Aerosol detection device

Abstract

An aerosol supply device for receiving an article comprising a first section and a second section. The aerosol supply device includes: a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of an article; a capacitance sensor configured to measure a capacitance on a portion of the aerosol supply device receiving the article; and a processor communicatively coupled to the capacitive sensor, the processor configured to determine whether the article has been inserted or removed based on the capacitance measured over a period of time. During insertion and / or removal of the article: when the first segment is adjacent to the capacitive sensor, the capacitive sensor measures a first capacitance value; when the second segment is adjacent to the capacitive sensor, the capacitive sensor measures a second capacitance value, the second capacitance value being different from the first capacitance value, and the processor is configured to determine, using the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value, that the article has been inserted into or removed from the receiving portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an aerosol supply device and an aerosol supply system capable of detecting consumables. Background Art

[0002] Smoking articles (such as cigarettes, cigars, etc.) burn tobacco to produce tobacco smoke during use. Attempts have been made to provide substitutes for these tobacco-burning articles by producing products that release compounds without burning. An example of such a product is a heating device that releases compounds by heating rather than burning material. The material can be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. Summary of the invention

[0003] In one aspect, an aerosol supply device for receiving an article is provided, the article comprising a first section and a second section. The aerosol supply device comprises: a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of the article; a capacitive sensor configured to measure a capacitance on the portion of the aerosol supply device that receives the article; and a processor communicatively coupled to the capacitive sensor. The processor is configured to determine whether the article has been inserted or removed based on the capacitance measured over a period of time. During insertion and / or removal of the article: when the first section is adjacent to the capacitive sensor, the capacitive sensor measures a first capacitance value, when the second section is adjacent to the capacitive sensor, the capacitive sensor measures a second capacitance value, the second capacitance value is different from the first capacitance value, and the processor is configured to use the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value to determine that the article has been inserted into or removed from the receiving portion.

[0004] The receiving portion may be a cavity. The processor may be configured to determine that the article has been inserted and / or removed if the difference between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value exceeds a predetermined threshold. The processor may be configured to determine that the article has been inserted when the measured capacitance increases from a baseline capacitance value to a maximum capacitance value and then decreases from the maximum capacitance value to an intermediate capacitance value. The intermediate capacitance value may be greater than the baseline capacitance value. The processor may be configured to determine that the article has been removed when the measured capacitance increases from an intermediate capacitance value to a maximum capacitance value and then decreases from the maximum capacitance value to the baseline capacitance value. The intermediate capacitance value may be greater than the baseline capacitance value. The capacitive sensor may include a first plate and a second plate. The first and second plates may be located on opposite sides of the receiving portion. The capacitive sensor may include a first flexible contact electrically coupled to the first plate. The capacitive sensor may also include a second flexible contact electrically coupled to the second plate. The aerosol supply device may also include an aerosol generator. The capacitive sensor may be displaced relative to the aerosol generator in a longitudinal direction. The capacitive sensor may be positioned relative to the aerosol generator such that when the article is inserted into the aerosol supply device, a section of the article passes the capacitive sensor before reaching the aerosol generator.

[0005] In another aspect, an article for an aerosol supply system is provided. The article includes an aerosol generating material. The article includes: a first segment having a first dielectric constant; a second segment; and a dielectric component coupled to the second segment such that the second segment has a second dielectric constant different from the first dielectric constant.

[0006] The article may be elongated. The first section may be adjacent to the second section along the longitudinal direction of the article. The dielectric component may extend along the entire second section in the longitudinal direction. The second section may include an aerosol generating material. The first section may not include an aerosol generating material. The first section may include paper and / or paperboard.

[0007] In another aspect, an aerosol supply system is provided. The aerosol supply system may include an aerosol supply device as described above, and an article. The article may be any article as described above.

[0008] The cavity may be sized so that when the article is at the maximum depth of the cavity, the capacitive sensor measures the capacitance of the first segment.

[0009] In another aspect, a method of detecting insertion of an article into or removal from an aerosol supply device is provided. The method includes measuring, by a capacitive sensor, a capacitance of a portion of a receiving portion of the aerosol supply device over a period of time. The measurement includes measuring, by the capacitive sensor, a first capacitance value when a first section of the article is adjacent to the capacitive sensor, and measuring, by the capacitive sensor, a second capacitance value when a second section of the article is adjacent to the capacitive sensor. The method also includes determining, by a processor communicatively coupled to the capacitive sensor, whether the article has been inserted and / or removed using the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 shows a side view of an aerosol supply system;

[0012] Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an article;

[0013] Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol supply device;

[0014] Figure 4A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol supply system during an initial stage of insertion;

[0015] Figure 4B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol supply system during an intermediate stage of insertion;

[0016] Figure 4C shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol supply system during the final stages of insertion;

[0017] Figure 5 showing a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative aerosol supply system during a final stage of insertion; and

[0018] Figure 6 A graph of capacitance plotted against time is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] As used herein, the term "aerosol generating material" is a material that can generate an aerosol, for example, when heated, radiated, or supplied with energy in any other way. The aerosol generating material can be, for example, in the form of a solid, a liquid, or a gel, which may or may not contain an active substance and / or a flavoring agent. The aerosol generating material can include any plant-based material, such as a tobacco-containing material, and can, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or a tobacco substitute. The aerosol generating material can also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine depending on the product. The aerosol generating material can, for example, be in the form of a solid, a liquid, a gel, a wax, etc. The aerosol generating material can, for example, also be a combination or blend of materials. The aerosol generating material can also be referred to as a "smokable material".

[0020] The aerosol generating material can include a binder and an aerosol forming agent. Optionally, an activating agent and / or a filler can also be present. Optionally, a solvent is also present, such as water, and one or more other components of the aerosol generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material is substantially free of plant material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0021] The aerosol generating material may include or may be an "amorphous solid". The amorphous solid may be a "monolithic solid". In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid (e.g., liquid) inside it. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may, for example, include from about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt% amorphous solid to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt% amorphous solid.

[0022] The aerosol-generating material may comprise an aerosol-generating film.The aerosol-generating film may comprise or may be a sheet material, which may optionally be shredded to produce shredded material.The aerosol-generating sheet material or shredded material may be substantially free of tobacco.

[0023] According to the present disclosure, a "non-flammable" aerosol supply system is an aerosol supply system in which the constituent aerosol generating materials of the aerosol supply system (or components thereof) facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user without combustion or ignition.

[0024] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-flammable aerosol supply system, for example, a powered non-flammable aerosol supply system.

[0025] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol delivery system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or an electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not required.

[0026] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol supply system is an aerosol generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0027] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that uses a combination of aerosol generating materials to generate an aerosol, wherein one or more of the aerosol generating materials can be heated. Each aerosol generating material can be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol generating material and a solid aerosol generating material. The solid aerosol generating material can include, for example, tobacco or non-tobacco products.

[0028] Generally, a non-flammable aerosol supply system may include a non-flammable aerosol supply device and consumables for use with the non-flammable aerosol supply device.

[0029] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables that include an aerosol generating material and are configured for use with a non-flammable aerosol supply device. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles in the present disclosure.

[0030] In some embodiments, a non-flammable aerosol supply system, such as a non-flammable aerosol supply device thereof, may include a power source and a controller. The power source may be, for example, an electrical power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source includes a carbon substrate that can be energized to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol generating material or a heat transfer material proximate to the exothermic power source.

[0031] In some embodiments, a non-flammable aerosol supply system may include an area for receiving a consumable product, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0032] In some embodiments, consumables for use with a non-flammable aerosol supply device may include an aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material delivery component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a shell, packaging material, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0033] The aerosol generating device may receive an article comprising an aerosol generating material for heating. In this context, an "article" is a component that, in use, comprises or contains an aerosol generating material that is heated to volatilize the aerosol generating material, and optionally an "article" is another component in use. A user may insert the article into the aerosol generating device before heating the article to generate an aerosol, which the user then inhales. The article may be, for example, of a predetermined or specific size, configured to be placed in a heating chamber of the device, the size of the heating chamber being designed to receive the article.

[0034] refer to Figure 1 The aerosol supply system 10 comprises an aerosol supply device 100 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material. The aerosol supply system 10 also comprises a replaceable article 110 containing an aerosol generating material. In summary, the aerosol supply device 100 can be used to heat the article 110 to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium, which is inhaled by a user of the device 100.

[0035] The aerosol supply device 100 includes a body 102. A housing is arranged to surround and contain a plurality of components of the body 102. A product opening 104 is formed at one end of the body 102, through which a product 110 can be inserted for heating by the aerosol generator.

[0036] The device 100 may also include a user-operable control element 150, such as a button or a switch, which when pressed operates the device 100. For example, a user may turn the device 100 on by operating the switch 150.

[0037] The aerosol generator defines a longitudinal axis that is aligned with the axis of the article 110 .

[0038] In use, the article 110 may be fully or partially inserted into the aerosol generator, where it may be heated by one or more components of the aerosol generator.

[0039] The device 100 includes a device for heating an aerosol generating material. The device includes an aerosol generating component, a controller (control circuit) and a power source. The device forms a part of the main body 102. The aerosol generating component is configured to heat the aerosol generating material of the product 110 inserted through the product orifice 104, so that an aerosol is generated from the aerosol generating material. The power source supplies electricity to the aerosol generating component, and the aerosol generating component converts the supplied electrical energy into thermal energy for heating the aerosol generating material. The power source can be, for example, a battery (such as a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery). Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, lithium batteries (such as lithium ion batteries), nickel batteries (such as nickel-cadmium batteries) and alkaline batteries.

[0040] The power source may be electrically coupled to the aerosol generating assembly to supply power to heat the aerosol generating material when required and under the control of the controller. The control circuit may be configured to enable and disable the aerosol generating assembly based on user input. The user input may be via a button press or opening a door of the device (e.g., a door covering a consumable receiving container). The control circuit may be configured to automatically enable and disable, for example, upon insertion of an article.

[0041] The aerosol generating assembly may include multiple components that heat the aerosol generating material via an induction heating process. Induction heating is a process of heating a conductive heating element (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. The induction heating assembly may include an inductive element (e.g., one or more inductive coils), and a device for passing a varying current (such as an alternating current) through the inductive element. The varying current in the inductive element generates a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor (heating element) appropriately positioned relative to the inductive element, and generates eddy currents inside the susceptor. The susceptor has a resistance to the eddy currents, and thus the eddy currents flow against the resistance so that the susceptor is heated by Joule heating. In the case where the susceptor includes a ferromagnetic material (such as iron, nickel, or cobalt), heat may also be generated by hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e., by the changing orientation of the magnetic dipoles generated by the alignment of the magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material with the varying magnetic field. In induction heating, heat is generated inside the susceptor, allowing rapid heating, compared to heating by conduction, for example. In addition, no physical contact is required between the inductive element and the susceptor, allowing for increased freedom of construction and application.

[0042] refer to Figure 2, the article 110 includes a first portion 302 and a second portion 304. The article 110 has a shape that is elongated in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the shape of the article 110 is cylindrical. In other embodiments, the article 110 may be an elongated shape other than a cylindrical shape, for example a prism with a non-circular bottom, such as a cuboid or a triangular prism. The first portion 302 and the second portion 304 are arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the article 110. In this embodiment, the first portion 302 is located at the mouth end of the article 110. The mouth end of the article 110 is an end where the aerosol can be dispersed so that the aerosol can be inhaled by the user. The second portion 304 is located at the distal end of the article 110. The distal end is an end opposite to the mouth end. The first portion 302 is a portion that does not contain any aerosol-generating compound. The first portion 302 may include a filter. The first portion 302 has a first dielectric constant ε1. The second portion 304 includes an aerosol-generating material. The article 110 also includes a dielectric component 306. The dielectric component 306 is embedded in the second portion 304. Due to the dielectric component 306 in the second portion 304, the second portion 304 has a first dielectric constant ε1 that is different from the second dielectric constant ε2. In this embodiment, ε1<ε2. In other embodiments, for example, when the dielectric component 306 is not present in the second portion and / or the dielectric component is included in the first portion, ε1>ε2. The electric permittivity of a material can be referred to as a relative dielectric constant or a dielectric constant. The outer surface of the article 110 can be made of paper. The first portion 302 can be considered as a first section. The second portion 304 can be considered as a second section.

[0043] In this embodiment, the dielectric component is a sheet. In other embodiments, the dielectric component may have a shape other than a sheet, such as a column. In this embodiment, the dielectric component is made of metal. In other embodiments, the dielectric component may be made of a metal alloy. In other embodiments, the dielectric component is made of a material other than metal, such as a plastic or a resin. In this embodiment, the dielectric component extends along a limited portion of the second portion in the longitudinal direction. In other embodiments, the dielectric component extends along the entire second portion in the longitudinal direction. This can improve the detection of consumables because the detectable area of ​​the second portion can be the largest. In this embodiment, the dielectric component increases the dielectric constant of the second portion. In other embodiments, the dielectric component reduces the dielectric constant of the second portion. In this embodiment, the dielectric component is embedded in the second portion. Advantageously, the dielectric component is protected from the external environment and can allow the dielectric component to more reliably provide a change in the dielectric constant of the second portion during use. In other embodiments, the dielectric component is coupled to the second portion in another manner, such as surrounding the second portion or being located on the surface of the second portion. In this embodiment, the dielectric component is coupled to a portion that includes an aerosol generating material, i.e., the second portion. In other embodiments, the dielectric component is coupled to a portion that does not include an aerosol generating material, i.e., the first portion. Advantageously, this allows the dielectric component to be independent of the aerosol generating material when the aerosol generating material is consumed. This may mean that the dielectric component is less likely to interfere with the consumption of the aerosol generating material. This in turn may improve the generation of aerosols because the dielectric component is not present in the portion of the article that is consumed to generate the aerosol. In addition, the consumption of the aerosol generating material may be less likely to interfere with and / or damage the dielectric component. In this embodiment, the first portion is located at the mouth end of the article. In other embodiments, the first portion is not located at the mouth end, for example, the first portion may be located near the mouth end or the first portion may be located at or near the distal end. In this embodiment, the second portion is located at the distal end of the article. In other embodiments, the second portion is not located at the distal end, for example, the second portion may be located near the distal end or the second portion may be located at or near the mouth end.

[0044] refer to Figure 3 , the aerosol supply device 100 includes a cavity configured to receive the product 110 through an opening of the cavity. The aerosol supply device 100 also includes two plates 402 separated by the cavity. Both plates 402 are made of conductive material. The two plates 402 are electrically connected together. The two plates 402 are positioned to face each other. Each of the two plates 402 arranged in the above manner can be regarded as a corresponding electrode. The two plates 402 positioned in this manner act as a capacitor. The capacitance of the plate 402 described above is defined as:

[0045] and

[0046] Where C is the capacitance and ε0 is the electrical constant (ε0~8.854×10 -12 Fm -1 ), ε r is the dielectric constant of the material between the plates, d is the distance between the plates, and A is the overlapping area of ​​the plates.

[0047] Therefore, the capacitance measured on the plates 402 depends on the material located between the two plates 402 .

[0048] In this embodiment, the cavity has a shape complementary to the article, for example, the cavity may be cylindrical in shape. In other embodiments, the cavity has a shape that is not complementary to the article. In this embodiment, the aerosol supply device includes the cavity. In other embodiments, the aerosol supply device includes a receiving portion other than the cavity, for example a protrusion configured to receive the article.

[0049] In this embodiment, the plates are made of the same material as one another. In other embodiments, the plates may be made of different materials than one another. In this embodiment, the plates are made of copper. In other embodiments, the plates may be made of a conductive material other than copper, such as steel. In this embodiment, the plates are parallel to one another. In other embodiments, the plates are not parallel to one another, for example, the plates may be arranged such that the planes defined by each plate form an angle of less than 90 degrees with one another.

[0050] refer to Figure 3 , the aerosol supply device 100 further includes a capacitive sensor 404. The capacitive sensor 404 is electrically coupled to both of the two plates 402 so as to be able to measure the capacitance of the two plates 402. In some embodiments, the two plates 402 are part of the capacitive sensor 404.

[0051] refer to Figure 3 , the aerosol supply device 100 also includes a processor 406 communicatively coupled to the capacitive sensor 404. The processor 406 is configured to receive data indicating the capacitance measured by the capacitive sensor 404. The processor 406 is also configured to determine the position of the article 110 based on the capacitance of the two plates 402 measured by the capacitive sensor 404.

[0052] refer to Figure 3, the aerosol supply device 100 also includes a heating element 410, which is configured to heat the product when the product 110 is fully inserted into the cavity so as to generate an aerosol. The heating element 410 is located at the bottom of the cavity. The depth of the cavity is such that when the product 110 is fully inserted into the cavity (i.e., when the product 110 extends from the maximum depth of the cavity), the capacitance sensor 404 measures the capacitance of the first portion 302 of the product 110. Advantageously, this makes the capacitance measurement sequence when the product is correctly inserted complex and / or unique. This means that it is more reliable to determine when the product is correctly positioned and less likely to cause a false alarm. For example, in an embodiment where the capacitance of the second portion is measured at the maximum depth, the capacitance measured over time does not change to the same extent. In these cases, the system is more likely to determine that the product is correctly positioned when the product is not correctly positioned. In this embodiment, the aerosol supply device includes a heating element. In other embodiments, the aerosol supply device does not include a heating element, for example, the aerosol supply device includes an inductive coil, which surrounds the cavity receiving the second portion. The inductive coil can be configured to cause an element in the product to generate heat via induction.

[0053] refer to Figure 4A When the article 110 is inserted into the cavity of the aerosol supply device 100, initially the article 110 is in a first position in which no portion of the article 110 is located between the two plates 402. In the first position, the capacitance of the two plates 402 is C1 or the baseline capacitance value.

[0054] refer to Figure 4B , when the article 110 is further inserted into the cavity of the aerosol supply device 100, the article 110 is in a second position in which the second portion 304 of the article 110 is located between the two plates 402. Due to the dielectric constant (ε2) of the second portion 306, the capacitance of the two plates 402 when the article 110 is in the second position is greater than the capacitance of the two plates 402 when the article is in the first position. In the second position, the capacitance of the two plates 402 is C2 or the maximum capacitance value.

[0055] refer to Figure 4C, when the article 110 is fully inserted into the cavity of the aerosol supply device 100, the article 110 is in the third position, in which the first part 302 of the article 110 is located between two plates 402. The third position is the position where the article 110 is at the maximum depth of the cavity. The third position is the position where the aerosol supply device 100 generates aerosol from the article 110. In this embodiment, the second part 304 contacts the heating element 410 such that the second part 304 can be heated by the heating element 410. In other embodiments, the second part 304 can be in a position that allows inductive heating. Due to the dielectric constant (ε1) of the first part 302, the capacitance of the two plates 402 when the article 110 is in the third position is lower than the capacitance of the two plates 402 when the article is in the second position. Similarly, due to the dielectric constant (ε1) of the first part, the capacitance of the two plates 402 when the article 110 is in the third position is higher than the capacitance of the two plates 402 when the article is in the first position. In the third position, the capacitance of the two plates 402 is C3 or an intermediate capacitance value. In this embodiment, the third position is the position where the article is at the maximum depth of the cavity of the aerosol supply device. In other embodiments, the third position is the position where the article is not at the maximum depth of the cavity of the aerosol supply device. For example, the third position is another position where the first part is located between two plates and the second part is connected to the heating element. In this embodiment, the capacitance value C2 is the maximum capacitance relative to C1 and C3. In other embodiments, the capacitance value C2 is not the maximum capacitance relative to C1 and C3. For example, the capacitance value C2 can be the minimum capacitance relative to C1 and C3.

[0056] In this embodiment, C2 > C3. In other embodiments, C2 < C3. In this embodiment, C2 > C1. In other embodiments, C2 < C1. In this embodiment, C3 > C1. In other embodiments, C3 < C1.

[0057] Reference Figure 5 , in an alternative embodiment, the aerosol supply device 100 includes an inductor coil 502 instead of the heating element 410. The inductor coil 502 is configured to generate eddy currents in an element (not shown) connected to the second part 304. The generated eddy currents heat up the element, which in turn heats the second part 304 and the aerosol generating material therein. The inductor coil 502 extends along the longitudinal direction of the cavity. The inductor coil 502 surrounds the cavity. The plates 402 are spaced apart from the inductor coil 502 in the longitudinal direction. Advantageously, this arrangement can prevent the plates 402 from interfering with the operation of the inductor coil 502. Similarly, operating the inductor coil 502 may not interfere with the measurement of the capacitance. In the third position, the inductor coil 502 is positioned adjacent to the second part 304.

[0058] In this embodiment, an inductor coil is included instead of a heating element. In other embodiments, an inductor coil is included in addition to the heating element. In this embodiment, the inductor coil extends along the entire second portion in the longitudinal direction. In other embodiments, the inductor coil does not extend along the entire second portion in the longitudinal direction, for example, the inductor coil extends along a limited portion of the second portion in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the article includes an element. In other embodiments, the article does not include the element, for example, the inductor coil is configured to directly generate eddy currents in the second portion. In this embodiment, the inductor coil surrounds the cavity. In other embodiments, the inductor coil is coupled to the second portion in another manner, for example, the inductor coil is located in the cavity or adjacent to the cavity. In this embodiment, the element is different from the dielectric component. In other embodiments, the element can be the same component as the dielectric component. In this embodiment, when the article is fully inserted into the cavity, the inductor coil is positioned so as not to cover the first portion. Advantageously, this arrangement can ensure that no eddy currents are generated in the first portion, thereby avoiding any accidental heating of the first portion. In other embodiments, when the article is fully inserted into the cavity, the inductor coil is positioned at least partially adjacent to the first portion. In this embodiment, the inductor coil is spaced apart from the plate. In other embodiments, the inductor coil is not spaced apart from the plate, for example the inductor coil at least partially covers the plate.

[0059] refer to Figure 6 , the processor 406 may also be configured to determine whether the article 110 has been inserted or removed based on the measured change in capacitance over time.

[0060] Figure 6 4 shows a graph of capacitance measured by capacitive sensor 404 plotted over time during insertion and removal of article 110. Figure 6 As shown in , when the article 110 is inserted during the time period from t1 to t2, the measured capacitance increases from the baseline value (C1) to the maximum value (C2), and then decreases from the maximum value (C2) to the intermediate value (C3). Therefore, when the processor 406 detects this change in the measured capacitance, the processor 406 can determine that the article 110 has been correctly inserted.

[0061] like Figure 6 As shown in , when the article 110 is removed during the time period from t3 to t4, the capacitance value will increase from the intermediate value (C3) to the maximum value (C2), and then decrease from the maximum value (C2) to the baseline value (C1). Therefore, when the processor 406 detects this change in the measured capacitance, the processor 406 can determine that the article 110 has been properly removed.

[0062] Advantageously, the aerosol supply device described above can determine when the product 110 has been properly inserted or not properly inserted. For example, when the measured capacitance value is C3, the processor can determine that the product is properly inserted. Therefore, this makes it easy for the user to know that the product is in a working arrangement.

[0063] Furthermore, advantageously, the aerosol supply device described above is able to determine when an article has been inserted or removed. This in turn facilitates use of the device by the user, as the user can be informed whether an article needs to be inserted in order to properly operate the aerosol supply device.

[0064] Furthermore, advantageously, the aerosol supply device described above is able to determine whether a suitable article has been inserted. For example, if an entity other than an article is inserted into the cavity, the capacitance value will not be the expected value C2 and / or C3. In this case, the processor will not determine that the article has been properly inserted. This in turn facilitates the use of the device by the user, as the user can be informed whether a suitable article has been inserted.

[0065] The multiple embodiments described herein are proposed only to help understand and teach the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative samples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and / or other aspects described herein should not be regarded as limitations on the scope of the invention defined by the claims or limitations on the equivalents of the claims, and other embodiments may be used and may be modified without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. In addition to what is specifically described herein, multiple embodiments of the present invention may appropriately include appropriate combinations of disclosed elements, parts, features, parts, steps, means, etc., be composed of appropriate combinations of disclosed elements, parts, features, parts, steps, means, etc., or be substantially composed of appropriate combinations of disclosed elements, parts, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the present disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed for protection but may be claimed for protection in the future.

Claims

1. An aerosol supply device for receiving a product, the product comprising a first section and a second section, the aerosol supply device comprising: a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of the article; a capacitance sensor configured to measure capacitance on a portion of the aerosol supply device that receives the article; as well as a processor communicatively coupled to the capacitive sensor, the processor configured to determine whether the article has been inserted or removed based on capacitance measured over a period of time; wherein, during the insertion and / or removal of the article: When the first segment is adjacent to the capacitive sensor, the capacitive sensor measures a first capacitance value; When the second segment is adjacent to the capacitive sensor, the capacitive sensor measures a second capacitance value, the second capacitance value being different from the first capacitance value, and The processor is configured to use the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value to determine that the article has been inserted into or removed from the receiving portion.

2. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein: The receiving portion is a cavity.

3. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The processor is configured to determine that the article has been inserted and / or removed if a difference between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value exceeds a predetermined threshold.

4. An aerosol supply device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The processor is configured to determine that the article has been inserted when the measured capacitance increases from a baseline capacitance value to a maximum capacitance value and then decreases from the maximum capacitance value to an intermediate capacitance value, and the intermediate capacitance value is greater than the baseline capacitance value.

5. An aerosol supply device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The processor is configured to determine that the article has been removed when the measured capacitance increases from an intermediate capacitance value to a maximum capacitance value and then decreases from the maximum capacitance value to a baseline capacitance value, and the intermediate capacitance value is greater than the baseline capacitance value.

6. An aerosol supply device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The capacitive sensor includes a first plate and a second plate, wherein the first plate and the second plate are located on opposite sides of the receiving portion.

7. The aerosol supply device according to claim 6, wherein: The capacitive sensor includes a first flexible contact electrically coupled to the first plate and a second flexible contact electrically coupled to the second plate.

8. An aerosol supply device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The aerosol supply device further comprises an aerosol generator, wherein the capacitive sensor is displaced relative to the aerosol generator in a longitudinal direction.

9. The aerosol supply device according to claim 8, wherein: The capacitive sensor is positioned relative to the aerosol generator such that when the article is inserted into the aerosol supply device, a section of the article passes the capacitive sensor before reaching the aerosol generator.

10. An article for use in an aerosol supply system, the article comprising an aerosol generating material, the article comprising: A first segment having a first dielectric constant; Second paragraph; as well as A dielectric member is coupled to the second segment such that the second segment has a second dielectric constant different from the first dielectric constant.

11. The article of claim 10, wherein: The article is elongated; and The first section is adjacent to the second section along the longitudinal direction of the article.

12. The article according to claim 11, wherein The dielectric member extends along the entire second segment in the longitudinal direction.

13. The article according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein The second section includes the aerosol generating material.

14. The article according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein The first segment does not include aerosol generating material.

15. The article according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein The first length comprises paper and / or cardboard.

16. An aerosol supply system comprising: An aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 9; as well as The product.

17. An aerosol supply system according to claim 16, wherein: The article is an article according to any one of claims 10 to 15.

18. An aerosol supply system according to claim 16 or 17, when dependent on claim 2 or any claim dependent therefrom, wherein: The cavity is sized such that the capacitive sensor measures the capacitance of the first segment when the article is at a maximum depth of the cavity.

19. A method of inserting a detection article into or removing it from an aerosol supply device, the method comprising: Measuring a capacitance of a portion of a receiving portion of the aerosol supply device over a period of time by a capacitance sensor, wherein the measuring comprises: measuring a first capacitance value with the capacitive sensor when the first section of the article is adjacent to the capacitive sensor; and When the second section of the article is adjacent to the capacitive sensor, measuring a second capacitance value with the capacitive sensor; and The first capacitance value and the second capacitance value are used, by a processor communicatively coupled to the capacitive sensor, to determine whether the article has been inserted and / or removed.

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