Aerosol-generating device with integrated water managing system
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-13
Smart Images
Figure EP2026052911_13082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE WITH INTEGRATED WATER MANAGING SYSTEM
[0002] Technical field of the invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of tobacco, and in particular to aerosol-generating devices.
[0004] Background of the invention
[0005] Heated tobacco inhaler devices, also referred to as “heat-not-burn” systems (HNB), have gained popularity in the recent years. Such devices typically comprise a cavity configured to receive rod-shaped aerosol-generating articles, and a heating system for heating said articles received in the cavity.
[0006] Aerosol-generating articles typically contain a tobacco substrate comprising an aerosol-forming agent (such as glycerine and / or propylene glycol) which vaporises during heating and creates a vapour that extracts nicotine and -if any - flavor and / or stimulant components from the tobacco substrate.
[0007] The aerosol-generating substrate is not burned or combusted, but heated to between 200 and 400°C, which is below the normal burning temperature of a conventional cigarette.
[0008] A well-recorded drawback of such aerosol-generating devices is that sensations of the user may be impaired due to the initial water content in the aerosol-generating substrate of the article, in particular at the beginning of the vaping session when such content is at its highest level.
[0009] Figure 10 shows the fluctuations of respectively a water amount and a glycerol amount in the aerosol-generating substrate of an aerosol-generating article, throughout a vaping session, and illustrates the high water / glycerol ratio at the beginning of the vaping session responsible for this sensory alteration.
[0010] Another drawback linked to the initial moisture level of the aerosolgenerating substrate is that a filter region of the aerosol-generating article maybecome overheated at the beginning of the vaping phase. When water is vaporised during heating, and as it has a high specific heat capacity, it efficiently moves the heat from the aerosol-generating substrate to the filter region before being inhaled. This overheating is unpleasant to the user whose mouth comes into direct contact with the filter region upon vaping.
[0011] To release water from the article before the actual vaping session, it has been envisaged to ask the user to take a dummy puff in the heat-up phase of the device.
[0012] However, the efficiency of this solution depends on the user taking the dummy puff at the right time and volume. A second drawback is that the dummy puff contains mainly water, which is unpleasant to the user.
[0013] Summary of the invention
[0014] An object of the present invention is therefore to propose a solution for improved user’s experience, in particular at the beginning of the vaping session.
[0015] According to the present invention, this object is achieved through the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments follow from the dependent claims and the following description.
[0016] According to the present invention, an aerosol-generating device comprises:
[0017] - a casing,
[0018] - a body delimiting a cavity provided with an opening at one end, with said cavity being adapted to receive at least part of an aerosol-generating article inserted through said opening, and
[0019] - a heating system for heating an aerosol-generating article received in said cavity,
[0020] the aerosol-generating device being characterized in that it further comprises an integrated water managing system comprising vibrating means for vibrating the body.The aerosol-generating device according to the invention is provided with an integrated system for processing water contained in an aerosolgenerating article inserted in the cavity.
[0021] Aerosol-generating articles typically comprise an aerosol-generating substrate formed of a substrate material including an aerosol-forming agent, and generally at least a tobacco and / or nicotine containing agent or material, and eventually one or several additional inhalable agents.
[0022] The aerosol-generating substrate is typically arranged in a rod-shape and surrounded by a paper-wrapper.
[0023] The substrate may typically be a tobacco-based substrate comprising tobacco-based material such as crimped, shredded and / or ground tobacco, tobacco leaves, tobacco stems, reconstituted tobacco sheets (typically crimped, shredded or cut in stripes), etc.
[0024] As used herein, an aerosol forming agent may be any compound, mixture and / or solution capable of forming an aerosol, e.g. when heated. Well known examples of aerosol-forming agent include humectants such as glycerol or propylene glycol.
[0025] As used herein, an inhalable agent may be any compound, mixture, particle matter and / or solution that may be inhaled and includes and / or carries at least one of a stimulant, such as caffeine, nicotine, etc., and / or a flavor, such as menthol, plant flavors, etc.
[0026] According to the invention, the integrated water managing system uses vibrating means that are configured to impart a vibrating movement to the body. According to an embodiment of the invention, the vibrating means are physically vibrating the body and thus the aerosol generating article arranged therein.
[0027] During vibration, kinetic energy induced by the vibrating means is transferred to the aerosol-generating article, and this kinetic energy creates pressure differentials within the aerosol-generating substrate. This pressure differential induces the extraction of water molecules from the substrate material.A first advantage is that since the substrate material contains less or no more water, energy can be concentrated on other constituents such as the aerosol-forming agent or the inhalable agents upon heating. Desirable constituents such as the tobacco, humectants or nicotine containing agent and -if present - further inhalable agents are therefore released earlier upon vaping, improving the quality of the aerosol and enhancing the user’s sensations.
[0028] Vibration of the body during the heat-up phase may also decrease the particle size of these desirable constituents and hence provide a decreased particle size aerosol during the subsequent vaping session, which is more satisfactory to the user.
[0029] Another advantage is that water extracted from the aerosol-generating substrate material transfers less heat to a filter region of the article upon heating. Hence the temperature of the filter region remains limited.
[0030] With reference to the use of the claimed device, a heat-up phase is to be understood herein as a period of time during which the cavity is progressively heated to reach appropriate conditions (temperature of the aerosol-generating substrate inside the aerosol-generating article) for vaping. Once these conditions are reached, the heat-up phase is terminated and a vaping phase starts, during which these conditions are maintained or can be further modified depending for example on the desired heating profile. A signal (for example using haptic feedback or visual feedback such as a LED signal) may inform the user that the heat-up phase has ended and that the actual vaping phase has started.
[0031] A vaping session is a period during which the user is actually vaping. A vaping session is thus part of the vaping phase and can be introduced during the vaping phase for example by a user’s puff, and in particular by the first user’s puff.
[0032] The integrated water managing system with its vibrating means is typically activated during a heat-up phase of the device, to extract water out of the aerosol-generating substrate material before the actual vaping phase.
[0033] In other words, according to an embodiment, the integrated water managing system is configured to vibrate the body when the cavity is at atemperature that is lower than the determined temperature required for vaping. Preferably, the device comprises temperature assessing means (such as a temperature sensor, a resistance sensor, or any other adapted means) configured to assess a temperature of the body and / or inside the cavity, and a control unit configured to trigger the vibrating means based on a trigger signal (user command or automatic detection of the aerosol-generating article) and before the temperature of the body and / or cavity has reached a determined value.
[0034] According to an example, the integrated water managing system, in particular the vibrating means, may also be activated during the vaping phase.
[0035] According to an example, the vibrating means may be activatable / activated during at least one continuous period of time during the heat-up phase, typically of at least 5 seconds.
[0036] It may also be activatable / activated during several successive periods of time during the heat-up phase. According to a particular example of implementing several successive vibration periods, the vibrating means may generate pulsed vibrations, for example using a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) approach.
[0037] Preferably, the vibrating means may be activatable / activated during at least 20%, more preferably at least 50%, still more preferably at least 70%, of the heat-up phase, still more preferably throughout the entire heat-up phase.
[0038] Preferably, a frequency of vibrations imparted to the body by the vibrating means is comprised between 100 Hz and 600 kHz.
[0039] As explained hereabove, the vibrating means may vibrate the body so that water molecules contained in an aerosol-generating article inserted in the cavity be extracted therefrom.
[0040] A frequency of vibrations imparted to the body between 100 Hz and 600 kHz, in particular, has proven to be adapted for extracting water molecules contained in such aerosol-generating article.
[0041] According to a particular example, a frequency of vibrations imparted to the body by the vibrating means is comprised between 100 Hz and 200 Hz.This frequency range has the advantage that the vibrating means may further be used for haptic user feedback. Also, such frequency typically includes a resonant frequency of the body, which allows a maximized vibration amplitude.
[0042] Preferably, a frequency of vibrations imparted to the body by the vibrating means may correspond to a resonant frequency of the body.
[0043] According to another particular example, a frequency of vibrations imparted to the body by the vibrating means is comprised between 400 kHz and 600 kHz. Such frequency range has proved to be particularly efficient for the generation of water droplets.
[0044] According to an example, the vibrating means may include an haptic feedback motor, such as an eccentric rotating mass motor (ERM motor), a linear resonant actuator (LRA), or a piezoelectric actuator.
[0045] To provide higher amplitude to the vibration, the vibrating means may preferably comprise an eccentric rotating mass motor. Such motor is provided with an off-center mass and generates vibration by the displacement of said mass upon rotation.
[0046] A rotation axis of the motor may be parallel to a longitudinal direction of the cavity or may be perpendicular to such longitudinal direction, or may form an acute angle with respect to this longitudinal direction.
[0047] In some particular arrangements, a coin-type eccentric rotating mass vibration motor may be further preferred due to its compact shape.
[0048] According to an example, the vibrating means used in the integrated water managing system may serve additional purpose(s). For example, the vibrating means may be implemented during the vaping phase, typically with the aim to atomize the aerosol forming agent contained in the substrate material. And / or they may be used for haptic user feedback, for example for informing the user of a body readiness or session status. And / or they may be used outside the heat-up and vaping phases, for example for cleaning purpose in combination with a cleaning stick inserted in the cavity.According to an example, if the vibrating means are further used in a vaping vibrating mode to vibrate the body with the aim to atomize the aerosol forming agent contained in the substrate material (during vaping phase), a frequency used in the vaping vibrating mode may be the same or higher than that used in the water release vibrating mode.
[0049] According to an example, if the vibrating means are further used in a haptic vibrating mode to vibrate the body with the aim to provide haptic user feedback (typically during the heat-up and / or vaping phase), a frequency used in said haptic vibrating mode may be the same or lower than that used in the water release vibrating mode and / or vaping vibrating mode.
[0050] According to an example, if the vibrating means are further used in a cleaning vibrating mode to vibrate the body for cleaning purposes, a frequency used in said cleaning vibrating mode may be the same or different from the frequency used in the other modes.
[0051] According to an example, vibrating means, such as a haptic feedback motor, may be attached to the body to increase the vibration force transmitted to said body.
[0052] According to an example, the body may have a cup-shaped structure including a lateral wall and a bottom wall, the lateral wall and the bottom wall being solidary with each other. The lateral wall and the bottom wall together delimit the cavity configured to receive the aerosol-generating article therein.
[0053] It has to be noted that the term “solidary” is used herein to indicate that the bottom wall and the lateral wall can be constrained to one another or made in a single piece.
[0054] The lateral wall may typically have a tubular shape to fit with the aerosol-generating article.
[0055] The cup-shaped structure is configured to be vibrated as a whole by the vibrating means.
[0056] Such monoblock cup-shaped structure may be formed of one or several pieces, these pieces being however solidary with each other. Accordingto a particular embodiment, the monoblock cup-shaped structure may be a one-piece cup-shaped structure.
[0057] According to an example, vibrating means may contact the body, preferably directly.
[0058] According to an example, vibrating means may be mounted on an exterior surface of the body, in particular at a bottom end of the body.
[0059] According to an example, any fixing elements between the vibrating means and the body may be made of a rigid material to enhance the vibration transfer therefrom to the body.
[0060] According to an example, the aerosol-generating device may further comprise vibration dampening means (typically surrounding the body) for at least partially absorbing the vibrations of the body. Such dampening means may allow that the energy used to vibrate the body be maximized, by reducing energy loss through vibration of other parts of the device. Dampening means may typically be arranged to preserve the casing from vibrations of the body.
[0061] According to an example, the vibration dampening means may comprise at least one flexible part that connects the body to the casing, typically at least one spring. The body is so suspended within the device, allowing it to move independently of the rest of the structure. This effectively isolates the vibrations.
[0062] According to another example, the vibration dampening means may comprise at least a deformable bushing such as a rubber bushing, silicon bushing or foam bushing surrounding the body. Such deformable bushings absorb vibrations, reducing the transmission of the vibrational energy to adjacent components.
[0063] According to an example, the integrated water management system may comprise water releasing means configured to generate a pressure differential and / or an airflow inside the cavity, to further remove water molecules extracted from the substrate material from the article.The release of water droplets out of the article allows to reduce water vapor and hence improve the user’s sensations at the beginning of the vaping session.
[0064] The water releasing means and the vibrating means may be formed by the same element(s), or may be formed by separate elements, or may have at least one element in common.
[0065] According to specific arrangements, the vibrations means themselves may be configured and / or arranged to generate a pressure differential and / or an airflow inside the cavity upon vibrating.
[0066] According to an example, the vibrating means may comprise an eccentric rotating mass motor and the water releasing means be formed by or may include said motor.
[0067] The water releasing means are typically activatable / activated during the heat-up phase.
[0068] The water releasing means may be activated simultaneously with the vibrating means or independently therefrom.
[0069] According to an example, water releasing means may comprise pulsed vibrating means such as mentioned previously. A pressure differential created between each pulse generates an air flow inside the cavity, that helps removing water from the aerosol-generating article.
[0070] According to an example, the vibrating means may be configured to generate a biased vibrating force on the body. Such biased vibration may cause outside air to enter the cavity. Air can enter the cavity for example through an opening of the cavity (e.g. an opening arranged at the portion of the cavity intended to allow the article to be inserted therein), run around and along the article towards the bottom of the cavity, and then up through the article.
[0071] According to an example, the water releasing means may comprise a pump, generating an airflow through the cavity.Preferably, the pump may be located outside the body, typically at a bottom end thereof.
[0072] According to an example, the pump may have an air input separate from the opening of the cavity, preferably communicating with the outside of the device, and an air outlet communicating with the inside of the cavity, for example including a hole formed at the bottom end of the body.
[0073] According to an example, the pump may have at least one impeller blade.
[0074] According to an example, the integrated water managing system may comprise an eccentric rotating mass motor where a rotation axis of such motor is tilted with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cavity.
[0075] Preferably, an angle between the rotation axis of the motor and the longitudinal axis of the cavity is comprised between 10 and 15 degrees.
[0076] The angle between the rotation axis of the motor and the longitudinal axis of the cavity provides a bias to the vibrations applied to the body, inducing an airflow, typically entering through the opening of the cavity and flowing around the article towards its bottom, and up again through the article.
[0077] According to a particular arrangement, the body may further be opened at its lower end to allow that an airflow enters the cavity from the bottom side thereof. A hole (typically aligned with the rotation axis of the motor and optionally communicating with an air inlet separate from the opening of the cavity) may for example be provided at the bottom end of the body.
[0078] According to another example, the integrated water managing system may comprise an eccentric rotating mass motor including at least one blade forming an impeller blade of a pump.
[0079] The eccentric rotating mass vibration motor may have one or several eccentric rotating masses forming unbalanced masses, generally mounted on a rotating shaft. The at least one impeller blade may be an eccentric rotating mass of the motor or an additional blade arranged on the motor shaft.Advantageously, the at least one impeller blade may be rotatably mounted inside a housing having an air inlet, preferably communicating with the outside of the device, and an air outlet communicating with the inside of the cavity. When electrical power is provided to the motor, the blade then rotates integrally with the motor shaft, pushing air from the inlet to the outlet, and hence acting as a pump.
[0080] According to another example, the integrated water managing system may comprise an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor and a separate pump, with the pump being driven by the eccentric rotating mass vibration motor, for example via at least an intermediate drive shaft.
[0081] When the eccentric rotating mass vibration motor is powered during the heat-up phase to vibrate the body, it simultaneously generates a rotation force which is coupled to and drives the pump, thereby inducing an airflow towards the cavity and through the aerosol-generating article.
[0082] The vibration motor and the pump may be integrated in one and the same casing, with any intermediate drive shaft being an internal shaft, or the vibration motor and the pump may have separate casings with at least one intermediate drive shaft extending between both casings.
[0083] For example, the pump may be a micro diaphragm pump, a micro gear pump, a microturbine (centrifugal) pump or a micro peristaltic pump.
[0084] The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device as defined hereabove and an aerosolgenerating article inserted / for insertion in the cavity of the body.
[0085] The invention further relates to a method of use of an aerosolgenerating device as defined hereabove, comprising:
[0086] - an insertion phase where an aerosol-generating article is inserted inside the cavity,
[0087] - a heat-up phase where the cavity is heated to a predetermined temperature, and
[0088] - a vaping phase,
[0089] the method being characterized in that it includes vibrating the body during theheat-up phase to manage water inside the aerosol-generating article located in the cavity.
[0090] According to an example, the aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate including a substrate material and the vibrating step may extract water from said substrate material.
[0091] According to an example, the body may be vibrated continuously or intermittently during the entire heat-up phase.
[0092] According to an example, the body may be vibrated at a resonant frequency thereof.
[0093] According to an example, the method may further comprise generating a pressure differential and / or an airflow inside the cavity, during the heat-up phase, preferably simultaneously with vibrating the body, to release water from the aerosol-generating article.
[0094] According to an example, the method may further comprise a cleaning phase where cleaning means are introduced inside the cavity whilst the body is vibrated. Coupling the motion of a cleaning stick with the vibration of the body further helps removing the residues from the body surface and hence improves the cleaning.
[0095] All further features already described before with reference to the device remain applicable to the above-mentioned method.
[0096] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0097] Figure 1 illustrates an aerosol-generating device according to a first embodiment of the invention, comprising a coin-type eccentric rotating mass motor having its rotation axis parallel to a longitudinal direction of the cavity receiving the aerosol-generating article,
[0098] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the eccentric rotating mass vibration motor of figure 1 ,Figure 3 illustrates the aerosol-generating device of figure 1 wherein the body is suspended inside the casing by flexible elements forming vibration dampening means for at least partially absorbing vibrations of the body,
[0099] Figure 4 illustrates an aerosol-generating device according to a second embodiment of the invention, comprising a coin-type eccentric rotating mass vibration motor having its rotation axis tilted with respect to a longitudinal direction of the cavity to generate an airflow inside said cavity,
[0100] Figure 5 illustrates an aerosol-generating device according to a third embodiment of the invention, comprising a motor and a separate pump linked together by a drive shaft,
[0101] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along VII of figure 5,
[0102] Figure 7 illustrates an aerosol-generating device according to a third embodiment of the invention, comprising an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor which eccentric mass forms a pump,
[0103] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of IX of figure 7,
[0104] Figure 9 illustrates the eccentric rotating mass vibration motor of figure 7 in more detail,
[0105] Figure 10 illustrates respective fluctuations of the water amount and the glycerol amount in the aerosol-generating substrate of an aerosol-generating article, throughout a vaping session,
[0106] Figure 11 illustrates the aerosol-generating device of figure 1 wherein the body is fixed to the casing through deformable bushings.
[0107] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0108] The present invention will be described with respect to embodiments and with reference to the appended drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto. The described drawings are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.Figure 1 schematically illustrates an aerosol-generating device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0109] The device 100 comprises an outer casing 10 of any adapted shape, housing a body 11 delimiting a cavity 14 extending along a longitudinal axis Z1 defining a longitudinal direction Z.
[0110] The cavity 14 is provided with an opening 16 at an upper end 14a and is adapted to receive at least part of an aerosol-generating article 1 inserted therein.
[0111] According to an embodiment, the aerosol-generating article 1 is a rodshaped element comprising an aerosol-generating substrate 2 and a filter 3, surrounded by a paper-wrapper 4. The aerosol-generating substrate 2 is typically a tobacco-based substrate comprising crimped, shredded and / or ground tobacco, tobacco leaf and / or tobacco stems, an aerosol-forming agent such as glycerol or propylene glycol, and optionally a flavor and / or a stimulant. Even if specific reference is made here to a tobacco-based substrate, it has to be noted that the present invention can be applied to different types of aerosol generating substrates.
[0112] Typically, the body 11 has a lateral wall 12, preferably of constant circular section, and a bottom wall 13 at its lower end opposite to the opening 16, forming a tubular cup-shaped structure. This, however, shall not be considered limiting and the body 11 may have any other adapted shape.
[0113] The device 100 further includes a heating system 20 configured to heat the aerosol-generating article 1 received in the heating cavity 14.
[0114] As illustrated, the heating system 20 may include a heating element 22, such as a film heater comprising a layer of electrically conductive material, outside or within said body 11 , which itself is formed of an electrically conductive material, typically metal.
[0115] The heating element 22 is powered by an electrical power source 90, via a printed circuit board 92 serving as a controlling unit.When an aerosol-generating article 1 is inserted in the cavity 14 and the device 100 is actuated, an electrical current is supplied to the heating element 22 by the electrical power source 90 and heat is transmitted by thermal conduction to the body 11 and consequently to the article 1 surrounded by said body 11.
[0116] As an alternative, the heating system 20 may comprise an induction coil, typically surrounding the body 11, configured to heat by induction a ferromagnetic material forming part or the entirety of the cavity 14 or contained in the aerosol-generating article 1.
[0117] As another alternative, the heating system 20 may comprise an electrode configured to generate a high-frequency electric field in the cavity and heat the aerosol-generating article by dielectric heating. The high-frequency electric field of the dielectric heating is not able to vibrate the body 11 wherein the aerosol generating article 1 is at least in part received, nor the aerosol generating article 1.
[0118] Although not illustrated, the device 100 may also comprise means configured to assess the temperature of the body and / or inside the cavity 14 and / or at least one sensor for detecting the presence of an aerosol-generating article 1 inside the cavity 14 and / or at least one sensor detecting at least one parameter representative of a level of dirt inside the cavity 14 and / or a user interface including for example one or more light-emitting devices, such components being controlled by the electrical power source 90 and the controlling unit 92.
[0119] During a heat-up phase initiated by the controlling unit 92 based on either a user’s command or automatic detection of an aerosol-generating article 1 inside the cavity 14, the cavity 14 is progressively heated from an initial temperature (generally the ambient temperature) TO to a determined temperature T1 required for vaping. When the temperature T1 is reached, the heat-up phase is terminated, and a vaping phase starts during which the cavity 14 is maintained at this determined temperature T1.
[0120] When heated at the determined temperature T1 during the vaping phase, the aerosol-forming agent contained in the tobacco-based substrate 2 ofthe article 1 vaporises and creates a vapour that extracts nicotine and other inhalable components from said material 2.
[0121] According to the invention, the aerosol-generating device 100 comprises an integrated water managing system 30 for acting on the water molecules contained in an aerosol-generating article 1 received in the cavity 14 (either by extracting at least part of said water from the substrate material of the aerosol-generating substrate and / or releasing at least part of said water from the aerosol-generating article 1) through application of a mechanical force on the body 11. Said integrated water managing system 30 comprises vibrating means 40 for vibrating the body 11.
[0122] With physically vibrating the article 1, water molecules initially contained inside the substrate material are extracted from said material. In the case of a tobacco-based substrate for example, the water molecules are extracted from the tobacco material and transformed into droplets that - without further action - shall stay around the substrate. This extraction alone allows to enhance the user’s experience during the subsequent vaping session, as the heating energy during the vaping phase can then concentrate on the aerosolforming agent and desirable constituents such as the tobacco or nicotine containing agent and - if present - further inhalable agents to allow their early release. It also prevents overheating of the filter region of the article since extracted water is quickly released from the article either by a specific action (airflow or pressure differential as will be described hereafter) or in vapor form once heated.
[0123] It shall be noted here that vibrating means 40 of the integrated water managing system 30 are distinct from the heating system 20, so that the heating system 20 itself, even when dielectric heating is used, is not able to vibrate the body 11 wherein the aerosol generating article 1 is at least in part received, nor the aerosol generating article 1. Therefore, the heating system 20 is not contributing to the claimed integrated water managing system 30. The present invention provides dedicated means for handling water inside the article 1 , in addition to the heating system 20.
[0124] Several embodiments of the integrated system 30 will be described in more detail in the following description.In the first embodiment illustrated in figures 1 and 2, the vibrating means 40 of the integrated water managing system 30 comprise an eccentric rotating mass (ERM) motor which is a rotating electric motor commonly used for haptic feedback. The motor 40 has a rotating shaft 42 supporting an off-centered and hence unbalanced mass, and vibration is generated by the displacement of the mass upon rotation of the shaft.
[0125] As illustrated, and in order to maximize the vibration of the body 11, the eccentric rotating mass motor 40 is directly fixed to an outer surface of the body 11 , typically to the outer surface of the bottom wall 13 thereof.
[0126] A rotation axis R of the motor 40 may be parallel to, and in particular aligned with, the longitudinal axis Z1 of the cavity 14.
[0127] Preferably, to keep the integrated system 30 as compact as possible, the eccentric rotating mass motor 40 may be a coin vibration motor also known as pancake vibrator motor, as illustrated in figures 1 and 2.
[0128] The eccentric rotating mass motor 40 is preferably activated during at least one continuous period of time, typically of at least 5 seconds, during the heat-up phase of the device 100. It may also be activatable / activated during several successive periods of time during said heat-up phase. According to a particular example of implementing several successive vibration periods, the motor 40 may generate pulsed vibrations, for example using a Pulse Width Modulation approach.
[0129] The eccentric rotating mass motor 40 is preferably activated for water extraction either continuously or intermittently during at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, still more preferably at least 70%, of the heat-up phase, still more preferably throughout the entire heat-up phase.
[0130] The eccentric rotating mass motor 40 typically generates vibrations at a frequency comprised between 100 Hz and 200 Hz and preferably at a resonant frequency of the body 11.
[0131] A theoretical resonant frequency of a cup-shaped body 11 as described above may be estimated using the formula:
[0132] Where:
[0133] fr= resonant frequency
[0134]
[0135] E = Young's modulus of the body material
[0136] t = thickness of body
[0137] p = density of the body material
[0138] v = Poisson's ratio of the body material
[0139] r = radius of the body
[0140] h = height of the body
[0141] The actual resonant frequency being further influenced by the presence of the aerosol-generating article 1 inside the cavity 14 and the elements of the device 100 surrounding the body 11 , it should be determined based on this estimated theoretical resonant frequency and test results, preferably conducted on the device itself.
[0142] To operate the device 100, the user inserts the aerosol-generating article 1 inside the cavity and the device 100 is started, either through a user input or through automated article detection.
[0143] Power is provided to the heating element 22 to heat the body 11 and the article 1 contained therein. Power is simultaneously applied to the eccentric rotating mass motor 40, which vibrates the body 11.
[0144] When the heat-up phase has ended and before the user takes the first puff, the eccentric rotating mass motor 40 is preferably stopped to avoid that further vibration releases preferred constituents of the aerosol-generating substrate such as Nicotine and Glycerol, reducing the sensorial benefits of the session.
[0145] In some cases however, the eccentric rotating mass motor 40 may be activated during the vaping session, but only at the time of the user’s puffs, to increase the vapour content discharged from the aerosol-generating article 1 only upon inhalation by the user. The motor 40 may then be coupled with a puff detector.The eccentric rotating mass motor 40 may further be used to provide haptic feedback, for example for informing the user that the determined temperature T1 is reached in the cavity or informing about a session status. The haptic feedback then typically takes the form of short bursts of generally less than 1 second, hence having negligible impact on the vapour. As an alternative, other dedicated means may be implemented for handling haptic feedback separately.
[0146] The vibrating means 40 may also be used during a cleaning phase out of the heat-up or vaping phase, simultaneously with cleaning means, such as a cleaning stick, being introduced inside the cavity 14. Coupling the motion of the cleaning stick with the vibration of the body 11 helps remove residues sticking to the body inner surface and hence improves the cleaning.
[0147] Although this first embodiment implements an eccentric rotating mass motor 40, other vibrating means may be envisaged such as linear resonant actuators (LRA) or piezoelectric actuators.
[0148] Piezoelectric actuators, in particular, may be implemented to provide vibration frequencies higher than those obtained with eccentric rotating mass motors. These frequencies are typically between 400 kHz and 600 kHz which might be more efficient for droplet generation. Frequencies higher than 600 kHz, for example frequencies of around 5 MHZ generated by dielectric heating systems, are unable to achieve water extraction and shall therefore be excluded.
[0149] A piezoelectric actuator, in particular a piezoelectric transducer, might be used as vibrating means 40 in the integrated water managing system 30. A dedicated driver or amplifier module may then be added to operate such transducer.
[0150] As the above frequency range of 400 kHz and 600 kHz may not be effective as a haptic response, additional means might be provided to allow haptic feedback: The device 100 may then be provided with a separate dedicated haptic motor. Or, as an alternative, the transducer's waveform may be manipulated.
[0151] In the latter case, for example, the high-frequency waveform of the piezoelectric transducer may be pulsed at a lower frequency, for example byturning the generated signal on and off at a rate that corresponds to a required frequency, typically the resonant frequency of the body.
[0152] Alternatively, the shape of the high-frequency waveform may be modified to include low-frequency components, which can be done by adding a low-frequency modulation to the high-frequency signal. Typically, a high-frequency sine wave may be amplitude-modulated with a low-frequency sine wave to create a waveform that includes both high and low-frequency components.
[0153] As another alternative, a single piezoelectric transducer may be used to generate multiple frequency signals simultaneously. A piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer, in particular, allows to tune the several frequencies independently.
[0154] Figure 3 illustrates an aerosol-generating device 100 according to a second embodiment. The features identical or equivalent to those of the first embodiment have the same reference on the figure and the description made thereof, as well as of possible alternatives, remain valid.
[0155] In this second embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 100 further comprises vibration dampening means 70 for at least partially absorbing the vibrations of the body 11 due to the vibration means 40.
[0156] As illustrated, vibration dampening means 70 may typically comprise flexible parts, in particular springs, connecting the body 11 to the casing 10. The body 11 is so suspended inside the casing 10, allowing it to move independently of the rest of the device. The vibrating means 40 may then be fixedly attached to the body 11 , to move integrally therewith.
[0157] As an alternative illustrated in figure 11, the body 11 may be fixed to the casing 10 through internal fixing elements 72 and rubber or silicone or foam bushings 70 may be arranged between the body 11 and said fixing elements 72. The bushings 70 absorb vibrations, reducing the transmission of the vibrational energy to adjacent components.
[0158] In combination with one of the above-mentioned vibration dampening means 70, it might be further advantageous to tune the operating frequency ofthe vibration means 40 at the resonant frequency of the body 11 as vibration of the body 11 would then be amplified compared to the rest of the device components.
[0159] Figure 4 illustrates an aerosol-generating device 100 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The features identical or equivalent to those of the first or second embodiment have the same reference on the figure and the description made thereof, as well as of possible alternatives, remain valid.
[0160] In this embodiment, the integrated water managing system 30 further comprises water releasing means 50 configured to generate an airflow inside the cavity 14 and towards the opening 16 thereof, to further help the release of water droplets.
[0161] In the illustrated embodiment, more specifically, the vibrating means 40 and water releasing means 50 are one and the same element and are formed of an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor of the type already described hereabove with reference to the first and second embodiment.
[0162] As illustrated, the motor 40 is preferably mounted on an exterior surface of the body 11. Support braces or the like between the motor 40 and the body 11 - if any - are preferably made of rigid materials to enhance the vibration transfer.
[0163] According to this specific embodiment, the rotation axis R of the motor 40 is tilted with respect to a longitudinal axis Z1 of the cavity 14. An angle a between the rotation axis R of the motor 40 and the longitudinal axis Z1 of the cavity 14 provides a bias to the force applied to the body 11. The bias in the vibrations applied to the body induces an airflow, which drives water out of the article. Outside air will typically enter the cavity 14 via opening 16, flow downwards along a remaining space around the article 1 (between the inner body surface and the outer surface of the article) and back up through the article.
[0164] Preferably, the angle a between the rotation axis R of the motor 40 and the longitudinal axis Z1 of the cavity 14 is comprised between 10 and 15 degrees.According to another (non-illustrated) embodiment, the body 11 may also be provided at its lower end with a hole, with said hole communicating with an air inlet separate from the opening 16, and with the tilted motor creating an (optionally additional) airflow between said air inlet and opening 16.
[0165] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate an aerosol-generating device 100 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. The features identical or equivalent to those of the preceding embodiments have the same reference on these figures and the description made thereof, as well as of possible alternatives, remain valid.
[0166] In this embodiment, the water releasing means 50 comprise a pump 52.
[0167] More specifically, the integrated system 30 comprises an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor 40 (preferably mounted on an exterior surface of the body, as illustrated) and a separate pump 52 linked to the motor 40 via a drive shaft 60.
[0168] As illustrated, the rotation axis R of the motor 40 may be orthogonal to the longitudinal direction Z1 of the cavity 14, and the drive shaft 60 may be aligned with or parallel to said rotation axis R and arranged to drive the pump 52.
[0169] The pump 52 has an air input 54, preferably connected to the outside of the casing 10, and an air output 56 connected to the cavity 14, preferably via a hole 13a formed at a bottom end of the body 11 , typically in its bottom wall 13.
[0170] When the eccentric rotating mass vibration motor 40 is powered during the heat-up phase, it turns the drive shaft 60 which actuates the pump 52, hence providing an airflow to the bottom of the cavity 14 and through the aerosolgenerating article 1 to help remove the moisture as it builds up. The motor 40, on the other side, generates vibrations to vibrate the body 11.
[0171] The pump 52 may for example be a micro diaphragm pump, a micro gear pump, a microturbine (centrifugal) pump or a micro peristaltic pump.
[0172] Microturbine pumps, and specifically spiral channel viscous micropumps, are particularly preferred. Spiral channel viscous micropumps use a rotating disk with a spiral channel. As the disk rotates, viscous drag forcesbetween the rotating disk and the working fluid (air or water vapour) cause fluid to move from the inlet to the outlet of the pump. The spiral channels are placed on the underside of the disk, and a flat cover plate sits close to this disk to form a narrow gap where the fluid is pumped. The rotation axis R of the motor 40 can drive the rotating disk of the micropump. As the motor 40 rotates, it will spin the disk, creating the necessary drag forces to move air or vapour through the spiral channel.
[0173] Micro diaphragm pumps may also be advantageous due to their compact size, low power requirements, and suitability for precision air control.
[0174] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate an aerosol-generating device 100 according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. The features identical or equivalent to those of the preceding embodiments have the same reference on these figures and the description made thereof, as well as of possible alternatives, remain valid.
[0175] In this embodiment also, the integrated water managing system 30 comprises vibrating means 40 for vibrating the body 11 and water releasing means 50 including a pump, for generating an airflow inside the cavity 14. But here the vibrating means 40 and the airflow generating means 50 are combined.
[0176] More specifically, the vibrating means 40 comprise an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor, which comprises a rotating shaft 42 and an eccentric rotating mass 44. The rotation axis R of the motor 40 is typically aligned with or parallel to the longitudinal axis Z1 of the cavity 14.
[0177] The eccentric rotating mass vibration motor 40 is preferably directly contacting the body 11 , to transfer vibrations more efficiently. Support braces or the like between the motor 40 and the body 11 are preferably made of rigid materials to enhance the vibration transfer.
[0178] In this embodiment, the eccentric rotating mass 44 is formed as an impeller blade and acts as a pump.
[0179] The motor 40 is advantageously provided with a housing 58 receiving the rotating shaft 42 and the eccentric rotating mass 44, an air inlet 54, preferably communicating with the outside of the device, and an air outlet 56 communicatingwith the inside of the cavity 14, typically via a hole 13a formed in the bottom wall 13 of the body 11.
[0180] When electrical power is provided to the motor 40, the eccentric rotating mass 44 shaped as an impeller blade rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 42 of said motor 40, pushing air from the inlet 54 to the outlet 56, hence acting as a pump.
[0181] As an alternative, the motor 40 may have more than one eccentric rotating mass, at least one of which is formed as an impeller blade.
[0182] As another alternative, several impeller blades, separate from the eccentric rotating mass(es) may be mounted around the rotation shaft 42 of the motor 40.
Claims
25CLAIMS1. An aerosol-generating device (100) comprising:- a casing (10),- a body (11) delimiting a cavity (14) provided with an opening (16) at one end, with said cavity (14) being adapted to receive at least part of an aerosol-generating article (1) inserted through said opening (16), and - a heating system (20) for heating an aerosol-generating article (1) received in said cavity (14),the aerosol-generating device (100) being characterized in that it further comprises an integrated water managing system (30) comprising vibrating means (40) for vibrating the body (11 ).
2. The aerosol-generating device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the body (11 ) has a cup-shaped structure including a lateral wall and a bottom wall solidary with each other.
3. The aerosol-generating device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein vibrating means are configured to vibrate the body so that water molecules contained in an aerosol-generating article inserted in the cavity be extracted therefrom.
4. The aerosol-generating device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a frequency of vibrations imparted to the body (11) by the vibrating means (40) is comprised between 100 Hz and 600 kHz.
5. The aerosol-generating device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a frequency of vibrations imparted to the body (11) by the vibrating means (40) is comprised between 100 Hz and 200 Hz.
6. The aerosol-generating device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a frequency of vibrations imparted to the body (11) by the vibrating means (40) is comprised between 400 kHz and 600 kHz.
7. The aerosol-generating device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the vibrating means (40) comprise a haptic feedback motor, such as an eccentric rotating mass motor, a linear resonant actuator, or a piezoelectric actuator.
8. The aerosol-generating device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the vibrating means (40) are contacting the body (11).
9. The aerosol-generating device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising vibration dampening means (70) for at least partially absorbing vibrations of the body (12).
10. The aerosol-generating device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the integrated water managing system (30) comprises water releasing means (50) configured to generate a pressure differential and / or an airflow inside the cavity (14).
11. The aerosol-generating device (100) according to claim 10, wherein the water releasing means (50) comprise a pump (52).
12. The aerosol-generating device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the integrated water managing system (30) comprises an eccentric rotating mass motor (40) including at least one blade (44) forming an impeller blade of a pump (50).
13. The aerosol-generating device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the integrated water managing system (30) comprises an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor (40) and a separate pump (52), with the pump (52) being driven by the eccentric rotating mass vibration motor (40), for example via at least an intermediate drive shaft (60).
14. The aerosol-generating device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the integrated water managing system (30) comprises an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor (40) where a rotation axis of such motor is tilted with respect to a longitudinal axis (Z) of the cavity (14).
15. Method of use of an aerosol-generating device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising:- an insertion phase where an aerosol-generating article (1) is inserted inside the cavity (14),- a heat-up phase where the cavity (14) is heated to a predetermined temperature, and- a vaping phase,the method being characterized in that it includes vibrating the body (20)during the heat-up phase to manage water inside the aerosol-generating article (1) located in the cavity (14).
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate including a substrate material and the vibrating step extracts water from said substrate material.
17. The method of any one of claims 16, further comprising generating a pressure differential and / or an airflow inside the cavity (14), during the heat-up phase, preferably simultaneously with vibrating the body (11), to release water from the aerosol-generating article (1).