Aerosol generating device having smoke-inducing means

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device including a heating element (32) configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device further comprises a puff-inducing means and a controller (34). The controller (34) is configured to control the puff-inducing means to generate a puff-inducing signal to a user when the heating element (32) reaches a predetermined preheating temperature (20) during a preheating phase (12) of the heating element (32). The present invention also relates to a system and method.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device. The present invention further relates to a system and a method. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known to provide aerosol-generating devices for generating inhalable vapors. Such devices may heat an aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate volatilize, without burning the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be provided as part of an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may have a rod shape for insertion of the aerosol-generating article into a cavity (such as a heating chamber) of the aerosol-generating device. A heating element may be disposed in or around the heating chamber to heat the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device. Ambient conditions may affect the quality of the generated aerosol. Particularly high humidity conditions may result in an aerosol-forming substrate with high humidity. Particularly low humidity conditions may result in an aerosol-forming substrate with low humidity. An aerosol-forming substrate with high humidity may result in a "warm aerosol sensation" effect when vaporized humidity in the aerosol-forming substrate is inhaled during the first puff.

[0003] It would be desirable to have an aerosol generator with improved aerosol consistency. It would be desirable to have an aerosol generator to prevent the "warm aerosol" effect. It would be desirable to have an aerosol generator that reduces humidity in the puff of the initially generated aerosol. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol-generating device which may include a heating element configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a puff inducing means and a controller. The controller may be configured to control the puff inducing means to generate a puff inducing signal to a user when the heating element reaches a predetermined pre-heating temperature during a pre-heating phase of the heating element.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol-generating device comprising a heating element configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-generating device further comprising a puff inducing means and a controller, the controller being configured to control the puff inducing means to generate a puff inducing signal to a user when the heating element reaches a predetermined pre-heating temperature during a pre-heating phase of the heating element.

[0006] The aerosol-generating device may be configured to generate an optimal aerosol under specific conditions. More specifically, the aerosol-generating device may be configured to generate an optimal aerosol by heating an aerosol-forming substrate having a predetermined moisture level. If the moisture level of the aerosol-forming substrate is higher than the predetermined moisture level, the initial smoking experience may not be optimal. This problem may be overcome by providing a puff triggering means that provides a puff triggering signal to the user at a predetermined preheat temperature of the heating element.

[0007] The puff inducing means is preferably configured as a puff inducing element.

[0008] During the pre-heating stage of the heating element, the temperature of the heating element may be increased to a desired final heating temperature. For example, if the moisture level of the aerosol-forming substrate is higher than a predetermined moisture level for which the aerosol-forming device is optimized, the user's first puff may contain a high level of vaporized water, which may be uncomfortable. By providing a puff inducing signal to the user during the pre-heating stage, the user may take a puff at this point during the pre-heating stage. The controller may be configured to control the puff inducing means to generate the puff inducing signal before the heating element reaches its final heating temperature at the end of the pre-heating stage. In other words, the term "duration" may refer to the time before the end of the pre-heating stage. Thus, this puff may remove excess moisture from the aerosol-forming substrate. In particular, excess moisture may be removed before the end of the pre-heating stage and before the heating element reaches its final heating temperature. Taking this puff during the pre-heating stage may prevent the user from taking an uncomfortable first puff when the heating element reaches its final heating temperature because the amount of moisture vaporized during the puff during the pre-heating stage is limited when the heating element reaches the predetermined pre-heating temperature. In other words, the predetermined preheating temperature at which the puff inducing means generates a puff inducing signal is selected so that potential excess moisture is removed from the aerosol-forming substrate by the user's puff at that time, but an unpleasant first puff by the user is avoided when the heating element reaches the final heating temperature.

[0009] The puff inducing means may comprise a vibrating element.The puff inducing means may be a vibrating element.

[0010] The vibration element may be configured to generate a tactile signal as a puff-inducing signal to the user, which may indicate to the user that they should now take a puff to remove potential excess moisture from the aerosol-forming substrate during the pre-heating phase of the aerosol-generating device.

[0011] The vibrating element may be disposed at or near the periphery of the aerosol generating device, so that the user may experience tactile feedback through the fingers holding the aerosol generating device.

[0012] The puff inducing means may comprise an acoustic element.The puff inducing means may be an acoustic element.

[0013] The acoustic element may be configured to generate an acoustic signal as a puff-inducing signal to the user, which may indicate to the user that they should now take a puff to remove potential excess moisture from the aerosol-forming substrate during the pre-heating phase of the aerosol-generating device.

[0014] The puff inducing means may comprise an optical element.The puff inducing means may be an optical element.

[0015] The optical element may be configured to generate an optical signal as a puff-inducing signal to the user, which may indicate to the user that they should now take a puff to remove potential excess moisture from the aerosol-forming substrate during the pre-heating stage of the aerosol-generating device.

[0016] The predetermined preheating temperature may be 110°C to 180°C, preferably 120°C to 160°C, more preferably 130°C to 150°C, and most preferably 140°C.

[0017] The aerosol generating device may further comprise a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the heating element, and the controller may be configured to control the puff inducing means based on an output of the temperature sensor.

[0018] Preferably, the controller may be configured to control the puff inducing means to generate a puff inducing signal when the temperature sensor detects that the heating element has reached a predetermined preheat temperature.

[0019] The temperature sensor may be configured to measure the temperature of the heating element by measuring the electrical resistance of the heating element.

[0020] The preheating step may begin upon start-up of the aerosol generating device.

[0021] The preheating step may have a duration of less than 60 seconds, preferably less than 50 seconds, more preferably less than 40 seconds, and most preferably less than 30 seconds.

[0022] The puff inducing signal may be generated between 5 and 30 seconds after the start of the preheating stage, preferably between 10 and 20 seconds after the start of the preheating stage.

[0023] The heating temperature of the heating element may be above 200°C, preferably above 220°C, more preferably above 230°C, more preferably above 235°C, and most preferably about 235°C.

[0024] The controller may be configured to control the puff inducing means to generate a puff ready signal to the user when the heating element reaches a heating temperature.

[0025] The puff ready signal may signal the end of the pre-heating phase. The puff ready signal may signal the user that an initial puff can be taken and that excess moisture has been removed from the aerosol-generating substrate by the puff during the pre-heating phase. The initial puff indicates the first puff of the desired smoking experience and excludes initial puffs during the pre-heating phase.

[0026] The puff preparation signal may be different from the puff preparation signal so that a user can distinguish between the puff preparation signal and the puff preparation signal. Illustratively, if the puff preparation signal is a tactile signal as described herein, the puff preparation signal may be a different tactile signal, or an acoustic signal, or an optical signal. If the puff preparation signal is an acoustic signal as described herein, the puff preparation signal may be a different acoustic signal, or a tactile signal, or an optical signal. If the puff preparation signal is an optical signal as described herein, the puff preparation signal may be a different optical signal, or a tactile signal, or an acoustic signal.

[0027] The puff-inducing signal may include one or more of a vibration signal, a tactile signal, an acoustic signal, and an optical signal.

[0028] The present invention further relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device as described herein and an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0029] The present invention further relates to a method for removing excess moisture from an aerosol-forming substrate in an aerosol-generating device as described herein, the method comprising controlling, via a controller, a puff inducing means to generate a puff inducing signal to a user when the heating element reaches a predetermined preheat temperature during a preheating stage of the heating element.

[0030] This may include controlling, via the controller, the puff inducing means to generate a puff inducing signal to the user when the heating element reaches a predetermined preheat temperature during the preheating stage of the heating element.

[0031] As used herein, the terms "proximal," "distal," "downstream," and "upstream" are used to describe the relative position of a component or portion of a component of an aerosol generating device with respect to the direction in which a user draws on the aerosol generating device during use.

[0032] The aerosol generating device may have a mouth end through which the aerosol exits the aerosol generating device and is delivered to the user during use. The mouth end may also be referred to as the proximal end. During use, a user draws on the proximal or mouth end of the aerosol generating device to inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, the user may directly draw on an aerosol-generating article inserted into an opening at the proximal end of the aerosol generating device. The opening at the proximal end may be the opening of a cavity. The cavity may be configured to receive the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol generating device has a distal end opposite the proximal or mouth end. The proximal or mouth end of the aerosol generating device may also be referred to as the downstream end, and the distal end of the aerosol generating device may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components, or portions of components, of an aerosol generating device may be upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions between the proximal, downstream, or mouth end of the aerosol generating device and the distal or upstream end of the aerosol generating device.

[0033] As used herein, "aerosol-generating device" relates to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article, for example part of a smoking article. The aerosol-generating device may be a smoking device that interacts with the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol that is inhalable directly through the user's mouth into the user's lungs. The aerosol-generating device may be a holder. The device may be an electrically heated smoking device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing, an electrical circuit, a power source, a heating element, and a heating chamber.

[0034] As used herein in relation to the present invention, the term "smoking", in relation to a device, article, system, substrate or otherwise, does not refer to conventional smoking, in which the aerosol-forming substrate is completely or at least partially combusted. The aerosol-generating device of the present invention is arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature below the combustion temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate but above the temperature at which one or more volatile compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate are released, in order to form an inhalable aerosol.

[0035] The aerosol generating device may comprise an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The microprocessor may be part of a controller. The electrical circuit may comprise further electronic components. The electrical circuit may be configured to regulate the supply of power to the heating element. Power may be supplied to the heating element continuously following activation of the aerosol generating device, or may be supplied intermittently, such as with each puff. Power may be supplied to the heating element in the form of current pulses. The electrical circuit may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element and to control the supply of power to the heating element, preferably depending on the electrical resistance of the heating element.

[0036] The aerosol generating device may include a power source, typically a battery, within the main body of the aerosol generating device. In one embodiment, the power source is a lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power source may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery (e.g., a lithium-cobalt battery, a lithium iron phosphate battery, a lithium titanate battery, or a lithium polymer battery). Alternatively, the power source may be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor. The power source may require recharging and may have a capacity that allows for storage of energy sufficient for one or more use experiences; for example, the power source may have a capacity sufficient to continuously generate aerosol for approximately a six-minute period, or a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power source may have a capacity sufficient to provide a predetermined number of puffs or discontinuous activation of the heating element.

[0037] The cavity of the aerosol generating device may have an open end into which the aerosol-generating article is inserted. The open end may be a proximal end. The cavity may have a closed end opposite the open end. The closed end may be a base of the cavity. The closed end may be closed except for the provision of an air opening disposed within the base. The base of the cavity may be flat. The base of the cavity may be circular. The base of the cavity may be disposed upstream of the cavity. The open end may be disposed downstream of the cavity. The cavity may have an elongated extension. The cavity may have a longitudinal central axis. The longitudinal axis may be a direction extending along the longitudinal central axis between the open end and the closed end. The longitudinal central axis of the cavity may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device.

[0038] The cavity may be configured as a heating chamber. The cavity may have a cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a hollow cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the aerosol-generating article to be received within the cavity. The cavity may have a circular cross-section. The cavity may have an elliptical or rectangular cross-section. The cavity may have an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

[0039] An airflow channel may extend through the cavity. Ambient air may be drawn through the airflow channel into the aerosol-generating device, into the cavity, and toward the user. Downstream of the cavity, a mouthpiece may be disposed, or the user may inhale the aerosol-generating article directly. The airflow channel may extend through the mouthpiece.

[0040] In any aspect of the present disclosure, the heating element may include an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically resistive materials include, but are not limited to, semiconductors such as doped ceramics, "conductive" ceramics (e.g., molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, alloys, and composites made of ceramic and metallic materials. Such composites may include doped or undoped ceramics. An example of a suitable doped ceramic is doped silicon carbide. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum platinum, gold, and silver. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminum-, titanium-, zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese-, gold-, and iron-containing alloys, as well as nickel-, iron-, cobalt-, and stainless steel-based superalloys, Timetal®, and iron-manganese-aluminum-based alloys. In composite materials, the electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated in, or coated with the insulating material, or vice versa, depending on the required energy transfer kinetics and external physicochemical properties.

[0041] As described, in any of the aspects of the present disclosure, the heating element may be part of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may include an internal heating element, an external heating element, or both an internal and an external heating element, where "internal" and "external" refer to the aerosol-forming substrate. The internal heating element may take any suitable form. For example, the internal heating element may take the form of a heating blade. Alternatively, the internal heater may take the form of a casing or substrate having different conductive portions or an electrically resistive metal tube. Alternatively, the internal heating element may be one or more heated needles or rods that pass through the center of the aerosol-forming substrate. Other alternatives include a heated wire or filament, such as Ni-Cr (nickel-chromium), platinum, tungsten, or alloy wire or heating plate. Optionally, the internal heating element may be disposed within or on a rigid carrier material. In one such embodiment, the electrically resistive heating element may be formed using a metal with a well-defined relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary device, the metal may be formed as a track on a suitable insulating material, such as a ceramic material, and then sandwiched in another insulating material, such as glass. The heater thus formed may be used to both heat the heating element and monitor its temperature during operation.

[0042] The external heating element may take any suitable form. For example, the external heating element may take the form of one or more flexible heating foils on a dielectric substrate such as polyimide. The flexible heating foils can be shaped to fit the periphery of the substrate-receiving cavity. Alternatively, the external heating element may take the form of a metal grid, a flexible printed circuit board, a molded-in circuit component (MID), a ceramic heater, a flexible carbon fiber heater, or may be formed using a coating technique such as plasma deposition on a suitably shaped substrate. The external heating element may also be formed using a metal that has a well-defined relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary device, the metal may be formed as a track between two layers of suitable insulating material. The external heating element thus formed may be used both to heat the external heating element and to monitor the temperature of the external heating element during operation.

[0043] As an alternative to an electrically resistive heating element, the heating element may be configured as an induction heating element. The induction heating element may include an induction coil and a susceptor. Generally, the susceptor is a material that can generate heat when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. When placed within the alternating magnetic field, if the susceptor is conductive, the alternating magnetic field typically induces eddy currents. If the susceptor is magnetic, another effect that typically contributes to heating is commonly referred to as hysteresis loss. Hysteresis loss occurs primarily due to the movement of magnetic domain blocks within the susceptor as their magnetic orientation aligns with the alternating induced magnetic field. Another effect that contributes to hysteresis loss is when magnetic domains expand or contract within the susceptor. Generally, all of these changes, which occur within the susceptor at the nanoscale or below, generate heat within the susceptor, hence the term "hysteresis loss." Thus, if the susceptor is both magnetic and conductive, both hysteresis loss and the generation of eddy currents will contribute to the heating of the susceptor. If the susceptor is magnetic but not conductive, hysteresis loss will be the only means by which the susceptor will heat when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. According to the present invention, the susceptor may be conductive or magnetic, or both conductive and magnetic. The alternating magnetic field generated by one or several induction coils heats the susceptor, which then transfers heat to the aerosol-forming substrate, thereby forming the aerosol. Heat transfer may be primarily by conduction. Such heat transfer is best when the susceptor is in intimate thermal contact with the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0044] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating article" refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate capable of emitting a volatile compound capable of forming an aerosol. For example, the aerosol-generating article may be a smoking article that generates an aerosol that can be inhaled directly through the user's mouth into the user's lungs. The aerosol-generating article may be disposable.

[0045] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" relates to a substrate capable of emitting one or more volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. Such volatile compounds may be emitted by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may conveniently be part of an aerosol-generating article or a smoking article.

[0046] The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may include both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may include a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may include a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may include an aerosol former that facilitates the formation of a dense and stable aerosol. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0047] The aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises a homogenized tobacco material, an aerosol former, and water. Providing a homogenized tobacco material may improve aerosol generation and the nicotine content and flavor profile of the aerosol generated during heating of the aerosol-generating article. Specifically, the process of making homogenized tobacco involves grinding tobacco leaves, which allows for more efficient release of nicotine and flavor upon heating.

[0048] Features described with respect to one embodiment may be equally applied to other embodiments of the invention. The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0049] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows the heating profile of an aerosol generating device, showing the heating temperature of the heating element over time during the preheating stage and the subsequent smoking stage. [Figure 2]Figure 2 shows the aerosol generating device.

[0050] Figure 1 shows the heating profile of the heating element 32 of the aerosol generating device 22 (the device is shown in more detail with reference to Figure 2). The heating temperature 10 (in degrees Celsius on the ordinate) of the heating element 32 of the aerosol generating device 22 is shown over time (in seconds on the abscissa). First, the preheating phase 12 of the aerosol generating device 22 is shown, in which the temperature of the heating element 32 increases from an initial temperature 14 (ambient temperature of the surrounding environment) to a final operating temperature 16 (also shown as point "B" in Figure 1) at approximately 240°C. The final operating temperature 16 is reached at the start of the smoking phase 18.

[0051] Between the initial temperature 14 and the final operating temperature 16 of the heating element 32, the heating element 32 reaches a predetermined preheat temperature 20 (also indicated as point "A" in FIG. 1). When the heating element 32 reaches the predetermined preheat temperature 20, the aerosol-generating device 22 generates a puff-inducing signal to the user via the puff-generating element. The user can then take an initial puff at this predetermined preheat temperature 20 of the heating element 32 to remove excess moisture from the aerosol-forming substrate. The excess moisture is vaporized at the predetermined preheat temperature 20 of the heating element 32, since the predetermined preheat temperature 20 is approximately 140°C.

[0052] 2 shows an aerosol-generating device 22 having a cavity 24 configured as a heated chamber with an opening 26 at a proximal end 28 of the aerosol-generating device 22. The cavity 24 is configured to receive an aerosol-generating article 30 that includes an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article 30 is heated by a heating element 32 disposed to at least partially surround the cavity 24.

[0053] The aerosol generating device 22 further comprises a temperature sensor (not shown) configured to determine the temperature of the heating element 32 by measuring the electrical resistance of the heating element 32. The temperature sensor may be integrated into the controller 34. The electrical resistance of the heating element 32 varies with the temperature of the heating element 32, such that measuring the electrical resistance of the heating element 32 is indicative of the temperature of the heating element 32. The output of the temperature sensor is received by the controller 34, which is further configured to control the operation of the puff inducing means 36. The puff inducing means 36 may be configured as a vibrating, acoustic, or optical element configured to generate a puff inducing signal to the user.

[0054] The puff inducing means 36, controller 34 and heating element 32 are powered by a power source 38 in the form of a battery.

[0055] The puff inducing means 36 is controlled by the controller 34 to generate a puff inducing signal when the heating element 32 reaches a predetermined preheat temperature 20 during the preheating stage 12 of the aerosol-generating device 22. The puff inducing signal indicates to the user that a puff should be taken during this time in the preheating stage 12 of the aerosol-generating device 22, thereby allowing the puff to remove potential excess moisture from the aerosol-forming substrate without the vaporized moisture being too warm and resulting in an unpleasant puff.

[0056] Thereafter, the heating element 32 reaches its final operating temperature 16 and the desired smoking phase 18 can begin. The heating element 32 reaching its final operating temperature 16 may be indicated by the puff inducing means 36 by issuing a puff ready signal. The puff ready signal is distinct from the puff inducing signal. During the smoking phase 18, excess moisture from the aerosol-forming substrate is removed, thereby allowing the heating element 32 to optimally generate aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate, so that the user's first puff has an optimal aerosol inhalation experience.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising: a heating element configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate; a means for inducing smoking; a controller; An aerosol generating device, wherein the controller is configured to control the smoke inducing means to generate a smoke inducing signal to a user when the heating element reaches a predetermined preheating temperature during a preheating stage of the heating element, and the controller is configured to control the smoke inducing means to generate the smoke inducing signal before the heating element reaches a final heating temperature at the end of the preheating stage.

2. 2. An aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the puff inducing means comprises a vibrating element, preferably the puff inducing means is a vibrating element.

3. 2. An aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the puff inducing means comprises an acoustic element, preferably the puff inducing means is an acoustic element.

4. 2. An aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the puff inducing means comprises an optical element, preferably the puff inducing means is an optical element.

5. 5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined preheating temperature is 110°C to 180°C, preferably 120°C to 160°C, more preferably 130°C to 150°C, and most preferably 140°C.

6. An aerosol generating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the aerosol generating device further comprises a temperature sensor, the temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the heating element, and the controller configured to control the smoke inducing means based on the output of the temperature sensor.

7. 7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to measure the temperature of the heating element by measuring the electrical resistance of the heating element.

8. 8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the preheating stage begins from the start-up of the aerosol generating device.

9. 9. An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pre-heating stage has a duration of less than 60 seconds, preferably less than 50 seconds, more preferably less than 40 seconds, and most preferably less than 30 seconds.

10. 10. An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the puff-inducing signal is generated 5 to 30 seconds after the start of the pre-heating step, preferably 10 to 20 seconds after the start of the pre-heating step.

11. 11. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the heating temperature of the heating element is greater than 200°C, preferably greater than 220°C, more preferably greater than 230°C, more preferably greater than 235°C, and most preferably about 235°C.

12. An aerosol generating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the controller is configured to control the smoking induction means to generate the smoking preparation signal to the user when the heating element reaches the heating temperature.

13. 13. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the puff-inducing signal comprises one or more of a vibration signal, a tactile signal, an acoustic signal, and an optical signal.

14. An aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and an aerosol-generating article including an aerosol-forming substrate.

15. A method for removing excess moisture from an aerosol-forming substrate in an aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, said method comprising: controlling, via the controller, the smoke inducing means to generate a smoke inducing signal to a user when the heating element reaches a predetermined preheating temperature during a preheating stage of the heating element, wherein the controller is configured to control the smoke inducing means to generate the smoke inducing signal before the heating element reaches a final heating temperature at the end of the preheating stage.

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