AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE COMPRISING AIR INLETS FOR CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL AIRFLOW

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device is provided, including: a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating article including an aerosol-forming substrate; a first air inlet fluidly connected with the cavity and configured to enable ambient air to be drawn into the cavity; and a second air inlet fluidly connected with the cavity and configured to enable ambient air to be drawn into the cavity, the first air inlet being further configured to be fluidly connected with a central portion of the cavity, and the second air inlet being further configured to be fluidly connected with a peripheral portion of the cavity.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. An aerosol-generating device, comprising: a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate; a first air inlet fluidly connected with the cavity and configured to enable ambient air to be drawn into the cavity; and a second air inlet fluidly connected with the cavity and configured to enable ambient air to be drawn into the cavity, wherein the first air inlet is further configured to be fluidly connected with a central portion of the cavity, and wherein the second air inlet is further configured to be fluidly connected with a peripheral portion of the cavity.

17. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 16, further comprising an induction heating arrangement comprising an induction coil and a susceptor assembly, and wherein the susceptor assembly comprises a central susceptor arrangement arranged centrally within the cavity, and a peripheral susceptor arrangement arranged distanced from and around the central susceptor arrangement.

18. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 17, wherein the central portion of the cavity is arranged within the central susceptor arrangement.

19. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 17, wherein the peripheral portion of the cavity is arranged around the central susceptor arrangement and within the peripheral susceptor arrangement.

20. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 16, further comprising a first airflow channel fluidly connecting the first air inlet with the central portion of the cavity.

21. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 20, further comprising a second airflow channel fluidly connecting the second air inlet with the peripheral portion of the cavity.

22. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 21, wherein the first airflow channel is arranged distanced from the second airflow channel.

23. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 21, wherein the first airflow channel is configured fluidly separated from the second airflow channel.

24. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 20, wherein the first airflow channel is arranged upstream of the cavity.

25. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 21, wherein the second airflow channel is arranged adjacent an upstream portion of the cavity.

26. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 17, wherein one or both of the central susceptor arrangement and the peripheral susceptor arrangement comprises susceptors that are elongate.

27. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 17, wherein one or both of the central susceptor arrangement and the peripheral susceptor arrangement are arranged around a central longitudinal axis of the cavity.

28. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 17, wherein one or both of the central susceptor arrangement and the peripheral susceptor arrangement define a part of the cavity.

29. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 17, wherein the central susceptor arrangement and the peripheral susceptor arrangement are coaxially arranged.

30. A system, comprising: an aerosol-generating device according to claim 16; and an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate.

Description

[0123] The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0124] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article according to the present invention;

[0125] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a cavity of the aerosol-generating device for inserting the aerosol-generating article;

[0126] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating article;

[0127] FIG. 4 shows the airflow through the aerosol-generating device; and

[0128] FIG. 5 shows a more detailed view of first and second airflow channels.

[0129] FIG. 1 shows an aerosol-generating device 10 and an aerosol-generating article 12. In other words, FIG. 1 shows an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device 10 and an aerosol-generating article 12.

[0130] The aerosol-generating device 10 comprises a cavity 14 for insertion of the aerosol-generating article 12. When the aerosol-generating article 12 is inserted into the cavity 14, a substrate portion 16 of the aerosol-generating article 12 is inserted into the cavity 14. A filter portion 18 of the aerosol-generating article 12 sticks out of the cavity 14 and a user may directly draw on the filter portion 18 of the aerosol-generating article 12.

[0131] A resilient sealing element 20 is arranged at a downstream end 22 of the cavity 14. The resilient sealing element 20 is configured to aid insertion of the aerosol-generating article 12 into the cavity 14 and holding of the aerosol-generating article 12 after insertion of the aerosol-generating article 12 into the cavity 14. The resilient sealing element 20 has a funnel shape. The resilient sealing element 20 has a circular shape surrounding the downstream end 22 of the cavity 14.

[0132] The aerosol-generating device 10 comprises an induction assembly. The induction assembly comprises an induction coil 24. The induction assembly further comprises a susceptor assembly. The susceptor assembly comprises, preferably consists of, a central susceptor arrangement 26 and a peripheral susceptor arrangement 28. The central susceptor arrangement 26 is arranged within the peripheral susceptor arrangement 28. Between the central susceptor arrangement 26 and the peripheral susceptor arrangement 28, the cavity 14 for insertion of the aerosol-generating article 12 is provided. The cavity 14 has a hollow tubular cylinder-shaped volume.

[0133] The aerosol-generating article 12 is sandwiched between the central susceptor arrangement 26 and the peripheral susceptor arrangement 28. The central susceptor arrangement 26 and the peripheral susceptor arrangement 28 may be arranged distanced from each other so as to hold the aerosol-generating article 12 within the cavity 14. The distance between the central susceptor arrangement 26 and the peripheral susceptor arrangement 28 may be identical or slightly smaller than the distance between the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article 12 and the inner diameter of the aerosol-generating article 12. The substrate portion 16 of the aerosol-generating article 12 is preferably a hollow tubular substrate portion 16. Consequently, the substrate portion 16 of the aerosol-generating article 12 can be pushed over the central susceptor arrangement 26. In this case, the central susceptor arrangement 26 penetrates into the hollow tubular volume of the substrate portion 16 of the aerosol-generating article 12. At the same time, the peripheral susceptor arrangement 28 abuts the periphery of the substrate portion 16 of the aerosol-generating article 12.

[0134] FIG. 1 further shows a first air inlet 30 and a second air inlet 32. The first air inlet 30 is fluidly connected with the central susceptor arrangement 26. The central susceptor arrangement 26 is preferably hollow. Airflow may be enabled from the first air inlet 30 towards the hollow inner of the central susceptor arrangement 26 and downstream out of the cavity 14 of the aerosol-generating device 10. The second air inlet 32 is fluidly connected with the periphery of the peripheral susceptor arrangement 28. When the aerosol-generating article 12 is inserted into the cavity 14, two separate airflows are provided. The first airflow from the first air inlet 30 flows through the hollow inner volume of the aerosol-generating article 12. The second airflow from the second air inlet 32 flows from the periphery of the aerosol-generating article 12 into the aerosol-generating article 12 and further downstream out of the cavity 14 of the aerosol-generating device 10.

[0135] The substrate portion 16 of the aerosol-generating article 12 shown in FIG. 3 preferably comprises a first tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 38 and a second tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 40. The first tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 38 is arranged inside of the substrate portion 16 and surrounded by the second tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 40. The first tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 38 preferably comprises one or both of a nicotine and flavor substrate. The second tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 40 preferably comprises a tobacco aerosol-generating substrate. By providing two separate airflows, the first airflow may be adjusted to influence one or both of nicotine and flavor of the generated aerosol and the second airflow may be adjusted to generate the desired aerosol from the tobacco substrate.

[0136] The first air inlet 30 and the second air inlet 32 may be configured adjustable. Particularly, the cross-sectional area of one or both of the first air inlet 30 and the second air inlet 32 may be configured adjustable. In this way, properties of the generated aerosol such as the nicotine content and the flavor may be adjusted by adjusting the airflow through one or both of the first air inlet 30 and the second air inlet 32.

[0137] For adjusting one or both of the first air inlet 30 and the second air inlet 32, the aerosol-generating device 10 may comprise a controller 42. The controller 42 may further be configured to control operation of the induction assembly. Particularly, the controller 42 may be configured to control the supply of electrical energy from a power source to the induction coil 24. The power supply 44 may be configured as a battery.

[0138] FIG. 2 shows a proximal portion of the aerosol-generating device 10 in more detail. In FIG. 2, the cavity 14 for insertion of the aerosol-generating device 10 can clearly be seen. Within the cavity 14, the central susceptor arrangement 26 comprising individual central susceptors 34 is arranged. Surrounding the central susceptor arrangement 26, the peripheral susceptor arrangement 28 comprising multiple flared blade-shaped peripheral susceptors 36 is arranged.

[0139] Surrounding the susceptor arrangement, the induction coil 24 is arranged. The induction coil 24 surrounds the cavity 14. In an upstream region of the cavity 14, a first airflow channel 46 is arranged. The first airflow channel 46 fluidly connects the first air inlet 30 with the hollow inner of the central susceptor arrangement 26. Adjacent the first airflow channel 46, a second airflow channel 48 is arranged. The second airflow channel 48 fluidly connects the second air inlet 32 with the periphery of the peripheral susceptor arrangement 28.

[0140] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating article 12, more particularly of the substrate portion 16 of the aerosol-generating article 12. The substrate portion 16 of the aerosol-generating article 12 comprises a first tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 38. The first tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 38 is arranged adjacent the hollow inner of the aerosol-generating article 12. The first tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 38 is configured as one or both of a nicotine and flavor layer. Surrounding the first tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 38, a second tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 40 is arranged. The second tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 40 is configured as a tobacco-containing aerosol-forming layer. Between the first tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 38 and the second tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 40, a membrane such as a film or foil may be provided. Circumscribing the second tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 40, a wrapping paper may be arranged.

[0141] FIG. 4 shows the airflow through the aerosol-generating device 10 in more detail. The airflow is indicated by the arrows. Two separate airflow channels 46, 48 are provided. The first airflow channel 46 starts at the first air inlet 30 and fluidly connects the hollow inner of the central susceptor arrangement 26 with the first air inlet 30. The air from the first airflow channel 46 enters the central susceptor arrangement 26 at the base of the central susceptor arrangement 26. Inside of the central susceptor arrangement 26, an aerosol may be formed. The aerosol may be formed by heating of the first tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 38 as well as of the air inside of the central susceptor arrangement 26 by the central susceptor arrangement 26. The substrate of the first tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 38 is volatilized by the heat of the central susceptor arrangement 26. The contact area between the air and the first tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 38 may be optimized by gaps between the individual central susceptors 34 and by providing the central susceptors 34 as porous susceptors. The volatilized substrate is entrained by the air flowing through the central susceptor arrangement 26. The generated aerosol flows through the central susceptor arrangement 26 downstream towards the filter portion 18 of the aerosol-generating article 12. The filter portion 18 may comprise a homogenization portion 50 such as a hollow acetate tube for cooling of the aerosol directly adjacent and downstream of the substrate portion 16. Downstream of the homogenization portion, an acetate tow filter 52 may be provided in the aerosol-generating article 12.

[0142] The second airflow channel 48 starts at the second air inlet 32. The second airflow channel 48 fluidly connects the second air inlet 32 with the periphery of the substrate portion 16 of the aerosol-generating article 12 after insertion of the aerosol-generating article 12 into the cavity 14. The periphery of the substrate portion 16 may be part of the cavity 14. The peripheral susceptor arrangement 28 is arranged in the periphery of the substrate portion 16 and preferably in contact with the substrate portion 16. The contact area between the air and the second tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 40 may be optimized by gaps between the individual peripheral susceptors 36 and by providing the peripheral susceptors 36 as porous susceptors. The air from the second airflow channel 48 may entrain volatilized substrate of the second tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 40 heated by the peripheral susceptor arrangement 28. The aerosol may be drawn downstream through the second tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 40. Subsequently, the aerosol may be drawn into the filter portion 18 of the aerosol-generating article 12. In the filter portion 18 of the aerosol-generating article 12, the aerosol generated within the aerosol-generating article 12 by means of the heat of the central susceptor arrangement 26 may mix with the aerosol generated by the peripheral susceptor arrangement 28 by heating the second tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 40. A wrapper may be arranged around the substrate portion 16 of the aerosol-generating article 12. The wrapper is preferably air permeable such that the air from the second airflow channel 48 can enter into the second tubular aerosol-forming substrate layer 40.

[0143] FIG. 5 shows a more detail the first air inlet 30, the second air inlet 32, the first airflow channel 46 and the second airflow channel 48. The first air inlet 30 and the second air inlet 32 are arranged in the housing of the aerosol-generating device. As depicted in FIG. 5, the first air inlet 30 may comprise two separate air inlets on opposite sides of the housing of the aerosol-generating device 10. Similarly, the second air inlet 32 comprises two separate air inlets on opposite sides of the housing of the aerosol-generating device 10. From the first air inlet 30, ambient air can be drawn into the aerosol-generating device 10. The ambient air is drawn into the aerosol-generating device 10 by means of the first airflow channel 46. The first airflow channel 46 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the cavity adjacent to the first air inlet 30. The first airflow channel 46 leads the air towards a central portion 54 of the cavity 14. The central portion 54 of the cavity 14 extends along the longitudinal central axis of the cavity 14. The first airflow channel 46 directs the air to the central portion 54 of the cavity 14 at a base 56 arranged upstream of the central portion 54 of the cavity 14.

[0144] The second airflow channel 48 is separated from the first airflow channel 46 by the base 56. The base 56 may be connected to the housing of the aerosol-generating device 10. Further, the peripheral susceptor arrangement 28 and the central susceptor arrangement 26 may be attached to the base 56. The second airflow channel 48 directs air from the second air inlet 32 towards the periphery of the aerosol-generating article 12 inserted into the cavity 14. As can be seen by the arrows in FIG. 5, the first airflow channel 46 is fluidly separated from the second airflow channel 48 by means of the separate first air inlet 30, the second air inlet 32, the base 56 and the substrate portion 18 of the inserted aerosol-generating article 12. Without the inserted aerosol-generating article 12, the first airflow channel 46 is fluidly separated from the second airflow channel 48 at least upstream of the cavity 14.