Aerosol supply device

Abstract

An aerosol supply device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material is described. The device comprises a heating assembly (140) and a conductive housing part (121) arranged to at least partially receive the heating assembly. The device comprises an electronic device module (150) and a contact member (155). At least one contact member is in electrical contact between the housing part and the electronic device module to provide an electrostatic discharge path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol supply device. The present invention also relates to an aerosol supply system comprising an aerosol supply device and an article comprising an aerosol generating material.

Background Art

[0002] Smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars generate tobacco smoke by burning tobacco during use. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are heating devices that release compounds by heating a material without burning it. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, and may or may not contain nicotine.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol supply device comprising a heating assembly, a conductive housing portion arranged to at least partially receive the heating assembly, an electronic device module, and a contact member, wherein at least one contact member is in electrical contact between the housing portion and the electronic device module to provide an electrostatic discharge path.

[0004] The contact member may extend from the electronic device module. The contact member may be fixedly attached to the electronic device module. The contact member may be an elastically deformable member.

[0005] The contact surface of the contact member may be biased away from the electronic device module.

[0006] The contact member may be a spring element. The contact member may comprise a spring pin.

[0007] The electronic device module may comprise, for example, a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA).

[0008] The contact member may protrude from the PCBA. The contact member may be biased against the housing portion. The housing portion may comprise a connection arrangement and the contact member may contact the connection arrangement.

[0009] The device may comprise a chassis. The electronic device module may be between the chassis and the heating assembly. The electronic device module may be mounted on the chassis.

[0010] The contact member may be one of a plurality of contact members. At least one contact member may be electrically connected to a ground point within the device. The ground point may comprise a grounding component. The grounding component is at 0 volts.

[0011] During use, electrostatic discharge is directed from the housing to the ground point by at least one contact point.

[0012] At least one contact member may be electrically insulated from other electrical components of the electronic device module.

[0013] The conductive housing portion may surround the heating assembly. The conductive housing component may comprise aluminum.

[0014] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol supply system comprising the aerosol supply device as described above and an article comprising an aerosol generating material.

[0015] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of assembling an aerosol supply device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material, the method comprising providing an electronic device module having an electrostatic discharge contact member, and coupling the conductive housing portion to the electronic device module such that the electrostatic discharge contact member contacts the conductive housing portion and provides an electrostatic discharge path between the housing portion and the electronic device module.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] Next, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example only.

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] As used herein, the term "aerosol - generating material" is a material that can generate an aerosol when energy is supplied, for example, by heating, irradiation, or any other method. The aerosol - generating material may contain, for example, an active substance and / or a flavorant, and may be in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, either with or without such components. The aerosol - generating material may include any plant - based material such as tobacco - containing materials, and may include, for example, one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. The aerosol - generating material may also include other non - tobacco products that may or may not contain nicotine depending on the product. The aerosol - generating material may be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, gel, or wax. The aerosol - generating material may also be, for example, a combination or mixture of materials. The aerosol - generating material may also be known as a "smokable material".

[0018] The aerosol - generating material may include a binder and an aerosol - forming agent. Optionally, an active agent and / or a filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent such as water is also present, and one or more other components of the aerosol - generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol - generating material substantially does not contain plant - based materials. In some embodiments, the aerosol - generating material substantially does not contain tobacco.

[0019] The aerosol - generating material may contain or be an "amorphous solid". The amorphous solid may be a "monolithic solid". In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dry gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that can hold some fluid such as a liquid within the amorphous solid. In some embodiments, the aerosol - generating material may include, for example, from about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt% to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt% of an amorphous solid.

[0020] The aerosol generating material may include an aerosol generating film. The aerosol generating film may optionally include a sheet that can be shredded to form a shredded sheet, and that sheet may be the sheet. The aerosol generating sheet or shredded sheet may not substantially contain tobacco.

[0021] According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustion" aerosol supply system is a system in which the constituent aerosol generating material (or its components) of the aerosol supply system is neither combusted nor burned in order to facilitate the delivery of at least one substance to the user.

[0022] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustion aerosol supply system, such as a powered non-combustion aerosol supply system.

[0023] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaporization device or an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol generating material is not a requirement.

[0024] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system is an aerosol generating material heating system, also known as a non-combustion heating system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0025] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of aerosol generating materials that can be heated, one or more of which. Each of the aerosol generating materials may be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol generating material and a solid aerosol generating material. The solid aerosol generating material may include, for example, tobacco or non-tobacco products.

[0026] Typically, a non-combustion aerosol supply system may comprise a non-combustion aerosol supply device and consumables for use with the non-combustion aerosol supply device.

[0027] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables that comprise an aerosol-forming material and are configured to be used with a non-combustion aerosol supply device. These consumables may sometimes be referred to as articles throughout the present disclosure.

[0028] In some embodiments, a non-combustion aerosol supply system, such as its non-combustion aerosol supply device, etc., may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may be, for example, a power supply or a heat-generating power source. In some embodiments, the heat-generating power source comprises a carbon-based substrate that can be energized to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-forming material or a heat transfer material in proximity to the heat-generating power source.

[0029] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system may comprise an area for receiving consumables, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0030] In some embodiments, consumables for use with a non-combustion aerosol supply device may comprise an aerosol-forming material, an aerosol-forming material storage area, an aerosol-forming material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a packaging material, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0031] An aerosol generating device can receive an article comprising an aerosol generating material for heating. The "article" in this context is a component that contains or holds the aerosol generating material during use and is heated to volatilize the aerosol generating material, optionally with other components during use. A user can insert the article into the aerosol generating device before the article is heated to generate an aerosol, and then the user inhales the aerosol. The article may be of a predetermined or specific size configured to be installed, for example, within a heating chamber of a device sized to receive the article.

[0032] Figure 1 shows an aerosol supply device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material. Device 100 can be used to heat a replaceable article (not shown) comprising an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium to be inhaled by a user of device 100.

[0033] Device 100 comprises a body 104. Body 104 comprises a housing 120. Housing 120 surrounds and houses various components of device 100. An article aperture 115 is formed within one end of body 104, and an article can be inserted through article aperture 115 for heating by an aerosol generator 102 (see Figure 2). During use, the article can be fully or partially inserted within aerosol generator 102 and can be heated by one or more components of aerosol generator 102. Aerosol generator 102 comprises a heating assembly 140. The article and device 100 together form an aerosol supply system (not shown).

[0034] The housing 120 includes a first housing that functions as a first housing portion 121 and a second housing that functions as a second housing portion 122. The first housing portion is attached to the second housing portion 122. The first and second housing portions 121, 122 together define the shell of the main body 104. It will be understood that the number of housing portions can vary.

[0035] The device 100 may also include a user-operable control element 106 (Figure 2), such as a button or switch, that operates the device 100 when pressed. For example, the user may turn on the device by operating the switch.

[0036] The main body 104 has an end surface of the device 100. The end of the device 100 closest to the article aperture 115 is closest to the user's mouth during use and may be known as the proximal end (or mouth end) 114 of the device 100. During use, the user inserts the article into the aperture 115, operates the aerosol generator 102 to start heating the aerosol-generating material, and inhales the aerosol generated within the device 100. Thereby, the aerosol flows through the device 100 along a flow path towards the proximal end 114 of the device 100.

[0037] The other end of the device farthest from the aperture 115 is the end farthest from the user's mouth during use and may be known as the distal end 116 of the device 100. When the user inhales the aerosol generated within the device, the aerosol flows in a direction towards the proximal end 114 of the device 100. The terms proximal and distal applied to the features of the device 100 are explained by reference to the relative positioning of such features with respect to each other in the proximal-distal direction along the longitudinal axis 112.

[0038] The first housing part 121 may be a single-piece component. The second housing part 122 may be a single-piece component. As used herein, an integral component refers to a component of the device 100 that cannot be separated into two or more components after assembly of the device 100. Being integrally formed refers to two or more features that are formed as an integral component during the manufacturing stage of the component.

[0039] The first housing part 121 and the second housing part 122 are fixedly mounted. The first housing part 121 is tubular. The first housing part 121 opens along one side surface. The second housing part 122 opens along one side surface. The second housing part 122 is tubular. The first housing part 121 is at least partially received in the second housing part 122. It will be understood that the configurations of the first and second housing parts 121, 122 may be different. The first housing part 121 houses the aerosol generator 102. The second housing part 122 houses the electronic device assembly 170. The main body 104 includes a chassis 160. The first housing part 121 is mounted on the chassis. The second housing part 122 is mounted on the chassis 160. The chassis 160 is received within the second housing part 122. The first and second housing parts 121, 122 enclose the chassis 160.

[0040] The heating assembly 140 may comprise an induction heating system including a magnetic field generator comprising an inductor coil assembly. The heating assembly 140 comprises a heating element. The heating element is also known as a susceptor.

[0041] The susceptor is a material that can be heated by penetration with a varying magnetic field such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be a conductive material, and as a result, the penetration of the conductive material by the varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material. The heating material may be a magnetic material, and as a result, the penetration of the magnetic material by the varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be both conductive and magnetic, and as a result, the susceptor can be heated by both heating mechanisms. A device configured to generate a varying magnetic field is referred to herein as a magnetic field generator.

[0042] The heating assembly 140 that forms part of the aerosol generator 102 is an induction heating assembly and includes various components for heating the aerosol-generating material of an article by an induction heating process. Induction heating is a process of heating a conductive object (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. The induction heating assembly may include an induction element, for example, one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a variable current, such as an alternating current, through the induction element. The variable current in the induction element generates a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor suitably positioned relative to the induction element and generates eddy currents inside the susceptor. The susceptor has an electrical resistance to the eddy currents, and thus the flow of the eddy currents against this resistance heats the susceptor by Joule heating. If the susceptor contains a ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel, or cobalt, heat can also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor, that is, by the varying orientation of the magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material as a result of alignment with the varying magnetic field. In induction heating, heat is generated inside the susceptor, enabling rapid heating, for example, as compared to heating by conduction. Furthermore, no physical contact between the induction heater and the susceptor is required, enhancing the degrees of freedom in configuration and application.

[0043] The heating element may be hollow and thus define at least part of a receptacle in which the aerosol - generating material is received. For example, an article may be inserted into the heating element. The heating element is tubular with a circular cross - section. The heating element has a substantially constant diameter along the axial length of the heating element. In an embodiment, the heating element projects into the receptacle. Other configurations are also envisioned.

[0044] The heating element is formed from a conductive material suitable for heating by electromagnetic induction. The susceptor in this example is formed from carbon steel. It will be understood that other suitable materials, such as ferromagnetic materials like iron, nickel, or cobalt, may be used. The heating element may be an elongate member that protrudes into the heating zone defined by the receptacle.

[0045] In other embodiments, the feature acting as the heating element may not be limited to being inductively heated. Thus, the feature acting as the heating element may be heatable by electrical resistance. Thus, the aerosol generator 102 may comprise electrical contacts for electrically connecting to a device for electrically operating the heating element by passing an electric energy flow through the heating element.

[0046] The electronic device assembly 170 is within the body 104. The electronic device assembly 170 is housed within a second housing portion 122. The electronic device assembly 170 comprises a power source 174. The power source 174 may be a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a non - rechargeable battery, for example. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, lithium batteries (such as lithium - ion batteries), nickel batteries (such as nickel - cadmium batteries), and alkaline batteries. The battery 174 is electrically coupled to the heating assembly 140 to supply power, under the control of a controller if necessary, to heat the aerosol - generating material.

[0047] The electronic device assembly 170 comprises an electronic device module 150. The electronic device module 150 comprises a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The PCBA can comprise, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB) that supports at least one controller such as a processor, and a memory. The PCB can also comprise one or more electrical tracks for electrically connecting various electronic components together. Battery terminals may be electrically connected to the PCB so that power can be distributed across the entire device 100.

[0048] The aerosol generator 102 including the heating assembly 140 and the first housing part 121 defines a first sub-assembly.

[0049] The chassis 160 and the electronic device module 150 define a second sub-assembly.

[0050] Figures 2a and 2b show perspective views of the device 100 with the first and second housing parts 121, 122 omitted to show the aerosol generator 104 and the electronic device assembly 170. Figures 3a and 3b show perspective views of the chassis and the electronic device assembly 170. The heating assembly 140 defines a longitudinal axis, the electronic device assembly 170 defines a longitudinal axis, and the axes are parallel to each other. The heating assembly 140 defines a heating chamber (not shown). An article is received within the heating chamber and heated by the heating assembly 140. The heating assembly 140 is inserted axially within the first housing part 121.

[0051] The electronic device assembly 170 comprises a heat distribution assembly 172. The heat distribution assembly 172 surrounds the battery 174. The heat distribution assembly 172 includes a heat distribution panel. The heat distribution panel includes a sheet of high thermal conductivity material, such as a graphite sheet. The control element 106 is mounted external to the heat distribution assembly 172. The second housing part 122 may comprise a notch or an elastically deformable portion so that a user can operate the control element 106.

[0052] The chassis 160 functions as a battery carrier. The battery 174 is mounted on the chassis 160. The battery 174 extends along one side surface of the chassis 160. The electronic device module 150 is mounted on another side surface of the chassis 160. The electronic device assembly 170 includes the chassis 160. The chassis 160 is adjacent to the aerosol generator 102. The chassis 160 receives a portion of the first housing part 121. The first housing part 121 is attached to the chassis 160. The second housing part 122 surrounds the electronic device assembly 170 and surrounds the external portion of the chassis 160.

[0053] The PCBA 150 is mounted on the chassis 160. The chassis 160 positions and supports the PCBA 150. The chassis 160 is formed from a non-conductive material. The chassis 160 electrically insulates the components of the PCBA 150 from the second housing part 122.

[0054] The chassis 160 is between the PCBA 150 and the second housing part 122. The openings of the chassis provide access from each side surface of the chassis 160 to the electronic device module 150. The PCBA 150 has a first surface 152 and a second surface 153. The first surface 152 is adjacent to the battery 174. The second surface is adjacent to the aerosol generator 102. The PCBA 150 and the chassis 160 bisect the body 104. In an embodiment, there is no chassis. The PCBA 150 may be attached to other components within the electronic device assembly 170.

[0055] The PCBA 150 includes an electrostatic discharge path arrangement 154. The electrostatic discharge path arrangement 154 provides a discharge path from the PCBA 150 to the first housing part 121. The electrostatic discharge path arrangement 154 includes a contact member 155. In an embodiment, the PCBA may include a single contact member. In embodiments, the number of contact members is different and may be a single contact member. This configuration includes three contact members 155a, 155b, 155c as shown in FIG. 4.

[0056] Figure 4 shows the battery 174 and the PCBA 150. The chassis is omitted in Figure 4. The PCBA 150 is in electrical contact with the battery 174. Figure 4 shows three contact members 155a, 155b, 155c. The contact members 155a, 155b, 155c are fixedly mounted on the PCBA 150. The contact member 155 is integrally formed with the PCBA 150. The contact member 155 protrudes from one side surface of the PCBA 150. The contact member 155 is disposed on the first surface 152 of the PCBA 150. The contact member 155 extends away from the first surface 152 of the PCBA 150. The contact member extends from the PCBA 150 toward the first housing portion 121. The contact member 155 protrudes from the first surface 152 of the PCBA 150.

[0057] Figure 5 shows the interaction between the contact member 155 and the first housing portion 121. The contact member 155 is in electrical contact with the first housing portion 121. The contact member 155 provides an electrostatic discharge path from the first housing portion 121 to a discharge track on the PCBA 150. The first housing portion 121 has conductivity.

[0058] Each contact member 155 includes an elastically deformable member. The contact member 155 is a spring element. The contact member 155 may be a spring pin. The contact member 155 may include a leaf spring. In an embodiment, the contact member may not be elastically deformable or may not be spring-type. The contact member may be stationary or fixed. In an embodiment, the contact member 155 may be at least one of a spring contact, a pogo pin, a spring loaded connector, or a conductive plate.

[0059] The contact member 155 may be biased against the first housing portion 121. The contact member 155 includes a contact surface 156. The first housing portion 121 includes a connection arrangement 124. The connection arrangement 124 connects the first housing portion 121 to the chassis 160. A connector (not shown) is arranged to attach the first housing portion 121 to the chassis 160.

[0060] Figure 6 shows the connection arrangement 124 and the interaction of the connection arrangement 124 with the first housing part 121, the chassis 160, and the second housing part 122. The first housing part 121 is substantially tubular. The first housing part 121 has an opening along one side to enable an electrical connection between the heating assembly 140 and the electronic device assembly 170.

[0061] The connection arrangement 124 includes protrusions. The protrusions are arranged on both sides of the opening side of the first housing part 121. The protrusions project from the first housing part 121 towards the chassis 160 and the PCBA 150. The connection arrangement 124 extends parallel to the axis of the heating assembly 140 in the axial direction. The connection arrangement 124 is attached to the chassis 160 so as to hold the first housing part 121 in a predetermined position relative to the second housing part 122. In an embodiment, the first housing part 121 and the second housing part 122 are connected to each other.

[0062] The connection arrangement 124 is fixed in a predetermined position relative to the PCBA 150 so as to be held in proximity to the PCBA 150. The connection arrangement 124 includes a connection contact surface 123. The contact surface 156 of the contact member 155 is in electrical contact with the connection contact surface 123.

[0063] The contact surface 156 is biased away from the PCBA 150 towards the first housing part 121. The contact member 155 is biased towards the connection contact surface 123 of the first housing part 121 to provide continuous contact between the surfaces 156, 123 and provide a constant electrical path regardless of different tolerances and / or movements between the respective components. By providing such an arrangement, the ease of assembly is maximized.

[0064] Each contact member 155 has a corresponding connection contact surface 123 on the first housing part 121. The connection arrangement 124 can have one or more connection contact surfaces 123. The connection contact surface 123 is at a distance from the first surface 152 of the PCBA 150. The space between the connection contact surface 123 and the first surface 152 of the PCBA 150 ensures that any static charge flows only through the contact member 155. The connection contact surface 123 may be recessed from the connection arrangement 124 of the first housing part 121 that protrudes towards the first surface 152 of the PCBA. The connection arrangement 124 does not contact the first surface 152 of the PCBA and is spaced apart from the first surface of the PCBA. The depth of the recess is less than the depth to which the contact member protrudes.

[0065] The contact member 155 is connected to the ground point of the device 100. The ground point can include a grounding component. The connection between the first housing part 121, the contact member 155 and the grounding component (not shown) allows electrostatic discharge to flow from the first housing part 121 to the ground point without affecting other components on the PCBA 150. The ground point may be within the body 104 of the device 100. The contact member 155 is electrically insulated from other components on the PCBA 150 to prevent electrostatic discharge from flowing through the PCBA 150 and damaging the components of the PCB or PCBA 150. The electrostatic discharge path comprises a grounding path. The grounding path provides a path for electrostatic discharge that flows from the first housing part 121 through the chassis 160 to the contact member 155 of the PCBA 150. The first housing part 121 is connected to the chassis 160 by a fixed point (not shown). The chassis 160 is in contact with the PCBA 150 by contact members 155a, 155b, 155c on the PCBA 150. The contact members 155a, 155b, 155c are soldered in embodiments to points on the PCBA 150 that are connected to the ground point. The grounding path is the same for all contact members. The ground point is at 0 volts. Other methods of attaching the contact member to the PCBA 150 may be used.

[0066] The first housing part 121 may be painted or anodized. The contact surface 124 is untreated to provide an uninterrupted conductive path between the first housing part 121 and the ground point. The first housing part 121 may comprise a tubular member. The tubular member can receive the heating assembly 140. The tubular member can have holes in its sidewall to enable an electrical connection between the heating assembly 140 and the electronic device assembly 170. The first housing part 121 may contain aluminum.

[0067] In use, the electrostatic charge accumulated on the first housing part 121 flows through the contact surface to the contact member 155 and the ground point. Thereby, the electrostatic charge is diverted from the sensitive components on the PCBA 150. The electrical components or elements of the PCBA 150 are electrically insulated from the conductive first housing part 121. The flexible contact member 155 allows for greater tolerances in the manufacture of the first housing part 121.

[0068] The device 100 is assembled by attaching the PCBA 150 to a chassis 160 that forms a second sub-assembly. The aerosol generator 102 including the heating assembly 140 and the first housing part 121 is assembled as a first sub-assembly. Then, the first sub-assembly including the first housing part 121 is assembled with the second sub-assembly including the chassis 160 and the PCBA 150. The contact member 155 is abutted against the first housing part 121 as part of the assembly. The connection contact surface 124 is brought into contact with the contact surface 156 of the contact member. The contact member 155 expands and is biased against the first housing part 121. The heating assembly 140 is electrically connected to the PCBA 150. A battery module sub-assembly comprising a battery 174 and a heat distribution assembly 172 is assembled with the PCBA 150 and the chassis 160. The second housing part 122 is assembled to the electronic device assembly 170 so as to surround a portion of the chassis 160.

[0069] The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in the understanding and teaching of the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative samples of the embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be regarded as limitations on the scope of the invention defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents of the claims, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. The various embodiments of the present invention may preferably include, consist of, or consist essentially of suitable combinations of disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. Additionally, the present disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. An aerosol supply device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material, comprising: a heating assembly; a conductive housing portion arranged to at least partially receive the heating assembly; an electronic device module; a contact member; wherein at least one of the contact members is in electrical contact between the housing portion and the electronic device module to provide an electrostatic discharge path. An aerosol supply device.

2. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein the contact member extends from the electronic device module.

3. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact member is fixedly mounted on the electronic device module.

4. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the contact member is an elastically deformable member.

5. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the contact surface of the contact member is biased away from the electronic device module.

6. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the contact member is a spring element.

7. The aerosol supply device according to claim 6, wherein the contact member comprises a spring pin.

8. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the electronic device module comprises a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA).

9. The aerosol supply device according to claim 8, wherein the contact member protrudes from the PCBA.

10. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the contact member is biased against the housing portion.

11. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the housing portion has a connection arrangement and the contact member contacts the connection arrangement.

12. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the device comprises a chassis.

13. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the electronic device module is between the chassis and the heating assembly.

14. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the electronic device module is mounted on the chassis.

15. ​ The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the contact member is one of a plurality of contact members.

16. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the at least one contact member is electrically connected to a ground point in the device.

17. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the at least one contact member is electrically insulated from other electrical elements of the electronic device module.

18. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the conductive housing portion surrounds the heating assembly.

19. An aerosol supply system comprising the aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 18 and an article containing an aerosol generating material arranged to be at least partially received by the aerosol supply device.

20. A method of assembling an aerosol supply device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material, comprising: providing an electronic device module having an electrostatic discharge contact member; bringing the conductive housing portion into contact with the electrostatic discharge contact member and joining the conductive housing portion to the electronic device module so as to provide an electrostatic discharge path between the housing portion and the electronic device module; A method comprising.

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