SENSOR FOR DEVICE AEROSOL-GENERATING SYSTEM

Abstract

An aerosol-generating system is provided, including: a cartridge including a storage compartment configured to contain a liquid composition including an aerosol-forming substrate; an aerosol-generating device configured to receive the cartridge and including a power supply and control electronics operably coupled to the power supply; a light source operably coupled to the control electronics and positioned and oriented to emit light into the storage compartment, light emitted from the source is absorbed by the liquid composition; and a detector operably coupled to the control electronics and positioned and oriented to detect light emitted from the source, the source and the detector are both located adjacent to a same side of the storage compartment, and a surface of the storage compartment opposite the source is configured to absorb light emitted into the storage compartment from the source.

Claims

1.-19. (canceled)

20. An aerosol-generating system, comprising: a cartridge comprising a storage compartment configured to contain a liquid composition comprising an aerosol-forming substrate; an aerosol-generating device configured to receive the cartridge, the aerosol-generating device comprising a power supply and control electronics operably coupled to the power supply; a light source operably coupled to the control electronics and positioned and oriented to emit light into the storage compartment of the cartridge, wherein light emitted from the light source is absorbed by the liquid composition; and a detector operably coupled to the control electronics and positioned and oriented to detect light emitted from the light source, wherein the light source and the detector are both located adjacent to a same side of the storage compartment, and wherein a surface of the storage compartment opposite the light source is configured to absorb light emitted into the storage compartment from the light source.

21. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 20, wherein the control electronics are configured to determine a fill level of the liquid composition in the storage compartment of the cartridge, or wherein the control electronics are configured to transmit data regarding a signal detected by the detector to another device for determining the fill level of the liquid composition in the storage compartment.

22. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 20, wherein the cartridge comprises the light source and the detector, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises the light source and the detector, wherein the cartridge comprises the light source and the aerosol-generating device comprises the detector, or wherein the cartridge comprises the detector and the aerosol-generating device comprises the light source.

23. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 22, wherein, when the cartridge comprises the light source, the cartridge further comprises an exterior electrical contact operably coupled to the light source and wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a contact operably coupled to the control electronics, wherein the contact of the aerosol-generating article and the exterior electrical contact of the cartridge are configured to electrically couple when the cartridge is received by the aerosol-generating device, and wherein, when the cartridge comprises the detector, the cartridge further comprises an exterior electrical contact operably coupled to the detector and wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a contact operably coupled to the control electronics, wherein the contact of the aerosol-generating article and the exterior electrical contact of the cartridge are configured to electrically couple when the cartridge is received by the aerosol-generating device.

24. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 22, wherein, when the aerosol-generating device comprises the light source, the cartridge comprises a window of material transparent to the light, the material extending from an internal surface of the storage compartment to an exterior surface of the cartridge, wherein the light source is aligned with the window when the cartridge is received by the aerosol-generating device, and wherein, when the aerosol-generating device comprises the detector, the cartridge comprises a window of material transparent to the light, the material extending from an internal surface of the storage compartment to an exterior surface of the cartridge, wherein the detector is aligned with the window when the cartridge is received by the aerosol-generating device.

25. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 20, wherein the storage compartment of the cartridge has a length extending from a bottom of the storage compartment to a top of the storage compartment, and wherein the light source and the detector are adjacent to the bottom of the storage compartment.

26. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 20, wherein the storage compartment of the cartridge has a length extending from a bottom of the storage compartment to a top of the storage compartment, and wherein one of the light source and the detector is adjacent to the bottom of the storage compartment and the other of the light source and the detector is adjacent to the top of the storage compartment.

27. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 26, wherein the detector comprises a light guide configured to direct the light within the storage compartment to a surface of the detector.

28. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 26, wherein the storage compartment comprises a sidewall extending from the bottom to the top of the storage compartment, and wherein an interior surface of the sidewall reflects the light emitted from the light source.

29. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 20, wherein the storage compartment has a sidewall extending from a bottom of the storage compartment to a top of the storage compartment, and wherein the light source and the detector are adjacent to the sidewall between the top and the bottom of the storage compartment.

30. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 29, wherein the light source is one of a plurality of light sources and the detector is one of a plurality of detectors, wherein each of the light sources and detectors are operably coupled to the control electronics, and wherein the plurality of light sources and detectors are disposed about a periphery of the storage compartment substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the storage compartment.

31. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 30, wherein the control electronics are configured to detect a pair of a light source and a detector that are submersed in the liquid composition in the storage compartment.

32. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 20, further comprising a position sensor operably coupled to the control electronics.

33. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 32, wherein the control electronics are configured to determine a fill level of the liquid composition in the storage compartment of the cartridge based on data from the detector and from the position sensor.

34. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 32, wherein the control electronics are configured to activate the light source and the detector when the position sensor indicates that the aerosol-generating device is in a predetermined orientation.

35. A method of using an aerosol-generating system according to claim 20, the method comprising a step of inverting the aerosol-generating device to a vertical, bottom-up orientation, thereby enabling the aerosol-generating device to verify whether the storage compartment is empty or whether a small volume of liquid composition remains in the storage compartment.

36. The method according to claim 35, the method further comprising providing instructions to a user to initiate the step of inverting the aerosol-generating device.

37. An aerosol generating device, comprising: a power supply; control electronics operably coupled to the power supply; a receptacle configured to receive a cartridge having a storage compartment containing a liquid composition comprising an aerosol-forming substrate; a light source operably coupled to the control electronics and positioned and oriented to emit light into the storage compartment of the cartridge; and a detector operably coupled to the control electronics and positioned and oriented to detect the light emitted from the light source after the light has entered the storage compartment, wherein the light source and the detector are both configured to be located adjacent to a same side of a storage compartment of a cartridge when a cartridge is received within the receptacle, and wherein a surface of the storage compartment opposite the light source is configured to absorb light emitted into the storage compartment from the light source.

38. A cartridge for an aerosol-generating device, the cartridge comprising: a storage compartment configured to house a liquid composition comprising an aerosol-forming substrate; a light source positioned and oriented to emit light into the storage compartment; a first contact operably coupled to the light source, wherein the first contact is positioned and oriented for electrical connection to a corresponding first contact of an aerosol-generating device when the cartridge is received in the aerosol-generating device; a detector positioned and oriented to detect the light emitter from the light source; and a second contact operably coupled to the detector, wherein the second contact is positioned and oriented for electrical connection to a corresponding second contact of the aerosol-generating device when the cartridge is received in the aerosol-generating device, wherein the light source and the detector are both located adjacent to a same side of the storage compartment, and wherein a surface of the storage compartment opposite the light source is configured to absorb light emitted into the storage compartment from the light source.

Description

[0062] Reference will now be made to the drawings, which depict one or more aspects described in this disclosure. However, it will be understood that other aspects not depicted in the drawings fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components, steps and the like. However, it will be understood that the use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is not intended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the same number. In addition, the use of different numbers to refer to components in different figures is not intended to indicate that the different numbered components cannot be the same or similar to other numbered components. The figures are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. Schematic drawings presented in the figures are not necessarily to scale.

[0063] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of an example of an aerosol-generating system.

[0064] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a close-up view of a storage compartment and heating assembly of an embodiment of a cartridge for use in an aerosol-generating system.

[0065] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of an example of a cartridge and a light source and detector of an aerosol-generating device.

[0066] FIG. 4A is a schematic drawing of an example of cartridge and an aerosol-generating device configured to receive the cartridge.

[0067] FIG. 4B is a schematic drawing illustrating a cross-section of the cartridge and light sources and detectors of the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 4A in a horizontal orientation.

[0068] FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing illustrating a section of portions of an aerosol-generating device and a cartridge received by the device.

[0069] FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing illustrating a section of portions of an aerosol-generating device and a cartridge received by the device.

[0070] FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing illustrating a portion of a cartridge including light sources and detectors and a storage compartment.

[0071] FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing illustrating a portion of a cartridge including a light source and a detector and a storage compartment.

[0072] FIG. 9 is a schematic drawing illustrating a portion of a cartridge including light sources and detectors and a storage compartment.

[0073] FIG. 10 is a schematic drawing illustrating a portion of a cartridge including a light source and a detector and a storage compartment.

[0074] Referring now to FIG. 1, an aerosol-generating system 1 includes two main components, a cartridge 100 and an aerosol-generating device 300. The cartridge 100 extends from a mouth end 101 to a connection end 115. The cartridge 100 is removably connected to a corresponding connection end 315 of the aerosol-generating device 300. The aerosol-generating device 300 contains a housing 305 in which a power supply, such as a battery 310, and control electronics 320, and any associated electronic circuitry (for example, electrical conductors and contacts extending through the housing) are disposed. The aerosol-generating system 1 may be portable and may have a size comparable to a conventional smoking article, such as a cigar or cigarette.

[0075] The cartridge 100 includes a housing 105 containing an aerosol-generating element, which in this case comprises a heater assembly 120 comprising an electrically resistive heating element, and a storage compartment 103 in which a liquid composition comprising an aerosol-forming substrate 131 is held. When the cartridge 100 is received by the aerosol-generating device 300, such as when the cartridge 100 is connected to the aerosol-generating device 300 as depicted in FIG. 1, the heater element is operably coupled to the control electronics 320 and the power supply 310 so that the heater element may be activated to heat the liquid composition 131. The heater assembly 120 may comprise high retention material and transport material (not shown), where the high retention material is in contact with the liquid composition 131 and the transport material contacts the high retention material and the heating element.

[0076] An airflow passage (not show) extends through the cartridge 100 from an air inlet (not shown) formed on a side of the housing 105, past the heater assembly 120, and from the heater assembly 120 to a mouthpiece opening formed at the mouth end 101 of the housing 105.

[0077] The system is configured so that a user can puff or draw on the mouth end 101 of the cartridge 100 to draw aerosol from the system 1. When the system 1 is activated, the control electronics 320 controls the supply of electrical power from the battery 310 to the cartridge 100. The control electronics 320 may include an airflow sensor (not shown) and may supply electrical power to the heating element of the heater assembly 120 when a user puffs on the cartridge 100, as detected by the airflow sensor. Alternatively, the system 1 may be activated by pushing on a button or in another similar manner. When the system 1 is activated, the heating element of the heater assembly 120 is activated, thus heating the transport material, which wicks liquid aerosol-forming substrate 131 from the high retention material to the heater element. The heater element 120 heats the liquid aerosol-forming substrate 131 and generates a vapor that is entrained in the airflow passing through the airflow passage. The vapor cools within the airflow in passage to form an aerosol, which is then drawn into the user's mouth through the opening at the mouth end 101.

[0078] The cartridge 100 comprises a light source 160 and a light detector 165 extending into the storage compartment 103 adjacent to the bottom of the storage compartment 103. The light source 160 and the light detector 165 may be sealed relative to an interior of the cartridge 100. The light source 160 and the light detector 165 electrically couple to the control electronics 320 and the power supply 310 when the cartridge 100 is received by the device 300 through contacts (not shown). The control electronics 320 are configured to activate the light source 160, which is positioned an oriented to emit light into the storage compartment 130, and are configured to receive a signal from the detector 165, which is positioned and configured to detect light that is emitted from the light source 160 that reflects off the liquid-air interface 173 formed between the liquid composition 131 and air 170 in the storage compartment 103. The cartridge 100 comprises light blocking elements 162, 167 to prevent straight line transmission of light emitted from the light source 160 to the detector 167. The walls defining the storage compartment 130 or the housing 150 of the cartridge are opaque to light so that outside light does not interfere the light detection sensing system.

[0079] The storage compartment 103 is shaped such that an isosceles triangle is formed between the light source 160, the liquid-air interface 173, and the detector 165 when the device 300 is oriented such that the storage compartment 103 is positioned in a vertical, bottom-down orientation (as depicted in FIG. 1). In the embodiments depicted in FIG. 1, the interior surface of the storage compartment 103 preferably absorbs light emitted by the light source 160. For example, the interior surface of the storage compartment 103 may be black. However, if the interior surface of the storage compartment 103 reflects the emitted light, the sensing system would be expected to properly function.

[0080] FIG. 2 is a close-up view of the storage compartment 103 of a cartridge. The storage compartment 103 has a longitudinal axis A, bottom internal surface 182, a top internal surface 184, and a sidewall 186 extending from the bottom 182 to the top 184. A liquid composition 131 comprising an aerosol-generating substrate is held in the storage compartment 103 and is in communication with a heating assembly 120. A liquid-air interface 173 is formed between the liquid composition 131 and air 170 in the storage compartment 103.

[0081] The light source 160 and a light detector 165 extend into the storage compartment 103 adjacent to the bottom surface 182. As illustrated, light emitted from the light source 160 may reflect off the liquid-air interface 173 along the longitudinal axis A to be directed to the detector 165. The path of reflected light forms an isosceles triangle having the light source 160 and the detector 165 as the base and two sides 11, 12 of equal length. The path length that the light travels should be proportional to the light absorbed by the liquid composition 131 and the signal detected at the detector 165.

[0082] FIG. 3 depicts some components of an embodiment of a cartridge and a device. The cartridge comprises a housing 105 that forms a mouth end 101 and comprises a storage compartment 103. A liquid composition 131 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate is disposed in the storage compartment 130. A liquid-air interface 173 is formed between the liquid composition 131 and air 170 in the storage compartment 103. The storage compartment 103 includes a first window 108 and a second window 109 adjacent to the bottom. The first 108 and second 109 windows are transparent to light emitted from light source 165. The light source 165 and the detector 160 are part of the aerosol-generating device. When the cartridge is received by the device, the light source 165 is positioned and oriented to transmit light into the storage compartment 103 through the first window 108, and the detector 165 is positioned and oriented to detect the emitted light that passed through the second window 109. The detector 165 is positioned to detect light that reflects off the liquid-air interface 173.

[0083] The heater assembly 120 is below the bottom of the storage compartment 103. However, the heater assembly may be positioned at any other suitable location.

[0084] FIG. 4A illustrates a system that comprises a cartridge 100 and an aerosol-generating device 300 configured to receive the cartridge 100. The aerosol-generating device 300 comprises rings 169 of alternating light sources 160 and detectors 165 such that, when the cartridge 100 is received by the device 300, the rings 169 of alternating light sources 160 and detectors 165 circumscribe the periphery of the storage compartment 103 of the cartridge 100. The cartridge 100 includes a heater assembly 120 that operably couples with the power supply and control electronics of the device 300 when the cartridge 100 is received by the device 300. The cartridge 100 forms a mouth end 101 for insertion into the mouth of a consumer. A liquid composition 131 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate is disposed in the storage compartment 103. A liquid-air interface 173 is formed between the liquid composition 131 and air 170 in the storage compartment 103. Sidewalls, or portions thereof, are transparent to light emitted by the light sources 160 to allow light from the light sources 160 to enter the storage compartment 103 and to allow the emitted light to exit the storage compartment 103 to reach the detectors 165. The light sources are preferably omnidirectional.

[0085] In FIG. 4B, the device and cartridge are positioned horizontally such that a liquid-air interface 173 formed between the liquid composition 131 and air 170 in the storage compartment 103 extends parallel with the longitudinal axis of the storage compartment 103. In this configuration, some of the light sources 160 and detectors 165 are above the level of the liquid composition 131 and some are below the liquid composition 131. The light sources 160 may be sequentially activated while light is detected at the detectors 165 to identify at least one pair of a light source 160 and a detector 165 that are below the level of the liquid composition 131 based on the signal received at the detector. One or more of such pairs may be used to determine the fill level or volume of the liquid composition 131 in the storage compartment 103. It should be understood that the fill level or volume of liquid composition may also be detected when the device and cartridge are in different orientations using a similar process.

[0086] In FIG. 5, the cartridge 100 is received by the aerosol-generating device 300. The device 300 has a housing 305 that defines a cavity for receiving the cartridge 100. The cartridge 100 comprises a storage compartment 130 and a heater assembly 120. The heater assembly 120 is positioned along a sidewall of the storage compartment 103 so that the heater assembly 120 does not interfere with transmission of light through the storage compartment 103 from the bottom to the top of the storage compartment 103. A liquid composition 131 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate is disposed in the storage compartment 103 and a liquid-air interface 173 is formed between the liquid composition 131 and air 170 in the storage compartment 103.

[0087] A passageway 400 is formed between the heating element 120 and the housing 305 of the aerosol-generating device 300. The passageway 400 forms a part of an air flow path to carry aerosol to the consumer for inhalation.

[0088] The light 160 and detector 165 are positioned outside of the storage compartment 103. Accordingly, the storage compartment comprises transparent portions at the top and bottom to allow light emitted from the light source 160 to travel through the storage compartment 130 to reach the detector 165.

[0089] In FIG. 6, the aerosol-generating device 300 and cartridge 100 are similar to those depicted in and discussed regarding FIG. 5, with similar components labeled with similar numbers. In FIG. 6, the cartridge 100 includes light guides 460 and 465. The light guide 460 at the bottom of the storage compartment 103 is configured to radiate light emitted from the light source 160 into the entire bottom surface of the cartridge in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the storage compartment. The light guide 460 is generally parabolic and reflects light such that light from the light source 160 that hits the surface light guide 460 is reflected generally parallel to the length of the cartridge 100. The light guide 465 at the top of the storage compartment 103 is configured to direct substantially all the light transmitted through the top of the storage compartment 103 to the detector 165. The light guide 465 is generally parabolic and light that impacts the surface of the light guide 465 is reflected towards the detector 165. In some instances (not shown), the detector may be positioned at or near to the internal center of a parabolic light guide that reflects light to the center for detection.

[0090] The aerosol-generating device 300 may include an inertial sensor to determine orientation to characterize the total signal amplitude versus the proportion of fill level or volume to more accurately determine the volume or fill level of liquid composition 131 in the storage compartment 103. In FIG. 7, the cartridge includes a plurality of light sources 160 and detectors 165 positioned adjacent to the bottom of the storage compartment 103 in an alternating fashion. Having the light sources 160 and detectors 165 on the same side of the cartridge provides a more practical design because it limits the electronic components to a single side. The detectors 165 are positioned and oriented to detect light that reflects off the liquid-air interface 173 formed between the liquid composition 131 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and air 170 in the storage compartment 103. For purposes of clarity, light is shown as being emitted from only two light sources 160 but may be emitted may any number of light sources. The signal received by all of the detectors 165 may be summed to determine the fill level or volume of the liquid composition 131. As sum the signal detected by defectors 165 provides a simple way to determine liquid volume if the orientation is known. However, the data received by the detectors 165 may be evaluated in other ways to determine the liquid volume.

In FIG. 8, the cartridge includes a light source 160 and detector 165 positioned adjacent to the bottom of the storage compartment 103. A separating wall 169 is positioned between the light source 160 and detector 165. The detector 165 is positioned and oriented to detect light that reflects off the liquid-air interface 173 formed between the liquid composition 131 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and air 170 in the storage compartment 103. The interior surfaces of the storage compartment reflect light emitted by the light source. The cartridge in FIG. 8 has an advantage of simplicity. There is only one light source 160 that has wide angle of emission and only one detector 165. With the high angle of emission, it is possible for the detector 165 to receive signals in all orientation with only one light source 160. In addition, the light source 160 and the detector 165 are on the same side of the device, which also simplifies the design.
In FIG. 9, the cartridge includes a plurality of light sources 160 positioned adjacent to the bottom of the storage compartment 103 and a plurality of detectors 165 positioned adjacent to the top of the storage compartment 103. The detectors 165 are positioned and oriented to detect light emitted from the light sources 160 through the storage compartment 103 from the bottom to the top. For a known orientation, there is a relationship between the sum of all the signals received and the liquid fill volume. The cartridge in FIG. 9 is configured to measure a signal of light transmitted through liquid-air interface 173, which may be suitable if device surrounds the top and bottom of the cartridge.

[0091] In FIG. 10, the cartridge includes a light source 160 positioned adjacent to the bottom of the storage compartment 103 and includes a detector 165 positioned adjacent to the top of the storage compartment 103. The detector 165 is positioned and oriented to detect light emitted from the light source 160 through the storage compartment 103 from the bottom to the top. The light source is omni-directional. The interior surfaces of the storage compartment 103 reflect light emitted by the light source 160. For a known orientation, there is a relationship between the sum of all the signals received and the liquid fill volume. The cartridge in FIG. 10 is configured to measure a signal of light transmitted through liquid-air interface 173, which may be suitable if device surrounds the top and bottom of the cartridge.

[0092] All scientific and technical terms used herein have meanings commonly used in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions provided herein are to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequently herein.

[0093] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0094] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0095] As used herein, “have”, “having”, “include”, “including”, “comprise”, “comprising” or the like are used in their open-ended sense, and generally mean “including, but not limited to”. It will be understood that “consisting essentially of”, “consisting of”, and the like are subsumed in “comprising,” and the like.

[0096] The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the claims.

[0097] Any direction referred to herein, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” and other directions or orientations are described herein for clarity and brevity are not intended to be limiting of an actual device or system. Devices and systems described herein may be used in a number of directions and orientations.

[0098] The embodiments exemplified above are not limiting. Other embodiments consistent with the embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art.