponding to the minor internal faces can also be ceramic. Such ceramic heaters can provide a compact heating chamber 116 with well-distributed heat directed to the planar aerosol generating substrate 120. However, such ceramic heaters can require considerably more power to heat (e.g., »10 W and/or » 1600 J) than the heater of an aerosol generation device that is configured to receive a more traditional cigarette or cigarette-like consumable. Such heaters therefore greatly benefit from the heating power management utilising one or more supercapacitors, as described in herein.

In other examples, each of the walls can be of a thermally conductive material, such as a metal, notably a stainless steel. Additionally, at least some of the walls or all of these walls can form one single piece.

The internal dimensions of the heating chamber 116 can be defined so that an airflow channel is formed between the walls of the heating chamber 116 and the aerosol generating substrate 120 when inserted therein. That is, when the heating portion 140 of the aerosol generating substrate 120 is inserted in the heating chamber 116, an airflow channel is formed along the axial length of the substrate 120.

The heating part 102 can include further components not shown in Figures 3A to 3C. These are discussed in more detail with respect to Figure 4.

Figure 4 shows a conceptual cross-sectional diagram of a heating part 102 in accordance with the aerosol generation device 100 described with reference to Figure 1 , and the heating chamber 116 described with reference to Figures 3A to 3C. The cross section is viewed along the axial direction of the heating part 102; that is, a view in the direction of insertion/removal of the aerosol generating substrate 120 into the heating chamber 116.

The heating part 102 comprises a heating chamber 116 configured to receive the aerosol generating substrate 120. In an example, the heating chamber 116 and aerosol generating substrate 120 can be of the planar type described with reference to Figures 3A to 3C. Alternative heating chambers and aerosol generating substrates may instead be implemented in the heating part 102. For example, the heating chamber 116 may be configured to a receive a non-planar aerosol generating substrate, a rod-type aerosol generating substrate (similar to a traditional cigarette), or loose aerosol generating material (such as loose tobacco).

The heating part 102 also comprises a supercapacitor module 106 that is configured to power the heater 118. The supercapacitor module 106 is adjacent (i.e., close or proximal) to the heating chamber 116 and can be configured to at least partially or completely surround the heating chamber 116. The supercapacitor module 106 can be configured such that it is conformed to the shape of the heating chamber 116. In this way the heating part 102 can be of a compact shape and size.

In some examples, the supercapacitor(s) of the supercapacitor module 106 can be of a bent shape, rather than being flat supercapacitors, so as to substantially (or at least partially) surround the heating chamber 116. These can provide a more compact heating part 102. In other examples, the supercapacitor(s) of the supercapacitor module 106 can be flat supercapacitor cells; these can be easier to fabricate and arrange in the heating part 102, but this may be balanced by a larger heating part 102 being needed to accommodate such flat cells.

In the particular example of Figure 4, the supercapacitor module 106 comprises two supercapacitors. These two supercapacitors are arranged on opposite sides of the heating chamber 116. In this way, the two supercapacitors partially (and almost entirely) surround the heating chamber 116. In the example of Figure 4, the supercapacitors are arranged on the larger faces of the planar heating chamber 116 (i.e., the major faces of the heating chamber 116), and are bent around these larger faces so that the supercapacitors substantially surround the heating chamber 116. These supercapacitors can be arranged in a 2s1p configuration. In other examples, only one supercapacitor may be used, or more than two supercapacitors may be used. In some examples, the supercapacitor(s) may fully surround the heating chamber 116.

A phase change material 122 is disposed between the heating chamber 116 and the supercapacitor module 106 to separate the heating chamber 116 from the supercapacitor module 106.

The phase change material 122 absorbs heat from the heating chamber 116 during an aerosolisation session, and changes phase from a solid to liquid phase though melting. The temperature of the phase change material 122 plateaus during the melting as it continues to absorb heat energy. When the phase change material 122 reaches a maximum absorbable energy content through the absorption of the heat energy from the heating chamber 116, the temperature can again rise.

The phase change material 122 is configured to protect the supercapacitor module 106 by absorbing the heat from the heating chamber 116. The phase change material 122 acts as a heat storage component, whereby at the phase transition temperature, the latent heat capacity absorbs the thermal energy from the heat source and prevents excessive peaks of temperature at the supercapacitor module 106. This absorption of heat from the heating chamber 116 also inhibits the heating of the housing 126 of the heating part 102, thereby also protecting the consumer holding the heating part 102. The absorbed heat is then released from the phase change material 122 after the aerosolisation session, when the device is no longer in use. Upon cooling down, the phase transition of the phase change material 122 releases the thermal energy back into the system. Thereby, the phase change material 122 mitigates excessive temperatures that can occur with high heat flux through the system, for example during the initial heating of the heater.

The main thermal properties that are desired for the phase change material in such an aerosol generation device 100 that is configured to heat the aerosol generating material without burning it, are high latent heat capacity, high specific heat capacity of both phases, low thermal conductivity, high density, and a phase transition temperature that is lower than the maximum temperature defined for the component that needs to be protected (e.g., the supercapacitor module).

The phase change material 122 can also at least partially or completely surround the heating chamber 116. This can be achieved for example by conforming a single piece of phase change material 122 around the heating chamber 116. Alternatively, it can be achieved by positioning a plurality of pieces of phase change material 122 around the chamber. In some examples, the phase change material 122 can be one or more sheets of material. In other examples, the phase change material 122 can be a filling material that is for example injected or inserted between the heating chamber 118 and the supercapacitor module 106. In some examples, the phase change material 122 can be an indium or indium- based phase change material 122. Alternatively or additionally, the phase change material 122 can be based on one or more of liquid ammonia, liquid hydrogen, acetic acid, paraffin wax. In further examples, as will be discussed later, the phase change material 122 can be a hydrated salt, organic solution or solid-solid phase change material.

An optional thermal insulation layer 124 surrounds the heating chamber 116 substantially or completely along its axial length (i.e., the direction of insertion/removal of the aerosol generating substrate 120). In some examples, the thermal insulation layer be a superwool material, or an aerogel based material, such as in sheet form. The phase change material 122 surrounds the heating chamber 116 substantially or completely along its axial length, and also surrounds the thermal insulation layer 124 if included. The supercapacitor module 106 then substantially or completely surrounds the phase change material 122 at least partially along the axial length of the heating chamber 116. This can bring about arranging one or more supercapacitors adjacent to the heating chamber 116 that can be bent or conformed to follow the shape of the heating chamber 116 along its axial length. Alternatively, this can be achieved by arranging a plurality of flat supercapacitors adjacent to and at least partially along the axial length of the heating chamber 116. A layered device is therefore formed in the heating part 102, with the heating chamber 116 at the centre, followed in an outward direction by the thermal insulation layer 124 (optionally), then the phase change material 122, then the supercapacitor module 106, all within the housing 126 of the heating part 102.

The heating chamber 116 or heater unit can be housed in a heater unit housing. The phase change material 122 can be thermally connected to the outside of the heater unit for heat dissipation. The heater unit housing can be a metal such as aluminium. The phase change material 122 can be connected using metallic tape such as copper tape, and/or a thermal paste.

A supercapacitor can operate at a higher temperature than commonly used battery technologies in portable electronic applications, such as lithium-ion, nickel-metal- hydride, primary batteries and nickel-cadmium products. For example, the maximum temperature of operation for discharging lithium-ion batteries is around 60°C. Therefore a supercapacitor is well-suited to application in the heating part 102 of the aerosol generation device 100. However, for optimal operation, the supercapacitor module 106 should be protected from excessive heat conducting from the heating chamber 116. The phase change material 122 can be chosen such that it absorbs sufficient heat energy so that the supercapacitor does not reach a temperature exceeding a suitable operational threshold. The combination of the supercapacitor module 106 with the phase change material 122 further emphasises these benefits as the supercapacitor module 106 can be arranged very close to the heating chamber 116 but protected from excessive heat energy by the phase change material 122.

Supercapacitors are also well-suited to this application in the heating part 102 of the aerosol generation device 100 with the phase change material 122 because in the event of device failure (for example if the phase change material 122 breaks down, the heating chamber 116 overheats, or the supercapacitor(s) breaks down) supercapacitor technology is safe by design. Supercapacitors do not have swelling constraints, undergo thermal events or breakdown. As such, a supercapacitor module 106 is safer for use in the heating part 102 than a battery for example. A supercapacitor can also discharge to 0 V with no risk and no under- discharge protection being needed, or in the case of asymmetric supercapacitors a minimum voltage to which they can be discharged but still with no safety risk.

Furthermore, supercapacitor cells are well-suited to application with the phase change material 122 because they can be bent as the phase change material 122 changes phase, without negatively impacting the operation of the supercapacitor module 106.

The thickness of the supercapacitor(s) and exact dimensions can depend on the power requirements of the heater 118. However, in an example the supercapacitor(s) can be in the range of 1 to 5 mm in thickness. The thickness of the phase change material 122 can depend on the latent heat requirements and the type of the phase change material 122 used. However, in an example, the phase change material 122 can be in the range of 0.2 to 2 mm in thickness.

The temperature of the phase change material 122 can be monitored and used to recalibrate the heater 118 temperature. The temperature of the heater 118 can be monitored using a first temperature sensor 136-1 , and the temperature of the phase change material 122 can be monitored using a second temperature sensor 136-2. In some examples, these temperature sensors can be temperature sensor subcircuits. In some examples, a high level of precision is not needed for the second temperature sensor 136-2 that monitors the temperature of the phase change material 122, meaning that a low-cost, or basic, sensor can be used; this is because the saturation (phase change) temperature of the phase change material 122 is a known fixed parameter, so only a plateau in the temperature readings needs to be detected and not an explicit, accurate temperature value.

Figure 5 depicts a plot of phase change material temperature 502 against heater temperature 504. When the phase change material 122 is in the solid phase, the temperature of the phase change material 122 will increase as the temperature of the heater 118 increases. However, when the phase change material 122 reaches the melting point 506, the temperature of the phase change material 122 plateaus and stays substantially constant whilst the heater temperature continues increasing. The melting temperature of a phase change material 122 is a known property. This temperature can be stored in firmware of the aerosol generation device 100, for example in storage accessible by the controller. As the melting temperature of the phase change material 122 is known and predetermined, a relationship between the heater (or heating chamber) temperature and the melting temperature of the phase change material 122 can be established. For example, the phase change material 122 can be known to reach the melting point (i.e., the melting temperature) at X°C. It can be predetermined that the phase change material 122 reaches X°C when the heater 118 is at Y°C. That is, Y°C is the expected heater temperature at which the phase change material 122 melts in the device. As such, when it is determined that the phase change material 122 has reached the melting temperature because the temperature of the phase change material 122 has plateaued, it can be determined that the heater 118 should be at the expected temperature of Y°C. This can be used to correct temperature measurement offsets or errors in the measured heater temperature. If the measured heater temperature is offset from the expected temperature Y°C by AY°C when the temperature of the phase change material 122 plateaus, this AY°C offset in the measured heater temperature can be corrected by recalibrating the measured heater temperature. This can be continuously performed during an aerosolisation session. In this way, the melting point of the phase change material 122 can be used to accurately calibrate and control the heater temperature. This leads to a more precise control of the heater temperature, allowing for the heater 118 to be accurately heated to the desirable temperature for an aerosolisation session, leading to an improved aerosol production for the consumer.

Returning to Figure 4, the components of the heating part 102 can be contained within a heating part housing 126. The heating part 102 components can further include a circuit board 114 on which the control electronics of the aerosol generation device 100 are arranged. In some examples, this can be a flexible printed circuit board. A flexible circuit board is advantageous as it can be conformed to compactly fit around the heating chamber 116 and other components in the heating part housing 126, leading to a compact heating part 102. In the example of Figure 4, the circuit board 114 is arranged along the axial direction of the heating part 102, in the direction of insertion/removal of the aerosol generating material, and adjacent to a minor face of the heating chamber 116. In other examples, the circuit board 114 can be arranged along the axial direction of the heating part 102, in the direction of insertion/removal of the aerosol generating material, and adjacent to a major face of the heating chamber 116. In a further example, the circuit board 114 can be arranged beneath the heating chamber 116, in the direction of insertion/removal of the aerosol generating material (i.e., away from the mouthpiece 110 end of the heating part 102), as shown in Figure 1.

As noted, a thermal insulation layer 124 can optionally be arranged between the phase change material 122 and the heating chamber 116. For example, the thermal insulation layer 124 can be thermally insulating material disposed around or partially around the heating chamber 116. This can improve the efficiency of the aerosol generation device by reducing heat loss from the heating chamber 116.

As described with reference to Figure 1 , the heating part 102 and the auxiliary power part 104 can each have corresponding electrical connectors 112 so that when the heating part 102 and the auxiliary power part 104 are brought into connection with one another, power can flow from the battery module 108 to the components of the heating part 102. In the example of Figure 4, two sets of electrical connectors 112 are included. In such an example, a first set of electrical connectors 112-1 can be between the controller on the circuit board and the battery module 108 in the auxiliary power part 104; this first set of electrical connectors 112-1 can be used to control the battery module 108. A second set of electrical connectors 112-2 can be between the supercapacitor module 106 and/or the heater 118 and the battery module 108 of the auxiliary power part. It will however be understood that any suitable number of electrical connectors can be included. For example, a single set of electrical connectors may be used for both controlling the auxiliary power part 104 using the controller in the heating part 102, and for a power flow from the battery module 108 to the supercapacitor module 106 and/or the heater 118. These electrical connectors 112 allow for an electrical split between the supercapacitor module 106 and the battery module 108 through the disconnection of the heating part 102 from the auxiliary power part 104. This provides a modular energy system design with increased flexibility as the battery module 108 and supercapacitor module 106 are decoupled. In this way, the battery for example can be replaced by replacing the auxiliary power part 104 without needing to replace the entire aerosol generation device 100, or entire power system (supercapacitor module 106 and battery module 108).

The decoupling between the supercapacitor module 106 and battery module 108 in the described manner contributes to simplifying a replacement of the battery module 108 in terms of flexibility. The use of different battery sizes in an aerosol generation system can add technical complexity. For example, if 20 W is needed from the battery (5 A at 4 V), a 2 C discharge rate is needed for a 2500 mAh battery. However, for a 1250 mAh battery this would mean that a 4 C discharge rate is needed, and this is more challenging to fulfil in terms of battery life cycle. The decouplable power system provided by the present invention, however, allows for the use of the supercapacitor module 106 in powering the heater 118, which reduces battery stress, thereby improving the battery life cycle so that lower capacity batteries can be used, whilst also providing a safer aerosol generation device 100. In this way, the battery module 108 can easily be replaced at the end of its life cycle and flexibility in battery choice is provided.

In some examples, a connection could be configured between the supercapacitor cells in the 2s1 p configuration; this connection could also be to the controller to sense the voltage on each supercapacitor cell in the 2s1 p configuration so that the controller can control the power flow. In some examples, another connection could separately be made to the controller. A further connection could be configured between the heater and circuit board, through the controller, for example on the bottom of the heater unit.

In the example of Figure 4, there are two supercapacitors substantially either side of the planar heating chamber 116. However, in other examples on continuous supercapacitor could surround the heating chamber 116, or multiple supercapacitors could be arranged around the heating chamber 116. Such examples are described in more detail with regard to Figures 6A to 6C.

A second aerosol generation device 600 is depicted in Figures 6A to 6C. This aerosol generation device 600 can perform an aerosolisation session in the same manners as those described with reference to the examples of Figures 1 to 5, for example in terms of how pre-heating and heating phases are powered by the supercapacitor module 106 and/or battery module 108; as such, these are not repeated here for brevity.

Figure 6A shows a conceptual cross-sectional diagram of an aerosol generation device 600 configured to receive a substantially rod-shaped aerosol generating substrate 620, such as a tobacco rod. The aerosol generation device 600 of Figure 6A has a heating part 602 and an auxiliary power part 604. The heating part 602 and auxiliary power part 604 are removably connectable in the same manner as the aerosol generation device 100 described with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

The auxiliary power part 604 includes a battery module 608 that is connectable to the components of the heating part 602 though connectors 612. The auxiliary power part 604, battery module 608 and connectors 612 can be implemented in the same manner as the auxiliary power part 104, battery module 108 and connectors 112 of the aerosol generation device 100 described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 and so for brevity this description is not repeated here.

The heating part 602 includes a heating chamber 616 configured to receive and heat the rod-shaped aerosol generating substrate 620. The heating part 602 includes a supercapacitor module 606 and phase change material 622 that can be implemented in the same manner as the supercapacitor module 106, phase change material 122 described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 and so for brevity this description is not repeated here.

The heating part 602 can also include housing 626, a thermal insulation layer 624 and circuit board 614 that can be implemented in the same manner as the housing 126, the thermal insulation layer 124 and circuit board 114 described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 and so for brevity this description is not repeated here. The heating part 602 can also include a first temperature sensor (not shown) configured to monitor the heater temperature, and a second temperature sensor (not shown) configured to monitor the temperature of the phase change material 622, which can be implemented in the same manner as those of the aerosol generation device 100 described with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

The main difference between the aerosol generation device 100 described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 the aerosol generation device 600 described with reference to Figures 6A to 6C is that the aerosol generation device 600 of Figures 6A to 6C has a heating chamber 616 configured to receive a substantially rodshaped aerosol generating substrate 620, such as a tobacco rod.

A heating chamber 616 is arranged in the heating unit 602. The heating chamber 616 is accessed by an opening in the heating unit 602 into which the aerosol generating substrate 620 is inserted.

The aerosol generating substrate 620 can contain an aerosol generating material, such as a tobacco rod containing tobacco. A tobacco rod can be similar to a traditional cigarette. The heating chamber 616 can have a cross-section approximately equal to that of the aerosol generating substrate 620. The heating chamber 616 can have a circular or substantially circular cross-sectional shape to match that of the tobacco rod aerosol generating substrate 620.

The heating chamber 616 can have a depth such that when the associated aerosol generating substrate 620 is inserted into the heating chamber 616, a first end portion of the aerosol generating substrate 620 reaches a bottom of the heating chamber 616 (that is, an end of the chamber 616 distal from the opening), and a second end portion of the aerosol generating substrate 620 distal to the first end portion extends outwardly from the heating chamber 616. In this way, a consumer can inhale upon the aerosol generating substrate 620 when it is inserted into the aerosol generation device 600. The heater 618 is arranged in the heating chamber 616 such that the aerosol generating substrate 620 engages the heater 618 when inserted into the heating chamber 616. In the example of Figure 6A, the heater 618 is arranged as a tube defining the heating chamber 616 such that when the first end portion of the aerosol generating substrate 620 is inserted into the heating chamber 616 the heater 618 substantially or completely surrounds the portion of the aerosol generating substrate 620 within the heating chamber 616. The heater 618 can be a wire, such as a coiled wire heater, or a ceramic heater, or any other suitable type of heater. The heater 618 can be embedded into the walls of the heating chamber 616 or attached to the inner or outer surface of the heating chamber walls. The heater 618 can comprise multiple heating elements sequentially arranged along the axial length of the heating chamber 616 that can be independently activated (i.e., powered up) in a sequential order.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the heater can be arranged as an elongate piercing member (such as in the form of needle, rod or blade) within the heating chamber 616; in such an embodiment the heater can be arranged to penetrate the aerosol generating substrate 620 and engage the aerosol generating material when the aerosol generating substrate 620 is inserted into the cavity.

In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the heater may be in the form of an induction heater. In such an embodiment, a heating element (i.e., a susceptor) can be provided in the aerosol generating substrate 620, and the heating element is inductively coupled to the induction element (i.e., induction coil) in the heating chamber 616 when the aerosol generating substrate 620 is inserted into the heating chamber 616. The induction heater then heats the heating element by induction.

The heater 618 is arranged to heat the tobacco (or other aerosol generating material), without burning the tobacco, to generate an aerosol. That is, the heater 618 heats the tobacco at a predetermined temperature below the combustion point of the tobacco such that a tobacco-based aerosol is generated. The skilled person will readily understand that the aerosol generating substrate 620 does not necessarily need to comprise tobacco, and that any other suitable substance for aerosolisation (or vaporisation), particularly by heating without burning the substance, can be used in place of tobacco or in combination with the tobacco.

In an alternative, the aerosol generating substrate 620 could be a vaporisable liquid. The vaporisable liquid can be contained in a cartridge receivable in the aerosol generation device, or can be directly deposited into the aerosol generation device.

Figure 6B shows a cross-sectional diagram of the heating part 602 of the aerosol generation device 600 described with reference to Figure 6A. The cross section is viewed along the axial direction of the heating part 602; that is, a view in the direction of insertion/removal of the aerosol generating substrate 620 into the heating chamber 616.

The supercapacitor module 606 is adjacent to and substantially surrounds the heating chamber 616. The heating chamber 616 is defined by the heater 618. The phase change material 622 is disposed between the heating chamber 616 and the supercapacitor module 606 to separate the heating chamber 616 from the supercapacitor module 606. Optionally, the thermal insulation layer 624 is disposed between the heating chamber 616 and the phase change material 622. These components have the same functionality and advantageous technical effects as the corresponding components described with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

The thermal insulation layer 624 (partially or fully) surrounds the heating chamber 616 along its axial length (i.e., the direction of insertion/removal of the aerosol generating substrate 620). The phase change material 622 (partially or fully) surrounds the heating chamber 616 along its axial length, and also surrounds the thermal insulation layer 624 if included. The supercapacitor module 606 then substantially surrounds the phase change material 622 at least partially along the axial length of the heating chamber 616. This is brought about through a plurality of supercapacitors that can be bent or conformed to follow the shape of the heating chamber 616 along its axial length. In the example of Figure 6B, five supercapacitors are included; however, any suitable number of supercapacitors can be used.

A layered device is therefore formed in the heating part 602, with the heating chamber 616 at the centre, followed in an outward direction by the thermal insulation layer 624 (optionally), then the phase change material 622, then the supercapacitor module 606, all within the housing 626 of the heating part 602.

Figure 6C shows a cross-sectional diagram of an alternative heating part 602 of the aerosol generation device 600 described with reference to Figure 6A. The cross section is viewed along the axial direction of the heating part 602; that is, a view in the direction of insertion/removal of the aerosol generating substrate 620 into the heating chamber 616. The heating part 602 of Figure 6C corresponds to the heating part 602 of Figure 6B, except that the supercapacitor module 606 is a single supercapacitor that fully surrounds (or substantially fully surrounds) the heating chamber 616, rather than being formed from a plurality of supercapacitors. This single supercapacitor can be conformed to the shape of the heating chamber 616 (for example as a tube-like shape) that is adjacent to and extending at least partially along the length of the heating chamber 616.

There will now be described analysis into phase change material and thermal insulation layer considerations, with reference to Figures 7 to 16, for a heating part of an aerosol generation device 100 as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, configured to heat an aerosol generating material, without burning it, to generate an aerosol. For brevity, features consistent with those of the aerosol generation device heating part 102 of Figures 1 to 4 are generally not repeated here. It will however be noted that this teaching can also be applied to the heating part of an aerosol generation device 600 as described with reference to Figures 6A to 6C.

Figure 7 shows a diagram of an exemplary aerosol generation device heating part 702; this configuration of the aerosol generation heating part 702 is used to assess the effects of different phase change material 722 and thermal insulation layer 724 arrangements. The heating part 702 comprises a heating chamber 716 into which the aerosol generating substrate (for example, consistent with that described with reference to Figures 3A to 3C) is received and aerosolised. In some examples, the heating chamber 716 is made from or includes stainless steel. The heating chamber 716 has heater tracks 718 as described in more detail with reference to Figures 8A to 8E. The heater tracks 718 can be encased in an electrically insulating layer 719 that is thermally conductive, for example Kapton, to provide electrical insulation, whilst spreading the heater from the heater tracks. Such a Kapton layer can electrically insulate the heater track from other metals or electrically conductive parts. While Kapton itself as a material can have poor heat transfer properties (thermal conductivity), the layer can be made to be very thin (e.g., below 50 pm in thickness) which means the heat is conducted to other parts with relatively small losses.

Optionally, a heat spreader layer 721 can be included. The heat spreader layer 721 can be configured to help spread heat from the heating chamber 716 to the phase change material 722. In some examples, the heat spreader layer 721 can be a conductive layer such as graphite foil. In a particular example, the heat spreader layer 721 can have a thickness of approximately 40 microns.

In a similar manner to that described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, and 6A to 6C, a supercapacitor module 706 comprising one or more supercapacitors is arranged adjacent to and at least partially surrounds the heating chamber 716.

A plurality of layers can be arranged between the supercapacitor module 706 and the heat spreader layer 721 (if included) or the electrically insulating layer 719 (if the heat spreader layer is not included), or the heater tracks 718 (if neither the heat spreader layer 721 nor the electrically insulating layer 719 is included). This plurality of layers surrounds or at least partially surrounds the heating chamber. This plurality of layers can comprise one or more thermal insulation layers 724 and one or more phase change material layers 722. In the example of Figure 7, there are four thermal insulation layers and one phase change material layer; two of the thermal insulation layers (labelled 724-1 , 724-2) are arranged between the phase change material layer 722 and the heating chamber 716, and two thermal insulation layers (labelled 724-3, 724-4) are arranged between the phase change material layer 722 and the supercapacitor module 706. It will, however, be understood that other numbers of thermal insulation layers 724 and phase change material layers 722 can be included, for example as will be discussed with reference to Figure 11 A to 11 E. More generally, the phase change material 722 can comprise one or more phase change material layers between the heating chamber 716 and the supercapacitor module 706, and the thermal insulation layer 724 can comprise one or more thermal insulation layers between the heating chamber 716 and the supercapacitor module 706 arranged in any suitable order.

In an example, the thermal insulation layer(s) 724 can be an aerogel such as an SiC>2 based aerogel. In a specific example, the thermal insulation layer(s) 724 can be Finesulight. In some examples, the phase change material 722 can be indium or indium-based, a hydrated salt, an organic solution, or a solid-solid phase change material.

A mouthpiece 710 can be attachable to the heating part. The mouthpiece 710 can be configured for the user to inhale upon. The mouthpiece 710 can be attached at a first end of the heating part 702, to the other components of the heating part 702. In an example, the mouthpiece 710 can be PEEK. The mouthpiece 702 can be attached to the heating part by a top cap 711. In an example, the top cap 711 can be PEEK. A seal 713 can be positioned between the mouthpiece 710 and the top cap 711. In an example, the seal 713 can be silicone.

A plug cap 715 can be arranged at a second end of the heating component 702, opposite the first end. In an example, the plug cap can be PEEK.

An adhesive material 717 such as silicone or glue can be used to hold the heating chamber 716 in place within the heating part 702.

Figure 8A shows a perspective view of an exemplary layout of the heater track 718, configured to substantially surround the heating chamber that can be used with the heating part of Figure 7. In this specific example, the heater track 718 is configured to wrap around two opposing major faces of the heating chamber, and one minor face that connects the two major faces. Figure 8B shows a perspective view of the heater track 718 encased in the electrically insulating layer 719 (e.g., Kapton). Figure 8C is a cross-sectional diagram of a portion of the heater track 718 encased or encapsulated in the electrically insulating layer 719. In this example, the heater track 718 has a cross-sectional thickness A and the electrically insulating layer 719 has a cross-sectional thickness B. In a particular example, A can be 5 microns and B can be 15 microns. Figure 8D shows a perspective view of the heating chamber 716 and heater track 718 in combination with the mouthpiece 710, with other layers of the heating part removed. Figure 8E shows a position at which a temperature probe 723 can be positioned on the heating part. The temperature probe is discussed in more detail with regard to Figures 9 to 14.

Figure 9 shows a diagram of a heating part consistent with that described with reference to Figure 7. The heating part of Figure 9 has six layers 930-1 , 930-2, 930-3, 930-4, 930-5, 930-6 that can be phase change material or insulation. The different combinations of phase change material and thermal insulation layers will be discussed with reference to Figures 11 A to 11 E and 12A to 12E. To demonstrate the effectiveness of different combinations of phase change material and thermal insulation layers, temperature probes Ti, T2. T3. T4 can be positioned between every two of these layers.

The first layer 930-1 is the closest phase change material layer or thermal insulation layer to the heating chamber 716. In a direction outward from the heating chamber (i.e., the radial direction in the heating part), the second layer 930-2 is the next closest phase change material layer or thermal insulation layer to the heating chamber after the first layer 930-1. In the outward direction, the third layer 930-3 is the next closest phase change material layer or thermal insulation layer to the heating chamber 716 after the second layer 930-2. In the outward direction, the fourth layer 930-4 is the next closest phase change material layer or thermal insulation layer to the heating chamber 716 after the third layer 930-3. In the outward direction, the fifth layer 930-5 is the next closest phase change material layer or thermal insulation layer to the heating chamber 716 after the fourth layer 930-4. In the outward direction, the sixth layer 930-6 is the next closest phase change material layer or thermal insulation layer to the heating chamber 716 after the fifth layer 930-5. In other words, when there are six layers of phase change material or insulation, the sixth layer is the further from the heating chamber 716 in the direction outward from the heating chamber.

The first temperature probe Ti is positioned in the heating chamber 716. The second temperature probe T₂ is positioned between the second layer 930-2 and the third layer 930-3. The third temperature probe T₃ is positioned between the fourth layer 930-4 and the fifth layer 930-5. The fourth temperature probe T₄ is positioned on the outer side (in the direction outward from the heating chamber 716) of the sixth layer 930-6. The temperature probes can be thermocouples. The first temperature probe can be displaced at a distance X into the heating chamber in the axial direction of the heating part; in an example, X can be 11 mm. The second, third and fourth temperature probes can then be aligned with the temperature probe so that all temperature measurements are made at the same axial position on the heating part.

Figure 10 is a plot 1000 of temperature 1004 recorded at each of the temperature probes (Ti, T₂, T₃, T₄) as a function of time 1002 during an aerosolisation session. In this example, all six layers 930-1 , 930-2, 930-3, 930-4, 930-5 and 930-6 are thermal insulation layers made from Finesulight and each layer is shrink wrapped in plastic. As can be seen, throughout the aerosolisation session, with increasing numbers of layers of thermal insulation between the heating chamber 716 and the temperature probe (zero layers at Ti, two layers at T₂, four layers at T₃, six layers at T₄), lower temperatures are observed. The lowest temperature is observed on the outer surface of the sixth layer 930-6, thereby indicating the suitability to arrange the supercapacitor module on this surface by leveraging the heat mitigation provided by the thermal insulation layers.

Figures 11 A to 11 E show diagrams of an aerosol generation device heating part consistent with that of Figure 9, but with one or more of the thermal insulation layers replaced with phase change material layer(s). Through these different combinations of thermal insulation layers and phase change material layers, a parametric study is carried out to determine which combination of thermal insulation layer(s) and phase change material layer(s) provides the most beneficial heat shielding for a supercapacitor module that that is adjacent to and at least partially surrounding the heating chamber (and insulation and phase change material layers).

The temperature as a function of time in an aerosolisation session, at each temperature probe (Ti, T₂, T₃, T₄), is presented in Figures 12A to 12E respectively for each example heating part of Figures 11 A to 11 E.

In the example heating parts for the parametric study, the thermal insulation layer(s) are an SiO₂ based aerogel (Finesulight), the parameters of which are presented in Table 1.

Table 1

In the example heating parts for the parametric study, the phase change material layer(s) are indium, the parameters of which are presented in Table 2. The indium phase change material has a melting point of 156°C, and a latent heat of melting of 3.26kJ/mol = 28.35kJ/kg.

Table 2

For the parametric study, the heater temperature for the aerosolisation sessions is set to 280°C.

The heating parts presented in Figures 11 A to 11 E have different combinations of insulation and phase change material layers 930-1 , 930-2, 930-3, 930-4, 930-5, 930-6. In each of these examples, the layers 930-1 , 930-2, 930-3, 930-4, 930-5, 930-6 abut one another, in a stacked arrangement, outwardly from the first layer 930-1 that is closest to the heating chamber 718, in the order of the first layer 930- 1 , the second layer 930-2, the third layer 930-3, the fourth layer 930-4, the fifth layer 930-5 and the sixth layer 930-6. In these examples, each layer is 0.5 mm.

For each of the heating parts described with reference to Figures 11 A to 11 E, Figures 12A to 12E show plots of temperature 1204 against time 1202 in an aerosolisation session at the first temperature probe Ti, the second temperature probe T₂, the third temperature probe T₃ and the fourth temperature probe T₄. The first temperature probe Ti is positioned in the heating chamber 716. The second temperature probe T₂ is positioned between the second layer 930-2 and the third layer 930-3. The third temperature probe T₃ is positioned between the fourth layer 930-4 and the fifth layer 930-5. The fourth temperature probe T₄ is positioned on the outer side (in the direction outward from the heating chamber 716) of the sixth layer 930-6. Each plot additionally shows temperature as a function of time for the fourth temperature probe T₄ when no phase change material layer is included (i.e., when there are six layers of insulation) as in Figure 10, for comparison purposes. As such, comparisons can between the different heating parts described with reference to Figures 11Ato 11 E using the same power at the heater tracks. Figure 11 A shows the combination of insulation and phase change material layers 930-1 , 930-2, 930-3, 930-4, 930-5, 930-6 in a first exemplary heating part 1100A. The first layer 930-1 and the second layer 930-2 are each thermal insulation layers. The third layer 930-3 is a phase change material layer. The fourth layer 930-4, the fifth layer 930-5 and the sixth layer 930-6 are each thermal insulation layers. That is, outwardly from the heating chamber 718, there are two thermal insulation layers, followed by one phase change material layer, and three further thermal insulation layers. In this example, each thermal insulation layer is 0.5 mm, and the phase change material layer is 0.5 mm; therefore, the phase change material layer has an effective thickness of 0.5 mm, and is separated from the heating chamber by 1 mm of thermal insulation. Figure 12A shows the plot 1200A of temperature 1204 against time 1202 for each of the first temperature probe Ti, the second temperature probe T₂, the third temperature probe T₃ and the fourth temperature probe T₄ in the heating part 1100A of Figure 11 A.

Figure 11 B shows the combination of insulation and phase change material layers 930-1 , 930-2, 930-3, 930-4, 930-5, 930-6 in a second exemplary heating part 1100B. The first layer 930-1 and the second layer 930-2 are each thermal insulation layers. The third layer 930-3 and the fourth layer 930-4 are each phase change material layers. The fifth layer 930-5 and the sixth layer 930-6 are each thermal insulation layers. That is, outwardly from the heating chamber 718, there are two thermal insulation layers, followed by two phase change material layers, and then two further thermal insulation layers. In this example, each thermal insulation layer is 0.5 mm, and each phase change material layer is 0.5 mm; therefore, the phase change material layer has an effective thickness of 1 mm, and is separated from the heating chamber by 1 mm of thermal insulation. Figure 12B shows the plot 1200B of temperature 1204 against time 1202 for each of the first temperature probe Ti, the second temperature probe T₂, the third temperature probe T₃ and the fourth temperature probe T₄ in the heating part 1100B of Figure 11 B.

Figure 11 C shows the combination of insulation and phase change material layers 930-1 , 930-2, 930-3, 930-4, 930-5, 930-6 in a third exemplary heating part 1100C. The first layer 930-1 and the second layer 930-2 are each thermal insulation layers. The third layer 930-3, the fourth layer 930-4, the fifth layer 930-5 and the sixth layer 930-6 are each phase change material layers. That is, outwardly from the heating chamber 718, there are two thermal insulation layers, followed by four phase change material layers. In this example, each thermal insulation layer is 0.5 mm, and each phase change material layer is 0.5 mm; therefore, the phase change material layer has an effective thickness of 2 mm, and is separated from the heating chamber by 1 mm of thermal insulation. Figure 12C shows the plot 1200C of temperature 1204 against time 1202 for each of the first temperature probe Ti, the second temperature probe T₂, the third temperature probe T₃ and the fourth temperature probe T₄ in the heating part 1100C of Figure 11 C.

Figure 11 D shows the combination of insulation and phase change material layers 930-1 , 930-2, 930-3, 930-4, 930-5, 930-6 in a fourth exemplary heating part 1100D. The first layer 930-1 , the second layer 930-2, the third layer 930-3, and the fourth layer 930-4 are each thermal insulation layers. The fifth layer 930-5 is a phase change material layer. The sixth layer 930-6 is a thermal insulation layer. That is, outwardly from the heating chamber 718, there are four thermal insulation layers, followed by one phase change material layer, and then one further thermal insulation layer. In this example, each thermal insulation layer is 0.5 mm, and the phase change material layer is 0.5 mm; therefore, the phase change material layer has an effective thickness of 0.5 mm, and is separated from the heating chamber by 2 mm of thermal insulation. Figure 12D shows the plot 1200D of temperature 1204 against time 1202 for each of the first temperature probe Ti, the second temperature probe T₂, the third temperature probe T₃ and the fourth temperature probe T₄ in the heating part 1100D of Figure 11 D.

Figure 11 E shows the combination of insulation and phase change material layers 930-1 , 930-2, 930-3, 930-4, 930-5, 930-6 in a fifth exemplary heating part 1100E. The first layer 930-1 , the second layer 930-2, the third layer 930-3, and the fourth layer 930-4 are each thermal insulation layers. The fifth layer 930-5 and the sixth layer 930-6 are phase change material layers. That is, outwardly from the heating chamber 718, there are four thermal insulation layers, followed by two phase change material layers. In this example, each thermal insulation layer is 0.5 mm, and each phase change material layer is 0.5 mm; therefore, the phase change material layer has an effective thickness of 1 mm, and is separated from the heating chamber by 2 mm of thermal insulation. Figure 12E shows the plot 1200E of temperature 1204 against time 1202 for each of the first temperature probe Ti, the second temperature probe T₂, the third temperature probe T₃ and the fourth temperature probe T₄ in the heating part 1100E of Figure 11 E.

Looking to Figures 12A to 12E, as would be expected, in each case the fourth temperature probe T₄, positioned on the outer side (in the direction outward from the heating chamber 716) of the sixth layer 930-6, records the lowest temperatures.

In Figure 12A, for the first exemplary heating part 1100A, the temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ reaches 98.88°C, which is higher than the maximum temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ of the control example with six layers of insulation and no phase change material layer (i.e., Figure 10).

In Figure 12B, for the first exemplary heating part 1100B, the temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ reaches 102.28°C, which is higher than the maximum temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ of the control example with six layers of insulation and no phase change material layer (i.e., Figure 10).

In Figure 12C, for the first exemplary heating part 1100C, the temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ reaches 107.10°C, which is higher than the maximum temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ of the control example with six layers of insulation and no phase change material layer (i.e., Figure 10).

In Figure 12D, for the first exemplary heating part 1100D, the temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ reaches 98.06°C, which is higher than the maximum temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ of the control example with six layers of insulation and no phase change material layer (i.e., Figure 10). In Figure 12E, for the fifth exemplary heating part 1100E, the temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ reaches 89.72°C, which is approximately equal to the maximum temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ control example with six layers of insulation and no phase change material layer (i.e. , Figure 10). What is notable, however, is that during the aerosolisation session, the temperatures recorded at temperature probe T₄ are consistently below those of the aforementioned control example. This demonstrates the benefits of placing an insulation between the phase change material and heating chamber, and the phase change material between the insulation and the supercapacitor module in order to protect a supercapacitor module that at least partially surrounds the heating chamber from the heat flowing from the heating chamber. It can therefore be concluded from the parametric study that the arrangement of the insulation and phase change material in the fifth exemplary heating part 1100E provides the most beneficial heat shielding.

That is to say, the best configuration of the phase change material and insulation has been determined to be when a phase change material layer with a total thickness of 1 mm is placed next to the supercapacitor module, with a thermal insulation layer with a total thickness of 2 mm placed between the phase change material and the heating chamber. Expressed in other terms, the total thickness of the thermal insulation layer is approximately double the total thickness of the phase change material layer, in a radial direction in the heating part.

Where multiple stacked, adjacent layers of insulation or phase change material have been described with respect to Figures 11 A to 11 E, these stacked layers can alternatively be configured as single layers of a greater thickness; the important part is the total thermal mass of the phase change material, as well as the total insulation layer thickness. For example, the fifth exemplary heating part 1100E of Figure 11 E could have one 2 mm thermal insulation layer and one 1 mm phase change material layer, rather than four 0.5 mm thermal insulation layers and two 0.5 mm phase change material layers.

The parametric study presented with respect to Figures 11 and 12 uses indium as the phase change material. Indium has a high transition temperature as a phase change material, and a low latent heat capacity. There are alternative phase change materials to indium; some of these include hydrated salts, organic solutions, and solid-solid phase change materials.

As discussed, the combination of insulation and phase change material layers of the fifth exemplary heating part 1105 of Figure 11 E provides the best heat shielding for a supercapacitor module at least partially surrounding the heating chamber. As the next step in the study, different phase change materials replace indium in heating parts with insulation and phase change material layers structured in accordance with the fifth exemplary heating part 1105 of Figure 11 E. The different phase change materials explored as an alternative to indium are detailed in Table 3.

Table 3

Further detail on each phase change material (PCM) type can be found at: https://www.pcmproducts.net/Phase_Change_Material_Products.htm

For each of the phase change materials detailed in Table 3, Figures 13A to 13F show plots of temperature 1304 against time 1302 in an aerosolisation session at the first temperature probe Ti, the second temperature probe T₂, the third temperature probe T₃ and the fourth temperature probe T₄ in a heating part with insulation and phase change material layers structured in accordance with the fifth exemplary heating part 1105 of Figure 11 E. The first temperature probe Ti is positioned in the heating chamber 716. The second temperature probe T₂ is positioned between the second layer 930-2 and the third layer 930-3. The third temperature probe T₃ is positioned between the fourth layer 930-4 and the fifth layer 930-5. The fourth temperature probe T₄ is positioned on the outer side (in the direction outward from the heating chamber 716) of the sixth layer 930-6.

Looking to Figures 13A to 13F, as would be expected, in each case the fourth temperature probe T₄, positioned on the outer side (in the direction outward from the heating chamber 716) of the sixth layer 930-6, records the lowest temperatures.

In Figure 13A, for the hydrated salt type 1 phase change material, the temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ reaches 32°C, which is lower than the maximum temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ of the indium phase change material in Figure 12E.

In Figure 13B, for the hydrated salt type 2 phase change material, the temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ reaches 48°C, which is lower than the maximum temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ of the indium phase change material in Figure 12E.

In Figure 13C, for the organic solution type 1 phase change material, the temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ reaches 43°C, which is lower than the maximum temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ of the indium phase change material in Figure 12E. In Figure 13D, for the organic solution type 2 phase change material, the temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ reaches 48°C, which is lower than the maximum temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ of the indium phase change material in Figure 12E.

In Figure 13E, for the solid-solid type 1 phase change material, the temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ reaches 54°C, which is lower than the maximum temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ of the indium phase change material in Figure 12E.

In Figure 13F, for the solid-solid type 2 phase change material, the temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ reaches 57°C, which is lower than the maximum temperature at the fourth temperature probe T₄ of the indium phase change material in Figure 12E.

For each of the hydrated salt type 1 , hydrated salt type 2, organic solution type 1 , organic solution type 2, solid-solid type 1 and solid-solid type 2 phase change materials, the temperatures recorded at the fourth temperature probe T₄, positioned on the outer side (in the direction outward from the heating chamber 716) of the sixth layer 930-6 are lower than those for the indium phase change material in Figure 12E. This can be clearly seen in Figure 14, which presents the temperatures 1404 as a function of time 1402 recorded at the fourth temperature probe T₄ in an aerosolisation session for heating parts structured as described with reference to Figure 11 E with each of the hydrated salt type 1 , hydrated salt type 2, organic solution type 1 , organic solution type 2, solid-solid type 1 and solidsolid type 2 phase change materials, and the indium phase change material.

Moreover, the temperatures recorded at the fourth temperature probe T₄ are also lower than the control example using six layers of insulation and no phase change material (i.e., Figure 10).

Importantly, for all of these phase change materials, the maximum temperatures recorded at the fourth temperature probe T₄ are generally all below the maximum operating temperature of the supercapacitor module. These results emphasise the benefit of a heating part having insulation and phase change material layers structured as described with reference to Figure 11 E, using a hydrated salt phase change material, an organic solution phase change material, or a solid-solid phase change material as the phase change material layer(s). This is particularly the case for the hydrated salt type 1 phase change material.

In some examples, the phase change material can comprise a hydrated salt phase change material, an organic solution phase change material, or a solid-solid phase change material, or a combination of one or more of a hydrated salt phase change material, an organic solution phase change material, or a solid-solid phase change material.

Figure 15 shows a simulated heatmap 1500 of the heating part with insulation and phase change material layers structured as described with reference to Figure 11 E. As can be seen, the temperature adjacent to the heating chamber 716, where the supercapacitor module can be arranged, is significantly reduced by the provision of the insulation and phase change material layers.

Figure 16 shows a cross-sectional diagram of a heating part with insulation and phase change material layers structured as described with reference to Figure 11 E, and the supercapacitor module 706 adjacent to and at least partially surrounding the heating chamber. The first layer 930-1 , the second layer 930-2, the third layer 930-3 and the fourth layer 930-4 are the thermal insulation layers, and the fifth layer 930-5 and the sixth layer 930-6 are the thermal insulation layers. Beneficially, the heating in the region where the supercapacitor module is connected to the heating part is considerably reduced through the structure of the insulation and phase change material layers, as discussed. This heat reduction inhibits the temperature of the supercapacitor module from reaching higher than 55°C to 65°C. This allows for the supercapacitor module to be positioned adjacent to and at least partially surrounding the heating chamber without damage being caused. By positioning the supercapacitor module adjacent to the heating chamber, the size of the heating part can be reduced thereby providing a compact aerosol generation device heating part. This can be easier for the operator to hold and use, as well as store and transport. The user experience is therefore improved. Moreover, the provision of the phase change material between the heating chamber and the supercapacitor module provides protection for the supercapacitor module from the heat of the heating chamber, thereby allowing the supercapacitor module to be closer to the heating chamber, and contributing to a reduced device size. The phase change material also inhibits the transfer of heat from the heating chamber to the outer shell of the device, thereby improving the usability of the device.

The aerosol generation devices described herein have been described as two- part devices having a heating part and an auxiliary power part. However, in alternatives, these aerosol generation devices could be configured as one-part devices in which the heating part and auxiliary power part are formed as a single device. In such devices, the supercapacitor module is adjacent to the heating chamber and/or at least partially surrounding the heating chamber, and the phase change material is disposed between the heating chamber and the supercapacitor module to separate the heating chamber from the supercapacitor module. This allows for a compact device as the supercapacitor module can be positioned adjacent to the heating chamber, rather than away from the heating chamber. The battery module can be separately positioned away from the heating chamber in the device to avoid damage to the battery and maintain device safety.

It will be readily understood to the skilled person that the preceding embodiments in the foregoing description are not limiting; features of each embodiment may be incorporated into the other embodiments as appropriate.

In the preceding examples, processing steps described herein carried out by the controller or control electronics may be stored in a non-transitory computer- readable medium, or storage, associated with the respective controller or control electronics. A computer-readable medium can include non-volatile media and volatile media. Volatile media can include semiconductor memories and dynamic memories, amongst others. Non-volatile media can include optical disks and magnetic disks, amongst others.

Claims

1. An aerosol generation device heating part configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating substrate, the heating part comprising: a heating chamber configured to receive the aerosol generating substrate; a supercapacitor module configured to power a heater associated with the heating chamber, wherein the supercapacitor module is adjacent to the heating chamber; and a phase change material disposed between the heating chamber and the supercapacitor module to separate the heating chamber from the supercapacitor module.

2. The aerosol generation device heating part of claim 1 , wherein the phase change material at least partially surrounds the heating chamber.

3. The aerosol generation device heating part of any preceding claim, wherein the supercapacitor module at least partially surrounds the heating chamber.

4. The aerosol generation device heating part of claim 3, wherein the supercapacitor module is conformed to the shape of the heating chamber.

5. The aerosol generation device heating part of any preceding claim, wherein the supercapacitor module comprises two supercapacitors, and the two supercapacitors are arranged on opposite sides of the heating chamber to at least partially surround the heating chamber.

6. The aerosol generation device heating part of any preceding claim, wherein the heating chamber is planar in shape, and configured to receive a planar aerosol generating substrate.

7. The aerosol generation device heating part of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the heating chamber is cylindrical in shape, and configured to receive a rod-shaped aerosol generating substrate.

8. The aerosol generation device heating part of claim 7, wherein the rodshaped aerosol generating substrate is a tobacco rod.

9. The aerosol generation device heating part of any preceding claim, wherein the heater is integrated into or onto sidewalls of the heating chamber.

10. The aerosol generation device heating part of any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol generation device heating part further comprises control electronics integrated into a flexible circuit board.

11. The aerosol generation device heating part of any preceding claim, wherein the phase change material is substantially indium based.

12. The aerosol generation device of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the phase change material comprises a hydrated salt phase change material.

13. The aerosol generation device of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the phase change material comprises an organic solution phase change material.

14. The aerosol generation device of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the phase change material comprises a solid-solid phase change material.

15. The aerosol generation device heating part of any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol generation device heating part further comprises a thermal insulation layer disposed between the heating chamber and the phase change material.

16. The aerosol generation device of claim 15, wherein the thermal insulation layer has a total thickness that is approximately double a total thickness of the phase change material in a radial direction of the aerosol generation device heating part.

17. The aerosol generation device of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the phase change material is approximately 1 mm in thickness, and the thermal insulation layer is at least 1 mm in thickness, or preferably the thermal insulation layer is 1.5 mm in thickness, or more preferably the thermal insulation layer is 2 mm in thickness, or wherein the thermal insulation layer is up to 3 mm in thickness.

18. The aerosol generation device of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the thermal insulation layer comprises a plurality of layers of insulation.

19. The aerosol generation device of any one of claim 15 to 18, wherein the thermal insulation layer comprises an aerogel.

20. The aerosol generation device of any preceding claim, wherein the phase change material comprises a plurality of layers of phase change material.

21. The aerosol generation device heating part of any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol generation device heating part further comprises a first temperature sensor configured to monitor a temperature of a heater of the heating chamber, and a second temperature sensor configured to monitor a temperature of the phase change material; wherein a controller of the aerosol generation device heating part is configured to recalibrate the monitored temperature of heater based upon a determination of the phase change material reaching a melting temperature at which the monitored temperature of the phase change material substantially plateaus based upon a predetermined relationship between the temperature of the heater and the melting temperature of the phase change material.

22. An aerosol generation device comprising the aerosol generation device heating part of any preceding claim, and further comprising an auxiliary power part, wherein the auxiliary power part comprises a battery module; and wherein the auxiliary power part is removably connectable to the heating part, and when connected the battery module is configured to charge the supercapacitor module by an electrical connection between the heating part and the auxiliary power part.

23. The aerosol generation device of claim 22, wherein the battery module is configured to power the heater associated with the heating chamber when the auxiliary power part is connected to the heating part by the electrical connection between the heating part and the auxiliary power part.