Patent Publication Number: US-2022225669-A1

Title: Heat-not-burn (hnb) aerosol generating devices and capsules

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The present disclosure relates to heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol generating devices configured to generate an aerosol without involving a substantial pyrolysis of an aerosol-forming substrate. 
     Description of Related Art 
     Some electronic devices are configured to heat a plant material to a temperature that is sufficient to release constituents of the plant material while keeping the temperature below a combustion point of the plant material so as to avoid any substantial pyrolysis of the plant material. Such devices may be referred to as aerosol generating devices (e.g., heat-not-burn aerosol generating devices, etc.), and the plant material heated may be tobacco or other plant material with active ingredients. In some instances, the plant material may be introduced directly into a heating chamber of an aerosol generating device. In other instances, the plant material may be pre-packaged in individual containers (e.g., capsules, cartridges, etc.) to facilitate insertion and removal of the plant material from an aerosol generating device. 
     SUMMARY 
     At least some example embodiments relates to an aerosol-generating device. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the aerosol-generating device may include a housing including a power supply and an air inlet, a mouthpiece assembly movably attached to the housing, and providing an air outlet, a door assembly moveably attached to the housing, the door assembly including a door and a receptacle movably attached to the door, the receptacle defining a cavity to receive a capsule including an aerosol generating substrate, and a linkage arrangement operationally connected to the door assembly, the mouthpiece assembly and the housing, and the linkage arrangement cooperatively moving the mouthpiece assembly and the receptacle in response to movement of the door to a closed state such that the capsule is retained within the housing and operationally connected with the power supply, the air inlet and the air outlet. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the linkage arrangement may include at least one first linkage and at least one second linkage, each of the linkages including a first end and a second end. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the housing further may include at least one first pivot point, the at least one first linkage may be rotatably connected to the receptacle at the first end of the at least one first linkage, and the at least one first linkage may be rotatably connected to the housing at the at least one first pivot point at the second end of the at least one first linkage. 
     In at least one example embodiment, in response to the movement of the door to the closed state, the at least one first linkage may move the receptacle such that the capsule is operationally connected with the power supply and the air inlet. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the housing may further define at least one elongated slot, the housing may further include at least one compression spring, the mouthpiece assembly may further include at least one pin movably inserted into the at least one elongated slot, the at least one second linkage may be rotatably connected to the door assembly at the first end of the at least one second linkage, and the at least one second linkage may be rotatably and movably connected to the at least one pin at the second end of the at least one second linkage. 
     In at least one example embodiment, in response to the movement of the door to the closed state, the at least one second linkage may release the at least one compression spring from a compressed state, and the at least one compression spring may move the mouthpiece assembly along a length of the at least one elongated slot such that the air outlet is operationally connected to the capsule. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the mouthpiece assembly may include a mouthpiece chassis, and the mouthpiece chassis may define an opening to receive a mouthpiece. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the mouthpiece chassis may define a portion of an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the mouthpiece to the mouthpiece chassis. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the attachment mechanism may be at least one of a bayonet connector, a snug-fit, a detent, a clamp, a threaded connector, a sliding fit, a sleeve fit, an alignment fit, a magnetic clasp, or any combinations thereof. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the door may include a cam disposed on an interior face of the door, the receptacle may include a restraining element, and in response to the movement of the door to the closed state, the linkage arrangement may cooperatively move the receptacle such that the cam actuates the restraining element, and the actuated restraining element restrains movement of the capsule within the receptacle. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the housing may include an airflow sensor, a door sensor, a capsule sensor, and processing circuitry, the airflow sensor may be configured to detect a draw event, the door sensor may be configured to detect whether the door is in the closed state, the capsule sensor may be configured to detect the capsule in the receptacle, and the processing circuitry may be configured to enable current to flow from the power supply to the capsule in response to the detected draw event, the door detected in the closed state, and the capsule detected in the receptacle, such that the current enables a heater included in the capsule to heat the aerosol generating substrate and generate an aerosol. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the housing may further include a display panel, and the display panel may be configured to display operational information related to the aerosol generating device or the capsule. 
     In at least one example embodiment, in response to movement of the door to an open state, the linkage arrangement may cooperatively move the mouthpiece assembly and the receptacle such that the capsule is operationally disconnected from the power supply, the air inlet, and the air outlet. 
     At least some example embodiments relates to an aerosol-generating device. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the aerosol-generating device may include a housing including a power supply and an air inlet, a mouthpiece assembly movably attached to the housing, and providing an air outlet, a door assembly moveably attached to the housing, the door assembly including a door and a receptacle movably attached to the door, the receptacle defining a cavity to receive a capsule including an aerosol generating substrate and retain the capsule within the housing, and the capsule operationally connected to the power supply, the air inlet, and the air outlet when the door is in a closed state, and a linkage arrangement operationally connected to the door assembly, the mouthpiece assembly and the housing, and the linkage arrangement cooperatively moving the mouthpiece assembly and the receptacle in response to movement of the door to an open state such that the capsule is operationally disconnected from the power supply, the air inlet and the air outlet. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the linkage arrangement may include at least one first linkage and at least one second linkage, each of the linkages including a first end and a second end. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the housing may further include at least one first pivot point, the at least one first linkage may be rotatably connected to the receptacle at the first end of the at least one first linkage, and the at least one first linkage may be rotatably connected to the housing at the at least one first pivot point at the second end of the at least one first linkage. 
     In at least one example embodiment, in response to the movement of the door to the open state, the at least one first linkage may move the receptacle such that the capsule is operationally disconnected with the power supply and the air inlet. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the housing may further define at least one elongated slot, the housing may further include at least one compression spring, the mouthpiece assembly may further include at least one pin movably inserted into the at least one elongated slot, the at least one second linkage may be rotatably connected to the door assembly at the first end of the at least one second linkage, and the at least one second linkage may be rotatably and movably connected to the at least one pin at the second end of the at least one second linkage. 
     In at least one example embodiment, in response to the movement of the door to the open state, the at least one second linkage may move the mouthpiece assembly along a length of the at least one elongated slot such that the air outlet is operationally disconnected from the capsule and the at least one compression spring enters a compressed state. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the mouthpiece assembly may include a mouthpiece chassis, and the mouthpiece chassis may define an opening to receive a mouthpiece. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the mouthpiece chassis may define a portion of an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the mouthpiece to the mouthpiece chassis. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the attachment mechanism may be at least one of a bayonet connector, a snug-fit, a detent, a clamp, a threaded connector, a sliding fit, a sleeve fit, an alignment fit, a magnetic clasp, or any combinations thereof. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the receptacle may include a restraining element, the door may include a cam disposed on an interior face of the door, the cam engaging the restraining element when the door is in the closed state such that the restraining element is caused to restrain the capsule within the capsule, in response to the movement of the door to the open state, the linkage arrangement may move the receptacle such that the restraining element disengages from the cam, and the restraining element may not restrain the capsule within the receptacle when the restraining element is fully disengaged from the cam. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the housing may include an airflow sensor, a door sensor, a capsule sensor, and processing circuitry, the airflow sensor may be configured to detect a draw event, the door sensor may be configured to detect whether the door is in the closed state, the capsule sensor may be configured to detect the capsule in the receptacle, and the processing circuitry may be configured to disable current flow from the power supply to the capsule in response to no longer detecting any one of the draw event, the door in the closed state, and the capsule in the receptacle. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the housing may further include a display panel, and the display panel may be configured to display operational information related to the aerosol generating device or the capsule. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodiments herein may become more apparent upon review of the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are merely provided for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. For purposes of clarity, various dimensions of the drawings may have been exaggerated. 
         FIGS. 1A to 1E  illustrate an aerosol generating device according to at least one example embodiment; 
         FIGS. 2A-2E  illustrate various views of a door assembly and a mouthpiece assembly of the aerosol generating device according to some example embodiments; 
         FIGS. 3A-3F  illustrate various views of a door assembly according to some example embodiments; 
         FIGS. 4A to 4F  illustrate various views of the mouthpiece assembly according to some example embodiments; 
         FIGS. 5A to 5C  are diagrams illustrating the movement of the door assembly and the mouthpiece assembly when the door of the aerosol generating device is moved from an initial open state to a final closed state according to at least one example embodiment; 
         FIGS. 6A to 6C  are diagrams illustrating the movement of the door assembly and the mouthpiece assembly when the door of the aerosol generating device is moved from an initial closed state to a final open state according to at least one example embodiment; 
         FIGS. 7A to 7F  illustrate views of various mouthpieces according to some example embodiments; 
         FIGS. 8A to 8E  illustrate various views of the door assembly, capsule receptacle, and capsule connector according to some example embodiments; 
         FIGS. 9A to 9C  illustrate a capsule according to at least one example embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the internal construction of the first section of the aerosol generating device according to at least one example embodiment; and 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an example block diagram of a control subsystem of the aerosol generating device according to some example embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Some detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Example embodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forth herein. 
     Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, example embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but to the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives thereof. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures. 
     It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” “attached to,” “adjacent to,” or “covering” another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, coupled to, attached to, adjacent to or covering the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations or sub-combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of example embodiments. 
     Spatially relative terms (e.g., “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like) may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing various example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, and/or elements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or groups thereof. 
     When the words “about” and “substantially” are used in this specification in connection with a numerical value, it is intended that the associated numerical value include a tolerance of ±10% around the stated numerical value, unless otherwise explicitly defined. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, including those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     Hardware may be implemented using processing circuitry or control circuitry such as, but not limited to, hardware including logic circuits; a hardware/software combination such as at least one processor executing software; or a combination thereof. For example, the processing circuitry or control circuitry may include, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a System-on-Chip (SoC), a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. 
       FIGS. 1A to 1E  illustrate an aerosol generating device with a door according to at least one example embodiment. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1A ,  FIG. 1A  illustrates a front view of an aerosol generating device with a door in a closed state according to at least one example embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1A , an aerosol generating device  100  includes a device body housing  101  and a removable mouthpiece  160 , with the removable mouthpiece  160  at a proximal (e.g., downstream) end  111 . According to at least one example embodiment, the device body housing  101  may be formed from a metal, such as aluminum, stainless steel, etc., a plastic, such as polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), etc., or any combinations thereof. According to at least one example embodiment, the removable mouthpiece  160  may be formed from a food contact rated plastic, such as liquid crystalline polymer (LCP), a copolyester plastic, such as Tritan, or any other suitable polymer and/or plastic. Additionally, according to some example embodiments, the mouthpiece may be formed using plant based materials, such as wood, bamboo, etc. 
     The device body housing  101  includes a first section  105  (e.g., bottom section, upstream section, distal portion, etc.) at a bottom end  110  (e.g., distal end, upstream end, etc.) of the aerosol generating device  100 , and a second section  150  (e.g., top section, downstream section, proximal portion, etc.) at an opposing top end  111  (e.g., proximal end, downstream end, etc.) of the aerosol generating device  100 . The first section  105  includes a distal end piece  112  at the bottom end  110 , at least one button  106 , and a front exterior piece  107 . The second section  150  includes a door  151  and a proximal end piece  152  at the top end  111  of the aerosol generating device  100 . The door  151  is attached to the front exterior piece  107  of the first section  105  via a hinge  120 , and the door  151  may rotate and/or pivot to an open position (e.g., open state) and a closed position (e.g., closed state) around the hinge  120 . While  FIG. 1A  illustrates the door  151  as including a hinge knuckle and the front exterior piece  107  as including the corresponding hinge pin, the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and for example, the door  151  may include the hinge pin and the front exterior piece  107  may include the hinge knuckle, etc. 
     As will be described in further detail below, the door  151  includes a capsule receptacle housing configured to receive a capsule containing plant material. When the door  151  is closed, a heater included in the capsule is enabled to generate an aerosol by heating the plant material in response to an activation signal and/or activation operation, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. The aerosol flows from the capsule and out the mouthpiece  160  upon a draw event (e.g., air being drawn) and/or a negative pressure being applied at the mouthpiece  160 . 
     The button  106  may be a power button for transmitting a power ON/OFF toggling signal to a control subsystem (e.g., control subsystem  2100  of  FIG. 6 ) of the aerosol generating device  100  and/or a consumer interaction button for receiving user inputs, etc. For example, the button  106  may be used by an adult operator of the aerosol generating device to change operational settings of the aerosol generating device  100 , etc. According to some example embodiments, operational settings of the aerosol generating device  100  may include initiating a pre-heat operation of a heater (e.g., energizing the heater prior to the detection of a draw event, etc.), checking the battery status, checking the capsule status, initiating a pairing operation between the aerosol generating device and an external computing device and/or user device (e.g., performing Bluetooth and/or WiFi pairing, etc.), selecting an operating temperature of the aerosol generating device, selecting an aerosol profile and/or heater profile, etc., but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. Additionally, according to some example embodiments, the aerosol generating device  100  may include a plurality of buttons  106 , for example a first power button, a second consumer interaction button, and/or a third button which causes the door  151  to open or close, etc., but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     According to some example embodiments, the front exterior piece  107  is a display panel (e.g., a consumer interface panel, etc.) configured to display a consumer interface for an adult operator of the aerosol generating device, operational status information related to the operation of the aerosol generating device  100 , such as battery status information (e.g., battery charging status, current battery level information, remaining battery level information, etc.), capsule status information (e.g., capsule present/installed, capsule absent/not installed, capsule depletion information, etc.), aerosol generating substrate status information, aerosol generating substrate flavor information, fault indication information (e.g., capsule error information, aerosol generating device error information, short circuit information, open circuit information, charging fault/error, heater/device temperature out of range information, etc.), capsule information, consumer engagement information, etc., but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. The display panel may be an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel, a thin film transistor (TFT) display panel, a light emitting diode (LED) display panel, a liquid crystal display (LCD) display panel, etc., but is not limited thereto. According to some example embodiments, the display panel  107  may be a touch-screen display panel displaying a consumer interface including touch screen controls for operating and/or manipulating the aerosol generating device  100 , but is not limited thereto. 
     Additionally, according to some example embodiments, the front exterior piece  107  is a transparent and/or translucent piece and may be disposed above an underlying display panel  107 A and may allow an adult operator to view the images and/or text being displayed on the display panel  107 A, etc. For example, the front exterior piece  107  may be formed from a transparent and/or translucent (e.g., clear) plastic (e.g., polycarbonate (PC) plastic, a polymer such as PC/ABS, etc.) or glass (e.g., alkali-aluminosilicate sheet glass, borosilicate glass, tempered glass, synthetic sapphire, other toughened glass, etc.), a colored (e.g., tinted) plastic or glass, etc., but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. Additionally, an in-mold decoration and/or paint may be disposed on the reverse side (e.g., interior side) of the front exterior piece  107 , on portions of the front exterior piece  107 , such that only the display panel  107 A is viewable by an adult operator and the interior of the aerosol generating device  100  is not viewable, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1B ,  FIG. 1B  illustrates a side view of an aerosol generating device with the door in the closed state according to at least one example embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1B , the device body housing  101  further includes a rear exterior piece  140  connected to the proximal end piece  152 , the distal end piece  112 , and the front exterior piece  107 . The distal end piece  112  includes a recess portion  115  which may include a power connector port and/or an air inlet, etc., but is not limited thereto. The rear exterior piece  140  may be curved at a rear portion of the housing for ergonomic purposes, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto and the rear exterior piece  140  and/or the device body housing  101  may be substantially cuboid and/or polygonal in shape, etc. 
     The rear exterior piece  140  includes a first recess section  141  and a second recess section  145 . The first recess section  141  may be referred to as a thumb divot, and is ergonomically positioned on the proximal portion  150  of the rear surface of the device body housing  101  such that an adult operator&#39;s thumb or other finger may be placed in the first recess section  141  while the adult operator is holding the aerosol generating device  100 . However, the example embodiments are not limited thereto and the first recess section  141  may be located at a different location of the rear exterior piece  140 . According to other example embodiments, the rear exterior piece  140  may include a plurality of first recess sections and one or more of the first recess sections may be located on a left and/or right side of the device body housing  101 , etc., or the first recess section  141  may be omitted completely. According to some example embodiments, the first recess section  141  may be oval shaped as shown in shaped  FIG. 1C , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and the first recess section may have other shapes and/or configurations, such as a substantially circular shape, a substantially triangular shape, a substantially rectangular shape, etc. 
     According to some example embodiments, the first recess section  141  may be formed as a single piece, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and for example, may be formed from a plurality of pieces attached together. The first recess section  141  may be formed from a plastic, such as PC or ABS, etc., a polymer such as PC/ABS, a metal, such as aluminum, stainless steel, a rubber, such as silicone rubber, etc., or any combinations thereof. The first recess section  141  may also be patterned and/or have a texture applied to the first recess section  141 , such as laser etched patterns, or in-mold ridges, bumps, etc., but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1C ,  FIG. 1C  illustrates a rear view of the aerosol generating device according to at least one example embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1C , the first recess section  141  may be formed from a plurality of first recess sections, such as an outer portion  142  including a right outer portion piece  142 A and a left outer portion piece  142 B, and an inner portion  143  including a right inner portion piece  143 A and a left inner portion piece  143 B, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and for example, the outer portion  142  and/or the inner portion  143  may be formed as a single piece, etc. According to some example embodiments, the outer portion  142  may encircle the inner portion  143 , may have the same or different width than the inner portion  143 , and may be made from the same or a different material than the inner portion  143 , etc. For example, the outer portion  142  may be approximately 20 mm (W)×24 mm (L), while the inner portion  143  may be approximately 10.7 mm (W)×18 mm (L), but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. The outer portion  142  may be substantially convex, and the inner portion  143  may be substantially concave, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the inner portion  143  may have a depth of approximately 2 mm, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. The engagement of the right inner portion piece  143 A, left inner portion piece  143 B, right outer portion piece  142 A, and left outer portion piece  142 B, may be connected together via a snap-fit, friction-fit, or slide-lock type arrangement, although example embodiments are not limited thereto. According to some example embodiments, the right outer portion  142 A and the right inner portion piece  143 A may be formed as a single piece, and the left outer portion  142 B and the left inner portion piece  143 B may be formed as a single piece, and may be connected together via a snap-fit, friction-fit, or slide-lock type arrangement, etc. 
     The second recess section  145  is a recess located under the door  151  and allows an adult operator to ergonomically open and close the door  151 . According to some example embodiments, there are a plurality of second recess sections  145 , for example, a left second recess section located on a left side of the door  151 , and a right second recess section located on a right side of the door  151 , etc., but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. Additionally, according to at least one example embodiment, the second recess section  145  may be omitted, and the door  151  may further include at least one tab, overhang piece, or the like, which protrudes from door  151  past the interface between the door  151  and the rear exterior piece  140 , and thereby allows an adult operator to ergonomically grip the sides of the door  151  and manually open and close the door  151 , etc. 
     According to some example embodiments, the rear exterior piece  140  may be formed from a single piece, or may be formed from two or more pieces. For example, in  FIG. 1C , the rear exterior piece  140  includes a right rear exterior piece  140 A and a left rear exterior piece  140 B, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. The engagement of the right rear exterior piece  140 A and a left rear exterior piece  140 B may be via a snap-fit, friction-fit, or slide-lock type arrangement, although example embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1D ,  FIG. 1D  illustrates a bottom view of the aerosol generating device with the door in the closed state according to at least one example embodiment. 
     According to some example embodiments, the distal end piece  112  (e.g., bottom end piece) includes at least one distal recess  115 , but is not limited thereto. The at least one distal recess  115  includes at least one connector port  114  and at least one body housing air inlet  113 , but is not limited thereto. For example, the distal end piece  112  may include a plurality of distal recesses  115  to separately accommodate the at least one connector port  114  and the at least one body housing air inlet  113 , etc. The at least one connector port  114  may be a data port configured to transmit and/or receive data from an external computing device, such as a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, external storage device, etc. The at least one connector port  114  may also be a power port configured to receive power from an external power source and to recharge an internal power source  182  (e.g., a rechargeable and/or replaceable battery, etc.) of the aerosol generating device  100  and/or provide power for the operation of the aerosol generating device  100 , etc. In some example embodiments, the at least one connector port  114  is a single connector port, such as a USB connector port (e.g., a USB-C port, a USB-mini port, etc.), etc., that combines the functionality of a data port and a power port. According to other example embodiments, there may be two or more connector ports, e.g., a separate power port and a separate data port, etc. 
     The distal recess  115  also includes a plurality of body housing air inlets  113 , but is not limited thereto, and for example may include a single air inlet, etc. As shown in  FIG. 1D , the distal recess  115  may include a plurality of body housing air inlets  113  on the left and right sides of the connector port  114 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and the air inlets may be arranged in any number, location and/or pattern. Additionally, the plurality of body housing air inlets  113  may be disposed on any part of the distal end piece  112 , and are not limited to the distal recess  115 . The air inlets  113  allow external air to flow into at least one air hose included in the interior of the device body housing  101  upon a draw event and/or the application of negative air pressure at the proximal end of the aerosol generating device  100 , e.g., at the mouthpiece  160 . The air inlets  113  may include a grille, e.g., a mesh layer, etc., which reduces, decreases, and/or prevents debris from entering the air hose and/or the interior of the device body housing  101 , and/or otherwise obstructing the flow of air into the air hose from the air inlets  113 . The grille may be separate from the air inlet  113  and may be attached to an interior face of the air inlet  113 , an exterior face of the air inlet  113 , or both. According to some example embodiments, the grille may be integrated into the openings of individual air inlets  113 . Each air inlet  113  may have an elongate shape, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and the air inlets  113  may have other shapes, such as circular, polygonal, etc., shapes, or any combinations thereof. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1E ,  FIG. 1E  illustrates a top view of the aerosol generating device with the door in the closed state according to at least one example embodiment. 
     According to at least one example embodiment, the mouthpiece  160  is inserted through an opening of the proximal end piece  152  and removably attached to a mouthpiece chassis of the device body housing  101 . The mouthpiece  160  is replaceable and/or reusable, and may be connected to the mouthpiece chassis using any type of connector. According to at least one example embodiment, the mouthpiece  160  may be removably attached to the mouthpiece chassis using a bayonet connector, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and for example, the mouthpiece  160  may be attached using, without limitation, a snug-fit, detent, clamp, threaded connector, sliding fit, sleeve fit, alignment fit, threaded connector, magnetic, clasp, or any other type of connection, and/or combinations thereof. When the bayonet connector is locked into place in the mouthpiece chassis of the device body housing  101 , haptic feedback (e.g., a click, increased resistance, etc.) may be provided to the adult operator to notify the adult operator that the mouthpiece has been properly connected to the device body housing  101 . In some example embodiments, the mouthpiece  160  may be part of and/or integrated with the proximal end piece  152  and/or the device body housing  101 . 
     Additionally, according to some example embodiments, the mouthpiece  160  may further include at least one aerosol outlet  165 B. While  FIG. 1E  shows a single aerosol outlet  165 , the example embodiments are not limited thereto and a plurality of aerosol outlets may be provided in the mouthpiece  160 . Additionally, according to some example embodiments, an air diffuser may be provided which diffuses (e.g., separates) aerosol being drawn from the capsule  170  through the mouthpiece and through the aerosol outlets of the mouthpiece, etc. 
     According to some example embodiments, the distal end piece  112 , the rear exterior piece  140 , the front exterior piece  107 , the door  151 , and the proximal end piece  152  define the exterior of the device body of the aerosol generating device  100 , and further define an interior space housing the air flow subsystem, control subsystem, and electrical subsystem of the aerosol generating device  100 . 
       FIGS. 2A-2E  illustrate various views of a door assembly and a mouthpiece assembly of the aerosol generating device according to some example embodiments. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B ,  FIG. 2A  illustrates a side view of the aerosol generating device with a door assembly in the open state according to at least one example embodiment; and  FIG. 2B  a top-front perspective of the aerosol generating device with the door assembly in the open state according to at least one example embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 2A , an aerosol generating device  100  may include the device body housing  101 , a door assembly (e.g.,  1100 ) including a door  151 , and a mouthpiece assembly (e.g.,  1200 ) including a removable (e.g., detachable) mouthpiece  160 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. The device body housing  101  includes a proximal portion (e.g., top portion  150  of  FIG. 1A ) and an opposing distal portion (e.g., bottom portion  105  of  FIG. 1A ). The removable mouthpiece  160  is disposed at the proximal portion  150 , while the distal end piece  112  is disposed at the distal portion  105 . The capsule  170 , when inserted into the capsule receptacle  175  and placed into an operating position (e.g., when the door assembly is closed, etc.) is disposed in an interior space of the device body housing  101  between the mouthpiece  160  and the distal end piece  112 . For example, the installed capsule  170  may be disposed in the proximal portion (e.g.,  150  of  FIG. 1A ) or the distal portion (e.g.,  105  of  FIG. 1A ) of the device body housing  101 , but is not limited thereto. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2B , according to at least one example embodiment, a capsule  170  may include an aerosol generating substrate compartment (e.g., a plant material compartment, a substrate compartment, etc.) and a heater, but is not limited thereto. An air channel may extend from the distal end of the device body housing  101  (e.g., the air inlets  113  of  FIG. 1D ) to the removable capsule  170 , and provide a flow of exterior air to the capsule upon a draw (e.g., draw event) and/or the application of negative pressure. The air channel is in the form of one or more channels extending from the air inlets  113  through the distal portion  105  of the body housing  101 . The aerosol generating substrate compartment is configured to hold an aerosol generating substrate (e.g., plant material) therein. The aerosol generating substrate is a material or combination of materials that may be heated by the heater to generate an aerosol. The capsule and aerosol generating substrate will be discussed in greater detail in connection with  FIGS. 9A to 9C . 
     A heater (which will be subsequently discussed in more detail in connection with  FIGS. 9A to 9C ) is disposed in at least one of the capsule  170  and the device body housing  101 . The aerosol generating substrate compartment of the capsule is configured to be in fluidic communication with the heater during an operation of the aerosol generating device  100  such that the aerosol generating substrate from the aerosol generating substrate compartment comes into thermal contact with the heater. The heater is configured to heat the aerosol generating substrate to produce an aerosol that passes through the aerosol generating substrate compartment to the mouthpiece  160  via at least one aerosol passage  165  of a mouthpiece chimney  161  (as shown in  FIG. 2E ) and at least one aerosol outlet  165 B. The at least one air hose  116  of the device body housing  101  is configured to be inserted into, connected, and/or otherwise engage with, a distal end of the capsule  170  via a capsule connector  177  such that air inlets of the capsule  170  are aligned with the air hose  116  of the device body housing  101  when the capsule  170  is in the operating position. 
     Additionally, at least one aerosol chimney  161  for the mouthpiece  160  is configured to be connected to, mate with, and/or otherwise engage with, a proximal end of the capsule such that aerosol outlets of the capsule are aligned with the aerosol passage  165  so as to facilitate delivery of the generated aerosol to the mouthpiece  160  through the chimney  161 . The chimney  161  may be an elongated portion of the mouthpiece  160  and defines the at least one aerosol passage  165  in the form of one or more passageways extending through the mouthpiece  160 . According to some example embodiments, the aerosol passage  165  and the chimney  161  are integrated into the mouthpiece  160  and passes through at least one opening (e.g., opening  154  of  FIG. 4A ) in the proximal end  152  of the device body housing  101  and is mated with, connected, and/or otherwise engaged with, the proximal end of the capsule. The mouthpiece will be discussed in greater detail below. 
     Referring additionally to  FIGS. 2C and 2D ,  FIG. 2C  illustrates a side view of the internal construction of the proximal end of aerosol generating device in an open state; and  FIG. 2D  illustrates a side view of the internal construction of the proximal end of aerosol generating device in a closed state, wherein the door chassis has been omitted for the sake of clarity. According to at least one example embodiment, the aerosol generating device  100  includes a door assembly (e.g., door assembly  1100  of  FIG. 3A ) and a mouthpiece assembly (e.g., mouthpiece assembly  1200  of  FIG. 4A ), but is not limited thereto. The door assembly may include a door  151 , a door chassis  153  attached to the door  151 , a capsule receptacle  175  movably connected to the door chassis  153  via a pair of rails  157  defined by the door chassis  153 , and a capsule connector  177  attached to the door  151  via the door chassis  153 , etc., but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     According to at least one example embodiment, besides the mouthpiece  160  and mouthpiece chimney  161 , the mouthpiece assembly  1200  may include a mouthpiece chassis  155 . The mouthpiece chassis  155  is moveably connected to the body chassis  147  via a pair of slots  148  and pin  149 A, and at least one compression spring  123  contacting the proximal end piece  152  and biased against the mouthpiece chassis  155 , etc., but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. Namely, instead of a slot and pin arrangement, any slidingly engaged structure such as rails, races, bushings, etc. may be used. 
     Generally, the door assembly  1100  and the door  151  of the aerosol generating device  100  may be lifted, rotated, pivoted, moved, pushed, pulled, etc., into an open position (e.g., open state, etc.) or a closed position (e.g., closed state, etc.) around the hinge  120 . According to some example embodiments, an adult operator may manually operate the door  151  and the door assembly  1100  into the open and/or closed positions, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and for example, the door  151  and the door assembly  1100  may be moved into the open or closed positions using a motor, magnetic locks, or any other comparable device. When the door  151  (and by extension the door assembly  1100 ) is in the open state, the capsule receptacle  175  is moved by at least one first linkage  121  to the proximal end of the door  151 , and a capsule  170  may be inserted into the capsule receptacle  175 . Concurrently, at least one second linkage  122  causes the mouthpiece assembly  1200  including the mouthpiece chassis  155  to be moved in a lateral direction such that the attached mouthpiece  160  is moved away from the proximal end of the device body housing  101  (e.g., move the mouthpiece  160  to an extended position and/or extended state away from the proximal end piece  152 ), thereby disengaging the mouthpiece  160  from the capsule  170  and allowing for the convenient and efficient removal of the capsule  170  from the body housing  101 . 
     Additionally, when the door  151  is in the open state, the door assembly  1100  and the mouthpiece assembly  1200  cause at least one compression spring  123  to become compressed. According to some example embodiments, there are two or more compression springs  123  disposed on a U-shaped spring mount  123 A (e.g., spring frame, etc.) included in the base of the body chassis  147  on the left and right sides of the mouthpiece chassis  155 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. In response to the door  151  being moved into the closed position and movement of the second linkage  122 , the at least one compression spring  123  causes the mouthpiece assembly  1200  including the mouthpiece chassis  155  to move in a lateral direction, retracting (e.g., moving, pushing, etc.) the mouthpiece  160  towards the distal end of the device body housing  101  (e.g., move the mouthpiece  160  to a closed/retracted position and/or closed/retracted state). Additionally, when the mouthpiece  160  is moved to the closed position, the mouthpiece chimney  161  engages the capsule  170 . The movements of the door assembly  1100  and the mouthpiece assembly  1200  will be discussed in further detail in connection with  FIGS. 5A to 5C and 6A to 6C . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2C to 2E ,  FIG. 2C  illustrates a side view of the internal construction of the proximal end of aerosol generating device in an open state;  FIG. 2D  illustrates a side view of the internal construction of the proximal end of aerosol generating device in a closed state, wherein the door chassis has been omitted for the sake of clarity; and  FIG. 2E  illustrates a cross section of the proximal end of the aerosol generating device in the open state. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2C to 2E , according to at least one example embodiment, a stationary body chassis  147  is disposed along a lower interior portion of the device body housing  101 , and provides an internal frame for the aerosol generating device  100 . According to at least one example embodiment, the body chassis  147  includes a rear base frame  147 A and one or more vertical frame members (e.g.,  147 B and  147 C, etc.) for providing structure to the aerosol generating device  100 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. According to some example embodiments, the body chassis  147  may also include a front base frame and the rear base frame, and/or may omit one of the front base frame or the rear base frame, etc. Additionally, the exterior pieces of the device body housing  101 , such as the distal end piece  112 , the rear exterior piece  140 , the front exterior piece  107 , the door  151 , and/or the proximal end piece  152 , etc., may be mounted using bosses, attached, connected, welded, screwed, clipped, and/or otherwise fastened to the body chassis  147 . Moreover, internal elements of the aerosol generating device  100 , such as a power subsystem, airflow subsystem, and/or control subsystem, etc., may be mounted using bosses, attached, connected, welded, screwed, clipped, and/or otherwise fastened to the body chassis  147 . 
     According to at least one example embodiment, the mouthpiece chassis  155  is also moveably attached to the stationary body chassis  147 . For example, the mouthpiece chassis  155  is connected to the body chassis  147  via a pair of slots  148  on the lateral sides (e.g., the left and right sides) of the body chassis  147 , such that the mouthpiece chassis  155  may move (e.g., slide) in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device  100  (e.g., moving between the distal end to proximal end, etc.) using the pins  149 A of the mouthpiece chassis that are inserted into the slots  148 . 
     Additionally, the mouthpiece chassis  155  and the proximal end piece  152  of the device body housing  101  include a mouthpiece opening  154  configured to receive the chimney  161  of the mouthpiece  160 . The chimney  161  is an elongated section of the mouthpiece  160  and defines at least one aerosol passageway  165  between at least one opening at the proximal end of the mouthpiece and the proximal end of the capsule  170  when the mouthpiece  160  and the capsule  170  are installed in the device body housing  101 . While the Figures depict the chimney  161  as having a tube-like shape, the example embodiments are not limited thereto and the chimney  161  may have any shape. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 2C to 2E , the body chassis  147  may include a pair of parallel slots  148  of a desired length corresponding to a travel distance of the door  151  (e.g., the distance travelled by the door  151  between the open and closed states) arranged in the same direction as the orientation of the mouthpiece  160  to the body housing  101  (e.g., on the right and left sides of the body chassis  147  and running in the longitudinal direction through the body housing  101 ) in the proximal end of the aerosol generating device  100 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 2C to 2E , the slots  148  are an elongated horizontal opening in the vertical member  147 C of the body chassis  147 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and the slots  148  may be positioned in a different locations and/or may have different shapes or configurations, etc. 
     According to some example embodiments, the mouthpiece chassis  155  engages with the pair of slots  148  of the body chassis  147  such that the mouthpiece chassis  155  may move and/or slide along the pair of slots  148  in response to the door  151  of the door assembly  1100  being opened or closed in response to the movement of the linkage  122  and biasing of compression spring  123 . Additionally, the mouthpiece chassis  155  may move in response to a lateral force (e.g., horizontal force, etc.) being applied on the mouthpiece  160 , etc., but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     More specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 2C to 2E , the body chassis  147  is connected to at least one first linkage  121  via a first pivot  146 A (e.g., a ball joint, a pin, etc.) inserted into the vertical support  147 B of the body chassis  147 , and the mouthpiece chassis  155  is connected to at least one second linkage  122  via a second pivot  149 A (e.g., a ball joint, a pin, etc.). The second pivot  149 A is inserted into the slots  148  (e.g., the elongated horizontal slot) of the vertical support  147 C of the body chassis  147  and an opening in the second linkage  122 . The first linkage  121 , first pivot  146 A, second linkage  122 , and/or the second pivot  149 A may each be a pair of linkages or pivots located on the left and right side of the body chassis  147  and the mouthpiece chassis  155 , respectively, but are not limited thereto. 
     The first linkage  121  may be an angled or elbow linkage (e.g., angled less than 90 degrees) and the second linkage  122  may be a straight (e.g., linear) linkage, and the length of the first linkage  121  may be longer than the second linkage  122  to enable the proximal end of the capsule receptacle  175  and the door  151  to open, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and the linkages may have different shapes or lengths. The first linkage  121  is fixedly, rotatably attached to the body chassis  147  at a proximal end of body chassis  147 , and the second linkage  122  is fixedly, rotatably attached at the distal end of the door chassis  153 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     The second linkage  122  and the second pivot  149 A may laterally travel within the slots  148  in response to the door  151  being opened or closed, and/or the second linkage  122  may provide an assisting force to the door  151  to open or close in response to the second pivot  149 A being laterally moved (e.g., being laterally moved by at least one compression spring  123 , etc.). According to some example embodiments, a proximal end of the second linkage  122  may be open (e.g., U-shaped), but the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and for example the proximal end of the second linkage  122  may be closed (e.g., closed and defining slot openings for receiving pins  149 A). At least one compression spring  123  is disposed on a spring mount (e.g., spring mount  123 A of  FIG. 4A ), which is disposed on the proximal wall at a lower section of the vertical support  147 B of the body chassis  147 , e.g., and the spring mount  123 A via bosses on the proximal end piece  152 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     According to some example embodiments, there are at least two compression springs  123  on the left and right sides, respectively, of the body chassis  147 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. The compression springs  123  are biased against and/or contact a lower, proximal section of the mouthpiece chassis  155 . When the door  151  is opened, the mouthpiece chassis  155  is caused to move in a proximal lateral direction due to the proximal lateral movement of the second linkage  122  and the second pivot  149 A, thereby causing the compression of the compression springs  123 . Additionally, this proximal lateral movement of the mouthpiece chassis  155  causes the mouthpiece  160  and the chimney  161  to disengage and/or move to the extended position due to the connection of the mouthpiece  160  to the mouthpiece chassis  155 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2C and 2D , the opposite end of the first linkage  121  is rotatably connected to a side face(s) (e.g., left or right side) of the capsule receptacle  175  (e.g., a capsule receptacle housing, a capsule housing, a capsule holder, etc.) via at least one pin  146 B, and the second linkage  122  is rotatably connected to a side face(s) of the door chassis  153  via at least one pin  149 B. As discussed above, when the door  151  is opened and/or raised, the capsule receptacle  175  is moved to the proximal end of the door  151  due to the connection to the first linkage  121 . Additionally, the movement of the door  151  and the connection to the door chassis  153  causes the second linkage  122  to move in the proximal lateral direction along the slots  148  (e.g., the door  151  pushes the second linkage  122  and the mouthpiece chassis  155  forward). 
     When a closing force is applied to the door  151  and/or the door  151  begins to be closed (e.g., the door  151  is rotated to the closed position), the previously compressed spring  123  converts its stored potential energy into kinetic energy to assist in the movement of (e.g., push) the mouthpiece chassis  155  towards the distal end of the body chassis  147  (e.g., closed position), thereby causing the door  151  to completely close due to the connection of the first linkage  121  and the second linkage  122  to the capsule receptacle  175  and the door chassis  153 , respectively. 
     According to some example embodiments, if the adult operator is applying a closing force to the door  151 , the springs  123  may provide an assisting closing force for the closure of the door. Additionally, while the mouthpiece chassis  155  is being pushed to the closed position by the biasing force of the springs  123  and/or the closing force applied by the adult operator to the door  151 , the capsule receptacle  175  is moved and/or pushed to the distal end (e.g., closed position) of the door chassis  153  due to the connection of the first linkage  121  to the capsule receptacle  175 . Moreover, when the mouthpiece chassis  155  is moved to the closed position by the biasing force of the springs  123 , the mouthpiece  160  is also moved to the closed/retracted position due to the connection (described in detail below) of the mouthpiece  160  with the mouthpiece chassis  155 , and is caused to engage an inserted capsule  170 . Additionally, the biasing force of the springs  123  may maintain the mouthpiece  160 , mouthpiece chassis  155 , and the door  151  in the closed/retracted positions. 
     While the body chassis  147  illustrated in  FIGS. 2C to 2E  is shown as being a single piece, the example embodiments are not limited thereto and the body chassis may be formed using a plurality of pieces, for example, the body chassis  147  may include a left piece and a right piece, and/or a distal piece and a proximal piece, etc. 
     According to some example embodiments, the base frame of the body chassis  147  is substantially rectangular shaped, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and for example, may have a curved shape corresponding to the contours of the device bodying housing  101 , etc., and/or any other shape. The base of the body chassis  147  may include a concave section which corresponds to the location of the first recess section  141 , and may have substantially similar dimensions as the first recess section  141 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2E , according to at least one example embodiment, when the door  151  is in the open state, the capsule receptacle  175  is moved to and/or positioned at a proximal end of the door chassis  151 . The capsule receptacle  175  may be a housing formed from a plastic with a high temperature resistance, such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK) plastic, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), Acetal, etc., or other materials capable of withstanding high temperatures (e.g., approximately 80° C. or higher, etc.), but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. Additionally, according to some example embodiments, metals, such as aluminum or stainless steel, may be used as well. As shown in  FIGS. 8A to 8B and 9A to 9C , the capsule receptacle  175  is a substantially rectangular prism shape and includes a front surface, a rear surface, a left surface, a right surface, and a proximal face and a distal face, but is not limited thereto, and for example may have other shapes. The capsule receptacle  175  includes an opening on the proximal face of the capsule receptacle  175 , the proximal opening configured to receive the capsule  170 , thereby allowing for the insertion of a capsule  170  into the capsule receptacle  175 . The proximal opening of the capsule receptacle  175  may have the same, or substantially similar, shape as an end cap of the housing of the capsule  170 , to facilitate the proper alignment and/or fitment of the capsule  170  and to avoid the insertion of non-capsule objects into the capsule receptacle  175 , but the capsule receptacle  175  is not limited thereto and other shaped proximal openings may be used. 
     Additionally, the capsule receptacle  175  also includes an opening on a distal face of the capsule receptacle  175 . The distal opening of the capsule receptacle  175  may be smaller than the distal end of the capsule  170 , such that the capsule  170  is held in place by one or more restraining members (e.g.,  172 A and  172 B) protruding from the edges of the capsule receptacle  175 , and prevented from falling into the interior cavity of the device body housing  101 . The restraining members  172 A and  172 B may be disposed on the front and rear of the distal opening of the capsule receptacle  175 , thereby securing the capsule  170  inside of the capsule receptacle  175 , while defining an opening sufficiently large enough to allow a capsule connector  177  to enter the opening and connect to, attach to, and/or mate with electrical contacts and/or an air inlet disposed on the distal end of the capsule  170 . Moreover, the restraining members  172 A and  172 B may have dimensions such that the surface area of the capsule receptacle and the restraining members contacting the capsule is reduced and/or minimized, thereby reducing and/or minimizing the thermal contact between the capsule and the aerosol generating device  100 . For example, according to one example embodiment, the capsule may have approximate dimensions of 12.4 mm×6 mm, the restraining members may each be approximately 4 mm long and protrude approximately 0.8 mm from the edge of the capsule receptacle, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. However, the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and for example, the restraining members  172  and  172 B may be located on the left and rights sides of the capsule receptacle  175 , and/or there may be a greater or lesser number of restraining members, etc. 
     According to at least one example embodiment, the device body housing  101  may further include a capsule detection switch  183  (e.g., a capsule detection sensor, etc.), a door detection switch  186  (e.g., a door detection sensor, etc.), and/or a haptic feedback motor  185 , etc., but the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and for example, one or more of the capsule detection switch  183 , door detection switch  186 , and/or the haptic feedback motor  185 , may be omitted. The capsule detection switch  183  may be a pressure switch, a contact switch, a sensor, etc., which is disposed inside of the device body housing  101  and detects a presence or absence of a capsule  170  within the device body housing  101 . For example, the capsule detection switch  183  may be triggered by and/or may come into contact with a capsule  170  properly inserted into the capsule receptacle  175  when the door  151  is moved to the closed position, but is not limited thereto. In response to the capsule detection switch  183  detecting the presence of the capsule  170 , the capsule detection switch  183  transmits a first electrical signal (e.g., a capsule detection signal, etc.) indicating the detection of the capsule to a control subsystem (e.g.,  180  of  FIG. 10 ). Additionally, the door detection switch  186  may be a pressure switch, a contact switch, a sensor, etc., which is disposed inside of the device body housing  101  and detects whether the door  151  and/or mouthpiece chassis  155  is moved to the closed and/or retracted position. For example, the door detection switch  186  may be triggered by and/or come into contact with the mouthpiece chassis  155  when the mouthpiece chassis  155  is moved to the closed and/or retracted position, thereby indicating that the door  151  is in the closed position due to the travel of the first linkage  121  and the second linkage  122 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and for example, the door detection switch  186  may be positioned such that it comes into direct contact with the door  151  when the door  151  is in the closed position, etc. When the door detection switch  186  detects that the door  151  is in the closed position (and/or the mouthpiece chassis  155  is in the closed/retracted position, etc.), the door detection switch  186  transmits a second electrical signal (e.g., a door detection signal, etc.) indicating the door  151  is closed to a control subsystem  180 . 
     According to some example embodiments, in response to receiving the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal from the capsule detection switch  183  and the door detection switch  186 , respectively, the control subsystem (e.g.,  180  of  FIG. 10 ) enables current to flow from the battery  182  to the capsule  170 . Additionally, in response to the control subsystem (e.g., processing circuitry, control circuitry, etc.) not receiving the first electrical signal from the capsule detection switch  183  and/or not receiving the second electrical signal from the door detection switch  186 , the control subsystem  180  may disable and/or prohibit the flow of current from the battery  182  to the capsule receptacle  175 . 
     However, the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and the capsule detection switch  183  and/or the door detection switch  186  may be omitted and/or not used by the control subsystem to control the flow of current from the battery  182  to the capsule receptacle  175 , etc. Additionally, according to some example embodiments, the first electrical signal and/or the second electrical signal may be binary signals with a first value indicating the detection of the capsule and/or door closure and a second value indicating the non-detection (e.g., absence) of the capsule and/or door closure, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     According to some example embodiments, the control subsystem may further control the haptic motor  185  (e.g., a haptic feedback motor, etc.) to provide a first haptic response (e.g., a vibration of a first desired intensity, first desired frequency, and/or a first desired interval, etc.) indicating that the capsule  170  has been properly installed into the aerosol generating device  100  in response to receiving the first electrical signal from the capsule detection switch  183 . The control subsystem may also control the haptic motor  185  to provide a second haptic response (e.g., a vibration of a second desired intensity, second desired frequency, and/or a second desired interval, etc.) indicating that the capsule  170  has not been properly installed into the aerosol generating device  100  in response to receiving the second electrical signal from the capsule detection switch  183 . According to some example embodiments, the control subsystem also controls the display panel  107 / 107 A to display status information regarding the capsule  170  in response to receiving the first and/or second electrical signal from the capsule detection switch  183 , etc. Additionally, according to some example embodiments, the aerosol generating device  100  also includes a speaker, and the control subsystem may additionally control the speaker to provide auditory feedback (e.g., tones, beeps, music, recorded messages, etc.) to an adult operator regarding the insertion and/or removal of a capsule  170  from the aerosol generating device  100 , the status of the plant material included in the capsule  170 , battery status information, etc. 
     While the Figures illustrate the elements of the door assembly and the mouthpiece assembly disposed in the proximal portion  150  of the aerosol generating device  100 , the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and for example, the door assembly may be disposed in the distal portion  105  of the aerosol generating device  100 , etc. Additionally, while the Figures illustrate the door  151  being disposed on a front face of the aerosol generating device  100 , the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and the door  151  may be disposed on any other face of the aerosol generating device  100 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3F  illustrate various views of a door assembly of at least one example embodiment. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A to 3D ,  FIG. 3A  illustrates an exploded view of the door assembly according to at least one example embodiment;  FIG. 3B  illustrates a bottom-front perspective view of the interior elements of the door assembly in the open position;  FIG. 3C  illustrates a bottom-front perspective view of the interior elements of the door assembly in the closed position; and  FIG. 3D  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the interior elements of the door assembly in the closed position. 
     According to at least one example embodiment, a door assembly  1100  may include a door  151 , a door chassis  153 , at least one cam-actuated restraining element  176 , a capsule receptacle  175 , and a capsule connector  177 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. The door  151 , door chassis  153 , at least one cam-actuated restraining element  176 , capsule receptacle  175 , and capsule connector  177  may each be symmetrical along a longitudinal axis, but are not limited thereto. 
     According to at least one example embodiment, the door  151  may further include at least one cam  156  and the hinge  120 , but is not limited thereto. The cam  156  and the cam-actuated restraining element  176  will be discussed in greater detail below. The door chassis  153  may be attached to the interior side of the door  151  via one or more clips  151 A attached to the clip slots  151 B, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and the door chassis  153  may be screwed, welded, and/or otherwise engaged to the interior side of the door  151 . The door chassis  153  may define a substantially planar rectangular frame and may include a vertical opening  153 A inside the planar rectangular frame, and may further include a set of lateral side wings  153 B. According to at least one example embodiment, the door chassis  153  is open on a proximal, distal, and rear faces. Further, the door chassis  153  may further include at least one vertically oriented boss  190 A to mate with the bosses  190  of a capsule connector  177 , thereby attaching and/or fixing the capsule connector  177  to the door chassis  153 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto and other engagement types may be used as well. Additionally, the door chassis  153  includes a pair of openings  153 C (e.g., hinge points, etc.) which connect with and/or mate with the pins  149 B disposed at the distal end of the second linkages  122 , and allow the second linkage  122  to rotate around the opening  153 C. The door chassis  153  further include a pair of rails  157  (e.g., tracks, sliders, guide rails, etc.) on the lateral sides of the door chassis  153  frame, and when the capsule receptacle  175  is inserted (e.g., dropped) into the opening  153 A from above, the rails  157  contact a pair of lateral overhang edges  158  of a front surface of the capsule receptacle  175 , thereby allowing the capsule receptacle  175  to move (e.g., slide, travel, etc.) from a proximal end to the distal end of the opening  153 A of the door chassis  153  upon the application of a longitudinal force. 
     Additionally, the capsule receptacle  175  is a substantially cubic shaped frame configured to hold a capsule  170 . The capsule receptacle  175  includes a proximal surface which defines a proximal opening  170 A for receiving the capsule  170 , and the proximal opening  170 A has the same dimensions and/or larger dimensions than the capsule  170 , and substantially the same shape as the capsule  170 . For example, the proximal opening and an interior cavity of the capsule receptacle  175  extend in a longitudinal direction towards the distal face of the capsule receptacle  175  and may have dimensions that are approximately 0.1 mm larger than the dimensions of the exterior housing of the capsule  170  in order to achieve an air gap between the capsule receptacle  175  and the exterior housing of the capsule  170 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. Additionally, pairs of internal rails  176 E may be defined in the interior walls (e.g., cavity walls) of the capsule receptacle  175  in the longitudinal direction, and the spaces next to each of the internal rails may be receded, cutaway, etc. The internal rails  176 E may further contact and/or guide an inserted capsule  170  towards the capsule connector  177  in the event that the capsule  170  is not connected to the capsule connector  177  (e.g., while the door assembly  1100  is being moved to the closed position, etc.), as well as increase the air gap and/or air thermal insulation around the capsule  170  on the sides of the internal rails  176 E. However, the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and according to some other example embodiments, the air gap may be omitted, may be greater or may be less than 0.1 mm. The air gap will be discussed in greater detail below. 
     Further, the capsule receptacle  175  may define a front surface channel  176 D and a rear surface opening  170 B according to some example embodiments. At least one cam-actuated restraining element  176  may be seated in the front surface channel  176 D. The body of the cam-actuated restraining element  176  may be substantially planar shaped, which a hinge  176 A disposed at a distal end of the cam-actuated restraining element  176 , a hooked-shaped (or L-shaped) contact element  176 B disposed at a proximal end of the cam-actuated restraining element  176 , and a protrusion and/or bump  176 C disposed on a front surface of the cam-actuated restraining element  176 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and the cam-actuated restraining element  176  may have different designs or configurations. 
     According to at least one example embodiment, the hinge  176 A of the cam-actuated restraining element  176  may mate with the hinge openings  176 B of the capsule receptacle  175 . Additionally, the front surface channel  176 D may further include a rear opening to the interior cavity  170 A of the capsule receptacle  175 , thereby allowing the contact element  176 B of the cam-actuated restraining element  176  to drop into the interior cavity  170 A and/or contact a capsule installed in the interior cavity  170 A of the capsule receptacle  175 . Further, the protrusion  176 C may be configured to contact the cam  156  of the rear surface (e.g., interior surface) of the door  151  as the capsule receptacle  175  slides down the rails  157  of the door chassis  153 , thereby forcing the cam-actuated restraining element  176  to contact the surface of an installed capsule  170 , etc. 
     Additionally, the capsule receptacle  175  includes at least one hinge point  146 B (e.g., hinge pin, etc.) for attachment to the distal end of at least one first linkage  121 , which causes the movement of the capsule receptacle  175  towards the capsule connector  177  when the door assembly  1100  is moved to the closed position, or causes movement of the capsule receptacle  175  away from the capsule connector  177  when the door assembly  110  is moved to the open position, etc. The capsule receptacle  175  also defines a rear opening  170 B. A capsule detection switch (e.g., capsule detection switch  183 ) disposed on a PCB on the rear interior surface of the device body housing  101  may fit within the rear opening  170 B of the capsule receptacle  175  when the door assembly  1100  is rotated to the closed position, and may contact and/or detect a capsule  170  installed within the capsule receptacle  175  when the capsule receptacle  175  is in the closed position, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     The door assembly  1100  may also include a capsule connector  177 , which provides air and electrical connections to a capsule installed in the capsule receptacle  175 , but is not limited thereto. According to some example embodiments, when the capsule  170  is present within the capsule receptacle  175  and the capsule receptacle  175  is moved to the distal end of the door chassis  153  in response to the door  151  being closed (e.g., the door assembly is in the closed position), the capsule  170  is connected to both the electrical subsystem and the airflow subsystem (e.g., air hose  116 , etc.) of the of the aerosol generating device  100 , or in other words, the capsule  170  is automatically positioned, steered, and/or self-guided into the proper position, thereby ensuring that a robust electrical connection and fluidic seal is achieved between the capsule  170  and the aerosol generating device  100 . The electrical subsystem and airflow subsystem will be discussed in greater detail below. 
     The capsule connector  177  may be fixedly attached (e.g., screwed, welded, bossed, etc.) to the door chassis  153  and/or the door  151 , but is not limited thereto. As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3D , the capsule connector  177  is embossed to the bosses  190 A disposed on the interior surface of the door via bosses  190 . The capsule connector  177  further includes capsule connector sealing element  178  which aligns with and forms an air-tight and/or substantially air-tight seal with the distal end of the capsule  170 . The capsule connector  177  will be discussed in further detail below. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3E and 3F ,  FIG. 3E  illustrates a cross section view of a cam-actuated restraining element and the door assembly in a closed state according to at least one example embodiment.  FIG. 3F  illustrates a cross section view of a cam-actuated restraining element and the door assembly in the open state according to at least one example embodiment. 
     According to some example embodiments, the capsule receptacle  175  further includes at least one cam-actuated restraining element  176  (e.g., a restraining element, an anti-bounce cam, a finger element, etc.) to frictionally engage and restrain any capsule  170  inserted into the opening of the capsule receptacle  175  from being accidentally removed and/or dislodged from the capsule receptacle  175  during the movement of the door  151  from the open position to the closed position and/or during the movement of the door  151  from the closed position to the open position. Additionally, the at least one cam-actuated restraining element  176  restrains any capsule  170  inserted into the opening of the capsule receptacle  175  from being accidentally removed, dislodged, and/or disconnected from the capsule connector  177  while the door  151  is in the closed position. As shown in  FIGS. 3A, 3E, and 3F , the cam-actuated restraining element  176  includes a hinge  176 A at a distal end of the capsule receptacle  175 , and a hook-shaped contact element  176 B (e.g., a “finger” piece, a T-shaped piece, etc.) at a proximal end of the capsule receptacle  175 , however the example embodiments are not limited thereto and the contact element may have a different shape. The door  151  may include at least one cam  156  which engages, contacts, and/or restrains, an upper surface of the capsule  170  while the door  151  is being rotated to the closed position, thereby reducing and/or preventing the capsule  170  from being removed and/or dislodged from the capsule connector  177  when the door  151  is in the closed position. More specifically, the cam  156  has a slanted proximal edge (e.g., a leading edge) which contacts a protruding element  176 C (e.g., a bump) disposed on a front surface of the cam-actuated restraining element  176  as the cam-actuated restraining element  176  and the capsule receptacle  175  moves towards the distal end of the door  151 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3E , while the cam-actuated restraining element  176  is in contact with the cam  156 , the contact element of the cam-actuated restraining element  176  is pushed in a downwards direction (e.g., towards a capsule, towards the interior space of the device body housing, etc.). According to the example embodiments, the cam-actuated restraining element  176  will engage with the capsule  170 , thereby holding the capsule  170  in place. Moreover, according to the example embodiments, the cam-actuated restraining element  176  will engage the capsule  170  and restrain/hold the capsule  170  in place even if the orientation of the aerosol generating device  100  is changed (e.g., the aerosol generating device  100  is held upside down, backwards, upright, etc.). 
     Additionally, when the cam-actuated restraining element  176  is engaged by the cam  156 , the contact element  176 B restrains the capsule  170  from becoming displaced, moving, and/or bouncing when the door  151  is closed using friction between the contact element  176 B and the surface of the capsule  170 . Additionally, when the door  151  is in the fully open position and the cam-actuated restraining element  176  and capsule receptacle  175  are in the open position, the cam-actuated restraining element  176  loses contact with the cam  156  due to a recess in the door  151 , thereby causing the contact element  176 B of the cam-actuated restraining element  176  to disengage with and/or move away from the surface of the capsule  170 , thereby allowing an adult operator to remove the capsule  170  from the capsule receptacle  175 . 
     Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 3F , the proximal opening of the capsule receptacle  175  may have dimensions that are greater than the dimensions of the capsule  170  in order to provide an air gap  174  between the capsule  170  and the interior walls of the capsule receptacle  175  on at least two sides of the capsule  170  (e.g., the lateral sides of the capsule  170 ), but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the proximal opening may be approximately 12.6 mm×6.2 mm at its widest points, and there may be an air gap  174  of approximately 0.1 mm between the outer diameter of the capsule and the proximal opening of the capsule receptacle  175 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. The air gap provides thermal insulation between the heated capsule  170  and the device body housing  101 , thereby reducing the temperature of the device body housing  101  and decreasing and/or minimizing any heat-related discomfort felt by the adult operator during operation of the aerosol generating device  100 . 
     According to some example embodiments, the capsule receptacle  175  may also include one or more internal pairs of rails  176 E defined on one or more interior sides of the capsule receptacle  175  to guide the capsule  170  into the interior cavity of the capsule receptacle  175  while the capsule  170  is not connected to the capsule connector  177  (e.g., the capsule  170  may contact the internal rails  176 E due to the force of gravity, misalignment, etc.). However, the dimensions of the internal pairs of rails  176 E may be configured so that the internal rails  176 E do not protrude into the interior cavity of the capsule receptacle  175  and therefore the air gap  174  around the capsule  170  is established and/or maintained when the capsule  170  is mated to and/or connected to the capsule connector  177 . In other words, the capsule  170  is not in contact with the internal rails  176 E of the capsule receptacle  175  while the door  151  is in the fully closed position (and the capsule receptacle  175  is positioned at the distal end (e.g., closed position) of the door chassis  153 ), but while the door  151  is in motion and/or is in the open position, e.g., the capsule  170  is disengaged from the capsule connector  177 , the capsule  170  may come into contact with the internal rails  176 E of the capsule receptacle  175 . 
       FIGS. 4A to 4F  illustrate various views of the mouthpiece assembly according to some example embodiments. More specifically,  FIG. 4A  illustrates an exploded view of a mouthpiece assembly according to at least one example embodiment;  FIG. 4B  illustrates the mouthpiece assembly of  FIG. 4A  in the open position;  FIG. 4C  illustrates a second view of the mouthpiece assembly of  FIG. 4B  in the open position and without the proximal end piece;  FIG. 4D  illustrates the mouthpiece assembly of  FIG. 4A  in the closed position; and  FIG. 4E  illustrates a second view of the mouthpiece assembly of  FIG. 4D  in the closed position and without the proximal end piece; and  FIG. 4F  illustrates mouthpiece assembly of  FIG. 4D  aligned with a capsule and capsule connector in the closed position according to some example embodiments. 
     According to at least one example embodiment, a mouthpiece assembly  1200  may include a removable mouthpiece  160 , a chimney  161  connected (e.g., integral) with the mouthpiece  160 , and a mouthpiece chassis  155 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and for example, the chimney  161  may be detachable from the mouthpiece  160 , etc. As shown in  FIGS. 4A to 4D , the various elements of the mouthpiece assembly  1200  are substantially symmetrical along a longitudinal axis, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. The mouthpiece assembly  1200  may be installed in an interior space of the device body housing  101  of the aerosol generating device  100 , and more specifically the proximal end piece  152  and/or a spring mount  123 A may be attached to the stationary internal frame (e.g., body chassis  147 ) of the device body housing  101  via, for example, clips such as clips  152 A, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and other equivalent attachment methods may be used. 
     Additionally, the mouthpiece chassis  155  may be moveably (e.g., slideably, etc.) attached to a stationary body chassis (e.g., body chassis  147 ) of the device body housing  101 , but is not limited thereto. The mouthpiece chassis  155  may be moveably (e.g., slideably, etc.) attached to rails (e.g., slots  148 ) of the stationary body chassis using one or more pins  149 A, such that the mouthpiece chassis  155  travels in a longitudinal direction along the interior of the device body housing  101 . Further, the one or more pins  149 A are also rotatably and/or slidingly attached and/or connected to at least one second linkage (e.g., second linkage  122 ) which provides a force to the mouthpiece chassis  155  via the pin  149 A to move in the lateral direction within the slots  148  of the body chassis  147 . The mouthpiece chassis  155 , when viewed from the side, may be a substantially “L-shaped,” with the vertical portion of the mouthpiece chassis  155  further defining an opening  155 A configured to receive a chimney  161  of the mouthpiece  160 . The horizontal portion of the mouthpiece chassis  155  may define a rear opening  155 B which aligns with the rear opening  170 B of the capsule receptacle  175  when the capsule receptacle  175  and the mouthpiece chassis  155  are in the closed position, thereby allowing sensors, such as the capsule detection switch  183 , etc., to access a capsule  170  installed in the capsule receptacle  175 , etc. 
     Additionally, the mouthpiece chassis  155  may include at least one bayonet enclosure  163  for receiving at least one bayonet connector  162  of the chimney  161 , and locking the mouthpiece  160  to the mouthpiece chassis  155 . For example, there may be two or more bayonet connectors and bayonet enclosures, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. At least one compression spring  123  may be mounted on a U-shaped spring frame  123 A, and the spring frame  123 A may be attached to the proximal end piece  152  (e.g., via screws, welds, etc.), and/or the body chassis (e.g., body chassis  147 ), and may be disposed between the proximal end piece  152  and the mouthpiece chassis  155 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. As shown in  FIG. 4A , there may be two or compression springs  123  mounted on two or more arms of the spring frame  123 A, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. The compression springs  123  may be biased against the mouthpiece chassis  155  such that the mouthpiece chassis  155  compresses the compression spring  123  when traveling in the proximal longitudinal direction. Additionally, when the compression spring  123  is released, the compressed compression spring  123  applies a biasing force on the mouthpiece chassis  155  in the distal longitudinal direction thereby moving and/or assisting with the movement of the mouthpiece chassis  155  in the distal longitudinal direction. The movement of the mouthpiece chassis  155  will be discussed in greater detail in connection with  FIGS. 5A to 5C and 6A to 6C . 
     The removable mouthpiece  160  may include an elongated chimney  161  defining at least one aerosol outlet  165 , the at least one bayonet connector  162 , and a sealing element  164 , but is not limited thereto. The chimney  161  may be inserted through an opening  154  in the proximal end piece  152  and connected to (e.g., attached, fixed, etc.) to the mouthpiece chassis  155  using the bayonet connectors  162 . As discussed above, the mouthpiece chassis  155  may move in a longitudinal direction a desired distance (e.g., towards the proximal and distal ends of the aerosol generating device, etc.) corresponding to the length of the slots  148  of the body chassis  147 , etc. When the mouthpiece  160  is attached to the mouthpiece chassis  155  and the mouthpiece chassis  155  moves in either the proximal and distal longitudinal directions, the mouthpiece  160  will also move in the proximal and distal longitudinal directions with the mouthpiece chassis  155 . Additionally, when the mouthpiece  160  is moved to the closed position, the mouthpiece engages a detent  167  disposed on a top exterior surface of the proximal end piece  152 , as shown in  FIG. 4D . Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 4F , when the mouthpiece assembly  1200  and the door assembly  1100  are both moved to the closed position, the mouthpiece chassis  155  and the capsule receptacle  175  are arranged such that the mouthpiece chimney  161  and mouthpiece sealing element  164  sealingly aligns with the proximal end of the capsule  170 , and the distal end of the capsule  170  sealingly aligns with the capsule connector sealing element  178  of the capsule connector  177 , etc. 
       FIGS. 5A to 5C  are diagrams illustrating the movement of the door assembly and the mouthpiece assembly when the door of the aerosol generating device is moved from an initial open state to a final closed state according to at least one example embodiment. More specifically,  FIG. 5A  illustrates the door assembly and the mouthpiece assembly in the initial open state;  FIG. 5B  illustrates the door assembly and the mouthpiece assembly in an intermediate state; and  FIG. 5C  illustrates the door assembly and the mouthpiece assembly in the final closed state.  FIGS. 5A to 5C  show a simplified version of the door assembly and the mouthpiece assembly, for example showing only a portion of the door chassis  153 , mouthpiece  160 , and the mouthpiece chassis  155 , and omitting the body chassis  147 , capsule  170 , capsule connector  177 , etc., to more clearly illustrate the operations of the various elements of the door assembly (e.g., door assembly  1100 ) and the mouthpiece assembly (e.g., mouthpiece assembly  1200 ), etc., according to at least one example embodiment. 
     According to at least one example embodiment, the door assembly  1100  (e.g., door  151 , etc.) may be assumed to start in an initial open state, and an external downward force F 1  may be applied to the door  151  and/or door assembly  1100  by an adult operator to close the door  151 . The force F 1  causes the door  151  to rotate (e.g., pivot, etc.) around the hinge point  120  in a downward direction F 2 . The moveable capsule receptacle  175  is rotatably attached to at least one first linkage  121  at a pivot point  146 B (e.g., pin, etc.). Additionally, the first linkage  121  is rotatably attached to the stationary body chassis  147  at a pivot point  146 A. As shown in  FIG. 5B , when the door  151  begins to rotate in the downward direction F 2 , the first linkage  121  also rotates (e.g., pivots) in the downward direction F 3  around the pivot point  146 A, thereby causing the moveable capsule receptacle  175  to move along direction F 4  to the distal end of the door  151 /door chassis  153  and towards the capsule connector  177  (not shown in  FIGS. 5A to 5C ), thereby causing the connection and/or engagement of a capsule installed in the capsule receptacle  175  to the capsule connector  177 . 
     Concurrently, the rotation of the door  151  in the downward direction (e.g., F 2 ) causes at least one second linkage  122 , which is rotatably attached to a pivot point  149 B of the door chassis  153 , to move in the downward direction F 5 . Due to the length of the second linkage  122 , according to some example embodiments, the distal end of the second linkage  122  (e.g., the end attached to pivot point  149 B which is attached to the mouthpiece chassis  155 ) may move to the same or lower height than the opposing end of the second linkage  122  (e.g., the end attached to pivot point  149 A) when the door  151  is rotated towards the closed position. This causes the second linkage  122  to be released from an “over-center” position, thereby releasing the compressed spring  123 . The released compressed spring  123  releases stored potential energy causing the compressed spring  123  to apply a biasing force and/or assisting force to push the moveable mouthpiece chassis  155  in the proximal direction along the slot  148  (not shown) of the body chassis  147 , e.g., in direction F 6 , and also pushing the connected mouthpiece  160  to a closed (e.g., attached, connected, etc.) position abutting the proximal end piece  152 , thereby causing the mouthpiece  160  to engage and/or connect to a detent  167  disposed on the exterior of the proximal end piece  152 . 
       FIGS. 6A to 6C  are diagrams illustrating the movement of the door assembly and the mouthpiece assembly when the door of the aerosol generating device is moved from an initial closed state to a final open state according to at least one example embodiment. More specifically,  FIG. 6A  illustrates the door assembly and the mouthpiece assembly in the initial closed state;  FIG. 6B  illustrates the door assembly and the mouthpiece assembly in an intermediate state; and  FIG. 6C  illustrates the door assembly and the mouthpiece assembly in the final open state. Similar to  FIGS. 5A to 5C ,  FIGS. 6A to 6C  show a simplified version of the door assembly and the mouthpiece assembly, for example showing only a portion of the door chassis  153 , mouthpiece  160 , and the mouthpiece chassis  155 , and omitting the body chassis  147 , capsule  170 , capsule connector  177 , etc., to more clearly illustrate the operations of the various elements of the door assembly (e.g., door assembly  1100 ) and the mouthpiece assembly (e.g., mouthpiece assembly  1200 ), etc., according to at least one example embodiment. 
     According to at least one example embodiment, the door assembly  1100  (e.g., door  151 , etc.) may start in an initial closed state, and an adult operator may apply an external upward (e.g., lifting) force F A  on the door assembly  1100 /door  151 . The upward force F A  causes the door assembly  1100 /door  151  to rotate in the upwards direction F B  around the pivot point (e.g., hinge)  120 . The upwards rotation F B  causes the at least one first linkage  121  to rotate in the upwards direction Fc around pivot point  146 A. The combination of the rotation F B  and the upwards direction Fc causes the moveable capsule receptacle  175  to start to move to a proximal end of the door  151  and door chassis  153  due to the attachment of the first linkage  121  to the capsule receptacle  175 , thereby disengaging a capsule  170  (not shown) installed in the capsule receptacle  175  from the capsule connector  177  (not shown). 
     Concurrently, the upwards force F A  and rotation movement F B  of the door assembly  1100 /door  151  causes the door chassis  153  to rotate in the upwards direction F E . The upwards movement F E  causes the distal end of the second linkage  122  to move in the upwards direction as well, due to the connection at pivot point  149 B to the door chassis  153 . This in turn causes the opposing end of the second linkage  122  to move in a lateral longitudinal direction F F  along the slots  148  of the body chassis  147  towards the proximal end of the aerosol generating device  100 , which causes the mouthpiece chassis  155  to move in the lateral longitudinal direction F F  and compress the spring  123 . Additionally, the lateral longitudinal movement F F , also causes the mouthpiece  160  connected to the mouthpiece chassis  155  to disengage from the detent  167  and move in the F F  direction to the extended and/or open position as shown in  FIG. 6C . Additionally, the second linkage  122  acts as an over-center mechanism and the second linkage  122  and the door assembly  1100  are held in the stopped position (e.g., the open position) when the door assembly  1100  and the mouthpiece assembly  1200  are in the open position, as shown in  FIG. 6C . 
       FIGS. 7A to 7F  illustrate views of various mouthpieces according to some example embodiments.  FIG. 7A  illustrates a rear-front perspective view of a first set of mouthpiece designs according to at least one example embodiment;  FIG. 7B  illustrates a top view of a first design of the first set of mouthpieces of  FIG. 7A ;  FIG. 7C  illustrates a top view of a second design of the first set of mouthpieces of  FIG. 7A ;  FIG. 7D  illustrates a first rear-front perspective view of a second set of mouthpiece designs according to at least one example embodiment;  FIG. 7E  illustrates a second rear-front perspective view of the second set of mouthpiece designs according to at least one example embodiment; and  FIG. 7F  illustrates a top view of the second set of mouthpieces of  FIGS. 7D and 7E . 
     According to at least one example embodiment, a chimney  161  of a mouthpiece  160  may further include a bayonet connector  162  (e.g., male fitment) to connect with and/or attach to a bayonet enclosure  163  (e.g., female fitment) of the mouthpiece chassis  155  and/or the body chassis  147  to allow for the removal of the mouthpiece  160  and/or replacement of the mouthpiece  160 . For example, the chimney  161  is inserted into the mouthpiece opening at the proximal end of the device body housing  101  and rotated to lock the bayonet connector  162  into the bayonet enclosure  163 . However, the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and for example, the mouthpiece  160  may be attached using, without limitation, a snug-fit, detent, clamp, threaded connector, sliding fit, sleeve fit, alignment fit, threaded connector, magnetic, clasp, or any other type of connection, and/or combinations thereof. Additionally, haptic feedback may be provided in response to the bayonet connector  162  being locked into and/or unlocked from the bayonet enclosure  163 , such as a sound (e.g., a click, etc.), a vibration, etc., thereby notifying an adult operator that the mouthpiece  160  has been properly installed and/or uninstalled from the mouthpiece chassis  155 . Moreover, because the mouthpiece  160  is removable from the device body housing  101 , an adult operator may clean the mouthpiece  160  and the chimney  161 , as well as allowing the adult operator to replace the mouthpiece  160  when desired, and/or use different mouthpiece designs and/or configurations with the device body housing  101 . 
     The distal end of the chimney  161  further includes an integrated sealing element  164  and/or integrated sealing adapter configured to form a sealed connection with outlets included in the proximal end of the capsule  170  to facilitate the passage of generated aerosol from the capsule  170  to at least one aerosol outlet of the mouthpiece  160 . The integrated sealing element  164  may be formed from silicone, other food grade rubber, and/or equivalent materials, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the integrated sealing element  164  may be formed using any material which is resistant to high temperatures (e.g., &gt;80° C., etc.), is rated for food contact, and is capable of forming an air seal between the chimney  161  and the capsule  170 , etc., but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. 
       FIGS. 7A to 7C  illustrate a first set of example mouthpieces according to at least one example embodiment. As shown in  FIGS. 7A to 7B , a proximal end of the mouthpiece  160  has a prismatic shape with an oval-shaped proximal end of the mouthpiece  160  having a smaller width than an oval-shaped distal end of the of the mouthpiece  160 , and the proximal end having a single aerosol outlet  165 B, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 7C , the prismatic-shaped mouthpiece  160  of  FIG. 7A  may have a differently shaped proximal end, wherein the mouthpiece  160  has a plurality (e.g., four) of aerosol outlets  165 B defined by a cross-shaped diffuser element  165 A. However, the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and there may be a different number of aerosol outlets  165  and the diffuser element  165 A may have different shapes and/or designs. 
     As a second set of example mouthpieces according to other example embodiments,  FIGS. 7D to 7F  illustrate an alternate mouthpiece  160  which has a cylindrical shape, wherein the proximal end is generally a circular shape with a cylindrical body before a wider width oval-shaped distal end. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 7F , the proximal end of the mouthpiece  160  has a plurality of aerosol outlets  165 , but is not limited thereto, and for example, may have a greater or lesser number of aerosol outlets  165 . Moreover, as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7D to 7E , the distal end may further include a rim  166  which contacts the proximal end piece  152  of the device body housing  101 . When the rim  166  of the mouthpiece  160  is securely fastened and/or pushed over a detent  167  included on a surface of the proximal end piece  152  of the device body housing  101 , e.g., when the door  151  is properly closed and the mouthpiece  160  is in the retracted position, the rim  166  provides haptic feedback indicating that the mouthpiece  160  has been properly retracted, such as a clicking, popping and/or snapping sound, etc. Additionally, when the mouthpiece  160  is pushed away from the proximal end piece  152  while the door  151  is being opened, haptic feedback (e.g., a click, a pop, a snap, etc.) is provided again by the separation of the rim  166  from the detent  167  of the proximal end piece  152 , to indicate that the mouthpiece  160  is separated from the device body housing  101 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7D to 7E , the length of the cylindrical mouthpiece  160  may be different desired lengths, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. 
       FIGS. 8A to 8E  illustrate various views of the door assembly, capsule receptacle, and capsule connector according to some example embodiments.  FIG. 8A  illustrates a reverse view of a door assembly according to at least one example embodiment.  FIG. 8B  illustrates a top-front perspective view of the capsule connector of  FIG. 8A .  FIG. 8C  illustrates a bottom-front perspective view of the capsule connector of  FIG. 8A .  FIGS. 8D and 8E  illustrate a first and second example of the electrical contact structure of the capsule connector according to some example embodiments. 
     According to at least one example embodiment, the door chassis  153  also includes a capsule connector  177  at a distal section of the door chassis  153 , or in other words, an opposing end of the door chassis  153  away from the capsule receptacle  175 . When the door  151  (e.g., door assembly  1100 ) is moved to the closed position, the capsule receptacle  175  is moved such that the capsule connector  177  is inserted into the distal opening of the capsule receptacle  175  and a connection and/or seal is formed between the capsule  170  and the capsule connector  177 . More specifically, the capsule connector  177  includes at least one capsule connector sealing element  178 , at least one capsule connector air inlet  179 , at least one vertical electrical contact  173 , and at least one horizontal electrical contact  171 , etc. The capsule connector  177  is fixedly mounted and/or otherwise attached to the rear side (e.g., interior side) of the door chassis  153 , using for example, bosses  190  mated to bosses  190 A of the door chassis  153 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the capsule connector  177  may be secured to the door chassis  153  screws, welds, etc., but is not limited thereto. When the door  151  is moved to the open position, the capsule receptacle  175  is moved by the door assembly such that the connection and/or seal between the capsule connector  177  and the capsule  170  is severed. 
     According to at least one example embodiment, at least one capsule connector sealing element  178  is a silicone sealing element and/or other compressible sealing material disposed on a proximal face of the capsule connector  177  which defines an air channel between the capsule connector air inlet  179  and one or more capsule air inlets disposed on the distal end of the capsule  170 . The capsule connector  177  may also include at least one horizontal electrical contact  171 . The capsule connector sealing element  178  further includes angled and flat surfaces which guide and mate with the recess  221  of the capsule  170 , thereby forming a seal for the fluidic communication of air between the capsule connector  177  and the capsule  170 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 8B , there are a plurality of horizontal electrical contacts  171  on the proximal face of the capsule connector  177 , with a first set of horizontal electrical contacts on a first side of the capsule connector sealing element  178 , and a second set of horizontal electrical contacts on a second side of the capsule connector sealing element  178 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto and the horizontal electrical contacts may be arranged in other patterns and/or locations. When the door  151  is in the closed position, the horizontal electrical contacts  171  come into contact with electrical contacts of the capsule  170 , thereby establishing an electrical connection between the capsule connector  177  and the capsule  170 , and more specifically, establishing an electrical circuit between the at least one heater  230  of the capsule  170  and the battery  182 , etc. According to at least one example, the horizontal electrical contacts  171  and/or the capsule connector sealing element  178  extend past the proximal face of the capsule connector  177 , and consequently when the capsule  170  is moved to the closed position, the horizontal electrical contacts  171  and/or the capsule connector sealing element  178  become compressed, ensuring an improved electrical and/or fluidic connection between the capsule connector  177  and the capsule  170 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2E and 8B , the capsule connector  177  may also include at least one vertical electrical contact  173 . As shown in  FIG. 8B , the at least one vertical electrical contact  173  may be a plurality of vertical electrical contacts  173  which extend downward from the capsule connector  177 . According to at least one example embodiment, the vertical electrical contacts  173  may be permanently electrically connected (e.g., soldered, etc.) to the electrical wiring  184 , integrated with the electrical wiring  184 , and/or may be a continuation of the electrical wiring  184 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     According to another example embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2B , the vertical electrical contacts  173  are not permanently electrically connected to the electrical wiring  184 . Instead, when the door  151  is in the closed position, the vertical electrical contacts  173  come into contact with the electrical wiring  184  of the device body housing  101 , thereby establishing an electrical connection between the capsule connector  177  and the electrical subsystem of the aerosol generating device  100 . 
     In both example embodiments, the electrical wiring  184  may provide power (e.g., current) from the rechargeable battery  182  to the capsule connector  177  when the vertical electrical contacts  173  are connected to the electrical wiring  184 , and the capsule connector  177  may then provide the power to the capsule  170  via the horizontal electrical contacts  171 . When the door  151  is in the open position (and/or when the door  151  is not in the closed position), the capsule connector  177  is moved away from its closed position, thereby severing the connection between both the horizontal electrical contacts  171  and the capsule  170 , and the vertical electrical contacts  173  and the electrical wiring  184 . 
     While some Figures, such as  FIG. 2B , illustrate the electrical wiring  184  to be a plurality of coils, the example embodiments are not limited thereto and the electrical wiring may be arranged in any manner. According to at least one example embodiment, the electrical wiring  184  includes at least one coil, a flexible wiring, etc. For example, two or more coils of the electrical wiring  184  may be spaced a desired distance apart (e.g., the width of a vertical electrical contact  173 ) and positioned such that two or more the coils of the electrical wiring  184  contact both sides of one or more of the vertical electrical contacts  173 , or in other words provide multiple points of contact with one or more of the vertical electrical contacts  173 , in order to ensure a secure electrical connection between the electrical wiring  184  and the vertical electrical contacts  173 , and also reduce the possibility of the vertical electrical contacts  173  being dislodged from contact with the electrical wiring  184  due to vibration, shock, jostling, etc., of the aerosol generating device  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8D and 8E ,  FIG. 8D  illustrates a first design for the electrical contacts of the capsule connector  177  with a linear vertical contact  173 , and  FIG. 8E  illustrates a second design for the electrical contacts of the capsule connector  177  with an offset vertical contact  173 , according to some example embodiments. As shown in  FIGS. 8D and 8E , the horizontal electrical contacts  171  and the vertical electrical contacts  173  are integrated into a single electrical wiring structure, however the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and other designs, configurations, and/or arrangements for the horizontal electrical contacts  171  and the vertical electrical contacts  173  may be used. As shown in both  FIGS. 8D and 8E , the horizontal electrical contacts  171  may include a first straight portion  171  and a second spring-like and/or serpentine portion  171 A. In response to the capsule receptacle  175  being moved to the closed position and being connected to the capsule connector  177 , the first portion  171  of the horizontal electrical contact comes into contact with opposing electrical contacts on the distal end of the capsule  170 . In addition, the second portion  171 A of the horizontal electrical contact allows the horizontal electrical contact  171  to become compressed, thereby improving the electrical connection between the horizontal electrical contact  171  and the opposing electrical contact of the capsule  170 , as well as reducing the possibility that the electrical connection becomes severed due to vibrations, bumps, shocks, etc., suffered by the aerosol generating device  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8C , the capsule connector air inlet  179  is configured to connect to, mate with, attach to, etc., at least one air hose  116  of the device body housing  101  when the door  151  is in the closed position. The at least one connector air inlet  179  receives external air from the body housing air inlet  113  via the air hose  116  upon a draw event and/or the application of negative pressure at the mouthpiece  160  when the door  151  is in the closed position and the external air flows to the air inlets of the capsule  170 . When the door  151  is in the open position, the connection between the air hose  116  and the connector air inlet  179  is severed, and therefore air is not provided to the capsule  170 . 
       FIGS. 9A to 9C  illustrate a capsule according to at least one example embodiment. More specifically,  FIG. 9A  illustrates a top-front perspective view of the capsule according to some example embodiments;  FIG. 9B  illustrates a bottom-front perspective view of the capsule; and  FIG. 9C  illustrates a heater of the capsule, according to some example embodiments. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9A , the exterior of the capsule  170  includes a proximal end cap  210 , a distal end cap  220 , and/or an exterior shell  205 , etc., but is not limited thereto. The capsule  170  may include a housing  205  and a heater  230  (e.g.,  FIG. 4C ) within the housing  205 . The housing  205  of the capsule  170  has interior surfaces defining at least one chamber configured to hold an aerosol-forming substrate. The proximal end cap  210  (e.g., a first face and/or a first end) and the distal end cap  220  (e.g., a second face and/or a second end) of the capsule  170  may be permeable to an aerosol. For example, the proximal end cap  210  may also include at least one aerosol outlet  212  to facilitate the flow of an aerosol from at least one chamber of the housing  205  to the chimney  161 , and the distal end cap  220  may include at least one capsule air inlet  222  to facilitate the flow of air into the at least one chamber of the housing  205  from the air hose  116 . Additionally, the distal end cap may define a recess  221  (e.g., an alignment recess) which may further include electrical contacts (e.g., electrodes)  224  and the at least one air inlet  222 , but is not limited thereto. The recess  221  may be an alignment recess which forms a seal and/or connection (e.g., mates) with the angled and flat alignment features  178  of a proximal end of a capsule connector  177 , such that the capsule  170  and the capsule connector  177  form a proper electrical connection and a sealed fluidic connection. 
     Although the capsule  170  is shown in the figures as resembling a rectangle with curved sides and/or oval shaped ends (e.g., obround cross-section), it should be understood that other configurations may be employed. For example, in some instances, the capsule  170  may have an ovoid or ellipsoid shape with an oval or elliptical cross-section. In other instances, the capsule  170  may have a cuboid-like shape (e.g., rounded rectangular cuboid) with a rectangular cross-section. The chamber defined within the capsule  170  may have the same or a different shape as the exterior of the capsule  170 . For instance, the cross-sections of the chamber and the exterior of the capsule  170  may both be obround. In another instance, the cross-section of the chamber may be non-obround (e.g., rectangular), while the cross-section of the exterior of the capsule  170  may be obround (or vice versa). 
     As discussed herein, an aerosol-forming substrate is a material or combination of materials that may yield an aerosol. An aerosol relates to the matter generated or output by the devices disclosed, claimed, and equivalents thereof. The material may include a compound (e.g., nicotine, cannabinoid), wherein an aerosol including the compound is produced when the material is heated. The heating may be below the combustion temperature so as to produce an aerosol without involving a substantial pyrolysis of the aerosol-forming substrate or the substantial generation of combustion byproducts (if any). Thus, in an example embodiment, pyrolysis does not occur during the heating and resulting production of aerosol. In other instances, there may be some pyrolysis and combustion byproducts, but the extent may be considered relatively minor and/or merely incidental. 
     The aerosol-forming substrate may be a fibrous material. For instance, the fibrous material may be a botanical material. The fibrous material is configured to release a compound when heated. The compound may be a naturally occurring constituent of the fibrous material. For instance, the fibrous material may be plant material such as tobacco, and the compound released may be nicotine. The term “tobacco” includes any tobacco plant material including tobacco leaf, tobacco plug, reconstituted tobacco, compressed tobacco, shaped tobacco, or powder tobacco, and combinations thereof from one or more species of tobacco plants, such as  Nicotiana rustica  and  Nicotiana tabacum.    
     In some example embodiments, the tobacco material may include material from any member of the genus  Nicotiana . In addition, the tobacco material may include a blend of two or more different tobacco varieties. Examples of suitable types of tobacco materials that may be used include, but are not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, Burley tobacco, Dark tobacco, Maryland tobacco, Oriental tobacco, rare tobacco, specialty tobacco, blends thereof, and the like. The tobacco material may be provided in any suitable form, including, but not limited to, tobacco lamina, processed tobacco materials, such as volume expanded or puffed tobacco, processed tobacco stems, such as cut-rolled or cut-puffed stems, reconstituted tobacco materials, blends thereof, and the like. In some example embodiments, the tobacco material is in the form of a substantially dry tobacco mass. Furthermore, in some instances, the tobacco material may be mixed and/or combined with at least one of propylene glycol, glycerin, sub-combinations thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     The compound may also be a naturally occurring constituent of a medicinal plant that has a medically-accepted therapeutic effect. For instance, the medicinal plant may be a cannabis plant, and the compound may be a cannabinoid. 
     Cannabinoids interact with receptors in the body to produce a wide range of effects. As a result, cannabinoids have been used for a variety of medicinal purposes (e.g., treatment of pain, nausea, epilepsy, psychiatric disorders). The fibrous material may include the leaf and/or flower material from one or more species of cannabis plants such as  Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica , and  Cannabis ruderalis . In some instances, the fibrous material is a mixture of 60-80% (e.g., 70%)  Cannabis sativa  and 20-40% (e.g., 30%)  Cannabis indica.    
     Examples of cannabinoids include tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabichromene (CBC), and cannabigerol (CBG). Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is a precursor of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), while cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is precursor of cannabidiol (CBD). Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) may be converted to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), respectively, via heating. In an example embodiment, heat from a heater may cause decarboxylation so as to convert the tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) in the capsule  170  to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and/or to convert the cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) in the capsule  170  to cannabidiol (CBD). 
     In instances where both tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are present in the capsule  170 , the decarboxylation and resulting conversion will cause a decrease in tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and an increase in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). At least 50% (e.g., at least 87%) of the tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) may be converted to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) during the heating of the capsule  170 . Similarly, in instances where both cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and cannabidiol (CBD) are present in the capsule  170 , the decarboxylation and resulting conversion will cause a decrease in cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and an increase in cannabidiol (CBD). At least 50% (e.g., at least 87%) of the cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) may be converted to cannabidiol (CBD) during the heating of the capsule  170 . 
     Furthermore, the compound may be or may additionally include a non-naturally occurring additive that is subsequently introduced into the fibrous material. In one instance, the fibrous material may include at least one of cotton, polyethylene, polyester, rayon, combinations thereof, or the like (e.g., in a form of a gauze). In another instance, the fibrous material may be a cellulose material (e.g., non-tobacco and/or non-cannabis material). In either instance, the compound introduced may include nicotine, cannabinoids, and/or flavorants. The flavorants may be from natural sources, such as plant extracts (e.g., tobacco extract, cannabis extract), and/or artificial sources. In yet another instance, when the fibrous material includes tobacco and/or cannabis, the compound may be or may additionally include one or more flavorants (e.g., menthol, mint, vanilla). Thus, the compound within the aerosol-forming substrate may include naturally occurring constituents and/or non-naturally occurring additives. In this regard, it should be understood that existing levels of the naturally occurring constituents of the aerosol-forming substrate may be increased through supplementation. For example, the existing levels of nicotine in a quantity of tobacco may be increased through supplementation with an extract containing nicotine. Similarly, the existing levels of one or more cannabinoids in a quantity of cannabis may be increased through supplementation with an extract containing such cannabinoids. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9B and 9C , in at least one example embodiment, the at least one heater  230  is configured to undergo Joule heating (which is also known as ohmic/resistive heating) upon the application of an electric current thereto. Stated in more detail, the heater  230  may be formed of one or more conductors and configured to produce heat when an electric current passes therethrough. The electric current may be supplied to the heater  230  from a power source (e.g., battery)  182  within the aerosol generating device  100 . Suitable conductors for the heater  230  include an iron-based alloy (e.g., stainless steel) and/or a nickel-based alloy (e.g., nichrome), but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. The heater  230  may have a thickness of about 0.1-0.3 mm (e.g., 0.15-0.25 mm) and a resistance of about 0.5-2.5 Ohms (e.g., 1.0-2.0 Ohms), but is not limited thereto. 
     The electric current from the power source  182  within the aerosol-generating device may be transmitted from the horizontal electrical contacts  171  of the capsule connector  177  via electrodes  224  of the distal end cap  220  configured to electrically contact the heater  230 . In a non-limiting embodiment, the electrodes  224  may be spring-loaded to enhance an engagement with the heater  230  of the capsule  170 . Also, the movement (e.g., engagement, release) of the electrodes may be achieved by mechanical actuation. Furthermore, the supply of the electric current from the aerosol-generating device  100  to the capsule  170  may be a manual operation (e.g., button-activated using button  106 , etc.) or an automatic operation (e.g., puff-activated). 
     Additional details and/or alternatives for the aerosol-generating device, the capsule, and/or the aerosol-forming substrate may be found in U.S. application Ser. No. ______, titled “Capsules Including Embedded Heaters And Heat-Not-Burn (HNB) Aerosol-Generating Devices” (Atty. Dkt. No. 24000NV-000667-US), filed concurrently herewith; U.S. application Ser. No. ______, titled “Aerosol-Generating Capsules” (Atty. Dkt. No. 24000NV-000716-US), filed concurrently herewith; U.S. application Ser. No. ______, titled “Heat-Not-Burn (HNB) Aerosol-Generating Devices and Capsules” (Atty. Dkt. No. 24000NV-000717-US), filed concurrently herewith; U.S. application Ser. No. ______, titled “Heat-Not-Burn (HNB) Aerosol-Generating Devices Including Energy Based Heater Control, And Methods of Controlling A Heater” (Atty. Dkt. No. 24000NV-000668-US), filed concurrently herewith; and U.S. application Ser. No. ______, titled “Heat-Not-Burn (HNB) Aerosol-Generating Devices Including Intra-Draw Heater Control, And Methods of Controlling A Heater” (Atty. Dkt. No. 24000NV-000670-US), filed concurrently herewith; the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates the internal construction of the first section of an aerosol generating device according to at least one example embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the first section  105  includes at least one connector port  114 , at least one body housing air inlet  113 , at least one air hose  116 , at least one flow sensor  181  (e.g., air flow sensor, etc.), a control subsystem  180 , and/or at least one power source  182 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. When connected to an external power source, the connector port  114  provides power to the electrical circuitry of the aerosol generating device  100  and/or recharges the battery  182 . Additionally, the air inlets  113  supply external air to at least one air hose  116 . The air hose  116  may also be connected to a flow sensor  181 , the flow sensor  181  (e.g., a puff-sensor, etc.) configured to detect the application of negative air pressure (e.g., a puff, etc.) and/or the flowing of air within the air hose  116  and provide a control signal to the control subsystem  180  (e.g., processing circuitry, control circuitry, a controller, a processor, etc.). In response to the detection of the application of negative air pressure within the at least one air hose  116  by the flow sensor  181 , the control subsystem may transmit control signals to the battery  182  to supply electrical current (e.g., power) to a heater to heat the aerosol-generating substrate, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the control subsystem may be additionally configured to selectively electrically connect the battery  182  to supply current to the heater in response to the pressing of the button  106 , etc. Additionally, as a second condition to be satisfied prior to the supply of current to the heater, the control subsystem may enable the supply of electrical current to the heater based on the detection of a capsule by a capsule detection switch and the detection of a draw and/or negative air pressure by the flow sensor  181  and/or the activation of the button  106 , etc. 
     In at least one example embodiment, the power supply  182  is a battery, such as a lithium ion battery. The battery may be a Lithium-ion battery or one of its variants, for example a Lithium-ion polymer battery. Alternatively, the battery is a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, a Lithium-manganese battery, a Lithium-cobalt battery, a fuel cell or a solar cell. Any other power sources or battery technology may be used. In an example embodiment, aerosol generating device  100  may be usable until the energy in the power supply  182  is depleted and/or lowered below a certain threshold. Alternatively, the power supply  182  may be rechargeable and reusable, and may include circuitry allowing the battery to be chargeable by an external charging device, or may be rechargeable via solar power. In some example embodiments, the circuitry of the control system  180 , when charged, may provide power for a desired (or alternatively, a determined) number of draws, until the energy in power supply  182  is depleted, and/or until the energy in power supply  182  is lowered below a certain threshold, after which the circuitry must be re-connected to an external charging device. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an example block diagram of a control subsystem of the aerosol generating device according to some example embodiments. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , according to at least one example embodiment, a control subsystem  2100  (which may correspond to the control subsystem  180  of  FIG. 10 , etc.) includes a controller  2105 , a power supply  2110 , actuator controls  2115 , a capsule electrical/data interface  2120 , device sensors  2125 , input/output (I/O) interfaces  2130 , aerosol indicators  2135 , at least one antenna  2140 , and/or a storage medium  2145 , etc., but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the control-subsystem system  2100  may include additional elements. However, for the sake of brevity, the additional elements are not described. In other example embodiments, the capsule electrical/data interface  2120  may be an electrical interface only, etc. 
     The controller  2105  (e.g., processing circuitry, control circuitry, etc.) may be hardware including logic circuits; a hardware/software combination such as a processor executing software; or a combination thereof. For example, the controller  2105  may include, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a System-on-Chip (SoC), a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. 
     In the event where the controller  2105  is, or includes, a processor executing software, the controller  2105  is configured as a special purpose machine (e.g., a processing device) to execute the software, stored in memory accessible by the controller  2105  (e.g., the storage medium  2145  or another storage device), to perform the functions of the controller  2105 . The software may be embodied as program code including instructions for performing and/or controlling any or all operations described herein as being performed by the controller  2105 . 
     As disclosed herein, the term “storage medium”, “computer readable storage medium” or “non-transitory computer readable storage medium” may represent one or more devices for storing data, including read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, core memory, magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storage mediums, flash memory devices and/or other tangible machine readable mediums for storing information. The term “computer-readable medium” may include, but is not limited to, portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, and various other mediums capable of storing, containing or carrying instruction(s) and/or data. 
     The controller  2105  communicates with the power supply  2110 , the actuator control  2115 , the electrical/data interface  2120 , the device sensors  2125 , the input/output (I/O) interfaces  2130 , the aerosol indicators  2135 , on-product controls  2150 , and/or the at least one antenna  2140 , etc. According to at least some example embodiments, the on-product controls  2150  can include any device or devices capable of being manipulated manually by an adult operator to indicate a selection of a value. Example implementations include, but are not limited to, one or more buttons (e.g., button  106 , etc.), a dial, a capacitive sensor, and a slider, etc. 
     The I/O interfaces  2130  and the antenna  2140  allow the control subsystem  2100  to connect to various external devices such as smart phones, tablets, and PCs, etc. For example, the I/O interfaces  2130  may include a USB-C connector, a micro-USB connector, etc. The USB-C connector (e.g., connector port  114 ) may be used by the control subsystem  2100  to charge the power source  2110   b  (e.g., battery  182 ), and may also be used to transmit and/or receive data from at least one external device, such as aerosol profiles, heater profiles, device performance log data (e.g., controller performance data, memory performance data, battery performance data, heater performance data, etc.), firmware upgrades, software upgrades, etc., but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     The controller  2105  may include on-board RAM and flash memory to store and execute code including analytics, diagnostics and software upgrades. As an alternative, the storage medium  2145  may store the code. Additionally, in another example embodiment, the storage medium  2145  may be on-board the controller  2105 . 
     The controller  2105  may further include on-board clock, reset and power management modules to reduce an area covered by a PCB in the device body housing  101 . 
     The device sensors  2125  may include a number of sensor transducers that provide measurement information to the controller  2105 . The device sensors  2125  may include a power supply temperature sensor, an external capsule temperature sensor, a current sensor for the heater, power supply current sensor, air flow sensor and an accelerometer to monitor movement and orientation. The power supply temperature sensor and external capsule temperature sensor may be a thermistor or thermocouple and the current sensor for the heater and power supply current sensor may be a resistive based sensor or another type of sensor configured to measure current. The air flow sensor (e.g., flow sensor  181 ) may be a pressure sensor (e.g., a capacitive pressure sensor, etc.) configured to detect positive or negative air pressure (e.g., a draw or a puff), a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) flow sensor, and/or another type of sensor configured to measure air flow such as a hot-wire anemometer. Further, instead of, or in addition to, measuring air flow using a flow sensor included in the device sensors  2125  of the control subsystem  2100  of the device body housing  101 , air flow may be measured using a hot wire anemometer  2220 A located in the capsule  170 . According to at least one example embodiment, the device sensors  2125  further includes a capsule detection sensor for detecting the presence of the capsule in the aerosol generating device  100 , such as the capsule detection switch  183 , and/or a door detection switch for detecting the closure of a door and/or lid of the aerosol generating device, such as door detection switch  186 , but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     The data generated from one or more of the device sensors  2125  may be detected based on a binary signal (e.g., on/off signal) using a general purpose input/output (GPIO) circuit, etc., and/or may be sampled at a sample rate appropriate to the parameter being measured using, for example, a discrete, multi-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC), etc. 
     The controller  2105  may adapt heater profiles for an aerosol generating substrate and other profiles based on the measurement information received from the controller  2105 . For the sake of convenience, these are generally referred to as aerosol profiles. The heater profile identifies the power profile to be supplied to the heater during the few seconds when aerosol drawing takes place and/or the power profile to be supplied to the heater in between aerosol drawing instances in order to apply continual heating to the capsule (e.g., to provide an “oven mode” where a desired temperature is maintained within the capsule for a desired period of time). For example, a heater profile can deliver maximum power to the heater when an instance of aerosol drawing is initiated, but then after a second or so immediately reduce the power to half way or a quarter way. According to at least some example embodiments, the modulation of electrical power provided to the heater is may be implemented using pulse width modulation, but is not limited thereto. 
     In addition, a heater profile can also be modified based on a detected draw and/or application of negative pressure on the aerosol generating device  100 . The use of the flow sensor allows aerosol drawing strength to be measured and used as feedback to the controller  2105  to adjust the power delivered to the heater of the capsule, which may be referred to as heating or energy delivery. 
     According to at least some example embodiments, when the controller  2105  recognizes the capsule  170  which is currently installed (e.g., via SKU, etc.), the controller  2105  matches an associated heating profile that is designed for that particular capsule. The controller  2105  and the storage medium  2145  will store data and algorithms that allow the generation of heating profiles for all SKUs, capsule types, aerosol generating substrate types, etc. In another example embodiment, the controller  2105  may read the heating profile from the capsule. Additionally, the adult operators may also adjust heating profiles to suit their preferences using the on-product controls  2150 , using an external device wirelessly paired with the aerosol generating device  100  and/or connected to the aerosol generating device  100  via the I/O interfaces  2130 , etc. In other example embodiments, the controller  2105  may use the heating profile applied for a previously installed capsule, which has been stored in memory, to a currently installed capsule on the assumption that the current capsule is of a same type as the previously installed capsule, etc. 
     The controller  2105  may send data to and receives data from the power supply  2110 . The power supply  2110  includes a power source  2110   b  and a power controller  2110   a  to manage the power output by the power source  2110   b.    
     The power source  2110   b  may be a Lithium-ion battery or one of its variants, for example a Lithium-ion polymer battery. Alternatively, the power source  2110   b  may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, a Lithium-manganese battery, a Lithium-cobalt battery or a fuel cell. Alternatively, the power source  2110   b  may be rechargeable and include circuitry allowing the battery to be chargeable by an external charging device. In that case, the circuitry, when charged, provides power for a desired (or alternatively a pre-determined) number of instances of aerosol drawing, after which the circuitry must be re-connected to an external charging device. 
     In addition to supplying power to the capsule, the power supply  2110  also supplies power to the controller  2105 . Moreover, the power controller  2110   a  may provide feedback to the controller  2105  indicating performance of the power source  2110   b.    
     The controller  2105  sends data to and receives data from the at least one antenna  2140 . The at least one antenna  2140  may include a NFC modem and a Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) modem and/or other modems for other wireless technologies (e.g., WiFi, etc.). In an example embodiment, the communications stacks are in the modems, but the modems are controlled by the controller  2105 . The Bluetooth LE modem is used for data and control communications with an application on an external device (e.g., smart phone, etc.). The NFC/Bluetooth LE/WiFi modem may be used for pairing of the aerosol generating device  100  to the application and transmission of diagnostic information, data, profile information, capsule information, hardware parameter information, firmware updates, etc. Moreover, the Bluetooth LE/WiFi modem may be used to provide location information (for an adult operator to find the aerosol generating device) or authentication during a purchase, etc. 
     As described above, the control subsystem  2100  may generate and adjust various profiles for aerosol generation. The controller  2105  uses the power supply  2110  and the actuator controls  2115  to regulate the profile for the adult operator. 
     The actuator controls  2115  include passive and active actuators to regulate a desired aerosol profile. For example, the device body housing  101  may include actuators within an air inlet path and/or air inlet channel of the device body housing  101 , such as within the air flow subsystem of the aerosol generating device  100  (e.g., the body housing air inlet  113 , the air hose  116 , the capsule connector air inlet  179 , etc.). The actuator controls  2115  may control the flow of air within the air inlet channel using the actuators based on commands from the controller  2105  associated with the desired aerosol profile. 
     Moreover, the actuator controls  2115  are used to energize the heater in conjunction with the power supply  2110 . More specifically, the actuator controls  2115  are configured to generate a drive waveform associated with the desired aerosol profile. As described above, each possible profile is associated with a drive waveform. Upon receiving a command from the controller  2105  indicating the desired aerosol profile, the actuator controls  2115  may produce the associated modulating waveform for the power supply  2110 . 
     The controller  2105  supplies information to the aerosol indicators  2135  to indicate statuses and occurring operations to the adult operator. The indicators  2135  include a power indicator displayed on the display panel  107 A, a separate indicator light (e.g., a LED indicator light, etc.) that may be activated when the controller  2105  senses a button pressed by the adult operator. The indicators  2135  may also include a haptic feedback motor (e.g., haptic feedback motor  185 ), speaker, an indicator for a current state of an adult operator-controlled aerosol parameter (e.g., generated aerosol volume) and other feedback mechanisms. 
     In at least some example embodiments, the aerosol generating device in accordance with at least some example embodiments (such as, the aerosol generating device  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 11 ) are configured to heat a capsule (e.g., capsule  170 ) to generate an aerosol. In an example embodiment, a method of generating an aerosol may include initially loading a capsule  170  into the aerosol-generating device  100 . To load the capsule  170 , the door  151  is rotated and/or pivoted to the open position, and the capsule  170  is inserted into the capsule receptacle  175  (e.g., a capsule-receiving cavity, etc.). Next, rotating the door  151  to the closed position such that the door  151  contacts the device body housing  101 , causes attached linkages  121  and  122  to move the capsule receptacle  175  in the distal direction such that the capsule  170  is connected to a capsule connector  177 . The door  151  will maintain the closed position while pressing the capsule  170  further into the capsule receptacle  175  to fully seat the capsule  170  against the capsule connector  177 . Concurrently, the pivoting of the door  151  to the closed position causes the attached linkages  121  and  122 , in combination with the biased spring  123 , to move the mouthpiece chassis  155  in the distal direction such that the mouthpiece  160  contacts the device body housing  101 , and the mouthpiece chimney  161  and the aerosol passageway  165  aligns with and contacts the capsule  170 . 
     When the capsule  170  is fully seated within the capsule receptacle  175 , the distal end section of the capsule  170  will be pressed against the electrical contacts  171  (e.g., the electrical contacts  224  of the capsule  170  will be pressed against the exposed tips of the contact surfaces  171 ), which will, in turn, be compressed and retracted via the spring features  171 A of the contacts  171 . While pressed against the electrical contacts  171 , the distal end section of the capsule  170  may also contact the flat and angled surfaces of the capsule connector sealing element  178  in the capsule connector  177 , such that the recess  221  (e.g., an alignment recess) of the capsule  170  may contact or otherwise be adjacent to the angled surfaces of the alignment members in the capsule receptacle  175 . In other words, the inlet recess  221  of the capsule  170  may receive the capsule connector sealing element  178  for a resilient and sealed engagement. As a result, a relatively secure electrical connection and desirable seal may be established with the capsule  170 . 
     The aerosol generating device  100  may be activated using the display panel  107  (e.g., by pressing the power button  106 ) and/or upon the detection of a draw event (e.g., via the flow sensor  181 ). Upon activation, the control subsystem  2100  is configured to instruct the power source  182  to supply an electrical current to the capsule  170  via the electrical contacts  171  in the capsule connector  177 . Specifically, the capsule  170  includes a heater  230  that is configured to undergo resistive heating in response to the electrical current from the power source  182  that is introduced via its distal end section. As a result of the resistive heating, the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate within the capsule  170  will increase such that volatiles are released so as to generate an aerosol. In at least one example embodiment, the heating of the aerosol-forming substrate within the capsule  170  may be below a combustion temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate so as to produce an aerosol without involving a substantial pyrolysis of the aerosol-forming substrate or the substantial generation of combustion byproducts (if any). Thus, in at least one example embodiment, pyrolysis does not occur during the heating and resulting production of aerosol. In other instances, there may be some pyrolysis and combustion byproducts, but the extent may be considered relatively minor and/or merely incidental. 
     Upon a draw or application of negative pressure to the aerosol generating device  100  (e.g., via the mouthpiece  160 ), ambient air is drawn into the aerosol-generating device  100  through the pores of a grille covering the body housing air inlet  113 . Once inside, the air streams from the pores of the grille converge and may pass through the body housing air inlet  113  and into to the air hose  116 , sealingly connected to the air inlets  113 . The converged airflow may be optionally detected/monitored with a flow sensor  181  within the body housing air inlet  113  and/or the air hose  116 . From the air hose  116 , the airflow is directed to the capsule connector air inlet  179  of the capsule connector  177 . The airflow then travels through the capsule connector sealing element  178  and enters the inlet openings  222  in the capsule  170 . Inside the capsule  170 , the air may flow (e.g., longitudinally) through the aerosol-forming substrate and along the plane of the heater  230  so as to entrain the volatiles released by the aerosol-forming substrate, which results in an aerosol. Finally, the resulting aerosol passes through the outlet openings  212  in the capsule  170  and through the mouthpiece chimney  161  before exiting the aerosol-generating device  100  (e.g., via the one or more outlets  165 B in the mouthpiece  160 ). 
     In at least some example embodiments, the method of use regarding the aerosol-generating device  100  may include securing the replaceable mouthpiece (e.g., replaceable mouthpiece  160 ). For example, the method may include inserting the replaceable mouthpiece  160  into the mouthpiece opening of the proximal end piece  152  of the device body housing  101  and turning the replaceable mouthpiece  160  until the replaceable mouthpiece is locked into the mouthpiece chassis  155 , e.g., a resistance is felt and/or a click is heard, which indicates that the bayonet connector  162  of the replaceable mouthpiece  160  is locked into the bayonet enclosure  163  of the mouthpiece chassis  155 . In at least some example embodiments, the method of use may include replacing the replaceable mouthpiece (e.g., replaceable mouthpiece  160 ). Replacing the replaceable mouthpiece may including opening the door (e.g.,  151 ), thereby causing the replaceable mouthpiece to be moved to an open position away from the proximal end piece (e.g.,  152 ) of the device body housing (e.g.,  101 ); disengaging the bayonet connector (e.g.,  162 ) from the bayonet enclosure (e.g.,  163 ) of the mouthpiece chassis (e.g.,  155 ), and removing a first replaceable mouthpiece from the opening; and inserting a second replaceable mouthpiece into the opening and turning the second replaceable mouthpiece until the second replaceable mouthpiece is locked into the mouthpiece chassis (e.g., resistance is felt and/or a click is heard). 
     Although a capsule  170  has been illustrated as one example in connection with the aerosol-generating device  100 , it should be understood other suitable examples are also available. 
     While a number of example embodiments have been disclosed herein, it should be understood that other variations may be possible. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. 
     Although described with reference to specific examples and drawings, modifications, additions and substitutions of example embodiments may be variously made according to the description by those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the described techniques may be performed in an order different with that of the methods described, and/or elements such as the described system, architecture, devices, circuit, and the like, may be connected or combined to be different from the above-described methods, or results may be appropriately achieved by other elements or equivalents.