WO2024042002A1

WO2024042002A1 - An aerosol generating device, a charging device and a method for charging an aerosol generating system

Info

Publication number: WO2024042002A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/072827
Authority: WO
Inventors: Layth Sliman BOUCHUIGUIR; Pier Paolo MONTICONE
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2022-08-24
Filing date: 2023-08-18
Publication date: 2024-02-29
Anticipated expiration: 2025-02-24

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generation device and a charging device; the aerosol generating device comprises a housing comprising an opening, a receiving chamber configured to receive a consumable through the opening of the housing in an insertion direction, a power source configured to store power for the aerosol generating device, and a power receiving module configured to receive power for charging the power source.

Description

AN AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE, A CHARGING DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR CHARGING AN AEROSOL GENERATING SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to an aerosol generating system, and more particularly to an aerosol generating device, a charging unit and a charging system and an implementation method thereof.

Technical Background

The popularity and use of reduced-risk or modified-risk devices (also known as vaporizers) have grown rapidly in recent years as an alternative to the use of traditional tobacco products. Various devices and systems are available that heat or warm, rather than burn, an aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user.

A commonly available reduced-risk or modified-risk device is an aerosol generating device, or the so-called heat-not-burn device. Devices of this type generate an aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol generating substrate, for instance comprised in an aerosol generating article such as a heated tobacco stick, to a temperature typically in the range of 15O°C to 3OO°C, in a heating compartment. Heating the aerosol generating substrate to a temperature within this range, without burning or combusting the aerosol generating substrate, generates a vapour which typically cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the device.

It is a long-standing demand to make the rechargeable aerosol generation device to be more compact, lightweight and easier to use. It is also desired to improve the sealing effect of the aerosol generation device. It is especially desired for aerosol generation devices to be safe and reliable when charging. Typically, aerosol generation devices having a decent sealing effect are bulky and require extra components to ensure the sealing effect. The charging ports of typical aerosol generation devices, such as USB ports, are usually a weak point, as they make it hard to design aerosol generation devices which are dust-tight or waterproof. The charging ports may become intrusion points of electrical noise (e.g., electrostatic noise). A typical arrangement is to have an extra dust-tight cover or protector, such as a rubber cover, to cover the charging ports, but it unavoidably makes the device bulky and heavy, and the sealing effect is still not ideal.

There is thus a need to provide an aerosol generating device which mitigates these drawbacks and has the desired advantages.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides an aerosol generating device and a charging device, which solves some of or all of the above problems.

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

- a housing comprising an opening,

- a receiving chamber configured to receive a consumable through the opening of the housing in an insertion direction,

- a power source configured to store power for the aerosol generating device, and

- a power receiving module configured to receive power for charging the power source, wherein the power receiving module comprises a connector configured to connect with and receive power transmitted from a corresponding connector of an external power supply module, when the external power supply module is inserted in the receiving chamber; the connector is arranged on a wall of the receiving chamber which is parallel to the insertion direction, and the connector comprises a positive electrode side and a negative electrode side disposed sequentially on the wall of the receiving chamber in the insertion direction or the extraction direction.

This arrangement brings the benefit and advantage of having less, specifically only one, interface for both charging and vaping. The safety is increased, because it ensures users cannot vape and charge at the same time, as performing vaping and charging may bring an internal temperature increase of the aerosol generating device. Furthermore, it makes the aerosol generation device more compact in design and improves the dust -tight and waterproof performance.

According to a second aspect, in the previous aspect, the aerosol generating device comprises a checking module configured to check if the external power supply module is inserted in the receiving chamber. This arrangement makes the charging process safer because the aerosol generation device can detect if it is the charging device that is inserted therein, and it may start charging only after the detection.

According to a third aspect, in any one of the previous aspects, the checking module is configured to deactivate a heating function of the receiving chamber when the external power supply module is inserted in the receiving chamber.

This arrangement makes the charging process safer because the risk of explosion caused by the heat from the receiving chamber is reduced. In particular, in case of the charging module including a power source (e.g., battery), heating the charging unit is rather risky.

According to a fourth aspect, in any one of the previous aspects, the receiving chamber is substantially cylindrical.

According to a fifth aspect, in any one of the previous aspects, the receiving chamber has an upper end and a bottom end with respect to the insertion direction and extraction direction, the upper end is at the opening of the housing and the bottom end is opposite the upper end, and a distance is arranged between the connector and the bottom end of the receiving chamber, and preferably an average length of the distance in the insertion direction is at least i mm, preferably at least 5 mm, more preferably at least 1 cm, even more preferably at least 1.5 cm, and most preferably at least 2 cm.

Since the bottom of receiving chamber tends to be a location where dirt can accumulate, especially after the use of the consumable, this arrangement brings the benefit and advantage that the charging electrodes are apart from the bottom and thus remain relatively clean. The possibility of unsuccessful charging caused by bad contact is thus reduced.

According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a charging device for charging the aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding aspects, comprising a power supply module configured to engage with the power receiving module of the aerosol generating device for power transition in order to charge the power source of the aerosol generating device, wherein the power supply module comprises a connector configured to connect with the connector of the aerosol generating device, the charging device is elongated, the connector is arranged on an outer wall of the charging device which is parallel to the insertion direction, and the connector comprises a positive electrode side and a negative electrode side disposed sequentially on the outer wall of the charging device in the insertion direction or the extraction direction of the charging device to or from the receiving chamber of the aerosol generation device. According to a seventh aspect, in the previous aspect, the charging device has the shape of a stick.

According to an eighth aspect, in any one of the previous aspects, the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side are contacting metal points or contacting metal rings that are arranged sequentially around the charging device.

The benefit and advantage are that, for charging, it does not matter how the charging device is inserted into the aerosol generation device. Another benefit and advantage are that the battery can have a bigger capacity since there is more space for the battery in the charging device.

According to a ninth aspect, in any one of the previous aspects, the outer wall is, at least partially, arranged with a heating insulating layer and/or a graphite coat.

This heating insulating layer or graphite coat arranged around the surface of the charging device protects the charging device from the high heating temperature in the receiving chamber especially after the heating sessions.

According to a tenth aspect, in any one of the previous aspects, the charging device comprises a charger IC.

With the Charging IC mounted on the charging device side, the size and weight of the aerosol generation device can be reduced.

According to an eleventh aspect, in any one of the previous aspects, the charging device comprises a power source configured to store power for the charging device, and the connector is arranged around the power source.

According to a twelfth aspect, in any one of the previous aspects, the charging device has an upper end and a bottom end with respect to the insertion direction and extraction direction, the upper end of the charging device is close to the opening of the aerosol generation device when the charging device is inserted therein, and the bottom end of the charging device is opposite the upper end of the charging device and is in contact with the bottom end of the receiving chamber of the aerosol generation device when it is inserted therein, and there is a distance between the connector of the charging device and the bottom end of the charging device, and, preferably, the distance has an average length in the insertion direction which is at least 1 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, more preferably at least 1 cm, even more preferably at least 1.5 cm, and most preferably at least

2 cm. According to a thirteenth aspect, in any one of the previous aspects, a ceramic ring is arranged between the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side.

This arrangement makes the charging device light, rigid and provides a good performance of thermal insulation.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating system is provided with the aerosol generating device and a charging device according to any one of the preceding aspects, and the charging device has a shape and size matching the shape and size of the receiving chamber of the aerosol generating device.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, a method of charging the aerosol generating system of the preceding aspects is provided, which comprises the steps of:

- inserting the charging device into the receiving chamber of the aerosol generating device through the opening of the housing of the aerosol generating device,

- charging the power source.

Preferred embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1: is a schematic illustration of an aerosol generation device with a charging device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2: is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of the aerosol generation device according to the exemplary embodiment in Figure 1 of the present invention;

Figures 3 to 4: are partially exploded perspective side views of two of the charging devices and, correspondingly, exploded perspective side views of two of the receiving chambers of the aerosol generation devices according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

As used herein, the term “aerosol generation device” “vaporizer system”, “inhaler” or “electronic cigarette” may include an electronic cigarette configured to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for inhaling. The illustrated embodiments of the aerosol generation system in this invention are schematic, and it is also possible to combine some of the parts into single units, such as aerosol inlet and outlet, operator or computer modules, which is apparent to a person skilled in the art.

Referring to the drawings and in particular to Figure 1, according to an embodiment of this present disclosure, the aerosol generating system i which comprises an aerosol generation device 2 and a charging device 3 for charging the aerosol generating device 2.

(Aerosol generation device)

The aerosol generation device 2 is configured to be used with a consumable (not shown), preferably in the form of a cylinder having a circular cross section to be inserted into and accommodated in the aerosol generation device 2. The consumable may also be a cuboid having a rectangular cross section. The aerosol substrate may comprise nicotine or tobacco and an aerosol former. Tobacco may take the form of various materials such as shredded tobacco, granulated tobacco, tobacco leaf and/or reconstituted tobacco.

The aerosol generation device 2 comprises, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a housing 21 with an opening 22, a receiving chamber 23, a power source 24, a power receiving module 25, an operator and an energizer 26 for generating energy to heat the consumable.

Preferably, the housing 21 has an integrated outer surface, and is coated with or made from insulation materials, with the function of, for example, being waterproof. The housing 21 may generally be made from any rigid material such as a thermoplastic or a metal (e.g. aluminum). The insulation property of the housing 21 maybe brought by a heat-resistant material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or polyamide (PA) in order to prevent thermal deformation or melting. The heat-resistant material may also be a super engineering plastic such as polyimide (PI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or polyether ether ketone (PEEK). This configuration improves the insulation performance of the device.

Preferably, the housing 21 has only one input portion, which is the opening 22. The housing 21 may further comprise an operation interface, such as a button-type switch or preferably a touch panel, to control the aerosol generation device 2, and a cover slidably movable above the opening 22 to cover the opening 22 when needed so as to further improve the insulation performance of the device 2. Increment of a number of opening may increase a risk of water and/ or electrical noise intruding into the aerosol generation device 2.

The receiving chamber 22 is a volume inside of the housing 21 and is configured to receive a consumable through the opening of the housing 21. In other words, the consumable can be inserted into and extracted from the aerosol generation device 2 in an insertion direction and an extraction direction shown as the two-headed arrows in the figures. Preferably, the receiving chamber 23 has a slightly shorter length and a slightly larger diameter than the consumable; e.g., a length of 50 mm in the longitudinal direction and 15 mm in diameter. An exposed portion of the consumable may work as a mouthpiece. The receiving chamber 22 has a wall and a bottom end. The wall is preferably a substantially cylindrical wall that encloses an outer surface, preferably a cylindrical surface, of the consumable. An upper end side of the receiving chamber 23 is at the opening of the housing 21. The bottom end is opposite the upper end side and is in contact with consumable 3 when it is inserted therein. In other words, the charging device 3 is inserted into the opening 22 of the housing 21, i.e., the upper end side of the receiving chamber 23, towards the bottom end of the charging device 3 in the insertion direction, i.e., the direction from the upper end side towards the bottom end of the charging device 3. The wall is parallel with the inserted consumable in the insertion direction or the extraction direction. The surface of the bottom end is substantially parallel to a virtual surface of the opening, i.e., the upper end side, and is preferably perpendicular to the wall, i.e., the insertion direction and the extraction direction.

Specifically, the power receiving module 25 comprises a connector 271, 272 configured to connect with and receive power transmitted from a corresponding connector of an external power supply module, i.e., the charging device 3, when the external power supply module is inserted in the receiving chamber. The connector 271, 272 is arranged on the wall of the receiving chamber 23. The connector comprises a positive electrode side, i.e., an anode, and a negative electrode side, i.e., a cathode. The positive electrode side and the negative electrode side are arranged sequentially along the insertion direction of the charging device. In other words, the positive electrode side is arranged at a first position of the wall, the negative electrode side is arranged at a second position of the wall, and the first position and the second position are separated from each other, preferably with a ceramic ring therebetween, in the longitudinal direction of the receiving chamber 23. The benefit and advantage of this arrangement is that the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side of the device 2 are not invertedly connected with the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side of the charging device 3, so that the device 2 can be charged more safely.

More specifically, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, which only show a part of the receiving chamber 23 for the ease of understanding, the connecter, i.e., the positive electrode side 271 and the negative electrode side 272, of the receiving chamber 23, in some embodiments, comprises metal contacts, e.g., pogo pins. In other embodiments, the connecter comprises two metal rings parallel to each other, i.e., a positive electrode ring 271 and a negative electrode ring 272. Preferably, the positive electrode side 271 and the negative electrode side 272 are separated by a ceramic ring. The positions of the positive electrode side 271 and the negative electrode side 272 can be exchangeable with each other.

The power source 24 of the aerosol generation device 2 may be configured to store power necessary for the operation of the aerosol generation device 2. The power source 24 may be detachable from the aerosol generation device 2. The power source 24 is a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. Additionally, or alternatively, other type of an energy storage (e.g., a capacitor, fuel cell or solid state battery) can be employed. The power source 24 can receive power from the power receiving module 25, i.e., the power source 24 can be charged through the power receiving module 25 and is electronically connected with the power receiving module 25. In some of the embodiments, the power receiving module 25 may comprise a Charging IC functioning as the controller for the charging of the power source 24 from a power receiving terminal, which is explained in detail below. The power receiving module 24 thus can transfer electrical energy that is suitable for the power source 23. For example, when supplying the power of the power source 24 from an external power source, the power receiving module 24 can output a standard system voltage corresponding to an output of the power source 24. The power receiving module 24 may further comprise an LDO regulator, an AC/DC converter, a DC/DC converter, and any other element the skilled person understands is needed for charging such an aerosol generation device 2. The benefit of having the Charging IC at the aerosol generation device side is that the efficiency of charging can be improved, since the Charging IC is close to the device battery in view of electricity. Thus, the Charging IC can obtain more precise information of the power source 24.

The operator preferably comprises a control circuit (not shown in the figures) made up of a CPU, a memory, etc., and is configured to control the general operation of the aerosol generation device 2. In a preferred embodiment, the operator is connected with the power receiving module 25.

The energizer 26 is configured to provide energy to directly or indirectly heat the substrate of the consumable and to receive electrical energy from the power source 24. The energizer 26 may be arranged in an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall of the receiving chamber 23 as shown in Figure 2. Alternatively, it maybe arranged in contact with the peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall of the receiving chamber 23. The energizer 26 may be an inductive heating unit, more specifically, an induction coil to generate an electromagnetic field to a susceptor arranged in the substrate of the consumable, when the user activates the aerosol generation device 2. The susceptor couples with the field and generates heat which is transferred to the substrate and vapor is created as the substrate is heated. The energizer 26 may also be a heater, i.e., a resistance heating element, such as metal. For example, the energizer 26 may comprises one or more metals selected from nickel alloy, chromium alloy, stainless, and platinum rhodium.

If the energizer 26 comprises the induction coil, such induction coil can also be used as the connector 271, 272. More specifically, the induction coil wirelessly receives power from the charging device 3. In this embodiment, the charging device comprises the power transmitter coil as a power supply module 371, 372.

In order to improve the safety of charging, in some preferred embodiments, the aerosol generating device 2, and more specifically the power receiving module 25, comprises a checking module that can check if the charging device 3 is inserted in the receiving chamber 23 or not. The checking module may comprise a sensor that is arranged in or proximate to the receiving chamber 23, and may be a proximity sensor, a hall sensor, a touch sensor, a sensor for detecting a change in capacitance, a limit switch, an optical sensor etc. In a preferred embodiment, the checking module is a sensor that can detect a predetermined signal transmitted from the charging device 3 by using, for example, short distance technology like RFID, NFC, and Bluetooth (R), so that it can differentiate if it is a consumable or a charging device 3 that is inserted into the receiving chamber 23. In another preferred embodiment, the checking module maybe an energy sensor for detecting the connection of electrodes. Specifically, the insertion can be detected by an impedance value change via an RLC circuit of the power receiving module 25 or by a VBUS input from the charging device 3.

More preferably, if it is detected that a charging device 3, rather than a consumable, is inserted into the receiving chamber 23, the energizer 26 is switched off accordingly, and an operation of activating the heating function of the device 2 is prevented by the aerosol generation device 2. In other words, a heating function is deactivated or terminated immediately once the checking module detects the insertion of the consumable 2. A charging icon or light is switched on accordingly to notify the user that the charging device 3 is in the aerosol generation device 2, and any other operation, especially an aerosol generation function, may not be allowed. It is known that if the temperature of lithium-ion secondary battery reaches a certain temperature (e.g., 60 degree Celsius), the risk of explosion is not negligeable. By using the above-mentioned methods, heating the charging device 3, which may cause explosion, can be prevented.

In the preferred embodiment, a certain distance 28 is arranged between the connector and the bottom end of the receiving chamber 23. The distance 28 has an average length in the insertion direction which is at least 1 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, more preferably at least 10 mm, even more preferably at least 15 mm, and most preferably at least 20 mm; and at most 45 mm, preferably, at most 40 mm, more preferably at most 35 mm, even more preferably at most 30 mm, and most preferably at most 25 mm.

Since the bottom end of receiving chamber 23 tends to accumulate dirt, especially after the use of the consumable, the charging electrode can remain relatively clean thanks to this arrangement. The possibility of unsuccessful charging caused by bad contact is thus reduced.

(Charging device)

The charging device 3 has an elongated shape and proper size matching the shape and size of the receiving chamber 23 of the aerosol generating device 2. Preferably, the charging device 3 has the shape of a stick like a consumable. The receiving chamber 23 is slightly shorter than the charging device 3 and slightly larger in diameter than the charging device 3, e.g., with a length 60 mm in the longitudinal direction and 10 mm in diameter. The charging device 3 has an outer wall which when the charging device is used is parallel to the insertion and extraction directions, an upper end a bottom end, or, correspondingly, a first end and second end with respect to the insertion direction. This arrangement makes it for the user easier to take out the charging device 3 after use. The charging device 3 may be just a charger, as shown in Figure 1, that transmits electric currents directly from an external power source, e.g., a wall socket, via a plug 31 thereof to the aerosol generation device 2, more specifically, the connector 271, 272 of the power receiving module 25. The charging device 3 may preferably be a recharger, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, that stores the power energy in a battery, e.g., a lithium-ion secondary battery, so that the user can take it with the aerosol generation device 2 and charge the aerosol generation device 2 outside (with no wall socket available).

Additionally or alternatively, other types of an energy storage (e.g., a capacitor, fuel cell or solid state battery) can be employed.

In addition, the charging device 3 comprises a power supply module 371, 372 configured to engage with the power receiving module 23 of the aerosol generating device 2 for power transition in order to charge the power source of the aerosol generating device 2. The power supply module comprises a connector 371, 372 on the outer wall and is configured to connect with the corresponding connector 271, 272 of the aerosol generating device 2. The connector comprises a positive electrode side 371 (anode) and a negative electrode side 372 (cathode) disposed sequentially on the outer wall of the charging device 3 in the insertion direction or the extraction direction of the charging device 3 to or from the receiving chamber 23 of the aerosol generation device 2. In other words, the positive electrode side 371 is arranged at a first position of the outer wall, the negative electrode side 372 is arranged at a second position of the outer wall, and the first position and the second position are separated from each other, preferably with a ceramic ring 375 therebetween, in the longitudinal direction of the elongated charging device 3. As mentioned above, the benefit and advantage of this arrangement is that the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side of the device 3 are not invertedly connected with the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side of the aerosol generation device 2, so that the device 2 can be charged more safely. In some preferred embodiments, the connector of the charging device 3 is arranged around the battery arranged therein, so that the battery can have a bigger capacity. Positions of the positive electrode side 371 and the negative electrode side 372 can be exchangeable with each other.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the connecter, i.e., the positive electrode side 371 and the negative electrode side 372, of the charging device 3, in some embodiments, comprises metal contacts, e.g., pogo pins. In other embodiments, the connecter comprises two metal rings parallel to each other, i.e., the positive electrode ring 371 and the negative electrode ring 372. Preferably, the positive electrode side 371 and the negative electrode side 372 are separated by the ceramic ring 375. As shown in the figures, if the connector 371, 372 of the charging device 3 are metal contact points, the connector 271, 272 of the receiving chamber 23 are correspondingly metal contact rings; if the connector 371, 372 of the charging device 3 are metal contact rings, the connector 271, 272 of the receiving chamber 23 are correspondingly metal contact points. In some embodiments, the connector 371, 372 of the charging device 3 and the connector 271, 272 of the receiving chamber 23 are both metal contact rings. The benefit and the advantage of these embodiments are that it does not matter in which direction and orientation the charging device 3 is inserted into the aerosol generation device 2— the power source 25 can start to charge once the charging device 3 is inserted into the receiving chamber 23, as the connectors of the charging device 3 and the aerosol generation device 2 are always in contact when the charging device 3 is inserted. In some other embodiments, the connector 371, 372 of the charging device 3 and the connector 271, 272 of the receiving chamber 23 are both metal contact points.

In the preferred embodiments, the outer wall is, at least partially and preferably entirely, arranged with a heating insulating layer and/ or a graphite coat. The charging process is usually performed after heating sessions. In these scenarios, the internal temperature in the receiving chamber 23 tends to remain high. Thus, having a heating insulating layer or graphite coat on the outer wall brings the benefit and advantage of protecting the charging device 3 from damages such as explosion caused by the heat.

In the preferred embodiments, the charging device 3 comprises a charge controller 33, i.e., a charger IC, for regulating the electric current and voltage to be charged on the power source 24 of the aerosol generation device 2, so as to protect it. In the preferred embodiment, the Charging IC 33 is mounted on the charging device side. This brings the benefit of reducing the size and weight of the aerosol generation device 2.

In the preferred embodiment, the charging device 3 comprises a signal transmitter or an indicator, such as barcode, QR code, or short distance technologies like NFC, RFID, and Bluetooth®, which can transmit a signal to or indicate to the sensor of the aerosol generation device 2 that the charging device 3 is inserted therein.

In the preferred embodiment, similarly and correspondingly to the connector of the aerosol generation device 2, a certain distance 38 is arranged between the connector and at the bottom end of the charging device 3. Thus, the connector of the charging device 3 is arranged at a corresponding position to the connector of the aerosol generation device 2. The distance 38 has an average length in the insertion direction which is at least 1 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, more preferably at least 10 mm, even more preferably at least 15 mm, and most preferably at least 20 mm; and at most 45 mm, preferably, at most 40 mm, more preferably at most 35 mm, even more preferably at most 30 mm, and most preferably at most 25 mm. In a preferred embodiment, in which the energizer 26 comprises the induction coil, the charging device 3 is equipped with a cleaning brush, which is arranged to clean the receiving chamber 23, by using, for example, magnetic force. With this arrangement, the device battery can be charged during cleaning. (Charging Process)

In order to charge the device 2, i.e., to receive an external power to charge the device, the charging device 3 is inserted into the receiving chamber 23 through the opening of the housing in the insertion direction. The external power is thus received within the receiving chamber 23 and transmitted to the power source 24. Furthermore, in preferred embodiments, a checking module of the aerosol generation device 2 may detect if it is the charging device 3 that is inserted in the receiving chamber 23, so that certain operations, such as the heating function, of the aerosol generation devices 2 are deactivated.

The benefit and advantage of this configuration is that, compared to typical aerosol devices having an external power input, e.g. a USB receptacle, installed on the outer surface of the housing, it makes the aerosol generation device 2 more compact in design. This also improves the dust-tight, waterproof and anti-electrical noise performance of the device 2. In other words, since this reduces the number of apertures on the device, the device can be kept clean and safe.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising:

- a housing comprising an opening,

2. The aerosol generating device according to the preceding claim, comprising a checking module configured to check if the external power supply module is inserted in the receiving chamber.

3. The aerosol generating device according to the preceding claim, wherein the checking module is configured to deactivate a heating function of the receiving chamber when the external power supply module is inserted in the receiving chamber.

4. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving chamber is substantially cylindrical.

5. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving chamber has an upper end and a bottom end with respect to the insertion direction and extraction direction, the upper end is at the opening of the housing and the bottom end is opposite to the upper end, and a distance is arranged between the connector and the bottom end of the receiving chamber, and preferably, an average length of the distance in the insertion direction is at least i mm, preferably at least 5 mm, more preferably at least 1 cm, even more preferably at least 1.5 cm, and most preferably at least 2 cm.

6. A charging device for charging the aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a power supply module configured to engage with the power receiving module of the aerosol generating device for power transition in order to charge the power source of the aerosol generating device, wherein the power supply module comprises a connector configured to connect with the connector of the aerosol generating device, the charging device is elongated, the connector is arranged on an outer wall of the charging device which is parallel to the insertion direction, and the connector comprises a positive electrode side and a negative electrode side disposed sequentially on the outer wall of the charging device in the insertion direction or the extraction direction of the charging device to or from the receiving chamber of the aerosol generation device.

7. The charging device according to the preceding claim, wherein the charging device has a shape of a stick.

8. The charging device according to claims 6 or 7, wherein the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side are contacting metal points or contacting metal rings that are arranged sequentially around the charging device.

9. The charging device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the outer wall is, at least partially, arranged with a heating insulating layer and/ or a graphite coat.

10. The charging device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, comprising a charger IC.

11. The charging device according to any one of claims 6 to 10, comprising a power source configured to store power for the charging device, and the connector is arranged around the power source.

12. The charging device according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the charging device has an upper end and a bottom end with respect to the insertion direction and extraction direction, the upper end of the charging device is close to the opening of the aerosol generation device when the charging device is inserted therein, and the bottom end of the charging device is opposite to the upper end of the charging device and is in contact with the bottom end of the receiving chamber of the aerosol generation device when it is inserted therein, and a distance is arranged between the connector of the charging device and the bottom end of the charging device, and, preferably, the distance has an average length in the insertion direction which is at least i mm, preferably at least 5 mm, more preferably at least 1 cm, even more preferably at least 1.5 cm, and most preferably at least 2 cm.

13. The charging device according to any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein a ceramic ring is arranged between the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side.

14. An aerosol generating system comprising the aerosol generating device according to claims 1 to 5 and a charging device according to any one of claims 6 to 13, wherein the charging device has a shape and size matching the shape and size of the receiving chamber of the aerosol generating device.

15. A method of charging the aerosol generating system of the preceding claim, comprising the steps of:

- charging the power source.