An aerosol-generating system

Abstract

The present application provides an aerosol-generating system, comprising: an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device comprises: a housing, a receiving mechanism and a heating mechanism. The housing has an accommodation space formed inside, the receiving mechanism is arranged on the housing, and the receiving mechanism is formed with a receiving cavity for accommodating the aerosol-generating article. The heating mechanism is rotatably arranged in the accommodation space and extends from the bottom of the receiving mechanism to the aerosol-generating article located in the receiving cavity to heat different positions on the inner circumference of the aerosol-generating article during rotation to generate aerosol.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the tobacco industry, and in particular to an aerosol generation system. Background Technology

[0002] Most existing aerosol heating devices use resistance heating, where the resistance heating element transfers heat to the aerosol generation matrix through thermal conduction. Because the resistance heating element heats up slowly and lacks selectivity in heat conduction, the heating rate of the aerosol generation matrix is ​​low, often requiring users to wait 10 to 30 seconds before suction can begin.

[0003] Photothermal heating has the advantages of focused energy and fast heating speed, but its heating area is small, making it difficult to fully heat multiple locations of the aerosol generation matrix. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides an aerosol generation system to achieve heating at different locations of the aerosol-generated product.

[0005] As a first aspect of the present invention, the aerosol generation system includes:

[0006] Aerosol-generating products; and

[0007] Aerosol generating apparatus, comprising:

[0008] The shell has an internal accommodating space.

[0009] A containment mechanism, disposed within the housing, having formed a containment cavity for accommodating the aerosol-generated article; and,

[0010] A heating mechanism is rotatably disposed in the accommodating space and extends from the accommodating space through the bottom of the receiving mechanism to the aerosol generating article located in the receiving cavity, so as to heat different positions in the internal circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article during rotation to generate aerosol.

[0011] According to embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol-generating article comprises:

[0012] Filter tip section;

[0013] The core section is located at one end of the filter section along the axial direction and is suitable for insertion into the receiving mechanism. An aerosol generating matrix is ​​provided inside the core section, and the core section has a hollow portion extending in the axial direction to allow the heating mechanism to extend in.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a gap is formed between the heating mechanism and the inner surface of the hollow part to serve as a channel for aerosol flow.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heating mechanism includes:

[0016] Laser, suitable for emitting laser light,

[0017] Light guide components, including:

[0018] A light guide tube, in which a laser beam enters the light guide tube parallel to one end;

[0019] A reflector is located at the other end of the light guide tube to reflect the laser into the interior of the aerosol-generated product.

[0020] A drive component suitable for driving the rotation of a light guide tube.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generating apparatus further includes two protrusions sleeved on the light guide tube, one protrusion being located inside the receiving cavity and the other protrusion being located outside the receiving cavity, to define the position of the light guide tube in the axial direction. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the reflective part includes:

[0022] A reflector, the reflective surface of which is located in the optical path of the laser, and the reflective surface of the reflector and the light guide tube are set at an angle relative to each other.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the invention, the reflector is configured to have an arcuate surface to cause laser divergence.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the reflector is made of oxygen-free copper, molybdenum, silicon, fused silica, sapphire, microcrystalline glass, zinc selenide, or sodium chloride.

[0025] The reflector is coated with at least one reflective film, and the material of each reflective film is one or more of Au, Ag, TiO2, SiO2, Ta2O5, ZnSe, and YF3.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the reflective part includes a prism, the light receiving surface of the prism is disposed at one end of the light guide tube, the light reflecting surface of the prism is configured to be inclined relative to the receiving surface to reflect the laser, and the light emitting surface of the prism is configured to allow the laser reflected by the light reflecting surface to pass through.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the light receiving surface, the light reflecting surface, and the light emitting surface are all planar.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the light receiving surface and the light reflecting surface are planar, and the light emitting surface is configured to bulge along the emission direction of the laser to cause the laser to diverge.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one reflective film is coated on the light-reflecting surface of the prism, and the material of each reflective film is one or more of Au, Ag, TiO2, SiO2, Ta2O5, ZnSe, and YF3.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the prism is made of one or more of the following materials: fused silica, sapphire, microcrystalline glass, zinc selenide, and sodium chloride.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generating apparatus further includes:

[0032] The detector, located in the containment space, is suitable for detecting the presence of aerosol-generating products in the containment cavity;

[0033] An airflow sensing mechanism is installed in the containment mechanism and is used to detect airflow within the containment mechanism.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rotation of the heating mechanism enables the laser to sequentially scan and heat the circumference of the aerosol-generating product. This solves the problem of small heating area and localized heating of fixed lasers, ensuring that all internal areas of the aerosol-generating product can be heated, thereby producing a stable and consistent aerosol and improving the consistency of the user's suction experience. Attached Figure Description

[0035] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an aerosol generation system provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0037] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0038] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view along the axial direction of an aerosol-generated article provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0039] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a light guide assembly provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0040] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a light guide assembly provided according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0041] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a light guide assembly provided according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0042] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a prism provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0043] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A three-dimensional image.

[0044] Figure 9A schematic diagram of a light guide assembly provided according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0045] Figure 10 It shows Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the principle of a prism.

[0046] Figure 11 The illustration shows a comparison of laser spots when the light-emitting surfaces of the prism according to an embodiment of the present invention are a plane and a convex surface, respectively.

[0047] Figure 12 The diagram illustrates the trajectory of a laser spot in the core section when the light-emitting surface of the prism according to an embodiment of the present invention is a plane.

[0048] Figure 13 The diagram illustrates the trajectory of a laser spot in the core section when the light-emitting surface of the prism according to an embodiment of the present invention is convex.

[0049] Figure 14 A schematic diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0050] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0051] 100. Aerosol generating device; 110. Housing; 120. Containing mechanism; 130. Heating mechanism; 131. Laser; 132. Light guide assembly; 1321. Reflecting part; 1321a. Light receiving surface; 1321b. Light reflecting surface; 1321c. Light emitting surface; 1321d. Reflecting surface; 1322. Light guide tube; 133. Drive assembly; 1331. Gear; 1332. Motor; 140. Power supply; 150. Boss; 160. Circuit board; 170. Detector; 200. Aerosol generating product; 210. Filter section; 220. Cigarette core section; 221. Hollow part. Detailed Implementation

[0052] In the process of developing this invention, it was discovered that existing laser-heated aerosol generating devices employ either a laser module that rotates circumferentially around the aerosol-generated product or a laser module that moves linearly along the axial direction of the aerosol-generated product. While both methods can heat different areas of the aerosol-generating matrix, they both suffer from the following drawbacks: the laser module requires a large amount of space in either the circumferential or axial direction, resulting in a large overall device size; furthermore, the laser module needs to maintain a continuous electrical connection with the circuit board during movement, and long-term reciprocating motion can easily cause fatigue breakage of the wires or poor contact due to electrode wear, thus shortening the device's lifespan. Therefore, there is a need for an aerosol generating device that features rapid heating, small size, long lifespan, and the ability to fully heat the aerosol-generated product.

[0053] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that these descriptions are exemplary only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention for ease of explanation. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known structures and techniques are omitted in the following description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concept of the invention.

[0054] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. The terms “comprising,” “including,” etc., as used herein indicate the presence of the stated features, steps, operations, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, or components.

[0055] All terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art, unless otherwise defined. It should be noted that the terms used herein are to be interpreted in a manner consistent with the context of this specification, and not in an idealized or overly rigid way.

[0056] Figures 1-2 As shown, the aerosol generation system includes an aerosol generation article 200 and an aerosol generation device 100. The aerosol generation device 100 includes a housing 110, a housing mechanism 120, and a heating mechanism 130.

[0057] The housing 110 has an internal accommodating space. A receiving mechanism 120 is disposed in the housing 110 and has a receiving cavity for accommodating the aerosol generating article 200. A heating mechanism 130 is rotatably disposed in the accommodating space and extends from the accommodating space through the bottom of the receiving mechanism 120 to the aerosol generating article 200 located in the receiving cavity, so as to heat different positions in the internal circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article 200 during rotation to generate aerosol.

[0058] According to embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol generating article 200 refers to a consumable containing an aerosol generating matrix, typically a disposable cartridge, stick, or cigarette. The housing mechanism 120 is disposed within the housing 110, indicating that the housing mechanism 120 is not an accessory independent of the housing 110, but rather located inside or connected to the housing 110. Typically, the housing mechanism 120 is at least partially embedded within the housing 110. The housing mechanism 120 can be disposed within the housing 110 in various ways, such as being integrally formed with the housing 110, fixed inside the housing 110 by means of snaps, screws, adhesives, etc., or assembled as a separate component into a pre-reserved mounting position on the housing 110.

[0059] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rotation of the heating mechanism 130 enables the laser to sequentially scan and heat the aerosol-generating product 200 along its circumference. This solves the problem of small heating area and localized heating of fixed lasers, ensuring that all areas inside the matrix can be heated, thereby producing a stable and consistent aerosol and improving the consistency of the user's suction experience.

[0060] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view along the axial direction of an aerosol-generating article 200 provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0061] like Figure 3 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generating article 200 includes a filter section 210 and a core section 220. The core section 220 is disposed at one axial end of the filter section 210 and has the function of trapping a portion of the aerosol. The core section 220 is suitable for insertion into the receiving mechanism 120. An aerosol generating matrix is ​​disposed inside the core section 220. The core section 220 is cylindrical and has a hollow portion 221 extending in the axial direction to allow the heating mechanism 130 to extend into it. The aerosol generating matrix may contain plant fibers and nicotine or nicotine salts, etc., and is capable of generating aerosols without combustion upon heating.

[0062] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a gap is formed between the heating mechanism 130 and the aerosol generating matrix to serve as a channel for aerosol flow. To create a gap between the heating mechanism 130 and the inner surface of the hollow portion 221, the axial inner diameter of the hollow portion 221 can be larger than the rotation radius of the heating mechanism 130. This ensures a certain gap exists between the heating mechanism 130 and the inner surface of the hollow portion of the aerosol generating article 200, preventing contact between the heating mechanism 130 and the inner surface of the aerosol generating article 200, thereby preventing the aerosol generating article from rotating during the rotation of the heating mechanism 130.

[0063] In addition, combined Figure 2 and Figure 3 The heating mechanism 130 extends from the bottom into the hollow section, directly heating the interior of the aerosol generating article 200. The generated aerosol is located in the channel, and during user suction, the airflow flows directly over the heated inner surface, allowing the aerosol to be carried out without penetrating the aerosol generating matrix. Compared to heating from the outside of the aerosol generating article 200 (where the aerosol needs to penetrate the aerosol generating matrix), the heating method of this invention reduces the retention and adsorption of aerosols by the aerosol generating matrix, thereby improving the aerosol transfer rate.

[0064] In addition, the gap between the heating mechanism 130 and the inner surface of the aerosol generating article 200 also has the following function.

[0065] The aerosols generated by laser irradiation of the aerosol-generating matrix can block the laser, reducing the laser power reaching the surface of the aerosol-generating matrix and thus inhibiting the continuous generation of aerosols. During user suction, the airflow passes through the gaps, carrying away the generated aerosols in real time, reducing laser obstruction and ensuring stable and continuous aerosol generation. The continuous airflow over the surface of the heating mechanism 130 effectively prevents aerosol deposition on its surface, keeping it clean and ensuring stable performance. The aerosol is generated on the inner surface of the aerosol-generating matrix; when the airflow passes through this area, it directly carries away the newly generated aerosols, preventing them from being adsorbed or deposited by the matrix and improving aerosol transfer efficiency.

[0066] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a light guide assembly provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0067] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a light guide assembly provided according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0068] Continue to refer to Figure 2 and Figures 4-5 The heating mechanism 130 includes a laser 131, a light guide assembly 132, and a driving assembly 133. The laser 131 is adapted to emit laser light. The light guide assembly 132 includes a light guide tube 1322 and a reflector 1321. The laser light enters the light guide tube 1322 from one end. The through-hole of the light guide tube 1322 serves as a transmission channel for the laser light. The reflector 1321 is disposed at the other end of the light guide tube 1322 to reflect the laser light into the interior of the aerosol generating article 200. The driving assembly 133 is adapted to drive the light guide tube 1322 to rotate. The driving assembly 133 can, for example, be mounted on a bracket. The light guide tube 1322 can serve as a base for the reflector 1321 to support the reflector 1321.

[0069] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the drive assembly 133 drives the light guide tube 1322 and the reflector 1321 to rotate, so that the laser reflected by the reflector 1321 can scan circumferentially along the inner wall of the aerosol generating product 200. The laser 131 remains fixed, and only the light guide tube 1322 rotates, achieving uniform heating of different positions inside the product, avoiding problems caused by the movement of the laser 131. Specifically, the light guide tube 1322 only needs to rotate around its axis, while the laser 131 remains fixed. This avoids problems such as repeated bending and fatigue fracture of the wires or poor contact due to electrode wear caused by the overall movement of the laser module in traditional solutions, improving the electrical reliability and mechanical lifespan of the device. Extending the rotatable light guide tube 1322 from the bottom of the housing mechanism 120 into the aerosol generating product 200 avoids reserving extra space for laser module movement compared to setting up complex circumferential or axial movement mechanisms outside the aerosol generating product, reducing the overall size of the aerosol generating device 100 and making it easier for users to hold and carry.

[0070] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the driving assembly 133 includes a gear 1331 and a motor 1332. A light guide tube 1322 is disposed on the gear 1331, and the gear 1331 is formed with driving teeth that mesh with the toothed portion. The motor 1332 is adapted to drive the gear 1331 so that the gear 1331 drives the light guide tube 1322 to rotate.

[0071] According to embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 4 As shown, the reflective part 1321 includes a reflector, the reflective surface 1321d of which is located in the optical path of the laser, and the reflective surface 1321d of the reflector and the light guide tube 1322 are arranged at an angle relative to each other. By arranging the reflective surface of the reflector and the light guide tube 1322 at an angle relative to each other, the laser light incident along the axial direction of the light guide tube 1322 is reflected by the reflective surface, and its emission direction changes from parallel to the light guide tube 1322 to being transmitted towards the inner wall of the aerosol generating product 200. As a result, the laser light can be guided to the inner surface of the aerosol generating product 200 for heating, thereby achieving the purpose of heating the aerosol generating matrix from the inside.

[0072] like Figure 5 As shown, the reflector is configured with a curved reflective surface to diverge the laser. The curved surface of the reflector allows the reflected laser to diverge along a specific direction (such as axial or circumferential) on the inner wall surface of the aerosol-generating article 200, expanding the laser beam that was originally concentrated at a point into a spot or band covering a certain width. Compared to using a flat reflector, which can only heat a narrow area, the curved reflector can heat a larger area of ​​the inner wall surface with a single irradiation, reducing the number of rotation scans or time required to cover the entire heating area, thereby improving the overall heating efficiency.

[0073] According to embodiments of the present invention, the reflector is made of oxygen-free copper, molybdenum, silicon, fused silica, sapphire, microcrystalline glass, zinc selenide, or sodium chloride. Oxygen-free copper and molybdenum have excellent thermal conductivity. During laser heating, the surface of the reflector may absorb a small amount of laser energy, resulting in a temperature rise. Using a material with high thermal conductivity can quickly conduct heat away, preventing the reflector from deforming or decreasing its reflectivity due to overheating. Materials such as molybdenum, fused silica, sapphire, and microcrystalline glass have high melting points, enabling them to maintain structural integrity and optical performance at high temperatures. When the laser power is high or the heating time is long, the reflector is less prone to softening, melting, or surface damage due to high temperatures. Materials such as silicon, oxygen-free copper, and molybdenum have high intrinsic reflectivity for infrared lasers. Combined with surface coating, most of the laser energy can be reflected to the surface of the aerosol generation matrix, reducing the reflector's own absorption of laser energy, improving energy utilization efficiency, and achieving rapid heating. Materials such as fused silica, sapphire, microcrystalline glass, and zinc selenide have good chemical inertness and are not prone to chemical reactions with volatile substances released during the heating process of aerosol-generating matrix, making the surface of the reflector less susceptible to corrosion.

[0074] According to embodiments of the present invention, the reflector is coated with at least one reflective film, each reflective film being made of one or more of the following materials: Au, Ag, TiO2, SiO2, Ta2O5, ZnSe, and YF3. Au and Ag have high reflectivity for infrared lasers. Coating the reflector surface with these metallic materials allows most of the laser energy to be reflected to the aerosol generation matrix surface, reducing the reflector's own absorption of the laser, improving energy utilization efficiency, and achieving rapid heating. The reflector can also be coated with a multilayer reflective film consisting of alternating layers of high-refractive-index materials (TiO2, Ta2O5) and low-refractive-index materials (SiO2, YF3), which can achieve a reflectivity exceeding 99% for specific wavelengths (such as 808nm, 980nm, or 10.6μm) output by the laser 131, with controllable reflection bandwidth, superior to the reflection performance of a single metallic film.

[0075] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a light guide assembly provided according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0076] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a prism provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0077] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A three-dimensional image.

[0078] like Figures 6-8The reflector 1321 includes a prism. The light-receiving surface 1321a of the prism is disposed at one end of the light guide tube 1322. The light-reflecting surface 1321b of the prism is configured to be inclined relative to the receiving surface to reflect the laser beam. After reflection from the light-reflecting surface 1321b, the laser beam is output from the light-emitting surface 1321c. The prism is made of one or more materials selected from fused silica, sapphire, microcrystalline glass, zinc selenide, and sodium chloride. It should be noted that... Figure 6 The light guide tube 1322 in the middle serves as the base of the prism.

[0079] In some embodiments, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the light receiving surface 1321a, the light reflecting surface 1321b, and the light emitting surface 1321c can all be set as planes. The normal direction of the plane is clear, and the incident angle and reflection angle are easy to calculate and control. By setting the included angle between each plane, the laser can be guided from the light receiving surface to the light reflecting surface, and then emitted through the light emitting surface, making the optical path design simpler and more reliable.

[0080] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a light guide assembly provided according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0081] Figure 10 It shows Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the principle of a prism.

[0082] like Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the light-emitting surface 1321c of the prism is configured to bulge along the laser emission direction to diverge the laser beam. The prism integrates three functional surfaces: light receiving, light reflecting, and light emitting. A single optical element can handle laser incidentness, direction changing, and beam divergence. The bulging light-emitting surface 1321c, acting as a convex or cylindrical lens, allows the reflected laser beam to diverge upon passing through the emission surface. When the diverged laser beam irradiates the inner wall surface of the aerosol-generated product 200, it forms a large spot, covering a larger heating area with a single irradiation, thus improving heating efficiency. The laser propagates inside the prism via total internal reflection or coated reflection, eliminating the need for air gaps and reducing reflection and transmission losses at the interfaces of multiple optical elements. The light-receiving surface 1321a, the light-reflecting surface 1321b, and the light-emitting surface 1321c are all components of the same prism, ensuring a continuous optical path and low energy loss. The prism is directly mounted at the end of the light guide tube 1322, and its overall size is compact, eliminating the need to reserve space for additional diverging optical elements. Most of the prism can extend into the interior of the aerosol generating product 200, making full use of the internal space of the product and helping to reduce the overall size of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0083] Figure 11The illustration shows a comparison of laser spots when the light-emitting surfaces of the prism according to an embodiment of the present invention are a plane and a convex surface, respectively.

[0084] like Figure 11 As shown, when the light emitting surface 1321c of the prism is a plane, the laser spot M is smaller; when the light emitting surface 1321c of the prism protrudes along the laser emission direction, the area of ​​the laser spot M is larger.

[0085] Figure 12 The diagram illustrates the trajectory of a laser spot in the core section 220 when the light-emitting surface of the prism according to an embodiment of the present invention is a plane.

[0086] like Figure 12 As shown, when the light-emitting surface 1321c of the prism is planar, the light spot formed after laser emission is relatively small. During the rotation of the light guide tube 1322, this small light spot performs a circumferential scanning motion along the inner wall of the core section 220, and its motion trajectory presents as a narrow annular band.

[0087] Figure 13 The diagram illustrates the trajectory of a laser spot in the core section when the light-emitting surface 1 of the prism according to an embodiment of the present invention is convex.

[0088] like Figure 13 As shown, when the light-emitting surface 1321c of the prism is convex, the laser beam diverges after refraction through the convex surface, forming a band-shaped light spot extending along the axial direction on the inner wall surface of the core section 220. During the rotation of the light guide tube 1322, this band-shaped light spot performs a circumferential scanning motion along the inner wall of the core section 220, and its motion trajectory presents as a ring-shaped band with a relatively large coverage width.

[0089] According to an embodiment of the present invention, by designing the tilt angle between the light reflecting surface 1321b and the light receiving surface 1321a, the propagation direction of the laser after reflection can be precisely controlled; by designing the radius of curvature and convex shape of the light emitting surface 1321c, the divergence angle and divergence direction of the laser can be precisely controlled. Both are designed independently, offering high flexibility and adaptability to different types and specifications of aerosol-generated products 200.

[0090] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one reflective film is coated on the light reflecting surface 1321b of the prism, and the material of each reflective film is one or more of Au, Ag, TiO2, SiO2, Ta2O5, ZnSe, and YF3.

[0091] Continue to refer to Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The aerosol generating device 100 also includes two protrusions 150 sleeved on the light guide tube 1322, one of which is located inside the receiving cavity and the other is located outside the receiving cavity, so as to define the position of the light guide tube 1322 in the axial direction.

[0092] According to an embodiment of the present invention, two protrusions 150 are located on the inner and outer sides of the receiving cavity, respectively, and work together to reliably limit the light guide tube 1322 in the axial direction, preventing it from moving axially during use.

[0093] Figure 14 A schematic diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0094] like Figure 14 As shown, the aerosol generating apparatus 100 also includes a detector 170, which is disposed in the accommodating space and is suitable for detecting whether the aerosol generating article 200 is present in the accommodating cavity. The detector 170 can sense in real time whether the aerosol generating article 200 is inserted into the accommodating cavity. The laser 131 is only allowed to start heating when the article is detected; if no article is detected or the article has been removed, the laser 131 is locked or stops working to avoid the laser directly irradiating the internal structure of the accommodating cavity, causing damage or safety hazards.

[0095] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the detector 170 may be, for example, an infrared detector 170, which includes an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver, which may be disposed opposite to each other on both sides of the receiving mechanism 120. The infrared emitter emits infrared rays toward the interior of the receiving cavity, and the infrared rays pass through the receiving cavity and are directed to the infrared receiver. When the aerosol generating article 200 is not inserted into the receiving cavity, the infrared intensity received by the infrared receiver is high; when the aerosol generating article 200 is inserted into the receiving cavity, the article blocks part or all of the infrared rays, resulting in a decrease in the intensity of the infrared rays received by the infrared receiver. When the intensity of the infrared rays received by the infrared receiver is lower than a preset threshold, it is determined that the aerosol generating article 200 has been inserted, and the aerosol generating system is allowed to start. Alternatively, the infrared emitter and the infrared receiver are disposed side by side on the same side of the receiving mechanism 120. The infrared emitter emits infrared rays toward the interior of the receiving cavity, and when the aerosol generating article 200 is inserted, the surface of the article reflects the infrared rays back to the infrared receiver, making the intensity of the infrared rays received by the receiver higher than the preset threshold. At this time, it is determined that the article has been inserted, and the aerosol generating system is allowed to start.

[0096] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generating device 100 further includes an airflow sensing mechanism disposed in the housing 120, which is suitable for detecting the airflow within the housing 120. The airflow sensing mechanism can detect the user's suction action in real time. When the user suctions, an airflow change occurs within the housing 120, the airflow sensing mechanism captures the signal and triggers the laser 131 to heat up; when the user stops suctioning, the laser 131 pauses operation or reduces power. This on-demand heating method consumes electrical energy only during suction, significantly extending the single-charge usage time of the power supply 140. If the aerosol generating matrix is ​​continuously heated for a long time without suction, it may cause the matrix to overheat, dry-burn, and produce a burnt smell or harmful substances. The airflow sensing mechanism ensures that laser heating is synchronized with the suction action, avoiding ineffective heating when there is no suction.

[0097] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 14 The aerosol generating device 100 also includes a power supply 140 and a circuit board 160. The power supply 140 provides electrical power to the laser 131 and the drive mechanism. The circuit board 160 controls the start and stop of the laser 131 and the drive mechanism. Based on signals from the detector 170 (whether the aerosol generating article 200 is inserted) and the airflow sensing mechanism (whether there is a suction action), the circuit board 160 controls the laser 131 to start or stop emitting laser light, achieving on-demand heating. The circuit board 160 can adjust the output power of the laser 131, for example, rapidly heating to the aerosol generating temperature at a higher power during the initial stage of suction, dynamically adjusting the power according to the airflow intensity during suction to match the aerosol output, or reducing the power to enter a standby state during suction intervals. The circuit board 160 is also used to control the drive mechanism to start or stop rotating the light guide tube 1322. For example, rotation is started after the aerosol generating article 200 is inserted, and rotation stops after the aerosol generating article 200 is removed or suction ends. The circuit board 160 can adjust the rotation speed of the drive mechanism, for example, to achieve fine heating by rotating at a slower speed, or to achieve rapid scanning heating by rotating at a faster speed, and different rotation speeds can also be used in different suction stages.

[0098] The aerosol generation system provided by this invention, compared to the method where the heating mechanism 130 is disposed on the side wall of the aerosol generation product 200, uses a rotatable heating mechanism 130 (including a reflector or prism) that extends from the bottom of the receiving cavity into the aerosol generation product 200. Driven by a driving mechanism, it rotates, causing the reflected or refracted laser to scan and heat the inner wall of the product circumferentially. By replacing the movement of the entire laser module in traditional solutions with the rotation of the optical path changer, there is no need to reserve a large space for moving parts, resulting in a compact and easy-to-hold and carry device. Simultaneously, the laser emitter remains fixed, avoiding the problems of wire fatigue breakage or electrode wear caused by moving electrical connections, significantly improving service life and electrical reliability. Furthermore, the cavity containing the aerosol generation product 200 and the outer packaging of the existing aerosol generation system are mostly made of non-transparent materials. If the heating mechanism 130 is disposed on the side wall, the corresponding part must be changed to a transparent material to transmit the laser, leading to a significant increase in cost. However, this problem is avoided by the method of extending the heating mechanism 130 from the bottom of the receiving cavity in this invention embodiment. Furthermore, when the heating mechanism 130 is positioned on the side wall, the aerosol generated outside the aerosol-generating article 200 must penetrate the entire aerosol-generating matrix to enter the internal airflow channel. This aerosol-generating matrix can trap the aerosol, reducing the transfer rate. In this invention, the heating mechanism 130 extends into the article, and the laser directly irradiates the inner surface of the matrix to generate aerosol. The suction airflow flows precisely across this inner surface, allowing the generated aerosol to be immediately carried away by the airflow, avoiding matrix trapping and adsorption, thereby significantly improving the aerosol transfer efficiency.

[0099] In the aerosol generation system of this invention, the light-reflecting surface 1321b of the reflector or prism is coated with a high-reflectivity film, which is beneficial for laser reflection. The light-emitting surface 1321c of the prism or the reflector is configured as an arc-shaped surface, causing the laser to diverge and form an axially extending heating band. Combined with rotational motion, this achieves circumferentially uniform heating of the inner wall of the aerosol generation product 200, while reducing the risk of local overheating. The aerosol generation system provided by this invention has high and uniform heating efficiency for the aerosol generation product 200. While maintaining the same number of suction ports, it can effectively reduce the amount of matrix used in each aerosol generation product 200, thereby reducing its manufacturing cost.

[0100] In the aerosol generation system of this invention, the circuit board 160 coordinates the start-up and shutdown of the laser 131, the power adjustment, and the rotation speed and angle of the drive mechanism based on the product insertion signal from the detector 170 and the suction signal from the airflow sensing mechanism, so as to achieve on-demand heating and precise temperature control, and avoid ineffective heating and energy waste when there is no suction.

[0101] In this embodiment of the invention, a gap is reserved between the optical path changer of the aerosol generation system and the inner wall of the aerosol generation product 200. The suction airflow can carry away the generated aerosol in real time through the gap, preventing the laser from being blocked. At the same time, the airflow plays a purging role on the surface of the optical path changer, reducing aerosol contamination and ensuring optical efficiency for long-term use.

[0102] The aerosol generation system of this invention has comprehensive advantages such as fast heating speed (laser directly acts on the inner wall of the aerosol generation product 200), small size (light guide tube 1322 extends into the inside of the product), long service life, high aerosol transfer rate, and low product cost, providing a compact, reliable, and efficient solution for aerosol generation.

[0103] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, these embodiments are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Although various embodiments have been described above, this does not mean that the measures in the various embodiments cannot be used advantageously in combination. Various substitutions and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, and all such substitutions and modifications should fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An aerosol generation system, characterized in that, include: Aerosol-generated products; as well as Aerosol generating apparatus, comprising: The shell has an internal accommodating space. A receiving mechanism, disposed within the housing, the receiving mechanism forming a receiving cavity for accommodating the aerosol-generated article; and, A heating mechanism is rotatably disposed in the accommodating space and extends from the accommodating space through the bottom of the receiving mechanism to the aerosol generating article located in the receiving cavity, so as to heat different positions in the internal circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article during rotation to generate aerosol.

2. The aerosol generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aerosol-generating products include: Filter tip section; A core segment is disposed at one axial end of the filter segment, and the core segment is adapted to be inserted into the receiving mechanism; an aerosol generating matrix is ​​disposed inside the core segment, and the core segment has a hollow portion extending in the axial direction to allow the heating mechanism to extend in.

3. The aerosol generation system according to claim 2, characterized in that, A gap is formed between the heating mechanism and the inner surface of the hollow part to serve as a channel for aerosol flow.

4. The aerosol generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating mechanism includes: Laser, suitable for emitting laser light, Light guide components, including: A light guide tube, wherein the laser beam enters the light guide tube from one end; A reflective part is disposed at the other end of the light guide tube to reflect the laser into the interior of the aerosol-generating product; A drive component suitable for driving the rotation of a light guide tube.

5. The aerosol generation system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The aerosol generating device further includes two protrusions sleeved on the light guide tube, one of which is located inside the receiving cavity and the other is located outside the receiving cavity, so as to define the position of the light guide tube in the axial direction.

6. The aerosol generation system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The reflective part includes: A reflector, wherein the reflective surface of the reflector is located in the optical path of the laser, and the reflective surface of the reflector and the light guide tube are inclined relative to each other.

7. The aerosol generation system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The reflector is configured to have an arcuate reflective surface to cause the laser to diverge.

8. The aerosol generation system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The reflector is made of oxygen-free copper, molybdenum, silicon, fused silica, sapphire, microcrystalline glass, zinc selenide, or sodium chloride. The reflector is coated with at least one reflective film, and the material of each reflective film is one or more of Au, Ag, TiO2, SiO2, Ta2O5, ZnSe, and YF3.

9. The aerosol generation system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The light guide assembly includes a prism, the light receiving surface of which is disposed at one end of the light guide tube, the light reflecting surface of which is configured to be inclined relative to the light receiving surface to reflect the laser, and the light emitting surface of which is configured to allow the laser reflected by the light reflecting surface to pass through.

10. The aerosol generation system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The light receiving surface, the light reflecting surface, and the light emitting surface are all planar.

11. The aerosol generation system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The light receiving surface and the light reflecting surface are planar; the light emitting surface is configured to bulge along the emission direction of the laser to cause the laser to diverge.

12. The aerosol generation system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The light-reflecting surface of the prism is coated with at least one reflective film, and the material of each reflective film is one or more of Au, Ag, TiO2, SiO2, Ta2O5, ZnSe, and YF3.

13. The aerosol generation system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The prism is made of one or more of the following materials: fused silica, sapphire, microcrystalline glass, zinc selenide, and sodium chloride.

14. The aerosol generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aerosol generating device further includes: A detector, disposed in the accommodating space, is suitable for detecting whether the aerosol-generating product exists in the accommodating cavity; An airflow sensing mechanism is disposed in the receiving mechanism and is suitable for detecting airflow within the receiving mechanism.

Images