WO2024200455A1

WO2024200455A1 - Aerosol-generating device with upstream pump

Info

Publication number: WO2024200455A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/058138
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matteo Bologna; Mirko MINZONI; Fabrice STEFFEN; Stéphane Martin Roland LAUTENBACHER
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2023-03-31
Filing date: 2024-03-26
Publication date: 2024-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-30
Also published as: CN121001597A; KR20250162804A

Abstract

The invention relates to an aerosol-generating device comprising a cavity for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device further comprises an airflow channel upstream of the cavity. The airflow channel is fluidly connected with the cavity. The airflow channel is configured to allow ambient air to be drawn into the device and into the cavity. The aerosol-generating device further comprises a pump. The pump is arranged in or adjacent the airflow channel. The pump is configured to create an airflow in the airflow channel thereby creating an airflow in the cavity.

Description

AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE WITH UPSTREAM PUMP

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device.

It is known to provide an aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable vapor. Such devices may heat aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate are volatilised without burning the aerosolforming substrate. Aerosol-forming substrate may be provided as part of an aerosolgenerating article. The aerosol-generating article may have a rod shape for insertion of the aerosol-generating article into a cavity, such as a heating chamber, of the aerosol-generating device. A heating element may be arranged in or around the heating chamber for heating the aerosol-forming substrate once the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device. In humid environments, an undesirable warm first puff may be created due to a high moisture content in the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article.

It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating device preventing an undesirable warm first puff in humid environments.

According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an aerosol-generating device that may comprise a cavity for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosolgenerating device may further comprise an airflow channel upstream of the cavity. The airflow channel may be fluidly connected with the cavity. The airflow channel may be configured to allow ambient air to be drawn into the device and into the cavity. The aerosolgenerating device may further comprise a pump. The pump may be arranged in or adjacent the airflow channel. The pump may be configured to create an airflow in the airflow channel thereby creating an airflow in the cavity.

According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an aerosol-generating device comprising a cavity for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosolgenerating device further comprises an airflow channel upstream of the cavity. The airflow channel is fluidly connected with the cavity. The airflow channel is configured to allow ambient air to be drawn into the device and into the cavity. The aerosol-generating device further comprises a pump. The pump is arranged in or adjacent the airflow channel. The pump is configured to create an airflow in the airflow channel thereby creating an airflow in the cavity.

The pump enables the creation of an airflow in the cavity. This airflow in the cavity may create a pumping action in the cavity. The airflow in the cavity may be utilized to remove undesired humid air or aerosol from the cavity. Particularly in humid environments, the aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article may have a humidity higher than usual. This may be particularly problematic if the pack of aerosol-generating articles is open for multiple hours before usage of an aerosol-generating article in the aerosol-generating device. Exemplarily, a user may insert a fresh aerosol-generating article into the cavity. The aerosol-forming substrate of this aerosol-generating article may have a humidity that would lead to an undesired hot first puff as the increased humidity has to be removed from the aerosol-forming substrate. During a preheating period, the present invention enables to create a drawing or pumping effect in the cavity and thus in the aerosol-generating article via the pump. The drawing or pumping effect can create an airflow through the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article and thus remove the humid air/aerosol in the aerosol-generating article. After removal of the humid air/aerosol, a user can use the aerosolgenerating article optimally without experiencing an undesired hot first puff.

The preheating phase of the aerosol-generating device may be signalled to a user. For example, an acoustic, haptic, or optical signal may be provided by the aerosol-generating device signalling the end of the preheating phase. A user may want to purge excess humidity from the cavity when the aerosol-generating device is indicating an end of the preheating phase. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-generating device may be configured to produce an excess moisture purging signal during the preheating phase indicating to a user when to perform the pumping action.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a humidity sensor in or adjacent the cavity to determine the moisture of aerosol-forming substrate in the aerosol-generating article. A controller of the aerosol-generating device may control the signal generation based upon the output of the moisture detector. Alternatively, the controller may be configured to perform an automatic excess moisture purging process depending upon the output of the moisture detector.

The pump may be configured to pump ambient air drawn into the airflow channel in a downstream direction leading to a pumping action in the cavity. The pump may be configured to pump ambient air drawn into the airflow channel in an upstream direction leading to a drawing action in the cavity. Activation of the pump may lead to a pumping action followed by drawing action or vice versa.

The pump may be arranged in a sidewall of the airflow channel. The pump may form a sidewall of the airflow channel. The pump may form a flexible sidewall of the airflow channel.

The pump may be configured as one or more of a mechanical pump, an electronic pump, a micropump and a unidirectional pump. The pump may be a mechanical pump. The mechanical pump may not comprise an electric motor. The mechanical pump may not be electrically driven. The mechanical pump may be operated by mechanically means only. The mechanical pump may be manually operated by a user. The pump may be configured to be deactivated during a normal operation of the aerosol-generating device. In other words, the pump may be configured to be deactivated when the aerosol-generating device is operated other than the purging of excess humidity in a preheating phase as described herein.

The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a one-way valve. The one-way valve may be arranged in the airflow channel upstream of the pump. The one-way valve may allow airflow in a downstream direction towards the pump and may prevent airflow in an upstream direct away from the pump.

The one-way valve may force air through the cavity in case of actuation of the pump. The one-way valve may increase the airflow through the cavity in case of a pump actuation.

The one-way valve may comprise a ball valve. The one-way valve may consist of a ball valve.

The one-way valve may be arranged adjacent an air inlet of the aerosol-generating device. The one-way valve may be arranged at a distal portion of the aerosol-generating device. The one-way valve may be arranged at a distal end of the aerosol-generating device. The one-way valve may be arranged within the airflow channel.

The pump may comprise a compressible chamber fluidly connected with the airflow channel. The compressible chamber may be arranged between the cavity and the air inlet. The compressible chamber may be arranged upstream of the cavity. The compressible chamber may be arranged downstream of the air inlet. The compressible chamber may be part of the airflow channel. The compressible chamber may be fluidly connected with the airflow chamber. Alternatively, the compressible chamber may be separate from the airflow channel but fluidly connectable with the airflow chamber.

The pump may have a pumping volume of between 1 ml and 10 ml, preferably between 2 ml and 5 ml, more preferably between 3 ml and 4 ml.

The pump may be configured to be actuated multiple times. The pump may be configured to be actuated repeatedly. Thereby, the overall volume of air flowing through the cavity due to the pump actuation can be increased.

The compressible chamber may be at least partly elastic. The elastic part of the compressible chamber may be arranged at a periphery of the aerosol-generating device to be accessible by a user.

The pump may comprise an elastic silicon section. The compressible chamber may be made of elastic silicon. The compressible chamber may be tube-shaped. The compressible chamber may be an elastic silicon tube.

The elastic part may be covered with a pushbutton configured to enable a user to compress the compressible chamber via a pushing actuation of the pushbutton. Alternatively, the elastic part may be configured as the pushbutton. The pushbutton may be attached to a locking element that may be configured to lock the airflow channel upstream of the pump when the pushbutton may be depressed.

The locking element may comprise a protruding element. The protruding element may be attached to the pushbutton. The protruding element may be elongate. The protruding element may be configured to penetrate into the airflow channel when the pushbutton is depressed. The protruding element may be configured to block the airflow channel when penetrating into the airflow channel. The protruding element may have a tapered end to facilitate insertion of the protruding element into the airflow channel.

One or both of the compressible chamber and the pushbutton may at least partly form a sidewall of the aerosol-generating device. A user may thus hold the aerosol-generating device and actuate the pump by compressing the compressible wall. The pushbutton may be elastic or rigid. If the pushbutton is rigid, it is preferably arranged to compress the compressible chamber during actuation. The pushbutton may be arranged to be radially depressible. In addition of alternatively, a button holder may be provided that holds the pushbutton in a depressed position. This may be advantageous if a drawing action in the cavity is desired. Then, a user may initially depress the button which is then held by the button holder. When an excess moisture purging action is desired, the button holder may release the pushbutton such that the pushbutton returns to its initial position due to the biasing action of the biasing element. This creates a vacuum in the compressible chamber which draws air out of the cavity. The button holder may be actuated by the user or by the controller of the aerosol-generating device. The depression of the pushbutton may in one embodiment lead to the controller starting the preheating phase of the aerosol-generating device. This may be combined with an article sensor detecting the presence of an aerosolgenerating article in the cavity. The preheating may only start if a aerosol-generating article is detected to be received in the cavity.

A biasing element may be provided. The biasing element may be arranged to bias the pushbutton towards an initial position. In other words, the biasing element may bias the pushbutton in a radial outwards direction. This biasing action may counter a depressing action of a user of the pushbutton and return the pushbutton to the initial position after a actuation. The biasing element may be a spring.

The locking element may be arranged as an alternative to the one-way valve. Hence, the locking element may arranged adjacent the air inlet. The locking element may be arranged in the airflow channel. The locking element may be arranged at a distal portion of the aerosol-generating device or at a distal end of the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively, the air inlet and the locking element may be arranged in a sidewall of the aerosol-generating device. Similarly, the one-way valve and the air inlet may arranged in a sidewall of the aerosol-generating device. As a further alternative, the locking element may be arranged in addition to the one-way valve.

When the locking element is arranged at a distal portion of the aerosol-generating device or at a distal end of the aerosol-generating device, the locking element preferably has a lateral extension. This leads to the locking element being laterally moved into the airflow channel if a user laterally depresses the sidewall of the aerosol-generating device. If the locking element is arranged in the sidewall of the aerosol-generating device, the locking element preferably has an axial extension. This leads to the locking element being axially moved into the airflow channel if a user laterally depresses the sidewall of the aerosolgenerating device.

As an alternative of providing a locking element, the air inlet may be arranged in one or more of the sidewall of the aerosol-generating device, the elastic part and the pushbutton. In this way, the air inlet may be arranged to be blocked by a finger of the user during actuation of the pump by the user.

The pump may comprise a sliding piston. The sliding piston may be configured slidable parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device and may be configured to displace air in the airflow channel during a sliding movement.

The sliding piston may be arranged slidably with the airflow channel. The sliding piston may have an outer diameter corresponding to an inner diameter of the airflow channel.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a motor, preferably an electric motor, for moving the sliding piston. The motor may be mechanically connected with the sliding piston. The motor may be configured as a linear motor. The motor may be configured as a worm screw drive.

The motor may be combined with a biasing element such as a spring. The motor may be configured to bias the biasing element against a natural biasing force of the biasing element. When a pumping action is required, the biasing element may be released thereby rapidly moving the sliding piston. This may lead to a rapid pushing of air into the cavity thereby removing excess moisture as described herein. The biasing may be held by a holding element such as a pin. The biasing element may be held by the holding element after being biased by the motor. In case of a spring, the motor may compress the spring. As an alternative to providing a motor, a user may manually bias the biasing element. The holding element may be electrically controlled. The holding element may be controller together with the control of the motor. The holding element may be engaged when the motor has moved the biasing element a predetermined distance. Alternatively, the holding element may be manually controlled after the motor or the user has moved the biasing element. Similarly, electrical means such as a separate motor may be provided to disengage the holding element. Alternatively, a user may manually disengage the holding element. A controller may be provided to control one or more of: actuation of the pump, actuation of the one-way valve (preferably passively actuated), actuation of the holding element, actuation of the motor, actuation of the button holder, release of the button holder, release of the holding element and operation of the aerosol-generating device.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a secondary pump configured to hydraulically move the sliding piston.

The secondary pump may be hydraulically connected with the sliding piston. The secondary pump may be a hydraulic pump. The secondary pump may be a manual pump. The secondary pump may be an electric pump. An actuation of the secondary pump may hydraulically actuate the sliding piston so that the sliding piston slides within the airflow channel. The secondary pump may be a piezo-electric pump. A one-way valve may be arranged between the secondary pump and the sliding piston to prevent backflow of hydraulic fluid towards the secondary pump. The secondary pump may comprise an elastic tank holding hydraulic fluid. Upstream of the sliding piston, a chamber holding hydraulic fluid may be provided, preferably an elastic chamber. The elastic tank and the elastic chamber may be fluidly attached. The one-way valve may be configured to be opened in both directions. This may enable a reset of the hydraulic system after actuation. The opening action of the one-way valve may be controlled by the controller or manually by a user.

The aerosol-generating device may further comprise the air inlet fluidly connected with the airflow channel for allowing ambient air to be drawn into the aerosol-generating device.

The air inlet may have a double functionality. The air inlet may enable ambient air to be drawn or to flow into the airflow channel. During an actuation of the pump, this air may be pushed towards the cavity to create an airflow in the cavity. Alternatively, the air inlet may act as a air outlet and enable air to be drawn out of the cavity, by a pump actuation, and further out of the air inlet. This may create a drawing action in the cavity. As a further functionality, the air inlet may be configured to allow air to be drawn into the airflow channel and further into the cavity during a normal operation of the aerosol-generating device. This may be facilitated by a user drawing upon the aerosol-generating article and thus creating a vacuum in the airflow channel.

Similarly, the airflow channel may have a double functionality. A function of the airflow channel may be to enable, via a pump actuation, air to be pushed into the cavity or air to be drawn from the cavity. Further, the airflow channel may enable ambient air to be drawn into the device and into the cavity during a normal operation of the aerosol-generating device.

A housing portion of the aerosol-generating device arranged adjacent the air inlet may be configured elastic and the compressible chamber may be arranged adjacent the elastic housing portion. The pump may comprise a locking element. The locking element may be configured to deactivate the pump during operation of the aerosol-generating device.

The pump may comprise an induction coil and a susceptor element. The susceptor element may be configured to be movable within the airflow channel so as to move air through the airflow channel. The susceptor element may be configured to be movable by actuation of the induction coil. The induction coil and the susceptor element may form a magnetic valve.

The susceptor element of the magnetic valve may comprise, preferably consist of, a magnetic clogging element, preferably of spherical or piston shape. The magnetic clogging element may be arranged in the airflow channel. The airflow channel may comprise a downstream section having an inner diameter corresponding to or having a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the magnetic clogging element. The airflow channel may comprise an upstream section having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the magnetic clogging element. The magnetic valve may further comprise an induction coil at least partly wound around the airflow channel. The magnetic valve may be configured to, via appropriate activation of the induction coil, hold the magnetic clogging element in the downstream section of the airflow channel. The airflow channel may thus be blocked. At the appropriate time during the preheating phase or after the preheating phase of the aerosol-generating device, the magnetic pump may be actuated such that, output of the moisture detector, move the magnetic clogging element into the upstream section of the airflow channel. This enables airflow past the magnetic clogging element. At the same time, a vacuum is created in the cavity drawing excess humidity out of the cavity. The induction coil may be controlled to move the magnetic clogging element back to the downstream position, if desired.

As an alternative to a magnetic valve, a mechanical valve may be arranged in the airflow channel. The mechanical valve may comprise a valve actuator and a blocking element. The blocking element may be spherical or may be a piston. The blocking element may be configured to block the airflow channel in a downstream position and to allow airflow through the airflow channel in an upstream position similar to the description of the magnetic clogging element herein. The valve actuator may be configured to move the blocking element from the upstream position to the downstream position and vice versa.

The pump may comprise a movable element within the airflow channel. The movable element may be arranged to be reachable by a user through an air inlet to be manually moved by the user or wherein the movable element may be configured movable by movement of the aerosol-generating device.

The movable element may comprise a through hole to enable air to flow through the movable element.

The movable element may comprise a corrugated tube. The pump may comprise a flexible compressible part of the airflow channel. The flexible compressible part of the airflow channel may be arranged adjacent a periphery of the aerosol-generating device so as to be compressible by a user, the pushbutton may be arranged adjacent the flexible compressible part of the airflow channel to enable compressing of the flexible compressible part of the airflow channel by a user. The flexible compressible part is preferably an alternative to the compressible chamber described herein. Particularly, the flexible compressible part comprises one side of the airflow channel, which can be compressed. The pushbutton may comprise a biasing element to bias the pushbutton into the initial position and/or a button holder to hold the pushbutton in a depressed position as described herein.

The pump may comprise a fan. The fan may be configured to be driven by a permanent magnet motor. The fan may be arranged in the airflow channel. The fan may be configured to blow air into the cavity and/or to draw air out of the cavity.

As used herein, the terms ‘proximal’, ‘distal’, ‘downstream’ and ‘upstream’ are used to describe the relative positions of components, or portions of components, of the aerosolgenerating device in relation to the direction in which a user draws on the aerosol-generating device during use thereof.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a mouth end through which in use an aerosol exits the aerosol-generating device and is delivered to a user. The mouth end may also be referred to as the proximal end. In use, a user draws on the proximal or mouth end of the aerosol-generating device in order to inhale an aerosol generated by the aerosolgenerating device. Alternatively, a user may directly draw on an aerosol-generating article inserted into an opening at the proximal end of the aerosol-generating device. The opening at the proximal end may be an opening of the cavity. The cavity may be configured to receive the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device comprises a distal end opposed to the proximal or mouth end. The proximal or mouth end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the downstream end and the distal end of the aerosolgenerating device may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating device may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions between the proximal, downstream or mouth end and the distal or upstream end of the aerosol-generating device.

As used herein, an ‘aerosol-generating device’ relates to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article, for example part of a smoking article. An aerosolgenerating device may be a smoking device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs thorough the user's mouth. An aerosol-generating device may be a holder. The device may be an electrically heated smoking device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing, electric circuitry, a power supply, a heating chamber and a heating element.

As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term ‘smoking’ with reference to a device, article, system, substrate, or otherwise does not refer to conventional smoking in which an aerosol-forming substrate is fully or at least partially combusted. The aerosol-generating device of the present invention is arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature below a combustion temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate, but at or above a temperature at which one or more volatile compounds of the aerosolforming substrate are released to form an inhalable aerosol.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise electric circuitry. The electric circuitry may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The microprocessor may be part of the controller. The electric circuitry may comprise further electronic components. The electric circuitry may be configured to regulate a supply of power to the heating element. Power may be supplied to the heating element continuously following activation of the aerosol-generating device or may be supplied intermittently, such as on a puff-by-puff basis. The power may be supplied to the heating element in the form of pulses of electrical current. The electric circuitry may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element, and preferably to control the supply of power to the heating element dependent on the electrical resistance of the heating element.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power supply, typically a battery, within a main body of the aerosol-generating device. In one embodiment, the power supply is a Lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, or a Lithium based battery, for example a Lithium-Cobalt, a Lithium-lron-Phosphate, Lithium Titanate or a Lithium-Polymer battery. As an alternative, the power supply may be another form of charge storage device such as a capacitor. The power supply may require recharging and may have a capacity that enables to store enough energy for one or more usage experiences; for example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to continuously generate aerosol for a period of around six minutes or for a period of a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to provide a predetermined number of puffs or discrete activations of the heating element.

The cavity of the aerosol-generating device may have an open end into which the aerosol-generating article is inserted. The open end may be a proximal end. The cavity may have a closed end opposite the open end. The closed end may be the base of the cavity. The closed end may be closed except for the provision of air apertures arranged in the base. The base of the cavity may be flat. The base of the cavity may be circular. The base of the cavity may be arranged upstream of the cavity. The open end may be arranged downstream of the cavity. The cavity may have an elongate extension. The cavity may have a longitudinal central axis. A longitudinal direction may be the direction extending between the open and closed ends along the longitudinal central axis. The longitudinal central axis of the cavity may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device.

The cavity may be configured as a heating chamber. The cavity may have a cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a hollow cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the aerosol-generating article to be received in the cavity. The cavity may have a circular cross-section. The cavity may have an elliptical or rectangular cross-section. The cavity may have an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

The airflow channel may run through the aerosol-generating device and into the cavity. Ambient air may be drawn into the aerosol-generating device, into the cavity and towards the user through the airflow channel. Downstream of the cavity, a mouthpiece may be arranged or a user may directly draw on the aerosol-generating article. The airflow channel may extend through the mouthpiece.

In any of the aspects of the disclosure, the heating element may comprise an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically resistive materials include but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically "conductive" ceramics (such as, for example, molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys and composite materials made of a ceramic material and a metallic material. Such composite materials may comprise doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbides. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum platinum, gold and silver. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminium- titanium- zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese-, gold- and iron- containing alloys, and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, Timetai® and iron-manganese-aluminium based alloys. In composite materials, the electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated or coated with an insulating material or vice-versa, depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the external physicochemical properties required.

As described, in any of the aspects of the disclosure, the heating element may be part of an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise an internal heating element or an external heating element, or both internal and external heating elements, where "internal" and "external" refer to the aerosol-forming substrate. An internal heating element may take any suitable form. For example, an internal heating element may take the form of a heating blade. Alternatively, the internal heater may take the form of a casing or substrate having different electro-conductive portions, or an electrically resistive metallic tube. Alternatively, the internal heating element may be one or more heating needles or rods that run through the center of the aerosolforming substrate. Other alternatives include a heating wire or filament, for example a Ni-Cr (Nickel-Chromium), platinum, tungsten or alloy wire or a heating plate. Optionally, the internal heating element may be deposited in or on a rigid carrier material. In one such embodiment, the electrically resistive heating element may be formed using a metal having a defined relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary device, the metal may be formed as a track on a suitable insulating material, such as ceramic material, and then sandwiched in another insulating material, such as a glass. Heaters formed in this manner may be used to both heat and monitor the temperature of the heating elements during operation.

An external heating element may take any suitable form. For example, an external heating element may take the form of one or more flexible heating foils on a dielectric substrate, such as polyimide. The flexible heating foils can be shaped to conform to the perimeter of the substrate receiving cavity. Alternatively, an external heating element may take the form of a metallic grid or grids, a flexible printed circuit board, a molded interconnect device (MID), ceramic heater, flexible carbon fibre heater or may be formed using a coating technique, such as plasma vapour deposition, on a suitable shaped substrate. An external heating element may also be formed using a metal having a defined relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary device, the metal may be formed as a track between two layers of suitable insulating materials. An external heating element formed in this manner may be used to both heat and monitor the temperature of the external heating element during operation.

As an alternative to an electrically resistive heating element, the heating element may be configured as an induction heating element. The induction heating element may comprise an induction coil and a susceptor. In general, a susceptor is a material that is capable of generating heat, when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. When located in an alternating magnetic field. If the susceptor is conductive, then typically eddy currents are induced by the alternating magnetic field. If the susceptor is magnetic, then typically another effect that contributes to the heating is commonly referred to hysteresis losses. Hysteresis losses occur mainly due to the movement of the magnetic domain blocks within the susceptor, because the magnetic orientation of these will align with the magnetic induction field, which alternates. Another effect contributing to the hysteresis loss is when the magnetic domains will grow or shrink within the susceptor. Commonly all these changes in the susceptor that happen on a nano-scale or below are referred to as “hysteresis losses”, because they produce heat in the susceptor. Hence, if the susceptor is both magnetic and electrically conductive, both hysteresis losses and the generation of eddy currents will contribute to the heating of the susceptor. If the susceptor is magnetic, but not conductive, then hysteresis losses will be the only means by which the susceptor will heat, when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. According to the invention, the susceptor may be electrically conductive or magnetic or both electrically conductive and magnetic. An alternating magnetic field generated by one or several induction coils heat the susceptor, which then transfers the heat to the aerosol-forming substrate, such that an aerosol is formed. The heat transfer may be mainly by conduction of heat. Such a transfer of heat is best, if the susceptor is in close thermal contact with the aerosol-forming substrate.

As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-generating article’ refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. For example, an aerosol-generating article may be a smoking article that generates an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs through the user's mouth. An aerosolgenerating article may be disposable.

As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-forming substrate’ relates to a substrate capable of releasing one or more volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-forming substrate may conveniently be part of an aerosol-generating article or smoking article.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosolforming substrate may comprise both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavour compounds which are released from the substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise an aerosol former that facilitates the formation of a dense and stable aerosol. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerine and propylene glycol.

The aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises homogenised tobacco material, an aerosol-former and water. Providing homogenised tobacco material may improve aerosol generation, the nicotine content and the flavour profile of the aerosol generated during heating of the aerosol-generating article. Specifically, the process of making homogenised tobacco involves grinding tobacco leaf, which more effectively enables the release of nicotine and flavours upon heating.

Features described in relation to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention.

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

Fig. 1 shows a conventional aerosol-generating device;

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of an aerosol-generating device;

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device; Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device;

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device;

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device;

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device;

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device;

Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device;

Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device;

Fig. 11 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device;

Fig. 12 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device;

Fig. 13 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device;

Fig. 14 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device;

Fig. 15 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device;

Fig. 16 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device;

Fig. 17 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device;

Fig. 18 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device;

Fig. 19 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device;

Fig. 20 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device;

Fig. 21 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device; Fig. 22 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device.

Figure 1 shows a conventional aerosol-generating device 10. The aerosol-generating device 10 comprises a cavity 12 for receiving an aerosol-generating article 14 comprising aerosol-forming substrate. The cavity 12 is arranged at a proximal end of the aerosolgenerating device 10. The airflow channel 16 extends upstream of the cavity 12 and towards a distal end of the aerosol-generating device 10. At the distal end of the aerosol-generating device 10, an air inlet 18 is arranged. The air inlet 18 enables ambient air to be drawn into the airflow channel 16 and further into the cavity 12. When a user draws on the proximal end of the aerosol-generating article 14, the air will be drawn through the aerosol-generating article 14 received in the cavity 12 to be inhaled by the user. Further, Figure 1 shows a heating element 20 arranged around the cavity 12 for heating the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article 14, when the aerosol-generating article 14 is received in the cavity 12.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device 10 according to the invention. As a modification to the aerosol-generating device 10 of Figure 1 , Figure 2 shows the arrangement a pump 22 in the airflow channel 16. The pump 22 is arranged between the air inlet 18 and the cavity 12 in the airflow channel 16. The pump 22 enables air to be pumped into the cavity 12 such that a pumping action takes place in the cavity 12. The pump 22 may also be used to draw air out of the cavity 12 so as to create a drawing action in the cavity 12.

The pump 22 comprises an actuator 24 in the form of a slider to enable a user to move the pump 22. The pump 22 comprises a piston like body that is arranged in the airflow channel 16 that enables air to be moved towards the cavity 12 by moving the pump 22 towards the cavity 12 within the airflow channel 16. In other words, the pump 22 can be slided within the airflow channel 16 by actuation of the actuator 24. The sliding movement of the pump 22 displaces air in the airflow channel 16. The displaced air is pushed into the airflow channel 16. Alternatively, the pump 22 can be moved in a direction away from the airflow channel 16 so that air is drawn out of the cavity 12 due to a vacuum 80 created in the airflow channel 16 upstream of the cavity 12. The movement of the pump 22 towards the cavity 12 is a movement in a proximal or downstream direction. The movement of the pump 22 in the direction of the air inlet 18 is a movement in a distal or upstream direction.

The pumping of air into the cavity 12 or the drawing of air out of the cavity 12 by means of the pump 22 is utilized to remove unwanted excess moisture 76 from the aerosolforming substrate of the aerosol-generating article 14. This functionality of the pump 22 is common to all embodiments.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device 10, in which the pump 22 is constructed differently. In this embodiment, the pump 22 comprises a compressible chamber 26. The compressible chamber 26 is arranged such that a user can push against a sidewall of the compressible chamber 26 and thereby displace air out of the compressible chamber 26. The compressible chamber 26 is fluidly connected with the airflow channel 16. The air pushed out of the compressible chamber 26 subsequently creates a pumping action in the cavity 12. The compressible chamber 26 is flexible so as to return to the initial position after being compressed by user. The subsequent expansion leads to a drawing of air into the compressible chamber 26. The drawing of the air into the compressible chamber 26 leads to a drawing action in the cavity 12.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment in which the pump 22 comprises an elastic sidewall 28. A portion of the airflow channel 16 is in this embodiment configured as a larger space as denoted by reference sign 22 in figure 4A. Additionally, a one-way valve 30 such as a ball 32 valve is arranged at or adjacent or in place of the air inlet 18. During inhalation, as shown in figure 4B, airflow is enabled into the pump 22 and the airflow channel 16. Subsequently, as shown in figure 4C, a user can compress the elastic sidewall 28. Backflow of air out of the air inlet 18 is prevented due to the ball 32 of the one-way valve 30 clogging the air inlet 18. Hence, air is pushed downstream into the cavity 12.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment in which the pump 22, similar to the embodiment shown in figure 4, comprises a larger space. In contrast to the embodiment of figure 4, the air inlet 18 does not comprise a ball 32 valve. Instead, the pump 22 comprises a locking element 34. The locking element 34 is configured to allow airflow through the air inlet 18 and into the larger space of the pump 22, when the elastic sidewall 28 of the pump 22 is not depressed as shown in figure 5A. When the elastic sidewall 28 is depressed by a user, as shown in figure 5B, the locking element 34 penetrates into the air inlet 18 and thereby prevents air from being pushed out of the air inlet 18. As a consequence, the depression of the sidewall pushes air out of the larger space and into the cavity 12 of the aerosol-generating device 10. The locking element 34 has an elongate extension. The locking element 34 as a tapered tip. The locking element 34 has a lateral orientation.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment in which the air inlet 18 is arranged at a sidewall of the pump 22 instead of at a distal end of the aerosol-generating device 10. Further, the air inlet 18 is arranged in the elastic sidewall 28. The elastic sidewall 28 of the pump 22 may at the same time be a sidewall of the aerosol-generating device 10. A user can compress the elastic sidewall 28 thereby pumping air out of the pump 22 and into the cavity 12 while blocking the air inlet 18 with his or her finger. As a consequence, backflow out of the air inlet 18 is prevented during actuation of the pump 22 by a user depressing the elastic sidewall 28. Figure 6A shows the pump 22 during a normal operation of the aerosol-generating device 10, in which ambient air is drawn through the air inlet 18 and towards the cavity 12. Figure 6B shows a pumping action of the pump 22, wherein a user compresses the elastic sidewall 28 and blocks the air inlet 18 with his or her finger.

Figure 7 shows a variation of the embodiment from figure 6, wherein the air inlet 18 is still arranged in the elastic sidewall 28 of the pump 22. In addition, a separate locking element 34 is provided. The locking element 34 is arranged to penetrate into a portion of the air inlet 18 to block backflow of air during depression of the elastic sidewall 28. The functionality of the locking element 34 is similar to the locking element 34 shown in figure 5. In contrast to the locking element 34 As shown in figure 5, the locking element 34 has an axial orientation due to being arranged at the sidewall of the pump 22.

Figure 8 shows an embodiment in which the pump 22 comprises a movable element 36. The movable element 36 in the embodiment shown in figure 8 is configured as a corrugated tube. The movable element 36 can be reached by a user via the air inlet 18. The movable element 36 can be moved, such as compress, by a user when the user reaches into the air inlet 18 and pushes against the movable element 36. The movement or compression of the movable element 36 displaces air out of the pump 22 and creates a pumping action in the cavity 12. The movable element 36 is configured elastic such as to return to the initial position after the user has removed his or her finger from the air inlet 18 and from the pump 22. As a consequence, a drawing action is created in the cavity 12 when air is drawn into the pump 22 by the expansive movement of the movable element 36. Figure 8A shows the corrugated tube in an expanded state and figure 8B shows the corrugated tube in a compressed state.

Figure 9 shows an embodiment similar to the embodiment shown in figure 8, in which a movable element 36 is provided. In contrast to the embodiment shown in figure 8, the movable element 36 is not configured as a corrugated tube. Rather, the movable element 36 is configured as a solid element that can be moved within the pump 22. The movement of the solid element moves air towards the cavity 12 or draws air out of the cavity 12. The movement is facilitated by the movement of the aerosol-generating device 10 such as a shaking of the aerosol-generating device 10. As a consequence, the air inlet 18 has a more typical small diameter comparison to the large air inlet 18 of figure 8 enabling a user to pushed into the pump 22 with a finger. The movable element 36 is confined within the pump 22. The movable element 36 further has a through hole 38. The through hole 38 enables air to be drawn through the movable element 36. This functionality is important during normal operation of the aerosol-generating device 10. In this case, user can draw on the aerosolgenerating article 14 and draw ambient air into the device via the air inlet 18, further via the through hole 38 of the movable element 36 and further into the cavity 12. Still, a rapid movement of the movable element 36 will create the pumping action of the pump 22. The rapid movement of the movable element 36 is particularly preferably created by a shaking of the aerosol-generating device 10. Figure 9A shows an arrangement of the movable element 36 in a first position and figure 9B shows an arrangement of the movable element 36 in a second more downstream position, in which the movable element 36 has displaced air towards the cavity 12.

Figure 10 shows an embodiment that is a combination of the embodiments shown in figures 8 and 9. Two movable elements 36 are provided within the pump 22, wherein one movable element 36 is configured as a corrugated tube as shown in the figure 8 embodiment and one movable element 36 is configured as a solid element as shown in the figure 9 embodiment. The solid movable element 36 is arranged upstream of the corrugated tube so that the corrugated tube is compressed when the aerosol-generating element is rapidly moved due to the solid movable element 36 comprising the corrugated tube. Figure 10A shows a first arrangement of the solid movable element 36 in an upstream position and figure 10B shows a second arrangement of the solid movable element 36 in a downstream position that that the corrugated tube is compressed.

Figure 11 shows a further version of the pump 22 having a movable element 36. In the embodiment shown in figure 11 , the movable element 36 is configured as a piston movably arranged within the pump 22 so as to be able to displace air. The displacement of air is facilitated by a sliding movement of the movable element 36. The movable element 36 is connected with a motor 40 to be moved by the motor 40. The motor 40 is connected with the movable element 36 by means of a gear 42. The motor 40 is powered by a power supply 44 of the aerosol-generating device 10. The motor 40 can be actuated by a switch 46. This switch 46 may be arranged on the outer periphery of the aerosol-generating device 10 so that the user can actuate the switch 46. A biasing element 48 in the form of a spring is provided at a base of the pump 22 adjacent the piston so as to bias the piston a downstream direction. The motor 40 is configured to move the piston an upstream direction against the biasing force of the biasing element 48. When the piston has reached an upstream position, the pump 22 is ready to be actuated. This movement of the movable element 36 may be actuated by the switch 46 or may be an automatic function of the aerosol-generating device 10. An actuation of the switch 46 may enable free movement of the movable element 36. In other words, actuation of the switch 46 may decouple the motor 40 from the movable element 36. As a consequence, the spring rapidly moves the movable element 36 in a downstream direction thereby creating a pumping action of air out of the pump 22 and into the cavity 12. The movable element 36 may comprise a through hole 38 to enable airflow through the movable element 36 during normal operation of the aerosol-generating device 10. The through hole 38 has a diameter that is small enough such that the movable element 36 can still reach the pumping action during a rapid movement of the movable element 36.

Figure 12 shows a variation of the embodiment of figure 11 , in which a locking element 34 is provided for securing the movable element 36 in the upstream position. The locking element 34 may comprise a lateral protrusion 50 that can engage a recess 52 of the movable element 36 so as to hold the movable element 36 in place when the movable element 36 is in the upstream position. The locking element 34 may be actuated by a magnet 54. The magnet 54 may be connected to a control of the aerosol-generating device 10. The controller 56 may be control the motor 40 as well as the magnet 54. The controller 56 may be configured to control the motor 40 such that the motor 40 will move the movable element 36 into the upstream position against the biasing force of the biasing element 48. When the movable element 36 has reached the upstream position, the locking element 34 may lock the movable element 36 in place. When a pumping action of the pump 22 is desired, the controller 56 may disengage the locking element 34 so that the movable element 36 can move freely. Then, as described with reference to figure 11 , the biasing element 48 may bias the movable element 36 in a downstream direction thereby rapidly moving the movable element 36 and thereby creating the pumping action of the pump 22. Subsequently, the motor 40 may again move the movable element 36 towards the upstream position.

Figure 13 shows a variation of the movable element 36. This variation is applicable also at least to the embodiment shown in figures 11 and 12. Instead of providing the movable element 36 with a through hole 38, the air inlet 18 is arranged in a sidewall of the pump 22 such that the air can flow into and through the pump 22 unobstructed during normal operation of the aerosol-generating device 10, when the movable element 36 is in an upstream position. If a pumping action of the pump 22 is desired, a rapid movement of the movable element 36 in a downstream direction will create the pumping action. Particularly if the movable element 36 as part of the air inlet 18, no back flow of air out of the air inlet 18 is possible.

Figure 14 shows a different configuration of the pump 22. The pump 22 comprises a movable element 36. However, the movable element 36 is moved by means of a hydraulic system. In this embodiment, the pump 22 comprises a secondary pump 58 that is configured as a piezoelectric pump. The pump 22 comprises a first hydraulic chamber 60 and a second hydraulic chamber 62. The movable element 36 is at least partly arranged in the first hydraulic chamber 60. The secondary pump 58 fluidly connects the first hydraulic chamber 60 with the second hydraulic chamber 62. The secondary pump 58 may pump hydraulic liquid from the first hydraulic chamber 60 into the second hydraulic chamber 62. The second hydraulic chamber 62 may comprise a biasing element 48 biasing the fluid contained in the second hydraulic chamber 62 towards the first hydraulic chamber 60. The first hydraulic chamber 60 may be fluidly connected with the second hydraulic chamber 62 independent from the fluid connection established by the secondary pump 58. A valve 64 may be arranged between the first hydraulic chamber 60 and the second hydraulic chamber 62 to prevent backflow of hydraulic liquid from the first hydraulic tamer into the second hydraulic chamber 62 during a pumping action. During the pumping action of the pump 22, the valve may be opened to allow the hydraulic liquid to flow from the second hydraulic chamber 62 into the first hydraulic chamber 60 by means of the biasing element 48 pushing the hydraulic fluid out of the second hydraulic chamber 62. The movable element 36 may cooperate with hydraulic fluid in the first hydraulic chamber 60 so as to pump air towards the cavity 12 when the hydraulic fluid is pumped from the second hydraulic chamber 62 into the first hydraulic chamber 60.

Figure 15 shows a variation of the embodiment of figure 14. In the embodiment of figure 15, the hydraulic chambers 60, 62 are configured as elastic hydraulic chambers so as to be compressible/expandable. During a pumping action of the pump 22, the second hydraulic chamber 62 elastically compresses so as to pump air into the first hydraulic chamber 60. The first hydraulic chamber 60 thus expands and pushes the movable element 36 towards the cavity 12. Figure 15A shows a state in which both the first hydraulic chamber 60 and the second hydraulic chamber 62 comprise hydraulic fluid. Figures 15B and 15C show a configuration which the second hydraulic chamber 62 is compressed and hydraulic fluid is pumped into the first hydraulic chamber 60 thereby displacing the movable element 36 towards the cavity 12 of the aerosol-generating device 10. Figure 16 shows an embodiment of the pump 22 being arranged in a sidewall of the aerosol-generating devicelO. The pump 22 is fluidly connected with the airflow channel 16. During a pumping action, air flows in the direction of the cavity 12 as well as in the direction of the air inlet 18. This may result in a reduced efficiency due to air being pumped both into the cavity 12 and out of the air inlet 18. However, this may be beneficial in case of simplicity of arrangement of the pump 22 is desired.

Figure 17 shows a variation of the embodiment of figure 16. In the embodiment of figure 17, the pump 22 is arranged at the air inlet 18 and fluidly connected with the airflow channel 16. During a pumping action, the pump 22 pumps air into the airflow channel 16 thereby creating a pumping action in the cavity 12. Backflow of the air out of the air inlet 18 is prevented due to arrangement of the pump 22 at the air inlet 18. During a normal operation of the aerosol-generating device 10, the pump 22 is configured to allow airflow through the pump 22.

Figure 18 shows an embodiment in which the pump 22 comprises a pushbutton 68 that is arranged at a sidewall of the aerosol-generating device 66. The pushbutton 68 can be compressed to prepare a drawing action of the pump 22 thereby throwing air out of the cavity 12 as will be described in more detail with reference to figure 19. The pump 22 comprises an elastic silicone tube 70 that can be compressed by actuation of the pushbutton 68. The pushbutton 68 is connected with the elastic silicone tube 70. The pushbutton 68 is preferably attached to the sidewall of the elastic silicone tube 70. Figure 18A shows an arrangement of the pushbutton 68 in an initial state. Figure 18B shows an arrangement in which the pushbutton 68 has been compressed so as to compress the elastic silicone tube 70.

Figure 19A shows the pushbutton 68 in an initial state before being compressed. A biasing element 48 is provided to bias the pushbutton 68 into this initial state. The elastic silicone tube 70 is thus expanded and airflow through the elastic silicone tube 70 enabled. This enables normal operation of the aerosol-generating device 10. Further, complementary locking elements 72, 74 are shown that enable a holding action of the pushbutton 68 in a compressed state. In figure 19A, the complementary locking elements 72, 74 are disengaged.

Figure 19B shows a compressed state of the pushbutton 68. The pushbutton 68 is held in this compressed state by a locking action of the complementary locking elements 72, 74. The elastic silicone tube 70 is compressed. This state is preferred during a preheating mode of the aerosol-generating device 10 as indicated by the excess moisture 76 being heated in the cavity 12. A closure 78 prevents air from being drawn into the elastic silicone tube 70 in the compressed state of the pushbutton 68.

Figure 19C shows a drawing action of the pump 22. To facilitate the drawing action, the complementary locking elements 72, 74 are released and the biasing element 48 biases the pushbutton 68 back into the initial state. This creates a vacuum 80 in the elastic silicone tube 70 thereby drawing air out of the cavity 12.

Figure 20 shows an embodiment in which the pump 22 is realized by means of an inductively actuated ball 32 valve. The ball 32 is made of a susceptor material. An induction coil 82 is arranged surrounding the susceptor ball 32. The induction coil 82 is arranged surrounding the airflow channel 16. Actuation of the induction coil 82 leads to the displacement of the susceptor ball 32 in a downstream and upstream direction, respectively. A downstream portion of the airflow channel 16, in which the susceptor ball 32 is arranged in this variation of the pump 22, has a reduced diameter so as to be blocked by the susceptor ball 32, when the susceptor ball 32 is in a downstream position. Figure 20A shows the downstream position of the susceptor ball 32. Actuation of the induction coil 82 enables movement of the susceptor ball 32 in an upstream direction. In an upstream position of the susceptor ball 32, as shown in figure 20B, the movement of the ball 32 creates a vacuum 80 in the airflow channel 16 thereby drawing air out of the cavity 12. Additionally, airflow is enabled through the airflow channel 16 during a normal operation of the aerosol-generating device 10 due to an outer diameter of the ball 32 being smaller than the inner diameter of the upstream portion of the airflow channel 16.

Figure 21 shows an embodiment of the pump 22, in which the pump 22 comprises a movable element 36. The movable element 36 is arranged in the airflow channel 16. The movable element 36 is arrangeable in a downstream position in which the inner diameter of the airflow channel 16 is reduced so that air is blocked from flowing through the airflow channel 16, if the movable element 36 is arranged in a downstream position. The outer diameter of the movable element 36 may correspond to the inner diameter of the airflow channel 16 in this downstream portion of the airflow channel 16. This position of the movable element 36 is shown in figure 21 A. The movable element 36 is movable by means of a motor 40 and by means of an endless screw 84. Figure 21 B shows the movement of the movable element 36 in an upstream direction into an upstream position. As a consequence, a vacuum 80 is created in the airflow channel 16 and air is drawn out of the cavity 12. The inner diameter of the airflow channel 16 is larger in this upstream portion such that air can flow past the movable element 36. In this embodiment, the movable element 36 has the shape of a piston.

Figure 22 shows an embodiment in which the pump 22 comprises a fan 86. The fan 86 is arranged in the airflow channel 16 upstream of the cavity 12. The fan 86 enables air to be drawn from the cavity 12. Drawing air from the cavity 12, as shown in figure 22B, enables the removal of excess moisture 76, as shown in figure 22A, that may be present in the cavity 12.

Claims

1 . An aerosol-generating device comprising: a cavity for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate, an airflow channel upstream of the cavity, wherein the airflow channel is fluidly connected with the cavity, wherein the airflow channel is configured to allow ambient air to be drawn into the device and into the cavity, and a pump, wherein the pump is arranged in or adjacent the airflow channel, wherein the pump is configured to create an airflow in the airflow channel thereby creating an airflow in the cavity.

2. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the pump is configured as one or more of a mechanical pump, a micropump, a unidirectional pump.

3. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a one-way valve, preferably wherein the one-way valve is arranged in the airflow channel upstream of the pump, more preferably wherein the one-way valve allows airflow in a downstream direction towards the pump and prevents airflow in an upstream direct away from the pump.

4. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pump comprises a compressible chamber fluidly connected with the airflow channel.

5. The aerosol-generating device according to the preceding claim, wherein the compressible chamber is at least partly elastic, preferably wherein the elastic part of the compressible chamber is arranged at a periphery of the aerosol-generating device to be accessible by a user.

6. The aerosol-generating device according to the preceding claim, wherein the elastic part is covered with a pushbutton configured to enable a user to compress the compressible chamber via a pushing actuation of the pushbutton, preferably wherein the pushbutton is attached to a locking element that is configured to lock the airflow channel upstream of the pump when the pushbutton is depressed.

7. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pump comprises a sliding piston, preferably wherein the sliding piston is configured slidable parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device and is configured to displace air in the airflow channel during a sliding movement, more preferably wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises an electric motor for moving the sliding piston or wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a secondary pump configured to hydraulically move the sliding piston.

8. The aerosol-generating device according to the preceding claim, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises an air inlet fluidly connected with the airflow channel for allowing ambient air to be drawn into the aerosol-generating device.

9. The aerosol-generating device according to the preceding claim, wherein a housing portion of the aerosol-generating device arranged adjacent the air inlet is configured elastic and the compressible chamber of claim 4 is arranged adjacent the elastic housing portion.

10. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pump comprises a locking element, wherein the locking element is configured to deactivate the pump during operation of the aerosol-generating device.

11. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pump comprises a movable element within the airflow channel, preferably wherein the movable element is arranged to be reachable by a user through an air inlet to be manually moved by the user or wherein the movable element is configured movable by movement of the aerosol-generating device.

12. The aerosol-generating device according to the preceding claim, wherein the movable element comprises a through hole to enable air to flow through the movable element.

13. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pump comprises a flexible compressible part of the airflow channel, preferably wherein the flexible compressible part of the airflow channel is arranged adjacent a periphery of the aerosol-generating device so as to be compressible by a user, more preferably wherein a pushbutton is arranged adjacent the flexible compressible part of the airflow channel to enable compressing of the flexible compressible part of the airflow channel by a user.

14. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pump comprises an induction coil and a susceptor element, wherein the susceptor element is configured to be movable within the airflow channel so as to move air through the airflow channel, and wherein the susceptor element is configured to be movable by actuation of the induction coil.

15. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pump comprises a fan, preferably wherein the fan is configured to be driven by a permanent magnet motor.