WO2025172106A1

WO2025172106A1 - An aerosol generating device

Info

Publication number: WO2025172106A1
Application number: PCT/EP2025/052765
Authority: WO
Inventors: Juraj LEHOCKY
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2024-02-15
Filing date: 2025-02-04
Publication date: 2025-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-15

Abstract

An aerosol generating device (10) is described. The aerosol generating device (10) includes a first body (12) adapted to receive, in use, an aerosol generating article (100), and a second body (40) removably connected to the first body (12). The second body (40) includes an energy storage device such as a rechargeable battery, a charging assembly that includes a power receiver, and a thermoelectric element arranged adjacent to the power receiver and/or the energy storage device.

Description

AN AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to an aerosol generating device, and in particular to a device that is adapted to heat aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user. The present disclosure is particularly applicable to a portable (hand-held) aerosol generating device.

The aerosol generating material may be part of an aerosol generating article that may be received in the device in use.

Technical Background

Devices which heat, rather than burn, an aerosol generating material to produce an aerosol for inhalation have become popular with consumers in recent years. A commonly available reduced-risk or modified-risk device is the heated material aerosol generating device, or so-called heat-not-burn device. Devices of this type generate an aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol generating material to a temperature typically in the range 150°C to 300°C. This temperature range is quite low compared to an ordinary cigarette. Heating the aerosol generating material to a temperature within this range, without burning or combusting the aerosol generating material, generates a vapour which typically cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the device.

The aerosol generating material may be a solid or liquid. For example, the aerosol generating article may include a solid or semi-solid substrate of plant derived material, such as tobacco, or it may include a wick and a heater to produce vapour from aerosol generating liquid stored in a capsule or tank. When a user operates the aerosol generating device, liquid that has soaked into the wick is heated by the heater, producing a vapour which cools and condenses to form an aerosol which may then be inhaled. An aerosol generating article (sometimes called a pod or cartridge) may be received in the aerosol generating device and may include a liquid store, a liquid transfer element (e.g., a wick) and a heater. Electrical contacts may provide an electrical connection between the heater and an energy storage device of the aerosol generating device. The energy storage device may be a rechargeable battery that may be charged from an external power source by a charging assembly of the aerosol generating device. When the energy storage device is being charged, the energy storage device and the charging assembly will typically generate heat as a result of internal and unavoidable electrical losses. The energy storage device may also generate unavoidable heat when it is being discharged, i.e., when power is being provided to the heater to heat the aerosol generating material. The heat generated by the energy storage device and/or the charging assembly is typically wasted. There is therefore a need for an improved handheld aerosol generating device that may capture this heat for more efficient operation.

Summary of the Disclosure

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising: a first body adapted to receive, in use, an aerosol generating article; and a second body removably connected to the first body; wherein the second body includes: an energy storage device (e.g., a rechargeable battery such as a lithium- ion secondary battery), a charging assembly that includes a power receiver, and a thermoelectric element arranged adjacent to the power receiver and/or the energy storage device.

Any suitable type of thermoelectric element may be used, e.g., a thermoelectric generator (TEG) that uses the Seebeck effect. Such a TEG may include a pair of base plates, conductors and semiconductor or metal elements of different doping or generally different internal electronic energy levels and can convert a temperature gradient between the base plates into an electric current. The thermoelectric element is therefore adapted to convert heat into electric current. The thermoelectric element is adapted to capture heat generated by one or more of the components of the aerosol generating device. This captured heat may be converted to useful electric current that may be used to charge the energy storage device, for example.

The power receiver may include an inductive coil suitable for wireless charging of the energy storage device. The thermoelectric element may be heat coupled to the inductive coil. For example, the thermoelectric element may be directly heat coupled to the inductive coil or indirectly by means of a suitable heat conducting component, glue or potting material. Such materials include resins, silicones and the like that may include additives such as metal particles (e.g., copper or aluminium) or particles of other suitable materials such as silica, alumina etc. Heat generated by the inductive coil when it is used to charge the energy storage device may therefore be captured by the thermoelectric element that is directly or indirectly thermally coupled to it. The heat may include residual heat that is captured after charging of the energy storage device using the inductive coil has finished - it is described in more detail below that in some arrangements the energy storage device may not be charged by the thermoelectric element at the same time as the energy storage device is being charged using the inductive coil.

The power receiver may include a plug socket for receiving a charging cable for wired charging of the energy storage device. The plug socket may include an opening for receiving an end of the charging cable. The plug socket opening may be aligned with a corresponding opening in an outer housing of the second body. The plug socket may be a universal serial bus (USB) socket (receptacle) for receiving a USB cable (plug). Any suitable type of USB socket may be used, e.g., a USB Type C charging socket. The thermoelectric element may be heat coupled to the plug socket. For example, the thermoelectric element may be directly heat coupled to the plug socket or indirectly by means of a suitable heat conducting component, glue or potting material. Such materials include resins, silicones and the like that may include additives such as metal particles (e.g., copper or aluminium) or particles of other suitable materials such as silica, alumina etc. Heat generated by the plug socket when it is used to charge the energy storage device may therefore be captured by the thermoelectric element that is directly or indirectly thermally coupled to it. The heat may include residual heat that is captured after charging of the energy storage device using the plug socket has finished - it is described in more detail below that in some arrangements the energy storage device may not be charged by the thermoelectric element at the same time as the energy storage device is being charged using the plug socket.

The thermoelectric element may be directly or indirectly heat coupled to both the inductive coil and the plug socket in one arrangement.

The thermoelectric element may be heat coupled to the energy storage device. For example, the thermoelectric element may be directly heat coupled to the energy storage device or indirectly by means of a suitable heat conducting component, glue or potting material. Such materials include resins, silicones and the like that may include additives such as metal particles (e.g., copper or aluminium) or particles of other suitable materials such as silica, alumina etc. Heat generated by the energy storage device may therefore be captured by the thermoelectric element that is directly or indirectly thermally coupled to it. The energy storage device may generate heat when it is being charged by the charging assembly or when it is being discharged.

The thermoelectric element may be heat coupled to the energy storage device and to one or both of the inductive coil and the plug socket. In this way, heat may be collected from additional heat-generating components of the aerosol generating device for improved efficiency.

In one arrangement, the power receiver includes an inductive coil and a plug socket, and the thermoelectric element is directly or indirectly heat coupled to the inductive coil, the plug socket, and the energy storage device. The inductive coil, the plug socket, the thermoelectric element, and the energy storage device may be located in an outer housing of the second body. The thermoelectric element may have a planar construction with a first main surface and a second main surface opposite the first main surface. The inductive coil may be adjacent the first main surface and the energy storage device may be adjacent the second main surface. The plug socket may be adjacent the second main surface. The charging assembly may comprise:

- a first charging circuit (e.g., a wireless power receiver and battery charger integrated circuit (IC)) electrically connected between the inductive coil and the energy storage device,

- a second charging circuit (e.g., a wired battery charger IC) electrically connected between the plug socket and the energy storage device, and

- a third charging circuit (e.g., an integrated energy management IC) electrically connected between the thermoelectric element and the energy storage device.

The charging circuits may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) with one or more other electronic components. The PCB may be located in the outer housing of the second body.

The charging assembly may be adapted to charge the energy storage device through only one of the first, second and third charging circuits at the same time.

The charging assembly may be adapted to charge the energy storage device using only the second charging circuit when the energy storage device may be charged using both the first and second charging circuits, i.e., when it is able to receive power from both wireless and wired external power sources at the same time. A wireless external power source such as a wireless charger will include an inductive coil that creates an electromagnetic field when an electric current flows through it. When the inductive coil of the charging assembly of the aerosol generating device is in close proximity with the wireless charger, the electromagnetic field generates an electric current in the inductive coil of the charging assembly that may be provided to the first charging circuit and used to charge the energy storage device. If a charging cable is also connected between the plug socket and an external power source such as a mains supply or a portable charger, for example, so that the energy storage device may be charged using both the first and second charging circuits at the same time, the charging assembly may be adapted so that only the second charging circuit is used to charge the energy storage device from the external power source using the charging cable. Wired charging using a charging cable is more efficient than wireless charging using an inductive coil and the overall charging efficiency may therefore be improved by prioritising the second charging circuit.

The charging assembly may further comprise a first p-channel MOSFET (or other suitable semiconductor switch) electrically connected between the plug socket and an input terminal of the second charging circuit. The first charging circuit may comprise a detection terminal electrically connected to the plug socket and a first status terminal electrically connected to a gate terminal of the first p-channel MOSFET. The first charging circuit may be adapted to output a low level signal from the first status terminal when the plug socket is receiving power from an external power source and to output a high level signal from the first status terminal when the plug socket is not receiving power from an external power source. If the first p-channel MOSFET receives a low level signal at its gate terminal it is switched on, and if it receives a high level signal at its gate terminal it is switched off. This means that if the plug socket is receiving power from an external power source, the first p-channel MOSFET is switched on by the first charging circuit and the plug socket is electrically connected to the second charging circuit so that the energy storage device may be charged from the external power source using the charging cable. However, if the plug socket is not receiving power from an external power source, the first p-channel MOSFET is switched off by the first charging circuit and the plug socket is electrically disconnected from the second charging circuit. The energy storage device may therefore be charged from an external power source using the first charging circuit. The first charging circuit may include at least one input terminal electrically connected to the inductive coil and an output terminal electrically connected to the energy storage device. The first charging circuit may be adapted to electrically disconnect the output terminal from the at least one input terminal when the plug socket is receiving power from an external power source. In this way, the charging assembly may be configured to charge the energy storage device using only the second charging circuit when the energy storage device may be charged using both the first and second charging circuits. Such a charging assembly provides a simple way of preventing the energy storage device from being charged from two external power sources at the same time. Put another way, the energy storage device may only be charged using the first charging circuit if it is not already being charged from an external power source using the second charging circuit. If the energy storage device is being charged using the second charging circuit, the first p-channel MOSFET is switched on by the first charging circuit and the output terminal of the first charging circuit is electrically disconnected from the at least one input terminal to prevent charging using the first charging circuit.

The charging assembly may also be adapted to prevent charging of the energy storage device using the third charging circuit when the energy storage device is being charged using one of the first and second charging circuits. The charging assembly may further comprise:

- a second p-channel MOSFET (or other suitable semiconductor switch) electrically connected between the thermoelectric element and an input terminal of the third charging circuit,

- an AND gate comprising a pair of input terminals and an output terminal, and

- a NOT gate (or inverter) comprising an input terminal electrically connected to the output terminal of the AND gate and an output terminal electrically connected to a gate terminal of the second p-channel MOSFET. The NOT gate will provide either a low level signal or a high level signal to the gate terminal of the second p-channel MOSFET.

The first charging circuit may include a detection circuit electrically connected to the plug socket, a first status terminal electrically connected to one of the input terminals of the AND gate and adapted to output a low level signal when the plug socket is receiving power from an external power source and to output a high level signal when the plug socket is not receiving power from an external power source, and a second status terminal electrically connected to the other one of the input terminals of the AND gate and adapted to output a low level signal when the energy storage device is being charged using the first charging circuit and a high level signal when the energy storage device is not being charged using the first charging circuit. The first status terminal of the first charging circuit may output a low or high level signal to both the first p-channel MOSFET and one of the input terminals of the AND gate. If the second p-channel MOSFET receives a low level signal at its gate terminal it is switched on and if it receives a high level signal at its gate terminal it is switched off so that the thermoelectric element is electrically disconnected from the third charging circuit. It will be understood that the second p-channel MOSFET receives a low level signal at its gate terminal (i.e., it is switched on by the NOT gate) when the NOT gate outputs a low level signal to the gate terminal. The NOT gate outputs a low level signal when it receives a high level signal from the output terminal of the AND gate. The AND gate outputs a high level signal if it receives a high level signal at both of its input terminal and this happens only if both the first and second status terminals output a high level signal. Otherwise, the AND gate will output a low level signal to the input terminal of the NOT gate. The second p-channel MOSFET is therefore switched on when the plug socket is not receiving power from an external power source (i.e., when the second charging circuit is not being used to charge the energy storage device) and when the first charging circuit is not being used to charge the energy storage device. It will be understood that the energy storage device may therefore be charged from the thermoelectric element for the majority of the time, and that the second p-channel MOSFET is only switched off when the energy storage device is already being charged from an external power source using either the first charging circuit or the second charging circuit. Such a charging assembly provides a simple way of preventing the energy storage device from being charged using the third charging circuit if it is already being charged using one of the first and second charging circuits. Put another way, the energy storage device may only be charged from the thermoelectric element if it is not already being charged from an external power source using one of the first and second charging circuits. It should be noted that it is possible to charge the energy storage device from the thermoelectric element at the same time as charging the energy storage device from an external power source using the first or second charging circuits, and this may have some advantages because heat will be generated by the inductive coil or plug socket while the charging is taking place. But such charging would require substantial alignment between the voltage provided by the thermoelectric element and the voltage provided by the inductive coil or received through the plug socket. Since the voltages provided by the thermoelectric generator and the inductive coil, in particular, tend to be variable it would typically require dynamic control of a power converter to achieve such voltage alignment. This would significantly increase the complexity of the aerosol generating device.

The charging assembly may comprise a system bus electrically connected to a positive terminal of the energy storage device. An output terminal of the first, second, and third charging circuits may be electrically connected in parallel to the system bus.

The first body may comprise a control circuit in an outer housing of the first body. The control circuit may include one or more electronic components such as a microcontroller unit (MCU), first low-dropout (LDO) regulator etc. which may be mounted on a PCB. The control circuit may be used to control operation of a heater as described in more detail below.

The first and second bodies may be removably connected by a two-button connector assembly. The two buttons may be positioned on opposite sides of the aerosol generating device, for example. One of the first and second bodies may include two flexible connector members that are adapted to engage with the other one of the first and second bodies - e.g., each connector member may define a shoulder that is received in, and engages with, a corresponding recess so that the first and second bodies of the aerosol generating device remain connected unless the shoulder is moved out of the recess. Each connector member may be associated with a respective button of the connector assembly. Each button of the connector assembly may include a spring- loaded actuator (e.g., a T-shaped mechanism or similar) that may be pressed by the user to move inwardly against the bias to disengage the respective connector member from the recess. The first and second bodies may only be released if both of the buttons are pressed at the same time. This prevents accidental release of disconnection of the first and second bodies. Preferably, the first and second bodies may be connected together without the user having to press the buttons. For example, the connector members may be provided on the second body and may be deflected inwardly as the second body is inserted into an opening in the lower part of the first body and then flex outwardly so that the shoulder of each connector member is received in a corresponding recess in the outer housing of the first body. It will be understood that other means of removably connecting the first and second bodies together may also be used. The second body may be removed from the first body when the energy storage device needs to be charged, for example. The charging assembly in the second body is therefore adapted to control charging without using the control circuit that is located in the first body. However, removing the first body from the second body is not required to charge the energy storage device. The user may initiate charging of the energy storage device while the first and second bodies are attached.

The first body may include at least one first electrical contact and the second body may include at least one second electrical contact. Each first electrical contact may be electrically connected to a respective second electrical contact when the first and second bodies are connected - i.e., when the aerosol generating device is assembled for use.

The first body may comprise one or more retaining means for releasably retaining the aerosol generating article in the first body. The one or more retaining means may be magnets, for example, that engage magnetically with a facing part of the aerosol generating article and provide a holding force for retaining the aerosol generating article in the first body. The holding force will not prevent the user from removing the aerosol generating article from the first body when the aerosol generating material is depleted so that a new article may be inserted.

The first body may include at least one third electrical contact. Each third electrical contact may be electrically connectable to a respective electrical contact of the aerosol generating article when it is received in the first body in use.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device as described above, and an aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating article may be of any suitable type and may include an aerosol generator adapted to heat aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user. The aerosol generator may include a heater that may be electrically connected to the energy storage device of the aerosol generating device in use - e.g., electrically connected to the system bus mentioned above by means of the optional third electrical contact. Operation of the heater may be controlled by the control circuit in the first body. In particular, the control circuit may include a semiconductor switch (e.g., a third MOSFET) that is electrically connected between the system bus of the charging assembly and the heater, and which may be controlled to be switched on and off by the control circuit.

The aerosol generator may be adapted to heat aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating material may be a liquid which may be stored in the aerosol generating article. The liquid aerosol generating material may soak into a wick (e.g., a cotton wick) and is then heated by the heater to produce a vapour that cools and condenses to form an aerosol that may then be inhaled. The wick may be omitted in some cases and the liquid aerosol generating material may be directly stored in a cavity of the aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating article may be formed as an integrated component (or “pod”) that includes a liquid store, a liquid transfer element or wick, and a heater. One or more electrical contacts may also be provided to establish an electrical connection between the heater and the energy storage device.

The aerosol generating material may comprise any type of solid or semi-solid material. Example types of aerosol generating solids include powder, granules, pellets, shreds, strands, particles, gel, strips, loose leaves, cut filler, porous material, foam material or sheets. The aerosol generating material may comprise plant derived material and in particular, may comprise tobacco. It may advantageously comprise reconstituted tobacco, for example including tobacco and any one or more of cellulose fibres, tobacco stalk fibres and inorganic fillers. The solid or semi-solid aerosol generating material may be heated by a heater that is provided as part of the aerosol generating article or the aerosol generating device - e.g., arranged adjacent to a heating space or chamber of the aerosol generating device that is adapted to receive the aerosol generating article in use.

The aerosol generating material may comprise an aerosol-former. Examples of aerosolformers include polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof such as glycerine or propylene glycol. Typically, the aerosol generating material may comprise an aerosolformer content of between approximately 5% and approximately 50% on a dry weight basis. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may comprise an aerosolformer content of between approximately 10% and approximately 20% on a dry weight basis, and possibly approximately 15% on a dry weight basis.

The aerosol generating device may be adapted to heat the aerosol generating material or substrate, without burning the aerosol generating material, to volatise at least one component of the aerosol generating material and thereby generate a heated vapour which cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating device. The volatile compounds released from the aerosol generating material may include nicotine or flavour compounds such as tobacco flavouring.

In general terms, a vapour is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that the vapour may be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature, whereas an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. It should, however, be noted that the terms ‘aerosol’ and ‘vapour’ may be used interchangeably in this specification, particularly with regard to the form of the inhalable medium that is generated for inhalation by a user.

When the aerosol generating material is depleted, the aerosol generating article may be removed from the first body and a new article may be inserted.

The aerosol generating article may include a mouthpiece through which the generated aerosol may be inhaled.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an aerosol generating system with an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article, where the first and second bodies of the aerosol generating device are shown separated; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the aerosol generating system of Figure 1 where the first and second bodies of the aerosol generating device are connected and the aerosol generating article is received in the first body;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the first body of the aerosol generating device;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the second body of the aerosol generating device; Figures 5 and 6 are diagrammatic view of the aerosol generating system of Figures 1 and 2 without the outer housings;

Figures 7 and 8 are diagrammatic views of the second body of the aerosol generating device;

Figures 9 and 10 are diagrammatic views of one of the buttons of the two-button connector assembly of the aerosol generating device; and

Figure 11 is a circuit diagram showing the control circuit and the charging circuit of the aerosol generating device.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring initially to Figures 1 to 10, there is shown diagrammatically an example of an aerosol generating system 1. The aerosol generating system 1 comprises an aerosol generating device 10 and an aerosol generating article 100 for use with the aerosol generating device 10. The aerosol generating device 10 comprises a first body 12 and a second body 40. The aerosol generating device 10 is sized to be comfortably held by a user unaided, in a single hand.

The first body 12 includes an outer housing 14 that may be made of any suitable material. In one arrangement, the outer housing 14 is made of aluminium and/or a plastics material, for example. A control circuit 16 is located within an insert 18 of the first body 12. The insert 18 may be made of a suitable plastics material and is located within the outer housing 14. (In Figures 5 and 6 the outer housing 14 is omitted for clarity.) The control circuit 16 comprises electronic components that are mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). An upper end of the housing 14 includes a first opening 20 adapted to receive a lower portion 102 of the aerosol generating article 100. The first body 12 includes a plurality of magnets 22 that are used to releasably retain the aerosol generating article 100 in the first opening 20. A lower end of the housing 14 includes a second opening 24 for receiving an upper part of the second body 40. The first body 12 includes a pair of electrical contacts 26a, 26b that are electrically connected to the control circuit 16. As shown in Figure 3, the electrical contacts 26a, 26b may be formed as female contacts.

A pair of buttons 28a, 28b are arranged on opposite sides of the outer housing 14 and form part of a two-button connector assembly 30. Referring to Figures 9 and 10, each button includes a T-shaped mechanism 32 that is located in an opening 34 in the side of the outer housing 14 and which is biased outwardly by a coil spring 36. Each T- shaped mechanism 32 is in contact with a respective flexible connector member 62a, 62b that is formed as part of the second body 40 described in more detail below. When the second body 40 is received in the first body 12, a shoulder 66 of each connector member 62a, 62b is received in, and engaged with, a corresponding recess 38 in the outer housing 14 of the first body 12. The engagement prevents the second body 40 from being removed from the first body 12. To remove the second body 40 from the first body 12, the user must press the T-shaped mechanism 32 of both buttons 28a, 28b at the same time. Pressing each T-shaped mechanism 32 inwardly against the bias of the respective coil spring 36 causes the respective connector member 62a, 62b to flex inwardly and thereby disengage the shoulder 66 from the recess 38. This allows the second body 40 to be removed from the first body 12. A chamfered surface 68 is formed on the leading edge of each connector member 62a, 62b. When the upper part of the second body 40 - or more particularly, the upper part of the outer housing 42 - is inserted into the second opening 24, each connector member 62a, 62b is deflected inwardly when it comes into contact with the edge of the outer housing 14. Each connector member 62a, 62b then flexes outwardly to engage the shoulder 66 with the recess 38 when the second body 40 is properly located in the outer housing 14 and the connector members 62a, 62b are aligned with their respective T-shaped mechanisms 32. The second body 40 may therefore be inserted into the outer housing 14 without the user having to press both of the buttons 28a, 28b. Although only one of the buttons 28b is shown in Figures 9 and 10, it will be readily understood that the other button 28a has exactly the same construction.

The second body 40 includes an outer housing 42 that may be made of any suitable material. In one arrangement, the outer housing 42 is made of a suitable plastics material such as polycarbonate. An insert 44 is located within the outer housing 42 and may be made of a suitable plastics material. (In Figures 5 and 6, the outer housing 42 is omitted for clarity.) An energy storage device 46 such as a rechargeable lithium-ion secondary battery is located within the insert 44. An inductive coil 48 for wireless charging of the energy storage device 46 is located within the insert 44. A thermoelectric generator (or TEG) 50 has a planar construction and is located within the insert 44 between the energy storage device 46 and the inductive coil 48.

A USB socket (receptacle) 52 for wired charging of the energy storage device 46 is located within the insert 44 and includes an opening for receiving the end of a USB charging cable (plug) that is not shown. The opening of the USB socket is aligned with an opening 44a in a lower portion of the insert 44. The USB socket 52 is located adjacent the energy storage device 46. The energy storage device 46, inductive coil 48 and USB socket 52 are thermally coupled with the TEG 50. As shown most clearly in Figures 7 and 8, one of the main surfaces of the TEG 50 is thermally coupled to the inductive coil 48 and the other main surface is thermally coupled to the energy storage device 46 and the USB socket 52 that are mounted adjacent to each other.

A charging circuit 54 is located within the insert 44 of the second body 40. The charging circuit 54 comprises electronic components that are mounted on a PCB 56. The energy storage device 46 and the inductive coil 48 are electrically connected to the PCB 56. The USB socket 52 may be mounted directly on the PCB 56 as shown. The second body 40 includes a pair of electrical contacts 58a, 58b that are electrically connected to the charging circuit 54, e.g., to the PCB 56, by a pair of flex cables 60a, 60b as shown in Figures 5, 7 and 8. When the second body 40 is connected with the first body 12, the electrical contacts 58a, 58b are in electrical contact with the corresponding electrical contacts 26a, 26b of the first body 12 to provide an electrical connection between the charging circuit 54 and the control circuit 16. As shown in Figure 7 and 8, the electrical contacts 58a, 58b may be formed as male contacts. Alternatively, the electrical contacts 58a, 58b may be formed as female contacts, and the electrical contacts 26a, 26b may be formed as male contacts. A pair of openings 44b are provided in an upper portion of the insert 44 for receiving the electrical contacts 58a, 58b. The electrical contacts 58a, 58b may also be in electrical contact with corresponding electrical terminals of the energy storage device 46.

An upper part of the outer housing 42 of the second body 40 is adapted to be received in the second opening 24 and includes the pair of flexible connecting members 62a, 62b. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, each connecting member 62a, 62b includes an outwardly projecting part 64 that defines the shoulder 66 that engages with the corresponding recess 38 in the outer housing 14 of the first body 12 as described above. A leading edge of each connecting member 62a, 62b includes a chamfered surface 68 that may help the connecting members to deflect radially inwardly when the second body 40 is inserted into the first body 12.

The aerosol generating article 100 includes an aerosol generator 104 adapted to heat aerosol generating material (not shown) to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user. The aerosol generator 104 includes a heater 106 (see Figure 11) that is electrically controlled by the control circuit 16. One or more electrical contacts (not shown) are provided on the first body 12 and the aerosol generating article 100 to provide an electrical connection when the aerosol generating article 100 is received in the first opening 20 in the upper end of the outer housing 14. The heater 106 is used to heat aerosol generating material (not shown) to generate an aerosol that may be inhaled by a user through a mouthpiece 108 of the aerosol generating article 100.

Referring to Figure 11, the charging circuit 54 includes a wireless power receiver and battery charger integrated circuit (IC) 70 (which is conveniently referred to below as the “first charger”). The first charger 70 may provide efficient AC -DC power conversion and all necessary control algorithms for efficient and safe battery charging. In particular, the first charger 70 may include a low-impedance synchronous rectifier, low-dropout (LDO) regulator, digital control, and charger controller integrated in a single package. The first charger 70 includes a pair of input terminals (labelled “AC1” and “AC2”) that are electrically connected to the inductive coil 48. The AC signal from the inductive coil 48 is rectified and conditioned by the first charger 70. The first charger 70 includes an output terminal (labelled “BAT”) that is electrically connected to a system bus 72. The system bus 72 is electrically connected to a positive terminal of the energy storage device 46. The first charger 70 also includes a detection terminal (labelled “AD”), a first status terminal (labelled “AD-EN”) and a second status terminal (labelled “CHG”).

The charging circuit 54 includes a wired battery charger IC 74 (which is conveniently referred to below as the “second charger”). The second charger 74 may operate with a high input range and has an input terminal (labelled “IN”) that is electrically connected the USB socket 52 by means of a first p-channel MOSFET 76, and an output terminal (labelled “OUT”) that is electrically connected to the system bus 72.

The charging circuit 54 includes an integrated energy management IC 78 (which is conveniently referred to below as the “third charger”). The third charger 78 provides thermal energy harvesting and extracts DC power from the TEG 50. The third charger 78 may include an ultra-low power boost converter that operates with a wide range of input voltages. The third charger 78 includes an input terminal (labelled “SRC”) that is electrically connected to the TEG 50 by means of a second p-channel MOSFET 80, and an output terminal (labelled “BAT”) that is electrically connected to the system bus 72.

The first, second and third chargers 70, 74 and 78 are mounted directly on the PCB 56. The first and second p-channel MOSFETs 76 and 80 are also mounted directly on the PCB 56.

The charging circuit 54 also includes an AND gate 82 and a NOT gate (an inverter) 84.

The charging circuit 54 is adapted so that the energy storage device 46 can only be charged through one of the first, second and third chargers 70, 74 and 78 at any particular time. If the first, second and third chargers 70, 74 and 78 are used at the same time, voltage alignment for the output voltages provided by the chargers is normally required. Complex control and/or dedicated electrical components are usually needed for such voltage alignment. Adapting the charging circuit 54 so that the energy storage device 46 can only be charged through one of the first, second and third charges 70, 74 and 78 at any particular time therefore allows the control to be simplified and there is no need for dedicated electrical components that provide voltage alignment.

The detection terminal of the first charger 70 is electrically connected to the USB socket 52 and the first status terminal is electrically connected to a gate terminal of the first p- channel MOSFET 76. The first charger 70 outputs a low level signal from the first status terminal when the USB socket 52 is receiving power from an external power source (i.e., through the USB charging cable (not shown)) and outputs a high level signal from the first status terminal when the USB socket 52 is not receiving power from an external power source. If the first p-channel MOSFET 76 receives a low level signal it is switched on and if it receives a high level signal it is switched off. This means that if the USB socket 52 is receiving power from an external power source, the first p-channel MOSFET 76 is switched on by the first charger 70 and the USB socket 52 is electrically connected to the input terminal of the second charger 74 so that the energy storage device 46 may be charged from the external power source using the USB charging cable (not shown). The first charger 70 is also adapted to electrically disconnect the output terminal from the input terminals when the USB socket 52 is receiving power from an external power source. In other words, if the USB socket 52 is receiving power from an external power source, this is detected by the detection terminal of the first charger 70 (e.g., as a high level input signal) and the first charger 70 outputs a low level signal from the first status terminal to switch on the first p-channel MOSFET 76. The first charger 70 is also adapted to electrical disconnect the output terminal from the input terminals so that the energy storage device 46 cannot be charged using the first charger 70 even if the inductive coil 48 is placed in close proximity to a wireless charger. For higher efficiency, wired charging using the USB socket 52 and the second charger 74 is prioritised over wireless charging using the inductive coil 48 and the first charger 70. However, if the USB socket 52 is not receiving power from an external power source, the first p-channel MOSFET 76 is switched off by the first charger 70 so that the USB socket 52 is electrically disconnected from the input terminal of the second charger 74. The energy storage device 46 may therefore be charged from an external power source using the first charger 70 if the inductive coil 48 is placed in close proximity to a wireless charger. Such a charging circuit 54 provides a simple way of preventing the energy storage device 46 from being charged from two external power sources at the same time. If two external power sources are used at the same time without the above- mentioned voltage alignment, unexpected current flows (e.g., back flows) may occur.

The charging circuit 54 also prevents charging of the energy storage device 46 using the third charger 78 when the energy storage device 46 is being charged using one of the first and second chargers 70, 74. This is because it is less efficient to charge the energy storage device 46 using the TEG 50 and the third charger 78 than it is to use wired or wireless charging.

One input terminal of the AND gate 82 is electrically connected to the first status terminal of the first charger 70 so that it receives a low level signal from the first status terminal when the USB socket 52 is receiving power from an external power source (i.e., through the USB charging cable (not shown)) and a high level signal from the first status terminal when the USB socket 52 is not receiving power from an external power source. The other input terminal of the AND gate 82 is electrically connected to the second status terminal of the first charger 70. The second status terminal outputs a low level signal when the energy storage device 46 is being charged using the first charger 70 and a high level signal when the energy storage device 46 is not being charged using the first charger 70. The input terminal of the NOT gate 84 is electrically connected to the output terminal of the AND gate 82. The output terminal of the NOT gate 84 is electrically connected to a gate terminal of the second p-channel MOSFET 80.

If the second p-channel MOSFET 80 receives a low level signal it is switched on and if it receives a high level signal it is switched off so that the TEG 50 is electrically disconnected from the third charger 78. It will be understood that the second p-channel MOSFET 80 receives a low level signal (i.e., it is switched on) when the NOT gate 84 outputs a low level signal. The NOT gate 84 outputs a low level signal when it receives a high level signal from the output terminal of the AND gate 82. The AND gate 82 outputs a high level signal if it receives a high level signal at both of its input terminal and this happens only if both the first and second status terminals output a high level signal. Otherwise, the AND gate 82 will output a low level signal. The second p-channel MOSFET 80 is therefore switched on when the USB socket 52 is not receiving power from an external power source (i.e., when the second charger 74 is not being used to charge the energy storage device) and when the first charger 70 is not being used to charge the energy storage device 46. When the energy storage device 46 is being charged using either the first charger 70 or the second charger 76, the second p-channel MOSFET 80 is switched off and the TEG 50 cannot be used to charge the energy storage device 46. The charging circuit 54 therefore provides a simple way of preventing the energy storage device 46 from being charged using the third charger 78 if it is already being charged using one of the first and second chargers 70 and 74. It will be understood that residual heat generated by the inductive coil 48 or the USB socket 52 may be captured by the TEG 50 and then used to charge the energy storage device 46 when charging from the external power source has finished. The heat capacities of the USB socket 52 and the inductive coil 48 are not small and consequently the respective residual heat is not insignificant. It is therefore possible to use the TEG 50 and the third charger 78 to charge the energy storage device 46 for a period of time even after wired or wireless charging has ended - i.e., until that residual heat has dissipated fully.

The control circuit 16 includes a low-dropout (LDO) regulator 86 and a microcontroller unit (MCU) 88. The LDO regulator 86 and the MCU 88 are mounted directly on the PCB of the control circuit 16 and may be implemented as integrated circuits.

The control circuit 16 also includes a third MOSFET 90 that is electrically connected to the system bus 72 when the first body 12 and the second body 40 are connected together (i.e., by means of the electrical contacts 26a, 26b and 58a, 58b). The third MOSFET 90 is also electrically connected to the heater 106 of the aerosol generating article 100 when the aerosol generating article is received in the first opening 20 of the outer housing 14 of the first body 12.

The LDO regulator 86 includes:

- an input terminal (labelled “IN”) electrically connected to the system bus 72 of the charging circuit 54,

- an output terminal (labelled “OUT”) that provides a regulated voltage supply, and

- an enable terminal (labelled “EN”) electrically connected to the input terminal.

The MCU 88 includes a power supply terminal (labelled “VDD”) electrically connected to the output terminal of the LDO regulator 86 and receives a regulated voltage supply. The MCU 88 also includes:

- a first input/output terminal (labelled “VO”) that is electrically connected to a gate terminal of the third MOSFET 90 and which may be used to switch it on and off, and

- a second input/output terminal (labelled “VO”) that is electrically connected to a voltage sensing circuit that comprises a voltage divider circuit.

The control circuit 16 controls operation of the heater 106 of the aerosol generating article 100 by switching the third MOSFET 90 on and off. When the third MOSFET 90 is switched on, the heater 106 receives power from the energy storage device 46 through the system bus 72 to heat the aerosol generating material and generate an aerosol.

Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to those embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments.

Any combination of the above-described features in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device (10) comprising: a first body (12) adapted to receive, in use, an aerosol generating article (100); and a second body (40) removably connected to the first body (12); wherein the second body (40) includes: an energy storage device (46), a charging assembly that includes a power receiver (48, 52), and a thermoelectric element (50) arranged adjacent to the power receiver (48, 52) and/or the energy storage device (46).

2. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the power receiver includes an inductive coil (48) and the thermoelectric element (50) is heat coupled to the inductive coil (48).

3. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the power receiver includes a plug socket (52), and the thermoelectric element (50) is heat coupled to the plug socket (52).

4. An aerosol generating device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the thermoelectric element (50) is heat coupled to the energy storage device (46).

5. An aerosol generating device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the power receiver includes an inductive coil (48) and a plug socket (52), and wherein the thermoelectric element (50) is heat coupled to the inductive coil (48), the plug socket (52), and the energy storage device (46).

6. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the inductive coil (48), the plug socket (52), the thermoelectric element (50), and the energy storage device (48) are located in a housing (42) of the second body (40), wherein the thermoelectric element (50) has a planar construction with a first main surface and a second main surface opposite the first main surface, and wherein the inductive coil (48) is adjacent the first main surface and the energy storage device (46) is adjacent the second main surface.

7. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 6, wherein the plug socket (52) is adjacent the second main surface.

8. An aerosol generating device (10) according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the charging assembly comprises: a first charging circuit (70) electrically connected between the inductive coil (48) and the energy storage device (46); a second charging circuit (74) electrically connected between the plug socket (50) and the energy storage device (46); and a third charging circuit (78) electrically connected between the thermoelectric element (50) and the energy storage device (46); wherein the charging assembly is adapted to charge the energy storage device (46) through only one of the first, second and third charging circuits (70, 74, 78) at the same time.

9. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 8, wherein the charging assembly is adapted to charge the energy storage device (46) using only the second charging circuit (74) when the energy storage device (46) may be charged using both the first and second charging circuits (70, 74).

10. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 9, wherein the charging assembly further comprises a first p-channel MOSFET (76) electrically connected between the plug socket (52) and an input terminal of the second charging circuit (74), wherein the first charging circuit (70) comprises a detection terminal electrically connected to the plug socket (52) and a first status terminal electrically connected to a gate terminal of the first p-channel MOSFET (76), and wherein the first charging circuit (70) is adapted to output a low level signal from the first status terminal when the plug socket (52) is receiving power from an external power source and to output a high level signal from the first status terminal when the plug socket (52) is not receiving power from an external power source; and wherein the first charging circuit (70) includes at least one input terminal electrically connected to the inductive coil (48) and an output terminal electrically connected to the energy storage device (46), and wherein the first charging circuit (70) is adapted to electrically disconnect the output terminal from the at least one input terminal when the plug socket (52) is receiving power from an external power source.

11. An aerosol generating device (10) according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the charging assembly is adapted to prevent charging of the energy storage device (46) using the third charging circuit (78) when the energy storage device (46) is being charged using one of the first and second charging circuits (70, 74).

12. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 11, wherein the charging assembly further comprises: a second p-channel MOSFET (80) electrically connected between the thermoelectric element (50) and an input terminal of the third charging circuit (78); an AND gate (82) comprising a pair of input terminals and an output terminal; and a NOT gate (84) comprising an input terminal electrically connected to the output terminal of the AND gate (82) and an output terminal electrically connected to a gate terminal of the second p-channel MOSFET (80); wherein the first charging circuit (70) includes a detection circuit electrically connected to the plug socket (52), a first status terminal electrically connected to one of the input terminals of the AND gate (80) and adapted to output a low level signal when the plug socket (52) is receiving power from an external power source and to output a high level signal when the plug socket (52) is not receiving power from an external power source, and a second status terminal electrically connected to the other one of the input terminals of the AND gate and adapted to output a low level signal when the energy storage device (46) is being charged using the first charging circuit (70) and a high level signal when the energy storage device (46) is not being charged using the first charging circuit (70).

13. An aerosol generating device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second bodies (12, 40) are removably connected by a two-button connector assembly (30).

14. An aerosol generating device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the first body (12) comprises a control circuit (16) in a housing (14) of the first body (12).

15. An aerosol generating device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the first body (12) comprises one or more retaining means (22) for releasably retaining the aerosol generating article (100) in the first body (12).