Aerosol generation system

Abstract

An aerosol generating system (10) is disclosed that includes a consumable (40) and an aerosol generating device (20). The consumable (40) includes an aerosol generating material rod (48); and an inductively heatable susceptor (50) disposed within the aerosol generating material rod (48), the susceptor (50) extending along the length of the aerosol generating material rod (48), the susceptor (50) including a first segment (52) and a second segment (54), the segments being connected by a connection portion (58) having a reduced cross-sectional area with respect to the first segment (52) and the second segment (54). The aerosol generating device (20) includes a housing (22) arranged to define a heating chamber (24) for receiving the consumable (40); a first inductor (32) and a second inductor (36) arranged to at least partially surround the heating chamber (24) and spaced along the length of the heating chamber (24), the first inductor (32) and the second inductor (34) being arranged to at least partially surround the first segment (52) and the second segment (54) respectively when the consumable (40) is received within the heating chamber (24); a power source (28) configured to supply electricity to the first inductor (32) and the second inductor (34); and a control circuit (30) configured to selectively control the supply of electricity to each of the first inductor (32) and the second inductor (34).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generation system including an aerosol generation device and a consumable.

Background Art

[0002] The popularity and use of risk reduction devices or risk modification devices (also known as vaporizers) have been growing rapidly in recent years as an aid to help habitual smokers who wish to stop using traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and roll-your-own tobacco. In contrast to burning tobacco in conventional tobacco products, various devices and systems are available that heat or warm aerosolizable substances.

[0003] Generally available risk reduction devices or risk modification devices are base heating aerosol generation devices or non-combustion heating devices. This type of device generates an aerosol or vapor by heating a consumable containing an aerosol substrate, such as moist leaf tobacco, to a temperature in the range of typically 150°C to 300°C. By heating rather than burning or igniting the aerosol substrate, an aerosol containing the components desired by the user but not containing undesirable by-products of combustion is released. Further, the aerosol produced by heating tobacco or other aerosolizable materials typically does not contain the burnt or bitter taste that can be unpleasant to the user and can result from combustion.

[0004] Available aerosol generation devices can use one of several different approaches to supply heat to the aerosol generation substrate. One such approach is to provide an aerosol generation device that employs an induction heating system. In this case, an induction coil is provided within the device, and an induction heatable susceptor is used to heat the aerosol generation substrate. For example, the induction heatable susceptor can be positioned within a consumable. When the user activates the device, electrical energy is supplied to the induction coil, which then generates an alternating electromagnetic field. The susceptor couples with the electromagnetic field to generate heat, which is transferred to the aerosol generation substrate, for example, by conduction. Subsequently, when the aerosol generation substrate is heated, an aerosol is generated.

[0005] To improve the consistency and / or efficiency of aerosol generation, it is desirable to supply variable amounts of thermal energy to different parts of the consumable. However, this is difficult to achieve in an induction heatable aerosol generation system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the present invention is to address this problem. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generation system is provided, the aerosol generation system comprising a consumable: an aerosol generation material rod; and an inductively heatable susceptor disposed within the aerosol generation material rod, the susceptor extending along the length of the aerosol generation material rod, the susceptor including a first segment and a second segment, the segments being connected by a connection portion having a reduced cross-sectional area with respect to the first segment and the second segment, the consumable; and an aerosol generation device: a housing arranged to define a heating chamber for receiving the consumable; a first inductor and a second inductor arranged to at least partially surround the heating chamber and spaced along the length of the heating chamber, the first inductor and the second inductor being arranged to at least partially surround the first segment and the second segment, respectively, when the consumable is received within the heating chamber; a power supply configured to supply electricity to the first inductor and the second inductor; and a control circuit configured to selectively control the supply of electricity to each of the first inductor and the second inductor, the aerosol generation device.

[0008] In this way, the heat inductively generated in the first and second segments of the susceptor can be confined to each segment, thereby enabling control of the heating of specific regions of the consumable.

[0009] The susceptor needs to be made of a conductive material, such as steel, copper, aluminum or brass. According to Wiedemann-Franz's law, the electrical conductivity of metals is proportional to their thermal conductivity, and the susceptor can typically also be a good thermal conductor. As a result, during the inductive heating of the susceptor, the heat generated is evenly distributed across the susceptor. This prevents the susceptor from being used to heat different regions of the consumable to different temperatures.

[0010] However, by providing a portion with a reduced cross-sectional area that separates the first segment and the second segment of the susceptor, heat transfer is limited between the first segment and the second segment. This prevents the first and second segments from rapidly achieving thermal equilibrium, allowing the first and second segments to be maintained at different temperatures for an extended period of time. Specifically, by providing first and second inductors configured to heat the first and second segments respectively, the first and second segments can be supplied with different amounts of thermal energy without rapidly equilibrating. Thus, different amounts of thermal energy can be supplied to the portion of the aerosol-generating substrate surrounding the first segment than to the portion of the aerosol-generating substrate surrounding the second segment. Variable local heating of the aerosol substrate may be desirable to increase the heating efficiency of the device, ensure a consistent aerosol-generating operation, and conform to the consumer's sensory experience. Furthermore, by using a single susceptor having a reduced cross-sectional area portion, the consumable can be manufactured in a simple and cost-effective manner.

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

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

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

[0014] Preferably, the first inductor and the second inductor do not overlap. In particular, the first and second inductors (and the third inductor, etc.) are arranged such that the first and second inductors (and the third inductor, etc.) do not overlap in a direction perpendicular to the length of the heating chamber (i.e., in the radial direction). In this way, overlapping lines of force are avoided, and each inductor is configured to provide local heating to a single respective segment.

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

[0016] Preferably, the susceptor is formed as an elongate sheet. The term "sheet" can be understood to refer to a flat shape where the thickness is much smaller than its length or width. For example, the elongate sheet can be substantially cuboid or rectangular. In this way, the manufacturability of the consumable is further improved.

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

[0018] In one example, one or more cuts can be formed only on one side of the susceptor.

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

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

[0021] Preferably, each notch includes opposing parallel sides. In other words, each notch may have a rectangular or cuboid notch.

[0022] Alternatively, each notch has a concave shape. In other words, each notch may be a curved notch, such as a semi-circular or hemispherical notch.

[0023] Preferably, the susceptor includes a third segment, the third segment is connected to the second segment by another connection portion having a reduced cross-sectional area with respect to the second segment and the third segment, wherein the aerosol generating device is arranged to at least partially surround the heating chamber and includes a third inductor spaced from the first inductor and the second inductor along the length of the heating chamber, the third inductor is arranged to at least partially surround the third segment when the consumable is received in the heating chamber, the power supply is further configured to supply electricity to the third inductor, and the control circuit is further configured to selectively control the supply of electricity to the third inductor.

[0024] One skilled in the art will understand that the susceptor may include a plurality of segments, and adjacent segments may be connected by respective connection portions. For example, the susceptor may include 4, 5, 6, 7, etc. segments. The aerosol generating device may include a corresponding number of induction coils each configured to heat each of the plurality of segments.

[0025] Preferably, the segments are spaced periodically (e.g., uniformly) along the length of the susceptor. In this way, the manufacturability of the consumable is further improved.

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

[0027] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a consumable for an aerosol generating device, the consumable comprising: an aerosol generating material rod; and an inductively heatable susceptor disposed within the aerosol generating material rod, the susceptor extending along the length of the aerosol generating material rod, the susceptor including a first segment and a second segment, the segments being connected by a connection portion having a reduced cross-sectional area with respect to the first segment and the second segment, the reduced cross-sectional area of the connection portion being provided by a notch in the susceptor, the notch being substantially devoid of aerosol generating material, the inductively heatable susceptor.

[0028] In this way, the heat conduction between the first segment and the second segment is further reduced due to the absence of aerosol generating material in the notch. Advantageously, this improves the ability of the susceptor to be maintained at different temperatures, thereby resulting in improved local heating of the aerosol generating material. Further, this configuration prevents overheating of the aerosol generating material within each notch and improves the consistency of the aerosol generating operation.

[0029] One skilled in the art will understand that the consumable of the second aspect may be used within the aerosol generation system of the first aspect.

[0030] Preferably, the reduced cross-sectional area of the connection portion is provided by a pair of opposing cuts in the susceptor, each cut being substantially devoid of aerosol-generating material.

[0031] One skilled in the art will understand that each cut may be described as being substantially filled with a (void) of air.

[0032] Preferably, each cut includes opposing parallel sides. Alternatively, each cut has a concave shape.

[0033] Here, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0034]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0035] As described herein, vapor is generally understood to refer to a substance that is in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that the vapor can be condensed into a liquid by increasing the pressure without decreasing the temperature. On the other hand, an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or droplets in air or another gas. However, it should be noted that in this specification, the terms "aerosol" and "vapor" can be used interchangeably, especially with respect to the form of an inhalable medium generated for inhalation by a user.

[0036] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating system 10, which includes an aerosol generating device 20 and a consumable 40 for use with the aerosol generating device 20. The aerosol generating device 20 is a non-combustion heating device, which may also be referred to as a tobacco vapor device. The consumable 40 includes an aerosol generating substrate 48, such as tobacco. The aerosol generating device 20 is configured to heat the consumable 40 without burning it to form an aerosol from the aerosol generating substrate 48 for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating device 20.

[0037] The aerosol generating device 20 includes a housing 22 configured to hold various components of the aerosol generating device 20. The housing 22 can have any shape and be sized to fit the components described herein and be easily held by a user with one hand without assistance.

[0038] The aerosol generating device 20 has a first end 23 shown at the bottom of Figure 1 and which can also be described as the distal, bottom, base, or lower end of the aerosol generating device 20. The aerosol generating device 20 has an opposite second end 25 shown at the top of Figure 1 and which can also be described as the proximal, upper, or upper end of the aerosol generating device 20. During use, the user generally positions the aerosol generating device 20 with the first end 23 facing downward and / or in a distal position relative to the user's mouth, and the second end 25 facing upward and / or in a proximal position relative to the user's mouth.

[0039] The aerosol generating device 20 includes a heating chamber 24 positioned within a housing 22. That is, the housing 22 is arranged to define a heating chamber 24 that forms an internal volume for receiving a consumable 40. The heating chamber 24 has a longitudinal axis that defines a longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction of the heating chamber 24 is aligned with the length direction of the aerosol generating device 20, that is, the direction defined between the first end 23 and the second end 25 of the aerosol generating device 20.

[0040] The heating chamber 24 opens towards the second end 25 of the aerosol generating device 20. In other words, the heating chamber 24 has an opening 26 towards the second end 25 of the aerosol generating device 20. In use, the user can insert the consumable 40 into the heating chamber 24 through the opening 26 so that the consumable 40 is positioned within the heating chamber 24. The length of the heating chamber 24 is configured such that a portion of the consumable 40 protrudes through the opening 26 (i.e., out of the heating chamber 24) and can be received in the user's mouth.

[0041] The heating chamber 24 is arranged to receive a consumable 40 of a corresponding shape. In this example, the heating chamber 24 is arranged to receive a substantially cylindrical or rod-shaped consumable 40. Therefore, the heating chamber 24 is also tubular, for example, substantially cylindrical. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the shape of the heating chamber 24 is not limited to being tubular. For example, the heating chamber 24 may be formed to define a cuboid, conical, hemispherical, or other shaped cavity and may be configured to receive a complementary shaped consumable.

[0042] The aerosol generating device 20 includes a plurality of induction coils 32 - 36 that function as an electromagnetic field generator for generating an electromagnetic field. The induction coils 32 - 36 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2.

[0043] The aerosol generating device 20 further includes a power source 28, for example, one or more rechargeable batteries, and a control circuit 30 such as a microcontroller (MCU). The control circuit 30 is configured to selectively control the supply of electricity from the power source 28 to the plurality of induction coils 32-36.

[0044] Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the consumable 40 showing its internal structure and components. In the state to be described, the consumable 40 is received within the heating chamber 24 of the aerosol generating device 20, but for simplicity of explanation, only the induction coils 32-36 of the aerosol generating device 20 are shown.

[0045] The consumable 40 is a disposable replaceable article and may be referred to as an aerosol generating article or a non-combustible heated stick. The consumable 40 has a proximal end 42 (or mouth-side end) and an opposite distal end 44. The longitudinal direction of the consumable 40 is defined between the proximal end 42 and the distal end 44. The consumable 40 includes an aerosol generating substrate 48 positioned adjacent to the distal end 44. Specifically, the aerosol generating substrate 48 is an aerosol generating material rod, for example, a tobacco rod. The consumable 40 further includes a mouthpiece segment 46 positioned downstream of the aerosol generating substrate 48, that is, adjacent to the proximal end 42. The mouthpiece segment 46 typically includes a filter including cellulose acetate fibers. The aerosol generating substrate 48 and the mouthpiece segment 42 may be separated by additional structures or filter elements, such as a polymer membrane filter for cooling the aerosol, and a hollow acetate membrane. The aerosol generating substrate 48 and the mouthpiece segment 42 (and other components) are coaxially aligned and arranged within a wrapper, for example, a paper wrapper, to hold the components in place and form the rod-shaped consumable 40.

[0046] The consumable 40 further includes a susceptor 50 disposed within the aerosol generating substrate 48. That is, the susceptor 50 is surrounded by the aerosol generating substrate 48. The susceptor 50 is an induction heatable element that generates heat due to eddy currents and magnetic hysteresis losses when an electromagnetic field is applied in its vicinity, converting electromagnetic energy into heat. The susceptor 50 is formed from a material suitable for being induction heated. For example, the susceptor 50 can be made of metals such as aluminum, iron, nickel, stainless steel, carbon steel, and their alloys, such as nickel chromium, nickel copper, or nickel iron. Preferably, the susceptor 50 includes a laminate of stainless steel and a nickel-iron alloy.

[0047] The susceptor 50 can be in the form of an elongated sheet, i.e., a strip of material whose thickness is much smaller than its length or width. The susceptor 50 is arranged to extend along at least a portion of the length of the aerosol generating substrate 48 (and the consumable 40) such that, in use, the susceptor 50 is positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 24. In an alternative, the susceptor 50 may be formed in an alternative shape, such as a rod shape.

[0048] As further shown in FIG. 3, the susceptor 50 includes a plurality of segments 52 - 56. Specifically, the susceptor 50 includes a first segment 52, a second segment 54, and a third segment 56, but those skilled in the art will understand that the number of segments can vary according to the number of induction coils 32 - 36, as further described below. The susceptor 50 further includes a plurality of connection portions 58. Each of the segments 52 - 56 is connected to an adjacent segment 52 - 56 by its respective connection portion 58. For example, the first segment 52 is connected to the second segment 54 by a connection portion 58, and the second segment 54 is connected to the third segment 56 by another connection portion 58. The connection portions 58 have a smaller cross-sectional area (i.e., in a plane perpendicular to the length of the susceptor 50) than each of the adjacent segments 52 - 56. That is, the connection portions 58 are narrow regions of the susceptor 50 spaced along the length of the susceptor 50.

[0049] One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that segments 52-56 and connection portion 58 are formed from the same material and simply represent different regions of susceptor 50.

[0050] Connection portion 58 is defined by one or more cuts 60 formed in susceptor 50. Cuts 60 preferably extend across the entire thickness of susceptor 50 (i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the length and width of susceptor 50). Each cut 60 may also be referred to as a slit, score, notch, or depression formed in the outer surface of susceptor 50. Each cut 60 is positioned transversely along the length of susceptor 50. That is, each cut 60 is formed in a side or edge of susceptor 50 that is, for example, perpendicular to the length and thickness of susceptor 50. Each cut 60 is created, for example, by removing a portion of material from susceptor 50 using a cutting tool.

[0051] Cuts 60 form respective connection portions 58 having a smaller cross-sectional area than adjacent segments 52-56. Therefore, the cross-sectional area available for heat to flow longitudinally between adjacent segments 52-56 is reduced. Advantageously, rather than disposing a plurality of separate susceptors within consumable 40, the manufacturing efficiency of consumable 40 is improved by using a single susceptor 50 having cuts 60 to reduce heat flow. In particular, susceptor 50 can be formed from a length (or ribbon) of susceptor material and then cut to form a plurality of susceptors 50. Cuts 60 can be formed along the length of the susceptor material before being cut into individual susceptors 50.

[0052] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, adjacent segments 52-56 are separated from each other by opposing pairs of cuts 60. That is, the connection portion 58 between the first segment 52 and the second segment 54 is formed by two cuts 60 provided on opposing sides of the susceptor 50. Similarly, the connection portion 58 between the second segment 54 and the second segment 56 is formed by two cuts 60 provided on opposing sides of the susceptor 50. Advantageously, this ensures that the consumable 40 is heated symmetrically about its longitudinal axis.

[0053] Each cut 60 includes opposing parallel sides, i.e., sides that are disposed perpendicular to the length of the susceptor 50, thereby forming a rectangular or cuboid cut. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the specific shape and arrangement configuration of the cuts 60 may vary. Alternative examples will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4A-4C.

[0054] In FIG. 2, each cut 60 is shown as being filled with aerosol generating material. However, as will be described below with reference to FIG. 5, the cuts 60 may instead be occupied by air.

[0055] Induction coils 32-36 are arranged such that when the consumable 40 is received within the heating chamber 24, the induction coils 32-36 surround the aerosol generating substrate 48 and the susceptor 50 contained therein. More specifically, each induction coil 32-36 is arranged to surround a respective segment 52-56 of the susceptor 50. The first induction coil 32 is arranged to surround the first segment 52, the second induction coil 34 is arranged to surround the second segment 54, and the third induction coil 36 is arranged to surround the third segment 56. It will be understood that the induction coils 32-36 are spaced apart in the length direction of the heating chamber. That is, the first induction coil 32, the second induction coil 34, and the third induction coil 36 do not overlap in the radial direction of the heating chamber.

[0056] One skilled in the art will understand that the number of induction coils 32-36 can vary according to the number of segments 52-56 of susceptor 50, and that each induction coil 32-36 can be arranged around a respective segment 52-56 of susceptor 50.

[0057] Each of the induction coils 32-36 extends helically around the (tubular) heating chamber 24. Each of the induction coils 32-36 can be energized by power supply 28 and control circuit 30. The control circuit 30 includes, among other electronic components, an inverter arranged to convert direct current from the power supply 28 into an alternating current high-frequency current for the induction coils 32-36.

[0058] When the user activates the aerosol generating device 20, the induction coils 32-36 are energized by the power supply 28 and the control circuit 30, thereby supplying an alternating current to the induction coils 32-36 to generate a time-varying alternating electromagnetic field by the induction coils 32-36. This electromagnetic field couples with the inductively heatable susceptor 50 received within the heating chamber 24, generating eddy currents and / or magnetic hysteresis losses within the susceptor 50 to heat the susceptor 50. The heat is then transferred from the inductively heatable susceptor 50 to the aerosol generating substrate 48, for example, by conduction, radiation, and convection. This will heat the aerosol generating substrate 48 without burning or combusting it, thereby generating vapor. The generated vapor is cooled and condensed to form an aerosol, which can be inhaled by the user of the aerosol generating device 20 through the mouthpiece segment 46, and more particularly, through a filter.

[0059] More specifically, the control circuit 30 is configured to independently control the supply of current to each of the induction coils 32-36. For example, the control circuit 30 can supply (or not supply) different amounts of power to each of the first induction coil 32, the second induction coil 34, and the third induction coil 36. In this way, the electromagnetic fields generated by each of the induction coils 32-36 can be selectively controlled, and different amounts of thermal energy can be generated in the corresponding segments 52-56 of the susceptor 50. Since the segments 52-56 are separated by the cuts 60, i.e., the connection portion 58 reduces the cross-sectional area available for heat transfer between each of the segments 52-56, each of the segments 52-56 can be maintained at a different temperature. Therefore, the portions of the aerosol generating substrate 48 adjacent to and surrounding each of the segments 52-56 can be heated at different levels. The induction coils 32-36 are each arranged to provide local heating to only one of each of the segments 52-56. For example, the first induction coil 32 is arranged to surround only the first segment 52, the second induction coil 34 is arranged to surround only the second segment 54, and the third induction coil 36 is arranged to surround only the third segment 56, as will be understood.

[0060] For example, it may be desirable to heat the central portion of the aerosol generating substrate 48 surrounding the second segment 54 to a higher temperature than the portions of the aerosol generating substrate 48 surrounding the first segment 52 and the third segment 56. Therefore, the control circuit 30 can supply a higher current to the second induction coil 34 and lower currents to the first induction coil 32 and the third induction coil 36.

[0061] Figures 4A-4C show some other susceptors 50 according to alternative embodiments of the present invention.

[0062] FIG. 4A shows susceptor 70 with notch 60 formed only on one side of susceptor 50. That is, notch 60 does not have a corresponding notch on the opposite side of susceptor 70, and susceptor 70 is asymmetric with respect to its length. Advantageously, the manufacturing process can be simplified by forming only one notch (or multiple notches) along one side of susceptor 70.

[0063] FIG. 4B shows susceptor 80 with a pair of notches 60 formed on opposite sides of susceptor 80. Different from susceptor 50 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, susceptor 80 in this embodiment has a single pair of opposing notches 60, and thus has only the first segment 52 and the second segment 54. Therefore, susceptor 80 is configured to be received in aerosol generating device 20 having a first induction coil 32 and a second induction coil 34 arranged to surround the first segment 52 and the second segment 54, respectively.

[0064] Those skilled in the art will understand that the number of segments 52-56 of each embodiment may be varied. The number of induction coils 32-36 may also be varied according to the number of segments 52-56.

[0065] FIG. 4C shows susceptor 90 with a plurality of notches 60 formed laterally along the length of susceptor 90. Different from other embodiments, notches 60 are formed to have a concave shape. In other words, each notch 60 has a curved inner surface. In the illustrated embodiment, each notch 60 has a corresponding notch 60 on the opposite side of susceptor 90, and the plurality of notches 60 define a first segment 52, a second segment 54, a third segment 56, a fourth segment 57, and a fifth segment 58. However, those skilled in the art will also understand that, in alternative embodiments, susceptor 90 may be formed with any number or arrangement of concave notches 60.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of susceptor 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Susceptor 100 includes features corresponding to susceptor 50 of FIGS. 2 and 3, except that each notch 60 is devoid of (i.e., does not contain) aerosol-generating material. That is, each connection portion 58 is partially surrounded by one or more air voids 62 that each fill each notch 60, and each air void 62 serves as a barrier to prevent heat transfer between adjacent segments 52-56 of susceptor 100. Air void 62 may also be described as an air gap.

[0067] In susceptor 50 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, some heat can be transferred between adjacent segments 52-56 across the aerosol-generating material disposed in each notch 60, for example, by conduction, convection, or radiation. Therefore, by constructing susceptor 100 such that each notch 60 contains no aerosol-generating material but instead contains only air, heat transfer between segments 52-56 can be further reduced.

[0068] It will be understood that each of the aforementioned susceptors 60, 70, 80 or variations thereof may also be adapted to include air voids 62 within each notch 60.

Claims

1. Aerosol generation system, It is a consumable item: Aerosol generating material rod, and An induction-heatable susceptor disposed within the aerosol-generating material rod, wherein the susceptor extends along the length of the aerosol-generating material rod, and the susceptor includes a first segment and a second segment, which are connected by connecting portions having a smaller cross-sectional area than the first segment and the second segment. Including consumables; Aerosol generating device, A housing positioned to define a heating chamber for receiving the aforementioned consumables; A first inductor and a second inductor arranged to at least partially surround the heating chamber and spaced apart along the length of the heating chamber, wherein when the consumables are received into the heating chamber, the first inductor and the second inductor are arranged to at least partially surround the first segment and the second segment, respectively; A power supply configured to supply electricity to the first inductor and the second inductor; and A control circuit configured to selectively control the supply of electricity to the first inductor and the second inductor, respectively. Aerosol generating devices including an aerosol generation system, including...

2. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein the susceptor is formed as a long sheet.

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

4. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reduced cross-sectional area of ​​the connection portion is provided by a pair of opposing notches in the susceptor.

5. The aerosol generating system according to claim 3, wherein each notch includes opposing parallel surfaces.

6. The aerosol generating system according to claim 3, wherein each notch has a concave shape.

7. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second inductors are arranged such that they do not overlap in a direction perpendicular to the length of the heating chamber.

8. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first inductor is arranged to surround the first segment of the susceptor but not the second segment of the susceptor, and the second inductor is arranged to surround the second segment of the susceptor but not the first segment of the susceptor.

9. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the susceptor includes a third segment, the third segment being connected to the second segment by another connecting portion having a smaller cross-sectional area than the second and third segments, the aerosol generating device includes a third inductor positioned to at least partially surround the heating chamber and spaced apart from the first and second inductors along the length of the heating chamber, the third inductor being positioned to at least partially surround the third segment when the consumables are received in the heating chamber, the power supply further configured to supply electricity to the third inductor, and the control circuit further configured to selectively control the supply of electricity to the third inductor.

10. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the segments are periodically separated along the length of the susceptor.

11. Consumables for aerosol generating devices: Aerosol generating material rod, An induction-heatable susceptor disposed within the aerosol-generating material rod, wherein the susceptor extends along the length of the aerosol-generating material rod, and the susceptor comprises a first segment and a second segment, which are connected by a connecting portion having a reduced cross-sectional area relative to the first segment and the second segment, the reduced cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion being provided by at least one notch in the susceptor, the notch substantially lacking the aerosol-generating material, and Consumables, including those mentioned above.

12. The reduced cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion is provided by a pair of opposing notches in the susceptor, each notch substantially lacking aerosol-generating material, according to claim 11.

13. The consumable according to claim 11 or 12, wherein each notch includes opposing parallel sides.

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

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