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RU-2861566-C2 - AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE WITH BUTTON ARRANGEMENT

RU2861566C2RU 2861566 C2RU2861566 C2RU 2861566C2RU-2861566-C2

Abstract

FIELD: tobacco industry. SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to the field of aerosol-generating devices. An aerosol-generating device comprises a housing having an outer surface, an inner surface and a through-hole connecting the outer surface and the inner surface, a button at least partially disposed in the through-hole and configured to be pressed in a pressing direction, a switch, an actuation block, and at least one guide pin extending into a corresponding at least one guide hole in the actuation block. Wherein pressing the button in the pressing direction actuates the switch by means of the actuation block, which is configured to perform a pivoting movement when the button is pressed in the pressing direction. EFFECT: arrangement of the actuation block above the switch while performing a pivoting movement by the actuation block. 12 cl, 22 dwg

Inventors

  • TAN, KWANG BENG
  • IVARSSON, BENGT IVAR ANDERS

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20221104
Priority Date
20211104

Claims (20)

  1. 1. An aerosol generating device comprising:
  2. a housing having an outer surface, an inner surface and a through hole connecting the outer surface and the inner surface;
  3. a button at least partially located in the through hole and configured to be pressed in the pressing direction;
  4. switch;
  5. an actuation unit, wherein pressing the button in the pressing direction actuates the switch via the actuation unit; and
  6. at least one guide pin extending into a corresponding at least one guide hole in the actuation unit;
  7. wherein the actuation unit is configured to perform a rocking motion when the button is pressed in the direction of pressing.
  8. 2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the actuation unit is provided between the switch and the button.
  9. 3. An aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuation unit is formed in the form of a plate or platform.
  10. 4. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one guide pin is offset laterally relative to the projection of the center of the button in the direction of pressing.
  11. 5. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switch is offset laterally relative to the projection of the center of the button in the direction of depression.
  12. 6. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a damper configured to resist movement of the actuation unit toward the switch.
  13. 7. An aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein the damper is made of an elastic material, in particular a foam material.
  14. 8. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a membrane is provided between the actuating unit and the button.
  15. 9. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuation unit has at least one light channel configured to allow light to pass from the at least one light source through the actuation unit to the button.
  16. 10. An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol generating device is configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating article.
  17. 11. A method for activating a switch of an aerosol generating device, comprising the steps of:
  18. performing a rocking motion of an actuation unit provided inside the aerosol generating device by moving a button from a resting position inside the aerosol generating device to an activation position, thereby actuating a switch provided inside the aerosol generating device by means of the actuation unit;
  19. wherein during the rocking movement the actuating unit is guided by at least one guide pin passing into a corresponding at least one guide hole in the actuating unit.
  20. 12. Using an actuation unit provided below the button and performing a rocking motion to actuate a switch provided inside the aerosol generating device, wherein during the rocking motion the actuation unit is guided by at least one guide pin extending into a corresponding at least one guide hole in the actuation unit.

Description

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device comprising a button. Buttons on aerosol-generating devices typically provide potential entry points for liquids, which can lead to damage to internal components (e.g., water damage to the device's electronics). Therefore, there is a need to help prevent liquid penetration into aerosol-generating devices, particularly around the button on the device. Layouts for emitting light through a slot in an aerosol-generating device's button are subject to design limitations due to the requirement to maintain the button's actuation. Therefore, there is a need for improved illumination of an aerosol-generating device, particularly the button of an aerosol-generating device. According to the first aspect of the present invention, an aerosol-generating device is provided, comprising a housing, a button, and a membrane. The housing has an outer surface, an inner surface, and a through hole connecting the outer surface and the inner surface. The button is at least partially located within the through hole, positioned corresponding to the through hole, or positioned on it. The membrane is attached to the housing and extends over the through hole. The membrane may provide at least a partial separation between the interior of the aerosol-generating device and the exterior of the aerosol-generating device. The membrane may reduce the likelihood of foreign material, such as liquid or dust, entering the interior of the aerosol-generating device through the opening. The membrane may be provided further downstream of the button (or below it) relative to the direction in which the button is pressed. The membrane may be water-resistant. The membrane may reduce the transfer of liquid from the exterior of the aerosol-generating device into the aerosol-generating device. The membrane may reduce the risk of damage to the internal components, particularly the electronic components, of the aerosol-generating device due to liquid entering the aerosol-generating device. The membrane can be transparent or translucent. The membrane can allow light from the inside of the housing to pass through the membrane. Light from the inside of the housing can pass through the membrane to be visible from the outside of the housing. Light from the inside of the housing can pass through the membrane to the button. The light source may be located within the housing. The light source may contain one or more LEDs. The light source may be located downstream of the membrane (or below it) relative to the direction of button actuation. The membrane may be located between the light source and the button. The membrane can be attached to the inner surface of the housing. On the inner surface of the housing, the connection between the membrane and the housing can be protected from damage. Attaching the membrane to the inner surface of the housing can reduce the membrane's unwanted influence on button operation. The membrane may be invisible or nearly invisible from the outside of the aerosol-generating device, thus avoiding deterioration of the aerosol-generating device's appearance and reducing the risk of membrane damage. The membrane may be visible from the outside of the aerosol-generating device only through the gap between the button and the section of the housing wall that defines the through-hole. A recessed region may be provided on the inner surface of the housing. The thickness of the housing wall may be reduced in the recessed region compared to the housing portions surrounding the recessed region. A membrane may be attached to the inner surface of the housing in the recessed region. The membrane may be completely contained within the recessed region. The membrane may be protected within the recessed region. The recessed region may facilitate positioning of the membrane during assembly of the aerosol-generating device. The shape of the recessed region may match the shape of the membrane. The recessed region may be rectangular, circular, or polygonal, for example. A through hole may be provided in the recessed area. A through hole may be provided in the center of the recessed area. A membrane can cover the through-hole. The membrane can prevent foreign materials from entering the aerosol-generating device through the through-hole. The membrane can make the through-hole of the aerosol-generating device waterproof. The membrane may be hermetically sealed to the housing completely around the through-hole. Specifically, the membrane may be hermetically sealed to the inner surface of the housing completely around the through-hole. If the membrane is hermetically sealed to the housing completely around the through-hole, the likelihood of failure of the connection between the membrane and the housing may be reduced. The seal between the membrane and the housing may be watertight. The membrane may be hermetically sealed to the housing, particularly to the inner surface of the housing. The membrane may be