Aerosol Generator

Abstract

An aerosol generating device includes a chamber, a housing, and a cover. The chamber is adapted to receive a consumable product. The housing houses the chamber and includes an opening through which the consumable product can be removed from the chamber. The cover is configured to move between an open position in which the opening in the housing is exposed and a closed position in which the opening in the housing is closed. The aerosol generating device is adapted to produce an inhalable vapor from the consumable product. The cover includes one or more detachment elements adapted to detach the consumable product when the cover moves from the closed position to the open position, weakening the attachment between the chamber and the consumable product and allowing the consumable product to be partially expelled from the chamber without being attached to the cover.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system including an aerosol generating device and a consumable. [Background technology]

[0002] Aerosol generating devices such as electronic cigarettes are relatively well known and have become increasingly popular with consumers in recent years. The common operating principle for such electronic cigarettes is to heat a consumable product without combustion to provide the user with an aerosol (also called vapor) for inhalation. Examples of such consumable products include a charge of tobacco material or a liquid capsule containing flavor ingredients and an active ingredient such as nicotine.

[0003] The aerosol generating device often includes a heater, a power source for supplying electricity to the heater, and a container such as a heating chamber for receiving the consumable near the heater so that the consumable can be heated to emit a vapor for inhalation.

[0004] In recent years, the demand for multiple-use aerosol generating devices has exceeded the demand for disposable devices that are disposed of after use. Because the consumables can only provide the necessary active or flavor ingredients for a limited heating duration before these ingredients are consumed, the consumables must be replaced in multiple-use devices. This is generally achieved by removing the consumed consumables from the heating chamber and replacing them with new consumables.

[0005] However, such aerosol generating devices and systems have several drawbacks. In particular, replacing the consumables is often an inconvenient process for the user, given the size of the components and the need to manipulate and properly orient the aerosol generating device while removing the used consumable and replacing it with a new one. This process must be performed periodically, which exacerbates the problem.

[0006] In particular, the consumable may be difficult to remove from the heating chamber because it is attached to the heating chamber. This attachment may include friction between the heating chamber and the consumable, for example, if an interference fit between the chamber and the consumable occurs. Additionally or alternatively, the attachment may include a bond that is formed between the consumable and the chamber when the consumable is heated in the chamber. For example, the consumable may thermally expand when heated, making it more difficult to remove the consumable after use than it is to insert the consumable for use. As another example, heating the consumable may create or release a sticky substance, such as tar, that causes the consumable to adhere to the heating chamber. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] There is therefore a need to provide an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system that addresses one or more of these shortcomings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, the aerosol generating device includes a chamber, a housing, and a cover. The chamber is adapted to receive a consumable. The housing contains the chamber and includes an opening through which the consumable can be removed from the chamber. The cover is configured to move between an open position in which the opening in the housing is exposed and a closed position in which the opening in the housing is closed. The aerosol generating device is adapted to generate an inhalable vapour from the consumable. The cover includes one or more detachment elements adapted to detach the consumable when the cover moves from the closed position to the open position such that an attachment between the chamber and the consumable is weakened and the consumable is partially expelled from the chamber without being attached to the cover.

[0009] Optionally, the attachment comprises friction between the consumable and the chamber and / or a bond formed between the consumable and the chamber when the consumable is heated within the chamber.

[0010] Optionally, the open position is configured to allow a new consumable to be inserted through the opening, and the closed position is configured to allow a user to operate the aerosol generating device to generate and inhale inhalable vapour from the consumable.

[0011] Optionally, the one or more detachment elements include two or more detachment elements.

[0012] Optionally, the removal element is adapted to engage a flange portion of the consumable.

[0013] Optionally, the removal element is a snap-fit ​​connector.

[0014] Optionally, the one or more removal elements each include an engagement member configured to move substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the cover to form a snap-fit ​​connection.

[0015] Optionally, the engagement member is a resilient member.

[0016] Optionally, the cover includes a resilient seal arranged such that the resilient seal contacts a flange portion of the consumable when the cover is in the closed position.

[0017] Optionally, the aerosol generating device includes a sensor arranged to detect when the cover is pressed against the housing, and the resilient seal is arranged to bias the cover away from the housing.

[0018] Optionally, the aerosol generating device further comprises a control circuit configured to control the aerosol generating device to begin generating inhalable vapour when the sensor detects that the cover has been pressed against the housing.

[0019] Optionally, the cover is attached to the housing in the open position.

[0020] Optionally, the cover is attached to the housing by a hinge.

[0021] Optionally, the hinge includes a detent shaft configured to stabilize the cover in each of the open and closed positions.

[0022] Optionally, the hinge includes a torsion spring and the cover or housing includes a magnet, the torsion spring configured to bias the cover toward the open position and the magnet configured to hold the cover in the closed position.

[0023] Optionally, the one or more release elements are each positioned partially opposite the hinge.

[0024] Optionally, a first removal element of the one or more removal elements is positioned such that when the first removal element removes the consumable, the consumable is located between the first removal element and the hinge.

[0025] Optionally, the aerosol generating device is elongated along a longitudinal direction and the hinge is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0026] Optionally, the cover includes a mouthpiece and a flow passage through which inhalable vapour can flow.

[0027] Optionally, the housing includes an abutment surface against which the cover can abut, the surface including the opening, and the chamber is recessed within the housing relative to the abutment surface.

[0028] Optionally, the removal element is positioned to extend through the opening when the cover is in the closed position. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a detachment process in an aerosol generating device. [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a detachment process in an aerosol generating device. [Figure 2C] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a detachment process in an aerosol generating device. [Figure 2D] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a detachment process in an aerosol generating device. [Figure 2E] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a detachment process in an aerosol generating device. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a removal element in an aerosol generating device. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a removal element in an aerosol generating device. [Figure 3C] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a removal element in an aerosol generating device. [Figure 4A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device having a hinged cover. [Figure 4B] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device having a hinged cover. [Figure 4C] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device having a hinged cover. [Figure 5A] 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device having a hinged cover including a detent shaft. [Figure 5B] 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device having a hinged cover including a detent shaft. [Figure 6A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device having a hinged cover including a torsion spring. [Figure 6B] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device having a hinged cover including a torsion spring. [Figure 7A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device having an indicator. [Figure 7B] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device having an indicator. [Figure 8A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device having a control system. [Figure 8B] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device having a control system. [Figure 8C] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device having a control system. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the aerosol generating device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figures 1A-1C illustrate diagrammatically an aerosol generating device 1 according to the present invention. The aerosol generating device 1 comprises a chamber 11 adapted to receive a consumable 2, and further comprises a housing 12 and a cover 13. Figures 1A-1C also illustrate in sequence how the consumable is inserted into the aerosol generating device in preparation for the generation of inhalable vapour.

[0032] 1A and 1B, the chamber 11 is contained within a housing 12 that has an opening through which the consumable 2 can be added to or removed from the chamber 11. The housing can be an elongated housing adapted for a user to hold the aerosol generating device.

[0033] Chamber 11 is a heating chamber for containing the consumable during heating of the consumable by a heater (not shown) also within housing 12. In some embodiments, a heater may additionally or alternatively be included in cover 13.

[0034] The cover 13 is configured to close the opening in the housing 12 when the cover 13 is in a closed position as shown in Figure 1C, and is configured to move between an open position in which the opening in the housing is exposed and a closed position as shown in Figures 1A and 1B. In the open position, the cover 13 is out of the way so that the consumable 2 can be inserted into or removed from the chamber 11 through the opening in the housing 12.

[0035] The cover 13 includes one or more detachment elements 15 adapted to detach the consumable 2 when the cover is moved from the closed position to the open position. In this specification, "detachment" means that the detachment elements 15 weaken the attachment between the chamber 11 and the consumable 2. Due to this weakening of the attachment, the consumable is partially expelled from the chamber. This means that when the cover is opened, the consumable may remain in the chamber 11 and become loose, or may fly out of the aerosol generating device 1 due to the force exerted by the detachment elements 15. However, the detachment elements 15 are not configured to hold the consumable 2 in the open position, and the consumable 2 is not attached to the cover 13. The detachment elements 15 may be configured to hold the consumable 2 in or near the closed position and release the consumable 2 when the cover 13 is moved to the open position. Alternatively, the detachment elements 15 may be configured not to hold the consumable 2 at all. In this case, the removal element 15 is further configured to touch and pass the consumable 2 when the cover 13 moves from the closed position to the open position, thereby effecting removal.

[0036] As an example, a user may hang the aerosol generating device over a waste collector (e.g., a trash can) with the closed cover facing towards the waste collector, such that when the cover is moved from the closed position to the open position (i.e., the cover is open), the consumable 2 is removed by the removal element 15 and dropped into the waste collector. Alternatively, a user may hold the aerosol generating device with the closed cover facing upwards, such that when the cover is moved from the closed position to the open position, the consumable 2 is removed by the removal element 15 and partially expelled from the chamber 11, but remains partially within the chamber 11 or rests on the housing 12 so that the user can easily remove the consumable 2.

[0037] The aerosol generating device 1 is adapted to generate inhalable vapor from the consumable 2, and the aerosol generating device 1 and the consumable 2 together can be considered as constituting an aerosol generating system or as a kit for aerosol generation. More specifically, when the consumable 2 is in the chamber 11 and heated by the heater, vapor is generated. The vapor travels to the mouthpiece 14 of the aerosol generating device 1, where the vapor can be inhaled by a user of the aerosol generating device 1. In this embodiment, the mouthpiece 14 forms part of the cover 13, but in other embodiments, the mouthpiece 14 may form part of the housing 12 or may be replaced by an alternative means for releasing inhalable vapor in uses of the invention that do not require a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece 14 may be made of a soft or flexible material so as to be comfortable for the user.

[0038] The cover 13 may additionally be adapted such that, in the open position, a user may operate the aerosol generating device 1 to generate and inhale inhalable vapour from the consumable 2. Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 1 may be adapted to disable the generation of vapour when the cover 13 is in the open position.

[0039] In this embodiment, the cover 13 is attached to the housing 12 even when in the open position. More specifically, the cover 13 is attached to the housing 12 by a hinge 16. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the hinge 16 is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elongated aerosol generating device (i.e., through the mouthpiece 14 and through the base of the housing 12 when the cover 13 is in the closed position). Alternatively, the cover 13 may be removable such that the open position includes any position in which the opening of the housing 12 is exposed. Furthermore, the cover 13 may be permanently attached to the housing 12 without being constrained to one particular open position, for example, if the cover 13 is attached to the housing 12 via a flexible member or string. More generally, the only necessary constraint on the movement of the cover 13 is that the removal element 15 removes the consumable 2 when the cover 13 is moved from the closed position.

[0040] 2A-2E show a schematic representation of the consumable 2 and elements of the aerosol generating device to illustrate the principle of operation of the removal element(s) 15. FIG.

[0041] 2A illustrates a cross-section of the aerosol generation system with the cover 13 in a closed position over a chamber 11 that contains a consumable 2. Two removal elements 15 are adapted to engage with a flange portion 21 of the consumable 2.

[0042] Although two detachment elements 15 are shown in this example, the detachment effect of the present invention may be achieved using only one detachment element 15 or three or more detachment elements 15. However, using at least two detachment elements has the advantage of improving control over how the consumable 2 moves as it is detached from the chamber 11, while minimizing the number of detachment elements to two or less has the advantage of simplifying manufacture of the aerosol generation device 1.

[0043] 2B-2D, as the cover 13 moves from the closed position to the open position, in this case pivoting about the hinge 16, the removal element 15 engages the flange 21, thereby exerting a force on the consumable 2 to remove it from the chamber 11. However, this force on the consumable 2 also urges the removal element to disengage against the flange 21, and by the time the cover 13 reaches the open position, the removal element 15 has disengaged from the flange 21 and the consumable 2 is no longer attached to the cover 13 in the open position. It will thus be appreciated that the removal element 15 has a light contact effect that lightly grips the flange 21 when the cover 13 is in the closed position, as well as a slight removal effect that prevents the consumable from becoming stuck in place within the chamber 11 as the cover 13 moves from the closed position to the open position.

[0044] The removal elements 15 may be snap-fit ​​connectors. Each of the removal elements may include an engagement member 151 configured to move substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the cover. The ability of the engagement members to perform this generally perpendicular movement allows the removal elements 15 to engage the flange 21 to form a snap-fit ​​connection, and also allows the removal elements 15 to disengage from the flange 21 when the cover 13 moves to an open position. In this context, "substantially perpendicular" refers to the engagement members moving sideways, as shown in FIG. 2C. In particular, snap-fit ​​connectors are often resilient members that function by bending before snapping into place, as shown in FIG. 2C, and such bending motion includes a component of motion that is opposite to the direction of motion when forming the snap-fit ​​connection. Thus, in such cases, the motion is not truly perpendicular, but is still substantially perpendicular.

[0045] In other embodiments, the above described vertical motion for engagement and disengagement may not rely on the natural bending of a resilient member, but rather may be accomplished by a mechanical or electronic control system that controls the movement of the entire engagement member to the appropriate position for engagement and disengagement. For example, the motion of the engagement member may be mechanically linked to the angle of the hinge 16 between the housing 12 and the cover 13.

[0046] Figure 2E illustrates diagrammatically a plan view of the cover 13 including the removal element 15 engaged with the flange 21 of the consumable. This view represents an inner view of the cover in the closed position. Figure 2E illustrates an embodiment in which both the cover 13 and the consumable 2 have a circular cross-section. However, this does not have to be the case and both the aerosol generating device and the consumable may, for example, rather have a polygonal cross-section.

[0047] FIG. 2E illustrates that the removal element 15 may be disposed about the protrusion 132 on the inner surface of the cover 13 and illustrates in plan view the direction of movement 3 of the removal element 15. The direction 3 is toward and away from the center of the cover 13 (i.e., radial movement in the case of a circular cross section). The angle between the removal element 15 and the hinge 16 relative to the center of the cover 13 is labeled φ (phi). It should be noted that the φ of the removal element 15 in FIGS. 2A-2D is between 0 degrees and 180 degrees, whereas the φ of both removal elements 15 in FIG. 2E is 90 degrees.

[0048] Figures 3A-3C illustrate schematic diagrams of additional details of the aerosol generation device 1 of this embodiment. It should be noted that Figure 3B is a partial cutaway view with the hinge removed.

[0049] In particular, as shown in Figure 3A, the cover 13 includes a resilient seal 17 that is positioned such that the seal contacts a flange portion 21 of the consumable 2 when the cover is in the closed position shown in Figures 3B and 3C. For example, the resilient seal 17 can be an elastomeric lip seal.

[0050] Additionally, as shown in Figure 3B, cover 13 includes a flow passage 18 through which inhalable vapor can flow from consumable 2 to mouthpiece 14. If consumable 2 is designed to generate inhalable vapor at a top surface surrounded by flange 21, elastic seal 17 ensures that inhalable vapor flows through flow passage 18 to mouthpiece 14 and does not leak out of the gap between cover 13 and housing 12.

[0051] In this embodiment, the seal 17 is mounted on a protrusion 132 on the inner surface of the cover 13, which is surrounded by a flat portion 131. The protrusion also includes a removal element 15. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the removal element 15 forms a smooth extension of the outer surface of the protrusion 132, making the removal element 15 more sturdy and less likely to break.

[0052] Correspondingly, as shown in Fig. 3B, in this embodiment, the inner surface of the housing 12 includes an abutment surface 121 against which the cover 13 can abut. The abutment surface 121 includes an opening through which the consumable can be added to or removed from the chamber 11, the chamber 11 being recessed in the housing 12 relative to the abutment surface 121. For example, the inner surface of the housing 12 may further include a consumable support surface 122 disposed adjacent the chamber 11 to support the consumable 2 within the chamber 11, and a connecting wall 123 between the abutment surface 121 and the consumable support surface 122.

[0053] When the cover 13 is in the closed position, the flats 131 on the inner surface of the cover are aligned with the abutment surface 121 and the removal element 15 (and optionally the protrusions on the inner surface of the cover 13) extend through the opening.

[0054] The consumable support surface 122 may be adapted to have an additional recess 124 as shown in FIG. 3B to enable the engagement means 151 of the removal element 15 to extend beyond the consumable 2 and engage with the consumable 2 while the consumable 2 is supported by the consumable support surface 122.

[0055] As further shown in Figure 3C, the engagement member 151 in this embodiment takes the form of a protrusion arranged to capture an edge of the flange 21 of the consumable 2. In this figure, arrows 3 (already shown in the plan view of Figure 2E) illustrate the movement of the removal element 15 in longitudinal section. More specifically, the removal element bends radially outwards and upwards towards the cover 13, allowing the engagement member 151 to disengage from the flange 21 when the consumable 2 is removed.

[0056] Referring again to FIG. 3A, it can also be seen that in this embodiment, each of the removal elements 15 is disposed so as to partially face the hinge 16. In other words, when the removal element removes the consumable, the consumable is located between each removal element and the hinge. Here, "between" should be understood to have a broad meaning including the case where the consumable 2 is located between any part of the removal element 15 and any part of the hinge 16, as already shown in FIG. 2E, for example. More specifically, each of the removal elements 15 and the hinge 16 is disposed around the center of the cover 13, and the angle φ around the center of the cover 13 between the hinge 16 and each of the removal elements 15 is at least 90 degrees. For example, the angle φ with respect to the removal element 15 can be 90 degrees, 100 degrees, 120 degrees, 130 degrees, or 180 degrees. By positioning the removal elements 15 on the side of the consumable 2 opposite the hinges 16 in this manner, the force exerted by each removal element 15 on the flanges 21, and by the flanges 21 on each removal element, is reduced for a given torque applied to open the cover 13 about the hinges 16. This means that the energy required to bend the engagement members 151 to release the consumable 2 is applied over a longer distance, allowing weaker materials to be used for the removal elements 15 without breaking when removing the consumable 2. Additionally, by positioning the removal elements at an angle of at least 90 degrees from the hinges 16, the removal elements are not positioned on one side of the consumable, and as the cover 13 rotates about the hinges 16, the consumable is forced against the wall of the chamber 11 and against the consumable support surface 122. This increases friction between the consumable 2 and the wall of the chamber 11 or the consumable support surface 122 until the removal elements 15 encounter sufficient resistance to bend and disengage from the flanges 21. It should be noted that this need not be the case for all detachment elements 15, and advantages are obtained if at least one of the detachment elements is positioned at an angle φ of at least 90 degrees. For example, as shown in Figures 2A-2D, the angle φ for the detachment element on the left side of each figure is greater than 90 degrees (e.g., 180 degrees) and the angle φ for the detachment element on the right side of each figure is less than 90 degrees (e.g., 0 degrees).

[0057] 4A-4C, additional details of the hinged movement of the aerosol generating device of this embodiment are shown. FIG. 4A illustrates the cover 13 in a closed position relative to the housing 12, FIG. 4B illustrates the cover 13 moving about the hinge 16 between the closed and open positions, and FIG. 4C illustrates the cover 13 in an open position relative to the housing 12. As shown in FIG. 4C, in the open position, the angle θ (theta) between the cover 13 and the housing 12 may be greater than 90 degrees, which has the advantage of allowing easier access to the consumables 2 in the chamber 11.

[0058] In this embodiment, the hinge 16 is adapted to be bi-stable with the cover 13 in the closed position of Figure 4A and the open position of Figure 4C, but unstable in an intermediate position as shown in Figure 4B. This means that the hinge 16 is biased to move quickly to either the open or closed position and not remain in an intermediate position between the open and closed positions.

[0059] The cover 13 and the housing 12 may each include a Hall effect magnet 41 and a Hall effect sensor 42, as shown in Figure 4A. The Hall effect sensor detects the presence of the Hall effect magnet and therefore when the cover 13 is in the closed position.

[0060] Two embodiments of the bistable hinge 16 are illustrated using Figures 5A-6B. However, other bistable hinges may be used. Furthermore, in embodiments in which a hinge 16 is included, the hinge need not be a bistable hinge, and the hinge may be free about the open position. However, it is advantageous for the hinge to be stable at least in the closed position, so that the aerosol generating device is less likely to open accidentally.

[0061] First, in Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B, the bistable hinge 16 includes a detent shaft 161 with a spring-loaded plunger 162. The spring of the spring-loaded plunger 162 biases the plunger towards the detent shaft 161, and one of the detent shaft 161 and the spring-loaded plunger 162 is fixed when the cover 13 moves between the closed and open positions (meaning that the plunger 162 moves about the detent shaft 161). The recess in the detent shaft 161 provides a stable position where the plunger 162 can extend further towards the detent shaft 161, and movement between these stable positions requires compression of the spring of the spring-loaded plunger 162. Thus, by configuring the detent shaft to have respective recesses at each of the closed and open positions, a bistable hinge is obtained where the cover 13 is stable at each of the open and closed positions. A further advantage of the detent shaft embodiment is that the detent shaft can be completely hidden within the hinge assembly. It should be noted that the spring loaded plunger 162 is not required for embodiments using the detent shaft 161 and may be replaced with any biasing means for biasing towards the recess in the detent shaft. Additionally, the embodiment may be inverted such that the detent shaft has a recess on its inner surface that rotates about an axis that includes the biasing means.

[0062] In this type of bistable hinge, it is essential that in order to switch between the two stable positions, the plunger 162 must pass through the apex between the two recesses in the detent shaft 161. There is therefore a minimum angle through which the cover 13 must be opened starting from the closed position before it settles into the open position. This minimum angle is set depending on the geometry of the detent shaft, but for a symmetrical detent shaft it is half the total range of motion.

[0063] 6A and 6B, the bistable hinge 16 includes a torsion spring 163 and an axle pin 164. In this case, the torsion spring is configured to bias the cover 13 toward an open position, and the stable open position is fixed by the limited range of motion of the cover 13 around the hinge 16 due to contact with the housing 12. However, the torsion spring 163 configured with such a biasing force also cannot provide a stable closed position. Therefore, this embodiment also includes one or more magnets in the cover 13 and / or the housing 12 arranged such that when the cover 13 is in the closed position, the cover 13 is attracted to the housing 12 and held in the closed position by a force that balances the biasing force provided by the torsion spring 163. The strength of the magnets can be set such that when the cover 13 moves even a small distance from the closed position, the force of the torsion spring 163 exceeds the magnetic force, and the cover 13 is spring-biased to reach the open position. Therefore, the bistable hinge of this embodiment can be described rather as "quasi-bistable."

[0064] Comparing the above two embodiments of the bistable hinge with respect to the movement of the removal element or elements 15, in the case of the detent shaft of Figures 5A and 5B, half of the total range of motion of the cover 13 is in most cases greater than the range of movement of the consumable 2 when it is removed, so the user must provide a force to overcome the spring-loaded plunger 162 and drive the removal movement of the removal element. On the other hand, in the case of the spring hinge of Figures 6A and 6B, the user only needs to overcome the force of the magnet that holds the cover 13 in the closed position. After overcoming this force, the torsion spring 163 provides the force to drive the removal movement of the removal element 15 to move the cover 13 to the open position. Thus, by providing a spring hinge similar to that of Figures 6A and 6B together with a magnet selected to be as weak as possible whilst being capable of holding the cover 13 in a closed position, an aerosol generating device can be provided in which the cover 13 can be easily opened and the consumable 2 can be easily removed after the cover 13 is opened (or at the same time as the cover 13 is opened, for example if the aerosol generating device is held in the closed position with the cover 13 facing downwards).

[0065] 7A and 7B diagrammatically illustrate an embodiment of an indicator 19. The indicator may, for example, indicate the amount of energy remaining in the power supply of the aerosol generating device or may indicate the presence or absence of a consumable 2 within the aerosol generating device.

[0066] Additionally, indicator 19 may indicate a location where a user should operate the aerosol generating device. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7B, indicator 19 is located on the side of cover 13 opposite hinge 16 between cover 13 and housing 12, and thus indicator 19 may indicate a location where a user can press cover 13 against housing 12 to initiate heating of consumable 2 within chamber 11. In this same location, indicator 19 may indicate where a user should press to rotate cover 13 about hinge 16 to move cover 13 from a closed position to an open position.

[0067] Thus, indicator 19 may simultaneously provide many functions: indicating the status of the aerosol generating device, indicating how to control the generation of aerosol by the device, and indicating how to open the aerosol generating device.

[0068] Advantageously, the aerosol generating device 1 may be configured so that it can be held in one hand along with the elongated housing 12 of the aerosol generating device 1 and the cover 13 can be operated with the thumb, in this case when the thumb presses against the mouthpiece 14 the cover 13 moves from a closed position to an open position and when the thumb presses down on the indicator 19 the aerosol generating device begins heating the consumable 2.

[0069] Figures 8A-8C illustrate further details of the mechanism for controlling the aerosol generating device: Figure 8A shows a cross-section of the aerosol generating device, Figure 8B shows an enlarged portion of the cross-section including the mechanism for controlling the aerosol generating device, and Figure 8C illustrates the relative positioning of the cover 13 and the housing 12.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 8A, in this embodiment, while the chamber 11 surrounds the consumable 2 inserted into the device, the chamber 11 does not fill the interior space of the housing 12, and there may be space within the housing 12, for example below the consumable 2 as shown in FIG. 8A, in which other components such as control circuitry and power supplies are housed.

[0071] 8A also illustrates that there is a slight gap between the consumable support surface 122 and the inner surface of the cover 13, provided by the consumable 2 and the seal 17. Similarly, FIG. 8C illustrates that there is a slight gap between the abutment surface 121 and the flat portion 131 of the inner surface of the cover 13.

[0072] These gaps allow the cover 13 to pivot about the hinge 16 towards the housing 12 when pressed as shown with arrow 7, even when starting from a closed position. In such an embodiment, it is therefore useful to include a sensor 81 arranged to detect when the cover 13 is pressed against the housing 12. The sensor 81 can be, for example, a tactile switch. In this embodiment, the sensor 81 is arranged on the PCB 82, and a corresponding notch 81' and extension 81'' of the cover 13 transmit the pressing force to the sensor 81. This pressing force is only detected when the cover 13 is actively pressed against the housing 12 by the user, since the seal 17 is arranged to bias the cover 13 away from the housing 12. Thus, the combination of the seal 17 and the sensor 81 provides button control of the aerosol generating device. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the seal 17 need not be elastic, and instead the bias of the cover 13 away from the housing 12 can be provided by, for example, a torsion spring 163 of the hinge 16.

[0073] Such a button control may be combined with control circuitry configured to control the aerosol generating device to initiate generation of inhalable vapour when the sensor 81 detects that the cover 13 has been pressed against the housing 12. For example, the control circuitry may be provided on the PCB 82 to control a heater for heating the consumable 2 in the chamber 11.

[0074] Figure 9 is a schematic exploded view of an aerosol generating device showing additional optional features beyond those described above. In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the hinge 16 includes a torsion spring and pivot pin, similar to Figure 6, although the features of Figure 9 may be combined with other embodiments, such as those using a detent pivot in the hinge.

[0075] 9 shows a closing magnet pair 91, 91' provided within the housing 12 and cover 13 to hold the cover 13 in the closed position. In this embodiment, two magnet pairs are shown, but any number of pairs may be used. It is advantageous to provide magnet pairs that are symmetrically positioned with respect to the hinge 16 so that each magnet pair contributes equally to holding the cover 13 in the closed position.

[0076] Figure 9 also shows an LED 92 which in this embodiment provides the indicator 19. The LED 92 is mounted on the PCB 82 and light from the LED is guided through one or more body light guides 92' in the housing 12 and one or more top light guides 92'' in the cover 13 such that when the cover 13 is in the closed position, the light from the LED is visible to a user as the indicator 19 shown in Figures 7A and 7B. Returning to Figure 3A, it can be seen that when the aerosol generation device is assembled, the light guides 92' and 92'' are flush with the inner surfaces of the cover 13 and the housing 12.

[0077] 9 also shows a Hall effect sensor 93 mounted on the PCB 82 and a Hall effect magnet 93' disposed within the cover 13, similar to the Hall effect sensor and Hall effect magnet shown in FIG. 4A. The Hall effect sensor 93 may be used by the control circuitry to detect when the cover 13 is in a closed position. The control circuitry may then detect when the LEDs and light guides 92, 92', 92'' may be used to generate the indicator 19 or when production of inhalable vapor may begin.

[0078] 9, the housing 12 may be provided as two pieces including a separate inner surface 94 including an abutment surface 121, a consumable support surface 122 and a connecting wall 123. This inner surface 94 may connect into an outer housing 95 using, for example, a snap-fit ​​or press-fit connection when the device is assembled during manufacture. The separate inner surface 94 or the outer housing 95 may further include a hinge engagement portion 165 adapted to connect to the hinge 16.

[0079] Similarly, the cover 13 may be provided in two pieces, including a separate outer portion 96 that includes the mouthpiece 14 and the flow passage 18, and a separate inner surface 97 that includes the removal element 15 and to which the seal 17 may be attached.

[0080] By providing individual parts for the housing and / or cover, the individual parts of the housing / cover are manufactured separately and then assembled around the internal components of the housing / cover (i.e. assembled around the chamber 11, PCB 82, light guide, magnets, etc.).

[0081] As one skilled in the art will recognize, many of the features in the embodiments described above have distinct benefits from other features, and thus, one skilled in the art will recognize that features with distinct benefits can be individually included in or excluded from an embodiment while still falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. a chamber adapted to receive a consumable; a housing containing the chamber and including an opening through which the consumable can be removed from the chamber; a cover configured to move between an open position in which the opening of the housing is exposed and a closed position in which the opening of the housing is closed; An aerosol generating device comprising: the aerosol generating device is adapted to generate an inhalable vapor from the consumable; When the cover moves from the closed position to the open position, The attachment between the chamber and the consumable is weakened; the cover includes one or more removal elements adapted to remove the consumable such that the consumable is partially expelled from the chamber without being attached to the cover; Aerosol generating device.

2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1 , wherein the attachment comprises friction between the consumable and the chamber and / or a bond formed between the consumable and the chamber when the consumable is heated within the chamber.

3. The aerosol generating device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the open position is configured to allow a new consumable to be inserted through the opening, and the closed position is configured to allow a user to operate the aerosol generating device to generate and inhale the inhalable vapor from the consumable.

4. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more detaching elements include two or more detaching elements.

5. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the removal element is adapted to engage with a flange portion of the consumable.

6. The aerosol generating device of claim 5 , wherein the detachment element is a snap-fit ​​connector.

7. The aerosol generation device of claim 6 , wherein the one or more removal elements each include an engagement member configured to move substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the cover to form a snap-fit ​​connection.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7 , wherein the engaging member is an elastic member.

9. An aerosol generating device as described in any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the cover includes an elastic seal arranged so that the elastic seal contacts the flange portion of the consumable when the cover is in the closed position.

10. 10. The aerosol generating device of claim 9, wherein the aerosol generating device includes a sensor arranged to detect when the cover is pressed against the housing, and the elastic seal is arranged to bias the cover in a direction away from the housing.

11. The aerosol generating device of claim 10, further comprising a control circuit configured to control the aerosol generating device to begin generating the inhalable vapor when the sensor detects that the cover has been pressed against the housing.

12. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cover is attached to the housing in the open position.

13. The aerosol generating device of claim 12 , wherein the cover is attached to the housing by a hinge.

14. The aerosol generation device of claim 13 , wherein the hinge includes a detent shaft configured to stabilize the cover in each of the open and closed positions.

15. the hinge includes a torsion spring and the cover or the housing includes a magnet; The aerosol generation device of claim 13 , wherein the torsion spring is configured to bias the cover toward the open position and the magnet is configured to hold the cover in the closed position.

16. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the aerosol generating device is elongated along a longitudinal direction, and the hinge is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

17. 17. An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the cover comprises a mouthpiece and a flow passage through which the inhalable vapour can flow.

18. An aerosol generating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the housing includes an abutment surface against which the cover can abut, the surface including the opening, and the chamber is recessed within the housing relative to the abutment surface.

19. 20. The aerosol generation device of claim 18, wherein the removal element is positioned to extend through the opening when the cover is in the closed position.

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