Patent Description:
The popularity and use of reduced-risk or modified-risk devices (also known as vaporizers) have grown rapidly in recent years as an alternative to the use of traditional tobacco products. Various devices and systems are available that heat or warm, rather than burn, an aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user.

A commonly available reduced-risk or modified-risk device is the heated substrate aerosol generation device or heat-not-burn device. Devices of this type generate an aerosol or vapor by heating an aerosol substrate that typically comprises moist leaf tobacco or other suitable aerosol generating material to a temperature typically in the range <NUM> to <NUM>. Heating an aerosol substrate, but not combusting or burning it, releases an aerosol that comprises the components sought by the user. Furthermore, the aerosol produced by heating the tobacco or other aerosol generating material does not typically comprise the burnt or bitter taste resulting from combustion and burning that can be unpleasant for the user, and so the substrate does not require the sugars and other additives that are typically added to such materials to make the smoke and/or vapor more palatable for the user.

It is a long-standing demand to make sure that the way of inserting or removing the aerosol generation article is easy and intuitive for the user. The common arrangements for the housing and the buttons for opening the device make the devices vulnerable to, for example, wet air, dust, liquids in daily life, and bits from the consumable. A common arrangement is to provide a cap or a cover for the chamber containing the consumable article(s), but the conventional structures make it hard to open, easy to break over time, and hardly dust proof, as dust and the like may get caught in the gaps between the cap arrangement and the body of the device.

There is thus a need to provide a solution which mitigates these problems and has the desired advantages. In particular, it is desirable to provide a portable and compact device with improved safety and/or reliability.

The present invention provides an aerosol generation device which solves some or all of the above problems.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generation device, comprising:.

The arrangement in which the opening mechanism is biased to stay open, but can be locked in the closed position increases the robustness of the cover of the aerosol generation device, and makes the operation of the cover easy and intuitive.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, according to the preceding aspect, the locking element is further configured unlock to the cover by an operation of the user when the cover is in the closed position.

This arrangement prevents unintentional opening of the cover.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, according to any one of the above aspects,.

In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, according to any one of the above aspects, the cover comprises a covering surface configured to cover the aerosol generation chamber when the cover is in the closed position, and a sealing surface configured to cover the opening mechanism when the cover is in the open position; wherein the covering surface is preferably provided on a protrusion of the cover.

With this arrangement of the covering surface, the inner space of the device, and especially the opening mechanism, is protected from the ingress of vape/dirt.

In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, according to the preceding aspect, when the cover is in the open position, the sealing surface forms a seamless surface with a surrounding surface of the aerosol generation chamber around the sealing surface so as to cover the opening mechanism.

This arrangement improves the dust-proof performance of the cover, especially prevents dust or the like from getting tangled up in the cover.

In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, according to any one of the above aspects, the opening mechanism comprises a guide track and a first slider engaged with the cover and configured to slidingly engage with the guide track so that the cover can slide between the open position and the closed position.

In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, according to the preceding aspect, the locking element is a groove arranged on the guide track.

In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, according to the sixth or seventh aspect, the guide track has a first end and a second end, and when the cover is in the open position, the first slider is held at the first end by the biasing element.

In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, according to the preceding aspect, the locking element is arranged on the guide track and in a position between the first end and the second end, so that, when the first slider engages with the locking element, the cover is held in the closed position against the force of the biasing element, and when the cover is moved in the first direction, the first slider is moved in a way such that the first slider can be released from the locking element so as to unlock the cover from the closed position.

In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, according to the preceding aspect, the opening mechanism comprises a second slider engaged with the cover and configured to slidingly engage with the guide track, and when the first slider moves from or engages with the locking element, the second slider is configured to be the rotation point for the first slider.

In an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the second slider is arranged at the end of the cover that is closest to the center of the opening of the aerosol generation chamber when the cover is in the open position.

In a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, according to any one of the preceding aspects, the opening mechanism comprises a rigid element, the first slider is provided on the rigid element at a first end of the rigid element and the second slider is provided on a second end of the rigid element, and the rigid element is connected with the cover.

In a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, according to the preceding aspect, the first slider is distanced from the second slider such that when the second slider moves along the guide track, the second slider does not fall into the groove.

In a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, according to any one of the preceding aspects, the cover comprises a protrusion comprising the second slider, and the sealing surface is provided on the protrusion.

In a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, according to the sixth to twelfth aspects, the housing comprises a sliding surface, the cover is configured to slide along the sliding surface, and the guide track is arranged in such a way that a part of the trace of the first slider is substantially parallel to an outline of the sliding surface.

In a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, according to any one of the above aspects, the cover forms a seamless surface with a surrounding surface of the housing around the cover when the cover is in the closed position.

This arrangement brings the benefit of preventing the ingress of material or dust.

In a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, according to any one of the above aspects, the locking element comprises a sensor arranged to halt at least one function of the device once the sensor detects the engagement of the opening mechanism and the locking element.

This arrangement improves the safety of using the device.

In a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, according to any one of the above aspects, the device further comprises an LED light arranged to indicate the locking state of cover.

This arrangement makes the user easily understand whether the cover is locked in place.

An eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure is a method of opening an aerosol generation device according to any one of the preceding aspects, comprising the step of pushing the cover of the aerosol generation device down so as to unlock the locking element that locks the cover in the closed position.

Preferred embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship terms "one end", "another end", "the other end", "outside", "inside", "upper", "lower", "above", "top", "bottom", "horizontal", "coaxial", "central", "length", "distance", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description. Specifically, the orientation or positional relationship terms should be understood as the aerosol-generating device <NUM> being in its upright position (top-down) and/or taking the center of the opening of the aerosol generation chamber <NUM> as the center point or reference. Otherwise, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention should be understood according to specific situations that make the most technical sense for the skilled person in the art.

As an overview of an aerosol-generating device <NUM> of an embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> illustrates an aerosol-generating device <NUM> with some of its subassemblies. Figures <NUM> to <NUM> show more details of some of the subassemblies. For ease of understanding and brevity, certain features shown in the drawings have not been described in detail and certain features have been omitted entirely. As used herein, the term "aerosol generation device", "E-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may include an electronic cigarette system configured to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for smoking.

Referring to <FIG>, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the portable aerosol generating device <NUM> has a generally elongated shape with a closure part <NUM> (i.e., the upper part in the figure), from where a consumable can be inserted, and a main part <NUM> (i.e., the lower part in the figure) opposite to the closure part <NUM> for holding the device in the hand. The aerosol generating device <NUM> may also be of any other shape as long as it is sized to fit the subassemblies and a consumable. The housing <NUM> can be formed of any suitable material, or layers of material. The aerosol generating device <NUM> includes a housing subassembly <NUM>, which is shown as "transparent" (shown with dashed edges), housing various subassemblies of the aerosol generation device <NUM>. In addition, within the housing <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> includes an aerosol generation chamber subassembly <NUM>, a cover subassembly <NUM>, an opening mechanism <NUM>, an electrical power supply subassembly (preferably a LiPo battery) <NUM>, and a device internal chassis <NUM> subassembly that fixes most of the other subassemblies together. The illustrated embodiments of the aerosol generation device <NUM> in this invention are schematic, and it is possible to combine other elements which are omitted in here for conciseness, such as the aerosol inlet and outlet, input device (e.g., a controlling button), PCBs, operator or computer modules, which is apparent to a skilled person in the art.

The closure <NUM> is located at the top, with the cover <NUM> for opening and closing the inlet or opening to the aerosol generation chamber <NUM> for the user for supplying the consumable to be heated in the heating chamber. Snap-fit connectors, or other types of attaching means, may be provided in the closure <NUM> to attach to the main part <NUM>.

The aerosol generation chamber <NUM> comprises a cylinder unit defining an inner space for containing the consumable (not shown), a heater (not shown) arranged near or around the cylinder unit to supply heat to the aerosol generation chamber <NUM>, and an opening (aperture) which is arranged at the "upper" side of the cylinder unit and is at least partially not covered by the housing. In other words, the opening exposes the inner space of the aerosol generation chamber <NUM> for (completely or partially) receiving the consumable in an insertion direction of the consumable. Although it is named a "cylinder unit", it will be appreciated that any shape may be used, such as a square and triangular shape.

Although not shown in the figures, the consumable which can be inserted into the aerosol generation chamber <NUM> may be any consumable available in the market, such as an aerosol substrate having nicotine, or a cartridge having a mouthpiece and a container containing the consumable liquid having an aerosol-forming substance.

The cover <NUM> is arranged to cover the aerosol generation chamber <NUM>, more specifically, the opening of the aerosol generation chamber <NUM>, after use or for enclosing the consumable. In order to have a better dust proof performance, the cover <NUM> is preferably configured to form a seamless surface with a surrounding surface of the housing <NUM> (i.e., the closure <NUM>) around the cover when the cover <NUM> completely covers the opening of the aerosol generation chamber <NUM>. For the ease of opening the cover <NUM>, the opening mechanism <NUM> is attached to the cover <NUM>. The opening mechanism <NUM> comprises a slider cart <NUM> (partially hidden in <FIG> for the ease of understanding and visibility of the other components) having a first slider <NUM> and a second slider <NUM>, and a guide track <NUM> functioning as a slider rail for the sliders <NUM> and <NUM> to slide there along so that the cover <NUM> can slide between an open position and a closed position. In other words, at least one of the sliders <NUM> and <NUM> is configured to slidingly engage with the guide track <NUM> so that the cover <NUM> can slide between the open position and the closed position. In the closed position, the opening of the aerosol generation chamber <NUM> is blocked by the cover <NUM> so that material, such as a consumable or moisture and, especially, dust, cannot enter into the aerosol generation chamber <NUM>. In the open position, the opening and the inner space in the aerosol generation chamber <NUM> are open and exposed, and the opening in the aerosol generation chamber <NUM> provides access to its inner space from outside. In a preferred embodiment, spacing elements or insulation elements may be provided in the aerosol generation chamber <NUM> at the opening for increasing the thermal insulation of the aerosol generation chamber <NUM>.

The opening mechanism <NUM> also comprises a biasing element <NUM> and locking element <NUM>. The biasing element <NUM> is configured to constantly push the slider cart and cover <NUM> to the open position. This helps to ensure that the aerosol generation chamber <NUM> remains opening during use. The locking element <NUM> is configured to releasably lock the cover <NUM> in the closed position. This helps to ensure that the aerosol generation chamber <NUM> is covered when the device <NUM> is not in use. Hereinafter, the closure <NUM>, more specifically the cover <NUM> and the opening mechanism <NUM>, are explained in detail.

<FIG> is an exploded component view of the closure <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. For the ease of understanding and visibility of the other components, the biasing element <NUM> is hidden in <FIG>.

The closure part <NUM> has a mounting mechanism <NUM>, a closure opening <NUM> and a channel <NUM>. The mounting mechanism <NUM> is arranged to mount the closure part <NUM> to the main part <NUM> of the aerosol generation device <NUM> so as to form the complete housing <NUM>. The closure opening <NUM> is arranged to enable access to the opening of the aerosol generation chamber <NUM>. In some of the preferred embodiments, the closure opening <NUM> is the opening of the aerosol generation chamber <NUM>. At least a part of the cover <NUM> (i.e., a linking part <NUM> or the covering piece <NUM> of the cover <NUM>) is arranged to stick into the channel, such that, by interacting with the cover <NUM>, a user can move the cover <NUM> along the channel <NUM>. Preferably, the cover <NUM> is capable of forming a seamless surface with a surrounding surface of the housing <NUM> (i.e., the closure <NUM>) around the cover <NUM> when the cover <NUM> is in the closed position. In other words, the external part <NUM> of the cover <NUM> is sized and shaped in a way such that in the open position the opening of the aerosol generation chamber <NUM> is substantially uncovered, preferably completely uncovered, thereby allowing the ingress of material into the aerosol generation chamber <NUM>; and in the closed position the opening of the aerosol generation chamber <NUM> is completely covered and the access thereto is blocked, thereby preventing the ingress of material into the aerosol generation chamber <NUM>.

In order to protect the opening mechanism <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, a covering piece <NUM> is preferably provided as a separator for the opening mechanism <NUM> and the aerosol generation chamber <NUM>, which prevents the ingress of the material or dust into the inner space of the device <NUM>, and especially the opening mechanism. The covering piece <NUM> is a separate piece that can be fixed to the cover <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, or a protrusion that is integrated with the cover <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The covering piece <NUM> is preferably arranged at an end of the cover <NUM> that is near the opening when the cover <NUM> is in the closed position. Preferably, the covering piece <NUM> has a substantially L-shaped side-view. A horizontal covering surface <NUM> of the covering piece <NUM> is configured to cover the aerosol generation chamber <NUM> when the cover <NUM> is in the closed position and is preferably a curved surface that is adapted with the curve shape of the trajectory of the guide track <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. A vertical sealing surface <NUM> is configured to cover the opening mechanism <NUM> when the cover <NUM> is in the open position and is preferably a flat surface as shown in <FIG>. Preferably, the sealing surface <NUM> is sized so as to form a (seamless) surface with a surrounding surface of the inner wall of the aerosol generation chamber <NUM> around the sealing surface when the cover <NUM> is in the open position, so as to cover the opening mechanism and the other parts of the device <NUM>. More preferably, both the horizontal and vertical covering surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> are sized such that the opening mechanism <NUM> is completely separated from the chamber <NUM>. The covering piece <NUM> thus prevents the ingress of the material or dust and reduces the conduction of heat from the chamber <NUM> into the inner space of the device <NUM>, and especially the opening mechanism <NUM>. There is preferably an air gap provided within the covering piece <NUM>, so that transfer of heat from the chamber <NUM> to the opening mechanism <NUM> is reduced. In order to increase the thermal insulation further, the covering piece <NUM> is made of insulation material such as fibrous or foam material, e.g., wool. Any other insulation means may also be used therein.

As explained above, the cover <NUM> is arranged externally to the housing <NUM> and is thereby available for interaction with a user so as to be moveable by sliding relative to the housing <NUM>, between at least the closed position, in which the cover <NUM> obstructs the opening so that articles or dust cannot enter the aerosol generation chamber <NUM>, and the open position, in which the opening is uncovered to allow access to the aerosol generation chamber <NUM> from outside. In other words, the cover <NUM> is configured to generally transverse a virtual plane, or a virtual curved surface, formed by the closure opening <NUM>. The cover <NUM> is engaged with the opening mechanism <NUM>. More specifically, the cover <NUM> connects with the opening mechanism <NUM> via its linking part <NUM> or the covering piece <NUM>. With a movement of the cover <NUM>, the slider cart <NUM> is moved accordingly. Preferably, the linking part <NUM> or the covering piece <NUM> is attached to the slider cart <NUM> using, for example a screw <NUM> or other kinds of attachment means. Alternatively, as shown in <FIG>, the slider cart <NUM> is fixed or hinged to the covering piece <NUM>, and specifically, to an end of the slider cart <NUM> having the second slider <NUM>.

The guide track <NUM> is located in a guide track subassembly <NUM> that is fixed to the closure <NUM>, e.g. by screws. Preferably, the guide track subassembly <NUM> comprises two guide tracks <NUM>, enclosed by material to the top and bottom of the guide sections, which extend along either side (i.e., first and second ends) of the guide track subassembly <NUM>. The guide track subassembly <NUM> has preferably a U-shape such that between the two guide sections, there is a vacant space where the carriage <NUM> can be placed within the guide track subassembly <NUM> and between the two guide sections with the sliders <NUM> and <NUM> of the cart <NUM> located in the guide sections. Preferably, the trajectory or the trace of the guide tracks <NUM> is substantially linear and preferably an arc structure so that a force with a substantially constant or linear magnitude is placed on the biasing element <NUM> as the guide track(s) <NUM> move and slide thereon. The trajectory of the guide tracks <NUM> has a length defined by the first end, which is away or remote from (the center of) the opening, and a second end, which is closer to (the center of) the opening, between which the sliders <NUM> and <NUM> can slide along. Preferably, the housing <NUM> (the closure <NUM>) has a sliding surface, which is arranged on the closure <NUM> and has an outline at least a part of which is substantially parallel to a plane defined by the opening. Preferably, as the cover <NUM> slides along the sliding surface, the guide tracks <NUM> are arranged in such a way that a part of the trajectory of the first slider is substantially parallel to or has the same shape as at least a part of the outline of the sliding surface.

The biasing element <NUM>, which is a spring element in this embodiment of the aerosol generation device <NUM>, is configured to bias the cover <NUM> to move to the opening position. The spring element <NUM>, more specifically a helical compression spring, can be deformed away from a relaxed position (i.e., the open position of the cover <NUM>) to an unstable position (i.e., the closed position of the cover <NUM>). The spring <NUM> exerts a compressive force or an extensive force along a longitudinal axis defined by (two ends of) a rigid guiding rod <NUM> of the opening mechanism <NUM>, around which the spring <NUM> is mounted. The force exerted by the spring <NUM> is dependent on the deformation, where the magnitude of the force exerted increases as the magnitude of the deformation from the relaxed position increases.

A traveler <NUM> is mounted on (around) the rigid guiding rod <NUM>. Specifically, the traveler <NUM> is arranged so as to move along the longitudinal axis of the rigid guiding rod <NUM> in a longitudinal direction. The biasing element <NUM> is connected (interacts) with the traveler <NUM> so that the traveler <NUM> can move along the rigid guiding rod <NUM> with the force exerted from the biasing element <NUM>.

Specifically, the traveler <NUM> is arranged in a way such that it can compress the biasing element <NUM> as it moves along the longitudinal axis of the rigid guiding rod <NUM>. More specifically, one end of the spring <NUM> (i.e., the rod-connected end <NUM>) is mounted on the rigid guiding rod <NUM> (i.e., the hinged end <NUM>), or other parts of the aerosol generation device <NUM>, and thereby held in place relative to the aerosol generation device <NUM>. Another end of the spring <NUM> is mounted to the traveler <NUM>. The traveler <NUM> is engaged (either directly or indirectly) with the cart <NUM>. Herein, the traveler <NUM> is hinged with the cart <NUM>. The (hinged) end <NUM> of the rigid guiding rod <NUM> is attached (either directly or indirectly, and hinged in the present embodiment) to the housing <NUM>, i.e., the closure <NUM> or another fixed subassembly of the aerosol generation device <NUM>, thereby held in place relative to the aerosol generation device <NUM>. Therefore, as the guide cart <NUM> moves along the guide track <NUM>, the another end of the rigid guiding rod <NUM> moves, more specifically rotates, together with the biasing element <NUM> and traveler <NUM> within the aerosol generation device <NUM> about the hinged end <NUM> of the rigid guiding rod <NUM>, with the hinged end <NUM> being the rotation point.

The traveler <NUM> typically comprises a hollow that is arranged to move along the outside of the rigid guiding rod <NUM>. In some embodiments, the rigid guiding rod <NUM> is a hollow rod, and the traveler <NUM> is instead arranged to move inside the rigid element. The traveler <NUM> may also be deformable and may be arranged to compress or expand as it interacts with rigid guiding rod <NUM>. Specifically, the traveler <NUM> is arranged to move longitudinally along the rigid guiding rod <NUM>. The spring <NUM> is arranged to interact with the traveler <NUM> as the traveler <NUM> moves along the rigid guiding rod <NUM> to compress or release the spring <NUM>. When the end of the spring <NUM> that is engaged with the traveler <NUM> (i.e., engaging end) is at a position on the guide track <NUM> that is an unstable position, there is a net force placed on the engaging end of the spring <NUM>, so that the spring <NUM> and the cover <NUM> are biased towards a stable position (i.e., the open position). In some embodiments, the traveler <NUM> and/or the rigid guiding rod <NUM> comprise a limiting mechanism (not shown) that limits the extent to which the traveler <NUM> can move longitudinally along the rigid guiding rod <NUM>; this may prevent the traveler <NUM> from separating from the rigid guiding rod <NUM> and/or may limit the extent to which the spring <NUM> can be deformed.

In addition, the spring <NUM> is arranged so that at substantially each position of the cover <NUM> between the closed position and the open position, a component of the deformation of the spring <NUM>, and a component of the force exerted by the spring <NUM> is in the direction of the movement of the cover <NUM>. The spring <NUM> is arranged so that when the cover <NUM> is in the open position, this component of the force resists movement away from the open position. The spring <NUM> is further arranged so that a component of the deformation of the spring <NUM>, and a component of the force exerted by the spring <NUM>, is transverse to the direction of the movement of the cover <NUM>; this component of the force acts to force the engaging end of the spring <NUM> against a side of the traveler <NUM>. This results in a smooth sliding open movement of the cover <NUM>, that is pleasant for the user.

With this arrangement, the biasing element <NUM> is (gradually) relaxed as the cover <NUM> moves away from the closed position and to the open position so that the biasing element <NUM> resists displacement of the cover <NUM> away from the closed position and to the open position. When the slider(s) <NUM> is/are at the first end of the guide track(s) <NUM>, the cover is at the open position, and the spring <NUM> is at the relaxed position. Although it is named "relaxed position", it will be appreciated that the spring <NUM> may be still compressed to some extent and thus a smaller force is still exerted from the spring <NUM>. The cover is anyhow not further moveable and remains at its open position as the movement of the slider(s) <NUM> is stopped by the first end(s) of the guide track <NUM>, and/or the linked part <NUM> (or the covering piece <NUM>) of the cover is stopped by an edge of the closure <NUM> or the housing <NUM>.

In order to hold the cover <NUM> in the closed position, one or more locking element(s) <NUM> is/are provided, to releasably lock the cover in the closed position. Preferably, a locking element <NUM> is a groove, a cut-out or a recess on the guide track(s) <NUM>, arranged between the first end(s) and the second end(s) of the guide track(s) <NUM> such that once the first slider(s) <NUM> of the guide cart <NUM> arrive(s) at the locking element <NUM>, the slider(s) <NUM> fall(s) within and engages with the locking element(s) <NUM> so that the guide cart <NUM> is locked in place and that the spring <NUM> is compressed. Preferably, the groove <NUM> is arranged at a center point of the guide track <NUM>. Alternatively, the locking element <NUM> may have an extension or protrusion of the guide track <NUM> with which the sliders <NUM> can be locked.

Preferably, the opening mechanism is arranged in such a way that once the cover arrives at the closed position, the first slider(s) <NUM> can automatically be locked by the locking elements <NUM>. More specifically, in the preferred embodiment, the rigid guiding rod <NUM> is arranged in a way such that the end of the rigid guiding rod <NUM> that is hinged to the housing <NUM> (i.e., the hinged end <NUM>) is "above" the portion of the rigid guiding rod <NUM> that engages with the traveler <NUM>. In other words, the hinged end <NUM> of the rigid guiding rod <NUM> is closer to the opening than the portion of the rigid guiding rod <NUM> that engages with the traveler <NUM>. The range of rotation of the rigid guiding rod <NUM> is limited in a way such that the traveler <NUM> is always at a "lower" position relative to the hinged end <NUM>, and a remote or further position relative to the opening comparing the hinged end <NUM> of the rigid guiding rod <NUM>, when the traveler <NUM> moves along the rigid guiding rod <NUM>. The biasing element <NUM> is arranged on a side of the rigid guiding rod <NUM> where the rigid guiding rod <NUM> engages with the traveler <NUM> and is preferably arranged between the hinged end <NUM> of the rigid guiding rod <NUM> and the traveler <NUM>. Alternatively, the biasing element <NUM> is a pulling spring that is arranged at an end that is opposite to the hinged end <NUM> of the rigid guiding rod <NUM>. In such a way, as the (traveler-connected) end <NUM> of the biasing element <NUM> and the traveler <NUM> move along the rigid guiding rod <NUM>, the direction of the force exerted by the biasing element <NUM> always has a component of the force in a "downwards" direction in either the direction of the closed position or in the direction of the open position. For example, the component force is in the direction away from (the center of) the opening of the aerosol generation device <NUM>. Accordingly, the locking element <NUM> is arranged at a "lower" side of the guide track(s) <NUM> (the longitudinal side of the two longitudinal sides of the guide track <NUM> that is at a farther position from the opening). In such a way, once the cover <NUM> arrives at the closed position, the first slider(s) <NUM> automatically engages with the locking element(s) <NUM> due to the "downwards" component force of the biasing element <NUM>.

In order to unlock the guide cart <NUM> from the locking element(s) <NUM>, another (pair of) slider(s) <NUM> (second slider or second pair of sliders), preferably pins or cylinder-shape protrusions similar to the first slider(s) <NUM> (first slider or first pair of sliders), are provided next to the other slider(s) <NUM>. Both the first slider(s) <NUM> and the second slider(s) <NUM> engage with the guide track(s) <NUM>. The first slider(s) <NUM> and the second slider(s) <NUM> are preferably arranged on two ends of the guide cart <NUM>. The first slider(s) <NUM> is/are arranged at a position of the cart <NUM> that is farther away from the opening, and the second slider(s) <NUM> is/are arranged at a position of the cart <NUM> that is closer to the opening. In other words, the second slider(s) <NUM> is/are arranged on or close to the covering piece <NUM>. In such a way, once the cover <NUM> arrives at the closed position, the first slider(s) <NUM> automatically engage(s) with the locking element <NUM>, and the second slider(s) <NUM> become(s) the pivot point for the guide cart <NUM>. Specifically, the distance between (the center of) the first slider(s) <NUM> and the second slider(s) <NUM> is smaller than the trajectory length of the guide track <NUM>. Preferably, the distance between the first slider(s) <NUM> and the second slider(s) <NUM> is greater than the distance between the locking element <NUM> and the first end(s) of the guide track <NUM>, such that when the second slider(s) <NUM> move(s) along the guide track(s) <NUM>, the second slider(s) <NUM> do(es) not engage with the locking element(s) <NUM>. More preferably, the distance between the first slider(s) <NUM> and the second slider(s) <NUM> is generally equal to the distance between the locking element(s) <NUM> and the second end(s) of the guide track(s) <NUM>, such that when the first slider(s) <NUM> engage(s) with the locking element(s) <NUM>, the second slider(s) <NUM> is/are at the position of the second end(s) of the guide track(s) <NUM>, so that the rotation of the cart <NUM> can be more stable.

Referring to <FIG>, the components of the opening mechanism <NUM> are shown when the opening mechanism <NUM> is in each of a covering state, an open state, or a partially open state.

Referring to <FIG>, the cover <NUM> is shown in the closed position and the opening mechanism <NUM> is in the covering state. In this position, the cover <NUM> covers the opening of the aerosol generation device <NUM> and forms a seamless surface with a surrounding surface of the housing <NUM> (i.e., the closure <NUM>). The horizontal covering surface <NUM> of the covering piece <NUM> protects and separates the opening mechanism <NUM> from the aerosol generation chamber <NUM>. The vertical sealing surface <NUM> is preferably flush with the inner wall of the aerosol generation chamber <NUM>. The opening mechanism <NUM> is arranged in a way such that when the cover <NUM> is in the closed position, as shown in <FIG>, the locking element <NUM> locks and holds (the first slider <NUM> of) the opening mechanism in place and resists the biasing force of the biasing element <NUM> (not shown) and the movement of the cover <NUM> away from the closed position. In this embodiment, the biasing element <NUM> comprises a helical compression spring (not shown); the traveler-connected end <NUM> of the biasing element <NUM> is compressed by the traveler <NUM>, which is held in place together with the guide cart <NUM>. The traveler <NUM> is at its closest position to the hinged end <NUM> of the rigid guiding rod <NUM>. A compressive force from the traveler <NUM> applies onto the biasing element <NUM> and acts in line with the axis of the rigid guiding rod <NUM>. A "downward" component of the force of the biasing element <NUM> holds the first slider <NUM> within the locking element <NUM>. The second slider <NUM> is at the second end of the guide track <NUM> and pivotally engages with (the second end of) the guide track <NUM>.

With the second slider <NUM> acting as the rotation point, the rigid guiding rod <NUM> and the cover function as two sides of a lever. Hence, in order to unlock the locking element <NUM> so as to transfer the cover <NUM> from the closed position to the open position, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the user clicks or pushes the cover <NUM> vertically, more specifically an end of the cover <NUM> that is closer to the opening when the cover is at the open position, in a "downward" direction, i.e. a direction that is different from, and more specifically substantially perpendicular to, the sliding directions of the cover <NUM>. Accordingly, the first slider <NUM> rotates around the second slider <NUM> and moves upwards, i.e. a direction that is opposite to the moving direction of the cover <NUM> that is pushed down by the user. In other words, by using the second slider <NUM> as the rotation or pivot point, the first slider <NUM> is lifted up by the force of the user on the cover <NUM> in a downward direction. Then, the biasing element <NUM>, the rigid guiding rod <NUM> and the traveler <NUM> rotate as the first slider <NUM> of the cart <NUM> rotates. Preferably, the force provided by a user to the cover <NUM> in the downward direction is required to continue until the first slider <NUM> is completely out of the locking element <NUM>. With the contact between the first slider <NUM> and the upper longitudinal side of the guide track <NUM>, the user may sense a resistance and then recognize that the force on the cover can be released. Alternatively, the locking element <NUM> is arranged in a shape, e.g., a curved shape at its cover such that by only clicking the cover <NUM> a little bit, the first slider <NUM> may smoothly slide out of the locking element <NUM>. Eventually, when the force from the user is removed, as the opening mechanism <NUM> is unlocked, the biasing force from the biasing element <NUM> is released and acts to move or slide the cover <NUM> to the open position.

In such a way, the opening mechanism is transferred into the partially open state, and the cover <NUM> is at a transitory or intermediate position, which is between the open position and the closed position. The biasing element <NUM> exerts a force that acts to move the cover <NUM> to the open position in the sliding direction, which is substantially horizontal. Both the horizontal and vertical covering surface <NUM><NUM> protect and separate the opening mechanism <NUM> from the aerosol generation chamber <NUM>.

Specifically, as the opening mechanism <NUM> is released from the locking element <NUM>, the compressive force applied to the biasing element <NUM> is released. Accordingly, the biasing element <NUM> exerts a force that acts in line with the axis defined by the rigid guiding rod <NUM>. With the traveler-connected end <NUM> of the biasing element <NUM> moving away from the rod-connected end <NUM> of the biasing element <NUM> along the rigid guiding rod <NUM>, the traveler <NUM> is driven accordingly with the biasing force applied thereon, and thus moves along the rigid guiding rod <NUM> and away from the hinged end <NUM> of the rigid guiding rod <NUM> and towards the other end of the rigid guiding rod <NUM>, which is opposite to the hinged end <NUM>. This results in that the cart <NUM> which is engaged with the traveler <NUM> moves along the rigid guiding rod <NUM>, and thus the cart <NUM> drives the cover <NUM> to the open position along the sliding surface via the connection with the linking part <NUM> or the covering piece <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the cover <NUM> is then moved to its open position. Preferably, while the first slider <NUM> reaches the first end of the guide track <NUM>, the second slider <NUM> is at the position between the locking element <NUM> and the second end of the guide track <NUM>. In this position, the cover <NUM> is stopped by a stopper, which is preferably an edge of the opening, the housing <NUM> or the first end of the guide track <NUM>. Accordingly, the opening of the aerosol generation chamber <NUM> is exposed, preferably completely exposed, so that access to the inner space from outside is provided. The vertical covering surface <NUM> of the covering piece <NUM> protects and separates the opening mechanism <NUM> from the aerosol generation chamber <NUM>, and preferably forms a seamless surface with the surface of the inner wall of the chamber <NUM> around it.

Conversely, in order to close the opening of the aerosol generation chamber <NUM>, i.e., move the cover <NUM> from the opening position to the closed position, the user exerts a force on the cover <NUM> which acts to move the cover <NUM> towards the closed position, i.e., in a sliding direction that is opposite to the sliding direction driven by the biasing mechanism when opening the cover <NUM>.

Specifically, the user applies a force onto the cover <NUM> acting to move the cover <NUM> in a substantially horizontal direction from the open position to the closed position. The user's force is initially resisted by the biasing element <NUM>, so that if the user releases the cover <NUM> before it reaches the locking position where the first slider(s) <NUM> engage(s) with the locking element <NUM>, the cover <NUM> returns to the open position. As the user applies the force to the cover <NUM>, the cart <NUM>, which is connected to the cover <NUM>, drives the traveler <NUM> to move along the rigid guiding rod <NUM>, and the biasing element <NUM> is thus compressed by the force being applied thereto from the traveler <NUM>, and the traveler-connected end <NUM> of the biasing element <NUM> moves towards the rod-connected end <NUM> along the rigid guiding rod <NUM>. As the user continues to apply the force to the cover <NUM>, the cover is eventually moved to the locking position. Once the first slider <NUM> of the cart <NUM> reaches the locking element, the downward component force exerted by the biasing element <NUM> acts to make the first slider(s) <NUM> of the cart <NUM> engage with, i.e., fall into, the locking element(s) <NUM>. The user, by sensing the uplift movement of the cover <NUM>, recognizes that the cover <NUM> is locked and can then remove the force from the cover. Eventually, the guide cart <NUM> is locked in place and the spring <NUM> is compressed. Preferably, the second slider <NUM> also reaches the second end of the guide track <NUM>. With the transition to the locking position, the cover, which acts as another side of the lever of the rigid guiding rod <NUM>, is raised up or moves in an upward direction, which is different from, specifically substantially perpendicular to, the sliding directions of the cover <NUM>, as the first slider <NUM> moves downward, namely falls within the locking element <NUM>. Accordingly, the cover <NUM> forms a seamless surface with a surrounding surface of the housing <NUM> (i.e., the closure <NUM>) around the cover when the cover completely covers the opening of the aerosol generation chamber <NUM>.

When the cover <NUM> is in the closed position, the aerosol generation device <NUM> can be stowed, and the cover <NUM> prevents the ingress of material or dust into device <NUM>. The locking element <NUM> locks the opening mechanism <NUM> in the covering state, and the cover <NUM> in the closed position to prevent the cover <NUM> from moving due to unintentional contact with other objects. When the cover <NUM> is in the open position, the aerosol generation device <NUM> can be used, as the biasing element <NUM> holds the cover <NUM> in place, and the user can insert or extract the consumable into or from the aerosol generation chamber <NUM> for consumption.

In a preferred embodiment, a sensor is arranged within locking element <NUM>, and once it senses that the opening mechanism <NUM> engages with the locking element <NUM>, the heating function of the aerosol generation device <NUM> is stopped.

Claim 1:
An aerosol generation device (<NUM>), comprising:
- a housing (<NUM>),
- an aerosol generation chamber (<NUM>) configured to receive a substrate to generate aerosol and having an opening which is at least partially not covered by the housing (<NUM>),
- a cover (<NUM>) configured to be in a closed position covering the opening, or in an open position exposing the opening,
- an opening mechanism (<NUM>) engaged with the cover (<NUM>) and comprising a biasing element (<NUM>) biasing the cover (<NUM>) toward the open position, and a locking element (<NUM>) configured to releasably lock the cover (<NUM>) in the closed position;
the opening mechanism (<NUM>) being configured to be in a covering state, an open state, or a partially open state; wherein
when the opening mechanism (<NUM>) is in the covering state, the locking element (<NUM>) holds the cover (<NUM>) in the closed position, and the opening mechanism (<NUM>) can be translated into the partially open state,
when the opening mechanism (<NUM>) is in the open state, the biasing element (<NUM>) holds the cover (<NUM>) in the open position, and the opening mechanism (<NUM>) can be translated into the partially open state, and
when the opening mechanism (<NUM>) is in the partially open state, the cover (<NUM>) is configured to move from the closed position to the open position by a force of the biasing element (<NUM>), or from the open position to the closed position by a force of the user pushing the cover (<NUM>) until the cover is locked by the locking element.