WO2024023623A1 - Taux de changement de pression d'air pour déterminer l'utilisation d'un dispositif de fourniture d'aérosol - Google Patents

Taux de changement de pression d'air pour déterminer l'utilisation d'un dispositif de fourniture d'aérosol Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024023623A1
WO2024023623A1 PCT/IB2023/057198 IB2023057198W WO2024023623A1 WO 2024023623 A1 WO2024023623 A1 WO 2024023623A1 IB 2023057198 W IB2023057198 W IB 2023057198W WO 2024023623 A1 WO2024023623 A1 WO 2024023623A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
aerosol
air pressure
measurements
change
rate
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2023/057198
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Sean A. Daugherty
Original Assignee
Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc.
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 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. filed Critical Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc.
Publication of WO2024023623A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024023623A1/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
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A24F40/51—Arrangement of sensors
    • 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
    • A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for 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
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A24F40/53—Monitoring, e.g. fault detection
    • 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
    • A24F40/57—Temperature control
    • 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
    • A24F40/05—Devices without heating means
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to aerosol provision systems such as smoking articles designed to deliver at least one substance to a user.
  • aerosol provision systems and in particular non-combustible aerosol provision systems have been proposed through the years as improvements upon, or alternatives to, smoking products that require combusting tobacco for use. These systems are generally designed to deliver at least one substance to a user, such as to satisfy a particular “consumer moment.”
  • the substance may include constituents that impart a physiological effect on the user, a sensorial effect on the user, or both.
  • the substance may be generally present in an aerosol -generating material that may contain one or more constituents of a range of constituents, such as active substances, flavors, aerosol-former materials and other functional materials like fillers.
  • Aerosol provision systems include, for example, vapor products commonly known as “electronic cigarettes,” “e-cigarettes” or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), as well as heat-not-bum products including tobacco heating products (THPs) and carbon-tipped tobacco heating products (CTHPs).
  • vapor products commonly known as “electronic cigarettes,” “e-cigarettes” or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)
  • heat-not-bum products including tobacco heating products (THPs) and carbon-tipped tobacco heating products (CTHPs).
  • THPs tobacco heating products
  • CHPs carbon-tipped tobacco heating products
  • Many of these products take the form of a system including a device and a consumable, and it is the consumable that includes the material from which the substance to be delivered originates.
  • the device is reusable, and the consumable is single-use (although some consumables are refillable). Therefore, in many cases, the consumable is sold separately from the device, and often in a multipack.
  • Some aerosol provision devices include a sensor to detect airflow or a change in pressure caused by airflow when a user draws on the device.
  • the sensor may be susceptible to false triggering.
  • the device may falsely detect use of the device while experiencing environmental conditions such as a pressure change due to a change in elevation, e.g., via an elevator or airplane.
  • Example implementations of the present disclosure therefore use rate of change of air pressure to determine use of an aerosol provision device.
  • Example implementations may therefore use measurements of air pressure from one sensor to determine use of the aerosol provision device.
  • Some other devices use a separate sensor and determine use in other manners.
  • an aerosol provision device comprising: a power source; circuitry including: a sensor configured to produce measurements of air pressure through at least a portion of the aerosol provision device; and processing circuitry configured to determine a device baseline rate of change of air pressure from the measurements, and detect: a puff event, the puff event defined by a predetermined difference between a rate of change of air pressure from the measurements and the device baseline rate of change of air pressure; aerosol-generating material; and an aerosol generator powered by the power source under control of the circuitry to energize the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol for delivery to a user.
  • Some example implementations provide a method of operating an aerosol provision device, the method comprising: producing measurements of air pressure through at least a portion of the aerosol provision device; determining a device baseline rate of change of the air pressure from the measurements; detecting a puff event, the puff event defined by a predetermined difference between a rate of change of air pressure from the measurements and the device baseline rate of change of air pressure; and powering an aerosol generator to energize aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol for delivery to a user, when the pressure caused by the airflow indicates use of the aerosol provision device.
  • FIG. l is a block diagram of an aerosol provision system according to some example implementations of the present disclosure.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an aerosol provision system in the form of a vapor product, according to some example implementations
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a nebulizer that may be used to implement an aerosol generator of an aerosol provision system, according to some example implementations
  • FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate an aerosol provision system in the form of a heat-not- bum product, according to some example implementations
  • FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F and 8G are flowcharts illustrating various steps in a method of operating an aerosol provision device, according to various example implementations
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a device baseline rate of change of air pressure and a measured rate of change of air pressure, according to some example implementaitons; and [0017] FIG. 10 illustrates an example showing three puff events, according to some example implementations.
  • references to first, second or the like should not be construed to imply a particular order.
  • a feature described as being above another feature may instead be below, and vice versa; and similarly, features described as being to the left of another feature else may instead be to the right, and vice versa.
  • reference may be made herein to quantitative measures, values, geometric relationships or the like unless otherwise stated, any one or more if not all of these may be absolute or approximate to account for acceptable variations that may occur, such as those due to engineering tolerances or the like.
  • Example implementations of the present disclosure are generally directed to delivery systems designed to deliver at least one substance to a user, such as to satisfy a particular “consumer moment.”
  • the substance may include constituents that impart a physiological effect on the user, a sensorial effect on the user, or both.
  • Delivery systems may take many forms. Examples of suitable delivery systems include aerosol provision systems such as powered aerosol provision systems designed to release one or more substances or compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material. These aerosol provision systems may at times be referred to as non-combustible aerosol provision systems, aerosol delivery devices or the like, and the aerosol-generating material may be, for example, in the form of a solid, semi-solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine.
  • aerosol provision systems such as powered aerosol provision systems designed to release one or more substances or compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material.
  • These aerosol provision systems may at times be referred to as non-combustible aerosol provision systems, aerosol delivery devices or the like, and the aerosol-generating material may be, for example, in the form of a solid, semi-solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine.
  • suitable aerosol provision systems include vapor products, heat-not- bum products, hybrid products and the like.
  • Vapor products are commonly known as “electronic cigarettes,” “e-cigarettes” or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), although the aerosol-generating material need not include nicotine.
  • Many vapor products are designed to heat a liquid material to generate an aerosol.
  • Other vapor products are designed to break up an aerosol-generating material into an aerosol without heating, or with only secondary heating.
  • Heat-not-burn products include tobacco heating products (THPs) and carbon-tipped tobacco heating products (CTHPs), and many are designed to heat a solid material to generate an aerosol without combusting the material.
  • Hybrid products use 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, semi-solid, liquid, or gel.
  • Some hybrid products are similar to vapor products except that the aerosol generated from a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material passes through a second material (such as tobacco) to pick up additional constituents before reaching the user.
  • the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol -gen erating material, and a solid aerosol -generating material.
  • the solid aerosol-generating material may include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.
  • FIG. l is a block diagram of an aerosol provision system 100 according to some example implementations.
  • the aerosol provision system may be a vapor product, heat-not-burn product or hybrid product.
  • the aerosol provision system includes one or more of each of a number of components including, for example, an aerosol provision device 102, and a consumable 104 (sometimes referred to as an article) for use with the aerosol provision device.
  • the aerosol provision system also includes an aerosol generator 106.
  • the aerosol generator may be part of the aerosol provision device or the consumable. In other implementations, the aerosol generator may be separate from the aerosol provision device and the consumable, and removably engaged with the aerosol provision device and/or the consumable.
  • the aerosol provision system 100 and its components including the aerosol provision device 102 and the consumable 104 may be reusable or single-use.
  • the aerosol provision system including both the aerosol provision device and the consumable may be single use.
  • the aerosol provision device may be reusable, and the consumable may be reusable (e.g., refillable) or single use (e.g., replaceable).
  • the consumable may be both refillable and also replaceable.
  • the aerosol generator 106 is part of the aerosol provision device or the consumable, the aerosol generator may be reusable or single-use in the same manner as the aerosol provision device or the consumable.
  • the aerosol provision device 102 may include a housing 108 with a power source 110 and circuitry 112.
  • the power source is configured to provide a source of power to the aerosol provision device and thereby the aerosol provision system 100.
  • the power source may be or include, for example, an electric power source such as a non-rechargeable battery or a rechargeable battery, solid-state battery (SSB), lithium-ion battery, supercapacitor, or the like.
  • the circuitry 112 may be configured to enable one or more functionalities (at times referred to as services) of the aerosol provision device 102 and thereby the aerosol provision system 100.
  • the circuitry includes electronic components, and in some examples one or more of the electronic components may be formed as a circuit board such as a printed circuit board (PCB).
  • PCB printed circuit board
  • the circuitry 112 includes at least one switch 114 that may be directly or indirectly manipulated by a user to activate the aerosol provision device 102 and thereby the aerosol provision system 100.
  • the switch may be or include a pushbutton, touch- sensitive surface or the like that may be operated manually by a user. Additionally or alternatively, the switch may be or include a sensor configured to sense one or more process variables that indicate use of the aerosol provision device or aerosol provision system.
  • a flow sensor, pressure sensor, pressure switch or the like is configured to detect airflow or a change in pressure caused by airflow when a user draws on the consumable 104.
  • the switch 114 may provide user interface functionality.
  • the circuitry 112 may include a user interface (UI) 116 that is separate from or that is or includes the switch.
  • the UI may include one or more input devices and/or output devices to enable interaction between the user and the aerosol provision device 102.
  • suitable input devices include pushbuttons, touch-sensitive surfaces and the like.
  • the one or more output devices generally include devices configured to provide information in a human-perceptible form that may be visual, audible or tactile / haptic. Examples of suitable output devices include light sources such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), quantum dot-based LEDs and the like. Other examples of suitable output devices include display devices (e.g., electronic visual displays), touchscreens (integrated touch-sensitive surface and display device), loudspeakers, vibration motors and the like.
  • the circuitry 112 includes processing circuitry 118 configured to perform data processing, application execution, or other processing, control or management services according to one or more example implementations.
  • the processing circuitry may include a processor embodied in a variety of forms such as at least one processor core, microprocessor, coprocessor, controller, microcontroller or various other computing or processing devices including one or more integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), some combination thereof, or the like.
  • the processing circuitry may include memory coupled to or integrated with the processor, and which may store data, computer program instructions executable by the processor, some combination thereof, or the like.
  • the housing 108 and thereby the aerosol provision device 102 may also include a coupler 120 and/or a receptacle 122 structured to engage and hold the consumable 104, and thereby couple the aerosol provision device with the consumable.
  • the coupler may be or include a connector, fastener or the like that is configured to connect with a corresponding coupler of the consumable, such as by a press fit (or interference fit) connection, threaded connection, magnetic connection or the like.
  • the receptacle may be or include a reservoir, tank, container, cavity, receiving chamber or the like that is structured to receive and contain the consumable or at least a portion of the consumable.
  • the consumable 104 is an article including aerosol-generating material 124 (also referred to as an aerosol precursor composition), part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user.
  • the aerosol provision system 100 may include one or more consumables, and each consumable may include one or more aerosol-generating materials.
  • the aerosol provision system may include a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol, which may then pass through a second, solid aerosol-generating material to pick up additional constituents before reaching the user.
  • These aerosol-generating materials may be within a single consumable or respective consumables that may be separately removable.
  • the aerosol-generating material 124 is contained in a removable and replaceable consumable 104
  • other implementations may have different configurations.
  • the aerosol-generating material may be integral with the device, such as, for example, implementations wherein the aerosol-generating material is contained in a reservoir that is integral with the device.
  • the device may be disposable.
  • the aerosol-generating material may be contained in a reservoir that is integral with the device, wherein the reservoir may be refilled with aerosol-generating material when depleted.
  • the aerosol-generating material 124 is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way.
  • the aerosol-generating material may be, for example, in the form of a solid, semi-solid, liquid or gel.
  • the aerosol-generating material may include an “amorphous solid,” which may be alternatively 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 include from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid.
  • the aerosol-generating material 124 may include one or more of each of a number of constituents such as an active substance 126, flavorant 128, aerosol-former material 130 or other functional material 132.
  • the active substance 126 may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response such as improved alertness, improved focus, increased energy, increased stamina, increased calm or improved sleep.
  • 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 include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, GABA (y-aminobutyric acid), L- theanine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 (cobalamin) or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, terpenes, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof.
  • the active substance may include one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.
  • the active substance 126 may be or include one or more cannabinoids or terpenes.
  • the active substance 126 may include or be derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof.
  • the term “botanical” includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibers, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like. Alternatively, the material may include an active compound naturally existing in a botanical, obtained synthetically.
  • the material may be in the form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like.
  • Example botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric,
  • the mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Mentha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens.
  • the active substance 126 may be or include one or more of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)/ oxitriptan / Griffonia simplicifolia, acetylcholine, arachidonic acid (AA, omega-6), ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Bacopa monniera, beta alanine, beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), Centella asiatica, chai-hu, cinnamon, citicoline, cotinine, creatine, curcumin, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, omega-3), dopamine, Dorstenia arifolia, Dorstenia Odorata, essential oils, GABA, Galphimia glauca, glutamic acid, hops, kaempferia parviflora (Thai ginseng), kava, L-carnitine, L-arginine, lavender oil, L-choline, liquorice, L-lysine, L-
  • 5-HTP 5-hydroxy
  • the aerosol-generating material 124 includes a flavorant 128.
  • flavorant 128 refers 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.
  • Flavorants may include naturally occurring flavor materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, redberry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot,
  • the flavorant 128 may include 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 130 may include one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol.
  • the aerosol-former material may include one or more of glycerine, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, tri ethyl 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 132 may include one or more of pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.
  • Suitable binders include, for example, pectin, guar gum, fruit pectin, citrus pectin, tobacco pectin, hydroxyethyl guar gum, hydroxypropyl guar gum, hydroxyethyl locust bean gum, hydroxypropyl locust bean gum, alginate, starch, modified starch, derivatized starch, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, ethylhydroxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, tamarind gum, dextran, pullalon, konjac flour or xanthan gum.
  • the aerosol-generating material 124 may be present on or in a support to form a substrate 134.
  • the support may be or include, for example, paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted material (e.g., a material formed from reconstituted plant material, such as reconstituted tobacco, reconstituted hemp, etc.), a plastics material, a ceramic material, a composite material, glass, a metal, or a metal alloy.
  • the support includes a susceptor, which may be embedded within the aerosolgenerating material, or on one or either side of the aerosol-generating material.
  • the consumable 104 may further include receptacle structured to engage and hold the aerosolgenerating material 124, or substrate 134 with the aerosol-generating material.
  • the receptacle may be or include a reservoir, tank, container, cavity, receiving chamber or the like that is structured to receive and contain the aerosol-generating material or the substrate.
  • the consumable may include an aerosol-generating material transfer component (also referred to as a liquid transport element) configured to transport aerosol-generating material to the aerosol generator 106.
  • the aerosol-generating material transfer component may be adapted to wick or otherwise transport aerosol-generating material via capillary action.
  • the aerosol-generating material transfer component may include a microfluidic chip, a micro pump or other suitable component to transport aerosol -generating material.
  • the aerosol generator 106 (also referred to as an atomizer, aerosolizer or aerosol production component) is configured to energize the aerosol-generating material 124 to generate an aerosol, or otherwise cause generation of an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material. More particularly, in some examples, the aerosol generator may be powered by the power source 110 under control of the circuitry 112 to energize the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol.
  • the aerosol generator 106 is an electric heater configured to perform electric heating in which electrical energy from the power source is converted to heat energy, which the aerosol-generating material is subject to so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol -gen erating material to form an aerosol.
  • suitable forms of electric heating include resistance (Joule) heating, induction heating, dielectric and microwave heating, radiant heating, arc heating and the like. More particular examples of suitable electric heaters include resistive heating elements such as wire coils, flat plates, prongs, micro heaters or the like.
  • the aerosol generator 106 is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating, or with only secondary heating.
  • the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of increased pressure, vibration, or electrostatic energy. More particular examples of these aerosol generators include jet nebulizers, ultrasonic wave nebulizers, vibrating mesh technology (VMT) nebulizers, surface acoustic wave (SAW) nebulizers, and the like.
  • Ajet nebulizer is configured to use compressed gas (e.g., air, oxygen) to break up aerosol-generating material 124 into an aerosol
  • an ultrasonic wave nebulizer is configured to use ultrasonic waves to break up aerosol -generating material into an aerosol.
  • a VMT nebulizer includes a mesh, and a piezo material (e.g., piezoelectric material, piezomagnetic material) that may be driven to vibrate and cause the mesh to break up aerosol-generating material into an aerosol.
  • a SAW nebulizer is configured to use surface acoustic waves or Rayleigh waves to break up aerosol -generating material into an aerosol.
  • the aerosol generator 106 may include a susceptor, or the susceptor may be part of the substrate 134.
  • the susceptor is a material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generator that may be separate from or part of the aerosol generator.
  • 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 in some examples may be both electrically-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor of these examples is heatable by both heating mechanisms.
  • either or both the aerosol provision device 102 or the consumable 104 may include an aerosol-modifying agent.
  • the aerosol-modifying agent is a substance configured to modify the aerosol generated from the aerosol -generating material 124, such as by changing the taste, flavor, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol.
  • the aerosol-modifying agent may be an additive or a sorbent.
  • the aerosolmodifying agent may include, for example, one or more of a flavorant, colorant, water or carbon adsorbent.
  • the aerosol-modifying agent may be a solid, semi-solid, liquid or gel.
  • the aerosol-modifying agent may be in powder, thread or granule form.
  • the aerosol-modifying agent may be free from filtration material.
  • the aerosol-modifying agent may be provided in an aerosol -modifying agent release component, that is operable to selectively release the aerosol-modifying agent.
  • the aerosol provision system 100 and its components including the aerosol provision device 102, consumable 104, and aerosol generator 106 may be manufactured with any of a number of different form factors, and with additional or alternative components relative to those described above.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an aerosol provision system 200 in the form of a vapor product, and that in some example implementations may correspond to the aerosol provision system 100.
  • the aerosol provision system 200 may include an aerosol provision device 202 (also referred to as a control body or power unit) and a consumable 204 (also referred to as a cartridge or tank), which may correspond to respectively the aerosol provision device 102 and the consumable 104.
  • the aerosol provision system and in particular the consumable may also include an aerosol generator corresponding to the aerosol generator 106, and in the form of an electric heater 306 such as a heating element like a metal wire coil configured to convert electrical energy to heat energy through resistance (Joule) heating.
  • the aerosol provision device and the consumable can be permanently or detachably aligned in a functioning relationship.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate respectively a perspective view and a partially cut-away side view of the aerosol provision system in a coupled configuration.
  • the aerosol provision device 202 and consumable 204 each include a number of respective components.
  • the components illustrated in FIG. 3 are representative of the components that may be present in an aerosol provision device and consumable and are not intended to limit the scope of components that are encompassed by the present disclosure.
  • the aerosol provision device 202 may include a housing 208 (sometimes referred to as an aerosol provision device shell) that may include a power source 310.
  • the housing may also include circuitry 312 with a switch in the form of a sensor 314, a user interface including a light source 316 that may be illuminated with use of the aerosol provision system 200, and processing circuitry 318 (also referred to as a control component).
  • the housing may also include a receptacle in the form of a consumable receiving chamber 322 structured to engage and hold the consumable 204.
  • the consumable may include an aerosol-generating material 324 that may correspond to aerosol-generating material 124, and that may include one or more of each of a number of constituents such as an active substance, flavorant, aerosol -form er material or other functional material.
  • the aerosol provision device 202 may also include electrical connectors 336 positioned in the consumable receiving chamber 322 configured to electrically couple the circuitry and thereby the aerosol provision device with the consumable 204, and in particular electrical contacts 338 on the consumable.
  • the electrical connectors and electrical contacts may form a connection interface of the aerosol provision device and consumable.
  • the aerosol provision device may include an external electrical connector 340 to connect the aerosol provision device with one or more external devices. Examples of suitable external electrical connectors include USB connectors, proprietary connectors such as Apple’s Lightning connector, and the like.
  • the consumable 204 includes a tank portion and a mouthpiece portion.
  • the tank portion and the mouthpiece portion may be integrated or permanently fixed together, or the tank portion may itself define the mouthpiece portion (or vice versa).
  • the tank portion and the mouthpiece portion may be separate and removably engaged with one another.
  • the consumable 204, tank portion and/or mouthpiece portion may be separately defined in relation to a longitudinal axis (L), a first transverse axis (Tl) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a second transverse axis (T2) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and is perpendicular to the first transverse axis.
  • the consumable can be formed of a housing 242 (sometimes referred to as the consumable shell) enclosing a reservoir 344 (in the tank portion) configured to retain the aerosol-generating material 324.
  • the consumable may include an aerosol generator, such as electric heater 306 in the illustrated example.
  • the electrical connectors 336 on the aerosol provision device 202 and electrical contacts 338 on the consumable may electrically connect the electric heater with the power source 310 and/or circuitry 312 of the aerosol provision device.
  • the reservoir 344 may be in fluid communication with an aerosol-generating material transfer component 346 adapted to wick or otherwise transport aerosol-generating material 324 stored in the reservoir housing to the electric heater 306. At least a portion of the aerosol-generating material transfer component may be positioned proximate (e.g., directly adjacent, adjacent, in close proximity to, or in relatively close proximity to) the electric heater.
  • the aerosol-generating material transfer component may extend between the electric heater and the aerosol-generating material stored in the reservoir, and at least a portion of the electric heater may be located above a proximal end the reservoir.
  • the term “above” in this particular context should be interpreted as meaning toward a proximal end of the reservoir and/or the consumable 204 in direction substantially along the longitudinal axis
  • the aerosol-generating material transfer component may be positioned proximate a distal end of the reservoir and/or arranged transverse to the longitudinal axis (L).
  • the electric heater 306 and aerosol-generating material transfer component 346 may be configured as separate elements that are fluidly connected, the electric heater and aerosol-generating material transfer component or may be configured as a combined element.
  • an electric heater may be integrated into an aerosolgenerating material transfer component.
  • the electric heater and the aerosolgenerating material transfer component may be formed of any construction as otherwise described herein.
  • a valve may be positioned between the reservoir 344 and electric heater, and configured to control an amount of aerosol-generating material 324 passed or delivered from the reservoir to the electric heater.
  • An opening 348 may be present in the housing 242 (e.g., at the mouth end of the mouthpiece portion) to allow for egress of formed aerosol from the consumable 204.
  • the circuitry 312 of the aerosol provision device 202 may include a number of electronic components, and in some examples may be formed of a circuit board such as a PCB that supports and electrically connects the electronic components.
  • the sensor 314 (switch) may be one of these electronic components positioned on the circuit board.
  • the sensor may comprise its own circuit board or other base element to which it can be attached.
  • a flexible circuit board may be utilized.
  • a flexible circuit board may be configured into a variety of shapes.
  • a flexible circuit board may be combined with, layered onto, or form part or all of a heater substrate.
  • the reservoir 344 may be a container for storing the aerosolgenerating material 324.
  • the reservoir may be or include a fibrous reservoir with a substrate with the aerosol-generating material present on or in a support.
  • the reservoir can comprise one or more layers of nonwoven fibers substantially formed into the shape of a tube encircling the interior of the housing 242, in this example.
  • the aerosol-generating material may be retained in the reservoir. Liquid components, for example, may be sorptively retained by the reservoir.
  • the reservoir may be in fluid connection with the aerosol-generating material transfer component 346.
  • the aerosolgenerating material transfer component may transport the aerosol-generating material stored in the reservoir via capillary action - or via a micro pump - to the electric heater 306. As such, the electric heater is in a heating arrangement with the aerosol-generating material transfer component.
  • the aerosol generator of the aerosol provision system 200 is an electric heater 306 designed to heat the aerosol-generating material 324 to generate an aerosol.
  • the aerosol generator is designed to break up the aerosol-generating material without heating, or with only secondary heating.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a nebulizer 400 that may be used to implement the aerosol generator of an aerosol provision system, according to some these other example implementations.
  • the nebulizer 400 includes a mesh plate 402 and a piezo material 404 that may be affixed to one another.
  • the piezo material may be driven to vibrate and cause the mesh plate to break up aerosol-generating material into an aerosol.
  • the nebulizer may also include a supporting component located on a side of the mesh plate opposite the piezo material to increase the longevity of the mesh plate, and/or an auxiliary component between the mesh plate and the piezo material to facilitate interfacial contact between the mesh plate and the piezo material.
  • the mesh plate 402 may have a variety of different configurations.
  • the mesh plate may have a flat profile, a domed shape (concave or convex with respect to the aerosol-generating material), or a flat portion and a domed portion.
  • the mesh plate defines a plurality of perforations 406 that may be substantially uniform or vary in size across a perforated portion of the mesh plate.
  • the perforations may be circular openings or non-circular openings (e.g., oval, rectangular, triangular, regular polygon, irregular polygon).
  • the perforations may have a fixed cross section such as in the case of cylindrical perforations with a fixed circular cross section, or a variable cross section such as in the case of truncated cone perforations with a variable circular cross section.
  • the perforations may be tetragonal or pyramidal.
  • the piezo material 404 may be or include a piezoelectric material or a piezomagnetic material.
  • a piezoelectric material may be coupled to circuitry configured to produce an oscillating electric signal to drive the piezoelectric material to vibrate.
  • the circuitry may produce a pair of antiphase, oscillating electric signals to drive a pair of magnets to produce antiphase, oscillating magnetic fields that drives the piezomagnetic material to vibrate.
  • the piezo material 404 may be affixed to the mesh plate 402, and vibration of the piezo material may in turn cause the mesh plate to vibrate.
  • the mesh plate may be in contact with or immersed in aerosol-generating material, in sufficient proximity of aerosol-generating material, or may otherwise receive aerosol-generating material via an aerosol -generating material transfer component.
  • the vibration of the mesh plate then, may cause the aerosolgenerating material to pass through the perforations 406 that break up the aerosol-generating material into an aerosol. More particularly, in some examples, aerosol-generating material may be driven through the perforations 406 in the vibrating mesh plate 402 resulting in aerosol particles.
  • the vibrating mesh plate may create ultrasonic waves within aerosol-generating material that cause formation of an aerosol at the surface of the aerosolgenerating material.
  • hybrid products use a combination of aerosol -generating materials, and some hybrid products are similar to vapor products except that the aerosol generated from one aerosol-generating material may pass through a second aerosolgenerating material to pick up additional constituents.
  • Another similar aerosol provision system in the form of a hybrid product may therefore be constructed similar to the vapor product in FIGS. 2 and 3 (with an electric heater 306 or a nebulizer 400).
  • the hybrid product may include a second aerosol -generating material through which aerosol from the aerosolgenerating material 324 is passed to pick up additional constituents before passing through the opening 348 in the mouth end of the aerosol provision system.
  • FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate an aerosol provision system 500 in the form of a heat- not-burn product, and that in some example implementations may correspond to the aerosol provision system 100.
  • the aerosol provision system may include an aerosol provision device 502 (also referred to as a control body or power unit) and a consumable 504 (also referred to as an aerosol source member), which may correspond to respectively the aerosol provision device 102 and the consumable 104.
  • the aerosol provision system and in particular the aerosol provision device may also include an aerosol generator corresponding to the aerosol generator 106, and in the form of an electric heater 706.
  • the aerosol provision device and the consumable can be permanently or detachably aligned in a functioning relationship.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates the aerosol provision system in a coupled configuration
  • FIG. 6 illustrates the aerosol provision system in a decoupled configuration.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a partially cut-away side view of the aerosol provision system in the coupled configuration.
  • the aerosol provision device 502 and consumable 504 each include a number of respective components.
  • the components illustrated in the figures are representative of the components that may be present in an aerosol provision device and consumable and are not intended to limit the scope of components that are encompassed by the present disclosure.
  • the aerosol provision device 502 may include a housing 708 (sometimes referred to as an aerosol provision device shell) that may include a power source 710.
  • the housing may also include circuitry 712 with a switch in the form of a sensor 714, a user interface including a light source 716 that may be illuminated with use of the aerosol provision system 500, and processing circuitry 718 (also referred to as a control component).
  • processing circuitry 718 also referred to as a control component.
  • at least some of the electronic components of the circuitry may be formed of a circuit board or a flexible circuit board that supports and electrically connects the electronic components.
  • the housing 708 may also include a receptacle in the form of a consumable receiving chamber 722 structured to engage and hold the consumable 504.
  • the consumable may include an aerosol-generating material 624 that may correspond to aerosol-generating material 124, and that may include one or more of each of a number of constituents such as an active substance, flavorant, aerosol-former material or other functional material.
  • the aerosol-generating material may be present on or in a support to form a substrate 634.
  • the consumable 504 may be held in the receiving chamber 722 in varying degrees. In some examples, less than half or approximately half of the consumable may be held in the receiving chamber. In other examples, more than half of the consumable may be held in the receiving chamber. In yet other examples, substantially the entire consumable may be held in the receiving chamber.
  • the consumable 504 may include a heated end 636 sized and shaped for insertion into the aerosol provision device 502, and a mouth end 638 upon which a user draws to create the aerosol.
  • the heated end may include the aerosol-generating material 624.
  • the mouth end 608 of the consumable 504 may include a filter 640 made of a material such as cellulose acetate or polypropylene. The filter may additionally or alternatively contain strands of tobacco containing material.
  • At least a portion of the consumable may be wrapped in an exterior overwrap material, which may be formed of any material useful to provide additional structure, support and/or thermal resistance.
  • an excess length of the overwrap at the mouth end of the consumable may function to simply separate the aerosol-generating material 624 from the mouth of a user or to provide space for positioning of a filter material, or to affect draw on the consumable or to affect flow characteristics of the aerosol leaving the consumable during draw.
  • the electric heater 706 may perform electric heating of the aerosol -generating material 624 by resistance (Joule) heating, induction heating, dielectric and microwave heating, radiant heating, arc heating and the like.
  • the electric heater may have a variety of different configurations.
  • at least a portion of the electric heater may surround or at least partially surround at least a portion of the consumable 504 including the aerosol-generating material when inserted in the aerosol provision device 502.
  • at least a portion of the electric heater may penetrate the consumable when the consumable is inserted into the aerosol provision device.
  • the substrate 634 material may include a susceptor, which may be embedded within the aerosol-generating material, or on one or either side of the aerosol -generating material.
  • the electric heater 706 may instead be a part of the consumable 504.
  • the electric heater or a part of the electric heater may be may be combined, packaged or integral with (e.g., embedded within) the aerosol -generating material 624.
  • the electric heater 706 may extend proximate an engagement end of the housing 708, and may be configured to substantially surround a portion of the heated end 636 of the consumable 504 that includes the aerosol-generating material 624.
  • the electric heater 706 may be or may include an outer cylinder 742, and one or more resistive heating elements 744 such as prongs surrounded by the outer cylinder to create the receiving chamber 722, which may extend from a receiving base 746 of the aerosol provision device to an opening 748 of the housing 708 of the aerosol provision device.
  • the outer cylinder may be a double-walled vacuum tube constructed of stainless steel so as to maintain heat generated by the resistive heating element(s) within the outer cylinder, and more particularly, maintain heat generated by the resistive heating element(s) within the aerosol -generating material.
  • the resistive heating element(s) 744 may have a variety of different configurations, and vary in number from one resistive heating element to a plurality of resistive heating elements. As shown, the resistive heating element(s) may extend from a receiving base 746 of the aerosol provision device 502. In some examples, the resistive heating element(s) may be located at or around an approximate radial center of the heated end 636 of the consumable 504 when inserted into the aerosol provision device. In some examples, the resistive heating element(s) may penetrate into the heated end of the consumable and in direct contact with the aerosol-generating material. In other examples, the resistive heating element(s) may be located inside (but out of direct contact with) a cavity defined by an inner surface of the heated end of the consumable.
  • the resistive heating element(s) 744 of the electric heater 706 may be connected in an electrical circuit that includes the power source 710 such that electric current produced by the power source may pass through the resistive heating element(s). The passage of the electric current through the resistive heating element(s) may in turn cause the resistive heating element(s) to produce heat through resistance (Joule) heating.
  • the electric heater 706 including the outer cylinder 742 and the resistive heating element(s) 744 may be configured to perform induction heating in which the outer cylinder may be connected in an electrical circuit that includes the power source 710, and the resistive heating element(s) may be connected in another electrical circuit.
  • the outer cylinder and resistive heating element(s) may function as a transformer in which the outer cylinder is an induction transmitter, and the resistive heating element(s) is/are an induction receiver.
  • the outer cylinder and the resistive heating element(s) may parts of the aerosol provision device 502.
  • the outer cylinder may be a part of the aerosol provision device, and the resistive heating element(s) may be a part of the consumable 504.
  • the outer cylinder 730 may be provided an alternating current directly from the power source 710, or indirectly from the power source in which an inverter (as part of the circuitry 712) is configured to convert direct current from the power source to an alternating current.
  • the alternating current drives the outer cylinder to generate an oscillating magnetic field, which induces eddy currents in the resistive heating element(s) 744.
  • the eddy currents in turn cause the resistive heating element(s) to generate heat through resistance (Joule) heating.
  • the resistive heating element(s) may be wirelessly heated to form an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material 624 positioned in proximity to the resistive heating element(s).
  • the aerosol provision device 502 may include an air intake 750 (e.g., one or more openings or apertures) in the housing 708 (and perhaps also the receiving base 746) to enable airflow into the receiving chamber 722.
  • an air intake 750 e.g., one or more openings or apertures
  • the airflow may be drawn through the air intake into the receiving chamber, pass into the consumable, and drawn through the aerosol-generating material 624.
  • the airflow may be detected by the sensor 714, and the electric heater 706 may be activated to energize the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol.
  • the airflow may combine with the aerosol that is whisked, aspirated or otherwise drawn out an opening at the mouth end of the aerosol provision system.
  • the airflow combined with the aerosol may be drawn out an opening of the filter at the mouth end.
  • the circuitry 112 of the aerosol provision device 100 includes a sensor (e.g., switch 114) such as a flow sensor, pressure sensor, pressure switch or the like that is configured to produce measurements of air pressure through at least a portion of the aerosol provision device.
  • a sensor e.g., switch 114
  • the sensor is a microelectromechanical systems-based (MEMS-based) sensor.
  • MEMS-based microelectromechanical systems-based
  • the sensor may be a multidirectional electromechanical pressure sensor configured to produce the measurements of the air pressure based on pressure on the sensor in different directions.
  • One example of a suitable type of sensor is an absolute pressure sensor.
  • a change in the air pressure may be caused by airflow when a user draws on a consumable 104.
  • the processing circuitry 118 may be configured to determine a rate of change of the air pressure from the measurements, and determine that the change in the air pressure indicates use of the aerosol provision device 100.
  • the processing circuitry 118 may be configured to detect a puff event when there is a predetermined difference between the rate of change of air pressure measurements and the device baseline rate of change of air pressure.
  • the processing circuitry 118 may be configured to detect a puff event when the difference between the rate of change of air pressure measurements and the device baseline rate of change of air pressure is at least thirteen millimeters of water (mmEEO) per second.
  • the aerosol generator 106 then, may be powered by the power source
  • the processing circuitry 118 may be configured to determine an average rate of change of the air pressure. In other examples, the processing circuitry may be configured to determine an instantaneous rate of change of the air pressure.
  • the processing circuitry 118 may be configured to buffer a plurality of the measurements of the air pressure, and the plurality of measurements that are buffered may be updated, in some implementations at predetermined time intervals, as the measurements of the air pressure are produced.
  • the processing circuitry may be configured to determine a reference air pressure from the plurality of the measurements. This may include the processing circuitry configured to determine an aggregate such as a root mean square (RMS) of the plurality of the measurements of the air pressure. And the processing circuitry may be configured to determine the rate of change of the air pressure between a measurement of the measurements of air pressure and the reference air pressure.
  • the processing circuitry may be configured to update the plurality of measurements that are buffered, as the measurements of the air pressure are produced.
  • a single buffer may be used, while in other implementations multiple buffers may be used.
  • one or more buffers may be used for positive slope changes, and one or more buffers may be used for negative slope changes.
  • puff event detection may be more accurately predicted.
  • the buffer or buffers may be filled continuously. In other implementations, the buffers may be filled only when a consumable is engaged with an aerosol provision device.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a device baseline rate of change of air pressure 902, which is developed from measurements of the rate of air pressure 904 as described above.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates an example showing three puff events 906A, 906B, 906C, which are detected based on a predetermined difference between the measured rate of change of air pressure and the device baseline rate of change of air pressure 902.
  • the puff event may include noise, which may be filtered using a variety of different methods, including, but not limited to, a first order filter, a second order filter, an RMS filter, band bass filter, etc.
  • an incoming change in slope of the air pressure can be used to predict the initiation of a puff event.
  • the method includes producing measurements of air pressure through at least a portion of the aerosol provision device, as shown at block 802 of FIG. 8 A.
  • the method includes determining a rate of change of the air pressure from the measurements, as shown at block 804.
  • the method includes determining that a change in the air pressure indicates use of the aerosol provision device when the rate of change of the air pressure is at least a target rate of change, as shown at block 806.
  • the method includes powering an aerosol generator to energize aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol for delivery to a user, when the pressure caused by the airflow indicates use of the aerosol provision device, as shown at block 808.
  • the measurements of the air pressure are produced at block 802 by a microelectromechanical systems-based (MEMS-based) sensor.
  • MEMS-based microelectromechanical systems-based
  • the measurements of the air pressure are produced at block 802 by a multidirectional electromechanical pressure sensor configured to produce the measurements of the air pressure based on pressure on the sensor in different directions.
  • determining the rate of change of the air pressure at block 804 includes determining an average rate of change of the air pressure, as shown at block 810 of FIG. 8B.
  • determining the rate of change of the air pressure at block 804 includes determining an instantaneous rate of change of the air pressure, as shown at block 812 of FIG. 8C.
  • determining the rate of change of the air pressure at block 804 includes to at least buffering a plurality of the measurements of the air pressure, as shown at block 814 of FIG. 8D.
  • the method 800 includes determining a reference air pressure from the plurality of the measurements, as shown at block 816. And the method includes determining the rate of change of the air pressure between a measurement of the measurements of air pressure and the reference air pressure, as shown at block 818.
  • buffering the plurality of measurements at block 814 includes updating the plurality of measurements that are buffered, as the measurements of the air pressure are produced, as shown at block 820 of FIG. 8E.
  • determining the reference air pressure at block 816 includes determining an aggregate of the plurality of the measurements of the air pressure, as shown at block 822 of FIG. 8F. [00102] In some examples, determining the reference air pressure at block 816 includes determining a root mean square of the plurality of the measurements of the air pressure, as shown at block 824 of FIG. 8G.
  • An aerosol provision device comprising: a power source; circuitry including: a sensor configured to produce measurements of air pressure through at least a portion of the aerosol provision device; and processing circuitry configured to determine: a device baseline rate of change of air pressure from the measurements, and detect: a puff event, the puff event defined by a predetermined difference between a rate of change of air pressure from the measurements and the device baseline rate of change of air pressure; aerosol-generating material; and an aerosol generator powered by the power source under control of the circuitry to energize the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol for delivery to a user.
  • Example Implementation 2 The aerosol provision device of Example Implementation 1, or any combination of preceding example implementations, wherein the sensor is a microelectromechanical systems-based (MEMS-based) sensor.
  • MEMS-based microelectromechanical systems-based
  • Example Implementation 3 The aerosol provision device of any one of Example Implementations 1-2, or any combination of preceding example implementations, wherein the sensor is a multidirectional electromechanical pressure sensor configured to produce the measurements of the air pressure based on pressure on the sensor in different directions.
  • Example Implementation 4 The aerosol provision device of any one of Example Implementations 1-3, or any combination of preceding example implementations, wherein the processing circuitry configured to determine the rate of change of the air pressure includes the processing circuitry configured to determine an average rate of change of the air pressure.
  • Example Implementation 5 The aerosol provision device of any one of Example Implementations 1-4, or any combination of preceding example implementations, wherein the processing circuitry configured to determine the rate of change of the air pressure includes the processing circuitry configured to determine an instantaneous rate of change of the air pressure.
  • Example 6 The aerosol provision device of any one of Example Implementations 1-5, or any combination of preceding example implementations, wherein the processing circuitry’ configured to determine a device baseline rate of change of air pressure includes the processing circuitry configured to at least: buffer a plurality of the measurements of the air pressure; and determine the device baseline rate of change of air pressure from the plurality of the measurements.
  • Example Implementation 7 The aerosol provision device of any one of Example Implementations 1-6, or any combination of preceding example implementations, wherein the processing circuitry configured to buffer the plurality of measurements includes the processing circuitry' configured to update the plurality of measurements that are buffered, as the measurements of the air pressure are produced.
  • Example Implementation 8 The aerosol provision device of any one of Example Implementations 1-7, or any combination of preceding example implementations, wherein the processing circuitry configured to determine the device baseline rate of change of air pressure includes the processing circuitry configured to determine an aggregate of the plurality of the measurements of the air pressure.
  • Example Implementation 9 The aerosol provision device of any one of Example Implementations 1-8, or any combination of preceding example implementations, wherein the processing circuitry' configured to determine the device baseline rate of change of air pressure includes the processing circuitry' configured to determine a root mean square of the plurality of the measurements of the air pressure.
  • Example Implementation 10 The aerosol provision device of any one of Example Implementations 1-9, or any combination of example implementations, wherein the predetermined difference comprising a puff event is at least a rate of change of thirteen millimeters of water (mmH20) per second.
  • Example Implementation 11 The aerosol provision device of any one of Example Implementations 1-10, or any combination of example implementations, further comprising one or more of a coupler or a receptacle structured to engage and hold a consumable that includes the aerosol-generating material.
  • Example Implementation 12 The aerosol provision device any one of Example Implementations 1-11, or any combination of example implementations, wherein the aerosolgenerating material is contained in a reservoir integrated with the device.
  • Example Implementation 13 A method of operating an aerosol provision device, the method comprising: producing measurements of air pressure through at least a portion of the aerosol provision device, determining a device baseline rate of change of the air pressure from the measurements; detecting a puff event, the puff event defined by a predetermined difference between a rate of change of air pressure from the measurements and the device baseline rate of change of air pressure, and powering an aerosol generator to energize aerosol -generating material to generate an aerosol for delivery to a user, when the pressure caused by the airflow indicates use of the aerosol provision device.
  • Example Implementation 14 The method of Example Implementation 13, or any combination of preceding example implementations, wherein the measurements of the air pressure are produced by a microelectromechanical systems-based (MEMS-based) sensor.
  • MEMS-based microelectromechanical systems-based
  • Example Implementation 15 The method of Example Implementations 13-14, or any combination of preceding example implementations, wherein the measurements of the air pressure are produced by a multidirectional electromechanical pressure sensor configured to produce the measurements of the air pressure based on pressure on the sensor in different directions.
  • Example Implementation 16 The method of Example Implementations 13-15, or any combination of preceding example implementations, wherein determining the rate of change of the air pressure includes determining an average rate of change of the air pressure.
  • Example Implementation 17 The method of any one of Example Implementations, 13-16, or any combination of preceding example implementations, wherein determining the rate of change of the air pressure includes determining an instantaneous rate of change of the air pressure.
  • Example Implementation 18 The method of any one of Example Implementations 13-17, or any combination of preceding example implementations, wherein determining the devi ce baseline rate of change of the air pressure includes to at least: buffering a plurality of the measurements of the air pressure; determining the device baseline rate of change of air pressure from the plurality of the measurements.
  • Example Implementation 19 The method of any one of Example Implementations 13-18, or any combination of preceding example implementations, wherein buffering the plurality of measurements includes updating the plurality of measurements that are buffered, as the measurements of the air pressure are produced.
  • Example Implementation 20 The method of any one of Example Implementations 13-19, or any combination of preceding example implementations, wherein determining the device baseline rate of change of air pressure includes determining an aggregate of the plurality of the measurements of the air pressure.
  • Example Implementati on 21 The method of any one of Example Implementations 13-20, or any combination of preceding example implementations, wherein determining the device baseline rate of change of air pressure includes determining a root mean square of the plurality of the measurements of the air pressure.
  • Example Implementation 22 The method of any one of Example Implementations 13-21, or any combination of preceding example implementations, wherein the predetermined difference comprising a puff event is at least a rate of change of thirteen millimeters of water (mmH20) per second.
  • Example Implementation 23 The method of any one of Example Implementations 13-22, or any combination of preceding example implementations, further comprises one or more of a coupler or a receptacle structured to engage and hold a consumable that contains the aerosol -generating material.
  • Example Implementation 24 The method of any one of Example Implementations 13-23, or any combination of preceding example implementations, wherein the aerosol-generating material is contained in a reservoir integrated with the device.

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Abstract

Un dispositif de fourniture d'aérosol est fourni et comprend une source d'alimentation et un ensemble de circuits, et l'ensemble de circuits comprend un capteur et un ensemble de circuits de traitement. Le capteur est configuré pour produire des mesures de pression d'air à travers au moins une partie du dispositif de fourniture d'aérosol (802). Le circuit de traitement est configuré pour déterminer un taux de référence de base de dispositif de changement de pression d'air à partir des mesures (804) et détecter un événement de bouffée, l'événement de bouffée étant défini par une différence prédéterminée entre un taux de changement de pression d'air à partir des mesures et le taux de changement de ligne de base de dispositif de changement de pression d'air (806). Un générateur d'aérosol est alimenté par la source d'alimentation sous la commande de l'ensemble de circuits pour exciter un matériau de génération d'aérosol afin de générer un aérosol pour une distribution à un utilisateur, lorsque la pression provoquée par le flux d'air indique l'utilisation du dispositif de fourniture d'aérosol (808).
PCT/IB2023/057198 2022-07-25 2023-07-13 Taux de changement de pression d'air pour déterminer l'utilisation d'un dispositif de fourniture d'aérosol WO2024023623A1 (fr)

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US20230099363A1 (en) * 2021-09-30 2023-03-30 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Adaptive Signal Architecture for Initiating and Testing State Transitions in an Aerosol Generation Device

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