摘要：
There is provided an aerosol generating system, the system comprising: aerosol generating means; aerosol delivery means; and an aerosol guiding device (1). The aerosol guiding device comprises a chamber having an air inlet (14) and an air outlet (12) and the aerosol delivery means is configured such that aerosol is introduced from the aerosol generating means into the chamber in use. An airflow route is defined from the air inlet to the air outlet so as to convey the aerosol to the air outlet, and the relative dimensions of the air inlet and the air outlet are selected to provide pressure control means for controlling the pressure differential between the air inlet and the air outlet. There is also provided an aerosol guiding device for use in an aerosol generating system, the device comprising: a chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet. Aerosol is introduced from an aerosol generating means into the chamber in use, an airflow route is defined from the air inlet to the air outlet so as to convey the aerosol to the air outlet, and the relative dimensions of the air inlet and the air outlet are selected to provide pressure control means for controlling the pressure differential between the air inlet and the air outlet.
技术问题语段：
The technical problem addressed in this patent is the inconsistency in airflow within aerosol generating systems such as electronic cigarettes, which can result in an unpleasant experience for the user. The present invention provides an aerosol guiding device with improved means for modifying and regulating air flow within the system.
权利要求：
1. An aerosol generating system (3), the system comprising: aerosol generating means; aerosol delivery means; and an aerosol guiding device (30), wherein the aerosol guiding device (30) comprises a chamber (31) having an air inlet (32) and an air outlet (33), the aerosol delivery means being configured such that aerosol is introduced from the aerosol generating means into the chamber (31) in use, wherein an airflow route is defined from the air inlet (32) to the air outlet (33), and wherein the relative dimensions of the air inlet (32) and the air outlet (33) are selected to provide pressure control means for controlling the pressure differential between the air inlet (32) and the air outlet (33), characterised in that the system (3) further comprises an outer shell (37) for housing the chamber (31) of the aerosol guiding device (30).
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the air inlet (32) and the air outlet (33) are of the same dimensions, or wherein the air inlet (32) has smaller dimensions than the air outlet (33), or wherein the air inlet (32) has larger dimensions than the air outlet (33).
3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the chamber (31) comprises an upstream portion that tapers inwardly from the air inlet (32) and/or a downstream portion that tapers inwardly from the air outlet (33).
4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the taper angle of the upstream portion of the chamber (31) if provided is between 20 and 40 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the chamber (31), more preferably between 25 and 35 degrees, and yet more preferably 30 degrees, and/or wherein the taper angle of the downstream portion of the chamber (31) if provided is between 3 and 7 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the chamber (31), more preferably between 4 and 6 degrees, and yet more preferably 5 degrees.
5. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the pressure control means is configured to provide a pressure differential between the air inlet (32) and the air outlet (33) of between 735,5 Pa and 1078,7 Pa (75 mmWC and 110 mmWC) in use.
6. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol guiding device is insertable and removable from the aerosol generating system (3).
7. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol generating means is located outside the device and/or in close proximity to a narrowest part of the chamber (31).
8. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol generating means comprises a heater, wherein the heater comprises any one of a ceramic, a coil of wire, inductive heating means, ultrasonic heating means and/or piezoelectric heating means.
9. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol generating means further comprises a wick (25) that is received by the chamber (20) and the wick (25) is in communication with a liquid reservoir.
10. An aerosol guiding device (30) for use in an aerosol generating system (3), the device comprising: a chamber (31) having an air inlet (32) and an air outlet (33); wherein aerosol is introduced from an aerosol generating means into the chamber (31) in use, wherein an airflow route is defined from the air inlet (32) to the air outlet (33) so as to convey the aerosol to the air outlet (33), and wherein the relative dimensions of the air inlet (32) and the air outlet (33) are selected to provide pressure control means for controlling the pressure differential between the air inlet (32) and the air outlet (33), characterised in that the chamber (31) of the aerosol guiding device (30) is housed in an outer shell (37) of the aerosol generating system (30).
11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the air inlet (32) and the air outlet (33) are of the same dimensions, or wherein the air inlet (32) has smaller dimensions than the air outlet (33), or wherein the air inlet (32) has larger dimensions than the air outlet (33).
12. A device according to claim 10 to 11 , wherein the chamber (31) comprises an upstream portion that tapers inwardly from the air inlet (32) and/or a downstream portion that tapers inwardly from the air outlet (33).
13. A device according to claim 12, the taper angle of the upstream portion of the chamber (31) if provided is between 20 and 40 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the chamber (31), more preferably between 25 and 35 degrees, and yet more preferably 30 degrees, and/or wherein the taper angle of the downstream portion of the chamber (31) if provided is between 3 and 7 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the chamber (31), more preferably between 4 and 6 degrees, and yet more preferably 5 degrees.
14. A device according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the pressure control means is configured to provide a pressure differential between the air inlet (32) and the air outlet (33) of between 735,5 Pa and 1078,7 Pa (75 mmWC and 110 mmWC) in use.