Aerosol generating device having a withdrawal resistance changing element

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device comprising a draw resistance modifying element. The draw resistance modifying element includes a first component, a second component, and at least one airflow channel. The first component and the second component cooperate to form the airflow channel. At least one of the first component and the second component is configured to be movable relative to the other of the first component and the second component at least between a first position and a second position. An internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel in the first position is smaller than an internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel in the second position. A cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow channel in the first position and in the second position remains unchanged. The present invention further relates to a method for controlling the draw resistance of an aerosol generating device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device including a withdrawal resistance modifying element. The present disclosure further relates to a method for controlling the withdrawal resistance of an aerosol generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known to provide an aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol. Such a device may heat an aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate volatilize without burning the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be provided as part of an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may have a rod shape for insertion of the aerosol-generating article into a cavity (such as, for example, a heating chamber) of the aerosol-generating device. A heating element may be disposed in or around the heating chamber for heating the aerosol-forming substrate after the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device.

[0003] The consumption experience of a user of an aerosol generating device is determined primarily by the resistance to withdrawal (RTD) and the delivery level of the active ingredient in the aerosol, such as nicotine. The consumption experience is further influenced by the stability of the RTD and the delivery level during a consumption event. Variations in these parameters between different aerosol generating articles further affect the consumption experience of the user. The delivery level depends on the amount of air entering the aerosol generating device and is therefore related to the RTD of the aerosol generating device. Therefore, a stable RTD usually induces a stable delivery level. It is usually difficult to achieve a proper balance of the considered parameters.

[0004] Most users would prefer to have an RTD comparable to that of a conventional cigarette, however, because in an aerosol generating device the aerosol-generating article is only heated and not burned, the aerosol-generating article in an aerosol generating device typically has an RTD much lower than that of a conventional cigarette.

[0005] Moreover, the preferred user experience typically varies widely between different users: a single user may also desire to achieve a variety of consumption experiences in a single or separate consumption events.

[0006] The stability and delivery level of the RTD is usually determined by the aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating article. The RTD of the aerosol generating article usually varies between aerosol generating articles due to the manufacturing process. This leads to undesirable variations in the consumption experience of the user.

[0007] It would be desirable to provide an aerosol generating device that operates an RTD comparable to a conventional cigarette. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol generating device that delivers a stable RTD. It would be desirable to have an aerosol generating device with an adjustable RTD. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol generating device that allows for balancing the variation in RTD between different aerosol-generating articles. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating article that allows the user to modify the RTD to achieve an individually tailored consumption experience. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol generating device that allows for adjustment of the RTD and delivery level. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol generating device that allows for balancing the RTD, delivery level, and stability of such parameters. These beneficial effects are achieved by the present invention. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device that may include a draw resistance modifying element. The draw resistance modifying element may include a first component, a second component, and at least one airflow channel. The first component and the second component may cooperate to form the airflow channel. At least one of the first component and the second component may be configured to be movable relative to the other of the first component and the second component at least between a first position and a second position. An internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel in the first position may be smaller than an internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel in the second position. A cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow channel in the first position and the second position may remain unchanged.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising a draw resistance modifying element. The draw resistance modifying element includes a first component, a second component, and at least one airflow channel. The first component and the second component cooperate to form the airflow channel. At least one of the first component and the second component is configured to be movable relative to the other of the first component and the second component at least between a first position and a second position. An internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel in the first position is smaller than an internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel in the second position. A cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow channel in the first position and in the second position remains unchanged.

[0010] The present invention further relates to a method for controlling an RTD in an aerosol generating device.

[0011] The aerosol generating device may have a longitudinal axis. As used herein, the "longitudinal axis" of a real or imaginary body may be an imaginary line running down the center of the body and perpendicular to a cross-section through the body.

[0012] The first component may comprise a longitudinal axis. The first component may be cylindrical. The first component may have a circular cross section. As used herein, a "cross section" of a real or imaginary body may be the intersection of a plane with the body perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. The first component may comprise a hollow cylinder. As used herein, a "hollow cylinder" may be the intersection of two cylinders, the two cylinders having different base surfaces, and the longitudinal axes of the cylinders being the same. For example, the base sections of both cylinders may be circular, but the base section of the first cylinder may have a smaller diameter than the base section of the second cylinder. The hollow cylinder comprises a cavity. As used herein, a cavity may be an empty space within a solid body.

[0013] The first component may comprise an exterior wall. The exterior wall may have a circular cross-section. The exterior wall may comprise an outer surface of the first component. The exterior wall may encapsulate the first component. The exterior wall may define an outline of the first component. The exterior wall may form an exterior of one or both of the first component and the aerosol generation device. The exterior wall may be disposed on the exterior of the aerosol generation device.

[0014] The first component may comprise an inner wall. The inner wall may have a circular cross-section. The inner wall may have a polygonal cross-section. As used herein, a "polygon" may be a plane figure that includes a finite number of points connected by straight line segments to form a closed loop. The straight line segments may also be referred to as "edges." The inner wall may comprise an inner surface of the first component. The inner surface may have a circular or polygonal cross-section. The inner wall may be disposed inside the first component. The inner wall may line the cavity.

[0015] The second component may have a longitudinal axis. The second component may be cylindrical. The second component may have a circular cross-section. The second component may have a polygonal cross-section. The second component may be a solid cylinder. The second component may be a solid cylinder with a circular cross-section.

[0016] The second component may comprise an exterior wall. The exterior wall may have a circular cross-section. The exterior wall may comprise an outer surface of the second component. The exterior wall may encapsulate the second component. The exterior wall may define an outline of the second component. The exterior wall may form an exterior of the second component.

[0017] The first component may hold the second component. The second component may be mounted within the first component. The inner wall of the first component may be disposed opposite the outer wall of the second component, preferably the second component. The inner wall of the first component may be disposed facing the outer wall of the second component, preferably the second component. The inner wall of the first component may be complementary to the outer wall of the second component. At least a portion of the first component, preferably a portion of the inner wall of the first component, may be disposed in contact with at least a portion of the second component, preferably a portion of the outer wall of the second component. The first and second components may be disposed such that airflow is blocked at a contact location between the first and second components. The first and second components may be disposed such that the first and second components are temporarily fixed relative to each other, for example by frictional forces between the first and second components. In this way, the accuracy and stability of the adjustment to a specific RTD value is enhanced.

[0018] The second component may be configured to be rotatable relative to the first component between at least a first position and a second position. The second component may be configured to be slidable relative to the first component between at least a first position and a second position.

[0019] One of the first and second components may be configured to be manually movable relative to the other of the first and second components by a user. The user may rotate the first or second component. The user may slide the second component within the cavity of the first component by pushing and pulling the second component. The second component may include one or more of a handle, knob, and bar, preferably at an upstream location on the second component. The user may grasp the handle, knob, or bar to move the second component. The user may move the second component more comfortably and easily by using the handle, knob, or bar. Manual movement provides a user with a simple way of adjusting the RTD of the device according to the user's individual preferences.

[0020] The RTD may be automatically adjusted. The device may comprise a controller. The controller may be preferably configured to automatically adjust the RTD by moving at least one of the first and second components relative to the other of the first and second components. The movement may be facilitated by a motor controlled by the controller. The controller may automatically adjust the RTD according to a preprogrammed RTD profile. The device may further comprise a detection means by which a consumption characteristic is detected. The detection means may detect the RTD of the device. The controller may automatically adjust the RTD of the device in response to an input of the detection means. The controller may automatically adjust the RTD according to a preprogrammed profile in response to the RTD detected by the detection means. The automatic adjustment of the RTD may increase the comfort that the user can obtain individually preferred RTD characteristics.

[0021] The first component may comprise a cavity. The cavity may comprise a longitudinal axis. The cavity may be an empty space inside the first component. The cavity may have a circular cross-section. The cavity may be a cylinder with a circular cross-section. The cavity may comprise an upstream opening.

[0022] The cavity may be configured to be complementary to the second component. The second component may be configured to be complementary to the cavity. The cavity may be configured to hold the second component. The cavity of the first component may be configured such that the second component may be inserted into the cavity, preferably through an opening. An inner wall of the first component may line the cavity. An inner wall of the first component may enclose the cavity. An inner wall of the first component may define an empty space of the cavity. The cavity may be configured such that the second component may at least partially contact the first component. The cavity of the first component may be upstream of the heating chamber. The cavity of the first component may be configured such that airflow is blocked at a location where the first component contacts the second component.

[0023] The second component may be configured to be movable within the cavity. One or both of the first and second components may be configured to be rotatable relative to one another, preferably within the cavity. At least one of the first and second components may be configured to be slidable relative to the other of the first and second components, preferably within the cavity. The second component may be configured to be insertable into the cavity through an opening in the cavity.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the first component comprises a hollow cylinder, and the cavity and the second component may have a cylindrical shape with a circular cross section. This embodiment may provide a smoother transition between successive positions. As a result of the cylindrical shapes of the cavity and the second component, the first component and the second component may be rotated more smoothly relative to each other. The risk of jamming between the first component and the second component may be reduced.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the first component, the cavity, and the inner wall of the second component may have a cylindrical shape and a polygonal cross section. The polygonal cross sections of one or both of the first component and the inner wall of the cavity may be complementary to the polygonal cross section of the second component. One or more of the edges of the polygonal cross section of the second component may include a groove. One or more of the edges of the polygonal cross section of the inner wall of the first component may include a groove. At each successive position, each edge of the polygonal cross section of the second component may abut an edge of the polygonal cross section of the inner wall of the first component such that the first and second components are temporarily locked relative to each other at each successive position. In this preferred embodiment, the pair of abutting grooves may be precisely formed and aligned. In this preferred embodiment, the consumer may precisely and reliably move the first and second components between successive positions due to the temporary locking of the first and second components at each successive position. In this preferred embodiment, the risk of unintentional movement of the first and second components relative to one another may be reduced.

[0026] The airflow channel may be formed by at least a portion of the first component and at least a portion of the second component. The airflow channel may be formed by at least a portion of an inner wall of the first component and at least a portion of an outer wall of the second component. The airflow channel may be formed between at least a portion of an inner wall of the first component and at least a portion of an outer wall of the second component. At least a portion of the first component and at least a portion of the second component may enclose at least a portion of the airflow channel. The properties, such as the extension or mechanical properties, of the airflow channel may be adapted by moving the first and second components relative to each other. The adaptation of the properties of the airflow channel may place a user in a position to adjust the RTD of the aerosol generating device, for example, by moving the first and second components relative to each other. The adjustment of the RTD of the aerosol generating device may be achieved by providing an airflow channel formed from at least a portion of the first component and at least a portion of the second component.

[0027] The airflow channel may comprise an interior wall. The interior wall may comprise an interior surface. The interior wall of the airflow channel may enclose the airflow channel.

[0028] The inner wall of the airflow channel may be formed by at least a portion of the first component, preferably at least a portion of the inner wall of the first component, and at least a portion of the second component, preferably at least a portion of the outer wall of the second component. The inner wall of the airflow channel may be partially defined by the first component, preferably at least a portion of the inner wall of the first component, and may be partially defined by the second component, preferably at least a portion of the outer wall of the second component.

[0029] At least a portion of the first component and at least a portion of the second component may cooperate to form an airflow channel such that the inner wall of the airflow channel has an essentially continuous inner surface. At least a portion of the first component and at least a portion of the second component may cooperate to form an airflow channel such that the inner wall of the airflow channel includes two or more essentially continuous inner surfaces. As used herein, an "essentially continuous surface" includes a surface formed by at least a portion of two or more contacting components. An essentially continuous surface of the present application may also include an interface at a contact point of two or more contacting components. An airflow channel may be defined by one or more essentially continuous inner surfaces formed by at least a portion of a first component, preferably at least a portion of an inner wall of the first component, and at least a portion of a second component, preferably at least a portion of an outer wall of the second component.

[0030] The airflow channel wall may include an inner surface. A surface of the inner wall of the airflow channel may correspond to the inner surface of the airflow channel.

[0031] The inner surface of the airflow channel may include at least a portion of a surface of the first component, preferably a portion of the inner wall of the first component, and at least a portion of a surface of the second component, preferably a portion of the outer wall of the second component. The first component and the second component may cooperate to form the inner surface of the airflow channel. The inner surface of the airflow channel may be defined by at least a portion of the first component, preferably by at least a portion of a surface of the inner wall of the first component, and by at least a portion of the second component, preferably by at least a portion of a surface of the outer wall of the second component.

[0032] The airflow channel may include an interior surface area. The surface area of ​​the interior wall may correspond to the interior surface area of ​​the airflow channel. The interior surface area of ​​the airflow channel may be a combination of the surface areas of at least a portion of the interior wall of the first component and at least a portion of the exterior wall of the second component.

[0033] The first component may form a first side of the airflow channel and the second component may form an opposing second side of the airflow channel. The first component and the second component may cooperate to form a lateral surface of the airflow channel. The first component and the second component may cooperate to form the airflow channel over the entire length of the airflow channel.

[0034] The airflow channel may include an air inlet. The airflow channel may include an air outlet. The air inlet of the airflow channel and the air outlet of the airflow channel may be fluidly connected. The air inlet of the airflow channel and the air outlet of the airflow channel may define an end of the airflow channel. The air inlet of the airflow channel may be upstream of the air outlet of the airflow channel. The air inlet of the airflow channel may be disposed at a position along the longitudinal axis of one or more of the cavities where a transition from the aerosol generation device, the first component, the second component, and one or more essentially continuous surfaces formed by at least a portion of the first component and the second component is disposed. The air outlet of the airflow channel may be disposed at a position along the longitudinal axis of one or more of the cavities where a transition from the aerosol generation device, the first component, the second component, and one or more essentially continuous surfaces formed by at least a portion of the first component and the second component is disposed. At least a portion of the first component, preferably at least a portion of the inner wall of the first component, and at least a portion of the second component, preferably at least a portion of the outer wall of the second component, may cooperate to form one or both of an air inlet for the airflow channel and an air outlet for the airflow channel.

[0035] As used herein, the "length" of the body may be the longest dimension of the body. As used herein, the "length" of the body may be the dimension of the body along its longitudinal axis. The length of the airflow channel may be the spatial dimension of the airflow channel along the longitudinal axis of one or more of the aerosol generating device, the first component, the second component, and the cavity. The length of the airflow channel may be equal to the distance between the air inlet of the airflow channel and the air outlet of the airflow channel. The length of the airflow channel may be the distance between the upstream end and the downstream end of the airflow channel.

[0036] The airflow channel may comprise one or more airflow conduits. The airflow conduit may be a portion of the airflow channel. The airflow conduit may be cylindrical. The airflow conduit may have a circular cross section. The airflow conduit may have a semicircular cross section. The airflow conduit may comprise an inner wall. The inner wall of the airflow conduit may line the airflow conduit. The inner wall of the airflow conduit may enclose the airflow conduit. The airflow conduit may comprise an inner surface. The inner surface of the airflow conduit may correspond to a surface of the inner wall of the airflow conduit. The airflow conduit may include an inner surface area. The airflow conduit may be defined by a single essentially continuous surface formed by at least a portion of the inner wall of the first component and by at least a portion of the outer wall of the second component.

[0037] At least a portion of the first component, preferably at least a portion of the inner wall of the first component, and at least a portion of the second component, preferably at least a portion of the outer wall of the second component, may cooperate to form one or more airflow conduits. An inner wall of an airflow conduit may be formed by at least a portion of the first component, preferably at least a portion of the inner wall of the first component, and at least a portion of the second component, preferably at least a portion of the outer wall of the second component.

[0038] The internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel may be the combined internal surface area of ​​one or more airflow conduits. The number of airflow conduits in the first position may be less than the number of airflow conduits in the second position. The airflow channel may include only a single airflow conduit in the first position. The airflow channel may include two or more airflow conduits in the second position. The airflow conduit may have a diameter of up to 1 mm. The airflow conduit may have a diameter of up to 0.5 mm.

[0039] The cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow channel may be the area of ​​a cross section across the airflow channel perpendicular to one or more longitudinal axes of the aerosol generation device, the first component, the second component, and the cavity. The cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow channel may be a combination of the cross-sectional areas of the airflow conduit. The cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow channel may be constant along the length of the airflow channel. The cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow channel may vary along the length of the airflow channel.

[0040] The cross-sectional area of ​​an airflow channel may be the area of ​​a cross section across the airflow channel perpendicular to the direction of the airflow.

[0041] The aerosol generating device may comprise one or more air outlets. The air outlet of the aerosol generating device may be disposed downstream of the airflow channel. The aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device may exit the device through the air outlet of the device. A user may inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device through the air outlet.

[0042] The aerosol generating device may comprise an oral end, the oral end may comprise an air outlet of the aerosol generating device, and a user may inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device at the oral end.

[0043] The aerosol generating device may include one or more air inlets. The air inlets of the aerosol generating device may be located upstream of the airflow channel. Ambient air may enter the aerosol generating device through the air inlets of the aerosol generating device.

[0044] The airflow channel may be fluidly connected to an air outlet of the aerosol generation device.The airflow channel may be fluidly connected to an air inlet of the aerosol generation device.The airflow channel may fluidly connect the air inlet of the aerosol generation device and the air outlet of the aerosol generation device.

[0045] One or both of the first and second components may comprise an airflow blocking element. The airflow blocking element may comprise a polymeric material. The airflow blocking element may be disposed on a surface of one or both of the inner wall of the first component and the outer wall of the second component. The airflow blocking element may be a layer between the inner wall of the first component and the outer wall of the second component. The airflow blocking element may be a layer of a polymeric material disposed on a surface of one or both of the inner wall of the first component and the outer wall of the second component. The airflow blocking element may line one or both of the inner wall of the first component and the outer wall of the second component. The airflow blocking element may line a cavity. The airflow blocking element may separate the first component from the second component. The inner wall of the first component and the outer wall of the second component may contact each other by the airflow blocking element.

[0046] The airflow blocking element may be configured to block airflow at a location where the first and second components contact. The airflow blocking element may be configured to block fluid communication between an air inlet of the airflow channel and an air outlet of the airflow channel at a location where the first and second components contact. Use of the airflow blocking element may increase the precision with which the RTD can be tuned. The airflow blocking element may reduce the risk of undesired airflow between the air inlet of the aerosol generation device and the air outlet of the aerosol generation device.

[0047] One or both of the inner wall of the first component and the outer wall of the second component may comprise a surface coating. The surface coating may provide a smooth surface to one or both of the first component and the second component. The surface coating may be fluid impermeable. The surface coating may be a friction reducing coating. The surface coating may include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0048] The surface coating may be configured to reduce friction, preferably kinetic friction between the inner wall of the first component and the outer wall of the second component. Due to the surface coating, at least one of the first component and the second component may be moved more easily and smoothly relative to the other of the first component and the second component between different positions. Due to the surface coating, the risk of the first component and the second component becoming undesirably locked relative to each other may be reduced.

[0049] One or both of the first and second components may be configured to be movable relative to the other of the first and second components between at least a first position, a second position, and a third position. An internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel in the first position may be smaller than an internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel in the second position. An internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel in the second position may be smaller than an internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel in the third position. A cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow channel in the first, second, and third positions may remain unchanged.

[0050] The number of airflow conduits at the second location may be less than the number of airflow conduits at the third location. The airflow channel may include four or more airflow conduits at the third location. All of the airflow conduits may have a semicircular cross-section at the third location.

[0051] The first component, preferably the inner wall of the first component, may comprise at least one groove to form a first portion of the airflow channel. The second component, preferably the outer wall of the second component, may comprise at least one groove to form a second portion of the airflow channel. The groove of the first component may be a surface indentation of the inner wall of the first component. The groove of the second component may be a surface indentation of the outer wall of the second component. The surface indentation may be approximately 0.5 mm deep. The groove of the first component may comprise an end wall. The end wall may be located at a downstream end of the groove. The end wall of the groove of the first component may be formed by a portion of the first component. The groove of the first component may extend parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first component. The groove of the second component may extend parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second component. The groove of the second component may extend along the entire length of the second component. The groove of the first component may extend along at least a portion of the length of the first component. The groove in one or both of the first and second components may have a semi-circular cross-section.

[0052] The groove of the first component and the groove of the second component may each form an airflow conduit. The groove of the first component and the groove of the second component may cooperate to form a single airflow conduit at the first location. The groove of the first component and the groove of the second component may cooperate to form a pair of grooves. The groove of the first component and the groove of the second component may form two separate airflow conduits at the second location.

[0053] The first component may include a plurality of grooves, such that each groove forms part of an airflow channel. The second component may include a plurality of grooves, such that each groove forms part of an airflow channel. The first component and the second component may each include the same number of grooves. The first component and the second component may each include at least two grooves. Preferably, the first component and the second component may each include at least three grooves. More preferably, the first component and the second component may each include at least five grooves. Each pair of grooves may form a separate airflow conduit. Each groove may form an airflow conduit.

[0054] In the first position, each groove of the first component may abut one groove of the second component to form a pair of abutting fluidly connected grooves. In each successive position, the number of pairs of grooves may be successively decreased by one pair of grooves. The abutting pair of grooves may form a single airflow conduit. The abutting pair of grooves may form a cylindrical airflow conduit, preferably having a circular cross section. The abutting pair of grooves may have a diameter of up to 1 mm. The number of airflow conduits in the first position may be equal to the number of abutting pairs of grooves. In each successive position, the number of airflow conduits may increase by two. In the abutting pair of grooves, the two paired grooves may be disposed adjacent to each other. To form the abutting pair of grooves, the first component and the second component may be disposed such that the paired grooves face each other. The abutting pair of grooves forms an essentially continuous surface.

[0055] By providing multiple grooves and airflow conduits, respectively, a user can adjust the RTD in consistent and easily repeatable increments. By providing multiple grooves and airflow conduits, a user can adjust the RTD in clearly defined, discrete steps. By providing multiple grooves and airflow conduits, a user can precisely adjust the RTD.

[0056] The aerosol generating device may comprise a heating chamber. The heating chamber may be located downstream of the RTD altering element. The heating chamber may abut the RTD altering element. The heating chamber may be in fluid communication with the RTD altering element. The heating chamber may be in fluid communication with an air outlet of the aerosol generating device. The heating chamber may comprise a heating element. The heating element may be located within or around the heating chamber. The aerosol generating article may be inserted by the heating chamber. The aerosol generating article may be inserted into the heating chamber and heated by the heating element. The aerosol generating article may comprise an aerosol forming substrate.

[0057] One or both of the first and second components may be configured to be movable, preferably slidable, relative to the other of the first and second components along one or more longitudinal axes of the aerosol generating device, the first component, and the second component.

[0058] The length of the airflow channel at each successive position may be greater than the length of the airflow channel at the previous position. In other words, the length of the airflow channel at one of the first and second positions may be greater than the length of the airflow channel at the other of the first and second positions. The length of the airflow channel may be changed by sliding the second component relative to the first component. The length of the airflow channel may be decreased as the second component slides upstream or downstream relative to the first component. The second component may slide downstream relative to the first component to move from the first position to the second position.

[0059] In one embodiment, the first and second components may be slidable but not rotatable relative to one another, in this embodiment, only the first component and not the second component may include at least one groove.

[0060] The aerosol generating device may include at least one air outlet channel. The first component and the second component may cooperate to at least partially form the air outlet channel. The air outlet channel may be disposed downstream of the airflow channel. The airflow channel and the air outlet channel may be in fluid communication with each other. The size of the air outlet channel in the first position may be larger than the size of the air outlet channel in the second position.

[0061] The air outlet channel may abut an air outlet of the airflow channel. The air outlet channel may be downstream of the air outlet of the airflow channel. The size of the air outlet channel may refer to the spatial dimension of the air outlet channel. The size of the air outlet channel may refer to the distance between a portion of the first component and a portion of the second component. The size of the air outlet channel may refer to the spatial extent of the most restricted portion of the air outlet channel. Each airflow conduit may abut an air outlet channel. Each groove of one or both of the first and second components may abut an air outlet channel. In embodiments with multiple airflow conduits, the size of each air outlet channel may be reduced in successive positions.

[0062] The first component and the second component may be configured to be movable relative to one another such that in successive positions a portion of the airflow channel is blocked. The airflow channel may be blocked by a portion of the first component. The airflow channel may be blocked by an end wall of the groove of the first component. The grooves of the first component may be of different lengths. The end walls of each of the plurality of grooves of the first component may be positioned at different locations along the longitudinal axis of the first component.

[0063] At least one of the first component and the second component may be configured to be movable to a final position relative to the other of the first component and the second position such that the airflow channel is completely blocked. The first component may be configured to completely block the airflow channel in the final position. The airflow channel may be blocked by end walls of one or more grooves in the first component. In the final position, airflow through all airflow conduits may be blocked. The completely blocked airflow channel may prevent fluid communication between the air inlet of the device and the air outlet of the device and the controller.

[0064] In one embodiment, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising the withdrawal resistance modifying element and a housing as described above.

[0065] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device according to the above description and one or more aerosol generating articles configured to be received in a cavity of the aerosol generating device. In operation, the aerosol generating article containing the aerosol-forming substrate may be partially received in the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating system may comprise additional components, such as, for example, a charging unit for recharging an on-board power supply in an electrically operated or electric aerosol generating device.

[0066] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling an RTD of an aerosol generating device described herein, the method comprising moving one or more of a first component and a second component between a first position and a second position.

[0067] Draw resistance, also known as draft resistance, pull resistance, puff resistance, or puffability, is the pressure required to force air at a rate of 17.5 mL / sec through the entire length of the object under test at 22° C. and 760 Torr (101 kPa). It is measured according to ISO 6565:2015 and is generally expressed in units of mmH2O. The aerosol-forming article and the aerosol-generating device advantageously together provide an RTD of between 80 and 120 mmH20 through the first and second airflow channels. This approximates the RTD of a conventional cigarette. The aerosol-generating device without the aerosol-forming article coupled to it may advantageously have an RTD of between 5 and 20 mmH20. The aerosol-forming article, in isolation, may have an RTD of between 40 and 80 mmH20.

[0068] The modification of the RTD of the present invention is based on the modification of the internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel. Enlarging the surface area of ​​the airflow channel may increase the RTD. Without being bound by any theory, enlarging the surface area of ​​the airflow channel may increase the friction air experiences while flowing through the airflow channel, thereby increasing the RTD. The principle behind such modification of the RTD can be justified by the Darcy-Weisbach equation. The Darcy-Weisbach equation provides a relationship between the pressure drop (dp) per unit length (l) of the fluid flowing in the airflow channel and the wetted perimeter (P) of the airflow channel. The pressure drop reflects the energy loss due to friction between the flowing fluid and the walls of the airflow channel.

number

[0069] In this specification, f D is the Darcy friction coefficient, μ is the density of the fluid, v is the mean flow velocity of the fluid, A is the cross section of the airflow channel, and P is the wetted perimeter. In the context of aerosol generators and aerosol generation systems, f D, μ, and v may be approximated as constants for a particular aerosol generating device or system. As noted above, the cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow channel remains unchanged when moving between different positions. Thus, in the context of the present invention, A may also be assumed to be constant. Thus, the above equation may be rewritten as:

number

[0070] In this specification, C is f D μv 2 / 8A and is therefore approximately constant. Therefore, the pressure drop dp is directly proportional to the wetted perimeter P. The pressure drop dp is approximately equal to the RTD of the aerosol generating device. Therefore, an increase in the wetted perimeter results in an increase in dp and an increase in the RTD of the device. Furthermore, an increase in the length dl of the airflow channel results in an increase in the pressure drop dp and therefore an increase in the RTD.

[0071] In the present invention, the change in wetted perimeter, and therefore the change in dp, may be achieved by rotating the second component within the first component between a first position, a second position, and a further position. Furthermore, the change in the length of the airflow channel, and therefore the change in dp, may be achieved by sliding the second component within the first component between a first position, a second position, and a further position. The RTD is further increased by blocking one or all of the grooves and air conduits of the device. This may be the result of higher airflow velocities induced by blocking the grooves and air conduits.

[0072] The contribution of the device to the overall RTD of the system may be greater than the contribution from the aerosol-generating article. Thus, the draw resistance of the system may be determined primarily by the RTD of the device. Thus, the RTD modifier may put the user in a position to effectively adjust the RTD of the device and the system.

[0073] The RTD obtained by using the RTD modifying element is stable and consistent from one aerosol-generating article to another because it is directly related to the mechanically determined configuration of the device's airflow channel.

[0074] The device of the present invention may achieve increases in RTD in increments of up to 64%.

[0075] The stable RTD obtained by using an RTD-modifying element may also improve the stability of the delivery level.

[0076] The RTD modification element allows the user to tailor the RTD and delivery level according to the user's individual needs.

[0077] The aerosol-generating device of the present invention is configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature below the combustion temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate but above the temperature at which one or more volatile compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate are released to form an inhalable aerosol.

[0078] The heating element may be in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate. The portion of the heating element in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate is heated as a result of an electric current being passed through the heating element. The electric current is supplied by a battery. In one embodiment, in use, this portion of the heating element is configured to reach a temperature of between about 200°C and about 350°C. Preferably, the heating element is configured to reach a temperature of between about 250°C and about 300°C.

[0079] As used herein, "aerosol-generating device" refers to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device may be a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol that is inhalable directly into the user's lungs through the user's mouth. The aerosol-generating device may be a holder. The device may be electrically heated. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing, an electrical circuit, a power source, a heating chamber, and a heating element. The housing may comprise an air inlet of the aerosol-generating device.

[0080] The device is preferably a portable or handheld device that is comfortable to hold between the fingers of one hand. The device may be substantially cylindrical in shape and may have a length between 70-120 mm. The maximum diameter of the device is preferably between 10-20 mm. In one embodiment, the device has a polygonal cross section and has a protruding button formed on one face. In this embodiment, the diameter of the device is between 12.7-13.65 mm from one flat face to the opposite flat face, between 13.4-14.2 from one edge to the opposite edge (i.e. from the intersection of two faces on one side of the device to the corresponding intersection on the other side), and between 14.2-15 mm from the top of the button to the bottom flat face on the opposite side.

[0081] As used herein, the terms "upstream," "downstream," "proximal," "distal," "forward," and "rearward" are used to describe the relative position of a component or portion of a component of an aerosol generating device with respect to the direction in which a user inhales the aerosol generating device when the aerosol generating device is in use.

[0082] The aerosol generation system may comprise an oral end through which, in use, the aerosol exits the aerosol generation system and is delivered to a user. The oral end may also be referred to as a proximal end. In use, a user draws on the proximal or oral end of the aerosol generation system to inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol generation system. The aerosol generation system comprises a distal end opposite the proximal or oral end. The proximal or oral end of the aerosol generation system may also be referred to as a downstream end, and the distal end of the aerosol generation system may also be referred to as an upstream end. Components or portions of components of the aerosol generation system may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative location between the proximal, downstream or oral end of the aerosol generation system and the distal or upstream end of the aerosol generation system.

[0083] The term "aerosol-generating article" as used herein refers to an article that includes an aerosol-forming substrate that has the ability to emit a volatile compound that can form an aerosol. For example, the aerosol-generating article may be an article that generates an aerosol that can be inhaled directly into the lungs of a user through the mouth of the user. The aerosol-generating article may be disposable.

[0084] The aerosol-generating article may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The aerosol-generating article may be substantially elongated. The aerosol-generating article may have a length and a perimeter substantially perpendicular to the length. The aerosol-generating article may be substantially rod-shaped. The aerosol-forming substrate may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The aerosol-forming substrate may be substantially elongated. The aerosol-forming substrate may also have a length and a perimeter substantially perpendicular to the length. The aerosol-forming substrate may be substantially rod-shaped.

[0085] The aerosol-generating article may have an overall length of between about 30 mm and about 100 mm. The aerosol-generating article may have an outer diameter of between about 5 mm and about 12 mm. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a filter plug. The filter plug may be located at a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The filter plug may be a cellulose acetate filter plug. In one embodiment, the filter plug is about 7 mm long, but may have a length of between about 5 mm and about 10 mm.

[0086] In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating article has an overall length of approximately 45 mm. The aerosol-generating article may have an outer diameter of approximately 7.2 mm. Further, the aerosol-forming substrate may have a length of approximately 10 mm. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may have a length of approximately 12 mm. Further, the diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate may be between approximately 5 mm and approximately 12 mm. The aerosol-generating article may comprise an outer paper wrapper. Further, the aerosol-generating article may comprise a separator between the aerosol-forming substrate and the filter plug. The separator may be approximately 18 mm, but may be in the range of approximately 5 mm to approximately 25 mm.

[0087] The term "aerosol-forming substrate" as used herein relates to a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may conveniently be part of an aerosol-generating article.

[0088] The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material that contains volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the substrate upon heating. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may further comprise an aerosol former that facilitates the formation of a dense and stable aerosol. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0089] In any of the aspects of the present disclosure, the heating element may comprise an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically resistive materials include, but are not limited to, semiconductors such as doped ceramics, "conductive" ceramics (e.g., molybdenum disilicide, etc.), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys, and composites made of ceramic and metallic materials. Such composites may include doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbide. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, gold, and silver. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-containing, cobalt-containing, chromium-containing, aluminum-containing, titanium-containing, zirconium-containing, hafnium-containing, niobium-containing, molybdenum-containing, tantalum-containing, tungsten-containing, tin-containing, gallium-containing, manganese-containing, gold-containing, and iron-containing alloys, as well as nickel-, iron-, cobalt-, and stainless steel-based superalloys, Timetal®, and iron-manganese-aluminum-based alloys. In composite materials, the electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded, encapsulated or coated in the insulating material, or vice versa, depending on the required energy transfer kinetics and external physicochemical properties.

[0090] As described, in any of the aspects of the present disclosure, the heating element may be part of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device may include an internal heating element, or an external heating element, or both an internal heating element and an external heating element, with "internal" and "external" referring to the aerosol-forming substrate. The internal heating element may take any suitable form. For example, the internal heating element may take the form of a heating blade. Alternatively, the internal heating element may take the form of a casing or substrate with different conductive portions or electrically resistive metal tubes. Alternatively, the internal heating element may be one or more heating needles or rods that run through the center of the aerosol-forming substrate. Other alternatives include heating wires or filaments, such as Ni-Cr (nickel chromium), platinum, tungsten, or alloy wires, or heating plates. Optionally, the internal heating element may be disposed in or on a rigid carrier material. In one such embodiment, the electrically resistive heating element may be formed using a metal that has a well-defined relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary device, the metal may be formed as a track on a suitable insulating material, such as a ceramic material, and then sandwiched in another insulating material, such as glass. An element formed in this manner may be used to both heat the element and monitor its temperature during operation.

[0091] The external heating element may take any suitable form. For example, the external heating element may take the form of one or more flexible heating foils on a dielectric substrate such as polyimide. The flexible heating foil may take a shape that fits the periphery of the substrate receiving cavity. Alternatively, the external heating element may take the form of a metal grid, a flexible printed circuit board, a molded circuit component (MID), a ceramic heating element, a flexible carbon fiber heating element, or may be formed using a coating technique such as plasma deposition on a substrate of suitable shape. The external heating element may also be formed using a metal that has a well-defined relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary device, the metal may be formed as a track between two layers of suitable insulating material. An external heating element formed in this manner may be used both to heat the external heating element and to monitor its temperature during operation.

[0092] The heating element advantageously heats the aerosol-forming substrate by conduction. The heating element may be in at least partial contact with the substrate or the carrier on which the substrate is disposed. Alternatively, heat from either an internal or external heating element may be conducted to the substrate by a thermally conductive element.

[0093] As an alternative to an electrically resistive heating element, the heating element may be configured as an inductive heating element. The inductive heating element may comprise an induction coil and a susceptor. Generally, a susceptor is a material that has the ability to generate heat when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. When placed in an alternating magnetic field.

[0094] When an induction heating element is introduced, the induction heating element may be configured as an internal heating element as described herein, or as an external heating element as described herein. When the induction heating element is configured as an internal heating element, the susceptor element is preferably configured as a pin or blade for penetrating the aerosol-generating article. When the induction heating element is configured as an external heating element, the susceptor element is preferably configured as a cylindrical susceptor that at least partially surrounds or forms a sidewall of the cavity.

[0095] In operation, the aerosol-forming substrate may be completely contained within the aerosol-generating device, in which case a user may puff on the oral end of the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively, in operation, the aerosol-generating article containing the aerosol-forming substrate may be partially contained within the aerosol-generating device, in which case a user may puff directly on the aerosol-generating article.

[0096] Features described with respect to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention.

[0097] The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0098] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a part of an embodiment of an aerosol generating device of the present invention. [Diagram 2] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a pull-out resistance modifying element of the present invention: Figure 2a shows a 2 / 3 view of the element, and Figure 2b shows a cross section through the element perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second component. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a cross section through one embodiment of a withdrawal resistance modifying element of the present invention comprising an airflow channel having multiple airflow conduits in a first and second position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a portion of an embodiment of an aerosol generating device of the present invention in a first and second position. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a withdrawal resistance modifying element of the present invention with a slidable second component in two positions. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a portion of an embodiment of an aerosol generating device of the present invention with a slidable second component in a first position and a final position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a cross section through one embodiment of a withdrawal resistance modifying element of the present invention with two large grooves at different locations. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0099] 1 shows one embodiment of an aerosol generating device 10 of the present invention. The device 10 comprises a withdrawal resistance modifying element 12. The device comprises a heating chamber 14. The heating chamber 14 is configured to receive an aerosol generating article 16. The aerosol generating article 16, comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, is inserted into the heating chamber 14 as shown. The aerosol generating device 10 comprises a longitudinal axis (dashed line).

[0100] The RTD modification element 12 comprises a first component 18 and a second component 20. The first component 18 holds the heating chamber 14. The first component 18 is configured to be cylindrical. The first component 18 comprises a hollow cylinder. The first component 18 comprises an outer wall 22 and an inner wall 24. The first component 18 comprises at least one groove (not shown). The outer wall 22 is the outer layer of the device 10. The outer wall 22 forms the exterior of the device 10. The inner wall 24 encloses a cavity. The cavity holds the second component 20.

[0101] The second component 20 is configured as a cylindrical rod. The second component 20 includes at least one groove 28. The groove 28 extends along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device 10. The groove 28 extends along the entire length of the second component 20. The second component 20 abuts the heating chamber 14. The second component 20 is configured to be rotatable relative to the first component 18.

[0102] The first and second components 18, 20 cooperate to form an airflow channel. The grooves in the first component 18 and the grooves 28 in the second component 20 form the airflow channel. The airflow channel is fluidly connected to the heating chamber 14.

[0103] The grooves 28 of the second component 20 can be moved relative to the first component 18 by rotating the second component 20 between a first position and a second position. By moving the grooves 28 of the second component 20 from the first position to the second position relative to the first component 18, the internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel increases while the cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow channel does not change. In this manner, the RTD increases by moving from the first position to the second position.

[0104] In use, a consumer inhales into the device 10 at the downstream end of the article 16. The arrows in Figure 1 indicate the direction of airflow through the device 10. Air entering the device 10 is drawn through the channels 28 in the first and second components 18, 20, into the heating chamber 14, through the aerosol-generating article 16, and into the consumer's mouth at the downstream end of the article 16.

[0105] FIG. 2 shows a portion of the RTD modification element 12 of the present invention. FIG. 2a shows a 2 / 3 view of the element 12. The element 12 comprises a first component 18 and a second component 20. A portion of the first component 18 surrounding the second component 20 has been removed to provide an unrestricted view of the second component 20. The second component comprises an outer wall 26. Both the first component 18 and the second component 20 are shown with a single groove 28. The arrow indicates the flow direction of the airflow through the airflow channel. The groove 28 are both cylindrical in shape and have a semicircular cross section.

[0106] The element 12 shown on the left side of FIG. 2a shows a configuration in which the groove 28 of the first component 18 abuts the groove 28 of the second component 20. This configuration corresponds to the first position. The two grooves 28 together form a single airflow conduit. The two grooves 28 form an airflow conduit having an essentially continuous inner surface. The inner surface of the airflow conduit corresponds to the inner surface of the airflow channel. The surface area of ​​the inner surface of the airflow channel corresponds to the inner surface area of ​​the airflow channel. The element 12 shown on the left side of FIG. 2b shows the same configuration of the element 12 in cross section.

[0107] The element 12 depicted on the right side of Fig. 2a shows a configuration in which the groove 28 of the second component 20 is offset from the groove 28 of the first component 18. This corresponds to the second position. The configuration shown on the right side of Fig. 2a can be obtained by starting from the configuration shown on the left side of Fig. 2a and rotating the second component 20 relative to the first component 18 in a clockwise direction (indicated by the curved arrow on the second component).

[0108] The groove 28 of the first component 18 is part of the first airflow conduit. The groove 28 of the second component 20 is part of the second airflow conduit. The inner surface of the first airflow conduit is formed from the surface area of ​​the groove 28 of the first component 18 and the surface area of ​​the portion of the outer wall of the second component 20 that abuts the groove 28 of the first component 18. The inner surface of the second airflow conduit is formed from the surface area of ​​the groove 28 of the second component 20 and the surface area of ​​the portion of the inner wall of the first component 18 that abuts the groove 28 of the first component 18. An airflow channel is formed by both the first and second airflow conduits. Air may flow through both airflow conduits, as indicated by the arrows in the grooves. The inner surface area of ​​the airflow channel is the combined surface areas of the first and second airflow conduits.

[0109] In the configuration shown on the right side of Fig. 2a, the surface area of ​​the airflow channels is greater than the configuration shown on the left side of Fig. 2a. The increase in surface area is equal to the surface area of ​​the portion of the second component 20 that abuts the groove 28 of the first component 18 and the surface area of ​​the portion of the first component 18 that abuts the groove 28 of the second component 20. The right side of Fig. 2b shows the same configuration of the element 12 in a second position, in cross section. Due to the increase in the surface area of ​​the airflow channels, the RTD increases in the second position compared to the first position.

[0110] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an RTD modification element 12 in which a first component 18 and a second component 20 each include a plurality of grooves 28. More precisely, the first component 18 and the second component 20 are shown to each have five grooves 28. The element 12 shown on the left side of FIG. 3 illustrates the element 12 in an initial configuration corresponding to a first position. In the first position, each groove 28 of the first component 18 abuts a groove 28 of the second component 20. Thus, five pairs of abutting grooves 28 are formed. An airflow channel is formed by the five pairs of abutting grooves 28. The five pairs of abutting grooves 28 each form an airflow conduit. In this configuration, the internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel is the sum of the surface area of ​​the five grooves 28 of the first component 18 and the surface area of ​​the five grooves 28 of the second component 20.

[0111] In use, the second component 20 may rotate relative to the first component 18. In this embodiment, the second component 20 rotates clockwise, as indicated by the curved arrow on the second component 20.

[0112] The element 12 shown on the right side of FIG. 3 shows a configuration of the element 12 in a second position resulting from rotation. In this configuration, the four grooves 28 of the first component 18 abut against the four grooves 28 of the second component 20 to form four pairs of abutting grooves 28. This configuration includes two unpaired grooves 28. The four pairs of abutting grooves 28 and the two unpaired grooves 28 together form an airflow channel. The four pairs of abutting grooves 28 and the two unpaired grooves 28 form six airflow conduits. In this configuration, the internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel is the combined surface area of ​​the five grooves 28 of the first component 18, the five grooves 28 of the second component 20, the surface area of ​​the portion of the first component 18 that abuts against the unpaired grooves 28 of the second component 20, and the surface area of ​​the portion of the second component 20 that abuts against the unpaired grooves 28 of the first component 18. Thus, the internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel in the second position is increased relative to the internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel in the first position by the surface area of ​​the portion of the first component 18 that abuts the unpaired grooves 28 of the second component 20 and the surface area of ​​the portion of the second component 20 that abuts the unpaired grooves 28 of the first component 18. The increased surface area leads to an increase in the frictional force exerted by the surfaces of the airflow channel on the airflow through the airflow channel. The increased frictional force results in a higher pressure drop across the length of the airflow channel. Thus, the RTD of the airflow channel, and hence the RTD of the aerosol generation device 10, is increased by the expansion of the internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel.

[0113] Although not shown in FIG. 3, the second component 20 can be further rotated clockwise to a third position. In the third position, the number of abutting pairs of grooves 28 is reduced to three pairs. Similarly, an additional unpaired groove 28 of the first component 18 and an additional unpaired groove 28 of the second component 20 are formed, resulting in a total of four unpaired grooves 28. Thus, by rotating the second component 20 to the third position, the internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel is further increased by the surface area of ​​the portion of the first component 18 abutting the second unpaired groove 28 of the second component 20 and the surface area of ​​the portion of the second component 20 abutting the second unpaired groove 28 of the first component 18. The increase in the internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel further increases the energy loss resulting from the frictional forces applied by the internal surface of the airflow channel to the airflow through the airflow channel. This results in an increase in the pressure drop across the length of the airflow channel. Thus, the RTD of the device 10 is further increased in the third position relative to the second position.

[0114] The second component 20 may be further rotated in steps until, in the final position, all five grooves 28 of the first component 18 and all five grooves 28 of the second component 20 are unpaired. In the final position, the internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel is maximized (corresponding to the surface area of ​​the ten grooves 28, corresponding to the portion of the first and second components 18, 20 that abuts each unpaired groove 28). In the final position, the RTD of the aerosol generating device 10 is maximized. In the final position, the RTD increases by about 64% compared to the first position. Each rotation step may increase the RTD by about 13%. The number of pairs of grooves 28 and the number of positions may be appropriately selected depending on the desired option of adjusting the RTD of the device.

[0115] FIG. 4 shows a portion of an aerosol generating device 10 of the present invention. The left side of FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the aerosol generating device 10 through the RTD modification element 12 and a cross section through the aerosol generating device 10 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device 10. The first and second components 18, 20 each have one groove 28. The grooves 28 extend along the entire length of the first and second components 18, 20, respectively. The RTD modification element 12 is shown in a first position where both grooves 28 on the first component 18 mate with grooves 28 on the second component 20. Two pairs of abutting grooves 28 from the airflow channel.

[0116] The right side of Figure 4 shows a cross section of the RTD modifying element 12 in a first position and a second position. In the first position, the element 12 includes two pairs of abutting grooves 28. In the second position, the element 12 includes one pair of abutting grooves 28 and two unpaired grooves 28. The second position is obtained by rotating the second component 20 relative to the first component 18. As indicated by the curved double-headed arrow, the element 12 may be moved back and forth between the first and second positions.

[0117] FIG. 5 shows a portion of an embodiment of the aerosol generation device 10. The second component 20 may be slid relative to the first component 18 along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generation device 10. The left side of FIG. 5 shows a configuration corresponding to the first position. The second component 20 is offset in the upstream direction relative to the first component 18. The airflow channel is formed by a portion of the inner wall 24 of the first component 18 and a portion of the outer wall of the second component 20. The airflow channel has a certain length 30. The first component 18 includes two grooves 28. The two grooves 28 are arranged opposite each other on the inner wall 24 of the first component 18. The portions of the two grooves 28 of the first component 18 together with the portions abutting the grooves of the second component define the airflow channel of the aerosol generation device 10. The airflow channel starts at a position along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generation device 10 that is arranged at the upstream end of the first component 18. The airflow channel terminates at a location along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generation device 10 located at the downstream end of the second component 20 .

[0118] The aerosol generating device 10 includes an air outlet channel 32. The air outlet channel 32 abuts the heating chamber 14.

[0119] The aerosol-generating article 16 is shown in the heating chamber 14. In use, a user draws air into the device 10. The air flows through the airflow channel and then through the air outlet channel 32 into the heating chamber 14 along with the aerosol-generating article 16. The direction of the airflow is indicated by the arrows. The aerosol formed from the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article 16 then enters the user's mouth through the oral end of the aerosol-generating device 10.

[0120] Both grooves 28 extend only partially along the length of the inner wall of the first component 18. The grooves 28 on the first component 18 are of different lengths. The upper groove 28 is longer than the lower groove 28. The lower groove 28 terminates at a location along the longitudinal axis of the second component 20 further upstream than the upper groove 28.

[0121] The second component 20 may be slid to a second position relative to the first component 18 such that the airflow channel length 30 is increased. By increasing the airflow channel length 30, the internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel is increased. Due to the larger internal surface area of ​​the airflow channel, friction losses of the airflow due to interaction with the surfaces of the airflow channel are increased, thereby leading to a higher RTD.

[0122] The right side of FIG. 5 shows a configuration corresponding to a further position. This further position is obtained by sliding the second component 20 further downstream relative to the first component 18 such that airflow through the lower groove 28 is blocked. Airflow through the lower groove 28 is blocked by the second component 20 and the end wall 34 of the lower groove 28. The downstream end of the second component 20 is disposed at a position along the longitudinal axis of the device 10 that is further downstream than the end wall 34 of the lower groove 28 of the first component 18, but upstream of the end wall of the upper groove 28. In this further position, air may still flow through the upper groove 28. In this further position, the size of the air outlet channel is smaller than in the first position. In this further position, the withdrawal resistance is increased relative to the first position by increasing the length 30 of the airflow channel and by blocking the lower groove 28.

[0123] In a final position (not shown), the second component 20 slides further downstream relative to the first component 18 until the first component 18 blocks airflow through the upper groove 28 of the first component 18. In this position, the second component 20 extends to a position along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generation device 10 that is further downstream than the end wall of the upper groove 28 of the first component 18. In this final position, airflow through the airflow channel is completely blocked.

[0124] FIG. 6 shows a portion of an embodiment of an aerosol generating device 10. The device 10 includes an RTD modifying element 12 that includes a first component 18 with two grooves 28 on the inner wall 24 of the first component 18. The second component 20 does not include the grooves 28. The left side of FIG. 6 shows a cross section through the RTD modifying element 12. The center and right sides of FIG. 6 show cross sections of the aerosol generating device 10 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device 10. The center part of FIG. 6 shows a configuration corresponding to a first position. The right side of FIG. 6 shows a configuration corresponding to a further position. The further position is obtained by sliding the second component 20 downstream relative to the first component 18. In the further position, airflow through the upper groove 28 is blocked by the second component 20 and the end wall of the groove of the first component 18. In the further position, air can still exit the lower groove through a restricted air outlet channel.

[0125] 7 shows a cross-section through an embodiment of an RTD modification element 12 of the present invention. The RTD modification element 12 comprises a single groove 28 on the inner wall 24 of the first component 18 and a single groove 28 on the outer wall of the second component 20. The groove 28 of the first component 18 extends across half of the surface of the inner wall 24 of the first component 18. The groove 28 of the second component 20 extends across half of the surface of the outer wall of the second component 20.

[0126] The left side of Figure 7 shows a configuration corresponding to a first position. In this position, the grooves 28 of the first and second components 18, 20 are aligned. Pairs of aligned grooves 28 form airflow channels. The internal surface area of ​​the airflow channels is equal to the surface area of ​​the grooves 28.

[0127] The right side of Figure 7 shows a configuration corresponding to a further position, which is obtained by rotating the second component 20 relative to the first component 18. In this further position, the interior surface area of ​​the airflow channel is increased by the surface area of ​​the portion of the interior wall 24 of the first component 18 that does not abut the portion of the groove 28 of the second component 20, and the portion of the exterior wall of the second component 20 that does not abut the portion of the groove 28 of the first component 18. The embodiment allows for stepless RTD change by rotating the second component 20 in small increments.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device comprising a housing and a draw resistance changing element, wherein the draw resistance changing element comprises a first component, a second component, and at least one airflow channel, wherein the first component and the second component cooperate to form the at least one airflow channel, at least one of the first component and the second component is configured to be movable relative to the other of the first component and the second component between at least a first position and a second position, the inner surface area of the airflow channel formed by the first component and the second component is smaller when the first component and the second component are in the first position than the inner surface area of the airflow channel when the first component and the second component are in the second position, and the cross-sectional area of the airflow channel at the first position and the second position remains unchanged. An aerosol generating device.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the first component comprises a cavity and the second component is configured to be movable within the cavity.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the first component and the second component are configured to be rotatable relative to each other.

4. One or both of the first component and the second component are configured to be movable relative to the other of the first component and the second component between at least the first position, the second position, and a third position, the inner surface area of the airflow channel at the first position is smaller than the inner surface area of the airflow channel at the second position, the inner surface area of the airflow channel at the second position is smaller than the inner surface area of the airflow channel at the third position, and the cross-sectional area of the airflow channel at the first position, the second position, and the third position remains unchanged. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the first component comprises at least one groove so as to form a first portion of the air flow channel, and the second component comprises at least one groove so as to form a second portion of the air flow channel.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the first component comprises a plurality of grooves such that each groove forms a part of the air flow channel, and the second component comprises a plurality of grooves such that each groove forms a part of the air flow channel, and preferably, the first component and the second component each comprise the same number of grooves.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5, wherein at the first position, each groove of the first component abuts against one groove of the second component to form a pair of abutting fluid communication grooves, and at each successive position, the number of pairs of grooves continuously decreases by only one pair of grooves.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the first component, the cavity, and the second component have a cylindrical shape.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol generating device comprises a heating chamber, the heating chamber is disposed downstream of the extraction resistance changing element, and the heating chamber abuts against the extraction resistance changing element.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the first component and the second component are movable, preferably slidable, relative to the other of the first component and the second component along one or more longitudinal axis directions of the aerosol generating device, the first component, and the second component.

11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, wherein the length of the air flow channel at one of the first position and the second position is greater than the length of the air flow channel at the other of the first position and the second position.

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, wherein the aerosol generating device comprises at least one air outlet channel, the first component and the second component cooperate to at least partially form the air outlet channel, the air outlet channel is disposed downstream of the air flow channel, the air flow channel and the air outlet channel are optionally in fluid communication with each other, and the size of the air outlet channel at the first position is larger than the size of the air outlet at the second position.

13. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, wherein the first component and the second component are configured to be movable relative to each other such that a part of the air flow channel is blocked at a continuous position.

14. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the first component and the second component is configured to be movable to a final position relative to the other of the first component and the second position, such that at the final position, the air flow channel is completely blocked.

15. A method for controlling the draw resistance of the aerosol generating device according to claims 1 to 14, the method comprising: moving one or more of the first component and the second component between a first position and a second position.

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