An atomizing medium transport device, an aerosol-generating device, and an aerosol-generating system

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application provides an atomization medium conveying device, an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system. The atomization medium conveying device comprises a containing box, an atomization medium conveying assembly and a driving wheel. The containing box has a supply channel, the supply channel penetrates through the containing box along a first direction; the atomization medium conveying assembly is arranged in the containing box and can move in the containing box, the atomization medium conveying assembly has a plurality of storage cavities for containing aerosol generating articles, and the storage cavities are open on opposite sides along the first direction; and the driving wheel is arranged in the containing box and is drivingly matched with the atomization medium conveying assembly to drive the atomization medium conveying assembly to move, so that the plurality of storage cavities are sequentially aligned with the supply channel. The driving wheel can position the atomization medium assembly and drive the atomization medium assembly to move, and each storage cavity can be sequentially and automatically aligned with the supply channel and a supply driving assembly, so that the atomization medium assembly can be directly pushed into a heating cavity by the supply driving assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of aerosol generation technology, and in particular to an atomizing medium transport device, an aerosol generating device, and an aerosol generating system. Background Technology

[0002] The aerosol generating device using the heated non-burning (HNB) method stores aerosol generating products. By heating the aerosol generating products, the aerosol generating matrix in the aerosol generating products is atomized to form aerosols, which are then discharged and inhaled by users.

[0003] In related technologies, aerosol generating devices can store multiple aerosol generating products; however, changing the aerosol generating products is relatively cumbersome. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the embodiments of this application aim to provide an atomizing medium transport device, an aerosol generating device, and an aerosol generating system to reduce the need for users to manually replace aerosol generating products.

[0005] This application provides an atomizing medium transport device for installation within an aerosol generating device, comprising:

[0006] A receiving box having a supply channel that extends through the receiving box in a first direction;

[0007] An atomizing medium transport assembly is disposed within the receiving box. The atomizing medium transport assembly is movable within the receiving box. The atomizing medium transport assembly has multiple storage cavities for accommodating aerosol-generated products, and the storage cavities are open on opposite sides along the first direction.

[0008] A drive wheel is disposed in the receiving box. The drive wheel cooperates with the atomizing medium transport component to drive the atomizing medium transport component to move, so that the plurality of storage cavities are sequentially aligned with the supply channel.

[0009] In some embodiments, the receiving box has a socket and the drive wheel has a drive hole, the socket and the drive hole are in communication, the socket is for the drive shaft of the aerosol generating device to pass through and be inserted into the drive hole so that the drive wheel can rotate under the action of the drive shaft.

[0010] In some embodiments, the drive wheel includes a plurality of teeth arranged circumferentially around the drive wheel, and the cross-section of the drive hole is a regular polygon with the same number of sides as the number of teeth.

[0011] In some implementations, the teeth are symmetrical structures, and the plane of symmetry of the teeth passes through the center of the regular polygon and the intersection of two adjacent sides.

[0012] In some implementations, the interior space of the housing is connected to the atmospheric environment only through the drive hole and the supply channel.

[0013] In some embodiments, the atomizing medium transport assembly has a ring structure, the atomizing medium transport device includes a guide wheel, the drive wheel and the guide wheel are arranged at intervals along a second direction, and the atomizing medium transport assembly is wound around the guide wheel and the drive wheel;

[0014] The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0015] In some embodiments, the receiving box includes a first side plate and a second side plate, the first side plate and the second side plate being arranged at a distance along the first direction, and the atomizing medium transport assembly being located between the first side plate and the second side plate;

[0016] The first side plate and / or the second side plate have a positioning groove on the side facing the atomizing medium transport assembly. The atomizing medium transport assembly includes a first bearing. The drive wheel is connected to a first rotating shaft. The first bearing is housed in the positioning groove. The first rotating shaft is connected to the first bearing.

[0017] In some embodiments, the receiving box includes a first side plate and a second side plate, the first side plate and the second side plate being arranged at a distance along the first direction, and the atomizing medium transport assembly being located between the first side plate and the second side plate;

[0018] The movement trajectory of the atomizing medium transport assembly on the surface of the first side plate and / or the second side plate includes an avoidance area and a support area, wherein the distance between the first side plate and the second side plate in the support area is less than the distance in the avoidance area.

[0019] In some embodiments, there are two support areas, one of which is located around the drive wheel and the other is located around the guide wheel.

[0020] In some embodiments, a portion of the surface of the first side plate and / or the second side plate facing the atomizing medium transport assembly is recessed to form the clearance area, and a non-recessed portion forms the support area.

[0021] In some implementations, the recessed and non-recessed portions are smoothly connected by a slope along the circumferential direction of the atomizing medium transport assembly.

[0022] In some embodiments, the atomizing medium transport assembly includes multiple storage units and connecting units, the space within the storage units forms the storage cavity, the multiple storage units are spaced apart, and adjacent storage units are connected by the connecting units;

[0023] The drive wheel includes a plurality of teeth that are circumferentially spaced around the drive wheel and engage with the tooth gap between two adjacent storage components.

[0024] In some embodiments, the storage component is cylindrical, and the teeth have arc-shaped concave surfaces on opposite sides along the axial direction, which mate with the outer peripheral surface of the storage component.

[0025] In some embodiments, the storage cavity is filled with the aerosol-generating product.

[0026] This application provides an aerosol generating apparatus, comprising:

[0027] Heating assembly, including a heating chamber;

[0028] A receiving groove for accommodating the atomizing medium transport device described in any embodiment of this application;

[0029] A delivery driver is used to cooperate with the drive wheel of the assembled atomizing medium transport device to drive the drive wheel to rotate;

[0030] A supply drive assembly for pushing the aerosol-generated article on the supply channel into the heating chamber.

[0031] In some embodiments, the heating component and the supply drive component are located on opposite sides of the atomizing medium transport device in the first direction, and the supply drive component includes a push rod that reciprocates along the first direction.

[0032] This application provides an aerosol generation system, including an aerosol generation device according to any embodiment of this application and an atomizing medium transport device according to any embodiment of this application.

[0033] The atomizing medium transport device, aerosol generating device, and aerosol generating system provided in this application embodiment can individually store aerosol-generated products. The drive wheel can position the atomizing medium component and also drive its movement, causing multiple storage chambers to sequentially align with the supply channel. When the atomizing medium transport device is installed on the aerosol generating device, each storage chamber can automatically align with the supply channel and the supply drive component, allowing it to be directly pushed into the heating chamber by the supply drive component to generate aerosol. This eliminates the need for user operation and improves user convenience. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an atomizing medium transport device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A diagram from another perspective;

[0036] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the cross section at point AA;

[0037] Figure 4 for Figure 1 An explosion diagram;

[0038] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the first side plate;

[0039] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an aerosol generation system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the aerosol generation system from another perspective;

[0041] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view of the structure shown along the BB direction;

[0042] Figure 9 for Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view of the structure shown along the CC direction;

[0043] Figure 10 for Figure 6 A diagram illustrating another state;

[0044] Figure 11 for Figure 6 The diagram shows a partial structural schematic of the aerosol generation system.

[0045] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram showing the fit between the aerosol-generated product, storage components, and connectors.

[0046] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an aerosol-generated article according to an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a delivery driver according to an embodiment of this application.

[0048] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0049] 10. Aerosol generating device; 10a. Waste chamber; 10b. Cavity; 11. Heating assembly; 11a. Heating chamber; 11c. Gas outlet channel; 12. Supply drive assembly; 121. Product driver; 122. Product driver component; 14. Housing; 14a. Receiving groove; 141. First housing; 142. Second housing; 16. Power supply assembly;

[0050] 20. Aerosol-generating products;

[0051] 300. Atomizing medium transport device; 30. Atomizing medium transport assembly; 30a. Storage chamber; 30b. Gap; 31. Storage component; 32. Connecting component;

[0052] 41. Conveyor driver; 411. Conveyor motor; 412. Worm gear; 413. Worm wheel; 414. Drive shaft; 42. Drive wheel; 42a. Drive hole; 421. Tooth; 421a. Arc concave surface; 43. Guide wheel; 50. Receiving box; 50b. Supply channel; 50c. Insertion hole; 51. First side plate; 52. Second side plate; 51a. Support area; 51b. Clearance area; 51c. Positioning groove. Detailed Implementation

[0053] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0054] The specific technical features described in the specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. For example, different combinations of specific technical features can form different embodiments and technical solutions. To avoid unnecessary repetition, the various possible combinations of the specific technical features in this application will not be described separately.

[0055] In the following description, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used merely to distinguish different objects and do not indicate that the objects have the sameness or relationship. It should be understood that the directional descriptions "above," "below," "outside," and "inside" refer to the orientation under normal use conditions, while "left" and "right" refer to the left and right directions shown in the corresponding diagrams, which may or may not be the left and right directions under normal use conditions.

[0056] It should be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element. "A plurality of" means two or more.

[0057] In the embodiments of this application, please refer to Figures 1 to 14 The X direction represents the "first direction" and the axial direction.

[0058] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 This application provides an atomizing medium transport device 300 for installation within an aerosol generating device 10.

[0059] The atomizing medium transport device 300 includes a container 50, an atomizing medium transport assembly 30, and a drive wheel 42.

[0060] The housing 50 has a supply channel 50b that extends through the housing 50 in a first direction. That is, the supply channel 50b connects to the external atmosphere. Furthermore, the housing 50 has a certain structural strength, which protects the components inside the housing 50.

[0061] The atomizing medium transport assembly 30 is disposed within the receiving box 50 and is movable within the receiving box 50. The atomizing medium transport assembly 30 has multiple storage cavities 30a for accommodating the aerosol generating article 20, and the storage cavities 30a are open on opposite sides along a first direction. It is understood that the aerosol generating article 20 can enter and exit the storage cavities 30a along opposite sides along the first direction.

[0062] It should be noted that there is no limit to the specific number of aerosol-generated products 20 that the atomizing medium transport component 30 can accommodate.

[0063] While storing the aerosol-generating product 20, the storage chamber 30a can also position and limit the aerosol-generating product 20 so that the aerosol-generating product 20 can move synchronously with the atomizing medium transport component 30 and is not easily detached.

[0064] Please refer to Figures 6 to 11 This application also provides an aerosol generation system, including an aerosol generation device 10 and an atomizing medium transport device 300 in any embodiment of this application.

[0065] This application also provides an aerosol generating apparatus 10, including a heating assembly 11, a supply drive assembly 12, a receiving tank 14a, and a delivery driver 41. The heating assembly 11 has a heating chamber 11a.

[0066] The receiving tank 14a is used to accommodate the atomizing medium transport device 300.

[0067] The supply drive assembly 12 is used to push the aerosol generating article 20 on the supply channel 50b into the heating chamber 11a. Specifically, a portion of the supply drive assembly 12 abuts against the aerosol generating article 20 located on the supply channel 50b, pushes it out of the receiving box 50, and continues to move to the heating chamber 11a. The aerosol generating article 20 entering the heating chamber 11a is heated to generate aerosol for user use. After the aerosol generating article 20 on the supply channel 50b is pushed out of the receiving box 50, the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 moves, causing the next aerosol generating article 20 to move onto the supply channel 50b for the next entry into the heating chamber 11a. It should be noted that the next aerosol generating article 20 can be moved to the supply channel 50b immediately after the previous aerosol generating article 20 is pushed out of the receiving box 50, or the next aerosol generating article 20 can be moved to the supply channel 50b when a new aerosol generating article 20 needs to be pushed into the heating chamber 11a.

[0068] As can be seen from the above, when the aerosol generating product 20 in the heating chamber 11a is heated to generate aerosol, it has virtually no impact on the aerosol generating product 20 in the container 50. Furthermore, a single atomizing medium transport device 300 can store many aerosol generating products 20, for example, 10 to 30, enabling large-volume inhalation (e.g., a single aerosol generating product 20 can provide 10 inhalations for the user, and a single atomizing medium transport device 300 can provide 100 to 300 inhalations for the user). Moreover, even when the last aerosol generating product 20 generates aerosol upon heating, its inhalation taste can still maintain the fresh taste of the first aerosol generating product 20, improving the consistency of the inhalation taste of the atomizing medium transport device 300. Furthermore, since multiple aerosol generating products 20 are independent of each other, multiple aerosol generating products 20 can be made into different flavors, facilitating flavor diversification.

[0069] Understandably, the number of suction ports for a single aerosol generating product 20 can be estimated based on experience. In this way, the number of aerosol generating products 20 in a single atomizing medium transport device 300 can be adjusted according to the total number of ports, thereby adjusting the overall number of suction ports to meet the port number requirements.

[0070] The delivery driver 41 is used to cooperate with the drive wheel 42 of the assembled atomizing medium transport device 300 to drive the drive wheel 42 to rotate. It can be understood that after the atomizing medium transport device 300 and the aerosol generating device 10 are assembled, the delivery driver 41 and the drive wheel 42 establish a transmission relationship, and the delivery driver 41 can drive the drive wheel 42 to rotate.

[0071] For example, please refer to Figures 2 to 4 The drive wheel 42 is disposed in the receiving box 50. The drive wheel 42 is driven to cooperate with the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 to drive the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 to move, so that the multiple storage chambers 30a are aligned with the supply channel 50b in sequence. Thus, on the one hand, the drive wheel 42 can position the atomizing medium transport component 30. After the atomizing medium transport device 300 is installed on the aerosol generating device 10, the aerosol generating product 20 in one of the storage chambers 30a is located in the supply channel 50b, aligning the supply drive component 12, the supply channel 50b, and the heating chamber 11a. This facilitates the supply drive component 12 aligning with the aerosol generating product 20 and pushing it into the heating chamber 11a, eliminating the need for the user to manually adjust the atomizing medium transport component 30 to align one of the storage chambers 30a with the supply channel 50b, thus improving the user's operational convenience. On the other hand, the drive wheel 42 enables the atomizing medium transport component 30 to drive the aerosol generating product 20 to move synchronously, allowing different aerosol generating products 20 to move sequentially to the supply channel 50b, continuously supplying the aerosol generating device 10 with aerosol generating products 20, eliminating the need for the user to manually replenish the aerosol generating product 20, further improving the user's operational convenience.

[0072] The atomizing medium transport device 300, aerosol generating device 10, and aerosol generating system provided in this application embodiment are characterized by the atomizing medium transport component 30 being able to store the aerosol generating product 20 separately, and the drive wheel 42 being able to position the atomizing medium component while also driving the atomizing medium component to move, so that multiple storage chambers 30a are sequentially aligned with the supply channel 50b. When the atomizing medium transport device 300 is installed on the aerosol generating device 10, each storage chamber 30a can be sequentially and automatically aligned with the supply channel 50b and the supply drive component 12, so that it can be directly pushed into the heating chamber 11a by the supply drive component 12 to generate aerosol, without the need for user operation, which can improve the user's operational convenience.

[0073] The aerosol generating article 20 can be made from the aerosol generating matrix itself, such as a smoky flavoring medium; in other embodiments, the aerosol generating article 20 may also include a matrix and an aerosol generating matrix disposed on the matrix. The matrix may be one or more of high-temperature resistant carbon fiber, softwood pulp fiber, hardwood pulp fiber, bamboo fiber, cotton fiber, and hemp fiber. In this way, by setting a matrix, the strength of the aerosol generating article 20 can be improved, making it less prone to deformation and breakage, and it can also withstand a certain degree of high temperature without producing odor.

[0074] The aerosol-generated product 20 can be a one-piece structure, for example, formed by injection molding, compression molding, or extrusion. Extrusion molding refers to a processing method in which a mixture of raw materials is added to an extruder, and the material is pushed forward by the screw or piston through the barrel and continuously passed through the die head to form products or semi-finished products of various cross-sections. For example, the aerosol-generated product 20 is a one-piece extruded structure. Thus, the aerosol-generated product 20 remains a one-piece medium whether heated and aerated or after heating ceases, making it less prone to disintegration and shedding. This reduces the problems of flake-like, filamentous, or particulate aerosol-generated products 20 in related technologies, such as flake detachment, filamentous component shedding, and particulate component shedding, resulting in high atomization reliability.

[0075] The outer contour of the aerosol-generated product 20 can be cylindrical, cuboid, etc., and there are no restrictions here.

[0076] The number of aerosol generating articles 20 can be one or more; that is, the multiple storage cavities 30a can all contain the aerosol generating articles 20, or only partially contain the aerosol generating articles 20. In the embodiments of this application, the number of aerosol generating articles 20 is described as multiple.

[0077] For example, the outer contour of the aerosol generating article 20 is generally cylindrical, and the outer diameter of the cylinder can be 3mm to 8mm, for example, 3mm, 3.3mm, 4mm, 4.5mm, 5mm, 5.4mm, 6mm, 6.6mm, 7mm, 7.2mm, 8mm, etc. Thus, the size of the aerosol generating article 20 is suitable, facilitating the inclusion of sufficient aerosol generating matrix even with a relatively short length, and reducing the volume required by the storage component 31 to accommodate the aerosol generating article 20, thus facilitating the placement of multiple aerosol generating articles 20.

[0078] The extension length of the aerosol generating article 20 can be designed as needed. For example, the extension length of the aerosol generating article 20 is 3mm to 7.5mm. Examples include 3mm, 3.3mm, 4mm, 4.5mm, 5mm, 5.4mm, 6mm, 6.6mm, 7mm, 7.2mm, and 7.5mm. This length of aerosol generating article 20 facilitates processing and molding, reduces the volume of the storage component 31, reduces the dimensions of the aerosol generating device 10 along the extension direction of the aerosol generating article 20, and increases the reliability of the structural layout.

[0079] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 13 The aerosol generating article 20 has at least one air passage hole extending through it along its axial direction.

[0080] In this way, the aerosol generated by the atomization of the aerosol product 20 can be directly released from the air passage, and the aerosol has sufficient release space, thus improving the utilization rate of the aerosol.

[0081] The number of airway openings can be one or more; for example, the number of airway openings is multiple.

[0082] Understandably, the aerosol generating article 20 may also contain micropores, which are interconnected to form microchannels. Some of the micropores are connected to the channel openings, while other microchannels directly pass through both axial ends of the aerosol generating article 20. This allows the aerosol to be discharged from the aerosol generating article 20 in multiple ways. For example, the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating article 20 after heating can directly enter the channel openings and be carried out by air from the external environment; or, air from the external environment can directly enter the microchannels and carry away the aerosols within them; or, the aerosol can enter the channel openings from the microchannels.

[0083] It is understandable that the interconnection between micropores can be partial or non-interconnected, or all micropores can be interconnected. For example, in an embodiment where the aerosol generating article 20 is a particle aggregate, the gaps between the particles constitute micropores, wherein the size of the micropores is determined by the gaps between the particles of the aerosol generating article 20.

[0084] It should be noted that airway pores are pores in a macroscopic sense, which can be seen with the naked eye, while micropores are pores in a microscopic sense, which cannot be seen with the naked eye.

[0085] The air ducts and micropores increase the surface area of ​​the aerosol generating product 20, facilitating heat transfer and improving heating efficiency. When the aerosol generating matrix within the aerosol generating product 20 is heated, it releases aerosols. Under the negative pressure generated by the user's suction, the air ducts and micropores reduce the suction resistance, improving the user experience and minimizing the adverse effects of condensed aerosol residue remaining in the aerosol generating product 20 and affecting airflow.

[0086] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 4 The internal space of the container 50 is connected to the atmospheric environment only through the drive hole 42a and the supply channel 50b. In this way, the airtightness of the container 50 can be ensured after the atomizing medium transport device 300 is installed on the aerosol generating device 10, so as to reduce the loss of the aerosol generating product 20 inside the container 50 due to long-term storage, and extend the storage time of the aerosol generating product 20 inside the atomizing medium transport device 300.

[0087] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 4 The receiving box 50 includes a first side plate 51 and a second side plate 52, which are arranged at intervals along a first direction. It should be noted that the aforementioned supply channel 50b passes through the first side plate 51 and the second side plate 52 along the first direction.

[0088] For example, the supply drive assembly 12 described above is located on the side of the first side plate 51 away from the second side plate 52, and the heating chamber 11a is located on the side of the second side plate 52 away from the first side plate 51.

[0089] It should be noted that the perimeter of the container 50 can be open or closed, and there is no restriction here.

[0090] Specifically, the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 and the drive wheel 42 are both located between the first side plate 51 and the second side plate 52. In this way, the first side plate 51 and the second side plate 52 can protect the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 and the drive wheel 42, thereby reducing the possibility of collision damage to the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 and the drive wheel 42 during transportation.

[0091] For example, please refer to Figure 5The first side plate 51 and / or the second side plate 52 have a positioning groove 51c on the side facing the atomizing medium transport assembly 30. The atomizing medium transport assembly 30 includes a first bearing, and a drive wheel 42 is connected to a first rotating shaft. The first bearing is housed in the positioning groove 51c, and the first rotating shaft is connected to the first bearing. In this way, the positioning groove 51c can restrict the movement of the first bearing. The connection between the first rotating shaft and the first bearing can improve the stability of the rotation of the drive wheel 42, reduce the probability of the drive wheel 42 disengaging from the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 due to vibration and shaking caused by rotation, and improve the smoothness of the operation of the atomizing medium transport device 300.

[0092] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 4 The receiving box 50 has an insertion hole 50c, and the drive wheel 42 has a drive hole 42a. The insertion hole 50c and the drive hole 42a are connected. The insertion hole 50c is used for the drive shaft of the aerosol generating device 10 to pass through and be inserted into the drive hole 42a, so that the drive wheel 42 can rotate under the action of the drive shaft. It can be understood that by inserting the drive shaft into the drive hole 42a, the drive wheel 42 is controlled to rotate, so that the drive wheel 42 drives multiple storage chambers 30a to be aligned with the supply channel 50b in sequence. The drive shaft and the drive wheel 42 drive each other stably, so as to achieve the smooth operation of the atomizing medium transport device 300.

[0093] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The drive wheel 42 includes a plurality of teeth 421, which are arranged circumferentially around the drive wheel 42. It is understood that the teeth 421 are used to drive the storage unit 31 to drive the plurality of storage units 31 to move synchronously.

[0094] The cross-section of the drive hole 42a is a regular polygon, and the number of sides of the regular polygon is the same as the number of teeth 421. Thus, when the atomizing medium transport device 300 is used in conjunction with the aerosol generating device 10, the drive hole 42a is used to install and engage with the transport driver 41 of the aerosol generating device 10.

[0095] It is understandable that the delivery driver 41 is a structure provided inside the aerosol generating device 10 for driving the drive wheel 42.

[0096] In this embodiment, the drive hole 42a is formed as a regular polygonal hole. By making the number of sides of the regular polygonal hole the same as the number of drive teeth, when the conveyor driver 41 cooperates with the drive hole 42a, the number of rotations of the drive wheel 42 driven by the conveyor driver 41 can be set to achieve precise control of the transport stroke of the storage component 31. This ensures that each time the drive wheel 42 stops rotating, there is a storage component 31 located in the supply channel 50b, and the aerosol generated product 20 stored therein can be pushed to the heating component 11 for atomization, increasing the accuracy of the movement.

[0097] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The tooth 421 has a symmetrical structure, and the plane of symmetry of the tooth 421 passes through the center of the regular polygon and the intersection of two adjacent sides.

[0098] It is understandable that the position and orientation of each tooth 421 can match one face of the regular polygonal hole, which can increase the accuracy of movement and facilitate the positioning of the drive wheel 42 when assembling with the drive shaft of the aerosol generating device 10, and facilitate the precise matching of the drive shaft of the aerosol generating device 10 with the drive hole 42a of the drive wheel 42.

[0099] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 12 The atomizing medium transport assembly 30 includes multiple storage units 31 and connecting members 32. The space within each storage unit 31 forms a storage cavity 30a. The multiple storage units 31 are spaced apart, and adjacent storage units 31 are connected by connecting members 32. It is understood that a force transmission path is formed between adjacent storage units 31 and connecting members 32, enabling the transfer of force between the storage units 31, thereby allowing the storage units 31 and connecting members 32 to drive the aerosol generating product 20 to move synchronously. After a storage unit 31, either directly connected to the connecting member 32 or in a driving engagement with the connecting member 32, moves under the influence of an external force, it can transmit the force to other storage units 31, driving these storage units 31 to move.

[0100] For example, the connector 32 is a flexible structure. It should be noted that "flexible structure" means that the stiffness of the connector 32 is less than that of the storage component 31 to which it is connected; stiffness refers to an object's ability to resist elastic deformation under stress. In other words, under the same magnitude of force, the connector 32 can undergo elastic deformation before the storage component 31. This allows the current direction of movement between the connector 32 and the driven storage component 31 to differ, and the trajectory of the storage component 31 can be at least partially curved rather than a straight line, facilitating the arrangement of more storage components 31 within a limited space and allowing for the selection of suitable movement paths for the storage components 31.

[0101] The connector 32 can be deformed by stretching or bending along a straight line, and there is no restriction on this.

[0102] For example, the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 has a ring-shaped structure. This makes the structure of the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 compact, allowing it to accommodate more aerosol-generating articles 20 within a limited space.

[0103] For example, the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 can be a ring structure formed by alternating arrangement of multiple connectors 32 and storage units 31 and connecting them end to end, that is, the two sides adjacent to any connector 32 are storage units 31, and the two sides adjacent to any storage unit 31 are connectors 32.

[0104] In some embodiments, the connector 32 and the storage unit 31 are an integral structure.

[0105] In other words, the storage component 31 and the connecting component 32 are manufactured as a single piece, which makes it easier to reduce assembly steps and increase assembly efficiency. At the same time, it allows the storage component 31 and the connecting component 32 to move synchronously without relative movement, making the overall structure of the atomizing medium transport device 300 simpler.

[0106] Of course, in other embodiments, the connector 32 and the storage unit 31 may also be separate structures, which is not limited here.

[0107] For example, the tooth 421 engages with the tooth gap 30b between two adjacent storage units 31. It is understood that when the drive wheel 42 rotates, the force of the tooth 421 can act on its adjacent storage units 31, so that each storage unit 31 moves in a circumferential direction, adjusts its relative position, and aligns the storage cavity 30a of each storage unit 31 with the supply channel 50b in sequence.

[0108] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 12 The storage unit 31 is cylindrical. It is understood that the cylindrical shape of the storage unit 31 facilitates the containment and installation of the aerosol generating product 20, so that the aerosol generating product 20 can move smoothly and synchronously with the storage unit 31 without falling out.

[0109] For example, the tooth 421 has arcuate concave surfaces 421a on opposite sides along the axial direction, and the arcuate concave surfaces 421a mate with the outer peripheral surface of the storage member 31. In this way, the mate between the arcuate concave surfaces 421a of the tooth 421 and the outer peripheral surface of the storage member 31 enables the drive wheel 42 to better position and drive the atomizing medium transport assembly 30.

[0110] For example, the atomizing medium transport device 300 includes a guide wheel 43, a drive wheel 42, and the guide wheel 43 are arranged at intervals along a second direction, and the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 is arranged around the guide wheel 43 and the drive wheel 42. It can be understood that the cooperation between the drive wheel 42 and the guide wheel 43 makes the movement of the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 more stable, facilitates the movement of the atomizing medium assembly along a preset motion trajectory, and reduces the possibility of the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 disengaging from the drive wheel 42.

[0111] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 5The movement trajectory of the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 on the surface of the first side plate 51 and / or the second side plate 52 includes a clearance area 51b and a support area 51a. It is understood that the clearance area 51b can reduce the friction between the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 and the surface of the first side plate 51 and / or the second side plate 52 during movement, thereby reducing the movement resistance of the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 and facilitating the movement of the drive wheel 42.

[0112] Furthermore, the frictional force between the surface of the first side plate 51 and / or the second side plate 52 and the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 in the support region 51a is greater than the frictional force between the surface of the first side plate 51 and / or the second side plate 52 in the clearance region 51b. This allows the storage cavity 30a to adjust its axial position under the action of friction when the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 is in the support region 51a, so that the axial direction of the storage cavity 30a is perpendicular to the surface of the first side plate 51 and / or the second side plate 52, which facilitates the movement of the storage cavity 30a to align with the supply channel 50b.

[0113] For example, the distance between the first side plate 51 and the second side plate 52 in the support region 51a is smaller than the distance in the avoidance region 51b. In this way, the resistance of the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 during movement can be minimized.

[0114] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 5 There are two support areas 51a, one of which is located around the drive wheel 42, and the other is located around the guide wheel 43. Thus, when the storage element 31 within the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 moves to the support area 51a, the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 can adjust its axial position under the frictional force of the first side plate 51 and / or the second side plate 52, so that the drive wheel 42 and the guide wheel 43 can better engage with the atomizing medium transport assembly 30.

[0115] It should be noted that the specific formation methods of the avoidance area 51b and the support area 51a are not limited.

[0116] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 5A portion of the surface of the first side plate 51 and / or the second side plate 52 facing the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 is recessed to form an avoidance area 51b, and the non-recessed portion forms a support area 51a. Understandably, when the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 moves from the support area 51a to the clearance area 51b, the distance between the first side plate 51 and the second side plate 52 increases, thereby reducing the contact surface between the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 and the first side plate 51 and the second side plate 52. This reduces the movement resistance of the atomizing medium transport assembly 30, facilitating its movement under the drive of the drive wheel 42. When the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 moves from the clearance area 51b to the support area 51a, the distance between the first side plate 51 and the second side plate 52 decreases, thereby increasing the contact surface between the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 and the first side plate 51 and the second side plate 52. This increases the movement resistance of the atomizing medium transport assembly 30, facilitating the adjustment of the storage cavity 30a's axial position under the action of friction. This makes the axial direction of the storage cavity 30a perpendicular to the surface of the first side plate 51 and / or the second side plate 52, facilitating the movement of the storage cavity 30a to align with the supply channel 50b.

[0117] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 5 Along the annular direction of the atomizing medium transport assembly 30, the recessed and non-recessed parts are smoothly connected by a slope. This makes the transition between the support area 51a and the avoidance area 51b smooth, improving the smoothness of the movement of the atomizing medium transport assembly 30.

[0118] In some embodiments, please refer to Figures 6 to 11 The aerosol generating device 10 includes a housing 14, which includes a first shell 141 and a second shell 142. The first shell 141 and the second shell 142 are arranged along a first direction and define a receiving groove 14a. It is understood that the housing 14 is used to form at least a portion of the outer surface of the aerosol generating device 10 and to provide a certain degree of protection for the components disposed within the housing 14, so as to facilitate stable atomization.

[0119] For example, the heating chamber 11a is used to place the aerosol generating article 20, which is separated from the storage component 31 after being driven by the supply driving component 12. The heating component 11 atomizes the aerosol generating article 20 in the heating chamber 11a so that the aerosol generating matrix in the aerosol generating article 20 is converted into aerosol.

[0120] The method by which the heating component 11 atomizes the aerosol to generate the product 20 is not limited; it can be heating atomization, ultrasonic atomization, etc., and is not restricted here. Heating atomization can include resistance heating, electromagnetic heating, infrared heating, microwave heating, laser heating, air heating, electric field heating, carbon source heating, etc., and is not limited here. In this embodiment, the aerosol generating product 20 is described as being used for suction in a heated but non-combustible manner.

[0121] It is understood that the supply drive component 12 can be located inside the receiving groove 14a defined by the first shell 141 and the second shell 142, or it can be located outside the receiving groove 14a. There are no restrictions here, as long as it can drive the aerosol generating product 20 into the heating chamber 11a for atomization.

[0122] For example, the heating component 11 includes an atomizing core, which atomizes the aerosol generating product 20 by means of heating and atomization. The heating method includes center heating and peripheral heating. Center heating means that the atomizing core is inserted into the interior of the aerosol generating product 20 to bake and heat the aerosol generating product 20 from the inside out. Peripheral heating means that the atomizing core is placed on the periphery of the aerosol generating product 20 to bake and heat the aerosol generating product 20 from the outside in.

[0123] For example, please refer to Figure 10 The first shell 141 and the second shell 142 are rotatably connected, meaning that the first shell 141 and the second shell 142 can rotate relative to each other. For example, the first shell 141 and the second shell 142 are hinged together.

[0124] In other embodiments, the first shell 141 and the second shell 142 are detachably connected.

[0125] In other words, when the aerosol generating device 10 is working, the first shell 141 and the second shell 142 are connected to enclose the installation space. When the aerosol generating device 10 is replenishing material, the connection between the first shell 141 and the second shell 142 is released, that is, the first shell 141 and the second shell 142 are completely separated. This makes it easier to fully expose the atomizing medium transport device 300 to the outside, thereby enabling the replenishment of the atomizing medium transport device 300 and reducing the probability of interference with other structures during the replenishment operation.

[0126] The method by which the first shell 141 and the second shell 142 can be disassembled is not limited. For example, they can be screwed, riveted, etc., and there is no limitation here.

[0127] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 10 and Figure 11The first shell 141 is open on one side along the thickness direction to define the receiving groove 14a. The supply drive assembly 12 is disposed in the second shell 142. The aerosol generating device 10 includes a power supply assembly 16, which is disposed inside the second shell 142 and is not in communication with the receiving groove 14a; or, the power supply assembly 16 is disposed inside the first shell 141 and is not in communication with the receiving groove 14a.

[0128] The power supply component 16 can provide electrical energy to the heating component 11, so that the heating component 11 can atomize the aerosol generating article 20. Of course, in some embodiments, the power supply component 16 can also provide electrical energy to the drive component 12, so that the drive component 12 can apply driving force to the aerosol generating article 20. In this way, the two structures share a single power supply, which can help simplify the structure of the aerosol generating device 10 and make the structure of the aerosol generating device 10 more compact.

[0129] In this embodiment, the power supply component 16 is disposed inside either the first shell 141 or the second shell 142 and is not connected to the receiving groove 14a, which facilitates the protection of the power supply component 16 and reduces the adverse effects on the power supply component 16 during the switching process between the aerosol generating device 10 in operation and material replenishment.

[0130] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 9 The housing 14 and the heating assembly 11 enclose a waste chamber 10a, which is located on the side of the heating chamber 11a away from the atomizing medium transport device 300. The waste chamber 10a is used to: receive the aerosol generated product 20 that has been atomized by the heating assembly 11 and discharged from the side of the heating chamber 11a away from the storage chamber 30a in the working state.

[0131] In other words, the atomized aerosol product 20 will not be discharged into the storage chamber 30a, nor will it be discharged directly to the outside of the aerosol generating device 10. Instead, it can be discharged from the side of the heating chamber 11a away from the storage component 31 to the waste chamber 10a and stored in the waste chamber 10a.

[0132] In this way, the atomized aerosol generating product 20 can be cooled in the waste chamber 10a before being discharged, reducing the risk of users being burned by contact with the aerosol generating product 20 that has just been discharged from the heating chamber 11a, and also reducing the risk of the atomizing medium transport component 30 being deformed by heat. Furthermore, the driving of the un-atomized aerosol generating product 20 is on the side of the heating chamber 11a closer to the atomizing medium transport device 300, while the discharge of the atomized aerosol generating product 20 is on the side of the heating chamber 11a away from the atomizing medium transport device 300, which makes the movement more reliable and convenient. At the same time, it will not cause the atomized aerosol generating product 20 to be repeatedly atomized, resulting in higher atomization reliability. Moreover, the atomized aerosol generating product 20 will not affect the atomization of the next aerosol generating product 20.

[0133] For example, the atomized aerosol-generating article 20 can leave the heating chamber 11a under the pushing action of the supply drive component 12 to push new aerosol-generating articles 20, and enter the waste chamber 10a for storage. In this way, it is possible to continuously draw in large numbers of puffs.

[0134] Understandably, the waste chamber 10a has an outlet that can cool and discharge the atomized aerosol-generated product 20 outside the aerosol-generating device 10, thereby reducing the chance of the waste chamber 10a becoming clogged and affecting atomization.

[0135] For example, please refer to Figure 9 The atomizing medium transport device 300, assembled in place, and the heating component 11 are spaced apart in a first direction to form a cavity 10b. The aerosol generating device 10 has an exhaust channel 11c, the inlet of which communicates with the cavity 10b. It is understood that the aerosol generated by the heating component 11 heating the internal aerosol generating product can enter the cavity 10b, and then be discharged through the exhaust channel 11c to the outside of the aerosol generating device 10 for inhalation by the user.

[0136] Furthermore, in the embodiment with waste chamber 10a, cavity 10b and waste chamber 10a are located on opposite sides of heating assembly 11 along the first direction, which makes the structure of aerosol generating device compact and facilitates the lightweight design of aerosol generating device.

[0137] The specific structure of the supply drive component 12 is not limited.

[0138] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 12 The heating component and the supply drive component are located on opposite sides of the atomizing medium transport device in the first direction. The supply drive component includes a product drive component, which reciprocates along the first direction.

[0139] Here, the first direction can be parallel to the axis of the storage cavity 30a.

[0140] The reciprocating motion of the product drive component 122 along the first direction means that the product drive component 122 can move in two directions along the first direction.

[0141] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 12 The supply drive assembly 12 includes a product driver 121 and a product driver 122. The product driver 121 and the product driver 122 drive each other to drive the product driver 122 to reciprocate along a first direction.

[0142] The specific form of the product driver 121 is not limited. It can be a slider for manual driving by the user, or it can include a motor to realize automatic control of the movement of the product driver 122.

[0143] For example, please refer to Figure 14 The conveying driver 41 includes a conveying motor 411, a worm 412, a worm wheel 413, and a drive shaft 414. The output end of the conveying motor 411 is drivenly connected to the worm 412. The worm 412 and the worm wheel 413 are in a transmission cooperation. The drive shaft 414 is located on the rotation axis of the worm wheel 413 and extends along the extension direction of its rotation axis. The drive wheel 42 is provided with a drive hole 42a. The drive shaft 414 is inserted into the drive hole 42a to drive the drive wheel 42 to rotate.

[0144] In this embodiment, by adopting the transmission method of worm gear 413 and worm 412, it is beneficial to increase the torque output by drive shaft 414 when the output torque of conveying motor 411 is constant, so as to make the rotation of drive wheel 42 more stable and also to drive more aerosol generating products 20 at one time.

[0145] For example, when the product drive 122 is in the extended state, it can move the aerosol-generated product 20 stored in the storage chamber 30a at the preset unloading position to the heating chamber 11a, and simultaneously push the atomized aerosol-generated product 20 in the heating chamber 11a to the waste chamber 10a. This completes the storage of the old aerosol-generated product 20 and the unloading of the new aerosol-generated product 20. After unloading, the product driver 121 drives the product drive 122 to retract, switching to the retracted state. At this time, the product drive 122 separates from the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 to avoid interfering with the movement of the atomizing medium transport assembly 30, thereby allowing the atomizing medium transport assembly 30 to move the next storage unit 31 to the preset unloading position.

[0146] In the description of this application, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiments of this application. In this application, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Furthermore, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine different embodiments or examples described in this application, as well as features of different embodiments or examples.

[0147] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An atomizing medium transport device, for installation within an aerosol generating device, characterized in that, The atomized medium transport device includes: A receiving box having a supply channel that extends through the receiving box in a first direction; An atomizing medium transport assembly is disposed within the receiving box. The atomizing medium transport assembly is movable within the receiving box. The atomizing medium transport assembly has multiple storage cavities for accommodating aerosol-generated products, and the storage cavities are open on opposite sides along the first direction. A drive wheel is disposed in the receiving box. The drive wheel cooperates with the atomizing medium transport component to drive the atomizing medium transport component to move, so that the plurality of storage cavities are sequentially aligned with the supply channel.

2. The atomizing medium transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving box has a socket, and the drive wheel has a drive hole. The socket and the drive hole are connected. The socket is used for the drive shaft of the aerosol generating device to pass through and be inserted into the drive hole so that the drive wheel can rotate under the action of the drive shaft.

3. The atomizing medium transport device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The drive wheel includes multiple teeth that are spaced apart around the circumference of the drive wheel. The cross-section of the drive hole is a regular polygon, and the number of sides of the regular polygon is the same as the number of teeth.

4. The atomizing medium transport device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The toothed portion has a symmetrical structure, and the plane of symmetry of the toothed portion passes through the center of the regular polygon and the intersection of two adjacent sides.

5. The atomizing medium transport device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The internal space of the container is connected to the atmospheric environment only through the drive hole and the supply channel.

6. The atomizing medium transport device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The atomizing medium transport assembly has a ring structure, the atomizing medium transport device includes a guide wheel, the drive wheel and the guide wheel are arranged at intervals along a second direction, and the atomizing medium transport assembly is wound around the guide wheel and the drive wheel; The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

7. The atomizing medium transport device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The container includes a first side plate and a second side plate, the first side plate and the second side plate are arranged at intervals along the first direction, and the atomizing medium transport assembly is located between the first side plate and the second side plate; The first side plate and / or the second side plate have a positioning groove on the side facing the atomizing medium transport assembly. The atomizing medium transport assembly includes a first bearing. The drive wheel is connected to a first rotating shaft. The first bearing is housed in the positioning groove. The first rotating shaft is connected to the first bearing.

8. The atomizing medium transport device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The container includes a first side plate and a second side plate, the first side plate and the second side plate are arranged at intervals along the first direction, and the atomizing medium transport assembly is located between the first side plate and the second side plate; The movement trajectory of the atomizing medium transport assembly on the surface of the first side plate and / or the second side plate includes an avoidance area and a support area, wherein the distance between the first side plate and the second side plate in the support area is less than the distance in the avoidance area.

9. The atomizing medium transport device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The number of support areas is two, one of which is located around the drive wheel and the other is located around the guide wheel.

10. The atomizing medium transport device according to claim 8, characterized in that, A portion of the surface of the first side plate and / or the second side plate facing the atomizing medium transport assembly is recessed to form the clearance area, and the non-recessed portion forms the support area.

11. The atomizing medium transport device according to claim 10, characterized in that, Along the circumferential direction of the atomizing medium transport assembly, the recessed and non-recessed portions are smoothly connected by a sloping surface.

12. The atomizing medium transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The atomizing medium transport assembly includes multiple storage units and connecting units. The space within each storage unit forms the storage cavity. The multiple storage units are spaced apart, and adjacent storage units are connected by the connecting units. The drive wheel includes a plurality of teeth that are arranged circumferentially around the drive wheel and engage with the tooth gap between two adjacent storage components.

13. The atomizing medium transport device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The storage component is cylindrical, and the teeth have arc-shaped concave surfaces on opposite sides along the axial direction, which mate with the outer peripheral surface of the storage component.

14. The atomizing medium transport device according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that, The storage cavity is filled with the aerosol-generated product.

15. An aerosol generating device, characterized in that, The aerosol generating device includes: Heating assembly, including a heating chamber; A receiving groove for accommodating the atomizing medium transport device according to any one of claims 1-14; A delivery driver is used to cooperate with the drive wheel of the assembled atomizing medium transport device to drive the drive wheel to rotate; A supply drive assembly for pushing the aerosol-generated article on the supply channel into the heating chamber.

16. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that, The heating component and the supply drive component are located on opposite sides of the atomizing medium transport device in the first direction. The supply drive component includes a product drive component, which reciprocates along the first direction.

17. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that, The assembled atomizing medium transport device and the heating component are spaced apart in the first direction to form a cavity; the aerosol generating device has an air outlet channel, and the air inlet end of the air outlet channel is connected to the cavity.

18. An aerosol generation system, characterized in that, The aerosol generation system includes the aerosol generation device according to any one of claims 15-17 and the atomizing medium transport device according to any one of claims 1-14.

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