AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE WITH ILLUMINATED PROXIMAL END

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device configured to receive an aerosol-generating article is provided, including: an elongate housing having a distal end and a proximal end; a light source; and a controller configured to control the light source, in which, in use, the proximal end of the housing points towards a consumer, in which the proximal end of the housing includes an illumination portion made from translucent material, in which the light source is optically coupled to the illumination portion, and in which the illumination portion is configured to surround the aerosol-generating device in use. An aerosol-generating system including the aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article is also provided. A method of operating the aerosol-generating system is also provided.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. An aerosol-generating device configured to receive an aerosol-generating article, comprising: an elongate housing having a distal end and a proximal end; a light source; and a control unit configured for controlling the light source, wherein, in use, the proximal end of the housing points towards a consumer, wherein the proximal end of the housing comprises an illumination portion made from translucent material, wherein the light source is optically coupled to the illumination portion, and wherein the illumination portion is configured to surround the aerosol-generating device in use.

17. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 16, wherein the light source is a LED, micro LED, or OLED.

18. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 16, wherein the light source is configured to display monochromatic or multi-colored light.

19. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 16, wherein the elongate housing defines a cavity with an open end at the proximal end of the elongate housing, and wherein the cavity is configured to receive an aerosol-generating article.

20. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 16, further comprising a retaining element, which forms the illumination portion at the proximal end of the housing.

21. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 20, wherein the retaining element is made from elastic material.

22. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 16, wherein the control unit is further configured to control the light source based on a detected operation status of the aerosol-generating device.

23. An aerosol-generating system, comprising: an aerosol-generating device according to claim 16, and an aerosol-generating article configured to be inserted into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

24. A method of operating an aerosol-generating system according to claim 23, wherein the control unit is further configured to control the light source based on an operation status of the aerosol-generating device.

25. The method of operating an aerosol-generating system according to claim 23, wherein the control unit is further configured to detect a change of the operation status of the aerosol-generating device, and wherein the control unit changes brightness, color, or lighting mode of the light source to indicate the change of the operation status.

26. The method of operating an aerosol-generating system according to claim 23, wherein the control unit is further configured to detect a presence of a consumable, and wherein the control unit changes brightness and or color of the light source upon detection of a presence of the consumable.

27. The method of operating an aerosol-generating system according to claim 23, wherein the aerosol generating device is configured to inductively heat the consumable, and wherein the control unit is further configured to detect a presence of a consumable by monitoring a magnetic field in a heating chamber.

28. The method of operating an aerosol-generating system according to claim 23, wherein the control unit is further configured to emit a visual warning signal if a monitored parameter is without an expected range.

29. The method of operating an aerosol-generating system according to claim 23, wherein the aerosol generating device is configured to perform a cleaning procedure, and wherein the control unit is further configured to control the light source to emit a corresponding visual signal.

Description

[0081] The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0082] FIG. 1 shows an aerosol-generating system; and

[0083] FIG. 2 shows cross-sectional views of the heating chamber of an aerosol-generating device.

[0084] In FIG. 1 an aerosol-generating system 10 comprising an aerosol-generating device 12 and an aerosol-generating article 14 are depicted. The aerosol-generating device 12 comprises an elongate housing 16 having a distal end 18 and a proximal end 20. The housing defines a main portion 22 and a heating portion 24. In the main portion 22 of the housing 16 of the aerosol-generating device 12 there is provided a power source and electric circuitry including a control unit. The power source provides electrical energy to the control unit and all other electronic components of the aerosol-generating device 12. An interface portion 22 is located at the distal end 18 of the housing 16. The interface portion 22 comprises a charging port for charging the power source.

[0085] The heating portion 24 of the housing 16 defines a cavity 26 at the proximal end 20. The cavity 26 forms a heating chamber that is configured for receiving and heating the aerosol-generating article 14. At the opening of the cavity 26 at the proximal end 20 of the housing 16 there is provided an illumination portion 30. The illumination portion 30 is made from translucent material. The illumination portion 30 is coupled to a multi-colour light source and is configured to be illuminated in a plurality of colours.

[0086] In the left view in FIG. 1 the aerosol-generating device 12 is activated and ready for receiving an aerosol-generating article 14. As an indication of this operational status, the illumination portion 30 is illuminated in bright blue colour.

[0087] In the central view in FIG. 1 the aerosol-generating article 14 is inserted into the cavity 26 of the aerosol-generating device 12 and the heating phase is started. As an indication of this operational status, the illumination portion 30 is illuminated in red colour.

[0088] In the right view in FIG. 1 the heating phase is finished and the aerosol-generating system 10 is ready for the user experience. As an indication of this operational status, the illumination portion 30 is illuminated in green colour.

[0089] A user usually holds the aerosol-generating device 12 at the central portion of the housing 16, leaving the proximal end 20 uncovered. In normal use of the aerosol-generating device 12 the proximal end 20 points towards the user. Accordingly, the proximal end 20 is usually in the view field of the user and the information conveyed by the colour coding of the illumination portion 30 is readily perceivable by the user.

[0090] In the cross-sectional views of FIG. 2 more details of the heating chamber can be seen. In this embodiment the aerosol-generating device 12 is configured for inductive heating. For this purpose the aerosol-generating device 12 comprises an induction coil 32 and a susceptor element 34. The induction coil 32 and the susceptor element 34 are separated by an electrically insulating wall 36 and are arranged to surround the cavity of aerosol-generating device 12.

[0091] The induction coil 32 is capable of generating an alternating magnetic field. This alternating magnetic field penetrates the susceptor element 34 and thereby generates heat.

[0092] The susceptor element 34 has a cylindrical shape and has a diameter that substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article 14. The susceptor element 34 is formed from a plurality of susceptor blades. The susceptor blades are configured resilient and firmly contact the aerosol-generating article 14 after insertion. In this way good thermal contact between the susceptor element 34 and the aerosol-generating article 24 is ensured.

[0093] The opening of the cavity 26 at the proximal end 20 of the housing 16 there is provided a ring shaped retaining element 38 made from elastic and translucent polymer material. In this case the retaining element 38 is made from polyvinyl chloride. The retaining element forms the illumination portion of the aerosol-generating device 12. The retaining element 38 defines the opening of the cavity 26 and has an inner diameter that corresponds to the outer diameter aerosol-generating article 14. The funnel shape of the retaining element 38 allows for guided and easy insertion of the aerosol-generating article 14 into the heating chamber.

[0094] A light source 40 is optically coupled to the retaining element 38. The light source 40 is an OLED device that is capable of emitting a plurality of colours. The light source 40 is located in a circumferential recess in the housing 16 adjacent to the outer circumference of the retaining element 38. Since the retaining element 38 is made from translucent material, the retaining element 38 appears in the colour that is emitted from the light source.

[0095] When the aerosol-generating device 12 is turned off, the light source 40 is deactivated, and the retaining element 30 appears in the natural colour of its material. When the aerosol-generating device 12 is activated, but an aerosol-generating article 14 is not yet inserted, the light source 40 is controlled to emit bright blue light, to inform the user that the aerosol-generating device 12 is activated.

[0096] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the aerosol-generating device 12 is configured for monitoring the magnetic field within the heating chamber. If the aerosol-generating article 14 is inserted into the heating chamber, the control unit detects a change of the magnetic field. If the change of the magnetic field corresponds to an expected change upon correct insertion of a compatible aerosol-generating article 14, the light source 40 is switched to emit green pulsing light. This optical feedback confirms the user of correct handling of the aerosol-generating system 10.

[0097] The control unit is further configured to automatically start the heating phase after a designated time of three seconds after insertion of the aerosol-generating article 14. During the heating phase the light source 40 is switched to emit orange pulsing light.

[0098] When the heating phase is completed, the control unit switches the colour of the light source 40 from orange pulsing to a continuous green light to inform the user that the aerosol-generating system 10 is ready for the user experience.

[0099] If the control unit of the aerosol-generating device 12 detects upon monitoring of the magnetic field, that an aerosol-generating article 14 is wrongly inserted or that an incompatible aerosol-generating article 14 is inserted, the control unit controls the light source 40 to emit red flashing light. At the same time normal operation of aerosol-generating system 10 is interrupted until correct insertion of the aerosol-generating article 14 is established.