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 containing cavity with an open end; a magnetic field generator; a heating element heated by the magnetic field and in turn heating the smokable material contained in the containing cavity; the heating element comprises at least four heating parts extending along the axial direction of the containing cavity, and the at least two heating parts are arranged in axial symmetry with the containing cavity. The aerosol generating device implemented above has more sufficient heat contact area between the heating element and the smokable material, which makes the aerosol formation of the smokable material more uniform and sufficient, and the element structure of the multiple heating parts can make the resistance correspondingly reduced when a cigarette is inserted into the heating element, thereby facilitating the operation of insertion or removal.

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. BACKGROUND

[0002] Tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, etc.) bum tobacco to produce tobacco smoke during use. Attempts have been made to provide products that release compounds without burning.

[0003] An example of such products 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] The present application provides an aerosol generating device for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material; comprising:

[0005] a receiving cavity having an open end, at least a portion of the smokable material being removably received in the receiving cavity through the open end of the receiving cavity;

[0006] a magnetic field generator configured to generate a varying magnetic field;

[0007] a heating element configured to heat up by being penetrated by the varying magnetic field, thereby heating the smokable material received in the receiving cavity;

[0008] the heating element comprises at least two heating portions extending along an axial direction of the receiving cavity, each of the heating portions being arranged symmetrically about the axis of the receiving cavity.

[0009] Preferably, the thickness of each of the heating portions decreases in turn in a direction radially inward of the receiving cavity.

[0010] Preferably, the heating element comprises at least a first heating portion and a second heating portion extending along the axial direction of the receiving cavity; the first heating portion is configured to have a different heating temperature from the second heating portion.

[0011] Preferably, the second heating portion comprises a first material, and the second heating portion comprises a second material, the first material and the second material having different magnetic permeability coefficients.

[0012] Preferably, the heating element comprises a first section and a second section arranged in sequence in a direction away from the open end;

[0013] The varying magnetic field penetrates the first section and avoids the second section, thereby causing the first section to be heated by the varying magnetic field penetrating the first section, and the second section to be able to be heated by receiving heat conduction from the first section.

[0014] Preferably, the length of the first section is greater than the length of the second section.

[0015] Preferably, the magnetic field generator comprises a spiral coil surrounding the accommodation cavity and extending in an axial direction of the accommodation cavity.

[0016] The first section is arranged within the surrounding space of the spiral coil, and the second section is arranged outside the surrounding space of the spiral coil.

[0017] Preferably, further comprising: a temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the heating element.

[0018] Preferably, the end of the heat-generating part close to the open end is in the shape of a taper or a sharp head.

[0019] With the above-embodied aerosol generating device, the heating element has a more sufficient heat contact area with the smokeable material, making the aerosol formation of the smokeable material more uniform and sufficient, and the multi-heat-generating part element structure can make the resistance correspondingly reduced when the cigarette is inserted into the heating element, thereby facilitating the operation of insertion or removal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an aerosol generating device provided by an embodiment;

[0021] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a structural schematic view of the extractor in an angle in the extractor;

[0022] Figure 3 is Figure 1 is a schematic view of the extractor removed from the main body part in the extractor;

[0023] Figure 4 is Figure 3 is a schematic view of the extractor in a P direction view in the extractor;

[0024] Figure 5 is a schematic view of a heating element in another embodiment;

[0025] Figure 6 is Figure 5 is a top view of the heating element shown in the heating element;

[0026] Figure 7 is a schematic view of an aerosol-generating device according to a further embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The embodiments described below are exemplary only, and are not to be construed as limiting the present application.

[0028] An aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present application is configured as shown in Figures 1 to 3 and includes:

[0029] A main body portion 10 forms a main housing structure of the aerosol-generating device, and an inside of the main body portion 10 is configured to accommodate essential functional components such as a battery, a circuit board, etc.

[0030] An accommodation cavity 20 is formed by at least a portion of an inner wall structure of the main body portion 10, and is configured to accommodate a smokable material A such as a cigarette, as shown in Figure 1 In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the accommodation cavity 20 has an elongated shape extending in a longitudinal direction, and is configured to accommodate the smokable material A. Of course, according to a conventional use situation, the accommodation cavity 20 has an open structure so that the smokable material A can be handled between the accommodation in the accommodation cavity 20 and the removal from the accommodation cavity 20.

[0031] A heating element 30 is configured to be accommodated in the accommodation cavity 20, and is configured to heat the smokable material A accommodated in the accommodation cavity 20, as shown in Figure 1 In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the heating element 30 has a needle shape, a pin shape, or a sheet shape extending in an axial direction of the accommodation cavity 20, and is configured to be inserted into or extend into the smokable material A when the smokable material A is accommodated in the accommodation cavity 20, so as to heat the inside of the smokable material A to form an aerosol for a user to inhale.

[0032] In implementation, the heating element 30 can be made of a metal material having electrical resistance, so that the heating element 30 can be electrically heated by direct current power supply, so as to heat the smokable material A. Alternatively, the heating element 30 can be made of a magnetic metal material having appropriate magnetic permeability, so that the heating element 30 can be inductively heated in an alternating magnetic field, so as to heat the smokable material A.

[0033] Of course, in other variant embodiments, the heating element 30 can also have a tubular or cylindrical shape, and is configured to be arranged around an outer periphery of the smokable material A when the smokable material A is accommodated in the accommodation cavity 20, so as to heat the outer periphery of the smokable material A to form an aerosol for a user to inhale.

[0034] In order to facilitate the handling of the smokable material A between the accommodation in the accommodation cavity 20 and the removal from the accommodation cavity 20, the aerosol-generating device further includes:

[0035] An extractor 40 removably connected to the main body portion 10; the extractor 40 includes a cylindrical portion 41 having an inner hollow forming a holding space 42 for holding the smokable material A; in use, the cylindrical portion 41 is coaxially arranged with the receiving cavity 20 and extended into the receiving cavity 20 so that at least a portion of the smokable material A held in the holding space 42 is received in the receiving cavity 20; further in use, by the removal operation of the extractor 40 from the main body portion 10, the smokable material A carried by the extractor 40 is removed from the receiving cavity 20 together, see Figure 3 .

[0036] In Figure 1 and Figure 3 the embodiment, the cylindrical portion 41 of the extractor 40 is provided with perforations 43 for the heating element 30 in the form of a needle, a pin or a sheet to extend through, so that the heating element 30 can extend through the perforations to heat the smokable material A held in the cylindrical portion 41.

[0037] In one embodiment, during the smoking process, 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 receiving cavity 20, and then extend along the axial direction in the gap between the inner wall of the receiving cavity 20 and the outer wall of the cylindrical portion 41 towards the inside of the receiving cavity 20, and then enter the smokable material A through the perforations 43 of the cylindrical portion 41, and then carry the aerosol in the smokable material A out for the user to smoke.

[0038] 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 along the gap between the inner wall of the receiving cavity 20 and the outer wall of the cylindrical portion 41 in the axial direction can directly enter 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 smoking process.

[0039] 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. Figure 2As shown in the preferred embodiment, the diameters of the first vent 411, the second vent 412, and the third vent 413 gradually decrease. The diameter of the first vent 411 is larger than that of the second vent 412, and the diameter of the second vent 412 is larger than that of the third vent 413. This allows the airflow through the first vent 411, the second vent 412, and the third vent 413 to automatically adjust according to the user's suction strength during the suction process, ensuring that the suction resistance remains within a relatively balanced range and improving the user's suction experience.

[0040] In another embodiment, the number of the first vent 411, the second vent 412, and the third vent 413 can each be multiple sets, for example... Figure 2 Two sets are shown; however, their arrangement is not symmetrical along the circumference of the cylindrical portion 41. Figure 3 The extractor 40 is shown in the figure. Figure 1 A diagram illustrating the perspective in the direction of the middle arrow P, combined with... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the main body 10 includes a first outer wall 110 and a second outer wall 120 facing each other along the width direction. The distance L1 between the cylindrical portion 41 and the first outer wall 110 along the width direction is smaller than the distance L2 between it and the second outer wall 120. Furthermore, the two sets of first vents 411, second vents 412, and third vents 413 are all positioned close to the first outer wall 110, and thus away from the second outer wall 120. The differential distribution of airflow can promote heat radiation and exchange within the cavity 20 near the first outer wall 110.

[0041] In one embodiment, another heating element 30a adapted for electromagnetic induction heating is also provided, the construction of which is described in [reference needed]. Figures 5 to 6 As shown, it includes a base 31a and four heating elements 32a extending axially from the base 31a toward the receiving cavity 20; and these four heating elements 32a are arranged radially along the radial direction of the receiving cavity 20. In practice, the base 31a can be made of the same material as the heating elements 32a and molded together, with a plate or block shape extending along the width direction, which facilitates the fixing and installation of the heating element 30a within the aerosol generating device. Meanwhile, according to... Figure 6 As shown in the top view, the thickness of the heating element 32a gradually decreases inward along the radial direction of the receiving cavity 20. This effectively regulates the heat distribution of the heating element 32a itself, causing the thermal mass to gradually decrease inward along the radial direction of the receiving cavity 20. Therefore, on the one hand, it increases the thermal contact area with the puffable material A, and on the other hand, the heat in contact with the puffable material A can be kept relatively uniform. Furthermore, this structure reduces the resistance when the cigarette is inserted into the heating element, thus facilitating the insertion or removal operation.

[0042] 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.

[0043] In yet another preferred embodiment, the heating portions 32a are made of a material suitable for electromagnetic induction heating, such as nickel, nickel-iron alloy, iron alloy, silicon steel, permalloy, etc. However, at least one of the four heating portions 32a is made of a first material, such as Figure 6 the first heating portion 321a indicated in the middle, at least one of which is made of a second material different from the magnetic permeability coefficient of the first material, such as in Figure 6 the second heating portion 322a indicated; so that the first heating portion 321a and the second heating portion 322a can have different heating efficiencies in the magnetic field. In the embodiment, the components of the smokable material A in contact with the heating portion 32a with a high heating temperature volatilize relatively quickly and form an aerosol therein. With the passage of time, the temperature of the heating portion 32a with a lower heating temperature also gradually rises. This makes at least one component of another part of the smokable material A 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 part of the smokable material A for inhalation by the user; and to provide a time-dependent release of the aerosol, so that after the aforementioned part of the smokable material A has stopped generating the aerosol, other parts can still continue to form and release the aerosol.

[0044] Based on the above number of heating portions 32a, the number can be increased or reduced in the embodiment according to the size and volume of the smokable material A, such as 5, 6, 8, etc.; so that it can be suitable for having a relatively appropriate contact area with the smokable material A, so that the heating is more sufficient.

[0045] The aerosol generating device to which the heating element 30a of this embodiment is adapted is constructed as shown in Figure 7 The body portion 10a is formed with a receiving cavity 20a open at the upper end for receiving and heating the smokable material A, such as a cigarette; the heating element 30a is in the shape of extending in the axial direction of the receiving cavity 20a, and then when the smokable material A is received in the receiving cavity 20a, it can be inserted into the smokable material A to heat it.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] In a conventional embodiment, a temperature sensor 60a is arranged to abut against the surface of the heating element 30a to monitor the temperature of the heating element 30a in use, to prevent the smokable material A from being burnt by overheating of the heating element 30a. Thus, the duty cycle of the alternating current provided to the helical coil 50a can be adjusted according to the monitored temperature, to facilitate control of the smoking process.

[0049] 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 comprising, For heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material; comprising: a receiving cavity having an open end through which at least a portion of the smokable material is removably receivable within the receiving cavity; a magnetic field generator configured to generate a varying magnetic field; a heating element configured to be heated by the varying magnetic field, in turn heating smokable material received within the receiving cavity; the heating element comprises at least two heating portions extending in an axial direction of the receiving cavity, each heating portion being arranged axially symmetrically about the receiving cavity; the aerosol-generating device further comprises: a body portion comprising first and second opposable outer side walls in a width direction; an extractor removably connectable to the body portion; the extractor comprises a cylindrical portion, an interior of the cylindrical portion being hollowed to form a holding space for holding smokable material, the cylindrical portion being arranged coaxially with the receiving cavity and extending into the receiving cavity such that at least a portion of smokable material held in the holding space is received in the receiving cavity, the cylindrical portion being closer to the first outer side wall than to the second outer side wall in the width direction; a plurality of air holes are provided on an outer wall of the cylindrical portion, the air holes comprising first, second and third air holes arranged in sequence in an axial direction of the cylindrical portion such that air flowing between an inner wall of the receiving cavity and an outer wall of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction passes directly into the cylindrical portion through the first, second and third air holes, the first, second and third air holes of each of the two groups being arranged closer to the first outer side wall than to the second outer side wall; a diameter of the first, second and third air holes decreases in a direction away from the heating element.

2. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein, a thickness of each heating portion decreases in a direction radially inward of the receiving cavity.

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

4. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 3, wherein the second heating portion comprises a first material, the second heating portion comprises a second material, the first material and the second material having different magnetic permeability coefficients.

5. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating element comprises first and second sections arranged in sequence in a direction away from the open end; the varying magnetic field penetrates the first section and avoids the second section, in turn causing the first section to be heated by the varying magnetic field and the second section to be heated by receiving heat conduction from the first section.

6. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 5, wherein the heater is arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature of 150-250°C. a length of the first section is greater than a length of the second section.

7. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 5, wherein the heater is a heater element. the magnetic field generator comprises a spiral coil surrounding the receiving cavity and extending in an axial direction of the receiving cavity; the first section is arranged within a surrounding space of the spiral coil and the second section is arranged outside the surrounding space of the spiral coil.

8. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, further comprising: a temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature of the heating element.

9. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, an end of the heating portion proximate to the open end is tapered or pointed in shape.

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