RU2813166C1 - Aerosol generating device with loop resonator with gap - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: aerosol generation.

SUBSTANCE: aerosol-generating device is proposed, configured to generate an aerosol by heating at least one part of the aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol generating device includes a gap loop resonator configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol.

EFFECT: improved generating capability.

20 cl, 12 dwg, 64 ex

Description

The present invention generally relates to the field of aerosol generating devices, systems and apparatus for generating aerosol. The present invention also relates to aerosol generating substrates and aerosol generating articles for generating an aerosol.

Typically, aerosol generating devices are in the form of portable devices that can be used by a user to consume, for example, in one or more use sessions, an aerosol generated by heating an aerosol generating substrate, or an aerosol generating article.

Exemplary aerosol-generating substrates may comprise a solid substrate material, such as tobacco material or tobacco molded leaf (“TCL”) material. The substrate material may, for example, be assembled, often with other elements or components, to form a substantially rod-shaped aerosol-generating article. Such a wand may be shaped and sized to be at least partially inserted into an aerosol generating device, which, for example, may include a heating element for heating the aerosol generating article and/or the aerosol generating substrate. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating substrates may comprise one or more liquids and/or solids, which may, for example, be supplied to the aerosol generating device in the form of a cartridge or container. Suitable exemplary aerosol-generating articles may, for example, comprise a cartridge containing or filled with a liquid and/or solid substrate, which may be vaporized during consumption of the aerosol by the user based on heating of the substrate. Typically, such a cartridge or container may be coupled to, attached to, or at least partially inserted into the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, the cartridge may be fixedly mounted on the aerosol generating device and refilled by introducing a liquid and/or solid into the cartridge.

To generate an aerosol during use or consumption, heat may be supplied by a heating element or heat source to heat at least a portion or portion of the aerosol generating substrate. In this case, the heating element or heat source may be located in the portable device or portable part of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively or additionally, at least part or all of the heating element or heat source may be fixedly coupled to or located within the aerosol generating article, such as in the form of a wand or cartridge, which may be attached to the portable device or a portable portion of the aerosol generating device. aerosol, and/or feed from it.

Currently, in the field of aerosol generating devices and systems, various shapes and designs of heating elements and various heating methods are used. As also described with reference to FIG. 1 hereinbelow, conventional heating elements may comprise a heating plate having a resistance located in a heating chamber of the aerosol generating device. The resistive heating element may be brought into contact with the aerosol-generating substrate or article, for example, by inserting the substrate or article into the aerosol-generating device, and the aerosol may be generated by resistively heating the heating plate. In this case, the heating plate may be subject to mechanical deformation due to the insertion or removal process, which may adversely affect the overall heating of the aerosol generating substrate. For example, mechanical deformation or abrasion of the heating plate may result in uneven heating of the substrate, particularly with repeated use or replacement of the aerosol generating product(s). Moreover, the transfer of heat from the heating plate to various portions of the substrate may depend on the orientation of the respective portion of the substrate relative to the heating plate, as well as the distance between the respective portion of the substrate and the heating plate. This may further lead to uneven heating of the substrate. In another embodiment, as, for example, described with reference to FIG. 2 herein below, a susceptor or susceptor material may be located at the center of the aerosol generating article or substrate, such as a flat metal strip of ferromagnetic material at least partially surrounded by the aerosol generating substrate. Also, these types of aerosol generating articles can typically be inserted into an aerosol generating device to consume the aerosol. Based on the application of an alternating magnetic field to the susceptor, for example using a coil located in the aerosol generating device, eddy currents (also called Foucault currents) can be generated in the susceptor, thereby heating the susceptor and the aerosol generating substrate in its vicinity. Also in this example, it may be difficult to achieve uniform or homogeneous heating of the substrate due to the different orientations and distances between different areas of the substrate relative to the current collector. In yet another example, a heating coil may be located in an aerosol generating article, such as a cartridge, to heat a liquid substrate contained therein. Likewise, heat may be applied locally to the substrate, resulting in non-uniform overall heating of the substrate. Such non-uniform heating of the substrate may result in the user experiencing sensations that could potentially differ between different usage sessions, for example in terms of the amount of aerosol generated, in terms of aroma or in terms of taste. Moreover, certain portions or portions of the aerosol-generating substrate may be overheated, thereby potentially generating or releasing undesirable substances, while other portions or portions of the substrate may not be sufficiently heated to generate aerosol, thereby potentially resulting in loss of material. substrate.

Therefore, it may be desirable to provide an improved aerosol generating device that, for example, at least reduces or overcomes some or all of the above-mentioned disadvantages of conventional aerosol generating devices and systems.

This is achieved by the subject matter of the invention according to the independent claims. Optional features are provided by the dependent claims and the following description.

According to a first aspect, there is provided an aerosol generating device configured to generate an aerosol by or based on heating at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol generating device includes at least one gap loop resonator configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol.

By using a loop gap resonator, also referred to herein as an "LGR", at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate can be uniformly heated to a temperature sufficient to generate the aerosol, for example, a predetermined or desired temperature. Alternatively or additionally, by using an LGR to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate, a mechanically robust and compact aerosol generating device can be obtained. Using an LGR to heat an aerosol-generating substrate may have an additional advantage in terms of energy efficiency, for example by allowing at least one portion of the substrate to be heated with reduced or minimal energy consumption.

In the context of the present invention, a loop resonator with a gap may refer to an electromagnetic resonator, for example, operating in the radio and/or microwave frequency ranges, such as frequencies from kHz to THz. Typically, the LGR may include at least one loop or loop portion and at least one gap or gap portion formed within the electrically conductive body of the LGR, for example, integrally formed with the body of the LGR.

In terms of physical or electrical properties, an LGR can be modeled as a lumped parameter circuit or a so-called LCR circuit (or LRC circuit). For example, a typical LGR can be considered equivalent to a circuit with an effective inductor L, an effective capacitor C, and an effective resistor R, and optionally an oscillator, connected in series. Accordingly, the alternating current induced or flowing in the LGR may depend on the frequency of the current and may peak at the resonant frequency of the LGR or corresponding LCR circuit. As used herein, the term “resonant frequency” of an LGR may refer to or designate the frequency of alternating current flowing in the LGR where the current reaches its maximum and/or where the impedance of the LGR (or corresponding LCR circuit) reaches a minimum.

As will be discussed in more detail later in this document, various types, shapes and designs of gap loop resonators can be advantageously used in aerosol generating devices and systems in accordance with the present invention. For example, the gap loop resonator may be at least one of a cylindrical gap loop resonator, a tubular gap loop resonator, a toroidal gap loop resonator, a spiral gap loop resonator, a multi-loop resonator, and a multi-gap gap loop resonator. All of these various types, shapes and designs of LGR are clearly contemplated for use in aerosol generating devices and systems in accordance with the present invention.

The LGR may, for example, be configured to generate or create an alternating electromagnetic field. In this case, the LGR may be configured to generate one or more alternating electric field regions, for example, within at least one gap or gap portion in the LGR, and one or more alternating magnetic field regions, for example, within at least one loop or portion LGR loops. Preferably, the LGR may be configured to generate an alternating electric field and an alternating magnetic field, which may be isolated or separated from each other, and which may both be substantially or approximately uniform. For the purposes of this document, an electric or magnetic field may be considered "uniform" or "uniform" if the strength of the corresponding field is constant within a maximum relative deviation of about 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, or 5% . In turn, one or both of the alternating electric and magnetic fields generated by the LGR can be advantageously used to uniformly and uniformly heat the aerosol generating substrate to generate the aerosol. As used herein, the term "uniform heating" or "uniform heating" may mean that the amount of heat or thermal energy per volume that is transferred or received by the aerosol generating substrate is substantially constant or unvariable, within a certain relative deviation, e.g. within a maximum relative deviation of approximately 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, or 5%.

The gap loop resonator may be configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate based on one or both of induction heating methods, e.g., based on or using an alternating magnetic field generated by the loop resonator and microwave heating, e.g. based on or using an alternating electric field created by a loop resonator. It should be noted that the LGR may be configured to heat one or more portions or regions of a substrate or multiple substrates. For example, the LGR may be configured to heat at least one portion or portion of the aerosol generating substrate based on induction heating, and optionally heat at least another portion or portion of the aerosol generating substrate based on microwave heating, or vice versa. In this case, at least one part of the substrate and at least one additional part of the substrate may be physically separated parts of the substrate or may refer to at least partially identical or overlapping parts of the substrate.

The at least one portion of the gap loop resonator may be formed into or form a loop of the gap loop resonator, wherein the loop is configured to receive at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate, wherein the gap loop resonator may be configured to heat at least one aerosol generating substrate portion based on generating an alternating magnetic field within a loop of the gap resonator. As used herein, the term "loop" LGR may refer to or designate a portion of the LGR loop forming the core or hole of the LGR in which a (eg, substantially uniform) alternating magnetic field is generated by the LGR. The LGR or at least one loop or loop portion may be configured to at least partially surround or enclose at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate, such as its perimeter. By placing at least one part of the substrate in a loop or loop section of the LGR, the substrate or at least one part thereof can be heated efficiently, uniformly and uniformly, in particular with reduced or minimal mechanical wear and energy consumption.

The gap loop resonator may be configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate based on inducing eddy currents in a current collector or current collecting material deposited on or housed in the aerosol generating substrate. In particular, the alternating magnetic field generated by the LGR can interact with the susceptor or susceptor material and induce eddy currents in it according to Faraday's law. Due to the electrical resistance of the current collector or current collecting material, the electrical energy associated with the eddy currents can be at least partially converted into thermal energy or heat based on Joule's law, which in turn can heat the substrate to generate an aerosol. Alternatively or additionally, the LGR may be configured to at least partially heat the substrate based on hysteresis losses, which may result from internal friction of magnetic molecules in the current collector aligned with the alternating magnetic field generated by the LGR. Also, other losses, including domain wall resonance, electron spin resonance, and residual losses, can potentially contribute to the overall heating of the substrate or at least one portion thereof.

As will also be discussed in more detail later in this document, various types of susceptor or susceptor material can be placed in and/or applied to the aerosol generating substrate, all of which are provided for optional use by the present invention. Typically, the current collector or current collecting material may comprise an electrically conductive and/or electrically resistive material, such as, for example, a ferromagnetic material, metal or steel. For example, a metal strip or flat metal strip located within the substrate and/or within an aerosol generating article containing the substrate may serve as a current collector. Alternatively or additionally, the current collector or current collecting material may be spatially uniformly distributed within the substrate or at least a portion thereof. This may mean that the density of the pantograph or pantograph material is substantially constant or constant within a certain relative deviation, for example, within a maximum relative deviation of approximately 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, or 5%.

For example, the current collector or current collecting material may contain fine and/or small particles of ferromagnetic material located within or covering the aerosol generating substrate. Alternatively or additionally, the current-receiving material may comprise a fluid or liquid having magnetic properties and/or an ionic liquid, which fluid or liquid may be added to or cover the substrate, for example, covering a sheet of molded tobacco leaves consisting of the substrate, or added to a liquid substrate. Uniform distribution of the susceptor or susceptor material within the substrate may result in or further maintain substantially uniform heating (also referred to as “uniform heating”) of the substrate.

In addition, at least two gap portions of the loop resonator may be located opposite each other and may be spaced apart such that the at least two portions define a loop resonator gap, wherein the gap is configured to receive at least one portion of the substrate an aerosol generating substrate and/or at least one additional aerosol generating substrate portion. In this case, the gap loop resonator may be configured to heat at least one part of the aerosol-generating substrate and/or at least one more part of the aerosol-generating substrate based on generating an alternating electric field within the gap of the gap loop resonator. At least two LGR sections may be separated by a certain distance, which may be constant along the length of the gap or may vary along the length of the gap. As used herein, the term "gap" LGR may refer to a portion of the gap LGR surrounded by at least two opposing and spaced portions of the LGR, in which the portion of the gap LGR generates a (eg, substantially uniform) alternating electric field. Accordingly, at least two opposing portions may border the gap or gap portion on at least two opposite sides. The LGR or at least one gap thereof may be configured to at least partially enclose or surround at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate and/or at least another portion of the substrate, for example, on two opposite sides thereof. By placing at least one part of the substrate and/or at least one more part of the substrate in the gap or gap region of the LGR, the substrate can be heated efficiently, uniformly and uniformly, in particular with reduced or minimal mechanical wear and energy consumption.

The gap loop resonator may be at least one of a cylindrical gap loop resonator, a tubular gap loop resonator, a toroidal gap loop resonator, a spiral gap loop resonator, a multi-loop gap loop resonator, and a multi-gap gap loop resonator. One or more of these types of LGRs may be contained in the aerosol generating device to heat the substrate and generate the aerosol. Accordingly, the aerosol generating device may also comprise a plurality of LGRs, for example a plurality of LGRs of the same type or different types.

A cylindrical or tubular loop resonator with a gap may include a tubular body defining an LGR loop and a slot or cutout extending along at least a portion of the length of the tubular body, wherein the slot may define a gap or gap portion of the LGR. In this case, the slot or cutout can run parallel to or transverse to the longitudinal axis of the LGR tubular body. In other words, the tubular or cylindrical LGR may comprise an electrically conductive tubular body or tube cut longitudinally by a slot or gap. The tubular body or tube can act as an effective inductance inductor L, the gap can act as an effective capacitance capacitor C, and the conductive material of the tubular body can act as an effective resistance resistor R. Based on the induction of an alternating current passing transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body in LGR, e.g. , in the circumferential direction of the tubular body or LGR, a substantially uniform magnetic field, which may be substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis, may be generated in the internal volume, core, or loop of the tubular body (Bio-Savart's law), and may be generated by a substantially uniform the electric field between opposing walls or sections of the LGR forming a gap or gap region. As stated above, the alternating magnetic field may be located or contained within the core or loop of the tubular body, while the alternating electric field may be contained within the gap so that the magnetic and electric fields can be separated or isolated from each other. In other words, an alternating electric field may not interfere with an alternating magnetic field, and vice versa, which may allow one or both fields to be used independently to heat a substrate or part of it.

On the other hand, a toroidal LGR can be obtained by joining two ends of a tubular or cylindrical LGR to form a closed structure. In this case, the magnetic field can be contained within the toroidal resonator or the ring or “loop” resonator of the toroidal LGR. The gap may be formed along the inner or outer perimeter of the loop or loop portion and extend along at least a portion of its perimeter.

In addition, a helical LGR may refer to an LGR having a substantially helical body or cross-section, which may be obtained, for example, when at least two opposing portions of the tubular LGR overlap each other along the circumferential direction of the tubular LGR and are spaced radially apart direction.

In addition, a multi-loop LGR may comprise a plurality of loops or loop sections defined by the body of the LGR. Likewise, a multi-gap LGR may comprise a plurality of slits formed in the body of the LGR.

The gap loop resonator can be at least partially located in a cartridge or container that can be at least partially filled or that can be at least partially filled with an aerosol generating substrate. In this case, the cartridge or container can be connected (a) to an external power device configured to drive a loop resonator with a gap, and/or (b) to a power supply circuit of the aerosol generating device, the power supply circuit of which can be configured with the ability to drive a loop resonator with a gap. Accordingly, the aerosol generating device of the present invention may comprise a gap loop resonator at least partially located in a cartridge configured to contain an aerosol generating substrate. Such a cartridge may be attached to or connected to an additional portion of the aerosol generating device, which may include power supply circuitry for driving the gap loop resonator. Alternatively or additionally, the loop resonator cartridge may be coupled to or attached to an external power device, which may, for example, be a portable device or a portable portion of an aerosol generating device.

Accordingly, the aerosol generating device of the present invention may refer to a device, such as a portable device, which may include a gap loop resonator and optionally additional electronics such as power supply circuitry for driving or powering the LGR. In an example, the aerosol generating substrate, or an aerosol generating article containing the substrate, may be at least partially inserted into the aerosol generating device, for example, in the form of a stick.

Alternatively or additionally, however, the aerosol generating device in accordance with the present invention may refer to a device in the form of a cartridge or container in which the LGR is at least partially located. Optionally, one or more additional components, for example, at least a drive loop and/or at least a portion of the power supply circuitry, may also be located in the cartridge or container. Such an aerosol generating device in the form of a cartridge or container may be fastened or connected with other parts of the aerosol generating device, or with another device, such as an accessory device or external power device, to drive or power the LGR to generate the aerosol. Such systems may also be referred to as two-component systems and may be particularly useful with liquid substrates, although not limited to this.

It should be noted that the features, functions and/or elements of the external power supply device may be similar or identical to the features, functions and/or circuit elements of the power supply as described above herein and below herein. Accordingly, any power supply circuit disclosure presented above herein and below herein applies equally to the external power supply device and vice versa.

The aerosol generating device may further comprise an aerosol generating substrate, wherein the gap loop resonator may be configured to receive at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate, for example, such that at least a portion or portion of the LGR covers or surrounds at least one portion of the substrate. Optionally, the aerosol generating substrate and the gap loop resonator may be at least partially located in a cartridge, such as a conventional cartridge. The cartridge may be prefilled with substrate and not be reused, or the cartridge may be refilled with substrate by the user.

The aerosol generating device may further comprise at least one electrically conductive excitation loop configured to induce eddy currents in at least a portion of the loop resonator with a gap and/or configured to excite electromagnetic oscillations in at least a portion of the loop resonator with a gap. The at least one drive loop may refer to a connecting loop configured and/or positioned to generate an alternating magnetic field to induce an alternating current or eddy current within at least a portion or portion of the LGR. Depending on the type, shape or shape of the LGR used, the at least one drive loop may be located on the outside or end of the LGR, such as in the case of a tubular LGR, or within a portion of the LGR, such as in the case of a toroidal LGR. Also, multiple drive loops may be used to drive one or more LGR aerosol generating devices.

At least one drive loop and a gap loop resonator and, optionally, an aerosol generating substrate may be located in the cartridge or container. In addition, the cartridge may be configured to connect, for example, electrically and/or mechanically, (a) to an external power device configured to drive a gap loop resonator, and/or (b) to a power supply circuit of the device, generating an aerosol, the power supply circuit of which can be configured to drive a loop resonator with a gap.

The aerosol generating device may further comprise power supply circuitry or circuitry configured to drive the gap loop resonator to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate based on excitation of electromagnetic oscillations on at least a portion of the gap loop resonator . To supply electrical energy, the aerosol generating device may include one or more energy storage devices, such as batteries, accumulators, capacitors, or the like. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating device may be connected to or powered by an electrical network.

Optionally, the aerosol generating device may include a user interface, for example, comprising a user-actuable element configured to receive one or more user inputs. Based on user input, the aerosol generating device may be configured to activate the power supply circuitry to drive the LGR to generate the aerosol. For this purpose, the aerosol generating device may optionally include a control circuit with one or more processors or controllers that may be coupled to the power supply circuit.

The power supply circuit may be configured to excite electromagnetic oscillations in the gap loop resonator at or near a resonant frequency of the gap loop resonator. As mentioned above, at or near the resonant frequency of the LGR, the induced alternating current can reach a maximum, which in turn can result in the maximum heating effect achievable by the LGR at a certain power level or power input. Accordingly, driving the LGR at or near the resonant frequency can provide energy-efficient and fast heating. As used herein, the term "at or near resonant frequency" may mean at resonant frequency within a certain relative deviation, such as, for example, within a maximum relative deviation of approximately 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, or 5%.

The power supply circuit may be configured to drive a gap loop resonator such that an alternating magnetic field can be generated in the loop or loop portion, such as the core of the gap loop resonator, wherein the loop or loop portion is configured to receive at least at least one part of the aerosol-generating substrate. Accordingly, at least one portion of the substrate may be located within a loop or loop portion of the LGR such that the LGR may at least partially enclose the at least one portion of the substrate. Due to the uniform alternating magnetic field generated by the LGR and applied to the substrate, the substrate or at least one portion thereof can be uniformly heated, for example, to a predetermined or desired temperature, which may be suitable for generating an aerosol.

Alternatively or additionally, the power supply circuit may be configured to drive a gap loop resonator such that an alternating electric field can be generated in a gap or gap portion of the gap loop resonator, wherein the gap or gap portion is configured to receive at least one a portion of the aerosol-generating substrate and/or at least one other portion of the aerosol-generating substrate. Accordingly, at least one portion and/or at least one further portion of the substrate may be located within the gap or gap portion of the LGR such that the LGR may at least partially enclose at least one (additional) portion of the substrate. Due to the uniform alternating electric field generated by the LGR and applied to the substrate, the substrate or at least one (additional) portion thereof can be uniformly heated, for example, to a predetermined or desired temperature, which may be suitable for generating an aerosol.

Typically, the power supply circuit may be configured to drive a gap loop resonator based on inductive coupling. For example, the power supply circuit may be configured to drive the gap loop resonator based on inducing eddy currents in the gap loop resonator, such as flowing transverse to the longitudinal axis of the gap loop resonator.

As an example, the power supply circuit may include at least one electrically conductive drive loop or coupling loop, such as located at the end or side of a gap loop resonator or within a gap loop resonator. In this case, the power supply circuit can be configured to drive the gap loop resonator based on the supply of alternating current to at least one drive loop. Such alternating current can create an alternating magnetic field around the drive loop, which in turn can induce eddy currents in the LGR, or at least a portion thereof. These eddy currents, in turn, can generate an alternating magnetic field within the loop or loop portion of the LGR and an alternating electric field within the gap or gap portion of the LGR, one or both of which may be advantageously used to uniformly heat the substrate.

At least one drive loop of the power supply circuit may, for example, be positioned coaxially with a loop or loop portion of the loop resonator with a gap. This can provide efficient inductive coupling between the drive loop and the LGR.

In an example, the at least one drive loop may be formed by the end of an inner conductor of the coaxial cable, the end of which is shorted to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable. In other words, the drive loop may be formed by a portion of the coaxial cable formed into a loop where the outer conductor and where optionally the outer sheath and insulating layer can be removed. In this case, the center cable of the coaxial cable may be shorted to the remainder of the outer conductor. The center cable and outer conductor may provide two electrical terminals between which alternating current may be generated to drive the LGR. An advantage of this drive loop design may be that only the drive loop generates the magnetic field while the rest of the coaxial cable can be shielded.

Additionally, the frequency of the alternating current flowing in the drive loop may be similar to, identical to, or at least proportional to the frequency of the alternating magnetic field generated in the LGR. Accordingly, the power supply circuitry and/or the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to adjust, vary, and/or control the temperature to which at least one portion of the substrate is or is to be heated based on the adjustment, variation, and/or controlling the frequency of the alternating current supplied to the excitation loop, and/or based on adjusting, changing and/or controlling the frequency of the alternating magnetic field generated in the LGR. Therefore, precise temperature control can be achieved. Alternatively or additionally, the alternating current strength in the drive loop, the alternating magnetic field strength in the LGR, the frequency of the alternating electric field in the LGR, and/or the alternating electric field strength in the LGR may be adjusted, varied, and/or controlled.

Alternatively or additionally, the power supply circuit may be configured to drive the gap loop resonator based on capacitive coupling. As an example, the power supply circuit may include one or more electrodes configured to be capacitively coupled to a capacitor formed by a slot or gap of a gap loop resonator. In other words, the power supply circuit may be configured to capacitively induce an alternating electric field in a capacitor formed by the slot or gap of the gap loop resonator. One or more electrodes may be configured to generate an alternating electric field that may be capacitively coupled to a capacitor formed or defined by the LGR gap or slot. Based on adjusting, changing and/or controlling one or both frequencies and field strengths of the alternating electric field generated by one or more electrodes, the power supply circuit and/or control circuit of the aerosol generating device can be configured to adjust, change and/or controlling the temperature to which at least one portion of the substrate is or should be heated.

Alternatively or additionally, the power supply circuitry may comprise an electromagnetic wave generator configured to excite electromagnetic oscillations, eddy currents, an alternating magnetic field, and/or an alternating electric field in at least a portion of the gap loop resonator for driving the gap loop resonator.

The aerosol generating device may further comprise a heating chamber or heating compartment configured to receive at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate and/or an aerosol generating article containing the aerosol generating substrate. The heating chamber or compartment may, for example, be located within the housing of the aerosol generating device. Optionally, the gap loop resonator may be at least partially located in the heating chamber or compartment and configured to at least partially surround at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate, such as its perimeter.

In an example, the gap loop resonator may have a substantially tubular shape. In other words, the gap loop resonator may be a tubular or cylindrical gap loop resonator. In this case, the longitudinal axis of the loop resonator with a gap may run substantially parallel to the input direction of the aerosol generating device, along which at least one part of the aerosol generating substrate and/or the aerosol generating article containing the aerosol generating substrate may be at least at least partially inserted into the aerosol generating device.

The gap loop resonator may comprise a tubular body, wherein the tubular body defines a loop, a loop portion, or a gap loop resonator core configured to receive and/or at least partially enclose at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate, the loop resonator the gap may be configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate based on generating an alternating magnetic field within the loop, loop portion, or core of the gap loop resonator.

Alternatively or additionally, the gap loop resonator may comprise a tubular body with a slot extending along at least a portion or the entire length of the tubular body. For example, the slot may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gap loop resonator or its tubular body. Alternatively, the slot may extend transversely to the longitudinal axis, for example in a spiral manner along the length of the tubular body.

The gap loop resonator may comprise a tubular housing with a slot, wherein the slot defines a gap or gap portion of the gap loop resonator configured to receive and/or enclose at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate and/or at least one additional portion of the substrate. . In this case, the loop resonator with a gap can be configured to heat at least one part and/or at least one more part of the aerosol-generating substrate based on the creation of an alternating electric field inside the gap or gap section of the loop resonator with a gap.

As mentioned above, the aerosol generating device may comprise a plurality of loop resonators with a gap, for example located coaxially with respect to each other or adjacent to each other. In this case, loop resonators with a gap of the same or different types can be used to heat the same or different substrates or aerosol-generating products.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a gap loop resonator in an aerosol generating device or aerosol generating system for heating at least a portion of an aerosol generating substrate, which may optionally be at least partially inserted into the aerosol generating device. Any distinctive feature and/or element of the aerosol generating device or system described above herein and below herein are equally applicable to the use of the aerosol generating device or system.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating article for an aerosol generating device, for example, an aerosol generating device comprising a gap loop resonator configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating article contains at least one of the following:

a first portion located, shaped, configured and/or molded to fit into the loop of the loop resonator with a gap; And

a second portion located, shaped, configured and/or molded to fit into the loop of the loop resonator with a gap.

The aerosol generating article may further comprise a loop resonator with a gap configured to heat one or both portions of the first and second portions of the aerosol generating article. In the context of the present invention, an “aerosol generating article comprising a loop resonator with a gap” may also be referred to as an “aerosol generating device.” In other words, an aerosol generating article comprising one or both of the first and second portions of the aerosol generating article and a gap loop resonator may be referred to as an “aerosol generating device” above herein and below herein.

Accordingly, any feature and/or feature described with reference to an aerosol generating device above herein and below herein applies equally to one or more of the aerosol generating devices described above herein and below in this document.

In an example, the first portion may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The first portion of the aerosol generating article may be shaped and sized to substantially fit into a loop or loop portion of the LGR. Accordingly, the first portion of the aerosol generating article may be formed in accordance with the loop or loop portion of the LGR. Such appropriate geometry may maintain or provide uniform heating of the first portion of the aerosol generating portion of the article.

Alternatively or additionally, the second section can be essentially bar-shaped and/or made in the form of a parallelepiped. The second portion of the aerosol generating article may be shaped and sized to substantially fit into the gap or gap portion of the LGR. Accordingly, the second portion of the aerosol generating article may be formed in accordance with the gap or gap portion of the LGR. Such appropriate geometry may maintain or provide uniform heating of the second portion of the aerosol generating article.

The aerosol generating product may be shaped like a key. For example, the second portion may extend as a rib from the first portion of the aerosol generating article. Accordingly, the second portion may be coupled or attached to the first portion of the aerosol generating article such that the aerosol generating article may be substantially shaped like a key. In other words, the second portion may form part of the substantially key-shaped aerosol generating article. Accordingly, the aerosol generating article may be shaped and sized such that a first portion is installed in the loop of the LGR and such that the second portion is installed in the gap of the LGR. Therefore, one or both of the magnetic field generated by the LGR in the loop and the electric field generated by the LGR in the gap can be used to heat the first and/or second portion of the substrate.

The first portion of the aerosol generating article may comprise a first aerosol generating substrate configured to be heated to produce an aerosol, and the second portion of the aerosol generating article may comprise a second aerosol generating substrate configured to be heated to produce an aerosol, the second substrate The aerosol-generating substrate is different from the first aerosol-generating substrate. In other words, the first and second portions of the aerosol generating article may contain substrates that are different from each other. The first and second substrates may differ in type or form, such as a liquid or solid substrate, and/or in any other property, such as the density of the material, the density of the aerosol generating material or substance of the substrates, the composition of the material, one or more ingredients or any other property or characteristic of the substrates. Alternatively or additionally, the first aerosol generating substrate and the second aerosol generating substrate may differ from each other in one or more of the following: degree of moisture, type of tobacco, aroma and flavor, such as the taste or flavor of the air stream containing the generated aerosol.

In an example, the first aerosol generating substrate may comprise a current collector or current collecting material configured to heat the first aerosol generating substrate based on induction heating. Alternatively or additionally, the second aerosol generating substrate may be heatable based on microwave heating and/or may not contain a current collector or current collecting material. For example, the second aerosol generating substrate may have a certain minimum moisture level, such as residual moisture, to provide effective microwave heating when exposed to an alternating electric field in the LGR gap.

The aerosol generating article may further comprise a mouthpiece and an air flow path configured to carry the aerosol to the mouthpiece. In this case, the air flow path may comprise a first portion of the flow path connected to the first portion of the aerosol generating article and configured to transfer the aerosol generated in the first portion of the aerosol generating article to the mouthpiece. Alternatively or additionally, the air flow path may comprise a second flow path portion coupled to the second portion of the aerosol generating article and configured to transfer aerosol generated in the second portion of the aerosol generating article to the mouthpiece. Through the first and/or second portion of the air flow path, the aerosol generated by the first and/or second portion of the aerosol generating article can be effectively directed toward the mouthpiece, which can improve the overall user experience, for example, in terms of taste or aroma.

Optionally, the second flow path portion may be coupled to the first flow path portion such that aerosols generated in the first portion and the second portion of the aerosol generating article can be mixed as they move along the air flow path toward the mouthpiece. By mixing the aerosol generated by the first and second portions, or by mixing the respective air flows carrying the aerosol from the first and second portions to the mouthpiece, the overall user experience can be further improved. In particular, a substantially constant taste or aroma may be provided over multiple subsequent uses.

A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to the use of one or more aerosol generating articles as described above herein and below herein, in particular to their use in an aerosol generating device or system as described above herein and below in this document.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating system is provided. The system includes an aerosol generating device, as described above herein and below herein, and one of the aerosol generating articles as described above herein and below herein.

Any invention presented above herein and below herein with respect to any aerosol generating device and one or more aerosol generating articles is equally applicable to an aerosol generating system and vice versa.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating article for an aerosol generating device, for example, comprising a loop resonator with a gap, in which at least a portion of the aerosol generating article is formed to fit into the gap of the loop resonator with the gap of the article, aerosol-generating device or aerosol-generating device. For example, at least one portion of the aerosol generating article may be substantially bar-shaped and/or parallelepiped-shaped. Alternatively or additionally, at least one portion of the aerosol generating article may be shaped to match the shape, geometry, and/or gap size of the gap loop resonator. For example, at least one portion of the aerosol generating article may be configured to be heated based on microwave heating.

A seventh aspect of the present invention relates to the use of such an aerosol generating article in an aerosol generating device, for example, in the aerosol generating device described above herein and below herein.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating article for an aerosol generating device, for example, comprising a gap loop resonator. An aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate for generating an aerosol and a current collector or current-receiving material configured to heat at least a portion of the aerosol-generating substrate for generating an aerosol.

The aerosol generating article may further comprise a compartment containing an aerosol generating substrate and a current collector.

In an example, the pantograph or pantograph material may be spatially uniformly distributed within the compartment. Such uniform distribution of the current collector may further promote or enhance uniform heating of the substrate, or at least a portion thereof.

The current collector or current collecting material may comprise one or more threads or strips containing ferromagnetic material. Such threads or stripes may be randomly distributed within the substrate or may be at least partially aligned, for example, with respect to each other and/or with respect to one or more structures of the substrate.

In an example, the aerosol generating substrate may be folded to form one or more folds; wherein one or more susceptor filaments are located in and/or aligned with one or more folds of the aerosol generating substrate. Also, in such a configuration, substantially uniform heating can be achieved.

The current collector or current collecting material may comprise one or more particles of ferromagnetic material. As an example, one or more particles may be placed within the aerosol generating substrate, for example, randomly located and/or oriented within the substrate. For example, a solid substrate, such as a sheet of tobacco leaves, consisting of a substrate may be at least partially impregnated with a liquid containing one or more particles to randomly and uniformly distribute the particles within the substrate. In other words, the aerosol generating substrate, or at least a portion thereof, may be impregnated with a fluid containing one or more particles. In the case of a liquid substrate, one or more particles may be dissolved in the liquid substrate to provide a uniform distribution of the particles.

Alternatively or additionally, one or more particles may be applied to an aerosol-generating substrate, for example, as a coating on a solid substrate. Accordingly, the aerosol-generating substrate may be coated with one or more particles. For example, one or more particles may be applied to (or introduced into) an aerosol-generating substrate by or based on physical vapor deposition.

Optionally, one or more particles may be or contain magnetic iron oxide particles.

Alternatively or additionally, the current collector or current collecting material may comprise one or more ferrite plates. Optionally, one or more ferrite plates may be spatially uniformly disposed within the aerosol generating substrate and/or with the aerosol generating article.

A ninth aspect of the present invention relates to the use of an aerosol generating article, for example, an aerosol generating article, according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in an aerosol generating device, for example, an aerosol generating device, according to the first aspect of the present invention.

The following summarizes various exemplary or optional features of one or more aerosol generating articles containing a current collector or current collecting material. For example, one or more filaments or strips of ferromagnetic material may be used as a current collector or current collecting material. Such threads or strips may be located on one or more sheets of the aerosol-generating substrate, for example, before compressing one or more sheets into an aerosol-generating article.

Alternatively or additionally, such threads or strips may be introduced into or added to the aerosol-generating article during the pressing of one or more sheets, for example, such that one or more threads or strips can become stuck in one or more longitudinal folds of one or more sheets, thereby aligning the threads or strips with respect to each other and/or with respect to one or more folds.

Alternatively or additionally, fine particles of ferromagnetic material may be inserted into the substrate and/or the substrate may be coated with such particles. Such particles, for example magnetic iron oxide particles, which can be used for medical magnetic hyperthermia, can be added to tobacco powder, which can be used to make one or more sheets of molded tobacco leaves, which can provide or result in uniform spatial distribution particles within one or more sheets.

Alternatively or additionally, such particles may be physically applied to one or more sheets during their manufacture. For example, the sheet may be placed in a chamber where it may be ejected into a cloud of such particles. Alternatively or additionally, physical vapor deposition (PVD) can be used to produce a thin film of such particles on a sheet of substrate.

Alternatively or additionally, such particles may be included in a fluid added to and/or coating one or more sheets. For example, such a fluid may be added during the manufacture of one or more sheets and/or may be sprayed or applied to one or more sheets.

Alternatively or in addition to one or more sheets, ferrite plates may be added as a current-receiving material. In case the current collector contains particles or plates, the latter can be called "alloying additives".

It should be emphasized that any feature, step, function, element, technical effect and/or advantage described herein with reference to one aspect is equally applicable to any other aspect of the present invention.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Example 1 An aerosol generating device configured to generate an aerosol by heating at least one portion of an aerosol generating substrate, the aerosol generating device comprising:

at least one loop resonator configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol.

Example 2 The aerosol generating device of Example 1, wherein the gap loop resonator is configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate based on one or both of induction heating and microwave heating.

Example 3 An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein at least one gap loop resonator portion may form or may be formed as a gap loop resonator loop, the loop being configured to receive at least one portion of the substrate , generating an aerosol, wherein the gap loop resonator may be configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate based on generating an alternating magnetic field within the loop of the gap loop resonator.

Example 4 An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein at least two gap portions of the loop resonator are disposed opposite each other and spaced apart such that the at least two portions define a gap loop resonator gap, wherein the gap configured to receive at least one portion of the aerosol-generating substrate; wherein the gap loop resonator is configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate based on generating an alternating electric field within the loop of the gap loop resonator.

Example 5 An aerosol generating device according to any of the previous examples, wherein the gap loop resonator is configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate based on inducing eddy currents in a susceptor placed inside and/or deposited on the substrate , generating aerosol.

Example 6 An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the gap loop resonator is at least one of a cylindrical gap loop resonator, a tubular gap loop resonator, a toroidal gap loop resonator, a spiral gap loop resonator, and a multi-loop loop resonator. a loop resonator with a gap and a multi-gap loop resonator with a gap.

Example 7 An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein a gap loop resonator is at least partially located in a cartridge that is at least partially filled with an aerosol generating substrate; and wherein the cartridge is connected to (a) an external power device configured to drive the gap loop resonator, and/or (b) to power supply circuitry of the aerosol generating device, the power supply circuitry of which may be configured to drive action of a loop resonator with a gap.

Example 8 An aerosol generating device according to any previous example, further comprising:

aerosol generating substrate;

wherein the gap loop resonator is configured to receive at least one portion of the aerosol-generating substrate; wherein optionally, the aerosol generating substrate and the gap loop resonator are at least partially located in the cartridge.

Example 9 An aerosol generating device according to any previous example, further comprising:

at least one electrically conductive excitation loop configured to induce eddy currents on at least a portion of the loop resonator with a gap and/or configured to excite electromagnetic oscillations on at least a portion of the loop resonator with a gap.

Example 10. The aerosol generating device according to Example 9, in which at least one excitation loop and a loop resonator with a gap are located in the cartridge; and wherein the cartridge is configured to connect (a) to an external power device configured to drive the gap loop resonator, and/or (b) to power supply circuitry of the aerosol generating device, the power supply circuitry of which may be configured to the ability to drive a loop resonator with a gap.

Example 11 An aerosol generating device according to any of the previous examples, further comprising:

a power supply circuit configured to drive the gap loop resonator to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate based on excitation of electromagnetic oscillations in at least a portion of the gap loop resonator.

Example 12 The aerosol generating device of Example 11, wherein the power supply circuit is configured to excite electromagnetic oscillations in the gap loop resonator at or near the resonant frequency of the gap loop resonator.

Example 13. An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 11 and 12, wherein the power supply circuit is configured to drive a gap loop resonator such that an alternating magnetic field is generated in a loop of the gap loop resonator, the loop being configured with the ability to receive at least one part of the aerosol-generating substrate.

Example 14. An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 11-13, wherein the power supply circuit is configured to drive a gap loop resonator such that an alternating electric field is generated in a gap of the gap loop resonator, wherein the gap is configured with the ability to receive at least one part of the aerosol-generating substrate.

Example 15 An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 11-14, wherein the power supply circuit is configured to drive a gap loop resonator based on inductive coupling.

Example 16 An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 11-15, wherein the power supply circuit is configured to drive the gap loop resonator based on inducing eddy currents in the gap loop resonator.

Example 17 An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 11-16, wherein the power supply circuit comprises at least one electrically conductive drive loop; wherein the power supply circuit is configured to drive the gap loop resonator based on the supply of alternating current to at least one drive loop.

Example 18. An aerosol generating device according to example 17, in which at least one excitation loop is located coaxially with a loop resonator loop with a gap.

Example 19 The aerosol generating device of Example 18, wherein at least one drive loop is formed by the end of an inner conductor of a coaxial cable shorted to an outer conductor of the coaxial cable.

Example 20 An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 11-19, wherein the power supply circuit is configured to drive a gap loop resonator based on capacitive coupling.

Example 21 The aerosol generating device of Example 20, wherein the power supply circuit includes one or more electrodes configured to be capacitively coupled to a capacitor formed by a slot or gap of the gap loop resonator.

Example 22 An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 20 and 21, wherein the power supply circuit is configured to capacitively induce an alternating electric field in a capacitor formed by the slot or gap of the gap loop resonator.

Example 23. An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 11-22, wherein the power supply circuit includes an electromagnetic wave generator configured to excite electromagnetic oscillations in at least a portion of the gap loop resonator for driving the gap loop resonator.

Example 24 An aerosol generating device according to any of the previous examples, further comprising:

a heating chamber configured to receive at least one portion of the aerosol-generating substrate; wherein the gap loop resonator is at least partially located in the heating chamber and configured to at least partially enclose at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate.

Example 25 An aerosol generating device according to any of the previous examples, wherein the gap loop resonator is substantially tubular in shape; wherein the longitudinal axis of the gap loop resonator extends substantially parallel to the insertion direction of the aerosol generating device along which at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate is at least partially inserted into the aerosol generating device.

Example 26 An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the gap loop resonator comprises a tubular body, wherein the tubular body defines a gap loop resonator loop configured to receive at least one portion of an aerosol generating substrate; and wherein the gap loop resonator is configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate based on generating an alternating magnetic field within the loop of the gap loop resonator.

Example 27 An aerosol generating device according to any of the previous examples, wherein the gap loop resonator includes a tubular body with a slot extending along the entire length of the tubular body.

Example 28 An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the gap loop resonator comprises a tubular body with a slot, the slot defining a gap of the gap loop resonator configured to receive at least one portion of an aerosol generating substrate; and wherein the gap loop resonator is configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate based on generating an alternating electric field within the gap of the gap loop resonator.

Example 29 An aerosol generating device according to any of the previous examples, wherein the aerosol generating device comprises a plurality of gap loop resonators arranged coaxially with respect to each other.

Example 30 Use of a gap loop resonator in an aerosol generating device to heat at least a portion of the aerosol generating substrate.

Example 31 An aerosol generating article for an aerosol generating device, wherein the aerosol generating article comprises at least one of the following:

a first portion located and/or formed to be installed in the loop of the loop resonator with the gap of the aerosol generating device; And

a second portion located and/or formed to fit into the gap of the gap loop resonator.

Example 32. An aerosol-generating product according to example 31, additionally containing:

a loop resonator with a gap configured to heat one or both sections of the first and second sections of the aerosol-generating product.

Example 33 The aerosol generating article of any one of Examples 31-32, wherein the first portion is substantially cylindrical in shape.

Example 34 An aerosol generating article according to any one of Examples 31-33, wherein the second portion is substantially bar-shaped; and/or in which the second section has the shape of a parallelepiped.

Example 35 The aerosol generating article according to any one of Examples 31-34, wherein the aerosol generating article is shaped like a key.

Example 36 The aerosol generating article of any one of Examples 31-35, wherein the second portion projects as a rib from the first portion of the aerosol generating article.

Example 37 An aerosol generating article according to any one of Examples 31-36, wherein the first portion comprises a first aerosol generating substrate capable of being heated to produce an aerosol; and wherein the second portion comprises a second aerosol generating substrate configured to be heated to produce an aerosol, wherein the second aerosol generating substrate is different from the first aerosol generating substrate.

Example 38 The aerosol generating article of Example 37, wherein the first aerosol generating substrate includes a current collector configured to heat the first aerosol generating substrate based on induction heating.

Example 39 An aerosol generating article according to any one of Examples 37 and 38, wherein the second aerosol generating substrate is capable of heating based on microwave heating.

Example 40 The aerosol generating product according to any one of Examples 37-39, wherein the first aerosol generating substrate and the second aerosol generating substrate differ from each other in one or more of moisture level, tobacco type, aroma and taste.

Example 41. An aerosol generating product according to any of Examples 31-40, further comprising:

mouthpiece; And

an air flow path configured to transfer the aerosol to the mouthpiece;

wherein the air flow path comprises a first flow path portion connected to the first aerosol generating article portion and configured to transfer the aerosol generated in the first aerosol generating article portion to the mouthpiece; and wherein the air flow path comprises a second flow path portion connected to the second aerosol generating article portion and configured to transfer the aerosol generated in the second aerosol generating article portion to the mouthpiece.

Example 42. The aerosol generating article of Example 41, wherein the second portion of the flow path is coupled to the first portion of the flow path such that the aerosol generated in the first portion and in the second portion of the aerosol generating article is mixed while moving along the air flow path. to the mouthpiece.

Example 43 Use of an aerosol generating article according to any of Examples 31-42 in an aerosol generating device.

Example 44 An aerosol generating system containing:

an aerosol generating device according to any of Examples 1-29; And

an aerosol generating product according to any of Examples 31-42.

Example 45 An aerosol generating article for an aerosol generating device, wherein at least a portion of the aerosol generating article is configured to accommodate a gap loop resonator in the gap.

Example 46 The aerosol generating article of Example 45, wherein at least a portion of the aerosol generating article is substantially bar-shaped and/or parallelepiped-shaped.

Example 47 An aerosol generating article according to any one of Examples 45 and 46, wherein at least a portion of the aerosol generating article is shaped to match the gap shape of a gap loop resonator.

Example 48 The aerosol generating article of any one of Examples 45 and 47, wherein at least a portion of the aerosol generating article is capable of being heated using microwave heating.

Example 49 Use of an aerosol generating article according to any of Examples 45-48 in an aerosol generating device.

Example 50 An aerosol generating article for an aerosol generating device, wherein the aerosol generating article comprises:

an aerosol generating substrate for generating an aerosol; And

a current collector configured to heat at least a portion of the aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol.

Example 51. An aerosol-generating product according to example 50, additionally containing:

a compartment containing an aerosol-generating substrate and a current collector.

Example 52 An aerosol generating article according to any one of Examples 50 and 51, wherein the pantograph is spatially uniformly distributed in the compartment.

Example 53 An aerosol generating article according to any one of Examples 50-52, wherein the current collector comprises one or more filaments containing ferromagnetic material.

Example 54 The aerosol generating article of Example 53, wherein the aerosol generating substrate is folded to form one or more folds; and wherein one or more susceptor filaments are located in and/or aligned with one or more folds of the aerosol generating substrate.

Example 55 The aerosol generating article of any one of Examples 50-54, wherein the current collector contains one or more particles of ferromagnetic material.

Example 56 The aerosol generating article of Example 55, wherein one or more particles are disposed in an aerosol generating substrate.

Example 57 The aerosol generating article of Examples 55 and 56, wherein one or more particles are deposited on an aerosol generating substrate.

Example 58 The aerosol generating article of Example 57, wherein one or more particles are deposited onto the aerosol generating substrate by physical vapor deposition.

Example 59 The aerosol generating article of Examples 55-58, wherein one or more of the particles are magnetic iron oxide particles.

Example 60 The aerosol generating article of any one of Examples 55-59, wherein the aerosol generating substrate is coated with one or more particles.

Example 61 The aerosol generating article of Examples 55-60, wherein the aerosol generating substrate is impregnated with a fluid containing one or more particles.

Example 62 The aerosol generating product of Examples 50-61, wherein the current collector comprises one or more ferrite plates.

Example 63 The aerosol generating article of Example 62, wherein one or more ferrite plates are spatially uniformly distributed in the aerosol generating substrate.

Example 64 Use of an aerosol generating article according to any of Examples 50-63 in an aerosol generating device.

The examples will now be further described with reference to the drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating system for generating an aerosol;

fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of an aerosol generating system for generating an aerosol;

fig. 3 - aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol;

fig. 4 - aerosol generating system for generating an aerosol;

fig. 5A and 5B are detailed views of a portion of an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol;

fig. 6 - aerosol generating system for generating an aerosol;

fig. 7 - aerosol generating product for generating an aerosol;

fig. 8A and 8B are a loop resonator with a gap for an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol;

fig. 9A-9C is an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol;

fig. 10 - aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol;

fig. 11 - aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol; And

fig. 12 is an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol.

The drawings are schematic only and are not to scale. In principle, identical or similar parts, elements and/or steps are designated by identical or similar reference numerals in the drawings.

In fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating system 10 with an aerosol generating device 12 and an aerosol generating article 14. Figure 1 may serve, in particular, to illustrate conventional aerosol generating systems or devices currently in use and the heating methods implemented therein.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating article 14 is at least partially housed in the aerosol generating device 12. For example, at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 14 may be located in the heating chamber 11 of the aerosol generating device 12. The exemplary aerosol generating article 14 of FIG. 1 is rod-shaped and contains an aerosol generating substrate 16 that substantially fills the interior volume of the aerosol generating article 14. Such aerosol generating articles 14 may also be referred to as "user replaceable consumables" and the substrate may also be referred to as a "flavor medium".

To heat the aerosol generating article 14 and/or its aerosol generating substrate 16, the aerosol generating device 12 includes a resistive heating plate 18 for resistively heating the substrate 16 using electrical energy supplied to the plate 18. The heating plate 18 may, for example, be located at one end at the bottom of the heating chamber 11 and/or may be located in the central part of the heating chamber 11. The heating chamber 11 may be formed by a hollow core, for example, a tubular core in the interior of the aerosol generating device 12. In addition, the heating plate 18 may be coupled or coupled to an electronic portion 13 of the aerosol generating device 21, such as, for example, a power supply circuit 13 for supplying electrical power to the heating plate 18.

The aerosol generating article 14 may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 12 such that the heating plate 18 is preferably located at the center of the aerosol generating article 14 and is at least partially surrounded by its aerosol generating substrate 16. To increase the effective heating surface of the heating plate 18, the heating plate 18 may be thin and flat. As a consequence, the plate 18 may be subject to mechanical deformation or wear due to, among other things, the repeated insertion and removal of aerosol generating articles 14 into and from the device 12 as the heating plate 18 may be pressed into the substrate 16 and pulled out of the substrate 16 into during these processes.

In addition, during each insertion and removal process, the heating plate 18 may be oriented or positioned differently with respect to the aerosol generating substrate 16, and the internal configuration of the aerosol generating article may differ from use to use. For example, in the case of a stick-shaped aerosol generating article 14, the aerosol generating substrate 16 may comprise at least one longitudinally folded sheet of molded tobacco leaves ("TCL") compressed into a rod. According to the orientation of the plate 18 within the consumable article 14, the folds of the substrate 16 ("TCL folds") may have an orientation varying from parallel to perpendicular to the heating plate 18. In particular, the folds may be randomly oriented relative to the plate 18. Consequently, different articles 14 aerosol-generating products, such as articles 14 used in different use sessions, may be heated differently by the plate 18, which may affect aerosol generation and result in different user experiences during different use sessions. Preferably, however, the user should be provided with a stable session across different usage sessions.

In addition, the heat received by the various sections 16a, 16b or volumes 16a, 16b of the substrate 16 within the aerosol generating article 14 may depend on the distance from the corresponding section 16a, 16b to the heating plate 18. The flat geometry of the heating plate 18, transmitted by e.g. the cylindrical shape of the aerosol generating article 14 may result in less heating of areas 16b that are further from the plate 18, for example, in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the plate 18 and/or aerosol generating article 14, compared to areas 16a, located adjacent to the plate 18. As a result, some areas of the substrate 16 that are relatively far from the plate 18, such as area 16b, may not be heated sufficiently to generate an aerosol or may not be heated to a high enough temperature to generate an aerosol, while others areas that are close to the plate 18, such as area 16a, may be overheated or heated to too high a temperature. Accordingly, some areas may not be used, while others may be overheated.

In Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the aerosol generating system 10. Unless otherwise noted, system 10 of FIG. 2 has the same features, functions and elements as the system described with reference to FIG. 1.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, a susceptor 18 or susceptor material 18 is located at the center of the aerosol generating article 14 or consumable article 14 for heating the aerosol generating substrate 16 contained in the aerosol generating article 14 using induction heating. The current collector 18 may, for example, comprise a flat metal strip and contain a material that is both electrically conductive and electrically resistive, such as a ferromagnetic material or stainless steel, centered on an aerosol generating article 14 and surrounded by an aerosol generating substrate 16. Preferably, the central longitudinal axis 15 of the pantograph 18 is substantially aligned with the central longitudinal axis 15 of the aerosol generating article 14. In addition, the length of the pantograph along the axis 15 may substantially correspond to the length of the aerosol generating article 14, and/or the width of the pantograph 18 may be slightly less than the width of the article 14, wherein the widths may be measured transverse to the longitudinal axis 15.

When the user operates the aerosol generating device 12 or its heating system, an alternating electromagnetic field is generated in the device 12, thereby creating or inducing eddy currents in the pantograph 18, and the dissipation of these currents in the pantograph 18 heats the pantograph 18 and the substrate 16 surrounding it, based on Joule's law for aerosol generation.

The use of induction heating and the current collector strip 18 can be mechanically robust, for example, compared to the system design in FIG. 1. However, such a system 10 may have variations in heating depending on the distance between the heated area or volume of the substrate 16 and the current collector 18 (in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the axis 15) and according to the relative orientation of structures in the substrate 16, such as folds relative to the pantograph 18.

Uniform induction heating of the consumable article 14 or the aerosol generating article 14 may appropriately take into account the relationship between the spatial distribution and the properties of the current collector 18 or the current collector material 18, for example, taking into account the so-called "surface effect" associated with the fact that eddy currents remain mainly on the surface of the current-receiving material 18, in particular when high current frequencies are induced, and also between the spatial distribution and properties of the alternating magnetic field, such as the frequency of the magnetic field. For example, the total amount of heat transferred to a region or portion of the aerosol generating article 14 with low alternating magnetic field intensity and high density of the current-receiving surface or material may be the same as for another region or portion with opposite characteristics, such as high intensity alternating magnetic field, but low density of the surface or current-receiving material.

In addition, the electronics for the aerosol-generating systems 10 and devices 12 may have limitations regarding the electromagnetic radiation or waves emitted by the device 12 or system 10. For example, unlicensed band microwave frequencies, such as the 2.4 GHz ISM band (“ Industrial, scientific, medical range"), and/or the power level may be below about 15 W, below about 10 W, or preferably below about 5 W. Such a low power level may save energy and may increase the charging cycle time of the device 12 in the case of battery-powered devices 12 or systems 10.

In addition, typical dimensions of the aerosol generating article 14, in particular a stick-shaped article, may be approximately 0.3-1.5 cm, for example 0.5-1.0 cm or 0.7-0.8 cm, in diameter and approximately 0.5-2 cm, for example approximately 1.2 cm, in length.

The heating temperature achieved by the substrate 16, or the set or desired temperature of the substrate 16 may be approximately 100°C-300°C, such as approximately 200°C-250°C.

In fig. 3 shows an aerosol generating device 100 for generating an aerosol. Unless otherwise indicated, the aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 3 has the same features, functions and elements as the aerosol generating devices 12 and systems 10 described with reference to FIG. 1 and 2.

The aerosol generating device 100 shown in FIG. 3 is configured to receive at least a portion of the aerosol generating substrate 200 to generate an aerosol using heating of the substrate 200. The substrate 200 may, for example, correspond to the substrate 16 and may consist of a substantially rod-shaped aerosol generating article 202, corresponding to article 14, as described with reference to FIG. 1 and 2. Such aerosol generating article 202 may, for example, include a mouthpiece 204 allowing a user to sense or inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device 100 during a use session.

Alternatively or additionally, the substrate 200 may comprise a liquid supplied to the aerosol generating device 100, for example, in the form of a cartridge or container that can be refilled with the substrate 200.

To heat the substrate 200 or at least one portion thereof, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a gap loop resonator 110 configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate 200 using one or both of induction heating and microwave heating. , as detailed above and below in this document.

The gap loop resonator 110 may be, for example, at least one of a cylindrical gap loop resonator, a tubular gap loop resonator, a toroidal gap loop resonator, a spiral gap loop resonator, a multi-loop gap loop resonator, and a multi-gap loop resonator. .

The aerosol generating device 100 may also include a plurality of gap loop resonators 110, for example, located coaxially with the longitudinal axis 111 of the aerosol generating device 100 for the LGR 110 and/or the aerosol generating article 202. For example, at least a portion of the gap loop resonator 110 may be located in the heating chamber 112 of the aerosol generating device 100.

The aerosol generating device 100 further includes at least one electrically conductive drive loop 150 configured to induce eddy currents, alternating currents, and/or electromagnetic oscillations within or at least a portion or portion of the gap loop resonator 110. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the drive loop 150 may be incorporated or housed within the housing of the aerosol generating device 100, which may be a portable device configured to at least partially receive the aerosol generating article 202. For example, the aerosol generating article 202 may be inserted in an input direction 113 parallel to the longitudinal axis 111 of the aerosol generating device 100 for the LGR 110 and/or the aerosol generating article 202.

In addition, the drive loop 150 may be located at or adjacent to the gap end of the loop resonator 110, for example, at least partially within the heating chamber 112. Alternatively or additionally, at least one drive loop 150 may be integrated or located in part or on the section of the loop resonator 110 with a gap.

The aerosol generating device 100 further includes a power supply circuit 160 configured to drive the gap loop resonator 110 and/or the drive loop 150 to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate 200. In this case, the drive loop 150 may be part of the power supply circuit 160 of the aerosol generating device 100. In particular, the power supply circuit 160 may be configured to excite electromagnetic oscillations in the gap loop resonator 110 at or near the resonant frequency of the gap loop resonator 110. For example, the power supply circuit 160 may be configured to drive the gap loop resonator 110 such that an alternating magnetic field is generated in a portion or portion of the gap loop resonator 110, particularly in a loop of the gap loop resonator 110 configured being capable of receiving and/or enveloping at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate 200. Alternatively or additionally, the power supply circuit 160 may be configured to drive the gap loop resonator 110 such that an alternating electric field is generated in a portion or portion of the gap loop resonator 110, particularly in a gap of the gap loop resonator 110, configured to receive and/or envelop at least one portion (or additional portion) of the aerosol generating substrate 202.

The power supply circuit 160 may be further configured to drive the gap loop resonator 110 based on inductive coupling, such as by applying an alternating current, to at least one drive loop 150 that produces an alternating magnetic field in the vicinity of the drive loop 150. which in turn may induce eddy currents in the gap loop resonator 110.

Alternatively or additionally, the power supply circuit 160 may be configured to drive the gap loop resonator 110 based on capacitive coupling. For example, power supply circuit 160 may include one or more electrodes configured to be capacitively coupled to a capacitor formed by the slot or gap of loop resonator 110 with the gap, thereby capacitively inducing an alternating electric field in the capacitor formed by the slot or gap of loop resonator 110 s gap.

Alternatively or additionally, power supply circuit 160 may include an electromagnetic wave generator configured to excite electromagnetic oscillations at at least a portion of the gap loop resonator 110 to drive the gap loop resonator.

The aerosol generating device 100 further includes at least one energy storage device 170, such as at least one battery, accumulator, or capacitor for supplying electrical power during use of the device 100. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating device 100 may be powered by electrical power or any other power source.

The exemplary aerosol generating device of FIG. 3 further includes control circuitry 180 for controlling one or more functions of device 100. For example, control circuitry 180 may be configured to actuate, activate, and/or deactivate power supply circuitry 160 to start or stop aerosol generation.

The device 100 may further include a user interface 190 for receiving one or more user inputs. The user interface 190 may, for example, be or comprise one or more of a toggle element, a user-activated element, a button, a touch interface, or the like. Here, the control circuit 180 may be configured to receive or process one or more user inputs received via the user interface 190 and to actuate or control the power supply circuit 160 in accordance with, depending on, and/or in response to one or more user inputs.

It should be noted that the aerosol generating device 100 and the aerosol generating article 202 shown in FIG. 3 may constitute an aerosol generating system 500 in the context of the present invention.

In fig. 4 shows an aerosol generating system 500 for generating an aerosol. Unless otherwise noted, the aerosol generating system 500 of FIG. 4 has the same features, functions and elements as the aerosol generating devices 12, 100 and systems 10, 500 described with reference to FIG. 1-3.

The exemplary system 500 shown in FIG. 4 includes an aerosol generating device 100 that includes a gap loop resonator 110 that is at least partially contained and/or integrated into a cartridge 130 or container 130 configured to receive or store an aerosol generating substrate 200. The cartridge 130 can have any geometry, shape and/or size.

Substrate 200 may, for example, be or contain a liquid, liquid substrate, fluid, or fluid substrate. However, substrate 200 may alternatively or additionally comprise solid components or solid substrate material.

Optionally, the substrate 200 may include a current collector or current collecting material for heating the substrate 200 using induction heating of the gap loop resonator 110. For example, one or more particles of ferromagnetic material may be disposed or placed in the substrate 200, such as iron oxide particles. However, the substrate 200, or at least a portion thereof, may alternatively or additionally be heated using microwave heating using a gap loop resonator 110, as described in detail above and below herein.

The aerosol generating device 100 and/or its cartridge 130 may be prefilled with substrate 200 or may be refilled by the user as desired.

To generate an aerosol, the aerosol generating device 100 may be coupled, added, and/or attached to an external power device 250 to drive or power the gap loop resonator 110, as shown by arrow 205 in FIG. 3. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may be at least partially inserted into the external power device 250.

The external power device 250 may be, for example, a hand-held device, which may have functions and features similar or identical to the aerosol generating device 100 described with reference to FIG. 3. Specifically, the external power device 250 may include one or more of a power supply circuit 160, a power storage device 170, a control circuit 180, and a user interface 190, as described with reference to FIG. 3.

In addition, the aerosol generation system 500 includes at least one drive loop 150 for driving the gap loop resonator 110. Drive loop 150 of system 500 shown in FIG. 4 is, by way of example, built into or located on the cartridge 130. However, alternatively or additionally, at least one drive loop 150 may be built into the external power supply 250.

To electrically connect or couple the aerosol generating device 100 (or cartridge 130) to the power supply device 250, the aerosol generating device 100 and/or cartridge 130 may include one or more electrical connectors 120 for electrically communicating the drive loop 150 or other electronic components with power supply circuit 160 of the external power supply device 250. For example, mechanical coupling of aerosol generating device 100 to external power device 250 may provide electronic communication. Alternatively, or in addition to one or more electrical connectors 120, inductive or capacitive coupling may be used to drive the loop resonator 110 with a gap, for example, through the wall of the cartridge 130.

When activated by a user, the external power device 250 may drive a gap loop resonator 110 located at least partially within the cartridge 130 to heat the substrate 200 and generate an aerosol. An air stream carrying the generated aerosol may be carried along an air flow path 210 from the heating chamber 112 to the mouthpiece 204, for example, in response to an inhalation by the user.

In general, any type of gap loop resonator 110, such as a cylindrical gap loop resonator, a tubular gap loop resonator, a toroidal gap loop resonator, a spiral gap loop resonator, a multi-loop gap loop resonator, and a multi-gap gap loop resonator, can be used in devices 100 and systems 500 shown in FIG. 3 and 4. Additionally, any type of substrate or multiple substrates 200 can be used to heat the substrate(s) 200 using induction heating and/or microwave heating using the gap loop resonator 110. Optionally, the current collector or current collecting material may comprise one or more induction heating substrates 200.

In each of FIG. 5A and 5B show a detailed view of a portion of an aerosol generating device 100 for generating an aerosol. Unless otherwise indicated, the aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 5A and 5B have the same features, functions and elements as the aerosol generating devices 12, 100 and systems 10, 500 described with reference to FIGS. 1-4.

The exemplary aerosol generating device 100 shown in FIG. 5A and 5B, includes a cylindrical or tubular loop resonator 110 with a gap configured to heat one or more portions 200a, 200b of the aerosol generating substrate 200.

The gap loop resonator 110 includes a tubular body 114 that defines or at least partially surrounds a loop 115 or a core 115 of the gap loop resonator 110 configured to receive and/or at least partially enclose at least one portion or portion 200a of a substrate. 200, generating aerosol. Accordingly, loop 115 may refer to a compartment formed by or at least partially surrounded by at least a portion of the gap loop resonator 110, wherein loop 115 may be configured to at least partially surround or surround at least a portion 200a of substrate 200. Here, the gap loop resonator 110 may be configured to heat at least one portion 202a of the aerosol generating substrate 200 based on generating an alternating magnetic field within the loop 115 or core 115 of the gap loop resonator 110.

The longitudinal axis 111 of the gap loop resonator 110 may extend substantially parallel to the aerosol generating device input direction 113, along which at least one portion 200a of the aerosol generating substrate 200 (and/or an aerosol generating article containing the aerosol generating substrate) may be at least partially inserted into the aerosol generating device 100 or loop resonator 110 with a gap. For example, an aerosol generating article may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, generally in the form of a stick, containing a substrate 200, a portion 200a, and/or a portion 200b of the substrate 200.

In addition, the gap loop resonator 110 includes a slot 116 extending along the length of the tubular body 113, for example, parallel to the longitudinal axis 111 of the gap loop resonator 110. The slot defines a gap 117 or a gap portion 117 of the gap loop resonator 110 configured to receive and/or at least partially enclose at least a portion 200b of the aerosol generating substrate 200. In this case, the gap 117 or slot 116 can be formed by two opposite sections, walls or parts 117a, 117b of the loop resonator 110 with a gap, which can be located opposite each other in the circumferential direction of the loop resonator 110 with a gap and/or transversely or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 111. The gap loop resonator 110 may be configured to heat at least a portion 200b of the aerosol generating substrate 200 based on generating an alternating electric field within the gap 117 of the gap loop resonator 110.

It should be noted that substrate 200 may comprise one or both substrate portions 200a, 200b. Accordingly, the shape and size of the substrate 200 can be shaped and sized to fit the loop 115 of the gap loop resonator 110. Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 5A and 5B, substrate 200 may have a substantially cylindrical shape and appearance. Alternatively or additionally, substrate 200 may be shaped and sized to fit gap 117. Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 5A and 5B, the substrate 200 may be substantially bar-shaped and/or parallelepiped-shaped. For illustrative purposes, portion 200b of substrate 200 is shown adjacent to aerosol generating device 100 in FIG. 5B. As already mentioned, substrate 200 may alternatively comprise both portions 200a, 200b. If both sections 200a, 200b are present, the substrate material used in those sections 200a, 200b may be substantially similar or identical, for example, with the only difference being that section 200b may include a current collector or current collecting material placed, positioned and/or contained in him. However, other substrate materials may also be used for portions 200a, 200b. For example, the substrate portions 200a, 200b and/or the substrate material contained therein may differ in one or more of moisture, tobacco type, odor, taste, or any other characteristic. In addition, various sections 200a, 200b can be combined by the user according to personal needs.

As a brief illustrative description, a portion 200a of the substrate 200 or a substrate corresponding to the portion 200a may be heated by a magnetic field acting on a current collector or a current collecting material contained therein. The aerosol generating article or consumable article may be in the shape of a stick and inserted into the loop 115 or core 115 of the LGR 110. Accordingly, the portion 200a of the substrate 200 may be heated based on magnetic heating.

Preferably, the current collecting material in the substrate 200 or area 200a may be spatially uniformly distributed within the area 200a. For example, the current collecting material may be small particles of ferromagnetic material inserted into and/or applied to the substrate 200 or substrate material. Alternatively or additionally, the current collecting material may be a fluid or liquid having magnetic properties added to and/or covering the substrate material, such as TCL sheets. Because LGR 110 can provide an approximately uniform alternating magnetic field in its empty central core 115 or loop 115, portion 200a of substrate 200 can be substantially uniformly heated to a desired or predetermined temperature. Accordingly, the uniformity of the amount of heat per unit volume received by the substrate 200 or its material could potentially simply depend on the spatial distribution and properties of the current-receiving material. Therefore, uniform heating of the substrate 200 can be further maintained by uniformly distributed current collecting material within the substrate 200.

As described above, other types of susceptor or susceptor material may be used to heat the portion 200a using induction heating. For example, threads or strips of ferromagnetic material can be used as a current collector or current collecting material. Alternatively or additionally, ferrite plates can be used as the current collector or current collecting material. Alternatively or additionally, a pantograph similar to pantograph 18 in FIG. 2.

Preferably, the volume percentage of susceptor material in substrate 200 or portion 200a should be in the range of about 2% to about 30%, such as about 5% to about 20%, such as about 10%. With this volumetric filling and an exemplary operating or driving frequency of approximately 2 GHz to 3 GHz, such as approximately 2.4 GHz, and a power level of 0.5 W to 5 W, such as approximately 1 W, the temperature is approximately 200° From up to 300°C, for example about 250°C, can be reached in 5-30 seconds, for example in about 20 seconds.

With respect to portion 200b of substrate 200, which may alternatively or in addition to portion 200a be present in substrate 200, actual heating may be provided by the electric field LGR 110 acting on moisture, water molecules, or moisture present in substrate 200 or portion 200b. In other words, portion 200b may be heated using microwave heating. Because the LGR 110 can provide an approximately uniform alternating electric field in the side gap 117 of the LGR 110, the portion 200b can be uniformly or uniformly heated to a desired or predetermined temperature. Accordingly, the uniformity of the amount of heat per unit volume received by the substrate 200 or area 200b could potentially simply depend on the spatial distribution and properties, eg, moisture content, of the substrate material. Such heating can be thought of as dielectric heating or microwave heating, and may only require a minimum level of moisture in the substrate, which may be present in either case. In other words, the substrate 200 or area 200b may be heated by the electrical component of the electromagnetic field generated in the LGR 110, particularly without the use of current collecting material in the substrate 200. The residual moisture in the substrate 200 may be sufficient to achieve the desired dielectric heating.

Generally, LGR 110 can be considered as an electromagnetic resonator having properties similar to the classical LCR circuit, which is a circuit equivalent to an inductor of inductance L, a capacitor of capacitance C and a resistor of resistance R, and optionally a generator connected in series having a certain resonant frequency, which may refer to the frequency of alternating current flowing in a circuit where the current reaches its maximum and/or where the circuit impedance is minimum. In addition, the LGR 110 can create electric and magnetic fields that are approximately uniform at least in certain areas or areas of the LGR 110 and that are isolated from each other. One exemplary type of LGR 110 that can be used to heat the substrate 200 is a tubular LGR 110, as shown in FIG. 5A and 5B, with a conductive tubular body 114 longitudinally dissected by a slot 116 to form a gap 117. The tubular body 114 may act as a circuit inductor L, the gap 117 may act as a capacitor C, and a conductive metal contained in the LGR 110 may act as a resistor R. For such an LGR 110, alternating current flowing transversely to the longitudinal axis 111, for example, in the circumferential direction of the LGR 110 in the tubular housing 114, can produce a uniform magnetic field (indicated by "B" in FIG. 5A) substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis 111 of the loop resonator 110 with a gap (Bio-Savart's law) and a uniform alternating electric field (indicated by the letter "E" in Fig. 5A) between the opposing walls 117a, 117b or sections 117a, 117b of the gap 117 or forming the gap. A particular advantage of these alternating electromagnetic fields generated by the LGR 110 can be seen in their uniformity and limitation to certain areas or sections of the LGR 110, such as the loop 115 and gap 117. Both fields can be physically separated and not interfere with each other during the heating process, whether induction heating in loop 115 or microwave heating in gap 117.

Possible, illustrative and non-limiting physical characteristics or properties of LGR 110 are summarized below. The dimensions, eg length and/or width, of the LGR 110 may be from about 1/8 to 1/12, eg about 1/10, of the resonant wavelength. For an exemplary target resonant frequency of 2.4 GHz and a phase velocity close to the speed of light, the wavelength can be estimated to be in the range of a few centimeters to a few tens of centimeters, for example approximately 10 cm, and thus the dimensions of the LGR 110 can be in the range from a few millimeters to several centimeters, for example from about 0.5 cm to 5 cm, for example 1 cm.

The inner diameter of the LGR 110 and/or the diameter of the loop portion 115 may be selected in accordance with the substrate 200 or aerosol generating article to be used, for example, in the case of a stick-shaped aerosol generating article containing a susceptor substrate. In other words, the outer diameter of the substrate 200 or portion 200a may substantially correspond to the inner diameter of the LGR 110 or the diameter of the loop portion 115. For example, the diameter of the loop portion 115 may be slightly larger than the diameter of the substrate 200 or portion 200a. Likewise, the length of LGR110 may be substantially equal to or match the length of substrate 200 of portion 200a inserted into LGR 110 or loop 115.

Exemplary internal diameters may range from about 0.1 cm to about 10 cm, such as from about 0.5 cm to about 5 cm, such as from about 0.6 cm to about 1.2 cm. The wall thickness of the tubular body 114 may be from about 0.1 mm to about 2 cm, for example from about 1 mm to about 5 mm, for example from about 1.5 mm to about 4 mm. The length of the LGR 110 can vary from about 0.1 cm to about 10 cm, for example from about 0.5 cm to about 5 cm, for example from about 0.8 cm to about 1.5 cm. The width of the gap 117 LGR 110 can be from about 0.1 mm to about 5 cm, for example from about 0.2 mm to about 1 cm, for example from about 0.3 mm to about 3 mm.

The quality factor may be on the order of 1600-2000 in the frequency range 1-6 GHz, which may be an illustrative and non-limiting frequency range. In this case, the quality factor Q can be specified as the ratio between the energy stored by the resonator and the energy lost per second. The reported Q value can be quite high, which may represent a good energy/loss trade-off, since average Q values for other LCR circuits are typically in the hundreds range.

The material for the LGR 110 can be any electrically conductive material, such as, for example, copper and/or aluminum.

As mentioned above, LGR 110 may be driven or driven by at least one drive loop 150, as shown in FIG. 5B. By means of the drive loop 150, current may be inductively coupled to the LGR 110. The drive loop 150 may refer to an electrically conductive loop that may be coaxial to the LGR 110 relative to the longitudinal axis 111, parallel to the end or front surface of the LGR 110, and/or close to the end of the LGR 110 The drive loop 150 may be excited by an alternating current, which may create an alternating magnetic field around the loop 150 (Bio-Savart's Law), which itself may create eddy currents passing transversely in the LGR 110 and/or the tubular housing 114 (Faraday's Law of Induction). . In turn, these eddy currents may generate a uniform alternating magnetic field in the center or loop 115 of the LGR 110 and/or an alternating electric field in the gap 117.

The drive loop 150 may be formed, for example, by using a coaxial cable that forms a loop from its portion and removing the outer conductor as well as the outer sheath and insulating layer on that portion. The center loop cable or coaxial cable can then be shorted to the remainder of the outer conductor of the coaxial cable. The center cable and the outer conductor of the coaxial cable can then form two electrical terminals between which alternating current can be generated. In this design, only part of the drive loop can generate the magnetic field, while other parts of the coaxial cable can be shielded due to the coaxial properties.

The frequency of the alternating current flowing in the loop 150 may match or at least be proportional to the frequency of the alternating (electro)magnetic field(s) generated in the tubular housing 114 of the LGR 110.

In fig. 6 shows an aerosol generating system 500 for generating an aerosol. Unless otherwise noted, the aerosol generating system 500 of FIG. 6 has the same features, functions and elements as the aerosol generating devices 12, 100 and systems 10, 500 described with reference to FIG. 1 and 5B.

In fig. 6 is a perspective view and cross-sectional view of an exemplary aerosol generating system 500 that includes an aerosol generating device 100 and a generally cylindrical or stick-shaped consumable article or aerosol generating article 202 that contains a substrate 200 c. substrate portion 200a and mouthpiece 204. The aerosol generating article 202 may be at least partially inserted into the aerosol generating device 100 such that the substrate portion 200a may be placed in the loop 115 of the LGR 110 and may be heated by the LGR 110 using induction heating. In this case, the LGR 110 can be driven by at least one excitation loop 150 located at the end or bottom of the LGR 110, and/or an electromagnetic wave generator, as described above.

Optionally, the LGR 110 can be used to heat an additional portion 200b (not shown) of the substrate 200 using microwave heating, as described above.

In fig. 7 shows an aerosol generating article 202 for generating an aerosol. Unless otherwise indicated, the aerosol generating article has the same features, functions, and elements as the aerosol generating articles 14, 202 described with reference to FIGS. 1-6.

The aerosol generating article 202 of FIG. 7, although not limited to it, may be particularly suitable for or configured for use with or in an aerosol generating device 100 that includes a gap loop resonator 110, as, among other things, described with reference to the preceding drawings.

The aerosol generating article 202 includes a first portion 202a located and/or configured to accommodate the aerosol generating device 100 in the loop 115 of the loop resonator 110 with a gap, and a second portion 202b located and/or configured to accommodate the gap 117 loop resonator 110 with a gap. Optionally, the LGR 110 may be integrated into the aerosol generating article 202.

The first portion 202a of the article 202 may have a substantially cylindrical shape. Alternatively or additionally, the second portion 202b of the article 202 may be substantially bar-shaped and/or parallelepiped-shaped, for example, as described with reference to FIG. 5A and 5B.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, the aerosol generating article 202 may be shaped like a key, wherein portion 202b may form or be part of the key. In other words, the second portion 202b may extend as a rib from the first portion 202a of the aerosol generating article 200.

In addition, the first portion 202a may include a first aerosol generating substrate 200a configured to be heated to generate an aerosol, and the second portion 202b may include a second aerosol generating substrate 200b configured to be heated to generate an aerosol, wherein the second portion 202b may include a second aerosol generating substrate 200b configured to be heated to generate an aerosol. aerosol is different from the first aerosol generating substrate 200a. For example, the first aerosol generating substrate 200a may include a susceptor or susceptor material configured to heat the first aerosol generating substrate 200a using induction heating by the LGR 110, while optionally the second substrate 200b may not include a susceptor or susceptor material. In addition, the second aerosol generating substrate 200b may be configured to be heated using microwave heating by the LGR 110. Alternatively or additionally, the first aerosol generating substrate 200a and the second aerosol generating substrate 200b may differ from each other in one or more more from the degree of moisture, type of tobacco, aroma and taste.

The aerosol generating article 202 further includes a mouthpiece 204 and an air flow path 207, and/or an optional filter portion 207 configured to carry the aerosol to the mouthpiece 204 and/or filter air flowing to the mouthpiece 204.

Optionally, the air flow path 207 may include a first flow path portion 207a coupled to a first portion 202a of the aerosol generating article 202 and configured to transfer aerosol generated in the first portion 202a of the aerosol generating article 202 to the mouthpiece 204. In addition, the path The air flow 207 may include a second flow path portion 207b coupled to a second portion 202b of the aerosol generating article 202 and configured to transfer aerosol generated in the second portion 202b of the aerosol generating article 202 to the mouthpiece 204. Wherein, the second path portion 207b The flow stream may be coupled to the first portion 207a upstream of the mouthpiece 204 such that the aerosol generated in the first portion 202a and the second portion 202b of the aerosol generating article 202 can be mixed as it moves toward the mouthpiece 204.

To summarize, a key-shaped consumable or aerosol generating article 202 may be provided to allow substrates 200a, 200b to be used on various portions 202a, 202b of the article, wherein the substrate 200a may utilize a current-receiving material and may be configured to be heated with using induction heating, while the substrate 200b may not contain current collecting material and may be capable of heating using microwave heating. A portion 202a of the article 202 may be inserted into the loop 115 of the LGR, and a portion 202b of the article 202 may be inserted into the gap 117 of the LGR 110. Such two separate or different portions 202a, 202b of the aerosol generating article 202, or substrate portions 200a, 200b, located in It can offer different flavors, delivery speeds, etc., which can be adjusted according to individual needs. Optionally, the air duct or flow path portions 207a, 207b may direct the aerosol generated in the article 202 to the mouthpiece 204 where the user can inhale the aerosol.

In each of FIG. 8A and 8B show a loop resonator 110 with a gap for an aerosol generating device 100 or system 500 for generating an aerosol. The gap loop resonator 110 shown in FIG. 8A and 8B may be used in any of the devices 100 or systems 500 described with reference to FIGS. 3-7. Unless otherwise noted, the gap loop resonator 110 of FIG. 8A and 8B have the same features, functions and elements as the gap loop resonators 110 described with reference to FIGS. 3-7.

LGR 110 shown in FIG. 8A and 8B is a toroidal LGR 110. Such a toroidal LGR 110 can be formed by joining two ends of a tubular or cylindrical LGR 110, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A and 5B, forming a closed structure. In this case, the magnetic field may be contained within the toroidal or donut-shaped resonator or loop 115 of the toroidal LGR 110, and the gap 117 may be formed along its inner or outer perimeter and extend along at least part of the perimeter of the toroidal loop 115.

To drive or drive LGR 110, one or more drive loops 150 may be located in loop 115 or loop portion 115 of LGR 110. Drive loop 150 may be driven by power supply circuit 160 and/or external power supply 250, as described above.

In fig. 8B also shows at least a portion or portion of substrate 200 located in loop 150. Substrate 200 may include a current collector or current-receiving material and may be capable of being heated by an alternating magnetic field within loop 115. The substrate material may be solid and/or liquid. . In particular, a donut- or ring-shaped solid substrate 200 may be placed in the LGR 110 of its loop 115 to generate an aerosol.

Alternatively or additionally, the substrate 200, or an additional substrate, or a portion of the substrate may be located in the gap 117 of the LGR 110 and can be heated by microwave heating, as described with reference to the previous drawings. Also, such substrate 200 may comprise solid and/or liquid substrate material, and such substrate may be substantially ring-shaped for placement in gap 117.

It should also be noted that the toroidal LGR 110 may, in particular, be used in an aerosol generating device 100, as described with reference to FIG. 4. Such a toroidal LGR 110 may be incorporated into the cartridge 130 and, for example, used to heat a liquid substrate, wherein the substrate may be directed to or through the loop 115 and/or gap 117, for example, using appropriate piping or tubing.

In fig. 9A-9C show an aerosol generating device 100 for generating an aerosol. In fig. 9A is a perspective view, and FIG. 9B and 9C show cross-sectional views of various designs of the LGR 110. Unless otherwise noted, the aerosol generating devices 100 of FIG. 9A-9C have the same features, functions and elements as the aerosol generating devices 100 and systems 500 described with reference to FIGS. 3-8V.

The aerosol generating device 100 can essentially be considered as or equivalent to the aerosol generating product 202 with an integrated LGR 110. The aerosol generating device 100 includes a substrate 200 or a region that can be filled with substrate 200 and that can be placed in a loop 115 of the LGR 110.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 9A-9C, LGR 110 may be formed by a foil of electrically conductive material that may be wrapped around the substrate 200 or an area that may be filled with the substrate 200. For example, a strip of foil, such as aluminum foil, may be wrapped at least partially around the outer surface of the substrate 200 or a portion of the device that may be filled with the substrate 200. Alternatively or additionally, the foil strip may be placed within a paper or insulating wrapper, for example, forming the exterior of the substrate 200 or the corresponding aerosol generating device 100 or article 204.

In the example shown in FIG. 9B, the foil is wrapped around only a portion of the perimeter of the substrate 200 such that a tubular or cylindrical LGR 110 is formed. In the example shown in FIG. 9C, the foil is wrapped around the substrate 200 such that the portions defining the gap 117 in the example of FIG. 9B, overlap in the circumferential direction of LGR 110 and are spaced apart in a direction transverse to it. Therefore, the LGR 110 shown in FIG. 9C, may be a spiral LGR 110.

Optionally, at least one drive loop may also be incorporated into the aerosol generating device 100 and/or its associated aerosol generating product.

In fig. 10 shows an aerosol generating device 100 for generating an aerosol. Unless otherwise indicated, the aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 10 has the same features, functions and elements as the aerosol generating devices 100 and systems 500 described with reference to FIG. 3-9C.

Similar to the device 100 shown in FIG. 9C, aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 10 contains a spiral LGR 110 for heating the substrate 200 and generating an aerosol. Such a spiral LGR 110 can be formed by making a sheet of electrically conductive material such as aluminum on one side and paper on the other side and rolling it into a spiral as shown in FIG. 10. Substrate 200 can be positioned and heated between the walls of LGR 110.

In fig. 11 shows an aerosol generating device 100 for generating an aerosol. Unless otherwise indicated, the aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 11 has the same features, functions and elements as the aerosol generating devices 100 and systems 500 described with reference to FIG. 3-10.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, the LGR 110 is a multi-gap LGR 110, for example comprising four gaps 117a, 117d. Any other number of gaps 117a-d is possible. Preferably, the gaps 117a-d may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis or longitudinal axis 111 of the LGR 110. Such a symmetrical arrangement may be able to compensate for the effect of the electric field that each slot or gap 117a-d may have on other slots or gaps 117a-d. In addition, the plurality of gaps 117a-117d may allow the magnetic field within the loop 115 of the LGR 110 to be further limited.

Using such an LGR 110, the substrate 200 or a portion thereof can be heated in one or more loops 115 of the LGR 110 and in one or more gaps 117a-d. In addition, several substrates of the same or different types can be used.

In fig. 12 shows an aerosol generating device 100 for generating an aerosol. Unless otherwise indicated, the aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 12 has the same features, functions and elements as the aerosol generating devices 100 and systems 500 described with reference to FIG. 3-11.

In the example shown in FIG. 12, LGR 110 is a multi-loop LGR 110, for example comprising two loops 115a, 115b and one gap 117. Any other number of loops 115a, 115b or gaps 117 is possible.

Using such an LGR 110, the substrate 200 or a portion thereof may be heated in one or more loops 115a, 115b of the LGR 110 and at least one gap 117. In addition, multiple substrates of the same or different types may be used.

For the purpose of this specification and the appended claims, except as otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, amounts, percentages, etc., are to be understood as modified in all cases by the term “approximately” or “substantially.” Also, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and include any intermediate ranges therebetween, which may or may not be specifically listed herein. Therefore, in this context, the number A should be understood as A ± 20% of A. In this context, the number A can be considered to include numerical values, within the normal standard error, for measuring the property that the number A modifies. The number A in some cases, when used in the attached claims, may deviate by the percentages listed above, provided that the amount by which A deviates does not significantly affect the main feature(s) and new feature(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and include any intermediate ranges therebetween, which may or may not be specifically listed herein.

Although the present invention has been depicted and described in detail in the drawings and description above, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and non-limiting; the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. After studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the accompanying claims, those skilled in the art practicing the claimed invention will be able to understand and practice other variations of the disclosed embodiments.

In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the singular forms do not exclude the plural. The fact that certain measures are mentioned in different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims (36)

1. An aerosol-generating device configured to generate an aerosol by heating at least one portion of an aerosol-generating substrate, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises: a gap loop resonator configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol. 2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the gap loop resonator is configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate based on one or both of induction heating and microwave heating. 3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one gap loop resonator portion defines a gap loop resonator loop, wherein the loop is configured to receive at least one portion of the aerosol-generating substrate, wherein the gap loop resonator is configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate based on generating an alternating magnetic field within the loop of the gap loop resonator. 4. The aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least two gap loop resonator portions are located opposite each other and spaced apart such that the at least two portions form a gap loop resonator gap, wherein the gap is configured to receive at least one portion of the aerosol-generating substrate, wherein the gap loop resonator is configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate based on generating an alternating electric field within the gap of the gap loop resonator. 5. The aerosol generating device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gap loop resonator is at least one of a cylindrical gap loop resonator, a tubular gap loop resonator, a toroidal gap loop resonator, a spiral gap loop resonator, and a multi-loop loop resonator. a loop resonator with a gap and a multi-gap loop resonator with a gap. 6. The aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gap loop resonator is at least partially located in a cartridge that is at least partially filled or filled with an aerosol generating substrate; wherein the cartridge is configured to connect (a) to an external power device configured to drive a loop resonator with a gap, and/or (b) to a power supply circuit of the aerosol generating device, wherein this power supply circuit is configured to drive into action of a loop resonator with a gap. 7. An aerosol generating device according to any of the previous paragraphs, further comprising: at least one electrically conductive excitation loop configured to induce eddy currents on at least a portion of the loop resonator with a gap and/or configured to excite electromagnetic oscillations on at least a portion of the loop resonator with a gap. 8. An aerosol generating device according to any of the previous paragraphs, further comprising: a power supply circuit configured to drive the gap loop resonator to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate based on excitation of electromagnetic oscillations in at least a portion of the gap loop resonator. 9. The aerosol generating device of claim 8, wherein the power supply circuit is configured to drive a gap loop resonator such that an alternating magnetic field is generated in a loop of the gap loop resonator, wherein the loop is configured to receive at least at least one part of the aerosol-generating substrate; and/or the power supply circuit is configured to drive the gap loop resonator such that an alternating electric field is generated in a gap of the gap loop resonator, wherein the gap is configured to receive at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate. 10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the power supply circuit is configured to drive the gap loop resonator based on inductive coupling. 11. An aerosol generating device according to any one of paragraphs. 8-10, in which the power supply circuit includes at least one electrically conductive drive loop; wherein the power supply circuit is configured to drive the gap loop resonator based on the supply of alternating current to the at least one drive loop. 12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 11, in which at least one excitation loop is located coaxially with the loop resonator loop with a gap. 13. An aerosol generating device according to any one of paragraphs. 8-12, in which the power supply circuit is configured to excite electromagnetic oscillations in the gap loop resonator at or near the resonant frequency of the gap loop resonator. 14. The aerosol generating device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gap loop resonator comprises a tubular body, wherein the tubular body that defines a loop of the gap loop resonator is configured to receive at least one portion of an aerosol generating substrate; wherein the gap loop resonator is configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate based on generating an alternating magnetic field within the loop of the gap loop resonator. 15. The aerosol generating device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gap loop resonator comprises a tubular body with a slot, the slot defining a gap of the gap loop resonator configured to receive at least one portion of an aerosol generating substrate; wherein the gap loop resonator is configured to heat at least one portion of the aerosol generating substrate based on generating an alternating electric field within the gap of the gap loop resonator. 16. Using a gap loop resonator in an aerosol generating device to heat at least a portion of the aerosol generating substrate. 17. An aerosol-generating article for an aerosol-generating device, wherein the aerosol-generating article contains at least one of: a first section located and/or configured to fit in the loop of the loop resonator with the gap of the aerosol generating device; And a second portion located and/or configured to fit within the gap of the gap loop resonator. 18. An aerosol-generating product according to claim 17, additionally containing: a loop resonator with a gap configured to heat one or both of the first section and the second section of the aerosol generating article. 19. The aerosol generating article of claim 17 or 18, wherein the first portion is substantially cylindrical in shape. 20. An aerosol generating system containing: an aerosol generating device according to any one of claims. 1-15, wherein the system contains an aerosol-generating product, preferably according to any one of paragraphs. 17-19.