Measurement device and process for an aerosol generating device lifecycle testing arrangement

Abstract

There is provided a testing apparatus for analysing an aerosol generated by an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and a mouthpiece. The testing apparatus comprises an airflow channel that extends from a first channel opening that is configured to receive a mouthpiece of an aerosol-generating system. The testing apparatus further comprises a sensing assembly comprising an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation into the airflow channel and a receiver configured to receive at least some of the electromagnetic radiation from the airflow channel. The testing apparatus further comprises a pump assembly that, in a first configuration of the testing apparatus, is configured to draw air through the airflow channel in a first direction such that an aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating system in use is drawn from the mouthpiece received in the first channel opening and through the airflow channel; and a controller configured to determine at least one characteristic of the aerosol drawn through the airflow channel based on signals received from the sensing assembly. There is also provided a method of analysing an aerosol using the testing apparatus and a method detecting a defect in an aerosol-generating system.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A testing apparatus for analysing an aerosol generated by an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and a mouthpiece, the testing apparatus comprising:
 an airflow channel that extends from a first channel opening that is configured to receive a mouthpiece of an aerosol-generating system;   a sensing assembly comprising an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation into the airflow channel and a receiver configured to receive at least some of the electromagnetic radiation from the airflow channel;   a pump assembly that, in a first configuration of the testing apparatus, is configured to draw air through the airflow channel in a first direction such that an aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating system in use is drawn from the mouthpiece received in the first channel opening and through the airflow channel; and   a controller configured to determine at least one characteristic of the aerosol drawn through the airflow channel based on signals received from the sensing assembly;   the airflow channel further comprising a second channel opening and the testing apparatus further comprising a valve assembly;   wherein the pump assembly, in a second configuration of the testing apparatus, is configured to draw purge air through the airflow channel in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; and   wherein the pump assembly, in a third configuration of the testing apparatus, is configured to draw purge air through the airflow channel in the first direction;   wherein the valve assembly is configured such that when the testing apparatus is in the first configuration, the first channel opening is open and the second channel opening is closed;   wherein the valve assembly is further configured such that when the testing apparatus is in the second and third configurations, the first channel opening is closed and the second channel opening is open.   
     
     
         17 . A testing apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the controller is configured to compare the at least one determined characteristic to one or more predetermined values for the or each characteristic or one or more predetermined range of values for the or each characteristic. 
     
     
         18 . A testing apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the controller is configured to determine that the aerosol-generating system is defective if at least one of the determined characteristics is not equal to one of the predetermined values for that characteristic or does not fall within one of the predetermined ranges of values for that characteristic. 
     
     
         19 . A testing apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein a first characteristic of the aerosol determined by the controller is related to the transmittance of the aerosol. 
     
     
         20 . A testing apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the sensing assembly further comprises a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of a portion of the airflow channel. 
     
     
         21 . A testing apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein a second characteristic of the aerosol determined by the controller is temperature. 
     
     
         22 . A testing apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the sensing assembly further comprises a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure in a portion of the airflow channel. 
     
     
         23 . A testing apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein a third characteristic determined by the controller is a pressure drop. 
     
     
         24 . A testing apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the emitter comprises one or more LEDs. 
     
     
         25 . A method of analysing an aerosol generated by an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and a mouthpiece using the testing apparatus of  claim 16 , the method comprising:
 positioning the mouthpiece of the aerosol-generating system such that the mouthpiece is received in the first channel opening;   when the testing apparatus is in the first configuration, using the pump assembly to draw air through the airflow channel in a first direction such that an aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating system is drawn from the mouthpiece received in the first channel opening and through the airflow channel;   determining at least one characteristic of the aerosol drawn through the airflow channel based on signals received from the sensing assembly;   using the pump assembly, in a second configuration of the testing apparatus, to draw purge air through the airflow channel in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; and   using the pump assembly, in a third configuration of the testing apparatus, to draw purge air through the airflow channel in the first direction;   wherein when the testing apparatus is in the first configuration, the first channel opening is open and the second channel opening is closed;   wherein when the testing apparatus is in the second and third configurations, the first channel opening is closed and the second channel opening is open.   
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25 , further comprising comparing the at least one determined characteristic to one or more predetermined values for the at least one characteristic or one or more predetermined range of values for the at least one characteristic. 
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 26 , further comprising determining that the aerosol-generating system or the aerosol-forming substrate is defective if at least one of the determined characteristics is not equal to one of the predetermined values for that characteristic or does not fall within one of the predetermined ranges of values for that characteristic. 
     
     
         28 . A method of detecting a defect in an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and a mouthpiece, the method comprising:
 positioning the mouthpiece of the aerosol-generating device such that the mouthpiece is received in a first channel opening of an airflow channel of a testing apparatus according to  claim 16 ;   using the pump assembly of the testing apparatus, in a first configuration of the testing apparatus, to draw air through the airflow channel in a first direction such that an aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating system is drawn from the mouthpiece received in the first channel opening and through the airflow channel;   determining at least one characteristic of the aerosol drawn through the airflow channel using the sensing assembly;   comparing the at least one determined characteristic to one or more predetermined values for the or each characteristic or one or more predetermined range of values for the or each characteristic; and   determining that the aerosol-generating system is defective if at least one of the determined characteristics is not equal to one of the predetermined values for that characteristic or does not fall within one of the predetermined ranges of values for that characteristic;   using the pump assembly, in a second configuration of the testing apparatus, to draw purge air through the airflow channel in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; and   using the pump assembly, in a third configuration of the testing apparatus, to draw purge air through the airflow channel in the first direction;   wherein when the testing apparatus is in the first configuration, the first channel opening is open and the second channel opening is closed;   wherein when the testing apparatus is in the second and third configurations, the first channel opening is closed and the second channel opening is open.   
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the at least one characteristic comprises a first characteristic that is the transmittance of electromagnetic radiation through the aerosol. 
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the at least one characteristic comprises a second characteristic that is the temperature of the aerosol. 
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 29 , wherein the at least one characteristic comprises a second characteristic that is the temperature of the aerosol.