Aerosol generating device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol from an article comprising an aerosol generating substrate, the aerosol generating device comprising: - A chamber configured to accommodate the article, - A heater comprising a light emitting element configured to emit a light beam onto a first portion of the aerosol generating substrate when the article is present in the chamber, - A motor configured to rotate one of the article and the heater in a relative rotation to the other of the article and the heater about a rotation axis, so that the light beam heats at least a second portion of the aerosol generating substrate to generate aerosol. wherein the light beam is emitted in a direction that is substantially parallel to the rotation axis or the light beam is emitted in a direction that is inclined relative to the rotation axis by an angle (a) equal to, or less than, 45°.

Description

DescriptionTitle: Aerosol generating deviceTechnical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device is configured to receive a consumable article to be heated, for example resistively or inductively, to generate an inhalable aerosol. The consumable article may comprise an aerosol precursor material being any one of a liquid, a gel, a solid, and comprising tobacco or not. The present disclosure also relates to an aerosol generating system comprising such an aerosol generating device and a method for implementing such an aerosol generating system.Background Art

[0002] Aerosol generating devices are an alternative to conventional cigarettes. Instead of generating inhalable smoke by combustion of an aerosol generation material such as tobacco, they generate an aerosol which can be inhaled by a user, heating, without combusting, an aerosol precursor material of an aerosol generating substrate, the aerosol precursor material comprising an aerosol former component. An aerosol generating device is a hand-held inhaler device having a casing to accommodate working components. The casing of the aerosol generating device may be elongated in a shape for a user to hold. It typically comprises a casing for the consumable article, a heater, and a power supply unit, such as a battery. Vaporization is achieved when the heater heats the consumable article to form an aerosol that is inhalable through a mouthpiece section or directly through the article.

[0003] There is a need to improve the energetic efficiency of the aerosol generating device by reducing heat dissipation and to increase controllability of the “heat-not-burn” process. There is also a need to provide an even heating of the tobacco product to enhance the taste or overall user experience. Furthermore, the compactness of the heating device is sought to meet user expectations.Summary

[0004] The present disclosure improves the situation.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol from an article comprising an aerosol generating substrate, the aerosol generating device comprising:A chamber configured to accommodate the article,A heater comprising a light emitting element configured to emit a light beam onto a first portion of the aerosol generating substrate when the article is present in the chamber,A motor configured to rotate one of the article and the heater in a relative rotation to the other of the article and the heater about a rotation axis, so that the light beam heats at least a second portion of the aerosol generating substrate to generate aerosol.

[0006] In examples, the light beam is emitted in a direction that is substantially parallel to the rotation axis.

[0007] In other examples, the light beam is emitted in a direction that is inclined relative to the rotation axis by an angle equal to, or less than, 45°, preferably equal to, or less than, 30°, even more preferably equal to, or less than, 20°.

[0008] The direction in which the light beam is emitted is considered as being the central axis of the light beam. The light beam may have a pyramidal shape with a square or a rectangular cross section, or a cone shape, all around this central axis. For example, the central axis of the light beam is defined by the line that crosses each cross section at its center. The center of the cross section is defined by the point where the diagonals of the cross section meet. In a particular example, the light beam may comprise a pyramidal shape with a square or rectangular base, elongating upwards in a flared shape defining a maximum flare angle of about 10°.

[0009] Moreover, reciting “the light beam is emitted in a direction that is substantially parallel to the rotation axis” is to be understood as meaning that the direction of emission of the light beam and the rotation axis are substantially parallel to one another in a plane, at any time during heating.

[0010] For the purpose of the disclosure, the result introduced by the term “substantially” is furthermore interpreted as being as precise as its measurement method. For example, an inaccuracy of less than 15°, preferably of less than 10°, more preferably of less than 5° may be acceptable. Preferably the light beam is emitted in a direction that is parallel to the rotation axis. The terms “substantially parallel to the rotation axis” excludes in particular that the light beam arrives from a lateral arrangement of the light emitting element with respect to the aerosol generating substrate.

[0011] Reciting that “the light beam is emitted in a direction that is inclined relative to the rotation axis by an angle equal to, or less than, 45°, preferably equal to, or less than 30°, even more preferably equal to, or less than 20°” is to be understood as meaning that the direction of emission of the light beam and the rotation axis, when projected in a same plane, form an angle equal to, or less than 45° and preferably equal to, or less than 30°, even more preferably equal to, or less than 20°. It has to be noted that, according to examples, the angle between the direction of emission of the light beam and the rotation axis can be also measured, due to known geometrical relationship and resulting in the same measured value, between the direction of emission of the light beam and a reference axis that is passing through the light emitting element and that is parallel and coplanar to the rotation axis. The reference axis can be obtained by a translation of the rotation axis, thus conserving the exact same orientation, to make it cross a center of the light emitting element.

[0012] In examples, the motor and the light emitting element are located on a same side of the article. In examples, both the motor and light emitting element are located underthe article, the mouthpiece being located above the article.

[0013] The relative rotation between the heater and the article allows for the light emitting element to cover a greater portion of aerosol generating substrate than in the case of a static arrangement. This way, it is possible to obtain satisfactory heating of the aerosol generating substrate using only a limited number of light emitting elements. This arrangement thus constitutes a significant improvement in efficiency compared to solutions that use a light beam emitted from lateral sides of the aerosol generating substrate, for example in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0014] In examples, the light emitting element is located remotely from the rotation axis.

[0015] In examples, the heater of the aerosol generating device comprises a single light emitting element emitting a single light beam. Thus, it limits the overall cost of the aerosol generating device.

[0016] Furthermore, the fact that the emitted light beam is substantially parallel or inclined (of the above- mentioned angle) relative to the rotation axis of one of the article and the heater allows for a plurality of positive technical effects when compared to a lateral arrangement of the light emitting element with respect to the aerosol generating substrate.

[0017] It allows for optimum compacity of the aerosol generating device. In fact, the motor, the heater, and the article may be stacked along the rotation axis and fit into an easy to hold casing, for example of overall cylindrical shape.

[0018] It further allows for the light beam to completely cover the whole aerosol generating substrate in only one revolution. The relative movement may be a strictly rotative movement and it is not necessary to induce a combined translative-rotative motion to cover the whole aerosol generating substrate. Such an arrangement enables to use a specific shape of article, for example a disk-shape article, maximizing the quantity of aerosol generated in a single revolution and featuring limited volume.

[0019] In examples, the light emitting element comprises a VCSEL (vertical cavity surface emitting laser). The light emitting element may be of any other type known to the skilled person, such as infrared LED (Light Emitting Diode), or an EEL (Edge Emitting Laser) or TCSEL (topological cavity surface emitting laser).

[0020] The use of a VCSEL or TCSEL may be advantageous as being more effective and having a more efficient manufacturing process which allows mass production at minimum cost. These types of laser also feature a high heating speed.

[0021] In a preferred example, the motor may be configured to rotate the article relative to the heater, the heater not being rotated by the motor.

[0022] However, in an alternative example, the heater is rotated relative to the motor, the article not being rotated by the motor.

[0023] In examples, the motor may be fixed to the inside of the casing by a structural arrangement comprising a core in which the motor is lodged. The core is preferably located on a longitudinal central axis of the casing. Said longitudinal central axis may be the same as the rotation axis. The motor may comprise a rotor that is aligned along the rotation axis.

[0024] In examples, the motor may comprise a transmission part configured to come in contact with the article when the latter is present in the chamber, the motor being configured to rotate the transmission part, thereby rotating the article. The transmission part may be rigidly attached to the rotor of the motor or may be made in a single piece with the rotor.

[0025] The motor may be configured to rotate the article in such a way that a single complete rotation is sufficient for the entire aerosol generating substrate to be consumed. The motor may then operate at a rotation speed that is relatively slow, for example at a speed included in a range from 0,02 rpm to 1 rpm. In examples,the speed may be included in a range from 0,03 rpm to 0,2 rpm. One full rotation may be achieved in one smoking session or may be achieved in several sessions. If only one part of the aerosol generating substrate is used in a first session, the user may pick up where the motor stopped to smoke the unused remaining part in one or more next sessions. A session is typically set to 5 minutes, however other session durations may be considered, for example 1 minute. In examples, the session duration may be set by the user.

[0026] In examples, the rotation speed may be dependent on parameters such as the intensity of vape, session duration, whether the whole aerosol generating substrate is smoked or only a cutout of the aerosol generating substrate is smoked in one session.

[0027] In examples wherein the whole aerosol generating substrate is smoked in one session, which corresponds to high performance examples, the speed is 0,2 rpm. One rotation being achieved in 5 minutes.

[0028] In examples, wherein the aerosol generating substrate is smoked in multiple sessions in which only a cutout is smoked, the article may typically rotate only 60 degrees in one session and the speed may be reduced, for example to 0,033 rpm. The aerosol generating substrate then needs five more sessions to complete a full 360° rotation. The light emitting element output power may also be reduced. The user may set the light emitting element output power.

[0029] In examples, for a strong vape session, the full rotation may be achieved in one minute, the speed thus being set to 1 rpm.

[0030] In examples, the rotation speed of the motor and the light emitting element power may be adjusted according to user preferences, for a customized sensory level. The angular stroke of the motor may be adjusted, for example between 60 degrees to 360 degrees, 360 degrees representing complete use of the aerosol generating substrate.

[0031] In examples wherein the article is rotated, and the heater is remaining still, the transmission part may comprise a complementary flat surface configured to cooperate with a flat surface of the article. The rotation of the rotor may thus be transferred to the article by contact between both surfaces. The flat surface and the complementary flat surface may be substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0032] In examples, the flat surface and / or the complementary flat surface comprise increased roughness to reduce slippage and provide a more efficient torque transfer.

[0033] In examples, the aerosol generating device may comprise a casing comprising an upper part comprising the chamber and a lower part comprising the motor, the aerosol generating device comprising a heater partition being peripherally fixed by a continuous line of fixation inside the casing, the heater partition comprising the heater and delimiting the upper part and the lower part of the casing.

[0034] The heater partition may be peripherally fixed by a continuous line of fixation to an inner wall of the casing in such a way that it constitutes an airtight sealing, in order to prevent aerosol-charged air to leak through the heater partition by its peripheral edge between the heater partition and the casing.

[0035] In examples, the heater partition may further comprise an aperture, preferably circular, the transmission part being configured to penetrate the heater partition through the aperture to come into contact with the articlewhen the latter is present in the chamber. The transmission part and / or the heater partition may be configured to prevent air from leaking through a gap between the transmission part and the heater partition. For example, the heater partition may comprise a sealing joint inside the peripheral edge of the aperture.

[0036] In examples, the heater partition may comprise a through opening located remotely from the rotation axis of the motor. The heater partition may connect the upper part and the lower part of the casing. The light emitting element may be lodged in the through opening. Once put in place the light emitting element may be fully obstructing the through opening. The light emitting element maybe configured to emit the light beam towards the upper part of the casing, and may comprise an electrical interface, for example an electric cable, extending towards the lower part of the casing from its other side. The heater partition may comprise a sealing joint inside the peripheral edge of the through opening to prevent air from leaking between the light emitting element and the heater partition.

[0037] In examples, the aerosol generating device may comprise an article tray for accommodating the article, the article tray being configured to be inserted into the chamber in an inserted position and to be removed from the chamber in a removed position. The article tray may comprise stainless steel, or any other material. The article tray is configured to allow the user to change the used-up article by taking it out of the article tray and charge it with a new article.

[0038] In examples, the article tray may be configured to slide between the inserted position and the removed position. The article tray may be inserted through a slot arranged on the casing. The article tray may comprise two straight guiding rods and the aerosol generating device comprising two corresponding guiding grooves, the guiding rods and the guiding grooves cooperating to slide the article tray between the inserted position and the removed position. The removed position allows removing the article supported by the article tray and allows charging the latter with a new article. The inserted position allows the article to reach a position suitable for the article to be rotated by the motor. In examples, the inserted position may be suitable for allowing the flat surface of the article to reach the transmission part of the motor and guarantee the contact between the flat surface of the article and the complementary surface of the transmission part.

[0039] In examples, the article tray may comprise a handle. The article tray may thus be pulled out by a user in the removed position grabbing and pulling the handle. The handle may comprise a hollow portion configured to ease the grabbing operation of the user. The handle may come from material with the article tray.

[0040] In examples, the article tray may comprise a curved stop portion configured to maintain the article in position on a support portion. In examples wherein the article is circular or disk shaped, the curvature of an inner wall of the stop portion is configured to match the outer circular edge of the article. In examples wherein the casing is tube-shaped or circularly cylindrical with a curved outer shape, the stop portion may comprise an outer wall that is curved as well to match the outer shape of the casing. The stop portion may be configured to hermetically obstruct the slot arranged on the casing. The stop portion may also be configured to act as a stroke stop for the article tray to guarantee the travel length of the article tray inside the casing, and thus guarantee that the article reaches a determined position suitable for operation of the aerosol generating device when the article tray is in the inserted position.

[0041] In examples, the heater partition may comprise the guiding grooves. The guiding grooves may extend linearly and parallelly on either sides of the aperture of the heater partition. The guiding grooves may extend perpendicularly to the rotation axis.

[0042] In examples, the lower part of the casing may comprise at least one air inlet, the heater partition comprising at least one air passage, preferably three air passages, the air inlet and air passage being configured to let air from outside the casing to circulate from the lower part of the casing to the upper part of the casing. Each of the air inlet and air passage may comprise a diameter of 0,4mm thus providing optimum draw resistance.

[0043] In examples, the upper part of the casing may comprise a mouthpiece comprising an open end and a duct configured to guide air from the upper part of the casing to the open end. The duct and the total air path from the air inlet to the open end may comprise a relatively long air path, for at least two reasons:This gives inhaled air enough time to cool down and for example prevent throat and bronchial irritation. This is very possible since the light emitting element may emit a relatively large amount of concentrated power, resulting in high air temperatures.This provides sufficient storage space for articles, which, in examples, may be kept in the casing and / or the mouthpiece.

[0044] For at least these two reasons, the longer and straighter the total air path, the better.

[0045] For example, the duct may comprise a length that is substantially equal to half the total height of the aerosol generating device. For example, the duct may comprise a length greater than 40mm, preferably greater than 50mm, even more preferably greater than 60mm. This way, air charged with heated up aerosol circulating within the duct has time to cool down before reaching the user’s mouth.

[0046] In examples, the aerosol generating device may comprise a battery, the motor and the heater being controlled by a PCB (printed circuit board), the PCB being preferably linked to the battery, to the motor and to the heater.

[0047] In examples, the PCB may be configured to control the motor for rotating the article according to at least one predetermined angular stroke value, preferably being within a range of 60° to 360°, preferably multiples of 60°. The PCB may also be configured to adjust the power output of the heater, more particularly the light emitting element, and to adjust the rotating speed of the motor. The PCB may be linked to an input interface, for example comprising a button or a screen, or any other user interface known to the skilled person, configured to let a user operate the aerosol generating device and chose preferred parameters.

[0048] According to another aspect, the present disclosure further concerns, in combination with the above, an article configured to be inserted into an aerosol generating device as described hereabove.

[0049] The article may comprise an aerosol generating substrate configured to be heated by the aerosol generating device and may be configured to rotate about a rotation axis. The aerosol generating substrate may further comprise an overall height measured along said rotation axis, and an overall width measured perpendicularly to said rotation axis, the overall height being preferably less than the overall width. In general,the height of the article may be dimensioned to be small enough so that the heat applied on only one side of the article may penetrate the substrate and go through the article to the other side, in such a way that heating only one side is sufficient to generate aerosol and use up the entire aerosol generating substrate once a full rotation is achieved. In examples the article may be in the shape of a disk, or generally circular. In such case, the width may be measured as a diameter of the article. The height of the aerosol generating substrate may preferably be at least two times less than its width, preferably at least five times less, even more preferably at least ten times less.

[0050] In examples, the article may be flat.

[0051] In other words, the article may be mainly bi-dimensional, having two major surfaces extending in two dimensions, separated by a negligeable distance compared to the surfaces’ dimensions.

[0052] In examples, the article comprises a thickness between 0,6mm and 1 ,2mm, combining the best results in mechanical properties especially robustness, and aerosol generating substrate amount for heating efficiency.

[0053] In examples, it may be preferable not to go below 0.6mm in article thickness due to the difficult handling and mechanical strength.

[0054] In examples, 1 mm thickness seems to provide the best mechanical properties and reasonable aerosol generating substrate amount suitable for aerosol generation.

[0055] In examples, articles may be provided with various thicknesses resulting in different user experiences, various thicknesses depending for examples on the tobacco and / or nicotine amount and / or flavor.

[0056] In examples, the article may comprise a central core that features an overall revolving shape that extends around the rotation axis. Such a shape may induce a balanced rotation. The central core may comprise for example a toroidal shape with a substantially rectangular cross section, or any other overall shape. In general, the shape of the central core is configured not to feature any eccentric shape that could induce an unbalanced rotation.

[0057] The aerosol generating substrate may extend radially from an outer side of the central core. In examples, the article may feature a general shape of a disk, the central core and the aerosol generating substrate being concentrical. In general, the article may feature a flattened shape along the rotation axis to extend mainly in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. The article may feature a general form of revolution.

[0058] In examples, the article may comprise a peripheral edge that is circularly cylindrical. The article may comprise an upper face substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis and facing in an upward direction, and a lower face substantially parallel to the upper face thus perpendicular to the rotation axis too, and facing downwards, towards the light emitting element of the heater. The height of the article may be measured as the distance between the upper and lower faces. In examples wherein the light beam is emitted in a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis, the lower face may thus be substantially perpendicular to the light beam for optimum heating efficiency.

[0059] In example, the light beam is emitted exclusively onto the lower face of the aerosol generating substrate.

[0060] In examples, the article may comprise a planar symmetry about a plan perpendicular to the rotation axis, preferably the article comprises the shape of a disc. This way the user does not have to consider the proper insertion side and cannot make any mistake.

[0061] In examples, the article may comprise a central core revolving around the rotation axis, the aerosol generating substrate being arranged around the central core to which it is fixed, the central core being configured to receive torque from the motor of the aerosol generating device in order to rotate relative to the heater around the rotation axis. In examples, the central core may comprise the flat surface configured to come in contact with the transmission part. The central core may comprise the shape of a ring, preferably with a rectangular cross section in a plan comprising the rotation axis. The central core may comprise an annular cross section in a plan perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0062] In examples, the central core may comprise at least one channel for passage of air. Each channel may comprise grooves distributed radially in rotation around the central core. The channels may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis. The slots may be featured on the flat surface of the central core. The central core may comprise a cavity being fluidically connected to the upper part, preferably to the chamber, by each channel. In examples, the duct of the mouthpiece may be connected to the cavity of the central core so that air may pass through the at least one channel from the chamber to the duct. The cavity may be a circularly cylindrical and be is concentrical with the central core and the aerosol generating substrate.

[0063] In examples, the central core may comprise a polymer material, preferably PEEK (polyether ether ketone), or compressed biodegradable paper. In examples, an additional disk of compressed paper may be added on the peripheral outer edge of the aerosol generating substrate, thus making the article stronger and easier to manipulate.

[0064] In examples, the aerosol generating substrate may comprise compressed tobacco.

[0065] According to another aspect, in combination with the above, the present disclosure further relates to an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device and at least an article as described above.

[0066] In examples, the aerosol generating system may comprise a plurality of articles and an automatic loading mechanism configured to insert one of the plurality of articles inside the chamber. The automatic loading mechanism may for example comprise a cartridge comprising a plurality of articles, for example ten articles, that a user may fill and / or refill manually. The cartridge may for example be prefilled with the plurality of articles by the manufacturer and may be configured to be replaced as a whole when all the articles have been fully consumed.

[0067] According to another aspect, in combination with the above, the present disclosure further relates to a method for heating an article with a heater of an aerosol generating device according to the above, the heater comprising a light emitting element configured to emit a light beam on the aerosol generating substrate, the method comprising:Activating the light emitting element to start an emission of a light beam onto a first portion of the aerosol generating substrate, Activating the motor to drive one of the article and the heater in a relative rotation to the other of the article and the heater,Continuing at least one of, or both, the relative rotation and the emission of the light beam onto the aerosol generating substrate, so that the light beam heats a second portion of the aerosol generating substrate to generate aerosol.

[0068] In examples, said light beam is emitted in a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis,

[0069] In examples, said light beam is emitted in a direction that is inclined relative to the rotation axis by an angle equal to or less than 45°,

[0070] In examples, the activation of the light emitting element and the activation of the motor may be independent, in such a way that, for example, the motor can drive the heater or the aerosol generating substrate in rotation while the light emitting element is not activated. Furthermore, the light emitting element can also be activated while the motor is not activated.

[0071] In examples, the activation order of the light emitting element and of the motor can be chosen, for example by a user, and is not limited to the activation of the light first and then the activation of the motor. In examples, the motor is firstly activated and then the light is activated.

[0072] In examples, the light emitting element and the motor may be activated in any order, one after the other or simultaneously. One can be activated when the other remains switched off.

[0073] In examples, the motor may be configured to rotate one of the article and the heater in a relative rotation to the other of the article and the heater, in order to bring a particular part of the aerosol generating substrate in a determined position, for example in front of the light emitting element to be heated.Brief Description of Drawings

[0074] Other features, details and advantages will be shown in the following detailed description and on the figures, on which:

[0075] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an example,

[0076] Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an aerosol generating device featuring an article tray according to an example,

[0077] Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-section view showing an inside of an aerosol generating device according to an example,

[0078] Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-section view showing a zoomed portion of the inside of an aerosol generating device according to an example,

[0079] Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of an article according to an example,

[0080] Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-section view of an article according to an example,

[0081] Fig. 7 is a schematic view in perspective of an aerosol generating device featuring an article tray, showing details of the chamber according to an example,

[0082] Fig. 8 is a schematic partial view in perspective of an aerosol generating device featuring an article tray, showing details of the insertion cinematic of the article according to an example,

[0083] Fig. 9 is a schematic cross section view of an aerosol generating device according to an example,

[0084] Fig. 10 shows a schematic cross section partial view of an aerosol generating device according to an example.Description of Embodiments

[0085] Aspects set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure. The same references correspond to the same elements on different drawings. These elements may be described on only one or more figures, but they apply to all figures except for mention to the contrary.

[0086] In the following description, when referring to terms qualifying absolute position, such as the terms “front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right”, etc., or relative ones, such as the terms “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, etc., or to qualifiers of orientation, such as “horizontal”, “vertical”, etc., reference is made, unless otherwise specified, to the orientation of the figures or an aerosol generating device with an inhalation duct on the top.

[0087] It is now referred to Figure 1 , wherein an aerosol generating device 1 according to an example is shown. The aerosol generating device 1 comprises a casing 1 1 comprising a bottom part 111 and an upper part 112 comprising a mouthpiece 17. The mouthpiece 17 comprises, at a free end, an open end 171 configured to allow air from inside the aerosol generating device 1 to flow to the mouth of a user.

[0088] The bottom part 111 features an overall cylindrical shape and the upper part 1 12 features a frustoconical end comprising the open end 171 of the mouthpiece 17. The aerosol generating device 1 is therefore compact and easy to hold. The casing 11 is meant to be held by a hand of the user and the mouthpiece 17 is meant to be brought to the mouth of the user.

[0089] The aerosol generating device 1 further comprises an article tray 15 visible in an inserted position on figure 1 , the article tray 15 extending between the bottom part 111 and the upper part 1 12 in the inserted position. The article tray 15 is configured to accommodate an article 2 comprising the aerosol generating substrate 22 from which aerosol is generated when heated. The article tray 15 is used to recharge a used-up article 2 with a new one.

[0090] The article tray 15 is movable between the inserted position shown in figure 1 and a removed position shown in figure 2. In the inserted position, the article tray 15 is configured to match the external shape of the casing 1 1 , in other words, to be flush with an outer wall of the casing, in order not to interfere with the user holding the device. However, in this example, the article tray 15 further comprises a handle 156 protruding from the casing 11 and configured to allow the user to pull the article tray 15 out of its inserted position to its removed position and to push the article tray 15 from the removed position to the inserted position. The passage from the inserted position to the removed position and vice versa is illustrated by a double arrow on the figure 2. The aerosol generating device 1 further comprises a chamber 18, which is inside the upper part 112 in this example, not shown in figures 1 and 2. The article tray 15 is configured to be inserted into the chamber 18 in the insertion position. In the inserted position, the article tray 15 brings the article 2 in an operational position inside the chamber 18.

[0091] The article 2 is visible on figure 2. The aerosol generating substrate 22 is, in this example, disk-shaped.

[0092] The article 2 is put in operational position by the article tray 15 as visible on figures 3 and 4.

[0093] It is now referred to Figures 3 and 4, which are both showing a cross section of an inside of the aerosol generating device 1 with the article tray 15 in the inserted position, and the article 2 is positioned in the chamber 18. The chamber 18 is designed to define a volume, which may be cylindrical, in which the aerosol generating substrate 22 is heated to generated aerosol.

[0094] The aerosol generating device 1 comprises a heater 4 configured to produce heat. The heater 4 comprises a single light emitting element 41 configured to emit a light beam 42 onto the aerosol generating substrate 22 when the article 2 is present in the chamber 18.

[0095] The aerosol generating device 1 further comprises a motor 13 configured to rotate the article 2 in the chamber 18 about a rotation axis A shown with a dotted line.

[0096] The light beam 42 is emitted in a direction X that corresponds to a central axis of a pyramidal shape of the light beam 42, as shown in figure 4.

[0097] In a preferred example, the direction X and the rotation axis A are coplanar or may be projected in a plane. In the same plane, the direction X is substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the article 2, which means parallel relative to the rotation axis A with an accuracy allowing an angle less than 15°, preferably less than 10°, even more preferably less than 5°. The light beam 42 is emitted onto the article 2 in such a way that the aimed portion of the aerosol generating substrate 22 travels substantially perpendicular to the light beam 42, i.e. to the direction X of the light beam 42, and the heated portion therefore expands to cover a bigger portion of the article 2 than in a static configuration.

[0098] As described before, there may be other examples wherein the light beam 42 is emitted in a direction X that is inclined relative to the rotation axis A by an angle a of more than 15° and equal or less than 45°.

[0099] It has to be noted that the angle a between the direction of emission of the light beam and the rotation axis can be also measured, due to known geometrical relationship and resulting in the same measured value, by the angle (see for example figure 10) between the direction X of emission of the light beam and a reference axis A’ that is passing through the light emitting element 41 and that is parallel and coplanar to the rotation axis A. The reference axis A’ can, in examples, be obtained by a translation of the rotation axis A, thus conserving the exact same orientation, to make it cross a center of the light emitting element.

[0100] As described before, there may be other examples in which the heater 4 is rotated by the motor 13 and the article 2 remains static. In such examples, the heater 4 travels substantially perpendicular to the light beam 42 and covers a greater portion of the aerosol generating substrate 22 than if it remains static.

[0101] In the example of figures 3 and 4, the aerosol generating device 1 comprises a transmission part 14 to which the motor 13 is coupled, the transmission part 14 being configured to transfer torque to the article 2 in order to rotate the latter. The article 2 comprises a central core 21 featuring a lower flat surface 211 configured to come into contact with the transmission part 14. The transmission part 14 features the shape of a platter with a corresponding flat surface 141 via which contact is made with the flat surface 21 1 of the article 2. The transmission part 14 is rigidly coupled to the rotor 131 of the motor 13. In this example, the rotor 131 which is the direct output of the motor 13 is directly aligned with the rotation axis A. To this end, in this example, theaerosol generating device 1 comprises a structural arrangement 132 peripherally fixed to the casing 11 and comprising a core 133 in which the motor 13 is lodged. Thus, the motor 13 is fixed to the casing 1 1 . The core brings the motor 13 in a central position in which the rotor 131 is directly aligned with the rotation axis A. This allows not to use any extra transmission parts configured to correct misalignment.

[0102] The aerosol generating device 1 further comprises a heater partition 12 that is peripherally fixed to the inside of the casing 1 1 with a continuous line of fixation to form an airtight fixation. The heater partition 12 thus delimits the bottom part 111 from the upper part 112. The heater partition 12 comprises a through opening 122 located remotely from the rotation axis A of the motor 13. The light emitting element 41 of the heater 4 is lodged in the through opening 122.

[0103] In the example shown, the heater partition 12 further comprises a central aperture 182 that is circular and through which the transmission part 14 is configured to pass in order to contact the flat surface 211 of the central core 21 as described above. The central aperture 182 is circular to allow the rotation of the transmission part 14. The motor 13 being located in the bottom part 111 of the casing 11 , and the article 2 being located in the chamber 18 in the upper part 112, the aperture 182 allows the transfer of torque from the bottom part 1 11 to the upper part 112 by letting the transmission part 14 through. There may be sealing means around the aperture 182 to prevent air from leaking through the gap between the transmission part 14 and the aperture 182.

[0104] The aerosol generating device 1 comprises a battery 19 located in the bottom part 111 of the casing 11 configured to power the motor 13 and the heater 4. The aerosol generating device 1 also comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) 20 configured to control the motor 13 and the heater 4. The PCB 20 is lodged between the outer wall 116 of the casing 11 and the battery 19 for optimum compacity of the aerosol generating device 1. Furthermore, an electrical interface 43 of the light emitting element 41 extends towards the bottom part 11 1 of the casing 11 on one side of the heater partition 12, and the light beam 42 is emitted towards the upper part 112 on the other side of the heater partition 12.

[0105] The outer wall of the casing 11 comprises an air inlet 113 to let air from outside the aerosol generating device 1 penetrate inside the casing 1 1 as shown by the arrow in figure 3. The heater partition 12 is fixed to the casing 1 1 in an airtight manner but comprises three air passages 123, one of which being shown in figure 3. The air passages 123 are located roughly halfway from the edge of the aperture 182 to the casing 11 . The air passages 123 may be located in a sufficient distance from the motor 13. The motor may emit “electrical taste” and therefore it may be preferable that the air passages 123 are located further from the motor 13. In examples, the motor 13 may be accommodated in a housing which may require a sufficient distance from the air passages 123 for integration. In examples, the air flows then through the channels 212 and goes to the open end 172. If air passages 123 are located more to the peripheral edge of the heater partition 12, it will travel longer “unguided”. It is thus preferable to keep the air passages 123 location sufficiently far from the motor 13, and from the peripheral edge of the heater partition 12. The air passages 123 are configured to let air from the bottom part 111 inside the chamber 18. The air is then charged with aerosol in the chamber 18 as the aerosol generating substrate 22 of the rotating article 2 heats up. Air from the chamber 18 is then guided to the mouth of the user by a duct 172 in the center of the mouthpiece 17 and specific features of the article.

[0106] As shown in figures 3 and 4, the rotor 131 , the transmission part 14, the article 2 and the duct 172 are stacked along the rotation axis A to provide optimum compacity to the aerosol generating device 1 . The light emitting element 41 is deported from the rotation axis A in order to cover the rotating aerosol generating substrate 22.

[0107] Figures 5 and 6 show further details of the article 2. The article 2 is configured to be rotated around the rotation axis A shown in dotted line above the heater 4, during use of the aerosol generating system.

[0108] The article 2 features a general shape of a disk. In fact, the overall height H of the aerosol generating substrate 22, when measured along the rotation axis A, is significantly less than the overall width W of the aerosol generating substrate 22 when measured perpendicular to the rotation axis A. In other words, the article 2 is flattened along the rotation axis A to extend mainly in a radial direction. The relatively small height of the aerosol generating substrate 22 allows a single light emitting element 41 to efficiently heat up the rotating aerosol generating substrate 22 even if it is located only on one side, here the underside, of the article 2.

[0109] The article 2 comprises a peripheral edge 216 that is cylindrical with a circular cross section. This provides perfect balance for the article 2 when rotating. The article 2 further comprises an upper face 215 substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis A and facing in an upward direction, towards the open end 171 of the mouthpiece. The article 2 also comprises a lower face 214 substantially parallel to the upper face 215 and facing downwards, towards the bottom part 1 11 of the casing and more importantly towards the light emitting element 41 of the heater 4. The light beam 42 is thus emitted exclusively onto the lower face 214 of the article 2, in such a way that the light beam 42 is not emitted onto the upper face 215 nor onto the peripheral edge 216. In the illustrated example, wherein the light beam 42 is emitted substantially parallel to the rotation axis A, the lower face 214 is substantially perpendicular to the light beam 42 for optimum heating efficiency of the energy transfer.

[0110] The central core 21 of the article 2 features an overall form of revolution and extends around the rotation axis A. The central core 21 comprises here an annular shape with a substantially rectangular cross section, forming a cavity 213 in its center. The article 2 comprises an aerosol generating substrate 22 that extends radially from an outer side of the central core 21. In this example, the central core 21 comprises an annular groove 217 in which the aerosol generating substrate 22 is lodged and fixedly maintained. The heating of the aerosol generating substrate 22 allows generation of aerosol that is, when generated, in a state of suspension in the air inside the chamber 18 and needs to be guided to the mouth of a user.

[0111] To this end, the article 2 comprises a plurality of channels 212. The channels 212 comprising grooves extending radially from the chamber 18 to the cavity 213 of the central core 21 . Air coming from air passages 123 is sucked by user inhalation through channels 212. The distance between air passages 123 and channels 212 is kept short enough for the air to be directly guided to channels 212. The cavity 213 is connected to the duct 172 of the mouthpiece 17. The channels 212 thus fluidically connect the chamber 18 to the duct 172 (shown in figures 3, 4 and 9). The channels 212 being radially distributed around the central core 21 , they keep allowing air to flow to the duct 172 even when the article 2 is rotating. The duct 172 then leads the air to the open end 171 from which it is inhaled by a user.

[0112] Reference is now made to figures 7 and 8 which both show details of the article tray 15 and the way it moves between the inserted position and the removed position.

[0113] In this example, the article tray 15 moves between the inserted position and the removed position in a sliding motion. The article tray 2 is pulled out by a user in the removed position grabbing and pulling the handle 156. The handle 156 is maintained as small as possible to avoid protruding out of the outer shape of the casing too much in such a way that it is not an inconvenience to the user holding the device. The handle 156 comprises a hollow portion configured to ease the grabbing operation of the user.

[0114] The user may then change the used-up article 2 by taking it out of the article tray 15 and charge it with a new article 2. The article tray 15 comprises a curved stop portion 153 configured to maintain the article 2 in position on a support portion 151. The stop portion 153 comprises a curved inner wall 154 matching the peripheral edge 216 of the article preventing it falling out of the article tray 15 and an outer wall 155 that is curved as well to match the outer shape of the casing 11. When the article tray 15 is in a removed position, the chamber 18 communicates with the outside of the casing 11 through the slot 114. The stop portion 153 hermetically closes the chamber 18 when the article tray 15 is pushed in the inserted position.

[0115] When the article tray 15 is empty and in a removed position, the article 2 is put in place on the support portion 151 in a position suitable to slide through the slot 114 into the chamber 18 with the article tray 15. In the removed position and in the inserted position, the article 2 rests on the support portion 151 of the article tray 15 in a position that is parallel to the heater partition 12. This way, there is no need for further movement of the article 2 than a sliding motion to reach a position suitable for heating inside the chamber 18. In its inserted position the article tray 15 is also configured to put the article 2 in a position suitable for the transmission part 14 to contact the flat surface 211 of the central core 21 of the article 2 and transfer torque necessary for the rotation of the article 2.

[0116] The heater partition 12 comprises two linear guiding grooves 121 configured to cooperate with two linear guiding rods 152 of the article tray 15. In the illustrated example, the support portion 151 is essentially composed of these two linear guiding rods 152, extending horizontally from the inner wall 154 of the stop portion 153 to form a plan suitable for maintaining the article 2 in a horizontal position. The two linear rods 152 create an empty space between them to make room for the central core 21 to contact the transmission part 14 of the motor 13.

[0117] The casing 1 1 further comprises a main seal 115 in the joining region with the mouthpiece 17 in order to prevent aerosol from leaking outside the device.

[0118] Figure 9 shows a general cross-section view of the aerosol generating device 1 in which the upper part 112 and the bottom part 111 are visible. The aerosol generating device 1 further comprises an electric charger port 20, in this example a USB-C charger port, to plug and charge the battery 19. The charger port 20 is advantageously located at a bottom end side of the aerosol generating device 1 .

[0119] In a further aspect, the present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating system, which comprise an aerosol generating device 1 and an article 2 as described above.

[0120] In use, according to an example, the user opens the article tray 15 to make it reach its removed position and charges the aerosol generating device 1 with a new article 2 by inserting it inside the article tray 15, for example in place of the used-up article 2. The article tray 15 is then put back in its inserted position and the aerosol generating device 1 is ready to use. The motor 13, depending on user needs, rotates the article 2. The light emitting element 41 activates as well, depending on user needs. It can activate simultaneously with the motor 13 or only after the motor 13 has made a portion of the article reach a specific position. In use, the aerosol generating substrate 22 of the article 2 is heated on an extending portion due to the rotation of the article 2, by the single light emitting element 41. Aerosol is thus produced in the chamber 18. An air flow is created by first entering the casing 11 through the air inlet 113, going through the heater partition 12 by the air passages 123. The air is then led to the chamber 18 where it charges itself with aerosol. The aerosol is then guided by the channels 212 arranged on the central core 21 of the article 2 to the cavity 213, where it is finally led through the duct 172. The path of the duct 172 is preferably relatively long to allow cooling of the air before it reaches the open end 171 and the mouth of the user.

[0121] In other examples, the direction X and the rotation axis A are not substantially parallel. In such cases, as shown in Figure 10, the direction X projected in a plane comprising the rotation axis A may be inclined relative to the rotation axis A by an angle a above 15°. In the example of Figure 10, a = 45°, but a may be less than 30° or less than 20° in other examples. As mentioned above, the angle a between the direction X of emission of the light beam and the rotation axis A can be also measured, due to known geometrical relationship, by the angle between the direction X of emission of the light beam and a reference axis A’ that is passing through the light emitting element 41 and that is parallel and coplanar to the rotation axis A. The reference axis A’ can be obtained, in examples, by a translation of the rotation axis A thus conserving the exact same orientation, to make it cross a center of the light emitting element 41 .

Claims

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device (1) for generating an aerosol from an article (2) comprising an aerosol generating substrate (22), the aerosol generating device (1) comprising:A chamber (18) configured to accommodate the article (2),A heater (4) comprising a light emitting element (41) configured to emit a light beam (42) onto a first portion of the aerosol generating substrate (22) when the article (2) is present in the chamber (18),A motor (13) configured to rotate one of the article (2) and the heater (4) in a relative rotation to the other of the article (2) and the heater (4) about a rotation axis (A), so that the light beam (42) heats at least a second portion of the aerosol generating substrate (22) to generate aerosol, wherein the light beam (42) is emitted in a direction (X) that is substantially parallel to the rotation axis (A) or the light beam (42) is emitted in a direction (X) that is inclined relative to the rotation axis (A) by an angle (a) equal to, or less than, 45°.

2. The aerosol generating device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the heater (4) comprises a single light emitting element (41) emitting a single light beam (42).

3. The aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the light emitting element comprises a vertical cavity surface emitting laser.

4. The aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the motor (13) is configured to rotate the article (2) relative to the heater (4), the heater (4) not being rotated by the motor (13).

5. The aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the motor (13) comprises a transmission part (14) configured to come in contact with the article (2) when the latter is present in the chamber, the motor (13) being configured to rotate the transmission part (14), thereby rotating the article (2).

6. The aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a casing (11) comprising an upper part comprising the chamber (18) and a lower part comprising the motor (13), the aerosol generating device (1) comprising a heater partition (12) being peripherally fixed by a continuous line of fixation inside the casing (11), the heater partition (12) comprising the heater (4) and delimiting the upper part and the lower part of the casing (11).

7. The aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an article tray (15) for accommodating the article (2), the article tray (15) being configured to be inserted into the chamber (18) in an inserted position and to be removed from the chamber (18) in a removed position.

8. The aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the article tray is configured to slide between the inserted position and the removed position.

9. The aerosol generating device (1) according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the article tray (15) is configured to allow a user to change a used-up article by taking the used-up article out of the article tray (15) and charge said tray with a new article, preferably wherein the article tray (15) is inserted through a slot (114) arranged on the casing (11) of the aerosol generating device (1).

10. The aerosol generating device (1) according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the article tray (15) comprises two straight guiding rods (152) and the aerosol generating device (1) comprises two corresponding guiding grooves (121), the guiding rods (152) and the guiding grooves (121) cooperating to slide the article tray (15) between the inserted position and the removed position, the removed position allowing removing the article (2) supported by the article tray (15) and charging said article tray with a new article, and the inserted position allowing the article (2) to reach a position suitable for the article to be rotated by the motor (13).

11. The aerosol generating device (1) according to any of claims 7 to 10 and claim 5, wherein the inserted position is suitable for allowing a flat surface (211) of the article (2) to reach the transmission part (14) of the motor (13) and guarantee a contact between the flat surface (211) of the article (2) and a complementary surface (141) of the transmission part (14).

12. The aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims in combination with claim 6, wherein the lower part of the casing (11) comprises at least one air inlet (113), the heater partition (12) comprising at least one air passage (123), preferably three air passages, the air inlet (113) and air passage (123) being configured to let air from outside the casing to circulate from the lower part of the casing (1 1) to the upper part of the casing (11).

13. The aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims comprising a battery (19), the motor (13) and the heater (4) being controlled by a PCB (20), the PCB (20) being linked to the battery, to the motor (13) and to the heater (4), preferably the PCB (20) is configured to control the motor (13) for rotating the article (2) according to at least one predetermined angular stroke value, preferably being within a range of 60° to 360°, preferably multiples of 60°.

14. An article (2) configured to be inserted into an aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, the article (2) comprising an aerosol generating substrate (22) configured to be heated by the aerosol generating device (1), the article (2) being configured to rotate about a rotation axis (A), the aerosol generating substrate comprising an overall height (H) measured along said rotation axis (A) and an overall width (W) measured perpendicularly to said rotation axis (A), said overall height (H) being less than said overall width (W)-

15. The article (2) according to claim 14, the article (2) comprising a planar symmetry about a plan perpendicular to the rotation axis (A), preferably the article (2) comprises the shape of a disc.

16. The article (2) according to claim 14 or 15, comprising a central core (21) revolving around the rotation axis (A), the aerosol generating substrate (22) being arranged around the central core (21) to which it is fixed, the central core (21) being configured to receive torque from the motor (13) of the aerosol generating device (1) in order to rotate relative to the heater (4) around the rotation axis (A).

17. An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 13 and at least an article (2) according to any of claims 14 to 16.

18. The aerosol generating system according to claim 17, comprising a plurality of articles (2) and an automatic loading mechanism configured to insert one of the plurality of articles (2) inside the chamber.

19. A method for heating an article (2) with a heater (4) of an aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 13, the heater (4) comprising a light emitting element (41) configured to emit a light beam (42) on the aerosol generating substrate (22), the method comprising:Activating the light emitting element (41) to start an emission of a light beam (42) onto a first portion of the aerosol generating substrate (22), said light beam (42) being emitted in: o a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis (A), o or in in a direction that is inclined relative to the rotation axis by an angle (a) equal to, or less than, 45°,Activating the motor (13) to drive one of the article (2) and the heater (4) in a relative rotation to the other of the article (2) and the heater (4),Continuing at least one of, or both, the relative rotation and the emission of the light beam (42) onto the aerosol generating substrate (22), so that the light beam (42) heats a second portion of the aerosol generating substrate (22) to generate aerosol.

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