TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generation device in which an aerosol
generating substrate is heated to form an aerosol; more specifically, to an aerosol
generation device with an ejection mechanism.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The popularity and use of aerosol generation devices (also known as heat-not-burn
products or E-cigarette) has grown rapidly in the past few years. Various devices
and systems are available that heat or warm aerosolisable substances as opposed to
burning tobacco in conventional tobacco products.
[0003] A commonly available reduced-risk or modified-risk device is the heated substrate
aerosol generation device or heat-not-burn device. Devices of this type generate an
aerosol or vapor by heating an aerosol substrate that typically comprises moist leaf
tobacco or other suitable solid aerosolisable material to a temperature typically
in the range 150 °C to 350 °C. Heating such an aerosol substrate, but not combusting
or burning it, releases an aerosol that comprises the components sought by the user,
but not the toxic and carcinogenic by-products of combustion and burning. Furthermore,
the aerosol produced by heating the tobacco or other aerosolisable material does not
typically comprise the burnt or bitter taste resulting from combustion and burning
that can be unpleasant for the user, and so the substrate does not require the sugars
and other additives that are typically added to such materials to make the smoke and/or
vapor more palatable for the user.
[0004] In such devices, the substrate is usually contained substantially in a heating chamber,
and the user usually needs to push a button to eject the substrate out of the heating
chamber after consuming for changing to a new substrate. However, arranging buttons
on the device may create gaps on the housing of the aerosol generation device, which
reduces the ingress of the aerosol generation device, and may complicate the operation
of the device for the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a smoking article for an aerosol generation device,
which solves some of or all of the above-mentioned problems.
[0006] A 1st embodiment of the invention is directed to an aerosol generation device, comprising:
- a heating chamber configured to receive and heat a substrate to generate aerosol,
- a cover having a closed position covering the heating chamber, and an open position
exposing the heating chamber, and
- an ejection mechanism configured to be at least indirectly connected with the heating
chamber and the cover, and having an ejected state, a holding-locked state, and a
holding-unlocked state;
wherein
- in the ejected state, the cover is in the open position, and the ejection mechanism
is configured to receive the substrate or make the received substrate at least partially
protrude out of the heating chamber, and the ejection mechanism can be translated
into the holding-locked state,
- in the holding-locked state, the cover is in the open position, and the ejection mechanism
is configured to hold the substrate in a predetermined position where the substrate
is fully inserted in the heating chamber, and the ejection mechanism can be translated
into the holding-unlocked state by moving the cover from the open position to the
closed position, and
- in the holding-unlocked state, the cover is in the closed position, and the ejection
mechanism is configured to exert an ejection force on the substrate, which is held
in the predetermined position by the cover, and the ejection mechanism can be translated
into the ejected state by moving the cover from the closed position to the open position.
[0007] The ejection mechanism improves the convenience of using and replacing of the aerosol
substrate for the user. The substrate can be automatically ejected by just opening
the cover. This provides an intuitive and robust way to replace the substrate, and
also a simple inner structure of the aerosol generation device.
[0008] According to a 2nd embodiment, in the 1st embodiment, the heating chamber has an
opening for receiving the substrate, and the ejection mechanism comprises a surface
at least partially defining the bottom surface of the heating chamber and protruding
into the heating chamber in the ejected state.
[0009] With this arrangement, the substrates can automatically stick out of the heating
chamber, which allows it to conveniently be grabbed by the user.
[0010] According to a 3rd embodiment, in any one of the preceding embodiments, the ejection
mechanism is configured to receive the substrate by the user pushing it in the chamber,
and the bottom surface is pushed down with the substrate along a first axis while
the ejection mechanism is translating from the ejected state to the holding-locked
state.
[0011] According to a 4th embodiment, in any one of the preceding embodiments, the ejection
mechanism comprises a snap member, which is configured to remain the ejection mechanism
in the holding-locked state.
[0012] With this arrangement, it can be ensured that the substrate remains in the heating
chamber for the later heating process.
[0013] According to a 5th embodiment, in any one of the preceding embodiments, the ejection
mechanism comprises a first spring configured to exert the ejection force.
[0014] According to a 6th embodiment, in any one of embodiments 2 to 5, the ejection mechanism
comprises a support member having an arm which supports or forms the bottom surface
of the ejection mechanism and is supported by the first spring of the ejection mechanism.
[0015] According to a 7th embodiment, in the preceding embodiment, the arm has a protrusion
which corresponds to a protrusion comprised by the snap member; the protrusion of
the snap member being capable of keeping the ejection mechanism in the holding-locked
state by snapping the protrusion of the arm or releasing the protrusion of the arm
so as to exert the ejection force.
[0016] According to an 8th embodiment, in any one of embodiments 4 to 7, the snap member
protrudes above the receiving opening when the cover is in the open position, and
can be pressed down by the cover when in the closed position so as to release the
support member.
[0017] According to a 9th embodiment, in any one of embodiments 4 to 8, the snap member
comprises an upper portion and a lower portion mechanically engaged with a second
spring; and the upper portion is able to protrude above the receiving opening when
the cover is in the open position, the lower portion comprising the protrusion of
the snap member.
[0018] According to a 10th embodiment, in the preceding embodiment, the upper portion and
the lower portion are slidingly engaged; the upper portion is configured to press
the lower portion along a second axis through a sliding force until the protrusion
of the arm is released from the protrusion of the support member when the upper portion
is pressed down by the cover from the open position to the closed position; and the
protrusion of the arm is partially engaged with the protrusion of the snap member
in a sliding manner, so that the protrusion of the snap member can be slidingly pressed
by the protrusion of the arm along the second axis, when the user pushes the substrate
into the chamber, until the protrusion of the support member is snapped by the protrusion
of the snap member so as to keep the ejection mechanism in the holding-locked state.
[0019] According to an 11th embodiment, in any one of embodiments 9 or 10, the lower portion
and the arm are made of metal.
[0020] With this arrangement, the life of the ejection mechanism and the device can be prolonged.
[0021] According to a 12th embodiment, in any one of the preceding embodiments, the aerosol
generation device comprises a fixing mechanism configured to maintain the cover in
the closed position against the ejection force when the ejection mechanism is in the
holding-unlocked state, and the fixing mechanism comprises magnets or snap fasteners.
[0022] With this arrangement, the cover is able to press the substrate inside the heating
chamber against the ejection force of the second spring.
[0023] According to a 13th embodiment, in any one of the preceding embodiments, the cover
is rotationally hinged on the main body of the aerosol generation device.
[0024] According to a 14th embodiment, in the any one of the preceding embodiments, the
heating chamber has a flat cuboid shape corresponding to the shape of the substrate.
[0025] Preferred embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026]
- Figure 1:
- is a schematic illustration of an aerosol generation device and a substrate according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
- Figure 2:
- is a flow chart of a process of an operation of the device according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
- Figures 3a to 3c:
- show schematic views of the aerosol generation device in different states according
to exemplary embodiments of the present invention;
- Figures 4a to 4d:
- show schematic cut-away views of parts of the aerosol generation device with the ejection
mechanism therein according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention;
- Figures 5:
- show schematic views of parts of the ejection mechanism of the aerosol generation
device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter and in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or similar
reference numerals denote the same or similar parts. It should be noted that the drawings
are schematic, and the ratios of dimensions and the like may be different from the
actual ones.
[0028] As used herein, the term "aerosol generation device" "vaporizer system", "inhaler"
or "electronic cigarette" may include an electronic cigarette configured to deliver
an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for smoking. The illustrated embodiments
of the aerosol generation system in this invention are schematic.
[0029] Referring to the drawings and in particular to figure 1, an electronic cigarette
1 for consuming a substrate is illustrated. The electronic cigarette 1 can be used
as a substitute for a conventional cigarette. The electronic cigarette 1 has a substantially
elongated shape comprising a cover 104 functioning as a device mouthpiece having an
air inlet and/or outlet, and a main body 106. The cover 104 is rotationally hinged
to the main body 106. During or after a time at which the substrate 130 is heated
to generate the aerosol, air is driven towards the mouthpiece, namely the cover 104,
to provide the aerosol to a user. In some embodiments, the air is driven by a user
inhaling. In other embodiments, the aerosol generation device 1 may comprise a pump
for pumping air towards the mouthpiece to provide the aerosol. The cover 104 has a
closed position covering the heating chamber 107 and compressing and maintaining the
substrate 103 in the heating chamber 107. The cover 104 also has an open position
exposing the opening 105 of the heating chamber 107 for inserting or discarding the
substrate 103. The main body 106 comprises an ejection mechanism 101 (shown with slashes),
a heating chamber or an oven cavity 107 which is vertically orientated in the main
body, a LiPo battery 1061, a PCBA 1062 having electronic elements such as a CPU or
a controller, and a USB-C connector 1063 for charging the LiPo battery 1061 and/or
transmitting data to the electronic cigarette 1. At least a portion of the aerosol
generating substrate 103 is enclosed in the heating chamber 107 when the substrate
103 is consumed, preferably most of the substrate 103 is enclosed in the heating chamber
107 and most preferably the entire substrate 103 is enclosed in the heating chamber
107 in the manner that, when the cover 104 is closed, the substrate 103 is pressed
by the cover 104 and maintained in the position where the substrate 103 can be substantially
heated, while the ejection mechanism 101 is pressed till its locked or snapped state
(discussed below). The aerosol is generated from the inserted portion of the substrate
103 in the heating chamber 107 while the cover 104 presses the substrate 103 in the
closed position.
[0030] The housing of the main body and the cover may generally be made from any rigid material
such as a thermoplastic or a metal (e.g. aluminium). The insulating enclosure comprised
between the housing and the heating chamber may, for example, be made from a heat-resistant
material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT),
or polyamide (PA) in order to prevent thermal deformation or melting. The heat resistant
material may be a super engineering plastic such as polyimide (PI), polyphenylenesulfide
(PPS) or polyether ether ketone (PEEK). A part of the ejection mechanism is made of
or the ejection mechanism may be coated with the insulation material.
[0031] A schematic perspective illustration of the aerosol generating substrate 103 is shown
in figure 1. The substrate 103 may, for example, comprise nicotine, tobacco and/or
an aerosol former. Tobacco may take the form of various materials such as shredded
tobacco, granulated tobacco, tobacco leaf and/or reconstituted tobacco. Suitable aerosol
formers include: a polyol such as sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols like propylene glycol
or triethylene glycol; a non-polyol such as monohydric alcohols, acids such as lactic
acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate,
triethyl citrate, glycerin or vegetable glycerin. In some embodiments, the aerosol
generating agent may be glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene
glycol. The substrate 103 may also comprise at least one of a gelling agent, a binding
agent, a stabilizing agent, and a humectant.
[0032] The substrate 103 is porous such that air can flow through the substrate 103 and
collect aerosol as it does so. The substrate 103 may for example be a foam, or packed
strands or fibres. The substrate 103 may be formed through an extrusion and/or rolling
process into a stable shape. The aerosol generating substrate 103 may be shaped to
provide one air flow channel or, in preferred embodiments, multiple air flow channels
as shown in figure 1. These can be aligned with the air flow channels of the aerosol
generating device 1 in order to increase air flow through the heating chamber 103.
The substrate 103 is exposed with a bare external surface. Alternatively, the substrate
103 may comprise an air permeable wrapper covering at least part of a surface of the
substrate 103. The wrapper may, for example, comprise paper and/or non-woven fabric.
[0033] In the present embodiment, the substrate may have a substantially flat cuboid shape
or a pod shape having a size of 18 x 12 x 1.2 mm, with each of length, width and depth
of the cuboid being selected within a range of +/- 40%, for example. Generally, the
length of the substrate in the preferred embodiments is between 40 and 10 mm, preferably
between 30 and 12 mm, more preferably between 25 and 14 mm, and most preferably between
22 and 15 mm. The width of the substrate in the preferred embodiments is between 30
and 6 mm, preferably between 25 and 8 mm, more preferably between 20 and 9 mm, and
most preferably between 16 and 9 mm. The height of the substrate in the preferred
embodiments is between 3 and 0.5 mm, preferably between 2 and 0.6 mm, more preferably
between 1.8 and 0.8 mm, and most preferably between 1.6 and 0.9 mm.
[0034] The aerosol generating substrate is designed to be preferably longer than or equal
to the length of the heating chamber 107 in the longitudinal direction (shown as the
dashed straight line in figure 4a). In this case, when the cover is in the closed
position, the part which sticks out of the device after insertion is contained in
and pressed by a hollow of the cover 104 (as shown in figure 3a and 3b). In other
words, the heating chamber 107 has a substantially cuboid shape corresponding to the
shape of the substrate 103, with the size of 18 x 12 x 1.2 mm, with each of length,
width and depth of the cuboid being selected within a range of +/- 40%. The length
of the heating chamber is preferably less than 18 mm, and the width and depth of the
heating chamber 107 is preferably longer than 12 mm and 1.2 mm. More specifically,
the length of the aerosol generation chamber 107 in the preferred embodiments is between
40 and 9 mm, preferably between 30 and 11 mm, more preferably between 25 and 13 mm,
and most preferably between 22 and 14 mm. The width of the chamber 107 in the preferred
embodiments is between 31 and 6 mm, preferably between 26 and 8 mm, more preferably
between 21 and 9 mm, and most preferably between 17 and 9 mm. The depth of the chamber
107 in the preferred embodiments is between 4 and 0.5 mm, preferably between 3 and
0.6 mm, more preferably between 2.8 and 0.8 mm, and most preferably between 2 and
0.9 mm.
[0035] This means that the opening 105 of the heating chamber 107 is large enough for the
easy insertion of the substrate 103 into the heating chamber 107. In other embodiments,
the substrate 103 has a shorter length compared to the heating chamber 107.
[0036] Figure 2 shows a flow chart of the process of inserting, consuming and discarding
the substrate 103 in and from the aerosol generation device 1. Before using the device
1 and consuming the substrate 103, the user first opens the cover 104 of the device
1 with no substrate in the device 201. The user then inserts the substrate 103 into
the opening 105 of the heating chamber 107 along a first axis along the longitudinal
direction of the device 202. The substrate 103 needs to be pressed down until the
user feels a click sense from the substrate, while the ejection mechanism is transitioned
from an ejected state to a holding-locked state (discussed below) 203. This means
that when the substrate 103 reaches the limit of its travel, the bottom surface of
the heating chamber 107 is locked in place (in its lower position), lowering the consumable
substantially or fully into the heating chamber 107. The user closes the cover 204,
while the ejection mechanism is translated from the holding-locked state to a holding-unlocked
state (discussed below). The user switches the device on, e.g. by pressing a button
on the device 205, and starts consuming the substrate 206. In an alternative embodiment,
sensors may be arranged in the device 1 so as to sense the closing of the cover and
the existence of the substrate 103 in the device 1, which then trigger the heating
for the substrate 103 automatically. After the user has finished consuming the substrate
103, the user simply opens the cover 207. At least a part of the substrate 103 pops
up and sticks out from the opening 105 of the heating chamber 107, since the ejection
mechanism 101 is transitioned from the holding-unlocked state to the ejected state
(discussed below). In one embodiment, a sensor is arranged to sense the opening of
the cover 104 so as to stop the heating of the heating chamber 107. Finally, the user
discards the substrate 103 from the device 208.
[0037] The specific configuration of the ejection mechanism is illustrated in figures 2a
to 2d, 3a to 3c and 4.
[0038] The ejection mechanism 101 is at least indirectly connected to the heating chamber
107 and the cover 104. The heating chamber 107 has two openings set on the opposite
sides of the heating chamber 107 along the insertion direction 108 of the substrate
103. One of the two openings is the opening 105 for inserting and discarding the substrate
103, and a part of the ejection mechanism, namely the support member (discussed below),
can be inserted into the other opening at the lower end of the heating chamber 107.
That part of the ejection mechanism supports the substrate as a bottom, an internal
lower surface or the floor, of the heating chamber 107 while heating the substrate
103, and protrudes into the heating chamber 107 in the ejected state. This surface
can move vertically. The surface is ejected or protruded in the heating chamber 107
to an extent that, when the user wants to change the substrate 103, at least a part
of the substrate 103 protrudes out of the heating chamber 107, so that the user can
take out the substrate 103 from the device 1 by hand. Preferably, the surface protrudes
up into half of the heating chamber 107. For example, if the length of the substrate
103 is 18 mm and the length of the heating chamber 107 is identical to the length
of the substrate 103, which is also 18 mm, the ejection mechanism can protrude a predetermined
distance of 9 mm into the heating chamber 103, so that the substrate 103 sticks out
of the chamber with an identical distance of 9 mm. With this arrangement, the user
can easily discard the substrate 103 by nipping the protruded part of the substrate
103, and the substrate 103 does not easily fall out of the heating chamber 107. The
ejection mechanism also has a part which protrudes from an upper surface of the main
body of the device 1 when the cover 104 is in the open position, and the ejection
mechanism is in the ejected state and the holding-locked state. The part which protrudes
from the upper surface of the main body is configured to trigger the ejection mechanism
101 to transition from the holding-locked state to the holding-unlocked state when
the part is pressed by the cover 104 from the open position to the closed position.
[0039] In this embodiment, more specifically, the ejection mechanism 101 comprises a support
member 1014 (marked with cross lines), springs 1013, 1065, and a snap or clip member
1014 (marked with slashes) having an upper portion 1017 (marked with dense slashes)
and a lower portion 1018 (marked with loose slashes). The support member 1014 is configured
to support the substrate 103. The snap or clip member 1014 is configured to snap or
clip the support member 1014 so as to lock the bottom surface in the lower position
or the lower limit, where the substrate is substantially inserted in the heating chamber
107 for heating, by the snapping of the protrusions comprised by the support member
1014 and the snap or clip member 1014. At least one of the springs 1013 is configured
to provide the ejection force for the ejection mechanism 101, more specifically the
support member, to eject at least a part of the substrate 103 out of the heating chamber
107.
[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the support member 1014 comprises an arm that supports
the substrate 103 and a cap portion underneath the arm which contains at least a part
of the spring 1013 inside so as to ensure that the support member 1014 and the spring
1013 move together along the first axis (shown as the dashed straight line in figure
3a). The arm supports or forms at least a part of the bottom surface of the heating
chamber 107. In an alternative embodiment, the arm is directly supported by the spring
1013 of the ejection mechanism 101.
[0041] In the preferred embodiment, the snap member 1014 comprises an upper portion 1017
and a lower portion 1018 mechanically engaged with another spring 1019 as shown in
figure 5. The upper portion 1017 is slidingly engaged with the lower portion 1018.
The upper portion 1017 is preferably able to protrude further than the receiving opening
105 when the cover 104 is in the open position, and function as a button 1064 for
the transition from the holding-locked state to the holding-unlocked state. In a preferred
embodiment, as shown in the figures, two protrusions 1064 of the snap member 1014
protrude from the opening 105 so that the cover 104 can press down the snap member
firmly and evenly, more stably and with a better sealing performance. The lower portion
1018 comprises the protrusion of the snap member 1012, to snap and hold the support
member 1014 in position. The snapping of the protrusions 1015 and 1016 of the lower
portion 1018 and the support member 1014 is made and released when the cover presses
down the button 1064 of the upper portion 1017, which slidingly presses the lower
portion 1018 down or along a second axis (not shown). The protrusions 1015, 1016 of
the support member 1014 and the lower portion 1018 are also slidingly engaged. For
prolonging the life of the device with constant ejection and insertion of the substrate
103, the ejection mechanism 101 comprises or is preferably made of a metal material.
Preferably, the lower portion 1018 and at least the protrusion of the arm are made
of metal.
[0042] As shown in figure 5, the upper portion 1065 is engaged with a torsion spring 1065
with the other part of the device 1, preferably the lower portion 1018, so as to ensure
that a spring force is exerted to keep the button 1064 of the upper portion 1017 protruding
out of the housing of the main body of the device 1 ready to be pressed by the cover
104 when the cover 104 is in the open position. In this embodiment, the cover 104
comprises a protrusion configured to press the button 1064 of the upper portion 1017
down.
[0043] Hereinafter, the different states of the ejection mechanism 101 in the device 1,
more specifically the ejected state, the holding-locked state and the holding-unlocked
state, are discussed with figures 2a to 2d, 3a to 3c and 4.
The Ejected State
[0044] The ejected state occurs when the cover 104 is opened without a substrate 103 being
inserted or when the cover 104 is opened and the substrate 103 sticks out of the opening
105 of the heating chamber 107. In other words, the device 1 or the ejection mechanism
101 is in or transitioned into the ejected state when the user opens the cover (201,
207).
[0045] As shown in figures 3a, 4a and 4b, in the ejected state of the ejection mechanism
101, the cover 104 is in the open position, and the ejection mechanism 101 is configured
to receive the substrate 103 or make the received substrate 103 at least partially
protrude out of the heating chamber 102, and the ejection mechanism 101 can be transitioned
into the holding-locked state.
[0046] More specifically, the cover 104 is opened by the user, and the button 1064 located
on the upper part of the upper portion 1017 is released from the pressure of the protrusion
1041 of the cover 104, and protrudes out of the main body of the device 1 from the
openings adjacent to the receiving opening 105. The lower portion 1018, which is slidingly
engaged with the upper portion 1017 on an inclined plane, is also released to its
initial position, where the lower portion 1018 is ready to be sliding pressured aside
and can snap the protrusion 1015 of the support member 1014. The lower portion 1017
is supported by a spring or the lower portion 1017 per se is made of or comprises
a rigid material so that the lower portion 1018 remains in its initial position, or
bounces or springs back to its initial position when it is released from the pressure
of the upper portion 1017.
[0047] As shown in figure 4b, the top surface of the arm of the support member 1014 supports
the substrate 103 in a position that at least a part of the substrate 103 protrudes
out of the opening 105, and the arm of the support member 1014 protrudes at least
partially into the heating chamber at an upper position or upper limit of the bottom
surface. The support member 1014 is supported by the spring 1013 arranged underneath
it in a loose state of the spring 1013. The user takes out the substrate 103 by grabbing
the protruding part of the substrate 103. If the heating chamber 107 is vacant, as
shown in figure 4a, the user inserts the substrate into the heating chamber 107 along
a first axis (shown in the dashed straight line in figure 4a). The top surface of
the arm is pushed down together with the substrate 103 until the lower position or
the lower limit is reached, where the protrusion 1015 of the support member 1014 is
snapped by the protrusion 1016 of the snap member 1014, more specifically the lower
portion 1018. As shown in the figures, the protrusion 1015 of the support member 1014
and the lower surface of the upper portion 1017 both have inclined surfaces slidingly
engaged with the top surface of the lower portion 1018. With this configuration, the
protrusion 1016 of the snap member 1012 can keep the ejection mechanism 101 in the
holding-locked state by snapping the protrusion 1015 of the arm or release the protrusion
1015 of the arm so as to exert the ejection force.
The Holding-locked State
[0048] In figures 3b and 4c, the ejection device is in the holding-locked state. The cover
1041 is in its open position and the substrate 103 is contained substantially in the
heating chamber 107, ready to be consumed.
[0049] More specifically, as shown in the enlarged figure in the dashed circle of figure
4c, after the substrate 103 is pressed down by the user and substantially contained
in the heating chamber 107, the plane surfaces of the protrusions 1015, 1016 of the
support member 1014 and the lower portion 1018 are clipped or snapped with each other.
In other words, the protrusion 1015 of the arm is partially engaged with the protrusion
1016 of the snap member in a sliding manner, so that the protrusion 1016 of the snap
member can be slidingly pressed by the protrusion 1015 of the arm along the second
axis (not shown) when the user pushes the substrate 103 into the chamber, until the
protrusion 1016 of the support member is snapped by the protrusion 1015 of the snap
member so as to keep the ejection mechanism 101 in the holding-locked state. The spring
1013 which supports the supporting member 1014 is in a compressed state. The upper
portion springs back and the button 1064 out from an opening of the housing of the
device 1 with the support of another spring which is a torsion spring 1065 as shown
in figure 5.
The Holding-unlocked State
[0050] In figures 3c and 4d, the ejection device is in the holding-unlocked state. For consuming
the substrate 103, the user rotates the cover 104 to its closed position, and the
substrate 103 is contained substantially in the heating chamber 107 and pressed by
the cover 104 to be heated and consumed.
[0051] More specifically, as shown in the enlarged figure in the dashed circle of figure
4d, the lower portion 1018 is pressed away from the snap position by the upper portion
1017 (not shown) due to the pressure from the cover 1041. The protrusion 1016 of the
lower portion 1018 does not snap or clip the protrusion 1015 of the support member
1014 in the holding-unlocked states. In other words, the upper portion 1017 is configured
to press the lower portion 1018 along a second axis (not shown) through a sliding
force until the protrusion 1015 of the arm is released or detached from the protrusion
1016 of the support member 1012, when the upper portion 1017 is pressed down by the
cover 104 from the open position to the closed position. While the support member
101 is released from the snapping of the snap member 1014, the spring 1013 is still
in its compressed state generating an ejection force on the support member 1014 and
the substrate 103, and the substrate 103 is substantially maintained in the heating
chamber 107 by the pressure from the cover 1041. A fixing mechanism (not shown) in
the cover 1041 and/or the main body of the device 1 is configured to maintain the
cover 1041 in the closed position against the ejection force from the springs through
the substrate 103, and the fixing mechanism preferably comprises magnets or snap fasteners.
With the fixing mechanism, the cover 104 prevents the ejection of the substrate 103
by the ejection force, and allows for the commencement of the vaping session.
[0052] After finishing consuming the substrate 103, the user may open the cover 104 of the
device 1. The button 1064 and at least a part of the substrate 103 are sprung out
of the main body of the device, and the ejection mechanism is transitioned from the
holding-unlocked state to the ejected state so that the user is able to remove the
substrate 103 from the heating chamber 107 by simply opening the cover 104.
1. An aerosol generation device (1), comprising:
- an aerosol generation chamber (107) configured to receive and heat a substrate (103)
to generate aerosol,
- a cover (104) having a closed position covering the aerosol generation chamber (107),
and an open position exposing the aerosol generation chamber (107), and
- an ejection mechanism (101) configured to be at least indirectly connected with
the aerosol generation chamber (107) and the cover (104), and having an ejected state,
a holding-locked state, and a holding-unlocked state;
wherein
- in the ejected state, the cover (104) is in the open position, and the ejection
mechanism (101) is configured to receive the substrate (103) or make the received
substrate (103) at least partially protrude out of the aerosol generation chamber
(107), and the ejection mechanism (101) can be translated into the holding-locked
state,
- in the holding-locked state, the cover (103) is in the open position, and the ejection
mechanism (101) is configured to hold the substrate in a predetermined position where
the substrate (103) is fully inserted in the aerosol generation chamber (107), and
the ejection mechanism (101) can be translated into the holding-unlocked state by
moving the cover (104) from the open position to the closed position, and
- in the holding-unlocked state, the cover (104) is in the closed position, and the
ejection mechanism (101) is configured to exert an ejection force on the substrate
(103), which is held in the predetermined position by the cover (104), and the ejection
mechanism (101) can be translated into the ejected state by moving the cover (104)
from the closed position to the open position.
2. The aerosol generation device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol generation
chamber has an opening (105) for receiving the substrate (103), and the ejection mechanism
(101) comprises a surface (1011) at least partially defining the bottom surface of
the aerosol generation chamber (107) and protruding into the aerosol generation chamber
(107) in the ejected state.
3. The aerosol generation device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the ejection
mechanism (101) is configured to receive the substrate (103) by the user pushing it
in the chamber (107), and the bottom surface (1011) is pushed down with the substrate
(103) along a first axis while the ejection mechanism (101) is translating from the
ejected state to the holding-locked state.
4. The aerosol generation device (1) according to any one of preceding claims, the ejection
mechanism (101) comprises a snap member (1012), which is configured to remain the
ejection mechanism (101) in the holding-locked state.
5. The aerosol generation device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the ejection mechanism (101) comprises a first spring (1013) configured to exert the
ejection force.
6. The aerosol generation device (1) according to any one of the claims 2 to 5, wherein
the ejection mechanism (101) comprises a support member (1014) having an arm which
supports or forms the bottom surface of the ejection mechanism and is supported by
the first spring (1013) of the ejection mechanism (101).
7. The aerosol generation device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the arm
has a protrusion (1015) which corresponds to a protrusion (1016) comprised by the
snap member (1012);
the protrusion (1016) of the snap member (1012) is capable of keeping the ejection
mechanism (101) in the holding-locked state by snapping the protrusion (1015) of the
arm or releasing the protrusion (1015) of the arm so as to exert the ejection force.
8. The aerosol generation device (1) according to any one of the claims 4 to 7, wherein
the snap member (1012) protrudes above the receiving opening (105) when the cover
(104) is in the open position, and can be pressed down by the cover (104) when in
the closed position so as to release the support member (1014).
9. The aerosol generation device (1) according to any one of the claims 4 to 8, wherein
the snap member (1012) comprises an upper portion (1017) and a lower portion (1018)
mechanically engaged with a second spring (1019); and
the upper portion (1017) is able to protrude above the receiving opening (105) when
the cover (104) is in the open position, the lower portion (1018) comprising the protrusion
of the snap member (1012).
10. The aerosol generation device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the upper
portion (1017) and the lower portion (1018) are slidingly engaged;
the upper portion (1017) is configured to press the lower portion (1018) along a second
axis through a sliding force until the protrusion (1015) of the arm is released from
the protrusion (1016) of the support member (1012), when the upper portion (1017)
is pressed down by the cover (104) from the open position to the closed position;
and
the protrusion (1015) of the arm is partially engaged with the protrusion (1016) of
the snap member in a sliding manner, so that the protrusion (1016) of the snap member
can be slidingly pressed by the protrusion (1015) of the arm along the second axis,
when the user pushes the substrate (103) into the chamber, until the protrusion (1016)
of the support member is snapped by the protrusion (1015) of the snap member so as
to keep the ejection mechanism (101) in the holding-locked state.
11. The aerosol generation device (1) according to any one of the claims 9 or 10, wherein
the lower portion (1018) and the arm are made of metal.
12. The aerosol generation device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising
a fixing mechanism configured to maintain the cover (104) in the closed position against
the ejection force when the ejection mechanism is in the holding-unlocked state, and
the fixing mechanism comprises magnets or snap fasteners.
13. The aerosol generation device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the cover (104) is rotationally hinged on the main body (106) of the aerosol generation
device (1).
14. The aerosol generation device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the aerosol generation chamber (107) has a flat cuboid shape corresponding to the
shape of the substrate (103).