Patent Description:
In recent years, an impact of traditional cigarettes on health and environment has gradually attracted attentions of countries around the world. Tobacco producers are committed to providing consumers with less harmful tobacco products. Low-temperature heating and non-burning tobacco products as a new form of tobacco consumer good have gradually been welcomed by the market and are increasingly accepted by cigarette consumers in most countries.

For example, Chinese Patent Publication No. <CIT> provides an aerosol generating device and a method of using the same. The aerosol generating device comprises: a cavity having a cavity case and a cavity accommodating space formed by the cavity case, wherein the cavity accommodating space is used for accommodating a medium to be heated, and a top of the cavity is provided with filter cotton; a sealing cover disposed at a bottom of the cavity to seal at the bottom of the cavity, wherein a bottom of the sealing cover is formed with a penetrated part; an air deflector disposed below the sealing cover and having a guiding groove and a guiding hole, wherein the guiding hole is disposed correspondingly to the penetrated part; and a heater including a heater bottom cover and a heating ceramic sheet, wherein the heater bottom cover is disposed below the air deflector, and the heating ceramic sheet is fixed to the heater bottom cover, passes through the guiding hole, and pierces the penetrated part to penetrate into the cavity accommodating space.

Chinese Patent Publication No. <CIT> provides an aerosol generating device configured to receive an aerosol-forming substrate and configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate using both an internal heater positioned within the substrate, and an external heater positioned outside of the substrate. The use of both the internal heater and the external heater allows each heater to operate at a lower temperature than it may be required when using either the internal heater or the external heater alone. By operating the external heater at a lower temperature than the internal heater, the substrate can be heated to have a relatively uniform temperature distribution while the external temperature of the device can be kept to an acceptably low level.

Further, <CIT> discloses an aerosol-generating device with a helix shaped heater. The heater is coupled to the aerosol-generating device by a freely-rotating joint, which allows the heater to drill in an aerosol-forming substrate inserted translationally into a substrate-receiving cavity of the aerosol-generating device like a cork-screw. After smoking, the aerosol-forming substrate may be translationally pulled out of the substrate-receiving cavity with the helix shaped heater rotating in the opposed direction as compared to the insertion of the aerosol-forming substrate. Due to friction, residues adhered to the heater are scraped off in this process.

<CIT> discloses an axially rotating electric heating device for extracting tobacco. The document shows a combination of a releasing-mechanism, a smoke producing article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and a heating body for heating up the aerosol-forming substrate. To prevent the adhesion of residues to the heating body after smoking, the aerosol-forming substrate may be rotated circumferentially around the heating body before axially pulling out the smoke producing article of a rotary portion.

Existing aerosol generating device generally heats an aerosol-forming substrate by a heater to generate aerosol which is to be suctioned by a user. The aerosol-forming substrate will stick to the heater when the user pulls out the aerosol-forming substrate after completing suctioning. Thus, the aerosol-forming substrate is difficult to be pulled out from the aerosol generating device, which is inconvenient to use and affects experience feeling in use of consumers.

In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a combination of an aerosol generating device, a releasing mechanism and a smoke producing article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate with the features of claim <NUM>.

Further optional features of the claimed combination are disclosed in the dependent claims <NUM>-<NUM>.

The present invention also provides a method of releasing an aerosol-forming substrate according to claim <NUM>. Optional features of the claimed method are mentioned in dependent claim <NUM>.

The present invention also provides a smoking producing article according to claim <NUM>.

As described above, the present invention provides a releasing mechanism for an aerosol generating device provided with a heating body inserted into an aerosol-forming substrate placed on the releasing mechanism. The releasing mechanism comprises a rotary portion on which the aerosol-forming substrate is placed. The rotary portion is connected to the aerosol generating device rotatably between a first position and a second position. The aerosol-forming substrate and the heating body are relatively movable in a circumferential direction during switching from the first position to the second position.

When a user is suctioning, the aerosol-forming substrate is placed on the rotary portion, and the heating body is inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate. At this time, the rotary portion is in the first position, the aerosol-forming substrate is in contact with the heating body, and the heating body is controlled to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol for the user to suction. When the user completes suctioning, the rotary portion is controlled to be rotationally switched from the first position to the second position along the circumferential direction with respect to the aerosol generating device before the aerosol-forming substrate is pulled out. At this time, the aerosol-forming substrate is in contact with the heating body, and the aerosol-forming substrate and the heating body are relatively moved in the circumferential direction.

The aerosol-forming substrate being adhered to the heating body is released from the heating body during the relative movement in circumferential direction between the aerosol-forming substrate and the heating body. The aerosol-forming substrate can be easily pulled out from the heating body by the user, and it is convenient to use and also convenient for the user to clean the aerosol generating device. Meanwhile, since the heating body and the aerosol-forming substrate are relatively moved in the circumferential direction and have no relatively movement in the axial direction, the heating body has no movement in the axial direction during pulling out the aerosol-forming substrate, such that the stability of the connection between the heating body and the aerosol generating device is maintained and the life of the heating body is extended.

In order to make the above contents of the present invention more comprehensible, preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to accompanying drawings.

The embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of specific examples, and those skilled in the art can readily understand other advantages and functions of the present invention from the disclosure of the present specification. Although the description of the present invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the present invention is described in conjunction with the embodiments so as to cover other possible alternatives or modifications developed based on claims of the present invention. In order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention, many specific details are included in the following description. In addition, some of specific details are omitted in the description in order to avoid confusing or obscuring key points of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the present invention provides a releasing mechanism <NUM> for producing an aerosol generating device which is provided with a heating body <NUM>. The heating body <NUM> is inserted into an aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> placed on the releasing mechanism. The releasing mechanism comprises a rotary portion <NUM> on which the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is placed. A specific shape of the rotary portion <NUM> is not limited as long as the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> can be placed thereon. In this embodiment, the rotary portion <NUM> is a cavity, and the rotary portion <NUM> has a cylindrical shape as a whole, and has an accommodating chamber 11a. In other embodiments, it may be of other shapes, for example, it has a disk body on which two clamping portions are convexly formed, and the aerosol-forming substrate is clamped by the clamping portions, so that the aerosol-forming substrate can also be placed on the rotary portion.

A specific material of the rotary portion <NUM> is not limited, and for example, the rotary portion <NUM> can be formed from a high temperature resistant material such as metal, ceramic or high molecular material. The rotary portion <NUM> of the present invention is rotatably connected to the aerosol generating device between a first position and a second position. The aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> and the heating body <NUM> of the present invention are relatively moved in a circumferential direction (shown in a Z direction in <FIG>) during switching from the first position to the second position.

When a user is suctioning, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is placed in the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion <NUM>, and the heating body <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM>. When the rotary portion <NUM> is in the first position, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is in contact with the heating body <NUM>. The aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> has a first axial position with respect to the heating body <NUM>, and the heating body <NUM> is controlled to heat the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> to generate an aerosol for the user to suction.

When the user completes suctioning, the rotary portion <NUM> is controlled to be rotationally switched from the first position to the second position along the circumferential direction (shown in the Z direction in <FIG>) with respect to the aerosol generating device before the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is pulled out. The rotary portion <NUM> can perform a clockwise rotation, perform a counterclockwise rotation, or perform the clockwise rotation and the counterclockwise rotation alternately along the circumferential direction. During switching of the rotary portion <NUM> from the first position to the second position, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is in contact with and in connection with the heating body <NUM>, and the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> and the heating body <NUM> are relatively movable in the circumferential direction (shown in the Z direction in <FIG>). In the second position, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> has a second axial position with respect to the heating body <NUM>. The first axial position is the same as the second axial position. The aerosol-forming substrate and the heating body have no relative movement in an axial direction during switching from the first position to the second position.

That is, both in the first position and in the second position, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is in contact with the heating body <NUM> and there is no relative movement in the axial direction. The aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> being adhered to the heating body <NUM> is released from the heating body <NUM> during the relative movement in circumferential direction between the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> and the heating body <NUM>. The aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> can be easily pulled out from the heating body <NUM> by the user, and it is convenient to use and also convenient for the user to clean the aerosol generating device.

Meanwhile, since the heating body <NUM> and the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> are relatively moved in the circumferential direction and have no relatively movement in the axial direction, the rotary portion <NUM> can be prevented from applying an axial force to the heating body <NUM> during the rotation and thus it is advantageous for stabilizing the connection of the heating body <NUM> with the aerosol generating device and extending the life of the heating body <NUM>.

Further, since the heating body <NUM> and the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> are relatively moved in the circumferential direction and have no relative movement in the axial direction, a high temperature part of the heating body <NUM> (a tip end part of the heating body <NUM>) can be prevented from coming into contact with the releasing mechanism, so that aging of the releasing mechanism is delayed, and the life of the releasing mechanism is extended.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> has the first axial position with respect to the heating body <NUM> in the first position; the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> has the second axial position with respect to the heating body <NUM> in the second position, and the first axial position is the same as the second axial position. That is, both in the first position and in the second position, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is in contact with the heating body <NUM> and there is no relative movement in the axial direction.

In addition, in this embodiment, during switching of the rotary portion <NUM> from the first position to the second position, the rotary portion <NUM> rotates along the circumferential direction, and the heating body <NUM> remains stationary; in other embodiments, the heating body may rotate along the circumferential direction, and the rotary portion <NUM> may remain stationary, as long as in the second position, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> and the heating body <NUM> are relatively moved in the circumferential direction. When the heating body is rotated along the circumferential direction, the heating body may be rotated synchronously with the aerosol generating device at which the heating body is located, or alternatively, the heating body also may be rotated while the aerosol generating device at which the heating body is located may remain stationary.

Additionally, a specific type of the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> of the present invention is not limited, as long as it can generate an aerosol for the user to suction after being heated by the heating body <NUM>. The aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> can be heated but not burned during the heating body <NUM> heating the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM>. For example, in this embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is a solid aerosol-forming substrate containing a tobacco component, and the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is wrapped by an outer package (for example, an aluminum foil layer).

In addition, a specific shape of the heating body <NUM> is not limited. In this embodiment, the heating body <NUM> has a columnar shape with a circular cross section. In other embodiments, the heating body <NUM> may have a quadrilateral, triangular or polygonal cross section. As the number of sides of the cross section of the heating body <NUM> increases, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is more easily released from the heating body <NUM> during the relative movement in circumferential direction between the heating body <NUM> and the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM>. When the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is pulled out from the heating body <NUM>, the amount of the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> remaining on the heating body <NUM> is less, which is more advantageous for the user to clean the aerosol generating device.

A specific material of the heating body <NUM> is not limited, as long as it can generate heat after being energized, so as to heat the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> to generate an aerosol. For example, in this embodiment, the material of the heating body <NUM> includes ceramic.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is rotatable to the second position along the circumferential direction in synchronization with the rotary portion <NUM>. At the same time, in the second position, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is rotatable along the circumferential direction in synchronization with the rotary portion <NUM>. In other embodiments, in the second position, the aerosol-forming substrate may not rotate synchronously with the rotary portion along the circumferential direction, as long as the aerosol-forming substrate and the heating body are relatively movable in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is subjected to a radial pressing force in the second position.

The aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> and the heating body <NUM> are adhered together after the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is heated by the heating body <NUM>, therefore under the radial pressing force, on one hand, an outer package of the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> may be rotated along the circumferential direction in synchronization with the rotary portion <NUM> and the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is brought to move with respect to the heating body <NUM>; and on the other hand, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is not easily separated from the outer package. The aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is not synchronously rotated while the outer package of the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is prevented from rotating synchronously with the rotary portion <NUM> along the circumferential direction. Therefore, the radial pressing force to which the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is subjected facilitates generating a relative movement of the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> with respect to the heating body <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the amount of the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> remaining on the heating body <NUM> is less, which is more advantageous for the user to clean the aerosol generating device, when the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is pulled out from the heating body <NUM> along the axial direction after the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is rotated by a sufficient distance along the circumferential direction in synchronization with the rotary portion <NUM>, that is, after the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is moved by a sufficient distance along the circumferential direction from the heating body <NUM>, under the radial pressing force.

A pressing mechanism for applying the radial pressing force to the aerosol-forming substrate is disposed on the rotary portion. The pressing mechanism is a pressing elastic piece disposed to face the aerosol-forming substrate. The pressing elastic piece is deformed after being pressed so as to apply the radial pressing force to the aerosol-forming substrate. In one embodiment, the pressing elastic piece is disposed around the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM>, and an outer surface of the rotary portion <NUM> at least partially comprises the pressing elastic piece. That is, a part of the outer surface of the rotary portion <NUM> is made from the pressing elastic piece.

In this embodiment, referring to <FIG> and as shown by combining with <FIG>, at least one first through-hole 11f communicating with the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion <NUM> is disposed on the rotary portion <NUM>. The outer surface of the rotary portion <NUM> is provided with a pressing mechanism <NUM> extending in the axial direction (shown in an X direction in <FIG>) which coincides with an inserting direction of the heating body <NUM>. In other embodiments, the pressing mechanism <NUM> may not extend in the axial direction. A specific shape of the pressing mechanism <NUM> is not limited as long as the radial pressing force can be applied to the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM>. In this embodiment, the pressing mechanism <NUM> has a sheet shape. The pressing mechanism <NUM> is connected to the rotary portion <NUM>, and one end of the pressing mechanism <NUM> is inserted into the first through-hole 11f along the radial direction (shown in a Y direction in <FIG>) to apply the radial pressing force to the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM>.

When the user completes suctioning, before the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is pulled out, the pressing mechanism <NUM> is operable to be inserted into the first through-hole 11f along the radial direction so as to press the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM>, and the pressing mechanism <NUM> clamps the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> such that the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is subjected to the radial pressing force under the pressing mechanism <NUM>. The rotary portion <NUM> is then gripped to be switched from the first position to the second position along the circumferential direction. The aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is connected to contacted with the heating body <NUM>. The aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is rotated in synchronization with the rotary portion <NUM>, and the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> and the heating body <NUM> are relatively moved along the circumferential direction, such that the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is released from the heating body <NUM>.

The releasing mechanism <NUM> of this embodiment further comprises a first case <NUM>. The first case <NUM> is sleeved on the rotary portion <NUM>, and is movable along the axial direction to press the pressing mechanism <NUM> into the first through-hole 11f. That is, in this embodiment, when the user completes suctioning, before the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is pulled out, the first case <NUM> is operable to move along the axial direction to press the pressing mechanism <NUM> into the first through-hole 11f so as to press the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM>, and the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is subjected to the radial pressing force by the pressing mechanism <NUM>. An axial movement direction of the first case <NUM> is not limited. The first case <NUM> may be axially moved along a direction which coincides with an inserting direction of the heating body <NUM>, or may be axially moved along a direction that opposites to the inserting direction of the heating body <NUM>, as long as the first case <NUM> can press the pressing mechanism <NUM> into the first through-hole 11f after the axial movement. In this embodiment, the direction of axial movement of the first case <NUM> is opposite to the inserting direction of the heating body <NUM>.

It should be noted that, in the first position, the first case <NUM> is sleeved on the rotary portion <NUM> and is unable to be disengaged from the rotary portion <NUM> along the axial direction, and in the second position, the first case <NUM> is movable along the axial direction to press the pressing mechanism <NUM> into the first through-hole 11f. Specifically, the first case <NUM> can be connected to the rotary portion <NUM> in the axial direction by a spring (not shown. ), and along the axial direction, one end of the spring is connected to the rotary portion <NUM> and the other end of the spring is connected to the first case <NUM>. In other embodiments, other connection manners may be used as long as the following conditions are met: in the first position, the first case <NUM> is sleeved on the rotary portion <NUM> and is unable to be disengaged from the rotary portion <NUM> along the axial direction, and in the second position, the first case <NUM> is movable along the axial direction to press the pressing mechanism <NUM> into the first through-hole 11f.

Referring to <FIG>, in this embodiment, the rotary portion <NUM> comprises an abutting surface. Along the axial direction, a portion between one end and other end of the pressing mechanism <NUM> is abutted against the abutting surface, and the other end of the pressing mechanism <NUM> is connected to the rotary portion <NUM> by an elastic element <NUM>. Thus, during movement of the first case <NUM> along the axial direction to press the pressing mechanism <NUM>, the pressing mechanism <NUM> can perform a lever movement with an intersection point, where the portion between the one end and the other end of the pressing mechanism <NUM> is abutted against the abutting surface of the rotary portion <NUM>, as a fulcrum. The first case <NUM> is released after the rotary portion <NUM> is rotated by a certain distance along the circumferential direction, and then the first case <NUM> is returned back along the direction which coincides with the inserting direction of the heating body <NUM> under an elastic force of the elastic element <NUM>. At the same time, the pressing mechanism <NUM> also can be returned back to be separated from the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> along the radial direction such that the user can pull out the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> at this time.

It should be noted that, a specific shape of the elastic element <NUM> is not limited, as long as the other end of the pressing mechanism <NUM> is elastically connected to the rotary portion <NUM> via the elastic element <NUM>. In this embodiment, the pressing mechanism <NUM> is a plurality of pressing mechanisms. As shown in <FIG>, four pressing mechanisms <NUM> are equally spaced apart along the circumferential direction, and the pressing mechanisms <NUM> also may be unequally spaced apart. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in this embodiment, the elastic element <NUM> is sleeved on the outer surface of the rotary portion <NUM> and clamps the other end of the pressing mechanism <NUM>. The pressing mechanism <NUM> is provided with an accommodating groove 13c for accommodating the elastic element <NUM>. A specific material of the elastic element <NUM> is not limited and may be a material such as elastic steel or highly elastic silicone. A material of the first case <NUM> is not limited and may be metal or plastic. The material of the pressing mechanism <NUM> may be high temperature resistant metal, ceramic or high molecular material.

Continuously referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the pressing mechanism <NUM> has a first convex portion 13b extending along the radial direction, and the first convex portion 13b is abutted against an inner wall of the first case12 along the axial direction. An acting force is applied to the first convex portion 13b of the pressing mechanism <NUM> when the first case <NUM> moves along the axial direction, which is advantageous for inserting the pressing mechanism <NUM> into the first through-hole 11f along the radial direction to press the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM>. In this embodiment, a portion of the first convex portion 13b facing the first case <NUM> has a first inclined surface 13ba and a second inclined surface 13bc. The first inclined surface 13ba is tightly engaged with the first case <NUM> along the axial direction, and the second inclined surface 13bc is tightly engaged with the first case <NUM> along the radial direction. Such design is advantageous for applying an acting force to the pressing mechanism <NUM> in the axial direction by the first case <NUM> so as to drive the pressing mechanism <NUM> to be inserted into the first through-hole 11f along the radial direction.

In addition, in this embodiment, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the abutting surface of the rotary portion <NUM> is provided with a second convex portion 11b, and a portion between the one end and the other end of the pressing mechanism <NUM> is provided with a first concave portion 13a against which the second convex portion 111b is abutted. The second convex portion 11b serves as a fulcrum for a lever movement of the lever mechanism <NUM>. In other embodiments, the abutting surface of the rotary portion <NUM> is provided with a first concave portion, and a portion between the one end and the other end of the pressing mechanism <NUM> is provided with a second convex portion which is abutted against the first concave portion. Or alternatively, in other embodiments, the pressing mechanism <NUM> can also perform a lever movement when one of the abutting surface of the rotary portion <NUM> and a portion between the one end and the other end of the pressing mechanism <NUM> is provided with a convex portion and the other is a smooth surface.

It should be noted that, this embodiment provides the radial pressing force to the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> by operating the pressing mechanism <NUM>. When the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is inserted into the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion <NUM>, that is, when the rotary portion <NUM> is in the first position, the pressing mechanism <NUM> will not provide the radial pressing force to the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM>. It can be ensured that the process of inserting the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> into the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion is smooth and the resistance is small. When the rotary portion <NUM> is rotationally switched to the second position, the pressing mechanism <NUM> is further operated to provide the radial pressing force to the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM>, so that the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> can rotate synchronously with the rotary portion <NUM>. It is advantageous for the relative movement of aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> with respect to the heating body <NUM> along the circumferential direction.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, and as shown by combining with <FIG>, in this embodiment, at least one convex portion 11d is disposed on a wall of the rotary portion <NUM> for applying a radial pressing force to the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM>. The convex portion 11d will clamp the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> when the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is inserted into the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion <NUM>, so that the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> can rotate synchronously with the rotary portion <NUM>. In this embodiment, the convex portion 11d is an elastic piece. When the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is inserted into the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion <NUM>, the elastic piece is pressed to move toward a chamber wall of the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion <NUM> along an radial direction, so as to facilitate inserting the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> into the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion <NUM> smoothly. After the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is inserted into the heating body <NUM> and completely passes through the elastic piece, the elastic piece is returned back and applies the radial pressing force to the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> so that the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> can rotate synchronously with the rotary portion <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the elastic piece extends along an axial direction. With such configuration, the elastic piece will be pressed to produce an inclined surface when the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is inserted into the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion <NUM>, and the presence of the inclined surface allows the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> to be smoothly inserted into the accommodating chamber 11a. Meanwhile, the elastic piece also will be pressed to produce an inclined surface when the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is pulled out from the accommodating chamber 11a, and the presence of the inclined surface allows the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> to be smoothly pulled out from the accommodating chamber 11a.

Further, the elastic piece has a first end and a second end which are respectively connected to the wall of the rotary portion <NUM>, a portion between the first end and the second end is radially protruded outward along a direction from the first end to the second end, and a surface area of a top of the portion radially protruded outward is smaller than a surface area of the first end and a surface area of the second end respectively. That is, a contact area of the top of the portion of the elastic piece radially protruded outward with the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is smaller. Therefore, the radial pressing force between the top of the portion of the elastic piece radially protruded outward and the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> can be increased, and the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> can be clamped better by the top of the portion of the elastic piece radially protruded outward, which is advantageous for releasing the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> from the heating body <NUM>.

In addition, the releasing mechanism <NUM> of this embodiment further comprises a first case <NUM> which is sleeved on the rotary portion <NUM> and is movable along the axial direction, which coincides with the inserting direction of the heating body <NUM>, to drive the rotary portion <NUM> to rotate along the circumferential direction. A specific implementation of the first case <NUM> to drive the rotary portion <NUM> to move along the circumferential direction is not limited. In this embodiment, referring to <FIG> and as shown by combining with <FIG>, an outer surface of the rotary portion <NUM> is provided with three spiral grooves 11c extending along the axial direction, and three third convex portions 12a are disposed within a case wall of the first case <NUM>. The third convex portions 12a are disposed in the spiral grooves 11c and are slidable within the spiral grooves 11c.

In other embodiments, an outer surface of the rotary portion is provided with at least one spiral groove extending along the axial direction, and at least one third convex portion is disposed within a case wall of the first case; or alternatively the outer surface of the rotary portion is provided with the at least one third convex portion, and an inner surface of the case wall of the first case is provided with the at least one spiral groove extending along the axial direction; the third convex portion is disposed in the spiral groove and is slidable within the spiral groove.

In this embodiment, by controlling the movement of the first housing <NUM> along the axial direction, the third convex portion 12a will be slid within the spiral groove 11c, and then the rotary portion <NUM> is driven to rotate along the circumferential direction, so that the rotary portion <NUM> is switched from the first position to the second position. In this embodiment, the third convex portion 12a is a plurality of third convex portions spaced apart along the same circumferential direction, which is more advantageous for driving the rotary portion <NUM> to rotate along the circumferential direction. In other embodiments, third convex portions may not be spaced apart along the same circumferential direction, as long as the third convex portions slide within the spiral grooves to drive the rotary portion to rotate along the circumferential direction during movement of the first case along the axial direction.

That is, the rotary portion <NUM> is in the first position and the rotary portion <NUM> is subjected to the radial pressing force while the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is inserted into the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion <NUM>. In other embodiments, the rotary portion <NUM> may not be subjected to the radial pressing force when the rotary portion <NUM> is in the first position, which is advantageous for smoothly inserting the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> into the heating body <NUM>. The aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is subjected to the radial pressing force while the rotary portion <NUM> is switched from the first position to the second position. That is, the radial pressing force, to which the rotary portion <NUM> is subjected, is generated by a circumferential movement of the rotary portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, and as shown by combining with <FIG>, in this embodiment, a portion of the rotary portion <NUM> adjacent to the heating body <NUM> is provided with at least one second through-hole <NUM> communicating with the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion <NUM>, and the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is exposed by the second through-hole <NUM>. In this embodiment, two second through-holes <NUM> communicating with the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion <NUM> are disposed on the rotary portion <NUM>. After the user completes suctioning, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is pinched and clamped at the second through-hole <NUM> by a user's fingers. The aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is rotated in synchronization with the rotary portion <NUM> by the radial pressing force applied by the fingers, and the rotary portion <NUM> is switched from the first position to the second position. After rotating by a certain distance, the fingers leave the second through-hole <NUM> and pull out the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> from the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion <NUM>.

In this embodiment, no convex portion is provided when the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is inserted into the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion <NUM>, that is, when the rotary portion <NUM> is in the first position. The process of inserting the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> into the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion <NUM> is smooth, and the resistance is small.

Further, in this embodiment, a pressing mechanism is disposed at the second through-hole for applying the radial pressing force to the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> along the radial direction. A specific shape and arrangement of the pressing mechanism can be referred to the description of the first embodiment, and the details are not described herein again.

Referring to <FIG>, in this embodiment, an outer surface of the rotary portion <NUM> is provided with a gear <NUM> extending along the circumferential direction, and a power source is disposed on the releasing mechanism <NUM> for driving the gear <NUM> to rotate along the circumferential direction. For example, the gear <NUM> may be driven to be rotated along the circumferential direction by an electric motor or a gear-rack drive, and then the rotary portion <NUM> is driven to be switched from the first position to the second position. As shown by combining with <FIG>, a chamber wall of the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion <NUM> is also provided with at least one convex portion 11d for applying a radial pressing force to the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM>. The arrangement and working principle of the convex portion 11d can be referred to the description of the second embodiment, and the details are not described herein again.

Referring to <FIG>, and as shown by combining with <FIG>, in this embodiment, the movement of the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> in the circumferential direction is restricted after the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is placed on the rotary portion <NUM> along an axial direction, which coincides with an extending direction of the heating body <NUM>. Specifically, an inner wall of the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion <NUM> is provided with at least one fourth convex portion 11j extending along the axial direction, which coincides with the extending direction of the heating body <NUM>. Four fourth convex portion 11j spaced apart along the circumferential direction are shown. In other embodiments, other numbers of the fourth convex portion 11j may be selected. In addition, the outer surface of the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is provided with at least one concave portion 20a extending along the axial direction. The fourth convex portion 11j is inserted into the second concave portion 20a along the axial direction. The aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> can also rotate along the circumferential direction in synchronization with the rotary portion <NUM> when the rotary portion <NUM> is rotationally switched from the first position to the second position.

In other embodiments, it is possible that the inner wall of the accommodating chamber of the rotary portion is provided with at least one second concave portion extending along the axial direction, which coincides with the extending direction of the heating body. The outer surface of the aerosol-forming substrate is provided with at least one fourth convex portion extending along the axial direction, and the fourth convex portion is inserted in the second concave portion along the axial direction.

It should be noted that, in other embodiments, the second concave portion and the fourth convex portion may not extend along the axial direction, as long as the movement of aerosol-forming substrate along the circumferential direction can be restricted after the aerosol-forming substrate is placed on the rotary portion along the axial direction. For example, the inner wall of the accommodating chamber of the rotary portion is provided with the second concave portion, and the outer surface of the aerosol-forming substrate is provided with the fourth convex portion. After the aerosol-forming substrate is inserted into the rotary portion along the axial direction and rotated by a certain angle along the circumferential direction, the fourth convex portion and the second concave portion are engaged, and the movement of the aerosol-forming substrate along the circumferential direction is restricted after being placed on the rotary portion along the axial direction.

It should be noted that, when the convex portion disposed on the inner chamber wall of the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion <NUM> is an elastic piece, the elastic piece is provided with a deformation sensor for detecting the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> inserted into the accommodating chamber 11a in accordance with the deformation of the elastic piece. It is possible to prevent a minor from operating the heating body <NUM> by mistake after the deformation sensor is provided. The heating body <NUM> is heated only when the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is inserted into the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion. Thus, a protective effect is achieved.

In addition, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the rotary portion <NUM> is provided with a hole 11e through which the heating body <NUM> is inserted, and the hole 11e has an aperture which is not smaller than an outer diameter of the heating body <NUM>. When the aperture of the hole 11e is larger than the outer diameter of the heating body <NUM>, after the releasing mechanism <NUM> of the above embodiment is rotationally connected to the aerosol generating device, the heating body <NUM> heats the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> to generate an aerosol and then the inside of the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion communicates with the outside atmosphere through the hole 11e so that the user can suction the aerosol generated by the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, and as shown by combining with <FIG>, this embodiment provides an aerosol generating device, comprising: the heating body <NUM>; and the releasing mechanism <NUM> of any one of the above embodiments. The rotary portion <NUM> is connected to the aerosol generating device rotatably between the first position and the second position, and is limited to the aerosol generating device along the axial direction. The heating body <NUM> is inserted into the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion <NUM>. The aerosol generating device further comprises a body portion <NUM> on which the heating body <NUM> is disposed via a heating body holder <NUM>. The rotary portion <NUM> is disposed on the body portion <NUM>, connected with the body portion <NUM> rotatably in the circumferential direction, and has no relative movement in the axial direction with the body portion <NUM>.

With such design, during switching of the rotary portion <NUM> from the first position to the second position, the rotary portion <NUM> rotates along the circumferential direction, and the body portion <NUM> remains stationary; or alternatively, the body portion <NUM> rotates along the circumferential direction and the heating body <NUM> rotates synchronously with the body portion <NUM> while the rotary portion <NUM> remains stationary. Both cases can achieve a relative movement of the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> with respect to the heating body <NUM> in the circumferential direction (shown in the Z direction in <FIG>).

In other embodiments, the rotary portion disposed on the body portion is connected to the heating body rotatably in the circumferential direction, such as with the heating body holder <NUM>, and has no relative movement in the axial direction with the heating body. With such design, during switching of the rotary portion <NUM> from the first position to the second position, the rotary portion <NUM> rotates along the circumferential direction, and the heating body <NUM> remains stationary; or alternatively, the heating body <NUM> rotates along the circumferential direction and the body portion does not rotate synchronously with the heating body while the rotary portion <NUM> remains stationary. Both cases can achieve a relative movement of the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> with respect to the heating body <NUM> in the circumferential direction (shown in the Z direction in <FIG>).

Specifically, referring to <FIG>, a first slot <NUM> is disposed on the releasing mechanism <NUM>, and a second slot <NUM> is disposed on the body portion <NUM>. As shown by combining with <FIG>, the first slot <NUM> and the second slot <NUM> are engaged to engage the rotary portion <NUM> to the body portion <NUM>. In other embodiments, the rotary portion <NUM> and the body portion <NUM> may be engaged in other forms, as long as the rotary portion <NUM> is engaged to the body portion <NUM>.

Referring again to <FIG>, a control circuit <NUM>, an indicator light <NUM>, a button <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, and a charging control circuit <NUM> are also disposed on the body portion <NUM>. The heating body <NUM> is connected to the control circuit <NUM> connected to the battery <NUM>, and the charging control circuit <NUM> is connected to the battery <NUM> and the control circuit <NUM>. Start and stop of the heating body <NUM> can be controlled by pressing the button <NUM>. The indicator light <NUM> on the button <NUM> can indicate an operating status of the aerosol generating device. The control circuit <NUM> and the heating body <NUM> cooperate to control the temperature of the heating body <NUM> between <NUM> degrees Centigrade and <NUM> degrees Centigrade, which ensures that the heated aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> can volatilize a stable aerosol. The charging control circuit <NUM> can perform a control for charging the battery <NUM>.

When the user suctions the aerosol by the aerosol generating device of the present embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is inserted into the accommodating chamber 11a of the rotary portion <NUM>, and the heating body <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM>. At this time, the rotary portion <NUM> is in the first position, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is in contact with the heating body <NUM>, and both remain relatively stationary. The heating body <NUM> is controlled to heat the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> to generate the aerosol for the user to suction. When the user completes suctioning, the rotary portion <NUM> is controlled to be rotationally switched from the first position to the second position along the circumferential direction before the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is pulled out. When the rotary portion <NUM> is in the second position, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is connected to and contacted with the heating body <NUM>, and the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> and the heating body <NUM> are relatively moved in the circumferential direction.

The aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> changes from being adhered to the heating body <NUM> to being released from the heating body <NUM> during the relative movement in circumferential direction between the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> and the heating body <NUM>. The aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> can be easily pulled out from the heating body <NUM> by the user, and it is convenient to use and also convenient for the user to clean the aerosol generating device.

Further, the surface of the heating body <NUM> is provided with a glaze layer in order to make the relative movement of the heating body <NUM> with the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> in the circumferential direction smoother. After the glaze layer is disposed, the resistance suffered when the heating body <NUM> and the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> are relatively moved in the circumferential direction is smaller, which is advantageous for releasing the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> from the heating body <NUM>.

As shown by combining with <FIG>, the present invention provides a method of releasing the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM>, comprising: causing the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> being rotatable from the first position to the second position along the circumferential direction with respect to the heating body <NUM> after the heating body <NUM> of an aerosol generating device is inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM>, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> and the heating body <NUM> are relatively movable in the circumferential direction during switching from the first position to the second position. In the first position, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is connected to and contacted with the heating body <NUM> and has a first axial position with respect to the heating body <NUM>; in the second position, the aerosol-forming substrate is connected to and contacted with the heating body <NUM> and has a second axial position with respect to the heating body <NUM>, and the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> and the heating body <NUM> are relatively moved in the circumferential direction. The first axial position is the same as the second axial position. The aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> being adhered to the heating body <NUM> is released from the heating body <NUM> during the relative movement in circumferential direction between the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> and the heating body <NUM>. The aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> can be easily removed from the heating body <NUM> by the user, and it is convenient to use.

Preferably, this embodiment uses the releasing mechanism described in any one of the above embodiments to release the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM>. The aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> can be synchronously rotated to the second position along the circumferential direction with the rotary portion <NUM>, so that the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> can rapidly come into being relatively moved in the circumferential direction with respect to the heating body <NUM> to release.

In other embodiments, during releasing of the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM>, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is subjected to the radial pressing force while the rotary portion <NUM> is switched from the first position to the second position. That is, in the first position, the rotary portion <NUM> is not subjected to the radial pressing force, which is advantageous for smoothly inserting the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> into the heating body <NUM>. The aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is subjected to the radial pressing force while the rotary portion <NUM> is switched from the first position to the second position. Under the radial pressing force, the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> and the heating body <NUM> are caused to move relative to each other, and the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> can be smoothly removed.

Referring to <FIG>, the present invention also provides a smoking producing article comprising the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> which is usable to the above releasing mechanism. The movement of the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> in the circumferential direction is restricted after the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> is placed on the rotary portion <NUM> of the releasing mechanism along an axial direction, which coincides with the extending direction of the heating body <NUM>. The outer surface of the aerosol-forming substrate is provided with the fourth convex portion or the second concave portion 20a. Further descriptions of the aerosol-forming substrate <NUM> can be referred to the fifth embodiment, and the details are not described herein again.

Claim 1:
A combination of an aerosol generating device, a releasing mechanism (<NUM>) and a smoke producing article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate (<NUM>), wherein the aerosol generating device is provided with a heating body (<NUM>), wherein the heating body (<NUM>) is used to be inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate (<NUM>) placed on the releasing mechanism (<NUM>), the releasing mechanism (<NUM>) comprises:
a rotary portion (<NUM>) rotatably connected to the aerosol generating device between a first position and a second position, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate (<NUM>) and the heating body (<NUM>) are relatively movable in a circumferential direction during switching from the first position to the second position;
wherein both in the first position and in the second position, the aerosol-forming substrate (<NUM>) is in contact with the heating body (<NUM>); and
wherein the aerosol-forming substrate (<NUM>) has a first axial position with respect to the heating body (<NUM>) in the first position; the aerosol-forming substrate (<NUM>) has a second axial position with respect to the heating body (<NUM>) in the second position, and the first axial position is the same as the second axial position;
the rotary portion (<NUM>) being provided with a hole (11e) for the heating body (<NUM>) to be inserted through, and the hole (11e) having an aperture which is larger than an outer diameter of the heating body (<NUM>).