Improved airflow management in aerosol generators

Abstract

The aerosol generation device includes a vaporization element having an outlet and configured to vaporize a liquid. An airflow passage extends from the outlet of the vaporization element and is configured to convey vapor to the outlet of the aerosol generation device. The hot air channel is configured to direct heated air toward the outlet of the vaporization element, and the dilution air channel is configured to direct ambient air into the device and mix the ambient air with the vapor conveyed in the airflow passage to form an aerosol.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to aerosol generating devices, and more particularly to airflow management in aerosol generating devices. [Background technology]

[0002] It is widely known in the art to generate aerosols using aerosol generating devices. For example, it is known to generate aerosols using capillary aerosol generating devices. Capillary aerosol generating devices typically comprise a housing. The housing may comprise a capillary tube surrounded by a heating element and an aerosol formation chamber. The capillary tube may be connected to a reservoir holding a vaporizable liquid.

[0003] A liquid flows through the capillary tube where it is heated until supersaturated vapor is generated. The supersaturated vapor exits the capillary tube at the capillary tube outlet. After exiting the capillary tube, the supersaturated vapor is mixed with air, whereby the supersaturated vapor cools and condenses to produce an aerosol. The outlet of the aerosol chamber of the capillary aerosol generator may be connected to a tube that transports the aerosol.

[0004] Aerosol generation can pose challenges during its use, especially in scientific research, due to poorly controlled interactions between supersaturated vapor and air. Specifically, in capillary aerosol generators, this can result in the formation of aerosol droplets on the inner surface of the capillary tube, or in undesirable particle size distribution. These aerosol droplets can adhere to the inner surface of the capillary tube and act as nucleation centers, which eventually allow the droplets to grow to a size sufficient to interfere with the airflow path.

[0005] These undesirable effects not only reduce net aerosol production, but can also affect the outcome of scientific research through the production of unwanted and unintended chemical decomposition products.

[0006] It would therefore be desirable to provide an aerosol generating device that allows for improved control of the aerosol generation process.

[0007] It would be particularly desirable to provide an aerosol generating device that could be used reliably in scientific research into aerosol generation. To this end, it would be further desirable to have an aerosol generating device that provides increased opportunities for control over essential parameters of the droplet aerosol formation process.

[0008] It would be particularly desirable to provide a capillary aerosol generating device that meets the above objectives.

[0009] It would also be desirable to provide a capillary aerosol generating device having a housing that does not become excessively hot during use, thereby improving handling of the device. Summary of the Invention

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, an aerosol generation device is provided that includes a vaporization element having an outlet and configured to vaporize a liquid. The aerosol generation device further includes an airflow passage extending from the outlet of the vaporization element and configured to convey vapor to the outlet of the aerosol generation device. The aerosol generation device further includes a hot air channel configured to direct heated air toward the outlet of the vaporization element. The aerosol generation device also includes a dilution air channel configured to direct ambient air into the aerosol generation device and mix the ambient air with the vapor conveyed in the airflow passage to form an aerosol.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the outlets of the hot air channels may be arranged concentrically around the outlet of the vaporization element.

[0012] The vaporizing element may comprise a heater element. The heater element may be an electric heater element. The heater element may be a resistive heater or an inductive heater. The heater element may be a mesh heater or a coil heater.

[0013] The vaporization element may comprise a wick and coil arrangement.The vaporization element may comprise a mesh heater arrangement.

[0014] The airflow passages may carry vapors and aerosols. The term "vapor" is typically used to refer to a vaporized liquid. The term "aerosol" is typically used to refer to a gaseous mixture in which a portion of the vaporized liquid condenses and forms droplets suspended in the airflow.

[0015] The hot air from the hot air channel may form a "curtain" between the vapor and the aerosol being transported in the airflow passage and the surrounding elements of the aerosol generating device. In this way, the vapor is prevented from contacting the cooler parts of the aerosol generating device. Thereby, the formation of the aerosol may be better controlled, since most of the condensation that leads to the formation of the aerosol is prevented by the curtain of hot air. In addition, premature condensation of the vapor may be largely prevented.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the aerosol generating device comprises a vaporizing element having a capillary tube, such an aerosol generating device is also referred to herein as a "capillary aerosol generating device."

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, a capillary aerosol generator is provided, comprising a capillary tube having an inlet and an outlet and configured to carry a vaporizable liquid. A heater element is provided in thermal contact with the capillary tube. The capillary aerosol generator further comprises a hot air channel configured to direct heated air towards the outlet of the capillary tube and form an aerosol. The capillary aerosol generator also comprises a dilution air channel configured to direct ambient air into the device and mix the ambient air with the aerosol.

[0018] By directing the hot air towards the capillary outlet, the vaporized liquid emerging from the capillary outlet is prevented from cooling too rapidly. In this way, premature aerosol droplet formation near or within the capillary outlet is effectively reduced. Aerosol formation is supported by mixing the aerosol with ambient air further downstream. By adjusting the amount and temperature of the different air flows, the aerosol formation can be influenced to obtain, for example, a desired particle size distribution.

[0019] Furthermore, it prevents the droplets from coming into contact with the heating element, therefore reducing the risk of producing carbonyls or other undesirable components.

[0020] Because aerosol formation is well controlled, aerosol generating devices may be advantageously used in scientific research, which may require test equipment that can operate reliably and reproducibly over long periods of time. Such scientific research may be aimed at mimicking aerosol consumption by a user, or may be directed at investigating the long-term effects of aerosol consumption.

[0021] The outlet of the hot air channel may be arranged such that the hot air stream is routed around the outlet of the capillary tube of the capillary aerosol generating device. The outlet of the hot air channel may be arranged around the outlet of the capillary tube. Preferably, the outlet of the hot air channel may be arranged concentrically around the outlet of the capillary tube. By routing the hot air stream around the outlet of the capillary tube, the hot air stream may shield the vaporized liquid from contacting any cooler parts of the device, thereby forming a buffer that prevents the vaporized liquid from condensing on such cooler surfaces.

[0022] The aerosol generating device may include a heater module and an aerosol forming module.

[0023] The heater module may comprise a housing, a heater element, and a capillary tube in thermal contact with the heater element. The capillary tube may be centrally disposed within the capillary aerosol generation device. The capillary tube may be configured to receive a vaporizable liquid from a liquid reservoir at an inlet of the capillary tube. The capillary tube may be further configured such that an outlet of the capillary tube is in fluid communication with the aerosol formation module.

[0024] The heater module may have a length of 30 to 40 millimeters. The aerosol forming module may have a diameter of 20 to 25 millimeters. Preferably, the heater module may have a length of about 30 millimeters and a diameter of 25 millimeters.

[0025] The aerosol-forming module may have any suitable configuration. The aerosol-forming module may have a generally tubular configuration. The aerosol-forming module may comprise a housing having an aerosol-forming chamber and a dilution chamber defined therein. The aerosol-forming chamber may be disposed adjacent an upstream end of the aerosol-forming module, and the dilution chamber may be disposed downstream from the aerosol-forming chamber. The aerosol-forming module may have an outlet end, where the aerosol may exit the aerosol generating device.

[0026] The aerosol formation module may have a length of 40 to 50 millimeters. In a capillary aerosol generator, the aerosol formation module may have a greater length. In a capillary aerosol generator, the aerosol formation module may have a length of 1000 to 1500 millimeters. The aerosol formation module may have a diameter of 20 to 25 millimeters. Preferably, the aerosol formation module may have a length of about 1000 millimeters and a diameter of 25 millimeters.

[0027] The heater module and the aerosol-forming module may be integrally formed.

[0028] The heater module and the aerosol-forming module may be formed from any suitable material. The heater module and the aerosol-forming module may be formed from glass or a polymeric material (such as Pyrex or Plexiglas).

[0029] The heater module and the aerosol-formation module may be releasably connected to each other. The releasable connection may be facilitated by any suitable connection means. The releasable connection may be facilitated by a connection element in the form of a front cap. The front cap may be configured in a generally tubular shape. One end of the front cap may be configured to connect to the heater module. The other end of the front cap may be configured to connect to the aerosol-formation module. The front cap may comprise an opening to facilitate a fluid connection between the heater module and the aerosol-formation module.

[0030] The modular structure may have several beneficial effects: the modules may be changed according to the user's preferences, in case of malfunction it is sufficient to replace the defective modules, while the operational modules may continue to be used.

[0031] The connecting element may be formed from a polymeric material. The connecting element may be formed from polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetheretherketoneketone (PEEKK), or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0032] The connecting element may have a length of 20 to 25 millimeters. The connecting element may have a diameter of 25 to 50 millimeters. Preferably, the connecting element may have a length of about 20 millimeters and a diameter of 40 millimeters.

[0033] The aerosol generation device may be further configured such that heated air from the hot air channel is introduced into the aerosol formation chamber and ambient air from the dilution air channel is introduced into the dilution chamber.

[0034] The capillary tube may be provided centrally within the heater module. A heater element may be disposed in thermal contact around the capillary tube. In this way, good thermal contact between the heater element and the capillary tube is ensured. A housing may be disposed around the heater element.

[0035] The capillary tube may be made from any suitable inert material. Suitable materials for the capillary tube include glass and titanium.

[0036] The capillary may have a length of 35-45 millimeters and a diameter of up to 2 millimeters. Preferably, the capillary may have a length of about 35 millimeters and a diameter of 1 millimeter.

[0037] The heater element may be an electric heater element. The heater element may be a resistive heater element or an inductive heater element. The heater element may comprise two semi-cylindrical heater segments. Each of the semi-cylindrical segments may comprise two heater segments, such that the heater element comprises a total of four heater segments.

[0038] The heater elements may be controlled by any suitable controller. Thermoelectric elements may be provided to monitor and control the temperature of the heater elements.

[0039] A pump may be used to deliver the vaporizable liquid to the capillary tube, and may be a peristaltic pump.

[0040] The hot air channel may be disposed within a heater module. The hot air channel may be disposed in thermal contact with a heater element. The heater element may be used to provide the heat required to generate the hot air. In this way, the heater element is used for two purposes at the same time. The heater element is used to provide the heat required to vaporize the liquid in the capillary tube. At the same time, the heater element may be used to provide the heat required to generate the hot air flow. Such an embodiment represents a particularly efficient use of the components of the device. The heater is used for the purpose of mixing the liquid and the air with the heated and vaporized liquid. No additional heater is required.

[0041] The hot air channel may be disposed radially outward from the heater element. The hot air channel may be disposed radially outward from the heater element and between the heater element and the housing of the heater module. The hot air channel may be provided as an annular channel disposed concentrically around the heater element. The hot air channel may be disposed such that it completely surrounds the radially outer surface of the heater element. By arranging the hot air channel in this manner, a large contact surface is provided for the heater element. Such an arrangement allows for good thermal contact and fast heat transfer to the hot air stream.

[0042] At the same time, the hot air channel may act as a heat shield for the housing. During use, heat generated by the heater element inevitably travels towards the housing. Therefore, the housing tends to become hot during use, which may be uncomfortable to handle the device. By directing the hot air flow between the heater element and the housing, heat is captured by the hot air flow, preventing the housing from becoming too hot during use.

[0043] In embodiments where the hot air channel is disposed in a heater module, the heater module may comprise an air inlet. In addition, a further opening may be required to guide the hot air flow from the heater module into the aerosol formation chamber of the aerosol formation module. For this purpose, a connection element may be configured to establish a fluid connection of the hot air channel to the aerosol formation chamber.

[0044] The connecting element may include a pinhole inlet through which the hot air channel is fluidly connected to the aerosol formation chamber. The pinhole inlet of the connecting element may be arranged concentrically around the outlet of the capillary tube. The pinhole inlet of the connecting element may have a diameter of up to 3 millimeters, and preferably a diameter of about 2 millimeters.

[0045] By providing a pinhole inlet concentrically around the capillary tube outlet, the hot air stream emerges simultaneously with the vapor from the capillary tube into the aerosol formation chamber of the aerosol formation module. The hot air stream forms an envelope around the vapor, thereby preventing the vapor from cooling too quickly and condensing or clogging around the capillary tube opening.

[0046] The hot air channel may also be arranged only in the aerosol-forming module. In such an embodiment, the heated air is generated by another heater element, for example by an external heater. The aerosol-forming module comprises a first air inlet for introducing the external heated air. The hot air flow is then guided in the aerosol-forming module towards the outlet of the capillary tube. For this purpose, the aerosol-forming module may comprise a first tubular element. The internal volume of the first tubular element may define the aerosol-forming chamber. The first tubular element may be centrally arranged in the aerosol-forming chamber. The annular space between the first tubular element and the housing of the aerosol-forming module may define a hot air channel that guides the hot air from the first air inlet towards the outlet of the capillary tube. The outlet of the hot air channel may be formed such that the hot air flow again forms an envelope for the vapor leaving the capillary tube.

[0047] The hot air may be heated to between 50 and 250 degrees Celsius. The hot air may be heated to between 50 and 180 degrees Celsius.

[0048] The dilution air channel may be disposed in the aerosol-forming module of the aerosol generating device. The dilution air channel is configured to direct cool ambient air into the device and mix the ambient air with the aerosol. The cool air stream may be directed into the dilution chamber. The cool air stream may be mixed in the dilution chamber with the aerosol generated in the upstream aerosol-forming chamber. By mixing the aerosol with the ambient air, the aerosol increases its volume. The resulting diluted aerosol flows forward to the air outlet of the aerosol generating device with no or substantially reduced condensation of the aerosol on the inner surfaces of the aerosol-forming module.

[0049] The ambient air may be cold air. The ambient air may be conditioned prior to mixing with the aerosol. Conditioning of the ambient air may include adjusting the relative humidity, temperature, and filtration. The ambient air may be conditioned to any temperature between -25 degrees Celsius and 80 degrees Celsius. The ambient air may be process air having a temperature of about 22 degrees Celsius. The ambient air may be HEAP filtered process air having a temperature of about 22 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of about 60 percent.

[0050] The aerosol-formation module may comprise a cold air inlet. The dilution air channel may extend from the cold air inlet to the dilution chamber. The dilution air channel may be formed in an annular space between the second tubular element and the housing of the aerosol-formation module. The second tubular element may be formed integrally with and on the extension of the first tubular element.

[0051] The first tubular element and the second tubular element may have a combined overall length of between 500 and 800 millimeters, and preferably have a length of about 700 millimeters.

[0052] The air supply for the air inlet of the aerosol generating device may be provided as a volume-controlled airflow supply. The air supply may comprise pressurized (synthetic) air. The air supply may be configured to provide humidified, temperature-controlled and (HEPA) filtered process air. By using volume- and pressure-controlled process air, potential air backflow is avoided.

[0053] Below is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples, any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of the other examples, embodiments, or aspects described herein. EXAMPLES

[0054] Example A: An aerosol generation device comprising: a vaporization element having an outlet and configured to vaporize a liquid; an airflow passage extending from the outlet of the vaporization element and configured to transport vapor to an outlet of the aerosol generation device; a hot air channel configured to direct heated air toward the outlet of the vaporization element; and a dilution air channel configured to direct ambient air into the device and mix the ambient air with the vapor transported in the airflow passage to form an aerosol.

[0055] Example B: An aerosol generating device according to example A, in which the outlet of the hot air channel is arranged concentrically around the outlet of the vaporization element.

[0056] Example C: An aerosol generating device according to example A or B, wherein the vaporization element comprises a capillary tube and a heater element, the capillary tube having an inlet and an outlet and configured to transport a vaporizable liquid, and the heater element is in thermal contact with the capillary tube.

[0057] Example D: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, comprising a heater module and an aerosol forming module interconnected.

[0058] Example E: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the heater module and the aerosol formation module are connected by a connecting element.

[0059] Example F: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol formation module comprises an aerosol formation chamber and a dilution chamber.

[0060] Example G: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol formation chamber is disposed adjacent to the upstream end of the aerosol formation module, and the dilution chamber is disposed downstream from the aerosol formation chamber.

[0061] Example H: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein heated air from the hot air channel is introduced into the aerosol formation chamber, and ambient air from the dilution air channel is introduced into the dilution chamber.

[0062] Example I: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples C to H, wherein the hot air channel is disposed in thermal contact with a heater element.

[0063] Example J: An aerosol generating device according to Example I, in which the heater element is disposed around a centrally disposed capillary tube and the hot air channel is disposed radially outward from the heater element.

[0064] Example K: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples I and J, wherein the connecting element comprises a pinhole inlet through which the hot air channel is fluidly connected to the aerosol formation chamber.

[0065] Example L: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples I to K, wherein the pinhole inlet of the connecting element is concentrically arranged around the outlet of the capillary tube.

[0066] Example M: ​​An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the hot air channel is disposed within the aerosol formation module and the heated air is generated by an external heater.

[0067] Example N: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol formation module comprises a centrally disposed tube, the interior volume of which defines the aerosol formation chamber.

[0068] Example O: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein an air channel in the aerosol formation module is defined between an outer surface of the tube and an inner surface of the housing.

[0069] Embodiment P: An aerosol generating device according to any one of embodiments C-O, wherein the capillary is centrally disposed within the capillary aerosol generating device and is arranged to receive vaporizable liquid from the reservoir.

[0070] Example Q: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples C-P, wherein a pump is used to deliver a vaporizable liquid to the capillary tube.

[0071] Example R: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples C-Q, wherein the heater element comprises two semi-cylindrical heater segments, each of which comprises two further heater segments.

[0072] Example S: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples C to R, further comprising a thermoelectric element for monitoring the temperature of the heater element.

[0073] Features described with respect to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention.

[0074] The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0075] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a capillary aerosol generating device according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a modified capillary aerosol generating device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 illustrates diagrammatically the airflow management in the apparatus of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a modification of the capillary aerosol generator of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0076] 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a capillary aerosol generating device 10 according to the present invention. The capillary aerosol generating device 10 comprises a heater module 12 and an aerosol forming module 14, which are interconnected using a connecting element in the form of a front cap 16.

[0077] The heater module 12 includes a generally cylindrical housing 20, a heater element 22, and a capillary tube 24. The capillary tube 24 is centrally provided within the heater module 12 and is surrounded by and in thermal contact with the heater element 22. The heater element 22 includes two semi-cylindrical heater segments 22a, 22b, each of which includes two further heater segments.

[0078] The capillary tube 24 is in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir (not shown). In FIG. 1, the capillary tube 24 receives the aerosolizable liquid from the liquid reservoir via tube 26. A peristaltic pump (not shown) may be used to pump the liquid into the capillary tube 24. The aerosolizable liquid is pumped through the capillary tube 24 and is heated by thermal energy provided by the heater element 22. Upon heating, the aerosolizable liquid is formed into a supersaturated vapor or hot aerosol.

[0079] The heater module 12 may also include one or more thermocouples (not shown) to monitor the temperature generated by the heater elements 22. The measured temperature may be used as feedback to control the energy provided to the heater elements 22.

[0080] The heater module 12 is connected to the aerosol formation module 14 by a front cap 16. The front cap 16 is a generally tubular element having threads 30, 32 on either end. The threads 30 at the upstream end are used to connect the front cap 16 to the heater module 12. The threads 32 at the downstream end are used to connect the front cap 16 to the aerosol formation module 14. The front cap 16 has a central opening 18 through which a capillary tube 24 extends. When the capillary aerosol generator 10 is fully assembled, the outlet 28 of the capillary tube 24 is positioned such that vaporized liquid is discharged into the aerosol formation chamber 42 of the aerosol formation module 14.

[0081] The aerosol formation module 14 of the capillary aerosol generator 10 includes a housing 40 having air inlets 44, 46, a first tubular element 48a and a second tubular element 48b. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the first tubular element 48a and the second tubular element 48b are integrally formed.

[0082] The aerosol-forming module 14 comprises a first air inlet 44 for introducing hot air. The hot air is produced using an external heater (not shown). The hot air flow is guided from the hot air inlet 44 of the aerosol-forming module 14 through an annular hot air channel 50 towards the outlet 28 of the capillary tube 24. The hot air channel 50 is formed in the annular space between the first tubular element 48a and the housing 40 of the aerosol-forming module 14. The outlet of the hot air channel 50 is arranged concentrically around the outlet 28 of the capillary tube 24. In this way, the hot air flow discharged from the hot air channel 50 forms an envelope for the supersaturated vapor leaving the capillary tube 24.

[0083] The interior volume of the first tubular element 48a defines the aerosol formation chamber 42 into which the supersaturated vapor and hot airflow is exhausted.

[0084] The aerosol formation module 14 includes a second air inlet 46 for introducing cold ambient air. The cold air flow is guided from the cold air inlet 46 of the aerosol formation module toward the dilution chamber 43 through a dilution air channel 52. The dilution air channel 52 is formed in the annular space between the second tubular element 48b and the housing 40 of the aerosol formation module 14. In the dilution chamber 43, the cold air flow is mixed with the aerosol formed in the aerosol formation chamber 42. The resulting diluted aerosol flows forward to the aerosol outlet 54 of the capillary aerosol generator 10.

[0085] 2 shows a further embodiment of a capillary aerosol generating device 10 according to the present invention. The capillary aerosol generating device 10 comprises a heater module 12 and an aerosol forming module 14, which are interconnected using a front cap 16.

[0086] In this embodiment, the aerosol formation module 14 comprises only one air inlet 46, which corresponds to the cold air inlet 46 of the first embodiment. Cold ambient air is guided into the dilution chamber 43 via the dilution air channel 52 and mixed therein with the aerosol.

[0087] In this embodiment, an annular hot air channel 50 is contained within the heater module 12 and is formed in the annular space between the heater element 22 and the housing 20 of the heater module 12. The heater module 12 includes an air inlet 56. Air introduced through the air inlet 56 is directed along the hot air channel 50. The hot air channel 50 is in thermal contact with the heater element 22 such that air directed into the hot air channel 50 is heated by thermal energy from the heater element 22.

[0088] Also in this embodiment, the heater module 12 and the aerosol-forming module 14 are connected via a threaded front cap 16. The front cap 16 has substantially the same configuration as the front cap 16 described with reference to FIG. 1. However, the front cap 16 of FIG. 2 is additionally configured to fluidly connect the hot air channel 50 with the aerosol-forming chamber 42 of the aerosol-forming module 14. For this purpose, the central opening 18 of the front cap 16 has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the capillary tube 24. The hot air flow from the hot air channel 50 passes through the opening 18 of the front cap 16 concentrically with the capillary tube 24.

[0089] The air management in this embodiment is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 3. The capillary tube 24 extends from the heater module 12 through the opening 18 into the aerosol formation chamber 42 of the aerosol formation module 14. The supersaturated vapor is discharged from the outlet end 28 of the capillary tube 24 into the aerosol formation chamber 42. At the same time, the hot air flow from the hot air channel 50 is guided through the annular slit between the capillary tube 24 and the wall 18a of the front cap 16, and is also discharged into the aerosol chamber 42 of the aerosol formation module 14. The hot air flow forms an envelope for the supersaturated liquid to prevent premature condensation. The outer diameter of the capillary tube 24 is about 1 millimeter. The inner diameter of the opening 18 in the front cap 16 is about 2 millimeters.

[0090] FIG. 4 shows a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0091] Again, a hot air channel 56 is provided in the heater module 12 and the hot air flow is managed as illustrated in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the dilution air channel 52 has two outlets 58, 60. The first outlet 58 corresponds to the outlet as described with reference to FIG. 2 and discharges the cold air flow into the dilution chamber 43 of the aerosol formation module 14. An additional cold air outlet 60 is formed near the outlet end 28 of the capillary tube 24. This outlet 60 is formed concentrically with the outlet 28 of the capillary tube 24 and also with the opening 18. By mixing the cold air in the aerosol formation chamber 42, a desired shape of the resulting aerosol may be obtained.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising: a vaporization element having an outlet and configured to vaporize a liquid; an airflow passage extending from the outlet of the vaporization element and configured to convey vapor to an outlet of the aerosol generation device; a hot air channel configured to direct heated air towards the outlet of the vaporization element; a dilution air channel configured to direct ambient air into the aerosol generating device and mix the ambient air with the vapor carried in the airflow passage to form an aerosol.

2. 2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the outlets of the hot air channels are arranged concentrically around the outlet of the vaporizing element.

3. 3. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the vaporization element comprises a capillary tube and a heater element, the capillary tube having an inlet and an outlet and configured to transport a vaporizable liquid, and the heater element is in thermal contact with the capillary tube.

4. 4. The aerosol generating device of claim 3, comprising an interconnected heater module and an aerosol forming module.

5. The aerosol generating device of claim 4 , wherein the heater module and the aerosol formation module are connected by a connecting element.

6. The aerosol generating device of claim 5 , wherein the aerosol formation module comprises an aerosol formation chamber and a dilution chamber.

7. 7. The aerosol generating device of claim 6, wherein the aerosol formation chamber is disposed adjacent to an upstream end of the aerosol formation module, and the dilution chamber is disposed downstream from the aerosol formation chamber.

8. 8. The aerosol generating device of claim 6 or 7, wherein the heated air from the hot air channel is introduced into the aerosol formation chamber, and the ambient air from the dilution air channel is introduced into the dilution chamber.

9. 9. An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the hot air channel is arranged in thermal contact with the heater element.

10. 10. The aerosol generating device of claim 9, wherein the heater element is disposed around a centrally disposed capillary tube and the hot air channel is disposed radially outward from the heater element.

11. 11. The aerosol generating device of claim 6, wherein the connecting element comprises a pinhole inlet through which the hot air channel is fluidly connected to the aerosol formation chamber.

12. 12. The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein the pinhole inlet of the connecting element is disposed concentrically around the outlet of the capillary tube.

13. 13. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein the hot air channel is disposed within the aerosol formation module and the heated air is generated by an external heater.

14. 14. The aerosol generation device according to claim 6, wherein the aerosol formation module comprises a centrally disposed tube, the internal volume of which defines the aerosol formation chamber.

15. 15. The aerosol generating device of claim 14, wherein the hot air channel and the dilution air channel in the aerosol formation module are defined between an outer surface of the tube and an inner surface of a housing.

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