Aerosol-generating article with adjustable heating zone

Abstract

An aerosol-generating article (2) comprising: an aerosol-forming substrate (4); and a heater assembly (6) arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate, the heater assembly (6) comprising an array of heating elements (6a, 6b); wherein a plurality of the heating elements (6a, 6b) in the array each comprise at least one circuit breaker component (8); wherein each of the circuit breaker components (8) is individually activatable to selectively deactivate a region (A) of the heater assembly (6) prior to heating, such that, upon heating, the aerosol-generating article (2) selectively heats a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate (4) corresponding to a non-deactivated portion of the heater assembly (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article. Specifically, but not limited to, one or more embodiments of the present invention may relate to an aerosol-generating article comprising a heater assembly capable of selectively adjusting the area of ​​the heater assembly used for heating. The present invention also relates to a device for adjusting the area of ​​the heater assembly, an aerosol-generating device, and an aerosol-generating system for use with an aerosol-generating article. Background Art

[0002] Known handheld electrically operated aerosol generating devices and systems consist of a device portion that includes a battery and control electronics, a portion for housing or receiving an aerosol-forming substrate, and an electrically operated heater for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. Also included is a mouthpiece portion on which a user draws or draws to deliver the aerosol into their mouth. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Some devices and systems use a liquid aerosol-forming substrate or e-liquid stored in a liquid storage portion. Such devices typically use a wick to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid storage portion to a heater, where it is aerosolized. A problem with such devices is that they may not provide an accurate measurement of the amount of aerosol generated during use, particularly the amount of aerosol generated per puff. Consequently, the user does not have insight into their consumption of the aerosol or the various components of the aerosol, which makes it difficult for the user to control the amount of aerosol or aerosol components they receive per unit time or per puff. While the total amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate in the liquid storage portion may be known, and therefore a rough estimate of the total amount of aerosol received when the liquid storage portion is empty can be made, such systems and devices do not provide an indication of the amount of aerosol received per puff or draw.

[0004] Many parameters determine the amount of aerosol generated per puff in devices using liquid aerosol-forming substrates. These include, for example, the amount of liquid reaching the heating zone, which is related to the capillary effect of the wick, the wick thickness, the distance from the liquid storage portion to the heater, and the viscosity of the liquid. Additional parameters influencing the amount of aerosol generated include the device's responsiveness to puff commands, the speed at which the heater reaches its operating temperature, and the value of that operating temperature. In addition to these intrinsic device parameters, other parameters related to the device's condition and use also have an impact on the amount of aerosol generated. These include, for example, the device's physical orientation, the amount of liquid remaining in the liquid storage portion (which affects the length of time the liquid travels in the wick and whether the wick is wet or dry), the duration since the device was previously used, the duration of the puff, and the ambient temperature. These parameters make it difficult to reliably determine the amount of aerosol or aerosol components consumed with each puff or draw.

[0005] Other types of aerosol-generating devices and systems use a solid aerosol-forming substrate, such as tobacco material. Such devices may include a recess for receiving a cigarette-shaped rod comprising a folded or curled sheet and a gathered sheet of such tobacco material. When the rod is received in the recess, a blade-shaped heater disposed in the recess is inserted into the center of the rod. The heater is configured to heat the tobacco material to generate an aerosol.

[0006] The amount of aerosol generated by such devices is also determined by certain parameters, such as the density distribution of the tobacco sheet around the heater, the orientation of the folded tobacco sheet relative to the heater, the manner in which heat is diffused into the tobacco rod, and the duration of use. The tobacco sheet closest to the heater blades may heat differently than the tobacco sheet farthest from the heater, which can lead to variability in the amount of aerosol generated over time and possible overheating of the tobacco sheet closest to the heater.

[0007] It is desirable to provide an aerosol-generating article that provides reliable control over the amount of aerosol generated. It is desirable to provide an aerosol-generating article that will allow a user to accurately determine their aerosol consumption or their consumption of one or more aerosol components. It is desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device that provides reliable control over the amount of aerosol generated. It is desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device that will allow a user to accurately determine their aerosol consumption or their consumption of one or more aerosol components. It is desirable to provide an aerosol-generating system that provides reliable control over the amount of aerosol generated. It is desirable to provide an aerosol-generating system that will allow a user to accurately determine their aerosol consumption or their consumption of one or more aerosol components.

[0008] In some exemplary embodiments, the area of ​​the heater assembly available for heating is selectively adjusted to a particular size before heating of the heater assembly begins.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, an aerosol-generating article is provided. The aerosol-generating article may include an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating article may include a heater assembly arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate. The heater assembly may include an array of heating elements. A plurality of the heating elements in the array may each include at least one circuit breaker component. Each of the circuit breaker components may be individually activatable. Each of the circuit breaker components may be individually activatable to selectively deactivate a region of the heater assembly. This may be prior to heating so that, upon heating, the aerosol-generating article selectively heats a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponding to the non-deactivated portion of the heater assembly.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, an aerosol-generating article is provided, which includes: an aerosol-forming substrate; and a heater assembly, which is arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate, and the heater assembly includes an array of heating elements; wherein a plurality of the heating elements in the array each include at least one circuit breaker component; wherein each of the circuit breaker components can be individually activated to selectively deactivate an area of ​​the heater assembly before heating, so that when heated, the aerosol-generating article selectively heats a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponding to the non-deactivated portion of the heater assembly.

[0011] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating article" refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that, when heated, releases one or more volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. The aerosol-generating article is separate from an aerosol-generating device used to heat the aerosol-generating article and is configured for combination with the aerosol-generating device.

[0012] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" relates to a substrate that is 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.

[0013] As used herein, the term "circuit breaker component" refers to a component that can be activated or can respond to specific circuit conditions to open a circuit. A circuit breaker component can open a circuit to prevent current from continuing to flow through the portion of the circuit in which the circuit breaker component is located.

[0014] The aerosol-generating article allows the area of ​​the heater assembly available for heating to be selectively adjusted to a specific size before heating of the heater assembly begins. During heating, only the portion of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponding to the undeactivated portion of the heater assembly is heated. Thus, the aerosol-generating article provides customizable and reliable control over the amount of aerosol generated. Furthermore, it allows the user to accurately determine their aerosol consumption or their consumption of one or more aerosol components.

[0015] The heating element array may include a two-dimensional heating element array. As used herein, the term "two-dimensional heating element array" refers to an arrangement comprising at least two heating elements arranged sequentially in a first dimension or direction and at least two heating elements arranged sequentially in a second dimension or direction. The at least two heating elements in the first dimension or direction may overlap or intersect with the at least two heating elements in the second dimension or direction.

[0016] The two-dimensional heating element array may include a plurality of first heating elements extending in a first direction and a plurality of second heating elements extending in a second direction. In some embodiments, the second direction is transverse to the first direction such that the plurality of second heating elements intersect the plurality of first heating elements. The first heating elements and the second heating elements are electrically connected at their intersection points.

[0017] The two-dimensional array of heating elements may comprise a grid.The two-dimensional array of heating elements may comprise a mesh.

[0018] The circuit breaker components may include a fusible region configured to melt at a predetermined temperature to disconnect the heating element. In some embodiments, each of the circuit breaker components includes a fusible region configured to melt at a predetermined temperature to disconnect the heating element. Preferably, the predetermined temperature is a temperature below the temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate volatilize. Advantageously, the heated fusible region can be heated to melt before the aerosol-forming substrate is heated. This can be achieved without heating the aerosol-forming substrate to an undesirable degree, i.e., to a temperature at which the aerosol-forming substrate begins to volatilize.

[0019] As used herein, the term "fusible region" refers to a region of an electrical conductor that is configured to break or melt at a predetermined temperature to break the electrical conductor and prevent current from passing through at least a portion of the electrical conductor. The terms "fusible region" and "melting point" are used interchangeably herein to mean the same thing.

[0020] Advantageously, using the fusible region as a circuit breaker component provides an efficient way to deactivate a region of the heater assembly prior to heating.

[0021] The fusible region may have a relatively smaller or thinner thickness than the heating element. The thickness of the fusible region may be at least three times thinner than the heating element. Preferably, the thickness of the fusible region may be at least five times thinner than the heating element. Preferably, the thickness of the fusible region may be at least ten times thinner than the heating element. Preferably, the thickness of the fusible region may be at least fifteen times thinner than the heating element.

[0022] The fusible region may comprise a material having a lower electrical resistance than the heating element.The fusible region may comprise one of silver, tin, zinc, copper or aluminium or an alloy thereof.

[0023] The fusible region may include metal nanoparticles arranged to receive light from a light source and generate heat through surface plasmon resonance to increase the temperature of the fusible region to the predetermined temperature.

[0024] As used herein, the term "metal nanoparticles" refers to metal particles having a maximum diameter of about 1 micron or less. Metal nanoparticles that generate heat through surface plasmon resonance when excited by incident light may also be referred to as plasmonic nanoparticles.

[0025] As used herein, the term "surface plasmon resonance" refers to the collective resonant oscillation of the free electrons of a metal nanoparticle, and the resulting charge polarization at the surface of the metal nanoparticle. The collective resonant oscillation of the free electrons, and thus the charge polarization, is stimulated by light from a light source incident on the metal nanoparticle. The energy of the oscillating free electrons can be dissipated through several mechanisms, including heat. Therefore, when a metal nanoparticle is illuminated by a light source, it generates heat through surface plasmon resonance.

[0026] The advantage of using metal nanoparticles to generate heat via surface plasmon resonance is that the heater assembly does not need to be connected to a power source; instead, a light source can be used to quickly and efficiently activate the fusible zone. Furthermore, the generated heat is focused on a relatively small area of ​​the fusible zone and is less likely to damage or degrade the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0027] The metal nanoparticles may comprise at least one of gold, silver, platinum, copper, palladium, aluminum, chromium, titanium, rhodium, and ruthenium. The metal nanoparticles may comprise at least one metal in elemental form. The metal nanoparticles may comprise at least one metal in a metal compound. The metal compound may comprise at least one metal nitride.

[0028] Preferably, the metal nanoparticles comprise at least one of gold, silver, platinum and copper. Advantageously, gold, silver, platinum and copper nanoparticles can exhibit strong surface plasmon resonance when irradiated with visible light.

[0029] The metal nanoparticles may comprise a single metal. The metal nanoparticles may comprise a mixture of different metals.

[0030] The metal nanoparticles may include a plurality of first nanoparticles comprising a first metal and a plurality of second nanoparticles comprising a second metal.

[0031] At least some of the metal nanoparticles may each comprise a mixture of two or more metals. At least some of the metal nanoparticles may comprise a metal alloy. At least some of the metal nanoparticles may each comprise a core-shell configuration. The core of the core-shell may comprise a first metal, and the shell or core-shell may comprise a second metal.

[0032] Preferably, the metal nanoparticles comprise a number average maximum diameter that is less than or equal to the peak emission wavelength of the light source.

[0033] The plurality of metal nanoparticles may comprise a number average maximum diameter of less than about 700 nanometers. Preferably, the plurality of metal nanoparticles may comprise a number average maximum diameter of less than about 600 nanometers. Preferably, the plurality of metal nanoparticles may comprise a number average maximum diameter of less than about 500 nanometers. Preferably, the plurality of metal nanoparticles may comprise a number average maximum diameter of less than about 400 nanometers. Preferably, the plurality of metal nanoparticles may comprise a number average maximum diameter of less than about 300 nanometers. Preferably, the plurality of metal nanoparticles may comprise a number average maximum diameter of less than about 200 nanometers. Preferably, the plurality of metal nanoparticles may comprise a number average maximum diameter of less than about 150 nanometers. Preferably, the plurality of metal nanoparticles may comprise a number average maximum diameter of less than about 100 nanometers.

[0034] Metal nanoparticles may be coated on the fusible region.

[0035] Each fusible zone can be located between two intersection points of the heating element array. This maintains the electrical circuit at the intersection points and allows areas of the heater assembly to be more selectively deactivated.

[0036] Alternatively, each fusible region may be located at an intersection of the array.The fusible regions at the intersections may be activated to prevent current from flowing into or out of a particular intersection during heating.

[0037] At least a certain proportion of the fusible region may be arranged around a predetermined area of ​​the heater assembly to be deactivated. The fusible region may be arranged around a predetermined area of ​​the heater assembly to be deactivated. For example, if it is known that in certain circumstances it will be desirable to generate 25 percent less aerosol, the fusible region may be arranged around an area that constitutes 25 percent of the total area of ​​the heater assembly. This therefore provides an efficient method for customizing an aerosol-generating article to generate a desired amount of aerosol.

[0038] The heater assembly may include a fusible region between each intersection of the two-dimensional array of heating elements. Advantageously, this arrangement allows the heater assembly to be fully customisable.

[0039] The circuit breaker component may include an electrical fuse formed from a fuse material. Examples of fuse materials include, but are not limited to, silver, tin, zinc, copper, or aluminum.

[0040] The aerosol-generating article may further comprise a mask arranged to cover the heater assembly, wherein the mask comprises a pattern of holes or a transparency. The holes or transparency may be arranged so as to expose only the fusible regions at locations corresponding to the locations of the holes or transparency in the mask. Thus, the exposed locations may remain activatable, for example, when exposed to a light source.

[0041] As used herein, the term "mask" refers to an opaque plate, cover, or sheet having a defined pattern of holes or a transparent body formed therein such that light is allowed to shine through only according to the defined pattern.

[0042] The advantage of using a mask is that it avoids the need to use a movable directional light source to target individual meltable areas. The entire aerosol-generating article can be exposed to a fixed light source and the pattern in the mask used to activate the desired meltable areas. This can simplify the apparatus used to customize the aerosol-generating article.

[0043] The mask may comprise a sticker that can be removably applied to the heater assembly.

[0044] According to the present disclosure, a device for use with an aerosol-generating article as described above is provided. The device may be configured to receive an aerosol-generating article. The device may include control circuitry. The device may include an activation device for activating one or more of the circuit breaker components. The control circuitry is configured to control the activation device to activate one or more of the circuit breaker components when the aerosol-generating article is received in the device, thereby deactivating selected areas of the heater assembly prior to heating.

[0045] According to the present disclosure, a device for use with the above-mentioned aerosol-generating article is provided, wherein the device is configured to receive the aerosol-generating article, and the aerosol-generating device includes: a control circuit system; and an activation device, the activation device being used to activate a circuit breaker component; wherein the control circuit system is configured to control the activation device to activate one or more of the circuit breaker components when the aerosol-generating article is received in the device, so that selected areas of the heater assembly are deactivated before heating.

[0046] The device provides a means for selectively adjusting the area of ​​the heater assembly including the breaker component prior to heating. This allows the aerosol-generating article to be customized to reliably control the amount of aerosol generated. Furthermore, it allows the user to accurately determine their aerosol consumption or their consumption of one or more aerosol components.

[0047] The activation device may include a light source, and the control circuit system may be configured to control the light source to expose one or more of the fusible regions to light when an aerosol-generating article as described above is received in the device, so that heat is generated at one or more of the fusible regions through surface plasmon resonance to increase the temperature of the fusible regions to a predetermined temperature at which the fusible regions melt to disconnect the heating element.

[0048] The advantage of using a light source to generate heat via surface plasmon resonance is that the heater assembly does not need to be connected to a power source. Furthermore, the heat generated is focused in a relatively small area of ​​the meltable zone and is less likely to damage or degrade the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0049] The light source may be a light emitting diode. Advantageously, the light emitting diode has a compact size and is capable of emitting light of a desired wavelength.

[0050] The light source may have a beam angle sufficient to expose the entire heater assembly when it emits light.

[0051] The light source can be a directional light source. It can be a laser or a laser diode. Advantageously, laser diodes are compact and can emit directional light of the desired wavelength, which can be directed toward the fusible zone. The light source can be mounted on an actuator so that it can be scanned over the heater assembly to activate the fusible zone.

[0052] The light source may be configured to emit at least one of ultraviolet light, infrared light, and visible light. Preferably, the light source is configured to emit visible light. Advantageously, a light source configured to emit visible light may be low cost, easy to use, or both low cost and easy to use.

[0053] Preferably, the light source is configured to emit light comprising at least one wavelength between 380 nanometers and 700 nanometers.

[0054] Preferably, the light source is configured to have a peak emission wavelength between about 495 nanometers and about 580 nanometers. As used herein, "peak emission wavelength" refers to the wavelength at which the light source exhibits maximum intensity. Advantageously, a peak emission wavelength between about 495 nanometers and about 580 nanometers can provide maximum heating of the heating element via surface plasmon resonance, particularly when the plurality of metal nanoparticles comprises at least one of gold, silver, platinum, and copper.

[0055] The light source may be arranged within the device.

[0056] The device may be configured to receive light from an external light source. The external light source may include ambient light. The ambient light may include solar radiation. The ambient light may include at least one artificial light source external to the aerosol generating device. The device may have an optical conduit to direct light from the external light source into the device and to a location where it can expose the heater assembly.

[0057] The activation device may include two spaced apart electrical probes. The electrical probes may be configured to contact the heater assembly such that each probe is located on either side of the fusible region. The electrical probes may be configured to deliver a current to the fusible region sufficient to melt the fusible region.

[0058] The device may be an aerosol-generating device further comprising a power source. The control circuitry may be configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the heater assembly when the aerosol-generating article is received in the device to selectively heat a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponding to a non-deactivated portion of the heater assembly.

[0059] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating device" relates to a device that can interact with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol.

[0060] The aerosol-generating device provides a means for selectively adjusting the area of ​​the heater assembly, including the circuit breaker component, prior to heating. During heating, only the portion of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponding to the non-deactivated portion of the heater assembly is heated. Thus, the aerosol-generating device provides customizable and reliable control over the amount of aerosol generated. Furthermore, it allows the user to accurately determine their aerosol consumption or their consumption of one or more aerosol components.

[0061] The control circuitry may include a communication module configured to receive information from a user or another user device. Such information may include, but is not limited to, details of the area of ​​the heater assembly to be deactivated or details of the specific fusible zone to be activated, or both. The communication module may be a wired communication module (e.g., a universal serial bus) or a wireless communication module (e.g., a Wi-Fi TM or Bluetooth TM ). The communication module can be connected to a user interface to allow the user to input information directly into the device.

[0062] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article or an aerosol-generating device as described above.

[0063] As used herein, the term "aerosol generating system" refers to the combination of an aerosol generating device and one or more aerosol-forming substrates or aerosol-forming articles for use with the device. An aerosol generating system may include additional components, such as a charging unit for recharging an onboard power supply in an electrically operated or electric aerosol generating device.

[0064] In some exemplary embodiments, portions of the heater assembly may be selectively activated during heating of the heater assembly.

[0065] According to the present disclosure, an aerosol generating system is provided. The aerosol generating system may include an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol generating system may include a heater assembly arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate. The heater assembly may include a two-dimensional array of heating elements. The aerosol generating system may also include an electronic switch for each of the heating elements. Each electronic switch may be connected to its respective heating element and a power source to control the flow of current through its respective heating element. The aerosol generating system may also include a power source. The aerosol generating system may also include a control circuit system. The control circuit system may be configured to control the supply of current from the power source to the heater assembly by individually controlling the activation of each of the electronic switches, so that a region of the heater assembly can be selectively activated during heating to heat a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponding to the activated portion of the heater assembly.

[0066] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating system comprising: an aerosol-forming substrate; and a heater assembly, wherein the heater assembly is arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate, the heater assembly comprising a two-dimensional array of heating elements; wherein the system further comprises: an electronic switch for each of the heating elements, each electronic switch being connected to its corresponding heating element and the power supply to control the flow of current through its corresponding heating element; a power supply; and a control circuit system; wherein the control circuit system is configured to control the supply of current from the power supply to the heater assembly by individually controlling the activation of each of the electronic switches, so that an area of ​​the heater assembly can be selectively activated during heating to heat a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponding to the activated portion of the heater assembly.

[0067] The aerosol generating system allows for selective adjustment of the area of ​​the heater assembly during heating. Thus, the aerosol generating system provides customizable and reliable control over the amount of aerosol generated. Furthermore, it allows the user to accurately determine their aerosol consumption or their consumption of one or more aerosol components.

[0068] The two-dimensional heating element array may include a plurality of first heating elements extending in a first direction and a plurality of second heating elements extending in a second direction. The second direction may be transverse to the first direction such that the plurality of second heating elements intersect the plurality of first heating elements, and wherein the first heating elements and the second heating elements are electrically connected at their intersection points.

[0069] The two-dimensional array of heating elements may comprise a grid.The two-dimensional array of heating elements may comprise a mesh.

[0070] Zones of the heater assembly may be selectively activated by activation of one of the electronic switches connected to the first heating element in combination with one of the electronic switches connected to the second heating element.

[0071] Advantageously, selecting the zone of the heater assembly to be heated by activating one of the electronic switches connected to the first heating element and one of the electronic switches connected to the second heating element provides an efficient way to address the zone of the heater assembly to be activated, as the electronic switches connected to the first heating element and the second heating element provide a form of coordinate system. Furthermore, it provides a convenient way to monitor which zones of the heater assembly have been activated, as information regarding the zones activated during heating operation can be stored in memory.

[0072] In one exemplary embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate, the heater assembly, and the electronic switch may form part of an aerosol-generating article, and the power supply and control circuitry may form part of an aerosol-generating device configured to receive the aerosol-generating article. In such an embodiment, the aerosol-generating device may include electrical contacts for each of the electronic switches. When the aerosol-generating article is received in the aerosol-generating device, each electrical contact may be arranged to be electrically connected to its corresponding electronic switch.

[0073] Advantageously, locating the electronic switch within the aerosol-generating article simplifies the design and manufacturing costs of the aerosol-generating device. In this arrangement, all components required for operation of the heater assembly are then located within the aerosol-generating article, making it a self-contained unit and requiring no connection to the control circuitry. Furthermore, due to the increased complexity involved in manufacturing the aerosol-generating article, it is more difficult to use counterfeit or substandard aerosol articles in an aerosol-generating device.

[0074] In another exemplary embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate forms at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article, and the heater assembly, electronic switch, power supply and control circuitry form part of an aerosol-generating device configured to receive the aerosol-generating article.

[0075] Advantageously, locating the heater assembly and electronic switch within the aerosol-generating device reduces the complexity and manufacturing costs of the aerosol-generating article.

[0076] Each electronic switch may comprise a transistor. Advantageously, the transistor is suitably small, for example to be incorporated into an aerosol-generating article, and can be easily interfaced with and controlled by a control circuit. Any suitable type of transistor may be used, including but not limited to bipolar transistors and field-effect transistors.

[0077] The aerosol-forming substrate may be in contact with the heater assembly.An advantage of having the aerosol-forming substrate in contact with the heater assembly is that it may aid in the conduction of heat from the heater assembly to the aerosol-forming substrate, which may result in more efficient aerosol generation.

[0078] The aerosol-forming substrate may be coated on the heater assembly. Coating the aerosol-forming substrate on the heater assembly provides an efficient way to bring the aerosol-forming substrate into contact with the heater assembly and is straightforward to incorporate into high-speed manufacturing processes. Furthermore, the amount of aerosol-forming substrate coated on the length of the heating element can be accurately determined, so that the amount of aerosol generated by that length of the heating element during heating can also be accurately determined.

[0079] The aerosol-forming substrate may extend through the heater assembly. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate may be substantially flat. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate may be formed as a tablet having a first major surface and a second major surface and a thickness between the major surfaces that is small relative to the length and width of the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0080] The aerosol-forming substrate may be divided into cells, and each cell may correspond to an activatable area of ​​the heater assembly.

[0081] An advantage of dividing the aerosol-forming substrate into units is that it can help to reliably control the amount of aerosol generated. The amount of aerosol that can be generated by a single unit is known or determinable. Preferably, the amount of aerosol generated by a single unit is less than the amount of aerosol required for one puff or draw by a user. Preferably, the amount of aerosol generated by a single unit is a small fraction of the amount of aerosol required for one puff or draw. Therefore, generating the required amount of aerosol for a particular user's puff or draw simply involves determining the number of units required to meet the required aerosol amount and activating the parts of the heater assembly that correspond to the units. This arrangement allows the user to accurately determine their aerosol consumption or their consumption of one or more aerosol components. The units used to generate the required amount of aerosol can be heated sequentially or simultaneously.

[0082] Each cell of aerosol-forming substrate may be separated from its adjacent cells by thermal insulation. This arrangement may help reduce heat transfer from the cell currently being heated to an adjacent cell that is not being heated. Thus, such an arrangement may reduce the risk of thermal degradation of the aerosol-forming substrate of the adjacent cells.

[0083] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a solid. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a liquid. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a gel. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise any combination of two or more of a solid, a liquid and a gel.

[0084] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine, a nicotine derivative, or a nicotine analog. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more nicotine salts. The one or more nicotine salts may be selected from the list consisting of nicotine citrate, nicotine lactate, nicotine pyruvate, nicotine bitartrate, nicotine pectinate, nicotine alginate, and nicotine salicylate.

[0085] The aerosol-forming substrate may include an aerosol former. As used herein, an "aerosol former" is any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, in use, facilitates the formation of a dense and stable aerosol and is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the aerosol-generating article. Suitable aerosol formers are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyols, such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and glycerol; esters of polyols, such as glycerol mono-, di-, or triacetate; and fatty acid esters of mono-, di-, or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Preferred aerosol formers are polyols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and glycerol.

[0086] The aerosol-forming substrate may also include flavorings. Flavorings may include volatile flavor components. Flavorings may include menthol. As used herein, the term "menthol" refers to the compound 2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexanol in any of its isomeric forms. Flavorings may provide a scent selected from menthol, lemon, vanilla, orange, wintergreen, cherry, and cinnamon. Flavorings may include volatile tobacco flavoring compounds that are released from the substrate upon heating.

[0087] The aerosol-forming substrate may also comprise tobacco or a tobacco-containing material. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise any of: tobacco leaves, tobacco leaf segments, reconstituted tobacco, homogenized tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco slurry, cast leaf tobacco, and expanded tobacco. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco powder compressed with an inert material such as glass or ceramic or another suitable inert material.

[0088] In the case where the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a liquid or gel, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article may comprise an adsorbent carrier. The aerosol-forming substrate may be coated on or impregnated into the adsorbent carrier. For example, the nicotine compound and the aerosol-forming agent may be combined with water to form a liquid formulation. In some embodiments, the liquid formulation may also include flavorings. Such liquid formulations may then be absorbed by the adsorbent carrier or applied to the surface of the adsorbent carrier. The adsorbent carrier may be a sheet or tablet of cellulose-based material onto which the nicotine compound and the aerosol-forming agent may be applied or absorbed. The adsorbent carrier may be a metal, polymer, or plant foam having liquid-retention and capillary properties, and the liquid or gel aerosol-forming substrate is applied or absorbed thereon.

[0089] There may be different categories of aerosol-generating articles, each category providing a different user experience. For example, different categories may include articles having aerosol-forming substrates of different formulations or compositions, different concentrations of nicotine or other components, and different amounts or thicknesses of aerosol-forming substrates. Aerosol-generating articles belonging to the same category may have the same shape, size, or color so that they can be identified by a user or an aerosol-generating system or device. An aerosol-generating system or device may be configured to accept only a certain category of aerosol-generating articles, for example by having a recess or space that is shaped or sized to accept only a specific type of aerosol-generating article. The recess or space may be keyed to accept only complementarily shaped aerosol-generating articles.

[0090] Aerosol-generating articles can include different types of aerosol-forming substrates. For example, one type of aerosol-forming substrate can include nicotine. Another type of aerosol-forming substrate can include flavorings. Different types of aerosol-forming substrates can be contained in different cells. Aerosols from different types of aerosol-forming substrates can be delivered to a user as a mixture. The exact composition of the mixture can be determined by activating different portions of the heater assembly corresponding to the desired cells. This arrangement also allows the composition of the resulting aerosol to be varied over time during use by the user. For example, an initial puff can include an aerosol generated from a cell containing nicotine, while the number of nicotine-containing cells aerosolized for subsequent puffs can be reduced.

[0091] An aerosol-generating article or aerosol-generating device may comprise a plurality of heater assemblies. Each heater assembly may comprise an array of heating elements. The aerosol-generating article may comprise two heater assemblies, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate is disposed between the heater assemblies. The aerosol-generating device may comprise two heater assemblies and be configured to receive the aerosol-forming substrate between the heater assemblies.

[0092] Each heating element may comprise a resistive heating element. Each heating element may comprise a resistive material. Suitable resistive materials include, but are not limited to, semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically "conductive" ceramics (e.g., molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys, and composites made from ceramic and metal materials. Such composites may include doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbide. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, gold, and silver. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-containing alloys, cobalt-containing alloys, chromium-containing alloys, aluminum-containing alloys, titanium-containing alloys, zirconium-containing alloys, hafnium-containing alloys, niobium-containing alloys, molybdenum-containing alloys, tantalum-containing alloys, tungsten-containing alloys, tin-containing alloys, gallium-containing alloys, manganese-containing alloys, gold-containing alloys, iron-containing alloys, and superalloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, Timetal®, and iron-manganese-aluminum alloys. In the composite material, the resistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated by, or coated with an insulating material, or vice versa, depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the desired external physicochemical properties.

[0093] The device may include a housing. The housing may include a space and a recess for receiving the aerosol-generating article. The housing may include a main body portion. The main body portion may include a power source. The main body portion may include control circuitry. The housing may include a mouthpiece or a mouthpiece portion. The air inlet may be arranged at a point along the length of the housing. The air outlet may be arranged at the mouth end of the mouthpiece. In this manner, a user can inhale or extract the aerosol through the air outlet, which may be formed at or in the mouthpiece portion. The mouthpiece portion may be detachable from the main body portion.

[0094] The control circuitry can be configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the heater assembly. The control circuitry can include a microprocessor, a programmable microprocessor, a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other electronic circuitry capable of providing control. The control circuitry can include other electronic components. For example, in some embodiments, the control circuitry can include any of a sensor, a switch, and a display element. Power can be supplied to the heating element continuously or in pulses of current for the duration of the puff. The power source can be a DC power source. The power source can include at least one battery. The at least one battery can include a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power source can be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor.

[0095] Features described with respect to one or more examples of the present disclosure may be equally applicable to other examples of the invention. In particular, features described with respect to an aerosol generating system may be equally applicable to an aerosol generating device or aerosol generating apparatus, and vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0096] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0097] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic side view of an aerosol-generating article.

[0099] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the fusible zone located at a point along the length of the heating element.

[0100] Figure 4 is a schematic side view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus being configured to selectively activate prior to heating Figure 1 Circuit breaker components of aerosol-generating articles.

[0101] Figure 5 is a schematic side view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0102] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a portion of an aerosol generating system according to an embodiment of the invention, showing a heater assembly and a portion of the associated control circuitry.

[0103] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of a portion of an aerosol-generating system according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a heater assembly and a corresponding unit of an aerosol-forming substrate that is heatable by the heater assembly.

[0104] Figure 7B yes Figure 7A An enlarged view of the lower left corner of the heater assembly is shown.

[0105] Figure 8 is a schematic plan view of an aerosol-generating system according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device for use with the aerosol-generating article. For clarity, the aerosol-generating article is drawn to a larger scale than the aerosol-generating device.

[0106] Figure 9 is a schematic plan view of an aerosol-generating system according to another embodiment of the invention, comprising an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device for use with the aerosol-generating article. For clarity, the aerosol-generating article is drawn to a larger scale than the aerosol-generating device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0107] Figure 1An aerosol-generating article 2 is shown comprising an aerosol-forming substrate 4 and a heater assembly 6. The heater assembly 6 comprises a two-dimensional array or grid of heating elements comprising a plurality of first heating elements 6a extending through the aerosol-forming substrate 4 in a first direction and a plurality of second heating elements 6b extending through the aerosol-forming substrate 4 in a second direction, the second direction being substantially orthogonal to the first direction, such that the plurality of first heating elements 6a intersects the plurality of second heating elements 6b. The first heating elements 6a and the second heating elements 6b are electrically connected at their intersection points.

[0108] The heating elements 6a, 6b are resistive heating elements that generate heat when current passes through them due to the Joule effect. In this embodiment, the heating elements 6a, 6b are formed from a nickel-chromium (NiCr) alloy. The heater assembly 6 is in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate such that heat generated in the heating elements 6a, 6b is conducted and radiated into the aerosol-forming substrate 4, causing a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate in the vicinity of the heating elements to volatilize and form an aerosol.

[0109] The heater assembly 6 includes a melting point or fusible zone 8 located between the intersection of the first heating element 6a and the second heating element 6b and can be individually activated to open the circuit through the heating elements 6a, 6b at the location of the fusible zone 8. Thus, the fusible zone 8 acts as a circuit breaker component. Figure 1 , five such fusible zones are shown, defining regions A of the heater assembly 6 that are deactivated or electrically isolated from the remainder of the heater assembly 6 prior to heating, such that only the remaining non-deactivated portions of the heater assembly 6 are heated during a subsequent heating operation. Consequently, only portions of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponding to the non-deactivated portions of the heater assembly 6 are volatilized. Thus, the fusible zones 8 can be used to selectively adjust the regions of the heater assembly 6 that are heated during a heating operation to selectively adjust the amount of aerosol generated.

[0110] The aerosol-generating article 2 further comprises a pair of electrical contact pads 10; one for connecting to the positive terminal of a power source and the other for connecting to the negative terminal of the power source or a ground terminal. The electrical contact pads 10 are arranged to connect to a pair of corresponding electrical contacts in the aerosol-generating device so that power can be supplied to the heater assembly 6. In use, current flows through the heater assembly 6 between the electrical contacts to generate heat in the heating elements 6a, 6b.

[0111] refer to Figure 2 , which shows Figure 1 A side view of the aerosol generating article 2. Figure 1 and Figure 2As can be seen, the aerosol-forming substrate 4 is formed as a tablet having a first major surface 4a and an opposing second major surface 4b. The thickness T of the aerosol-forming substrate is small relative to the length and width of the aerosol-forming substrate 4. Any suitable aerosol-forming substrate 4 may be used. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate 4 may be a solid tablet comprising cast tobacco leaves, or the aerosol-forming substrate 4 may comprise a polymer or metal foam impregnated with a liquid or gel, or a combination of both, containing one or more additives, such as an aerosol-forming agent, nicotine, and flavorings. The heater assembly 6 is in contact with the first major surface 4a of the aerosol-forming substrate 4.

[0112] Figure 3 Shown along Figure 1 An enlarged view of one of the fusible regions 8 positioned along the length of one of the first heating elements 6a is shown. Fusible region 8 is formed from a thin wire of low-resistance electrical material, such as an alloy of zinc and aluminum, configured to melt at a predetermined temperature that is higher than the temperature to which the heater is heated during normal operation. The wire is coated with gold nanoparticles (not shown). The wire of fusible region 8 is approximately five times thinner than that of first heating element 6a and has a diameter or thickness of approximately 0.1 mm, compared to the approximately 0.5 mm diameter of first heating element 6a. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the wire of the fusible region can be thinner relative to the heating element, such as ten or more times thinner. In these embodiments, the wire can have a diameter between approximately 0.05 mm and approximately 0.1 mm, compared to a heating element diameter of between approximately 0.1 mm and approximately 0.5 mm.

[0113] Due to the low resistance of fusible region 8, it does not melt when the heater assembly is heated normally—that is, when power is supplied to the heater assembly to generate an aerosol. However, due to the presence of gold nanoparticles, fusible region 8 is sensitive to a physical phenomenon known as surface plasmon resonance, which can be used to melt fusible region 8. When irradiated with light of a wavelength comparable to the size of the nanoparticles, the nanoparticles' free electrons are excited and undergo coherent oscillation. To relax to their original state, the nanoparticles lose their remaining energy in the form of heat. Therefore, when the nanoparticles exhibit surface plasmon resonance, thermal energy is generated. For gold nanoparticles, the wavelength of light should be approximately 530 nm (i.e., green light). This can raise the temperature of the fusible region up to 500 degrees Celsius. This is above the melting temperature of the thin wires of fusible region 8 and causes it to melt and fracture. Consequently, the electrical circuit through the heating element is broken at the location of fusible region 8. By activating (i.e., melting) selected fusible regions 8, areas of the heater assembly 6 can be deactivated or electrically isolated from the heating process.

[0114] refer to Figure 4 , which illustrates a method for selectively activating the heater assembly 6 prior to heating the heater assembly 6. Figure 1The fusible region 8 of the aerosol-generating article 2 ( Figure 4 2 (not shown). The device 20 includes a housing 22 enclosing a mount 24 for holding an aerosol-generating article 2 and a directional light source 26. The mount 24 is arranged to receive the aerosol-generating article 2 in a configuration in which the heater assembly 6 faces the directional light source 26. The mount 24 is sized and shaped to receive the aerosol-generating article with a tight fit, so that the aerosol-generating article is securely held and does not move relative to the mount 24. The aerosol-generating article 2 is shaped so that it is longer in one dimension than in another dimension so that it can only be received within the mount 24 in the correct orientation. Thus, the device 20 is able to determine the position of the aerosol-generating article 2 and the heater assembly 6 relative to the mount 24.

[0115] Directional light source 26 comprises a laser diode or a light-emitting diode capable of emitting highly directional light at the desired wavelength to induce surface plasmon resonance in the fusible region. Directional light source 26 is mounted on an actuator (not shown) so that it can be moved relative to mount 24. The actuator is controlled by control circuitry (not shown). Light beam 28 emitted by the directional light source can be scanned across the surface of heater assembly 6 and directed toward various fusible regions. This activates the fusible regions, causing them to exhibit surface plasmon resonance. Thus, directional light source 26 acts as an activation device for activating the fusible regions. The heat generated by the surface plasmon resonance melts the fusible regions at their locations and breaks the electrical circuit. By activating the fusible regions, selected areas of heater assembly 6 can be deactivated.

[0116] Thus, the device 20 can be used prior to heating to selectively adjust the area of ​​the heater assembly 6 that will be available for heating during a subsequent heating operation. Once the device 20 has adjusted the area of ​​the heater assembly 6, the aerosol-generating article 2 can be removed from the device 20 and inserted into an aerosol-generating device. Upon heating, the aerosol-generating article 2 generates an amount of aerosol proportional to the undeactivated area of ​​the heater assembly 6.

[0117] Figure 5 A handheld electrically operated aerosol generating device 40 is shown in which a light source for selectively adjusting the area of ​​a heater assembly of an aerosol generating article is contained within the device. The device comprises a housing 42 containing a power source 44, control circuitry 46 and a housing for receiving a light source. Figure 1 The space 48 of the aerosol generating article 2. Figure 5 , the aerosol-generating article 2 is received within the device and the electrical contact pads 10 of the aerosol-generating article 2 engage corresponding contact pins 50 of the aerosol-generating device 40. The contact pins 50 are connected to the control circuitry 46, which controls the supply of power to the heater assembly of the aerosol-generating article 2.

[0118] The light source 52 is positioned so that it faces the heater assembly of the aerosol-generating article 2 to direct light toward the heater assembly. The light source 52 is a light-emitting diode and is spaced apart from the heater assembly so that when the heater assembly is illuminated, it exposes the entire area of ​​the heater assembly. The mask 54 is attached to the aerosol-generating article 2 so that it covers the heater assembly and is positioned between the light source 52 and the aerosol-generating article 2.

[0119] Mask 54 is made of an opaque material, such as metal foil, and has a low-tack, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on one surface. The adhesive serves to temporarily adhere it to aerosol-generating article 2 but allows the mask to be removed without leaving residue. Mask 54 has holes 56 corresponding to the locations of the fusible regions on the heater assembly to be activated. The opaque material of mask 54 protects the fusible regions from being activated by light emitted by light source 52, while holes 56 allow light to pass through mask 54 to activate them. Thus, mask 54 can be used to selectively adjust areas of the heater assembly prior to heating.

[0120] The light source 52 is controlled by a switch 58 connected to the control circuitry 46. The switch 58 is operable by a user to illuminate the light source and expose the heater assembly to light through the mask 54. Another switch 60 is provided for activating the heater assembly.

[0121] The aerosol-generating device 40 further includes an air inlet 62 arranged in the housing upstream of the space 48 for receiving the aerosol-generating article 2, and an air outlet 64 arranged in the mouthpiece 66 downstream of the space 48 for receiving the aerosol-generating article 2. The aerosol-generating device 40 provides an air flow path between the air inlet 62 and the air outlet 64, which flows through the heater assembly of the aerosol-generating article 2 when the aerosol-generating article is received in the aerosol-generating device 40.

[0122] In use, a user places the aerosol-generating article 2, with the mask 54 covering its heater assembly, within the aerosol-generating device 40 and operates the switch 58. This causes the light source 52 to illuminate and expose the mask 54 to light. Areas of the heater assembly of the aerosol-generating article 2 corresponding to the pattern of holes in the mask 54 are deactivated. The mask 54 is then removed from the aerosol-generating article 2, and when the user is ready to take a puff from the aerosol-generating device 40, they place the mouthpiece 66 to their lips and press the switch 60. This activates the heater assembly of the aerosol-generating article 2, which heats a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponding to the undeactivated portion of the heater assembly, thereby generating a predetermined amount of aerosol. The user then draws the aerosol into their mouth via the air outlet 64.

[0123] Figure 6Schematic diagram of a portion of an aerosol generating system according to another embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol generating system includes a heater assembly 106 comprising a two-dimensional array or grid of heating elements. The two-dimensional array of heating elements comprises a plurality of first heating elements 106a extending in a first direction and a plurality of second heating elements 106b extending in a second direction, the second direction being substantially orthogonal to the first direction such that the plurality of first heating elements 106a intersects the plurality of second heating elements 106b. The first heating elements 106a and the second heating elements 106b are electrically connected at their intersection. Figure 6 In FIG, only two of the first heating elements 106a and two of the second heating elements 106b are shown.

[0124] The first and second heating elements 106a, 106b are coated with an aerosol-forming substrate which has been removed from the image for clarity. Figure 6 Omitted. Any suitable aerosol-forming substrate may be used. For example, the heating elements 106a, 106b may be coated with a solid aerosol-forming substrate comprising tobacco particles or granules. Alternatively, the heating elements 106a, 106b may be coated with a gel-type aerosol-forming substrate comprising one or more additives (such as nicotine, flavorings, and aerosol formers).

[0125] Each of the first heating elements 106a in the first direction and each of the second heating elements 106b in the second direction are connected to separate transistors Ta, Tb, T1 and T2, respectively. Figure 6 In the embodiment of the present invention, bipolar transistors are used, and the following description uses the terminology of bipolar transistors. However, it should be understood that other types of transistors, such as field effect transistors, can be used.

[0126] The first heating element 106a is connected to the emitter of its respective transistor Ta, Tb. The collectors of transistors Ta and Tb are connected to the positive terminal of power supply 102. The second heating element 106b is connected to the collector of its respective transistor T1, T2. The emitters of transistors T1 and T2 are connected to the negative terminal of power supply 102, or ground. The bases of all transistors Ta, Tb, T1, and T2 are connected to control circuitry 104, which may include one or more microcontrollers.

[0127] The control circuitry 104 controls the supply of current to the bases of transistors Ta, Tb, T1, and T2. When current is allowed to flow to the bases of transistors Ta, Tb, T1, and T2, the transistors are turned on. Thus, transistors Ta, Tb, T1, and T2 act as electronic switches that control the flow of current through their respective heating elements 106a, 106b. The control circuitry 104 controls the supply of current from the power supply to the heater assembly by individually controlling the activation of each of transistors Ta, Tb, T1, and T2, so that a region of the heater assembly 106 can be selectively activated during heating to heat a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate (not shown) corresponding to the activated portion of the heater assembly. For example, in Figure 6 In FIG. 1 , if control circuitry 104 activates transistors Ta and T1, this causes current to flow from the positive terminal of power supply 102 through the collector of transistor Ta to the emitter of transistor T1 and back to the negative terminal or ground of power supply 102, and causes area A of heater assembly 106 (denoted by Figure 6 (indicated by the dashed line in FIG. ) is heated. Thus, this arrangement allows control over the amount of aerosol generated. Each time a user takes a puff, a new portion of heater assembly 106 is activated. This arrangement also allows for sequential activation of multiple regions of the heater assembly to generate a desired amount of aerosol, for example by activating transistor Ta and transistor T1, then activating transistor Ta and T2, and so on.

[0128] Figure 7A for Figure 6 Schematic diagram of a complete heater assembly 106 of an aerosol generating system. The heater assembly 106 comprises a two-dimensional array of heating elements, comprising a plurality of first heating elements 106a extending in a first direction and a plurality of second heating elements 106b extending in a second direction, the second direction being substantially orthogonal to the first direction. Each heating element 106a, 106b is connected to its own transistor ( Figure 7A . . Tn etc.). The transistors Ta, Tb, Tc, T1, T2, T3 . . . Tn etc. control the flow of current through their respective heating elements 106a, 106b.

[0129] The heating elements 106a, 106b are coated with an aerosol-forming substrate which has been removed from the drawing for clarity. Figure 7A Omitted. Any suitable aerosol-forming substrate may be used, and the Figure 6 Examples are provided in the description of .

[0130] The aerosol-forming substrate is divided into cells A1, A2, which define the amount of aerosol-forming substrate that can be individually heated by a pair of transistors. The amount of aerosol-forming substrate within each cell is configured so that the amount of aerosol generated by each cell is known. The amount of aerosol generated by a single cell is less than, and preferably a fraction of, the amount of aerosol required for a single puff or draw. Thus, the aerosol-generating system heats a determined number of cells sequentially or simultaneously to meet the aerosol amount selected for a user's puff or draw.

[0131] For example, if Figure 7A To heat cells of an aerosol-forming substrate sequentially in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol-generating system may first activate transistors Ta and T1 to create a first circuit for heating cell A1. It may then activate transistors Ta and T2 to create a second circuit for heating cell A2. In practice, it may heat all cells of the aerosol-forming substrate along the first heating element 106a connected to transistor Ta by activating transistor Ta and sequentially activating transistors T1 to Tn. This process may then be repeated for all cells of the aerosol-forming substrate along the first heating element 106a connected to transistor Tb by activating transistor Tb and sequentially activating transistors T1 to Tn, and so on.

[0132] Figure 7B yes Figure 7A , which shows in more detail the cells A1, A2 of the aerosol-forming substrate that can be individually heated by a pair of transistors. Cell A1 of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponds to the activation of transistors Ta and T1, and cell A2 of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponds to the activation of transistors Ta and T2.

[0133] As from Figure 7B It can be seen that during the continuous heating of cells forming an aerosol-forming substrate, some areas of the heater assembly 106 that were already activated are reactivated when adjacent areas are activated. For example, area A1', which is part of cell A1, is activated when transistors Ta and T1 are activated, and is reactivated when transistors Ta and T2 are activated. However, area A1' has already been depleted of aerosol-forming substrate during the activation of transistors Ta and T1. Therefore, the active area of ​​cell A2 is the area of ​​cell A2 minus area A1'. Therefore, the active area of ​​cell A2 is similar to the area of ​​cell A1. The two-dimensional array of heating elements 106a, 106b thus results in the aerosol-forming substrate being divided into cells of roughly equal size. This makes it simpler to increase the amount of aerosol generated. For example, if the situation requires twice the amount of aerosol generated by one cell, the aerosol generating system can simply heat two cells.

[0134] Figure 8An aerosol-generating system is shown comprising an aerosol-generating article 200 and an aerosol-generating device 300 for use with the aerosol-generating article 200. For clarity, the aerosol-generating article is drawn to a larger scale than the aerosol-generating device.

[0135] The aerosol-generating article 200 comprises an aerosol-forming substrate 204 and a heater assembly 206, both held within a support 208. The heater assembly 206 comprises a two-dimensional array of heating elements 206a, 206b and is arranged in a manner similar to that of FIG. Figure 6 and Figure 7A The aerosol-generating article 200 is configured in the same manner as the heater assembly of the aerosol-generating device 300. That is, each heating element 206a, 206b is connected to a transistor (not shown) that controls the flow of current through its respective heating element 206a, 206b. The aerosol-generating article 200 also includes a plurality of electrical contacts 210 arranged around its periphery for connecting to the transistors and heating elements 206a, 206b. The electrical contacts 210 are arranged to connect to corresponding electrical contacts 310 within the aerosol-generating device 300.

[0136] exist Figure 8 In one embodiment, the transistor (not shown) is located on or within the support 208 of the aerosol-generating article 200 between the electrical contacts 210 and the heating elements 206a, 206b. However, in other embodiments, the transistor may be part of the aerosol-generating device 300, for example, the transistor may be located between the control circuitry 306 and the electrical contacts 310.

[0137] The aerosol generating device 300 comprises a housing 302 containing a power source 304, control circuitry 306 and a recess 308 for receiving the aerosol generating article 200. As described above, the aerosol generating device 300 comprises electrical contacts 310 for connecting to corresponding electrical contacts 210 of the aerosol generating article 200. The electrical contacts 310 are arranged around the periphery of the recess 308 and are each connected to the control circuitry 306. For clarity, Figure 8 Connections between control circuitry 306 and electrical contacts 310 are shown for only four of the electrical contacts 310 .

[0138] The control circuitry 306 controls the supply of power to the heater assembly 206 of the aerosol-generating article 200. The control circuitry 306 includes a wireless communication module (not shown) and a memory (not shown). The wireless communication module allows information about the user and the type of aerosol-generating article 200 to be transmitted to the aerosol-generating device 300. This information would include, for example, the amount of aerosol or aerosol components generated for a particular user and the type of aerosol-forming substrate being heated. This information is then stored in the memory, and based on this information, the control circuitry 306 can determine which region of the heater assembly 206 of the aerosol-generating article 200 to activate. The aerosol-generating device also includes a switch 316 that is connected to the control circuitry and is operated by the user to activate the heater assembly 206 of the aerosol-generating article 200 when the aerosol-generating article 200 is received within the aerosol-generating device 300.

[0139] The aerosol-generating device 300 further includes an air inlet (not shown) arranged in the housing 302 upstream of the recess 308 for receiving the aerosol-generating article 200, and an air outlet 312 arranged in the mouthpiece 314 downstream of the recess 308 for receiving the aerosol-generating article 200. The aerosol-generating device 300 provides an air flow path between the air inlet and the air outlet 312, which flows through the heater assembly 206 of the aerosol-generating article 200 when the aerosol-generating article 200 is received in the aerosol-generating device 300.

[0140] In use, a user places the aerosol-generating article 200 in the aerosol-generating device 300, and when the user is ready to take a puff from the aerosol-generating device 300, they place the mouthpiece 314 to their lips and press the switch 316. This activates a selected area of ​​the heater assembly 206 of the aerosol-generating article 200 to heat a portion or number of cells of the aerosol-forming substrate 204 corresponding to the desired amount of aerosol to be generated. The user then draws the aerosol into their mouth via the air outlet 312.

[0141] Figure 9 An aerosol-generating system is shown comprising an aerosol-generating article 400 and an aerosol-generating device 500 for use with the aerosol-generating article 400. For clarity, the aerosol-generating article is drawn to a larger scale than the aerosol-generating device. Figure 9 Aerosol generating system and Figure 8 The aerosol generating system of differs in that the heater assembly 507 is not located in the aerosol-generating article 400, but rather in the aerosol-generating device 500. However, Figure 9 The aerosol generating system is used with Figure 8 The same operating principle as the aerosol generating system.

[0142] The aerosol-generating article 400 comprises an aerosol-forming substrate 404 that is shaped like a tablet and is configured to be received within a correspondingly shaped recess 508 in the aerosol-generating device 500. Any suitable aerosol-forming substrate 204 may be used. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate 404 may be a solid tablet comprising cast tobacco leaves, or the aerosol-forming substrate 404 may comprise a polymer or metal foam impregnated with a liquid or gel, or a combination of both, containing one or more additives, such as an aerosol-former, nicotine, and flavorings.

[0143] The aerosol-generating device 500 comprises a housing 502 containing a power source 504, control circuitry 506 and a recess 508 for receiving the aerosol-generating article 400. As described above, the recess 508 is shaped to receive the aerosol-generating article 400.

[0144] The heater assembly 507 is arranged in the bottom of the recess 508. The heater assembly 507 comprises an array of two-dimensional heating elements 507a, 507b and is arranged in a manner similar to Figure 6 、 Figure 7A and Figure 9 The heater assembly is configured in the same manner as the heater assembly. That is, each heating element 507a, 507b is connected to a transistor (not shown) that controls the flow of current through its corresponding heating element 507a, 507b. The transistors for the heating elements 507a, 507b are each connected to the control circuitry 506. For clarity, Figure 9 The transistors are omitted and only the connections are shown between the heating elements 507a, 507b and the control circuitry 506. Again, for clarity only four of the connections are shown.

[0145] The control circuitry 506 controls the supply of power to the heater assembly 507. The control circuitry 506 includes a wireless communication module (not shown) and a memory (not shown). The wireless communication module allows information about the user and the type of aerosol-generating article 400 to be transmitted to the aerosol-generating device 500. This information would include, for example, the amount of aerosol or aerosol components generated for a particular user and the type of aerosol-forming substrate being heated. This information is then stored in the memory, and based on this information, the control circuitry 506 can determine which area of ​​the heater assembly 507 to activate. The aerosol-generating device also includes a switch 516 that is connected to the control circuitry and is operated by the user to activate the heater assembly 507 when the aerosol-generating article 400 is received within the aerosol-generating device 500.

[0146] The aerosol-generating device 500 further includes an air inlet (not shown) arranged in the housing 502 upstream of the recess 508 for receiving the aerosol-generating article 400, and an air outlet 512 arranged in the mouthpiece 514 downstream of the recess 508 for receiving the aerosol-generating article 400. The aerosol-generating device 500 provides an airflow path between the air inlet and the air outlet 512, which flows through the aerosol-generating article 400 when the aerosol-generating article 400 is received in the aerosol-generating device 500.

[0147] In use, a user places the aerosol-generating article 400 in the aerosol-generating device 500, and when the user is ready to take a puff from the aerosol-generating device 500, they place the mouthpiece 514 to their lips and press the switch 316. This activates a selected area of ​​the heater assembly 507 to heat a portion or number of cells of the aerosol-forming substrate 404 of the aerosol-generating article 400 corresponding to the desired amount of aerosol to be generated. The user then draws the aerosol into their mouth via the air outlet 512.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating system, comprising: aerosol-forming substrate; as well as a heater assembly arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate, the heater assembly comprising an array of heating elements; The system further comprises: power supply, an electronic switch for each of the heating elements, each electronic switch connected to its respective heating element and the power supply to control the flow of current through its respective heating element; and Control circuit system; wherein the control circuitry is configured to control the supply of electrical current from the power supply to the heater assembly by individually controlling activation of each of the electronic switches so that a region of the heater assembly can be selectively activated during heating to heat a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponding to an activated portion of the heater assembly; wherein the array of heating elements comprises a two-dimensional array of heating elements having a plurality of first heating elements extending in a first direction and a plurality of second heating elements extending in a second direction, wherein the second direction is transverse to the first direction such that the plurality of second heating elements intersect the plurality of first heating elements, and wherein the first heating elements and the second heating elements are electrically connected at their intersection points; and Wherein zones of the heater assembly are selectively activated by activating one of the electronic switches connected to a first heating element in combination with one of the electronic switches connected to a second heating element.

2. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1 , wherein the aerosol-forming substrate, the heater assembly and the electronic switch form part of an aerosol-generating article; wherein the power supply and the control circuitry form part of an aerosol-generating device configured to receive the aerosol-generating article; and wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises an electrical contact for each of the electronic switches, each electrical contact being arranged to be electrically connected to its respective electronic switch when the aerosol-generating article is received in the aerosol-generating device.

3. An aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate forms at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article, and wherein the heater assembly, the electronic switch, the power supply and the control circuit system form part of an aerosol-generating device configured to receive the aerosol-generating article.

4. An aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each electronic switch comprises a transistor.

5. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate extends through the heater assembly and is divided into cells, each cell corresponding to an activatable area of ​​the heater assembly.

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