An Aerosol Generating Device Comprising a Positioning Mechanism

Abstract

An aerosol generating device includes a heating assembly. The heating assembly includes a heating compartment arranged to receive an aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol generating device further includes a positioning mechanism. The positioning mechanism is configured to move the aerosol generating substrate along a longitudinal direction of the heating compartment based on the temperature of the heating compartment.

1 . An aerosol generating device, comprising:
 a heating assembly, wherein the heating assembly comprises a heating compartment arranged to receive an aerosol generating substrate; and   a positioning mechanism configured to move the aerosol generating substrate along a longitudinal direction of the heating compartment based on a temperature of the heating compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the positioning mechanism comprises:
 a moveable member disposed in the heating compartment, wherein the moveable member comprises a locator on which the aerosol generating substrate is locatable by a user; and   an actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to displace the moveable member in the heating compartment, thereby moving the aerosol generating substrate in the heating compartment along the longitudinal direction, from a start position to an end position based on the heating compartment reaching a target temperature.   
     
     
         3 . The aerosol generating device according to  claim 2 , wherein the end position corresponds to a maximum permitted displacement of the moveable member in the heating compartment by the actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The aerosol generating device according to  claim 2 , wherein the actuator comprises a phase-change material having a temperature dependent volume, wherein, in use, an increase in a volume of the phase-change material by thermal expansion caused by heat from the heating compartment extends the actuator to displace the moveable member to the end position. 
     
     
         5 . The aerosol generating device according to  claim 4 , wherein the phase-change material comprises wax. 
     
     
         6 . The aerosol generating device according to  claim 2 , wherein the moveable member comprises an arm, wherein a section of the arm extends into the heating compartment from a position to one side of the heating compartment. 
     
     
         7 . The aerosol generating device according to  claim 2 , wherein the moveable member comprises an arm, wherein a section of the arm extends into the heating compartment from a position beneath the heating compartment. 
     
     
         8 . The aerosol generating device according to  claim 2 , wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a resilient member, wherein the resilient member is configured to urge the moveable member to the start position in the heating compartment; and wherein the resilient member is configured to deflect as the moveable member is displaced by the actuator to the end position. 
     
     
         9 . The aerosol generating device according to  claim 8 , wherein the resilient member comprises a mechanical spring. 
     
     
         10 . The aerosol generating device according to  claim 9 , wherein the moveable member comprises an arm, wherein a section of the arm extends into the heating compartment from a position to one side of the heating compartment, and wherein the mechanical spring comprises a compression spring, the compression spring being configured to shorten as the moveable member is displaced by the actuator to the end position. 
     
     
         11 . The aerosol generating device according to  claim 9 , wherein the moveable member comprises an arm, wherein a section of the arm extends into the heating compartment from a position beneath the heating compartment, and wherein the mechanical spring comprises an extension spring, the extension spring being configured to stretch as the moveable member is displaced by the actuator to the end position. 
     
     
         12 . The aerosol generating device according to  claim 2 , wherein the locator comprises a cup having a sidewall and a base, wherein the aerosol generating substrate is locatable in the cup. 
     
     
         13 . The aerosol generating device according to  claim 12 , wherein the cup comprises at least one opening in the base, wherein in use air is flowable through the at least one opening from an exterior of the cup to the an interior of the cup. 
     
     
         14 . The aerosol generating device according to  claim 12 , wherein the cup comprises at least one opening in the sidewall, wherein in use air is flowable through the at least one opening from an exterior of the cup to the an interior of the cup. 
     
     
         15 . The aerosol generating device according to  claim 12 , wherein the base of the cup comprises a raised central section.