Aerosol generating device and related method of operation

Abstract

The aerosol generating device (10) is configured to operate with a tobacco article (24) and defines an airflow channel (26) extending along a device axis (X-X'). The aerosol generating device (10) includes a mouthpiece (12) and an oven (14) extending along an oven axis (O-O') and configured to receive and heat the tobacco article (24) through an oven opening (28). The oven (14) is rotatable between an active position and a loaded position. The aerosol generating device (10) also includes a switch (16) defining an activation configuration and an inactivation configuration and switchable between these configurations by rotation of the oven (14), and a controller (18) configured to activate a power supply to the oven (14) according to control logic based on the configuration of the switch (16).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device that includes an oven.

[0002] Aerosol-generating devices according to the invention are configured to operate with an aerosol-generating substrate, for example, providing a solid substrate capable of forming an aerosol when heated. Thus, these types of aerosol-generating devices, also known as non-combustion heating devices, are adapted to heat, rather than burn, the substrate by conduction, convection, and / or radiation to generate an aerosol for inhalation. [Background technology]

[0003] The popularity and use of risk reduction or risk modification devices (also known as vaporizers) has grown rapidly in recent years as aids to assist regular smokers who wish to quit smoking traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and rolling tobacco. A variety of devices and systems are available that heat or warm a vaporizable substance, as opposed to burning tobacco in traditional tobacco products.

[0004] Commonly available risk reduction or risk modification devices are substrate-heated aerosol generators or heat-and-burn devices. This type of device typically generates an aerosol or vapor by heating an aerosol substrate, also known as an aerosol-generating substrate, which comprises moist tobacco or other suitable vaporizable material, typically to temperatures ranging from 150°C to 350°C. By heating, rather than burning or combusting, the aerosol substrate releases an aerosol containing the ingredients desired by the user but without the toxic and carcinogenic by-products of combustion and burning. Furthermore, aerosols generated by heating tobacco or other vaporizable material typically do not contain the burnt or bitter taste resulting from combustion and burning, which can be unpleasant to users, and therefore the substrate does not require sugars and other additives typically added to such materials to make the smoke and / or vapor more palatable to users.

[0005] Replacing aerosol substrates, such as tobacco articles, and further vaping with such devices significantly impacts the user experience and therefore needs to be as smooth, intuitive, and easy as possible. Current devices are not entirely satisfactory because they require both complex movement of parts of the aerosol-generating device to attach / detach the tobacco article to / from the device, and the additional action of powering the oven on / off to start / end a vaping session. Current devices are also complicated to clean. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an aerosol generating device that allows smooth, intuitive, and easy replacement of aerosol substrates and further vaping. Another object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device that simplifies cleaning. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to an aerosol generation device configured to operate with a tobacco article and defining an airflow channel extending along a device axis, The aerosol generating device includes a mouthpiece and an oven extending along an oven axis and configured to receive a tobacco article through an oven opening and heat the tobacco article; the oven is rotatable between an operating position in which the oven opening is closed by the mouthpiece and a loading position in which the oven is open for loading a tobacco article; The aerosol generator is - a switch defining a start configuration and a stop configuration and being able to switch between these configurations while the oven is rotating; - a controller configured to activate a power supply to the oven according to control logic based on the configuration of the switch; Further provided are:

[0008] Such an aerosol generating device, in fact, makes it possible to have a device in which tobacco articles can be easily attached and detached, through the use of an oven that can be rotated between an open position and a closed position. Having a rotatable oven is even more particularly advantageous, as it allows easy access to the oven when it is in the loading position, allowing for easy cleaning of the oven, for example, in the event of dust or tobacco article damage in the oven. Furthermore, such a switch and such a controller configured to activate the oven's power supply according to control logic based on the switch's configuration makes it possible to have an easy and intuitive power supply of the oven caused by the oven's displacement, thus making the replacement of tobacco articles and further vaping easy and intuitive.

[0009] According to some embodiments, in the loaded position, the edge of the oven that defines the oven opening protrudes from the side wall of the aerosol generating device.

[0010] This feature allows tobacco articles to be introduced into or removed from the oven without having to move any elements from the aerosol generating device away from the oven. Thus, having an opening protruding from the side wall of the aerosol generating device allows access to the oven directly from the side of the aerosol generating device, for example, without having to remove the mouthpiece of the device.

[0011] According to some embodiments, in the operating position, the oven axis is coincident with the device axis, and in the loading position, the oven axis forms a non-zero angle with the device axis.

[0012] Thanks to this feature, the aerosol generating device is particularly compact when the oven is in its operating position, while the device is easily accessible when the oven is in its loading position.

[0013] According to some embodiments, in the loading position, the angle formed between the oven axis and the device axis is comprised between 10° and 170°, advantageously between 10° and 90°, preferably between 20° and 80°.

[0014] This feature further improves accessibility to the oven when it is in its load position.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device is configured to operate with flat-shaped tobacco articles, and the oven has a flat shape extending within the oven plane.

[0016] Thanks to this feature, the device can be, for example, particularly compact and therefore convenient for the user. Furthermore, a flat-shaped tobacco article can ensure good vapor generation capacity, while at the same time being particularly compact and convenient to store.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the oven is rotatable about a pivot axis perpendicular to the machine axis and the oven plane.

[0018] This feature makes it possible to reduce the outer surface of the device that moves when the oven rotates, especially since the oven rotates perpendicular to the oven plane, which makes it possible to provide a better appearance for the device, but also makes it possible to have more space on the device for mounting actuators or displays.

[0019] According to some embodiments, in the operating position, the air flow channel extends through the oven. For example, the air flow inlet hole can be formed in the end of the oven opposite the opening. Thus, the air flow channel can extend through the tobacco article along the oven axis when the tobacco article is inserted therein. According to another embodiment, the air flow inlet can be formed in the oven opening. In this case, the air flow channel can first extend outside the tobacco article from the oven opening to the opposite end of the chamber, then make a "U" turn and enter and extend through the tobacco article.

[0020] This feature allows the user to vape from the device when it is in its activated position.

[0021] According to some embodiments, the switch is in an activated configuration when the oven is in the load position and in a deactivated configuration when the oven is in the run position.

[0022] This feature allows the switch to be moved to its activated position by simple movement of the oven in the loaded position, and to its deactivated position by simple movement of the oven in the activated position. In certain embodiments, this feature also contributes to increasing the life expectancy of the switch and the device as a whole, since the device is expected to have the oven in its activated position most of the time in such embodiments.

[0023] In some embodiments, the control logic includes activating power to the oven upon toggling the switch from the activated position to the deactivated position if power is not already being applied to the oven.

[0024] Thanks to this feature, the power supply of the oven is automatically activated when the switch is switched from the activated position to the deactivated position, i.e. when the oven is placed in its operating position, which makes the use of the aerosol generating device even more intuitive.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the control logic further includes supplying power to the oven until the vaping session time is completed.

[0026] Thanks to this feature, toggling the switch from the active position to the inactive position, i.e., placing the oven in its active position, not only triggers the start of vaping by turning on the oven, but also allows the oven to be turned on for the vaping time, i.e., to turn off the oven after the vaping session time has ended. Thus, this device further simplifies vaping and makes vaping more intuitive.

[0027] According to some embodiments, the control logic further includes cutting off power to the oven upon toggling of the switch from the stop position to the start position.

[0028] Thanks to this feature, the power supply to the oven is automatically cut off when the switch is switched from the stop position to the start position, i.e., when the oven is placed in its loading position. This not only allows the oven to be shut off in a simple manner, but also improves safety in use, ensuring that the power to the oven is cut off during its loading.

[0029] According to some embodiments, the switch is a mechanical switch, such as a hinge switch, a push button switch, or a rotary switch.

[0030] The use of such mechanical switches is particularly advantageous because such switches are heat resistant and can therefore be located close to the oven.

[0031] According to some embodiments, the switch comprises a magnetic element and is a magnetic switch.

[0032] The use of such a switch is particularly advantageous because it allows contactless switching of the switch, which allows the user to perform smooth switching operations with a simple switch configuration.

[0033] According to some other embodiments, the switch is an optical switch or an infrared switch.

[0034] Such a switch is particularly advantageous because it allows for a very smooth changeover, eg, one that is not even noticeable to the user.

[0035] According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device comprises an insulating layer positioned around the oven.

[0036] Such a feature is particularly advantageous for protecting the components of the equipment surrounding the oven.

[0037] According to some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a user interface unit, and the control logic further depends on instructions received by the user interface unit, e.g., the user interface unit is configured to receive instructions from a user, and the controller is further configured to activate the power supply of the oven according to the control logic based on the instructions received by the interface, e.g.

[0038] Such features allow the logic to better adapt to the user's needs and make the device more intuitive.

[0039] According to some embodiments, the interface unit comprises buttons and / or a touch-sensitive interface.

[0040] Thanks to this feature, the user can easily command the control logic: for example, when the interface unit is equipped with a touch-sensitive interface, a simple touch is sufficient to interact with the control logic.

[0041] The present invention also relates to a method for operating such an aerosol generating device. This method is - rotating the oven to switch between a start configuration and a stop configuration; - controlling the power supply to the oven according to control logic based on the configuration of the switches.

[0042] Such an operation method is particularly advantageous as it allows for the power supply to the oven to be controlled based on a switch configuration, which can be switched by a simple rotation of the oven, making operation of the aerosol generating device particularly simple and intuitive.

[0043] The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the following description given by way of non-limiting example only and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0044] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to the present invention, with the oven in its operating position and the switch in its off configuration. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic diagram of a tobacco article configured to be received in the oven of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3]1 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus of claim 1, with the oven in its loaded position and the switch in its activated configuration. [Figure 4] 2 is a flow chart illustrating steps in the control logic according to which the controller of the apparatus of FIG. 1 is configured to activate the power supply of the oven. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] Before the present invention is described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction set forth in the following description. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0046] As used herein, the terms "aerosol-generating device" or "device" may include a vaping device for delivering aerosol, including aerosol for vaping, to a user using a heater element, as described in more detail below. The device may be portable. "Portable" may refer to a device for use when held by a user. The device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol, e.g., by activating a heater element for various amounts of time (as opposed to a fixed amount of aerosol), which may be controlled by a trigger. The trigger may be activated by a user, such as a vaping button and / or an inhalation sensor. The inhalation sensor may enable the delivery of a variable amount of vapor, sensitive not only to the strength of the inhalation but also to the duration of the inhalation (to mimic the effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article, such as a cigarette, cigar, or pipe). The device may include a temperature regulation control for driving the temperature of the heater and / or heated aerosol-generating material (aerosol precursor) to a specific target temperature and then maintaining the temperature at a target temperature that can efficiently generate aerosol.

[0047] As used herein, the term "aerosol" can include a suspension of vaporizable material, such as one or more of solid particles, liquid droplets, or gas. The suspension can be in a gas, including in air. Aerosol herein generally refers to / can include a vapor. Aerosol can include one or more components of vaporizable material.

[0048] As used herein, the terms "vaporizable material" or "precursor" may refer to smokable material, which may include, for example, nicotine or tobacco and an aerosol-forming agent. The tobacco may take the form of various materials, such as cut tobacco, granulated tobacco, tobacco leaf, and / or reconstituted tobacco. Suitable aerosol-forming agents include polyols (sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols (such as propylene glycol or triethylene glycol)), non-polyols (such as monohydric alcohols), acids (such as lactic acid), glycerol derivatives, esters (such as triacetin), triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, glycerin, or vegetable glycerin. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating agent may be glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol. The substrate may also include at least one of a gelling agent, a binder, a stabilizer, and a humectant.

[0049] 1, the aerosol generating device 10 includes a mouthpiece 12, an oven 14, a switch 16, and a controller 18. The device further includes, for example, an interface unit 20. The device 10 further includes, for example, a body 22. The aerosol generating device 10 is configured to operate with a tobacco article 24, which will be shown in more detail below.

[0050] As can be seen in Figure 1, the aerosol generation device 10 defines an airflow channel 26 that extends along a device axis X-X'. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the aerosol generation device 10 extends along the device axis X-X'. For example, the body 22 defines the device axis X-X'. The body 22 includes, for example, a battery (not shown) and various electronic components (not shown).

[0051] The mouthpiece 12, for example, defines a portion of the airflow channel 26. In other words, the airflow channel 26 extends through the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece 12, among other things, defines an end of the airflow channel 26, and the mouthpiece 12 allows a user of the aerosol generating device 10 to inhale air directed through the airflow channel 26. In some embodiments, a separate mouthpiece 12 is not provided in the device 10, and a portion of the tobacco article 24 forms the mouthpiece.

[0052] 1 and 3, the oven extends along an oven axis O-O' between two ends 30 and 31. End 31 can be completely closed or can define an air flow inlet opening to air flow channel 26. End 32 defines an opening 28 suitable for loading tobacco articles 24. In some embodiments, end 32 can also define an air flow inlet. In this case, the opposite end 31 can be completely closed.

[0053] The opening 28 extends, for example, perpendicular to the oven axis O-O'. The oven 14 is configured to receive the tobacco article 24 through the oven opening 28. That is, a user can insert the tobacco article 24 into the oven 14 or remove the tobacco article 24 from the oven 14 through the opening 28.

[0054] 2, the tobacco article 24 is, for example, flat, e.g., a rectangular parallelepiped of flat shape extending along an article axis XT between an inlet end IN and an outlet end OU, and has external dimensions LxWxH. The consumable article 24 is adapted to direct an airflow from the inlet end IN to the outlet end OU, as will be explained in more detail below. In a typical example, the length L of the article 24 along the article axis XT is substantially equal to 25-35 mm, e.g., 33 mm, while the width W of the article 24 is 8-15 mm, e.g., substantially equal to 12 mm, and the height H is 0.8-2 mm, e.g., substantially equal to 1.2 mm. According to different examples, the values ​​L, W, and H can be selected within a range of, for example, ±40%.

[0055] In the example of FIG. 2 , the consumable article 24 is wrapped in a common wrapper W. In other words, in this example, the wrapper W is formed from a unique sheet that wraps substantially the entire length of the consumable article 24 around the article axis XT. In other examples, the wrapper W extends along only a portion of the length of the consumable article 24. For example, the wrapper W can extend along, and advantageously wrap only, the tobacco substrate of the consumable article 24. According to another example, the wrapper W is formed from two different sheets that separately wrap, for example, the tobacco substrate and the support structure of the consumable article 24. The wrapper W is made from aluminum and / or paper. To prevent liquid absorption, the paper can be coated with an impermeable coating, such as baking paper or backing paper. In some embodiments, if the wrapper W is made from aluminum, it can wrap only the tobacco substrate to prevent condensation and / or vapor leakage. Additionally, aluminum allows for better heat transfer.

[0056] As indicated above, the shape of the tobacco article 24 may be, for example, flat. In such a case, the oven 14 is configured to operate with such flat-shaped tobacco articles. When the oven 14 is configured to accept flat-shaped tobacco articles 24, the oven has, for example, a flat shape. By flat shape, it is understood that, for example, one of the oven's dimensions is at least one-fifth of the other dimensions of the oven 14. When the oven 14 has a flat shape, the oven 14 defines an oven plane P, which is the plane along which the oven 14 is flat. The oven axis O-O' is preferably parallel to the oven plane P.

[0057] The oven 14 is configured to heat the tobacco articles 24. To that end, the oven 14 includes a resistance heating element 33, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, for example. The oven 14 is configured to heat the tobacco articles 24 received therein, particularly at a temperature comprised between 150°C and 350°C. At least some of the walls defining the oven 14 may be in direct contact with the tobacco articles 24, allowing them to be heated by conduction, or at least at a short distance away, allowing them to be heated by convection. According to another embodiment, instead of the resistance heating element 33, the oven 14 includes a coil intended to extend around the tobacco articles 24 when they are inserted into the oven. In this case, heating can be achieved by magnetic interaction of the coil with a susceptor included in the tobacco articles 24.

[0058] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the oven is, for example, rotatable relative to the body 22. In particular, as shown in these figures, the oven 14 is rotatable between an operating position, as shown in Figure 1, and a loading position, as shown in Figure 3. The oven 14 is, in particular, rotatable about, or about, a pivot axis P-P', which is, for example, perpendicular to the machine axis X-X' and the oven plane P.

[0059] 1, when oven 14 is in its operating position, oven opening 28 is closed by mouthpiece 12. When oven 14 is in its operating position, oven 14, for example, defines a portion of air flow channel 26. In other words, air flow channel 26 extends through oven 14. Oven 14, for example, defines a portion of air flow channel 26 adjacent to the portion of air flow channel 26 defined by mouthpiece 12. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in its operating position, oven axis O-O' coincides with apparatus axis X-X'.

[0060] As can be seen in Figure 1, when the oven is in its loading position, the oven opening is open for loading a tobacco article 24. When the oven 14 is in its loading position, an end 30 of the oven 14, which defines the opening 28, protrudes from a side wall 32 of the aerosol generating device. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 3, the side wall 32 is, for example, a wall of the body 22.

[0061] When the oven 14 is in its loading position, the oven axis O-O' preferably forms a non-zero angle A with the device axis X-X'. The angle A formed between the oven axis O-O' and the device axis X-X' is, for example, comprised between 10° and 170°, advantageously between 10° and 90°, and preferably between 20° and 80°.

[0062] Switch 16 defines a run configuration and a stop configuration. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, switch 16 is switchable between these configurations during, i.e., by, rotation of oven 14. In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 3, switch 16 is switchable from its stop configuration to its run configuration by rotation of oven 14 from its operating position to its loading position. Switch 16 is in its stop configuration, for example, when oven 14 is in its operating configuration, and switch 16 is in its run configuration, for example, when oven 14 is in its loading position.

[0063] As will be explained in more detail below, the controller 18 is configured to activate the power supply to the oven 14 according to control logic that is based on the configuration of the switch 16. In certain embodiments, the controller 18 is further configured to activate the power supply to the oven 14 according to control logic that is based on instructions received by the interface unit 20, i.e., the control logic is based on the configuration of the switch and the instructions received by the interface unit 20.

[0064] Switch 16 is, for example, a mechanical switch. In particular, the switch is arranged to cooperate with oven 14 to switch between its activated and deactivated configurations. In particular, in the example of Figures 1 and 3, switch 16 is a push button switch. Such a push button is pressed by oven 14, for example, when the oven is in its loaded position, and such a button is released (i.e., not pressed) when the oven is in its activated position.

[0065] In an embodiment not shown, switch 16 is a hinge switch. An example of such a hinge switch is, for example, one that is pressed on oven 14 when the oven is in its operating position, and one that is released (i.e., not pressed) when the oven is in its load position.

[0066] In an embodiment not shown, the switch 16 is a rotary switch. Such a rotary switch includes at least one switching element, such as a "pogo switch." The tip of such a "pogo switch" is biased toward an extended position, and such a "pogo switch" is activated when the tip of the switch contacts the conductive track to which the "pogo switch" is connected. Such a switch is in its deactivated configuration when the tip of the switch is away from the conductive track. In this embodiment, the conductive track is located on a surface of the oven 14 that extends perpendicular to the pivot axis P-P'. Rotation of the oven 14 about the pivot axis P-P' results in displacement of the tip of the switching element on the surface of the oven on which the conductive track is located, and thus results in activation / deactivation of the switch 16 depending on whether the tip of the switching element is in contact with the conductive track.

[0067] Interface unit 20 comprises, for example, buttons and / or a touch-sensitive surface (not shown). Interface unit 20 is configured to transmit, for example, commands received by a user to controller 18. The commands may be, for example, commands to start oven 14 or to stop oven 14. For example, a command to start or stop oven 14 is generated by pressing a button on the interface unit and / or by tapping or contacting the touch-sensitive surface in a predetermined pattern.

[0068] For example, the controller 18 may comprise an information processing unit, e.g., comprising a memory associated with a processor (not shown). In such a case, the controller may be implemented, for example, in the form of software executable by the processor. The memory may then store control logic based on the configuration of the switch 16 and, in certain embodiments, control software configured to activate the power supply of the oven 16 according to instructions received at the interface unit 20. The processor of the information processing unit may then execute the control software.

[0069] In a variant (not shown), the controller is made in the form of a programmable logic component such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or in the form of a dedicated integrated circuit such as an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), or in the form of any combination of ASIC, FPGA, and / or software.

[0070] In another variant (not shown), the controller 18 is implemented as an analog signal processing device. If the controller is made in the form of one or several software programs, i.e., in the form of a computer program, it can further be stored on a computer-readable medium (not shown). The computer-readable medium is, for example, a medium suitable for storing electronic instructions and can be coupled by a bus of a computer system. By way of example, the readable medium is a ROM memory, a RAM memory, any type of non-volatile memory (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, Flash, NVRAM), a magnetic card, or an optical card. In that case, the computer program including the software instructions is stored on the readable medium.

[0071] The control logic according to which the controller 18 is configured to activate the power supply to the oven 14 includes activating the power supply to the oven 14 upon toggling the switch 16 from the activation position to the deactivation position if power is not already being supplied to the oven 14. Activating the power supply to the oven 14 includes, for example, enabling power to be sent from a battery in the device 10 to the oven 14. The control logic further includes, for example, supplying power to the oven 14 until the vaping session time is complete. Furthermore, for example, the control logic further includes terminating the power supply to the oven 14 upon toggling the switch from the deactivation position to the activation position.

[0072] If the control logic is further based on commands received by the user interface unit 20, said commands can overrun the defined control logic, for example by toggling the switch 16, as will become apparent later.

[0073] An example of the control logic will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 4. In a first logic block 34, the controller 18 executing the control logic verifies whether the apparatus 10 is providing power to the oven 14, i.e., whether power is being supplied to the oven 14. If power is not being supplied to the oven 14, the controller 18 executes a first secondary logic block 36. If power is being supplied to the oven 14, the controller 18 executes a second secondary logic block 38.

[0074] In a first secondary logic block 36, the controller 18 executing the control logic verifies whether the switch 16 is in its startup configuration. If the switch 16 is in its startup configuration, the controller 18 executes a first action block 40. If the switch is not in its startup configuration, the controller 18 executes the first logic block 34.

[0075] In a first action block 40, the controller 18 verifies the configuration of the switch 16. When the switch 16 is switched from its on configuration to its off configuration, the controller controls the activation of the power supply to the oven 14 for a vaping session time. For example, the vaping session time may be configured to be between 2 and 15 minutes, e.g., between 4 and 7 minutes. The controller 18 then executes the first logic block 34 upon activation of the power supply to the oven 14 for the vaping session time.

[0076] In a second secondary logic block 38, the controller 18 executing the control logic verifies whether the switch 16 is in its startup configuration. If the switch 16 is in its startup configuration, the controller 18 executes a second action block 42. If the switch is not in its startup configuration, the controller 18 executes a third action block 44.

[0077] In a second action block 42, the controller 18 controls the power supply to the oven 14 to be cut off. In other words, the controller 18 controls the vaping session to end even if the session time has not yet fully ended. The controller 18 then executes the first logic block 34 upon power supply to the oven 14 being cut off.

[0078] In a third action block 44, the controller 18 controls the vaping session time. Specifically, the controller 18 compares how long the oven 14 has been activated to the vaping session time. The controller 18 then executes the first logic block 34 when controlling the vaping session time. Furthermore, if the vaping session time has not expired, the controller activates the power supply to the oven 14. If the vaping session time has expired, the controller 18 deactivates the power supply to the oven 14.

[0079] As can be seen above, in embodiments not shown, the control logic is further based on instructions received, for example, by the user interface 20. For example, when a corresponding instruction is received at the user interface unit 20, the controller 18 controls activation of the oven 14, for example, for the duration of a vaping session, as described above, even if the previous vaping session has ended. In some particular embodiments, when the controller 18 receives a relevant instruction from the user interface 20, it controls activation of the oven 14 as long as the switch is in its deactivation configuration, i.e., as long as the oven is in its activation position. For example, when the controller 18 receives a corresponding instruction at the user interface 20, it controls deactivation of the oven 14 regardless of the configuration of the switch 16.

[0080] A method of operating the above-described aerosol generating device 10 will now be described. In a first step, the switch 16 is switched between an active configuration and an inactive configuration by rotating the oven 14. In a second step, the power supply to the oven 14 is controlled according to control logic based on the configuration of the switch 16.

Claims

1. An aerosol generation device (10) configured to operate with a flat-shaped tobacco article (24) and defining an airflow channel (26) extending along a device axis (X-X'), comprising: The aerosol generating device (10) comprises: A mouthpiece (12); an oven (14) extending along an oven axis (O-O') and configured to receive the tobacco article (24) through an oven opening (28) and heat the tobacco article (24); Equipped with The oven (14) has a flat shape extending in an oven plane (P), the oven (14) is rotatable between an operating position in which the oven opening (28) is closed by the mouthpiece (12) and a loading position in which the oven (14) is open for loading a tobacco article (24); The aerosol generating device (10) comprises: a switch (16) defining an activation configuration and an inactivation configuration and switchable between these configurations by rotation of the oven (14); a controller (18) configured to activate a power supply to the oven (14) according to control logic based on the configuration of the switch (16); Further provided with An aerosol generating device (10).

2. In the loaded position, an end of the oven (30) defining the oven opening (28) protrudes from a side wall (32) of the aerosol generating device (10).

2. The aerosol generating device (10) of claim 1.

3. In the operating position, the oven axis (O-O') coincides with the device axis (X-X'); In the loaded position, the oven axis (O-O') forms a non-zero angle (A) with the machine axis (X-X').

3. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the angle (A) formed between the oven axis (O-O') and the machine axis (X-X') in the loading position is comprised between 10° and 170°, advantageously between 10° and 90°, and preferably between 20° and 80°; 4. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 3.

5. the oven (14) is rotatable about a pivot axis (P-P') perpendicular to the machine axis (X-X') and to the oven plane (P); An aerosol generating device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. In the operating position, the air flow channel (26) extends through the oven (14). An aerosol generating device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The switch (16) When the oven (14) is in the loading position, it is in the start-up configuration; When the oven (14) is in the operating position, it is in the stopped configuration. An aerosol generating device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. the control logic comprising activating the power supply to the oven upon switching of the switch from the activation position to the deactivation position if the oven is not already powered; 8. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 7.

9. The control logic further comprises powering the oven (14) until a vaping session time is completed.

9. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 8.

10. the control logic further comprising cutting off the power supply to the oven upon switching of the switch from the off position to the on position.

10. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 8 or 9.

11. The aerosol generating device (10) further comprises a user interface unit (20); The control logic is further dependent on instructions received by the user interface unit (20). An aerosol generating device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A method for operating an aerosol generating device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the steps of: switching a switch (16) between an activated configuration and an inactivated configuration by rotating the oven (14); controlling the power supply to the oven (14) according to control logic based on the configuration of the switch (16); A method comprising:

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