Power module for a modular aerosol generating device, a module for a modular aerosol generating device and a modular aerosol generating device

Abstract

There is described a power module for a modular aerosol generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol. The power module is arranged so that a user can configure the aerosol generating device by selectively connecting to the power module a single module that is either a module of a first module type or a module of a second module type. The module of the first module type is for containing a non e-liquid material and comprises a heater that can be activated to heat the non e-liquid material to generate an inhalable aerosol. The module of the second module type is for containing an e-liquid for generating an inhalable aerosol.

1 . A power module for a modular aerosol generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol wherein the power module is arranged so that a user can configure the aerosol generating device by selectively connecting to the power module a single module that is either a module of a first module type or a module of a second module type, wherein the module of the first module type is for containing a non e-liquid material and comprises a heater that can be activated to heat the non e-liquid material to generate an inhalable aerosol and the module of the second module type is for containing an e-liquid for generating an inhalable aerosol. 
     
     
         2 . The power module according to  claim 1  wherein the power module comprises control circuitry configured to apply a first control scheme appropriate for controlling a module of the first module type when a module of the first module type is connected to the power module and to apply a second control scheme appropriate for controlling a module of the second module type when a module of the second module type is connected to the power module. 
     
     
         3 . The power module according to  claim 2  wherein the control circuitry is configured to identify which of the module of the first module type and the module of the second module type is connected to the power module. 
     
     
         4 . The power module according to  claim 3  wherein the control circuitry is configured to select which of the first control scheme or the second control scheme is to be applied in response to identifying which of the module of the first module type or the module of the second module type is connected to the control module. 
     
     
         5 . The power module according to any of  claims 1 , wherein the power module comprises a connection interface that can connect the power module to either the module of the first module type or the module of the second module type. 
     
     
         6 . A power module according to  claim 5  wherein the connection interface comprises a threaded connection for connecting to a complimentary threaded connection of the module of the first type or of the module of the second type. 
     
     
         7 . A module of a first module type for use with the power module of any of  claims 1 , the module of the first module type comprising a housing for containing a non e-liquid material and a heater that can be activated to heat the non e-liquid material to generate an inhalable aerosol and a first module type connection interface for connecting the module of the first module type to the power module. 
     
     
         8 . The module of the first module type according to  claim 7  wherein the module of the first module type further comprises module control circuitry for, in use, controlling the heater. 
     
     
         9 . A module of a second module type for use with the power module of any of  claims 1 , the module of the second module type comprising a housing for containing an e-liquid and an aerosol generating arrangement that can be activated to generate an inhalable aerosol from the e-liquid and a second module type connection interface for connecting the module of the second module type to the power module 
     
     
         10 . The module of the second module type according to  claim 9  wherein the aerosol generating arrangement comprises one of a heater or a piezo electric arrangement. 
     
     
         11 . The module of the second module type according to  claim 10 , wherein the module of the second module type further comprises module control circuitry for, in use, controlling the heater or the piezo electric arrangement. 
     
     
         12 . A modular aerosol generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol, the device comprising:
 the power module of  claim 1 ; and   at least one of:   a module of a first module type comprising a housing for containing a non e-liquid material and a heater that can be activated to heat the non e-liquid material to generate the inhalable aerosol and a first module type connection interface for connecting the module of the first module type to the power module, or   a module of a second module type comprising a housing for containing an e-liquid and an aerosol generating arrangement that can be activated to generate an inhalable aerosol from the e-liquid and a second module type connection interface for connecting the module of the second module type to the power module.   
     
     
         13 . A kit of parts for the modular aerosol generating device of  claim 12 , the kit comprising the power module, the module of the first module type and the module of the second module type.