JP2023506349A - Thermally aware aerosol generators and consumables - Google Patents

Abstract

The aerosol generation device (100) has an electrical interface (130) for connecting to an electrical interface (230) of the consumable (200) for measuring the temperature of the heat transfer element (220) of the consumable. The aerosol generation device further includes a heating element (120) having a contact surface that provides a thermal interface (110) and circuitry (140). The consumable includes a heat transfer element heated by contacting the heating element (120) at its thermal interface (210), an aerosol generating substrate (250) heated by the heat transfer element, and connected to the heat transfer element. An electrical interface (230) is provided. When the consumable is connected to the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device obtains the temperature of the heat transfer element through an electrical circuit formed between the circuitry of the aerosol generating device and the electrical interface of the consumable.

Description

The present invention relates to aerosol generating devices and consumables for use with aerosol generating devices. In particular, the present invention relates to an aerosol generating device with an electrical interface for connecting to the consumable's electrical interface for measuring thermal properties of the consumable's heat transfer element.

An aerosol-generating device configured for use with a consumable, such as an e-liquid cartridge, generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating substrate contained in the consumable. Some configurations use a heating element provided to the consumable in contact with the aerosol-generating substrate, and the temperature of the consumable's heating element is measured to control the power supplied to the heating element. This allows a relatively accurate measurement of the heat transferred to the aerosol-generating substrate. The disadvantage is that each consumable must be equipped with a heating element, which increases manufacturing costs.

Another configuration provides a heating element in the aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating substrate is heated via a heat transfer element provided in the consumable that transfers heat from the heating element to the aerosol-generating substrate. Also, in this configuration, the temperature of the heating element is measured to control the power supplied to the heating element to control the temperature of the aerosol-generating substrate. This configuration eliminates the need for a consumable-provided heating element, thus saving costs, but results in less accurate measurement of the temperature of the heat transfer element, and thus the temperature of the aerosol-generating substrate. .

Therefore, there is a need for an aerosol generating device and consumable that can more accurately measure the temperature of an aerosol generating substrate within the consumable while reducing cost and manufacturing complexity.

The above objects are solved by the invention as defined by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined by the sub-features of the dependent claims.

A first aspect of the present invention is an aerosol generating device comprising a heating element having a contact surface providing a thermal interface, circuitry and an electrical interface, the aerosol generating device being connected to a consumable. wherein the consumable comprises a heat transfer element configured to be heated by contacting a heating element at its thermal interface; and an aerosol generator configured to be heated by the heat transfer element. A substrate and an electrical interface connected to the heat transfer element, the electrical interface of the aerosol generating device such that an electrical circuit is formed between circuitry of the aerosol generating device and the electrical interface of the consumable. , configured to be electrically connected to an electrical interface of the consumable when the consumable is connected to the aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device obtaining the temperature of the heat transfer element via an electrical circuit; It is an aerosol generating device configured in

The heating element may comprise or consist of multiple components. In particular, the heating element may have a separate thermal interface for contacting the thermal interface of the consumable. Forming an electrical circuit between the circuitry of the aerosol generating device and the electrical interface of the consumable is particularly between the electrical circuitry of the aerosol generating device and the electrical circuitry of the consumable, more particularly , means forming an electrical circuit between the electrical circuitry of the aerosol generating device and the heat transfer element of the consumable. As used herein, the expression "circuitry" should be understood to encompass active and passive components, which may be resistors, transistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, conductors, printed circuits, may comprise or consist of any one of the substrates, or any suitable combination thereof.

The connection between the thermal interfaces provides a reliable and stable thermal connection for transferring heat generated by the heating element of the aerosol-generating device to the heat transfer element of the consumable and subsequently to the aerosol-generating substrate, resulting in: The consumable need not have a heating element. The connection between the electrical interfaces provides a reliable and stable electrical connection so that the temperature of the heat transfer element can be reliably provided to the aerosol generating device. Obtaining the temperature of the heat transfer element rather than the heating element provides the aerosol generation device with a more accurate means of measuring the temperature of the aerosol generation substrate because the heat transfer element is in close proximity to the aerosol generation substrate. In addition, depending on the type of aerosol-generating substrate, the measured temperature, especially the increase in the temperature of the heat transfer element, especially above a certain temperature, is used as an indicator that the aerosol-generating substrate is exhausted. obtain.

According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the electrical interface of the aerosol generating device is configured to mechanically connect to the electrical interface of the consumable to releasably secure the consumable to the aerosol generating device. It is It further serves the function of establishing a positive mechanical connection between the aerosol generator and the consumable, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and ensuring the connection between the aerosol generator and the consumable to produce the aerosol. It can be ensured that a stable electrical and thermal connection between the generator and the consumable is achieved.

According to a third aspect, in either the first or second aspect, the electrical interface of the aerosol generating device comprises one electrical connector complementary to one or more corresponding first electrical connectors of the consumable. or a plurality of second electrical connectors. Electrical and mechanical connections can be achieved by any suitable electrical connector.

According to a fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the one or more first and second electrical connectors of the aerosol generating device and consumable comprise one or more pogo pins and one or more complementary pogo pin receptacles and/or vice versa. In this way, the stability of the mechanical connection of the consumable to the aerosol-generating device as well as the electrical connection between the aerosol-generating device and the heat transfer element can be releasably ensured. A stable electrical connection can be established by using one or more electrical connectors on the aerosol generating device and corresponding electrical connectors on the consumable. In particular, the use of pogo pins and pogo pin receptacles provides a strong, releasable mechanical connection as well as a stable and reliable electrical connection.

According to a fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the electrical circuit is configured such that the electrical resistance of the heat transfer element can be measured at the aerosol generating device. This provides a simple method for the aerosol generator to obtain the temperature of the heat transfer element.

According to a sixth aspect, in any one of the first through fifth aspects, the consumable is configured to measure temperature or resistance of the heat transfer element, and the electrical circuit comprises is configured to transmit a signal representative of the temperature or resistance of the Depending on the configuration of the aerosol generating device and/or consumable, the temperature or resistance of the heat transfer element corresponding to the temperature of the consumable heat transfer element is first measured, followed by the temperature or resistance corresponding to the temperature of the heat transfer element. It may be advantageous to send a signal representative of the resistance to the aerosol generating device. Transmitting a signal indicative of temperature or resistance includes transmitting as information a measurement of temperature and/or a measurement of resistance and/or detected when measuring the resistance of the heat transfer element to the aerosol generating device. The temperature can be measured at the aerosol generating device rather than at the consumable, as it may involve transmitting an electrical signal.

According to a seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, the consumable comprises a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the heat transfer element. By employing a dedicated temperature sensor, the temperature of the heating element can be accurately measured.

According to an eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the aerosol generator adjusts the power supplied to the heating element based on the temperature of the heat transfer element obtained by the aerosol generator. configured to control. This allows for more precise control of the aerosol-generating device because the temperature of the heat transfer element is more representative of the temperature of the aerosol-generating substrate than the temperature of the heating element.

According to a ninth aspect, in the eighth aspect, the power control is based on a predetermined threshold temperature. This allows the temperature of the aerosol-generating substrate to be controlled within a particular temperature range or not exceed a particular temperature limit. The threshold temperature is predetermined based on certain temperature limits beyond which damage to the aerosol generator, consumables, and/or the user of the aerosol generator and consumables is expected, e.g., in the event of a malfunction. can be determined. Depending on the substrate type, a particular temperature limit may be set to correspond to the exhausted consumable condition of the aerosol-generating substrate contained therein.

According to a tenth aspect, of any of the ninth or tenth aspects, controlling power supplied to the heating element comprises turning the heating element on or off and/or powering the heating element. including adjusting the amount of power delivered.

An eleventh aspect of the invention is a consumable for use with an aerosol generating device comprising a heating element having a contact surface forming a thermal interface, circuitry, and an electrical interface, the consumable comprising: a heat transfer element configured to be heated by a heating element of an aerosol-generating device by contacting the heating element at its thermal interface; an aerosol-generating substrate configured to be heated by the heat-transfer element; The aerosol-generating consumable is such that an electrical circuit is formed between the electrical interface of the article and the circuitry of the aerosol-generating device, and the aerosol-generating device can obtain the temperature of the heat transfer element via the electrical circuit. an electrical interface electrically connected to the electrical interface of the aerosol generating device when connected to the device.

The heat transfer element may comprise or consist of multiple components, in particular the heat transfer element may include a separate thermal interface for contacting the thermal interface of the aerosol generating device. The advantages of this aspect are similar to those of the first aspect.

According to a twelfth aspect, in the eleventh aspect, the electrical interface of the consumable is configured to mechanically connect to the electrical interface of the consumable to releasably secure the consumable to the aerosol generating device. ing. The advantages of this aspect are similar to those of the second aspect.

According to a thirteenth aspect, in either the eleventh or twelfth aspect, the electrical interface of the consumable comprises one or more corresponding first electrical connectors of the consumable. A plurality of second electrical connectors are provided. The advantages of this aspect are similar to those of the third aspect.

According to a fourteenth aspect, in the thirteenth aspect, the one or more first and second electrical connectors of the aerosol generating device and consumable comprise one or more pogo pins and one or more and/or vice versa. The advantages of this aspect are similar to those of the fourth aspect.

According to a fifteenth aspect, according to any one of the eleventh to fourteenth aspects, the electrical interface of the consumable is integrally formed with the heat transfer element. This reduces manufacturing costs and complexity by reducing the number of parts required.

According to a sixteenth aspect, according to any one of the eleventh to fifteenth aspects, the heat transfer element comprises or is made of a metal, metal alloy, or thermally conductive ceramic. These materials provide good heat transfer between the heating element of the aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating substrate.

According to a seventeenth aspect, according to any one of the eleventh to sixteenth aspects, the consumable is configured to measure temperature or resistance of the heat transfer element, and the electrical circuit comprises is configured to transmit a signal representative of the temperature or resistance of the

According to an eighteenth aspect, according to the seventeenth aspect, the consumable comprises a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the heat transfer element. By employing a dedicated temperature sensor, the temperature of the heating element can be accurately measured.

A nineteenth aspect of the present invention is a system comprising the aerosol generator of any one of the first to tenth aspects and the consumable of any one of the eleventh to eighteenth aspects. is.

1 shows a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device and consumables for use with the aerosol generating device, according to embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a consumable connected to an aerosol generating device and a consumable, according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 shows an electrical connector of a consumable and an electrical connector of an aerosol generating device, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the aerosol generating device 100 comprises a heating element 120 configured to heat the thermal interface 110 of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device further comprises an electrical interface 130 and circuitry 140 connected to the electrical interface 130 .

Consumable 200 includes thermal interface 210 configured to transfer heat to heat transfer element 220 . Thermal interface 210 and heat transfer element 220 may be integrally formed together and/or may be formed as a single component. Heat transfer element 220 is configured to transfer heat to aerosol-generating substrate 250 . In addition, an electrical interface 230 and circuitry connected to the electrical interface 230 are provided on the consumable. Circuitry can be connected to the heat transfer element 220 . Depending on the type of consumable and the aerosol-generating substrate included therein, heat transfer element 220 may be provided adjacent to aerosol-generating substrate 250 . In the case of liquid aerosol-generating substrates, the liquid can adsorb onto an absorbent element, such as a mousse or solid foam pad, which is in at least partial contact with the heat transfer element 220, thereby transferring heat to the pad and The liquid may be adsorbed to the pad by conduction and/or convection and evaporate. Preferably, the absorbing element may be arranged in a vaporization chamber arranged between the aerosol-generating substrate 250 reservoir and the heat transfer element 220, as disclosed in WO2017179043A1.

The aerosol generator thermal interface 110 and the consumable thermal interface 210 are configured to connect together such that a thermal bridge between the aerosol generator heating element 120 and the heat transfer element 220 can be formed to transfer heat. Allows for transfer from the heating element 120 to the thermal interface 110 of the aerosol-generating device, then to the thermal interface 210 of the consumable, then to the heat-transfer element 220, and finally to the aerosol-generating substrate. Although the aerosol generator and consumable thermal interfaces 110 and 210 are shown in FIG. 1 as independent or separate parts of the heating element 120 and heat transfer element 220, respectively, such representations are not to be construed as limiting. nor should the thermal interface 110/210 be heated integrally, i.e., as an integral part of the heating element 120 and the heat transfer element 220, respectively, or separately, i.e., at one end. It should be noted that it encompasses all realizations designed as heat-conducting members arranged on the element and on the other end in contact with the heat-transfer element.

The aerosol generating device electrical interface 130 and the consumable electrical interface 230 are configured to connect to each other such that an electrical circuit can be formed. The formed electrical circuit may comprise the circuitry 140 of the aerosol generating device such that the circuitry 140 may connect to the consumable's electrical interface 230 to measure the temperature of the heat transfer element 220 . The consumable may include a suitable temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of heat transfer element 220 . Additionally or alternatively, the temperature of the heat transfer element 220 may be measured based on the electrical properties of the heat transfer element, in particular based on the sensed temperature dependent heat transfer element electrical resistance, A heat transfer element 220 can be configured. The heat transfer element 220 may comprise one or more materials, each material having a suitable known temperature coefficient of resistance and/or well-defined temperature dependent resistance characteristics. This is because the consumable 200 measures the temperature of the heat transfer element 220 via a temperature sensor within the consumable 200 and then transmits the measured temperature as information to the aerosol-generating substrate via an electrical circuit. can be achieved by Additionally or alternatively, this means that the consumable 200 measures the temperature of the heat transfer element 220 based on the detected temperature dependent electrical resistance of the heat transfer element, and subsequently converts the measured temperature into an electrical It can be accomplished by sending it through a circuit to the aerosol-generating substrate. Additionally or alternatively, the consumable 200 can transmit a detected electrical signal to the aerosol generating device 100 via an electrical circuit to measure the temperature dependent resistance of the heat transfer element 220, and the aerosol generating device 100 can measure the temperature of the heat transfer element based on the transmitted detected electrical signal. Additionally or alternatively, the consumable 200 can transmit the detected signal of the temperature sensor to the aerosol generating device 100 via an electrical circuit, and the aerosol generating device 100 can in turn transmit the detected signal of the temperature sensor. The temperature of the heat transfer element 220 can be measured based on the resulting signal.

Aerosol-generating device 200 may be configured to control power supplied to heating element 120 based on the measured temperature of heat transfer element 220 . The power supplied can be controlled by adjusting the level of power supplied or by turning the power supplied on or off. Additionally, the power supplied may be controlled based on the measured temperature and one or more predetermined threshold temperatures. The power supplied to the heating element 120 can be controlled and/or one or more predetermined threshold temperatures can be set such that a particular temperature or temperature range of the heat transfer element can be achieved. . Additionally or alternatively, one or more threshold temperatures can be set such that certain temperature limits of the heat transfer element are not exceeded to prevent damage to the aerosol generating device or consumables. Such cases are when the heating element, aerosol-generating device or consumable malfunctions, or when the aerosol-generating substrate 250 in the consumable 200 becomes exhausted, resulting in heat transfer from the heating element 120 to the heat transfer element 220. It can occur when heat is not used to generate the aerosol.

When connected together, the electrical interface 130 of the aerosol generating device 100 and the electrical interface 230 of the consumable 200 releasably secure the consumable 200 to the aerosol generating device 100 in a stable mechanical, electrical and thermal connection. A mechanical connection may also be formed that provides a This can be by one or more electrical connectors 131 with the electrical interface 130 of the aerosol generating device 100 and by the mating connector to the electrical connection of the one or more electrical connectors 131 of the consumable. This can be accomplished by one or more electrical connectors 231 with 200 electrical interfaces 230 . One or more connectors 131 connect with corresponding one or more mating connectors 231 to form a mechanical connection. The number of connectors 131 may be the same as or different from the number of mating connectors 231 . The one or more electrical connectors 131 of the aerosol generating device may comprise male and/or female type connectors, and the one or more electrical mating connectors 231 of the consumable may be of corresponding female and/or male type. can be provided with corresponding connectors of Additionally, one or more of electrical connectors 131 and mating connectors 231 may include different types of connectors and corresponding mating connectors.

As shown in FIG. 3, one or more electrical connectors 131 of the electrical interface of the aerosol generating device, which can be the electrical interface 130 of the aerosol generating device 100 described in connection with FIGS. or one or more electrical counterparts of the consumable's electrical interface, which may comprise multiple pogo pins or similar electrical connectors, and which may be the electrical interface 230 of the consumable 200 described in connection with FIGS. Connector 231 may comprise one or more pogo pin receptacles or mating connectors, or vice versa. Additionally or alternatively, one or more electrical connectors 131 and one or more mating connectors 231 may be rotatably connected to each other to connect consumable 200 to aerosol generating device 100 instead of including male and female types. and/or a mating connector that releasably secures to the Additionally or alternatively, one or more of electrical connectors 131 and 231 may comprise electrical connectors that connect to each other via magnetic forces.

While this disclosure describes certain embodiments and generally associated methods, modifications and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions and modifications are also possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the independent and dependent claims.

100 aerosol generating device 110 device thermal interface 120 device heating element 130 device electrical interface 131 device electrical connector 140 device circuitry 200 consumables 210 consumable thermal interface 220 consumable heat transfer element 230 consumable electrical Interface 231 Consumable electrical connector 250 Aerosol generating substrate

Claims (15)

An aerosol generator,
a heating element having a contact surface that provides a thermal interface;
an electrical circuit configuration;
an electrical interface;
wherein the aerosol generator comprises
a heat transfer element configured to be heated by contacting the heating element at its thermal interface;
an aerosol-generating substrate configured to be heated by the heat transfer element;
an electrical interface connecting to the heat transfer element;
is configured to be connected to a consumable comprising a
The electrical interface of the aerosol generating device connects the consumable to the aerosol generating device such that an electrical circuit is formed between the electrical circuitry of the aerosol generating device and the electrical interface of the consumable. is configured to be electrically connected to the electrical interface of the consumable when it is connected;
wherein the aerosol generating device is configured to obtain the temperature of the heat transfer element via the electrical circuit;
Aerosol generator. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical interface of the aerosol generating device is configured to mechanically connect to the electrical interface of the consumable to releasably secure the consumable to the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device described. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrical interface of the aerosol generating device comprises one or more second electrical connectors complementary to one or more corresponding first electrical connectors of the consumable. The aerosol generating device described. the one or more first and second electrical connectors of the aerosol generating device and the consumable comprise one or more pogo pins and one or more complementary pogo pin receptacles and/or vice versa The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is Aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical circuit is arranged such that the electrical resistance of the heat transfer element of the consumable can be measured at the aerosol generating device. Aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, arranged to control the power supplied to the heating element based on the temperature of the heat transfer element obtained by the aerosol generator. Device. 7. The aerosol generating device of Claim 6, wherein said power control is based on a predetermined threshold temperature. 8. Controlling the power supplied to the heating element comprises turning the heating element on or off and/or adjusting the amount of power supplied to the heating element. The aerosol generator according to . A consumable for use with an aerosol generating device comprising a heating element having a contact surface forming a thermal interface and an electrical interface, comprising:
a heat transfer element configured to be heated by the heating element of the aerosol generating device by contacting the heating element at its thermal interface;
an aerosol-generating substrate configured to be heated by the heat transfer element;
An electrical circuit is formed between the electrical interface of the consumable and electrical circuitry of the aerosol generating device, and the aerosol generating device can obtain the temperature of the heat transfer element via the electrical circuit. an electrical interface electrically connected with the electrical interface of the aerosol generating device when the consumable is connected to the aerosol generating device, and
with consumables. 10. The consumable of claim 9, wherein the electrical interface of the consumable is configured to mechanically connect to the electrical interface of the aerosol generating device to releasably secure the consumable to the aerosol generating device. Consumables as described. The electrical interface of the consumable comprises one or more first electrical connectors, and the electrical interface of the aerosol generating device is the one for connecting to the first one or more electrical connectors. 11. A consumable according to claim 9 or 10, comprising one or more second electrical connectors corresponding to one or more first electrical connectors. The one or more first electrical connectors comprise one or more pogo pins and the one or more second electrical connectors comprise one or more pogo pin receptacles and/or vice versa 12. The consumable according to claim 11. 13. The consumable of any one of claims 9-12, wherein the electrical interface of the consumable is integrally formed within the heat transfer element. A consumable according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein said heat transfer element comprises or is made of a metal, metal alloy or thermally conductive ceramic. A system comprising an aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1-8 and a consumable product according to any one of claims 9-14.

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