Aerosol generator and related systems and methods

Abstract

An aerosol generator (10, 210) is provided, comprising: a chamber (16) for receiving at least a portion of an aerosol generating article (102, 172) containing an aerosol forming substrate (104); heaters (50, 52) configured to at least partially surround or define the chamber (16) and to provide a heating zone within the chamber (16); and an inductor coil (24) configured to generate an alternating magnetic field within the chamber (16) when an alternating current is supplied. Related systems (100, 200) and methods are also provided.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to an aerosol generator. This disclosure also relates to an aerosol generating system equipped with an aerosol generator, and to a method for controlling an aerosol generator. [Background technology]

[0002] Some well-known aerosol generating systems comprise an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article containing an aerosol-forming substrate. During use, the aerosol generating device heats the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol generating article to form an aerosol.

[0003] Some well-known aerosol generators are equipped with internal heaters for heating the aerosol-forming substrate from the inside, such as heating blades that penetrate and heat the aerosol-forming substrate from within during use. However, using internal heaters to sufficiently heat the outer portion of the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol may require the internal heater to be heated to a sufficiently high temperature, posing a risk of overheating or burning the inner portion of the aerosol-forming substrate near the internal heater. Therefore, the use of internal heaters typically leads to the outer portion of the aerosol-forming substrate, which is furthest from the internal heater during use, not being heated to a sufficiently high temperature to form an aerosol. This means that the outer portion of the aerosol-forming substrate is typically wasted.

[0004] Some well-known aerosol generators include an external heater for heating the aerosol-forming substrate from the outside, such as a tubular heating element that receives a portion of the aerosol-generating article during use and heats the aerosol-forming substrate from the outside. However, using an external heater to sufficiently heat the inner portion of the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol may require the heater to be heated to a sufficiently high temperature, posing a risk of overheating or burning the outer portion of the aerosol-forming substrate near the heater. Therefore, the use of an external heater typically leads to the inner portion of the aerosol-forming substrate, which is furthest from the heater during use, not being heated to a sufficiently high temperature to form an aerosol. This means that the inner portion of the aerosol-forming substrate is typically wasted. [Overview of the project]

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved aerosol generator, system, and control or heating method.

[0006] The present disclosure provides an aerosol generator. The aerosol generator may comprise a chamber or cavity for receiving at least a portion of an aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating article may comprise an aerosol forming substrate. The aerosol generator may comprise a heater. The heater may at least partially surround or define the chamber or cavity. The heater may be configured to provide a heating zone within the chamber. The aerosol generator may comprise an inductor coil configured to generate an alternating magnetic field within the chamber when an alternating current is supplied to the inductor coil.

[0007] Accordingly, according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol generator is provided, comprising: a chamber for receiving at least a portion of an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate; a heater configured to at least partially surround or define the chamber and to provide a heating zone within the chamber; and an inductor coil configured to generate an alternating magnetic field within the chamber when an alternating current is supplied to the inductor coil. The chamber may be a cavity or referred to as a cavity.

[0008] Advantageously, the aerosol generator comprises a heater that at least partially encloses or defines a chamber, and an inductor coil configured to generate an alternating magnetic field within the chamber. The aerosol generating article may be removablely receivable within the chamber. During use, the heater may heat the aerosol-forming substrate of the received aerosol generating article from the outside, and the inductor coil may inductively heat a susceptor located inside the aerosol-forming substrate. Thus, advantageously, the aerosol generator may allow heating of the aerosol-forming substrate from the outside and inside, simultaneously, partially simultaneously, or continuously. This may advantageously result in the ability to sufficiently heat both the inner and outer portions of the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol, while reducing the risk of heater overheating or partial combustion of the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0009] To avoid any ambiguity, any reference herein to a heater configured to provide a heating zone should not be construed as meaning that the heating zone is exclusively heated by the heater during use. Other components, such as susceptors (discussed later), may also provide heat to the heating zone during use.

[0010] In this specification, references to systems, apparatus, articles, and substrates may refer to aerosol generating systems, aerosol generating apparatus, aerosol generating articles, and aerosol forming substrates, respectively.

[0011] The aerosol generating system may include a susceptor. Optionally, the article may include a susceptor. In this case, the susceptor may be located within the aerosol-forming substrate of the article. Optionally, the susceptor may be separate from the device and the article. In this case, the susceptor may be insertable into the aerosol-forming substrate before use, or may be attachable to the device before use. Optionally, the device may include a susceptor. In this case, the susceptor may be configured to penetrate the article received in the chamber.

[0012] The susceptor may be molded as a pin, blade, or rod. The chamber may optionally have an open first end through which at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article can be inserted into the chamber. Optionally, the chamber may have, on the opposite side of the optionally open first end, a second end that is at least partially closed, or a base that is at least partially closed. The susceptor may project into the chamber, for example, from the base toward the open end.

[0013] The susceptor may be attachable to and detachable from the aerosol generator using, for example, clips, threads, snap-fits, or any other suitable mounting means. The susceptor may be attachable to and detachable from the chamber, for example, from the base of the chamber, or optionally protruding from the base towards the open end into the chamber. Advantageously, this may allow for removal of the susceptor for cleaning or disposal.

[0014] An aerosol generating system may comprise multiple susceptors. An aerosol generating article may comprise multiple susceptors. An aerosol generating device may comprise multiple susceptors. Those skilled in the art will understand, after reading this disclosure, that the features described in relation to susceptors may be applicable to one or more or each of the multiple susceptors. Thus, references to susceptors in this specification may be considered references to one or more susceptors.

[0015] When an alternating current is supplied during use, the inductor coil may generate an alternating magnetic field within the chamber. The alternating current supplied to the inductor coil may be a high-frequency alternating current. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “high frequency” may refer to a frequency in the range of 1 megahertz to 30 megahertz, preferably 1 megahertz to 10 megahertz, and more preferably 5 megahertz to 7 megahertz. During use, the alternating magnetic field may induce eddy currents and hysteresis losses within the susceptor located in the chamber, and thus cause heating of the susceptor. Thus, during use, the inductor coil may inductively heat the susceptor. During use, the susceptor may then heat the aerosol-forming substrate, for example, from within the aerosol-forming substrate. This may be true whether the susceptor is part of an article and located within the aerosol-forming substrate, or whether the susceptor is part of a device and penetrates the aerosol-forming substrate when the article is received in the chamber.

[0016] A susceptor may also be called a susceptor element, and may contain or consist of one or more susceptor materials.

[0017] Suitable susceptor materials include, but are not limited to, carbon, carbon-based materials, graphene, graphite, expanded graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, stainless steel, niobium, aluminum, nickel, nickel-containing compounds, titanium, and composites of metallic materials. Suitable susceptor materials may include ferromagnetic materials, such as ferrite iron, ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel alloys, ferromagnetic particles, and ferrite. The susceptor material may contain more than 5 percent of ferromagnetic or paramagnetic material, preferably more than 20 percent of ferromagnetic or paramagnetic material, and more preferably more than 50 percent or more than 90 percent of ferromagnetic or paramagnetic material. Suitable susceptor materials may include metals, metallic alloys, or carbon.

[0018] Optionally, the apparatus includes at least one power supply. Any reference to a power supply herein should be interpreted as a reference to at least one power supply. Optionally, the apparatus includes a controller. Optionally, the controller is configured to independently control the power supply to the heater from at least one power supply and the power supply to the inductor coil from at least one power supply. Advantageously, independently controlling the power supply to the heater and the power supply to the inductor coil may allow for independent control of the heater temperature and the temperature of the susceptor in the chamber, which is inductively heated by the alternating magnetic field generated by the inductor coil.

[0019] Optionally, the device comprises a first power supply and a second power supply different from the first power supply. Optionally, the controller is configured to independently control the power supply from the first power supply to the heater and the power supply from the second power supply to the inductor coil. Advantageously, the use of a first and second power supply can simplify the independent control of the power supply to the heater and the inductor coil.

[0020] Optionally, the controller may be configured to identify at least one maintenance phase during use of the device. A maintenance phase, or each maintenance phase, may correspond to or include a phase in which the user is not fumigating an article received in the device or chamber. Optionally, the controller may be configured to identify at least one fumigation phase during use of the device. A fumigation phase, or each fumigation phase, may correspond to or include a phase in which the user is fumigating an article received in the device or chamber. Advantageously, as will be discussed in more detail later, identifying maintenance and fumigation phases may allow for optimization of the control of power supply to the heater and inductor coils between these phases. The fumigation phase may also be called the suction phase.

[0021] The usage session of the device may comprise a plurality of maintenance phases and a plurality of smoking phases. Any optional features described herein for the maintenance phase may be applied to each of the plurality of maintenance phases. Any optional features described herein for the smoking phase may be applied to each of the plurality of smoking phases.

[0022] Optionally, during a maintenance phase, the controller is configured to control the power supply from at least one power source to one or both of the heater and the inductor coil.

[0023] During a maintenance phase, the controller may be configured to control the power supply from at least one power source to one or both of the inductor coil and the heater to maintain the temperature of the heating zone below the aerosolization temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate. Advantageously, this may hold the aerosol-forming substrate for other phases where aerosol formation is desired.

[0024] References herein to the temperature of the heating zone may refer to the temperature at any point in the heating zone, or the temperature at the approximate center point of the heating zone, or the average temperature of the heating zone, or the maximum temperature at any point in the heating zone.

[0025] Optionally, during the maintenance phase, the controller is configured to control the power supply from at least one power source to one or both of the inductor coil and the heater to maintain the temperature of the heating zone within the heating zone maintenance temperature range. Optionally, the heating zone maintenance temperature range has an upper limit lower than the temperature required for the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol. Optionally, the heating zone maintenance temperature range has an upper limit of 250 degrees Celsius, 200 degrees Celsius, or 170 degrees Celsius or less. Optionally, the heating zone maintenance temperature range has a lower limit of at least 50 degrees Celsius, 100 degrees Celsius, or 140 degrees Celsius. Optionally, the heating zone maintenance temperature range is 50 to 250 degrees Celsius, 50 to 200 degrees Celsius, 50 to 170 degrees Celsius, 100 to 250 degrees Celsius, 100 to 200 degrees Celsius, 100 to 170 degrees Celsius, 140 to 250 degrees Celsius, 140 to 200 degrees Celsius, or 140 to 170 degrees Celsius. Advantageously, such temperatures are low enough to avoid forming much or any aerosol from the aerosol-forming material of the aerosol-forming substrate, but high enough to allow the aerosol-forming substrate to be further heated, for example, to rapidly or instantaneously exceed the aerosol-forming temperature of the aerosol-forming material and to rapidly generate an aerosol at the desired time. Those skilled in the art will understand, after reading this disclosure, that the reference herein to heating the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol can be regarded as a reference to heating the aerosol-forming material of the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol. It is not essential that all components or materials of the aerosol-forming substrate be heatable to form an aerosol. In fact, some components or materials of the aerosol-forming substrate may be heated during use to form an aerosol, while other components or materials may not.

[0026] Optionally, during the maintenance phase, the controller is configured to control the power supply to the heater from at least one power source to maintain the heater temperature within the heater maintenance temperature range. The optional features described above in relation to the heating zone maintenance temperature range are equally applicable to the heater maintenance temperature range. Therefore, the heater maintenance temperature range may have an upper limit below the temperature required for the heater to sufficiently heat the aerosol-forming material of the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol, an upper limit of 250 degrees Celsius, 200 degrees Celsius, or 170 degrees Celsius or less, and a lower limit of at least 50 degrees Celsius, 100 degrees Celsius, or 140 degrees Celsius. The heater maintenance temperature range may be 50–250°C, 50–200°C, 50–170°C, 100–250°C, 100–200°C, 100–170°C, 140–250°C, 140–200°C, or 140–170°C. Advantageously, these temperatures are low enough to avoid the formation of many or any aerosols from the aerosol-forming material of the aerosol-forming substrate, but may be high enough to allow the aerosol-forming substrate to be further heated to rapidly generate aerosols when desired.

[0027] Optionally, during the maintenance phase, the controller may be configured not to supply power to the inductor coil from at least one power source. Advantageously, this can save power when heating the susceptor is not required to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to form aerosols during the maintenance phase. To avoid ambiguity, reference to controlling the power supply to the inductor coil may include not supplying power to the inductor coil.

[0028] Alternatively, during the maintenance phase, the controller may be configured to control the power supply to the inductor coil from at least one power source to maintain the susceptor temperature within the chamber within the susceptor maintenance temperature range. The optional features described above in relation to the heating zone maintenance temperature range are equally applicable to the susceptor maintenance temperature range. Therefore, the susceptor maintenance temperature range may have an upper limit below the temperature required for the susceptor to heat the aerosol-forming substrate sufficiently to form an aerosol, an upper limit of 250 degrees Celsius, 200 degrees Celsius, or 170 degrees Celsius or less, and a lower limit of at least 50 degrees Celsius, 100 degrees Celsius, or 140 degrees Celsius. The susceptor maintenance temperature range may be 50–250°C, 50–200°C, 50–170°C, 100–250°C, 100–200°C, 100–170°C, 140–250°C, 140–200°C, or 140–170°C. Advantageously, these temperatures are low enough to avoid the formation of many or any aerosols from the aerosol-forming material of the aerosol-forming substrate, but may be high enough to allow the aerosol-forming substrate to be further heated to rapidly generate aerosols when desired.

[0029] Optionally, the device may be configured to detect one or more user fumes during, for example, a usage session. Such fumes may be fumes from the device or from articles received in the chamber. The device may include a fumes detection mechanism for detecting one or more user fumes. The fumes detection mechanism may include at least a portion of the controller, or utilize the controller. Advantageously, this may allow for control of heating based on when a user is fuming.

[0030] The terms “inhalation,” “user inhalation,” and “to inhale” may all be used synonymously in this specification. All of these terms may be used to refer to a user inhaling the device or article. Each reference to inhalation may be considered a reference to inhalation during a usage session.

[0031] The maintenance phase may be a period during which the user is not fumigating the device or item. The maintenance phase may be a period during which the device or system is idle and ready for fumigation or inhalation to be performed as desired. The fumigation phase may be a period during which the user is fumigating the system, e.g., the device or item.

[0032] Optionally, the device, for example, the device's fume detection mechanism, may include a pressure sensor. Optionally, the device, for example, the device's fume detection mechanism, may include a flow limiter, for example, a Venturi tube. Optionally, the pressure sensor is configured to sense the pressure of the airflow passing through the flow limiter. The device may include a device air intake. The device may include a device air outlet. The device may include a device airflow path. The device airflow path may connect the device air intake to the device air outlet. During use, in response to a user fumigating an article received in the device or its chamber, air may flow through the device air intake, through the device airflow path, and then through the device air outlet. The flow limiter may be located within the device airflow path. The flow limiter may include, for example, limiting the cross-sectional area of ​​the device airflow path compared to the cross-sectional area of ​​the air intake. Advantageously, the flow limiter may result in an increase in the velocity of the airflow through the device airflow path as the airflow moves through the flow limiter. Therefore, advantageously, a greater pressure drop may be observed within the flow limiter for a given fumes extraction. This is advantageous as it may enable a pressure sensor configured to detect the pressure within the flow limiter and to detect weaker fumes extraction, and the pressure sensor may also enable a more accurate determination of the airflow rate through the device.

[0033] Optionally, the smoke detection mechanism is configured to detect smoke absorption by monitoring changes in either or both of the power supplied to at least one smoke detection heater and / or the temperature of at least one smoke detection heater. The at least one smoke detection heater may be either an internal heater and / or an external heater, or may include both. The at least one smoke detection heater may be located in the airflow path. During use, while smoke absorption is in progress, air may flow through at least one smoke detection heater. This may act to cool at least one smoke detection heater. This may mean that the temperature of at least one smoke detection heater decreases, or that an increase in power supplied to at least one smoke detection heater is necessary to maintain that temperature. This decrease in temperature or increase in power supplied may indicate that the system is absorbing smoke, and thus allow the smoke detection mechanism to detect smoke absorption. Such methods for detecting smoke absorption are described in detail, for example, in WO2013098397, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0034] Optionally, the device, for example, the smoke detection mechanism of the device, may be configured to detect the start of a user's smoke inhalation during a usage session, or the start of each user's smoke inhalation. Optionally, the device, for example, the smoke detection mechanism of the device, may be configured to detect the end of a user's smoke inhalation during a usage session, or the end of each user's smoke inhalation. Advantageously, the ability to detect the start and end of a user's smoke inhalation may allow the device to switch precisely between the maintenance phase and the smoke inhalation phase depending on when a user is smoking.

[0035] Optionally, the device, for example, the smoke detection mechanism of the device, is configured to determine or estimate the duration of a single smoke inhalation or each smoke inhalation that occurs during a usage session. Optionally, the device, for example, the smoke detection mechanism of the device, is configured to determine or estimate the duration of smoke inhalations up to that point in time. This may be done by determining or estimating the duration of smoke inhalations up to that point in time, either continuously or at one or more points in time, for example, at a time after the start of smoke inhalation.

[0036] Optionally, the device, for example, the smoke detection mechanism of the device, is configured to determine or estimate at least a portion of the volume, for example, the total volume of one smoke inhalation or each smoke inhalation performed during a usage session, from start to finish. For example, for one smoke inhalation or each smoke inhalation, the device, for example, the smoke detection mechanism of the device, may be configured to determine the volume of smoke inhaled up to that point, either continuously or at one or more points in time, for example, at a period after the start of smoke inhalation. Those skilled in the art will understand after reading this disclosure that the volume of smoke inhalation may refer to the volume of airflow passing through the device as a result of a user inhaling smoke from the device or article.

[0037] Optionally, the device, for example, the device's fume extraction detection mechanism, is configured to measure, determine, or estimate one or more instantaneous flow rates of the airflow produced by a single fume extraction or each fume extraction during a session of use. For example, for a single fume extraction or each fume extraction, the device, for example, the device's fume extraction detection mechanism, may be configured to determine the flow rate of the airflow produced by the fume extraction, either continuously or at one or more points in time, for example, at a period after the start of fume extraction. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the term “flow rate” may refer to a flow velocity measurable in meters per second or a volumetric flow rate measurable in meters cubed per second. The characteristics described in relation to flow rate may apply to either or both of the flow velocity measurable in meters per second and the volumetric flow rate measurable in meters cubed per second.

[0038] The device or fume extraction detection mechanism may include a flow meter. The flow meter may be configured to measure, determine, or estimate one or more instantaneous flow rates of a single fume extraction or the airflow produced by each fume extraction during a usage session. As described above, flow rate may refer to either or both of the flow velocity measurable in meters per second and the volumetric flow rate measurable in cubic meters per second.

[0039] The flow meter may be any suitable type of flow meter, such as a turbine flow meter, or may be provided with one. An example of a turbine flow meter is shown in WO2022184510. Such a turbine flow meter, or any other suitable flow meter, may be used in the apparatus and coupled to a controller to provide the controller with an estimate of either or both of the flow velocity measurable in meters per second and the volumetric flow rate measurable in cubic meters per second. For a turbine flow meter, this may be based on the angular velocity or rotational speed of the turbine. As another example, the flow meter may be provided with a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may be coupled to a controller and may be configured to provide the controller with an estimate of either or both of the flow velocity measurable in meters per second and the volumetric flow rate measurable in cubic meters per second, based on the sensed pressure. Air flow meters are commercially available, and those skilled in the art will be able to implement a suitable flow meter in the apparatus after reading this disclosure.

[0040] Optionally, the device, for example, the smoke detection mechanism of the device, may be configured to determine or estimate the instantaneous rate of change in the airflow rate produced by a single smoke inhalation or each smoke inhalation during a usage session. For example, for a single smoke inhalation or each smoke inhalation, the device, for example, the smoke detection mechanism of the device, may be configured to determine the rate of change in the airflow rate produced by the smoke inhalation continuously or at one or more points in time, for example, at a point in time after the start of smoke inhalation.

[0041] Optionally, the controller may be configured to either terminate the maintenance phase and initiate the fumigation phase, or both, when fumigation or the start of fumigation is detected. Optionally, the controller may be configured to adjust, for example, increase, the power supply to the heater and / or the power supply to the inductor coil, or both, when fumigation or the start of fumigation is detected. Advantageously, this may allow the device to respond quickly to user fumigation and generate aerosols accordingly.

[0042] Optionally, the controller may be configured to either terminate the fumigation phase and / or initiate a maintenance phase when the end of fumigation is detected. Optionally, the controller may be configured to adjust, for example, reduce, the power supply to the heater and / or the power supply to the inductor coil when the end of fumigation is detected. Advantageously, this may allow the device to respond quickly to the user's end of fumigation and stop aerosol generation accordingly. Advantageously, returning to the maintenance phase may allow the device to keep the aerosol-forming substrate warm to reduce the time required to generate aerosols in response to detecting the start of the next fumigation.

[0043] Optionally, in response to the detection of smoke absorption, the controller is configured to adjust, for example, increase the power supply from at least one power source to one or both of the inductor coil and heater to adjust the temperature of the heating zone, for example, to exceed the aerosolization temperature of the aerosol-forming material of the aerosol-forming substrate, or to fall within the heating zone smoke absorption temperature range. Optionally, the heating zone smoke absorption temperature range has a lower limit of at least 200 degrees Celsius, 250 degrees Celsius, or 300 degrees Celsius. Optionally, the heating zone smoke absorption temperature range has an upper limit of 800 degrees Celsius, 650 degrees Celsius, or 500 degrees Celsius or less. Optionally, the heating zone fume extraction temperature range is 200-800 degrees Celsius, or 200-650 degrees Celsius, or 200-500 degrees Celsius, or 250-800 degrees Celsius, or 250-650 degrees Celsius, or 250-500 degrees Celsius, or 300-800 degrees Celsius, or 300-650 degrees Celsius, or 300-500 degrees Celsius. Advantageously, such an increase in the heating zone temperature that may occur during the fume extraction stage allows the aerosol-forming material of the aerosol-forming substrate within the heating zone to be heated, thereby forming a desired amount of aerosol of the desired composition.

[0044] Optionally, in response to detection of smoke absorption, the controller is configured to adjust, for example, increase, the power supply to the inductor coil from at least one power source. Optionally, in response to detection of smoke absorption by the device, for example, the device's smoke absorption detection mechanism, the controller is configured to adjust, for example, increase, the power supply to the inductor coil from at least one power source to raise the susceptor temperature to, for example, a susceptor smoke absorption temperature range. The susceptor smoke absorption temperature range may have a lower limit above the aerosolization temperature of the aerosol-forming material of the aerosol-forming substrate. The susceptor smoke absorption temperature range may have a lower limit of at least 200°C, 250°C, or 300°C. The susceptor smoke absorption temperature range may have an upper limit of 800°C, 650°C, or 500°C or less. The susceptor fume absorption temperature range may be 200-800 degrees Celsius, or 200-650 degrees Celsius, or 200-500 degrees Celsius, or 250-800 degrees Celsius, or 250-650 degrees Celsius, or 250-500 degrees Celsius, or 300-800 degrees Celsius, or 300-650 degrees Celsius, or 300-500 degrees Celsius. The susceptor temperature may be raised to a temperature high enough to heat the aerosol-forming substrate and form an aerosol.

[0045] Optionally, the controller is configured not to adjust the power supply to the heater from at least one power source in response to the detection of fume absorption. Optionally, in response to the detection of fume absorption, the controller is configured to control the power supply to the heater from at least one power source in the same manner as during the maintenance phase. Optionally, in response to the detection of fume absorption, the controller is configured to control the power supply to the heater from at least one power source in order to maintain the heater temperature within the heater fume absorption temperature range. Optionally, the heater fume absorption temperature range is the same as the heater maintenance temperature range. Optionally, the heater fume absorption temperature range has an upper limit of 250°C, 200°C, or 170°C or less, or below the aerosolization temperature of the aerosol-forming material of the aerosol-forming substrate. Optionally, the heater fume absorption temperature range has a lower limit of at least 50°C, 100°C, or 140°C. Optionally, the heater fume extraction temperature ranges are 50-250°C, 50-200°C, 50-170°C, 100-250°C, 100-200°C, 100-170°C, 140-250°C, 140-200°C, and 140-170°C. Advantageously, this can save power because the susceptor, rather than the heater, may be primarily responsible for generating aerosols during the fume extraction phase. It may be preferable for the susceptor to perform this role rather than the heater, as the susceptor may have closer thermal contact with the aerosol-forming substrate and therefore be more likely to generate aerosols quickly and efficiently. It may also be preferable to heat the susceptor rather than the heater when rapid heating of the aerosol-forming substrate or heating zone is required, as the susceptor may be able to heat the aerosol-forming substrate or heating zone more quickly than the heater.

[0046] Alternatively, the controller may be configured to adjust, for example, increase, the power supply to the heater from at least one power source in response to the detection of fume extraction. In this case, the heater fume extraction temperature range may have one or more of the following: a lower limit above the aerosolization temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate, a lower limit of at least 200°C, 250°C, or 300°C, and an upper limit of 800°C, 650°C, or 500°C or less. The heater fume extraction temperature range may be 200 to 800°C, or 200 to 650°C, or 200 to 500°C, or 250 to 800°C, or 250 to 650°C, or 250 to 500°C, or 300 to 800°C, or 300 to 650°C, or 300 to 500°C. Advantageously, in this case, more aerosols can be generated more rapidly during the fume extraction phase compared to when the heater is not heated as much during the fume extraction phase.

[0047] The controller may be configured to adjust, for example, increase, the power supply to either or both the heater and the inductor coil based on the device detecting, determining, or estimating one or more of the following: • Initiation of smoking or inhalation, • Reaching a first threshold, for example, increasing above the first threshold, the duration of smoke extraction up to that point (for example, to ensure that the detected airflow is smoke extraction and not a short-duration airflow unrelated to smoke extraction, such as airflow caused by the brief movement of the device or wind), • Reaching a first threshold, for example, increasing beyond the first threshold, the volume of smoke absorbed up to that point (for example, to ensure that the detected airflow is smoke absorbed and not an airflow unrelated to a small volume of smoke absorbed), • Reaching a first threshold, for example, increasing above the first threshold, the instantaneous flow rate of the airflow produced by smoke extraction (for example, to ensure that the detected airflow is smoke extraction and not airflow unrelated to small volume smoke extraction), • The instantaneous flow rate of the airflow that results in smoke extraction and remains above the first threshold for at least the first period (for example, to ensure that the detected airflow is smoke extraction and not a small, short-lived, smoke extraction-unrelated airflow), • Reaching a first threshold, for example, increasing above the first threshold, the instantaneous rate of change in the airflow rate resulting from smoke extraction (for example, indicating that the detected airflow is smoke extraction and is increasing at a rate sufficient to indicate that it is not a small, uninvolved airflow). • The instantaneous rate of change of the airflow resulting from the smoke extraction that remains above the first threshold for at least the first period (e.g., indicating that the detected airflow was increasing for a sufficient duration at a rate sufficient to indicate that it was smoke extraction and not a small, uninvolved airflow), • The temperature of the heating zone or heater drops below the lower threshold (for example, as described in WO2013098397, the content of which is incorporated herein, for example, an increase in flow rate, which in turn increases the cooling effect of the airflow, causing the temperature of the heating zone or heater to decrease and thus smoke extraction to occur), and • The temperature of the heating zone or heater remains below the lower threshold for at least the first period (for example, indicating that the flow rate increases, thus increasing the cooling effect of the airflow, lowering the temperature of the heating zone or heater, and therefore smoke extraction is taking place).

[0048] The end of the maintenance phase and / or the start of the smoke extraction phase may occur in response to the apparatus detecting, determining, or estimating one or more of the bullet point options in the preceding paragraph, or in response to a certain amount of time thereafter.

[0049] The controller may be configured to adjust, for example, reduce, the power supply to either or both the heater and the inductor coil based on the device detecting, determining, or estimating one or more of the following: • End of smoking • Reaching a second threshold, for example, exceeding the second threshold, the duration of smoking up to that point (for example, indicating that smoking is likely to end soon), • Reaching a second threshold, for example, increasing above the second threshold, the volume of smoke inhaled up to that point (for example, indicating that smoke inhalation is likely to end soon), • The instantaneous airflow rate resulting from smoke extraction when the second threshold is reached, for example, when it decreases to below the second threshold (for example, when it decreases from above the second threshold to below it, indicating that smoke extraction is likely to end soon), • The instantaneous airflow rate resulting from smoke extraction remains below the second threshold for at least the second period (e.g., indicating that smoke extraction is likely to end soon), • Second, optionally negative, reaching below a threshold, for example, second, optionally negative, decreasing below a threshold, the instantaneous rate of change in the airflow rate resulting from smoke extraction (e.g., indicating that the flow rate is decreasing rapidly enough to indicate that smoke extraction is likely to end soon), • At least for a second period, the instantaneous rate of change in the airflow resulting from smoke extraction, which is optionally negative and remains below the threshold (for example, indicating that the flow rate decreased for a sufficient duration, rapidly enough to indicate that smoke extraction is likely to end soon), • The temperature of the heating zone or heater has risen above the upper threshold (for example, a decrease in airflow, which reduces the cooling effect of the airflow and raises the temperature of the heating zone or heater, and therefore it is highly likely that smoke extraction will soon end), and • The temperature of the heating zone or heater remains above an upper threshold for a certain period of time (for example, indicating that the airflow has decreased, thus reducing the cooling effect of the airflow and raising the temperature of the heating zone or heater, and therefore that smoke extraction is likely to end soon).

[0050] The termination of the smoke extraction phase and / or the commencement of the maintenance phase may occur in response to the apparatus detecting, determining, or estimating one or more of the bullet point options in the preceding paragraph, or in response to a predetermined amount of time thereafter.

[0051] Optionally, the heater is configured to heat either or both the heating zone and the article received in the chamber. Optionally, the heater, for example, its inner surface, is configured to contact the article when the article is at least partially received in the chamber. Advantageously, this can improve heat transfer from the heater to the article.

[0052] The heater may include a coating. The coating may be a protective coating. The coating may be a thermally conductive coating. The coating may be present on the inner surface of the heater. When the article is at least partially received in the chamber, the coating on the heater may be in contact with the article. Advantageously, the coating may protect the heater and may also improve heat transfer from the heater to the article.

[0053] Optionally, the heater is substantially tubular. The chamber may be a straight cylinder. Optionally, the heater defines the chamber or at least partially encloses it. Optionally, the heater surrounds the chamber. Advantageously, this may allow heat transfer from the heater to the article, and from around the article's entire perimeter.

[0054] Optionally, the heater is or comprises an infrared radiation-based heating element, a photon source, or an electrically resistive heating element. Preferably, the heater is an electrically resistive heater. The heater may comprise an electrically insulated substrate, for example, a substantially tubular electrically insulated substrate, and an electrically resistive track on the electrically insulated substrate. The device may be configured to pass current through the electrically resistive track when in use. This can provide electrically resistive heating or Joule heating of the electrically resistive track.

[0055] For example, suitable electrical insulating materials for the electrically insulated substrate of an electric resistance heater may include one or more of glass, ceramic, anodized metal, coated metal, and polyimide. The ceramic may include mica, alumina, or zirconia.

[0056] For example, suitable electrical resistive materials for the electrical resistive track of an electrical resistive heater may include one or more of the following: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrical resistive ceramics (e.g., molybdenum disilide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys, and composite materials made of ceramic and metal materials. Such composite materials may include doped ceramics or undoped ceramics. An example of a suitable doped ceramic is doped silicon carbide. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and platinum group metals. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-containing, cobalt-containing, chromium-containing, aluminum-containing, titanium-containing, zirconium-containing, hafnium-containing, niobium-containing, molybdenum-containing, tantalum-containing, tungsten-containing, tin-containing, gallium-containing, manganese-containing, and iron-containing alloys, as well as nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel-based superalloys, Timetal®, and iron-manganese-aluminum alloys. The electrical resistance track may include heated wires or filaments, such as Ni-Cr (nickel-chromium), platinum, tungsten, or alloy wires or filaments.

[0057] Optionally, the heater, for example, the electrically insulated substrate of the heater, may contain or consist of a thermally conductive material. Advantageously, this can make the heater temperature more uniform.

[0058] Optionally, a heater is substantially transparent to the alternating magnetic field generated by an inductor coil when an alternating current is supplied to the inductor coil. This property is sometimes referred to as the heater being "substantially magnetically transparent." This can be particularly advantageous when at least a portion of the heater is between the inductor coil and the chamber, for example, when the inductor coil surrounds the heater and the heater defines or surrounds the chamber.

[0059] A heater that is substantially transparent to the alternating magnetic field generated by an inductor coil when an alternating current is supplied to the inductor coil may mean that, during use of an aerosol generator for generating aerosols from an aerosol-forming substrate, the presence of the heater does not reduce the susceptor heating, measured in joules, by more than 10 or 5 percent compared to the same device, except with the heater omitted. More specifically, a heater that is substantially transparent to the alternating magnetic field generated by an inductor coil when an alternating current is supplied to the inductor coil may mean that, for example under standard operating conditions, during use of an aerosol generator for generating aerosols from an aerosol-forming substrate when an alternating current is supplied to the inductor coil at the resonant (maximum susceptor heating) frequency, the presence of the heater does not reduce the susceptor heating, measured in joules, by more than 10 or 5 percent (compared to the same device, except with the heater omitted). Thus, advantageously, the transparency of the heater can accommodate minimal absorption by the heater of the power supplied to the inductor coil.

[0060] During either the maintenance phase or the fume extraction phase, or both, the controller may be configured to supply alternating current to the inductor coil. The frequency of the alternating current supplied to the inductor coil may be selected so that the heater does not affect, or has little effect on, the alternating magnetic field generated by the inductor coil when the alternating current is supplied.

[0061] Optionally, the heater may include, for example, at least 90 weight percent of a non-ferromagnetic material, or consist substantially of a non-ferromagnetic material. Optionally, the heater may include, for example, at least 90 weight percent of a paramagnetic material, or consist substantially of a paramagnetic material. Optionally, the heater may include, for example, at least 90 weight percent of a diamagnetic material, or consist substantially of a diamagnetic material. Optionally, the heater may include, for example, at least 90 weight percent of a paramagnetic and diamagnetic material, or consist substantially of a paramagnetic and diamagnetic material. Optionally, the heater may include, for example, at least 90 weight percent of austenitic steel, such as austenitic stainless steel.

[0062] To avoid any ambiguity, the term “ferromagnetic” may refer to materials generally considered to exhibit a strong attraction to magnets, the term “paramagnetic” may refer to materials generally considered to exhibit a weak attraction to magnets, and the term “diamagnetic” may refer to materials generally considered to exhibit a weak or strong repulsion to magnets. The terms paramagnetic and diamagnetic as used herein are intended to include materials that exhibit extremely weak, negligible, or no observable interaction with magnetic fields, and therefore generally considered nonmagnetic.

[0063] The heater may include, or consist of, at least 90 weight percent of a material having a relative permeability close to 1, for example, 2, 1.5, or a maximum relative permeability of 1 or less. The heater may include, or consist of, at least 90 weight percent of a material having a maximum relative permeability of at least 0.99, 0.999, or 1. Relative permeability compares the permeability of the material to the permeability of free space. Since permeability changes with magnetic field strength, "maximum relative permeability" is used. Any reference to permeability in this specification refers to the permeability at 20 degrees Celsius and 50% relative humidity. Advantageously, a material having a relative permeability close to 1 can minimize the amount of power supplied to the inductor coil dissipated within the heater.

[0064] The heater, for example, has at least 90% by weight, in at least one direction, for example, all directions, at 20 degrees Celsius and 50% relative humidity, 0.8 × 10 4 , or 0.8 × 10 3 , or 0.8 × 10 2 The material may include, or consist of, materials having an electrical conductivity of less than siemens / meter. Advantageously, materials with high electrical resistivity may minimize eddy currents induced by the presence of an alternating magnetic field, and therefore minimize the amount of power supplied to the inductor coil dissipated within the heater.

[0065] Therefore, a relative permeability close to 1 and low electrical conductivity can work synergistically to minimize the amount of power supplied to the inductor coil dissipated within the heater. Thus, it may be particularly advantageous for the heater to contain, or consist of, at least 90 weight percent of a material having one or more or all of the following: Maximum relative permeability of 2, 1.5, or 1.1 or less, At least 0.99, 0.999, or 1 maximum relative permeability, and At least in one direction, for example in all directions, at 20 degrees Celsius and 50% relative humidity, 0.8 × 10⁻⁶ 4 , or 0.8 × 10 3 , or 0.8 × 10 2 Electrical conductivity less than Siemens / meter. The heater has a maximum relative permeability of 0.99 to 2, preferably 0.99 to 1.5, for example, at least 90 weight percent, and optionally, 0.8 × 10 in at least one direction, for example, all directions, at 20 degrees Celsius and 50% relative humidity. 4 Less than siemens / meter, preferably 0.8 × 10⁻⁶ 3 It may be particularly preferable to include, or consist of, a material having an electrical conductivity of less than siemens / meter. As described above, advantageously, a relative permeability close to 1 and low electrical conductivity can work synergistically to minimize the amount of power supplied to the inductor coil dissipated within the heater.

[0066] Optionally, the heater may include a ceramic material. If the heater includes a ceramic material, the ceramic material can act as an electrically insulated substrate for the electrical resistance track, as described above.

[0067] Optionally, the heater includes a polymer composite material. Optionally, the polymer composite material is substantially magnetically transparent, for example, to provide a substantially magnetically transparent heater as described above. Optionally, the polymer composite material includes a polymer material, e.g., at least one polymer material selected from the list below: polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and liquid crystal polymer (LCP). Optionally, the polymer composite material includes at least one of graphite, graphite-derived material such as expanded graphite or graphite nanoplatelets, graphite-based material, and hexagonal boron nitride. Optionally, the polymer composite material includes a polymer material and at least one of graphite, graphite-derived material such as expanded graphite or graphite nanoplatelets, and hexagonal boron nitride dispersed within the polymer material. The polymer material may also be a polymer matrix. At least one of graphite, graphite-derived material, e.g., expanded graphite or graphite nanoplatelets, and hexagonal boron nitride may exist in the form of particles and may be called filler particles. Optionally, the heater contains 22–33 weight percent of polymer material. Optionally, the heater contains at least one of graphite, graphite-derived material, and hexagonal boron nitride in 62–69 weight percent of the heater. Optionally, the heater contains at least one additive dispersed within the polymer material. Optionally, at least one additive may be carbon black. Optionally, the heater contains at least one additive in 5–9 weight percent of the heater. Thus, the heater may contain 22–33 weight percent of polymer material such as PEEK or LCP, 62–69 weight percent of one or a combination of graphite, graphite-derived material, graphite-based material, and hexagonal boron nitride, and 5–9 weight percent of one or a combination of additives such as carbon black. At least one power supply may be configured to provide current to such heaters during use for resistance heating. Advantageously, these heaters may be easier to manufacture compared to similar heaters configured for resistance heating, which are typically used in existing heaters for aerosol generators.Advantageously, the thermoplastic properties of the polymer material can make the composite polymer material conveniently malleable for precise and controlled molding. Simultaneously, by controlling and adjusting the concentration and distribution of filler particles dispersed within the polymer matrix, it is possible to control the electrical conductivity, and consequently, the amount of heat resistively generated by the heater when a voltage is applied. Other parameters, such as the length and cross-sectional area of ​​the heater, may also be adjusted to fine-tune the resistive behavior of the heater. Advantageously, such heaters may be sufficiently magnetically transparent and electrically resistive to minimize eddy currents induced within the heater as a result of the alternating magnetic field generated by the inductor coil during use.

[0068] Optionally, the inductor coil is a helical inductor coil. Optionally, the inductor coil is wound around one or both of the chamber and / or heater. Optionally, the inductor coil encloses at least partially one or both of the chamber and / or heater. This may, advantageously, allow for a concentrated magnetic field within the chamber.

[0069] Optionally, the inductor coil may at least partially surround the heater, for example, by winding it around the heater. The inductor coil may or may not be in direct contact with the heater. A spacing component may be present between the inductor coil and the heater. The spacing component may at least partially surround the heater. The inductor coil may at least partially surround the spacing component, for example, by winding it around the spacing component. The spacing component may be electrically insulating. The spacing component may be substantially magnetically transparent. Therefore, the properties described in relation to the optional magnetic transparency of the heater may also be applicable to the spacing component.

[0070] As an alternative to a helical inductor coil, the inductor coil may be a flat spiral inductor coil, which may also be called a pancake inductor coil. The flat spiral inductor coil may be spiral in a single plane, for example, around a central point. Similar to a helical inductor coil, the flat spiral inductor coil may be configured to generate an alternating magnetic field within the chamber when an alternating current is supplied. The flat spiral inductor coil may form the side wall or base of the chamber, or may be located adjacent to and optionally in contact with the side wall or base. The flat spiral inductor coil may be spiral in a plane parallel to the base of the chamber, particularly when the flat spiral inductor coil is located adjacent to and optionally in contact with the base of the chamber.

[0071] The heater may be substantially flat or substantially planar. In this case, the heater may at least partially define the chamber in the sense that the heater defines at least one side wall or base of the chamber, or at least one side wall and base. It may be particularly advantageous for the heater to be flat when the inductor coil is a flat spiral inductor coil, and vice versa. In this case, the flat heater and the flat spiral inductor coil may be located in substantially parallel planes.

[0072] The apparatus may include a housing. The housing may define at least a portion of the chamber. The housing of the apparatus may be elongated. The housing may contain any suitable material or combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials include metals, alloys, plastics, or composite materials containing one or more of these materials, or thermoplastic resins suitable for food or pharmaceutical applications, such as polypropylene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and polyethylene. The apparatus may be configured to be held in one hand during use.

[0073] At least one power source may be or include at least one battery. The battery or each battery may be rechargeable. The battery or each battery may be removable from the battery compartment. The power source or each battery may be a lithium-based battery, such as lithium cobalt, lithium iron phosphate, lithium titanate, or lithium polymer battery, or nickel-metal hydride or nickel-cadmium battery. At least one power source may be or include another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor. At least one power source may have sufficient capacity to enable continuous generation of aerosol for at least 6 minutes, corresponding to the typical time it takes to smoke a conventional cigarette.

[0074] This disclosure provides an aerosol generating system. The aerosol generating system may comprise the aerosol generating device described above, for example, the aerosol generating device according to the first embodiment. The aerosol generating system may comprise an aerosol generating article, for example, the aerosol generating article referred to above with reference to the first embodiment.

[0075] Accordingly, according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating system is provided comprising an aerosol generating device according to the first aspect and an aerosol generating article referred to in the first aspect.

[0076] A system, for example, a device, may have an air intake. An article or mouthpiece of a system, for example, a device, may have an air outlet. A system, for example, an article, may have an airflow path. The airflow path may connect the air intake and the air outlet. During use, the airflow through the airflow path may be in direct contact with the aerosol-forming substrate. During use, the airflow through the airflow path may flow through or pass through the aerosol-forming substrate. During use, for example, in response to inhalation at any mouthpiece of the article or system, air may flow through the air intake, then through the article, and then through the air outlet. After flowing through the air outlet, the air may flow into the user's mouth.

[0077] As described above, the apparatus may comprise an apparatus air intake, an apparatus airflow path, and an apparatus air outlet. Similarly, an article may comprise an article air intake, an article airflow path, and an article air outlet. During use, the article airflow path may flow through or via an aerosol-forming substrate. During use, for example, in response to inhalation at any mouthpiece of the article or system, air may flow through the apparatus air intake, then the apparatus airflow path, then the apparatus air outlet, then the article air intake, then the article airflow path, then the article air outlet, and then into the user's mouth.

[0078] The device air intake may be located at the end of the chamber, for example, the end opposite the base of the chamber. The device airflow path may be defined at least partially between the outer surface of the article and the inner surface of the chamber. The device airflow path may extend from the end opposite the base of the chamber toward the base of the chamber, or toward the base of the chamber. The device air outlet may be located at or adjacent to the base of the chamber. The article air intake may be located at the upstream end of the article. During use, the upstream end of the article may be located at or adjacent to the base of the chamber. The article airflow path may flow through the article from the upstream end to the downstream end. The article air outlet may be located at the downstream end of the article.

[0079] The article may include a cartridge, or may be a cartridge. The cartridge may hold an aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may hold a susceptor. The cartridge may comprise a cartridge housing. One or both of the aerosol-forming substrate and the susceptor may be located within the cartridge housing.

[0080] A cartridge may have length, width, and thickness. The thickness may be less than 0.5 or 0.2 times the length, width, or both. In this case, the cartridge may be called a flat or planar cartridge. A cartridge may be any suitable shape and size, for example, substantially cylindrical or cubic. A cartridge may be any of the cartridges described in WO2015177043, the contents of which are incorporated herein.

[0081] A susceptor may have a susceptor length, a susceptor width, and a susceptor thickness. The susceptor thickness may be less than 0.5 or 0.2 times the susceptor length, susceptor width, or both. In this case, the susceptor may be called a flat susceptor or a planar susceptor. An aerosol-forming substrate may have a substrate length, a substrate width, and a substrate thickness. The substrate thickness may be less than 0.5 or 0.2 times the substrate length, substrate width, or both. In this case, the aerosol-forming substrate may be called a flat or planar aerosol-forming substrate.

[0082] The susceptor may form the inner surface of the cartridge housing, be attached to it, or be located adjacent to it. The susceptor may be in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate. The susceptor may be located between the aerosol-forming substrate and the inner surface. The largest or second largest surface of the susceptor may be in contact with, or adjacent to, the largest or second largest surface of the aerosol-forming substrate. This may be particularly advantageous when one or both of the susceptor and the aerosol-forming substrate are flat or planar. Advantageously, this may maximize heat transfer from the susceptor to the aerosol-forming substrate during use.

[0083] The article may look substantially similar to a conventional cigarette. The article may be substantially cylindrical, for example, a straight cylinder. The article may have a length of 30 mm to 120 mm, for example 40 mm to 80 mm, for example about 45 mm. The article may have a diameter of 3.5 mm to 10 mm, for example 4 mm to 8.5 mm, for example 4.5 mm to 7.5 mm.

[0084] The substrate may be substantially cylindrical, for example, a right cylindrical shape. In this specification, the inner and outer portions of the aerosol-forming substrate have been referred to. The inner portion may be, or contain, the aerosol-forming material in the axial central portion of the aerosol-forming substrate, for example, the axial central cylindrical portion or the axial central right cylindrical portion. The outer portion may be, or contain, the aerosol-forming material in the axial outer portion of the aerosol-forming substrate. The outer portion may be cylindrical, for example, a right cylindrical shape. The outer portion may have an annular cross-section, for example, a circular annular cross-section. There may be no aerosol-forming substrate between the inner and outer portions. The inner and outer portions may be in contact. The entirety of the aerosol-forming material of the aerosol-forming substrate may be found within the inner and outer portions.

[0085] Optionally, the article comprises a front plug. Optionally, the article comprises an aerosol-forming substrate. Optionally, the article comprises a first hollow tube, for example, a first hollow acetate tube. Optionally, the article comprises a second hollow tube, for example, a second hollow acetate tube. Optionally, the second hollow tube comprises one or more vents. Optionally, the article comprises a mouth-side plug filter. Optionally, the article comprises a wrapper, for example, a paper wrapper. Optionally, one or more, or all, of the front plug, aerosol-forming substrate, first hollow tube, second hollow tube (if present), and mouth-side plug filter are surrounded by the wrapper.

[0086] Optionally, the front plug is located at the upstream end of the article. Optionally, the aerosol-forming substrate is located downstream of the front plug. Optionally, the first hollow tube is located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate. Optionally, the second hollow tube is located downstream of the first hollow tube. Optionally, the mouth-side plug filter is located downstream of one or both of the first and second hollow tubes. Optionally, the mouth-side plug filter is located at the downstream end of the article. Optionally, the downstream end of the article, which may also be referred to as the mouth end of the article, may be configured to be inserted into the user's mouth. The user may, for example, directly inhale the mouth end of the article.

[0087] One or more of the front plug, aerosol-forming substrate, first hollow tube, second hollow tube, and mouth plug filter may be substantially cylindrical, for example, a straight cylindrical shape. One or more of the front plug, aerosol-forming substrate, first hollow tube, second hollow tube, and mouth plug filter may have a diameter of 3.5 mm to 10 mm. Optionally, the front plug may have a length of 2 to 10 mm. Optionally, the aerosol-forming substrate in the article may have a length of 5 to 20 mm. Optionally, the first hollow tube may have a length of 2 to 20 mm. Optionally, the second hollow tube may have a length of 2 to 20 mm. Optionally, the mouth plug filter may have a length of 5 to 20 mm.

[0088] This disclosure provides a method for controlling an aerosol generator or an aerosol generating system. The aerosol generator may be the aerosol generator described above, for example, an aerosol generator according to the first embodiment. The aerosol generating system may be the aerosol generating system described above, for example, an aerosol generating system according to the second embodiment.

[0089] Accordingly, a third aspect of this disclosure provides a method for controlling an aerosol generator according to the first aspect, or an aerosol generator system according to the second aspect.

[0090] Features described in relation to one embodiment may be applicable to another embodiment. For example, features described in relation to the apparatus of the first embodiment may be applicable to one or both of the system of the second embodiment and the method of the third embodiment; features described in relation to the system of the second embodiment may be applicable to one or both of the apparatus of the first embodiment and the method of the third embodiment; and features described in relation to the method of the third embodiment may be applicable to one or both of the apparatus of the first embodiment and the system of the second embodiment.

[0091] Those skilled in the art will understand, after reading this disclosure, that the features described in particular in relation to the controller being configured to perform actions in connection with the first embodiment may be applicable to the method of the third embodiment. The method may include any of the steps configured to be performed by the controller of the apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0092] Optionally, the apparatus comprises at least one power supply, and the method includes independently controlling the power supply from at least one power supply to the heater and the power supply from at least one power supply to the inductor coil. Optionally, the apparatus comprises a first power supply and a second power supply different from the first power supply, and the method includes independently controlling the power supply from the first power supply to the heater and the power supply from the second power supply to the inductor coil. Advantageously, independently controlling the power supply to the inductor coil and the heater may allow for independent control of their temperatures.

[0093] Optionally, the method includes controlling the power supply from at least one power source to one or both of the inductor coil and the heater during the maintenance phase to maintain the temperature of the heating zone within the heating zone maintenance temperature range. All optional features described above apply with respect to the heating zone maintenance temperature range. Optionally, the method includes not supplying power to the inductor coil from at least one power source during the maintenance phase.

[0094] Optionally, the method includes either or both of the following: when the apparatus, for example, the apparatus's smoke detection mechanism, detects smoke extraction or the start of smoke extraction, it terminates the maintenance phase and initiates the smoke extraction phase. Optionally, the method includes adjusting, for example, increasing, the power supply to the heater and / or the power supply to the inductor coil when the apparatus, for example, the apparatus's smoke detection mechanism, detects smoke extraction or the start of smoke extraction. Advantageously, this may allow the apparatus to respond quickly to user smoke extraction and generate aerosols accordingly.

[0095] Optionally, the method includes controlling the power supply from at least one power source to one or both of the inductor coil and heater during the fume extraction phase to maintain the temperature of the heating zone within the heating zone fume extraction temperature range. All optional features described above apply with respect to the heating zone fume extraction temperature range.

[0096] Optionally, the method includes adjusting, for example, reducing, the power supply to the heater and / or the power supply to the inductor coil when the apparatus, for example, the apparatus's fume extraction detection mechanism, detects the end of fume extraction. Optionally, the method includes either or both of the apparatus, for example, the apparatus's fume extraction detection mechanism, terminating the fume extraction phase and initiating a maintenance phase when it detects the end of fume extraction. Advantageously, this may allow the apparatus to respond quickly to the user's end of fume extraction and stop aerosol generation accordingly. Advantageously, returning to the maintenance phase may allow the apparatus to keep the aerosol-forming substrate warm in order to reduce the time required to generate aerosols in response to detecting the start of the next fume extraction.

[0097] Optionally, the method includes adjusting the power supply from at least one power source to an inductor coil in response to a device, such as a smoke detection mechanism of a device that detects smoke extraction, for example, by increasing the temperature of a susceptor.

[0098] Optionally, the method includes not adjusting the power supply from at least one power source to the heater in response to a smoke detection mechanism of a device, for example, a device for detecting smoke extraction. Optionally, the method includes controlling the power supply from at least one power source to the heater in the same manner as during the maintenance phase, in response to a smoke detection mechanism of a device, for example, a device for detecting smoke extraction.

[0099] In this specification, references to power supply may refer to the supply of power, for example, the supply of current under a potential difference or voltage. References to control power supply may refer to controlling one or both of the current and / or voltage of that power. For example, controlling power supply may include controlling one or more of the amplitude of the current, the frequency of the current, and the amplitude of the voltage of that power.

[0100] As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating article” or simply “article” may refer to an article that, for example, generates or releases an aerosol when heated.

[0101] As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming substrate” may refer to a substrate having the ability to release aerosols or volatile compounds that can form aerosols. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more aerosol-forming bodies or aerosol-forming materials. The aerosol-forming substrate may be adsorbed, coated, impregnated, or otherwise loaded onto a carrier or support. Conveniently, the aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article or a smoking article.

[0102] Optionally, the aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate. However, the aerosol-forming substrate may contain both solid and liquid components. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may be a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0103] The aerosol-forming substrate may optionally contain nicotine. The aerosol-forming substrate may optionally contain tobacco. Alternatively, or additionally, the aerosol-forming substrate may contain a non-tobacco-containing aerosol-forming material.

[0104] As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming compound” may refer to any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that facilitates aerosol formation in use and is substantially resistant to thermal decomposition at the operating temperature of the aerosol-generating article. Suitable aerosol-forming compounds are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, polyhydric alcohols (such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and glycerin), esters of polyhydric alcohols (such as glycerol monoacetate, diacetate, or triacetate), and aliphatic esters of monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, or polycarboxylic acids (such as dimethyl dodecanediate and dimethyl tetradecanediate). Preferred aerosol-forming compounds are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof (such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and most preferably glycerin). An aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more aerosol-forming compounds.

[0105] As used herein, the “aerosolization temperature” of an aerosol-forming substrate may refer to the lowest temperature at which the aerosol-forming substrate releases an aerosol or a volatile compound capable of forming an aerosol, or a substantial amount of a volatile compound capable of forming an aerosol.

[0106] As used herein, the term “usage session” may refer to a period of time during which a user applies a series of fumes to extract aerosols from an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0107] As used herein, the term “aerosol generator” may refer to a device used in conjunction with an aerosol generating article to enable the generation or release of an aerosol.

[0108] As used herein, the term " susceptor " can refer to an element that includes a material having the ability to convert the energy of a magnetic field into heat. When the susceptor is located within an alternating magnetic field, the susceptor can be heated. Heating of the susceptor can be a result of at least one of the hysteresis losses and eddy currents induced within the susceptor, depending on the electrical and magnetic properties of the susceptor material.

[0109] As used herein, when referring to an aerosol-generating article, the terms " upstream " and " downstream " can be used to describe the relative position of a component or a part of a component of the aerosol-generating article with respect to the direction in which air flows through the aerosol-generating article during use of the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may comprise an upstream end through which air enters the article during use. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a downstream end through which air or aerosol exits the article during use.

[0110] Various references have been made to ranges in this specification, such as temperature ranges. By way of clarification to avoid doubt, unless otherwise specified, any range referred to in this specification can have only an upper limit, only a lower limit, or both an upper limit and a lower limit. The limits of a temperature range, for example, any upper or lower limit of any one or more of the heating zones, heaters, or susceptors described above, may be pre-determined. The limits may be stored within a controller or within a memory, for example within the memory of the controller. The limits may be stored as temperature values or in another form indicating temperature values, for example as the value of the electrical resistance of a component to which the temperature range applies. In this case, instead of monitoring the temperature of the component, the electrical resistance of the component may be monitored and compared to a temperature-to-electrical resistance data set to estimate the temperature of the component.

[0111] As used herein, the term " electrically insulating " means at least in one direction, for example in all directions, at room temperature (20 degrees Celsius) and 50% relative humidity, 0.8×10 4This can refer to materials with an electrical conductivity of less than siemens / meter.

[0112] As used herein, the term “electrical resistance” means at room temperature (20 degrees Celsius) and 50% relative humidity, with at least 0.8 x 10⁻¹⁰ electrical resistance in at least one direction, e.g., all directions. 6 This can refer to a material having an electrical conductivity of siemens / meter.

[0113] As used herein, the term “thermal conductivity” may refer to a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 5, 10, 20, 50, or 100 watts / meter Kelvin in at least one direction, for example, all directions, at room temperature (20 degrees Celsius) and 50% relative humidity. [Examples]

[0114] The present invention is defined in the claims. However, a non-exclusive list of non-limiting embodiments is provided below. One or more features of these embodiments may be combined with any one or more features of other embodiments, forms, or aspects described herein.

[0115] Example 1. A chamber for receiving at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article containing an aerosol-forming substrate, A heater configured to at least partially enclose or define the chamber and to provide a heating zone within the chamber, An aerosol generator comprising an inductor coil configured to generate an alternating magnetic field in a chamber when an alternating current is supplied to it. Example 2. The aerosol generator according to Embodiment 1, wherein the device comprises at least one power supply and a controller. Example 3. The aerosol generator according to Embodiment 2, wherein the controller is configured to independently control the power supply from at least one power source to the heater and the power supply from at least one power source to the inductor coil. Example 4. An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the device has a first power supply and a second power supply different from the first power supply. Example 5. The aerosol generator according to Embodiment 2, as dependent on Embodiment 3, wherein the controller is configured to independently control the power supply from a first power source to the heater and the power supply from a second power source to the inductor coil. Example 6. The aerosol generator according to Example 2, or any of Examples 1 to 5 as dependent on Example 2, wherein during the maintenance phase, the controller is configured to control the power supply from at least one power source to one or both of the inductor coil and the heater to maintain the temperature of the heating zone within the heating zone maintenance temperature range. Example 7. The aerosol generator according to Example 6, wherein the heating zone maintenance temperature range has an upper limit lower than the aerosolization temperature required for the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol. Example 8. The aerosol generator according to Example 6 or 7, wherein the heating zone maintenance temperature range has an upper limit of 250 degrees Celsius, 200 degrees Celsius, or 170 degrees Celsius or less. Example 9. An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 6 to 8, wherein the heating zone maintenance temperature range has a lower limit of at least 50 degrees Celsius, 100 degrees Celsius, or 140 degrees Celsius. Example 10. An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 6 to 9, wherein the heating zone maintenance temperature range is 50 to 250 degrees Celsius, 50 to 200 degrees Celsius, 50 to 170 degrees Celsius, 100 to 250 degrees Celsius, 100 to 200 degrees Celsius, 100 to 170 degrees Celsius, 140 to 250 degrees Celsius, 140 to 200 degrees Celsius, or 140 to 170 degrees Celsius. Example 11. The aerosol generator according to Example 2, or any of Examples 1 to 10 as dependent on Example 2, wherein during the maintenance phase, the controller is configured to control the power supply to the heater from at least one power source to maintain the heater temperature within the heater maintenance temperature range. Example 12. The aerosol generator according to Example 11, wherein the heating zone maintenance temperature range has an upper limit lower than the temperature required for the heater to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a degree sufficient to form an aerosol. Example 13. The aerosol generator according to Example 11 or 12, wherein the heater maintenance temperature range has an upper limit of 250 degrees Celsius, 200 degrees Celsius, or 170 degrees Celsius or less. Example 14. The aerosol generator according to Example 11, 12, or 13, wherein the heater maintenance temperature range has a lower limit of at least 50 degrees Celsius, 100 degrees Celsius, or 140 degrees Celsius. Example 15. An aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 14, wherein the aerosol generating article is equipped with a susceptor. Example 16. An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 15, wherein the apparatus comprises a susceptor. Example 17. The aerosol generator according to Example 15 or 16, wherein the susceptor is a pin, blade, or rod that protrudes into the chamber. Example 18. The aerosol generator according to Example 15, 16, or 17, as dependent on Example 2, wherein the controller is configured not to supply power to the inductor coil from at least one power source during the maintenance phase. Example 19. The aerosol generator according to Example 15, 16, or 17, as dependent on Example 2, wherein during the maintenance phase, the controller is configured to control the power supply to the inductor coil from at least one power source to maintain the temperature of the susceptor in the chamber within the susceptor maintenance temperature range. Example 20. The aerosol generator according to Example 19, wherein the susceptor maintenance temperature range has an upper limit lower than the temperature required for the susceptor to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a degree sufficient to form an aerosol. Example 21. The aerosol generator according to Example 19 or 20, wherein the susceptor maintenance temperature range has an upper limit of 250 degrees Celsius, 200 degrees Celsius, or 170 degrees Celsius or less. Example 22. The aerosol generator according to Example 19, 20, or 21, wherein the susceptor maintenance temperature range has a lower limit of at least 50 degrees Celsius, 100 degrees Celsius, or 140 degrees Celsius. Example 23. An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 22, wherein the device includes a flow limiter such as a Venturi tube. Example 24. An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 23, wherein the device is equipped with a smoke extraction detection mechanism. Example 25. The aerosol generator according to Example 24, wherein the smoke extraction detection mechanism is equipped with a pressure sensor. Example 26. The aerosol generator according to Example 25, as dependent on Example 23, wherein a pressure sensor is configured to sense the pressure of the airflow passing through a flow limiter. Example 27. The aerosol generator according to Example 24, 25, or 26, as dependent on Example 2, wherein the controller is configured to either terminate the maintenance phase and / or initiate the smoke extraction phase when the smoke extraction detection mechanism detects smoke extraction or the start of smoke extraction. Example 28. The aerosol generator according to Example 24, 25, 26, or 27, as dependent on Example 2, wherein the controller is configured to initiate a maintenance phase and / or terminate the smoke extraction phase when the smoke extraction detection mechanism detects the end of smoke extraction. Example 29. The controller Start of smoking, The duration of smoking up to the point where the first threshold is reached, for example, increases to exceed the first threshold, The volume of smoke inhaled up to that point increases to reach a first threshold, for example, to exceed the first threshold. The instantaneous flow rate of the airflow produced by the smoke extraction increases to reach a first threshold, for example, to exceed the first threshold. The instantaneous flow rate of the airflow produced by the smoke extraction that remains above the first threshold for at least the first period, The instantaneous rate of change of the airflow rate produced by the smoke extraction, which increases to reach a first threshold, for example, to exceed the first threshold. The instantaneous rate of change in the airflow rate of smoke extraction that remains above the first threshold for at least the first period, The temperature of the heating zone or heater drops below the lower threshold, and An aerosol generator according to Example 2, or any of Examples 1 to 28 as dependent on Example 2, configured to adjust, for example, increasing the power supply to the heater and / or the power supply to the inductor coil based on the device detecting, determining, or estimating one or more of the temperatures of a heating zone or heater that remain below a lower threshold for at least a first period. Example 30. The controller End of smoking, The duration of smoking up to that point increases to reach a second threshold, for example, to exceed the second threshold. The volume of smoke inhaled up to that point increases to reach a second threshold, for example, to exceed the second threshold. Reaching a second threshold, for example, decreasing to below the second threshold, the instantaneous flow rate of the airflow produced by the smoke extraction. The instantaneous airflow rate of smoke extraction that remains below the second threshold for at least the second period, Second, optionally negative, reaching a threshold, for example, second, optionally negative, decreasing below a threshold, the instantaneous rate of change of the airflow rate brought about by smoke extraction. At least during the second period, the instantaneous rate of change in airflow due to a second, optionally negative, smoke extraction that remains below the threshold, The temperature of the heating zone or heater rising above the upper threshold, and, An aerosol generator according to Example 2, or any of Examples 1 to 29 as dependent on Example 2, configured to adjust, for example, reduce, the power supply to the heater and / or the power supply to the inductor coil based on the device detecting, determining, or estimating one or more of the temperatures of a heating zone or heater that remain above an upper threshold for a certain period of time. Example 31. An aerosol generator according to Example 2, or any of Examples 1 to 30 as dependent on Example 2, wherein the controller is configured to increase the power supply from at least one power source to one or both of the inductor coil and the heater in response to the device detecting smoke extraction. Example 32. An aerosol generator according to Example 2, or any of Examples 1 to 31 as dependent on Example 2, wherein in response to the device detecting smoke extraction, the controller is configured to adjust, for example, increase, the power supply from at least one power source to one or both of the inductor coil and the heater to raise the temperature of the heating zone, for example, within the heating zone smoke extraction temperature range. Example 33. The aerosol generator according to Example 32, wherein the lower limit of the heating zone smoke absorption temperature range is a temperature high enough for the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol. Example 34. The aerosol generator according to Example 32 or 33, wherein the lower limit of the heating zone fume extraction temperature range is at least 200 degrees Celsius, 250 degrees Celsius, or 300 degrees Celsius. Example 35. The aerosol generator according to Example 32, 33, or 34, wherein the lower limit of the heating zone smoke extraction temperature range is 800 degrees Celsius, 650 degrees Celsius, or 500 degrees Celsius or less. Example 36. An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 35, wherein the heater is configured to contact the aerosol generating article when the aerosol generating article is at least partially received in the chamber. Example 37. An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 36, wherein the heater is substantially tubular. Example 38. An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 37, wherein the heater is an electrical resistance heater. Example 39. An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 38, wherein when an alternating current is supplied to the inductor coil, the heater is substantially transparent to the alternating magnetic field generated by the inductor coil. Example 40. An aerosol generator according to any of Examples 1 to 39, wherein the heater comprises, for example, at least 90% by weight of a material that is substantially nonferromagnetic, substantially paramagnetic, and substantially diamagnetic, or consists of a material that is substantially nonferromagnetic, substantially paramagnetic, and substantially diamagnetic, and Example 41. An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 40, wherein the heater comprises, for example, at least 90% by weight of a material having a maximum relative permeability of 2, 1.5, or 1.1 or less, and at least one or both of a maximum relative permeability of 0.99, 0.999, or 1, or consists of a material having a maximum relative permeability of 2, 1.5, or 1.1 or less, and at least one or both of a maximum relative permeability of 0.99, 0.999, or 1. Example 42. The heater, for example, in at least 90% by weight, in at least one direction, for example, in all directions, at 20 degrees Celsius and 50% relative humidity, 0.8 × 10 4 , or 0.8 × 10 3 , or 0.8 × 10 2 The material contains an electrical conductivity of less than siemens / meter, or at least in one direction, e.g., all directions, at 20 degrees Celsius and 50% relative humidity, 0.8 × 104 , or 0.8 × 10 3 , or 0.8 × 10 2 An aerosol generator according to any of Examples 1 to 41, such as Example 40 or 41, comprising a material having an electrical conductivity of less than siemens / meter. Example 43. An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 42, wherein the heater contains a ceramic material. Example 44. An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 43, wherein the heater contains a polymer composite material. Example 45. The aerosol generator according to Example 44, wherein the polymer composite material comprises at least one polymer material selected from polymer materials, such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and liquid crystal polymer (LCP). Example 46. An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 44 to 45, wherein the polymer composite material comprises at least one of graphite, graphite-derived material, graphite-based material, and hexagonal boron nitride. Example 47. The aerosol generator according to Example 44, wherein the polymer composite material comprises polymer materials, such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and liquid crystal polymer (LCP), as well as graphite dispersed within the polymer material, and at least one polymer material selected from at least one of expanded graphite or graphite nanoplatelets and hexagonal boron nitride. Example 48. The aerosol generator according to Example 45 or 47, wherein the heater contains polymer material in an amount of 22 to 33 percent by weight of the heater. Example 49. The aerosol generator according to Example 46 or 47, wherein the heater comprises at least one of graphite, graphite-derived material, and hexagonal boron nitride in an amount of 62 to 69 weight percent of the heater. Example 50. An aerosol generator according to any of Examples 45, 47, or 48, or Example 49 if dependent on Example 47, wherein the heater comprises at least one additive dispersed within a polymer material. Example 51. The aerosol generator according to Example 50, wherein at least one additive contains carbon black. Example 52. The aerosol generator according to Example 50 or 51, wherein the heater contains at least one additive in an amount of 5% to 9% by weight of the heater. Example 53. An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 52, wherein the inductor coil at least partially surrounds the chamber. Example 54. An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 53, wherein the inductor coil at least partially surrounds the heater. Example 55. An aerosol generator according to any of Examples 1 to 54, wherein the inductor coil is a helical inductor coil. Example 56. An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 55, wherein the chamber has an open first end through which at least a portion of an aerosol generating article can be optionally inserted into the chamber. Example 57. An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 56, wherein the chamber has a second end that is at least partially closed. Example 58. The aerosol generator according to Example 56, wherein the chamber has a second end that is at least partially closed opposite the first end that is open. Example 59. An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article as described in any of Examples 1 to 58. Example 60. A method for controlling an aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 58, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one power source, and the method includes independently controlling the supply of power from at least one power source to a heater and the supply of power from at least one power source to an inductor coil. Example 61. The method according to Embodiment 60, wherein the apparatus comprises a first power supply and a second power supply different from the first power supply, and the method includes independently controlling the power supply from the first power supply to a heater and the power supply from the second power supply to an inductor coil. Example 62. The method according to either Example 60 or 61, wherein the method includes controlling the power supply from at least one power source to one or both of the inductor coil and the heater to maintain the temperature of the heating zone within the heating zone maintenance temperature range during the maintenance phase. Example 63. The method according to any one of Examples 60 to 62, wherein the method includes controlling the power supply from at least one power source to one or both of the inductor coil and the heater in response to the detection of smoke extraction, thereby raising the temperature of the heating zone to a heated zone smoke extraction temperature range as desired. Example 64. The method according to any one of Examples 60 to 63, wherein the method includes adjusting the power supply from at least one power source to an inductor coil in response to the detection of smoke absorption, for example, to raise the temperature of a susceptor. Example 65. The method according to any one of Examples 60 to 64, wherein the method includes not adjusting the power supply to the heater from at least one power source in response to the detection of smoke extraction. Example 66. The method according to any one of Examples 60 to 65, wherein the method includes controlling the power supply from at least one power source to the heater in the same manner as during the maintenance phase, in response to the detection of smoke extraction.

[0116] Here, we will further describe the examples with reference to the figures. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0117] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the first aerosol generation system. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the second aerosol generation system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0118] Figure 1 shows the first aerosol generating system 100. The system 100 comprises a first aerosol generating device 10 and a first aerosol generating article 172.

[0119] The apparatus 10 comprises a housing 12 and a cylindrical chamber 16 for receiving a portion of a cylindrical article 172. The chamber 16 has an open end 18 through which the article 172 can be inserted into the chamber 16, and a nearly closed end 20 (also called the base 20) opposite the open end 18. The diameter of the chamber 16 is slightly larger than the diameter of the article 172, allowing the article 172 to be inserted into the chamber 16.

[0120] The apparatus 10 includes a heater 50. The heater 50 is substantially tubular in shape and extends from the base 20 of the chamber 16 to the open end 18 of the chamber 16, defining the chamber 16. The heater 50 is an electrical resistance heater formed of a polymer composite material. Specifically, the heater 50 includes a polymer material and at least one of graphite, graphite-derived material, and hexagonal boron nitride dispersed within the polymer material. The polymer material is polyether ether ketone (PEEK), but may instead be liquid crystal polymer (LCP). The heater 50 contains the polymer material in an amount of 27 weight percent of the heater 50, but this amount can be any amount between 22 percent and 33 percent. The graphite-derived material includes at least one of expanded graphite and graphite nanoplatelets. The heater 50 contains at least one of graphite, graphite-derived material, and hexagonal boron nitride in an amount of 65 weight percent of the heater 50, but this amount can be any amount between 62 percent and 69 percent. The heater 50 further contains additives, carbon black, dispersed within the polymer material. The heater 50 contains the additives in an amount of 7 weight percent of the heater 50, but this amount can be any amount between 5 percent and 9 percent. The heater 50 is not induction heating. The heater 50 is substantially transparent to the alternating magnetic field generated by the inductor coil 24 during use. Therefore, the heater 50 has no interaction with the alternating magnetic field generated by the inductor coil 24, or has a negligible interaction, and thus has heating of the susceptor element 164, described later, during use.

[0121] The device 10 includes a helical inductor coil 24 with multiple windings 26 surrounding the heater 50.

[0122] The apparatus 10 includes a susceptor element 164 located radially centrally within the chamber 16, projecting from the base 20 of the chamber 16 toward the open end 18 of the chamber 16. The susceptor element 164 has a blade-like shape to facilitate penetration of the article 172 when the article 172 is received within the chamber 16, as shown in Figure 1. The susceptor element 164 is configured to be inductively heated by an inductor coil 24.

[0123] The device 10 includes a device air intake 60 on the side of the housing 12, a device air outlet 62 at the base 20 of the chamber 16, and a device airflow path connecting the device air intake 60 and the device air outlet 62. A flow limiter 64 in the form of a venturi tube is located within the device airflow path. The device 10 includes a smoke detection mechanism equipped with a pressure sensor 66. The pressure sensor 66 is positioned to sense the pressure of the airflow within the flow limiter 64.

[0124] The apparatus 10 comprises a controller 40 and a power supply 42 connected to the controller 40. The controller 40 is connected to the smoke extraction detection mechanism. Both the controller 40 and the power supply 42 are connected to the inductor coil 24 and the heater 50. The controller 40 is configured to control the power supply from the power supply 42 to the inductor coil 24. Specifically, the controller 40 is configured to provide a high-frequency alternating current from the power supply 42 to the inductor coil 24 to generate an alternating magnetic field in the chamber 16. The controller 40 is also configured to control the power supply from the power supply 42 to the heater 50. Specifically, the controller 40 is configured to provide a direct current from the power supply 42 to the heater 50 to resistively heat the heater 50.

[0125] Article 172 comprises an aerosol-forming substrate 104 in the form of a cigarette plug, a first hollow acetate tube 106, a second hollow acetate tube 108, a mouthpiece 110, and an outer wrapper 112. Article 172 has a substantially straight cylindrical shape and has a length and diameter similar to that of a conventional cigarette.

[0126] The use of system 100 is described below. During use, a portion of article 172 is inserted into the chamber 16 so that the susceptor element 164 penetrates the aerosol-forming substrate 104. This position is shown in Figure 1. The user then activates the device 10 by pressing a button (not shown). In response, the controller 40 supplies power to the heater 50 from the power supply 42 in the form of DC until the heater 50 reaches a temperature of approximately 150 degrees Celsius. In this embodiment, the temperature of the heater 50 is determined by the controller 40 using the current and voltage supplied to the heater 50 to determine the resistance of the heater 50, and then comparing that resistance with a lookup table stored in the device 100's memory to show how the resistance of the heater 50 changes with its temperature. However, in other embodiments, a temperature sensor may be used to sense the temperature of the heater 50. When the temperature of heater 50 reaches approximately 150 degrees Celsius, the power supplied to heater 50 is continuously adjusted to maintain the temperature of heater 50 at approximately 150 degrees Celsius, as will be explained later, until smoke extraction is detected.

[0127] The stage in which the heater 50 is maintained at approximately 150 degrees Celsius (slightly below the aerosolization temperature of approximately 170 degrees Celsius required for the aerosol-forming substrate 104 to form an aerosol in this embodiment) is called the maintenance stage. During the maintenance stage, no power is supplied to the inductor coil 24. When the heater 50 reaches 150 degrees Celsius, an indicator (not shown), such as light, a speaker, or a haptic feedback device, indicates to the user that the device 10 is ready to smoke.

[0128] Next, the user inhales or breathes into the mouthpiece 110 of the item 172. This results in an airflow that is drawn through the device air intake 60, through the flow limiter 64, through the device air outlet 66, then through the item 172, and then into the user's mouth. This airflow path is illustrated by a dashed line in Figure 1.

[0129] The flow limiter 64 reduces the cross-sectional area of ​​the device's airflow path. Therefore, as air flows through the flow limiter 64, the airflow accelerates and the pressure decreases. The pressure inside the flow limiter 64 is sensed by the pressure sensor 66 of the smoke detection mechanism and relayed to the controller 40 continuously or at frequent intervals, such as every 50 milliseconds. When the pressure inside the flow limiter decreases by a considerable amount, and therefore indicates that the user is inhaling smoke from the mouthpiece 110, the maintenance phase ends and the smoke inhalation phase begins.

[0130] In response to the detection of smoke extraction, at the start of the smoke extraction phase, the controller 40 does not change the power supplied to the heater 50, but starts supplying alternating current from the power supply 42 to the inductor coil 24. This generates an alternating magnetic field in the chamber 16 that inductively heats the susceptor element 164 by causing eddy currents and hysteresis losses within the susceptor element 164. The susceptor element 164 then heats the aerosol-forming substrate 104 to a temperature above the aerosolization temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate 104, which forms the aerosol.

[0131] In this embodiment, during the fume extraction phase, the controller 40 maintains the temperature of the heater 50 at approximately 150 degrees Celsius in the same manner as described with reference to the maintenance phase. During the fume extraction phase, the controller 40 controls the power supply from the power source 42 to the inductor coil 24 to heat the susceptor element 164 so that the susceptor reaches approximately 400 degrees Celsius and the average temperature of the heating zone reaches approximately 300 degrees Celsius. One or more temperature sensors provide the controller 40 with feedback relating to the temperature of either or both the heating zone and the susceptor element 164, enabling the controller 40 to control the power supply to the susceptor element 164 to maintain the susceptor temperature at approximately 400 degrees Celsius and the average temperature of the heating zone at approximately 300 degrees Celsius, either or both.

[0132] As illustrated by the dashed line in Figure 1, during the smoke inhalation phase, as the airflow passes through the aerosol-forming substrate 104, the aerosol generated by the heating of the aerosol-forming substrate 104 is carried into the airflow. The aerosol then flows along the length of the article 172 and through the mouthpiece 110 to the user.

[0133] When the pressure sensor 66 detects that the pressure inside the flow limiter 64 has returned to atmospheric pressure or near atmospheric pressure, this may indicate that fume extraction has ended. When the controller 40 determines that fume extraction has ended, the controller 40 ends the fume extraction phase and returns to the maintenance phase. Accordingly, the controller 40 stops supplying power to the inductor coil 24, maintains power supply to the heater 50, and maintains the heater temperature at approximately 150 degrees Celsius.

[0134] A similar fume extraction phase is repeated for each of the multiple fume extractions during a usage session. After each fume extraction phase, there is a maintenance phase. After multiple fume extraction phases during a usage session, or after a period of time has elapsed since the first fume extraction phase of the usage session, the indicator shows the user that the usage session has ended. This may coincide with the time when it is expected that most of the aerosol-forming substrate 104 has been sufficiently heated to form an aerosol, and therefore the aerosol-forming substrate 104 is substantially depleted. The controller 40 then cuts off the power supply to the heater 50 and the inductor coil 24. The device 10 then turns off and can wait to be restarted by a button for another usage session.

[0135] Figure 2 shows the second aerosol generating system 200. The system 200 comprises a second aerosol generating device 210 and a second aerosol generating article 102. Since the second aerosol generating system 200 is similar to the first aerosol generating system 100, only the differences are described here. Similar reference numerals are used to specify similar features.

[0136] The apparatus 210 in Figure 2 does not have a susceptor element. In the system 200 in Figure 2, article 102 has a susceptor element 114. The susceptor element 114 is positioned at the radial center within the aerosol-forming substrate 104 and extends along the entire length of the aerosol-forming substrate 104.

[0137] The apparatus 210 in Figure 2 has a different heater 52 instead of heater 50. The heater 52 is substantially tubular in shape and extends from the base 20 of the chamber 16 to the open end 18 of the chamber 16, defining the chamber 16. The heater 52 comprises a substantially tubular, electrically insulated substrate made of ceramic. The heater 52 has an electrical resistance track on the inner surface of the electrically insulated substrate. The heater 52 has a thin protective coating, such as a glass or ceramic coating, on the electrical resistance track and optionally on the inner surface of the electrically insulated substrate. The protective coating prevents direct contact between the article inserted into the chamber 16 and the electrical resistance track. The heater 52 is not inductively heated. The heater 52 is substantially transparent to the alternating magnetic field generated by the inductor coil 24 during use. The heater 52 is made of a substantially non-ferromagnetic material. The heater 52 has no interaction with the alternating magnetic field generated by the inductor coil 24, or the interaction is negligible, and therefore, when in use, it heats the susceptor element 114, which will be described later.

[0138] The apparatus 210 in Figure 2 has a first power supply 44 and a second power supply 46, instead of the single power supply 42 of the apparatus 100 in Figure 1. The first power supply 44 is connected to the controller 40 and the heater 52. The second power supply 46 is connected to the controller 40 and the inductor coil 24. Similar to the apparatus 10 in Figure 1, in the apparatus 210 in Figure 2, the controller 40 is connected to the smoke detection mechanism. The controller 40 is configured to control the power supply from the first power supply 44 to the heater 52. Specifically, the controller 40 is configured to provide a DC current from the first power supply 44 to the electrical resistive track of the heater 52 to resistively heat the track. The controller 40 is configured to control the power supply from the second power supply 46 to the inductor coil 24. Specifically, the controller 40 is configured to provide a high-frequency AC current from the second power supply 46 to the inductor coil 24 to generate an alternating magnetic field in the chamber 16.

[0139] The use of system 200 is described below. During use, a portion of article 102 is inserted into chamber 16. This position is shown in Figure 2. The user then activates the device 210 by pressing a button (not shown). In response, controller 40 supplies power to heater 52, particularly to the electrical resistance track, from the first power supply 44 in the form of DC until heater 52 reaches a temperature of approximately 100 degrees Celsius. In this embodiment, the temperature of heater 52 is determined by controller 40 by using a temperature sensor to sense the temperature of the inner surface of heater 52. Once the temperature of heater 52 reaches 100 degrees Celsius, the power supplied to heater 50 is continuously adjusted to maintain the temperature of heater 52 at approximately 100 degrees Celsius until smoke extraction is detected, as will be described later.

[0140] Furthermore, in response to the user pressing a button, the controller 40 supplies power to the inductor coil 24 from a second power supply 46 to generate an alternating magnetic field in the chamber, inductively heating the susceptor element 114 to a temperature of approximately 100 degrees Celsius. Once the temperature of the susceptor element 114 reaches approximately 100 degrees Celsius, the power supplied to the inductor coil 24 is continuously adjusted to maintain the temperature of the susceptor element 114 at approximately 100 degrees Celsius, as will be explained later, until smoke absorption is detected.

[0141] The stage in which the heater 52 and susceptor element 114 are maintained at approximately 100 degrees Celsius (which is below the aerosolization temperature required for the aerosol-forming substrate 104 to form an aerosol) is called the maintenance stage. In this embodiment, the aerosolization temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate 104 is approximately 170 degrees Celsius. When both the heater 52 and susceptor element 114 reach 100 degrees Celsius, an indicator (not shown), such as light, a speaker, or a tactile feedback device, indicates to the user that the device 10 is ready to smoke.

[0142] Next, the user inhales or breathes into the mouthpiece 110 of item 102. This results in an airflow that is drawn through the device air intake 60, through the flow limiter 64, through the device air outlet 66, then through item 102, and then into the user's mouth. This airflow path is illustrated by a dashed line in Figure 2.

[0143] The flow limiter 64 reduces the cross-sectional area of ​​the device's airflow path. Therefore, as air flows through the flow limiter 64, the airflow accelerates and the pressure decreases. The pressure inside the flow limiter 64 is sensed by the pressure sensor 66 of the smoke detection mechanism and relayed to the controller 40 continuously or at frequent intervals, such as every 50 milliseconds. When the pressure inside the flow limiter decreases by a considerable amount, and therefore indicates that the user is inhaling smoke from the mouthpiece 110, the maintenance phase ends and the smoke inhalation phase begins.

[0144] In response to the detection of smoke extraction, the controller 40 increases the power supplied to the heater 52 and the inductor coil 24. Specifically, the controller 40 increases the amplitude of the DC current supplied to the heater 52 and the amplitude of the AC current supplied to the inductor coil 24. This heats the heater 52 to a temperature of approximately 250 degrees Celsius and the susceptor 114 to a temperature of approximately 250 degrees Celsius. This heats the entire heating zone in the chamber 16 to approximately 250 degrees Celsius and heats the aerosol-forming substrate 104 above its aerosolization temperature to form an aerosol.

[0145] In this embodiment, during the fume extraction phase, the controller 40 maintains the heater 52 at approximately 250 degrees Celsius. However, during the fume extraction phase, the controller 40 may adjust the power supplied to the inductor coil 24 based on one or more inputs. For example, inputs from a fume extraction detection mechanism, including a pressure sensor 66, may be used to continuously estimate the rate of change of the airflow velocity or flow rate through the device 210 resulting from the fume extraction. In this embodiment, in response to input from the fume extraction detection mechanism that the airflow velocity through the device 210 has increased beyond a threshold, the controller 40 increases the power supply from a second power source 46 to the inductor coil 24 to heat the susceptor 114 to approximately 300 degrees Celsius. Those skilled in the art will understand after reading this disclosure that this is just one of many ways in which power to the heater or inductor coil can be adjusted during the fume extraction phase for either of the systems 100, 200 in Figures 1 and 2.

[0146] As illustrated by the dashed line in Figure 2, during the smoke inhalation phase, as the airflow passes through the aerosol-forming substrate 104, the aerosol generated by the heating of the aerosol-forming substrate 104 is carried into the airflow. The aerosol then flows along the length of the article 102 and through the mouthpiece 110 to the user.

[0147] When the pressure sensor 66 detects that the pressure inside the flow limiter has returned to atmospheric pressure or near atmospheric pressure, this may indicate that fume extraction has ended. When the controller 40 determines that fume extraction has ended, the controller 40 ends the fume extraction phase and returns to the maintenance phase. Therefore, the controller 40 adjusts the power supplied to the inductor coil 24 and heater 52 so that the temperature of the susceptor 114 and heater 52 reaches approximately 100 degrees Celsius and then maintains that temperature.

[0148] A similar fume extraction phase is repeated for each of the multiple fume extractions during a usage session. After each fume extraction phase, there is a maintenance phase. After multiple fume extraction phases during a usage session, or after a period of time has elapsed since the first fume extraction phase of the usage session, the indicator shows the user that the usage session has ended. This may coincide with the time when it is expected that most of the aerosol-forming substrate 104 has been sufficiently heated to form an aerosol, and therefore the aerosol-forming substrate 104 is substantially depleted. The controller 40 then cuts off the power supply to the heater 52 and the inductor coil 24. The device 210 then turns off and can wait to be restarted for another usage session.

[0149] For the purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numerical values ​​representing quantities, amounts, percentages, etc., should be understood in all instances as being modified by the term “approximately.” Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and any intermediate ranges therewith, which may or may not be specifically listed herein. Thus, in this context, the number A is understood as A ± 10%. In this context, the number A may be considered to include numerical values ​​that fall within the general standard error to the measured value of the characteristic that the number A modifies. In some instances used in the appended claims, the number A may deviate by the percentages listed above, provided that the amount of deviation of A does not substantially affect the fundamental and novel characteristics of the claimed invention. Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and any intermediate ranges therewith, which may or may not be specifically listed herein.

Claims

1. A chamber for receiving at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article containing an aerosol-forming substrate, An electric resistance heater configured to at least partially surround or define the chamber and to provide a heating zone within the chamber, an aerosol generator comprising an inductor coil configured to at least partially surround the heater and to generate an alternating magnetic field in the chamber when an alternating current is supplied.

2. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heater comprises a tubular electrically insulated substrate and an electrically resistive track on the electrically insulated substrate.

3. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heater comprises or consists of a substantially non-ferromagnetic material.

4. The heater has a maximum relative permeability of 2 or less, and in at least one direction, at 20 degrees Celsius and 50% relative humidity, it produces 0.8 × 10⁻¹⁰ 4 An aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising or consisting of a material having an electrical conductivity of less than siemens / meter.

5. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heater is configured to contact the aerosol generating article when the aerosol generating article is at least partially received in the chamber.

6. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the heater comprises one or both of a ceramic material and a polymer composite material.

7. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inductor coil is wound around the heater.

8. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one power supply and a controller, and the controller is configured to independently control the supply of power from the at least one power supply to the heater and the supply of power from the at least one power supply to the inductor coil.

9. The aerosol generator according to claim 8, wherein during the maintenance phase, the controller is configured to control the power supply from at least one power source to one or both of the inductor coil and the heater to maintain the temperature of the heating zone within the heating zone maintenance temperature range.

10. The aerosol generator according to claim 9, wherein the heating zone maintenance temperature range has an upper limit of 250 degrees Celsius or less.

11. The aerosol generator according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the heating zone maintenance temperature range has a lower limit of at least 50 degrees Celsius.

12. During the maintenance phase, the controller controls the power supply from the at least one power source to the inductor coil. Either the inductor coil is not powered from at least one of the aforementioned power sources, The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 9 to 11, configured to maintain the temperature of the susceptor in the chamber within the susceptor maintenance temperature range.

13. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the apparatus comprises a smoke detection mechanism configured to detect smoke absorption on an article received in the apparatus or the chamber, and the controller is configured to increase the power supply from the at least one power source to the inductor coil in response to the smoke detection mechanism detecting smoke absorption.

14. An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and an aerosol generating article at least partially received in the chamber of the device.

15. A method for controlling an aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising independently controlling the power supply from at least one power source to an external heater and the power supply from at least one power source to the inductor coil.

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