WO2023084193A1 - Système de fourniture d'aérosol comprenant une région de génération d'aérosol à variation de volume - Google Patents

Système de fourniture d'aérosol comprenant une région de génération d'aérosol à variation de volume Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023084193A1
WO2023084193A1 PCT/GB2022/052786 GB2022052786W WO2023084193A1 WO 2023084193 A1 WO2023084193 A1 WO 2023084193A1 GB 2022052786 W GB2022052786 W GB 2022052786W WO 2023084193 A1 WO2023084193 A1 WO 2023084193A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
aerosol
wall
provision system
user
adjustment mechanism
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2022/052786
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Simon Poynton
Original Assignee
Nicoventures Trading Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nicoventures Trading Limited filed Critical Nicoventures Trading Limited
Priority to KR1020247015519A priority Critical patent/KR20240089545A/ko
Priority to CN202280088343.0A priority patent/CN118541045A/zh
Priority to CA3237460A priority patent/CA3237460A1/fr
Priority to EP22803352.8A priority patent/EP4429490A1/fr
Publication of WO2023084193A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023084193A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/48—Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps
    • A24F40/485—Valves; Apertures
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/60—Devices with integrated user interfaces

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an aerosol provision system, and methods of controlling an aerosol provision system.
  • Electronic aerosol provision systems such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) generally contain an aerosol-generating material, such as a reservoir of a source liquid containing a formulation, typically including nicotine, or a solid material such as a tobaccobased product, from which an aerosol is generated for inhalation by a user, for example through heat vaporisation.
  • an aerosol provision system will typically comprise an aerosol generator, e.g. a heating element, arranged to aerosolise a portion of aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol in an aerosol generation region of an air channel through the aerosol provision system.
  • air is drawn into the system through one or more inlet holes and along the air channel to the aerosol generation region, where the air mixes with the vaporised aerosol generator and forms a condensation aerosol.
  • the air drawn through the aerosol generation region continues along the air channel to a mouthpiece, carrying some of the aerosol with it, and out through the mouthpiece for inhalation by the user.
  • the characteristics of the air inhaled by a user are dependent on construction of the aerosol provision system and its components.
  • a user inhaling an aerosol produced from a same type of aerosol generating material or formulation may have different experiences (e.g. smoother or rougher) when using different aerosol provision systems, because the air inhaled is drawn through different configuration of air passages.
  • a user may therefore have different devices dependent on the type of experience they want, and whether they want to switch. It will be appreciated that carrying multiple devices is cumbersome for a user.
  • an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in an aerosolgenerating region comprising: the aerosol generation region; and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall of the aerosol generation region to vary a volume of the aerosol generation region; wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall based on an interaction of a user with the aerosol provision system.
  • a method of controlling an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in an aerosol-generating region comprising: providing an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall of the aerosol generation region to vary a volume of the aerosol generation region; and adjusting the position and/or shape of at least one wall based on an interaction of the user with the aerosol provision system.
  • a computer readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, performs a method of the second aspect.
  • aerosol provision means comprising: an aerosol generation region; and adjustment means configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall of the aerosol generation region to vary a volume of the aerosol generation region; wherein the adjustment means is configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall based on an interaction of the user with the aerosol provision means.
  • an aerosol provision device for use with an aerosol generating article comprising aerosol generating material, which together form an aerosol provision system
  • the aerosol provision system comprises an aerosol generation region where aerosol is generated from aerosol generating material, an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall of the aerosol generation region to vary a volume of the aerosol generation region, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall based on an interaction of a user with the aerosol provision system
  • the aerosol provision device comprises: circuitry configured to control the adjustment mechanism to adjust the position and/or shape of the at least one wall.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example aerosol provision system
  • Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an example cartridge part for an aerosol provision system
  • Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of certain electrical (including electronic) components of a control unit for use in an aerosol provision system.
  • Figure 4 is a flow chart of a method of controlling an aerosol provision system.
  • Figure 5 is a flow chart of a further method of controlling an aerosol provision system.
  • an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in an aerosol-generating region comprising: the aerosol generation region; and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall of the aerosol generation region to vary a volume of the aerosol generation region; wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall based on an interaction of a user with the aerosol provision system.
  • the characteristics of the air inhaled by a user, and in particular the average particle size of the aerosol in the air inhaled by the user, are dependent on the shape and size of the aerosol generation region (i.e. defined by the chamber walls of the area in which aerosol is produced).
  • a user inhaling an aerosol produced from a same type of aerosol generating material may have different experiences (e.g. smoother or rougher, or mouth/throat inhalation or direct-to-lung inhalation) dependent on the volume of the aerosol generation region (or chamber). Larger particles are thought to deposit in the mouth/throat to a greater extent than smaller particles.
  • a user having the present aerosol provision system is able to have multiple different sensory experiences whilst using a single aerosol provision system.
  • a user may be able to select a particular position or a particular shape of the at least one wall (thereby changing the volume/geometry of the aerosol generation chamber) prior to using the aerosol provision device.
  • a controller of the device may be configured to select a particular position or a shape of the at least one wall prior to a user using the aerosol provision device in order to provide a user with an enhanced experience (e.g. based on a produced particle size) for the particular aerosol generating material (in some examples, a user may be able to override the position or shape selected by the controller).
  • non-combustible aerosol provision systems which may also be referred to as aerosol provision systems.
  • a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.
  • the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.
  • END electronic nicotine delivery system
  • e-cigarette or “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used Interchangeably with aerosol provision system and electronic aerosol provision system.
  • the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosolgenerating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system.
  • An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.
  • the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated.
  • Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine.
  • the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material.
  • the solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.
  • the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non- combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.
  • the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosolgenerating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.
  • the non-combustible aerosol provision system such as a noncombustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller.
  • the power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source.
  • the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.
  • the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
  • a consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user.
  • a consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
  • a consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use.
  • the heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.
  • An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material.
  • the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol.
  • the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosolgenerating material without heating.
  • the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.
  • Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials.
  • the aerosol-generating material may comprise an “amorphous solid”, which may alternatively be referred to as a “monolithic solid” (i.e. non-fibrous).
  • the amorphous solid may be a dried gel.
  • the amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it.
  • the aerosol-generating material may for example comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 1wt% of amorphous solid.
  • the active substance as used herein may be a legally permissible physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response.
  • the active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives.
  • the active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained.
  • the active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof.
  • the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.
  • flavour and “flavourant” refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof, flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes , and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gas.
  • the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint.
  • the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry.
  • the flavour comprises eugenol.
  • the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco.
  • the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from cannabis.
  • the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect.
  • a suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucolyptol, WS-3.
  • the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol.
  • the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.
  • the one or more other functional materials may comprise one or more of pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.
  • the aerosol-former material may be present on or in a support, to form a substrate.
  • the support may, for example, be or comprise paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, a plastics material, a ceramic material, a composite material, glass, a metal, or a metal alloy.
  • the support comprises a susceptor.
  • the susceptor is embedded within the material. In some alternative embodiments, the susceptor is on one or either side of the material.
  • a susceptor is a material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field.
  • the susceptor may be an electrically-conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material.
  • the heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material.
  • the susceptor may be both electrically-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms.
  • the device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.
  • An aerosol-modifying agent is a substance, typically located downstream of the aerosol generation area, that is configured to modify the aerosol generated, for example by changing the taste, flavour, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol.
  • the aerosolmodifying agent may be provided in an aerosol-modifying agent release component that is operable to selectively release the aerosol-modifying agent
  • the aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be an additive or a sorbent.
  • the aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, comprise one or more of a flavourant, a colourant, water, and a carbon adsorbent.
  • the aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel.
  • the aerosol-modifying agent may be in powder, thread or granule form.
  • the aerosol-modifying agent may be free from filtration material.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view through an example aerosol delivery system 1 in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.
  • the aerosol delivery system 1 comprises two main components, namely a reusable part 2 (e.g. a control part or device part) and a replaceable I disposable cartridge part 4.
  • a reusable part 2 e.g. a control part or device part
  • a replaceable I disposable cartridge part 4 In normal use the reusable part 2 and the cartridge part 4 are releasably coupled together at an interface 6.
  • the cartridge part When the cartridge part is exhausted or the user simply wishes to switch to a different cartridge part, the cartridge part may be removed from the reusable part and a replacement cartridge part attached to the reusable part in its place.
  • the interface 6 provides a structural, electrical and airflow path connection between the two parts and may be established in accordance with conventional techniques, for example based around a screw thread, magnetic or bayonet fixing with appropriately arranged electrical contacts and openings for establishing the electrical connection and airflow path between the two parts as appropriate.
  • the specific manner by which the cartridge part 4 mechanically mounts to the reusable part 2 is not significant to the principles described herein, but for the sake of a concrete example is assumed here to comprise a magnetic coupling (not represented in Figure 1). It will also be appreciated the interface 6 in some implementations may not support an electrical and I or airflow path connection between the respective parts.
  • an aerosol generator may be provided in the device part 2 rather than in the cartridge part 4, or the transfer of electrical power from the device part 2 to the cartridge part 4 may be wireless (e.g. based on electromagnetic induction), so that an electrical connection between the device part and the cartridge part is not needed.
  • the airflow through the electronic cigarette might not go through the device part so that an airflow path connection between the device part and the cartridge part is not needed.
  • a portion of the airflow path may be defined at the interface between portions of device part 2 and cartridge part 4 when these are coupled together for use.
  • the cartridge part 4 comprises a cartridge housing 42 formed of a plastics material.
  • the cartridge housing 42 supports other components of the cartridge part and provides the mechanical interface 6 with the device part 2.
  • the cartridge housing is generally circularly symmetric about a longitudinal axis along which the cartridge part couples to the device part 2.
  • the cartridge part has a length of around 4 cm and a diameter of around 1.5 cm.
  • the specific geometry, and more generally the overall shapes and materials used, may be different in different implementations.
  • a reservoir 44 that contains aerosol generating material.
  • Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way.
  • a reservoir 44 is provided configured to store a supply of liquid aerosol generating material.
  • the liquid reservoir 44 has an outer wall defined by the cartridge housing 42 and an inner wall that defined at least in part by an airflow path 52 through the cartridge part 4 (the airflow path 52 also extends into the device part 2, as discussed below).
  • the reservoir 42 may further be defined by one or more walls connecting the outer wall of the cartridge housing 42 to the inner wall
  • the reservoir 44 is closed at each end with end walls to contain the aerosol generating material.
  • the reservoir 44 may be formed in accordance with conventional techniques, for example it may comprise a plastics material and be integrally moulded with the cartridge housing 42.
  • the cartridge part further comprises an aerosol generator 48 located towards an end of the reservoir 44 opposite to the mouthpiece outlet 50.
  • the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol.
  • the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating.
  • the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosolgenerating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.
  • the aerosol generator may be in either of the device part 2 or the cartridge part 4.
  • the aerosol generator 48 e.g. a heater
  • the cartridge may comprise a portion of aerosol generating material
  • an aerosol generator 48 comprising a heater is at least partially inserted into or at least partially surrounds the portion of aerosol generating material as the cartridge 4 is engaged with the device part 2.
  • a wick (material) or other liquid permeable material 46 is provided in contact with a heater 48 and the liquid reservoir 44.
  • the wick material 46 is provided on an outer surface of the liquid reservoir 44 and separates the heater 48 from the liquid reservoir 44.
  • the wick material 46 and heater 48 are arranged in the airflow path 52 such that a region of the airflow path 52 around the wick material 46 and heater 48 in effect defines an aerosol generation region or chamber 60 (which may be provided in the cartridge part 4 as shown).
  • aerosol generation region and aerosol generation chamber are intrinsically linked in that the walls of the aerosol generation chamber defines the boundaries of the aerosol generation region; and as such the two terms are used interchangeably in the present disclosure.
  • Aerosol generating material in the reservoir 44 infiltrates the wick material 46 from the reservoir 44 and is drawn through the wick material by surface tension I capillary action (i.e. wicking).
  • the heater 48 in this example comprises a heated plate (which may be permeable to liquid) which is heated by induction or resistive heating, and which acts to heat the aerosol generating material 44 thereby volatising the aerosol generating material 44 contained in the wick material 46 to generate aerosol in the aerosol generating region 60.
  • electrical power may be supplied to the heater 48 to vaporise an amount of aerosol generating material (aerosol generating material) drawn to the vicinity of the heater 48 by the wick material 46. Vaporised aerosol generating material may then become entrained in air drawn along the cartridge airflow path from the vaporisation region towards the mouthpiece outlet 50 for user inhalation.
  • the rate at which aerosol generating material is vaporised by the vaporiser (heater) 48 will depend on the amount (level) of power supplied to the heater 48.
  • electrical power can be applied to the heater to selectively generate aerosol from the aerosol generating material in the cartridge part 4, and furthermore, the rate of aerosol generation can be changed by changing the amount of power supplied to the heater 48, for example through pulse width and/or frequency modulation techniques.
  • the device part 2 comprises an outer housing 12 having with an opening that defines an air inlet 28 for the e-cigarette, a power source 26 (for example a battery) for providing operating power for the electronic cigarette, control circuitry 18 for controlling and monitoring the operation of the electronic cigarette, a first user input button 14, a second user input button 16, and a visual display 24.
  • the airflow path 52 begins at the inlet 28 and is defined by one or more components, such as internal walls or tubes, of the device part 2, before entering the cartridge part 4.
  • the outer housing 12 may be formed, for example, from a plastics or metallic material and in this example has a circular cross section generally conforming to the shape and size of the cartridge part 4 so as to provide a smooth transition between the two parts at the interface 6.
  • the device part has a length of around 8 cm so the overall length of the e- cigarette when the cartridge part and device part are coupled together is around 12 cm.
  • the overall shape and scale of an electronic cigarette implementing an embodiment of the disclosure is not significant to the principles described herein.
  • the power source 26 in this example is rechargeable and may be of a conventional type, for example of the kind normally used in electronic cigarettes and other applications requiring provision of relatively high currents over relatively short periods.
  • the power source 26 may be recharged through a charging connector in the device part housing 12, for example a USB connector.
  • First and second user input buttons 14, 16 may be provided, which in this example are conventional mechanical buttons, for example comprising a spring mounted component which may be pressed by a user to establish an electrical contact.
  • the input buttons may be considered input devices for detecting user input and the specific manner in which the buttons are implemented is not significant.
  • the buttons may be assigned to functions such as switching the aerosol delivery system 1 on and off, and adjusting user settings such as a power to be supplied from the power source 26 to an aerosol generator 48.
  • the inclusion of user input buttons is optional, and in some embodiments buttons may not be included.
  • a display 24 may be provided to give a user with a visual indication of various characteristics associated with the aerosol delivery system, for example current power setting information, remaining power source power, and so forth.
  • the display may be implemented in various ways.
  • the display 24 comprises a conventional pixilated LCD screen that may be driven to display the desired information in accordance with conventional techniques.
  • the display may comprise one or more discrete indicators, for example LEDs, that are arranged to display the desired information, for example through particular colours and I or flash sequences. More generally, the manner in which the display is provided and information is displayed to a user using the display is not significant to the principles described herein.
  • some embodiments may not include a visual display and may include other means for providing a user with information relating to operating characteristics of the aerosol delivery system, for example using audio signalling, or may not include any means for providing a user with information relating to operating characteristics of the aerosol delivery system.
  • a controller 22 is suitably configured I programmed to control the operation of the aerosol delivery system to provide functionality in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure as described further herein, as well as for providing conventional operating functions of the aerosol delivery system in line with the established techniques for controlling such devices.
  • the controller (processor circuitry) 22 may be considered to logically comprise various sub-units I circuitry elements associated with different aspects of the operation of the aerosol delivery system 1.
  • the controller 22 comprises power supply control circuitry for controlling the supply of power from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48 in response to user input, user programming circuitry 20 for establishing configuration settings (e.g.
  • controller 22 can be provided in various different ways, for example using one or more suitably programmed programmable computer(s) and I or one or more suitably configured application-specific integrated circuit(s) I circuitry I chip(s) I chipset(s) configured to provide the desired functionality.
  • the functionality of the controller 22 is described further herein.
  • the controller 26 may comprise an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or microcontroller, for controlling the aerosol delivery device.
  • the microcontroller or ASIC may include a CPU or micro-processor.
  • Device part 2 comprises an airflow sensor 30 which is electrically connected to the controller 22.
  • the airflow sensor 30 is positioned adjacent or within an airflow pathway such as the primary airflow pathway 52.
  • the airflow sensor 30 comprises a so-called “puff sensor”, in that the airflow sensor 30 is used to detect when a user is puffing on the device and I or to detect a strength of a user inhalation.
  • the airflow sensor 30 is connected to the controller 22, and the controller distributes electrical power from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48 in dependence of a signal received from the airflow sensor 30 by the controller 22.
  • the specific manner in which the signal output from the airflow sensor 30 (which may comprise a measure of capacitance, resistance or other characteristic of the airflow sensor, made by the controller 22) is used by the controller 22 to control the supply of power from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48 can be carried out in accordance with any approach known to the skilled person.
  • the e-cigarette 10 is provided with one or more holes for use as an air inlet 28. These holes connect to air passages (e.g. airflow path 52) running through the e-cigarette 10 from the air inlet 28 to the mouthpiece which may have an additional one or more holes for use as an air outlet 50.
  • air passages e.g. airflow path 52
  • the air paths through such devices are relatively convoluted in that they have to pass various components and/or take multiple turns following entry into the e- cigarette.
  • the air passage 52 which passes through an aerosol generation chamber 60, containing or adjacent to the aerosol generator 48.
  • the air passage 52 includes a section comprising an air channel connecting one or more holes of an air inlet 28 to the aerosol generation chamber 60, the aerosol generation chamber 60 and a section comprising an air channel connecting from the aerosol generation chamber 60 to the outlet 50 of the mouthpiece.
  • air inlet holes 28 which are suitably located on the outside of the e-cigarette (in this example of Figure 1 they are provided on the outside of the re-usable part 2) .
  • the airflow passes through the air passage 52 (i.e. airflow path) through the device part 2 and into the cartridge part, before combining I mixing with the vapour in the aerosol generation chamber to generate the aerosol.
  • the resulting combination of airflow and aerosol continues along the airflow path 52 to the mouthpiece outlet 50 for inhalation by a user.
  • the user inhalation may be detected by an airflow sensor 30, in this case a pressure sensor, for detecting airflow in electronic cigarette 10.
  • the airflow sensor 30 can output signals (e.g. send them, or store them in an output memory or location) corresponding to the detected airflow.
  • the airflow sensor 30 may operate in accordance with conventional techniques in terms of how it is arranged within the electronic cigarette to generate airflow detection signals indicating when there is a flow of air through the electronic cigarette (e.g. when a user inhales or blows on the mouthpiece).
  • an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in an aerosol-generating chamber (or region), which includes an adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b capable of (e.g. configured to) adjusting the position and/or shape of at least one wall 72a, 72b of the aerosol generation chamber to vary a volume of the aerosol generation chamber.
  • an adjustment mechanism may be a mechanism 70a configured to adjust the position of a peripheral wall 72a along an axis perpendicular to the direction of airflow during a user inhalation (i.e.
  • I or an adjustment mechanism may be a mechanism 70b configured to adjust the position of an outlet wall 72b along an axis parallel to the direction of airflow during a user inhalation.
  • a position it is meant that the wall is linearly translated within the system to change the volume of the aerosol generation chamber.
  • an adjustment mechanism may additionally, or alternatively, be configured to adjust the shape of a peripheral wall 72a and I or an adjustment mechanism may be a mechanism 70b configured to adjust the shape of an outlet wall 72b along an axis parallel to the direction of airflow during a user inhalation.
  • adjusting a shape it is meant that the wall is moved for example by deforming, bending or curving the wall, or by rotating at least a segment of the wall with respect to a hinge, to change the volume of the aerosol generation chamber.
  • the outlet wall is a section of wall comprising an outlet of the aerosol generation chamber.
  • the peripheral wall is a wall defining at least a portion of the boundary of the aerosol generation chamber 60 that does not include an inlet or an outlet into the aerosol generation chamber.
  • the peripheral wall is a wall that bounds the airflow pathway (substantially) perpendicular to the direction of airflow travel.
  • An adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b is configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall based on an interaction of a user with the aerosol provision system. As detailed below the adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b may be controlled manually or electronically. The adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b allows the environment in which the aerosol is produced to be changed. Without being bound by theory, the aerosol generator 48 is activated to create a vapour in the aerosol generation chamber 60 from the aerosolgenerating material. The vapour condenses to form particles suspended within air (i.e., an aerosol). The particles may further cool (leading to further condensation) or coagulate (e.g.
  • the aerosol generation chamber 60 may be termed a condensation chamber.
  • the extent of condensation and coagulation can affect the average size of the particles suspended within air (and in particular, when exiting the outlet of the mouthpiece 50).
  • the (average) particle size of the aerosol e.g. the condensate size
  • the aerosol entrained in the airflow can be changed by affecting the extent of condensation and/or coagulation.
  • the particles may take longer to leave the aerosol generation chamber (e.g. because of a lower resistance to draw from the chamber and a longer average pathway in the chamber) and/or the temperature within the aerosol generation chamber may be cooler, and therefore larger condensates are produced in comparison to when the volume of the aerosol generation chamber is decreased.
  • the particle size of the aerosol may affect the sensorial experience of a user inhaling the aerosol.
  • the ability to change the particle size allows a user to have different experiences even when using the same aerosol generation material.
  • aerosol can be deposited in the lungs or in the mouth of an inhaling user. Different particle sizes may be more likely to be deposited in the lungs rather than the mouth of the user (more specifically, larger particles are thought to deposit in the mouth/throat to a greater extent than smaller particles).
  • an active component such as nicotine
  • a stronger, more direct effect caused by the inhalation owing to the fact that nicotine uptake is faster within the lungs than in the mouth.
  • users may experience a greater satisfaction when using flavoured aerosols with a larger particle size such that the flavour is deposited in the mouth and thus in the vicinity of the taste receptors.
  • a balance may be stuck between the two scenarios described above and equally there may be different reasons for changing the particle sizes.
  • a user can change the size of the aerosol generation chamber 60 to vary their experience.
  • an adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b is configured to adjust the position and/or shape of the at least one wall between at least two states based on the interaction of a user with the aerosol provision system, each state corresponding to a position and/or shape of the at least one wall.
  • the user may be able to control the adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b to select a first state corresponding to a “smooth” hit (i.e. a smaller particle size) and a second state corresponding to a “harsher” hit (i.e. a larger particle size).
  • Each position and/or shape provides a configuration of the at least one wall 72a, 72b and aerosol generation chamber 60 that causes the aerosol generation chamber 60 to have a particular volume.
  • the position and/or shape is distinct from the position and/or shape of other states (i.e. discontinuous) such that different position and/or shapes configure the aerosol generation chamber 60 to provide a substantially different average particle size. Therefore in examples where there are only two states, one state corresponds to a minimum volume and the other state corresponds to a maximum volume of the aerosol generation chamber 60.
  • the position of the at least one wall 72a, 72b for each state may be determined by mechanical features which lock the wall into the respective position for the state, with the mechanical feature (e.g. some form of locking hole, or clip) preventing movement of the at least one wall 72a, 72b until the adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b readjusts the position of the at least one wall 72a, 72b.
  • the shape of the at least one wall for each state may be determined by mechanical features which lock the wall into a respective position for the state; for example, engaging a mechanism to apply tension to the wall (which is elastically deformable) to cause the wall to bend or curve, and disengaging the mechanism to release the wall to a unbiased (rest) position.
  • the adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b may be configured to adjust the position and/or shape of the at least one wall 72a, 72b between more than two states;, for example three states, four states or 5 states.
  • selection of each particular intermediate state i.e. additionally state above two
  • the aerosol generation chamber 60 may have a particular volume between the minimum state and the maximum state.
  • the position of the at least one wall 72a, 72b for the intermediate states may be equally spaced between the wall position for the minimum state and the maximum state.
  • the states may be unequally spaced between the minimum and maximum state (for example the states may be configured to provide a weighting towards the minimum state, with the positions of the at least one wall 72a, 72b for each state between the position of the wall for the minimum and maximum state corresponding to a logarithmic scale).
  • the adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b is configured to adjust a shape of the at least one wall
  • the shape may be adjusted between throughout a continuous or discontinuous (i.e. fixed intermediate states) intermediate range.
  • the shape of each state may correspond to a transition state between a first and second state which correspond to the maximums of the range (e.g. a flat state and a maximally curved state for the system).
  • an adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b is configured to adjust the position of the at least one wall to any position within a range of positions based on the interaction of a user with the aerosol provision system.
  • the range is substantially continuous such that any position for the at least one wall within the range can be selected.
  • the range is bound by maximum and minimum wall positions which may be dependent on the physical constraints of the system (e.g. housing position, and limits of the adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b to move the at least one wall 72a, 72b).
  • the at least one wall 72b comprises an outlet wall 72b comprising an outlet of the aerosol generation region (chamber) 60
  • the aerosol provision system 1 comprises an adjustment mechanism 70b is configured to adjust the position of the outlet wall 72b along an axis parallel to the direction of airflow during a user inhalation (as shown by an arrow connected within the adjustment mechanism 70b in Figure 1).
  • the outlet of the aerosol generation chamber 60 is provided by one or more holes in the outlet wall 72b.
  • the outlet of the aerosol generation chamber 60 connects the aerosol generation chamber 60 with an air channel leading to the outlet of the mouthpiece 50 (i.e. an air channel that is part of air passage 52).
  • the outlet of the aerosol generation chamber 60 may constrict the air flow passing out of the aerosol generation chamber 60 such that the resistance to draw in the aerosol generation chamber is higher than the resistance to draw of the subsequent air channel.
  • the subsequent air channel has a higher resistance to draw than the resistance to draw of the aerosol generation chamber (for example the subsequent air channel may constrict the airflow to the mouth piece outlet 50).
  • the characteristics of the aerosol e.g. average particle size.
  • increasing the size or volume of the aerosol generation chamber 60 increases the average time aerosol particles reside in the aerosol generation chamber 60.
  • the at least one wall 72a comprises a peripheral wall 72a
  • the aerosol provision system 1 comprises an adjustment mechanism 70a configured to adjust the position of the peripheral wall 72a along an axis perpendicular to the direction of airflow during a user inhalation (as shown by an arrow connected within the adjustment mechanism 70a in Figure 1).
  • the peripheral wall 72a is a wall defining at least a portion of the boundary of the aerosol generation chamber 60, that does not include an inlet or an outlet into the aerosol generation chamber (i.e. an inlet or outlet allowing airflow through the aerosol generation chamber 60 along the air passage 52).
  • the movement of the peripheral wall 72a expands the aerosol generation chamber 60 in a direction perpendicular to the air flow direction (i.e. the direction of air flow between an inlet and outlet of the chamber 60).
  • the volume of the aerosol generation chamber 60 is varied, which can affect the characteristics of the aerosol (e.g. the average particle size of the aerosol).
  • Increasing the volume of the aerosol generation chamber 60 increases the average time aerosol particles reside in the aerosol generation chamber 60.
  • a single adjustment mechanism may be able to alter the position and/or shape of both the peripheral wall 72a and outlet wall 72a (e.g. by electronically controlling both), or alternatively a single wall may define both the periphery and an outlet of the aerosol generation chamber and an appropriate adjustment mechanism 70 may be configured to change the position and/or shape of the single wall (It will be appreciated that in these examples, any change is to a part of the single wall will change its shape if a different part is also not changed in a corresponding way).
  • an adjustment mechanism may be configured to vary the position and/or shape of an inlet wall of the aerosol generation chamber 60. The inlet wall comprising an inlet 28 into the aerosol generation chamber 60.
  • Figure 1 is directed towards an e-cigarette having a device part 2 and a cartridge part 4 in the form of a cartomiser having a liquid reservoir; in other examples the cartridge part may comprise an aerosol-generating material in the form of a solid or gel rather than a liquid, and may or may not comprise an aerosol generator (instead the aerosol generator may be provided in the device part 2).
  • the wick material 46 may be omitted and the aerosol generating material 44 in the form of a solid or gel may be provided such that it separates the heater 48 from the air passage 52 (in other words the aerosol generating material 44 is provided in or adjacent to the air passage 52).
  • Figure 1 depicts the mouthpiece as being part of the cartridge part 4, in other examples the mouthpiece may be provided by the device part 2 or by a further attachable component.
  • the adjustment mechanism 70 is configured to adjust the position and I or shape of the at least one wall in response to a user connecting a cartridge part 4 to a device part 2.
  • the interaction of the user with the aerosol provision system that causes the adjustment mechanism to adjust the position of at least one wall comprises the user connecting the device part to the cartridge part.
  • the connection interface configured to releasably connect the device part to the cartridge part comprises features which act to select an appropriate position for the at least one wall.
  • connection interface may be configured to cause the adjustment mechanism to move the position and I or shape of the at least one wall to an appropriate position for the type of heater contained in the device part 2.
  • this may be appropriate where a consumable may be used with multiple devices.
  • Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through a cartridge part 4 of an example aerosol delivery system 1 in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.
  • Cartridge part 4 of Figure 2 differs in that further to the components described in relation to Figure 1 ,
  • Figure 2 includes a first manual actuation mechanism 74a and a second manual actuation mechanism 74b configured to allow a user to mechanically control a respective adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b to adjust or change the position of a respective at least one wall 72a, 72b. All other components are substantially as described in relation to Figure 1.
  • an adjustment mechanism 74a, 74b is manually operated or controlled.
  • the aerosol provision device 1 comprises a user input mechanism in the form of a manual actuation mechanism 74a, 74b which is configured to alter the position of the at least one wall 72a, 72b via a mechanical adjustment of the adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b (as such the adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b may be considered to comprise a manual actuation mechanism 74a, 74b).
  • the user input mechanism is configured to be operated by the user and the interaction of the user with the aerosol provision system comprises an interaction of the user with the manual actuation mechanism 74a, 74b.
  • manual it is meant the position of the at least one wall is adjusted mechanically by a user, rather than electronically via a controller (e.g. controller 22).
  • manual actuation mechanisms 74a, 74b comprise manual actuation mechanism selected from the group comprising a slider, a pressable button, and a rotating dial.
  • the first manual actuation mechanism 74a is in the form of a pressable button or a rotating dial.
  • the pressing of the button results in the adjustment mechanism 70a moving the wall 72a from a first position to a second position (e.g. by disengaging a clip holding the wall 72a in place.
  • the adjustment mechanism 70a may bias the wall 72a towards being in a position (e.g. the second position).
  • the user may press the button once to move the wall to the first position, and then press the button a second time to disengage a clip, or other locking mechanism of the adjustment mechanism 70a, and the wall 72a may move to the second position because of the bias provided by the adjustment mechanism 70a (e.g. which may comprise a biasing spring).
  • the adjustment mechanism 70a is configured to adjust the position of the at least one wall between at least two states based on the interaction of a user with the manual actuation mechanism 74a of the aerosol provision system.
  • the user may rotate the dial to move the wall 70a between a minimum volume position and a maximum volume position with the adjustment mechanism 70a configured to turn the rotational motion into translation motion of the wall 72a.
  • the adjustment mechanism 70a is configured to adjust the position of the at least one wall in a continuous range based on the interaction of a user with the manual actuation mechanism 74a of the aerosol provision system.
  • the dial may be configured to allow stepped motion between a number of positions of the at least one wall (e.g. states).
  • the second actuation mechanism 74b is in the form a slider.
  • the sliding of the button causes the adjustment mechanism 70b to move the at least one wall 72b.
  • the adjustment mechanism 70b may comprise a bar 75 connecting the at least one wall 72b to the slider 74b on the housing 42 of the cartridge part 4. Moving the slider 74b, which is connected by the bar 75 to the wall 72b, also moves the wall 72b.
  • the bar 75 moves within two parallel slots, the first slot 77 being provided in the cartridge part housing 42, and the second slot 76 being provided in the air passage 52.
  • the slider 74 provides the user with a continuous control of the position of the wall 72b (i.e. the user can select between a continuous range of positions for the wall 72b, with the extent of the range dependent on the length of the parallel slots 76,77).
  • the slider is configured to adjust the position of the at least one wall in a range based on the interaction of a user with the manual actuation mechanism 74b of the aerosol provision system.
  • the slots 76,77 have two or more notches (not shown) which provide states in which the position of the wall 72b is more secure. The user may slide the slider 74b to select between different states defined by the position of the notches to select the position of the at least one wall 72b.
  • Figure 2 depicts a first manual actuation mechanism 74a in the form of a pressable button or rotatable dial and a second actuation mechanism 74b in the form of a slider; in other examples in accordance with the present disclosure different manual actuation mechanisms may be used for the both or either of the manual actuation mechanisms 74a, 74b.
  • the skilled person will be able to implement a variety of different configurations in place of the configuration shown in Figure 2. In some examples, only one of the first or second manual actuation mechanisms 74a, 74b is present (and hence only control of the respective one wall of the aerosol generating chamber 60 is possible).
  • further manual actuation mechanisms may be provided in addition to the first and second manual actuation mechanism 74a, 74b with the further manual actuations mechanisms being connected to, or part of further adjustment mechanisms.
  • the manual actuation mechanisms may be provided in the reusable part 2 rather than the cartridge part 4.
  • Figure 2 depicts manual actuation mechanisms for changing a position of a peripheral wall 72a and an outlet wall 72b; in alternative examples (not shown), one or more manual actuation mechanisms could instead be configured to change a shape of one or both of the peripheral wall 72a and outlet wall 72b.
  • These manual actuation mechanisms for changing the shape may be in place of, or in addition to the manual actuation mechanisms 74a, 74b , or manual actuation mechanisms 74a, 74b may be further configured to also change a shape of the peripheral wall 72a or outlet wall 72b, respectively.
  • Any such manual actuation mechanisms configured to change a shape of one or both of the peripheral wall 72a and outlet wall 72b may also be selected from the group comprising a slider, a pressable button, and a rotating dial, as well as any other suitable mechanism.
  • Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of certain electrical (including electronic) components of the aerosol provision device 1 of Figure 1 . Note that at least some of these components are shown by way of example only and may be omitted (and/or supplemented or replaced by other components) according to the circumstances of any given implementation. Furthermore, although the components shown in Figure 3 (with the exception of the adjustment mechanism 70 and aerosol generator 48) are assumed to be located in the device part 2 rather than in the cartridge part 4 (since a given device part may be re-used with many different cartomisers 30), other configurations may be adopted as desired. In addition, the components shown in Figure 4 may be located on one circuit board such as that of control circuitry 18, but other configurations may be adopted as desired, e.g.
  • FIG. 4 omits various elements which are commonly present in this type of device, such as most power lines, memory (RAM) and/or (non-volatile) storage (ROM) and so on.
  • Figure 3 includes a connector 6 for coupling to a cartomiser (cartridge) 4, as discussed above, and a (re-chargeable) battery 26 and a (micro)controller 22, as discussed below.
  • the battery 26 is further linked to a USB connector 235, e.g. a micro or mini or type C connector, which can be used to re-charge the battery 26 from an external power supply (typically via some re-charging circuit, not shown in Figure 4).
  • a USB connector 235 e.g. a micro or mini or type C connector, which can be used to re-charge the battery 26 from an external power supply (typically via some re-charging circuit, not shown in Figure 4).
  • Note that other forms of re-charging may be supported for battery 26 - for example, by charging through some other form of connector, by wireless charging (e.g. induction), by charging through connector 6, and/or by removing the battery 26 from the e-cigarette 10.
  • the connector 6 include electrical connections for facilitating the provision of power
  • Figure 3 further includes a communications interface 230 which can be used for wired and/or wireless communications with one or more external systems (not shown in Figure 3), such as a smartphone, laptop and/or other form of computer and/or other appliance.
  • the wireless communications may be performed using (for example) Bluetooth and/or any other suitable wireless communications standard.
  • USB interface 235 may also be used to provide a wired communications link instead of (or in addition to) the communications interface 230; for example, the USB interface 235 might be used to provide the system with wired communications while the communications interface 230 might be used to provide the system with wireless communications.
  • Communications to and/or from the electronic aerosol provision system 10 may be used for a wide variety of purposes, such as to collect and report (upload) operational data from the system 10, e.g. regarding usage levels, settings, any error conditions, and/or to download updated control programs, configuration data, and so on.
  • Such communications may also be used to support interaction between the electronic aerosol provision system 10 and an external system such as a smartphone belonging to the user of the electronic aerosol provision system 10. This interaction may support a wide variety of applications (apps), including collaborative or social media based apps.
  • the system of Figure 3 further includes an airflow sensor 30 to provide an estimate of a draw strength of the user when the user is inhaling on the device.
  • the sensor 30 may detect airflow via any suitable mechanism, such as by monitoring for a flow of air and/or a change in pressure.
  • a detection by the sensor 30 may trigger the microcontroller 22 to change an operational aspect of the device 20 or system 10.
  • a detection by the sensor 30 may trigger a supply of power by the microcontroller 22 from the battery 26 to the cartridge part 4 (in particular to a heater or other aerosol generator) to produce a vapour output for inhalation by the user (this process is generally referred to as puff-activation) when the user’s draw strength is above a set value indicative of a user inhaling on the device.
  • some systems 10 do not support puff actuation; these systems are typically activated by a user pressing on a button (or some other form of direct input).
  • the system of Figure 3 may further include user I/O functionality 250 to support direct user input into the system 10 (this user input/output may be provided instead of, or more commonly in addition to, the communications functionality discussed above).
  • the user output may be provided as one or more of visual, audio, and/or haptic output (feedback), for example by first and second user input buttons 14, 16 and display 24.
  • visual output may be implemented by one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or any other form of lighting, and/or by a screen or other display - such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), which can provide more complex forms of output.
  • LEDs light emitting diodes
  • LCD liquid crystal display
  • the user input may be provided by any suitable facility, for example, by providing one or more buttons or switches on the system 10 and/or a touch screen (which supports both user input and output).
  • user input may also be performed by movement of the device 20 (or of the whole system 10), such movement being detected using a motion sensor which can be considered as part of the user input/output facility 250.
  • the microcontroller 22 may be located on a PCB, which may also be used for mounting other components as appropriate, e.g. the communications interface 230. Some components may be separately mounted, such as the airflow sensor 30, which may be located adjacent the airflow path through the system 10, and a user input facility (e.g. buttons) which may be located on the external housing of the system 10.
  • the microcontroller 22 generally includes a processor (or other processing facility) and memory (ROM and/or RAM). The operations of the microcontroller 22 (and some other electronic components), are typically controlled at least in part by software programs running on the processor in the controller (or other electronic components as appropriate).
  • Such software programs may be stored in a non-volatile memory which can be integrated into the microcontroller 22 itself, or provided as a separate component (e.g. on a PCB).
  • the processor may access ROM or any other appropriate store to load individual software programs for execution as and when required.
  • the microcontroller 22 also contains suitable interfaces (and control software) for interacting with the other components of system 10 (such as shown in Figure 3). For example, the microcontroller 22 may be responsible for controlling the supply of power from the battery 26 to an aerosol generator 48, via the connector 6.
  • the adjustment mechanism(s) 70 is electronically controlled by the (micro)controller 22.
  • the aerosol provision device comprises a controller 22 configured to control an adjustment mechanism 70.
  • the adjustment mechanism comprises an electrically controlled motor (such as a rotational motor, or a piezo electric motor).
  • the controller 22 is configured to send one or more signals (e.g. pulses of power) to the adjustment mechanism 70 via the connection 6, which provides a wired or electrical connection between the controller 22 and adjustment mechanism 70.
  • the one or more signals may be sent wirelessly between the controller 22 and adjustment mechanism 70 via a suitable wireless communication mechanism. It will be appreciated that, as shown in Figure 1 and 2, in some examples there may be more that one adjustment mechanism 70.
  • the controller 22 can be configured to control each of the adjustment mechanisms by sending (control) signals to individually to each of the adjustment mechanisms.
  • control control signals
  • the controller 22 can equally apply to the (individual or simultaneous) control of multiple adjustment mechanisms.
  • the controller 22 may receive an input via user I/O functionality 250, (e.g. a user input mechanism such as user input button 14, 16 that a user of the aerosol provision system interacts with) and may send one or more signals to the adjustment mechanism 70 for controlling the adjustment mechanism 70 based on the interaction of the user with the user input button.
  • a user input mechanism such as user input button 14, 16 that a user of the aerosol provision system interacts with
  • an electronic actuation mechanism other than a button may be used in place of the user input button 14,16 (e.g. a rotating dial or a slider configured to change a resistance or voltage value across a circuit dependent on the position of the dial or slider).
  • the one or more signals can cause the adjustment mechanism 70 to vary the position and/or shape of at least one wall to change a size of the aerosol generation chamber 60.
  • the controller receives the user input and sends one or more control signals to the adjustment mechanism 70 which is configured to adjust the position and/or shape of the at least one wall between at least two states based on the interaction of a user with the aerosol provision system.
  • the at least two states may be predefined during manufacture or during a software update, or by a user who is able to define the at least two states using the user I/O functionality 250, or a similar mechanism (.g provided in a separate device such as a smartphone that is in communication with the controller 22 via the communications interface 230).
  • controller 22 controls the adjustment mechanism 70 in response to a user connecting a cartridge part 4 to a device part 2.
  • the interaction of the user with the aerosol provision system that causes the adjustment mechanism to adjust the position of at least one wall comprises the user connecting the device part to the cartridge part.
  • the controller 22 controls the adjustment mechanism 70 to move the at least one wall to a default or pre-selected position, after connection (e.g. insertion) of the cartridge part 4 with the device part 2.
  • the controller may identified the consumable part 4 and may select a different default position for the specific type of consumable part 4 (e.g., based on the flavour or aerosol generating material) to adjust the aerosol generation chamber to facilitate the generation of particles of a particular size (or range of sizes) for providing the user with a enhanced or optimal experience with the specific consumable part 4.
  • a different default position for the specific type of consumable part 4 e.g., based on the flavour or aerosol generating material
  • the controller 22 or a different component of the system is configured to identify consumable part (e.g. by its type) and/or the aerosol generating material (e.g. by its type) and control the adjustment mechanism 70 to adjust the at least one wall based on the identified cartridge part 4.
  • the controller 22 is configured to identify the cartridge part 4 and I or the aerosol generating material 44 upon (detection of the) connection of the cartridge part 4 with the device part 2.
  • the cartridge part 4 may comprise a form of identification that is detectable by the controller 22 or a sensor component connected to the controller 22, such as an RFID tag, an electronic memory (e.g. an EEPROM), or a visual marker (e.g.
  • the controller 22 or a different component of the system may be configured to identify the aerosol generating material (e.g. by its type).
  • Different cartridge parts 4, or types of cartridge parts, may comprise different aerosol generation material.
  • the controller 22 may send one or more control signals in response to the identification of a cartridge part 4 (e.g. a consumable type) or an aerosol generating material 44 contained in the cartridge part 4.
  • the adjustment mechanism 70 is configured to adjust the at least one wall to provide an optimally sized (e.g. most appropriate of the available states/range) aerosol generation chamber 60 for the particular type of aerosol generating material.
  • different cartridge parts 4 may contain a different flavour or a different type of aerosol generating material 44 (e.g.
  • cartridge parts 4 may comprise different configurations for adjustment mechanisms 70, aerosol generation chambers 60, and the air passage 52, and therefore the controller 22 may control the adjustment mechanism 70 differently, as appropriate for the particular configuration.
  • the adjustment mechanism 70 may be configured to adjust the at least one wall in accordance with a pre-defined user selection for the identified cartridge part.
  • the controller 22 may store a number of preferential position and/or shapes for adjustment mechanism 60 to position and/or shape the at least one wall for each of a plurality of types of cartridge parts, and /or aerosol generating materials.
  • the user may be able to select one stored preferential position and/or shapes for the particular cartridge part and /or aerosol generating material in order to have a particular experience.
  • the optimal position and/or shapes of the at least one wall for a “smooth” hit and an “intense” hit may differ for different aerosol generating materials.
  • the stored position and/or shapes may be preinstalled on a memory of the controller 22, or accessible by the controller 22, during initial installation or a software update, whilst in other examples the user may define the stored position and/or shapes themselves.
  • the user may input the stored position and/or shapes using the user I/O functionality 250 or using a separate device (e.g. smartphone) via the communications interface 230.
  • Figure 4 is a flow chart of a method 400 for controlling an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in an aerosol-generating region.
  • the method begins at step 410 with providing an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall of the aerosol generation region to vary a volume of the aerosol generation region.
  • the adjustment mechanism may be directly operated by a user (e.g. as discussed in relation to Figure 2), or may be indirectly operated by the user via a controller which interprets a user interaction (e.g. as discussed in relation to Figure 3).
  • providing an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall of the aerosol generation region to vary a volume of the aerosol generation region may comprise providing software to the controller configured to control the adjustment mechanism.
  • the second step 420 continues with adjusting the position and/or shape of at least one wall based on an interaction of the user with the aerosol provision system.
  • the interaction of the user with the aerosol provision system may be the user interacting with a manual actuation mechanism (e.g. as discussed in relation to Figure 2), the user connecting a cartridge part 4 to a device part 2 (e.g. as discussed in relation to Figure 3), or the user interacting with a user input (e.g. user buttons 14,16 or user I/O functionality 250) to cause a controller to control the adjustment mechanism (e.g. as discussed in relation to Figure 3).
  • a manual actuation mechanism e.g. as discussed in relation to Figure 2
  • the user connecting a cartridge part 4 to a device part 2 e.g. as discussed in relation to Figure 3
  • Figure 4 is a flow chart of further a method 500 for controlling an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in an aerosol-generating region, and in particular for performing the second step 420 of method 400.
  • the method begins at step 421 with connecting a device part of the aerosol provision system to a cartridge part of the aerosol provision system.
  • the cartridge part comprising the aerosol generating material.
  • the method continues at step 422 with identifying the aerosol generating material.
  • the aerosol generating material is identified based on an identification of the cartridge part 4 containing the aerosol generating material.
  • the user may use a user input (e.g. user buttons 14,16 or user I/O functionality 250) to indicate to the controller the identity of the aerosol generation material (and/ or the cartridge part 4).
  • the controller or a suitable sensor component in communication with the controller, is configured to identify the aerosol generating material and/or the cartridge part 4 containing the aerosol generating material.
  • the controller may store, or have access to a memory storing, a plurality of stored position and/or shapes or states.
  • the controller may lookup the appropriate stored position and/or shapes for the position and/or shape of the at least one wall for the identified aerosol generating material.
  • the controller may cause the adjustment mechanism to adjust the position and/or shape of the at least one wall towards a default or optimum position and/or shape for the identified aerosol generating material.
  • the controller may cause the stored position and/or shapes for the identified aerosol generating material to be displayed to the user via display 24, and may cause the adjustment mechanism to adjust the position and/or shape of the at least one wall towards one of the displayed options for the identified aerosol generating material, after selection of the displayed option by the user (e.g. using input buttons 14,16).
  • the methods 400 and 500 illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 may be stored as instructions on a computer readable storage medium, such that when the instructions are executed by a processor, the methods 400 and 500 described above are performed.
  • the computer readable storage medium may be non-transitory.
  • examples of the present disclosure comprise an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in an aerosol-generating region comprising: the aerosol generation region; and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall of the aerosol generation region to vary a volume of the aerosol generation region; wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall based on an interaction of a user with the aerosol provision system.
  • examples of the present disclosure may comprise an aerosol provision device for use with an aerosol generating article comprising aerosol generating material, which together form an aerosol provision system
  • the aerosol provision system comprises an aerosol generation region where aerosol is generated from aerosol generating material, an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall of the aerosol generation region to vary a volume of the aerosol generation region, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall based on an interaction of a user with the aerosol provision system
  • the aerosol provision device comprises: circuitry configured to control the adjustment mechanism to adjust the position and/or shape of the at least one wall.
  • the aerosol provision device comprises the adjustment mechanism.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Medicinal Preparation (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de fourniture d'aérosol (1) pour générer un aérosol à partir d'un matériau de génération d'aérosol dans une région de génération d'aérosol (60). Le système comprend au moins une région de génération d'aérosol (60) et un mécanisme de réglage (70a, 70b) configuré pour régler la position et/ou la forme d'au moins une paroi (72a, 72b) de la région de génération d'aérosol (60) pour faire varier le volume de la région de génération d'aérosol (60). Le mécanisme de réglage (70a, 70b) est configuré pour régler la position et/ou la forme d'au moins une paroi (72a, 72b) sur la base d'une interaction d'un utilisateur avec le système de fourniture d'aérosol (1).
PCT/GB2022/052786 2021-11-10 2022-11-04 Système de fourniture d'aérosol comprenant une région de génération d'aérosol à variation de volume WO2023084193A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1020247015519A KR20240089545A (ko) 2021-11-10 2022-11-04 에어로졸 생성 구역이 변하는 볼륨을 갖는 에어로졸 제공 시스템
CN202280088343.0A CN118541045A (zh) 2021-11-10 2022-11-04 具有体积变化的气溶胶生成区域的气溶胶供应系统
CA3237460A CA3237460A1 (fr) 2021-11-10 2022-11-04 Systeme de fourniture d'aerosol comprenant une region de generation d'aerosol a variation de volume
EP22803352.8A EP4429490A1 (fr) 2021-11-10 2022-11-04 Système de fourniture d'aérosol comprenant une région de génération d'aérosol à variation de volume

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB202116148 2021-11-10
GB2116148.4 2021-11-10

Publications (1)

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WO2023084193A1 true WO2023084193A1 (fr) 2023-05-19

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EP (1) EP4429490A1 (fr)
KR (1) KR20240089545A (fr)
CN (1) CN118541045A (fr)
CA (1) CA3237460A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2023084193A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20190166909A1 (en) * 2016-04-27 2019-06-06 Philip Morris Products S.A. Aerosol generating device with securing means
US20210219605A1 (en) * 2018-05-16 2021-07-22 Philip Morris Products S.A. Atomiser assembly with oscillation chamber
WO2021152035A1 (fr) * 2020-01-29 2021-08-05 Philip Morris Products S.A. Élément de retenue réglable pour un dispositif de génération d'aérosol
WO2021233792A1 (fr) * 2020-05-22 2021-11-25 Jt International Sa Dispositif de génération d'aérosol
WO2022223628A1 (fr) * 2021-04-20 2022-10-27 Jt International S.A. Dispositif de génération d'aérosol comprenant un contenant expansible

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20190166909A1 (en) * 2016-04-27 2019-06-06 Philip Morris Products S.A. Aerosol generating device with securing means
US20210219605A1 (en) * 2018-05-16 2021-07-22 Philip Morris Products S.A. Atomiser assembly with oscillation chamber
WO2021152035A1 (fr) * 2020-01-29 2021-08-05 Philip Morris Products S.A. Élément de retenue réglable pour un dispositif de génération d'aérosol
WO2021233792A1 (fr) * 2020-05-22 2021-11-25 Jt International Sa Dispositif de génération d'aérosol
WO2022223628A1 (fr) * 2021-04-20 2022-10-27 Jt International S.A. Dispositif de génération d'aérosol comprenant un contenant expansible

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EP4429490A1 (fr) 2024-09-18
CA3237460A1 (fr) 2023-05-19
CN118541045A (zh) 2024-08-23
KR20240089545A (ko) 2024-06-20

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