WO2022096317A1

WO2022096317A1 - Airflow path arrangement to pressure sensor for an aerosol generating device

Info

Publication number: WO2022096317A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/079642
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter LOVEDAY
Original assignee: Jt International Sa
Priority date: 2020-11-04
Filing date: 2021-10-26
Publication date: 2022-05-12
Also published as: US20240016222A1; EP4240186A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device (100) including: an outside casing (101) containing a battery (102) and comprising a receiving cavity 103 for receiving an exchangeable cartomizer (10) in a removable manner, a power and control interface (104) connected to the battery (102) and positioned in the receiving cavity (103) for contacting with an electrical contact and air inlet interface (11) of the cartomizer (10), wherein the power and control interface (104) comprises an airflow sensor (105) and electrical contacts (106), wherein the power and control interface (104) comprises a deformable seal (107) configured to delimit a flow path (108) to the airflow sensor (105) and wherein the power and control interface (104) comprises a non-deformable holder (109) at least partially bordering a perimeter of the deformable seal (107) in the receiving cavity (103).

Description

AIRFLOW PATH ARRANGEMENT TO PRESSURE SENSOR

FOR AN AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

CROSS REFERENCE

Any features essential to the European patent applications titled "CARTOMIZER FOR AN AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE WITH FINS" , "CARTOMIZER FOR AN AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE WITH LEAKAGE PREVENTION" and "CARTOMIZER FOR AN AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE WITH COMBINED ELECTRICAL AND MAGNETIC CONTACTS" all filed September 4, 2020 having application numbers 20 194 596.1, 20 194 597.9 and 20 194 595.3, as well as the corresponding PCT applications all filed on September 1, 2021 and "AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE WITH LIP SEAL FOR BATTERY DEGASSING MITIGATION" , "AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE" , "SHOCK ABSORPTION IN A HANDHELD AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE" , "AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE" and "AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE WITH A SEALED CHAMBER FOR ACCOMODATING A BATTERY" all filed August 10, 2020 having application numbers 20 190 247.5, 20 190 249.1, 20 190 300.2 , 20 190 248.3 and 20 190 246.7, as well as the corresponding PCT applications all filed August 9, 2021, such as the claims thereof, and/or contained therein and corresponding to and/or relating to features of the present application are incorporated herein by this reference and can be combined with feature combinations disclosed herein in order to provide an improved aerosol generating device, and protection may be sought for the resulting feature combinations.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, in particular an electronic cigarette or vaporizer, with an airflow path arrangement to a pressure sensor. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Aerosol generating devices , such as electronic cigarettes or "e-cigarettes" as they are also known, have gained in popularity over the past ten years as an alternative to traditional smoking articles , like cigarettes , cigars , and cigarillos . Developments in the design and configuration of such aerosol generating devices or vapori zer devices are ongoing to improve their performance and their reliability, as well as their ease of production and their production costs .

Conventional aerosol generating devices usually include a heater powered by an electrical power source and a liquid reservoir containing flavoured liquid (vapori zable material ) that can be volati zed using the heater and trans ferred to a user of the aerosol generating device in an airflow, which is preferably guided through a mouthpiece of the device .

In order to provide a convenient way for a user to load the vapori zable material into the aerosol generating device and to avoid the need for the user to handle the vapori zable material ( liquid) directly, thereby reducing the likelihood of spillage and waste , conventionally capsules are provided . In this way, the integrity, safety and quality of the vapori zable material can also be assured, because it is loaded into the shell or container during manufacture to form a pre-manufactured capsule . Correct dosing of the vapori zable material is also assured .

Moreover, in order to avoid that the heating element is worn out over time , the heating element is often provided within the capsule , thereby forming a so called "cartomizer" . As the heating element (heater ) is provided with the cartomi zer, it is each time the cartomi zer ( capsule ) is replaced, hence , there is no reduction in performance over time . Additionally, aerosol generating devices , in particular e- cigarettes , use a sensor to detect airflow through the device , in particular into the cartomi zer, i . e . a user puf f , which can then trigger operation of the heater to vapori ze the vapori zable material or the e-liquid . The device has to discriminate between the airflow caused by a user puf f , and other forms of airflow or pressure changes that arise due to other actions or circumstances , for example a movement of the device through air, air pressure changes because of variation in weather conditions or change in altitude , etc .

Moreover, some e-cigarettes use sensor measurements of the airflow through the device not only to initiate activation of the heater, but also to provide dynamic control of the heater ( or other components of the e-cigarette ) . For example , as the measured airflow increases , the heater may be provided with more power, firstly to compensate for the cooling ef fect of the increased airflow, and/or secondly to vapori ze more vapori zable material or e-liquid into the increased airflow .

Hence , due to the desire to maintain a consistent draw resistance , accurate and reliable measurement of a pressure drop across a pressure sensor in an aerosol generating system having a removable or exchangeable cartomi zer that needs to maintain production tolerances and repeated replacement of the cartomi zer is desirable in order to accurately control a draw resistance primarily within the cartomi zer .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above , there is the desire to provide an aerosol generating device , in particular an electronic cigarette or vapori zer, having an airflow path arrangement to a pressure sensor that allows an accurate and constant control of a pressure drop across a pressure sensor in a removable cartomi zer system, thereby eliminating uncertainties in pressure readings . This aim may be achieved by an aerosol generating device as defined in claim 1 . Embodiments may be found in the dependent claims , the following description and the accompanying drawings .

According to one embodiment o f the present invention, provided there is an aerosol generating device , in particular an electronic cigarette or vapori zer, including : an outside casing containing a battery and including a receiving cavity for receiving an exchangeable cartomi zer in a removable manner, a power and control interface connected to the battery and positioned in the receiving cavity for contacting with an electrical contact and air inlet interface of the cartomi zer, wherein the power and control interface includes an airflow sensor and electrical contacts , wherein the power and control interface comprises a deformable seal , e . g . silicone , configured to delimit or define a flow path to the airflow sensor and wherein the power and control interface includes a non-def ormable holder at least partially bordering a perimeter of the deformable seal in the receiving cavity .

Providing the aerosol generating device with the above defined sealing arrangement allows that the sealing will be maintained during all foreseen manufacturing tolerances and usage scenarios . Moreover, an optimised localised pressure drop in the region of the pressure sensor can be achieved such that an accurate pressure signal can be maintained without creating a signi ficant additional draw resistance which should be controlled by the intake to the cartomi zer . Additionally, it becomes possible to accurately control the airflow prior to the cartomi zer, hence , making it less likely that production tolerances and general use can result in signi ficant uncertainty with regard to pressure readings .

The term "power and control interface" is to be understood here in the context of the present invention as a unit of the aerosol generating device that includes elements to provide electric energy to the cartomi zer, in particular the heater of the cartomi zer, and thereby controls a heating operation of the cartomi zer .

Moreover, in the context of the present invention the term "electrical and air inlet interface of the cartomizer" is to be understood as a unit of the cartomi zer that includes elements for electrically connecting the heater of the cartomi zer with the power and control interface of the aerosol generating device . Moreover, the "electrical and air inlet interface of the cartomi zer" includes elements for forming an air inlet and/or air path into and/or through the cartomi zer .

Additionally, in the context of the present invention the expressions "deformable seal" and "non-def ormable holder" are to be understood such that the seal is made of an elastic material that can deform in certain ranges and return to its original shape when an applied load is removed . Such an elastic material may have a maximum Young' s modulus of 0 . 1 GPa and/or a maximum hardness of 100 Shore A at ambient temperature . Hence , the "deformable seal" is preferably made of an elastomeric or silicone material .

On the other hand, the "non-def ormable holder" is made of a material which is rigid or hard and therefore not deformable at ambient temperature when submitted to a compressive constraint of a few Kilograms per square centimeter . The material has generally a Young' s modulus above 0 . 1 GPa or a hardness above 100 Shore A at ambient temperature . The "non- deformable holder" may be made of a rigid or hard thermoplastic or thermosetting material , glass composite , carbon composite or metal .

Moreover, in some embodiments of the present invention, the cartomi zer may including : a container for holding at least one reservoir configured to contain a vapori zable material or a liquid, a vapori zing chamber fluidly connected to a mouth end by a vapor passage , a liquid transport element , in particular a porous capillary member, extending from inside the at least one reservoir to inside the vapori zing chamber in order to convey the vapori zable material from the reservoir to the inside of the vapori zing chamber and an air inlet arranged to supply the vapori zing chamber with ( ambient ) air in use .

An "axial direction of the cartomizer" defines in the present application in general a longitudinal direction of the cartomi zer . However, as the shape of the cartomi zer may vary, the "axial direction of the cartomi zer" also refers to a direction in which the air flows in general through the cartomi zer, namely from the air inlet of the cartomi zer to the mouth end of the cartomi zer, which is configured to come into contact with the lips of a user during use of the aerosol generating device .

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the non-def ormable holder, preferably made of rigid thermoplastic material or hard plastic, may define an air throttling channel arranged for restricting air supplied to the flow path of the airflow sensor and to the cartomi zer .

By defining said air throttling channel essentially by the non-def ormable holder and providing an annular flow path around a base or bottom part of the cartomi zer, draw resistance can be accurately defined or tuned, hence , pressure readings by the airflow sensor can be optimised and output data of the sensor can be used with high certainty . In other words , with a channel like sealed connection between the cartomi zer and the aerosol generating device feeding a pressure sensor and a restricted intake which is in turn connected to an annular atmospheric or ambient air source , accuracy of pressure readings of the pressure sensor can be improved . Additionally, by providing an annular flow path and defining the draw resistance , a reduction in draw noise can also be realised . Accordingly, the airflow sensor is preferably a pressure sensor .

Moreover, in some embodiments of the present invention, the air throttling channel may extend transversally along the power and control interface , in particular towards the flow path of the flow sensor .

In some embodiments , the air throttling channel may be delimited or defined by a pair of support edges of the outer surface of the non-def ormable holder configured for defining the width of the air throttling channel . Therefore , as the edges are non-deformable , the si ze of the channel can be accurately controlled irrespective of the compressive force applied by the cartomi zer in the receiving cavity .

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the air throttling channel communicates to the flow path of the airflow sensor by or via an enlarged outer cavity .

By providing the above described flow path and enlarged outer cavity arrangement , a localised pressure drop in the region of the airflow sensor, in particular pressure sensor, can be optimi zed, thereby allowing that an accurate pressure signal can be maintained without creating a signi ficant additional draw resistance . The ( air ) flow path is connected via the air throttling channel to a circumferential airflow path running in a void around the perimeter of the cartomi zer and is sealed by the deformable seal to the aerosol generating device internals . Said void may be opened to atmospheric pressure or ambient air through either holes in the side of the device , in particular inside the outside casing, or a controlled flow around the cartomi zer or through the device .

Moreover, the enlarged outer cavity may be formed at the surface of the deformable seal . In some embodiments , the non-def ormable holder may include an outer surface for supporting an outer surface of the electrical contact and air inlet interface of the cartomi zer .

Furthermore , the airflow sensor may be positioned in an inner cavity of the deformable seal . As a result , the control circuitry and power source connected to the sensor can be protected against possible fluid leakage in case fluid sits at the surface or enters in the cavity .

Moreover, in some embodiments , the deformable seal may include passages for the electrical contacts .

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the non-def ormable holder may include passages for a pair o f holding magnets .

Additionally, the non-def ormable holder may include a transversal support wall for supporting an electronic circuit board for the electrical contacts and the airflow sensor .

Moreover, the deformable seal may be positioned between the electronic circuit board and the receiving cavity .

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a ring portion of the deformable seal may extend around a circumferential wall of the non-def ormable holder .

Furthermore , in some embodiments , the ring portion of the deformable seal may engage against the outside casing . The ring portion may be arranged to expand upon a pressure building up in a compartment or volume containing the power source , e . g . , battery . The ring portion may form a lip seal .

The present invention further provides an aerosol generating system including the above described aerosol generating device and an atomi zer including a vapori zing chamber and an air inlet positioned between the vapori zing chamber and the flow path of the airflow sensor .

Additionally, the cartomi zer may include a throttling air suction arrangement downstream of the air inlet .

In some embodiments , an air inlet interface of the atomi zer may form with the deformable seal of the aerosol generating device an expansion chamber between the throttling air suction arrangement of the cartomi zer and the air throttling channel of the aerosol generating device .

Additionally, the throttling air suction arrangement of the cartomi zer may include at least one restriction hole between the air throttling channel and the vapori zing chamber .

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the throttling air suction arrangement of the cartomi zer may include at least two parallel restriction holes .

Moreover, in some embodiments , the throttling air suction arrangement of the cartomi zer may provide a pressure drop higher than the pressure drop created by the air throttling channel of the aerosol generating device .

The use of the aerosol generating system for generating an inhalable aerosol is using the aerosol generating device of the present invention . Therefore , the further features disclosed in connection with the above description of the aerosol generating device may also be applied to the aerosol generating system .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings , in which :

Fig . 1 shows a sectional view of a conventional aerosol generating device having a housing consisting of a control body and a tank;

Fig . 2 shows a schematic spatial sectional view of the interior of an aerosol generating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig . 3 shows a schematic top view of the aerosol generating device shown in Fig . 1 without the cartomi zer ;

Fig . 4 shows a schematic sectional view of a detail of the device shown in Fig . 2 , when a cartomi zer is inserted into the aerosol generating device ;

Fig . 5 shows a schematic spatial view of the top of the aerosol generating device shown in Fig . 2 without outer casing and without the cartomi zer ;

Fig . 6 shows a schematic spatial view of the top of an aerosol generating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig . 7 shows a schematic spatial view of a whole aerosol generating device including the cartomi zer according to the present invention without the outside casing; and

Fig . 8 shows a schematic sectional view of a detail of the device shown in Figure 2 illustrating the air flow path towards the air flow sensor . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be explained with reference to the drawings . It will be apparent to those skilled in the field of aerosol generating devices from thi s disclosure that the following description of the embodiments is provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims . Features of the embodiments described below can also be used to further characteri ze the device defined in the claims .

Modi fications of features can be combined to form further embodiments . Features described in individual embodiments can be provided in a single embodiment i f they are not incompatible . Likewise , features described in a single embodiment can be provided in several embodiments individually or in any suitable sub-combination . As used in the speci fication and the appended claims , the singular forms "a" , "an" , "the" and the like include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise .

The same reference numerals listed in di f ferent figures refer to identical , corresponding or functionally similar elements .

As described hereinafter, example implementations of the present disclosure relate to aerosol generating devices . Aerosol generating devices according to the present invention use electrical energy to heat a material (preferably without combusting the material to any signi ficant degree and/or without signi ficant chemical alteration of the material ) to form an inhalable substance or vapor ; and components of such device have the form of articles that most preferably are suf ficiently compact to be considered hand-held devices . That is , use of components of preferred aerosol generating devices does not result in the production of smoke in the sense that aerosol results principally from by-products of combustion or pyrolysis of tobacco, but rather, use of those devices preferably results in the production of vapors resulting from volatilization or vaporization of certain components incorporated therein.

In some example implementations, components of aerosol generating devices may be characterized as electronic cigarettes, and those electronic cigarettes preferably incorporate aerosolisable liquid (e.g. propylene glycol, polyhydric alcohol) , tobacco and/or tobacco materials derived at least partially from tobacco, and hence deliver tobacco derived components in aerosol or vapor form to a user. In more detail, aerosol generating devices within the meaning of the present invention may transport the volatilized particles in an airflow through the aerosol generating device, in particular through the cartomizer, to a user of the device, the user of the device being able to activate or deactivate the generation of aerosol and possibly to control the duration, velocity and volume of the airflow by means of puffing or inhaling action. However, these parameters may also be automatically adjusted by the device.

Figure 1 illustrates a known aerosol generating or delivery device 200 including a control body 202 and a tank 204. As shown in Figure 1, the control body 202 can be formed of a control body shell 206 that can include a control component 208 (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB) , an integrated circuit, a memory component, a microprocessor, individually or as part of a micro-controller, and the like) , a flow sensor 210, a battery 212, and one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 214, and such components can be variably aligned. Moreover, the tank 204 can be formed of a tank shell 216 enclosing a reservoir 218 that is in fluid communication with a liquid transport element 220 adapted to wick or otherwise transport an aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir housing to a heater 222 (sometimes referred to as a heating element) . A valve may be positioned between the reservoir and heater and configured to control an amount of aerosol precursor composition passed or delivered from the reservoir to the heater . The known device is provided with a mouthpiece 224 having an opening defined therein and which may be coupled to the tank shell 216 to allow for egress of formed aerosol from the tank 204 . The shown device 200 , in particular the control body 202 and the tank 204 , include a coupler 230 having a cavity 232 therein . A base 228 of the tank is adapted to engage the coupler and includes a proj ection 234 to fit within the cavity .

Aerosol generating devices of the present invention generally include a number of components provided within an outer body or shell , which may be referred to as an outside casing or housing . The overall design of the outside casing can vary, and the format or configuration of the outside casing that can define the overall si ze and shape of the aerosol generating device can vary . For some aerosol generating devices , an elongated body resembling the shape of a cigarette or cigar can be formed from a single , unitary housing, or the elongated housing can be formed of two or more separable bodies . For example , an aerosol generating device can include an elongated shell or body ( outside casing) that can be substantially tubular in shape and, as such, resemble the shape of conventional cigarettes or cigars . In one implementation, all of the components of the aerosol generating device are contained within a single housing . Alternatively, an aerosol delivery device can comprise two or more housings that are j oined and are separable .

Aerosol generating devices of the present invention can be formed of an outside casing or shell that is not substantially tubular in shape but may be formed to substantially greater transversal dimensions . The outside casing or shell can be configured to include a mouthpiece and/or may be configured to receive a separate shell ( e . g . a cartridge , a tank) that can include consumable elements , such as a liquid aerosol former, and can include a vapori zer .

Figure 2 shows a schematic spatial sectional view of the interior of an aerosol generating device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention . More speci fically, Figure 2 shows an upper part of the aerosol generating device 100 and a lower part of a cartomi zer 10 brought into contact with the device 100 . As can be taken from Figure 2 , the aerosol generating device includes a non- deformable holder 109 which is preferably part of a holding frame 116 ( shown in Figs . 6 and 7 ) . The non-def ormable holder includes passages or sockets for receiving a pair of holding magnets 114 . The holding frame 116 is configured to hold a battery 102 and on top of the holding frame 116 , in particular on a transversal support wall 115 of the non- deformable holder 109 , an electronic circuit board ( PCB ) is arranged . The electronic circuit board is provided with electrical contacts 106 , in particular two of them, and an airflow sensor 105 . The airflow sensor 105 and the electrical contacts 106 form part of a power and control interface 104 that is configured to provide the attached cartomi zer 10 with electric power from the battery 102 for a heater of the cartomi zer 10 and thereby control a heating operation of the heater . Moreover, as shown in Figure 2 , the aerosol generating device 100 includes an outer casing 101 having a receiving cavity 103 for receiving the exchangeable cartomi zer 10 which is secured to the aerosol generating device 100 by the pair of magnets 114 . In the holding position the cartomi zer 10 in the receiving cavity, the power and control interface 104 comes into contact with an electrical contact and air inlet interface 11 of the cartomi zer 10 .

Additionally, as can be taken from Figures 2 and Figure 3 , which shows a schematic top view of the aerosol generating device 100 shown in Figure 1 without the cartomi zer 10 and the outside casing 101 , the power and control interface 104 includes further a deformable seal 107 that forms a flow path

108 to the airflow sensor 105 and the non-def ormable holder

109 partially borders a perimeter of the deformable seal 107 . Moreover, as shown in Figures 3 and 5 , the non-def ormable holder 109 defines an air throttling channel 110 arranged for restricting air supplied to the flow path 108 of the airflow sensor and to the cartomi zer 10 . In other words , ambient air that is sucked into the cartomi zer 10 when a user puf fs needs to flow through the throttling channel 110 whereby air supply is restricted . As can also be taken from Figs . 3 and 5 , the throttling channel 110 extends transversally along the power and control interface 104 towards the flow path 108 of the flow sensor 105 . The ambient air may travel from the exterior of the device to the inside of the outside casing 101 and to the channel 110 via at least one hole , preferably two holes provided in the casing 101 or provided at the j unction between the outside casing 110 and the mouth piece 205 of the cartomi zer .

Figure 4 shows a schematic sectional view of a detail of the aerosol generating device 100 shown in Figure 2 , when a cartomi zer 10 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 100 . As can be taken from Figure 4 , the electrical contacts 106 of the device 100 are formed by pogo pins which may be retractable and extendable positioned in passages of the deformable seal 107 . However, the pogo pins may also be provided stationary relative to the PCB . Accordingly, when the cartomi zer 10 is inserted in the aerosol generating device 100 , electrodes of the cartomi zer 10 , which are exposed at the bottom of the cartomi zer 10 , come into contact with the pogo pins and push them into a retracted position . Additionally, the non-def ormable 109 includes an outer surface for safely supporting an outer surface of the electrical contact and air inlet interface 11 of the cartomi zer . Figure 4 further shows that the airflow sensor 105 is positioned in an inner cavity 113 of the deformable seal 107 , also shown in Figure 2 . As can also be taken from Figure 4 , the deformable seal 107 is positioned between the electronic circuit board and the receiving cavity 103 .

Figure 5 shows a schematic spatial view of the top of the aerosol generating device 100 shown in Figure 2 without the cartomi zer 10 . As can be taken from Figure 5 , the air throttling channel 110 is formed by a pair of support edges 111 of the outer surface of the non-def ormable holder 109 , which define the width of the air throttling channel 110 . Moreover, the deformable seal 107 includes on the top surface an enlarged outer cavity 112 that allows the air throttling channel 110 to communicate with the flow path 108 of the airflow sensor 105 . As Figure 5 also shows , the flow path 108 extends along an up-and-down direction of the aerosol generating device 100 in Figure 5 , corresponding to an axial direction of the cartomi zer 10 . Figure 5 shows also that a ring portion 107A of the deformable seal 107 extends around a circumferential wall of the non-def ormable holder 109 . In this regard it can be taken from Figures 2 and 4 that the ring portion 107A of the deformable seal 107 engages against the outside casing 101 , thereby seal a lower part of the outside casing 101 containing the battery 102 airtight . The ring portion 107A preferably forms a lip which is arranged in such a manner that the sealing force exerted on the casing when the internal pressure in the portion of the outside casing holding the battery increases such as in the event of battery degassing incident .

Figure 6 shows a schematic spatial view of the top of an aerosol generating device 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention . In this embodiment the deformable seal 107 is not provided with the enlarged outer cavity 112 , instead a groove is provided for connecting the flow path 108 with the outside . Figure 7 shows a schematic spatial view of a whole aerosol generating device 100 , in other words of an aerosol generating system 200 , including the cartomi zer 10 and the aerosol generating device 100 according to the present invention, where only the outside casing 101 of the aerosol generating device 100 is not shown for illustrating purposes . The shown aerosol generating device 100 includes a mouthpiece 205 which is part of the cartomi zer 10 for guiding the generated vapor to a user, the cartomi zer 10 , the battery 102 , the power and control interface 104 including the deformable seal 107 and an inner frame or holding frame 116 for holding the battery 102 inside the device 100 . It should also be noted that the aerosol generating device 100 has an elongated shape , in which a receiving cavity 103 for the cartomi zer 10 , a power supply device , in particular the battery 102 , and a main electronic circuit board are arranged in this order from a first , proximal end (mouth end) to a second, distal end . Consequently, the power supply device , in particular battery 102 , is located at approximately the center of the device 100 , so that it is particularly wel l balanced .

The shown aerosol generating system 200 includes an atomi zer 201 comprising a vapori zing chamber 202 and an air inlet 203 positioned between the vapori zing chamber 202 and the flow path 108 of the airflow sensor 105 , both shown in Figure 2 . Downstream of the air inlet 203 , the cartomi zer 10 is provided with a throttling air suction arrangement 12 including at least one restriction hole 13 arranged between the air throttling channel 110 and the vapori zing chamber 202 . As can be taken in more detail from Figure 2 , an air inlet interface of the atomi zer 201 , corresponding to the electrical contact and air inlet interface 11 of the cartomi zer, forms with the deformable seal 107 of the aerosol generating device 100 an expansion chamber 204 between the throttling air suction arrangement 12 of the cartomi zer 10 and the air throttling channel 110 of the aerosol generating device 100 .

The throttling air suction arrangement 12 of the cartomi zer 10 may be dimensioned to provide a pressure drop higher than the pressure drop created by the air throttling channel 110 of the aerosol generating device 100 . As a result , the resistance to draw of the system can be essentially controlled by the throttling air suction arrangement 12 . For example , the restriction holes 13 may have a diameter equal to or lower than 1 . 2 mm each or an opening surface area equal to or lower than 0 . 785 mm² . Preferably, the diameter is above 0 . 5 mm but equal to or lower than 1 mm .

Figure 8 shows a schematic sectional view of a detail of the aerosol generating device 100 shown in Figure 2 illustrating the airflow path towards the airflow sensor 105 , in particular the pressure sensor . As can be taken from Figure 8 , in case a user takes a puf f , air is sucked into a void 16 formed between the cartomi zer 10 , in particular an outside housing of the cartomi zer, and the outside casing 101 of the aerosol generating device 100 . The air enters the void 16 through holes (not shown) which are provided in the side wall of the outside casing 101 . Accordingly, the air is sucked towards the cartomi zer 10 , in particular towards a cartomi zer air inlet 15 , through a circumferential airflow path running through the void 16 around the perimeter of the cartomi zer 10 . From the void 16 , the air flows through the air throttling channel 110 into the enlarged outer cavity 112 . In the enlarged outer cavity 112 the airflow is divided, a main portion of the airflow flows through the cartomi zer air inlet 15 towards the expansion chamber 204 , the heating coi l 14 and the vapori zing chamber 202 . A small portion of the airflow flows or is transmitted through the flow path 108 (pressure transmission path) end enters the inner cavity 113 ( sensor chamber ) in which the airflow sensor 105 is arranged . REFERENCE LIST

10 Cartomi zer

11 Electrical contact and air inlet interface

12 Throttling air suction arrangement

13 Restriction hole

14 Heating Coil

100 Aerosol generating device

101 Outside casing

102 Battery

103 Receiving cavity

104 Power and control interface

105 Airflow sensor

106 Electrical contacts

107 Deformable seal

107A Ring portion of the deformable seal

108 Flow path

109 Non-def ormable holder

110 Air throttling channel

111 Support edges

112 Enlarged outer cavity

113 Inner cavity

114 Pair of holing magnets

115 Transversal support wall

116 Holing Frame

200 Aerosol generating system

201 Atomi zer

202 Vapori zing chamber

203 Air Inlet

204 Expansion chamber

205 Mouthpiece

Claims

1. Aerosol generating device (100) comprising: an outside casing (101) containing a battery (102) and comprising a receiving cavity (103) for receiving an exchangeable cartomizer (10) in a removable manner, a power and control interface (104) connected to the battery (102) and positioned in the receiving cavity (103) for contacting with an electrical contact and air inlet interface (11) of the cartomizer (10) , wherein the power and control interface (104) comprises an airflow sensor (105) and electrical contacts (106) , wherein the power and control interface (104) comprises a deformable seal (107) configured to delimit a flow path

(108) to the airflow sensor (105) and wherein the power and control interface (104) comprises a non-def ormable holder

(109) configured for supporting the cartomizer in the receiving cavity; the holder at least partially bordering a perimeter of the deformable seal (107) in the receiving cavity (103) .

2. Aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the non-def ormable holder (109) defines an air throttling channel (110) arranged for restricting air supplied to the flow path (108) of the airflow sensor (105) and to the cartomizer (10) .

3. Aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the air throttling channel (110) extends transversally along the power and control interface (104) , in particular towards the flow path (108) of the flow sensor (105) .

4. Aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the air throttling channel (110) is delimited by a pair of support edges (111) of the outer surface of the non- deformable holder (109) configured for defining the width of the air throttling channel (110) .

5. Aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 4, wherein the air throttling channel (110) communicates to the flow path (108) of the airflow sensor (105) by an enlarged outer cavity (112) .

6. Aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the enlarged outer cavity (112) is formed at the surface of the deformable seal (107) .

7. Aerosol generating device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the non-def ormable holder (109) comprises an outer surface for supporting an outer surface of the electrical contact and air inlet interface (11) of the cartomizer (10) .

8. Aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the airflow sensor (105) is positioned in an inner cavity (113) of the deformable seal (107) .

9. Aerosol generating device (100) according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the deformable seal (107) comprises passages for the electrical contacts (106) .

10. Aerosol generating device (100) according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the non-def ormable holder (109) comprises passages for a pair of holding magnets (114) .

11. Aerosol generating device (100) according to any one of preceding claims 1-10, wherein the non-def ormable holder (109) comprises a transversal support wall (115) for supporting an electronic circuit board (PCB) for the electrical contacts (106) and airflow sensor (105) .

12. Aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 11, wherein the deformable seal (107) is positioned between the electronic circuit board and the receiving cavity (103) .

13. Aerosol generating system (200) comprising an aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding claims and an atomizer (201) comprising a vaporizing chamber (202) and an air inlet (203) positioned between the vaporizing chamber (202) and the flow path (108) of the airflow sensor (105) .

14. Aerosol generating system (200) according to claim 13, wherein the cartomizer (10) comprises a throttling air suction arrangement (12) downstream of the air inlet (203) .

15. Aerosol generating system (200) according to claim 14 and claim 2, wherein an air inlet interface of the atomizer (201) forms with the deformable seal (107) of the aerosol generating device (100) an expansion chamber (204) between the throttling air suction arrangement (12) of the cartomizer (10) and the air throttling channel (110) of the aerosol generating device (100) .