Resistance heating element for aerosol supply device

Abstract

A resistive heating element for an aerosol delivery device comprising a substrate and one or more conductive tracks disposed on the substrate, at least one of the one or more conductive tracks including a portion where the width or cross-sectional area of ​​the one or more conductive tracks is reduced to create an enhanced heating area, the enhanced heating area configured to generate a visual indication on the aerosol product upon completion of a usage session.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a resistance heating element for an aerosol supply device, an aerosol supply system, and a method for generating an aerosol. [Background Art]

[0002] Smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars burn tobacco during use to generate tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are so-called "heated not burned" products or tobacco heating apparatuses or products, which release compounds by heating the material without burning it. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, and may or may not contain nicotine.

[0003] Aerosol supply systems covering the above-mentioned apparatuses and products are known. In a common system, a heater is used to generate aerosol from a suitable medium, which is then inhaled by a user. In many cases, it is necessary to replace or change the medium used in order to provide different aerosols for inhalation.

[0004] It is known to use a resistance heater to heat an aerosol-generating article.

[0005] A conventional aerosol supply device comprises a cylindrical heating chamber into which a rod-shaped consumable is inserted.

[0006] One problem with known aerosol supply devices is that after a use session, a user can remove a used aerosol-generating article from the aerosol supply device. However, the user may find it difficult to distinguish between unused and used aerosol-generating articles.

[0007] It is desirable to provide an improved aerosol supply device. [Summary of Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect, Substrate and One or more conductive tracks provided on a substrate and Equipped with, At least one of one or more conductive tracks includes a portion in which the width or cross-sectional area of ​​one or more conductive tracks is reduced in order to create an enhanced heating region, and the enhanced heating region is configured to produce a visual indication on the aerosol product at the end of the usage session. A resistance heating element for an aerosol supply device is provided.

[0009] According to various embodiments, a resistance heating element having a conductive track that creates an enhanced heating region is disclosed. The enhanced heating region is intended to produce a visual indication (e.g., charring) on ​​the aerosol product at the end of a usage session to indicate to the user that the aerosol product has been used.

[0010] In particular, resistance heating elements in various embodiments are beneficial in that they allow the user to distinguish between unused and used aerosol products after a usage session.

[0011] Optionally, the visual representation may include charring. Charring may be understood to include partial burning or blackening of a portion of the aerosol product.

[0012] Optionally, the visual indication may include, for example, a permanent change in color of a thermochromic region provided in the aerosol product.

[0013] Optionally, one or more conductive tracks may comprise a first portion having a first width W1 and a second portion having a second width W2. <W1である。

[0014] Selectively, W1 / W2 falls within the ranges of 1.1-1.5, 1.5-2.0, 2.0-2.5, 2.5-3.0, 3.0-3.5, 3.5-4.0, 4.0-4.5, 4.5-5.0, or >5.0.

[0015] Optionally, one or more conductive tracks comprise a first portion having a first cross-sectional area A1 and a second portion having a second cross-sectional area A2. <A1である。

[0016] Selectively, A1 / A2 falls within the ranges of 1.1-1.5, 1.5-2.0, 2.0-2.5, 2.5-3.0, 3.0-3.5, 3.5-4.0, 4.0-4.5, 4.5-5.0, or >5.0.

[0017] Optionally, the substrate may be an electrical insulator.

[0018] Optionally, the substrate may contain zirconia (ZrO2).

[0019] Optionally, one or more conductive tracks may include metal or a metal alloy.

[0020] Optionally, the metals or metal alloys include silver-palladium (AgPa) alloys.

[0021] Optionally, one or more conductive tracks form one or more loops.

[0022] Optionally, the resistive heating element further comprises a first electrode connected to one of the conductive tracks and a second electrode connected to one of the conductive tracks.

[0023] Optionally, one or more conductive tracks are deposited or printed onto the substrate, and then the tracks and substrate are sintered.

[0024] Optionally, the resistive heating element further comprises glass or protective coating applied to one or more conductive tracks.

[0025] According to another aspect, there is provided an aerosol supply device comprising the above-described resistance heating element.

[0026] According to another aspect, the above-described aerosol supply device, and an aerosol-generating article there is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising:

[0027] According to another aspect, inserting an aerosol-generating article into an aerosol supply device comprising a resistive heating element, the resistive heating element comprising a substrate and one or more conductive tracks provided on the substrate, at least one of the one or more conductive tracks comprising a portion in which the width or cross-sectional area of the one or more conductive tracks is reduced to create an enhanced heating region; operating the aerosol supply device such that the enhanced heating region produces a visual indication on the aerosol-generating article at the end of a use session; and there is provided a method of generating an aerosol comprising: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Various embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing an aerosol supply device positioned in a charging unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] It shows a cross-sectional view of the aerosol supply device positioned in the charging unit. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing a resistive heating element according to an embodiment comprising two copper tracks connected to a loop configuration of conductive tracks, the loop configuration having a reduced-width portion that creates an enhanced heating region configured to produce a visual indication on an aerosol-generating article at the end of a use session. [Figure 4]The figure shows a resistive heating element according to one embodiment connected to a printed circuit board ("PCB"), the resistive heating element comprising a conductive track having a reduced-width portion that creates an enhanced heating region configured to generate a visual indication on the aerosol product at the end of the usage session. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of a resistance heating element according to one embodiment, showing how the shape of the resistance heating element can be determined to form a blade heating element, and during use, the aerosol product is pressed onto the blade heating element so that the heating element is inserted into the aerosol product. [Figure 6] Another diagram of a resistance heating element according to one embodiment, showing that the resistance heating element includes a reduced-width portion that creates an enhanced heating region configured to generate a visual indication on the aerosol product at the end of the usage session. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] According to this disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol supply system is a system in which the constituent aerosol-generating materials (or their components) of the aerosol supply system are not burned or incinerated in order to facilitate the delivery of at least one substance to the user.

[0030] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol supply system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol supply system.

[0031] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0032] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a non-combustible heating system. An example of such a system is a cigarette heating system.

[0033] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is a hybrid system configured to generate an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or more of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0034] Typically, a non-combustible aerosol supply system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol supply device and consumables for use with the non-combustible aerosol supply device.

[0035] In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating materials and configured for use with non-combustible aerosol supply devices. These consumables may also be referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

[0036] In some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol supply system, such as a non-combustible aerosol supply device, may include a power source and a controller. The power source may be, for example, an electrical power source or a heat-generating power source. In some embodiments, the heat-generating power source includes a carbon substrate that can be energized to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or heat-transferring material adjacent to the heat-generating power source.

[0037] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system may include an area for receiving consumables, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0038] In some embodiments, consumables for use with a non-combustible aerosol supply device may include aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, packaging material, a filter, a suction nozzle, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0039] Aerosol-generating material is a material that can generate an aerosol when, for example, heated, irradiated, or otherwise supplied with energy in any way. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a solid, liquid, or semi-solid (such as a gel), which may or may not contain active substances and / or flavorings.

[0040] The aerosol-generating material may include a binder and an aerosol-forming agent. Optionally, an active substance and / or filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent such as water may also be present, and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of plant-based materials. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0041] The aerosol-generating material may include one or more active substances and / or fragrances, one or more aerosol-forming materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials.

[0042] An aerosol generator is a device configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to supply thermal energy to the aerosol-generating material so that it releases one or more volatile substances from the material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to supply one or more of the aerosol-generating material to vibration, pressure increase, or electrostatic energy.

[0043] Consumables are articles comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, some or all of which are intended to be consumed during use by the user. Consumables may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, packaging material, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier. Consumables may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, which generates heat to produce an aerosol in the aerosol-generating material during use. The heater may comprise, for example, a flammable material, an electrically conductive material, or a susceptor.

[0044] A non-combustible aerosol supply system may comprise a modular assembly including both a reusable aerosol supply device and interchangeable aerosol products. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply device may comprise a power source and a controller (or control circuit element). The power source may comprise a power source such as a battery or rechargeable battery. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply device may also comprise an aerosol generating component. However, in other embodiments, the aerosol product may comprise the aerosol generating component partially or entirely.

[0045] Here, various embodiments are described in more detail.

[0046] Figure 1 shows an aerosol supply device 100 according to one embodiment, positioned within an elongated cavity of the charging unit 101. The charging unit 101 may include a power source (not shown). The power source may include, for example, a battery (disposable or rechargeable), a rechargeable supercapacitor, a rechargeable solid-state battery (SSB), or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (LiB), such as a hermetically sealed battery, a pouch cell battery, or any combination thereof.

[0047] The aerosol supply device 100 may be left in the charging unit 101 for a predetermined period of time to allow the aerosol supply device 100 to be fully charged. For example, the charging unit 101 may be configured to fully charge the aerosol supply device 100 for a period of time of <10 minutes, 10-20 minutes, 20-30 minutes, 30-40 minutes, 40-50 minutes, 50-60 minutes, or >60 minutes.

[0048] The charging unit 101 and / or the aerosol supply device 100 may optionally have indicators for providing the user with a visual or other representation of the charging level of the aerosol supply device 100. Furthermore, there may be a separate indicator for providing a visual representation of the charging level of the charging unit 101. The current charging level of the aerosol supply device 100 and / or the charging unit 101 may be determined by control means provided in the aerosol supply device 100 and / or the charging unit 101.

[0049] The visual indicator may comprise one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs). However, other embodiments are conceivable in which the visual indicator may be replaced with an audio indicator (e.g., a speaker) or a tactile indicator.

[0050] The aerosol supply device 100 may include an outer housing which may have a tubular and / or cylindrical shape. However, the aerosol supply device 100 may take on other desired shapes, and other embodiments are envisioned in which the aerosol supply device 100 may be box-shaped. According to one embodiment, the outer housing of the aerosol supply device 100 may include an electrical insulator, which may be formed of, for example, polyetheretherketone ("PEEK").

[0051] According to one embodiment, the distal end of the aerosol supply device 100 may be provided with one or more directional features and / or one or more magnets for fixing the distal end of the aerosol supply device 100 to the base portion of the charging unit 101.

[0052] The aerosol supply device 100 may be inserted into the cavity of the charging unit 101 to recharge the aerosol supply device 100 by receiving power from the charging unit 101. The charging unit 101 may include an internal battery for supplying power to the aerosol supply device 100. The charging unit 101 may also be connected to an external power source.

[0053] The charging unit 101 may include a lid or cover 102 that can be slid by the user between an open position and a closed position. The lid or cover 102 is located inside the charging unit 101 and is positioned at the entrance of a cavity configured to receive the aerosol supply device 100.

[0054] The aerosol supply device 100 includes an aerosol generator for generating aerosols from an aerosol-generating material. According to one embodiment, the aerosol supply device 100 includes a resistance heater for heating the aerosol product.

[0055] When the lid or cover 102 is in the open position, an opening to the cavity is exposed, thereby allowing the user to either remove the aerosol supply device 100 from the charging unit 101 (to use the aerosol supply device 100) or insert the aerosol supply device 100 into the charging unit 101 (to charge the aerosol supply device 100).

[0056] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the aerosol supply device 100 positioned or docked within the charging unit 101. The aerosol supply device 100 comprises a main housing 105, with a resistance heating element 104 protruding into the main housing 105. The aerosol supply device 100 may further comprise a removable cap 106 that can be magnetically held to the main housing 105.

[0057] The consumable cartridge 120 is attached to a removable cap 106 and comprises a tubular housing having a base portion 121. The base portion 121 of the consumable cartridge 120 has an opening, and the resistance heating element 104 is configured to protrude through the opening. The aerosol product can be inserted into the aerosol supply device 100 by inserting the aerosol product through the opening of the removable cap 106, and then inserting the aerosol product into the consumable cartridge 120 and onto the heating element 104. The heating element 104 may have a blade-like outer shape, and during use, the aerosol product may be pressed onto the heating element 120 such that the blade-like outer shape of the heating element 104 is inserted into the distal end of the aerosol product. The heating element 104 is configured to heat the aerosol product internally.

[0058] At the end of a usage session, if the aerosol product has been consumed, the removable cap 106 and the attached consumable cartridge 120 may be removed from the main housing 105. It will be understood that the process of removing the removable cap 106 and the attached consumable cartridge 120 has the effect of the base portion 121 of the consumable cartridge 120 coming into contact with the bottom surface of the aerosol product. When the removable cap 106 and the attached consumable cartridge 120 are pulled out, the base portion 121 of the consumable cartridge 120 comes into contact with the distal end of the aerosol product, resulting in the aerosol product being pulled away from the heating element 104 or otherwise removed.

[0059] Figure 3 shows a resistive heating element 104 according to an embodiment comprising a copper track 201 provided on a base substrate 202. According to one embodiment, the base substrate 202 may comprise zirconia (ZrO2). The track 201 may be formed in a looped configuration of the track 201, and according to an embodiment, the track 201 may have a portion 300 with a reduced width and / or a reduced cross-sectional area. The portion 300 of reduced width and / or reduced cross-sectional area may comprise a portion of the track in which the width and / or cross-section is reduced relative to the remaining portion of the track. According to various embodiments, this creates an enhanced heating zone.

[0060] As shown in Figure 3, according to an embodiment, one or more conductive tracks 201 may comprise a first portion having a first width W1 and a second portion having a second width W2, where W2<W1. Optionally, W1 / W2 is in the range of 1.1 to 1.5, 1.5 to 2.0, 2.0 to 2.5, 2.5 to 3.0, 3.0 to 3.5, 3.5 to 4.0, 4.0 to 4.5, 4.5 to 5.0, or greater than 5.0.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the enhanced heating zone may be configured to generate a visual indication on an aerosol-generating article at the end of a use session. For example, the heating element 104 may be configured to intentionally char a portion of the aerosol-generating article after a use session is completed, in order to indicate to a user that the aerosol-generating article has been consumed or otherwise used.

[0062] Other embodiments are contemplated in which the aerosol-generating article may comprise a thermochromic region. According to one embodiment, the enhanced heating zone may be configured to cause a permanent change in the color of at least a portion of the thermochromic region. For example, the thermochromic region provided on an unused aerosol-generating article may have a white color, and the enhanced heating zone may be configured to change the color of the thermochromic region to, for example, dark gray or black, thereby indicating to a user that the aerosol-generating article has been used.

[0063] The conductive track 201 may be formed from, for example, a silver-palladium (AgPd) alloy. The conductive track 201 may be electrically connected to electrodes 200 which may be formed from copper. As shown in Figure 3, each electrode 200 may include a base connector portion having an opening 205. The wires may be soldered to the electrodes 200 through the opening 205.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the conductive track 201 and the electrode 200 may be printed or deposited on the substrate 202, and then the substrate 202, the conductive track 201, and the electrode 200 may be sintered. For example, according to one embodiment, the substrate 202, the conductive track 201, and the electrode 200 may be heated to a temperature of about 700°C.

[0065] According to one embodiment, a glass coating may be applied to the upper surface of the blade heating element 104 to provide a protective coating. Applying a glass coating to the heating element 104 may give the heating element 104 a blue appearance. According to one embodiment, a glass coating may be applied to one or both sides of the resistance heating element 204 to provide a protective coating.

[0066] Figure 4 shows a resistance heating element 104 according to one embodiment, which comprises a conductive track 201 having a reduced-width portion 300 that creates an enhanced heating region configured to generate a visual indication on the aerosol product at the end of a usage session.

[0067] A resistive heating element 104 mounted on a printed circuit board control unit is shown. One or more wires 206 may connect the control circuit to the electrodes 200 of the heating element 104 to supply power to the conductive track.

[0068] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the main housing of an aerosol supply device 100 according to one embodiment, and shows a resistance heating element 104 protruding into the main housing of the aerosol supply device.

[0069] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a resistance heating element 104 according to one embodiment. The resistance heating element 104 comprises a base material 202, on which a conductive track 201 is provided. The conductive track 201 has a reduced-width portion 300 that creates an enhanced heating region configured to generate a visual indication on the aerosol product at the end of the usage session.

[0070] According to various embodiments, at least one of the one or more conductive tracks 201 provided on the resistance heating element includes a portion in which the width and / or cross-sectional area of ​​the conductive track 201 is reduced, thereby creating an enhanced heating region. The enhanced heating region is configured to produce a visual indication on the aerosol product at the end of the usage session.

[0071] In particular, the enhanced heating region is configured to cause a portion of the aerosol product to char (i.e., blacken) at the end of a usage session to indicate to the user that the aerosol product has been used.

[0072] As a result, users will be able to distinguish between unused and used aerosol products.

[0073] The various embodiments described herein are presented solely to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative examples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered limitations to the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or to equivalents of the claims, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be used and modified without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may appropriately comprise, consist of, or essentially consist of, appropriate combinations of disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. Furthermore, this disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. Substrate and One or more conductive tracks provided on the substrate, Equipped with, At least one of the one or more conductive tracks includes a portion in which the width or cross-sectional area of ​​the one or more conductive tracks is reduced in order to create an enhanced heating region, and the enhanced heating region is configured to generate a visual indication on the aerosol product at the end of the usage session. The one or more conductive tracks comprises a first portion having a first width W1 and a second portion having a second width W2, wherein W2 < W1. W1 / W2 is in the range of 2.0-2.5, 2.5-3.0, 3.0-3.5, 3.5-4.0, 4.0-4.5, or 4.5-5.

0. Resistance heating element for aerosol supply devices.

2. The resistance heating element according to claim 1, wherein the visual indication includes charring.

3. The resistance heating element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the visual display comprises a permanent change in the color of a thermochromic region provided in the aerosol product.

4. The resistive heating element according to claim 1, wherein the one or more conductive tracks comprises a first portion having a first cross-sectional area A1 and a second portion having a second cross-sectional area A2, wherein A2 < A1.

5. The resistive heating element according to claim 4, wherein A1 / A2 is in the range of 2.0 to 2.5, 2.5 to 3.0, 3.0 to 3.5, 3.5 to 4.0, 4.0 to 4.5, or 4.5 to 5.

0.

6. The resistance heating element according to claim 1, wherein the base material comprises an electrical insulator.

7. The aforementioned substrate is zirconia (ZrO ２ The resistance heating element according to claim 6, including ).

8. The resistance heating element according to claim 1, wherein the one or more conductive tracks include a metal or a metal alloy.

9. The resistance heating element according to claim 8, wherein the metal or metal alloy includes a silver-palladium (AgPa) alloy.

10. The resistive heating element according to claim 1, wherein the one or more conductive tracks form one or more loops.

11. The resistance heating element according to claim 1, further comprising a first electrode connected to one of the conductive tracks and a second electrode connected to one of the conductive tracks.

12. The resistance heating element according to claim 1, wherein one or more conductive tracks are deposited or printed on the substrate, and then the tracks and the substrate are sintered.

13. The resistive heating element according to claim 1, further comprising a glass or protective coating applied to one or more conductive tracks.

14. An aerosol supply device comprising the resistance heating element described in claim 1.

15. The aerosol supply device according to claim 14, Aerosol products and An aerosol generation system equipped with the following features.

16. A step of inserting an aerosol product into an aerosol supply device equipped with a resistance heating element, wherein the resistance heating element comprises a substrate and one or more conductive tracks provided on the substrate, and at least one of the one or more conductive tracks includes a portion in which the width or cross-sectional area of ​​the one or more conductive tracks is reduced in order to create an enhanced heating region; The steps include operating the aerosol supply device such that the enhanced heating region generates a visual indication on the aerosol product at the end of the usage session, Includes, The one or more conductive tracks comprises a first portion having a first width W1 and a second portion having a second width W2, wherein W2 < W1. W1 / W2 is in the range of 2.0-2.5, 2.5-3.0, 3.0-3.5, 3.5-4.0, 4.0-4.5, or 4.5-5.

0. A method for generating aerosols.

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