Aerosol generation system with electrodes and sensors

Abstract

The aerosol generation system includes: a liquid storage portion (201, 1201) for holding a liquid aerosol forming matrix (202, 1202); a pair of electrodes (320) arranged adjacent to or within the liquid storage portion; a sensor (110) configured to sense the orientation of the liquid storage portion; and a control system (104). The control system is configured to: measure an electrical quantity between the electrodes; receive orientation information from the sensor; and determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage portion based on the electrical quantity information measured between the electrodes and the orientation information received from the sensor.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application No. PCT / EP2018 / 053725, Chinese application No. 201880009882.4, filed on February 14, 2018, entitled "Aerosol Generation System with Electrodes and Sensors". Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to an electrically operated aerosol generation system and a cylinder for an electrically operated aerosol generation system. Background Technology

[0003] Electrically operated aerosol generation systems typically include a liquid aerosol forming matrix that is atomized to form an aerosol. These systems often include a power source, a liquid storage section for maintaining the supply of the liquid aerosol forming matrix, and an atomizer. A common type of atomizer used in such systems includes a heating wire coil wound around a thin wick immersed in the liquid aerosol forming matrix. Another common type of atomizer used in such systems includes a heating grid.

[0004] The liquid aerosol forming matrix is ​​consumed during the use of the aerosol generation system and often needs to be replaced by refilling the liquid storage section or by replacing the cylinder that includes the liquid storage section.

[0005] The desired outcome is that the aerosol generation system provides users with accurate determination of the amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix maintained in the liquid storage section. The desired outcome is that the aerosol generation system accurately monitors the amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix maintained in the liquid storage section. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In a first aspect of the invention, an aerosol generation system is provided, comprising: a liquid storage portion for holding a liquid aerosol forming matrix; a pair of electrodes arranged adjacent to or within the liquid storage portion; a sensor configured to sense the orientation of the liquid storage portion; and a control system. The control system is configured to: measure an electrical quantity between the electrodes; receive orientation information from the sensor; and determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage portion based on the electrical quantity information measured between the electrodes and the orientation information received from the sensor.

[0007] Providing components for determining the orientation of the liquid storage section in an aerosol generation system is desirable for several reasons. Specifically, the accuracy and reliability of the estimate of the mass of the liquid aerosol-forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section can be improved if the estimate is made when the liquid storage section is in a particular orientation, as described in more detail later. Some aerosol generation systems can generate improved aerosols when the liquid storage section is in a particular orientation, such as when the liquid storage section is substantially upright or horizontal. In these systems, it can be beneficial for the aerosol generation system to indicate to the user when the system is in the optimal orientation for aerosol generation.

[0008] As used herein with reference to this invention, the term 'amount' describes the mass, quantity, or proportion of the liquid aerosol-forming matrix held in the liquid storage portion. The determined amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix held in the liquid storage portion may include absolute or relative values. The determined amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix may include volume, such as a value in liters. The determined amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix held in the liquid storage portion may include fractions or percentages, such as 1 or 100% indicating a full liquid storage portion and 0 or 0% indicating an empty liquid storage portion.

[0009] As used herein with reference to this invention, the term 'electrical quantity' is used to describe any electrical property, parameter, or attribute that can be quantified by measurement. For example, suitable 'electrical quantities' include current, voltage, impedance, capacitance, and resistance. The control system can be configured to measure at least one of the impedance, capacitance, and resistance between the electrodes.

[0010] The liquid storage section can be configured to hold both a liquid aerosol forming matrix and air. The liquid aerosol forming matrix can have electrical properties substantially different from those of air. The electrical properties of the first and second sections of the liquid storage section can depend on the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix and air held in the liquid storage section. The liquid storage section may also include one or more carrier materials for holding the liquid aerosol forming matrix and a shell for holding the liquid aerosol forming matrix. The liquid aerosol forming matrix, air, carrier material, and shell can have different electrical properties.

[0011] The electrical properties of the liquid storage section can change during use due to variations in the ratio of the liquid aerosol forming matrix to air. When the liquid storage section is filled with the liquid aerosol forming matrix, it can primarily retain the matrix. During use, the liquid aerosol forming matrix can be consumed from the liquid storage section and replaced by air. When the liquid storage section is empty, it can primarily retain air. When the liquid storage section includes a carrier material, it can maintain a combination of the liquid aerosol forming matrix, air, and carrier material. The liquid storage section can be refilled, replacing the air in the liquid storage section with the liquid aerosol forming matrix.

[0012] The liquid storage section may include an electrical load. The liquid storage section may include at least one of a resistive load and a capacitive load. Advantageously, the electrical quantities of the resistive and capacitive loads can be measured without the need for complex electronics.

[0013] The control system is configured to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section based on electrical quantity information measured between the electrodes and orientation information received from the sensor.

[0014] As used herein with reference to the invention, the term 'orientation' describes the tilt, tilt, or angle of the liquid reservoir portion. A determined orientation of the liquid reservoir portion can include absolute or relative values. Typically, a determined orientation can include an angle, such as a value in degrees or radians. However, in some embodiments, a determined orientation can include an indication of whether the liquid reservoir portion is in one or more specific orientations or tilts. A determined orientation can include an indication of whether the liquid reservoir portion is not in one or more specific orientations or tilts. In some embodiments, the control system can be configured to determine whether the liquid reservoir portion is horizontally oriented and whether the liquid reservoir portion is not horizontally oriented. In some embodiments, the control system can be configured to determine whether the liquid reservoir portion is horizontally oriented, whether the liquid reservoir portion is vertically oriented, and whether the liquid reservoir portion is neither horizontally nor vertically oriented.

[0015] In some embodiments, the control system may be configured to determine the orientation of the liquid storage portion based on orientation information from sensors. In these embodiments, the control system may be configured to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage portion based on the determined orientation of the liquid storage portion.

[0016] The defined orientation can be the tilt angle of the liquid storage section. The tilt angle of the liquid storage section can be any suitable angle relative to the liquid storage section. For example, the tilt angle can be the angle between the vertical direction, defined by the direction of gravity, and the longitudinal axis of the liquid storage section. For example, the tilt angle can be the angle between the horizontal direction and the transverse axis of the liquid storage section.

[0017] The control system can be configured to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix maintained in the liquid storage section at any suitable time. The control system can be configured to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix maintained in the liquid storage section when the aerosol generation system is turned on. The control system can be configured to periodically determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix maintained in the liquid storage section at predetermined intervals. The control system can be configured to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix maintained in the liquid storage section upon user prompting.

[0018] In some embodiments, the relationship between the measured electrical quantities between the electrodes may be known only with respect to one or more specific orientations or tilts. In some embodiments, the control system may be configured to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage portion when the control system determines that the liquid storage portion is in one or more specific orientations or tilts. In one example, the control system may be configured to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage portion when the liquid storage portion is determined to be substantially horizontal. In another example, the control system may be configured to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage portion when the liquid storage portion is determined to be substantially horizontal or substantially vertical. This improves the accuracy and reliability of the determined values.

[0019] In some embodiments, the control system is configured to compare orientation information received from a sensor, or an orientation determined by the control system from the orientation information, with one or more reference orientation values. The control system may be configured to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage portion if the orientation information or the determined orientation matches a reference orientation value.

[0020] The one or more reference orientation values ​​can indicate that the liquid storage section is in a specific orientation, such as horizontal or vertical. Each reference orientation value can be associated with reference electrical quantity information and reference quantity information. The reference electrical quantity information and reference quantity information can be different for each reference orientation value.

[0021] In some embodiments, the control system may also be configured to substantially prevent or prohibit the determination of the amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix retained in the liquid storage portion based on orientation information received from the sensor. When the control system compares the orientation information received from the sensor with one or more reference orientation values, the control system may be configured to prevent or prohibit the determination of the amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix retained in the liquid storage portion if the orientation information does not match the reference orientation value. This can improve the reliability of determining the amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix retained in the liquid storage portion.

[0022] In some embodiments, the control system may be configured to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage portion by comparison. Using comparison to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage portion may be advantageous because the control system may be able to perform the comparison faster than calculation. The control system may be configured to compare electrical quantity information measured between the counter electrodes with reference electrical quantity information stored in the control system.

[0023] The control system can be configured to compare orientation information received from a sensor with reference orientation information. Based on determining a match between the measured orientation information and the reference orientation information, the control system can be configured to compare measured electrical quantity information with reference electrical quantity information associated with the matched reference orientation information. Based on determining a match between the measured electrical quantity information and the reference electrical quantity information, the control system can be configured to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section based on the reference quantity information associated with the matched reference electrical quantity information.

[0024] Reference information can be stored in the control system's memory. Reference electrical quantity information can be electrical quantity information measured by the control system and stored in the control system's memory. Reference quantity information may include one or more of volume information and fill fraction information.

[0025] The correlation between reference orientation information, reference electrical quantity information, and reference quantity information can make the determination of the mass of the liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section reliable.

[0026] Reference information may include multiple ranges. Each range of reference orientation information may be associated with a value or range of reference electrical quantity information. Each range of reference electrical quantity information may be associated with a value or range of reference quantity information. The control system may be configured to compare the received orientation information with the stored reference orientation information ranges and match the received values ​​with the stored ranges. The control system may be configured to compare the measured electrical quantity information with the stored reference electrical quantity information ranges and match the measured electrical quantity information with the stored ranges.

[0027] Reference information can be stored in a lookup table. The lookup table can include stored reference orientation information, reference electrical quantity information, and reference quantity information. Reference orientation information can be associated with reference electrical quantity information. Reference electrical quantity information can be associated with reference quantity information.

[0028] The control system can be configured to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section based on electrical quantity information measured between the electrodes and orientation information received from the sensor.

[0029] In a specific orientation, the electrical quantities measured between the counter electrodes can change in a predictable manner with the amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix held in the liquid storage section. In one example, when the liquid storage section is in a substantially horizontal orientation, the amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix held in the liquid storage section can be substantially inversely proportional to the resistance measured between the counter electrodes by the control system. In another example, when the liquid storage section is in a substantially horizontal orientation, the amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix held in the liquid storage section can be substantially proportional to the capacitance measured between the counter electrodes by the control system.

[0030] In some embodiments, the control system can be configured to determine the mass of the liquid aerosol-forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section by calculation. The calculation may use electrical quantity information measured between the counter electrodes. The calculation may also use orientation information received from sensors. Using calculation to determine the amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section can be advantageous because the control system may not need to store or retrieve historical measurement data to perform the determination.

[0031] When the liquid storage section is stationary or moving at a constant rate, the liquid aerosol forming matrix held within the liquid storage section can stabilize and form a predictable shape. This predictable shape can depend on the shape of the liquid storage section, its orientation, and the volume of the liquid aerosol forming matrix held within it. The shape of the liquid aerosol forming matrix within the liquid storage section can change as the liquid storage section moves, rotates, or accelerates in any other way. Changes in the orientation of the liquid storage section and general acceleration can affect the electrical quantities measured between the counter electrodes as the shape of the liquid aerosol forming matrix within the liquid storage section changes.

[0032] The sensor may also be configured to sense the acceleration of the liquid storage section. The acceleration may include at least one of linear acceleration and angular velocity. The control system may also be configured to receive acceleration information from the sensor.

[0033] In some embodiments, the sensor includes one or more accelerometers configured to sense the linear acceleration of the liquid storage portion. In some embodiments, the sensor includes one or more gyroscopes configured to sense the angular velocity of the liquid storage portion. In some embodiments, the sensor includes one or more accelerometers and one or more gyroscopes.

[0034] In some embodiments, the sensor is an inertial measurement unit (IMU). As used herein, an IMU is a sensor configured to sense both linear acceleration and angular velocity. Typically, an IMU includes one or more accelerometers and one or more gyroscopes.

[0035] When the control system is configured to receive acceleration information from sensors, it can be configured to determine, based on the acceleration information, whether the liquid storage section is in a stable or unstable state. The control system can be configured to determine that the liquid storage section is in a stable state when it is substantially stationary or traveling at a substantially constant speed. The control system can be configured to determine that the liquid storage section is in an unstable state when it experiences acceleration.

[0036] In some embodiments, the control system can be configured to compare received acceleration information with one or more threshold acceleration values. The one or more threshold acceleration values ​​can be stored in the memory of the control system. The control system can be configured to compare the received acceleration information with one or more threshold acceleration values; if the received acceleration information is equal to or lower than the one or more threshold acceleration values, it determines that the liquid storage section is in a stable state; and if the received acceleration information is higher than the one or more acceleration thresholds, it determines that the liquid storage section is in an unstable state.

[0037] The control system can be configured to determine the amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix held in the liquid storage section when the liquid storage section is determined to be in a stable state. The control system can also be configured to substantially prevent or prohibit the determination of the amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix held in the liquid storage section when the liquid storage section is determined to be in an unstable state. Determining the amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix held in the liquid storage section can only improve the reliability of this determination if the liquid storage section is stationary or traveling at a constant speed.

[0038] In some embodiments, the counter electrode can be arranged to sense the surface area of ​​the liquid storage portion in contact with the liquid aerosol forming matrix. The control system can be configured to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage portion based on the surface area of ​​the liquid storage portion in contact with the liquid aerosol forming matrix. The surface area of ​​the liquid storage portion in contact with the liquid aerosol forming matrix may be referred to as the 'wetting' surface area. The wetting surface area of ​​the liquid storage portion can depend on the shape of the liquid aerosol forming matrix in the liquid storage portion when the liquid storage portion is stationary or moving at a constant speed. When the liquid storage portion is in a steady state, the wetting surface area of ​​the liquid storage portion can remain substantially constant. However, under acceleration of the liquid storage portion, the wetting surface area of ​​the liquid storage portion can vary. Therefore, in these embodiments, measuring the electrical quantity between the counter electrodes when the liquid storage portion is stationary or in a steady state may be particularly desirable. In these embodiments, the control system may be configured to determine whether the liquid storage portion is in a stable or unstable state, determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage portion when the liquid storage portion is determined to be in a stable state, and substantially prevent or prohibit the determination of the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage portion when the liquid storage portion is determined to be in an unstable state.

[0039] In some embodiments, the aerosol generation system may include an aerosol generation member arranged to receive a liquid aerosol forming matrix from a liquid storage portion. In these embodiments, it is generally desirable for the aerosol generation member to receive the liquid aerosol forming matrix from the liquid storage portion at a specific rate such that the aerosol generation member is consistently wetted by the liquid aerosol forming matrix. Activating the aerosol generation member when there is insufficient liquid aerosol forming matrix received may result in the generation of undesirable components containing aerosols or an undesirable increase in the temperature of the aerosol generation member, which could damage the aerosol generation member.

[0040] In these embodiments, the control system can be configured to control or regulate the operation of the aerosol generating component based on at least one of the orientation of the liquid storage section and the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage section. This can improve the user experience and extend the lifespan of the aerosol generating component.

[0041] In some embodiments, the system may include: an aerosol generating member arranged to receive a liquid aerosol forming matrix from a liquid storage portion; and one or more power sources arranged to supply power to the aerosol generating member. In these embodiments, the control system may be configured to control or regulate the power supply from the one or more power sources to the aerosol generating member based on orientation information received from sensors or a determined orientation of the liquid storage portion. In these embodiments, the control system may be configured to control or regulate the power supply from the one or more power sources to the aerosol generating member based on a determined amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage portion.

[0042] The control system can be configured to reduce the power supply to the aerosol generating member when the liquid storage section moves away from a particular orientation, such as when it is in an upright orientation. In some embodiments, the control system can be configured to substantially block or disable the power supply to the aerosol generating member when the liquid storage section is determined to be in one or more specific orientations. The control system can also be configured to substantially block or disable the power supply to the aerosol generating member when the liquid storage section is determined to be in a reversed or inverted orientation.

[0043] The control system can be configured to reduce the power supply to the aerosol generating member when the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage section decreases. In some embodiments, the control system can be configured to substantially block or disable the power supply to the aerosol generating member when it is determined that the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage section is below a threshold amount.

[0044] The threshold amount can be predetermined. The threshold amount can be set at the factory or by the user before first use. The threshold amount can be any suitable quantity. For example, the threshold amount can be between about 1% and about 15% of the liquid storage portion volume, or between about 3% and 10%, or about 5%. For example, for a liquid storage portion configured to hold about 2 ml of liquid aerosol forming matrix, the predetermined threshold amount value can be between about 0.1 ml and about 0.3 ml. The threshold amount can depend on the cross-sectional area of ​​the aerosol generating component and the volume of the liquid storage portion. For example, the aerosol generating component can be a heater, and a heater with a large cross-sectional area may require more liquid aerosol forming matrix to operate at the desired temperature than a heater with a small cross-sectional area. Therefore, an aerosol generating system with a large heater can have a larger minimum threshold amount than an aerosol generating system with a smaller heater. The threshold amount can be between about 0.1 ml and 10 ml, or between about 0.5 ml and about 5 ml, or about 0.5 ml.

[0045] The control system can be configured to deactivate the aerosol generating component when a determined amount of the liquid aerosol forming matrix falls below a predetermined threshold. The control system can be configured to reversibly deactivate the aerosol generating component. The control system can be configured to activate the aerosol generating component when a determined amount exceeds a predetermined threshold. The control system can be configured to irreversibly deactivate the aerosol generating component. The control system can be configured to damage or disconnect a fragile connection between the aerosol generating component and the power supply. This may be advantageous for disposable aerosol generating systems that include an aerosol generating component.

[0046] Acceleration of the liquid storage section can also affect the supply of the liquid aerosol forming matrix to the aerosol generating component. Therefore, in some embodiments, the control system can be configured to control or regulate the operation of the aerosol generating component based on acceleration information received from sensors. The control system can be configured to control or regulate the operation of the aerosol generating component based on a determination of whether the liquid storage section is in a stable or unstable state. This can improve the user experience and extend the lifespan of the aerosol generating component.

[0047] The control system can be configured to control or regulate the power supply from the one or more power sources to the aerosol generating component based on acceleration information received from the sensors.

[0048] In some embodiments, the control system may be configured to substantially prevent or disable the operation of the aerosol generation component if the acceleration information received from the sensor is higher than an acceleration threshold. The control system may also be configured to substantially prevent or disable the operation of the aerosol generation component if it is determined that the liquid storage section is in an unstable state.

[0049] The liquid storage section can be of any suitable shape and size. For example, the liquid storage section can have a substantially circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, or triangular cross-section. The liquid storage section can be substantially tubular or cylindrical. The liquid storage section can have a length and a width or diameter. The length of the liquid storage section can be greater than the width or diameter of the liquid storage section. In other words, the liquid storage section can be elongated. The liquid storage section can have a central longitudinal axis. The cross-section of the liquid storage section can be substantially uniform along the central longitudinal axis. In other words, the shape and size of the cross-section of the liquid storage section can be substantially constant along the length of the liquid storage section. The liquid storage section can have one or more degrees of rotational symmetry about the central longitudinal axis. The liquid storage section can be annular. The liquid storage section can be annular and may include a central passage. The central passage may extend in the direction of the central longitudinal axis.

[0050] The liquid storage portion may include a housing or container configured to hold a liquid aerosol forming matrix. The housing may include two opposing ends and at least one sidewall extending between said two opposing ends. The housing may include a first end, a second end, and one or more sidewalls extending between the first and second ends. The first end, second end, and sidewalls may be integrally formed. The first end, second end, and sidewalls may be dissimilar elements attached or fastened to each other. The housing may be rigid. As used herein, the term 'rigid housing' is used to mean a self-supporting container. The housing may include one or more flexible walls. The flexible walls may be configured to accommodate the volume of the liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage portion. The housing may be formed of any suitable material. The housing may be formed of a substantially fluid-impermeable material. The housing may include transparent or translucent portions that allow a user to see the liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage portion through the transparent or translucent portions of the container.

[0051] The counter electrodes are arranged adjacent to or within the liquid storage portion. As used herein with reference to the invention, the term 'adjacent to or within' means includes, for example, terms such as close to, near, very close to, on, within, and inside. For example, in the case where the liquid storage portion comprises a housing with sidewalls, the counter electrodes may be considered 'adjacent to or within the liquid storage portion' when: they are arranged close to or adjacent to the sidewalls of the housing; when they abut or contact the outer surface of the sidewalls of the housing; when they are fastened to or applied to the outer surface of the sidewalls of the housing; when they are fastened to or applied to the inner surface of the sidewalls of the housing; when they form an integral part of the sidewalls of the housing; and when they are within or inside the housing.

[0052] The counter electrode can be arranged relative to the liquid storage portion such that it senses the electrical properties of the liquid storage portion. In other words, the counter electrode can be arranged to be electrically close to the liquid storage portion. The counter electrode can be arranged to sense changes in the electrical properties of the liquid storage portion, which may occur due to changes in the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the first portion.

[0053] In some embodiments, the counter electrode can be arranged such that at least a portion of the liquid storage portion is disposed between the electrodes. The counter electrode can be disposed on opposite sides of the liquid storage portion. In the case where the liquid storage portion is an annular liquid storage portion having a central passage, one of the electrodes can be disposed outside the liquid storage portion and the other of the electrodes can be disposed inside the liquid storage portion, adjacent to or within the central passage.

[0054] In some embodiments where the counter electrode is arranged such that a portion of the liquid storage portion is disposed therebetween, the counter electrode may form a capacitor, and the portion of the liquid aerosol forming matrix between the electrodes may form the dielectric of the capacitor. The dielectric properties of the portion of the liquid storage portion between the electrodes may vary with the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage portion.

[0055] In some embodiments, the counter electrode may be arranged such that a portion of the liquid storage portion is not disposed between the electrodes. The counter electrode may be arranged on the same side of the liquid storage portion.

[0056] When the liquid storage portion includes a housing with sidewalls and the counter electrode extends substantially above the sidewalls, the electrode can be arranged to sense the surface area of ​​the sidewalls in contact with the liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage portion. The surface area of ​​the sidewalls of the housing of the liquid storage portion in contact with the liquid aerosol forming matrix can be used to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage portion.

[0057] In some embodiments, the counter electrode is an interdigitated electrode. A pair of interdigitated electrodes can form a capacitive sensing system, for example, the pair of interdigitated electrodes uses the edge electric field effect to sense the electrical properties of the medium adjacent to the electrodes. A pair of interdigitated electrodes can be arranged to sense the surface area of ​​the sidewalls that are in contact with the matrix of the liquid aerosol held in the liquid storage portion.

[0058] In some embodiments, the interdigitated electrodes may be disposed on the housing of the liquid storage portion. In some embodiments, the interdigitated electrodes may be disposed on a platform. The interdigitated electrodes may be disposed on the surface of a flexible platform substantially surrounding the liquid storage portion.

[0059] Each of the interdigitated electrodes includes multiple electrically connected protrusions, projections, or fingers, as well as gaps or spaces between the fingers. The fingers can be electrically connected via a main track or trunk. The fingers and gaps of each interdigitated electrode can be arranged regularly or periodically. A pair of interdigitated electrodes can be arranged on a plane or surface, and the fingers of each electrode can extend into the space between the fingers of the other electrode.

[0060] Each interdigitated electrode finger can have length, width, and thickness. The length of each interdigitated electrode finger can be substantially greater than its width and thickness. In other words, each interdigitated electrode finger can be substantially elongated. Each interdigitated electrode finger can be substantially linear. Each interdigitated electrode finger can extend substantially in one direction. Each interdigitated electrode finger can be substantially non-linear. For example, each interdigitated electrode finger can be substantially curved or arcuate.

[0061] The fingers of each interdigitated electrode can be substantially identical. The gaps between the fingers of each interdigitated electrode can be substantially identical. The fingers and gaps of each interdigitated electrode can be arranged in a regular pattern, with a regular spacing or gap between each consecutive finger. The distance between consecutive fingers of each interdigitated electrode can be called the spatial wavelength λ or band gap of the electrode.

[0062] An example of a suitable pair of interdigitated electrodes is from DropSens. TM The DRP-G-IDEPT10 sensor.

[0063] In the case where the liquid storage section includes a housing with sidewalls and the interdigitated electrodes extend substantially above the sidewalls, the electrodes can be arranged to sense the surface area of ​​the sidewalls that form a matrix contact with the liquid aerosol held in the liquid storage section.

[0064] One of the electrodes in a pair of interdigitated electrodes can be a driving electrode supplied with an oscillating voltage. The other electrode can be a sensing electrode that senses the edge electric field generated by the driving electrode. The edge electric field generated by the driving electrode includes an edge electric field due to stray electric fields at the edges of the fingers of the driving electrode, which includes a component extending from the plane or surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane or surface on which the interdigitated electrodes are arranged. Therefore, the edge electric field generated by the driving electrode extends into the material arranged above or near the electrodes. In other words, a pair of interdigitated electrodes of the present invention arranged on one side of a liquid storage portion can apply a spatially periodic potential to the liquid storage portion on said side.

[0065] The electrical properties of the material disposed above or near a pair of interdigitated electrodes can affect the edge electric field generated by the driving electrodes. For example, the permittivity of the material disposed above or near the pair of interdigitated electrodes can affect the generated edge electric field. Therefore, the sensing electrodes of the pair of interdigitated electrodes can sense changes in the electrical properties of the material disposed above or near the pair of interdigitated electrodes.

[0066] An electrical shield may be disposed on one side of the interdigitated electrodes so that the interdigitated electrodes can respond only to changes in the electrical properties of the material adjacent to one side of the interdigitated electrodes. The electrical shield may be disposed on the side of the counter electrode opposite or away from the liquid reservoir. The electrical shield may include a sheet or mesh of conductive material extending below or above the electrodes. The conductive material sheet or mesh may be grounded. The sheet or mesh may be electrically connected to a voltage follower, which is electrically connected to the interdigitated electrodes. This arrangement can substantially eliminate any parasitic capacitance caused by the shield, which can improve the sensitivity of the interdigitated electrodes.

[0067] The penetration depth of the edge electric field generated by the driving electrode into the material arranged above or near the interdigitated electrodes can be proportional to the distance between the adjacent fingers of the driving and sensing electrodes. In other words, the penetration depth of the generated edge electric field is proportional to the band gap (λ) of the interdigitated electrodes. The penetration depth is independent of the frequency of the oscillating driving signal.

[0068] Generally, the penetration depth of the generated edge electric field increases with the band gap λ of the interdigitated electrode. It has typically been found that the penetration depth is approximately one-third of the band gap λ. A minimum penetration depth into the liquid storage portion may need to be achieved to effectively sense the presence or absence of the liquid aerosol-forming matrix.

[0069] A suitable exemplary penetration depth for the generated edge electric field entering the liquid storage section can be about 1 mm. The electrode can be disposed on the outer surface of the sidewall of the liquid storage section. The sidewall thickness can be about 1 mm. In this case, a penetration depth of about 2 mm is required, corresponding to a band gap λ of about 6 mm. In other cases, the sidewall of the liquid storage section and the platform for mounting the electrode can be disposed between the electrode and the liquid storage section. The combined thickness of the sidewall and platform can be about 2 mm. In this case, a penetration depth of 3 mm is required, corresponding to a band gap λ of about 9 mm. The band gap λ of the electrode can be between about 0.5 mm and about 15 mm, or between about 1 mm and about 12 mm, or between about 2 mm and about 10 mm.

[0070] The relatively small penetration depth of the edge electric field generated by the interdigitated electrodes generally means that the interdigitated electrodes adjacent to the liquid storage portion sense the presence or absence of the liquid aerosol-forming matrix only on the surface or walls of the liquid storage portion. This differs from a pair of electrodes arranged on opposite sides of the liquid storage portion, with a portion of the liquid storage portion disposed therebetween, which sense the average electrical properties of said portion of the liquid storage portion disposed therebetween. Therefore, measurements from the interdigitated electrodes arranged adjacent to the liquid storage portion tend to indicate the proportion or fraction of the surface of the liquid storage portion wetted by the liquid aerosol-forming matrix. For a given amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix and a given orientation of the liquid storage portion, the proportion or fraction of the surface of the sidewalls covered by the liquid aerosol-forming matrix depends on the shape of the liquid storage portion. In these embodiments, the cross-section of the liquid storage portion is preferably uniform along the central longitudinal axis. In a particular embodiment, the liquid storage portion may be substantially cylindrical.

[0071] Generally, the sensitivity of a pair of interdigitated electrodes increases with the number of fingers disposed on the interdigitated electrodes. Therefore, for a given size of liquid storage portion, the smaller the band gap of the electrodes, the greater the number of fingers that can be disposed on each electrode, and the greater the sensitivity of the pair of interdigitated electrodes.

[0072] In this invention, the interdigitated electrodes may need to have a band gap equal to or greater than the minimum band gap in order to generate an edge electric field with a penetration depth sufficient to reach the liquid storage portion. Therefore, in this invention, the sensitivity of a pair of interdigitated electrodes tends to decrease as the size of the liquid storage portion decreases, because the number of fingers disposed on each electrode decreases rather than the size of the band gap decreases. However, the sensitivity of a pair of electrodes arranged on opposite sides of the liquid storage portion, with a portion of the liquid storage portion disposed between the electrodes, can increase as the size of the liquid storage portion decreases. This is because the sensitivity of the electrodes to changes in the electrical properties of the material between the electrodes can increase as the distance between the electrodes decreases. Therefore, in this invention, the size of the liquid storage portion can determine the most suitable electrode arrangement. Generally speaking, a pair of interdigitated electrodes may be more suitable for systems with larger liquid storage portions, and electrodes with portions of the liquid storage portion disposed between the electrodes may be more suitable for systems with smaller liquid storage portions.

[0073] Each pair of electrodes is spaced apart or separated from one another. This spacing or separation prevents direct electrical contact between the electrodes of a pair. The spacing, separation, or gap between the electrodes can be consistent along the length of the electrodes.

[0074] For example, the spacing between the counter electrodes can be between approximately 0.5 mm and approximately 3 mm, or between approximately 0.5 mm and approximately 2 mm, or between approximately 0.5 mm and approximately 1.5 mm. When the counter electrodes are arranged on opposite sides of the liquid storage portion, the spacing between the electrodes can be approximately the width of the liquid storage portion or the diameter of a cylindrical liquid storage portion. In the case of a cylindrical liquid storage portion, the spacing between the counter electrodes can be equal to or greater than 5 mm. When the counter electrodes are not arranged on opposite sides of the liquid storage portion, the electrodes can be interdigitated electrodes, with a smaller spacing between them. For example, in this case, the spacing between a pair of interdigitated electrodes can be between approximately 125 μm and approximately 5 mm, or between approximately 125 μm and approximately 2 mm, or between approximately 125 μm and approximately 1 mm.

[0075] The electrode can be any suitable type of electrode. For example, suitable types of electrodes include plate electrodes and orbital electrodes. Each electrode can be of the same type or different types.

[0076] The electrode can be of any suitable shape. For example, the electrode can be square, rectangular, curved, arc-shaped, ring-shaped, spiral, or helical. The electrode can include one or more segments that are substantially linear, nonlinear, planar, or non-planar. The electrode can be rigid. Rigidity allows the electrode to maintain its shape and spacing with each other. The electrode can be flexible. Flexibility allows the electrode to conform to the shape of the liquid storage portion. The electrode can be configured to conform to the shape of the housing of the liquid storage portion.

[0077] Electrodes can have length, width, and thickness. The length of an electrode can be substantially greater than its width. In other words, an electrode can be elongated. The thickness of an electrode can be substantially less than its length and width. In other words, an electrode can be thin. Thin and elongated electrodes can have a large surface area to volume ratio, which can improve the sensitivity of electrical quantity measurements.

[0078] Electrodes may comprise any suitable material. Electrodes may comprise any suitable conductive material. Suitable conductive materials include metals, alloys, conductive ceramics, and conductive polymers. As used herein with respect to the invention, conductive material refers to a material having a conductivity of less than about 1 x 10⁻⁶ at 20°C. -5 Ωm, typically around 1x10 -5 Ωm and approximately 1x10 -9Materials with a volume resistivity between Ωm. The conductive material may specifically include at least one of copper, gold, and platinum. When the electrode is printed on the liquid storage portion, the conductive material may contain conductive ink. Suitable conductive ink may contain silver to provide conductivity. The electrode may be coated with a passivation layer. The electrode may include or be coated with a sufficiently non-reactive material so as not to react with or contaminate the liquid aerosol matrix. The electrode may include transparent or translucent materials. For example, a suitable transparent material may be indium tin oxide (ITO).

[0079] The counter electrode can substantially extend the length of the liquid storage portion. The counter electrode can be arranged on one side of the liquid storage portion. The counter electrode can be arranged on two or more sides of the liquid storage portion. The counter electrode can substantially surround the liquid storage portion. The counter electrode can substantially enclose the liquid storage portion. When the counter electrode substantially surrounds the liquid storage portion and substantially extends the length of the liquid storage portion, the counter electrode can form a tubular sleeve substantially surrounding the liquid storage portion.

[0080] At least one of the counter electrodes may be disposed within the liquid storage portion. At least one of the counter electrodes may be arranged to be in direct contact with the liquid aerosol matrix held within the liquid storage portion. If a carrier material is provided in the liquid storage portion, at least one of the counter electrodes may be arranged to contact the carrier material. Where the electrodes are disposed inside the liquid storage portion or in any location where the electrodes may come into contact with liquid or moisture, the electrodes may be protected or shielded from liquid or moisture, for example, by a hydrophobic material coating.

[0081] In cases where the liquid storage section includes a housing for retaining the liquid storage section, one or more electrodes may be arranged on or within the housing. One or more electrodes may be disposed on the outer surface of the housing. One or more electrodes may be disposed on the inner surface of the housing. The electrodes may form an integral part of the housing.

[0082] The counter electrode may extend over a portion of the housing. In cases where the liquid storage portion includes a housing comprising two opposing ends and at least one sidewall extending between the opposing ends, the counter electrode may extend over a portion of said one or more sidewalls. The counter electrode may extend substantially over said one or more sidewalls. The counter electrode may extend over the entire one or more sidewalls.

[0083] At least one of the counter electrodes can be disposed on a platform. Each electrode can be disposed on a separate platform. The counter electrodes can be disposed on the same platform. The one or more platforms can be disposed on one or more sides of the liquid storage portion. The one or more platforms can substantially surround the liquid storage portion. If the liquid storage portion includes a housing, the one or more platforms can be disposed at or on the housing. The one or more platforms can be disposed on one or more sides of the housing. The one or more platforms can substantially surround the housing. The one or more platforms can be separable from the housing. The one or more platforms can be fastened to the housing. The one or more platforms can be integrally formed with the housing. The one or more platforms can include the same material as the housing. The one or more platforms can include a different material than the housing.

[0084] The one or more platforms may be rigid. The one or more platforms may be flexible. The one or more flexible platforms may bend around two or more sides of the liquid storage section. The one or more flexible platforms may substantially surround the liquid storage section.

[0085] The one or more platforms may be formed of an electrically insulating material. The one or more platforms may include any suitable electrically insulating material. For example, suitable electrically insulating materials include glass, plastic, and ceramic materials. Particularly suitable materials include polyimide and polyester. As used herein with respect to the invention, electrically insulating material refers to a material having a density greater than about 1 x 10⁻⁶ at 20°C. 6 Ωm, typically around 1x10 9 Ωm and approximately 1x10 21 Materials with volume resistivity between Ωm.

[0086] In some embodiments, the one or more platforms may be made of a hydrophobic material. The platforms may be coated with a hydrophobic coating.

[0087] The one or more platforms may be printed circuit boards. The counter electrodes may include conductive tracks printed on the surface of the one or more printed circuit boards. The one or more printed circuit boards may be flexible printed circuit boards.

[0088] Electrodes can be applied to the surface or platform of the housing of the liquid storage section. Electrodes can be applied to the surface or platform of the housing by any suitable application method, such as printing, coating, and spraying. Electrodes can be fastened to the surface or platform of the housing. Electrodes can be fastened to the surface or platform of the housing by any suitable method, such as by adhesive. Electrodes can be etched into the platform, circuit board, or housing of the liquid storage section.

[0089] The aerosol generation system may have more than one pair of electrodes. In these embodiments, the control system may be configured to measure the electrical quantity between each pair of electrodes and determine the orientation of the liquid storage portion based on the electrical quantity information measured between the pairs of electrodes.

[0090] The sensor can be any suitable type. The sensor can be configured to sense the orientation of the liquid storage section. The sensor can also be configured to sense the acceleration of the liquid storage section in one or more directions. The sensor can be configured to sense at least one of the linear acceleration and angular velocity of the liquid storage section.

[0091] The sensor may include one or more accelerometers configured to sense the linear acceleration of the liquid storage section. The sensed linear acceleration can provide an indication of the orientation of the liquid storage section. The sensor may also include one or more gyroscopes configured to sense the angular velocity of the liquid storage section. The sensed angular velocity can provide an indication of the orientation of the liquid storage section. The one or more gyroscopes may also be configured to sense the orientation of the liquid storage section. Compared to one or more accelerometers, one or more gyroscopes can provide an improved indication of the orientation of the liquid storage section. The sensor may include a combination of one or more accelerometers and one or more gyroscopes. The sensor may include any suitable number of accelerometers and gyroscopes. Compared to sensors that individually include accelerometers or gyroscopes, a combination of accelerometers and gyroscopes that provides a combination of sensed linear acceleration information and sensed angular velocity information to the control system can improve the reliability of the indication of the orientation of the liquid storage section.

[0092] In some embodiments, the sensor is an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The IMU can be a MEMS sensor. The IMU may include a 3-axis accelerometer and one or more gyroscopes. This configuration enables the IMU to measure linear acceleration along three vertical axes and angular rotation about the three axes. The IMU may also include a magnetometer, such as a triaxial magnetometer, to provide additional orientation information based on the Earth's magnetic poles.

[0093] An inertial measurement unit (IMU) can be a micromachined integrated inertial module with a three-axis gyroscope and accelerometer. For example, a suitable IMU could be the SD746 device available from SensorDynamics AG.

[0094] The sensor can be positioned at any suitable location within the aerosol generation system. The sensor can be positioned relative to the liquid storage section. If the liquid storage section has a longitudinal axis, the sensor can be aligned with that longitudinal axis. The sensor can be positioned along the longitudinal axis of the liquid storage section.

[0095] The control system may include circuitry. The circuitry may include a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The circuitry may include other electronic components. The circuitry may include a printed circuit board on which additional electronic components are mounted. Sensors may be arranged on the printed circuit board. The circuitry may include an analog-to-digital converter between the sensor and the microprocessor.

[0096] The control system can be configured to control or regulate the voltage applied to the counter electrode. The control system can also be configured to control or regulate the voltage applied to the sensor. In some embodiments, the aerosol generation system includes an aerosol generation component, and the control system can be configured to control or regulate the power supply to the aerosol generation component.

[0097] The control system can be configured to apply a voltage to at least one of the counter electrode and the sensor upon system activation. The control system can also be configured to apply a voltage intermittently, for example, based on each suction cycle.

[0098] The control system can be configured to apply a continuous voltage to the counter electrode. The control system can be configured to apply a continuous voltage to the sensor. The control system can be configured to apply a voltage to the counter electrode in the form of current pulses. The control system can be configured to apply a voltage to the sensor in the form of current pulses.

[0099] The control system can be configured to supply an oscillation measurement signal to the counter electrode. In other words, the control system can be configured to apply an alternating voltage to the counter electrode. The control system can be configured to supply the oscillation measurement signal to the counter electrode at a predetermined frequency. The predetermined frequency can be any suitable frequency used by the control system to measure the electrical quantity between the counter electrodes. The predetermined frequency can be equal to or less than about 20 MHz, or equal to or less than about 10 MHz. The predetermined frequency can be between about 1 kHz and about 10 MHz, or between about 10 kHz and about 1 MHz, or between about 100 kHz and about 1 MHz.

[0100] The liquid aerosol forming matrix can include different compositions with different electrical properties. The control system can be configured to identify the liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the storage portion based on electrical quantity information measured between the counter electrodes. The control system can be configured to adjust the determination of the mass of the liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage portion based on the determined identification. In other words, the control system can be configured to compensate for the composition of the liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage portion.

[0101] The control system may include any suitable components for measuring the electrical quantity between the electrodes. Suitable components include: one or more RC integrators, one or more bridge circuits, one or more oscillators, and one or more switched capacitor circuits utilizing amplifiers. These switched capacitor circuits may be configured in amplification or integration mode.

[0102] The electrical quantity to be measured between the electrodes can be any suitable electrical quantity. For example, the electrical quantity to be measured can be one or more of voltage, current, impedance, resistance, and capacitance. In a particular embodiment, the electrical quantity to be measured can be capacitance.

[0103] The electrical quantity that can be measured by the control system is capacitance. Changes in capacitance may be particularly pronounced when the liquid aerosol matrix includes a dielectric material.

[0104] The capacitance between the electrodes can depend on the amount of liquid aerosol matrix held in the liquid storage section.

[0105] For example, the counter electrode can form a capacitor, and the liquid storage portion can form the dielectric of the capacitor. The liquid storage portion can include a capacitive load, and the capacitance of the liquid storage portion can depend on the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage portion. The capacitance between the counter electrodes can decrease as the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage portion decreases. The capacitive load of the liquid storage portion can have a capacitance in the picofarad (pF) range. This enables rapid charging and discharging times of the capacitor and rapid capacitance measurement.

[0106] The capacitance can be measured. For example, the control system may include components for measuring the charging and discharging time of the capacitor formed by the counter electrodes. The control system may include a timer circuit, such as a 555 timer circuit or any electronic circuit whose oscillation frequency depends on the capacitance, and may be configured to determine the capacitance based on the frequency of the timer circuit output.

[0107] The capacitance can be calculated. For example, capacitance can be calculated from the measurement of the magnitudes of voltage and current, and the phase difference between voltage and current. Capacitance can be calculated from the measurement of impedance. The amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section can be calculated from the measured or calculated capacitance.

[0108] The amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section can be determined from the measured or calculated capacitance.

[0109] The liquid storage portion may include an aerosol-forming matrix held within the liquid storage portion. As used herein with reference to the present invention, the aerosol-forming matrix is ​​a matrix capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form aerosols. Volatile compounds can be released by heating the aerosol-forming matrix. Volatile compounds can be released by moving the aerosol-forming matrix through a passageway of a vibrating element.

[0110] The aerosol forming matrix can be a liquid. The aerosol forming matrix can be a liquid at room temperature. The aerosol forming matrix can include both liquid and solid components. The aerosol forming matrix can include nicotine. Nicotine containing a liquid aerosol forming matrix can be a nicotine salt matrix. The liquid aerosol forming matrix can include plant-based materials. The liquid aerosol forming matrix can include tobacco. The liquid aerosol forming matrix can include tobacco-containing materials containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds, said materials being released from the aerosol forming matrix upon heating. The liquid aerosol forming matrix can include homogenized tobacco materials. The liquid aerosol forming matrix can include tobacco-free materials. The liquid aerosol forming matrix can include homogenized plant-based materials.

[0111] Liquid aerosol forming matrix may include one or more aerosol forming agents. An aerosol forming agent is any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that facilitates the formation of a thick and stable aerosol upon use and is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the system's operating temperature. Examples of suitable aerosol forming agents include glycerol and propylene glycol. Suitable aerosol forming agents 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 mono, di, or triacetic acids of glycerol; and aliphatic esters of mono, di, or polycarboxylic acids such as dimethyl dodecanoate and dimethyl tetradecanoate. Liquid aerosol forming matrix may include water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, and natural or artificial flavorings.

[0112] The liquid aerosol forming matrix may include nicotine and at least one aerosol forming agent. The aerosol forming agent may be glycerol or propylene glycol. The liquid aerosol forming matrix may have a nicotine concentration between about 0.5% and about 10%, for example, about 2%.

[0113] The liquid aerosol forming matrix may contain a mixture of dielectric materials, each of which has a separate dielectric constant (ε). r At room temperature of approximately 20°C, the main components of the liquid aerosol matrix may include: glycerol (ε- r ~42), propylene glycol (ε r ~32), water (ε r ~80), air (ε r~1), Nicotine and flavorings. In the case where a liquid aerosol forms a matrix to form a dielectric material, the electrical quantity that will be measured by the control system can be capacitance.

[0114] The liquid storage portion may include a carrier material for holding the liquid aerosol-forming matrix. When the liquid storage portion includes a housing, the carrier material may be disposed within the housing. The liquid aerosol-forming matrix may be adsorbed or otherwise loaded onto the carrier material. The carrier material may be made of any suitable absorbent material, such as foamed metal or plastic materials, polypropylene, polyester, nylon fibers, or ceramics. The aerosol-forming matrix may remain in the carrier material before use of the aerosol generation system. The aerosol-forming matrix may be released into the carrier material during use. For example, the liquid aerosol-forming matrix may be provided in a capsule.

[0115] An aerosol generation system may include an aerosol generation component. The aerosol generation component may be arranged to receive an aerosol forming matrix from a liquid storage section. The aerosol generation component may be an atomizer. The aerosol generation component may be configured to atomize the received aerosol forming matrix using heat. The aerosol generation component may include a heating component for atomizing the received liquid aerosol forming matrix. The aerosol generation component may be configured to atomize the received aerosol forming matrix using ultrasonic vibration. The aerosol generation component may include an ultrasonic transducer.

[0116] The aerosol generating component may include one or more aerosol generating elements. The one or more aerosol generating elements may be heating elements. The one or more aerosol generating elements may include one or more vibrating elements.

[0117] The aerosol generating component may include a heating element configured to heat the aerosol forming matrix. The heating element can be any suitable heating element. The heating element may include one or more heating elements. The one or more heating elements may be arranged to heat the aerosol forming matrix primarily by means of conduction. The one or more heating elements may be arranged to be in substantially direct contact with the aerosol forming matrix. The one or more heating elements may be arranged to transfer heat to the aerosol forming matrix via one or more thermally conductive elements. The one or more heating elements may be arranged to transfer heat to ambient air drawn in by the aerosol generating system during use, which may heat the aerosol forming matrix by convection. The one or more heating elements may be arranged to heat the ambient air before it is drawn in by the aerosol forming matrix. The one or more heating elements may be arranged to heat the ambient air after it has been drawn in by the aerosol forming matrix.

[0118] The heating element may be an electric heating element or an electric heater. An electric heater may include one or more electric heating elements. The one or more electric heating elements may include a resistive material. Suitable resistive materials may include: semiconductors, such as doped ceramics, electrically conductive ceramics (e.g., molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys, and composite materials made of ceramic and metallic materials. The one or more electric heating elements may take any suitable form. For example, the one or more electric heating elements may take the form of one or more heating blades, one or more heating needles or rods, or one or more heating wires or filaments. The one or more heating elements may include one or more flexible sheets. The one or more heating elements may be deposited in or on a rigid carrier material.

[0119] The heating element may include an inductive heating element. The inductive heating element is described in more detail below with respect to the cylinder. The heating element may include one or more radiators or heat storage tanks. The heating element may include components for heating a small amount of liquid aerosol to form a matrix at a time.

[0120] The aerosol generating component may include one or more vibratory elements and one or more actuators arranged to excite vibrations in the one or more vibratory elements. The one or more vibratory elements may include multiple pathways through which the aerosol forming matrix can pass and become atomized. The one or more actuators may include one or more piezoelectric transducers.

[0121] The aerosol generating component may include one or more capillary cores for conveying a liquid aerosol forming matrix held in a liquid storage portion to one or more elements of the aerosol generating component. The liquid aerosol forming matrix may have physical properties including viscosity, which allows the liquid to be transported through the one or more capillary cores via capillary action.

[0122] An aerosol generating component may include one or more heating wires or filaments surrounding a portion of one or more capillary wicks. The heating wires or filaments may support the surrounded portion of the one or more capillary wicks. The combination of the capillary properties of the one or more capillary wicks and the properties of the liquid matrix ensures that, during normal use, the wicks are always wetted with the liquid aerosol forming matrix in the region of the aerosol generating component when sufficient aerosol forming matrix is ​​present. When the one or more capillary wicks are dry, the one or more capillary wicks cannot deliver a regular supply of the liquid aerosol forming matrix to the aerosol generating component.

[0123] The aerosol generation system may include a power source. The aerosol generation system may include a power source arranged to supply power to at least one of the control system, the counter electrode, and the aerosol generation component. The aerosol generation component may include a separate power source. The aerosol generation system may include a first power source arranged to supply power to the control system and the counter electrode, and a second power source configured to supply power to the aerosol generation component.

[0124] The power source can be a DC power source. The power source can be a battery. The battery can be a lithium-based battery, such as a lithium-cobalt, lithium iron phosphate, lithium titanate, or lithium polymer battery. The battery can be a nickel-metal hydride battery or a nickel-cadmium battery. The power source can be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor. The power source may require recharging and is configured for numerous charge-discharge cycles. The power source may have a capacity sufficient to store enough energy for one or more user experiences; for example, the power source may have a capacity sufficient to allow continuous aerosol generation within a cycle of approximately six minutes, corresponding to the typical time spent smoking a regular cigarette, or within cycles of multiples of six minutes. In another example, the power source may have a capacity sufficient to allow discrete activation of a predetermined number of inhalation or heating elements and actuators.

[0125] The aerosol generation system may include a control system configured to operate the aerosol generation component. The control system configured to operate the aerosol generation component may be a control system configured to determine the orientation of the liquid storage section.

[0126] The aerosol generation system may include a temperature sensor that communicates with the control system. The temperature sensor may be located adjacent to the liquid storage section. The temperature sensor may be thermally adjacent to the liquid storage section. The temperature sensor may be a thermocouple. At least one element of the aerosol generation component may be used by the control system to provide information about its temperature. The temperature-dependent resistive properties of the at least one element may be known and used to determine the temperature of the at least one element in a manner known to those skilled in the art. The control system may be configured to consider the effect of temperature on the electrical load of the liquid storage section using temperature measurements from the temperature sensor. For example, if a portion of the liquid storage section between the electrodes includes a capacitive load, the control system may be configured to consider changes in the dielectric properties of the liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section due to temperature changes.

[0127] The aerosol generation system may include a suction detector that communicates with the control system. The suction detector may be configured to detect when a user is suctioning through the mouthpiece. In some embodiments, the counter electrode may serve as the suction detector.

[0128] Aerosol generation systems may include user input, such as switches or buttons. User input allows users to turn the system on and off.

[0129] The aerosol generation system may include an indicator member for indicating the determined orientation of the liquid aerosol forming matrix. The control system may be configured to activate the indicator member when it is determined that the orientation of the liquid storage section is suitable for a user to aspirate the aerosol generation system. The control system may also be configured to activate the indicator member when it is determined that the orientation of the liquid storage section is suitable for making a determination of the mass of the liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section, for example, when orientation information received from a sensor matches stored reference orientation information.

[0130] The aerosol generation system may also include an indicator member for instructing a user on a defined amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix held in the liquid storage section. The control system may be configured to activate the indicator member after a determination of the amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix held in the liquid storage section has been made.

[0131] The indicating component may include one or more of the following: a lamp, such as a light-emitting diode (LED); a display, such as an LCD display; and an audible indicating component, such as a loudspeaker or buzzer; and a vibrating component. The control system may be configured to illuminate one or more of the lamps, display at least one of orientation and quantity on the display, emit sound via the loudspeaker or buzzer, and vibrate the vibrating component.

[0132] The aerosol generation system may include a housing. The housing may be elongated. The housing may include any suitable material or combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials include metals, alloys, plastics, or composites containing one or more of those materials, or thermoplastic materials suitable for food or pharmaceutical applications, such as polypropylene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and polyethylene. The material may be lightweight and non-brittle.

[0133] The housing may include a cavity for receiving a liquid storage portion. In some embodiments, the housing may include a cavity for receiving a cylinder including the liquid storage portion, as described in more detail later. The housing may include a cavity for receiving a power source. The housing may include a nozzle. The nozzle may include at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet.

[0134] The aerosol generating system can be portable. It can be the size of a conventional cigar or cigarette. The overall length can be between approximately 30 mm and approximately 150 mm. The outer diameter can be between approximately 5 mm and approximately 30 mm.

[0135] An aerosol generation system may include a main unit and a cartridge. The main unit may include a control system. The cartridge may include a liquid storage portion for holding a liquid aerosol formation matrix. The main unit may be configured to removably receive the cartridge. In some embodiments, the aerosol generation system may include: a cartridge including a liquid storage portion; and a main unit including a control system and a cavity for receiving the cartridge. In some embodiments, the counter electrode may be disposed within the cartridge. In some embodiments, the counter electrode may be disposed within the cavity of the main unit.

[0136] When the counter electrode is arranged in the cavity of the main unit, the counter electrode can be arranged such that when the cylinder is received in the cavity, the liquid storage portion of the cylinder is arranged adjacent to the counter electrode.

[0137] In some embodiments, the main unit may include an aerosol generating component. In other embodiments, the cartridge may include an aerosol generating component. When the cartridge includes an aerosol generating component, the cartridge may be referred to as an 'atomizer'. In other embodiments, the aerosol generating system may include an aerosol generating assembly comprising an aerosol generating component. The aerosol generating assembly may be a separate component from the main unit and the cartridge. The aerosol generating assembly may be detachably received by at least one of the main unit and the cartridge.

[0138] The main unit may include one or more power supplies.

[0139] When the cartridge includes one or more of the said counter electrodes, the control system can be configured to identify or verify the cartridge. In other words, the control system can be configured to determine the presence or absence of one or more electrodes on the cartridge, which can be used to verify whether the cartridge received by the main unit is a genuine or authentic cartridge from the manufacturer of the main unit. Measurements between the said counter electrodes can also be used to identify or verify the cartridge received by the main unit. The control system can be configured to determine whether the cartridge has been correctly received by the main unit based on the presence or absence of one or more electrodes on the cartridge or based on electrical quantity information measured between the said counter electrodes.

[0140] The main unit and the cylinder may include an inductive heating element. The main unit may include an inductor coil and a power source configured to provide a high-frequency oscillating current to the inductor coil. The cylinder may include a base element positioned to heat the aerosol-forming matrix. As used herein, a high-frequency oscillating current refers to an oscillating current having a frequency between 10 kHz and 20 MHz. The inductive heating element allows the system to operate without electrical contact between the cylinder and the main unit.

[0141] The cartridge can be detachably attached to the main unit. As used herein, the term 'detachably attached' indicates that the cartridge and the main unit can be connected and disconnected from each other without significant damage to the main unit or the cartridge. The cartridge can be removed from the cavity of the main unit when the aerosol forming matrix has been consumed. The cartridge can be disposable. The cartridge can be reusable and can be refilled with liquid aerosol forming matrix. The cartridge can be replaceable within the cavity of the main unit. The main unit can be reusable.

[0142] The cylinder may have an outer shell or an outer shell that holds a liquid aerosol forming a matrix therein. The outer shell may be rigid. The outer shell may be formed of a liquid-impermeable material. The cylinder or outer shell may include a cap. The cap may be removable before the cylinder is attached to the main unit. The cap may be puncture-resistant. The main unit may include a puncturing element for puncturing the cap of the cylinder when the cylinder is attached to the main unit.

[0143] The main unit may include a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may include at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet. The mouthpiece may include more than one air inlet. The mouthpiece may include a piercing element.

[0144] In a second aspect of the invention, a main unit for an aerosol generation system according to a first aspect of the invention is provided. The main unit includes: a cavity for receiving a cylinder including a liquid storage portion; and a control system. The main unit may further include a sensor. The main unit may also include the counter electrode, which is arranged in the cavity such that the electrode is adjacent to the liquid storage portion of the cylinder when the cylinder is received in the cavity.

[0145] In a third aspect of the invention, a control system for an aerosol generation system according to a first aspect of the invention is provided. The control system is configured to: measure an electrical quantity between a pair of electrodes arranged adjacent to or within a liquid storage portion of the aerosol generation system; receive orientation information from a sensor; and determine the amount of liquid retained in the liquid storage portion based on the electrical quantity information measured between the electrodes and the orientation information received from the sensor.

[0146] In a fourth aspect of the invention, a method is provided for determining the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in a liquid storage portion of an aerosol generating system according to a first aspect of the invention, the method comprising:

[0147] The measurement is of electrical quantities that are arranged adjacent to the liquid storage section of the aerosol generation system or between a pair of electrodes in the liquid storage section;

[0148] Receive orientation information from the sensor; and

[0149] The amount of liquid held in the liquid storage section is determined based on the electrical quantity information measured between the electrodes and the orientation information received from the sensor.

[0150] In a fifth aspect of the invention, a method is provided for operating an aerosol generation system according to a first aspect of the invention, the method comprising:

[0151] The measurement is of electrical quantities that are arranged adjacent to the liquid storage section of the aerosol generation system or between a pair of electrodes in the liquid storage section;

[0152] Receive orientation information from the sensor; and

[0153] The power supply to the aerosol generating components is controlled based on the measured electrical quantities and the received directional information.

[0154] In some embodiments, the received orientation information can be compared with one or more threshold orientation values, and if the orientation information is greater than the one or more threshold orientation values, the power supply to the aerosol generating component can be reduced, blocked, or prohibited.

[0155] In some embodiments, the measured electrical quantity can be compared with one or more threshold electrical quantity values, and if the measured electrical quantity is greater than or less than one of the one or more threshold electrical quantity values, the power supply to the aerosol generating component can be reduced, blocked, or prohibited.

[0156] In some embodiments, the method may further include determining the amount of liquid held in the liquid storage portion based on electrical quantity information measured between the counter electrodes and orientation information received from a sensor. Control of the power supply to the aerosol generating component may be based on the determined amount.

[0157] In some embodiments, the determined quantity can be compared with one or more threshold values, and if the determined quantity is less than the one or more threshold values, the power supply to the aerosol generating component can be reduced, blocked, or prohibited.

[0158] In some embodiments, the method may further include receiving acceleration information from a sensor. Controlling the power supply to the aerosol generating component may be based on the acceleration information.

[0159] In some embodiments, the received acceleration information can be compared with one or more threshold acceleration values. In some embodiments, if the received acceleration information is less than the one or more threshold acceleration values, then the amount of liquid held in the liquid storage section can be determined.

[0160] It will be understood that features described with respect to one aspect of the invention may also be applied to other aspects of the invention. Specifically, features described with respect to the aerosol generation system may be applied to the main unit, cylinder, control system, and method, and vice versa. Attached Figure Description

[0161] The invention will be further described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0162] Figure 1 A schematic illustration of an exemplary aerosol generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided;

[0163] Figure 2 Show suitable in Figure 1 A perspective view of a cylinder used in an aerosol generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0164] Figure 3 Showing the longitudinal axis AA passing through the center Figure 2 A schematic cross-section of the cylinder;

[0165] Figure 4 Show Figure 2 A plan view of the cylinder;

[0166] Figure 5 Shown from Figure 2 A pair of interdigitated electrodes in the tube;

[0167] Figure 6 Show Figure 2 A schematic illustration of a pair of folded electrodes and a shielding element of a cylinder;

[0168] Figure 7 A schematic illustration of a pair of folded electrodes and a shielding element from a cylinder according to another embodiment of the invention is shown;

[0169] Figure 8 Show Figure 2 A normalized diagram of the amount of liquid aerosol matrix formed by the wetted surface of the sidewall of the liquid storage section of the cylinder.

[0170] Figure 9 a shows the formation matrix of liquid aerosols in an upright, vertical orientation. Figure 2 A schematic illustration of a cylinder;

[0171] Figure 9 b shows that it remains in Figure 9 A schematic illustration of the formation of a matrix by liquid aerosol in cylinder a;

[0172] Figure 9 c shows the matrix for maintaining the liquid aerosol formation in a horizontal orientation. Figure 2 A schematic illustration of a cylinder;

[0173] Figure 9 d indicates that it is held at Figure 9 A schematic illustration of the formation of a matrix by liquid aerosol in cylinder c;

[0174] Figure 10 a shows how to maintain a liquid aerosol forming matrix in a non-vertical and non-horizontal orientation. Figure 2 A schematic illustration of a cylinder;

[0175] Figure 10 b shows that it remains in Figure 10 A schematic illustration of the formation of a matrix by liquid aerosol in cylinder a;

[0176] Figure 10 c shows the formation of a liquid aerosol matrix in another non-vertical and non-horizontal orientation. Figure 2 A schematic illustration of a cylinder;

[0177] Figure 10 d indicates that it is held at Figure 10 A schematic illustration of the formation of a matrix by liquid aerosol in cylinder a;

[0178] Figure 11 a shows a liquid aerosol forming matrix maintained in another non-vertical and non-horizontal orientation. Figure 2 A schematic illustration of a cylinder;

[0179] Figure 11 b shows how to maintain the liquid aerosol forming matrix in a non-vertical and non-horizontal orientation. Figure 2 Another illustrative illustration of the tube;

[0180] Figure 12 a shows suitable for use Figure 1 A plan view of a cylinder according to another embodiment of the present invention in an aerosol generation system;

[0181] Figure 12 b shows Figure 12 Perspective view of cylinder a;

[0182] Figure 13 Showing the depiction for Figure 1 A block diagram showing the configuration of the control system for the aerosol generation system; and

[0183] Figure 14 A schematic illustration of yet another exemplary aerosol generation system according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0184] Figure 1 This is a schematic illustration of an example of an aerosol generation system. Figure 1This is illustrative in nature, and the components shown are not necessarily to scale individually or relative to each other. The aerosol generation system includes a preferably reusable main unit 100 that works in conjunction with a preferably disposable cartridge 200. Figure 1 The aerosol generation system shown is an electrically operated smoking system.

[0185] The main unit 100 includes a housing 101. The housing 101 is substantially circular-cylindrical and has a longitudinal length of about 100 mm and an outer diameter of about 20 mm, which is comparable to that of a conventional cigar.

[0186] The main unit 100 includes a power source in the form of a lithium-ion phosphate battery 102 and a control system in the form of control electronics 104, both housed within a housing 101. The control electronics 104 includes a suction sensor 106 in the form of a microphone, an LED 108 activated to indicate that the main unit is activated, and a sensor in the form of an inertial measurement unit 110 according to the invention, which will be described in more detail below.

[0187] The outer casing 101 of the main unit 100 further defines a cavity 112 in which the cylinder 200 is received.

[0188] The main unit 100 also includes a mouthpiece portion 120, which includes an outlet 124. In this exemplary embodiment, the mouthpiece portion 120 is connected to the housing 101 of the main unit 100 via a hinged connector. However, it will be understood that any type of connection, such as a snap-fit ​​or screw joint, can be used to connect the mouthpiece portion 120 to the housing 101 of the main unit 100. When the mouthpiece portion is in the closed position, as... Figure 1 As shown, one or more air inlets 122 are disposed between the mouthpiece portion 120 and the body 101.

[0189] A flat spiral inductor coil 111 is disposed within the nozzle portion 120. The coil 111 is formed by stamping or cutting a spiral coil from a copper plate. The coil 111 is positioned between an air inlet 122 and an air outlet 124, such that air drawn from the inlet 122 to the outlet 124 passes through the coil.

[0190] Figure 1 and 2The cylinder 200, shown schematically, includes a rigid outer shell 204 defining a liquid storage portion 201. The liquid storage portion 201 contains a liquid aerosol forming matrix (not shown). The outer shell 204 of the cylinder 200 is impermeable to fluids but has an open end covered by a permeable base element 205. The permeable base element 205 includes a ferrite mesh comprising ferrite steel. The aerosol forming matrix can form menisci in the gaps of the mesh. When the cylinder 200 is received in the cavity 112 and engaged with the main unit, the base element 205 is positioned adjacent to the flat helical coil 111. The cylinder 200 may include bonding features (not shown) to ensure that it cannot be inserted into the main unit upside down.

[0191] In use, the user draws air into the mouthpiece 120 via the air inlet 122 in the housing 101, and then into the user's mouth via the outlet 124. When the user draws air into the mouthpiece, a small airflow is drawn through the sensor inlet 121 in the housing 101, passes through the microphone 106, and continues into the mouthpiece 120. When a draw is detected, the control electronics 104 provides a high-frequency oscillating current to the coil 111. This generates an oscillating magnetic field, such as... Figure 1 As shown by the dashed lines, an oscillating magnetic field passes through the base element 205, thereby inducing eddy currents in the base element 205. The base element 205 heats up due to Joule heating and hysteresis losses, reaching a temperature sufficient to evaporate the aerosol-forming matrix near the base element. The evaporated aerosol-forming matrix is ​​entrained in the air flowing from the air inlet to the air outlet and cools within the mouthpiece portion to form an aerosol before entering the user's mouth. After a suction is detected, the control electronics 104 supplies an oscillating current to the coil for a predetermined duration (five seconds in this example) and then cuts off the current until a new suction is detected.

[0192] The cylinder 200 has a circular cylindrical shape, and the base element 205 spans the circular open end of the cylinder housing 204. It will be understood that other configurations are possible. For example, the base element may be a steel mesh strip 205 spanning a rectangular opening in the cylinder housing.

[0193] Figure 1 The example aerosol generation system shown relies on inductive heating. Other examples of suitable inductive heating elements and an explanation of the operation of inductive heating systems are described in WO2015 / 177046A1.

[0194] It will be understood that other aerosol generation systems according to the present invention may include other types of aerosol generation components. For example, the aerosol generation component may include other aerosol generation components configured to atomize liquid aerosols to form a matrix by heat. The aerosol generation component may include one or more resistance heating elements. The aerosol generation component may also include an aerosol generation component configured to atomize liquid aerosols to form a matrix by vibration. The aerosol generation component may include one or more vibratory elements and actuators.

[0195] Figure 2 The cylinder 200 removed from the main unit 100 is shown. The cylinder 200 has a housing 204 in the form of a circular cylindrical shell, defining a liquid storage portion 201 for holding the liquid aerosol forming matrix. The housing 204 includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end and having a base 205, and a tubular sidewall extending between the first and second ends. The housing 204 has perfect rotational symmetry about a central longitudinal axis AA.

[0196] It will be understood that in other embodiments of the invention, the cylinder may not have a base. The cylinder may instead have another suitable type of aerosol generating component. For example, the cylinder may have a resistance heater that is physically and electrically connected to the power supply of the main unit via electrical contacts on the cylinder and complementary electrical contacts in the cavity of the main unit. When the cylinder is received in the cavity of the main unit, the electrical contacts of the cylinder may contact the electrical contacts of the main unit. In other embodiments of the invention, the main unit may include the aerosol generating component, and the cylinder may not include any part of the aerosol generating component.

[0197] It should also be understood that in other embodiments of the invention, the cylinder may have an outer shell forming any other suitable shape, such as a rectangular cuboid.

[0198] An interdigitated sensor 300 surrounds a circular cylindrical housing 204. In other words, a sensor including a pair of electrodes 320 surrounds a circular cylindrical housing 204. The interdigitated sensor 300 extends the length of the housing 204, substantially covering the tubular sidewalls. The interdigitated sensor 300 forms a circular cylindrical sleeve that substantially surrounds the sidewalls of the housing 204.

[0199] Interdigitated sensor 300 in Figures 3 to 6 The image shows the interdigitated sensor 300 in more detail. The interdigitated sensor 300 includes a flexible printed circuit board 310, a pair of electrodes 320, and a shield 330.

[0200] The flexible printed circuit board 310 is generally rectangular, with a width approximately equal to the length of the housing 204 and a length approximately equal to the circumference of the housing 204. The flexible printed circuit board 310 can be rolled, bent, or flexed around the sidewalls of the housing 204 to form a tight-fitting sleeve that extends substantially around the circumference of the housing 204, thereby covering the sidewalls.

[0201] The flexible printed circuit board 310 is secured to the outer surface of the sidewall of the housing 204 by an adhesive (not shown). Securely attaching the flexible printed circuit board 310 to the housing 204 ensures a constant, tight fit between the interdigital sensor 300 and the housing 204, and that the relative arrangement of the counter electrode 320 and the liquid reservoir 201 remains constant. It will be understood that any other suitable fastening mechanism, such as clips or other types of fasteners, can be used.

[0202] It will be understood that, in other embodiments, the interdigital sensor can be secured to the housing by another fastening method. In some embodiments, the interdigital sensor and the housing can be fastened together by an interference fit or a friction fit. In other embodiments, the interdigital sensor may not be secured to the housing, allowing the housing to be removed from the interdigital sensor. In these embodiments, the sensor may be wound around a cylindrical tube having an inner diameter sufficient to accommodate the housing. The cylindrical tube can substantially prevent damage to the interdigital sensor during insertion and removal of the housing.

[0203] The counter electrode 320 is printed on one side of the flexible printed circuit board 310, and the electrical shield 330 is printed on the opposite side of the flexible printed circuit board 310, directly opposite the electrode 320. The counter electrode 320 extends substantially on one side of the flexible printed circuit board 310, and the shield 330 extends substantially on the opposite side of the flexible printed circuit board 310.

[0204] like Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the interdigitated sensor 300 extends substantially on the sidewall of the housing 204. The housing 204 defines a substantially circular cylindrical liquid storage portion 201 having a central longitudinal axis AA. The interdigitated sensor 300 is arranged around the housing 204 such that the electrode 320 faces the housing 204 and the liquid storage portion 201, and the shield 330 faces away from the housing 204. In other words, the counter electrode 320 is arranged adjacent to the sidewall of the housing 204. Therefore, the counter electrode 320 is arranged to sense the electrical properties of the liquid storage portion 201. Specifically, the electrode 320 is arranged to sense the liquid aerosol forming matrix in contact with the sidewall of the housing 204.

[0205] Interdigitated sensor 300 in Figure 5 and 6The image shows the interdigitated sensor 300 in more detail. The interdigitated sensor 300 includes a drive electrode 321 and a sensing electrode 325.

[0206] The driving electrode 321 includes a connector 322 for connecting the driving electrode to the control electronics 104 of the main unit 100, a main track or trunk 323 connected to the connector 322, and a plurality of protrusions or fingers 324 all extending from the main track 323 in substantially the same direction. The main track 323 and the fingers 324 form a regular or periodic comb-like structure. The fingers 324 provide a gap 329 between consecutive or adjacent fingers 324 at regular intervals along the main track 323. The distance between the centerlines of consecutive or adjacent fingers 324 is called the band gap λ of the driving electrode 321. D .

[0207] The sensing electrode 325 also includes a connector 326, a main track or trunk 327 connected to the connector 325, and a plurality of protrusions or fingers 328 extending from the main track 327. The main track 327 and the fingers 328 form a regular or periodic comb-like structure, similar to the driving electrode 321. The band gap λ of the sensing electrode 325 S The band gap λ of the driving electrode 321 is equal to D .

[0208] The driving electrode 321 and the sensing electrode 325 are arranged on one side of the printed circuit board 310 such that the main tracks 323 and 327 extend substantially along the length of the circuit board 310 and the fingers 324 and 328 extend substantially along the width of the circuit board 310. The fingers 324 of the driving electrode 321 extend toward the main track 327 of the sensing electrode 325, and the fingers 328 of the sensing electrode 325 extend toward the main track 323 of the driving electrode 321. The fingers 324 of the driving electrode 321 extend into the gap 329 between adjacent fingers 328 of the sensing electrode 325, and the fingers 328 of the sensing electrode extend into the gap 329 between adjacent fingers 324 of the driving electrode 321. Therefore, the driving electrode 321 and the sensing electrode 325 are interdigitated. The length and width of the fingers 324, 328 of the driving electrode 321 and the sensing electrode 325 are selected such that a substantially constant gap or spacing is provided between the driving electrode 321 and the sensing electrode 325 along the length of the electrodes 321, 325. The interdigitated electrodes 320 substantially cover one side of the surface of the printed circuit board 310.

[0209] Connectors 322 and 326 can be electrically connected to the control electronics 104 of the main unit 100. The control electronics 104 of the main unit 100 may include any suitable component for measuring the capacitance between the drive electrode 321 and the sensing electrode 325. In this embodiment, the control electronics 104 includes a switched capacitor amplifier or an integrator. Components for measuring capacitance are well understood in this art and will not be described in more detail herein.

[0210] like Figure 6 As shown, a shield 330 is disposed on the opposite side of a printed circuit board 310. The shield includes a conductive mesh 332, which is printed on the opposite side of the board 310 and directly opposite the counter electrode 320. The conductive mesh 332 is electrically connected to ground via a connector 333.

[0211] Figure 7 An interdigitated sensor 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The interdigitated sensor 400 includes a printed circuit board 410 and a pair of interdigitated electrodes 421, 425, which are substantially identical to the printed circuit board 310 and the pair of interdigitated electrodes 320 of the interdigitated sensor 300. The pair of interdigitated electrodes includes a drive electrode 421 having a connector 422, a main track 423, and a finger 424, and a sensing electrode 425 having a connector 426, a main track 427, and a finger 428, substantially similar to the interdigitated sensor 300. However, the interdigitated sensor 400 includes a shielding configuration on opposite sides of the printed circuit board 410 that differs from that of the interdigitated sensor 300. The shielding 430 of the interdigitated sensor 400 includes a conductive mesh 432 extending on opposite sides of the printed circuit board 410, directly opposite the pair of electrodes 421, 425. The grid 432 includes a connector 433 that is electrically connected via a voltage follower 434 to a connector 426 of the sensing electrode 425 of the counter electrode 420.

[0212] Return to view Figure 1 The main unit 100 shown in the figure has a control system (i.e., control electronics 104) configured to receive orientation and acceleration information from the inertial measurement unit 110. The control system is also configured to apply an oscillation measurement signal to the interdigitated sensor 300 around the liquid storage section 201 and to measure the electrical quantity between the electrodes 321, 325.

[0213] As mentioned above, a pair of interdigitated electrodes generates an electric field with a limited penetration depth. Therefore, the pair of interdigitated electrodes surrounding the sidewalls of the liquid storage portion tend to sense the presence or absence of a liquid aerosol-forming matrix at the sidewalls of the liquid storage portion. The proportion or fraction of the surface area of ​​the sidewalls covered by the liquid aerosol-forming matrix depends on the shape and size of the liquid storage portion, the amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix retained within the liquid storage portion, and the orientation of the liquid storage portion. The surface area of ​​the liquid storage portion in contact with the liquid aerosol-forming matrix is ​​referred to herein as the 'wetted' surface area.

[0214] When the liquid storage section 201 is substantially stationary or moving at a substantially constant speed, the shape of the liquid aerosol forming matrix within the liquid storage section can remain substantially constant, and the wetting surface area of ​​the liquid storage section can remain substantially constant. However, when the liquid storage section accelerates, the shape of the liquid aerosol forming matrix within the liquid storage section and the wetting surface area of ​​the liquid storage section can change. Therefore, if the liquid storage section 201 is accelerating when the measurements between the interdigitated electrodes 320 are performed, the measured electrical quantities can provide an indication of changes in the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained within the liquid storage section.

[0215] When the system is activated, the control system is configured to determine whether the liquid storage section 201 is in a stable or unstable state based on the acceleration information received from the inertial measurement unit 110. The control system compares the acceleration information received from the inertial measurement unit 110 with an acceleration threshold stored in the microprocessor's memory.

[0216] If the control system determines that the measured acceleration information is higher than the acceleration threshold, then the control system determines that the liquid storage section 201 is in an unstable state, and the control system will not continue to supply oscillation measurement signals to the interdigitated sensor 300 to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage section 201.

[0217] When the control system determines that the measured acceleration information is below the acceleration threshold, the control system determines that the liquid storage section 201 is in a stable state, and the control system continues to supply the oscillation measurement signal to the interdigitated sensor 300 and determines the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage section 201.

[0218] The control system is configured to control or regulate the power supply to the coil 111 based on orientation information received from the inertial measurement unit 110 and a determined amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix in the liquid storage section 201, as will be discussed later. Figure 13 More detailed description.

[0219] The control system is also configured to repeatedly determine whether the liquid storage section 201 is in a stable or unstable state after each aspiration, and when it is determined that the liquid storage section 201 is in a stable state, to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix in the liquid storage section 201.

[0220] The control system is configured to use electrical quantity information measured between the electrodes and orientation information received from the inertial measurement unit to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section. Typically, the electrical quantity measured between the electrodes is capacitance.

[0221] The electrical quantity measurement is related to the fraction or percentage of the surface area of ​​the sidewall of the liquid storage section that is in contact with the liquid aerosol forming matrix. In some embodiments, the control system may use the electrical quantity measurement to determine the wetting surface area of ​​the sidewall of the liquid storage section.

[0222] In some embodiments, the control system may be configured to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage portion by comparison. In other words, the control system may include a lookup table storing reference orientation information, reference electrical quantity information or wetting surface area information associated with the reference orientation information, and reference quantity information associated with the reference electrical quantity information or wetting surface area information. The control system may compare the orientation information received from the sensor with the reference orientation information, and compare the measured electrical quantity information or the determined wetting surface area information with the reference electrical quantity information or the reference wetting surface area information.

[0223] In some embodiments, when the liquid storage portion is in a particular orientation, the relationship between the wetting surface area of ​​the sidewalls of the liquid storage portion and the amount of liquid in the liquid storage portion may be known for the liquid storage portion. Typically, this relationship may be known when the liquid storage portion is in a vertical or horizontal orientation. This known relationship may be stored in the memory of the control system so that the control system can use the known relationship to accurately determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage portion when it is determined that the liquid storage portion is in one of the known orientations.

[0224] Figure 8 Two exemplary known relationships are shown between the normalized surface area S of the sidewall of the liquid storage section 201 that is in contact with the liquid aerosol forming matrix (i.e., 0 corresponds to no surface being covered by liquid and 1 corresponds to all surfaces being covered by liquid) and the normalized amount of the liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage section (i.e., 0 corresponds to the liquid storage section being empty and without liquid and 1 corresponds to the liquid storage section being full of liquid).

[0225] like Figure 8As shown, when the liquid storage section is in a vertical orientation 252, the relationship between the wetting surface area and the amount of liquid in the liquid storage section is essentially linear. This is because the cross-section of the liquid storage section is uniform along the central longitudinal axis of the liquid storage section.

[0226] For example Figure 8 As shown, when the liquid storage section is horizontal (254), the relationship between the wetting surface area and the amount of liquid in the liquid storage section is not linear.

[0227] When the liquid storage section is neither vertical nor horizontal, the relationship between the wetting surface area of ​​the sidewalls of the liquid storage section and the amount of liquid in the liquid storage section falls within the range of... Figure 8 Within area 256 of the map. Figure 10 ad and Figure 11 ab illustrates a liquid storage section 200 in an inclined or deviated orientation that is neither vertical nor horizontal. The relationship between the wetted surface area of ​​the sidewalls of the liquid storage section and the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section falls within these conditions. Figure 8 Within region 256 of the diagram. The relationships between these situations may be unknown to the control system and may not be stored by the control system.

[0228] The control system can be configured to approximate the amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section when the liquid storage section is in a non-vertical and non-horizontal orientation. Specifically, the control system can be configured to underestimate the amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section. For example, for the non-vertical and non-horizontal case, if it is determined that the wetting surface area is less than half of the maximum wetting surface area, then the control system can be configured to use the amount associated with the horizontal orientation case; and if it is determined that the wetting surface area is greater than half of the maximum wetting surface area, then the control system can be configured to use the amount associated with the vertical orientation case. The control system can be configured to correct the underestimated approximation when the liquid storage section returns to a vertical or horizontal orientation.

[0229] In one embodiment, the control system is configured to calculate the volume V of the liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage section.

[0230] The control system measures the electrical quantities between the interdigitated electrodes and determines the wetting surface area S of the sidewalls of the liquid storage section. The control system also receives orientation information from the inertial measurement unit and determines the tilt angle θ of the liquid storage section from the received orientation information. It will be understood that the control system can define any suitable angle as the tilt angle relative to the liquid storage section. However, in these embodiments, the control system defines the tilt angle as the angle between the vertical and the longitudinal axis of the liquid storage section.

[0231] The control system is configured to use the tilt angle θ of the liquid storage section, the wetted surface area S of the sidewall of the liquid storage section, and the known dimensions of the liquid storage section, such as the length L and radius r of the liquid storage section, to calculate the volume V of the liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage section.

[0232] The control system must determine the shape of the liquid aerosol forming matrix within the liquid storage section in order to accurately calculate the volume V of the liquid aerosol forming matrix. As mentioned above, the shape formed by the liquid aerosol forming matrix depends on the tilt angle θ of the liquid storage section. Multiple reference orientation values ​​θ are available. ri Stored in the control system. Reference orientation value θ ri The shape of the liquid aerosol forming matrix is ​​confined within it by a known specific tilt angle and tilt angle range. The control system is configured to compare the tilt angle θ determined based on orientation information received from sensors with a stored reference orientation value θ. ri To determine whether the liquid aerosol forming matrix is ​​in a known shape. Equations for several exemplary known shapes are provided below.

[0233] Figure 9 Figures a and 9b show a liquid storage section 200 in an upright, vertical orientation. In this orientation, the tilt angle θ of the liquid storage section is 0, and the liquid aerosol forming matrix forms a cylinder with a radius r and a height h. The control system stores a first reference orientation value θ of 0. r1 If the liquid storage section is inverted by 180°, the liquid aerosol forming matrix also forms a cylinder, and thus the control system stores a second reference orientation value θ of 180°. r2 .

[0234] If the determined tilt angle θ matches the first or second reference orientation value θ r1 θ r2 The control system then determines that the liquid aerosol forming matrix forms a cylinder. The radius r of the cylinder of the liquid aerosol forming matrix is ​​a known value because it is the radius of the liquid storage portion. The surface area S of the sidewalls of the cylinder of the liquid aerosol forming matrix is ​​also a known value from the measurement of the electrical quantities between the electrodes. Therefore, the height h of the cylinder of the liquid aerosol forming matrix is ​​calculated using Equation 1:

[0235] S=2πrh Equation 1

[0236] The height h of the cylinder can be determined using Equation 1, or alternatively, the volume V of the cylinder forming the liquid aerosol matrix can be calculated by substituting Equation 1 into the equation for the volume V of the cylinder, as shown in Equation 2:

[0237]

[0238] The maximum surface area S of the cylinder forming the liquid aerosol matrix max and maximum volume V max These are known values ​​because the maximum surface area and volume of the cylinder are equal to the surface area and volume of the liquid storage portion, where the height h of the cylinder forming the liquid aerosol matrix is ​​equal to the length L of the liquid storage portion. When the liquid storage portion is filled with the liquid aerosol matrix, the surface area S of the sidewalls of the liquid storage portion in contact with the liquid aerosol matrix should be at its maximum value S. max The surface area remains constant regardless of the orientation of the liquid storage section. Therefore, the control system is configured to compare a given surface area S with the maximum surface area Smax. max Then, the tilt angle and shape of the liquid aerosol forming matrix are determined. If the determined surface area S is equal to the maximum surface area S... max The control system determines that the liquid storage section is filled with liquid aerosol to form a matrix.

[0239] If the control system determines that the liquid storage section is not full and is not vertically oriented, then the control system compares the determined tilt angle θ with another reference orientation value to determine the shape of the liquid aerosol forming matrix.

[0240] Figure 9 Figures c and 9d show the liquid storage section 200 in a horizontal orientation. In this orientation, the tilt angle θ of the liquid storage section is either 90° or 270°. The control system stores a third reference orientation value θ of 90°. r3 The fourth reference orientation value θ, summing to 270° r4 If the determined tilt angle θ matches the third reference orientation value θ r3 Or the fourth reference orientation value θ r4 The control system determines that the liquid aerosol forms a matrix that forms horizontal cylindrical segments.

[0241] If the control system determines that the liquid aerosol forming matrix forms a horizontal cylindrical segment, then the control system calculates the volume V of the liquid aerosol forming matrix in the liquid storage section by calculating the volume of the horizontal cylindrical segment. The equation for the surface area S of the sidewalls of the horizontal cylindrical segment is shown as Equation 3:

[0242] S=rαL Equation 3

[0243] Equation 3 includes an unknown value, the angle α of the cylindrical segment. The equation for the volume V of the horizontal segment includes the same unknown value, the angle α. To calculate the volume V of the horizontal segment, the angle α can be calculated using Equation 3 and input into the equation for the volume V of the horizontal segment, or alternatively, Equation 3 can be substituted into the equation for the volume V to remove the angle α from the equation, as shown in Equation 4:

[0244]

[0245] In some embodiments, the control system may be configured to determine the volume of the liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage portion when it is determined that the liquid storage portion is only in a vertical and horizontal orientation.

[0246] In some embodiments of the invention, the control system is configured to determine the volume of the liquid aerosol forming matrix in the liquid storage portion when the liquid storage portion is in other non-vertical and non-horizontal orientations.

[0247] When the liquid storage section is at a certain tilt angle θ, the liquid aerosol forming matrix can form a cylindrical wedge, such as... Figure 10 As shown in a and 10b, regardless of the volume V of the liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage section, there exists a maximum tilt angle θ of the cylindrical wedge formed by the liquid aerosol forming matrix in the liquid storage section. r5 Maximum tilt angle θ r5 The angle is where the height h of the cylindrical wedge is equal to the length L of the liquid storage section.

[0248] The height h of the cylindrical wedge is obtained from Equation 5:

[0249]

[0250] Maximum angle θ r5 This can be determined using Equation 5, as shown in Equation 6:

[0251]

[0252] Equation 6 includes an unknown value, the angle between the radius at the base of the wedge extending to one end of the chord and the radius extending to the point on the base from which the height h of the wedge is measured.

[0253] Equation 5 can be used to calculate angles. Equation 5 includes two unknown values: the height h and the angle between the radius at the base of the wedge extending to the end of the chord and the radius extending to the point on the base from which the height h of the wedge is measured. The equation used to calculate the surface area S of the wedge's sidewalls includes the same two unknown values ​​as in Equation 5: height h and angle. Therefore, Equation 5 can be introduced into the equation used to calculate the surface area S to find the unknown value h or Any one of them, as shown in Equation 7:

[0254]

[0255] To determine the maximum angle θ r5Angles can be calculated using Equation 7. And can Alternatively, you can substitute Equation 7 into Equation 6 to remove the unknown angle from Equation 6.

[0256] The control system can be configured to compare the tilt angle θ of the liquid storage section with a fifth reference orientation value, the angle θ r5 This is to determine whether the liquid aerosol forming matrix is ​​in the form of a cylindrical wedge. If the control system determines that the tilt angle θ of the liquid storage section is less than or equal to the maximum angle θ... r5 The control system determines that the liquid aerosol forming matrix forms a cylindrical wedge and calculates the volume V of the liquid aerosol forming matrix in the liquid storage section as the volume of the cylindrical wedge.

[0257] The equation used to calculate the volume V of the cylindrical wedge includes three unknown values, two of which are the same as in Equation 5: the height h and the angle. And the volume V of the cylindrical wedge. Equation 5 can be introduced into the equation for calculating the volume V of the cylindrical wedge, as shown in Equation 8:

[0258]

[0259] Equation 8 includes two unknown values: volume V and angle. To determine the volume V of the cylindrical wedge, the angle can be determined using Equation 7. And can Alternatively, Equation 7 can be introduced into Equation 8 to remove the unknown angle.

[0260] If the control system determines that the tilt angle θ of the liquid storage section is greater than the fifth reference orientation value θ r5 The control system can then determine that the liquid aerosol forming matrix does not form a cylindrical wedge, and can compare the tilt angle θ with other reference orientations to determine the shape of the liquid aerosol forming matrix.

[0261] At certain other tilt angles θ, the liquid aerosol forming matrix forms cylindrical segments within the liquid storage section, such as... Figure 10 As shown in c and 10d. When the tilt angle θ of the liquid storage section is less than two angles θ r6 θ r7 The liquid aerosol forming matrix can form cylindrical segments regardless of the volume V of the liquid aerosol forming matrix in the liquid storage section. The cylindrical segment has two heights: a minimum height h1 on one side and a maximum height h2 on the opposite side. The first angle θ... r6 The angle where the minimum height h1 of the segment equals 0. The second angle θ.r7 It is the angle at which the maximum height h2 is equal to the length L of the liquid storage section.

[0262] The angle θ can be calculated using the relationship between the minimum height h1 and maximum height h2 of the cylindrical segment and the tilt angle θ of the liquid storage section. r6 θ r7 As shown in Equation 9:

[0263] h2-h1=2r tanθ Equation 9

[0264] Equation 9 includes two unknown values, heights h1 and h2. The equation used to calculate the surface area S of the sidewalls of the cylindrical segment includes the same two unknown values ​​as Equation 9, heights h1 and h2, as shown in Equation 10:

[0265] S=πr(h1+h2) Equation 10

[0266] Equation 9 can be substituted into Equation 10 to remove either the unknown heights h2 or h1. This is to calculate the first angle θ. r6 We can substitute Equation 9 into Equation 10 to remove the maximum height h2, as shown in Equation 11:

[0267] S=2πR(h1+h2)=πR(h1+Rtanθ) Equation 11

[0268] The first angle θ can then be calculated by setting the minimum height h1 to 0 in Equation 11. r6 As shown in Equation 12:

[0269]

[0270] The second angle θ can be calculated by substituting Equation 9 into Equation 10 to remove the minimum height h1 and setting the maximum height h2 to the length L of the liquid storage section. r7 As shown in Equation 13:

[0271]

[0272] The control system is configured to compare the tilt angle θ of the liquid storage section with the sixth and seventh reference orientation values, angle θ r6 and θ r7 This is to determine whether the liquid aerosol forming matrix is ​​in the form of cylindrical segments. If the control system determines that the tilt angle θ of the liquid storage section is less than or equal to the sixth reference orientation value θr6 and the seventh reference orientation value θ... r7 The control system determines that the liquid aerosol forming matrix forms a cylindrical segment and calculates the volume V of the liquid aerosol forming matrix in the liquid storage part as the volume of the cylindrical segment.

[0273] The equation used to calculate the volume V of the cylindrical segment includes the same two unknown values ​​as in Equation 10, heights h1 and h2. Heights h1 and h2 have the same relationship in the equation used to calculate the volume V of the cylindrical segment as in Equation 9. Therefore, Equation 9 can be substituted into the equation for the volume V of the cylindrical segment to remove the unknown heights h1 and h2, as shown in Equation 14:

[0274]

[0275] Equation 14 shows that the volume V of a cylindrical segment of a liquid aerosol forming matrix can be calculated using the same equation as the volume of a cylinder when the liquid aerosol forming matrix is ​​in a vertical orientation (Equation 2).

[0276] If the control system determines that the tilt angle θ of the liquid storage section is greater than the sixth reference orientation value θ r6 and the seventh reference orientation value θ r7 The control system determines that the liquid aerosol forming matrix does not form cylindrical segments, and can compare the tilt angle θ with other reference orientations to determine the shape of the liquid aerosol forming matrix.

[0277] The control system can be configured to determine the volume of the liquid aerosol forming matrix for other cases where the liquid aerosol forming matrix does not form cylinders, cylindrical segments, or cylindrical wedges. Examples of such cases are... Figure 11 As shown in a and 11b. However, the control system is typically configured in these additional cases to approximate the shape of the liquid aerosol forming matrix to one of the known shapes described above. When the control system is configured to approximate the shape of the liquid aerosol forming matrix, the control system is configured to underestimate the volume of the liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage section.

[0278] Typically, the control system is configured to determine the volume of the liquid aerosol-forming matrix in the liquid storage section immediately after startup and after each suction. If the control system needs to approximate the shape of the liquid aerosol-forming matrix at startup or after suction, the control system can be configured to update the estimate that the liquid storage section will be in a stable vertical or horizontal orientation for the next determination.

[0279] Figure 12 a and 12b illustrate a cylinder 200 according to another embodiment of the invention. Figure 12 The cylinder 200 shown in a and 12b is substantially the same as... Figures 2 to 4The cylinder 200 shown includes an interdigitated sensor 500 containing a pair of electrodes 521, 522. The electrodes 521, 522 are not interdigitated electrodes, but are plate-shaped electrodes arranged on opposite sides of the liquid storage portion 201 of the housing 204, such that a portion of the liquid storage portion is arranged between the electrodes 521, 522.

[0280] Each electrode 521, 522 includes a curved plate that extends the length of the housing 204 and surrounds approximately half of the circumference of the housing 204. Thus, the first pair of electrodes 521, 522 substantially surround the liquid storage portion 201, and substantially the entire liquid storage portion 201 is arranged between the electrode pairs 521, 522. In effect, the electrode pairs 521, 522 form a capacitor, and the liquid storage portion 201 forms the dielectric of the capacitor.

[0281] The plate electrodes 521 and 522 do not measure the wetting surface area of ​​the sidewalls of the liquid storage portion, but rather measure the average electrical properties of the liquid storage portion 201 between the electrodes. Therefore, the shape of the liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage portion can be determined without using the plate electrodes 521 and 522.

[0282] Figure 13 An exemplary configuration for a control system according to the present invention is shown. Figure 13 The configuration shown uses orientation information received from sensors and a determined amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix held in the liquid storage section to control the power supplied to the aerosol-generating component.

[0283] When the liquid storage section is not filled with the liquid aerosol forming matrix and when the liquid storage section is not in an upright orientation, the aerosol forming matrix may not be in complete contact with the core or aerosol generating member. In these cases, the aerosol generating member may not receive a sufficient supply of liquid aerosol forming matrix and may not be able to operate at full power and generate acceptable aerosols. These conditions will be referred to as 'dry' conditions. To compensate for the variation in the supply of liquid aerosol forming matrix to the aerosol generating member due to changes in the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage section and changes in the orientation of the liquid storage section, the control system can be configured to control or regulate the power supplied to the aerosol generating member based on a determined orientation and the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage section.

[0284] refer to Figure 13 The control system receives orientation information from the sensor at 901, and in the first step 902, the control system uses the orientation information from the sensor to determine whether the liquid storage section is reversed or inverted such that gravity may draw the liquid aerosol forming matrix in the liquid storage section away from the aerosol generating component.

[0285] If the control system determines that the liquid storage section is inverted, then the control system blocks or disables the power supply to the aerosol generating component. This prevents or disables the aerosol generating system from operating inverted mode in a 'dry' condition.

[0286] If the control system determines that the liquid storage section is not reversed or inverted, then in the second step 904, the control system determines the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage section. The control system supplies an oscillation measurement signal to the counter electrode to determine the surface area of ​​the sidewall of the liquid storage section in contact with the liquid aerosol forming matrix, and the control system uses orientation information and the determined surface area information to determine the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage section.

[0287] In the third step 905, the control system determines whether the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage portion is less than 50% of the maximum volume of the liquid storage portion (i.e., the control system determines whether the liquid storage portion is less than half of the complete liquid aerosol forming matrix).

[0288] If the control system determines that the liquid storage portion constitutes at least 50% of the complete liquid aerosol forming matrix, then in step 906, the control system uses the received orientation information to determine whether the liquid storage portion is within 90° of the upright orientation.

[0289] If the control system determines that the liquid storage section is at an angle of less than 90° to the vertical orientation, then the control system supplies 907 full power to the aerosol generating component. Alternatively, if the control system determines that the liquid storage section is at an angle of 90° or greater than 90° to the vertical orientation, then the control system adjusts 908 the power supply to the aerosol generating component. Typically, the control system supplies less than full power to the aerosol generating component. The reduction in power is proportional to the determined percentage of the liquid storage section filled with the liquid aerosol forming matrix. In other words, the lower the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section, the lower the power supplied to the aerosol generating component.

[0290] Returning to step 3 905, if the control system determines that the liquid storage portion is less than 50% of the complete liquid aerosol forming matrix, then in step 5 909, the control system uses the received orientation information to determine whether the liquid storage portion is at an angle greater than 135° to the vertical orientation.

[0291] If the control system determines that the liquid storage section is at an angle greater than 135° to the vertical orientation, then the control system blocks the power supply to the aerosol generating component. This prevents the aerosol generating component from operating in a 'dry' condition. Alternatively, if the control system determines that the liquid storage section is at an angle of 135° or less to the vertical orientation, then in step 911, the control system uses the received orientation information to determine whether the liquid storage section is at an angle greater than 45° to the vertical position.

[0292] If the control system determines that the liquid storage section is at an angle greater than 45° to the vertical orientation, then the control system adjusts 912 the power supply to the aerosol generating component as described above in step 908. In other words, the control system will supply less than full power to the aerosol generating component, reducing the power supply by an amount proportional to the determined fill fraction of the liquid storage section. Alternatively, if the control system determines that the liquid storage section is at or greater than 45° to the vertical orientation, then in step 913, the control system uses a determined amount to determine whether there is sufficient liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section for a single complete aspiration.

[0293] If the control system determines that there is a sufficient amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix held in the liquid storage section for a single complete aspiration, then the control system supplies full power to the heater 914. Alternatively, if the control system determines that there is not a sufficient amount of liquid aerosol-forming matrix held in the liquid storage section for a single complete aspiration, then the control system blocks 915 the power supply to the aerosol-generating component, which prevents the aerosol-generating system from operating in a dry condition.

[0294] Figure 14 This is an illustrative description of another example of the aerosol generation system according to the present invention. Figure 14 This is illustrative in nature, and the components shown are not necessarily to scale individually or relative to each other. The aerosol generation system includes a preferably reusable main unit 1100 that works in conjunction with a preferably disposable cartridge 1200. Figure 14 The aerosol generation system shown is an electrically operated smoking system.

[0295] The main unit 1100 includes a housing 1101. The housing 1101 is substantially circular cylindrical and has a longitudinal length of about 70 mm and an outer diameter of about 20 mm.

[0296] The main unit 1100 includes a power source in the form of a lithium-ion phosphate battery 1102 and a control system in the form of control electronics 1104, both housed within a housing 1101. The control electronics 1104 includes a suction sensor 1106 in the form of a microphone, an LED 1108 activated to indicate activation of the main unit 1100, and a sensor in the form of an inertial measurement unit 1110 according to the invention, which will be described in more detail below. The suction sensor 1106, LED 1108, and inertial measurement unit 1110 are all mounted on a printed circuit board within the housing 1101 of the main unit 1100. The inertial measurement unit is arranged on the main unit 1100 and aligned with the longitudinal centerline of the main unit 1100.

[0297] The housing 1101 of the main unit 1100 includes an end 1112 configured to receive the cylinder 1200.

[0298] The cylinder 1200 includes a housing 1203. The housing 1203 of the cylinder 1200 is substantially circular-cylindrical and has a longitudinal length of about 30 mm and an outer diameter of about 20 mm. The cylinder 1200 includes a mouthpiece portion 1220 including an outlet 1224. The end of the cylinder 1200 opposite to the mouthpiece portion 1220 and the outlet 1224 is configured to be received by the end 1212 of the main unit 1100. In this embodiment, the end of the cylinder 1200 includes a lip (not shown) configured to snap into a groove (not shown) in the end 1212 of the main unit to removably secure the cylinder 1200 and the main unit 1100. One or more air inlets 1222 are provided between the mouthpiece portion 1220 and the opposite end.

[0299] When the cylinder 1200 is received and engaged with the main unit 1100, the main unit 1100 and the cylinder 1200 form a generally circular cylindrical unit with a length of about 100 mm.

[0300] Inside the outer casing 1203, a rigid outer casing 1204 defines a liquid storage portion 1201. The liquid storage portion 1201 is substantially circular-cylindrical and has a central longitudinal axis on the casing 1200 and aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the casing 1200. When the casing 1200 is received and engaged with the main unit 1100, the casing 1200, the liquid storage portion 1201, and the main unit 1100 share a common longitudinal axis.

[0301] The liquid storage section 1201 contains a liquid aerosol forming matrix 1202. The outer shell 1204 of the liquid storage section 1201 is impermeable to fluids but has an open end covered by a permeable mesh element 1205. The mesh element 1205 spans the circular open end of the outer shell 204. The mesh element 1205 comprises a metal mesh formed of stainless steel. The aerosol forming matrix 1202 can form menisci in the gaps of the mesh.

[0302] The control electronics 1104 of the main unit also includes electrodes (not shown) extending from the receiving end 1112 of the main unit 1100. When the cylinder 1200 is received on the end 1112 of the main unit 1100, the electrodes of the control electronics 1104 contact the mesh element 1205 of the cylinder 1200. The electrodes electrically connect the mesh element 1205 to the power supply 1102 of the main unit 1100, enabling power to be supplied to the mesh element 1205 to heat the mesh via resistance heating. The power supply from the power supply 1102 to the mesh element 1205 is controlled by the control electronics 1104.

[0303] In use, the user draws air through the mouthpiece portion 1220 of the cartridge 1200, through the air inlet 1222 in the outer casing 1203 of the cartridge 1200, into the mouthpiece portion 1220, and out through the outlet 1224 into the user's mouth. While the user draws air through the mouthpiece, a small airflow is also drawn into the main unit 1100 through the sensor inlet 1121 in the outer casing 1101, passes through the microphone 1106, enters the cartridge 1200 via the inlet 1122 in the end 1112 of the main unit 1100, and rises into the mouthpiece portion 1220 of the cartridge 1200. When the microphone 1106 detects the draw, the control electronics 104 supplies power from the power source 1102 to the grid element 1205 of the cartridge 1200 via electrodes (not shown). The grid element 1205 heats up due to resistance heating and reaches a temperature sufficient to evaporate the aerosol forming matrix 1202 near the grid element 1205. The evaporated aerosol forming matrix 1205 is entrained in the air flowing from air inlet 1222 to air outlet 1224 and is cooled within the mouthpiece portion 1220 to form an aerosol before entering the user's mouth. After suction is detected, control electronics 1104 supplies power to the grid element 1205 for a predetermined duration, five seconds in this example, and then cuts off the current until a new suction is detected.

[0304] In some embodiments, the main unit includes an indicator member for providing visual, tactile, or audible instructions to a user. Typically, the indicator member is in the form of an LED mounted within the housing of the main unit. The control system can be configured to provide instructions to the user at various times, for example, when it is determined that the liquid storage portion is horizontally oriented, when it is determined that the liquid storage portion is not horizontally oriented, and when a determined amount of the liquid aerosol forming matrix is ​​at or below a threshold. In some embodiments, the main unit can prevent further aerosol generation based on the determination that the amount of the liquid aerosol forming matrix is ​​at or below a threshold.

[0305] It will be understood that any of the features described in one embodiment above may also be provided in any of the other embodiments. Specifically, it will be understood that the features described with respect to the cylinder may be provided in the main unit and the features of the associated main unit may be provided in the cylinder. It will be understood that the liquid storage portion may have any other suitable shape. In the above example, the liquid storage portion is substantially circular-cylindrical; however, in other embodiments, the liquid storage portion may be formed as a rectangular cuboid or an oval shape. It will be understood that in other embodiments, the cylinder may not be a cylinder, but rather the cylinder and the main unit may be integrally formed as a single unit.

Claims

1. An aerosol generation system, comprising: The liquid storage section is used to maintain the liquid aerosol formation matrix; A pair of electrodes, which are arranged adjacent to or in the liquid storage portion; A sensor configured to sense the orientation of the liquid storage portion and the acceleration of the liquid storage portion, wherein the orientation describes the tilt or angle of the liquid storage portion; and The control system is configured to: Measure the electrical quantity between the pair of electrodes, wherein the electrical quantity is one or more of voltage, current, impedance, resistance, and capacitance; Receive orientation information from the sensor; and The amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section is determined based on the electrical quantity information measured between the pair of electrodes and the orientation information received from the sensor.

2. The aerosol generation system of claim 1, wherein the pair of electrodes surrounds the liquid storage portion.

3. The aerosol generation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pair of electrodes forms a tubular sleeve surrounding the liquid storage portion.

4. The aerosol generation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control system is further configured to prevent the determination of the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix held in the liquid storage portion based on the orientation information if the orientation information received from the sensor does not match a reference orientation value.

5. The aerosol generation system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises one or more accelerometers configured to sense the linear acceleration of the liquid storage portion.

6. The aerosol generation system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises one or more gyroscopes configured to sense the angular velocity of the liquid storage portion.

7. The aerosol generation system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is an inertial measurement unit.

8. The aerosol generation system according to claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured to: Receive acceleration information from the sensor; and Based on the acceleration information received from the sensor, it is determined whether the liquid storage section is in a stable state or an unstable state, in which the liquid storage section is stationary or moving at a constant speed, and in which the liquid storage section is subjected to acceleration.

9. The aerosol generation system according to claim 8, wherein the control system is configured to: Compare the acceleration information received from the sensor with one or more threshold acceleration values; If the received acceleration information is lower than one or more of the threshold acceleration values, then it is determined that the liquid storage section is in a stable state; and If the received acceleration information is higher than one or more of the threshold acceleration values, then the liquid storage section is determined to be in an unstable state.

10. The aerosol generation system of claim 8, wherein the control system is configured to: When the liquid storage section is determined to be in a stable state, the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section is determined; and Prevent the determination of the amount of liquid aerosol forming matrix retained in the liquid storage section when it is determined that the liquid storage section is in an unstable state.

11. The aerosol generation system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid storage portion includes a housing for holding the liquid aerosol forming matrix, and the pair of electrodes extend over a portion of the surface of the housing.

12. The aerosol generation system according to claim 11, wherein: The outer casing of the liquid storage section includes two opposing ends and one or more sidewalls extending between the two opposing ends; and The pair of electrodes extends above one or more sidewalls of the housing of the liquid storage section.

13. The aerosol generation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pair of electrodes are interdigitated electrodes.

14. The aerosol generation system of claim 11, wherein the pair of electrodes are arranged on the housing of the liquid storage portion such that at least a portion of the liquid storage portion is arranged between the pair of electrodes.

15. The aerosol generation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The aerosol generation system also includes: An aerosol generating component, arranged to receive a liquid aerosol forming matrix from the liquid storage portion; and One or more power sources are arranged to supply power to the aerosol generating component; and The control system is also configured to control the power supply from the one or more power sources to the aerosol generating component based on the determined orientation of the liquid storage section.

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