WO2024103290A1 - Dispositif de génération d'aérosol avec un ensemble détection comprenant une plaque de protection - Google Patents

Dispositif de génération d'aérosol avec un ensemble détection comprenant une plaque de protection Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024103290A1
WO2024103290A1 PCT/CN2022/132251 CN2022132251W WO2024103290A1 WO 2024103290 A1 WO2024103290 A1 WO 2024103290A1 CN 2022132251 W CN2022132251 W CN 2022132251W WO 2024103290 A1 WO2024103290 A1 WO 2024103290A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
aerosol
generating device
shielding plate
cavity
sensor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CN2022/132251
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Michel BESSANT
Liu Liu
Wensi Fu
Original Assignee
Philip Morris Products S.A.
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 Philip Morris Products S.A. filed Critical Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority to PCT/CN2022/132251 priority Critical patent/WO2024103290A1/fr
Publication of WO2024103290A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024103290A1/fr

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    • 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
    • A24F40/20—Devices using solid 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device.
  • the present invention further relates to an aerosol-generating system.
  • an aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable vapor.
  • Such devices may heat an aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate are volatilised without burning the aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may be provided as part of an aerosol-generating article.
  • the aerosol-generating article may have a rod shape for insertion of the aerosol-generating article into a cavity, such as a heating chamber, of the aerosol-generating device.
  • a heating assembly may be arranged in or around the heating chamber for heating the aerosol-forming substrate once the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device.
  • Aerosol-generating devices often comprise several electronic components for allowing different functionalities of the device. Due to heat conduction away from the hot heating chamber during use, the temperature of such electronic components may rise to unfavourably high temperatures. This may be particularly severe for electronic components which require to be located in close proximity to the heating chamber and which do not tolerate very high temperatures. For example, optical components may be positioned near an opening of the heating chamber for identifying insertion of an aerosol-generating article into the heating chamber. At the same time, electronic components like optical components often may not be operated at too high temperatures.
  • an aerosol-generating device may comprise a cavity for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the aerosol-generating device may comprise a sensing assembly for detecting the aerosol-forming substrate in the cavity.
  • the sensing assembly may comprise an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation into the cavity.
  • the sensing assembly may comprise a sensor configured to measure a wavelength of a received electromagnetic radiation.
  • the sensing assembly may comprise a shielding plate configured to block electromagnetic radiation.
  • the shielding plate may be positioned externally to the cavity such that the sensor is arranged between the cavity and at least a portion of the shielding plate.
  • the shielding plate may comprise a U-section.
  • the shielding plate may comprise a planar first portion.
  • the planar first portion may be connected to a first terminal edge of the U-section.
  • the shielding plate may comprise a planar second portion.
  • the planar second portion may be connected to a second terminal edge of the U-section.
  • the first and second portions of the shielding plate may be non-co-planar.
  • an aerosol-generating device comprising a cavity for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the aerosol-generating device comprises a sensing assembly for detecting the aerosol-forming substrate in the cavity.
  • the sensing assembly comprises an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation into the cavity.
  • the sensing assembly comprises a sensor configured to measure a wavelength of a received electromagnetic radiation.
  • the sensing assembly comprises a shielding plate configured to block electromagnetic radiation.
  • the shielding plate is positioned externally to the cavity such that the sensor is arranged between the cavity and at least a portion of the shielding plate.
  • the shielding plate comprises a U-section.
  • the shielding plate comprises a planar first portion.
  • the planar first portion is connected to a first terminal edge of the U-section.
  • the shielding plate comprises a planar second portion.
  • the planar second portion is connected to a second terminal edge of the U-section.
  • the first and second portions of the shielding plate are non-co-planar.
  • an aerosol-generating device with reduced temperature rise of electronic components during use may be provided.
  • an aerosol-generating device with improved heat dissipation may be provided.
  • An aerosol-generating device comprising the sensing assembly may advantageously be able to detect the presence and type of aerosol-generating substrate at least partially received in the cavity based on measurements of the at least one wavelength of the received electromagnetic radiation made by the sensor.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may be comprised in an aerosol-generating article that is at least partially received in the cavity.
  • the emitter may advantageously emit electromagnetic radiation into the cavity in which the aerosol-forming substrate is at least partially received.
  • the electromagnetic radiation incident on the aerosol-forming substrate or the aerosol-generating article may undergo one of the following: absorption, reflection or transmission. The amount of absorption, reflection or transmission of the electromagnetic radiation at different wavelengths may depend on the chemical structure of the aerosol-forming substrate or article.
  • the chemical structure of the aerosol-forming substrate or article may affect the electromagnetic radiation received from the cavity by the sensor.
  • Different aerosol-forming substrates or articles may have a different chemical structure and so may affect the electromagnetic radiation differently.
  • the measurement of the received electromagnetic radiation may advantageously be used to determine the presence and type of aerosol-forming substrate received in the cavity.
  • the senor is configured to measure the intensity of the at least one wavelength of electromagnetic radiation.
  • the measurement may comprise comparing the intensity of the at least one wavelength of electromagnetic radiation with a threshold value.
  • the temperature rise of the sensing assembly during use may be reduced by means of the heat dissipating functionality of the shielding plate.
  • the cavity of the aerosol-generating device may comprise an opening at a first end through which the aerosol-forming substrate may be receivable.
  • the cavity may be configured to receive the aerosol-forming substrate along a longitudinal axis of the cavity.
  • the longitudinal axis of the cavity may be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device.
  • the emitter and the sensor may be positioned at substantially the same height with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cavity.
  • the emitter and the sensor may be positioned in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cavity.
  • the emitter and the sensor may be positioned such that the beam of electromagnetic radiation travels in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cavity from the emitter to the sensor.
  • the cavity may comprise a second end opposite to the first end.
  • the second end may comprise a base of the cavity.
  • the emitter and sensor may be positioned so as to emit and receive electromagnetic radiation to and from the cavity at a region between the first and second end of the cavity.
  • the emitter may be positioned outside of the cavity.
  • the sensor may be positioned outside of the cavity.
  • the emitter and sensor may be positioned distal to the second end of the cavity along the longitudinal axis of the cavity.
  • the emitter and sensor may be positioned so as to emit and receive electromagnetic radiation to and from the second end of the cavity, respectively.
  • the position of the shielding plate may advantageously mean that electromagnetic radiation external to the aerosol-generating device is blocked by the shielding plate. This may mean that electromagnetic radiation external to the aerosol-generating device is blocked from reaching the sensor. The external electromagnetic radiation might otherwise be received by the sensor and so be picked up as noise.
  • the shielding plate may advantageously improve the accuracy of the sensing assembly be reducing noise. This may improve the signal to noise ratio of measurements from sensor.
  • One source of external electromagnetic radiation may be from a user of the aerosol-generating device.
  • the hand of a user may produce a parasitic capacitance effect on the order of pico-Farads which, without the shielding plate, might be detected by the sensor as noise.
  • the shielding plate “blocking” electromagnetic radiation may mean that the shielding plate prevents external electromagnetic radiation from passing through to the sensor.
  • the shielding plate may reduce the intensity of the externally generated electromagnetic radiation at the sensor by at least 90%, preferably by at least 95%, even more preferably by at least 99%.
  • the shielding plate may be effective at reducing the intensity of electromagnetic radiation between the infrared range and the ultraviolet range.
  • the shielding plate may be effective at reducing the intensity of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 1 nanometer and 100,000 nanometers, preferably between 200 nanometers and 30,000 nanometers, even more preferably between 200 nanometers and 15,000 nanometers.
  • the shielding plate may reduce the intensity of the externally generated electromagnetic radiation by absorption or reflection of the radiation.
  • the shielding plate may comprise an electrically conductive material.
  • the shielding plate may consist of an electrically conductive material.
  • the electrically conductive material may have an electrical conductivity of at least 1x10 6 Siemens per meter, preferably at least 1x10 7 Siemens per meter, even more preferably at least 5x10 7 Siemens per meter.
  • the shielding plate may comprise a thermally conductive material.
  • the shielding plate may consist of a thermally conductive material. This may be particularly advantageous when the aerosol-generating device further comprises a heater assembly configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate received in the cavity in use.
  • a shielding plate comprising a thermally conductive material may advantageously dissipate heat generated by the heater assembly away from the sensor.
  • the sensor may be particularly sensitive to heating and may be damaged by excessive heating.
  • the shielding plate comprising the thermally conductive material may advantageously prevent the sensor from overheating during use of the aerosol-generating device.
  • the shielding plate may be configured to prevent the sensor from exceeding 115 degrees Celsius during use of the aerosol-generating device.
  • the thermally conductive material may have a thermal conductivity of at least 10 Watts per meter-Kelvin, preferably at least 80 Watts per meter-Kelvin, preferably at least 100 Watts per meter-Kelvin, even more preferably at least 150 Watts per meter-Kelvin.
  • the shielding plate may comprise a metal or an alloy.
  • the shielding plate may comprise at least one of aluminium and stainless steel.
  • the shielding plate may comprise a Phosphor bronze, preferably a nickel plated Phosphor bronze.
  • the shielding plate may be made of a Phosphor bronze, preferably a nickel plated Phosphor bronze.
  • the shielding plate may consist of a Phosphor bronze, preferably a nickel plated Phosphor bronze.
  • the shielding plate may have a thickness of between 0.1 millimeter and 3 millimeters. Preferably, the shielding plate may have a thickness of 0.2 millimeters. Such a thickness may advantageously be high enough to ensure that the shielding plate blocks external electromagnetic radiation sufficiently.
  • the shielding plate may be sized and positioned such that the emitter is between the shielding plate and the cavity. This may advantageously ensure that external electromagnetic radiation does not enter the cavity through the emitter. Such a shielding plate may also advantageously dissipate heat away from the emitter.
  • the shielding plate may have a width of between 1 and 10 millimeters, more preferably between 2 and 4 millimeters, even more preferably about 3 millimeters.
  • the shielding plate may have a length of between 10 and 30 millimeters, more preferably between 15 and 25 millimeters, even more preferably about 22 millimeters.
  • the emitter and the sensor may be parallel to one another. In other words, the angle between the emitter and the sensor may be about 0 degrees.
  • the angle between the emitter and the sensor is referred to herein, the angle is defined between the central optical axis of the emitter and the central optical axis of the sensor. This may be the same as the angle defined between the surface of an aerosol-forming substrate or article at least partially received in the cavity and the emitter and sensor.
  • the emitter and sensor may be next to one another.
  • the emitter and the sensor may advantageously be provided on the same chip. This may advantageously reduce the complexity of the sensing assembly.
  • the emitter may be positioned on top of the sensor.
  • the sensing assembly may comprise the emitter between the shielding plate and the sensor.
  • the senor and the emitter may be non-parallel.
  • the angle between the sensor and the emitter may be between 20 and 120 degrees, preferably between 60 and 100 degrees, even more preferably 70 and 90 degrees. Most preferably, the angle between the sensor and the emitter may be about 80 degrees. Such angles may be particularly advantageous when the aerosol-forming substrate is contained in a rod-shaped aerosol-generating article and the electromagnetic radiation is incident on the article perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of the rod.
  • the angle between the normal to the plane of the first portion and the normal to the plane of the second portion may be substantially the same as the angle between the sensor and the emitter when the sensor and the emitter are non-parallel.
  • the angle between the normal to the plane of the first portion and the normal to the plane of the second portion may be between 20 and 120 degrees, preferably between 60 and 100 degrees, even more preferably 70 and 90 degrees. Most preferably, the angle may be about 80 degrees.
  • the sensing assembly may further comprise a substrate.
  • the substrate may comprise a first side onto which at least one of the emitter and the sensor are attached. Both the emitter and the sensor may be attached to the first side.
  • the substrate may comprise a second side, opposite the first side, onto which the shielding plate is attached. This may advantageously be a straightforward arrangement that is simple to manufacture.
  • the substrate may comprise one or more Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) .
  • the substrate may be a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) .
  • the substrate may comprise more than one PCB.
  • the substrate may comprise or consist of one or more flexible PCBs.
  • the substrate may comprise a flexible portion.
  • the flexible portion may be configured so that the emitter is moveable relative to the sensor by bending the flexible portion.
  • the angle between the emitter and the sensor may preferably be between 20 and 120 degrees, preferably between 60 and 100 degrees, even more preferably 70 and 90 degrees. Most preferably, the angle between the sensor and the emitter may be about 80 degrees.
  • a substrate comprising a flexible portion may advantageously allow the angle between the emitter and the sensor to be controlled in a simple way during the manufacturing process. Using a substrate comprising a flexible portion may advantageously remove the need for the substrate to be pre-moulded to a desired shape. It may be possible to modify the angle between the emitter and sensor during or after the manufacture of the aerosol-forming device.
  • the substrate may be bent such that the emitter is adjacent a different portion of the cavity to the sensor and such that the angle between the central optical axis of the emitter and sensor is between 20 degrees and 120 degrees, preferably between 60 and 100 degrees, even more preferably 70 and 90 degrees. Most preferably, the angle between the sensor and the emitter may be about 80 degrees.
  • the substrate may comprise a first portion comprising the emitter.
  • the substrate may comprise a second portion comprising the sensor.
  • the substrate may comprise a third portion between the first and second portion. At least the third portion may be flexible such that the first portion is moveable relative to the second portion. This may allow the angle between the emitter and the sensor to be controlled, as described above.
  • the first portion of the substrate may be rigid.
  • the second portion of the substrate may be rigid.
  • the flexible third portion acts as a hinge between the rigid first and second portions.
  • the third portion of the substrate may be opaque to wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter. This may advantageously ensure that electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter is not directly received by the sensor before being reflected or absorbed and emitted by the aerosol-forming substrate received in the cavity.
  • the substrate may comprise one or more PCBs.
  • the substrate may consist of one or more flexible PCBs. At least the third portion of the substrate may comprise or consist of a flexible PCB.
  • the first and second portions of the substrate may comprise a rigid PCB and the third portion may comprise a flexible PCB.
  • a particularly preferable combination may be the substrate comprising a flexible portion, as described above, with the shielding plate as described above when the shielding plate comprises first and second planar portions, the second portion being planar in a plane that is different to the first portion. This is because the shielding plate may advantageously hold the substrate so that the flexible portion is bent at a desired angle.
  • the shielding plate may be attached to a second side of the substrate opposite to the first side.
  • the shielding plate may be rigid.
  • the first portion of the shielding plate may be attached to the first portion of the substrate.
  • the second portion of the shielding plate may be attached to the second portion of the substrate.
  • This arrangement may allow for a simple manufacture process.
  • the act of attaching the shielding plate to the substrate may hold the substrate at a desired angle.
  • the shielding plate may comprise at least one clip.
  • the shielding plate may comprise a first clip at a first end and a second clip at a second end. The first end may be at an opposite end of the shielding plate to the second end.
  • the one or more clips may be configured to connect the clip to the second side of the substrate.
  • the one or more clips may advantageously provide a simple and low cost means of attaching the shielding plate onto the substrate. Attaching the shielding plate on to the substrate in this way may advantageously ensure that the sensing assembly is simple and low cost to manufacture.
  • the shielding plate may be connected to a ground contact of the aerosol-generating device.
  • the ground contact may be on the substrate.
  • the ground contact may be on the PCB if the substrate comprises a PCB.
  • the at least one clip of the shielding plate may be in contact with the ground contact. Connecting the shielding plate to a ground contact may allow the shielding plate to provide good shielding.
  • the shielding plate may be integrally formed. This may include the at least one clip.
  • the shielding plate may be a monolithic piece. This may include the at least one clip.
  • the U-section of the shielding plate may define a U-shape by means of a bottom wall and parallel first and second side walls.
  • the parallel first and second side walls of the U-section of the shielding plate are non-coplanar to both the planar first portion and the planar second portion of the shielding plate.
  • the first and second terminal edges of the U-section may be defined by respective edges of the first and second side walls facing away from the bottom wall. Both the bottom wall and the parallel first and second side walls may be arranged in parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the cavity.
  • the first and second side walls of the U-section of the shielding plate may be arranged in parallel to an angle bisector of an angle spanned between the non-co-planar first and second portions of the shielding plate.
  • the bottom wall of the U-section may comprise a curved or bent shape.
  • the bottom wall of the U-section may comprise a curved shape.
  • the bottom wall of the U-section may comprise a bent shape.
  • the aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing.
  • the bottom wall of the U-section may contact an inner sidewall of the housing of the aerosol-generating device.
  • the bottom wall of the U-section may comprise a curved or bent shape and may contact a correspondingly shaped inner sidewall of a housing of the aerosol-generating device.
  • the inner sidewall may thus comprise a curved or bent shape fitting with the curved or bent shape of the bottom wall of the U-section in an area where the bottom wall of the U-section contacts the inner sidewall of the housing. This design may maximize the contact area between the shielding plate and the inner sidewall of the housing. Due to the higher contact area, heat dissipation from the shielding plate to the housing may be maximized.
  • the bottom wall of the U-section may comprise one or more fins in contact with the inner sidewall of the housing of the aerosol-generating device.
  • the one or more fins may serve for dissipating heat away from the shielding plate to the housing of the device.
  • At least a portion of the inner sidewall of the housing of the aerosol-generating device being in contact with the bottom wall of the U-section may comprise graphene.
  • a graphene sheet bay be provided on the outer surface of the inner sidewall of the housing being in contact with the bottom wall of the U-section.
  • the sensing assembly may comprise an aerogel layer or aerogel sheet.
  • the aerogel layer or aerogel sheet may be arranged between the substrate and a longitudinal center axis of the cavity.
  • the aerogel layer or aerogel sheet may have a thickness of between 0.1 millimeter and 0.3 millimeter, preferably of about 0.2 millimeter.
  • the aerogel layer or aerogel sheet may function as a thermal barrier.
  • the aerogel layer or aerogel sheet may assist in thermally insulating the substrate from the heater assembly.
  • the aerogel layer or aerogel sheet may assist in thermally insulating the substrate from the, during use, heated cavity.
  • the housing of the aerosol-generating device may define the cavity.
  • the housing of the aerosol-generating device defining the cavity may comprise a first portion of the housing defining the cavity.
  • the first portion of the housing defining the cavity may be transparent to at least one wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter.
  • the first portion of the housing may preferably be transparent to all of the wavelengths of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter.
  • the emitter may be configured to emit the electromagnetic radiation into the cavity through the transparent portion.
  • the first portion of the housing may separate the emitter from the cavity. Therefore, the first portion of the housing may protect the emitter from debris and dirt that may accumulate in the cavity. In particular, the emitter may be protected from residue from the aerosol-forming substrate that may accumulate during use of the aerosol-generating device.
  • the first portion may be also advantageously be easy to clean such that the device can simply be maintained.
  • An airflow path may be defined through the aerosol-generating device from an air inlet to an air outlet.
  • the airflow path may pass through the cavity.
  • the emitter may be separated from air flowing through the airflow path by the transparent first portion of the housing.
  • the air may carry debris or dirt. Therefore, the first portion may protect the emitter from air passing through the airflow path.
  • the first portion of the housing may be sized and positioned to correspond to the viewing angle of the emitter. This may advantageously ensure that substantially all of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter in use passes into the cavity.
  • the housing of the aerosol-generating device defining the cavity may comprise a second portion of the housing defining the cavity.
  • the second portion of the housing defining the cavity may be transparent to at least one wavelength of electromagnetic radiation received by the sensor.
  • the sensor may be configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the cavity through the second transparent portion.
  • the second portion of the housing may have corresponding features and advantages as described with respect to the first portion, only with respect to the sensor rather than with respect to the emitter.
  • the provision of the first and second portion of the housing may advantageously increase the lifetime of the sensing assembly.
  • the first and second portions of the housing may prevent the sensing assembly from deteriorating over time, for example due to becoming coated with dirt, debris and substrate residue.
  • the amount of electromagnetic radiation entering the cavity from the emitter or received by the sensor from the cavity might be reduced which would reduce the accuracy and sensitivity of the sensing assembly.
  • the cavity of the aerosol-generating device may have an open end into which the aerosol-generating article is inserted.
  • the open end may be a proximal end.
  • the cavity may have a closed end opposite the open end.
  • the closed end may be the base of the cavity.
  • the closed end may be closed except for the provision of air apertures arranged in the base.
  • the base of the cavity may be flat.
  • the base of the cavity may be circular.
  • the base of the cavity may be arranged upstream of the cavity.
  • the open end may be arranged downstream of the cavity.
  • the cavity may have an elongate extension.
  • the cavity may have a longitudinal central axis.
  • a longitudinal direction may be the direction extending between the open and closed ends along the longitudinal central axis.
  • the longitudinal central axis of the cavity may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device.
  • At least a portion of the cavity may be configured as a heating chamber.
  • a distal portion of the cavity may be configured as a heating chamber.
  • the cavity may have a cylindrical shape.
  • the cavity may have a hollow cylindrical shape.
  • the cavity may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the aerosol-generating article to be received in the cavity.
  • the cavity may have a circular cross-section.
  • the cavity may have an elliptical or rectangular cross-section.
  • the cavity may have an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.
  • An airflow channel may run through the cavity. Ambient air may be drawn into the aerosol-generating device, into the cavity and towards the user through the airflow channel. Downstream of the cavity, a mouthpiece may be arranged or a user may directly draw on the aerosol-generating article. The airflow channel may extend through the mouthpiece.
  • the aerosol-generating device may be configured such that, during operation of the device, the temperature of the sensing assembly does not exceed 120 degrees Celsius, preferably does not exceed 110 degrees Celsius, more preferably does not exceed 100 degrees Celsius, more preferably does not exceed 95 degrees Celsius, more preferably does not exceed 90 degrees Celsius, more preferably does not exceed 87 degrees Celsius.
  • the sensor may be arranged between a longitudinal center axis of the cavity and at least a portion of the shielding plate.
  • An angle spanned between the non-co-planar first and second portions of the shielding plate may be between 40 degrees and 140 degrees, preferably between 80 and 120 degrees, more preferably between 90 and 110 degrees.
  • An angle spanned between the non-co-planar first and second portions of the shielding plate may be about 100 degrees. The angle is to be measured between the inner surfaces of the first and second portions with respect to the U-shape of the shielding plate.
  • the sensor may be positioned between the first portion of the shielding plate and the cavity.
  • the emitter may be positioned between the second portion of the shielding plate and the cavity.
  • the aerosol-generating device may comprise at least one lens configured to focus electromagnetic radiation received from the cavity on to the sensor.
  • the lens may comprise an absorption material configured to substantially block wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation that fall outside a range of wavelengths.
  • the absorption material may be configured to substantially block wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation less than 200 nanometers and greater than 30,000 nanometers.
  • the one or more lenses may advantageously increase the amount of electromagnetic radiation received by the sensor. This may advantageously increase the signal to noise ratio of the sensing assembly and so improve the accuracy of the sensing assembly at detecting the presence and type of aerosol-forming substrate at least partially received in the cavity.
  • the cavity may be defined by the housing of the aerosol-generating device.
  • a first portion of the housing may be transparent to at least some of the wavelengths of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter.
  • the emitter may be configured to emit the electromagnetic radiation into the cavity through the transparent portion.
  • the sensing assembly may comprise amplification electronics connected directly to the sensor.
  • the aerosol-generating device may comprise a controller.
  • the controller may be configured to receive signals from the sensor.
  • the controller may be configured to determine material properties of the aerosol-forming substrate at least partially received in the cavity, based on a measured intensity of the electromagnetic radiation received at the sensor.
  • the controller may be configured to determine material properties of an aerosol-generating article comprising the aerosol-forming substrate, based on a measured intensity of the electromagnetic radiation received at the sensor.
  • the controller may be configured to perform spectral analysis of the measured intensity of the electromagnetic radiation to determine material properties of the aerosol-forming substrate or an aerosol-generating article comprising the aerosol-forming substrate. Based on the determined material properties, the controller may be configured to determine the type of aerosol-forming substrate at least partially received in the cavity.
  • the controller being configured to determine material properties of the aerosol-forming substrate may advantageously means that the type of aerosol-forming substrate can be determined directly based on inherent material properties of the aerosol-forming substrate. There is no need for the aerosol-forming substrate, or for an aerosol-generating article comprising the aerosol-forming substrate, to comprise a printed barcode, taggant or other indicia of the type of the type of substrate.
  • the material property determined by the controller may be the wetness or water content of the aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the controller may comprise a memory. Stored in the memory of the controller may be data relating known measurements of electromagnetic radiation at specific wavelengths to chemical structures of, or types of, aerosol-forming substrates. The controller may be configured to determine the type of aerosol-forming substrate received in the cavity by comparing one or more electromagnetic radiation measurements made by the sensor at one or more wavelengths with the known measurements stored in the memory.
  • the aerosol-generating device may comprise a heating assembly for heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The heating assembly may be controlled by the controller. The controller may be configured to control the heating assembly according to a heating profile selected based on the determined type of aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the controller may be configured to determine the value related to the water content of an aerosol-forming substrate received in the cavity repeatedly during use of the aerosol-generating device.
  • the controller may be configured to modify a heating profile based on changes in the determined water content of the aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the changes in determined water content may be relative to an expected water content for the determined type aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the changes in determined water content may be changes in the determined water content over time.
  • the changes in determined water content may be changes in the determined water content during a puff or between puffs.
  • the emitter may be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of between 1100 nanometers and 1500 nanometers.
  • the emitter may be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of between 1350 nanometers and 1400 nanometers.
  • the sensor may be configured to receive electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of between 1100 nanometers and 1500 nanometers.
  • the sensor may be configured to receive electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of between 1350 nanometers and 1400 nanometers.
  • Water is particularly effective at absorbing electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 1100 nanometers and 1500 nanometers, and in particular between 1350 nanometers and 1400 nanometers.
  • the emitter and sensor may be advantageous for the emitter and sensor to emit and receive such wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation when the material property of interest of the aerosol-forming substrate is wetness or water content.
  • the emitter may comprise at least one LED to emit the electromagnetic radiation.
  • the emitter may be configured to emit a plurality of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
  • the emitter may comprise a plurality of LEDs, each of the plurality of LEDs being configured to emit a different wavelength of electromagnetic radiation.
  • the sensor may comprise a photodiode.
  • the sensor may be configured to receive a plurality of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
  • the sensor may be configured to measure a plurality of wavelengths of the received electromagnetic radiation.
  • the sensing assembly may be configured to perform spectroscopy on an aerosol-forming substrate received in the cavity, or on an aerosol-generating article comprising the substrate received in the cavity.
  • the device may comprise a controller to perform spectral analysis on the measured electromagnetic radiation. Based on the spectral analysis, the controller may be configured to determine the presence of an aerosol-forming substrate in the cavity. The controller may be configured to determine the type of aerosol-forming substrate in the cavity.
  • determining the presence and type of an aerosol-forming substrate is used interchangeably with determining the presence and type of an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the aerosol-generating device may advantageously be configured to determine the presence and type of the aerosol-forming substrate or article based on its chemical composition.
  • the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter may be incident on an aerosol-forming substrate, in which case the presence or type of aerosol-forming substrate may be determined.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may be contained in an aerosol-generating article.
  • the electromagnetic radiation received by the sensor may be affected by the chemical structure of the aerosol-generating article, for example a wrapper or housing of the article.
  • Different aerosol-generating articles may comprise different chemical structures, for example different wrappers or housings. This may allow for different aerosol-generating articles to be identified.
  • “Different aerosol-generating article” may refer to aerosol-generating articles comprising different aerosol-forming substrates.
  • a portion of the electromagnetic radiation may pass through the aerosol-generating device to the aerosol-forming substrate such that electromagnetic radiation received by the sensor may have been affected by the chemical structure of both the aerosol-generating article and substrate.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise both solid and liquid components.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavour compounds which are released from the substrate upon heating.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may further comprise an aerosol former that facilitates the formation of a dense and stable aerosol. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerine and propylene glycol.
  • the solid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise, for example, one or more of: powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghettis, strips or sheets containing one or more of: herb leaf, tobacco leaf, fragments of tobacco ribs, reconstituted tobacco, homogenised tobacco, extruded tobacco, cast leaf tobacco and expanded tobacco.
  • the solid aerosol-forming substrate may be in loose form, or may be provided in a suitable container or cartridge.
  • the solid aerosol-forming substrate may contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavour compounds, to be released upon heating of the substrate.
  • the solid aerosol-forming substrate may also contain capsules that, for example, include the additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavour compounds and such capsules may melt during heating of the solid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • homogenised tobacco refers to material formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco.
  • Homogenised tobacco may be in the form of a sheet.
  • Homogenised tobacco material may have an aerosol-former content of greater than 5%on a dry weight basis.
  • Homogenised tobacco material may alternatively have an aerosol former content of between 5%and 30%by weight on a dry weight basis.
  • Sheets of homogenised tobacco material may be formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco obtained by grinding or otherwise combining one or both of tobacco leaf lamina and tobacco leaf stems.
  • sheets of homogenised tobacco material may comprise one or more of tobacco dust, tobacco fines and other particulate tobacco by-products formed during, for example, the treating, handling and shipping of tobacco.
  • Sheets of homogenised tobacco material may comprise one or more intrinsic binders, that is tobacco endogenous binders, one or more extrinsic binders, that is tobacco exogenous binders, or a combination thereof to help agglomerate the particulate tobacco; alternatively, or in addition, sheets of homogenised tobacco material may comprise other additives including, but not limited to, tobacco and non-tobacco fibres, aerosol-formers, humectants, plasticisers, flavourants, fillers, aqueous and non-aqueous solvents and combinations thereof.
  • the solid aerosol-forming substrate may be provided on or embedded in a thermally stable carrier.
  • the carrier may take the form of powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghettis, strips or sheets.
  • the carrier may be a tubular carrier having a thin layer of the solid substrate deposited on its inner surface, or on its outer surface, or on both its inner and outer surfaces.
  • Such a tubular carrier may be formed of, for example, a paper, or paper like material, a non-woven carbon fibre mat, a low mass open mesh metallic screen, or a perforated metallic foil or any other thermally stable polymer matrix.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a gathered crimpled sheet of homogenised tobacco material.
  • the term ‘crimped sheet’ denotes a sheet having a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations.
  • the substantially parallel ridges or corrugations extend along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article. This advantageously facilitates gathering of the crimped sheet of homogenised tobacco material to form the aerosol-forming substrate.
  • crimped sheets of homogenised tobacco material for inclusion in the aerosol-generating article may alternatively or in addition have a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations that are disposed at an acute or obtuse angle to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article has been assembled.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco material that is substantially evenly textured over substantially its entire surface.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a gathered crimped sheet of homogenised tobacco material comprising a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations that are substantially evenly spaced-apart across the width of the sheet.
  • the solid aerosol-forming substrate may be deposited on the surface of the carrier in the form of, for example, a sheet, foam, gel or slurry.
  • the solid aerosol-forming substrate may be deposited on the entire surface of the carrier, or alternatively, may be deposited in a pattern in order to provide a non-uniform flavour delivery during use.
  • the aerosol-generating device may comprise a heater assembly.
  • the heater assembly may be configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate received in the cavity in use.
  • the controller may be configured to control the heater assembly.
  • the control of the heater assembly may be based on the type of aerosol-forming substrate determined by the controller.
  • the controller may be configured to control the heater assembly according to a heating profile.
  • the heating profile may be chosen or modified according to the type of aerosol-forming substrate at least partially received in the cavity.
  • the heater assembly may comprise a heating element.
  • power may be supplied to the heating element, causing the heating element to heat up.
  • the heat may then be transferred to a received aerosol-forming substrate, for example by conduction through the device housing forming the chamber.
  • the heating element may be a resistive heating element.
  • the heating element may comprise an electrically resistive material.
  • Suitable electrically resistive materials include but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically “conductive” ceramics (such as, for example, molybdenum disilicide) , carbon, graphite, metals, metal allows and composition materials made of ceramic material and a metallic material.
  • Such composite materials may comprise doped and undoped ceramics.
  • the heater assembly may comprise one or more inductor coils and the heating element may comprise one or more susceptor elements.
  • the one or more susceptor elements may be configured to be heatable by an alternating magnetic field generated by the inductor coil or coils.
  • electrical power supplied to an inductor coil may result in the inductor coil inducing eddy currents in a susceptor element. These eddy currents, in turn, result in the susceptor element generating heat.
  • the electrical power is supplied to the inductor coil as an alternating magnetic field.
  • the alternating current may have any suitable frequency.
  • the alternating current may preferably be a high frequency alternating current.
  • the alternating current may have a frequency between 100 kilohertz (kHz) and 30 megahertz (MHz) .
  • the heat generated by the susceptor element may heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature sufficient to cause aerosol to evolve from the substrate.
  • the susceptor element may be formed of a material having an ability to absorb electromagnetic energy and convert it into heat.
  • the susceptor element may be formed of a ferromagnetic material, such as a steel.
  • the aerosol-generating device may comprise a power supply which may be configured to supply current to the resistive heating element.
  • the heating element may comprise a substrate layer of flexible material.
  • the substrate layer may comprise a thermally stable polymer, preferably polyimide.
  • the heating element may be arranged on the substrate layer.
  • the heating element may contain wire connections configured for being connected with a controller of the aerosol-generating device.
  • the heating element may comprise heating tracks arranged on the substrate layer.
  • the heating tracks may comprise a thermally conductive material, preferably a metal such as stainless steel.
  • the heating tracks may be electrically connected to said wire connections.
  • the heating element may take other forms.
  • MID molded interconnect device
  • ceramic heater ceramic heater
  • flexible carbon fibre heater or may be formed using a coating technique such as plasma vapour deposition, on a suitably shaped substrate.
  • transparency to certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation in the context of the transparent portion or otherwise, means that at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 99%of the electromagnetic radiation at that wavelength can pass through the first or second portion without being absorbed.
  • the invention further relates to a sensing assembly for an aerosol-generating device for generating aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing.
  • the housing may define a cavity.
  • the cavity may be for at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the sensing assembly may comprise an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation into the cavity.
  • the sensing assembly may comprise a sensor configured to measure a wavelength of a received electromagnetic radiation.
  • the sensing assembly may comprise a shielding plate configured to block electromagnetic radiation.
  • the shielding plate may be positioned externally to the cavity such that the sensor is arranged between the cavity and at least a portion of the shielding plate.
  • the shielding plate may comprise a U-section.
  • the shielding plate may comprise a planar first portion.
  • the planar first portion may be connected to a first terminal edge of the U-section.
  • the shielding plate may comprise a planar second portion.
  • the planar second portion may be connected to a second terminal edge of the U-section.
  • the first and second portions of the shielding plate may be non-co-planar.
  • the sensing assembly may comprise any of the features described in relation to any one of the previous aspects of the disclosure.
  • the invention further relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating device as described herein and an aerosol-generating article comprising the aerosol-forming substrate.
  • proximal As used herein, the terms ‘proximal’ , ‘distal’ , ‘downstream’ and ‘upstream’ are used to describe the relative positions of components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating device in relation to the direction in which a user draws on the aerosol-generating device during use thereof.
  • an ‘aerosol-generating device’ relates to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article, for example part of a smoking article.
  • An aerosol-generating device may be a smoking device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs thorough the user's mouth.
  • An aerosol-generating device may be a holder.
  • the device may be an electrically heated smoking device.
  • the aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing, electric circuitry, a power supply, a heating chamber and a heating element.
  • an aerosol-generating article refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol.
  • an aerosol-generating article may be a smoking article that generates an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs through the user's mouth.
  • An aerosol-generating article may be disposable.
  • aerosol-forming substrate relates to a substrate capable of releasing one or more volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate.
  • An aerosol-forming substrate may conveniently be part of an aerosol-generating article or smoking article.
  • Example E1 An aerosol-generating device comprising a cavity for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate and a sensing assembly for detecting the aerosol-forming substrate in the cavity, the sensing assembly comprising
  • an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation into the cavity
  • a sensor configured to measure a wavelength of a received electromagnetic radiation
  • a shielding plate configured to block electromagnetic radiation and being positioned externally to the cavity such that the sensor is arranged between the cavity and at least a portion of the shielding plate;
  • the shielding plate comprises a U-section, a planar first portion connected to a first terminal edge of the U-section, and a planar second portion connected to a second terminal edge of the U-section, and
  • first and second portions of the shielding plate are non-co-planar.
  • Example E2 The aerosol-generating device according to Example E1, wherein the U-section defines a U-shape by means of a bottom wall and parallel first and second side walls, and
  • first and second terminal edges are defined by respective edges of the first and second side walls facing away from the bottom wall, preferably,
  • both the bottom wall and the parallel first and second side walls are arranged in parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the cavity.
  • Example E3 The aerosol-generating device according to Example E2, wherein the first and second side walls of the U-section of the shielding plate are arranged in parallel to an angle bisector of an angle spanned between the non-co-planar first and second portions of the shielding plate.
  • Example E4 The aerosol-generating device according to Example E2 or Example E3, wherein the bottom wall of the U-section comprises a curved or bent shape.
  • Example E5 The aerosol-generating device according to Example E4, wherein the bottom wall of the U-section contacts an inner sidewall of a housing of the aerosol-generating device.
  • Example E6 The aerosol-generating device according to Example E5, wherein the bottom wall of the U-section comprises one or more fins in contact with the inner sidewall of the housing of the aerosol-generating device.
  • Example E7 The aerosol-generating device according to Example E5, wherein the inner sidewall of the housing of the aerosol-generating device comprises a curved or bent shape fitting with the curved or bent shape of the bottom wall of the U-section in an area where the bottom wall of the U-section contacts the inner sidewall of the housing of the aerosol-generating device.
  • Example E8 The aerosol-generating device according to any of Example E5 to E7, wherein at least a portion of the inner sidewall of the housing of the aerosol-generating device being in contact with the bottom wall of the U-section comprises graphene.
  • Example E9 The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the temperature of the sensing assembly does not exceed 120 degrees Celsius, preferably does not exceed 110 degrees Celsius, more preferably does not exceed 100 degrees Celsius, more preferably does not exceed 95 degrees Celsius, more preferably does not exceed 90 degrees Celsius, more preferably does not exceed 87 degrees Celsius during operation of the device.
  • Example E10 The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the sensor is arranged between a longitudinal center axis of the cavity and at least a portion of the shielding plate.
  • Example E11 The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the shielding plate comprises a Phosphor bronze, preferably a nickel plated Phosphor bronze.
  • Example E12 The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the shielding plate comprises an electrically conductive material having an electrical conductivity of at least 1x106 Siemens per meter.
  • Example E13 The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the shielding plate comprises a thermally conductive material having a thermal conductivity of at least 10 Watts per meter-Kelvin.
  • Example E14 The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein an angle spanned between the non-co-planar first and second portions of the shielding plate is between 40 degrees and 140 degrees, preferably between 80 and 120 degrees, more preferably between 90 and 110 degrees, more preferably is about 100 degrees.
  • Example E15 The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the sensor is positioned between the first portion of the shielding plate and the cavity and the emitter is positioned between the second portion of the shielding plate and the cavity.
  • Example E16 The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising at least one lens configured to focus electromagnetic radiation received from the cavity on to the sensor, the lens comprising an absorption material configured to substantially block wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation that fall outside a range of wavelengths.
  • Example E17 The aerosol-generating device according to Example E16, wherein the absorption material is configured to substantially block wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation less than 200 nanometers and greater than 30,000 nanometers.
  • Example E18 The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the cavity is defined by a housing of the device, and wherein a first portion of the housing is transparent to at least some of the wavelengths of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter, and wherein the emitter is configured to emit the electromagnetic radiation into the cavity through the transparent portion.
  • Example E19 The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the sensing assembly further comprises a substrate having a first side onto which the emitter and the sensor are attached, a first portion of the substrate comprising the emitter, a second portion of substrate comprising the sensor, wherein the substrate further comprises a third portion between the first and second portions, and wherein at least the third portion is flexible such that the first portion is moveable relative to the second portion.
  • Example E20 The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the sensing assembly further comprises amplification electronics connected directly to the sensor.
  • Example E21 The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising a controller configured to receive signals from the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to determine material properties of the aerosol-forming substrate at least partially received in the cavity, or an aerosol-generating article comprising the aerosol-forming substrate, based on a measured intensity of the electromagnetic radiation received at the sensor.
  • Example E22 The aerosol-generating device according to Example E21, wherein the material property determined by the controller is the wetness or water content of the aerosol-forming substrate.
  • Example E23 The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the shielding plate comprises at least one clip.
  • Example E24 The aerosol-generating device according to Example E23, wherein the shielding plate comprises a first clip at a first end and a second clip at a second end, the first end being at an opposite end of the shielding plate to the second end.
  • Example E25 The aerosol-generating device according to Example E23 or Example E24, wherein the at least one clip, or the first and second clips, are configured to connect the shielding plate to a substrate.
  • Example E26 The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the shielding plate is integrally formed, preferably wherein the shielding plate is a monolithic piece.
  • Example E27 An aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples and an aerosol-generating article comprising the aerosol-forming substrate.
  • Fig. 1 shows an aerosol-generating system
  • Figs. 2a and 2b show a sensing assembly
  • Figs. 3a and 3b show a shielding plate
  • Fig. 4 shows a sensing assembly
  • Figs. 5a and 5b show an aerosol-generating device.
  • Fig. 1 shows an aerosol-generating system 10 in cross-sectional view.
  • the aerosol-generating system 10 comprises an aerosol-generating article 12.
  • the aerosol-generating article 12 comprises an aerosol-forming substrate 14 at a distal part thereof.
  • the aerosol-generating system 10 further comprises an aerosol-generating device 20.
  • the aerosol-generating device 20 comprises a cavity 22 for receiving the aerosol-forming substrate 14.
  • the cavity 22 is defined by a housing 24 of the aerosol-generating device 20.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate 14 may be a solid tobacco-containing substrate.
  • the aerosol-forming substrate 14 may be a gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco.
  • the aerosol-generating article 12 and cavity 22 are configured such that a mouth end of the aerosol-generating article 12 protrudes out of the cavity 22 and out of the aerosol-generating device 20 when the aerosol-generating article 12 is received in the cavity 22.
  • This mouth end forms a mouthpiece 16 on which a user of the aerosol-generating device may puff in use.
  • the aerosol-generating device 20 comprises a heater assembly comprising a heating element 26.
  • the heating element 26 surrounds the cavity 22 along a portion of the cavity 22 in which the aerosol-forming substrate 14 of the aerosol-generating article 12 is received.
  • the heating element 26 may form a portion of the housing 24 that defines the part of the cavity 22 that receives the aerosol-forming substrate 14.
  • the heating element 26 may be a resistive heating element.
  • An airflow channel 28 extends from an air inlet 30 of the aerosol-generating device 20. Upstream of the cavity 22, the airflow channel 28 is primarily defined by an airflow channel wall 32. Downstream of the airflow channel wall 32, the airflow channel 28 passes through an air inlet defined in the base 34 of the cavity 22. The airflow channel 28 then extends through the cavity 22. When an aerosol-generating article 12 is received in the cavity 22, the airflow channel 28 passes through the aerosol-generating article 12 and extends through the mouthpiece 16.
  • the aerosol-generating device 20 further comprises a power supply 36 in form of a rechargeable battery for powering the heating element 26 controllable by a controller 38.
  • the power supply 36 is connected to the controller 38 and the heating element 26 via electrical wires and connections that are not shown in the Figures.
  • the aerosol-generating device 20 may comprise further elements, not shown in the Figures, such as a button for activating the aerosol-generating device 20.
  • the aerosol-generating device 20 further comprises a sensing assembly 40 for detecting the aerosol-forming substrate 14 in the cavity 22.
  • Fig. 2a more clearly shows the sensing assembly 40.
  • Fig. 2a is a perspective view of the sensing assembly 40 with a cut away portion of the aerosol-generating device 20.
  • the sensing assembly 40 comprises an emitter 42.
  • the emitter 42 comprises a plurality of LEDs. Each of the LEDs is configured to emit a different wavelength of electromagnetic radiation.
  • the emitter 42, and in particular the plurality of LEDs of the emitter 42, is configured to emit the electromagnetic radiation into the cavity 22.
  • the emitter 42 is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths of between 1350 and 1400 nanometers.
  • the housing 24 that defines the part of the cavity 22 comprises a first transparent portion 23.
  • the emitter 42 is separated from the cavity 22 by the first transparent portion 23 and is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation into the cavity 22 through the first transparent portion 23.
  • the provision of the first transparent portion 23 protects the emitter 42 from debris and dirt that can accumulate in the cavity 22 after prolonged use of the device 20 and can be easily cleaned.
  • the sensing assembly 40 further comprises a sensor 44.
  • the sensor 44 is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from the cavity 22.
  • the sensor 44 is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from the cavity 22 that was emitted by the emitter 42 and then reflected or transmitted by the aerosol-generating article 12 towards the sensor 44.
  • the sensor 44 comprises a photodiode.
  • the sensor 44 is configured to measure a plurality of wavelengths of the received electromagnetic radiation.
  • the sensor 44 is configured to measure the intensity of the plurality of wavelengths of received electromagnetic radiation.
  • the sensor 44 is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths of between 1350 and 1400 nanometers.
  • the cavity 22 comprises a second transparent portion, not shown in the Figures.
  • the sensor 44 is separated from the cavity 22 by the second transparent portion and is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from the cavity 22 through the second transparent portion.
  • the sensing assembly 40 further comprises a substrate in the form of a printed circuit board (PCB) 50.
  • a first portion 52 of the PCB 50 comprises the emitter 42.
  • a second portion 54 of the PCB 50 comprises the sensor 44.
  • Both the first and second portions 52, 54 of the PCB 50 are planar.
  • the PCB 50 further comprises a third portion 56 which is flexible. As is shown most clearly in Figs. 2a and 4, the third portion 56 has been bent such that the angle between the first portion 52 and the second portion 54 is 100 degrees. Thus, the angle between the normal to the first portion 52 and the normal to the second portion 54 is 80 degrees. This also means that the angle between the central optical axis of the emitter 42 and the central optical axis of the sensor 44 is 80 degrees (see Fig. 2b) . This provides the optimum optical performance.
  • the third portion 56 is opaque to wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter 42. This ensures that electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter 42 is not directly received by the sensor 44.
  • the PCB 50 comprises further flexible portions which allow the PCB 50 to be folded into the shape shown in Figs. 2a and 4.
  • Fig. 2b shows the angle between the aerosol-generating article 12, the emitter 42 and the sensor 44.
  • Fig. 2b. is a cross-section of the aerosol-generating article 12 and the emitter 42 and sensor 44 separately from the rest of the device 20.
  • the optimum angle between a central optical axis 42a of the emitter 42 and a central optical axis 44a of the sensor 44 is 80 degrees.
  • the angle is represented by numeral 43 in Figure 2b.
  • the sensing assembly 40 further comprises a shielding plate 60.
  • the shielding plate 60 is not shown in Fig. 2a but is shown in Figs. 3a and 3b.
  • Figs. 3a and 3b show the shielding plate 60 separately from the rest of the sensing assembly 40.
  • Fig. 3a shows the shielding plate 60 in perspective view.
  • Fig. 3b shows the shielding plate 60 in top view.
  • the shielding plate 60 comprises a U-section 62, a planar first portion 64 connected to a first terminal edge 66 of the U-section 62, and a planar second portion 68 connected to a second terminal edge 70 of the U-section 62.
  • the first and second portions 64, 68 of the shielding plate 60 are non-co-planar.
  • the U-section 62 defines a U-shape by means of a bottom wall 72 with a slightly curved shape and a first side wall 74 and a second side wall 76, the first and second side walls 74, 76 being parallel.
  • the first and second terminal edges 66, 70 are defined by respective edges of the first and second side walls 74, 76 facing away from the bottom wall 72.
  • the first and second side walls 74, 76 of the U-section 62 of the shielding plate 60 are arranged in parallel to an angle bisector 78 of an angle 80 spanned between the non-co-planar first and second portions 64, 68 of the shielding plate 60.
  • the angle 80 spanned between the non-co-planar first and second portions 64, 68 of the shielding plate 60 is approximately 100 degrees.
  • the angle 80 is to be measured between the inner surfaces of the first and second portions 64, 68 with respect to the U-shape of the shielding plate 60.
  • the shielding plate 60 further comprises a first clip 82 at a first end and a second clip 84 at a second end, the first end being at an opposite end of the shielding plate 60 to the second end.
  • the first and second clips 82, 84 are configured to connect the shielding plate 60 to the PCB 50.
  • the shielding plate 60 is integrally formed as a monolithic piece.
  • Fig. 4 shows another cut away perspective view of a section of the aerosol-generating device 20 including the sensing assembly 40 (but looking towards the cavity from approximately the opposite direction in comparison to Fig. 2a) .
  • Fig. 4 shows several parts of the sensing assembly 40 in an exploded-view, namely the shielding plate 60, the PCB 50, and an aerogel 86. In an assembled configuration, these components are attached on top of one another.
  • the shielding plate 60 is configured to block electromagnetic radiation and is positioned externally to the cavity such that the sensor 44 is arranged between the cavity 22 and at least a portion of the shielding plate 60. In the embodiment shown, both the sensor 44 and the emitter 42 are positioned between the shielding plate 60 and the cavity 22.
  • the shielding plate 60 is rigid enough that it is able to maintain and hold the first portion 52 of the PCB 50 relative to the second portion 54 such that the angle between the normal to the first portion 52 and the normal to the second portion 54 is 80 degrees.
  • both the bottom wall 72 and the parallel first and second side walls 74, 76 of the shielding plate 60 are arranged in parallel to a longitudinal center axis 21 of the cavity 22.
  • the shielding plate 60 may be made of aluminium which is electrically conductive and so reflects or absorbs the external electromagnetic radiation. Aluminium is also a thermally conductive material.
  • the shielding plate 60 is made of a Phosphor bronze, preferably a nickel plated Phosphor bronze.
  • the shielding plate 60 being made of a thermally conductive material means that the shielding plate 60 is suitable for dissipating heat away from the sensor 44 and the emitter 42.
  • the sensing assembly 40 is positioned relatively close to the heating element 26.
  • heat will inevitably be transferred from the heating element 26 to the sensing assembly 40.
  • the emitter 42 and sensor 44 can be damaged when they are overheated.
  • the shielding plate 60 dissipating heat away from the emitter 42 and sensor 44 reduces the risk of the emitter 42 and sensor 44 being damaged.
  • Fig. 5a shows a cross-sectional top view of the aerosol-generating device 20 of Fig. 4.
  • the bottom wall 72 and the parallel first and second side walls 74, 76 of the shielding plate 60 are visible.
  • the bottom wall 72 of the U-section 62 comprises a curved shape.
  • the curved bottom wall 72 of the U-section 62 contacts a correspondingly shaped part of an inner sidewall 25 of the housing 24 of the aerosol-generating device 20.
  • the inner sidewall 25 of the housing 24 thus fits with the curved shape of the bottom wall 72 of the U-section 62 in an area where the bottom wall 72 contacts the inner sidewall 25.
  • At least a portion of the inner sidewall 25 being in contact with the bottom wall 72 comprises graphene.
  • a graphene sheet is provided on the surface of the inner sidewall 25.
  • the shape of the bottom wall 72 of the U-section 62 is rounded with the same radius of curvature of the graphene sheet. This design may maximize the contact between the shielding plate 60 and the graphene sheet. As a consequence, due to the high thermal conductivity properties of the graphene sheet, the heat dissipation may be maximized.
  • Fig. 5b shows a cross-sectional top view of an aerosol-generating device 20 comprising a different design of the shielding plate 60.
  • the U-section 62 comprises a plurality of fins 88 in contact with the inner sidewall 25 of the housing 24 of the aerosol-generating device 20.
  • the fins 88 may thus beneficially conduct heat away from the shielding plate 60 towards the housing 24.
  • an aerosol-generating article 12 is received in the cavity 22, as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the sensing assembly 40 in conjunction with the controller 38, is capable of detecting the presence of the aerosol-generating article 12.
  • the emitter 42 of the sensing assembly 40 emits electromagnetic radiation at a plurality of wavelengths. This radiation is then reflected and/or transmitted by the aerosol-generating article 12. Because the viewing angles of the emitter 42 and sensor 44 substantially overlap when the angle between the central optical axis of the emitter 42 and the central optical axis of the sensor 44 is 80 degrees, a significant amount of the reflected and/or transmitted electromagnetic radiation is received by the sensor 44.
  • the sensor 44 measures the intensity of the various wavelengths of received electromagnetic radiation. In doing so, the sensor 44 generates electrical signals.
  • the controller 38 is configured to perform spectral analysis on the measurements of intensity of the electromagnetic radiation at different wavelengths. This comprises comparing the intensities of the different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation with the known distribution of intensities emitted by the emitter 42. Based on the spectral analysis, the controller 38 is configured to determine the presence of the aerosol-generating article 12.
  • the controller 38 is also configured to determine the type of aerosol-generating article 12 based on the spectral analysis. Different types of aerosol-generating articles 12 can be received in the cavity 22. In particular, aerosol-generating articles 12 having aerosol-forming substrate 14 of differing chemistry can be received in the cavity 22. Because the aerosol-generating articles 12 and aerosol-forming substrates have differing chemistry and/or other material properties, the different aerosol-generating articles 12 will reflect or transmit the plurality of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter 42 to different extents. This will mean that the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation received by the sensor 44 will be different for different aerosol-generating articles 12. The spectrum for a particular type of aerosol-generating article 12 is predictable. So, based on spectral analysis, the controller 38 can determine the type of aerosol-generating article 12 received in the cavity 22.
  • the controller 38 is configured to control the heating element 26 according to an appropriate heating profile for the determined type of aerosol-generating article 12.
  • the controller 38 is also configured to determine material properties of the aerosol-generating article 12 received in the cavity 22.
  • the controller 38 is configured to determine material properties of the aerosol-forming substrate 14 of the aerosol-generating article 12.
  • the material property determined by the controller 38 is the wetness or water content of the aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the controller 38 is configured to determine a value related to the water content of an aerosol-forming substrate 14 received in the cavity 22 based on the measured intensity of the electromagnetic radiation received at the sensor 44.
  • the emitter 42 and sensor 44 are configured, respectively, to emit and receive wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths between 1350 nanometers and 1400 nanometers. Water is particularly effective at absorbing this range of electromagnetic radiation. Therefore, the intensity of radiation received by the sensor 44 is highly dependent on the water content of aerosol-forming substrate 14 and the controller 38 is able to determine a value associated with water content of the aerosol-forming substrate 14 based on spectral analysis of electromagnetic radiation received by the sensor 44.

Landscapes

  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de génération d'aérosol comprenant une cavité pour recevoir un substrat de formation d'aérosol et un ensemble détection pour détecter le substrat de formation d'aérosol dans la cavité. L'ensemble détection comprend un émetteur conçu pour émettre un rayonnement électromagnétique dans la cavité, un capteur conçu pour mesurer une longueur d'onde d'un rayonnement électromagnétique reçu et une plaque de protection conçue pour bloquer un rayonnement électromagnétique et étant positionnée à l'extérieur de la cavité de telle sorte que le capteur est disposé entre la cavité et au moins une partie de la plaque de protection. La plaque de protection comprend une section en U, une première partie plane reliée à un premier bord terminal de la section en U et une seconde partie plane reliée à un second bord terminal de la section en U. Les première et seconde parties de la plaque de protection ne sont pas coplanaires.
PCT/CN2022/132251 2022-11-16 2022-11-16 Dispositif de génération d'aérosol avec un ensemble détection comprenant une plaque de protection WO2024103290A1 (fr)

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PCT/CN2022/132251 WO2024103290A1 (fr) 2022-11-16 2022-11-16 Dispositif de génération d'aérosol avec un ensemble détection comprenant une plaque de protection

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2017029088A1 (fr) * 2015-08-14 2017-02-23 Philip Morris Products S.A. Dispositif à fumer actionné électriquement comprenant un système d'identification d'articles à fumer dans le dispositif
WO2020249661A1 (fr) * 2019-06-14 2020-12-17 Philip Morris Products S.A. Dispositif de génération d'aérosol avec moyens optiques pour la détection d'état
WO2022139300A1 (fr) * 2020-12-23 2022-06-30 Kt&G Corporation Dispositif de génération d'aérosol et son procédé de fonctionnement
WO2022196991A1 (fr) * 2021-03-17 2022-09-22 Kt&G Corporation Dispositif de génération d'aérosol

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2017029088A1 (fr) * 2015-08-14 2017-02-23 Philip Morris Products S.A. Dispositif à fumer actionné électriquement comprenant un système d'identification d'articles à fumer dans le dispositif
WO2020249661A1 (fr) * 2019-06-14 2020-12-17 Philip Morris Products S.A. Dispositif de génération d'aérosol avec moyens optiques pour la détection d'état
WO2022139300A1 (fr) * 2020-12-23 2022-06-30 Kt&G Corporation Dispositif de génération d'aérosol et son procédé de fonctionnement
WO2022196991A1 (fr) * 2021-03-17 2022-09-22 Kt&G Corporation Dispositif de génération d'aérosol

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