Aerosol-generating device with removable battery, system comprising such a device and battery rechange method for such a device

Abstract

Aerosol-generating devices with removable batteries, systems including such devices, and battery replacement methods for such devices. There is provided an aerosol-generating device (1) comprising a power supply unit configured to power an operation of the aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol wherein the power supply unit comprises a battery compartment (10) for removably holding a battery (2). The aerosol-generating device further comprises an aerosol-generating compartment comprising an aerosol-generating article receiving cavity (12) for removably receiving an aerosol-generating article. The housing accommodates the power supply unit and the aerosol-generating compartment. The housing comprises two housing parts (3, 4) which are removably attached. One of the housing parts forms a ring element (4) for securing the aerosol-generating compartment within the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, which comprises a power supply unit configured to supply power for the operation of the aerosol generating device for generating aerosol, wherein the power supply unit comprises a battery, and wherein the aerosol generating device further comprises a housing, which comprises the power supply unit and an aerosol generating article receiving cavity for removably receiving an aerosol generating article. The present invention also relates to a system comprising an aerosol generating device and a method for replacing a battery of an aerosol generating device. The present invention also relates to the use of a removably attachable housing part in an aerosol generating device. Background Art

[0002] One type of aerosol generating system is an electrically operated smoking system. Known handheld electrically operated smoking systems typically comprise an aerosol generating device which comprises a rechargeable battery, control electronics and an electric heater for heating an aerosol generating article specifically designed for use with the aerosol generating device. In some instances, the aerosol generating article comprises an aerosol forming substrate, such as a tobacco strip or rod, and when the aerosol generating article is inserted into the aerosol generating device, the heater contained within the aerosol generating device is inserted into or positioned around the aerosol forming substrate. In alternative electrically operated smoking systems, the aerosol generating article may comprise a capsule containing an aerosol forming substrate such as loose tobacco.

[0003] In known electrically operated smoking systems, the battery is inseparably integrated into the housing of the aerosol generating device or is installed in such a way that it can only be removed from the housing with great effort. As a result, users tend to discard the entire aerosol generating device including the battery once the battery has reached the end of its service life, even if the device itself is still functioning properly. On the one hand, this results in unnecessary waste, and on the other hand, it makes it difficult to recycle the materials used in the battery, such as mercury or cadmium.

[0004] In view of the above, there is a desire to provide an aerosol generating device which minimizes the waste associated with the aging of the battery operating the aerosol generating device, thereby contributing to the protection, conservation and improvement of the quality of the environment. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising: a power supply unit configured to supply power for the operation of the aerosol generating device for generating aerosol, wherein the power supply unit comprises a battery compartment for removably holding a battery; and a housing, which comprises the power supply unit and an aerosol generating article receiving cavity for removably receiving an aerosol generating article.

[0006] In this aerosol-generating device, the battery is removable and can be easily replaced. Once the battery has reached the end of its service life or has simply run out of power, a replacement battery can be inserted into the battery compartment to power the aerosol-generating device. Therefore, the use of the aerosol-generating device is no longer limited by the life of a single battery or by the capacity of a single battery. The simple replaceability of the battery allows intensive smokers to continuously use aerosol-generating articles in combination with a number of replaceable batteries, even in situations where there is no opportunity to charge the battery for a long time, such as during festivals, outdoor activities, etc.

[0007] Preferred examples and embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. Preferred features are disclosed below.

[0008] General aspects of an aerosol generating device

[0009] The aerosol-generating device can be a heating rod.

[0010] The aerosol-generating device can be in a tubular or substantially tubular form.

[0011] The aerosol-generating device can be a handheld device.

[0012] The aerosol-generating device can have the appearance and / or operation of a cigarette or a cigar.

[0013] The main axis / direction of major extension of the aerosol-generating device, i.e., the axis / direction along which the aerosol-generating device has its greatest length, can be in the longitudinal axis / direction. The transverse axis / direction can be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis / direction. The circumferential direction can be defined around the longitudinal axis / direction. In the upright orientation of the aerosol-generating device, the longitudinal axis / direction can be the height axis / direction, and the transverse axis / direction can be the horizontal axis / direction. Any indication of "upper", "top", "lower", and "bottom" hereinafter is with respect to the longitudinal axis / direction being the height axis / direction.

[0014] Design and shape of the housing

[0015] The housing can have an opening for removing a battery from the battery compartment and inserting the same or another battery into the battery compartment. The opening can have a closure that can be selectively arranged in any one of at least two different states, the at least two different states including a closed state and an open state, in the closed state the battery is locked in the battery compartment or the housing, and in the open state the battery can be removed from or inserted into the battery compartment or the housing. The opening can have a circular shape with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the battery or the battery compartment. The opening can be configured such that the battery or the battery compartment must be inserted into and / or removed from the housing along the longitudinal axis of the battery.

[0016] The housing may include an elongate body extending along a linear axis forming its main axis.

[0017] The housing may have a top end and a bottom end.

[0018] The aerosol-generating article receiving cavity may be arranged concentrically with the main axis of the housing.

[0019] The housing may have one of a tubular shape, a cylindrical shape, a conical shape, or a shape that is partially cylindrical and partially conical.

[0020] The housing may have a polygonal, oval, or elliptical cross-sectional area.

[0021] The housing and the power supply unit may be configured such that the housing can accommodate the power supply unit in different orientations, particularly in a first orientation, where the power supply unit is reversely oriented relative to a second orientation.

[0022] The housing may include an opening for inserting an aerosol-generating article into the aerosol-generating article receiving cavity.

[0023] Power supply unit

[0024] The power supply unit may be sealed within the housing.

[0025] The power supply unit may include a controller for controlling the power supply from the battery during operation of the aerosol-generating device.

[0026] The power supply unit may be removably accommodated within the housing.

[0027] The power supply unit may include an elongate body defining a main axis.

[0028] The power supply unit may be arranged concentrically with the main axis of the housing within a receiving portion.

[0029] The power supply unit may be configured such that it can be inserted into the receiving portion in at least two different / reverse / flipped orientations.

[0030] The power supply unit may include electrical terminals of different polarities (positive and negative) at each of its two opposite ends.

[0031] The electrical terminals may be arranged in the same pattern at each of its two opposite ends.

[0032] The electrical terminals may be arranged symmetrically relative to each other at each of the opposite ends of the housing ("positive" is symmetric with "positive", and "negative" is symmetric with "negative").

[0033] The power supply unit may include circuitry that connects the electrical terminals in parallel to the battery.

[0034] The electrical terminals and the poles of the battery with the same polarity can be electrically connected to each other.

[0035] The power supply unit may include male electrical terminals in the form of interconnected electrodes or female electrodes in the form of concentric rings.

[0036] Reversibly attachable housing part

[0037] The housing may include two reversibly attachable housing parts, which are configured to be selectively arranged in any one of at least two different states, the at least two different states including an attached state and a detached state. In the attached state, the housing parts are attached to each other, and in the detached state, the housing parts are detached from each other. This embodiment allows for easy replacement of the battery, or if needed, allows for easy replacement of the battery compartment or even the entire power supply unit.

[0038] The housing parts may be designed for multiple uses.

[0039] The housing may be divided into two housing parts in the lateral direction.

[0040] The dividing line or plane between the two housing parts may extend orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

[0041] The housing may have an elongated shape defining a main axis of the housing.

[0042] Some or all of the outer surfaces of the first housing part and the second housing part may be flush with each other in the attached state of the housing parts.

[0043] Some or all of the edges and / or corners of the mating surfaces of the first housing part and the second housing part may be aligned with each other in the attached state of the housing parts.

[0044] The housing parts may together define a receiving portion for accommodating the battery compartment or the power supply unit.

[0045] The housing parts may lock the battery or the battery compartment or the power supply unit within the receiving portion in the attached state.

[0046] The battery or the battery compartment or the power supply unit can be removed from the receiving portion only in the detached state of the housing parts and can be reinserted into the receiving portion.

[0047] One of the housing parts, in particular the housing part including the aerosol-generating article receiving cavity, may include a major part of the volume of the receiving portion.

[0048] One of the housing parts may be a ring including an opening for accessing the aerosol-generating article receiving cavity in the attached state of the housing part.

[0049] One of the housing portions may be a closed end cap configured to close, in an attached state, a receptacle for receiving a battery compartment or a power supply unit formed in another housing portion.

[0050] Regardless of the amount of threadable tightening, the rotational state between the first housing portion and the second housing portion may not be visible.

[0051] At least one of the housing portions may taper from its proximal / attachment end to its distal end on its exterior and / or interior.

[0052] At least a portion of the battery compartment or the power supply unit may be concentrically arranged within a housing portion having a conical shape.

[0053] The separation line between the housing portions may be at the tapered end.

[0054] The housing portions may be configured to be attached to each other at their proximal ends.

[0055] The housing portions may have the same outer diameter at least at their proximal and / or distal ends so as to provide a continuous transition between the housing portions in the attached state of the housing.

[0056] The housing portion including the aerosol-generating article receiving cavity may include a female thread and the other housing portion may include a male thread, or vice versa.

[0057] The housing portions may be configured to be attached to each other by a bayonet joint or a screw joint.

[0058] The housing portions may include mating threads.

[0059] Locking mechanism for locking the housing part in the attached state

[0060] The aerosol-generating device may include a locking mechanism configured to removably lock the housing portions in the attached state. Such a locking mechanism may prevent accidental disassembly of the housing portions.

[0061] The aerosol-generating device may include an actuator configured to lock / unlock the locking mechanism upon actuation.

[0062] Torque engagement structure

[0063] The housing may include at least one torque engagement structure configured to engage with a matching torque tool for applying torque to the housing. Such torque engagement structures simplify the application of a predetermined amount of torque to the housing, for example for opening the housing in the case of battery replacement.

[0064] The torque engagement structure may be provided at the bottom end of the housing, opposite the top end of the housing including the aerosol-generating article receiving chamber.

[0065] The torque engagement structure may be provided on at least one of two housing parts.

[0066] The torque engagement structure may include a female torque engagement element, such as but not limited to a hexagon structure, a spline structure, a cross structure.

[0067] The female torque engagement element may include a recessed spline pattern.

[0068] The female torque engagement element may have a six-point spline pattern.

[0069] The female torque engagement element may have holes equidistantly spaced around the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device.

[0070] The female torque engagement element may include a recess or cavity.

[0071] The torque engagement structure may be arranged concentrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

[0072] The torque engagement structure may be arranged around the electrical terminal.

[0073] The torque engagement structure may be configured to apply torque around the longitudinal axis of the housing.

[0074] External electrical / mechanical interface of the housing

[0075] The housing may include an external electrical and / or mechanical interface that may be electrically connected and / or mechanically connected to an external device, in particular a charging device or a docking station. Such an external interface may be particularly useful for achieving simple and safe battery charging without removing the battery from the battery compartment or the housing.

[0076] The external interface may be arranged at the end of the housing, in particular at the bottom end, in the longitudinal direction.

[0077] The external interface may include external electrical terminals of different polarities.

[0078] The external electrical terminals may be arranged concentrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

[0079] The minimum radial extension of the female torque engagement element from the longitudinal axis of the housing may be greater than the maximum radial extension of the electrical terminal.

[0080] The minimum radial extension of the female torque engagement element from the central axis may be the same as the minimum radial extension of the electrical terminal.

[0081] The external electrical terminals may have an annular shape.

[0082] The external electrical terminals can be formed as concentric rings.

[0083] The external electrical interface can include a spacer element located between the external electrical terminals.

[0084] The external interface can include an attachment mechanism configured to be mechanically and / or magnetically attached to an external device.

[0085] The attachment mechanism can include a magnetic element.

[0086] The attachment mechanism can be arranged concentrically with respect to the longitudinal axis.

[0087] The attachment mechanism can be surrounded by the external electrical terminals.

[0088] Internal electrical / mechanical interface of the housing

[0089] The housing can include an internal electrical and / or mechanical interface that can be electrically and / or mechanically connected to a battery compartment or a power supply unit. Such an internal interface can be particularly useful to allow easy removal / installation of the battery compartment or the power supply unit or other units into / from the housing.

[0090] The internal interface includes electrical terminals (of different polarities) that can be electrically connected to the electrical terminals of a battery compartment or a power supply unit (of different polarities).

[0091] Each of the two housing parts can include electrical terminals of different polarities.

[0092] The electrical terminals of different polarities can be arranged at a radial distance from each other with respect to the central axis of the housing.

[0093] The internal interface can include male terminals that can be electrically and / or mechanically connected to female terminals of a battery compartment or a power supply unit.

[0094] The internal interface can include female terminals that can be electrically and / or mechanically connected to male terminals of a battery compartment or a power supply unit.

[0095] At least one of the male terminals can be at least one of a pin, a tab, a resilient pin or a resilient tab, the resilient pin or resilient tab including at least one of a spring-loaded pin or spring-loaded tab, a spring pin or a pin or tab made of an elastic material. [[ID=4,1]]

[0096] At least one of the female terminals can be a recess, in particular an annular recess.

[0097] The internal electrical terminals can be formed as concentric rings.

[0098] The battery compartment or the power supply unit can be electrically connected to the internal electrical interface of the housing.

[0099] Powered unit

[0100] The device may include an electricity-consuming unit configured to consume electric power during an operation of the aerosol-generating device, in particular for generating an aerosol.

[0101] The electricity-consuming unit may include a heater for heating an aerosol-generating article, such as an induction coil or a resistive heating device.

[0102] The electricity-consuming unit may be removably accommodated in a housing.

[0103] The electricity-consuming unit and the power supply unit may be removably accommodated in the same accommodation part of the housing.

[0104] The electricity-consuming unit and the power supply unit may be removed through the same opening of the housing.

[0105] The electricity-consuming unit and the power supply unit may be combined to be removable from and / or insertable into the housing as a single unit.

[0106] The electricity-consuming unit and the power supply unit may be accommodated in the housing such that the electricity-consuming unit must be removed before the power supply unit can be removed.

[0107] The electricity-consuming unit and the power supply unit may be accommodated in the housing such that the power supply unit must first be accommodated (installed) in the housing before the power supply unit can be accommodated (installed).

[0108] Aerosol generation compartment

[0109] The device, in particular the electricity-consuming unit, may include an aerosol-generating compartment accommodated in the housing and including an aerosol-generating article receiving cavity.

[0110] The aerosol-generating compartment may be removably accommodated in the housing.

[0111] The aerosol-generating device may include a spacer for spacing the aerosol-generating compartment apart from the housing wall.

[0112] The spacer may form a gap between the aerosol-generating compartment and the housing wall.

[0113] One of the housing parts may form a removable cover for fixing the aerosol-generating compartment in the housing.

[0114] The cover may cover the gap between the aerosol-generating compartment and the housing wall.

[0115] The cover may be formed as a ring element.

[0116] Identification element

[0117] The power supply unit may include an identification member. The device may include an identification unit for identifying the power supply unit by means of the identification member.

[0118] The identification member may include a secret key / authentication key. The authentication key may be a key shared among a plurality of power supply units or may be unique to each power supply unit.

[0119] The identification member may include a secret key / authentication key, thereby allowing the power supply unit equipped with a unique identification member to be uniquely identified.

[0120] The identification unit may include a communication interface that enables communication between the housing and the power supply unit for identification.

[0121] The communication interface may be at least one of a wireless communication interface or a contact-based interface.

[0122] The identification member may be permanently embedded in the power supply unit and may prevent the secret key from being read from outside the unit, and may be hidden within the power supply unit, and authentication may be completed by using a session key generated from the secret key of the identification member.

[0123] The identification member may be at least one of an embedded SIM (eSIM) or an integrated SIM (iSIM).

[0124] The device may be configured to allow power supply from the power supply unit for aerosol generation upon successful identification of the power supply unit.

[0125] Aerosol generation system

[0126] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generation system including an aerosol generation device according to any one of the foregoing embodiments / examples and a charging device configured to charge the power supply unit of the aerosol generation device.

[0127] The charging device may be removably coupled to the aerosol generation device.

[0128] The charging device may include an electrical and / or mechanical interface that may be electrically connected and / or mechanically connected to an external interface of the aerosol generation device, particularly for charging the battery of the aerosol generation device.

[0129] The charging device may include a cavity for at least partially receiving the aerosol generation device.

[0130] Battery replacement method

[0131] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for replacing a battery of an aerosol-generating device according to any one of the foregoing embodiments / examples, the method comprising the steps of: opening the housing, removing the battery from the battery compartment of the power supply unit, inserting a replacement battery into the battery compartment, and closing the housing.

[0132] The housing can be opened by arranging the housing parts in a disassembled state.

[0133] The housing can be closed by arranging the housing parts in an attached state.

[0134] In order to switch the housing between the attached state and the disassembled state, the housing parts can be rotated relative to each other to engage / disengage a threaded joint or a bayonet joint.

[0135] In order to rotate the housing parts relative to each other, torques can preferably be applied to each of the housing parts in different directions via a tool engaging a torque engagement structure provided on one of the housing parts of the housing parts, wherein the other housing part is held by the user to generate a counter torque.

[0136] Use of an attachable housing part for forming a housing

[0137] A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to the use of two removably attachable housing parts for forming the housing of an aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device comprising a power supply unit having a battery compartment for removably holding a battery.

[0138] List of examples

[0139] The present invention is defined in the appended claims. However, a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples is provided below. Any one or more features of these examples can be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment or aspect described herein.

[0140] Example Ex1: An aerosol-generating device comprising: a power supply unit configured to power the operation of the aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol, wherein the power supply unit includes a battery compartment for removably holding a battery; and a housing including the power supply unit and an aerosol-generating article receiving cavity for removably receiving an aerosol-generating article.

[0141] Example Ex2: The aerosol-generating device according to the previous example, wherein the aerosol-generating device can be a heater rod, and wherein the heater rod can be in a tubular or substantially tubular form.

[0142] Example Ex3: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the power supply unit is sealed within the housing.

[0143] Example Ex4: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-generating device is a hand-held device.

[0144] Example Ex5: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the housing includes an elongate body extending along a linear axis forming a main axis.

[0145] Example Ex6: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the housing has a top end and a bottom end.

[0146] Example Ex7: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the cavity is arranged concentrically with the main axis of the housing.

[0147] Example Ex8: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the housing includes two reversibly attachable housing parts, the two reversibly attachable housing parts being configured to be selectively arranged in any one of at least two different states, the at least two different states including an attached state and a detached state, in the attached state the housing parts are attached to each other, and in the detached state the housing parts are detached from each other.

[0148] Example Ex9: An aerosol-generating device according to Example Ex8, wherein the housing parts together define a receiving portion for receiving the power supply unit.

[0149] Example Ex10: An aerosol-generating device according to Example Ex9, wherein the power supply unit is locked within the receiving portion in the attached state of the housing.

[0150] Example Ex11: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex8 to Ex10, wherein the power supply unit is only removable from the housing and reinsertable into the housing when the housing parts are separated.

[0151] Example Ex12: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex9 to Ex11, wherein one of the housing parts, in particular the housing part including the cavity, includes a major part of the volume of the receiving portion.

[0152] Example Ex13: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex8 to Ex12, wherein one of the housing parts is a ring including an opening for accessing the cavity in the attached state of the housing.

[0153] Example Ex14: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex8 to Ex13, wherein one of the housing parts in the housing part is a closed end cap, and the closed end cap is configured to close the accommodation part in the attached state of the housing.

[0154] Example Ex15: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex8 to Ex14, wherein at least one of the housing parts has a cylindrical shape, a conical shape, or a shape that is partially cylindrical and partially conical.

[0155] Example Ex16: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex8 to Ex15, wherein the housing can be of other shapes, such as having a polygonal cross-sectional area, an oval or elliptical cross-sectional area, while the body is longitudinal and extends along the main axis.

[0156] Example Ex17: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex8 to Ex16, wherein the bottom cover of the second housing part tapers relative to the main cylindrical body of the first housing part, and / or the power supply unit is at least partially located within the second housing part, the second housing part having a conical shape, and / or the separation line between the first housing and the second housing is at the conical end, thereby making it less visible.

[0157] Example Ex18: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex8 to Ex16, wherein the housing parts are configured to be attached to each other at their proximal ends.

[0158] Example Ex19: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex8 to Ex18, wherein the housing parts have the same outer diameter at least at their distal ends (so as to provide a continuous transition between the housing parts in the attached state of the housing).

[0159] Example Ex20: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex8 to Ex19, wherein the housing part including the aerosol-generating article receiving cavity includes a female thread, and the other housing part includes a male thread, or vice versa.

[0160] Example Ex21: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex8 to Ex20, wherein the housing parts are configured to be attached to each other by a bayonet joint or a screw joint.

[0161] Example Ex22: An aerosol-generating device according to Example Ex21, wherein the housing parts include mutually engaging threads.

[0162] Example Ex23: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex8 to Ex22, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a locking mechanism configured to removably lock the housing part.

[0163] Example Ex24: An aerosol-generating device according to Example Ex23, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises an actuator configured to lock / unlock the locking mechanism upon actuation.

[0164] Example Ex25: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the housing comprises an internal electrical interface for electrical connection to the battery compartment or the power supply unit.

[0165] Example Ex26: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the housing and the battery compartment or the power supply unit are configured such that the housing is capable of receiving the battery compartment or the power supply unit in different orientations, in particular in a first orientation in which the battery compartment or the power supply unit is reversely oriented with respect to a second orientation.

[0166] Example Ex27: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex8 to Ex26, wherein the housing is separated into two housing parts in a lateral direction, wherein the separation line or plane between the two housing parts extends in a lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

[0167] Example Ex28: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the housing has an elongated shape defining a main axis of the housing.

[0168] Example Ex29: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the housing is divided into the two housing parts in a direction orthogonal to the main axis of the housing, in particular in a longitudinal direction.

[0169] Example Ex30: An aerosol-generating device according to the previous example, wherein the separation line between the two housing parts extends orthogonal to the main axis, in particular orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

[0170] [[ID=,24]]Example Ex31: An aerosol-generating device according to Example Ex30, wherein the separation line between the two housing parts extends from one side of the housing to the other side.

[0171] Example Ex32: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the housing comprises at least one torque engagement structure configured to engage with a matching torque tool for applying torque to the housing.

[0172] Example Ex33: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex32, wherein the torque engagement structure is provided at a bottom end of the housing.

[0173] Example Ex34: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex32 to Ex33, wherein the torque engagement structure is provided on at least one of the two housing parts.

[0174] Example Ex35: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex32 to Ex34, wherein the torque engagement structure includes a female torque engagement element.

[0175] Example Ex36: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex35, wherein the female torque engagement element includes a recessed flower-shaped pattern.

[0176] Example Ex37: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex35 to Ex36, wherein the female torque engagement element has a six-point flower-shaped pattern or holes equidistantly spaced around a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device.

[0177] Example Ex38: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex32 to Ex37, wherein the torque engagement structure is arranged concentrically with respect to a longitudinal axis of the housing and / or wherein the torque engagement structure includes a recess or cavity arranged around electrical terminals arranged on a bottom surface of the housing.

[0178] Example Ex39: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the foregoing examples, wherein the housing includes an external electrical and / or mechanical interface that can be electrically connected and / or mechanically connected to an external device, in particular a charging device or a docking station.

[0179] Example Ex40: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex39, wherein the external interface is arranged at an end of the housing, in particular at the bottom end, in a longitudinal direction.

[0180] Example Ex41: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex39 or Ex40, wherein the external interface includes external electrical terminals of different polarities that are arranged concentrically with respect to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

[0181] Example Ex42: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex41, wherein a minimum radial extension of the female torque engagement element from a longitudinal axis of the housing is greater than a maximum radial extension of the electrical terminals.

[0182] Example Ex43: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex41 to Ex42, wherein the minimum radial extension of the female torque engagement element from the central axis is the same as the minimum radial extension of the electrical terminal.

[0183] Example Ex44: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex41 to Ex43, wherein the external electrical terminal has an annular shape.

[0184] Example Ex45: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex41 to Ex44, wherein the external electrical interface includes a spacer element located between the external electrical terminals.

[0185] Example Ex46: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex39 to Ex45, wherein the external interface includes an attachment mechanism configured to be mechanically and / or magnetically attached to an external device.

[0186] Example Ex47: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex46, wherein the magnetic attachment mechanism includes a magnetic element.

[0187] Example Ex48: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex47, wherein the magnetic element is arranged concentrically with respect to the longitudinal axis.

[0188] Example Ex49: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex47 to Ex48, wherein the magnetic element is surrounded by the external electrical terminal.

[0189] Example Ex50: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the foregoing examples, wherein the housing includes an internal electrical and / or mechanical interface that can be electrically connected and / or mechanically connected to the battery compartment or the power supply unit.

[0190] Example Ex51: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the foregoing examples, wherein the device further includes a power-consuming unit configured to consume power during operation of the aerosol generating device, particularly for generating an aerosol.

[0191] Example Ex52: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex51, wherein the power-consuming unit includes a heater for heating the aerosol-generating article, such as an induction coil or a resistive heating device.

[0192] Example Ex53: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex51 to Ex52, wherein the power-consuming unit and the power supply unit are removably accommodated within the same accommodation portion of the housing.

[0193] Example Ex54: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex51 to Ex53, wherein the power-consuming unit and the power supply unit are removable through the same opening of the housing.

[0194] Example Ex55: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex51 to Ex54, wherein the power-consuming unit and the power supply unit are received in the housing such that the power-consuming unit must be removed from the housing first before the power supply unit can be removed.

[0195] Example Ex56: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex51 to Ex55, wherein the power-consuming unit and the power supply unit are received in the housing such that the power supply unit must be received (installed) in the housing first before the power supply unit can be received (installed).

[0196] Example Ex57: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex50, wherein the internal interface includes electrical terminals (of different polarities) that are electrically connectable to the (differently polarized) interconnecting electrodes of the battery compartment or the power supply unit.

[0197] Example Ex58: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex57, wherein each of the two housing parts includes electrical terminals of different polarities.

[0198] Example Ex59: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex50 or any one of Examples Ex57 to Ex58, wherein the electrical terminals of different polarities are arranged at a radial distance from each other with respect to the central axis of the housing.

[0199] Example Ex60: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex50 or any one of Examples Ex57 to Ex59, wherein the internal interface includes male terminals that are electrically connectable and / or mechanically connectable to the female terminals of the battery compartment or the power supply unit, or wherein the internal interface includes female electrical terminals that are electrically connectable and / or mechanically connectable to the male terminals of the battery compartment or the power supply unit.

[0200] Example Ex61: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex60, wherein at least one of the male terminals is at least one of a pin, a tab, a resilient pin, or a resilient tab, and the resilient pin or resilient tab includes at least one of a spring-loaded pin or spring-loaded tab, a spring pin, or a pin or tab made of an elastic material.

[0201] Example Ex62: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex60 to Ex61, wherein at least one of the female terminals is a recess.

[0202] Example Ex63: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the battery compartment or the power supply unit is removably received in the housing.

[0203] Example Ex64: An aerosol-generating device according to Example Ex63, wherein the battery compartment is electrically connectable to an internal electrical interface of the housing.

[0204] Example Ex65: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex63 to Ex64, wherein the battery compartment includes an elongate body defining a major axis.

[0205] Example Ex66: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex63 to Ex65, wherein the battery compartment is arranged concentrically with respect to the major axis of the housing.

[0206] Example Ex67: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex63 to Ex66, wherein the battery compartment is configured such that it can be inserted into the housing in at least two different / reverse / flipped orientations.

[0207] Example Ex68: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex63 to Ex67, wherein the battery compartment includes interconnecting electrodes of different polarities (positive and negative) at each of its two opposite ends.

[0208] Example Ex69: An aerosol-generating device according to Example Ex68, wherein the interconnecting electrodes are arranged in the same pattern at each of the two opposite ends of the battery compartment.

[0209] Example Ex70: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex68 to Ex69, wherein the interconnecting electrodes are arranged symmetrically with respect to the battery compartment at each of the opposite ends of the housing ("positive" is symmetric with "positive", and "negative" is symmetric with "negative").

[0210] Example Ex71: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples Ex68 to Ex70, wherein the battery compartment includes a circuitry that connects the interconnecting electrodes in parallel to the battery.

[0211] Example Ex72: An aerosol-generating device according to Examples Ex68 to Ex71, wherein the interconnecting electrodes and the poles of the battery of the same polarity are electrically connected to each other.

[0212] Example Ex73: An aerosol-generating device according to Examples Ex68 to Ex72, wherein the interconnecting electrodes are concentric rings.

[0213] Example Ex74: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the foregoing examples, wherein the device includes an aerosol generating compartment received within the housing and includes the aerosol generating article receiving cavity.

[0214] Example Ex75: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex74, wherein the aerosol generating compartment is removably received within the housing.

[0215] Example Ex76: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex74 or Ex75, wherein the aerosol generating device includes a spacer for spacing the aerosol generating compartment from the outer wall of the housing.

[0216] Example Ex77: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex76, wherein the spacer forms a gap between the aerosol generating compartment and the outer wall of the housing.

[0217] Example Ex78: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the foregoing examples, wherein the housing includes an opening for inserting the aerosol generating article into the aerosol generating article receiving cavity.

[0218] Example Ex79: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex78, wherein one of the housing portions includes the opening.

[0219] Example Ex80: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex74 to Ex79, wherein one of the housing portions forms a removable lid for fixing the aerosol generating compartment within the housing.

[0220] Example Ex81: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex80, wherein the lid covers the gap between the aerosol generating compartment and the outer wall of the housing.

[0221] Example Ex82: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex80 to Ex81, wherein the lid is formed as a ring element.

[0222] Example Ex83: An aerosol generating device according to any one of the foregoing examples, wherein the power supply unit includes an identification member, and wherein the device includes an identification unit for identifying the power supply unit by means of the identification member.

[0223] Example Ex84: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex83, wherein the identification member includes a secret key, preferably a unique secret key, allowing (unique) identification of the power supply unit equipped with the unique identification member.

[0224] Example Ex85: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex83 to Ex84, wherein the identification unit includes a communication interface that enables communication between the housing and the power supply unit for identification purposes.

[0225] Example Ex86: An aerosol generating device according to Example Ex85, wherein the communication interface is at least one of a wireless communication interface or a contact-based interface.

[0226] Example Ex87: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex83 to Ex86, wherein the identification element is permanently embedded.

[0227] Example Ex88: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex83 to Ex87, wherein the identification element is at least one of an embedded SIM (eSIM) or an integrated SIM (iSIM).

[0228] Example Ex89: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex83 to Ex88, wherein the identification element includes an authentication key.

[0229] Example Ex90: An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples Ex83 to Ex89, wherein the device is configured to allow power supply from the power supply unit for aerosol generation upon successful identification of the power supply unit.

[0230] Example Ex91: An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding examples and a charging device configured to charge the power supply unit of the aerosol generating device.

[0231] Example Ex92: An aerosol generating system according to Example Ex91, wherein the charging device is removably coupled to the aerosol generating device.

[0232] Example Ex93: An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples Ex91 or Ex92, wherein the charging device includes an electrical and / or mechanical interface that is electrically connectable and / or mechanically connectable to an external interface of the aerosol generating device, particularly for charging the power supply unit of the aerosol generating device.

[0233] Example Ex94: An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples Ex91 to Ex93, wherein the charging device includes a cavity for at least partially receiving the aerosol generating device.

[0234] Example Ex95: A method for replacing the battery of an aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following steps:

[0235] Open the housing,

[0236] Remove the battery from the battery compartment of the power supply unit,

[0237] Insert a replacement battery into the battery compartment,

[0238] Close the housing.

[0239] Example Ex96: The method according to Example Ex95, wherein the housing is opened by converting the housing from an attached state to a disassembled state.

[0240] Example Ex97: The method according to any one of Examples Ex95 to Ex96, wherein the housing is closed by converting the housing from the disassembled state to the attached state.

[0241] Example Ex98: The method according to any one of Examples Ex95 to Ex97, wherein in order to convert the housing between the attached state and the disassembled state, the housing parts are rotated relative to each other to engage / disengage a threaded joint or a bayonet joint.

[0242] Example Ex99: The method according to any one of Examples Ex95 to Ex98, wherein in order to rotate the housing parts relative to each other, preferably a torque is applied to each of the housing parts in different directions by engaging a tool with a torque engagement structure provided on one of the housing parts of the housing parts, wherein the other housing part is held by a user to generate a counter torque.

[0243] Example Ex100: Use of two removably attached housing parts for forming a housing of an aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device comprising a power supply unit having a battery compartment for removably holding a battery.

[0244] The method according to Examples Ex95 to Ex98 can be carried out with the device according to Examples Ex1 to Ex90. The device according to Examples Ex1 to Ex90 can be used according to Example Ex100.

[0245] Terms and definitions

[0246] Some related terms used herein are defined as follows:

[0247] Power supply unit

[0248] As used herein, the term "power supply unit" refers to this unit required to supply power for generating an aerosol, including, for example, electronics and / or a controller for starting and stopping the power supply from the battery to the power-consuming unit.

[0249] Battery compartment

[0250] As used herein, the term battery compartment refers to a device, unit or component configured to removably hold a battery and at the same time ensure that the battery is removably electrically interconnected to an aerosol generating device or system. It can be used as a battery housing within the housing of an aerosol generating device, such as an outer housing that can be held or grasped by a user. The battery compartment can also provide electrical contacts for drawing power from the battery. The battery compartment itself can have an electrical interface for supplying power from the battery to a controller. Preferably, the battery compartment is configured such that a user can manually and reversibly remove the battery and insert the battery into the battery compartment without the need for special tools or a destructive process. For example, the battery compartment can allow the removal and insertion of the battery without cutting the electrical interconnection with a cutting tool, such as but not limited to scissors, shearing cutters, shears, wire cutters, saws. Additionally, the battery compartment can be such that it is not necessary to damage or otherwise irreversibly harm (as may occur in an electronic component with a battery that a user cannot easily remove) the housing parts or the outer casing. Furthermore, the battery compartment can also be configured such that the removal of the battery is obvious to the user, similar to a battery used in a conventional electronic device, without the need to engage a hidden release feature that requires specific knowledge. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0251] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0252] Figure 1 A disassembled perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the housing has a tubular shape and extends along a longitudinal main axis, wherein a first (lower) housing part defines a tubular receiving portion for removably receiving a removable internal unit, the removable internal unit including a power supply unit having a battery compartment and a battery and an electrical unit including an aerosol generating compartment, and wherein a second (upper) housing part is formed as a ring for fixing the removable internal unit in the receiving portion;

[0253] Figure 2 Shows an example of the internal electrical interface of an aerosol generating device according to Figure 1 wherein the internal electrical interface is provided at the top and bottom ends of the receiving portion for receiving the battery compartment inside the housing and includes female electrical terminals of different polarities in the form of concentric rings;

[0254] Figure 3 Shows an example of the external electrical interface of an aerosol generating device according to Figure 1 wherein the external electrical interface is provided at the bottom end of the housing and includes female electrical terminals of different polarities in the form of concentric rings, and wherein a flower-shaped torque engagement structure is concentrically arranged outside the outer ring of the concentric rings of the female electrical terminals;

[0255] Figure 4 shows an aerosol generating system, which includes an aerosol generating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a charging / docking station in a semi-attached state, wherein the aerosol generating device is removably received in a longitudinal cavity of the charging / docking station, and wherein, as Figure 4 shown, the bottom end of the aerosol generating device is located in the cavity to provide a mechanical connection between an external interface of the aerosol generating device and a corresponding electrical / mechanical interface of the charging device, and by using its protruding top end, the aerosol generating device can be pulled out or pivoted out of the cavity around the mechanical connection to be completely removed, or placed or pivoted into the cavity of the charging / docking station, such that the aerosol generating device is completely received and clamped in the cavity around its longitudinal axis, and is electrically connected to the charging / docking station and mechanically connected to the charging / docking station in a fully attached state (not shown);

[0256] Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a removable battery compartment of an aerosol generating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0257] Figure 6 shows an exploded perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing includes two reversibly attached housing parts, and the two reversibly attached housing parts define a tubular receiving portion for removably receiving a battery compartment therebetween in the attached state of the housing parts, and wherein the receiving portion is partially formed in each housing part;

[0258] Figure 7 shows an exploded perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing includes two reversibly attached housing parts, and the two reversibly attached housing parts define a tubular receiving portion for removably receiving the battery compartment therebetween in the attached state of the housing parts, wherein the upper housing part includes the tubular receiving portion, and the lower housing part forms a bottom end cap for closing the receiving portion in the attached state of the housing parts;

[0259] Figure 8 shows an exploded schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing includes two reversibly attached housing parts, and wherein the battery compartment is integrated into or attached to one of these housing parts, wherein the second (upper) housing part includes the aerosol generating article receiving cavity and the tubular receiving portion for the battery compartment, and wherein the first (lower) housing part includes the battery compartment and forms a bottom end cap for closing the receiving portion in the attached state of the housing parts;

[0260] Figure 9 Shows an exploded schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing comprises two reversibly attachable housing parts, and wherein the battery compartment is integrated into or attached to one of these housing parts, wherein the second (upper) housing part comprises the aerosol generating article receiving cavity and the battery compartment, and wherein the first (lower) housing part comprises a tubular receptacle for the battery compartment;

[0261] Figure 10 Shows a schematic architecture of an identification unit for identifying a power supply unit of an aerosol generating device according to the present invention. Detailed Description

[0262] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0263] The aerosol generating device according to the preferred embodiment is a tubular or rod-shaped device having an appearance and operation similar to a cigarette or a cigar. A user can insert an aerosol generating article (such as a tobacco rod) into the aerosol generating article receiving cavity at the top end of the housing and press a button to heat the aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol. The power supply unit supplies power according to the user's demand for heating the aerosol generating article received in the aerosol generating article receiving cavity, so that the user can inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device from the aerosol generating article, and the aerosol is similar to the smoke of a cigarette or a cigar. The power source for heating the aerosol generating article is a battery removably received in the battery compartment of the power supply unit.

[0264] First Embodiment( Figures 1 - 5 )

[0265] As Figure 1 The aerosol generating device 1 shown in includes housing parts 3, 4, wherein the shape of the housing part 3 is substantially tubular, and the housing part 4 is formed as a ring which can be reversibly attached along the main axis 100 by a screw joint or a bayonet joint 5 so as to be able to replace the battery 2 quickly and easily. The first (lower) housing part 3 has a cavity 6 for receiving a removable internal unit 7. The other second (upper) housing part defines a top cap in the form of a ring 4 for fixing the removable internal unit 7 within the first housing part 3. The ring 4 may be provided with a torque engagement structure 8, in particular an opening having a torque pattern (such as but not limited to a flower-shaped pattern), so as to engage with a torque tool (not shown) for removing the ring 4 from the first housing part 3. The tubular housing part 3 can be made of a single piece of material to form a tubular structure, such as metal, such as but not limited to aluminum or aluminum alloy.

[0266] The removable internal unit 7 includes a power-consuming unit 9 and a power supply unit having a battery compartment 10, and an electronic unit 11 disposed therebetween along the main axis 100. The power-consuming unit 9 and the battery compartment 10 may be mechanically attached to each other. After removing the removal ring or the second housing part 4, the removable internal unit 7 can be removed as a single unit. The battery compartment 10 may removably hold the battery 2. The power-consuming unit 9 may include an aerosol-generating compartment in the form of a tubular coil, particularly a heater rod, having a cylindrical aerosol-generating article receiving cavity 12 for receiving an aerosol-generating article 12' for inductive heating to generate a consumable aerosol. Alternatively, the power-consuming unit 9 may have a different type of heater, such as a resistive heater, or other types of heaters, the purpose of which is to heat the aerosol-generating article removably placed inside the cavity 12. The electronic unit 11 may include a controller and power electronics to draw power from the battery 2 to the tubular coil for inductive heating when needed by the user.

[0267] The main button 13 is provided on the first housing part 3. The main button 13 is electrically connected to the electronic unit 11 to control the electronic unit when activated. In particular, when the main button 13 is pushed, power is drawn from the battery 2 to the tubular coil for inductive heating.

[0268] The battery 2 may be a standard or non-standard type of battery, and once the second housing part or the closing ring 4 is removed from the first tubular housing part, and the removable internal unit 7 is pulled out from the first tubular housing part 3, the user can easily remove the battery from the battery compartment.

[0269] The internal electrical interface 14 is provided between the bottom surface of the removable internal unit 7 (particularly the battery compartment 10) and the internal bottom surface of the first housing part 3.

[0270] Figure 2 The internal electrical interface 14 of the aerosol-generating device 1 is shown. As will be explained in more detail below, the internal electrical interface 14 enables orientation-independent electrical interconnection between the battery compartment 10 and the first housing part 3.

[0271] The internal electrical interface 14 may be provided, for example, on the top and bottom ends of the receiving portion for receiving the battery compartment 10 inside the housing. The internal electrical interface includes interconnected electrodes separated by an insulating ring, particularly two concentric rings 16 having different polarities (positive and negative) around the main axis 100. The two concentric rings may be electrically connected to two protruding elements, particularly as Figure 5The spring-loaded pin 17 depicted therein, the protruding element is arranged to be offset by a radius from the main / central axis 100, ensuring electrical interconnection with two polarities regardless of the angular orientation. In particular, the spring-loaded pin 17 is arranged such that the radius from the central axis 100 is equal to the radius of the concentric ring 16 from the central axis. The spring-loaded pin 17 is loaded against the concentric ring 16 by an elastic element, thus ensuring orientation-independent and secure electrical connection even when the housing parts 3, 4 are not fully engaged.

[0272] The internal interface 14 can also be used to connect the battery compartment 10 to one or both of the inner bottom surface of the first housing part 103, 203 and the inner top surface of the second housing part 104, 204 of the aerosol generating device 101, 201 (depicted respectively in Figure 6 , 7 and 8, 9). Preferably, the internal interface 14 is on the inner bottom surface and / or the inner top surface of the corresponding housing part (i.e., the top and / or bottom end of the receiving portion).

[0273] In another variant, a ring and a protruding element (e.g., the spring-loaded pin 17) having different radii from the central axis 100 are provided on the battery compartment 10 to engage corresponding mating elements on the housing side, thus again providing orientation-independent electrical interconnection.

[0274] Figure 3 is a bottom view of the housing and depicts the bottom end 19 of the first (lower) housing part 3. The bottom end 19 includes an external electrical interface 20, which is configured to engage a charging device 21 as shown in Figure 4 for charging the battery using two concentric electrical terminals, which ensure electrical interconnection with the terminals of the charging device regardless of the orientation angle around the main column axis of the tubular housing part. The external electrical interface 20 has a structure similar to that of the internal electrical interface 14 shown in Figure 2 . The external electrical interface 20 is surrounded by a torque engagement structure 22 for engaging a matching torque tool to apply torque to the first housing part 3. The torque engagement structure 22 includes a female torque engagement element having a recessed flower-shaped pattern. Other torque engagement structures 22 can also be used, such as a hexagonal or spline cavity in the center of the two concentric rings 16. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the battery compartment 23 that can be used in the aerosol generating device 1 according to the present invention. Male electrical terminals in the form of spring-loaded pins 17 are provided at each of the two opposite ends of the battery compartment 23. Male electrical terminals 17 of different polarities (positive and negative) are arranged in the same pattern at each of the two opposite ends of the battery compartment 23, such that the battery compartment 23 can be inserted into the housing in at least two different / reverse / flipped orientations. The male electrical terminals 17 are configured to be electrically connected to the internal electrical interface 14 provided at corresponding positions inside the housing (seeFigure 2 ) in the form of concentric rings, and is thus also configured to provide electrical interconnection between the battery compartment 23 and the housing parts 103, 104 regardless of the angular orientation about the main axis 100. The circuitry 24 connects the spring-biased protruding electrical terminals 17 on the respective sides in parallel to the battery 2. In other embodiments, two concentric rings 16 of different polarities (positive and negative) about the main axis 100 are used as the interconnecting electrodes, which are provided at the battery compartment 23 instead of the spring-biased protruding electrical terminals 17. In this case, the corresponding male electrical terminals 17 will be provided as the internal electrical interfaces 14 at the corresponding positions inside the housing.

[0275] Second Embodiment( Figure 6 )

[0276] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the aerosol-generating device 101 according to the second embodiment, in which the first housing part 103 and the second housing part 104 together define a cavity for receiving the battery compartment 10. The second embodiment has the same features as the first embodiment except for the differences described herein.

[0277] The first (lower) housing part 103 has a tubular form with a top-loading cavity for receiving the lower end or the whole of the battery compartment 10. The lower part of the first housing part 103 tapers towards its distal (lower) end. The second (upper) housing part 104 has a tubular form with a bottom-loading cavity for receiving the upper end of the battery compartment 10 or only the upper surface of the battery compartment 10. The two housing parts 103, 104 can be reversibly attached along the main axis 100 by means of screw joints 105, 106. The male thread 105 is provided on the second (upper) housing part 104. The mating female thread 106 is provided on the first (lower) housing part 104. However, the positions of the male thread 105 and the female thread 106 can also be reversed. The second (upper) housing part houses the electrical unit 9 and the electronic unit 11 and includes an aerosol-generating article receiving cavity 12. The battery compartment 10 can be the battery compartment as shown in Figure 5 and can thus be placed in any manner into the cavity formed by the housing parts 103, 104 to provide electrical interconnection.

[0278] Third Embodiment( Figure 7 )

[0279] Figure 7Is an exploded perspective view of an aerosol-generating device 101 according to a third embodiment, in which a second (upper) housing part 104 defines a bottom-loading cavity for receiving all or an upper part of a battery compartment 10, and in which a first (lower) housing part 103 defines a bottom end cap for closing the cavity in an attached state of the housing parts. The third embodiment has the same features as the second embodiment, except for the differences described herein.

[0280] In Figure 7 the first (lower) housing part 103 tapers completely towards its distal (lower) end. An internal electrical interface (not shown) similar to the internal electrical interface shown in Figure 2 is provided inside the first (lower) housing part 103 and the second (upper) housing part 104, while an external electrical interface (not shown) similar to the external electrical interface shown in Figure 3 is provided outside the first (lower) housing part 103.

[0281] Fourth Embodiment( Figure 8 )

[0282] Figure 8 An aerosol-generating device 201 according to a fourth embodiment is shown. Compared with the aerosol-generating device 101 shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 the battery compartment 10 is fixed to or integrated into one of the first housing part 203 and the second housing part 204. The fourth embodiment has the same features as the third embodiment, except for the differences described herein.

[0283] In Figure 8 the battery compartment 10 is fixed to or integrated into the first (lower) housing part 203 so as to project along a longitudinal main axis 100, enabling lateral removal / insertion of the battery from / to the battery compartment 10 and axial removal / insertion of the battery compartment 10 from / to the second (upper) housing part 204. The second (upper) housing part 204 has a tubular form with a bottom-loading cavity for receiving the battery compartment 10. The two housing parts 203, 204 are reversibly attached along the longitudinal main axis 100 by a threaded joint, where a male thread 205 may be provided on the first (lower) housing part and a mating female thread 206 may be provided on the distal (lower) end of the second (upper) housing part 204, or vice versa. The first (lower) housing part 103 tapers completely from a separation line towards its distal (lower) end, the separation line remaining visible in an attached state of the housing parts. As Figure 2The internal electrical interface shown in [Figure] is disposed at the top of the receiving portion inside the second (upper) housing part 204 to be electrically connected to the interconnecting electrode disposed at the top of the battery compartment 10 in the attached state of the housing parts 203, 204. When the bottom end of the battery compartment 10 is connected to the first (lower) housing part 203, it does not require an interconnecting electrode.

[0284] Fifth Embodiment( Figure 9 )

[0285] Figure 9 An aerosol generating device 201 according to the fifth embodiment is shown. The first embodiment has the same features as the second embodiment except for the differences described herein.

[0286] In Figure 9 , the battery compartment 10 is fixed to the second (upper) housing part 204 or integrated into the second (upper) housing part. The second (upper) housing part 204 has a tubular form. The battery compartment 10 projects from the second (upper) housing part 204 along the longitudinal main axis 100, thereby enabling lateral removal / insertion of the battery into / from the battery compartment 10 and axial removal / insertion of the battery compartment 10 into / from the first (lower) housing part 204. The battery compartment 10 has a tapered bottom portion. A top-loading cavity for receiving the battery compartment 10 is provided in the first (lower) housing part 103 and tapers towards its bottom end in the negative shape of the battery compartment 10 to simplify concentric arrangement. The internal shape of the cavity and the external shape of the battery compartment 10 are mutually adapted such that the battery compartment 10 fits tightly into the cavity without rattling and wobbling in the attached state of the housing parts 203, 204. In addition, the first housing part 203 tapers towards its far (lower) end on its outside to optically reduce the length and width of the housing, preferably to the minimum length and width physically required to accommodate the battery compartment 10. The two housing parts 203, 204 can be reversibly attached along the main axis 100 by a threaded joint, where a female thread 206 is provided on the first (lower) housing part 203 and a mating male thread 205 is provided on the distal end of the second (upper) housing part 204. Preferably, the female thread 106 is provided on the housing part including the receiving portion for the battery compartment 10.

[0287] A circumferential torque engagement structure 22 surrounding the external electrical interface 20, particularly a recessed flower-shaped pattern as shown in Figure 3 can also be provided respectively on the outside bottom ends of the first housing parts 103, 203 of the aerosol generating devices 101, 201 depicted in Figure 6 , 7 and 8, 9 for threaded torque engagement of the two housing parts 103, 104 or 203, 204. AsFigure 2 The internal electrical interface shown is disposed at the bottom end of the receiving portion inside the first (lower) housing part 203 to be electrically connected to the interconnection electrode disposed at the bottom end of the battery compartment 10 in the attached state of the housing parts 203, 204. When the top end of the battery compartment 10 is connected to the second (upper) housing part 203, there is no need for an interconnection electrode there.

[0288] Identification element

[0289] Figure 10 Shows a schematic architecture of an identification unit for identifying the power supply unit / battery compartment 10 by means of an identification element.

[0290] Each power supply unit / battery compartment 10 can be equipped with an identification element, including a SIM 25 or a device (Subscriber Identity Module), such as a software-based eSIM card or a SIM chip (micro SIM or nano SIMI), which can communicate with the power-consuming unit 9 via a data communication interface, for example, once the power-consuming unit 9 and the power supply unit / battery compartment 10 are interconnected with each other. This can be done directly by communicating with the IO channel 26 of the SIM or via an additional data processor 27 on the power supply unit / battery compartment 10. The SIM 25 includes a secret and unique Ki encryption key, which cannot be read from the outside of the SIM, and which can be initially recorded in a database by the manufacturer to authenticate the original power supply unit / battery compartment 10. Generally, the secret key Ki has a 128-bit value.

[0291] For example, each secret key Ki can be previously recorded in a database and can be uniquely associated with an authorized power supply unit / battery compartment 10. Thus, the power supply unit / battery compartment 10 can be checked to see whether it is original or a copy, thereby providing protection for technical authenticity, ensuring that only original devices are used, and also ensuring the use of a certain quality of battery. Other data from the SIM 25 can also be used for authentication (in addition to the secret key Ki), such as but not limited to ICCID, IMSI, IMEI, MSISDN, and / or EID. However, the authentication provided by using these numbers is less secure. The SIM itself can also generate a session key from the secret Ki key by using a data processor inside the SIM, such that the secret Ki key never leaves the electronics of the power supply unit / battery compartment 10, more specifically, never leaves the internal storage memory of the secret key of the SIM 25, and the power-consuming unit 9 applies the same encryption / decryption algorithm to authenticate the power supply unit / battery compartment 10, and the power supply unit / battery compartment 10 can be authenticated with one or more session keys.

[0292] In a simplified variant, to avoid managing many different secret keys for each power supply unit / battery compartment 10, the power supply unit / battery compartment 10 can be equipped with a digital circuit (not necessarily a SIM), which has a key secretly stored among a certain limited number of secret keys, or only one secret key for all power supply units / battery compartments 10, and the power-consuming unit 9 can request authentication of the power supply unit / battery compartment 10 based on the limited number of secret keys or only one secret key. For example, it is possible to use exactly the same secret key for the power supply unit / battery compartment 10 (or a limited number thereof), and then run an encryption algorithm to generate a session key for each algorithm. The power-consuming unit 9 can have the same secret key stored therein (e.g., in a way that cannot be read externally), and use the same algorithm to authenticate the power supply unit / battery compartment 10 with the session key. This will allow mimicking the SIM 25 function with limited complexity. In this regard, it is also possible to use an eSIM architecture, but only use a limited number of keys, for example such that not every power supply unit / battery compartment 10 has its unique and secret key Ki, but a specific limited number, or even only use one secret key Ki. This solution provides less authentication security but is easier to manage and may be sufficient to authenticate the power supply unit / battery compartment 10 of the aerosol-generating system / device. Once the power-consuming unit 9 has authenticated the power supply unit / battery compartment 10, it is possible to start or allow the power-consuming unit 9 to form an aerosol, for example such that heat can be generated by the power-consuming unit 9. If the power supply unit / battery compartment 10 cannot be authenticated, an error message can be generated, such as a visual, auditory, or tactile signal or a combination thereof, and the power-consuming unit 9 can be disabled.

[0293] Technically, the SIM 25 or an equivalent circuit can also be integrated into the power-consuming unit 9 or module instead of the power supply unit / battery compartment 10, and the power supply unit / battery compartment 10 authenticates the power-consuming unit 9 before allowing the power-consuming unit 9 to operate.

[0294] Although data communication can be done via a separate data communication channel between the power-consuming unit 9 and the power supply unit / battery compartment 10, it can also be done through the internal electrical interface 14, whereby there are only two power terminals and no specific data communication terminals or interconnections. The data communication for authentication can also be done via a wireless interface, such as a Bluetooth or RFID circuit.

[0295] Additionally, the power-consuming unit 9 and the power supply unit / battery compartment 10 can be paired, for example, by a pairing process performed by, for example, the power-consuming unit 9 or the electronic unit 11, thus allowing a unique key to be used for each power supply unit / battery compartment 10 without actually having to manage all the secret keys in a database. For example, when a new or other original power supply unit / battery compartment 10 is first interconnected with the power-consuming unit 9, the power-consuming unit 9 or the electronic unit 11 can request pairing using a pairing algorithm. However, the pairing can also be done at the manufacturing level rather than with the end user.

[0296] For the purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, amounts, percentages, etc. should be understood to be modified in all instances by the term "about". Moreover, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and include any intermediate ranges that may be specifically recited or may not be recited herein.

[0297] List of reference numerals

[0298] 1. Aerosol generating device (first embodiment)

[0299] 2. Battery

[0300] 3. First housing part

[0301] 4. Removable ring / cover (second housing part)

[0302] 5. Bayonet joint

[0303] 6. Receiving part with an opening

[0304] 7. Removable internal unit

[0305] 8. Torque engagement structure (of ring 4)

[0306] 9. Power-consuming unit

[0307] 10. Battery compartment / power supply unit

[0308] 11. Electronic unit

[0309] 12. Aerosol generating article receiving cavity in the form of a tubular coil in the aerosol generating compartment 13. Main button

[0310] 14. Internal electrical interface

[0311] 15. Bottom cover of the battery compartment 10

[0312] 16. Concentric ring (interconnecting electrode)

[0313] 17. Spring-biased protruding electrical terminal (protruding electrical terminal)

[0314] 18. Torque engagement structure of the bottom cover 15, fluted opening

[0315] 19. Bottom end of the first housing part 3

[0316] 20. External electrical interface

[0317] 21. Charging / accessory device

[0318] 22. Torque engagement structure of the first housing part 1 with a recessed flower-shaped pattern 23. Battery compartment according to the second aspect

[0319] 24. Circuit system

[0320] 25. SIM (Subscriber Identity Module)

[0321] 26. I / O interface (e.g., COM)

[0322] 27. Processor of the battery compartment 10 / Processor of the power supply unit 10

[0323] 28. Processor of the electrical unit 9

[0324] 100. Main axis / Longitudinal axis / Central axis

[0325] 101. Aerosol generating device (second embodiment)

[0326] 103. First housing part

[0327] 104. Second housing part

[0328] 105. Male thread

[0329] 106. Female thread

[0330] 201. Aerosol generating device (third embodiment)

[0331] 203. First housing part

[0332] 204. Second housing part

[0333] 205. Male thread

[0334] 206. Female thread

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising: a power supply unit configured to power an operation of the aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol, wherein the power supply unit includes a battery compartment for removably holding a battery, an aerosol generating compartment including an aerosol generating article receiving cavity for removably receiving an aerosol generating article, and a housing accommodating the power supply unit and the aerosol generating compartment, wherein the housing includes two removably attached housing parts, wherein one of the housing parts forms a ring element for fixing the aerosol generating compartment within the housing.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the ring element includes an opening for accessing the aerosol generating article receiving cavity in an attached state of the housing parts.

3. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing parts are configured to be attached to each other by a bayonet joint or a screw thread joint.

4. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing includes at least one torque engagement structure configured to engage with a matching torque tool for applying torque to the housing.

5. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing includes an external electrical and / or mechanical interface that can be electrically connected and / or mechanically connected to an external device, in particular a charging device or a docking station.

6. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing may include an internal electrical and / or mechanical interface that can be electrically connected and / or mechanically connected to the battery compartment or the power supply unit.

7. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery compartment or the power supply unit is removably accommodated in the housing.

8. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power supply unit includes an identification member, and the device includes an identification unit for identifying the power supply unit by means of the identification member.

9. An aerosol generating system comprising the aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims and a charging device configured to charge the power supply unit of the aerosol generating device.

10. A method for replacing a battery of the aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of: a. opening the housing, b. removing the battery from the battery compartment of the power supply unit, c. inserting a replacement battery into the battery compartment, d. closing the housing.

11. Use of a ring element as one of the two removably attached housing parts of the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for fixing an aerosol generating compartment within a housing formed by the housing part.

Images