A method of manufacturing an aerosol supply device

Abstract

Provided is a novel method for manufacturing an aerosol supply device. 【Solution means】The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an aerosol supply device (100), the method comprising the steps of: providing a first housing having a proximal end and a distal end (103); providing one or more channels longitudinally along the aerosol supply device (100) from the distal end (103) of the housing; and depositing or printing one or more conductive paths (120a-d) in the one or more channels.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an aerosol supply device, an aerosol supply device, an aerosol generation system, a method for charging an aerosol supply device, and a method for transmitting data to and / or from an aerosol supply device.

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 by creating products that release compounds without combustion. Examples of such products include so-called "non-combustion heating type" products that release compounds by heating a material without burning it, or tobacco heating devices or products. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, and may or may not contain nicotine.

[0003] Aerosol supply systems covering the above-described devices and products are known. A common system uses a heater to generate an aerosol from a suitable medium, and the aerosol is then inhaled by the user. In many cases, it is necessary to replace or change the medium used in order to provide different aerosols for inhalation.

[0004] It is known to generate an aerosol from a suitable medium using a resistive heater.

[0005] Conventional aerosol supply devices include a cylindrical heating chamber into which a rod-shaped consumable is inserted.

[0006] It is known to provide an aerosol supply device that is charged by a charging unit and to which power is supplied by the charging unit to charge the aerosol supply device.

[0007] There is a desire to provide an improved aerosol supply device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to one aspect, a method of manufacturing an aerosol supply device, comprising: providing a housing having a proximal end and a distal end; providing one or more channels longitudinally along the aerosol supply device from the distal end of the housing; depositing or printing one or more conductive paths in the one or more channels; and is provided.

[0009] According to various embodiments, an aerosol supply device is provided in which one or more channels are etched at the distal end of the housing and then a plurality of electrical contacts are provided at the distal end of the housing by depositing or printing a conductive path in the one or more channels. When deposited or printed, the conductive path may be configured to be substantially coplanar with the distal end of the housing. The channels, and thus the completed electrical contacts, can follow a serpentine path that cannot be achieved using conventional wires. Further, the completed electrical contacts can be made smaller than conventional wires, and in contrast to conventional wires, the cross-sectional shape of the electrical contacts can vary along the length of the conductive path. Thus, by utilizing the conductive path deposited in the channel, the design flexibility and degree of freedom are improved.

[0010] Optionally, one or more of the conductive paths are non-planar.

[0011] Optionally, one or more of the conductive paths follow a curved or serpentine path.

[0012] Optionally, the curved or serpentine path is curved or serpentine in the radial direction.

[0013] Optionally, one or more of the channels have a circular, elliptical, polygonal, or rectangular cross-sectional shape.

[0014] Optionally, one or more conductive paths include copper, silver, gold, zinc, aluminum, nickel, iron, platinum, or tungsten.

[0015] Optionally, the step of providing one or more channels longitudinally along the distal end of the housing includes the step of performing etching.

[0016] Optionally, the step of performing etching includes performing laser etching.

[0017] Optionally, the step of performing etching includes performing wet etching.

[0018] Optionally, the aerosol supply device comprises a base portion, and at least a part of one or more conductive paths is in the same plane as the base portion.

[0019] Optionally, the method further includes the step of disposing a first housing within an outer housing.

[0020] Optionally, the outer housing comprises an electrical insulator. The outer housing may include, for example, polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

[0021] According to another aspect, a first housing having a proximal end and a distal end; one or more conductive paths provided at the distal end of the first housing, the one or more conductive paths including a conductive material deposited or printed within one or more channels provided in the first housing; An aerosol supply device is provided that includes.

[0022] Optionally, one or more conductive paths are non-planar.

[0023] Optionally, one or more conductive paths follow a curved or serpentine path.

[0024] Optionally, one or more channels have a cross-sectional shape that is circular, elliptical, polygonal, or rectangular.

[0025] Optionally, one or more conductive paths include copper.

[0026] Optionally, one or more channels are provided by etching or laser etching.

[0027] Optionally, the aerosol supply device comprises a base portion, and at least a part of one or more conductive paths is in the same plane as the base portion.

[0028] Optionally, the first housing is disposed within an outer housing.

[0029] Optionally, the outer housing comprises an electrical insulator. The outer housing may include polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

[0030] According to another aspect, the aerosol supply device described above, and a charging unit for charging the aerosol supply device Aerosol generation system comprising is provided.

[0031] Optionally, the charging unit a cavity for accommodating the aerosol supply device, and a base portion further comprising one or more electrical connection portions and / or data connection portions for connecting to one or more conductive paths provided in the aerosol supply device Comprising.

[0032] According to another aspect, a method of electrically charging an aerosol supply device is provided, including the step of connecting the aerosol supply device described above to a charging unit.

[0033] According to another aspect, there is provided a method of transmitting data in and / or from an aerosol supply device, including the step of connecting the aerosol supply device described above to a charging unit.

[0034] Here, various embodiments will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0036] Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed or described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented as conventional, and these will not be discussed in detail or described for the sake of brevity. Accordingly, it will be understood that among the aspects and features of the devices and methods discussed herein that are not described in detail, they may be implemented according to the prior art for implementing such aspects and features.

[0037] According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustion" aerosol supply system is a system in which the constituent aerosol-generating material (or components of such material) of the aerosol supply system is neither combusted nor burned in order to facilitate delivering at least one substance to a user.

[0038] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustion aerosol supply system, such as a powered non-combustion aerosol supply system.

[0039] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaporizer or an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not an essential requirement.

[0040] 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.

[0041] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-forming materials, one or more of which can be heated. Each of the aerosol-forming materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, this hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol-forming material and a solid aerosol-forming material. The solid aerosol-forming material may include, for example, tobacco or non-tobacco products.

[0042] Typically, the non-combustion aerosol supply system may comprise a non-combustion aerosol supply device and a consumable for use with the non-combustion aerosol supply device.

[0043] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables that contain 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.

[0044] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system, for example, the non-combustion aerosol supply device of the system, 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 includes 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 proximate to the heat-generating power source.

[0045] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system may comprise an area for accommodating the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0046] In some embodiments, the consumables for use with a non-combustion aerosol supply device may comprise an aerosol-forming material, an aerosol-forming material storage region, an aerosol-forming material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation region, a housing, a packaging material, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0047] The aerosol-forming material is a material that can generate an aerosol when supplied with energy in the form of, for example, heating, irradiation, or any other form. The aerosol-forming material may be in the form of a solid, liquid, or semi-solid (such as a gel), which may or may not contain, for example, an active substance and / or a flavorant.

[0048] The aerosol-forming material may include a binder and an aerosol former. Optionally, an active 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-forming material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material does not substantially contain plant-based materials. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material does not substantially contain tobacco.

[0049] The aerosol-forming material may include one or more active substances and / or flavors, one or more aerosol former materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials.

[0050] An aerosol generator is a device configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-forming material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to supply thermal energy to the aerosol-forming material so as to release one or more volatile substances from the aerosol-forming material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-forming material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-forming material to one or more of vibration, elevated pressure, or electrostatic energy.

[0051] A consumable is an article that contains or consists of an aerosol - generating material, and part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. The consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol - generating material storage region, an aerosol - generating material transfer component, an aerosol - generating region, a housing, a wrapping material, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier. The consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that generates heat to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol - generating material during use. The heater may comprise, for example, a combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

[0052] A non - combustible aerosol supply system may comprise a modular assembly comprising both a reusable aerosol supply device and a replaceable aerosol - generating article. In some implementations, the non - combustible aerosol supply device may comprise a power source and a controller (i.e., a control circuit). The power source may include, for example, a power supply such as a battery or a rechargeable battery. In some implementations, the non - combustible aerosol supply device may also comprise an aerosol - generating component. However, in other implementations, the aerosol - generating article may partially or wholly comprise the aerosol - generating component.

[0053] Aerosol supply devices are known that comprise an inductor element for completeness. The aerosol supply device may comprise one or more inductors and a susceptor configured to be heated by the one or more inductors.

[0054] A susceptor is a heating 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. An aerosol supply device configured to generate a varying magnetic field is referred to herein as a magnetic field generator.

[0055] Here, various embodiments will be described in more detail.

[0056] FIG. 1 shows an aerosol supply device 100 disposed within a rectangular cavity of a charging unit 101 according to the illustrated embodiment. The charging unit 101 may include a power source (not shown). The power source may include, for example, a hermetically sealed battery, a pouch cell battery, or some combination thereof, such as a battery (disposable or rechargeable), a rechargeable supercapacitor, a rechargeable solid state battery (SSB), a rechargeable lithium ion battery (LiB), etc.

[0057] The aerosol supply device 100 may be left within the charging unit 101 for a predetermined time to enable sufficient charging of the aerosol supply device 100. For example, the charging unit 101 may be configured to charge the aerosol supply device 100 to full charge in a time of less than 10 minutes, 10 - 20 minutes, 20 - 30 minutes, 30 - 40 minutes, 40 - 50 minutes, 50 - 60 minutes, or more than 60 minutes.

[0058] The charging unit 101 and / or the aerosol supply device 100 may optionally have an indicator for providing the user with a visual or other representation of the charging level of the aerosol supply device 100. Additionally, there may be a separate indicator providing a visual representation of the charging level of the charging unit 101. The current charging level of the aerosol supply device 100 and / or the charging unit 101 may be determined by control means disposed in the aerosol supply device 100 and / or the charging unit 101.

[0059] The visual indicator may comprise one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). However, other embodiments are contemplated where the visual indicator can be replaced with an auditory indicator (e.g., a speaker) or a tactile indicator.

[0060] The aerosol supply device 100 may comprise an outer housing which may have a tubular and / or cylindrical shape. However, other embodiments are envisioned where the aerosol supply device 100 may assume other desired forms, for example, the aerosol supply device 100 may be box-shaped. According to one embodiment, the outer housing of the aerosol supply device 100 may comprise an electrical insulator and may be formed, for example, of polyether ether ketone ("PEEK").

[0061] According to one embodiment, the distal end of the aerosol supply device 100 may comprise one or more orienting mechanisms and / or one or more magnets for fixing the distal end of the aerosol supply device 100 to the base portion of the charging unit 101.

[0062] The aerosol supply device 100 may be inserted into the cavity of the charging unit 101 in order to recharge the aerosol supply device 100 by receiving power from the charging unit 101. The charging unit 101 may comprise an internal battery for supplying power to the aerosol supply device 100. The charging unit 101 may also be connected to an external power source.

[0063] The charging unit 101 may comprise a lid or cover 102 that can be slid by the user between an open position and a closed position. The lid or cover 102 is provided within the charging unit 101 and is provided at the entrance of a cavity configured to accommodate the aerosol supply device 100.

[0064] The aerosol supply device 100 comprises an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material. According to one embodiment, the aerosol supply device 100 comprises a resistive heater for heating an aerosol-generating article.

[0065] When the lid or cover 102 is in the open position, the opening to the cavity is exposed, whereby the user can either remove the aerosol supply device 100 from the charging unit 101 (for using the aerosol supply device 100) or alternatively insert the aerosol supply device 100 into the charging unit 101 (for charging the aerosol supply device 100).

[0066] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view showing the aerosol supply device 100 disposed or docked within the charging unit 101. The aerosol supply device 100 comprises a main housing 105, within which a resistive heating element 104 protrudes. The aerosol supply device 100 further comprises a detachable cap 106 that can be magnetically held to the main housing 105.

[0067] The detachable cap 106 comprises a receptacle 120 for accommodating a consumable. In use, the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the receptacle 120. The receptacle comprises a tubular housing having a base portion 121. The base portion 121 of the receptacle 120 has an opening, and the resistive heating element 104 is configured to protrude through the opening. The aerosol-generating article may be inserted into the aerosol supply device 100 by inserting the aerosol-generating article through the opening of the detachable cap 106 and then inserting the aerosol-generating article into the receptacle 120 and onto the heating element 104. The heating element 104 may have a blade-shaped outer profile, and in use the aerosol-generating article may be pressed onto the heating element 104 such that the blade-shaped outer profile of the heating element 120 is inserted into the distal end of the aerosol-generating article. The heating element 104 is configured to heat the aerosol-generating article internally.

[0068] At the end of a usage session, if the aerosol-generating article has been consumed, the detachable cap 106 may be removed from the main housing 105. It will be appreciated that the process of removing the detachable cap 106 has the effect that the base portion 121 of the receptacle 120 contacts the bottom surface of the aerosol-generating article. When the detachable cap 106 is pulled out, the base portion 121 of the receptacle contacts the distal end of the aerosol-generating article, as a result of which the aerosol-generating article is separated from the heating element 104 or otherwise removed.

[0069] Figure 3 shows the distal end 103 of an aerosol supply device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0070] The cavity of the charging unit 101 may have a fixing mechanism for fixing the distal end 103 of the aerosol supply device 100 within the cavity of the charging unit 101 when the aerosol supply device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101. The fixing mechanism may include, for example, one or more magnets. According to one embodiment, one or more first magnets may be disposed at the bottom of the cavity of the charging unit 101, and one or more second magnets 107 may be disposed at the distal end 103 of the aerosol supply device 100. The one or more magnets 107 provided on the distal end 103 of the aerosol supply device 100 may have a polarity opposite to that of the one or more magnets disposed at the bottom of the cavity of the charging unit 101 such that there is an attracting magnetic force that attracts the distal end 103 of the aerosol supply device 100 toward the base portion of the charging unit 101 when the aerosol supply device 100 is inserted into the cavity of the charging unit 101.

[0071] Other fixing mechanisms are contemplated, such as, for example, a mechanism that is screwed onto the distal end 103 of the aerosol supply device 100 and the base portion of the cavity of the charging unit 101. According to a further embodiment, the aerosol supply device 100 may form a press-fit engagement or an interference fit engagement with the charging unit 101.

[0072] The aerosol supply device 100 may be substantially rod-shaped, substantially tubular, or substantially cylindrical. In other examples, the aerosol supply device 100 may also have a substantially rectangular, rhombic, or triangular, polyhedral cross-section, etc. The cavity of the charging unit 101 can be manufactured according to the shape of the aerosol supply device 100. For example, it will be understood that the cavity of the charging unit 101 may correspondingly be substantially rod-shaped, substantially tubular, or substantially cylindrical, having a substantially rectangular, rhombic, or triangular, polyhedral cross-section, etc.

[0073] The aerosol supply device 100 includes an outer housing 108 that can have a tubular and / or cylindrical shape. According to one embodiment, the outer housing 108 of the aerosol supply device 100 may include an electrical insulator and may be formed of, for example, polyetheretherketone ("PEEK"). The outer housing 108 of the aerosol supply device 100 may surround or enclose a subassembly. According to one embodiment, during manufacturing, some channels may be etched into the subassembly. The channels etched into the subassembly may then be filled with a conductive material that can be deposited within the channels or printed within or on the channels. The process of etching channels into the subassembly may be performed, for example, by wet etching in which the material of the subassembly can be dissolved by a suitable chemical solution. During the process of wet etching the subassembly, a mask may be used to cover areas other than the intended locations of the channels intended to be etched to enable selective etching.

[0074] According to other embodiments, the channels may be formed by dry etching, which may include processes such as physical etching, reactive ion etching, sputter etching, or vapor phase etching. As will be appreciated, one or more channels may be formed in several suitable ways. Once one or more channels are formed, one or more conductive paths 120 may be deposited within the channels or printed within or on the channels to form one or more electrical connections.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the distal end 103 of the aerosol supply device 100 may include one or more orientation mechanisms 106 and / or one or more magnets 107 for fixing the distal end of the aerosol supply device 100 to the base portion of the charging unit 101.

[0076] Figure 4 shows in more detail a plurality of conductive paths 120a - d deposited or printed on / within channels etched in the sub - assembly. According to one embodiment, four conductive paths 120a - d may be provided in the sub - assembly within the corresponding channels etched in the sub - assembly. Conductive paths 120a - b may be deposited or printed within the corresponding channels.

[0077] According to various embodiments, one or more of the conductive paths 120a - d may be printed on or within channels formed in the sub - assembly by a laser activation process ( "LAP").

[0078] One or more of the conductive paths 120a - d may be formed of copper, but according to other embodiments, one or more of the conductive paths 120a - d may be formed of a ferrite material. As will be discussed in more detail below, at least a portion of the conductive paths 120a - d may form electrical contacts for contacting corresponding electrical contacts within the charging unit 101. According to one embodiment, one conductive path may be used to transmit power from the charging unit 101 to the aerosol supply device 100, a second conductive path may be used for grounding purposes, and the remaining two conductive paths may be used for data transmission.

[0079] It has been found that the LAP conductive paths 120a - d can exhibit a thinner form within the housing 108 compared to conventionally used conductive wires. Further, the LAP conductive paths 120a - d can assume a complex or serpentine shape or path form that follows paths that would be impossible using conventional conductive wires. Thus, greater design freedom is obtained with these conductive paths 120a - d.

[0080] As can be understood, since there is no need to use conventional wiring, no separate flex components are required to route the wiring within the channel. As a result, by using the LAP conductive paths 120a - d, a finished component that operates as a single component after manufacture is obtained. Further, since the LAP conductive paths 120a - d can be routed three-dimensionally through the housing structure of the aerosol supply device 100, structural components are switched to dual-functional components.

[0081] FIG. 5 shows in more detail the base portion of the internal cavity of the charging unit 101. A plurality of electrical contacts 121 provided within the base portion of the charging unit 101 are shown, which facilitate electrical and / or data connection with the aerosol supply device 100. In use, the conductive paths 120a - d provided at the distal end of the aerosol supply device 100 form an electrical and / or data connection with the contacts 121 provided in the charging unit 101.

[0082] The charging unit 101 may include a battery pack that can be used to charge the aerosol supply device 100 via a connection formed between one of the conductive paths 120a - d provided at the distal end of the aerosol supply device 100 and one or more contacts 121 provided in the charging unit 101. According to various embodiments, the number of conductive paths 120a - d provided in the aerosol supply device 100 may correspond to the number of electrical contacts 121 provided in the base portion of the charging unit 101. One or more of the contacts may be utilized to facilitate power transmission, one or more of the contacts may be utilized to facilitate grounding, and one or more of the contacts may be utilized to facilitate data transmission.

[0083] Optional orientation mechanisms 140 and one or more magnets 160 may be provided on the base portion of the charging unit 101. The orientation mechanism 140 may be configured to engage with a complementary-shaped orientation mechanism 106 provided at the distal end of the aerosol supply device 100. One or more magnets 160 provided within the base portion of the charging unit 101 may be configured to interact with one or more magnets 107 provided at the distal end 103 of the aerosol supply device 100.

[0084] The orientation mechanism 106 provided at the distal end 103 of the aerosol supply device 100 may be fitted into the base of the subassembly or, alternatively, into the outer housing 108 of the aerosol supply device 100.

[0085] The corresponding orientation mechanism 140 provided on the base portion of the charging unit 101 may include a protrusion, which may correspond to the volume of the recess of the orientation mechanism 106 provided at the distal end of the aerosol supply device 100. As a result, the aerosol supply device 100 may be configured to dock with the charging unit 101 in only a single orientation in order to ensure that one or more conductive paths 120a - d provided at the distal end 103 of the aerosol supply device 100 connect with the exact corresponding contacts 121 provided within the base portion of the charging unit 101.

[0086] According to other embodiments, the orientation mechanism 106 provided at the distal end 103 of the aerosol supply device 100 may instead include a protrusion, and the orientation mechanism 140 provided within the base portion of the charging unit 101 may include a recess. One or more magnets 107 provided at the distal end 103 of the aerosol supply device 100 may have a polarity opposite to that of one or more magnets 160 disposed on the base portion of the charging unit 101 such that there is an attracting magnetic force that draws the distal end 103 of the aerosol supply device 100 towards the base portion of the charging unit 101 when the aerosol supply device 100 is inserted into the cavity of the charging unit 101.

[0087] The magnetic attraction connects or self - inductively and integrally docks the orientation mechanism 106 provided at the distal end 103 of the aerosol supply device 100 with the orientation mechanism 140 provided at the base portion of the charging unit 101 to each other.

[0088] Thus, it will be understood that the aerosol supply device 100 may be configured to self - inductively connect to the charging unit 101 via the conductive paths 120a - d provided at the distal end 103 of the aerosol supply device 100 and the contacts 121 provided at the base portion of the charging unit 101 when the user places the aerosol supply device 100 inside the cavity of the charging unit 101. The cavity of the charging unit 101 and the aerosol supply device 100 may also be provided with corresponding grooves, for example, grooves on the inner surface of the cavity and grooves on the outer surface of the aerosol supply device 100, to ensure further self - induction.

[0089] The magnetic force between the two opposing magnets 107 and 160 may be sufficient to ensure that the aerosol supply device 100 docks to the charging unit 101 in order to facilitate power / data transmission without interruption, for example, by knocking or vibration.

[0090] Thus, according to various embodiments, an aerosol supply device is provided, and it will be understood that the aerosol supply device can be manufactured by etching a plurality of channels at the distal end of the aerosol supply device and depositing a conductive material such as copper on the formed channels. The channels and the conductive paths can have a cross - sectional shape that varies along the length of the conductive path. The conductive paths may be provided within a housing that is an electrical insulator, and thus, unlike conventional configurations, there is no need to use a wire with an insulating sheath. The conductive paths allow for sharp changes in direction and angle in directions and at angles that may not be possible using conventional wires. Further, the conductive paths can be integrated with the main body portion of the housing in a form that is not achievable with conventional wiring.

[0091] Accordingly, it will be apparent that aerosol supply devices according to various embodiments, and methods of manufacturing aerosol supply devices according to various embodiments, are particularly beneficial.

[0092] 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 considered as limitations to the scope of the invention defined by the claims, or limitations to the 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. Further, the present disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an aerosol supply device, comprising: preparing a first housing having a proximal end and a distal end; providing one or more channels longitudinally along the aerosol supply device from the distal end of the housing; depositing or printing one or more conductive paths in the one or more channels; A method including these steps.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more conductive paths are non-planar.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more conductive paths follow a curved or serpentine path.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more channels have a cross-sectional shape that is circular, oval, polygonal, or rectangular.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the one or more conductive paths include copper, silver, gold, zinc, aluminum, nickel, iron, platinum, or tungsten.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the step of providing the one or more channels longitudinally along the distal end of the housing includes performing etching.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the step of performing the etching includes performing laser etching or chemical etching.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the aerosol supply device includes a base portion, and at least a part of the one or more conductive paths is on the same plane as the base portion.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further including the step of disposing the first housing within an outer housing.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the outer housing includes an electrical insulator.

11. A first housing having a proximal end and a distal end; One or more conductive paths provided at the distal end of the first housing, the one or more conductive paths including a conductive material deposited or printed in one or more channels provided in the first housing; An aerosol supply device comprising these components.

12. The aerosol supply device according to claim 11, wherein the one or more conductive paths are non-planar.

13. The aerosol supply device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the one or more conductive paths follow a curved or serpentine path.

14. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the one or more channels have a cross-sectional shape that is circular, elliptical, polygonal, or rectangular.

15. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the one or more conductive paths include copper, silver, gold, zinc, aluminum, nickel, iron, platinum, or tungsten.

16. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the one or more channels are provided by etching, laser etching, or chemical etching.

17. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the aerosol supply device includes a base portion, and at least a part of the one or more conductive paths is on the same plane as the base portion.

18. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the first housing is disposed within an outer housing.

19. The aerosol supply device according to claim 18, wherein the outer housing includes an electrical insulator.

20. An aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 11 to 19, a charging unit for charging the aerosol supply device, and an aerosol generation system comprising the same.

21. The charging unit includes a cavity for accommodating the aerosol supply device, and a base portion further including one or more electrical connection portions and / or data connection portions for connecting to one or more conductive paths provided in the aerosol supply device. The aerosol generation system according to claim 20, comprising the same.

22. A method of electrically charging an aerosol supply device, comprising the step of connecting the aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 11 to 19 to a charging unit.

23. A method of transmitting data to and / or from an aerosol supply device, comprising the step of connecting the aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 11 to 19 to a charging unit.

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