WO2024002852A1

WO2024002852A1 - Aerosol generating device

Info

Publication number: WO2024002852A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/066969
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pier Paolo MONTICONE; Layth Sliman BOUCHUIGUIR
Original assignee: Jt International Sa
Priority date: 2022-06-27
Filing date: 2023-06-22
Publication date: 2024-01-04

Abstract

An aerosol generating device comprising: a body comprising a chamber for receiving an aerosol substrate consumable; an actuator mechanically coupled with the body; a first haptic output element mechanically coupled with the body and having a first resonant frequency; and a second haptic output element mechanically coupled with the body and having a second resonant frequency different to the first resonant frequency; wherein the actuator is selectively configured to vibrate to generate vibrations in the body at a frequency of: a first frequency to cause a substantially resonant response in the first haptic output element; and/or a second frequency to cause a substantially resonant response in the second haptic output element.

Description

Aerosol Generating Device

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device and method of providing haptic feedback in an aerosol generating device.

Background

Various devices and systems are available that heat aerosol substrates to release aerosol/vapour for inhalation, rather than relying on burning the aerosol substrate. For example, e-cigarettes vaporize an e-liquid from a consumable to an inhalable vapour. Alternative devices with solid consumables are available.

Devices with haptic feedback are known. However, the haptic feedback is typically delivered on the whole external surface of the device and not localised at different points of the exterior surface of the device. Further, existing devices require a significant amount of electrical circuitry in order to control the haptic feedback.

It is the object of the invention to avoid or overcome at least some of the above referenced problems, or to provide an alternative solution.

Summary

According to the present disclosure there is provided an aerosol generating device including the features as set out in the claims.

In one example, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising: a body comprising a chamber for receiving an aerosol substrate consumable; an actuator mechanically coupled with the body; a first haptic output element mechanically coupled with the body and having a first resonant frequency; and a second haptic output element mechanically coupled with the body and having a second resonant frequency different to the first resonant frequency; wherein the actuator is selectively configured to vibrate to generate vibrations in the body at a frequency of: a first frequency to cause a substantially resonant response in the first haptic output element; and/or a second frequency to cause a substantially resonant response in the second haptic output element. The aerosol generating device described above enables haptic feedback to be provided to a user. The use of an actuator to generate vibrations that are transferred through the body to generate a resonant response in one or more haptic output devices means that fewer electronic components (or components in general) are required. This is because an actuator can be used to drive multiple different haptic output elements, for example in isolation or combination. In other words, there may be fewer (less) actuators than haptic output elements. Design and manufacturing freedoms or simplicity may also be improved. The haptic output elements have different resonant frequencies, which means that the desired haptic feedback can be controlled.

In one example, the first haptic output element and the second haptic output element are separated from each other on the body. This means that haptic feedback can be provided at different locations on the aerosol generating device.

The haptic output element may comprise a rigid mass coupled to an elastic element. The rigid mass coupled to an elastic element provides an efficient component that would produce a resonant response when subject to vibrations.

In one example, the mass is restrained to vibrate in a first axis. This arrangement would provide haptic feedback in a single direction.

In one example, the mass is configured to vibrate omnidirectionally. This arrangement would provide haptic feedback omnidirectionally.

In one example, the elastic element comprises an elastic rubber element and the rigid mass is embedded within the elastic rubber element. The rigid mass embedded within the elastic rubber element provides an efficient component that would produce a resonant response when subject to vibrations. Such a component is simple, small, robust, easy to manufacture and relatively cheap. In addition, the rigid mass is able to vibrate omnidirectionally. In addition, this example enables a low and tuneable Q factor by changing the viscosity of the rubber.

In one example, a 3dB bandwidth B1 of the first haptic output element is less than half of the difference between the first resonant frequency and the second resonant frequency. This arrangement provides a distinction of the resonant frequencies of the first haptic output element and the second haptic output element such that they may vibrate independently.

At least one of the first haptic output element and the second haptic output element is configured to operate as an input to the aerosol generating device. That is to say that the first haptic output element and/or second haptic output element may take the form of a button that can be used to provide a user input to the device.

The actuator may be configured to cause vibrations at the first resonant frequency and the second resonant frequency simultaneously. In other words, the actuator may be able to generate a resonant response in multiple haptic output elements concurrently.

The actuator may be a piezoelectric component, the piezoelectric component being configured to receive a time-varying electrical stimulus at a predetermined frequency and generate a vibration dependent on the predetermined frequency. The time-varying electrical stimulus may be more complex than a single frequency/harmonic. For example, there may be a plurality of time-varying electrical stimuli in order to stimulate different haptic output elements simultaneously. In some examples, the time-varying electrical stimulus may comprise a carrier signal (or carrier wave) that is modulated in intensity over time to generate a resonant response in the haptic output elements. In this case, the stimuli would have one or more vibration patterns that generate a resonant response with one or more haptic output elements.

In one example, the actuator is separated from the first haptic output element by a first predetermined distance and the second haptic output element by a second predetermined distance. That is to say that the first haptic output element and the second haptic output element are provided at distinct locations on the aerosol generating device.

In one example, the vibration generated by the actuator is configured to travel along a first vibration path in the body between the actuator and the first haptic output element and a second vibration path in the body between the actuator and the second haptic output element. Having different paths may reduce interference between different vibrations in the system. In one example, the aerosol generating device includes a third haptic output element mechanically coupled with the body and having a third resonant frequency. A third haptic output element enables the device to provide additional feedback to a user.

In some examples, there is only a single actuator and a plurality of haptic output elements. That is to say that a single actuator may provide the vibration to generate a range of vibrational frequencies to generate a resonant response in each of the plurality of haptic output elements.

According to one example, there is provided a method of providing haptic feedback in an aerosol generating device, the method comprising: selectively actuating an actuator to generate vibrations in the aerosol generating device at a frequency of: a first frequency to cause a substantially resonant response in a first haptic output element of the device; and/or a second frequency to cause a resonant response in a second haptic output element of the device.

The aerosol generating device provides localised haptic feedback into different parts of the device without increasing complexity and cost.

In one example, there is provided an apparatus comprising: a body; an actuator mechanically coupled with the body; a first haptic output element mechanically coupled with the body and having a first resonant frequency; and a second haptic output element mechanically coupled with the body and having a second resonant frequency different to the first resonant frequency; wherein the actuator is selectively configured to vibrate to generate vibrations in the body at a frequency of: a first frequency to cause a substantially resonant response in the first haptic output element; and/or a second frequency to cause a substantially resonant response in the second haptic output element. In some examples, the actuator may be a piezoelectric component, the piezoelectric component being configured to receive a time-varying electrical stimulus at a predetermined frequency and generate a vibration dependent on the predetermined frequency. The time-varying electrical stimulus may comprise a carrier signal (or carrier wave) that is modulated in intensity over time to generate a resonant response in the haptic output elements.

The apparatus described above enables haptic feedback to be provided to a user. The use of an actuator to generate vibrations that are transferred through the body to generate a resonant response in one or more haptic output devices means that the amount of electronics required to deliver haptic feedback is reduced as fewer electronic components are required. This is because an actuator can be used to drive multiple different haptic output elements, for example in isolation or combination. In other words, there may be fewer (less) actuators than haptic output elements. In some examples, there is only one actuator configured to drive multiple haptic output elements. Design and manufacturing freedoms or simplicity may also be improved. For example, there would be no need to transmit electrical power to each haptic output element. The haptic output elements have different resonant frequencies, which means that the desired haptic feedback can be controlled

Brief Description of the Drawings

Examples of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a schematic example of an aerosol generating device;

Figure 2 shows a schematic example of the system of the actuator, first haptic output device and the second haptic output device;

Figure 3A shows an example of a first resonant response curve that is generated by the first haptic output element and a second resonant response curve that is generated by the second haptic output element;

Figure 3B shows an example of the 3dB bandwidth B1 of the first haptic output element and the 3dB bandwidth B2 of the second haptic output element;

Figures 4A to 4D show various examples of a haptic output elements in the form of a rigid mass coupled to an elastic element;

Figure 5 shows a schematic example of an exploded view of the aerosol generating device; and

Figure 6 shows a graph of examples of frequency response curves.

Detailed Description

As used herein, the term aerosol substrate is a label used to mean a medium that generates an aerosol or vapour when heated. It may be synonymous with smokable material and aerosol generating medium. Aerosol substrate includes liquid or solid materials that provide volatilized components upon heating, typically in the form of vapor or an aerosol (which are used synonymously). Aerosol substrate may be a non- tobacco-containing material or a tobacco-containing material. Aerosol substrate may, for example, include one or more of tobacco per se, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco extract, homogenized tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. Aerosol substrate also may include other, non-tobacco, products, which, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine. Aerosol substrate may comprise one or more humectants, such as glycerol or propylene glycol.

Figure 1 shows a schematic example of an aerosol generating device 100. The aerosol generating device 100 may be configured receive an aerosol substrate consumable, in use. The aerosol substrate consumable may be liquid or solid that is configured to generate an aerosol (used synonymously with vapour) when heated. As shown in Figure 1 , the aerosol generating device 100 includes a body 102 including a chamber 104 in which the consumable is received to be heated.

The body 102 includes the housing and internal structure of the aerosol generating device 100. The chamber 104 may be formed as a cavity within the body 102 the aerosol generating device 100 and is shaped to receive the aerosol substrate consumable.

The aerosol generating device 100 may include a heater or heating means for increasing the temperature of the aerosol substrate consumable to volatise one or more volatilisable components.

The aerosol generating device 100 includes an actuator 106 mechanically coupled with the body 102. In the example shown in Figure 1 , the actuator is coupled with an internal wall of the body 102, but in other examples the actuator 106 is coupled with the housing of the body 102. Further details of the actuator 106 will be provided below.

The aerosol generating device 100 includes a first haptic output element 108 mechanically coupled with the body 102. In Figure 1 , the first haptic output element 108 is coupled with a housing of the body 102, but in other examples, the first haptic output element 108 is coupled with an internal structure within the body 102. The first haptic output element 108 has a first natural frequency. That is to say that the amplitude of vibrations (or oscillations) of the first haptic output element 108 is configured to increase when it is subject to an input frequency that it within a predetermined range of the of the first natural frequency.

The aerosol generating device 100 includes a second haptic output element 110 mechanically coupled with the body 102. In Figure 1 , the second haptic output element 110 is coupled with a housing of the body 102, but in other examples, the second haptic output element 110 is coupled with an internal structure within the body 102. The second haptic output element 110 has a second natural frequency, different to the first natural frequency of the first haptic output element 108. That is to say that the amplitude of vibrations (or oscillations) of the second haptic output element 108 is configured to increase when it is subject to an input frequency that it within a predetermined range of the of the second natural frequency. Further details of the first haptic output element 108 and the second haptic output element 110 will be provided below.

The actuator 106 is selectively configured to vibrate to generate vibrations in the body at a frequency of a first frequency to cause a substantially resonant response in the first haptic output element 108; and/or a second frequency to cause a substantially resonant response in the second haptic output element 110. The first frequency may be within a first predetermined range of the of the first natural frequency and the second frequency may be within a second predetermined range of the second natural frequency. In some examples, the first predetermined range is substantially identical to the second predetermined range.

Figure 2 shows a schematic example of the system of the actuator 106, first haptic output device 108 and the second haptic output device 110. In this example, the actuator 106 is arranged such that it may transfer vibrations to the first haptic output element 108 and the second haptic output element 110.

The actuator 106 is operable to generate waves or vibrations at a selected frequency. In one example, the actuator 106 comprises a piezoelectric actuator that is configured to receive an electrical signal and generate a vibration at a specified frequency. The frequency of the generated vibrations may be dependent on the frequency of the electrical signal. That is to say that the electrical signal may be adjusted to cause the frequency of vibrations generated by the actuator 106 to change. The electrical signal may comprise a time varying electrical stimulus, which would cause the actuator 106 to generate a vibration at the corresponding frequency. The piezoelectric component is configured to receive the time-varying electrical stimulus at a predetermined frequency and generate a vibration dependent on the predetermined frequency. In some examples, the frequency of the generated vibrations by the actuator 106 are substantially identical to the frequency of the time-varying electrical stimulus.

The electrical signal may be generated by a controller (not shown). The vibrations generated by the actuator 106 are transmitted to the first haptic output element 108 and the second haptic output element 110. Depending on the frequency of the vibrations generated by the actuator 106, a resonant response may result in the first haptic output element 108 and/or the second haptic output element 110.

The actuator 106 may be controlled to selectively vibrate at a single frequency, or at multiple frequencies (e.g., using harmonics). This may allow different degrees of control, in terms of how to cause vibrations in the haptic output elements.

The generated vibration has a relatively small amplitude relative to the amplitude of the vibrations generated by the resonant response of the first haptic output element 108 and/or the second haptic output element 110.

In some examples, the vibrations generated by the actuator 106 are transmitted through the body 102. For example, the vibrations generated by the actuator 106 result in the internal structure and/or housing of the body 102 vibrating too and mechanical energy being transferred through the body 102. For example, the vibrations (mechanical energy) generated by the actuator 106 may be transferred through an endo-skeleton or an exo-skeleton of the body 102 or a mix of the two.

It is possible for the vibrations to be transferred to the haptic output elements via air guides or gaps in the body. However, it is likely that vibrations transferred through solid parts of the body will lead to greater or better coupling.

In other examples, the actuator 106 comprises an eccentric rotating mass (ERM) motor. The actuator 106 may comprise a linear resonant actuator (LRA). The actuator 106 may be configured for electroactive polymer actuation, piezoelectric actuation, or electrostatic actuation. In some examples, the actuator 106 comprises a voicecoil. In some example, the actuator 106 is capable generating vibrations at different frequencies at the same time. In some examples, the frequency of the vibration would be normally considered out of the usable zone.

In other examples, the actuator 106 is configured to generate one or more pressure waves (or sound waves) configured to be transmitted through the body 102 of the device 100. The pressure waves are transformed into perceivable vibrations by the haptic output elements. The pressure waves may be transmitted to the first haptic output element 108 and the second haptic output element 110 through the body 102. The pressure waves me be outside of sound bandwidth range (e.g. ultrasound) to ensure that the user does not perceive noise from the actuator 106.

The actuator 106 may be configured to cause (or generate) vibrations at the first frequency and the second frequency simultaneously. In other words, the actuator 106 may be configured to generate more than one vibrations at different frequency concurrently. Providing more than one vibrations concurrently would result in multiple haptic output elements 108, 110 providing a substantially resonant response concurrently.

Figure 3A shows an example of a first resonant response curve 112 that is generated by the first haptic output element 108 and the second resonant response curve 114 that is generated by the second haptic output element 110. As shown in Figure 3A, the first haptic output element 108 has a first resonant frequency, F1 , and the second haptic output element 110 has a second resonant frequency, F2, which is different to the first resonant frequency F1. The term resonant frequency is used interchangeably with natural frequency in this specification. In other words, when the actuator generates vibrations at the first frequency, F1 , the first haptic output element 108 has a maximum amplitude response and the second haptic output element 110 has a less than maximum amplitude response and when the actuator 106 generates vibrations at the second frequency, F2, the first haptic output element 108 has a less than maximum amplitude response and the second haptic output element 110 has a maximum amplitude response.

That is to say that when subject to vibrations across a range of frequencies, the first haptic output element 108 has a different response relative to the second haptic output element 110. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the first haptic output element 108 has a maximum amplitude haptic output when subject to a first frequency, F1 , and the second haptic output element 110 has a maximum amplitude haptic output when subject to a second frequency, F2.

There may be some overlap between the first resonant response curve 112 and the second resonant response curve 114. For example, at frequency F3 in Figure 3, both the first haptic output element 108 and the second haptic output element 110 will vibrate at a relatively high amplitude, but not the maximum possible amplitude.

Each of the response curves has a Q factor, which is a ratio of the resonant response centre frequency to the half-power bandwidth. The Q factor is a property of the haptic output element and depends on the damping in the system.

The Q-factor is described by the following equation: Q-factor = Resonant frequency/- 3dB bandwidth. Bandwidth at -3dB or FWHM (full width at half maximum) is the delta frequency of the resonance lobe at half of its amplitude.

Figure 3B shows an example of the 3dB bandwidth B1 of the first haptic output element 108 and the 3dB bandwidth B2 of the second haptic output element 110. In one example, the 3dB bandwidth B1 of the first haptic output element 108 is less than half the difference between the second resonant frequency f2 and the first resonant frequency f1. Further, the 3dB bandwidth B2 of the second haptic output element 108 may be less than half the difference between the second resonant frequency f2 and the first resonant frequency f1. Setting the 3dB bandwidth B1 of the first haptic output element 108 and the 3dB bandwidth B1 of the second haptic output element 110 to be less than half the difference between the second resonant frequency f2 and the first resonant frequency f1 means that there isn’t a significant amount of overlap between the resonant responses of the first haptic output element 108 and the second output element 110. In other examples, there may be a significant overlap between the resonant response curves of the first haptic output element 108 and the second haptic output element 110.

In Figure 3A, the maximum output amplitude of the first haptic output element 108 and the maximum output amplitude of the second output amplitude element 110 are the same, but in other examples they are different. In one example, the first haptic output element 108 and the second haptic output element 110 are arranged to be adjacent to each other. In other examples, the first haptic output element 108 and the second haptic output element 110 are arranged to be separated from each other on the body 102. In otherwords, there is a predetermined distance between the first haptic output element 108 and the second haptic output element 110.

The first haptic output element 108 and the second haptic output element 110 may take the same form or may have different forms. Figures 4A to 4D show various examples of a haptic output elements in the form of a rigid mass 116 coupled to an elastic element 118. The elastic element may be formed of metal or elastic rubber, such as silicone rubber. In general, the haptic output elements may vibrate in one, two or three spatial axes depending on their implementation. The choice of the axis is important to select if haptic feedback should be perceived as a pulsating pressure or pulsating friction or a mix of the two on the user's skin.

In Figure 4A, the haptic output element 108, 110 comprises a rigid mass 116 is located within a container 120. An elastic element 118 is located within the container 120 and the rigid mass 116 is embedded within the elastic element 118. The elastic element 118 is deformable such that the rigid mass 116 is movable omnidirectionally as indicated by the arrows.

In this example, the resonant frequency of the haptic output element 108, 110 is proportional to the square root of the elastic coefficient of the elastic element 118 and the rigid mass 116. The elastic coefficient is a function of Young’s Modulus and the mechanical dimensions.

In a similar example, the haptic output element 108, 110 may comprise a container 120 and elastic element 118 as shown in Figure 4A, but without the rigid mass 116.

In Figure 4B, the rigid mass 122 is restrained to vibrate in a single axis. In this example, there are two, distinct elastic elements 118A, 118B within the container 120 and the rigid mass is located in between the two elastic elements 118A, 118B. There may be one or more air gaps 122 between the rigid mass 116 and the inner surface of the container 120 in use. In this example, as the haptic output element 108 is subject to vibrations from the actuator 106, the rigid mass 116 is limited to vibrate in a single axis, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 4B. In this example, the resonant frequency of the haptic output element 108, 110 is proportional to the square root of the elastic coefficient of the elastic elements 118A, 118B and the rigid mass 116. The elastic coefficient is a function of Young’s Modulus and the mechanical dimensions. In examples 4A and 4B, a relatively low viscosity of the elastic rubber is beneficial to maintain a high Q factor and 3dB bandwidth.

Figure 4C shows a similar example of the haptic output element to that shown in Figure 4B. In Figure 4C, the haptic output element 108, 110 includes a rigid mass 116 that is restrained to vibrate in a single axis. In this example, there are two, distinct elastic elements 118A, 118B, in the form of springs, within the container 120 and the rigid mass 116 is located in between the two elastic elements 118A, 118B. The elastic elements 118A, 118B are coupled to an inner surface of the container 120 at a first end and coupled to the rigid mass 116 at a second end. In this example, as the haptic output element 108 is subject to vibrations from the actuator 106, the rigid mass 116 is limited to vibrate in a single axis, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 4C. In this example, the first elastic element 118A has a first stiffness k1 and the second elastic element has a second stiffness k2. The rigid mass 116 has a mass m. The resonant frequency of the haptic output element 108, 110 is governed by the following equation:

Figure 4D shows another example of the haptic output element 108, 110. In Figure 4D, the haptic output element 108, 110 includes a cantilevered beam 124 comprising a rigid mass 116 at or towards an end of the beam 124. In this example, the beam 124 is considered to be the elastic element 118. Depending on the cross-sectional shape of the beam, the rigid mass may move omni directionally (circular cross section of the beam), substantially bi-directionally (square cross section of beam) or substantially mono-directionally (rectangular cross section of the beam).

In this example, the resonant frequency of the haptic output element 108, 110 is governed by the following equation:

Where kn=3.52 for mode 1 , E is Young's modulus, I is moment of Inertia, w is beam width, L is beam length.

In a similar example, the haptic output element 108, 110 comprises the cantilevered beam 124 without the rigid mass 116 at or towards the end of the beam 124. In another example, the haptic output element 108, 110 comprises a beam that is fixed at both ends that may have a rigid mass 116 located along its length.

One or more of the first haptic output element 108 and the second haptic output element 110 may be configured to operate as an input to the aerosol generating device 100. That is to say that the one or more of the first haptic element 108 and the second haptic output element 110 to be a button or switch (or the like). The button or switch may comprise any of the haptic output elements as shown in Figures 4A to 4D (or alternatives). In other examples, the button or switch is merely a component of the device that comprises a natural frequency that is configured to oscillate to generate a resonant response when subject to an input vibration at that natural frequency. The button may comprise etching or cut-outs to adjust the natural frequency as required. In some cases, the haptic output elements 108, 110 may comprise a mounting on the spring having a specific natural frequency.

In one example, the actuator 106 is configured to be mounted on a PCB of the aerosol generating device 100. The actuator 106 may be coupled to the PCB via a suitable connector such as a screw, adhesive, epoxy, pin welding etc.

Providing an actuator 106 on the PCB means that an electrical signal can be provided to the actuator 106 without the need for additional cabling and electronics within the device 100.

The actuator 106 is separated from the first haptic output element 108 by a first predetermined distance and the second haptic output element 110 by a second predetermined distance. That is to say that the first haptic output element 108 and the second haptic output element 110 are provided at different locations on the device 100. A first vibration path is provided from the actuator 106 to the first haptic output element 108 and a second vibration path if provided from the actuator 106 to the second haptic output element 110.

In some examples, the first vibration path and the second vibration path may pass through various components of the aerosol generating device 100 that are coupled together. Figure 5 shows a schematic example of an exploded view of the aerosol generating device. The actuator 106 is shown coupled to a first component 126, such as a PCB. The first component 126 may be attached to a second component 128 (such as a holder) via one or more fixtures 140, such as a screw, plug or the like. The fixtures 140 may pass through a first opening 130 or hole in the first component 126 and a corresponding opening 132 in the second component 128. The second component 128 may be coupled to a third component 134 (such as a housing) via one or more second fixtures 142. The one or more second fixtures may pass through a second hole 136 in the second component and a corresponding hole/recess in the third component 134. Whilst openings/fixtures have been shown in this example to connect the various components together, other examples are envisaged such as clips, a press fit, glued junctions or the like. Further, there may be more or greater than three components.

In this example, the first haptic output element 108 and the second haptic output element 110 are coupled with the housing 134 of the aerosol generating device 100 as shown in Figure 5, which also shows an illustrative example of the first vibration path 144 and the second vibration path 146. In this example, the first vibration path 144 and the second vibration path 146 share a common path for a majority of the path between the actuator 106 and the first haptic output element 108 and the second haptic output element 110. The vibrations are generated at the actuator 106 and travel from the first component 126 (the PCB) to the second component via the fixture 140 that couples the first component 126 to the second component 128. The vibrations travel from the second component 128 to the third component 134 via the fixture 142 that couples the second component 128 to the third component 134. At this stage, the first vibration path 144 then continues to the first haptic output device 108 and the second vibration path 146 continues to the second haptic output device 110.

In this schematic, illustrative example, the vibration paths 144, 146 is shown as travelling in two dimensions, but in practice, the vibration paths may travel in three dimensions. In an alternative example, the actuator is directly fixed to the housing 134 and connected to the PCB with electric cables.

All these components and the connections among them are rigid enough to have a 0 dB transmission gain in the direction of the vibration. In some examples, substantially deformable or elastic components are not located within the first vibration path 144 or the second vibration path 146. Examples of the deformable or elastic components include elastic washers, rubber o-rings, thick double tape, rubber like glue. Put another way, the first vibration path 144 and the second vibration path 146 travels through substantially rigid components/structures only.

The examples described above refer to two haptic output elements, but in practice there may be more than two haptic output elements, e.g., there may be a third haptic output element (not shown) mechanically coupled to the body 102 that has a third resonant frequency.

In each of the examples described above, the device 100 includes a single actuator 106 configured to transmit vibrations through a body 102 to a plurality of haptic output elements 108, 110.

In one example, the actuator 106 may be retrofitted to an existing aerosol generating device 100. In other words, the aerosol generating device 100 includes various parts/component/sections that have a natural frequency. The retrofitted actuator 106 is configured to provide vibrations at a range of frequencies to generate a resonant response in a first section of the device 100 and a second resonant response in a second section of the device. In other words, in this example, the first section of the device 100 is the first haptic output element 108 and the second section of the device is the second haptic output element 110. In some examples, one or more of the haptic output elements 108, 110 may be retrofitted or part of an accessory that is configured to be coupled with the aerosol generating device 100.

The haptic feedback provided by the device 100 may be used to provide information to a user. For example, it may indicate that the device 100 has reached a suitable temperature and is ready for use or alternatively the haptic feedback may indicate that the consumable has been used. In other words, the haptic feedback may replace other feedback components on the device, which may require more energy to provide the same information to a user. A user may adjust the haptic feedback settings as required.

In one example, there is a method for providing haptic feedback in an aerosol generating device 100. The method includes the step of selectively actuating an actuator 106 to generate vibrations in the aerosol generating device 100 at a frequency of: a first frequency to cause a substantially resonant response in a first haptic output element 108 of the device; and/or a second frequency to cause a resonant response in a second haptic output element 110 of the device 100.

Figure 6 shows an example of amplitude (dB) against normalised frequency for a resonant response curve. Response curve 148 shows an example of curve having relatively low damping and response curve 150 shows an example of relatively high damping. Preferably the transmission path maintains OdB. That is to say that the transfer function of the vibration transfer path should be close to OdB at the frequency of the actuator 106 so that the vibration is transferred through the body without substantial losses until the haptic output element 108, 110 which works in the amplification regime/resonance with high Q factor.

As discussed above, it is possible that this methodology could be applied to an existing device, to control that device in a better or different way (e.g., using one or more actuators to drive a greater number of output elements).

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device (100) comprising: a body (102) comprising a chamber (104) for receiving an aerosol substrate consumable; an actuator (106) mechanically coupled with the body (102); a first haptic output element (108) mechanically coupled with the body (102) and having a first resonant frequency; and a second haptic output element (110) mechanically coupled with the body and having a second resonant frequency different to the first resonant frequency; wherein the actuator (106) is selectively configured to vibrate to generate vibrations in the body at a frequency of: a first frequency to cause a substantially resonant response in the first haptic output element (108); and/or a second frequency to cause a substantially resonant response in the second haptic output element (110).

2. The aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the first haptic output element (108) and the second haptic output element (110) are separated from each other on the body (102).

3. The aerosol generating device (100) according to claims 1 or 2, wherein one or more of the first haptic output element (108) and the second haptic output element (110) comprises a rigid mass (116) coupled to an elastic element (118).

4. The aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the rigid mass (116) is restrained to vibrate in a first axis.

5. The aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the rigid mass (116) is configured to vibrate omnidirectionally.

6. The aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the elastic element (118) comprises an elastic rubber element and the rigid mass (116) is embedded within the elastic rubber element.

7. The aerosol generating device (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 3dB bandwidth B1 of the first haptic output element (108) is less than half of the difference between the first resonant frequency and the second resonant frequency.

8. The aerosol generating device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first haptic output element (108) and the second haptic output element (110) is configured to operate as an input to the aerosol generating device (110).

9. The aerosol generating device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (106) is configured to cause vibrations at the first resonant frequency and the second resonant frequency simultaneously.

10. The aerosol generating device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (106) is a piezoelectric component, the piezoelectric component being configured to receive a time-varying electrical stimulus at a predetermined frequency and generate a vibration dependent on the predetermined frequency.

11. The aerosol generating device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (106) is separated from the first haptic output element (108) by a first predetermined distance and the second haptic output element (110) by a second predetermined distance.

12. The aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the vibration generated by the actuator (106) is configured to travel along a first vibration path in the body (102) between the actuator (106) and the first haptic output element (108) and a second vibration path in the body (102) between the actuator (106) and the second haptic output element (110).

13. The aerosol generating device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a third haptic output element mechanically coupled with the body (102) and having a third resonant frequency.

14. The aerosol generating device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (106) is a single actuator and there is a plurality of haptic output elements (108, 110).

15. A method of providing haptic feedback in an aerosol generating device (100), the method comprising: selectively actuating an actuator (106) to generate vibrations in the aerosol generating device (100) at a frequency of: a first frequency to cause a substantially resonant response in a first haptic output element (108) of the device (100); and/or a second frequency to cause a resonant response in a second haptic output element (110) of the device (100).