KR20240036622A - Aerosol generating device comprising a removable housing portion - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device (10) is provided comprising a first housing portion (14) and a second housing portion (16). The first housing portion 14 defines a chamber 32 for receiving the aerosol-forming substrate 82. The second housing portion 16 is configured to be removably attached to the first housing portion 14 . The aerosol-generating device 10 also includes heaters 22 , 23 ; 22 , 23 , 25 located within the first housing portion 14 and a power supply 20 located within the second housing portion 16 . The aerosol generating device 10 also controls the power supply from the power supply 20 to the heaters 22, 23; 22, 23, 25 when the second housing portion 16 is attached to the first housing portion 14. and a control circuit 38 configured to do so.

Description

Aerosol generating device comprising a removable housing portion

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device including a first housing portion and a second housing portion, wherein the second housing portion is configured to be removably attached to the first housing portion.

One type of aerosol-generating system is an electrically operated smoking system. Known handheld electrically operated smoking systems typically include an aerosol-generating device comprising a rechargeable battery, control electronics, and a heater for heating an aerosol-generating article specifically designed for use with the aerosol-generating device. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco rod or tobacco plug, and the heater housed within the aerosol-generating device is inserted into or forms an aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the aerosol-generating article. It is located around the substrate. In an alternative electrically operated smoking system, the aerosol-generating article may comprise a capsule containing an aerosol-forming substrate, such as loose tobacco.

In known electrically operated smoking systems, the manner in which the system can be operated is generally limited by the configuration of the system, particularly the arrangement of the battery, control electronics and heater.

It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device that can provide greater flexibility in how the aerosol-generating device can be configured or operated.

According to the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first housing portion may define a chamber for accommodating the aerosol-forming substrate. The second housing portion may be configured to be removably attached to the first housing portion. The aerosol-generating device may include a heater located within the first housing portion. The aerosol-generating device may include a power supply located within the second housing portion. The aerosol-generating device may include a control circuit. The control circuit may be configured to control power supply from the power supply unit to the heater when the second housing unit is attached to the first housing unit.

According to the present invention, there is also provided an aerosol-generating device comprising a first housing part and a second housing part. The first housing portion defines a chamber for housing the aerosol-forming substrate. The second housing portion is configured to be removably attached to the first housing portion. The aerosol-generating device also includes a heater located within the first housing portion and a power supply located within the second housing portion. The aerosol-generating device also includes a control circuit configured to control the power supply from the power supply to the heater when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion.

Advantageously, providing a power supply in a second housing part separable from the first housing part can facilitate the use of a single first housing part with multiple different power supplies. For example, when the power supply is fully discharged, the user can replace the second housing part with an additional housing part containing a different, fully charged power supply. Advantageously, this allows the user to continue using the aerosol-generating device without waiting for the power supply to recharge. In another embodiment, a user may select a second housing portion from a range of housing portions that have different sizes and include power supplies with different storage capacities. Advantageously, this allows the user to select a desirable compromise between power supply storage capacity and physical size of the aerosol-generating device.

Advantageously, providing a power supply in a second housing part that is separable from the first housing part can facilitate the use of a single second housing part with multiple first housing parts. For example, the second housing portion can be used with a different first housing portion having a different heater arrangement suitable for heating different types of aerosol-forming substrates or different types of aerosol-generating articles.

The first housing portion and the second housing portion together may define a housing of the aerosol-generating device.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating device includes an interface for attaching the second housing portion to the first housing portion.

The interface may be configured to maintain the second housing portion in a releasable attachment with the first housing portion by interference fit. Advantageously, an interference fit can provide a simple and cost-effective arrangement for attaching the second housing portion to the first housing portion.

The interface may include at least one of a bayonet connection and a screw connection. The interface may include a female bayonet connector on the first housing portion and a male bayonet connector on the second housing portion. The interface may include a male bayonet connector on the first housing portion and a female bayonet connector on the second housing portion. The interface may include a female screw thread on the first housing portion and a male screw thread on the second housing portion. The interface may include a male screw thread on the first housing portion and a female screw thread on the second housing portion.

The interface may include a slot arranged to receive at least a portion of the first housing portion or at least a portion of the second housing portion. The slot may be arranged to slidably receive at least a portion of the first housing or at least a portion of the second housing portion. A slot may be provided on the first housing portion and may be arranged to receive at least a portion of the second housing portion. A slot may be provided on the second housing portion and may be arranged to receive at least a portion of the first housing portion.

The interface may include a protrusion arranged to be received within the slot. The slot may be arranged to slidably receive the protrusion. A slot may be provided on the first housing portion and a protrusion may be provided on the second housing portion. A slot may be provided on the second housing portion, and a protrusion may be provided on the first housing portion.

The interface may include a latching element arranged to maintain the second housing portion in releasable attachment with the first housing portion. Advantageously, the latching element can reduce the risk of the second housing part being accidentally separated from the first housing part. The latching element may include a detent. The detent may be provided on the first housing and may be arranged to engage a portion of the second housing portion when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. The detent may be provided on the second housing portion and may be arranged to engage a portion of the first housing portion when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion.

The interface may include a release element arranged to separate the latching element. The release element may be arranged to separate the latching element from the first housing portion. The release element may be arranged to separate the latching element from the second housing portion. The release element may include at least one of a lever and a button. In implementations where the latching element includes a detent on the first housing portion, the release element may be arranged to separate the latching element from a portion of the second housing portion. In implementations where the latching element includes a detent on the second housing portion, the release element may be arranged to separate the detent from a portion of the first housing portion.

The interface may include a first magnetic element on the first housing portion and a second magnetic element on the second housing portion, the second magnetic element engaging the first magnetic element when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. It is arranged so that

As used herein, the term “magnetic element” is used to refer to magnets and magnetic materials, such as ferromagnetic materials. The first magnetic element may include a magnet, and the second magnetic element may include a magnetizable material. The first magnetic element may include a magnetizable material and the second magnetic element may include a magnet. The first magnetic element and the second magnetic element may each include a magnet.

The aerosol-generating device may include a first electrical contact located on the first housing portion and a second electrical contact located on the second housing portion, the second electrical contact being attached to the first housing portion. It is configured to engage with the first electrical contact when activated. Advantageously, the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact may facilitate transfer of at least one of power and data between the first and second housing portions.

Preferably, the control circuit is configured to control the supply of power from the power supply to the heater via the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact when the second housing part is attached to the first housing part.

At least one of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact may include a spring-loaded pin. Advantageously, the spring-loaded pin can facilitate positive electrical connection between the first and second electrical contacts when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion.

The power supply may be a rechargeable power supply. The aerosol-generating device may include a charging circuit located within the second housing portion and configured to control the supply of power received from an external device to recharge the power supply. Advantageously, providing a charging circuit within the second housing part can facilitate recharging of the power supply when the second housing part is separated from the first housing part.

The aerosol-generating device may include a charging electrical contact located on the second housing portion to receive a power supply from an external device to recharge the power supply.

The charging electrical contacts can be positioned on the second housing portion such that the charging electrical contacts are accessible to a user when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. Advantageously, this arrangement can facilitate recharging of the power supply when the second housing part is attached to the first housing part. Recharging the power supply unit may be convenient for the user when the second housing unit is attached to the first housing unit.

The charging electrical contact may be positioned on the second housing portion such that the charging electrical contact is inaccessible to a user when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. Advantageously, this arrangement can prevent recharging of the power supply when the second housing part is attached to the first housing part. Preventing recharging of the power supply when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion may be useful for preventing recharging of the power supply while the aerosol-generating device is in use.

In embodiments where the aerosol-generating device includes a second electrical contact on the second housing portion, the charging electrical contact may include a second electrical contact.

The second housing portion may include a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second electrical contact may be located at the first end of the second housing portion. The charging electrical contact may be located at the second end of the second housing portion.

The charging electrical contact may form part of an external plug or socket on the second housing part. The charging electrical contacts may form part of a USB-A connector, a USB-B connector, a USB-C connector, or a micro-USB connector. For example, the aerosol-generating device may include a USB plug or USB socket, allowing the aerosol-generating device to connect to other USB-enabled devices. A USB plug or socket can connect the aerosol-generating device to a USB charging device to recharge the power supply. The USB plug or socket may support data transfer to or from the aerosol-generating device, or both. The aerosol-generating device may be connectable to a computer to transmit data, such as a new heating profile, to the aerosol-generating device.

In these embodiments where the aerosol-generating device includes a USB plug or socket, the aerosol-generating device may further include a removable cover that covers the USB plug or socket when not in use. In USB plug-in implementations, the USB plug or socket may additionally or alternatively be selectively retracted within the device.

The charging circuit may include a wireless charging circuit configured to wirelessly receive a supply of power from an external device to recharge the power supply. A wireless charging circuit may serve as an alternative to charging electrical contacts. The aerosol-generating device may include both a charging electrical contact and a wireless charging circuit to enable recharging of the power supply via the charging electrical contact and the wireless charging circuit.

The aerosol-generating device may include a charge indicator positioned on the second housing portion, where the charge indicator is configured to provide the user with a visual indication of the amount of electrical charge stored within the power supply. Advantageously, the charging indicator can help the user plan when to recharge the power supply.

The charging indicator may include a segmented display. For example, a charge indicator may include a series of light emitting diodes (LEDs), where the charge indicator is configured to illuminate a plurality of LEDs to indicate the amount of charge stored within the power supply.

The aerosol-generating device may include user input to activate a charge indicator. For example, the aerosol-generating device may include a push button located on the second housing portion and configured to activate the charging indicator.

The power supply may be a DC voltage source. In a preferred embodiment, the power supply is a battery. For example, the power supply may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery, such as lithium-cobalt (LCO), lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP), lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt ( NMC), lithium-nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA), or lithium-polymer batteries (LiPo). The power supply may alternatively be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor. Preferably, the power supply is rechargeable. The power supply may have a capacity to allow storage of sufficient energy for multiple uses of the aerosol-generating device.

The power supply may be a first power supply, and the aerosol generating device further includes a second power supply located within the first housing part. Advantageously, the second power supply can facilitate heating of the heater when the second housing part is separated from the first housing part.

Preferably, the control circuit is further configured to control power supply to the heater from a second power supply.

The control circuit may be configured to supply power from the first power supply to the heater during at least one of the preheating phase and the main heating phase. The control circuit may be configured to supply power from the second power supply to the heater during at least one of the preheating phase and the normal heating phase. The control circuit may be configured to supply power from the second power supply to the heater during at least one of a preheating phase and a normal heating phase when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. The control circuit may be configured to supply power from the second power supply to the heater during at least one of a preheating phase and a normal heating phase when the second housing portion is separated from the first housing portion. The control circuit may be configured to supply power from the second power supply to the heater during at least one of the preheating phase and the normal heating phase only when the second housing portion is separated from the first housing portion.

Preferably, the control circuit is configured to supply power from the first power supply to the heater during the preheating phase and the main heating phase when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. Preferably, the control circuit is configured to supply power from the second power supply to the heater during the preheating phase and the main heating phase when the second housing portion is separated from the first housing portion. Advantageously, this allows the user to use the aerosol-generating article contained within the chamber without keeping the first housing portion attached to the second housing portion.

Preferably, the control circuit is configured to supply power from the second power supply to the heater in response to detecting separation of the second housing portion from the first housing portion during the preheating step to complete the preheating step. Advantageously, this may facilitate completion of the preheating step if the user separates the first housing portion from the second housing portion before the preheating step is completed.

The control circuit may be configured to supply power to the heater from the first power supply during the preheating phase and to power the heater from the second power supply during the main heating phase.

Preferably, the control circuit is configured to supply power to the heater from the first or second power supply during the preheating phase to heat the heater or susceptor to an operating temperature.

Preferably, the control circuit is configured to supply power to the heater from the first or second power supply during the main heating phase to maintain the temperature of the heater within an operating temperature range.

Preferably, the second power supply is a rechargeable power supply. The control circuit may be configured to control power supply from the first power supply to the second power supply to recharge the second power supply when the second housing part is attached to the first housing part. In embodiments where the aerosol-generating device includes a charging circuit, the charging circuit may be configured to control recharging of the second power supply.

In embodiments where the aerosol-generating device includes first and second electrical contacts, the second power supply may be configured to receive power by the first and second electrical contacts.

The aerosol-generating device may be configured for wireless transfer of power from the first power supply to the second power supply to recharge the second power supply.

The first power supply unit may have a first charge storage capacity, and the second power supply unit may have a second charge storage capacity. The first charge storage capacity may be different from the second charge storage capacity.

Preferably, the first charge storage capacity is greater than the second charge storage capacity. Advantageously, providing a smaller charge storage capacity in the second power supply may facilitate providing the first housing portion with a smaller size than the second housing portion. Advantageously, this may facilitate use of the first housing part when the second housing part is separated from the first housing part. Preferably, the second charge storage capacity is sufficient to heat the heater or susceptor for the entire smoking experience. For example, the second charge storage capacity may be sufficient to heat the heater or susceptor for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 smoking experiences.

The first housing portion may have a cylindrical shape. Advantageously, the cylindrical shape can facilitate use of the first housing portion when the second housing portion is separated from the first housing portion. The cylindrical shape may be an ergonomic shape. The cylindrical shape can simulate holding a lit cigarette or cigarette in the conventional end.

Preferably, the second housing portion includes a side wall surface arranged to engage the first housing portion when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. In an embodiment where the first housing portion has a cylindrical shape, the side wall surface of the second housing portion preferably has a concave shape. Preferably, a portion of the cylindrical shape of the first housing portion is received within the concave shape of the side wall surface of the second housing portion when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. The side wall surface of the second housing unit may have a semicircular concave shape. The side wall surface of the second housing unit may have a V shape, a triangular shape, or a rectangular shape.

The aerosol-generating device may include a magnetic connector arranged to removably attach the second housing portion to the first housing portion.

The magnetic connection may include at least one magnetic element. Preferably, the magnetic connection comprises a plurality of magnetic elements. Advantageously, the plurality of magnetic elements may facilitate correct orientation of the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion when a user attaches the second housing portion to the first housing portion.

Preferably, the magnetic connection comprises at least one first magnetic element positioned on the first housing part and at least one second magnetic element positioned on the second housing part, wherein the at least one second magnetic element is The second housing portion is arranged to engage with the at least one first magnetic element when attached to the first housing portion.

Preferably, the magnetic connection comprises a plurality of first magnetic elements and a plurality of second magnetic elements.

Each first magnetic element may include one or more magnets. Each second magnetic element may include one or more magnets.

Preferably, each first magnetic element is located on a side wall surface of the first housing part. Preferably, the magnetic connection portion includes first magnetic elements located at the upper and lower ends of the side wall surface of the first housing portion. In some implementations, the magnetic connection portion includes two first magnetic elements located at an upper end of the first housing sidewall surface and two first magnetic elements located at a lower end of the first housing portion sidewall surface.

Preferably, each second magnetic element is located on a side wall surface of the second housing part. Preferably, the magnetic connection portion includes second magnetic elements located at the upper and lower ends of the side wall surface of the second housing portion. In some implementations, the magnetic connection portion includes two second magnetic elements located at the upper end of the second housing side wall surface and two second magnetic elements located at the lower end of the second housing portion side wall surface.

Preferably, the alignment of the polarity of the magnetic elements at the upper ends of the sidewall surfaces of the first and second housing units is different from the alignment of the polarities of the magnetic elements at the lower ends of the sidewall surfaces of the first and second housing units. Advantageously, this can prevent the user from attaching the second housing part to the first housing part in an incorrect orientation.

The aerosol-generating device may include a feedback device arranged to provide feedback to the user.

The feedback device may include an audio feedback device. The feedback device may include a haptic feedback device.

The feedback device may include a visual feedback device.

The visual feedback device may include at least one light emitting diode.

The at least one light emitting diode may include a first array of one or more light emitting diodes and a second array of one or more light emitting diodes.

The first array of one or more light emitting diodes may include a plurality of light emitting diodes. The first array of light emitting diodes may include a chip-on-board (COB) array of light emitting diodes.

A first array of plural light emitting diodes forms a segmented display.

The first array of one or more light emitting diodes may have an annular shape. Preferably, the annular shape is a circular annular shape.

Preferably, the first housing portion or the second housing portion defines a first window overlying the first array of one or more light emitting diodes. The first window may have an annular shape. Preferably, the annular shape is a circular annular shape.

The first window may be transparent, semi-transparent, translucent, or semi-translucent. The term “transparent” is used herein to refer to transmission of one or more wavelengths substantially without scattering. The term “translucent” is used herein to refer to the transmission of one or more wavelengths of light with scattering.

In implementations where the first array of one or more light emitting diodes has an annular shape, the second array of one or more light emitting diodes can be located within the annular shape. Preferably, the second array of one or more light emitting diodes is positioned concentrically with the annular shape.

The second array of one or more light emitting diodes may be a single light emitting diode.

The second array of one or more light emitting diodes may have a circular shape.

Preferably, the first housing portion or the second housing portion defines a second window overlying the second array of one or more light emitting diodes.

The second window may be transparent, translucent, translucent, or subtransparent. The second window may have a circular shape.

A visual feedback device may be located on the second housing portion. A visual feedback device may be located at the first end of the second housing portion. Preferably, the second housing portion is arranged such that when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion, the first end of the second housing portion and the first end of the first housing portion together define a first end of the aerosol-generating device. . Preferably, the first end of the first housing portion defines an opening for inserting the aerosol-forming substrate into the chamber.

Preferably, the control circuit is configured to control the visual feedback device to provide feedback to the user during use of the aerosol-generating device. Preferably, the control circuit is configured to separately control the first array of one or more light emitting diodes and the second array of one or more light emitting diodes.

The control circuit may be configured to control at least one of color, brightness, number of illuminated light emitting diodes, and lighting sequence for each of the first array of one or more light emitting diodes and the second array of one or more light emitting diodes. You can.

In embodiments where the first array of one or more light emitting diodes is a segmented display, the control circuit is configured to display at least one of progress through the preheating phase, progress through the current usage session, and the remaining charge level of the power supply. Can be configured to control the display.

The control circuit may be configured to control the second array of one or more light emitting diodes to display the current operating mode of the aerosol-generating device. The current operating mode may be selectable from a list of modes including standby mode, device power-on mode, pre-heating phase, main heating phase, normal heating mode, boost heating mode, and end-of-use session mode.

The aerosol-generating device may include a user input device. The user input device may be integrated with a feedback device. The user input device may be positioned on the first or second housing portion using a visual feedback device.

The user input device may have an annular shape. In embodiments where the visual feedback device includes a first array of one or more light-emitting diodes having an annular shape, the user input device may be positioned between the first array of one or more light-emitting diodes and the second array of one or more light-emitting diodes. . Preferably, the user input device is positioned concentrically with the first array of one or more light emitting diodes and the second array of one or more light emitting diodes.

The user input device may include at least one of an optical sensor, a capacitive touch sensor, and a resistive touch sensor.

Preferably, the control circuit is configured to receive signals from a user input device, signals representing user input. Preferably, the control circuit is further configured to control operation of the aerosol-generating device based on signals received from the user input device.

The control circuit may be located within at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion. The control circuit may be located within the first housing portion. The control circuit may be located within the second housing portion. The aerosol-generating device may include a control circuit located within the first housing portion and a control circuit located within the second housing portion.

The second housing portion may be manually removable from the first housing portion. That is, the second housing part may be removable from the first housing part by the user without requiring the use of tools.

The second housing portion may be removable from the first housing portion by using a tool.

Preferably, the heater is an electric heater.

The heater may be an inductive heater. During use, the inductive heater inductively heats the at least one susceptor material to heat the aerosol-forming substrate contained within the cavity. The at least one susceptor material may form part of an aerosol-generating device. The at least one susceptor material may form part of an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate.

The inductive heater may include at least one inductor coil extending around at least a portion of the chamber such that at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate is received within the at least one inductor coil when the aerosol-forming substrate is inserted into the chamber.

Inductive heaters may include a single induction coil, just two induction coils, or multiple induction coils.

The inductive heater may be a first inductive heater, wherein the aerosol-generating device includes a third housing portion defining a chamber for receiving the aerosol-forming substrate and a second inductive heater located within the third housing portion, Here the second housing portion is configured to be removably attached to the third housing portion, where the second inductive heater is different from the first inductive heater.

Advantageously, providing a third housing portion containing different inductive heaters may facilitate use of the aerosol-generating device with a wider range of aerosol-generating articles. Advantageously, providing different inductive heaters in the first and third housing parts facilitates the use of a common second housing part.

The first inductive heater may include a first induction coil having a first number of rotations, and the second inductive heater may include a second induction coil having a second number of rotations, where the first number of rotations is It is different from the second rotation speed.

The first inductive heater may include a first number of inductive coils, and the second inductive heater may include a second number of inductive coils, where the first number of inductive coils is different from the second number of inductive coils. The first inductive heater may include a single induction coil and the second inductive heater may include only two induction coils or a plurality of induction coils.

The aerosol-generating device may include a data storage device and a plurality of control programs stored on the data storage device. The control circuit may be configured to select and execute one of the control programs depending on the type of heater connected to the second housing portion. For example, the control circuit may select and execute a first control program when the first housing portion is attached to the second housing portion, and the control circuit may select and execute a second control program when the third housing portion is attached to the second housing portion. Can be selected and executed, and the second control program is different from the first control program.

The third housing portion may include any optional or desirable component or feature described herein for the first housing portion.

The aerosol-generating device may include a layer of material positioned between the first housing portion and the second housing portion when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion.

The material layer may be at least one of a magnetic material and an electrically conductive material. Preferably, the layer of material forms a magnetic shield.

Advantageously, in embodiments where the heater comprises an inductive heater, the magnetic shield may shield one or more electrical components within the second housing portion from electromagnetic fields generated by the inductive heater during use.

Advantageously, in an embodiment wherein the heater comprises an inductive heater and the aerosol-generating device is configured for wireless recharging of at least one of the first power supply and the second power supply, the magnetic shield is configured to wirelessly recharge the inductive heater by means of a wireless recharging arrangement. It is possible to reduce or prevent the induction of current within the device.

Preferably, the layer of material is positioned between the heater and the second housing portion when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion.

The second housing part may be configured to be attached to the first housing part along the side wall of the second housing part. Preferably, the layer of material covers at least about 25% of the side wall surface when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. The layer of material may cover at least about 30% of the sidewall surface when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. The layer of material may cover at least about 40% of the sidewall surface when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. The layer of material may cover at least about 50% of the sidewall surface when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. The layer of material may cover at least about 60% of the sidewall surface when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. The layer of material may cover at least about 70% of the sidewall surface when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. The layer of material may cover at least about 75% of the sidewall surface when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. The layer of material may cover at least about 80% of the sidewall surface when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. The layer of material may cover at least about 90% of the sidewall surface when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. The layer of material may cover substantially the entire sidewall surface when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion.

The material layer may be attached to the first housing portion, the second housing portion, or both the first and second housing portions.

A layer of material may be attached to the heater within the first housing portion.

Preferably, the first housing portion defines an opening for inserting the aerosol-forming substrate into the chamber. The aerosol-generating device may include a cover movable between an open position where the aerosol-forming substrate can be inserted into the chamber and a closed position where insertion of the aerosol-forming substrate into the chamber is prevented. The aerosol-generating device may include a cover actuator including a rotatable portion configured such that rotation of the rotatable portion moves the cover between an open and closed position.

Preferably, the rotatable portion is rotatable in a first direction to move the cover from an open position to a closed position. Preferably, the rotatable portion is rotatable in a second direction to move the cover from a closed position to an open position. Preferably, the first direction is opposite to the second direction.

The cover may include a plurality of movable elements. The cover may include an iris mechanism. Advantageously, the iris mechanism can be partially closed to engage an aerosol-generating article inserted within the chamber to grip and retain the aerosol-generating article within the chamber.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate is longitudinally receivable in the chamber, wherein the rotatable portion is rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal direction.

The second opening can be defined by a rotatable portion, and an aerosol-generating article can be received within the chamber through the second opening.

The aerosol generating device may include a first button and a second button located on the first or second housing portion, respectively. The first button may have at least one of a different size and a different shape than the second button. Advantageously, providing the first and second buttons with at least one of different sizes and different shapes may facilitate tactile identification of the buttons by a user.

The first button may be configured to activate a first function of the aerosol-generating device. The second button may be configured to activate a second function of the aerosol-generating device, where the first function is different from the second function.

The first function may be a first heating profile. The second function may be a second heating profile. The first heating profile may be different from the second heating profile. The first function may be a normal heating mode. The second function may be a boost heating mode. The first heating profile may be associated with a first type of aerosol-generating article. A second heating profile may be associated with a second type of aerosol-generating article.

The control circuit can have a low power mode and a mode of operation that uses more power than the low power mode. The control circuit may be configured to transition from the low power mode to the operating mode in response to detecting activation of at least one of the first button and the second button.

The control circuit may be configured to activate the first function in response to detecting activation of the first button for a predetermined length of time.

The control circuit may be configured to activate the second function in response to detecting activation of the second button for a predetermined length of time.

The aerosol-generating device may be a non-combustion heating device.

Preferably, the heater is arranged to heat the solid aerosol-forming substrate. Preferably, the heater is arranged to heat the tobacco plug.

Preferably, the chamber is arranged to receive an aerosol-generating article comprising a solid aerosol-forming substrate. Preferably, the chamber is arranged to receive an aerosol-generating article comprising a tobacco plug.

Preferably, the chamber has a tubular shape. The tubular shape may have a diameter of about 6.5 mm to about 8.0 mm.

The heater may be located outside the chamber.

A heater may be located inside the chamber.

The heater may be coil-shaped.

The heater may be arranged to extend around the outer surface of the aerosol-generating article contained within the chamber. The heater may extend into the chamber. The heater may be arranged to be received within the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the chamber. The heater may be an elongated heater. The heater may be blade shaped. The heater may be fin-shaped. The heater may be cone-shaped.

The heater may include an inductive heater as described herein.

The heater may include a resistive heating element. During use, an electric current is supplied to the resistive heating element to generate heat by resistive heating.

Suitable materials for forming resistive heating elements include semiconductors, such as doped ceramics, electrically "conductive" ceramics (e.g., molybdenum disilicide, etc.), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys, and ceramic materials and those made of metallic materials. Including, but not limited to, composite materials. These composite materials may include doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbide. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and metals of the platinum group. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminum-, titanium-, zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese- , and iron-containing alloys, and nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, Timetal® based superalloys, and iron-manganese-aluminum based alloys.

In some implementations, the resistive heating element includes one or more stampings of an electrically resistive material, such as stainless steel. Alternatively, the resistive heating element may include a heating wire or filament, such as Ni-Cr (nickel-chromium), platinum, tungsten or alloy wire.

The heater may comprise an electrically insulating substrate, where a resistive heating element is provided on the electrically insulating substrate. The electrically insulating substrate may be a ceramic material such as zirconia or alumina. Preferably, the electrically insulating substrate has a thermal conductivity of about 2 W/m·K or less.

Preferably, the control circuit is arranged to power the heater according to a predetermined heating cycle when the aerosol-generating device is used to heat the aerosol-generating article contained in the chamber. The heating cycle may include a preheating step followed by a main heating step, as described herein.

In embodiments where the heater comprises a resistive heating element, the control circuit may be arranged to power the resistive heating element according to a predetermined pyrolysis cycle to clean the heater when there are no aerosol-generating articles contained within the chamber. The pyrolysis cycle may clean the heater by pyrolysis of residues remaining on the heater after using the aerosol-generating device to heat one or more aerosol-generating articles. Typically, the maximum temperature to which the heater is heated during a pyrolysis cycle is higher than the maximum temperature to which the heater is heated during a heating cycle for heating an aerosol-generating article. Typically, the total duration of the pyrolysis cycle is shorter than the total duration of the heating cycle.

Each of the first housing portion, second housing portion, and third housing portion may include any suitable material or combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials include metals, alloys, plastics or composites containing one or more of these materials, or thermoplastics suitable for food or pharmaceutical applications, such as polypropylene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyethylene. I'm doing it. Preferably, the material is light and non-brittle.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating device includes at least one air inlet. Preferably, at least one air inlet is in fluid communication with the chamber.

The aerosol-generating device may include a sensor to detect airflow indicating that a user is puffing. The air flow sensor may be an electromechanical device. The air flow sensor may be any of mechanical, optical, opto-mechanical, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based sensors. The aerosol-generating device may include a manually operable switch to allow the user to initiate the puff.

The aerosol-generating device may include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may detect the temperature of the heater or the temperature of the aerosol-generating article contained within the chamber. The temperature sensor may be a thermistor. The temperature sensor may include circuitry configured to measure the resistivity of the heater and derive the temperature of the heater by comparing the measured resistivity to a calibrated curve of resistivity versus temperature.

Advantageously, deriving the temperature of the heater can facilitate control of the temperature to which the heater is heated during use. The control circuit may be configured to adjust the power supply to the heater in response to changes in the measured resistivity of the heater.

Advantageously, deriving the temperature of the heater may facilitate puff detection. For example, the measured temperature drop of the heater may correspond to a user puffing or sucking on an aerosol-generating device.

According to the present disclosure, there is also provided an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device as described herein and an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating article” refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that, when heated, releases volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a cigarette plug.

The aerosol-generating article may include at least one susceptor element. Preferably, at least one susceptor element is in direct contact with the aerosol-forming substrate. At least one susceptor element may include one or more strips of susceptor material embedded in an aerosol-forming substrate. At least one susceptor element may include one or more particles of susceptor material embedded in an aerosol-forming substrate.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a cylindrical shape. The aerosol-generating article can have a diameter of about 6.5 mm to about 7.0 mm.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a length of about 70 mm to about 80 mm.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a mass of about 570 mg to about 630 mg.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a resistance of attraction of about 30 mm in the water gauge to about 45 mm in the water gauge.

The aerosol-forming substrate may include a plug of a cigarette. Tobacco plugs may include one or more of powders, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghetti, strips, or sheets containing one or more of tobacco leaves, tobacco rib pieces, regenerated tobacco, homogenized tobacco, extruded tobacco, and puffed tobacco. You can. Optionally, the tobacco plug may contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds that are released upon heating of the tobacco plug. Optionally, the tobacco plug may also contain a capsule containing, for example, additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds. These capsules may melt while the tobacco plug is heated. Additionally or alternatively, these capsules may be ground before, during, or after the tobacco plug is heated.

The aerosol-generating article may include a mouthpiece located downstream of the tobacco plug. The mouthpiece may be positioned at the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The mouthpiece may include a cellulose acetate filter plug.

According to the present disclosure, a method of manufacturing an aerosol-generating device is also provided. The aerosol-generating device may be an aerosol-generating device as described herein. The method includes manufacturing a power module including a control circuit and a power supply. The method also includes manufacturing a heater module including an inductive heater. The method also includes attaching the power module to the heater module. The method also includes programming the power module according to the type of heater module attached or to be attached to the power module. The programming step may be performed before or after the attachment step.

The heater module may include a single induction coil, only two induction coils, or multiple induction coils.

The heater module may be a first heater module, and the inductive heater is a first inductive heater comprising a single induction coil. The method may further include manufacturing a second heater module comprising a second inductive heater, wherein the second inductive heater comprises only two induction coils or a plurality of induction coils. Attaching the power module to the heater module may include attaching the first heater module or the second heater module to the power module.

The power module may include a data storage device and a plurality of control programs stored in the data storage device. The programming step may include the control circuit selecting one of the control programs depending on the type of heater module attached to the power module.

The invention is defined in the claims. However, a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples is provided below. Any one or more features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of other examples, implementations, or aspects described herein.

Example 1: An aerosol generating device comprising:

A first housing portion and a second housing portion defining a chamber for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the second housing portion is configured to be removably attached to the first housing portion. Housing part;

a heater located within the first housing portion;

a power supply located within the second housing; and

An aerosol-generating device comprising a control circuit configured to control power supply from the power supply to the heater when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion.

Example 2: The aerosol-generating device of Example 1, further comprising an interface for attaching the second housing portion to the first housing portion.

Example 3: The aerosol-generating device of Example 2, wherein the interface includes a slot arranged to receive at least a portion of the first housing portion or at least a portion of the second housing portion.

Example 4: The aerosol-generating device of Example 2 or Example 3, wherein the interface comprises a latching element arranged to maintain the second housing portion in releasable attachment with the first housing portion.

Example 5: The aerosol-generating device of Example 4, wherein the interface further comprises a release element arranged to disengage the latching element.

Example 6: The method of any of Examples 2 to 5, wherein the interface includes a first magnetic element on the first housing portion and a second magnetic element on the second housing portion, and wherein the second housing portion comprises the first magnetic element. 1 An aerosol-generating device, wherein the second magnetic element is arranged to engage with the first magnetic element when attached to the housing portion.

Example 7: The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the chamber defines a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article, wherein the first housing portion defines an opening at an end of the cavity, wherein the opening defines an opening in the first housing. An aerosol-generating device located at the first end of the unit.

Example 8: The method of Example 7, wherein the first housing portion includes a second end opposite the first end and at least one side wall surface extending between the first end and the second end, The second housing portion is configured to be removably attached to the at least one side wall surface.

Example 9: The method of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising: a first electrical contact located on the first housing portion and a second electrical contact located on the second housing portion, the second electrical contact is configured to engage the first electrical contact when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion, and optionally, the control circuit is configured to engage the first electrical contact when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. An aerosol-generating device, configured to control the power supply from the power supply to the heater via one electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

Embodiment 10: The method of any of the previous embodiments, wherein the power supply is a rechargeable power supply, and the aerosol generating device is located within the second housing portion and receives power from an external device to recharge the power supply. An aerosol-generating device comprising a charging circuit configured to control supply.

Example 11: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the previous embodiments, wherein the power supply is a first power supply and the aerosol-generating device further comprises a second power supply located within the first housing portion.

Embodiment 12: The aerosol-generating device according to Embodiment 11, wherein the control circuit is further configured to control power supply from the second power supply to the heater.

Embodiment 13: The method of Embodiment 12, wherein the control circuit is configured to supply power from the first power supply to the heater during at least one of the preheating phase and the main heating phase, wherein the control circuit is configured to supply power to the heater during at least one of the preheating phase and the main heating phase. and configured to supply power to the heater from the second power supply during at least one of the steps.

Example 14: The method of embodiment 12 or 13, wherein the control circuit is configured to supply power from the first power supply to the heater during a preheating phase when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion, wherein the control circuit is configured to: and configured to supply power to the heater from the second power supply during the main heating phase when the second housing portion is separated from the first housing portion.

Embodiment 15: The method of Embodiment 14, wherein the control circuit supplies power from the second power supply to the heater in response to detecting separation of the second housing portion from the first housing portion during the preheating step to An aerosol-generating device configured to complete a preheating step.

Embodiment 16: The method of Embodiment 13, 14 or 15, wherein the control circuit supplies power to the heater from the first power supply or the second power supply during the preheating step to bring the heater or susceptor to operating temperature. An aerosol-generating device configured to heat.

Embodiment 17: The method of any of embodiments 13-16, wherein the control circuit supplies power to the heater from the first power supply or the second power supply during the main heating phase to adjust the temperature of the heater to the operating temperature. An aerosol-generating device configured to remain within range.

Embodiment 18: The method of any one of embodiments 11 to 17, wherein the second power supply is a rechargeable power supply, and the control circuit is configured to supply the second power when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. The aerosol-generating device is configured to control the power supply from the first power supply to the second power supply for recharging the unit.

Example 19: The aerosol-generating device of Example 18, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured for wireless transfer of power from the first power supply to the second power supply to recharge the second power supply. .

Embodiment 20: The method according to any one of embodiments 11 to 19, wherein the first power supply has a first charge storage capacity, the second power supply has a second charge storage capacity, and the first charge storage capacity is An aerosol-generating device having a different secondary charge storage capacity.

Example 21: The aerosol-generating device of Example 20, wherein the first charge storage capacity is greater than the second charge storage capacity.

Example 22: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the previous examples, wherein the first housing portion has a cylindrical shape.

Embodiment 23: The method of any of the previous embodiments, wherein the second housing portion includes a side wall surface arranged to engage the first housing portion when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion, 2. An aerosol generating device wherein the side wall of the housing portion has a concave shape.

Example 24: The aerosol generating device according to Example 23, wherein the side wall of the second housing portion has a semicircular concave shape.

Example 25: The aerosol-generating device of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising a feedback device arranged to provide feedback to the user.

Example 26: The aerosol-generating device of Example 25, wherein the feedback device comprises a visual feedback device.

Example 27: The aerosol-generating device of Example 26, wherein the visual feedback device comprises at least one light emitting diode.

Example 28: The aerosol-generating device of Example 27, wherein the at least one light emitting diode comprises a first array of one or more light emitting diodes and a second array of one or more light emitting diodes.

Example 29: The aerosol-generating device of Example 28, wherein the first array of one or more light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

Example 30: The aerosol-generating device of Example 29, wherein the first array of light emitting diodes comprises a chip-on-board (COB) array of light emitting diodes.

Example 31: The aerosol-generating device of Examples 29 or 30, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes of the first array form a segmented display.

Example 32: The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 28-31, wherein the first array of one or more light emitting diodes has an annular shape.

Example 33: The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 28-32, wherein the first housing portion or the second housing portion defines a first window overlying the first array of one or more light emitting diodes.

Example 34: The aerosol-generating device of Example 33, wherein the first window has an annular shape.

Example 35: The aerosol-generating device of Example 33 or 34, wherein the first window is transparent, translucent, translucent, or subtransparent.

Example 36: The aerosol-generating device of Example 32 or 34, wherein the annular shape is a circular annular shape.

Example 37: The aerosol-generating device of Example 32, 34 or 35, wherein the second array of one or more light emitting diodes is located within the annular shape.

Example 38: The aerosol-generating device of Example 37, wherein the second array of one or more light emitting diodes is positioned concentrically with the annular shape.

Example 39: The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 28-38, wherein the second array of one or more light emitting diodes is a single light emitting diode.

Example 40: The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 28-39, wherein the second array of one or more light emitting diodes has a circular shape.

Example 41: The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 28-40, wherein the first housing portion or the second housing portion defines a second window overlying the second array of one or more light emitting diodes.

Example 42: The aerosol-generating device of Example 41, wherein the second window is transparent, translucent, translucent, or subtransparent.

Example 43: The aerosol-generating device of Example 41 or 42, wherein the second window has a circular shape.

Example 44: The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 26-43, wherein the visual feedback device is located on the second housing portion.

Example 45: The aerosol-generating device of Example 44, wherein the visual feedback device is located at a first end of the second housing portion.

Example 46: The method of Example 45, wherein when the second housing part is attached to the first housing part, the first end of the second housing part and the first end of the first housing part together emit an aerosol. An aerosol-generating device arranged to define a first end of the generating device.

Embodiment 47: The aerosol-generating device of any one of embodiments 26-46, wherein the control circuit is configured to control the visual feedback device to provide feedback to a user during use of the aerosol-generating device.

Embodiment 48: The aerosol-generating method of Embodiment 47 in combination with Embodiment 28, wherein the control circuit is configured to individually control the first array of one or more light-emitting diodes and the second array of one or more light-emitting diodes. Device.

Embodiment 49: The method of embodiment 48, wherein the control circuit is configured to: control a color, brightness, number of illuminated light emitting diodes, and lighting sequence for each of the first array of one or more light emitting diodes and the second array of one or more light emitting diodes. An aerosol-generating device configured to control at least one.

Embodiment 50: The method of Embodiment 48 or 49 in combination with Embodiment 31, wherein the control circuit controls the segmented display to: advance through a preheat phase, advance through a main heat phase, advance through a current use session; and displaying at least one of the remaining charge levels of the power supply.

Example 51: The aerosol-generating device of Example 48, 49 or 50, wherein the control circuit is configured to control the second array of one or more light emitting diodes to display a current operating mode of the aerosol-generating device.

Example 52: The method of Example 51, wherein the current operating mode is from a list of modes including standby mode, device power on mode, preheating phase, main heating phase, normal heating mode, boost heating mode, and end use session mode. Optional aerosol generating device.

Example 53: The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 25-52, further comprising a user input device, wherein the user input device is integrated with the feedback device.

Example 54: The aerosol-generating device of Example 53 in combination with Example 26, wherein the user input device is located on the first housing portion or the second housing portion together with the visual feedback device.

Embodiment 55: The method of Embodiment 54 in combination with Embodiment 38, wherein the user input device has an annular shape, and the user input device comprises the first array of the one or more light emitting diodes and the second array of the one or more light emitting diodes. An aerosol-generating device located between.

Example 56: The aerosol-generating device of Example 55, wherein the user input device is positioned concentrically with the first array of one or more light-emitting diodes and the second array of one or more light-emitting diodes.

Example 57: The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 53-56, wherein the user input device includes at least one of an optical sensor, a capacitive touch sensor, and a resistive touch sensor.

Embodiment 58: The method of any of embodiments 53-57, wherein the control circuit is configured to receive a signal from the user input device, the signal representing a user input, and the control circuit is configured to receive a signal from the user input device. An aerosol-generating device, further configured to control operation of the aerosol-generating device based on a signal.

Embodiment 59: The aerosol-generating device of any of the previous embodiments, wherein the control circuit is located within at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

Embodiment 60: The method of any of the previous embodiments, wherein the second housing portion is manually removable from the first housing portion by a user without requiring the use of a tool, or the second housing portion is removable from the first housing portion using a tool. An aerosol-generating device removable from the first housing portion.

Example 61: The aerosol-generating device of any of the previous examples, wherein the heater is an inductive heater.

Example 62: The aerosol-generating device of Example 61, wherein the inductive heater comprises a single induction coil, only two induction coils, or a plurality of induction coils.

Example 63: The method of Example 61, wherein the inductive heater is a first inductive heater and the aerosol-generating device is located within the third housing portion and a third housing portion defining a chamber for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate. and a second inductive heater, wherein the second housing portion is configured to be removably attached to the third housing portion, and wherein the second inductive heater is different from the first inductive heater.

Embodiment 64: The method of embodiment 63, wherein the first inductive heater includes a first induction coil having a first number of rotations, and the second inductive heater includes a second induction coil having a second number of rotations. and the first rotation speed is different from the second rotation speed.

Example 65: The method of Example 63 or 64, wherein the first inductive heater includes a first inductive coil number, and the second inductive heater includes a second inductive coil number, and the first inductive coil number is different from the second induction coil number.

Example 66: The aerosol-generating device of Example 65, wherein the first inductive heater comprises a single induction coil and the second inductive heater comprises only two induction coils or a plurality of induction coils.

Example 67: The aerosol of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising a layer of material positioned between the first housing portion and the second housing portion when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. Generating device.

Example 67A: The aerosol-generating device of Example 67, wherein the layer is formed of a different material than the material of the first housing and/or the second housing.

Example 67B: The aerosol-generating device of Example 67 or Example 67A, wherein the layer is formed of a material that is softer than the outer surface of the first or second housing.

Example 67C: The method of any of Examples 67-67B, wherein the layer is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS), polyethersulfone (PESU), rubber, silicone, polypropylene (PP). , aerosol-generating materials formed from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), copolyester, polysulfone (PSU), thermoplastic polyurethane, soft rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM), and nitrile. Device. Example 67D: The aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples 67-67C, wherein the layer is formed of thermoplastic polyurethane or nitrile, silicone.

Example 67E: The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 67-67D, wherein the layer has a Shore A hardness ranging from 20 to 80.

Example 67F: The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 67-67E, wherein the layer has a thickness of about 0.3 mm to 3 mm, 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm, or 0.3 mm to 1 mm.

Example 68: The aerosol-generating device of Example 67, wherein the material is at least one of a magnetic material and an electrically conductive material.

Example 69: The aerosol-generating device of Example 67 or 68, wherein the layer of material forms a magnetic shield.

Example 70: The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 67-69, wherein the layer of material is positioned between the heater and the second housing portion when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. .

Example 71: The method according to any one of Examples 67 to 70, wherein the second housing part is configured to be attached to the first housing part along a side wall of the second housing part, and the material layer is attached to the second housing part. An aerosol-generating device that covers at least 25% of the side wall surface when attached to the first housing portion.

Example 72: The method of any of Examples 67-71, wherein the layer of material is attached to the first housing portion, the second housing portion, or both the first housing portion and the second housing portion. Aerosol generating device.

Example 73: The method of any of the previous embodiments, wherein the first housing portion defines an opening for inserting an aerosol-forming substrate into the chamber, and the aerosol-generating device includes:

a cover movable between an open position where an aerosol-forming substrate can be inserted into the chamber and a closed position where insertion of the aerosol-forming substrate into the chamber is prevented; and

The aerosol-generating device further comprising a cover actuator comprising a rotatable portion configured to cause rotation of the rotatable portion to move the cover between the open and closed positions.

Embodiment 74: The aerosol-generating device of embodiment 73, wherein the rotatable portion is rotatable in a first direction to move the cover from the open position to the closed position.

Embodiment 75: The aerosol of embodiment 74, wherein the rotatable portion is rotatable in a second direction to move the cover from the closed position to the open position, the first direction being opposite the second direction. Generating device.

Example 76: The aerosol-generating device of Example 73, 74 or 75, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of movable elements.

Example 77: The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 73-76, wherein the cover comprises an iris mechanism.

Example 78: The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 73-77, wherein an aerosol-forming substrate is longitudinally receivable within the chamber, and the rotatable portion is rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal direction.

Example 79: The aerosol-generating device of any of the previous embodiments, wherein a second opening is defined by the rotatable portion and an aerosol-generating article is receivable within the chamber through the second opening.

Embodiment 80: The method of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising a first button and a second button at each position on the first housing portion or the second housing portion, wherein the first button is connected to the second button. Having at least one of a different size and a different shape, the first button is configured to activate a first function of the aerosol-generating device, and the second button is configured to activate a second function of the aerosol-generating device. and wherein the first function is different from the second function.

Example 81: The aerosol-generating device of example 80, wherein the first function is a first heating profile.

Example 82: The aerosol-generating device of example 81, wherein the second function is a second heating profile.

Example 83: The aerosol-generating device of Example 82, wherein the first heating profile is different from the second heating profile.

Example 84: The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 80-83, wherein the control circuit has a low power mode and a mode of operation that uses more power than the low power mode.

Embodiment 85: The aerosol of embodiment 84, wherein the control circuit is configured to transition from the low power mode to the operating mode in response to detecting activation of at least one of the first button and the second button. Generating device.

Embodiment 86: The aerosol-generating device of any of embodiments 80-85, wherein the control circuit is configured to activate the first function in response to detecting activation of the first button for a predetermined period of time. .

Embodiment 87: The aerosol-generating device of any of embodiments 80-86, wherein the control circuit is configured to activate the second function in response to detecting activation of the second button for a predetermined period of time. .

Example 88: The aerosol-generating device of any of the previous examples, wherein the aerosol-generating device is a heat-non-combustion device.

Example 89: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the previous examples, wherein the heater is arranged to heat a solid aerosol-forming substrate.

Example 90: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the previous embodiments, wherein the heater is arranged to heat a tobacco plug.

Example 91: The aerosol-generating device of any of the previous embodiments, wherein the chamber is arranged to receive an aerosol-generating article comprising a solid aerosol-forming substrate.

Example 92: The aerosol-generating device of any of the previous embodiments, wherein the chamber is arranged to receive an aerosol-generating article comprising a tobacco plug.

Example 93: The aerosol-generating device of any of the previous examples, wherein the chamber is tubular in shape.

Example 94: The aerosol-generating device of Example 93, wherein the tubular shape has a diameter between 6.5 mm and 8.0 mm.

Example 94A: The aerosol-generating device of any of the previous embodiments, wherein the first housing portion comprises a battery.

Example 94B: The aerosol-generating device of Example 94A, wherein the battery is located below the heater.

Example 94C: The aerosol-generating device of Example 94A or 94B, wherein the battery is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first housing portion.

Example 94D: The aerosol-generating device of Example 94A or 94B, wherein the battery is offset from the longitudinal axis of the first housing portion.

Example 94D: The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 94A-94D, wherein the airflow channel extends along one side of the battery.

Example 94E: The aerosol-generating device of any of Examples 94A-94E, wherein the plurality of airflow channels extend around the side of the battery.

Embodiment 94F: The method of Embodiment 94D or Embodiment 94E, wherein the airflow channel or channels are fed into a funnel, and optionally the airflow channel or channels are fed into a first inlet of the funnel that is wider than the second outlet of the funnel. Aerosol generating device.

Embodiment 94G: The aerosol-generating device of any of the previous embodiments, wherein the first housing portion includes an air intake at the base of the first housing portion opposite a distal end of the aerosol-generating device containing an aerosol-forming substrate.

Example 94H: The method of any of the previous embodiments, wherein the first housing portion includes an air intake portion on a side wall of the first housing portion perpendicular to a distal surface of the aerosol-generating device that accommodates the aerosol-forming substrate. Device.

Example 94I: The aerosol-generating device of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising a magnetic shield within the first housing portion, the magnetic shield being positioned between the heater and the second housing portion.

Example 95: An aerosol-generating system comprising:

An aerosol-generating device according to any of the previous embodiments; and

An aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate.

Example 96: The aerosol-generating system of Example 95, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate.

Example 97: The method of Example 95 or 96, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate is a tobacco plug-in, aerosol-generating system.

Example 98: The aerosol-generating system of any of Examples 95-97, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises at least one susceptor element.

Example 99: The aerosol-generating system of any of Examples 95-98, wherein the aerosol-generating article is cylindrical in shape.

Example 100: The aerosol-generating system of any of Examples 95-99, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a diameter of 6.5 mm to 7.0 mm.

Example 101: The aerosol-generating system of any of Examples 95-100, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a length of 70 mm to 80 mm.

Example 102: The aerosol-generating system of any of Examples 95-101, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a mass of 570 mg to 630 mg.

Example 103: The aerosol-generating system of any of Examples 95-102, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a resistance to draw of 30 mm to 45 mm.

Example 104: A method of making an aerosol-generating device, comprising:

manufacturing a power module including a control circuit and a power supply;

manufacturing a heater module including an inductive heater;

Attaching the power module to the heater module; and

A method comprising programming the power module according to a type of heater module attached to or to be attached to the power module.

Embodiment 105: The method of embodiment 104, wherein the heater module comprises a single induction coil, only two induction coils, or a plurality of induction coils.

Embodiment 106: The method of Embodiment 104, wherein the heater module is a first heater module and the inductive heater is a first inductive heater comprising a single induction coil, the method comprising:

manufacturing a second heater module comprising a second inductive heater, wherein the second inductive heater comprises only two induction coils or a plurality of induction coils, and connecting the power module to the heater module. The method of claim 1, wherein attaching includes attaching the first heater module or the second heater module to the power module.

Embodiment 107: The method of Embodiment 106, wherein the power module further includes a data storage device and a plurality of control programs stored on the data storage device, and the programming step is performed according to a type of heater module attached to the power module. wherein the control circuit selects one of the control programs.

Example 108: The method of any of Examples 104-107, wherein the aerosol-generating device is an aerosol-generating device according to any of Examples 1-94.

The present invention will now be further explained by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating device according to a first embodiment of the invention with a cover in a closed position;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1 with the cover in the open position;
Figure 3 is a top view of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1 with the first housing portion attached to the second housing portion;
Figure 4 is a top view of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1 with the first housing portion separated from the second housing portion;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1 with a first housing portion attached to a second housing portion and an aerosol-generating article contained within a chamber;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1 with a first housing portion separated from a second housing portion and an aerosol-generating article contained within a chamber;
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1 with the first housing part replaced by a third housing part.

1 to 7 show an aerosol generating device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosol generating device 10 includes a housing 12 including a first housing portion 14 and a second housing portion 16. The second housing portion 16 is configured to be removably attached to the first housing portion 14 . The first electrical contact 52 is located on the first housing portion 14 and the second electrical contact 62 is located on the second housing portion 16. The first electrical contact 52 and the second electrical contact 62 are arranged to contact each other when the second housing portion 16 is attached to the first housing portion 14. First electrical contact 52 and second electrical contact 62 may each include a plurality of electrical contacts, such as a positive power connection, a negative power connection, and one or more data connections.

The aerosol-generating device 10 also includes a charging circuit 19 and a first power supply 20 located within the second housing part 16. The power supply unit 20 is an electric power supply unit including a rechargeable battery. The first power supply unit 20 may be referred to as the main power supply unit. A charging electrical contact 49 in the form of a USB-C connector is included at the end of the second housing part 16 and is configured to receive a power supply from an external device. The charging circuit 19 is configured to control the supply of power received from an external device to recharge the first power supply unit 20.

The first housing portion 14 defines a chamber 32 in the form of a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article 80 and an opening 34 located at an end of the cavity. The opening 34 is located at the first end of the first housing portion 14. When the aerosol-generating article 80 is received within the cavity, the aerosol-generating article 80 and the aerosol-generating device 10 together form an aerosol-generating system.

The aerosol-generating device 10 further comprises a heater in the form of a tubular susceptor element 22 and an induction coil 23. The tubular susceptor element 22 is formed of iron material with a nickel coating. The susceptor element 22 is positioned within the chamber 32 and is supported and held in place within the chamber 32 by a susceptor holder 35. An induction coil 23 surrounds the chamber 32. The susceptor element 22 and the induction coil 23 are located within the first housing part 14 .

The aerosol-generating device 10 further includes a control circuit comprising a first controller 18 and a second power supply 30 located within the first housing portion 14. The second power supply unit 30 may be called an auxiliary power supply unit.

The control circuit also includes a second controller 38 located within the second housing portion 14.

The first and second buttons 27 and 28 are located on the side wall surface of the second housing portion 14. The first button 27 is larger than the second button 28.

The aerosol-generating device 10 further includes a cover 100 and a cover actuator comprising a rotatable portion 102.

Cover 100 is movable between open and closed positions. In Figure 2, cover 100 is shown in an open position. In the open position, chamber 32 is open and aerosol-generating article 80 is receivable within chamber 32 through first opening 34. In Figure 1, cover 100 is shown in the closed position. In the closed position, cover 100 closes chamber 32. This prevents dust and dirt from entering the chamber 32. It is not possible for the aerosol-generating article 80 to be received within the chamber 32 through the first opening 34 when the cover 100 is in the closed position.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, cover 100 includes a plurality of movable elements 116 in the form of iris mechanisms. Rotation of the rotatable portion 102 causes the movable element 116 to move to open and close the iris mechanism.

The aerosol-generating article 80 includes an aerosol-forming substrate 82 in the form of a solid tobacco-containing substrate. The aerosol-generating article 80 further includes a mouth end 84 protruding out of the chamber 32 through the opening 34.

The rotatable portion 102 is ring-shaped and includes a second opening 104 concentric with the first opening 34 . When the aerosol-generating article 80 is received within the cavity, the aerosol-generating article 80 is received through the second opening 104 and then the first opening 34. An aerosol-generating article 80 is containable within chamber 32 along the longitudinal axis, indicated by dashed line 101 in FIG. 2 .

The cover actuator is configured such that rotation of the rotatable portion 102 causes the cover 100 to move between a closed position and an open position. In particular, the rotatable portion 102 is rotatable about a rotation axis corresponding to the longitudinal axis 101 . The rotatable portion 102 is rotatable by about 90 degrees between a first position with the cover in the closed position and a second position with the cover in the open position. Rotation of the rotatable portion 102 from the first position moves the cover from the closed position to the open position and vice versa. Rotatable portion 102 may include a raised portion or an indented portion. This is shown as rise 103 in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The raised portion or press-in portion may assist the user in grasping the rotatable portion 102 with the fingers. The raised portion or press-fit portion may extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 101. The riser or press-in portion may be located on the outer side wall surface of the rotatable portion 102. The rise or press-in portion may extend from the bottom edge of the rotary part to the top edge, preferably in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 101.

3 and 4 show top views of the aerosol generating device 10. A perspective view of the aerosol generating device 10 in FIGS. 5 and 6 is shown. The first housing portion 14 defines a cylindrical shape. The aerosol-generating article 80 is partially contained within a chamber 32 with the mouth end 84 of the aerosol-generating article 80 protruding out of the chamber 32. While aerosol-generating article 80 is contained within chamber 32, cover 100 is in the open position.

4 and 6 show a configuration in which the first housing portion 14 is separated from the second housing portion 16. The side wall surface 17 of the second housing portion 16 defines a semicircular concave shape 110. The diameter of the semicircular concave shape 110 is very slightly larger than the diameter of the cylindrical first housing portion 14. In this way, the first housing portion 14 may be accommodated in the semicircular concave shape 110 to engage the first housing portion 14 with the second housing portion 16.

The interface (not shown) between the first housing portion 14 and the second housing portion 16 may be used to releasably attach the two portions together. The interface relies on interference fit or self-connection.

Both the main power supply 20 and the auxiliary power supply 30 take the form of rechargeable batteries. The main power supply 20 has a much larger capacity for storing electrical energy than the auxiliary power supply 30. In particular, the main power supply 20 stores sufficient energy for a plurality of usage sessions, while the auxiliary power supply 30 stores enough energy for one or more usage sessions, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 usage sessions. Store sufficient energy for the main heating stage.

The second controller 38 is configured to initiate a usage session when the user presses the first button 27. The second housing portion 16 must be attached to the first housing portion 14 when the user initiates a usage session.

The second controller 38 is configured to control the power supply from the main power supply 20. After initiation of a usage session, the second controller 38 is configured to control the power supply from the main power supply to the induction coil 23 as a high-frequency variable current through the first electrical contact 52 and the second electrical contact 62. It is done. During use, power supplied to the induction coil of the inductor generates a variable magnetic field that inductively heats the tubular susceptor element 22.

The usage session is divided into an initial preheating phase, followed by a main heating phase. The second controller 38 is configured to control the power to the induction coil 23 during the preheating phase. The preheating step has high power requirements because the susceptor element 22 (and the housed aerosol-generating article 80) must rapidly increase to the target temperature at which aerosols are generated during the preheating step.

The second controller 38 is configured to terminate the preheating phase after a predetermined period of time or when it is detected that the susceptor element has reached the predetermined temperature. At the end of the preheating phase, the second controller 38 is configured to stop supplying power from the main power supply 20 to the induction coil 23 . Then the main heating phase begins.

The first controller 18 is configured to start supplying power from the auxiliary power supply 30 to the induction coil 23 during the main heating phase.

Then, the user can separate the first housing part 14 from the second housing part 16 and use the first housing part 14 separately from the second housing part 16, which is connected to the induction coil 23. It relies on power from the auxiliary power supply 30 to continuously supply a variable current to the susceptor element 22 and thus maintain the temperature of the susceptor element 22 at the target operating temperature.

The second controller 38 is configured to control the power to the induction coil 23 during a use session (including the pre-heating phase and also the main heating phase) when the first housing portion is connected with the second housing portion. The main power supply may recharge the auxiliary power supply at the same time that the main power supply supplies power to the heater.

In some implementations, when the remaining charge level of the primary power supply is not sufficient for one usage session, the first or second controller requests charge level information of the auxiliary power supply. If the remaining charge level of the auxiliary power supply is more than one usage session, power for the preheating and main heating stages is drawn from the auxiliary power supply. If the remaining charge level of the main power supply or the auxiliary power supply cannot support only one usage session, the controller determines whether the total remaining charge level of the two power supplies is sufficient to support one usage session. If the total remaining charge level is sufficient for one usage session, power for the preheating and main heating stages is drawn from both power supplies.

The susceptor element 22 will heat the aerosol-forming substrate 82 contained in the aerosol-generating article 80 contained within the chamber 32. This will generate steam. The vapor condenses to form an aerosol that a user can inhale by sucking on the mouth end 84 of the aerosol-generating article 80 with a puff.

The advantage of providing the main and auxiliary power supplies 20 and 30 in this way is that the auxiliary power supply 30 can be a small and lightweight battery. This means that the first housing part 14 (containing the auxiliary power supply 30) can be made compact and lightweight.

When the device 10 is not in use, the second controller 38 is configured to control the power supply from the main power supply 20 to charge the auxiliary power supply 30. In this way, the auxiliary power supply 30 is charged ready for the next use session. The aerosol generating device 10 includes a wireless charging arrangement (not shown) for wirelessly charging the auxiliary power supply unit 30 to the main power supply unit 20. In order to reduce or prevent the induction of variable currents in the induction coil 23 and the susceptor element 22, a layer of material 117 is provided on the side wall surface 17 of the second housing part 16. . Material layer 117 forms a magnetic shield.

The visual feedback device 60 includes an external lighting area 61 and an internal lighting area 62 integrated into the second housing part 16 of the aerosol-generating device 10 . The outer lighting area 61 extends around an arc of 360 degrees and defines a closed annulus surrounding the inner lighting area 62. The inner illumination area 62 is generally circular in shape. The external and internal lighting arrays 61, 62 each have a respective display window, which forms part of the external surface of the housing 20 and is transparent to light.

The second controller 38 is coupled to the external and internal illumination areas 61, 62 and includes: i) a first preset for selectively illuminating the external illumination area 61 and delivering first data indicating the state of the aerosol-generating device; producing a determined luminescence; and ii) selectively illuminate the internal illumination area 62 to produce a second predetermined luminescence that conveys second data indicative of the state of the aerosol-generating device. The first data and the second data are different from each other. Specifically, the first data may be related to the progress of a use session of the aerosol-generating device, and the second data may be related to the state of the aerosol-generating device.

The first data is delivered by progressively illuminating an external lighting area 61 around the annulus as the usage session progresses. In particular, the external lighting area 61 is illuminated by a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned around the external lighting area. The second controller 38 gradually activates sequential LEDs to indicate the percentage of the duration of the usage session that has elapsed throughout the usage session. In another example, second controller 38 may be configured to increase the brightness of exterior lighting area 61 throughout a usage session.

The secondary data is conveyed by internally illuminated areas 62 that illuminate in different colors. In one embodiment, the second controller is configured to illuminate the inner light area 62 with blue light during the preheating phase. The second controller is configured to illuminate the inner light area 62 with green light during the main heating phase. The user uses the color change from blue to green as an indicator to separate the first housing portion 14 from the second housing portion 16 and place the aerosol-generating article contained in the chamber 32 of the first housing portion 14. You can continue your usage session by puffing (80).

The aerosol-generating device 10 also includes a user input device 63 positioned between the internal lighting area 62 and the external lighting area 61. The user input device 63 may include an optical sensor or a touch sensor, such as a capacitive sensor or a resistive sensor. User input device 63 may be used to control one or more functions of aerosol-generating device 10.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the device includes buttons 27 and 28. The second controller 38 is connected to the first button 27 and the second button 28. It has already been described how the second controller 38 is configured to initiate a preheating phase when detecting a press of the button 27 . Instead of or in addition to the second controller 38 detecting the pressing of the button 27, when the second controller 38 detects the pressing of the button 28, the second controller 38 is in the boost heating mode. It is configured to initiate. In the boost heating mode, the power supplied to the induction coil by both the main power supply 20 and the auxiliary power supply 30 is increased compared to the normal heating mode. The temperature reached by the susceptor element 22 during both the preheating phase and the main heating phase is higher in the boost heating mode than in the normal heating mode. Thus, in boost heating mode, an increased amount of aerosol is generated. Accordingly, the user can select the boost heating mode if he or she desires a different experience from the normal experience.

In the boost heating mode, the second controller 38 is configured to illuminate the inner light area 62 with a red light in the main heating phase to indicate to the user that the boost heating mode has been selected.

Figure 7 shows an alternative configuration of the aerosol generating device 10 in which the first housing portion 14 is replaced with a third housing portion 114. The third housing part 114 is the same as the first housing part 14 except for the configuration of the heater. In particular, the third housing portion 114 includes a first induction coil 23 and a second induction coil 25. During the main heating phase, the first controller 18 supplies power to each of the first induction coil 23 and the second induction coil 25 independently of each other from the auxiliary power supply 30 to maintain the power of the susceptor element 22. It can facilitate independent heating of different parts. Otherwise, the operation of the configuration of the aerosol-generating device 10 shown in FIG. 7 is identical to that of the configuration shown in FIG. 1 .

Claims (108)

An aerosol generating device, comprising:
A first housing portion and a second housing portion defining a chamber for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the second housing portion is configured to be removably attached to the first housing portion. Housing part;
a heater located within the first housing portion;
a power supply located within the second housing; and
An aerosol-generating device comprising a control circuit configured to control power supply from the power supply to the heater when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. The aerosol-generating device of claim 1, further comprising an interface for attaching the second housing portion to the first housing portion. 3. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, wherein the interface includes a slot arranged to receive at least a portion of the first housing portion or at least a portion of the second housing portion. 4. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the interface comprises a latching element arranged to maintain the second housing portion in releasable attachment with the first housing portion. 5. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 4, wherein the interface further comprises a release element arranged to disengage the latching element. 6. The method of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the interface includes a first magnetic element on the first housing portion and a second magnetic element on the second housing portion, and wherein the second housing portion comprises the first magnetic element. wherein the second magnetic element is arranged to engage with the first magnetic element when attached to the housing portion. 7. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the chamber defines a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article, wherein the first housing portion defines an opening at an end of the cavity, wherein the opening defines an opening at an end of the cavity, wherein the first housing portion defines an opening at an end of the cavity. An aerosol-generating device located at the first end of the housing portion. The method of claim 7, wherein the first housing portion includes a second end opposite the first end and at least one side wall surface extending between the first end and the second end, and the second housing portion An aerosol-generating device configured to be removably attached to the at least one side wall surface. 9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a first electrical contact located on the first housing portion and a second electrical contact located on the second housing portion, wherein the second electrical contact is the contact is configured to engage the first electrical contact when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion, and optionally the control circuit is configured to engage the first electrical contact when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. An aerosol-generating device, configured to control the power supply from the power supply to the heater via one electrical contact and the second electrical contact. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the power supply is a rechargeable power supply, and the aerosol generating device is located within the second housing part and receives power from an external device to recharge the power supply. An aerosol-generating device comprising a charging circuit configured to control the supply of . 11. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the power supply is a first power supply and the aerosol-generating device further comprises a second power supply located within the first housing part. 12. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 11, wherein the control circuit is further configured to control the power supply from the second power supply to the heater. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the control circuit is configured to supply power to the heater from the first power supply during at least one of the preheating phase and the main heating phase, and the control circuit is configured to supply power to the heater during at least one of the preheating phase and the main heating phase. The aerosol-generating device is configured to supply power to the heater from the second power supply while 14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the control circuit is configured to supply power from the first power supply to the heater during a preheating phase when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion, and wherein the control circuit is configured to supply power to the heater from the first power supply. and the circuit is configured to supply power to the heater from the second power supply during the main heating phase when the second housing portion is separated from the first housing portion. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the control circuit supplies power from the second power supply to the heater in response to detecting separation of the second housing portion from the first housing portion during the preheating step to perform the preheating step. An aerosol-generating device configured to complete. 16. The method of claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein the control circuit supplies power to the heater from the first power supply or the second power supply during the preheating step to bring the heater or susceptor to operating temperature. An aerosol-generating device configured to heat. 17. The method of any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the control circuit supplies power to the heater from the first power supply or the second power supply during the main heating phase to maintain the temperature of the heater within an operating temperature range. An aerosol-generating device configured to be maintained within an aerosol-generating device. 18. The method of any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the second power supply is a rechargeable power supply, and the control circuit is configured to control the second power supply when the second housing part is attached to the first housing part. The aerosol-generating device is configured to control the power supply from the first power supply to the second power supply for recharging. 19. The aerosol-generating device of claim 18, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured for wireless transfer of power from the first power supply to the second power supply for recharging the second power supply. 20. The method of any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein the first power supply has a first charge storage capacity, the second power supply has a second charge storage capacity, and the first charge storage capacity is An aerosol-generating device with a different secondary charge storage capacity. 21. The aerosol-generating device of claim 20, wherein the first charge storage capacity is greater than the second charge storage capacity. 22. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the first housing portion has a cylindrical shape. 23. The method of any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the second housing portion includes a side wall surface arranged to engage the first housing portion when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion, An aerosol generating device, wherein the second housing portion side wall surface has a concave shape. The aerosol generating device according to claim 23, wherein the side wall of the second housing portion has a semicircular concave shape. 25. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a feedback device arranged to provide feedback to a user. 26. The aerosol-generating device of claim 25, wherein the feedback device comprises a visual feedback device. 27. The aerosol-generating device of claim 26, wherein the visual feedback device comprises at least one light emitting diode. 28. The aerosol-generating device of claim 27, wherein the at least one light emitting diode comprises a first array of one or more light emitting diodes and a second array of one or more light emitting diodes. 29. The aerosol-generating device of claim 28, wherein the first array of one or more light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes. 30. The aerosol-generating device of claim 29, wherein the first array of light emitting diodes comprises a chip-on-board (COB) array of light emitting diodes. 31. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 29 or 30, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes in the first array form a segmented display. 32. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 28 to 31, wherein the first array of one or more light emitting diodes has an annular shape. 33. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 28 to 32, wherein the first housing portion or the second housing portion defines a first window overlying the first array of one or more light emitting diodes. 34. The aerosol-generating device of claim 33, wherein the first window has an annular shape. 35. The aerosol-generating device of claim 33 or 34, wherein the first window is transparent, semi-transparent, translucent, or semi-translucent. 35. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 32 or 34, wherein the annular shape is a circular annular shape. 36. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 32, 34 or 35, wherein the second array of one or more light emitting diodes is located within the annular shape. 38. The aerosol-generating device of claim 37, wherein the second array of one or more light emitting diodes is positioned concentrically with the annular shape. 39. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 28 to 38, wherein the second array of one or more light emitting diodes is a single light emitting diode. 40. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 28 to 39, wherein the second array of one or more light emitting diodes has a circular shape. 41. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 28 to 40, wherein the first housing portion or the second housing portion defines a second window overlying the second array of one or more light emitting diodes. 42. The aerosol-generating device of claim 41, wherein the second window is transparent, translucent, translucent, or subtransparent. 43. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 41 or 42, wherein the second window has a circular shape. 44. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 26 to 43, wherein the visual feedback device is located on the second housing portion. 45. The aerosol-generating device of claim 44, wherein the visual feedback device is located at the first end of the second housing portion. The method of claim 45, wherein when the second housing part is attached to the first housing part, the first end of the second housing part and the first end of the first housing part are together with the first end of the aerosol generating device. An aerosol-generating device arranged to define an end. 47. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 26 to 46, wherein the control circuit is configured to control the visual feedback device to provide feedback to a user during use of the aerosol-generating device. 48. The aerosol-generating device of claim 47, wherein in combination with claim 28, the control circuit is configured to individually control the first array of one or more light emitting diodes and the second array of one or more light emitting diodes. 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the control circuit controls at least one of color, brightness, number of illuminated light emitting diodes, and lighting sequence for each of the first array of one or more light emitting diodes and the second array of one or more light emitting diodes. An aerosol generating device configured to do so. 49. The method of claim 48 or claim 49, wherein in combination with claim 31, the control circuit is configured to control the segmented display to advance through a preheat phase, advance through a main heat phase, advance through a current usage session, and An aerosol-generating device, configured to display at least one of the remaining charge levels of the power supply. 51. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 48, 49 or 50, wherein the control circuit is configured to control the second array of one or more light emitting diodes to display a current operating mode of the aerosol-generating device. 52. The method of claim 51, wherein the current operating mode is selectable from a list of modes including standby mode, device power on mode, preheating phase, main heating phase, normal heating mode, boost heating mode, and end of use session mode. Generating device. 53. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 25 to 52, further comprising a user input device, the user input device being integrated with the feedback device. 54. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 53, in combination with claim 26, wherein the user input device is located on the first housing portion or the second housing portion together with the visual feedback device. 54. The method of claim 54, in combination with claim 38, wherein the user input device has an annular shape, and the user input device is positioned between the first array of one or more light emitting diodes and the second array of one or more light emitting diodes. An aerosol generating device. 56. The aerosol-generating device of claim 55, wherein the user input device is positioned concentrically with the first array of one or more light emitting diodes and the second array of one or more light emitting diodes. 57. The aerosol-generating device of any one of claims 53 to 56, wherein the user input device includes at least one of an optical sensor, a capacitive touch sensor, and a resistive touch sensor. 58. The method of any one of claims 53 to 57, wherein the control circuit is configured to receive a signal from the user input device, the signal representing a user input, and the control circuit is configured to receive a signal from the user input device. An aerosol-generating device, further configured to control operation of the aerosol-generating device based on a signal. 59. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the control circuit is located within at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion. 60. The method of any one of claims 1 to 59, wherein the second housing part is removable by hand from the first housing part by a user without requiring the use of tools, or wherein the second housing part is removable from the first housing part by a user. An aerosol generating device that is removable from the first housing portion. 61. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the heater is an inductive heater. 62. The aerosol-generating device of claim 61, wherein the inductive heater comprises a single induction coil, only two induction coils, or a plurality of induction coils. 62. The method of claim 61, wherein the inductive heater is a first inductive heater and the aerosol-generating device comprises a third housing portion defining a chamber for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate and a second inductive heater located within the third housing portion. An aerosol-generating device, comprising an inductive heater, wherein the second housing portion is configured to be removably attached to the third housing portion, wherein the second inductive heater is different from the first inductive heater. 64. The method of claim 63, wherein the first inductive heater includes a first induction coil having a first number of rotations, and the second inductive heater includes a second inductive coil having a second number of rotations, and the second inductive heater includes a second inductive coil having a second number of rotations. The aerosol generating device, wherein the first rotation speed is different from the second rotation speed. 65. The method of claim 63 or 64, wherein the first inductive heater includes a first number of inductive coils, the second inductive heater includes a second number of inductive coils, and the first number of inductive coils is An aerosol-generating device with a different number of second induction coils. 66. The aerosol-generating device of claim 65, wherein the first inductive heater comprises a single induction coil and the second inductive heater comprises only two induction coils or a plurality of induction coils. 67. The method of any one of claims 1 to 66, further comprising a layer of material positioned between the first housing portion and the second housing portion when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. Aerosol generating device. 68. The aerosol-generating device of claim 67, wherein the material is at least one of a magnetic material and an electrically conductive material. 69. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 67 or 68, wherein the layer of material forms a magnetic shield. 69. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 67 to 69, wherein the layer of material is positioned between the heater and the second housing portion when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion. The method according to any one of claims 67 to 70, wherein the second housing part is configured to be attached to the first housing part along a side wall of the second housing part, and the material layer is formed so that the second housing part is attached to the first housing part. An aerosol-generating device that covers at least 25% of the side wall surface when attached to the first housing portion. 72. The aerosol according to any one of claims 67 to 71, wherein the layer of material is attached to the first housing portion, the second housing portion, or both the first housing portion and the second housing portion. Generating device. 73. The method of any one of claims 1 to 72, wherein the first housing portion defines an opening for inserting an aerosol-forming substrate into the chamber, and the aerosol-generating device comprises:
a cover movable between an open position where an aerosol-forming substrate can be inserted into the chamber and a closed position where insertion of the aerosol-forming substrate into the chamber is prevented; and
The aerosol-generating device further comprising a cover actuator comprising a rotatable portion configured to cause rotation of the rotatable portion to move the cover between the open and closed positions. 74. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 73, wherein the rotatable portion is rotatable in a first direction to move the cover from the open position to the closed position. 75. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 74, wherein the rotatable portion is rotatable in a second direction to move the cover from the closed position to the open position, the first direction being opposite the second direction. 76. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 73, 74 or 75, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of movable elements. 77. The aerosol-generating device of any one of claims 73-76, wherein the cover comprises an iris mechanism. 78. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 73 to 77, wherein an aerosol-forming substrate is longitudinally receivable within the chamber, and the rotatable portion is rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal direction. 79. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein a second opening is defined by the rotatable portion and an aerosol-generating article is receivable within the chamber through the second opening. The method of any one of claims 1 to 79, further comprising a first button and a second button at each position on the first housing part or the second housing part, wherein the first button is the second button. and having at least one of a different size and a different shape, wherein the first button is configured to activate a first function of the aerosol-generating device, and the second button is configured to activate a second function of the aerosol-generating device. and wherein the first function is different from the second function. 81. The aerosol-generating device of claim 80, wherein the first function is a first heating profile. 82. The aerosol-generating device of claim 81, wherein the second function is a second heating profile. 83. The aerosol-generating device of claim 82, wherein the first heating profile is different from the second heating profile. 84. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 80 to 83, wherein the control circuit has a low power mode and a mode of operation that uses more power than the low power mode. 85. The aerosol-generating device of claim 84, wherein the control circuitry is configured to transition from the low power mode to the operating mode in response to detecting activation of at least one of the first button and the second button. 86. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 80 to 85, wherein the control circuitry is configured to activate the first function in response to detecting activation of the first button for a predetermined period of time. 87. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 80 to 86, wherein the control circuitry is configured to activate the second function in response to detecting activation of the second button for a predetermined period of time. 88. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 87, wherein the aerosol-generating device is a heated-non-combustion device. 89. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the heater is arranged to heat a solid aerosol-forming substrate. 89. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 89, wherein the heater is arranged to heat a tobacco plug. 91. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the chamber is arranged to receive an aerosol-generating article comprising a solid aerosol-forming substrate. 92. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the chamber is arranged to receive an aerosol-generating article comprising a tobacco plug. 93. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the chamber is tubular in shape. 94. The aerosol-generating device of claim 93, wherein the tubular shape has a diameter between 6.5 mm and 7.0 mm. An aerosol generating system, comprising:
An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 94; and
An aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. 96. The aerosol-generating system of claim 95, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate. 97. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 95 or 96, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate is a cigarette plug-in. 98. The aerosol-generating system of any one of claims 95-97, wherein the aerosol-generating article further comprises at least one susceptor element. 99. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 95 to 98, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a cylindrical shape. 99. The aerosol-generating system of any one of claims 95-99, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a diameter of 6.5 mm to 7.0 mm. 101. The aerosol-generating system of any one of claims 95-100, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a length of 70 mm to 80 mm. 102. The aerosol-generating system of any one of claims 95-101, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a mass of 570 mg to 630 mg. 103. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 95 to 102, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a resistance to draw of 30 mm to 45 mm. A method of manufacturing an aerosol-generating device, said method comprising:
manufacturing a power module including a control circuit and a power supply;
manufacturing a heater module including an inductive heater;
Attaching the power module to the heater module; and
A method comprising programming the power module according to a type of heater module attached to or to be attached to the power module. 105. The method of claim 104, wherein the heater module comprises a single induction coil, only two induction coils, or a plurality of induction coils. 105. The method of claim 104, wherein the heater module is a first heater module, the inductive heater is a first inductive heater comprising a single induction coil, and the method comprises:
manufacturing a second heater module comprising a second inductive heater, wherein the second inductive heater comprises only two induction coils or a plurality of induction coils, and connecting the power module to the heater module. The method of claim 1, wherein attaching includes attaching the first heater module or the second heater module to the power module. 107. The method of claim 106, wherein the power module further includes a data storage device and a plurality of control programs stored on the data storage device, and wherein the programming step causes the control circuit to be configured according to a type of heater module attached to the power module. A method comprising selecting one of the control programs. 108. A method according to any one of claims 104 to 107, wherein the aerosol generating device is an aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 94.