CN115721044A - Aerosol generating system, aerosol generating device and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

The application discloses an aerosol-generating system, an aerosol-generating device and a control method; wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises: a receiving cavity having an opening; a source of liquid is removably receivable in the receiving chamber through the opening; a puncturing member including a free leading end movably disposed within the receiving chamber; the free forward end of the puncturing member is configured to move toward the opening when the liquid source is received in the receiving chamber through the opening to at least partially puncture the rupturable wall of the liquid source to release the liquid matrix; an atomizing mechanism for atomizing a liquid substrate to produce an aerosol. The above aerosol-generating device may be adapted to release the liquid substrate by driving the free leading end of the piercing member to move, thereby piercing the source of liquid.

Description

Aerosol generating system, aerosol generating device and control method

Technical Field

The embodiment of the application relates to the technical field of electronic atomization, in particular to an electronic atomization system, an electronic atomization device and a control method.

Background

Attempts have been made to create inhalable aerosols by creating products that release compounds without combustion. Examples of such products are nebulization devices, for example heated nebulization devices or ultrasonic nebulization devices. Wherein the heated aerosolization device is configured to generate an aerosol for inhalation by heating the vaporized liquid delivered by the capillary element by the heating element; ultrasonic atomization device, through can reciprocate high-frequency vibrating part such as the piezoceramics piece break up the liquid that capillary element delivered through high-frequency vibration to become the microgranule, form the aerosol that can inhale.

Disclosure of Invention

An embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol-generating device for nebulizing a liquid substrate from a liquid source to generate an aerosol; the liquid source comprises a rupturable wall; the method comprises the following steps:

a receiving cavity having an opening; a liquid source removably receivable in the receiving chamber through the opening;

a piercing member including a free leading end movably disposed within the receiving cavity; the free forward end of the piercing member is configured to move toward the opening when a liquid source is received in the receiving chamber through the opening to at least partially pierce a rupturable wall of the liquid source to release liquid matrix;

an atomizing mechanism for atomizing the liquid substrate to produce an aerosol.

In some embodiments, the free leading end of the lancet is configured to be pointed or thin.

In some embodiments, the movement comprises rotation about a pin.

In some embodiments, the angle of rotation is less than 90 degrees.

In some embodiments, the moving comprises moving linearly.

In some embodiments, further comprising:

a biasing element configured to bias the free leading end of the lance away from the opening.

In some embodiments, the biasing element comprises a magnetic body and/or an elastomer.

In some embodiments, the free leading end of the piercing member comprises a metal or alloy.

In some embodiments, the free leading end of the piercing member comprises a magnetic metal or alloy, and the free leading end is biased away from the opening by magnetic attraction with the magnetic body.

In some embodiments, the piercing member is further provided with a first projection for enlarging the rupture opening when the free leading end at least partially pierces the rupturable wall of the liquid source.

In some embodiments, the first protrusion is configured to taper in protrusion height in a direction toward the free leading end.

In some embodiments, the piercing member comprises:

a first radial arm defining the free leading end;

a second radial arm configured to drive the first radial arm to move when the liquid source is received in the receiving cavity through the opening, thereby moving the free leading end toward the opening to at least partially puncture a rupturable wall of the liquid source.

In some embodiments, the second radial arm includes a free end movably disposed within the receiving cavity and is configured to drive movement of the first radial arm by actuating the free end.

In some embodiments, the second radial arm is configured to be actuated by the liquid source to drive movement of the first radial arm when the liquid source is received within the receiving chamber.

In some embodiments, the actuation of the first swing arm and the movement of the second boom are simultaneous or synchronized.

In some embodiments, further comprising:

a lever taking the pin shaft as a fulcrum is formed between the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm;

and the second radial arm is configured to be driven by the first radial arm to rotate by taking the pin shaft as an axis.

In some embodiments, the second radial arm has a portion of increased volume compared to other portions for actuation of the portion of increased volume by a liquid source when the liquid source is received within the receiving chamber.

In some embodiments, the second radial arm is configured to be actuated by the liquid source to move in a direction away from the opening when the liquid source is received in the receiving chamber.

In some embodiments, the first radial arm and the second radial arm form an angle therebetween.

In some embodiments, the angle between the first and second radial arms is an obtuse angle.

In some embodiments, the second radial arm has an extended length that is greater than an extended length of the first radial arm.

In some embodiments, the second radial arm extends for a length of between 8 and 15mm;

and/or the extension length of the first radial arm is between 3 and 8mm.

In some embodiments, the first radial arm and/or the second radial arm are substantially plate-shaped.

In some embodiments, the first radial arm has a length dimension greater than a width dimension, the width dimension of the first radial arm being greater than a thickness dimension;

and/or the length dimension of the first radial arm is greater than the width dimension, and the width dimension of the first radial arm is greater than the thickness dimension.

In some embodiments, the atomizing mechanism comprises:

a vibratable element configured to generate vibration to atomize the liquid substrate to generate an aerosol.

In some embodiments, the vibratable element includes at least a piezoelectric ceramic.

In some embodiments, further comprising:

a stop tab formed on an inner wall of the receiving chamber to at least partially provide a stop for a liquid source received in the receiving chamber.

In some embodiments, further comprising:

a connector by which the piercing member is rotatably disposed in the receiving cavity.

Yet another embodiment of the present application also proposes an aerosol-generating device for nebulizing a liquid substrate from a liquid source to generate an aerosol; the liquid source comprises a rupturable wall; the method comprises the following steps:

a receiving cavity having an opening; a source of liquid is removably receivable in the receiving chamber through the opening;

a piercing member including a free leading end configured between a first position and a second position different from the first position; the free leading end is disposed towards the opening when in a first position to pierce a rupturable wall of the liquid source to release liquid matrix; the free front end is abutted against the inner wall of the receiving cavity when in the second position;

an atomizing mechanism for atomizing a liquid substrate to produce an aerosol.

Yet another embodiment of the present application also proposes an aerosol-generating device for nebulizing a liquid substrate from a liquid source to generate an aerosol; the liquid source comprises a rupturable wall; the method comprises the following steps:

a receiving cavity having an opening; a liquid source removably receivable in the receiving chamber through the opening;

a lancet comprising a free front end configured between a first position and a second position, and a free tip to drive the free front end configured between the first position and the second position; and the number of the first and second groups,

the free leading end being closer to the opening than the free terminal end when in the first position for at least partially piercing the rupturable wall of the liquid source to release liquid matrix; said free leading end being further from said opening than said free trailing end in said second position;

an atomizing mechanism for atomizing a liquid substrate to produce an aerosol.

Yet another embodiment of the present application also proposes an aerosol-generating system comprising:

a liquid source having a liquid matrix stored therein, the liquid source comprising a rupturable wall;

an aerosol-generating device comprising:

a receiving cavity having an opening; a source of liquid is removably receivable in the receiving chamber through the opening;

a piercing member including a free leading end movably disposed within the receiving cavity; the free leading end of the piercing member is configured to move toward the open mouth when the liquid source is received within the receiving cavity through the open mouth to at least partially pierce the rupturable wall of the liquid source to release the liquid matrix;

an atomizing mechanism for atomizing a liquid substrate to produce an aerosol.

In some embodiments, the liquid source is configured in the form of a single-use capsule.

Yet another embodiment of the present application also proposes an aerosol-generating device for nebulizing a liquid substrate from a liquid source to generate an aerosol; the liquid source comprises a rupturable wall; the method comprises the following steps:

a receiving cavity having an opening; a liquid source removably receivable in the receiving chamber through the opening;

a piercing member including opposite free leading and free terminal ends;

a pin, the piercing member configured to form a lever at the free front end and free tail end, the lever having the pin as a fulcrum; and the free leading end is configured to be driven by the free distal end to rotate about the pin to at least partially puncture the rupturable wall of the liquid source to release the liquid matrix.

Yet another embodiment of the present application also proposes a control method of an aerosol-generating device; the aerosol-generating device comprises:

a receiving cavity having an opening; a liquid source having a rupturable wall removably receivable in the receiving chamber through the opening;

a piercing member including a free leading end movably disposed within the receiving cavity;

an atomizing mechanism for atomizing a liquid substrate to generate an aerosol;

the method comprises the following steps:

receiving a source of liquid in the receiving chamber to drive the free leading end of the piercing member towards the opening;

the free leading end of the piercing member at least partially pierces the rupturable wall of the source of liquid to release the liquid matrix.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

removing the liquid source from the receiving chamber;

the free front end of the piercing member resets in a direction away from the opening.

The above aerosol-generating device may be adapted to pierce a source of liquid to release the liquid substrate by actuating the free leading end of the piercing member to move.

Drawings

One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, which correspond to the figures in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and which are not to scale unless otherwise specified.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol-generating system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

figure 2 is a schematic view of a liquid source and a mouthpiece removed from an aerosol-generating device;

figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a viewing angle of an aerosol-generating system;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a liquid source from yet another perspective;

figure 5 is a schematic view of a liquid source removed from an aerosol-generating device;

figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a state in which a liquid source is received into an aerosol-generating device;

figure 7 is a schematic view of a liquid source received into an aerosol-generating device;

figure 8 is an exploded schematic view of the piercing mechanism and aerosol-generating device;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of one perspective of the lancing mechanism;

figure 10 is an exploded schematic view of the mouthpiece and atomising mechanism and the aerosol-generating device;

figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating device from yet another viewing angle.

Detailed Description

To facilitate an understanding of the present application, the present application is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and detailed description.

One embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol-generating system for atomizing a liquid substrate to generate an aerosol for inhalation. The aerosol-generating systems of the present disclosure may also be characterized as aerosol delivery or drug delivery articles. Accordingly, such devices or systems may be adapted to provide one or more substances (e.g. flavouring agents and/or pharmaceutically active ingredients) in inhalable form or state. For example, the inhalable substance may be substantially in the form of an aerosol (i.e. a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas). Accordingly, the liquid substrate to be aerosolized may then be a liquid precursor that includes the flavoring and/or the pharmaceutically active ingredient prior to forming the aerosol. In a more preferred embodiment, the liquid matrix is a medicament for the production of an inhalable medicament; the aerosol-generating system is a drug delivery device that can be used as a medical treatment.

Figures 1 and 2 show schematic diagrams of an aerosol-generating system in one embodiment; the system typically includes several components disposed within an outer body or housing (which may be referred to as a housing). The overall design of the outer body or housing may vary, and the pattern or configuration of the outer body which may define the overall size and shape of the aerosol-generating system may vary. Typically, a body shaped like an elongated rod or bar may be formed by a single unitary housing, or the housing may be formed by two or more separable bodies. For example, the aerosol-generating system may have a control body at one end with a housing containing one or more reusable components (e.g., a battery such as a rechargeable battery and/or a rechargeable supercapacitor, and various electronics for controlling operation of the article), and at the other end an outer body or housing that can be removably coupled and contains a disposable portion (e.g., a disposable liquid-containing source, a fragrance cartridge).

Further in the implementation shown in fig. 1 and 2, the aerosol-generating system comprises:

an aerosol-generating device 100, and a liquid source 200 that may be disposable or reusable. In some alternative implementations, the liquid source 200 may be prepared in the form of a capsule, sac or the like, having stored therein a liquid matrix that may be nebulized by the aerosol-generating device 100 to generate an aerosol; in use the liquid source 200 may be received into the aerosol-generating device 100 or removed from the aerosol-generating device 100 by user manipulation. Generally in some embodiments, when a user needs to draw a puff, the liquid source 200 is received into the aerosol-generating device 100, which in turn may cause the aerosol-generating device 100 to take in the liquid substrate within the liquid source 200 and atomize to generate an aerosol; when the liquid substrate within the liquid source 200 is exhausted, the user may then remove the liquid source 200 from the aerosol-generating device 100, for replacement, or the like.

In one implementation, further referring to fig. 2-4, the liquid source 200 is generally configured in a cylindrical shape, comprising:

an outer sidewall 220 substantially annularly disposed; in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the outer sidewall 220 is substantially elliptical-cylindrical in shape;

a top wall 210 located at a first end of the outer sidewall 220 in the axial direction and sealing the outer sidewall 220 at the first end of the outer sidewall 220;

a rupturable wall 240 at a second end of the outer sidewall 220 in the axial direction.

In some embodiments, a reservoir 250 for storing a liquid matrix is formed by at least a partial hollow interior of the outer sidewall 220. Or in practice, the outer sidewall 220, the rupturable wall 240 and the top wall 210 together define a reservoir 250 for storing the liquid substrate.

In practice, the rupturable wall 240 is at least partially capable of rupturing or rupturing upon squeezing or puncturing to form a rupture or rupture opening to permit egress of the liquid matrix from the reservoir 250 for aerosolization.

In some embodiments, the top wall 210 and the outer side wall 220 are coupled and connected by molding from a moldable material. Both the top wall 210 and the outer side wall 220 are substantially rigid.

In some embodiments, the rupturable wall 240 may be a flexible sealing membrane, or a rigid film, or the like. The rupturable wall 240 may comprise a metal foil, a polymer film, or the like.

Further in implementation, the top wall 210 is a portion for a user to operate the liquid source 200 by finger gripping, applying force in the above operations; while facilitating the user's manipulation, the manipulation part 210 has a cross-sectional area larger than that of the outer wall 220 in configuration, which is advantageous for the user's manipulation convenience.

As further shown in fig. 2-4, the liquid source 200 further comprises:

a flexible member 230; in the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, flexible element 230 is configured as a ring around or bonded to outer sidewall 220; and the flexible member 230 is protruded from the surface of the outer sidewall 220.

In one implementation, the flexible element 230 is configured to be at least partially squeezed or compressed by the aerosol-generating device 100 when the liquid source 200 is received within the aerosol-generating device 100, thereby forming an interference fit of the liquid source 200 and the aerosol-generating device 100 such that the liquid source 200 is substantially stably received in the aerosol-generating device 100 without loosening or coming loose.

In still other implementations, the flexible element 230 also serves to seal the joint gap between the aerosol-generating devices 100 when the liquid source 200 is received within the aerosol-generating device 100, to prevent leakage or the like from the gap between them.

As further illustrated in fig. 2-4, the liquid source 200 may be received from one or more angles in the aerosol-generating device 100. In particular, the substantially cylindroid liquid source 200 is centrosymmetric; in practice, the liquid source 200 can be received into the aerosol-generating device 100 at the angle shown in fig. 2, or after being rotated around an axis by 180 degrees.

As further shown in fig. 1-3, the body shape of the aerosol-generating device 100 is configured to be cylindrical; in the implementation shown in the figures in particular, the body of the aerosol-generating device 100 has a length direction, a width direction and a thickness direction; and the length dimension of the body of the aerosol-generating device 100 is greater than the width dimension and the width dimension is greater than the thickness dimension.

Further according to what is shown in the figure, the aerosol-generating device 100 comprises:

a proximal end 110 and a distal end 120 opposite along the length; and a left side end 130 and a right side end 140 opposite in the width direction. In use, the proximal end 110 is generally the end that is proximal to the user.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating device 100 may comprise a separate, individual housing that may be formed from any of a number of different materials. The housing may be formed of any suitable structurally sound material. In some examples, the housing may be formed from a metal or alloy, such as stainless steel, aluminum, or the like. Other suitable materials include various plastics (e.g., polycarbonate), metal-plated plastics (metal-plated plastics), ceramics, and the like.

Further in some embodiments, the housing of the aerosol-generating device 100 is configured to include:

an upper housing 11 proximate proximal end 110; and a lower housing 12 proximate distal end 120. In implementation, the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 together define a housing body of the aerosol-generating device 100.

Further in the implementation shown in the figures, the proximal end 110 of the aerosol-generating device 100 is defined by the upper housing 11, and the distal end 120 of the aerosol-generating device 100 is defined by the lower housing 12.

In some embodiments, the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 are substantially non-detachable or inseparable by the user after assembly.

Further in some embodiments, the upper housing 11 is rigid. At least a portion of the surface of the lower housing 12 is flexible.

Further in accordance with the preferred embodiment shown in fig. 3, lower housing 12 includes a rigid inner layer 121 and a flexible cover layer 122 wrapped or formed over rigid inner layer 121; in turn, rigid support and attachment is provided in practice by rigid inner layer 121 and surface flexibility is provided by flexible cover 122. In some embodiments, the rigid inner layer 121 may include a metal, an organic polymer, or the like; the flexible coating 122 may include silicone, elastomer, flexible resin, and the like.

In some embodiments, rigid inner layer 121 and flexible covering layer 122 of lower housing 12 are formed by two-shot molding two moldable materials in a mold, respectively, and then curing. The rigid inner layer 121 and the flexible covering layer 122 obtained by two-shot injection molding are substantially inseparable.

In a more preferred implementation, particularly shown in fig. 3, the aerosol-generating device 100 comprises:

a push-button switch 30, which in use a user may activate or turn on the aerosol-generating device 100 by pressing the push-button switch 30, causing the aerosol-generating device 100 to aerosolize a liquid substrate derived from the liquid source 200 to generate an inhalable aerosol.

In some embodiments, the key switches 30 are disposed on the lower case 12; and the key switch 30 is disposed at the left end 130.

With further reference to fig. 1 and 2, the aerosol-generating device 100 comprises:

a mouthpiece 20 removably coupled to the aerosol-generating device 100 for a user to draw the generated aerosol through the mouthpiece 20. Of course, on the basis of conventional design, the mouthpiece 20 has a suction opening a on its free end through which the user draws aerosol in suction.

In some embodiments, the suction nozzle 20 is removably connected to the upper housing 11; and the suction nozzle 20 is arranged at the left side end 130.

In some embodiments, the suction nozzle 20 is at least partially flexible; for example, the mouthpiece 20 is made of a flexible silicone material.

In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 20 is hollow and cylindrical.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the suction nozzle 20 proximate the suction opening A is shaped flat. Specifically, in fig. 1, at least a portion of the suction nozzle 20 near the suction port a has a width dimension w1 larger than a thickness dimension h1, and thus has a flat shape. Meanwhile, the air inlet a is also flat with a width dimension larger than a thickness dimension. At the same time, the cross-sectional area of at least part of the suction nozzle 20 decreases gradually in a direction approaching the suction opening a.

In a preferred embodiment according to fig. 3, the aerosol-generating device 100 is provided with a substantially circular insertion groove 112; accordingly, the mouthpiece 20 has a connecting portion 22 facing away from the air inlet a, the connecting portion 22 being at least partially inserted or projecting into the insertion slot 112 during assembly and thereby connected to the aerosol-generating device 100. Accordingly, the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion 22 is smaller than the maximum cross-sectional area of the suction nozzle 20. In some embodiments, the cross-section of the insertion slot 112 is substantially circular; and, the insertion groove 112 has a depth of about 4 to 10 mm.

Further in a more preferred embodiment as shown in fig. 1, the distance d1 of the free end of the mouthpiece 20 in the width direction of the aerosol-generating device 100 from the left end 130 is such that the user's fingers can simultaneously smoothly press or operate the push switch 30 when the user's lips are sucking on the suction opening a. Or the distance d2 between the mouthpiece 20 and the push switch 30 in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating device 100 has such a feature that the user's fingers can smoothly press or operate the push switch 30 at the same time when the user's lips are sucking on the suction opening a.

In some embodiments, the distance d1 of the free tip of the mouthpiece 20 relative to the left side end 130 in the width direction of the aerosol-generating device 100 is greater than 15mm; more preferably, the distance d1 is greater than 20mm; in the embodiment shown in the figure, the distance d1 is 34mm. Or in some embodiments the distance d2 of the mouthpiece 20 from the key switch 30 along the length of the aerosol-generating device 100 is greater than 8mm; more preferably, the distance d2 is greater than 12mm; in the embodiment shown in the figure, the distance d2 is 17mm.

Further according to what is shown in fig. 3, the axial or extension direction of the mouthpiece 20 is angled with respect to the length direction of the aerosol-generating device 100, such that the mouthpiece 20 is in an inclined arrangement; and is relatively inclined toward the proximal end 110 and thus can be spaced away from the key switch 30, which is advantageous for the user to smoothly operate the key switch 30 during suction.

With further reference to fig. 2, the aerosol-generating device 100 comprises:

a receiving cavity 510 adjacent the proximal end 110, the receiving cavity 510 being open at the proximal end 110 or open at the proximal end 110; further in use, the liquid source 200 may be removably received at the receiving chamber 510 through the proximal end 110.

Further according to a preferred implementation shown in fig. 3, the aerosol-generating device 100 further comprises:

a rechargeable battery cell 150 for supplying power; the cell 150 is substantially housed within the lower case 12;

a charging interface 124 located at the remote end 120; the cells 150 are charged in use via the charging interface 124; and the number of the first and second groups,

a circuit board 160 that controls the operation of the aerosol-generating device 100.

As further shown in fig. 5-10, the aerosol-generating device 100 further comprises:

an aerosolization mechanism 40 for aerosolizing a liquid substrate provided by the liquid source 200 to generate an aerosol.

In the implementation shown in this figure, the above atomizing mechanism 40 comprises at least a vibratable element 42, and the liquid substrate transferred onto the vibratable element 42 is atomized into aerosol by mechanical vibration. In an alternative implementation, vibratable element 42 may be a generally plate-like ultrasonically-vibrating member or a plate-like piezoelectric ceramic; or an ultrasonic atomizing sheet proposed in, for example, CN 112335933A. These vibratable elements 42, in use, break up the liquid matrix by high frequency vibration (preferably at a frequency of 1.7MHz to 4.0MHz, outside the human auditory range in the ultrasonic range) to produce a naturally suspended aerosol of particles, which is output to the mouthpiece 20.

In a typical implementation, the above aerosolizing mechanism 40, and particularly the vibratable element 42, is further activated or actuated by a user by operating the key switch 30.

Further in accordance with the preferred implementation of fig. 5-10, the aerosol-generating device 100 further comprises:

a container 50 proximate the proximal end 110; the container 50 is located within the upper housing 11 substantially after assembly. In practice, a receiving chamber 510 for receiving and containing the liquid source 200 is at least partially defined by the space within the container 50. In some embodiments, the container 50 is further formed with a liquid transfer passage 520 for transferring liquid matrix originating from the liquid source 200 to the atomizing mechanism 40, in particular the vibratable element 42.

In arrangement, both the container 50 and the atomizing mechanism 40 are housed and held within the upper housing 11; the container 50 is relatively close to the right side end 140 and the aerosolization mechanism 40 is relatively close to the left side end 130.

As further shown in fig. 5-10, a receiving chamber 510 defined within the container 50 is closer to the proximal end 110 than the liquid transfer channel 520. The container 50 is also provided with:

a piercing mechanism 60 at least partially exposed in the receiving chamber 510 for piercing the rupturable wall 240 of the liquid source 200 when the liquid source 200 is received in the receiving chamber 510; thereby releasing the liquid matrix within the liquid source 200 to the liquid transfer channel 520 after puncturing.

In the preferred implementation shown in fig. 9, lancing mechanism 60 includes:

a piercing member for piercing a rupturable wall 240 of the liquid source 200. In this embodiment, the piercing member is movably, in particular rotatably, disposed within the container 50.

The piercing member includes at least first and second elongated radial arms 610 and 620; the first radial arm 610 and the second radial arm 620 have an angle therebetween. According to the illustration, the first radial arm 610 and the second radial arm 620 have an obtuse angle therebetween that is greater than 90 degrees.

A connecting member 63 for stably mounting and connecting the piercing mechanism 60 within the container 50. Specifically, a plug hole 55 is provided in the container 50, and the connecting member 63 has a pin portion 632, and the pin portion 632 is inserted into the plug hole 55 to interfere with each other during assembly, so as to be stably connected to the container 50. The coupling member 63 also has a base portion 631, the base portion 631 being primarily for mounting a piercing member; in the figure, the base portion 631 is further provided with a mounting groove 633 for mounting a puncture tool.

A pin 64 passing through the first mounting hole 634 of the base portion 631 and the second mounting hole 613 of the puncture tool in this order; and then the piercing member is stably coupled and held to the base portion 631 of the coupling member 63 by the pin 64 after assembly; and the assembled piercing member can rotate about pin 64.

In the above embodiment, the lancing mechanism 60 is not detachable after assembly of the lancing mechanism 60; and thus the lancing mechanism 60, is at least not removable or extendable out of the receiving chamber 510 and out of the opening, which enhances the safety of the device in preventing the lancing mechanism 60 from causing a puncture wound or the like to a user's finger during use.

At the same time, lancing mechanism 60 is substantially distal to the opening of receiving chamber 510 and abuts against the interior bottom wall of receiving chamber 510 facing away from the opening; it is advantageous to prevent the user from contacting the lancing mechanism 60 in changing the fluid source 200, to avoid scratching or pricking the user's fingers during operation, and to improve the safety of the device.

Or in other variations, the first radial arm 610 is a telescopically linearly movable arrangement; the rupturable wall 240 of the liquid source 200 can be pierced by linear movement.

In some embodiments, the second mounting aperture 613 is substantially located at the connection of the first radial arm 610 and the second radial arm 620.

In some embodiments, the first radial arm 610 is substantially in the shape of a thin sheet; the free front end 611 of the first radial arm 610 is configured in the shape of a relatively thin or sharp or wedge-shaped tip, such that in use it is advantageous to puncture by this free front end 611.

In some embodiments, a first protrusion 612 is also disposed on the first radial arm 610. Specifically, the first protrusions 612 are formed on both surfaces of the first radial arm 610 in the thickness direction. And, the height of the first protrusion 612 is gradually reduced at least partially along the direction near the free front end 611; so that at least a portion of the first protrusion 612 near the free front end 611 is inclined. It may be advantageous to enlarge the opening of rupturable wall 240 by first projection 612 after free leading end 611 has punctured rupturable wall 240 of liquid source 200.

In some embodiments, second radial arm 620 has a free end facing away from first radial arm 610; the second radial arm 620 has an increased volume portion 621 at the free end. At least a part of the surface of the volume-increased portion 621 is formed to be inclined.

In some embodiments, the piercing member comprises, at least in part, a metal; alternatively, first radial arm 610 comprises metal; the first radial arm 610 includes a free end 611 made of a metal material, which has suitable hardness and processing convenience, and is advantageous for puncturing.

As further shown in fig. 5-7, a biasing element is also provided on the container 50 for biasing or resetting the first radial arm 610 toward the first position with a biasing force. Specifically, a magnetic body 53 is included in the drawing; correspondingly, the free front end 611 of the first radial arm 610 comprises a magnetic metal or alloy; the first arm 610 is magnetically attracted and stably bonded to the inner surface of the container 50 by the magnetic body 53. In alternative implementations, the magnetic metal or alloy includes iron, cobalt, nickel, or alloys containing at least one of the foregoing, such as stainless steel, iron-aluminum alloys, permalloy, and the like.

Or in a further modified implementation, the above magnetic body 53 may be replaced with an elastic member such as a torsion spring, a spring, etc. to restore the first radial arm 610 in a direction away from the proximal end 110 by an elastic force; such that the free leading end 611 of the first radial arm 610 is biased or biased generally away from the proximal end 110.

As further shown in fig. 5-7, a stop tab 54 is also provided within the container 50; when the liquid source 200 is received into the receiving chamber 510, the liquid source 200 is stopped against the stop catch 54. Of course, it is primarily the rigid outer sidewall 220 of the liquid source 200 that rests against the stop catch 54.

Further in practice, the process of lancing mechanism 60 lancing liquid source 200 is illustrated with reference to FIGS. 5-7. Specifically, the method comprises the following steps:

the first position of the lancing mechanism 60 before the liquid source 200 is received into the receiving chamber 510 of the container 50 is shown in fig. 5. In the first position, the first radial arm 610 of the puncturing element is magnetically attracted by the magnetic body 53 and is stably attached or combined to the inner surface of the container 50; the first radial arm 610 is substantially horizontal. And in the first position, second radial arm 620 is relatively closer to proximal end 110, in a tilted position relative to first radial arm 610.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of the liquid source 200 partially received into a state where the receiving chamber 510 is in contact with the second radial arm 620; for placing the liquid source 200 into the receiving chamber 510 in the direction of the arrow R3, the rigid outer sidewall 210 of the liquid source 200 first contacts and abuts the free end of the second radial arm 620. The user continues to operate the liquid source 200 in the direction indicated by R3 and into the receiving chamber 510, which presses on the free end of the second radial arm 620, causing the second radial arm 620 to rotate about the pin 64 as indicated by the arrow R41; at the same time, the second radial arm 620 correspondingly drives the first radial arm 610 to rotate around the pin 64 as indicated by the arrow R42.

Further according to what is shown in fig. 6 and 9, it is advantageous for the contact or abutment area with the rigid outer side wall 210 of the liquid source 200 to be raised by the volume increasing portion 621. And, the source of liquid 200 is partially received into the receiving chamber 510, the direction of rotation R41 of the second radial arm 620 being distal from the proximal end 110, and the direction of rotation R42 of the first radial arm 610 being toward or near the proximal end 110.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic view of the liquid source 200 fully received into the receiving chamber 510 in a second position. In this second position, the liquid source 200 forms a stop against the stop catch 54; the second radial arm 620 is pressed by the liquid source 200 into engagement or attachment with the inner surface of the container 50; and the free forward end 611 of the first radial arm 610 at least partially pierces the rupturable wall 240 of the source 200 and extends into the reservoir chamber 250 to release the liquid matrix. In this embodiment, however, the first radial arm 610 is tilted relatively closer to the proximal end 110 than the second radial arm 620. And as can be seen, the first radial arm 610 and/or the second radial arm 620 rotate from the first position to the second position by less than 90 degrees.

In a more preferred implementation shown in fig. 9, the extension length h3 of the second radial arm 620 is longer than the extension length h2 of the first radial arm 610; based on a lever-like principle, it is more labor-saving for the user to actuate the rotation and puncturing of the first radial arm 610 by pressing the second radial arm 620 when receiving the liquid source 200 into the receiving chamber 510. In some preferred implementations, the extension length h3 of the second radial arm 620 is between 8 and 15mm; the first radial arm 610 has an extension h2 of 3 to 8mm.

According to the above, a lever with the pin 64 as a fulcrum is formed between the first radial arm 610 and the second radial arm 620; and the second radial arm 620 is rotated about the pin 64 or pivot point by the first radial arm 610. Of course, the actuation or movement of the first radial arm 610 is simultaneous or synchronized with the movement of the second radial arm 620.

According to a preferred implementation shown in fig. 9, the first radial arm 610 and/or the second radial arm 620 are each elongated, plate-like. And, the length dimension of the first radial arm 610 is greater than the width dimension, and the width dimension of the first radial arm 610 is greater than the thickness dimension. Similarly, the length dimension of second radial arm 620 is greater than the width dimension and the width dimension of second radial arm 620 is greater than the thickness dimension.

In some embodiments, the extension length h2 of the first radial arm 610 may ensure that the free leading end 611 of the first radial arm 610 is not abutted or contacted by the outer sidewall 210 of the liquid source 200 during operation. Alternatively, the free front end 611 is configured with a circular arc or wedge shaped cut-out to avoid the outer side wall 210 of the liquid source 200.

As further shown in fig. 10, the fluid delivery channel 520 includes:

a first section 5210 adjacent to and in communication with the receiving chamber 510;

second section 5220, is in proximity to and in communication with atomizing mechanism 40.

Further in the implementation shown in fig. 10, the first and second sections 5210, 5220 are substantially angular; according to the preferred implementation shown in the figures, the first and second sections 5210, 5220 are at an obtuse angle of greater than 90 degrees therebetween. And, the extension length of the first section 5210 is greater than the extension length of the second section 5220.

In practice, the first section 5210 has an extension of about 6-15 mm; the second section 5220 can have a length of about 3-8 mm.

Further, at least a portion of the inner diameter of the first section 5210 is tapered in a direction approaching the second section 5220; the first section 5210 is generally configured in the shape of a funnel. And, the first section 5210 is substantially obliquely disposed, and thus angled, with respect to the length direction of the aerosol-generating device 100.

As further shown in fig. 10, the vibratable element 42 of the atomizing mechanism 40, such as a piezoceramic wafer or the like as described above, is substantially perpendicular to the second section 5220. Likewise, vibratable element 42 is also obliquely disposed; the vibratable element 42 is further angled with respect to a length direction of the aerosol-generating device 100.

As further shown in fig. 10, the atomizing mechanism 40 further includes:

the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 43 hold the vibratable element 42 stably by sandwiching from both sides of the vibratable element 42, respectively.

And further in accordance with fig. 3 and 10, first leg 41 and second leg 43 are each generally annular in shape. Wherein:

the first bracket 41 is disposed relatively close to the second section 5220 of the liquid transfer channel 520; and the annular central hole of the first support 41 is opposite and in communication with the outlet of the second section 5220; for supplying the liquid matrix to the vibratable element 42 as indicated by arrow R1 in the figure.

A second bracket 42 disposed relatively close to the suction nozzle 20; the annular central hole of the second support 42 is in communication with the internal aerosol output channel 23 of the mouthpiece 20; the aerosol generated by the liquid substrate atomized by the vibratable element 42 is output through the annular central hole of the second support 42 into the aerosol output channel 23 of the mouthpiece 20 as indicated by arrow R1 in the figure.

As further shown in fig. 10, the upper housing 11 also defines a holding space 113 for accommodating and holding the atomizing mechanism 40; the atomizing mechanism 40 is basically accommodated and held in the holding space 113.

Further in the preferred embodiment shown in fig. 10, to facilitate close engagement of the atomizing mechanism 40 with the liquid delivery channel 520; the first bracket 41 has a joint part 411 which is at least partially protruded; when the atomizing mechanism 40 is fitted into the holding space 113, the fitting portion 411 at least partially surrounds and surrounds the wall forming the second section 5220, thereby stabilizing the fitting.

In the preferred embodiment of fig. 10, the walls defining the second block 5220 are further provided with sealing elements 5221, and the sealing elements 5221 provide sealing to their joint gaps when the joint portion 411 surrounds and embraces the walls forming the second block 5220.

Similarly, the second frame 42 is also provided with a sealing element 44 for providing a seal between the inner wall of the holding space 113 and the atomizing mechanism 40 when the atomizing mechanism 40 is fitted in the holding space 113.

After assembly, the connecting portion 22 of the suction nozzle 20 is abutted against the second bracket 42 of the atomizing mechanism 40, as shown in fig. 3. Of course, the atomizing mechanism 40 is not detachable after assembly.

Flow of air flow in suction referring to fig. 3, the suction nozzle is provided with one or more air inlets 21 near the connecting portion 22. The external air enters the aerosol output channel 23 of the suction nozzle 20 from the air inlet 21 as shown by an arrow R2 in the figure, and carries the aerosol in the aerosol output channel 23 to the air inlet a for inhalation by the user.

As further shown in fig. 11, the aerosol-generating device 100 further comprises:

an inner housing 13, the inner housing 13 and the lower housing 12 together defining a closed first space 123 substantially within the lower housing 12; the first space 123 is a space for mounting the battery cell 150 and/or the circuit board 160. And the inner housing 13 is at least partially surrounded by the lower housing 12 and a sealing element 133 is provided therebetween, thereby providing a seal therebetween.

Further, at least part of the inner housing 13 is also surrounded and enclosed by the upper housing 11; and a sealing element 132 is also provided therebetween to provide a seal therebetween.

Further in the preferred implementation of fig. 11, the inner housing 13 is also defined with a second space 134 with the upper housing 11; in practice, this second space 134 is a space for accommodating and fitting the container 50 and/or the atomizing mechanism 40. And, the inner housing 13 also has a boss 131 located at least partially within the upper housing 11; of course, the boss 131 is convex toward the proximal end 110. The container 50 is provided with a screw hole 55 penetrating from the inner surface to the outer surface, and is connected to the boss 131 after passing through the screw hole 55 by a screw 56 or a similar fastening component; thereby allowing the container 50 to be stably and securely mounted and held in the upper case 11.

Further, a flexible cap 57 is also provided within the screw hole 55, and the cap 57 at least partially extends into the receiving cavity 510 of the vessel 50 when assembled. The cap 57 covers or seals the screw hole 55 on the one hand to prevent the screw 56 or similar fastening member from being exposed in the container, thereby preventing the liquid medium of the receiving chamber 510 from flowing to the screw 56 to cause corrosion or the like; in yet another aspect, the flexibility of the cap 57, when abutted against the liquid source 200, the flexible contact is advantageous for receipt and removal of the liquid source 200.

Likewise, the container 50 is provided with a sealing element 58 between the points where it joins the upper housing 11 at the proximal end 110 to provide a seal therebetween.

In practice, the first space 123 is substantially closed and sealed; the second space 134 is also substantially closed and sealed. And, the first space 123 and the second space 134 are hermetically sealed from each other. In use, aerosols, liquid substrates, air, etc. within or outside the housing surface or receiving cavity 510 are substantially inaccessible to the first space 123.

In some embodiments, the upper housing 11, the lower housing 12, and the inner housing 13 are all configured to resist disassembly by a user. They are substantially immovable and removable in comparison to each other and likewise the functional spaces delimited by them are fixed in relation to each other and in fixed positions.

Then in use the aerosol-generating device 100 may be wholly rinsed with water or a rinsing liquid, which water or air cannot penetrate into the first space 123.

As can be seen, the first space 123 has a length longer than the second space 134.

It should be noted that the description and drawings of the present application illustrate preferred embodiments of the present application, but are not limited to the embodiments described in the present application, and further, those skilled in the art can make modifications or changes according to the above description, and all such modifications and changes should fall within the scope of the claims appended to the present application.

Claims (35)

1. An aerosol-generating device for atomising a liquid substrate from a liquid source to generate an aerosol; the liquid source comprises a rupturable wall; it is characterized by comprising:

a receiving cavity having an opening; a liquid source removably receivable in the receiving chamber through the opening;

a piercing member including a free leading end movably disposed within the receiving cavity; the free forward end of the piercing member is configured to be movable toward the opening when a liquid source is received in the receiving chamber through the opening to at least partially pierce the rupturable wall of the liquid source to release liquid matrix;

an atomizing mechanism for atomizing the liquid substrate to produce an aerosol.

2. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the free leading end of the piercing member is configured to be pointed or thin.

3. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movement comprises rotation about a pin.

4. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 3, wherein the angle of rotation is less than 90 degrees.

5. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movement comprises linear movement.

6. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

a biasing element configured to bias the free leading end of the lance away from the opening.

7. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 6, wherein the biasing element comprises a magnetic body and/or an elastomer.

8. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the free leading end of the piercing member comprises a metal or alloy.

9. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 7, wherein the free leading end of the piercing member comprises a magnetic metal or alloy, and is biased away from the opening by magnetic attraction to the magnetic body.

10. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the piercing member is further provided with a first projection for enlarging the rupture opening when the free leading end at least partially pierces the rupturable wall of the liquid source.

11. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 10, wherein the first projection is configured to taper in projection height in a direction towards the free front end.

12. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the piercing member comprises:

a first radial arm defining the free leading end;

a second radial arm configured to drive movement of the first radial arm when the liquid source is received in the receiving chamber through the opening, thereby moving the free leading end toward the opening to at least partially puncture a rupturable wall of the liquid source.

13. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 12, wherein the second radial arm comprises a free end movably disposed within the receiving cavity and configured to drive movement of the first radial arm by actuating the free end.

14. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 12, wherein the second radial arm is configured to be actuated by the liquid source to drive the first radial arm to move when the liquid source is received in the receiving chamber.

15. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 12, wherein actuation of the first cantilever and movement of the second cantilever are simultaneous or synchronous.

16. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 12, further comprising:

a lever taking the pin shaft as a fulcrum is formed between the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm;

and the second radial arm is configured to be driven by the first radial arm to rotate by taking the pin shaft as an axis.

17. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 14, wherein the second radial arm has a portion of increased volume compared to other portions for actuation of the portion of increased volume by the source of liquid when the source of liquid is received in the receiving chamber.

18. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 14, wherein the second radial arm is configured to be actuated by the liquid source to move in a direction away from the opening during receipt of the liquid source in the receiving chamber.

19. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 12, wherein the first and second radial arms form an angle therebetween.

20. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 19, wherein the angle between the first and second radial arms is an obtuse angle.

21. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 12, wherein the second radial arm has a greater extension than the first radial arm.

22. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 21, wherein the second radial arm extends for a length of between 8 and 15mm;

and/or the extension length of the first radial arm is 3-8 mm.

23. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 12, wherein the first and/or second radial arm is substantially sheet-like.

24. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 12, wherein the first radial arm has a length dimension greater than a width dimension, the width dimension of the first radial arm being greater than a thickness dimension;

and/or the length dimension of the first radial arm is greater than the width dimension, and the width dimension of the first radial arm is greater than the thickness dimension.

25. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the aerosolization mechanism comprises:

a vibratable element configured to generate vibration to atomize the liquid substrate to generate an aerosol.

26. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 25, wherein the vibratable element comprises at least a piezoelectric ceramic.

27. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

a stop tab formed on an inner wall of the receiving chamber to at least partially provide a stop for a liquid source received in the receiving chamber.

28. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

a connector by which the piercing member is rotatably disposed in the receiving cavity.

29. An aerosol-generating device for atomising a liquid substrate from a liquid source to generate an aerosol; the liquid source comprises a rupturable wall; it is characterized by comprising the following steps:

a receiving cavity having an opening; a liquid source removably receivable in the receiving chamber through the opening;

a piercing member including a free leading end configured between a first position and a second position different from the first position; the free leading end being arranged towards the opening to pierce a rupturable wall of the liquid source to release the liquid matrix when in the first position; the free front end is abutted against the inner wall of the receiving cavity when in the second position;

an atomizing mechanism for atomizing a liquid substrate to produce an aerosol.

30. An aerosol-generating device for atomising a liquid substrate from a liquid source to generate an aerosol; the liquid source comprises a rupturable wall; it is characterized by comprising the following steps:

a receiving cavity having an opening; a liquid source removably receivable in the receiving chamber through the opening;

a piercing member comprising a free leading end configured between a first position and a second position, and a free tip that drives the free leading end configured between the first position and the second position; and (c) a second step of,

the free leading end being closer to the opening than the free terminal end when in the first position for at least partially piercing the rupturable wall of the liquid source to release liquid matrix; said free leading end being further from said opening than said free trailing end in said second position;

an atomizing mechanism for atomizing a liquid substrate to produce an aerosol.

31. An aerosol-generating device for atomising a liquid substrate from a liquid source to generate an aerosol; the liquid source comprises a rupturable wall; it is characterized by comprising the following steps:

a receiving cavity having an opening; a liquid source removably receivable in the receiving chamber through the opening;

a piercing member including opposite free leading and free terminal ends;

a pin, the piercing member configured to form a lever between the free leading end and the free trailing end, the lever having the pin as a fulcrum; and the free leading end is configured to be driven by the free distal end to rotate about the pin to at least partially puncture the rupturable wall of the liquid source to release the liquid matrix.

32. An aerosol-generating system, comprising:

a liquid source having a liquid matrix stored therein, the liquid source comprising a rupturable wall;

an aerosol-generating device comprising:

a receiving cavity having an opening; a liquid source removably receivable in the receiving chamber through the opening;

a piercing member including a free leading end movably disposed within the receiving cavity; the free forward end of the piercing member is configured to move toward the opening when the liquid source is received in the receiving chamber through the opening to at least partially pierce a rupturable wall of the liquid source to release the liquid matrix;

an atomizing mechanism for atomizing the liquid substrate to produce an aerosol.

33. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 32, wherein the liquid source is configured in the form of a single-use capsule.

34. A method of controlling an aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device comprising:

a receiving cavity having an opening; a liquid source having a rupturable wall removably receivable in the receiving chamber through the opening;

a piercing member including a free leading end movably disposed within the receiving cavity;

an atomizing mechanism for atomizing a liquid substrate to generate an aerosol;

the method comprises the following steps:

receiving a source of liquid in the receiving chamber to drive the free leading end of the piercing member towards the opening;

the free forward end of the piercing member at least partially pierces the rupturable wall of the source of liquid to release the liquid matrix.

35. A method of controlling an aerosol-generating device according to claim 34, the method further comprising:

removing the liquid source from the receiving chamber;

the free front end of the piercing member resets in a direction away from the opening.

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