WO2019238813A1

WO2019238813A1 - Aerosol-generating device with wrapped battery

Info

Publication number: WO2019238813A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/065469
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simon DESNERCK; Louis-Philippe VANCRAEYNEST; Pieter VAN LANCKER
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority date: 2018-06-14
Filing date: 2019-06-13
Publication date: 2019-12-19

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol. The device comprises a heating chamber (10) comprising a sidewall (16), a heating element (12), and a battery (14) for powering the heating element. The battery is arranged at least partly surrounding the sidewall of the heating chamber.

Description

AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE WITH WRAPPED BATTERY

The invention relates to an aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol. Aerosol-generating devices are known which heat but not burn aerosol-generating substrate such as tobacco. These devices heat aerosol-generating substrate to a sufficiently high temperature for creating an aerosol for inhalation by the user.

These aerosol-generating devices typically comprise a heating chamber, wherein a heating element is arranged within the heating chamber. An aerosol-generating article comprising aerosol-generating substrate can be inserted into the heating chamber and heated by the heating element. The heating element is powered by a battery. Battery life depends on the temperature of the battery. In winter, ambient temperature may be relatively low. As long as the aerosol-generating device is protected from low temperatures, for example during transport in a pocket of a user, battery life is not negatively affected. However, battery life may decrease when the device is used for prolonged periods in cold temperatures.

Consequently, there is a need for optimizing battery life of an aerosol-generating device, particularly in cold temperatures.

For solving this and further objects, the present invention proposes an aerosol generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol. The device comprises a heating chamber comprising a sidewall, a heating element, and a battery for powering the heating element. The battery is arranged at least partly surrounding the sidewall of the heating chamber.

By arranging the battery of the device at least partly surrounding a sidewall of the heating chamber, the heat produced by the heating element in the heating chamber can be used to heat the battery. In this regard, the heating element arranged in the heating chamber is predominantly provided for heating aerosol-forming substrate, which is provided in an aerosol-generating article. The heat generated by the heating element may, however, not be fully absorbed by the aerosol-generating article and may partially reach the inner wall of the heating chamber. Particularly, the sidewall surrounding the side surfaces of the heating chamber may receive heat from the heating element. This heat is in known devices not used for any purpose and dissipates into the surroundings of the aerosol-generating device without further effect. In the present invention, the excess heat provided by the heating element is at least partly absorbed by the battery, thereby heating the battery. Also, the heating element may be activated if no aerosol-generating article is inserted into the heating chamber. In this case, the heat generated by the heating element may have the sole purpose of heating the battery. The sidewall of the heating chamber is preferably the wall surrounding the outer circumference of the heating chamber. The heating chamber preferably has a cylindrical shape. The heating chamber preferably has a hollow tubular shape. The heating chamber preferably has a base. The base may be part of the sidewall so that the battery is arranged at least partly surrounding the heating chamber and the area below the heating chamber. The heating chamber preferably has an opening, into which an aerosol-generating article can be inserted. The opening preferably is not part of the sidewall. The heating chamber may have a hollow tubular shape for insertion of an aerosol-generating article with a cylindrical shape resembling a conventional cigarette. The opening of the heating chamber for inserting the article may be circular. The heating element may be configured as a heating blade arranged centrally in the heating chamber.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the aerosol-generating device may be configured more compact. In known devices, the battery is typically provided in an area of the device distanced from the heating chamber. Typical batteries have a cylindrical shape. The present invention facilitates that the battery is arranged directly surrounding the heating chamber so that there is no need for providing a further storage space for a battery.

Components of the aerosol-generating device may be protected by the battery. In this regard, modern flexible battery sheets may be constructed in a way that these batteries are robust. These batteries may retain functionality if damaged, for example by piercing. The battery may thus be used to protect components of the aerosol-generating device such as electronic components or the heating chamber.

The battery may fully surround the sidewall of the heating chamber.

Fully surrounding the sidewall of the heating chamber increases heat transfer from the heating element to the battery. The battery may be arranged at least partly surrounding the heating chamber such that the opening of the heating chamber into which the aerosol generating article is inserted is not surrounded by the battery and the bottom part of the heating chamber may also not be surrounded by the battery. The battery may thus be arranged at least partly surrounding the outer circumference of the heating chamber. However, the battery may also be arranged at the bottom of the heating chamber, also denoted as the base of the heating chamber.

The battery may partly surround the sidewall of the heating chamber.

If beneficial, the battery only partly surrounds the sidewall of the heating chamber. For example, during manufacturing, it may be beneficial to not fully surround the sidewall of the heating chamber so that parts of the heating chamber can still be accessed. Also, further components such as an air inlet may be arranged adjacent to the heating chamber such that it may be beneficial to not surround this area by means of the battery. The battery may be wrapped multiple times around the sidewall of the heating chamber.

Depending upon the used battery, wrapping the battery multiple times around the sidewall of the heating chamber may be beneficial. In this regard, the battery may have a flat shape so that the desired battery capacity can be realized by wrapping the battery multiple times around the heating chamber. Different devices with different battery capacities can thus easily be manufactured with the same battery technology. In this case, the battery is wrapped around the heating chamber as many times as necessary to achieve a specific battery capacity. Also, protecting components of the aerosol-generating device may be optimized by multiple wrappings of the battery. Multiple battery layers will also optimize trapping heat in the battery.

The heating element may be arranged and configured to transmit excess heat towards the battery.

The heating element may thus have a shape that heat radiated by the heating element is radiated at least predominantly in the direction of the battery. The heating element may have the shape of a heating pin or heating blade. The heating element may predominantly radiate heat in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the heating element. The longitudinal axis of the heating element may be arranged centrally within the heating chamber. The heating element may be arranged centrally along the longitudinal central axis of the heating chamber.

The battery may be configured as a flexible or flat sheet.

Configuring the battery as a flexible sheet has the benefit that the battery may be adapted to the shape of the heating chamber. For example, if the shape of the heating chamber is cylindrical, the battery may be wrapped around the cylindrical heating chamber thereby having the shape of a hollow tube. Instead of wrapping, the battery may have a hollow core. If the used battery technology provided the battery as a flat sheet, the battery may still be arranged surrounding the heating chamber in a compact manner and for receiving heat from the heating element. The thickness of the battery may be adapted to the desired outer dimensions of the device.

The battery arranged surrounding the heating chamber may be provided in addition to a further battery. The further battery may be arranged in a further storage area of the device.

The battery may at least partly form the sidewall of the heating chamber. The battery may be configured to be able to form, at least partly, the sidewall of the heating chamber. The battery may fully form the sidewall of the heating chamber. The battery may be rigid. It may then no longer be necessary to provide a specific sidewall for the heating chamber since the battery itself forms the sidewall. Hence, the device can be constructed more compact and cost efficient.

The battery may have the shape of a hollow cylinder. A cylindrical battery may be optimally suited to fit around the sidewall of the heating chamber.

The shape of the cross section of the battery perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber may be round, elliptic or rectangular.

The shape of the battery may be optimized in light of the shape of the heating chamber and/or the housing of the aerosol-generating device. Further criteria such as the flow of electrical power within the battery may also influence the optimal shape of the battery.

The battery may be arranged between a housing of the aerosol-generating device and the sidewall of the heating chamber, wherein the battery may follow the contours of the housing.

The battery may be protected from damage or contamination between the sidewall of the heating chamber and the housing of the aerosol-generating device. The space between the heating chamber and the housing may be fully occupied by the battery. The battery may be arranged directly adjacent to the housing of the aerosol-generating device. The battery may be arranged directly adjacent to the heating chamber. A gap may be provided between the battery and the housing or between the battery and the heating chamber.

The battery or at least a further battery may be arranged surrounding at least a further component of the aerosol-generating device, preferably an electronic component of the aerosol-generating device.

The electronic component may be arranged below the heating chamber. The electronic component may be a controller. The controller may control the operation of the heating element. The electronic component may be a printed circuit board, a processor, memory or a communication interface. Multiple electronic components may be surrounded by the battery. Surrounding these components by the battery may protect the components from damage. Surrounding the component by the battery may also increase the thermal insulation of the component.

Generally, the battery may be configured to power further components of the aerosol generating device such as a controller. The battery may power the further components in addition to powering the heating element.

The battery arranged surrounding the further component of the aerosol-generating device may overlap with the battery arranged surrounding the sidewall of the heating chamber.

The battery arranged surrounding the sidewall of the heating chamber may be provided separate from the battery arranged surrounding a component of the aerosol- generating device. The two batteries may overlap to create a protective and insulating wrapping. Also, heat and/or excess heat from the heating element may be used to heat at least one of the batteries.

The battery may not extend along the full longitudinal length of the heating chamber. The battery may only extend around a certain part of the heating chamber. For example, the battery may only be arranged surrounding the part of the heating chamber, in which a heating element is arranged. The heating element may not extend along the full longitudinal length of the heating chamber. The battery may be arranged distanced from the opening of the heating chamber to prevent the battery from being damaged.

The battery may extend further than the full longitudinal length of the heating chamber. Arranging the battery not only surrounding the heating chamber may facilitate the arrangement of a battery with a larger capacity. Also, further components of the aerosol generating device may be surrounded by the battery. The battery may thus optimally receive excess heat from the heating elements. The battery may protect further components of the aerosol-generating device.

Chemistries or battery types of the batteries according to the present invention include but are not limited to: Lithium-ion, Lithium Titanate (LTO), Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP), Lithium Cobalt oxide, Lithium Manganes Oxide (LMO), Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC), Lithium Nickel Cobalt Oxide, Lithium Polymer, Lithium Air, Lithium metal and Lithium Sulfur batteries.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an aerosol-generating device, the method comprising the following steps:

i) providing an aerosol-generating device comprising a heating chamber with a sidewall, a heating element and a battery for powering the heating element, and

ii) arranging the battery at least partly surrounding the sidewall of the heating chamber.

The invention will be described in more detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show in:

Figure 1 : the relevant parts of an aerosol-generating device according to the present invention;

Figure 2: embodiments of a battery of the aerosol-generating device which are shorter or longer than a heating chamber;

Figure 3: embodiments of the battery with a recess; Figure 4: an embodiment of the battery with multiple wrappings

Figure 5: an embodiment of the battery forming the heating chamber

Figure 6: embodiments of the battery with different cross-sections;

Figure 7: embodiments of a flat battery or a battery configured of battery strips; and Figure 8: embodiments of multiple batteries.

Figure 1 shows the essential parts of an aerosol-generating device according to the present invention. Figure 1 shows a heating chamber 10, in which a heating element 12 is arranged. The heating chamber 10 is surrounded by a battery 14. The battery 14 is specifically arranged at least partially surrounding a sidewall 16 of the heating chamber 10. In Figure 1 , a further electronic component 18 of the aerosol-generating device is depicted. The electronic component 18 may exemplarily be a controller of the aerosol-generating device.

Figure 1 does not show the full aerosol-generating device, which also comprises a housing encompassing the above described components.

The heating chamber 10 has a cylindrical hollow shape. The battery 14 arranged surrounding the heating chamber 10 consequently also has a hollow cylindrical shape. The battery 14 has a hollow tubular shape. The battery 14 protects the heating chamber 10, enables a compact construction of the device and may be heated by the heating element 12 to increase battery life during cold ambient temperatures.

Figure 2 shows two further embodiments of the battery 14 according to the present invention. In this regard, Figure 2A shows an embodiment in which the battery 14 does not fully surround the heating chamber 10. The battery 14 is arranged distanced from the opening of the heating chamber 10 and from the base of the heating chamber 10 so that the battery 14 is arranged surrounding the middle of the heating chamber 10.

In Figure 2B, an embodiment of the battery 14 is shown in which the battery 14 extends further above and below the heating chamber 10. In this embodiment, the battery 14 additionally surrounds, at least partly, the electronic component 18 of the device. The larger battery 14 as depicted in Figure 2B may be utilized to realize a battery with a higher capacity. The larger battery 14 may also protect the electronic component 18 of the device. Also, heat from the heating elements 12 may be transmitted optimally to the battery 14, if the battery 14 is configured as a large battery 14 as depicted in Figure 2B.

Figure 3 shows embodiments of the battery 14, in which the battery 14 is provided with a recess 20. The recess 20 may extend along the longitudinal length of the battery 14. The recess 20 may enable access to the heating chamber 10 or electronic components 18 of the device. Access may be beneficial during manufacture, for maintenance and for repair of the device. Further components such as an air inlet may also be arranged in or adjacent to the recess 20. The recess 20 may have a specific shape for enabling access. The recess 20 may be formed by cutouts. Generally, the battery 14 may be folded or rolled. A specific 3D shape of the battery 14 may thus be achieved.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the battery 14, in which multiple windings of the battery 14 are provided. Thus, the battery 14 is wrapped around the heating chamber 10 multiple times. This may facilitate providing a battery 14 with higher capacity or improving the protection conferred by the battery 14. Also, heating of the battery 14 by means of the heating element 12 may be optimized.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the battery 14, in which the battery 14 itself forms the heating chamber 10. The heating chamber 10 may thus no longer need a separate sidewall 16, but the battery 14 itself forms the sidewall 16 of the heating chamber 10. If the battery 14 has corresponding properties such as robustness, the battery 14 may be suited to form the sidewall 16 of the heating chamber 10.

Figure 6 shows embodiments of the battery 14, in which the battery 14 has a cross- section deviating from a cylindrical or tubular shape. The arrangements of the battery 14 shown in Figure 6 may beneficially be used if the housing of the aerosol-generating device has a specific shape. The battery 14 may conform to the shape of the housing.

Figure 7 shows embodiments of the battery 14, in which the battery 14 is arranged differently surrounding the sidewall 16 of the heating chamber 10. In Figure 7A, the battery 14 is formed from flat sheets. The flat sheets are at least partly arranged surrounding the sidewall 16 of the heating chamber 10. Flat sheets as depicted in Figure 7A may be beneficially utilized, if the battery 14 to be used has beneficial properties when provided as a flat sheet. Also, the housing of the aerosol-generating device surrounding the heating chamber 10 may have a rectangular shape so that using a flat sheet or multiple flat sheets for the battery 14 may beneficially be adapted to the housing of the device.

Figure 7B shows an embodiment, in which strips of the battery 14 are wrapped around the heating chamber 10 to surround the heating chamber 10 with the battery 14. This embodiment may beneficially be used to adapt the shape of the battery to the specific heating chamber 10 which should be surrounded. For example, when different devices are manufactured with differently shaped heating chambers 10, a flexible battery strip may be wrapped around the heating chamber 10 as many times as necessary to arrange the battery 14 fully surrounding the heating chamber 10. Also, the capacity of the battery 14 may be adapted by means of the number of windings of the battery strip around the heating chamber 10. Figure 8 shows different embodiments of the battery 14, in which a further battery 22 is provided. The further battery 22 may have different shapes. The further battery 22 may beneficially be arranged surrounding an electronic component 18 of the aerosol-generating device. The further battery 22 may protect the electronic component 18 and increase the overall battery capacity of the device. In Figure 8, the different embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other. For example, Figure 8A shows an embodiment in which a battery 14 with multiple windings is used for surrounding the heating chamber 10, while a further battery 22 with a recess 20 is provided for surrounding the electronic component 18. In this way, access to the electronic component 18 is facilitated while heat emitted from the heating chamber 10 can optimally heat the battery 14 arranged surrounding the heating chamber 10.

Figure 8B shows an embodiment in which the battery 14 surrounding the heating chamber 10 is provided with a recess 20 while the battery 22 surrounding the electronic component 18 of the device has a shape which is not provided having a cylindrical shape. Figure 8C shows an embodiment in which the battery 14 surrounding the heating chamber 10 does not fully surround the heating chamber 10 and is only surrounding a middle part of the heating chamber 10 while the battery 22 surrounding the electronic component 18 of the device is provided by flat sheets of battery material. Figure 8D shows an embodiment in which multiple batteries 14 are provided surrounding the heating chamber 10, wherein a first battery 14 is arranged surrounding a middle portion of the heating chamber 10 while a second battery 14 surrounding the heating chamber 10 is provided with a recess 20. A further battery 22 arranged surrounding an electronic component 18 of the device is again formed from flat sheets of battery material similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 8C.

Claims

1 . Aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol, the device comprising:

• a heating chamber comprising a sidewall;

• a heating element; and

• a battery for powering the heating element,

wherein the battery is arranged at least partly surrounding the sidewall of the heating chamber.

2. Aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the battery is fully surrounding the sidewall of the heating chamber.

3. Aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the battery partly surrounds the sidewall of the heating chamber.

4. Aerosol-generating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery is wrapped multiple times around the sidewall of the heating chamber.

5. Aerosol-generating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating element is arranged and configured to transmit excess heat towards the battery.

6. Aerosol-generating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery is configured as a flexible or flat sheet.

7. Aerosol-generating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery at least partly forms the sidewall of the heating chamber.

8. Aerosol-generating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery has the shape of a cylinder.

9. Aerosol-generating device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the shape of the cross section of the battery perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber is round, elliptic or rectangular. -I Q-

10. Aerosol-generating device according to one of claims 1 to 6 and 8 to 9, wherein the battery is arranged between a housing of the aerosol-generating device and the sidewall of the heating chamber, and wherein the battery follows the contours of the housing.

1 1. Aerosol-generating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery or at least a further battery is/are arranged surrounding at least a further component of the aerosol-generating device, preferably an electronic component of the aerosol-generating device.

12. Aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 1 , wherein the battery arranged surrounding the further component of the aerosol-generating device overlaps with the battery arranged surrounding the sidewall of the heating chamber.

13. Aerosol-generating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery does not extend along the full longitudinal length of the heating chamber.

14. Aerosol-generating device according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the battery extends further than the full longitudinal length of the heating chamber.

15. Method for manufacturing an aerosol-generating device, the method comprising the following steps: