Aerosol provision system

Abstract

To provide a novel aerosol generating device and method capable of preventing heating of a depleted aerosol generating material and therefore avoiding the production of undesirable flavors and aromas.SOLUTION: The aerosol generating device includes: an air path including an aerosol generating region; a porous element downstream of the aerosol generating region located in the air path; and a sensor for determining a change in a characteristic of airflow in the air path to indicate a change in a characteristic of the porous element.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, a method for controlling the delivery of an aerosol in an aerosol delivery device, an aerosol generating system, and an aerosol delivery means. [Background technology]

[0002] Aerosol delivery systems are known. Typical systems use a heater to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, which is then inhaled by a user. The aerosol-generating material from which the aerosol is generated is consumed during use of the aerosol delivery system. When the device continues to heat the depleted aerosol-generating material, undesirable flavors and aromas can be generated, potentially degrading the user experience with the aerosol delivery system. Modern systems often use a predetermined period of effective use of the system to indicate when the aerosol-generating material in the system is depleted.

[0003] It is desirable that the aerosol delivery system avoid heating of the depleted aerosol-generating material, thus avoiding the generation of undesirable flavors and scents.

[0004] The present invention is directed to solving some of the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Aspects of the present invention are defined in the appended claims.

[0006] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol generation device is provided, comprising: an air path including an aerosol-generation region; a porous element located within the air path and downstream of the aerosol-generation region; and a sensor for determining a change in a characteristic of the air flow within the air path to indicate a change in the characteristic of the porous element.

[0007] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method for controlling the supply of aerosol in an aerosol supply device, the method comprising the steps of providing an air path including an aerosol-generation region, providing an aerosol-generation medium, providing a porous element downstream of the aerosol-generation region, providing a sensor, determining a change in the characteristics of the air flow in the air path by the sensor, then determining the change in the characteristics of the porous element, and generating or not generating an aerosol in response to the determined change in the characteristics of the porous element.

[0008] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol-generating device as described above, and an aerosol-generating material located within the aerosol-generation region.

[0009] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol supply means comprising an air path including an aerosol-generation region, a porous element located within the air path downstream of the aerosol-generation region, and sensing means for determining a change in a characteristic of the air flow within the air path to indicate a change in the characteristic of the porous element.

[0010] The present teachings will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following figures: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example aerosol delivery device. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example aerosol delivery device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description of the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the invention covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0013] Aspects and features of particular examples and embodiments are discussed / described herein. Some aspects and features of particular examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and, for the sake of brevity, will not be discussed / described in detail. Accordingly, it will be understood that aspects and features of the apparatus and methods discussed herein that are not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional technique for implementing such aspects and features.

[0014] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery systems, which may also be referred to as aerosol delivery systems, such as e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description, the terms "e-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may be used, with the understanding that these terms may be used interchangeably with aerosol delivery systems / devices and electronic aerosol delivery systems / devices. Furthermore, as commonly found in the art, the terms "aerosol" and "vapor," as well as related terms such as "vaporization," "volatilization," and "aerosolization," may also generally be used interchangeably.

[0015] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example of an aerosol generation device 100 according to the present invention. The aerosol generation device 100 has an air path 110 including an aerosol-generation region 112. The aerosol generation device 100 also has a porous element 120. The porous element 120 is located downstream of the aerosol-generation region 112 and is located within the air path 110. The aerosol generation device 100 has a sensor 130 for determining changes in the characteristics of the air flow within the air path 110. The changes in the characteristics of the air flow within the air path 110 are used to indicate changes in the characteristics of the porous element 120.

[0016] Air flowing through the aerosol-generating device 100 enters the device 100 at air inlet 102. The air flows along air path 110 through aerosol-generation region 112, through porous element 120, and exits the device 100 at air outlet 104. The air exiting the device 100 at air outlet 104 is an aerosol, which may have flavor compounds or the like entrained in the air or aerosol. The direction of travel of the air flowing through the device 100 is indicated by arrow A in FIG. 1 .

[0017] Device 100 may have a heater and wick arrangement in aerosol-generation region 112 for generating an aerosol for inhalation. This portion of device 100 is not the focus of the present invention and will not be described in detail. Suffice it to say that any aerosol-generation mechanism (also referred to herein as an aerosol-generating component) may be utilized with the invention described herein.

[0018] The porous element 120 is removably insertable into the device 100. Access to the device 100 may be provided by a retractable door, a non-removable portion, or the like, so that a user can insert the porous element 120 into the device 100. The porous element 120 may contain flavorings or the like. As the aerosol generated in the aerosol-generation region 112 passes through the porous element 120, the flavoring compounds may be entrained in the aerosol. Thus, the porous element 120 allows a user to modify the aerosol generated by the device 100, thus tailoring it to their preferences.

[0019] The porous element 120 can have multiple channels therethrough, allowing airflow to pass through the porous element 120. As the airflow passes through the channels, compounds (e.g., flavorings) from the porous element 120 can be entrained in the airflow for inhalation by the user. The airflow passing through the porous element 120 from the aerosol-generation region 112 can be relatively hot and / or relatively humid. Typically, aerosols are generated within a temperature range of 50-350 degrees Celsius. The moisture in the aerosol can result from the airflow entraining aerosolized e-liquid, which can be used within the device 100 to form the aerosol. Therefore, such airflow should be relatively hot and relatively humid. As used herein, "relatively" refers to the airflow flowing through the device 100 over the aerosol-generation region 112 without being heated or entrained by any component.

[0020] When hot and / or humid airflow passes through the channels of the porous element 120, the channels may begin to structurally deteriorate. The porous element 120 structurally deteriorates as a whole, not just the channels. The porous element 120, which is made from, for example, tobacco, undergoes structural deterioration when repeatedly exposed to hot and / or humid airflow. Thus, when the channels distort under the influence of the heat and humidity of the aerosol passing through the porous element 120, the channels of the porous element 120 may begin to deteriorate and therefore close. In this way, the porous element 120 can be configured to become less porous over time as the device 100 is used.

[0021] Therefore, the porosity of the porous element 120 depends in some way on the duration of use of the device 100. The porosity of the porous element 120 also depends on the intensity of use of the device 100. For example, a user who desires a higher temperature and / or a higher water content aerosol (e.g., aerosolized e-liquid) will cause greater structural deterioration of the porous element 120 and its channels with each puff than a user who desires a lower temperature and / or aerosol with a lower water content. Thus, the deterioration of the porous element 120 is related not only to the duration of use but also to the intensity of use of the device 100. Therefore, the present invention advantageously provides a solution that can compensate for differences in the usage behavior of different users.

[0022] The channels in the porous element 120 do not necessarily close simultaneously, but rather according to the distribution of high priority channels and low priority channels through which airflow moves through the porous element 120. Thus, the channels are likely to close over time.

[0023] When a particular channel closes, airflow is forced through the remaining open channels. Then, as device 100 is further used and hot and / or humid airflow is directed through those channels into porous element 120, some of the remaining open channels may also close. It will be appreciated, therefore, that channels within porous element 120 gradually close until, eventually, no channels are sufficiently open to allow substantial airflow therethrough, such that airflow through air path 110 substantially ceases to pass through porous element 120. Notably, it is not necessary for all channels to close in order for airflow to substantially cease; only a sufficient number of channels need to close. In one example, only 40% of the channels need to close to produce a noticeable change in the characteristics of the airflow passing through. Tobacco with different flavors may have different percentage levels of blockage, which can be offset accordingly. For example, one porous element with a first fragrance may only need 40% of its channels to close before a noticeable change in airflow characteristics occurs, while a different porous element with a second fragrance may need a higher (or lower) percentage of its channels to close to achieve the same effect.

[0024] The sensor 130 can be positioned to detect a change in one or several characteristics of the airflow through the air path 110. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the sensor 130 is positioned downstream of the porous element 120 and is located within the housing 101 of the device 100. In an example where the porous element 120 is structurally degraded, thereby substantially reducing the number of channels (referring to the original total number of channels) that may allow air to pass through the porous element 120, the pressure of the airflow through the degraded porous element 120 can be different than the airflow through the original, undegraded porous element 120. Similarly, the velocity of the airflow through the fewer remaining open channels can also be different.

[0025] During initial use of device 100, sensor 130 can calculate baseline characteristics of the airflow through airpath 110. This can include, for example, the pressure, temperature, contents (such as gas contents), vapor density, and humidity of the airflow. From these baseline measurements, significant deviations from these characteristics (changes in properties) can be detected by sensor 130, providing a basic operating range over which further measurements can offset natural fluctuations. Sensor 130 can be a digital sensor and can detect internal pressure to indicate changes in porous element 120 to the user. A change in content can be, for example, an increase in the percentage of oxygen in the airflow from baseline. This can also relate to any other aspect of the airflow content, such as particulate matter in the airflow, or other elements, such as hydrogen, nitrogen, etc.

[0026] As the porous element 120 deteriorates with use, the airflow characteristics change in a manner that consistently falls outside of the normal operating range established when the porous element 120 was new and therefore undegraded. Thus, sensor 130's detection of the air characteristics can be used to provide guidance regarding the condition of the porous element 120. This can be used to determine whether the porous element 120 has structurally deteriorated to the point where replacement of the porous element 120 is recommended or required.

[0027] When such a determination is made, a warning can be provided to the user to inform the user that the porous element 120 should be removed from the device 100 and replaced. The warning can take the form of a visual stimulus, such as a light from a light-emitting diode (LED) located on the housing 101. The warning can be an auditory stimulus, such as a noise or rumble from a speaker. The device 100 can be connected to other devices, such as a smartphone, and the device 100 can provide a warning to one or more other devices that the porous element 120 should be replaced. Thus, the sensor 120 can operate as a feedback mechanism to provide a prompt to the user to timely replace the worn porous element 120 according to the user's own preferences.

[0028] The sensor 130 can be used to detect changes in more than one property to provide additional data regarding the probability of a structural change in the porous element 120. For example, if the humidity, temperature, and pressure of the airflow all show significant changes from established operating ranges, it is likely that the porous element 120 has deteriorated and requires replacement. On the other hand, if only the temperature has changed, the porous element 120 may not require replacement. Multiple sensors can be provided to detect multiple properties of the airflow through the airpath 110.

[0029] The sensor(s) 130 can be located upstream or downstream of the porous element 120 to best detect the relevant characteristic. For example, if humidity is very high upstream of the porous element 120, this may be due to the lack of available, intact channels for airflow, resulting in the humid airflow having difficulty passing through the porous element 120. At this point, the porous element 120 may require replacement.

[0030] While the above discussion has been directed to a porous element 120 having specific channels, it should be apparent that this also applies to elements that allow air to pass through, the permeability of which deteriorates with use, and any other such elements would also be suitable variations of the present disclosure.

[0031] During degradation of porous element 120, element 120 can condense into a non-porous (or relatively non-porous) solid mass, which prevents airflow through element 120. If this continued for a relatively long period of time, it would become very difficult to inhale through device 100, which would degrade the user experience of device 100. Therefore, the present invention prevents this.

[0032] 2 shows a schematic diagram of an example of an aerosol generation device 200 according to the present invention. The aerosol generation device 200 has an air path 210 including an aerosol-generation region 212. The aerosol generation device 200 also has a porous element 220. The porous element 220 is located downstream of the aerosol-generation region 212 and is located within the air path 210. The aerosol generation device 200 has a sensor 230. The sensor 230 is for determining changes in the characteristics of the air flow within the air path 210. The changes in the characteristics of the air flow within the air path 210 are used to indicate changes in the characteristics of the porous element 220.

[0033] 2 , the sensor 230 is connected to a controller 240. The controller 240 is connected to an aerosol-generating component 214, such as a heater or vibrator, for providing an aerosol from an aerosol-generating medium within the device 200. In use, the aerosol-generating component 214 is activated by the controller 240 to provide an aerosol within the aerosol-generating region 212. The aerosol is entrained in the airflow along the air path 210. The aerosol passes through the porous element 220, entraining further components. The aerosol can then exit the device through the air outlet 204.

[0034] As mentioned above, with use, porous element 220 deteriorates, affecting the airflow therethrough. When sensor 230 detects a change in the airflow characteristics, sensor 230 can send a signal to controller 240, which in turn controls aerosol-generating component 214 to cease operation. In this manner, device 200 can be prevented from activating when porous element 220 has deteriorated to a predetermined amount. This can then be signaled to the user, so that the user is aware of the need to replace porous element 220.

[0035] As described above, preventing activation of device 200 can provide several safety benefits. For example, preventing device 200 from operating when the temperature of the airflow is excessively high can prevent operation of aerosol-generating component 214 outside of its intended temperature range. This helps avoid reducing the lifespan of aerosol-generating component 214 and therefore increase the lifespan of device 200 overall. Furthermore, if aerosol-generating component 214 begins to supply too much thermal energy to the airflow, sensor 230 can detect this and provide a signal to controller 240, which can prevent further operation of device 200, thereby preventing wear and tear on aerosol-generating component 214, etc. Other such problems resulting from erroneous operation of device 200 can also be detected by sensor 230 and prevented by controller 240. Thus, power overrides managed by sensor 230 and controller 240 are generally beneficial to the lifespan of device 200.

[0036] Preventing operation of device 200 can occur in response to controller 240 detecting that a change in the characteristic is outside a predetermined acceptable value for the characteristic. This predetermined acceptable value can be programmed into device 200 during production. Such a preprogrammed value can be calculated as a result of testing or the like. Alternatively, the predetermined value can be based on an operating range for a baseline of the characteristic obtained by sensor 230 and stored by controller 240 during initial use of porous element 220, when no degradation has occurred or when limited degradation has occurred. Controller 240 can compare readings from sensor 230 to the predetermined value and prevent or allow activation of device 200 accordingly. For example, if the readings are within the predetermined acceptable range, controller 240 allows device 200 to activate. On the other hand, if the readings are outside the predetermined acceptable range, controller 240 prevents device 200 from activating.

[0037] As discussed above, other characteristics of the airflow, including pressure, can also be used in determining whether to activate device 200. Preventing device 200 from operating when the pressure of the airflow is significantly outside of standard operating conditions can also help limit use of device 200 at altitudes that may cause device 200 to leak. Furthermore, the prevention of device 200 from operating is temporary, as device 200 will operate after element 220 is replaced or after device 200 is moved to an area where the airflow is more favorable for use of device 200. Thus, there is no requirement that device 200 be electrically reset. This therefore improves the user experience of device 200.

[0038] Degradation of the porous element 220 as described above can occur over a predetermined range of puffs, which, as discussed, depends on the intensity of use by a particular user. Additionally, the size of the porous element 220 also affects the number of puffs that can be applied before the porous element 220 begins to degrade in a way that affects the performance of the device 200. This number of puffs can be approximately 30 puffs for smaller porous elements 220, approximately 50 puffs for larger porous elements 220, or approximately 60 puffs or more for even larger elements 220. The device 200 described herein can compensate for the usage habits of individual users, allowing the present invention to be very accurate in indicating to the user that the porous element 220 should be replaced.

[0039] In one example, on the way to the air outlet 204, a relatively humid aerosol passes through the porous element 220. As the moisture condenses within the channels of the porous element 220, the moisture content of the porous element 220 increases with use of the device 200. At a predetermined moisture content, the porous element 220 becomes structurally degraded, signaling the user that a replacement porous element 220 should be installed within the device 200 for continued use. As used herein, moisture content refers to how many water molecules are present within the porous element 220 as a percentage of the total porous element 220. In this regard, the deposition rate can be in the range of 0-2 mg per puff for either PG, VG, water, etc. Alternatively, the deposition rate can be up to 5 mg per puff.

[0040] In one example, the porous element 220 may be sufficiently degraded when exposed to an airflow of about 5°C to about 250°C for a predetermined period of time. This is not necessarily puff-dependent, as different users may have different puff lengths, etc. Lower temperature ranges (e.g., below or above freezing) discussed above may be suitable for generating a water aerosol, such as with a nebulizer. Higher temperature ranges discussed above may be suitable for a porous element 220 positioned immediately adjacent to an atomizer. In relation to the above temperature ranges, a preferred range may be about 40°C to about 120°C.

[0041] In a particular example, the porous element 220 can be a flavor pod that is replaceable within the device 200. The flavors can be either tobacco and glycolic, and can include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, peppermint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, konjac, etc.). Flavorings may include other additives such as citric acid, citric acid, citric acid (e.g., citric acid, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, bell pepper, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavor enhancers, bitter taste receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath fresheners. Flavorings may be man-made, synthetic, or natural ingredients, or mixtures thereof.

[0042] The sensor 230 can be capable of detecting the orientation of the device 200. This is advantageous because the sensor 230 can indicate the orientation to the controller 240, which can prevent activation of the device 200 if the device 200 is in an orientation that is unsafe for use. For example, in one example, the device 200 includes a liquid supply and wick arrangement for generating an aerosol. The device 200 generates the aerosol by heating a liquid in the wick. If the device 200 is in an orientation that prevents liquid from reaching the wick in a sufficient amount or at a sufficient rate to prevent wick depletion, the sensor 230 can provide a signal to the controller 240, which can prevent activation of the device 200. The sensor 230 can be a gyroscope, a magnetic element, or the like that can be used to measure the orientation of the device 200. Thus, such a sensor 230 and controller 240 arrangement can help prevent hot puffs. A hot puff can create an unpleasant experience for the user and possibly damage the heater by operating at temperatures above the heater's intended operating temperature.

[0043] In one example of the aerosol-generating component 214 provided herein, the aerosol-generating component 214 can have one or more heaters. In one example, the aerosol-generating component 214 can have two heaters. The two heaters can have the same or different operating temperatures. The two heaters can provide thermal energy to different portions of the aerosol-generating medium to allow for a more personalized aerosol to be generated. The heaters can alternatively be used in series (to reduce the per-puff usage of each heater and thus extend the heater's lifespan). Two or more controllers 240 can be connected to two or more heaters.

[0044] In one example, sensor 230 is a pressure sensor. Such a pressure sensor 230 can also be used as a secondary activation signal provider. When a user inhales on device 200, sensor 230 senses a change in the pressure of the airflow. Sensor 230 can detect that the change in airflow pressure should initiate operation of device 200. In this manner, the arrangement disclosed herein enables device 200 to be activated without requiring any effort from the user, simply by inhaling on device 200. This arrangement can also help limit the risk of device 200 overheating as a result of activating device 200 prior to actual use of device 200.

[0045] The disclosed arrangement can be implemented in systems that have replaceable consumables, such as the porous element 220. The arrangement can also be used in systems that are themselves discarded after use. The warning to the user would then relate to when a new system is needed, rather than when a new element 220 should be prepared.

[0046] Thus, an aerosol generating device has been described that includes an air path including an aerosol generation region, a porous element located within the air path downstream of the aerosol generation region, and a sensor for determining changes in the characteristics of the air flow within the air path to indicate changes in the characteristics of the porous element.

[0047] The aerosol delivery system can be used in tobacco industry products, such as non-combustion aerosol delivery systems.

[0048] In one embodiment, a tobacco industry product comprises one or more components of a non-combustion aerosol delivery system, such as a heater and an aerosolizable substrate.

[0049] In one embodiment, the aerosol delivery system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device.

[0050] In one embodiment, an electronic cigarette comprises a heater, a power source capable of powering the heater, an aerosolizable substrate such as a liquid or gel, a housing, and optionally a mouthpiece.

[0051] In one embodiment, the aerosolizable substrate is contained within or on a substrate container, hi one embodiment, the substrate container is coupled to or includes a heater.

[0052] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a heating product that releases one or more compounds by non-combustionally heating a substrate material. The substrate material is an aerosolizable material, which may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, and may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the heating device product is a tobacco heating product.

[0053] In one embodiment, the heating product is an electronic device.

[0054] In one embodiment, a tobacco heating product comprises a heater, a power source capable of powering the heater, and an aerosolizable substrate, such as a solid or gel material.

[0055] In one embodiment, the heated product is a non-electronic item.

[0056] In one embodiment, the heating product comprises an aerosolizable substrate, such as a solid or gel material, and a heat source capable of providing thermal energy to the aerosolizable substrate without electronic means, such as by burning a combustible material, such as charcoal.

[0057] In one embodiment, the heating product also includes a filter capable of filtering the aerosol generated by heating the aerosolizable substrate.

[0058] In some embodiments, the aerosolizable substrate material can include an aerosol or aerosol-forming agent or humectant such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, or diethylene glycol.

[0059] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a composite system for generating an aerosol by non-combustionally heating a combination of substrate materials. The substrate materials can comprise, for example, a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the composite system includes a liquid or gel substrate and a solid substrate. The solid substrate can be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, and may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the composite system includes a liquid or gel substrate and tobacco.

[0060] To address various problems and advance the art, this entire disclosure illustrates various embodiments by way of example that may embody the claimed inventions to provide superior electronic aerosol delivery systems. The advantages and features of this disclosure are merely a representative sample of embodiments and are not intended to be exhaustive and / or exclusive. The advantages and features of this disclosure are presented solely to aid in understanding the claimed features and to teach such features. It is understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of this disclosure should not be construed as limitations on the present disclosure as defined by the claims or to equivalents of the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and / or spirit of the present disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. Additionally, this disclosure encompasses other inventions not claimed herein but which may be claimed in the future.

[0061] The present disclosure includes the following aspects. [Claim 1] an air path including an aerosol-generation region; a porous element located in the air path downstream of the aerosol-generation region; a sensor for determining a change in a characteristic of the air flow in the air path to indicate a change in a characteristic of the porous element; An aerosol generating device comprising: [Claim 2] The sensor the pressure of the air flow in the air path; the temperature of the air flow in the air path; the humidity of the air flow in the air path; the vapor density within the air path; A change in the contents of the air flow within the air path; and the direction of air flow in the air path 10. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the aerosol generating device is configured to determine a change in at least one of the characteristics. [Claim 3] Further comprising a controller; the controller is positioned to receive a signal related to the sensor's determination of a change in a characteristic of the airflow within the air path; 3. An aerosol generating device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller is configured to prevent activation of the aerosol generating device in response to a predetermined value of the determination of the sensor. [Claim 4] 4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the porous element is arranged so that its porosity decreases over time. [Claim 5] the porous element comprising a plurality of channels therethrough through which air can pass; An aerosol generating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the porous element is arranged to close most of the multiple channels to prevent air from passing through the channels when a predetermined amount of usage is exceeded. [Claim 6] An aerosol generating device described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a majority of the multiple channels of the porous element are arranged to close when the porous element is exposed to an air flow of approximately 40 to 120°C for a predetermined period of time. [Claim 7] 7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the porous element contains a flavoring agent. [Claim 8] 8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7, wherein the flavoring is at least one of menthol, fruit, tobacco, or a mixture thereof. [Claim 9] 1. A method for controlling aerosol delivery in an aerosol delivery device, comprising: providing an air path including an aerosol-generation region; Providing an aerosol-generating medium; providing a porous element downstream of the aerosol-generation region; providing a sensor; determining, with the sensor, a change in a characteristic of the airflow within the air path; then determining a change in a property of the porous element; generating or not generating an aerosol in response to the determined change in the property of the porous element. A method comprising: [Claim 10] generating or not generating an aerosol in response to the determined change in the property of the porous element; determining whether the characteristic is outside a predetermined range of acceptable values ​​for the characteristic; generating an aerosol when the characteristic is within a predetermined range of acceptable values, and not generating an aerosol when the characteristic is outside the predetermined range of acceptable values. 10. The method of claim 9, comprising: [Claim 11] 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising indicating to a user that aerosol is not being generated as a result of the characteristic being outside a predetermined range of acceptable values. [Claim 12] The characteristics of the air flow in the air path include: the temperature of the air flow in the air path; the pressure of the air flow in the air path upstream of the porous element; the pressure of the air flow in the air path downstream of the porous element; the humidity of the air flow in the air path; Vapor density in the air path the inclusion of an air flow within the air path; and Air path direction The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the method is at least one of the following: [Claim 13] 9. An aerosol supply system comprising the aerosol generating device according to claim 1 and an aerosol-generating material located within the aerosol-generation region. [Claim 14] an air path including an aerosol-generation region; a porous element located in the air path downstream of the aerosol-generation region; sensing means for determining a change in the characteristics of the air flow within said air path to indicate a change in the characteristics of said porous element; An aerosol supply means comprising:

Claims

1. an air path including an aerosol-generation region; a porous element located in the air path downstream of the aerosol-generation region; a sensor for determining a change in a characteristic of the air flow in the air path to indicate a change in a characteristic of the porous element, the sensor being positioned to determine a change in pressure of the air flow in the air path; a controller; the controller is positioned to receive a signal related to the sensor's determination of a change in a characteristic of the airflow within the air path; the controller is configured to prevent activation of the aerosol generating device in response to the predetermined value of the determination of the sensor. Aerosol generating devices.

2. The sensor the temperature of the air flow in the air path; the humidity of the air flow in the air path; the vapor density in the air path; and a change in the contents of the air flow within the air path; 10. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the aerosol generating device is arranged to determine a change in at least one of the characteristics of the aerosol.

3. 3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the porous element is arranged so that its porosity decreases over time.

4. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the porous element contains a flavoring agent.

5. 5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4, wherein the flavoring is at least one of menthol, fruit, tobacco, or a mixture thereof.

6. 1. A method for controlling aerosol delivery in an aerosol delivery device, comprising: providing an air path including an aerosol-generation region; Providing an aerosol-generating medium; providing a porous element downstream of the aerosol-generation region; providing a sensor; providing a controller; determining, with the sensor, a change in a characteristic of the airflow within the air path; then determining a change in a property of the porous element; receiving, by the controller, a signal related to the sensor's determination of a change in a characteristic of the airflow within the air path; generating or not generating an aerosol in response to the determined change in the property of the porous element; generating or not generating an aerosol in response to the determined change in the property of the porous element; determining whether the characteristic is outside a predetermined range of acceptable values ​​for the characteristic; generating an aerosol when the characteristic is within a predetermined range of acceptable values, and not generating an aerosol when the characteristic is outside the predetermined range of acceptable values. method.

7. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of indicating to a user that aerosol is not being generated as a result of the characteristic being outside a predetermined range of acceptable values.

8. The characteristics of the air flow in the air path include: the temperature of the air flow in the air path; the pressure of the air flow in the air path upstream of the porous element; the pressure of the air flow in the air path downstream of the porous element; the humidity of the air flow in the air path; the vapor density in the air path; and inclusions within said air stream; 8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the method is at least one of:

9. An aerosol supply system comprising the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and an aerosol-generating material located within the aerosol-generation region.

10. an air path including an aerosol-generation region; a porous element located in the air path downstream of the aerosol-generation region; sensing means for determining a change in the characteristics of the air flow within said air path to indicate a change in the characteristics of said porous element; An aerosol supply means comprising:

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