A dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with distributed electrodes

Abstract

The present invention provides a dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with distributed electrodes, which relates to the field of aerosol generation technology and includes an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating component. The aerosol generating device is provided with a working chamber, the aerosol generating component includes an aerosol generating substrate, a sensor is provided in the aerosol generating substrate, and distributed electrodes are provided on the side walls of the working chamber. The distributed electrodes include an anode plate and a cathode plate. The aerosol generating device is provided with a power supply and a controller, so that when the aerosol generating substrate is inserted into the working chamber, the controller controls the power supply to generate alternating current to power the anode plate and the cathode plate, thereby forming an alternating electric field dielectric heating sensor. The present invention has a simple structure and adopts a dielectric heating method instead of a resistive heating method. It can effectively heat the inside and outside of the entire aerosol generating substrate to generate aerosol, and the distributed electrodes can further promote uniform heat distribution during the dielectric heating process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of aerosol generation technology.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a dielectrically heated aerosol generating structure having distributed plates. Background Art

[0003] As cigarette production technology continues to advance, cigarette types and appearances are becoming more diverse. Cigarettes with unique appearances are becoming more popular, leading to a need to heat cigarettes and a growing demand for aerosol-generating devices that generate vapor by heating the aerosol-generating substances in cigarettes rather than burning them. Consequently, research on heated cigarettes and heated aerosol-generating devices is actively underway.

[0004] Most existing aerosol-generating devices use a sheet-like member formed of a heat-conductive material to uniformly heat the exterior of the aerosol-generating device to generate aerosol. For example, Chinese invention patent CN112423608A discloses an aerosol-generating device comprising: an aerosol-generating portion comprising a first aerosol-generating substance that does not contain nicotine; a tobacco-filling portion disposed adjacent to an end of the aerosol-generating portion and comprising a second aerosol-generating substance that contains nicotine; a cooling portion disposed adjacent to the end of the tobacco-filling portion and configured to cool the aerosol; and a mouthpiece disposed adjacent to the end of the cooling portion.

[0005] However, the above-mentioned aerosol generating article, i.e., the aerosol generating method, still has the following problems: the heating method still uses a resistance heating element, which results in that only the outer side of the aerosol generating article can be heated, but the heating effect on the inner side is poor, resulting in uneven heating of the entire aerosol generating article, poor quality of the generated aerosol, and a poor puffing experience for the puffer.

[0006] Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, it is necessary for us to design a reasonable and efficient dielectric heating aerosol generation structure with distributed electrodes. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with distributed electrodes that has a simple structure and uses dielectric heating instead of resistive heating to effectively heat the inside and outside of the entire aerosol generating substrate to generate aerosol, and the distributed electrodes can further promote uniform heat distribution during the dielectric heating process.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0009] A dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with distributed electrodes comprises an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating component, wherein the aerosol generating device is provided with a working chamber, the aerosol generating component comprises an aerosol generating substrate, a receptor is provided in the aerosol generating substrate, and a distributed electrode is provided on the side wall of the working chamber, wherein the distributed electrode comprises at least one anode plate and at least one cathode plate. The aerosol generating device is provided with a power supply for electrically connecting to the anode plate and the cathode plate, and a controller for electrically connecting to the power supply, so that when the aerosol generating substrate is inserted into the working chamber, the controller controls the power supply to generate alternating current to power the anode plate and the cathode plate, thereby forming an alternating electric field between the anode plate and the cathode plate to dielectrically heat the receptor.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol-generating article further comprises a filter tip and a hollow acetate tube disposed between the filter tip and the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the side wall of the aerosol generating device is provided with a through hole for communicating with the working chamber.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of anode plates and cathode plates are evenly distributed on the inner wall of the working chamber, and one cathode plate is provided on both sides of any anode plate.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the anode plate and the cathode plate are both long strips, and the extension directions of the anode plate and the cathode plate are both arranged parallel to the axis of the working chamber.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the distributed plate includes a plurality of plate layers, each of which includes a plurality of alternately arranged anode plates and cathode plates, and each plate layer forms a circular ring and is arranged inside the working chamber.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a wrapping layer is provided on the outer side of the aerosol generating member.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a switch electrically connected to the controller is provided on the side wall of the aerosol generating device.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller controls the power supply to generate alternating current with a frequency not lower than 2 MHz.

[0018] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is a plurality of granular spherical pieces with openings on the surface.

[0019] The beneficial effects of the dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with distributed electrodes of the present invention are: simple structure, using dielectric heating instead of resistance heating, can effectively heat the inside and outside of the entire aerosol generating substrate to generate aerosol, and the distributed arrangement of electrodes can further promote uniform heat distribution during the dielectric heating process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the overall structure of an embodiment of a dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with distributed electrodes according to the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 A schematic front cross-sectional view of the overall structure of an embodiment of a dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with distributed electrodes according to the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with distributed electrodes in one embodiment of the present invention, in which the distributed electrodes are distributed outside the aerosol generating component;

[0023] Figure 4 A schematic front view of another embodiment of a dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with distributed electrodes according to the present invention, in which the distributed electrodes are distributed outside the aerosol generating component;

[0024] Figure 5 A schematic front view of another embodiment of a dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with distributed electrodes according to the present invention, in which the distributed electrodes are distributed outside the aerosol generating component;

[0025] In the figure: 1. Aerosol generating device, 11. Working chamber, 12. Distributed electrode plate, 121. Anode plate, 122. Cathode plate, 13. Power supply, 14. Controller, 15. Through hole, 16. Switch, 2. Aerosol generating component, 21. Filter tip, 22. Aerosol generating substrate, 23. Receptor, 24. Hollow acetate tube. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following are specific embodiments of the present invention, which further describe the technical solutions of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0027] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement of modules and steps set forth in these embodiments and the steps do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0028] At the same time, it should be understood that for the convenience of description, the processes in the drawings are not just performed individually, but multiple steps are performed in an intersecting manner.

[0029] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer" and the like indicate positions or locations based on the positions shown in the accompanying drawings, or the positions or locations in which the product of the present invention is typically placed when in use. These terms are intended solely to facilitate the description of the present invention and to simplify the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and the like are used solely to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0030] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0031] Technologies, methods, and systems known to ordinary technicians in the relevant field may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, the technologies, methods, and systems should be considered part of the authorization specification.

[0032] Example 1: Figures 1 to 3 The figure shows only one embodiment of the present invention, a dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with distributed electrodes, comprising an aerosol generating device 1 and an aerosol generating component 2, wherein the aerosol generating device 1 is provided with a working chamber 11, the aerosol generating component 2 comprises an aerosol generating substrate 22, a susceptor 23 is provided in the aerosol generating substrate 22, and a distributed electrode 12 is provided on the side wall of the working chamber 11, wherein the distributed electrode 12 comprises at least one anode plate 121 and at least one cathode plate 122, and the aerosol generating device 1 is provided with a power supply 13 for electrically connecting to the anode plate 121 and the cathode plate 122 and a controller 14 for electrically connecting to the power supply 13, so that when the aerosol generating substrate 22 is inserted into the working chamber 11, the controller 14 controls the power supply 13 to generate alternating current to power the anode plate 121 and the cathode plate 122, thereby forming an alternating electric field between the anode plate 121 and the cathode plate 122 to dielectrically heat the susceptor 23.

[0033] In the present invention, one end of the aerosol-generating component 2, which is close to the aerosol-generating substrate 22, is inserted into the working chamber 11 of the aerosol-generating device 1. The anode plate 121 and the cathode plate 122 of the distributed electrode plate 12 in the working chamber 11 are respectively connected to the positive and negative poles of the power supply 13. Then, the controller 14 controls the power supply 13 to generate alternating current, so that an alternating electric field is formed between the anode plate 121 and the cathode plate 122 to dielectrically heat the receptor 23. The electric dipoles in the receptor medium rotate and vibrate violently along the direction of the electric field, and the friction between the molecules generates heat, thereby heating the aerosol-generating substrate 22 to generate aerosol. Since the receptor 23 is arranged in the aerosol-generating substrate 22, it is equivalent to uniformly heating the aerosol-generating substrate 22 from the inside.

[0034] Moreover, in this embodiment, the distributed electrode 12 includes at least one anode plate 121 and at least one cathode plate 122. Generally speaking, multiple anode plates 121 and cathode plates 122 are evenly distributed on the inner wall of the working chamber 11, and one cathode plate 122 is provided on both sides of any anode plate 121, that is, the anode plate 121 and the cathode plate 122 are spaced apart on the inner wall of the working chamber 11, so that the heating effect of the medium of the sensor 23 is more uniform, further promoting uniform heat distribution.

[0035] In addition, the aerosol generating component 2 further includes a filter tip 21 and a hollow acetate tube 24 disposed between the filter tip 21 and the aerosol generating substrate 22 , and a through hole 15 is disposed on the side wall of the aerosol generating device 1 for communicating with the working chamber 11 .

[0036] In this way, when the inhaler inhales towards the filter tip 21 of the polymer material of the aerosol generating member 2, the airflow is inhaled into the working chamber 11 through the through hole 15. The airflow then flows into the mixture of the aerosol-forming base 22 and the receptor 23 medium, where an aerosol is formed and entrained in the airflow. Finally, the airflow and aerosol flow through the hollow acetate tube 24 and the polymer filter tip 21 to be delivered to the inhaler's mouth.

[0037] In this embodiment, the controller 14 controls the power source 13 to generate an alternating current with a frequency of no less than 2 MHz. The frequency range of the high-frequency oscillating current can be 2 MHz to 2.5 GHz, with a more conventional frequency range of 2 MHz to 300 MHz or an unconventional frequency range of 500 MHz to 1 GHz being selected. This forms a high-frequency oscillating electric field between the anode plate 121 and the cathode plate 122, enabling efficient heating without the need for direct or electrical connection between the distributed electrode plate 12 and the susceptor 23 medium.

[0038] The controller 14 may be a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor; the controller 14 may include other electronic components; the controller 14 may be configured to regulate the supply of power to the dielectric heater; power may be supplied to the dielectric heater continuously after activation of the device, or may be supplied intermittently, such as on a puff-by-puff basis; power may be supplied to the dielectric heater in the form of current pulses.

[0039] The power source 13 may be a battery; alternatively, the power source 13 may be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor; the power source 13 may also require charging and may have a capacity that allows sufficient energy to be stored for one or more puffs; for example, the power source 13 may have sufficient capacity to allow continuous aerosol generation for a period of about six minutes or multiples of six minutes. The power source 13 may even have sufficient capacity to allow a predetermined number of puffs or discrete activations of the induction heater.

[0040] The dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with distributed electrodes of the present invention has a simple structure and adopts dielectric heating instead of resistance heating. It can effectively heat the inside and outside of the entire aerosol generating substrate to generate aerosol, and the distributed electrode plates can further promote uniform heat distribution during the dielectric heating process.

[0041] Example 2, as Figures 1 to 3 The figure shown is only one of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the first embodiment, in a dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with a distributed electrode, a wrapping layer is provided on the outside of the aerosol generating component 2. The wrapping layer can be a soft component to prevent friction damage between the outside of the aerosol generating component 2 and the distributed electrode 12.

[0042] Furthermore, a switch 16 is provided on the side wall of the aerosol generating device 1 and is electrically connected to the controller 14. The induction heater can be triggered by pressing the switch 16 when the user takes a puff.

[0043] In this embodiment, the "susceptor" is essentially the susceptor medium, a substance that heats up when subjected to a varying electric field. This causes the electric dipoles in the susceptor medium 23 to rotate and vibrate vigorously along the direction of the electric field, resulting in heat generated by molecular friction. During use, the susceptor medium 23 is physically combined with the aerosol-generating substrate 22 within the working chamber 11 of the aerosol-generating device 1. In this manner, dielectric heating of the aerosol-generating substrate 22 occurs during use, forming an aerosol for inhalation.

[0044] Of course, the susceptor medium can be solid, hollow or porous; the susceptor medium can be any of solid, liquid, and solid-liquid mixture.

[0045] That is, the susceptor 23 medium can be formed from any material that can be dielectrically heated to a temperature sufficient to atomize the aerosol-generating substrate 22. Suitable materials for the susceptor 23 medium include water, alcohols, metal oxides, and various inorganic salts, including, for example, barium dioxide and ferrite. Alternatively, the susceptor medium can be water or an alcohol, which can be heated to a temperature of 250 degrees Celsius or above.

[0046] More specifically, the susceptors 23 are spherical particles with openings on their surfaces. When the medium of the susceptors 23 is solid particles, each solid particle has a particle size ranging from 10 microns to 200 microns (which can be further selected from 15 microns to about 100 microns, and optimally, 15 microns to 25 microns). Each particle can have 10 to 1000 micropores, each with a pore size ranging from 10 nanometers to 10 microns.

[0047] Finally, the housing of the aerosol generating device 1 can be made of a non-polar material so that no dielectric losses are generated within the housing. In other words, the housing can be made of a non-susceptor dielectric material (e.g., a non-polar non-susceptor material). Furthermore, the portion between the housing 1 and the distributed plate 12 can also be made of a non-polar material.

[0048] Example 3, as Figures 3 to 5 The figure shown is only one embodiment of the present invention. On the basis of any of the above embodiments, in a dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with a distributed electrode, the distributed electrode 12 is a solid sheet heating electrode, which is evenly arranged on the inner side surface of the working chamber 11 along the axial and circumferential directions of the working chamber 11, and is configured to envelop the aerosol generating component 2 in the working chamber 11.

[0049] Here, the distributed pad 12 is formed by an array of multiple sheet pads, and is arranged around at least a portion of the working chamber 11 and has a solid sheet structure. The distributed pad 12 can have any suitable cross-section. For example, each pad of the distributed pad 12 can have a square, oval, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or similar cross-sectional shape.

[0050] Of course, the distributed plates 12 are at least a pair (anode plate 121 and cathode plate 122), or any number of pairs greater than two, but at least there is one anode plate 121 and one cathode plate 122. It should be noted that the number of cathodes and anodes does not have to be the same.

[0051] In one embodiment, the anode plate 121 and the cathode plate 122 are both long strips, and the extending directions of the anode plate 121 and the cathode plate 122 are both arranged parallel to the axis of the working chamber 11. Figure 3As shown;

[0052] In another case, the distributed plate 12 includes a plurality of plate layers, each of which includes a plurality of alternately arranged anode plates 121 and cathode plates 122, and each plate layer forms a ring and is arranged inside the working chamber 11, such as Figure 4 As shown, the anode plates 121 and cathode plates 122 are arranged in an interlaced array around the periphery of the aerosol generating device 2. Each anode plate 121 is surrounded by four cathode plates 122 and four anode plates 121, so that the electric field strength at the medium of the receptor 23 is more uniform.

[0053] In another case, Figure 4 Most of them are the same, but the only difference is that the plates of different plate layers can be offset by about half the plate width, such as Figure 5 As shown; it can also make the electric field strength at the medium of the susceptor 23 more uniform.

[0054] The dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with distributed electrodes of the present invention has a simple structure and adopts dielectric heating instead of resistance heating. It can effectively heat the inside and outside of the entire aerosol generating substrate to generate aerosol, and the distributed electrode plates can further promote uniform heat distribution during the dielectric heating process.

[0055] The present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention shall be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with distributed electrodes, characterized in that: The invention comprises an aerosol generating device (1) and an aerosol generating component (2), wherein the aerosol generating device (1) is provided with a working chamber (11), the aerosol generating component (2) comprises an aerosol generating substrate (22), a sensor (23) is provided in the aerosol generating substrate (22), a distributed electrode (12) is provided on the side wall of the working chamber (11), the distributed electrode (12) comprises at least one anode plate (121) and at least one cathode plate (122), and a useful a power source (13) electrically connected to the anode plate (121) and the cathode plate (122) and a controller (14) electrically connected to the power source (13), so that when the aerosol generating substrate (22) is inserted into the working chamber (11), the controller (14) controls the power source (13) to generate alternating current to supply power to the anode plate (121) and the cathode plate (122), thereby generating an alternating electric field between the anode plate (121) and the cathode plate (122) to dielectrically heat the susceptor (23); The receptors (23) are a plurality of granular spherical pieces with openings on their surfaces; A plurality of anode plates (121) and cathode plates (122) are evenly distributed on the inner wall of the working chamber (11), and one cathode plate (122) is provided on both sides of any anode plate (121); the distributed plates are arranged evenly along the axial and circumferential directions of the working chamber on the inner side surface of the working chamber, and the arrangement method includes: The anode plate (121) and the cathode plate (122) are both long strips, and the extension directions of the anode plate (121) and the cathode plate (122) are both arranged parallel to the axis of the working chamber (11); or; The distributed plate (12) includes a plurality of plate layers, each of which includes a plurality of anode plates (121) and cathode plates (122) that are alternately arranged, and each plate layer forms a circular ring that is arranged inside the working chamber (11).

2. The dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with distributed electrodes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The aerosol generating component (2) further comprises a filter tip (21) and a hollow acetate tube (24) disposed between the filter tip (21) and the aerosol generating substrate (22).

3. The dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with distributed electrodes according to claim 1, characterized in that: A through hole (15) for communicating with the working chamber (11) is provided on a side wall of the aerosol generating device (1).

4. The dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with distributed electrodes according to claim 1, characterized in that: A wrapping layer is provided on the outer side of the aerosol generating component (2).

5. The dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with distributed electrodes according to claim 1, characterized in that: A switch (16) electrically connected to the controller (14) is provided on a side wall of the aerosol generating device (1).

6. The dielectric heating aerosol generating structure with distributed electrodes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller (14) controls the power supply (13) to generate an alternating current with a frequency not less than 2 MHz.

Images