Patent Application
20250009033
The present invention relates to an aerosol provision system, an aerosol provision system comprising an article, a method of controlling an aerosol provision system.
Electronic aerosol provision systems such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) generally contain an aerosol-generating material, such as a reservoir of a source liquid containing a formulation, typically including nicotine, or a solid material such as a tobacco-based product, from which an aerosol is generated for inhalation by a user, for example through heat vaporisation. Thus, an aerosol provision system will typically comprise an aerosol generator, e.g. a heating element, arranged to aerosolise a portion of aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol in an aerosol generation region of an air channel through the aerosol provision system. As a user inhales on the system and electrical power is supplied to the aerosol generator, air is drawn into the system through one or more inlet holes and along the air channel to the aerosol generation region, where the air mixes with the vaporised aerosol generator and forms a condensation aerosol. The air drawn through the aerosol generation region continues along the air channel to a mouthpiece, carrying some of the aerosol with it, and out through the mouthpiece for inhalation by the user.
Additionally, in some aerosol provision systems, air containing the aerosol collected from the aerosol generation region can be mixed with air which has not passed through the aerosol generation region prior to being inhaled via the mouthpiece of the system. For example, as a user inhales on the system, air is drawn into the device through one or more other inlet holes and along an air channel that does not include the aerosol generation region. The force required to draw air through each channel of an aerosol provision system depends on the characteristics of the respective air channel of the system. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the air channels may determine their resistance-to-draw or pressure drop (i.e. the force required to draw air along a respective channel). The characteristics of the air inhaled by the user can depend at least in part on the ratio of air which has passed through the aerosol generation region and air which has not passed through the aerosol generation region, which in turn depends on the resistance to draw of the air channel(s) which pass through the aerosol generation region, and the resistance to draw of the air channel(s) which do not pass through the aerosol generation region.
The characteristics of the air inhaled by a user is dependent on construction of the aerosol provision system and its components. The characteristics of the air may not reflect or otherwise equate to what a user of a standard ignitable cigarette might expect thereby leading to a user having a poor quality experience. While some aerosol provision systems allow a user to vary the airflow through one or more channels of the system, this approach requires trial and error experimentation by a user to select the correct ratio for the particular user, and does not easily facilitate changes in the user's behaviour (for example a user's puffing switching from shallow breaths to deep breaths).
Various approaches are described herein which seek to help address or mitigate some of the issues discussed above.
The disclosure is defined in the appended claims.
According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising: an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in an aerosol-generating region; a first air pathway passing through the aerosol generation region; a second air pathway not passing through the aerosol generation region; and an adjustment mechanism configured to vary the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second air pathway based upon a draw strength of a user inhalation.
According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a controller for controlling an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in an aerosol-generating region, a first air pathway passing through the aerosol generation region, a second air pathway not passing through the aerosol generation region; and an adjustment mechanism configured to vary the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second air pathway based upon a draw strength of a user inhalation, a controller configured to control the adjustment mechanism to vary the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second pathway, a sensor configured to estimate the draw strength of the user inhalation, the controller configured to: receive an estimate of the draw strength of the user inhalation; and control the adjustment mechanism based on the estimated draw strength.
According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of controlling an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in an aerosol-generating region, and a first air pathway passing through the aerosol generation region, a second air pathway not passing through the aerosol generation region, the method comprising: providing an adjustment mechanism configured to vary the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second air pathway based upon a draw strength of a user inhalation; and adjusting the adjustment mechanism to vary the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second pathway.
According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, performs a method of the third aspect.
According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol provision means comprising: aerosol generator means for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in an aerosol-generating region; a first air pathway passing through the aerosol generation region; a second air pathway not passing through the aerosol generation region; and adjustment means configured to vary the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second air pathway based upon a draw strength of a user inhalation.
According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol provision device for use with an aerosol generating article comprising aerosol generating material, which together form an aerosol provision system, wherein the aerosol provision system comprises an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in an aerosol-generating region, a first air pathway passing through the aerosol generation region, a second air pathway not passing through the aerosol generation region, and an adjustment mechanism configured to vary the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second air pathway based upon a draw strength of a user inhalation, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises: circuitry configured to control the adjustment mechanism to cause the adjustment mechanism configured to vary the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second air pathway based upon a draw strength of a user inhalation.
These aspects and other aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description. In this regard, particular sections of the description are not to be read in isolation from other sections.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:
Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed/described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and these are not discussed/described in detail in the interests of brevity. It will thus be appreciated that aspects and features of articles and systems discussed herein which are not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.
As will be explained below, the present disclosure relates to an aerosol provision device comprising: an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in an aerosol-generating region; a first air pathway passing through the aerosol generation region; a second air pathway not passing through the aerosol generation region; and an adjustment mechanism configured to vary the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second pathway based upon a draw strength of a user inhalation. By providing an adjustment mechanism which is able vary the resistance to draw of the first pathway to the resistance to draw of the second pathway based upon a draw strength of a user inhalation, it is possible to tune the ratio of side-stream air vs main-stream air inhaled by the user. By main-stream air it is meant air travelling along the first pathway via the aerosol generation region for inhalation. By side-stream air it is meant air travelling along the second pathway for inhalation. Tuning the ratio of side-stream air vs main-stream air allows the device to provide different user experience (a sensorial) dependent for different strength user inhalations. This may be analogous to a user using a conventional cigarette in which different draw characteristics lead to different user experiences. As a result, the user can effectively use the device in multiple ways to have the experience they want. For example, a user can take shallow, slow, breaths and inhale air which is diluted more strongly by side-stream air. The user may consider this to be a smoother experience. Alternatively, a user can take deep, fast, breaths and inhale air which is less strongly diluted, or not diluted by side-stream air. The user may consider this to be a less smooth, more impactful experience. As such, a user puffing on an aerosol provision device in accordance with the present disclosure may feel that they are able to use the device intuitively to achieve the experience they want, without having to actively select different control settings for the device.
The present disclosure relates to non-combustible aerosol provision systems, which may also be referred to as aerosol provision systems. According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement. Throughout the following description the term “e-cigarette” or “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used Interchangeably with aerosol provision system and electronic aerosol provision system.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.
Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.
In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.
An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.
Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials.
In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise an “amorphous solid”, which may alternatively be referred to as a “monolithic solid” (i.e. non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may for example comprise from about 50 wt %, 60 wt % or 70 wt % of amorphous solid, to about 90 wt %, 95 wt % or 1 wt % of amorphous solid.
The active substance as used herein may be a legally permissible physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.
As used herein, the terms “flavour” and “flavourant” refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof, flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes, and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gas.
In some embodiments, the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from cannabis.
In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucolyptol, WS-3.
The aerosol-former material may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.
The one or more other functional materials may comprise one or more of pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.
The aerosol-former material may be present on or in a support, to form a substrate. The support may, for example, be or comprise paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, a plastics material, a ceramic material, a composite material, glass, a metal, or a metal alloy. In some embodiments, the support comprises a susceptor. In some embodiments, the susceptor is embedded within the material. In some alternative embodiments, the susceptor is on one or either side of the material.
A susceptor is a material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrically-conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material. The heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be both electrically-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms. The device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.
An aerosol-modifying agent is a substance, typically located downstream of the aerosol generation area, that is configured to modify the aerosol generated, for example by changing the taste, flavour, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol. The aerosol-modifying agent may be provided in an aerosol-modifying agent release component that is operable to selectively release the aerosol-modifying agent The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be an additive or a sorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, comprise one or more of a flavourant, a colourant, water, and a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol-modifying agent may be in powder, thread or granule form. The aerosol-modifying agent may be free from filtration material.
In
Within the cartridge housing 42 is a reservoir 44 that contains aerosol generating material. Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. In the example shown schematically in
It will be appreciated that in a two-part device such as shown in
In the example of
The wick 46 and heater 48 are arranged in the cartridge airflow path 52 such that a region of the first airflow path 52 around the wick 46 and heater 48 in effect defines an aerosol generation region 45 for the cartridge part 4. Aerosol generating material in the reservoir 44 infiltrates the wick 46 through the ends of the wick extending into the reservoir 44 and is drawn along the wick by surface tension/capillary action (i.e. wicking). The heater 48 in this example comprises an electrically resistive wire coiled around the wick 46. In the example of
As noted above, the rate at which aerosol generating material is vaporised by the vaporiser (heater) 48 will depend on the amount (level) of power supplied to the heater 48. Thus electrical power can be applied to the heater to selectively generate aerosol from the aerosol generating material in the cartridge part 4, and furthermore, the rate of aerosol generation can be changed by changing the amount of power supplied to the heater 48, for example through pulse width and/or frequency modulation techniques.
The reusable part 2 comprises an outer housing 12 having an opening that defines an air inlet 28 for the e-cigarette, a power source 26 (for example a battery) for providing operating power for the electronic cigarette, control circuitry 18 for controlling and monitoring the operation of the electronic cigarette, a first user input button 14, a second user input button 16, and a visual display 24.
The outer housing 12 may be formed, for example, from a plastics or metallic material and in this example has a circular cross section generally conforming to the shape and size of the cartridge part 4 so as to provide a smooth transition between the two parts at the interface 6. In this example the reusable part has a length of around 8 cm so the overall length of the e-cigarette when the cartridge part and reusable part are coupled together is around 12 cm. However, and as already noted, it will be appreciated that the overall shape and scale of an electronic cigarette implementing an embodiment of the disclosure is not significant to the principles described herein.
The power source 26 in this example is rechargeable and may be of a conventional type, for example of the kind normally used in electronic cigarettes and other applications requiring provision of relatively high currents over relatively short periods. The power source 26 may be recharged through a charging connector in the reusable part housing 12, for example a USB connector.
First and second user input buttons 14, 16 may be provided, which in this example are conventional mechanical buttons, for example comprising a spring mounted component which may be pressed by a user to establish an electrical contact. In this regard, the input buttons may be considered input devices for detecting user input and the specific manner in which the buttons are implemented is not significant. The buttons may be assigned to functions such as switching the aerosol delivery system 1 on and off, and adjusting user settings such as a power to be supplied from the power source 26 to an aerosol generator 48. However, the inclusion of user input buttons is optional, and in some embodiments buttons may not be included.
A display 24 may be provided to give a user with a visual indication of various characteristics associated with the aerosol delivery system, for example current power setting information, remaining power source power, and so forth. The display may be implemented in various ways. In this example the display 24 comprises a conventional pixilated LCD screen that may be driven to display the desired information in accordance with conventional techniques. In other implementations the display may comprise one or more discrete indicators, for example LEDs, that are arranged to display the desired information, for example through particular colours and/or flash sequences. More generally, the manner in which the display is provided and information is displayed to a user using the display is not significant to the principles described herein. For example some embodiments may not include a visual display and may include other means for providing a user with information relating to operating characteristics of the aerosol delivery system, for example using audio signalling, or may not include any means for providing a user with information relating to operating characteristics of the aerosol delivery system.
A controller 22 is suitably configured/programmed to control the operation of the aerosol delivery system to provide functionality in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure as described further herein, as well as for providing conventional operating functions of the aerosol delivery system in line with the established techniques for controlling such devices. The controller (processor circuitry) 22 may be considered to logically comprise various sub-units/circuitry elements associated with different aspects of the operation of the aerosol delivery system 1. In this example the controller 22 comprises power supply control circuitry for controlling the supply of power from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48 in response to user input, user programming circuitry 20 for establishing configuration settings (e.g. user-defined power settings) in response to user input, as well as other functional units/circuitry associated functionality in accordance with the principles described herein and conventional operating aspects of electronic cigarettes, such as display driving circuitry and user input detection circuitry. It will be appreciated the functionality of the controller 22 can be provided in various different ways, for example using one or more suitably programmed programmable computer(s) and/or one or more suitably configured application-specific integrated circuit(s)/circuitry/chip(s)/chipset(s) configured to provide the desired functionality. The functionality of the controller 22 is described further herein. For example, the controller 26 may comprise an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or microcontroller, for controlling the aerosol delivery device. The microcontroller or ASIC may include a CPU or micro-processor. The operations of a CPU and other electronic components are generally controlled at least in part by software programs running on the CPU (or other component). Such software programs may be stored in non-volatile memory, such as ROM, which can be integrated into the microcontroller itself, or provided as a separate component. The CPU may access the ROM to load and execute individual software programs as and when required.
Reusable part 2 comprises an airflow sensor 30 which is electrically connected to the controller 22. The airflow sensor 30 is positioned adjacent or within an airflow pathway such as the primary airflow pathway 52. In most embodiments, the airflow sensor 30 comprises a so-called “puff sensor”, in that the airflow sensor 30 is used to detect when a user is puffing on the device and/or to detect a strength of a user inhalation. In some embodiments, the airflow sensor 30 is connected to the controller 22, and the controller distributes electrical power from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48 in dependence of a signal received from the airflow sensor 30 by the controller 22. The specific manner in which the signal output from the airflow sensor 30 (which may comprise a measure of capacitance, resistance or other characteristic of the airflow sensor, made by the controller 22) is used by the controller 22 to control the supply of power from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48 can be carried out in accordance with any approach known to the skilled person.
The e-cigarette 10 is provided with one or more holes for use as an air inlet 28. These holes connect to air passages (airflow paths) running through the e-cigarette 10 from the air inlet 28 to the mouthpiece which may have an additional one or more holes for use an air outlet 50. Typically the air paths through such devices are relatively convoluted in that they have to pass various components and/or take multiple turns following entry into the e-cigarette.
As discussed above, there is a primary or first air passage 52 which passes through the aerosol generation region (i.e. to provide main-stream air during use). Additionally, there is a secondary or second air passage 53 which does not pass through the aerosol generation region 45 (i.e. to provide side-stream air during use). The (first) air passage 52 which passes through the aerosol generation region includes a section comprising an air channel connecting one or more holes of an air inlet 28 to the aerosol generation region 45, a region around the aerosol generation region 45 (e.g. passing through or adjacent to the aerosol generation region such that aerosol generated in the aerosol generation region becomes entrained in the air passing through the air passage) and a section comprising an air channel connecting from the aerosol generation region 45 to the outlet 50 of the mouthpiece.
In contrast, the air passage 53 which does not pass through the aerosol generation region 45 does not channel air through a region around the aerosol generation region 45 (e.g. the air passage is physically separated from the aerosol generation region by a wall or other air channeling feature). Instead in some examples, the air passage 53 which does not pass through the aerosol generation region comprises an air channel connecting one or more holes of an air inlet 28 to the outlet 50 in the mouthpiece, and either bypasses the aerosol generation region (e.g. via a separate distinct air channel) or starts at an inlet 28 provided at a location closer to the mouthpiece that the aerosol generation region 45. In some examples, the air passage 53 which does not pass through the aerosol generation region may share a portion of the section comprising an air channel connecting one or more holes of an air inlet 28 to the aerosol generation region 45 and/or a portion of the section comprising an air channel connecting from the aerosol generation region 45 to the outlet 50 in the mouthpiece with the air passage 52 which does pass through the aerosol generation region. For example, the first air pathway 52 and second air pathway 53 may be fluidly coupled at their downstream ends to a common airflow pathway comprising the mouthpiece outlet 50 through which a user inhales in use. Alternatively or additionally, the first air pathway 52 and second air pathway 53 may be fluidly coupled at their upstream ends to a second common airflow pathway comprising the air inlet(s) 28, through which air is drawn from outside the device when a user inhales on the mouthpiece.
When a user inhales through the mouthpiece outlet 50, air is drawn into these air passages 52,53 through the one or more air inlet holes 28, which are suitably located on the outside of the e-cigarette. This airflow (or the associated change in pressure) may be detected by an airflow sensor 30, in this case a pressure sensor, for detecting airflow in electronic cigarette 10 and outputting corresponding airflow detection signals to the control circuitry. The airflow sensor may operate in accordance with conventional techniques in terms of how it is arranged within the electronic cigarette to generate airflow detection signals indicating when there is a flow of air through the electronic cigarette (e.g. when a user inhales or blows on the mouthpiece).
When a user inhales (sucks/puffs) on the mouthpiece in use, the airflow passes through the air passages 52,53 (airflow paths) through the electronic cigarette and the portion of the airflow passing along the first airflow path 52 combines/mixes with the vapour in the region around the aerosol generation region 45 to generate the aerosol. The resulting combination of airflow and aerosol continues along the first airflow path 52 connecting from the aerosol generation region 45 to a junction, or mixing chamber, where it mixes with air which has travelled along the second air passage 53 which did not pass through the aerosol generation region 45. The new mixture (i.e. combination) of airflow and aerosol continues to the mouthpiece outlet 50 for inhalation by a user.
It will be appreciated that while
As stated above,
An aerosol generator 48 and an aerosol generating material 44, as described above, can be provided within, adjacent to, or otherwise associated with the aerosol generation region 45, such that activation of the aerosol generator 48 (e.g. by applying power to the aerosol generator 48) causes aerosol (or vapour) to be generated from the aerosol-generating material 44 in the aerosol-generating region 45. For example an aerosol generator 48 may be a heated plate which is heated by induction or resistive heating, and which acts to heat the aerosol generating material 44 thereby volatising the aerosol generating material 44 to generating aerosol in the aerosol generating region 45.
The first air pathway 52 extends from the air inlet 28 to the air outlet 50, thereby providing a fluid pathway for air to travel between the air inlet 28 and the air outlet 50. The first air pathway 52 includes a section comprising an air channel (or fluid pathway) connecting the air inlet 28 to the aerosol generation region 45, the aerosol generation region 45 (e.g. passing through or adjacent to the aerosol generator and/or aerosol generation material) and a section comprising an air channel connecting from the aerosol generation region 45 to the air outlet 50. When a user inhales (sucks/puffs) on the mouthpiece in use, the airflow enters the aerosol provision system 1 via the air inlet 28, and passes through the first air passage 52 of the aerosol provision system and a portion of the airflow combines/mixes with the vapour (aerosol) in the aerosol generation region, before being inhaled by the user via the air outlet 50.
The second air pathway 53 extends from the air inlet 28 to the air outlet 50, thereby providing a fluid pathway for air to travel between the air inlet 28 and the air outlet 50. The second air pathway 53 comprises an air channel or fluid pathway connecting the air inlet 28 to the air outlet 12 without passing through the aerosol generation region 45. When a user inhales (sucks/puffs) on the mouthpiece in use, the airflow enters the aerosol provision system 1 via the air inlet 28 and passes through the second air passage 52 of the aerosol provision system 1 before exiting the aerosol provision system 1 via the air outlet 50 for inhalation by the user. The second air pathway 53 is separated from the aerosol generation region 45 such that aerosol generated in the aerosol generation region 45 in normal use (e.g. whilst a user is inhaling) is not provided into the second air pathway 53. In some examples, the second air pathway 53 may comprise a separate airflow channel to separate the second air pathway from the aerosol generation region 45. In some examples, the second air pathway and first air pathway may be separated by a membrane or partition that is impermeable to vapour/aerosol in the vicinity of the aerosol generation region 45.
The air inlet 28 may comprise a single hole, or a plurality of holes, configured to allow air into the aerosol provision system 1 during an inhalation. In some examples, the plurality of holes may be provided by a grate or mesh, or similar. In some examples, the first and second air pathway 52,53 may share a single air inlet 28 (as shown). In some examples, where the first and second air pathways 52, 53 share an air inlet 28 the first and second air pathways 52,53 split at a junction 150 which is upstream of the aerosol generation region 45 (for the first air pathway 52), thereby allowing the second air pathway 53 to bypass the aerosol generation region 45. By a junction it is meant that the air pathways are in fluid connection. In some examples (not shown), the first air pathway 52 may be connected to a first air inlet and the second air pathway 53 may be connected to a second distinct air inlet. In these examples, the first and air pathways 52,53 do not fluidly connect at least for the section of the first air pathway 52 between the first air inlet and the aerosol generation region 45.
The air outlet 50 is provided in a mouthpiece of the system 1 which is configured to allow a user to inhale on the device (e.g. shaped to facilitate the user engaging their lips with the mouthpiece). The air outlet 50 may comprise a single hole, a plurality of holes, configured to allow air to exit the aerosol provision system 1 during a puff. In some examples, the plurality of holes may be provided by a grate or mesh, or similar. In some examples, the first and second air pathway 52,53 may share a single air outlet 50 (as shown). In some examples, where the first and second air pathways 52, 53 share an air outlet 50 the first and second air pathways 52,53 join (i.e. be in fluid connection) at a junction 151 which is downstream of the aerosol generation region 45 (for the first air pathway 52), thereby allowing the second air pathway 53 to bypass the aerosol generation region 45. In some examples (not shown), the first air pathway 52 may be connected to a first air outlet and the second air pathway 53 may be connected to a second distinct air outlet. In these examples, the first and air pathways 52,53 do not fluidly connect at least for the section of the first air pathway 52 between the aerosol generation region 45 and the first outlet. In these examples, the first and second air outlets are provided in the mouthpiece such that the user can inhale through both simultaneously when using the system 1.
In examples in accordance with
In some examples, the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway is determined by the cross-section of the narrowest section (e.g. portion) of the first air pathway and the resistance-to-draw of the second air pathway is determined by the cross-section of the narrowest section of the second air pathway. Therefore to vary the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second air pathway, an adjustment mechanism (e.g. adjustment mechanism 170a or adjustment mechanism 170b) may be configured to vary the cross-section of at least one of the first air pathway and the second air pathway. By configuring an adjustment mechanism to vary the cross-section, the adjustment mechanism may redefine the cross section of the narrowest section of the relevant air pathway. For example, in some examples, an adjustment mechanism, as described in the present specification, may increase the cross-section of the narrowest section of an air pathway, or may decrease the cross-section of the narrowest section of an air pathway. By narrowest it is meant that the cross-sectional separation between the boundaries (e.g. walls) of the air pathway is the smallest (e.g. least) value for any cross-sectional section between respective boundary walls of the air pathway. It will be appreciated that in other examples, the resistance-to-draw may instead be determined by a smallest cross-sectional area of a respective air pathway.
In some examples, by decreasing the cross-section of a section of an air pathway (e.g. a variable section adjusted by a relevant adjustment mechanism), that decreased section may become the narrowest section if a different section was previously the narrowest (e.g. a fixed section). Similarly, in some examples, by increasing the cross-section of a section of an air pathway (e.g. a variable section adjusted by a relevant adjustment mechanism) that previously defined the narrowest section prior to the adjustment, a different section may become the narrowest section if a different section (e.g. a fixed section) has a narrower cross-section. As such, an adjustment mechanism may effectively vary the resistance to draw of an air pathway by adjusting an element of the air pathway to change which portion or section of the air pathway is the primary restricting section (e.g. the cross-section of the narrowest section).
The adjustment mechanism 170a may be provided by a valve, or other obstruction (such as a movable iris), which is configured to move to constrict the air flow in the second air pathway 53. By constrict it is meant that the valve effectively narrows a cross-section of the air path to increase the resistance to draw of the second air pathway 53. The adjustment mechanism 170a is configured to change state to vary the resistance-to-draw based on (i.e. dependent on) the draw strength of a user's inhalation. In particular, the adjustment mechanism 170a is configured to tune the ratio of airflow along the first and second air pathways 52,53 to decrease (at least proportionally with respect to the first air pathway) the airflow along the second air pathway when the user inhales more strongly (i.e. inhales at a greater rate). In some examples, a sufficiently strong user inhalation (i.e. above a particular threshold rate of inhalation) may temporarily close the second air pathway 52.
In some examples the adjustment mechanism 170a is passive in that it does not require any measurement or detection of the user's inhalation, or control signals from suitable circuitry, to enable the adjustment mechanism 170a to vary the resistance-to draw of the second air pathway 170. Instead the adjustment mechanism 170a is responsive to the inhalation strength such that it changes state dependent on the inhalation strength. In some examples the adjustment mechanism 170a is active in that it is controlled by control signals from suitable circuitry in response to measurements by an airflow sensor, as discussed below in relation to
In some examples, the adjustment mechanism 170a is configured to vary its state (e.g. position or configuration) between a first state which provides a first resistance-to-draw when no inhalation is occurring, and a second state which provides a second resistance-to-draw when inhalation is occurring at a particular strength. In some examples, the adjustment mechanism 170a may be configured to vary the resistance-to-draw gradually between the first and second resistance-to-draw, whilst in some other examples the adjustment mechanism 170a may be configured to vary the resistance-to-draw along the second pathway 53 in substantially a single step change when the draw strength of a user exceeds a threshold value. For example, the adjustment mechanism 170a can comprise a valve provided in the second air pathway 53 and configured to restrict air flow when the draw strength of a user exceeds a threshold value. In some of these examples, the adjustment mechanism 170a may be configured to completely close the second air pathway 53, such that the airflow along the second air pathway is reduced to substantially zero, when the draw strength of a user exceeds a threshold value.
The adjustment mechanism 170b may be provided by a valve, or other obstruction (such as a movable iris), which is configured to move to constrict the air flow in the first air pathway 52. By constrict it is meant that the valve effectively narrows a cross-section of the air path to increase the resistance to draw of the first air pathway 52. The adjustment mechanism 170b is configured to change state to vary the resistance-to-draw based on (i.e. dependent on) the draw strength of a user's inhalation. In particular, the adjustment mechanism 170b is configured to tune the ratio of airflow along the first and second air pathways 52,53 to increase the airflow along the first air pathway when the user inhales more strongly (i.e. inhales at a greater rate).
In some examples the adjustment mechanism 170b is passive in that it does not require any measurement or detection of the user's inhalation, or control signals from suitable circuitry, to enable the adjustment mechanism 170b to vary the resistance-to draw of the first air pathway 52. Instead the adjustment mechanism 170b is responsive to the inhalation strength such that it changes state dependent on the inhalation strength. In some examples the adjustment mechanism 170b is active in that it is controlled by control signals from suitable circuitry in response to measurements by an airflow sensor, as discussed below in relation to
In some examples, the adjustment mechanism 170b is configured to vary its state (e.g. position or configuration) between a first state which provides a first resistance-to-draw when no inhalation is occurring, and a second state which provides a second resistance-to-draw when inhalation is occurring at a particular strength. In some examples, the adjustment mechanism 170b may be configured to vary the resistance-to-draw gradually between the first and second resistance-to-draw, whilst in some other examples the adjustment mechanism 170b may be configured to vary the resistance-to-draw along the first pathway 52 in substantially a single step change when the draw strength of a user exceeds a threshold value. For example, the adjustment mechanism 170b can comprise a valve provided in the first air pathway 52 and configured to reduce the resistance-to-draw when the draw strength of a user exceeds a threshold value.
As such, adjustment mechanism 170c is configured to vary the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway 52 to the resistance-to-draw of the second air pathway 53 based upon a draw strength of a user inhalation by varying the resistance to draw of the first air pathway 52 and/or the second air pathway 53. By changing the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway 52 or the second air pathway (e.g. how easy it is for the user to inhale or “pull” air along the first air pathway) the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway 52 to the resistance-to-draw of the second air pathway 53 is changed. In some examples, complementary changes can be made by the adjustment mechanism 170c to increase the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway 52 and decrease the resistance-to-draw of the second air pathway 53 simultaneously, and vice versa.
In some examples in accordance with
In some examples the adjustment mechanism 170c is passive in that it does not require any measurement or detection of the user's inhalation, or control signals from suitable circuitry, to enable the adjustment mechanism 170c to vary the resistance-to draw of the first air pathway 52. Instead the adjustment mechanism 170c is responsive to the inhalation strength such that it changes state dependent on the inhalation strength. In some examples the adjustment mechanism 170c is active in that it is controlled by control signals from suitable circuitry in response to measurements by an airflow sensor, as discussed below in relation to
In some examples, the adjustment mechanism 170c is configured to vary between a first state (e.g. position or configuration) which provides a first set of resistances-to-draw along the first air pathway 52 and a second air pathway, respectively, when no inhalation is occurring, and a second state which provides a second set of resistances-to-draw along the first air pathway 52 and a second air pathway, respectively, when inhalation is occurring at a particular strength. In some examples, the adjustment mechanism 170c may be configured to vary the resistance-to-draw gradually between the first and second set of resistances-to-draw, whilst in some other examples the adjustment mechanism 170c may be configured to vary the resistances-to-draw along the along the first air pathway 52 and a second air pathway, in substantially a single step change when the draw strength of a user exceeds a threshold value. In some of these examples, the adjustment mechanism 170c may be configured to completely close the second air pathway 53, such that the airflow along the second air pathway is reduced to substantially zero, when the draw strength of a user exceeds a threshold value.
The device of
Communications to and/or from the electronic aerosol provision system 10 may be used for a wide variety of purposes, such as to collect and report (upload) operational data from the system 10, e.g. regarding usage levels, settings, any error conditions, and/or to download updated control programs, configuration data, and so on. Such communications may also be used to support interaction between the electronic aerosol provision system 10 and an external system such as a smartphone belonging to the user of the electronic aerosol provision system 10. This interaction may support a wide variety of applications (apps), including collaborative or social media based apps.
The device of
The device of
The microcontroller 22 may be located on a PCB, which may also be used for mounting other components as appropriate, e.g. the communications interface 230. Some components may be separately mounted, such as the airflow sensor 30, which may be located adjacent the airflow path through the system 10, and a user input facility (e.g. buttons) which may be located on the external housing of the system 10. The microcontroller 22 generally includes a processor (or other processing facility) and memory (ROM and/or RAM). The operations of the microcontroller 22 (and some other electronic components), are typically controlled at least in part by software programs running on the processor in the controller (or other electronic components as appropriate). Such software programs may be stored in a non-volatile memory which can be integrated into the microcontroller 22 itself, or provided as a separate component (e.g. on a PCB). The processor may access ROM or any other appropriate store to load individual software programs for execution as and when required. The microcontroller 22 also contains suitable interfaces (and control software) for interacting with the other components of system 10 (such as shown in
The microcontroller 22 may specify (and implement) one or more heating profiles for use with a heater; such a profile determines the variation with time in the level of power that is supplied to a heater. For example, the microcontroller may supply most power to the heater from the battery 26 at the start of a puff in order to rapidly warm the heater to its operating temperature, after which the microcontroller 22 may supply a reduced level of power to the heater sufficient to maintain this operating temperature. It will be appreciated that other operation profiles may be used for other types of aerosol generator (for example, a vibrating mesh or ejector) to control the variation with time in the level of power that is supplied to the aerosol generator.
As discussed above, in some examples in accordance with the present invention, an adjustment mechanism 170 of the aerosol provision system 1 can be active in that it is controlled by control signals from suitable circuitry (such as microcontroller 22) in response to measurements of the inhalation strength by an airflow sensor 30 or other suitable sensor. The detection or measurement may trigger the microcontroller 22 to control the adjustment mechanisms to vary the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second pathway, thereby affecting the mixture of air inhaled by the user. Such an adjustment mechanism 170 may be considered to be electronically operated or configurable in that control signals from the microcontroller 22 a change to the adjustment mechanism 170. The microcontroller 22 can be configured to control the adjustment mechanism 170 to cause a state (e.g. a position or configuration) of the adjustment mechanism 170 to change, thereby changing the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway 52 and/or the second air pathway 53, and the ratio of the two.
As stated above the sensor 30 is configured to measure the draw strength and to provide an estimate of a draw strength of the user when the user is inhaling on the device. The sensor 30 can provide or otherwise transmit, the estimate of the draw strength, or a representative value, to the microcontroller 22 which can then provide an electronic control signal to the adjustment mechanism 170 to alter the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second pathway. As detailed above in relation to
In some example, the microcontroller 22 is further configured to control the adjustment mechanism based on a user input. The user input may be received via the user I/O functionality 250 and/or via an external device such as a smart phone via the communications interface 230 or the USB interface 235. The controller 22 may interpret the user input and control the adjustment mechanism 170 in response. For example, the control may be configured to select one of a number of modes of operation based on the user input. For each mode of operation, the controller 22 can be configured to control the adjustment mechanism 170 to vary the resistance-to-draw of the first and/or second air pathways within set ranges corresponding to that mode. In some examples, the user may be able to select a discrete mode of operation based on the user input, where the controller is configured to decrease the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second pathway in comparison to a normal mode to reduce a visibility of an aerosol produced by the aerosol generator.
The configuration shown in
The method begins at step 610 with the system providing an adjustment mechanism configured to vary the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second air pathway based upon a draw strength of a user inhalation. As detailed above in relation to
The method 600 continues at step 620 with the system adjusting the adjustment mechanism to vary the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second pathway. In some examples, adjusting the adjustment mechanism occurs passively, or automatically, dependent on the air flow past the adjustment mechanism or the air pressure at the adjustment mechanism. In some examples, adjusting the adjustment mechanism is facilitated by a controller which is configured to control the adjustment mechanism based on a measured or estimated characteristic of the airflow through the device. The method 600 then ends.
The method proceeds to step 622, with the system controlling the adjustment mechanism 170 based on the estimated draw strength. The step 622 can be performed by the control circuitry 22. In some examples, the estimated draw strength is compared to one or more threshold values and/or one or more threshold ranges to determine how to control the adjustment mechanism 170. For example, the controller 22 may determine whether the estimated draw strength is in a first range or a second range of values for the draw strength and control the adjustment mechanism to vary the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second air pathway based on which of the ranges the estimated draw strength is in. For example, if the first range covers a range of higher draw strengths and the second range covers a range of lower draw strengths, then the controller may increase the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second air pathway if the estimated draw strength is in the first range thereby decreasing the amount of side-stream air inhaled, and may decrease the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second air pathway if the estimated draw strength is in the second range thereby increasing the amount of side-stream air inhaled. It will be appreciated that in some examples, the controller 22 may be configured to compare the estimated draw strength to more than two ranges of draw strength and to control the adjustment mechanism to select a particular ratio dependent on which range the estimated draw strength falls within. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that comparisons to a plurality of threshold draw strength values could be used instead of a plurality of draw strength ranges to determine how to control the adjustment mechanism 170. Furthermore, in some examples, the controller 22 is configured to process the estimated draw strength to calculate how to control the adjustment mechanism 170. For example by comparing the estimated draw strength to entries in a lookup table or by inputting the estimated draw strength into a formula that outputs control values for controlling the adjustment mechanism. These examples may enable a more continuous or gradual change of the ratio that feels more intuitive to the user. In some examples, the adjustment mechanism 170 can change (i.e. adjust) the resistance to draw of the first air pathway 52. In these examples, the adjustment mechanism 170 is controlled to decrease the resistance (either stepwise or continuously) to draw of the first air pathway 52, in response to the user increasing draw strength. In some examples, the adjustment mechanism 170 can change the resistance to draw of the second air pathway 53. In these examples, the adjustment mechanism 170 is controlled to increase the resistance (either stepwise or continuously) to draw of the second air pathway 53, in response to the user increasing draw strength. In some examples the adjustment mechanism 170 can change the resistance to draw of the first and second air pathways 52,53. In these examples, the adjustment mechanism 170 is controlled to decrease the resistance (either stepwise or continuously) to draw of the first air pathway 52 and to increase the resistance (either stepwise or continuously) to draw of the second air pathway 53, in response to the user increasing draw strength. The method then ends.
The methods 600 and 700 illustrated in
Thus it has been described that examples of the present disclosure comprise an aerosol provision system comprising: an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in an aerosol-generating region; a first air pathway passing through the aerosol generation region; a second air pathway not passing through the aerosol generation region; and an adjustment mechanism configured to vary the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second air pathway based upon a draw strength of a user inhalation.
Furthermore, it has also been described that examples of the present disclosure may also comprise an aerosol provision device for use with an aerosol generating article comprising aerosol generating material, which together form an aerosol provision system, wherein the aerosol provision system comprises an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in an aerosol-generating region, a first air pathway passing through the aerosol generation region, a second air pathway not passing through the aerosol generation region, and an adjustment mechanism configured to vary the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second air pathway based upon a draw strength of a user inhalation, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises: circuitry configured to control the adjustment mechanism to cause the adjustment mechanism configured to vary the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second air pathway based upon a draw strength of a user inhalation. In some of these examples, at least a part of the first air pathway is provided in the aerosol provision device and/or wherein at least a part of the second air pathway is provided in the aerosol provision device, and wherein the adjustment mechanism is provided in the aerosol provision device and is arranged to vary the ratio of the resistance-to-draw of the first air pathway to the resistance-to-draw of the second air pathway by varying the resistance-to-draw of the at least a part of the first air pathway and/or the resistance-to-draw of the at least a part of the second air pathway.
The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2116149.2 | Nov 2021 | GB | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB2022/052804 | 11/7/2022 | WO |
