Aerosol generation device with movable panel for concealing interface

Abstract

This invention relates to an aerosol generating device. More specifically, the invention relates to an aerosol generating device having a panel for concealing one or more interfaces of the device, wherein the panel is movable and / or removable for exposing the one or more interfaces. An aerosol generating device includes a housing forming the outer surface of the device, one or more interfaces, and a panel attached to the housing in a fixed position to conceal the one or more interfaces and movable from the fixed position to expose the one or more interfaces to the outside of the device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an aerosol generating apparatus. More specifically, this invention relates to an aerosol generating apparatus having a panel for concealing one or more interfaces of the apparatus, wherein the panel is movable and / or removable for exposing the one or more interfaces. Background Technology

[0002] Aerosol generating devices typically have a housing that includes one or more interfaces for interacting with the outside of the device, such as a charging port for powering the device, a data communication port for transmitting and receiving data to and from the device, or an access port for entering the interior of the device (e.g., for cleaning purposes).

[0003] Aerosol generating devices are typically portable devices transported by the user's hands, bags, shirt pockets, trouser pockets, jacket pockets, or similar means. During this process, the aerosol generating device is exposed to dust, debris, liquids, and external forces, which may damage the device or unintentionally cause it to malfunction.

[0004] Exposing such interfaces to the outside without protection and resistance to external influences, without any protective measures, may cause these interfaces to become dirty or damaged, leading to device malfunction or even irreversible damage to the device.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a device housing that provides improved protection against harmful external influences to the interface, while providing reliable and convenient access to the interface. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The invention, as defined by the features of the independent claims, achieves the above-mentioned objectives. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined by the features of the dependent claims.

[0007] A first aspect of the invention is an aerosol generating apparatus comprising a housing forming an outer surface of the apparatus, one or more interfaces, and a panel attached to the housing in a fixed position to conceal the one or more interfaces and movable from the fixed position to expose the one or more interfaces to the outside of the apparatus. Concealing the one or more interfaces with the panel provides increased protection against harmful external influences. It should be noted that concealment means making the one or more interfaces invisible from the outside of the housing of the aerosol generating apparatus. Providing the panel for exposing the interfaces in a movable manner provides simple and convenient access to the interfaces.

[0008] According to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the panel is guided to slide and / or rotate between the fixed position and a second position different from the fixed position. This second position helps provide reliable, reproducible, predictable, and well-defined movement of the movable panel, thereby facilitating proper operation of the movable panel by the user.

[0009] According to the third aspect, in the preceding aspect, the panel and / or the housing are provided with a first magnet and / or a second magnet, the first magnet being configured to engage with the housing and / or the panel respectively to define the fixed position, and the second magnet being configured to engage with the housing and / or the panel respectively to define the second position. Using magnets is less prone to wear and damage from excessive or erroneous operation of the panel compared to using, for example, mechanical components on the housing and panel configured to mechanically engage with each other.

[0010] According to the fourth aspect, in either the second or third aspect, when the panel is in the second position, the panel can be detached from the housing, but when the panel is in the fixed position, the panel cannot be detached. Allowing the panel to be detached from the housing facilitates the repair or cleaning of both the panel and the housing. Allowing detachment in the second position when the interface is concealed in the fixed position only prevents the panel from being accidentally removed and ensures the proper operation of the device and the panel.

[0011] According to the fifth aspect, in either the second or third aspect, the panel can be moved to the third position.

[0012] According to the sixth aspect, in the preceding aspect, when the panel is in the third position, the panel can be detached from the housing, but when the panel is in the fixed position, it cannot be detached, and when the panel is in the second position, it cannot be detached. The fifth and sixth aspects further improve the safe and correct operation of the panel by separating the location for exposing the interface from the location for removing the panel, thereby preventing unintentional removal of the panel.

[0013] According to the seventh aspect, in either the fifth or sixth aspect, the panel and / or the housing are provided with a third magnet configured to engage with the housing and / or the panel respectively to define the third position. This provides the same advantages as the third aspect.

[0014] According to the eighth aspect, in any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, the panel can be moved from the fixed position to the third position.

[0015] According to the ninth aspect, in the preceding aspect, the panel can be moved to the third position by sliding and / or rotating the panel in a direction opposite to the direction used to move the panel from the fixed position to the second position. This mode of operation for exposing the interface or removing the panel prevents accidental removal of the panel and improves the safe and correct operation of the device and the panel.

[0016] According to the tenth aspect, in any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, the panel can be moved from the second position to the third position. Restricting the movement to the third position to start from the fixed position or the second position provides even better defined movement, thereby providing panel behavior for exposing the interface or removing the panel, thus further preventing unintentional removal of the panel and improving the safe and correct operation of the device and the panel.

[0017] According to the eleventh aspect, in the first aspect, the panel is detachable from the housing in a fixed position. This provides a simple and cost-effective way to expose the interface.

[0018] According to the twelfth aspect, in any of the foregoing aspects, the aerosol generating device includes a light-emitting indicator that is hidden by a panel in a fixed position.

[0019] According to the thirteenth aspect, in the preceding aspect and any one of the second to tenth aspects, the luminous indicator is exposed to the outside of the device in the second position and / or when the panel is detached from the housing from the second position. The luminous indicator may be used to provide information about the operating or functional status of the device, and / or may be used to indicate the correct positioning of the panel in the second position to ensure the safe and correct operation of the movable panel.

[0020] According to the fourteenth aspect, or in the eleventh or twelfth aspect, when the panel is removed from the housing, the luminous indicator is exposed to the outside of the device.

[0021] According to the fifteenth aspect, in any one of the twelfth to fourteenth aspects, when the panel is in the fixed position, the panel is provided with a light guide or a transparent or translucent element at the position corresponding to the luminous indicator. This allows the luminous indicator to be visible from the outside of the device, while providing a protective element against external influences for the luminous indicator.

[0022] According to the sixteenth aspect, in any of the foregoing aspects, the housing is provided with a safety vent for a battery disposed in the housing, the safety vent being concealed by the panel in the fixed position.

[0023] According to the seventeenth aspect, in the preceding aspect and any one of the second to tenth aspects, the safety vent is exposed to the outside of the device in the second position.

[0024] According to the eighteenth aspect, and in the eleventh and sixteenth aspects, when the panel is removed from the housing, the safety vent is exposed to the outside of the device.

[0025] In the event of a battery (especially a lithium-ion battery) failure, a safety vent is provided according to any one of the sixteenth to eighteenth aspects, increasing user safety. This battery can be provided as a power source in an aerosol generating device.

[0026] According to the nineteenth aspect, in any of the foregoing aspects, one or more interfaces are the only interfaces on the housing capable of interacting with the outside of the device. This ensures that all interfaces provided on the device are protected by the panel.

[0027] According to the twentieth aspect, in any of the foregoing aspects, the one or more interfaces include an electrical interface for charging the battery of the device and / or a communication interface for data transmission.

[0028] According to aspect twenty-one, in any of the foregoing aspects, the one or more interfaces include an access port that allows access to the internal structure of the housing. Providing access to the internal structure of the housing facilitates any maintenance or repair of the device.

[0029] According to aspect twenty-two, in the preceding aspect, the internal structure is a chamber for generating aerosols from an aerosol generating matrix, and the inlet port is adapted to allow the chamber to be cleaned. Allowing the chamber to be cleaned and maintained ensures the proper operation of the aerosol generating device.

[0030] According to aspect twenty-three, in the preceding aspect, when in use, the inlet port serves as the air inlet for the chamber. Because an additional air inlet is no longer required, this reduces manufacturing costs and complexity.

[0031] According to the twenty-fourth aspect, in any of the foregoing aspects, the housing is provided with an opening for discharging generated aerosols to the outside of the device and an associated closing mechanism for the opening, and the housing and the panel form a seamless outer surface of the device, except for the boundary between the housing and the panel, the opening, and the associated opening and closing mechanism. The closing mechanism of the opening for discharging generated aerosols prevents any unwanted particles and substances from entering when the device is not in use, thereby further protecting the device from harmful external influences. By reducing the number of seams between the different parts of the device and the device housing, the number of entry points can be minimized, which further improves the protection of the device.

[0032] According to aspect 25, in any of the foregoing aspects, the shape of the panel substantially corresponds to the shape of the housing surface on one side of the housing.

[0033] According to aspect 26, in the preceding aspect, the dimensions of the panel substantially correspond to the dimensions of the housing surface on one side of the housing.

[0034] According to aspect twenty-seven, in any of the foregoing aspects, the fixed position and / or the second position and / or the third position are predetermined positions. It should be noted that the predetermined position is a position pre-defined in a clearly identifiable manner before the use of the aerosol generating device. In other words, the predetermined position must be... Reproducible ,and It cannot be the result of a chance event. . Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic illustration of an aerosol generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2A and Figure 2B A schematic front view and a top view of an aerosol generating apparatus with the panel in a fixed position according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown respectively.

[0037] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C A schematic front view of an aerosol generating apparatus with the panel in a second position according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0038] Figure 4A and Figure 4B A schematic representation of the front view of the aerosol generating apparatus with the panel in a second position and a third position according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown respectively;

[0039] Figure 5A and Figure 5B A schematic representation of the front view of the aerosol generating apparatus with the panel in a second position and a third position according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown respectively;

[0040] Figure 6A and Figure 6B A schematic top view of an aerosol generating apparatus with a shut-off mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0041] Figure 7 A schematic front view of an aerosol generating apparatus with a light guide according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0042] Figure 8A and Figure 8B A schematic front view of an aerosol generating apparatus including a magnet, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0043] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] like Figure 1 The aerosol generator 100 shown typically includes a housing 200 having an opening 210 through which an aerosol generating matrix 110, such as a liquid or tobacco stick, can be at least partially inserted into the aerosol generating chamber 120 of the device. The device 100 further includes a power supply 130 and a circuit system 140, the power supply being a rechargeable and / or replaceable power source (such as a battery), and the circuit system for controlling the operation of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0045] Figure 2A A front view of an aerosol generating device is shown, comprising a housing 200 and a panel 300 attached to the housing 200 in a fixed position. While the panel 300 is depicted as having approximately the same dimensions as the front surface of the housing 200, the panel 300 could be smaller, such that it only has a portion of the dimensions of the front surface of the housing 200. In the fixed position, all interfaces can be covered by the panel, and therefore are not visible or accessible from the outside of the aerosol generating device. A top view of the aerosol generating device is also shown. Figure 2B As can be seen, the only seam extends between the housing 200 and the panel 300.

[0046] Figure 3A The diagram illustrates the aerosol generation of a housing 200 and a panel 300 in a second position, where the panel 300 has been removed from... Figure 2A The fixed position shown is rotated. Rotational movement can be achieved, for example, by a swivel, rotary joint, or similar configuration. Rotation exposes interface 230 to the outside of the device for interaction with the device. Although interface 230 is depicted as a single element, it may include an electrical interface for charging the device's battery, a communication interface for data transmission, an access port allowing access to the internal structure of the housing, and one or more air inlets, wherein the access port preferably allows the internal aerosol generation chamber to be cleaned. Housing 200 may also include a battery safety vent for releasing internal pressure in the event of a battery failure that could provide power to the aerosol generation device. Panel 300 may remain attached to housing 200 in a second position, or alternatively, may be detached from housing 200 in a second position. Removing panel 300 may include moving the panel in a certain direction or further rotating panel 300.

[0047] Figure 3B An aerosol generating device is shown, which can be used in... Figure 3AThe aerosol generating apparatus is described in the context of the above. Panel 300 is in a second position in which it has undergone lateral sliding movement rather than rotational movement. This sliding movement can be achieved by movably attaching and engaging panel 300 with housing 200 via one or more protrusions and corresponding one or more recesses (provided on the housing and panel, or vice versa). Figure 3C An aerosol generating device is shown, which can be used in... Figure 3A and Figure 3B The aerosol generating device is described in the background. Panel 300 is in a second position, in which panel 300 has slid upward.

[0048] Figure 4A An aerosol generating device is shown, which can be used in... Figure 3A The aerosol generating device is described in the context of [the previous sentence]. Panel 300 is in a second position, wherein the panel has been [removed from the previous position]. Figure 2A The fixed position shown is rotated and moved to the second position. In the second position, the interface 230 is exposed, and the panel 300 can be removed from the housing 200 without being detached. Figure 4B The panel 300 is shown in a third position, where it has been further rotated from the second position in the same direction as the rotational movement from the fixed position to the second position. In the third position, the panel 300 can be detached from the housing 200.

[0049] Figure 5A An aerosol generating device is shown, which can be used in... Figure 3B The aerosol generating device is described in the context of [the previous sentence]. Panel 300 is in a second position, wherein the panel has been [removed from the previous position]. Figure 2A The fixed position shown is slid upwards to the second position. In the second position, the interface 230 is exposed, and the panel 300 can be removed from the housing 200 without being detached. Figure 5B The panel 300 is shown in a third position, in which it has already slid in the opposite direction to the sliding movement from the fixed position to the second position. The panel 300 can be moved directly to the third position by sliding downwards from the fixed position, or it can be moved to the second position first by sliding upwards. In the third position, the panel 300 can be detached from the housing 200, and the interface 230 may or may not be exposed by the panel in the third position.

[0050] It should be noted that although the panel 300 is described in the above embodiments as being configured to perform rotational or sliding movements, the panel 300 may also be configured to perform a combination of sliding and rotational movements. For example, the panel 300 may be moved to a second position by sliding and moved from the second position or a fixed position to a third position by rotation. Alternatively, the movement may include both rotation and translation (sliding).

[0051] Figure 6A and Figure 6B A top view of an aerosol generating apparatus is shown, having a housing 200 including an opening 210 for discharging aerosols generated using an aerosol generating matrix within the apparatus. The opening 210 may be provided with a closing and opening mechanism 220 to close and protect the opening 210 when the aerosol generating apparatus is not in use. The closing and opening mechanism 220 can be moved by sliding, rotating, or a combination thereof. As further shown, the aerosol generating apparatus includes a seam only between the housing 200, the opening 210, the closing and opening mechanism 220, and the panel 300.

[0052] Figure 7 An aerosol generating device is shown, which can be an aerosol generator as described in any preferred embodiment of the invention. Although the aerosol generating device is shown as including a panel 300, which is in a second position relative to the housing 200 by rotational movement from a fixed position in which the interface 230 is concealed, the panel can be configured to slide or a combination of rotational and sliding movements, and the panel can be further moved to a third position. The panel 300 may include a light guide 320 disposed on the outer surface of the panel 300. The housing may be provided with a light-emitting indicator that illuminates when the panel is in such a position as described in the previous embodiment. Figure 7 In the second position shown, the luminous indicator may be visible only when the light guide 320 is illuminated. The luminous indicator may be configured to indicate the technical status of the aerosol generating device, such as the charging status or level of the power supply to the aerosol generating device. The luminous indicator may additionally or alternatively indicate that the panel 300 has correctly completed its movement to the second position. Additionally or alternatively, the housing may be provided with another luminous indicator that, when the panel 300 is in a third position different from the second position, is visible only when the light guide 320 is illuminated.

[0053] In any embodiment of the invention, such as Figure 8A and Figure 8B As shown, the aerosol generating device may have one or more magnets or magnetic elements 310 disposed at the housing 200 and / or panel 300 for defining a fixed position and a second position of the panel. In such a case... Figure 8AIn the fixed position shown, a magnet 310 marked "1" on the panel 300 is coupled to a metal or magnetic positioning element on the housing 200 at a position corresponding to the position of the magnet 310 marked "1". When the panel 300 moves to the second position, the magnet 310 marked "2" engages with the metal or magnetic positioning element on the housing. The panel 300 may be provided with another magnet or magnetic element to define a third position to which the panel 300 can be moved. Alternatively, the housing 200 may be provided with a magnetic positioning element, and the panel 300 may be provided with one or more metal elements instead of the magnet 310, which may engage with the magnetic positioning element on the housing to define the fixed position and / or the second position and / or the third position.

[0054] It should be noted that, Figures 1 to 8BIn any embodiment described in the context of this description, the fixed position and / or the second position and / or the third position may be a predetermined position. A predetermined position is a position that is clearly defined in advance during the manufacture and / or assembly of the aerosol generating device, and typically before the use of the aerosol generating device. In other words, the predetermined position is reliably reproducible, rather than the result of a chance event. For example, in the case of rotational or sliding movement of the cover 300, the predetermined position may be defined by the maximum rotation angle or sliding distance of the cover 300. For example, the sliding or rotating mechanism may be configured to allow a maximum sliding distance or rotation angle in a first sliding direction and / or a first rotational direction and / or a second sliding direction and / or a second rotational direction opposite to the first sliding direction and / or rotational direction. Such a maximum sliding distance or rotation angle may be inherently defined by the provided sliding or rotating mechanism, or may be achieved by means of a stopping or restraining element. Additionally or alternatively, the predetermined position may be a position defined by an attraction of the predetermined position, which, once the cover 300 is in the predetermined position, causes the cover 300 to remain in the predetermined position. In other words, the force required to move the cover 300 away from the predetermined position is much greater than the force required to move the cover 300 once it has moved away from the predetermined position. For example, the predetermined position may be defined by an attractive or restrictive element disposed on the housing 200, which engages with corresponding mating elements disposed on the cover 300. As a non-limiting example, the housing 200 may be provided with a magnetic coupling element, and the cover 300 may be provided with a magnetic anti-coupling element, and the predetermined position is defined as the position where the magnetic coupling element interacts with the magnetic anti-coupling element in an attractive coupling state. As another non-limiting example, the housing 200 may be provided with a groove or recess or similar element, and the cover 300 may be provided with a mating protrusion or similar element, or conversely, the predetermined position is defined as the position where the mating protrusion interacts with the groove or recess. The mating protrusion interacting with the groove or recess may include a mating protrusion located within the groove or recess. It should be noted that multiple and any combination of the above methods for defining the predetermined position can be employed.

[0055] While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, variations and substitutions of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description of exemplary embodiments does not limit or restrict this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of this disclosure as defined by the independent and dependent claims.

[0056] List of reference numerals

[0057] 100: Aerosol Generating Device

[0058] 110: Aerosol generation matrix

[0059] 120: Aerosol Generation Chamber

[0060] 130: Power supply

[0061] 140: Circuit System

[0062] 200: Device housing

[0063] 210: Opening

[0064] 220: Closing and opening mechanism

[0065] 230: Interface

[0066] 300: Panel

[0067] 310: Magnet

[0068] 320: Optical guide

Claims

1. An aerosol generation device comprising: a housing forming at least part of an outer surface of the device; one or more interfaces; and a panel attached to the housing in a fixed position to conceal the one or more interfaces and movable from the fixed position to expose the one or more interfaces to the outside of the device, wherein the housing is provided with a safety vent for a battery disposed in the housing, the safety vent being concealed by the panel in the fixed position. The panel is guided for a sliding movement and / or a rotational movement between the fixed position and a second position different from the fixed position.

2. Aerosol generation device according to the preceding claim, wherein, The panel and / or the housing are provided with a first magnet configured to engage with the housing and / or the panel to define the fixed position and / or a second magnet configured to engage with the housing and / or the panel to define the second position.

3. Aerosol generation device according to the preceding claim, wherein, The panel is movable to a third position.

4. An aerosol generation device according to claim 2, wherein, The panel is detachable from the housing when in the second position, but not when in the fixed position, or 5. An aerosol generation device according to claim 4, wherein, wherein the panel is detachable from the housing when in the third position, but not when in the fixed position and not when in the second position. The panel is movable from the fixed position to the third position, or 6. An aerosol generation device according to claim 4, wherein, wherein the panel is movable from the second position to the third position. The panel is movable to the third position by sliding and / or rotating the panel in a direction opposite to a direction for moving the panel from the fixed position to the second position.

7. An aerosol generation device according to claim 6, wherein, The panel is detachable from the housing in the fixed position.

8. The aerosol generation device of claim 2, wherein, 9. The aerosol generation device according to any of claims 2-8, comprising a light emitting indicator, the light emitting indicator being concealed by the panel in the fixed position. The light emitting indicator is exposed to the outside of the device in the second position and / or when the panel is detached from the housing from the second position.

10. An aerosol generation device according to claim 9, wherein, The panel is provided with a light guide at a position corresponding to the light emitting indicator when the panel is in the fixed position.

11. An aerosol generation device according to claim 9, wherein, The panel is provided with a transparent or translucent element at a position corresponding to the light emitting indicator when the panel is in the fixed position.

12. An aerosol generation device according to claim 9, wherein, The one or more interfaces comprise an electrical interface for charging a battery of the device and / or a communication interface for data transfer.

13. An aerosol generation device according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein, The one or more interfaces comprise an access port allowing access to an internal structure of the housing.

14. An aerosol generation device according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein, The housing is provided with an opening for discharging generated aerosol to the outside of the device and an associated closing mechanism for the opening, and the housing and the panel form a seamless outer surface of the device except for a boundary between the housing and the panel, the opening, and the associated closing mechanism.

15. An aerosol generation device according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein, 16. An aerosol generation device comprising: a housing forming at least part of an outer surface of the device; one or more interfaces; and a panel attached to the housing in a fixed position to conceal the one or more interfaces and movable from the fixed position to expose the one or more interfaces to the outside of the device, wherein the housing is provided with a safety vent for a battery disposed in the housing, the safety vent being concealed by the panel in the fixed position. ​ wherein the panel is guided for a sliding movement and / or a rotational movement between the fixed position and a second position different from the fixed position, wherein the panel is detachable from the housing when the panel is in the second position, but is not detachable when the panel is in the fixed position, or the panel is further movable to a third position, wherein the panel is detachable from the housing when the panel is in the third position, but is not detachable when the panel is in the fixed position and is not detachable when the panel is in the second position, wherein the fixed position and / or the second position and / or the third position is a predetermined position.

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