TW201618682A - Aerosol-generating device and system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrically heated aerosol-generating device for use in an aerosol-generating system. The device comprises: a housing having a proximal end and a distal end; a cavity, provided in the proximal end of the housing, configured to receive an aerosol-generating article; a power supply; at least one electrical heating element; and a plurality of electrical contacts provided at the distal end of the housing. The maximum radius of a cross-section of the housing adjacent the proximal end is greater than the maximum radius of a cross-section of the housing adjacent the distal end. The invention also relates to an aerosol-generating system incorporating the device.

Description

Aerosol generating device and system

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device for use in an aerosol generating system. The system includes a primary device for housing the aerosol generating device to provide electrical power to the device to charge a power source, such as a battery.

The electrically operated smoking system significantly reduces sidestream smoke compared to end-ignited smoking devices while allowing the consumer to selectively activate the smoking system during the smoking experience. An electrically operated smoking system typically includes an aerosol generating device having an outer casing for housing an aerosol generating product or a smoking article, a plurality of heating elements for generating an aerosol, a power source, and necessary electronic circuitry (electronic circuitry) ). The circuitry can be, for example, circuitry for controlling the heating and charging of the aerosol generating device. The portable device and the primary charging device provide the advantages of a portable device that is easy to hold and use with a small aerosol generating device, and also provides the ability to quickly and conveniently recharge the aerosol generating device for reuse.

It has been found that the aerosol generating device may be erroneously inserted into the primary (charging) device, which may damage the aerosol generating device or the primary (charging) device. In addition, erroneous insertion of the device can result in the device not being able to charge, thereby providing an unsatisfactory experience to the user.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an aerosol generating device and system that prevents the aerosol generating device from being erroneously inserted into the primary device.

According to one aspect of the invention, an electrically heated aerosol generating system is provided. The system includes a primary device and a primary device. The primary device includes: a power supply; a cavity configured to receive the secondary device; a plurality of electrical contacts within the cavity, each contact configured to be in the cavity at the secondary device One of the secondary devices contacts the corresponding contact point. The secondary device includes: a housing having a proximal end and a distal end; a cavity disposed in the proximal end of the housing configured to receive an aerosol generating material; a power supply; at least one electrical a heating element; and a plurality of electrical contacts disposed at the distal end of the housing. A maximum radius of a section of the outer casing adjacent the one of the proximal ends is greater than a maximum radius of a section of the outer casing adjacent the distal end of the outer casing. The maximum radius of the cross-section of the secondary device housing adjacent the proximal end is greater than the maximum radius at the open end of the main device cavity. The longitudinal length of the cavity in the primary device is substantially equal to the longitudinal distance of the distal end of the secondary device to the portion of the secondary device having a larger maximum radius.

This system providing the primary device and the secondary device prevents the secondary device from being erroneously inserted into the primary device. This not only reduces the risk of damaging the system, but also provides the user with a clear indication that the device is not properly inserted and therefore does not operate as needed.

Advantageously, the housing is provided to prevent the device from being fully inserted into the charging device of the aerosol generating system when the device is erroneously inserted. This can be reduced The risk of the device being stuck in the charging device when the user inserts the device in the wrong orientation.

Preferably, the section of the outer casing having a larger maximum radius is disposed at a distance from the proximal end that is less than 25% of the longitudinal length of the outer casing. Positioning the outer casing with a larger maximum radius at this location advantageously prevents the device from being erroneously inserted into the charging device too far, which provides the user with an immediate and very noticeable indication that the device was erroneously inserted.

The maximum radius of the outer section of the outer casing adjacent the one end is preferably between about 110% and about 125% of the maximum radius of the outer section of the outer casing adjacent the distal end.

The maximum radius of the section of the outer casing adjacent the proximal end may be formed by a protrusion disposed on an outer surface of the outer casing. The projection preferably has a smooth transverse cross section. The protrusion can extend around the entire circumference of the outer casing. Preferably, the projection extends around only a portion of the perimeter of the outer casing.

The protrusion is preferably a smooth protrusion to provide a satisfactory user experience. The projection may extend between the surface of the outer casing by between about 1 mm and about 3 mm. The projections can have a longitudinal length of between about 1 mm and about 5 mm.

The cross-sectional shape of the cavity in the primary device preferably matches the cross-sectional shape of the adjacent distal end of the secondary device housing. Thus, the secondary device can be inserted into the cavity in the correct orientation. The cross-sectional shape can be asymmetrical such that the secondary device can be keyed to the primary device to ensure that the secondary device is inserted in the correct rotational alignment. In this way, the electrical connections can be formed correctly.

The longitudinal length of the cavity in the primary device may be less than the longitudinal distance from the distal end of the secondary device to the portion of the secondary device having a larger maximum radius. In this way, the portion adjacent the proximal end is not combined with the primary device, and the secondary device can be fully inserted into the primary device to enable the electrical connection to be formed.

The term "longitudinal" refers to the direction from the bottom to the top or vice versa. The term "lateral" refers to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The primary device is preferably a charging device for recharging the power supply in the secondary device.

The primary device can include a display or other display (eg, a digital display) that indicates information to the user. The display can indicate whether the secondary device is properly inserted. For example, the display can indicate smoking article consumption, energy usage, or other information. The display can further indicate when the secondary power supply has sufficient charge for use to consume the smoking article.

Preferably, the cavity is an elongated cavity extending from the top of the primary device. The length of the cavity from its open end to its closed end is preferably at least as long as the secondary device. The cavity can be offset from the central longitudinal axis of the outer casing. Preferably, the cavity is adjacent one of the edges of the outer casing.

Preferably, the primary device includes two electrical contacts, the first electrical contact being connected to the positive terminal of the power supply and the second electrical contact being connected to the negative terminal of the power supply.

The electrical contacts are preferably made of metal. Preferably, the metal used to make the electrical contacts is a beryllium copper alloy. Preferably, at least a portion of the electrical contacts are gold plated.

Preferably, the source of electrical power comprises a rechargeable battery. Preferably, the primary device includes means for receiving external power to recharge the rechargeable power supply.

Preferably, the electrical power supply device is configured to provide power to the secondary device in a manner suitable for recharging the secondary battery in the secondary device.

The outer casing preferably includes a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall, a top wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall.

The terms "front", "back", "upper", "lower", "side", "top", "bottom", "left", "right" and the relative components used to describe the primary and secondary devices. Other terms of position refer to the primary device in a vertical position and the opening of the cavity is configured to receive the secondary device at the top end.

The primary device can be a substantially rectangular parallelepiped comprising two wider walls separated by two narrower sidewalls and a top wall and a bottom wall. The secondary device is preferably elongated.

The cover is preferably a hinged cover. Preferably, the hinge extends from the front wall to the rear wall across the top of the outer casing. The hinge can include a spring configured to retain the cover in a second (closed) position. The hinge can also include a damper configured to inhibit movement of the cover when the cover is moved from the second position to the first position. Alternatively, the cover can include a spring configured to retain the cover in the second position. In this alternative, the cover preferably is provided with means for retaining the cover in the first position, the retaining means being configured to provide sufficient force to overcome the force applied to the cover by the spring.

The retaining means can comprise at least one magnet and at least one corresponding iron element. The at least one magnetic system is disposed in a housing of the primary device, and the iron component is disposed in the cover. Alternatively, the retention means can be a latched configuration.

The hinge cover can form the entire top of the outer casing. In this alternative, the hinge can be internal to the cover and can be adjacent to one of the side walls of the outer casing.

The secondary device is an electrically heated aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device is designed to contain an aerosol generating product and is held by the user during the smoking experience. A power supply is preferably provided in the secondary device and adapted to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to an operating temperature prior to the onset of aerosol generation. The power supply in the secondary device is also adapted to maintain the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate during aerosol generation. The source of power in the primary device is preferably used to charge the secondary power supply during a charging mode when the secondary device is not in use.

The secondary device in the form of an electrically heated aerosol generating device preferably has a size similar to or slightly greater than the size of the cigarette that is ignited at the end. Thus, the secondary unit can be held between the fingers of the user in a manner similar to the end-ignited cigarette.

As used herein, "aerosol generating device" refers to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to produce an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate can be part of an aerosol-generating material, such as a portion of a smoking article. An aerosol generating device can include an energy source for supplying energy from a power supply to an aerosol-forming substrate to produce an aerosol. One or more components. For example, an aerosol generating device can be a heated aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device can be an electrically heated aerosol generating device or a gas heated aerosol generating device. An aerosol generating device can be a smoking device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol generating material to produce an aerosol that can be directly inhaled into the user's lungs via a user's mouth.

As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" refers to a substrate that is capable of releasing one of the volatile compounds that form an aerosol. These volatile compounds can be released by heating the aerosol to form a substrate. As an alternative to heating or burning, in some cases, volatile compounds can be released by chemical reaction or by mechanical stimulation such as ultrasound. The aerosol-forming substrate can be solid or liquid, or both solid components and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate can be adsorbed, coated, impregnated, or otherwise loaded onto a carrier or support. An aerosol-forming substrate can conveniently be part of an aerosol-generating or smoking article.

The aerosol-forming substrate can comprise nicotine. The aerosol-forming substrate can comprise tobacco, for example, a tobacco-containing material comprising a volatile tobacco aroma compound that is released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon exposure to heat. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate can comprise a homogenized tobacco material, such as cast leaf tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate can comprise at least one aerosol former, such as propylene glycol or glycerol.

As used herein, the terms "aerosol production" and "smoke product" are meant to include an article of an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing a volatile compound that forms an aerosol. For example, the aerosol generating material can be produced by direct inhalation to the user via the mouth of a user. A smoking article of an aerosol in the lungs of a user. The aerosol generating material can be disposable. The term "aerosol generator" is usually used thereafter.

Preferably, the aerosol generating material is a heated aerosol generating material which is an aerosol generating material comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming substrate being intended to be heated rather than burned to release volatiles which form an aerosol. Sex compounds. The aerosol formed by heating the aerosol-forming substrate may contain less than the known harmful components of the aerosol produced by combustion or thermal degradation of the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol generating material can be or can comprise a tobacco rod.

Preferably, the secondary device is configured to operate in at least two modes. The at least two modes are preferably a charging mode and an operating mode. The charging mode is preferably accessible only when the secondary device is within the primary device and the cover is in the second position. The operational (in other words aerosol generation) mode is preferably only available when the secondary device is not within the primary device.

Preferably, the secondary power supply is chargeable by the primary power supply during the charging mode such that the secondary power supply has a sufficient amount of charge to substantially maintain the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate substantially in the smoking Operating temperature during mode. If the optimum temperature is not reached, the amount and quality of the aerosol generated during operation of the device may be reduced. For example, different proportions of volatile elements can be produced when the heating element heats the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature that is lower than when the substrate is heated to an optimum temperature, and this can alter the aroma of the aerosol. In order to provide a better and consistent user experience, preferably, the secondary device can operate only when the secondary power supply is in a fully charged condition. The secondary power supply should always be able to heat the aerosol-forming substrate under fully charged conditions. To the optimum temperature. Since each operation of the secondary device will consume power from the secondary power supply, preferably the secondary device needs to be recharged prior to each operation. For example, an aerosol generating device may require recharging after each actuation prior to consuming another smoking article.

In the event that the secondary device does not have sufficient charge to heat the aerosol-forming substrate during a period of time sufficient to deplete or substantially illuminate any aerosol-forming substrate, insufficient charge may result in no Satisfied user experience. Thus, in one embodiment, the secondary device will prevent the user from initiating operation of the device unless sufficient power is available to complete the aerosol generation cycle. For example, if the aerosol is produced as a smoking article comprising a tobacco-based aerosol-forming substrate, the secondary device may not permit a smoking experience unless sufficient power is present to maintain the operating temperature for at least 6 minutes.

Preferably, during the warm-up mode, the power supply from the primary power supply to the at least one heating element is controlled by the secondary circuitry in the secondary device. During the charging mode, the supply of power from the primary power supply to charge the secondary power supply can be controlled by the secondary circuitry in the secondary device.

The secondary device can be keyed to the cavity of the primary device such that only secondary devices that are compatible with the primary device can be inserted into the cavity. In order to achieve a keying of the secondary device to the cavity of the primary device, the cavity may be provided with a particular irregular shape and the secondary device may have a corresponding irregular shape. Additionally, to ensure that the secondary device is inserted into the cavity in the correct orientation, the irregular shape is preferably non-rotationally symmetric. Thus, the secondary device can only be inserted into the cavity in one orientation.

The primary device can further include at least one contact configured to communicate data between the primary device and the secondary device. Preferably, the primary device further includes at least two contacts configured to transfer data between the primary device and the secondary device. The primary device is preferably configured to transmit data only to or from the secondary device when the cover is in the second position.

The information can be communicated between the secondary device and the primary device, and from the primary device to a computer interface that can be read by a computer or other electronic device capable of transmitting the data to a computer or the Internet. Preferably, the data connection operates in accordance with an interface standard. An interface standard is a description that allows information to be exchanged between two or more systems or devices for one or more functional characteristics (such as code conversion, line assignment, or protocol compatibility) or physical characteristics (such as electrical, mechanical). Or optical characteristics) standards. Examples of suitable interface standards for communication links include, but are not limited to, a family of Recommended Standard 232 (RS-232) standards; USB; Bluetooth; FireWire (Apple, Inc. for its IEEE 1394 interface brand name), IrDA (Infrared Data Association - communication standard for short-range data exchange by infrared light); Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4 standard based on wireless personal area network) and other Wi-Fi standards.

The aerosol-forming substrate preferably comprises a tobacco-containing material comprising a volatile tobacco aroma compound that is released from the substrate after heating. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate can comprise a non-tobacco material. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate further comprises an aerosol former. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerin and propylene glycol.

The aerosol-forming substrate can be a solid substrate. The solid substrate can comprise, for example, one or more of the following: powder, granules, pellets, chips, spaghetti, strips or flakes, which contain one of the following or Many: vanilla leaves, tobacco leaves, fragments of tobacco ribs, recombinant tobacco, homogenized tobacco, extruded tobacco and expanded tobacco. Alternatively, the solid substrate can include added tobacco or non-tobacco volatile aromatic compounds that are released upon heating of the substrate. Alternatively, the solid substrate can be disposed on or embedded in a thermally stable carrier. The carrier may take the form of a powder, granules, pellets, chips, Italian noodles, strips or flakes. Alternatively, the carrier can be a tubular carrier having a thin layer of solid substrate deposited on its inner surface or on its outer surface or on both its inner and outer surfaces. The tubular carrier can be formed, for example, from paper, paper-like materials, non-woven carbon fiber mats, low quality open mesh metal mesh or porous metal foil, or any other stable polymeric substrate. The solid substrate can be deposited on the surface of the support in the form of, for example, a sheet, a foam, a gel or a slurry. The solid substrate can be deposited on the entire surface of the carrier or it can be deposited in a pattern to provide uneven aroma delivery during use. Alternatively, the carrier can be a non-woven or fiber bundle into which the tobacco component has been incorporated. The non-woven fabric or fiber bundle may comprise, for example, carbon fibers, natural cellulose fibers or cellulose derivative fibers.

The aerosol-forming substrate can be a liquid substrate, and the smoking article can comprise means for retaining the liquid substrate. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate can be any other substrate species (e.g., a gas substrate), or any combination of various substrate types.

The primary device can include a storage means for at least one aerosol-generating product, such as a smoking article comprising a tobacco aerosol-forming substrate. The storage means may include a reservoir for used smoking articles, unused smoking articles, or both. This is advantageous because the primary device and the secondary unit together provide all of the components required for the smoking mode.

As used herein, a means-function feature feature may alternatively be represented in terms of its corresponding structure.

Any feature of one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention in any suitable combination. In particular, the method aspect can be applied to the device aspect and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some, and/or all of the features of one aspect may be applied to any, some, and/or all of any other aspects in any suitable combination.

It will also be appreciated that specific combinations of features described and defined in any aspect of the invention can be independently implemented and/or supplied and/or used.

100‧‧‧ main device

102‧‧‧Secondary installation

104‧‧‧Smoke products (aerosol-forming substrate, aerosol-generating material)

106‧‧‧Battery

108‧‧‧Control electronics

110‧‧‧Electrical contacts

112‧‧‧ Cavity

114‧‧‧ Cover

116‧‧‧Shell

118‧‧‧ Hinges

120, 122, 124‧‧‧ indicators

126‧‧‧(rechargeable) battery

128‧‧‧Secondary control electronic equipment

130‧‧‧Electrical contacts

132‧‧‧ Cavity

134‧‧‧heater

136‧‧‧Shell

138‧‧‧Electrical contacts

200‧‧‧ proximal end

202‧‧‧ distal

204‧‧‧ bumps

The invention will be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 shows the primary and secondary devices; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the secondary device; Figure 3 shows the secondary a portion of the device having protrusions; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the protrusion on the secondary device; Figure 5 is a view showing the secondary device correctly inserted into the primary device; and Figure 6 shows the secondary insertion of the primary device erroneously Device.

Figure 1 (a) shows the primary device 100. In this example, primary device 100 is a charging unit for electrically heating a smoking system. Figure 1(b) shows the secondary device 102. In this example, the secondary device 102 is an electrically heated aerosol generating device adapted to receive the smoking article 104, the smoking article 104 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The primary device 100 includes a primary battery 106, control electronics 108, and electrical contacts 110 that are configured to provide power from the battery 106 to the secondary device when the secondary device is coupled to the electrical contact 110. The primary device is configured to charge the secondary device with battery 106. Electrical contacts 110 are disposed adjacent the bottom of cavity 112. The cavity is configured to receive the secondary device 102. A cover 114 is provided that is configured to secure the secondary device 102 within the cavity 112 of the primary device 100. The components of the primary device 100 are housed within the outer casing 116. The cover 114 is coupled to the outer casing 116 by a hinge 118. The operation of the cover will be described in more detail below.

In addition, the primary device 100 is provided with a series of three indicators 120, 122 and 124. Indicator 120 is provided to indicate the level of charge remaining in primary battery 106. The indicator 120 is configured to indicate a percentage of the amount of charge remaining in the primary battery. For example, 100% may indicate that battery 106 is fully charged, and 50% may indicate that battery 106 is half charged.

A second indicator 122 is provided to indicate that the secondary device 102 is fully charged and ready for use to generate an aerosol. The indicator 122 is only indicated after the secondary device is capable of providing sufficient power to provide the user with a complete smoking experience (eg, sufficient power to spray all of the aerosol-forming substrate 104, or sufficient to produce a predetermined number of ejected powers) This preparation is State. In one embodiment, the secondary device 102 is inoperable unless the rechargeable battery 126 is fully charged.

A third indicator 124 is provided to indicate that the secondary device is in cleaning. The aerosol generating material can leave a residue on the heater of the aerosol generating device, and thus the primary device can be provided with a cleaning mode that provides electrical power to the heater when the secondary device is received in the cavity. The power supplied to the heater in the cleaning mode is sufficient to burn off the residue.

The secondary device 102 includes a rechargeable battery 126, secondary control electronics 128, and electrical contacts 130. As described above, the rechargeable battery 126 of the secondary device 102 is configured to receive a supply of power from the primary battery 106 when the electrical contact 130 is in contact with the electrical contact 110 of the primary device 100. The secondary device 102 further includes a cavity 132 configured to receive the aerosol generator 104. A heater 134 in the form of, for example, a vane heater is disposed at the bottom of the cavity 132. In use, the user activates the secondary device 102 and power is provided from the battery 126 to the heater 134 via the control electronics 128. The heater is heated to a standard operating temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating material 104. The components of the secondary device 102 are housed within the outer casing 136.

Finally, the primary device 100 is provided with other electrical contacts 138 that are configured to enable the primary device to be connected to an external power supply to enable the battery 106 to be recharged.

As shown in FIG. 2, the secondary device 102 has a proximal end 200 and a distal end 202. The proximal end 200 includes a cavity for receiving the aerosol generator 104. The distal end 202 includes an electrical contact 130 (not shown). In this example, the outer casing has a polygonal cross section and, in detail, has 10 sides in this example. The outer casing of the secondary device 102 includes a projection 204 that extends along one of the sides of the polygon. The projection includes a raised portion having a smooth edge. The projections are configured such that the secondary device can only be fully inserted into the primary (charging) device 100 in the correct orientation. If the device 102 is erroneously inserted, the projection engages the edge of the cavity in the primary device 100. The projection is preferably formed integrally with the outer casing of the secondary device.

The secondary device 102 also includes a start button 206 for activating the device to generate an aerosol.

Figure 3 shows a close up view of the portion of the secondary device 102 that includes the projections 204. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a secondary device having protrusions in a longitudinal position.

Figure 5 shows the secondary device 102 correctly inserted into the primary device 100. As can be seen, the projections 204 on the secondary device are configured such that the secondary device can be fully inserted into the primary device such that the electrical contacts are engageable without the projections engaging the edges of the cavity 112.

On the other hand, Fig. 6 shows the secondary device 102 erroneously inserted into the main device 100. As can be seen, the projection 204 has engaged the edge of the cavity in the primary device before the secondary device can be fully inserted into the primary device. In this position, the lid cannot be fully closed, and thus the user can understand that the device is erroneously inserted and thus prompted to properly insert the device to enable charging.

102‧‧‧Secondary installation

106‧‧‧Battery

108‧‧‧Control electronics

112‧‧‧ Cavity

118‧‧‧ Hinges

204‧‧‧ bumps

Claims (6)

An electrically heated aerosol generating system comprising: a primary device comprising: a power supply; a cavity configured to receive a primary device; a plurality of electrical contacts within the cavity, each contact Configuring to contact a corresponding contact of the secondary device when the secondary device is in the cavity; and a secondary device for electrically heated aerosol generation comprising: a housing having a proximal end and a a distal end; a cavity disposed in the proximal end of the outer casing, configured to receive an aerosol generating material; a power supply; at least one electrical heating element; and a plurality of electrical contacts, the plurality of electrical contacts Provided at the distal end of the outer casing; wherein a maximum radius of a cross section of the outer casing adjacent to the proximal end is greater than a maximum radius of a cross section of the outer casing adjacent the distal end, wherein the secondary device outer casing is adjacent to the The maximum radius of the proximal section is greater than the maximum radius at the open end of the primary device cavity, and wherein the longitudinal length of the cavity in the primary device is substantially equal to the distal end of the secondary device to the secondary Loading The longitudinal distance portion having a larger maximum radius. The electrically heated aerosol generating system of claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the outer casing having a larger maximum radius is disposed at a distance from the proximal end that is less than 25% of the longitudinal length of the outer casing. An electrically heated aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a maximum radius of a section of the outer casing adjacent to the proximal end is about 110% of a maximum radius of a section of the outer casing adjacent the distal end About 125%. The electrically heated aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the maximum radius of the section adjacent the proximal end of the outer casing is formed by a protrusion disposed on an outer surface of the outer casing. The electrically heated aerosol generating device of claim 4, wherein the protrusion has a smooth cross section. An electrically heated aerosol generating device according to claim 4, wherein the projection extends around the entire periphery of the outer casing.