An aerosol generating device

Abstract

An aerosol generating device (2) is described. The aerosol generating device (2) includes an inner assembly (8) with a heater assembly (10) that includes a heater (14), and a power source (16) for supplying power to the heater (14). An outer sleeve (6) substantially surrounds the inner assembly (8). The aerosol generating device (2) also includes a wireless charging assembly (22) arranged between an inner surface of the outer sleeve (6) and the inner assembly (8). The wireless charging assembly (22) includes an electrically conductive receiving coil for wireless inductive charging, and a planar substrate having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite the first main surface. The receiving coil is embedded in the substrate or mounted to the first main surface of the substrate. The second main surface of the substrate is spaced apart from a facing surface of the inner assembly (8) by an air gap that acts as a thermal insulation layer between the wireless charging assembly (22) and the inner assembly (8).

Description

[0001] AN AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to an aerosol generating device, and in particular to a device that is adapted to heat aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user. A wireless charging assembly of the aerosol generating device may be used for wireless charging of an energy storage device, e.g., a rechargeable battery.

[0004] The present disclosure is particularly applicable to a portable (hand-held) aerosol generating device.

[0005] Technical Background

[0006] Devices which heat, rather than burn, an aerosol generating material to produce an aerosol for inhalation have become popular with consumers in recent years. A commonly available reduced-risk or modified-risk device is the heated material aerosol generating device, or so-called heat-not-burn device. Devices of this type generate an aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol generating material to a temperature typically in the range 150°C to 300°C, and in some cases as high as 350°C. This temperature range is quite low compared to an ordinary cigarette. Heating the aerosol generating material to a temperature within this range, without burning or combusting the aerosol generating material, generates a vapour which typically cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the device.

[0007] The aerosol generating material may be a solid or liquid. For example, the aerosol generating article may include a solid or semi-solid substrate of plant derived material, such as tobacco, or it may include a wick and a heater to produce vapour from aerosol generating liquid stored in a capsule or tank. When a user operates the aerosol generating device, liquid that has soaked into the wick is heated by the heater, producing a vapour which cools and condenses to form an aerosol which may then be inhaled. An aerosol generating article (sometimes called a pod or cartridge) may be received in the aerosol generating device and may include a liquid store, a liquid transfer element (e.g., a wick) and a heater. Electrical contacts may provide an electrical connection between the heater and an energy storage device of the aerosol generating device. The energy storage device may be a rechargeable battery that may be charged from an external power source by a charging assembly of the energy storage device assembly. A stick that looks like an ordinary cigarette may also be used as an aerosol generating article.

[0008] The charging assembly may include an inductive receiving coil suitable for wireless charging of the battery. In particular, a wireless external power source such as a wireless charger will include an inductive transmitting coil that creates an electromagnetic field when an electric current flows through it. The inductive transmitting coil and the inductive receiving coil may also be referred to as a primary coil and a secondary coil, respectively. When the receiving coil of the charging assembly of the aerosol generating device is in close proximity with the wireless charger, the electromagnetic field generates an electric current in the receiving coil of the charging assembly that may be provided to a charging circuit and used to charge the battery. Wireless charging is a convenient way to charge the battery without having to physically and / or mechanically connect a charging cable to the aerosol generating device. New ingress protection standards may also mean that wired charging assemblies, e.g., those that might include a plug socket such as a universal serial bus (USB) socket (receptacle) for receiving a USB charging cable (plug), and which therefore also require an opening in the housing, may no longer be suitable for use in aerosol generating devices. Using wireless charging may also avoid the need for a user to carry or use a separate charging cable.

[0009] An aerosol generating device that uses wireless charging typically has more internal components (e.g., the wireless charging assembly) than an aerosol generating device that is not compatible with wireless charging. An aerosol generating device is typically a portable (hand-held) device so its size and weight may be limited. It may therefore be difficult to accommodate these additional internal components within the housing of the aerosol generating device. The lack of internal space within the housing may also make it more difficult to protect sensitive electronic components from the electromagnetic field generated during wireless charging. There is a need for an improved aerosol generating device that overcomes the issues mentioned above, and where the aerosol generating device is designed specifically for wireless charging of a battery or other power source using a wireless charging assembly that is positioned within a housing of the aerosol generating device. In particular, there is a need for an improved aerosol generating device that has a mechanical structure that is suitable for wireless charging.

[0010] Summary of the Disclosure

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising: an inner assembly comprising: a heater assembly comprising: a heating chamber adapted to receive an aerosol generating article; and a heater adapted to heat the aerosol generating article when received in the heating chamber; and a power source (e.g., an energy storage device such as a rechargeable Li-ion secondary battery) adapted to supply power to the heater; an outer sleeve that substantially surrounds the inner assembly; and a wireless charging assembly arranged between an inner surface of the outer sleeve and the inner assembly, the wireless charging assembly comprising: an electrically conductive receiving coil for wireless inductive charging (e.g., for wirelessly charging the energy storage device or other power source); and a planar substrate having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite the first main surface, wherein the receiving coil is embedded in the substrate or mounted to the first main surface of the substrate; wherein an air gap is positioned between the second main surface of the substrate and a facing surface of the inner assembly, the air gap acting as a thermal insulation layer between the wireless charging assembly and the inner assembly. The second main surface of the substrate may be spaced apart from the facing surface of the inner assembly along a lateral axis of the aerosol generating device, i.e., an axis that is parallel to the normal of the facing surfaces. The air gap may be at least partly defined by an empty space between the second main surface of the substrate and the facing surface of the inner assembly. One or more interposing components may be positioned between the second main surface of the substrate and the facing surface of the inner assembly. The air gap may therefore be at least partly defined by an empty space between: (i) a surface of a substrate-side interposing component and the facing surface of the inner assembly, or (ii) the second main surface of the substrate and a surface of an assembly-side interposing component, or (iii) a surface of a substrate-side interposing component and a surface of an assembly-side interposing component. Even when the aerosol generating device includes one or more interposing components between the second main surface of the substrate and the facing surface of the inner assembly, the air gap may be partly defined by the empty space between part of the substrate the inner assembly - e.g., if the interposing component does not cover the whole of the second main surface of the substrate or the whole of the facing surface of the inner assembly.

[0012] The interposing component may comprise a shielding member that is positioned between the substrate and the inner assembly, for example. The shielding member may be mounted to the second main surface of the substrate. The interposing component may comprise part of a frame that is positioned between the substrate and the inner assembly and that is used to fixedly connect the wireless charging assembly to the outer sleeve, for example. The interposing component may comprise first and second fastener substrates that are positioned between the substrate and the inner assembly. The air gap may be at least partly defined by the space between the first and second fastener substrates - see below.

[0013] The air gap acts as a thermal insulation layer or thermal barrier between the wireless charging assembly and the inner assembly. In particular, the air gap acts as a thermal insulation layer between the substrate and the facing part of the inner assembly, or between any interposing components that are thermally coupled to the substrate or the inner assembly and that are positioned between the substrate and the facing part of the inner assembly. This helps to prevent the transfer of heat generated by the receiving coil during wireless charging from being transferred to the inner assembly, and in particular to the power source if this is arranged adjacent the wireless charging assembly. The air gap may have a minimum depth - i.e., a minimum separation between the facing surfaces along a direction parallel to the lateral axis of the aerosol generating device - of at least 0.2 mm, more preferably between 0.2 mm and about 1.4 mm, and most preferably between 0.2 mm and about 0.6 mm.

[0014] The receiving coil preferably comprises a plurality of turns arranged substantially in a common plane. In one arrangement, the receiving coil may be formed of wire having an outer diameter of about 2.0 mm (24AWG) and have between about 4 and about 8 turns. The receiving coil may be about 17 mm wide, about 62 mm long, and about 2 mm deep. The receiving coil may have the following parameters:

[0015] - nominal operating voltage: 9.9 V

[0016] - full battery charging time: about 120 min @ 1.5 A

[0017] - charging time for one vaping session: about 6 mins @ 1.5 A

[0018] - reverse wireless charging time for one vaping session: about 9 mins @ 1.5 A.

[0019] The inner assembly may further comprise a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) comprising: a controller (e.g., a microcontroller unit (or MCU)) adapted to control operation of the aerosol generating device; and a printed circuit board having a main surface on which the controller is mounted.

[0020] The wireless charging assembly may further comprise at least one wire electrically connected between the receiving coil and the PCBA. The PCBA may further comprise a connector that is mounted to the printed circuit board. The wire (or wires) of the wireless charging assembly may be electrically connected between the receiving coil and the connector - e.g., for electrically connecting the receiving coil to the printed circuit board. The end of the wire (or wires) may further comprise a connector that is compatible with the connector mounted to the printed circuit board. For example, one of the connectors may be a male-type connector and the other may be a female-type connector that can be engaged together (i.e., the connectors are “plug-in” connectors). The female-type connector may comprise a recess for receiving part of the male-type connector. The compatible connectors provide an easy way of electrically connecting the wire (or wires) to the printed circuit board during the assembly process and also allow for easy disconnection if required. The connectors may comprise cooperating locking features that temporarily lock the engaged connectors together, but which allow the engaged connectors to be released if necessary, e.g., if the receiving coil needs to be disconnected from the printed circuit board. The connector that is connected to the end of the wire (or wires) may comprise a gripping member (e.g., one or more ridges) that allows it to be gripped more easily. Using suitable plug-in connectors provides an easy and reliable way to electrically connect the wireless charging assembly to the printed circuit board.

[0021] The substrate may comprise or be formed as a first shielding member. The first shielding member may have a planar construction, e.g., may be formed as a sheet. The first shielding member may have an outer main surface that defines the first main surface of the substrate and an inner main surface, opposite the outer main surface, that defines the second main surface of the substrate. The first shielding member may be a ferrite sheet or a sheet of ferrite-containing material, for example. It will be understood that ferrite is typically an iron-oxide containing magnetic ceramic material. The first shielding member is designed to shield components of the aerosol generating device from the electromagnetic field that is generated by an inductive transmitting coil of an external wireless charger, for example, during wireless charging. The receiving coil must be exposed to the electromagnetic field and the magnetic flux must extend into the receiving coil so that the electromagnetic field generates an electric current in the receiving coil and it may be mounted on (or positioned adjacent) the outer main surface of the first shielding member - i.e., so that it is between the first shielding member and the outer sleeve of the aerosol generating device. The first shielding member is preferably larger than the receiving coil so that the receiving coil is completely covered by the first shielding member. This provides increased protection against the electromagnetic field generated during wireless charging, particularly for the components such as the heater assembly, power source etc. that are located on the other side of the first shielding member.

[0022] The substrate may be a moulded substrate. The receiving coil may be integrally formed with the moulded substrate, e.g., embedded in the substrate or mounted to the first main surface of the moulded substrate. Integrally forming the receiving coil and the substrate prevents the two components from becoming easily separated, e.g., as a result of heating or if the aerosol generating device is dropped. Embedding the receiving coil in the substrate also means that the substrate may be formed with smooth, planar, first and / or second main surfaces. This may improve the visual appearance of the substrate and may also make it easier to add one or more layers to one or both of the first and second main surfaces of the substrate, e.g., to add a shielding member that overlaps with the receiving coil as described in more detail below. The substrate may be moulded (i.e., formed using a moulding process) using any suitable material such as a plastics or resin material. In the moulding process, a liquid plastics or resin material may be poured into a mould and the receiving coil may be at least partially immersed in the liquid plastics or resin material, which is then cured or heated (e.g., for rapid polymerisation). Alternatively, the receiving coil may be positioned in the mould before the liquid plastics or resin material is poured into the mould. The mould may be made of silicone or a similar material. The receiving coil may comprise fittings that maintain a proper spacing and positioning of the turns during the moulding process. Such fittings may be made of a suitable plastics material, for example. If the receiving coil includes a wire (or wires) for electrically connecting the receiving coil to the PCBA, at least part of the wire (or each wire) is preferably maintained outside of the liquid plastics or resin material and freely extends from the moulded substrate after it has been cured or heated. In other words, while part of the wire (or each wire) that is adjacent the receiving coil may be embedded in the substrate, at least part of the wire (or each wire) is not embedded in the substrate to facilitate the electrical connection to the PCBA. The substrate may be formed from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or a similar material, for example. The moulded substrate may comprise a second shielding member. The second shielding member may have a planar construction, e.g., may be formed as a sheet. The second shielding member may be a ferrite sheet or a sheet of ferrite-containing material, for example. The second shielding member may be mounted on the second main surface of the moulded substrate. The second shielding member may be an interposing component that is positioned between the substrate and the inner assembly. Depending on the size of the second shielding member, the air gap may be defined by the empty space between the inner main surface of the second shielding member and the facing surface of the inner assembly, or the air gap may be at least partly defined by the empty space between the inner main surface of the second shielding member and the facing surface of the inner assembly and at least partly by the empty space between the second main surface of the substrate and the facing inner surface of the inner assembly. The second shielding member may have a suitable thickness (e.g., about 50 pm) and may be mounted to the substrate by an adhesive, for example.

[0023] The outer sleeve may have at least one open end and may be slidable relative to the inner assembly along a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device. This allows the outer sleeve to be slid over the inner assembly when the aerosol generating device is being assembled, which may simplify the manufacturing process. Both ends of the outer sleeve may be open.

[0024] The wireless charging assembly may be mounted to the outer sleeve by one or more connecting members formed on the inner surface of the outer sleeve. This provides for easy assembly of the aerosol generating device during the manufacturing process. The connecting members also provide direct contact between the wireless charging assembly and the outer sleeve. This may allow the heat generated by the receiving coil during wireless charging to be dissipated to the outer sleeve, thereby cooling the wireless charging assembly. The connecting members may also allow the wireless charging assembly to be mounted in such a way that the receiving coil is very close to the inner surface of the outer sleeve, and preferably in contact with the inner surface. This may allow for good wireless charging efficiency because the receiving coil will be positioned as close as possible to the transmitting coil of the external wireless charger. The one or more connecting members may comprise a pair of spaced connecting rails that slidably engage with opposite edges of the wireless charging assembly (e.g., with opposite edges of the substrate). This may allow the wireless charging assembly to be easily connected to the outer sleeve when the aerosol generating device is being assembled. In particular, the wireless charging assembly is easily connected by simply inserting it through the open end of the outer sleeve and sliding it between the connecting rails that engage with the opposite edges of the wireless charging assembly (e.g., of the substrate). The outer sleeve may be an extruded outer sleeve with integral connecting rails, i.e., the connecting rails may be part of the extrusion profile and the outer sleeve may optionally be made of a suitable plastics material. The connecting rails may extend along a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device. One or more movement-preventing members may be formed on the inner surface of the outer sleeve any may be adapted to prevent movement of the wireless charging assembly along the longitudinal axis when it is properly located. For example, one or more stops may be formed to contact a leading edge of the wireless charging assembly (e.g., a leading edge of the substrate) as it is inserted. The one or more stops will prevent any further movement of the wireless charging assembly in an inserting direction. When properly located (e.g., when the leading edge of the substrate contacts the one or more stops) one or more locking members may be formed to contact a trailing edge of the wireless charging assembly (e.g., a trailing edge of the substrate) and prevent movement of the wireless charging assembly in a direction that is opposite to the inserting direction. These locking members may be designed so that they do not prevent movement of the wireless charging assembly in the inserting direction, only in the opposite direction. Movement of the wireless charging assembly in other directions (e.g., along a lateral and / or transverse axis of the aerosol generating device) is prevented by the engagement with the connecting rails. The one or more movement-preventing members may be punched or integrally formed as part of the outer sleeve, e.g., using a suitable moulding or extruding process.

[0025] The wireless charging assembly may be mounted to the outer sleeve by a frame that is fixedly connected to the inner surface of the outer sleeve. Using a frame allows for existing outer sleeves to be utilised if a wireless charging assembly is retrofitted, for example. The frame also provides direct contact between the wireless charging assembly and the outer sleeve. This may allow the heat generated by the receiving coil during wireless charging to be dissipated to the outer sleeve, thereby cooling the wireless charging assembly. For example, this may allow for better thermal transfer than if the wireless charging assembly is connected using the connecting rails mentioned above. The frame may also allow the wireless charging assembly to be mounted in such a way that the receiving coil is very close to the inner surface of the outer sleeve, and preferably in contact with the inner surface. This may allow for good wireless charging efficiency because the receiving coil will be positioned as close as possible to the transmitting coil of the external wireless charger. The frame may extend around at least part of the periphery of the wireless charging assembly (e.g., around the periphery of the substrate), and may be fixedly connected to the inner surface of the outer sleeve by an ultrasonic weld or an adhesive to capture the wireless charging assembly between the frame and the outer sleeve. The wireless charging assembly may be slid into the frame - e.g., between a pair of side rails or arms of the frame. Part of the frame may extend between the second main surface of the substrate and the inner assembly so that it is an interposing component. The air gap may therefore be defined at least partly by the empty space between a surface of the frame and the facing surface of the inner assembly, for example.

[0026] The outer sleeve may comprise an opening (or window) and the wireless charging assembly may be connected to the outer sleeve with the receiving coil aligned with the opening. In other words, the receiving coil may be positioned within the opening. The opening may be substantially rectangular. The opening may be machined into existing outer sleeves, which may be a suitable option for retrofitting the wireless charging assembly, or formed during production of new outer sleeves, e.g., by modifying the design so that the outer sleeve includes such an opening. Aligning the receiving coil with the opening may improve wireless charging efficiency because the outer sleeve does not extend between the receiving coil and the transmitting coil of the wireless charger. It also allows the receiving coil to be positioned extremely close to the transmitting coil during wireless charging. The outer sleeve may be made of a metal or other electrically conductive material because the receiving coil will still be exposed to the electromagnetic field generated by the transmitting coil through the opening. This may be contrasted with known aerosol generating devices where the outer housing will normally be made of a plastics material because an electrically conductive material cannot be positioned between the receiving coil of the wireless charging assembly and the transmitting coil of the external wireless charger if a wireless connection between the receiving and transmitting coils is to be established. If the outer sleeve is made of a metal, it may be easier to dissipate heat in the outer sleeve because the thermal conductivity and thermal capacity of metals are generally higher than the those of plastics materials, for example. Improving dissipation of heat in the outer sleeve may reduce degradation of internal components. The substrate may be at least partially transparent or translucent. For example, if the substrate is a moulded substrate, it may be formed from a plastics or resin material that is transparent or translucent when cured or heated / polymerised. This may allow the receiving coil to be visible through the opening in the outer sleeve, thereby allowing the user to easily see where the receiving coil is positioned within the aerosol generating device. The outer surface of the substrate that is visible through the opening in the outer sleeve may include a visual indicator (e.g., a wireless charging logo) that may be aligned with, or overlay, the receiving coil. If the outer sleeve does not include an opening, the position of the receiving coil within the aerosol generating device may be indicated instead by a visual indicator (e.g., a wireless charging logo) at a corresponding position on the outer surface of the outer sleeve. The opposite side of the outer sleeve may include a different visual indicator (e.g., a different logo) that may help the user to identify the side where the receiving coil is positioned from the other side.

[0027] The wireless charging assembly may be connected to the outer sleeve by one or more click-fit (or snap-fit) connectors. For example, click-fit connectors may be formed on the inner surface of the outer sleeve, optionally around the opening or window mentioned above. The click-fit connectors may engage with the edges of the wireless charging assembly (e.g., with the edges of the substrate) or with compatible connectors provided on the wireless charging assembly (e.g., on the substrate). The connectors on the substrate may be shallow grooves or indents in the edges of the substrate that are aligned with the click-fit connectors, for example. The click-fit connectors may alternatively be formed on the edges of the wireless charging assembly (e.g., on the edges of the substrate) and may engage with the outer sleeve. The substrate may be fitted into a shallow recess formed in the inner surface of the outer sleeve and which extends around the periphery of the opening. When the wireless charging assembly is engaged it may be considered to be fixedly connected to the outer sleeve. Using click- fit connectors may make it easier to assemble the aerosol generating device, and more particularly make it easier to connect the wireless charging assembly to the outer sleeve.

[0028] The wireless charging assembly may be mounted to the facing surface of the inner assembly, optionally using a hook-and-loop fastener such as a strip of hook-and-loop fastener tape, for example. It will be generally understood that a hook-and-loop fastener comprises a first fastener substrate from which a plurality of hooks extend and a second fastener substrate from which a plurality of loops extend. The first fastener substrate is fixedly connected to one of the second main surface of the substrate and the facing surface of the inner assembly (optionally using double-sided tape or an adhesive, for example), and the second fastener substrate is fixedly connected to the other one of the second main surface of the substrate and the facing surface of the inner assembly (optionally using double-sided tape or an adhesive, for example). Engagement between the hooks and the loops of the hook-and-loop fastener fixedly connects the substrate to the inner assembly. The first and second fastener substrates are interposing components. The air gap may be at least partly defined by the space between the first and second fastener components. (Typically, the first and second fastener substrates will only cover part of the second main surface of the substrate and the facing surface of the inner assembly so that the air gap will also be defined by the empty space between the uncovered parts of the facing surfaces of the substrate and the inner assembly.) The plurality of hooks and loops will extend into the space between the first and second fastener substrates, but will not facilitate the transfer of heat from the wireless charging assembly to the inner assembly. In other words, the air gap will still act as a thermal insulation layer. The first fastener substrate with the plurality of hooks may be connected to the inner assembly. Using hook-and-loop fastener provides a cost- effective option for retrofitting a wireless charging assembly to an aerosol generating device with an outer sleeve.

[0029] The facing surface of the inner assembly may be a surface of the power source, for example.

[0030] As mentioned above, the receiving coil of the wireless charging assembly may contact the inner surface of the outer sleeve for good wireless charging efficiency and good thermal transfer of generated heat to the outer sleeve, which in turn provides improved cooling of the wireless charging assembly. The thickness of the hook-and-loop fastener may be selected so that the receiving coil contacts the inner surface of the outer sleeve, and in particular may selected so that the hook-and-loop fastener is slightly compressed so that the receiving coil is pressed against the outer sleeve - i.e., is biased by the hook- and-loop fastener towards the inner surface of the outer sleeve so that good thermal contact between the receiving coil and the outer sleeve is maintained. However, the hook-and-loop fastener should not be compressed too much because the minimum gap or space between the fastener substrates must be maintained.

[0031] The aerosol generating device may further comprise a planar third shielding member that at least partially covers the main surface of the printed circuit board. The third shielding member may comprise an opening that corresponds to the position of the mounted connector that is described above - i.e., the connector that is mounted to the printed circuit board. The mounted connector may extend through the opening in the third shielding member. This may allow for an easy electrical connection to be made to the mounted connector.

[0032] The aerosol generating article may comprise aerosol generating material.

[0033] The aerosol generating material may comprise any type of solid or semi-solid material. Example types of aerosol generating solids include powder, granules, pellets, shreds, strands, particles, gel, strips, loose leaves, cut filler, porous material, foam material or sheets. The aerosol generating material may comprise plant derived material and in particular, may comprise tobacco. It may advantageously comprise reconstituted tobacco, for example including tobacco and any one or more of cellulose fibres, tobacco stalk fibres and inorganic fillers. The solid or semi-solid aerosol generating material may be heated by the heater of the aerosol generating aerosol generating device - e.g., when arranged in the heating chamber.

[0034] The aerosol generating material may comprise an aerosol-former. Examples of aerosolformers include polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof such as glycerine or propylene glycol. Typically, the aerosol generating material may comprise an aerosolformer content of between approximately 5% and approximately 50% on a dry weight basis. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may comprise an aerosolformer content of between approximately 10% and approximately 22% on a dry weight basis, and possibly approximately 15% on a dry weight basis.

[0035] The aerosol generating device may be adapted to heat the aerosol generating material or substrate, without burning the aerosol generating material, to volatise at least one component of the aerosol generating material and thereby generate a heated vapour which cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating device. The volatile compounds released from the aerosol generating material may include nicotine or flavour compounds such as tobacco flavouring.

[0036] In general terms, a vapour is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that the vapour may be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature, whereas an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. It should, however, be noted that the terms ‘aerosol’ and ‘vapour’ may be used interchangeably in this specification, particularly with regard to the form of the inhalable medium that is generated for inhalation by a user.

[0037] When the aerosol generating material is depleted, the aerosol generating article may be removed from the aerosol generating device and a new article may be inserted. The aerosol generating article may comprise a mouthpiece through which the generated aerosol may be inhaled.

[0038] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0039] Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an aerosol generating system with an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article;

[0040] Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the aerosol generating device of Figure 1 showing the outer sleeve and the inner assembly;

[0041] Figure 3 is a diagrammatic front view of a wireless charging assembly;

[0042] Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view showing how the wireless charging assembly of Figure 3 is slidably connected to the outer sleeve;

[0043] Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the wireless charging assembly of Figure 3 connected to the outer sleeve;

[0044] Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of the wireless charging assembly of Figure 3 connected to the outer sleeve;

[0045] Figure 7 is a diagrammatic end view of the wireless charging assembly of Figure 3 connected to the outer sleeve;

[0046] Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view showing how the wireless charging assembly of Figure 3 is slidably connected to a frame;

[0047] Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the wireless charging assembly of Figure 3 connected to the outer sleeve by the frame of Figure 8;

[0048] Figure 10 is a diagrammatic end view of the wireless charging assembly of Figure 3 connected to the outer sleeve by the frame of Figure 8;

[0049] Figure 11 is a diagrammatic front view of a wireless charging assembly with a moulded substrate;

[0050] Figure 12 is a diagrammatic side view of the wireless charging assembly of Figure 11; Figure 13 is a diagrammatic side view of the wireless charging assembly of Figure 11 with a shielding member;

[0051] Figure 14 is a diagrammatic view of the wireless charging assembly of Figure 11 connected to the outer sleeve by click-fit connectors;

[0052] Figure 15 is a diagrammatic view of the wireless charging assembly of Figure 11 connected to the outer sleeve by click-fit connectors; Figure 16 is a diagrammatic cross section view of the wireless charging assembly of Figure 11 connected to the outer sleeve by click-fit connectors;

[0053] Figure 17 is diagrammatic view showing the wireless charging assembly of Figure 3 is connected to the inner assembly by hook-and-loop fastener;

[0054] Figure 18 is a diagrammatic view showing how the wireless charging assembly of Figure 3 is connected to the inner assembly by hook-and-loop fastener;

[0055] Figure 19 is a diagrammatic end view of the wireless charging assembly of Figure 3 connected to the outer sleeve by hook-and-loop fastener; and

[0056] Figure 20 is a diagrammatic view of a shielding member that is mounted to a surface of the inner assembly.

[0057] Detailed Description of Embodiments

[0058] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0059] Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown diagrammatically an example of an aerosol generating system 1. The aerosol generating system 1 includes an aerosol generating device 2 and an aerosol generating article 4 for use with the aerosol generating device 2. The aerosol generating device 2 is sized to be comfortably held by a user unaided, in a single hand.

[0060] The aerosol generating article 4 is formed as a stick that looks like an ordinary cigarette and includes aerosol generating material (not shown). The aerosol generating material may comprise plant derived material, and in particular may comprise tobacco.

[0061] The aerosol generating article 2 includes an outer sleeve 6 that is arranged around an inner assembly 8. The inner assembly 8 includes a heater assembly 10. The heater assembly 10 includes a cylindrical heating chamber 12 that is adapted to receive the aerosol generating article 4. The heater assembly 10 also includes a heater 14 that is adapted to heat the aerosol generating article 4 when it is received in the heating chamber 12. In particular, the heater 14 will heat the aerosol generating material (not shown) to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user. The inner housing 8 also includes an energy storage device 16 in the form of a rechargeable battery for supplying power to the heater 14.

[0062] An electric circuit is implemented by a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) 18. The PCBA 18 includes electronic components that are mounted on a printed circuit board 20. The PCBA 18 is electrically connected to the energy storage device 16 of the aerosol generating device 2. The PCBA 18 includes a microcontroller unit (MCU) (not shown) which controls operation of the aerosol generating device 2. The MCU (not shown) is mounted to a main surface of the printed circuit board 20.

[0063] The outer sleeve 6 is tubular and has open ends 6a, 6b. As indicated by the arrow in Figure 2, the outer sleeve 6 is slidable relative to the inner assembly 8 along a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device 2. This allows the outer sleeve 6 to be slid over the inner assembly 8 when the aerosol generating device 2 is being assembled, which simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0064] The aerosol generating article 2 also includes a wireless charging assembly 22. Referring to Figure 3, the wireless charging assembly 22 includes an electrically conductive receiving coil 24 with a plurality of turns for wireless inductive charging of the energy storage device 16. The wireless charging assembly 22 also includes a planar substrate 26 having an outer main surface 26a and an inner main surface 26b. In the wireless charging assembly 22 shown in Figure 3, the receiving coil 24 is mounted to the outer main surface 26a.

[0065] The substrate 26 is formed as a ferrite sheet or a sheet of ferrite-containing material that shields the internal components of the aerosol generating device 2 from the electromagnetic field generated during wireless charging. In other words, the substrate 26 is a shielding member. The wireless charging assembly 22 includes a pair of wires 28 electrically connected between the receiving coil 24 and the PCBA 18. The PCBA 18 includes a connector 30 that is mounted to the printed circuit board 20. The end of the pair of wires 28 includes a connector 32 that is compatible with the connector 30 that is mounted to the printed circuit board 20. For example, the connector 32 is a maletype connector and the connector 30 is a female-type connector that includes a recess for receiving part of the male-type connector (i.e., the connectors are “plug-in” connectors). Alternatively, the connector 30 may be the male-type connector and the connector 32 may be the female-type connector. In another arrangement, the connectors 30, 32 may be of any suitable type. The connectors 30, 32 provide an easy way of electrically connecting the wires 28 to the printed circuit board 20 during the assembly process ad also allow for easy disconnection if required. The connectors 30, 32 may include cooperating locking features that temporarily lock the engaged connectors together, but which allow the engaged connectors to be released if necessary, e.g., if the receiving coil 24 needs to be disconnected from the printed circuit board 20. The connector 32 that is connected to the end of the wires 28 may include a gripping member (e.g., one or more ridges) that allows it to be gripped more easily. Using suitable plugin connectors provides an easy and reliable way to electrically connect the wireless charging assembly 22 to the printed circuit board 20. The connector 30 may be mounted to a main surface of the printed circuit board 20 as shown in Figures 1 and 2 to provide an easy connection to the receiving coil 24.

[0066] The wireless charging assembly 22 is arranged between an inner surface 6c of the outer sleeve 6 and the inner assembly 8. As will be described in more detail below, the inner main surface 26b of the substrate 26 is spaced apart from a facing surface 8a of the inner assembly 8 by an air gap 34 that acts as a thermal insulation layer between the wireless charging assembly 22 and the inner assembly 8. In other words, the air gap 34 is defined by the empty space between the inner main surface 26a of the substrate 26 and the facing surface 8a of the inner assembly. It will be understood that the air gap 34 will act primarily as a thermal insulation layer or thermal barrier between the wireless charging assembly 22 and the inner assembly 8. This helps to prevent the transfer of heat generated by the receiving coil 24 during wireless charging from being transferred to the inner assembly 8, and in particular to the power source 16 if this is arranged adjacent the wireless charging assembly 22. The air gap 34 may have a minimum depth - i.e., the inner main surface 26b of the substrate 26 may be spaced apart from the facing surface 8a of the inner assembly 8 by a minimum distance, e.g., by at least 0.2 mm, more preferably between 0.2 mm and about 1.4 mm, and most preferably between 0.2 mm and about 0.6 mm.

[0067] The wireless charging assembly 22 may be mounted to the outer sleeve 6 by one or more connecting members formed on the inner surface 6c of the outer sleeve 6. This provides for easy assembly of the aerosol generating device 2 during the manufacturing process. The connecting members also provide direct contact between the wireless charging assembly 22 and the outer sleeve 6. This may allow the heat generated by the receiving coil 24 during wireless charging to be dissipated to the outer sleeve 6, thereby cooling the wireless charging assembly 22. The connecting members may also allow the wireless charging assembly 22 to be mounted in such a way that the receiving coil 24 is very close to the inner surface 6c of the outer sleeve 6, and preferably in contact with the inner surface 6c. This may allow for good wireless charging efficiency because the receiving coil 24 will be positioned as close as possible to the transmitting coil of the external wireless charger.

[0068] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, the one or more connecting members may comprise a pair of spaced connecting rails 36, 38 that slidably engage with opposite edges of the substrate 26. This may allow the wireless charging assembly 22 to be easily connected to the outer sleeve 6 when the aerosol generating device 2 is being assembled. In particular, the wireless charging assembly 22 is easily connected by simply inserting it through the open end 6b of the outer sleeve 6 and sliding it between the connecting rails 36, 38 that engage with the opposite edges of the substrate (see Figure 4, for example). The outer sleeve 6 may be an extruded outer sleeve with integral connecting rails 36, 38, i.e., the connecting rails 36, 38 may be part of the extrusion profile and the outer sleeve 6 may optionally be made of a suitable plastics material. The connecting rails 36, 38 extend along a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device 2 as shown. Movement-preventing members are formed on the inner surface 6c of the outer sleeve 6 and are adapted to prevent movement of the wireless charging assembly 22 along the longitudinal axis when it is properly located. In particular, a pair of stops 40 are formed to contact a leading edge 26c of the substrate 26 as it is inserted. The pair of stops 40 will prevent any further movement of the wireless charging assembly 22 in an inserting direction. When properly located (e.g., when the leading edge 26c of the substrate 26 contacts the pair of stops 40) a pair of locking members 42 are formed to contact a trailing edge 26d of the substrate 26 and prevent movement of the wireless charging assembly 22 in a direction that is opposite to the inserting direction. The locking members 42 are designed so that they do not prevent movement of the wireless charging assembly 22 in the inserting direction, only in the opposite direction. Movement of the wireless charging assembly 22 in other directions (e.g., along a lateral and / or transverse axis of the aerosol generating device 2) is prevented by the engagement with the connecting rails 36, 38. The movement-preventing members may be punched or integrally formed as part of the outer sleeve 6, e.g., using a suitable moulding or extruding process.

[0069] Alternatively, the wireless charging assembly 22 is mounted to the outer sleeve 6 by a frame 44 that is fixedly connected to the inner surface 6c of the outer sleeve 6. Using a frame 44 allows for existing outer sleeves 6 to be utilised if a wireless charging assembly 22 is retrofitted, for example. The frame 44 also provides direct contact between the wireless charging assembly 22 and the outer sleeve 6. This may allow the heat generated by the receiving coil 24 during wireless charging to be dissipated to the outer sleeve 6, thereby cooling the wireless charging assembly 22. For example, this may allow for better thermal transfer than if the wireless charging assembly 22 is connected using the connecting rails 36, 38 mentioned above. The frame 44 may also allow the wireless charging assembly 22 to be mounted in such a way that the receiving coil 24 is very close to the inner surface 6c of the outer sleeve 6, and preferably in contact with the inner surface 6c. This may allow for good wireless charging efficiency because the receiving coil 24 will be positioned as close as possible to the transmitting coil of the external wireless charger. As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the frame 44 includes connecting rails 44a, 44b that that slidably engage with opposite edges of the substrate 26. The frame 44 also includes a panel 44c that extends between the rails 44a, 44b. The frame 44 is fixedly connected to the inner surface 6c of the outer sleeve 6 by an ultrasonic weld or an adhesive to capture the wireless charging assembly 22 between the frame 44 and the outer sleeve 6. In particular, the outer surface of each connecting rail 44a, 44b may be fixedly connected to the inner surface 6c of the outer sleeve 6 as shown in Figure 10. The panel 44c of the frame 44 is positioned between substrate 26 and the facing surface 8a of the inner assembly 8. The inner surface of the panel 44c is spaced apart from the facing surface 8a by an air gap 34 that acts as a thermal insulation layer between the wireless charging assembly 22 and the inner assembly 8. In other words, the air gap 34 is defined by the empty space between the inner surface of the panel 44c and the facing surface 8a of the inner assembly 8. This helps to prevent the transfer of heat generated by the receiving coil 24 during wireless charging from being transferred to the inner assembly 8, and in particular to the power source 16 if this is arranged adjacent the wireless charging assembly 22. The air gap 34 may have a minimum depth - i.e., the inner surface of the panel 44c may be spaced apart from the facing surface 8a of the inner assembly 8 by a minimum distance, e.g., by at least 0.2 mm, more preferably between 0.2 mm and about 1.4 mm, and most preferably between 0.2 mm and about 0.6 mm. In some cases, the panel 44c of the frame 44 may be omitted so that the frame is substantially U-shaped, for example. The air gap 34 would then be defined mainly by the empty space between the inner main surface 26b of the substrate 26 and the facing surface 8a of the inner assembly 8.

[0070] The substrate 26 may be a moulded substrate. The receiving coil 24 may be integrally formed with the moulded substrate 26, e.g., embedded in the substrate 26 or mounted to the first main surface of the moulded substrate. Integrally forming the receiving coil 24 and the substrate 26 prevents the two components from becoming easily separated, e.g., as a result of heating or if the aerosol generating device 2 is dropped. Embedding the receiving coil 24 in the substrate 26 also means that the substrate 26 may be formed with smooth, planar, first and / or second surfaces 26a, 26b. This may improve the visual appearance of the substrate 26 and may also make it easier to add one or more layers to one or both of the first and second main surfaces 26a, 26b of the substrate, e.g., to add a shielding member 46 that overlaps with the receiving coil 24 as described in more detail below. The substrate 26 shown in Figures 11-13 is formed using a moulding process using any suitable material such as a plastics or resin material. The substrate 26 may be formed from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or a similar material, for example. In the moulding process, a liquid plastics or resin material may be poured into a mould and the receiving coil 24 may be at least partially immersed in the liquid plastics or resin material, which is then cured or heated (e.g., for rapid polymerisation). Alternatively, the receiving coil 24 may be positioned in the mould before the liquid plastics or resin material is poured into the mould. The mould may be made of silicone or a similar material. The receiving coil 24 may comprise fittings that maintain a proper spacing and positioning of the turns during the moulding process. Such fittings may be made of a suitable plastics material, for example.

[0071] At least part of each wire 28 is preferably maintained outside of the liquid plastics or resin material and freely extends from the moulded substrate 26 after it has been cured or heated. In other words, while part of each wire 28 that is adjacent the receiving coil 24 may be embedded in the substrate 26, at least part of each wire 28 is not embedded in the substrate 26 to facilitate the electrical connection to the PCBA 18.

[0072] Figure 13 shows a shielding member 46 mounted on the second main surface 26b of the substrate 26. The shielding member 46 is larger than the receiving coil 24 so that the receiving coil 24 is completely covered by the shielding member 46. The shielding member 46 may have any suitable thickness (e.g., about 50 pm) and may be mounted to the substrate 26 by an adhesive. Alternatively, only part of the receiving coil 24 is covered by the shielding member 46.

[0073] The wireless charging assembly 22 with a moulded substrate 26, and optional shielding member 46, may be connected to the outer sleeve 6 using the connecting rails 36, 38 shown in Figures 4 to 7, or the frame 44 shown Figures 8 to 10.

[0074] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 14, the outer sleeve 6 may comprise an opening (or window) 48 and the wireless charging assembly 22 may be connected to the outer sleeve 6 with the receiving coil 24 aligned with the opening 48. In other words, the receiving coil 24 may be positioned generally within the opening 48. The opening 48 is substantially rectangular. Aligning the receiving coil 24 with the opening 48 may improve wireless charging efficiency because the outer sleeve 6 does not extend between the receiving coil 24 and the transmitting coil of the wireless charger. It also allows the receiving coil 24 to be positioned extremely close to the transmitting coil during wireless charging. The outer sleeve 6 may be made of a metal or other electrically conductive material because the receiving coil 24 will still be exposed to the electromagnetic field generated by the transmitting coil through the opening 48. This may be contrasted with known aerosol generating devices where the outer housing will normally be made of a plastics material because an electrically conductive material cannot be positioned between the receiving coil of the wireless charging assembly and the transmitting coil of the external wireless charger if a wireless connection between the receiving and transmitting coils is to be established. If the outer sleeve 6 is made of a metal, it may be easier to dissipate heat in the outer sleeve 6 because the thermal conductivity and thermal capacity of metals are generally higher than the those of plastics materials, for example. Improving dissipation of heat in the outer sleeve 6 may reduce degradation of internal components. In Figure 14, the moulded substrate 26 is shown to be transparent so that the receiving coil 24 is visible through the opening 48 in the outer sleeve 6, thereby allowing the user to easily see where the receiving coil 24 is positioned within the aerosol generating device. The outer main surface 26a of the substrate 26 that is visible through the opening 48 in the outer sleeve 6 includes a visual indicator (e.g., a wireless charging logo) that may be aligned with, or overlay, the receiving coil. If the outer sleeve 6 does not include an opening, the position of the receiving coil 24 within the aerosol generating device 2 may be indicated instead by a visual indicator (e.g., a wireless charging logo) at a corresponding position on the outer surface of the outer sleeve 6. The opposite side of the outer sleeve 6 may include a different visual indicator (e.g., a different logo) that may help the user to identify the side where the receiving coil 28 is positioned.

[0075] The wireless charging assembly 22 shown in Figure 15 is connected to the outer sleeve 6 by one or more click-fit (or snap-fit) connectors 50. The click-fit connectors 50 are formed on the inner surface 6c of the outer sleeve 6 around the opening 48. Four click- fit connectors 50 are shown. The substrate 26 of the wireless charging assembly 22 may include a shallow recess or indent (not shown) in each edge that engages with a corresponding click-fit connector 50 (i.e., for easy click-fit engagement). The substrate 26 of the wireless charging assembly 22 is fitted into a shallow recess 52 formed in the inner surface 6c of the outer sleeve 6 and which extends around the periphery of the opening 48.

[0076] As shown in Figure 16, the inner main surface 26b of the substrate 26 is spaced apart from a facing surface 8a of the inner assembly 8 by an air gap 34 that acts as a thermal insulation layer between the wireless charging assembly 22 and the inner assembly 8. In other words, the air gap 34 is defined by the empty space between the inner main surface 26b of the substrate 26 and the facing surface 8a of the inner assembly 8. This helps to prevent the transfer of heat generated by the receiving coil 24 during wireless charging from being transferred to the inner assembly 8, and in particular to the power source 16 if this is arranged adjacent the wireless charging assembly 22. The air gap 34 may have a minimum depth - i.e., the inner main surface 26a of the substrate 26 may be spaced apart from the facing surface of the inner assembly 8 by a minimum distance, e.g., by at least 0.2 mm, more preferably between 0.2 mm and about 1.4 mm, and most preferably between 0.2 mm and about 0.6 mm. If the wireless charging assembly 22 includes the shielding member 46, the air gap 34 would be partly defined by the empty space between the inner main surface of the shielding member 46 and the facing surface 8a of the inner assembly 8 and partly by the empty space between the peripheral part of the inner main surface 26b of the substrate 26 (i.e., the part of the substrate 26 that is not covered by the shielding member 46) and the facing surface 8a.

[0077] Figures 17 to 19 show how the wireless charging assembly 22 may be mounted to the facing surface 8a of the inner assembly 8 using a hook-and-loop fastener, e.g., strips of hook-and-loop tape. In particular, a first fastener substrate 54 from which a plurality of hooks (not shown) extend is fixedly connected to an outer surface 8a of the inner assembly (e.g., an outer surface 16a of the energy storage device 16), e.g., using doublesided tape or adhesive. A second fastener substrate 56 from which a plurality of loops (not shown) extend is fixedly connected to the inner main surface 26b of the substrate 26, e.g., using double-sided tape or adhesive. Engagement between the hooks and the loops of the hook-and-loop fastener fixedly connects the substrate 26 to the inner assembly 8. The air gap 34 is partly defined by the space between the first and second fastener substrates 54, 56. Figure 19 shows that the air gap 34 is also partly defined by the empty space between the second main surface of the substrate 26b and the facing surface 8a of the inner assembly 8 (i.e., the parts of the substrate 26 and the facing surface 8a of the inner assembly 8 that are not covered by the first and second fastener substrates 54, 56). The air gap 34 will be sufficient to act as a thermal insulation layer between the wireless charging assembly 22 and the inner assembly 8. The plurality of hooks and loops (not shown) will extend into the space between the first and second fastener substrates 54, 56, and hence into part of the air gap 34, but will not facilitate the transfer of heat from the wireless charging assembly 22 to the inner assembly 8. Using hook-and-loop fastener provides a cost-effective option for retrofitting a wireless charging assembly 22 to an aerosol generating device 2 with an outer sleeve 6.

[0078] As mentioned above, the receiving coil 24 of the wireless charging assembly 22 may contact the inner surface 6c of the outer sleeve 6 for good wireless charging efficiency and good thermal transfer of generated heat to the outer sleeve 6, which in turn provides improved cooling of the wireless charging assembly 22. The thickness of the hook-and- loop fastener may be selected so that the receiving coil 24 contacts the inner surface 6a of the outer sleeve 6 as shown in Figure 19, and in particular may selected so that the hook-and-loop fastener is slightly compressed so that the receiving coil 22 is pressed against the outer sleeve 6 - i.e., is biased by the hook-and-loop fastener towards the inner surface 6c of the outer sleeve 6 so that good thermal contact between the receiving coil 22 and the outer sleeve 6 is maintained.

[0079] As shown in Figure 20, the aerosol generating device 2 may further comprise a planar shielding member 58 that at least partially covers the main surface of the printed circuit board 20. The shielding member 58 shown in Figure 20 is larger than the printed circuit board 20 so that the printed circuit board 20 is completely covered by the shielding member 58. Alternatively, only part of the printed circuit board 20 is covered. The shielding member 58 includes an opening 60 that corresponds to the position of the mounted connector 30 that is described above. The mounted connector 30 extends through the opening 60. This may allow for an easy electrical connection to be made to the mounted connector 30. In particular, it means that the shielding member 58 does not cover the connector 30 and does not prevent the compatible connector 32 from being connected to the connector 30.

[0080] Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to those embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments.

[0081] Any combination of the above-described features in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

[0082] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

Claims

Claims1. An aerosol generating device (2) comprising: an inner assembly (8) comprising: a heater assembly (10) comprising: a heating chamber (12) adapted to receive an aerosol generating article (4); and a heater (14) adapted to heat the aerosol generating article (4) when received in the heating chamber (12); and a power source (16) adapted to supply power to the heater (14); an outer sleeve (6) that substantially surrounds the inner assembly (8); and a wireless charging assembly (22) arranged between an inner surface (6c) of the outer sleeve (6) and the inner assembly (8), the wireless charging assembly (22) comprising: an electrically conductive receiving coil (24) for wireless inductive charging; and a planar substrate (26) having a first main surface (26a) and a second main surface (26b) opposite the first main surface (26a), wherein the receiving coil (24) is embedded in the substrate (26) or mounted to the first main surface (26a) of the substrate (26); wherein an air gap (34) is positioned between the second main surface (26b) of the substrate (26) and a facing surface (8a) of the inner assembly (8), the air gap (34) acting as a thermal insulation layer between the wireless charging assembly (22) and the inner assembly (8).

2. An aerosol generating device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the outer sleeve (6) has at least one open end (6b) and is slidable relative to the inner assembly (8) along a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device (2).

3. An aerosol generating device (2) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the wireless charging assembly (22) is mounted to the outer sleeve (6) by one or more connecting members (36, 38; 50) formed on the inner surface (6c) of the outer sleeve (6).

4. An aerosol generating device (2) according to claim 3, wherein the one or more connecting members comprise a pair of spaced connecting rails (36, 38) that slidably engage with opposite edges of the wireless charging assembly (22).

5. An aerosol generating device (2) according to claim 4, wherein the outer sleeve (6) is an extruded outer sleeve with integral connecting rails (36, 38).

6. An aerosol generating device (2) according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the connecting rails (36, 38) extend along a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device (2), and further comprising one or more movement-preventing members (40, 42) formed on the inner surface (6c) of the outer sleeve (6) adapted to prevent movement of the wireless charging assembly (22) along the longitudinal axis.

7. An aerosol generating device (2) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the wireless charging assembly (22) is mounted to the outer sleeve by a frame (44) that is fixedly connected to the inner surface (6c) of the outer sleeve (6).

8. An aerosol generating device (2) according to claim 7, wherein the frame (44) extends around at least part of the periphery of the wireless charging assembly (22).

9. An aerosol generating device (2) according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the frame (44) is fixedly connected to the inner surface (6c) of the outer sleeve (6) by an ultrasonic weld or an adhesive to capture the wireless charging assembly (22) between the frame (44) and the outer sleeve (6).

10. An aerosol generating device (2) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the wireless charging assembly (22) is mounted to the facing surface (8a) of the inner assembly (8) using a hook-and-loop fastener, wherein the hook-and-loop fastener comprises a first fastener substrate (54) with a plurality of hooks and a second fastener substrate (56) with a plurality of loops, wherein the first fastener substrate (54) is fixedly connected to one of the second main surface (26b) of the substrate (26) and thefacing surface (8a) of the inner assembly (8), and the second fastener substrate (56) is fixedly connected to the other one of the second main surface (26b) of the substrate (26) and the facing surface (8a) of the inner assembly (8), such that the air gap (34) is at least partly defined by the space between the first and second fastener substrates (54, 56).

11. An aerosol generating device (2) according to claim 10, wherein the facing surface (8a) of the inner assembly (8) is a surface (16a) of the power source (16).

12. An aerosol generating device (2) according to any preceding claim, wherein the receiving coil (24) of the wireless charging assembly (22) contacts the inner surface (6c) of the outer sleeve (6).

13. An aerosol generating device (2) according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner assembly (8) further comprises: a printed circuit board assembly (18) comprising: a controller adapted to control operation of the aerosol generating device (2); and a printed circuit board (20) having a main surface on which the controller is mounted; and wherein the aerosol generating device (2) further comprises a planar shielding member (58) that at least partially covers the main surface of the printed circuit board (20).

14. An aerosol generating device (2) according to claim 13, wherein the printed circuit board assembly (18) further comprises a connector (30) that is mounted to the printed circuit board (20), wherein the wireless charging assembly (22) further comprises at least one wire (28) electrically connected between the receiving coil (22) and the connector (30).

15. An aerosol generating device (2) according to claim 14, wherein the shielding member (58) comprises an opening (60) that corresponds to the position of the connector (30).

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