Aerosol generating device

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device (10) is described. The device (10) is configured to atomize an aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user, for example by heating the aerosol-generating material or substrate. The device (10) includes a first haptic actuator (38a) and a second haptic actuator (38b) different from the first haptic actuator. A controller (24) of the device (10) is configured to control the first haptic actuator (38a) and the second haptic actuator (38b) to provide haptic feedback to a user during a suction process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to an aerosol generating device, and in particular to a device configured to atomize or aerosolize an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol for a user to inhale. The present disclosure is particularly suitable for portable (handheld) aerosol generating devices.

[0002] The aerosol-generating material may be part of an article which may be received in the device in use. Background Art

[0003] In recent years, devices that generate aerosols for inhalation by heating rather than burning aerosol-generating materials have become increasingly popular with consumers. Common risk reduction or risk modification devices are heated material aerosol-generating devices or so-called heat-not-burn devices. This type of device generates aerosols or vapors by heating aerosol-generating materials to a temperature typically in the range of 150°C to 300°C. Compared with ordinary cigarettes, this temperature range is quite low. Heating aerosol-generating materials to a temperature within this range without burning or burning the aerosol-generating materials will produce vapors, which typically cool and condense to form an aerosol for the user of the device to inhale. Aerosols can also be generated without heating (e.g., by utilizing ultrasound or chemical reactions), particularly when the device uses a liquid aerosol-generating material or a substrate.

[0004] For such aerosol generating devices, it is known to provide notification to the user using tactile feedback. As used herein, the term "tactile feedback" means any feedback that is capable of creating a touch experience or sensation for the user, i.e., any feedback that produces a tactile response. For example, a tactile response may be applied to the hand of a user holding the device.

[0005] The devices of the present disclosure are intended to provide improved tactile feedback so that the user's sensory experience during the smoking process is optimized and can respond to, for example, environmental characteristics. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating device configured to atomize an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user, the device comprising:

[0007] a first tactile actuator;

[0008] a second haptic actuator that is different from the first haptic actuator; and

[0009] A controller configured to control the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator to provide tactile feedback to the user during the suction process. The controller may be configured to control the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator so that during the first stage of the suction process, only the first tactile actuator is used to provide tactile feedback to the user, and during the second stage of the suction process, only the second tactile actuator is used to provide tactile feedback to the user. The duration of the first stage may be longer than the duration of the second stage. The first tactile actuator may be more energy-efficient than the second tactile actuator.

[0010] As described in more detail below, using two different haptic actuators can provide improved tactile feedback to the user and can optimize the efficiency of the device.

[0011] The first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator can be configured to provide tactile feedback using mechanical stimulation and / or electrical stimulation. For example, one or more of vibration tactile feedback, force feedback, and electrical tactile feedback (or electrical stimulation) can be used to generate a tactile response. Vibration tactile feedback can be provided to the user of the device by using a vibration actuator for generating oscillation or reciprocating motion of the device. Force feedback can be provided to the user of the device by using a force actuator for moving the device. Electrical tactile feedback (or electrical stimulation) can be provided by using electrical pulses for stimulating the sensory system of the user of the device. The amplitude and frequency of the electrical pulses applied by the electrical actuator (such as an electrode array) can be changed to simulate a variety of tactile responses. In each case, tactile feedback can be used to provide status notifications, or can communicate with the user or provide information to the user in other ways through the tactile response generated.

[0012] The first tactile actuator can be, for example, a vibration motor (such as an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor), a piezoelectric actuator, a linear resonant actuator, or an electric actuator (such as an electro-stimulation array or an electro-tactile stimulator).

[0013] A typical eccentric rotating mass vibration motor is a compact DC motor that rotates an eccentric unbalanced mass to produce the desired vibration. A variety of such vibration motors are available at relatively low cost, but due to the operation of the DC motor, its response time (starting and stopping) is generally slower than that of piezoelectric actuators and linear resonant actuators. Some vibration motors are also not very energy efficient.

[0014] A typical piezoelectric actuator, for example, will utilize piezoelectric material mounted in a cantilever beam configuration to generate vibrations. Piezoelectric actuators are thin and lightweight, and have a fast response time. Piezoelectric actuators are also typically more energy efficient than vibration motors.

[0015] A typical linear resonant actuator is a spring-mass system that vibrates to provide haptic feedback. Linear resonant actuators are very energy efficient and reliable, and offer simple amplitude control and fast response time.

[0016] The electrical stimulation array or the electrical tactile stimulator can have any suitable configuration and can be used to capture user input in addition to stimulating the user's sensory system to provide a tactile response. In addition, the electrical stimulation array or the electrical tactile stimulator can target tactile feedback to the portion of the user's hand in contact with the device. The electrical stimulation array or the electrical tactile stimulator can include one or more electrodes operated with electrical pulses using DC or AC current. The electrical stimulation array or the electrical tactile stimulator can be exposed on the outer surface of the device, or can be covered by a dielectric layer so that it does not directly contact the user's hand.

[0017] The device may further include a position sensing device for sensing the position of a user's hand on the device. The position sensing device may include one or more capacitance-based sensors that detect position, for example by detecting changes in a capacitive field. The position sensing device may be mounted on the flexible tactile layer, or may be integrated with an electrical actuator (such as an electrical stimulation array or an electrotactile stimulator). The position sensing device may be omitted if the device is shaped so that it can only be held in a certain way (i.e., so that the position of the user's hand on the device does not need to be sensed when aiming a tactile response).

[0018] The second tactile actuator may be, for example, a vibration motor (such as an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor), a piezoelectric actuator, a linear resonant actuator, or an electrical actuator (such as an electrical stimulation array or an electrical tactile stimulator), provided that the second tactile actuator should not be the same as the first tactile actuator. The first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator should not be the same, but both the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator may generate tactile feedback in the same manner (e.g., by using an eccentric rotating mass or a piezoelectric material). In other words, if the user can distinguish the tactile feedback generated by each tactile actuator, both the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator may be, for example, a vibration motor, a piezoelectric actuator, or a linear resonant actuator. Preferably, the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator will generate tactile feedback in different manners so that the user can more easily distinguish the tactile feedback provided by different tactile actuators. For example, the first tactile actuator may be a linear resonant actuator, and the second tactile actuator may be a piezoelectric actuator.

[0019] The first tactile actuator may be electrically connected to a first driver controlled by a controller, and the second tactile actuator may be electrically connected to a second driver controlled by the controller. Each driver will be configured to operate its corresponding tactile actuator so that the corresponding tactile actuator provides the desired tactile feedback to the user. For example, the amplitude and / or frequency of the tactile feedback to be provided by each tactile actuator may be determined by the controller, and the first driver and the second driver will operate or drive the corresponding tactile actuator accordingly. Alternatively, a single driver may control both the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator. At least one of the first driver and the second driver may be omitted, and at least one of the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator may be directly controlled by the controller.

[0020] The aerosol generating device is typically a handheld portable device.

[0021] The aerosol-generating device may be configured to heat an aerosol-generating material or substrate, rather than burning the aerosol-generating material, to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating material, thereby generating a heated vapor that cools and condenses to form an aerosol for a user of the aerosol-generating device to inhale. The device may generate an aerosol in other ways, for example, by atomizing a liquid aerosol-forming substrate using an ultrasonic transducer.

[0022] Generally speaking, a vapor is a substance that is in the gaseous phase at a temperature below its critical temperature, which means that the vapor can be condensed into a liquid by increasing its pressure without lowering the temperature, while an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in the air or another gas. However, it should be noted that the terms "aerosol" and "vapor" are used interchangeably in this specification, particularly with respect to the form of the inhalable medium produced for inhalation by the user.

[0023] The device may include a heating chamber for receiving at least a portion of the aerosol generating material, and a heating mechanism configured to heat the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol. The heating mechanism may be an induction heating mechanism in which an induction coil surrounds the heating chamber or is disposed adjacent to the heating chamber, or may include one or more heaters, such as a low-power thin-film heater, a printed heater, etc.

[0024] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating system, the aerosol generating system comprising:

[0025] Aerosol generating materials; and

[0026] An aerosol-generating device as defined above for atomizing an aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol for inhalation.

[0027] Aerosol generating material can comprise any type of solid material or semisolid material. Aerosol generating solid exemplary types comprise powder, particulate, pellet, fragment, strand, granule, gel, strip, loose leaf, shredded filler, porous material, foam material or sheet. Aerosol generating material can comprise plant-derived material, and can comprise tobacco in particular. Aerosol generating material can advantageously comprise reconstituted tobacco, for example, this reconstituted tobacco comprises tobacco and cellulose fiber, tobacco stem fiber and as any one or more of CaCO3 etc. inorganic fillers.

[0028] Therefore, an aerosol-generating device may be referred to as a "heated tobacco device", "heat-not-burn tobacco device", "device for vaporizing tobacco products", etc., which is interpreted as a device suitable for achieving these effects. The features disclosed herein are equally applicable to devices designed to vaporize any aerosol-generating material (including liquid materials or substrates).

[0029] The aerosol-generating material may form part of an aerosol-generating article and may be surrounded by a paper wrapper.

[0030] The aerosol generating article can be formed to be generally rod-shaped and can be roughly similar to a cigarette, with a tubular region having an aerosol generating material or substrate arranged in a suitable manner. The aerosol generating article can include a filter segment at the proximal end of the aerosol generating article, for example, the filter segment includes cellulose acetate fibers. The filter segment can constitute a mouthpiece filter and can be coaxially aligned with the aerosol generating material. In some designs, one or more vapor collection areas, cooling areas and other structures can also be included. For example, the aerosol generating article can include at least one tubular segment upstream of the filter segment. The tubular segment can act as a vapor cooling area. The vapor cooling area can advantageously allow the heated vapor generated by heating the aerosol generating material to cool and condense to form an aerosol with suitable properties for the user to inhale (e.g., through the filter segment).

[0031] The aerosol generating material may include an aerosol former. Examples of aerosol formers include polyols and mixtures thereof, such as glycerol or propylene glycol. Typically, the aerosol generating material may include an aerosol former content of between about 5% and about 50% on a dry weight basis. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may include an aerosol former content of between about 10% and about 20% on a dry weight basis, and may be about 15% on a dry weight basis.

[0032] When heated, the aerosol-generating material can release volatile compounds. These volatile compounds may include nicotine or flavor compounds such as tobacco flavors.

[0033] The aerosol-generating material may be a liquid material or substrate, and the device may comprise an aerosolising mechanism for aerosolising the liquid material or substrate (including without heating).

[0034] Controller can be further configured to control the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator, so that during the first stage of the suction process, only tactile feedback is provided to the user by the first tactile actuator, and during the second stage of the suction process, only tactile feedback is provided to the user by the second tactile actuator.Therefore, the tactile feedback provided to the user during the first stage is different from the tactile feedback provided to the user during the second stage, because different tactile actuators are used.Compared with the known devices that use a single tactile actuator to provide tactile feedback, using different tactile actuators to provide tactile feedback allows the user to more easily distinguish the first stage and the second stage of the suction process.The tactile feedback provided during each stage can be discrete (that is, tactile feedback is provided in one or more time periods, and tactile feedback is not provided to the user in other time periods), or tactile feedback can be provided during the whole stage basically.In the latter case, tactile feedback can be basically continuous during the specific stage of the suction process, but its amplitude and / or frequency can be changed by controller to change the sensory experience of the user.During the whole suction process, tactile feedback can be provided basically continuously.

[0035] As described above, the duration of the first phase can be longer than the duration of the second phase, and the first tactile actuator can be more efficient (e.g., more energy-efficient) than the second tactile actuator. The relative energy efficiency of the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator can be based on any suitable definition as will be understood by the technician, such as the amount of output that can be generated under a given energy input. For example, when actuated for the same length of time or when providing approximately equivalent tactile feedback to the user, the first tactile actuator may consume less electrical power than the second tactile actuator, or the rated power of the first tactile actuator may be lower than that of the second tactile actuator. For example, in the case of a vibration actuator or a force tactile actuator, energy efficiency can be defined as the amount of mechanical energy generated by the tactile actuator under a given electrical energy input. The energy efficiency of each tactile actuator can be defined by the current value supplied to each tactile actuator under the same or similar operating conditions. The operating conditions may include one or more of environmental conditions (e.g., ambient temperature, pressure, or humidity), physical device conditions (e.g., device temperature, load resistance, etc.), or instruction conditions (e.g., device operating mode, instruction duty cycle, or instruction frequency). The efficiency of the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator may also be defined, for example, in terms of the ratio between the perceived tactile intensity and the input electrical energy. The perceived tactile intensity may be based on the mechanical energy generated by the tactile actuator and the tactile response generated by the tactile actuator, for example, the mechanical energy generated by the tactile actuator multiplied by the sensitivity curve of the stimulated receptor in the target area of ​​the user. If multiple receptors are stimulated by the same tactile actuator, a weighted sum or average value may be used to determine the perceived tactile intensity. Depending on the circuit design, the input electrical energy may be real power supplied to the tactile actuator or reactive power. The first stage may be a preheating stage or a heating stage of the absorption process. The preheating stage can usually be intended to preheat the aerosol generating material to the target temperature, and the heating or inhalation stage can usually be intended to heat the aerosol generating material for a long time period, during which aerosol is generated. The second stage can be, for example, the beginning stage or the end stage of the inhalation process. The beginning stage can be when the device is activated at the beginning of the inhalation process, and before the preheating stage. The end stage can be when the inhalation process is about to end, and after the heating or inhalation stage. For example, after the user has puffed a predefined number of times or after a period of time has passed, the device can be converted from the heating or inhalation stage to the end stage. Using a more energy-efficient tactile actuator during the first stage improves the energy efficiency of the device, because less electrical power is required to provide tactile feedback to the user during this stage (which can account for a large proportion of the duration of the inhalation process). The first tactile actuator can be, for example, a linear resonant actuator, because the linear resonant actuator is very energy-efficient. The second tactile actuator can be any different tactile actuator.For example, the second tactile actuator can be a vibration motor (such as an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor), a piezoelectric actuator, or an electric actuator (such as an electrostimulation array or an electrotactile stimulator). The second tactile actuator can also be a different type of linear resonant actuator.

[0036] The controller can be further configured to control the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator so that tactile feedback is provided to the user only through the first tactile actuator during one or both of the pre-heating stage and the heating or inhalation stage, and tactile feedback is provided to the user only through the second tactile actuator during one or both of the starting stage and the ending stage.

[0037] Controller can be further configured to control the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator, so that in the third stage of the suction process, tactile feedback is provided to the user simultaneously by the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator.This stage can be for example the starting stage, the preheating stage, the heating or suction stage or the end stage.In another stage, tactile feedback can be provided only by the first tactile actuator or the second tactile actuator, so that different tactile feedbacks are provided to the user in different stages.If tactile feedback is provided by the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator simultaneously, then the independent tactile feedback provided by each tactile actuator can be synchronously provided, for example, so that the independent tactile feedback provided by each tactile actuator has the same frequency or makes a frequency be the integer multiple of another frequency.Controller can be further configured to control at least one of the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator to change the amplitude and / or the frequency of the tactile feedback provided to the user during this stage.

[0038] Controller can be configured to control the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator to provide the tactile feedback of variation to the user during substantially whole suction process or during substantially whole stage of suction process.It is easily understood that this control can be included in one of the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator during one or more stages of suction process and does not provide any tactile feedback to the user.For example, during the first stage, the first tactile actuator can be controlled to provide tactile feedback to the user, and the second tactile actuator is not operated simultaneously, and during the second stage, the second tactile actuator can be controlled to provide tactile feedback to the user, and the first tactile actuator is not operated simultaneously.In other words, the tactile actuator can be controlled to not operate in one or more stages of suction process, as long as the tactile feedback of variation is provided to the user during substantially whole suction process or substantially whole stage.

[0039] The controller may be further configured to control at least one of the first haptic actuator and the second haptic actuator to provide haptic feedback to the user or to change the haptic feedback provided to the user in response to one or more of the following, for example:

[0040] - Suction detection,

[0041] - the temperature of the device, for example the temperature measured in a heating chamber of the device configured to receive the aerosol-generating article,

[0042] - the operating conditions of the device, for example at start-up, when the device is switching between different phases or when a puff limit or time limit of a puffing process is about to be reached (which may involve switching to the end phase),

[0043] - environmental characteristics, e.g. ambient noise or ambient temperature,

[0044] - vibration or movement of the device, and

[0045] -The way the user holds the device, e.g. how tightly the user's hand grips the device.

[0046] If the process of inhaling comprises a plurality of stages, then controller can be further configured to control the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator to provide different tactile feedbacks to the user during each stage.It is easy to understand that this control can be included in one of the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator during one or more stages of inhaling the process and does not provide any tactile feedback to the user.For example, during the first stage, the first tactile actuator can be controlled to provide tactile feedback to the user, and the second tactile actuator is not operated simultaneously, and during the second stage, the second tactile actuator can be controlled to provide tactile feedback to the user, and the first tactile actuator is not operated simultaneously.In other words, the tactile actuator can be controlled not to operate in one or more stages of inhaling the process, and different tactile actuators can be used to be enough to provide different tactile feedbacks in different stages.Different tactile feedbacks are provided to allow the user to more easily distinguish the stage of inhaling the process. The controller may be configured to control the first tactile actuator to provide tactile feedback to the user during substantially the entire first phase of the inhalation process, and / or control the second tactile actuator to provide tactile feedback to the user during substantially the entire second phase of the inhalation process.

[0047] If the inhalation process includes a preheating stage (e.g., as the first stage), the controller may be further configured to control at least one of the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator to change the amplitude and / or frequency of the tactile feedback provided to the user based on the temperature of the device. For example, in response to the measured temperature rise, the amplitude and / or frequency of the tactile feedback may be increased (or decreased) during the preheating stage. The tactile feedback may therefore provide information about the progress of the preheating stage to the user, so that it may provide when the device is about to be converted to a subsequent heating or inhalation stage. During the preheating stage, one of the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator may be controlled not to operate, for example, tactile feedback may be provided only by the first tactile actuator. The same control may be applied to the heating or inhalation stage of the inhalation process, in which the temperature of the device may vary based on, for example, a temperature curve for controlling the heating of the aerosol-generating material. The temperature may be a temperature measured by a temperature sensor located in a heating chamber of the device.

[0048] If the suction process includes a heating or suction phase (e.g., as the first phase), the controller may be further configured to control at least one of the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator to change the amplitude and / or frequency of the tactile feedback provided to the user when suction is detected. For example, after suction is detected, the amplitude and / or frequency of the tactile feedback may be temporarily increased (or reduced). This may improve the user experience. The amplitude and / or frequency of the tactile feedback may be temporarily increased (or reduced) based on the intensity of suction. Tactile feedback may therefore provide information about the suction intensity to the user, and the suction intensity may affect the duration of the suction process. During the heating or suction phase, one of the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator may be controlled not to operate, for example, tactile feedback may be provided only by the first tactile actuator. Each suction may be detected, for example, by a suction detection sensor.

[0049] The controller may be further configured to control at least one of the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator to change the amplitude and / or frequency of the tactile feedback provided to the user based on one or more environmental characteristics (such as ambient noise and ambient temperature) or the way the user moves or holds the device. This allows the tactile feedback to be better adapted to the environment in which the device is being used. For example, the amplitude of the tactile feedback may increase in response to an increase in measured ambient noise or device movement, which may indicate that the device is being used in a busy or noisy environment, in which it may be more difficult for the user to sense the tactile feedback. For example, if the user is gripping the device tightly, the amplitude of the tactile feedback may be reduced, and vice versa.

[0050] The device may further include one or more of the following: a temperature sensor for measuring ambient temperature (i.e., the temperature of the air surrounding the device), a noise sensor for measuring ambient noise (i.e., the background noise present in the environment in which the device is located), a vibration sensor for measuring vibration of the device, a movement sensor for measuring movement of the device, and a strain gauge or other force sensor for measuring how tightly the user's hand is gripping the device. If the device includes a microphone sensor as an inhalation or puff detector, the microphone sensor may also be used as a noise sensor.

[0051] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method for controlling an aerosol generating device during the suction process is provided, the aerosol generating device is configured to atomize aerosol generating material to produce an aerosol for a user to inhale, and the aerosol generating device comprises a first tactile actuator and a second tactile actuator different from the first tactile actuator, wherein the method comprises controlling the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator to provide tactile feedback to the user during the suction process. The first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator can be controlled so that during the first stage of the suction process, only tactile feedback is provided to the user by the first tactile actuator, and during the second stage of the suction process, only tactile feedback is provided to the user by the second tactile actuator. The duration of the first stage can be longer than the duration of the second stage. The first tactile actuator can be more energy-efficient than the second tactile actuator.

[0052] The first tactile actuator may be a linear resonant actuator.

[0053] For example, the first stage may be a preheating stage or a heating stage of the inhalation process, and the second stage may be a starting stage or an ending stage of the inhalation process.

[0054] The method may further include controlling the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator so that tactile feedback is provided to the user simultaneously through the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator during a third stage of the inhalation process.

[0055] Other features of the aerosol-generating device and method may be as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article to be positioned in a heating chamber of the aerosol generating device;

[0057] FIG2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating system in which the tactile actuator is an electrical stimulation array;

[0058] FIG3 is a representation of tactile feedback provided to a user of an aerosol generating device during an inhalation process;

[0059] 4A and 4B are representations of tactile feedback provided by a first tactile actuator and a second tactile actuator of a device during a puffing process;

[0060] FIG5 is a representation of tactile feedback provided to a user of an aerosol-generating device during an alternative inhalation process; and

[0061] 6A and 6B are representations of tactile feedback provided by the first and second tactile actuators of the device during an alternative inhalation procedure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0063] Referring first to Figure 1, an example of an aerosol generating system 1 is diagrammatically shown. The aerosol generating system 1 includes an aerosol generating device 10 and an aerosol generating article 100 for use with the device 10. The aerosol generating device 10 includes a body 12 that houses the various components of the aerosol generating device 10. The body 12 can have any shape that is sized to fit the components described in the various embodiments set forth herein and to be comfortably held in one hand by a user.

[0064] For convenience, the first end 14 of the aerosol generating device 10 shown toward the bottom of Figure 1 is described as the distal end, bottom end, base end, or lower end of the aerosol generating device 10. The second end 16 of the aerosol generating device 10 shown toward the top of Figure 1 is described as the proximal end, top end, or upper end of the aerosol generating device 10. During use, the user typically orients the aerosol generating device 10 with the first end 14 facing downward and / or in a distal position relative to the user's mouth, and the second end 16 facing upward and / or in a proximal position relative to the user's mouth.

[0065] The aerosol generating device 10 includes a heating chamber 18 positioned in the body 12. The heating chamber 18 defines an internal volume (in the form of a cavity 20) having a substantially cylindrical cross-section for receiving the aerosol generating article 100. The heating chamber 18 has a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction and is formed of a heat-resistant plastic material (e.g., polyetheretherketone (PEEK)). The aerosol generating device 10 further includes a power source 22 (e.g., one or more rechargeable batteries) and a controller 24. The controller 24 may include one or more integrated circuits and other electrical components. For example, the integrated circuit may include at least one of a microcontroller unit (MCU) and a microprocessor unit (MPU).

[0066] The heating chamber 18 is open towards the second end 16 of the aerosol-generating device 10. In other words, the heating chamber 18 has a first end 26 that is open towards the second end 16 of the aerosol-generating device 10. The heating chamber 18 is typically kept spaced apart from the inner surface of the body 12 to minimize heat transfer to the body 12.

[0067] The aerosol generating device 10 may optionally include a slide cover 28 that is laterally movable between a closed position (shown in FIG. 1 ) in which the slide cover covers the open first end 26 of the heating chamber 18 to prevent access to the heating chamber 18, and an open position (not shown) in which the slide cover exposes the open first end 26 of the heating chamber 18 to provide access to the heating chamber 18. In some embodiments, the slide cover 28 may be biased to the closed position.

[0068] The heating chamber 18, in particular the cavity 20, is arranged to receive a correspondingly shaped, generally cylindrical or rod-shaped aerosol-generating article 100. Typically, the aerosol-generating article 100 comprises a pre-packaged aerosol-generating material or substrate 102. The aerosol-generating article 100 is a disposable and replaceable article (also referred to as a "consumable"), which may, for example, contain tobacco as the aerosol-generating material 102. The aerosol-generating article 100 has a proximal end 104 (or mouth end) and a distal end 106. The aerosol-generating article 100 further comprises a mouthpiece segment 108 positioned downstream of the aerosol-generating material 102. The aerosol-generating material 102 and the mouthpiece segment 108 are coaxially aligned and arranged inside a wrapper 110 (e.g., a paper wrapper) to hold the components in place to form a rod-shaped aerosol-generating article 100.

[0069] The mouthpiece segment 108 may include one or more of the following components (not shown in detail) arranged in sequence and coaxially aligned in the downstream direction (in other words, from the distal end 106 of the aerosol generating article 100 toward the proximal end (mouth end) 104): a cooling segment, a central hole segment, and a filtering segment. The cooling segment typically includes a hollow paper tube having a thickness greater than the thickness of the wrapper 110. The central hole segment may include a solidified mixture containing cellulose acetate fibers and a plasticizer, and serves to increase the strength of the mouthpiece segment 108. The filtering segment typically includes cellulose acetate fibers and acts as a mouthpiece filter. When the heated vapor flows from the aerosol generating material 102 toward the proximal end (mouth end) 104 of the aerosol generating article 100, the vapor cools and condenses when passing through the cooling segment and the central hole segment, thereby forming an aerosol having suitable properties for the user to inhale through the filtering segment.

[0070] The heating chamber 18 has a side wall (or chamber wall) 30 extending between a base 32 located at a second end 34 of the heating chamber 18 and an open first end 26. The side wall 30 and the base 32 are connected to each other and can be integrally formed as a single piece. In the illustrated embodiment, the side wall 30 is tubular, more specifically cylindrical. The side wall 30 can be formed so that the cross-section of the heating chamber 18 is a perfect circle or an ellipse. In other embodiments, the side wall 30 can have other suitable shapes, such as a tube with an elliptical or polygonal cross-section. In other embodiments, the side wall 30 can be tapered.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiment, the base 32 of the heating chamber 18 is closed, e.g., sealed or airtight. That is, the heating chamber 18 is cup-shaped. This can ensure that air drawn in from the open first end 26 is blocked by the base 32 from flowing out of the second end 34, and is instead directed through the aerosol-generating material 102. It can also ensure that the user inserts the aerosol-generating article 100 into the heating chamber 18 the intended distance, and not further.

[0072] The device 10 comprises a heating mechanism 36 configured to heat the aerosol-generating material 102 when the aerosol-generating article 100 is received in the heating chamber 18 .

[0073] The device 10 includes a first tactile actuator 38a and a second tactile actuator 38b, the first tactile actuator is electrically connected to the controller 24 through a first driver 40a, and the second tactile actuator is electrically connected to the controller through a second driver 40b. The type of driver is selected for the corresponding tactile actuator. When controlled by the controller 24, the first driver 40a and the second driver 40b cause the first tactile actuator 38a and the second tactile actuator 38b to operate to provide tactile feedback to the user. The first tactile actuator 38a is a linear resonant actuator, and the second tactile actuator 38b is a piezoelectric actuator. Alternatively, a single driver can control both the first tactile actuator 38a and the second tactile actuator 38b. In another embodiment, at least one of the first driver 40a and the second driver 40b can be omitted, and at least one of the first tactile actuator 38a and the second tactile actuator 38b is directly controlled by the controller 24.

[0074] For example, if one of the first tactile actuator 38a and the second tactile actuator 38b is an electrical actuator (such as an electrical analog array or an electrical tactile stimulator), the device 10 may include a position sensing electrode 42 that is electrically connected to the controller 24. Referring to FIG. 2, the position sensing electrode 42 may be formed on a flexible tactile layer 44. The electrical actuator (i.e., the first tactile actuator 38a) is formed on the outer surface of the body 12 and is covered by a dielectric layer or coating 46 (e.g., a dielectric paint layer or a plastic material layer). There is no direct contact between the user's hand and the electrical actuator. In another embodiment, the dielectric layer or coating 46 may be omitted so that the user's hand is in direct contact with the electrical actuator. In another embodiment, the position sensing electrode 42 may be integrated with the electrical actuator to define an array that is capable of both position sensing and providing electrical tactile stimulation. The position sensing electrode 42 may also be omitted if the shape of the device is configured so that the device can only be held in a certain way and there is no need to detect the position of the user's hand to aim the tactile response.

[0075] The device 10 includes one or more sensors 48 that are electrically connected to the controller 24 .

[0076] With reference to Fig. 3, Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, the suction process comprises a starting phase 50, a preheating phase 52, a heating or suction phase 54 and an end phase 56. Fig. 3 is represented by the tactile feedback provided to the user by the first tactile actuator 38a and the second tactile actuator 38b in the whole suction process. Fig. 4A is represented by the tactile feedback provided to the user by the first tactile actuator 38a, and Fig. 4B is represented by the tactile feedback provided to the user by the second tactile actuator 38b.

[0077] The start phase 50 is when the aerosol generating device 10 is activated. The start phase 50 is relatively short, and tactile feedback is provided to the user through the second tactile actuator 38b. More specifically, the controller 24 controls the second driver 40b to operate the second tactile actuator 38b to continuously provide tactile feedback to the user during the start phase 50. During the start phase 50, the amplitude and frequency of the tactile feedback do not change.

[0078] The preheating stage 52 is when the aerosol generating material 110 is heated toward the target temperature. When the inhalation process is converted to the preheating stage 52, the controller 24 controls the second driver 40b to stop the second tactile actuator 38b. The controller 24 controls the first driver 40a to operate the first tactile actuator 38a to continuously provide tactile feedback to the user during the preheating stage 52. The sensor 48 includes a temperature sensor positioned to measure the temperature in the heating chamber 18. As the heating mechanism 36 heats the aerosol generating material 102, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor rises. The controller 24 controls the first driver 40a to operate the first tactile actuator 38a so that the amplitude of the tactile feedback provided by the first tactile actuator 38a increases based on the measured temperature. This allows the user to track the progress of the preheating stage more clearly.

[0079] When the target temperature has been reached, the suction process is converted to a heating (or suction) stage 54, in which the aerosol generating material 110 is heated for a longer period of time, during which aerosol is generated and inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece section 108 of the aerosol generating article 100 for multiple suctions. Alternatively, after the target temperature has been reached, the suction process can be kept in the preheating stage 52 for a short time. The controller 24 controls the first driver 40a to operate the first tactile actuator 38a to continuously provide tactile feedback to the user during the heating stage 54. The frequency of the tactile feedback provided during the heating stage 54 is different from the frequency of the tactile feedback provided during the preheating stage 52. The sensor 48 includes a suction detector for detecting when the user is suctioning. In Fig. 3, Fig. 4A, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6A, each suction is represented by a vertical arrow. In response to the detected suction, the controller 24 controls the first driver 40a to temporarily increase the amplitude of the tactile feedback. This allows the user to more clearly feel when suction is being performed. It should be noted that this increase in the amplitude of tactile feedback is only temporary, and the amplitude will fall back to a normal value or range quite quickly. The amplitude of the tactile feedback provided to the user will be maintained at the normal value or range until the next puff is detected.

[0080] For example, after a certain number of suctions have been performed, the suction process is converted to the end stage 56. The controller 24 controls the first driver 40a to stop the first tactile actuator 38a. The controller 24 controls the second driver 40b to operate the second tactile actuator 38b to continuously provide tactile feedback to the user during the end stage 56. The frequency of the tactile feedback provided during the end stage 56 is different from the frequency of the tactile feedback provided during the heating stage 54. The controller 24 controls the second driver 40b to operate the second tactile actuator 38b so that the amplitude of the tactile feedback provided by the second tactile actuator 38b is reduced during the end stage 56. This allows the user to more clearly track the progress of the end stage and the end of the suction process.

[0081] The duration of preheating stage 52 and heating stage 54 is greater than the duration of starting stage 50 and ending stage 56. More specifically, preheating stage 52 and heating stage 54 account for a large proportion of the total duration of the process of inhalation. Owing to continuously provide tactile feedback to the user in the process of whole inhalation, therefore use more energy-saving linear resonant actuator as the first tactile actuator 38a to significantly save power, because the operating time period of the first tactile actuator is relatively long. During relatively short starting stage 50 and ending stage 56, also different tactile feedback is provided to the user by the second tactile actuator 38b (that is, the piezoelectric actuator not too energy-saving).

[0082] With reference to Fig. 5, Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B, alternative inhalation process also comprises starting stage 50, preheating stage 52, heating or inhalation stage 54 and end stage 56.Fig. 5 represents the tactile feedback provided to the user by the first tactile actuator 38a and the second tactile actuator 38b in the whole inhalation process.Fig. 6A represents the tactile feedback provided to the user by the first tactile actuator 38a, and Fig. 6B represents the tactile feedback provided to the user by the second tactile actuator 38b.

[0083] The alternative inhalation process is similar to the above-described inhalation process, but in the preheating stage 52, the controller 24 controls the first driver 40a and the second driver 40b to operate the first tactile actuator 38a and the second tactile actuator 38b to simultaneously and continuously provide tactile feedback to the user during the preheating stage 52. (In FIG. 5, the tactile feedback provided by the second tactile actuator 38b during the preheating stage 52 is shown in dashed lines so that the tactile feedback can be more clearly distinguished from the tactile feedback provided by the first tactile actuator 38a shown in solid lines.) The separate tactile feedback provided by the first tactile actuator 38a and the second tactile actuator 38b is synchronized to have the same frequency, or one of the frequencies is an integer multiple of the other frequency. The controller 24 controls the first driver 40a and the second driver 40b to operate the first tactile actuator 38a and the second tactile actuator 38b so that the amplitude of the tactile feedback provided by the first tactile actuator and the second tactile actuator increases based on the measured temperature. This allows the user to more clearly follow the progress of the pre-heating phase.

[0084] Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. For example, the aerosol generating device may be of a type that does not heat the aerosol generating material or substrate to generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user. Different types of tactile actuators may also be used.

[0085] Unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context, this disclosure encompasses any combination of the above-described features in all possible variations thereof.

[0086] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be interpreted in an inclusive rather than an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is, in the sense of "including but not limited to."

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device (10) configured to atomize an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user, the device (10) comprising: a first tactile actuator (38a); a second tactile actuator (38b), the second tactile actuator being different from the first tactile actuator (38a); as well as a controller (24) configured to control the first tactile actuator (38a) and the second tactile actuator (38b) so that tactile feedback is provided to the user only through the first tactile actuator (38a) during the first stage (52, 54) of the inhalation process, and tactile feedback is provided to the user only through the second tactile actuator (38b) during the second stage (50, 56) of the inhalation process; wherein the duration of the first stage (52, 54) is longer than the duration of the second stage (50, 56); and The first tactile actuator (38a) is more energy-efficient than the second tactile actuator (38b).

2. The aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The first tactile actuator (38a) is a linear resonant actuator.

3. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The controller (24) is further configured to control the first tactile actuator (38a) to provide tactile feedback to the user during substantially the entire first stage (52, 54) of the inhalation process, and / or the controller (24) is further configured to control the second tactile actuator (38b) to provide tactile feedback to the user during substantially the entire second stage (50, 56).

4. An aerosol-generating device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein: The controller (24) is further configured to control at least one of the first tactile actuator (38a) and the second tactile actuator (38b) to provide tactile feedback to the user or to change the tactile feedback provided to the user in response to one or more of the following: - Suction detection, - the temperature of the device (10), - operating conditions of the device (10), - Environmental characteristics, - vibration or movement of the device (10), and - The way in which the user holds the device (10).

5. An aerosol-generating device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein: The first stage of the inhalation process is a preheating stage (52), and wherein the controller (24) is further configured to control the first tactile actuator (38a) to change the amplitude and / or frequency of tactile feedback provided to the user based on the temperature of the aerosol generating device during the preheating stage (52).

6. An aerosol generating device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The first phase of the puffing process is a heating or puffing phase (54), and wherein the controller (24) is further configured to control the first tactile actuator (38a) to vary the amplitude and / or frequency of tactile feedback provided to the user when a puff is detected during the heating or puffing phase (54).

7. An aerosol-generating device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein: The second phase of the imbibition process is the start phase (50) or the end phase (56).

8. A method of controlling an aerosol generating device (10) during an inhalation process, the aerosol generating device (10) being configured to atomize an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user, and the aerosol generating device comprising a first tactile actuator (38a) and a second tactile actuator (38b) different from the first tactile actuator (38a), wherein: The method comprises controlling the first tactile actuator (38a) and the second tactile actuator (38b) so that during a first stage (52, 54) of the inhalation process, tactile feedback is provided to the user only through the first tactile actuator (38a), and during a second stage (50, 56) of the inhalation process, tactile feedback is provided to the user only through the second tactile actuator (38b), wherein the duration of the first stage (52, 54) is longer than the duration of the second stage (50, 56), and the first tactile actuator (38a) is more energy-efficient than the second tactile actuator (38b).

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein: The first tactile actuator (38a) is a linear resonant actuator.

10. The method according to claim 8 or claim 9, further comprising controlling the first tactile actuator (38a) to provide tactile feedback to the user during substantially the entire first phase (52, 54) of the inhalation process, and / or controlling the second tactile actuator (38b) to provide tactile feedback to the user during substantially the entire second phase (50, 56) of the inhalation process.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising controlling at least one of the first tactile actuator (38a) and the second tactile actuator (38b) to provide tactile feedback to the user or to change the tactile feedback provided to the user in response to one or more of the following: - Suction detection, - the temperature of the device (10), - operating conditions of the device (10), - Environmental characteristics, - vibration or movement of the device (10), and - The way in which the user holds the device (10).

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein: The first stage of the inhalation process is a preheating stage (52), and the method further includes controlling the first tactile actuator (38a) to change the amplitude and / or frequency of tactile feedback provided to the user based on the temperature of the device (10) during the preheating stage (52).

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein: The first phase of the puffing process is a heating or puffing phase (54), and the method further comprises controlling the first tactile actuator (38a) to vary the amplitude and / or frequency of tactile feedback provided to the user when a puff is detected during the heating or puffing phase (54).

14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein: The second phase of the imbibition process is the start phase (50) or the end phase (56).

15. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 14, further comprising controlling the first tactile actuator (38a) and the second tactile actuator (38b) so that tactile feedback is provided to the user simultaneously through the first tactile actuator (38a) and the second tactile actuator (38b) during the third stage of the inhalation process.

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