Temperature marker for dielectrically heated aerosol forming devices

Abstract

An aerosol-forming device for dielectrically heating an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol- forming article by an alternating electric field comprising: a receiving space for at least partially and removably receiving the aerosol-forming article; a dielectric heater arrangement configured to dielectrically heat the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-forming article is received in the receiving space, the dielectric heater arrangement including an oscillator circuit; a controller operatively connected to the dielectric heater arrangement and configured to: perform a dielectric heating of the aerosol-forming substrate by the dielectric heater arrangement, determine a value indicative of a temperature of or at a dielectric temperature marker based on an analysis of a dielectric response, wherein the analysis includes determining a change of one or more of an oscillation frequency and / or a power consumption of the dielectric heater arrangement, the dielectric temperature marker provided in thermal communication with the aerosol-forming substrate, and control the aerosol-forming device based on the determined value indicative of the temperature.

Description

[0001] FTR4077

[0002] P17564WO 1 / 56

[0003] TEMPERATURE MARKER FOR DIELECTRICALLY HEATED AEROSOL FORMING DEVICES

[0004] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-forming device, a cartridge for use with an aerosol-forming device, a heat-not-burn article for use with an aerosol-forming device, a piezoelectric element for use as a temperature indicating element in an aerosol-forming device, use of a piezoelectric element as a temperature indicating element with an aerosol-forming device, an electronic device, a computer implemented method for operating an aerosol-forming device or an electronic device, a computer program and a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

[0005] Aerosol-forming or aerosol-generating devices are typically designed as handheld devices that can be used by a user for consuming or experiencing, for instance in one or more usage sessions, aerosol generated from an aerosol-forming substrate or an aerosol-forming article, for example by heating. The aerosol-forming devices the present disclosure pertains to are mainly directed to the field of tobacco and tobacco-substitute products, as well as e-vapor devices, for example heated tobacco products (HTP), heat-not-burn (HnB) devices, electronic cigarettes, e-vapor devices, and / or vaporisers. The aerosol-forming devices of the present disclosure may also pertain to other types of inhalers, dispensers, or atomizers, for example inhalers, dispensers, or atomizers for medical applications.

[0006] Typical aerosol-forming systems can be designed as one-part systems or devices including an aerosol-forming device that can be operated by a user to generate aerosol. Alternatively, aerosol-forming systems can be designed as two-part systems or devices comprising an aerosolforming device and a companion device for storing and / or charging the aerosol-forming device. In either design or configuration, the aerosol-forming system or device can be used by a user for consuming or inhaling, for instance in one or more usage sessions for HTP and HnB devices, aerosol generated based on heating an aerosol-forming article or substrate couplable to the aerosol-forming system, or in one or more user puffs or inhalations that typically last between 0.5 and 5 seconds in a puff-on-demand heating operation, as commonly used for electronic cigarettes, e-vapor devices, and / or vaporizers. Accordingly, the heater may be activated according to a response to draw. The heating may also be set manually, e.g. via respective input from a user via a user interface, such as a button activation. In the context of the present disclosure, an aerosol-forming device can refer to both a one-part device and a two-part device, unless explicitly specified otherwise.

[0007] For HTP and HnB devices as used herein, a usage session may, generally, refer to a period of time, or operation cycle during which a user may use the aerosol-forming device to generate, consume, experience or inhale aerosol. In a single usage session, an aerosol-forming article mayFTR4077

[0008] P17564WO 2 / 56

[0009] be consumed by the user completely or partly. Alternatively, a plurality of aerosol-forming articles may be consumed by the user in a single usage session. Further, the user may take one or more puffs or user inhalations during a usage session. Generally, a usage session may be finite in time, but usually lasts more than 1 minute and less than 15 minutes. In other words, a usage session may have a start, an end and a duration. The duration of the usage session as measured by time may be influenced by use during the usage session.

[0010] The aerosol-forming article, also referred to as aerosol-generating article or a pod, can comprise an aerosol-generating or aerosol-forming substrate, for example a liquid aerosolforming substrate, such as a tobacco or nicotine-containing substrate. The aerosol-forming article may be configured in shape and size to be inserted at least partially into the aerosol-forming device or system. In conventional systems or devices, the aerosol-forming article is usually formed as a pod, cartridge or stick that can be at least partly inserted into a cavity, receptacle or heating chamber of the aerosol-forming device for aerosol consumption.

[0011] Exemplary aerosol-forming substrates can comprise liquid and / or solid substrate material, such as tobacco material or tobacco cast leaves (TCL) material. The substrate material can, for example, be assembled, often with other elements or components, to form a substantially stickshaped or pod-shaped aerosol-forming article. Such a stick or aerosol-forming article can be configured in shape and size to be inserted at least partially into the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device may comprise a heating element or heater device for heating the aerosolforming article and / or the aerosol-forming substrate. The heating element or heater device may be part of the aerosol-forming article and / or the aerosol-forming device. Alternatively, or additionally, aerosol-forming substrates can comprise one or more liquids and / or solids, which can, for example, be supplied to the aerosol-forming device in the form of a cartridge or container. Corresponding exemplary aerosol-forming articles can, for example, comprise a cartridge containing or fillable with the liquid and / or solid substrate, which can be vaporized during aerosol consumption by the user based on heating the substrate and / or liquid. Usually, such cartridge or container can be coupled to, attached to or at least partially inserted into the aerosol-forming device. Alternatively, the cartridge may be fixedly mounted to the aerosol-forming device and refilled by inserting liquid and / or solid into the cartridge. The aerosol generated from the aerosolforming substrate or article may comprise or include one or more of nicotine, aroma, sugar, moisturising agent, botanicals, preservative, flavouring, for example cocoa, liquorice, menthol and lactic acid or other additives. The aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate or article may additionally or alternatively comprise one or more pharmaceutical agents or drugs and may include one or more adjuvants.

[0012] For generating the aerosol during use or consumption, heat can be supplied by a heating element, heater device or heat source to heat at least a portion or part of the aerosol-formingFTR4077

[0013] P17564WO 3 / 56

[0014] substrate. The heating element, heater device or heat source can be arranged in the handheld device or a handheld part of the aerosol-forming device. Alternatively, or additionally, at least a part of or the entire heating element or heater device or heat source can be fixedly associated with or arranged within an aerosol-forming article, for instance in the form of a stick or cartridge, which can be attached to and / or powered by the handheld device or handheld part of the aerosolforming device. Among other types of heating elements, dielectric heating arrangements have been proposed that can heat substrates when exposed to an alternating electric field, that subjects the polar molecules of the substrates to dipole rotation and interaction, causing a heating effect. This type of heating is also referred to as microwave heating.

[0015] Aerosol-forming devices may form aerosol by heating a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, the constituents of which may be provided as a liquid from the start or which may at least partly be extracted from solid components included in the aerosol-forming article.

[0016] Typical aerosol-forming systems require a heat control for setting one or more desired temperatures to generate an aerosol. However, many systems do not allow for a sophisticated temperature detection of the substrate. Hence, it is often difficult or even impossible to achieve a suitable temperature detection of the substrate. Furthermore, common temperature determination systems are usually complex, error prone and expensive.

[0017] It may therefore be desirable to provide for an improved aerosol-forming device and / or aerosol forming article, enabling for a robust, cheap, safe and flexible temperature detection.

[0018] These advantages may be achieved by the features described herein.

[0019] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an aerosol-forming device, a cartridge for use with an aerosol-forming device, a heat-not-burn article for use with an aerosol-forming device, a piezoelectric element for use as a temperature indicating element in an aerosol-forming device, use of a piezoelectric element as a temperature indicating element with an aerosol-forming device, an electronic device, a computer implemented method for operating an aerosol-forming device or an electronic device, a computer program and a non-transitory computer-readable medium. It is noted that any disclosure presented herein with reference to an or one aspect of the present disclosure, equally applies to any other aspect of the present disclosure, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0020] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device for dielectrically heating an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-forming article by an alternating electric field comprising: a receiving space for at least partially and removably receiving the aerosol-forming article; a dielectric heater arrangement configured to dielectrically heat the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-forming article is received in the receiving space, the dielectric heater arrangement including an oscillator circuit; a controller operatively connected to the dielectric heater arrangement and configured to: perform a dielectric heating ofFTR4077

[0021] P17564WO 4 / 56

[0022] the aerosol-forming substrate by the dielectric heater arrangement, determine a value indicative of a temperature of or at a dielectric temperature marker based on an analysis of a dielectric response, wherein the analysis includes determining a change of one or more of an oscillation frequency and / or a power consumption of the dielectric heater arrangement, the dielectric temperature marker provided in thermal communication with the aerosol-forming substrate, and control the aerosol-forming device based on the determined value indicative of the temperature. Thus, an aerosol-forming device having a simple, robust and cheap temperature detection and control may be achieved. The controller may be accordingly provided with respective suitable data processing and storage means that may allow for determining the value indicative of the temperature. Controlling the aerosol-forming device may include a control of the dielectric arrangement but is not delimited thereto. Hence, controlling also any other suitable temperature related parameters or processes for operating the aerosol-forming device can be included. For instance, a respective control can also include to issue temperature feedback, e.g. for a user via an III. Hence, a user may be enabled to set certain temperatures, as desired. Also, a temperature safety control may be enabled by issuance of respective safety notifications, or the dielectric heating arrangement may be accordingly controlled to allow for instance a shutdown of the dielectric heating arrangement if a certain temperature limit is exceeded.

[0023] In some examples, the determining of the value indicative of the temperature can be performed before and / or during the heating process. Hence, a sophisticated control of the full heating process may be achieved, which may for instance enable the control of the heating process in regular intervals or in a continuous manner. In some examples, the dielectric response can include a frequency response of the dielectric heating arrangement. Hence, a dielectric response may be determined without further additional devices. However, the present invention is not delimited thereto, and the dielectric response can also include a frequency response of a capacitor-based measurement device. Hence, a separate capacitive measurement device can be used to analyse a respective frequency response.

[0024] In some examples, the aerosol-forming article can include a cartridge having a liquid aerosol-forming substrate or a heat-not-burn article having a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming article can include for instance one or more of a gel, beads and / or droplets. However, the aerosol-forming article can also be embodied differently. In some examples, the dielectric temperature marker can be confined by the aerosol forming device. Hence, any elements of the dielectric temperature marker can be provided in or at the aerosol forming device. This may allow to use the same marker for a plurality of different aerosol-forming articles. This may facilitate disposability of the aerosol forming articles, which can accordingly enhance sustainability and can reduce manufacturing and / or usage costs.FTR4077

[0025] P17564WO 5 / 56

[0026] In some examples, the aerosol-forming device can include an oscillator circuit comprising a resonant feedback loop, wherein the resonant feedback loop can comprise at least one load capacitor having at least one pair of electrodes with the receiving space arranged for at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming substrate and for exposing the aerosol-forming substrate with an alternating electric field for dielectric heating. For instance, the pair of electrodes can be confined by the aerosol-forming device. Hence, any elements of the pair of electrodes can be provided in or at the aerosol forming device. In some examples, the dielectric temperature marker can include a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element can have a high relative permittivity. Hence, the piezoelectric element can act as dielectric susceptor for heating the aerosol-forming substrate when subject to an RF electric field. Further, a particular suitable dielectric response based on the properties of the piezoelectric element, which are described in detail further below, could be achieved. In some examples, the two electrodes can be arranged such that an alternating electric field caused between the two electrodes can be exposed to an inner volume of the cartridge holding the liquid aerosol-forming substrate and / or to the aerosol forming substrate of the heat-not-burn aerosol forming article. In some examples, the dielectric temperature marker could be used to measure the temperature of the electrodes and not of the substrate. Hence, the dielectric temperature marker could be used to avoid an unduly high temperature of the electrodes, which could for instance otherwise cause localized burning of the liquid or solid aerosol-forming substrate. The markers could be, for instance, placed in contact with or be embedded in the electrodes for this purpose while being exposed to the electric field. For example, the temperature markers could be formed as a layer on the surface of the electrodes, thereby being exposed to the electric field, and in contact with the electrodes. A respective temperature measurement or determination could be, for instance, used to recommend a cooling phase, where the aerosol-forming device would need to cool down for a given time to avoid overheating.

[0027] In some examples, the aerosol-forming device can include a resonant cavity, a transmission line, and / or RF antenna, configured for heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate or the solid aerosol-forming substrate, and the piezoelectric element can be placed or embedded at the resonant cavity, the transmission line, or both. For instance, the aerosol-forming device can include the resonant cavity and the piezoelectric element can include a layer of piezoelectric material placed inside the resonant cavity. Hence, also for such arrangements, a suitable value indicative of a temperature based on a dielectric response of the piezoelectric element could be determined.

[0028] In some examples, the determination of a value indicative of the temperature of or at the dielectric temperature marker can include an analysis of a dielectric response of the temperature marker. The analysis can include a determination of the value indicative of a temperature of or atFTR4077

[0029] P17564WO 6 / 56

[0030] a dielectric temperature marker based on a dielectric response, which can include the steps of i) powering-up the oscillator circuit, and ii) recording a frequency evolution by measuring detection data including one or more of an oscillation frequency and / or a power consumption of the oscillator circuit. Further, the aerosol forming device can further comprise a data memory accessible by the data processor, and the analysis can further include the step of: iii) storing resulting detection data in the data memory. In some examples, the determination can include the step of determining a change of one or more of the oscillation frequency and / or the power consumption of the oscillator circuit. In some examples, the dielectric response can be induced by the dielectric heater arrangement. In some examples, the analysis can include the step of determining a change of one or more of the oscillation frequency and / or the power consumption of the oscillator circuit.

[0031] In some examples, the piezoelectric element can be configured to comprise a specific increase in the relative permittivity upon reaching a specific temperature level, wherein the analysis of the dielectric response can include the step of identifying the specific temperature level based on the determination of a specific decrease in the oscillation frequency and / or the step of determining a specific increase in the power consumption of the oscillator circuit caused by the specific increase of the relative permittivity at the specific temperature level. Exemplarily, the specific temperature level can be a Curie temperature level. In some examples, the liquid aerosol formation from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate or the solid aerosol-forming substrate can be controlled in accordance with the specific temperature level. In some examples, the piezoelectric element can be formed as a part of the dielectric heater arrangement. In some alternative examples, the piezoelectric element can formed as a part of the cartridge or the heat-not-burn aerosol forming article.

[0032] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge for use with an aerosol-forming device having a dielectric heater arrangement including an oscillator circuit and configured for dielectric heating of a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, the cartridge comprising: a reservoir for storing a liquid aerosol-forming substrate; a liquid transfer element in fluidic connection with the reservoir; and a dielectric temperature marker in thermal communication with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the marker allows to determine a value indicative of a temperature of or at the dielectric temperature marker based on an analysis of a dielectric response, wherein the analysis includes determining a change of one or more of an oscillation frequency and / or a power consumption of the dielectric heater arrangement. Thus, a cartridge allowing for a simple, robust and cheap temperature detection and respective control may be achieved. The cartridge can be particularly configured for use with the aerosol-forming device according to the present disclosure.FTR4077

[0033] P17564WO 7 / 56

[0034] In some examples, the cartridge can be configured to be removably coupled with the aerosol-forming device to position at least a portion of a liquid transfer element exposed to an alternating electric field generated by a pair of electrodes for dielectrically heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. For instance, the pair of electrodes can be confined by the cartridge. Hence, any elements of the pair of electrodes can be provided in or at the cartridge. In some examples, the dielectric temperature marker can be in immediate contact with the liquid aerosolforming substrate. Hence, temperature measurements of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be further improved. Alternatively, the dielectric temperature marker can also be not in immediate contact with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. In this example, a thermal communication with the aerosol-forming substrate is established indirectly. Nevertheless, the temperature may still be deduced, for instance by employing respective formulas, Al, look-up tables, etc., for instance by considering the heat conducting properties of any elements arranged between the aerosolforming substrate and the dielectric temperature marker. In some examples, the dielectric temperature marker can be confined by the cartridge. Hence, any elements of the temperature marker can be provided in or at the cartridge. Accordingly, a dielectric temperature marker tailored to the properties of the respective liquid aerosol-forming substrate of the cartridge may be provided.

[0035] In some examples, the liquid transfer element can comprise a porous body. The porous body may be accordingly configured such that the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may properly ingress into the liquid transfer element. Furthermore, vapor egress from the porous body should be suitably enabled. In some examples, the liquid transfer element can comprise, or preferably consists of, one or more of fibers or ceramics. In some examples, the liquid transfer element can include the dielectric temperature marker. In some examples, a heating zone in which the liquid aerosol-forming substrate is heated can be defined at a portion of the cartridge where the liquid transfer element can be, in a coupled condition, positioned adjacent to the dielectric heating arrangement. Hence, an improved dielectric heating of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be achieved.

[0036] In some examples, the dielectric temperature marker can include a piezoelectric element. For instance, the cartridge can comprise at least one cartridge element defining a functional and / or a structural element of the cartridge, wherein the cartridge element can be formed at least partially by the piezoelectric element. Exemplarily, the cartridge element can include one or more of a wall, a cover layer, a duct, or a channel. Hence, the piezoelectric element can be used as a structural feature, which at the same time may allow for a temperature determination. This may accordingly further reduce complexity of the cartridge. In some examples, the cartridge element can be located in the heating zone and exposed to an alternating electric field caused between the pair of electrodes.FTR4077

[0037] P17564WO 8 / 56

[0038] In some examples, a volume of the piezoelectric element can be at least 5%, preferably 10%, more preferably 15% of the volume of the liquid transfer element. In particular, the liquid transfer element can be fully formed by the piezoelectric element.

[0039] In some examples, the piezoelectric element can comprise or consist of a biocompatible material. For instance, the biocompatible material may include one or more of Hydroxyapatite (HAp) or Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) and its copolymers e.g. P(VDF-TrFE).

[0040] In some examples, the piezoelectric element can comprise or consist of a biodegradable material. The biodegradable material can be a natural material, which may include for instance one or more of Collagen, Chitin, Chitosan or Silk Fibroin. In some examples, also materials being both biocompatible and biodegradable may be used, such as for instance Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA).

[0041] In some examples, the piezoelectric element can be embedded in the liquid transfer element. In some examples, the liquid transfer element can further comprise an encapsulation layer at least partially covering the piezoelectric element. For instance, the encapsulation layer can comprise, preferably consist of, a high thermal conductivity material. Thus, a barrier may be provided which could prevent an immediate contact between the piezoelectric element and the aerosol-forming substrate while maintaining the thermal communication between the piezoelectric element and the aerosol-forming substrate. In some examples, the encapsulation layer can comprise, preferably consist of, one or more of a temperature-resistant material, a liquid-tight material and / or an air-tight material. The material may be suitably chosen to enable a desired permeability and / or impermeability to certain liquid or gaseous compounds. In some examples, the encapsulation layer can be configured to provide for a sealed barrier between the piezoelectric element and the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to prevent contaminants from coming into contact with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. Exemplarily, the encapsulation layer can comprise, preferably consist of, one or more of a glass material, a low-dielectric material, a nontoxic material, a microwaveable material and / or a high-temperature polymer. For instance, the high-temperature polymer can include a Polyetheretherketone or a Polyetherimide.

[0042] In some examples, the piezoelectric element can include a piezoelectric powder material, preferably a ceramic powder. For instance, the dielectric temperature marker can be made of a mixture of the piezoelectric powder material with a second temperature indicating material, wherein the second temperature indicating material can preferably comprise a polymeric-based temperature marker having a specific glass temperature. In some examples, the piezoelectric element can comprise, preferably consist of, one or more of Lead Zirconate Titanates, Polyvinylidene Fluoride, Lead-Free Piezoelectric Ceramics, Perovskites, BaTiO3, Bi(Zn1 / 2Ti1 / 2)O3, Bi(Ca1 / 2Ti1 / 2)O3, Ba0.85Ca0.15Zr0.10Ti0.90O3, KNaNbO3, Poly(L-lactic acid), glass-ceramic composites and / or hybrid piezoelectric nanocomposites. For instance, the piezoelectric element can compriseFTR4077

[0043] P17564WO 9 / 56

[0044] Perovskite having a modified A-site element or a modified B-site element. In some examples, the piezoelectric element can comprise a temperature tuned crystal structure being modified to achieve a specific Curie temperature level. Exemplarily, the temperature tuned crystal structure can include a tuned crystal symmetry and / or tuned unit cell dimensions. In some examples, the temperature tuned crystal structure can comprise a mixture of two or more piezo-electric materials. In some examples, the piezoelectric element can comprise a temperature tuned metal and / or an oxide. In some examples, the piezoelectric element can be configured to exhibit a specific increase in the relative permittivity upon reaching a specific temperature level. For instance, the specific temperature level can be a Curie temperature level.

[0045] In some examples, the piezoelectric element can comprise at least one first piezoelectric sub-element configured to exhibit a first specific increase in the relative permittivity upon reaching a first specific temperature level and at least one second piezoelectric sub-element configured to exhibit a second specific increase in the relative permittivity upon reaching a second specific temperature level different to the first temperature level. For instance, the liquid aerosol formation can be controlled in accordance with the first specific temperature level and the second specific temperature level. In some examples, the first specific temperature level of the first piezoelectric sub-element can be in a range of 160°C to 200°C, and the second specific temperature level of the second piezoelectric sub-element can be in a range of 220°C to 260°C. In some examples, the first piezoelectric sub-element and the second piezoelectric sub-element can contact the liquid transfer element.

[0046] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a heat-not-burn article for use with an aerosol-forming device having a dielectric heater arrangement including an oscillator circuit and configured to be dielectrically heated by an RF electric field, the heat-not-burn article comprising: a solid aerosol-forming substrate; and a dielectric temperature marker in thermal communication with the solid aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the marker allows to determine a value indicative of a temperature of or at the dielectric temperature marker based on an analysis of a dielectric response, wherein the analysis includes determining a change of one or more of an oscillation frequency and / or a power consumption of the dielectric heater arrangement. Thus, a heat-not-burn article allowing for a simple, robust and cheap temperature detection and respective control may be achieved. The heat-not-burn article can be particularly configured for use with the aerosol-forming device according to the present disclosure.

[0047] In some examples, the heat-not-burn article can be configured to be removably coupled with the aerosol-forming device to position at least a portion of the solid aerosol-forming substrate exposed to an alternating electric field generated by a pair of electrodes for dielectrically heating the solid aerosol-forming substrate. For instance, the pair of electrodes can be confined by the heat-not-burn article. Hence, any elements of the pair of electrodes can be provided in or at theFTR4077

[0048] P17564WO 10 / 56

[0049] heat-not-burn article. In some examples, the dielectric temperature marker can be in immediate contact with the solid aerosol-forming substrate. Hence, temperature measurements of the solid aerosol-forming substrate may be further improved. Alternatively, the dielectric temperature marker can also be not in immediate contact with the solid aerosol-forming substrate. In this example, a thermal communication with the aerosol-forming substrate can be established indirectly. Nevertheless, the temperature may still be deduced, for instance by employing respective formulas, Al, look-up tables, thermodynamic modelling, etc., for instance by considering the heat conducting properties of any elements and materials arranged between the aerosol-forming substrate and the dielectric temperature marker. In some examples, the dielectric temperature marker can be confined by the heat-not-burn article. Hence, any elements of the temperature marker can be provided in or at the heat-not-burn article. Accordingly, a dielectric temperature marker tailored to the properties of the respective solid aerosol forming substrate of the heat-not-burn article may be provided.

[0050] In some examples, the heat-not-burn article can further comprise at least one dielectric heating susceptor element comprising a material of high relative permittivity and configured for being heated in the dielectric heating process. For instance, the material of high relative permittivity of the dielectric heating susceptor element can have a relative permittivity higher than a relative permittivity of the solid aerosol-forming substrate. Hence, the dielectric heating susceptor element can heat under the influence of an RF electric field and accordingly act as a susceptor. Accordingly, the susceptor may operate as a “hot spot” allowing to heat the solid aerosol-forming substrate. In some examples, the dielectric heating susceptor element can be formed at least partially by the dielectric temperature marker. In particular, the dielectric heating susceptor element can be fully formed by dielectric temperature marker. In other words, the dielectric temperature marker and the dielectric heating susceptor element may be the same element, which may accordingly reduce complexity of the heat-not-burn article.

[0051] In some examples, the dielectric temperature marker and / or the dielectric heating susceptor element can include one or more structures or dispersed elements arranged at least partially in the solid aerosol-forming substrate. For instance, the structures can be formed as one or more of plates, rods and / or volumes. In some examples, the dispersed elements can be formed as one or more of beads, pellets, granules, particles and / or rods. However, of course also other suitable shapes of the dispersed elements may be conceivable. In some examples, the dispersed elements can be dispersed in the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. Exemplarily, a dielectric heating susceptor element may be formed by a plate extending centrally through the solid aerosolforming, that may be inductively heated by a RF electric field, wherein the plate may include for instance a layer or volume of material acting as a dielectric temperature marker.FTR4077

[0052] P17564WO 11 / 56

[0053] In some examples, the dielectric heating susceptor element can comprise at least one dielectric heating sub-element configured for generating heat in the dielectric heating process. The dielectric heating sub-element may be essentially configured and function as the dielectric heating susceptor element described herein. For instance, the dielectric heating sub-element can comprise a dielectric heating material having a high relative permittivity, which can be preferably larger than 20, and more preferably larger than 40. In some examples, the dielectric heating susceptor element can comprise at least one temperature indicating sub-element configured for indicating a temperature in the dielectric heating process. The temperature indicating sub-element may be essentially configured and function as the temperature indicating element described herein. For instance, the temperature indicating sub-element can comprise, preferably consist of, a temperature indicating material, preferably a piezoelectric material. In some examples, the dielectric heating susceptor element can include the dielectric heating sub-element and the temperature indicating sub-element. For instance, the temperature indicating sub-element can be arranged at an inner or central portion of the dielectric heating susceptor element and the dielectric heating sub-element can be arranged at an outer or peripheral portion of the dielectric heating susceptor element enclosing at least partially, preferably completely, the temperature indicating sub-element. Exemplarily, the dielectric heating susceptor element can comprise a rod shape, wherein the temperature indicating sub-element can form a rod-shaped central core of the dielectric heating susceptor element. Alternatively, the dielectric heating susceptor element can comprise a cuboid shape, and the temperature indicating sub-element can form a central cuboidshaped core of the dielectric heating susceptor element. In some examples, the rod-shaped core or the cuboid-shaped core can extend along a longitudinal central axis of the dielectric heating susceptor element.

[0054] In some examples, the dielectric heating sub-element can be formed at a first layer arranged at an outer surface of the dielectric heating susceptor element adjacent to the solid aerosolforming substrate, and the temperature indicating sub-element can be formed at a second layer adjacent to the first layer. In some examples, the heat-not-burn article can comprise an outer wrapper, preferably made of paper, enveloping at least partially the solid aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the piezoelectric element can be embedded in the outer wrapper.

[0055] In some examples, the dielectric temperature marker can include a piezoelectric element. In some examples, the piezoelectric element can be formed in a plate-shape and / or a curveshape. In some examples, the heat-not-burn article can further comprise an encapsulation layer at least partially covering the piezoelectric element. For instance, the encapsulation layer can comprise, preferably consist of, a high thermal conductivity material. Thus, a barrier may be provided which could prevent an immediate contact between the piezoelectric element and the aerosol-forming substrate while maintaining the thermal communication between the piezoelectricFTR4077

[0056] P17564WO 12 / 56

[0057] element and the aerosol-forming substrate. In some examples, the encapsulation layer can comprise, preferably consist of, one or more of a temperature-resistant material, a liquid-tight material and / or an air-tight material. The material may be suitably chosen to enable a desired permeability and / or impermeability to certain liquid or gaseous compounds. For instance, the encapsulation layer can be configured to prevent releasing contaminants into one or more of the solid aerosol-forming substrate, an aerosol flow or air. Exemplarily, the encapsulation layer can comprise, preferably consist of, one or more of a glass material, a low-dielectric material, a nontoxic material, a microwaveable material and / or a high-temperature polymer. For instance, the high-temperature polymer can include a Polyetheretherketone or a Polyetherimide.

[0058] In some examples, the piezoelectric element can include a piezoelectric powder material, preferably a ceramic powder. For instance, the dielectric temperature marker can be made of a mixture of the piezoelectric powder material with a second temperature indicating material, wherein the second temperature indicating material can preferably comprise a polymeric-based temperature marker having a specific glass temperature. In some examples, the piezoelectric element can comprise, preferably consist of one or more of Lead Zirconate Titanates, Polyvinylidene Fluoride, Lead-Free Piezoelectric Ceramics, Perovskites, BaTiO3, Bi(Zn1 / 2Ti1 / 2)O3, Bi(Ca1 / 2Ti1 / 2)O3, Ba0.85Ca0.15Zr0.10Ti0.90O3, KNaNbO3, Poly(L-lactic acid), glass-ceramic composites and / or hybrid piezoelectric nanocomposites. For instance, the piezoelectric element can comprise Perovskite having a modified A-site element or a modified B-site element. In some examples, the piezoelectric element can comprise a temperature tuned crystal structure being modified to achieve a specific Curie temperature level. Exemplarily, the temperature tuned crystal structure can include a tuned crystal symmetry and / or tuned unit cell dimensions. In some examples, the temperature tuned crystal structure can comprise a mixture of two or more piezo-electric materials. In some examples, the piezoelectric element can comprise a temperature tuned metal and / or an oxide. In some examples, the piezoelectric element can be configured to exhibit a specific increase in the relative permittivity upon reaching a specific temperature level. For instance, the specific temperature level can be a Curie temperature level.

[0059] In some examples, the piezoelectric element can comprise at least one first piezoelectric sub-element configured to exhibit a first specific increase in the relative permittivity upon reaching a first specific temperature level and at least one second piezoelectric sub-element configured to exhibit a second specific increase in the relative permittivity upon reaching a second specific temperature level different to the first temperature level. For instance, the liquid aerosol formation can be controlled in accordance with the first specific temperature level and the second specific temperature level. In some examples, the first specific temperature level of the first piezoelectric sub-element can be in a range of 160°C to 200°C, preferably about 240°C, and the second specific temperature level of the second piezoelectric sub-element can be in a range of 340°C toFTR4077

[0060] P17564WO 13 / 56

[0061] 390°C, preferably about 370°C. In some examples, the first piezoelectric sub-element and the second piezoelectric sub-element can contact the solid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0062] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a piezoelectric element for use as a temperature indicating element in an aerosol-forming device according to the present disclosure, for use in a cartridge according to the present disclosure or for use in a heat-not-burn article according to the present disclosure.

[0063] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a use of a piezoelectric element as a temperature indicating element with an aerosol-forming device according to the present disclosure, with a cartridge according to the present disclosure or with a heat-not-burn article according to the present disclosure.

[0064] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic device including an aerosol-forming device according to the present disclosure and / or a companion device configured to charge the aerosol-forming device with electrical energy.

[0065] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer implemented method for operating an aerosol-forming device according to the present disclosure or the electronic device according to the present disclosure comprising the steps of:

[0066] - removably receiving, in a receiving space of the aerosol-forming device, at least partially either a cartridge having a liquid aerosol-forming substrate or a heat-not-burn article having a solid aerosol-forming substrate;

[0067] - dielectrically heating, by the dielectric heater arrangement, the liquid aerosolforming substrate or the solid aerosol-forming substrate,

[0068] - determining, by the controller, a value indicative of a temperature of or at a dielectric temperature marker based on an analysis of a dielectric response, wherein the analysis includes determining a change of one or more of an oscillation frequency and / or a power consumption of the dielectric heater arrangement, and

[0069] - controlling, by the controller, the dielectric heating process based on the determined value indicative of the temperature.

[0070] In some examples the determining of the value indicative of the temperature can be performed before and / or during the heating process. Hence, a sophisticated control of the full heating process may be achieved, which may for instance enable the control of the heating process in regular intervals or in a continuous manner. In some examples, the heating process can include the step of exposing an electric alternating field caused between the electrodes of the dielectric heater arrangement to the inner volume of the cartridge holding the liquid aerosolforming substrate and / or to the aerosol-forming substrate of the heat-not-burn article. In some examples, the determination step can further include the step of analyzing a dielectric response of the dielectric temperature marker. For instance, the method can further comprise the steps of:FTR4077

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[0072] i) powering-up an oscillator circuit of the dielectric heater arrangement, and ii) recording a frequency evolution by measuring detection data including one or more of an oscillation frequency and / or a power consumption of the oscillator circuit. In some examples, the oscillation frequency may be directly measured. In other examples, other data indicative of the oscillation frequency may be measured. In such cases the oscillation frequency may be accordingly determined from such data indicative of the oscillation frequency, which may exemplarily include one or more of power consumption data, timing data including for instance a heating start and an evolved time and puff data such as puff count, puff intensity, puff frequency etc. The frequency determination may be for instance performed by using respective models, calculations, Al or trained networks etc.

[0073] Furthermore, the method can further comprise the step of: iii) storing resulting detection data in a data memory of the aerosol-forming device. In some examples, the step of analyzing the dielectric response can include the step of determining a change of one or more of the oscillation frequency and / or the power consumption of the oscillator circuit. In some examples, the dielectric temperature marker can include a piezoelectric element, and the step of analyzing the dielectric response can include the step of identifying a specific temperature level of the piezoelectric element based on the determination of a specific decrease in the oscillation frequency and / or the step of determining a specific increase in the power consumption of the oscillator circuit caused by the specific increase of the relative permittivity at the specific temperature level. In some examples, the method can further comprise the step of controlling the liquid aerosol formation from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate or the solid aerosol-forming substrate in accordance with the first specific temperature level of a first piezoelectric sub-element and the second specific temperature level of a second piezoelectric sub-element.

[0074] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program, which, when executed by processing circuitry of an aerosol-forming device or a companion device configured to charge an aerosol-forming device with electrical energy, causes the aerosol-forming device or the companion device to perform the steps of the method according to the present disclosure.

[0075] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program according to the present disclosure.

[0076] In the context of the present disclosure, the aerosol-forming device and / or the aerosolforming system may be a portable device and / or system. It may be battery powered. Particularly, the aerosol-forming device and / or the aerosol-forming system may be pocket-size, hand-held, suitable for one-hand use and / or may weigh less than 300 g, preferably less than 200 g. It may be shaped and / or sized to fit snugly into a user’s hand. It may be carried in jacket and / or trouser pockets. Particularly, the aerosol-forming device and / or the aerosol-forming system may beFTR4077

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[0078] configured to provide aerosol for human inhalation and / or human consumption, particularly inhalation and / or consumption through the mouth.

[0079] The invention is defined in the claims. However, below there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0080] Example 1. An aerosol-forming device for dielectrically heating an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-forming article by an alternating electric field comprising:

[0081] a receiving space for at least partially and removably receiving the aerosol-forming article; a dielectric heater arrangement configured to dielectrically heat the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-forming article is received in the receiving space;

[0082] a controller operatively connected to the dielectric heater arrangement and configured to: perform a dielectric heating of the aerosol-forming substrate by the dielectric heater arrangement,

[0083] determine a value indicative of a temperature of or at a dielectric temperature marker based on a dielectric response, the dielectric temperature marker provided in thermal communication with the aerosol-forming substrate, and

[0084] control the aerosol-forming device based on the determined value indicative of the temperature.

[0085] Example 2. The aerosol-forming device according to the preceding example, wherein the determining of the value indicative of the temperature is performed before and / or during the heating process.

[0086] Example 3. The aerosol-forming device according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the dielectric response includes a frequency response of the dielectric heating arrangement.

[0087] Example 4. The aerosol-forming device according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the dielectric response includes a frequency response of a capacitor-based measurement device.

[0088] Example 5. The aerosol-forming device according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-forming article includes a cartridge having a liquid aerosol-forming substrate or a heat-not-burn article having a solid aerosol-forming substrate.FTR4077

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[0090] Example 6. The aerosol-forming device according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-forming article includes one or more of a gel, beads and / or droplets.

[0091] Example 7. The aerosol-forming device according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the dielectric temperature marker is confined by the aerosol forming device.

[0092] Example 8. The aerosol-forming device according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-forming device includes an oscillator circuit comprising a resonant feedback loop,

[0093] wherein the resonant feedback loop comprises at least one load capacitor having at least one pair of electrodes with the receiving space arranged for at least partially receiving the aerosolforming substrate and for exposing the aerosol-forming substrate with an alternating electric field for dielectric heating.

[0094] Example 9. The aerosol-forming device according to the preceding example, wherein the pair of electrodes is confined by the aerosol-forming device.

[0095] Example 10. The aerosol-forming device according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the dielectric temperature marker includes a piezoelectric element.

[0096] Example 11. The aerosol-forming device according to the preceding example, wherein the aerosol-forming device includes a resonant cavity, a transmission line, and / or RF antenna, configured for heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate or the solid aerosolforming substrate, and

[0097] wherein the piezoelectric element is placed or embedded at the resonant cavity, the transmission line, or both.

[0098] Example 12. The aerosol-forming device according to the preceding example, wherein the aerosol-forming device includes the resonant cavity and the piezoelectric element includes a layer of piezoelectric material placed inside the resonant cavity.

[0099] Example 13. A cartridge for use with an aerosol-forming device and configured for dielectric heating of a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, the cartridge comprising:

[0100] a reservoir for storing a liquid aerosol-forming substrate;

[0101] a liquid transfer element in fluidic connection with the reservoir; andFTR4077

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[0103] a dielectric temperature marker in thermal communication with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0104] Example 14. The cartridge according to the preceding example,

[0105] wherein the cartridge is configured for use with the aerosol-forming device according to one of the preceding examples 1 to 12.

[0106] Example 15. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples,

[0107] wherein the cartridge is configured to be removably coupled with the aerosol-forming device to position at least a portion of a liquid transfer element exposed to an alternating electric field generated by a pair of electrodes for dielectrically heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0108] Example 16. The cartridge according to the preceding example,

[0109] wherein the pair of electrodes is confined by the cartridge.

[0110] Example 17. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples,

[0111] wherein the dielectric temperature marker is in immediate contact with the liquid aerosolforming substrate or not in immediate contact with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0112] Example 18. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples,

[0113] wherein the dielectric temperature marker is confined by the cartridge.

[0114] Example 19. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples,

[0115] wherein the liquid transfer element comprises a porous body.

[0116] Example 20. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples,

[0117] wherein the liquid transfer element comprises, or preferably consists of, one or more of fibers or ceramics.

[0118] Example 21. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples,

[0119] wherein the liquid transfer element includes the dielectric temperature marker.

[0120] Example 22. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples,

[0121] wherein a heating zone in which the liquid aerosol-forming substrate is heated is defined at a portion of the cartridge where the liquid transfer element is, in a coupled condition, positioned adjacent to the dielectric heating arrangement.FTR4077

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[0123] Example 23. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples,

[0124] wherein the dielectric temperature marker includes a piezoelectric element.

[0125] Example 24. The cartridge according to the preceding example,

[0126] wherein the cartridge comprises at least one cartridge element defining a functional and / or a structural element of the cartridge,

[0127] wherein the cartridge element is formed at least partially by the piezoelectric element.

[0128] Example 25. The cartridge according to the preceding example,

[0129] wherein the cartridge element includes one or more of a wall, a cover layer, a duct, or a channel.

[0130] Example 26. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 24 or 25 in combination with examples 15,

[0131] wherein the cartridge element is located in the heating zone and exposed to an alternating electric field caused between the pair of electrodes.

[0132] Example 27. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 23 to 26, wherein a volume of the piezoelectric element is at least 5%, preferably 10%, more preferably 15% of the volume of the liquid transfer element, or

[0133] wherein the liquid transfer element is fully formed by the piezoelectric element.

[0134] Example 28. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 23 to 27, wherein the piezoelectric element comprises or consists of a biocompatible material.

[0135] Example 29. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 23 to 28, wherein the piezoelectric element comprises or consists of a biodegradable material.

[0136] Example 30. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 23 to 29, wherein the piezoelectric element is embedded in the liquid transfer element.

[0137] Example 31. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 23 to 30, wherein the liquid transfer element further comprises an encapsulation layer at least partially covering the piezoelectric element.FTR4077

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[0139] Example 32. The cartridge according to the preceding example,

[0140] wherein the encapsulation layer comprises, preferably consists of, a high thermal conductivity material.

[0141] Example 33. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 31 or 32, wherein the encapsulation layer comprises, preferably consists of, one or more of a temperature-resistant material, a liquid-tight material and / or an air-tight material.

[0142] Example 34. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 31 to 33, wherein the encapsulation layer is configured to provide for a sealed barrier between the piezoelectric element and the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to prevent contaminants from coming into contact with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0143] Example 35. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 31 to 34, wherein the encapsulation layer comprises, preferably consists of, one or more of a glass material, a low-dielectric material, a non-toxic material, a microwaveable material and / or a high-temperature polymer.

[0144] Example 36. The cartridge according to the preceding example,

[0145] wherein the high-temperature polymer includes a Polyetheretherketone or a Polyetherimide.

[0146] Example 37. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 24 to 36, wherein the piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric powder material, preferably a ceramic powder.

[0147] Example 38. The cartridge according to the preceding example,

[0148] wherein the dielectric temperature marker is made of a mixture of the piezoelectric powder material with a second temperature indicating material,

[0149] wherein the second temperature indicating material preferably comprises a polymeric-based temperature marker having a specific glass temperature.

[0150] Example 39. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 23 to 38, wherein the piezoelectric element comprises, preferably consist of, one or more of Lead Zirconate Titanates, Polyvinylidene Fluoride, Lead-Free Piezoelectric Ceramics, Perovskites,FTR4077

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[0152] BaTiO3, Bi(Zn1 / 2Ti1 / 2)O3, Bi(Ca1 / 2Ti1 / 2)O3, Ba0.85Ca0.15Zr0.10Ti0.90O3, KNaNbO3, Poly(L-lactic acid), glass-ceramic composites and / or hybrid piezoelectric nanocomposites.

[0153] Example 40. The cartridge according to the preceding example,

[0154] wherein the piezoelectric element comprises Perovskite having a modified A-site element or a modified B-site element.

[0155] Example 41. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 23 to 41, wherein the piezoelectric element comprises a temperature tuned crystal structure being modified to achieve a specific Curie temperature level.

[0156] Example 42. The cartridge article according to the preceding example,

[0157] wherein the temperature tuned crystal structure includes a tuned crystal symmetry and / or tuned unit cell dimensions.

[0158] Example 43. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 41 or 42, wherein the temperature tuned crystal structure comprises a mixture of two or more piezoelectric materials.

[0159] Example 44. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 23 to 43, wherein the piezoelectric element comprises a temperature tuned metal and / or an oxide.

[0160] Example 45. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 23 to 44, wherein the piezoelectric element is configured to exhibit a specific increase in the relative permittivity upon reaching a specific temperature level.

[0161] Example 46. The cartridge according to the preceding example,

[0162] wherein the specific temperature level is a Curie temperature level.

[0163] Example 47. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 23 to 46, wherein the piezoelectric element comprises at least one first piezoelectric sub-element configured to exhibit a first specific increase in the relative permittivity upon reaching a first specific temperature level and at least one second piezoelectric sub-element configured to exhibit a second specific increase in the relative permittivity upon reaching a second specific temperature level different to the first temperature level.FTR4077

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[0165] Example 48. The cartridge according to the preceding example,

[0166] wherein the liquid aerosol formation is controlled in accordance with the first specific temperature level and the second specific temperature level.

[0167] Example 49. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 47 or 48, wherein the first specific temperature level of the first piezoelectric sub-element is in a range of 160°C to 200°C, and

[0168] wherein the second specific temperature level of the second piezoelectric sub-element is in a range of 220°C to 260°C.

[0169] Example 50. The cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 47 to 49, wherein the first piezoelectric sub-element and the second piezoelectric sub-element contact the liquid transfer element.

[0170] Example 51. A heat-not-burn article for use with an aerosol-forming device and configured to be dielectrically heated by an RF electric field, the heat-not-burn article comprising:

[0171] a solid aerosol-forming substrate; and

[0172] a dielectric temperature marker in thermal communication with the solid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0173] Example 52. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding example, wherein the heat-not-burn article is configured for use with an aerosol-forming device according to one of the preceding examples.

[0174] Example 53. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the heat-not-burn article is configured to be removably coupled with the aerosolforming device to position at least a portion of the solid aerosol-forming substrate exposed to an alternating electric field generated by a pair of electrodes for dielectrically heating the solid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0175] Example 54. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding example, wherein the pair of electrodes is confined by the heat-not-burn article.

[0176] Example 55. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the dielectric temperature marker is in immediate contact with the solid aerosolforming substrate or not in immediate contact with the solid aerosol-forming substrate.FTR4077

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[0178] Example 56. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the dielectric temperature marker is confined by the heat-not-burn article.

[0179] Example 57. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the heat-not-burn article further comprises at least one dielectric heating susceptor element comprising a material of high relative permittivity and configured for being heated in the dielectric heating process.

[0180] Example 58. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding example, wherein the material of high relative permittivity of the dielectric heating susceptor element has a relative permittivity higher than a relative permittivity of the solid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0181] Example 59. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples 57 or 58,

[0182] wherein the dielectric heating susceptor element is formed at least partially by the dielectric temperature marker.

[0183] Example 60. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding example, wherein the dielectric heating susceptor element is fully formed by dielectric temperature marker.

[0184] Example 61. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the dielectric temperature marker and / or the dielectric heating susceptor element includes one or more structures or dispersed elements arranged at least partially in the solid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0185] Example 62. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding example, wherein the structures are formed as one or more of plates, rods and / or volumes.

[0186] Example 63. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples 61 or 62,

[0187] wherein the dispersed elements are formed as one or more of beads, pellets, granules, particles and / or rods.FTR4077

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[0189] Example 64. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples 58 to 64,

[0190] wherein the dielectric heating susceptor element comprises at least one dielectric heating sub-element configured for generating heat in the dielectric heating process.

[0191] Example 65. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding example, wherein the dielectric heating sub-element comprises a dielectric heating material having a high relative permittivity, which is preferably larger than 20, and more preferably larger than 40.

[0192] Example 66. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples 57 to 65,

[0193] wherein the dielectric heating susceptor element comprises at least one temperature indicating sub-element configured for indicating a temperature in the dielectric heating process.

[0194] Example 67. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding example, wherein the temperature indicating sub-element comprises, preferably consists of, a temperature indicating material, preferably a piezoelectric material.

[0195] Example 68. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples 66 or 67 in combination with example 64,

[0196] wherein the dielectric heating susceptor element includes the dielectric heating sub-element and the temperature indicating sub-element.

[0197] Example 69. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding example, wherein the temperature indicating sub-element is arranged at an inner or central portion of the dielectric heating susceptor element and wherein the dielectric heating sub-element is arranged at an outer or peripheral portion of the dielectric heating susceptor element enclosing at least partially, preferably completely, the temperature indicating sub-element.

[0198] Example 70. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding example, wherein the dielectric heating susceptor element comprises a rod shape,

[0199] wherein the temperature indicating sub-element forms a rod-shaped central core of the dielectric heating susceptor element, or

[0200] wherein the dielectric heating susceptor element comprises a cuboid shape, and wherein the temperature indicating sub-element forms a central cuboid-shaped core of the dielectric heating susceptor element.FTR4077

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[0202] Example 71. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding example, wherein the rod-shaped core or the cuboid-shaped core extend along a longitudinal central axis of the dielectric heating susceptor element.

[0203] Example 72. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples 68 to 71,

[0204] the dielectric heating sub-element is formed at a first layer arranged at an outer surface of the dielectric heating susceptor element adjacent to the solid aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the temperature indicating sub-element is formed at a second layer adjacent to the first layer.

[0205] Example 73. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples, wherein the heat-not-burn article comprises an outer wrapper, preferably made of paper, enveloping at least partially the solid aerosol-forming substrate,

[0206] wherein the piezoelectric element is embedded in the outer wrapper.

[0207] Example 74. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples,

[0208] wherein the dielectric temperature marker includes a piezoelectric element.

[0209] 75. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding example,

[0210] wherein the piezoelectric element is formed in a plate-shape and / or a curve-shape.

[0211] Example 76. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples 74 or 75,

[0212] wherein the heat-not-burn article further comprises an encapsulation layer at least partially covering the piezoelectric element.

[0213] Example 77. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding example, wherein the encapsulation layer comprises, preferably consists of, a high thermal conductivity material.

[0214] Example 78. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples 76 or 77,FTR4077

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[0216] wherein the encapsulation layer comprises, preferably consists of, one or more of a temperature-resistant material, a liquid-tight material and / or an air-tight material.

[0217] Example 79. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples 76 to 78,

[0218] wherein the encapsulation layer is configured to prevent releasing contaminants into one or more of the solid aerosol-forming substrate, an aerosol flow or air.

[0219] Example 80. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples 76 to 79,

[0220] wherein the encapsulation layer comprises, preferably consists of, one or more of a glass material, a low-dielectric material, a non-toxic material, a microwaveable material and / or a high-temperature polymer.

[0221] Example 81. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding example, wherein the high-temperature polymer includes a Polyetheretherketone or a Polyetherimide.

[0222] Example 82. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples 74 to 81,

[0223] wherein the piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric powder material, preferably a ceramic powder.

[0224] Example 83. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding example, wherein the dielectric temperature marker is made of a mixture of the piezoelectric powder material with a second temperature indicating material,

[0225] wherein the second temperature indicating material preferably comprises a polymeric-based temperature marker having a specific glass temperature.

[0226] Example 84. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples 74 to 83,

[0227] wherein the piezoelectric element comprises, preferably consist of one or more of Lead Zirconate Titanates, Polyvinylidene Fluoride, Lead-Free Piezoelectric Ceramics, Perovskites, BaTiO3, Bi(Zn1 / 2Ti1 / 2)O3, Bi(Ca1 / 2Ti1 / 2)O3, Ba0.85Ca0.15Zr0.10Ti0.90O3, KNaNbO3, Poly(L-lactic acid), glass-ceramic composites and / or hybrid piezoelectric nanocomposites.FTR4077

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[0229] Example 85. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding example 74 to 84, wherein the piezoelectric element comprises Perovskite having a modified A-site element or a modified B-site element.

[0230] Example 86. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples 74 to 85,

[0231] wherein the piezoelectric element comprises a temperature tuned crystal structure being modified to achieve a specific Curie temperature level.

[0232] Example 87. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding example, wherein the temperature tuned crystal structure includes a tuned crystal symmetry and / or tuned unit cell dimensions.

[0233] Example 88. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding example, wherein the temperature tuned crystal structure comprises a mixture of two or more piezoelectric materials.

[0234] Example 89. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples 74 to 88,

[0235] wherein the piezoelectric element comprises a temperature tuned metal and / or an oxide.

[0236] Example 90. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples 74 to 89,

[0237] wherein the piezoelectric element is configured to exhibit a specific increase in the relative permittivity upon reaching a specific temperature level.

[0238] Example 91. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding example, wherein the specific temperature level is a Curie temperature level.

[0239] Example 92. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples 74 to 91,

[0240] wherein the piezoelectric element comprises at least one first piezoelectric sub-element is configured to exhibit a first specific increase in the relative permittivity upon reaching a first specific temperature level and at least one second piezoelectric sub-element configured to exhibit a second specific increase in the relative permittivity upon reaching a second specific temperature level different to the first temperature level.FTR4077

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[0242] Example 93. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding example, wherein the liquid aerosol formation is controlled in accordance with the first specific temperature level and the second specific temperature level.

[0243] Example 94. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding examples 92 or 93, wherein the first specific temperature level of the first piezoelectric sub-element is in a range of 160°C to 200°C, preferably about 240°C, and

[0244] wherein the second specific temperature level of the second piezoelectric sub-element is in a range of 340°C to 390°C, preferably about 370°C.

[0245] Example 95. The heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples 92 to 94,

[0246] wherein the first piezoelectric sub-element and the second piezoelectric sub-element contact the solid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0247] Example 96. A piezoelectric element for use as a temperature indicating element in an aerosol-forming device according to one of the preceding examples 1 to 12, for use in a cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 13 to 50 or for use in a heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples 51 to 95.

[0248] Example 97. Use of a piezoelectric element as a temperature indicating element with an aerosol-forming device according to one of the preceding examples 1 to 12, with a cartridge according to one of the preceding examples 13 to 50 or with a heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding examples 51 to 95.

[0249] Example 98. An electronic device including an aerosol-forming device according to one of the preceding examples 1 to 12 and / or a companion device configured to charge the aerosolforming device with electrical energy.

[0250] Example 99. A computer implemented method for operating an aerosol-forming device according to one of the preceding examples 1 to 12 or the electronic device according to the preceding example comprising the steps of:

[0251] - removably receiving, in a receiving space of the aerosol-forming device, at least partially either a cartridge having a liquid aerosol-forming substrate or a heat-not-burn article having a solid aerosol-forming substrate;FTR4077

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[0253] - dielectrically heating, by the dielectric heater arrangement, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate or the solid aerosol-forming substrate,

[0254] - determining, by the controller, a value indicative of a temperature of or at a dielectric temperature marker,

[0255] wherein the determination step further includes analyzing a dielectric response of the dielectric temperature marker, and

[0256] - controlling, by the controller, the dielectric heating process based on the determined value indicative of the temperature.

[0257] Example 100. The method according to the preceding example,

[0258] wherein the determining of the value indicative of the temperature is performed before and / or during the heating process.

[0259] Example 101. The method according to one of the preceding examples 99 or 100, wherein the heating process includes the step of exposing an electric alternating field caused between the electrodes of the dielectric heater arrangement to the inner volume of the cartridge holding the liquid aerosol-forming substrate and / or to the aerosol-forming substrate of the heat-not-burn article.

[0260] Example 102. The method according to one of the preceding examples 99 to 101, wherein the determination step further includes the step of analyzing a dielectric response of the dielectric temperature marker.

[0261] Example 103. The method according to the preceding example, further comprising the steps of:

[0262] i) powering-up an oscillator circuit of the dielectric heater arrangement,

[0263] ii) recording a frequency evolution by measuring detection data including one or more of an oscillation frequency and / or a power consumption of the oscillator circuit.

[0264] Example 104. The method according to the preceding example, further comprising the step of:

[0265] iii) storing resulting detection data in a data memory of the aerosol-forming device.

[0266] Example 105. The method according to one of the preceding examples 99 to 104,FTR4077

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[0268] wherein the step of analyzing the dielectric response includes the step of determining a change of one or more of the oscillation frequency and / or the power consumption of the oscillator circuit.

[0269] Example 106. The method according to one of the preceding examples 99 to 105, wherein the dielectric temperature marker includes a piezoelectric element, and wherein the step of analyzing the dielectric response includes the step of identifying a specific temperature level of the piezoelectric element based on the determination of a specific decrease in the oscillation frequency and / or the step of determining a specific increase in the power consumption of the oscillator circuit caused by the specific increase of the relative permittivity at the specific temperature level.

[0270] Example 107. The method according to one of the preceding method examples 99 to 105, further comprising the step of controlling the liquid aerosol formation from the liquid aerosolforming substrate or the solid aerosol-forming substrate in accordance with the first specific temperature level of a first piezoelectric sub-element and the second specific temperature level of a second piezoelectric sub-element.

[0271] Example 108. A computer program, which, when executed by processing circuitry of an aerosol-forming device or a companion device configured to charge an aerosol-forming device with electrical energy, causes the aerosol-forming device or the companion device to perform the steps of the method according to one of the preceding examples.

[0272] Example 109. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program according to the preceding example.

[0273] Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which:

[0274] Figure 1 shows an exemplary electronic device including an exemplary aerosol forming device;

[0275] Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary oscillation circuit for use in an aerosol-generating system;

[0276] Figure 3A shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary oscillation circuit;

[0277] Figure 3B shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary oscillation circuit;

[0278] Figure 4 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary oscillation circuit;

[0279] Figure 5 shows exemplary relative permittivities of piezo ceramic materials;

[0280] Figures 6A and 6B show cross-sectional views of an exemplary aerosol-generating system;FTR4077

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[0282] Figure 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a heat-not-burn forming article;

[0283] Figure 8A and 8B each show an exemplary embodiment of a liquid transfer element;

[0284] Figure 9A and 9B each show an exemplary embodiment of a dielectric heating susceptor element;

[0285] Figure 10 shows an exemplary embodiment of a liquid transfer element; and

[0286] Figures 11 schematically shows a flowchart of an exemplary method according to the present disclosure,

[0287] Figure 12 shows a two-part system with an aerosol-forming article removably couplable to the aerosol-forming device;

[0288] Figure 13 shows a one-part system with an aerosol-forming article fixedly coupled to the aerosol-forming device.

[0289] The figures are schematic only and not to scale.

[0290] Figure 1 shows an electronic device 500 for forming or generating aerosol, for example for consumption or inhalation by a user. The electronic device 500 comprises an aerosol-generating system 450, which includes an aerosol-forming device 100 and an aerosol forming article 200, which is exemplarily shown in form of a cartridge 200-1 or in form of a heat-not-burn aerosolforming article 200-2. The electronic device 500 can optionally further comprise a companion device 300 for storing an aerosol-forming device 100. The companion device 300 may be a charging device or charger case for charging the aerosol-forming device 100 and / or an energy source 190 or power supply 190 thereof.

[0291] The aerosol-forming device 100 may comprise a receiving space 101, which may also be referred to as heating cavity 101 for at least partially or completely receiving an aerosol forming article 200, which may be in form of a cartridge 200-1, container 200-1, capsule 200-1, or pod 200-1 having a liquid-aerosol forming substrate 210-1, which may also be referred to as vaporizable liquid 210-1 or liquid substrate 210-1. The liquid-aerosol forming substrate 210-1 can be vaporized or aerosolized for inhalation, as shown in greater detail in Figures 6A and 6B. The aerosol forming article 200 may also be in form of a heat-not-burn aerosol-forming article 200-2 having a solid aerosol-forming substrate 210-2, such as a tobacco material, that can be received in the heating cavity 101. The aerosol-forming device 100 may be configured for usage with only one of the cartridge 200-1 or the heat-not-burn aerosol-forming article 200-2. The aerosol forming article 200 may be stick-like shaped, shaped as rectangular parallelepiped cuboid, or shaped differently.

[0292] The liquid-aerosol forming substrate 210-1 and the solid aerosol-forming substrate 210-2 may also be grouped under the term aerosol-forming substrate 210. Generally, the aerosolforming substrate 210 may comprise tobacco-based or non-tobacco based materials having anFTR4077

[0293] P17564WO 31 / 56

[0294] aerosol forming material therein and optionally one or more active agents or ingredients, such as nicotine, pharmaceutical, botanicals, flavorants, liquid substrates with one or more active agents or ingredients, or a combination thereof.

[0295] The aerosol forming article 200 may comprise a mouthpiece (not shown), through which a user may inhale aerosol provided by the aerosol-forming device 100 for consumption. A respective configuration with a mouthpiece 194 is shown in Figure 12. Optionally, the aerosolforming device 100 may comprise the mouthpiece 194 as exemplarily depicted in Figure 13. The aerosol may be provided from the aerosol forming article 200 or substrate 210 provided inside or contained within the aerosol-forming device 100.

[0296] The exemplary aerosol-forming device 100 of Figure 1 further includes a dielectric heater arrangement 110 configured to either dielectrically heat the liquid-aerosol forming substrate 210-1 or the solid aerosol-forming substrate 210-2 when the cartridge 200-1 or the heat-not-burn aerosol-forming article 200-2 are received in the receiving space 101. For instance, the receiving space 101 can be configured as a heating chamber 165 to receive a cylindrical heat-not-burn aerosol-forming article 200-2 or can be configured as a docking space for holding a cartridge 200-1. For example, at least one cylindrically formed inner wall 103 defines the receiving space 101, wherein the cylindrically formed inner wall 103 is configured to receive at least partially a cylindrically formed insertion portion of a cylindrical heat-not-burn aerosol-forming article 200-2. The receiving space 101 may for instance have an opening width in a range of about 4 to 8 mm. In another example, the receiving space 101 can be configured as a heating chamber 165 to receive a cuboid-shaped, oval-shaped, oblong-shaped, or any other shape heat-not-burn aerosolforming article 200-2 or as a docking space cartridge 200-1. In the configuration of the cuboidshaped receiving space 101, at least one cuboid-shaped inner wall 103 can define the receiving space 101 such that the cuboid-shaped inner wall 103 is configured to receive at least partially a cuboid-shaped insertion portion of the cuboid-shaped aerosol forming article 200.

[0297] In the example of Figure 1, the dielectric heater arrangement 110 comprises a load capacitor 126 with a first electrode 114 and a second electrode 116, which are arranged opposite to each other and are spaced-apart from each other in a direction orthogonal or transverse to an insertion direction along an insertion axis 30 for inserting the aerosol forming article 200. The insertion direction or axis 30 may define or be parallel to a longitudinal direction or axis of the aerosol-forming device 100. The two opposing and spaced-apart electrodes 114, 116 form or define the heating chamber 165 configured to at least partly receive the aerosol forming article 200 or substrate 210 therebetween.

[0298] In a variant, the dielectric heating arrangement 110 can include an oscillator, RF amplifier, and a resonant cavity that receives an amplified RF signal via a coupler, the resonant cavity configured to removably receive the aerosol-forming substrate 210 for dielectric heating.FTR4077

[0299] P17564WO 32 / 56

[0300] The heating chamber 165, docking space 101, and the aerosol forming article 200 can be sized such that the aerosol forming substrate 210 is exposed to an alternating electric field caused by first electrode 114 and the second electrode 116 of the load capacitor 126 when received within the heating chamber 165. Moreover, the load capacitor 126 with the first electrode 114 and the second electrode 116 can form part of a feedback loop 133 (see Figure 2) of an oscillator circuit 130, also referred herein to as oscillator 130 or oscillation circuitry 130, via a first and second electrical contact 161, 163. It should be noted that the load capacitor 126 can comprise more than one electrode pair, in particular, the load capacitor 126 can comprise two, three, four, or even more pairs of interdigitated electrodes 114, 116. Also, it should be noted that the embodiment with load capacitor 126 is exemplary only. Alternatively, the dielectric heater arrangement 110 may comprise a resonant cavity configured to receive the substrate 210 for dielectric heating thereof. The controller 140 can be configured to control a duty cycle ratio of the oscillator circuit 130 defining the ratio of an on-time at which the oscillator 130 provides the RF voltage to the at least two electrodes 114, 116 are powered to dielectrically heat the liquid-aerosol forming substrate 210-1 or the solid aerosol-forming substrate 210-2 to an off-time at which the at least two electrodes 114, 116 are not powered.

[0301] In other examples, the first electrode 114 and the second electrode 116 may form part of the aerosol forming article 200 comprising the aerosol forming substrate 210. In such embodiments, the heating chamber 165 or a corresponding volume between the first and second electrical contacts 161, 163 can be sized such that, when the aerosol forming article 200 is placed or located within the heating chamber 165, an electrical connection is established between the first electrode 114 and the first electrical contact 161, and the second electrode 116 and the second electrical contact 163.

[0302] The aerosol-forming device 100 further comprises a power supply 190, power source 190 or energy source 190, and a controller 140 electrically, communicatively and / or operatively coupled to the dielectric heater arrangement 110 and / or an oscillator circuit 130. In this embodiment, the power supply 190 can be a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, for example with one or more lithium-ion battery cells. Hence, the aerosol-forming device 100 can be portable, battery-powered and handheld.

[0303] The controller 140 can be configured to control the energy source 190 and / or the dielectric heater arrangement 110. In particular, the controller 140 can be configured to control a supply of electrical power from the energy source 190 to the dielectric heater arrangement 110, thereby controlling the heating, a heating operation, activation and / or deactivation of the dielectric heater arrangement 110 for instance according to one of a plurality of different heating modes.

[0304] The energy source 190 may be charged based on connecting terminals of the aerosolforming device 100 with a main power supply, e.g., a USB charger. Alternatively, the energyFTR4077

[0305] P17564WO 33 / 56

[0306] storage 190 may be charged based on mechanically coupling the aerosol-forming device 100 with the companion device 300. In Figure 1, both the aerosol-forming device 100 and the companion device 300 comprise an energy storage 190, 310. In an example, energy storage 190 of the aerosol-forming device 100 may be charged based on coupling the aerosol-forming device 100 to the companion device, for example based on at least partly inserting the aerosol-forming device 100 into a compartment or recess of the companion device 300. Upon mechanically coupling the aerosol-forming device 100 with the companion device 300, an electrical connection between terminals or electrical connections of the aerosol-forming device 100 and the companion device 300 can be established to charge the energy storage 190 of the aerosol-forming device 100 via the energy storage 310 of the companion device 300. The energy storage 310 of the companion device 300 can, for example, be re-charged via connection to a main power supply, e.g., a USB charger. Alternatively, or additionally, one or both the energy storage 190 of the aerosol-forming device 100 and the energy storage 310 of the companion device 300 may be removable and / or replaceable. In other words, energy storages 190, 310 may be replaceable energy storages or batteries.

[0307] The aerosol-forming device 100 may further comprise a communications arrangement 150 or interface 150 for communicatively coupling the aerosol-forming device 100 with the companion device 300 or other devices, such as a smart phone or server, for example, via an Internet connection, a wireless LAN connection, a WiFi connection, a Bluetooth connection, a mobile phone network, a mobile data connection for example but not limited to a 3G / 4G / 5G connection, an edge connection, an LTE connection, a BUS connection, a wireless connection, a wired connection, an optical data connection such as but not limited to IrDa, a radio connection, a near field connection, and / or an loT connection.

[0308] One or more sensors 154 may be arranged on, at or in the aerosol-forming device 100 to collect data. One or more of the sensors 154 may for example be a motion sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an image sensor, a pyrometer, a presence sensor, a touch sensor, a temperature sensor, a strain sensor, a pressure sensor, a flow sensor or any other suitable sensor. The controller 140 can be configured to control the dielectric heater arrangement 110 to receive an indication signal that is indicative if the cartridge 200-1 or the solid aerosol-forming article 200-2 is received in the receiving space 101. The indication signal can also include a dielectric response or measurement signal of the cartridge 200-1 or the solid aerosol-forming article 200-2. In this case the controller can be configured to control the dielectric heater arrangement 110 according to different heating modes adapted to the type of aerosol forming article 200 received. That is, if it is indicated that a cartridge 200-1 is received, a suitable heating scheme for heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate 210-1 to generate an aerosol to be inhaled by a user is conducted. On the other hand, if it is indicated that a heat-not-burn aerosol-FTR4077

[0309] P17564WO 34 / 56

[0310] forming 200-2 is received, a suitable heating scheme for heating the solid aerosol-forming substrate 210-2 to generate an aerosol to be inhaled by a user is conducted.

[0311] The aerosol-forming device 100 may further comprise a puff triggering mechanism 157 in operative connection with the controller 140 and configured to detect a puff, to operate in a puff-on-demand mode where the heater is only activated during a puff for vaporization of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, preferably during 0.5 to 5 seconds. For instance, the puff triggering mechanism 157 may be adapted to detect the puff manually triggered by the user. In another embodiment, the puff triggering mechanism 157 may comprise a puff detection sensor 158. In one example, the puff detection sensor 158 is a pressure sensor configured to detect a puff based on a pressure detection. The aerosol-forming device 100 may further comprise a user interface 156 including one or more components, for example comprising an input and / or output element, for example in the form of a pushbutton, a capacitive button, a touch display, one or more LEDs, an acoustic interface or the like. The user interface 156 may be used or function as a power button to activate or deactivate the dielectric heater arrangement 110 thereby to activate or deactivate the aerosol-forming device 100.

[0312] In use, power or electrical energy can be provide from the energy storage 190 to the dielectric heater arrangement 110, for example when a user activates the aerosol-forming 100. For example, the aerosol-forming 100 can be activated by one or more of a sensor signal of at least one sensor 154 of the aerosol-forming device 100, insertion of an aerosol-forming article 200 at least partly into the aerosol-forming device 100, coupling of an aerosol-forming article 200 to the aerosol-forming device 100, mechanical decoupling of the aerosol-forming device 100 from the companion device 300, and a signal from the user interface 156 triggered by the user of the aerosol-forming device 100.

[0313] Upon activation of the aerosol-forming device 100, the dielectric heater arrangement 110 may be activated and heat may be applied to at least a part of the aerosol-forming article 200 or substrate 210, such that aerosol can be generated for consumption or inhalation by the user. The user interface 156 may be accordingly configured for receiving a user input. The user interface 156 can be arranged on an outer surface of the aerosol-forming device 100 or can be integrated in a housing of the aerosol-forming device 100.

[0314] When a user initiates a user inhalation or puff, air at ambient temperature can be drawn from an external environment of the aerosol-forming device 100 via an air channel or airflow path 180 towards the dielectric heater arrangement 110.

[0315] The aerosol-forming device 100 can further include a determination unit 159 in operative connection with the controller 140 for determining a reception of the cartridge 200-1 or the aerosol-forming article 200-2. Upon determination that the cartridge 200-1 is received, the controller 140 can be accordingly configured to control the dielectric heater arrangement 110FTR4077

[0316] P17564WO 35 / 56

[0317] according to different heating modes adapted to the type of aerosol forming article 200 received. That is, if it is determined that a cartridge 200-1 is received, a suitable heating scheme for heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate 210-1 to generate an aerosol to be inhaled by a user is conducted. On the other hand, if it is determined that a heat-not-burn aerosol-forming 200-2 is received, a suitable heating scheme for heating the solid aerosol-forming substrate 210-2 to generate an aerosol to be inhaled by a user is conducted.

[0318] In the depicted examples, each of the cartridge 200-1 and the heat-not-burn aerosol forming article 200-2 include a dielectric temperature marker 270, which is provided in thermal communication with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate 210-1 and solid aerosol-forming substrate 210-2, respectively. The controller 140 operatively connected to the dielectric heater arrangement 110 is accordingly configured to determine a value indicative of a temperature of or at the dielectric temperature marker 270 based on a dielectric response. Hence, the controller can control the aerosol-forming device based on the determined value indicative of the temperature. Further, the dielectric temperature marker 270 may be provided additionally or alternatively in the aerosol-forming device 100, e.g. inside the heating chamber 165. Such a configuration is described in further detail with respect to Fig. 7.

[0319] Further, the aerosol-forming device 100 can include processing circuitry 400, which can execute a computer program 420 to cause the aerosol-forming device 100 to perform the steps of the method of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the companion device 300 may include the processing circuitry 400 to perform the respective method steps. The computer program can be for instance stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium 410. The aerosol-forming device 100 may further comprise a data storage 152 or memory for storing information, program code or data. Data storage 152 may also store collected values of sensors and / or one or more mathematical functions or formulas, software and / or computer instructions that can be executed by the controller 140 and / or processing circuitry 400.

[0320] In another example, the aerosol-forming device 100 may be suitable for using either the cartridge 200-1 or the cartridge 200-2.

[0321] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of an oscillator or oscillation circuit 130 for use in a dielectric electronic device 500 or aerosol-forming device 100. The oscillation circuit 130 may comprise a switching unit 135 interconnected with a resonant feedback loop 133 to provide for a self-oscillating signal to the switching unit 135. The switching unit 135 may comprise a single transistor, such as a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) or a field effect transistor (FET).

[0322] The oscillation circuit 130 may further comprise a choke 137 that acts on an input to the feedback loop 133 to provide for a stimulation signal, for example a stimulation voltage. The oscillation circuit may also comprise a biasing unit 139 acting on the feedback loop 133 for providing a variable or controllable biasing signal, for example a biasing voltage for setting theFTR4077

[0323] P17564WO 36 / 56

[0324] operating conditions. In the variant shown, the feedback signal can be described as a voltage. The output voltage UOUTof the switching unit 135 may be coupled to the feedback loop 133 providing a feedback switching signal in the form of a voltage UINto the switching unit 135. The configuration of the feedback loop 133 may be such that the output signal, e.g. the voltage UOUTof the switching unit 135, can undergo a phase change and arrives inverted at the input UINof the switching unit 135 for resonant oscillation. In other configurations, a current could be used as the feedback signal with a switching unit 135 comprising a BJT.

[0325] The feedback loop 133 may be configured to be self-oscillating and may oscillate at or close to a given resonance frequency determined by the values of the passive components of the feedback loop 133. Feedback loop 133 may be configured to provide a 180° phase shift from the output UOUTto input UINof switching unit 135 for oscillation, and, in addition, a transistor T (Figure 4) may be configured for inverting operation.

[0326] As shown in Figure 3A and Figure 3B, feedback loop 133 may include a resonant circuit 134 comprising a load capacitor 126 providing for a first 90 degrees phase shift or quarter wave shift to the feedback signal. The heating zone according to the present disclosure may be arranged or may be provided inside the load capacitor 126. Feedback loop 133 may further include a capacitive element 136 providing for a second 90 degrees phase shift or quarter wave shift to the feedback signal, such that the feedback signal reaching the input of the switching unit 135 may be inverted and phase-shifted by 180 degrees. Switching unit 135 may itself be configured for inverted switching operation to provide a 180 degree phase shift between the input UINand the output UOUTof the switching unit 135.

[0327] Resonant circuit 134 may comprise first and second electrodes 114, 116, together forming a load capacitor 126 (see Figure 4). When an aerosol-forming substrate is situated between the first and second electrodes 114, 116, it may form part of the load capacitor 126. Importantly, the load capacitor 126 may be formed in the feedback loop 133, and not at a separate output or part of a separate circuitry that is connected to the switching unit 116. This may enable a high-frequency oscillating voltage to be created across the electrodes 114, 116 of load capacitor 126, which is needed for sufficient and efficient dielectric heating of the aerosol-forming substrate 210, without having an additional output or circuit to the already resonating feedback loop 133. This may avoid unnecessary losses and circuit complexity. The resonant circuit 134 may comprise a series resonator circuit or a parallel resonator circuit.

[0328] Figure 4 illustrates an oscillation circuit 130 according to a non-limiting, exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Oscillation circuit 130 may comprise a switching unit 116 in the form of a transistor T having an intrinsic capacitance Ci. Moreover, transistor T may be configured for inverting operation, for example as an inverting common source FET, MOSFET, or a common emitter BJT. The source terminal of transistor T may be coupled to a DC power supplyFTR4077

[0329] P17564WO 37 / 56

[0330] 190 via a choke 137. Between the gate and source terminals of transistor T a feedback loop 133 may extend. The feedback loop 133 may comprise a resonant circuit 134 including a load capacitor 126 having a first and second electrode 114, 116 separated by an aerosol-forming substrate 210. In the variant shown, the resonant circuit 134 may also be connected to ground via a delay line DL and a capacitor 124 connected in series to the delay line DL. The circuit 130 may further comprise a biasing unit 139 coupled to the gate terminal of the transistor T via the delay line DL. As shown in Figure 4, the biasing unit 139 may be electrically connected between the delay line DL and the capacitor 124, so that the biasing unit 139 may be somewhat isolated from the high oscillation frequency of the feedback loop 133.

[0331] The delay line DL may be a time delay element, for example an element that has inductive behavior, for slowing down the arriving voltage wave from the feedback loop 133 during a period of the oscillation. This may allow to tune the resonant circuit 134 to a desired switching and oscillation frequency, to move the oscillation frequency away from the natural resonant frequency given by the resonant circuit 134. This may ensure that oscillation circuit 130 remains in a predefined frequency operating range to provide for the requisite inverted or 90° phase shifted feedback and also to make sure that the feedback loop has a low impedance to provide for a high gain.

[0332] The oscillation circuit 130 is shown with electrical contacts 161, 163 that may be arranged on each side of the load capacitor 126. In some embodiments, the first and second electrodes 114, 116 may be removable from the oscillation circuit 130, or may form part of the aerosolforming article 200. In such embodiments, electrical contacts 161, 163 provide an electrical connection between the first and second electrode 114, 116 and the feedback loop 133. In embodiments where the load capacitor 126 is fixed within the feedback loop 133, for example, such that a an aerosol-forming substrate 210 can be inserted and removed to and from a cavity formed in between the first and second electrodes 114, 116, electrical contacts 161, 163 provide electrical connections from the first and second electrodes 114, 116 to the next components in the feedback loop 133, e.g. inductors 118 and 120. Hence, the resonant feedback loop 133 can comprise at least one first inductor 118 connected in series with one of the at least two electrodes 114, 116 and at least one second inductor 120 connected to another one of the at least two electrodes 114, 116, wherein the at least two electrodes 114, 116 may be connected in series between the first inductor 118 and the second inductor 120.

[0333] With respect to the power supply voltage, a DC power supply voltage is provided, that is preferably in a range that is suitable for battery operation with one or more standard battery cells.

[0334] The DC power supply 190 may be accordingly configured for powering the oscillator circuit 130.FTR4077

[0335] P17564WO 38 / 56

[0336] Preferably, the DC power supply voltage is below 14V. For example, it is possible to operate the oscillation circuit 130 on a single battery cell, for example an 18650 battery cell (Li-Ion), or a similar battery cell, that provides for 3.2V to 3.9V. However, more preferably, a voltage of one battery cell of an exemplary 3.5V to 7V for power supply can be boosted, for example by a DC-DC converter (e.g. a boost circuit), or a voltage doubler. Alternatively, or in addition, two or more battery cells can be used in series, or other configurations or arrangements that allow to increase a voltage from one or more battery cell can be used. It is also possible to have a controllable output voltage (e.g. DC-DC converter, voltage regulator), to control the temperature of heating by a change to the DC supply voltage, or to boost the voltage (for example to 10-12V) for maximum power at the preheating stage, to speed up the preheating stage with the goal to reach the aerosolization temperature quickly. Control of the DC supply voltage is one way that makes it possible to rapidly change heating power despite the oscillation circuit 130 freely oscillating.

[0337] A first capacitor 122 may be arranged in parallel to the transistor T and therefore in parallel with the intrinsic capacitor of the transistor T (e.g. a field effect transistor). This may facilitate a less voltage-dependent oscillation and frequency, stabilize the oscillation, and also improve the overall dielectric heating efficiency. Capacitance of the first capacitor 122 may be chosen to be larger than the maximal intrinsic capacitor Ci of transistor T at the operating conditions, so that the variation of the intrinsic transistor based on frequency, temperature, etc. has much less or negligible influence on the feedback loop 133. For example, in a non-limiting embodiment, the value may be in a range between 2pF to 100pF, more preferably in a range between 5pF and 50pF.

[0338] Capacitive element 136 may comprise a capacitor 124 arranged at the output or end of the resonant circuit 134. In one embodiment, capacitive element 136 may comprise more than one capacitor. As described above, capacitive element 136 may have the function of providing a 90° phase shift to the feedback voltage of feedback loop 133 with minimized losses or other undesired effects, and it therefore needs to have a high-quality factor or Q factor, preferably above 1000 at 100MHz. The capacitance value for capacitor the second 124 of the capacitive element 136 may be relatively high as compared to the first capacitor 122, for example in a range between 500pF to 100nF, more preferably between 1nF and 50nF, which may lead to a low impedance of capacitive element 136. In one embodiment, the capacitive element 136 may be implemented as an RC network to provide for the 90° phase shift, for example using two single-resistor-capacitor networks, having two capacitors in the feedback loop, each capacitor connected to ground via a resistor.

[0339] Resonant circuit 134, together with capacitive element 136, may provide for a 180° phase shift and a voltage gain from the output UOUTto the input UIN, and transistor T (for example a FET) may be configured for inverting operation, thereby also providing for another 180° phase shift.FTR4077

[0340] P17564WO 39 / 56

[0341] This may result in a resonant or close-to resonant oscillation and an amplified voltage across the electrodes 114 and 116 of the load capacitor 126, as compared to the DC supply voltage. When operating close to resonance, the resonant circuit 134 circuit may behave inductively, having a high Q factor. Furthermore, the feedback loop 133 may be impedance-matched with the transistor T, to provide for a high gain, leading to an increased voltage across the load capacitor 126. Also, preferably, this gain may be achieved without the use of an additional voltage or current amplifying passive element, such as a tapped inductor or a transformer located in the circuit that forms the feedback loop 133, as such passive elements may be difficult and lossy to operate and design at frequencies greater than 50 MHz.

[0342] The combination of capacitor 122, the feedback loop with resonant circuit 134 and capacitive element 136 may also be described as a bandpass filter or Pi or TT network that generates a 180° phase shift. In the illustrated embodiment, the resonant circuit 134 of the feedback loop 133 may not be connected to ground, but may be suspended with ends at each capacitor 122 and 124, thereby not having a direct ground connection at either end of resonant circuit 134, reducing stray elements and ground influences for more predictable operation.

[0343] At the operating frequency, the resonant circuit 134 including load capacitor 126 may act as an inductive load providing a first 90° phase shift, also referred to as a quarter-wave phase shift, and capacitive element 136, which may exemplarily include a high quality factor capacitor 124 connected to ground, may provide for the second 90° phase shift or quarter-wave phase shift.

[0344] Oscillation circuit 130 may be described or characterized as a Pierce oscillation circuit with a modified feedback loop 133, where the physical Quartz element may be replaced by a Quartzmimicking or Quartz electric equivalent circuit to provide for an inverting feedback to the switching unit 135 that may also operate in an inverted mode. In some embodiments, oscillation circuit 130 may be based on other resonant feedback loop oscillation circuit configurations, for example, but not limited to, the use of a Colpitts or Hartley type oscillator, using an inverting transistor T.

[0345] Figure 5 shows exemplary relative permittivities ERof different piezo ceramic materials for different temperatures. The relative permittivities sRare noted on the Y-axis and the temperature is noted on the x-axis in °C. Piezoelectric materials exhibit spontaneous polarization due to their asymmetrical crystal structures. The relative permittivity generally depends on how easily the dipoles can reorient and respond to an applied RF electric field. Temperature can affect this process in two ways. On the one hand, as temperature increases, thermal vibrations disrupt the alignment of dipoles. This renders the orientation of the dipoles more dynamic, and accordingly leads to changes in relative permittivity. One the other hand, at higher temperatures, dipoles may become more instable, which could accordingly alter the material’s ability to polarize when subjected to an RF electric field. Near the Curie temperature, which is indicated by an asterisk in the figure, the relative permittivity peaks due to critical dipole fluctuations. Exemplarily, for theFTR4077

[0346] P17564WO 40 / 56

[0347] exemplary piezoelectric material “6 / 4”, the Curie temperature is about 95°C. At the Curie temperature, the material accordingly transitions from a ferroelectric phase, where spontaneous polarization exists, to a paraelectric phase, where the polarization vanishes. This transition causes a dramatic increase in relative permittivity near the Curie point due to enhanced and critical dipole fluctuations. Above the Curie temperature, in the paraelectric phase, the relative permittivity decreases with temperature. This may also be referred to as ferroelectric to paraelectric transition. Hence, a distinct temperature can be determined based on the change in the relative permittivity. However, the dielectric temperature marker 270 may also include different materials having a respective distinct temperature dependent dielectric response.

[0348] Figures 6A and 6B each show a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating system 450 including an aerosol-forming device 100 receiving an aerosol-forming article 200, which is in the depicted example a cartridge 200-1. Figure 6A shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the aerosol-forming device 100, and Figure 6B shows a transverse cross-sectional view as indicated by plane 20 shown in Figure 6A.

[0349] Unless stated otherwise, the aerosol-generating system 450 of Figures 6A and 6B comprises the same features, functions and elements as the aerosol-forming device 100 and an electronic device 500 with reference to each of Figures 1 to 4. The exemplary system 450 of Figures 6A and 6B is specifically designed for vaporizing liquid-aerosol forming substrate 210-1.

[0350] The aerosol-forming article 200 of the aerosol-forming device 100 is formed as cartridge 200-1, container 200-1 or pod 200-1, that can be inserted along a longitudinal axis 30 of the device 100 into a body 170 of the device 100. It is understood that the cartridge 200-1 presented herein is merely exemplarily to facilitate the understanding of the underlying technical principles of the present invention. However, of course also any other similarly suitable type of cartridge 200-1 may be employed with the aerosol-forming device 100 according to the present disclosure and is accordingly encompassed by the present disclosure. The cartridge 200-1 can include a respective housing 173, which may be made of a low dielectric material, and that could fit into the receiving space 101 of the aerosol-forming device 100. The cartridge 200-1 includes a reservoir 205 that is at least partly filled with the liquid-aerosol forming substrate 210-1, which may also be referred as liquid substrate 210-1 or e-liquid 210-1. In particular, a bottom part 212 or end 212 of the cartridge 200-1 may be inserted into a heating chamber 165 of the aerosol-forming device 100. At an opposite end 214 of the aerosol-forming article 200, an aerosol outlet 215 can be formed, via which the user can draw air and inhalable aerosol.

[0351] The heating chamber 165 is defined by two semi-circular, half cylindrical, or arc-like shaped electrodes 114, 116 of a dielectric heater arrangement 110 of the device 100. Also more than two electrodes 114, 116 or electrode pairs may be utilized. For example, a plurality of two, three or more electrode pairs of interdigitated electrodes may be arranged around at least a part of aFTR4077

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[0353] circumference or perimeter of the cartridge 200-1. In a variant, instead of electrodes as a part of an LC circuit of an oscillator, there could be a resonant cavity and / or a transmission line that causes the alternating electric field for the dielectric heating, coupled to an RF oscillator, amplifier, impedance matching circuit and a coupler.

[0354] The at least two electrodes 114, 116 are part of a load capacitor 126 of the dielectric heater arrangement 110 configured to dielectrically heat the liquid substrate 210-1. The length of the electrodes 114, 116, measured parallel to an insertion direction of the cartridge 200-1 or longitudinal axis of the device 100, defines a dielectric heating zone 222, in which substrate material can be dielectrically heated and vaporized.

[0355] In order to vaporize the liquid substrate 210-1 in a controlled manner, the cartridge 200-1 comprises a liquid transfer element 220, for example a wicking element, which includes a porous material that can be soaked with the liquid substrate 210-1, for example via capillary forces, diffusion, gravity or osmotic forces, pumping, or a combination thereof. The liquid transfer element 220 can be configured to draw the liquid substrate 210-1 from the reservoir 205 to at least a part of the dielectric heater arrangement 110, in particular towards the electrodes 114, 116. Common materials used for the wicking element 220 can include organic cotton, silica, or ceramic. In a variant, the liquid transfer element 220 includes a plurality of channels, e.g. microchannels that lead from the liquid ingress surface 240 to the vapor egress surface 242.

[0356] In the presented example, a dielectric temperature marker 270 is provided at the liquid transfer element 220. In some examples, the dielectric temperature 270 marker may include a piezoelectric element. In the presented example, the dielectric temperature marker 270 is a separate element embedded in the liquid transfer element 220. However, also other configurations of the temperature marker 270 may be provided, as described herein. For instance, the liquid transfer element 220 may be formed by the dielectric temperature marker 270 itself, i.e. they are the same element. The dielectric temperature marker 270 is provided in thermal communication with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate 210-1 for example at an area of the dielectric heating zone 222. Further, the dielectric temperature marker 270 is in immediate contact with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate 210-1. However, in other configurations the dielectric temperature marker 270 may also not be in immediate contact with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate 210-2. In such examples, heat could be accordingly transferred via one or more intermediate elements located between the aerosol-forming substrate 210 and the dielectric temperature marker 270. Further, in the depicted example, the dielectric temperature marker 270 is confined by the cartridge 200-1. However, in other examples, the dielectric temperature marker 270 may also not be confined by the cartridge 200-1 but, for instance, may be confined by the aerosol forming device 100 or may be provided partially in both, the cartridge 200-1 and the aerosol forming device 100. In the depicted embodiment only one dielectric temperature markerFTR4077

[0357] P17564WO 42 / 56

[0358] 270 is shown. However, of course also a plurality of dielectric temperature markers 270 may be provided, for example different markers with different Curie temperatures.

[0359] In the example shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the cartridge 200-1 includes two liquid transfer elements 220 arranged opposite to each other. Specifically, the two electrodes 114, 116 are spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the device 100 or cartridge 200-1, such that two gaps 115, 117 are formed in circumferential direction of the device 100 or cartridge 200-1. In each gap 115, 117, one of the liquid transfer elements 220 is arranged, as can best be seen in FIG. 6B. Also, each of the gaps 115, 117 forms or defines a load capacitor 126, which functions similar or analogue to the load capacitor 126 of Figures 1, 3B and 4.

[0360] As also mentioned above, the electrodes 114, 116 can be part of the cartridge 200-1 and contacted to respective electrical contacts of the device 100. Alternatively, in the variant shown, the electrodes 114, 116 can be part of the device 100.

[0361] To ensure a homogenous supply of the liquid substrate 210-1 from the reservoir 205 to the liquid transfer elements 220, the cartridge 200-1 comprises a liquid feeding structure 230, which can for example, be a hollow cylindrical structure in the centre of the cartridge 200-1 at the bottom end 212, which is placed inside the heating chamber 165 or heating zone 222. There can also be individual liquid feeding structures for each liquid transfer element 220. Further, an empty or hollow space 105 is provided in the central region of the cartridge 200-1, extending at least along the entire length of the electrodes 114, 116 along the insertion direction.

[0362] A surface 240 of each of the liquid transfer elements 220 that faces the feeding structure 230 acts as liquid ingress area or surface (LIS), via which liquid substrate 210-1 is drawn by the liquid transfer elements 220. As the liquid transfer elements 220 are arranged in the gaps 115, 117 formed between the electrodes 114, 116 in circumferential direction, an electrical field strength between the electrodes 114, 116 can be very high at or near the liquid transfer elements 220, such that the liquid substrate 210-1 can be vaporized within the liquid transfer elements 220. Vaporized substrate material can then exit or leave the liquid transfer elements 220 via so-called vapor egress areas or surfaces (VES) 242 of the wicking elements 220, which are arranged spaced apart from the liquid ingress surfaces 240 in radial direction of the device 100 or cartridge 200-1.

[0363] As can best be seen in Figure 6B, the liquid transfer elements 220 can be dome-like shape, have a trapezoidal cross-section, or be curved towards the inside of the cartridge 200-1, such that the respective vapor egress surface 242 is larger than the liquid ingress surface 240 of each liquid transfer element 220.

[0364] Between the cartridge 200-1 and the body 170 of the aerosol-forming device 100, an air channel 180 or airflow path 180 is formed. The airflow path 180 can have multiple sections that may be fluidly coupled or connected. In particular, an air inlet 181 can be formed as a gap betweenFTR4077

[0365] P17564WO 43 / 56

[0366] the cartridge 200-1 and the body 170, for example at or close to the end 214 of the cartridge 200-1 where the aerosol outlet 215 is formed. The gap or air inlet 181 may span the entire or only a part of the circumference of the device 100. Accordingly, the gap or air inlet 181 can be ringlike or annular formed.

[0367] The air inlet 181 connects to lateral sections 182 of the airflow path 180, which lateral sections 182 extend in longitudinal direction of the device 100 between the electrodes 114, 116 and the liquid transfer elements 220 on two opposite sides of the heating chamber 165 along each of the vapor egress surfaces 242 towards the end 212 of the cartridge 200-1. The lateral sections 182 can also be formed as tubular or cylindrical sections that surround at least a part of the heating chamber 165 and dielectric heater arrangement 110 along its circumference.

[0368] Near or close to the bottom part or end 212 of the cartridge 200-1, the airflow path 180, respectively, the lateral sections 181 thereof are connected via inlets or openings 184 at the bottom of the heating chamber 165 to an interior channel 260 of the cartridge 200-1 that is fluidly coupled to the aerosol outlet 215, such that air can be drawn via the openings 184 towards the aerosol outlet 215 of the cartridge 200-1 through the interior channel 260 and the aerosol channel 186. The interior channel 260 of the cartridge 200-1 may also serve as aerosolization chamber 262, as indicated by the circular arrow in Figure 6A. It should be noted that various designs and configurations of the airflow path 180 are possible. For example, on two opposing sides of the vapor egress surface 242 of each liquid transfer element 220, a lateral airflow channel may be formed.

[0369] Similar to the functionality of the device 100 of Figure 1, upon activation of the device 100 of Figures 6A and 6B, the control circuitry 140 may power the dielectric heater arrangement 110 to a first power level to heat up the at least a part of the dielectric heater arrangement 110 and / or liquid substrate 210-1 in the heating zone 222 to a pre-heating temperature above ambient temperature and below a volatilization or vaporization temperature sufficient to release aerosol from the liquid substrate 210-1. When heated to the pre-heating temperature, the device 100 or control circuitry 140 can monitor or determine one or more operational parameters of the dielectric heater arrangement 110 and / or the power consumption of the dielectric heater arrangement 110, to determine when a user inhalation takes place. Detecting a respective puff of a user may be accordingly accomplished by a puff triggering mechanism which is in operative connection with the controller 140 operatively connected to the dielectric heater arrangement 110 of the aerosolforming device 100. The controller 140 may be configured to control a heating performed by the dielectric heater arrangement 110 according to one of a plurality of different heating modes. In the presented example, the controller 140 may determine a value indicative of a temperature of or at the dielectric temperature marker 270 based on a dielectric response.FTR4077

[0370] P17564WO 44 / 56

[0371] As an example, the puff triggering mechanism includes the detection if a user initiates a user inhalation or puff. In this case air at ambient temperature can be drawn from an external environment of the device 100 via the air inlets 181 of the airflow path into the lateral sections 182. The lateral sections 182 of the airflow path 180 pass by the vapor egress surfaces 242 of the liquid transfer elements 220 and pass by the electrodes 114, 116, as shown by the arrows in Figure 6A, such that the drawn air cools the dielectric heater arrangement 110 and / or liquid substrate 210-1 in the heating zone 222. This leads to a decrease in temperature and hence to an increase in relative permittivity of the liquid substate 210-1. As a consequence, the capacitance of load capacitors 126 defined or formed by the gaps 115, 117 arranged between the electrodes 114, 117 in circumferential direction increases, and an oscillation frequency of the oscillator circuitry 130 decreases due to the increasing capacitances, and hence increasing LC constant of the oscillator circuitry 130. In addition, the power consumption of the dielectric heater arrangement 110 increases. One or more of these effects, respectively one or more of these changes in the capacitance of the load capacitors 126, the oscillation frequency of the oscillator circuitry 130 and the power consumption can be determined or monitored by the control circuitry 140 in order to detect the onset, start and / or occurrence of the user inhalation.

[0372] Upon detecting the user inhalation, control circuitry 140 can increase the power provided to the dielectric heater arrangement 110 and power it at the second power level, where the dielectric heater arrangement 110 and / or liquid substrate 210-1 can be heated to the volatilization or vaporization temperature to generate inhalable aerosol. Air drawn through the inlets 181 and lateral sections 182 of the airflow path 180 flows past the vapor egress surfaces 242 of the liquid transfer elements 220, where vapor is released into the airflow. The airflow, enriched with vapor, then flows towards the central interior channel 260 of the cartridge 200-1 via the openings 184, where aerosol can be formed, for example in an aerosolization chamber 262. The air, enriched with aerosol, can then be drawn into the user’s mouth via the aerosol outlet 215 of the cartridge 200-1.

[0373] As described with reference to Figure 1, as soon as the user stops inhaling, the temperature of the dielectric heater arrangement 110 and liquid substrate 210-1 increases, which leads to a decrease in the relative permittivity of the substrate liquid 210-1. As a consequence, the capacitances of the load capacitors 126 decrease, the oscillation frequency of the oscillator circuitry 130 increases, and the power consumption of the dielectric heater arrangement 110 decreases. One or more of these changes can be determined or detected by the control circuitry 140, thereby detecting termination of the user inhalation. Upon detecting termination of the user inhalation, the control circuitry 140 may cut the power supply to the dielectric heater arrangement 110, and the next or subsequent user inhalation can be determined or detected, as the dielectric heater arrangement 110 and liquid substrate 210-1 may still have a temperature well above roomFTR4077

[0374] P17564WO 45 / 56

[0375] or ambient temperature. The dielectric heating arrangement 100 can be accordingly configured to perform a single puff heating upon triggering of a puff.

[0376] Figure 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a heat-not-burn aerosol forming article 200-2 in a longitudinal cross-sectional view, conventionally having a rod-like shape. It is understood that the heat-not-burn aerosol-forming article 200-2 presented herein is merely exemplarily to facilitate the understanding of the underlying technical principles of the present invention. However, of course also any other similarly suitable type of heat-not-burn aerosol-forming article 200-2 may be employed with the aerosol-forming device 100 according to the present disclosure and is accordingly encompassed by the present disclosure. In the depicted embodiment, the heat-not-burn aerosol-forming article 200-2 includes a filter 301 at a right portion of the heat-not-burn aerosol-forming article 200-2. A user may accordingly inhale the aerosol formed via the filter 301. The heat-not-burn aerosol-forming article 200-2 includes a solid aerosol-forming substrate 210-2, which is enveloped at least partially by an outer wrapper 302 which can include a low dielectric material such as paper. The heat-not-burn aerosol-forming article 200-2 further comprises a front plug 304. The heat-not-burn aerosol-forming article 200-2 can be accordingly received by the receiving space 101 of the aerosol-forming device 100 such that the solid aerosol-forming substrate 210-2 is arranged at the dielectric heating zone 222 to dielectrically heat the solid aerosol-forming substrate 210-2 for generating the aerosol can be accordingly drawn by user inhalation towards the filter. The heat-not-burn forming article 200-1 includes a dielectric temperature marker 270, which can be embedded in the solid aerosol-forming substrate 210-2 that will be dielectrically heated, for example as a plate, rod, tube, or film that is located in the substrate 210-2. When the heat-not-burn aerosol-forming article 200-2 is received in the receiving space 101 of the aerosol-forming device 100, the controller 140 can determine a value indicative of a temperature of or at the dielectric temperature marker 270 based on a dielectric response and control the aerosol-forming device 100 based on the determined value indicative of the temperature. In a variant, the dielectric temperature marker 270, which may be a piezoelectric element, can be accordingly embedded in the outer wrapper 302, for example as a layer or sheet that is located between the outer wrapper 302 and the substrate 210-2 to be in thermal communication with the substrate 210-2, or embedded inside the outer wrapper 302, for example as a sheet or particles. In another variant, the dielectric temperature marker 270 can be embedded as a plurality of particles inside the substrate 210-2, for example as beads, spheres, rods, pellets or other form to be mixed into and dispersed throughout the substrate 210-2. The material used for the dielectric temperature marker 270 can be biocompatible or biodegradable.

[0377] Generally, for HnB or HTP aerosol-forming devices, as illustrated with FIG. 1 that can heat a sold aerosol-forming substrate 210-2, a heating chamber 165 is arranged that allows to maintain the heat the aerosol forming substrate 210-2 of the removable aerosol-forming article 200-2 thatFTR4077

[0378] P17564WO 46 / 56

[0379] is generated by the dielectric heating. Such heating chambers usually have heat insulation (not shown) at least partially around the heating chamber 165 to reduce energy losses and to preserve and focus the heat inside the heating chamber. With dielectric heating, while the air inside the heating chamber is only subject to very little heating energy due to the non-polar nature of the molecules that form the air, the heating chamber will still heat and taken on a temperature that is similar or at least somewhat proportional to the temperature of the substrate 210-2 that is being dielectrically heated. This allows to place the dielectric temperature markers 270 inside the heating chamber 165 and exposed to the alternating electric field to allow for the detection of a temperature that is at least indicative of the temperature of the substrate 210-2. The actual temperature of the substrate 210-2 can then be deducted or calculated by a data processor, for example by controller 140, using look-up tables, artificial intelligence, formulas, modelling, for example thermodynamic models, etc. Thereby, the placement of the dielectric temperature markers into the substrate 210-2 can be avoided, leading to reduced costs of the aerosol-forming article 210-2 that usually is a one-time use and disposable article, reduced risk of contamination of the ingredients of the substrate 210-2, and simplified design of the article 200-2.

[0380] For example, the dielectric temperature markers 270 can form a layer of the heating chamber, for example a tab, plate, cylinder or cylinder segment that covers or are embedded inside the heating chamber, preferably within the space that is heat-insulated. For example, temperature markers 270 can be formed as layers inside or outside of the walls facing the inner volume of the heating chamber 165. As a variant, the dielectric temperature markers 270 can be placed on the bottom of the heating chamber 101, for example as a disk or a plate having a certain volume. The dielectric heating markers 270 can be formed as strips that are arranged between electrodes of opposite polarity. The dielectric temperature markers 270 can be particles that are embedded inside the walls of the heating chamber 165, for example inside a low dielectric material such as Quartz glass or a high-temperature low relative permittivity polymer material that form the heating chamber walls. It is also possible that most or substantial part of the walls itself are formed of a material that has piezo-electric properties. Thereby, it is possible that the walls act as dielectric susceptors and as external heaters external to the substrate 210-2, to support the inner dielectric heating of the substrate 210-2 itself by the alternating electric field.

[0381] Similarly, dielectric temperature marker 270 can be arranged inside a resonant cavity, a transmission line, or both, that forms a part of the dielectric heating arrangement and the heating chamber 165 of the device 100, the temperature marker 270 thereby exposed to the alternating electric field and temperature inside the heating chamber 165.

[0382] In some examples, the liquid transfer element 220, which may be in form of a porous body, can partially or even fully formed by the temperature marker 270. Figure 8A shows an exemplary embodiment of a liquid transfer element 220, which can be employed in a cartridge 200-1 asFTR4077

[0383] P17564WO 47 / 56

[0384] described in this disclosure. As depicted, the liquid transfer element 220 includes a dielectric temperature marker 270, which is provided in thermal communication with an aerosol-forming substrate 210-1, which may be located adjacent to the liquid transfer element 220 or which may be soaked or wicked by the liquid transfer element 220 via the liquid ingress surface 240. Figure 8B shows another exemplary embodiment of a liquid transfer element 220, which corresponds to the example shown in Fig. 8A with the difference that the dielectric temperature marker 270 is covered by an encapsulation layer 272. This layer can include or even consist of one or more of a high thermal conductivity material, a temperature-resistant material, a liquid-tight material and / or an air-tight material. The encapsulation layer 272 can provide for a sealed barrier between the temperature marker 270, which can be a piezoelectric element, and the liquid aerosol-forming substrate 210-2 to prevent contaminants from coming into contact with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate 210-2.

[0385] Figure 9A and 9B show different embodiments of dielectric heating susceptor elements 274, which may be provided in a solid aerosol-forming substrate 210-2 or liquid aerosol-forming substrate 210-1 to facilitate a dielectric heating of the respective aerosol-forming substrate 210. Both embodiments generally have the same configuration by including a material of high relative permittivity and configured for being heated in the dielectric heating process. In particular, the material of high relative permittivity of the dielectric heating susceptor element 274 may have a relative permittivity higher than a relative permittivity of the aerosol-forming substrate 210. In the depicted embodiments, the dielectric heating susceptor element 274 comprises a dielectric heating sub-element 278 configured for generating heat in the dielectric heating process. In particular, the dielectric heating sub-element 278 can include a dielectric heating material having a high relative permittivity, which is preferably larger than 20, and more preferably larger than 40. Furthermore, the dielectric heating susceptor element 274 is at least partially formed by dielectric temperature marker 270 or by a material that has dielectric temperature marker properties, which is, in the presented cases, formed by a temperature indicating sub-element 276 configured for indicating a temperature in the dielectric heating process. The temperature indicating sub-element 276 may comprise or consist of a temperature indicating material, which may be a piezoelectric material. The temperature indicating sub-element 276 is arranged at an inner or central portion of the dielectric heating susceptor element 274 and the dielectric heating sub-element 278 is arranged at an outer or peripheral portion of the dielectric heating susceptor element 274 enclosing at least partially, preferably completely, the temperature indicating sub-element 276. In Figure 9A, the dielectric heating susceptor element 274 comprises a rod shape, wherein the temperature indicating sub-element 276 accordingly forms a rod-shaped central core of the dielectric heating susceptor element 284. In Figure 9B, the dielectric heating susceptor element 274 comprises a cuboid shape, wherein the temperature indicating sub-element 276 forms aFTR4077

[0386] P17564WO 48 / 56

[0387] central cuboid-shaped core of the dielectric heating susceptor element. As depicted, the rodshaped core or the cuboid-shaped core extend along a longitudinal central axis of the dielectric heating susceptor element 274.

[0388] Figure 10 shows an exemplary embodiment of a liquid transfer element 220. In the depicted example, the liquid transfer element 220 includes a first temperature marker 280, which may be a first piezoelectric sub-element 280, and a second temperature marker 282, which may be a second piezoelectric sub-element 282, embedded in a porous body defining a liquid ingress surface 240 and a vapor egress surface 242. The depiction is merely exemplary, and other arrangements of the liquid transfer element 220, first and second temperature markers 280, 282, are possible, for example but not limited to a rod or U-shape. The first piezoelectric sub-element 280 is configured to exhibit a first specific increase in the relative permittivity upon reaching a first specific temperature level. The second piezoelectric sub-element 282 is configured to exhibit a second specific increase in the relative permittivity upon reaching a second specific temperature level different to the first temperature level. For instance, the first specific temperature level of the first piezoelectric sub-element 280 can be in a range of 160°C to 200°C, preferably about 240°C, and the second specific temperature level of the second piezoelectric sub-element 282 can be in a range of 340°C to 390°C, preferably about 370°C. Hence, the liquid aerosol formation can be accordingly controlled in accordance with the first specific temperature level and the second specific temperature level.

[0389] Figures 11 schematically shows a flowchart of an exemplary method 40 according to an aspect the present disclosure, wherein the method 40 is a computer implemented method for operating an aerosol-forming device 100 according to the present disclosure or the electronic device 500 according to the present disclosure. The method 40 includes the step S1 of removably receiving, in a receiving space 101 of the aerosol-forming device 100, at least partially a cartridge 200-1 having a liquid aerosol-forming substrate 210-1. In another example, the step S1 can include removably receiving in a receiving space 101 of the aerosol-forming device 100, at least partially a heat-not-burn article 200-2 having a solid aerosol-forming substrate 210-2. The method 40 further includes the step S2 of dielectrically heating, by the dielectric heater arrangement 110, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate 200-1. In another example, the step S2 can include to dielectrically heat, by the dielectric heater arrangement 110, the solid aerosol-forming substrate 200-2. The method 40 further includes the step S3 of determining, by the controller 140, a value indicative of a temperature of or at a dielectric temperature marker 270. The method 40 further includes the step S4 of controlling, by the controller 140, the dielectric heating process based on the determined value indicative of the temperature. In the depicted example, the determining of the value indicative of the temperature can be performed before and / or during the heating process. The heating process includes the step S2a of exposing an electric alternating fieldFTR4077

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[0391] caused between the electrodes 114, 116 of the dielectric heater arrangement 110 to the inner volume of the cartridge 200-1 holding the liquid aerosol-forming substrate 210-1. In another example, the step S2a can include to expose an electric alternating field caused between the electrodes 114, 116 of the dielectric heater arrangement 110 to the aerosol-forming substrate 210-2 of the heat-not-burn article 200-2. The determination step S3 further includes the step S3a of analyzing a dielectric response of the dielectric temperature marker 270. The method 40 further comprises the step S3a-1 of powering-up an oscillator circuit 130 of the dielectric heater arrangement 110. The method 40 further comprises the step S3a-2 of recording a frequency evolution by measuring detection data including one or more of an oscillation frequency and / or a power consumption of the oscillator circuit 130. The method 40 further comprises the step S3a-3 of storing resulting detection data in a data memory 152 of the aerosol-forming device 100. Further, the step S3a of analyzing the dielectric response includes the step S3a-4 of determining a change of one or more of the oscillation frequency, and / or the power consumption of the oscillator circuit 130. In the depicted example, the step S3a of analyzing the dielectric response includes the step S3a-5 of identifying a specific temperature level of the piezoelectric element based on the determination of a specific decrease in the oscillation frequency and / or the step S3a-6 of determining a specific increase in the power consumption of the oscillator circuit 130 caused by the specific increase of the relative permittivity at the specific temperature level. The method 40 further comprises the step S4a of controlling the liquid aerosol formation from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate 210-1 or the solid aerosol-forming substrate 210-2 in accordance with the first specific temperature level of a first piezoelectric sub-element 280 and the second specific temperature level of a second piezoelectric sub-element 290. This can be achieved for instance via an on-off control or a pulse-width modulation control of the power supplied to the oscillator circuit 130.

[0392] The aerosol-generating system 450 according to aspects of the disclosure may comprise a removable aerosol-forming article 200 (cf. Fig.12) or may comprise an aerosol-forming article 200 as a fixedly connected component of the aerosol-forming device 100 (cf. Fig. 13). An aerosolgenerating system 450 comprising a removable aerosol-forming article 200 is shown in Figure 20. The aerosol-forming article 200 may comprise electrodes 114, 116 forming the load capacitor 126. The aerosol-forming article 200 may further comprise an article part 244 of the oscillation circuit 130. The aerosol-generating device 450 may comprise the holder part 142 of the oscillation circuit 130. The holder part 142 and the article part 244 may together form the oscillation circuit 130. The aerosol-forming article 200 may comprise electrode connection terminals 144 for electrically connecting the electrodes 114, 116 and the article part 244 to the holder part 142 via electrode connection elements 146 of the aerosol-generating device 450. An electrical connection between the electrode connection terminals 144 and the electrode connection elements 146 mayFTR4077

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[0394] be established when the aerosol-forming article 200 is inserted into the receiving space 101 of the aerosol-forming device 100. The article part 244 of the oscillation circuit 130 may simply comprise electrical leads connecting the electrodes 114, 116 to the electrode connection terminals 144. Alternatively, the article part 244 of the oscillation circuit 130 may comprise additional components of the oscillation circuit 130, for example inductor 118 and / or inductor 120. As also shown in Figure 20, the oscillation circuit 130 may be supplied with electrical power from the energy storage 190 of the aerosol-forming device 100 via a DC / DC-converter 192 and the holder part 142.

[0395] An aerosol-generating 450 comprising a fixedly connected aerosol-forming article 200 is shown in Figure 13. In contrast to the embodiment of Figure 12, the aerosol-forming article 200 may form a permanent part or component of the aerosol-forming device 100. Therefore, the electrodes 114, 116 and the article part 244 may be permanently electrically connected to the holder part 142. The oscillation circuit 130 may therefore permanently be completed. In this case, the aerosol-generating system 450 may comprise a refillable reservoir 264 for liquid aerosolforming substrate 210-1. A user may therefore refill the refillable reservoir 264 whenever the liquid aerosol-forming substrate 210-1 is depleted or partially depleted

[0396] For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A ± 10% of A. Within this context, a number A may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.

[0397] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0398] In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures areFTR4077

[0399] P17564WO 51 / 56

[0400] recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

FTR4077P17564WO 52 / 56CLAIMS1. An aerosol-forming device for dielectrically heating an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-forming article by an alternating electric field comprising:a receiving space for at least partially and removably receiving the aerosol-forming article; a dielectric heater arrangement configured to dielectrically heat the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-forming article is received in the receiving space,the dielectric heater arrangement including an oscillator circuit;a controller operatively connected to the dielectric heater arrangement and configured to: perform a dielectric heating of the aerosol-forming substrate by the dielectric heater arrangement,determine a value indicative of a temperature of or at a dielectric temperature marker based on an analysis of a dielectric response,wherein the analysis includes determining a change of one or more of an oscillation frequency and / or a power consumption of the dielectric heater arrangement,the dielectric temperature marker provided in thermal communication with the aerosolforming substrate, andcontrol the aerosol-forming device based on the determined value indicative of the temperature.

2. The aerosol-forming device according to one of the preceding claims,wherein the dielectric temperature marker includes a piezoelectric element.

3. A cartridge for use with an aerosol-forming device having a dielectric heater arrangement including an oscillator circuit and configured for dielectric heating of a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, the cartridge comprising:a reservoir for storing a liquid aerosol-forming substrate;a liquid transfer element in fluidic connection with the reservoir; anda dielectric temperature marker in thermal communication with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate,wherein the marker allows to determine a value indicative of a temperature of or at the dielectric temperature marker based on an analysis of a dielectric response,wherein the analysis includes determining a change of one or more of an oscillation frequency and / or a power consumption of the dielectric heater arrangement.FTR4077P17564WO 53 / 564. The cartridge according to the preceding claim,wherein the liquid transfer element includes the dielectric temperature marker.

5. The cartridge according to one of the preceding claims,wherein the dielectric temperature marker includes a piezoelectric element, preferably wherein the cartridge comprises at least one cartridge element defining a functional and / or a structural element of the cartridge,wherein the cartridge element is formed at least partially by the piezoelectric element.

6. A heat-not-burn article for use with an aerosol-forming device having a dielectric heater arrangement including an oscillator circuit and configured to be dielectrically heated by an RF electric field, the heat-not-burn article comprising:a solid aerosol-forming substrate; anda dielectric temperature marker in thermal communication with the solid aerosol-forming substrate,wherein the marker allows to determine a value indicative of a temperature of or at the dielectric temperature marker based on an analysis of a dielectric response,wherein the analysis includes determining a change of one or more of an oscillation frequency and / or a power consumption of the dielectric heater arrangement.

7. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding claim,wherein the heat-not-burn article further comprises at least one dielectric heating susceptor element comprising a material of high relative permittivity and configured for being heated in the dielectric heating process.

8. The heat-not-burn article according to the preceding claim,wherein the dielectric heating susceptor element is formed at least partially by the dielectric temperature marker,preferably wherein the dielectric heating susceptor element is fully formed by dielectric temperature marker.

9. A piezoelectric element for use as a temperature indicating element in an aerosol-forming device according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, for use in a cartridge according to one of the preceding claims 3 to 5 or for use in a heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 8.FTR4077P17564WO 54 / 5610. Use of a piezoelectric element as a temperature indicating element with an aerosol-forming device according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, with a cartridge according to one of the preceding claims 3 to 5 or with a heat-not-burn article according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 8.

11. An electronic device including an aerosol-forming device according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 2 and a companion device configured to charge the aerosol-forming device with electrical energy.

12. A computer implemented method for operating an aerosol-forming device according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 2 or the electronic device according to the preceding claim comprising the steps of:removably receiving, in a receiving space of the aerosol-forming device, at least partially either a cartridge having a liquid aerosol-forming substrate or a heat-not- burn article having a solid aerosol-forming substrate;dielectrically heating, by the dielectric heater arrangement, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate or the solid aerosol-forming substrate,determining, by the controller, a value indicative of a temperature of or at a dielectric temperature marker based on an analysis of a dielectric response, wherein the analysis includes determining a change of one or more of an oscillation frequency and / or a power consumption of the dielectric heater arrangement, and controlling, by the controller, the dielectric heating process based on the determined value indicative of the temperature.

13. The method according to the preceding claim,wherein the heating process includes the step of exposing an electric alternating field caused between the electrodes of the dielectric heater arrangement to the inner volume of the cartridge holding the liquid aerosol-forming substrate and / or to the aerosol-forming substrate of the heat-not-burn article.

14. A computer program, which, when executed by processing circuitry of an aerosol-forming device or a companion device configured to charge an aerosol-forming device with electrical energy, causes the aerosol-forming device or the companion device to perform the steps of the method according to one of the preceding claims.FTR4077P17564WO 55 / 5615. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program according to the preceding claim.

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