RU2773916C1 - Aerosol generating device with product position sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: aerosol generating devices.

SUBSTANCE: inventions relates to an aerosol generating device, an aerosol generating system, and a method for generating a warning signal for an incorrect position of an aerosol generating product placed in an aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device comprises a containing area configured to removably receive an aerosol generating product and containing an aerosol generating substrate, a position sensor configured to detect the position of the placed aerosol generating product, a warning element configured to generate a warning signal, and controller. The controller is configured to receive a signal from a position sensor indicating the position of the placed aerosol generating product and control the warning element to generate a warning signal when the aerosol generating product is in an incorrect position. The controller is configured to control the warning element to generate an additional warning signal for a predetermined time when the heating element of the aerosol generating device operates longer than the second predetermined time during which the aerosol generating product is in the wrong position.

EFFECT: invention provides the possibility of optimal operation of the aerosol generating product when the aerosol generating product is in the wrong position.

14 cl, 7 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating apparatus, an aerosol generating system, and a method for generating a warning signal for an incorrect position of an aerosol generating article housed in an aerosol generating apparatus.

Cases are known of providing an aerosol generating device for generating inhaled vapor. Such devices can heat the aerosol generating substrate contained in the aerosol generating article without burning the aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol generating article may be placed in the aerosol generating device, in particular in the heating chamber of the aerosol generating device. A heating element is located in or around the heating chamber to heat the aerosol generating substrate after the aerosol generating article is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol generating device. Typically, the aerosol generating article is inserted into the aerosol generating device by the user. During insertion or during use, the aerosol generating product may not be correctly inserted or may move out of its original position. Also, the user may remove the aerosol generating article before completing the aerosol generating operation. Aerosol generation may be improperly affected if the aerosol generating product is not inserted into the aerosol generating device as indicated.

It would be desirable to have an aerosol generating device with optimized functionality if the aerosol generating article is in the wrong position.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating device is provided, comprising a containing region configured to removably receive an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating substrate. The device further comprises a position sensor configured to detect the position of the placed aerosol generating article, a warning element configured to generate a warning signal, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a signal from a position sensor indicating the position of the placed aerosol generating article. The controller is further configured to control the warning element to generate a warning signal when the aerosol generating article is in an incorrect position.

The generated warning signal allows the aerosol generating product to operate optimally when the aerosol generating product is in the wrong position. The user can adjust the position of the aerosol generating product when receiving an alert. In this way, an incorrect or unoptimized position of the aerosol generating article can be prevented. An incorrect or non-optimized position of an aerosol generating article may result in incorrect aerosol generation. Also, improper positioning of the aerosol generating product may result in the risk of the aerosol generating product falling out of or detaching from the aerosol generating device. For example, during use, the position of the aerosol generating product may change slightly due to the aerosol generating device being moved or shaken. If this position is changed, the aerosol generating product will not be properly felt by the user, the aerosol generating product may fall off, or the aerosol generating product may become detached from the aerosol generating device. This will usually mean that a new aerosol generating article needs to be inserted. By providing an alert when an incorrect position of the aerosol generating article is detected, the user can prevent the aerosol generating article from falling out completely from the aerosol generating device or being completely detached from it. Instead of the aerosol generating article changing its position during use of the aerosol generating device, potentially the aerosol generating article can also be inserted by the user in an incorrect or deviant manner. It can also cause the aerosol generating product to be placed in the aerosol generating device in an incorrect position. By generating an alert signal, the user can understand that the aerosol generating product is not optimally positioned in the aerosol generating device and can correct the positioning of the aerosol generating device.

In addition, incorrect positioning of the aerosol generating article may result in the aerosol not being generated in an optimized manner. For example, the distance between the aerosol generating substrate contained in the aerosol generating article and the heating element of the aerosol generating device may differ from the optimal distance if the aerosol generating article is in the wrong position. For example, the aerosol generating substrate may not be heated to a sufficient temperature for optimal aerosol generation. The generation of the warning signal allows the user to change the position of the aerosol generating product so that the aerosol can be generated in an optimal manner.

As a further advantage of the aerosol generating device, overheating of the heating element of the aerosol generating device can be prevented. From this point of view, an incorrect position of the aerosol generating device may result in the heating element not being able to properly transfer heat towards and into the aerosol generating substrate, the aerosol generating article. This can lead to an increase in the temperature of the heating element, which may be undesirable. Potentially, if the temperature of the heating element exceeds a certain temperature, undesirable constituents can be generated in the aerosol. The generation of an alert signal allows the user to correct the position of the aerosol generating product to prevent overheating of the heating element.

Additionally, misuse of aerosol generating articles can be prevented. From this point of view, incorrect positioning of the aerosol generating article may increase the likelihood of the aerosol generating article falling out of or detaching from the aerosol generating device. Generally, the user may lose such an article even if the aerosol generating substrate in the aerosol generating substrate is not yet completely consumed, and may then insert a new aerosol generating article.

As used herein, "aerosol generating device" refers to a device that interacts with an aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generating substrate may be part of an aerosol generating article, such as a part of a smoking article. The aerosol generating device may be a smoking article that interacts with the aerosol generating substrate of the aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol that is directly inhaled into the user's lungs through the user's mouth. The aerosol generating device may be a holder.

The device is preferably a portable or hand held device that can be comfortably held between the fingers of one hand. The device may be substantially cylindrical in shape and has a length of 70 to 120 mm. The maximum diameter of the device is preferably 10 to 20 mm. In one embodiment, the device has a polygonal cross section and includes a protruding button formed on one surface. In this embodiment, the diameter of the device is from 12.7 to 13.65 mm when measured from a flat surface to the opposite flat surface; 13.4 to 14.2 mm when measured from edge to opposite edge (i.e., from the intersection line of two surfaces on one side of the device to the corresponding intersection line on the other side), and 14.2 to 15 mm when measured from the top of the button to the opposite bottom flat surface.

The device may be an electrically heated smoking or vaping device. The device may be an electric smoking or vaping device that generates an aerosol through mechanical vibration or atomization.

In the context of this document, the term "aerosol generating article" refers to an article containing an aerosol generating substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. For example, an aerosol generating article may be an aerosol generating agent that is inhaled directly into the wearer's lungs through the wearer's mouth. The aerosol generating article may be disposable. A tobacco stick refers to an aerosol generating article containing an aerosol generating substrate that contains tobacco.

The aerosol generating article may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The aerosol generating article may be substantially oblong. The aerosol generating article may have a length and a circumference substantially perpendicular to the length. The aerosol generating substrate may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The aerosol generating substrate may be substantially oblong. The aerosol generating substrate may have a length and a circumference substantially perpendicular to the length.

The aerosol generating article may have an overall length of from about 30 mm to about 100 mm. The aerosol generating article may have an outer diameter of from about 5 mm to about 12 mm. An aerosol generating article may include a filter plug. A filter plug may be located at the downstream end of the aerosol generating article. The filter plug may be a cellulose acetate filter plug. The filter plug in one embodiment is about 7 mm long, however, it may be from about 5 mm to about 10 mm long.

In one embodiment, the aerosol generating article has an overall length of about 45 mm. The aerosol generating article may have an outer diameter of approximately 7.2 mm. In addition, the aerosol generating substrate may have a length of approximately 10 mm. Alternatively, the aerosol generating substrate may be approximately 12 mm long. In addition, the diameter of the aerosol generating substrate may be from about 5 mm to about 12 mm. An aerosol generating article may include an outer paper wrapper. In addition, the aerosol generating article may include a spacer between the aerosol generating substrate and the filter plug. The separator may be about 18 mm, but may range from about 5 mm to about 25 mm.

Alternatively, the aerosol generating article may be in the form of a cartridge. The cartridge is particularly preferred if the aerosol generating substrate is provided as a liquid aerosol generating substrate. If the aerosol generating substrate is provided in liquid form, the liquid aerosol generating substrate may be contained in the liquid storage part of the cartridge. The liquid storage portion is adapted to store the aerosol generating liquid substrate to be supplied to the heating element of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, the cartridge itself may comprise a heating element for evaporating the aerosol generating liquid substrate. In this case, the aerosol generating device may not include a heating element, but only supply electrical power to the heating element of the cartridge when the cartridge is placed in the aerosol generating device. The liquid storage portion may contain compounds, such as self-healing pierceable membranes, to facilitate delivery of the aerosol generating liquid substrate to the heating element. The membranes prevent unwanted leakage of the aerosol generating liquid substrate stored in the liquid storage portion. A suitable needle-shaped hollow tube may be provided for piercing the membrane. The liquid storage part may be in the form of a replaceable container or container.

The cartridge may be of any suitable shape and size. For example, the cartridge may be substantially cylindrical. The cross section of the cartridge may be, for example, substantially circular, elliptical, square or rectangular.

The cartridge may include a casing. The casing may include a base and one or more side walls extending from the base. The base and one or more side walls may be integrally formed. The base and one or more side walls may be separate elements that are attached or attached to each other. The casing may be a rigid casing. In the context of this document, the term "hard shell" is used to refer to a shell that is self-supporting. The rigid cartridge case may provide mechanical support for the heating element. The cartridge may contain one or more flexible walls. The flexible walls may be configured to accommodate the volume of the aerosol generating liquid substrate stored in the cartridge. Preferably, the cartridge comprises, as described above, a liquid storage portion, which may include a flexible wall. The cartridge may include a rigid case, while a fluid storage portion containing a flexible wall may be housed within the rigid case. The cartridge case may comprise any suitable material. The cartridge may comprise a substantially liquid-impervious material. The cartridge case may include a transparent or translucent portion so that the aerosol generating liquid substrate stored in the cartridge may be visible to a user through the case. The cartridge may be configured such that the aerosol generating substrate stored in the cartridge is protected from ambient air. The cartridge may be configured such that the aerosol generating substrate stored in the cartridge is protected from light. This can reduce the risk of substrate degradation and can maintain a high level of hygiene.

The aerosol generating liquid substrate may be absorbed by the porous carrier material. The porous carrier material may be made from any suitable absorbent plug or piece, such as metal or plastic foam, polypropylene, terylene, nylon fibers, or ceramic. The aerosol generating liquid substrate may be retained in the porous carrier material prior to use of the aerosol generating device, or alternatively the aerosol generating liquid substrate material may be released into the porous carrier material during or immediately prior to use.

The cartridge may be substantially sealed. The cartridge may include one or more outlets for liquid aerosol generating substrate stored in the cartridge to flow from the cartridge into the aerosol generating device. The cartridge may contain one or more semi-open inlets. This can allow ambient air to enter the cartridge. The one or more semi-open inlets may be semi-permeable membranes or check valves, permeable so as to allow ambient air to enter the cartridge and impermeable so as to substantially prevent the air and liquid within the cartridge from leaving the cartridge. One or more semi-open inlets may allow air to pass into the interior of the cartridge under specific conditions. The cartridge may be refillable. Alternatively, the cartridge may be in the form of a replaceable cartridge. The aerosol generating device may be configured to receive a cartridge. A new cartridge may be attached to the aerosol generating device when the original cartridge is used up.

In the context of this document, the term "aerosol generating substrate" means a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol generating substrate may conveniently be part of an aerosol generating article or an aerosol generating article.

The aerosol generating substrate may be a solid aerosol generating substrate. Alternatively, the aerosol generating substrate may contain both solid and liquid components. As a further alternative, the aerosol generating substrate may be a liquid aerosol generating substrate. As described above, an aerosol generating liquid substrate is typically used in conjunction with a cartridge containing a liquid storage portion. The aerosol generating substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the substrate upon heating. Alternatively, the aerosol generating substrate may comprise non-tobacco material. The aerosol generating substrate may further comprise an aerosol generating agent that promotes the formation of a dense and stable aerosol. Examples of suitable aerosol forming agents are glycerin and propylene glycol.

The aerosol generating solid substrate may contain, for example, one or more of the following: powder, granules, pellets, pieces, thin tubes, strips, or sheets containing one or more of the following: grass leaves, tobacco leaves, tobacco stem fragments, reconstituted tobacco, homogenized tobacco, extruded tobacco, molded sheet tobacco and expanded tobacco. The aerosol generating solid substrate may be in loose form or may be provided in a suitable container or cartridge. Optionally, the aerosol generating solid substrate may contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds to be released when the substrate is heated. The aerosol generating solid substrate may also contain capsules which contain, for example, additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds, and such capsules may melt during heating of the aerosol generating solid substrate.

In the context of this document, the term "homogenized tobacco" refers to a material formed by agglomeration of tobacco in the form of particles. The homogenized tobacco may be in the form of a leaf. The aerosolizing agent content of the homogenized tobacco material may be greater than 5% on a dry weight basis. Alternatively, the aerosolizing agent content of the homogenized tobacco material may be from 5% to 30% by weight, based on dry weight. Sheets of homogenized tobacco material may be formed by agglomerating loose tobacco obtained by grinding or otherwise combining one or both of the tobacco leaf blade and tobacco leaf stems. Alternatively or additionally, the sheets of homogenized tobacco material may contain one or more of tobacco dust, tobacco fines, and other bulk tobacco by-products generated, for example, during tobacco processing, handling, and shipping. Sheets of homogenized tobacco material may contain one or more internal binders, ie tobacco endogenous binders, one or more external binders, ie tobacco exogenous binders, or a combination thereof, to promote agglomeration of bulk tobacco; alternatively or additionally, the homogenized tobacco material sheets may contain other additives, including, but not limited to, tobacco and non-tobacco fibers, aerosolizers, humectants, plasticizers, flavorants, fillers, aqueous and non-aqueous solvents, and combinations thereof.

Optionally, the aerosol generating solid substrate may be provided on or embedded in a thermally stable carrier. The carrier may be in the form of a powder, granules, beads, pieces, thin tubes, strips or sheets. Alternatively, the carrier may be a tubular carrier having a thin layer of solid substrate deposited on its inner surface, or on its outer surface, or on both its inner and outer surfaces. Such a tubular carrier may be made of, for example, paper or a paper-like material, a carbon fiber nonwoven mat, a light mesh metal screen or perforated metal foil, or any other thermostable polymeric matrix.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the aerosol generating substrate comprises an assembled corrugated sheet of homogenized tobacco material. As used herein, the term "corrugated sheet" means a sheet having a plurality of substantially parallel folds or corrugations. Preferably, when the aerosol generating article is assembled, substantially parallel folds or corrugations extend along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article. This advantageously facilitates the collection of the corrugated sheet of homogenized tobacco material to form an aerosol generating substrate. However, it should be appreciated that corrugated sheets of homogenized tobacco material for inclusion in an aerosol generating article may alternatively or additionally have a plurality of substantially parallel pleats or corrugations that are located at an acute or obtuse angle to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article when the article aerosol generating was collected. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate may comprise an assembled sheet of homogenized tobacco material that is substantially evenly textured over substantially the entire surface. For example, the aerosol generating substrate may comprise an assembled corrugated sheet of homogenized tobacco material comprising a plurality of substantially parallel pleats or corrugations that are substantially evenly spaced across the width of the sheet.

The aerosol generating solid substrate may be applied to the surface of the carrier in the form of, for example, a sheet, foam, gel or suspension. The solid aerosol generating substrate may be applied to the entire surface of the carrier, or alternatively may be applied in a pattern to provide non-uniform flavor delivery during use.

For an aerosol generating liquid substrate, certain physical properties, such as vapor pressure or substrate viscosity, are chosen to be suitable for use in an aerosol generating system. The liquid preferably contains a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the liquid upon heating. Alternatively or additionally, the liquid may contain non-tobacco material. The liquid may include water, ethanol or other solvents, herbal extracts, nicotine solutions, and natural or artificial flavors. Preferably, the liquid further comprises an aerosol generating agent. Examples of suitable aerosol forming agents are glycerin and propylene glycol.

The aerosol generating device may include an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit can be made in the form of a controller. The circuitry may include a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The microprocessor may be part of the controller. The electrical circuit may contain additional electronic components. The electrical circuit may be configured to control the power supply to the heating element. Power may be supplied to the heating element continuously after activation of the system, or may be supplied intermittently, for example, from puff to puff. Power may be supplied to the heating element in the form of electrical current pulses. The circuitry may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element and preferably control the power supply to the evaporator in response to the electrical resistance of the heating element.

The aerosol generating device may include a power supply, typically a battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor. The power supply may require recharging and may have a capacity that provides sufficient energy storage for one or more uses; for example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to continuously generate an aerosol for a period of approximately six minutes, or for a period in multiples of six minutes. In another example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to provide a given number of puffs or individual heating element activations.

The heating element may be any device suitable for heating the aerosol generating substrate and vaporizing at least a portion of the aerosol generating substrate to form a respirable aerosol. The heating element may be, for example, a coil-type heater, a capillary tube heater, a mesh heating element, or a metal plate heater. The heating element may be, for example, a resistive heating element that receives power and converts at least a portion of the received power into thermal energy. Alternatively or additionally, the heating element may be a current collector that is inductively heated by a magnetic field that changes over time. The heating element may contain only one heating element or more heating elements. The temperature of the heating element or elements is preferably controlled by an electrical circuit.

In all aspects of the invention, the heating element may comprise an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically resistive materials include, but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically "conductive" ceramics (such as, for example, molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys, and composite materials made from ceramic material and metal material. Such composite materials may contain alloyed or unalloyed ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbides. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, gold and silver. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel, cobalt, chromium, aluminum, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, gold- and iron-containing alloys, as well as high-temperature alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, Timetal® and alloys based on iron-manganese-aluminum. In composite materials, the electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated in or coated with the insulating material, or vice versa, depending on the energy transfer kinetics and the desired external physicochemical properties.

The heating element may be part of an aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device may comprise an internal heating element, or an external heating element, or both internal and external heating elements, with the words "internal" and "external" being used in relation to the aerosol generating substrate. The inner heating element may be of any suitable shape. For example, the inner heating element may be in the form of a heating plate. Alternatively, the internal heater may be in the form of a sheath or substrate with various electrically conductive parts, or an electrically resistive metal tube. Alternatively, the internal heating element may be one or more heating needles or rods that extend through the center of the aerosol generating substrate. Other alternatives include a heating wire or filament such as Ni-Cr (nickel-chromium), platinum, tungsten or alloy wire, or a heating plate. Optionally, the internal heating element may be applied internally or externally to the rigid carrier material. In one such embodiment, the electrically resistive heating element may be formed using a metal having a specific relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary device, the metal may be formed as a track on a suitable insulating material such as ceramic material and then sandwiched between layers of another insulating material such as glass. The heaters thus formed can be used both for heating and for monitoring the temperature of the heating elements during operation.

The outer heating element may be of any suitable shape. For example, the outer heating element may be in the form of one or more sheets of flexible heating foil on a dielectric substrate such as polyimide. The sheets of flexible heating foil can be shaped to fit the perimeter of the cavity to accommodate the substrate. Alternatively, the outer heating element may take the form of a metal grid or grids, a flexible printed circuit board, a molded connector (MID), a ceramic heater, a flexible carbon fiber heater, or may be formed using a coating technique such as plasma vapor deposition on appropriately shaped substrate. The outer heating element may also be formed using a metal having a specific relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary device, metal can be formed as a track between two layers of suitable insulating materials. The outer heating element thus formed can be used both for heating and for monitoring the temperature of the outer heating element during operation.

The inner or outer heating element may comprise a heat sink or heat reservoir containing a material capable of absorbing and storing heat and subsequently releasing heat over time to the aerosol generating substrate. The heatsink may be formed from any suitable material such as a suitable metal or ceramic material. In one embodiment, the material has a high heat capacity (sensitive heat storage material) or is a material capable of absorbing and subsequently releasing heat through a reversible process such as a high temperature phase transition. Suitable sensitive heat storage materials include silica gel, alumina, carbon, glass mat, fiberglass, minerals, metal or alloy such as aluminium, silver or lead, and cellulosic material such as paper. Other suitable materials that release heat as a result of a reversible phase change include paraffin, sodium acetate, naphthalene, wax, polyethylene oxide, a metal, a metal salt, a mixture of eutectic salts, or an alloy. The radiator or heat reservoir can be positioned so that it is in direct contact with the aerosol generating substrate and can transfer the stored heat directly to the substrate. Alternatively, heat stored in a radiator or heat reservoir may be transferred to an aerosol generating substrate via a heat conductor such as a metal tube.

The heating element predominantly heats the aerosol generating substrate by conduction. The heating element may at least partially be in contact with the substrate or carrier on which the substrate is applied. Alternatively, heat from an internal or external heating element may be conducted to the substrate via a heat transfer element.

During operation, the aerosol generating substrate may be completely contained within the aerosol generating device. In this case, the user can puff on the mouthpiece of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, during operation, an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating substrate may be partially contained within an aerosol generating device. In this case, the user can puff directly on the aerosol generating article.

An incorrect position of the aerosol generating article may be a position in which vaporization and aerosol generation of the aerosol generating substrate of the aerosol generating article is still possible. An incorrect position of the aerosol generating article may be a position different from the desired optimal operating position of the aerosol generating article.

Therefore, the incorrect position may be a position between the desired optimal operating position of the aerosol generating article and a position of the aerosol generating article in which aerosol cannot be generated. In other words, an incorrect position may be a position in which the aerosol generating device can still operate, but not in an optimal manner. Additionally, in other words, the misposition may be a position in which the aerosol generating device can still operate, but in which a repositioning of the aerosol generating article may be desirable to optimize the operation of the aerosol generating device. From this point of view, the operation of the aerosol generating device can be optimized if the aerosol generating article is placed in the aerosol generating device in the desired optimum operating position. Any deviation from this desired optimum operating position may reduce the efficiency of aerosol generation. However, a small deviation from the desired optimum operating position may still be acceptable for aerosol generation. The given deviation from the desired optimum operating position may be taken as still satisfying the requirement for the aerosol generating article to be located in the desired optimum operating position. Therefore, the controller may be configured to only control the generation of an alert by the alert element if the aerosol generating article is located outside of the desired optimum operating position. In addition, the controller may be configured to stop generating an alert if the aerosol generating article is in a position that deviates from the desired optimum operating position by even more than an incorrect position. For example, the generation of an alert signal can be stopped if the aerosol generating product falls out of the aerosol generating device or is completely detached from it. In this case, the controller may be configured to stop the operation of the heating element. Therefore, the aerosol generating device is capable of normal operation if the aerosol generating article is positioned within the desired optimum operating position. If the aerosol generating article deviates from this position within certain limits, this deviation is detected by the position sensor and a warning signal is generated by the warning element. If the position of the aerosol generating product changes even further in an undesirable direction, the operation of the heating element may be stopped by the controller and the generation of the warning signal may also be stopped. Alternatively, the controller may be configured to stop operation of the heating element in this case while the warning signal may still be generated. Therefore, the user may receive an alert and realize that the aerosol generating article is not in the desired optimum operating position. Alternatively or additionally, the warning signal may be changed if the position of the aerosol generating article changes from an undesired position to a position in which operation of the aerosol generating device is no longer possible. This may have the advantage of providing feedback to the user as to the position of the aerosol generating article.

The position sensor may comprise electrical contacts configured to contact the conductive region of the aerosol generating article when the aerosol generating article is placed in the host region, or the position sensor may comprise a conductive region configured to contact the electrical contacts of the aerosol generating article, when the aerosol generating article is placed in the containing area.

In this aspect, the position sensor may be configured to detect the position of the aerosol generating article if a conductive region of the aerosol generating article comes into contact with the electrical contacts of the position sensor. The conductive region of the aerosol-generating article may be of a size and shape that allows the aerosol-generating article to be located within certain limits while still remaining in contact with the electrical contacts of the position sensor. A position sensor of more than two electrical contacts to enable detection of multiple positions of the aerosol generating article. For example, a position sensor may include a plurality of electrical contacts. In this case, if at least two electrical contacts of the position sensor lose contact with the conductive region of the aerosol generating product, the position sensor detects that the aerosol generating product is no longer located in the optimal desired operating position, but is in the wrong position. In this case, the controller may be configured to provide an alert to the user to indicate that the position of the aerosol generating article has been changed from the optimal desired operating position to an incorrect position. If more than two contacts from the position sensor lose contact with the conductive area of the aerosol generating product, the position sensor can detect that the aerosol generating product has gone even beyond the wrong position and is now in a position in which the aerosol generating device is no longer works. Therefore, the controller can stop the operation of the heating element. Therefore, the electrical contacts of the position sensor can be used to detect whether the aerosol generating article is within the optimal desired operating position or within the wrong position.

Instead of a position sensor comprising one or more electrical contacts and an aerosol generating article comprising a conductive region, the position sensor may comprise a conductive region, wherein the aerosol generating article may comprise one or more electrical contacts. The functionality of the position sensor may be substantially identical. From this point of view, the position sensor can determine whether the electrical contacts of the aerosol generating article are placed in the aerosol generating device to contact the conductive region of the position sensor and to determine that the aerosol generating article is either in the desired optimal operating position, or in the wrong position, in which case the controller may be configured to issue a warning signal.

The position sensor may include a proximity sensor configured to measure the distance between the position of the aerosol generating article and the desired optimum operating position of the aerosol generating article.

The proximity sensor may be any known proximity sensor such as a laser sensor or an infrared sensor. The proximity sensor may be positioned to measure the distance between the proximity sensor and the aerosol generating article placed in the aerosol generating device. In particular, the proximity sensor may be located on or near the base of the enclosing area. The proximity sensor can measure a distance in the direction of the aerosol generating article when the aerosol generating article is placed in the enclosing area.

The proximity sensor can be made in the form of a Hall sensor.

An aerosol generating article may contain an element that generates a magnetic field. This element may be in the form of a roll. By inserting the aerosol generating article into the containing area of the aerosol generating device, the distance between the Hall sensor and the roll of the aerosol generating article is reduced. Therefore, the Hall sensor can measure the magnetic field generated by the corresponding element of the aerosol generating product when the distance between the aerosol generating product and the Hall sensor becomes below a predetermined threshold value. In this case, the proximity sensor can detect that the aerosol generating product has reached an incorrect position in which the heating element can be activated and the aerosol generating device can be operated. When the aerosol generating article is fully placed within the accommodating area of the aerosol generating device, the proximity sensor can detect that the aerosol generating article is now in the desired optimum operating position.

The controller may be configured to enable the heating element of the aerosol generating device to be activated when the proximity sensor detects that the aerosol generating article has reached the desired optimum operating position.

The element of the aerosol generating article that generates the magnetic field may be located near the end of the aerosol generating article located in and on the accommodating area of the aerosol generating device. This end may be the distal end of the aerosol generating article. Therefore, when the aerosol generating article is completely placed in the containing area of the aerosol generating device, the magnetic field generating member of the aerosol generating article can be located immediately adjacent to the proximity sensor in the form of a Hall sensor.

In the context of this document, the terms "upstream", "downstream", "near" and "far" are used to describe the relative positions of the components or parts of the components of the aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating product, with respect to the direction in which the user is exercising puff on the aerosol generating device or aerosol generating product during use.

The position sensor may be configured to deactivate and prevent the generation of an alert signal when the heating element of the aerosol generating device is not operating. The controller may be configured to prevent the warning element from generating an alert signal when the heating element of the aerosol generating device is not operating. The warning element may be configured to deactivate and prevent the generation of a warning signal when the heating element of the aerosol generating device is not operating.

To prevent confusion for the user, the warning signal may not be generated when the heating element is not operating. The location of the aerosol generating product may not be critical when the heating element is not activated.

The controller may be configured to control the warning element to generate an additional warning signal for a predetermined time when the heating element of the aerosol generating device operates longer than the second predetermined time during which the aerosol generating product is in the wrong position.

An additional warning signal can prevent the heating element from overheating. Heat may not be optimally transferred from the heating element to the aerosol generating substrate of the aerosol generating article located in the wrong position. Therefore, the temperature of the heating element may rise to an undesirable degree. If the user does not correct the position of the aerosol generating article from the incorrect position back to the desired optimum operating position, the heating element may thus be overheated. Therefore, the controller may be configured to measure the second predetermined time. A second warning signal may be generated if the second predetermined time has elapsed. An additional warning signal may be generated by the warning element to indicate to the user that the heating element may be overheated. Therefore, the user may refrain from activating the aerosol generating device during the additional warning period. An additional warning signal may be activated for a first predetermined time to allow the heating element to cool down, thus, due to the reduced temperature of the heating element, the aerosol generating device can be safely re-activated. If the user changes the position of the aerosol generating product before the second predetermined time has elapsed, the additional warning signal may not be generated by the warning element. In this case, overheating of the heating element will not occur because the aerosol generating article is in the wrong position for only a short amount of time.

The controller may be configured to prevent operation of the heating element for the duration of the additional warning signal.

Preventing the heating element from operating during the duration of the additional warning signal may help the heating element to cool sufficiently. Therefore, overheating of the heating element can be prevented by this method.

The containing area may be a heating chamber.

The heating chamber may be shaped to allow insertion of the aerosol generating article into the heating chamber. The heating element may be located in or around the heating chamber as an internal or external heating element as described above. This aspect is particularly preferred if the aerosol generating article comprises an aerosol generating solid substrate.

The aerosol generating device may include a heating element, wherein the controller may be configured to cause the heating element to be activated only if the position sensor detects that the aerosol generating article is in the desired optimum operating position.

According to this aspect, initial activation of the heating element may only be possible if the aerosol generating article is located in the desired optimum operating position. The heating element may be able to operate when the aerosol generating article is located in the desired optimum operating position. Additionally, the heating element may be able to operate when the aerosol generating article is in the wrong position. In addition to the fact that the heating element is still able to operate in this position of the aerosol generating product, the warning signal will be generated by the warning element as described above. Therefore, the consumer can still operate the aerosol generating device to generate an inhalable aerosol while receiving a response that the aerosol generating article is no longer in the optimal desired operating position. For this reason, the user may be able to change the position of the aerosol generating product in a timely manner during the continuous operation of the aerosol generating device. If the position of the aerosol generating article is not changed in a timely manner, an additional warning signal may be generated by the warning element. As described above, the heating element may be turned off during the duration of the additional warning signal to prevent the heating element from overheating. According to this aspect, the heating element can be operated when the aerosol generating article is in the desired optimum operating position or in the wrong position. However, the heating element can only be activated when the aerosol generating article is in the desired optimum operating position. The heating element cannot be activated when the position sensor detects that the aerosol generating article is placed in the wrong position in the placement part. In this way, it is ensured that the aerosol generating article is initially correctly positioned in the enclosing area before the heating element is activated.

The aerosol generating device may include a heating element, wherein the controller may be configured to deactivate the heating element if the position sensor detects that the aerosol generating article is in the wrong position.

This aspect can improve the safety of the aerosol generating device. From this point of view, if the aerosol generating product is in the wrong position, it may adversely affect the operation of the aerosol generating device and its generation of aerosol. For example, as described above, the heating element may overheat if the distance between the aerosol generating article and the heating element is not optimal. Also, the generated aerosol may not be of the desired quality if the aerosol generating article is not in the desired optimum operating position. Therefore, it may be necessary or beneficial to deactivate the heating element if the aerosol generating article is in the wrong position. If the user changes the position of the aerosol generating article to the desired optimum operating position, the controller may be configured to cause the heating element to be activated.

The position sensor may be configured to detect the distance from the aerosol generating article to the desired optimum operating position, wherein the warning element may be configured to generate a stepped warning signal dependent on the detected distance from the aerosol generating article to the desired optimum operating position .

The stepped warning signal can be sensed by the user, thus the user can detect the degree of misalignment of the aerosol generating article. For example, as described above, if the position sensor is configured as a proximity sensor, an alert may be generated by the alert element depending on the distance between the current position of the aerosol generating article and the desired optimum operating position of the aerosol generating article. As the aerosol generating product gets closer to the desired optimum operating position, the warning signal may decrease in steps. Conversely, if the distance between the desired optimum operating position of the aerosol generating article and the current position of the aerosol generating article is increased, the warning signal may be increased in steps accordingly. Therefore, the stepped alert allows the user to understand how far the position of the aerosol generating article is from the desired optimum operating position. Based on this, the user can understand how to optimally change the position of the product that generates the aerosol. Also, the user can recognize when there is a threat of the aerosol generating article falling out of or detaching from the aerosol generating device.

The aerosol generating device may include a heating element, wherein the heating element and the position sensor may share a common electrical circuit.

As described above, the heating element may be an electrical heating element. As also described above, the position sensor may be electrical. In particular, in the case where both the heating element and the position sensor are electrical, using the same electrical circuit for the position sensor as well as the heating element can simplify the design of the aerosol generating device. Additionally, in this case, the aerosol generating device can be designed to be more economical.

The warning signal may be any type of known warning signal. For example, the warning signal may be a tactile warning signal. The tactile alert may be provided by a tactile element such as a motor, such as a motor that generates vibration. The warning signal may be an optical warning signal, such as a flashing LED. The warning signal may be an acoustic warning signal, such as a sound. Therefore, the warning element may be one or more of a motor, a light source, or an electro-acoustic transducer.

The present invention also relates to an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device as described above and an aerosol generating article containing an aerosol generating substrate.

The device also relates to a method for generating a warning signal for an incorrect position of an aerosol generating article placed in an aerosol generating device as described above, including:

detection by means of a position sensor of the position of the placed aerosol generating product,

controlling by the controller the warning element to generate a warning signal when the aerosol generating article is in an incorrect position.

The method may include inserting an aerosol generating article into an accommodating area of the aerosol generating device.

The method may include detecting, by means of a position sensor, the distance between the aerosol generating article and the desired optimum operating position, or the distance between the aerosol generating article and the position sensor.

The method may include deactivating the heating element when the position sensor detects that the aerosol generating article is in the wrong position. Alternatively, the method may include deactivating the heating element when the position sensor detects that the aerosol generating article is further away from the desired optimum operating position than the incorrect position.

The method may include issuing an additional warning signal if the aerosol generating article has been in the wrong position for longer than a first predetermined time. An additional warning signal may be generated by the warning element for a second predetermined time to allow the heating element to cool and thereby prevent the heating element from overheating.

The features described in relation to one aspect can be equally applied to other aspects of the present invention.

The present invention will now be described solely by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows an aerosol generating device according to the present invention;

fig. 2 - an aerosol generating device with an aerosol generating product placed;

fig. 3 shows an aerosol generating device with an aerosol generating article in the wrong position;

fig. 4 shows an aerosol generating device for use with an aerosol generating article in the form of a cartridge;

fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the connection between the aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating article shown in FIG. four;

fig. 6 is a further enlarged view of the connection shown in FIG. 5 showing the aerosol generating article closer to the aerosol generating device; and

fig. 7 is a further enlarged view of the connection shown in FIG. 5 and 6, in which the aerosol generating article is even closer to the aerosol generating device.

In FIG. 1 shows an aerosol generating device 10. The aerosol generating device 10 includes a containing area 12 configured to accommodate the aerosol generating article 14. The aerosol generating article 14 is not shown in FIG. 1 but shown in FIG. 2 and subsequent figures. The containment area 12 is located in the aerosol generating device 10 shown in FIG. 1 and has the shape of a cavity. The cavity forms a heating chamber.

In addition, the heating element 16 is shown in FIG. 1. The heating element 16 is in the form of a pin or plate. The heating element 16 extends along the longitudinal axis of the containing region 12. The heating element 16 is located centrally in the containing region 12. The heating element 16 has a tapering proximal end to penetrate the aerosol generating substrate contained in the aerosol generating article 14. The heating element 16 is an electrically heated heating element 16. The heating element 16 may be a resistive heating element 16. However, the heating element 16 may also be in the form of an induction heating element 16. In this case, the heating element 16 comprises a current collector material. In addition, in this case, the induction coil surrounding the containing area 12 will be adapted to create eddy currents in the heating element 16. In all embodiments described herein, the heating element 16 is preferably in the form of a resistive heating element 16, but may also be made in the form of an induction heating element 16.

In FIG. 1 additionally shows the power supply unit 18. The power supply 18 is preferably in the form of a battery. The power supply 18 is configured to supply electrical power to the heating element 16 to heat the heating element 16. FIG. 1 additionally shows the electrical contacts of the power supply unit 20. In FIG. 1, the electrical contacts of the power supply unit 20 are open. In other words, the electrical contacts of the power supply 20 do not make contact in FIG. 1. As will be described in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3, the contact of the power supply 18 can contact the aerosol generating product 14 when the aerosol generating product 14 is inserted into the containing region 12. In this case, the electrical contacts of the power supply 20 can be closed and power can be supplied from the power supply 18 supply to the heating element 16. Therefore, it is ensured that the heating element 16 can only operate when the aerosol generating article 14 is inserted into the containing region 12. In this way, unwanted activation of the heating element 16 is prevented. to undesirable overheating of the heating element 16. Also, undesired activation of the heating element 16 may waste power from the power supply 18.

Under the power supply 18 in FIG. 1 shows the position sensor 22. The position sensor 22 contains the electrical contacts of the position sensor 24 . The electrical contacts of the position sensor 24 are configured to close when the aerosol generating article 14 is sufficiently inserted into the containing region 12. Before that, as shown in FIG. 1, the electrical contacts of the position element are open. The position sensor 22 is configured to detect the position of the aerosol generating product 14 within the enclosing area 12. In particular, the position sensor 22 is configured to detect whether the aerosol generating product 14 is located in an incorrect position. The output of position sensor 22 may be received by controller 26. Controller 26 is also shown in FIG. 1. The controller 26 is connected to the position sensor 22. The connection is not shown in Fig. 1. The controller 26 may also be connected to the heating element 16. The controller 26 may also be connected to the power supply 18. In particular, the controller 26 may be configured to control the supply of electricity from the power supply 18 to the heating element 16. From this point of view, the electrical contacts of the power supply 20, as shown in FIG. 1 can prevent the supply of electricity from the power supply 18 to the heating element 16 if the electrical contacts of the power supply 20 are not closed. However, the electrical contacts of the power supply 20 may be closed when the aerosol generating article 14 has not been fully inserted into the containing region 12 in the desired optimum operating position. The position sensor 22 may be configured to detect whether the aerosol generating article 14 has been fully inserted into the enclosing region 12. In other words, the position sensor 22 may be configured to detect whether the aerosol generating article 14 has been inserted into containing area 12 in the desired optimum working position. The controller 26 may be configured to ensure that the heating element 16 is activated only when the position sensor 22 detects that the aerosol generating article 14 has been inserted in the desired optimum operating position. The insertion of the aerosol generating article 14, the contact closure of the power supply 18, and the contact closure of the position sensor 22 will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2 and 3.

In FIG. 1 also shows the warning element 28. The warning element 28 may be configured to generate a warning signal to the user if the position sensor 22 detects that the aerosol generating article 14 is in the wrong position. The warning element 28 may be connected to the controller 26. The connection between the warning element 28 and the controller 26 is not shown in FIG. 1. In addition, the warning element 28 may be connected to one or more of the power supply 18, the heating element 16, and the position sensor 22. The warning element 28 may be configured to provide an acoustic, tactile or optical signal. The controller 26 may be configured to control the generation of a warning signal by the warning element 28 . The controller 26 may be configured to cause the warning signal to be generated only after the aerosol generating product 14 has been initially positioned in the desired optimum operating position. In other words, the generation of an alert signal can be provided after the initial position of the aerosol generating product 14 and subsequent activation of the heating element 16. If the position of the aerosol generating product 14 then changes to an incorrect position during use, the controller 26 can be configured to control element 28 warning to generate a warning signal. Alternatively, the controller 26 may be configured to control the warning element 28 to generate a warning signal each time the aerosol generating article 14 is in the wrong position. The controller 26 may be configured to cause the warning element 28 to generate an alert signal only when the electrical contacts of the heating element 40 are closed. In this case, generation of the warning signal is prevented if no aerosol generating article 14 is inserted into the enclosing area 12, and normal operation of the aerosol generating device 10 is desired.

In FIG. 2 shows the aerosol generating device 10 of FIG. 1, in which the aerosol generating article 14 has been fully inserted into the containing region 12. The aerosol generating article 14 contains an aerosol generating substrate that can be vaporized by the heating element 16 to generate an inhalable aerosol. The aerosol generating article 14 is inserted at the proximal end of the aerosol generating device 10. First, the distal end of the aerosol generating article 14 is inserted. An additional mouthpiece (not shown) may be provided at the proximal end of the aerosol generating article 14. The generated aerosol may flow into the mouthpiece for inhalation by the user. Alternatively, the user may puff directly on the proximal end of the aerosol generating article 14 to inhale the generated aerosol. The aerosol generating article 14 includes a conductive region 30. The conductive region 30 is located at or near the distal end of the aerosol generating article 14. The conductive region 30 is located on the outer circumference of the aerosol generating article 14. Preferably, the conductive region 30 is in the form of a ring and is located completely around the outer circumference of the aerosol generating article 14. Thus, regardless of the rotation of the aerosol-generating article 14 about the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article 14, detecting the position of the aerosol-generating article 14 and activating the heating element 16, as will be described later, are possible.

From this point of view, the conductive region 30 of the aerosol generating article 14 is configured to contact the contacts of the power supply 18 as well as the contacts of the position sensor 22 when the aerosol generating article 14 is inserted into the containing region 12. In more detail, the conductive region 30, located on the outer circumference of the aerosol generating article 14 slides along the inner wall of the containing region 12 during insertion of the aerosol generating article 14 into the containing region 12. As can be seen in FIG. 1-3, the contacts of the power supply 18 as well as the contacts of the position sensor 22 are also located on the inner side wall of the containing region 12. Therefore, when the aerosol generating article 14 slides into the containing region 12, the conductive region 30 of the aerosol generating article 14 is can contact with the contact of the power supply unit 18 and subsequently with the contacts of the position sensor 22. From this point of view, the contacts of the power supply 18 are located closer to the proximal end of the aerosol generating device 10 than the contacts of the position sensor 22. In other words, the contacts of the power supply unit 18 are arranged in the downstream direction as compared to the upstream contacts of the position sensor 22.

The conductive region 30 of the aerosol generating article 14 is essential to the operation of the aerosol generating device 10. During insertion of the aerosol generating article 14 into the containing region 12, the electrical contacts of the power supply unit 20 are first closed by the conductive region 30 of the aerosol generating article 14. From this point of view, the conductive region 30 first contacts both contacts of the power supply 18 . Thereafter, power supply 18 may be configured to supply power from power supply 18 to heating element 16. Power supply from power supply 18 to heating element 16 may be controlled by controller 26. However, at this stage, controller 26 may be configured to prevent power being supplied. from the power supply unit 18 to the heating element 16 because the aerosol generating article 14 has not yet been fully inserted into the containing region 12. If the aerosol generating article 14 is further inserted into the containing region 12 as shown in FIG. 2, the aerosol generating article 14 can be positioned in the desired optimum operating position. In this position, not only the electrical contacts of the power supply 20 are closed by the conductive region 30 of the aerosol generating article 14, but also the electrical contacts of the position sensor 24 are closed by the containing region 12. From this point of view, the containing region 12 has such an extent as to close several contacts in order to contact with power supply unit 18, and position sensor contacts 22. Alternatively, several conductive regions 30 may be provided for contact with the corresponding contacts of the power supply unit 18 and the contacts of the position sensor 22 . After the aerosol generating article 14 is fully inserted into the containing region 12, the controller 26 can be configured to provide initial activation of the heating element 16 by providing electrical power from the power supply 18 to the heating element 16. The user can then use the aerosol generating device 10, as usual to generate an inhalable aerosol. To activate the heating element 16, the aerosol generating device 10 may include a button (not shown) or an air flow sensor (not shown) to detect a puff by the user.

Next, FIG. 3. From this point of view, FIG. 3 shows a partial removal of the aerosol generating article 14 from the containing region 12. The partial removal shown in FIG. 3 is an example of an undesirable repositioning of the aerosol generating article 14 during use or during transport of the aerosol generating device 10. For example, if the user shakes the device during use or lowers the hand holding the aerosol generating device 10 between puffs, the aerosol generating article 14 placed in the enclosing region 12 may be at least partially released. In such a case, the heating of the aerosol generating substrate contained in the aerosol generating article 14 may be adversely deteriorated. However, since the aerosol generating product 14 may not completely fall out of the enclosing area 12, the user may not notice a change in the position of the aerosol generating product 14. As shown in FIG. 3, if the aerosol generating article 14 is partially withdrawn from the enclosing region 12, the contacts of the position sensor 22 are open because the conductive region 30 of the aerosol generating article 14 is no longer in contact with the contacts of the position sensor 22. In this case, the position sensor 22 can detect that the aerosol generating article 14 is in the wrong position. As a consequence, the controller 26 may be configured to control the warning element 28 to generate a warning signal. Upon receipt of the warning signal, the user can reposition the aerosol generating product 14 to the optimal desired operating position, for example by pushing the aerosol generating product 14 back into the containing area 12. In other aspects, the aerosol generating product 14 can be rotated or moved. horizontally for optimal positioning of the aerosol generating article 14 in the enclosing area 12 of the aerosol generating device 10.

In a typical device, some degree of position deviation is allowed to accommodate the aerosol generating product 14 in the containing region 12. To change the position tolerance, the shape, size and position of the conductive region 30, as well as the contacts of the position sensor 22 and the contacts of the power supply 18 can be modified as necessary. . Referring again to FIG. 2, a first position deviation 32 is shown in which the aerosol generating product 14 can be moved along the longitudinal axis of the enclosing region 12 while the conductive region 30 of the aerosol generating product 14 is still in contact with both the context of the power supply 18 and the the context of the position sensor 22 . This deviation in the position of the aerosol generating article 14 may be considered the desired optimum operating position of the aerosol generating article 14. In this position of the aerosol generating product 14, the position sensor 22 will detect that the aerosol generating product 14 is in the desired optimum operating position and the controller 26 will not control the warning element 28 to generate a warning signal. However, if the aerosol generating article 14 is moved further away from the heating element 16, which means that the aerosol generating article 14 is moved proximally out of the enclosing region 12, the contacts of the position sensor 22 will be open. However, the contacts of the power supply 18 will still be closed, so that the operation of the heating element 16 is still ensured. , therefore, aerosol generation may still be possible, but are no longer optimally possible. Thus, opening the contacts of the position sensor 22 may cause the controller 26 to control the warning element 28 to generate a warning signal to the user indicating the incorrect position of the aerosol generating article 14. Provided that the conductive region 30 of the aerosol generating product 14 still closes the contacts of the power supply 18, the aerosol generating product 14 can be considered in the second position deviation 34 in which operation of the heating element 16 is still possible, but the product 14 generating aerosol is not in the desired optimum working position. The second position deviation 34 is also referred to as an incorrect position. In this second position deviation 34 or incorrect position, a warning signal is generated. If the aerosol generating product 14 is removed even further from the containing area 12 of the aerosol generating device 10, the warning signal may be terminated due to the opening of the contacts of the power supply 18 . From this point of view, the controller 26 can be configured to control the generation of the warning element 28 of the warning signal if both the contacts of the position sensor 22 and the contacts of the power supply 18 are open. Also, the warning signal may not be generated if the aerosol generating article 14 has been used up in the usual way. For example, aerosol generating article 14 may contain enough aerosol generating substrate for approximately 6-10 puffs. Thereafter, the controller 26 may be configured to detect that the aerosol generating article 14 has been completely used up. Typically, the user will then remove the aerosol generating article 14 from the containing region 12 and insert a new aerosol generating article 14 into the containing region 12. In this case, generation of an alert signal is undesirable and unnecessary. Therefore, the controller 26 in this case can be configured to prevent the warning element 28 from generating an alert signal.

In the aspect shown in FIG. 1-3, the conductive region 30 is located on the aerosol generating product 14, and the contacts of the power supply 18 and the contacts of the position sensor 22 are located on the aerosol generating device 10. The arrangement of these regions may be interchangeable. Therefore, if convenient, the aerosol generating device 10 may include a conductive region 30 around the side wall of the containing region 12, and the aerosol generating article 14 may include appropriate contacts.

In FIG. 4 shows a further aspect of the present invention in which the aerosol generating article 14 is provided in the form of a cartridge. The cartridge in this case includes a liquid storage portion 36 containing an aerosol-generating liquid substrate. In addition, the heating element 16 is located not in the aerosol generating device 10, but in the cartridge. In this aspect, the heating element 16 is preferably in the form of an electrically resistive mesh heater. The mesh heater preferably contains gaps so that the mesh heater is liquid permeable. The aerosol-generating liquid substrate from the liquid storage portion 36 can permeate to the wire heater and be vaporized by the wire heater. In order to transport the aerosol generating liquid substrate from the liquid storage portion 36 to the heating element 16, a capillary member containing capillary material may be used to capillary transfer of the aerosol generating liquid substrate.

In FIG. 4 instead of the conductive region 30 discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 1-3, the position sensor 22 is in the form of a proximity sensor. From this point of view, the position sensor 22 is configured to detect the distance between the magnetic field generating element 38 provided in the cartridge and the part of the position sensor 22 located in the aerosol generating device 10. In other words, the proximity sensor is made in the form of a Hall sensor. If the magnetic field generating element 38 of the cartridge approaches the aerosol generating device 10, in particular, a part of the position sensor 22 of the aerosol generating device 10, the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating element 38 will be detected by the Hall sensor, which is shown at the top. the right side of the aerosol generating device 10 shown in FIG. 4. The containing area 12 of the aerosol generating device 10 is made in the aspect shown in FIG. 4 as a flat surface. Any kind of known fastening means may be provided to securely fasten the cartridge to the accommodating region 12.

In addition to the fact that the aerosol generating product 14 is in the form of a cartridge and another position sensor 22, additional elements of the aerosol generating device 10 shown in FIG. 4 are similar to the elements discussed above with respect to FIG. 1-3. From this point of view, the aerosol generating device 10 shown in FIG. 4 includes a power supply 18, a controller 26, and a warning element 28 for generating a warning signal. Heating element 16 shown in FIG. 4 includes contacts of a heating element 40 that are configured to contact corresponding contacts of the power supply 18 to provide electrical power from the cartridge power supply 18 to the heating element 16 contained in the cartridge.

In FIG. 5 shows the range 42 of a position sensor 22 in the form of a Hall sensor, which is a particular type of proximity sensor.

In FIG. 6 shows the location of the aerosol generating product 14 so close to the aerosol generating device 10 that the position sensor 22 detects the position of the aerosol generating product 14.

In FIG. 7 shows the complete attachment of the aerosol generating article 14 to the aerosol generating device 10. In other words, the aerosol generating product 14 is in the desired optimum operating position in FIG. 7. Similar to the embodiments shown in FIG. 1-3, a first position deviation 32 is provided in which the aerosol generating article 14 will be considered to be in the desired optimum operating position. In this position, the contacts of the heating element 40 make close contact with the contact of the power supply 18 so that power can be supplied to the heating element 16. If the aerosol generating product 14 is moved away from the aerosol generating device 10 as shown in FIG. 6, the position sensor 22 detects that the aerosol generating article 14 is in the wrong position. In this position, it may still be possible to supply power from the power supply 18 to the heating element 16. However, the power supply can potentially be adversely degraded, or the aerosol generating product 14 may undesirably detach itself from the aerosol generating device 10. Therefore, this separation of the aerosol generating article 14 from the aerosol generating device 10 may be undesirable. Therefore, if the aerosol generating article 14, more specifically the magnetic field generating member 38 contained in the aerosol generating article 14, moves away from the position sensor portion 22 contained in the aerosol generating device 10 by more than a certain threshold distance, the sensor 22 positions will detect that the aerosol generating article 14 is in the wrong position. As a consequence, the controller 26 will control the warning element 28 to generate a warning signal. After receiving this warning signal, the user can securely reattach the aerosol generating product 14 to the aerosol generating device 10.

Claims (24)

1. An aerosol generating device comprising: - an accommodating area configured to removably receive an aerosol-generating article and containing an aerosol-generating substrate, a position sensor configured to detect the position of the placed aerosol-generating article, - a warning element configured to generate a warning signal, and - controller, wherein the controller is configured to receive a signal from a position sensor indicating the position of the placed aerosol generating product, wherein the controller is configured to control the warning element to generate a warning signal when the aerosol generating product is in the wrong position, wherein the controller is configured to controlling the warning element to generate an additional warning signal for a predetermined time when the heating element of the aerosol generating device operates longer than the second predetermined time during which the aerosol generating product is in the wrong position. 2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the misposition of the aerosol generating article is a position in which vaporization and aerosol generation of the aerosol generating substrate of the aerosol generating article is still possible, wherein the misposition aerosol generating product is a position other than the desired optimum operating position of the aerosol generating product. 3. An aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the position sensor comprises electrical contacts configured to contact a conductive region of the aerosol generating article when the aerosol generating article is placed in the containing region, or the position sensor comprises a conductive an area configured to contact electrical contacts of the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is placed in the containing area. 4. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the position sensor comprises a proximity sensor configured to measure the distance between the position of the aerosol generating article and the desired optimum operating position of the aerosol generating article. 5. An aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor is in the form of a Hall sensor. 6. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the following is provided: - the position sensor is configured to deactivate or prevent the generation of a warning signal when the heating element of the aerosol generating device is not working, the controller is configured to prevent the warning element from generating a warning signal when the heating element of the aerosol generating device is not operating, and - the warning element is configured to deactivate or prevent the generation of a warning signal when the heating element of the aerosol generating device is not operating. 7. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is configured to prevent operation of the heating element for the duration of the additional warning signal. 8. An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the enclosing area is a heating chamber. 9. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is configured to cause the heating element to be activated only if the position sensor detects that the aerosol generating article is in the desired optimum operating position. 10. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is configured to deactivate the heating element if the position sensor detects that the aerosol generating article is in an incorrect position. 11. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the position sensor is configured to detect a distance from the aerosol generating article to a desired optimum operating position, wherein the warning element is configured to generate a stepped warning signal depending on the distance from aerosol generating product to the desired optimum operating position. 12. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating element and position sensor share a common electrical circuit. 13. An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims and an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating substrate. 14. A method for generating a warning signal for an incorrect position of an aerosol generating product and placed in an aerosol generating device, according to any one of paragraphs. 1-12, including: - detection by means of a position sensor of the position of the placed product generating the aerosol, - control by the controller of the warning element to generate a warning signal when the aerosol generating article is in the wrong position.

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