阅读说明：本技术 气溶胶供给设备 (Aerosol supply device ) 是由 米切尔·托森 于 2020-03-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：描述了一种气溶胶供给设备。一个这样的设备包括容器,该容器被配置为接收气溶胶生成材料(110),其中,该容器包括基座(132),该基座可通过利用变化的磁场的穿透而加热。该设备进一步包括绝缘构件(128),该绝缘构件围绕基座延伸,其中,绝缘构件远离该容器放置,以在基座周围提供气隙(202)。该设备进一步包括感应器线圈(224),该感应器线圈围绕绝缘构件延伸,使得绝缘构件位于感应器线圈和基座之间,其中,感应器线圈被配置为生成变化的磁场。另一个这样的气溶胶供给设备包括：基座,被配置为接收气溶胶生成材料,其中,该基座可通过利用变化的磁场的穿透而加热；绝缘构件,围绕基座延伸,其中,该绝缘构件远离基座放置；感应器线圈,围绕绝缘构件延伸,使得绝缘构件位于感应器线圈和基座之间,其中,该感应器线圈被配置为生成变化的磁场；以及外罩(102),形成气溶胶供给设备的外表面的至少一部分,其中,外罩的内表面以约4mm与约10mm之间的距离远离基座的外表面放置。(An aerosol provision device is described. One such device comprises a container configured to receive an aerosol-generating material (110), wherein the container comprises a base (132) which is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. The apparatus further includes an insulating member (128) extending around the base, wherein the insulating member is positioned away from the container to provide an air gap (202) around the base. The apparatus further includes an inductor coil (224) extending around the insulating member such that the insulating member is located between the inductor coil and the base, wherein the inductor coil is configured to generate a varying magnetic field. Another such aerosol provision device comprises: a base configured to receive an aerosol generating material, wherein the base is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field; an insulating member extending around the base, wherein the insulating member is positioned away from the base; an inductor coil extending around the insulating member such that the insulating member is located between the inductor coil and the base, wherein the inductor coil is configured to generate a varying magnetic field; and a housing (102) forming at least a portion of an outer surface of the aerosol provision device, wherein an inner surface of the housing is positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of between about 4mm and about 10 mm.)

1. An aerosol provision device comprising:

a container configured to receive an aerosol-generating material, wherein the container comprises a base that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field;

an insulating member extending around the base, wherein the insulating member is positioned away from the container to provide an air gap around the base; and

an inductor coil extending around the insulating member such that the insulating member is located between the inductor coil and the base, wherein the inductor coil is configured to generate the varying magnetic field.

2. The aerosol provision device of claim 1, wherein the base is hollow, the insulating member is hollow, and the inductor coil is substantially helical.

3. The aerosol provision device of claim 2, wherein the base is substantially tubular and the insulating member is substantially tubular.

4. The aerosol provision device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the inductor coil is positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of between about 3mm and about 4 mm.

5. The aerosol provision device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the inductor coil is positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of greater than about 2.5 mm.

6. The aerosol provision device of claim 4 or 5, wherein the inductor coil is positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of less than about 3.5 mm.

7. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the insulating member has a thickness of between about 0.25mm and about 1 mm.

8. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the insulating member has a thickness of less than about 0.7 mm.

9. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the base has a thickness of between about 0.025mm and about 0.5 mm.

10. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the base has a thickness of less than about 0.25 mm.

11. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the base has a thickness of greater than 0.025 mm.

12. The aerosol provision device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein:

the inductor coil is positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of between about 3mm and about 4 mm;

the insulating member has a thickness between about 0.25mm and about 1 mm; and is

The susceptor has a thickness between about 0.025mm and about 0.5 mm.

13. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the inductor coil, the base and the insulating member are coaxial.

14. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein an inner surface of the inductor coil is in contact with an outer surface of the insulating member.

15. An aerosol provision system comprising:

the aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 14; and

an article comprising an aerosol-generating material, wherein the article is dimensioned to be at least partially received within the container.

16. An aerosol provision device comprising:

a base configured to receive an aerosol generating material, wherein the base is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field;

an insulating member extending around the base, wherein the insulating member is positioned away from the base;

an inductor coil extending around the insulating member such that the insulating member is located between the inductor coil and the base, wherein the inductor coil is configured to generate the varying magnetic field; and

a housing forming at least a portion of an outer surface of the aerosol provision device, wherein an inner surface of the housing is positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of between about 4mm and about 10 mm.

17. The aerosol provision device of claim 16, wherein the inner surface of the outer shroud is positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of between about 5mm and about 6 mm.

18. The aerosol provision device of claim 16 or 17, wherein the insulating member has a thickness of between about 0.25mm and about 1 mm.

19. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the inner surface of the outer shroud is positioned away from the outer surface of the insulating member by a distance of between about 2mm and about 3 mm.

20. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 16 to 19, wherein the inner surface of the outer shroud is positioned away from an outer surface of the inductor coil by a distance of between about 0.2mm and about 1 mm.

21. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 16 to 20, wherein an inner surface of the inductor coil is positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of between about 3mm and about 4 mm.

22. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 16 to 21, wherein the outer shroud comprises aluminium.

23. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 16 to 22, wherein the outer shroud has a thickness of between about 0.75mm and about 2 mm.

24. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 16 to 23, wherein the insulating member has a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.5W/mK.

25. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 16 to 24, wherein, in use, the inductor coil is configured to heat the susceptor to a temperature of between about 200 ℃ and about 300 ℃.

26. An aerosol provision system comprising:

the aerosol provision device of any of claims 16 to 25; and

an article comprising aerosol-generating material, wherein the article is dimensioned to be received at least partially within a base of the aerosol delivery device in use.

27. An aerosol provision system comprising:

the aerosol provision device of any of claims 16 to 25; and

an article comprising an aerosol-generating material, wherein the article is dimensioned to be in contact with a base of the aerosol delivery device in use.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision device and an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol provision device and an article comprising an aerosol-generating material.

Background

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these tobacco-burning articles by creating products that release compounds without burning. An example of such a product is a heating device that releases a compound by heating, rather than burning, the material. For example, the material may be tobacco or other non-tobacco products, possibly with or without nicotine.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol provision apparatus comprising:

a container configured to receive an aerosol-generating material, wherein the container comprises a base that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field;

an insulating member extending around the base, wherein the insulating member is positioned away from the container to provide an air gap around the base; and

an inductor coil extending around the insulating member such that the insulating member is located between the inductor coil and the base, wherein the inductor coil is configured to generate a varying magnetic field.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising:

an aerosol provision device according to the first aspect; and

an article comprising an aerosol generating material, wherein the article is dimensioned to be at least partially received within a container.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol provision apparatus comprising:

a base configured to receive an aerosol generating material, wherein the base is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field;

an insulating member extending around the base, wherein the insulating member is positioned away from the base;

an inductor coil extending around the insulating member such that the insulating member is located between the inductor coil and the base, wherein the inductor coil is configured to generate a varying magnetic field; and

a housing forming at least a portion of an outer surface of the aerosol provision device, wherein an inner surface of the housing is positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of between about 4mm and about 10 mm.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol provision apparatus comprising:

a container configured to receive an aerosol-generating material, wherein the container comprises a base that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field;

an insulating member extending around the base, wherein the insulating member is positioned away from the container;

an inductor coil extending around the insulating member such that the insulating member is located between the inductor coil and the base, wherein the inductor coil is configured to generate a varying magnetic field; and

a housing forming an outer surface of the aerosol provision device, wherein an inner surface of the housing is positioned away from an outer surface of the inductor coil by a distance of between about 0.2mm and about 1 mm.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising:

the aerosol provision device according to the third or fourth aspect; and

an article comprising an aerosol-generating material, wherein the article is dimensioned to be at least partially received within a base of an aerosol delivery device in use.

According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising:

the aerosol provision device according to the third or fourth aspect; and

an article comprising an aerosol-generating material, wherein the article is dimensioned to be in contact with a base of an aerosol delivery device in use.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Figure 1 shows a front view of an example of an aerosol provision device;

figure 2 shows a front view of the aerosol provision device of figure 1 with the outer cover removed;

figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the aerosol provision device of figure 1;

figure 4 shows an exploded view of the aerosol provision device of figure 2;

figure 5A shows a cross-sectional view of a heating assembly within an aerosol provision device;

FIG. 5B shows a close-up view of a portion of the heating assembly of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of the base, inductor coil and insulation member arrangement; and

fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the base surrounded by the insulating member.

Detailed Description

As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating material" includes materials that provide a volatile component when heated, typically in the form of an aerosol. The aerosol-generating material comprises any tobacco-containing material and may, for example, comprise one or more of tobacco, a tobacco derivative, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or a tobacco substitute. The aerosol-generating material may also comprise other non-tobacco products which may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of, for example, a solid, a liquid, a gel, a wax, or the like. The aerosol generating material may also be, for example, a combination or mixture of materials. The aerosol generating material may also be referred to as "smokable material".

Known devices heat an aerosol generating material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol generating material, typically to form an inhalable aerosol, without burning or burning the aerosol generating material. Such devices are sometimes described as "aerosol-generating apparatus", "aerosol-feeding apparatus", "heated non-combustion apparatus", "tobacco heating product apparatus" or "tobacco heating apparatus" or the like. Similarly, there are also so-called e-vaping devices, where the aerosol-generating material is typically vaporized in liquid form, which may or may not contain nicotine. The aerosol generating material may be in the form of or provided as part of a rod, cartridge or the like which may be inserted into the device. The heater for heating and volatilizing the aerosol-generating material may be provided as a "permanent" part of the apparatus.

The aerosol provision device may receive an article comprising aerosol-generating material for heating. An "article" herein is a composition which, in use, comprises or contains an aerosol-generating material which is heated to volatilize the aerosol-generating material, and optionally other components in use. The user may insert the article into the aerosol provision device before heating the article to generate the aerosol, which the user subsequently inhales. For example, the item may be a predetermined or particular size, the item configured to be placed in a heating chamber of the device, the heating chamber sized to receive the item.

A first aspect of the present disclosure defines a specific arrangement of a base, an insulating member and one or more inductor coils. As will be discussed in more detail herein, the susceptor is an electrically conductive object that can be heated by penetration of a varying magnetic field. The inductor coil generates a changing magnetic field, causing the susceptor to heat up. An article comprising aerosol generating material may be received within the container. Once heated, the base transfers heat to the aerosol generating material, releasing the aerosol. In one example, the base defines a container and the base receives aerosol generating material.

For example, in the present arrangement, the base is surrounded by an insulating member, which may be arranged coaxially with the base. The insulating member is positioned away from the outer surface of the container or base to provide an air gap. Extending around the insulating member is an inductor coil. This means that the insulating member is located between the inductor coil and the base and the air gap is located between the insulating member and the base. In some arrangements, the inductor coil may be in contact with the insulating member. However, in other examples, an additional air gap may be provided between the insulating member and the inductor coil.

The above arrangement provides a device with improved insulation. The particular sequence of air gaps and insulating members provides improved insulation from the heated susceptor. The air gap helps insulate the insulating member from heat, and the air gap and the insulating member together help insulate other components of the apparatus from heat. For example, the air gap and insulating member reduce any heating of the inductor coil, electronics, and/or battery by the base.

As noted above, the insulating member is positioned away from the container/base to provide an air gap. For example, the inner surface of the insulating member is spaced apart from the outer surface of the base. This means that the air gap surrounds the outer surface of the base and that the base is not in contact with the insulating member in this region. Any contact may provide a thermal bridge along which heat may flow. In some examples, an end of the base may be directly or indirectly connected to the insulating member. The contact may be sufficiently far from the primary heating zone of the susceptor so as not to unduly degrade the insulating properties provided by the air gap and the insulating member. Alternatively or additionally, the contact may also be over a relatively small area, so that any heat transfer by conduction from the base to the insulating member is small.

In a particular arrangement, the base is elongate and defines an axis, for example a longitudinal axis. An insulating member extends around the base and the shaft in the azimuth direction. Thus, the insulating member is positioned radially outward from the base, e.g., the insulating member may be coaxial with the base. The radial direction is defined as an axis perpendicular to the base. Similarly, an inductor coil extends around the insulating member and is positioned radially outward from the base and the insulating member, and the inductor coil may be coaxial with the insulating member and the base.

The base may be hollow and/or substantially tubular to allow the aerosol-generating material to be received within the base such that the base surrounds the aerosol-generating material. The insulating member may be hollow and/or substantially tubular such that the base may be located within the insulating member.

The inductor coil may be substantially helical. For example, the inductor coil may be formed from a wire (e.g., Litz wire) that is helically wound around the insulating member.

The inductor coil may be positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of between about 3mm and about 4 mm. Thus, the inner surface of the inductor coil and the outer surface of the susceptor may be spaced apart by the distance. The distance may be a radial distance. It has been found that a distance in this range represents a good balance between the radial proximity of the susceptor to the inductor coil to allow effective heating of the susceptor and the radial distance from the inductor coil to improve the insulation of the inductor coil and the insulating member.

In another example, the inductor coil may be positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance greater than about 2.5 mm.

In another example, the inductor coil may be positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of between about 3mm and about 3.5 mm. In a further example, the inductor coil may be positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of between about 3mm and about 3.25mm, for example, preferably about 3.25 mm. In another example, the inductor coil may be positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance greater than about 3.2 mm. In further examples, the inductor coil may be positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of less than about 3.5mm or less than about 3.3 mm. It has been found that these distances provide a good balance between the radial proximity of the susceptor to the inductor coil to allow effective heating and the radial distance from the inductor coil to improve the insulation of the inductor coil and the insulating member.

In alternative examples, the inductor coil may be placed away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of between about 2mm and about 10 mm.

Reference to the "outer surface" of the body refers to the surface that is furthest from the axis of the base in a direction perpendicular to the axis. Similarly, reference to an "inner surface" of a solid body refers to the surface of the shaft that is located closest to the base in a direction perpendicular to the shaft.

The insulating member may have a thickness between about 0.25mm and about 1 mm. For example, the insulating member may have a thickness of less than about 0.7mm, or less than about 0.6mm, or may have a thickness of between about 0.25mm and about 0.75mm, or preferably between about 0.4mm and about 0.6mm, such as about 0.5 mm. It has been found that these thicknesses represent a good balance between reducing the heating of the insulating member and the inductor coil (by thinning the insulating member to increase the air gap size) and increasing the robustness of the insulating member (by making it thicker).

The susceptor may have a thickness between about 0.025mm and about 0.5mm, or between about 0.025mm and about 0.25mm, or between about 0.03mm and about 0.1mm, or between about 0.04mm and about 0.06 mm. For example, the susceptor may have a thickness greater than about 0.025mm, or greater than about 0.03mm, or greater than about 0.04mm, or less than about 0.5mm, or less than about 0.25mm, or less than about 0.1mm, or less than about 0.06 mm. It has been found that these thicknesses provide a good balance between rapid heating of the susceptor (as the susceptor is made thinner) and ensuring that the susceptor is strong (as the susceptor is made thicker).

In an example, the base has a thickness of about 0.05 mm. This provides a balance between fast and efficient heating and robustness. Such a base may be easier to manufacture and assemble as part of an aerosol provision device than other bases having thinner dimensions.

Reference to the "thickness" of a solid body refers to the average distance between the inner surface of the solid body and the outer surface of the solid body. The thickness may be measured in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the base.

In a particular arrangement of the aerosol provision device, the inductor coil is located away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of between about 3mm and about 4mm, the insulating member has a thickness of between about 0.25mm and about 1mm, and the base has a thickness of between about 0.025mm and about 0.5 mm. Such an aerosol provision device allows for a fast heating of the susceptor and efficient insulation properties.

In another particular arrangement, the inductor coil may be positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of between about 3mm and about 3.5mm, the insulating member has a thickness of between about 0.25mm and about 0.75mm, and the base has a thickness of between about 0.04mm and about 0.06 mm. Such an aerosol provision device allows for improved heating of the susceptor and improved insulation properties.

In a further particular arrangement, the inductor coil is positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of about 3.25mm, the insulating member has a thickness of about 0.5mm, and the base has a thickness of about 0.05 mm. Such an aerosol provision device allows for efficient heating of the susceptor and good insulation properties.

The inductor coil, the base and the insulating member may be coaxial. This arrangement ensures that the susceptor is heated effectively and that the air gap and the insulating member provide effective insulation.

The inner surface of the inductor coil may be in contact with the outer surface of the insulating member. Thus, the insulating member can support the inductor coil without requiring other components. However, in other examples, there may be an additional air gap between the inner surface of the inductor coil and the outer surface of the insulating member. The distance between the inner surface of the inductor coil and the outer surface of the insulating member may be less than about 0.1mm, for example, may be about 0.05 mm.

As mentioned above, in a second aspect of the present disclosure there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol provision device as described above and an article comprising an aerosol-generating material. The article may be sized to be received within a base of an aerosol provision device such that an outer surface of the article is in contact with an inner surface of the base. Thus, the article may be sized to abut against the inner surface of the base.

A third aspect of the present disclosure defines a specific arrangement of a base, an insulating member, one or more inductor coils, and a housing. In a third aspect, the device comprises a housing forming at least a portion of an outer surface of the device. The inner surface of the housing is positioned away from the outer surface of the base at a distance between about 4mm and about 10 mm.

The distance is the distance between the outer surface of the base and the inner surface of the housing at their closest point. Thus, the distance may be a minimum distance between the outer surface of the base and the inner surface of the housing. In one example, the distance between the base and the side surface of the device may be measured.

It has been found that when the enclosure is placed away from the base at this distance, the enclosure is sufficiently insulated from the heated base to avoid discomfort or injury to the user, while reducing the size and weight of the device. Therefore, a distance within this range represents a good balance between insulation characteristics and device size.

The housing may also be referred to as a housing. The housing may completely surround the device or may extend partially around the device.

In one example, the inner surface of the housing is positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of between about 4mm and about 6 mm. In another example, the inner surface of the housing is positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of between about 5mm and about 6 mm. Preferably, the inner surface of the cover is positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of between about 5mm and about 5.5mm, such as between about 5.3mm and about 5.4 mm. Spacing within this distance range provides better insulation while also ensuring that the device remains small and lightweight. In a particular example, the spacing is 5.3 mm.

In some examples, in use, the inductor coil is configured to heat the susceptor to a temperature of between about 200 ℃ and about 300 ℃, for example between about 240 ℃ and about 300 ℃, or between about 250 ℃ and about 280 ℃. When the housing is spaced from the base by at least this distance, the temperature of the housing is maintained at a safe level, such as less than about 60 ℃, less than about 50 ℃, or less than about 48 ℃, or less than about 43 ℃.

In an alternative arrangement, the inner surface of the cover may be positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of between about 2mm and about 10 mm.

In some examples, an air gap is formed between the inductor coil and the outer cover. The air gap provides insulation.

As described above, the insulating member may have a thickness between about 0.25mm and about 1 mm. The insulating member (and any air gap between the base and the insulating member) helps to insulate the enclosure from the heated base.

The insulating member may be constructed of any insulating material, such as plastic. In a particular example, the insulating member is composed of Polyetheretherketone (PEEK). PEEK has good insulating properties and is very suitable for use in aerosol delivery devices.

In another example, the insulating member may include mica or a mica-glass ceramic. These materials have good insulating properties.

The insulating member may have a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.5W/mK or less than about 0.4W/mK. For example, the thermal conductivity may be about 0.3W/mK. PEEK has a thermal conductivity of about 0.32W/mK.

The insulating member may have a melting point greater than about 320 ℃, such as greater than about 300 ℃, or greater than about 340 ℃. PEEK has a melting point of 343 ℃. An insulating member having such a melting point ensures that the insulating member remains rigid/solid when the susceptor is heated.

The inner surface of the outer cover may be positioned away from the outer surface of the insulating member by a distance of between about 2mm and about 3 mm. It has been found that a separation distance of this size provides sufficient insulation to ensure that the enclosure does not become too hot. Air may be located between the outer surface of the insulating member and the outer cover.

More specifically, the inner surface of the outer cover may be positioned away from the outer surface of the insulating member by a distance of between about 2mm and about 2.5mm, for example about 2.3 mm. Such a size provides a good balance between providing insulation and reducing the size of the device.

The inner surface of the housing may be positioned away from the outer surface of the inductor coil by a distance of between about 0.2mm and about 1 mm. In some examples, when an inductor coil is used to induce a magnetic field, the inductor coil itself may heat, such as resistive heating due to the induced magnetic field as a result of current passing through the inductor coil. Providing a spacing between the inductor coil and the housing ensures that the heated inductor coil is insulated from the housing. In some examples, a ferrite shield is positioned between the inner surface of the housing and the inductor coil. The ferrite shield additionally helps to insulate the inner surface of the housing. It has been found that when the ferrite shield is in contact with and at least partially surrounds the one or more inductor coils, the surface temperature of the housing can be reduced by about 3 ℃.

In one example, the inductor coil comprises litz wire, and the litz wire has a circular cross-section. In such examples, the inner surface of the housing is positioned away from the outer surface of the inductor coil by a distance of between about 0.2mm and about 0.5mm, or by a distance of between about 0.2mm and about 0.3mm, such as about 0.25 mm.

In one example, the inductor coil comprises litz wire, and the litz wire has a rectangular cross-section. In such examples, the inner surface of the housing is positioned away from the outer surface of the inductor coil by a distance of between about 0.5mm and about 1mm, or by a distance of between about 0.8mm and about 1mm, for example about 0.9 mm. Litz lines with a circular cross-section may be arranged closer to the housing than litz lines with a rectangular cross-section, since the circular cross-section lines have a smaller surface area exposed towards the housing.

As described above, the inner surface of the inductor coil may be positioned away from the outer surface of the base by a distance of between about 3mm and about 4 mm.

The housing may comprise aluminum. Aluminum has good heat dissipation characteristics.

The housing may have a thermal conductivity between about 200W/mK and about 220W/mK. For example, the thermal conductivity of aluminum is about 209W/mK. Thus, the housing may have a relatively high thermal conductivity to ensure that its heat is dispersed throughout the housing, which in turn is dissipated to the atmosphere, thereby cooling the apparatus.

The outer cover may have a thickness between about 0.75mm and about 2 mm. Thus, the outer cover may also function as an insulating barrier. These thicknesses provide a good balance between providing good insulation and reducing the size and weight of the device. Preferably, the outer cover has a thickness of between about 1mm and about 1.75mm, for example between about 1.25mm and 1.75 mm. More preferably, the outer cover has a thickness of between about 1.4mm and about 1.6mm, for example about 1.5 mm. This particular thickness has been found to reduce the outer surface temperature of the outer cover.

In an alternative example, the thickness is between about 0.75mm and about 1.25mm, for example about 1 mm.

In any of the above aspects, the aerosol provision device may additionally or alternatively comprise at least one insulating layer located within the device. The insulating layer additionally insulates the housing from the base. The apparatus comprises at least a base and at least one inductor coil.

The insulating layer may be located in any or all of the following locations: (i) between the base and the insulating member, (ii) between the insulating member and the inductor coil, and (iii) between the inductor coil and the housing. In (ii), the insulating member may have a smaller outer diameter to accommodate the insulating layer. Additionally or alternatively, the inductor coil may have a larger inner diameter to accommodate the insulation layer. The insulating layer may comprise a multilayer material.

The insulating layer may be provided by any of the following materials: (i) air (thermal conductivity of about 0.02W/mK), (ii)(thermal conductivity between about 0.03W/mK and about 0.04W/mK), (iii) Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) (in some examples thermal conductivity about 0.25W/mK), (iv) ceramic cloth (specific heat of about 1.13kJ/kgK), (v) hot putty.

Preferably, the apparatus is a tobacco heating apparatus, also referred to as a heated non-burning apparatus.

Fig. 1 shows an example of an aerosol provision device 100 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating medium/material. In general terms, the apparatus 100 may be used to heat a replaceable item comprising an aerosol-generating medium to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium for inhalation by a user of the apparatus 100.

The device 100 includes a housing 102 (in the form of an enclosure) that encloses and houses the various components of the device 100. The apparatus 100 has an opening 104 at one end through which an item 110 may be inserted for heating by the heating assembly. In use, article 110 may be fully or partially inserted into the heating assembly, wherein article 110 may be heated by one or more components of the heater assembly.

The apparatus 100 of this example includes a first end member 106, the first end member 106 including a cover 108 that is movable relative to the first end member 106 to close the opening 104 when no item 110 is in place. In fig. 1, the cover 108 is shown in an open configuration, however, the cover 108 may be moved to a closed configuration. For example, the user may slide the cover 108 in the direction of arrow "a".

The device 100 may also include a user-operable control element 112, such as a button or switch, which when depressed operates the device 100. For example, a user may turn on the device 100 by operating the switch 112.

Device 100 may also include electrical components, such as a socket/port 114, that may receive a cable to charge a battery of device 100. For example, the receptacle 114 may be a charging port, such as a USB charging port. In some examples, the receptacle 114 may additionally or alternatively be used to communicate data between the device 100 and another device (e.g., a computing device).

Fig. 2 depicts device 100 of fig. 1 with housing 102 removed and item 110 absent. The apparatus 100 defines a longitudinal axis 134.

As shown in fig. 2, the first end member 106 is disposed at one end of the apparatus 100, while the second end member 116 is disposed at an opposite end of the apparatus 100. Together, the first and second end members 106, 116 at least partially define an end face of the apparatus 100. For example, a bottom surface of the second end member 116 at least partially defines a bottom surface of the device 100. The edges of the housing 102 may also define a portion of the end face. In this example, the cover 108 also defines a portion of the top surface of the device 100.

The end of the device closest to the opening 104 may be referred to as the proximal end (or mouth end) of the device 100, since in use it is closest to the user's mouth. In use, a user inserts an article 110 into the opening 104, operates the user control 112 to initiate heating of the aerosol generating material and draw in aerosol generated in the device. This causes the aerosol to flow through the device 100 along a flow path towards the proximal end of the device 100.

The other end of the device furthest from the opening 104 may be referred to as the distal end of the device 100, since in use it is the end furthest from the mouth of the user. As the user draws aerosol generated in the device, the aerosol flows away from the distal end of the device 100.

The device 100 further includes a power source 118. For example, the power source 118 may be a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, lithium batteries (e.g., lithium ion batteries), nickel batteries (e.g., nickel cadmium batteries), and alkaline batteries. The battery is electrically coupled to the heating assembly to provide power when required and to heat the aerosol generating material under the control of a controller (not shown). In this example, the batteries are connected to a central support 120 that holds the batteries 118 in place.

The device further comprises at least one electronic module 122. For example, the electronic module 122 may include a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The PCB 122 may support at least one controller, such as a processor, and memory. PCB 122 may also include one or more electrical traces to electrically connect the various electronic components of device 100 together. For example, battery terminals may be electrically connected to PCB 122 so that power may be distributed throughout device 100. The receptacle 114 may also be electrically coupled to the battery via electrical tracks.

In the example apparatus 100, the heating assembly is an induction heating assembly and includes various components that heat the aerosol generating material of the article 110 via an induction heating process. Induction heating is a process of heating a conductive object (e.g., a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. The induction heating assembly may comprise an inductive element, e.g. one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a varying current (e.g. an alternating current) through the inductive element. The varying current in the inductive element generates a varying magnetic field. The changing magnetic field penetrates a pedestal suitably positioned relative to the inductive element and generates eddy currents inside the pedestal. The susceptor has an electrical resistance to eddy currents, and thus the flow of eddy currents through this resistance causes the susceptor to be heated by Joule heating (Joule heating). In case the pedestal comprises a ferromagnetic material (e.g. iron, nickel or cobalt), heat may also be generated by hysteresis losses in the pedestal, i.e. due to the orientation of the magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material changing due to alignment of the magnetic dipoles with a changing magnetic field. In induction heating, for example, heat is generated inside the susceptor, allowing for rapid heating, as compared to conduction heating. Furthermore, no physical contact is required between the induction heater and the susceptor, allowing for enhanced freedom in construction and application.

The induction heating assembly of the example apparatus 100 includes a susceptor arrangement 132 (referred to herein as a "susceptor"), a first inductor coil 124, and a second inductor coil 126. The first and second inductor coils 124, 126 are made of an electrically conductive material. In this example, the first and second inductor coils 124, 126 are made of Litz wire/cable wound in a spiral manner to provide the spiral inductor coils 124, 126. Litz wire comprises a plurality of individual wires, individually insulated and twisted together to form a single wire. Litz wire is designed to reduce skin effect losses in the conductor. In the example apparatus 100, the first and second inductor coils 124, 126 are made of copper Litz wire having a rectangular cross-section. In other examples, the Litz wire may have other shapes in cross-section, such as circular (circular).

The first inductor coil 124 is configured to generate a first varying magnetic field for heating a first portion of the pedestal 132, and the second inductor coil 126 is configured to generate a second varying magnetic field for heating a second portion of the pedestal 132. In this example, first inductor coil 124 is adjacent second inductor coil 126 in a direction along longitudinal axis 134 of device 100 (i.e., first and second inductor coils 124, 126 do not overlap). The base arrangement 132 may comprise a single base, or two or more separate bases. Ends 130 of first and second inductor coils 124, 126 may be connected to PCB 122.

It should be appreciated that in some examples, the first and second inductor coils 124, 126 may have at least one characteristic that is different from one another. For example, first inductor coil 124 may have at least one characteristic that is different from second inductor coil 126. More specifically, in one example, the first inductor coil 124 may have a different inductance value than the second inductor coil 126. In fig. 2, first and second inductor coils 124, 126 have different lengths such that first inductor coil 124 is wound on a smaller portion of base 132 than second inductor coil 126. Accordingly, first inductor coil 124 may include a different number of turns than second inductor coil 126 (assuming substantially the same spacing between each turn). In yet another example, first inductor coil 124 may be made of a different material than second inductor coil 126. In some examples, the first and second inductor coils 124, 126 may be substantially identical.

In this example, first inductor coil 124 and second inductor coil 126 are wound in opposite directions. This may be useful when the inductor coils are activated at different times. For example, initially, first inductor coil 124 may operate to heat a first portion of article 110, and at a later time, second inductor coil 126 may operate to heat a second portion of article 110. Winding the coils in opposite directions helps to reduce the current induced in the non-activated coils when used in conjunction with a particular type of control circuit. In fig. 2, the first inductor coil 124 is a right-hand spiral and the second inductor coil 126 is a left-hand spiral. However, in another embodiment, the inductor coils 124, 126 may be wound in the same direction, or the first inductor coil 124 may be a left-hand spiral and the second inductor coil 126 may be a right-hand spiral.

The base 132 of this example is hollow and thus defines a container for receiving aerosol-generating material. For example, item 110 may be inserted into base 132. In this example, the base 120 is tubular with a circular cross-section.

The apparatus 100 of fig. 2 further includes an insulating member 128, which may be generally tubular and at least partially surrounds the base 132. The insulating member 128 may be constructed of any insulating material, such as plastic. In this particular example, the insulating member is composed of Polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The insulating member 128 may help insulate various components of the apparatus 100 from heat generated in the base 132.

The insulating member 128 may also fully or partially support the first and second inductor coils 124, 126. For example, as shown in fig. 2, the first and second inductor coils 124, 126 are positioned around the insulating member 128 and are in contact with a radially outer surface of the insulating member 128. In some examples, the insulating member 128 does not abut the first and second inductor coils 124, 126. For example, there may be a small gap between the outer surface of the insulating member 128 and the inner surfaces of the first and second inductor coils 124, 126.

In a particular example, the base 132, the insulating member 128, and the first and second inductor coils 124, 126 are coaxial about a central longitudinal axis of the base 132.

Fig. 3 shows a side view in partial cross-section of the apparatus 100. In this example there is a housing 102. The rectangular cross-sectional shape of the first and second inductor coils 124, 126 is more clearly visible.

The apparatus 100 further includes a support 136 that engages one end of the base 132 to hold the base 132 in place. The support 136 is connected to the second end member 116.

The device may also include a second printed circuit board 138 associated with the control element 112.

The device 100 further comprises a second cap 140 and a spring 142, arranged towards the distal end of the device 100. The spring 142 allows the second cover 140 to open to provide access to the base 132. The user may open the second cover 140 to clean the base 132 and/or the support 136.

The device 100 further includes an expansion chamber 144 extending away from the proximal end of the base 132 toward the opening 104 of the device. Retaining clip 146 is positioned at least partially within expansion chamber 144 to abut and retain article 110 when article 110 is received into apparatus 100. Expansion chamber 144 is connected to end member 106.

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the device 100 of fig. 1, with the housing 102 omitted.

Fig. 5A depicts a cross-section of a portion of the apparatus 100 of fig. 1. Fig. 5B depicts a close-up of the area of fig. 5A. Fig. 5A and 5B illustrate article 110 received in a container provided by base 132, wherein article 110 is sized such that an outer surface of article 110 abuts an inner surface of base 132. This ensures that heating is most efficient. The article 110 of the present example comprises an aerosol-generating material 110 a. The aerosol-generating material 110a is located within the base 132. The article 110 may also include other components, such as filters, wrapping material, and/or cooling structures.

Fig. 5B shows the longitudinal axis 158 of the hollow, tubular base 132. The inner and outer surfaces of the base 132 extend in an azimuthal direction about the axis 158. Surrounding the base 132 is a hollow, tubular insulating member 128. The inner surface of the insulating member 128 is positioned away from the outer surface of the base 132 to provide an air gap between the insulating member 128 and the base 132. The air gap provides insulation from heat generated in the base 132. Surrounding the insulating member 128 are inductor coils 124, 126. It should be understood that in some examples, only one inductor coil may surround the insulating member 128. The inductor coils 124, 126 are helically wound around the insulating member and extend along the axis 158.

Fig. 5B illustrates the outer surface of the base 132 spaced apart from the inner surfaces of the inductor coils 124, 126 by a distance 150 measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 158 of the base 132. In a particular example, the distance 150 is about 3.25 mm. The outer surface of the base 132 is the surface furthest from the axis 158. The inner surface of the base 132 is the surface closest to the shaft 158. The inner surface of the inductor coils 124, 126 is the surface closest to the shaft 158. The outer surface of the insulating member 128 is the surface furthest from the axis 158.

To achieve the relative spacing between the base 132 and the inductor coils 124, 126, the insulating member 128 may be formed to a particular size. The insulating member 128 and the base 132 may be held in place by one or more components of the apparatus 100. In the example of fig. 5A, the insulating member 128 and base 132 are held in place at one end by a support 136 and at the other end by an expansion chamber 144. In other examples, different components may hold the insulating member 128 and the base 132.

Fig. 5B further illustrates that the outer surface of the insulating member 128 is spaced apart from the inner surfaces of the inductor coils 124, 126 by a distance 152 measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 158 of the base 132. In one particular example, the distance 152 is about 0.05 mm. In another example, the distance 152 is substantially 0mm such that the inductor coils 124, 126 abut and touch the insulating member 128.

In this example, the base 132 has a thickness 154 of about 0.05 mm. The thickness of the base 132 is the average distance between the inner surface of the base 132 and the outer surface of the base 132 measured in a direction perpendicular to the axis 158.

In an example, the base 132 has a length between about 40mm and about 50mm, or between about 40mm and about 45 mm. In this particular example, the base 132 has a length of about 44.5mm and may receive an article 110 comprising aerosol-generating material, wherein the aerosol-generating material 110a has a length of about 42 mm. The length of the aerosol-generating material and the base 132 is measured in a direction parallel to the axis 158.

In an example, the insulating member 128 has a thickness 156 between about 0.25mm and about 2mm, or between about 0.25mm and about 1 mm. In this particular example, the insulating member has a thickness 156 of about 0.5 mm. The thickness 156 of the insulating member 128 is the average distance between the inner surface of the insulating member 128 and the outer surface of the insulating member 128 measured in a direction perpendicular to the axis 158.

Fig. 6 depicts a diagrammatic representation of a cross-section of the base 132 and insulating member 128 depicted in fig. 5A and 5B. However, in this example, the two inductor coils have been replaced with a single inductor coil 224 for clarity. Inductor coil 224 may be replaced by two or more inductor coils.

The inductor coil 224 is wound around the insulating member 128 and is in contact with the outer surface 128b of the insulating member 128. In another example, they may not be in contact. Thus, the inner surface 224a of the inductor coil is located a distance 150 away from the outer surface 132b of the base 132. In this example, the wire forming the inductor coil 224 has a circular cross-section, although other shapes of cross-section may be used. The dimensions shown in fig. 6 are not shown to scale.

Fig. 6 more clearly depicts the thickness 154 of the base 132 as the distance between the inner surface 132a and the outer surface 132b of the base 132, and the thickness 156 of the insulating member 128 as the distance between the inner surface 128a and the outer surface 128b of the insulating member 128.

Fig. 6 also depicts an air gap 202 having a width 204. The width 204 of the air gap 202 is the distance between the outer surface 132b of the base 132 and the inner surface of the insulating member 128 a.

Fig. 6 also depicts a cross-section of a portion of the housing 102. The housing 102 may continue to extend further above and below the insulating member 128. The housing 102 provides protection for the internal components of the device and is typically in contact with the user's hand when the device is in use. The depicted portion of housing 102 is the portion disposed closest to base 132.

The housing 102 includes an inner surface 102a and an outer surface 102 b. The inner surface 102a is disposed farther from the base 132 than the outer surface 102 b. To ensure that the device 100 is not too hot to touch, an air gap 208 may be provided between the inner surface 102a of the housing 102 and the outer surface 128b of the insulating member 128. In this example, the inner surface 128a of the housing 102 is positioned away from the outer surface 132b of the base 132 by a distance 160 of between about 4mm and about 10 mm. In this particular example, the distance 160 is about 5.3 mm.

The housing 102 has a thickness 162 of between about 0.75mm and about 2 mm. In this example, the housing 102 has a thickness 162 of about 1mm and is made of 6063 aluminum. Thickness 162 is the distance between outer surface 102b and inner surface 102a measured in a direction perpendicular to axis 158.

The inner surface 102a of the housing 102 is positioned away from the outer surface 128b of the insulating member 128 by a distance 164 of between about 2mm and about 3 mm. In this example, the inner surface 102a of the housing 102 is positioned away from the outer surface 128b of the insulating member 128 by a distance 164 of about 2.3 mm.

The inner surface 102a of the housing 102 may be positioned away from the outer surface 224b of the inductor coil 224 by a distance 166 between about 0.2mm and about 1 mm. In this example, the inductor coil comprises litz wire having a circular cross-section. In such an example, the distance 166 is between about 0.2mm and about 0.5mm, such as about 0.25 mm. In examples where the cross-section is rectangular in shape (as in the examples of fig. 5A and 5B), the distance may be greater, for example, may be between about 0.5mm and about 1mm, for example, about 0.9 mm.

Fig. 7 depicts a perspective view of a tubular base 132 disposed within the insulating member 128 and surrounded by the insulating member 128. Although both the base 132 and the insulating member 128 have circular cross-sections, their cross-sections may have any other shape, and in some examples may be different from each other. A user may introduce item 110 into base 132 by inserting item 110 in the direction of arrow 206.

The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the invention. Further embodiments of the invention are also envisaged. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.