Power module for a modular aerosol generating device and module for a modular aerosol generating device

Abstract

A power module for a modular aerosol generating device for generating inhalable aerosols is described. The power module (200) is configured to allow a user to configure the aerosol generating device (100) by selectively connecting a single module (300) to the power module, the module being a first module type or a second module type. The module of the first module type is for containing a non-e-liquid material and includes a heater that can be activated to heat the non-e-liquid material to generate an inhalable aerosol. The module of the second module type is for containing an e-liquid for generating an inhalable aerosol.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power module for a modular aerosol generating device, a module for a modular aerosol generating device, and a modular aerosol generating device.

[0002] Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, cigars, and the like, combust tobacco to produce tobacco smoke during use.

[0003] Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these tobacco-burning items by producing products that release compounds without combustion.

[0004] An example of such a product is a heating device that releases a compound by heating but not burning a material, which can be, for example, tobacco, which may or may not contain nicotine, or other non-tobacco products.

[0005] Another example is the so-called e-cigarette device. These devices typically contain a liquid, called e-liquid, that is heated to vaporize the liquid and produce an inhalable vapor or aerosol. The liquid may contain nicotine and / or flavorings and / or aerosol-forming substances, such as glycerol. E-cigarette devices typically do not contain or use tobacco.

[0006] Yet another example is the so-called hybrid device, which typically contains e-liquid and tobacco or other flavoring material separately, where the liquid is heated to vaporize it to produce an inhalable vapor or aerosol through which the tobacco or other flavoring material passes so that the flavoring is provided in the vapor or aerosol.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power module for a modular aerosol generation device for generating inhalable aerosol, the power module being configured so that a user can configure the aerosol generation device by selectively connecting a single module, either a module of a first module type or a module of a second module type, to the power module, wherein the module of the first module type is for containing a non-e-liquid material and comprises a heater that can be activated to heat the non-e-liquid material to generate an inhalable aerosol, and the module of the second module type is for containing an e-liquid for generating the inhalable aerosol.

[0008] The power module may include a control circuit configured to apply a first control scheme suitable for controlling modules of a first module type when a module of a first module type is connected to the power module, and to apply a second control scheme suitable for controlling modules of a second module type when a module of a second module type is connected to the power module.

[0009] The control circuit may be configured to identify whether a first type module or a second type module is connected to the power module.

[0010] The control circuitry is configured to select whether the first control scheme or the second control scheme is applied in response to identifying whether a module of the first type or a module of the second type is connected to the control module.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first modular type module for use with the power module of the first aspect, the first modular type module comprising: a housing for containing a non-e-liquid material; a heater operable to heat the non-e-liquid material to generate an inhalable aerosol; and a first modular type connection interface for connecting the module to the power module.

[0012] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a second module type module for use with the power module of the third aspect, the second module type module comprising a housing for containing e-liquid, an aerosol generation arrangement operable to generate an inhalable aerosol from the e-liquid, and a second module type connection interface for connecting the module to the power module.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular aerosol generation device for generating an inhalable aerosol, the device comprising a power module of the first aspect, a module of the first module type of the second aspect or a module of the second module type of the third aspect. Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar features appearing in different figures of the drawings are accompanied by the same reference signs in the different figures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a modular aerosol delivery device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a module of a first module type. [Figure 3]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a module of a second module type. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a power module. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a mouthpiece. Detailed Description

[0015] 1, there is shown a schematic diagram of an example modular aerosol delivery device 100. Aerosol delivery device 100 is an inhalation device (i.e., a user uses aerosol delivery device 100 to inhale the aerosol generated by device 100), and device 100 is a handheld device.

[0016] Very generally, when a user inhales on device 100, device 100 produces a vapor or aerosol that passes from device 100 into the user's mouth.

[0017] In this regard, it can first be generally stated that a vapor is a substance that is in the gas phase at a temperature below the substance's critical temperature, which means that the vapor can be condensed into a liquid, for example, by increasing the vapor's pressure without lowering the temperature. On the other hand, an aerosol is generally a colloid of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air or another gas. A colloid is a substance in which microscopically dispersed insoluble particles are suspended throughout another substance. For convenience, the term aerosol, as used herein, should be interpreted to mean an aerosol, a vapor, or a combination of an aerosol and a vapor.

[0018] 1 , device 100 comprises a power module 200, a module 300 for containing a substance for generating an aerosol, and, in this example, a mouthpiece 600. As will be explained in more detail below, beneficially, a user can configure device 100 by selecting the type of module 300 to connect to power module 200. In this example, module 300 is a module of a first module type or a module of a second module type. A module of the first module type is for containing a non-e-liquid material and includes a heater that can be activated to heat the non-e-liquid material to generate an inhalable aerosol, and a module of the second module type is for containing an e-liquid for generating an inhalable aerosol.

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 2 , an example of a first module type module 300a is shown. The first module type module 300a includes a housing 402 with a cylindrical channel 403 extending therethrough. The cylindrical channel 403 includes an outlet 406 at one end 407, which is the proximal end of the module 300a, and is closed at the other end 409, which is the distal end of the module 300a. The module 300a is for containing a material 408, which is a non-e-liquid material, in the channel 403. In some examples, the material 408 is a loosely bound material contained within the channel 403. In those examples, the housing 402 may include an outlet screen 412 to prevent the material from passing out of the outlet 406. The outlet screen 412 may be removable to allow a user to refill the channel 403 with material 408. The outlet screen 412 is porous to allow aerosols to pass through.

[0020] In some instances, material 408 may be held in its own container (not shown), such as an open-ended tube that is itself within channel portion 403. The tube may be formed from a suitable material, such as cellulose acetate wrapping or plastic.

[0021] The first module type module 300a further comprises a heating arrangement 414 for heating the material 408. The heating arrangement 414 can be of any suitable type, including a resistive heating arrangement, an inductive heating arrangement, and a radiative heating arrangement. The material 408 typically includes tobacco, although any other botanical or flavoring agent may be used.

[0022] In some instances, material 408 is powdered or otherwise treated to take the form of particles, e.g., powder, microparticles, particles, fibers, etc., to increase the effective surface area of ​​the material to maximize the amount of fragrance provided by material 408. The module 300 a of the first module type further comprises a first connection interface 418 of the first module type at the end 409 and a second connection interface 420 of the first module type at the outlet 406 .

[0023] The first connection interface 418 releasably connects the module 300a of the first module type to the power module 200. The first connection interface 418 mechanically and electrically connects the module 300a of the first module type to the power module 200.

[0024] The first connection interface 418 may, for example, comprise a threaded connection for connecting to a complementary threaded connection on the power module 200 to provide a simple, standardized mechanical connection between the two.

[0025] The second connection interface 420 is for releasably connecting a module 300 a of the first module type to the mouthpiece 600 .

[0026] The housing 400 further comprises an air inlet 422 for allowing air to flow into the channel portion 403 .

[0027] 3, an example of a module 300b of the second module type is shown schematically. The module 300b of the second module type comprises a housing 502 containing a liquid container 506 for containing an e-cigarette liquid 508.

[0028] In this example, the liquid container 506 is provided generally in the center of the module 300b of the second module type, although other configurations are possible. The liquid container 506 is cylindrical, but may have different shapes, such as a cone, a cylinder, etc. The liquid container 506 is annular and defines a cylindrical passage portion 507 extending therethrough. The cylindrical passage portion 507 has an outlet 512 at one end 513 of the module and is closed at the other end 515 of the module. The liquid container 506 may be formed from a rigid watertight and airtight material, such as metal, a suitable plastic, etc.

[0029] In this example, the second module type 300b includes a heater 514 and a wick 516 in thermal contact with the heater 514. In this example, the heater 514 and the wick 516 are provided as a single unit, also known as an "atomizer." In cases where the second module type 300b includes an atomizer, such a module is often referred to as a "cartomizer."

[0030] The wick 516 is in fluid contact with the liquid 508. The wick 516 is generally absorbent and functions to draw the liquid 508 from the liquid reservoir 506 by capillary action. The wick 516 is preferably a nonwoven material, such as a cotton or wool material, or may be a synthetic material including, for example, polyester, nylon, viscose, polypropylene, or a ceramic material. During use, the heater 514 heats the liquid in the wick 516 to generate an aerosol.

[0031] In an alternative example, the second module type, module 300b, does not include a heater for heating the liquid to generate the aerosol, but includes an alternative aerosol-generating component, such as a piezoelectric component. As is known, in such components, a mesh may be attached directly or indirectly to the piezoelectric component, which causes the mesh to vibrate in response to a control current / voltage applied during use. The liquid is located below the mesh, and when the mesh vibrates, the liquid is forced through the mesh to form the aerosol.

[0032] The module 300 b of the second module type further comprises a first connection interface 518 of the second module type at the end 515 and a second connection interface 520 of the second module at the outlet 512 .

[0033] The first connection interface 518 is for releasably connecting a module 300b of the second module type to the power module 200. The first connection interface 518 both mechanically and electrically connects the module 300b of the second module type to the power module 200.

[0034] The first connection interface 518 may, for example, comprise a screw connection (which may be identical to that of a module of the first module type) for connecting to a complementary screw connection of the power module 200 to provide a simple, standardized mechanical connection between the two.

[0035] The second connection interface 520 is for releasably connecting to the mouthpiece 600 a module 300 b of the second module type.

[0036] The housing 502 further includes an air inlet 522 for allowing air to flow into the channel portion 507 .

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 4, a schematic diagram of a power module 200 is shown.

[0038] The power module 200 includes a power source 202, such as a battery, for powering the various components of the aerosol delivery device 100. The battery 202 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. In this example, a control circuit 204 is further provided for controlling the operation of the various components of the device 100.

[0039] For example, the control circuit 204 may be configured to apply a first control scheme suitable for controlling a module of the first module type 300a (e.g., in terms of heater 414 wattage, temperature, heating time, or a combination thereof) when a module 300a of the first module type is connected to the power module 200, and to apply a second control scheme suitable for controlling a module of the second module type 300b (e.g., in terms of heater 514 wattage, temperature, heating time, or a combination thereof) when a module 300b of the second module type is connected to the power module 200.

[0040] The control circuitry 204 may be configured to identify whether a first type module 300b or a second type module 300b is connected to the power module, and may be further configured to select whether a first control scheme or a second control scheme is applied in response to identifying whether a first type module 300a or a second type module 300b is connected to the power module.

[0041] In one example, the control circuit 204 performs electrical measurements to identify the types of modules connected to the control circuit 204. For example, a module of a first module type may have a first electrical resistance associated with the module of the first module type (by way of example only, 1.2 ohms to 1.3 ohms), and a module of a second module type may have a second, different electrical resistance associated with the module of the second module type (by way of example only, 1.7 ohms to 1.8 ohms). A module of the first type may have a resistance value between 1 ohm and 3 ohms, while a module of the second type may have a resistance value between 0.5 ohms and 4 ohms. The first and second type modules may have resistance values ​​different from the aforementioned resistance values. The control circuit 204 may perform one or more resistance measurements to identify which modules are connected to the control circuit 204. This may be particularly true if the resistance values ​​of the first and second module types are sufficiently different (ie, the difference can be reliably detected by control circuit 204).

[0042] In a further example, each module type may be provided with a transmitter, such as an RF transmitter (e.g., an RFID tag) that transmits an identification signal that identifies the module. The control circuitry 204 may include a receiver for receiving the identification signal.

[0043] The power module 200 further comprises a power module connection interface 206 for releasably connecting the power module 200 to a module 300a of the first module type or a module 300b of the second module type.

[0044] The connection interface 206 provides a mechanical connection with either a first connection interface 418 of a module of a first module type 300a or a first connection interface 518 of a module of a second module type 300b, depending on which module type is connected to the power module 200.

[0045] The connection interface 206 may comprise a threaded connection for connecting to a complementary threaded connection of a first type module or of a second type module.

[0046] The connection interface 206 further provides electrical connection with the first connection interface 418 of the module of the first module type 300a or the first connection interface 518 of the module of the second module type 300b, as the case may be, for supplying power from the power source 202 to the module of the first module type 300a or the module of the second module type 300b.

[0047] 5, there is shown a mouthpiece 600. The mouthpiece 600 comprises a body 602 for receipt in a user's mouth. The body 602 comprises a passageway 604 that extends along the length of the mouthpiece 600 from a mouthpiece inlet 606 to a mouthpiece outlet 608.

[0048] The inlet end 606 of the mouthpiece 600 is for connection to the outlet end of a module 300a of the first module type or the outlet end of a module 300b of the second module type.

[0049] Referring again to FIG. 1, when device 100 is configured as a THP device, module 300 is a module 300a of the first module type.

[0050] The module 300a of the first module type is electrically connected to the power source 202 in the power module 200 via the control circuit 204 to enable the heater component 414 in the module 300a of the first module type to be powered in accordance with a control scheme appropriate for the module 300a of the first module type.

[0051] When the heater arrangement 414 is powered (which may be triggered, for example, by a user operating a button (not shown) on the power module 200 or by a puff detector (not shown) on the entire device 100, as is well known), the material 408, which may include tobacco, is heated (rather than burned) by the heater 414 to generate an aerosol.

[0052] When a user inhales on mouthpiece 600, air is drawn from outside housing 402 through air inlet 422 into pathway 403, and material 408, which has been volatilized or vaporized by heater arrangement 415, mixes with the airflow to create an aerosol stream. The aerosol stream is drawn through pathway 403 and through pathway 604 in mouthpiece 600 for inhalation by the user.

[0053] Referring again to FIG. 1, when the device 100 is configured as an e-cigarette device, the module 300 is a module 300b of the second module type.

[0054] To enable the heater 514 in the module 300b of the second module type to be powered in accordance with a control scheme suitable for the module 300b of the second module type, the module 300b of the second module type is electrically connected to the power source 202 in the power module 200 via the control circuit 204.

[0055] When the heater 514 is powered (which may also be triggered, for example, by a user operating a button (not shown) on the power module 200, or by a puff detector (not shown) throughout the device 100, as is well known), the liquid 508 drawn from the liquid container 506 by the wick 516 is heated by the heater 514 to generate an aerosol.

[0056] During use, the liquid 508 may be heated to a temperature of about 70-300° C. or higher, particularly between about 150° C. and 250° C. The liquid 508 may or may not contain nicotine.

[0057] When a user inhales on mouthpiece 500, air is drawn from outside housing 502 through air inlet 522 into pathway 507, and liquid 508, which has been volatilized or vaporized by heater 514, mixes with the airflow to create an aerosol stream. The aerosol stream is drawn through pathway 507 and through pathway 604 in mouthpiece 600 for inhalation by the user.

[0058] It will therefore be appreciated that a user can very easily switch between configuring device 100 as a THP device or as an e-cigarette device by switching the type of module connected to power module 200. This is very convenient and means that a user does not need to carry separate THP and e-cigarette devices on their person if they wish to use both types of devices.

[0059] In the examples described above with reference to FIGS. 1-5 , the control circuitry 204 for applying the appropriate control scheme to the first module type module 300a or the second module type 300b, depending on which is connected to the power module 200, is provided as part of the power module 200 itself. In alternative examples, rather than being provided in the power module 200, the appropriate control circuitry is provided in each of the first module type module 300a and the second module type 300b. In these examples, when the first module type module 300a or the second module type 300b is connected to the power module 200, the control circuitry in the connected module electrically connects to the power source 202 in the power module 200 and applies the appropriate control scheme for the connected module. In these examples, the first module type module 300a or the second module type 300b may be used with any suitable power module 200 configured to be mechanically and electrically connectable to the module, not just those with custom control circuitry.

[0060] In the above example, the mouthpiece 600 is separate from the first module type module 300a and the second module type 300b and is releasably attachable to the first module type module 300a and the second module type 300b. In alternative examples, the mouthpiece 600 may be part of the first module type module 300a and / or part of the second module type 300b.

[0061] As used herein, the terms "fragrance" and "flavoring" may refer to materials that can be used to produce a desired taste or fragrance in products for adult consumers, where local regulations permit. They include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, Scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ira The flavorings may include additives such as spices, flavor enhancers, bitter taste receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath fresheners. The flavorings may be imitation, synthetic, or natural ingredients, or blends thereof. The flavorings may be in any suitable form, such as oil, liquid, solid, or powder. For example, a liquid, oil, or other such fluid flavoring may be infused into a porous solid material to impart flavor and / or other characteristics to the porous solid material. The liquid or oil is therefore a constituent of the material into which it is impregnated.

[0062] The above-described embodiments are understood to be illustrative examples of the present invention. It is understood that any feature described in connection with any one embodiment may be used alone or in combination with other features described, or in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and variations not heretofore described may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A power module for a modular aerosol generation device for generating inhalable aerosol, the power module being configured so that a user can configure the modular aerosol generation device by selectively connecting a single module, either a module of a first module type or a module of a second module type, to the power module, the module of the first module type being for containing a non-e-liquid material and comprising a heater that can be activated to heat the non-e-liquid material to generate an inhalable aerosol, and the module of the second module type being for containing an e-liquid for generating the inhalable aerosol.

2. 2. The power module of claim 1, wherein the power module comprises a control circuit configured to apply a first control scheme suitable for controlling a module of the first module type when the module is connected to the power module, and to apply a second control scheme suitable for controlling a module of the second module type when the module is connected to the power module.

3. 3. The power module of claim 2, wherein the control circuit is configured to identify whether the module of the first module type or the module of the second module type is connected to the power module.

4. 4. The power module of claim 3, wherein the control circuit is configured to select whether the first control scheme or the second control scheme is applied in response to identifying whether the module of the first module type or the module of the second module type is connected to the control module.

5. The power module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the power module is provided with a connection interface that allows the power module to be connected to either the module of the first module type or the module of the second module type.

6. The power module of claim 5 , wherein the connection interface comprises a threaded connection for connecting to a complementary threaded connection of the module of the first module type or of the module of the second module type.

7. A module of a first module type for use with the power module described in any one of claims 1 to 6, the module of the first module type comprising: a housing for containing a non-e-liquid material; a heater operable to heat the non-e-liquid material to generate an inhalable aerosol; and a first module type connection interface for connecting the module to the power module.

8. 8. The module of claim 7, wherein the module further comprises a module control circuit for controlling the heater during use.

9. A module of a second module type for use with the power module described in any one of claims 1 to 6, the module of the second module type comprising: a housing for containing e-liquid; an aerosol generating arrangement operable to generate an inhalable aerosol from the e-liquid; and a second module type connection interface for connecting the module to the power module.

10. The module of claim 9 , wherein the aerosol-generating element comprises one of a heater and a piezoelectric element.

11. 11. The module of claim 10, wherein the module further comprises a module control circuit for controlling the heater or the piezoelectric component during use.

12. 1. A modular aerosol generation device for generating an inhalable aerosol, said modular aerosol generation device comprising: The power module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A module of the first module type according to claim 7 or 8, or A module of the second module type according to any one of claims 9 to 11, A modular aerosol generating device comprising:

13. 13. A kit of parts for the modular aerosol generation device of claim 12, the kit comprising the power module, the module of the first module type, and the module of the second module type.

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