Aerosol-generating device

Abstract

The aerosol-generating device (1) comprising a casing comprises a pod compartment (2) accommodating a pod (20) comprising an aerosol-generating substance, a device body (3) comprising a power source and connecting means for electrically connecting the power source to the pod (20). The connecting means comprise a first contact pin (12) and a second contact pin (13) protruding from the device body (3) and configured to contact corresponding connecting pads (21, 22) provided at the pod (20).The first contact pin and the second contact pin (11, 12) comprise a contacting zone for contacting the corresponding connecting pad (21, 22) and is movable in a longitudinal direction (Z) of the device body (3) between a deployed position and a retracted position. At least one of the first contact pin and the second contact pin (12, 13) is arranged so that the contacting zone of the at least one of the first contact pin and the second contact pin (12, 13) is movable also in a transverse direction (Y) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (Z) when passing from the deployed position to the retracted position thereby rubbing the corresponding connecting pad (21, 22).

Description

[0001] AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of aerosol-generating devices. In particular, the invention relates to aerosol-generating devices comprising a pod comprising an aerosol-forming substance to be aerosolized during use of the aerosol-generating device.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] In aerosol-generating devices, so-called E-cigarettes, often a liquid, called e-liquid, is heated to certain temperatures so that the e-liquid vaporizes and produces aerosol. The device comprises an aerosolizer, typically a heater for heating the e-liquid. The e-liquid may be stored in a container called pod. The pod and heater are accommodated in a compartment of the aerosol-generating device, while a power source for powering the heater is accommodated in another compartment of the device. Electrical contacts are provided in the device to form an electrical connection between the power source and the heater. However, often an electrical connection does not work properly in devices which may be taken apart, for example to remove, replace or refill a pod.

[0006] Summary of the invention

[0007] There is need for an aerosol-generating device limiting or eliminating the above-mentioned disadvantage of prior art aerosol-generating devices. In particular, there is need for an aerosol-generating device with a reliable electrical connection between a power source and a pod or an aerosolizer in a pod, respectively.

[0008] The aerosol-generating device according to the invention comprises a casing comprising a pod compartment accommodating a pod comprising an aerosol-generating substance and a device body comprising a power source. Thedevice further comprises connecting means for electrically connecting the power source to the pod. The connecting means comprise a first contact pin and a second contact pin protruding from the device body, which contact pins are configured to contact corresponding connecting pads provided at the pod compartment. Each of the first contact pin and the second contact pin comprises a contacting zone for contacting the corresponding connecting pad, and each of the first contact pin and the second contact pin is movable in a longitudinal direction of the device body between a deployed position and a retracted position. At least one of the first contact pin and the second contact pin is arranged so that the contacting zone of the at least one of the first contact pin and the second contact pin is moved also in a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction when passing from the deployed position to the retracted position, thereby rubbing the corresponding connecting pad.

[0009] An electrical connection needs to be established between the contact pins and the connecting pads to provide power to an aerosolizer in order to aerosolize or vaporize an aerosol-generating substance in a pod for aerosol generation. In some cases, there are thin layers of residue on a contact pin surface or on a connecting pad surface that prohibit or limit electrical connection even though the contact pins are in physical contact with the connecting pads. Thus, a user may correctly be using the device with the power source sufficiently charged, however, the device is nevertheless not producing vapor.

[0010] According to the present invention, at least one of the contact pins in the aerosol-generating device is arranged to scratch or rub the surface of the respective connecting pad, preferably also the surface of the contact pin, upon assembly or closing of the aerosol-generating device. The rubbing or scratching allows to remove or break thin layers of residue, dust or other surface contamination on the connecting pad or contact pin. Consequently, the respective surfaces that are intended to make electrical contact between the power source and a pod or an aerosolizer in the pod, respectively, are cleaned upon assembly or closing of the device and an electrical connection is more reliably established.Preferably, both contact pins of the device are arranged to scratch or rub their corresponding connecting pad for cleaning the respective surfaces. This helps cleaning both contact surfaces within one user interaction. This also establishes a more reliable electrical connection between power source and pod provided in a pod compartment.

[0011] The scratching or rubbing is due to a lateral or radial movement of the contact pin in a transverse direction of the device in addition to the movement of the contact pin in the longitudinal direction of the device. In order to achieve such a transverse movement, a contact pin is typically tilted by a tilt angle from the longitudinal direction of the device.

[0012] A tilt angle may be between 5 degrees and 45 degrees, preferably between 15 degrees and 35 degrees, for example 30 degrees. These ranges of a tilt angle of a contact pin with respect to the longitudinal direction of the device body have shown to provide reliable operation of the contact pin. These tilt angle ranges enable the contact pin to move in the transverse direction over a transverse stroke distance, when the contact pin moves from the deployed position to the retracted position. In the above tilt angle ranges, the transverse stroke distance is large enough to achieve a desired rubbing of contact pin and connecting pad. On the other hand, these tilt angle ranges prevent a tilted contact pin from getting blocked while being moved from the deployed into the retracted position (or vice versa) due to excessive lateral forces onto the contact pin.

[0013] Thus, preferably, the first contact pin and the second contact pin are each movable in an actuation direction, wherein the actuation direction of at least one of the two contact pins is tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction of the device body by a tilt angle.

[0014] Preferably, the actuation direction of the first contact pin and of the second contact pin are tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction of the device body. By this, both contact pins may rub on their respective connecting pads whenbeing moved and may improve or establish an electrical contact between contact pin and connecting pad.

[0015] Actuation directions of first and second contact pin may be the same or may be different. Also, tilt angles of first and second contact pin may be the same or may be different. Thus, contact pins may direct to a same lateral side of the device body, to a same or to a different extent. Contact pins may also direct to different lateral sides of the device body, to a same or to a different extent.

[0016] A contact pin as a whole may be tilted by a tilt angle, for example a contact pin having a straight longitudinal shape. However, also a part only of a contact pin comprising the contacting zone may be tilted by the tilt angle. For example, an upper part of a contact pin comprising the contacting zone of the contact pin may be tilted by the tilt angle. For example, with a contact pin comprising a flexibly mounted piston comprising the contacting zone, the piston only may be tilted by the tilt angle. Alternatively, with a contact pin having an arcuate shape, an upper curved portion of the contact pin comprising the contacting zone may be tilted by the tilt angle.

[0017] Preferably, an actuation direction is linear. However, an actuation direction may also be non-linear, for example curved.

[0018] With linear actuation directions, simple set-ups of contact pins performing a sole linear movement may be realized.

[0019] Non-linear actuation directions allow for more complex movements of a contact pin when being moved from a deployed to a retracted position and vice versa.

[0020] Non-linear actuation directions may be preferred, for example, when changing a shape and or a size of a contacting zone of a contact pin when moving the contact pin from a deployed position to a retracted position or vice versa. In particular, with non-linear actuation directions of tilted contact pins, embodimentsof contacting means may be realized with large contacting zones in the retracted position of the contact pin, thus in the assembled state of a device. Large contacting zones enhance the physical contact of the contacting means. This may reduce electrical losses from the device body or power source to the pod or aerosolizer, thereby improving the efficiency of aerosol generation.

[0021] For example, a contacting zone of a contact pin may be a point contact or a line contact in the deployed position of the contact pin. With a non-linear actuation direction, embodiments may be realized, where in the retracted position of the contact pin the contacting zone is enlarged compared to the contacting zone of the contact pin in the deployed position. For example, the contacting zone may be formed by a two-dimensional area of the contact pin, for example, by a crosssection of the contact pin.

[0022] Symmetric arrangements of contact pins with respect to the device body or to the aerosol-generating device are preferred arrangements of contact pins. With symmetric arrangements of contact pins, a more balanced power distribution onto the contact pins upon assembly of pod and device may be realized. In particular, this may be realized upon assembly of a pod compartment comprising a pod with a device body.

[0023] Preferably, connection means, in particular contact pins and according portions of connecting pads, are arranged in a central region of an aerosolgenerating device, for example arranged around a central or longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device. A more central arrangement of the connection means has shown to simplify an assembly of the device. No precise alignment of device body and pod is required before assembly - compared to, for example, pin connections arranged in circumferential regions of a device.

[0024] Preferably, actuation directions of the contact pins are different, in particular in view of an arrangement with respect to a longitudinal plane parallel to the longitudinal direction of the device body.In preferred embodiments of the aerosol-generating device according to the invention, the actuation directions of the first contact pin and of the second contact pin are tilted in opposite directions with respect to a longitudinal plane parallel to the longitudinal direction of the device body, which longitudinal plane preferably includes a central axis of the device body. Thus, the first and the second contact pin may direct radially outward or radially inward in opposite directions, at least in the deployed position of the contact pins. Such arrangements of contact pins relative to a longitudinal plane of the device body provide a well-balanced power distribution onto the contact pins when moving the contact pins. This may also support a correct alignment of pod and pod compartment and device body due to the distributed power applied to the contact pins.

[0025] Preferably, an actuation direction of the first contact pin and an actuation direction of the second contact pin is tilted by a same tilt angle but in opposite directions with respect to a longitudinal plane parallel to the longitudinal direction. This symmetric arrangement of contact pins optimizes power distribution and device design. Also, a mounting of a pod or pod compartment comprising the pod may be simplified.

[0026] Preferably, the first contact pin and the second contact pin are actuated contact pins. Actuated contact pins allow to establish a reliable physical contact with the connecting pads when the contact pins are in the deployed position as well as in the retracted position. Examples of actuated pins are spring-loaded pins or elastically mounted pins.

[0027] Preferably, the first contact pin or the second contact pin is a spring-loaded pin or an elastically mounted pin. A spring-loaded pin comprises a spring, preferably a spiral spring. An actuation force of the contact pin is established or enhanced by compressing the spring. An elastically mounted contact pin comprises an elastically deformable material, which material is compressed andexpanded upon application and release of a pushing force onto and from the contact pin.

[0028] Preferably, at least one the first and second contact pin is a spring-loaded pin.

[0029] Preferably, the contact pins are a same kind of contact pins.

[0030] Preferably, the first contact pin and the second contact pin are spring-loaded pins.

[0031] The set-up of spring-loaded contact pins is generally well known but may vary. Preferably, a spring-loaded contact pin is guided in a pin housing, for example in the form of a barrel. Guided contact pins may secure a reliable movement of the pin in their housing and thereby also a continuous and reliable rubbing movement of a contacting zone of the contact pin on a respective connecting pad.

[0032] Preferably, a spring-loaded contact pin has a barrel, a plunger mounted to slide in an actuation direction inside the barrel between the deployed and the retracted position of the contact pin, wherein a spring is arranged between the plunger and the barrel for urging the plunger into the deployed configuration.

[0033] A transverse stroke distance of a contacting zone of a contact pin between the deployed position and the retracted position of the contact pin may be in a range between 0.15 mm and 1.1 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 1 mm, for example 0.7 mm. These transverse stroke distances have shown to be large enough that a desired rubbing of a contact area happens. Going above the above ranges enhances the risk of blocking a contact pin. A too small transverse stroke distance will not provide any cleaning action.

[0034] Preferably, a transverse stroke distance is not larger than a lateral extension of a corresponding connecting pad in a transverse direction. This enables acontact pin to make full use of the stroke distance when the contact pin rubs on the connecting pad.

[0035] A transverse stroke distance is related to a tilt angle of a contact pin, depending on the geometry of the contact pin, in particular a length of the contact pin.

[0036] A contacting zone of a contact pin may be designed by selecting a form of a contact pin. For example, a contact pin may be a longitudinal pin with a rounded top. In such examples, a contacting zone of the pin is a point contact. A contact pin may also comprise a flat top. In these examples, a contacting zone may be a point contact or a line contact, depending on a cross section of the contact pin.

[0037] A cross-section of a contact pin may be chosen according to a user’s need. A cross-section of a contact pin may be, for example, round, elliptic, square or rectangular.

[0038] Preferably, a cross-section of a contact pin is the same over a length of the contact pin, more preferably over a majority of the length of the contact pin, most preferably over an entire length of the contact pin. Contact pins with a constant cross-section are simple in view of manufacturing and application.

[0039] Preferably, at least the first contact pin and the second contact pin comprise a flat top. Thus, preferably, a contacting zone of at least the first and the second contact pin is an edge of the respective contact pin.

[0040] Preferably, the first contact pin and the second contact pin comprise a flat top. Thus, preferably, a contacting zone of both, the first and the second contact pin, is an edge of the respective contact pin, at least in the deployed position of the respective contact pin. In some embodiments, the contacting zone is an edge of a contact pin in the deployed position only. In other embodiments, the contacting zone is an edge in the deployed and in the retracted position of the contact pin.A shape or size of a contacting zone of a contact pin may be the same in the deployed position and in the retracted position of the contact pin. A shape or size of a contacting zone of a contact pin may be different in the deployed position and in the retracted position.

[0041] Preferably, a contacting zone of a contact pin is a rectilinear edge in the deployed position and in the retracted position of the contact pin.

[0042] Preferably, an edge of a contact pin is a rectilinear edge. A contacting zone in the form of a rectilinear edge of a contact pin may establish a physical and electrical contact over a length of the rectilinear edge. Thus, a rubbing of a connecting pad may take place over the length of the edge. In such an embodiment, also an electrical contact is not limited to a single point contact, in particular also in the retracted position of the contact pin, thus in the assembled state of the device, so that an electrical connection may even more reliably be established.

[0043] Preferably, an edge, for example a rectilinear edge, of a contact pin is arranged orthogonal to the transverse direction, in which the contact pin is moved while moving from the deployed position to the retraced position. By this, the edge may rub on the connecting pad with the entire edge. With a rectilinear edge of a contact pin, an entire length of the rectilinear edge may rub or scratch on a connecting pad, preferably over the entire transverse stroke distance.

[0044] While contact pins in an aerosol-generating device may be a same or different kind of contact pins, contact pins in an aerosol-generating device may also have a same or a different size or shape.

[0045] Preferably, a first contact pin and a second contact pin have a same size and shape. This may simplify manufacture and design of the aerosol-generating device and reduce production and maintenance cost.An aerosolizer of the aerosol-generating device may be any kind of element capable of generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate. Preferably, an aerosolizer is a heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate, which is subsequently vaporized. An aerosolizer may, for example, also be a mechanical aerosol-generating element, such as for example an ultrasonic element. Electrical connection in the aerosol-generating device is made between a power source and an aerosolizer. According connecting pads are arranged at the pod comprising the aerosolizer, such as for example a heater.

[0046] Typically, an aerosol-generating device has a top end either provided with or configured to receive a mouthpiece and a bottom end. A top end of a pod compartment is oriented towards the top end of the device and a bottom end of the pod compartment is oriented towards the bottom end of the device and towards a top end of a device body comprising the power source. A bottom end of the device housing is directed to the bottom end of the device. In particular, a longitudinal direction of the device is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pod compartment and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the device body.

[0047] A device body and a pod or pod compartment may be connectable with each other by respective fasteners. Preferably, the fasteners are releaseable snap fasteners. Device body and pod compartment may also be arranged in a common casing. In such embodiments, a pod is typically inserted into the pod compartment of the common casing.

[0048] The aerosol-generating device of the present invention has a very simple set-up with few parts only. A device body comprising a power source and a pod comprising a heater may be assembled using the connecting means as described herein. Device body and pod are preferably provided in a common housing, while a mouthpiece may be part of the pod or may be provided as part of the housing.

[0049] The aerosol-generating device may comprise security means that allow use of the device only when device body and pod compartment or pod are correctly assembled.A deployed position of a contact pin corresponds to a position of the contact pin partially extending or protruding from an upper side of a device body, for example in a Z-direction. An upper side of a device body directs to a corresponding lower side of a pod in a partially or entirely aligned and / or assembled state of device body and pod.

[0050] A retracted position of a contact pin corresponds to a position of the contact pin being retracted partially or entirely into the device body, for example into a receiving chamber or housing arranged in the device body for accommodating the contact pin partially or entirely.

[0051] When moving from a deployed position to a retraced position or vice versa, a contact pin, preferably as a whole, is moved to be accommodated further inside the device body or is moved to be protruding further from an upper side of the device body, respectively.

[0052] Brief description of the drawings

[0053] Examples will now be described with reference to the figures in which:

[0054] Figures 1, 2 show a schematic set-up of an embodiment of an aerosol-generating device with contact pins in deployed positions (Fig. 1) and in retracted positions (Fig. 2);

[0055] Figure 3 shows an excerpt of a contact region of a contact pin and a connecting pad, for example of Figs. 1 and 2;

[0056] Figures 4,5 show a schematic set-up of another embodiment of an aerosol-generating device with contact pins in deployed positions (Fig. 4) and in retracted positions (Fig.5).Detailed description of the invention

[0057] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to the appended figures, but the invention is not limited thereto. The described figures are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the figures, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to the practice of the invention.

[0058] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show an aerosol-generating device 1 comprising a pod 20 arranged in a pod compartment 2 and a device body 3 comprising a power source (not shown).

[0059] The device 1 is delimited by a rigid frame 10, herein called casing.

[0060] The device 1 extends in a longitudinal direction Z, between a top end 100 and a bottom end 101.

[0061] Herein, the top end 100 of the device 1 is to be understood as the end of the device 1 that is directed towards a user’s mouth, during vaping. The top end 100 is either provided with or configured to receive a mouthpiece.

[0062] The bottom end 101 of the device 1 is arranged opposite the top end 101, when seen in the longitudinal direction Z. A central axis 110 of the device 1 is parallel to the longitudinal direction Z.

[0063] A transverse direction Y is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction Z and is directed radially or laterally. A transverse plane X-Y is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction Z. A longitudinal plane X-Z is parallel to the longitudinal direction Z.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the casing 10 has an elongate shape in the longitudinal direction Z. This, however, shall not be considered limiting.The power source, for example a battery, preferably a rechargeable battery pack in the device body 3, is to provide energy to an aerosolizer (not shown) in the pod 20 arranged in the pod compartment 2. The pod 20 contains a liquid or solid aerosol-forming substrate. The pod 20 may basically be refillable, may be fixedly arranged in the pod compartment 2 or may be replaceably accommodated in the pod compartment 2. A pod 20 is a cartridge or capsule comprising an aerosol-generating substance source and an aerosolizer. The aerosolizer is powered by the power source and is capable of aerosolizing the aerosolgenerating substance in the pod 20. For example, the aerosolizer is a heater arranged at or in the pod 20 for heating a liquid or a solid aerosol-forming substrate in the pod 20. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substance source is a liquid generating an aerosol when heated.

[0065] Device body 3 and pod 20 comprise connecting means for electrically connecting the power source to the aerosolizer.

[0066] The device body 3 comprises two contact pins 12, 13 arranged at the upper end 30 of the device body 3. The contact pins 12,13 protrude from the upper end 30 of the device body 3. Both contact pins 12,13 are tilted away from the longitudinal direction Z of the device 1 , radially or laterally outwardly by a tilt angle 300. In the embodiment shown, the tilt angle 300 is between 25 degrees and 35 degrees, for example 30 degrees.

[0067] The contact pins 12,13 are movable along actuation directions 60,70. The actuation directions 60,70 are each tilted from the longitudinal direction Z and tilted from the central axis 110 radially outward in opposite directions by a same tilt angle 300.

[0068] The contact pins 12,13 are arranged laterally displaced from the central axis 110 of the device 1 by a same distance. However, the contact pins 12,13 are arranged in a central region around the central axis 110 of the device body 3.The contact pins 12,13 are longitudinal pins, preferably having a circular or rectangular cross section and a same cross-section over the entire length of the contact pins 12,13. In the embodiment shown, the contact pins 12,13 have a planar top 120,130 with upper edges 121 ,131 , which may, for example, be linear or circular. Due to the tilted arrangement of the contact pins 12,13, upper edges 121,131 are the uppermost parts of the device body 3 when in an unassembled state of the device 1 corresponding to the extended or deployed position of the contact pins 12,13, as shown in Fig. 1.

[0069] The pod 20 comprises two connecting pads 21 ,22, for example rectangular or circular areas of electrically conducting material, for example metal. The connecting pads 21 ,22 are arranged laterally displaced from the central axis 110 of the device 1 by a same distance. The central axis 110 of the device also corresponds to the central axis of the pod 20.

[0070] Upon assembly of the device 1 , device body 3 and pod 20 are moved versus each other in the longitudinal direction Z of the device 1. Contact pins 12,13 and connecting pads 21,22 are positioned in the device 1 such that the upper edge 121,131 of each contact pin 12,13 contacts the respective connecting pad 21,22 of the pod 20. Upon further movement of pod 20 and device body 3 versus each other, the contact pins 12,13 are pushed versus the device body 3 and into their receiving chambers in the device body 3 and into a retracted position as shown in Fig. 2.

[0071] While moving from the deployed to the retracted position, the upper edges 121,131 of the contact pins 12,13 not only move in the Z-direction but also perform a movement in a transvers direction Y perpendicular to the Z-direction. The distance of the upper edges 121,131 performed during retraction of the contact pins 12,13 is the transverse stroke distance 40 or scratching distance. In Fig. 2, for illustration purposes of the transverse stroke distance 40, contact pin 12 is shown in the retracted position (full line) as well as in the deployed position in dashed lines. As may well be seen, in its retracted position contact pin 12 isaccommodated inside the device body 3, in particular inside the receiving chamber arranged in the device body 3, to a greater extent than in its deployed position.

[0072] While being retracted, the upper edge 121 ,131 of each pin 12,13 scratches over the surface of the corresponding connecting pad 21,22, able to remove possibly present residue, dirt or other surface contaminations on the connecting pad 21 ,22 but also on a respective contacting zone of the contact pin 12, 13, which correspond to the upper edge 121,131 in the present embodiment. The so cleaned connecting means may improve or enable a reliable electrical contact upon assembly of the device 1.

[0073] The contact pins 12,13 are made or comprise electrically conducting material, for example metal. The material of the contact pins 12,13 may be the same material as that of the connecting pads 21 ,22.

[0074] Preferably, the contact pins 12,13 are spring-loaded pins, wherein a spring 51 is arranged in a barrel-like receiving chamber 52 for actuating the contact pins 11,12, in the form of pistons 50 as shown in Fig. 3. In this enlarged view of a spring-loaded contact pin 13, the upper edge 131 of contact pin 13 makes contact with the connecting pad 21 on the pod 20, however, the contact pin 13 is still in the fully deployed position in Fig. 3.

[0075] The contact pin 13 is biased due to the force of the spring 51 , which ensures that the contact pin 13 is constantly pushed versus the connecting pad 21 for reliable physical and electrical contact.

[0076] Preferably, the device 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a circular, oval, elliptic or rectangular casing. The contact pins 12,13 and corresponding connecting pads 21, 22 are arranged symmetrically within the casing 10 with respect to the longitudinal direction Z of the device 1. The contact pins 12,13 and corresponding connecting pads 21, 22 are in particular arranged symmetrically within respect to the central axis 110 of device body 3 and pod 20. In theembodiment shown in Fig. 1 and 2 the connecting means are arranged distanced from the central axis 110 of the device 1. Preferably, position of the contact pins 12,13 and connecting pads 21 ,22 are selected such that upper edges 121 ,131 of the contact pins 12,13 are positioned well within the area of the connecting pads 21,22 before and after having passed the transverse stroke distance 40, i.e. in the deployed as well as in the retracted position of the contact pins 12,13.

[0077] In Fig. 1 to 3, the contact pins 12,13 preferably have a rectangular crosssection. Thus, the upper edges 121,131 are rectilinear edges. These upper edges 121 ,131 are preferably arranged perpendicular to the transverse direction Y, such that the upper edges 121,131 are arranged perpendicular to the transverse stroke direction 40. This allows for a maximum area to be scratched or rubbed while the contact pins 12,13 are moved.

[0078] Exemplary sizes of connecting pads 21 ,22 and contact pins 12,13 are:

[0079] Connecting pads: 2 mm x 2 mm; distance from central axis: 3 mm.

[0080] Contact pins: length: 2 mm; diameter: 0.8 mm; distance from central axis (bottom end of pin): 3 mm.

[0081] Tilt angle 300: 5 degrees to 45 degrees.

[0082] An actuation direction 60,70 of the contact pins 12,13 in the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 to 3 is linear and the contact pins 12,13 in the embodiment of Fig. 1 to 3 move in straight directions along straight actuation directions 60, 70. However, an actuation direction may also be non-linear, for example curved, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5

[0083] In Fig. 4 and Fig 5 an aerosol-generating device 1 is shown, wherein same reference numbers are used for the same or similar elements. The basic set-up of the aerosol-generating device 1 shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 may be the same as shown and described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. However, the connecting means comprise connecting pads 21,22 on the pod 20. The pod 20shown in Fig. 4 and 5 may be identical to the pod 20 of Figs. 1 and 2. However, the connecting pads 21,22 of the device 1 of Fig. 4 and 5 may also have a different shape or size, adapted to the contact pins 42, 43 arranged in the device body 3.

[0084] The contact pins 42,43 are longitudinal contact pins 42,43 having an arcuate shape. The contact pins 42,43 preferably have a circular or rectangular cross section and a planar top 120,130 with upper edges 121,131, which may accordingly be linear or circular.

[0085] As may be seen in Fig. 4, due to the curved shape of the contact pins 42,43, the upper parts of the contact pins 42,43 are tilted radially inward with respect to the longitudinal direction Z. The planar tops 120,130 of the contact pins 42,43 face each other and the upper edges 121 ,131 contact the respective connecting pads 21 ,22 on the pod 20 in the deployed position of the contact pins 42,43.

[0086] The upper parts of the contact pins 42,43 are tilted by tilt angle 300, for example 15 degrees to 45 degrees, preferably about 30 degrees. As shown in Fig. 4, the tilt angle 300 is formed between the upper edge 131 of contact pin 43 - forming the contacting zone of the contact pin 43 in the deployed position of contact pin 43 - and the longitudinal axis Z.

[0087] When further assembling the device 1 , pod 20 and device body 3 are moved against each other and the contact pins 42,43 are pushed versus and into the device body 3. Thereby, the contact pins 42,43 each move along curved actuation directions 80,90 when moving from the deployed position as shown in Fig. 4 to the retracted position as shown in Fig. 5. Thus, also with a curved actuation direction, the entire contact pins 42,43 are moved to be accommodated deeper inside the device body 3 when in the retracted position. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the contact pins 42,43 are moved to be substantially entirely accommodated in the device body 3 in the retracted position of the contact pins 42,43. While moving, the upper edges 121, 131 of each contact pin 42,43 scratch on the corresponding connecting pad 21,22 arranged on the bottom side of thepod 20. The scratching distance or transverse stroke distance 40, is indicated in Fig. 5, while the contact pins 42,43 in the deployed position are also indicated in dashed lines.

[0088] Due to the curved shape of the contact pins 42,43 and their curved actuation directions 80, 90, the planar tops 120,130 of the contact pins 42,43 become arranged flush with the connecting pads 21,22 in the retracted position of the contact pins 42,43. In the retracted position, corresponding to the assembled state of the device 1, the entire area of the planar tops 120,130 of the contact pins 42,43 is in contact with the respective connecting pad 21 ,22 on the pod 20. This reduces electrical losses and improves electrical efficiency of the device 1.

[0089] The curved actuation directions 80,90 direct in the longitudinal direction Z of the device 1 when the contact pins 42,43 are in the retracted position. By this, the entire top of the contact pin 42,43 in the retracted position directs entirely versus the respective connecting pad 21,22 and preferably contacts the connecting pad with its entire top.

[0090] While the invention is described having connecting means comprising two contact pins and two corresponding connecting pads on a pod, it is understood that connecting means having more than two contact pins and two connecting pads may be realized without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An aerosol-generating device (1 ) comprising a casing comprising:- a pod compartment (2) accommodating a pod (20) comprising an aerosol-generating substance,- a device body (3) comprising a power source, and- connecting means for electrically connecting the power source to the pod (20), the connecting means comprising a first contact pin (12) and a second contact pin (13) protruding from the device body (3) and configured to contact corresponding connecting pads (21 , 22) provided at the pod (20), wherein each of the first contact pin and the second contact pin (11, 12) comprises a contacting zone for contacting the corresponding connecting pad (21, 22), and wherein each of the first contact pin and the second contact pin (12, 13) is movable in a longitudinal direction (Z) of the device body (3) between a deployed position and a retracted position, wherein the aerosolgenerating device (1 ) is characterized in that at least one of the first contact pin and the second contact pin (12, 13) is arranged so that the contacting zone of the at least one of the first contact pin and the second contact pin (12, 13) is movable also in a transverse direction (Y) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (Z) when passing from the deployed position to the retracted position thereby rubbing the corresponding connecting pad (21, 22).

2. The aerosol-generating device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first contact pin and the second contact pin (12, 13) are each movable in an actuation direction (60, 70), and wherein the actuation direction of the first contact pin or of the second contact pin is tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction (Z) of the device body (3) by a tilt angle (300).

3. The aerosol-generating device (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the tilt angle (300) is between 5 degrees and 45 degrees, preferably between 15 degrees and 35 degrees, for example 30 degrees.

4. The aerosol-generating device (1) according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the actuation directions (60, 70) of the first contact pin and of the second contact pin (12, 13) are tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction (Z) of the device body (3).

5. The aerosol-generating device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the actuation directions (60, 70) of the first contact pin and the second contact pin (12, 13) are tilted in opposite directions with respect to a longitudinal plane parallel to the longitudinal direction (Z).

6. The aerosol-generating device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the actuation direction (60) of the first contact pin (12) and the actuation direction (70) of the second contact pin (13) are tilted by a same tilt angle (300) but in opposite directions with respect to a longitudinal plane parallel to the longitudinal direction (Z).

7. The aerosol-generating device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first contact pin and the second contact pin (12, 13) are actuated contact pins.

8. The aerosol-generating device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the first contact pin or the second contact pin (12, 13) is a spring-loaded pin or an elastically mounted pin.

9. The aerosol-generating device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first contact pin and the second contact pin (12, 13) is a spring- loaded pin.

10. The aerosol-generating device (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the spring-loaded pin (12, 13) has a barrel (52), a plunger (50) mounted to slide in the actuation direction (60, 70) inside the barrel (52) between the deployed and the retracted position, and a spring (51) arranged between the plunger (50) and the barrel (52) for urging the plunger (50) into the deployed configuration.

11. The aerosol-generating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a transverse stroke distance (40) of the contacting zone between the deployed position and the retracted position of at least the first and the second contact pin (12, 13) comprises between 0.15 mm and 1.1 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 1 mm, for example 0.7 mm.

12. The aerosol-generating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the first contact pin and the second contact pin (12, 13) comprise a flat top (120, 130).

13. The aerosol-generating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contacting zone is an edge (121, 131) of at least the first and the second contact pin (12, 13).

14. The aerosol-generating device (1) according to claim 13, wherein the edge (121 , 131) of the at least the first and the second contact pin (12, 13) is a rectilinear edge.

15. The aerosol-generating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first contact pin and the second contact pin (12, 13) have a same size and shape.

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