Aerosol generating device with closure element

Abstract

An aerosol generating device (100) has a body (102) and a shut-off member (106). The body (102) has an orifice (104) through which an aerosol matrix (148) can be received into the aerosol generating device (100). The shut-off member (106) is movable relative to the orifice (104) between a closed position and an open position, in which the shut-off member (106) covers the orifice (104) and in the open position, the orifice (104) is substantially unobstructed by the shut-off member (106); the shut-off member (106) is stable in each of the closed and open positions. The shut-off member (106) can be further moved from the open position to an activated position. In the activated position, the aerosol generating device (100) is operable to activate an activation signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device with a closure. The closure can be arranged to move between a closed position and an open position. This disclosure is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to a portable aerosol generating device that may be self-contained and cryogenic. Such devices can generate an aerosol for inhalation by heating, rather than burning, tobacco or other suitable materials through conduction, convection, and / or radiation. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, the popularity and use of risk-reducing or risk-modifying devices (also known as vaporizers) have grown rapidly, helping habitual smokers who want to quit to break traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarettes, and rolled cigarettes. Unlike burning tobacco in conventional tobacco products, various devices and systems are available that heat or agitate the aerosol matrix to generate aerosols and / or vapors for inhalation.

[0003] One type of device where risk is reduced or mitigated is a heated matrix aerosol generator or a heated-but-not-burner device. This type of device generates aerosols and / or vapors by heating a solid aerosol matrix (typically, moist tobacco leaves) to a temperature typically in the range of 150°C to 300°C. Heating but not burning or ablazing the aerosol matrix releases aerosols and / or vapors containing the components sought by the user but not the toxic and carcinogenic byproducts produced by combustion and burning. Furthermore, the aerosols and vapors generated by heating an aerosol matrix, such as tobacco, typically do not contain the burnt or bitter tastes that may be unpleasant to the user due to combustion and burning. This means that the aerosol matrix does not typically need to be added to the tobacco in conventional tobacco products as sugars or other additives to make the smoke and / or vapors more palatable to the user.

[0004] Existing aerosol generating devices can be complex and difficult to use, and the required functions can be tricky. For example, it is useful to ensure that the device heats only when needed and that the user can control this heating. It is also helpful to provide a cover that can protect the area of ​​the device containing the aerosol matrix for use. Further useful is the ability for the user to know the device's status, such as remaining battery power or current temperature. At the same time, aerosol generating devices are highly personal items, frequently manipulated by the user during use and close to the user's face and mouth. Therefore, it is undesirable to have a large number of user-unfriendly parts and controls.

[0005] EP 3003073 B1 describes a container for an elongated electronic nicotine delivery system or other flavored vapor delivery system. The container has a lid that is pivotally attached to a body such that, in the closed position, it covers a first opening and an auxiliary opening in an insert. The lid is movable only between the two positions and is used only to cover the open end of the container.

[0006] CN 206687163 U describes a low-temperature smoking article comprising a cover body movably mounted on a housing and configured to move between a first position and a second position. A trigger switch is provided to activate or turn on a power circuit. When the cover is in the second position, the cover opens an opening and simultaneously touches the trigger switch to activate or turn on the power circuit. The cover switch can only move between the two positions. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The appended claims set forth several aspects of this disclosure.

[0008] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, an aerosol generating apparatus is provided, the aerosol generating apparatus comprising:

[0009] A body having an orifice through which an aerosol matrix can be received into the aerosol generating device; and

[0010] A closing member movable relative to the orifice between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the closing member covers the orifice, and in the open position the orifice is substantially unobstructed by the closing member, and the closing member is stable in each of the closed and open positions.

[0011] The closing element can be further moved from the open position to the activated position, where the device can be operated to activate an activation signal.

[0012] The ability to move the closure between the closed and open positions, as well as between the open and active positions, allows the closure to be used as a control surface to initiate an activation signal. Therefore, the closure provides a very user-friendly and accessible control surface. This eliminates the need for additional control surfaces elsewhere on the aerosol generating device. Furthermore, by providing both closed and active positions, the user has a greater degree of control without having to change their grip on the aerosol generating device.

[0013] The closed position can be the first position, the open position can be the second position, and the active position can be the third position. The active position is typically different from and / or distinct from the closed position. For example, the active and closed positions can be spaced apart from each other. In a particular instance, the open position is between the closed and active positions.

[0014] Optionally, the closure element being movable between the closed position and the open position, and / or between the open position and the active position, includes the closure element being movable or sliding relative to the body.

[0015] Optionally, the direction of movement of the closing element from the closed position to the open position is tangent to the body.

[0016] Optionally, the direction of movement of the closing element from the closed position to the open position is, for example, towards or away from the body.

[0017] Optionally, the direction of further movement of the closing element from the open position to the activated position is toward the body of the aerosol generating device.

[0018] Optionally, the direction of further movement of the closing element from the open position to the active position is the same as the direction of movement of the closing element from the closed position to the open position, wherein the active position extends beyond the open position relative to the closed position.

[0019] Optionally, the direction of further movement of the closing element from the open position to the active position is different from, for example, the direction of movement of the closing element between the closed position and the open position.

[0020] Optionally, the closing element is offset toward the closed position from a first position range between the closed position and the open position, and offset toward the open position from a second position range between the closed position and the open position, wherein the first position range is closer to the closed position than the second position range, and the second position range is closer to the open position than the first position range.

[0021] Optionally, the first location range is substantially adjacent to the second location range.

[0022] Optionally, a constant bias exists throughout the first position range and / or the second position range.

[0023] Optionally, the closing element is offset from the activated position toward the open position.

[0024] Optionally, the aerosol generating device includes an elastic element connected between the body and the closing member, such that at least a portion of the movement of the closing member between the closed position and the open position and / or between the open position and the activated position is resisted by the elastic element.

[0025] Optionally, the elastic element is arranged to resist movement away from the closed position; alternatively, the elastic element is arranged to resist movement away from the closed position when the closure is within the first position range.

[0026] Optionally, the elastic element is arranged to resist movement away from the open position; alternatively, the elastic element is arranged to resist movement away from the open position when the closing element is in the second position range.

[0027] Optionally, the closing element is arranged to resist movement toward the activated position.

[0028] Optionally, the elastic element is arranged such that a subset of the movement of the closing member between the open position and the closed position, and further movement of the closing member from the open position to the active position, are resisted by the elastic element.

[0029] Optionally, the elastic element is arranged to deform as the closing member moves between the open position and the closed position, and also as the closing member moves further from the open position to the active position.

[0030] Optionally, the elastic element is a spring; preferably, the elastic element is a torsion spring and / or a helical torsion spring.

[0031] The closing element typically moves, for example, translates and / or rotates, along a path between the closed position, the open position, and the active position. Optionally, the aerosol generating device includes:

[0032] A first guide, wherein the movement of the closing member between the closed position and the open position is along the first guide; and / or

[0033] The second guide, along which the further movement of the closing element from the open position to the active position is made,

[0034] The first guide and the second guide each extend from a connecting portion that is connected to each other and is associated with the open position.

[0035] Optionally, the first guide and / or the second guide are arranged such that the first end of the elastic element and / or the component interacting with the first end of the elastic element can move along the guide.

[0036] Optionally, the first guide and / or the second guide form an arcuate guide path or a linear guide path. Preferably, the first end of the elastic element is tangent to the body along the direction of movement of the guide.

[0037] Alternatively, the orifice and the first guide are separate.

[0038] Optionally, the aerosol generating device is operable to activate a status signal when the closing element moves from the closed position to the open position.

[0039] Optionally, the aerosol generating device includes an activation detector arranged to detect the position of the shut-off element and / or to detect movement of the shut-off element to and / or away from the activation position to trigger the activation signal.

[0040] Optionally, the activation detector is arranged to detect the time period during which the closure element has been in the activated position in order to trigger the activation signal.

[0041] Optionally, the aerosol generating device includes an open detector arranged to detect movement of the closing element between the open position and the closed position.

[0042] Optionally, the open detector is configured to trigger a status signal when the closing element moves from the closed position to the open position.

[0043] Optionally, at least one of the activation detector and the opening detector is: a push button, a graduated tooth, an electrical contact, a Hall sensor, an optical sensor, a switch, a deflection sensor, an inductive sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor.

[0044] Optionally, the aerosol generating device further includes a controller arranged to receive the activation signal and generate a control signal based on the activation signal.

[0045] Optionally, the aerosol generating device further includes a controller arranged to receive the status signal and generate a control signal based on the status signal.

[0046] Optionally, the control signal is arranged for components of the aerosol generating device, preferably at least one of the following: a heater, a status indicator, a battery indicator, and a display.

[0047] Optionally, the closing element can be further moved to a second activated position, in which the device is operable to activate a second activation signal. The closing element can move from the open position to the second activated position, from the closed position to the second activated position, or from the activated position to the second activated position. Optionally, the second activated position is a position different from the activated position.

[0048] Optionally, the closing element can move from the open position, the closed position, and / or the active position to multiple different active positions. The closing element can move between the open position and multiple open active positions, between the closed position and multiple closed active positions, and / or between the active position and multiple additional active positions.

[0049] Optionally, the closure can slide to the second activation position and / or each of the plurality of activation positions.

[0050] Optionally, the direction of further movement of the closing element from the open position to the second activated position is toward the body of the aerosol generating device.

[0051] Optionally, the direction of further movement of the closing element from the open position to the second active position is the same as the direction of movement of the closing element from the closed position to the open position.

[0052] Optionally, the direction of further movement of the closing member from the open position to the second active position is transverse to the direction of movement of the closing member between the closed position and the open position.

[0053] Optionally, the device is arranged to activate a different activation signal for each of the plurality of activation locations.

[0054] Optionally, the shut-off element is biased away from the second activated position. Optionally, the elastic element is arranged to bias the shut-off element away from the second activated position. Optionally, the aerosol generating device includes a second elastic element, which is arranged to bias the shut-off element away from the second activated position.

[0055] Optionally, the elastic element is arranged such that different biasing forces exist for the active position, the second active position, and / or two or more of the plurality of active positions.

[0056] The second activation position is typically different from or distinct from the first activation position. In fact, all activation positions can be different from or distinct from each other, for example, in different locations. They can also be different from or distinct from the open and closed positions.

[0057] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a method for operating an aerosol generating apparatus having a body and a closure element, the body having an orifice through which an aerosol matrix can be received into the aerosol generating apparatus, the method comprising:

[0058] The closing element is moved relative to the orifice from a closed position to an open position. In the closed position, the closing element covers the orifice; in the open position, the orifice is substantially unobstructed by the closing element. The closing element is stable in both the closed and open positions.

[0059] The closing element is moved from the open position to the active position, where the device is operable to activate the activation signal.

[0060] Each of these aspects may include any one or more features mentioned in the other aspects above.

[0061] This disclosure extends to any novel aspects or features described and / or demonstrated herein. Further features of this disclosure are characterized by the other independent and dependent claims.

[0062] The terms “device,” “apparatus,” “processor,” “module,” etc., are used in a general, not specific, manner. While these features disclosed herein can be implemented using individual components, such as a computer or central processing unit (CPU), they can also be implemented equally well using other suitable components or combinations thereof. For example, they can be implemented using one or more hardwired circuits, such as integrated circuits, and using embedded software.

[0063] It should be noted that the term "comprising" as used in this document means "consisting of at least part of...". Therefore, when interpreting statements in this document that contain the word "comprising," features other than the one or those features following that word may also be present. For example, related terms such as "comprising" and "including" will be interpreted in the same way. As used herein, "(one or more)" preceding a noun refers to the plural and / or singular form of the noun.

[0064] As used herein, the term "aerosol" refers to a system of particles dispersed in air or gas (such as mist, fog, or smoke). Therefore, the term "aerosolize" or "aerosolize" refers to the formation of an aerosol and / or dispersion into an aerosol. It should be noted that the meaning of aerosol / aerosolization is consistent with each of the definitions above for volatilization, atomization, and vaporization. For the avoidance of ambiguity, aerosol is used consistently to describe a mist or droplets consisting of atomized, volatilized, or vaporized particles. Aerosols also include mists or droplets consisting of any combination of atomized, volatilized, or vaporized particles.

[0065] Preferred embodiments will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0066] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of an aerosol generating device.

[0067] Figure 2 This is a structural view of the shut-off member of the aerosol generating apparatus according to the first embodiment of this disclosure.

[0068] Figure 3 (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view from the side of the first embodiment of the closure, wherein the closure is in the closed position.

[0069] Figure 3(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view from the side of the first embodiment of the closure, wherein the closure is in the open position.

[0070] Figure 3 (c) is a schematic cross-sectional view from the side of the first embodiment of the closure, wherein the closure is in the active position.

[0071] Figure 3 (d) is another schematic cross-sectional view seen from the side of the first embodiment of the closure, wherein the closure is in the active position.

[0072] Figure 4 The arrangement of a first embodiment of the aerosol generating device during use is shown.

[0073] Figure 5 The operation of an elastic element, which forms part of a first embodiment of a closure, is demonstrated.

[0074] Figure 6 This is a structural view of the shut-off member of the aerosol generating apparatus according to the second embodiment of this disclosure.

[0075] Figure 7 (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view from the side of the second embodiment of the closure member, wherein the closure member is in the closed position.

[0076] Figure 7 (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view from the side of the second embodiment of the closure, wherein the closure is in the open position.

[0077] Figure 7 (c) is a schematic cross-sectional view from the side of the second embodiment of the closure, wherein the closure is in the active position.

[0078] Figure 7 (d) is another schematic cross-sectional view seen from the side of the second embodiment of the closure, wherein the closure is in the active position.

[0079] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view seen from the side of the third embodiment of the closure.

[0080] Figure 9 This is a structural view of the shut-off member of the aerosol generating apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of this disclosure.

[0081] Figure 10 (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the closure, with the closure in the closed position.

[0082] Figure 10(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the closure, with the closure in the open position.

[0083] Figure 10 (c) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the closure, with the closure in the active position.

[0084] Figure 10 (d) is another schematic cross-sectional view seen from the side of the fourth embodiment of the closure, wherein the closure is in the active position.

[0085] Figure 11 This is a structural view of the shut-off member of the aerosol generating apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of this disclosure.

[0086] Figure 12 (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fifth embodiment of the closure, with the closure in the closed position.

[0087] Figure 12 (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fifth embodiment of the closure, with the closure in the open position.

[0088] Figure 12 (c) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fifth embodiment of the closure, with the closure in the active position.

[0089] Figure 12 (d) is another schematic cross-sectional view seen from the side of the fifth embodiment of the closure, wherein the closure is in the active position.

[0090] Figure 13 This is a structural view of the shut-off member of the aerosol generating apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of this disclosure.

[0091] Figure 14 (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view from the side of the sixth embodiment of the closure, wherein the closure is in the closed position.

[0092] Figure 14 (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sixth embodiment of the closure, with the closure in the open position.

[0093] Figure 14 (c) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sixth embodiment of the closure, with the closure in the active position.

[0094] Figure 14 (d) is another schematic cross-sectional view seen from the side of the sixth embodiment of the closure, wherein the closure is in the active position.

[0095] Figure 15 (a) is a view of the closing attachment mechanism used for the closing element.

[0096] Figure 15 (b) is a view of another closing attachment mechanism used for the closing element.

[0097] Figure 16 is a view of the sensor used in various embodiments of the closure.

[0098] Figure 17 This is a schematic perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the aerosol generating apparatus.

[0099] Figure 18 This is a schematic perspective view of the eighth embodiment of the aerosol generating apparatus. Detailed Implementation

[0100] First Embodiment

[0101] See Figure 1 According to a first embodiment of this disclosure, the aerosol generating apparatus 100 includes a body 102 that houses a plurality of different components of the aerosol generating apparatus 100. The body 102 may be of any shape, provided that its size is determined to match the components described in the aerosol generating apparatus 100. The body 102 may be formed of any suitable material or even a layer of material.

[0102] For convenience, the first end of the aerosol generating device 100 (the end closest to the shut-off member 106, shown facing) is... Figure 1 The top of the aerosol generating device 100 is described as the top or upper end of the aerosol generating device 100. For convenience, the second end of the aerosol generating device 100 (the end farther from the closure member 106, shown facing) is... Figure 1 The bottom of the aerosol generating device 100 is described as the bottom, base, or lower end. For convenience, movement from the top of the aerosol generating device 100 to the bottom is described as downward, and movement from the bottom of the aerosol generating device 100 to the top is described as upward. In use, the user typically orients the aerosol generating device 100 with the first end facing downward and / or in a distal position relative to the user's mouth, and the second end facing upward and / or in a proximal position relative to the user's mouth.

[0103] The aerosol generating apparatus 100 includes a heating chamber 108 positioned toward a first end of the aerosol generating apparatus 100. At one end of the heating chamber 108, an orifice 104 is provided through the body 102, providing a passage from the outside of the body 102 to the heating chamber 108, so that an aerosol matrix can be placed into the heating chamber 108 through the orifice 104.

[0104] At orifice 104, near the body 102, one or more spacer elements, such as gaskets, are provided to hold the heating chamber 108 in place. These spacer elements reduce heat conduction from the heating chamber 108 to the body. Typically, air gaps exist elsewhere around the heating chamber 108, thus also reducing heat transfer from the heating chamber 108 to the body 102 except via the spacer elements.

[0105] To further improve the thermal insulation of the heating chamber 108, the heating chamber 108 is also surrounded by an insulation material (not shown). In some embodiments, the insulation material is a fibrous material or a foam material, such as fleece. In some embodiments, the insulation material comprises a pair of nested tubes or cups with a cavity between them enclosed. The cavity may be filled with an insulation material, such as fiber, foam, gel, or gas (e.g., under low pressure), and / or the cavity may include a vacuum. Advantageously, a vacuum requires a very small thickness to achieve high thermal insulation.

[0106] Orifice 104 is typically a circular orifice centered on axis AA. It should be understood that any shape of orifice can be used, such as a square or triangular orifice, where axis AA passes through the center of orifice 104. Axis AA can be considered as an axis perpendicular to the plane formed by orifice 104, such as the plane in which orifice 104 lies. More precisely, as seen when looking at orifice 104, the periphery of orifice 104 can form a 2D shape, typically circular. The plane containing this 2D shape is the plane defined by orifice 104.

[0107] The heating chamber 108 is typically formed by deep drawing. This is an efficient method for forming the heating chamber 108 and can be used to provide thin sidewalls. The deep drawing process involves pressing a metal slab with a punching tool to force it into a forming die. By using a series of progressively smaller punching tools and dies, a tubular structure is formed, having a base at one end and having a tube whose depth is greater than the distance across the tube (this means the length of the tube is relatively greater than its width, hence the term "deep drawing"). The base formed in this way has the same thickness as the initial metal slab. A flange can be formed at the tube end by leaving an outwardly extending edge of the original metal slab at the end of the tubular wall opposite the base (i.e., starting in the billet with more material than is needed to form the tube and the base). Alternatively, the flange can then be formed by a separate step, which involves one or more of cutting, bending, rolling, forging, etc. The heating chamber 108 formed by deep drawing has an orifice 104, which is formed during the deep drawing process.

[0108] The aerosol generating device 100 includes a shut-off member 106 arranged movable between at least a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the shut-off member blocks an orifice 104 to prevent material from entering a heating chamber 108. In the open position, the orifice 104 is uncovered to allow access to the heating chamber 108. The shut-off member 106 may include an outer cover 112 disposed outside the body 102 of the aerosol generating device 100 and thus usable for user interaction. In some, but not all, embodiments, the aerosol generating device 100 includes an elastic element 114 arranged to deform as the shut-off member 106 moves; and includes a guide 120 along which a first end 116 of the elastic element 114 is arranged to move.

[0109] The closure 106 is typically arranged to be movable between a closed position and an open position by sliding relative to the body 102; typically, a first end 116 of the resilient element 114 moves along the guide 120 as the closure 106 slides between the closed and open positions. In some embodiments, the closure 106 is arranged to rotate between the closed and open positions; in these embodiments, the rotation can be in any plane, for example, the rotation can be in the plane formed by the aperture 104, or it can be perpendicular to or transverse to the plane formed by the aperture 104.

[0110] Typically, the elastic element 114 is a spring, such as a coil spring or a torsion spring. When the spring deforms away from the relaxed position, it applies a compressive or extending force along an axis defined by the first end 116 and the second end 118 of the elastic element 114. The force applied by the spring depends on the deformation, wherein the amount of force applied increases with the amount of deformation from the relaxed position.

[0111] A first end 116 of the resilient element 114 is arranged to interact with the closure 106 to move between a first position and a second position as the closure 106 moves between an open position and a closed position. Typically, the resilient element is arranged to move along a guide 120 between the first and second positions. A second end 118 of the resilient element 114 is attached to the body 102 such that as the closure 106 moves from the closed position to the open position, the first end 116 of the resilient element 114 moves, for example, relative to the second end 118. The guide 120 is typically arranged such that as the first end 116 moves along the guide 120, the distance between the first end 116 and the second end 118 of the resilient element 114 changes, and therefore, the resilient element 114 deforms, thereby causing the resilient element 114 to exert a force on the first end 116. Typically, this includes the resilient element 114 compressing as the closure 106 moves away from the closed position, thereby resisting the displacement of the closure 106 away from the closed position.

[0112] The second end 118 is typically attached to a component of the closure 106 that is mounted on the body 102. The force applied by mounting the second end 118 balances the force applied by the elastic element 114, such that as the closure 106 moves from the closed position to the open position, the second end 118 is fixed in place relative to the body 102, while the first end 116 moves relative to the body 102.

[0113] The resilient element 114 is arranged such that both the open and closed positions are "stable" positions, for example, when the closure 106 is in the open or closed position, the net force acting on the closure 106 is zero. In some embodiments, in each of the closed and open positions, the resilient element 114 is in a substantially relaxed position, such that the resilient element 114 exerts no force or only a negligible force on its first end 116 or second end 118. Typically, the resilient element 114 is arranged in a deformable position when the closure is in the closed or open position; here, when the closure is in the closed or open position, the resilient element 114 applies a force; the force applied by the resilient element 114 is balanced by the force applied by the wall of the guide 120. In other words, the open and closed positions are stable equilibrium positions. In these embodiments, a threshold force is required to displace the closure 106 from either the closed or open position. The resilient element 114 is typically arranged such that the threshold force is sufficient to prevent the closure 106 from moving away from either position due to accidental contact (e.g., shifting in a user's pocket), but not so high as to make it difficult to move between positions. The typical value of the threshold force required for the closure to move away from either stable position is in the range of 0.1N to 10N, for example, 3N.

[0114] When the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 is located on the guide 120 in a position that is neither the first position nor the second position, a net force is applied to the first end 116, causing the first end 116 to be biased toward one of the first and second positions, and correspondingly the closing member 106 to be biased toward one of the closed and open positions. The direction of the bias of the first end 116 depends on the relative position of the first end 116 and the second end 118, such that when the first end 116 is "to the left" of the second end 118, the elastic element 114 applies a force acting to move the first end to the left; when the first end 116 is "to the right" of the second end 118, the elastic element 114 applies a force acting to move the first end 116 to the right. The elastic element 114 is arranged such that as the closing member 106 moves from the closed position to the open position, the first end 116 moves relative to the second end 118, and the direction of the force applied by the elastic element 114 changes. More precisely, the elastic element is arranged such that the force applied by the elastic element 114 causes the closing member 106 to bias from a first position range between the closed and open positions toward the closed position, and to bias the closing member 106 from a second position range between the closed and open positions toward the open position. The first position range is closer to the closed position than the second position range. Similarly, the second position range is closer to the open position than the first position range.

[0115] Typically, the resilient element 114 is arranged such that the first position range is substantially adjacent to the second position range. Therefore, in each (or substantially every) position between the closed and open positions, the closed element 106 is biased toward either the closed or open position. More precisely, in the sense that the resilient element 114 does not exert a net force on the closed element 106, there may be an unstable equilibrium position (or region) midway between the first and second position ranges (e.g., midway between the open and closed positions). This typically occurs in the portion of the travel of the resilient element 114 that changes between biasing the closed element 106 toward the open position and biasing it toward the closed position. An unstable equilibrium region is defined as a region in which a small displacement in any direction would cause the closed element to move away from the unstable equilibrium region. Typically, the resilient element 114 is arranged such that unstable equilibrium regions are as small as possible.

[0116] The resilient element 114 is arranged such that, in substantially every position between the closed and open positions of the closure 106, both the component of the deformation of the resilient element 114 and the component of the force exerted by the resilient element 114 are in the direction of movement of the closure 106. The resilient element 114 is arranged such that, when the closure 106 is in the closed or open position, this component of force resists movement away from the closed or open position, respectively. The resilient element 114 is further arranged such that the component of the deformation of the resilient element 114 and the component of the force exerted by the resilient element 114 are transverse to the direction of movement of the closure 106, and this component of force acts to force the first end 116 of the resilient element 114 against one side of the guide 120. Typically, the component of the deformation of the resilient element 114 and the component of the force exerted by the resilient element 114 are relative to the closure 106 in a direction toward and / or away from the body 102, for example, toward the top or bottom of the aerosol generating device 100. This force acts to press the first end 116 of the retaining element 114 against one side, typically the top side, of the guide 120 as the closing element 106 moves from the closed position to the open position. This results in a smooth sliding movement of the closing element 106, which is pleasing to the user.

[0117] It should be understood that the aerosol generating device 100 can be held in any orientation. Generally, see [link to previous section]. Figure 1 The components of deformation and / or force described as “upward” or “downward” can be considered as components of deformation and / or force in the following situations: in the material receiving direction through the orifice 104, along the axis of the orifice 104, perpendicular or transverse to the plane defined by the orifice 104, perpendicular or transverse to the direction of movement of the closure member 106, relative to the closure member 106 toward / away from the body 102, and / or along the main axis of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0118] The first and second position ranges are typically comparable in size. For example, in some embodiments, the first position range is between the first end 116 of the resilient element 114 and the center point of the guide 120, while the second position range is between the first end 116 of the resilient element 114 and the center point of the guide 120 and the second position. In some embodiments, the first and second position ranges are different in size. For example, the resilient element 114 may be arranged such that the second end 118 of the resilient element 114 is closer to one end of the guide 120, for example, closer to the first position than the second position (e.g., almost below and slightly "to the right" of the first end of the guide 120). In this case, the second position range is larger than the first position range, and only a small movement away from the closed position is required before the resilient element 114 acts to bias the closure 106 toward the open position.

[0119] In some embodiments, the resilient element 114 is arranged such that the biasing force is different when the first end 116 is in a first position compared to when the first end 116 is in a second position. Therefore, the force required to move the closure 106 away from the closed position toward the open position is different from the force required to move the closure 106 away from the open position toward the closed position. This can be achieved, for example, by positioning the second end 118 of the resilient element closer to one end of the guide 120 than to the other end of the guide 120.

[0120] In some embodiments, the guide 120 is linear. Typically, the elastic element 114 is arranged to be more compressed as the first end 116 moves through a first position range, and therefore, in the case of a linear guide, the amount of force applied by the elastic element increases as the first end 116 moves through the first position range. In a first embodiment, the guide 120 is arcuate, such that as the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 moves along the guide 120 through the first position range, the rate of increase in deformation of the elastic element 114 decreases (and therefore, the rate of increase in the amount of force applied decreases). Therefore, the applied force generated by the arcuate guide of the first embodiment increases slightly (but less than in the case of a linear guide) as the closing member 106 moves away from the closed position through the first position range.

[0121] In some embodiments, the guide 120 is an arcuate portion arranged such that a constant amount of force is applied to the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 as it moves through a first position range and / or a second position range. More specifically, in some embodiments, the guide 120 is arranged such that the distance between the first end 116 and the second end 118 of the elastic element 114 remains constant throughout the movement of the first end 116 along the guide; in these embodiments, the deformation of the elastic element 114 still changes as the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 moves because the direction of deformation of the elastic element 114 changes. Therefore, the direction of the force applied to the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 changes (and the biasing direction changes).

[0122] In some embodiments, the guide 120 is arranged such that a gradually decreasing force is applied to the first end 116 of the elastic element as it moves through a first position range and / or a second position range. This can be achieved, for example, by arranging the elastic element 114 and the guide 120 such that the elastic element 114 is compressed when the closure 106 is in the closed position and the amount of compression of the elastic element 114 decreases as the first end 116 moves through the first position range.

[0123] As the first end 116 of the resilient element 114 moves along the guide 120, the direction of the force applied by the resilient element 114 changes; at the equilibrium point, there is no force component in either the direction of the closed position or the direction of the open position, for example, the force is in the "upward" direction, and there is no component on its "left" or "right". Before the equilibrium point (to its closed side), the biasing force applied by the resilient element 114 acts to move the closure 106 toward the closed position. After the equilibrium point (to its open side), the biasing force applied by the resilient element 114 acts to move the closure to the open position. It should be understood that the equilibrium point is a single point on the guide 120; in practice, it is difficult to place the first end at the equilibrium point, and therefore the first position range and the second position range are substantially adjacent. Furthermore, in practice, the inertia of the closure 106 as it moves between the open and closed positions causes the first end 116 of the resilient element to exceed the equilibrium point, so the closure 106 is typically unlikely to rest stably between the closed and open positions.

[0124] The closing element 106 is typically arranged to be further movable from the open position to the active position. In several different embodiments, the movement from the open position to the active position includes the following movements: moving along the movement direction from the closed position to the open position, moving laterally to the movement direction from the closed position to the open position, and / or moving relative to the closing element 106 toward the body 102.

[0125] Typically, the elastic element 114 is arranged to deform as the closing member 106 moves from the open position to the active position. Typically, the elastic element 114 is arranged such that the closing member 106 is biased away from the active position toward the open position.

[0126] Typically, the resilient element 114 is arranged such that movement from the open position to the active position occurs at least partially in a different direction than movement from the closed position to the open position. In this way, the force required to move the first end 116 from the first position to the second position can be different from the force required to move the first end from the second position to the third position, which is the position of the first end 116 when the closing member 106 is in the active position. This typically includes movement from the first position to the second position primarily transverse to the direction of spring deformation, e.g., from "left" to "right," and movement from the second position to the third position having a significant component in the direction of spring deformation, e.g., from "up" to "down." Therefore, movement from the first position to the second position requires resistance to a relatively small component of the force exerted by the resilient element 114, such as a force provided by the user of the aerosol generating device 100, with most of the force exerted by the resilient element being resisted by one side of the guide 120, while movement from the second position to the third position typically requires resistance to a proportionally larger component of the force exerted by the resilient element 114. In some embodiments, as the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 moves from the first position to the second position, the elastic element 114 mainly rotates; as the first end 116 moves from the second position to the third position, the elastic element 114 mainly compresses.

[0127] In some embodiments, a second elastic element (not shown) is arranged to bias the closing member from the active position toward the open position. The second elastic element may have a different stiffness or require a different deformation force than the elastic element 114.

[0128] Typically, the active position is a temporary position in which a continuous force, such as that provided by the user of the aerosol generating device 100, is required to hold the closure 106 in the active position. If this force is removed, the biasing force of the elastic element 114, or the second elastic element, comes into play to return the closure 106 to the open position.

[0129] In some embodiments, the active position is also a stable position, for example, the closing element 106 is not biased away from the active position. In these embodiments, the resilient element 114 functions to bias the closing element 106 from a third position range between the open position and the active position toward the open position, and to bias the closing element 106 from a fourth position range between the open position and the active position toward the active position. The third position range is closer to the open position than the fourth position range, and the fourth position range is closer to the active position than the third position range. Typically, the fourth position range is significantly smaller than the third position range; for example, the first end 116 of the resilient element 114 may be arranged to fit in a recess in the active position and never biased toward the open position from any position in the recess; for example, the first end 116 may "click in" and "click out" of the active position.

[0130] The aerosol generating device 100 further includes a battery 110 that powers the heater that heats the heating chamber 108.

[0131] See Figure 2 The diagram shows a configuration view of a first embodiment of the closing element 106.

[0132] An outer cover 112 of the closure 106 is disposed on top of the protective member 122, and the protective member 122, together with the outer cover 112, is arranged to cover the opening 104 when the closure 106 is in the closed position. The outer cover 112 may include tactile elements, such as buttons or flexible materials, to improve the user's experience of interacting with the closure 106.

[0133] Both the outer cover 106 and the protective member 122 are arranged outside the body 102 when the aerosol generating device 100 is assembled; the protective member 122 includes a device connected to one or more internally positioned components of the closure 106, allowing a user to interact with the internal components of the closure 106 through interaction with the outer cover 112. In this embodiment, the protective member 122 includes a protective aperture 124 located on the protective member 122 to allow the protective member 122 to connect to the internal components of the closure 106.

[0134] A cover 126 is arranged to fit within the orifice 104, wherein the axis of the cover orifice 128 coincides with the axis AA of the orifice 104. The cover 126 is arranged to place a closure member on the body 102 such that, in the closed position, the closure member 106 covers the cover orifice 128 and the orifice 104.

[0135] The orifice cover 126 includes a channel 130 through which a component of the closing member 106 inside the body 102 can be connected to a component of the closing member 106 outside the body 102.

[0136] A guide element 120 is located in a guide element component 132, which is fastened to a body 102. Fastening means may include snap-fit, adhesive, screws, pins, or other fastening methods. The guide element 132 further includes a mounting point 134 to which a second end 118 of the resilient element 114 can be attached, thereby securing the second end 118 in place relative to the body 102. The mounting point 134 is arranged to hold the second end 118 in place relative to the body 102. Typically, the mounting point 134 is a protrusion around which the second end 118 is positioned. The axis of the protrusion is perpendicular to the direction of deformation of the resilient element 114, such that during use, the second end 118 does not move away from the protrusion, but the second end 118 can be easily removed from the protrusion for disassembly or cleaning.

[0137] Guide 120 typically includes two guide sections extending along each side of guide member 132, the top and bottom of which are encapsulated in material. A cutout typically exists between the two guide sections. Thus, a movable pin 136 can be placed through each guide section, and the movable pin 136 may also extend to one or more sides of guide member 132.

[0138] A first end 116 of the resilient element 114 is arranged to interact with the movable pin 136. Typically, the first end 116 of the resilient element 114 is attached to the movable pin 136 or to a component that moves with the movable pin 136; in some embodiments, the first end 116 is arranged to be pushed or pulled by the movable pin 136. Since the movable pin 136 is arranged to interact with the first end 116 of the resilient element 114, subsequent references to movement of the first end 116 of the resilient element 114 along the guide 120 also indicate movement of the movable pin 136 along the guide 120, and vice versa.

[0139] The movable pin 136 is arranged to move between a first end and a second end of the guide 120. The movable pin 136 is further arranged to abut against the guide element 132 at the "top" and "bottom" of the guide 120, thereby resisting movement of the movable pin 136 through the channel 130 and ensuring that the movable pin 136 remains within the guide 120.

[0140] The closure further includes a link 138 arranged to connect external components of the closure 106, such as the guard 22 and the outer cover 112, to internal components of the closure 106, such as the movable pin 136 and the guide section 132. The link 138 includes a guard attachment 142 arranged to connect the link 138 to the guard 122. In this embodiment, the guard attachment 142 includes an aperture and a pin, wherein the pin can be inserted through the aperture and the guard aperture 124 of the guard attachment 142 to connect the guard 122 to the link 138. In some embodiments, the guard attachment 142 includes a screw, adhesive, or other attachment device.

[0141] Link 138 also includes a guide attachment 140 arranged to interact with a first end 116 of the resilient element 114. In the first embodiment, the guide attachment 140 includes a hole arranged to mate with a movable pin 136. The movable pin 136 can be inserted through the guide 120 and the guide attachment 140, such that movement of the guard 122 causes movement of the link 138, and thereby causes the movable pin 136 to move along the guide 120.

[0142] More generally, the force applied by the user to the outer cover 112 causes a force to be applied to the protective member 122, and thus causes a force to be applied to the movable pin 136 and to the first end 116 of the resilient element 114.

[0143] The size of the connecting rod 138 is determined such that at least a portion of the body of the connecting rod 138 can pass through the channel 130 of the orifice cover 126.

[0144] To assemble the closure 106, the connecting rod 138 is connected to the guard 122 using the guard attachment 142. Next, the connecting rod 138 is passed through the channel 130 of the orifice cap element 126 such that the position of the guide attachment 140 coincides with the position of the guide 120 of the guide component 132. Then, a movable pin 136 is inserted through the first guide section, through the guide attachment 140, and through the second guide section. The movable pin 136 abuts against one side of the guide 120 to prevent the connecting rod 138 from being removed through the channel 130 of the orifice cap 126. A first end 116 of the resilient element 114 is attached directly or indirectly to the movable pin 136, and a second end 118 of the resilient element 114 is attached to the mounting point 134. The guard 122 is connected to the movable pin 136 via the connecting rod 138 and thus to the first end 116 of the resilient element. Therefore, the user can move the first end 116 of the elastic element by moving the outer cover of the closure 106. Then, the closure 106 is placed in the body 102 of the opening and is fastened in place, for example, by a snap-fit ​​engagement.

[0145] See Figure 3 The diagram shows the components of the closing member 106 when it is in each position.

[0146] See Figure 3 Figure a shows the closure member 106 in the closed position. In this position, the closure member 106 covers the orifice 104 of the aerosol generating device 100. An elastic element 114 is arranged such that when the closure member 106 is in the closed position, the elastic element 114 resists movement of the closure member 106 away from the closed position. In a first embodiment, the elastic element 114 includes a torsion spring; as the first end 116 of the elastic element moves away from the first position along the guide 120, the elastic element 114 applies a compressive force that acts collinearly with the axis connecting the first end 116 and the second end 118 of the elastic element. A component of the compressive force acts to move the closure member 106 to the closed position.

[0147] See Figure 3 b. When the closing member 106 is in the open position, the elastic element 114 is arranged to resist movement of the closing member 106 away from the open position in the same manner as described in the description of resistance to movement away from the closed position.

[0148] When the closing member 106 is between the closed and open positions, the direction of the force applied to the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 depends on the position of the first end 116. Initially, as the closing member 106 moves away from the closed position, the elastic element 114 actuates to bias the closing member 106 toward the closed position. As the closing member 106 moves further away from the closed position toward the open position, the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 moves away from the first position toward the second position; once the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 has moved past the equilibrium point, the direction of the force applied to the first end 116 changes, and the elastic element 114 actuates to bias the closing member 106 toward the open position.

[0149] See Figure 3 c. This shows the closing element 106 in the activated position. Typically, the closing element 106 can be further moved from the open position to the activated position; in a first embodiment, the closing element 106 is arranged to be movable toward the body 102 of the aerosol generating device 100 to the activated position, preferably by moving the first end 114 of the resilient element 114 along a dedicated activation guide positioned laterally to the guide. As the closing element 106 moves toward the body 102, a moving pin 136 is arranged to move toward an activation detector 146 located on the closing element 106 or the body. More precisely, the moving pin 136 is arranged to move along a sensor guide 144 defined by the activation detector 146, which in this embodiment is a push button. As the moving pin 136 moves along the sensor guide 144, the push button is pressed down. Pressing down the push button will activate an activation signal, which can be used, for example, to activate the operation of the heater.

[0150] See Figure 3 d shows another view of the closing element 106 in the active position, in which the pressing of the activation detector 146 is shown more clearly.

[0151] See Figures 3 to 5 This describes the operation of closing component 106. Figure 5 The force applied to the shut-off member 106 by an elastic element 114 in an embodiment of the aerosol generating device 100 is illustrated. This elastic element uses a linear compression spring pivoting about its second end 118. It should be understood that in this example, the force exerted by the elastic element 114 on the shut-off member 106 is similar to that in their first embodiment, where the elastic element 114 is a torsion spring. Therefore, Figure 5 This provides an overview of the concepts related to the elastic element 114.

[0152] Typically, the aerosol generating device 100 is activated in the closed position to prevent unwanted materials from entering the heating chamber 134. When a user wants to use the aerosol generating device 100, the user applies force to the outer cover 112, which moves the closure 106 toward the open position.

[0153] More precisely, the user applies an opening force to the outer cover 112 of the closure 106 (e.g., in...). Figure 5 a to Figure 5 (c) To the right, this force acts to move the closing element 106 from the closed position along the opening direction (A) toward the open position. Figure 5 As shown in a, the opening force is initially resisted by the elastic element 114, such that if the user releases the closing element 106 before it moves beyond the first position range, the closing element 106 returns to the closed position.

[0154] As the user applies an opening force to the outer cover 112 of the closure 106, the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 moves from the closed position toward the open position along the first direction (D), and eventually the first end 116 reaches an equilibrium point, as... Figure 5 As shown in b. (As shown in...) Figure 5 As shown in c, once the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 passes the equilibrium point, the force applied by the elastic element 114 comes into effect to move the closing member 106 toward the open position.

[0155] As the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 moves along the first direction (D), the elastic element 114 deforms along the second direction (E). The second direction and / or the component of the second direction (E) is preferably transverse to the first direction (D), such that, for example, as the closing member 106 moves horizontally from the closed position to the open position, the elastic element 114 deforms vertically.

[0156] It should be understood that the second direction (E) does not have to be completely transverse to the first direction (D). For example, the second direction (D) can be transverse to the component of the first direction (D) and aligned with the component of the first direction (E).

[0157] Typically, as the closing member 106 moves between the closed and open positions, the first direction (D) (i.e., the direction of movement of the first end 116 of the elastic element 114) is the same as the opening direction (A) (i.e., the direction of movement of the closing member 106). Once the closing member 106 has reached the open position, it contacts one end of the guide 120, which prevents further movement of the closing member 106.

[0158] With the closing element 106 in the open position, the user inserts the aerosol matrix 148 into the heating chamber 108 through the orifice 104. More specifically, the first end of the aerosol matrix 148 is inserted into the heating chamber 108 in the insertion direction (B), while the second end of the aerosol matrix 148 remains outside the aerosol generating device 100 and is thus accessible to the user.

[0159] With the aerosol matrix 148 located within the heating chamber 108, the user moves the closing member 106 toward the activation position along the activation direction (C). In this embodiment, the user moves the closing member 106 toward the body 102 of the aerosol generating device 100. As the closing member 106 moves toward the body 102, the moving pin 136 moves along the sensor guide 144 and presses the push button of the activation detector 146. Pressing the push button activates an activation signal, which (directly or indirectly) causes the heater to operate. The heater heats the heating chamber 108 and thereby heats the aerosol matrix 148. Heating the aerosol matrix 148 generates vapor, which the user can then inhale through the exposed end of the aerosol matrix 148.

[0160] The elastic element 114 functions to bias the first movable pin 136 away from the active position toward the open position, so that the user needs to maintain pressure on the outer cover 112 to keep the closing member 106 in the active position.

[0161] Once the aerosol matrix 148 has been sufficiently heated, the user can remove the pressure from the shut-off element 106. Upon removal of pressure, the force applied by the resilient element 114 causes the moving pin to move along the sensor guide 144 away from the activation detector 146, and the push button rises. This can send a deactivation signal or abort the activation signal to stop the heater's operation.

[0162] When inhaling steam, the user can repeatedly press down and release the outer cover 112 to move the closing member 106 between the open and active positions to turn the heater on and off.

[0163] In some instances, the user may not need to keep the shut-off element 106 in the third position to activate the device 100 for the entire heating cycle. Instead, the device 100 can be configured to detect when the shut-off element 106 has just entered the third position (or has been held in the third position for a period less than the full heating cycle time), and upon detection of this, the full heating cycle will begin. This arrangement frees the user's hands from fine control and reduces the chance that inexperienced users will leave the heater on for too long and overheat the aerosol matrix 148.

[0164] When the user has used up the aerosol matrix 148, the user removes and discards the aerosol matrix 148 from the heating chamber 108. The user then applies a direction from the open position to the closed position to the outer cover 112 of the closing member 106 (e.g., in...). Figure 5 a to Figure 5 The closing force (towards the left in c). For example... Figure 5 As shown in c, the closing force is initially resisted by the elastic element 114, such that if the user releases the closing element 106 before it is significantly moved, the closing element 106 returns to the open position.

[0165] As the user continues to apply closing force to the outer cover 112 of the closure 106, the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 eventually reaches its equilibrium point, as... Figure 5 As shown in b. (As shown in...) Figure 5 As shown in Figure a, once the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 passes the equilibrium point, the force applied by the elastic element 114 comes into effect to move the closing member 106 toward the closed position. This process is generally the opposite of the movement described above regarding the movement of the closing member 106 from the closed position to the open position.

[0166] When the closure 106 is in the closed position, the aerosol generating device 100 can be stored, for example, in a bag or pocket, and the closure 106 prevents material from entering the heating chamber 108. The elastic element 114 biases the closure 106 toward the closed position to prevent the closure 106 from moving due to accidental contact with other objects.

[0167] Second Embodiment

[0168] See Figure 6 According to the second embodiment of the aerosol generating device 100 based on the closing member 106, see also Figures 1 to 5 The aerosol generating apparatus 100 of the first embodiment is identical to that described, except that the connecting rod 138 of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the connecting rod 138 includes a main body section, a pointed protrusion 162 extending from one side of the body of the connecting rod 138, and a protective attachment 142 extending from the other side of the body of the connecting rod 138. The size of the connecting rod 138 is determined such that the body of the connecting rod 138 and the pointed protrusion 162 of the connecting rod 138 can pass through the channel 130 of the orifice cover 126.

[0169] The connecting rod 138 further includes: a first pin 150, a second pin 154, and a third pin 158; and a first pin hole 152, a second pin hole 156, and a third pin hole 160. The first pin 150 is arranged to be fitted in the first pin hole 152, the second pin 154 is arranged to be fitted in the second pin hole 156, and the third pin 158 is arranged to be fitted in the third pin hole 160. The first pin hole 152 and the second pin hole 156 are arranged on the body of the connecting rod 138, and the third pin hole 160 is arranged on the tip 162 of the connecting rod 138.

[0170] Protective attachment 142 is arranged for attaching protective member 122 to connecting rod 138. Another difference from the first embodiment is that, in this embodiment, protective attachment 142 includes a resiliently deformable snap-fit ​​element pushed into protective member 122. Therefore, in this embodiment, there is no protective member opening. In some embodiments, protective attachment 142 includes screws, adhesives, or other attachment devices.

[0171] The size of the first pin 150 and the second pin 154 is determined to allow passage through the guide 120. Typically, the first pin 150 and the second pin 154 are arranged to fit snugly within the guide, which avoids undesirable rattling of the closing member 106 when the connecting rod 138 is fastened within the guide member component 132.

[0172] Link 138 is arranged to be inserted into guide member 132, wherein the tip 162 is inside body 102 and points away from outer cover 112. With link 138 inserted into guide member 132, the body of link 138 is between the two guide members, such that first pin 150 can be inserted through first guide section, through first pin hole 152, and then through second guide section. Similarly, second pin 154 can be inserted through first guide section, through second pin hole 156, and then through second guide section. Thus, link 138 is secured within guide member 120, and movement of outer cover 112 via guard 122 causes first pin 150 and second pin 154 to move along guide 120. This movement is resisted (or assisted) by a force applied by resilient element 114, as previously described.

[0173] To assemble the closing member 106 of the second embodiment, the guide member 132 is placed inside the body 102 of the aerosol generating device 100. The connecting rod 138 is connected to the protective member 122 using the protective member attachment 142. Next, the connecting rod 138 is passed through the channel 130 of the orifice cover element 126 such that the first pin hole 152 and the second pin hole 156 coincide with the guide member 120 of the guide member 132 of the second embodiment. Next, the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 is arranged such that it coincides with the third pin hole 160. The first pin 150, the second pin 154, and the third pin 158 are placed in the first pin hole 152, the second pin hole 156, and the third pin hole 160, respectively. The pins 150, 154, and 158 extend from the guide member 120 such that they overlap the edge of the guide member 120 and prevent the connecting rod 138 from being removed through the channel 130 of the orifice cover element 126. The protective element 122 is connected to the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 via the third pin 158 of the connecting rod 138. Therefore, the user can move the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 by moving the outer cover 112 of the closing element 106.

[0174] See Figure 7 The second embodiment shows the closing member 106 in the closed position. Figure 7 a) Open location ( Figure 7 b) and activation location ( Figure 7 c and Figure 7 d). In the second embodiment, the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 interacts with the closing member 106 via the third pin 158.

[0175] Specifically, as the closing member 106 moves from the closed position to the open position, the first pin 150 and the second pin 154 move along the guide 120. As the first pin 150 and the second pin 154 move along the guide, the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 moves between the first position and the second position.

[0176] The tip 162 of the link 138 is arranged to be adjacent to the activation detector 146 when the closing member 106 is in the open position. As the closing member 132 is pressed down to the activated position, the tip 162 is arranged to press down the activation detector 146 to activate the activation signal.

[0177] Third Embodiment

[0178] See Figure 8 According to the third embodiment of the aerosol generating device 100 based on the closing member 106, see also Figures 6 to 7The aerosol generating apparatus 100 of the second embodiment described is the same, except that the connecting rod 138 includes a protective attachment 142, which is arranged to attach via the channel 130 to the vicinity of the end of the protective member 122 furthest from the orifice 104. Typically, the protective attachment 142 of the third embodiment also extends along a prominent portion of the protective member 122 to ensure a secure connection.

[0179] Protective attachment 122 is arranged to pass through channel 130 so that it can be attached to the protective element 122, which is outside the body 102 of the aerosol generating device 100. As the protective attachment 122 is arranged to attach to the end of the protective element 122 furthest from the orifice 104, when the closure 106 is in the closed position, the protective attachment 142 is offset from the orifice 104, and the outer cover 112 extends across the orifice 104.

[0180] This deviation allows the aerosol generating device 100 to include a separator 164; the separator 164 physically separates the orifice 104 from the channel 130. The separator 164 prevents material from entering the heating chamber 108 via the channel 130.

[0181] The separator 164 is typically an integral part of the body 102 and / or the heating chamber 108. Typically, the formation of the heating chamber 108 involves deep drawing, wherein the orifice 104 is formed by deforming an originally flat sheet using a drawing die; thus the separator 164 is part of the original sheet and is therefore integral with the heating chamber 108.

[0182] Fourth embodiment

[0183] See Figure 9 According to the fourth embodiment of the aerosol generating device 100 based on the closing member 106, see also Figures 6 to 7 The aerosol generating apparatus 100 of the second embodiment described is the same, except that the tip 162 of the connecting rod 138 in the fourth embodiment is not perpendicular to the body 161 of the connecting rod. Instead, the tip 162 is angled toward the orifice 104. This makes it possible to achieve an arrangement using a separator as shown in the third embodiment without changing the mounting position of the second end 118 of the elastic element 114 or extending the guide 120. Compared to the second embodiment, the intersection position (the "proximal" end of the tip 162) between the tip 162 and the body of the connecting rod 138 changes, but the position of the "distal" end of the tip 162 remains unchanged in each position.

[0184] Another difference in the fourth embodiment is that the orifice cover 126 further includes a cover attachment mechanism 166.

[0185] Another difference in the fourth embodiment is that the guide component 130 further includes an extension 168 extending from the body of the guide component 130, the extension being arranged to interact with the cover attachment mechanism 166 of the orifice cover 126 to hold each component in place relative to each other. Typically, the cover attachment mechanism 166 and the extension 168 each include a protrusion and a recess, wherein the protrusion of the cover attachment mechanism 166 is arranged to fit into the recess of the extension 168.

[0186] See Figure 10 a to Figure 10 d. The fourth embodiment further includes an open detector 170, which is arranged to operate as the closing member 106 moves from a closed position to an open position. In this embodiment, the open detector 170 is a tactile switch that is pressed by the closing member 106 when it is in the closed position. In operation, as the closing member 106 moves to the open position, it moves away from the open detector 170, such that when the closing member 106 reaches the open position, the tactile switch is exposed and raised. The open detector 170 is arranged to activate a status signal after it has been exposed, and / or once it detects movement of the closing member 106, for example, when the closing member 106 moves from the closed position to the open position. It should be understood that the open detector can be another type of sensor, such as... Figure 16a to Figure 16d Any of the sensors described.

[0187] Fifth embodiment

[0188] See Figure 11 According to the fifth embodiment of the aerosol generating device 100 based on the closing member 106, see also... Figures 6 to 7 The aerosol generating apparatus 100 of the second embodiment described is the same, except that the orifice cover 126 of the fifth embodiment includes a wider channel 130.

[0189] Another difference in the fifth embodiment is that the protective attachment 142 of the link 138 includes an extended tip arranged to pass through the channel 130 of the protective member 122 and connected to the base of the protective member 122 via a snap-fit ​​mechanism. In the closed position, the protective attachment 142 covers the opening 104, while in the open position, the protective attachment 142 is offset to expose the opening 104.

[0190] Another difference in the fifth embodiment is that the connecting rod 138 of the fifth embodiment includes a first pin 172 and a second pin 176, which are arranged to be fitted into a first hole 174 and a second hole 178 of the connecting rod 138.

[0191] Another difference in the fifth embodiment is that the guide element 132 further includes a second guide 180 and a third guide 182. The third guide 182 is connected to the second guide 180 such that a component inserted into the second guide 180 can move from a first end of the second guide 180 to a second end of the second guide 180 (where the second end of the second guide 180 coincides with the first end of the third guide 182), and then from the first end of the third guide 182 to the second end of the third guide 182. The third guide 182 can be considered an active guide, wherein the closing element 106 is in the active position when the third end is at the second end of the third guide 182.

[0192] The first end 116 of the elastic element 114 is arranged to be attachable to a second pin 176, which is arranged to align with a second guide 180 when the connecting rod 138 is inserted into the guide member 120. The second pin 176 is arranged to be inserted through the guide member and the second hole 178 of the guide 120. In this way, the second pin 176 is arranged to be movable along the second guide 180 and the third guide 182.

[0193] See Figure 12 a. In the fifth embodiment, in the closed position, the resilient element 114 biases the closing member 106 toward the closed position. The first end 116 of the resilient element 114 (attached to the second pin 176) is held by the resilient element 114 at the first end of the second guide 180.

[0194] See Figure 12 b. In the open position, the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 (attached to the second pin 176) is held by the elastic element 114 at the second end of the second guide 180, which coincides with the first end of the third guide 182.

[0195] See Figure 12 c and Figure 12 d. In the active position, the first end 116 of the resilient element 114 (attached to the second pin 176) is located at the second end of the third guide 182. In this position, the resilient element 114 is arranged such that the first end 116 of the resilient element 114 is biased away from the second end of the third guide 182 and toward the first end of the third guide 182. In this way, the resilient element 114 is arranged to bias the closing member 106 away from the active position and toward the open position.

[0196] In the activated position, the activation detector 146 is pressed down by the protective attachment 142, which is itself pressed down by the user pressing down the outer cover 112, and the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 is located at the second end of the third guide 182.

[0197] Sixth Embodiment

[0198] See Figure 13 According to the sixth embodiment of the aerosol generating device 100 based on the closing member 106, see also Figures 11 to 12 The aerosol generating device 100 of the fifth embodiment is the same as that described, except that the protective attachment 142 of the connecting rod 138 of the sixth embodiment includes a screw, which is arranged to be fitted through an aperture 184 located on an extended tip of the connecting rod 138. The protective mechanism includes a corresponding thread in which the screw is received.

[0199] Another difference is that the sixth embodiment further includes an intermediate component 186 arranged to be fitted within the link 138. The intermediate component 186 includes an open detector 170, typically in the form of a magnet, which interacts with a corresponding Hall sensor located in the guide element 132. The intermediate component 186 includes a first hole 188 and a second hole 190, arranged such that when the intermediate component 186 is inserted into the link 138, the first hole 188 of the intermediate component 186 aligns with a first hole 174 of the link 138, and the second hole 190 of the intermediate component 186 aligns with a second hole 178 of the link 138. Using the intermediate component 186 to house the activation detector 146 allows for relatively simple removal and maintenance of the activation detector 146, and simplifies the manufacture of similar closing components using different sensors (e.g., for different product models).

[0200] See Figure 14 a. In the sixth embodiment, when in the open position, the intermediate component 186 is positioned such that the open detector 170 is located at the position of the activation state signal. This typically includes positioning a magnet located in the intermediate component 186 close to the corresponding Hall sensor.

[0201] See Figure 14 d. In the activated position, the intermediate component 186 is arranged to interact with the activation detector 146. Typically, this includes a portion of the intermediate component 186 pressing down a tactile switch.

[0202] See Figure 15 In each of the above embodiments, the external element of the closing member 106, such as the external cover 112, is attached to the internal element of the closing member 106, such as the elastic element 114, via a link 138 that passes through the channel 130 of the orifice cover 126.

[0203] See Figure 15a. In some embodiments, the link 138 includes a snap-fit ​​engagement, wherein the base 192 of the link 138 is arranged to abut against the base of the channel 130 of the orifice cap 126 to prevent the base from being removed through the channel 130 of the orifice cap 126. To allow the base 192 of the link 138 to be inserted through the channel 130 into the body 102 of the aerosol generating device 100, the base 192 is typically tapered, and the base 192 and / or the orifice cap 126 are typically elastically deformable. With the snap-fit ​​arrangement, the link 138 is capable of moving along the channel 130 when movement through the channel 130 is resisted.

[0204] See Figure 15 b. In some embodiments, the link 138 includes a pin-insertion arrangement, wherein the link 138 is pinned to an internal component of the closure 106. The pin-insertion typically includes an interference fit, wherein the base of the link 138 is pushed into a hole of a comparable and typically slightly smaller diameter. Through the pin-insertion arrangement, the link 138 is movable along the channel 130 of the orifice cover 126 together with the internal component to which the link 138 is pinned, the internal component of the closure 106 may be, for example, a first pin 150 and / or a second pin 154 of a second embodiment of the closure 106.

[0205] Additional mating arrangements, either supplementary to or replacing the snap-fit ​​or pin-fit arrangements, can be used. As an example, as described with reference to the second embodiment, a pin is used to secure the link 138 in the channel 130, wherein the pin abuts against the side of the guide 120 to prevent the link from being removed from the body 102. In some embodiments, magnetic and / or adhesive connections are used.

[0206] Similar mechanisms can also be used as part of the protective attachment 142 and / or to assemble any pins into any holes and / or guides (e.g., assembling the first pin 150 into the guide 120).

[0207] See Figure 16a to Figure 16dThe diagram illustrates several different sensors that can be used as part of activation detector 146 and / or activation detector 170. The sensors preferably operate by contact and / or movement. Specifically, the sensors can be selected from one or more of the following: tactile switches, rotary encoders, direct electrical contact sensors, and / or non-contact (i.e., long-distance sensing), particularly sensors selected from any one or more of the following: photodetectors (e.g., photodiodes, photoresistor sensors, phototransistors, sunlight sensors, photovoltaic cells, and / or calorimeters), infrared sensors, accelerometers, inductive sensors, or magnetic sensors (e.g., Hall effect sensors). Activation detector 146 and activation detector 170 can be separate sensors or the same sensor, wherein, for example, a movable switch can have three positions associated with a closed position, an open position, and an activated position.

[0208] In some embodiments, the activation detector 146 and / or the activation detector 170 are capable of determining the position of the closure 106 and / or the duration for which the closure 106 remains in a certain position. Typically, this includes determining how long the closure 106 has been in the active position. After a certain period of time (in any position), a signal different from the signal sent upon arrival can be activated. As an example, the activation detector 146 may be arranged to detect the arrival of the closure 106 and activate a first heating signal upon arrival. The activation detector 146 may be further arranged to detect when the closure 106 has been in the active position for a period of time, such as 1.5 seconds, and activate a second heating signal related to heat reduction. Alternatively, the activation detector 146 may be adapted to activate the activation signal only after the closure 106 has been in the active position for a certain period of time; this can be used as a safety feature, for example, to prevent accidental or unintentional operation of the heater.

[0209] Consider the subset of sensors shown in Figure 16, the following items are shown in sequence:

[0210] • Rotary encoder; the movement of the closing element 106 causes the gear to rotate, and the angular position of the gear can thus be used to determine the position of the closing element 106. When using a rotary encoder, the active position typically extends beyond the open position in the direction of movement from the closed position to the open position. This makes it possible to detect each position using a single rotary encoder.

[0211] • Direct contacts; direct electrical contacts are arranged at one or more of these locations. Detection of current at the contact indicates that the shut-off element is in that position.

[0212] • Tactile switch; the tactile switch is pressed when the closing element is in one or more of these positions. By using, for example, a rocker switch, a single tactile switch can be used to determine whether the closing element 106 is in the open, closed, or active position.

[0213] • Magnet / Hall effect sensor; The magnet and the corresponding Hall effect sensor are arranged on the closure 106 and at one or more of these locations.

[0214] • LDR (Photoresistor); The LDR is arranged at one or more locations. The change in the resistance of the LDR can be used to determine whether it is covered by the closure element 106 and thus determine the location of the closure element 106. The LDR can be arranged such that it is not covered in the open position, partially covered in the closed position, and fully covered in the active position; this makes it possible to determine the location of the closure element 106 using a single LDR. It should be understood that this arrangement can be changed (e.g., such that the LDR is not covered in the active position and fully covered in the closed position).

[0215] • Accelerometer; The accelerometer is used to determine the movement of the closing element 106; The movement can be determined by the characteristics of the acceleration, such as whether the closing element 106 is opening, closing, or moving to the active position, for example, biasing the cover to accelerate toward the open or closed position, but not toward the active position.

[0216] • IR motion sensor; the amount of infrared light reflected by the shut-off element 106 depends on the position of the shut-off element.

[0217] • Inductive sensor; the position of the closure 106 is determined by measuring the current induced in the components of the closure 106 and / or the body 102.

[0218] The aerosol generating device 100 typically further includes a controller (not shown) that operates by a signal sent by activating detector 146 or opening detector 170. Specifically, the controller typically operates components of the aerosol generating device 100 based on a received signal indicating the position of the shut-off element 106. Typical operated components include: a heater, a status indicator, a battery indicator, and a display.

[0219] Seventh Embodiment

[0220] See Figure 17 The aerosol generating device 100 according to the seventh embodiment of the closing member 106 and see also Figures 1 to 5 The aerosol generating apparatus 100 of the first embodiment described is the same, except that the shut-off member 106 is arranged to be movable from the shut-off position to the second active position.

[0221] Specifically, the seventh embodiment includes a closing activation guide 194, along which a first end 116 of an elastic element 114 is arranged to move as the closing member 106 moves between a closed position and a second active position. Typically, the elastic element 114 is arranged to resist movement of the closing member 106 from the closed position to the second active position, such that the second active position is a temporary position. A continuous force is required to hold the closing member 106 in place at the second active position, wherein removing this force causes the elastic element 114 to actuate to move the closing member 106 from the second active position to the closed position. In some instances, a separate elastic member (not shown) may be provided to move the closing member 106 from the second active position to the closed position, for example, to change the force required to force the closing member 106 into the second active position.

[0222] In some embodiments, the second active position is a stable position. In these embodiments, the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 can be arranged to fit into a recess, for example, the first end 116 can "click in" and "click out" of the second active position.

[0223] The aerosol generating device 100 is operable to initiate a second activation signal upon detection that the shut-off element 106 has moved to the second activation position and / or that the shut-off element 106 is present at the second activation position. This detection typically uses a second activation detector (not shown), which may be one of the sensor types described with reference to activation detector 146 or FIG. 16. In some embodiments, the second activation sensor is the same sensor as activation detector 146 and / or open detector 170.

[0224] The second activation signal is different from the activation signal. The activation signal is activated when the orifice 104 is not covered and can, for example, operate the heater; the second activation signal is activated when the orifice is covered and can, for example, indicate the battery or allow the heater to be used to preheat the chamber at reduced power.

[0225] In use, to activate the second activation signal, the user applies force to the closure member 106 to move the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 away from the first position to a fourth position along the closure activation guide 194, which is associated with the closure member 106 being in the closure activation position. This movement deforms the elastic element 114 and is resisted by the elastic element 114. Once the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 reaches the fourth position, such as the end of the closure activation guide 194, the closure activation detector operates and the second activation signal is activated. This can, for example, make the battery level visible to the user.

[0226] Once the user removes the force from the closing member 106, the force applied by the elastic element 114 comes into effect, causing the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 to move away from the fourth position to the first position along the closing activation guide 194, and correspondingly, the closing member 106 moves from the closing activation position to the closing position.

[0227] Eighth embodiment

[0228] See Figure 18 According to the eighth embodiment of the aerosol generating device 100 based on the closing member 106, see also Figures 1 to 5 The aerosol generating apparatus 100 of the first embodiment described is the same, except that the closing member 106 is arranged to be movable from the open position to the first open-activated position and the second open-activated position.

[0229] Specifically, the eighth embodiment includes: a first open activation guide 196, wherein a first end 116 of an elastic element 114 is arranged to move along the first open activation guide when the closing member 106 moves between an open position and a first open activation position; and a second open activation guide 198, wherein the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 is arranged to move along the second open activation guide when the closing member 106 moves between an open position and a second open activation position. When the closing member moves away from the open position toward the body 102 of the aerosol generating device 100 and toward the closed position, the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 moves along the first open activation guide 196. When the closing member moves away from the open position toward the body 102 of the aerosol generating device 100 and away from the closed position, the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 moves along the second open activation guide 196.

[0230] The aerosol generating device 100 is operable to initiate a first or second activation signal upon detecting that the closure 106 has moved to a first or second open-activated position, and / or that the closure 106 is present at the first or second open-activated position. This detection typically uses one or more open-activated sensors (not shown), which may be one of the sensor types described with reference to activation detector 146 or with reference to FIG16.

[0231] The first activation signal and the second activation signal are different. For example, the first and second activation signals can each operate the heater at different power levels, allowing each activation signal to be suitable for different types of aerosol matrices. The first and second activation signals can each initiate other operations, such as checking battery level, checking heater temperature, or monitoring usage time.

[0232] In use, the user applies force to the closing member 106 to move it toward the body and toward or away from the closed position. Depending on the direction of the force applied by the user, the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 moves away from the second position along the first opening activation guide 196 or the second opening activation guide 198. This movement deforms the elastic element 114 and is resisted by the elastic element 114, the degree of resistance depending on the guide along which the elastic element 114 moves. Once the first end 116 of the elastic element 118 reaches the end of either the opening activation guide 196, 198, the activation sensor operates and an activation signal is activated. The activated activation signal depends on which opening activation guide 196, 198 the first end has moved along.

[0233] Once the user removes the force from the closing member 106, the force applied by the elastic element 114 comes into effect to move the first end 116 of the elastic element 114 away from the end of the selected open activation guide to a second position, and accordingly, the closing member 106 moves from the selected open activation position to the open position.

[0234] More generally, it should be understood that any number of activation positions can be provided in any combination, optionally each activation position having movement adjustable by the resilient element 114 and / or a corresponding resilient element. As another example, any number of different activation positions accessible from the open position can exist, wherein a first open activation position is reached by moving the closure member 106 away from the open position, laterally to the body 102 of the aerosol generating device 100, and a second open activation position is reached by moving the closure member away from the open position toward the body 102 of the aerosol generating device 100. Similarly, multiple closed activation positions can be provided. Moving to any activation position may involve deforming the resilient element 114, wherein the amount and direction of deformation of the resilient element 114 depends on the direction of movement of the closure member 106; therefore, different forces may be required to move to each activation position. This can be used, for example, to provide greater resistance to operations requiring greater force (e.g., entering an activation position to operate the heater may require more force than entering an activation position to check the battery charge).

[0235] In some embodiments, the closing member 106 may be moved from an active position to one or more other active positions. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may include first and second active positions, wherein the closing member may be moved from an open position to a first active position and from a first active position to a second active position. The directions of movement between the open position and the first active position, and between the first and second active positions, may be different, such that the closing member 106 may, for example, move toward the body 102 to reach the first active position, and then move laterally toward the body 102 to reach the second active position.

[0236] Definitions and Alternative Examples

[0237] As can be understood from the above description, many features of these different embodiments are interchangeable with each other. This disclosure extends to other embodiments that include features from the different embodiments combined together in a manner not specifically mentioned.

[0238] While the specific implementation primarily considers the use of an elastic element 114 that is compressed as its first end 116 moves along the guide 120, it should be understood that the elastic element 114 can also be arranged to extend as its first end 116 moves along the guide 120. In these embodiments, the extending force is similarly arranged to return the first end 116 from a first position range toward a closed position and from a second position range toward an open position, such that the closure 106 remains stable in both the closed and open positions. In contrast to the compression arrangement, the extension arrangement typically causes the first end of the elastic element 114 to be forced toward the side of the guide 120 closer to the body 102. While in the case of the compression arrangement, the closure 106 is typically forceped against the user's hand moving the closure 106, in the case of the extension arrangement, the closure 106 is typically forceped away from the user's hand moving the closure 106.

[0239] While the specific implementation primarily considers the first end 116 of the resilient element 114 moving along the guide 120, it should be understood that the first end 116 may also be attached to or interact with another element moving along the guide 120, and this is the case in a subset of the considered embodiments. For example, considering a second embodiment, the first end 116 of the resilient element 114 does not move along the guide 120, but is attached to a link 138, which includes pins 150, 154 that move along the guide 120. In this way, even though the first end 116 of the resilient element 114 does not move along the guide 120, it moves along the guide by being attached to a component that moves along the guide 120. Furthermore, although the first end 116 may not directly contact the side of the guide 120, the pins 150 and 154 do contact the side of the guide 120, and therefore the force of the resilient element 114 is indirectly transmitted to the side of the guide 120.

[0240] As used herein, the term “vapor” refers to: (i) a form in which a liquid naturally transforms under sufficient heat; or (ii) liquid / water particles suspended in the atmosphere and visible as vapor / smoke clouds; or (iii) a fluid that fills space like a gas but can be liquefied by pressure alone below its critical temperature.

[0241] Consistent with this definition, the term “vaporise or vaporize” refers to: (i) changing or causing to change into vapor; and (ii) the change of a particle’s physical state (i.e., from a liquid or solid state to a gaseous state).

[0242] As used herein, the term "aerosol" refers to a system of particles dispersed in air or gas (such as mist, fog, or smoke). Therefore, the term "aerosolize" or "aerosolize" refers to the formation of an aerosol and / or dispersion into an aerosol. It should be noted that the meaning of aerosol / aerosolization is consistent with each of the definitions above for volatilization, atomization, and vaporization. For the avoidance of ambiguity, aerosol is used consistently to describe a mist or droplets consisting of atomized, volatilized, or vaporized particles. Aerosols also include mists or droplets consisting of any combination of atomized, volatilized, or vaporized particles.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device (100), comprising: The body (102) has an orifice (104) through which the aerosol matrix (148) can be received into the aerosol generating device (100); as well as A closing member (106) movable relative to the orifice (104) between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the closing member (106) covers the orifice (104), and in the open position the orifice (104) is substantially unobstructed by the closing member (106), and the closing member (106) is stable in each of the closed and open positions. The closing element (106) can be further moved from the open position to the activated position, in which the device (100) is operable to activate an activation signal, and The closing component moves along a path between the closed position, the open position, and the active position, and The closing element is stable in the active position.

2. The aerosol generating device (100) as described in claim 1, wherein, The closure element (106) can be moved between the closed position and the open position, and / or between the open position and the active position, including: the closure element (106) can slide relative to the body (102).

3. The aerosol generating device (100) as described in claim 1, wherein, The direction (A) of the movement of the closing element (106) from the closed position to the open position is tangent to the body (102).

4. The aerosol generating device (100) as described in claim 1, wherein, The direction (C) of the further movement of the closing element (106) from the open position to the activated position is toward the body (102) of the aerosol generating device (100).

5. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as described in any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The direction (C) of further movement of the closing element (106) from the open position to the active position is the same as the direction (A) of movement of the closing element (106) from the closed position to the open position, wherein the active position extends beyond the open position relative to the closed position.

6. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The direction (C) of further movement of the closing element (106) from the open position to the activated position is transverse to the direction (A) of movement of the closing element (106) between the closed position and the open position.

7. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as described in any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The closing element (106) is offset toward the closed position from a first position range between the closed position and the open position, and offset toward the open position from a second position range between the closed position and the open position, wherein the first position range is closer to the closed position than the second position range, and the second position range is closer to the open position than the first position range.

8. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as described in claim 7, wherein, The first location range is substantially adjacent to the second location range.

9. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as described in claim 7, wherein, A constant bias exists throughout the first position range and / or the second position range.

10. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) of claim 1, further comprising an elastic element (114) connected between the body (102) and the closing member (106), such that at least a portion of the movement of the closing member (106) between the closed position and the open position and / or between the open position and the activated position is resisted by the elastic element (114).

11. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein, The elastic element (114) is arranged to resist movement of the closing element (106) away from the closed position.

12. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein, The elastic element (114) is arranged to resist movement of the closing element (106) away from the open position.

13. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, The elastic element (114) is arranged to resist further movement of the closing element (106) toward the activated position.

14. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, The elastic element (114) is arranged to deform as the closing member (106) moves between the open position and the closed position, and also as the closing member (106) moves further from the open position to the active position.

15. The aerosol according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, The elastic element (114) is a spring.

16. The aerosol according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, The elastic element (114) is a torsion spring.

17. The aerosol according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, The elastic element (114) is a helical torsion spring.

18. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 10, comprising: The first guide (120) is used to guide the movement of the closing member (106) between the closed position and the open position. as well as The second guide (144) is used to further move the closing element (106) from the open position to the activated position. The first guide (120) and the second guide (144) each extend from a connecting portion that is connected to each other and is associated with the open position.

19. The aerosol generating apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein, The first guide (120) is arranged such that the first end (116) of the elastic element (114) and / or the component that interacts with the first end (116) of the elastic element (114) can move along the first guide (120).

20. The aerosol generating apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein, The first end (116) of the elastic element (114) and / or the component that interacts with the first end (116) of the elastic element (114) are tangent to the body (102) along the direction of movement of the first guide (120).

21. The aerosol generating apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein, The second guide (144) is arranged such that the first end (116) of the elastic element (114) and / or the component that interacts with the first end (116) of the elastic element (114) can move along the second guide (144).

22. The aerosol generating apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein, The first end (116) of the elastic element (114) and / or the component that interacts with the first end (116) of the elastic element (114) are tangent to the body (102) along the direction of movement of the second guide (144).

23. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein, The first guide (120) and / or the second guide (144) form an arc-shaped guide path or a linear guide path.

24. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein, The orifice (104) and the first guide (120) are separate from each other.

25. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as described in any one of claims 1-4, 10-12, 18-20, includes an activation detector (146) arranged to detect the position of the shut-off element (106) and / or to detect movement of the shut-off element (106) to and / or away from the activation position to initiate the activation signal.

26. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 25, wherein, The activation detector (146) is arranged to detect the time period during which the shut-off element (106) has been in the activated position in order to trigger the activation signal.

27. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 25, wherein, The activation detector (146) includes at least one of the following: a push button, a graduated tooth, an electrical contact, a Hall sensor, an optical sensor, a switch, a deflection sensor, an inductive sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor.

28. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) of claim 1, comprising an open detector (170) arranged to detect movement of the closing member (106) between the open position and the closed position.

29. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 28, wherein, The open detector (170) is arranged to activate a status signal when the closing element (106) moves from the closed position to the open position.

30. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) of claim 29 further includes a state controller arranged to receive the state signal and generate a state control signal based on the state signal.

31. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as described in claim 30, wherein, The status control signal is arranged in the components used to operate the aerosol generating device (100).

32. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 31, wherein, The status control signal is configured to operate at least one of the following: heater, status indicator, battery indicator, and display.

33. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 28 to 32, wherein, The open detector (170) includes at least one of the following: a push button, a graduated tooth, an electrical contact, a Hall sensor, an optical sensor, a switch, a deflection sensor, an inductive sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor.

34. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein, The closing element (106) can be further moved to at least one additional active position, in which the device (100) is operable to activate a second activation signal.

35. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as described in claim 34, wherein, The closing element (106) can slide to the other active position.

36. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as described in claim 34, wherein, The direction of further movement of the shut-off element (106) to the additional activated position is toward the body (102) of the aerosol generating device (100).

37. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein, The direction of further movement of the closing element (106) to the additional active position is the same as the direction of movement of the closing element (106) from the closed position to the open position.

38. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein, The direction of further movement of the closing element (106) to the additional active position is transverse to the direction of movement of the closing element (106) from the closed position to the open position.

39. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein, The aerosol generating device (100) is arranged to initiate different activation signals for each of the activation positions and the additional activation positions.

40. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein, The closure element (106) is offset from the other activation position.

41. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 40, wherein, The elastic element (114) is arranged to offset the closure (106) away from the additional active position.

42. The aerosol generating apparatus as claimed in claim 40, wherein, For each of the activation positions and the other activation positions, there is a different bias force.

43. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as described in any one of claims 1-4, 10-12, 18-20, 28-32, 34-36 further includes a controller arranged to receive the activation signal and generate a control signal based on the activation signal.

44. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 43, wherein, The control signal is arranged in the components used to operate the aerosol generating device (100).

45. The aerosol generating apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 44, wherein, The control signal is configured to operate at least one of the following: heater, status indicator, battery indicator, and display.

46. ​​A method for operating an aerosol generating apparatus (100) having a body (102) and a closure (106), the body having an orifice (104) through which an aerosol matrix (148) can be received into the aerosol generating apparatus, the method comprising: The closing element (106) is moved relative to the opening (104) from a closed position to an open position. In the closed position, the closing element (106) covers the opening (104). In the open position, the opening (104) is substantially unobstructed by the closing element (106). The closing element (106) is stable in both the closed and open positions. The closing element (106) is moved from the open position to the activated position, in which the device (100) is operable to activate an activation signal. The movable closing component includes moving the closing component along a path between the closed position, the open position, and the active position, and The closing element is stable in the active position.

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