Aerosol supply system

Abstract

A method is provided for providing feedback to users of aerosol supply systems for generating aerosols. [Solution] An aerosol supply system 300 for generating aerosols includes a feedback unit 200 for providing feedback to the user of the aerosol supply system. The feedback unit is configured to provide a first feedback F1 when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a first operating mode M1, and a second feedback F2 when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a second operating mode M2 ​​that is different from the first operating mode. In this way, feedback can be perceived by the user of the aerosol supply system when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols, so that the user can identify the operating mode currently in use.

Description

Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to aerosol supply systems, such as, but not limited to, nicotine delivery systems (e.g., electronic cigarettes). Background

[0002] Electronic aerosol supply systems often employ an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette), or more generally, an aerosol delivery device. Such aerosol supply systems typically include an aerosolizable material (also referred to as an aerosol generating material), such as a fluid or liquid reservoir that contains a formulation but generally does not necessarily contain nicotine, or a solid such as a tobacco-based product, and from these aerosolizable materials or solids, vapor / aerosol for inhalation by the user is generated, for example by thermal vaporization. Thus, an aerosol supply system typically includes a vaporizer (also referred to as an aerosol generator) arranged to aerosolize a portion of the aerosolizable material to generate vapor, and typically includes a heating element.

[0003] After the vapor is generated, the vapor may be passed through a flavoring material to add flavor to the vapor (if the aerosolizable material itself is not flavored), and then the (flavored) vapor can be delivered from the aerosol supply system to the user via a mouthpiece.

[0004] A potential drawback of a number of existing aerosol supply systems and related aerosol delivery devices relates to the inability to provide appropriate feedback to the user when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosol. Thus, various techniques are described herein that attempt to address or assist in reducing some of these problems by use of a feedback portion that can provide feedback to the user depending on how the aerosol supply system is being operated when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosol. Summary

[0005] According to a first aspect of a particular embodiment, an aerosol supply system for generating an aerosol is provided, and the aerosol supply system is

[0006] It includes a feedback section to provide feedback to the user of the aerosol supply system,

[0007] The feedback unit is configured to provide a first feedback when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a first operating mode, and is configured not to provide the first feedback when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a second operating mode different from the first operating mode.

[0008] According to a second aspect of a particular embodiment, a method is provided for providing feedback to a user of an aerosol supply system for generating an aerosol, the method being:

[0009] When the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a first operating mode, the feedback unit provides a first feedback,

[0010] This includes not providing a first feedback when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a second operating mode different from the first operating mode.

[0011] It will be understood that the features and embodiments of the present invention described above with respect to various aspects of the present invention are similarly applicable to embodiments of the present invention, as necessary, according to other aspects of the present invention, and may be combined with embodiments of the present invention, not only in the specific combinations described herein.

[0012] Herein, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings, which are merely examples. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This figure schematically represents, in perspective view, an aerosol supply system comprising a cartridge and an aerosol supply device (shown separately) according to a particular embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the components of the cartridge of the aerosol supply system in an exploded perspective view. [Figure 3A] Figure 1 schematically shows various cross-sectional views of the cartridge housing of the aerosol supply system. [Figure 3B] Figure 1 schematically shows various cross-sectional views of the cartridge housing of the aerosol supply system. [Figure 3C] Figure 1 schematically shows various cross-sectional views of the cartridge housing of the aerosol supply system. [Figure 4A] Figure 1 schematically shows the perspective and plan views of the partition elements of the cartridge in the aerosol supply system. [Figure 4B] Figure 1 schematically shows the perspective and plan views of the partition elements of the cartridge in the aerosol supply system. [Figure 5A] Figure 1 schematically shows two perspective and plan views of the elastic plug of the cartridge in the aerosol supply system. [Figure 5B] Figure 1 schematically shows two perspective and plan views of the elastic plug of the cartridge in the aerosol supply system. [Figure 5C] Figure 1 schematically shows two perspective and plan views of the elastic plug of the cartridge in the aerosol supply system. [Figure 6A] Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view and a plan view of the lower cap of the cartridge of the aerosol supply system. [Figure 6B] Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view and a plan view of the lower cap of the cartridge of the aerosol supply system. [Figure 7]This figure schematically illustrates an embodiment of an aerosol supply system that, according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, can be used with aerosol supply systems such as the aerosol supply system shown in Figures 1-6B, and includes a feedback unit configured to provide different feedback when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in different operating modes. [Figure 8] Figure 8A schematically represents an embodiment of an aerosol supply system in which, according to a particular embodiment of the present disclosure, the feedback unit provides first tactile feedback when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a first operating mode. Figure 8B schematically represents an embodiment of an aerosol supply system in which, according to a particular embodiment of the present disclosure, the feedback unit provides second tactile feedback when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a second operating mode. [Figure 9] Figure 9A schematically represents an embodiment of an aerosol supply system in which, according to a particular embodiment of the present disclosure, the feedback unit provides first visual feedback when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a first operating mode. Figure 9B schematically represents an embodiment of an aerosol supply system in which, according to a particular embodiment of the present disclosure, the feedback unit provides second visual feedback when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a second operating mode. Detailed explanation

[0014] This specification describes aspects and features of specific embodiments and models. Some aspects and features of specific embodiments and models may be implemented in the prior art, and for the sake of brevity, these aspects and features are not described in detail. Therefore, it will be understood that aspects and features of apparatus and methods described herein that are not described in detail may be implemented according to any prior art to implement such aspects and features.

[0015] The present disclosure relates to a non-combustible aerosol supply system (such as an e-cigarette). According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustible" aerosol supply system is a device in which an aerosolizable material, which is a constituent substance of the aerosol supply system (or its components), is not burned or charred in order to facilitate delivery to the user. In the present specification, the aerosolizable material, which may also be referred to as an aerosol generating material or an aerosol precursor material, is a material that can generate an aerosol when, for example, heated, irradiated, or given energy by any other method. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material may be flavored.

[0016] Throughout the following description, the terms "e-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may be used, but it will be understood that this term can be used interchangeably with an aerosol supply system. Although an electronic cigarette is sometimes known as a vaping device or an electronic nicotine delivery system, note that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolizable material is not an essential requirement.

[0017] In some embodiments, the aerosol supply system is a hybrid device configured to generate an aerosol using a combination of aerosolizable materials, and one or more of the aerosolizable materials may be heated. In some embodiments, the hybrid device includes a liquid or gel aerosolizable material and a solid aerosolizable material. The solid aerosolizable material may include, for example, a tobacco product or a non-tobacco product.

[0018] Typically, a (non-combustible) aerosol supply system may include a cartridge / consumable portion and a body / reusable portion / aerosol supply device portion configured to engage removably with the cartridge / consumable portion.

[0019] The aerosol supply system may comprise means for supplying power to the vaporizer and may be provided with an aerosolizable material transport element for receiving the aerosolizable material to be vaporized. The aerosol supply system may include a reservoir for containing the aerosolizable material and, in some embodiments, a further reservoir for containing a flavoring material for flavoring the vapor generated from the aerosol supply system.

[0020] In some embodiments, the vaporizer may be a heater / heating element capable of interacting with the aerosolizable material to release one or more volatile substances from the aerosolizable material to form a vapor / aerosol. In some embodiments, the vaporizer may be able to generate an aerosol from the aerosolizable material without heating. For example, the vaporizer may be able to generate a vapor / aerosol from the aerosolizable material without applying heat, for example, by one or more of vibration, mechanical, pressurization, or electrostatic means.

[0021] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosolizable material that can include an active ingredient, a carrier constituent, and optionally one or more other functional components.

[0022] The active ingredient may comprise one or more physiological and / or olfactory active ingredients contained in an aerosolizable material to produce physiological and / or olfactory responses in the user. The active ingredient may be selected from, for example, nutritional supplements, nootropics, and psychotropic drugs. The active ingredient may be naturally occurring or obtained synthetically. The active ingredient may comprise, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or components, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active ingredient may comprise components, derivatives, or extracts of tobacco or another plant. In some embodiments, the active ingredient is a physiological active ingredient and may be selected from nicotine, nicotine salts (e.g., nicotine tartrate / nicotine acid tartrate), nicotine-free tobacco substitutes, other alkaloids such as caffeine, or mixtures thereof.

[0023] In some embodiments, the active ingredient may be an olfactory active ingredient and may be selected from "flavorings" and / or "flavoring agents" that, where permitted by local regulations, can be used to create a desired taste, aroma, or other bodily sensation in products intended for adult consumers. In some cases, such ingredients may be called flavorings, flavoring agents, fragrance materials, refrigerants, heating agents, and / or sweeteners.The ingredients include naturally occurring fragrance materials, plant substances, plant substance extracts, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice, hydrangea, eugenol, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, mint, aniseed, cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berries, red berries, cranberries, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit). Fruits, papaya, rhubarb, grapes, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, chats, naswar, betel nut, shisha, pine, honey extract, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang Mint, sage, fennel, wasabi, bell pepper, ginger, coriander, coffee, Indian hemp, peppermint oil from any species of the Mentha genus, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo, hazelnut, hibiscus, bay leaf, mate tea, orange peel, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaf, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, peanut, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, blackcurrant, valerian, pimento, mace, dami It may also contain other additives such as red bean, mint, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chives, fennel, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), 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, saccharose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), as well as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, plant matter, or breath fresheners.These ingredients may be imitations, synthetics, natural ingredients, or mixtures thereof. The ingredients may be in any suitable form (e.g., liquids such as oils, solids such as powders, or gases) and may be one or more extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, peppermint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey extract, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, The ingredients may include caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, bell pepper, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or peppermint oil from any species of the Mentha genus), 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, saccharose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, plant matter, or breath fresheners. These ingredients may be imitations, synthetics, natural ingredients, or mixtures thereof. The ingredients may be in any suitable form, e.g., oil, liquid, or powder.

[0024] In some embodiments, the flavoring materials (flavorings) may include menthol, spearmint, and / or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavorings may include flavoring components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruit, and / or red berry. In some embodiments, the flavorings may include eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavorings may include flavoring components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavorings may include substances that are perceived by the five senses, usually chemically induced and intended to realize bodily sensations perceived by stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) in addition to, or instead of, the aromatic or gustatory nerves, and may include agents that produce heating, cooling, tingling, or numbing effects. A suitable heat-reducing agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether, and a suitable coolant may be, but is not limited to, eucalyptol or WS-3.

[0025] The transport component may include one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the transport component may include one or more of the following: glycerin, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, tributyline, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0026] One or more other functional ingredients may include one or more of the following: pH adjusters, colorants, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and / or antioxidants.

[0027] As previously mentioned, an aerosol supply system (e-cigarette) may often comprise a modular assembly that includes both a reusable part (body or aerosol supply device) and a replaceable consumable part (cartridge). Devices that follow this type of two-part modular configuration may commonly be called two-part devices. It is also common that e-cigarettes generally have an elongated shape. To provide a concrete example, the specific embodiments of the disclosure described herein may include this type of generally elongated two-part device that employs a consumable part. However, it will be understood that the underlying principles described herein may also be similarly applied to other e-cigarette configurations, for example, to modular devices comprising three or more parts, such as devices that follow other overall shapes, such as so-called box-mod high-performance devices, which typically have a more boxy shape.

[0028] Therefore, referring to Figure 1, a schematic perspective view of an exemplary aerosol delivery system (e-cigarette) 1 follows a particular embodiment of this disclosure. In this specification, terms relating to the relative positions of various aspects of the e-cigarette (e.g., terms such as top, bottom, up, down, upper, lower) are used to refer to the orientation of the e-cigarette as shown in Figure 1 (unless otherwise indicated in the context). However, it will be understood that this is merely for the sake of clarity and is not intended to indicate that there is a required orientation for the e-cigarette in use.

[0029] The e-cigarette 1 (aerosol supply system 1) comprises two main components: a cartridge 2 and an aerosol supply device 4. Although the aerosol supply device 4 and cartridge 2 are shown separately in Figure 1, they are joined together during use.

[0030] The cartridge 2 and the aerosol supply device 4 are coupled by establishing mechanical and electrical connections between them. The specific method by which the mechanical and electrical connections are established is not of critical importance to the principles described herein and may be established according to prior art, for example, by using appropriately positioned electrical contacts / electrodes to establish an electrical connection between the two parts as needed, based on mechanical fastening of screw, bayonet, latch, or friction fittings. In the case of the exemplary e-cigarette 1 shown in Figure 1, the cartridge comprises a mouthpiece 33, a mouthpiece end 52, and an interface end 54, and is coupled to the aerosol supply device by inserting the interface end portion 6 of the cartridge into the corresponding receptacle 8 / receiving section of the aerosol supply device. The interface end portion 6 of the cartridge is an interference fit to the receptacle 8 and includes a projection 56 on the inner surface of the receptacle wall 12 that defines the receptacle 8, which engages with a corresponding stopper, in order to achieve a removable mechanical engagement between the cartridge and the aerosol supply device. An electrical connection between the aerosol supply device and the cartridge is established by a pair of electrical contacts at the bottom of the cartridge (not shown in Figure 1) and the corresponding spring-loaded contact pins at the base of the receptacle 8 (not shown in Figure 1). As previously stated, the specific method by which the electrical connection is established is not important to the principles described herein, and in fact, some implementations may not have any electrical connection between the cartridge and the aerosol supply device at all, for example, because the transfer of power from the reusable part to the cartridge may be wireless (e.g., based on electromagnetic induction technology).

[0031] The e-cigarette 1 (aerosol supply system) has a generally elongated shape that extends along a longitudinal axis L. When the cartridge is coupled to the aerosol supply device, the overall length of the e-cigarette is approximately 12.5 cm (along the longitudinal axis) in this example. The overall length of the aerosol supply device is approximately 9 cm, and the overall length of the cartridge is approximately 5 cm (i.e., there is an overlap of approximately 1.5 cm between the interface end portion 6 of the cartridge and the receptacle 8 of the aerosol supply device when they are coupled together). The e-cigarette has a generally elliptical cross-section, which is widest around the center of the e-cigarette and tapers towards the ends in a curved manner. The cross-section around the center of the e-cigarette is approximately 2.5 cm wide and approximately 1.7 cm thick. The end of the cartridge is approximately 2 cm wide and approximately 0.6 mm thick, while the other end of the e-cigarette is approximately 2 cm wide and approximately 1.2 cm thick. The outer casing of the e-cigarette is formed from plastic in this example. It will be understood that the specific size and shape of the e-cigarette, as well as the materials from which it is made, are not of significant importance to the principles described herein and may differ in different implementations. In other words, the principles described herein may be similarly applied to e-cigarettes having different sizes, shapes, and / or materials.

[0032] The aerosol supply device 4 may be broadly conventional in terms of function and general construction techniques, according to specific embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example of Figure 1, the aerosol supply device 4 comprises a plastic outer housing 10 including a receptacle wall 12 that defines a receptacle 8 for receiving the end of a cartridge, as previously described. In this example, the outer housing 10 of the aerosol supply device 4 has a generally elliptical cross-section that conforms to the shape and size of the cartridge 2 at the interface of these parts in order to allow a smooth transition between the two parts. Since the receptacle 8 and the end portion 6 of the cartridge 2 are symmetrical when rotated 180°, the cartridge can be inserted into the aerosol supply device in two different orientations. The receptacle wall 12 includes two aerosol supply device intake openings 14 (i.e., holes in the wall). These openings 14 are positioned to coincide with the intake port 50 of the cartridge when the cartridge is coupled to the aerosol supply device. One of the different openings 14 coincides with the intake port 50 of the cartridge in a different orientation. It will be understood that some implementations may not require any degree of rotational symmetry so that the cartridge can be attached to the aerosol supply device in only one orientation, while other implementations may have a higher degree of rotational symmetry so that the cartridge can be attached to the aerosol supply device in more orientations.

[0033] The aerosol supply device further comprises a battery 16 to supply operating power to the e-cigarette and control circuit 18 for controlling and monitoring the operation of the e-cigarette, user input button 20, indicator light 22, and charging port 24.

[0034] In this example, the battery 16 is rechargeable and may be conventional, for example, of the type commonly used in e-cigarettes and other applications that require a relatively high current supply over a relatively short period of time. The battery 16 may be recharged, for example, via a charging port 24 which may have a USB connector.

[0035] The input button 20 in this example is a conventional mechanical button, for example, equipped with a spring-loaded mounting component, which can be pressed by the user to establish electrical contact in the underlying circuitry. In this regard, the input button may also be considered an input device for detecting user input, for example, to trigger aerosol generation, and the specific method by which the button is implemented is not important. For example, in other implementations, other forms of mechanical buttons or touch buttons (for example, based on capacitive or optical sensing techniques) may be used, or there may be no button at all, and the device may rely on a breath detector to trigger aerosol generation.

[0036] An indicator light 22 is provided to give the user visual indications of various characteristics related to the e-cigarette, such as the operating status (e.g., on / off / standby), and other characteristics such as battery life or fault status. For example, according to common prior art, various characteristics may be indicated by different colors and / or different flashing sequences.

[0037] The control circuit 18 is appropriately configured / programmed to control the operation of the e-cigarette and realize conventional operating functions, in accordance with established techniques for controlling e-cigarettes. The control circuit (processor circuit) 18 may be thought to logically comprise various subunits / circuit elements associated with various modes of operation of the e-cigarette. For example, depending on the functions provided in various implementations, the control circuit 18 may include a power control circuit to control the supply of power from the battery / power source to the cartridge in response to functions related to other functional units / circuits, in addition to a user programming circuit for establishing user input and configuration settings (e.g., user-defined power settings) in response to user input, in accordance with the principles described herein and conventional modes of operation of e-cigarettes, such as an indicator light display drive circuit and a user input detection circuit. It will be understood that the functions of the control circuit 18 may be provided in various different ways, for example, using one or more appropriately programmed programmable computers and / or one or more appropriately configured application-specific integrated circuits / circuits / chips / chipsets configured to provide the desired functions.

[0038] Figure 2 is an exploded schematic perspective view of cartridge 2 (decomposed along the vertical axis L). Cartridge 2 comprises a housing portion 32, a wind tunnel seal 34, a partition element 36, an outlet tube 38, a vaporizer / heating element 40, an aerosolizable material transport element 42, a plug 44, and an end cap 48 with a contact electrode 46. Figures 3-6 show some of these components in more detail and schematicly.

[0039] Figure 3A is a schematic cross-section of the housing portion 32 passing along the vertical axis L, where the housing portion 32 is thinnest. Figure 3B is a schematic cross-section of the housing portion 32 passing along the vertical axis L, where the housing portion 32 is widest. Figure 3C is a schematic view of the housing portion along the vertical axis L, from the interface end 54 (i.e., viewed from below in the orientation of Figures 3A and 3B).

[0040] Figure 4A is a schematic perspective view of the partition element 36 as seen from below. Figure 4B is a schematic cross-section passing through the upper part of the partition element 36 as seen from below.

[0041] Figure 5A is a schematic perspective view of the plug 44 from above, and Figure 5B is a schematic perspective view of the plug 44 from below. Figure 5C is a schematic view of the plug 44 along the vertical axis L as seen from the mouthpiece end 52 of the cartridge (i.e., as seen from above in the orientations of Figures 1 and 2).

[0042] Figure 6A is a schematic perspective view of the end cap 48 from above. Figure 6B is a schematic view of the end cap 48 along the vertical axis L, as seen from the mouthpiece end 52 of the cartridge (i.e., from above).

[0043] In this example, the housing portion 32 comprises a housing outer wall 64 and a housing internal tube 62, which in this example are formed from a single mold of polypropylene. The housing outer wall 64 defines the appearance of the cartridge 2, and the housing internal tube 62 defines the portion of the air tunnel through which the cartridge passes. The housing portion is open at the interface end 54 of the cartridge and closed at the intake end 52 of the cartridge, except for the intake opening / aerosol outlet 60 from the intake 33, which is in fluid communication with the housing internal tube 62. The housing portion 32 includes an opening in the side wall that brings the intake port 50 into the cartridge. In this example, the intake port 50 is approximately 2 mm 2 The outer surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32 includes the aforementioned projection 56 which engages with a corresponding stopper on the inner surface of the receptacle wall 12 that defines the receptacle 8, in order to achieve a removable mechanical engagement between the cartridge and the aerosol supply device. The inner surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing portion includes further projections 66 which work to form an abutment stop for positioning the partition element 36 along the longitudinal axis L when the cartridge is assembled. The outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32 further includes a hole which forms a latch recess 68 which is positioned to receive a corresponding latch projection 70 in the end cap and secure the end cap to the housing portion when the cartridge is assembled.

[0044] The outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32 includes a double-wall section 74 that defines a gap 76 for fluid communication with the air intake 50. The gap 76 forms part of the air tunnel through which the cartridge passes. In this example, because the double-wall section 74 of the housing portion 32 is positioned, this gap is approximately 3 mm 2 A wind tunnel is defined that extends within the outer wall 64 of the housing, which is parallel to the vertical axis and has a cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the vertical axis. The gap / part of the wind tunnel 76 defined by the double wall section of the housing extends downward to the open end of the housing section 32.

[0045] The wind tunnel seal 34 is typically a silicone molded tube containing a through-hole 80. The outer wall of the wind tunnel seal 34 includes a circumferential ridge 84 and an upper collar 82. The inner wall of the wind tunnel seal 34 also includes a circumferential ridge, although these ridges are not visible in Figure 2. When the cartridge is assembled, the wind tunnel seal 34 is fitted to the housing internal tube 62, with the end of the housing internal tube 62 partially extending into the through-hole 80 of the wind tunnel seal 34. The through-hole 80 in the wind tunnel seal has a diameter of approximately 5.8 mm in its relaxed state, while the end of the housing internal tube 62 has a diameter of approximately 6.2 mm so that a seal is formed when the wind tunnel seal 34 is stretched to accommodate the housing internal tube 62. This seal is facilitated by the ridges on the inner surface of the wind tunnel seal 34.

[0046] The outlet tube 38 comprises a tubular section made of ANSI 304 stainless steel or polypropylene, for example, having an inner diameter of about 8.6 mm and a wall thickness of about 0.2 mm. The lower end of the outlet tube 38 includes a pair of diametrically opposed slots 88, the end of which includes a semicircular recess 90. When the cartridge is assembled, the outlet tube 38 is attached to the outer surface of the wind tunnel seal 34. The outer diameter of the wind tunnel seal is about 9.0 mm in a relaxed state so that a seal is formed when the wind tunnel seal 34 is compressed to fit inside the outlet tube 38. This seal is facilitated by a ridge 84 on the outer surface of the wind tunnel seal 34. A collar 80 on the wind tunnel seal 34 forms a retainer for the outlet tube 38.

[0047] The aerosolizable material transport element 42 comprises a capillary wick, and the vaporizer (aerosol generator) 40 comprises a resistance wire heater wound around the capillary wick. In addition to the portion of resistance wire wound around the capillary wick, the vaporizer comprises a conductor 41, which extends through a hole in the plug 44 to a contact electrode 46 attached to the end cap 54, allowing power to be supplied to the vaporizer via an electrical interface established when the cartridge is connected to the aerosol supply device. The vaporizer conductor 41 may contain the same material as the resistance wire wound around the capillary wick, or it may contain a different material (e.g., a lower resistance material) connected to the resistance wire wound around the capillary wick. In this example, the heater coil 40 comprises an iron-nickel alloy wire, and the wick 42 comprises a bundle of glass fibers. The vaporizer and aerosolizable material transport element may be implemented according to any prior art and may include different forms and / or different materials. For example, in some implementations, the wick may include fibrous or solid ceramic material, and the heater may include different alloys. In other examples, the heater and wick may be combined, for example, in the form of porous and resistant materials. More generally, it will be understood that the specific properties of the aerosolizable material transport element and vaporizer are not of significant importance to the principles described herein.

[0048] When the cartridge is assembled, the wick 42 is received in the semicircular recess 90 of the outlet tube 38 such that the central part of the wick around which the heating coil is wound is inside the outlet tube, while the ends of the wick are outside the outlet tube 38.

[0049] In this example, the plug 44 comprises a single molded piece of silicone and may be elastic. The plug comprises a base 100 along with an outer wall 102 extending upward (i.e., toward the mouthpiece end of the cartridge). The plug further comprises an inner wall 104 extending upward from the base 100 and surrounding a through-hole 106 passing through the base 100.

[0050] The outer wall 102 of the plug 44 coincides with the inner surface of the housing portion 32 so that when the cartridge is assembled, the plug 44 forms a seal with the housing portion 32. The inner wall 104 of the plug 44 coincides with the inner surface of the outlet tube 38 so that when the cartridge is assembled, the plug 44 also forms a seal with the outlet tube 38. The inner wall 104 includes a pair of diametrically opposed slots 108, the end of which includes a semicircular recess 110. A cradle section 112, molded to receive a section of the aerosolizable material transport element 42 when the cartridge is assembled, extends outward from the bottom of each slot in the inner wall 104 (i.e., away from the longitudinal axis of the cartridge). The semicircular recesses in the outlet tube and plug work together to define a hole through which the aerosolizable material transport element passes, and the slots 108 and semicircular recesses 110 formed by the inner wall of the plug 44, as well as the slots 88 and semicircular recesses 90 of the outlet tube 38, are aligned so that the slots 88 in the outlet tube 38 accommodate each of the cradles 112. The size of the hole formed by the semicircular recesses through which the aerosolizable material transport element passes corresponds precisely to the size and shape of the aerosolizable material transport element, but is slightly smaller, so that the elasticity of the plug 44 provides some compression. This allows the aerosolizable material to be transported along the aerosolizable material transport element by capillary action, while limiting the range through which the aerosolizable material that is not transported by capillary action can pass through the opening. As described above, the plug 44 further includes an opening 114 in the base 100 through which the vaporizer contact wires 41 pass when the cartridge is assembled. The lower part of the plug base includes spacers 116 that maintain an offset between the remaining surface of the lower part of the base and the end cap 48. These spacers 116 include openings 114 through which the carburetor contact conductors 41 pass.

[0051] The end cap 48 includes a polypropylene molded part to which a pair of gold-plated copper electrode posts 46 are attached.

[0052] The ends of the electrode posts 46 on the bottom surface of the end cap are substantially coplanar with the interface end 54 of the cartridge formed by the end cap 48. These ends of the electrode posts 44 are the electrode portions to which spring-loaded contacts in the aerosol supply device 4 connect when the cartridge 2 is assembled and connected to the aerosol supply device 4. The ends of the electrode posts on the inside of the cartridge extend away from the end cap 48 into holes 114 in the plug 44, through which the contact wires 41 pass. The electrode posts are slightly larger in size relative to the holes 114 and include chamfered faces at their upper ends to facilitate insertion into the holes 114 in the plug, and these electrode posts are held in contact with the vaporizer contact wires by the plug.

[0053] The end cap includes a base section 124 and an upright wall 120 that matches the inner surface of the housing portion 32. When the cartridge is assembled, the upright wall 120 of the end cap 48 is inserted into the housing portion 32, so that the latch projection 70 engages with a latch recess 68 in the housing portion 32, snapping the end cap 48 into place on the housing portion. The upper part of the upright wall 120 of the end cap 48 is adjacent to the periphery of the plug 44, and the lower surface of the spacer 116 on the plug is also adjacent to the base section 124 of the end cap, so as to compress the elastic portion 44 and maintain that portion in a slightly compressed state when the end cap 48 is attached to the housing portion.

[0054] The base 124 of the end cap 48 includes a peripheral edge 126 that extends beyond the base of the upright wall 112, having a thickness that matches the thickness of the outer wall of the housing portion at the interface end of the cartridge. The end cap also includes an upright positioning pin 122 that matches a corresponding positioning hole 128 in the plug, which helps to establish the relative position during assembly.

[0055] The partition element 36 comprises a single molded polypropylene and includes a partition 130 and a collar 132 formed by projections from the partition 130 toward the interface end of the cartridge. The partition element 36 includes a central opening 134 through which the outlet tube 38 passes (i.e., the partition is positioned around the outlet tube 38). In some embodiments, the partition element 36 may be formed integrally with the outlet tube 38. When the cartridge is assembled, the upper surface of the outer wall 102 of the plug 44 engages with the lower surface of the partition 130, and then the upper surface of the partition 130 engages with projections 66 on the inner surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32. In this way, the partition 130 prevents the plug from being pushed too far into the housing portion 32, i.e., the partition 130 is fixedly positioned along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge by projections 66 within the housing portion, thus providing a plug with a fixed surface for pushing. The collar 132, formed by projections from the partition wall, includes a first pair of opposing projections / protrusions 134 that engage with corresponding recesses on the inner surface of the outer wall 102 of the plug 44. The projections from the partition wall 130 further form a pair of cradle sections 136 configured to engage with corresponding cradle sections of cradle sections 112 within the component 44 when the cartridge is assembled, in order to further define an opening through which the aerosolizable material transport element passes.

[0056] When cartridge 2 is assembled, a wind tunnel is formed that extends through the cartridge from the intake port 50 to the aerosol outlet 60. The first section of the wind tunnel, starting from the intake port 50 in the side wall of housing portion 32, is formed by a gap 76 formed by a double-wall section 74 in the outer wall 64 of housing portion 32, and extends from the intake port 50 through the plug 44 toward the interface end 54 of the cartridge. The second section of the wind tunnel is formed by the gap between the base of the plug 44 and the end cap 48. The third section of the wind tunnel is formed by the hole 106 through the plug 44. The fourth section of the wind tunnel is formed by the inner wall 104 of the plug and the region in the outlet tube around the vaporizer 40. This fourth section of the wind tunnel may also be called the aerosol region / aerosol generation region, and is the main region where aerosols are generated during use. The wind tunnel from the intake port 50 to the aerosol generation region may also be called the intake section of the wind tunnel. A fifth section of the wind tunnel is formed by the remainder of the outlet tube 38. A sixth section of the wind tunnel is formed by the internal tube 62 of the outer housing, which connects the wind tunnel to the aerosol outlet 60 located at the end of the intake port 33. The section of the wind tunnel from the aerosol generation region to the aerosol outlet may be called the aerosol outlet section of the wind tunnel.

[0057] Furthermore, when the cartridge is assembled, a reservoir 31 of the aerosolizable material is formed by the space outside the air tunnel and inside the housing portion 32. The reservoir 31 may be filled during manufacturing, for example, through a filling hole that is later sealed, or by other means. The specific properties of the aerosolizable material, for example with respect to composition, are not of importance to the principles described herein, and generally any conventional aerosolizable material of the type commonly used in e-cigarettes may be used. This disclosure may refer to a liquid as the aerosolizable material, and this liquid may be a conventional e-liquid, as described above. However, the principles of this disclosure apply to any aerosolizable material, which may include a liquid, gel, or solid that has the ability to flow, and in the case of a solid, a number of solid particles may be considered to have the ability to flow when considered in large quantities.

[0058] The reservoir is closed at the interface end of the cartridge by a plug 44. The reservoir includes a first region above a partition wall 130 and a second region below the partition wall 130 in the space formed between the air tunnel and the outer wall of the plug. The aerosolizable material transport element (capillary wick) 42 passes through openings in the wall of the air tunnel formed by semicircular recesses 108, 90 in the plug 44 and outlet tube 38, and cradle sections 112, 136 in the plug 44 and partition wall element 36, which interlock with each other as described above. Thus, the end of the aerosolizable material transport element extends into the second region of the reservoir, and the end of the aerosolizable material transport element takes the aerosolizable material from the second region of the reservoir through the opening of the air tunnel to the vaporizer 40 for subsequent vaporization.

[0059] In normal use, cartridge 2 is coupled to aerosol supply device 4, which is activated to supply power to the cartridge via contact electrodes 46 in the end cap 48. The power then flows through connecting wires 41 to the vaporizer 40. In this way, the vaporizer is electrically heated, causing it to vaporize a portion of the aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element near the vaporizer. This generates an aerosol within the aerosol-generating region of the air path. The aerosolizable material vaporized from the aerosolizable material transport element is replaced by further aerosolizable material drawn from the reservoir by capillary action. While the vaporizer is operating, the user inhales through the inlet end 52 of the cartridge. This causes air to be drawn through any aerosol supply device, where the inlet 14 coincides with the inlet 50 of the cartridge (this coincidence depends on the orientation in which the cartridge is inserted into the receptacle 8 of the aerosol supply device). Next, air enters the cartridge through the intake port 50, passes along the gap 76 in the double-wall section 74 of the housing portion 32, passes between the plug 44 and the end cap 48, and then enters the aerosol generation area surrounding the vaporizer 40 through the hole 106 in the base 100 of the plug 44. The incoming air mixes with the aerosol generated from the vaporizer to produce a concentrated aerosol, which is then extracted along the outlet tube 38 and the inside 62 of the housing portion, and then exits through the inhalation outlet / aerosol outlet 60 for user inhalation.

[0060] From Figures 1-6B above, the structures of possible embodiments of aerosol supply system 1 configured for generating aerosols, which are suitable for use in the context of this disclosure (and possibly other forms of aerosol supply systems), can be understood.

[0061] Referring here to Figures 7-9B, the disclosure also provides an aerosol supply system 300 for generating aerosols (this aerosol supply system may be based on, for example, an aerosol supply system 1 as shown in Figures 1-6B, but obviously other forms of the aerosol supply system may also be used, insofar as those forms can generate aerosols), and the aerosol supply system 300 further comprises a feedback unit 200 for providing feedback to the user of the aerosol supply system 300. At a general level, the feedback unit 200 may be configured to provide a first feedback F1 when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a first operating mode M1. Thus, the feedback provided may be directed to this particular first operating mode M1. In other words, the feedback unit 200 may be configured not to provide the first feedback F1 when the aerosol supply system 300 is generating aerosols in a second operating mode M2 ​​different from the first operating mode M1.

[0062] As described above, the feedback unit 200 may be configured to provide feedback when the aerosol supply system 300 is generating aerosols in a particular operating mode. In this way, any provided feedback may be perceived by the user while the aerosol supply system is in use. In this way, in contrast to providing feedback to the user at the end of a particular operating mode, the user can perceive the feedback in a timely manner or act in accordance with the feedback.

[0063] As mentioned above, it is expected that the first feedback F1 will not be provided when the aerosol supply system 300 is generating aerosols in the second operating mode M2. Therefore, the feedback unit 200 may be configured to provide a second feedback F2 instead when the aerosol supply system 300 is generating aerosols in this second operating mode M2, and the second feedback F2 will be different from the first feedback F1. Therefore, the first feedback F1 may be provided when the aerosol supply system 300 is generating aerosols in the first operating mode M1, while the second (different) feedback F2 may be provided when the aerosol supply system 300 is generating aerosols in the second (different) operating mode M2. Therefore, essentially, based on the user perceiving either the first feedback F1 or the second feedback F2, the user may be able to more easily identify which operating mode is currently being operated when the aerosol supply system 300 is generating aerosols.

[0064] Therefore, with respect to any form of feedback provided from the feedback unit 200, this feedback can take a wide variety of forms. For example, any provided feedback (such as the first and / or second feedback) may include at least one of visual feedback, acoustic feedback, and / or tactile feedback. In particular, the use of acoustic or tactile feedback may be especially advantageous for people with visual impairments.

[0065] To implement the above feedback as needed, according to some embodiments, the feedback unit 200 includes any one or a combination of optical feedback elements or visual feedback elements (such as LEDs, light sources, or displays), acoustic elements (such as speakers), and / or tactile feedback elements (such as vibrators).

[0066] Clearly, in some specific embodiments presented above, any such feedback unit 200, which may include any possible visual / acoustic / tactile feedback elements, may be most conveniently located on the aerosol supply device 4 (which may include a cartridge 2 / aerosol supply device 4 type arrangement according to some embodiments). However, similarly, according to some other possible embodiments, the feedback unit 200 does not have to be located on the aerosol supply device 4 (i.e., in other words, the aerosol supply device 4 does not have to have the feedback unit 200), and therefore may instead be located elsewhere, for example, as part of an electrical device 250 that can be operated to communicate with the aerosol supply device 4. Thus, the electrical device 250 may include the feedback unit 200.

[0067] With regard to what such electrical device 250 may be, it is expected that electrical device 250 may include any form of electrical device 250 that is operable to communicate with the aerosol supply system 300 or aerosol supply device 4, such as (certainly not limited to) any portable device such as a tablet computer, smartphone, portable computer, smartwatch, or smart device (such as an electric wrist strap or ankle strap) that can be carried or worn by the user of the aerosol supply device 4. It will be understood that, if necessary, electrical device 250 may be operable to communicate with the aerosol supply device 4 wirelessly, for example, via the wireless connection protocol 270. In this case, obviously electrical device 250 may also include a wireless transmitter / receiver / transceiver 252, if necessary, to facilitate any such wireless communication with the aerosol supply device 4 (which may also include a wireless transmitter / receiver / transceiver 97 that communicates with the controller 18).

[0068] As described as possible applications of an arbitrary first feedback F1 and possibly an additionally provided arbitrary second feedback F2, it is expected that these feedbacks may be configured to be provided by the feedback unit 200 to meet the requirements of a wide variety of possible first and second operating modes M1, M2.

[0069] However, as a first note, it should be noted that, according to some embodiments, each operating mode may include an operating mode configured to be selected by the user before the aerosol supply system 300 uses this (selected) operating mode to generate an aerosol. In this way, to the extent that the aerosol supply system 300 can be configured to allow the user to initially select an operating mode of the aerosol supply system 300 from one of the first operating mode M1 and the second operating mode M2, any feedback provided from the feedback unit 200 may, in such cases, provide the user with positive confirmation as to whether the correct operating mode has been selected.

[0070] However, according to some other embodiments, the user does not necessarily need to know in advance which operating mode the aerosol supply system 300 is generating aerosols in. In this way, the feedback provided by the feedback unit 200 can help the user identify which operating mode is currently being used when aerosols are being generated.

[0071] Therefore, taking the above into context, according to some embodiments, the first operating mode M1 may be configured to generate aerosols from the aerosol supply system 300 at a first rate. On the other hand, the second operating mode M2 ​​may be configured to generate aerosols at a second rate different from the first rate. In this way, such embodiments may enable first and / or second feedback F1, F2 to be provided to the user when the aerosol supply system 300 is generating aerosols in either the first or second operating mode, thereby providing the user with feedback that makes it easier to identify the amount of aerosol the user is inhaling within a particular period of time.

[0072] For example, if the aerosol supply system 300 includes a feedback unit 200 equipped with a tactile element (such as a vibrator, according to certain specific embodiments), insofar as the speed of the second operating mode M2 ​​can be higher than the speed of the first operating mode M1, the first feedback F1 may include a first tactile feedback to move the tactile element in a first predetermined way, such as by vibrating the tactile element at a first predetermined frequency or by vibrating the tactile element with a first predetermined power. Therefore, in such embodiments, if a second feedback F2 is also used, the second feedback F2 may include a second tactile feedback to move the tactile element in a second predetermined way, such as by vibrating the tactile element at a second predetermined frequency (which may be different from, higher than, and / or lower than, the first predetermined frequency) or by vibrating the tactile element at a second predetermined power (which may be different from, higher than, and / or lower than, the first predetermined power), as shown in Figures 8A and 8B.

[0073] Similarly, insofar as the speed of the second operating mode M2 ​​can be higher than the speed of the first operating mode M1, the first feedback F1 includes first visual feedback to operate the feedback unit 200 (such as an LED, light source, and / or display) in a first predetermined manner, such as by displaying a first predetermined color, pattern, information, and / or symbol on the feedback unit 200. In that case, any provided second feedback F2 (if provided) may include second visual feedback to operate the feedback unit 200 in a second predetermined manner, such as by displaying a second predetermined color, pattern, information, and / or symbol on the feedback unit 200, for example, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B.

[0074] Rather than first and second operating modes corresponding to different rates of aerosol generation from the aerosol supply system 300, according to some embodiments, the first operating mode M1 may be configured to generate aerosols based on a first energy supply from the aerosol supply system 300 to an optional aerosol generator 40. Thus, the second operating mode M2 ​​may be configured to generate aerosols based on a second energy supply (different from the first energy supply, such as being higher or lower than the first energy supply) supplied to the aerosol generator.

[0075] Similarly, according to some embodiments, a first operating mode M1 may correspond to the aerosol being produced from an aerosol-generating material containing a first composition (such as a flavoring), and a second operating mode M2 ​​may correspond to the aerosol being produced from an aerosol-generating material containing a second composition (different from the second composition). Such embodiments can be particularly useful when the aerosol supply system 300 comprises an aerosol supply device 4 configured to separately receive a first cartridge 2A having a reservoir 31 containing an aerosol-generating material of a first composition (e.g., containing a mint or menthol flavoring), and / or a second cartridge 2B having a reservoir 31 containing an aerosol-generating material of a second composition (e.g., containing a tropical fruit flavoring such as passion fruit). In this way, a very specific embodiment may include a feedback unit 200 equipped with a display, wherein a first feedback F1 includes a green display and / or a mint leaf display on the display, and a second feedback F2 includes a yellow, purple, and / or orange display and / or a passion fruit display on the display. In this way, even if the user does not know the composition of the aerosol-generating material, the user can identify the composition based on the feedback from the feedback unit 200, for example, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B.

[0076] Clearly, according to some embodiments, the first operating mode M1 may include the generation of an aerosol at a first predetermined time. According to some embodiments, this first predetermined time may include an early time of day or the first time of day, such as before noon in some particular embodiments. Similarly, according to some embodiments, this first predetermined time may include when it is determined that the aerosol supply system 300 is not overheating and / or when it is determined that the temperature of the aerosol generator 40 of the aerosol supply system 300 does not exceed a predetermined temperature.

[0077] Similarly, according to some embodiments, the second operating mode M2 ​​may include the generation of aerosols at a second predetermined time. According to some embodiments, this second predetermined time may include a later time of day, such as in the afternoon, or a second time. Similarly, according to some embodiments, this second predetermined time may include when the aerosol supply system 300 is determined to be overheating, and / or when the temperature of the aerosol generator 40 of the aerosol supply system is determined to be above a predetermined temperature, and / or when the aerosol supply system 300 is generating aerosols in a predetermined abnormal manner. Thus, according to some embodiments, the second operating mode M2 ​​may correspond to an operating mode that the user does not necessarily need to know in advance, and / or an operating mode in which the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a manner that is determined (e.g., by the control circuit 18) to be abnormal / faulty / defective.

[0078] Accordingly, with regard to the above, the provision of a second feedback F2 may, according to some embodiments, define a second feedback F2 that includes an indication that the aerosol supply system has failed (e.g., overheating), an indication that the aerosol supply system is functioning abnormally, and / or an indication that the aerosol supply system has failed.

[0079] Thus, according to some additional / alternative embodiments, the first feedback F1 may define a first feedback that includes an indication that the aerosol supply system is not malfunctioning (e.g., not overheating), an indication that the aerosol supply device is functioning in a normal manner, and / or an indication that the aerosol supply system is not malfunctioning.

[0080] To help understand the above and to make any determination of whether the aerosol supply device is generating aerosols in a first operating mode M1 or a second operating mode M2, in some embodiments a controller such as the control circuit 18 described above may be provided. In such embodiments, the controller may be configured to determine whether the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a first operating mode or a second operating mode. In response to the controller 18 determining that the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a first operating mode M1, the controller 18 may then be configured to generate an output signal for the feedback unit 200 to provide a first feedback F1.

[0081] Furthermore, as is evident, insofar as a second feedback is also used, the above embodiments using the controller 18 may, in some embodiments, include the controller being configured to generate an output signal for the feedback unit 200 to provide a second feedback F2 in response to the controller 18 determining that the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a second operating mode M2.

[0082] While not necessarily required, depending on what constitutes the first or second operating mode, any provided aerosol supply system 300 or aerosol supply device 4 may, according to some embodiments, include a sensor 91 for generating sensor data. Thus, the controller 18 may then be configured to receive sensor data from the sensor 91 and use the sensor data to determine whether the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in the first operating mode M1 or the second operating mode M2. In response to the controller 18 determining that the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in the first operating mode M1 (or the second / nth operating mode M2), the controller 18 may then be configured to generate an output signal for the feedback unit 200 to provide first (or second / nth) feedback.

[0083] As for what such a sensor 91 can be, obviously this may depend on what each operating mode M1, M2 is intended to relate to and how these operating modes are determined by the controller 18.

[0084] For example, according to some embodiments, the sensor 91 may include a temperature sensor 93, and the sensor data may indicate ambient temperature or, in some specific embodiments, temperature of a part of the aerosol supply system, such as the temperature of the aerosol generator 40, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 7.

[0085] Accordingly, according to such embodiments, the controller 18 may then be configured to use sensor data to determine whether the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a first operating mode M1 or a second operating mode M2. For example, according to some embodiments, if one of the first and second operating modes indicates that the temperature is above a predetermined temperature, this may correspond to the inclusion of an abnormal operating mode in which aerosols are generated in a predetermined abnormal manner.

[0086] Similarly, according to some embodiments, if the sensor data indicates a temperature such as ambient temperature, one of the operating modes may include the sensor data indicating a temperature not exceeding a (first) predetermined temperature, and another operating mode, as an addition / alternative, may include the sensor data indicating a temperature exceeding a (second) predetermined temperature, which in some specific embodiments may be the same as the second predetermined temperature.

[0087] In this way, different feedback may be provided to the user of the aerosol supply system when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols, depending on the temperature sensed by sensors 91 and 93.

[0088] Obviously, when sensor 91 is used, in some embodiments, sensor 91 may be equipped with a motion detector 95 such that, according to some embodiments, the sensor data includes acceleration data. Thus, in such embodiments, the controller 18 may be configured to use the acceleration data to determine whether the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a first operating mode M1 or a second operating mode M2. Any such acceleration data may obviously be generated using a suitable form of motion detector 95. For example, according to some embodiments, the motion detector 95 may include at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a magnetic detector, or any other form of motion detector capable of outputting relevant acceleration data.

[0089] Regarding the location of any provided motion detector(s) 95, according to some embodiments, the motion detector(s) 95 may be located in the aerosol supply system, or within the aerosol supply system such as in the cartridge 2 (if a cartridge 2 is used) or in the aerosol supply device 4. However, obviously, according to some embodiments, the motion detector(s) 95 may be located in any provided electrical device 250.

[0090] Therefore, at a general level, the presence of the motion detector 95 may allow the operating mode to reflect different ways in which the aerosol supply system (or the user of the aerosol supply system via the electrical device 250) is moving.

[0091] For example, in certain embodiments, acceleration data may include an acceleration system, in which case the controller 18 is configured to determine, in response to the controller 18 determining that the acceleration value is less than or equal to a predetermined acceleration value, that the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in one of the operating modes (e.g., a first or second) and / or the controller 18 is configured to determine, in response to the controller 18 determining that the acceleration value is greater than a predetermined acceleration, that the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in another operating mode (e.g., a second or first). Thus, in such embodiments, if the acceleration exceeds a predetermined acceleration, this may indicate that the aerosol supply system is malfunctioning or temporarily impaired, such as by falling from a tall building. More generally, therefore, any operating mode related to these conditions may include an abnormal operating mode in which aerosols are generated in a predetermined abnormal manner.

[0092] In some embodiments, where each operating mode corresponds to the generation of an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material containing a different composition (as shown in embodiments of Figures 9A and 9B), compositional information may be provided directly to the controller 18, for example, as part of the connection of the cartridge 2 to the aerosol supply device 4. In some embodiments, the composition may be determined using sensor data from sensors 91, 97, which are configured to generate sensor data indicating the composition of the aerosol-generating material from the aerosol supply system 300. According to some embodiments, these sensors 91, 97 may be configured to be in fluid communication with and / or in contact with the aerosolizable material from the aerosol supply system 300. Similarly, according to some specific embodiments, any provided cartridge 2 and / or reservoir 31 of the aerosol supply system may include any such provided sensors 91, 97, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 7.

[0093] Accordingly, with regard to the above disclosure, it may be understood that, depending on which particular operating mode is intended to be shown, feedback F1, F2 with respect to any particular operating mode M1, M2 may include suggestions for operating the aerosol supply system in a predetermined manner. For example, for illustrative purposes only, according to some embodiments, feedback with respect to any operating mode may include the following suggestions:

[0094] i) Use the aerosol supply system in different operating modes.

[0095] ii) Connecting different cartridges 2 to the aerosol supply device 4 (if such a cartridge / aerosol supply device configuration is adopted). This suggestion can be in response to, for example, in some embodiments, the controller 18 making a determination that the amount of aerosolizable material in at least a portion of the cartridge 2 is less than a predetermined amount, and thus can indicate a small amount of remaining aerosolizable material that necessitates replacement of the cartridge 2.

[0096] iii) Using an aerosol-generating material containing a predetermined and / or different composition or fragrance in the aerosol supply system. This suggestion may, for example, in some embodiments, be in response to a determination made by the controller 18 that the composition of any aerosol-generating material from the aerosol supply system does not contain a predetermined (or, in some cases, expected) composition or fragrance, and thus can indicate that a perceived “wrong,” incorrect, or unknown type of aerosol-generating material is being used in the aerosol supply system 300. Similarly, this suggestion may be in response to a determination by the controller 18 that the composition of any aerosol-generating material from the aerosol supply system has not changed for a longer period than predetermined, and thus can indicate that the user has become too accustomed to the fragrance or has forgotten to change the fragrance and / or fragrance-related cartridge 2.

[0097] iv) Operating the user input button 20 in different ways, such as for different lengths of time or with more / less frequency. This suggestion may, for example, in some embodiments, be in response to a determination made by the controller 18 that the temperature of the aerosol generator 40 has exceeded a predetermined temperature.

[0098] v) Stop using the aerosol supply system. This suggestion is obviously in response to a determination by the controller 18 that the temperature of the aerosol generator 40 is above a predetermined temperature, and / or in response to a determination by the controller 18 that the aerosol supply system has been operated for a period of time exceeding a predetermined amount of time, such as a predetermined amount of time at predetermined time intervals.

[0099] Furthermore, with regard to the above, it will be understood that, generally, the feedback levels corresponding to each operating mode may be different, as shown, for example, in the embodiments of Figures 9A and 9B. In other words, according to some embodiments, one of the first and second feedbacks F1, F2 may include a feedback level greater than the feedback level corresponding to the other of the first and second feedbacks F1, F2. The "level" of feedback may include the amount of feedback (e.g., the brightness of the feedback in the case of visual feedback, or the sound intensity of the feedback in the case of acoustic feedback), the magnitude of the feedback (e.g., the brightness of the feedback in the case of visual feedback, or the intensity of the feedback in the case of haptic feedback), or the prominence of the feedback (e.g., the brightness of the feedback in the case of visual feedback, or the intensity of the feedback in the case of haptic feedback, or the sound intensity of the feedback in the case of acoustic feedback). Furthermore, obviously, when such a level is used, this level may also include an average level or a maximum level, according to some narrower embodiments.

[0100] With regard to the foregoing disclosure, it may be understood that a particular operating mode of the aerosol supply system may similarly correspond to a particular parameter of the aerosol supply system. This parameter may, for example, in some embodiments relate to a predetermined characteristic of the aerosol produced and / or the intensity (or duration) of a puff from the user in the aerosol supply system, or, in some cases, the power level of the aerosol generator. Thus, according to some embodiments, the first operating mode may correspond to the aerosol supply system supplying aerosols based on a parameter that includes a first value, and the second operating mode may correspond to the aerosol supply system supplying aerosols based on a parameter that includes a second value that is different from (or, in some narrower embodiments, higher and / or possibly lower) the first value. For example, in a particular embodiment in which the parameter includes the duration of a puff from the user in the aerosol supply system (for drawing air into the aerosol supply system), the first value may correspond to a puff duration less than a predetermined duration (e.g., 0.2 seconds in a very particular embodiment), and the second value may correspond to a puff duration of at least a predetermined duration. Therefore, in this specification, for example, in a very specific embodiment in which a longer puff is detected in the second operating mode, as opposed to the first operating mode in which a shorter puff is detected, the second feedback may be supplied at a higher level than the first feedback, so that the user can more easily understand the difference between these two operating modes.

[0101] It should be understood that not only the level of feedback, but also the type of feedback provided with different modes can differ. For example, the first mode may allow feedback to be provided via haptic elements, while the second mode may allow feedback to be provided via auditory elements.

[0102] Therefore, understanding the above, an aerosol supply system for generating aerosols is described accordingly, and the aerosol supply system is: It includes a feedback section to provide feedback to the user of the aerosol supply system, The feedback unit is configured to provide a first feedback when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a first operating mode, and is configured not to provide the first feedback when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a second operating mode different from the first operating mode.

[0103] The document also describes a method for providing feedback to users of aerosol supply systems for generating aerosols, and this method is described as follows: When the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a first operating mode, the feedback unit provides a first feedback, This includes not providing a first feedback when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a second operating mode different from the first operating mode.

[0104] An aerosol supply system 300 for generating aerosols is also described, which includes a feedback unit 200 for providing feedback to the user of the aerosol supply system 300. The feedback unit 200 is configured to provide a first feedback F1 when the aerosol supply system 300 is generating aerosols in a first operating mode M1, and a second feedback F2 when the aerosol supply system 300 is generating aerosols in a second operating mode M2 ​​different from the first operating mode M1. In this way, feedback can be perceived by the user of the aerosol supply system 300 when the aerosol supply system 300 is generating aerosols, so that the user can identify the operating mode currently in use.

[0105] To address a variety of issues and advance the technology, this disclosure provides examples of various embodiments in which the claimed invention may be put into practice. The advantages and features of this disclosure are merely representative samples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. The advantages and features of this disclosure are presented solely to help and teach the claimed invention. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of this disclosure are not to be considered limitations to the disclosure as defined by the claims, or limitations to the equivalent of the claims, and that other embodiments may be used and modified without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Various embodiments may appropriately include, consist of, or basically consist of various combinations of disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those described in detail herein, and it should be understood that the features of dependent claims may be combined with the features of independent claims in combinations other than those expressly presented in the claims. This disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

[0106] For example, regarding how any provided feedback unit 200 (if any) may be powered, it will be understood that each feedback unit may be powered using a power supply 16 (as shown in the embodiment of Figure 7), or it may be powered using its own power supply (not shown in the figure).

[0107] Similarly, with respect to the arrangement of any such feedback unit(s) 200 and / or sensor(s) 200, it will be understood that the location of the feedback unit(s) 200 and / or sensor(s) may be located at any location in the aerosol supply system 300 where it may be necessary to enable the provision of the required functions. This location may even include locations where the feedback unit(s) 200 and / or sensor(s) are not actually located in the aerosol supply device 4 (for example, within a separate electrical device 250 that can be attached to the user, such as a strap or some other patch or device that can be secured to the user (for example, by an adhesive patch, so as to be removable if necessary)).

[0108] Similarly, if the aerosol supply system comprises a cartridge 2 and an aerosol supply device 4, any provided feedback units 200 and / or sensors 91 may be located in either the cartridge 2 or the aerosol supply device 4, as necessary, to enable the required functions of the feedback units or sensors.

[0109] Furthermore, for integrity, it will be understood that any power or signals to be transmitted may be supplied with respect to any feedback unit 200 or sensor 91 in the aerosol supply device or system using either a wired or wireless connection between the control circuit 18 and each feedback unit 200 / sensor 91. In the particular embodiment shown in Figure 7, for example, a wired connection is provided between the relevant feedback unit 200 and / or sensor 91 and the control circuit 18, and this wired connection extends via an interface end 54 through contact electrodes 46 located in each of the aerosol supply device 4 and cartridge 2, respectively, if the component is located in cartridge 2.

[0110] Finally, it will be understood that this disclosure is not necessarily limited to two operating nodes, so that it can clearly accommodate any integer number of operating modes (e.g., 1 to 100). In this way, the feedback unit 200 may be configured to provide (nth) feedback when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in the corresponding (nth) operating mode. [Item of the invention] [Item 1] an aerosol supply system for generating aerosols, wherein the aerosol supply system is The aerosol supply system is equipped with a feedback unit for providing feedback to the user of the aerosol supply system, An aerosol supply system in which the feedback unit is configured to provide a first feedback when the aerosol supply system is generating an aerosol in a first operating mode, and the feedback unit is configured not to provide the first feedback when the aerosol supply system is generating an aerosol in a second operating mode different from the first operating mode. [Item 2] The aerosol supply system according to [1], wherein the feedback unit is configured to provide a second feedback when the aerosol supply system is generating an aerosol in the second operating mode, and the second feedback is different from the first feedback. [Item 3] The aerosol supply system according to [2], wherein one of the first and second feedbacks includes a level of feedback greater than the level of feedback corresponding to the other feedback of the first and second feedbacks. [Item 4] The aerosol supply system according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the aerosol supply system includes a display, and the feedback unit includes the display. [Item 5] An aerosol supply system according to any one of the following items [1] to [4], wherein each feedback includes visual feedback. [Item 6] An aerosol delivery system according to any one of items [1] to [5], wherein each feedback includes tactile feedback. [Item 7] An aerosol supply system according to any one of items [1] to [6], wherein each feedback includes acoustic feedback. [Item 8] The first operating mode corresponds to the aerosol supply system supplying the aerosol based on the parameters of the aerosol supply system, which include a first value. The aerosol supply system according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the second operating mode corresponds to the aerosol supply system supplying the aerosol based on the parameter which includes a second value, wherein the second value is different from the first value. [Item 9] The aerosol supply system according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the parameters relate to predetermined characteristics of the aerosol produced. [Item 10] The aerosol supply system according to [8] or [9], wherein the parameters are configured to relate to the intensity of puffs from the user in the aerosol supply system. [Item 11] The aerosol supply system according to any one of [8] to

[10] , wherein the parameter is configured to relate to the duration of a puff from the user in the aerosol supply system. [Item 12] The first operating mode is configured to generate the aerosol from the aerosol supply system at a first rate, The second operating mode is configured to generate the aerosol from the aerosol supply system at a second rate, The aerosol supply system according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein the first speed is different from the second speed. [Item 13] The device further comprises an aerosol generator for generating the aforementioned aerosol, The first operating mode is configured to generate the aerosol based on a first amount of power supplied to the aerosol generator, The second operating mode is configured to generate the aerosol based on a second amount of power supplied to the aerosol generator, An aerosol supply system according to any one of [1] to

[12] , wherein the first amount of energy is different from the second amount of energy. [Item 14] The first operating mode is configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material containing a first composition, The second operating mode is configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material containing a second composition, An aerosol supply system according to any one of [1] to

[13] , wherein the first composition is different from the second composition. [Item 15] The first operating mode includes the generation of the aerosol at a first predetermined time, The second operating mode includes the generation of the aerosol at a second predetermined time, The aerosol supply system according to any one of [1] to

[14] , wherein the first predetermined time differs from the second predetermined time. [Item 16] The system further comprises a sensor for generating sensor data and a controller, wherein the controller Receiving sensor data from the aforementioned sensor, Using the aforementioned sensor data, determine whether the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in the first operating mode or the second operating mode. The aerosol supply system according to any one of [1] to

[15] , wherein the controller determines that the aerosol supply system is generating an aerosol in the first operating mode, and the feedback unit generates an output signal for providing the first feedback. [Item 17] The aforementioned controller The aerosol supply system according to

[16] , further dependent on [2], wherein the controller determines that the aerosol supply system is generating an aerosol in the second operating mode, and the feedback unit is configured to generate an output signal for providing the second feedback. [Item 18] The sensor is equipped with a motion detector, and the sensor data includes acceleration data. The aerosol supply system according to

[16] or

[17] , wherein the controller is configured to use the acceleration data to determine whether the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in the first operating mode or the second operating mode. [Item 19] The acceleration data includes acceleration values, The aerosol supply system according to

[18] , wherein the controller is configured to determine that the aerosol supply system is generating an aerosol in the first operating mode in response to the controller determining that the acceleration value is less than or equal to a predetermined acceleration value, and / or the controller determines that the aerosol supply system is generating an aerosol in the second operating mode in response to the controller determining that the acceleration value is greater than the predetermined acceleration value. [Item 20] The aerosol supply system according to any one of [1] to

[19] , wherein the first feedback includes a suggestion to operate the aerosol supply system in a predetermined manner. [Item 21] The aerosol supply system according to any one of [1] to

[20] , wherein at least one of the first operating mode and the second operating mode includes an abnormal operating mode in which an aerosol is generated in a predetermined abnormal manner. [Item 22] The aerosol supply system according to any one of [1] to

[21] , wherein the aerosol supply system comprises an aerosol supply device for generating the aerosol, and the aerosol supply device comprises the feedback unit. [Item 23] The aerosol supply system according to any one of [1] to

[22] , further comprising an electrical device operable to communicate with an aerosol supply device of the aerosol supply system, wherein the electrical device comprises the feedback unit. [Item 24] The aerosol supply system according to

[23] , which includes a portable electrical device. [Item 25] The aerosol supply system according to any one of [1] to

[24] , further comprising a cartridge and an aerosol supply device configured to receive the cartridge. [Item 26] The aerosol supply system according to

[25] , wherein the aerosol supply device comprises a feedback unit. [Item 27] A method for providing feedback to a user of an aerosol supply system for generating aerosols, The steps include providing a first feedback from the feedback unit when the aerosol supply system is generating an aerosol in a first operating mode, A method comprising the step of not providing the first feedback when the aerosol supply system is generating an aerosol in a second operating mode different from the first operating mode. [Item 28] The method further includes a controller, The steps include using the controller to determine whether the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in the first operating mode or the second operating mode, The method according to

[27] , further comprising the step of using the controller to determine that the aerosol supply system is generating an aerosol in the first operating mode, and the feedback unit generating an output signal for providing the first feedback. [Item 29] The method further includes a sensor for generating sensor data, The controller includes the step of receiving sensor data from the sensor, The method according to

[28] , further comprising the step of using the sensor data to determine whether the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in the first operating mode or the second operating mode.

Claims

[Claim 1] an aerosol supply system for generating aerosols, wherein the aerosol supply system is The aerosol supply system is equipped with a feedback unit for providing feedback to the user of the aerosol supply system, An aerosol supply system in which the feedback unit is configured to provide first feedback when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a first operating mode, and the feedback unit is configured not to provide first feedback when the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols in a second operating mode different from the first operating mode.

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