Aerosol-generating device and heating assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to an aerosol generating device and a heating assembly, and the aerosol generating device comprises a containing pipe which is internally provided with a containing cavity used for containing at least part of an aerosol generating product; the heating assembly comprises a base and a plurality of heating bodies, the heating bodies are independently fixed to the base, and at least parts of the heating bodies extend in the containing cavity so as to be inserted into the aerosol generating product; wherein the outer diameter of the heating body is smaller than or equal to 1.6 mm, or the thickness of the heating body is smaller than or equal to 0.2 mm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of aerosol generation, and in particular to an aerosol generating device and a heating component. Background Art

[0002] Existing aerosol generating devices are used to generate aerosols from aerosol generating articles such as cigarette sticks, cigars, etc. A typical aerosol generating device includes a receiving tube and a heating element. The receiving tube is used to receive at least a part of the aerosol generating article, and a part of the heating element extends in the receiving tube to insert into the interior of the aerosol generating article, so as to bake the aerosol generating article from the inside to the outside.

[0003] However, when the heating element has a relatively large outer diameter, it is not only not conducive to inserting the heating element into the aerosol generating article, but also liable to adhere to a large amount of tobacco shreds, resulting in a large amount of tobacco shreds falling off when the heating element is pulled out from the aerosol generating article and the heating element is difficult to clean. But if the heating element has a relatively small outer diameter, it will lead to a small contact area between the heating element and the aerosol generating article, making the aerosol generating article heat up slowly, and the heating element is easily bent or broken. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present application provide an aerosol generating device and a heating component, which can effectively reduce the insertion and extraction force of the aerosol generating article engaged with the receiving tube, and help prevent the aerosol generating article from adhering when separated from the heating body.

[0005] An aerosol generating device provided by an embodiment of the present application includes:

[0006] A receiving tube having a receiving cavity therein for receiving at least a part of the aerosol generating article; and

[0007] A heating component including a base and a plurality of heating bodies, the plurality of heating bodies are independently fixed on the base, and at least a part of the heating body extends in the receiving cavity to insert into the interior of the aerosol generating article;

[0008] Wherein, the outer diameter of the heating body is less than or equal to 1.6 mm, or the thickness of the heating body is less than or equal to 0.2 mm.

[0009] An aerosol generating device provided by an embodiment of the present application includes:

[0010] A receiving tube having a receiving cavity therein for receiving at least a part of the aerosol generating article; and

[0011] A heating component, comprising a base and a plurality of heating elements, wherein the plurality of heating elements are independently fixed on the base, and at least a part of each heating element extends into the accommodation cavity to be inserted into the interior of the aerosol-generating article;

[0012] Among them, at least two of the heating elements are connected in series with each other.

[0013] A heating component provided by an embodiment of the present application includes:

[0014] A base; and

[0015] A plurality of heating elements, which are independently fixed on the base, and the heating elements are configured to be inserted into the interior of the aerosol-generating article to heat the aerosol-generating article;

[0016] Among them, at least two of the heating elements are connected in series with each other; or

[0017] The outer diameter of the heating element is less than or equal to 1.6 mm, or the thickness of the heating element is less than or equal to 0.2 mm.

[0018] The aerosol-generating device and the heating component provided by the embodiment of the present application include a receiving tube and a heating component. The heating component includes a base and a plurality of heating elements. The plurality of heating elements are independently fixed on the base, and at least a part of each heating element extends into the accommodation cavity to be inserted into the interior of the aerosol-generating article. Among them, the outer diameter of the heating element is less than or equal to 1.6 mm, or the thickness of the heating element is less than or equal to 0.2 mm. Therefore, there is not only a large contact area between the heating component and the aerosol-generating article, which helps the aerosol-generating article to heat up quickly, but also the insertion and extraction force of the aerosol-generating article can be effectively reduced, and the aerosol-generating article can be prevented from breaking and sticking to the heating element when the aerosol-generating article is pulled out, which helps to maintain the cleanliness inside the aerosol-generating device, and the cooperation of the plurality of heating elements helps to prevent deformation or breakage caused by stress concentration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] One or more embodiments are exemplarily illustrated by the pictures in the corresponding drawings. These exemplary illustrations do not limit the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are represented as similar elements, unless otherwise stated, and the drawings in the drawings do not constitute a proportional limitation.

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol-generating device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 2 is a perspective schematic diagram of a heating component having two heating elements provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a heating component provided by an embodiment of the present application when there are two heating elements;

[0023] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a heating component provided by an embodiment of the present application when there are three heating elements;

[0024] Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of a heating component provided by an embodiment of the present application when there are three heating elements;

[0025] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a heating element provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 7 is a schematic electrical connection diagram of multiple heating elements in a heating component provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 8 is a schematic electrical connection diagram of multiple heating elements in a heating component provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 9 is a schematic electrical connection diagram of multiple heating elements in a heating component provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 10 is a schematic electrical connection diagram of multiple heating elements in a heating component provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 11 is a schematic electrical connection diagram of multiple heating elements in a heating component provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0031] In the figure:

[0032] 1. Aerosol generating article; 11. Aerosol forming matrix;

[0033] 2. Heating component; 21. Base; 211. First conductive member; 22. Heating element; 221. Housing; 221a. First end; 221b. Second end; 222. Heating element; 23. First electrode; 24. Second electrode;

[0034] 3. Power supply component; 31. Power supply; 311. Output terminal; 32. Circuit board;

[0035] 4. Accommodating tube. Detailed implementation manners

[0036] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0037] The terms "first", "second", and "third" in the present application are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity or order of the indicated technical features. All directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back...) in the embodiments of the present application are only used to explain the relative positional relationship or movement situation between components in a specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly. In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally further include steps or units not listed, or may optionally further include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0038] Referring to "embodiments" herein means that the specific features, structures, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiments can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The phrase appears in various places in the specification and does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0039] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may also be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or there may be one or more intermediate elements therebetween. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right", and similar expressions used herein are only for illustrative purposes and do not represent the only implementation manner.

[0040] Please refer to Figure 1 , an embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating article 1.

[0041] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating article" refers to an article that includes an aerosol-forming substrate which, when heated, releases volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. An "aerosol-generating article" refers to an article that includes an aerosol-forming substrate that is intended to be heated rather than burned to release volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. An aerosol formed by heating an aerosol-forming substrate can contain fewer known harmful components compared to an aerosol generated by burning or pyrolytically degrading an aerosol-forming substrate. In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating article can be removably coupled to an aerosol-generating device. The article can be disposable or reusable.

[0042] The aerosol-forming substrate 11 can include a tobacco-containing material that contains tobacco flavor compounds, plant flavor compounds, fruit tobacco flavor compounds, or nicotine, which are released when the tobacco material is heated to a suitable temperature. The tobacco material can include tobacco shreds, tobacco particles, and the like. In one example, the aerosol-forming substrate 11 can include a non-tobacco material.

[0043] The aerosol-forming substrate 11 can have a length between about 5 mm and about 15 mm, such as between about 8 mm and about 12 mm. In one embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate 11 can have a length of about 10 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate 11 has a length of about 12 mm.

[0044] The aerosol-forming substrate 11 can generally be cylindrical.

[0045] The outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article 1 can be between about 5 millimeters and about 12 millimeters, such as between about 5.5 millimeters and about 8 millimeters. In one embodiment, the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article 1 is 7.2 millimeters + / - 10%.

[0046] The aerosol-generating device is an electric heating device that includes a power supply assembly 3. The power supply assembly 3 can include any suitable power supply 31, such as a DC source, like a battery. In one embodiment, the power supply 31 is a lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply 31 can be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery, such as a lithium cobalt, lithium iron phosphate, lithium titanate, or lithium polymer battery.

[0047] The power supply assembly 3 may include one or more circuit boards 32, on which there is control circuitry that can control the output of the power supply 31. For example, it can cause the power supply 31 to output alternating current or direct current, or for example, cause the power supply 31 to output current or voltage in the form of pulses. The control circuitry may have one or more controllers that can protect the battery or control the power output of the battery, etc. The controller can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device. Specifically, the controller not only controls the operation of the power supply 31, but also controls the operation of other components in the aerosol generating device. In addition, the controller can determine whether the aerosol generating device can operate by checking the status of the components of the aerosol generating device. The controller includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller. The microprocessor or microcontroller may include a logic gate array, or may include a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory that stores programs executable by the microprocessor.

[0048] The aerosol generating device further includes a receiving tube 4 and a heating assembly 2. The interior of the receiving tube 4 has a receiving cavity for at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article 1, for example, at least receiving the aerosol-forming substrate 11. The heating assembly 2 is configured to obtain power from the power supply assembly 3 to generate heat to heat the aerosol-forming substrate 11 in the receiving cavity, so as to generate aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate 11.

[0049] Please refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown in, the heating assembly 2 includes a base 21 and a plurality of heating elements 22. The plurality of heating elements 22 are independently fixed on the base 21, and at least a part of the heating element 22 extends into the receiving cavity to be inserted into the interior of the aerosol-forming article 1, so as to be able to heat the aerosol-forming substrate 11 inside the aerosol-forming article 1.

[0050] At least part of the heating element 22 can be needle-shaped or rod-shaped. The needle-shaped or rod-shaped heating element 22 has a smaller outer diameter. Specifically, the outer diameter d of the heating element 22 is less than or equal to 1.6 mm, so that the heating element 22 can be easily inserted into the aerosol-forming article 1 and can reduce the contact area between a single heating element 22 and the aerosol-forming substrate 11. Therefore, it can not only reduce the insertion and extraction force between the aerosol-forming article 1 and the heating element 22, but also prevent the aerosol-forming substrate 11 from sticking to the heating element 22 and breaking when the aerosol-forming article 1 is separated from the aerosol-forming substrate 11, resulting in the heating element 22 needing to be cleaned. After the aerosol-forming substrate 11 sticks to the heating element 22, it is usually difficult to clean it well.

[0051] Although a single heating element 22 has a small surface area, there are at least two heating elements 22 in the heating assembly 2, such that the total area of contact between the heating assembly 2 and the aerosol-forming substrate 11 is relatively large, which helps to ensure that the aerosol-forming substrate 11 can be quickly heated up and generate an aerosol.

[0052] Please refer to Table 1. Table 1 is a statistical table of the insertion force and extraction force when a heating element with an outer diameter of 0.8 mm and a conventional heating element with an outer diameter of 2.15 mm are respectively inserted into and extracted from aerosol generating articles of the same type:

[0053]

[0054] Please refer to Table 2. Table 2 is a statistical table of the total contact area when heating elements with different outer diameters are in contact with aerosol generating articles of the same type:

[0055]

[0056] Therefore, when the outer diameter of the heating element 22 is less than or equal to 1.6 mm, having multiple heating elements 22 can significantly reduce the insertion and extraction forces between the aerosol generating article 1 and the heating assembly 2, and prevent the aerosol-forming substrate 11 from sticking to the heating element 22, while ensuring that the heating assembly 2 and the aerosol-forming substrate 11 have a relatively large total contact area.

[0057] More preferably, the outer diameter d of the heating element 22 is between 0.3 mm - 1.6 mm, or between 0.5 mm - 1.2 mm, or between 0.5 mm - 1 mm. That is, the outer diameter d of the heating element 22 satisfies: 0.3 mm ≤ d ≤ 1.6 mm, or 0.5 mm ≤ d ≤ 1.2 mm, or 0.5 mm ≤ d ≤ 1 mm. This enables better adaptation among the insertion and extraction force, the total contact area, and preventing the aerosol-forming substrate 11 from sticking.

[0058] It should be noted that it is optional rather than essential for the heating element 22 to be needle-shaped or rod-shaped. In other examples, at least part of the heating element 22 can be sheet-shaped. The sheet-shaped heating element has a small thickness. Specifically, the thickness of the sheet-shaped heating element is less than or equal to 0.2 mm. More specifically, the thickness of the sheet-shaped heating element 22 can be less than or equal to 0.1 mm, and the width of the heating element 22 can be less than or equal to 2.5 mm.

[0059] In one embodiment, reference can be made to Figure 2 、 Figure 4 and Figure 6, the heating element 22 includes a housing 221 and a heating element 222. At least a part of the heating element 222 is disposed inside the housing 221, and the heating element 222 is electrically connected to the housing 221 such that the heating element 222 in one heating element 22 is connected in series with the housing 221, wherein at least a part of the housing 221 is electrically conductive.

[0060] As an example, the material of the housing 221 includes a conductive material, that is, the material for making the housing 221 contains a conductive material, such that at least a part of the housing 221 has a conductive property.

[0061] The conductive material may have a high thermal conductivity, and its thermal conductivity may be at least 100 W / (m·k) at 23 °C and 50% relative humidity. Suitable materials with conductive properties and high thermal conductivity include, but are not limited to: metals, graphite, or graphene, etc. Metals include aluminum, copper, zinc, steel, silver, or alloys, etc. The high thermal conductivity property of the housing 221 enables the heat generated by the heating element 222 to be quickly transferred to the aerosol-forming substrate 11.

[0062] In a specific example, the housing 221 is made of metal, so that it not only has a high thermal conductivity, but also can have a very small thickness, and at the same time has a large hardness, which is beneficial to reducing the outer diameter of the heating element 22. The thickness of the metal housing can be less than or equal to 1 mm, and the thickness of the metal housing can be about 0.2 mm.

[0063] Reference may be made to Figure 6 , the metal housing can be configured to be generally tubular, so that the housing 221 has a first end 221a and a second end 221b arranged opposite to each other. The first end 221a is open initially, such that the heating element 222 can enter the interior of the housing 221 from the first end 221a. Since the metal has good plasticity, when the end of the heating element 222 is adjacent to the second end 221b, the second end 221b can be deformed by clamping or other means to clamp the heating element 222, so that the heating element 222 can be fixed in the housing 221 and the metal housing can be electrically connected to the heating element 222. In order to accurately determine that the end of the heating element 222 reaches the second end 221b, an opening may be provided on the second end 221b, and the end of the heating element 222 is located in or passes through the opening, so that at least a part of the end of the heating element 222 is exposed through the opening, and then the opening on the second end 221b is deformed by clamping or other means to clamp the heating element 222. After deforming and clamping the heating element 222 by the second end 221b, the second end 221b can be polished to make the outer surface of the second end 221b flat, smooth, or smooth.

[0064] Of course, the heating element 222 can also be fixedly connected to the metal housing and electrically connected to the metal housing by welding; for example, the second end 221b has an opening, and after the end of the heating element 222 is exposed through the opening, the end of the heating element 222 is then connected to the metal housing by welding. In this example, the second end 221b can be configured as a frustum of a cone.

[0065] It is possible to only electrically connect the end of the heating element 222 to the metal housing, and the other parts of the heating element 222 are insulated from the metal housing. For example: the surface of the heating element 222 has a high-temperature resistant insulating layer, such as glass glaze or a metal oxide layer formed by high-temperature oxidation, and the surface of the part of the heating element 222 used for electrically connecting to the metal housing is exposed outside the insulating material; or for example: there is an insulating filler between the heating element 222 and the inner wall of the metal housing, and the insulating filler can be an inorganic filler, such as an inorganic glue with good fluidity, a mixture of metal oxides or a mixture of water and metal oxides, etc. The temperature resistance of the insulating layer, the metal oxide layer or the insulating filler can be higher than 500 °C, preferably higher than 600 °C, preferably higher than 800 °C, etc.

[0066] The heating element 222 in the heating body 22 is in close contact with the inner wall of the housing 221 and is insulated from the inner wall of the housing 221 to reduce the outer diameter of the heating body 22 and improve the heat exchange rate between the heating element 222 and the housing 221.

[0067] The conductive material can have a relatively high resistivity, so that the conductive material can generate more heat when an electric current flows through it, which helps to improve the heating efficiency of the aerosol-forming substrate 11. It is beneficial to accelerate the heating of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 and generate aerosol. Conductive materials with relatively high resistivity include, but are not limited to: semiconductors, such as doped ceramics, conductive ceramics (such as molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys, and composite materials made of ceramic materials and metal materials. Such composite materials may include doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbide. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and platinum group metals. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, Constantan, nickel-containing alloys, cobalt-containing alloys, chromium-containing alloys, aluminum-containing alloys, titanium-containing alloys, zirconium-containing alloys, hafnium-containing alloys, niobium-containing alloys, molybdenum-containing alloys, tantalum-containing alloys, tungsten-containing alloys, tin-containing alloys, gallium-containing alloys, manganese-containing alloys, and iron-containing alloys, as well as superalloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, iron-aluminum-based alloys, and iron-manganese-aluminum-based alloys.

[0068] As an example, the housing includes a base body and a conductive layer disposed on the base body, and the heating element is electrically connected to the conductive layer. The base body is used to support and hold the conductive layer, and the interior of the base body has a chamber, and at least a part of the heating element is disposed in the chamber. Since the heating body has a smaller outer diameter, the base body has a smaller inner diameter. To facilitate the arrangement of the conductive layer and the setting of the heating element, the conductive layer can be arranged on the outer surface of the base body, and the end of the heating element can pass through the base body and be electrically connected to the conductive layer on the outer surface of the base body. Specifically, the base body has a first end and a second end disposed opposite to each other. The heating element enters the chamber of the base body from the first end, and the second end has an opening. The end of the heating element is located in the opening or passes through the opening, and then the end of the heating element and the conductive layer are electrically connected by melting the solder. Among them, the base body is made of an insulating material, so it can prevent other parts of the heating element from being electrically connected to the conductive layer.

[0069] The conductive layer can be a coating applied on the base body, such as an electrode layer, an infrared layer or a resistance layer. Among them, the electrode layer has a smaller resistivity, and the resistivity of the electrode layer is less than the resistivity of the heating element. The conductive layer can be a linear or bent conductive track or heating track, and the conductive layer can be a conductive surface or a heating surface.

[0070] In one embodiment, reference can be made to Figure 6 , the heating element 222 extends linearly in the housing 221 to reduce the inner diameter of the housing 221, and further reduce the outer diameter of the heating body 22. As an example, reference can be made to Figure 6 , the heating element 222 includes a heating wire or a heating tape. The cross-section of the heating wire is circular, and its diameter can be less than or equal to 0.5 mm. In one example, the diameter of the heating wire is about 0.2 mm or about 0.3 mm. The cross-section of the heating tape is non-circular, for example, its cross-section is rectangular, and its thickness can be less than or equal to 0.2 mm. There is only one heating wire or heating tape, and it extends linearly in the housing 221, so that the outer diameter of the heating body 22 is very small. As an example, the heating element includes a wire harness formed by twisting a plurality of heating wires or heating tapes together. By twisting each other, the plurality of heating wires or heating tapes in the wire harness are closely attached to each other, and the wire harness extends linearly in the housing, so that the outer diameter of the heating body is very small.

[0071] The heating wire or the heating tape can have a uniform diameter or a uniform thickness, so that the heating resistance on the heating wire or the heating tape is evenly distributed, so as to meet the requirement of uniform temperature field on the surface of the heating body 22.

[0072] The surface of the heating wire or heating tape can be microstructurally processed to make the diameter or thickness of the heating wire or heating tape uneven, so that the heating resistance distribution on the heating wire or heating tape is uneven, so as to meet the requirement of non-uniform temperature field on the surface of the heating element 22. For example, along the extension direction of the heating wire, at least a part of the heating wire in the housing 221 can have a gradually increasing diameter, or a gradually decreasing diameter, or at least a part of the heating wire in the housing 221 can be substantially dumbbell-shaped, etc. The microstructural processing method can be laser drilling, laser engraving or chemical etching, etc.

[0073] The heating element 222 can be made of a material with a relatively large resistivity. Suitable materials include but are not limited to: stainless steel, nickel, nickel-iron alloy, nickel-chromium, nickel-silicon, titanium, iron-chromium-aluminum, etc. Stainless steel includes but is not limited to 304 stainless steel, 316 stainless steel, 444 stainless steel or 430 stainless steel.

[0074] In one embodiment, reference can be made to Figure 7 , the heating assembly 2 further includes a first electrode 23. The first electrode 23 can be made of a material with a relatively small resistivity, such as copper, silver, gold or their alloys. The resistivity of the first electrode 23 is less than the resistivity of the heating element 222. The ratio of the resistance value of the heating element 222 to the resistance value of the first electrode 23 can be between 3 and 12. The resistivity of the first electrode 23 can be less than or equal to the resistivity of the conductive material or conductive layer.

[0075] One end of the heating element 222 is electrically connected to the housing 221, and the other end is electrically connected to the first electrode 23. Compared with directly extending the heating element 222 to be electrically connected to the power supply 31, the heating element 222 is electrically connected to an output terminal 311 of the power supply 31 through the first electrode 23, which can make the heating element 222 have a shorter length, so it helps to reduce power consumption.

[0076] As an example, the resistivity of the heating element 222 can be greater than or equal to the resistivity of the conductive material or conductive layer. The ratio of the resistance value of the heating element 222 to the resistance value of the conductive material or conductive layer can be between 3 and 12. The conductive material or conductive layer constitutes a second electrode electrically connected to the heating element 222, and the heating element 222 is electrically connected to the other output terminal of the power supply through the conductive material or conductive layer.

[0077] As an example, reference can be made to Figure 7, the heating assembly 2 further includes a second electrode 24. The second electrode 24 can be made of the same material as the first electrode 23. The resistivity of the second electrode 24 is less than that of the conductive material or conductive layer. The second electrode 24 is electrically connected to the conductive material or conductive layer, and the conductive material or conductive layer is electrically connected to the other output terminal 311 of the power supply 31 through the second electrode 24. The second electrode 24 can be disposed on the housing 221 and is electrically connected to the conductive material or conductive layer on the housing 221. The second electrode 24 can be disposed on the base 21, so that when the heating element 22 is fixed on the base 21, the housing 221 is electrically connected to the second electrode 24.

[0078] In one embodiment, reference may be made to Figure 7 , at least two heating elements 22 are electrically connected in series between the two output terminals 311 of the power supply 31. When at least two heating elements 22 are connected in series, the controller can control the power provided by the power supply 31 to the at least two heating elements 22 connected in series based on the temperature of at least one of the heating elements 22, so that the heating power of the at least two heating elements 22 connected in series increases or decreases simultaneously. Therefore, the control can be simplified and the circuit layout can be simplified.

[0079] As an example, the first electrode 23 and the second electrode 24 are metal members and are fixed on the base 21. The metal member can have a spring piece or a spring arm for elastically abutting against the two output terminals 311 of the power supply 31, or the metal member can have a pad, which is welded to the two wires connecting the two output terminals 311 of the power supply 31 respectively. Two or more heating elements 22 are connected in series between the first electrode 23 and the second electrode 24, so as to be electrically connected to the two output terminals 311 of the power supply 31 through the first electrode 23 and the second electrode 24 respectively.

[0080] Alternatively, as an example, the first electrode 23 and the second electrode 24 are both leads. The lead-shaped first electrode 23 and second electrode 24 can pass through or bypass the base 21 and then be electrically connected to the two output terminals 311 of the power supply 31 respectively. Two or more heating elements 22 are connected in series between the lead-shaped first electrode 23 and the second electrode 24.

[0081] Or alternatively, as an example, one of the first electrode 23 and the second electrode 24 is a metal member fixed on the base 21, and the other is a lead that can pass through or bypass the base 21. Two or more heating elements 22 are connected in series between the first electrode 23 and the second electrode 24.

[0082] Therefore, when two or more heating elements 22 are connected in series with each other, the number of electrodes can be reduced, making the electrical connection between the heating assembly 2 and the power supply 31 simpler.

[0083] In one embodiment, reference may be made to Figure 7 , among two or more heating elements 22 connected in series with each other, the heating element 222 in one heating element 22 is electrically connected to the housing 221 in another heating element 22. Based on this, among two or more heating elements 22 connected in series with each other, these heating elements 22 are fixed at one end of the base 21 and are insulated and spaced from each other pairwise. Among two or more heating elements 22 connected in series with each other, the housing 221 of one heating element 22 may be electrically connected to the second electrode 24, and the heating element 222 of another heating element 22 may be electrically connected to the first electrode 23.

[0084] In one embodiment, reference may be made to Figure 8 and Figure 9 , among two or more heating elements 22 connected in series with each other, the heating element 222 in one heating element 22 is electrically connected to the heating element 222 in another heating element 22. As an example, reference may be made to Figure 8 , there are exactly two heating elements 22, the heating elements 222 of the two heating elements 22 are electrically connected to each other, and the housings 221 of the two heating elements 22 are respectively electrically connected to the two electrodes. As an example, reference may be made to Figure 9 , there are three or more heating elements 22, the heating elements 222 of each heating element 22 are electrically connected to each other, the housing 221 of one heating element 22 is electrically connected to the first electrode 23, and this housing 221 is called the first housing, and the housings 221 of the remaining heating elements 22 are all electrically connected to the second electrode 24, and the remaining housings 221 electrically connected to the second electrode 24 are all called the second housings; further, the base 21 includes a first conductive member 211 and an insulating member, the first conductive member 211 and the insulating member enable a part of the base 21 to be conductive, the first housing is fixed on the insulating member, or the first housing is insulated and spaced from the first conductive member 211 through the insulating member, when a plurality of second housings are fixed on the base 21, they all abut against the first conductive member 211, or a plurality of second housings are all fixed on the first conductive member 211, so that a plurality of second housings are all electrically connected to the first conductive member 211 at the same time, the first conductive member 211 may be a constituent part of one of the two electrodes, or the first conductive member 211 may be electrically connected to one of the two electrodes.

[0085] In one embodiment, reference may be made to Figure 10 , at least one heating element 22 is independently electrically connected to the two output terminals of the power supply 21 respectively, so that the power supply 21 can independently or separately supply power to the at least one heating element 22, or the power supply 31 can supply different powers to the other heating elements 22 and the at least one heating element 22, or when the at least one heating element fails, it does not affect the operation of the other heating elements.

[0086] As an example, reference may be made to Figure 11 wherein the base 21 includes a first conductive member 211, a second conductive member 212, and an insulating member. The first conductive member 211 and the second conductive member 212 are spaced apart from each other by the insulating member. The housing 221 of each of the plurality of heating elements 22 is electrically connected to the first conductive member 211. The first conductive member 211 is a component of one of the two electrodes or is connected to one of the two electrodes. The heating element 222 of each of the plurality of heating elements 22 is electrically connected to the second conductive member 212. The second conductive member 212 is a component of the other of the two electrodes or is connected to the other of the two electrodes.

[0087] As an example, at least one heating element 22 is electrically connected to two wires at the same time, and the two wires are respectively electrically connected to two output terminals 311 of a power supply 31. One wire is electrically connected to the housing 221 of the heating element 22, and the other wire is electrically connected to the heating element 222 of the heating element 22. The base 21 may be made of an insulating material. The housing 221 of the heating element 22 may pass through the base 21 in a direction away from the receiving cavity to facilitate connection of the housing 221 to the wire.

[0088] It should be noted that it is optional rather than mandatory for the base 21 to include a conductive member and an electrode. In one example, the base 21 includes a conductive member or an electrode, and the conductive member or the electrode is electrically connected to one output terminal 311 of the power supply 31. In at least one of the heating elements 22, one of the housing 221 and the heating element 222 is electrically connected to the conductive member or the electrode, and the other is electrically connected to another heating element 22, and is electrically connected to the other output terminal 311 of the power supply 31 through the other heating element 22.

[0089] In one embodiment, reference may be made to Figure 2 and Figure 3 where only two heating elements 22 are provided, and the two heating elements 22 are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the central axis of the receiving tube 4; wherein, the distance L between the two heating elements 22 satisfies: 0≤L<D - 2d, or L=(D - 2d) / 2, or D / 4≤L≤D / 2; wherein, D is the inner diameter of the receiving cavity, and d is the outer diameter or thickness of the heating element 22. With such a design, during the process of separating the aerosol generating article 1 from the heating assembly 2, the probability of the aerosol forming matrix 11 breaking or falling into the receiving cavity due to sticking to the heating element 22 is reduced from 50% to 10%. Moreover, the aerosol forming matrix 11 is heated more uniformly, and the heating element 22 is relatively clean, and it is not necessary to clean it within 10 aerosol generating articles 1 used.

[0090] It should be noted that it is optional rather than mandatory for the two heating elements 22 to be symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the central axis of the receiving tube 4, and the two heating elements 22 may be arranged asymmetrically.

[0091] In one embodiment, reference may be made to Figure 4 and Figure 5 such that the number of heating elements 22 is greater than or equal to three; the distance L0 between the heating element 22 and the central axis of the receiving cavity is approximately D / 2, where D is the inner diameter of the receiving cavity; or a plurality of heating elements 22 are uniformly arranged on the same circumference, and the area S1 inside the circumference is approximately equal to the area S2 between the circumference and the inner wall of the receiving tube 4, and the area S1 inside the circumference is approximately equal to the area between the circumference and the inner wall of the wrapper of the aerosol-generating article 1, so as to ensure uniform heating.

[0092] It should be noted that it is optional rather than essential for the three heating elements 22 to be uniformly distributed on the same circumference.

[0093] In one embodiment, reference may be made to Figure 2 or Figure 4 such that there are multiple heating elements 22. Since the heat dissipation outside the aerosol-forming substrate 11 is greater than that at its center, in order to balance the temperature field inside the aerosol-forming substrate 11, the central axis of the heating element 22 is offset from the central axis of the receiving cavity.

[0094] The aerosol-generating device and heating assembly provided by the embodiments of the present application include a receiving tube and a heating assembly. The heating assembly includes a base and a plurality of heating elements. The plurality of heating elements are independently fixed on the base, and at least a part of the heating element extends into the receiving cavity to insert into the inside of the aerosol-generating article. Wherein, the outer diameter of the heating element is less than or equal to 1.6 mm, or the thickness of the heating element is less than or equal to 0.2 mm. Therefore, not only does the heating assembly have a large contact area with the aerosol-generating article, which helps the aerosol-generating article to heat up quickly, but also it can effectively reduce the insertion and extraction force of the aerosol-generating article, and prevent the aerosol-generating article from breaking and sticking to the heating element when the aerosol-generating article is pulled out, which helps to maintain the cleanliness inside the aerosol-generating device, and the cooperation of the plurality of heating elements helps to prevent deformation or breakage caused by stress concentration.

[0095] It should be noted that the description and drawings of the present application give preferred embodiments of the present application, but are not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. Further, for those of ordinary skill in the art, improvements or changes can be made according to the above description, and all such improvements and changes should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of the present application.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, characterized in that, Comprising: A receiving tube having a receiving cavity therein for receiving at least a part of an aerosol generating article; And A heating assembly including a base and a plurality of heating elements, the plurality of heating elements being independently fixed on the base, and at least a part of the heating elements extending into the receiving cavity to be inserted into the interior of the aerosol generating article; Wherein, the outer diameter of the heating element is less than or equal to 1.6 mm, or the thickness of the heating element is less than or equal to 0.2 mm.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the heating element is between 0.3 mm - 1.6 mm, or between 0.5 mm - 1.2 mm or between 0.5 mm - 1 mm; or The thickness of the heating element is less than or equal to 0.1 mm, and the width of the heating element is less than or equal to 2.5 mm.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The aerosol generating device further includes a power source; At least two of the heating elements are electrically connected in series between two output terminals of the power source; or At least one of the heating elements is independently electrically connected to two output terminals of the power source respectively.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein The heating element includes a housing and a heating element body, at least a part of the heating element body is disposed inside the housing and the heating element body is electrically connected to the housing.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The material of the housing includes a conductive material, the heating element body is electrically connected to the conductive material, wherein the conductive material includes a metal or a conductive ceramic; or The housing includes a substrate and a conductive layer disposed on the substrate, the heating element body is electrically connected to the conductive layer.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5, wherein, The heating assembly further includes a first electrode electrically connected to the heating element body; The conductive material or the conductive layer forms a second electrode electrically connected to the heating element body; or The conductive material or the conductive layer is electrically connected to a second electrode.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The resistivity of the conductive material or the conductive layer is greater than or equal to the resistivity of the first electrode.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5, wherein, The resistivity of the heating element body is greater than or equal to the resistivity of the conductive material or the conductive layer; or The ratio of the resistance value of the heating element body to the resistance value of the conductive material or the conductive layer is between 3 - 12.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4, wherein, At least two of the heating elements are connected in series with each other. Among two or more of the heating elements connected in series with each other, the heating element body in one heating element is electrically connected to the housing in another heating element, or the heating element body in one heating element is electrically connected to the heating element body in another heating element.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4, wherein, The aerosol generating device further includes a power source, the base includes a conductive member, and the conductive member is electrically connected to an output terminal of the power source; In at least one of the heating elements, one of the housing and the heating element body is electrically connected to the conductive member, and the other is electrically connected to other heating elements, and is electrically connected to the other output terminal of the power source through the other heating elements.

11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4, wherein, The housing has a first end portion and a second end portion disposed opposite to each other. The heating element body enters the interior of the housing from the first end portion, and the second end portion clamps the heating element body through deformation, thereby being electrically connected to the heating element body.

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4, wherein, The housing has a first end and a second end disposed opposite to each other. The heating element enters the interior of the housing from the first end. There is an opening in the second end, and the end of the heating element is located in the opening or passes through the opening.

13. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The thickness or the diameter of the heating element is non-uniform.

14. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The heating element extends linearly in the housing; wherein, the heating element comprises a heating wire or a heating tape; or the heating element comprises a wire harness formed by twisting together a plurality of heating wires or heating tapes.

15. The aerosol generating device according to claim 14, wherein, The heating element is in close contact with the inner wall of the housing and is insulatedly connected to the inner wall of the housing.

16. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are only two heating bodies, and the two heating bodies are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the central axis of the receiving tube; wherein, the distance L between the two heating bodies satisfies: 0 ≤ L < D - 2d, or L = (D - 2d) / 2, or D / 4 ≤ L ≤ D / 2; wherein, D is the inner diameter of the receiving cavity, and d is the outer diameter or the thickness of the heating body.

17. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the heating bodies is greater than or equal to three; The distance between the heating body and the central axis of the receiving cavity is approximately D / 2, wherein, D is the inner diameter of the receiving cavity; or A plurality of heating bodies are uniformly arranged on the same circumference, and the area inside the circumference is approximately equal to the area between the circumference and the inner wall of the receiving tube.

18. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein The central axis of the heating body is offset from the central axis of the receiving cavity.

19. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein, The aerosol generating device further comprises a power source; There are two pins on the base, and a plurality of the heating bodies are connected in series between the two pins, and the two pins are respectively electrically connected to the two output terminals of the power source; or The heating assembly further comprises two leads, and a plurality of the heating bodies are connected in series between the two wires, and the two wires are respectively electrically connected to the two output terminals of the power source.

20. An aerosol generating device, characterized in that, Comprising: A receiving tube, which is internally provided with a receiving cavity for receiving at least a part of an aerosol generating article; and A heating assembly, comprising a base and a plurality of heating bodies, the plurality of heating bodies are independently fixed on the base, and at least a part of the heating body extends in the receiving cavity to insert into the interior of the aerosol generating article; wherein, at least two of the heating bodies are connected in series with each other.

21. A heating component, characterized in that, Comprising: A base; and A plurality of heating bodies, which are independently fixed on the base, and the heating bodies are configured to be inserted into the interior of the aerosol generating article to heat the aerosol generating article; wherein, at least two of the heating bodies are connected in series with each other; or The outer diameter of the heating body is less than or equal to 1.6 mm, or the thickness of the heating body is less than or equal to 0.2 mm.

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