Aerosol Delivery Device

Abstract

1. An aerosol delivery device (100) for generating an aerosol from an article (200) comprising an aerosol-generating material (202), the aerosol delivery device comprising: an aerosol generator (104) comprising an internal heating element (108) and an external heating element (106); and a controller (116), wherein at least a portion of the internal heating element is arranged to extend into the article to heat the aerosol-generating material, and at least a portion of the external heating element is arranged to extend at least partially around the article to heat the aerosol-generating material; and the controller is configured to receive a pre-inhalation signal from the aerosol delivery device indicating that inhalation is imminent, and to control one of the internal heating element and the external heating element to begin heating in response to receiving the pre-inhalation signal.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol delivery device, an aerosol delivery system, and a method of operating an aerosol delivery device. [Background technology]

[0002] Smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts to provide alternatives to these tobacco-burning articles have been made by creating products that release compounds without combustion. An example of such a product is a heating device that releases compounds by heating, but not burning, a material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or another non-tobacco product, and may or may not contain nicotine. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from an article comprising an aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery device comprising: an aerosol generator comprising an internal heating element and an external heating element; and a controller, wherein at least a portion of the internal heating element is arranged to extend into the article to heat the aerosol-generating material, and at least a portion of the external heating element is arranged to extend at least partially around the article to heat the aerosol-generating material; and the controller is configured to receive a pre-inhalation signal from the aerosol delivery device indicating that inhalation is imminent, and to control one of the internal heating element and the external heating element to begin heating in response to receiving the pre-inhalation signal.

[0004] The aerosol delivery device may include a pre-inhalation detection element configured to determine that inhalation from the aerosol delivery device is imminent and to transmit a pre-inhalation signal to the controller in response to determining that inhalation from the aerosol delivery device is imminent.

[0005] The pre-inhalation detection element can include a user-controllable element configured to receive input from a user indicating that inhalation from the aerosol delivery device is imminent.

[0006] The pre-inhalation detection element may include a motion sensor configured to sense the movement and / or position of the aerosol delivery device to determine that inhalation from the aerosol delivery device is imminent.

[0007] The movement may be a rotation of the aerosol delivery device.

[0008] The pre-inhalation detection element can include a touch sensor configured to sense a user touching a portion of the aerosol delivery device to determine that inhalation from the aerosol delivery device is imminent.

[0009] The controller can be configured to receive an inhalation-in-progress signal indicating that a user is inhaling air through the aerosol delivery device, and to control the other of the internal and external heating components to begin heating in response to receiving the inhalation-in-progress signal, e.g., the other of the internal and external components that is not already controlled to begin heating in response to a pre-inhalation signal.

[0010] The aerosol delivery device may include an inhalation-in-progress detection element configured to detect that a user is inhaling air through the aerosol delivery device and to send an inhalation-in-progress signal to the controller in response to detecting that the user is inhaling air through the aerosol delivery device.

[0011] The controller may be configured to control the first heating arrangement to continue heating after receiving an ongoing inhalation signal.

[0012] The first heating arrangement may be an external heating arrangement.

[0013] The first heating arrangement may be an internal heating arrangement.

[0014] The internal heating arrangement may comprise an elongated heating element.

[0015] The elongate heating element may have a diameter of at least 3 mm, such as at least 5 mm, for example at least 6 mm. The elongate heating element may have a diameter of less than 12 mm, such as less than 10 mm, for example less than 8 mm, for example around 7 mm.

[0016] The external heating arrangement may include a tubular body. The external heating arrangement may include an external heating element configured to heat the inside of the tubular body. The external heating element may be disposed on an inner surface of the tubular body. The external heating element may have an inner diameter of at least 5 mm. The external heating element may have an inner diameter of less than 15 mm.

[0017] The external heating arrangement can be configured to completely surround the aerosol production article.

[0018] The internal heating arrangement may comprise a plurality of internal heating elements axially offset along the length of the first heating arrangement.

[0019] The external heating arrangement may comprise a plurality of external heating elements axially offset along the length of the second heating element.

[0020] At least one of the external heating elements may be axially aligned with a respective internal heating element. Each of the plurality of external heating elements may be axially aligned with a respective internal heating element. Each of the external heating elements may be axially aligned with a respective internal heating element.

[0021] The internal heating arrangement may comprise a resistive heating arrangement. The external heating arrangement may comprise a resistive heating arrangement. The internal heating arrangement may comprise an inductive heating arrangement. The external heating arrangement may comprise an inductive heating arrangement. The internal and external heating arrangements may comprise resistive and / or inductive heating arrangements in any combination.

[0022] The aerosol delivery device may include a housing that houses at least one electrical component of the device. The internal and / or external heating components may extend from the housing. The internal and / or external heating components may include portions that are not enclosed by the housing. The internal and / or external heating components may not be enclosed by the housing along substantially the entire length of the internal and / or external heating components.

[0023] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol delivery system comprising the aerosol delivery device described above and an article comprising an aerosol-generating material, wherein the aerosol delivery device of the system may optionally comprise one, more, or all of the features described above.

[0024] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of operating an aerosol delivery device to generate an aerosol from an article comprising an aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery device comprising an internal heating element and an external heating element, at least a portion of the internal heating element being arranged to extend into the article to heat the aerosol-generating material, and at least a portion of the external heating element being arranged to extend at least partially around the article to heat the aerosol-generating material, the method including the steps of receiving a pre-inhalation signal indicating that a user is about to inhale from the aerosol delivery device, and controlling one of the internal heating element and the external heating element to begin heating in response to receiving the pre-inhalation signal.

[0025] The aerosol delivery device of the method can optionally include one or more, or all, of the features described above. The method can include any of the functional steps described above with respect to the aerosol delivery system, the aerosol delivery device, and the article. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of an aerosol delivery device and an article. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an aerosol delivery system. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an aerosol delivery device. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a method of operating an aerosol delivery device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming material" refers to a material capable of generating an aerosol when provided with energy, for example, by heating, irradiation, or in any other manner. Aerosol-forming materials may be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain active substances and / or flavorings. Aerosol-forming materials may include any plant-derived 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. Aerosol-forming materials may also include other non-tobacco products and may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. Aerosol-forming materials may be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, gel, or wax. Aerosol-forming materials may also be, for example, a combination or mixture of materials. Aerosol-forming materials are also sometimes known as "smoking materials."

[0028] The aerosol-forming material may comprise a binder and an aerosol former. Optionally, an active material and / or a filler material may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, may also be 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 is substantially free of plant material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0029] The aerosol generating material may comprise an "amorphous solid" or an "amorphous solid." An 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 retain some fluid, such as a liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may comprise, for example, from about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt%, to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt%, of an amorphous solid.

[0030] The aerosol-generating material may comprise an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise or be a sheet, which may optionally be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The sheet may be a crimped sheet. The aerosol-generating sheet or shredded sheet may be substantially free of tobacco.

[0031] According to this disclosure, a "non-flammable" aerosol delivery system is one in which the constituent aerosol-generating materials of the aerosol delivery system (or components of that system) are not burned or caused to burn to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0032] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-flammable aerosol delivery system, such as a powered non-flammable aerosol delivery system.

[0033] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vapor device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0034] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is an aerosol-forming material heating system, also known as a non-combustion heating system. One example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0035] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or more of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in solid, liquid, or gel form 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 comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0036] Typically, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system may include a non-combustible aerosol delivery device and an article, typically a consumable, for use in the non-combustible aerosol delivery device.

[0037] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables, sometimes referred to as articles throughout this disclosure, that comprise aerosol generating materials and are configured for use in non-flammable aerosol delivery devices.

[0038] In some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, e.g., a non-combustible aerosol delivery device of the system, can include a power source and a controller. The power source can be, for example, an electrical source or a heat-generating power source. In some embodiments, the heat-generating power source includes a carbon substrate that can be energized to dissipate power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or a heat transfer material in proximity to the heat-generating power source.

[0039] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol delivery system may include a consumable receiving area, an aerosol generator, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0040] In some embodiments, consumables for use in non-flammable aerosol delivery devices may include an aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material delivery component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, a wrapping paper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0041] The aerosol-generating device can accept an article comprising an aerosol-generating material for heating. An "article" in this context is a component that includes or contains the aerosol-generating material in use, which is heated to volatilize the aerosol-generating material, and optionally other components in use. A user can insert the article into the aerosol-generating device, which then heats to produce an aerosol, which the user then inhales. The article can be of a predetermined or specific size, for example, configured to be placed in a heating chamber of a device sized to receive the article.

[0042] 1 and 2, an aerosol delivery system 10 includes an aerosol delivery device 100 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol delivery system 10 further includes a replaceable article 200 that includes an aerosol-generating material. Generally, the aerosol delivery device 100 can be used to heat the article 200 to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium that is inhaled by a user of the device 100. Although FIGS. 1 and 2 show the same aerosol delivery device 100 and article 200, several reference numbers have been omitted from FIGS. 1 or 2 for clarity.

[0043] Aerosol delivery device 100 includes a housing 102. Housing 102 houses various components of aerosol delivery device 100.

[0044] The aerosol delivery device 100 includes an aerosol generator 104. The aerosol generator 104 includes an internal heating arrangement 108. The aerosol generator 104 includes an external heating arrangement 106. The internal heating arrangement 108 is configured to be received inside an article 200. The external heating arrangement 106 is configured to receive the article 200 therein.

[0045] The internal heating element 108 is elongated. The internal heating element 108 is substantially cylindrical. The internal heating element 108 includes a short, frusto-conical end portion 109 such that the internal heating element tapers at the distal end. The internal heating element 108 has a diameter of approximately 7 mm. The internal heating element includes a resistive heating element (not shown).

[0046] The internal heating component 108 extends away from the housing 102. The internal heating component 108 is not enclosed by the housing 102.

[0047] The external heating component 106 is a tubular body 106. The external heating component 106 has a circular cross section. The external heating component 106 includes an inductive element 106a. The inductive element is configured to generate a varying magnetic field. The inductive element 106a is a coil 106a.

[0048] Induction heating is a process of heating an electrically conductive heating element (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. An induction heating assembly may include an induction element, e.g., one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a varying current, such as an alternating current, through the induction element. The varying current in the induction element generates a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor (heating element) appropriately positioned with respect to the induction element, generating eddy currents inside the susceptor. Because the susceptor has an electrical resistance to eddy currents, the flow of eddy currents against this resistance heats the susceptor via Joule heating. If the susceptor comprises a ferromagnetic material, such as iron, nickel, or cobalt, heat can also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e., by the orientation of magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material changing as a result of alignment with the varying magnetic field. Induction heating allows for rapid heating because heat is generated inside the susceptor, as compared to heating by conduction, for example. Furthermore, since no physical contact is required between the inductive element and the susceptor, greater flexibility in construction and application is possible.

[0049] In another example, the external heating arrangement 106 comprises a resistive heating element. The external heating arrangement 106 can comprise a thermal insulating element to reduce heat transfer to the exterior of the external heating arrangement 106.

[0050] The external heating component 106 extends away from the housing 102. In this example, the external heating component 106 is not enclosed by the housing 102. The external heating component may have a housing separate from the housing 102. In other examples, the external heating component 106 is covered by the housing 102.

[0051] An item receptacle 111 is formed between the internal heating arrangement 108 and the external heating arrangement 106. The item receptacle 111 has an annular shape.

[0052] The aerosol delivery device 100 includes a pre-inhalation detection element 110. The pre-inhalation detection element 110 is located on the housing 102. The pre-inhalation detection element 110 is a touch sensor 110. The touch sensor 110 is a capacitive touch sensor. The touch sensor 110 is configured to sense a user touching the touch sensor 110. The touch sensor 110 forms part of the exterior surface of the housing 102.

[0053] Aerosol delivery device 100 includes an ongoing inhalation detection element 112. On-going inhalation detection element 112 is located in housing 102. On-going inhalation detection element 112 is a pressure sensor 112. Pressure sensor 112 is configured to detect a pressure drop in item receptacle 111. Pressure sensor 112 is a differential pressure sensor configured to detect a difference in pressure between item receptacle 111 and housing 102.

[0054] The aerosol delivery device 100 includes a power source 114 for powering the aerosol generator 104. The aerosol delivery device 100 includes a controller 116. The power source 114 is located in the housing 102. The controller 116 is located in the housing 102. The power source provides electrical power to the aerosol generator, which converts the provided electrical energy into thermal energy to heat the aerosol-generating material. The power source may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, lithium batteries (e.g., lithium-ion batteries), nickel batteries (e.g., nickel-cadmium batteries), and alkaline batteries.

[0055] The power source is electrically coupled to the aerosol generation assembly to provide power under the control of a controller (not shown) when necessary to heat the aerosol generating material. The controller can be configured to activate and deactivate the aerosol generation assembly based on user input. The controller is housed in the housing.

[0056] The article 200 includes an aerosol-generating material 202. The article 200 includes a cavity 204. The cavity 204 is cylindrical. The aerosol-generating material 202 is tubular. The aerosol-generating material 202 surrounds the cavity 204. The article 200 includes a mouth end 208. The mouth end 208 is received in a user's mouth during use. The article 200 includes a filter element 210. The filter element 210 is located at the mouth end 208. The article 200 includes an outer surface 212. The outer surface 212 is formed from paper. The aerosol-generating material 202 includes a susceptor material (not shown) embedded therein, e.g., dispersed throughout the aerosol-generating material 202. In other examples, the susceptor material surrounds the aerosol-generating material 202, such as adjacent to an inductor coil included in the external heating configuration and / or located external to the external heating configuration. In other examples, the susceptor material is formed in a component that extends into the aerosol-generating material, such as adjacent to an internal heating configuration and / or located internal to the internal heating configuration.

[0057] In use, the item 200 is received in the item receptacle 111 as shown in Figure 2. The internal heating element 108 extends into the item 200. The external heating element 106 extends around the item 200.

[0058] The inlet path 118 to the item 200 allows air to flow from outside the aerosol delivery system 10 to the item 200. The inlet path 118 is between the external heating arrangement 106 and the item 200. The inlet path 118 is defined by an annular volume. In another example, the air flows from an air inlet (e.g., an opening) at the base of the item receptacle 111.

[0059] Pre-inhalation detection element 110 determines that inhalation from aerosol delivery device 100 is imminent. More particularly, touch sensor 110 determines that a user is touching aerosol delivery device 100 to determine that inhalation from the aerosol delivery device is imminent.

[0060] In response to determining that an inhalation from aerosol delivery device 100 is imminent, pre-inhalation detection element 110 transmits a pre-inhalation signal to controller 116 .

[0061] In response to receiving the pre-inhalation signal, the controller 116 controls a first heating element (i.e., one of the heating elements) of the internal heating element 108 and the external heating element 106 to begin heating the aerosol-generating material 202. This may allow the aerosol-generating material 202 to reach an operating temperature more quickly when a subsequent inhalation begins. In response to receiving the pre-inhalation signal, the controller 116 does not control a second heating element (i.e., the non-first heating element) of the internal heating element 108 and the external heating element 106 to begin heating.

[0062] The first of the internal heating component 108 and the external heating component 106 comprises a resistive heating element. In this example, the first of the internal heating component 108 and the external heating component 106 is the internal heating component 108. In other examples, preheating may be performed by an external heating component and / or a heating component comprising an inductive element.

[0063] When a user inhales on the article 200, air flows between the external heating element 106 and the article 200 through the inlet pathway 118. The air enters the article 200 through the device end of the article 200 (opposite the mouth end 208). The air is drawn through the aerosol-generating material 202, passes through the internal heating element 108, exits the mouth end 208, and is inhaled by the user.

[0064] An inhalation detection element 112 detects when a user is inhaling air through the aerosol delivery device 100. A pressure sensor 112 determines a pressure drop in the inlet path 118 to detect when a user is inhaling air through the aerosol delivery device 100.

[0065] In response to detecting that the user is inhaling air through the aerosol delivery device 100, the inhalation-in-progress detection element 112 sends an inhalation-in-progress signal to the controller 116. In response to receiving the inhalation-in-progress signal, the controller 116 controls a second heating element, one of the internal heating element 108 and the external heating element 106, to begin heating the aerosol generating material 202. The second heating element is a different heating element from the first heating element, i.e., the heating element that was not used for preheating. In response to receiving the inhalation-in-progress signal, the controller 116 controls the first heating element to continue heating.

[0066] After transmitting the inhalation-in-progress signal, the inhalation-in-progress detection element 112 continues to detect that the user is inhaling air through the aerosol delivery device 100. The inhalation-in-progress detection element 112 periodically detects whether the user is inhaling air through the aerosol delivery device 100.

[0067] In response to detecting that the user is not inhaling air through the aerosol delivery device 100, the inhalation-in-progress detection element 112 sends an inhalation stop signal to the controller 116. In response to receiving the inhalation stop signal, the controller 116 controls the first and second heating elements to stop heating.

[0068] In another example, in response to receiving the inhalation cease signal, the controller 116 controls the first heating element to continue heating until a pre-no-inhalation signal is transmitted from the pre-inhalation detection element 110. The pre-inhalation detection element 110 transmits the pre-no-inhalation signal to the controller 116 in response to determining that an inhalation from the aerosol delivery device is not imminent, for example, because the user is no longer touching the touch sensor 110. By continuing to heat with the first heating element, the aerosol generating material 202 is preheated for additional inhalations.

[0069] In response to receiving a pre-inhalation signal but not receiving an inhalation-in-progress signal within a certain period of time (e.g., 5 seconds) of receiving the pre-inhalation signal, the controller 116 controls the first heating element to cease heating.

[0070] In another example, the pre-inhalation detection element is configured to continue to determine that inhalation of air from the aerosol delivery device is imminent after transmitting the pre-inhalation signal, and in response to determining that inhalation is no longer imminent (e.g., because the user is no longer touching the touch sensor 110), transmit a no-inhalation signal to the controller. The controller then controls the first heating element to cease heating.

[0071] In this example, the controller is configured to control the aerosol generator 104 to generate aerosol from the article 200 during an aerosol-generation period (aerosol-generation session). The aerosol-generation period defines a time period during which a user can take multiple inhalations on the aerosol delivery device 100. The aerosol-generation period begins when a user provides an input to a first user-controllable element (e.g., a button, not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The pre-inhalation detection element determines whether an inhalation from the aerosol delivery device is imminent only during the aerosol-generation period. During the aerosol-generation period, the controller 116 can control the internal and / or external heating components to heat the aerosol-generating material 202, for example, to maintain the aerosol at a temperature lower than that required during inhalation, except when a pre-inhalation signal and / or an inhalation-in-progress detection signal is received. In such an example, in response to receiving a pre-inhalation signal, the controller 116 can control the internal and / or external heating components to heat to a higher temperature and / or for a longer period of time than would be the case if the signal had not been received. In another example, heating is not performed except when a pre-inhalation signal and / or an inhalation-in-progress detection signal is received.

[0072] In another example, the aerosol delivery device can include multiple different types of pre-inhalation detection elements (e.g., multiple touch sensors, or one touch sensor and a motion / position sensor), and pre-heating occurs in response to the multiple pre-inhalation detection elements indicating that inhalation from the aerosol delivery device is imminent.

[0073] Referring to Figure 3, second aerosol delivery device 300 includes second aerosol generator 304. Second aerosol delivery device 300 includes many features that are substantially the same as those of aerosol delivery device 100, and those features are given the same reference numbers in Figure 3 as well as Figures 1 and 2. In the following description of second aerosol delivery device 300, differences between second aerosol delivery device 300 and aerosol delivery device 100 will be described, and repeated descriptions of features that are common to the systems will be omitted.

[0074] The second aerosol generator 304 comprises a second internal heating arrangement 308 and a second external heating arrangement 306 .

[0075] The second internal heating element 308 comprises a plurality of internal heating elements 308 a-c. The second internal heating element 308 comprises a first internal heating element 308 a, a second internal heating element 308 b, and a third internal heating element 308 c. The internal heating elements 308 a-c are axially offset along the entire length of the second internal heating element 308.

[0076] The second external heating arrangement 306 comprises a plurality of external heating elements 306 a-c. The second external heating arrangement 306 comprises a first external heating element 306 a, a second external heating element 306 b, and a third external heating element 306 c. The external heating elements 306 a-c are axially offset along the entire length of the second external heating arrangement 306.

[0077] The first internal heating element 308a is axially aligned with the first external heating element 306a, the second internal heating element 308b is axially aligned with the second external heating element 306b, and the third internal heating element 308c is axially aligned with the third external heating element 306c.

[0078] The second aerosol delivery device 300 includes a second pre-inhalation detection element 310. The second pre-inhalation detection element is a second user-controllable element 310. In use, the second user-controllable element 310 receives an input from a user indicating that an inhalation from the aerosol delivery device 300 is imminent. In response to receiving the input, the second user-controllable element 310 transmits a pre-inhalation signal to the controller 116.

[0079] The internal heating elements 308a-c are heated sequentially. The internal heating elements 308a-c heat different portions of the aerosol-generating material 202. The external heating elements 306a-c are heated sequentially. The external heating elements 306a-c heat different portions of the aerosol-generating material 202. The different portions are offset longitudinally along the aerosol-generating material 202.

[0080] Each external heating element 306a-c is operatively coupled with a respective internal heating element 308a-c. During a first inhalation, the controller 116 controls the first internal heating element 308a and the first external heating element 306a to heat a first portion of the aerosol-generating material 202. During a second inhalation, the controller 116 controls the second internal heating element 308b and the second external heating element 306b to heat a second portion of the aerosol-generating material 202. During a third inhalation, the controller 116 controls the third internal heating element 308c and the third external heating element 306c to heat a third portion of the aerosol-generating material 202.

[0081] In response to receiving the pre-inhalation signal, controller 116 controls one of the heating elements to begin heating. Aside from the differences noted herein, second aerosol delivery device 300 operates similarly to aerosol delivery device 100.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 4, method 400 includes a pre-inhalation detection step 402 , a pre-heating step 404 , an in-progress inhalation detection step 406 , and a heating step 408 .

[0083] In a pre-inhalation detection step 402, a pre-inhalation signal is received indicating that a user is about to inhale on the aerosol delivery device.

[0084] In a preheat step 404, a first of the internal and external heating arrangements begins to heat.

[0085] In a detect inhalation-in-progress step 406, an inhalation-in-progress signal is received indicating that a user is inhaling on the aerosol delivery device.

[0086] In the heating step, the second of the internal and external heating arrangements begins to heat.

[0087] Method 400 can be performed by aerosol delivery device 100 and / or second aerosol delivery device 300. Method 400 may further include any of the functional steps described above with respect to aerosol delivery device 100 and / or second aerosol delivery device 300.

[0088] In the embodiments described above, the internal heating arrangement is configured for resistive heating and the external heating arrangement is configured for inductive heating. In other examples, the internal heating arrangement is configured for inductive heating and the external heating arrangement is configured for resistive heating.

[0089] In other examples, both the internal and external heating components may be configured for inductive heating. Both the internal and external heating components may heat the same susceptor component.

[0090] In other examples, both the internal and external heating arrangements may be configured for resistive heating.

[0091] In a resistive heating configuration, the aerosol generation assembly includes a resistive heating generator that includes components that heat a heating element by a resistive heating process. In this case, an electric current is applied directly to the resistive heating component, and the resulting current flow in the heating component heats the heating component by Joule heating. The resistive heating component includes a resistive material configured to generate heat when an appropriate electric current flows through it, and the heating assembly includes electrical contacts for applying the electric current to the resistive material.

[0092] In an embodiment, the heating element forms the resistive heating component itself, hi an embodiment, the resistive heating component transfers heat to the heating element, for example by conduction.

[0093] The various embodiments described herein are presented merely to aid in the understanding and teaching of the claimed features. These embodiments are provided merely as a representative sample of embodiments and are not intended to be exhaustive and / or exclusive. It is understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, configurations, and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or equivalents thereof, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of any suitable combination of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. Additionally, the present disclosure may include other inventions not currently claimed but that may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from an article comprising an aerosol-generating material, comprising: an aerosol generator comprising an internal heating arrangement and an external heating arrangement; Controller and Equipped with at least a portion of the internal heating arrangement is arranged to extend into the article to heat the aerosol-forming material, and at least a portion of the external heating arrangement is arranged to extend at least partially around the article to heat the aerosol-forming material; The controller: receiving a pre-inhalation signal from the aerosol delivery device indicating an impending inhalation; controlling one of the internal heating arrangement and the external heating arrangement to begin heating in response to receiving the pre-inhalation signal; 1. An aerosol delivery device configured to:

2. a pre-inhalation detection element, the pre-inhalation detection element comprising: determining that the inhalation from the aerosol delivery device is imminent; and transmitting the pre-inhalation signal to the controller in response to determining that the inhalation from the aerosol delivery device is imminent; The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , configured to:

3. 3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2, wherein the pre-inhalation detection element comprises a user-controllable element, the user-controllable element configured to receive input from a user indicating that the inhalation from the aerosol delivery device is imminent.

4. 4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2 or 3, wherein the pre-inhalation detection element comprises a motion sensor configured to sense the movement and / or position of the aerosol delivery device to determine that inhalation from the aerosol delivery device is imminent.

5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 4 , wherein the movement is a rotation of the aerosol delivery device.

6. 6. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2, wherein the pre-inhalation detection element comprises a touch sensor configured to sense the user touching a portion of the aerosol delivery device to determine that inhalation from the aerosol delivery device is imminent.

7. The controller: receiving an inhalation-in-progress signal indicating that the user is inhaling air through the aerosol delivery device; controlling the other of the internal heating arrangement and the external heating arrangement to begin heating in response to receiving the ongoing inhalation signal; The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 6, configured to:

8. an inhalation detection element in progress, the inhalation detection element comprising: detecting that the user is drawing air through the aerosol delivery device; sending the inhalation-in-progress signal to the controller in response to detecting that the user is inhaling air through the aerosol delivery device; The aerosol delivery device of claim 7 , configured to:

9. The aerosol delivery device of claims 7 and 8, wherein the controller is configured to control the first heating arrangement to continue heating after receiving the ongoing inhalation signal.

10. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first heating arrangement is the external heating arrangement.

11. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first heating arrangement is the internal heating arrangement.

12. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the internal heating arrangement comprises an elongated heating element and the external heating arrangement comprises a tubular body.

13. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the external heating arrangement is configured to completely surround the aerosol product article.

14. 14. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the internal heating arrangement comprises a plurality of internal heating elements axially offset along the entire length of the first heating arrangement.

15. 15. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the external heating arrangement comprises a plurality of external heating elements axially offset along the entire length of the second heating element.

16. 16. The aerosol delivery device of claim 15 when dependent on claim 14, wherein at least one of the external heating elements is axially aligned with a respective one of the internal heating elements.

17. 17. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the internal heating arrangement and the external heating arrangement comprises at least one of a resistive heating arrangement and an inductive heating arrangement.

18. 18. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, comprising a housing that houses at least one electrical component of the device, the internal heating arrangement and the external heating arrangement extending from the housing.

19. An aerosol delivery system comprising the aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 18 and an article comprising an aerosol-generating material.

20. 1. A method of operating an aerosol delivery device to generate an aerosol from an article comprising an aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery device comprising an internal heating arrangement and an external heating arrangement, at least a portion of the internal heating arrangement arranged to extend into the article to heat the aerosol-generating material, and at least a portion of the external heating arrangement arranged to extend at least partially around the article to heat the aerosol-generating material, the method comprising: receiving a pre-inhalation signal indicating that a user intends to inhale from the aerosol delivery device; controlling one of the internal heating arrangement and the external heating arrangement to begin heating in response to receiving the pre-inhalation signal; A method comprising:

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