Aerosol generating set with a pair of magnetic elements, and associated operating method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generation set (10), comprising: The device comprises: an aerosol generation device (12) defining a device body extending between two body ends, the device body including a device magnetic element (45); a case (14) defining a cavity (54) capable of receiving the aerosol generation device (12) and a movable part (52) movable from a closed position to an open position in response to a trigger event, the case (14) including a case magnetic element (95) positioned facing the device magnetic element (45) when the aerosol generation device (12) is received within the cavity (54); and an electrical circuit (72) configured to detect a trigger event and, upon detection, activate a magnetic interaction between the magnetic elements (45, 95) to urge at least one body end out of the cavity (54) when the aerosol generation device (12) is received within the cavity (54).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generation set comprising a pair of magnetic elements. The aerosol generation set according to the present invention further comprises an aerosol generator and a case configured to receive such a device.

[0002] The present invention also relates to an operating method related to such an aerosol generation set.

Background Art

[0003] Different types of aerosol generators are already known in the art. Generally, such devices comprise a storage part for storing a vaporizable material which can contain, for example, a liquid or a solid. The heating system is formed from one or more electrically operated resistive heating elements arranged to heat the vaporizable material to generate an aerosol. The aerosol is discharged into a flow path extending between an inlet and an outlet of the device. The outlet can be arranged as a mouthpiece for the user to inhale in order to deliver the aerosol.

[0004] In some aerosol generators, the vaporizable material is stored in a removable cartridge. Thus, when the vaporizable material is consumed, the cartridge can be easily removed and replaced. For example, a screw connection can be used to attach the removable cartridge to the device body.

[0005] Some aerosol generators are configured to be housed within a case. Such a case may be adapted to receive an aerosol generator with a finally removable cartridge. This simplifies the carrying of the device and can, for example, protect the device against impacts. Some cases can also prevent leakage of the vaporizable material contained in the cartridge.

[0006] According to some examples, the case may be equipped with a rechargeable battery that can recharge the aerosol generator's battery when, for example, an external power source is unavailable. According to some other examples, the case may allow for device power connection to an external power source and / or device data connection to an external device.

[0007] Thus, the case can present an important object to the user of the aerosol generator, and its UX design ("user experience design") must be constantly improved. In particular, it is essential for most users that the case be easy to operate before using the aerosol generator. For example, some users may expect to be able to operate the case and aerosol generator with one hand. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One of the objectives of the present invention is to improve the UX design of the aerosol generation set to make it easier for users to operate.

[0009] For this purpose, the present invention relates to an aerosol generating set, wherein the aerosol generating set is - An aerosol generator defining a device body extending between two main body ends, wherein the device body is equipped with a device magnetic element, - A case comprising a cavity capable of receiving an aerosol generator, and a movable part that can move from a closed position to an open position in response to a trigger event, wherein the case includes a case magnetic element positioned facing the device magnetic element when the aerosol generator is received within the cavity, - An electrical circuit configured to detect a trigger event and, upon detection, activate magnetic interaction between magnetic elements to push at least one end of the body out of the cavity when the aerosol generator is received within the cavity, It is equipped with.

[0010] These features allow the case containing the aerosol generator to be easily operated. For example, when a user is about to use the aerosol generator, it can be easily removed from the case. Furthermore, this removal can be done with just one hand.

[0011] According to some embodiments, the case is closed when the movable part is in the closed position, and the case is opened when the movable part is in the open position, allowing the aerosol generator to be placed into or removed from the cavity.

[0012] According to some embodiments, the movable part forms an access lid for the case.

[0013] These features allow the aerosol generator to be easily removed from the case after being housed inside the case in a closed position.

[0014] According to some embodiments, the trigger event consists of manually opening the case or activating a button by the user.

[0015] These features allow the aerosol generator to be removed from its case when opened.

[0016] According to some embodiments, the case is a charging case configured to charge the aerosol generator when the aerosol generator is received in the cavity.

[0017] These features allow the aerosol generator to be charged while stored in its case.

[0018] According to some embodiments, one of the magnetic elements is a permanent magnet, and the other is a coil connected to an electrical circuit and configured to generate a magnetic field that repels the permanent magnet.

[0019] These features enable easy magnetic interaction between the two magnetic elements.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the permanent magnet is formed by the device magnetic element, and the coil is formed by the case magnetic element.

[0021] These features eliminate the need for a power source to remove the aerosol generator from the cavity.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the device body extends along the device axis, and the permanent magnet extends around the device axis.

[0023] These features allow the aerosol generator to be housed within the case in any orientation with respect to the device axis.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the electrical circuit is integrated within the case.

[0025] These features eliminate the need to specially adapt the device's design and internal components for easy removal from the case.

[0026] According to some embodiments, the device magnetic element is integrated at one of the body ends, preferably within the body end designed to be held by the user during use of the aerosol generator.

[0027] These features allow the aerosol generator to be easily picked up by the user and made ready for immediate use. Thus, removal of the device and its use can be performed by the same hand of the user.

[0028] According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further comprises a device holding element integrated within a body end opposite to the body end integrating the device magnetic element, and the case further comprises a case holding element configured to be disposed facing the device holding element when the aerosol generating device is received within the cavity and to hold the body end integrating the device holding element by cooperating with this holding element.

[0029] Due to these features, the aerosol generating device can be in a stable position after a trigger event.

[0030] According to some embodiments, each holding element is formed by a permanent magnet, and the magnets are arranged to attract each other.

[0031] Due to these features, the holding element can be implemented in a simple manner.

[0032] According to some embodiments, the electrical circuit is further configured to maintain the magnetic interaction between the magnetic elements as long as the movable part is in the open position.

[0033] According to some embodiments, the electrical circuit is further configured to deactivate the magnetic interaction between the magnetic elements when the movable part is in the closed position.

[0034] Due to these features, it is possible to activate the magnetic interaction between the magnetic elements only when it is necessary to remove the aerosol generating device from the case.

[0035] The present invention also relates to a method of operating an aerosol generating set as defined above, the method comprising the following steps, namely, - detecting a trigger event, and - activating the magnetic interaction between the magnetic elements to push at least one body end out of the cavity. including.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036] The present invention and its advantages are given only as non-limiting examples and will be better understood by reading the following description, which is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of an aerosol generating set according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generating set comprising a case and an aerosol generating device housed within the case. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a front view of the aerosol generator. [Figure 3] This is a front view of the case shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing the open and closed positions of the case in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the aerosol generating set shown in Figure 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a schematic front view of an aerosol generator included in an aerosol generation set according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic front view of a case included in an aerosol generating set according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the case in both the open and closed states. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of an aerosol generating set according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0038] Before describing the present invention, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the structural details described below. Those skilled in the art who are interested in this disclosure will see that other embodiments of the present invention are possible and can be practiced or carried out in a variety of ways.

[0039] As used herein, the terms “aerosol generator” or “device” may include a vapor inhalation device for delivering an aerosol containing an aerosol for vapor inhalation to a user by an aerosol generating unit (e.g., an aerosol generating element that generates vapor that condenses into an aerosol before being delivered to the outlet of the device, e.g., in a mouthpiece, for the user to inhale). The device may be portable. “Portable” may mean a device held and used by the user. The device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol (as opposed to a fixed amount of aerosol) by, for example, activating a heater system over a variable amount of time, and the generation may be controlled by a trigger. The trigger may be user-activated, such as a vapor inhalation button and / or inhalation sensor. The inhalation sensor may be highly sensitive to inhalation intensity and inhalation duration and may enable the provision of a variable amount of vapor (to mimic the smoking effect of conventional flammable smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars, or pipes). The apparatus may include a temperature control unit for driving the heater and / or heated aerosol-generating material (aerosol precursor) to a specific target temperature, and then maintaining that temperature at a target temperature that enables efficient aerosol generation.

[0040] As used herein, the term “aerosol” may include solid particles, droplets, or a suspension of one or more vaporized substances, including gases. The suspension may be in a gaseous state, including air. As used herein, aerosols generally refer to / may include vapors. Aerosols may contain one or more components of vaporized materials.

[0041] As used herein, the terms “vaporizable material” or “precursor” or “aerosol-forming substance” or “substance” are used to specify any material that can vaporize in air to form an aerosol. Vaporization is generally achieved by raising the temperature of the vaporizable material to the boiling point, such as a temperature of less than 400°C, preferably up to 350°C. The vaporizable material may include or consist of an aerosol-forming solid, which may be in the form of a rod, such as an aerosol-generating liquid, gel, wax, or foam, and may include processed tobacco material, a compressed sheet or oriented strip of reconstituted tobacco (RTB), or any combination thereof. The vaporizable material may contain nicotine, caffeine, or one or more other active ingredients. The active ingredients may be carried by a carrier, which may be liquid. The carrier may contain propylene glycol or glycerin. Flavorings may also be included. Flavorings may include ethyl vanillin (vanilla), menthol, isoamyl acetate (banana oil), or similar substances.

[0042] As used herein, the term “external device” may refer to a device capable of establishing a wireless data connection with an aerosol generator, as described herein. Such an external device may be a mobile device, such as a mobile phone. In addition, such an external device may be a smart device capable of processing at least some data received from or intended to be transmitted to the aerosol generator. Such a smart device may be a smartphone, smartwatch, tablet computer, laptop, desktop computer, or any other smart object implemented in accordance with, for example, IoT ("Internet of Things") technology. Such a smart device may also be another aerosol generator, similar to the aerosol generator.

[0043] Referring to Figure 1, the aerosol generating set 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises an aerosol generating device 12 and a case 14 configured to house the aerosol generating device 12.

[0044] The aerosol generator 12 is shown in more detail in Figure 2. Referring to Figure 2, the aerosol generator 12 comprises a device body 21 extending along the device axis X between the battery end 22 and the mouthpiece end 24. The device body 21 can form a cylindrical shape having, for example, a circular, elliptical, or rectangular cross-section. The device body 21 further defines side walls 25 extending along the device axis X. Depending on the cross-sectional shape of the device body 21, the side walls 25 can be formed by one or more outer surfaces.

[0045] The mouthpiece end 24 includes, for example, a mouthpiece (not shown in Figure 2) intended to work with the user's mouth. The battery end 22 can be used, for example, to allow the user to hold the device 12 while the device 12 is being used to generate vapor. In particular, the battery end 21 can be shaped to a suitable ergonomic form so that it can be held while the user is using the aerosol generator 12.

[0046] Referring to Figure 2, the apparatus body 21 defines a storage section 26 designed to store vaporizable material. In particular, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the storage section 26 is designed to receive a removable cartridge designed to store vaporizable material. Thus, according to this embodiment, a cartridge can be received in the storage section 26 and replaced with another cartridge when the vaporizable material is depleted. In some cases, the cartridge can define a mouthpiece and at least partially form the mouthpiece end 24 of the apparatus 12. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the storage section 26 is designed to be directly filled with vaporizable material, for example, through a suitable opening. In this case, when the vaporizable material is depleted, the storage section 26 can be refilled with vaporizable material.

[0047] The apparatus body 21 partitions the internal portion of the aerosol generator 12, and this internal portion includes, for example, a power block 32 designed to supply power to the apparatus 12, a heating device 34 designed to heat the vaporizable material contained in the storage unit 26, and a controller 36 designed to control the operation of the aerosol generator 12. The apparatus body 21 may further include other internal components that perform various functions of apparatus known in the art.

[0048] It should be noted that Figure 2 only shows schematic diagrams of the various components of the aerosol generator 12 and does not necessarily represent the actual physical arrangement and dimensions of these components. In particular, such arrangements may be selected according to the design of the aerosol generator 12 and the technical characteristics of its components.

[0049] The power block 32 includes a battery and a battery charger. The battery is a known battery, designed to be charged using a power source provided by, for example, an external power source, and to supply a DC current of a predetermined voltage. The battery charger can connect the battery to an external power source and control the power supplied from the external power source to the battery according to, for example, a predetermined charging profile. Such a charging profile can define the charging voltage of the battery, for example, depending on its charge level.

[0050] To connect the battery to an external power source, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the battery charger includes a power connector 40 shown in Figure 2. The power connector 40 can accommodate any known connector and may be located on a side wall of the device body 21 substantially perpendicular to the device axis X and on the battery end 22 of the device body 21. In particular, the power connector 40 may protrude from or recess into this side wall. According to another embodiment, the power connector 40 may be located on any other wall, such as on the side wall 25 of the device body 21. Advantageously, the power connector 40 may be provided with any suitable means to facilitate connection to and / or disconnection from the external connector. Such means may be formed by magnetic elements. Advantageously, the power connector 40 is configured to connect to the external connector without engaging with the inside of the external connector and without receiving at least a portion of the external connector. In this case, the connection between the connectors may be made by the cooperation of the contact surfaces of both connectors. To maintain the connection and enhance reliability, at least one connector may be pressed toward the other connector using appropriate pressing means. Such a pressing means can be integrated into the aerosol generator 12 and / or case 14. Advantageously, the operation of the pressing means can be further deactivated in response to a trigger event, as will be described in more detail below. In some embodiments, the connector 40 can be used for purposes other than charging, such as for data transmission. In this case, it can be directly connected to the controller 36.

[0051] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the battery charger may also be adapted to wirelessly charge the battery of the device 12, for example, by using magnetic cooperation between a pair of coils, as is known in itself. In this case, the power connector 40 may be provided as described above, or it may be used only for other purposes, such as for data transmission. According to yet another embodiment, the aerosol generator 12 is not provided with a connector.

[0052] The heating system 34 is connected to the power block 32 through a controller 36. Various types of components known in the art can form the heating system 34. Thus, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the heating system 34 may comprise a wick located within a storage unit 26 and a heating element located around the wick and connected to the power block 32 through a controller 36. In this case, a vaporizable material can be vaporized by passing through the wick while being heated by the heating element. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the heating system 34 may comprise a pair of heating plates. In this case, one heating plate may be located within the storage unit 26, and the other heating plate may be located in contact with this heating plate and connected to the power block 32. According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the heating system 34 may comprise a susceptor located within the storage unit 26 and a coil located around the storage unit 26.

[0053] The controller 36 can control the operation of the aerosol generator 12. In particular, the controller 36 is configured to supply power to the device's heating system 34 in order to generate vapor from the vaporizable material. The controller 36 may be activated by the user via a vapor inhalation button, or in response to the detection of a user puff, for example, by a pressure sensor located in the air passage of the aerosol generator 12. The controller 36 can itself perform any other known functions of the device 12. Such functions may relate to, for example, the device 12's ability to communicate with external devices, maintenance capabilities, analytical capabilities, etc.

[0054] According to the present invention, the aerosol generator 12 further comprises a device magnetic element 45 designed to cooperate with the case magnetic element, as will be described in more detail below.

[0055] In the example shown in Figure 3, the device magnetic element 45 is located on the battery end 22. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the device magnetic element 45 is located at any other location in the aerosol generator 12. In particular, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the device magnetic element 45 may be located on the mouthpiece end 24, or at any other location between the battery end 22 and the mouthpiece end 22.

[0056] In some embodiments, the device magnetic element 45 may be located inside the device body 21. In this case, it can be positioned adjacent to the inner surface of the side wall 25 of the aerosol generator 12 so as to be able to interact with the case magnetic element. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the device magnetic element 45 is located outside the device body 21. In this case, the device magnetic element 21 may, for example, protrude from the side wall 25 or form a smooth surface with the outer surface of the side wall 25.

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device magnetic element 45 is formed by a permanent magnet. The shape of the magnet can be adapted according to the shape of the device body 21. For example, if the device body 21 forms a cylindrical shape, the permanent magnet can form the same cylindrical shape. In this case, the permanent magnet can form an outer surface having the same polarity and an inner surface having the same polarity but opposite to the polarity of the outer surface. For example, the polarity of the outer surface can correspond to the north pole of the magnet, and the polarity of the inner surface can correspond to its south pole. According to this embodiment, the permanent magnet can be arranged around the device axis X. In this case, the outer surface of the magnet is adjacent to the inner surface of the side wall 25, or forms a smooth surface with the outer surface of the side wall 25, or protrudes from the side wall 25. Thus, the device magnetic element 45 can interact with the case magnetic element independently of the orientation of the device body 21 (i.e., the radial orientation in the case of a circular cross-sectional shape).

[0058] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the device magnetic element 45 can be formed by any other suitable component. For example, the device magnetic element 45 can be formed by a coil that can form a magnetic field when powered, for example, by the power block 32 of the device body 21.

[0059] Here, this case 14 will be explained with particular reference to Figure 3. According to Figure 3, case 14 includes a fixed part 51 and a movable part 52.

[0060] The fixing portion 51 is designed to be held by the user, for example, when the user wishes to remove the device 12 from the case 14. The fixing portion 51 defines a cavity 54 extending along the cavity axis Y. The cavity 54 is adapted to at least partially receive the aerosol generator 12 such that the device axis X coexists with the cavity axis Y, as shown in Figure 1. Referring again to Figure 3 in particular, the cavity 54 extends along the cavity axis Y between a first end 62 and a second end 64. The first end 62 and the second end 64 are adapted to respectfully receive the battery end 22 and mouthpiece end 24 of the aerosol generator 12. For this purpose, in the illustrated embodiment, the first end 62 of the cavity 54 may include a connector 70 configured to cooperate with the connector 40 of the aerosol generator 12, as described above. Depending on the nature of the connector 40, the connector 70 of the case 14 may be adapted to transmit power to the device 12 or to transmit data to the device 12. In some embodiments, the first end 62 of the cavity 54 may contain foam or any other suitable material to prevent leakage from the mouthpiece when the aerosol generator 12 is received in the cavity 54.

[0061] The fixed portion 51 of the case 14 defines the internal portion of the case, particularly the electrical circuit 72. In some embodiments, the electrical circuit 72 includes a charging circuit that can supply power to the aerosol generator 12. For this purpose, the charging circuit may include a rechargeable battery and a charger that can charge the battery of the aerosol generator 12 wirelessly and / or via connectors 40, 70. The charging circuit may further include electrical connection means that enable the battery and / or charger contained within the circuit to be connected to an external power source. For example, the charging circuit may define an external connector 73 for this purpose. This external connector 73 is located, for example, on the outer surface of the fixed portion 51 of the case 14. According to some examples, the external connector 73 is located on a movable portion 52 on the case 14. In some embodiments, the charging circuit is provided without a battery. In this case, the battery of the aerosol generator 12 can be charged directly from a power source.

[0062] According to the present invention, the electrical circuit 72 further includes a control module 75 that can implement the repulsive capability of case 14, as will be described in more detail below.

[0063] The movable part 52 of the case 14 is formed, for example, by the access cover of the case 14. Thus, the movable part 52 can be hinged to the fixed part 51 of the case 14. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the movable part 52 may be attachable to the fixed part 51 using any other suitable means. The movable part 52 is movable between a closed position in which the movable part 52 closes access to the case 14 and an open position in which the device 12 can be placed into the case, particularly into the cavity 54, or removed from there. In particular, in the closed position, the movable part 52 can cover at least a portion of the aerosol generator 12 once it is received in the cavity 54. In some embodiments, the movable part 52 can also define a cavity configured to receive the portion of the aerosol generator 12 that is not received in the cavity 54 of the fixed part. In other words, in this case, both the cavities of the fixed part 51 and the movable part 52 are designed to fully receive the aerosol generator 12 when the movable part 52 is in the closed position.

[0064] The movable part 52 is moved from the closed position to the open position in response to a trigger event. The trigger event may consist of manual operation of the movable part 52 by the user. Manual operation may consist of, for example, pulling at least one end of the movable part 52 from the corresponding end of the fixed part 51.

[0065] In another embodiment of the present invention, the trigger event may consist of the activation of a button by a user. In this case, the case 14 may include, for example, a button 77 located on the fixed portion 51 of the case. In some other embodiments, the button 77 is located on the movable portion 52 of the case 14 or is shared between the movable portion 52 and the fixed portion 51 of the case 14. The button 77 may be connected to a biasing means configured, for example, to move the movable portion 52 to an open position when the button 77 is activated. The biasing means may include, for example, a spring or any other elastic element that can actuate the hinge of the case 14 when the movable portion 52 is hinged to the fixed portion 51.

[0066] In another embodiment, the trigger event may consist of any other event that can be detected by the electrical circuit 72. For example, the trigger event may consist of receiving a special command from an external device connected to the electrical circuit 72 of the case 14. In another embodiment, the external device may be directly connected to the device 12. In this case, when the device 12 or the case 14 receives a corresponding command from the external device, the biasing means can be activated to move the movable part 52 to the open position.

[0067] According to the present invention, the case 14 further includes a case magnetic element 95 configured to interact with the device magnetic element 45 to repel the aerosol generator 12 from the cavity 54 in response to a trigger event. In particular, according to Figure 3, the case magnetic element 95 is positioned facing the device magnetic element 45 when the device 12 is received into the cavity 54. Thus, according to the examples in Figures 2 and 3, the case magnetic element 95 may be positioned adjacent to the first end 62 of the cavity 54. Advantageously, the case magnetic element 95 is positioned in the internal portion of the fixed part 51 of the case 14 and can interact with the device magnetic element 45 through the wall that partitions the cavity 54.

[0068] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device magnetic element 95 represents a coil positioned along an axis perpendicular to the case axis Y (hereinafter referred to as the coil axis Z). The coil is connected to an electrical circuit 72, in particular to a control module 75 that can control its operation. Specifically, the control element 75 can power the coil to form a magnetic field inside the coil 95 along the coil axis Z. The magnetic field along the coil axis Z has the same polarity as the outer surface of the device magnetic element 45 when the device magnetic element 45 is formed by a permanent magnet. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the coil is powered by the control module 75 to form a magnetic field that repels the device magnetic element 45 along the coil axis Z. In this example, the magnetic field therefore has a north pole.

[0069] According to the present invention, the control module 75 of the case 14 can detect a trigger event that moves the movable part 52 to the open position. For this purpose, the control module 75 is connected to, for example, a detector that can detect the open position of the movable part 52 of the case, or to, for example, a button 77 that can transmit a special signal when activated by the user. In addition to this detection, the control module 75 can power the case magnetic element 95 to repel the device magnetic element 45. In some cases, the control module 75 can power the case magnetic element 95 to repel the device magnetic element 45 according to a predetermined profile. For example, according to this profile, the coil may be powered with a delay after the detection of the trigger event. This delay may correspond to the time required for the movable part 52 to pass through the fully open position. The profile can also vary the power supplied to the coil to adapt the speed of repulsion, and thus achieve a specific visual effect for the user. In some embodiments, the control module 75 may be configured to power the case magnetic element 45 as long as the movable part 52 is in the open position. In some other embodiments, the control module 75 is configured to supply power to the case magnetic element 45 for a predetermined time interval or as long as the aerosol generator 12 is partially receptive within the cavity 54. In this last case, the control module 75 may be associated with means for detecting the removal of the device from the cavity 54.

[0070] According to another embodiment, the case magnetic element 95 can be formed by a permanent magnet, and the device magnetic element 45 can be formed by a coil. In this case, the device controller 36 can power this coil by the device's battery, for example, in response to a trigger event. According to yet another embodiment, both the case magnetic element 95 and the device magnetic element 45 can be powered by coils that can be powered in a suitable manner to repel each other.

[0071] Here, the operation method of the aerosol generator set 10 will be explained with reference to Figure 4.

[0072] The aerosol generator 12 is initially considered to be housed within the case 14, particularly within the cavity 54. The movable part 52 is in the closed position, as shown at the top of Figure 4. If a user wishes to remove the aerosol generator 12 from the case 14, the user can trigger an event, for example, by activating a button 77 and / or by manually pulling the movable part 52. This trigger event results in the opening of the movable part 52. The trigger event is detected by the control module 75, which activates a magnetic interaction between the case magnetic element 95 and the device magnetic element 45. This magnetic interaction causes the battery end 22 of the device to repel from the cavity 54. This position of the device 12 relative to the cavity 54 is shown at the bottom of Figure 4. In this way, the user can take the aerosol generator 12 in their hand by holding it by the battery end 22 and begin using it, for example, by puffing.

[0073] Second Embodiment of the Present Invention Here, an aerosol generating set 110 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 9. As in the previous case, the aerosol generating set 110 comprises an aerosol generating device 112 and a case 114 configured to receive the aerosol generating device 112.

[0074] The aerosol generator 112 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the aerosol generator 12 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In particular, this aerosol generator 112 has the same internal elements as the aerosol generator 12 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. These internal elements will not be described in further detail below.

[0075] As in the previous case, the aerosol generator 112 according to the second embodiment of the present invention extends along the device axis X between the battery end 122 and the mouthpiece end 124, as shown in Figure 6. The battery end 122 receives a device magnetic element 145, which is similar to, for example, the device magnetic element 45 described above. In particular, as in the previous case, the device magnetic element 145 may be formed by permanent magnets arranged around the device axis X.

[0076] According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generator 112 further comprises a device retaining element 146, for example, located on the mouthpiece end 124, as shown in Figure 6. The device retaining element 146 may be similar to the device magnetic element 145. In particular, the device retaining element 146 may also be formed by a permanent magnet extending around the device axis X. The permanent magnet 146 also defines an outer surface of the same polarity and an inner surface of the same polarity opposite to the polarity of the outer surface. For example, the polarity of the outer surface may correspond to the north pole. Similar to the device magnetic element 145, the device retaining element 146 may be located adjacent to a side wall that demarcates the device body 121, or it may be integrated into the side wall, or it may protrude from the side wall.

[0077] Case 114 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is also similar to case 14 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In particular, as shown in Figure 7, case 114 according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes a fixed portion 151 and a movable portion 152. As in the prior cases, the movable portion 152 may be hinged to the fixed portion 151 or attached to the fixed portion 151 by any other suitable means. Case 114 according to a second embodiment of the present invention also includes a case magnetic element 195, which is located in the internal portion of the fixed portion 151 and interacts with the device magnetic element 145 to repel the aerosol generator 112 from the case, as described with reference to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the case 114 further comprises a case retaining element 196 that interacts with the device retaining element 146 to hold a corresponding end of the device within the cavity of the case 114. The case retaining element 196 may be formed by a permanent magnet that, when received within the cavity of the case 114 in the aerosol generator 112, is positioned facing the device retaining element 146. In particular, the device retaining element 146 is positioned such that its end facing the outer surface of the magnet forming the device retaining element 146 has opposite polarity. In other words, the case retaining element 196 is positioned to attract the device retaining element 146. In such a position, as shown in Figure 9, the case retaining element 196 can attract the device magnetic element 146 to hold a corresponding end of the device within the cavity. In the example of Figure 9, the magnet forming the case retaining element 196 is positioned such that its south pole faces the outer surface of the magnet forming the device retaining element 146.

[0079] In some other embodiments, the case retaining element 196 may be formed by any other magnetic element, such as an electric coil, that can attract the device retaining element 146. Similarly, the device magnetic element 146 may also be formed by a coil that is powered when a trigger event is detected.

[0080] The operation of the aerosol generating set 110 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the operation of the aerosol generating set 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In particular, as in the previous case, when a trigger event is detected, the case magnetic element 195 can repel the device magnetic element 145. This pushes the battery end of the device out of the cavity 154, as shown in the lower part of Figure 8. However, even in this case, the mouthpiece end of the aerosol generating device 112 can still be held in the cavity 154 by the magnetic cooperation of the retaining elements 146 and 196, as also shown in Figure 8. This makes it possible to stabilize the aerosol generating device 112 in that position and prevent it from falling.

Claims

1. Aerosol generating set (10;110), - An aerosol generator (12;112) defining a device body (21;121) extending along the device axis between two main body ends (22,24;122,124), wherein the device body (21;121) includes a device magnetic element (45;145) and a heating device (34) for heating a vaporizable material, - A case (14;114) defining a cavity (54;154) capable of receiving the aerosol generator (12;112), and a movable part (52;152) that can move from a closed position to an open position in response to a trigger event, the case (14;114) including a case magnetic element (95;195) positioned facing the device magnetic element (45;145) when the aerosol generator (12;112) is received in the cavity (54;154), - An electrical circuit (72) configured to detect the trigger event, and, when the aerosol generator (12; 112) is received within the cavity (54; 154) at the time of detection, to activate the magnetic interaction between the magnetic elements (45, 95; 145, 195) to push at least one body end (22, 24; 122, 124) out of the cavity (54; 154) along an axis perpendicular to the device axis, an aerosol generating set (10; 110) is provided.

2. - The case (14; 114) is closed when the movable part (52; 152) is in the closed position. - The case (14; 114) is opened when the movable part (52; 152) is in the open position, so that the aerosol generator (12; 112) can be placed into or removed from the cavity (54; 154). The aerosol generating set (10; 110) according to claim 1.

3. The aerosol generating set (10; 110) according to claim 2, wherein the movable parts (52; 152) form an access lid to the case (14; 114).

4. The aerosol generating set (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the trigger event consists of manual opening of the case (14; 114) or activation of a button (77) by the user.

5. The aerosol generating set (10;110) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the case (14;114) is a charging case configured to charge the aerosol generating device (12;112) when the aerosol generating device (12;112) is received in the cavity (54;154).

6. The aerosol generating set (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein one of the magnetic elements (45, 95; 145, 195) is a permanent magnet, and the other is a coil connected to the electrical circuit (72) and configured to generate a magnetic field that repels the permanent magnet.

7. The aerosol generating set (10; 110) according to claim 6, wherein the permanent magnet is formed by the device magnetic elements (45; 145) and the coil is formed by the case magnetic elements (95; 195).

8. The aerosol generating set (10; 110) according to claim 7, wherein the permanent magnet has a cylindrical shape extending around the axis of the device.

9. The aerosol generating set (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the electrical circuit (72) is integrated within the case (14; 114).

10. The aerosol generating set (10;110) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the device magnetic elements (45;145) are integrated into one of the body ends (22,24;122,124), preferably within a body end (22;122) designed to be held by a user while the aerosol generating device (12;112) is in use.

11. - The aerosol generator (112) further comprises a device holding element (146) integrated within the main body end (124) opposite to the main body end (122) that integrates the device magnetic element (145), - The case (114) further comprises a case holding element (196) which is positioned facing the device holding element (146) when the aerosol generator (112) is received in the cavity (154), and is configured to hold the main body end (124) that integrates the device holding element (146) in cooperation with the holding element. The aerosol generating set (110) according to claim 10.

12. The aerosol generating set (110) according to claim 11, wherein each retaining element (146; 196) is formed of a permanent magnet, and the magnets are arranged to attract each other.

13. The aerosol generating set (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the electrical circuit (72) is further configured to maintain the magnetic interaction between the magnetic elements (45, 95; 145, 195) as long as the movable parts (52; 152) are in the open position.

14. The aerosol generating set (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the electrical circuit (72) is further configured to deactivate the magnetic interaction between the magnetic elements (45, 95; 145, 195) when the movable parts (52; 152) are in the closed position.

15. A method for operating an aerosol generating set (10; 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, - The step of detecting the trigger event, - The steps of activating the magnetic interaction between the magnetic elements (45, 95; 145, 195) to push out at least one body end (22, 24; 122, 124) from the cavity (52; 152), The method of operation, including the operation method.

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