Aerosol generating system

Abstract

An aerosol-generating system (10) comprising a consumable article (40) and an aerosol-generating device (20) is disclosed. A consumable article (40) comprises: a rod (48) of aerosol-generating material; and an inductively heatable susceptor (50) disposed within the aerosol-generating material rod (48), where the susceptor (50) extends along the length of the aerosol-generating material rod (48), and where the susceptor (50) comprises a first section (52) and a second section (54) connected by a connecting portion (58), the connecting portion has a reduced cross-sectional area relative to the first section (52) and the second section (54). The aerosol-generating device (20) comprises: a housing (22) arranged to define a heating chamber (24) for receiving a consumable article (40); a first inductor (32) and a second inductor (36) arranged to at least partially surround the heating chamber (24) and spaced apart along a length of the heating chamber (24), where the first inductor (32) and the second inductor (34) are arranged to receive the consumable article (40) when the consumable article (40) is received within the heating chamber (24). At least partially surrounding the first section (52) and the second section (54), respectively; a power supply (28) configured to supply power to the first inductor (32) and the second inductor (34); and control circuitry (30) configured to selectively control supply of power to each of the first inductor (32) and the second inductor (34).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating system, which comprises an aerosol generating device and a consumable product. Background Art

[0002] Over the past several years, there has been a rapid growth in the popularity and use of reduced risk or modified risk devices, also known as vaporizers, to help habitual smokers who wish to quit traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and roll-ons. Various devices and systems are available that heat or warm an aerosolizable substance as opposed to burning the tobacco in conventional tobacco products.

[0003] Commonly used, risk-reduced or risk-modified devices are heated substrate aerosol generating devices or heat-not-burn devices. This type of device generates an aerosol or vapor by heating a consumable product containing an aerosol substrate (e.g., moist tobacco leaves) to a temperature typically in the range of 150°C to 300°C. The aerosol released by heating the aerosol substrate but not burning or burning the aerosol substrate includes the components sought by the user, but does not include undesirable combustion byproducts. In addition, the aerosol generated by heating tobacco or other aerosolizable materials typically does not include a burnt or bitter taste that may be produced by combustion and is unpleasant to the user.

[0004] Currently available aerosol generating devices can use one of a number of different methods to provide heat to the aerosol generating substrate. One such method is to provide an aerosol generating device that uses an induction heating system. In this case, an induction coil is provided in the device, and an inductively heatable susceptor is provided for heating the aerosol generating substrate. For example, the inductively heatable susceptor can be located in a consumable product. When the user activates the device, electrical energy is supplied to the induction coil, which in turn generates an alternating electromagnetic field. The susceptor couples with the electromagnetic field and generates heat, which is transferred to the aerosol generating substrate, for example by conduction. When the aerosol generating substrate is heated, an aerosol is subsequently generated.

[0005] In order to improve the consistency and / or efficiency of aerosol generation, it is desirable to supply variable amounts of thermal energy to different parts of the consumable article. However, this is difficult to achieve in an inductively heatable aerosol generating system.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to solve this problem. Summary of the invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating system, the aerosol generating system comprising: a consumable product, the consumable product comprising: an aerosol generating material rod; and an inductively heatable susceptor, the susceptor being disposed within the aerosol generating material rod, wherein the susceptor extends along the length of the aerosol generating material rod, and wherein the susceptor comprises a first section and a second section connected by a connecting portion, the connecting portion having a reduced cross-sectional area relative to the first section and the second section; and an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising: a housing, the housing being arranged as A heating chamber is defined for receiving a consumable article; a first inductor and a second inductor, the first inductor and the second inductor are arranged to at least partially surround the heating chamber and are spaced apart along the length of the heating chamber, wherein the first inductor and the second inductor are arranged to at least partially surround the first segment and the second segment, respectively, when the consumable article is received in the heating chamber; a power supply, the power supply is configured to supply power to the first inductor and the second inductor; and a control circuit system, the control circuit system is configured to selectively control the supply of power to each of the first inductor and the second inductor.

[0008] In this way, heat inductively generated in the first and second sections of the susceptor may be localized to each section, thereby allowing controlled heating of specific areas of the consumable article.

[0009] The susceptor needs to be made of an electrically conductive material, such as steel, copper, aluminum or brass. According to the Wiedemann-Franz theorem, the electrical conductivity of a metal is proportional to its thermal conductivity, so that susceptors are typically also good thermal conductors. Therefore, during inductive heating of the susceptor, the heat generated is evenly distributed over the susceptor. This prevents the susceptor from being used to heat different areas of a consumable article to different temperatures.

[0010] However, by providing a portion with a reduced cross-sectional area that separates the first and second sections of the susceptor, the heat transfer between the first and second sections is limited. This prevents the first and second sections from quickly obtaining thermal equilibrium, so that the first and second sections can be maintained at different temperatures for a long time. Specifically, by providing a first inductor and a second inductor configured to heat the first and second sections, respectively, the first and second sections can be supplied with different amounts of thermal energy without rapid equilibrium. Therefore, the aerosol-generating substrate portion surrounding the first section can be supplied with a different amount of thermal energy than the aerosol-generating substrate portion surrounding the second section. Variable and localized heating of the aerosol substrate may be expected to improve the heating efficiency of the device, ensure consistent aerosol generation operation, and adjust the sensory experience of the consumer. In addition, by utilizing a single susceptor with a reduced cross-sectional area portion, consumable products can be manufactured in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0011] It will be appreciated that the first inductor and the second inductor are spaced apart in the length direction of the heating chamber. In other words, the inductors do not occupy or share the same longitudinal position along the heating chamber. Advantageously, this means that the field lines generated by each inductor are respectively concentrated in a single segment of the susceptor, for example, the field lines generated by the first inductor are concentrated in the first segment and the field lines generated by the second inductor are concentrated in the second segment.

[0012] Preferably, each inductor is an induction coil.

[0013] Preferably, the first and second inductors are arranged to (completely) surround the first and second sections of the susceptor, respectively.

[0014] Preferably, the first inductor and the second inductor do not overlap. Specifically, the first inductor and the second inductor (and the third inductor, etc.) are arranged such that the first inductor and the second inductor (and the third inductor, etc.) do not overlap in a direction perpendicular to the length of the heating chamber (i.e., in a radial direction). In this way, field line overlap is avoided, and each inductor is configured to provide localized heating to a corresponding single segment.

[0015] Preferably, the first inductor is arranged to surround the first segment of the susceptor but not the second segment (or any other segment) of the susceptor, and the second inductor is arranged to surround the second segment of the susceptor but not the first segment (or any other segment) of the susceptor.

[0016] Preferably, the susceptor is formed as an elongated sheet. The term "sheet" may be understood to refer to a planar shape having a thickness that is many times smaller than its length or width. For example, the elongated sheet may be substantially cubic or rectangular. In this way, the ease of manufacturability of the consumable article is further improved.

[0017] Preferably, the reduced cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion is provided by a notch in the susceptor. In this way, the notch may be formed along the side of a uniform length of susceptor material before the length of susceptor material is cut into a plurality of susceptors. Thus, the ease of manufacturability of the susceptor is further improved.

[0018] In one example, the notch may be formed on only one side of the susceptor.

[0019] Preferably, each notch can extend across a distance of 20% to 90% of the susceptor width. For example, each notch can extend across a distance of 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% or 80% of the susceptor width. Longer notches optimize the reduction of heat transfer between segments, thereby making the heating of specific areas of the aerosol substrate more efficient. However, longer notches will also increase the vulnerability of the susceptor, thereby increasing the manufacturing difficulty of the susceptor.

[0020] Preferably, the reduced cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion is provided by a pair of opposed notches in the susceptor.In this way, the consumable article may be heated symmetrically about its longitudinal axis.

[0021] Preferably, each notch comprises two parallel opposite sides.In other words, each notch can be a rectangular or cubic notch.

[0022] Alternatively, each notch has a concave shape. In other words, each notch can be a curved notch, such as a semicircular or hemispherical notch.

[0023] Preferably, the receptor comprises a third segment connected to the second segment by another connecting portion having a reduced cross-sectional area relative to the second segment and the third segment, wherein the aerosol generating device comprises a third inductor arranged to at least partially surround the heating chamber and to be spaced apart from the first inductor and the second inductor along the length of the heating chamber, wherein the third inductor is arranged to at least partially surround the third segment when the consumable article is received in the heating chamber, wherein the power supply is further configured to supply power to the third inductor, and wherein the control circuit system is further configured to selectively control the supply of power to the third inductor.

[0024] The skilled person will appreciate that the susceptor may comprise a plurality of segments, wherein adjacent segments are connected to each other by respective connecting portions. For example, the susceptor may comprise four, five, six, seven, etc. segments. The aerosol generating device may comprise a corresponding number of induction coils, each of which is configured to heat a respective segment of the plurality of segments.

[0025] Preferably, the segments are periodically (eg evenly) spaced along the length of the susceptor.In this way, the ease of manufacturability of the consumable article is further improved.

[0026] Preferably, the susceptor comprises (or consists of) stainless steel and a nickel-iron alloy. For example, the susceptor may be a laminate of stainless steel and a nickel-iron alloy.

[0027] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a consumable article for an aerosol generating device, the consumable article comprising: an aerosol generating material rod; and an inductively heatable receptor, which is arranged in the aerosol generating material rod, wherein the receptor extends along the length of the aerosol generating material rod, wherein the receptor comprises a first section and a second section connected by a connecting portion, the connecting portion having a reduced cross-sectional area relative to the first section and the second section, wherein the reduced cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion is provided by a recess in the receptor, and wherein the recess is substantially free of aerosol generating material.

[0028] In this way, the absence of aerosol-generating material within the recesses further reduces heat conduction between the first and second sections. Advantageously, this improves the ability of the susceptors to be maintained at different temperatures, thereby providing improved local heating of the aerosol-generating material. Furthermore, this configuration prevents overheating of the aerosol-generating material within each recess and improves the consistency of aerosol-generating operation.

[0029] The skilled person will appreciate that the consumable article of the second aspect may be used within the aerosol-generating system of the first aspect.

[0030] Preferably, the reduced cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion is provided by a pair of opposed recesses in the susceptor, wherein each recess is substantially free of aerosol generating material.

[0031] The skilled person will appreciate that each recess may be described as being substantially filled with an (air) void.

[0032] Preferably, each notch comprises two parallel opposing sides.Alternatively, each notch has a concave shape. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device and a consumable article;

[0035] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a consumable article comprising an induction coil surrounding a receptor and an aerosol generating device;

[0036] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the receptors of consumable products;

[0037] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram of an alternative susceptor according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

[0038] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a susceptor according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the susceptor is disposed in an aerosol generating matrix of a consumable product. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] As described herein, vapor is generally understood to refer to a substance that is in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical temperature, which means that the vapor can condense 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.

[0040] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating system 10 is shown, which includes an aerosol generating device 20 and a consumable product 40 for use with the aerosol generating device 20. The aerosol generating device 20 is a heat-not-burn device, which may also be referred to as a tobacco vapor device. The consumable product 40 includes an aerosol generating substrate 48, such as tobacco. The aerosol generating device 20 is configured to heat the consumable product 40 without burning it to form an aerosol from the aerosol generating substrate 48 for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating device 20.

[0041] The aerosol-generating device 20 comprises a housing 22 configured to hold the various components of the aerosol-generating device 20. The housing 22 may have any shape sized to fit the components described herein and to be comfortably held in a single hand by a user.

[0042] The aerosol generating device 20 has a first end 23 (shown as facing toward Figure 1 The aerosol generating device 20 has an opposite second end 25 (shown as facing toward the bottom). Figure 1 The aerosol generating device 20 may also be described as having a proximal end, a top end, or an upper end thereof. During use, the user typically orients the aerosol generating device 20 with the first end 23 facing downward and / or in a distal position relative to the user's mouth, and the second end 25 facing upward and / or in a proximal position relative to the user's mouth.

[0043] The aerosol generating device 20 comprises a heating chamber 24 positioned in the housing 22. That is, the housing 22 is arranged to define the heating chamber 24, which forms an internal volume for receiving the consumable article 40. The heating chamber 24 has a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction of the heating chamber 24 is aligned with the length direction of the aerosol generating device 20 (i.e., the direction defined between the first end 23 and the second end 25 of the aerosol generating device 20).

[0044] The heating chamber 24 is open towards the second end 25 of the aerosol generating device 20. In other words, the heating chamber 24 has an opening 26 towards the second end 25 of the aerosol generating device 20. In use, a user can insert a consumable article 40 into the heating chamber 24 through the opening 26 so that the consumable article 40 is positioned within the heating chamber 24. The length of the heating chamber 24 is configured so that a portion of the consumable article 40 protrudes through the opening 26 (i.e., protrudes from the heating chamber 24) and can be received in the mouth of a user.

[0045] The heating chamber 24 is arranged to receive a consumable product 40 of a corresponding shape. In this example, the heating chamber 24 is arranged to receive a consumable product 40 of a generally cylindrical or rod-shaped shape. Therefore, the heating chamber 24 is also tubular, for example, substantially cylindrical. However, the skilled person will understand that the shape of the heating chamber 24 is not limited to being tubular. For example, the heating chamber 24 can be formed to define a cavity of a cubic, conical, hemispherical or other shape, and is configured to receive a consumable product of a complementary shape.

[0046] The aerosol generating device 20 comprises a plurality of induction coils 32-36 which act as an electromagnetic field generator for generating an electromagnetic field. Figure 2 The induction coils 32 - 36 are described in more detail.

[0047] The aerosol generating device 20 further comprises a power source 28 (eg, one or more rechargeable batteries) and control circuitry 30 (eg, a microcontroller (MCU)). The control circuitry 30 is configured to selectively control power supplied from the power source 28 to a plurality of induction coils 32-36.

[0048] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a consumable product 40 is shown, showing its internal structure and components. In the shown state, the consumable product 40 has been received in the heating chamber 24 of the aerosol generating device 20, but for ease of display, only the induction coils 32-36 of the aerosol generating device 20 are shown.

[0049] The consumable product 40 is a disposable and replaceable product, which may also be referred to as an aerosol-generating product or a heat-not-burn stick. The consumable product 40 has a proximal end 42 (or mouth end) and an opposite distal end 44. The length direction of the consumable product 40 is defined between the proximal end 42 and the distal end 44. The consumable product 40 includes an aerosol-generating substrate 48 located near the distal end 44. In particular, the aerosol-generating substrate 48 is an aerosol-generating material rod, such as a tobacco rod. The consumable product 40 further includes a mouthpiece segment 46 positioned downstream (i.e., near the proximal end 42) of the aerosol-generating substrate 48. The mouthpiece segment 46 includes a filter, which typically includes cellulose acetate fibers. The aerosol-generating substrate 48 and the mouthpiece segment 42 may be separated by additional structural elements or filter elements, such as polymer membrane filters and hollow acetate membranes for cooling aerosols. The aerosol-generating substrate 48 and mouthpiece segment 42 (and other components) are arranged in coaxial alignment inside a wrapper (eg, a paper wrapper) to hold the components in place to form the consumable article 40 in a rod-like shape.

[0050] The consumable article 40 further includes a susceptor 50 disposed within the aerosol generating substrate 48. That is, the susceptor 50 is surrounded by the aerosol generating substrate 48. The susceptor 50 is an inductively heatable element that generates heat due to eddy currents and hysteresis losses when an electromagnetic field is applied near it, thereby causing the conversion of electromagnetic energy into thermal energy. The susceptor 50 is formed of a material suitable for being inductively heated. For example, the susceptor 50 can be made of metal, such as aluminum, iron, nickel, stainless steel, carbon steel, and alloys thereof (e.g., nickel-chromium, nickel-copper, or nickel-iron). Preferably, the susceptor 50 comprises a laminate of stainless steel and a nickel-iron alloy.

[0051] The susceptor 50 is formed as an elongated sheet, i.e. a strip of material having a thickness that is many times less than its length or width. The susceptor 50 is arranged to extend along at least a portion of the length of the aerosol-generating substrate 48 (and the consumable article 40) so that, in use, the susceptor 50 is aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 24. In alternative examples, the susceptor 50 may be formed in alternative shapes, such as a rod shape.

[0052] like Figure 3As further shown, the susceptor 50 includes a plurality of segments 52-56. Specifically, the susceptor 50 includes a first segment 52, a second segment 54, and a third segment 56, but a skilled person will appreciate that the number of segments may vary depending on the number of induction coils 32-36, as discussed further below. The susceptor 50 further includes a plurality of connecting portions 58. Each of the segments 52-56 is connected to an adjacent segment 52-56 by a respective connecting portion 58. For example, the first segment 52 is connected to the second segment 54 by a connecting portion 58, and the second segment 54 is connected to the third segment 56 by another connecting portion 58. The connecting portions 58 have a smaller cross-sectional area (i.e., in a plane perpendicular to the length of the susceptor 50) than each adjacent segment 52-56. That is, the connecting portions 58 are narrower regions of the susceptor 50, and the connecting portions are spaced apart along the length of the susceptor 50.

[0053] The skilled artisan will appreciate that the segments 52 - 56 and the connecting portion 58 are formed of the same material and merely depict different areas of the susceptor 50 .

[0054] The connecting portion 58 is defined by one or more notches 60 formed in the susceptor 50. The notches 60 preferably extend through the entire thickness of the susceptor 50 (i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the length and width of the susceptor 50). Each notch 60 may also be referred to as a slit, indentation, cutout, or recess formed on the exterior of the susceptor 50. Each notch 60 is located laterally along the length of the susceptor 50. That is, each notch 60 is formed on a side or edge of the susceptor 50, e.g., perpendicular to the length and thickness of the susceptor 50. Each notch 60 is created by removing a portion of material from the susceptor 50 (e.g., using a cutting tool).

[0055] The notches 60 form corresponding connecting portions 58 that have a smaller cross-sectional area than adjacent segments 52-56. Thus, the cross-sectional area available for longitudinal heat flow between adjacent segments 52-56 is reduced. Advantageously, by reducing heat flow using a single susceptor 50 having notches 60, rather than providing multiple individual susceptors within the consumable article 40, the manufacturing efficiency of the consumable article 40 is improved. Specifically, the susceptor 50 can be formed from a length (or strip) of susceptor material that is then cut to form a plurality of susceptors 50. The notches 60 can be formed along the length of the susceptor material before the susceptor material is cut into individual susceptors 50.

[0056] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3In the depicted embodiment, adjacent segments 52-56 are spaced apart from one another by pairs of opposing notches 60. That is, the connection 58 between the first segment 52 and the second segment 54 is formed by two notches 60 disposed on opposite sides of the susceptor 50. Similarly, the connection 58 between the second segment 54 and the second segment 56 is formed by two notches 60 disposed on opposite sides of the susceptor 50. Advantageously, this ensures that the consumable article 40 can be heated symmetrically about its longitudinal axis.

[0057] Each notch 60 includes two parallel opposing sides, ie, sides arranged perpendicular to the length of the consumable article 50, thereby forming a rectangular or cubic notch. However, the skilled person will appreciate that the shape and arrangement of the notch 60 may vary. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C Let's discuss alternative examples.

[0058] exist Figure 2 In FIG. 1 , each recess 60 is shown as being filled with an aerosol generating material. However, as will be described below with reference to FIG. Figure 5 As discussed, recess 60 may instead be occupied by air.

[0059] The induction coils 32-36 are arranged so that when the consumable product 40 is received in the heating chamber 24, the induction coils 32-36 surround the aerosol generating substrate 48 and the susceptor 50 contained therein. More specifically, each induction coil 32-36 is arranged to surround a corresponding segment 52-56 of the susceptor 50. The first induction coil 32 is arranged to surround the first segment 52, the second induction coil 34 is arranged to surround the second segment 54, and the third induction coil 36 is arranged to surround the third segment 56. The induction coils 32-36 will be understood to be spaced apart in the length direction of the heating chamber. That is, the first induction coil 32, the second induction coil 34, and the third induction coil 36 do not overlap in the radial direction of the heating chamber.

[0060] A skilled artisan will appreciate that the number of induction coils 32 - 36 may vary depending on the number of segments 52 - 56 of the susceptor 50 , and each induction coil 32 - 36 may be arranged around a respective segment 52 - 56 of the susceptor 50 .

[0061] Each induction coil 32-36 extends helically around the (tubular) heating chamber 24. The induction coils 32-36 may be energized by the power supply 28 and the control circuitry 30. The control circuitry 30 includes, among other electronic components, an inverter arranged to convert direct current from the power supply 28 into alternating high frequency current for the induction coils 32-36.

[0062] When the user activates the aerosol generating device 20, the induction coils 32-36 can be energized by the power supply 28 and the control circuit system 30, and the power supply and control circuit system can supply an alternating current through the induction coils 32-36, so that the induction coils 32-36 generate an alternating and time-varying electromagnetic field. This is coupled with the inductively heatable susceptor 50 received in the heating chamber 24, and eddy currents and / or hysteresis losses are generated in the susceptor 50, thereby heating the susceptor 50. Then, heat is transferred from the inductively heatable susceptor 50 to the aerosol generating substrate 48, for example, by conduction, radiation and convection. This makes the aerosol generating substrate 48 hot without burning or burning, thereby generating vapor. The generated vapor cools and condenses to form an aerosol, and the user of the aerosol generating device 20 can inhale the aerosol through the mouthpiece segment 46, more specifically through the filter.

[0063] More specifically, the control circuit system 30 is configured to control the supply of current to each induction coil 32-36 independently. For example, the control circuit system 30 can supply different amounts of power (or no power) to each of the first induction coil 32, the second induction coil 34, and the third induction coil 36. In this way, the electromagnetic field generated by each induction coil 32-36 can be selectively controlled so that different amounts of thermal energy can be generated in each corresponding segment 52-56 of the susceptor 50. Since the notch 60 separates the segments 52-56, that is, the connecting portion 58 reduces the cross-sectional area available for heat transfer between each segment 52-56, each segment 52-56 can be maintained at a different temperature. Therefore, the portion of the aerosol-generating substrate 48 adjacent to each segment 52-56 and surrounding each segment can receive different levels of heating. It will be appreciated that the induction coils 32 - 36 are each arranged to provide localized heating to only one of the segments 52 - 56 , respectively, e.g., the first induction coil 32 is arranged to surround only the first segment 52 , the second induction coil 34 is arranged to surround only the second segment 54 , and the third induction coil 36 is arranged to surround only the third segment 56 .

[0064] For example, it may be desirable to heat the middle portion of the aerosol-generating substrate 48 surrounding the second segment 54 to a higher temperature than the portion of the aerosol-generating substrate 48 surrounding the first segment 52 and the third segment 56. Accordingly, the control circuit system 30 may supply a higher current to the second induction coil 34 and a lower current to the first induction coil 32 and the third induction coil 36.

[0065] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C A number of other susceptors 50 are shown in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention.

[0066] Figure 4AA susceptor 70 is shown having the notch 60 formed only on one side of the susceptor 50. That is, the notch 60 has no corresponding notch on the opposite side of the susceptor 70, making the susceptor 70 asymmetrical about its length. Advantageously, forming the notch (or notches) along only one side of the susceptor 70 can simplify the manufacturing process.

[0067] Figure 4B A susceptor 80 is shown having a pair of notches 60 formed on opposite sides of the susceptor 80. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Unlike the illustrated susceptor 50, the susceptor 80 in this embodiment has a pair of opposing notches 60 and thus has only a first section 52 and a second section 54. Thus, the susceptor 80 is configured to be received in an aerosol generating device 20 having a first induction coil 32 and a second induction coil 34 arranged to surround the first section 52 and the second section 54, respectively.

[0068] The skilled person will appreciate that the number of segments 52-56 of each embodiment may vary.The number of induction coils 32-36 may also vary depending on the number of segments 52-56.

[0069] Figure 4C A susceptor 90 is shown having a plurality of notches 60 formed laterally along the length of the susceptor 90. Unlike other embodiments, the notches 60 are formed to have a concave shape. In other words, the notches 60 each have a curved interior surface. In the depicted embodiment, each notch 60 has a corresponding notch 60 on opposite sides of the susceptor 90, and the plurality of notches 60 define a first segment 52, a second segment 54, a third segment 56, a fourth segment 57, and a fifth segment 58. However, again, the skilled artisan will appreciate that any number or arrangement of concave notches 60 may be formed in the susceptor 90 in alternative embodiments.

[0070] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a sensor 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The sensor 100 includes Figure 2 and Figure 3 50 of the susceptor 100, except that each recess 60 is free of (i.e., does not contain) an aerosol generating material. That is, each connecting portion 58 is partially surrounded by one or more air voids 62 that fill each recess 60, respectively, such that each air void 62 acts as a barrier to prevent heat transfer between adjacent segments 52-56 of the susceptor 100. The air voids 62 may also be described as air gaps.

[0071] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3In the illustrated susceptor 50, some heat may be transferred between adjacent segments 52-56, such as by conduction, convection, or radiation, through the aerosol-generating material disposed in each recess 60. Therefore, heat transfer between segments 52-56 may be further reduced by configuring the susceptor 100 so that each recess 60 is free of aerosol-generating material, but instead each recess 60 contains only air.

[0072] It will be appreciated that each of the previously described susceptors 60 , 70 , 80 , or variations thereof, may also be adapted to include an air void 62 within each recess 60 .

Claims

1. An aerosol generating system, comprising: Consumable products, including: an aerosol generating material rod; and an inductively heatable susceptor disposed within the rod of aerosol-generating material, wherein the susceptor extends along the length of the rod of aerosol-generating material, and wherein the susceptor comprises a first section and a second section connected by a connecting portion having a reduced cross-sectional area relative to the first section and the second section; and An aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising: a housing arranged to define a heating chamber for receiving the consumable product article; a first inductor and a second inductor arranged to at least partially surround the heating chamber and spaced apart along a length of the heating chamber, wherein the first inductor and the second inductor are arranged to at least partially surround the first segment and the second segment, respectively, when the consumable article is received within the heating chamber; a power supply configured to supply power to the first inductor and the second inductor; and Control circuitry is configured to selectively control the supply of power to each of the first inductor and the second inductor.

2. An aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein: The susceptor is formed as an elongated sheet.

3. An aerosol generating system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The reduced cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion is provided by a recess in the susceptor.

4. An aerosol generating system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: The reduced cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion is provided by a pair of opposed notches in the susceptor.

5. An aerosol generating system according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein: Each notch includes two parallel opposing sides.

6. An aerosol generating system according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein: Each notch has a concave shape.

7. An aerosol generating system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: The first inductor and the second inductor are arranged such that the first inductor and the second inductor do not overlap in a direction perpendicular to a length of the heating chamber.

8. An aerosol generating system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: The first inductor is arranged to surround the first section of the susceptor but not the second section of the susceptor, and wherein the second inductor is arranged to surround the second section of the susceptor but not the first section of the susceptor.

9. An aerosol generating system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: The receptor includes a third segment connected to the second segment by another connecting portion having a reduced cross-sectional area relative to the second segment and the third segment, wherein the aerosol generating device includes a third inductor arranged to at least partially surround the heating chamber and be spaced apart from the first inductor and the second inductor along the length of the heating chamber, wherein the third inductor is arranged to at least partially surround the third segment when the consumable article is received in the heating chamber, wherein the power supply is further configured to supply power to the third inductor, and wherein the control circuit system is further configured to selectively control the supply of power to the third inductor.

10. An aerosol generating system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: The segments are periodically spaced along the length of the susceptor.

11. A consumable article for an aerosol generating device, the consumable article comprising: Aerosol generating material rod; as well as An inductively heatable susceptor disposed within the rod of aerosol generating material, wherein the susceptor extends along the length of the rod of aerosol generating material, wherein the susceptor comprises a first section and a second section connected by a connecting portion, the connecting portion having a reduced cross-sectional area relative to the first section and the second section, wherein the reduced cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion is provided by at least one recess in the susceptor, and wherein the recess is substantially free of aerosol generating material.

12. The consumable product according to claim 11, wherein: The reduced cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion is provided by a pair of opposing recesses in the susceptor, and wherein each recess is substantially free of aerosol generating material.

13. The consumable product according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein: Each notch includes two parallel opposing sides.

14. The consumable product according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein: Each notch has a concave shape.

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