Aerosol-generating article having adjustable heating zones - Patents.com

Abstract

An aerosol-generating article (2) comprising an aerosol-forming substrate (4) and a heater assembly (6) arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate, the heater assembly (6) comprising an array (6a, 6b) of heating elements, each of the plurality of heating elements (6a, 6b) comprising at least one circuit breaker component (8), each of the circuit breaker components (8) being individually activatable to selectively deactivate an area (A) of the heater assembly (6) prior to heating, such that upon heating, the aerosol-generating article (2) selectively heats a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate (4) corresponding to an undeactivated portion of the heater assembly (6).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article. In particular, but not exclusively, one or more embodiments of the present invention may relate to an aerosol-generating article that includes a heater assembly that allows selective adjustment of the area of ​​the heater assembly used for heating. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for adjusting the area of ​​the heater assembly, and to aerosol-generating devices and aerosol-generating systems for use with the aerosol-generating article. [Background technology]

[0002] Handheld, electrically operated aerosol generating devices and systems are known that consist of a device portion with a battery and control electronics, a portion for housing or receiving an aerosol-forming substrate, and an electrically operated heater for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. A mouthpiece portion is also included through which a user may deliver the aerosol into their mouth by inhaling or sucking.

[0003] Some devices and systems use liquid aerosol-forming substrates or e-liquids stored in a liquid storage portion. Such devices typically use a wick to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid storage portion to a heater where the liquid aerosol-forming substrate is aerosolized. A problem with such devices is that they may not provide an accurate measurement of the amount of aerosol generated during use, particularly the amount of aerosol generated per puff. As a result, the user cannot keep track of his or her consumption of aerosol or various components within the aerosol, thus making it difficult for the user to control the amount of aerosol or aerosol components he or she receives per unit time or puff. Although the total amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate in the liquid storage portion may be known, and thus the total amount of aerosol received when the liquid storage portion is empty can be roughly estimated, such systems and devices do not provide an indication of the amount of aerosol received per puff or inhale.

[0004] There are many parameters that determine the amount of aerosol generated per puff of a device using a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, such as the amount of liquid that reaches the heated area, which relates to the capillary effect of the wick, the thickness of the wick, the distance from the liquid storage to the heater, and the viscosity of the liquid. Further parameters that affect the amount of aerosol generated include the responsiveness of the device to a puff command, how quickly the heater reaches its operating temperature, and the value of such operating temperature. In addition to these inherent parameters of the device, other parameters related to the condition and use of the device, such as the physical orientation of the device, the amount of liquid remaining in the liquid storage (which affects the length of movement of the liquid in the wick and whether the wick is wet or dry), the duration since the device was previously used, the duration of the puff, and the ambient temperature, also have an impact on the amount of aerosol generated. These parameters make it difficult to reliably determine the amount of aerosol or aerosol components consumed per puff or inhale.

[0005] Other types of aerosol generating devices and systems use a solid aerosol-forming substrate, such as tobacco material. Such devices may include a recess for receiving a cigarette-shaped rod including an assembly of folded, crimped sheets of such tobacco material. A blade-shaped heater disposed within the recess is inserted into the center of the rod as it is received within the recess. The heater is configured to heat the tobacco material to generate an aerosol.

[0006] The amount of aerosol generated by such devices is also determined by certain parameters, such as the density distribution of the tobacco sheet around the heater, the orientation of the folded tobacco sheet relative to the heater, and the way in which heat diffuses into the tobacco rod, and the duration of use. The tobacco sheet closest to the heater blade may be heated differently than the tobacco sheet furthest from the heater, which can result in variations in the amount of aerosol generated over time, as well as possible overheating of the tobacco sheet closest to the heater.

[0007] It is desirable to provide an aerosol generating article which provides reliable control over the amount of aerosol generated. It is desirable to provide an aerosol generating article which would enable a user to accurately determine their consumption of aerosol or their consumption of one or more aerosol components. It is desirable to provide an aerosol generating device which provides reliable control over the amount of aerosol generated. It is desirable to provide an aerosol generating device which would enable a user to accurately determine their consumption of aerosol or their consumption of one or more aerosol components. It is desirable to provide an aerosol generating system which provides reliable control over the amount of aerosol generated. It is desirable to provide an aerosol generating system which would enable a user to accurately determine their consumption of aerosol or their consumption of one or more aerosol components. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In some exemplary embodiments, the area of ​​the heater assembly available for heating is selectively adjusted to a particular size prior to initiating heating of the heater assembly.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may include an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a heater assembly arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate. The heater assembly may comprise a series of heating elements. The series of multiple heating elements may each comprise at least one circuit breaker component. Each of the circuit breaker components may be individually actuatable. Each of the circuit breaker components may be individually actuatable to selectively deactivate a section of the heater assembly. This may be before the aerosol-generating article is heated such that upon heating, the aerosol-generating article selectively heats a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponding to a non-deactivated portion of the heater assembly.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and a heater assembly arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the heater assembly comprises an array of heating elements, a plurality of heating elements in the array each comprising at least one circuit breaker component, and each of the circuit breaker components is individually activatable to selectively deactivate areas of the heater assembly prior to heating, such that upon heating, the aerosol-generating article selectively heats a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponding to a non-deactivated portion of the heater assembly.

[0011] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating article" refers to an article that includes an aerosol-forming substrate that, when heated, releases one or more volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. The aerosol-generating article is configured to be separate from and combined with an aerosol-generating device for heating the aerosol-generating article.

[0012] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" refers to a substrate capable of releasing one or more volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0013] As used herein, the term "circuit breaker component" refers to a component that can be activated to interrupt an electrical circuit or that can respond to a particular circuit condition. A circuit breaker component may interrupt an electrical circuit to prevent electrical current from continuing to pass through a portion of the electrical circuit in which the circuit breaker component is located.

[0014] The aerosol-generating article allows the area of ​​the heater assembly available for heating to be selectively adjusted to a specific size before starting heating of the heater assembly. During heating, only the portions of the aerosol-forming substrate that correspond to the non-inactivated portions of the heater assembly are heated. Thus, the aerosol-generating article provides customizable and reliable control over the amount of aerosol generated. Furthermore, it allows the user to accurately determine their aerosol consumption, or their consumption of one or more aerosol components.

[0015] An array of heating elements may include a two-dimensional array of heating elements. As used herein, the term "two-dimensional array of heating elements" refers to an arrangement comprising at least two heating elements arranged sequentially in a first dimension or direction and at least two heating elements arranged sequentially in a second dimension or direction. The at least two heating elements in the first dimension or direction may overlap or intersect with at least two heating elements in the second dimension or direction.

[0016] The two-dimensional array of heating elements may comprise a plurality of first heating elements extending in a first direction and a plurality of second heating elements extending in a second direction. In some embodiments, the second direction is transverse to the first direction, such that the plurality of second heating elements intersect the plurality of first heating elements. The first heating elements and the second heating elements are electrically connected at their intersections.

[0017] The two-dimensional array of heating elements may comprise a grid.The two-dimensional array of heating elements may comprise a mesh.

[0018] The circuit breaker components may comprise a fusible region configured to melt at a predetermined temperature to shut off the heating element. In some embodiments, each of the circuit breaker components comprises a fusible region configured to melt at a predetermined temperature to shut off the heating element. The predetermined temperature is preferably a temperature below a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate volatilize. Advantageously, the heating of the fusible region may be heated to melt before heating the aerosol-forming substrate. This may be achieved without heating the aerosol-forming substrate to an undesirable extent, i.e. to a temperature at which the aerosol-forming substrate begins to vaporize.

[0019] As used herein, the term "fusible region" refers to a region of an electrical conductor that is configured to interrupt or melt the electrical conductor at a predetermined temperature to interrupt the electrical conductor and prevent electrical current from passing through at least a portion of the electrical conductor. The terms "fusible region" and "fusion spot" are used interchangeably herein to mean the same thing.

[0020] Advantageously, the use of fusible regions as circuit breaker components provides an effective method for passivating sections of the heater assembly prior to heating.

[0021] The fusible region may have a relatively smaller or thinner thickness than the heating element. The thickness of the fusible region may be at least three times thinner than the heating element. The thickness of the fusible region is preferably at least five times thinner than the heating element. The thickness of the fusible region is preferably at least ten times thinner than the heating element. The thickness of the fusible region is preferably at least fifteen times thinner than the heating element.

[0022] The fusible region may comprise a material having a lower electrical resistivity than the heating element. The fusible region may comprise one of silver, tin, zinc, copper, or aluminum, or alloys thereof.

[0023] The fusible region may include metal nanoparticles arranged to receive light from a light source and generate heat by surface plasmon resonance to raise the temperature of the fusible region to a predetermined temperature.

[0024] As used herein, the term "metal nanoparticles" refers to metal particles having a maximum diameter of about 1 micrometer or less. Metal nanoparticles that generate heat through surface plasmon resonance when excited by incident light may also be known as plasmonic nanoparticles.

[0025] As used herein, the term "surface plasmon resonance" refers to the collective resonant oscillation of the free electrons of a metallic nanoparticle, and hence the polarization of the charge at the surface of the metallic nanoparticle. The collective resonant oscillation of the free electrons, and hence the polarization of the charge, is excited by light incident on the metallic nanoparticle from a light source. The energy from the oscillating free electrons can be dissipated by several mechanisms, including heat. Thus, when a metallic nanoparticle is illuminated by a light source, the metallic nanoparticle generates heat due to surface plasmon resonance.

[0026] An advantage of using metal nanoparticles to generate heat by surface plasmon resonance is that the heater assembly does not need to be connected to a power supply, but instead a light source can be used to quickly and efficiently activate the fusible region. Furthermore, the heat generated is focused to a relatively small area of ​​the fusible region and is less likely to damage or degrade the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0027] The metal nanoparticles may include at least one of gold, silver, platinum, copper, palladium, aluminum, chromium, titanium, rhodium, and ruthenium. The metal nanoparticles may include at least one metal in elemental form. The metal nanoparticles may include at least one metal in a metal compound. The metal compound may include at least one metal nitride.

[0028] The metal nanoparticles preferably comprise at least one of gold, silver, platinum, and copper, which may advantageously exhibit strong surface plasmon resonance when illuminated with visible light.

[0029] The metal nanoparticles may comprise a single metal. The metal nanoparticles may comprise a mixture of different metals.

[0030] The plurality of metallic nanoparticles may include a plurality of first nanoparticles including a first metal, and a plurality of second nanoparticles including a second metal.

[0031] At least a portion of the metal nanoparticles may each comprise a mixture of two or more metals. At least a portion of the metal nanoparticles may each comprise a metal alloy. At least a portion of the metal nanoparticles may each comprise a core-shell configuration. The core of the core-shell may comprise a first metal and the shell or core-shell may comprise a second metal.

[0032] The metal nanoparticles preferably comprise a number average maximum diameter less than or equal to the peak emission wavelength of the light source.

[0033] The plurality of metallic nanoparticles may comprise a number average maximum diameter of less than about 700 nanometers. Preferably, the plurality of metallic nanoparticles may comprise a number average maximum diameter of less than about 600 nanometers. Preferably, the plurality of metallic nanoparticles may comprise a number average maximum diameter of less than about 500 nanometers. Preferably, the plurality of metallic nanoparticles may comprise a number average maximum diameter of less than about 400 nanometers. Preferably, the plurality of metallic nanoparticles may comprise a number average maximum diameter of less than about 300 nanometers. Preferably, the plurality of metallic nanoparticles may comprise a number average maximum diameter of less than about 200 nanometers. Preferably, the plurality of metallic nanoparticles may comprise a number average maximum diameter of less than about 150 nanometers. Preferably, the plurality of metallic nanoparticles may comprise a number average maximum diameter of less than about 100 nanometers.

[0034] The metal nanoparticles may be coated onto the fusible region.

[0035] Each fusible region may be located between two crossing points of the heating elements of the array, which maintains an electrical circuit at the crossing points and allows for more selective deactivation of areas of the heater assembly.

[0036] Alternatively, each fusible region may be located at an intersection of the array, and the fusible regions at the intersections may be activated to prevent current flowing into or out of a particular intersection during heating.

[0037] At least a percentage of the fusible region may be disposed to surround a predetermined area of ​​the heater assembly to be deactivated. The fusible region may be disposed to surround a predetermined area of ​​the heater assembly to be deactivated. For example, if it is known that in a particular situation it will be desirable to generate less than 25 percent aerosol, the fusible region may be disposed to surround an area that is 25% of the total area of ​​the heater assembly. This thus provides an efficient way to customize an aerosol-generating article to generate the required amount of aerosol.

[0038] The heater assembly may include fusible regions between any and all intersections of the heating elements in the two-dimensional array. Advantageously, this arrangement allows for complete customization of the heater assembly.

[0039] The circuit breaker components may include electrical fuses formed from a fuse material, examples of which include, but are not limited to, silver, tin, zinc, copper, or aluminum.

[0040] The aerosol-generating article may further comprise a mask disposed over the heater assembly, the mask comprising a pattern of holes or transparent film. The holes or transparent film may be disposed such that only the fusible regions in the mask at locations corresponding to the locations of the holes or transparent film are exposed. Thus, the exposed locations remain activatable, for example, when exposed to a light source.

[0041] As used herein, the term "mask" refers to an opaque plate, cover, or sheet having a defined pattern of holes or transparent film formed therein so that light can shine through only according to the defined pattern.

[0042] The advantage of using a mask is that it avoids the need to target individual fusible regions using a moveable, directional light source. The entire aerosol-generating article can be exposed to a fixed light source, and a pattern in the mask is used to activate the required fusible regions. This may simplify the equipment used to customize the aerosol-generating article.

[0043] The mask may include a sticker that may be removably attached to the heater assembly.

[0044] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for use with the aerosol-generating article described above. The apparatus may be configured to receive the aerosol-generating article. The apparatus may include a control circuit. The apparatus may further include an activation device for activating one or more of the circuit breaker components. (activation device) The control circuit may be configured to control an activation device to activate one or more of the circuit breaker components when an aerosol-generating article is received within the device, thereby deactivating selected sections of the heater assembly before being heated.

[0045] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for use with the aerosol-generating article described above, the apparatus being configured to receive the aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating apparatus including a control circuit and a circuit breaker for activating the circuit breaker component. activation and a control circuit configured to control the activation device to activate one or more of the circuit breaker components when an aerosol-generating article is received within the device, thereby deactivating selected areas of the heater assembly prior to heating.

[0046] The device provides a means for selectively adjusting the area of ​​the heater assembly that contains the circuit breaker component prior to heating. This allows the aerosol generating article to be customized to precisely control the amount of aerosol generated. Furthermore, it allows the user to precisely determine their aerosol consumption, or their consumption of one or more aerosol components.

[0047] activation The device may include a light source, and the control circuit may be configured to control the light source to expose one or more of the fusible regions to light when the aerosol-generating article is received within the device as described above, whereby heat is generated by surface plasmon resonance in one or more of the fusible regions, raising the temperature of the fusible regions to a predetermined temperature where the fusible regions melt and shut off the heating element.

[0048] The advantage of using a light source to generate heat by surface plasmon resonance is that the heater assembly does not need to be connected to a power supply, and furthermore, the heat generated is focused to a relatively small area of ​​the fusible region and is less likely to damage or degrade the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0049] The light source may be a light emitting diode, which advantageously has a compact size and the ability to emit light at the required wavelength.

[0050] The light source may have a beam angle sufficient to expose the entire heater assembly when emitting light.

[0051] The light source may be a directional light source. The light source may be a laser or a laser diode. Advantageously, a laser diode is compact in size and can emit directional light at the required wavelength that can be directed to the fusible region. The light source may be mounted on the actuator so that it can be scanned across the heater assembly to activate the fusible region.

[0052] The light source may be configured to emit at least one of ultraviolet light, infrared light, and visible light. Preferably, the light source is configured to emit visible light. Advantageously, light sources configured to emit visible light may be inexpensive, easy to use, or both.

[0053] The light source is preferably configured to emit light including at least one wavelength between 380 nanometers and 700 nanometers.

[0054] The light source is preferably configured for a peak emission wavelength of about 495 nanometers to about 580 nanometers. As used herein, "peak emission wavelength" refers to the wavelength at which the light source exhibits maximum intensity. Advantageously, a peak emission wavelength of about 495 nanometers to about 580 nanometers may provide maximum heating of the heating element by surface plasmon resonance, particularly when the plurality of metal nanoparticles includes at least one of gold, silver, platinum, and copper.

[0055] The light source may be disposed within the device.

[0056] The device may be configured to receive light from an external light source. The external light source may include ambient light. The ambient light may include solar radiation. The ambient light may include at least one artificial light source external to the aerosol generation device. The device may have an optical conduit for directing light from the external light source into the device and to a location where the heater assembly can be exposed.

[0057] The activation device may include two spaced apart electric probes that may be configured in contact with the heater assembly such that each probe is located on either side of the fusible region. The electric probes may be configured to deliver a current to the fusible region that is sufficient to melt the fusible region.

[0058] The device may be an aerosol generating device further comprising a power source. The control circuitry may be configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the heater assembly to selectively heat a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponding to a non-inactivated portion of the heater assembly when an aerosol-generating article is received within the device.

[0059] As used herein, "aerosol-generating device" refers to a device that can interact with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol.

[0060] The aerosol generating device provides a means for selectively adjusting the area of ​​the heater assembly that contains the circuit breaker component prior to heating. During heating, only the portions of the aerosol-forming substrate that correspond to the non-inactivated portions of the heater assembly are heated. Thus, the aerosol generating device provides customizable and reliable control over the amount of aerosol generated. Furthermore, it allows a user to accurately determine their aerosol consumption, or their consumption of one or more aerosol components.

[0061] The control circuitry may include a communications module configured to receive information from a user or another user device. Such information may include, but is not limited to, details of the area of ​​the heater assembly to deactivate, or details of the particular fusible area to activate, or both. The communications module may be a wired communications module, e.g., Universal Serial Bus, or a wireless communications module, e.g., Wi-Fi™ or Bluetooth™. The communications module may be connected to a user interface to allow a user to input information directly into the device.

[0062] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating device as described above.

[0063] As used herein, the term "aerosol generating system" refers to the combination of an aerosol generating device and one or more aerosol-forming substrates or aerosol generating articles for use in the device. The aerosol generating system may include additional components, such as a charging unit for recharging an on-board power supply in an electrically operated or electric aerosol generating device.

[0064] In some exemplary embodiments, portions of the heater assembly may be selectively activated while the heater assembly is heating.

[0065] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generation system. The aerosol generation system may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol generation system may comprise a heater assembly arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate. The heater assembly may comprise a two-dimensional array of heating elements. The aerosol generation system may further comprise an electronic switch for each of the heating elements. Each electronic switch may be connected to its respective heating element and to a power source to control the flow of current through its respective heating element. The aerosol generation system may further comprise a power source. The aerosol generation system may further comprise a control circuit. The control circuit may be configured to control the supply of current from the power source to the heater assembly by individually controlling the activation of each of the electronic switches, thereby selectively activating areas of the heater assembly during heating to heat a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponding to the activated portion of the heater assembly.

[0066] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generation system comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, a heater assembly arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate, the heater assembly comprising a two-dimensional array of heating elements, the system further comprising an electronic switch for each of the heating elements, each electronic switch connected to its respective heating element and a power source to control the flow of current through its respective heating element, the power source, and a control circuit configured to control the supply of current from the power source to the heater assembly by individually controlling the activation of each of the electronic switches, whereby areas of the heater assembly can be selectively activated during heating to heat portions of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponding to the activated portions of the heater assembly.

[0067] The aerosol generation system allows for selective adjustment of the area of ​​the heater assembly during heating, thus providing customizable and reliable control over the amount of aerosol generated, and further allowing a user to precisely determine their aerosol consumption, or their consumption of one or more aerosol components.

[0068] The two-dimensional array of heating elements may comprise a plurality of first heating elements extending in a first direction and a plurality of second heating elements extending in a second direction, which may be transverse to the first direction such that the plurality of second heating elements intersect the plurality of first heating elements, and the first heating elements and the second heating elements are electrically connected at their intersections.

[0069] The two-dimensional array of heating elements may comprise a grid.The two-dimensional array of heating elements may comprise a mesh.

[0070] Zones of the heater assembly may be selectively activated by activating one of the electronic switches connected to the first heating element in combination with one of the electronic switches connected to the second heating element.

[0071] Advantageously, selecting the area of ​​the heater assembly to be heated by activating one of the electronic switches connected to the first heating element and one of the electronic switches connected to the second heating element provides an effective way of addressing the area of ​​the heater assembly to be activated, since the electronic switches connected to the first heating element and the second heating element provide a form of coordinate system. Furthermore, information regarding the area activated during a heating operation can be stored in memory, providing a convenient way of monitoring which areas of the heater assembly have already been activated.

[0072] In one exemplary embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate, heater assembly, and electronic switch may form part of an aerosol-generating article, and the power source and control circuitry may form part of an aerosol generating device configured to receive the aerosol-generating article. In such an embodiment, the aerosol generating device may include electrical contacts for each of the electronic switches. Each electrical contact may be arranged to be electrically connected to a respective electronic switch when the aerosol-generating article is received within the aerosol generating device.

[0073] Advantageously, locating the electronic switch within the aerosol generating article simplifies the design and manufacturing costs of the aerosol generating device. In this arrangement, all components required for operation of the heater assembly are then located in the aerosol generating article, making it a stand-alone unit, and all devices must provide a connection to the control circuit. Furthermore, this makes it more difficult to use counterfeit or substandard aerosol generating articles with the aerosol generating device due to the increased complexity involved in manufacturing the aerosol generating article.

[0074] In another exemplary embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate may form at least a part of an aerosol-generating article, and the heater assembly, electronic switch, power source, and control circuitry form part of an aerosol generating device configured to receive the aerosol-generating article.

[0075] Advantageously, locating the heater assembly and electronic switch within the aerosol generating device reduces the complexity and manufacturing costs of the aerosol generating article.

[0076] Each electronic switch may comprise a transistor. Advantageously, the transistor is suitably small for incorporation into, for example, the aerosol-generating article, and can be easily interfaced with and controlled by control circuitry. Any suitable type of transistor may be used, including, but not limited to, bipolar transistors and field effect transistors.

[0077] The aerosol-forming substrate may be in contact with the heater assembly. An advantage of placing the aerosol-forming substrate in contact with the heater assembly is that this may assist in conductive heating from the heater assembly to the aerosol-forming substrate, which may result in more efficient aerosol generation.

[0078] The aerosol-forming substrate may be coated onto the heater assembly. Coating the aerosol-forming substrate onto the heater assembly may provide an effective way of contacting the aerosol-forming substrate with the heater assembly and is easy to incorporate into high-speed manufacturing processes. Furthermore, the amount of aerosol-forming substrate coated onto the length of the heating element can be accurately determined, which in turn allows the amount of aerosol generated by that length of heating element during heating to be accurately determined.

[0079] The aerosol-forming substrate may extend across the heater assembly. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate may be substantially flat. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate may be shaped as a tablet having a first major surface, a second major surface and a thickness between the major surfaces that is small relative to the length and width of the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0080] The aerosol-forming substrate may be divided into units and each unit may correspond to an activatable area of ​​a heater assembly.

[0081] The advantage of dividing the aerosol-forming substrate into units is that it may help to reliably control the amount of aerosol generated. The amount of aerosol that can be generated by a single unit is known or can be determined. The amount of aerosol generated by a single unit is preferably less than the amount of aerosol required for one puff or inhale by a user. The amount of aerosol generated by a single unit is preferably a fraction of the amount of aerosol required for one puff or inhale by a user. As a result, generating the amount of aerosol required for a particular user's puff or inhale simply involves determining the number of units required to satisfy the required amount of aerosol and activating the portion of the heater assembly corresponding to the unit. This arrangement allows a user to accurately determine his or her aerosol consumption, or his or her consumption of one or more aerosol components. The units for generating the required amount of aerosol may be heated sequentially or simultaneously.

[0082] Each unit of the aerosol-forming substrate may be separated from its adjacent units by a thermal insulating material. This arrangement may help to reduce heat transfer from the currently heated unit to the adjacent units that are not heated. Thus, such an arrangement may reduce the risk of thermal decomposition of the aerosol-forming substrate of the adjacent units.

[0083] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a solid. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a liquid. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a gel. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise any combination of two or more of a solid, a liquid, and a gel.

[0084] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine, a nicotine derivative, or a nicotine analogue. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more nicotine salts. The one or more nicotine salts may be selected from the list consisting of nicotine citrate, nicotine lactate, nicotine pyruvate, nicotine bitartrate, nicotine pectinate, nicotine alginate, and nicotine salicylate.

[0085] The aerosol-forming substrate may include an aerosol former. As used herein, an "aerosol former" is any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that facilitates the formation of a dense and stable aerosol when in use, and that is substantially resistant to thermal decomposition at the use temperature of the aerosol-generating article. Suitable aerosol formers are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to, polyhydric alcohols (such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, glycerin, etc.), esters of polyhydric alcohols (such as glycerol monoacetate, diacetate, or triacetate, etc.), and aliphatic esters of mono-, di-, or polycarboxylic acids (such as dimethyl dodecanedioate, dimethyl tetradecanedioate, etc.). Preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and glycerin.

[0086] The aerosol-forming substrate may further comprise a flavoring agent. The flavoring agent may comprise a volatile flavor component. The flavoring agent may comprise menthol. As used herein, the term "menthol" refers to the compound 2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexanol in any of its isomeric forms. The flavoring agent may provide a flavor selected from the group consisting of menthol, lemon, vanilla, orange, wintergreen, cherry, and cinnamon. The flavoring agent may comprise a volatile tobacco flavor compound that is released from the substrate upon heating.

[0087] The aerosol-forming substrate may further comprise tobacco or a tobacco-containing material. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise any of tobacco leaves, tobacco stem fragments, reconstituted tobacco, homogenized tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco slurry, cast leaf tobacco, and expanded tobacco. Optionally, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco powder compressed with an inert material, such as glass or ceramic, or another suitable inert material.

[0088] When the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a liquid or gel, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article may comprise an absorbent carrier. The aerosol-forming substrate may be coated on the absorbent carrier or impregnated into the absorbent carrier. For example, the nicotine compound and the aerosol former may be combined with water as a liquid formulation. The liquid formulation may further comprise a flavoring agent in some embodiments. Such a liquid formulation may then be absorbed by the absorbent carrier or coated onto the surface of the absorbent carrier. The absorbent carrier may be a sheet or tablet of a cellulose-based material onto which the nicotine compound and the aerosol former may be coated or absorbed. The absorbent carrier may be a metal, polymer, or vegetable foam that has liquid retention and capillary properties and onto which the liquid or gel aerosol-forming substrate is coated or absorbed.

[0089] There may be different categories of aerosol-generating articles, each offering a different user experience. For example, different categories may include articles with different recipes or compositions of aerosol-forming substrates, different concentrations of nicotine or other ingredients, and different amounts or thicknesses of aerosol-forming substrates. Aerosol-generating articles belonging to the same category may have the same shape, size, or color to make them identifiable to a user or to an aerosol-generating system or device. An aerosol-generating system or device may be configured to accept only a certain category of aerosol-generating articles, for example, by having a recess or space shaped or sized to receive only a specific type of aerosol-generating article. The recess or space may be keyed to receive only aerosol-generating articles of a complementary shape.

[0090] The aerosol-generating article may include different types of aerosol-forming substrates. For example, one type of aerosol-forming substrate may include nicotine. Another type of aerosol-forming substrate may include a flavoring agent. The different types of aerosol-forming substrates may be housed in different units. Aerosols from the different types of aerosol-forming substrates may be delivered to the user as a mixture. The exact composition of the mixture can be determined by activating different parts of the heater assembly corresponding to the desired units. This arrangement also allows the composition of the resulting aerosol to be changed over time during a user session. For example, an initial puff may include aerosol generated from a unit containing nicotine, while the number of nicotine-containing units aerosolized for subsequent puffs may be reduced.

[0091] The aerosol-generating article or device may comprise a plurality of heater assemblies. Each heater assembly may comprise an array of heating elements. The aerosol-generating article may comprise two heater assemblies with the aerosol-forming substrate disposed between the heater assemblies. The aerosol-generating device may comprise two heater assemblies and be configured to receive the aerosol-forming substrate between the heater assemblies.

[0092] Each heating element may comprise an electrically resistive heating element. Each heating element may include an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically resistive materials include, but are not limited to, semiconductors such as doped ceramics, "conductive" ceramics (such as, for example, molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, alloys, and composites made of ceramic and metallic materials. Such composites may include doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbide. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum platinum, gold, and silver. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-containing, cobalt-containing, chromium-containing, aluminum-containing, titanium-containing, zirconium-containing, hafnium-containing, niobium-containing, molybdenum-containing, tantalum-containing, tungsten-containing, tin-containing, gallium-containing, manganese-containing, gold-containing, and iron-containing alloys, as well as nickel-, iron-, cobalt-, and stainless steel-based superalloys, Timetal®, and iron-manganese-aluminum-based alloys. In composite materials, the electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated in, or coated with the insulating material, or vice versa, depending on the required energy transfer kinetics and external physicochemical properties.

[0093] The device may comprise a housing. The housing may comprise a spatial recess for receiving an aerosol-generating article. The housing may comprise a main body portion. The main body portion may comprise a power source. The main body portion may comprise control circuitry. The housing may comprise a mouthpiece or mouthpiece portion. The air inlet may be disposed at a point along the length of the housing. The air outlet may be disposed at a mouth end of the mouthpiece. In this manner, a user may be able to puff or inhale the aerosol via the air outlet, which may be formed at or within the mouthpiece portion. The mouthpiece portion may be separable from the main body portion.

[0094] The control circuit may be configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the heater assembly. The control circuit may comprise a microprocessor, a programmable microprocessor, a microcontroller, or an application specific integrated circuit chip (ASIC), or other electronic circuitry capable of providing control. The control circuit may comprise additional electronic components. For example, in some embodiments, the control circuit may comprise a sensor element, a switch element, or a display element. Power may be provided to the heating element for the duration of the puff, either continuously or in the form of a current pulse. The power source may be a DC power source. The power source may include at least one battery. The at least one battery may include a rechargeable lithium ion battery. Alternatively, the power source may be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor.

[0095] Features described with respect to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention, in particular features described with respect to an aerosol generating system may equally be applied to an aerosol generating article or an aerosol generating device, and vice versa.

[0096] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0097] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of an embodiment of an aerosol-generating article according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the aerosol-generating article of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the fusible regions located at points along the length of the heating element. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention configured to selectively activate a circuit breaker component of the aerosol-generating article of FIG. 1 prior to heating. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a portion of an aerosol generation system according to an embodiment of the invention, showing a portion of a heater assembly and associated control circuitry. [Figure 7] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of a portion of an aerosol-generating system according to an embodiment of the invention, showing a heater assembly and a corresponding unit of an aerosol-forming substrate that can be heated by the heater assembly, and Figure 7B is a close-up of the lower left corner of the heater assembly shown in Figure 7A. [Figure 8] 8 is a schematic plan view of an aerosol generation system according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol generating device for use with the aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating article being drawn on a larger scale than the aerosol generating device for clarity. [Figure 9] 9 is a schematic plan view of an aerosol generation system according to another embodiment of the invention, comprising an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating device for use with the aerosol generating article, the aerosol generating article being drawn to a larger scale than the aerosol generating device for clarity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0098] 1 shows an aerosol-generating article 2 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate 4 and a heater assembly 6. The heater assembly 6 comprises a two-dimensional array or grid of heating elements comprising a plurality of first heating elements 6a extending in a first direction across the aerosol-forming substrate 4 and a plurality of second heating elements 6b extending in a second direction across the aerosol-forming substrate 4, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, such that the plurality of first heating elements 6a intersect the plurality of second heating elements 6b. The first heating elements 6a and the second heating elements 6b are electrically connected at their intersections.

[0099] The heating elements 6a, 6b are electrically resistive elements in which electric current generates heat due to the Joule effect when passed through them. In this embodiment, the heating elements 6a, 6b are formed from a nickel-chromium (NiCr) alloy. The heater assembly 6 is in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate such that heat generated in the heating elements 6a, 6b is conducted to and radiated to the aerosol-forming substrate 4, vaporizing a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate near the heating elements and forming an aerosol.

[0100] The heater assembly 6 includes fusion spots or fusible regions 8 located between the intersections of the first 6a and second 6b heating elements and can be individually activated to break an electrical circuit through the heating elements 6a, 6b at the location of the fusible regions 8. The fusible regions 8 thus act as circuit breaker components. Five such fusible regions are shown in FIG. 1 that define an area A of the heater assembly 6 that is deactivated or electrically isolated from the remainder of the heater assembly 6 prior to heating, such that only the remaining non-deactivated portions of the heater assembly 6 are heated during a subsequent heating operation. As a result, only the portions of the aerosol-forming substrate that correspond to the non-deactivated portions of the heater assembly 6 are vaporized. The fusible regions 8 can thus be used to selectively adjust the areas of the heater assembly 6 that are heated during a heating operation to selectively adjust the amount of aerosol generated.

[0101] The aerosol generating article 2 also includes a pair of electrical contact pads 10, one for connection to a positive terminal of a power supply and the other for connection to a negative or ground terminal of the power supply. The electrical contact pads 10 are arranged to connect to a pair of corresponding electrical contacts in the aerosol generating device so that electrical power can be supplied to the heater assembly 6. In use, electrical current flows through the heater assembly 6 between the electrical contacts 10 to generate heat in the heating elements 6a, 6b.

[0102] Reference is now made to Figure 2, which shows a side view of the aerosol-generating article 2 of Figure 1. As can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, the aerosol-forming substrate 4 is formed as a tablet having a first major surface 4a and an opposite second major surface 4b. The thickness T of the aerosol-forming substrate is small relative to the length and width of the aerosol-forming substrate 4. Any suitable aerosol-forming substrate 4 can be used. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate 4 can be a solid tablet comprising tobacco cast leaf, or the aerosol-forming substrate 4 can comprise a polymeric or metallic foam, or a combination of both, impregnated with a liquid or gel containing an aerosol former, nicotine, and one or more additives, such as flavorants. The heater assembly 6 contacts the first major surface 4a of the aerosol-forming substrate 4.

[0103] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of one of the fusible regions 8 located along the length of one of the first heating elements 6a of FIG. 1. The fusible region 8 is formed from a thin wire of a low resistivity electrical material, such as an alloy of zinc and aluminum, which is configured to melt at a predetermined temperature above the temperature to which the heater is heated during normal operation. The thin wire is coated with gold nanoparticles (not shown). The thin wire of the fusible region 8 is approximately 5 times thinner than the heating element 6a and has a diameter or thickness of approximately 0.1 mm compared to the diameter of the heating element 6a, which is approximately 0.5 mm. Of course, in other embodiments, the thin wire of the fusible region may be even thinner relative to the heating element, such as up to 10 times thinner or more. In these embodiments, the thin wire may have a diameter of about 0.05 mm to about 0.1 mm compared to the diameter of the heating element, which is approximately 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm.

[0104] Due to the low resistance of the fusible region 8, when the heater assembly is heated normally, i.e., when power is supplied to the heater assembly to generate the aerosol, the fusible region 8 does not melt. However, due to the presence of the gold nanoparticles, the fusible region 8 is susceptible to a physical phenomenon called surface plasmon resonance, which can be used to melt the fusible region 8. When the fusible region 8 is irradiated with light of a wavelength comparable to the size of the nanoparticles, the free electrons of the nanoparticles are excited and coherent oscillations of those electrons occur. To relax to its initial state, the nanoparticle loses its excess energy in the form of heat. Thus, when the nanoparticles exhibit surface plasmon resonance, thermal energy is generated. For gold nanoparticles, the light wavelength should be around 530 nm (i.e., green light). This can raise the temperature of the fusible region up to 500 degrees Celsius. This exceeds the melting temperature of the thin wire of the fusible region 8 and causes the fusible region 8 to melt and shut off. As a result, the electrical circuit through the heating element is interrupted at the location of the fusible regions 8. By activating, i.e., melting, selected fusible regions 8, areas of the heater assembly 6 can be deactivated or electrically isolated from the heating process.

[0105] Referring to Figure 4, this shows an apparatus 20 for selectively activating the fusible region 8 (not shown in Figure 4) of the aerosol-generating article 2 of Figure 1 prior to heating of the heater assembly 6. The apparatus 20 comprises a housing 22 that encloses the aerosol-generating article 2 and a mount 24 for holding a directional light source 26. The mount 24 is arranged to receive the aerosol-generating article 2 in a configuration in which the heater assembly 6 faces the directional light source 26. The mount 24 is sized and shaped to receive the aerosol-generating article with an interference fit such that the aerosol-generating article is securely held and does not move relative to the mount 24. The aerosol-generating article 2 is shaped to be longer in one dimension than another such that it can only be received in the mount 24 in the correct orientation. As a result, the apparatus 20 is able to determine the position of the aerosol-generating article 2 and the heater assembly 6 relative to the mount 24.

[0106] The directional light source 26 comprises a laser diode or light emitting diode capable of emitting highly directional light at the required wavelength to achieve plasmonic surface resonance in the fusible regions. The directional light source 26 is mounted on an actuator (not shown) so that it can move relative to the mount 24. The actuator is controlled by a control circuit (not shown). A beam 28 of light emitted by the directional light source can be scanned across the surface of the heater assembly 6 and can be directed to individual fusible regions. This activates the fusible regions such that they exhibit surface plasmon resonance. Thus, the directional light source 26 acts as an activation device for activating the fusible regions. The heat generated by the surface plasmon resonance melts the fusible regions and breaks the electrical circuit at the location of the fusible regions. By activating the fusible regions, selected areas of the heater assembly 6 can be deactivated.

[0107] Thus, the apparatus 20 can be used prior to heating to selectively adjust the area of ​​the heater assembly 6 that is available for heating during a subsequent heating operation. Once the apparatus 20 has adjusted the area of ​​the heater assembly 6, the aerosol-generating article 2 can be removed from the apparatus 20 and inserted into an aerosol generating device. Upon heating, the aerosol-generating article 2 generates an amount of aerosol proportional to the uninactivated area of ​​the heater assembly 6.

[0108] Figure 5 shows a handheld, electrically operated aerosol generating device 40 in which a light source for selectively adjusting an area of ​​a heater assembly of the aerosol generating article is housed within the device. The device comprises a housing 42 containing a power source 44, control circuitry 46, and a space 48 for receiving the aerosol generating article 2 of Figure 1. In Figure 5, the aerosol generating article 2 is received within the device, and the contact pads 10 of the aerosol generating article 2 engage with corresponding contact pins 50 of the device 40. The contact pins 50 are connected to the control circuitry 46 which controls the supply of power to the heater assembly of the aerosol generating article 2.

[0109] The light source 52 is disposed such that it faces the heater assembly of the aerosol-generating article 2 to direct light to the heater assembly. The light source 52 is a light emitting diode and is spaced from the heater assembly such that the entire area of ​​the heater assembly can be exposed when illuminated. A mask 54 is attached to the aerosol-generating article 2 such that it covers the heater assembly and is disposed between the light source 52 and the aerosol-generating article 2.

[0110] The mask 54 is made of an opaque material, such as a metal foil, and has a low tack pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on one surface. The adhesive is used to temporarily attach the mask to the aerosol-generating article 2, but allows the mask to be removed without leaving a residue. The mask 54 has holes 56 that correspond to the locations of the fusible areas on the heater assembly that are to be activated. The opaque material of the mask 54 protects the non-activated fusible areas from the light emitted by the light source 52, while the holes 56 allow the light to pass through the mask 54 to activate the fusible areas. Thus, the mask 54 can be used to selectively condition areas of the heater assembly prior to heating.

[0111] The light source 52 is controlled by a switch 58 connected to the control circuit 46. The switch 58 can be operated by a user to illuminate the light source and expose the heater assembly to the light through the mask 54. A further switch 60 is provided to activate the heater assembly.

[0112] The device 40 further comprises an air inlet 62 disposed within the housing upstream of the space 48 for receiving the aerosol-generating article 2, and an air outlet 64 disposed within the mouthpiece 66 downstream of the space 48 for receiving the aerosol-generating article 2. The device 40 provides an airflow path between the air inlet 62 and the air outlet 64 that flows past the heater assembly of the aerosol-generating article 2 when the aerosol-generating article is received within the device 40.

[0113] In use, the user places the aerosol-generating article 2 with the mask 54 covering its heater assembly into the device 40 and activates the switch 58. This illuminates the light source 52 and exposes the mask 54 to the light. Areas of the heater assembly of the aerosol-generating article 2 are deactivated corresponding to the pattern of holes in the mask 54. The mask 54 is then removed from the aerosol-generating article 2, and when the user is ready to take a puff from the device 40, the user places the mouthpiece 66 to their lips and presses the switch 60. This activates the heater assembly of the aerosol-generating article 2, heating a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate that corresponds to the undeactivated portion of the heater assembly to generate a predetermined amount of aerosol. The user then draws the aerosol into their mouth via the air outlet 64.

[0114] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of some aerosol generation systems according to another embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol generation system comprises a heater assembly 106 comprising a two-dimensional array or grid of heating elements. The two-dimensional array of heating elements comprises a plurality of first heating elements 106a extending in a first direction and a plurality of second heating elements 106b extending in a second direction across the aerosol-forming substrate 4, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, such that the plurality of first heating elements 106a intersect with the plurality of second heating elements 106b. The first heating elements 106a and the second heating elements 106b are electrically connected at their intersections. In Figure 6, only two of the first heating elements 106a and two of the second heating elements 106b are shown.

[0115] The first heating element 106a and the second heating element 106b are coated with an aerosol-forming substrate, which is omitted from FIG. 6 for clarity. Any suitable aerosol-forming substrate may be used. For example, the heating elements 106a, 106b may be coated with a solid aerosol-forming substrate that includes tobacco granules or particles. Alternatively, the heating elements 106a, 106b may be coated with a gel-type aerosol-forming substrate that includes one or more additives, such as nicotine, flavorants, and an aerosol former.

[0116] Each heating element 106a in the first direction and each heating element 106b in the second direction are connected to a separate transistor Ta, Tb, T1, and T2, respectively. In the embodiment of Figure 6, bipolar transistors are used, and in the following description, the term bipolar transistor is used. However, it will be appreciated that other types of transistors, for example field effect transistors, can be used.

[0117] The first heating elements 106a are connected to the emitters of their respective transistors Ta, Tb. The collectors of the transistors Ta and Tb are connected to the positive terminal of the power supply 102. The second heating elements 106b are connected to the collectors of their respective transistors T1, T2. The emitters of the transistors T1 and T2 are connected to the negative or ground terminal of the power supply 102. The bases of all the transistors Ta, Tb, T1, and T2 are connected to a control circuit 104, which may include one or more microcontrollers.

[0118] The control circuit 104 controls the supply of current to the bases of the transistors Ta, Tb, T1, and T2. When current is permitted to flow through the bases of the transistors Ta, Tb, T1, and T2, the transistors are switched on. Thus, the transistors Ta, Tb, T1, and T2 act as electronic switches that control the flow of current through their respective heating elements 106a, 106b. By individually controlling the activation of each of the transistors Ta, Tb, T1, and T2, the control circuit 104 controls the supply of current from the power source to the heater assembly, thereby selectively activating areas of the heater assembly 106 during heating to heat a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate (not shown) corresponding to the activated portion of the heater assembly. For example, in Fig. 6, when the control circuit 104 activates the transistors Ta and T1, this causes current to flow from the positive terminal of the power supply 102, through the collector of the transistor Ta, to the emitter of the transistor T1 of the transistor Ta, and back to the negative or ground terminal of the power supply 102, resulting in heating of the section A of the heater assembly 106 (represented by the dashed outline in Fig. 6). This arrangement therefore makes it possible to control the amount of aerosol generated. A new part of the heater assembly 106 is activated every time the user takes a puff. This arrangement also makes it possible to activate multiple sections of the heater assembly in succession to generate the required amount of aerosol, for example by activating the transistors Ta and T1, and then activating the transistors Ta and T2.

[0119] Figure 7A shows a schematic diagram of a complete heater assembly 106 of the aerosol generation system of Figure 6. The heater assembly 106 comprises a two-dimensional array of heating elements including a plurality of first heating elements 106a extending in a first direction and a plurality of second heating elements 106b extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Each heating element 106a, 106b is connected to its own transistor (not shown in Figure 7A, but indicated by reference numbers Ta, Tb, Tc, etc. and T1, T2, T3...Tn, etc.). The transistors Ta, Tb, Tc, T1, T2, T3...Tn, etc. control the flow of current through their respective heating elements 106a, 106b.

[0120] The heating elements 106a, 106b are coated with an aerosol-forming substrate, which is omitted from Figure 7A for the purposes of clarity. Any suitable aerosol-forming substrate may be used, and examples are provided above in the description of Figure 6.

[0121] The aerosol-forming substrate is divided into units A1, A2, which define the amount of aerosol-forming substrate that can be heated individually by a pair of transistors. The amount of aerosol-forming substrate in each unit is configured such that the amount of aerosol generated by each unit is known. The amount of aerosol generated by a single unit is preferably less than the amount of aerosol required for one puff or inhale, and is a fraction of the amount of aerosol required for one puff or inhale. Thus, the aerosol generating system heats a determined number of units, either sequentially or simultaneously, to satisfy the amount of aerosol selected for a user's puff or inhale.

[0122] For example, if the embodiment of Fig. 7A is for successively heating the units of the aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol generating system can first activate transistors Ta and T1 to create a first electric circuit for heating unit A1. Then, it can activate transistors Ta and T2 to create a second electric circuit for heating unit A2. In fact, by activating transistor Ta and successively activating transistors T1 to Tn, all the units of the aerosol-forming substrate along the heating element 106a connected to transistor Ta can be heated. The process can then continue in the same manner by activating transistor Tb and successively activating transistors T1 to Tn to heat all the units of the aerosol-forming substrate along the heating element 106a connected to transistor Tb, and so on.

[0123] Figure 7B is a more detailed enlarged view of the lower left corner of Figure 7A showing units A1, A2 of the aerosol-forming substrate which can be individually heated by a pair of transistors. Unit A1 of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponds to activation of transistors Ta and T1, and unit A2 of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponds to activation of transistors Ta and T2.

[0124] As can be seen from FIG. 7B, during successive heating of the units of the aerosol-forming substrate, some areas of the heater assembly 106 that have already been activated are reactivated when adjacent areas are activated. For example, area A1', which is part of unit A1, is activated when transistors Ta and T1 are activated, and is reactivated when transistors Ta and T2 are activated. However, area A1' has already been depleted of the aerosol-forming substrate during the activation of transistors Ta and T1. Therefore, the effective area of ​​unit A2 is the area of ​​A2 minus area A1'. As a result, the effective area of ​​unit A2 is similar to the area of ​​unit A1. The two-dimensional array of heating elements 106a, 106b results in the aerosol-forming substrate being divided into approximately equally sized units. This makes it easier to scale up the amount of aerosol generated. For example, if a situation requires twice the amount of aerosol as can be generated by one unit, the aerosol generating system can simply heat two units.

[0125] 8 shows an aerosol generation system comprising an aerosol-generating article 200 and an aerosol-generating device 300 for use with the aerosol-generating article 200. For clarity, the aerosol-generating article is drawn to a larger scale than the aerosol-generating device.

[0126] The aerosol-generating article 200 comprises an aerosol-forming substrate 204 and a heater assembly 206, both held within a support 208. The heater assembly 206 comprises a two-dimensional array of heating elements 206a, 206b and is constructed in the same manner as the heater assemblies of Figures 6 and 7A. That is, each heating element 206a, 206b is connected to a transistor (not shown) that controls the flow of current through its respective heating element 206a, 206b. The aerosol-generating article 200 further comprises a number of electrical contacts 210 disposed around its periphery for connecting to the transistors and the heating elements 206a, 206b. The electrical contacts 210 are arranged to connect to corresponding electrical contacts 310 in the aerosol-generating device 300.

[0127] 8, a transistor (not shown) is located between the electrical contacts 210 and the heating elements 206a, 206b on or in the support 208 of the aerosol-generating article 200. However, in other embodiments, the transistor may be part of the device 300, for example, the transistor may be located between the control circuitry 306 and the electrical contacts 310.

[0128] The aerosol generating device 300 comprises a housing 302 that contains a power source 304, a control circuit 306, and a space 308 for receiving the aerosol generating article 200. As mentioned above, the aerosol generating device 300 comprises electrical contacts 310 for connecting to corresponding electrical contacts 210 of the aerosol generating article 200. The electrical contacts 310 are disposed around the periphery of the recess 308 and each are connected to the control circuit 306. For purposes of clarity, Figure 8 shows the connections between the control circuit 306 and the electrical contacts 310 for only four of the electrical contacts 310.

[0129] The control circuit 306 controls the supply of power to the heater assembly 206 of the aerosol-generating article 200. The control circuit 306 comprises a wireless communication module (not shown) and a memory (not shown). The wireless communication module allows information regarding the user and the type of aerosol-generating article 200 to be transmitted to the aerosol generating device 300. This information includes, for example, the amount of aerosol or aerosol components to be generated for a particular user and the type of aerosol-forming substrate to be heated. This information is then stored in the memory, and based on this information, the control circuit 306 can determine which area of ​​the heater assembly 206 of the aerosol-generating article 200 to activate. The aerosol generating device also comprises a switch 316 connected to the control circuit and operated by the user to activate the heater assembly 206 of the aerosol-generating article 200 when the aerosol-generating article 200 is received in the device 300.

[0130] The device 300 further comprises an air inlet (not shown) disposed within the housing 302 upstream of the recess 308 for receiving the aerosol-generating article 200, and an air outlet 312 disposed within the mouthpiece 314 downstream of the recess 308 for receiving the aerosol-generating article 200. The device 300 provides an airflow path between the air inlet 62 and the air outlet 312 that flows past the heater assembly 206 of the aerosol-generating article 200 when the aerosol-generating article 200 is received within the device 300.

[0131] In use, a user places the aerosol-generating article 200 in the aerosol-generating device 300, and when the user is ready to take a puff from the device 300, he places the mouthpiece 314 to his lips and presses the switch 316. This activates a selected section of the heater assembly 206 of the aerosol-generating article 200 to heat a portion or a certain number of units of the aerosol-forming substrate 204 that corresponds to the required amount of aerosol to be generated. The user then draws the aerosol into his mouth via the air outlet 312.

[0132] Figure 9 shows an aerosol generation system comprising an aerosol generating article 400 and an aerosol generating device 500 for use with the aerosol generating article 400. For clarity, the aerosol generating article is drawn to a larger scale than the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating system of Figure 9 differs from that of Figure 8 in that a heater assembly 507 is located in the device 500 rather than in the aerosol generating article 400. However, the aerosol generating system of Figure 9 uses the same principles of operation as that of Figure 8.

[0133] The aerosol-generating article 400 comprises an aerosol-forming substrate 404 shaped like a tablet and configured to be received within a correspondingly shaped recess 508 of the aerosol-generating device 500. Any suitable aerosol-forming substrate 204 can be used. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate 404 can be a solid tablet comprising a tobacco cast leaf, or the aerosol-forming substrate 404 can comprise a polymeric or metallic foam, or a combination of both, impregnated with a liquid or gel containing an aerosol former, nicotine, and one or more additives, such as flavorants.

[0134] The aerosol generating device 500 comprises a housing 502 containing a power source 504, control circuitry 506, and a recess 508 for receiving the aerosol-generating article 400 of Figure 1. As described above, the recess 508 is shaped to receive the aerosol-generating article 400.

[0135] A heater assembly 507 is disposed within the base of the recess 508. The heater assembly 507 comprises a two-dimensional array of heating elements 507a, 507b and is constructed in the same manner as the heater assemblies of Figures 6, 7A, and 9. That is, each heating element 507a, 507b is connected to a transistor (not shown) that controls the flow of current through its respective heating element 507a, 507b. The transistors for the heating elements 507a, 507b are each connected to a control circuit 506. For purposes of clarity, Figure 9 omits the transistors and shows only the connections between the heating elements 507a, 507b and the control circuit 506. Again, for purposes of clarity, only four connections are shown.

[0136] The control circuit 506 controls the supply of power to the heater assembly 507. The control circuit 506 comprises a wireless communication module (not shown) and a memory (not shown). The wireless communication module allows information about the user and the type of aerosol-generating article 400 to be transmitted to the aerosol generating device 500. This information includes, for example, the amount of aerosol or aerosol components to be generated for a particular user and the type of aerosol-forming substrate to be heated. This information is then stored in the memory, and based on this information, the control circuit 506 can determine which area of ​​the heater assembly 507 to activate. The aerosol generating device also comprises a switch 516 connected to the control circuit and operated by the user to activate the heater assembly 507 when the aerosol-generating article 400 is received in the device 500.

[0137] The device 500 further comprises an air inlet (not shown) disposed within the housing 502 upstream of the recess 508 for receiving the aerosol-generating article 400, and an air outlet 512 disposed within the mouthpiece 514 downstream of the recess 508 for receiving the aerosol-generating article 400. The device 500 provides an airflow path between the air inlet and the air outlet 512 that flows past the aerosol-generating article 400 when the aerosol-generating article 400 is received within the device 500.

[0138] In use, a user places the aerosol-generating article 400 in the aerosol-generating device 500, and when the user is ready to take a puff from the device 500, he places the mouthpiece 514 to his lips and presses the switch 316. This activates selected sections of the heater assembly 507 to heat a portion or a certain number of units of the aerosol-forming substrate 404 of the aerosol-generating article 400 that corresponds to the required amount of aerosol to be generated. The user then draws the aerosol into his mouth via the air outlet 512.

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol-generating article comprising: an aerosol-forming substrate; a heater assembly arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate, the heater assembly comprising an array of heating elements; each of the plurality of heating elements in the array comprises at least one circuit breaker component; An aerosol-generating article, wherein each of the circuit breaker components is individually activatable to selectively deactivate an area of ​​the heater assembly prior to heating, such that upon heating, the aerosol-generating article selectively heats a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponding to the undeactivated portion of the heater assembly.

2. 10. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein each of the circuit breaker components comprises a fusible region configured to melt at a predetermined temperature to interrupt the heating element.

3. 3. The aerosol-generating article of claim 2, wherein the fusible region comprises metal nanoparticles arranged to receive light from a light source and generate heat by surface plasmon resonance to raise the temperature of the fusible region to a predetermined temperature.

4. 4. The aerosol-generating article of claim 2 or 3, wherein at least a proportion of the fusible region is disposed to surround a predetermined area of ​​the heater assembly that is to be deactivated.

5. 5. The aerosol-generating article of claim 3 or 4, further comprising a mask disposed over the heater assembly, the mask comprising a pattern of holes or transparent film such that only fusible regions in the mask at locations corresponding to the locations of the holes or transparent film are activated when exposed to a light source.

6. 6. A device for use with an aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, said device being configured to receive the aerosol-generating article, said device comprising: A control circuit; and an activation device for activating one or more of the circuit breaker components; The apparatus, wherein when an aerosol-generating article is received within the apparatus, the control circuit is configured to control an activation device to activate one or more of the circuit breaker components, thereby deactivating selected areas of the heater assembly before being heated.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the activation device is a light source and the control circuit is configured to control the light source to expose one or more of the fusible regions to light when an aerosol-generating article described in any one of claims 3 to 5 is received within the device, thereby generating heat by surface plasmon resonance in the fusible regions to raise the temperature of the fusible regions to a predetermined temperature, where the fusible regions melt and shut off the heating element.

8. 8. The device of claim 6 or 7, wherein the device further comprises a power source, and when an aerosol-generating article is received within the device, the control circuit is configured to control the supply of power from the power source to a heater assembly to selectively heat a portion of the heater assembly corresponding to an uninactivated portion of the aerosol-forming substrate.

9. 1. An aerosol generation system comprising: an aerosol-forming substrate; a heater assembly arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate, the heater assembly comprising an array of heating elements; The system further comprises: Power supply, an electronic switch for each of the heating elements, each electronic switch connected to its respective heating element and to the power source to control the flow of current through its respective heating element; and a control circuit. the control circuit is configured to control the supply of electrical current from the power source to the heater assembly by individually controlling the activation of each of the electronic switches, thereby selectively activating sections of the heater assembly during heating to heat portions of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponding to the activated portions of the heater assembly; the array of heating elements comprises a two-dimensional array of heating elements having a plurality of first heating elements extending in a first direction and a plurality of second heating elements extending in a second direction, the second direction being transverse to the first direction, such that the plurality of second heating elements intersect the plurality of first heating elements and the first and second heating elements are electrically connected at their intersections; Aerosol generation systems.

10. 10. The aerosol generating system of claim 9, wherein zones of the heater assembly are selectively activated by activating one of the electronic switches connected to a first heating element in combination with one of the electronic switches connected to a second heating element.

11. an aerosol generating system, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate, the heater assembly, and the electronic switch form part of an aerosol-generating article, comprising: the power source and the control circuitry form part of an aerosol generating device configured to receive the aerosol generating article; 11. The aerosol generating system of claim 9 or 10, wherein the aerosol generating device is provided with electrical contacts for each of the electronic switches, and each electrical contact is arranged to be electrically connected to its respective electronic switch when the aerosol generating article is received within the aerosol generating device.

12. 11. The aerosol generating system of claim 9 or 10, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate forms at least part of an aerosol-generating article, and the heater assembly, electronic switch, power source and control circuit form part of an aerosol generating device configured to receive the aerosol-generating article.

13. 13. An aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein each electronic switch comprises a transistor.

14. An aerosol-generating article as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, and an aerosol-generating system as described in any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate extends across the heater assembly and is divided into units, each unit corresponding to an activatable area of ​​the heater assembly.

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