Patent Description:
Various devices and systems are available that heat aerosol substrates to release aerosol/vapour for inhalation, rather than relying on burning the aerosol substrate. For example, e-cigarettes vaporize an e-liquid from a consumable to an inhalable vapour. However, e-cigarettes are vulnerable to leakage of the e-liquid but benefit from fast volatilisation times. Alternative devices with solid consumables are available. However, such devices require a heater to be part of the device and hence the device requires adequate insulation to prevent a user from being exposed to the high heater temperatures, which leads to additional complexity and cost in the device.

With both e-cigarettes and alternative devices for heating solid consumables, users may experience difficulties with loading and extracting the consumable. For example, the user may be exposed to high temperatures from the heater within the device. Further, incorrect loading of the consumable can lead to damage to the consumable, poor performance of the device, or a negative user experience. Document <CIT> discloses a loading mechanism for loading an aerosol substrate consumable into an aerosol generating device, the loading mechanism comprising: an actuator configured to control the insertion rate of an aerosol substrate consumable when inserted into said aerosol generating device, in use; and an insertion sensor configured to detect an insertion.

It is the object of the invention to avoid or overcome at least some of the above referenced problems, or to provide an alternative solution.

According to the present disclosure there is provided an aerosol substrate consumable loading mechanism for loading an aerosol substrate consumable into an aerosol generating device including the features as set out in the claims.

In one example, there is provided an aerosol substrate consumable loading mechanism for loading an aerosol substrate consumable into an aerosol generating device, the loading mechanism comprising: an actuator configured to load a partially inserted aerosol substrate consumable further into said aerosol generating device, in use; and an insertion sensor configured to detect an activation input, wherein the actuator is configured to load said aerosol substrate consumable further into said aerosol generating device upon detection of the activation input.

The provision of the loading mechanism means that the aerosol substrate consumable is inserted into the correct position within the aerosol generating device. This means that potential errors or difficulties associated with the loading stage of the consumable are avoided. Further it significantly increases the ease of use of an aerosol generating device. The user merely needs to partially load the consumable into the device and the loading mechanism then automatically loads the consumable to the correct position. It also reduces the risk of a user injuring themselves due to contact with a heater as the user only needs to partially insert the consumable into the device so they can maintain a distance to the heater when inserting a consumable into the device.

The actuator may comprise a roller. A roller is a non-intrusive way of inserting and ejecting the aerosol substrate consumable into the aerosol generating device.

In one example, the actuator comprises a roller and a guide, wherein the roller and the guide define a region between them for receiving said consumable. The roller and the guide work to position the consumable into the correct position during the insertion.

In one example, the insertion sensor comprises one or more light sensors and wherein the activation input comprises the detection by the one or more light sensors that said consumable has been partially inserted into said aerosol generating device. Light sensors can project light into the aerosol generating device and so can accurately detect the position of the aerosol substrate consumable within the aerosol generating device in use.

In other examples, the insertion sensor comprises an insertion switch configured to be depressed and the activation input comprises the depression of the insertion switch by said consumable during the partial insertion into said aerosol generating device. The provision of the switch is a relatively cheap and efficient way of detecting insertion.

In one example, the insertion sensor comprises a magnetic sensor (or Hall effect sensor) and wherein the activation input comprises the detection by the magnetic sensor of movement of the roller due to the insertion of said consumable into said aerosol generating device. The use of a magnetic sensor means that only a simple motor can be used as part of the actuator. Further, the orientation of the roller can be detected using the magnetic sensor and so the insertion mechanism can have greater control over the relative positioning of the aerosol substrate consumable during insertion.

In one example, the insertion sensor comprises a button or touchpad and the activation input comprises a user input on the button or touchpad. This makes it relatively easy for a user operating the insertion mechanism.

In one example, there is provided a stop sensor configured to detect a stop input, wherein the actuator is configured to deactivate and stop further insertion of said consumable when the stop sensor has detected the stop input. The stop sensor can be used to switch off the actuator at a desired point and so prevent unnecessary energy usage.

The stop sensor may comprise one or more of: one or more light sensors; and a stop switch configured to be depressed by said consumable when the consumable reaches the predetermined threshold. The one or more light sensors can be used to accurately determine the position of the aerosol substrate consumable within the aerosol generating device. The stop switch is an inexpensive way of switching off the actuator at a desired time.

In the example of the actuator comprising a roller, wherein the roller is configured to stop rotation after a predetermined number of insertion rotations.

In one example, the actuator is configured to stop operation when the load required to drive the actuator is increased beyond a predetermined load threshold. In this example, a further "stop sensor" is not required to stop the operation of the actuator.

In one example, the loading mechanism includes an ejection sensor, wherein the ejection sensor is configured to detect an ejection input; and wherein the actuator is configured to eject said consumable from said aerosol generating device upon detection of the ejection input at the ejection sensor. As such, the aerosol substrate can be automatically ejected from the device as required. The automatic ejection reduces the chances of a user burning themselves as there is not a requirement to reach into the vicinity of a heater to extract the consumable. It also significantly increases ease of use for a user. The ejection of the consumable may be done automatically by the device to avoid a user needing to manually extract the consumable.

In one example, there is provided a loading heating system for an aerosol generating device, the loading heating system comprising: a loading mechanism as described above; and a heating chamber into which the actuator is configured to load the consumable, in use. The loading heating mechanism is able to receive said consumable and heat it to the desired temperature. In one example, the heater is configured to activate once the aerosol substrate consumable has been inserted into the loading heating system.

In one example, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising the loading heating system as described above and an outer housing to substantially surround the heating chamber, the outer housing comprising an opening for receiving said consumable into the heating chamber; and a power source for providing power to the loading heating system.

The aerosol generating device may comprise a movable lid configured to move between: an open configuration in which the consumable is insertable into the aerosol generating device; and a closed configuration in which the lid prevents access for the consumable to the aerosol generating device, wherein the insertion sensor is configured to detect that the lid is in an open configuration and the actuator is configured to load said partially inserted consumable further into the aerosol generating device upon detection that the lid has been moved to the open configuration.

In one example, there is provided a method of loading an aerosol substrate consumable into an aerosol generating device, the method comprising: detecting an activation input at an insertion sensor; and operating an actuator, in response to the detected activation input, to move a partially inserted consumable further into the aerosol generating device.

Various combinations of the above-mentioned features are envisaged.

Examples of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As used herein, the term aerosol substrate is a label used to mean a medium that generates an aerosol or vapour when heated. It may be synonymous with smokable material and aerosol generating medium. Aerosol substrate includes liquid or solid materials that provide volatilized components upon heating, typically in the form of vapor or an aerosol. Aerosol substrate may be a non-tobacco-containing material or a tobacco-containing material. Aerosol substrate may, for example, include one or more of tobacco per se, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco extract, homogenized tobacco or tobacco substitutes. Aerosol substrate also may include other, non-tobacco, products, which, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine. Aerosol substrate may comprise one or more humectants, such as glycerol or propylene glycol.

<FIG> shows a schematic cross section of an aerosol substrate consumable loading mechanism <NUM>. The mechanism <NUM> includes an actuator <NUM> and an insertion sensor <NUM>. In <FIG>, as aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is partially inserted into a corresponding consumable cavity, chamber or seat <NUM> of an aerosol heating device <NUM>.

The actuator <NUM> is configured to load the partially inserted aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> into the aerosol heating device <NUM>. In other words, the actuator <NUM> is configured to move the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> from a first position to a second position. In the first position, as for example shown in <FIG>, the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is partially received within the aerosol generating device <NUM> and in the second position, the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is further inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>. <FIG> shows a schematic cross section of an aerosol substrate consumable loading mechanism <NUM> in which the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> has been further inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM> (e.g., the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is in the second position).

In some examples, in the second position, the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is fully inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In the first position, a sufficient amount of the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> must be inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM> such that the actuator <NUM> may impart a force on the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> to guide the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> further into the device <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> itself may move within the aerosol generating device <NUM> in use. That is to say that the actuator <NUM> may move from an active position in which it is configured to move the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> and an inactive position in which it may be withdrawn.

In some examples, the actuator <NUM> comprises a roller. The roller is configured to contact or abut the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> and rotate about its rotational axis in use and impart a movement force on the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> to move it from a partially inserted position (the first position) to be further inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM> (the second position).

The insertion sensor <NUM> is configured to detect an activation input. The activation input may take the form of an active mechanical input (e.g., a button push by a user) or a passive mechanical input. The passive mechanical input may happen automatically during the use of the aerosol generating device <NUM> (e.g., the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> being partially inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>). The activation inputs will be described in more detail below.

<FIG> shows a schematic cross section of an aerosol substrate consumable loading mechanism <NUM> within an aerosol generating device <NUM>. In <FIG> a lid <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> is shown in a closed position.

In some examples, the actuator <NUM> comprises a guide <NUM> configured to work in combination with the roller to guide the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM>, in use. The guide <NUM> may take the form of a guide arm or a passive roller configured to abut the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> during the insertion. The guide arm may be resiliently deformable such it is deforms as the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is being inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>. The passive roller may be a nondriven component such that it moves due to the movement of the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM>.

The roller and guide <NUM> may be arranged to face each other in use and define a gap therebetween for receiving the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM>. A thickness of the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> may substantially match the distance of the gap between the roller and the guide <NUM>.

In some examples, the actuator <NUM> comprises one or more motors <NUM> that are configured to drive the roller, in use. For example, the motor <NUM> may comprise one or more of a stepper motor, a motor and encoder and/or a simple motor.

In other examples, the actuator <NUM> comprises a linear actuator configured to grip the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> and move it, in use.

In one example, the aerosol generating device <NUM> includes a heating chamber <NUM> in which the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is configured to be received and heated. That is to say that the actuator <NUM> may be configured to insert the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> further into the heating chamber <NUM> from a partially inserted position. As stated above, the actuator <NUM> is configured to move an aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> may be partially received in the heating chamber <NUM> and in the second position the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is further inserted into the heating chamber <NUM>. In one example, in the second position the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is fully inserted into in the heating chamber <NUM> in use.

The heating chamber <NUM> may be shaped to receive a correspondingly shaped aerosol substrate consumable <NUM>, in use. In one example, the heating chamber <NUM> comprises one or more heaters arranged to raise the temperature of the heating chamber <NUM>. In one example, the one or more heaters are configured to begin heating when the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is in the second position. In another example, the one or more heaters are configured to begin heating when the activation input has been triggered. For example, the one or more heaters may begin heating when the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is in the first, partially inserted position. Activating the one or more heaters at this time will reduce the time taken to generate sufficient aerosol for a user to take a first inhalation action.

In the schematic shown in <FIG>, there is a small gap shown between the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> and the heating chamber <NUM>, but in practice, the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> may be sized to match the size of the heating chamber <NUM>.

The heating chamber <NUM> and the loading mechanism <NUM> taken together are considered to be a loading heating system.

In one example, the aerosol generating device <NUM> includes an outer housing <NUM> that substantially surround the heating chamber <NUM>. The outer housing <NUM> comprises an opening for receiving said consumable <NUM> into the heating chamber <NUM>. The aerosol generating device <NUM> may also include a power source, such as a battery, (not shown) for providing power to the aerosol generating device <NUM>. The aerosol generating device <NUM> may also include a controller (not shown) for receiving signals from the insertion sensor <NUM> and controlling the actuator <NUM>, in use.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> may also include the lid <NUM>. The lid <NUM> may be movable between an open position in which the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is insertable into the aerosol generating device <NUM> and a closed position in which the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is not insertable into the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In <FIG>, the lid <NUM> is shown in the closed position. In <FIG>, the lid <NUM> has been moved to an open position and an aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> has been partially inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>. The insertion sensor <NUM> may be configured to detect that the lid <NUM> has been moved to an open configuration and the actuator <NUM> may be configured to load the partially inserted aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> further into the aerosol generating device <NUM> upon detection that the lid <NUM> has moved to the open configuration.

In one example, the lid <NUM> is configured to cover the heating chamber <NUM> when it is in the closed position. For the avoidance of doubt, the lid <NUM> may be pivotably or slidably arranged about the aerosol generating device <NUM>, for example about a hinge or rails at or close an outer wall of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. It may also of course be removably arranged about the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In such cases, the lid <NUM> and aerosol generating device <NUM> may be fitted with corresponding complementary fastening means (not shown on the drawings).

In one example, the lid <NUM> is in the form of a mouthpiece. That is to say that a channel (not shown) may be formed in the lid such that aerosol generated from the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> may flow to a user through the lid in the form of a mouthpiece.

In one example, the insertion sensor <NUM> is an insertion switch in the form of a mechanical switch or button (or a lid switch). The insertion switch may be configured to be operated by the lid <NUM>. In this example, the activation input may comprise the opening of the lid <NUM> from the closed position, as shown in <FIG>, in which the lid is in contact with the insertion sensor <NUM> to the open position, as shown in <FIG>, in which the lid <NUM> is not in contact with the insertion sensor <NUM>.

In another example, the insertion sensor <NUM> comprises a magnetic sensor (also known as a Hall effect sensor). The lid <NUM> may comprise a magnet. The Hall effect sensor is configured to detect a magnetic field emitted by the magnet <NUM> located on the lid <NUM>. In the closed position, as shown in <FIG>, the magnet <NUM> may be arranged in the vicinity of the Hall effect sensor and so the Hall effect sensor may detect a first magnetic field level. As the lid <NUM> is opened, as shown in <FIG>, the magnet <NUM> is moved away from the Hall effect sensor so the magnetic field level detected by the Hall effect sensor is reduced to a second magnetic field level. The activation input may comprise a reduction in the magnetic field level detected by the Hall effect sensor to below a magnetic threshold level.

In both of these examples, upon the lid <NUM> being opened, the actuator <NUM> begins to operate and so once the aerosol generating substrate <NUM> has been partially inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the actuator <NUM> will further insert the aerosol generating substrate <NUM> into the device <NUM>.

In other examples, as shown in <FIG>, the insertion sensor <NUM> in the form of the insertion switch that is configured to be operated or depressed during the action of partially inserting the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> into the aerosol generating device <NUM>. That is to say that the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> itself may contact the insertion switch to operate (or depress) it. In this example, the activation input is the contact between the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> and the insertion switch. In some examples, the guide <NUM> acts as the insertion switch. That is to say that the activation input may comprise the contact between the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> and the guide <NUM>.

Alternatively, the insertion sensor <NUM> may be integrated with the roller (or may be the roller itself). In this case, the roller may be configured to rotate due to the contact with the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> as the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>. The insertion sensor <NUM> may comprise a rotation sensor or orientation sensor configured to sense if the roller has been rotated. In this case, the activation input is the rotation of the roller due to contact with the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> as it is partially inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In one example, the activation input comprises a rotation of between <NUM> to <NUM> degrees of the roller due to the insertion of the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM>. This range of rotation provides an indication that an aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> has been partially inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>. More preferably the activation input comprises a rotation of <NUM> degrees of the roller due to the insertion of the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM>.

In this example, the actuator <NUM> may comprise a motor and encoder (or motor encoder). The motor and encoder are designed such that the rotation position and/or number of rotations of the roller can be detected.

<FIG> shows an alternative arrangement in which the insertion sensor <NUM> comprises one or more light sensors configured to detect the presence of an aerosol substrate consumable. The light sensor may be positioned towards the opening of the aerosol generating device <NUM> such that it detects if an aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> has been inserted into the opening. In this case, the activation input can be considered to be the insertion of the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> into the aerosol generating device <NUM> such that the insertion sensor <NUM> can detect it.

In some examples, the light sensor is configured to detect an indicator (such as a barcode/QR code or the like) on the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM>. This information can be used to determine if the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is genuine or not. The activation input in this case may be considered to be the confirmation that the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is genuine. In one example, the aerosol generating device <NUM> is configured to eject the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> if it is determined that it is not genuine or has already been used.

The light sensor may comprise an optical sensor, infrared sensor, or the like. The infrared sensor may be configured to transmit an infrared light and detect the amount of infrared light that is deflected back towards the sensor.

In one example, the insertion sensor <NUM> comprises a button or pad configured to detect a user input, such as a button press, swipe or tap. In this case, the activation input could be considered to be the user input. The actuator <NUM> would be configured to insert the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> further into the aerosol generating device <NUM> upon detection of the user input.

In one example, the roller comprises a magnet and the insertion sensor <NUM> comprises a Hall effect sensor adjacent to the roller configured to detect a rotation in the magnetic field as the roller is rotated due to the contact with the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> as the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>. A schematic example of this arrangement is shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, a magnet is located on the roller such that the North pole and South pole are positioned in a first orientation. In <FIG>, the roller has been rotated due to a tobacco substrate consumable <NUM> being inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM> in the direction of the arrow shown in <FIG>. As such, the North pole and the South pole of the magnet located on the roller have also rotated such that they are in a second orientation, different to the first orientation. The insertion sensor <NUM> in the form of a Hall effect sensor is configured to be located adjacent to the roller such that the change in magnetic field due to the rotation of the roller can be detected. In this case, the activation input can be considered to be the rotation of the roller due to the insertion of the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM>. In one example, the activation input comprises a rotation of between <NUM> to <NUM> degrees of the roller due to the insertion of the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM>. This range of rotation provides an indication that an aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> has been partially inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>. More preferably the activation input comprises a rotation of <NUM> degrees of the roller due to the insertion of the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM>.

In some examples, the loading mechanism <NUM> comprises a stop sensor <NUM> configured to detect a stop input. The actuator <NUM> is configured to deactivate and stop further insertion of the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> when the stop sensor has detected the stop input. In other words, following the detection of the stop input by the stop sensor <NUM>, the actuator <NUM> is configured to switch off. In other words, in operation, upon detection of the insertion input the actuator <NUM> will operate to further insert the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> into the aerosol generating device <NUM> until a stop input is detected, at which time the actuator stops operating.

In some examples, the stop sensor <NUM> may be configured to detect that the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> has been inserted to a predetermined threshold in said aerosol generating device <NUM>. The predetermined threshold may be that the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> has been inserted sufficiently within the aerosol generating device <NUM> such that it will generate a desired amount of aerosol upon heating. In some examples, the predetermined threshold may mean that the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> has been inserted into the desired location within the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

In one example, as shown in <FIG>, the stop sensor <NUM> comprises a stop switch that is configured to be operated (or depressed) as the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> reaches the desired point (or predetermined threshold) within the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM>. The stop switch may comprise a mechanical switch or the like that is configured to be contacted by the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> itself. In one example, the stop switch is located at the distal end of the heating chamber <NUM> such that it will be operated when the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> has been fully inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

In this case, the stop input is the operation (or depression) of the stop switch by the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM>. That is to say that the actuator <NUM> may be configured to be deactivated to stop further insertion of the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> once the aerosol substrate consumable has reached the predetermined threshold.

In one example, the stop sensor <NUM> comprises one or more light sensors. <FIG> shows an example of this arrangement. The stop sensor <NUM> in the form of one or more light sensors may be arranged within the aerosol generating device <NUM> at the predetermined threshold within the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In this case, the stop input is the detection of the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> by the stop sensor <NUM> in the form of the one or more light sensors.

As shown in <FIG>, the stop sensor <NUM> may be arranged towards a distal end of the heating chamber <NUM> (i.e., the end of the heating chamber <NUM> that is furthest within the aerosol generating device <NUM>), such that the stop input is detected when the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> has been fully inserted into the heating chamber <NUM>.

The one or more light sensors forming the stop sensor <NUM> may be substantially identical in form to the one or more light sensors forming the insertion sensor <NUM> and so the relevant features have not been repeated here.

Further, the one or more light sensors forming the stop sensor <NUM> may be same as those forming the insertion sensor <NUM>. In such configuration, the one or more light sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and the aerosol generating device controller <NUM> are configured to detect at least a first marker <NUM> and a second marker <NUM> provided on the inserted aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> at a distance L from each other corresponding to the optimal insertion distance for the consumable <NUM> into the heating chamber <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In practice, the detection of the first marker <NUM> on the aerosol substrate consumable by the one or more light sensors <NUM>, <NUM> would trigger insertion of the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> as previously described. Then, the detection of the second marker <NUM> by the same one or more light sensors <NUM>, <NUM> would prompt the stopping of insertion. In this example, the detection of the first marker <NUM> by the one or more light sensors <NUM>, <NUM> is the activation input and the detection of the second marker <NUM> by the same one or more light sensors <NUM>, <NUM> is the stop input. The first marker <NUM> and the second marker <NUM> may be identical or different, e.g., the first marker <NUM> may be a single band around the consumable <NUM> and the second marker <NUM> may be two bands around the consumable. Other markers, such as QR codes, shaped lines etc. are also envisaged.

In the example of the actuator <NUM> comprising a roller, the roller may be configured to stop rotation after a predetermined number of insertion rotations. The number of insertion rotations does not need to be complete rotations but may only include part of a rotation. For example, following the detection of the activation input by the insertion sensor <NUM>, the roller is configured to begin rotation and stop rotation after a predetermined number of insertion rotations (complete and/or partial turns). The number of rotations may be sufficient to further insert the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> from a partially inserted position to the desired position within the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

In this example, the actuator <NUM> may comprise a motor and encoder (or motor encoder). The motor and encoder are designed such that the rotation position and/or number of rotations of the roller can be detected. Alternatively, the insertion sensor <NUM> may comprise a Hall effect sensor with orientation detection (as shown in <FIG>) such that the orientation of the roller can be detected. Therefore, the actuator <NUM> may be configured to stop operation after motor and encoder (or Hall effect sensor) has detected that the roller has turned a predetermined number of insertion rotations (complete and/or partial turns).

In these examples, the orientation of the roller can be determined. As such, the stop input may comprise the detection by the motor and encoder or a stop sensor <NUM> in the form of a Hall effect sensor that the roller is no longer rotating. That is, when the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> has been fully inserted, there will be increased resistance to the rotation of the roller, which may prevent further rotation of the roller. This detection of increased resistance may be taken as the stop signal to switch the actuator <NUM> off.

In one example, the actuator <NUM> is configured to stop operation when the load required to drive the actuator <NUM> is increased beyond a predetermined load threshold. The actuator <NUM> may draw an electric power (or electric current) from a power supply and the required electric power to drive the actuator <NUM> may increase as the actuator <NUM> encounters resistance. In this example, the actuator will require a first load to insert the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> during a first phase of operation (i.e., a first load is required as the actuator <NUM> moves the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> from the first position to the second position). When the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> has been fully inserted such that it abuts an internal wall/barrier within the aerosol generating device <NUM> (such as the distal end of the heating chamber <NUM>) then there will be an increased resistance and the load required to drive the actuator <NUM> will increase. If the load (or electric power/current) is increased above a threshold load level, then the actuator <NUM> is configured to stop further insertion of the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> into the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

In each of the examples described above, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be configured to initiate heating of the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> upon detection of the stop input. That is to say that the aerosol generating device <NUM> will begin heating the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> once it has been inserted into the desired location (the second position) within the aerosol generating device <NUM>. As described above, in other examples the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be configured to initiate heating of the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> upon detection of the activation input.

In one example, the loading mechanism <NUM> is configured to detect an ejection input and the actuator <NUM> is configured to eject the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> upon detection of the ejection input. In some examples, loading mechanism comprises an ejection sensor <NUM> configured to detect the ejection input, as shown in <FIG>. In some examples, the ejection sensor <NUM> is the same as the insertion sensor <NUM>, that is to say that one sensor may perform both function of the insertion sensor <NUM> and the ejection sensor <NUM>. In other examples, the insertion sensor <NUM> and the ejection sensor <NUM> are distinct components.

Upon detection of the ejection input, the actuator <NUM> may operate in an opposite direction compared with the direction in which it moves to insert the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM>. For example, if the actuator <NUM> is a roller, the roller may rotate in a first direction to insert the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> and a second direction to eject the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM>.

In one example, the ejection input may comprise the opening of the lid <NUM> at the end of the inhalation session. As described above in relation to the insertion sensor <NUM>, the ejection sensor <NUM> may comprise a switch configured to be operated due to the movement action of the lid <NUM> so that when the lid <NUM> is opened, the switch is no longer depressed and the actuator <NUM> begins ejecting the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM>.

In other examples, the ejection sensor <NUM> may comprise a Hall effect sensor and the lid <NUM> comprises a magnet <NUM>. As described above in relation to the insertion, the Hall effect sensor may detect that the magnetic field level is reduced below a magnetic threshold level to indicate that the lid <NUM> has been opened. In both of these examples, the ejection input comprises the opening of the lid <NUM>.

In some examples, the ejection sensor <NUM> may comprise a button or pad configured to detect a user input, such as a button press, swipe or tap. In this case, the ejection input could be considered to be the user input. The actuator <NUM> would be configured to eject the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> out of the aerosol generating device <NUM> upon detection of the user input.

In one example, the ejection input may comprise a detection that the inhalation session has stopped. For example, a user may enter an input on a button or pad to indicate that the session is finished. Alternatively, the device <NUM> may detect that the level of aerosol being generated has reduced below an aerosol generation threshold, for example by the use of an infrared sensor. In this example, there may be one or more infrared sensors located in or adjacent to the mouthpiece to detect the level of aerosol being generated that flows through the mouthpiece.

In one example, the loading mechanism <NUM> will only eject the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> if a detected temperature of the aerosol substrate consumable is sufficiently low.

In some examples, the actuator <NUM> is configured to stop the ejection operation once the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> has been ejected from the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

For example, the actuator <NUM> in the form of a roller may be configured to stop operation after a predetermined number (complete or partial) of ejection rotations. The predetermined number of ejection rotations may match the predetermined number of insertion rotations.

Referring to the example shown in <FIG> in which the insertion sensor <NUM> comprises a switch configured to be pressed by the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> as the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is inserted into the device <NUM>. During the ejection stage, the actuator <NUM> may be configured to operate to eject the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> until the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is no longer in contact with the insertion switch <NUM> (e.g., the insertion switch <NUM> is no longer being depressed by the consumable).

Referring to the example shown in <FIG> in which the insertion sensor <NUM> comprises a light sensor (or optical sensor), the actuator <NUM> may be configured to operate to eject the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> until the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> is no longer detected by the one or more light sensors of the insertion sensor.

In one example, the loading mechanism <NUM> may be retrofitted to an existing aerosol generating device <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a flow chart of steps of a method of inserting an aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> into an aerosol generating device <NUM>. At step <NUM>, the method includes the step of detecting an activation input at an insertion sensor <NUM>. At step <NUM>, the method includes the step of operating an actuator <NUM>, in response to the detected activation input, to move a partially inserted consumable <NUM> further into the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a flow chart of potentially further steps of the method. These steps follow on from step <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The method may also comprise a step <NUM> of detecting a stop input at a stop sensor <NUM> and then the step <NUM> of deactivating (or stopping operation of) the actuator <NUM> to stop further insertion of said consumable <NUM> into the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

The method may also comprise a step <NUM> of detecting an ejection input at an ejection sensor <NUM> and a step <NUM> of ejecting the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> from the aerosol generating device <NUM> upon detection of the ejection input.

It is important to note that the various features described above may be used in various combinations. For example, the insertion sensor <NUM> may comprise a light sensor, but the stop sensor <NUM> is not another light sensor, but rather a mechanical switch configured to be depressed by the aerosol substrate consumable <NUM> or there is not a stop sensor at all and the actuator in the form of a roller is configured to stop rotating after a predetermined number of rotations. This is just an example, but in practice any type of insertion sensor <NUM> described above could be used with any type of stop sensor <NUM> and/or ejection sensor <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An aerosol substrate consumable loading mechanism (<NUM>) for loading an aerosol substrate consumable (<NUM>) into an aerosol generating device (<NUM>), the loading mechanism (<NUM>) comprising:
an actuator (<NUM>) configured to load a partially inserted aerosol substrate consumable (<NUM>) further into said aerosol generating device (<NUM>), in use; and
an insertion sensor (<NUM>) configured to detect an activation input,
wherein the actuator (<NUM>) is configured to load said aerosol substrate consumable (<NUM>) further into said aerosol generating device (<NUM>) upon detection of the activation input.