Aerosol provision device and method of powering heating element for aerosol generating device

Abstract

To provide an aerosol provision device for generating an inhalable medium.SOLUTION: An aerosol provision device includes a power source, at least one heating element for generating aerosol, and temperature monitoring means configured to monitor the temperature of the heating element. In an operational configuration, the device is configured to control the supply of power to the heating element to: supply power to the heating element to initially raise the temperature of the heating element to a first threshold temperature; remove power supplied to the heating element when the temperature monitoring means detects that the temperature of the heating element is at the first threshold temperature, so that the temperature of the heating element decreases to a second threshold temperature; supply power to the heating element when the temperature monitoring means detects that the temperature of the heating element has reduced to the second threshold temperature, so that the temperature of the heating element increases towards the first threshold temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol delivery device for producing an inhalable medium.

[0002] Smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, burn tobacco to produce tobacco smoke during use.

[0003] Attempts have been made to provide an alternative to these tobacco burning products by creating products that produce an inhalable medium without combustion.

[0004] An example of such a product is the so-called e-cigarette device. Such devices contain an aerosolizable substance, typically a liquid, which is heated and vaporized to generate an inhalable vapour or aerosol. The liquid may contain nicotine and / or flavourings and / or aerosol-forming substances, such as glycerol. Such known e-cigarette devices typically do not contain or use tobacco. Overview

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol delivery device comprising a power source, at least one heating element for generating an aerosol, and temperature monitoring means configured to monitor the temperature of the heating element, wherein when in an operable configuration the device is configured to control the supply of power to the heating element such that the temperature of the heating element is initially raised to a first threshold temperature by supplying power to the heating element, when the temperature monitoring means detects that the temperature of the heating element is at the first threshold temperature, the temperature of the heating element is reduced to a second threshold temperature by removing power supplied to the heating element, and when the temperature monitoring means detects that the temperature of the heating element has reduced to the second threshold temperature, the supply of power to the heating element is increased such that the temperature of the heating element is increased towards the first threshold temperature.

[0006] The heating element may be a coil.The aerosol delivery device may further comprise a puff detector, and the device may be configured in an operable or non-operable configuration based on input from the puff detector.

[0007] The device may be configured to repeat one or more steps of the method according to the first aspect of the invention once the temperature of the heating element reaches the first threshold temperature such that the temperature of the heating element remains greater than or equal to a second threshold temperature and less than or equal to the first threshold temperature.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of supplying power to a heating element for an aerosol generation device, the method comprising the steps of monitoring a temperature of the heating element, initially supplying power to the heating element to raise the temperature of the heating element to a first threshold temperature, when the temperature of the heating element reaches the first threshold temperature, removing the power supplied to the heating element so that the temperature of the heating element decreases to a second threshold temperature, and when the temperature of the heating element reaches the second threshold temperature, increasing the power supplied to the heating element so that the temperature of the heating element increases towards the first threshold temperature.

[0009] The method may include initially supplying power to the heater when the puff detector detects that the user is sucking on the device.

[0010] The method may further include repeating one or more steps according to the second aspect once the temperature of the heating element reaches the first threshold temperature, such that the temperature of the heating element remains greater than or equal to a second threshold temperature and less than or equal to the first threshold temperature. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal view of an example aerosol delivery device. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is an illustrative schematic graph of coil temperature and battery charge versus time for an example prior art aerosol delivery device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic graph of coil temperature and battery charge versus time in an exemplary aerosol delivery device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic flow chart diagram of an exemplary method of operating an aerosol delivery device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description

[0012] 1, an exemplary aerosol delivery device 100 is shown. Aerosol delivery device 100 is an inhalation device (i.e., a user uses it to inhale the aerosol delivered by device 100) and device 100 is a handheld device. Device 100 is an electronic device.

[0013] In broad overview, device 100 volatilizes aerosol-generating material 20 to generate a vapor or aerosol for inhalation by a user. In this example, aerosol-generating material 20 is a liquid, such as e-cigarette liquid, although in other examples the aerosol-generating material may be another type of aerosolizable substance, such as a gel.

[0014] In some examples, the device may be a hybrid device in which the aerosol generated therein passes through an additional substance before being inhaled by the user. In some examples in which the device is a hybrid device, the additional substance may include a flavoring ingredient. The additional substance may impart flavor or change the properties of the aerosol passing through the substance. The additional substance may, for example, include or consist of tobacco. If the additional substance includes tobacco, the aerosol may be accompanied by organic compounds from this substance and / or other compounds or compositions to impart flavor to or otherwise change the properties of the aerosol.

[0015] In at least some instances, a vapor is generated that then at least partially condenses to form an aerosol before exiting the aerosol delivery device 100.

[0016] In this regard, it should first be noted that, in general, a vapor is a substance in the gas phase below its critical temperature, which means that, for example, a vapor can be condensed into a liquid by increasing its pressure without lowering its temperature. On the other hand, an aerosol is generally a colloid of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air or another gas. A "colloid" is a substance in which microscopically dispersed insoluble particles are suspended throughout another substance.

[0017] For reasons of simplicity, the term aerosol as used herein should be understood as an aerosol, a vapor, or a combination of aerosol and vapor.

[0018] Returning to Figure 1, device 100 in this example comprises body portion 300, cartridge 200, and mouthpiece 50. In some examples, cartridge 200 may be detachable from body portion 300, while in other examples, cartridge 200 may not be detachable from device 100, or device 100 may not include cartridge 200, but instead comprise a specific compartment containing an aerosolizable substance in another part of the device, for example in body portion 300.

[0019] The cartridge 200 is for containing the aerosol-generating material 20, which in this case is a liquid 20 but could be another type of aerosolizable substance, while the body portion 300 is for powering and controlling the device 100. The device 100 further comprises heating means 240 for heating the aerosol-generating material (in the example of Figure 1, the liquid 20) to generate an aerosol stream 30 for inhalation by a user.

[0020] The cartridge 200 comprises a reservoir 220 for containing the liquid 20. The reservoir 220 may be an annular chamber surrounding a central opening 290 through which the generated aerosol flows out of the mouthpiece 50 for inhalation by the user. In the example of FIG. 1, the heating means 240 for aerosolizing the liquid 20 is disposed within the cartridge 200, but in some examples, the heating means 240 may be separate from the cartridge 200. In some examples, the heating means 240 may be disposed within a body portion 300 of the device 100. In some examples, the heating means 240 may be separately removable from the device 100 for removal and replacement, for example when it is desired to replace the heating means 240. In this example, the heating means 240 comprises at least one heating element 250 and at least one wick (not shown) for supplying the liquid 20 from the liquid reservoir 220 to the at least one heating element 250.

[0021] The heating arrangement 240 may, in some examples, be referred to as an "atomizer," and a liquid cartridge that includes an "atomizer," such as cartridge 200, may be referred to as a "cartomizer."

[0022] The body portion 300 of the device 100 includes a power source 320 electrically connected to, and thereby powering, the various components of the device 100, including the heating means 240. The power source 320 may be a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery, and may also be referred to herein as a battery 320.

[0023] A controller 330, which may comprise a microchip and associated circuitry, is also provided in the body portion 300 for controlling the operation of various components of the device 100, including the provision of power to the heating means 240, as will be discussed in more detail below. A user input means 340, for example one or more control buttons, may be provided on the exterior of the second housing 310 for a user to operate the controller 330.

[0024] The liquid 20 is preferably a liquid capable of volatilizing at a reasonable temperature, preferably in the range of 100-300° C., or more particularly around 150-250° C., to help keep the power consumption of the system 100 low. Suitable materials include those conveniently used in e-cigarette devices, including, for example, propylene glycol and glycerol (also known as glycerin). In some examples, the aerosol-forming material contains nicotine, while in other examples, the aerosol-forming material does not contain nicotine. The aerosol-forming material may contain flavorings in some examples.

[0025] Thus, during use, a user inhales on the mouthpiece 50 and air is drawn in through the one or more air inlets 111. The device 100, including the heating means 240, may be configured in an operable configuration by a user operating the control button 340. In some examples, input from a puff detector (not shown), as known per se, may be used to determine whether the device 100 is in an operable configuration. In operation, liquid 20 is drawn in from the liquid reservoir 220 through at least one wick, and the liquid 20 is volatilized by the heating means 240 by heating to generate an aerosol. The generated aerosol mixes with air flowing in through the air inlet 111 to generate an aerosol stream 30.

[0026] The heating element 250 may be a resistive heating element, for example a linear heating element or coil. In a preferred example described herein, at least one heating element 250 is a heating coil 250. In some examples, the heating means 240 may comprise more than one heating element, and in such examples, each heating element may be a heating coil. The device 100 comprises a temperature monitoring means 260 for monitoring the temperature of the heating element 250. The temperature monitoring means 260 may comprise any suitable temperature sensing means, for example an electric thermometer or a means for measuring the resistivity of the heating element 250.

[0027] The controller 330 monitors the temperature of the heating element 250 via the temperature monitoring means 260, and monitors the control means 340 and / or the puff detector to determine whether to configure the device 100 into an operable configuration. In a preferred example, the controller 330 receives an input from the control means 340 or from the puff detector indicating that a user has activated the device 100. The controller 330 is then operative to provide power to the heating element 250 to raise its temperature, as measured by the temperature control means 260, to an operating temperature for generating an aerosol.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the temperature profile of the heating element, i.e., the heating coil, in a prior art arrangement. In such an example, when activation of the device 100 is detected (time 0), for example by the puff detector or by the user control means 340, the device 100 is configured to supply power to the heating coil 250 to increase its temperature from a starting temperature to an operating temperature 510. The operating temperature 510 may be a temperature suitable for the coil 250 to generate an aerosol. In this prior art arrangement, the device 100 continuously supplies power to the coil 250, so that the temperature of the coil 250 continues to increase after reaching the operating temperature, and the temperature may continue to increase while the device 100 remains operated, for example while the puff detector continues to detect that the user is puffing the device 100. FIG. 2 shows generally how, in this prior art arrangement, the energy supplied by the power source 320 continues to increase over the time the device 100 is operated, as power is continuously supplied to the heating coil 250. This is shown in FIG. 2 as the charge level of the battery 320 continually depleting over the time that the device 100 is operated.

[0029] 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a temperature profile of a heating coil 250 according to the present invention. In this example, the controller 330 is configured to supply power to the heating means 250, in this example the heating coil 250, to increase the temperature of the heating coil 250 from a start temperature (time 0) to a first threshold temperature 610. The controller 330 is configured to detect activation of the device 100 by a user, preferably through the user control means 340, or in some examples through detection of a user attempting to inhale from the device via a puff detector.

[0030] When actuation of the device 100 is detected (time 0), the controller 330 is configured to provide power to the heating coil 250 to increase the temperature of the coil 250 and aerosolize the liquid 20. The controller 330 is configured to provide power to increase the temperature of the heating coil 250 to a first threshold temperature 610.

[0031] The controller 330 is configured to monitor the temperature of the coil 250 via the temperature monitoring means 260, and when the controller detects that the temperature of the coil 250 is at the first threshold temperature 610 (700 in FIG. 3 ), the controller 330 is configured to remove the power supplied to the coil 250. This removal of power when the temperature of the coil 250 reaches the first threshold temperature 610 in this example allows the temperature of the coil to decrease to the second threshold temperature 620.

[0032] Note that in some examples, device 100 may begin generating aerosol at 700 when the coil reaches the first threshold temperature 610. However, device 100 may generate aerosol before the temperature of the coil reaches the first threshold temperature 610. In some examples, second threshold temperature 620 may be the minimum temperature at which coil 250 is suitable for generating aerosol, or in other examples, second threshold temperature 620 may be different from this minimum temperature. For example, second threshold temperature 620 may be higher than the minimum temperature suitable for generating aerosol.

[0033] In this example, between 700 and 720, the device 100 remains operational and the temperature of the coil 250 is allowed to decrease (because the power supplied to the coil 250 is removed) while the coil 250 aerosolizes the liquid 20. When the measured temperature of the coil reaches the second threshold temperature 620 (at 720), the controller 330 resumes supplying power to the coil 250. This resumption of power serves to raise the temperature of the coil 250 from the second threshold temperature 620 to the first threshold temperature 610.

[0034] When the temperature of the coil 250 increases and again reaches the first threshold temperature 610 (at 720), power is again removed from the coil, and the temperature of the coil 250 is again allowed to decrease toward the second threshold temperature 620. Repeated cycles of supplying power to the coil and removing power from the coil may allow the temperature of the coil to fluctuate between the first threshold temperature 610 and the second threshold temperature 620 while the device 100 remains operational, such as while the puff detector detects that the user is puffing the device 100, or in other examples while the user continuously activates the device 100 via the control means 340. Because power is not continuously supplied in the example of FIG. 3, energy from the power source 320 is available over a period of use at a lower average rate, and the charge on the battery 320 is depleted at a slower rate than in an exemplary arrangement such as that shown in FIG. 2 where power is continuously supplied to the heating coil 250.

[0035] 4 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary method of operating the device 100. The device 100 is activated at 1001 (at a time corresponding to time 0 shown in FIG. 3), and at 1002, power is supplied to the coil 250 to increase the temperature of the coil 250. At 1003, the device 100 monitors the puff detector, and if a puff is detected, the device 100 remains in an operable configuration. If no puff is detected at 1003, the device 100 is switched off. At 1004, the controller 330 checks if the coil 250 is at the first threshold temperature 610. If the controller 330 detects that the coil 250 is at the first threshold temperature 610 at 1004, the controller 330 removes (at 1005) the power to the coil 250, allowing the temperature of the coil to decrease from the first threshold temperature 610 toward the second threshold temperature 620 (while continuing to generate aerosol). At 1006, the controller 330 again checks the puff detector and continues to operate if a puff is detected. If a puff is not detected at 1006, it switches off the device 100. At 1007, the controller 330 checks if the coil 250 is at the second threshold temperature 620 and if it detects that the coil 250 is at the second threshold temperature 620, it resumes powering the coil 250 and the method continues from 1002.

[0036] Note that in some examples, the method may include checking that the device 100 is in use less frequently than described with reference to Figure 4, for example only at 1003 or only at 1006. As noted above, in some examples, the device 100 may not include a puff detector and may instead use user controls 340 to detect whether the device 100 is in use.

[0037] In the exemplary configuration according to the invention described herein and shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the coil 250 does not receive power periodically from the battery 320. Therefore, the average power level supplied to the coil 250 while the device 100 is operating is lower than the average power level supplied to the coil in the prior art configuration shown by Fig. 2. Thus, the battery charge level may be depleted more slowly and the battery life may be extended by use of the described configuration. In addition, the temperature of the heating coil 250 is maintained within a prescribed range (between the second threshold temperature 620 and the first threshold temperature 610), which may provide, for example, a more suitable temperature for volatilizing the liquid 20 and / or provide an improved safety of the device 100. The power delivery to the heating element 250 may also be described as "pulsed" in the operation of the device 100 according to the invention.

[0038] It should be noted that when power is supplied to heating element 250 in the examples described herein, the power supplied may not be a constant value over the time it is supplied, i.e., between 700 and 720 and between 720 and 710. For example, in some examples, a protection circuit module (PCM) may be utilized and the power delivered to heating element 250 between 700 and 720 and between 720 and 710 may include a pulsed power delivery. [Item of invention] [Item 1] 1. An aerosol delivery device comprising a power source, at least one heating element for generating an aerosol, and temperature monitoring means configured to monitor a temperature of the heating element, the aerosol delivery device, when in an operative configuration, comprising: providing power to the heating element to initially raise the temperature of the heating element to a first threshold temperature; when the temperature monitoring means detects that the temperature of the heating element is at the first threshold temperature, removing power to the heating element thereby reducing the temperature of the heating element to a second threshold temperature; when the temperature monitoring means detects that the temperature of the heating element has dropped to the second threshold temperature, supplying power to the heating element such that the temperature of the heating element increases towards the first threshold temperature; An aerosol delivery device configured to control the supply of power to the heating element. [Item 2] Item 1 , the aerosol delivery device wherein the heating element is a coil. [Item 3] 3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a puff detector, and wherein the device is configured in the operable or non-operable configuration based on input from the puff detector. [Item 4] 4. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device is configured to repeat one or more steps of claim 1 once the temperature of the heating element reaches the first threshold temperature such that the temperature of the heating element remains greater than or equal to the second threshold temperature and less than or equal to the first threshold temperature. [Item 5] 1. A method for powering a heating element for an aerosol generating device, comprising: monitoring the temperature of the heating element; initially supplying power to the heating element to raise the temperature of the heating element to a first threshold temperature; when the temperature of the heating element reaches the first threshold temperature, removing power supplied to the heating element, thereby reducing the temperature of the heating element to a second threshold temperature; when the temperature of the heating element reaches the second threshold temperature, increasing the power supplied to the heating element to raise the temperature of the heating element toward the first threshold temperature. A method comprising: [Item 6] 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of initially supplying power to the heater when a puff detector detects that a user is inhaling on the device. [Item 7] 7. The method of claim 5 or 6, further comprising repeating one or more steps of claim 1 once the temperature of the heating element reaches the first threshold temperature such that the temperature of the heating element remains greater than or equal to the second threshold temperature and less than or equal to the first threshold temperature.

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol delivery device comprising: a power source; at least one heating element for generating an aerosol; temperature monitoring means configured to monitor a temperature of the heating element; and a puff detector, the aerosol delivery device, when in an operable configuration, comprising: providing power to the heating element to initially raise the temperature of the heating element to a first threshold temperature; removing power supplied to the heating element when the temperature monitoring means detects that the temperature of the heating element is at the first threshold temperature, thereby causing the temperature of the heating element to decrease to a second threshold temperature; a second supplying step of supplying power to the heating element when the temperature monitoring means detects that the temperature of the heating element has dropped to the second threshold temperature, thereby increasing the temperature of the heating element towards the first threshold temperature; To do so, configured to control the supply of power to the heating element; The aerosol delivery device is configured in an inoperative configuration to switch off the aerosol delivery device based on the puff detector not detecting a puff when the temperature of the heating element is initially increased and when the temperature monitoring means detects that the temperature of the heating element has dropped to the second threshold temperature.

2. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the heating element is a coil.

3. 3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the device is configured to repeat one or more steps of claim 1 once the temperature of the heating element reaches the first threshold temperature so that the temperature of the heating element remains above the second threshold temperature and below the first threshold temperature.

4. 1. A method for powering a heating element for an aerosol generating device, comprising: monitoring the temperature of the heating element; initially supplying power to the heating element to raise the temperature of the heating element to a first threshold temperature; when the temperature of the heating element reaches the first threshold temperature, removing power supplied to the heating element thereby reducing the temperature of the heating element to a second threshold temperature; when the temperature of the heating element reaches the second threshold temperature, increasing the power supplied to the heating element to raise the temperature of the heating element toward the first threshold temperature; Including, The method, wherein the aerosol generating device is configured in a non-operable configuration to switch off the aerosol generating device based on the puff detector not detecting a puff when the temperature of the heating element is initially increased and when the puff detector detects that a user is inhaling on the aerosol generating device when the temperature monitoring means detects that the temperature of the heating element has dropped to the second threshold temperature.

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