Patent Application
20230263225
The present invention relates to a heating apparatus for an aerosol generating device.
Known aerosol generating devices, such as e-cigarettes and tobacco vapour products, often use a heating apparatus to heat an aerosol generating medium in order to generate an aerosol or vapour, for inhalation by a user. The aerosol generating medium is commonly inserted into a heating chamber of the device in the form of a consumable plug or cartridge. Different types of consumables are available and the sizes of these consumables may vary; however, many existing aerosol generating devices are restricted to receiving specific consumables due to differences in the dimensions of the consumables, the heating chamber, and the heating apparatus.
Generally, aerosol generating devices are configured to accept a single type of consumable of a single size. In some known devices spring or elastic mechanisms are used as a supporting member in assembly a device. Such mechanisms typically have a spring or coil which is compressed to a single fixed, locked position for operation, and then further acts as a release or ejection mechanism for the device.
In other known devices a heating element may include a pairs of heating tracks for electrical energy to run up and down the heating element. The pairs of heating tracks are arranged at different lengths along the heating element to provide different active heating lengths for the device.
Due to these specific configurations, there is a problem that these devices cannot accept different types of consumables and effectively heat them. It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a heating apparatus for an aerosol generating device that can efficiently heat consumables of different shapes and sizes.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising: a heating chamber comprising: an opening arranged at a first end of the heating chamber to receive an aerosol generating medium; and a base plate that is moveable along a length of the heating chamber to adjust a distance between the opening and the base plate, wherein the base plate is biased toward the opening and configured to move under contact with the aerosol generating medium as it is received in the heating chamber; a heating element arranged to heat the aerosol generating medium when it is received in the heating chamber; and a control circuit configured to detect the distance of the base plate from the opening and control the heating element in response to the detected distance.
In this way the heating chamber can be automatically adjusted to provide a cavity that is suitably sized for a received aerosol generating medium. It should be understood that the base plate, or cavity bottom, is pushed away from the opening of the heating chamber as an aerosol generating medium (typically in the form of a consumable plug, cartridge or capsule) is inserted through the opening. Therefore, since the base plate is biased to move toward the opening of the heating chamber, the size of the cavity will typically substantially provide a closest fit for the aerosol generating medium in the heating chamber. This also advantageously provides a smallest size cavity for the aerosol generating medium such that that the cavity and received aerosol generating medium can be more efficiently heated. It should be appreciated that the moveable base plate allows operation of the aerosol generating device at varying depths of the base plate along the length of the heating chamber (or varying insertion depths for an aerosol generating medium/consumable), and that the biased configuration of the base plate ensures that the optimum cavity/active heating chamber size is automatically achieved.
The aerosol generating device further comprises a control circuit configured to detect the distance of the base plate from the opening and control the heating element in response to the detected distance. In this way the control circuit can automatically detect the length of the cavity and determine the length of the heating element, or number of heating zones, required to heat the received aerosol generating medium. It should be understood that the determination is based on the final position of the base plate after the aerosol generating medium has been inserted and received into the heating chamber. Preferably the control circuit is configured to select the heating profile in response to the detected distance.
Therefore it should be understood that the aerosol generating device comprises a control circuit, or control circuitry, for controlling the operation of the heating chamber. The control circuitry is configured to detect the position of the base plate and may operate the heating element according to a selected heating profile according to the detected position of the base plate. In other words the control circuit acts as a link between the base plate position and the operation of the heating element. In an example, the control circuit may be configured to initiate/cause the heating element to start heating only when the base plate has been moved past a predetermined position along the length of heating chamber (from a neutral position, when no aerosol generating medium is in the chamber). In another example, the control circuit may be configured to control the heating element to vary the active length and/or heat generated from the heating element based on the position of the base plate. The heating element may have a continuously variable heater length or be split into discrete heating segments/portions, such that the device may be used with consumables of different sizes or lengths. It should therefore be understood that the base plate biased to move towards the opening ensures that the optimum heating length/profile is selected by the control circuit in order to heat the received aerosol generating medium. This means that the control circuit detects the position of the base plate and determines its distance from the heating chamber opening in order to control the active length of the heating element. The moveable base plate allows multiple insertion depths within the heating chamber.
The aerosol generating device could equally be referred to as a “heated tobacco device”, a “heat-not-burn tobacco device”, a “device for vaporising tobacco products”, and the like, with this being interpreted as a device suitable for achieving these effects. The features disclosed herein are equally applicable to devices which are designed to vaporise any aerosol generating medium.
The term “consumable” refers to an aerosol generating medium, a cartridge or other container comprising an aerosol generating medium, or any other component suitable for delivering an aerosol generating medium into the device such that an aerosol may be generated. In some preferable examples of the invention, the consumable comprises a rod shaped aerosol generating medium such as a tobacco stick which is configured to be heated to release a vapour without burning the aerosol generating medium. By providing a heating chamber with an adjustable cavity length determined by the position of the biased base plate, the length of the cavity can automatically adjust to the length of the rod shaped consumable upon insertion in to the chamber.
Preferably the heating element comprises a plurality of individual heating zones for heating a received aerosol generating medium. In this way an appropriate length of the heating element (which may be defined as a heating zone) may be determined to heat the aerosol generating medium. Preferably the individual heating zones are arranged along the length direction of the heating chamber. Dividing the heating element into a larger number of heating segments or zones, which can be independently heated, allows for an improved level of control over the heating of a consumable. Furthermore, when the heating element is divided into a larger number of heating segments, the length of a given consumable will more precisely match the area occupied by an integral number heating zones.
Preferably the aerosol generating device comprises control circuitry for selectively heating one or more of the plurality of heating zones. For example, the control circuitry may be configured to heat the heating zones positioned between the base plate and the opening. In this way, after the aerosol generating medium is inserted, the heating zones are determined based on the position of the base plate so that only those adjacent to the aerosol generating medium are heated, thus improving the efficiency of the device.
Providing a heating element with multiple heating zones, or segments, that can be independently heated allows the apparatus to only heat those segments which are arranged or configured to efficiently heat the consumable. Heating zones that are not selected to be directly heated, i.e. activated, in order to heat a consumable received in the heating chamber, are herein referred to as unused heating zones (or unused zones/segments). Typically, this is because the unused zone is not able to heat the consumable efficiently. For example, an unused heating segment may not be in contact with the consumable, or only a small portion of the consumable is in contact with the unused heating segment. A required heating segment (or required segment) refers to a heating segment that has been selected to be directly heated in order to heat a consumable held in the heating chamber and is any heating segment that is not an unused segment.
To put it in another way, if a shorter plug is received in the heating chamber, a single or smaller number of heating zones/segments of the heating element can be used to provide heat to the plug. Similarly if a longer plug is inserted into the heating chamber, a greater number of heating zones of the heating element are used to heat the plug.
This advantageously provides a heating element with different zones, or segments, which can be individually activated so as to provide heat to a consumable for aerosol generation, thereby improving efficiency of the device. It should be understood that the length of the one or more heating zones used to heat the received aerosol generating medium should substantially correspond with the length of the aerosol generating medium in the cavity.
Dividing the heating element into a larger number of heating zones/segments, which can be independently heated, allows for an improved level of control over the heating of a consumable. Furthermore, when the heating element is divided into a larger number of heating zones, the length of a given consumable will more precisely match the area occupied by an integral number heating zones.
The heating element may also be configured such that the length of the heating zone, or the active heating portion/segment, is determined by the position of the base plate (or cavity bottom). For instance a portion of the heating element to generate heat may be determined by the distance between the base plate and an end of the heating element toward the opening of the heating chamber. In this way the heating element does not have discrete heating zones, rather a continuous length of the heating element being sectioned by the base plate. For example the control circuitry may determine the required length of the heating element for receiving electrical energy by an electrical contact provided between the base plate and the heating element along the length of the heating element. In this way the heating portion (i.e. active heating length) could be any specific length of the heating element rather than requiring specific discrete zones. It should be understood that aspects in this disclosure relating the described individual heating zones are equally applicable to a continuously variable length heating zone.
Preferably the aerosol generating device is configured to select the heating zones to be heated based on the position of the base plate. Preferably the aerosol generating device is configured to heat the heating zones positioned between the base plate and the opening of the heating chamber.
Preferably the aerosol generating device comprises electrical connections arranged to heat a portion of the heating element corresponding to a portion between an electrical contact and an end of the heating element, where the electrical contact is provided between the base plate and the heating element. In this way, the aerosol generating device may be configured to heat a portion of the heating element between the base plate and an end of the heating element. Preferably the heating chamber comprises an opening at one end and the electrical connections are arranged to heat a portion of the heating element between the electrical connect of the base plate and an end of the heating element nearest the opening. In this way, as an aerosol generating medium is inserted into the cavity through the opening, the base plate and contact are moved so as to heat a portion of the heating element corresponding to a length of the aerosol generating medium received within the cavity.
Preferably the distance between the opening and the base plate determines a heating profile of the heating element, the heating profile being defined by the heating zones used for heating the received aerosol generating medium. The term “heating profile” is intended to refer to an operating mode of the heating element, that is, one or more of: the selection of the heating zones to be heated, the heating duration of one or more heating zones, the heating temperature of one or more individual heating zones or the heating temperature of the heating chamber as a whole. Preferably, the heating profile is selected based on a detected position of the base plate.
In this way the different combinations and/or arrangements of the one or more heating zones which are used to heat the aerosol generating medium in the heating chamber can be defined as heating profiles of the heating element, where the length of a received aerosol generating medium (and consequently the distance between the opening and the base plate) determines or selects the appropriate heating profile for use. In this way an efficient heating profile selection method is provided without the need of user intervention, e.g. manual user input into the device to determine the heating profile.
Preferably the heating chamber is configured to feedback information to the control circuit. Preferably the heating chamber comprises a feedback component in communication with the control circuit. In this way the feedback component effectively provides positional information of the base plate/cavity bottom to the control circuit to better allow the control circuit to select a heating profile.
Preferably the feedback component is arranged along a wall of the heating chamber. In this way the feedback component can be positioned alongside an internal surface of the wall or integrated with the wall of the heating chamber.
Preferably the base plate is configured to engage along a length of the feedback component. The base plate may be configured to slide along the length of the feedback component. In this way the base plate can be in continuous contact with the feedback component to provide effective positional information of the base plate along the length of the heating chamber.
Preferably the feedback component comprises of at least one resistor and a Hall effect sensor. In this way the positional information can be determined through the resistance or voltage measurements from the feedback component. Other electrical components that may also be used as a feedback component will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.
Preferably the feedback component comprises a guide. Preferably the base plate comprises a projection configured to engage with the guide. In this way a more secure connection may be provided between the base plate and the feedback component as the base plate moves along the wall of the heating chamber whilst receiving the aerosol generating medium.
Preferably the heating chamber further comprises a biasing member arranged to provide a resisting, or restoring, force to the base plate toward the opening. In this way the restoring force returns the base plate to a resting position toward the opening of the heating chamber when there is no aerosol generating medium in the chamber. The resting position, or neutral position, may be substantially located at the opening of the heating chamber or at a predetermined distance away from the opening. Preferably the biasing member is a spring. The biasing mechanism may be coupled with a release mechanism to eject a spent consumable, or alternatively will return the base plate to the resting/neutral position when no aerosol generating medium is present in the chamber. The biasing member works synergistically with the base plate and the control circuit to allow the device to operate with consumables of different shapes and sizes.
Preferably an internal surface of the heating chamber is configured to provide a frictional force which acts against the resisting/restoring force of the biasing member. For example the internal surface may have grooves or be textured in a way to provide friction against the outer surface of a received aerosol generating medium in contact with the internal surface of the heating chamber. In this way an aerosol generating medium may be more easily retained in the heating chamber after insertion.
Alternatively the heating chamber may comprise a ratchet mechanism which allows the base plate to freely descend into the chamber (i.e. in an unrestricted manner) while preventing the biasing force to return the base plate to its neutral position toward the heating chamber opening. In this example the heating chamber may require a further release mechanism to cause the base plate to move back toward the opening of the heating chamber (and also eject a spent consumable, for example). It will be understood that the ratchet mechanism would provide discrete depths of insertion based on the size and number of teeth in the ratchet. However it should be appreciated that a fine-toothed ratchet mechanism may effectively provide a continuously varying depth for aerosol generating medium/consumables (i.e. where the discrete depths caused by the ratchet teeth are substantially unnoticeable by a user).
Preferably, when the aerosol generating medium is received in the heating chamber, the frictional force acting on the aerosol generating medium is greater than the resisting/restoring force. In this way the aerosol generating medium would remain in the heating chamber after receipt into the chamber. The heating chamber may further comprise an extraction mechanism to eject a spent plug.
Preferably the heating element extends through a plate opening in the base plate. The plate opening may be a slit or other shaped narrow opening in the base plate in order for the heating element to pass through the body or central portion of the base plate. The size of the opening may provide a close fit around the outer perimeter of the heating element, when viewed in the direction along the length of heating element (i.e. the direction in which the heating element may penetrate an inserted consumable). In this way the heating element can act as a guide for the base plate as it moves along the heating chamber and heating element, thereby providing further support to the base plate. Preferably the heating blade extends through an opening in the base plate, wherein the base plate is moveable along the length of the heating blade. A close fit between the heating element and the base plate can ensure that a secure electrical contact is provided between the heating element and the base plate.
Preferably the heating element comprises a heating blade, the heating blade configured to pierce the aerosol generating medium when received in the heating chamber. In this way when a consumable is in the heating chamber, the heating blade may heat the consumable from the interior. Furthermore, the heating blade may secure or assist securing the consumable within the heating chamber. It should therefore be understood that after the heating blade has pierced an inserted consumable, the portion of the heating blade between the base plate and an end of the heating blade that pierced the consumable can receive electrical energy from the battery to generate heat. This active heating blade portion may comprise one or more of the individual heating zones in the heating element/blade, which can therefore be determined by the point of contact between the base plate and the heating blade end. Preferably the heating blade comprises a plurality of heating zones arranged along the length of the heating blade.
Preferably the heating blade comprises a piercing end directed towards the opening of the heating chamber. The piercing end of the heating blade is directed towards the opening of the heating chamber and narrows towards the opening. The piercing end facilitates the insertion of the consumable into the heating chamber. This may be through piercing a hole in the consumable for (at least a portion of) the heating blade to pass into or to ease inserting the heating blade into a slot already present in the consumable. Preferably the heating zones are arranged along the length of the heating blade.
Examples of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The heating element 16 comprises a piercing end 18 configured to pierce into and/or pass through the consumable 14 as it is introduced to the heating chamber 10 such that, in use, the consumable 14 is heated from its interior. The piercing end 18 of the heating element 16 is directed towards the opening 12 of the heating chamber 10.
The heating chamber 10 further comprises a base plate 20, or cavity bottom, which is arranged to receive the consumable 14 such that a consumable 14 is in contact with the base plate 20 after insertion. The base plate 20 is configured to move along the length of the chamber 10 relative to the heating element 16 in order to define the length 21 of the heating chamber 10, or heating cavity for the aerosol generating consumable 14. In other words a user may push a consumable plug 14 into the chamber 10 such that it comes into contact with the base plate 20, and that the base plate 20 is configured to move further away from the opening 12 until the plug 14 is fully inserted into the chamber 10.
The heating element 16 is arranged such that it extends through a plate opening in the base plate 20 which allows the heating element to act as a guide for the base plate 20 as it moves relative to the heating element 16. The position or location of the base plate 20, relative to the heating element 16, is used to determine an active length of the heating element 16 required to heat an inserted consumable 14. The heating element 16 may be divided into segments or zones as seen more clearly in
The heating element 16 and the base plate 20 are electrically connected via one or more electrical connections (not shown). The aerosol generating device 2 further comprises control circuitry 22 which is configured to detect the position of the base plate 20 in the heating chamber 10 and/or the length 21 of the heating chamber 10 between the opening 12 and the base plate 20 based on the position of the electrical contact between the heating element 16 and the base plate 20. Therefore it should be understood that as electrical energy is delivered from the battery 6 to the heating element 16, the electrical energy may be returned or otherwise channeled away from the heating element 16 via the electrical contact provided via the base plate 20. Alternative configurations of the electrical connections between the heating element 16 and the base plate 20 would be readily apparent to the person skilled in the art.
The base plate 20 is also biased to move toward the opening 12 of the chamber 10, such that when the chamber 10 is empty, the base plate 20 is positioned at or close to the opening 10. It should therefore be understood that as an aerosol generating medium 14 is inserted into the chamber 10 the base plate is pushed along the length of the chamber 10 toward an opposite end of the chamber 10 away from the opening 12. When no aerosol generating medium 14 (in part or whole) is in the chamber 10, the base plate 20 is in a neutral position. The biasing movement may be provided using a biasing member (not shown), such as a spring. Other biasing mechanisms would be apparent to the person skilled in the art.
The aerosol generating device 2 further comprises control circuitry 22 which is configured to detect the length of the heating chamber 10 between the opening 12 and the base plate 20, or indeed the piercing end 18 and the electrical contact between the base plate 20 and the heating element 16. In an example the control circuitry 22 can be automatically initiated to detect/determine an active heating element 16 length when the base plate 20 is displaced from its neutral position. The control circuitry 22 also controls the active length of the heating element 16, which as described above may be the number of segments, or heating zones, to receive electrical energy. The control circuitry 22 can also control the amount of electrical energy that is delivered from the battery 6 to the heating element 16. Therefore it should be understood that a more efficient aerosol generating device is provided by individually controlling the heating zones and/or controlling the battery consumption by the control circuitry 22. The heating element 16 may have heating tracks passing into the heating zones which can be controlled by the control circuitry 22.
The heating system 4 also comprises a spring 24 which is configured to push the base plate 20 toward the opening 12 of the chamber 10. The spring is attached to the underside of the base plate 20.
The inner surfaces 28 of the heating chamber 10 are textured (not shown) to provide a gripping surface for an inserted consumable. For example the inner surface 28 may have small slats provided along its length, where each slat is angled relative to the plane of the inner surface 28 and the direction of movement of a consumable such that the slat provides a frictional force to the side of a consumable which acts against the biasing force of the spring 24. The textured surface or slats may be made of a flexible material to allow easy clean of the heating chamber 10 as or after a consumable is extracted. For example as the base plate 20 is moved toward an extraction position toward the opening 12 of the chamber 10, the base plate 20 may be configured to remove any aerosol generating medium that may be trapped around the textured surface/slats.
Extraction or ejection mechanisms to remove a spent consumable plug would be readily apparent to the skilled person. For example a manual push mechanism having a lever or sliding button on an outer surface of the aerosol generating device 2 may be provided for a user to extract a spent plug from the chamber 10.
In another example, the heating element 16 may also be designed to provide frictional force to an inserted plug, such as a serrated heating blade. It should be understood that the friction force provided by the chamber wall and/or the heating element to an aerosol generating consumable must be higher than the spring force, or other biasing force, in order for the consumable not to be forced out of the heating chamber 10.
The heating chamber 10 comprises a feedback component 32 along one of the walls of the chamber 10. In this example the feedback component 32 is a variable resistor, and the feedback circuit 30 is formed by the spring 24, the base plate 20 and the feedback resistor component 32. This means that as the base plate 20 moves along the length of the heating chamber 10 (or feedback component 32 incorporated in the wall) the resistance will change. This resistance is measured at an ohmmeter 34 in the control circuitry 22. Other electrical components can be used to provide feedback information to the control circuitry, such as a Hall effect sensor, that will be readily apparent to the person skilled in the art.
As should be understood in the feedback circuit 30 in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20186578.9 | Jul 2020 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/068723 | 7/6/2021 | WO |
