Aerosol generation system with airflow cavities

Abstract

Aerosol generating system (10) comprising a cartridge (12) having a cartridge housing, a liquid storage section (25) configured to hold a liquid aerosol forming substrate (26), and a heating element (31) configured to heat the liquid (26) from the liquid storage section (25); and a device (14) having a device housing (38) defining a device cavity (40) configured to receive a portion of the cartridge (12), wherein a portion of the cartridge (12) is contained within the device cavity (40) When received, the aerosol generating system (10) has an airflow path defined between an air intake (48) and an air outlet (22), and when a portion of the cartridge (12) is received into the device cavity (40), the airflow cavity (51) is located within the airflow path, the airflow cavity (51) is defined between the cartridge housing and the device housing (38), and the device (14) has a pressure sensor (52) positioned to detect the pressure inside the airflow cavity (51).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generation system comprising a cartridge and a device. In particular, the present invention relates to an aerosol generation system comprising an air flow cavity located within an air flow path, the air flow cavity being defined between a housing of the cartridge and a housing of the device.

Background Art

[0002] Some well-known aerosol generation systems comprise a cartridge for holding a liquid aerosol-forming substrate and an aerosol generation device configured to receive the cartridge, the system being configured to generate an aerosol from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, typically by heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate when the cartridge is received within the aerosol generation device.

[0003] In some well-known systems, the aerosol generation device comprises a power source such as a battery and a controller, and the cartridge comprises a heating element. The power source and controller of the aerosol generation device are configured to supply power to the heating element to heat the heating element to heat the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. In use, when power is supplied from the power source to the heating element, the heating element heats the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, which releases volatile components that condense to form an aerosol, which is inhalable by a user.

[0004] In some well-known systems, the aerosol generating system includes an induction heating assembly. In some well-known systems, the aerosol generator includes a power source such as a battery, a controller, and an inductor coil, and the cartridge includes a susceptor element. The inductor coil generates a fluctuating magnetic field when a fluctuating current is supplied, and the susceptor element is heated when placed within the fluctuating magnetic field. During use, the cartridge is inserted into the cavity of the aerosol generator, and a fluctuating current is supplied from the power source to the inductor coil, generating a fluctuating magnetic field. The fluctuating magnetic field penetrates the susceptor element, heating the susceptor element, which in turn heats the aerosol-forming substrate, releasing volatile components that condense to form an aerosol, which can then be inhaled by the user.

[0005] It is desirable to provide an aerosol generating system with an accurate and reliable method for detecting when a user is inhaling smoke from the system, thereby enabling the aerosol generating system to precisely control when power is supplied to the heating element or induction heating assembly. It is also desirable to provide an aerosol generating system that can accurately detect various characteristics of the user's smoke inhalation. [Overview of the project]

[0006] This disclosure provides an aerosol generating system. The aerosol generating system may comprise a cartridge and a device. The cartridge may comprise a cartridge housing. The cartridge may comprise a liquid reservoir configured to hold a liquid aerosol forming substrate. The cartridge may comprise a heating element configured to heat the liquid from the liquid reservoir. The device may comprise a device housing that defines a device cavity configured to receive a portion of the cartridge. When a portion of the cartridge is received in the device cavity, the aerosol generating system may comprise an airflow path defined between an air intake and an air outlet. When a portion of the cartridge is received in the device cavity, the airflow cavity may be located within the airflow path. The airflow cavity may be defined between the cartridge housing and the device housing. The device may comprise a pressure sensor disposed to detect the pressure within the airflow cavity.

[0007] A preferred embodiment of the present disclosure provides an aerosol generating system comprising a cartridge and a device. The cartridge comprises a cartridge housing, a liquid reservoir configured to hold a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, and a heating element configured to heat the liquid from the liquid reservoir. The device comprises a device housing defining a device cavity configured to receive a portion of the cartridge. When a portion of the cartridge is received in the device cavity, the aerosol generating system comprises an airflow path defined between an air intake and an air outlet. When a portion of the cartridge is received in the device cavity, the airflow cavity is located in the airflow path and is defined between the cartridge housing and the device housing. The device comprises a pressure sensor disposed to detect the pressure within the airflow cavity.

[0008] Providing an aerosol generating system with a pressure sensor configured to detect the pressure in the airflow path through the aerosol generating system may allow the aerosol generating system to detect when a user is inhaling the aerosol generating system. Advantageously, providing an airflow cavity in the airflow path of an aerosol generating system, where the airflow cavity is defined between a portion of the cartridge housing and a portion of the device housing, may allow one or both of the cartridge and the device to be smaller or more compact compared to systems where the airflow cavity is entirely formed by the cartridge housing or entirely by the device housing.

[0009] As used herein, “aerosol generating system” refers to a system that generates an aerosol by interacting with an aerosol-forming substrate. Preferably, the aerosol generating system is a system that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol that can be directly inhaled into the user's lungs through the user's mouth. As used herein, the aerosol generating system comprises a cartridge and a device.

[0010] As used herein, “aerosol-forming substrate” refers to a substrate having the ability to release volatile compounds that can form aerosols. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. Unless otherwise stated, in this disclosure, “aerosol-forming substrate” typically refers to a liquid aerosol-forming substrate stored in a storage compartment within a cartridge.

[0011] As used herein, the term “cartridge” refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate having the ability to release volatile compounds that can form aerosols. Cartridges may be disposable.

[0012] As used herein, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” are used to describe the relative locations of components or parts of components of an aerosol generating system. The terms upstream and downstream refer to the direction of airflow or aerosol flow through the aerosol generating system when a user inhales the air outlet of the airflow path through the aerosol generating system. The air outlet of the airflow path is downstream of the air intake of the airflow path. The airflow cavity of the airflow path is downstream of the air intake of the airflow path. The airflow cavity of the airflow path is upstream of the air outlet of the airflow path. The air intake of the airflow path is upstream of the air outlet of the airflow path.

[0013] As used herein, the term “smoke inhalation” is used to describe the actions of a user of an aerosol generating system in which the user draws air from the air outlet of the airflow path to receive and inhale aerosols generated by the aerosol generating system.

[0014] As used herein, "length" refers to the maximum dimension of the mechanism in the longitudinal direction of the mechanism.

[0015] As used herein, “width” or “diameter” refers to the maximum dimension of the mechanism in the transverse direction. The transverse direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0016] As used herein, "thickness" and "depth" refer to the maximum dimensions of the mechanism in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mechanism and in the direction perpendicular to the transverse direction of the mechanism.

[0017] In some preferred embodiments, when air is drawn through the airflow path between the air intake and the air outlet, the pressure in the airflow path is minimized within the airflow cavity. In other words, the region of minimum pressure in the airflow path when air is drawn through it lies in the airflow cavity.

[0018] In some particularly preferred embodiments, the flow limiter is located in the airflow path between the air intake and the airflow cavity. The flow limiter may be configured to cause a pressure drop in the airflow cavity as air is drawn through the airflow path. This pressure drop in the airflow cavity can cause the pressure in the airflow path to be minimized within the airflow cavity.

[0019] Advantageously, detecting the pressure in the airflow cavity after the flow limiting section in the airflow path, particularly at the point of minimum pressure along the airflow path, can provide more accurate smoke extraction detection by the aerosol generating system. Advantageously, detecting the pressure in the airflow cavity after the flow limiting section in the airflow path, particularly at the point of minimum pressure along the airflow path, can provide more rapid smoke extraction detection by the aerosol generating system. Detecting the pressure after the flow limiting section, particularly at the point of minimum pressure along the airflow path, can enable the detection of pressure drops caused by the flow limiting section, which can be used to detect when the user is extracting smoke from the aerosol generating system.

[0020] Advantageously, detecting the pressure after a flow limiter in the airflow path can provide more accurate information about the user's fume extraction in an aerosol generator. Detecting the pressure after a flow limiter may also allow for the detection of a pressure drop caused by the flow limiter, which may be used to determine fume extraction characteristics such as the volume of air drawn through the flow limiter.

[0021] The flow limiter may be any suitable flow limiter that causes a pressure drop in the airflow path, which can be measured by a pressure sensor when the user is drawing smoke from the aerosol generating system.

[0022] When a user inhales an aerosol generating system, they experience draw resistance. This resistance, known as draw resistance (RTD), can be quantified as a measure of the pressure drop through the aerosol generating system relative to a given volumetric flow rate through the system. An acceptable RTD for consumer comfort is typically in the range of 60–100 millimeters of water column (mmWg).

[0023] Unless otherwise specified, the draw resistance (RTD) of any aerosol generating system or airflow path, or cartridge, or any other component of the aerosol generating system shall be measured in accordance with ISO 6565-2015. RTD refers to the pressure required to pass air through the entire length of the component. The component term “pressure drop” or “draw resistance” may also refer to “resistance to draw.” These terms typically refer to measurements performed in accordance with ISO 6565-2015 under a test of a volumetric flow rate of approximately 17.5 ml / second at the output or downstream end of the component being measured, at an ambient temperature of approximately 22 degrees Celsius, a pressure of approximately 101 kPa (approximately 760 Torr), and a relative humidity of approximately 60 percent.

[0024] The flow limiting unit may be configured to cause a pressure drop of at least 70 Pascals (Pa), at least 80 Pascals (Pa), at least 90 Pascals (Pa), at least 100 Pascals (Pa) (10 millimeters of water column), at least 150 Pascals (Pa), at least 200 Pascals (Pa), at least 250 Pascals (Pa), or at least 300 Pascals (Pa) during normal smoke extraction by the user.

[0025] The flow limiting section may be located at any suitable position within the airflow path. Preferably, the flow limiting section is located immediately upstream of the airflow cavity. In some embodiments, the flow limiting section may be located away from the airflow cavity.

[0026] In some embodiments, the aerosol generator includes a flow rate limiting section. In some of these embodiments, a portion of the device housing defines the flow rate limiting section.

[0027] In some embodiments, the flow restriction portion is defined between the cartridge housing and the device housing. When a portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity, the flow restriction portion may be defined between the cartridge housing and the device housing. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the surface of the cartridge housing defines at least a portion of the surface of the flow restriction portion. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the surface of the device housing defines at least a portion of the surface of the flow restriction portion.

[0028] The flow restriction portion may be a portion of the airflow path having a width smaller than the width of the airflow cavity. The flow restriction portion may be a portion of the airflow path having the minimum width of any portion of the airflow path.

[0029] The flow restriction portion may be a portion of the airflow path having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the airflow cavity. The flow restriction portion may be a portion of the airflow path having the minimum cross-sectional area of any portion of the airflow path.

[0030] The flow restriction portion may have any suitable width. The flow restriction portion may have a width of 0.15 millimeters to 0.8 millimeters.

[0031] The flow restriction portion may have any suitable depth. The flow restriction portion may have a depth of 0.3 millimeters to 1.2 millimeters.

[0032] The flow restriction portion may have any suitable length. The flow restriction portion may have a length of 1 millimeter to 2 millimeters.

[0033] The flow restriction portion may have any suitable cross-sectional area. The flow restriction portion may have a cross-sectional area of 0.045 square millimeters to 1 square millimeter.

[0034] The flow limiting section may include a narrow portion of the airflow path through the aerosol generator having a width or diameter smaller than at least one of the width or diameter of the airflow path immediately preceding the flow limiting section and the airflow path immediately following the flow limiting section. The flow limiting section may include a narrow portion having a width or diameter smaller than the width or diameter of the airflow path immediately preceding the flow limiting section. The flow limiting section may include a narrow portion having a width or diameter smaller than the diameter of the airflow path immediately following the flow limiting section. The flow limiting section may include a plurality of narrow portions, each of which has a width or diameter smaller than the width or diameter of the airflow path immediately preceding the flow limiting section and the width or diameter of the airflow path immediately following the flow limiting section.

[0035] The flow limiting section preferably includes a narrow portion of the airflow path having the minimum width or diameter of the airflow path.

[0036] The flow limiting section may include a narrow portion of the airflow path passing through the aerosol generator having a cross-sectional area smaller than at least one of the cross-sectional areas of the airflow path immediately before the flow limiting section and the airflow path immediately after the flow limiting section. The flow limiting section may include a narrow portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow path immediately before the flow limiting section. The flow limiting section may include a narrow portion immediately after the flow limiting section having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow path. The flow limiting section may include multiple narrow portions, each of which has a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow path immediately before the flow limiting section and the cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow path immediately after the flow limiting section.

[0037] The flow limiting section preferably includes a narrow portion of the airflow path that has the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow path.

[0038] The aerosol generation system includes an airflow cavity within the airflow path. The airflow cavity is located within the airflow path. The airflow cavity is defined between the cartridge housing and the device housing when a portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the surface of the cartridge housing defines at least a portion of the surface of the airflow cavity. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the surface of the device housing defines at least a portion of the surface of the airflow cavity. The airflow cavity may have any suitable size and shape.

[0039] The aerosol generating system includes a heating element. Preferably, at least a portion of the surface of the heating element is arranged to be in contact with the air in the airflow path. The heating element may be arranged at any suitable position in the airflow path. A portion of the surface of the heating element may form a portion of the surface of the airflow path. A portion of the heating element may be arranged within the airflow path. In some preferred embodiments, the heating element is arranged between the airflow cavity and the air outlet. In some preferred embodiments, the heating element is arranged after the airflow cavity. In other words, it is preferable that the heating element is arranged downstream of the airflow cavity. Advantageously, arranging the heating element downstream of the airflow cavity can reduce the amount of vapor or aerosol generated by the heating element passing through the airflow cavity and coming into contact with the pressure sensor. This can help protect the pressure sensor from damage caused by contact with high-temperature vapor or aerosol.

[0040] In some embodiments, the aerosol generator may have two flow limiting sections: a first flow limiting section and a second flow limiting section after the airflow cavity. The second flow limiting section may be located between the airflow cavity and the air outlet. The second flow limiting section may be located downstream of the airflow cavity. Therefore, the pressure sensor may be configured to detect the pressure drop in the airflow path resulting from the first flow limiting section rather than the second flow limiting section. The second flow limiting section may help prevent backflow of vapor or aerosol generated in the device cavity from entering the airflow cavity between fume extractions in the aerosol generator. In this way, the second flow limiting section may help keep the pressure sensor clean by keeping it away from the generated vapor and aerosol.

[0041] The pressure sensor may be any suitable type of pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may be an absolute pressure sensor configured to determine the absolute pressure within the airflow cavity. The pressure sensor may be a gauge pressure sensor configured to detect the relative pressure within the airflow cavity compared to the ambient pressure adjacent to the aerosol generating system. The pressure sensor may be a differential pressure sensor configured to detect the pressure difference between the airflow cavity and another first location in the airflow path. The pressure sensor may be a capacitive pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may be a piezoresistive pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may be a strain gauge. Preferably, the pressure sensor is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensor. Advantageously, the MEMS pressure sensor may be small enough to fit inside the aerosol generator without significantly increasing the size of the aerosol generator. A suitable example of an absolute pressure sensor is the MEMS nanopressure sensor LPS22HBTR manufactured by STMicroelectronics, which has an operating pressure of approximately 26 kilopascals (kPa) to approximately 126 kilopascals (kPa) and dimensions of 2 mm × 2 mm × 0.76 mm.

[0042] The pressure sensor is configured to detect the pressure within the airflow cavity in the airflow path.

[0043] In some embodiments, the pressure sensor is configured to detect differential pressure within the airflow path. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor is configured to detect pressure in the airflow path before and within the airflow cavity. In some of these embodiments, the pressure sensor comprises a first pressure sensor configured to detect pressure within the airflow cavity and a second pressure sensor configured to detect pressure before or upstream of the airflow cavity.

[0044] In some embodiments, which include a flow limiting section between the air intake and the airflow cavity, the pressure sensor is configured to detect the pressure in the airflow path and airflow cavity before or upstream of the flow limiting section. In some of these embodiments, the pressure sensor comprises a first pressure sensor configured to detect the pressure in the airflow cavity and a second pressure sensor configured to detect the pressure before or upstream of the flow limiting section.

[0045] Advantageously, differential pressure measurements taken between two locations within an airflow path may not be affected by local environmental conditions such as altitude and humidity. Therefore, when differential pressure measurements are performed, pressure sensors may not require recalibration for use in different environments, such as at different altitudes.

[0046] When a portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity, the aerosol generation system has an airflow path defined between the air intake and the air outlet.

[0047] The air intake can be any suitable air intake.

[0048] In some embodiments, the device includes an air intake. In some embodiments, the cartridge includes an air intake. In some preferred embodiments, the air intake is defined between the cartridge and the device when a portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity.

[0049] The air intake may include a single air intake. The air intake may include multiple air intakes. The air intake may include any appropriate number of air intakes. For example, the air intake may include one, two, three, four, five, or six air intakes.

[0050] The air outlet may be any suitable air outlet.

[0051] In some embodiments, the device includes an air outlet. In some preferred embodiments, the cartridge includes an air outlet.

[0052] The air outlet may include a single air outlet. The air outlet may include multiple air outlets. The air outlet may include any appropriate number of air outlets. For example, the air outlet may include one, two, three, four, five, or six air outlets.

[0053] In some embodiments, the device includes a connection terminal. The device cavity may be located at the connection terminal of the device.

[0054] In some embodiments, the cartridge comprises a mouth end and a connecting end opposite to the mouth end. The connecting end may be configured to be received by a device cavity. The connecting end may be a portion of the cartridge that is received by the device cavity. In some preferred embodiments, the air outlet of the airflow path is located at the mouth end of the cartridge. The mouth end of the cartridge may be configured for the user to inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating system by sucking on the mouth end.

[0055] A portion of the cartridge's connection end may form part of the airflow cavity when a portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity. A portion of the surface of the cartridge's connection end may form at least part of the surface of the airflow cavity when a portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity.

[0056] If the aerosol generation system includes a flow limiting section, and the flow limiting section is defined between the device and the cartridge, a portion of the connection end of the cartridge may form a portion of the flow limiting section when the portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity. A portion of the surface of the connection end of the cartridge may form at least a portion of the surface of the flow limiting section when the portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity.

[0057] In some preferred embodiments, a portion of the airflow path between the air intake and the airflow cavity is defined between the cartridge housing and the device housing. In some of these preferred embodiments, a portion of the airflow path between the air intake and the airflow cavity extends along the length of the device cavity. Advantageously, by locating a portion of the airflow path between the device cavity and the outer surface of the device housing, the airflow in that portion of the airflow path insulates the device cavity from the outer surface of the device housing, thereby reducing the temperature of the outer surface of the device housing when the aerosol generating system is in use. Advantageously, by locating a portion of the airflow path between the device housing and the cartridge housing, the outer surface of the device housing can be insulated from the heat generated around the device cavity by aerosol generation, thereby helping to prevent condensation on the outer surface of the device housing that may occur due to the temperature difference between the outer surface of the device housing and the external environment.

[0058] The device comprises a device cavity. The device cavity is configured to receive a portion of the cartridge. The device cavity may have any suitable size and shape.

[0059] In some embodiments, the device cavity comprises an open end that allows a portion of the cartridge to be received within the device cavity, and a substantially closed end opposite the open end.

[0060] The device cavity may intersect with the airflow path at or around a substantially closed end. The airflow path may intersect with the device cavity at or around a substantially closed end of the device cavity. In other words, the device cavity may intersect with the airflow path at or around a substantially closed end. A portion of the device cavity at or around a substantially closed end may form a portion of the airflow cavity when a portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity. When a portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity, a portion of the surface of the device cavity at or around a substantially closed end of the device cavity may form at least a portion of the surface of the airflow cavity.

[0061] If the aerosol generating system includes a flow limiter, and the flow limiter is defined between the device and the cartridge, a portion of the device cavity at or around the substantially closed end may form a portion of the flow limiter when a portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity. A portion of the surface of the device cavity at or around the substantially closed end may form at least a portion of the surface of the flow limiter when a portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity.

[0062] If the aerosol generating system includes a flow limiter, the flow limiter may be located at or around a substantially closed end of the device cavity. If the device includes a flow limiter, the flow limiter may be located below or beneath a substantially closed end of the device cavity. If the device includes a flow limiter, the flow limiter may be located adjacent to or immediately next to the device cavity. The flow limiter may be located adjacent to or immediately next to a substantially closed end of the device cavity.

[0063] The pressure sensor may be located at any suitable location in the apparatus. The pressure sensor may be located at or around a substantially closed end of the apparatus. In some embodiments, a portion of the surface of the pressure sensor may form a portion of the surface of the apparatus cavity.

[0064] In some preferred embodiments, the pressure sensor is located within a pressure sensor cavity in the device. The pressure sensor cavity may be located below or beneath the device cavity. The pressure sensor cavity may be located below or beneath the substantially closed end of the device cavity.

[0065] The pressure sensor cavity may have any suitable shape or size.

[0066] In some preferred embodiments, an additional airflow path is provided between the airflow cavity and the pressure sensor cavity. The additional airflow path may allow air to flow between the airflow cavity and the pressure sensor cavity.

[0067] In some preferred embodiments, the cartridge comprises two parts, a first part and a second part, the second part being movable relative to the first part. In some of these preferred embodiments, the first part comprises a liquid storage section and the second part comprises a heating element. The first and second parts may be movable between a storage position and a use position. In the storage position, the liquid storage section in the first part of the cartridge may be separated from the heating element in the second part of the cartridge. Separating the liquid storage section from the heating element can prevent the liquid held in the liquid storage section from reaching the heating element. Preventing the liquid from reaching the heating element may reduce the possibility of the liquid held in the storage section leaking out of the cartridge. In the use position, a liquid path may be provided from the liquid storage section to the heating element. Providing a liquid path from the liquid storage section to the heating element can allow the liquid from the liquid storage section to reach the heating element. In the use position, the heating element may be positioned to heat the liquid from the liquid storage section to generate an aerosol.

[0068] The cartridge may be configured to prevent the liquid held in the liquid reservoir from reaching the heating element when the first and second parts are in storage positions in any suitable manner. For example, a fragile seal may be disposed in the liquid path between the liquid reservoir and the heating element to prevent the liquid held in the liquid reservoir from passing through the liquid path to reach the heating element when the first and second parts are in storage positions, and the fragile seal may be broken to allow the liquid to reach the heating element from the liquid reservoir through the liquid path when the second part moves from the storage position to the use position relative to the first part. In some preferred embodiments, the second part includes a stopper that cooperates with the first part to prevent the liquid in the liquid reservoir from passing through the liquid path to reach the heating element when the first and second parts are in storage positions, the stopper moves with the second part relative to the first part when the second part moves from the storage position to the use position, to a position where the liquid held in the liquid reservoir can pass through the liquid path to reach the heating element. Such arrangements, including a movable stopper, allow the cartridge to be repeatedly moved between the use position and the storage position, while preventing the liquid held in the liquid storage section from passing through the liquid path to the heating element when the first and second parts are in the storage position. This is because the stopper is not damaged during movement between the storage position and the use position.

[0069] The first and second parts may be configured to be biased to the storage position. For example, an elastic element such as a spring may be provided within the cartridge to bias the second part relative to the first part from the use position to the storage position. Advantageously, biasing the first and second parts to the storage position rather than the use position can reduce the possibility of leakage of the liquid held in the liquid storage section when the cartridge is not received within the device cavity.

[0070] The first and second parts of the cartridge may be movable between a storage position and a use position in any suitable manner. In some preferred embodiments, the second part is slidable relative to the first part.

[0071] In some particularly preferred embodiments, the cartridge housing comprises a first part and a second part. In these embodiments, the first part is a first cartridge housing section, and the second part is a second cartridge housing section.

[0072] In some embodiments, particularly in some embodiments where the cartridge comprises a first part and a second part movable relative to the first part, the device comprises a push element. The push element may be configured to move either the first part relative to the second part, or the second part relative to the first part, when a portion of the cartridge is received into the device cavity. The push element may be configured to move the first and second parts from a storage position to a use position when a portion of the cartridge is received into the device cavity. The push element may be configured to engage with the first part when a portion of the cartridge is received into the device cavity. The push element may be configured to contact the first part when a portion of the cartridge is received into the device cavity. The push element may be configured to contact the second part when a portion of the cartridge is received into the device cavity.

[0073] Advantageously, providing the device with a push element configured to move the first and second parts from the storage position to the use position when a portion of the cartridge is received into the device cavity can reduce the possibility of leakage of the liquid held in the liquid storage section when the cartridge is not received into the device cavity and help minimize any additional actions that the user must perform to prepare the aerosol generating system for use. By providing the device with a push element, it becomes possible to move the cartridge from the storage position to the use position while a portion of the cartridge is being inserted into the device cavity, thereby minimizing any additional actions that the user must perform to prepare the aerosol generating system for use.

[0074] In some embodiments, the device housing includes a pressing element.

[0075] The pressing element may extend into the device cavity. In some preferred embodiments, the pressing element extends into the device cavity from a substantially closed end of the device cavity.

[0076] In some preferred embodiments, at least a portion of the surface of the pressing element defines at least a portion of the surface of the airflow cavity when a portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity.

[0077] In some embodiments that include a pressure sensor cavity, the pressure sensor cavity is at least partially disposed within the pressing element. In these embodiments, at least a portion of the pressure sensor may be disposed within the pressing element.

[0078] In some embodiments, which include an additional airflow path between the airflow cavity and the pressure sensor cavity, at least a portion of the additional airflow path may be located within the pressing element.

[0079] In some embodiments, the sealing element is positioned at a substantially closed end of the device cavity. The sealing element may be positioned so as not to substantially obstruct the airflow path. The sealing element may substantially cover the substantially closed end of the device cavity without obstructing the airflow path. Advantageously, the sealing element may help ensure that air flows through the airflow path without leaking through other gaps or spaces within the device housing. Particularly advantageous, if a flow limiter is provided within the airflow path, the sealing element may help ensure that air flows through the flow limiter rather than through other gaps or spaces within the device housing. The sealing element may be an elastic element. The sealing element may be an elastomer element. The sealing element may provide a liquid-tight seal, or preferably an airtight seal, over a portion of the airflow path. By providing an airtight seal, which may be called a hermetic seal, it is possible to ensure that the airflow through the portion of the airflow path with the sealing element is tightly controlled, and that the draw resistance through the airflow path can be predictable and consistent. In some embodiments, the sealing element may be provided at a flow limiter.

[0080] The apparatus may further include a controller. The controller may be configured to receive pressure measurements from a pressure sensor. The controller may be configured to receive pressure measurement information from a pressure sensor. The pressure measurements may include pressure measurement information. The pressure measurement information may include any information obtainable from the pressure sensor. The pressure measurement information may include information about the pressure in the airflow cavity.

[0081] The controller may be configured to determine when the user is inhaling smoke from the aerosol generating system based on pressure measurements from a pressure sensor.

[0082] The controller may be configured to receive pressure measurements at regular intervals, and the controller may be configured to receive pressure measurement information from a pressure sensor at regular intervals. The controller may be configured to periodically receive pressure measurement information from a pressure sensor. The controller may be configured to continuously receive pressure measurement information from a pressure sensor. The controller may be configured to receive pressure measurements at any appropriate sampling rate. The controller may be configured to receive pressure measurements and pressure measurement information at any appropriate sampling rate. For example, the controller may be configured to receive pressure measurements and pressure measurement information at sampling rates of at least 50 Hz, at least 60 Hz, and at least 65 Hz. In some preferred embodiments, the controller is configured to receive pressure measurements and pressure measurement information at a sampling rate of about 75 Hz.

[0083] The controller may be configured to determine the average pressure from pressure measurement information received over time from the pressure sensor. The average pressure may be a moving average. In other words, the average pressure may be updated for each subsequent pressure measurement. The moving average pressure may be the average pressure, the median pressure, or the modal pressure. The moving average pressure may be determined from multiple pressure measurements received from the pressure sensor. The moving average pressure may be determined from multiple consecutive pressure measurements received from the pressure sensor. The moving average pressure may be determined from any appropriate number of pressure measurements. For example, the moving average may be determined from at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 pressure measurements. The moving average pressure may be determined from 2 to 100 pressure measurements, 2 to 75 pressure measurements, or 2 to 40 pressure measurements.

[0084] Determining a moving average pressure from multiple pressure measurements taken over time can provide the controller with a baseline pressure on which subsequent pressure measurements can be compared. By comparing subsequent pressure measurements with the determined average pressure, the controller may be able to determine changes that are larger than the expected changes in the determined pressure. A pressure change in the airflow cavity that is larger than expected may indicate that the user is inhaling fumes from the aerosol generating system.

[0085] The controller may be configured to determine when a user is inhaling smoke from an aerosol generating system based on pressure measurement information received from a pressure sensor. The controller may be configured to detect smoke inhalation in an aerosol generating system based on pressure measurement information received from a pressure sensor. The controller may be configured to determine when a user is inhaling smoke from an aerosol generating system based on a comparison between pressure measurement information received from a pressure sensor and a threshold. The controller may be configured to determine when a user is inhaling smoke from an aerosol generating system based on a comparison between pressure measurement information received from a pressure sensor and a moving average pressure determined from previously received pressure measurement information from a pressure sensor.

[0086] In some preferred embodiments, the controller may be configured to determine a moving average pressure from time-series pressure measurement information received from a pressure sensor, compare subsequent pressure measurements with the determined moving average pressure, and determine, based on the comparison, when the user is inhaling smoke from the aerosol generating system. Once inhalation is detected, the moving average may be kept constant or not updated until it is determined that the user has stopped inhaling smoke from the aerosol generating system. Keeping the moving average pressure constant while the user is inhaling smoke from the aerosol generating system may allow the moving average pressure to be used as a baseline pressure on which pressure measurements taken during inhalation can be compared. Keeping the moving average pressure constant during inhalation may allow for the determination of the end of inhalation.

[0087] Advantageously, determining when a user is inhaling smoke from an aerosol generating system based on a moving average pressure, and comparing subsequent pressure measurements to the moving average pressure, can reduce the possibility of misjudging smoke inhalation due to changes in atmospheric pressure, such as changes in altitude, compared to comparing pressure measurements to a static threshold. This is because the determined moving average can change with gradual changes in external pressure, and comparing pressure measurements to the determined moving average pressure rather than a static threshold is particularly advantageous when a single pressure sensor is provided and senses the absolute pressure within the airflow cavity. When a gauge pressure sensor, differential pressure sensor, or two or more pressure sensors are provided and the differential pressure is measured or determined, there is less advantage in comparing the differential pressure measurement or pressure difference to the determined moving average rather than a static threshold. This is because differential pressure measurements or pressure differences are less affected by changes in external pressure or atmospheric pressure than individual absolute pressure measurements.

[0088] The controller may be configured to determine when to stop smuggling in the aerosol generating system based on pressure measurement information received from a pressure sensor. The controller may be configured to determine when the user should stop smuggling in the aerosol generating system based on pressure measurement information received from a pressure sensor. The controller may be configured to determine when the user should stop smuggling in the aerosol generating system based on a comparison of pressure measurement information received from a pressure sensor with a threshold. The controller may be configured to determine a moving average pressure from time-series pressure measurement information received from a pressure sensor, compare subsequent pressure measurements with the determined moving average pressure, determine when the user is smuggling in the aerosol generating system based on the comparison, and determine when the user should stop smuggling in the aerosol generating system based on a comparison of further subsequent pressure measurements with the previously determined moving average. In other words, the determined moving average pressure used to compare with subsequent pressure measurements when smuggling is detected is stored by the controller, and further subsequent pressure measurements can be used as a baseline or threshold to compare with to determine when the user should stop smuggling in the aerosol generating system.

[0089] The controller may be configured to determine the duration of smoke inhalation based on pressure measurement information received from a pressure sensor. The controller may also be configured to determine the duration of smoke inhalation based on the time difference between when it is first determined that the user is inhaling smoke from the aerosol generating system and when it is next determined that the user has stopped inhaling smoke from the aerosol generating system.

[0090] A typical duration of smoking may range from approximately 1 to 8 seconds, or more typically from approximately 3 to 6 seconds.

[0091] The cartridge includes a heating element. The heating element is configured to heat a liquid aerosol-forming substrate held within the liquid storage section in order to generate an aerosol.

[0092] If the device includes a controller, the controller may be configured to control the power supply to the heating element. The controller may also be configured to control the power supply to the heating element based on a pressure reading received from a pressure sensor. In some embodiments where the controller is configured to determine when a user is inhaling smoke from the aerosol generating system based on a pressure reading received from a pressure sensor, the controller may be configured to control the power supply to the heating element based on when it is detected that a user is inhaling smoke from the aerosol generating system.

[0093] In some embodiments, the heating element is a resistance heating element.

[0094] The resistance heating element may be formed from any suitable material.

[0095] The resistance heating element may be formed from a conductive material. As used herein, "conductive" means approximately 1 × 10⁻¹⁶ at 20 degrees Celsius (°C). -5 Less than ohms (Ωm), typically about 1 × 10⁻⁶ -5 Ohms (Ωm) ~ approximately 1 × 10⁻⁶ -9 This refers to a material that has a volume resistivity in ohms (Ωm).

[0096] The resistance heating element may be formed from a thermally conductive material. As used herein, the term “thermally conductive” refers to a material having a bulk thermal conductivity of at least about 10 watts / meter-kelvin (mW / (mK)) at 23 degrees Celsius (°C) and a relative humidity of 50 percent as measured using the improved transient planar heat source (MTPS) method.

[0097] The resistance heating element may be formed from at least one of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, metal, stainless steel, niobium, aluminum, nickel, titanium, and a composite of metallic materials.

[0098] In some preferred embodiments, the heating element includes a susceptor element.

[0099] As used herein, “susceptor element” refers to an element that can be heated by penetration due to a fluctuating magnetic field. A susceptor element is typically heated by Joule heating due to eddy current induction within the susceptor element, and by at least one of hysteresis losses.

[0100] When the heating element includes a susceptor element, the aerosol generation system includes an induction heating assembly comprising an inductor coil and a heating element. The device includes an inductor coil, and the cartridge includes a susceptor element.

[0101] If the device includes an inductor coil, the device may be configured to supply a fluctuating current to the inductor coil. When a fluctuating current is supplied to the inductor coil, the inductor coil is configured to generate a fluctuating magnetic field. When a portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity, the inductor coil and susceptor element are arranged such that the fluctuating magnetic field generated by the inductor coil when a fluctuating current is supplied penetrates the susceptor element.

[0102] The inductor coil may be placed in any suitable location. The inductor coil may be placed to generate a fluctuating magnetic field within the device cavity. The inductor coil may be located within or around the device cavity. The inductor coil may surround the device cavity.

[0103] As used herein, “variable current” refers to a current that changes over time. An inductor coil generates a variable magnetic field when a varying current is supplied to it. The term “variable current” is intended to include alternating current. If the variable current is an alternating current, the alternating current supplied to the inductor coil generates an alternating magnetic field.

[0104] The fluctuating current may be an alternating current. As used herein, "alternating current" refers to a current that periodically reverses direction. The alternating current may have any suitable frequency. Suitable frequencies for an alternating current may be between 100 kilohertz (kHz) and 30 megahertz (MHz). If at least one inductor coil is a tubular coil, the alternating current may have a frequency between 500 kilohertz (kHz) and 30 megahertz (MHz). If at least one inductor coil is a flat coil, the alternating current may have a frequency between 100 kilohertz (kHz) and 1 megahertz (MHz).

[0105] The inductor coil may have any suitable form. The inductor coil may be a tubular inductor coil. The inductor coil may be a planar inductor coil. The inductor coil may be a flat inductor coil. Preferably, the inductor coil is a tubular coil surrounding the device cavity.

[0106] The inductor coil may have any preferred number of turns.

[0107] The inductor coil can be formed from any suitable material. The inductor coil may be formed from at least one of silver, gold, aluminum, brass, zinc, iron, nickel, and their alloys, as well as conductive ceramics such as yttrium-doped zirconia, indium tin oxide, and yttrium-doped titanate.

[0108] When a portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity, the cartridge's susceptor element may be positioned to be penetrated by the fluctuating magnetic field generated by the inductor coil when a fluctuating current is supplied to the inductor coil.

[0109] The susceptor element may be formed from any suitable material. Preferably, the susceptor element contains a magnetic material that can be heated by penetration by a fluctuating magnetic field. The magnetic material may be a ferromagnetic material such as ferrite, ferrite iron, ferromagnetic alloy, ferromagnetic steel, or a ferromagnetic stainless steel such as SAE 400 series stainless steel, SAE type 409, 410, 420, or 430 stainless steel.

[0110] As used herein, “magnetic material” refers to a material that can interact with a magnetic field, including both paramagnetic and ferromagnetic materials.

[0111] In some preferred embodiments, the susceptor element comprises at least about 5 percent, or at least about 20 percent, or at least about 50 percent, or at least about 90 percent, of ferromagnetic or paramagnetic material on a dry weight basis.

[0112] The shape of the susceptor element may differ from the shape of the inductor coil. Preferably, the shape of the susceptor element is substantially the same as the shape of the inductor coil.

[0113] The inductor coil size may differ from the inductor coil size. Preferably, the susceptor element size is substantially the same as the inductor coil size.

[0114] In some preferred embodiments, the apparatus includes a controller. The controller may be configured to control the power supply to the heating element. If the aerosol generating system includes an induction heating arrangement and the apparatus includes an inductor coil for the induction heating arrangement, the controller may be configured to control the power supply to the inductor coil.

[0115] The controller may be configured to continuously supply current to the heating element or inductor coil after the aerosol generation system is started. Alternatively, the controller may be configured to intermittently supply current to the heating element or inductor coil, such as after each flue extraction.

[0116] The controller may include a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor, a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other electronic circuitry capable of providing control.

[0117] The controller may be part of the device's control circuit. The control circuit may include further electronic components. Advantageously, the control circuit may include a DC / AC inverter, which may include a Class D or Class E power amplifier.

[0118] The device may further include a power supply. The power supply may be configured to supply power to the heating element. The controller may be configured to control the power supply from the power supply to the heating element. If the aerosol generating system includes an induction heating arrangement, the power supply may be configured to supply power to the inductor coil of the induction heating arrangement. The controller may be configured to control the power supply from the power supply to the inductor coil.

[0119] The power source may be a DC power source. The power source may include at least one battery and a capacitor. The power source may be a battery. The battery may be any suitable type of battery. The battery may be a lithium-based battery, such as a lithium cobalt battery, lithium iron phosphate battery, lithium titanate battery, or lithium polymer battery. The battery may be a nickel-metal hydride battery or a nickel-cadmium battery. The power source may be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor. In one embodiment, the power source is a DC power source (corresponding to a DC power source in the range of about 2.5 watts to about 45 watts) having a DC supply voltage in the range of about 2.5 volts to about 4.5 volts and a DC supply current in the range of about 1 ampere to about 10 amperes.

[0120] If the aerosol generating system is equipped with an induction heating arrangement and the device includes an inductor coil for the induction heating arrangement, the power supply and controller may be configured to supply alternating current to the inductor coil.

[0121] The power supply and controller may be configured to operate at high frequencies. If the apparatus includes an inductive heating arrangement for the inductive coil, the power supply and controller may be configured to supply a high-frequency oscillating current to the inductive coil. As used herein, the term “high-frequency oscillating current” means an oscillating current having a frequency of about 500 kilohertz to about 30 megahertz. The high-frequency oscillating current may have a frequency of about 1 megahertz to about 30 megahertz, preferably about 1 megahertz to about 10 megahertz, and more preferably about 5 megahertz to about 8 megahertz.

[0122] If the controller is configured to control the power supply to the heating element or inductor coil of an induction heating arrangement, the controller may be configured to control the power supply to the heating element in any suitable way. Preferably, the controller is configured to control the power supply to the heating element with pulses. If the controller is configured to control the power supply to the heating element with pulses, the controller may be configured to control the power supply to the heating element by pulse width modulation.

[0123] The controller may be configured to control the power supply to the heating element based on pressure measurements received from the pressure sensor.

[0124] The cartridge comprises a liquid storage section configured to hold a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may contain any suitable components.

[0125] The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may contain nicotine. The nicotine-containing liquid aerosol-forming substrate may also be a nicotine salt matrix. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may contain plant-derived materials. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may contain tobacco. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may contain tobacco-containing materials that contain volatile tobacco-flavored compounds released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may contain homogenized tobacco materials. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may contain non-tobacco-containing materials. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may contain homogenized plant-derived materials.

[0126] The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may contain one or more aerosol-forming compounds. The aerosol-forming compounds are any suitable known compounds or mixtures of compounds that facilitate the formation of a high-density and stable aerosol during use and are substantially resistant to thermal decomposition at the system's operating temperature. Examples of suitable aerosol-forming compounds include glycerin and propylene glycol. Suitable aerosol-forming compounds are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to, polyhydric alcohols (e.g., triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, glycerin), esters of polyhydric alcohols (e.g., glycerol monoacetate, diacetate, or triacetate), and aliphatic esters of monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, or polycarboxylic acids (e.g., dimethyl dodecanediol, dimethyl tetradecanediol). The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may contain water, a solvent, ethanol, plant extracts, and natural or artificial flavors. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may also contain nicotine and at least one aerosol-forming compound. The aerosol-forming compound may be glycerin or propylene glycol. The aerosol-forming body may contain both glycerin and propylene glycol. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may have a nicotine concentration of about 0.5% to about 10%, for example, about 2%.

[0127] The aerosol generating system may be a handheld aerosol generating system. The aerosol generating system may be a handheld aerosol generating system configured to allow the user to inhale an aerosol through an air outlet by sucking on a mouthpiece. The aerosol generating system may have a size comparable to a conventional cigar or cigarette. The aerosol generating system may have an overall length of approximately 25 mm to approximately 150 mm. The aerosol generating system may have an external width and diameter of approximately 5 mm to approximately 30 mm. [Examples]

[0128] 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 one or more features of other embodiments, forms, or aspects described herein.

[0129] Example 1. an aerosol generation system, It is a cartridge, Cartridge housing, A liquid storage unit configured to hold a liquid aerosol forming substrate, and A cartridge comprising a heating element configured to heat the liquid from the liquid storage section, It is a device, The apparatus comprises an apparatus housing that defines an apparatus cavity configured to receive a portion of a cartridge, When a portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity, the aerosol generation system has an airflow path defined between the air intake and the air outlet. When a portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity, the airflow cavity is located within the airflow path, and the airflow cavity is defined between the cartridge housing and the device housing. An aerosol generation system comprising a pressure sensor positioned to detect the pressure within an airflow cavity. Example 2. The aerosol generating system according to Example 1, wherein the pressure in the airflow path is minimized within the airflow cavity when air is drawn out through the airflow path between the air intake and the air outlet. Example 3. The aerosol generating system according to Example 1 or Example 2, wherein the flow limiting unit is disposed in the airflow path between the air intake and the airflow cavity. Example 4. The aerosol generation system according to Example 3, wherein the flow rate limiting section is located immediately upstream of the airflow cavity. Example 5. The aerosol generating system according to Example 3 or Example 4, wherein the flow limiting section is a portion of the airflow path having a width smaller than the width of the airflow cavity. Example 6. The aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 3 to 5, wherein the flow rate limiting section is a portion of the airflow path having the minimum width of any part of the airflow path. Example 7. The aerosol generation system according to any one of Examples 3 to 6, wherein the flow limiting section is a part of the airflow path having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow cavity. Example 8. The aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 3 to 7, wherein the flow rate limiting section is a portion of the airflow path having the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​any part of the airflow path. Example 9. An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 3 to 8, wherein the aerosol generating device includes a flow rate limiting unit. Example 10. An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 3 to 8, wherein when a portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity, a flow limiting section is defined between the cartridge housing and the device housing. Example 11. The aerosol generating system according to Example 10, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the cartridge housing defines at least a portion of the surface of the flow limiting portion. Example 12. The aerosol generating system according to Example 10 or Example 11, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the device housing defines at least a portion of the surface of the flow limiting portion. Example 13. An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 3 to 12, wherein the flow rate limiting section has a width of 0.15 mm to 0.8 mm. Example 14. An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 3 to 13, wherein the flow rate limiting section has a depth of 0.3 mm to 1.2 mm. Example 15. An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 3 to 14, wherein the flow rate limiting section has a length of 1 mm to 2 mm. Example 16. An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 3 to 14, wherein the flow rate limiting section has a cross-sectional area of ​​0.045 square millimeters to 1 square millimeter. Example 17. An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 1 to 16, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the cartridge housing defines at least a portion of the surface of the airflow cavity. Example 18. An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 1 to 17, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the apparatus housing defines at least a portion of the surface of the airflow cavity. Example 19. An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 1 to 18, wherein when a portion of the cartridge is received into the device cavity, an air intake port of the airflow path is defined between the cartridge and the device. Example 20. The cartridge The mouth side and, An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 1 to 19, comprising a connecting end opposite to the mouth end, which is configured to be received by a device cavity. Example 21. The aerosol generating system according to Example 20, wherein the air outlet of the airflow path is located at the mouth end of the cartridge. Example 22. The aerosol generating system according to Example 20 or Example 21, wherein the mouth end of the cartridge is configured for the user to suck on the mouth end and inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating system. Example 23. An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 1 to 22, wherein the pressure sensor is located within a pressure sensor cavity in the device. Example 24. The aerosol generating system according to Example 23, wherein an additional airflow path is provided between the airflow cavity and the smoke absorption sensor cavity to allow air to flow between the airflow cavity and the smoke absorption sensor cavity. Example 25. The device cavity, An open end that allows a portion of the cartridge to be received within the device cavity, An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 1 to 24, comprising a substantially closed end opposite to the open end. Example 26. The aerosol generating system according to Example 25, wherein the device cavity intersects with the airflow path at a substantially closed end. Example 27. The aerosol generating system according to Example 25 or Example 26, wherein the flow limiting section is disposed at or around a substantially closed end of the device cavity. Example 28. An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 25 to 27, wherein the sealing element is located at a substantially closed end of the device cavity and the sealing element does not substantially obstruct the airflow path. Example 29. An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 25 to 28, wherein the device housing comprises a pressing element, the pressing element extending from a substantially closed end into a device cavity. Example 30. The aerosol generating system according to Embodiment 29, wherein the cartridge housing comprises two parts, a first cartridge housing section and a second cartridge housing section, the second cartridge housing section being movable relative to the first cartridge housing section, and a pushing element being arranged to contact the second cartridge housing section when a portion of the cartridge is received in the device cavity, thereby moving the second cartridge housing section relative to the first cartridge housing section. Example 31. The aerosol generating system according to Example 29 or Example 30, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the pressing element defines at least a portion of the surface of the airflow cavity when a portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity. Example 32. The aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 1 to 31, further comprising an induction heating assembly having an inductor coil and a heating element, wherein the apparatus comprises an inductor coil and the heating element comprises a susceptor element. Example 33. The aerosol generating system according to Embodiment 32, wherein the device is configured to supply a fluctuating current to an inductor coil, the inductor coil is configured to generate an alternating magnetic field when the fluctuating current is supplied, and the inductor coil and susceptor element are arranged such that the fluctuating magnetic field penetrates the susceptor element when a portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity. Example 34. An aerosol generating system according to Example 32 or Example 33, wherein an inductor coil surrounds the device cavity. Example 35. The aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 1 to 34, further comprising a power supply configured to supply power to a heating element when a portion of a cartridge is received within the device cavity. Example 36. The aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 32 to 34, further comprising a power supply and a controller configured to supply a fluctuating current to an inductor coil.

[0130] The present invention will be further described, for illustrative purposes only, with reference to the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0131] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a cartridge for an aerosol generation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of an aerosol generation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which comprises the cartridge shown in Figure 1 and the apparatus shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a portion of the aerosol generation system from Figure 3, where the cartridge is not received within the device cavity of the device. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a portion of the aerosol generation system from Figure 3, where the cartridge is received within the device cavity of the apparatus. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a portion of the aerosol generation system from Figure 3, where the cartridge is received within the device cavity of the apparatus. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generation system shown in Figure 6. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows a portion of the aerosol generation system from Figure 3, where the cartridge is received within the device cavity and air is drawn out through the aerosol generation system. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows a portion of an aerosol generating system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the cartridge is received within the device cavity of the device. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows a plan view of the aerosol generation system apparatus shown in Figure 9, viewed from the open end of the apparatus cavity towards the substantially closed end. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows a portion of an aerosol generating system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a cartridge is received within the device cavity of the device and air is drawn out through the aerosol generating system. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows a portion of the aerosol generation system shown in Figure 11. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0132] A first embodiment of the aerosol generating system 10 according to this disclosure is shown in Figures 1 to 8. The aerosol generating system 10 comprises a cartridge 12 and a device 14.

[0133] Cartridge 12 is shown in Figure 1. Cartridge 12 comprises a cartridge housing including a first cartridge housing portion 16 and a second cartridge housing portion 18. The second cartridge housing portion 18 is substantially tubular and defines an internal passage 19. The first cartridge housing portion 16 is also substantially tubular and has a greater width than the second cartridge housing portion 18, defining an internal passage that is wider than the second cartridge housing portion 18. The second cartridge housing portion 18 is received within the internal passage of the first cartridge housing portion 16 such that the second cartridge housing portion 18 is surrounded by the first cartridge housing portion 16 by the longitudinal axis of the second housing portion 18 which is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first cartridge housing portion 16. When the second cartridge housing portion 18 is received within the internal passage of the first cartridge housing portion 16, the second cartridge housing portion 18 is movable relative to the first cartridge housing portion 16 between a storage position shown in Figure 1 and a use position shown in Figure 3. In this embodiment, the second cartridge housing portion 18 is slidable relative to the first cartridge housing portion 16 along the aligned longitudinal axis of the first cartridge housing portion 16 and the second cartridge housing portion 18.

[0134] Cartridge 12 comprises a mouth end 20 and a connecting end 21. At the mouth end of the first cartridge housing 16, the first cartridge housing 16 is provided with an air outlet 22 having a width slightly smaller than the width of the internal passage 19 of the second cartridge housing 18. The inner tube 23 extends from the air outlet 22 of the first cartridge housing 16 along the longitudinal axis of the first cartridge housing 16. The second cartridge housing 18 is received at the mouth end 20 on the inner tube 23 of the first cartridge housing 16. The internal passage 19 of the second cartridge housing 18 is slidable on the inner tube 23 along the aligned longitudinal axes of the first and second cartridge housings 16 and 18, moving the second cartridge housing 18 between a storage position and a use position. An O-ring 24 is provided between the inner tube 23 of the first cartridge housing 18 and the second cartridge housing 18 to prevent liquid from flowing through the gap between the inner tube 29 and the second cartridge housing 18. Furthermore, at the mouth end of the first cartridge housing portion 16, the first cartridge housing portion 16 has a region with a wider outer diameter than the connecting end of the first cartridge housing portion 16.

[0135] The liquid storage section 25 is defined in the region between the wider diameter region of the first cartridge housing section 16 and the second cartridge housing section 18 at the mouth end of the cartridge 12. The liquid storage section 25 is configured to hold a liquid aerosol forming substrate 26. The liquid aerosol forming substrate 26 is prevented by an O-ring 24 from flowing from the liquid storage section 25 into the internal passage 19 of the second cartridge housing section 18 at the mouth end. The second cartridge housing section 18 further comprises an annular first stop section 27 extending radially outward from the second cartridge housing section 18 at a distance around the length of the inner tube 23 of the first cartridge housing section 16 from the mouth end of the second cartridge housing section 18. The first stop section 27 extends radially outward from the second cartridge housing section at a distance below the wider region at the mouth end so as to contact the inner surface of the internal passage of the first cartridge housing section 16. When cartridge 12 is in the storage position, the first stopper 27 of the second cartridge housing 18 contacts the inner surface of the first cartridge housing 16, preventing the liquid aerosol forming substrate 26 from flowing from the liquid storage 25 past the first stopper 27 to the connection end 21 of cartridge 12.

[0136] As shown in Figure 3, when the cartridge is moved to the use position, the second cartridge housing 18 slides toward the mouth end of the first cartridge housing 16 along the aligned longitudinal axis until the first stop 27 reaches a wider area at the mouth end of the second cartridge housing 18. When the first stop 27 reaches a wider area at the mouth end of the second cartridge housing 18, the first stop 27 no longer contacts the inner surface of the first cartridge housing 16, providing a gap between the first cartridge housing 16 and the second cartridge housing 18, allowing the liquid aerosol-forming substrate 26 in the liquid storage 25 to flow out of the liquid storage 25 into the gap between the first cartridge housing 16 and the second cartridge housing 18 at the connecting end of the second cartridge housing 18.

[0137] A second stopper 28 is provided at the connecting end of the second cartridge housing 18. The second stopper 28 is substantially similar to the first stopper 27 and contacts the inner surface of the internal passage of the first cartridge housing 16 below a wider area of ​​the mouth end to prevent liquid from flowing over the connecting end of the second cartridge housing 18 when the cartridge 12 is in use. An additional O-ring seal 29 is also provided at the second stopper 28 to improve the seal between the second stopper 28 and the inner surface of the internal passage of the first cartridge housing 16.

[0138] The cartridge 12 further comprises a heater assembly 30. The heater assembly 30 is generally in the form of a flat, planar sheet. The heater assembly 20 comprises a heating element 31 in the form of a susceptor element and a wicking element 32. In this embodiment, the susceptor element 31 comprises a sintered mesh formed from ferritic stainless steel filaments and austenitic stainless steel filaments. The wicking element 32 comprises a body of porous rayon filament.

[0139] The heater assembly 30 is held within the second cartridge housing portion 18 toward the connection end and below the first stop portion 27. The susceptor element 31 is arranged to extend across the internal passage 19 of the second cartridge housing portion 18, and the wicking element 32 is arranged to extend outward beyond the susceptor element 31 on the opposing side of the susceptor element 31 and to extend radially outward through the second cartridge housing portion 18 on each side for a distance slightly less than that of the first stop portion 27 and the second stop portion 28.

[0140] As shown in Figure 3, when the cartridge 12 is in the use position, the liquid aerosol forming substrate 26 from the liquid storage section 25 flows into the gap between the first cartridge housing section 16 and the second cartridge housing section 18 at the connection end. The liquid aerosol forming substrate 26 in the gap comes into contact with the wicking element 32 of the heater assembly and is drawn onto the susceptor element 31 by the wicking element.

[0141] At the connection end 21 of the cartridge, the second cartridge housing portion 18 includes a base 33 that substantially closes the connection end of the second cartridge housing portion 18, and the first cartridge housing portion 16 includes an inwardly extending flange 34 that extends to the base 33 of the second cartridge housing portion 18 but not above the base 33. In other words, the inwardly extending flange 34 leaves an opening 35 at the connection end of the first cartridge housing portion 16. The second cartridge housing portion 18 further includes an opening 36 around the periphery of the second cartridge housing portion 18, just above the base 33 at the connection end. The opening 36 of the second cartridge housing portion 18 and the opening 35 of the first cartridge housing portion 16 allow air to be drawn into the internal passage 19 of the second cartridge housing portion 18 and out of the internal passage 19 through the internal tube 23 and air outlet 22 of the first cartridge housing portion 16.

[0142] The device 14 is shown in Figure 2. The device 14 comprises a device housing 38 that defines a device cavity 40 at the connection end 41 of the device 14. The device cavity 40 is configured to receive the connection end 21 of the cartridge 12. The device cavity 40 has an open end at the connection end 41 of the device 14 and a substantially closed end opposite the open end.

[0143] The device 14 further comprises an inductor coil 42. The inductor coil 42 encloses a portion of the device cavity 40. The inductor coil 42 is made of copper wire having a circular cross-section and is arranged on a coil-winding element (not shown). In this embodiment, the inductor coil 42 is a helical coil and has a circular cross-section when viewed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device 14.

[0144] As shown in Figure 3, when the connection end 21 of the cartridge 12 is received into the device cavity 40 of the device 14, the inductor coil 42 aligns with the heater assembly 30 of the cartridge so that the inductor coil 42 aligns with the susceptor element 32. The susceptor element 32 and the inductor coil 42 together form an induction heating assembly 43.

[0145] The device 14 further comprises a controller 44 and a power supply 45, which also form part of the induction heating assembly 43. The power supply 45 includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and is rechargeable via an electrical connector (not shown) at the distal end of the device 14 opposite the connection end 41. The controller 44 is connected to the power supply 45 and the inductor coil 42 so that the controller 44 can control the power supply from the power supply 45 to the inductor coil 42. The controller 44 and the power supply 45 are configured to supply alternating current to the inductor coil 42.

[0146] When alternating current is supplied to the inductor coil 42, the inductor coil 42 generates an alternating magnetic field within the device cavity 40. When the connection end 21 of the cartridge 12 is received within the device cavity 40, the alternating magnetic field generated by the inductor coil 42 is generated within the region of the susceptor element 32 aligned with the inductor coil 42. The inductor coil 42 has a length similar to that of the susceptor element 32 so that the alternating magnetic field generated by the inductor coil 42 penetrates the length of the susceptor element 32.

[0147] The device 14 further comprises a flux concentrater 46 that partially surrounds the inductor coil 42 and is configured to attenuate the alternating magnetic field generated by the inductor coil 42 in a radially outward direction from the device. This can reduce interference between the alternating magnetic field and other nearby electronic devices and reduce the risk of the alternating magnetic field inductively heating nearby objects outside the aerosol generating system.

[0148] The device 14 further comprises a push element 47 extending into the device cavity 40 from a substantially closed end in the direction of the device's longitudinal axis. The push element 47 has a cross section perpendicular to the device's longitudinal axis, having a size and shape similar to the opening 35 at the connecting end of the first cartridge housing portion 16. Therefore, when the connecting end 21 of the cartridge 12 is received into the device cavity 40, the push element 47 extends through the opening 35 at the connecting end of the first cartridge housing portion 16 and contacts the base 33 of the second cartridge housing portion 18.

[0149] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, when the connecting end 21 of the cartridge 12 is received within the device cavity 40, the pushing element 47 pushes the base 33 of the second cartridge housing 18 toward the mouth end of the first cartridge housing 16, from the storage position to the use position. The length of the pushing element 47 is slightly greater than the distance required for the second cartridge housing 18 to move from the storage position to the use position so that the cartridge moves completely from the storage position to the use position when the connecting end 21 of the cartridge 12 is received within the device cavity 40.

[0150] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, when the connecting end 21 of the cartridge 12 is received within the device cavity 40, an air intake 48 and a gap 49 are defined between the first cartridge housing 18 and the device housing 38, allowing ambient air to be drawn into the aerosol generating system 10. The gap 49 extends between the length of the connecting end 21 of the cartridge 21 and the length of the device cavity 40, as well as between the inwardly extending flange 34 of the first cartridge housing 16 and the substantially closed base of the device cavity 40. The flow limiting section 50 is defined between the inwardly extending flange 34 and the push element 47. The flow limiting section 50 will be described in more detail later with reference to Figures 4-7.

[0151] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, when the connecting end 21 of the cartridge 12 is received within the device cavity 40, the airflow cavity 51 is defined between the inner surface of the first cartridge housing portion 16 and the push element 47. The airflow cavity 51 is bounded by the inwardly extending flange 34 of the first cartridge housing portion 16 and the second stop portion 28 of the second cartridge housing portion 18. Thus, the surface of the airflow cavity is partially defined by the surface of the housing 38 of the device 14 (i.e., the surface of the push element 47) and the surfaces of the housing of the cartridge 12 (i.e., the surfaces of the first cartridge housing portion 16 and the second cartridge housing portion 18).

[0152] When the connecting end 21 of the cartridge 12 is received into the device cavity 40, an airflow path is defined through the aerosol generating system 10. The airflow path includes an air intake 48, a gap 49, a flow limiting section 50, an airflow cavity 51, an opening 36 around the periphery of the second cartridge housing 18, an internal passage 19 of the second cartridge housing 18, an inner tube 23 of the first cartridge housing 16, and an air outlet 22 of the first cartridge housing 16. During use, the user can inhale the mouth end 20 of the cartridge 12, draw ambient air into the aerosol generating system 10 through the air intake 48, and inhale air from the aerosol generating system 10 through the air outlet 22 via the airflow path. Ambient air enters the aerosol generating system 10 through the gap 49 from the air intake 48 between the cartridge housing and the device housing 38 and reaches the flow limiting section 50. Air passes through the flow limiting section 50 and enters the airflow cavity 51, exits the airflow cavity 51, and enters the internal passage 19 of the second cartridge housing section 18 through the opening 36. The air in the internal passage 19 flows over the susceptor element 31, through the inner tube 23, and out of the aerosol generation system from the air outlet 22. The airflow flowing through a portion of the aerosol generation system is indicated by the dashed arrow in Figure 8.

[0153] The device 14 further includes a pressure sensor 52 positioned to sense the pressure within the airflow cavity 51. The pressure sensor 52 is located within a pressure sensor cavity 53, which is partially located within a push element 47. An additional airflow path 54 is provided between the pressure sensor cavity 53 and the airflow cavity 51 through the push element 47 to enable the pressure sensor 52 located within the pressure sensor cavity 53 to sense the pressure within the airflow cavity 51.

[0154] The pressure sensor 52 is connected to the controller 44. The controller 44 receives pressure measurements from the pressure sensor 52. The controller 44 is configured to determine whether the user is inhaling the aerosol generating system based on the pressure measurements received from the pressure sensor 52.

[0155] The flow limiting section 50 in the airflow path causes a significant pressure drop within the airflow cavity 51 when the user inhales smoke from the aerosol generating system by sucking through the mouthpiece. This pressure drop makes the detection of smoke inhalation more reliable and faster than in a case where the flow limiting section 50 is absent and such a significant pressure drop does not occur within the airflow cavity 51 during smoke inhalation.

[0156] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, in this embodiment, the flow limiting section 50 is defined between the housing 38 of the device 14 and the housing of the cartridge 12. The flow limiting section 50 is defined by the surface of the inwardly extending flange 34 of the first cartridge housing section 16 and the surface of the push element 47, which is the surface of the housing 38 of the device 12. In this embodiment, the flow limiting section 50 is formed by a “vertical” channel extending in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 12 and the device 14 between the radially innermost surface of the inwardly extending flange 34 of the first cartridge housing section 16 and the radially outer surface of the push element 47 of the device housing 38. The flow limiting section 50 is part of the airflow path through the aerosol generating system having the minimum cross-sectional area. The cross-sectional area of ​​the flow limiting section 50 may define the drawout resistance (RTD) through the flow limiting section and the airflow path. Thus, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow limiting section may be selected to provide a desired RTD through the airflow path. In this embodiment, the width 55 of the flow limiting section 50 between the inwardly extending flange 34 and the push element 47 shown in Figure 6 has the minimum dimension of any portion of the airflow path. In this embodiment, the flow limiting section 50 is located immediately next to the airflow cavity 51 and is led directly onto the airflow cavity 51.

[0157] A cross-section of the aerosol generation system through line 56 in Figure 6 is shown in Figure 7, where the narrow flow limiting section 50 is shown to connect to the airflow cavity 51.

[0158] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the cartridge 12 and the device 14 generally have a stadium-shaped cross-sectional profile. However, naturally, the cartridge and the device may have other cross-sectional profiles, such as circular, elliptical, or polygonal, without altering the operation of the aerosol generation system.

[0159] During use, the connecting end 21 of the cartridge 12 is inserted into the device cavity 40 of the device 14. The pushing element 47 enters the cartridge 12 at the opening 35 and pushes the base 33 of the second cartridge housing 18. This causes the second cartridge housing 18 to move toward the mouth end of the first cartridge housing 16, moving the cartridge from the storage position to the use position. The liquid aerosol forming substrate 26 held in the liquid storage section 25 can flow from the liquid storage section 25 to the heater assembly 30 when the connecting end 21 of the cartridge 12 is fully received within the device cavity 40.

[0160] When a user inhales smoke from the mouth end 20 of the cartridge 12, air is drawn into the aerosol generation system at the air intake 48 and through the gap 49 and flow limiting section 50 into the airflow cavity 51. The pressure drop in the airflow cavity 51 caused by the user's smoke inhalation is detected by a pressure sensor 52 in the pressure sensor cavity 53, and the controller 44 determines that smoke inhalation has occurred in the aerosol generation system 10 based on the pressure measurement received from the pressure sensor 52. When the controller 44 detects smoke inhalation, it causes an alternating current from the power supply 45 to be supplied to the inductor coil 42, thereby generating an alternating magnetic field in the device cavity 40. The susceptor element 31 of the cartridge 12 is penetrated by the alternating magnetic field and heated through Joule heating from the overcurrent induced within the susceptor element and through hysteresis losses. The heated susceptor element 31 heats the liquid aerosol-forming substrate 26, which releases volatile compounds in the vapor into the internal passage 19 of the second cartridge housing 18. The vapor is carried along with the airflow through the internal passage 19 as air from the airflow cavity 51 is drawn into the internal passage through an opening 36 near the base 33 of the second cartridge housing. The vapor is cooled and condenses to form an aerosol as it is drawn along the internal passage into the inner tube 23 of the first cartridge housing 16. The aerosol is drawn out of the aerosol generation system 10 at the air outlet 22, where it is inhaled by the user.

[0161] Naturally, in other embodiments, the flow limiter may be provided at different locations within the airflow path. For example, the flow limiter may be defined by the surface of a substantially closed end of the device cavity and the surface of an inwardly extending flange of the first cartridge housing at the connection end. In these embodiments, the flow limiter may be spaced apart from the airflow cavity. In some embodiments, the flow limiter may be defined at the connection end both between the surface of the inwardly extending flange of the first cartridge housing and the surface of the push element of the device housing, and between the surface of a substantially closed end of the device cavity and the surface of an inwardly extending flange of the first cartridge housing.

[0162] Figures 9 and 10 show a portion of another embodiment of the aerosol generating system according to this disclosure. The embodiment in Figures 9 and 10 is substantially identical to the aerosol generating system in Figures 1-8, and similar features are referred to by the same reference numerals. The only difference between the aerosol generating system 10 in Figures 9 and 10 and the aerosol generating system 10 in Figures 1-8 is that in the aerosol generating system 10 of Figures 9 and 10, the flow limiting unit 50 is located at a different position in the airflow path, and the flow limiting unit 50 is not located immediately adjacent to the airflow cavity 51.

[0163] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the flow limiter 50 is provided at the connection end within a portion of the airflow path defined by the open channel 57 at the substantially closed end of the device cavity 40 and the bottom surface of the inwardly extending flange 34 of the first cartridge housing portion 16. In this embodiment, the flow limiter 50 is a “horizontal” channel extending in the width direction of the cartridge 12 and the device 14, formed between the surface of the open channel 57 at the substantially closed end of the device cavity 40 and the bottom surface of the inwardly extending flange 34 of the first cartridge housing portion 16. Again in this embodiment, the flow limiter 50 is a portion of the airflow path through the aerosol generating system 10 having the minimum cross-sectional area. The cross-sectional area of ​​the flow limiter 50 may define the draw-out resistance (RTD) through the flow limiter and the airflow path. Thus, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow limiter can be selected to provide a desired RTD through the airflow path. The width 55 and depth 58 of the flow limiter 50 determine the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow limiter 50. In this embodiment, the depth 58 of the flow limiting section 50 shown in Figure 9 has the minimum dimension of any portion of the airflow path.

[0164] In the configurations of the embodiments shown in Figures 9 and 10, the flow limiting section 50 is spaced apart from the airflow cavity 51, and an additional gap 49 is provided between the flow limiting section 50 and the airflow cavity 51. The additional gap 49 is formed by the radial outer surface of the push element 47 of the device housing 38 and the radial innermost surface of the inwardly extending flange 34 of the second cartridge housing section 18.

[0165] In the configurations of the embodiments shown in Figures 9 and 10, when the cartridge 12 is received within the device cavity 40 of the device 14, it may be necessary to seal the open end of the open channel 57 to form a flow limiting section. The seal may be a liquid-tight seal, or preferably an airtight seal. By providing an airtight seal, which may be called a hermetic seal, the airflow through the flow limiting section 50 can be tightly controlled, and predictable and consistent draw resistance can be ensured through the airflow path. Such a seal can be achieved by providing a sealing element, such as an elastomer sheet, between the substantially closed end of the device cavity 40 and the bottom surface of the inwardly extending flange 34 of the first cartridge housing section 16. The sealing element may be provided either inside the device 14, at the substantially closed end of the device cavity 40, or inside the cartridge 12, at the bottom surface of the inwardly extending flange 34 of the first cartridge housing section 16.

[0166] In some embodiments, it will be understood that the flow limiting section may include both the “horizontal” channel in the embodiments of Figures 1-8 and the “vertical” channel in the embodiments of Figures 9 and 10. In other words, the flow limiting section may include both a “vertical” channel that is located between the radially innermost surface of the inwardly extending flange 34 of the first cartridge housing 16 and the radially outer surface of the push element 47 of the device housing 38 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 12 and the device 14, and a “horizontal” channel that is formed between the surface of the open channel 57 at the substantially closed end of the device cavity 40 and the bottom surface of the inwardly extending flange 34 of the first cartridge housing 16 and extends in the width direction of the cartridge 12 and the device 14.

[0167] A portion of another embodiment of the aerosol generating system according to this disclosure is shown in Figures 11 and 12. The embodiment in Figures 11 and 12 is substantially identical to the aerosol generating system in Figures 1-8, and similar features are referred to by the same reference numerals. The only difference between the aerosol generating system 10 in Figures 11 and 12 and the aerosol generating system 10 in Figures 1-8 is that in the aerosol generating system 10 in Figures 11 and 12, the device 14 includes a flow limiting unit 50, and the flow limiting unit is not located immediately next to the airflow cavity 51.

[0168] By providing the flow limiting unit 50 within the device 14 rather than between the cartridge 12 and the device 14, it is possible to easily control the dimensions of the flow limiting unit while the aerosol generation system 10 is in use.

[0169] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the flow limiter 50 is provided in a passage through a portion of the device housing 38 below the substantially closed end of the device cavity 40. Again, the flow limiter 50 is a portion of the airflow path through the aerosol generating system 10 having a minimum cross-sectional area. The cross-sectional area of ​​the flow limiter 50 may define the draw-out resistance (RTD) through the flow limiter and the airflow path. Thus, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow limiter can be selected to provide a desired RTD through the airflow path. In this embodiment, the depth 58 and width of the flow limiter 50 determine the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow limiter. In this embodiment, the depth 58 of the flow limiter 50 shown in Figure 12 has the minimum dimension for any portion of the airflow path. In this embodiment, the flow limiter 50 is spaced apart from the airflow cavity 51, and a further gap 49 is provided between the device housing 38 and the surface of the inwardly extending flange 34 of the second cartridge housing portion 18. The airflow passing through a portion of the aerosol generation system 10 is indicated by the dashed arrow in Figure 11.

[0170] The embodiments described above are merely examples of the disclosure, and it will be understood that modifications to the embodiments can be made within the spirit of the disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, it will be understood that the apparatus 14 may include at least one of the air intakes 48 and gaps 49. Naturally, any number of air intakes 48 and gaps 49 may be provided to provide the user with the desired aerosol delivery. The aerosol generating system 10 may include a resistance heating element instead of the induction heating assembly 43. The cartridge 12 may include a single cartridge housing without a movable first cartridge housing section 16 and a second cartridge housing section 18, and the apparatus 14 may not include a push element 47 extending into the apparatus cavity. Airflow cavities may be provided at different locations in the airflow path. Airflow cavities may be provided between other parts of the cartridge housing and the apparatus housing. Flow limiting sections may be provided at different locations in the airflow path. Flow limiting sections may be provided between other parts of the cartridge housing and the apparatus housing.

[0171] 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 examples as being modified by the term “approximately.” Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum values, as well as any intermediate ranges contained within them, whether or not they are specifically enumerated herein. Thus, in this context, the number A is understood as A ± 10 percent (10%). In this context, the number A may be considered to include numerical values ​​that fall within the general standard error of the measurement of the property modified by the number A. In some examples used in the appended claims, the numerical value A may deviate by the percentages enumerated above, as long as the amount of deviation of A does not substantially affect the basic and novel property of the invention described in the claims. Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum values, as well as any intermediate ranges contained within them, whether or not they are specifically enumerated herein.

Claims

1. Aerosol generation system, It is a cartridge, Cartridge housing, A liquid storage unit configured to hold a liquid aerosol forming substrate, and A cartridge comprising a heating element configured to heat the liquid from the liquid storage section, It is a device, The apparatus comprises a device housing that defines a device cavity configured to receive a portion of the cartridge, When the aforementioned portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity, the aerosol generating system is provided with an airflow path defined between an air intake and an air outlet. When the portion of the cartridge is received within the device cavity, the airflow cavity is located within the airflow path, and the airflow cavity is defined between the cartridge housing and the device housing. An aerosol generating system comprising a pressure sensor arranged to detect the pressure within the airflow cavity.

2. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate limiting unit is disposed in the airflow path between the air intake and the airflow cavity, and optionally the flow rate limiting unit is disposed immediately upstream of the airflow cavity.

3. The flow rate limiting section is a portion of the airflow path having a width smaller than the width of the airflow cavity. The flow rate limiting section is a portion of the airflow path having the minimum width of any portion of the airflow path. The flow rate limiting section is a part of the airflow path having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow cavity, and The aerosol generating system according to claim 2, wherein the flow rate limiting section is at least one of the following: a portion of the airflow path having the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​any portion of the airflow path.

4. The aerosol generating system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the aerosol generating device comprises the flow rate limiting unit.

5. The aerosol generating system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein when the portion of the cartridge is received in the device cavity, the flow limiting portion is defined between the cartridge housing and the device housing.

6. The aerosol generating system according to claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the cartridge housing defines at least a portion of the surface of the flow limiting portion, and at least a portion of the surface of the device housing defines at least a portion of the surface of the flow limiting portion.

7. The aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the cartridge housing defines at least a portion of the surface of the airflow cavity, and at least a portion of the surface of the device housing defines at least a portion of the surface of the airflow cavity.

8. The aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when a portion of the cartridge is received in the cavity of the device, the air intake port of the airflow path is defined between the cartridge and the device.

9. The aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pressure sensor is located within the pressure sensor cavity of the apparatus, and an additional airflow path is provided between the airflow cavity and the smoke absorption sensor cavity to allow air to flow between the airflow cavity and the smoke absorption sensor cavity as desired.

10. The aforementioned device cavity An open end that allows the portion of the cartridge to be received within the cavity of the device, The open end is substantially closed on the opposite side of the open end, The aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the device cavity optionally intersects the airflow path at the substantially closed end.

11. The aerosol generating system according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus housing comprises a pressing element, the pressing element extending from the substantially closed end into the apparatus cavity.

12. The aerosol generating system according to claim 11, wherein the cartridge housing comprises two parts: a first cartridge housing portion and a second cartridge housing portion, the second cartridge housing portion being movable relative to the first cartridge housing portion, and the pushing element being disposed to contact the second cartridge housing portion when the portion of the cartridge is received in the device cavity, thereby moving the second cartridge housing portion relative to the first cartridge housing portion.

13. The aerosol generating system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the pressing element defines at least a portion of the surface of the airflow cavity when the portion of the cartridge is received in the cavity of the device.

14. The aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising an induction heating assembly having an inductor coil and the heating element, wherein the device comprises the inductor coil and the heating element comprises a susceptor element.

15. The aerosol generating system according to claim 14, wherein the device is configured to supply a fluctuating current to the inductor coil, the inductor coil is configured to generate an alternating magnetic field when a fluctuating current is supplied, and the inductor coil and susceptor element are arranged such that the fluctuating magnetic field penetrates the susceptor element when the portion of the cartridge is received in the device cavity.

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