Steam supply system with surface heating protection

Abstract

A steam supply system includes: an outer housing; an inner body located within the outer housing and generating heat in the inner body during operation of the steam supply system; and at least one shape memory alloy component changeable between a first shape, in which the outer housing and the inner body are in a first spatial relationship, and a second shape, in which the outer housing and the inner body are in a second spatial relationship, in which the shape memory alloy component is smaller than the shape memory alloy component in the first spatial relationship. At least a portion of the outer housing is outwardly spaced a greater distance from the inner body, assuming a second shape when the shape memory material member is heated to a threshold temperature.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a steam supply system with surface heating protection. The steam supply system may be a heated tobacco steam supply system. Background Art

[0002] Electronic vapor supply systems (electronic cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems) are sometimes referred to as heated tobacco vapor supply systems, tobacco heating products, or heat-not-burn products. These systems generate vapor or aerosol for the user to inhale by heating a portion of tobacco (in the form of tobacco leaves or other forms) to a temperature below the temperature at which tobacco burns to discharge vapor containing nicotine from the tobacco. The user inhales through the tobacco portion to generate an air flow, and when the vapor passes through the tobacco portion, the vapor is entrained in the air flow to form an aerosol, which is transported for inhalation.

[0003] The heated tobacco steam supply system comprises one or more heaters or heating elements configured to heat the tobacco portion. The tobacco portion can be configured to be a tobacco material rod held in a wrapper, optionally also including a filter portion, similar to a conventional cigarette. The heater can have an annular shape having a central cavity into which the tobacco rod is inserted. Other designs utilize one or more heating blades that engage inside the tobacco rod when the tobacco rod is inserted into an opening in the system. Therefore, the system comprises an internal body that generates heat, the internal body comprising or containing one or more heaters or heating elements. The internal body is wrapped in an external housing or cover. A battery is provided in the system to supply electrical power to the heater. Compared with the overall size of the system, the heater may be a relatively large component, requiring a large capacity battery to maintain the desired heating level. The power supply from the battery to the heater can be puff-activated by an air flow sensor that detects the user's inhalation and starts the power supply in response, or the user can operate a power switch to start the heater when inhaling.

[0004] If the user uses the steam supply system intensively by fast or repeated strong inhalation, a large amount of power can be supplied to the heater, thereby generating a large amount of heat. The thermal energy exceeding the thermal energy absorbed by the tobacco part can be transferred outwardly toward the outer shell, and the outer shell can absorb thermal energy and itself is heated. This process can occur very quickly, and for the user holding the system, the surface temperature of the outer shell may become uncomfortable or even dangerously high. In the case of a failure in the supply of electrical power to the heater, overheating of the outer shell may also occur.

[0005] Another type of electronic steam supply system includes a reservoir of aerosolizable substrate material, which is usually in liquid form, and an atomizer including a heater, which heats the aerosolizable substrate material and evaporates it when the aerosolizable substrate material is transported from the reservoir to the heater. The steam is collected by the air flow through the system generated by the user's inhalation to form an inhalable aerosol. The heater of the atomizer is usually much smaller than the heater in the heated tobacco steam supply system, and can be located in an internal body farther from the external housing of the system, so that the heat transfer to the external housing is less common in the system based on the atomizer. However, intensive suction, depletion of liquid at the atomizer and / or electrical failure may cause the heater to overheat, so that enough heat energy may be transferred to the outside of the system and overheat the surface of the external housing.

[0006] Hybrid systems are also known that combine tobacco heating with an atomizer to produce vapor while supplementing the tobacco-derived vapor with flavorings or other additives.

[0007] For example, a thermal insulation layer may be provided on the inside of the outer housing, within the electronic vapor supply system. This may interrupt the transfer of heat from the inner body to the outer housing, thereby keeping the outside of the system cool. However, the insulation layer may increase the overall size of the system, and increase manufacturing complexity and cost.

[0008] Therefore, alternative approaches to protect steam supply systems from surface heating are of interest. Summary of the invention

[0009] According to a first aspect of some embodiments described herein, a steam supply system is provided, comprising: an outer shell; an inner body located within the outer shell, and generating heat in the inner body during operation of the steam supply system; and at least one shape memory alloy component capable of changing between a first shape and a second shape, wherein in the first shape, the outer shell and the inner body are in a first spatial relationship, and the second shape places the outer shell and the inner body in a second spatial relationship, wherein in the second spatial relationship, at least a portion of the outer shell is spaced outwardly from the inner body by a greater distance than in the first spatial relationship, and when the shape memory material component is heated to a threshold temperature, the second shape is presented.

[0010] These and other aspects of certain embodiments are set forth in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. It should be understood that the features of the dependent claims may be combined with each other, and that the features of the independent claims may be combined in combinations other than those combinations explicitly listed in the claims. In addition, the methods described herein are not limited to specific embodiments such as those listed below, but include and contemplate any suitable combination of the features presented herein. For example, a steam supply system may be provided according to the methods described herein, the steam supply system suitably including any one or more of the individual features described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail by way of example only with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 shows a simplified schematic longitudinal cross-section through an exemplary heated tobacco vapor supply system to which aspects of the present disclosure may be applied;

[0013] Figure 2 shows a simplified schematic longitudinal cross-section through an exemplary atomizer-based steam supply system to which aspects of the present disclosure may be applied;

[0014] Figure 3 shows a temperature scale indicative of temperature conditions suitable for implementation in an example of a steam supply system according to the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 4A showing a simplified schematic transverse cross-sectional view of a first exemplary steam supply system according to aspects of the present disclosure in a first spatial relationship;

[0016] Figure 4B The second spatial relationship is shown. Figure 4A Steam supply system;

[0017] Figure 5A showing a simplified schematic transverse cross-sectional view of a second exemplary steam supply system according to aspects of the present disclosure in a first spatial relationship;

[0018] Figure 5B The second spatial relationship is shown. Figure 5A Steam supply system;

[0019] Figure 6 shows a simplified schematic transverse cross-sectional view of a third exemplary steam supply system according to aspects of the present disclosure; and

[0020] FIG. 7A to FIG. 7DSimplified schematic side views of various examples of shape memory alloy components suitable for use in steam supply systems, such as first through third examples of steam supply systems in first and second shapes, are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed / described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be conventionally implemented, and for the sake of brevity, these aspects and features are not discussed / described in detail. Therefore, it will be understood that the aspects and features of the devices discussed herein that are not described in detail may be implemented according to any conventional techniques for implementing these aspects and features.

[0022] As described above, the present disclosure relates to electronic aerosol or steam supply systems, such as electronic cigarettes. In the following description, the terms "e-cigarette" and "electronic cigarette" may sometimes be used; however, it will be understood that these terms can be used interchangeably with aerosol (steam) supply systems or devices. Some of these systems are intended to produce inhalable aerosols by evaporating an aerosol-forming substrate in the form of a liquid or gel that may or may not contain nicotine. Other systems are intended to produce inhalable aerosols by heating (but not burning) a solid substrate to form steam. The solid substrate can be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In addition, a hybrid system that heats both a liquid or gel substrate and a solid substrate is known. The term "aerosolizable substrate material" as used herein is intended to refer to a substrate material that can form an aerosol. In the current context, an aerosol is formed by heating a substrate, but other aerosol formation methods may also be used. The term "aerosol" can be used interchangeably with "steam".

[0023] As used herein, the term "component" is used to refer to a part, section, unit, module, assembly, etc. of an electronic cigarette or similar device, which is combined with several smaller parts or elements that may be located within an external housing or outer wall. An electronic cigarette can be formed or constructed by one or more such parts, and these parts can be removably or detachably connected to each other, or can be permanently joined together during manufacturing to define the entire electronic cigarette. The present disclosure is applicable to (but not limited to) the following systems, which include two parts that can be detachably connected to each other and are configured to, for example, hold a liquid or another aerosolizable substrate material that can be aerosolized substrate material bearing part (smoke bomb, atomizer smoke bomb or consumables), and a control unit or device part, which has a battery for providing electrical power to make the element for generating steam from the substrate material work. In order to provide a specific example, in the present disclosure, a smoke bomb or atomizer smoke bomb is described as an example of an aerosolizable substrate material bearing part or part, but the present disclosure is not limited in this regard and is applicable to any configuration of an aerosolizable substrate material bearing part or part. In addition, such a part may include more or less parts than the parts included in the example.

[0024] The present disclosure relates to a steam supply system that generates heat. Specifically, the present invention relates to a steam supply system that generates steam by heating a portion of a solid aerosolizable substrate material (such as tobacco), and also relates to a steam supply system and components thereof that utilize an aerosolizable substrate material in liquid or gel form, wherein the aerosolizable substrate material in liquid or gel form is maintained in a reservoir, tank, container or other receiver included in the system and delivered to an atomizer for evaporation. The terms "liquid", "gel", "fluid", "source liquid", "source gel", "source fluid", etc. can be used interchangeably with "aerosolizable substrate material" and "substrate material" to refer to an aerosolizable substrate material in a form that can be stored and delivered according to the examples of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 1 is a highly schematic illustration (not to scale) of a generic exemplary aerosol / vapor supply system of the "heat not burn" or "tobacco heating product" (THP) type, which is presented for the purpose of illustrating the relationship between the various parts of a typical system and explaining the general operating principles. The vapor supply system 10 can be described as having two components, and for ease of comparison with a vapor supply system based on an atomizer (such as the one referenced below) Figure 2Compared with the atomizer-based steam supply system described in the previous embodiment, the two components can be understood as a control or power component, a section or unit 20, and a cartridge component or unit 30 that works as a steam generating component. The power component 20 and the cartridge component 30 can be permanently joined together to form an integrated steam supply system, or can be detachably connected. The division between component 20 and component 30 is represented by a dotted line. In this description, the power component 20 and the cartridge component 30 are arranged side by side, which is a common arrangement for THP systems, but alternatively, the power component and the cartridge component can be arranged end to end to give a more slender system.

[0026] The cartridge component 30 is a part of the steam supply system 10 in which steam is generated by heating so that heat is generated in the part. The cartridge component 30 includes a deep and narrow opening or cavity 11 extending from one end of the cartridge component 30 (used as a top or mouthpiece end) to the inside of the cartridge component 30. The cavity 11 is shaped to receive and tightly hold a portion of a tobacco rod or a tobacco cartridge 12, which can be inserted into the cavity 11 so that only the end portion of the tobacco rod 12 protrudes from the cartridge component 11. The protruding end portion of the tobacco rod is placed in the user's mouth for aerosol inhalation and may include a filter 12b. The opposite end of the tobacco rod 12 inserted into the cavity 11 and occupying most of the length of the tobacco rod 12 contains a portion of tobacco material 12a, such as tobacco leaves or in some other form, held in an outer layer (such as wrapping paper). The tobacco portion 12 provides a solid aerosolizable substrate material for the steam supply system. Materials other than tobacco or as a supplement to tobacco can be used as solid aerosolizable substrate materials. For convenience, the term "tobacco" is used herein to refer to both tobacco and non-tobacco solid substrate materials, and "solid" means that the substrate material is not a liquid or gel.

[0027] The cavity 11 has an associated annular electric heater or heating element 4, which surrounds the cavity 11 and therefore also surrounds the tobacco portion 12a of the inserted tobacco rod 12. The heater 4 itself can form or define all or part of the side wall of the cavity 11, or can be arranged outside the side wall of the cavity 11. For example, the heater 4 can include a tube of metal or other conductive material, or a coil of metal or other conductive material. The heater 4 can work by ohmic / resistance (joule) heating, and includes an electrical connector (not shown) so that an electric current can pass through the heater, and when the electric current passes, the resistance of the material of the heater generates heat. Alternatively, and as shown in the depicted example, the heater 4 can work by induction heating. In this arrangement, the heater 4 acts as a base, and one or more induction heating coils 7 are arranged around the outside of the heater 4. In induction heating, when a high-frequency alternating current passes through the induction coil 7 to generate a magnetic field, the induction coil works as an electromagnet. The heater 4 located inside the induction coil 7 is a conductive object within the magnetic field flux, so that the magnetic field penetrates the heater 4 and induces eddy currents. The eddy current flows in the heater 4 and generates heat by Joule heating. The operation of the heater exposes the tobacco portion 12a to heat from outside thereof and causes heating of the tobacco material, thereby generating steam. In other alternatives (not shown), the heater 4 may include one or more heater blades mounted in the cavity 11, which penetrate the tobacco portion 12a when the tobacco rod 12 is inserted into the cavity 11. The heater blade (these heater blades) may be heated in a resistive manner or in an inductive manner and transfer heat energy from its interior to the tobacco portion 12a.

[0028] Other arrangements of one or more heaters suitable for heating the tobacco portion of an inserted tobacco rod will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The present disclosure is not limited in this manner and is intended to cover any and all such heater arrangements.

[0029] In order to be able to inhale the vapor / aerosol generated by the tobacco material, the cartridge component 30 includes one or more air inlets 26 located in the outer wall of the cartridge component 30 (or elsewhere on the steam supply system 10). The air inlet 26 is in air flow communication with the cavity 11 via an air flow channel or air flow path 27. Therefore, when the user inhales on the protruding end of the inserted tobacco rod, an air flow is generated by the air A through the cartridge component, which is inhaled into the air inlet 26, along the air flow channel 27 to the cavity 11 and into the tobacco rod 12. The air passes through the heated tobacco portion 12a to collect vapor and form an aerosol, and then carries the aerosol through the filter 12b to be delivered to the user for inhalation.

[0030] The power component 20 (or control unit or simply device or device component) includes a battery cell or battery 5 (hereinafter referred to as a battery, and it may be rechargeable) for providing power to the heater 4 (the associated induction coil is the power part in the induction heating design) and other electrical components of the steam supply system 10. In addition, there is a controller 28, such as a printed circuit board and / or other electronic devices or circuits, for overall control of the steam supply system 10. When steam is needed, for example in response to a signal from an air pressure sensor or air flow sensor (not shown) that detects suction on the steam supply system 10 (during which air A enters through one or more air inlets 26), the control electronics / circuitry 28 uses power from the battery 5 to operate the heater 4.

[0031] The various parts, elements or components of the vapor supply system 10 are contained within the outer wall of the vapor supply system 10, which may be located in two or more parts, such as if the cartridge component 30 and the power component 20 are detachably connected. The outer wall can be considered to include an outer shell 15, which can be all or part of the outer wall, and the outer shell provides the outer surface of the vapor supply system 10. The outer shell 15 may include one or more layers that may be formed of different materials.

[0032] In particular, in the context of the present disclosure, the outer shell 15 is considered to cover the heat-generating area of ​​the steam supply system 10. This area will be one or more internal portions of the steam supply system 10 that contain, contain or include the heater. This area can be defined as the internal body that is located inside the outer shell and in which heat is generated during operation of the steam supply system to provide an aerosol.

[0033] Figure 2 It is a highly schematic illustration (not to scale) of a generic exemplary aerosol / vapor supply system or electronic cigarette / e-cigarette of the atomizer type in which a liquid or gel aerosolizable substrate material is vaporized. Again, the purpose of presenting this figure is to illustrate the relationship between the various parts of a typical system and to explain the general operating principle. In this example, the electronic cigarette 10 has a generally elongated shape extending along a longitudinal axis indicated by a dotted line, and includes two main components, namely a control or power component section or unit 20, and a cartridge component, assembly or section 30 (sometimes referred to as an atomizer cartridge or a transparent atomizer cartridge) that carries an aerosolizable substrate material and works as a vapor generating component.

[0034] Atomizer cartridge 30 includes reservoir 3, which contains source liquid or other aerosolizable base material, which contains a preparation such as a liquid or gel containing nicotine, and aerosol will be generated from the preparation. As an example, the source liquid can contain about 1% to 3% nicotine and 50% glycerine, and the remainder contains roughly equal amounts of water and propylene glycol, and may also contain other components, such as flavorings. Nicotine-free source liquid can also be used, such as for conveying flavorings. In a hybrid system, a solid substrate (not shown) can also be included, such as a part of tobacco or other flavor elements passed by the steam produced by the liquid. Reservoir 3 has the form of a storage tank as a container or a receptacle, and the source liquid can be stored therein so that the liquid can move freely and flow within the limits of the tank. For consumable atomizer cartridges, reservoir 3 can be sealed after filling during manufacturing, so that it is disposable after the source liquid is consumed, otherwise, it can have an inlet port or other openings, and the user can add new source liquid through the inlet port or other openings. Atomizing cigarette cartridge 30 also includes an electric heating element or heater 4 outside reservoir tank 3, for evaporating source liquid by heating and producing aerosol. Liquid transfer or delivery arrangement (liquid delivery element) is provided, such as core (wick, suction core) or other porous elements or member 6, to deliver source liquid from reservoir 3 to heater 4. Core 6 can have one or more parts, which are located inside reservoir 3 or otherwise communicated with the liquid fluid in reservoir 3, so that source liquid can be absorbed and source liquid is transferred to the adjacent or contacting other parts of heater 4 of core 6 by wicking or capillary action. This liquid is therefore heated and evaporated, to be replaced by a new source liquid from reservoir, for transfer to heater 4 by core 6. Core can be considered as a bridge, path or conduit between reservoir 3 and heater 4, which delivers or transfers liquid from reservoir to heater. Terms including conduit, liquid conduit, liquid transfer path, liquid delivery path, liquid transfer mechanism or element and liquid delivery mechanism or element can also be used in this context.

[0035] The heater and wick (or the like) combination is referred to herein as an atomizer or atomizer assembly, and the reservoir and its source liquid plus the atomizer may be collectively referred to as an aerosol source. Other terms may include a liquid delivery assembly or a liquid transfer assembly, where in this context these terms may be used interchangeably to refer to the vapor generating element (steam generator) plus a wick or similar component or structure (porous member) that delivers or transfers liquid obtained from the reservoir to the steam generator for generating vapor / aerosol. Various designs are possible, including those related to Figure 2Compared with the highly schematic representation of, these parts can be arranged differently.The heater and the core can be separate parts, or a single part configured to be used for both wicking and heating can be used, such as a porous and conductive component, such as a net or grid of metal fibers or wires or porous conductive ceramic materials.Generally, an atomizer can be considered as one or more elements realizing the function of a steam generation or evaporation element and a liquid transport or delivery element, which can generate steam from a source liquid transported thereto, and which can transport or transport liquid from a reservoir or similar liquid reservoir to a steam generator by wicking / capillary force.In this context, an atomizer works by heating an aerosolizable base material to generate steam, so that the steam generation element can be an electric heating element (heater) that works by ohm / resistance (joule) heating or by induction heating.Atomizers are usually but not necessarily contained in the atomization cartridge component of a steam generation system.Embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to all and any such configurations consistent with the examples and descriptions herein.

[0036] The atomizer cartridge 30 also includes a mouthpiece or mouthpiece portion 35 having an opening or aerosol outlet through which a user can inhale the aerosol generated by the atomizer 4.

[0037] The power component or control unit or simply the device or device component 20 includes a battery cell or battery 5 (referred to herein as a battery, and which may be rechargeable) for providing power to the electrical components of the electronic cigarette 10, in particular to operate the heater 4. In addition, there is a controller 28, such as a printed circuit board and / or other electronic device or circuit, for controlling the electronic cigarette as a whole. When vapor is required, for example in response to a signal from an air pressure sensor or air flow sensor (not shown) that detects inhalation on the system 10 (during which air A enters through one or more air inlets 26 in the wall of the control unit 20), the control electronics / circuitry 28 uses power from the battery 5 to operate the heater 4. When the heating element 4 is operating, the heating element 4 vaporizes the source liquid delivered from the reservoir 3 by the liquid delivery element 6 to produce an aerosol, and the aerosol is then inhaled by the user through the opening in the mouthpiece 35. When the user inhales on the mouthpiece 35, the aerosol is transported from the aerosol source to the mouthpiece 35 along one or more air flow channels (not shown) connecting the air inlet 26 to the aerosol source and the aerosol outlet. In other designs, the air inlet may be located in the outer wall of the atomizer cartridge 30 so that air enters the atomizer cartridge 30 directly instead of reaching the atomizer cartridge via the power component 20 .

[0038] In this example, the power unit (control unit) 20 and the atomizer cartridge (cartridge assembly) 30 are separate connectable parts that can be connected by connecting them in parallel to the Figure 2 . The components 20 and 30 are separated and disengaged from each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis indicated by the solid arrow in the atomizer. When the device 10 is in use, the components 20 and 30 are joined together by mating engagement elements 21 and 31 (e.g., screws or bayonet joints), which provide mechanical connection and in some cases electrical connection between the power section 20 and the cartridge assembly 30. If the heater 4 works by ohmic heating, an electrical connection is required so that when the heater 4 is connected to the battery 5, current can pass through the heater. In a system using inductive heating, if there is no component requiring electrical power in the atomizer cartridge 30, the electrical connection can be omitted. The inductive working coil can be housed in the power section 20 and supplied with power from the battery 5, and the atomizer cartridge 30 and the power section 20 are shaped so that, when they are connected, the heater 4 is appropriately exposed to the magnetic flux generated by the coil for the purpose of generating current in the material of the heater. Figure 2 The design of is merely an exemplary arrangement, and the various parts and features may be distributed differently between the power component 20 and the cartridge assembly section 30, and may include other components and elements. The two sections may be arranged as follows Figure 2 The system 10 may be connected end to end in a longitudinal configuration, or connected in different configurations such as parallel, side-by-side arrangements. The system may or may not be generally cylindrical and / or have a generally longitudinal shape. One or both of these sections or components may be intended to be discarded and replaced when exhausted (e.g., the reservoir is empty or the battery is dead), or intended to be used for multiple uses through actions such as refilling the reservoir and recharging the battery. In other examples, the system 10 may be integral in that portions of the control unit 20 and portions of the cartridge component 30 are included in a single housing and cannot be separated. Embodiments and examples of the present disclosure apply to any of these configurations and other configurations that will be known to those skilled in the art.

[0039] Figure 2The various parts, elements or components of the electronic cigarette 10 are contained in the outer wall of the electronic cigarette 10, and if the cartridge component 30 and the power component 20 are detachably connected, the outer wall may be located in two or more parts. The outer wall may be considered to include an outer shell 15, which may be all or part of the outer wall, and the outer shell provides the outer surface of the steam supply system 10. The outer shell 15 may include one or more layers that may be formed of different materials. In particular, in the context of the present disclosure, the outer shell 15 is considered to cover the heat-generating area of ​​the electronic cigarette 10. The area will be one or more internal parts of the electronic cigarette 10 that contain, contain or include a heater. The area can be defined as an internal body that is located inside the external shell 15 and in which heat is generated during operation of the steam supply system to provide an aerosol.

[0040] Returning to heated tobacco vapor supply systems (such as Figure 1 ), the heater is typically a relatively large item within the entire system, with a corresponding electrical power supply capacity required by the battery. If the user inhales strongly (puffs) on the system, a large amount of power can be supplied to the heater, while generating a corresponding amount of heat. This may exceed the heat that the tobacco portion can absorb, and the excess heat may propagate outward from the internal body of the system that generates the heat and reach the external housing, which may be heated. For the user holding the system, the temperature of the outer surface of the system may quickly become uncomfortable or dangerously high. A failure to supply electrical power to the heater may similarly result in unwanted overheating of the external housing. This may also occur in atomizer-based steam supply systems and hybrid steam supply systems.

[0041] The present disclosure proposes to solve this problem by including at least one shape memory alloy (SMA) component in the steam supply system. The SMA component is formed of a shape memory alloy, and the shape memory alloy is configured to change its shape from a first shape when the SMA component is at a first lower temperature to a second shape when the SMA component is heated to a second higher temperature. The SMA component is arranged so that the shape change achieved by rising to a higher temperature (which can be designated as a threshold temperature) causes a rearrangement of the spatial configuration of the steam supply system. At a lower temperature, the first shape of the SMA component keeps the inner body and the outer shell in a first spatial relationship, and when the SMA component reaches the threshold temperature, the second shape is changed to place the inner body and the outer shell in a second spatial relationship, and compared with the first spatial relationship, in the second spatial relationship, at least a portion of the outer shell is spaced outwardly from the inner body by a larger distance. The first spatial relationship can be considered as the working space configuration of the steam supply system maintained when the heater is cooled or heated to its usual operating temperature (or within the operating temperature range) to evaporate the aerosolizable substrate material, and wherein the outer shell covers the inner body with little or no spacing according to the expected appearance or design of the steam supply system. The second spatial relationship includes a spacing or increased spacing between the inner body and the outer shell so that the outer shell is placed at a greater distance from the heat generated in the inner body and is therefore less exposed to the heat and avoids overheating in the case of excessive heat radiating from the inner body. The increased gap provides greater thermal insulation around the inner body to reduce heat transfer to the outer shell. Since the outer surface of the steam supply system is kept at a lower temperature, the risk of discomfort or injury to the user holding the steam supply system is reduced or avoided. The threshold temperature is preferably higher than the typical external temperature of the steam supply system that is normally operated and intended for steam generation, so that the first spatial relationship is maintained during normal operation and use of the steam supply system. The threshold temperature is preferably lower than the temperature that is considered uncomfortable for manipulating the steam supply system. If excessive heat is generated in the inner body during operation of the steam supply system, such as by strong suction, some of the excess heat is transferred to the SMA component. The temperature of the SMA component rises, and when the threshold temperature is reached, the SMA component is transformed into a second shape. This causes relative movement between the inner body and the outer shell, which increases the spacing or separation between the inner body and the outer shell, and prevents or inhibits heat energy from being transferred from the inner body to the outer shell. Thus, if the heater becomes overheated above its intended operating temperature, the second spatial relationship is adopted before the steam supply system becomes uncomfortably hot to hold, and the user is protected. The outer housing is removed from further heat exposure or placed in a position to reduce heat exposure, the outer housing does not overheat, and a safe operating temperature can be maintained.In effect, the outer shell "pops" outwardly away from the inner body in the event that heat generated in the inner body threatens to raise the temperature of the outer surfaces of the steam supply system above a level that is comfortable or safe for a user.

[0042] The proposed use of SMA to protect the outer housing from excessive heat exposure uses a highly efficient automatic process that converts the thermal energy generated directly during heater operation into mechanical energy that is used to separate the outer housing from the inner body in situations where the risk of external overheating becomes high.

[0043] Depending on the design of the steam supply system and the form of the outer shell, and the arrangement of one or more SMA components, all outer shells can be moved outward by changing to the second shape of the SMA component. However, this is not necessary, and the steam supply system can be configured so that only a portion of the outer shell is placed at an increased spacing from the inner body. For example, the outer shell around the side wall of the steam supply system can be moved outward so that in the event of overheating, the outer shell around the entire periphery of the steam supply system "pops up". This can provide a comfortable effect for the user of the gripping system because the changes will be symmetrically distributed around the system. In a more limited arrangement, the portion of the outer shell that only covers the inner body is placed at an increased spacing from the inner body. Alternatively, only a portion of the portion of the outer shell that covers the inner body (for example, one or more portions that are most likely to become too hot closer to the heater in the inner body) is placed at an increased spacing.

[0044] Shape memory alloys are alloy materials containing metals that can exist in two different phases, which are produced by three different crystal structures: twinned martensite, decrystalline martensite and austenite. For the purpose of this disclosure, these can be considered to be two crystal structures: martensite and austenite. The shape memory property produces thermomechanical behavior controlled by the phase transformation between the free martensite crystal structure and the austenite crystal structure. The orientation of the crystals in the two crystal structures is different, resulting in different external shapes of the material. The transition between the crystal structures can be achieved by applying stress (mechanical load) or temperature changes. Accordingly, the temperature change across the relevant temperature boundary or threshold applied to the shape memory alloy component causes the component to change between the shape of the martensite crystal structure and the shape of the austenite crystal structure. This transition does not depend on time, so the material is considered to have "shape memory", maintaining a shape at a constant temperature above or below the temperature boundary, and obtaining a different shape when its temperature crosses the boundary.

[0045] For the presently proposed application, the shape memory component is configured to have a first shape corresponding to a martensite crystal structure at or below a first lower temperature (martensite temperature, Mt) and a second shape corresponding to an austenite crystal structure at or above a second higher temperature (austenite temperature, At). Because these temperatures vary depending on the type of SMA (metal in the alloy), the component is formed from an SMA for which the boundary between the first and second temperatures corresponds to a temperature above a selected acceptable external temperature of the steam supply system during normal use. During normal operation, the SMA component will be at or below the martensite temperature and in its first shape. The SMA component is configured and associated with the inner body and the outer shell so that the first shape maintains the inner body and the outer shell in a first spatial relationship during normal operation for steam generation and when the steam supply system is not in use. When a condition occurs that causes excessive heat to be generated in the inner body, the overheating produces a temperature increase in the associated SMA member, the SMA member heats above the martensite temperature and begins to adopt its second shape, which is obtained as the temperature reaches the austenite temperature, and the SMA member transforms into the second shape. This changes the spatial configuration of the steam supply system to a second spatial relationship, and the spacing of the inner body and the outer shell is increased compared to the first spatial relationship, so that the outer shell is now spaced outwardly from the inner body a greater distance than in the first spatial relationship. Therefore, the outer shell is farther away from the source of heat energy in the inner body, and any increase in the temperature of the outer shell is prevented or reduced.

[0046] To achieve this, the SMA member can be configured such that a change from a first shape to a second shape results in an increase in at least one outer dimension of the SMA member. The increase is employed such that the SMA member acts on or within one or both of the outer shell and the inner body, and by positioning the SMA member in association with the outer shell and the inner body within the steam supply device, the change in shape produces the desired movement to move one or both of the outer shell and the inner body away from the other.

[0047] The shape memory alloy may be a two-way effect shape memory alloy or a one-way effect shape memory alloy. The two-way effect shape memory alloy is considered to be the most useful for implementing the presently proposed concept. A two-way effect shape memory alloy is an SMA in which the shape change between the first shape and the second shape occurs in both directions. The shape change is reversible under heating and cooling. When the SMA component is below the martensite temperature, the SMA component maintains its first shape. Above the martensite temperature, the SMA component begins to change toward the second shape, and when the SMA component reaches the austenite temperature, the second shape is assumed. Above the austenite temperature, the second shape is maintained. If the SMA component cools below the austenite temperature, it begins to change back to the first shape, and when the martensite temperature is reached, the first shape is assumed. It should be noted that the rate of shape change during heating from the martensite temperature and the austenite temperature is different from the rate of shape change during cooling from the austenite temperature to the martensite temperature. The rate of change actually follows a hysteresis-like cycle.

[0048] In the context of the present disclosure, the SMA component formed by the two-way effect shape memory alloy enables the steam supply system to restore its original spatial configuration after overheating occurs in the internal body. Excessive thermal energy heats the SMA component, the SMA component adopts its second shape, and the outer shell and the inner body are placed in a second spatial relationship with an increased spacing to keep the outer shell at a manageable temperature. Subsequently, when the inner body stops generating excessive heat (for example, after the power supply to the heating element has been interrupted, or the user's suction rate is reduced or suction stops), the SMA component cools and restores its first shape, placing the outer shell and the inner body back to its first spatial relationship. The steam supply system restores its original configuration, and any changes in its appearance, shape or size caused by the second spatial relationship are reversed. The steam supply system can be protected from being repeatedly heated by the surface during its life.

[0049] In contrast, a one-way effect shape memory alloy is an SMA in which the shape change from the first shape to the second shape occurs only in one direction and is irreversible under subsequent temperature changes. Like a two-way effect SMA, the SMA component maintains its first shape below the martensite temperature and begins to change to the second shape when the martensite temperature is exceeded. When the austenite temperature is reached, the SMA component assumes its second shape. Above the austenite temperature, the second shape is maintained, but when the SMA component cools below the austenite temperature, the second shape is also maintained. Even below the martensite temperature, it cannot return to the first shape. Therefore, in the context of the present disclosure, when the SMA component cools after undergoing heating, the steam supply system will not present its original configuration. During future use of the steam supply system, the outer body will remain separated from the inner body by a larger distance. This larger spacing will inherently help protect the outer shell from the effects of temperature increases, but the original appearance of the steam supply may be lost. Therefore, the one-way effect SMA may not be preferred in the current context.

[0050] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of suitable temperature conditions for implementing a steam supply system according to an example of the present disclosure is shown. A temperature scale indicating the temperature T of the outer surface of the steam supply system is indicated. At the lower end of the scale, the operating temperature range is ΔTo. This is the temperature range that the outer shell may reach during normal operation of the steam supply system. The steam supply system is designed so that during normal operation, the outer shell will maintain a surface temperature that is within the temperature range that the user expects to feel comfortable holding. For example, various components can be inserted between the heater (usually operating at a temperature between about 250°C and 300°C) and the outer shell, which make the outer shell much colder than the heater. For example, there may be a thermal insulation layer, an air gap and other components that occupy the space between the heater and the outer shell. In addition, the outer shell can be made of a material that contributes to the temperature limit. For example, the outer shell can be formed in whole or in part by silicone. However, the elongated outer profile or shape of the steam supply system may be attractive and desirable, so that there is less space available for thermal protection between the heater and the outer shell. This makes it more likely that the external temperature will exceed the comfort limit when the heater temperature rises. As an example, during normal operation of the steam supply system, a typical temperature range of the outer housing may be 25° C. to 35° C. The use of SMA components described herein may help protect the user from high surface temperatures while allowing for a slender and compact device.

[0051] When the steam supply system is operating within the expected operating temperature range of the heater, or when the steam supply system is not operating and the heating element cools or cools from the operating temperature, at least one SMA component will be in its first shape. When the SMA component will begin to transform or change shape to the second shape, the martensite temperature Mt is at (in this example) or slightly above (more generally) the outer surface temperature at the top of the defined operating temperature range ΔTo. Therefore, if the heating element begins to overheat and exceeds its maximum expected operating temperature, the SMA component begins to change shape. This generates excess heat, which is radiated from the inner body and causes the temperature of the SMA component to increase. The shape change of the SMA component continues as the temperature increases until the austenite temperature At is reached, at which the SMA assumes its second shape. The outer shell and the inner body are now separated by a distance sufficient to protect the outer shell from excessive temperature increases caused by exposure to overheating from the inner body. The increased spacing provides protection within a protected temperature range ΔTp, within which the heater continues to generate excess heat that would otherwise, in the absence of the SMA component, cause the outer surface of the steam supply system to become uncomfortably or dangerously hot. The protected temperature range extends upward from the austenite temperature and may include temperatures such as 48°C or 50°C at which the outer housing would be too hot to hold. However, by separating the outer housing from the inner housing through the SMA component, the outer housing is protected from reaching these high temperatures. When a double-effect shaped metal alloy is used for the SMA component, the process is reversed as the inner body and therefore the SMA component begins to cool, and the SMA component begins to change back to the first shape when it reaches the austenite temperature.

[0052] The austenite temperature At can be defined as the threshold temperature at which the SMA component assumes its second shape. The alloy for the SMA component can be selected so that the austenite temperature corresponds to a temperature at which, if the outer shell is not separated from the inner body, the temperature of the outer shell can begin to rise to a temperature higher than the maximum acceptable external temperature that is considered safe and comfortable for the steam supply system. Purely as an example, the temperature may be around 48°C, so the threshold temperature can be selected to be no higher than 48°C. Therefore, when the maximum acceptable temperature is reached, the SMA component will fully assume the second shape and place the outer body in a position with reduced high temperature risk. By making the austenite temperature lower than the maximum acceptable temperature (for example, at about 45°C), a margin can be introduced. As described above, if the external temperature of the steam supply device is designed to be in the range of 25°C to 35°C during normal operation, then in some examples, the threshold temperature can therefore be in the range of 35°C to 45°C, although threshold temperatures outside this range are not excluded, and according to the design of the steam supply system, it is obvious to the technician. It is intended that the threshold temperature at which the SMA member assumes the second shape is a temperature above which it is desirable to protect the user from the external temperature of the steam supply system that the user may consider too hot to hold comfortably. Typically, the threshold temperature is selected so that the SMA shape change occurs between the external housing being at a comfortable temperature for use of the steam supply system and the external housing reaching a temperature that is uncomfortable for the user.

[0053] The shape change is not an instantaneous effect; rather, there is a temperature range between the martensite temperature Mt (below which the SMA component has a first shape) and the austenite temperature At (above which the SMA component has a second shape) within which the shape change occurs. Figure 3 The hash area in the .

[0054] A variety of shape memory alloys with a range of properties are known. In particular, the properties that can vary between different SMAs are the value of the martensite temperature and the value of the austenite temperature. Therefore, the SMA of the shape memory alloy component should be selected with reference to the expected outer surface temperature of the steam supply system during normal operation and the maximum acceptable surface temperature perceived. The selection of SMA should be such that the shape change from the first shape to the second shape begins at a temperature at the upper end of the expected range of the normal outer surface temperature, thereby maintaining the first spatial relationship between the inner body and the outer shell under normal operating conditions and thus maintaining the expected external shape and appearance of the steam supply system. However, excessive heat accumulation will occur quickly, especially in the heated tobacco steam supply system, so it is preferred to complete the shape change (the second spatial relationship is in place) within a small temperature range. Therefore, under normal operation, the martensite temperature is preferably at or only slightly above the maximum expected external temperature of the steam supply system, and the austenite temperature is preferably not substantially higher than the martensite temperature. For example, an SMA having a difference of no more than 5°C, or no more than 7.5°C, or no more than 10°C between the martensite temperature and the austenite temperature can be used.

[0055] Examples of suitable shape memory alloys include CuZnAl (two-way effect SMA), NiTi (two-way effect SMA) and NiAl (one-way effect SMA). Other SMAs are not excluded and may be used as preferred. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the alloy formulation of the SMA may be modified and a component made of the SMA may be trained to achieve a shape transition at a desired temperature or within a desired temperature range.

[0056] Figure 4A A highly schematic transverse cross-sectional view of an exemplary steam supply system according to the present disclosure is shown. The steam supply system 10 is a heated tobacco steam supply system, such as Figure 1. Thus, the steam supply system comprises a battery 5, a cavity 11 for accommodating a tobacco rod (not shown), and a heater 4, the steam supply system having a detachable or inseparable cigarette cartridge and a power component, in this example, the heater is arranged to surround the cavity for heating the tobacco portion of the tobacco rod received in the cavity 22. The internal structure of the steam supply system defines an internal body 16, in which the heater 4 is located, and thus heat is generated in the internal body during operation of the steam supply system. An external shell 15 is arranged around the internal body 16. The external shell 15 may include one or more layers (not shown). The external shell may be defined as a cover or a receptacle in which the internal components of the steam supply system 10 are arranged, or the external shell may be simply an external shell or outer layer of an external surface that provides a desired visual effect, a touch, and a generally desired appearance. There is a small space 19 between the outer surface of the internal body 16 and the inner surface of the external shell 15. The space 19 may be an air gap to provide an insulating effect to limit the transfer of heat from the internal body 16 to the external shell. Alternatively, the space 19 may be filled with an insulating material.

[0057] A plurality of (four in this example) SMA components 18 are arranged in the space 19. The SMA components 18 are constructed and arranged so that in their second shape, they have an increased size along the width direction of the space 19 (in other words, along the direction between the inner body 16 and the outer shell 15). The SMA components 18 are spaced at certain intervals around the periphery of the inner body 16. These SMA components may be mounted on the outer surface of the inner body 16, the inner surface of the outer shell 15, or both. Preferably, the SMA components 18 are in contact with the inner body for the purpose of heat conduction, but this is not required, and when the air or material in the space 19 is heated by the inner body 16, the SMA components may be heated by exposure to the air or material in the space. Figure 4A , the steam supply system 10 is shown in a normal operating state, in which the heater 4 generates only the expected amount of heat, or in a non-operating state, in which the heater 4 is turned off. Therefore, the SMA member 18 is at a temperature below its threshold temperature and is in its first shape. The first shape holds the outer shell 15 and the inner body 16 in their first spatial relationship, giving the expected general configuration of the steam supply system.

[0058] Figure 4B Also shown in highly schematic transverse cross-section is the heater after it has generated excess heat which is transferred to the outer surface of the inner body 16. Figure 4A1. An exemplary steam supply system 10 of FIG. 1. The SMA components 19 have been heated by the excess heat and have reached their threshold temperature. Therefore, the SMA components 19 have changed to their second shape, in which these SMA components have an increased dimension in the width of the space 19. The increased dimension exceeds the width of the space in the first spatial relationship, so the SMA components act on the inner surface of the outer shell 15 and move the outer shell outward. The width of the space 19 increases, and the inner body 16 and the outer shell 15 are placed in their second spatial relationship. The outer shell 15 is now spaced outwardly from the inner body 16 by a greater distance than in the first spatial relationship. The increased spacing or spacing reduces the heat transfer from the inner body 16 to the outer shell 15 and prevents the temperature of the outer shell from increasing excessively. Therefore, the outer surface temperature of the outer shell can be limited to a safe and comfortable temperature for a user holding the steam supply system.

[0059] The relatively small spacing between the inner body and the outer shell is sufficient to limit the external temperature rise. For example, in the second spatial relationship, the outer shell can be spaced outwardly from the inner body at a distance in the range of only 1mm to 2mm. Small space or gap minimizes the changes in the external shape and appearance of the steam supply system caused by temperature protection, and may therefore be more easily accepted by users. However, larger spaces are not excluded, and larger spaces may be considered more suitable because a higher level of protection is provided. Therefore, in the second spatial relationship, the space can have a width of up to 5mm, such as in the range of 1mm to 5mm or 2mm to 5mm or 3mm to 5mm. However, spaces with a width exceeding 5mm are not excluded.

[0060] The size of the space may also be considered in terms of its increase from the first spatial relationship to the second spatial relationship, rather than the absolute size of the space. A small increase is sufficient to provide useful thermal protection without significantly disrupting the look and feel of the steam supply system. Thus, in the second spatial relationship, the outer shell may be spaced outwardly from the inner body by at least 1 mm more than in the first spatial relationship. In a case where there is a space between the inner body and the outer shell, the space may be spaced outwardly from the inner body by at least 1 mm more than in the first spatial relationship. Figure 4A In a design of the invention, this can be described as the outer shell being spaced outwardly from the inner body by a first distance in a first spatial relationship, and the outer shell being spaced outwardly from the inner body by a second distance greater than the first distance in a second spatial relationship. In some examples, the second distance can be at least 1 mm greater than the first distance. However, a smaller separation can still be useful to provide some thermal protection while minimizing external changes to the steam supply system, and thus in other examples, the second distance can be at least 0.5 mm greater than the first distance.

[0061] like Figure 4AAs shown, in the first spatial relationship, the presence of a space between the inner body and the outer housing can provide some thermal protection at normal operating temperatures by interrupting heat transfer from the operating heater to the outer housing. However, this is not required, and in other examples (not shown), the inner surface of the outer housing can be partially or completely in contact with the outer surface of the inner body. In this design, the SMA component can be received in a groove formed in the outer surface of the inner body or the inner surface of the outer body.

[0062] exist Figure 4A and Figure 4B In the exemplary steam supply system shown, the change of the SMA component to the second shape causes the outer shell to move outward from the inner body to achieve a second spatial relationship. This can be achieved by forming the outer shell at least partially by a flexible, elastic or elastic material. In this way, the SMA component will push the outer shell away from the inner body in an outward direction, and the outer shell can be twisted, deformed, stretched or expanded to move outward into the second spatial relationship. When the SMA component recovers its first shape, the outer shell can shrink or not deform to restore its size and shape in the first spatial relationship, thereby restoring the external size and shape of the steam supply system. As described above, the outer shell can include silicone, but other suitable materials are obvious to technicians, such as but not limited to polycarbonate, polypropylene, thermoplastic elastomer, aluminum, copper and stainless steel. More than one such material can be used to make different parts of the outer shell.

[0063] However, it is contemplated that in other designs, the opposite arrangement is also possible. If the inner body is arranged or configured to be movable within the outer housing, the SMA member can be configured to push the inner body away from a portion of the outer housing to increase the width of the space when it assumes the second shape. Then, when the SMA member returns to its first shape, the inner body returns to its original position.

[0064] In order to produce the desired increased spacing between the inner body and the outer shell, the entire outer shell does not need to be spaced outwardly from the inner body. When the second spatial relationship is assumed, one or more portions of the outer shell can only be spaced outwardly. For example, according to the first spatial relationship, one or more portions of the outer shell covering the inner body can be further spaced from the inner body, while other portions of the outer shell remain unchanged. The inner body, which is a part that generates heat in the steam supply system, does not need to occupy all of the space within the outer shell, in which case it may not be necessary to space all of the outer shell outwardly from the inner body. Generally speaking, in the second spatial relationship, at least a portion of the outer shell is spaced farther outwardly from the inner body than in the first spatial relationship.

[0065] Figure 5A1 shows a highly schematic cross-sectional view of another exemplary steam supply system according to the present disclosure. The steam supply system 10 is substantially the same as the steam supply system 10 except that it includes only two SMA components 18. Figure 4A The two SMA members 18 are located between the inner body 16 and the outer housing 15, at the portion of the inner body where the heater 4 is closer to the surface of the inner body, where the heat generation is highest. No SMA members are included around the portion of the inner body 165 that contains the battery, because heat is not directly generated around that portion. In some interpretations, the inner body 16 can be considered to not include the battery and its surroundings, but only those internal portions at and around the heater 4. Figure 5A In FIG. 1 , the SMA member 18 has its first shape.

[0066] Figure 5B The steam supply system 10 is shown in its second spatial relationship and the SMA member 18 is in its second shape. Because the SMA member 18 is assembled near the heater 4, the portion of the outer shell 15 that only covers the area of ​​the inner body 16 containing the heater 4 moves outward to create a larger space for the second spatial relationship.

[0067] In the previous example, the SMA component is arranged between the outer shell and the inner body. Any suitable number of SMA components can be used to produce a desired separation configuration between the outer shell and the inner body. The interval does not need to have a constant width. For example, a larger space can be provided at a position closer to the heater, where heat generation will be maximum. For two or more SMA components, the SMA components can be evenly distributed around the periphery of the inner body according to the desired shape of the space in the second spatial configuration, or can be unevenly distributed. The SMA components can be the same as each other, or can be different. For example, the second shape of one or more components can give an extended dimension larger than the extended dimension of other components, so as to move the outer shell outward a greater distance at the position of the SMA component or these SMA components. The width of the space can also be customized in this way, for example, making some places wider than other places. In some examples, a single SMA component can be sufficient to produce a space in the second spatial configuration, which is sufficient to limit the heating of the outer shell to a safe or comfortable temperature. Generally, any number, arrangement and position of SMA components can be used, and when the SMA component changes to its second shape, the SMA component produces the required increased distance between the inner body and the outer shell.

[0068] As mentioned above, this concept is not limited to heated tobacco vapor supply systems, and can also be applied to vapor supply systems based on atomizers. In such systems, the external temperature rise is usually not very significant, but the concept can still be applied as a safety measure.

[0069] Figure 6 A highly schematic transverse cross-sectional view of another exemplary steam supply system according to the present disclosure is shown. In this example, the steam supply system 10 is a system based on an atomizer. An internal body 16 includes an annular reservoir 3. An atomizer including a core 6 surrounded by a coil heater 4 is arranged across the central void of the annular reservoir, and each end of the core 6 extends into the interior of the reservoir 3 to absorb a liquid aerosolizable substrate material. As in the previous example, the steam supply system 10 includes an outer shell 15 enclosing the internal body 16. Four SMA components 18 are arranged around the periphery of the internal body 16 in the space between the internal body 16 and the outer shell 15 so as to allow the spatial relationship between the internal body 16 and the outer shell 15 to change from the first spatial relationship depicted to a second spatial relationship (not shown), in which the outer shell 15 is spaced outwardly from the internal body 16 by a greater distance, as previously described.

[0070] One or more SMA components can be configured to have any first shape and second shape corresponding to an appropriately sized increase in the size of the SMA component along the direction separating the inner body and the outer shell. Depending on the configuration selected for the SMA component, size increases may also occur in other directions. Some examples will now be described. However, these are by no means limiting, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other first shapes and second shapes can be readily employed that will produce the desired movement of the outer shell and / or the inner body to increase the spacing.

[0071] Fig. 7A A schematic side view of a first example of a suitable SMA component is shown. In this example, the SMA component 18 has the form of a coil spring or helical spring. In the first shape, the coil spring has its turns wound at a first smaller pitch, which first smaller pitch corresponds to a shorter length or height S1 of the coil spring. When the coil spring is heated, the coil spring transforms into a second shape indicated by the arrow. The coil spring now has its turns wound at a second larger pitch, giving the coil spring a larger length or height S2. Coil springs formed from shape memory alloys are readily available and can therefore be conveniently selected for the shape currently proposed.

[0072] In other examples, the SMA member may have a simpler bend or kink form that increases the size of its second shape by reducing the amount of bend or kink. The following are some possibilities.

[0073] Figure 7BA schematic side view of a second example of a suitable SMA component is shown. The SMA component 18 includes two straight arm portions connected at an angled joint having an angle magnitude θ. In a first shape, the angle θ is small, so that the arms are close together, and the SMA component 18 has a small height S1. When heated, the transition to the second shape opens the angled joint to a larger value of θ, so the arms pivot further away from each other, and the SMA component assumes a larger height S2.

[0074] Figure 7C A schematic side view of a third embodiment of a suitable SMA component is shown. The SMA component 18 is similar to Figure 7B However, in this case, the two arm portions are curved or arcuate rather than straight, but are again connected at an angled joint having an angle of magnitude θ. Thus, the SMA member 18 has a form similar to that of a leaf spring. Figure 7B As in the example of , in the first shape, the angle θ is small, the arms are close and the height S1 is small. The transition to the second shape increases the angle θ of the joint to give the SMA member 18 a large height S2.

[0075] Fig.7D A schematic side view of a fourth example of a suitable SMA component is shown. In this example, the SMA component 18 in its first shape has the form of a bent rod or bar, with a corresponding height S1 given by the spacing of its two ends. When heated, the change to the second shape reduces the curvature of the rod until the rod is straight, now with a correspondingly larger height S2, because the ends of the rod are now separated by the entire length of the rod. Other second shapes in which the rod is only partially straightened are further alternatives.

[0076] While various shapes and configurations of SMA components have been described herein, alternatives that perform the same function will be apparent to the skilled artisan and are not excluded.

[0077] In summary, in order to solve various problems and advance the art, the present disclosure shows various embodiments of the claimed invention by way of illustration. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are only illustrative examples of embodiments, rather than exhaustive and / or exclusive. They are only used to help understand and teach the claimed invention. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and / or other aspects of the present disclosure should not be considered as limitations on the present disclosure defined by the claims or limitations on the equivalents of the claims, and other embodiments may be utilized and may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims. Various embodiments may appropriately include various combinations of disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, devices, etc., other than those specifically described herein, and are composed of or substantially composed of the elements, components, features, parts, steps, devices, etc. The present disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. A steam supply system, comprising: External housing; an inner body located within the outer shell and generating heat in the inner body during operation of the steam supply system; as well as At least one shape memory alloy component is capable of changing between a first shape and a second shape, wherein the first shape places the outer shell and the inner body in a first spatial relationship, and the second shape places the outer shell and the inner body in a second spatial relationship, and in the second spatial relationship, at least a portion of the outer shell is spaced outwardly a greater distance from the inner body than in the first spatial relationship, and when the shape memory material component is heated to a threshold temperature, it assumes the second shape.

2. The steam supply system according to claim 1, wherein: The portion of the outer housing is the portion of the outer housing that covers the inner body.

3. The steam supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The threshold temperature is in the range of 35°C to 45°C.

4. The steam supply system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The threshold temperature is no higher than 48°C.

5. A steam supply system according to any preceding claim, wherein: The at least one shape memory alloy component is heated by heat generated in the inner body during operation of the steam supply system.

6. A steam supply system according to any preceding claim, wherein: In the second spatial relationship, the portion of the outer shell is spaced outwardly from the inner body by a distance in the range of 1 mm to 2 mm.

7. A steam supply system according to any preceding claim, wherein: In the first spatial relationship, the portion of the outer shell is spaced outwardly from the inner body a first distance, and in the second spatial relationship, the portion of the outer shell is spaced outwardly from the inner body a second distance greater than the first distance.

8. The steam supply system according to claim 7, wherein: The second distance is at least 1 mm greater than the first distance.

9. A steam supply system according to any preceding claim, wherein: The at least one shape memory alloy component is formed from examples of potentially suitable SMAs to be completed by the inventors.

10. A steam supply system according to any preceding claim, wherein: The at least one shape memory alloy component is formed of a two-way effect shape memory alloy configured to recover the first shape from the second shape when the at least one shape memory alloy component is cooled to a temperature below the threshold temperature.

11. A steam supply system according to any preceding claim, wherein: The change of the at least one shape memory alloy to the second shape moves outwardly away from the inner body at the portion of the outer shell.

12. The steam supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The at least one shape memory alloy component is disposed between the outer shell and the inner body.

13. The steam supply system according to claim 12, wherein: The at least one shape memory alloy component includes a plurality of shape memory alloy components disposed between the outer shell and the inner body.

14. The steam supply system according to claim 12, wherein: The plurality of shape memory alloy components are disposed around a periphery of the inner body.

15. A steam supply system according to any preceding claim, wherein: The at least one shape memory alloy component is formed as a spring.

16. The steam supply system according to claim 15, wherein: The at least one shape memory alloy component is formed as a coil spring.

17. The steam supply system according to claim 15, wherein: The at least one shape memory alloy component is formed as a leaf spring.

18. A steam supply system according to any preceding claim, wherein: The outer housing at least partially comprises an elastic material.

19. A steam supply system according to any preceding claim, wherein: The outer housing is at least partially formed from silicone.

20. A steam supply system according to any preceding claim, wherein: The inner body includes at least one heater.

21. The steam supply system according to claim 20, wherein: The heater is configured to heat a portion of the tobacco.

22. The steam supply system according to claim 20, wherein: The heater is included in an atomizer configured to generate vapor from an aerosolizable base material delivered to the heater from a reservoir in the vapor supply system.

23. The steam supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein: The steam supply system is a heated tobacco steam supply system configured to heat a portion of tobacco received in the inner body.

Images