Sensors

Abstract

A sensor (160) for use in an aerosol delivery device. The sensor (160) includes a conductive element (160). The element (160) includes a conductive, non-helical first portion (162) conforming to a first plane (P1), a conductive, non-helical second portion (164) conforming to a second plane (P2) spaced apart from the first plane (P1), and a conductive connector (163) electrically connecting the first portion (162) to the second portion (164).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an inductor for use in an aerosol delivery device, a magnetic field generator for use in an aerosol delivery device, and an aerosol delivery device itself. For example, the aerosol delivery device may be a tobacco heating product. Background Technology

[0002] Smoking products such as cigarettes, cigars, and the like burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these products by producing products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are so-called "heat-not-burn" products or tobacco heating devices or products that release compounds by heating a non-combustible material. This material can be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products that may or may not contain nicotine. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A first aspect of the invention provides a sensor for use in an aerosol delivery device, the sensor comprising: a conductive element; wherein the element comprises a conductive, non-helical first portion coherent with a first plane, a conductive, non-helical second portion coherent with a second plane spaced apart from the first plane, and a conductive connector electrically connecting the first portion to the second portion.

[0004] In an exemplary embodiment, the second plane is parallel to the first plane.

[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, the first part is a first annulus and the second part is a second annulus.

[0006] A second aspect of the invention provides a sensor for use in an aerosol delivery device, the sensor comprising: a conductive element; wherein the element includes a conductive first partial annulus conforming to a first plane, a conductive second partial annulus conforming to a second plane spaced apart from the first plane, and a conductive connector electrically connecting the first partial annulus to the second partial annulus.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the second plane is parallel to the first plane.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the first portion or the first part of the annular structure is a first arc and the second portion or the second part of the annular structure is a second arc.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the first plane, the first and second portions or partial annular elements extend from the conductive connector in opposite senses of rotation.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the first plane, the first portion or the first part of the annulus overlaps only partially with the second portion or the second part of the annulus.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the first plane, the first portion or the first portion annular element at least partially overlaps with the conductive connector.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second planes are flat planes.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the distance between the first and second planes, measured in a direction orthogonal to the first and second planes, is less than 2 millimeters. In an exemplary embodiment, the distance between the first and second planes is less than 1 millimeter.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second portions or portions of the annulus together define at least 0.9 turns around an axis orthogonal to the first and second planes.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the element further includes a conductive non-spiral portion or a conductive annular portion conforming to a correspondingly spaced plane.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the spaced-apart planes are parallel to the first plane.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the total number of turns around the axis, defined by all conductive non-helical portions or partial annular elements of the element, is between 1 and 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the total number of turns is between 1 and 8. In an exemplary embodiment, the total number of turns is between 1 and 4.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the distance between each adjacent pair of a portion or partial ring of the element is equal to the distance between each other adjacent pair of a portion or partial ring of the element, or differs from the distance between each other adjacent pair of a portion or partial ring of the element by less than 10%.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the first and second portions or partial annulus has a thickness between 10 micrometers and 200 micrometers, measured in a direction orthogonal to the first plane. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness is between 25 micrometers and 175 micrometers. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness is between 100 micrometers and 150 micrometers.

[0020] A third aspect of the invention provides a sensor for use in an aerosol delivery device, the sensor comprising a coil having a pitch of less than 2 millimeters.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the pitch is less than 1 millimeter.

[0022] A fourth aspect of the invention provides a sensor arrangement for use in an aerosol delivery device, the sensor arrangement comprising: an electrically insulating support having opposing first and second sides; and a sensor according to a first or second aspect of the invention, wherein a first portion or a first-part annular element is on a first side of the support, and a second portion or a second-part annular element is on a second side of the support.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor arrangement has a through-hole that is radially inward of the first and second portions or partial annulus and coaxial with the first and second portions or partial annulus.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive connector of the sensor extends through the support.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the support has a thickness between 0.2 mm and 2 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the support has a thickness between 0.5 mm and 1 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the support has a thickness between 0.75 mm and 0.95 mm.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor arrangement includes a printed circuit board, wherein the support is a non-conductive substrate of the printed circuit board, and the first and second portions or partial annular elements are tracks on the substrate.

[0027] A fifth aspect of the invention provides a sensor assembly for use in an aerosol delivery device, the sensor assembly comprising a plurality of sensors according to any one of the first, second, and third aspects of the invention, or comprising a plurality of sensor arrangements according to a fourth aspect of the invention.

[0028] A sixth aspect of the invention provides a magnetic field generator for use in an aerosol supply device, the magnetic field generator comprising one or more sensors according to any one of the first, second, and third aspects of the invention, or one or more sensor arrangements according to the fourth aspect of the invention, or sensor assemblies according to the fifth aspect of the invention.

[0029] A seventh aspect of the invention provides a magnetic field generator for use in an aerosol delivery device, the magnetic field generator comprising one or more sensors and means operable to pass a varying current through the one or more sensors, wherein the one or more sensors and means are configured to induce the generation of a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density of at least 0.01 Tesla. In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic flux density is at least 0.1 Tesla.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, each sensor is provided according to any one of the first, second, and third aspects of the invention, or the magnetic field generator includes one or more sensor arrangements according to the fourth aspect of the invention, and the one or more sensors of the magnetic field generator are corresponding one or more sensor arrangements.

[0031] An eighth aspect of the invention provides an aerosol supply apparatus comprising: a heating zone for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising an aerosolizable material; and a magnetic field generator according to a sixth or seventh aspect of the invention, wherein the magnetic field generator is configured to operate to generate a varying magnetic field for use in at least a portion of the aerosolizable material of the heated article when the article is in the heating zone.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic field generator or each of its sensors at least partially surrounds the heating region.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosol providing device includes a susceptor that is heatable by being penetrated by a varying magnetic field, thereby causing heating of the heating area.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic field generator is configured to operate independently of each other to generate a plurality of correspondingly varying magnetic fields for use in corresponding portions of an atomizable material of an article that is heated independently of each other.

[0035] A ninth aspect of the present invention provides an aerosol supply system comprising an aerosol supply device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention and an article comprising an aerosolizable material, wherein the article comprising the aerosolizable material is at least partially insertable into a heating zone. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0037] Figure 1 A schematic side view of an example of an aerosol delivery system is shown;

[0038] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for heating atomizable materials;

[0039] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating another example of a method for heating atomizable materials;

[0040] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional side view of the sensor arrangement of the aerosol-providing device for the system; and

[0041] Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 A schematic perspective view of the sensors in the sensor arrangement. Detailed Implementation

[0042] As used herein, the term "aerosolizable material" includes materials that provide volatile components when heated, typically in the form of vapor or aerosol. "Aerosolizable material" can be a material that does not contain tobacco or a material that does contain tobacco. "Aerosolizable material" can include, for example, one or more of tobacco itself, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco extracts, homogenized tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. Aerosolizable material can be ground tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, reconstituted aerosolizable material, liquid, gel, solid, amorphous solid, gelled sheet, powder, beads, granules, or agglomerates, or the like. "Aerosolizable material" may also include other non-tobacco products, which, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine. "Aerosolizable material" may include one or more humectants, such as glycerin or propylene glycol.

[0043] In some examples, the atomizable material is in the form of an “amorphous solid.” Any material referred to herein as an “amorphous solid” may alternatively be referred to as a “monolithic solid” (i.e., non-fibrous) or a “dry gel.” In some cases, it may be referred to as a “thick film.” In some examples, the amorphous solid may consist essentially of a gelling agent, an aerosol generating agent, tobacco material and / or a nicotine source, water, and optional flavoring, or it may consist of a gelling agent, an aerosol generating agent, tobacco material and / or a nicotine source, water, and optional flavoring. In some examples, the gel or amorphous solid takes the form of a foam, such as open-celled foam.

[0044] The heating element is a heatable material that is penetrated by a changing magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The heating material can be conductive, so that penetration of the changing magnetic field induces induction heating. Alternatively, the heating material can be magnetic, so that penetration of the changing magnetic field induces hysteresis heating. The heating material can be both conductive and magnetic, allowing it to be heated by both heating mechanisms.

[0045] Induction heating is the process of heating a conductive object by penetrating it with a changing magnetic field. This process is described by Faraday's law of induction and Ohm's law. An induction heater may include an electromagnet and a device for passing a changing current, such as alternating current, through the electromagnet. When the electromagnet and the object to be heated are properly positioned relative to each other such that the changing magnetic field generated by the electromagnet penetrates the object, one or more eddy currents are generated inside the object. The object has resistance to the flow of current. Therefore, when such eddy currents are generated in the object, their flow against the object's resistance heats the object. This process is known as Joule, Ohm, or resistance heating.

[0046] In one example, the receiver is a closed-circuit type. It has been found that when the receiver is a closed-circuit type, the magnetic coupling between the receiver and the electromagnet is enhanced in use, which results in larger or improved Joule heating.

[0047] Hysteresis heating is the process of heating an object made of magnetic material by penetrating it with a changing magnetic field. Magnetic materials can be considered to consist of many atomic-scale magnets or magnetic dipoles. When a magnetic field penetrates such a material, the magnetic dipoles align with the field. Therefore, when a changing magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field generated by, for example, an electromagnet, penetrates the magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles changes with the changing applied magnetic field. This reorientation of the magnetic dipoles causes heat to be generated in the magnetic material.

[0048] When an object is both conductive and magnetic, penetrating it with a changing magnetic field can induce Joule heating and hysteresis heating within the object. Furthermore, the use of magnetic materials can strengthen the magnetic field, which can enhance Joule heating.

[0049] In each of the above processes, because heat is generated within the object itself, rather than from an external heat source via heat conduction, rapid temperature rise and more uniform heat distribution within the object can be achieved, particularly by selecting appropriate object materials and geometries, as well as suitable varying magnetic field amplitudes and orientations relative to the object. Furthermore, since induction heating and hysteresis heating do not require a physical connection between the source of the varying magnetic field and the object, greater design freedom and control over the heating profile are possible, and costs can be lower.

[0050] refer to Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional side view of an example aerosol delivery system is shown. System 1 includes an aerosol delivery device 100 and an article 10 comprising an aerosolizable material 11. The aerosolizable material 11 can be, for example, any type of aerosolizable material discussed herein. In this example, the aerosol delivery device 100 is a tobacco heating product (also referred to in the art as a tobacco heating device or a heated non-combustible device).

[0051] In some examples, the aerosol material 11 is a non-liquid material. In some examples, the aerosol material 11 is a gel. In some examples, the aerosol material 11 includes tobacco. However, in other examples, the aerosol material 11 may consist of tobacco, may consist substantially entirely of tobacco, may include tobacco and aerosol materials other than tobacco, may include aerosol materials other than tobacco, or may not contain tobacco. In some examples, the aerosol material 11 may include a vapor or aerosol forming agent or humectant, such as glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetyl, or diethylene glycol. In some examples, the aerosol material 11 includes reconstituted aerosol materials, such as reconstituted tobacco.

[0052] In some examples, the atomizable material 11 is substantially cylindrical with a substantially circular cross-section and a longitudinal axis. In other examples, the atomizable material 11 may have a different cross-sectional shape and / or may not be elongated.

[0053] The atomizing material 11 of the article 10 may, for example, have an axial length between 8 mm and 120 mm. For example, the axial length of the atomizing material 11 may be greater than 9 mm, or 10 mm, or 15 mm, or 20 mm. For example, the axial length of the atomizing material 11 may be less than 100 mm, or 75 mm, or 50 mm, or 40 mm.

[0054] In some such Figure 1 In the example shown, article 10 includes a filter arrangement 12 for filtering aerosols or vapors released from the aerosolizable material 11 in use. Alternatively or supplementally, the filter arrangement 12 may be used to control the pressure drop of article 10 along its length. The filter arrangement 12 may include one or more filters. The filter arrangement 12 can be of any type used in the tobacco industry. For example, the filter may be made of cellulose acetate. In some examples, the filter arrangement 12 is substantially cylindrical with a substantially circular cross-section and longitudinal axis. In other examples, the filter arrangement 12 may have a different cross-sectional shape and / or may not be elongated.

[0055] In some examples, the filter arrangement 12 is adjacent to the longitudinal end of the atomizable material 11. In other examples, the filter arrangement 12 may be spaced from the atomizable material 11, such as by a spacer gap and / or one or more other components of the article 10. In some examples, the filter arrangement 12 may include a source of additives or flavorings (such as capsules or threads containing additives or flavorings), which may be held by or between two bodies of the filter material, for example.

[0056] Article 10 may also include a wrapper (not shown) wrapped around the atomizable material 11 and filter arrangement 12 to hold the filter arrangement 12 relative to the atomizable material 11. The wrapper may be wrapped around the atomizable material 11 and filter arrangement 12 such that the free ends of the wrapper overlap each other. The wrapper may form part or all of the circumferential outer surface of article 10. The wrapper may be made of any suitable material, such as paper, card, or reconstituted atomizable material (e.g., reconstituted tobacco). Paper may be a tipping page known in the art. The wrapper may also include an adhesive (not shown) that bonds the overlapping free ends of the wrapper together to help prevent separation of the overlapping free ends. In other examples, the adhesive may be omitted or the wrapper may take a different form than described. In other examples, the filter arrangement 12 may be held relative to the atomizable material 11 by a connector such as an adhesive other than the wrapper. In some examples, the filter arrangement 12 may be omitted.

[0057] The aerosol delivery device 100 includes a heated zone 110 for receiving at least a portion of an article 10, an outlet 120 through which aerosols can be delivered to a user from the heated zone 110 during use, and a heating device 130 for inducing heating of the article 10 to generate an aerosol when the article 10 is at least partially located within the heated zone 110. In some examples, such as Figure 1 In the example shown, the aerosol can be delivered to the user from the heated zone 110 through the article 10 itself rather than through any gap adjacent to the article 10. However, in such an example, the aerosol still passes through the outlet 120, even while traveling within the article 10.

[0058] The device 100 may define at least one air inlet (not shown) that fluidly connects the heated zone 110 to the outside of the device 100. A user may be able to inhale one or more volatile components by drawing (one or more) of the volatile components of the atomizable material from the heated zone 110 via the article 10. Air may be drawn into the heated zone 110 via the one or more air inlets of the device 100 as the volatile components are removed from the heated zone 110 and the article 10.

[0059] In this embodiment, the heating region 110 extends along axis AA and is sized and shaped to accommodate only a portion of the article 10, where axis AA is the central axis of the heating region 110. Furthermore, in this example, the heating region 110 is elongated, and therefore axis AA is the longitudinal axis of the heating region 110. The article 10 is at least partially insertable into the heating region 110 via outlet 120 and, in use, protrudes from the heating region 110 and passes through outlet 120. In other examples, the heating region 110 may be elongated or non-elongated and is sized to receive the entire article 10. In some such examples, the device 100 may include a mouthpiece that can be arranged to cover outlet 120 and through which aerosol can be drawn from the heating region 110 and the article 10.

[0060] In this embodiment, when the article 10 is at least partially located within the heating region 110, different portions 11a-11e of the atomizable material 11 are located at different corresponding positions 110a-110e within the heating region 110. In this example, these positions 110a-110e are located at different corresponding axial positions along the axis AA of the heating region 110. Furthermore, in this example, since the heating region 110 is elongated, positions 110a-110e can be considered to be located at different longitudinally spaced positions along the length of the heating region 110. In this example, the article 10 can be considered to include five such portions 11a-11e of the atomizable material 11, located at a first position 110a, a second position 110b, a third position 110c, a fourth position 110d, and a fifth position 110e, respectively. More specifically, the second position 110b is fluidly located between the first position 110a and the outlet 120, the third position 110c is fluidly located between the second position 110b and the outlet 120, the fourth position 110d is fluidly located between the third position 110c and the outlet 120, and the fifth position is fluidly located between the fourth position 110d and the outlet 120.

[0061] The heating device 130 includes a plurality of heating units 140a-140e, each of which, when at least partially located within the heating region 110, is capable of heating a corresponding one of the portions 11a-11e of the atomizable material 11 to a temperature sufficient to atomize its components. The plurality of heating units 140a-140e may be axially aligned with each other along axis AA. Each of the portions 11a-11e of the atomizable material 11 that can be heated in this manner may, for example, have a length in the direction of axis AA between 1 mm and 20 mm, such as between 2 mm and 10 mm, between 3 mm and 8 mm, or between 4 mm and 6 mm.

[0062] The heating device 130 in this example includes five heating units 140a-140e, namely: a first heating unit 140a, a second heating unit 140b, a third heating unit 140c, a fourth heating unit 140d, and a fifth heating unit 140e. The heating units 140a-140e are located at different corresponding axial positions along the axis AA of the heating region 110. Furthermore, in this example, since the heating region 110 is elongated, the heating units 140a-140e can be considered to be located at different longitudinally spaced positions along the length of the heating region 110. More specifically, the second heating unit 140b is located between the first heating unit 140a and the outlet 120, the third heating unit 140c is located between the second heating unit 140b and the outlet 120, the fourth heating unit 140d is located between the third heating unit 140c and the outlet 120, and the fifth heating unit 140e is located between the fourth heating unit 140d and the outlet 120. In other examples, the heating device 130 may include more than five heating units 140a-140e or fewer than five heating units, such as only four, only three, only two, or only one heating unit. The number of portions of the atomizable material 11 that can be heated by the respective heating units may vary accordingly.

[0063] The heating device 130 also includes a controller 135 configured to cause operation of the heating units 140a-140e to cause heating of corresponding portions 11a-11e of the aerosolizable material 11 in use. In this example, the controller 135 is configured to cause operation of the heating units 140a-140e independently of each other, such that corresponding portions 11a-11e of the aerosolizable material 11 can be heated independently. This may be desirable in order to provide gradual heating of the aerosolizable material 11 in use. Furthermore, in examples where portions 11a-11e of the aerosolizable material 11 have different corresponding forms or characteristics, such as different tobacco blends and / or different applied or inherent flavors, the ability to independently heat portions 11a-11e of the aerosolizable material 11 enables heating of selected portions 11a-11e of the aerosolizable material 11 at different times during the period of use to generate an aerosol with predetermined time-related characteristics. In some examples, however, the heating device 130 may also be operable in one or more modes in which the controller 135 is configured to cause operation of more than one of the heating units 140a-140e at the same time during the period of use, such as all of the heating units 140a-140e.

[0064] In this example, heating units 140a-140e include corresponding induction heating units configured to generate corresponding varying magnetic fields, such as alternating magnetic fields. Thus, heating device 130 can be considered to include a magnetic field generator, and controller 135 can be considered to be operable to pass varying current through the inductor 150 of the corresponding heating units 140a-140e. Furthermore, in this example, device 100 includes a receiver 190 configured to be heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, thereby causing heating of the heating area 110 in use and the article 10 therein. That is, a portion of the receiver 190 is heatable by penetration with a corresponding varying magnetic field, thereby causing heating of corresponding portions 11a-11e of the atomizable material 11 at corresponding positions 110a-110e in the heating area 110.

[0065] In some examples, the receiver 190 is made of or comprises aluminum. However, in other examples, the receiver 190 may comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: conductive materials, magnetic materials, and magnetically conductive materials. In some examples, the receiver 190 may comprise a metal or metal alloy. In some examples, the receiver 190 may comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, steel, plain carbon steel, mild steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, molybdenum, silicon carbide, copper, and bronze. In other examples, one or more other materials may be used.

[0066] In some examples, such as those where the support 190 comprises iron, such as steel (e.g., mild steel or stainless steel), or aluminum, the support 190 may include a coating to help prevent corrosion or oxidation of the support 190 during use. Such a coating may include, for example, nickel plating, gold plating, or ceramic or inert polymer coatings.

[0067] In this example, the support 190 is tubular and surrounds the heating region 110. In fact, in this example, the inner surface of the support 190 partially delimits the heating region 110. The internal cross-sectional shape of the support 190 can be circular or different shapes, such as elliptical, polygonal, or irregular. In other examples, the support 190 can take different forms, such as a non-tubular structure that still partially surrounds the heating region 110, or a protruding structure penetrating the heating region 110, such as a rod, pin, or blade. In some examples, the support 190 can be replaced by multiple supports, each of which is heatable by penetration with a corresponding magnetic field in a varying magnetic field, thereby causing heating of a corresponding portion of portions 11a-11e of the atomizable material 11. Each of the multiple supports can be tubular or take one of the other forms discussed herein with respect to the support 190. In another example, device 100 may be without the support 190, and article 10 may include one or more supports that are heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, thereby causing heating of corresponding portions 11a-11e of the atomizable material 11. Each of the one or more supports of article 10 may take any suitable form, such as a structure (e.g., a metal foil, such as aluminum foil) wrapping around or otherwise surrounding the atomizable material 11, a structure located within the atomizable material 11, or a group of particles or other elements mixed with the atomizable material 11. In examples where device 10 is without the support 190, the support 190 may be replaced by a heat-resistant tube that partially defines the heated region 110. Such a heat-resistant tube may be made, for example, of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or ceramic materials.

[0068] In this example, the heating device 130 includes a power source (not shown) and a user interface (not shown) for user operation of the device. The power source in this example is a rechargeable battery. In other examples, the power source may not be a rechargeable battery, such as a non-rechargeable battery, a capacitor, a battery-capacitor hybrid, or a connection to a mains power source.

[0069] In this example, controller 135 is electrically connected between the power source and heating units 140a-140e. In this example, controller 135 is also electrically connected to the power source. More specifically, in this example, controller 135 is used to control the supply of power from the power source to the heating units 140a-140e. In this example, controller 135 includes an integrated circuit (IC), such as an IC on a printed circuit board (PCB). In other examples, controller 135 may take different forms. In this example, controller 135 is operated by a user via a user interface. The user interface may include buttons, toggle switches, dial pads, touchscreens, or the like. In other examples, the user interface may be remote and wirelessly connected to the rest of the aerosol supply device 100, such as via Bluetooth.

[0070] In this example, user operation via the user interface causes controller 135 to pass alternating current through inductors 150 of at least one of the respective heating units 140a-140e. This causes inductors 150 to generate alternating magnetic fields. Inductors 150 and receivers 190 are appropriately positioned relative to each other such that the changing magnetic field generated by inductors 150 penetrates receivers 190. When receivers 190 are conductive, this penetration induces the generation of one or more eddy currents in receivers 190. The flow of eddy currents in receivers 190 relative to their resistance causes receivers 190 to be heated by Joule heating. When receivers 190 are magnetic, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles in receivers 190 changes with the applied magnetic field, which generates heat in receivers 190.

[0071] Device 100 may include a temperature sensor (not shown) for sensing the temperature of heating chamber 110, receiver 190, or article 10. The temperature sensor may be communicatively connected to controller 135, enabling controller 135 to monitor the temperature of heating chamber 110, receiver 190, or article 10 based on information output from the temperature sensor. In other examples, temperature may be sensed and monitored by measuring electrical characteristics of the system, such as changes in current within heating units 140a-140e. Based on one or more signals received from the temperature sensor, controller 135 may adjust the characteristics of varying or alternating current as needed to ensure that the temperature of heating chamber 110, receiver 190, or article 10 is maintained within a predetermined temperature range. This characteristic may be, for example, amplitude, frequency, or duty cycle. Within the predetermined temperature range, in use, the atomizable material 11 in article 10 located within heating chamber 110 is sufficiently heated to volatilize at least one component of the atomizable material 11 without causing combustion of the atomizable material 11. Therefore, the controller 135 and the device 100 are arranged as a whole to heat the atomizable material 11 to cause at least one component of the atomizable material 11 to volatilize without causing the atomizable material 11 to burn. The temperature range can be between about 50°C and about 350°C, such as between about 100°C and about 300°C, or between about 150°C and about 280°C. In other examples, the temperature range may not be one of these ranges. In some examples, the upper limit of the temperature range may be greater than 350°C. In some examples, the temperature sensor may be omitted.

[0072] The following will refer to Figure 2 and 3Further discussion is given regarding the form of each heating unit 140a-140e. However, it is noteworthy at this stage that the magnitude or extent of the changing magnetic field measured in the direction of axis AA is relatively small, resulting in a correspondingly small portion of the receiver 190 penetrated by the changing magnetic field during use. Therefore, it may be desirable for the receiver 190 to have a thermal conductivity sufficient to increase the proportion of the receiver 190 heated by thermal conduction due to the penetration of the changing magnetic field, thereby correspondingly increasing the proportion of atomizable material 11 heated by the operation of each of the heating units 140a-140e. It has been found desirable to provide a receiver 190 having a thermal conductivity of at least 10 W / m / K, optionally at least 50 W / m / K, and further optionally at least 100 W / m / K. In this example, the receiver 190 is made of aluminum and has a thermal conductivity exceeding 200 W / m / K, such as between 200 and 250 W / m / K, for example, approximately 205 W / m / K or 237 W / m / K. As described above, each of the portions 11a-11e of the atomizable material 11 may, for example, have a length in the axial AA direction between 1 mm and 20 mm, such as between 2 mm and 10 mm, between 3 mm and 8 mm, or between 4 mm and 6 mm.

[0073] In this example, the heating device 130 is configured to heat the first portion 11a of the aerosolized material 11 to a temperature sufficient to atomize its components before or faster than the second portion 11b of the aerosolized material 11 during the heating period. More specifically, the controller 135 is configured to cause operation of the first and second heating units 140a, 140b to heat the first portion 11a of the aerosolized material 11 before or faster than the second portion 11b of the aerosolized material 11 during the heating period. Thus, during the heating period, the location of the aerosolized material 11 of the article 10, to which heat is applied, is initially fluidly spaced relative to the outlet 120 and the user, and then moves toward the outlet 120. This provides the benefit that, during the heating period, an aerosol is generated from a continuous “fresh” portion of the aerosolized material 11, which can result in a sensory satisfaction experience for the user that may be more similar to the experience of inhaling a cigarette manufactured in a conventional combustible factory.

[0074] Furthermore, in some examples, the controller 135 is configured to cause a halt to the power supply to the first heating unit 140a during at least a portion (or all) of the period during which the controller 135 is configured to cause operation of the second heating unit 140b. This provides a further benefit: the aerosol generated in a given portion of the aerosolizable material 11 does not need to pass through another portion of the previously heated aerosolizable material 11, which could otherwise negatively affect the aerosol. For example, aerosol passing through previously heated or spent aerosolizable material can result in aerosol pickup components providing “off-notes” to the aerosol.

[0075] In some examples where the heating device 130 has more than two heating units, such as Figure 1 In the example shown, during the heating period, the heating device 130 can also be configured such that at least one additional portion 11b-11e of the atomizable material 11 is heated to a temperature sufficient to atomize components of the additional portions 11b-11e of the atomizable material 11 before or faster than those of the additional portions 11c-11e closer to the outlet 120 in the fluid of the atomizable material 11. That is, the controller 135 can be configured to cause appropriate operation of the heating unit to cause at least one additional portion 11b-11e of the atomizable material 11 to be heated before or faster than those of the additional portions 11c-11e of the atomizable material 11. For example, in Figure 1 In the device, the heating element 130 can be configured to cause:

[0076] - Before heating the third part 11c of the atomizable material 11, or faster thereafter, heat the second part 11b of the atomizable material 11 to a temperature sufficient to atomize the components of the second part 11b of the atomizable material 11.

[0077] - Before heating the fourth part 11d of the atomizable material 11, or faster thereafter, heat the third part 11c of the atomizable material 11 to a temperature sufficient to atomize the components of the third part 11c of the atomizable material 11, and

[0078] - Before heating the fifth part 11e of the atomizable material 11, or faster thereafter, heat the fourth part 11d of the atomizable material 11 to a temperature sufficient to atomize the components of the fourth part 11d of the atomizable material 11.

[0079] It should be understood that for a given duration of the heating period, the greater the number of associated heating units and aerosolizable material 11 present, the greater the chance of generating aerosol from the “fresh” or unspent portions of the aerosolizable material 11 extending along a given axial length. Alternatively, for a given duration of heating each portion of the aerosolizable material 11, the greater the number of associated heating units and aerosolizable material 11 present, the longer the heating period can be. It should be understood that the duration for which individual heating units can be activated can be adjusted (e.g., shortened) to adjust (e.g., reduce) the total heating period, and simultaneously the power supplied to the heating elements can be adjusted (e.g., increased) to reach the operating temperature more quickly. A balance can be achieved between the number of heating units (which dictate the number of “fresh puffs”), the total period length, and the achievable power supply (which can be dictated by the characteristics of the power source).

[0080] refer to Figure 2 The flowchart illustrates an example of a method for heating an aerosolizable material during a heating period using an aerosol supply device. The aerosol supply device used in method 200 includes a heating zone for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising the aerosolizable material, an outlet through which the aerosol can be delivered to a user from the heating zone during use, and a heating device for inducing heating of the article to generate an aerosol when the article is at least partially located within the heating zone. For example, the aerosol supply device could be… Figure 1 The aerosol supply device shown herein or any suitable variation thereof discussed herein.

[0081] Method 200 includes a heating device 130 that heats a first portion 11a of the atomizable material 11 of the article 10 to a temperature sufficient to atomize components of the second portion 11b of the atomizable material 11 before heating 220 to a temperature sufficient to atomize components of the second portion 11b of the atomizable material 11, or earlier, while the article 10 is at least partially located within the heating zone 110, wherein the second portion 11b of the atomizable material 11 is fluidly located between the first portion 11a of the atomizable material 11 and the outlet 120.

[0082] From the teachings herein, it will be understood that method 200 may be suitably adapted to include a heating device 130, which, in the heating fluid, before or faster than the other portions 11c-11e of the aerosolizable material 11 closer to the outlet 120, heats at least one other portion 11b-11e of the aerosolizable material 11 to a temperature sufficient to atomize the components of the other portions 11b-11e of the aerosolizable material 11, as described above.

[0083] refer to Figure 3 The diagram illustrates a flowchart of another example of a method for heating an aerosolizable material during a heating period using an aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device used in method 300 includes a heating zone for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising an aerosolizable material, an outlet through which an aerosol can be delivered from the heating zone to a user during use, and a heating device for inducing heating of the article to generate an aerosol when the article is at least partially located within the heating zone. The heating device includes a first heating unit, a second heating unit, a third heating unit, and a controller configured to induce operation of the first, second, and third heating units. For example, the aerosol delivery device could be... Figure 1 The aerosol supply device shown herein or any suitable variation thereof discussed herein.

[0084] Method 300 includes controlling the first, second, and third heating units 140a, 140b, and 140c independently of each other such that, when the article 10 is at least partially located within the heating region 110, the first heating unit 140a heats a first portion 11a of the atomizable material 11 of the article 10 by 310 to a temperature sufficient to atomize the components of the first portion 11a of the atomizable material 11 (e.g., before or faster than the second portion 11b); the second heating unit 140b heats a second portion 11b of the atomizable material 11 of the article 10 by 320 to a temperature sufficient to atomize the atomizable material. The temperature of the components of the second part 11b of 11 (e.g., before or faster than the third part 11c); and the third heating unit 140c heats the third part 11c of the atomizable material 11 of the article 10 by 330 to a temperature sufficient to atomize the components of the third part 11c of the atomizable material 11, wherein the second part 11b of the atomizable material 11 is fluidly located between the first part 11a of the atomizable material 11 and the outlet 120, and the third part 11c of the atomizable material 11 is fluidly located between the second part 11b of the atomizable material 11 and the outlet 120.

[0085] When the aerosol supply device used in method 300 includes sufficient heating units, it will be understood from the teachings herein that method 300 may be suitably adapted to include a heating device 130, which also independently controls the fourth and fifth heating units 140d, 140e, such that when the article 10 is at least partially located within the heating zone 110, the fourth heating unit 140d heats the fourth portion 11d of the aerosolizable material 11 of the article 10 to a level sufficient to cause the fourth portion 11d of the aerosolizable material 11 to… The temperature at which the components are atomized; and the fifth heating unit 140e heats the fifth portion 11e of the atomizable material 11 of the article 10 to a temperature sufficient to atomize the components of the fifth portion 11e of the atomizable material 11, wherein the fourth portion 11d of the atomizable material 11 is fluidly located between the third portion 11c of the atomizable material 11 and the outlet 120, and the fifth portion 11e of the atomizable material 11 is fluidly located between the fourth portion 11d of the atomizable material 11 and the outlet 120.

[0086] Now refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 One of the heating units 140a-140e of the heating device 130 is described in more detail. The figures show a schematic cross-sectional side view of the inductor arrangement 150 of the heating unit and a schematic perspective view of the inductor 160 of the inductor arrangement 150.

[0087] The sensor arrangement 150 includes an electrically insulating support 172 and a sensor 160. The support 172 has opposing first and second sides 172a, 172b, and portions 162, 164 of the sensor 160 are on the respective first and second sides 172a, 172b of the support 172.

[0088] More specifically, sensor 160 includes a conductive element 160. Element 160 includes a conductive, non-helical first portion 162 conforming to a first plane P1, and a conductive, non-helical second portion 164 conforming to a second plane P2, which is spaced from the first plane P1. In this example, the second plane P2 is parallel to the first plane P1, but this may not be the case in other examples. For example, the second plane P2 may be at an angle to the first plane P1, such as an angle not greater than 20 degrees, 10 degrees, or 5 degrees. Sensor 160 also includes a first conductive connector 163 electrically connecting the first portion 162 to the second portion 164. The first portion 162 is on a first side 172a of support 172, and the second portion 164 is on a second side 172b of support 172. The conductive connector 163 extends through support 172 from the first side 172a to the second side 172b. The conductive connector 163 may have a structure that provides electroplating (e.g., copper plating) on ​​the surface of the through-hole in the support 172.

[0089] Support 172 can be made of any suitable electrical insulating material(s). In some examples, support 172 includes a matrix (such as epoxy resin, optionally with added fillers such as ceramics) and a reinforcing structure (such as woven or nonwoven materials, such as glass fiber or paper).

[0090] Sensor 160 can be made of any suitable conductive material(s). In some examples, sensor 160 is made of copper.

[0091] In some examples, the sensor arrangement 150 includes or is formed of a PCB. In such an example, the support 172 is a non-conductive substrate of the PCB, which may be formed of a material such as FR-4 glass epoxy resin or cotton paper impregnated with phenolic resin, and the first and second portions 162, 164 of the sensor 160 are traces on the substrate. This facilitates the fabrication of the sensor arrangement 150 and also allows the portions 162, 164 of the element 160 to be thin and closely spaced, as discussed in more detail below.

[0092] In this example, the first portion 162 is a first partial annulus 162 and the second portion 164 is a second partial annulus 164. Furthermore, in this example, each of the first and second portions 162, 164 follows only a portion of the corresponding circular path. Thus, the first portion or first partial annulus 162 is a first arc, and the second portion or second partial annulus 164 is a second arc. In other examples, the first and second portions 162, 164 may follow paths other than circles, such as ellipses, polygons, or irregular shapes. However, matching the shapes of the first and second portions 162, 164 to the shape (or at least one aspect of the shape, such as the outer perimeter) of the corresponding adjacent portions of the receiver 190 (whether provided in device 100 or in work-in-progress 10) contributes to improved and more consistent magnetic coupling between the sensor 160 and the receiver 190. Furthermore, in the example where the first and second portions 162, 164 are corresponding arcs, providing arcs with equal radii can also help to result in the generation of a more consistent magnetic field along the length of the sensor 160, and thus more consistent heating of the receiver 190.

[0093] The sensor arrangement 150 has a through-hole 152, which is radially inward and coaxial with the first and second portions 162, 164, or portions of the annulus. In the assembled device 100, the support 190 and the heating region 110 extend through the through-hole 152, such that portions 162, 164 of the element 160 together at least partially surround the support 190 and the heating region 110. In an example where the support 190 is replaced by a plurality of supports, each of the plurality of supports may be positioned to extend through the through-hole 152 of one or more sensor arrangements 150 of the respective heating units 140a-140e. In some examples, said or each support does not extend through the through-hole 152, but is adjacent to the associated element 160 (e.g., axially).

[0094] In examples where the heating device 130 lacks a support, as described above, the heating region 110 may still extend through some or all of the through-holes 152 of the sensor arrangement 150 of the respective heating units 140a-140e. In some such examples, the article 10 includes one or more supports such as a metal foil (e.g., aluminum foil) wrapped around or otherwise surrounding the aerosol material 11 and / or supports such as pads at one end of the article 10 of the aerosol material 11 axially adjacent to the article 10. In some examples, the support for the article 10 comprising a liquid or gel or other flowable aerosol material may include a support (e.g., metallic) in or coated on a (e.g., ceramic) wick. In some examples, portions 11a-11e of the aerosol material 11 have the same corresponding form or characteristics, or different corresponding forms or characteristics, such as different tobacco blends and / or different applied or inherent flavors. In some such examples, article 10 may include a plurality of recipients, each arranged and heatable to heat a corresponding one of portions 11a-11e of atomizable material 11. In some examples, portions 11a-11e of atomizable material 11 are isolated from each other. In other examples, a plurality of heating zones may be present, each located between pairs of sensor arrangements 150. Some or all of the plurality of heating zones may not extend through through aperture 152. The plurality of heating zones may be used to receive corresponding articles 10 comprising atomizable material 11. The atomizable material 11 of the corresponding articles 10 may have the same or different corresponding forms or properties. In some examples, through aperture 152 may be omitted.

[0095] As from Figure 5Further consideration can best understand that, when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the first plane P1 and therefore in the direction of the axis BB of the sensor 160, the first and second portions 162, 164 extend from the first conductive connector 163 in opposite rotational directions. For example, if in Figure 5 When drawn, it is viewed from left to right along the axis BB. Figure 5 The sensor 160, then, the first part 162 of the sensor 160 extends from the connector 163 in a counterclockwise direction, and the second part 164 of the sensor 160 extends from the connector 163 in a clockwise direction.

[0096] Furthermore, in this example, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first plane P1, the first portion 162 or the first annular portion overlaps with the second portion 164 or the second annular portion, although only partially. In this example, the first and second portions 162, 164 together define approximately 1.75 turns about an axis BB orthogonal to the first and second planes P1, P2. In other examples, the number of turns may not be 1.75, but may be another number such as at least 0.9. For example, the number of turns may be between 0.9 and 1.5, or between 1 and 1.25. In other examples, the number of turns may be less than 0.9, although reducing the number of turns per support 172 may result in an increase in the axial length of the sensor assembly 150.

[0097] Furthermore, when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the first plane P1, the first portion 162 or the first annular portion and the second portion 164 or the second annular portion at least partially overlap with the first conductive connector 163. This is facilitated by a sensor arrangement 150 comprising or formed of a PCB (or more generally, a planar substrate layer). In particular, in such an example, the first conductive connector 163 takes the form of a "via" extending through the support 172. Even in examples where the sensor arrangement 150 is not formed of a PCB, the connector 163 can still extend through the support 172. Compared to a comparative example where the first and second portions 162, 164 are connected by connectors 163 spaced radially outward from the first and second portions 162, 164, this overlapping arrangement allows the sensor 160 to occupy a relatively small footprint when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the first plane P1. Furthermore, compared to a comparative example where the first and second portions 162, 164 are connected by connectors 163 that are radially inwardly spaced from each other, this overlapping arrangement allows for an increase in the width of the through-hole 152. However, in some examples, the connector 163 can be radially inwardly or radially outwardly spaced from the first and second portions 162, 164. This can be achieved by connectors 163 formed by “through-holes” extending through the support 172. Through-holes tend to be cheaper to form than blind vias because they can be formed after the PCB has been manufactured.

[0098] It should be noted that in this example, the sensor arrangement 150 includes two additional supports 174, 176, and the element 160 includes two additional conductive non-spiral portions 166, 168 that correspond to two corresponding spaced-apart planes P3, P4 parallel to the first plane P1. In other examples, one or each of the spaced-apart planes P3, P4 may be at an angle to the first plane P1, such as an angle not greater than 20 degrees, 10 degrees, or 5 degrees. The second and third conductive non-spiral portions 164, 166 are on opposite sides of the second support 174 and are electrically connected via a second conductive connector 165. The third and fourth conductive non-spiral portions 166, 168 are on opposite sides of the third support 176 and are electrically connected via a third conductive connector 167. The second and third conductive connectors 165, 167 are rotatably offset from the first conductive connector 163. In the arrangement of supports 172, 174 and 176 forming a PCB, connectors 163 and 167 can be formed as "blind vias", while connector 165 can be formed as a "buried via".

[0099] In this example, the first, second, third, and fourth portions or partial annular elements 162, 164, 166, and 168 together define a total of approximately 3.6 turns around the axis BB, which is orthogonal to the first and second planes P1 and P2. In other examples, the total number of turns may not be 3.6, but may be another number between 1 and 10. For example, the total number of turns may be between 1 and 8, or between 1 and 4. Having a relatively small total number of turns is considered to increase the voltage available in the receiver 190 (whether provided in device 100 or provided in work-in-progress 10) for forcing current along or around the receiver 190.

[0100] Note that sensor 160 also includes first and second terminals 161, 169 at opposite ends of sensor 160. These terminals are used to allow current to pass through sensor 160 during use.

[0101] In this example, each of the first, second, and third supports 172, 174, and 176 has a thickness of approximately 0.85 mm. In some examples, one or more of the supports 172, 174, and 176 may have a thickness other than 0.85 mm, such as another thickness in the range of 0.2 mm to 2 mm. For example, each of the thicknesses may be between 0.5 mm and 1 mm, or between 0.75 mm and 0.95 mm. In some examples, the thicknesses of the corresponding supports 172, 174, and 176 are equal to or substantially equal to each other. In other examples, one or more of the supports 172, 174, and 176 may have a thickness different from the thickness of one or more of the other supports 172, 174, and 176.

[0102] In this example, each of portions 162, 164, 166, and 168 of sensor 160 has a thickness of approximately 142 micrometers, measured in a direction orthogonal to the first plane P1. In some examples, one or more of portions 162, 164, 166, and 168 of sensor 160 may have a thickness other than 142 micrometers, such as another thickness in the range of 10 to 200 micrometers. For example, each of the thicknesses may be between 25 and 175 micrometers, or between 100 and 150 micrometers.

[0103] In the example where the sensor arrangement 150 is made of a PCB, the thickness of the material of the sensor 160 can be determined by “plating-up” the material onto the substrate before the PCB is constructed. Some standard circuit boards have a 1 oz layer of conductive material, such as copper, on the substrate. A 1 oz layer has a thickness of approximately 38 micrometers. By plating up to a 4 oz layer, the thickness is increased to approximately 142 micrometers. Increasing the thickness makes the sensor arrangement more robust and reduces system losses due to a significant reduction in ohmic losses. Increasing the volume of material in the sensor 160 will increase the heat capacity of the sensor 160 and reduce the temperature gain for a given heat input. This can be beneficial because it can help ensure that the temperature of the sensor 160 itself does not become too high during use, thus preventing damage to the structure of the sensor arrangement 150. In some examples, the thicknesses of the corresponding portions 162, 164, 166, and 168 of the sensor 160 are equal to or substantially equal to each other. This can result in a more consistent heating effect from the different portions of the sensor 160. In other examples, one or more portions 162, 164, 166, 168 of sensor 160 may have a thickness different from the thickness of one or more of the other portions 162, 164, 166, 168 of sensor 160. In some examples, this may be intentional in order to provide an increased heating effect produced by a portion of sensor 160(one or more) compared to the heating effect produced by the other portions of sensor 160(one or more).

[0104] In this example, each of planes P1-P4 is a flat plane, or a substantially flat plane. However, this need not be the case in other examples.

[0105] like Figure 5 As shown, the first and second planes P1 and P2 are spaced apart by a distance D1 in the direction of the axis BB of the sensor 160. In this example, the distance D1 between the first and second planes P1 and P2, measured in a direction orthogonal to the first and second planes P1 and P2, is less than 2 mm, such as less than 1 mm. In other examples, the distance D1 may be, for example, between 1 mm and 2 mm, or greater than 2 mm.

[0106] The combination of the first conductive connector 163 and the first and second portions 162, 164 of the conductive element 160 can be considered or approximated as a spiral coil. In fact, the full sensor 160 can be considered or approximated as a spiral coil.

[0107] Given the distances D1, D2, D3 between adjacent pairs of planes P1, P2, P3, P4, the coil in this example can be considered to have a pitch of less than 2 mm, such as less than 1 mm. In other examples, the pitch can be, for example, between 1 mm and 2 mm, or greater than 2 mm. Optionally, the distance between each adjacent pair of portions 162, 164, 166, 168 of element 160 is equal to, or differs from, the distance between each other adjacent pair of portions 162, 164, 166, 168 of element 160 by less than 10%. This can result in a more uniform magnetic field being generated along the length of inductor 160, and thus more uniform heating of inductor 190.

[0108] The smaller the pitch, the greater the ratio of magnetic field strength to the mass of the bearer 190 (whether provided in device 100 or in work-in-progress 10). However, this needs to be balanced against the negative effects of the "proximity effect." In particular, as the pitch decreases, losses caused by the proximity effect increase. Therefore, careful pitch selection is required to reduce losses in inductor 160 while increasing the energy available for heating bearer 190. It has been found that in some examples, when inductor 160 and controller 135 are properly configured, they induce the generation of a magnetic field with a magnetic flux density of at least 0.01 Tesla. In some examples, the magnetic flux density is at least 0.1 Tesla.

[0109] The relatively small pitch is enabled by manufacturing the sensor arrangement 150 from a PCB. Given this teaching, those skilled in the art will be able to conceive of other ways to manufacture induction coils with similar small pitches. However, manufacturing the sensor arrangement 150 from a PCB may also be cheaper than some other methods of manufacturing induction coils, such as by winding Litz wire.

[0110] While the example sensor arrangement 150 shown in the figure has three supports 172, 174, 176 and a sensor 160 comprising four parts 162, 164, 166, 168, this need not be the case in other examples. In some examples, the sensor 160 may have more or fewer than four parts, such as only three parts 162, 164, 166 or only two parts 162, 164. In some examples, the sensor arrangement 150 may have more or fewer than three supports, such as only two supports 172, 174 or only one support 172. In fact, in some examples, the number of supports in the sensor arrangement 150 may be only one, and the number of parts of the sensor 160 may be only two, with those two parts 162, 164 of the sensor 160 located on opposite sides of a single support 172. It will be understood that the number of conductive connectors 163, 165, and 167 must be adjusted accordingly based on the number of the two portions 162, 164, 166, and 168 present in sensor 160. In some examples, sensor 160 may be provided without any support between portions 162, 164, 166, and 168 of sensor 160. In such examples, it is expected that sensor 160 has sufficient strength to be self-supporting.

[0111] The sensor arrangement 150 or its sensor 160 of the corresponding heating units 140a-140e may be provided in the sensor assembly or magnetic field generator 130 for inclusion in the aerosol supply device, such as... Figure 1 The device 100 or any variant thereof discussed herein. The sensor assembly, magnetic field generator 130, or sensors 160 of device 100 can be spaced at a selected distance to allow heating of most or other desired amounts of the atomizable material 11 while avoiding or minimizing interference between sensors 160. As mentioned herein, it has been found that relatively small pitch of the sensors results in the generation of a relatively concentrated changing magnetic field, allowing other sensors 160 to be placed relatively close together without suffering too much interference. Adjacent sensors 160 can be spaced between 5 mm and 50 mm, such as between 10 mm and 40 mm, or between 15 mm and 30 mm. Other distances may be used in other examples.

[0112] Once all, substantially all, or many (one or more) of the volatile components of the atomizable material 11 in the product 10 have been used, the user can remove and dispose of the product 10 from the heated chamber 110 of the device 100.

[0113] In some examples, product 10 and the equipment 100 with which product 10 can be used are sold, supplied, or otherwise provided separately. However, in some examples, equipment 100 and one or more products 10 may be provided together as a system, such as a kit or component, possibly with additional parts, such as cleaning tools.

[0114] To address various problems and advance the prior art, this disclosure illustrates various embodiments through illustrations and examples, in which the claimed invention can be practiced and which provide superior sensors, superior sensor arrangements, superior sensor assemblies, superior magnetic field generators, superior aerosol providing devices, and superior aerosol providing systems. The advantages and features of this disclosure are merely representative examples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. They are presented only to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed and otherwise disclosed features. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of this disclosure are not to be considered as limitations on this disclosure as defined by the claims or on the equivalents of the claims, and other embodiments can be utilized and modifications can be made without departing from the scope and / or spirit of this disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably include, constitute, or substantially consist of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, portions, steps, devices, etc. This disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. A sensor for use in an aerosol delivery device, the sensor comprising: Conductive elements; The component includes a conductive, non-spiral first portion conforming to a first plane, a conductive, non-spiral second portion conforming to a second plane spaced apart from the first plane, and a conductive connector electrically connecting the first portion to the second portion. When viewed in a direction orthogonal to the first plane, the first and second portions extend from the conductive connector in opposite rotational directions.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein, The first part is the first toroidal part and the second part is the second toroidal part.

3. The sensor according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, The first part or the first annular part is the first circular arc and the second part or the second annular part is the second circular arc.

4. The sensor according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, When viewed in a direction orthogonal to the first plane, the first part or the first part of the annulus overlaps only partially with the second part or the second part of the annulus.

5. The sensor according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, When viewed in a direction orthogonal to the first plane, the first portion or the first annular portion at least partially overlaps with the conductive connector.

6. The sensor according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, The first and second planes are flat planes.

7. The sensor according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, The distance between the first and second planes, measured in a direction orthogonal to the first and second planes, is less than 2 millimeters.

8. The sensor according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, The first and second portions or partial rings together define at least 0.9 turns around an axis orthogonal to the first and second planes.

9. The sensor according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, The component also includes conductive non-spiral portions or conductive annular portions that correspond to the corresponding spaced-apart planes.

10. The sensor according to claim 9, wherein, The total number of turns around the axis, defined by all conductive non-spiral or partial ring-shaped parts of the element, is between 1 and 10.

11. The sensor according to claim 9, wherein, The distance between each adjacent pair of a portion or a partial ring of the element is equal to the distance between each other adjacent pair of a portion or a partial ring of the element, or differs from the distance between each other adjacent pair of a portion or a partial ring of the element by less than 10%.

12. The sensor according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, Each of the first and second parts or partial annulus has a thickness between 10 micrometers and 200 micrometers, measured in a direction orthogonal to the first plane.

13. The sensor according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, The sensor includes a coil with a pitch of less than 2 millimeters.

14. A sensor arrangement for use in an aerosol delivery device, the sensor arrangement comprising: It has electrically insulating supports on opposite first and second sides; as well as The sensor according to claim 1 or 2, The first part or the first annular part is on the first side of the support, and the second part or the second annular part is on the second side of the support.

15. The sensor arrangement according to claim 14, wherein, The sensor arrangement has through holes that are radially inward of the first and second portions or partial annulus and are coaxial with the first and second portions or partial annulus.

16. The sensor arrangement according to claim 14, wherein, The sensor's conductive connector extends through the support.

17. The sensor arrangement according to claim 14, wherein, The support has a thickness between 0.2 mm and 2 mm.

18. The sensor arrangement of claim 14, comprising a printed circuit board, wherein, The support is a non-conductive substrate of the printed circuit board, and the first and second parts or partial annular structures are traces on the substrate.

19. A sensor assembly for use in an aerosol delivery device, the sensor assembly comprising a plurality of sensors as claimed in claim 1 or 2, or comprising a plurality of sensor arrangements as claimed in claim 14.

20. A magnetic field generator for use in an aerosol delivery device, the magnetic field generator comprising one or more sensors according to claim 1 or 2, or one or more sensor arrangements according to claim 14, or a sensor assembly according to claim 19.

21. A magnetic field generator for use in an aerosol delivery device, the magnetic field generator comprising one or more sensors and means operable to pass a varying current through the one or more sensors. in, One or more sensors and devices are configured to generate a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density of at least 0.01 Tesla; Each of one or more sensors is described in claim 1 or 2, or The magnetic field generator includes one or more sensor arrangements according to claim 14, and the one or more sensors of the magnetic field generator have corresponding one or more sensor arrangements.

22. An aerosol supply device, comprising: A heating zone for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising an atomizable material; as well as The magnetic field generator of claim 20, wherein the magnetic field generator is configured to be operable to generate a varying magnetic field for use in at least a portion of the atomizable material of the heated article when the article is in a heated zone.

23. The aerosol supply device according to claim 22, wherein, The magnetic field generator has one or each of its sensors at least partially surrounding the heating area.

24. The aerosol supply device of claim 22, comprising a receiver that is heatable by being penetrated by a varying magnetic field, thereby causing heating of the heating zone.

25. The aerosol supply device according to claim 22, wherein, The magnetic field generator is configured to operate independently of each other to generate multiple corresponding varying magnetic fields for use in corresponding portions of the atomizable material of the article, which is heated independently of each other.

26. An aerosol delivery system comprising the aerosol delivery device according to claim 22 and an article comprising an aerosolizable material, wherein, Articles containing atomizable materials can be inserted at least partially into the heating zone.

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