Abstract
An aerosol-generating device (3) comprises an axially extending heating chamber (15) configured to at least partially receive an aerosol-generating article (5). The aerosol-generating device (3) further comprises a heater actuation mechanism (47) configured to move between an engaging configuration and a non-engaging configuration. The heater actuation mechanism (47) is configured to act on a heater (7) in the engaging configuration to operate the heater (7) to generate heat. The heater actuation mechanism (47) is configured to not act on the heater (7) in the non-engaging configuration to stop generation of the heat by the heater (7). The heater actuation mechanism (47) comprises an operating element (57). The operating element (57) is configured to be moved to move the heater actuation mechanism (47) from the non-engaging configuration into the engaging configuration. The aerosol-generating device (3) further comprises a blocking mechanism (59). The blocking mechanism (59) is configured to temporarily block a movement of the heater actuation mechanism (47) from the engaging configuration into the non-engaging configuration or from the non-engaging configuration into the engaging configuration.
Claims
1. An aerosol-generating device comprising: an axially extending heating chamber configured to at least partially receive an aerosol-generating article; and a heater actuation mechanism configured to move between an engaging configuration and a non-engaging configuration; wherein the heater actuation mechanism is configured to act on a heater in the engaging configuration to operate the heater to generate heat; wherein the heater actuation mechanism is configured to not act on the heater in the non-engaging configuration to stop generation of the heat by the heater; wherein the heater actuation mechanism comprises an operating element configured to be moved to move the heater actuation mechanism from the non-engaging configuration into the engaging configuration; and wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a blocking mechanism configured to temporarily block a movement of the heater actuation mechanism from the engaging configuration into the non-engaging configuration or from the non-engaging configuration into the engaging configuration.
2. The aerosol-generating according to claim 1, wherein the blocking mechanism is configured to temporarily block the movement of the heater actuation mechanism from the engaging configuration into the non-engaging configuration, thereby delaying movement of the heater actuation mechanism from the engaging configuration into the non-engaging configuration.
3. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the heater actuation mechanism comprises a restoration element providing a mechanical force configured to move the heater actuation mechanism towards the non-engaging configuration.
4. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the engaging configuration comprises a plurality of engaging sub-configurations of the heater actuation mechanism and the operating element allows a user to selectively bring the heater actuation mechanism into any one of the engaging sub-configurations, and wherein the blocking mechanism is configured to delay return of the heater actuation mechanism from the respective engaging sub-configuration into the non-engaging configuration by different times for the different engaging sub-configurations.
5. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the blocking mechanism comprises a movable part configured to move between a release position, in which it allows movement of the heater actuation mechanism towards at least one of the non-engaging configuration and the engaging configuration, and a blocking position, in which is blocks movement of the heater actuation mechanism towards the at least one of the non-engaging configuration and the engaging configuration.
6. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 5, wherein the movable part is configured to move between the release position and the blocking position depending on a temperature.
7. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 5, wherein the blocking mechanism comprises a thermal expansion element configured to move the movable part between the release position and the blocking position depending on a temperature of the thermal expansion element.
8. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 5, wherein the moveable part is configured to periodically move between the release positon and the blocking position to delay the movement of the heater actuation mechanism into the non-engaging configuration or into the engaging configuration.
9. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the heater actuation mechanism and the blocking mechanism together form a ratchet mechanism.
10. An aerosol-generating system comprising: the aerosol-generating device according to claim 1; and the heater, wherein the heater is configured to generate heat when acted upon by the heater actuation mechanism and to not generate heat when not acted upon by the heater actuation mechanism.
11. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 10, wherein the heater comprises a gas tank configured to release gas when the heater is acted upon by the heater actuation mechanism and configured to prevent release of gas when the heater is not acted upon by the heater actuation mechanism.
12. A method for generating aerosol, wherein an operating element is moved along a path in an activation direction, thereby acting on a heater via a heater actuation mechanism; the heater generates heat in response to being acted upon by the heater actuation mechanism; the operating element is returned in a motion along the path against the activation direction; one or more moving parts of a blocking mechanism move to delay return of the operating element; and the heater ceases to generate heat in response to no longer being acted upon by the heater actuation mechanism.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein a restoration element builds up a restoration force against the movement of the operating element in response to the operating element being moved in the activation direction.
14. The method according to claim 12, wherein gas is released from a gas tank in response to the heater being acted upon by the heater actuation mechanism, wherein the gas sustains a flame heating a heat receiving surface of an aerosol-generating device at least partially receiving an aerosol-generating article.
15. Use of a change in length of a thermal expansion element caused by a temperature change to extinguish a flame after the flame has heated an aerosol-generating device at least partially receiving an aerosol-generating article.
Description
[0175] Embodiments will now be further described with reference to the figures, in which:
[0176] FIG. 1 shows an aerosol-generating system according to an embodiment in which a heat receiving surface is provided radially outside of an axially extending heating space;
[0177] FIG. 2 shows an aerosol-generating system according to an embodiment in which a heat receiving surface is provided axially aligned with an axially extending heating space;
[0178] FIG. 3 shows an aerosol-generating article of an aerosol-generating system according to an embodiment;
[0179] FIG. 4 shows an aerosol-generating system according to an embodiment using a conventional cigarette lighter;
[0180] FIG. 5 shows schematic sectional views through a heating chamber according to an embodiment;
[0181] FIG. 6 shows schematic sectional views through a heating chamber according to another embodiment;
[0182] FIG. 7 shows schematic sectional views through a heating chamber according to a further embodiment;
[0183] FIG. 8 shows a schematic sectional view of an aerosol-generating system according to an embodiment having a heat receiving surface axially aligned with an axially extending heating space;
[0184] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of an aerosol-generating system having a heater generating multiple flames;
[0185] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of an aerosol-generating system using a conventional cigarette lighter;
[0186] FIG. 11 shows a schematic sectional view illustrating a heater actuation mechanism of the system shown in FIG. 10;
[0187] FIG. 12 illustrates a blocking mechanism that may be used in the aerosol-generating system of FIGS. 10 and 11 according to an embodiment; and
[0188] FIG. 13 shows another blocking mechanism that may be used in the aerosol-generating system of FIGS. 10 and 11 according to an embodiment.
[0189] FIG. 1 shows an aerosol-generating system 1 according to an embodiment. The aerosol-generating system 1 comprises an aerosol-generating device 3, an aerosol-generating article 5, and a heater 7.
[0190] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of an aerosol-generating article 5 that may be used with the aerosol-generating device 3. The aerosol-generating article 5 comprises sections that are arranged one behind the other along an axial direction. The sections are connected to each other by one or more wrappers that may span one or more of the sections. The sections comprise an aerosol-generating section 9, a spacer section 11, and a filter section 13. The aerosol-generating section 9 comprises aerosol-generating material that is configured to generate aerosol-generating upon being heated. The aerosol-generating material may comprise herbaceous material, in particular tobacco material. The filter section 13 may comprise a filter through which aerosol passes before reaching the mouth of a user. The spacer section 11 may be arranged between the aerosol-generating section 9 and the filter section 13. Aerosol generated in the aerosol-generating section 9 may cool down while passing through the spacer section 11 to reduce a temperature of the aerosol before consumption.
[0191] As shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol-generating device 3 comprises an axially extending heating chamber 15 and a storage chamber 17 provided in coaxial arrangement with the heating chamber 15. The aerosol-generating article 5 may be inserted into the aerosol-generating device 3 in an insertion direction 19. In FIG. 1, the aerosol-generating article 5 is received in the aerosol-generating device 3 in a consumption position. In the consumption position, the aerosol-generating section 9 is received in a heating space 21 defined by the heating chamber 15.
[0192] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the heater 7 is a conventional cigarette lighter. The aerosol-generating device 3 may comprise a heater receiving section 23 configured to receive the heater 7. Alternatively, the heater 7 may be an integral part of the aerosol-generating device 3, or the heater 7 may not be combined with or received in the aerosol-generating device 3, but may be a separate heater 7. Preferably, the heater 7 is configured to generate one or more flames 8.
[0193] The heater 7 is configured to heat a heat receiving surface 25 of the heating chamber 15. By heating the heat receiving surface 25, the heating space 21 within the heating chamber 15 is heated, thereby heating the aerosol-generating section 9 of the aerosol-generating article 3. When heated, the aerosol-generating section 9 generates aerosol. When a user draws air through the filter section 13, an airflow through the aerosol-generating article 5 (see arrows in FIG. 1) may be created. The airflow may carry the aerosol generated in the heating space 21 towards the user.
[0194] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the heat receiving surface 25 is provided radially outside of the heating space 21. A direction along which the heater 7 emits a flame 8 to heat the heat receiving surface 25 is essentially oriented in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (direction of extension of the heating chamber 15 and the storage chamber 17).
[0195] FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment, according to which the heat receiving surface 25 is arranged axially in line with the heating space 21. The heater 7 emits a flame 8 in a direction essentially along the axial direction.
[0196] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of an aerosol-generating system 1. The respective aerosol-generating device 3 comprises a tube extending along the axial direction and defining a heating chamber 15 having a heating space 21 therein. An aerosol-generating article 5 may be inserted into the heating space 21 along an insertion direction 19 that is parallel to the axial direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the aerosol-generating article 5 essentially only comprises the aerosol-generating section 9. However, the aerosol-generating article 5 could also comprise additional sections, such as the spacer section 11 and the filter section 13. The aerosol-generating device 3 comprises a heat protection sleeve 27 that allows a user to hold the aerosol-generating device 3 without risking injury or inconvenience due to a high temperature of the aerosol-generating device 3. As indicated by the double arrow in the lower part of FIG. 4, the heat protection sleeve 27 may be slid with respect to the tube defining the heating chamber 15. A heater 7, such as a conventional cigarette heater, may be used to heat a heat receiving surface 25. The heat receiving surface 25 according to the embodiment of FIG. 4 is provided radially outside of the heating space 21 receiving the aerosol-generating section 9. In FIG. 4, the heater 7 is not inserted into or attached to the aerosol-generating device 3.
[0197] FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 show cross-sectional views through different embodiments of the heating chamber 15. The left parts of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show sectional views through the heating chamber 15 with the sectional plane being parallel to the axial direction. The right parts of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show sectional views through the respective heating chamber 15 with the sectional plane being perpendicular to the axial direction. The heating chambers of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 may, for example, be part of the aerosol-generating devices 3 of FIGS. 1 and 4.
[0198] In FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the heating chamber 15 comprises multiple layers circumferentially surrounding the heating space 21. An outer heat conduction body 29 forms an outer layer of the heating chamber 15. The heat receiving surface 25 is a part of a radially outer surface of the outer heat conduction body 29. Radially inside of the outer heat conduction body 29, there is heat storage body 31 forming a layer circumferentially surrounding the heating space 21. Radially inside of the heat storage body 31, there is an inner heat conduction body 33 circumferentially surrounding the heating space 21.
[0199] A material of the heat storage body 31 has a higher specific heat capacity than a material of the inner heat conduction body 33 and a material of the outer heat conduction body 29. The material of the outer heat conduction body 29 and the material of the inner heat conduction body 33 have higher thermal conductivities than the material of the heat storage body 31. The material of the heat storage body 31 may, for example, be glass or metal. One or both of the material of the inner heat conduction body 33 and the material of the outer heat conduction body 29 may be a metal, such as copper, brass or aluminum, for example.
[0200] When the heat receiving surface 25 is heated, the heat is efficiently guided radially inside towards the heat storage body 31 by the outer heat conduction body 29. The heat storage body 31, due to its high specific heat capacity, may serve as a buffer taking up comparatively large amounts of heat and giving the heat up over time to heat the heating space 21 and the aerosol-generating section 9 provided therein. The inner heat conduction body 33 forms an inner surface of the heating chamber 15 defining the heating space 21. The inner heat conduction body 33 efficiently conducts heat from the heat storage body 31 towards the heating space 21 and the aerosol-generating section 9 provided therein.
[0201] In FIG. 5, the outer heat conduction body 29, the heat storage body 31, and the inner heat conduction body 33 are symmetrical with respect to the axial direction. The outer heat conduction body 29, the heat storage body 31, and the inner heat conduction body 33 form concentric sleeves circumferentially surrounding the heating space 21.
[0202] In FIG. 6, the heat storage body 31 and the inner heat conduction body 33 correspond to the heat storage body 31 and the inner heat conduction body 33 of FIG. 5. The outer heat conduction body 29, however, is not symmetrical with respect to the axial direction. A thickness of the outer heat conduction body 29 varies along both the circumferential direction and the axial direction. The thickness of the outer heat conduction body 29 is highest at the heat receiving surface 25. In particular, the thickness of the outer heat conduction body 29 is highest at the center of the heat receiving surface 25. With increasing distance from the center of the heat receiving surface 25, both along the axial direction and along the circumferential direction, the thickness of the outer heat conduction body 29 decreases.
[0203] Due to the different thickness of the outer heat conduction body 29 at different locations, a thermal resistance for heat transport through the outer heat conduction body 29, and thus through the walls of the heating chamber 15, along a radial direction is different for different locations. Due to the highest thickness of the outer heat conduction body 29 at the heat receiving surface 25, in particular at the center of the heat receiving surface 25, the thermal resistance for heat transport through the outer heat conduction layer 29 along the radial direction is highest at the heat receiving surface 25. This may counteract an inhomogeneous temperature distribution within the heating space 21 by having a reduced thermal resistance for heat transport at locations that are farther away from the heat receiving surface 25 and would therefore normally receive less heat.
[0204] In FIG. 7, the heat storage body 31 and the inner heat conduction body 33 correspond to the heat storage body 31 and the inner heat conduction body 33 of FIGS. 5 and 6. The outer heat conduction body 29 comprises channels 35 formed in the outer heat conduction body 29. The channels 35 may form flow paths for heated air. A flow cross-section of the channels 35 may vary along at least one of the axial direction and the circumferential direction. A flow cross-section of the channels 35 may be larger in regions farther away from a center of the heat receiving surface 25 to facilitate flow of hot air to those regions.
[0205] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating system 1 in which the heat receiving surface 25 is axially aligned with the heating space 21, substantially in line with the embodiment of FIG. 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the heat storage body 31 is axially aligned with the heating space 21. The heat storage body 31 is provided downstream of the heating space 21 with respect to the insertion direction 19. An outer surface of the heat storage body 31 forms the heat receiving surface 25. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, no outer heat conduction body 29 is provided. However, as an alternative, an outer heat conduction body 29 could be provided downstream of the heat storage body 25 with respect to the insertion direction 19.
[0206] Between the heat storage body 31 and the heating space 21, an inner heat conduction body 33 is provided. The inner heat conduction body 33 comprises a plate extending essentially perpendicular to the axial direction between the heat storage body 31 and the heating space 21. Further, the inner heat conduction body 33 comprises a cylindrical sleeve part 37 circumferentially surrounding the heating space 21. Further, the inner heat conduction body 33 comprises a protrusion 39 extending into the heating space 21. The protrusion 39 is configured to immerse into the aerosol-generating section 9 of the aerosol-generating article 5.
[0207] In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the heater 7 is integrated into the aerosol-generating device 3. The heater 7 comprises a gas tank 41 supplying gas for a flame 8 heating the heat receiving surface 25.
[0208] FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of an aerosol-generating system 1. The left part of FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of the system 1 with the sectional plane being parallel to the axial direction. The right part of FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of the system 1 with the sectional plane being perpendicular to the axial direction.
[0209] The heater 7 of the system 1 of FIG. 9 is configured to generate a plurality of flames 8 for heating the heat receiving surface 25. As shown in the left part of FIG. 9, some of the flames 8 are spaced along the axial direction to provide improved heat distribution along the axial direction. As shown in the right part of FIG. 9, some of the flames 8 are generated at locations that are spaced along the circumferential direction to distribute heating along the circumferential direction. The heater 7 may be an integral part of the aerosol-generating device 3. The heater 7 may be combined with the aerosol-generating device 3. The heater 7 may be received in a heater receiving section 23 of the aerosol-generating device 3.
[0210] FIG. 10 shows an aerosol-generating system 1 according to an embodiment that is largely similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The heat receiving surface 25 in this embodiment is radially outside the heating space 21. Alternatively, the heat receiving surface 25 could be aligned with the heating space 21 along the axial direction as shown in FIG. 2, for example.
[0211] The heater 7 in FIG. 10 is a conventional cigarette lighter removably received in the heater receiving section 23 of the aerosol-generating device 3. Alternatively, the heater 7 could be fixedly integrated into the aerosol-generating device 3.
[0212] The aerosol-generating device 3 comprises an ignition mechanism 45 configured to ignite gas released from a gas tank 41 of the heater 7. The ignition mechanism 45 is an integral part of the aerosol-generating device 3. The ignition mechanism 45 is accessible from outside to provide a convenient way of igniting the gas, even if the heater 7 is received in the heater receiving part 23. The heater 7 itself may comprise another ignition mechanism, which may not be accessible when the heater 7 is received in the heater receiving part 23. The ignition mechanism 45 of the aerosol-generating device 3 may function in the same manner as an ignition mechanism of a conventional cigarette lighter.
[0213] In FIG. 10, the aerosol-generating device 3 further comprises a heater actuation mechanism 47 configured to act on a gas release button 50 of the heater 7. The heater actuation mechanism 47 allows a user to press the gas release button 50 of the heater 7 even when the heater 7 is received in the heater receiving section 23 and the gas release button 50 is not directly accessible. The heater actuation mechanism 47 may be pressed down by a user to press the gas release button 50 to release gas. When the gas release button 50 of the heater 7 is no longer pressed down, it returns into its initial position and release of gas is stopped.
[0214] FIG. 11 shows the heater actuation mechanism 47 in more detail. The heater actuation mechanism 47 comprises an engagement element 49 configured to slide up and down along a sliding element 51 in the form of a rod or bar. A spring element 53 biases the engagement element 49 towards the gas release button 50. A stop 53 is provided at the sliding element 51 to limit the movement of the engagement element 49 towards the gas release button 50. The sliding element 51 is itself is slidingly guided in the aerosol-generating device 3. In FIG. 11, the sliding element 51 may slide up and down. A restoration element 55 biases the sliding element 51 upwards. In the operational situation shown in FIG. 11, the sliding element 51 is in an upper position, which corresponds to a non-engaging configuration of the heater actuation mechanism 47. In the non-engaging configuration of the heater actuation mechanism 47, the engagement element 49 does not press the gas release button 50 (due to the stop 53).
[0215] To operate the heater 7 to generate heat, a user may move the sliding element 51 downwards by moving an operating element 57 connected to the sliding element 51. As indicated with arrows in FIG. 11, the operating element 57 is moved downwards, thereby moving the sliding element 51 downwards. This causes the stop 53 to move downwards and allows the engagement element 49 to also move downwards due to the force generated from the spring element 53 to press the gas release button 50.
[0216] When the engagement element 49 presses the gas release button 50 to release gas, the heater actuation mechanism 47 is in an engaging configuration. When the user again releases the operating element 57, the restoration element 55 moves the sliding element 51 upwards. At some point, the stop 53 comes in contact with the engagement element 49 and moves the engagement element 49 upwards, thereby releasing the gas release button 50 and stopping release of gas. When the engagement element 49 does not press the gas release button 50, the heater actuation mechanism 47 is in a non-engaging configuration.
[0217] Return of the heater actuation mechanism 47 to the non-engaging configuration after release of the operating element 57 is delayed by a blocking mechanism 59 only schematically shown in FIG. 11.
[0218] FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the blocking mechanism 59. The left part of FIG. 12 shows what happens when the heater actuation mechanism 47 is moved towards the engaging configuration by pressing the sliding element 51 pressed down. The blocking mechanism 59 comprises a first wheel 61 and a second wheel 63 having a larger diameter than the first wheel 61. The first wheel 61 and the second wheel 63 are rotatable about a common axis. When the sliding element 51 is pressed down, teeth 65 of the sliding element 51 engage teeth of the first wheel 61 so that the first wheel 61 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 12.
[0219] The second wheel 63 is connected to the first wheel 61 and therefore also rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 12. An optional spring 67 is loaded by rotation of the first wheel 61. Teeth on the outer circumference of the second wheel 63 are in contact with a rocker arm 69, which does not inhibit the second wheel 63 when the second wheel 63 rotates counterclockwise in the direction given by the sliding element 51 moving down. Thus, the blocking mechanism 59 does not inhibit movement of the heater actuation mechanism 47 into the engaging configuration.
[0220] The right part of FIG. 12 shows the situation when the sliding element 51 moves upwards after the operating element 57 has been released. Upward movement of the sliding element 51 may be caused by at least one of the restoration element 55 and the spiraling spring 67. For the sliding element 51 to move upwards, the first wheel 61 and the second wheel 63 have to rotate in a clockwise direction due to the engagement of the teeth 65 of the sliding element 51 and the teeth of the first wheel 61. Rotation of the second wheel 63 in the clockwise direction is periodically blocked and released by rocker arm 69, which goes back and forth between the position shown in the right part of FIG. 12 and the position shown in the left part of FIG. 12. Thus, the rocker arm 69 periodically blocks the movement of the sliding element 51. Each position of the rocker arm 69 blocks the second wheel 63 for a short time before moving to the other position. The numerous teeth of the second wheel 63 allow for numerous back and forth motions of the rocker arm 69. Thus, the upwards motion of the sliding element 51 and therefore, return of the heater actuation mechanism 47 into the non-engaging configuration, is delayed. The delay time depends on the layout of the blocking mechanism 59, in particular on the number of teeth of the second wheel 63.
[0221] The further the sliding element 51 is pushed down when bringing the heater actuation mechanism 47 into the engaging configuration to activate release of gas, the more the first wheel 61 and the second wheel 63 are rotated, and the more the returning motion of the heater actuation mechanism 47 into the non-engaging configuration is delayed. The degree to which the sliding element 51 is moved downwards by moving the operating element 57, therefore defines different engaging sub-configurations of the heater actuation mechanism 47 which correspond to different delays for returning into the non-engaging configuration upon release of the operating element 57.
[0222] FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the blocking mechanism 59. Again, the sliding element 51 is provided with teeth 65. The blocking mechanism 59 comprises a pivot part 71 that is pivotable about an axis 73. The blocking mechanism 59 further comprises the thermal expansion element 75 attached to a fixed point 77 at one side and to the pivot part 71 at the other side. The pivot part 71 comprises a tooth 79. The teeth 65 of the sliding member 51 and the tooth 79 of the blocking mechanism 59 are shaped such that a downward motion of the sliding element 51 (bringing the heater actuation mechanism 47 into the engaging position) is always possible (see left part of FIG. 13). An upward motion of the sliding element 51 (bringing the heater actuation mechanism 47 into the non-engaging configuration), however, is allowed or prevented depending on the pivot position of the pivot part 71.
[0223] The middle part of FIG. 13 shows the situation after the heater actuation mechanism 47 has been brought into the engaging configuration by moving the operating element 57 downwards, thereby moving the sliding element 51 downwards. The heater 7 has been activated to generate a flame 8. The restoration element 55 biases the sliding element 51 upwards towards the non-engaging configuration of the heater actuation mechanism 47. However, upward motion of the sliding element 51 is blocked by engagement between the teeth 65 of the sliding element 51 and the tooth 79 of the pivot part 71. Thus, the heater actuation mechanism 47 remains in the engaging configuration and the heater 7 continues to generate heat.
[0224] Due to heat generated by the heater 7, the thermal expansion element 75 is heated and therefore expands in length. This causes the pivot part 71 to rotate about the axis 73 as indicated in the right part of FIG. 13. Once the thermal expansion element 75 reaches a predetermined temperature, the length of the thermal expansion element 75 is sufficient to pivot the pivot part 71 so that the tooth 79 of the pivot part 71 disengages from the teeth 65 of the sliding element 51. The sliding element 51 consequently moves upwards, returning the heater actuation mechanism 47 to the non-engaging configuration. Consequently, the gas release button 50 ceases to be pressed by the engagement element 49 and the heater 7 is deactivated.
[0225] The blocking mechanism 59 thus holds the heater actuation mechanism 47 in the engaging configuration until the thermal expansion element 75 has been heated to a predetermined temperature and then allows return of the heater actuation mechanism 47 into the non-engaging configuration. The predetermined temperature may be set by appropriately choosing the thermal expansion element 75 and the layout of the blocking mechanism 59.
[0226] The thermal expansion element 75 may be provided in the heater receiving section 23 of the aerosol-generating device 3. Thus, the thermal expansion element 75 reacts to a temperature in the heater receiving section 23. Alternatively, the thermal expansion element 75 could be provided at other locations, such as within the heating space 21 or at the heating chamber 15. If required, one or more mechanical links could be provided between the thermal expansion element 75 and the pivot part 71.
[0227] In the embodiments of FIGS. 12 and 13, the sliding element 51 of the heater actuation mechanism 47 and the blocking mechanism 59 together form a ratchet mechanism allowing free motion of the heater actuation mechanism 47 into the engaging configuration and selectively blocking a motion of the heater actuation mechanism 47 into the non-engaging configuration.
[0228] Alternatively, the blocking mechanism 59 could be configured to selectively block a motion of the heater actuation mechanism 47 from the non-engaging configuration into the engaging configuration. This could, for example, be achieved by changing the orientation of the teeth 65 of the sliding element 51. The blocking mechanism 59 could delay a movement of the heater actuation mechanism 47 from the non-engaging configuration into the engaging configuration to prevent overheating of the heating space 21. For example, the blocking mechanism 59 could prevent a user form immediately bringing the heater actuation mechanism 47 back into the engaging configuration after the heater actuation mechanism 47 has just returned into the non-engaging configuration. The blocking mechanism 59 could be configured to allow a movement of the heater actuation mechanism 47 into the engaging configuration only if a temperature of the thermal expansion element 75 of the blocking mechanism 59 is below a predetermined temperature to prevent overheating, for example.
[0229] For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term about. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A ?5 percent of A. Within this context, a number A may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.
