Aerosol generating device and aerosol generating system

Abstract

The aerosol generating device (12) includes a heating chamber (22) for receiving an aerosol generating substrate (14). The heating chamber (22) includes a proximal end (24), a distal end (26), and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end (24) and the distal end (26). At least one of the proximal end (24) and the distal end (26) is an open end (38) positioned to receive the aerosol generating substrate (14) longitudinally along the longitudinal axis into the heating chamber (22). The heating chamber (22) includes a first chamber wall (28) and a second chamber wall (30) that are movable toward and away from each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between a stationary position and a deflected position in order to change the distance between the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30), and a heater (40) that contacts the outer surface (28a, 30a) of at least one of the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30). In the stationary position, there is a first distance between the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30), and in the deflected position, there is a second distance between the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30) that is greater than the first distance. The first chamber wall and the second chamber wall (28, 30) are configured to move from the stationary position to the deflected position when an aerosol generating substrate (14) is inserted into the heating chamber (22) through an open end (38).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to aerosol generating devices, and more particularly to aerosol generating devices for heating an aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol for a user to inhale. Embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to an aerosol generating system including an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating substrate. The present disclosure is particularly applicable to portable (handheld) aerosol generating devices that can be built-in and operate at low temperatures. Such devices heat the aerosol generating substrate rather than burn it to generate an aerosol for inhalation.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the popularity and use of risk reduction devices or risk modification devices (also known as vaporizers) have grown rapidly as an alternative to the use of traditional tobacco products. Various devices and systems are available that heat or warm an aerosol generating substrate rather than burn it to generate an aerosol for a user to inhale.

[0003] Commercially available risk reduction devices or risk modification devices are generally substrate heated aerosol generating devices, i.e., so-called non-combustion heating devices. This type of device generates an aerosol or vapor by heating an aerosol generating substrate, typically containing moist tobacco leaves or other suitable vaporizable material, which is typically included in an aerosol article, to a temperature in the range of typically 150°C to 350°C in a heating chamber. By heating the aerosol generating substrate to a temperature within this range without burning or combusting the aerosol generating substrate, vapor is generated, which typically cools and condenses to form an aerosol for the user of the device to inhale.

[0004] Aerosol generating substrates that can be used with aerosol generating devices can take various forms, such as elongated cylindrical sticks or flat rectangular parallelepipeds. The form of the aerosol generating substrate often involves a trade-off between convenience, aesthetics, and heating efficiency. To maximize heating efficiency and thereby the energy efficiency of the aerosol generating device, it is necessary to maximize heat transfer from the heater of the aerosol generating device to the aerosol generating substrate, and this disclosure aims to address this need. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, an aerosol generating device is provided which includes a heating chamber for receiving an aerosol generating substrate, the heating chamber is A proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein at least one of the proximal and distal ends is an open end positioned to receive the aerosol generating substrate into the heating chamber in the longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis, To change the distance between the first chamber wall and the second chamber wall, the first and second chamber walls are movable relative to each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, A heater in contact with the outer surface of at least one of the first chamber wall and the second chamber wall. Includes.

[0006] The aerosol generating device is adapted to heat the aerosol generating substrate without burning it, thereby volatilizing at least one component of the aerosol generating substrate and generating vapor, which can cool and condense to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user of the aerosol generating device.

[0007] Generally speaking, vapor is a substance that is in the gaseous phase at temperatures below its critical temperature, meaning that vapor can be condensed into a liquid by increasing its pressure without lowering its temperature, while aerosols are fine solid particles or droplets suspended in the air or another gas. However, it should be noted that in this specification, the terms “aerosol” and “vapor” may be used interchangeably, particularly in reference to the form of inhalable media generated for inhalation by the user.

[0008] The size of the aerosol generating substrate may vary due to manufacturing tolerances and / or shrinkage or expansion during heating. The variable spacing between the first and second chamber walls ensures that the heating chamber can adapt to the size of the aerosol generating substrate, thereby ensuring good contact between the first and second chamber walls and the aerosol generating substrate, and consequently reducing thermal contact resistance. This maximizes heat transfer to the aerosol generating substrate, for example, through conduction from the first and second chamber walls to the aerosol generating substrate, thereby maximizing the energy efficiency of the aerosol generating device. Furthermore, this can reduce hot spots and uneven heating.

[0009] The optional features are described below. These can be applied individually or in any combination with any aspect of this disclosure.

[0010] The first and second chamber walls may be movable toward and away from each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, for example, between a stationary position and a deflected position. This movement changes the distance between the first and second chamber walls. When the first and second chamber walls are in the stationary position, a first distance may exist between them. When the first and second chamber walls are in the deflected position, a second distance may exist between them. The second distance may be greater than the first distance. The act of inserting the aerosol-generating substrate into the heating chamber causes the first and second chamber walls to move from the stationary position to the deflected position due to contact with the aerosol-generating substrate. In other words, when the aerosol-generating substrate is inserted into the heating chamber, it pushes the first and second chamber walls apart. Therefore, the first and second chamber walls are configured to move from a stationary position to a deflected position when an aerosol-generating substrate is inserted into the heating chamber through the open end. Thus, this ensures good contact between the first and second chamber walls and the aerosol-generating substrate. In order to cause this movement (i.e., pushing away) of the first and second chamber walls from the stationary position to the deflected position, the aerosol-generating substrate has a primary dimension (e.g., thickness) that is greater than the first distance between the first and second chamber walls when the first and second chamber walls are in the stationary position.

[0011] The first and second chamber walls may be configured to assume a stationary position when there is no aerosol-generating substrate positioned within the chamber. The first and second chamber walls may be configured to move from the stationary position to a deflected position when an aerosol-generating substrate is inserted into the heating chamber through an open end. The first and second chamber walls may be configured to assume and maintain a deflected position when the aerosol-generating substrate is first positioned within the heating chamber before heating of the aerosol-generating substrate. As already stated, the act of inserting the aerosol-generating substrate into the heating chamber causes the first and second chamber walls to move from the stationary position to the deflected position due to contact with the aerosol-generating substrate, thereby ensuring good contact between the first and second chamber walls and the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0012] The first and second chamber walls may be configured to move to a stationary position when the aerosol-generating substrate is removed from the heating chamber through the open end. Therefore, no additional action is required from the user to return the first and second chamber walls to their initial stationary positions. Thus, a simple act of removing an aerosol-generating substrate, which may be depleted and no longer release enough volatile components to generate an aerosol with the desired properties, ensures that the heating chamber is ready to receive another aerosol-generating substrate.

[0013] The first chamber wall may have a first heating surface, and the second chamber wall may have a second heating surface. The first and second heating surfaces may be arranged facing each other and facing each other. The distance between the first and second heating surfaces may change due to the relative movement of the first and second chamber walls. When the first and second chamber walls are in a stationary position, a first distance may exist between the first and second heating surfaces. When the first and second chamber walls are in a deflected position, a second distance may exist between the first and second heating surfaces. The second distance may be greater than the first distance. The first and second heating surfaces contact the aerosol generating substrate and transfer heat to the aerosol generating substrate by conduction.

[0014] The first and second heating surfaces may be substantially planar. The first and second heating surfaces may be substantially parallel to each other. Therefore, the heater may be configured to heat a substantially planar aerosol generating substrate. The heating chamber may be configured to receive a flat, rectangular parallelepiped aerosol generating substrate between the first and second substantially planar heating surfaces. Therefore, the heating chamber may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and accordingly, the aerosol generating device may have a compact shape and form.

[0015] The heater may be substantially planar. A substantially planar heater may be a thin-film heater. The heater may be a polyimide film heater. In one example, the heating chamber may include a first heater in contact with the outer surface of a first chamber wall, e.g., a first substantially planar heater, and a second heater in contact with the outer surface of a second chamber wall, e.g., a second substantially planar heater. For better control of temperature during use, the use of two heaters may be preferable. In another (and possibly more preferable) example, the heating chamber may include a single heater wrapped around the heating chamber in contact with the outer surfaces of the first and second chamber walls. The use of a single heater, e.g., a thin-film heater wrapped around the heating chamber, can reduce the complexity and cost of the heating assembly.

[0016] The aerosol generating device may include a power source, such as one or more batteries, and a controller.

[0017] The heaters, for example, a first substantially planar heater and / or a second substantially planar heater, may be configured to generate heat using electrical resistance heating. Therefore, the power supply and controller may be connected to the heaters, for example, the first substantially planar heater and / or the second substantially planar heater.

[0018] A heater, for example, a first substantially planar heater and / or a second substantially planar heater, may be configured to generate heat by induction heating. Thus, the heater may include an inductively heatable susceptor, and the aerosol generating device may include a resonant transmitter, for example, an induction coil, arranged to generate an alternating current electromagnetic field for inductively heating the inductively heatable susceptor. The alternating current electromagnetic field penetrates the inductively heatable susceptor and thereby heats the susceptor by the Joule effect, due to the generation of electric eddy currents within the susceptor and, in embodiments in which the susceptor includes a ferromagnetic material, due to magnetic hysteresis losses. The generated heat is transferred, for example, by conduction, from the inductively heatable susceptor to an aerosol generating substrate, thereby generating vapor, which can cool and condense to form an inhalable aerosol.

[0019] The susceptor functions as a resonant receiver and therefore may include an inductively heatable susceptor material. The susceptor material may include, but is not limited to, ferromagnetic materials, including cobalt, iron, nickel, zinc, manganese, and any combination thereof. In other examples, the susceptor material may include other metallic materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, and carbon steel, as well as ceramic materials such as silicon carbide, carbonaceous materials, and any combination of any of the materials described above. In further examples, the susceptor material may include other conductive materials, alloys of conductive materials, or other materials with one or more conductive materials embedded inside. Several factors may contribute to the temperature rise of the susceptor material when an AC electromagnetic field penetrates it, including, but not limited to, the proximity of the susceptor to the resonant transmitter (e.g., the induction coil), the distribution of the magnetic field, the electrical resistivity of the inductively heatable susceptor, the skin effect or depth, hysteresis loss, magnetic susceptibility, and magnetic permeability.

[0020] The first chamber wall may have a first and second longitudinal edge facing each other, which may extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber. The second chamber wall may have a first and second longitudinal edge facing each other, which may extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber. The first and second chamber walls may be connected via their respective first and second longitudinal edges. The heating chamber may include flexible connectors, such as elastic connectors, between the connected first longitudinal edges of the first and second chamber walls, and / or between the connected second longitudinal edges of the first and second chamber walls. These flexible connectors allow relative movement between the first and second chamber walls, and thus allow the distance between the first and second chamber walls to be changed, for example, when an aerosol-generating substrate is inserted into the heating chamber. The flexible connection is an integrated flexible connection in the sense that it is formed not by separate (different) connecting elements connecting the longitudinal edges of the first chamber wall and the second chamber wall, but by, for example, a specific molding or deformation at the longitudinal edges of the first chamber wall and the second chamber wall.

[0021] The flexible connector can be biased into a relaxed configuration. The flexible connector can be configured to transition from a relaxed configuration to a loaded configuration when an aerosol generating substrate is inserted into the heating chamber via its open end. Therefore, no additional action other than inserting the aerosol generating substrate is required of the user. The flexible connector can be configured to apply a compressive force to the aerosol generating substrate positioned in the heating chamber via the first and second chamber walls when the flexible connector is in the loaded configuration. By biasing the flexible connector into a relaxed configuration, the first and second chamber walls are moved to a stationary position when there is no aerosol generating substrate in the heating chamber. Furthermore, the first and second chamber walls are biased toward a stationary position when the aerosol generating substrate is positioned in the heating chamber, thereby applying a compressive force to the aerosol generating substrate positioned in the heating chamber via the first and second chamber walls. This advantageously ensures that good contact and consistent compressive force are maintained between the first and second chamber walls and the aerosol-generating substrate, even if the aerosol-generating substrate shrinks or expands to some extent during heating.

[0022] The compressive force, and consequently the contact pressure between the first and second chamber walls and the aerosol-generating substrate, does not need to be substantial. The thermal contact resistance between the first and second heating surfaces and the aerosol-generating substrate is not linearly proportional to the contact pressure, but usually decreases exponentially as the contact pressure increases. Therefore, contact pressure has a significant effect on thermal contact resistance at low values, meaning that relatively low contact pressure (and thus compressive force) is sufficient to ensure that thermal contact resistance is minimized. Since the compressive force, and consequently the contact pressure, is proportional to the distance by which the first and second chamber walls are displaced from their stationary position to their deflected position when the aerosol-generating substrate is inserted into the heating chamber, it will be understood that the distance by which the first and second chamber walls are displaced does not need to be substantial. This may allow for a simplification of the design of the flexible connection. For example, in the case of an aerosol generating substrate having a thickness of 1 mm to 5 mm, it may be sufficient to displace the first and second chamber walls in such a way that the gap between the first and second chamber walls (more specifically, between the first and second heating surfaces) is increased by a maximum of 2 mm. In the case of an aerosol generating substrate having a preferred thickness substantially equal to 1.4 mm, it may be sufficient to displace the first and second chamber walls in such a way that the gap between the first and second chamber walls (more specifically, between the first and second heating surfaces) is increased by 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm.

[0023] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, an aerosol generating system is provided, and the aerosol generating system is The aerosol generating device described in any one of the preceding paragraphs, Aerosol generating substrate positioned within a heating chamber and Includes, The first chamber wall and the second chamber wall apply a compressive force to the aerosol generating substrate.

[0024] By applying a compressive force to the aerosol generating substrate through the first chamber wall and the second chamber wall, even if the aerosol generating substrate shrinks or expands to some extent during heating, for example, it is ensured that good contact and a consistent compressive force are maintained between the first chamber wall, the second chamber wall, and the aerosol generating substrate.

[0025] The first chamber wall may have a first heating surface. The second chamber wall may have a second heating surface. The first chamber wall and the second chamber wall may be movable towards and away from each other between a stationary position and a deflected position. The aerosol generating substrate has a thickness greater than the distance between the first heating surface and the second heating surface when the first chamber wall and the second chamber wall are in the stationary position. Thus, when the aerosol generating substrate is first inserted into the heating chamber, the aerosol generating substrate pushes the first chamber wall and the second chamber wall apart, moving the first chamber wall and the second chamber wall from the stationary position to the deflected position. By doing so, good contact is achieved between the first chamber wall, the second chamber wall, and the aerosol generating substrate, and this contact can further help hold the aerosol generating substrate within the heating chamber between the first chamber wall and the second chamber wall.

[0026] The proximal end of the heating chamber may be an open end and may have a flared or tapered opening. This can facilitate the insertion of the aerosol generating substrate into the heating chamber when the first chamber wall and the second chamber wall are in the stationary position.

[0027] The first heating surface and the second heating surface are substantially planar, and the aerosol generating substrate can be, for example, a flat rectangular parallelepiped as defined above. Thus, the aerosol generating device can have a compact shape and form. The flat rectangular parallelepiped aerosol generating substrate may include a distal end with a tapered or inclined transverse leading edge. This can facilitate the insertion of the aerosol generating substrate into the heating chamber when the first chamber wall and the second chamber wall are in the stationary position.

[0028] The aerosol-generating substrate may include any type of solid or semi-solid material. Exemplary types of aerosol-generating solids include, for example, powders, granules, pellets, shredded, strands, particles, gels, strips, loose leaves, cut fillers, porous materials, foamed materials, or sheets. The aerosol-generating substrate may include plant-derived materials, particularly tobacco. Advantageously, the aerosol-generating substrate may include reconstituted tobacco, for example, reconstituted tobacco comprising tobacco and any one or more of cellulose fibers, tobacco stem fibers, and inorganic fillers (such as CaCO3). Reconstituted tobacco may include any type of tobacco sheet (paper-like sheet, cast tobacco sheet, corrugated sheet, etc.) in crumpled, folded, and / or rolled complete sheets or sheet fragments, and in oriented aggregate form (e.g., parallel arrangement configuration or weave pattern of substantially identical sheet fragments) or in randomly arranged form (e.g., sheet fragments of various sizes and shapes in bulk mixed form as tobacco cut fillers).

[0029] Therefore, aerosol generating devices may be referred to as "heated tobacco devices," "non-combustion heated tobacco devices," "tobacco product vaporization devices," or "T-vapor" devices, and these are interpreted as devices suitable for obtaining those effects.

[0030] The aerosol generating substrate may contain an aerosol-forming agent. Examples of aerosol-forming agents include polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof, such as glycerin or propylene glycol. In other possible examples, the aerosol-forming agent may include other alcohols, such as ethanol or 1,3-propanediol, or water. Typically, the aerosol generating substrate may contain an aerosol-forming agent content of about 5% to about 50% on a dry weight basis. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate may contain an aerosol-forming agent content of about 10% to about 20%, and optionally about 15%, on a dry weight basis.

[0031] When heated, the aerosol-generating substrate may release volatile compounds. These volatile compounds may include nicotine or flavoring compounds such as tobacco flavorings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0032] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of an aerosol generating device. [Figure 2] This is a schematic perspective view of a substantially planar aerosol generating substrate for use with the aerosol generating device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a part of the aerosol generating device, specifically showing the heating chamber with the roughly planar aerosol generating substrate shown in Figure 2 positioned within it. [Figure 4a] This is a schematic diagram showing the movement of the first and second chamber walls of the heating chamber from a stationary position (Figure 4a) to a deflected position (Figure 4c) while an aerosol generating substrate is inserted into the heating chamber through an open end. [Figure 4b] This is a schematic diagram showing the movement of the first and second chamber walls of the heating chamber from a stationary position (Figure 4a) to a deflected position (Figure 4c) while an aerosol generating substrate is inserted into the heating chamber through an open end. [Figure 4c] This is a schematic diagram showing the movement of the first and second chamber walls of the heating chamber from a stationary position (Figure 4a) to a deflected position (Figure 4c) while an aerosol generating substrate is inserted into the heating chamber through an open end. [Figure 5a] This is a schematic diagram of different examples of flexible connections between the first and second chamber walls of a heating chamber. [Figure 5b] This is a schematic diagram of different examples of flexible connections between the first and second chamber walls of a heating chamber. [Figure 5c] This is a schematic diagram of different examples of flexible connections between the first and second chamber walls of a heating chamber. [Figure 5d] This is a schematic diagram of different examples of flexible connections between the first and second chamber walls of a heating chamber. [Figure 5e] This is a schematic diagram of different examples of flexible connections between the first and second chamber walls of a heating chamber. [Figure 5f] This is a schematic diagram of different examples of flexible connections between the first and second chamber walls of a heating chamber. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0033] Herein, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described merely as examples with reference to the attached drawings.

[0034] Figures 1 to 3 show an aerosol generating system 10 including an aerosol generating device 12 and an aerosol generating substrate 14. The aerosol generating substrate 14 is substantially planar or plate-shaped, meaning that the effective thickness of the aerosol generating substrate 14 is much smaller than the other dimensions. The aerosol generating device 12 is intended to work with the aerosol generating substrate 14, which is shown in more detail in Figure 2, and in particular is intended to heat or warm the aerosol generating substrate 14 to generate a vapor containing one or more volatile components. The vapor can typically cool and condense to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user of the device 12.

[0035] The aerosol generating device 12 includes a device body 16 extending along the device axis Y. The device body 16 includes a mouthpiece 18 and a housing 20 arranged continuously along the device axis Y. The mouthpiece 18 has an outlet 19. According to the example in Figure 1, the mouthpiece 18 and the housing 20 form two different parts. In particular, the mouthpiece 18 is designed to be removablely attached to the housing 20, for example, by being fixed to or received in an insertion opening formed at one end of the housing 20. In this case, the aerosol generating substrate 14 can be inserted into the device 12 when the mouthpiece 18 is removed from the housing 20. According to an alternative example (not shown), the mouthpiece 18 may be displaceable relative to the housing 20 (but not limited to sliding and / or rotatable) from a closed position to an open position in which the aerosol generating substrate 14 can be inserted into the device 12. In another example (not shown), the mouthpiece 18 and the housing 20 can form a single, intrinsic component, i.e., the mouthpiece 18 is not detachable from the housing 20. In this case, the aerosol generating substrate 14 can be inserted into the device 12, for example, through an outlet 19.

[0036] The housing 20 defines the boundaries of the internal space of the device 12, accommodating various elements designed to perform different functions of the aerosol generating device 12. This internal space can accommodate, for example, a power source such as a battery (e.g., a rechargeable battery that may be replaceable) for powering the device 12, a controller including electrical circuits for controlling the operation of the device 12, and a heating chamber 22 for receiving the aerosol generating substrate 14. The housing 20 may further include air passages and / or air inlets for introducing air into the heating chamber 22.

[0037] Referring to Figure 3, the heating chamber 22 is adapted to receive the aerosol generating substrate 14. The heating chamber 22 may form a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape extending along the device axis Y, complementing the shape of the aerosol generating substrate 14. The heating chamber 22 has a proximal end 24, a distal end 26, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end 24 and the distal end 26. In the illustrated example, the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 22 coincides with the device axis Y.

[0038] The heating chamber 22 includes a first chamber wall 28 and a second chamber wall 30 extending along the device axis Y. The heating chamber 22 defines an opening 36 at its proximal end 24. Thus, the proximal end 24 is the open end 38 of the heating chamber 22, which is configured to receive the aerosol generating substrate 14 into the heating chamber 22 in the longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis (or device axis Y).

[0039] The aerosol generating device 12 includes at least one heater 40. In the illustrated example, the aerosol generating device 12 includes two heaters 40, for example, a first planar heater 40a and a second planar heater 40b, but in other (not illustrated) examples, the heater 40 may include a single heater extending (e.g., wrapped) around the heating chamber 22. The heater 40 may be positioned in contact with the outer surfaces 28a, 30a of the corresponding first chamber wall 28 and second chamber wall 30. The heater 40 may be substantially planar and may include a thin-film heater, such as a polyimide film heater, extending substantially over the entire area of ​​the outer surfaces 28a, 30a or along only a portion of the outer surfaces 28a, 30a. In this last case, the portion may form a width substantially equal to the width W of the aerosol generating substrate 14. The heater 40 is preferably a resistance heater powered by a power supply and controlled by a controller of the aerosol generating device 12. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device 12 may include a single heater 40 attached to one of the outer surfaces 28a, 30a of the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 of the chamber. The chamber walls 28, 30 are typically made of a thin conductive material, preferably metal, such as stainless steel, to allow heat to be conducted from the outer surfaces 28a, 30a to the substantially planar first heating surface 28b and the second heating surface 30b. The chamber walls 28, 30 may have a thickness of, for example, 25 μm to 200 μm, and optionally 50 μm to 100 μm. In the illustrated example, the first heating surface 28b and the second heating surface 30b are arranged facing each other and touching each other, thus at least partially defining the internal volume of the heating chamber 22. The aerosol generating substrate 14 is intended to be heated by the heater 40.

[0040] Referring to Figure 2, the aerosol generating substrate 14 is, for example, a flat rectangular parallelepiped extending along the substrate axis X and having external dimensions La × Wa × Da. In a typical example, the length La of the aerosol generating substrate 14 along the article axis X may be in the range of 20 to 45 mm, preferably 25 to 40 mm, more preferably 28 to 36 mm, for example 33 mm; the width Wa may be in the range of 8 to 18 mm, preferably 10 to 16 mm, more preferably 10 to 14 mm, for example 12 mm; and the thickness Da may be in the range of 1 to 5 mm, preferably 1 to 3 mm, more preferably 1 to 2 mm, for example 1.4 mm. According to a different example, the values ​​La, Wa, and Da can be selected within, for example, a range of ±40. According to another example of the present invention, the aerosol generating substrate 14 may have any other suitable flat plate shape and / or external dimensions.

[0041] When positioned within the heating chamber 22, the aerosol generating substrate 14 remains in a flat plate shape.

[0042] The aerosol-generating substrate 14 typically includes an aerosol-generating material such as cigarette. The aerosol-generating substrate 14 may be surrounded by a wrapper 42 extending around the article axis X. The wrapper 42 may include, for example, paper and / or nonwoven fabric and / or aluminum foil. The wrapper 42 may be porous or air-impermeable.

[0043] When the aerosol generating substrate 14 is positioned within the heating chamber 22, the main surfaces of the aerosol generating substrate 14 (the upper and lower surfaces in Figure 2) are in contact with the corresponding first heating surfaces 28b and second heating surfaces 30b of the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30. The distal end of the aerosol generating substrate 14 is typically positioned at the distal end 26 of the heating chamber 22.

[0044] The first chamber wall 28 has first and second longitudinal edges 28c, 28d extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 22 (and thus the device axis Y). The second chamber wall 30 also has first and second longitudinal edges 30c, 30d extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 22 (and thus the device axis Y). The first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 are connected via their respective first longitudinal edges 28c, 30c and second longitudinal edges 28d, 30d, as is best seen in Figure 3. The heating chamber 22 includes an integrated flexible connector 44, such as an elastic connector, between the connected first longitudinal edges 28c, 30c of the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30, and between the connected second longitudinal edges 28d, 30d of the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30. These integrated flexible connectors 44 allow the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 to move relative to each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (and thus the device axis Y), thereby changing the distance S between the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30, particularly between the first heating surface 28b and the second heating surface 30b. Although two flexible connectors 44 are shown in the illustrated example, a single flexible connector 44 can be provided between the first longitudinal edges 28c, 30c of the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30, or between the second longitudinal edges 28d, 30d of the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30. The other ends of the first longitudinal edges 28c, 30c of the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30, and the other ends of the second longitudinal edges 28d, 30d of the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30, can be connected by rigid connectors such as side walls.

[0045] The flexible connector 44 is biased into a relaxed configuration. This is the configuration shown in Figure 4a when there is no aerosol generating substrate 14 positioned within the heating chamber 22. In this relaxed configuration, the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 are in a stationary position with a first gap between the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30, more specifically, with a first gap S1 between the first heating surface 28b and the second heating surface 30b. The flexible connector 44 is configured to transition from a relaxed configuration to a loaded configuration when the aerosol generating substrate 14 is inserted into the heating chamber 22 through the open end 38, as shown in Figure 4b. This is the configuration shown in Figures 3 and 4c. In this load configuration, the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 are pushed apart by the aerosol generating substrate 14, and are in a deflected position with a second gap between the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30, more specifically, with a second gap S2 between the first heating surface 28b and the second heating surface 30b. The second gap S2 is larger than the first gap S1.

[0046] The aerosol generating substrate 14 has a thickness Da greater than the distance S1 between the first heating surface 28b and the second heating surface 30b when the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 are in their initial stationary positions. Therefore, when the aerosol generating substrate 14 is first inserted into the heating chamber 22, the aerosol generating substrate 14 pushes the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 apart, as is best seen in Figure 4b, moving the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 from the stationary position shown in Figure 4a to the deflected position shown in Figures 3 and 4c, and then shifts the flexible connection portion 44 from a relaxed configuration to a loaded configuration. The heating chamber 22 may have a flared or tapered opening 36, as shown in Figures 4a and 4b, to facilitate the insertion of the aerosol generating substrate 14 into the heating chamber 22. Alternatively or additionally, the transverse leading edge at the distal end of the aerosol generating substrate 14 may be tapered or inclined to facilitate insertion of the aerosol generating substrate 14 into the heating chamber 22.

[0047] For example, in the case of an aerosol generating substrate 14 having a thickness Da of 1 mm to 5 mm, the displacement of the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30, which increases the gap between the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 (more specifically, between the first heating surface 28b and the second heating surface 30b) by up to 1 mm, more typically up to 0.5 mm, may be sufficient to achieve good contact between the first heating surface 28b and the second heating surface 30b and the aerosol generating substrate 14, while at the same time allowing the user to insert the aerosol generating substrate 14 into the heating chamber 22 without any malfunction of the aerosol generating substrate 14 caused, for example, crushing or crushing during insertion due to high compressive force. In the case of an aerosol generating substrate 14 having a thickness substantially equal to 1.4 mm, a displacement of the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 that increases the gap between them (more specifically, between the first heating surface 28b and the second heating surface 30b) by 0.025 mm to 0.3 mm is sufficient to achieve good contact between the first heating surface 28b and the second heating surface 30b and the aerosol generating substrate 14, while simultaneously allowing the aerosol generating substrate 14 to be inserted relatively easily.

[0048] Due to the properties of the flexible connector 44, when the flexible connector 44 is in a loaded configuration, it is configured to apply a compressive force F to the aerosol generating substrate 14 positioned within the heating chamber 22 via the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30. This compressive force F is schematically shown by the arrow in Figure 4c. In particular, when the flexible connector 44 is in a loaded configuration, it is biased to return to a relaxed configuration, and therefore to move the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 to a stationary position. It will be understood that when the aerosol generating substrate 14 is not present within the heating chamber 22, the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 are free to return to a stationary position with a first gap S1 between the first heating surface 28b and the second heating surface 30b. However, when the aerosol generating substrate 14 is present in the heating chamber 22, the aerosol generating substrate 14 typically prevents the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 from returning to their stationary positions, and thus a compressive force F is applied to the main surface of the aerosol generating substrate 14. This advantageously ensures that even if the aerosol generating substrate 14 contracts or expands to some extent during heating, good contact and a consistent compressive force are maintained between the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 and the main surface of the aerosol generating substrate 14. This ensures that good heat transfer, for example by conduction, is achieved throughout the session, and the energy efficiency of the aerosol generating device 12 is maximized. The compressive force F applied to the main surface of the aerosol generating substrate 14 is proportional to the distance ΔS (where ΔS = S2 - S1) that changes the direction of the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 when the aerosol generating substrate 14 is inserted into the heating chamber 22 via the open end 38, displacing the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 from a stationary position to a deflected position. As described above, the distance ΔS that changes the direction of the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 does not need to be a considerable distance (1 mm or less, typically 0.5 mm or less).

[0049] Referring to Figures 5a to 5f, the integrally formed flexible connecting portion 44 can be formed in any suitable way, as long as it takes on a relaxed configuration when not biased (due to the absence of the aerosol generating substrate 14 inside the heating chamber 22) and a loaded configuration when biased (due to the presence of the aerosol generating substrate 14 inside the heating chamber 22).

[0050] In the first, second, and third examples shown in Figures 5a to 5c, the flexible connection portion 44 is formed by structural features or deformations in the first longitudinal edges 28c, 30c and / or the second longitudinal edges 28d, 30d that bias the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 to a stationary position when the aerosol generating substrate 14 is not inside the heating chamber 22.

[0051] In the first and second examples shown in Figures 5a and 5b, the flexible connector 44 is substantially V-shaped and protrudes inward into the internal volume of the heating chamber 22. In the first example shown in Figure 5a, the V-shaped flexible connector 44 has three sharp edges. In the second example shown in Figure 5b, the V-shaped flexible connector 44 has three rounded edges. By using sharp or rounded edges, it is possible to control the rigidity of the flexible connector 44. For example, a V-shaped flexible connector 44 with rounded edges may have lower rigidity than a V-shaped flexible connector 44 with sharp edges. Furthermore, by using rounded edges, stress concentration along the edges of the V-shaped flexible connector 44 can also be reduced.

[0052] In the third example shown in Figure 5c, the flexible connector 44 has a first portion that protrudes outward away from the heating chamber 22 and a second portion that protrudes inward into the internal volume of the heating chamber 22. The flexible connector 44 has three rounded edges. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the shape of the flexible connector 44 shown in Figure 5c, and, for example, the radius of curvature of the rounded edges, can be adjusted to achieve optimal rigidity of the flexible connector 44.

[0053] In the fourth example shown in Figure 5d, the flexible connector 44 is formed by a continuous change in the thickness of the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30, resulting in a semi-annular flexible connector 44 of varying thickness that protrudes outward away from the heating chamber 22. The change in thickness can be selected to achieve optimal rigidity of the flexible connector 44.

[0054] In the fifth and sixth examples shown in Figures 5e and 5f, the flexible connection 44 may include one or more regions, such as edges, whose thickness varies discretely to provide optimal, and especially reduced, rigidity of the flexible connection 44.

[0055] In the fifth example shown in Figure 5e, the flexible connector 44 is roughly V-shaped and protrudes outward away from the heating chamber 22. Clearly, the outermost edge of the flexible connector 44 has a reduced thickness, which tends to decrease the rigidity of the flexible connector 44 at this point, thereby reducing the overall rigidity of the flexible connector 44.

[0056] In the sixth example shown in Figure 5f, the flexible connector 44 is substantially V-shaped and protrudes inward into the internal volume of the heating chamber 22. The V-shaped flexible connector 44 has rounded edges and is therefore similar to the V-shaped flexible connector 44 described above with reference to Figure 5b. In contrast to Figure 5b, the two outermost edges of the flexible connector 44 have reduced thickness, which tends to reduce the rigidity of the flexible connector 44 at these points and thereby reduce the overall rigidity of the flexible connector 44.

[0057] The examples described above with reference to Figures 5a to 5e are not mutually exclusive, and for example, structural features or deformations, and / or continuous and / or discrete changes in thickness may be used to form the flexible connector 44, and the flexible connector 44 may have any suitable shape or geometric shape. Importantly, the flexible connector 44 biases the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 to the resting position, in particular, so that when inserted into the heating chamber 22 through the open end 38, the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 apply a compressive force F to the aerosol generating substrate 14, and so that when there is no aerosol generating substrate 14 in the heating chamber 22, the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 return to the resting position. Preferred shapes and geometric shapes may also be selected to optimize the airflow through the aerosol generating device 12 when the aerosol generating substrate 14 is positioned within the heating chamber 22, taking into account, for example, the increase or decrease in the cross-sectional area of ​​the internal volume of the heating chamber 22 as the first chamber wall 28 and the second chamber wall 30 move from a stationary position to a deflected position.

[0058] While exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications can be made to those embodiments without departing from the scope of the attached claims. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the exemplary embodiments described above.

[0059] Unless otherwise indicated herein, or unless clearly inconsistent with the context, any combination of any possible variations of the features described above is also included in this disclosure.

[0060] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout this specification and the claims, the words “including,” “contains,” and similar phrases should be interpreted as inclusive, i.e., “including, but not limited to,” and not exclusive or exhaustive.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device (12) including a heating chamber (22) for receiving an aerosol generating substrate (14), wherein the heating chamber (22) A proximal end (24), a distal end (26), and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end (24) and the distal end (26), wherein at least one of the proximal end (24) and the distal end (26) is an open end (38) positioned to receive the aerosol generating substrate (14) into the heating chamber (22) in the longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis, To change the distance between the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30), the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30) are movable toward and toward each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between a stationary position and a deflected position, A heater (40) in contact with at least one outer surface (28a, 30a) of the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30) Includes, In the stationary position, there is a first gap between the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30), and in the deflected position, there is a second gap between the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30), the second gap being larger than the first gap, and the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30) are configured to move from the stationary position to the deflected position when an aerosol generating substrate (14) is inserted into the heating chamber (22) through the open end (38), in the aerosol generating device (12).

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30) are configured to assume the stationary position when there is no aerosol generating substrate (14) positioned within the heating chamber (22).

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30) are configured to take the deflected position and maintain the deflected position when the aerosol generating substrate (14) is first positioned in the heating chamber (22) before the aerosol generating substrate (14) is heated.

4. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30) are configured to move to the stationary position when the aerosol generating substrate (14) is removed from the heating chamber via the open end (38).

5. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first chamber wall (28) has a first heating surface (28b), and the second chamber wall (30) has a second heating surface (30b), and the first heating surface (28b) and the second heating surface (30b) are arranged facing each other and facing each other, and the distance between the first heating surface (28b) and the second heating surface (30b) changes due to the relative movement of the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30).

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5, wherein the first heating surface (28b) and the second heating surface (30b) are substantially planar.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein the first heating surface (28b) and the second heating surface (30b) are substantially parallel to each other.

8. The first chamber wall (28) has a first longitudinal edge (28c) and a second longitudinal edge (28d) that are opposite to each other and extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber (22), The second chamber wall (30) has a first longitudinal edge (30c) and a second longitudinal edge (30d) that are opposite to each other and extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber (22), The first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30) are connected via their respective first longitudinal edges (28c, 30c) and second longitudinal edges (28d, 30d). The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heating chamber (22) includes a flexible connector (44) between the first longitudinal edges (28c, 30c) of the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30) and / or between the second longitudinal edges (28d, 30d) of the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30) to allow the relative movement between the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30) and to change the distance between the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30).

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 8, wherein the flexible connecting portion (44) is an elastic connecting portion.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the flexible connecting portion (44) is biased to a relaxed configuration.

11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, wherein the flexible connecting portion (44) is configured to transition from a relaxed configuration to a loaded configuration when the aerosol generating substrate (14) is inserted into the heating chamber (22) via the open end (38).

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 11, wherein the flexible connecting portion (44) is configured to apply a compressive force to the aerosol generating substrate (14) positioned in the heating chamber (22) via the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30) when the flexible connecting portion (44) is in the load configuration.

13. Aerosol generating system (10), an aerosol generating device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, Aerosol generating substrate (14) positioned within the heating chamber (22) and Includes, The first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30) apply a compressive force to the aerosol generating substrate (14) in an aerosol generating system (10).

14. The aerosol generating system according to claim 13, wherein the first chamber wall (28) has a first heating surface (28b), the second chamber wall (30) has a second heating surface (30b), and the aerosol generating substrate (14) has a thickness (Da) greater than the distance (S1) between the first heating surface (28b) and the second heating surface (30b) when the first chamber wall (28) and the second chamber wall (30) are in the stationary position.

15. The aerosol generating system according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the first heating surface (28b) and the second heating surface (30b) are substantially planar, and the aerosol generating substrate (14) is a flat rectangular parallelepiped.

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