Apparatus and method for an aerosol generating system

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for an aerosol generating system.SOLUTION: Apparatus for an aerosol generating system comprises: one or a plurality of inductive elements 124 and 126 for inductively heating a susceptor arrangement 132 to heat an aerosol generating material 110 to thereby generate an aerosol; an insulating member 128 which in use is disposed between the inductive elements 124 and 126 and the susceptor arrangement 132 to thermally insulate the susceptor arrangement from the inductive elements; and a control arrangement. The control arrangement is configured to determine characteristics representing one or a plurality of temperatures of the inductive elements 124 and 126 and take a control action if, based on the determined characteristics, the control arrangement determines that the susceptor arrangement 132 is overheating.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5B

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for an aerosol generating system.

[0002] Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, cigars, and the like, burn tobacco to produce tobacco smoke during use. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these tobacco-burning articles by creating products that release compounds without combustion. Examples of such products include heating devices that release compounds by heating, rather than burning, a material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. Overview

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for an aerosol generation system comprising: an inductive element for inductively heating a susceptor structure so as to heat an aerosol-generating material and thereby generate an aerosol, the apparatus comprising: an inductive element for inductively heating a susceptor structure so as to heat an aerosol-generating material and generate an aerosol by heating; an insulating member disposed between the inductive element and the susceptor structure so as to thermally insulate, in use, the susceptor structure from the inductive element; a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature at a location in the system insulated from the susceptor structure by the insulating member, in use; and a control arrangement configured to monitor the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and to take a control action if the control arrangement determines, based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor, that the susceptor structure is overheating.

[0004] The control arrangement may be configured to determine that the susceptor arrangement is overheating by determining whether a temperature measured by the temperature sensor is greater than or equal to a threshold temperature value.

[0005] In use, the insulating member may at least partially surround the susceptor structure.

[0006] The insulating member may be a tubular member which, in use, surrounds the susceptor.

[0007] The insulating member may be made of polyetheretherketone.

[0008] The inductive element may be a first inductor coil, and the first inductor coil may surround an insulating member.

[0009] The temperature sensor may be positioned to measure the temperature at or near the outer surface of the insulating member.

[0010] The first inductor coil may be in contact with a radially outward surface of the insulating member, and the insulating member may fully or partially support the first inductor coil.

[0011] The induction heating circuit may include a second inductor coil for heating the susceptor structure, the second inductor coil may surround the insulating member and be in contact with a radially outward surface of the insulating member, the insulating member may fully or partially support the second inductor coil, and the first inductor coil, the second inductor coil, and the insulating member may be arranged concentrically with each other about a central longitudinal axis of the susceptor structure, in use.

[0012] The predetermined threshold temperature may be between 90°C and 180°C.

[0013] The predetermined threshold temperature value may be approximately 126 degrees Celsius.

[0014] The control action that the control arrangement is configured to take may include causing the inductive element to stop heating the susceptor by stopping the supply of power to the inductive element, or reducing the supply of power to the inductive element to heat the susceptor.

[0015] The susceptor structure may comprise a first heating region and a second heating region, the inductive element may be a first inductive element for heating the first heating region, and the apparatus may further comprise a second inductive element for heating the second heating region, and the second inductive element may also be insulated from the susceptor structure by an insulating member.

[0016] The first inductive element and the second inductive element may be configured to be operable to simultaneously maintain both the first heating region and the second heating region at a temperature for heating the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol.

[0017] The temperature sensor may be positioned at a predetermined location insulated from the susceptor by an insulating member, the predetermined location being determined to be the hottest of multiple locations in the system insulated from the susceptor by the insulating member during use of the system to generate an aerosol.

[0018] The predetermined location may be the hottest location on the surface of the insulating member during use of the system to generate the aerosol.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising an apparatus according to the first aspect of the present disclosure and configured, in use, to generate an aerosol that is inhaled by a user.

[0020] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generation system comprising an aerosol generation device according to the second aspect and an article comprising an aerosol-generating material that is heated by the device in use to generate an aerosol upon heating.

[0021] The aerosol-forming material may include a tobacco material.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for an aerosol generation system for generating an aerosol to be inhaled by a user, the apparatus comprising: an insulating member for insulating an inductive element from a susceptor structure configured to heat an aerosol-generating material and generate an aerosol by heating when the system is being used to generate an aerosol, the inductive element being for heating the susceptor structure; and a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature at a location in the system insulated from the susceptor structure by the insulating member when the system is being used to generate an aerosol, the temperature sensor being configured to provide a measurement of the temperature at that location in the system to a control arrangement to enable the control arrangement to determine whether the susceptor structure is overheating and to take control action if the control arrangement determines that the susceptor structure is overheating.

[0023] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for a control configuration for an aerosol generating device comprising an inductive element for inductively heating a susceptor structure to heat an aerosol generating material and generate an aerosol by heating, an insulating member disposed, in use, between the inductive element and the susceptor structure to thermally insulate the susceptor structure from the inductive element, a temperature sensor for measuring temperature at a location in the system insulated from the susceptor structure by the insulating member, in use, and a control configuration, the method comprising the steps of monitoring a temperature measured by the temperature sensor and taking a control action if the control configuration determines, based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor, that the susceptor structure is overheating.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for an aerosol generation system comprising one or more inductive elements for inductively heating a susceptor structure to heat an aerosol generating material and thereby generate an aerosol, an insulating member disposed, in use, between the inductive element and the susceptor structure to thermally insulate the susceptor structure from the inductive element, and a control configuration configured to determine a characteristic indicative of a temperature of one or more of the inductive elements and to take a control action if the control configuration determines, based on the determined characteristic, that the susceptor structure is overheating.

[0025] The determined characteristic may be an electrical resistance of one of the inductive elements. If the electrical resistance of one of the inductive elements exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control arrangement may be configured to determine that the susceptor arrangement is overheating. The apparatus may comprise two inductive elements. If the electrical resistance of either of the two inductive elements exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control arrangement may be configured to determine that the susceptor arrangement is overheating. Each of the one or more induction heating elements may comprise an inductor coil. The inductor coil may be wound with Litz wire.

[0026] In another aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus is provided for an aerosol generation system configured, in use, to heat an aerosol generating material and thereby generate an aerosol that flows along an aerosol flow path and is inhaled by a user, the system comprising a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature at a given location of the system outside the aerosol flow path, the given location being predetermined to be the hottest location of the system outside the aerosol flow path when the system is being used to generate aerosol.

[0027] The system includes an insulating member that, in use, thermally insulates the aerosol flow path from locations of the system outside the aerosol flow path, and a given location may be predetermined to be the hottest of the given locations isolated from the aerosol flow path when the system is being used to generate aerosol.

[0028] The given location at which the temperature sensor is placed may be predetermined to be a location in the system that is expected to reach a higher temperature than other locations in the system that may be insulated from the aerosol flow path by an insulating member. For example, this predetermined location may be insulated from the susceptor by an insulating member and may be a predetermined location that is the hottest of multiple locations in the system that are insulated from the susceptor by an insulating member. The control components of the device may be configured to take a control action, such as turning off or reducing the power provided to heat the aerosol generating material, if the temperature sensor detects a temperature that exceeds a predetermined value. The given location may be predetermined by empirically testing the system to determine temperatures at locations in the system outside the aerosol flow path. The given location may be predetermined by modeling expected temperatures at locations in the system outside the aerosol flow path during use of the system. In some examples, the given location may be predetermined as a location outside the aerosol flow path that is expected to reach a higher temperature than other locations in the system when the heating components of the system are overheating.

[0029] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of an example of an aerosol generating device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 with the outer cover removed. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. [Figure 5A]FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a heating assembly in an aerosol generating device. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of a portion of the heating assembly of FIG. 5A. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the aerosol generating device with the outer cover removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for controlling an exemplary aerosol generating device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a control means for an aerosol generating device. Detailed Description

[0031] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming material" includes materials that upon heating provide volatile components, typically in the form of an aerosol. Aerosol-forming materials include any tobacco-containing material, and may include, for example, one or more of tobacco itself, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. Aerosol-forming materials may also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine depending on the product. Aerosol-forming materials may be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, gel, or wax. Aerosol-forming materials may also be, for example, a combination or blend of materials. Aerosol-forming materials may also be known as "smoking materials."

[0032] Typically, devices are known that heat an aerosol-generating material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol that can be inhaled without burning or combusting the aerosol-generating material. Such devices are sometimes described as "aerosol-generating devices", "aerosol delivery devices", "non-combustion heating devices", "tobacco heating product devices" or "tobacco heating devices", or the like. Similarly, there are also so-called e-cigarette devices, which typically vaporize an aerosol-generating material in liquid form that may or may not contain nicotine. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of, or provided as part of, a rod, cartridge, or cassette that can be inserted into the device. A heater for heating and volatilizing the aerosol-generating material may be provided as a "permanent" part of the device.

[0033] The aerosol delivery device can receive and heat an article comprising an aerosol-generating material. An "article" in this context is a component that includes or contains an aerosol-generating material when in use, and that is heated when in use to volatilize the aerosol-generating material and optionally other components. A user can insert the article into the aerosol delivery device and then heat it to generate an aerosol, which is then inhaled by the user. The article can be of a predetermined or specific size, for example, configured to be placed in a heating chamber of a device sized to receive the article.

[0034] 1 shows an example of an aerosol delivery device 100 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating medium / material. Generally, device 100 can be used to heat a replaceable article 110 comprising an aerosol-generating medium to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium that is inhaled by a user of device 100.

[0035] The device 100 comprises a housing 102 (in the form of an outer cover) that encloses and contains the various components of the device 100. The device 100 has an opening 104 at one end through which an item 110 can be inserted for heating by a heating assembly. In use, the item 110 can be fully or partially inserted into the heating assembly where it can be heated by one or more components of the heater assembly.

[0036] The device 100 in this example includes a first end member 106 with a lid 108 movable relative to the first end member 106 to close the opening 104 when no article 110 is in place. In Figure 1, the lid 108 is shown in an open position, but the cap 108 may be moved to a closed position. For example, a user may slide the lid 108 in the direction of arrow "A."

[0037] The device 100 may also include a user-operable control element 112, such as a button or switch that, when pressed, activates the device 100. For example, a user may activate the device 100 by operating the switch 112.

[0038] Device 100 may also include electrical components, such as a socket / port 114 that can accept a cable to charge a battery in device 100. For example, socket 114 may be a charging port, such as a USB charging port. In some examples, socket 114 may also or alternatively be used to transfer data between device 100 and another device, such as a computing device.

[0039] 2 shows the device 100 of FIG. 1 without the outer cover 102. The device 100 defines a longitudinal axis 134.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, the first end member 106 is disposed at one end of the device 100 and the second end member 116 is disposed at an opposite end of the device 100. The first and second end members 106, 116 together at least partially define an end surface of the device 100. For example, the bottom surface of the second end member 116 at least partially defines the bottom surface of the device 100. An edge of the outer cover 102 may also define a portion of the end surface. In this example, the lid 108 also defines a portion of the top surface of the device 100. FIG. 2 also shows an associated second printed circuit board 138 within the control element 112.

[0041] The end of the device closest to opening 104 is sometimes known as the proximal end (or oral end) of device 100, as it is closest to the user's mouth during use. In use, a user inserts article 110 into opening 104, operates user control 112 to initiate heating of the aerosol-generating material, and inhales the aerosol generated by the device. This causes the aerosol to flow through device 100 along a flow path toward the proximal end of device 100.

[0042] The other end of the device, furthest from opening 104, is sometimes known as the distal end of device 100 because it is furthest from a user's mouth when in use. When a user inhales the aerosol generated by the device, the aerosol flows away from the distal end of device 100.

[0043] The device 100 further comprises a power source 118. The power source 118 may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, lithium batteries (such as lithium ion batteries), nickel batteries (such as nickel-cadmium batteries), and alkaline batteries. The battery is electrically coupled to the heating assembly to provide power to heat the aerosol-generating material when required under the control of a controller (not shown). In this example, the battery is connected to a central support 120 that holds the battery 118 in place.

[0044] The device further comprises at least one electronics module 122. The electronics module 122 may comprise, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB 122 may support at least one controller, such as a processor, and a memory. The PCB 122 may also comprise one or more electrical traces to electrically connect various electronic components of the device 100 to one another. For example, battery terminals may be electrically connected to the PCB 122 so that power can be distributed throughout the device 100. The socket 114 may also be electrically coupled to the battery via electrical traces.

[0045] In the exemplary device 100, the heating assembly is an induction heating assembly, which includes various components for heating the aerosol-generating material of the article 110 by an induction heating process. Induction heating is a process of heating an electrically conductive object (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. The induction heating assembly may include an induction element, for example one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a varying current, such as an alternating current, through the induction element. The varying current in the induction element produces a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor appropriately positioned relative to the induction element and generates eddy currents inside the susceptor. The susceptor has an electrical resistance to the eddy currents, and therefore the flow of eddy currents against this resistance heats the susceptor by Joule heating. If the susceptor includes a ferromagnetic material, such as iron, nickel, or cobalt, heat may also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e., by the orientation of magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material varying as a result of alignment with the varying magnetic field. In induction heating, heat is generated inside the susceptor, which allows for rapid heating, as compared to, for example, heating by conduction, and further, no physical contact is required between the induction heater and the susceptor, which allows for greater flexibility in design and application.

[0046] The induction heating assembly of the exemplary device 100 comprises a susceptor structure 132 (referred to herein as a "susceptor"), a first inductor coil 124, and a second inductor coil 126. The first and second inductor coils 124, 126 are made from a conductive material. In this example, the first and second inductor coils 124, 126 are made from a helically wound Litz wire / cable to provide a helical inductor coil 124, 126. The Litz wire comprises multiple individual wires that are individually insulated and twisted together to form a single wire. The Litz wire is designed to reduce skin effect losses of the conductor. In the exemplary device 100, the first and second inductor coils 124, 126 are made from copper Litz wire having a substantially circular cross section. In other examples, the Litz wire can have other shaped cross sections, such as rectangular.

[0047] The first inductor coil 124 is configured to generate a first varying magnetic field to heat a first portion of the susceptor 132, and the second inductor coil 126 is configured to generate a second varying magnetic field to heat a second portion of the susceptor 132. The first portion of the susceptor 132 is referred to herein as the first susceptor region 132a, and the second portion of the susceptor 132 is referred to herein as the second susceptor region 132b. In this example, the first inductor coil 124 is adjacent to the second inductor coil 126 in a direction along the longitudinal axis 134 of the device 100 (i.e., the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126 do not overlap). In this example, the susceptor structure 132 comprises a single susceptor with two regions, although in other examples, the susceptor structure 132 may comprise two or more separate susceptors. Ends 130 of the first and second inductor coils 124 , 126 are connected to the PCB 122 .

[0048] It will be appreciated that in some examples, the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126 may have at least one characteristic that differs from one another. For example, the first inductor coil 124 may have at least one characteristic that differs from the second inductor coil 126. More specifically, in one example, the first inductor coil 124 may have a different inductance value than the second inductor coil 126. In FIG. 2, the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126 are of different lengths, such that the first inductor coil 124 is wound on a smaller portion of the susceptor 132 than the second inductor coil 126. Thus, the first inductor coil 124 may comprise a different number of turns than the second inductor coil 126 (assuming that the spacing between the individual turns is substantially the same). In yet another example, the first inductor coil 124 may be made of a different material than the second inductor coil 126. In some examples, the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126 may be substantially identical.

[0049] In this example, the inductor coils 124, 126 are wound in the same direction as each other. That is, the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126 are both left-handed spirals. In another example, both inductor coils 124, 126 may be right-handed spirals. In yet another example (not shown), the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126 are wound in opposite directions. This can be useful when the inductor coils are operating at different times. For example, the first inductor coil 124 may be operating to heat a first portion of the article 110 initially, and the second inductor coil 126 may be operating to heat a second portion of the article 110 thereafter. Winding the coils in opposite directions helps reduce current induced in the non-operating coils when used with certain types of control circuits. In an example (not shown) where the coils 124, 126 are wound in different directions, the first inductor coil 124 may be a right-handed spiral and the second inductor coil 126 may be a left-handed spiral. In another such embodiment, the first inductor coil 124 may be a left-handed spiral and the second inductor coil 126 may be a right-handed spiral.

[0050] The susceptor 132 in this example is hollow and thus defines a receptacle therein for receiving aerosol-generating material. For example, the article 110 can be inserted into the susceptor 132. In this example, the susceptor 132 is tubular with a circular cross-section.

[0051] 2 further comprises an insulating member 128 that may be generally tubular and at least partially surround the susceptor 132. The insulating member 128 may be comprised of an insulating material, such as, for example, a plastic material. In this particular example, the insulating material is comprised of polyether ether ketone (PEEK). The insulating material 128 may help insulate various components of the device 100 from heat generated in the susceptor 132.

[0052] The insulating member 128 can also fully or partially support the first and second inductor coils 124, 126. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the first and second inductor coils 124, 126 are disposed about the insulating member 128 and are in contact with a radially outward surface of the insulating member 128. In some examples, the insulating member 128 does not abut the first and second inductor coils 124, 126. For example, there may be a small gap between the outer surface of the insulating member 128 and the inner surfaces of the first and second inductor coils 124, 126.

[0053] In a particular example, the susceptor 132 , the insulating member 128 , and the first and second inductor coils 124 , 126 are concentric about a central longitudinal axis of the susceptor 132 .

[0054] 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of device 100. In this example, again, there is no outer cover 102. The circular cross-sectional shapes of the first and second inductor coils 124, 126 are more clearly visible in FIG.

[0055] The device 100 further comprises a support 136 that engages one end of the susceptor 132 to hold the susceptor 132 in place. The support 136 is connected to the second end member 116.

[0056] The device 100 further includes a second lid / cap 140 and a spring 142 disposed toward a distal end of the device 100. The spring 142 allows the second lid 140 to be opened to access the susceptor 132. A user can, for example, open the second lid 140 to clean the susceptor 132 and / or the support 136.

[0057] The device 100 further comprises an expansion chamber 144 extending from the proximal end of the susceptor 132 towards the opening 104 of the device. A retention clip 146 is at least partially disposed within the expansion chamber 144 for abutting and retaining the article 110 when the article 110 is received within the device 100. The expansion chamber 144 is connected to the end member 106.

[0058] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the device 100 of FIG.

[0059] FIG 5A shows a cross section of a portion of the device 100 of FIG 1. FIG 5B shows an enlarged view of an area of ​​FIG 5A. FIGs 5A and 5B show an article 110 received within a susceptor 132, where the article 110 is dimensioned such that an outer surface of the article 110 abuts an inner surface of the susceptor 132. This ensures that this heating is most efficient. The article 110 in this example comprises an aerosol-generating material 110a. The aerosol-generating material 110a is disposed within the susceptor 132. The article 110 may also comprise other components, such as a filter, packaging material, and / or cooling structures.

[0060] 5B shows that the outer surface of the susceptor 132 is spaced a distance 150 from the inner surfaces of the inductor coils 124, 126, measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 158 of the susceptor 132. In one particular example, the distance 150 is about 3 mm to 4 mm, about 3 mm to 3.5 mm, or about 3.25 mm.

[0061] 5B further shows that the outer surface of the insulating member 128 is spaced from the inner surfaces of the inductor coils 124, 126 by a distance 152 measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 158 of the susceptor 132. In one particular example, the distance 152 is about 0.05 mm. In another example, the distance 152 is substantially 0 mm, such that the inductor coils 124, 126 abut and contact the insulating member 128.

[0062] In one example, the susceptor 132 has a wall thickness 154 of about 0.025 mm to 1 mm, or about 0.05 mm.

[0063] In one example, the susceptor 132 has a length of about 40 mm to 60 mm, about 40 mm to 45 mm, or about 44.5 mm.

[0064] In one example, the insulating member 128 has a wall thickness 156 of between about 0.25 mm and 2 mm, between 0.25 mm and 1 mm, or about 0.5 mm.

[0065] 6 is a rear view of the device 100. The device 100 includes a temperature sensor 129 disposed on the outer surface of the insulating member 128. The temperature sensor 129 in this example is attached to the PCB 122 and detects the temperature T ins The temperature sensor 129 is a thermistor configured to provide a measurement of the temperature of the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126 to a control structure (described below) of the PCB 122. The temperature sensor 129 in this example is configured to be positioned midway between the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126 with respect to a longitudinal axis 134 of the device 100. In some examples, the location of the temperature sensor 129 may be selected to be the hottest potential spot on the insulating member 128. This may be determined through testing of the device 100, for example, by measuring the hottest spot on the outer surface of the insulating member 128 when the susceptor 132 is being heated.

[0066] The insulation temperature sensor 129 detects a temperature T ins If the temperature T is measured, the device 100 is configured to take control action, such as stopping heating of the susceptor 132 or reducing the power provided by the power source 118 to heat the susceptor 132. ins The value of may indicate that the susceptor 132 is overheating if it reaches or exceeds a particular value. For example, if the insulation temperature sensor 129 detects a predetermined threshold temperature value T cut-off Above temperature T ins may be configured to turn off heating of the susceptor 132 or reduce the power provided to heat the susceptor 132 if the device 100 determines that the susceptor 132 is going to overheat. This may be advantageous in that a safety feature is provided that allows the device 100 to turn off or reduce the power to heat the susceptor 132 when it determines that the susceptor 132 is going to overheat.

[0067] While the susceptor 132 is being heated to heat the aerosol-generating material 110a and generate an aerosol therefrom, the susceptor 132 may reach a maximum temperature of, in some examples, about 250° C., or in some examples, about 150° C. to about 350° C. In some examples, the threshold temperature T cut-off is the temperature T measured at the insulating member 128 when the susceptor 132 is at its maximum temperature. ins As noted above, the temperature sensor 129 of the exemplary device 100 is a thermistor disposed on the radially outer surface of the insulating member 128 and measures the temperature at this location. In one example, when the susceptor 132 is heated to a temperature of 250° C., the temperature T measured by the insulating member temperature sensor 129 is ins t is not expected to exceed approximately 90° C. Thus, in one example, the temperature sensor 129 detects a temperature T ins , the device 100 is configured to turn off the power to heat the susceptor 132 .

[0068] In some examples, a temperature margin may be provided between the expected maximum temperature measured by the temperature sensor 129 and the threshold cut temperature. For example, in the above example, the threshold temperature measured by the temperature sensor 129 at which the device 100 cuts off the power to heat the susceptor 132 may be set to approximately 130° C. or approximately 126° C., which is in line with a T of approximately 90-100° C. ins The thermal head 124 provides a margin of approximately 30-40° C. above the maximum expected temperature of the insulating member 128. Thus, as a result of providing the margin, the device 100 will not shut off (or otherwise modify) the power supplied to heat the susceptor 132 if the expected temperature of the insulating member 128 is only slightly exceeded.

[0069] The threshold temperature used to provide this safety feature of device 100 may vary depending on factors affecting the expected maximum temperature that insulating member 128 will reach, and the desired amount of temperature margin. For example, if susceptor 132 is heated to a higher temperature, or if insulating member 128 is positioned closer to susceptor 132 during use, the threshold temperature may be set correspondingly higher. Similarly, in normal operation, the thickness and material of insulating member 128 may be adjusted to provide a temperature T ins This can affect the expected maximum temperature of the ins The maximum value of T may also depend on the placement of the temperature sensor 129, for example, on the proximity of the temperature sensor 129 from a particular one of the susceptor regions 132a, 132b, which may be configured to be heated to different temperatures. ins The expected maximum value of may in some examples be obtained empirically by recorded values ​​recorded by temperature sensor 129 during normal operation of device 100. The threshold temperature may then be set accordingly with a given margin, e.g., 20-50° C. or 30-40° C. above the expected maximum temperature recorded by sensor 129.

[0070] In some examples, the device detects a temperature T ins The device 100 includes a control structure (an example 1800 of which is shown in FIG. 8) for controlling the device 100 based on the temperature T 1502 measured by the temperature sensor 129 at the insulating member 128. FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of an example method 1500 performed by the example control structure of the device 100. At block 1502, power is provided from the power source 118 to heat the susceptor 132. At block 1504, a temperature T 1504 measured by the temperature sensor 129 at the insulating member 128 is detected. ins At block 1506, the control entity determines the temperature T ins Threshold T cut-off (sometimes referred to as a cut-off value). At block 1506, the temperature T insIf the control configuration determines that the temperature T is less than the threshold, the method returns to block 1502 and the device 100 continues to supply power to heat the susceptor 132. However, at block 1506, the temperature T ins is the threshold T cut-off If so, the control arrangement determines that the method proceeds to block 1508 whereby the control arrangement stops providing power to heat the susceptor 132 .

[0071] Therefore, the temperature T measured by the insulating member temperature sensor 129 ins When the temperature T of the insulating member 128 reaches a predetermined value, the control arrangement may stop the supply of power by the device 100 to heat the susceptor 132. This is because ins The device 100 provides a safety mechanism by cutting off the power supply if it receives an indication that the temperature T is too high. This may be, for example, an indication of overheating of the susceptor by the device 100 failing to switch off the heating components of the device 100 when the susceptor 132 reaches the temperature required to generate an aerosol. ins Reaching a threshold value may, in another example, indicate that the insulating member 128 is not adequately insulating the susceptor 132 from other components of the device 100, for example, due to a defect in the insulating member 128.

[0072] FIG. 8 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a control structure 1800 for carrying out the method described with reference to FIG. 7. As mentioned above, the temperature sensor 129 is a thermistor. The thermistor 129 in this example is a NXFT15WF104FA2B025 NTC 100k bead thermistor, but in other examples, other types of thermistors may be used. The thermistor 129 is connected to a first portion 1810 of the control structure 1800. The thermistor 129 is connected across a first point J15 and a second point J16 of the PCB 122. The first point J15 receives a 2.5V signal, and the second point J16 connects to ground GND through a 10kΩ resistor R29 and a 1μF capacitor C23, where the resistor R29 and the capacitor C23 are connected in parallel with each other. From the thermistor 129, a temperature signal TEMP is provided on the PCB 122. Here, the temperature signal TEMP is the temperature T measured by the thermistor 129. ins In some examples, the temperature signal TEMP is also received by the controller 1001 from the first portion 1810 of the control arrangement 1800, where the controller 1001 is also located on the PCB 122.

[0073] The temperature signal TEMP is provided to a second portion 1820 of the control arrangement 1800. The second portion 1820 of the control arrangement 1800 is connected to the temperature T ins is the cutoff value T cut-off Determine whether the temperature is greater than or equal to T ins is the cutoff value T cut-off A comparator U6 is provided for providing a disconnect signal 1805 in these cases. Comparator U6 in this example is an AZV331 analog comparator, powered by a 3.8V power supply connected between the power input terminal of comparator U6 and ground GND. The temperature signal TEMP is provided to the negative terminal of comparator U6, and the 2.5V signal is connected to the positive terminal of comparator U6 via a 24.9kΩ resistor R44. The positive terminal of comparator U6 is also connected to ground GND via a 100kΩ resistor R45.

[0074] In this example, comparator U6 is configured to compare the voltage at its positive input to the voltage at its negative input from the TEMP signal from temperature sensor 129. The temperature signal TEMP (produced by the first portion 1810 of control structure 1800 from the thermistor 129) is ins is the cutting temperature T cut-off If comparator U6 determines that it is equal to or greater than the temperature T 1804, the comparator sends a signal 1805 to cause the device 100 to cut off the power to heat the susceptor 132. In this example, signal 1805 goes low, thereby cutting off the power to heat the susceptor 132. In one example, signal 1805, when sent by comparator U6 of control structure 1800, causes the device 100 to stop supplying power to the inductor coils 124, 126. In this example, the temperature T 1804 measured by temperature sensor 129 is equal to or greater than the temperature T 1804. ins The cutting temperature T is 126°C. cut-off If the cutoff temperature T of this exemplary apparatus 1800 is exceeded, the comparator U6 is configured to provide a signal 1805 to cut off the power to heat the susceptor 132. cut-off may be changed by changing the value of one or more of resistors R29, R44, R45.

[0075] In some examples, the controller 1001 is configured to control the supply of power to the inductor coils 124, 126 to heat the susceptor 132. As described above, the inductor coils 124, 126 are configured to heat the first susceptor region 132a and the second susceptor region 132b, respectively. The controller 1001 may be configured to control the supply of power to the inductors 124, 126 such that at any one time, only one of the inductors 124, 126 operates to heat the respective susceptor region 132a, 132b. For example, the controller 1001 may be configured to determine which susceptor region 132a, 132b should be heated at any one time, e.g., by comparing the temperature to the respective target temperature of each region, and to supply power to the respective inductors 124, 126 to heat the region. However, the controller 1001 may determine at one point in an act of use that the temperature of both regions 132a, 132b should be increased. At such a point in the use where it is desired to heat both regions 132a, 132b simultaneously, the controller 1001 may be configured to alternate between heating the first region 132a and heating the second region 132b quickly, for example at a frequency of about 64 Hz. Thus, both regions 132a, 132b can simultaneously reach a temperature that heats the aerosolizable material and generates an aerosol. Such an operating method of alternately supplying power to the two inductor coils may be particularly advantageous in an inductive circuit. In some examples, the disconnect signal 1805 is configured to be sent in preference to the controller 1001 controlling the supply of power to the inductors 124, 126. In this case, the control arrangement 1800 provides a safety arrangement to disconnect power from the power source 118 if, for example, the controller 1001 fails to switch off one or both of the inductors 124, 126 or if overheating of the susceptor 132 is detected.

[0076] Further, in the above example, the temperature sensor 129 comprises a thermistor, however in other examples a different type of sensing arrangement may be used, such as a thermocouple. Similarly, the temperature sensing arrangement may comprise two or more temperature sensors, and the method may include cutting off the supply of power if either temperature sensor of the temperature sensing arrangement detects a temperature indicative of overheating.

[0077] In another example, the device 100, e.g., the controller 1001, may be configured to determine the temperature of the insulating member 128 by another method other than using the temperature sensor 129. For example, the controller 1001 may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of one or both of the inductor coils 124, 126. The controller 1001 may use the change in electrical resistance to determine the temperature of the insulating member 128, e.g., based on a predetermined change in electrical resistance with temperature of the coils 124, 126. If this determined temperature of the insulating member 128 reaches or exceeds a threshold value, e.g., as described with reference to the previous example, the device 100 may cut off the supply of electrical power to heat the susceptor 132. For example, it may be considered that the determined temperature of the inductor coils 124, 126 may indicate the temperature at a location on the outer surface of the insulating member 128 and thus may indicate that overheating of the susceptor 132 is occurring.

[0078] The above examples described a method of disconnecting power when overheating of the susceptor is indicated based on a temperature sensing arrangement disposed on an insulating member. However, it should be understood that in some examples, the exemplary methods described herein may be used with a temperature sensor disposed at another location on or within the device, which may be separated from the heated susceptor by an insulating member. For example, a temperature sensor for use in the methods described herein may be disposed at a location within the device that is out of the airflow path of the aerosol generated by the device in use, but at a location that is expected to be hottest if the susceptor overheats. That is, such a temperature sensing arrangement at another location on or within the device may be used to determine that overheating is occurring by comparing the temperature measured thereat to a threshold value.

[0079] Similarly, although the examples herein have been described with reference to devices that heat the susceptor by inductive heating, the methods described herein may also be applied to aerosol generating devices that heat the aerosol by other means, such as by use of a resistive heating element or other heating configuration. For example, the temperature sensor may be located outside the aerosol flow path of the device, but at a location that is expected to reach the highest temperature when the device is in use. For example, the location of the temperature sensor may be predetermined as a location within the device outside the aerosol flow path that is expected to reach the highest temperature when the device is in use, relative to other locations of the device outside the aerosol flow path. The location of the temperature sensor may be predetermined based on a location within the device that is expected to be the hottest relative to other locations within the device when the heating configuration, e.g., the susceptor, begins to overheat or reaches a predetermined threshold temperature. In some examples, as described herein, the temperature sensor may be at a location within the device that is insulated from the aerosol flow path and may be thermally insulated from the heating configuration by an insulating member. Additionally, while the examples herein have described configurations that can heat two heating zones by rapidly alternating the application of power to raise or maintain the temperature of said zones, in other examples, two or more heating elements may receive power simultaneously. For example, an aerosol generation system using the methods described herein may include two or more heating elements that can be configured to heat respective heating zones simultaneously.

[0080] The above embodiments should be understood as illustrative examples of the present invention. Further embodiments of the present invention are possible. It should be understood that any feature described with respect to any one embodiment may be used alone or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or in any combination of any other of the embodiments. Moreover, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be used without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims. [Item of invention] [Item 1] 1. An apparatus for an aerosol generation system, comprising: an inductive element for inductively heating the susceptor structure to heat the aerosol-generating material and thereby generate an aerosol; an insulating member disposed between the inductive element and the susceptor structure for, in use, thermally insulating the susceptor structure from the inductive element; a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature at a location within the system that is insulated from the susceptor structure by the insulating member, in use; a control arrangement configured to monitor a temperature measured by the temperature sensor and to take a control action if the control arrangement determines, based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor, that the susceptor arrangement is overheating; An apparatus comprising: [Item 2] 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control configuration is configured to determine that the susceptor configuration is overheating by determining whether a temperature measured by the temperature sensor is greater than or equal to a threshold temperature value. [Item 3] 3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein, in use, the insulating member at least partially surrounds the susceptor structure. [Item 4] 4. The apparatus according to item 3, wherein the insulating member is a tubular member which, in use, surrounds the susceptor. [Item 5] 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the temperature sensor is positioned to measure a temperature at or near an outer surface of the insulating member. [Item 6] 6. The device according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the insulating member is made of polyether ether ketone. [Item 7] 7. The apparatus of any one of items 3 to 6, wherein the inductive element is a first inductor coil, and the first inductor coil surrounds the insulating member. [Item 8] 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first inductor coil is in contact with a radially outward surface of the insulating member, the insulating member fully or partially supporting the first inductor coil. [Item 9] 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the induction heating circuit comprises a second inductor coil for heating the susceptor structure, the second inductor coil surrounding the insulating member and in contact with a radially outward surface of the insulating member, the insulating member fully or partially supporting the second inductor coil, and the first inductor coil, the second inductor coil, and the insulating member are concentrically arranged with respect to one another about a central longitudinal axis of the susceptor structure, in use. [Item 10] 10. The apparatus according to any one of items 2 to 9, wherein the predetermined threshold temperature is 90°C to 180°C. [Item 11] 11. The apparatus according to any one of items 2 to 10, wherein the predetermined threshold temperature value is approximately 126°C. [Item 12] 12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the control action that the controller is configured to take includes causing the inductive element to stop heating the susceptor by stopping the supply of power to the inductive element, or reducing the supply of power to the inductive element for heating the susceptor. [Item 13] 13. The apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the susceptor structure includes a first heating region and a second heating region, the inductive element is a first inductive element for heating the first heating region, and the apparatus further includes a second inductive element for heating the second heating region, and the second inductive element is insulated from the susceptor structure by the insulating member. [Item 14] Item 14. The apparatus of item 13, wherein the first inductive element and the second inductive element are configured to be operable to simultaneously maintain both the first heating region and the second heating region at a temperature for heating the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol. [Item 15] 15. The apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 14, wherein the temperature sensor is disposed at a predetermined position insulated from the susceptor by the insulating member, the predetermined position being determined to be the position that is likely to become the hottest among a plurality of positions of the system insulated from the susceptor by the insulating member during use of the system to generate an aerosol. [Item 16] 16. The apparatus of claim 15 when dependent on item 5, wherein the predetermined position is the hottest position on the surface of the insulating member during use of the system to generate an aerosol. [Item 17] 17. An aerosol generating device comprising the apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 16, and configured to generate an aerosol in use, which is inhaled by a user. [Item 18] 18. An aerosol generating system comprising the aerosol generating device according to item 17 and an article comprising an aerosol generating material which is heated by the device in use and which generates an aerosol by heating. [Item 19] 20. The aerosol generating system of claim 18, wherein the aerosol generating material comprises a tobacco material. [Item 20] 1. A device for an aerosol generating system for generating an aerosol to be inhaled by a user, comprising: an insulating member for insulating an inductive element from a susceptor structure configured to heat an aerosol-forming material and thereby generate an aerosol when the system is being used to generate an aerosol, the inductive element being for heating the susceptor structure; and a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature at a location in the system insulated from the susceptor structure by the insulating member when the system is being used to generate an aerosol, the temperature sensor being configured to provide a measurement of the temperature at the location in the system to a control configuration to enable the control configuration to determine whether the susceptor structure is overheating and to take control action if the control configuration determines that the susceptor structure is overheating; An apparatus comprising: [Item 21] 1. A method for a control arrangement for an aerosol generating device, comprising: The apparatus, an inductive element for inductively heating the susceptor structure to heat the aerosol-generating material and thereby generate an aerosol; an insulating member disposed, in use, between the inductive element and the susceptor structure for thermally insulating the susceptor structure from the inductive element; a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature at a location within the system that is insulated from the susceptor structure by the insulating member, in use; the control structure; Equipped with The method further comprising: monitoring a temperature measured by the temperature sensor; taking a control action if the control arrangement determines, based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor, that the susceptor arrangement is overheating; The method includes:

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for an aerosol generating system, comprising: one or more inductive elements for inductively heating the susceptor structure to heat the aerosol-generating material and thereby generate an aerosol; an insulating member disposed between the inductive element and the susceptor structure for, in use, thermally insulating the susceptor structure from the inductive element; a control configuration configured to determine a characteristic indicative of a temperature of one or more of the inductive elements and to take a control action if the control configuration determines that the susceptor structure is overheating based on the determined characteristic; An apparatus comprising:

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the determined characteristic is an electrical resistance of one of the inductive elements.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the control arrangement is configured to determine that the susceptor arrangement is overheating when the electrical resistance of one of the inductive elements exceeds a predetermined threshold.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device comprises two inductive elements.

5. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the control arrangement is configured to determine that the susceptor arrangement is overheating when an electrical resistance of either of the two inductive elements exceeds a predetermined threshold.

6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more inductive elements each comprise an inductor coil.

7. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the inductor coil is wound with Litz wire.

8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein, in use, the insulating member at least partially surrounds the susceptor structure.

9. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the insulating member is a tubular member which, in use, surrounds the susceptor structure.

10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the insulating member is made of polyetheretherketone.

11. The apparatus of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the inductive element is a first inductor coil, the first inductor coil surrounding the insulating member.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first inductor coil is in contact with a radially outward surface of the insulating member, the insulating member fully or partially supporting the first inductor coil.

13. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a second inductor coil for heating the susceptor structure, the second inductor coil surrounding the insulating member and in contact with a radially outward surface of the insulating member, the insulating member fully or partially supporting the second inductor coil, and the first inductor coil, the second inductor coil, and the insulating member being concentrically arranged with respect to one another about a central longitudinal axis of the susceptor structure in use.

14. 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control action that the control arrangement is configured to take comprises causing the inductive element to stop heating the susceptor structure by stopping the supply of power to the inductive element, or reducing the supply of power to the inductive element for heating the susceptor structure.

15. 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the susceptor structure comprises a first heating region and a second heating region, the inductive element being a first inductive element for heating the first heating region, and the apparatus further comprises a second inductive element for heating the second heating region, the second inductive element being insulated from the susceptor structure by the insulating member.

16. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first inductive element and the second inductive element are configured to be operable to simultaneously maintain both the first heating region and the second heating region at a temperature for heating the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol.

17. 17. An aerosol generating device comprising an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16 and configured, in use, to generate an aerosol that is inhaled by a user.

18. 18. An aerosol generation system comprising an aerosol generation device according to claim 17 and an article comprising an aerosol-generating material which is heated in use by the device and which generates an aerosol upon heating.

19. 20. The aerosol generating system of claim 18, wherein the aerosol generating material comprises a tobacco material.

20. 1. A device for an aerosol generating system for generating an aerosol to be inhaled by a user, comprising: an insulating member for thermally insulating an inductive element from a susceptor structure configured to heat an aerosol-forming material and thereby generate an aerosol when the system is being used to generate an aerosol, the inductive element being for heating the susceptor structure; and a control arrangement configured to determine a characteristic indicative of a temperature of one or more of the inductive elements and to take a control action if the control arrangement determines that the susceptor structure is overheating based on the determined characteristic; An apparatus comprising:

21. 1. A method for a control arrangement for an aerosol generating device, comprising: The aerosol generating device comprises: one or more inductive elements for inductively heating the susceptor structure to heat the aerosol-generating material and thereby generate an aerosol; an insulating member disposed, in use, between the inductive element and the susceptor structure for thermally insulating the susceptor structure from the inductive element; the control structure; Equipped with The method further comprising: determining a characteristic indicative of a temperature of one or more of the inductive elements; taking a control action if the control arrangement determines that the susceptor arrangement is overheating based on the determined characteristic; The method includes:

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