Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM WITH VOLUME VARYING
AEROSOL GENERATING REGION
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an aerosol provision system, and methods of
controlling an aerosol provision system.
BACKGROUND
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.
The characteristics of the air inhaled by a user are dependent on construction
of the
aerosol provision system and its components. A user inhaling an aerosol
produced from a
same type of aerosol generating material or formulation may have different
experiences
(e.g. smoother or rougher) when using different aerosol provision systems,
because the air
inhaled is drawn through different configuration of air passages. A user may
therefore have
different devices dependent on the type of experience they want, and whether
they want to
switch. It will be appreciated that carrying multiple devices is cumbersome
for a user.
Various approaches are described herein which seek to help address or mitigate
some
of the issues discussed above.
SUMMARY
The disclosure is defined in the appended claims.
According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an
aerosol
provision system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material
in an aerosol-
generating region comprising: the aerosol generation region; and an adjustment
mechanism
configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall of the
aerosol generation
region to vary a volume of the aerosol generation region; wherein the
adjustment mechanism
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is configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall based
on an interaction
of a user with the aerosol provision system.
According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a
method of
controlling an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol from an
aerosol-generating
material in an aerosol-generating region; the method comprising: providing an
adjustment
mechanism configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall
of the aerosol
generation region to vary a volume of the aerosol generation region; and
adjusting the position
and/or shape of at least one wall based on an interaction of the user with the
aerosol provision
system.
According to a third 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 second aspect.
According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided
aerosol
provision means comprising: an aerosol generation region; and adjustment means
configured
to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall of the aerosol
generation region to vary
a volume of the aerosol generation region; wherein the adjustment means is
configured to
adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall based on an interaction
of the user with
the aerosol provision means.
According to a fifth 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 generation region where aerosol is generated from
aerosol
generating material, an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the position
and/or shape
of at least one wall of the aerosol generation region to vary a volume of the
aerosol generation
region, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the position
and/or shape
of at least one wall based on an interaction of a user with the aerosol
provision system, wherein
the aerosol provision device comprises: circuitry configured to control the
adjustment
mechanism to adjust the position and/or shape of the at least one wall.
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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only,
with
reference to accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example aerosol provision system;
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Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an example cartridge part for an aerosol
provision
system;
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of certain electrical (including electronic)
components
of a control unit for use in an aerosol provision system.
Figure 4 is a flow chart of a method of controlling an aerosol provision
system.
Figure 5 is a flow chart of a further method of controlling an aerosol
provision system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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
system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in an
aerosol-generating
region comprising: the aerosol generation region; and an adjustment mechanism
configured
to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall of the aerosol
generation region to vary
a volume of the aerosol generation region; wherein the adjustment mechanism is
configured
to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall based on an
interaction of a user with
the aerosol provision system. By providing a system in which the position
and/or shape of at
one wall of the aerosol generation region can be adjusted to vary a volume of
the aerosol
generation region, the system allows for a degree of control over the
characteristics of the
aerosol produced in the aerosol provision system. The characteristics of the
air inhaled by a
user, and in particular the average particle size of the aerosol in the air
inhaled by the user,
are dependent on the shape and size of the aerosol generation region (i.e.
defined by the
chamber walls of the area in which aerosol is produced). A user inhaling an
aerosol produced
from a same type of aerosol generating material (e.g. formulation) may have
different
experiences (e.g. smoother or rougher, or mouth/throat inhalation or direct-to-
lung inhalation)
dependent on the volume of the aerosol generation region (or chamber). Larger
particles are
thought to deposit in the mouth/throat to a greater extent than smaller
particles. As an
example, if particles are generated with a relatively larger size, then they
are more likely to
deposit in the mouth or throat in the vicinity of the taste receptors
providing a rougher, more
flavoursome, experience; whereas if particles are generated with a relatively
smaller size, then
they are more likely to deposit in the lungs away from flavour receptors
thereby providing a
smoother experience.
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Therefore rather than having to carry around multiple devices, or being
restricted to
only one experience when the user has only a single device, a user having the
present aerosol
provision system is able to have multiple different sensory experiences whilst
using a single
aerosol provision system. For example, a user may be able to select a
particular position or a
particular shape of the at least one wall (thereby changing the
volume/geometry of the aerosol
generation chamber) prior to using the aerosol provision device. Alternatively
a controller of
the device may be configured to select a particular position or a shape of the
at least one wall
prior to a user using the aerosol provision device in order to provide a user
with an enhanced
experience (e.g. based on a produced particle size) for the particular aerosol
generating
material (in some examples, a user may be able to override the position or
shape selected by
the controller).
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.
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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
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aerosol-generating material may for example comprise from about 50wt 70, 60wt%
or 70wt%
of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 1wr/0 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, Methylene 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.
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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.
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view through an example aerosol delivery system
1 in
accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure. The aerosol delivery
system 1
comprises two main components, namely a reusable part 2 (e.g. a control part
or device part)
and a replaceable / disposable cartridge part 4. In normal use the reusable
part 2 and the
cartridge part 4 are releasably coupled together at an interface 6. When the
cartridge part is
exhausted or the user simply wishes to switch to a different cartridge part,
the cartridge part
may be removed from the reusable part and a replacement cartridge part
attached to the
reusable part in its place. The interface 6 provides a structural, electrical
and airflow path
connection between the two parts and may be established in accordance with
conventional
techniques, for example based around a screw thread, magnetic or bayonet
fixing with
appropriately arranged electrical contacts and openings for establishing the
electrical
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connection and airflow path between the two parts as appropriate. The specific
manner by
which the cartridge part 4 mechanically mounts to the reusable part 2 is not
significant to the
principles described herein, but for the sake of a concrete example is assumed
here to
comprise a magnetic coupling (not represented in Figure 1). It will also be
appreciated the
interface 6 in some implementations may not support an electrical and / or
airflow path
connection between the respective parts. For example, in some implementations
an aerosol
generator may be provided in the device part 2 rather than in the cartridge
part 4, or the
transfer of electrical power from the device part 2 to the cartridge part 4
may be wireless (e.g.
based on electromagnetic induction), so that an electrical connection between
the device part
and the cartridge part is not needed. Furthermore, in some implementations the
airflow
through the electronic cigarette might not go through the device part so that
an airflow path
connection between the device part and the cartridge part is not needed. In
some instances,
a portion of the airflow path may be defined at the interface between portions
of device part 2
and cartridge part 4 when these are coupled together for use.
In Figure 1, the cartridge part 4 comprises a cartridge housing 42 formed of a
plastics
material. The cartridge housing 42 supports other components of the cartridge
part and
provides the mechanical interface 6 with the device part 2. The cartridge
housing is generally
circularly symmetric about a longitudinal axis along which the cartridge part
couples to the
device part 2. In this example the cartridge part has a length of around 4 cm
and a diameter
of around 1.5 cm. However, it will be appreciated the specific geometry, and
more generally
the overall shapes and materials used, may be different in different
implementations.
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 Figure 1, a reservoir 44 is provided configured to store a
supply of liquid
aerosol generating material. In this example, the liquid reservoir 44 has an
outer wall defined
by the cartridge housing 42 and an inner wall that defined at least in part by
an airflow path 52
through the cartridge part 4 (the airflow path 52 also extends into the device
part 2, as
discussed below).The reservoir 42 may further be defined by one or more walls
connecting
the outer wall of the cartridge housing 42 to the inner wall The reservoir 44
is closed at each
end with end walls to contain the aerosol generating material. The reservoir
44 may be formed
in accordance with conventional techniques, for example it may comprise a
plastics material
and be integrally moulded with the cartridge housing 42. The cartridge part
further comprises
an aerosol generator 48 located towards an end of the reservoir 44 opposite to
the mouthpiece
outlet 50. 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
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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.
It will be appreciated that in a two-part device such as shown in Figure 1,
the aerosol
generator may be in either of the device part 2 or the cartridge part 4. For
example, in some
embodiments, the aerosol generator 48 (e.g. a heater) may be comprised in the
device part
2, and is brought into proximity with a portion of aerosol generating material
in the cartridge 4
when the cartridge is engaged with the device part 2. In such embodiments, the
cartridge may
comprise a portion of aerosol generating material, and an aerosol generator 48
comprising a
heater is at least partially inserted into or at least partially surrounds the
portion of aerosol
generating material as the cartridge 4 is engaged with the device part 2.
In the example of Figure 1, a wick (material) or other liquid permeable
material 46 is
provided in contact with a heater 48 and the liquid reservoir 44. The wick
material 46 is
provided on an outer surface of the liquid reservoir 44 and separates the
heater 48 from the
liquid reservoir 44. The wick material 46 and heater 48 are arranged in the
airflow path 52
such that a region of the airflow path 52 around the wick material 46 and
heater 48 in effect
defines an aerosol generation region or chamber 60 (which may be provided in
the cartridge
part 4 as shown). It will be appreciated that the terms aerosol generation
region and aerosol
generation chamber are intrinsically linked in that the walls of the aerosol
generation chamber
defines the boundaries of the aerosol generation region; and as such the two
terms are used
interchangeably in the present disclosure. Aerosol generating material in the
reservoir 44
infiltrates the wick material 46 from the reservoir 44 and is drawn through
the wick material by
surface tension / capillary action (i.e. wicking). The heater 48 in this
example comprises a
heated plate (which may be permeable to liquid) 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 contained in the wick material 46 to generate
aerosol in the
aerosol generating region 60. It will be appreciated the specific aerosol
generator configuration
is not significant to the principles described herein. In use electrical power
may be supplied to
the heater 48 to vaporise an amount of aerosol generating material (aerosol
generating
material) drawn to the vicinity of the heater 48 by the wick material 46.
Vaporised aerosol
generating material may then become entrained in air drawn along the cartridge
airflow path
from the vaporisation region towards the mouthpiece outlet 50 for user
inhalation.
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
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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 device part 2 comprises an outer housing 12 having with 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. As discussed below, the airflow path 52 begins at
the inlet 28 and
is defined by one or more components, such as internal walls or tubes, of the
device part 2,
before entering the cartridge part 4.
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 device part has a length of around 8 cm so the overall
length of the e-
cigarette when the cartridge part and device 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 device 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
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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.
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Device 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 (e.g. airflow path 52) 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 as
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 an air passage 52 which passes through an aerosol
generation chamber 60, containing or adjacent to the aerosol generator 48. The
air passage
52 includes a section comprising an air channel connecting one or more holes
of an air inlet
28 to the aerosol generation chamber 60, the aerosol generation chamber 60 and
a section
comprising an air channel connecting from the aerosol generation chamber 60 to
the outlet 50
of the mouthpiece.
When a user inhales through the mouthpiece outlet 50, air is drawn into the
air passage
52 through the one or more air inlet holes 28, which are suitably located on
the outside of the
e-cigarette (in this example of Figure 1 they are provided on the outside of
the re-usable part
2) . The airflow passes through the air passage 52 (i.e. airflow path) through
the device part 2
and into the cartridge part, before combining / mixing with the vapour in the
aerosol generation
chamber to generate the aerosol. The resulting combination of airflow and
aerosol continues
along the airflow path 52 to the mouthpiece outlet 50 for inhalation by a
user. The user
inhalation may be detected by an airflow sensor 30, in this case a pressure
sensor, for
detecting airflow in electronic cigarette 10. The airflow sensor 30 can output
signals (e.g. send
them, or store them in an output memory or location) corresponding to the
detected airflow.
The airflow sensor 30 may operate in accordance with conventional techniques
in terms of
how it is arranged within the electronic cigarette to generate airflow
detection signals indicating
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when there is a flow of air through the electronic cigarette (e.g. when a user
inhales or blows
on the mouthpiece).
As stated above, the present disclosure is directed towards an aerosol
provision
system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in an
aerosol-generating
chamber (or region), which includes an adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b capable
of (e.g.
configured to) adjusting the position and/or shape of at least one wall 72a,
72b of the aerosol
generation chamber to vary a volume of the aerosol generation chamber. For
example, as
shown in Figure 1 an adjustment mechanism may be a mechanism 70a configured to
adjust
the position of a peripheral wall 72a along an axis perpendicular to the
direction of airflow
during a user inhalation (i.e. perpendicular to the direction air travels
through the aerosol
generation chamber 60) and / or an adjustment mechanism may be a mechanism 70b
configured to adjust the position of an outlet wall 72b along an axis parallel
to the direction of
airflow during a user inhalation. In some examples, by adjusting a position it
is meant that the
wall is linearly translated within the system to change the volume of the
aerosol generation
chamber. While not shown, in some examples, an adjustment mechanism may
additionally,
or alternatively, be configured to adjust the shape of a peripheral wall 72a
and / or an
adjustment mechanism may be a mechanism 70b configured to adjust the shape of
an outlet
wall 72b along an axis parallel to the direction of airflow during a user
inhalation. In some
examples, by adjusting a shape it is meant that the wall is moved for example
by deforming,
bending or curving the wall, or by rotating at least a segment of the wall
with respect to a
hinge, to change the volume of the aerosol generation chamber.
The outlet wall is a section of wall comprising an outlet of the aerosol
generation
chamber. The peripheral wall is a wall defining at least a portion of the
boundary of the aerosol
generation chamber 60 that does not include an inlet or an outlet into the
aerosol generation
chamber. For example, the peripheral wall is a wall that bounds the airflow
pathway
(substantially) perpendicular to the direction of airflow travel.
An adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b is configured to adjust the position and/or
shape
of at least one wall based on an interaction of a user with the aerosol
provision system. As
detailed below the adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b may be controlled manually or
electronically. The adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b allows the environment in
which the
aerosol is produced to be changed. Without being bound by theory, the aerosol
generator 48
is activated to create a vapour in the aerosol generation chamber 60 from the
aerosol-
generating material. The vapour condenses to form particles suspended within
air (i.e., an
aerosol). The particles may further cool (leading to further condensation) or
coagulate (e.g.
join with other particles) whilst moving through the aerosol generation
chamber 60 towards
the outlet of the mouthpiece 50 (hence the aerosol generation chamber 60 may
be termed a
condensation chamber). The extent of condensation and coagulation can affect
the average
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size of the particles suspended within air (and in particular, when exiting
the outlet of the
mouthpiece 50). By changing the environment in which the vapour! aerosol is
generated (i.e.
by increasing or decreasing the size of the aerosol generation chamber 60),
the (average)
particle size of the aerosol (e.g. the condensate size) entrained in the
airflow can be changed
by affecting the extent of condensation and/or coagulation. By way of an
example only, if the
volume of the aerosol generation chamber is increased then the particles may
take longer to
leave the aerosol generation chamber (e.g. because of a lower resistance to
draw from the
chamber and a longer average pathway in the chamber) and/or the temperature
within the
aerosol generation chamber may be cooler, and therefore larger condensates are
produced
in comparison to when the volume of the aerosol generation chamber is
decreased.
The particle size of the aerosol (e.g. the condensate size) may affect the
sensorial
experience of a user inhaling the aerosol. Hence, the ability to change the
particle size allows
a user to have different experiences even when using the same aerosol
generation material.
For example, aerosol can be deposited in the lungs or in the mouth of an
inhaling user.
Different particle sizes may be more likely to be deposited in the lungs
rather than the mouth
of the user (more specifically, larger particles are thought to deposit in the
mouth/throat to a
greater extent than smaller particles). When more aerosol is deposited in the
lungs, particularly
for an aerosol containing an active component such as nicotine, the user can
experience a
bigger hit from the inhalation (e.g. a stronger, more direct effect caused by
the inhalation)
owing to the fact that nicotine uptake is faster within the lungs than in the
mouth. Conversely,
users may experience a greater satisfaction when using flavoured aerosols with
a larger
particle size such that the flavour is deposited in the mouth and thus in the
vicinity of the taste
receptors. A balance may be stuck between the two scenarios described above
and equally
there may be different reasons for changing the particle sizes. Hence, in some
examples, a
user can change the size of the aerosol generation chamber 60 to vary their
experience.
In some examples, an adjustment mechanism 70a,70b is configured to adjust the
position and/or shape of the at least one wall between at least two states
based on the
interaction of a user with the aerosol provision system, each state
corresponding to a position
and/or shape of the at least one wall. For example the user may be able to
control the
adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b to select a first state corresponding to a
"smooth" hit (i.e. a
smaller particle size) and a second state corresponding to a "harsher' hit
(i.e. a larger particle
size). Each position and/or shape provides a configuration of the at least one
wall 72a,72b
and aerosol generation chamber 60 that causes the aerosol generation chamber
60 to have
a particular volume. The position and/or shape is distinct from the position
and/or shape of
other states (i.e. discontinuous) such that different position and/or shapes
configure the
aerosol generation chamber 60 to provide a substantially different average
particle size.
Therefore in examples where there are only two states, one state corresponds
to a minimum
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volume and the other state corresponds to a maximum volume of the aerosol
generation
chamber 60. In some examples, The position of the at least one wall 72a,72b
for each state
may be determined by mechanical features which lock the wall into the
respective position for
the state, with the mechanical feature (e.g. some form of locking hole, or
clip) preventing
movement of the at least one wall 72a,72b until the adjustment mechanism
70a,70b readjusts
the position of the at least one wall 72a,72b. Similarly, in some examples,
the shape of the at
least one wall for each state may be determined by mechanical features which
lock the wall
into a respective position for the state; for example, engaging a mechanism to
apply tension
to the wall (which is elastically deformable) to cause the wall to bend or
curve, and
disengaging the mechanism to release the wall to a unbiased (rest) position.
It will be appreciated that in some cases the adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b
may be
configured to adjust the position and/or shape of the at least one wall
72a,72b between more
than two states;, for example three states, four states or 5 states. In some
examples, selection
of each particular intermediate state (i.e. additionally state above two) may
cause the aerosol
generation chamber 60 to have a particular volume between the minimum state
and the
maximum state. In some examples, the position of the at least one wall 72a,72b
for the
intermediate states may be equally spaced between the wall position for the
minimum state
and the maximum state. In other examples, the states may be unequally spaced
between the
minimum and maximum state (for example the states may be configured to provide
a
weighting towards the minimum state, with the positions of the at least one
wall 72a,72b for
each state between the position of the wall for the minimum and maximum state
corresponding
to a logarithmic scale). Similarly, where the adjustment mechanism 70a, 70b is
configured to
adjust a shape of the at least one wall, the shape may be adjusted between
throughout a
continuous or discontinuous (i.e. fixed intermediate states) intermediate
range. In these
examples, the shape of each state may correspond to a transition state between
a first and
second state which correspond to the maximums of the range (e.g. a flat state
and a maximally
curved state for the system).
In some other examples, an adjustment mechanism 70a,70b is configured to
adjust
the position of the at least one wall to any position within a range of
positions based on the
interaction of a user with the aerosol provision system. In these examples,
the range is
substantially continuous such that any position for the at least one wall
within the range can
be selected. The range is bound by maximum and minimum wall positions which
may be
dependent on the physical constraints of the system (e.g. housing position,
and limits of the
adjustment mechanism 70a,70b to move the at least one wall 72a,72b).
As discussed above, in some examples, the at least one wall 72b comprises an
outlet
wall 72b comprising an outlet of the aerosol generation region (chamber) 60,
wherein the
aerosol provision system 1 comprises an adjustment mechanism 70b is configured
to adjust
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the position of the outlet wall 72b along an axis parallel to the direction of
airflow during a user
inhalation (as shown by an arrow connected within the adjustment mechanism 70b
in Figure
1). The outlet of the aerosol generation chamber 60 is provided by one or more
holes in the
outlet wall 72b. The outlet of the aerosol generation chamber 60 connects the
aerosol
generation chamber 60 with an air channel leading to the outlet of the
mouthpiece 50 (i.e. an
air channel that is part of air passage 52). In some examples, the outlet of
the aerosol
generation chamber 60 may constrict the air flow passing out of the aerosol
generation
chamber 60 such that the resistance to draw in the aerosol generation chamber
is higher than
the resistance to draw of the subsequent air channel. In other examples the
subsequent air
channel has a higher resistance to draw than the resistance to draw of the
aerosol generation
chamber (for example the subsequent air channel may constrict the air flow to
the mouth piece
outlet 50). As such by changing the position of the outlet wall 72b, the
distance in which the
aerosol travels under a first (pressure) regime is changed thereby changing
the characteristics
of the aerosol (e.g. average particle size). In other words, increasing the
size or volume of the
aerosol generation chamber 60 increases the average time aerosol particles
reside in the
aerosol generation chamber 60.
In some examples, the at least one wall 72a comprises a peripheral wall 72a,
wherein
the aerosol provision system 1 comprises an adjustment mechanism 70a
configured to adjust
the position of the peripheral wall 72a along an axis perpendicular to the
direction of airflow
during a user inhalation (as shown by an arrow connected within the adjustment
mechanism
70a in Figure 1). The peripheral wall 72a is a wall defining at least a
portion of the boundary
of the aerosol generation chamber 60, that does not include an inlet or an
outlet into the
aerosol generation chamber (i.e. an inlet or outlet allowing airflow through
the aerosol
generation chamber 60 along the air passage 52). In some examples, the
movement of the
peripheral wall 72a expands the aerosol generation chamber 60 in a direction
perpendicular
to the air flow direction (i.e. the direction of air flow between an inlet and
outlet of the chamber
60). By changing the position of the peripheral wall 72a, the volume of the
aerosol generation
chamber 60 is varied, which can affect the characteristics of the aerosol
(e.g. the average
particle size of the aerosol). Increasing the volume of the aerosol generation
chamber 60
increases the average time aerosol particles reside in the aerosol generation
chamber 60.
It will be appreciated that alternative adjustment mechanisms may be used
instead of,
or in addition to, one or both of the adjustment mechanisms 70a,70b shown.
Furthermore, in
some examples, a single adjustment mechanism may be able to alter the position
and/or
shape of both the peripheral wall 72a and outlet wall 72a (e.g. by
electronically controlling
both), or alternatively a single wall may define both the periphery and an
outlet of the aerosol
generation chamber and an appropriate adjustment mechanism 70 may be
configured to
change the position and/or shape of the single wall (It will be appreciated
that in these
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examples, any change is to a part of the single wall will change its shape if
a different part is
also not changed in a corresponding way). Furthermore, in some examples (not
shown), an
adjustment mechanism may be configured to vary the position and/or shape of an
inlet wall of
the aerosol generation chamber 60. The inlet wall comprising an inlet 28 into
the aerosol
generation chamber 60.
It will be appreciated that while Figure 1 is directed towards an e-cigarette
having a
device part 2 and a cartridge part 4 in the form of a cartomiser having a
liquid reservoir; in
other examples the cartridge part may comprise an aerosol-generating material
in the form of
a solid or gel rather than a liquid, and may or may not comprise an aerosol
generator (instead
the aerosol generator may be provided in the device part 2). In some examples,
the wick
material 46 may be omitted and the aerosol generating material 44 in the form
of a solid or gel
may be provided such that it separates the heater 48 from the air passage 52
(in other words
the aerosol generating material 44 is provided in or adjacent to the air
passage 52).
Furthermore, it will be appreciated that while Figure 1 depicts the mouthpiece
as being part of
the cartridge part 4, in other examples the mouthpiece may be provided by the
device part 2
or by a further attachable component.
In some examples the adjustment mechanism 70 is configured to adjust the
position
and / or shape of the at least one wall in response to a user connecting a
cartridge part 4 to a
device part 2. In other words the interaction of the user with the aerosol
provision system that
causes the adjustment mechanism to adjust the position of at least one wall
comprises the
user connecting the device part to the cartridge part. In some examples the
connection
interface configured to releasably connect the device part to the cartridge
part, comprises
features which act to select an appropriate position for the at least one
wall. For example, in
aerosol provision systems where the heater is provided in the device part 2
and the aerosol
generating material and aerosol generation chamber are provided in the
consumable part 4,
the connection interface may be configured to cause the adjustment mechanism
to move the
position and / or shape of the at least one wall to an appropriate position
for the type of heater
contained in the device part 2. Advantageously, this may be appropriate where
a consumable
may be used with multiple devices.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through a cartridge part 4 of an example
aerosol
delivery system 1 in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.
Cartridge part 4
of Figure 2 differs in that further to the components described in relation to
Figure 1, Figure 2
includes a first manual actuation mechanism 74a and a second manual actuation
mechanism
74b configured to allow a user to mechanically control a respective adjustment
mechanism
70a,70b to adjust or change the position of a respective at least one wall
72a,72b. All other
components are substantially as described in relation to Figure 1.
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In examples in accordance with Figure 2, an adjustment mechanism 74a, 74b is
manually operated or controlled. In these examples, the aerosol provision
device 1 comprises
a user input mechanism in the form of a manual actuation mechanism 74a, 74b
which is
configured to alter the position of the at least one wall 72a,72b via a
mechanical adjustment
of the adjustment mechanism 70a,70b (as such the adjustment mechanism 70a,70b
may be
considered to comprise a manual actuation mechanism 74a,74b). The user input
mechanism
is configured to be operated by the user and the interaction of the user with
the aerosol
provision system comprises an interaction of the user with the manual
actuation mechanism
74a, 74b. By manual it is meant the position of the at least one wall is
adjusted mechanically
by a user, rather than electronically via a controller (e.g. controller 22).
By actuation it is meant
that the mechanism causes a corresponding adjustment mechanism 70a,70b to
operate (to
adjust the position of at least one wall). In some examples, manual actuation
mechanisms
74a,74b comprise manual actuation mechanism selected from the group comprising
a slider,
a pressable button, and a rotating dial.
In the example shown in Figure 2, the first manual actuation mechanism 74a is
in the
form of a pressable button or a rotating dial. In some examples where the
manual actuation
mechanism 74a is in the form of a pressable button, the pressing of the button
results in the
adjustment mechanism 70a moving the wall 72a from a first position to a second
position (e.g.
by disengaging a clip holding the wall 72a in place. In some of these
examples, the adjustment
mechanism 70a may bias the wall 72a towards being in a position (e.g. the
second position).
As such the user may press the button once to move the wall to the first
position, and then
press the button a second time to disengage a clip, or other locking mechanism
of the
adjustment mechanism 70a, and the wall 72a may move to the second position
because of
the bias provided by the adjustment mechanism 70a (e.g. which may comprise a
biasing
spring). In other words, in some examples where the manual actuation mechanism
74a is in
the form of a button, the adjustment mechanism 70a is configured to adjust the
position of the
at least one wall between at least two states based on the interaction of a
user with the manual
actuation mechanism 74a of the aerosol provision system.
In some examples where the first manual actuation mechanism 74a is in the form
of a
rotating dial, the user may rotate the dial to move the wall 70a between a
minimum volume
position and a maximum volume position with the adjustment mechanism 70a
configured to
turn the rotational motion into translation motion of the wall 72a. In other
words, in some
examples where the manual actuation mechanism 74a is in the form of a dial,
the adjustment
mechanism 70a is configured to adjust the position of the at least one wall in
a continuous
range based on the interaction of a user with the manual actuation mechanism
74a of the
aerosol provision system. It will be appreciated that in some other examples,
the dial may be
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configured to allow stepped motion between a number of positions of the at
least one wall
(e.g. states).
In the example shown in Figure 2, the second actuation mechanism 74b is in the
form
a slider. In some examples where the actuation mechanism 74b is in the form of
a slider, the
sliding of the button causes the adjustment mechanism 70b to move the at least
one wall 72b.
For example the adjustment mechanism 70b may comprise a bar 75 connecting the
at least
one wall 72b to the slider 74b on the housing 42 of the cartridge part 4.
Moving the slider 74b,
which is connected by the bar 75 to the wall 72b, also moves the wall 72b.ln
some examples
the bar 75 moves within two parallel slots, the first slot 77 being provided
in the cartridge part
housing 42, and the second slot 76 being provided in the air passage 52. In
some of these
examples, the slider 74 provides the user with a continuous control of the
position of the wall
72b (i.e. the user can select between a continuous range of positions for the
wall 72b, with the
extent of the range dependent on the length of the parallel slots 76,77). In
other words, in
some examples where the manual actuation mechanism in the form of a slider
74b, the slider
is configured to adjust the position of the at least one wall in a range based
on the interaction
of a user with the manual actuation mechanism 74b of the aerosol provision
system. In some
other examples, the slots 76,77 have two or more notches (not shown) which
provide states
in which the position of the wall 72b is more secure. The user may slide the
slider 74b to
select between different states defined by the position of the notches to
select the position of
the at least one wall 72b.
It will be appreciated that while Figure 2 depicts a first manual actuation
mechanism
74a in the form of a pressable button or rotatable dial and a second actuation
mechanism 74b
in the form of a slider; in other examples in accordance with the present
disclosure different
manual actuation mechanisms may be used for the both or either of the manual
actuation
mechanisms 74a,74b. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the skilled
person will be able
to implement a variety of different configurations in place of the
configuration shown in Figure
2. In some examples, only one of the first or second manual actuation
mechanisms 74a,74b
is present (and hence only control of the respective one wall of the aerosol
generating
chamber 60 is possible). Similarly in some other examples, further manual
actuation
mechanisms may be provided in addition to the first and second manual
actuation mechanism
74a,74b with the further manual actuations mechanisms being connected to, or
part of further
adjustment mechanisms. In some examples, the manual actuation mechanisms may
be
provided in the reusable part 2 rather than the cartridge part 4.
While Figure 2 depicts manual actuation mechanisms for changing a position of
a
peripheral wall 72a and an outlet wall 72b; in alternative examples (not
shown), one or more
manual actuation mechanisms could instead be configured to change a shape of
one or both
of the peripheral wall 72a and outlet wall 72b. These manual actuation
mechanisms for
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changing the shape may be in place of, or in addition to the manual actuation
mechanisms
74a, 74b , or manual actuation mechanisms 74a, 74b may be further configured
to also change
a shape of the peripheral wall 72a or outlet wall 72b, respectively. Any such
manual actuation
mechanisms configured to change a shape of one or both of the peripheral wall
72a and outlet
wall 72b may also be selected from the group comprising a slider, a pressable
button, and a
rotating dial, as well as any other suitable mechanism.
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of certain electrical (including electronic)
components
of the aerosol provision device 1 of Figure 1. Note that at least some of
these components
are shown by way of example only and may be omitted (and/or supplemented or
replaced by
other components) according to the circumstances of any given implementation.
Furthermore,
although the components shown in Figure 3 (with the exception of the
adjustment mechanism
70 and aerosol generator 48) are assumed to be located in the device part 2
rather than in the
cartridge part 4 (since a given device part may be re-used with many different
cartomisers 30),
other configurations may be adopted as desired. In addition, the components
shown in Figure
4 may be located on one circuit board such as that of control circuitry 18,
but other
configurations may be adopted as desired, e.g. components may be distributed
across
multiple circuit boards, or may not (all) be mounted on circuit boards.
Furthermore, for clarity
Figure 4 omits various elements which are commonly present in this type of
device, such as
most power lines, memory (RAM) and/or (non-volatile) storage (ROM) and so on.
Figure 3 includes a connector 6 for coupling to a cartomiser (cartridge) 4, as
discussed
above, and a (re-chargeable) battery 26 and a (micro)controller 22, as
discussed below. The
battery 26 is further linked to a USB connector 235, e.g. a micro or mini or
type C connector,
which can be used to re-charge the battery 26 from an external power supply
(typically via
some re-charging circuit, not shown in Figure 4). Note that other forms of re-
charging may be
supported for battery 26 ¨ for example, by charging through some other form of
connector, by
wireless charging (e.g. induction), by charging through connector 6, and/or by
removing the
battery 26 from the e-cigarette 10. The connector 6 include electrical
connections for
facilitating the provision of power to the aerosol generator 48 and / or the
adjustment
mechanism 70 (e.g. a control signal comprising a pulse of power to cause the
adjustment
mechanism to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall).
Figure 3 further includes a communications interface 230 which can be used for
wired
and/or wireless communications with one or more external systems (not shown in
Figure 3),
such as a smartphone, laptop and/or other form of computer and/or other
appliance. The
wireless communications may be performed using (for example) Bluetooth and/or
any other
suitable wireless communications standard. It will be appreciated that USB
interface 235 may
also be used to provide a wired communications link instead of (or in addition
to) the
communications interface 230; for example, the USB interface 235 might be used
to provide
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the system with wired communications while the communications interface 230
might be used
to provide the system with wireless communications.
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 system of Figure 3 further includes an airflow sensor 30 to provide an
estimate of
a draw strength of the user when the user is inhaling on the device. The
sensor 30 may detect
airflow via any suitable mechanism, such as by monitoring for a flow of air
and/or a change in
pressure. A detection by the sensor 30 may trigger the microcontroller 22 to
change an
operational aspect of the device 20 or system 10. In some examples a detection
by the sensor
30 may trigger a supply of power by the microcontroller 22 from the battery 26
to the cartridge
part 4 (in particular to a heater or other aerosol generator) to produce a
vapour output for
inhalation by the user (this process is generally referred to as puff-
activation) when the user's
draw strength is above a set value indicative of a user inhaling on the
device. Note that some
systems 10 do not support puff actuation; these systems are typically
activated by a user
pressing on a button (or some other form of direct input).
The system of Figure 3 may further include user I/O functionality 250 to
support direct
user input into the system 10 (this user input/output may be provided instead
of, or more
commonly in addition to, the communications functionality discussed above).
The user output
may be provided as one or more of visual, audio, and/or haptic output
(feedback), for example
by first and second user input buttons 14, 16 and display 24. For example,
visual output may
be implemented by one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or any other form
of lighting,
and/or by a screen or other display - such as a liquid crystal display (LCD),
which can provide
more complex forms of output. The user input may be provided by any suitable
facility, for
example, by providing one or more buttons or switches on the system 10 and/or
a touch screen
(which supports both user input and output). Alternatively or additionally,
user input may also
be performed by movement of the device 20 (or of the whole system 10), such
movement
being detected using a motion sensor which can be considered as part of the
user input/output
facility 250.
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
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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 Figure 3). For example, the microcontroller 22
may be
responsible for controlling the supply of power from the battery 26 to an
aerosol generator 48,
via the connector 6.
In some examples, the adjustment mechanism(s) 70 is electronically controlled
by the
(micro)controller 22. In other words, the aerosol provision device comprises a
controller 22
configured to control an adjustment mechanism 70. For example the adjustment
mechanism
comprises an electrically controlled motor (such as a rotational motor, or a
piezo electric
motor). In some examples, the controller 22 is configured to send one or more
signals (e.g.
pulses of power) to the adjustment mechanism 70 via the connection 6, which
provides a wired
or electrical connection between the controller 22 and adjustment mechanism
70. It will be
appreciated that in other examples, the one or more signals may be sent
wirelessly between
the controller 22 and adjustment mechanism 70 via a suitable wireless
communication
mechanism. It will be appreciated that, as shown in Figure 1 and 2, in some
examples there
may be more that one adjustment mechanism 70. In these examples, the
controller 22 can be
configured to control each of the adjustment mechanisms by sending (control)
signals to
individually to each of the adjustment mechanisms. As such, where the
following teaches refer
to only a single adjustment mechanism, it will be appreciated that they can
equally apply to
the (individual or simultaneous) control of multiple adjustment mechanisms.
In some examples, the controller 22 may receive an input via user I/O
functionality 250,
(e.g. a user input mechanism such as user input button 14, 16 that a user of
the aerosol
provision system interacts with) and may send one or more signals to the
adjustment
mechanism 70 for controlling the adjustment mechanism 70 based on the
interaction of the
user with the user input button. In some examples, an electronic actuation
mechanism other
than a button may be used in place of the user input button 14,16 (e.g. a
rotating dial or a
slider configured to change a resistance or voltage value across a circuit
dependent on the
position of the dial or slider). The one or more signals can cause the
adjustment mechanism
70 to vary the position and/or shape of at least one wall to change a size of
the aerosol
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generation chamber 60. In some examples, the controller receives the user
input and sends
one or more control signals to the adjustment mechanism 70 which is configured
to adjust the
position and/or shape of the at least one wall between at least two states
based on the
interaction of a user with the aerosol provision system. The at least two
states may be pre-
defined during manufacture or during a software update, or by a user who is
able to define the
at least two states using the user I/O functionality 250, or a similar
mechanism (.g provided in
a separate device such as a smartphone that is in communication with the
controller 22 via
the communications interface 230).
In some examples controller 22 controls the adjustment mechanism 70 in
response to
a user connecting a cartridge part 4 to a device part 2. In other words the
interaction of the
user with the aerosol provision system that causes the adjustment mechanism to
adjust the
position of at least one wall comprises the user connecting the device part to
the cartridge
part. In some examples where the adjustment mechanism is in the cartridge part
4, the
controller 22 controls the adjustment mechanism 70 to move the at least one
wall to a default
or pre-selected position, after connection (e.g. insertion) of the cartridge
part 4 with the device
part 2. For example the controller may identified the consumable part 4 and
may select a
different default position for the specific type of consumable part 4 (e.g.,
based on the flavour
or aerosol generating material) to adjust the aerosol generation chamber to
facilitate the
generation of particles of a particular size (or range of sizes) for providing
the user with a
enhanced or optimal experience with the specific consumable part 4.
In some examples, the controller 22 or a different component of the system
(e.g. an
optical sensor or RFID sensor) is configured to identify consumable part (e.g.
by its type)
and/or the aerosol generating material (e.g. by its type) and control the
adjustment mechanism
70 to adjust the at least one wall based on the identified cartridge part 4.
For example, the
controller 22 is configured to identify the cartridge part 4 and / or the
aerosol generating
material 44 upon (detection of the) connection of the cartridge part 4 with
the device part 2.
For example, the cartridge part 4 may comprise a form of identification that
is detectable by
the controller 22 or a sensor component connected to the controller 22, such
as an RFID tag,
an electronic memory (e.g. an EEPROM), or a visual marker (e.g. a barcode),
which indicates
a particular type of aerosol generating material. In other examples, the
controller 22 or a
different component of the system (e.g. an optical sensor or chemical sensor)
may be
configured to identify the aerosol generating material (e.g. by its type).
Different cartridge parts
4, or types of cartridge parts, may comprise different aerosol generation
material.
In examples in accordance with the above where the controlled identifies or is
provided
with the identity of the cartridge part or aerosol generating material; the
controller 22 may send
one or more control signals in response to the identification of a cartridge
part 4 (e.g. a
consumable type) or an aerosol generating material 44 contained in the
cartridge part 4. In
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response the adjustment mechanism 70 is configured to adjust the at least one
wall to provide
an optimally sized (e.g. most appropriate of the available states/range)
aerosol generation
chamber 60 for the particular type of aerosol generating material. For example
different
cartridge parts 4 may contain a different flavour or a different type of
aerosol generating
material 44 (e.g. solid, gel, or liquid) and an appropriate position and/or
shape for the at least
one wall can be selected based on the aerosol generating material 44 contained
in the
cartridge part 4. Additionally, different cartridge parts 4 may comprise
different configurations
for adjustment mechanisms 70, aerosol generation chambers 60, and the air
passage 52, and
therefore the controller 22 may control the adjustment mechanism 70
differently, as
appropriate for the particular configuration. Alternatively, the adjustment
mechanism 70 may
be configured to adjust the at least one wall in accordance with a pre-defined
user selection
for the identified cartridge part.
In some examples, the controller 22 may store a number of preferential
position and/or
shapes for adjustment mechanism 60 to position and/or shape the at least one
wall for each
of a plurality of types of cartridge parts, and /or aerosol generating
materials. The user may
be able to select one stored preferential position and/or shapes for the
particular cartridge part
and /or aerosol generating material in order to have a particular experience.
For example the
optimal position and/or shapes of the at least one wall for a "smooth" hit and
an "intense" hit
may differ for different aerosol generating materials. In some examples, the
stored position
and/or shapes may be preinstalled on a memory of the controller 22, or
accessible by the
controller 22, during initial installation or a software update, whilst in
other examples the user
may define the stored position and/or shapes themselves. For example the user
may input the
stored position and/or shapes using the user I/O functionality 250 or using a
separate device
(e.g. smartphone) via the communications interface 230.
Figure 4 is a flow chart of a method 400 for controlling an aerosol provision
system for
generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in an aerosol-
generating region.
The method begins at step 410 with providing an adjustment mechanism
configured to adjust
the position and/or shape of at least one wall of the aerosol generation
region to vary a volume
of the aerosol generation region. As discussed above the adjustment mechanism
may be
directly operated by a user (e.g. as discussed in relation to Figure 2), or
may be indirectly
operated by the user via a controller which interprets a user interaction
(e.g. as discussed in
relation to Figure 3). Where the adjustment mechanism is controlled via a
controller, providing
an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at
least one wall
of the aerosol generation region to vary a volume of the aerosol generation
region may
comprise providing software to the controller configured to control the
adjustment mechanism.
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The second step 420 continues with adjusting the position and/or shape of at
least one
wall based on an interaction of the user with the aerosol provision system. As
discussed
above, in some examples, the interaction of the user with the aerosol
provision system may
be the user interacting with a manual actuation mechanism (e.g. as discussed
in relation to
Figure 2), the user connecting a cartridge part 4 to a device part 2 (e.g. as
discussed in relation
to Figure 3), or the user interacting with a user input (e.g. user buttons
14,16 or user I/O
functionality 250) to cause a controller to control the adjustment mechanism
(e.g. as discussed
in relation to Figure 3). The method then ends.
Figure 4 is a flow chart of further a method 500 for controlling an aerosol
provision
system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in an
aerosol-generating
region, and in particular for performing the second step 420 of method 400.
The method begins
at step 421 with connecting a device part of the aerosol provision system to a
cartridge part of
the aerosol provision system. The cartridge part comprising the aerosol
generating material.
The method continues at step 422 with identifying the aerosol generating
material. As
discussed above in relation to Figure 3, in some examples the aerosol
generating material is
identified based on an identification of the cartridge part 4 containing the
aerosol generating
material. In some examples the user may use a user input (e.g. user buttons
14,16 or user I/O
functionality 250) to indicate to the controller the identity of the aerosol
generation material
(and/ or the cartridge part 4). In other examples, the controller, or a
suitable sensor component
in communication with the controller, is configured to identify the aerosol
generating material
and/or the cartridge part 4 containing the aerosol generating material.
The method continues at step 423 with adjusting the position and/or shape of
at least
one wall based on the identification of the aerosol-generating material. As
discussed above in
relation to Figure 3, the controller may store, or have access to a memory
storing, a plurality
of stored position and/or shapes or states. Upon identifying the aerosol
generating material,
either directly or indirectly based on the identification of the cartridge
part, the controller may
lookup the appropriate stored position and/or shapes for the position and/or
shape of the at
least one wall for the identified aerosol generating material. In some
examples, the controller
may cause the adjustment mechanism to adjust the position and/or shape of the
at least one
wall towards a default or optimum position and/or shape for the identified
aerosol generating
material. In some examples, after looking up the appropriate stored position
and/or shapes,
the controller may cause the stored position and/or shapes for the identified
aerosol generating
material to be displayed to the user via display 24, and may cause the
adjustment mechanism
to adjust the position and/or shape of the at least one wall towards one of
the displayed options
for the identified aerosol generating material, after selection of the
displayed option by the user
(e.g. using input buttons 14,16).
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The methods 400 and 500 illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 may be stored as
instructions
on a computer readable storage medium, such that when the instructions are
executed by a
processor, the methods 400 and 500 described above are performed. The computer
readable
storage medium may be non-transitory.
Thus it has been described that examples of the present disclosure comprise an
aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating
material in an
aerosol-generating region comprising: the aerosol generation region; and an
adjustment
mechanism configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one wall
of the aerosol
generation region to vary a volume of the aerosol generation region; wherein
the adjustment
mechanism is configured to adjust the position and/or shape of at least one
wall based on an
interaction of a user with the aerosol provision system.
Furthermore, it has also been described that examples of the present
disclosure may
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 generation region where aerosol
is generated
from aerosol generating material, an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust
the position
and/or shape of at least one wall of the aerosol generation region to vary a
volume of the
aerosol generation region, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to
adjust the
position and/or shape of at least one wall based on an interaction of a user
with the aerosol
provision system, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises: circuitry
configured to
control the adjustment mechanism to adjust the position and/or shape of the at
least one wall.
In some of these examples, the aerosol provision device comprises the
adjustment
mechanism.
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.
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