Aerosol generating device with cover and insulating air gap

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly to an aerosol generating device including a main housing, a cover, and an insulating air gap formed between the main housing and the cover. In a first aspect, the present invention is an aerosol generating device including a body defined by the main housing and a cover element removably attached or connected to the main housing and covering a portion of the main housing to form a part of the exterior surface of the main housing. The main housing and the cover element are shaped such that an air gap is formed between the main housing and the cover element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly to an aerosol generating device including a main housing, a cover, and a heat insulating air gap formed between the main housing and the cover.

Background Art

[0002] Commercially available and commonly seen aerosol generating devices include an aerosol generating unit for generating an aerosol for consumption by a user of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating unit typically includes a heating unit that generates an aerosol by applying heat to an aerosol generating substrate. In the process of generating an aerosol, a part of the heat generated by the heating unit is dissipated through the aerosol and the airflow that transports the aerosol to the user for inhalation, but a significant portion of the generated heat is dissipated through the device housing of the aerosol generating device. As a result, the outer surface of the aerosol generating device, particularly the area close to the heating unit, can become hot. As a result, each part of the device may become too hot to comfortably hold or touch, and may injure the user.

[0003] Some aerosol generating devices attempt to address the problem of heat dissipation by employing ventilation holes that can dissipate heat from the inside of the aerosol generating device to the outside. However, manufacturing complexity increases by fabricating the ventilation holes. Furthermore, the ventilation holes can serve as an entry point for liquids, dirt, and other particles that can damage the aerosol generating device, reducing the durability of the aerosol generating device.

[0004] Some aerosol generating devices provide insulating elements such as insulating sleeves or wrappers. These insulating elements generally surround or enclose at least the heating unit, reducing heat transfer from the heating unit to the outer surface of the device housing. However, insulating elements increase the overall size of the aerosol generating device and must accommodate the spatial requirements imposed by the internal space of the aerosol generating device occupied by its multiple components. This increases manufacturing complexity and raises manufacturing costs. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for aerosol generating devices that are durable, cost-effective to manufacture, and have an insulated exterior. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Some or all of the above objectives are achieved by the present invention as defined by the features of the independent claim. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are defined by the features of the dependent claim.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention is an aerosol generating device comprising a main body defined by a main housing and a cover element that is detachably attached to or connected to the main housing and covers a portion of the main housing, forming a part of the outer surface of the main housing. The main housing and the cover element are shaped such that an air gap is formed between the main housing and the cover element.

[0008] The air gap formed between the cover element and the main housing provides insulation without requiring special thermal insulation materials, and is therefore advantageous because it is easy to manufacture and cost-effective. In addition, the removable cover element provides access to the aerosol-generating components protected by the cover element.

[0009] According to a second embodiment, in the first embodiment, the entire cover element covers a portion of the main housing.

[0010] The second embodiment is advantageous for reducing the size of the cover element to a portion of the size of the main housing.

[0011] According to a third embodiment, in any one of the above embodiments, the air gap is formed between the portion of the main housing covered by the cover element and the cover element.

[0012] In a third embodiment, an air gap is provided only between the cover element and the portion of the main housing covered by the cover element, i.e., the cover element alone is sufficient to provide the air gap, which is advantageous because it can reduce the size of the aerosol generating device.

[0013] According to the fourth embodiment, in any one of the above embodiments, the air gap is formed between the entire portion of the main housing covered by the cover element and the entire cover element, except at the location where the cover element and the main housing are adjacent.

[0014] A fourth embodiment is advantageous for maximizing the air gap between the cover element and the main housing, thereby maximizing the thermal insulation properties provided to the aerosol generating device.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect, in any one of the above aspects, the air gap is enclosed between the main housing and the cover element.

[0016] A fifth aspect is advantageous in that by surrounding the air gap, the thermal insulation properties provided to the aerosol generating device by the air gap are improved, and the air gap is further protected from the ingress of liquids, dirt, and other particles. This improves the durability of the aerosol generating device.

[0017] According to the sixth embodiment, in any one of the above embodiments, the aerosol generating device includes a heating unit for heating the aerosol generating substrate.

[0018] According to the seventh aspect, in the above embodiment, the entire section or air gap is a section of a portion of the housing, formed adjacent to a section, at least a portion of which is adjacent to a heating unit.

[0019] According to the eighth aspect, in the sixth aspect, the section or the entire air gap is a section of the main housing, and the entire section is formed adjacent to the section adjacent to the heating unit.

[0020] The seventh and eighth embodiments are advantageous for improving the thermal insulation properties of the aerosol generating device, respectively, by providing an insulated air gap close to the part of the aerosol generating device that is heated most by the heating unit of the aerosol generating device.

[0021] According to the ninth aspect, in any one of the above aspects, different sections of the air gap have different average gap distances.

[0022] The ninth aspect is advantageous in that it allows the air gap to be adapted to the fact that different parts of the outer surface of the device housing may require different thermal insulation properties. Parts located close to the heating unit provided in the aerosol generating device may require a larger air gap, while parts located further away from the heat source may require only a smaller air gap. This allows the aerosol generating device to be provided with appropriate thermal insulation properties and the size of the aerosol generating device to be minimized by reducing unnecessary and / or wasted space.

[0023] According to the tenth embodiment, in any one of the above embodiments, the air gap has a discrete set of air gap distance values.

[0024] According to the 11th aspect, in any one of the above aspects, the air gap has a set of continuous air gap distance values.

[0025] The 10th and 11th aspects are advantageous in that they enable the air gap to conform to different geometric requirements of the aerosol generating device and / or the heating unit.

[0026] According to the 12th aspect, in any one of the above aspects, the maximum air gap distance is 5 mm or less.

[0027] The 12th aspect is advantageous in providing an optimal compromise between the optimized heat insulation characteristics of the air gap and the size of the aerosol generating device such that the aerosol generating device remains sufficiently comfortable for the user to hold and use.

[0028] According to the 13th aspect, in any one of the above aspects, the minimum air gap distance is 0.1 mm or more.

[0029] The 13th aspect is advantageous in providing an optimal compromise between an optimal size of the aerosol generating device for the user to hold and use comfortably and sufficient heat insulation characteristics of the air gap to prevent the outer surface of the device housing from getting too hot.

[0030] According to the 14th aspect, in any one of the above aspects, the average air gap distance between the main housing and the cover portion is 0.1 - 5 mm.

[0031] The 14th aspect is advantageous in providing an optimal compromise between the average heat insulation characteristics of the air gap and the overall size and shape of the aerosol generating device such that the aerosol generating device remains comfortable for the user to hold and use.

[0032] According to the 15th embodiment, in any one of the above embodiments, the air gap includes a first section of the air gap having a first mean air gap distance and a second section of the air gap having a second mean air gap distance different from the first air gap distance.

[0033] The 15th embodiment is advantageous because it allows two sections of the air gap to be adapted to two different sections of an aerosol generating device that require different thermal insulation properties.

[0034] According to the 16th embodiment, in any one of the above embodiments, the cover element is provided with a heat conduction element on at least part or all of its inner surface facing the main housing when the cover element is releasably attached to the main housing.

[0035] The sixteenth embodiment is advantageous because the heat conduction element can disperse heat along the direction in which it extends. This allows the cover element to heat more uniformly and suppresses the occurrence of hot spots.

[0036] According to the seventeenth aspect, in the above embodiment, the heat conduction element includes a heat-conductive strip, layer, rod, or bar.

[0037] The seventeenth embodiment is advantageous because the strips, layers, rods, or bars are cost-effective during manufacturing.

[0038] According to the 18th aspect, in the 16th or 17th aspect, the heat conduction element includes a copper material.

[0039] The 18th embodiment is advantageous because copper provides optimal thermal conductivity and is cost-effective.

[0040] According to the 19th embodiment, in any one of the above embodiments, the aerosol generating device includes cover detection means for detecting whether or not a cover element is attached to the main housing.

[0041] The 19th embodiment is advantageous because it allows for determining whether the cover element is properly installed, thereby ensuring the proper formation of a thermal insulation air gap and ensuring the safe operation and protection of the aerosol generating device.

[0042] According to the 20th aspect, in the above claim, the cover detection means includes a button or switch that is activated when the cover element is attached to the main housing.

[0043] The 20th embodiment is advantageous because the button or switch can be implemented cost-effectively to reliably and repeatedly detect the mounting of the cover element.

[0044] According to the 21st aspect, in the 19th or 20th aspect, the cover detection means includes a sensor circuit.

[0045] According to the 22nd aspect, in any one of the 19th to 21st aspects, the sensor circuit includes a Hall sensor.

[0046] The 21st and 22nd embodiments are advantageous because the operation of the Hall sensor does not require mechanical operation of the sensor, such as by pressing the sensor or moving a part of the sensor in some way, and therefore the magnetic sensor is less susceptible to mechanical wear caused by repeated attachment and removal of the cover element.

[0047] According to the 23rd aspect, in the above embodiment, the cover element includes or is a magnetic element that can be detected by a Hall sensor when the cover element is attached to the main housing.

[0048] The 23rd embodiment is advantageous because it can provide a dedicated object to be detected, which can be detected by a Hall sensor to reliably detect whether or not the cover element is properly installed.

[0049] According to the 24th aspect, in any one of the 21st to 23rd aspects, the sensor circuit includes an optical sensor for detecting a removable panel when the removable panel is attached to the main housing of the main body.

[0050] The 24th embodiment is advantageous because, since the operation of the optical sensor does not require mechanical operation of the sensor, such as pressing the sensor or moving a part of the sensor in some way, the optical sensor is less susceptible to mechanical wear caused by repeated attachment and removal of the cover element.

[0051] According to the 25th aspect, in the above claim, the optical sensor is an IR sensor, which includes an IR sensor for detecting a light reflecting element provided on a cover element that can be detected by the IR sensor.

[0052] The 25th embodiment is advantageous because it requires less power from the IR sensor and allows the IR sensor to reliably detect the target even in the presence of ambient light or stray light.

[0053] According to the 26th aspect, in any one of the 21st to 25th aspects, the sensor circuit includes an electrical sensor.

[0054] The 26th embodiment is advantageous because the operation of the electrical sensor does not require mechanical operation of the sensor, such as pressing the sensor or moving a part of the sensor in some way, and therefore the optical sensor is less susceptible to mechanical wear caused by repeated attachment and removal of the cover element.

[0055] According to the 27th embodiment, in the above embodiment, the electrical sensor includes a plurality of electrical contact elements for contacting a conductive element provided on the cover when the cover element is attached to the main housing, thereby allowing current to flow from one of the plurality of electrical contact elements to another of the plurality of electrical contact elements through the conductive element.

[0056] The 27th aspect is advantageous in providing a method for reliably detecting whether or not a cover element is properly installed.

[0057] According to the 28th aspect, in any one of the 21st to 27th aspects, the sensor circuit includes an electrical connector, and the cover element includes a corresponding mating electrical connector that engages with each other when the cover element is attached to the main housing of the body.

[0058] According to the 29th aspect, in the above embodiment, the electrical connector and the corresponding mating electrical connector include a pogo pin and a pogo pin receptacle or vice versa.

[0059] The 28th and 29th embodiments are advantageous in that they provide reliable and mechanically stable mechanical and electrical connections, respectively, for reliably detecting whether or not the cover element is properly installed.

[0060] According to the 30th aspect, in any one of the 19th to 29th aspects, the aerosol generating device includes a circuit for controlling the operation of the aerosol generating device based on information from a cover detection means, the information including information relating to a first state in which it is detected that the cover element is attached to the main housing, and information relating to a second state in which it is detected that the cover element is not attached to the main housing.

[0061] Proper positioning and mounting of the cover element is important to ensure that the user can operate the aerosol generating device properly and safely, that is, that an air gap is properly formed to prevent the outer surface of the cover element from becoming too hot. Therefore, the 30th embodiment is advantageous because it allows the operation of the aerosol generating device to be adapted based on whether or not the cover element is properly mounted.

[0062] According to the 31st aspect, in the above aspect, controlling the operation of the aerosol generating device based on information from the cover detection means includes preventing or suppressing aerosol generation by the aerosol generating device when the information from the cover detection means indicates a second state, and enabling aerosol generation by the aerosol generating device when the information from the cover detection means indicates a first state.

[0063] If the cover element is not detected as being attached, proper and safe operation of the aerosol generating device and proper formation of the air gap cannot be ensured. Therefore, the 31st embodiment is advantageous in preventing unsafe operation of the aerosol generating device.

[0064] According to the 32nd aspect, in any one of the above aspects, the operating interface portion is provided within the air gap on the surface of the portion of the main housing that faces the cover element when the cover element is attached to the main housing.

[0065] The 32nd aspect is advantageous in enabling a user to interact with the aerosol generating device by inputting operations to the aerosol generating device or by receiving information from the aerosol generating device. Furthermore, the cover element protects the operation interface portion from external influences.

[0066] According to the 33rd aspect, in the above claim, the operation interface portion includes an input element for receiving operation input from a user.

[0067] The 33rd aspect is advantageous in ensuring that user input is reliably received.

[0068] According to the 34th aspect, in the above embodiment, the input element includes a button or a switch.

[0069] The 34th embodiment is advantageous because it can be implemented cost-effectively to ensure that the button or switch reliably and repeatedly receives input from the user.

[0070] According to the 35th embodiment, in any one of the above embodiments, the output element is provided in the air gap on the surface of the portion of the main housing that faces the cover element when the cover element is attached to the main housing, in order to indicate the operating output of the aerosol generating device.

[0071] According to the 36th aspect, in the above embodiment, the output element includes an indicator light.

[0072] The 35th and 36th embodiments are advantageous in that they enable the aerosol generating device to provide output information, such as feedback information, to the user of the aerosol generating device.

[0073] According to the 37th embodiment, in any one of the above embodiments, when the cover element is attached to the main housing, the cover element and the main housing form a smooth and uniform outer surface of the aerosol generating device, except for the portion of the seam formed where the cover element and the main housing are adjacent.

[0074] According to the 38th embodiment, in the above embodiment, when the cover element is attached to the main housing, the outer surface of the cover element constitutes 10% to 60% of the total outer surface of the aerosol generating device.

[0075] According to the 39th aspect, in any one of the above aspects, the aerosol generating device is an e-cigarette. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0076] [Figure 1] Figures 1A and 1B show schematic side and top views, respectively, of an aerosol generating device equipped with a cover element according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]Figures 2A and 2B show schematic top views, respectively, of an aerosol generating device equipped with an operating interface portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C show side cross-sectional views of an aerosol generating device equipped with a cover element and an air gap according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively. [Figure 4] Figures 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D show partial side cross-sectional views of an aerosol generating device with a cover element and an air gap according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0077] As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a main housing 200 and a cover element 300. The main housing 200 is configured to house an aerosol generating unit for generating aerosols to be consumed by the user. The cover element 300 is detachably attached to the main housing 200. The detachability of the cover element means that it can be removed by a user of the aerosol generating device 100 from the main housing without the need for additional tools or auxiliary equipment, and can be removed by the user using one or both hands. Alternatively, the cover element may not be detachable and may be integrally formed with the main housing or at least a portion thereof. The aerosol generating device 100 also includes a power supply, which may be a replaceable power supply and / or a rechargeable power supply, and an additional charging port may be provided for charging the rechargeable power supply. Preferably, the power supply may be a battery.

[0078] The aerosol generating device 100 may have an elongated shape to improve user comfort when holding the aerosol generating device 100. The longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 100 is the direction in which the aerosol generating device 100 extends elongated. The longitudinal spread of the aerosol generating device 100 corresponds to the length L of the aerosol generating device 100, and the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 100 corresponds to the length direction of the aerosol generating device 100. The aerosol generating device 100 has a cross section that lies in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 100. The cross section of the aerosol generating device 100 can generally be any suitable shape, but is preferably rectangular, square, circular, or elliptical. The longitudinal direction of the cross section is the first transverse or radial direction of the aerosol generating device 100, and corresponds to the direction in which the cross section may extend elongated. The first transverse or radial extent of the cross-section corresponds to the width W of the aerosol generating device 100, and the first transverse or radial extent of the aerosol generating device 100 corresponds to the width direction of the aerosol generating device 100. The direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and width directions of the aerosol generating device 100 is the second transverse or radial extent of the aerosol generating device 100. The second transverse or radial extent of the cross-section corresponds to the height H of the aerosol generating device 100, and the second transverse or radial extent corresponds to the height direction of the aerosol generating device 100. In the case of a circular cross-section, the width direction and height direction can be arbitrarily selected as long as they are perpendicular to each other. In the case of a square cross-section, the width direction corresponds to the straight-line distance between two opposing sides of the square, and the height direction corresponds to the direction perpendicular to the width direction within the plane of the cross-section.

[0079] As shown in Figure 1A, the cover element 300 is preferably attached to the main housing 200 of the aerosol generating device 100 from the height direction of the aerosol generating device 100, that is, as shown in Figure 1B, when the cover element 300 is attached to the main housing 200 of the aerosol generating device 100, it increases the height H of the aerosol generating device 100, but does not increase the length L and width W of the aerosol generating device 100. The height H of the aerosol generating device 100 consists of the height Hc of the cover element 300 and the height Hm of the main housing 200, where the height Hc of the cover element 300 corresponds to the difference between the height H of the aerosol generating device 100 and the height Hm of the main housing 200. Preferably, the height Hc of the cover element 300 is less than 30% of the height H of the aerosol generating device 100. This ensures that when the cover element 300 is attached, the overall size of the aerosol generating device 100 is such that it can be comfortably used, held, and operated by a user with one hand. When the cover element 300 is attached to the main housing, the outer surface of the cover element 300 is the surface of the cover element 300 that faces away from the inner surface of the cover element 300, which is the surface that faces the main housing 200. The outer surface of the cover element 300 may preferably constitute 10% to 60%, preferably 20% to 50%, and more preferably 30% to 40% of the entire outer surface of the aerosol generating device. When the cover element 300 is attached to the main housing 200, the outer surface of the aerosol generating device 100 may be a smooth and uniform surface, except for the seams formed in the adjacent portions of the cover element 300 and the main housing 200. In particular, the outer surface of the cover element 300 has a smooth and continuous shape, and the transition from the outer surface of the cover element 300 to the outer surface of the main housing 200 is smooth and continuous, except for the seams formed in the transition portion.

[0080] The aerosol generating unit housed within the main housing may include a heating unit 110 configured to heat a consumable 120 containing an aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol generating device 100 may be an e-cigarette and may be configured to generate an aerosol from an e-vapor or tobacco vapor aerosol generating substrate. For example, the heating unit 110 may include a receptacle configured to receive a tobacco stick or similar consumable 120, and the heating element may be configured to heat the receptacle and the tobacco stick received within the receptacle. Alternatively, the receptacle may be configured to receive a cartridge containing an aerosol generating substrate such as a liquid, and the heating unit 110 may include a wicking element and a heating element configured to heat the wicking element. Depending on the aerosol generating substrate, the heating unit may heat the aerosol generating substrate to a temperature of 350°C to generate an aerosol. Part of the heat generated by the heating unit 110 is transferred to the aerosol generating substrate for generating the aerosol and to the airflow that carries the generated aerosol to the user when inhaled. However, a significant portion of the remaining heat generated is dissipated over time by thermal conduction and thermal radiation to the outer surface of the aerosol generating device and then to the surrounding air. Since this heat does not contribute to heating the aerosol generating substrate, it corresponds to the heat lost around the heating unit 110, and this heat is then dissipated to the surrounding air outside the aerosol generating device 100. An air gap 400 is provided between the cover element 300 and the main housing 200 and functions as an insulating element. The air gap 400 reduces the rate of heat dissipation of the lost heat, which is dissipated from the heating unit to the main housing, through the air gap 400 to the cover element 300, and finally to the surrounding air. By reducing the rate of heat dissipation, the maximum temperature at which the outer surface of the cover element 300 is heated due to the dissipation of lost heat is reduced. As a result, the outer surface of the cover element 300 may not become too hot to touch or hold, thus preventing injury to the user. Preferably, the entire air gap 400 is positioned between the main housing 200 and the cover element 300.The air gap 400 may be enclosed by the main housing 200 and the cover element 300. To help dissipate lost heat, the cover element 300 may be provided with heat dissipation holes that allow the hot air in the air gap 400 to be released to the outside of the cover element 300 and the aerosol generating device 100. The air gap 400 formed between the main housing 200 and the cover element 300 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 3A to 3C.

[0081] As shown in Figure 2A, which shows the inner surface of the cover element 300 removed from the main housing 200 by rotating it 180° around the axis of rotation R as shown in Figure 2B, the main housing 200 and / or the cover element 300 are provided with mounting means 210 and 310 for removably attaching the cover element 300 to the main housing 200. Mounting means 210 may include means such as press-fit connections, clamp connections or similar connections. Additionally or alternatively, mounting means may include magnetic means. The main housing 200 may be provided with a magnetic coupling element, and the cover element 300 may be provided with a mating magnetic coupling element, and the coupling element and mating coupling element include magnets and ferromagnetic elements. The main housing 200 is provided with an operating interface portion 220 accessible on the outer surface of the main housing 200. The operating interface portion 220 includes one or more operating input elements 230 that can be actuated to provide input for operating the aerosol generating device 100. At least part or all of the operating interface portion 220, which includes one or more operating input elements 230, is covered by the cover element 300 when the cover element 300 is attached to the main housing 200, i.e., the operating interface portion includes one or more operating input elements 230 positioned between the main housing 200 and the cover element 300. Preferably, all operating input elements 230 are positioned between the main housing 200 and the cover element 300. Alternatively, one or more operating input elements 230 may be positioned on the outer surface of the main housing 200 in a portion not covered by the cover element 300, and thus accessible and visible from outside the aerosol generating device 100. Additionally, the main housing 200 may be provided with a plurality of operating interface portions 220, at least part or all of which may be positioned between the main housing 200 and the cover element 300 and covered by the cover element 300. The portion of the operation input element 230 covered by the cover element 300 of the operation interface can be made invisible from the outside of the aerosol generating device 100.This can be achieved when there is no line of sight from outside the aerosol generating device 100 to the operating input element 230, and the operating input element is enclosed between the main housing 200 and the cover element 300. Additionally, the cover element 300 may be at least partially or completely opaque or translucent to such an extent that the operating input element 230 enclosed between the main housing 200 and the cover element 300 is not visible through the cover element 300. One or more operating input elements include an input element that, when activated, can cause any one of the following: turning the aerosol generating device 100 on / off, changing and / or setting the heating temperature and / or heating time of the heating unit 110 provided in the aerosol generating device 100, checking the remaining amount of consumables 120, or checking the remaining power of the power supply.

[0082] The aerosol generating device 100 may be further provided with an operational output element 240. The operational output element 240 may include one or more light indicators, such as LED light sources or LED light strips. The light indicators may provide users of the aerosol generating device 100 with information indicating the operating status, and the information may include, but is not limited to, information regarding the on / off status of the aerosol generating device 100, information regarding the heating temperature of the aerosol generating device 100, information regarding consumables 120 being used in the aerosol generating device 100, and information regarding the power status of the aerosol generating device 100. The light indicators may be located between the main housing 200 and the cover element 300, or alternatively, on the outer surface of the main housing 200 without being covered by the cover element 300. The light indicators 240 may be configured to be visible and / or emit light when the cover element 300 is removed from the main housing. When the light indicator 240 is positioned between the main housing 200 and the cover element 300, the cover element may be configured to be at least partially translucent so that the light indicator 240 is visible through the cover element 300 when the light indicator 240 is emitting light, and is not visible through the cover element 300 when the light indicator 240 is not emitting light. Additionally or alternatively, the cover element 300 may be provided with a plurality of light-transmitting holes so that the light indicator 240 is visible outside the aerosol generating device 100 when the light indicator 240 is emitting light. The plurality of light-transmitting holes may be configured and sized so that the light indicator is not visible through the holes when the light indicator 240 is not emitting light. The plurality of light-transmitting holes may at least partially correspond to the heat dissipation holes described above. The aerosol generating device 100 may be provided with cover detection means 250 configured to detect whether or not the cover element 300 is attached to the main housing 200, as will be detailed below with reference to embodiments described in relation to Figures 4A to 4D.

[0083] As shown in Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C, the cover element 300 may preferably be shaped as a panel. The cover element 300 is substantially plate-like, and as described in the embodiment related to Figure 1A, the average thickness of the cover element 300 may be less than 30% of the height Hc of the cover element 300. The cover element 300 may preferably have a substantially planar central portion and one or more curved or bent peripheral portions so that the cover element 300 can be adjacent to the main housing 200, with a space located between the main housing 200 and the cover element 300, in which one or more operating input elements 230 may be located. Alternatively, the cover element 300 may have a continuous curved shape with a central portion having a curvature smaller than the curvature of one or more peripheral portions.

[0084] The air gap 400 is located between the main housing 200 and the cover element 300. In particular, the dimensions and shape of the air gap 400 are defined by the shapes of the cover element 300 and the main housing 200. The aerosol generating unit 110, which may preferably be a heating unit 110 housed within the main housing 200, is typically sized such that its lengthwise (shown in Figures 3A to 3C) and / or widthwise (not shown) extent, as described in relation to Figures 1A and 1B, is smaller than the lengthwise and / or widthwise extent of the main housing 200 and / or the cover element 300. Thus, different sections of the main housing covered by the cover element 300 are heated to different temperatures by the heat lost from the heating unit 110, and as a result, different sections of the cover element 300 are heated to different temperatures by the heat radiated from the main housing 200 through the air gap 400. Sections located closer to the heating unit 110 are generally heated more strongly than sections located further away from the heating unit 110, so different sections of the cover element 300 may be insulated differently.

[0085] To optimize the thermal insulation properties of the air gap 400, at least a section or the entire air gap is formed adjacent to a section of the main housing adjacent to the heating unit. Preferably, the air gap is formed adjacent to the entire section of the main housing that is completely adjacent to the heating unit. Additionally, to maximize the air gap 400, the air gap 400 is formed between the entire cover element 300 and the entire section of the main housing 200 that is covered by the cover element 300, except for the portion of the cover element 300 that is adjacent to the main housing 200 for mounting the cover element 300 to the main housing 200. Additionally, the air gap 400 may include different air gap sections, and different sections may have different air gap distances and different average air gap distances. Note that when the cover element 300 is mounted to the main housing 200 from the height direction, as described in relation to Figures 1A and 1B, the gap distance corresponds to the distance between the main housing 200 and the cover element 300 in the height direction.

[0086] As shown in Figure 3A, the air gap 400 may include multiple air gap sections. The air gap may include a discrete set of air gap distances, and different gap sections may have different discrete gap distances. Additionally or alternatively, as shown in Figure 3B, the air gap may include air gap distances over a continuous spectrum. To realize different air gap sections with different air gap distances, the cover element 300 may have a stepped and / or curved cross-sectional shape. Note that in general, the cover element may have any suitable cross-sectional shape. Additionally or alternatively, the cover element 300 may include different thicknesses, and the cover element 300 may include a discrete set of different thicknesses and / or different thicknesses over a continuous spectrum. As a result, due to their shape and / or thickness, some sections of the cover element 300 are positioned closer to the heating unit 110 and the main housing 200, while others are positioned further away, forming smaller and larger air gap distances, respectively. Additionally, as shown in Figure 3B, the different sections of the air gap 400 do not need to be in contact with each other. The cover element 300 may be configured to separate the gap 400 into one or more gap sections 400a, 400b that do not need to be in contact with each other. As a further advantage, such a cover element 300 may have improved strength and robustness.

[0087] To further optimize the thermal insulation properties of the air gap 400, sections of the air gap 400 located closer to the heating unit 110 may have an average gap distance greater than the average gap distance of sections of the air gap 400 located further away from the heating unit 110. Preferably, sections located closer to the heating unit 110 correspond to sections of the air gap located completely adjacent to sections of the main housing 200 covered by the cover element 300, with the covered portion of the main housing 200 being completely adjacent to the heating unit 110. Sections located further away from the heating unit 110 may preferably correspond to sections of the air gap 400 located not adjacent to sections of the main housing 200 covered by the cover element 300, with the covered portion of the main housing 200 being completely adjacent to the heating unit 110. To prevent the size of the aerosol generating device 100 from being determined in a way that prevents the aerosol generating device from being comfortably held and used by the user, the maximum air gap distance may be 5 mm or less. Additionally or alternatively, to ensure adequate and sufficient thermal insulation properties of the air gap 400, the minimum air gap distance may be 0.1 mm or more. Additionally or alternatively, the average air gap distance may be 0.1 to 5 mm.

[0088] As shown in Figure 3C, the cover element 300 may be provided with heat conduction elements 301 only on the portion of the inner surface of the cover element 300 facing the portion of the main housing 200 covered by the cover element 300, or preferably all of it. At a minimum, the heat conduction elements extend from the section of the cover element 300 located closer to the heating unit 110 to the portion of the cover element 300 located further away from the heating unit 110. The heat conduction elements 301 can transfer heat from the section of the cover element 300 that is more strongly heated by the heat lost from the heating unit 100 to the section of the cover element 300 that is not as strongly heated by the heat lost. This allows the cover element 300 to be heated more uniformly by the heat lost, preventing hot spots or high-temperature sections in the cover element 300. Preferably, the heat conduction elements may include copper or a material having similar thermal conductivity, or may be shaped as strips, layers, rods, or bars that are substantially made of such material. The cover element 300 may be provided with a plurality of heat conduction elements 301 to improve uniform heating and heat dissipation of the cover element 300.

[0089] It should be noted that the cover element 300 and the main housing 200 may be formed of the same material, or the cover element 300 may be formed of a different material from the main housing 200. In particular, the cover element may be formed of or include a material that provides thermal insulation properties in addition to the thermal insulation properties of the air gap 400, in order to further prevent the surface of the cover element 300 from becoming too hot to touch or hold for the user. For this purpose, the cover element 300 may include or be substantially composed of one or more layers of aerogel sheets, thermal insulation sheets and foam sheets, preferably foamed resin sheets and / or foamed plastics. Additionally or alternatively, the cover element 300 may have one or more layers of aerogel sheets, thermal insulation sheets and foam sheets, preferably foamed resin sheets and / or foamed plastics on part or all of its inner surface.

[0090] As shown in Figures 4A to 4D, the aerosol generating device 100 may be provided with a cover detection means 250 configured to detect whether the cover element 300 is properly and securely attached to the main housing 200 to ensure proper formation of the air gap 400. The cover element 300 may be provided with a detection target 320 configured to be detected by the cover detection means 250 when the cover element 300 is attached to the main housing 200. The aerosol generating device 100 may further be provided with a circuit for controlling the operation of the aerosol generating device 100. The circuit may be configured to control the operation of the aerosol generating device 100 based on information provided by the cover detection means 250. The information from the cover detection means 250 includes information about a first state in which it is detected that the cover element 300 is attached to the main housing 200, and information about a second state in which it is detected that the cover element 300 is not attached to the main housing 200. To ensure the safe operation of the aerosol generating device 100, the circuit may be configured to prevent or suppress aerosol generation by the aerosol generating device 100. This can be achieved, for example, by preventing the operation of the heating unit 110 for heating the aerosol generating substrate and / or by limiting the operation of the heating unit 110 to a limited time period or a limited temperature range. As shown in Figure 4A, the cover detection means 250 may include a magnetic sensor such as a Hall sensor, and the cover element 300 may be provided with a magnetic detection target 320 such as a ferromagnetic material that can be detected when the cover element 300 is attached to the main housing 200. Additionally or alternatively, the cover element 300 may include or substantially consist of a ferromagnetic material that can be detected by the magnetic sensor. A first state may be indicated in which the cover element 300 is properly and securely attached to the aerosol generating device 100 if the detection signal generated in the magnetic sensor based on the distance between the magnetic sensor and the magnetic detection target exceeds a predetermined detection signal intensity threshold, and a second state may be indicated in which the cover element 300 is not properly and securely attached if the detection signal intensity is below the predetermined threshold.Alternatively, a first state may be indicated when a detection signal is generated, and a second state may be indicated when no detection signal intensity is indicated. Additionally or alternatively, as shown in Figure 4B, the cover detection means 250 may include an optical sensor, and the cover element 300 may be provided with an optical detection target 320, such as an optical reflector that reflects light. The optical sensor may be an IR sensor that emits IR light. If the cover element 300 is properly and securely mounted to the main housing 200, a first state may be indicated when the IR light emitted by the IR sensor is reflected back to the IR sensor by the optical reflector so that it can be detected by the IR sensor. The first state may additionally or alternatively be indicated when the reflected IR light detected by the IR sensor exceeds a predetermined intensity or coherence threshold. If the cover element 300 is not properly and securely mounted to the main housing 200, a second state may be indicated when the IR light emitted by the IR sensor is not reflected by the optical reflector 320. A second state may be indicated if the reflected IR light detected by the IR sensor is below a predetermined intensity or coherence threshold. Additionally or alternatively, as shown in Figure 4C, the cover detection means may include an electrical sensor, and the cover element 300 may be provided with an electrical detection target. For example, the cover detection means may include an open electrical circuit having a plurality of electrical contacts exposed toward the cover element 300 in the main housing 200, and the cover element 300 may be provided with a conductive element 320. The plurality of electrical contacts may include electrical connectors such as pogo pins and / or pogo pin receptacles, and the conductive element 320 may include one or more corresponding pogo pin receptacles and / or pogo pins. A first state may be indicated if the plurality of contacts of the open electrical circuit come into contact with the conductive element 320 of the cover element to close the open circuit, and as a result, a current flow or voltage drop can be detected. Additionally or alternatively, if the electrical detection target 320 has a resistance having a predetermined value or a resistance within a predetermined range, and as a result the detected current or voltage drop has a predetermined value or is within a predetermined range, the first state may be indicated.As shown in Figure 4D, the cover detection means 250 may additionally or alternatively include a button or switch, and the cover element 300 may be provided with a detection target 320, such as a projection or similar structure for activating the button or switch. The button or switch may be a mechanical and / or capacitive touch button or switch. If the cover element 300 is properly and securely mounted to the main housing, a first state may be indicated when the button or switch is activated, and a second state may be indicated when the button or switch is not activated.

[0091] It should be noted that the cover detection means 250 may also function as mounting means 210 for attaching the cover element 300 to the main housing 200. For example, the cover detection means 250 may include a magnetic sensor that applies an attractive force to the cover element 300, which may include a magnetic element or be provided with a magnetic element. In another example, the cover detection means 250 may include a button or switch, and the cover element 300 may be mechanically attached to or connected to the button or switch for attaching the cover element 300 to the main housing 200. Mechanical attachment or connection may be achieved via a mechanical press-fit connection or a similar clamp or engagement configuration. In yet another example, the cover detection means 250 may include a plurality of electrical contact elements, such as pogo pins or pogo pin receptacles, and the cover element 300 may be provided with one or more conductive elements, such as pogo pins or pogo pin receptacles, which engage with the electrical contact elements of the cover detection means 250 to form a stable mechanical connection for attaching the cover element 300 to the main housing 200.

[0092] While this disclosure has described specific embodiments and generally related methods, variations and substitutions of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description of exemplary embodiments does not define or restrict this disclosure. Other variations, substitutions, and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of this disclosure as defined by the independent and dependent claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 100 Aerosol Generating Devices 110 Heating Unit 120 Consumables 200 Main Housing 210 Mounting method 220 Operation Interface Section 230 Operation Input Elements 240 output elements 250 Cover detection means 300 cover elements 301 Heat Conduction Element 310 Mounting method 320 items detected 400 Air Gap 400a / 400b Air Gap Section H Height of aerosol generating device L Length of the aerosol generating device W width of aerosol generating device Hc Cover element height

Claims

1. A main body defined by a main housing, the main body including a heating unit housed within the main housing for heating an aerosol generating substrate, A cover element that is removably attached to or connected to the main housing and covers a portion of the main housing, forming a part of the outer surface of the main housing. Aerosol generating device comprising a main housing and a cover element, wherein the main housing and the cover element are shaped such that an air gap is formed between the main housing and the cover element, the cover element comprises a discrete set of different thicknesses and / or different thicknesses over a continuous spectrum, the air gap comprises a first section having a first mean air gap distance and a second section having a second mean air gap distance, the first section is located closer to the heating unit than the second section, and the first mean gap distance is greater than the second mean gap distance.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the entire cover element covers a portion of the main housing, and the air gap is formed between the portion of the main housing covered by the cover element and the cover element.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air gap is enclosed between the main housing and the cover element.

4. The section of the air gap or the entire air gap is formed adjacent to the first housing section of the portion of the main housing, wherein at least a portion of it is adjacent to the heating unit, or The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air gap section is a second housing section of the main housing, and the entire second housing section is adjacent to the heating unit and is formed adjacent to the second housing section.

5. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein different sections of the air gap have different average gap distances.

6. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the average air gap distance between the main housing and the cover element is 0.1 to 5 mm.

7. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cover element is provided with a heat conduction element on at least a portion or all of its inner surface facing the main housing when the cover element is releasably attached to the main housing.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7, wherein the heat conducting element comprises a heat-conductive strip, layer, rod, or bar, and the heat conducting element comprises a copper material.

9. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a cover detection means for detecting whether or not the cover element is attached to the main housing.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein the cover detection means includes a button or switch that is activated when the cover element is attached to the main housing, and / or the cover detection means includes a sensor circuit.

11. The sensor circuit includes a Hall sensor and / or The cover element includes or is a magnetic element that can be detected by the Hall sensor when the cover element is attached to the main housing, and / or The sensor circuit includes an optical sensor for detecting the removable panel when the removable panel is attached to the main housing of the main body, and / or The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, wherein the sensor circuit includes an electrical sensor which includes a plurality of electrical contact elements for contacting a conductive element provided on the cover element when the cover element is attached to the main housing, thereby allowing current to flow from one of the plurality of electrical contact elements to another of the plurality of electrical contact elements through the conductive element.

12. The circuit includes for controlling the operation of the aerosol generating device based on information from the cover detection means, the information including information about a first state in which it is detected that the cover element is attached to the main housing, and information about a second state in which it is detected that the cover element is not attached to the main housing. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein controlling the operation of the aerosol generating device based on information from the cover detection means includes preventing or suppressing the generation of aerosols by the aerosol generating device when the information from the cover detection means indicates the second state, and enabling the generation of aerosols by the aerosol generating device when the information from the cover detection means indicates the first state.

13. The operating interface portion is provided within the air gap on the surface of the portion of the main housing that faces the cover element when the cover element is attached to the main housing, The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the operation interface portion includes an input element for receiving operation input from a user.

14. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the output element is provided on the surface of the portion of the main housing facing the cover element when the cover element is attached to the main housing, within the air gap, to indicate the operational output of the aerosol generating device, and the output element includes an indicator light.

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