An aerosol-generating device

Abstract

The application discloses an aerosol generating device for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material; comprising: a main body portion having an open-ended receiving cavity, and an extractor removably connected to the main body portion, the extractor comprising a cylindrical portion for holding the smokable material; an air inlet in airflow communication with the open end of the receiving cavity to enable air to enter the receiving cavity from the air inlet; the outer side wall of the cylindrical portion is provided with air holes arranged in the axial direction in sequence, so that the air entering the receiving cavity can enter the smokable material received in the cylindrical portion through the air holes. With the above aerosol generating device, the distribution of air flow is assisted according to the change of the suction strength of the user through the air holes on the outer side wall of the cylindrical portion, so that the suction resistance in the suction process can always be maintained in a relatively balanced range, and the suction experience of the user is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of heat-not-burn smoking apparatuses, and in particular to an aerosol-generating device with improved air path. BACKGROUND

[0002] Tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, and the like, burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these burning tobacco products by creating products that release compounds without burning.

[0003] An example of such a product is a heating device that releases compounds by heating, rather than burning, a material. For example, the material can be tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which can or can not contain nicotine. In one existing structure of a heating device, there is usually a receiving cavity for receiving a tobacco product, so that the tobacco product can be inserted into the receiving cavity; during the process of suction, external air flows to the inserted end of the tobacco product through the gap between the receiving cavity and the tobacco product, and then enters the tobacco product to form a circulation after being sucked; this way is implemented, and the cold air enters uncontrollably, affecting the quality of suction. SUMMARY

[0004] In order to solve the problem of air flow path resistance of the existing heating device, an embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol-generating device.

[0005] An aerosol-generating device according to one embodiment of the present application, for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material; comprising:

[0006] a body portion having a receiving cavity with an open end;

[0007] an extractor removably connected to the body portion, comprising a cylindrical portion for holding smokable material; and when the extractor is connected to the body portion, the cylindrical portion extends into the receiving cavity through the open end of the receiving cavity, so that the smokable material is at least partially contained in the receiving cavity; and by removing the extractor from the body portion, the smokable material is removed from the receiving cavity;

[0008] a heating element configured to heat the smokable material contained in the receiving cavity;

[0009] an end portion of the cylindrical portion is provided with a perforation for allowing the heating element to penetrate into the smokable material held in the cylindrical portion when the extractor is connected to the body portion;

[0010] an air inlet in air flow communication with the receiving cavity, so that air can enter the receiving cavity from the air inlet;

[0011] The perforations are in airflow communication with the accommodation cavity to form a first airflow path for air from the accommodation cavity to pass through the perforations to the smokable material;

[0012] The outer side wall of the cylindrical portion is provided with air holes arranged in sequence in the axial direction and in airflow communication with the accommodation cavity to form a second airflow path for air from the accommodation cavity to pass through the air holes to the smokable material.

[0013] Preferably, the air holes are at least a first air hole and a second air hole; wherein the first air hole and the second air hole have different hole diameters to allow a user to have different airflow rates through the first air hole and the second air hole when smoking the smokable material, thereby adjusting the draw resistance of the user.

[0014] Preferably, the first air hole and the second air hole are arranged in sequence in a direction close to the end of the cylindrical portion, and the hole diameter of the first air hole is greater than the hole diameter of the second air hole.

[0015] Preferably, the main body portion comprises a first side portion and a second side portion opposite in the width direction;

[0016] The distance between the cylindrical portion and the first side portion in the width direction of the main body portion is less than the distance between the cylindrical portion and the second side portion; and the air holes are arranged close to the first side portion.

[0017] Preferably, the heating element comprises at least two heating portions extending in the axial direction of the accommodation cavity, and each heating portion is arranged symmetrically about the axial direction of the accommodation cavity.

[0018] Preferably, the thickness of each heating portion decreases in sequence in a direction inward in the radial direction of the accommodation cavity.

[0019] Preferably, the heating element comprises at least a first heating portion and a second heating portion extending in the axial direction of the accommodation cavity; the first heating portion is configured to have a different heating temperature from the second heating portion.

[0020] Preferably, the main body portion further comprises a magnetic field generator configured to generate a varying magnetic field, and the first heating portion and the second heating portion are heated by being penetrated by the varying magnetic field.

[0021] The second heating portion comprises a first material, and the second heating portion comprises a second material, and the first material and the second material have different magnetic permeability coefficients.

[0022] Preferably, the heating element comprises a first section and a second section arranged in sequence in a direction away from the open end;

[0023] The main body portion further includes a magnetic field generator configured to generate a varying magnetic field; the varying magnetic field penetrates the first section and avoids the second section; in turn, the first section is heated by the varying magnetic field penetrating the first section, and the second section is capable of being heated by receiving heat conduction from the first section.

[0024] Preferably, the magnetic field generator includes a spiral coil surrounding the accommodation cavity and extending along an axial direction of the accommodation cavity.

[0025] The first section is arranged in a surrounding space of the spiral coil, and the second section is arranged outside the surrounding space of the spiral coil.

[0026] With the above-mentioned aerosol generating device, the heating element has a sufficient heat contact area with the smokable material, the aerosol formation of the smokable material is more uniform and sufficient, and the multi-heating element structure can reduce the resistance when the cigarette is inserted into the heating element, thereby facilitating the insertion or removal operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an aerosol generating device provided by an embodiment;

[0028] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a structural schematic view of an extractor in an embodiment from an angle;

[0029] Figure 3 is Figure 1 is a schematic view of an extractor removed from a main body portion in an embodiment;

[0030] Figure 4 is Figure 3 is a schematic view of an extractor in an embodiment from a P direction angle;

[0031] Figure 5 is a schematic view of a heating element in another embodiment;

[0032] Figure 6 is Figure 5 is a top view of the heating element shown in FIG. 7;

[0033] Figure 7 is a schematic view of an aerosol generating device in another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present application, and cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the present application.

[0035] An aerosol generating device with an improved air path provided by an embodiment of the present application has a structure as shown in FIG. 1, and includes: Figures 1 to 3 ​

[0036] The main body portion 10 forms the main housing structure of the aerosol generating device, and the interior of the main body portion 10 is used to mount the essential functional components such as the battery, the circuit board, etc.

[0037] The accommodation cavity 20 is formed by at least a portion of the inner wall structure of the main body portion 10, and is used to accommodate the smokable material A such as a cigarette, etc. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the accommodation cavity 20 is in the shape of an elongated form extending in the longitudinal direction, and is configured to accommodate the smokable material A; of course, according to the conventional use scenario, the accommodation cavity 20 has an open structure, so that the smokable material A can be operated between being accommodated in the accommodation cavity 20 and being removed from the accommodation cavity 20.

[0038] The heating element 30 is arranged in the accommodation cavity 20. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the heating element 30 is in the form of a needle, a pin, or a sheet extending in the axial direction of the accommodation cavity 20, and when the smokable material A is accommodated in the accommodation cavity 20, the heating element 30 can penetrate or extend into the smokable material A, so as to heat the inside of the smokable material A to form the aerosol for the user to smoke.

[0039] In the implementation, the heating element 30 can be made of a metal material with resistance, so that the heating element 30 can be heated by direct current power supply to achieve heating; or the heating element 30 can also be made of a magnetic metal material with appropriate magnetic permeability, and then the heating element 30 can be heated by induction under an alternating magnetic field to heat the smokable material A.

[0040] Of course, in other variant implementations, the heating element 30 can also be in the form of a tube or a cylinder; when the smokable material A is accommodated in the accommodation cavity 20, the heating element 30 is arranged around the outer periphery of the smokable material A, so as to heat the outer periphery of the smokable material A to form the aerosol for the user to smoke.

[0041] In order to facilitate the operation of the smokable material A between being accommodated in the accommodation cavity 20 and being removed from the accommodation cavity 20, the aerosol generating device further comprises:

[0042] The extractor 40 is removably connected to the main body portion 10; the extractor 40 comprises a cylindrical portion 41, and the inside of the cylindrical portion 41 is hollow to form a holding space 42 for holding the smokable material A; in use, the cylindrical portion 41 is coaxially arranged with the accommodation cavity 20 and extends into the accommodation cavity 20, so that at least a portion of the smokable material A held in the holding space 42 is accommodated in the accommodation cavity 20; further in use, by removing the extractor 40 from the main body portion 10, the smokable material A carried by the extractor 40 can be removed from the accommodation cavity 20, as shown in Figure 3 .

[0043] In Figure 1 and Figure 3 the embodiment shown, the cylindrical portion 41 of the extractor 40 is provided with a perforation 43 for the heating element 30 in the form of a needle, a pin or a thin sheet to extend through the perforation 43 to the smokable material A held in the cylindrical portion 41 for heating.

[0044] In one embodiment, during the process of smoking, the airflow path is as shown by the arrow R1 in Figure 1 , with the gap at the joint between the extractor 40 and the outer surface of the main body portion 10 as the air inlet for the external air to enter from the gap at the joint of the outer surface into the open end of the accommodation cavity 20, and then extend in the axial direction in the gap between the inner wall of the accommodation cavity 20 and the outer wall of the cylindrical portion 41 towards the interior of the accommodation cavity 20, to the smokable material A through the perforation 43 of the cylindrical portion 41, and then carry the aerosol in the smokable material A to be delivered out to be smoked by the user.

[0045] In yet another embodiment, the outer wall of the cylindrical portion 41 is provided with a plurality of air holes, including a first air hole 411, a second air hole 412 and a third air hole 413 arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 41. The airflow flowing in the gap between the inner wall of the accommodation cavity 20 and the outer wall of the cylindrical portion 41 in the axial direction can directly enter into the cylindrical portion 41 through the first air hole 411, the second air hole 412 and the third air hole 413, as shown by the arrow R2 in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , so as to change the way the airflow enters the smokable material A and adjust the resistance during the process of smoking.

[0046] In the preferred implementation shown in Figure 2 , the diameters of the first air hole 411, the second air hole 412 and the third air hole 413 are different, so that the airflow velocities through the first air hole 411, the second air hole 412 and the third air hole 413 are different. As can be seen in the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 2 , the diameters of the first air hole 411, the second air hole 412 and the third air hole 413 gradually decrease, with the diameter of the first air hole 411 being larger than that of the second air hole 412, and the diameter of the second air hole 412 being larger than that of the third air hole 413. Thus, during the process of smoking, the airflow through the first air hole 411, the second air hole 412 and the third air hole 413 can be automatically adjusted according to the change in the strength of the user's puffing, so that the resistance during the process of smoking can always be kept in a relatively balanced range, improving the user's smoking experience.

[0047] In yet another embodiment, the number of the first air hole 411, the second air hole 412 and the third air hole 413 can be multiple groups, such as Figure 2The two groups are shown in the middle; but the arrangement is not symmetrical in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 41, and specifically Figure 3 The extractor 40 is shown in the middle along Figure 1 The schematic view of the perspective in the direction of the arrow P in the middle, combined with Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in the middle, the main body portion 10 includes a first outer side wall 110 and a second outer side wall 120 opposite in the width direction, and the distance L1 of the cylindrical portion 41 to the first outer side wall 110 is less than the distance L2 to the second outer side wall 120 in the width direction; and the two groups of first air holes 411, second air holes 412 and third air holes 413 are all arranged towards the position close to the first outer side wall 110, and away from the second outer side wall 120. The difference in air flow can promote the heat radiation and exchange in the portion close to the first outer side wall 110 in the containing cavity 20.

[0048] In one embodiment, another heating element 30a adapted to electromagnetic induction heating is also proposed, which is configured as shown in the middle Figures 5 to 6 As shown in the middle, it includes a base 31a, and four heating portions 32a extending from the base 31a in the axial direction of the containing cavity 20; and the four heating portions 32a are arranged radially in the containing cavity 20. In the implementation, the base 31a is made of the same material as the heating portions 32a and is obtained by molding, and has a shape of a plate or a block extending in the width direction, which can facilitate the fixation and installation of the heating element 30a in the aerosol generating device. At the same time, according to the top view shown in the middle Figure 6 As shown in the top view, the thickness of the heating portion 32a gradually decreases in the radial direction of the containing cavity 20, which can effectively adjust the heat distribution of the heating portion 32a itself, so that the heat quality gradually decreases in the radial direction of the containing cavity 20; thus, on the one hand, the heat contact area with the smokable material A can be increased, and on the other hand, each part in contact with the smokable material A can only be kept relatively uniform. And this configuration can make the resistance correspondingly reduced when the cigarette is inserted into the heating element, thereby facilitating the operation of insertion or removal.

[0049] Of course, in order to facilitate the operation of inserting the heating element 30a into the smokable material A, the end of the heating element 30a opposite to the base 31a is designed in a tapered or pointed shape.

[0050] In another preferred embodiment, the heating portion 32a is made of a material suitable for electromagnetic induction heating, such as nickel, nickel-iron alloy, iron alloy, silicon steel, permalloy alloy, etc. However, at least one of the four heating portions 32a is made of a first material, such as Figure 6 In the middle, the first heating portion 321a marked is made of a second material different from the magnetic permeability coefficient of the first material, such as in Figure 6The second heating portion 322a is indicated; so that the first heating portion 321a and the second heating portion 322a can have different heating efficiencies in the magnetic field. In implementation, the portion of the smokable material A in contact with the heating portion 32a having a high heating temperature can volatilize faster and form an aerosol therein. With the passage of time, the temperature of the heating portion 32a having a lower heating temperature also gradually increases. This causes at least one component of another portion of the smokable material A to volatilize and form an aerosol therein. Therefore, with the passage of time, gradual heating of the smokable material A is provided, which helps to form and release the aerosol relatively quickly from a portion of the smokable material A for inhalation by the user; and provides a time-dependent release of the aerosol, so that after the aforementioned portion of the smokable material A has stopped generating the aerosol, other portions can still continue to form and release the aerosol.

[0051] Based on the above, the number of heating portions 32a can be changed in implementation according to the specifications and volume of the smokable material A, and increased or decreased accordingly, such as 5, 6, 8, etc.; so that it can be suitable for having a more appropriate contact area with the smokable material A, so that the heating is more sufficient.

[0052] The aerosol generating device to which the heating element 30a of this embodiment is adapted is configured as shown in Figure 7 As shown, the main body portion 10a is formed with an accommodation cavity 20a having an open upper end, for receiving and heating the smokable material A such as a cigarette; the heating element 30a is in the shape of extending along the axial direction of the accommodation cavity 20a, and in turn can be inserted into the smokable material A when the smokable material A is received in the accommodation cavity 20a to heat the smokable material A.

[0053] In this Figure 7In the shown embodiment, the main body portion 10a is arranged with a helical coil 50a arranged around the receiving cavity 20a and extending in the axial direction of the receiving cavity 20a, the helical coil 50a being configured to generate an alternating magnetic field when an alternating current is provided by the power supply; and the heating element 30a is arranged with a heating portion 32a comprising a first section 323a and a second section 324a in the length direction; wherein the first section 323a is closer to the opening of the receiving cavity 20a. In the shown embodiment, the first section 323a is located within the space surrounded by the helical coil 50a, and the second section 324a is located outside the space surrounded by the helical coil 50a, such that the magnetic field generated by the helical coil 50a penetrates the first section 323a of the heating portion 32a and avoids the second section 324a of the heating portion 32a. The second section 324a of the heating portion 32a is heatable by heat conduction from the first section 323a of the heating portion 32a in use. Thus, when the smokable material A is located in the receiving cavity 20a in use, the portion closest to the opening is heated first to form aerosol by heat emitted from the first section 323a. Over time, the temperature of the second section 324a increases by heat conduction, such that another portion of the smokable material A further away from the opening is heated to form aerosol by heat emitted from the second section 324a. Thus, over time, a gradual heating of the smokable material A is provided.

[0054] In a more preferred embodiment, the length of the first section 323a is greater than the length of the second section 324a; such that the heating element 32a as a whole has a more suitable heating temperature and efficiency in use.

[0055] In order to prevent the smokable material A from being burnt by overheating of the heating element 30a in use of the aerosol generating device, a temperature sensor 60a is usually arranged to abut against the surface of the heating element 30a in conventional embodiments, such that the temperature of the heating element 30a is monitored. Thus, the duty cycle of the alternating current provided to the helical coil 50a is adjusted according to the monitored temperature, such that the control of the smoking process is facilitated.

[0056] The above detailed description of the embodiments shown in the drawings illustrates the structure, features and effects of the present application. The above description is only the preferred embodiments of the present application, but the present application is not limited by the drawings shown. Any changes or modifications made in accordance with the concept of the present application, or equivalent embodiments with equivalent changes, are still within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating device for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material; characterised in that, The device comprises: a body portion having a receiving cavity with an open end; a extractor removably connected to the body portion, comprising a cylindrical portion for holding smokable material; and when the extractor is connected to the body portion, the cylindrical portion extends into the receiving cavity through the open end of the receiving cavity, so that the smokable material is at least partially contained in the receiving cavity; and by removal of the extractor from the body portion, so that the smokable material is removed from the receiving cavity; a heating element configured to heat the smokable material contained in the receiving cavity; an end of the cylindrical portion is provided with a perforation for allowing the heating element to penetrate into the smokable material held in the cylindrical portion when the extractor is connected to the body portion; an air inlet in airflow communication with the receiving cavity, so that air can enter the receiving cavity from the air inlet; the perforation is in airflow communication with the receiving cavity to form a first airflow path for air in the receiving cavity to enter the smokable material through the perforation; the outer side wall of the cylindrical portion is provided with air holes arranged in sequence in the axial direction and in airflow communication with the receiving cavity, to form a second airflow path for air in the receiving cavity to enter the smokable material through the air holes; the air holes at least include a first air hole and a second air hole; wherein the first air hole and the second air hole are arranged in sequence in the direction close to the end of the cylindrical portion, and the aperture diameter of the first air hole is greater than that of the second air hole, so that the user has different airflow through the first air hole and the second air hole when smoking the smokable material, thereby adjusting the draw resistance of the user; the body portion comprises a first side and a second side opposite in the width direction; the distance between the cylindrical portion and the first side in the width direction of the body portion is less than the distance between the cylindrical portion and the second side; the air holes are arranged close to the first side; the heating element comprises a first section and a second section arranged in sequence in the direction away from the open end, and the length of the first section is greater than that of the second section; the body portion further comprises a magnetic field generator configured to generate a varying magnetic field; the varying magnetic field penetrates the first section and avoids the second section; thereby the first section is heated by the penetration of the varying magnetic field, and the second section can be heated by receiving heat conduction from the first section; the heating element comprises at least two heating portions extending in the axial direction of the receiving cavity, and each heating portion is arranged symmetrically about the axis of the receiving cavity; the thickness of each heating portion decreases in sequence in the direction inwardly along the radial direction of the receiving cavity.

2. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein, the heating element comprises at least a first heating portion and a second heating portion extending in the axial direction of the receiving cavity; the first heating portion is configured to have a different heating temperature from the second heating portion.

3. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, wherein, the body portion further comprises a magnetic field generator configured to generate a varying magnetic field, and the first heating portion and the second heating portion are heated by being penetrated by the varying magnetic field; the second heating portion comprises a first material, and the second heating portion comprises a second material, and the first material and the second material have different magnetic permeability coefficients.

4. The aerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein, The magnetic field generator includes a spiral coil that surrounds the accommodation cavity and extends in an axial direction of the accommodation cavity. The first section is arranged in a surrounding space of the spiral coil, and the second section is arranged outside the surrounding space of the spiral coil.

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