Soft switching in aerosol delivery devices

Abstract

An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes a voltage regulation circuit, a switching arrangement, and a processing circuit. The voltage regulation circuit is coupled between a power source and a load including an aerosol generation component and is configured to provide an output voltage at which the voltage provided by the power source is regulated. The switching arrangement includes a first switch having a first input and a second input coupled to the voltage regulation circuit and ground, respectively, and an output coupled to the second switch; and a second switch coupled to the voltage regulation circuit and the load, between the voltage regulation circuit and the load. The processing circuit is configured to output a signal to the first switch to switchably connect the output voltage to the second switch and ground, thereby causing the second switch to switchably connect and disconnect the output voltage to the aerosol generation component to power the aerosol generation component and generate aerosol.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, such as smoking articles, that generate aerosols. The smoking articles may be configured to heat or otherwise dispense or otherwise generate aerosols from aerosol precursors, which may incorporate materials that may be produced from or extracted from tobacco, or may otherwise incorporate tobacco, and the precursors may form an inhalable substance for human consumption. [Background technology]

[0002] Many smoking articles have been proposed over the years as an improvement or replacement for tobacco-burning smoking products. Some exemplary alternatives include devices in which a solid or liquid fuel is burned to transfer heat to the tobacco, or a chemical reaction is used to provide such a heat source. Additional exemplary alternatives use electrical energy to heat tobacco and / or other aerosol-forming substrate materials, as described in U.S. Patent No. 9,078,473 to Worm et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The point of improvement or replacement for smoking articles is typically to provide the sensation associated with cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking without releasing a significant amount of incomplete combustion products and pyrolysis products.For this purpose, many smoking products, flavor generators, and medicinal inhalers have been proposed, which utilize electrical energy to vaporize or heat volatile substances, or attempt to provide the sensation of cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking without burning tobacco to a significant degree.See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 to Griffith Jr. et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096781 to Sears et al., for various alternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and heat sources, which are incorporated herein by reference. See also, for example, the various types of smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and electrically powered heating sources referenced by trade name and commercial donors in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0220232 to Bless et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Additional types of smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and electrically powered heating sources referenced by trade name and commercial donors are listed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0245659 to DePiano et al., which is also incorporated herein by reference.Other representative cigarettes or smoking articles that have been described, and in some instances are commercially available, include U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,922,901, 4,947,874, and 4,947,875 to Brooks et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,671 to Counts et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,586 to Morgan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594 to Counts et al., U.S. Pat. No. H U.S. Patent No. 5,666,977 to Iggins et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,053,176 to Adams et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,164,287 to White, U.S. Patent No. 6,196,218 to Voges, U.S. Patent No. 6,810,883 to Felter et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,854,461 to Nichols, U.S. Patent No. 7,832,410 to Hon, U.S. Patent No. 7,513,222 to Kobayashi, No. 53, U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,896,006 to Hamano, U.S. Patent No. 6,772,756 to Shayan, U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2009 / 0095311 to Hon, U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2006 / 0196518, 2009 / 0126745, and 2009 / 0188490 to Hon, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009 / 0272 to Thorens et al. 379, U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2009 / 0260641 and 2009 / 0260642 to Monsees et al., U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2008 / 0149118 and 2010 / 0024834 to Oglesby et al., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010 / 0307518 to Wang, and International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2010 / 091593 to Hon, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] Representative products with many of the attributes of traditional cigarettes, cigars, or pipes include ACCORD® by Philip Morris Incorporated, ALPHA™, JOYE 510™, and M4™ by InnoVapor LLC, CIRRUS™ and FLING™ by White Cloud Cigarettes, BLU™ by Fontem Ventures BV, COHITA™, COLIBRI™, ELITE CLASSIC™, MAGNUM™, PHANTOM™, and SENSE™ by EPUFFER® International Inc., DUOPRO™, STORM™, and VAPORKING® by Electronic Cigarettes, Inc., EGAR™ by Egar Australia, eGo-C™ and eGo-T™ by Joyetech, ELUSION™ by Elusion UK Ltd., and Eonsmoke. EONSMOKE® by LLC, FIN™ by FIN Branding Group, LLC, SMOKE® by Green Smoke Inc. USA, GREENARETTE™ by Greenarette LLC, HALLIGAN™, HENDU™, JET™, MAXXQ™, PINK™ and PITBULL™ by SMOKE STIK®, HEATBAR™ by Philip Morris International, Inc., HYDRO IMPERIAL™ and LXE™ from Crown7, LOGIC™ and THE CUBAN™ by LOGIC Technology, LUCI® by Luciano Smokes Inc., METRO® by Nicotek, LLC, NJOY® and ONEJOY™ by Sottera, Inc., NO.7™ by SS Choice LLC, PREMIUM ELECTRONIC by PremiumEstore LLC CIGARETTE(TM), Ruyan America, Inc.RAPP E-MYSTICK™ by Red Dragon Products, LLC, RED DRAGON™ by Red Dragon Products, LLC, RUYAN® by Ruyan Group (Holdings) Ltd., SF® by Smoker Friendly International, LLC, GREEN SMART SMOKER® by The Smart Smoking Electronic Cigarette Company Ltd., SMOKE ASSIST® by Coastline Products LLC, SMOKING EVERYWHERE® by Smoking Everywhere, Inc., V2CIGS™ by VMR Products LLC, VAPOR NINE™ by VaporNine LLC, VAPOR4LIFE® by Vapor 4 Life, Inc., VEPPO™ by E-CigaretteDirect, LLC, VUSE® by RJ Reynolds Vapor Company, MISTIC MENTHOL products by Mistic Ecigs, VYPE products by CN Creative Ltd, Philip Morris They are marketed as IQOS™ by International, GLO™ by British American Tobacco, Mark 10 products by Nu Mark LLC, and JUUL products by Juul Labs, Inc. Still other electrically powered aerosol delivery devices, particularly those characterized as so-called e-cigarettes, are available from brands such as COOLER VISIONS™, DIRECT E-CIG™, DRAGONFLY™, EMIST™, EVERSMOKE™, and GAMUCCI®. 、 It is available commercially under the trade names HYBRID FLAME™, KNIGHT STICKS™, ROYAL BLUES™, SMOKETIP® and SOUTH BEACH SMOKE™.

[0005] However, it would likely be desirable to provide aerosol delivery devices with improved electronics that could extend the usefulness of the devices. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 9,078,473 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 [Patent Document 4] US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096781 [Patent Document 5] US Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0220232 [Patent Document 6] US Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0245659 [Patent Document 7] U.S. Patent No. 4,735,217 [Patent Document 8] U.S. Patent No. 4,922,901 [Patent Document 9] U.S. Patent No. 4,947,874 [Patent Document 10] U.S. Patent No. 4,947,875 [Patent Document 11] U.S. Patent No. 5,060,671 [Patent Document 12] U.S. Patent No. 5,249,586 [Patent Document 13] U.S. Patent No. 5,388,594 [Patent Document 14] U.S. Patent No. 5,666,977 [Patent Document 15] U.S. Patent No. 6,053,176 [Patent Document 16] U.S. Patent No. 6,164,287 [Patent Document 17] U.S. Patent No. 6,196,218 [Patent Document 18] U.S. Patent No. 6,810,883 [Patent Document 19] U.S. Patent No. 6,854,461 [Patent Document 20] U.S. Patent No. 7,832,410 [Patent Document 21] U.S. Patent No. 7,513,253 [Patent Document 22] U.S. Patent No. 7,896,006 [Patent Document 23] U.S. Patent No. 6,772,756 [Patent Document 24] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009 / 0095311 [Patent Document 25] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006 / 0196518 [Patent Document 26] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009 / 0126745 [Patent Document 27] US Patent Publication No. 2009 / 0188490 [Patent Document 28] US Patent Publication No. 2009 / 0272379 [Patent Document 29] US Patent Publication No. 2009 / 0260641 [Patent Document 30] US Patent Publication No. 2009 / 0260642 [Patent Document 31] US Patent Publication No. 2008 / 0149118 [Patent Document 32] US Patent Publication No. 2010 / 0024834 [Patent Document 33] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010 / 0307518 [Patent Document 34] International Publication No. 2010 / 091593 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device configured to generate an aerosol, which in some embodiments may be referred to as an electronic cigarette, a non-combustion heated tobacco product (or device), or a non-heated non-combustion device. The present disclosure includes, without limitation, the following exemplary embodiment examples.

[0008] Exemplary embodiment 1: An aerosol delivery device comprising: a power supply configured to supply a voltage; an aerosol generation component capable of being powered to generate an aerosol from an aerosol precursor composition; a voltage regulation circuit coupled between the power supply and a load including the aerosol generation component, the voltage regulation circuit configured to provide an output voltage where the voltage provided by the power supply is regulated to a predetermined voltage target; a switching arrangement including a first switch and a second switch, the first switch being a multi-throw switch having a first input and a second input coupled to the voltage regulation circuit and ground, respectively, and an output coupled to the second switch, the second switch being coupled to the voltage regulation circuit and the load and being between the voltage regulation circuit and the load; and a processing circuit coupled to the first switch and configured to output a signal during an aerosol generation period to cause the first switch to switchably connect the output voltage to the second switch and ground via the first input and the second input, respectively, to power the aerosol generation component.

[0009] Exemplary embodiment 2: The aerosol delivery device of exemplary embodiment 1, wherein the voltage regulation circuit is a switching regulation circuit.

[0010] Exemplary embodiment 3: The aerosol delivery device of exemplary embodiment 1 or exemplary embodiment 2, wherein the voltage regulation circuit is a buck-boost regulation circuit.

[0011] Exemplary embodiment 4: An aerosol delivery device described in any of exemplary embodiments 1 to 3, wherein when the output voltage is connected to the second switch, the output voltage closes the second switch, connecting the output voltage to the aerosol generation component, and when ground is connected to the second switch, the output voltage is disconnected from the second switch and the second switch is opened, disconnecting the output voltage from the aerosol generation component.

[0012] Exemplary embodiment 5: An aerosol delivery device described in any of exemplary embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the second switch is a field effect transistor including a gate terminal coupled to the output of the first switch and a source terminal and a drain terminal coupled to the voltage regulator and the load, respectively.

[0013] Exemplary embodiment 6: An aerosol delivery device as described in exemplary embodiment 5, wherein the aerosol delivery device is coupled to a gate terminal and an output of the first switch, and further comprises a gate driver between the gate terminal and the output of the first switch, the gate driver being configured to accept the output voltage and generate a drive signal for the second switch.

[0014] Exemplary embodiment 7: An aerosol delivery device described in any of exemplary embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the second switch is a solid-state relay having an internal optical coupler for isolating the power source from the load.

[0015] Exemplary embodiment 8: An aerosol delivery device according to any of exemplary embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the aerosol generation component includes a heating element that can be powered to vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition, and the aerosol delivery device further includes an infrared temperature sensor coupled to the processing circuit and configured to measure infrared energy emitted by one or more of the heating element, the liquid transport element for the aerosol precursor composition, or the aerosol precursor composition during the aerosol generation period, and the processing circuit is further configured to determine the temperature of the heating element, the liquid transport element, or the aerosol precursor composition from the infrared energy measured by the infrared temperature sensor, and adjust a signal when the temperature deviates from a predetermined target.

[0016] Exemplary embodiment 9: An aerosol delivery device as described in exemplary embodiment 8, wherein the processing circuit configured to adjust the signal includes a processing circuit configured to adjust the signal to cause the first switch to connect an output voltage or ground to the second switch when the temperature is below or above a predetermined target, respectively.

[0017] Exemplary embodiment 10: An aerosol delivery device as described in exemplary embodiment 8 or exemplary embodiment 9, wherein the signal is a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal and the processing circuitry configured to adjust the signal includes processing circuitry configured to adjust the duty cycle of the PWM signal when the temperature deviates from a predetermined target.

[0018] Exemplary embodiment 11: An aerosol delivery device as described in exemplary embodiment 10, wherein the processing circuitry configured to adjust the duty cycle of the PWM signal includes processing circuitry configured to increase or decrease the duty cycle when the temperature is below or above a predetermined target, respectively.

[0019] Exemplary embodiment 12: An aerosol delivery device described in any of exemplary embodiments 8 to 11, wherein the infrared temperature sensor is configured to measure ambient infrared energy emitted by the heating element, liquid transport element, or aerosol precursor composition when the heating element is not powered, and the processing circuit is configured to determine the ambient temperature of the heating element, liquid transport element, or aerosol precursor composition from the ambient infrared energy measured by the infrared temperature sensor, and the processing circuit configured to determine the temperature includes processing circuitry configured to compensate for the ambient temperature.

[0020] Exemplary embodiment 13: An aerosol delivery device as described in exemplary embodiment 12, wherein the infrared temperature sensor is configured to periodically measure ambient infrared energy emitted by the heating element, liquid transport element, or aerosol precursor composition when the heating element is not powered during an aerosol generation period when the heating element is powered, and the processing circuit is configured to periodically determine the ambient temperature of the heating element, liquid transport element, or aerosol precursor composition from the ambient infrared energy measured by the infrared temperature sensor.

[0021] Exemplary embodiment 14: An aerosol delivery device as described in any of exemplary embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the aerosol delivery device further comprises a sensor configured to generate a measurement of pressure caused by airflow through at least a portion of the housing and convert the pressure measurement into a corresponding signal, and the processing circuit is further configured to receive the corresponding signal and initiate an aerosol generation period in response thereto.

[0022] Exemplary embodiment 15: A control body for an aerosol delivery device, comprising: a power source configured to provide a voltage; a control body comprising: an aerosol generating component, or a terminal configured to connect the aerosol generating component to the control body, the aerosol generating component being powerable to generate an aerosol from an aerosol precursor composition; a voltage regulation circuit coupled between the aerosol generating component or terminal, a power source, and a load including the aerosol generating component, configured to provide an output voltage where the voltage provided by the power source is regulated to a predetermined voltage target; a switching arrangement including a first switch and a second switch, the first switch being a multi-throw switch having a first input and a second input coupled to the voltage regulation circuit and ground, respectively, and an output coupled to the second switch, the second switch being coupled to the voltage regulation circuit and the load, the switching arrangement being between the voltage regulation circuit and the load; and a processing circuit coupled to the first switch and configured to output a signal during an aerosol generation period to cause the first switch to switchably connect the output voltage to the second switch and ground via the first input and second input, respectively, to power the aerosol generating component.

[0023] Exemplary Embodiment 16: The control body according to Exemplary Embodiment 15, wherein the voltage regulation circuit is a switching regulation circuit.

[0024] Exemplary Embodiment 17: The control body according to Exemplary Embodiment 15 or Exemplary Embodiment 16, wherein the voltage regulation circuit is a buck-boost regulation circuit.

[0025] Exemplary embodiment 18: A control body described in any of exemplary embodiments 15 to 17, wherein when the output voltage is connected to the second switch, the output voltage closes the second switch, connecting the output voltage to the aerosol generation component, and when ground is connected to the second switch, the output voltage is disconnected from the second switch and the second switch is opened, disconnecting the output voltage from the aerosol generation component.

[0026] Exemplary embodiment 19: The control body of any of exemplary embodiments 15 to 18, wherein the second switch is a field effect transistor including a gate terminal coupled to the output of the first switch, and a source terminal and a drain terminal coupled to the voltage regulator and the load, respectively.

[0027] Exemplary embodiment 20: The control body described in exemplary embodiment 19, wherein the control body is coupled to the gate terminal and the output of the first switch, and further includes a gate driver between the gate terminal and the output of the first switch, the gate driver being configured to receive the output voltage and generate a drive signal for the second switch.

[0028] Exemplary embodiment 21: The control body of any of exemplary embodiments 15 to 20, wherein the second switch is a solid-state relay with an internal optocoupler for isolating the power source from the load.

[0029] Exemplary embodiment 22: A control body according to any of exemplary embodiments 15 to 21, wherein the aerosol generation component includes a heating element that can be powered to vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition, and the control body further includes an infrared temperature sensor coupled to the processing circuit and configured to measure infrared energy emitted by the heating element during the aerosol generation period, and the processing circuit is further configured to determine the temperature of the heating element from the infrared energy measured by the infrared temperature sensor and adjust a signal when the temperature deviates from a predetermined target.

[0030] Exemplary embodiment 23: The control body of exemplary embodiment 22, wherein the processing circuit configured to adjust the signal includes a processing circuit configured to adjust the signal to cause the first switch to connect the output voltage or ground to the second switch when the temperature is below or above a predetermined target, respectively.

[0031] Exemplary embodiment 24: The control body of exemplary embodiment 22 or exemplary embodiment 23, wherein the signal is a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal and the processing circuitry configured to adjust the signal includes processing circuitry configured to adjust the duty cycle of the PWM signal when the temperature deviates from a predetermined target.

[0032] Exemplary embodiment 25: The control body of exemplary embodiment 24, wherein the processing circuitry configured to adjust the duty cycle of the PWM signal includes processing circuitry configured to increase or decrease the duty cycle when the temperature is below or above a predetermined target, respectively.

[0033] Exemplary embodiment 26: A control body described in any of exemplary embodiments 22 to 25, wherein the infrared temperature sensor is configured to measure ambient infrared energy emitted by the heating element, liquid transport element, or aerosol precursor composition when the heating element is not powered, and the processing circuit is configured to determine the ambient temperature of the heating element, liquid transport element, or aerosol precursor composition from the ambient infrared energy measured by the infrared temperature sensor, and the processing circuit configured to determine the temperature includes a processing circuit configured to compensate for the ambient temperature.

[0034] Exemplary embodiment 27: A control body as described in exemplary embodiment 26, wherein the infrared temperature sensor is configured to periodically measure ambient infrared energy emitted by the heating element, liquid transport element, or aerosol precursor composition when the heating element is not powered during an aerosol generation period when the heating element is powered, and the processing circuit is configured to periodically determine the ambient temperature of the heating element, liquid transport element, or aerosol precursor composition from the ambient infrared energy measured by the infrared temperature sensor.

[0035] Exemplary embodiment 28: The control body of any of exemplary embodiments 15 to 27, wherein the control body further comprises a sensor configured to generate a measurement of pressure caused by airflow through at least a portion of the housing and convert the pressure measurement into a corresponding signal, and the processing circuit is further configured to receive the corresponding signal and initiate an aerosol generation period in response thereto.

[0036] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present disclosure includes any combination of two, three, four, or more features or elements described in the present disclosure, regardless of whether such features or elements are explicitly combined in a specific exemplary embodiment described herein or whether they are otherwise recited. The present disclosure is intended to be read as a whole such that any separable features or elements of the disclosure are deemed combinable, in any of its aspects and exemplary embodiments, unless the context of the disclosure clearly dictates otherwise.

[0037] It will therefore be understood that this brief summary is provided solely for the purpose of summarizing some exemplary embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it will be understood that the above exemplary embodiments are merely examples, and should not be construed in any way as narrowing the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. Other exemplary embodiments, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of some described exemplary embodiments.

[0038] Having thus described aspects of the present disclosure in general terms above, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device including a cartridge and a control body coupled together according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2 is a partial cutaway view of the aerosol delivery device of FIG. 1 with the cartridge and control body separated from each other according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device including a control body and an aerosol source member coupled together according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device including a control body and an aerosol source member separated from each other according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of the aerosol delivery device of FIGS. 3 and 4 according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 6] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol delivery device of FIGS. 3 and 4 according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol delivery device according to another exemplary embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 1 is a side view of an aerosol delivery device including a cartridge coupled to a control body, according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a partial cutaway view of an aerosol delivery device including a cartridge coupled to a control body, according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of an aerosol delivery device according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] The present disclosure will be described more fully below with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof. These exemplary embodiments are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Indeed, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," "the," etc. include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, while reference may be made herein to quantitative measures, values, geometric relationships, and the like, unless expressly stated otherwise, any one or more, if not all, of these may be absolute or may be approximate to account for acceptable variations that may occur due to technical tolerances, etc.

[0041] As described below, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to aerosol delivery devices. Some aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure use electrical energy to heat a material to form an inhalable substance (preferably without burning the material to any significant extent); and components of such systems most preferably have the form of an article that is compact enough to be considered a handheld device. That is, the use of preferred aerosol delivery device components does not result in the generation of smoke, in the sense that the aerosol is primarily derived from by-products of tobacco combustion or pyrolysis; rather, the use of such preferred systems results in the generation of vapor resulting from the volatilization or vaporization of certain components incorporated therein. In some exemplary embodiments, the aerosol delivery device components may be characterized as electronic cigarettes, which most preferably incorporate tobacco and / or tobacco-derived components and thus deliver the tobacco-derived components in aerosol form.

[0042] The aerosol-generating component of certain preferred aerosol delivery devices can provide many of the sensations of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe (e.g., the act of inhaling and exhaling, the type of taste or flavor, the sensory effect, the physical sensation, the act of use, visual cues such as those provided by a visible aerosol) used by lighting and burning tobacco (and thus inhaling tobacco smoke) without causing any significant degree of combustion of any of its components. For example, a user of an aerosol delivery device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can hold and use the component in the same manner as a smoker uses a traditional type of smoking article, drawing on one end of the component for inhalation of the aerosol generated by the component, puffing or inhaling at selected time intervals, etc.

[0043] Although the system is generally described herein with respect to embodiments relating to aerosol delivery devices, such as so-called "electronic cigarettes," "tobacco heating products," and the like, it should be understood that the features, components, features, and methods may be embodied in many different forms and may be associated with a variety of articles. For example, the description provided herein may be employed in connection with traditional smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.), non-combustion heated cigarettes, and related packaging embodiments for any of the products disclosed herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that the description of the features, components, features, and methods disclosed herein are described in terms of embodiments relating to aerosol delivery devices, by way of example only, and may be embodied and used in a variety of other products and methods.

[0044] The aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure may also be characterized as a vapor-generating article or drug delivery item. Accordingly, such an article or device may be adapted to provide one or more substances (e.g., flavorings and / or pharmaceutically active ingredients) in an inhalable form or state. For example, the inhalable substance may be substantially in vapor form (i.e., a substance in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical point). Alternatively, the inhalable substance may be in aerosol form (i.e., a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas). For simplicity, the term "aerosol" as used herein is meant to include vapors, gases, and aerosols in any form or type suitable for human inhalation, whether visible or not, and whether or not they are in a form that can be considered similar to smoke.

[0045] During use, the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure may undergo many of the physical actions taken by an individual when using a traditional type of smoking article (e.g., a cigarette, cigar, or pipe that is utilized by lighting tobacco and inhaling the tobacco. For example, a user of the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure may hold the article in a manner much like a traditional type of smoking article, draw on one end of the article for inhalation of the aerosol generated by the article, puff at selected time intervals, etc.

[0046] The aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure generally includes several components disposed within an outer housing, sometimes referred to as a body or shell. The overall design of the housing may vary, and the style or configuration of the housing may vary, defining the overall size and shape of the aerosol delivery device. Typically, the elongated body resembling the shape of a cigarette or cigar may be formed from a single, integral housing, or the elongated housing may be formed from two or more separable bodies. For example, the aerosol delivery device may include an elongated housing that may be substantially tubular in shape and that may itself resemble the shape of a traditional cigarette or cigar. In one example, all components of the aerosol delivery device are contained within a single housing. Alternatively, the aerosol delivery device may include two or more joined and separable housings. For example, an aerosol delivery device can have at one end a control body comprising a housing that houses one or more reusable components (e.g., an accumulator such as a rechargeable battery, a rechargeable supercapacitor, a solid-state battery (SSB), a thin-film SSB, a lithium-ion or hybrid lithium-ion supercapacitor, and various electronics for controlling the operation of the item), and at the other end an outer body or shell containing a disposable portion (e.g., a disposable cartridge containing a flavor) that is removably coupleable thereto. More specific styles, configurations, and arrangements of components within a single housing-type unit or within a multi-part separable housing-type unit will be apparent in light of the further disclosure provided herein. Furthermore, various aerosol delivery device designs and component configurations can be appreciated by considering commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices.It will be appreciated that alternative non-tubular housing form factors may also be used, including device housings having a shape and size generally approximating the cigarette pack and form factor, such as those used in GLO™ by British American Tobacco and IQOS™ by Philip Morris International, Inc.

[0047] As discussed in more detail below, the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure comprises any combination of a power source (i.e., a source of electrical power), at least one control component (e.g., a means for activating, controlling, regulating, and terminating electrical power to generate heat, such as by controlling the flow of electrical current from the power source to other components of the aerosol delivery device), a heating element (e.g., an electrical resistance heating element or other component and / or an induction coil or other related component and / or one or more radiant heating elements), an aerosol precursor composition (e.g., a solid tobacco material, a semi-solid tobacco material, or a liquid aerosol precursor composition) capable of generating an aerosol upon application of sufficient heat, and a mouth-end region or tip (e.g., a defined airflow path through the article so that generated aerosol can be drawn therefrom upon inhalation) that allows the aerosol delivery device to be drawn upon for aerosol inhalation. In some embodiments, the power source comprises a single battery or a single battery cell. The power source can power a heating element configured to convert electricity into heat, thereby vaporizing components of the aerosol precursor composition.

[0048] The positioning of components within the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure may vary. In certain embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may be located near the end of the aerosol delivery device, which may be configured to be positioned near the user's mouth to maximize aerosol delivery to the user. However, other configurations are not excluded. Generally, the heating element may be positioned sufficiently close to the aerosol precursor composition so that heat from the heating element can volatilize the aerosol precursor (as well as one or more flavorings, medications, etc., that may also be provided for delivery to the user) and form an aerosol for delivery to the user. When the heating element heats the aerosol precursor composition, an aerosol is formed, emitted, or generated in a physical form suitable for inhalation by the consumer. It should be noted that the foregoing terms, references to emit, emitting, or emitted, are meant to be interchangeable to include forming or generating, forming or generating, forming or generating, and formed or generated. Specifically, the inhalable substance is released in the form of a vapor or an aerosol or a mixture thereof, and such terms are also used interchangeably herein unless otherwise specified.

[0049] As noted above, the aerosol delivery device may incorporate a battery, supercapacitor, SSB, or other power source to provide a sufficient current flow to provide various functionalities to the aerosol delivery device, such as powering the heating element, powering the control system, and powering the indicators. The power source can take a variety of forms. Preferably, the power source is capable of delivering sufficient power to rapidly activate the heating element to achieve aerosol formation and to power the aerosol delivery device throughout the desired period of use. The power source is preferably sized to fit conveniently within the aerosol delivery device so that the aerosol delivery device can be easily handled. Furthermore, preferred power sources are lightweight enough so as not to detract from the desired smoking experience.

[0050] More specific configurations, configurations, and arrangements of components within the aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure will be apparent in light of the further disclosure provided below. Furthermore, the selection of various aerosol delivery device components can be understood in light of commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices. Furthermore, the configuration of components within the aerosol delivery device can also be understood in light of commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices.

[0051] As described below, the present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device may be configured to heat an aerosol precursor composition (sometimes referred to as an inhalable substance medium) to generate an aerosol (inhalable substance). The aerosol precursor composition may include one or more of a solid tobacco material, a semi-solid tobacco material, or a liquid aerosol precursor composition. In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device may be configured to heat a fluid aerosol precursor composition (e.g., a liquid aerosol precursor composition) and generate an aerosol therefrom. Such an aerosol delivery device may include a so-called electronic cigarette. In other embodiments, the aerosol delivery device may include a non-combustion heating device.

[0052] Liquid aerosol precursor compositions, also referred to as vapor precursor compositions or "e-liquids," are particularly useful for electronic cigarettes and heat-and-burn devices, as well as other devices that atomize or otherwise aerosolize liquids to produce inhalable aerosols. Liquid aerosol precursor compositions can include a variety of ingredients, including, by way of example, a polyhydric alcohol (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, or mixtures thereof), nicotine, tobacco, tobacco extract, and / or flavorings. In some examples, the aerosol precursor composition includes glycerin and nicotine.

[0053] Some liquid aerosol precursor compositions that may be used in combination with various embodiments may include one or more acids such as levulinic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, benzoic acid, fumaric acid, combinations thereof, etc. Including an acid(s) in a liquid aerosol precursor composition that includes nicotine can provide a protonated liquid aerosol precursor composition that includes nicotine in salt form. Representative types of liquid aerosol precursor compositions and formulations are described and characterized in U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,254,002 to Chong et al., U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2013 / 0008457 to Zheng et al., U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2015 / 0020823 to Lipowicz et al., and U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2015 / 0020830 to Koller, as well as International Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2014 / 182736 to Bowen et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 8,881,737 to Collett et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other aerosol precursors that may be used include those incorporated into any of the several representative products identified above. So-called "smoke juice" for e-cigarettes, available from Johnson Creek Enterprises LLC, is also desirable. Further exemplary aerosol precursor compositions are sold under the trade names BLACK NOTE, COSMIC FOG, MILKMAN E-LIQUID, FIVE PAWNS, THE VAPOR CHEF, VAPE WILD, BOOSTED, THE STEAM FACTORY, MECH SAUCE, CASEY JONES MAINLINE RESERVE, MITTEN VAPORS, DR. CRIMMY'S V-LIQUID, SMILEY E LIQUID, BEANTOWN VAPOR, CUTTWOOD, CYCLOPS VAPOR, SICBOY, GOOD LIFE VAPOR, TELEOS, PINUP VAPORS, SPACE JAM, MT. BAKER VAPOR, and JIMMY THE JUICE MAN.Embodiments of the foamable material can be used with aerosol precursors, such as those described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0055494 to Hunt et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Further, the use of foamable materials is described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,368 to Niazi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,878 to Wehling et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,264 to Wehling et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,974,590 to Pather et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,381,667 to Bergquist et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,541 to Crawford et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,828 to Strickland et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 9,307,787 to Sun et al., as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0018539 to Brinkley et al., and International Patent Application Publication No. WO 97 / 06786 to Johnson et al., all of which patents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0054] The aerosol precursor composition may additionally or alternatively include other active ingredients, including, but not limited to, botanicals (e.g., lavender, peppermint, chamomile, basil, rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus, ginger, cannabis, ginseng, maca, and tisanes), stimulants (e.g., caffeine and guarana), amino acids (e.g., taurine, theanine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan), and / or pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and medicinal ingredients (e.g., vitamins such as B6, B12, and C, and cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

[0055] Representative types of substrates, reservoirs, or other components for supporting aerosol precursors are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,528,569 to Newton, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0261487 to Chapman et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0059780 to Davis et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0216232 to Bless et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, various wicking materials, as well as the configuration and operation of those wicking materials within certain types of electronic cigarettes, are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,910,640 to Sears et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0056] In other embodiments, the aerosol delivery device may comprise a non-combustion heating device configured to heat a solid aerosol precursor composition (e.g., an extruded tobacco rod) or a semi-solid aerosol precursor composition (e.g., a glycerin-extended tobacco paste). The aerosol precursor composition may include tobacco-containing beads, tobacco shreds, tobacco pieces, reconstituted tobacco materials, or combinations thereof, and / or mixtures of finely ground tobacco, tobacco extract, spray-dried tobacco extract, or other tobacco forms mixed with optional inorganic materials (such as calcium carbonate), optional flavors, and aerosol-forming materials to form a substantially solid or moldable (e.g., extrudable) substrate. Representative types of solid and semi-solid aerosol precursor compositions and formulations are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,424,538 to Thomas et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,464,726 to Sebastian et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0083150 to Conner et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0157052 to Ademe et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0000188 to Nordskog et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Further representative types of compositions and configurations of solid and semi-solid aerosol precursor compositions include those found in the NEOSTIKS™ consumable aerosol source member of the GLO™ product by British American Tobacco and the HEETS™ consumable aerosol source member of the IQOS™ product by Philip Morris International, Inc.

[0057] In various embodiments, the inhalable substance may specifically be a tobacco component or a tobacco-derived material (i.e., a material naturally found in tobacco that can be isolated directly from tobacco or synthetically prepared). For example, the aerosol precursor composition may include a tobacco extract or a fraction thereof combined with an inert substance. The aerosol precursor composition may further include unburned tobacco or a composition comprising unburned tobacco that releases an inhalable substance when heated to a temperature below its combustion temperature. In some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may include tobacco condensate or a fraction thereof (i.e., the condensed component of smoke produced by the combustion of tobacco that leaves behind flavor, and possibly nicotine).

[0058] Tobacco materials useful in the present disclosure can vary and may include, for example, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, Oriental or Maryland tobacco, dark tobacco, dark-fired tobacco, and rustica tobacco, as well as other rare or specialty tobaccos, or blends thereof. Tobacco materials can also include so-called "blend" forms and processed forms, such as processed tobacco stems (e.g., cut roll or cut puff stems), volume-expanded tobacco (preferably in the form of cut filler, e.g., expanded tobacco such as dry ice expanded tobacco (DIET)), reconstituted tobacco (e.g., reconstituted tobacco produced using a papermaking-type or cast sheet-type process), and the like. Various representative tobacco types, processed tobacco types, and tobacco blend types are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,224 to Lawson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,888 to Perfetti et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,537 to Brown et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,942 to Brinkley et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,930 to Gentry, U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,023 to Blakley et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,701 to Shafer ... No. 7,017,585 to Li et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,025,066 to Lawson et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 0255965 to Perfetti et al., International Patent Application Publication No. WO 02 / 37990 to Bereman, and Bombick et al., Fund. Appl. Toxicol., 39, pp. 11-17 (1997), which are incorporated herein by reference. Further exemplary tobacco compositions that may be useful in smoking devices, including those according to the present disclosure, are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0059] Additionally, the aerosol precursor composition may include an inert substrate having an inhalable substance or its precursor incorporated therein or otherwise deposited thereon. For example, a liquid containing the inhalable substance may be applied to, absorbed into, or adsorbed onto an inert substrate such that upon application of heat, the inhalable substance is released in a form that can be withdrawn from the article of the present invention through application of positive or negative pressure. In some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may include a flavorful, aromatic tobacco blend in cut-filler form. In another embodiment, the aerosol precursor composition may include reconstituted tobacco material, such as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,807,809 to Pryor et al., 4,889,143 to Pryor et al., and 5,025,814 to Raker, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. For more information regarding suitable aerosol precursor compositions, see U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 916,834 to Sur et al., filed March 9, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0060] Regardless of the type of aerosol precursor composition being heated, the aerosol delivery device may include a heating element configured to heat the aerosol precursor composition. In some embodiments, the heating element is an induction heater. Such heaters often include an induction transmitter and an induction receiver. The induction transmitter may include a coil configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field (e.g., a magnetic field that changes periodically with time) when an alternating current is passed therethrough. The induction receiver may be at least partially disposed within or received within the induction transmitter and may include a conductive material (e.g., a ferromagnetic material or an aluminum-coated material). Passing an alternating current through the inductive transmitter may generate eddy currents within the inductive receiver via induction. Eddy currents flowing through the resistance of the material defining the inductive receiver may heat the inductive receiver by Joule heating (i.e., through the Joule effect). The inductive receiver may define an atomizer and may be wirelessly heated to form an aerosol from an aerosol precursor composition positioned proximate to the inductive receiver. Various embodiments of induction heated aerosol delivery devices are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0127722 to Davis et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0202266 to Sur et al., U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 352,153 to Sur et al., filed November 15, 2016, U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 799,365 to Sebastian et al., filed October 31, 2017, and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 836,086 to Sur, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0061] In other embodiments, including those more specifically described herein, the heating element is a conductive heater, such as an electrical resistance heater. These heaters may be configured to generate heat when an electric current is passed therethrough. In various embodiments, the conductive heater may be provided in various forms, such as in the form of a foil, foam, plate, disk, spiral, fiber, wire, film, thread, strip, ribbon, or cylinder. Such heaters often include a metallic material and are configured to generate heat as a result of electrical resistance associated with passing an electric current therethrough. Such a resistive heater can be positioned near the aerosol precursor composition to heat the aerosol precursor composition and generate an aerosol. Various conductive substrates that may be used with the present disclosure are described in the above-cited U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 to Griffith et al. Another example of a suitable heater is described in U.S. Patent No. 9,491,974 to DePiano et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0062] In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device may include a control body and a cartridge in the case of a so-called electronic cigarette, or a control body and an aerosol source member in the case of a non-combustion heated device. In either the electronic cigarette or the non-combustion heated device, the control body may be reusable, while the cartridge / aerosol source member may be configured for a limited number of uses and / or may be disposable. The cartridge / aerosol source member may contain an aerosol precursor composition. To heat the aerosol precursor composition, a heating element may be positioned in contact with or in proximity to the aerosol precursor composition, for example, across the control body and cartridge, or within the control body in which the aerosol source member may be positioned. The control body may include a power source, which may be rechargeable or replaceable, so that the control body may be reused with multiple cartridges / aerosol source members.

[0063] The control body may also include means for activating the aerosol delivery device, such as a push button for manually controlling the device, a touch-sensitive surface, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the control body may include a flow sensor for detecting when a user draws on the cartridge / aerosol source member, thereby activating the aerosol delivery device.

[0064] In various embodiments, the aerosol delivery device according to the present disclosure may have a variety of overall shapes, including, but not limited to, an overall shape that may be defined as substantially rod-like, rod-shaped, or substantially tubular or substantially cylindrical. In the embodiments shown in and described with reference to the accompanying figures, the aerosol delivery device has a substantially circular cross-section; however, other cross-sectional shapes (e.g., oval, square, rectangular, triangular, etc.) are also encompassed by the present disclosure. Such language describing the physical shape of an article may also apply to its individual components, including the control body and cartridge / aerosol source member. In other embodiments, the control body may take on another handheld shape, such as a small box shape.

[0065] In more specific embodiments, one or both of the control body and the cartridge / aerosol source member may be referred to as disposable or reusable. For example, the control body may have a power source such as a replaceable or rechargeable battery, an SSB, a thin-film SSB, a rechargeable supercapacitor, a lithium-ion or hybrid lithium-ion supercapacitor, etc. One example of a power source is the TKI-1550 rechargeable lithium-ion battery manufactured by Tadiran Batteries GmbH of Germany. In another embodiment, a useful power source may be the N50-AAA CADNICA nickel-cadmium battery manufactured by Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. of Japan. In other embodiments, multiple such batteries may be connected in series, each providing, for example, 1.2 volts.

[0066] In some examples, the power source may then be connected to, and thereby combined with, any type of recharging technology. Examples of suitable chargers include chargers that simply provide constant current or pulsed direct current (DC) power to the power source, fast chargers that add control circuitry, three-stage chargers, inductive chargers, smart chargers, motion-powered chargers, pulse chargers, solar chargers, USB-based chargers, etc. In some examples, the charger includes a power adapter and any suitable charging circuitry. In other examples, the charger includes a power adapter and the control unit is equipped with the charging circuitry. In these other examples, the charger may simply be referred to as a power adapter.

[0067] The control body may include any of several different terminals, electrical connectors, etc., for connecting to an appropriate charger and, in some examples, for connecting to other peripheral devices for communication. More specifically, suitable examples include cylindrical connectors, cigarette lighter connectors, and USB connectors, including USB 1.x (e.g., Type A, Type B), USB 2.0, and its later versions and additions (e.g., Mini A, Mini B, Mini AB, Micro A, Micro B, Micro AB) and USB 3.x (e.g., Type A, Type B, Micro B, Micro AB, Type C), and direct current (DC) connectors, such as proprietary connectors like Apple's Lightning connector. The control body may connect directly to the charger or other peripheral device, or the two may connect via a suitable cable, also having appropriate connectors. In examples where the two are connected by a cable, the control body and charger or other peripheral device may have the same or different types of connectors, and the cable may have one or both types of connectors.

[0068] In examples involving inductively powered charging, the aerosol delivery device may be equipped with inductive wireless charging technology and may include an inductive transmitter and an inductive receiver for connecting to a wireless charger, charging pad, etc. that uses inductive wireless charging (e.g., including wireless charging compliant with the Qi wireless charging standard from the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC)).

[0069] Alternatively, the power source may be recharged from a wireless radio frequency (RF)-based charger. An example of an inductive wireless charging system is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0112196 to Sur et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Additionally, in some exemplary embodiments for e-cigarettes, the cartridge may include a single-use cartridge as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,910,639 to Chang et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0070] One or more connections may be used to connect the power source to the recharging technology, some of which may involve a charging case, cradle, dock, sleeve, etc. More specifically, for example, the control body may be configured to mate with a cradle that includes a USB connector for connecting to a power source. Or, in another example, the control body may be configured to fit within and mate with a sleeve that includes a USB connector for connecting to a power source. In these and similar examples, the USB connector may connect directly to a power source, or the USB connector may connect to a power source via an appropriate power adapter.

[0071] Examples of power sources are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,484,155 to Peckerar et al. and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0112191 to Sur et al., filed October 21, 2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. With respect to flow sensors, exemplary current regulating components and other current controlling components, including various microcontrollers, sensors, and switches for aerosol delivery devices, are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,922,901, 4,947,874, and 4,947,875 to Brooks et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,555 to Fleischhauer et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,555 to Fleischhauer et al. No. 60, U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,314 to Nguyen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,205,622 to Pan, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 8,881,737 to Collet et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,423,152 to Ampolini et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,439,454 to Fernando et al., and U.S. Patent Application No. 2015 / 0257445 to Henry et al., all of which patents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0072] An input element may be included in the aerosol delivery device (which may replace or supplement the flow sensor). The input may be included to allow a user to control the device's functions and / or to output information to the user. Any component or combination of components may be utilized as an input for controlling the device's functions. For example, one or more push buttons may be used, as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015 / 0245658 to Worm et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Similarly, a touch screen may be used, as described in U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 643,626 to Sears et al., filed March 10, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference. As a further example, a component adapted for gesture recognition based on specific movements of the aerosol delivery device may be used as an input. See U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016 / 0158782 to Henry et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. As yet another example, a capacitance sensor may be implemented in the aerosol delivery device to allow a user to provide input, such as by touching a surface of the device on which the capacitance sensor is implemented. In another example, a sensor capable of detecting motion relative to the device (e.g., an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a photoelectric proximity sensor, etc.) may be implemented in the aerosol delivery device to allow a user to provide input. Examples of suitable sensors are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0132528 to Sur et al. and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0158782 to Henry et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0073] As noted above, the aerosol delivery device may include various electronics, such as at least one control component. A suitable control component may include several electronic components and, in some examples, may be formed on a circuit board such as a printed circuit board (PCB). In some examples, the electronic component includes a processing circuit configured to perform data processing, application execution, or other processing, control, or management services according to one or more exemplary embodiments. The processing circuit may include a processor embodied in various forms, such as at least one processor core, a microprocessor, a coprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, or various other computing or processing devices including one or more integrated circuits, such as, for example, an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), or some combination thereof. In some examples, the processing circuit may include memory coupled to or integrated with the processor, which may store data, computer program instructions executable by the processor, some combination thereof, or the like.

[0074] In some examples, the control component may include one or more input / output peripherals that may be coupled to or integrated with the processing circuit. More specifically, the control component may include a communication interface for enabling wireless communication with one or more networks, computing devices, or other appropriately enabled devices. An example of a suitable communication interface is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0261020 to Marion et al., the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Another example of a suitable communication interface is the CC3200 single-chip wireless microcontroller unit (MCU) manufactured by Texas Instruments. Examples of suitable ways in which an aerosol delivery device may be configured to communicate wirelessly are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0007651 to Ampolini et al. and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0219933 to Henry, Jr. et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0075] Still other components can be utilized in the aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure. One example of a suitable component is an indicator, such as a light-emitting diode (LED), quantum dot-based LED, or the like, that can be illuminated using the aerosol delivery device. Examples of suitable LED components, as well as their construction and use, are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,154,192 to Sprinkel et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,499,766 to Newton, U.S. Patent No. 8,539,959 to Scatterday, and U.S. Patent No. 9,451,791 to Sears et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0076] Other indicators of operation are also encompassed by the present disclosure. For example, visual indicators of operation include changes in light color or light intensity to indicate the progress of the smoking experience. Tactile (haptic) indicators of operation and audible (audio) indicators of operation are also encompassed by the present disclosure. Furthermore, combinations of such indicators of operation are suitable for use in a single smoking article. According to another aspect, the aerosol delivery device may include one or more indicators or indicators, such as, for example, a display, configured to provide information corresponding to the operation of the smoking article, such as, for example, the remaining power of a power source, the progress of the smoking experience, or an indication corresponding to the activation of a heat source.

[0077] Still other components are contemplated. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,154,192 to Sprinkel et al. discloses a smoking article indicator, U.S. Patent No. 5,261,424 to Sprinkel, Jr. discloses a piezoelectric sensor that can be associated with the mouth-end of a device to detect a user's lip movement associated with taking a puff and then trigger heating of the heating device, U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al. discloses a puff sensor for controlling the flow of energy to a heat load array in response to a pressure drop across the mouthpiece, U.S. Patent No. 5,967,148 to Harris et al. discloses a receptacle in a smoking device that includes an identifier that detects non-uniformity in infrared transmittance of an inserted component and a controller that executes a detection routine when a component is inserted into the receptacle, U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al. describes a defined, executable power cycle with multiple distinct phases, and U.S. Patent No. 5,967,148 to Harris et al. discloses a receptacle in a smoking device that includes an identifier that detects non-uniformity in infrared transmittance of an inserted component and a controller that executes a detection routine when a component is inserted into the receptacle, and U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560 to Watkins et al. No. 5,954,979 to Counts et al. discloses means for varying the draw resistance throughout a smoking device; U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,545 to Blake et al. discloses particular battery configurations for use in smoking devices; U.S. Pat. No. 7,293,565 to Griffen et al. discloses various charging systems for use with smoking devices; U.S. Pat. No. 8,402,976 to Fernando et al. discloses computer interfacing means for smoking devices to facilitate charging and enable computer control of the device; U.S. Pat. No. 8,689,804 to Fernando et al. discloses an identification system for smoking devices; and International Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 003480 to Flick discloses a fluid flow sensing system to indicate puffs in an aerosol generation system, all of the foregoing disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0078] Further exemplary components relating to electronic aerosol delivery articles and disclosing materials or components that may be used herein include U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,586 to Morgan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,977 to Higgins et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,176 to Adams et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,287 to White, U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,218 to Voges, U.S. Pat. No. 6,810,883 to Felter et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,461 to Nichols, U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,410 to Hon, U.S. Pat. No. 7,513,253 to Kobayashi, U.S. Pat. No. 7,896,006 to Hamano, U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,756 to Shayan, U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,756 to Hon, U.S. Pat. No. 6,832,410 to Hon, U.S. Pat. No. 6,832,410 to Hon, U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,253 to Kobayashi, U.S. Pat. No. 6,896,006 to Hamano, U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,756 to Shayan, U.S. Pat. No. 6,832,410 to Hon ... Nos. 8,156,944 and 8,375,957 to Thorens et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,794,231 to Thorens et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,851,083 to Oglesby et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,915,254 and 8,925,555 to Monsees et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,220,302 to DePiano et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 01999 to Hon US Patent Publication Nos. 6518 and 2009 / 0188490 to Oglesby et al., US Patent Publication No. 2010 / 0024834 to Wang, US Patent Publication No. 2010 / 0307518 to Wang, International Patent Publication No. 2010 / 091593 to Hon, and International Patent Publication No. 2013 / 089551 to Foo, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, US Patent Publication No. 2017 / 0099877 to Worm et al. discloses a capsule that may be included in an aerosol delivery device, and a fob configuration for an aerosol delivery device, which is incorporated herein by reference.Various materials disclosed by the aforementioned documents can be incorporated into the present device in various embodiments, all of the foregoing disclosures being incorporated herein by reference.

[0079] Still other features, control devices or components that may be incorporated into the aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,148 to Harris et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,289 to Watkins et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,979 to Counts et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,365,742 to Hon, U.S. Pat. No. 8,402,976 to Fernando et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 0016550 to Katase, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 0016550 to Fernando, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 0016550 to Katase, U.S. Patent Application No. 2005 / 0016550 to Fernando ... No. 8,689,804 to Ando et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0192623 to Tucker et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 9,427,022 to Leven et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0180553 to Kim et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0000638 to Sebastian et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0261495 to Novak et al., and U.S. Patent No. 9,220,302 to DePiano et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0080] 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of an aerosol delivery device including a control body and a cartridge, such as an electronic cigarette. More specifically, FIGS. 1 and 2 show an aerosol delivery device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the aerosol delivery device may include a control body 102 and a cartridge 104. The control body and cartridge may be permanently or removably aligned in a functional relationship. In this regard, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the aerosol delivery device in a coupled configuration, while FIG. 2 illustrates a partially cutaway side view of the aerosol delivery device in a detached configuration. The aerosol delivery device, in some exemplary embodiments, may be substantially rod- or bar-shaped, substantially tubular-shaped, or substantially cylindrical-shaped when the control body and cartridge are in an assembled configuration.

[0081] The control body 102 and the cartridge 104 can be configured to engage with each other via various connections, such as a press-fit (or interference fit) connection, a threaded connection, a magnetic connection, etc. Thus, the control body can include a first engaging element (e.g., a coupler) adapted to engage with a second engaging element (e.g., a connector) on the cartridge. The first engaging element and the second engaging element can be reversible. As an example, either the first engaging element or the second engaging element can be male threaded, and the other can be female threaded. As a further example, either the first engaging element or the second engaging element can be a magnet, and the other can be a metal or mating magnet. In certain embodiments, the engaging elements can be directly defined by existing components of the control body and cartridge. For example, the housing of the control body can define a cavity at its end, configured to receive at least a portion of the cartridge (e.g., a reservoir tank or other shell-forming element of the cartridge). In particular, the reservoir of the cartridge may be at least partially received within the cavity of the control body, while the mouthpiece of the cartridge remains exposed outside the cavity of the control body. The cartridge may be retained within the cavity formed by the control body housing by, for example, an interference fit (e.g., through the use of detents and / or other features that create an interference engagement between the outer surface of the cartridge and the inner surface of the wall forming the cavity of the control body), magnetic engagement (e.g., through the use of magnets and / or magnetic metals disposed within the cavity of the control body and on the cartridge), or other suitable techniques.

[0082] As can be seen in the cutaway view shown in Figure 2, the control body 102 and cartridge 104 each include several respective components. The components shown in Figure 2 are representative of the components that may be present in the control body and cartridge and are not intended to limit the scope of components encompassed by the present disclosure. As shown, for example, the control body can be formed with a housing 206 (sometimes referred to as a control body shell) that can include a control component 208 (e.g., processing circuitry, etc.), a flow sensor 210, a power source 212 (e.g., a battery, a supercapacitor), and an indicator 214 (e.g., an LED, a quantum dot-based LED), and such components can be variably aligned.

[0083] The cartridge 104 can be formed of a housing 216 (sometimes called a cartridge shell) that encloses a reservoir 218 configured to hold the aerosol precursor composition and includes a heating element 220 (sometimes called a heater). In various configurations, such a structure can also be called a tank, and thus the terms "cartridge," "tank," and the like can be used interchangeably to refer to a shell or other housing that encloses a reservoir for the aerosol precursor composition and includes a heating element.

[0084] As shown, in some examples, the reservoir 218 may be in fluid communication with a liquid transport element 222 adapted to wick or otherwise transport the aerosol precursor composition stored within the reservoir housing to the heating element 220. Other configurations of the liquid transport element are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the liquid transport element may be positioned proximate the distal end of the reservoir and disposed across the longitudinal axis of the reservoir. In some examples, a valve may be disposed between the reservoir and the heating element and configured to control the amount of aerosol precursor composition passed or delivered from the reservoir to the heating element.

[0085] Various exemplary materials configured to generate heat upon application of an electric current may be employed to form the heating element 220. The heating element in these examples may be a resistive heating element, such as a wire coil, a flat plate, or a microheater. Examples of materials from which the heating element can be formed include Kanthal (FeCrAl), nichrome, nickel, stainless steel, indium tin oxide, tungsten, molybdenum disilicide (MoSi), molybdenum silicide (MoSi), aluminum-doped molybdenum disilicide (Mo(Si,Al)), titanium, platinum, silver, palladium, silver-palladium alloys, graphite and graphite-based materials (e.g., carbon-based foams and yarns), conductive inks, boron-doped silica, and ceramics (e.g., ceramics with positive or negative temperature coefficients). The heating element may be a resistive heating element or a heating element configured to generate heat by induction. The heating element may be coated with a thermally conductive ceramic, such as aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, beryllium oxide, alumina, silicon nitride, or a composite thereof. Exemplary embodiments of heating elements useful in aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure are further described below and can be incorporated into devices as described herein.

[0086] An opening 224 may be present in the housing 216 (eg, at the mouth end) to allow for the evacuation of the formed aerosol from the cartridge 104 .

[0087] The cartridge 104 may also include one or more electronic components 226, which may include integrated circuits, memory components (e.g., EEPROM, flash memory), sensors, etc. The electronic components may be adapted to communicate with the control component 208 and / or external devices by wired or wireless means. The electronic components may be positioned anywhere within the cartridge or its base 228.

[0088] While the control component 208 and the flow sensor 210 are shown separately, it is understood that various electronic components, including the control component and the flow sensor, may be combined on a circuit board (e.g., PCB) that supports and electrically connects the electronic components. Furthermore, the circuit board may be positioned horizontally relative to the view of FIG. 1 in that it may be longitudinally parallel to the central axis of the control body. In some examples, the airflow sensor may include its own circuit board or other base element to which it may be mounted. In some examples, a flexible circuit board may be utilized. The flexible circuit board may be configured in various shapes, including a substantially tubular shape. In some examples, the flexible circuit board may be combined with, laminated on, or form part or all of the heater substrate.

[0089] The control body 102 and cartridge 104 may include components adapted to facilitate fluid engagement therebetween. As shown in FIG. 2 , the control body may include a coupler 230 having a cavity 232 therein. The cartridge base 228 may be adapted to engage with the coupler and may include a protrusion 234 adapted to fit into the cavity. Such engagement may facilitate a stable connection between the control body and the cartridge and establish an electrical connection between the power source 212 and control component 208 in the control body and the heating element 220 in the cartridge. Additionally, the housing 206 may include an air intake 236, which may be a notch in the housing that connects to the coupler and allows ambient air to pass around the coupler and into the housing, where the air then passes through the coupler cavity 232, through the protrusion 234, and into the cartridge.

[0090] Couplers and bases useful in accordance with the present disclosure are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0261495 to Novak et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. For example, a coupler 230, as seen in FIG. 2 , may define an outer periphery 238 configured to mate with an inner periphery 240 of a base 228. In one example, the inner periphery of the base may define a radius substantially equal to or slightly greater than the radius of the outer periphery of the coupler. Additionally, the coupler may define one or more protrusions 242 on its outer periphery configured to engage with one or more recesses 244 defined in the inner periphery of the base. However, various other examples of structures, shapes, and components may be utilized to couple the base to the coupler. In some examples, the connection between the base of the cartridge 104 and the coupler of the control body 102 may be substantially permanent, while in other examples, the connection therebetween may be releasable, e.g., the control body may be reusable with one or more additional cartridges, which may be disposable and / or refillable.

[0091] The reservoir 218 shown in FIG. 2 may be a container, as currently described, or may be a fibrous reservoir. For example, in this example, the reservoir may include one or more layers of nonwoven fibers formed substantially in a tubular shape surrounding the interior of the housing 216. An aerosol precursor composition may be held within the reservoir. For example, a liquid component may be adsorbently held by the reservoir. The reservoir may be in fluid communication with a liquid transport element 222. The liquid transport element may transport the aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir by capillary action or via a micropump to a heating element 220, which in this example is in the form of a metal wire coil. The heating element is thus in a heating configuration with the liquid transport element.

[0092] In some examples, a microfluidic chip may be embedded in the reservoir 218, and the amount and / or mass of the aerosol precursor composition delivered from the reservoir may be controlled by a micropump, such as one based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Exemplary embodiments of reservoirs and transport elements useful in aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure are further described herein, and such reservoirs and / or transport elements may be incorporated into devices such as those described herein. In particular, certain combinations of heating elements and transport elements, as further described herein, may be incorporated into devices such as those described herein.

[0093] In use, when a user inhales into the aerosol delivery device 100, airflow is detected by the flow sensor 210 and the heating element 220 is activated to vaporize the components of the aerosol precursor composition. Inhaling at the mouth end of the aerosol delivery device causes ambient air to enter the air intake 236 and pass through the cavity 232 of the coupler 230 and the central opening of the protrusion 234 of the base 228. Within the cartridge 104, the inhaled air combines with the formed vapor to form an aerosol. The aerosol is then drawn, aspirated, or otherwise drawn from the heating element and exits through the opening 224 at the mouth end of the aerosol delivery device.

[0094] For further details regarding embodiments of aerosol delivery devices including a control body and cartridge for electronic cigarettes, see the above-cited U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 836,086 to Sur, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 916,834 to Sur et al., and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 916,696 to Sur, filed March 9, 2018, which are also incorporated by reference herein.

[0095] 3-6 illustrate embodiments of aerosol delivery devices including a control body and an aerosol source member for non-combustion-heated devices. More specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates an aerosol delivery device 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosol delivery device may include a control body 302 and an aerosol source member 304. In various embodiments, the aerosol source member and the control body can be permanently or removably aligned in a functional relationship. In this regard, FIG. 3 illustrates the aerosol delivery device in a coupled configuration, while FIG. 4 illustrates the aerosol delivery device in a decoupled configuration. Various mechanisms can connect the aerosol source member to the control body, resulting in a threaded engagement, a press-fit engagement, an interference fit, a slip fit, a magnetic engagement, etc.

[0096] 4, in various embodiments of the present disclosure, the aerosol source member 304 may include a heated end 406 configured to be inserted into the control body 302 and a mouth end 408 that a user inhales to generate an aerosol. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the heated end may include an aerosol precursor composition 410.

[0097] In various embodiments, the aerosol source member 304, or a portion thereof, may be wrapped with an outer overwrap material 412, which may be formed of any material useful for providing additional structure and / or support to the aerosol source member. In various embodiments, the outer overwrap material may include a material that resists heat transfer and may include paper or other fibrous materials, such as cellulosic materials. The outer overwrap material may also include at least one filler material embedded within or dispersed within the fibrous material. In various embodiments, the filler material may have the form of water-insoluble particles. Additionally, the filler material may incorporate inorganic components. In various embodiments, the outer overwrap may be formed of multiple layers, such as an underlying bulk layer and an overlying layer, such as a typical cigarette wrapper. Such materials may include, for example, lightweight "waste fibers" such as flax, hemp, sisal, rice straw, and / or esparto. The outer overwrap may also include materials commonly used in conventional cigarette filter elements, such as cellulose acetate. Additionally, the excess length of overlap at the mouth end 408 of the aerosol source member may function simply to separate the aerosol precursor composition 410 from the consumer's mouth, or may function to provide space for placement of a filter material as described below, or may function to affect inhalation of the article or to affect the flow characteristics of the vapor or aerosol exiting the device during inhalation. Further discussion regarding configurations of overlap materials that can be used in the present disclosure can be found in the above-cited U.S. Patent No. 9,078,473 to Worm et al.

[0098] In various embodiments, other components may be present between the aerosol precursor composition 410 and the mouth-end 408 of the aerosol source member 304, in which case the mouth-end may include a filter 414, which may be made of, for example, a cellulose acetate or polypropylene material. The filter may additionally or alternatively include strands of tobacco-containing material, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,814 to Raker et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In various embodiments, the filter may enhance the structural integrity of the mouth-end of the aerosol source member and / or provide filtering capabilities as needed and / or resistance to suction. In some embodiments, one or any combination of the following may be disposed between the aerosol precursor composition and the mouth-end: an air gap; a phase change material for cooling air; a flavor-releasing medium; ion-exchange fibers capable of selective chemical adsorption; aerogel particles as a filter medium; and other suitable materials.

[0099] Various embodiments of the present disclosure use one or more electrically conductive heating elements to heat the aerosol precursor composition 410 of the aerosol source member 304. In various embodiments, the heating elements may be provided in various forms, such as in the form of a foil, foam, mesh, hollow ball, half-ball, disk, spiral, fiber, wire, film, thread, strip, ribbon, or cylinder. Such heating elements often comprise a metallic material and are configured to generate heat as a result of electrical resistance associated with passing an electric current therethrough. Such resistive heating elements may be positioned in direct contact with or in close proximity to the aerosol source member, particularly the aerosol precursor composition of the aerosol source member 304. The heating elements may be disposed within the control body and / or the aerosol source member. In various embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may include components embedded in or otherwise part of a substrate portion that can function as or facilitate the function of a heating assembly (i.e., thermally conductive components). Some examples of various heating members and elements are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,078,473 to Worm et al.

[0100] Some non-limiting examples of various heating element configurations include configurations in which the heating element is positioned near the aerosol source member 304. For example, in some examples, at least a portion of the heating element may surround at least a portion of the aerosol source member. In other examples, one or more heating elements may be positioned adjacent to the exterior of the aerosol source member when inserted into the control body 302. In other examples, at least a portion of the heating element may penetrate at least a portion of the aerosol source member when the aerosol source member is inserted into the control body (e.g., one or more prongs and / or spikes may penetrate the aerosol source member). In some examples, the aerosol precursor composition may include a structure in contact with, or embedded in, or otherwise part of, the aerosol precursor composition that can function as or facilitate the function of the heating element.

[0101] Figure 5 shows a front view of an aerosol delivery device 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view through the aerosol delivery device of Figure 5. In particular, the control body 302 of the illustrated embodiment may comprise a housing 516 including an opening 518 defined in an engagement end thereof, a flow sensor 520 (e.g., a puff sensor or pressure switch), control components 522 (e.g., processing circuitry, etc.), a power source 524 (e.g., a battery, a supercapacitor), and an end cap including an indicator 526 (e.g., an LED).

[0102] In one embodiment, indicator 526 may include one or more LEDs, quantum dot-based LEDs, etc. The indicator is in communication with control component 522 and, for example, when coupled to control body 302, may be illuminated when a user inhales on aerosol source member 304, as detected by flow sensor 520.

[0103] The control body 302 of the illustrated embodiment includes one or more heating assemblies 528 (individually or collectively referred to as heating assemblies) configured to heat the aerosol precursor composition 410 of the aerosol source member 304. While the heating assemblies of various embodiments of the present disclosure can take a variety of forms, in the specific embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the heating assembly includes a sheath 530 and a heating element 532, which in this embodiment comprises a plurality of heater prongs (in various configurations, the heating assembly, or more specifically, the heater prongs, may be referred to as heaters) extending from a receiving base 534. In the illustrated embodiment, the sheath comprises a double-walled vacuum tube constructed of stainless steel to maintain heat generated by the heater prongs within the sheath, and more specifically, to maintain heat generated by the heater prongs within the aerosol precursor composition. In various embodiments, the heater prongs may be constructed from one or more electrically conductive materials, including, but not limited to, copper, aluminum, platinum, gold, silver, iron, steel, brass, bronze, graphite, or any combination thereof.

[0104] As shown, the heating assembly 528 may extend near the engagement end of the housing 516 and may be configured to substantially surround a portion of the heated end 406 of the aerosol source member 304 containing the aerosol precursor composition 410. In such a manner, the heating assembly may define a generally tubular configuration. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the heating element 532 (e.g., multiple heater prongs) is surrounded by a sheath 530 to form a receiving chamber 536. In such a manner, in various embodiments, the sheath may comprise a non-conductive insulating material and / or a non-conductive insulating structure, including, but not limited to, an insulating polymer (e.g., plastic or cellulose), glass, rubber, ceramic, porcelain, a double-walled vacuum structure, or any combination thereof.

[0105] In some embodiments, one or more portions or components of the heating assembly 528 may be combined, packaged, and / or integrated with (e.g., embedded within) the aerosol precursor composition 410. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may be formed from materials such as those described above and may include one or more electrically conductive materials mixed therein. In some of these embodiments, the contacts may be directly connected to the aerosol precursor composition such that when the aerosol source member is inserted into the receiving chamber of the control body, the contacts form an electrical connection with the electrical energy source. Alternatively, the contacts may be integral with the electrical energy source and extend into the receiving chamber such that when the aerosol source member is inserted into the receiving chamber of the control body, the contacts form an electrical connection with the aerosol precursor composition. Due to the presence of electrically conductive materials in the aerosol precursor composition, applying power from the electrical energy source to the aerosol precursor composition allows an electrical current to flow, thereby generating heat from the electrically conductive material. Thus, in some embodiments, the heating element may be described as integral with the aerosol precursor composition. As a non-limiting example, graphite or other suitable conductive material may be mixed with, embedded in, or otherwise present directly on or within the material forming the aerosol precursor composition, creating a heating element that is integral with the medium.

[0106] As noted above, in the illustrated embodiment, the sheath 530 may also function to facilitate proper positioning of the aerosol source member 304 when the aerosol source member is inserted into the housing 516. In various embodiments, the sheath of the heating assembly 528 may engage an inner surface of the housing to align the heating assembly relative to the housing. As a result of the fixed coupling between the heating assemblies, the longitudinal axis of the heating assembly may thereby extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. In particular, a support cylinder may extend from the housing opening 518 to the receiving base 534 to form a receiving chamber 536.

[0107] The heated end 406 of the aerosol source member 304 is sized and shaped for insertion into the control body 302. In various embodiments, the receiving chamber 536 of the control body may be characterized as being defined by a wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining the interior volume of the receiving chamber. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer barrel 530 defines an inner surface that defines the interior volume of the receiving chamber. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner diameter of the outer barrel may be slightly larger than or approximately equal to the outer diameter of the corresponding aerosol source member (e.g., to create a snug fit), such that the outer barrel is configured to guide the aerosol source member into an appropriate position (e.g., lateral position) relative to the control body. Thus, the maximum outer diameter (or other dimension depending on the particular cross-sectional shape of this embodiment) of the aerosol source member may be sized to be smaller than the inner diameter (or other dimension) of the inner surface of the wall of the open end of the receiving chamber of the control body. In some embodiments, the difference in their respective diameters may be small enough so that the aerosol source member fits snugly within the receiving chamber and frictional forces prevent the aerosol source member from moving without the application of force, while the difference may be sufficient to allow the aerosol source member to slide in and out of the receiving chamber without the need for excessive force.

[0108] In the illustrated embodiment, the control body 302 is configured such that, when the aerosol source member 304 is inserted into the control body, the heating element 532 (e.g., heater prongs) are positioned approximately radially centered over at least a portion of the aerosol precursor composition 410 at the heated end 406 of the aerosol source member. In such a manner, when used in conjunction with a solid or semi-solid aerosol precursor composition, the heater prongs may be in direct contact with the aerosol precursor composition. In other embodiments, such as when used in conjunction with an extruded aerosol precursor composition defining a tubular structure, the heater prongs may be positioned inside a cavity defined by the inner surface of the extruded tubular structure, without contacting the inner surface of the extruded tubular structure.

[0109] During use, a consumer initiates heating of the heating assembly 528, particularly the heating element 532 adjacent to the aerosol precursor composition 410 (or a particular layer thereof). To generate an inhalable substance, the aerosol precursor composition is heated, releasing the inhalable substance into the aerosol source member 304. When the consumer inhales into the mouth end 408 of the aerosol source member, air is drawn into the aerosol source member through an air intake 538, such as an opening or aperture in the control body 302. As the drawn-in substance exits the mouth end of the aerosol source member, the combination of the drawn-in air and the released inhalable substance is inhaled by the consumer. In some embodiments, to initiate heating, the consumer can manually activate a push button or similar component that causes the heating element of the heating assembly to receive electrical energy from a battery or other energy source. The electrical energy may be supplied for a predetermined time or may be manually controlled.

[0110] In some embodiments, the flow of electrical energy is substantially non-progressive between puffs on device 300 (although energy flow may be progressive to maintain a baseline temperature above ambient temperature—e.g., a temperature that facilitates rapid heating to the active heating temperature). However, in the illustrated embodiment, heating is initiated by the consumer's puffing action through the use of one or more sensors, such as flow sensor 520. When puffs cease, heating is stopped or reduced. When the consumer has taken a sufficient number of puffs to release a sufficient amount of inhalable substance (e.g., an amount sufficient to equate to a typical smoking experience), aerosol source member 304 may be detached from control body 302 and discarded. In some embodiments, additional sensing elements, such as capacitive sensing elements and other sensors, may be used as discussed in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 707,461 to Phillips et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0111] In various embodiments, the aerosol source member 304 may be formed of any material suitable for forming and maintaining a suitable conformation, such as a tubular shape, and for retaining the aerosol precursor composition 410 therein. In some embodiments, the aerosol source member may be formed of a single wall, or in other embodiments, multiple walls, and may be formed of a heat-resistant material (natural or synthetic) that does not deteriorate so as to maintain its structural integrity, e.g., at least at temperatures that are the heating temperatures provided by an electric heating element, as discussed further herein. In some embodiments, a heat-resistant polymer may be used, while in other embodiments, the aerosol source member may be formed from paper, such as a substantially straw-shaped paper. As discussed further herein, the aerosol source member may have one or more layers associated therewith that function to substantially prevent vapor transfer therethrough. In one exemplary embodiment, an aluminum foil layer may be laminated to one surface of the aerosol source member. Ceramic materials may also be used. In further embodiments, insulating materials may be used to avoid unnecessary heat transfer from the aerosol precursor composition. Further exemplary types of components and materials that may be used to provide the above functionality or that may be used as substitutes for the above materials and components may be of the type described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2010 / 00186757 to Crooks et al., 2010 / 00186757 to Crooks et al., and 2011 / 0041861 to Sebastian et al., which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0112] In the illustrated embodiment, the control body 302 includes a control component 522 that controls various functions of the aerosol delivery device 300, including providing power to the electric heating element 532. For example, the control component may include a processing circuit (which may be connected to additional components as further described herein) connected by conductive wires (not shown) to the power source 524. In various embodiments, the processing circuit may control when and how the heating assembly 528, particularly the heater prongs, receive electrical energy to heat the aerosol precursor composition 410 to release an inhalable substance for inhalation by the consumer. In some embodiments, such control may be activated by the flow sensor 520, as described in more detail above.

[0113] 5 and 6 , the heating assembly 528 of the illustrated embodiment includes a barrel 530 and a heating element 532 (e.g., multiple heater prongs) extending from a receiving base 534. In some embodiments, such as those in which the aerosol precursor composition 410 includes a tubular structure, the heater prongs may be configured to extend into a cavity defined by the interior surface of the aerosol precursor composition. In other embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment in which the aerosol precursor composition includes a solid or semi-solid, the multiple heater prongs are configured to penetrate the aerosol precursor composition contained in the heated end 406 of the aerosol source member 304 when the aerosol source member is inserted into the control body 302. In such embodiments, one or more components of the heating assembly, including the heater prongs and / or the receiving base, may be constructed of a non-stick or stick-resistant material, such as certain aluminum, copper, stainless steel, carbon steel, and ceramic materials. In other embodiments, one or more of the components of the heating assembly, including the heater prongs and / or receiving base, may include other coatings, such as a non-stick coating including, for example, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating such as Teflon®, or a stick-resistant enamel coating, or a ceramic coating such as Greblon® or Thermolon™, or a ceramic coating such as Greblon® or Thermolon™.

[0114] Additionally, while in the illustrated embodiment there are multiple heater prongs 532 distributed substantially evenly around the receiving base 534, it should be noted that in other embodiments any number of heater prongs, including as few as one, may be used in any other suitable spatial configuration. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the length of the heater prongs may vary. For example, in some embodiments, the heater prongs may comprise small protrusions, while in other embodiments the heater prongs may extend any portion of the length of the receiving chamber 536, including up to about 25%, up to about 50%, up to about 75%, and even up to nearly the entire length of the receiving chamber. In still other embodiments, the heating assembly 528 may have other configurations. Examples of other heater configurations that may be adapted for use in the present disclosure in accordance with the discussion provided above include U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,671 to Counts et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,894 to Deevi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,498 to Deevi et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,498 to Sprinkel et al. No. 5,228,460 to Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,075 to Deevi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,813 to Deevi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,936 to Deevi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,850 to Das, U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,656 to Das, U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,855 to Deevi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,225 to Hajaligol, U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,262 to Hajaligol, U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,692 to Das et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,368 to Fleischhauer et al., which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0115] In various embodiments, the control body 302 may include an air intake 538 (e.g., one or more openings or holes) therein to allow ambient air to enter the interior of the receiving chamber 536. In such a manner, in some embodiments, the receiving base 534 may also include an air intake. Thus, in some embodiments, when a consumer draws on the mouth-end of the aerosol source member 304, air can be drawn into the receiving chamber through the air intakes of the control body and receiving base, into the aerosol source member, and through the aerosol precursor composition 410 of the aerosol source member for inhalation by the consumer. In some embodiments, the drawn air carries the inhalable substance through the optional filter 414 and out the opening in the mouth-end 408 of the aerosol source member. With the heating element 532 positioned within the aerosol precursor composition, the heater prongs can be activated to heat the aerosol precursor composition and release the inhalable substance through the aerosol source member.

[0116] As described above, particularly with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 , various embodiments of the present disclosure use an electrically conductive heater to heat the aerosol precursor composition 410. Also, as noted above, various other embodiments use an induction heater to heat the aerosol precursor composition. In some of these embodiments, the heating assembly 528 may be configured as an induction heater including a transformer with an induction transmitter and an induction receiver. In embodiments in which the heating assembly is configured as an induction heater, the outer casing 530 may be configured as an induction transmitter, and the heating element 532 (e.g., multiple heater prongs) extending from the receiving base 534 may be configured as an induction receiver. In various embodiments, one or both of the induction transmitter and the induction receiver may be disposed within the control body 302 and / or the aerosol source member 304.

[0117] In various embodiments, the outer casing 530 and heating element 532 as an inductive transmitter and receiver may be constructed from one or more conductive materials, and in further embodiments, the inductive receiver may be constructed from a ferromagnetic material, including, but not limited to, cobalt, iron, nickel, and combinations thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the foil material is constructed from a conductive material and the heater prongs are constructed from a ferromagnetic material. In various embodiments, the receiving base may be constructed from a non-conductive and / or insulating material.

[0118] The outer cylinder 530 as an induction transmitter may include a laminate with a foil material surrounding a support cylinder. In some embodiments, the foil material may include electrical traces printed thereon, such as one or more electrical traces that may form a helical coil pattern when the foil material is positioned around the heating element 532 as an induction receiver. The foil material and the support cylinder may each define a tubular configuration. The support cylinder may be configured to support the foil material so that it does not move into contact with the heater prongs and thereby short-circuit with the heater prongs. In this manner, the support cylinder may include a non-conductive material that may be substantially transparent to the oscillating magnetic field generated by the foil material. In various embodiments, the foil material may be embedded in or otherwise coupled to the support cylinder. In the illustrated embodiment, the foil material is engaged with the outer surface of the support cylinder; however, in other embodiments, the foil material may be positioned on the inner surface of the support cylinder or may be completely embedded in the support cylinder.

[0119] The foil material of the outer casing 530 may be configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field (e.g., a magnetic field that changes periodically with time) when an alternating current is passed through it. The heater prongs of the heating element 532 are at least partially disposed within or received within the outer casing and may comprise an electrically conductive material. Passing an alternating current through the foil material may generate eddy currents in the heater prongs via induction. The eddy currents flowing through the resistance of the material defining the heater prongs may heat the heater prongs by Joule heating (i.e., through the Joule effect). The heater prongs may be wirelessly heated to form an aerosol from an aerosol precursor composition 410 positioned near the heater prongs.

[0120] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol delivery device 700 according to another illustrative embodiment. The aerosol delivery device 700 of Figure 7 is similar to the aerosol delivery device 300 of Figures 3-6 and is particularly suited for segmented heating of the aerosol precursor composition 410. The aerosol delivery device 700 includes a control body 702 similar to the control body 302, but including one or more heating assemblies 728 (individually or collectively referred to as heating assemblies) configured to heat the aerosol precursor composition in the aerosol source member 304.

[0121] In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 , the heating assembly includes a sheath 530 and a segmented heater 730 including multiple heating elements 732, such as multiple electrically conductive prongs (heater prongs), that are physically separated and spaced apart from one another. In some examples, each prong of the multiple electrically conductive prongs is one heating element of the segmented heater. In another example, the multiple heating elements can be or include physically separated resistive heating elements that can be positioned adjacent respective exterior surface regions of the aerosol source member. In yet another example, the multiple heating elements can be or include physically separated coils capable of generating localized eddy currents within respective regions of the aerosol source member.

[0122] In examples where the plurality of heating elements 732 are a plurality of heater prongs, the heater prongs can extend radially inward along the inner surface of the sheath 330, thereby extending longitudinally along the aerosol precursor composition 410. In the illustrated embodiment, the sheath comprises a double-walled vacuum tube constructed of stainless steel to maintain heat generated by the heating elements (e.g., heater prongs) within the sheath, and more specifically, to maintain heat generated by the heating elements within the aerosol precursor composition. As above, in various embodiments, the heating elements can be constructed from one or more electrically conductive materials, including, but not limited to, copper, aluminum, platinum, gold, silver, iron, steel, brass, bronze, graphite, or any combination thereof.

[0123] In some examples, the heating elements 732 of the segmented heater 730 may be powerable to heat multiple zones of the aerosol precursor composition 410. The heating elements may be powered simultaneously to heat each of the multiple zones of the aerosol precursor composition. In some examples, the heating elements of the multiple heating elements may be powerable separately. In some of these examples, one or more of the heating elements may be powered separately to heat a respective one or more of the multiple zones of the aerosol precursor composition, while any other heating elements of the multiple heating elements are not powered simultaneously.

[0124] Other embodiments of aerosol delivery devices, control bodies and aerosol source members are described in the above-cited U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 916,834 to Sur et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 916,696 to Sur, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 836,086 to Sur, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 976,526 to Sur, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0125] 8 and 9 illustrate embodiments of an aerosol delivery device including a control body and a cartridge for a non-heat, non-combustion device. In this regard, FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of an aerosol delivery device 800 including a control body 802 and a cartridge 804, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 8 illustrates the control body and cartridge coupled together. The control body and cartridge may be removably aligned in a functional relationship.

[0126] FIG. 9 illustrates an aerosol delivery device 800 in more detail, according to some exemplary embodiments. As can be seen in the cutaway view shown therein, the aerosol delivery device can again include a control body 802 and a cartridge 804, each including several respective components. The components shown in FIG. 9 are representative of components that may be present within the control body and cartridge and are not intended to limit the scope of components encompassed by the present disclosure. As shown, for example, the control body can be formed from a control body housing or shell 906 that can include control components 908 (e.g., processing circuitry, etc.), input devices 910, a power source 912, and indicators 914 (e.g., LEDs, quantum dot-based LEDs), and such components can be variably aligned. Here, a specific example of a suitable control component includes the Microchip Technology Inc. PIC16(L)F1713 / 6 microcontroller, as described in Microchip Technology, Inc., AN2265, Vibrating Mesh Nebulizer Reference Design (2016), which is incorporated by reference.

[0127] The cartridge 804 can be formed of a housing, sometimes referred to as a cartridge shell 916, that encloses a reservoir 918 configured to hold an aerosol precursor composition and includes a nozzle 920 having at least one piezoelectric / piezomagnetic mesh (aerosol-generating component). As above, in various configurations, such a structure can also be referred to as a tank, and thus the terms "cartridge," "tank," and the like may be used interchangeably to refer to a shell or other housing that encloses a reservoir for the aerosol precursor composition and includes a nozzle.

[0128] 9 may be a container, as currently described, or may be a fibrous reservoir. The reservoir may be in fluid communication with a nozzle 920 for transporting an aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir housing to the nozzle. An opening 922 may be present in the cartridge shell 916 (e.g., at the mouthpiece) to allow for the exit of the formed aerosol from the cartridge 804.

[0129] In some examples, a transport element may be positioned between the reservoir 918 and the nozzle 920 and configured to control the amount of aerosol precursor composition passed or delivered from the reservoir to the nozzle. In some examples, a microfluidic chip may be embedded in the cartridge 804, and the amount and / or mass of the aerosol precursor composition delivered from the reservoir may be controlled by one or more microfluidic components. One example of a microfluidic component is a micropump 924, such as one based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Examples of suitable micropumps include the model MDP2205 micropump and others from thinXXS Microtechnology AG, the mp5 and mp6 model micropumps and others from Bartels Mikrotechnik GmbH, and piezoelectric micropumps from Takasago Fluidic Systems.

[0130] Also shown, in some examples, a microfilter 926 may be positioned between the micropump 924 and the nozzle 920 to filter the aerosol precursor composition delivered to the nozzle. Like the micropump, the microfilter is a microfluidic component. Examples of suitable microfilters include flow-through microfilters fabricated using lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technology.

[0131] In use, when the input device 910 detects a user input to activate the aerosol delivery device, the piezoelectric / piezomagnetic mesh is activated to vibrate, thereby drawing the aerosol precursor composition through the mesh. This forms droplets of the aerosol precursor composition that combine with air to form the aerosol. The aerosol is then dislodged, sucked, or otherwise drawn through the mesh and out through an opening 922 in the mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery device.

[0132] The aerosol delivery device 800 can incorporate an input device 910, such as a switch, sensor, or detector, for controlling the supply of power to at least one piezoelectric / piezomagnetic mesh of the nozzle 920 when aerosol generation is desired (e.g., during inhalation during use). Thus, for example, a manner or method is provided for turning off power to the mesh when the aerosol delivery device is not being inhaled during use, and turning the power on during inhalation to activate or trigger aerosol generation and dispensing from the nozzle. Additional representative types of sensing or detection mechanisms, their structure and configuration, their components, and their general methods of operation are described above and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,424 to Sprinkel, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., and International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2010 / 003480 to Flick, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0133] For further information regarding these and other embodiments of aerosol delivery devices for non-heat, non-combustion devices, see U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 651,548 to Sur, filed July 17, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0134] As described above, the aerosol delivery devices of the exemplary embodiments may include various electronic components in the context of an electronic cigarette, a non-combustion heating device, or a non-combustion device, or even in devices that further include the functionality of one or more of an electronic cigarette, a non-combustion heating device, or a non-combustion device. Figure 10 shows a circuit diagram of an aerosol delivery device 1000 that may be, or incorporate functionality of, any one or more of aerosol delivery devices 100, 300, 700, 800, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0135] 10 , aerosol delivery device 1000 includes a control body 1002 with a control component 1004 (with processing circuitry 1006) and a power source 1008, which may correspond to or include the functionality of each one of control component 208, 522, 908, power source 212, 524, 912, and control body 102, 302, 702, 802. The aerosol delivery device also includes an aerosol generation component 1010, which may correspond to or include the functionality of heating element 220, 532, 732 or the piezoelectric / piezomagnetic mesh of nozzle 920. In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device, and particularly the control body, includes a terminal 1012 configured to connect the power source 1004 to the aerosol delivery device or to the control body, among other things. The control body may include a second terminal 1014 configured to connect the aerosol generation component, or an aerosol generation component, to the control body.

[0136] The aerosol delivery device 1000 may include a sensor 1016 that may correspond to or include the functionality of the flow sensor 210, 520 or the input device 910. The sensor may be configured to generate a measurement of pressure caused by airflow through at least a portion of the aerosol delivery device housing (e.g., housing 206, 216, 516, 906) and convert the pressure measurement into a corresponding signal. The processing circuit 1006 may then be configured to receive the corresponding signal and initiate an aerosol generation period in response thereto. In some cases, a differential pressure sensor may be deployed that may be configured to measure ambient pressure, which may then be used to determine the differential pressure when a user inhales on the aerosol delivery device.

[0137] As also shown, in some examples, the aerosol delivery device 1000 may further include a voltage regulation circuit 1018 and a switching arrangement 1020. The voltage regulation circuit is coupled between the power supply 1008 and a load 1022 including the aerosol generating component 1010. The voltage regulation circuit may be configured to provide an output voltage where the voltage provided by the power supply is regulated to a predetermined voltage target. Examples of suitable voltage regulation circuits include a switching regulation circuit, a buck-boost regulation circuit, etc.

[0138] The switching configuration 1020 includes a first switch 1024 and a second switch 1026. The first switch may be a multi-throw switch including a first input and a second input coupled to the voltage regulator circuit 1018 and ground, respectively, and an output coupled (directly or indirectly) to the second switch. Examples of suitable multi-throw switches include a single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) switch, a double-pole, double-throw (DPDT) switch, etc. The second switch may be coupled to and between the voltage regulator circuit and the load. In some examples, the second switch is a field-effect transistor (FET) including a gate terminal coupled to the output of the first switch and source and drain terminals coupled to the voltage regulator and the load, respectively. One example of a suitable FET is a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). There may be a p-channel FET (e.g., a MOSFET) for the negative supply, through which current is sunk into the circuit, or an n-channel FET for the positive supply, through which current is sunk into the circuit. In other examples, the second switch may be or include a solid state relay (SSR), such as an SSR with an internal optocoupler to isolate the power source 1008 from the load 1022.

[0139] In some examples, the aerosol delivery device 1000 may further include a gate driver 1028 coupled to a gate terminal of the second switch 1026 and an output of the first switch 1024, between the gate terminal of the second switch 1026 and the output of the first switch 1024. The gate driver may be configured to receive the output voltage and generate a drive signal for the second switch.

[0140] The processing circuit 1006 may be coupled to the first switch 1024. The processing circuit may be configured to output a signal during an aerosol generation period to cause the first switch to switchably connect the output voltage (from the power supply 1008 via the voltage regulation circuit 1018) to the second switch 1026 and ground via the first and second inputs, respectively. One example of a suitable signal is a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal. A pulse-frequency modulated (PFM) signal may also exist for low-voltage applications. The processing circuit may thereby cause the second switch to switchably connect and disconnect the output voltage to the aerosol generation component 1010 to power the aerosol generation component. In particular, for example, when the output voltage is connected to the second switch, the output voltage may close the second switch, thereby connecting the output voltage to the aerosol generation component. Conversely, for example, when ground is connected to the second switch, the output voltage may be disconnected from the second switch, which may thereby open and disconnect the output voltage from the aerosol generation component.

[0141] In some examples where the aerosol generation component 1010 corresponds to or includes the functionality of the heating element 220, 532, or 732, the heating element may emit infrared energy that is variable and proportional to the temperature of the heating element. Additionally or alternatively, a liquid transport element for an aerosol precursor composition that is liquid (e.g., the liquid transport element 222), or the aerosol precursor composition when solid or semi-solid (e.g., the aerosol precursor composition 410), may emit infrared energy that is variable and proportional to the temperature of the liquid transport element or the aerosol precursor composition, respectively. In this regard, as also shown, the aerosol delivery device 1000 may further include an infrared temperature sensor 1030 coupled to the processing circuit 1006. The infrared temperature sensor may include one or more photodetectors 1032. Examples of suitable infrared temperature sensors include those manufactured by Excelitas Technologies of Waltham, Massachusetts.

[0142] According to an exemplary embodiment, the infrared temperature sensor 1030 may be configured to measure infrared energy emitted by one or more of the heating element (aerosol generation component 1010), the liquid transport element, and / or the aerosol precursor composition during the aerosol generation period. The processing circuit 1006 may then be further configured to determine the temperature of the heating element, the liquid transport element, or the aerosol precursor composition from the infrared energy measured by the infrared temperature sensor.

[0143] The processing circuit 1006 may be configured to adjust a signal (output during aerosol generation to cause the first switch 1024 to switchably connect an output voltage to the second switch 1026 and to ground) when the temperature deviates from a predetermined target. In some examples, this may include processing circuitry configured to adjust a signal to cause the first switch to connect an output voltage or ground to the second switch when the temperature falls below or exceeds the predetermined target, respectively.

[0144] In some examples, the target may be a target setpoint temperature. In other examples, the target may be a range of temperatures. An example of a suitable temperature range is reflected by a target setpoint temperature plus or minus a tolerance from the target setpoint temperature. A suitable temperature range may also be used to reflect an amount of added hysteresis. In some of these examples, the processing circuit 1006 may cause the first switch 1024 to connect the output voltage to the second switch 1026 when the temperature is below a first target setpoint temperature, thereby causing the second switch to connect the output voltage to the aerosol generating component. Conversely, the processing circuit may cause the first switch to connect the output voltage to ground, thereby causing the second switch to disconnect the output voltage from the aerosol generating component, when the temperature exceeds a second target setpoint temperature that is higher than the first target setpoint temperature.

[0145] In some examples, the target may change over time according to a temperature or power control profile that may be applied during use. This may be particularly useful for non-combustion heated devices, where a solid or semi-solid aerosol precursor composition may be heated for a longer period of time than a liquid aerosol precursor composition in an e-cigarette. In particular, in non-combustion heated devices, a higher temperature may be applied during an initial period when the aerosol precursor composition is prepared for inhalation, and then reduced after a period of time. For more information regarding examples of suitable control profiles, see U.S. Patent No. 9,498,000 to Kuczaj, incorporated herein by reference.

[0146] In some examples, the target may change or be otherwise variable according to a measurement of pressure caused by airflow through at least a portion of the housing of the aerosol delivery device 1000 (e.g., housing 206, 216, 516, 906) generated by sensor 1016. In more specific examples, the target may be variable according to a predetermined relationship between pressure and target. Examples of suitable predetermined relationships may be described by a step function, a linear function, a nonlinear function, or a combination thereof.

[0147] In some examples where the signal is a PWM signal (or a PFM signal), the processing circuitry 1006 may be configured to adjust the duty cycle of the PWM signal (or PFM) when the temperature deviates from a predetermined target. In some further examples, the processing circuitry may be configured to increase or decrease the duty cycle when the temperature falls below or exceeds the predetermined target, respectively.

[0148] In some examples, the infrared temperature sensor 1030 may be configured to convert infrared energy into a corresponding electrical signal. The processing circuit 1006 may then be configured to input the corresponding electrical signal into a function that maps the corresponding electrical signal to the temperature of the heating element (aerosol generation component 1010), the liquid transport element, and / or the aerosol precursor composition. The function may be specified in several different ways, such as an equation, a list of function values, a graph, a plot, a bar graph, a table, or otherwise represented. The processing circuit may thereby be configured to determine the temperature of the heating element, the liquid transport element, and / or the aerosol precursor composition.

[0149] In various embodiments, the aerosol delivery device 1000 may implement a calibration routine to compensate for ambient temperature and thereby promote the accuracy of the temperature determined by the processing circuit 1006. For example, the infrared temperature sensor 1030 may be further configured to measure ambient infrared energy emitted by the heating element (aerosol generation component 1010), the liquid transport element, and / or the aerosol precursor composition when the heating element is not powered. The processing circuit may be configured to determine the ambient temperature of the heating element, the liquid transport element, and / or the aerosol precursor composition from the ambient infrared energy measured by the infrared temperature sensor, and a function may define a relationship between the electrical signal and the temperature to compensate for the ambient temperature determined by the processing circuit. Furthermore, the infrared temperature sensor may periodically measure the ambient infrared energy when the heating element is not powered between heating periods when power is supplied to the heating element. The processing circuit may then periodically determine the ambient temperature of the heating element, the liquid transport element, and / or the aerosol precursor composition from the ambient infrared energy measured by the infrared temperature sensor.

[0150] In various embodiments, the infrared temperature sensor 1030 may include multiple photodetectors to increase the accuracy of the temperature determined by the infrared temperature sensor or processing circuit 1006, which may be particularly useful as the surface area over which infrared energy is measured increases. Thus, in some examples where the infrared temperature sensor is configured to measure infrared energy emitted by an aerosol precursor composition (e.g., aerosol precursor composition 410), the infrared temperature sensor may include multiple photodetectors 1032 configured to measure infrared energy emitted by multiple regions of the aerosol precursor composition. This may include an infrared temperature sensor configured to measure infrared energy emitted from different regions of the exterior surface of the aerosol source member 304, and thereby from the multiple regions of the aerosol precursor composition 410. In some examples, the processing circuit or infrared temperature sensor may then be configured to determine the temperatures of the multiple regions of the aerosol precursor composition from the infrared energy measured by the multiple photodetectors, and the processing circuit may be configured to adjust the voltage when the average of the temperature deviates from a predetermined target. In this regard, the average temperature is a temperature representative of the temperature. In some examples, the average temperature may be the arithmetic mean of the temperatures. In other examples, the average temperature may be the geometric mean, harmonic mean, median, mode, or mid-range of the temperatures.

[0151] In some examples where the heating element (aerosol generation component 1010) corresponds to or includes the functionality of a heating element 732 of a segmented heater 730 including multiple heating elements, the infrared temperature sensor 1030 may include multiple photodetectors 1032. In some of these examples, each photodetector may be configured to measure infrared energy emitted by a respective heating element of the multiple heating elements or one of multiple zones of the aerosol precursor composition that the respective heating element is powerable to heat. For each photodetector and zone of the aerosol precursor composition, the processing circuit 1006 or infrared temperature sensor may be configured to determine the temperature of the respective heating element or zone from the infrared energy measured by the photodetector. The processing circuit may then be configured to adjust the voltage from the power supply 1008 to the respective heating element when the temperature of the zone deviates from a predetermined target for the zone. The predetermined target for the zone may be common across the multiple zones or may be different for at least two of the multiple zones.

[0152] In various exemplary embodiments, the infrared temperature sensor 1030 may enable functions of the aerosol delivery device 1000 in addition to or instead of those described above. For example, the processing circuit 1006 may be configured to perform a lockout of the heating element (aerosol generation component 1010) when the temperature is above a threshold temperature.

[0153] In some examples, the infrared temperature sensor 1030 may be configured to measure ambient infrared energy emitted by the aerosol precursor composition when the heating element (aerosol generating component 1010) is not powered. In some of these examples, the processing circuit 1006 may be configured to determine the ambient temperature of the aerosol precursor composition from the ambient infrared energy measured by the infrared temperature sensor. The processing circuit may then perform authentication of the aerosol precursor composition based on a comparison of the ambient temperature to the known ambient temperature of the trusted aerosol precursor composition, or an aerosol precursor composition that is otherwise a specific aerosol precursor composition. In some further examples, the processing circuit may be further configured to change the lock state of the aerosol delivery device 1000 based on the authentication. The processing circuit may unlock the aerosol delivery device when the aerosol precursor composition matches or is otherwise substantially similar to the trusted (specific) aerosol precursor composition. Conversely, the processing circuit may lock the aerosol delivery device when the aerosol precursor composition does not match or is otherwise substantially similar to the trusted (specific) aerosol precursor composition.

[0154] For more information regarding suitable infrared temperature sensors according to some exemplary embodiments, see U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 593,454 to Sur, filed October 4, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0155] The foregoing description of the use of the smoking article(s) can be applied to the various exemplary embodiments described herein through minor modifications that may be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the further disclosure provided herein. However, the above description of use is not intended to limit the use of the article, but is provided to fulfill all necessary requirements of the disclosure of the present disclosure. Some of the elements shown in the smoking article(s) illustrated in Figures 1 through 10 or otherwise described above may be included in an aerosol delivery device according to the present disclosure.

[0156] Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. It is to be understood, therefore, that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol delivery device comprising: a power supply configured to provide a voltage; an aerosol generating component powerable to generate an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition; a voltage regulation circuit coupled between the power source and the load including the aerosol generating component, the voltage regulation circuit configured to provide an output voltage regulated to a predetermined voltage target by the voltage provided by the power source; a switching arrangement including a first switch and a second switch, the first switch being a multi-throw switch including a first input and a second input respectively coupled to a voltage regulator circuit and ground, and an output coupled to the second switch, the second switch being coupled to the voltage regulator circuit and a load, the switching arrangement being between the voltage regulator circuit and the load; a processing circuit coupled to the first switch and configured to output a signal during an aerosol generation period to cause the first switch to switchably connect the first input and the second input to power the aerosol generation component when the first input is connected to the first switch, and to cause the second switch to connect the output voltage to the aerosol generation component when the second input is connected to the first switch; and 1. An aerosol delivery device comprising:

2. 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the voltage regulation circuit is a switching regulation circuit.

3. 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the voltage regulation circuit is a buck-boost regulation circuit.

4. when the output voltage is connected to the second switch, the output voltage causes the second switch to close, connecting the output voltage to the aerosol generation component; 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein when ground is connected to the second switch, the output voltage is disconnected from the second switch and the second switch is opened, disconnecting the output voltage from the aerosol generation component.

5. 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the second switch is a field effect transistor including a gate terminal coupled to the output of the first switch and a source terminal and a drain terminal coupled to the voltage regulation circuit and the load, respectively.

6. 6. The aerosol delivery device of claim 5, further comprising a gate driver coupled to the gate terminal and the output of the first switch, the gate driver being configured to receive the output voltage and generate a drive signal for the second switch.

7. 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the second switch is a solid-state relay having an internal optical coupler for isolating the power source from the load.

8. The aerosol generation component includes a heating element that can be powered to vaporize the components of the aerosol precursor composition, and the aerosol delivery device includes: further comprising an infrared temperature sensor coupled to the processing circuit and configured to measure infrared energy emitted by one or more of the heating element, the liquid transport element for the aerosol precursor composition, or the aerosol precursor composition during the aerosol generation period; 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to determine the temperature of the heating element, liquid transport element, or aerosol precursor composition from the infrared energy measured by the infrared temperature sensor, and to adjust a signal when the temperature deviates from a predetermined target.

9. 9. The aerosol delivery device of claim 8, wherein the processing circuitry configured to adjust the signal includes processing circuitry configured to adjust the signal to cause the first switch to connect an output voltage or ground to the second switch when the temperature is below or above a predetermined target, respectively.

10. 9. The aerosol delivery device of claim 8, wherein the signal is a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal and the processing circuitry configured to adjust the signal includes processing circuitry configured to adjust the duty cycle of the PWM signal when the temperature deviates from a predetermined target.

11. 11. The aerosol delivery device of claim 10, wherein the processing circuitry configured to adjust the duty cycle of the PWM signal includes processing circuitry configured to increase or decrease the duty cycle when the temperature is below or above a predetermined target, respectively.

12. the infrared temperature sensor is configured to measure ambient infrared energy emitted by the heating element, the liquid transport element, or the aerosol precursor composition when the heating element is not powered, and the processing circuit is configured to determine an ambient temperature of the heating element, the liquid transport element, or the aerosol precursor composition from the ambient infrared energy measured by the infrared temperature sensor; 9. The aerosol delivery device of claim 8, wherein the processing circuitry configured to determine the temperature includes processing circuitry configured to compensate for ambient temperature.

13. 13. The aerosol delivery device of claim 12, wherein the infrared temperature sensor is configured to periodically measure ambient infrared energy emitted by the heating element, the liquid transport element, or the aerosol precursor composition when the heating element is not powered during an aerosol generation period when the heating element is powered, and the processing circuit is configured to periodically determine the ambient temperature of the heating element, the liquid transport element, or the aerosol precursor composition from the ambient infrared energy measured by the infrared temperature sensor.

14. a sensor configured to generate a measurement of pressure induced by airflow through at least a portion of the housing and convert the pressure measurement into a corresponding signal; 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to receive a corresponding signal and initiate an aerosol generation period in response thereto.

15. 1. A control body for an aerosol delivery device, comprising: a power supply configured to provide a voltage; an aerosol generating component or a terminal configured to connect the aerosol generating component to a control body, the aerosol generating component or terminal being powerable to generate an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition; a voltage regulation circuit coupled between the power source and the load including the aerosol generating component, the voltage regulation circuit configured to provide an output voltage regulated to a predetermined voltage target by the voltage provided by the power source; a switching arrangement including a first switch and a second switch, the first switch being a multi-throw switch including a first input and a second input respectively coupled to a voltage regulator circuit and ground, and an output coupled to the second switch, the second switch being coupled to the voltage regulator circuit and a load, the switching arrangement being between the voltage regulator circuit and the load; a processing circuit coupled to the first switch and configured to output a signal during an aerosol generation period to cause the first switch to switchably connect the first input and the second input to power the aerosol generation component when the first input is connected to the first switch, and to cause the second switch to connect the output voltage to the aerosol generation component when the second input is connected to the first switch; and A control body comprising:

16. 16. The control body of claim 15, wherein the voltage regulation circuit is a switching regulation circuit.

17. 16. The control body of claim 15, wherein the voltage regulation circuit is a buck-boost regulation circuit.

18. when the output voltage is connected to the second switch, the output voltage causes the second switch to close, connecting the output voltage to the aerosol generation component; The control body of claim 15, wherein when ground is connected to the second switch, the output voltage is disconnected from the second switch, causing the second switch to open and disconnect the output voltage from the aerosol generating component.

19. 16. The control body of claim 15, wherein the second switch is a field effect transistor including a gate terminal coupled to the output of the first switch and source and drain terminals coupled to the voltage regulation circuit and the load, respectively.

20. 20. The control body of claim 19, further comprising a gate driver coupled to the gate terminal and the output of the first switch, the gate driver being configured to receive the output voltage and generate a drive signal for the second switch.

21. 16. The control body of claim 15, wherein the second switch is a solid state relay with an internal optocoupler for isolating the power source from the load.

22. The aerosol generating component includes a heating element that can be powered to vaporize the components of the aerosol precursor composition, and the control body includes: further comprising an infrared temperature sensor coupled to the processing circuit and configured to measure infrared energy emitted by the heating element during the aerosol generation period; 16. The control body of claim 15, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to determine the temperature of the heating element from the infrared energy measured by the infrared temperature sensor and adjust the signal when the temperature deviates from a predetermined target.

23. 23. The control body of claim 22, wherein the processing circuitry configured to adjust the signal includes processing circuitry configured to adjust the signal to cause the first switch to connect the output voltage or ground to the second switch when the temperature is below or above a predetermined target, respectively.

24. 23. The control body of claim 22, wherein the signal is a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal, and the processing circuitry configured to adjust the signal includes processing circuitry configured to adjust a duty cycle of the PWM signal when the temperature deviates from a predetermined target.

25. 25. The control body of claim 24, wherein the processing circuitry configured to adjust the duty cycle of the PWM signal includes processing circuitry configured to increase or decrease the duty cycle when the temperature is below or above a predetermined target, respectively.

26. the infrared temperature sensor is configured to measure ambient infrared energy emitted by the heating element, the liquid transport element, or the aerosol precursor composition when the heating element is not powered, and the processing circuit is configured to determine an ambient temperature of the heating element, the liquid transport element, or the aerosol precursor composition from the ambient infrared energy measured by the infrared temperature sensor; 23. The control body of claim 22, wherein the processing circuitry configured to determine the temperature includes processing circuitry configured to compensate for ambient temperature.

27. 27. The control body of claim 26, wherein the infrared temperature sensor is configured to periodically measure ambient infrared energy emitted by the heating element, liquid transport element, or aerosol precursor composition when the heating element is not powered during an aerosol generation period when the heating element is powered, and the processing circuit is configured to periodically determine the ambient temperature of the heating element, liquid transport element, or aerosol precursor composition from the ambient infrared energy measured by the infrared temperature sensor.

28. a sensor configured to generate a measurement of pressure induced by airflow through at least a portion of the housing and convert the pressure measurement into a corresponding signal; 16. The control body of claim 15, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to receive a corresponding signal and initiate an aerosol-generation period in response thereto.

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