Aerosol supply device

Abstract

The aerosol supply device is a communication device for communicating with an external device, comprising a communication device equipped with an antenna and a power supply port for connecting to a power source. The antenna is at least partially included in the power supply port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol supply device and method.

Background Art

[0002] Smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars generate tobacco smoke by burning tobacco during use. In order to provide alternatives to these articles that burn tobacco, attempts have been made to create products that release compounds without burning. An example of such a product is a heating device that releases compounds by heating a material without burning it. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, and may or may not contain nicotine.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect, there is provided an aerosol supply device comprising a communicator for communicating with an external device, the communicator comprising an antenna, and a power supply port for connecting to a power source, wherein the antenna is at least partially included in the power supply port.

[0004] The power supply port may comprise a housing that at least partially surrounds a power connector, the housing forming at least part of the antenna.

[0005] The aerosol supply device may comprise an antenna path connected to the power supply port, the antenna path forming part of the antenna. The antenna path may follow a meandering path.

[0006] The aerosol supply device may comprise a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board may form part of the antenna. The antenna path may be printed on the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board may receive power from the power supply port and comprise a power connector for supplying power to the aerosol supply device.

[0007] The communication device may include a communication device processor, which is located on a printed circuit board.

[0008] The aerosol supply device may include a housing with an opening, and a power supply port may be located in the opening. The housing may be made of metal or a metal alloy.

[0009] The power supply port may be located at the distal end of the aerosol supply device.

[0010] The communication device may be a Bluetooth low energy communication device.

[0011] The aerosol supply device may include an energy storage unit, and a power supply port is connected to the energy storage unit so that the power supply can charge the energy storage unit.

[0012] According to a second embodiment, a method is provided which includes using an antenna of an aerosol supply device to communicate with an external device, wherein the aerosol supply device includes a power supply port for connecting to a power source, and the antenna is at least partially included in the power supply port. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] Next, an embodiment will be described with reference to the attached drawings, merely as an example. Here, [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a front view of the aerosol supply system. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a printed circuit board. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a side view of an aerosol supply system equipped with a power supply port. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating material” refers to a material that can generate an aerosol when energy is applied to it, for example, by heating, irradiation, or any other means. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain active ingredients and / or flavorings. The aerosol-generating material may also contain any plant-based material, such as tobacco-containing material, and may contain one or more of the following: tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, re-tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. The aerosol-generating material may also contain other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a solid, liquid, gel, wax, etc. The aerosol-generating material may also be a combination or blend of materials. The aerosol-generating material may also be known as “smoked material.”

[0015] The aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder and an aerosol former. Optionally, an active ingredient and / or filler may be present. Optionally, a solvent such as water may also be present, and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of plant-based materials. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0016] The aerosol-generating material may comprise an amorphous solid, or it may be an amorphous solid. The amorphous solid may be a monolithic solid. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dry gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that can hold some fluid, such as a liquid, inside itself. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may contain, for example, about 50% by weight, 60% by weight, or 70% by weight, or about 90% by weight, 95% by weight, or 100% by weight of an amorphous solid.

[0017] The aerosol-generating material may include an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may include a sheet, or may be a sheet, which may optionally be cut to form a cut sheet. The aerosol-generating sheet or cut sheet may not substantially contain tobacco.

[0018] According to this disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol delivery system is a system in which the constituent aerosol-generating materials of the aerosol delivery system (or its components) are not combusted in order to facilitate the delivery of at least one substance to the user.

[0019] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol supply system, such as an electrically powered non-combustible aerosol supply system.

[0020] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is an e-cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0021] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0022] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or more of which may be heated. Each aerosol-generating material may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may, for example, be tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0023] Typically, a non-combustion aerosol supply system may comprise a non-combustion aerosol supply device and a consumable for use with the non-combustion aerosol supply device.

[0024] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables comprising an aerosol-generating material and configured for use with a non-combustion aerosol supply device. These consumables may also be referred to as articles throughout the present disclosure.

[0025] In some embodiments, a non-combustion aerosol supply system, such as its non-combustion aerosol supply device, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may be, for example, a power supply or a heat-generating power source. In some embodiments, the heat-generating power source comprises a carbon-based substrate that can be energized to distribute energy in the form of heat to the aerosol-generating material or a heat-transfer material in the vicinity of the heat-generating power source.

[0026] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system may comprise a region for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation region, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0027] In some embodiments, the consumable for use with a non-combustion aerosol supply device may comprise an aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage region, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation region, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0028] An aerosol generating device can accept an article comprising an aerosol generating material for heating. In this context, "article" refers to an article comprising the aerosol generating material, which is heated to volatilize it during use, and optionally other components. A user can insert the article into the aerosol generating device before it is heated to generate an aerosol, and then inhale the aerosol. The article may be of a predetermined or specific size, for example, configured to be placed in a heating chamber of a device sized to accept the article.

[0029] Referring to Figure 1, the aerosol supply system 10 comprises an aerosol supply device 100 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol supply system 10 further comprises a replaceable article 110 containing the aerosol-generating material. Generally, the aerosol-forming device 100 may also be used to heat the article 110 to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium which is inhaled by the user of the device 100.

[0030] The aerosol forming device 100 comprises a main body 102. The housing configuration encloses and accommodates the various components of the main body 102. An article opening 104 is formed at one end of the main body 102 through which an article 110 can be inserted for heating by the aerosol generator 116.

[0031] Device 100 may also include a user-operable control element 150, such as a button or switch, which operates device 100 when pressed. For example, a user may power on device 100 by operating the switch 150.

[0032] The aerosol generator 116 defines a longitudinal axis that aligns with the axis of the article 110.

[0033] During use, article 110 may be fully or partially inserted into aerosol generator 116, where it may be heated by one or more components of the aerosol generator 116.

[0034] Device 100 includes a device for heating an aerosol-generating material. The device includes an aerosol-generating assembly, a controller (control circuit), and a power supply. The device forms part of the main body 102. The aerosol-generating assembly is configured to heat the aerosol-generating material of an article 110 inserted through an article opening 104 so that an aerosol is generated from the aerosol-generating material. The power supply provides power to the aerosol-generating assembly, which converts the supplied electrical energy into thermal energy for heating the aerosol-generating material. The power supply may be a battery, such as a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include lithium batteries (such as lithium-ion batteries), nickel batteries (such as nickel-cadmium batteries), and alkaline batteries.

[0035] A power supply may be electrically coupled to the aerosol generation assembly to provide power for heating the aerosol generation material when needed, under the control of a controller. The control circuit may be configured to activate and deactivate the aerosol generation assembly based on user input. User input may be provided by pressing a button or by opening a device door (e.g., a door covering a consumable receiving receptacle). The control circuit may be configured to activate and deactivate automatically, for example, when an article is inserted.

[0036] An aerosol-generating assembly may comprise various components for heating an aerosol-generating material via an induction heating process. Induction heating is a process of heating a conductive heating element (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. An induction heating assembly may comprise an induction element, for example, one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a fluctuating current, for example, an alternating current, through the induction element. The fluctuating current within the induction element generates a fluctuating magnetic field. The fluctuating magnetic field penetrates a susceptor (heating element) suitably positioned relative to the induction element, generating eddy currents inside the susceptor. The susceptor has electrical resistance to eddy currents, and therefore, the flow of eddy currents against this resistance heats the susceptor by Joule heating. If the susceptor comprises a ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel, or cobalt, heat may also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e., by the fluctuating orientation of magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material as a result of alignment with the fluctuating magnetic field. In induction heating, compared to, for example, conduction heating, heat is generated inside the susceptor, enabling rapid heating. Furthermore, there is no need for physical contact between the induction element and the susceptor, which increases flexibility in structure and application.

[0037] Referring to Figure 2, the aerosol supply device 100 includes a printed circuit board 200. In this example, the printed circuit board 200 includes a communication processor 201, which is a Bluetooth low energy communication processor 201, an antenna path 202, and a housing 203.

[0038] The antenna path 202 is printed on the printed circuit board 200 and follows a meandering path. The meandering path of the antenna path 202 includes multiple turns. In this example, the antenna path 202 includes eight turns. The antenna path has a length of 45 mm. In some examples, the antenna path 202 may have a length greater than 10 mm, greater than 20 mm, greater than 30 mm, and / or greater than 40 mm. In some examples, the antenna path 202 may have a length less than 80 mm, less than 70 mm, less than 60 mm, and / or less than 50 mm.

[0039] By having the antenna path 202 follow a meandering route, the printed circuit board 200 can be made smaller. This makes it possible, for example, to secure more space inside the aerosol supply device 100, or to make the aerosol supply device 100 itself smaller.

[0040] The antenna path 202 forms part of the antenna. The printed circuit board 200 forms part of the antenna, for example, by the insulating material of the printed circuit board 200 forming part of the antenna. The antenna may be for a Bluetooth communication device. This is achieved through traces on the printed circuit board 200 and insulating material inside the printed circuit board 200.

[0041] The antenna path 202 is connected to the housing 203 and the communication processor 201. The antenna path 202 is connected to the housing 203 such that the housing 203 forms part of the antenna.

[0042] The antenna allows the aerosol supply device 100 to transmit and receive signals via the antenna and communicate with an external device (not shown).

[0043] In some examples, the external device is a mobile device. Communication between the aerosol supply device 100 and the external device may, for example, allow the external device to adjust the settings of the aerosol supply device 100, or allow the external device to verify the user's age before using the aerosol supply device 100. The communications processor 201 controls the antenna to send and receive signals.

[0044] The printed circuit board 200 may also include other circuit components, such as components configured to transport power to the heating element of the aerosol supply device 100, or components configured to control the heating element or other components of the aerosol supply device 100. Alternatively, these other components may be found across multiple printed circuit boards within the aerosol supply device 100.

[0045] Referring to Figure 3, the aerosol supply device 100 comprises a housing 102. The aerosol supply device 100 is enclosed by the housing 102. The housing is made of metal or a metal alloy.

[0046] An opening 301 is formed in the housing 102 at the distal end of the main body 102. The distal end of the main body 102 is the end furthest from the user's mouth when the aerosol supply device 100 is in use.

[0047] The opening 301 is configured to allow the user to access the power supply port 302. The power supply port 302 comprises a power connector 303 and a housing 203. The housing 203 at least partially encloses the power connector 303. In this example, the housing 203 completely encloses the power connector 303. When a power cable (not shown) is connected to the power supply port 302, the power cable is received by the housing 203 and held in place by an interference fit inside the housing. In this example, the power connector 303 is a USB connector.

[0048] The position of the housing 203 in the opening 301 may allow signals to pass through the opening 301, thereby enabling signals transmitted by the antenna to reach external devices more effectively, and incoming signals from external devices to be better received by the antenna.

[0049] The power connector 303 is configured to receive power from the power supply port 302 and supply power to the aerosol supply device 100. The power connector 303 is connected to an energy storage unit (e.g., a battery) configured to supply power to the aerosol supply device 100. The energy storage unit is charged using the power supplied from the power connector 303.

[0050] In the embodiments described above, the aerosol supply device comprises a heating configuration which is an induction heating configuration. Other types of heating configurations, such as resistance heating, are used in embodiments. The configuration of the device is generally as described above, so a detailed description is omitted. In such configurations, the aerosol generation assembly comprises a resistance heating generator which includes components for heating a heating element via a resistance heating process. In this case, an electric current is applied directly to the resistance heating component, and the resulting flow of current within the heating component heats the heating component by Joule heating. The resistance heating component comprises a resistance material configured to generate heat when a suitable current passes through it, and the heating assembly comprises electrical contacts for supplying current to the resistance material.

[0051] In this embodiment, the heating element forms the resistive heating component itself. In this embodiment, the resistive heating component transfers heat to the heating element, for example, by conduction.

[0052] The various embodiments described herein are presented solely to aid in understanding and teaching the features of the claims. These embodiments are provided only as representative examples of the embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered as limitations to the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or to equivalents thereof, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modified without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may preferably comprise, consist of, or essentially consist of, disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. Furthermore, this disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. Aerosol supply device, A communication device for communicating with an external device, comprising a communication device equipped with an antenna, A power supply port for connecting to a power source, Equipped with, The antenna is at least partially included in the power supply port. An aerosol supply device comprising the above features.

2. The power supply port comprises a housing that at least partially encloses the power connector, The housing forms at least a part of the antenna, The aerosol supply device according to claim 1.

3. The antenna path is connected to the aforementioned power supply port, The antenna path forms a part of the antenna. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The aforementioned antenna path follows a meandering route. The aerosol supply device according to claim 3.

5. Equipped with a printed circuit board, The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The printed circuit board forms a part of the antenna. The aerosol supply device according to claim 5.

7. The antenna path is printed on the printed circuit board. The aerosol supply device according to claim 5 or 6, as dependent on claim 3.

8. The printed circuit board includes a power connector for receiving power from the power supply port and supplying power to the aerosol supply device. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

9. The aforementioned communication device is equipped with a communication device processor, The communication processor is located on the printed circuit board, The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

10. Equipped with a housing, The housing has an opening, The power supply port is located in the opening. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The housing is made of metal or a metal alloy. The aerosol supply device according to claim 10.

12. The power supply port is located at the distal end of the aerosol supply device. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The aforementioned communication device is a Bluetooth low-energy communication device. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. An aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising an energy storage unit, wherein the power supply port is connected to the energy storage unit so that the power supply can charge the energy storage unit.

15. It is a method, Using the antenna of an aerosol supply device to communicate with an external device. Includes, The aerosol supply device is equipped with a power supply port for connecting to a power source, The antenna is at least partially included in the power supply port. method.

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