Aerosol-generating device

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of aerosol, in particular to an aerosol generating device, which is used for heating an aerosol generating product to generate aerosol and comprises a containing cavity, a heating device and a heating device. The detection assembly comprises a flexible circuit board, an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver; the infrared transmitter is mounted on the flexible circuit board and is used for transmitting an infrared signal; the infrared receiver is mounted on the flexible circuit board and is used for receiving an infrared signal; the controller is electrically connected with the infrared transmitter and the infrared receiver through lines on the flexible circuit board, and the controller is used for controlling the infrared transmitter to transmit infrared signals, receiving the infrared signals through the infrared receiver and controlling the aerosol generating device to start or stop working according to the infrared signals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of aerosols, in particular to an aerosol generating device. Background Art

[0002] Smoking articles (eg, cigarettes, cigars, etc.) burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. People have attempted to replace these tobacco-burning articles by creating products that release compounds without combustion.

[0003] Examples of such products are aerosol generating devices, which generally contain a volatile aerosol generating article, which is heated when contained in the aerosol generating device so that at least a portion of its active substance volatilizes to produce smoke, thereby producing an inhalable aerosol to replace the smoke produced by burning traditional cigarettes or cigars.

[0004] When using an existing aerosol generating device, the user usually needs to manually press a mechanical power switch to start the power device, and the power device supplies power to the aerosol generating device, so that the aerosol generating device starts to atomize the aerosol generating product to generate an aerosol. The existing aerosol generating device can only start the power supply by setting a mechanical power switch on the device housing, which cannot meet the user's experience requirements. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the deficiencies of the prior art, the utility model provides an aerosol generating device, aiming to solve the problem that the aerosol generating device cannot be automatically started after the user inserts the aerosol generating product.

[0006] In order to achieve the above purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] An aerosol generating device for heating an aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol, comprising:

[0008] a receiving chamber for receiving at least a portion of the aerosol generating product;

[0009] Detection components, including: flexible circuit board, infrared transmitter, infrared receiver;

[0010] The infrared transmitter is mounted on the flexible circuit board and is used to transmit infrared signals;

[0011] The infrared receiver is mounted on the flexible circuit board and is used to receive the infrared signal;

[0012] A controller is electrically connected to the infrared transmitter and the infrared receiver through the circuit on the flexible circuit board. The controller is used to control the infrared transmitter to transmit the infrared signal, receive the infrared signal through the infrared receiver, and control the aerosol generating device to start or stop working according to the infrared signal.

[0013] Preferably, it also includes:

[0014] The upper end cover defines a portion of the receiving cavity, and is provided with a first through hole and a second through hole connected to the receiving cavity. The light emitted by the infrared transmitter can be emitted into the receiving cavity through the first through hole, and the infrared receiver can receive the light emitted by the infrared transmitter through the second through hole.

[0015] Preferably, the upper end cover is provided with a mounting groove for mounting the flexible circuit board, and the first through hole and the second through hole are arranged in the mounting groove.

[0016] Preferably, the mounting groove includes a first part, a second part and a third part extending sequentially, the first part and the third part are rectangular planes, the second part is an arcuate surface, and the first through hole and the second through hole are respectively arranged in the first part and the third part.

[0017] Preferably, the detection component further comprises a first reinforcing element and a second reinforcing element mounted on the flexible circuit board, wherein the first reinforcing element is used for positioning the infrared transmitter; and the second reinforcing element is used for positioning the infrared receiver.

[0018] Preferably, the upper end cover is provided with a first positioning protrusion, the flexible circuit board is provided with a first positioning hole, the first reinforcement element and the second reinforcement element are both provided with a second positioning hole, the second positioning hole corresponds to the first positioning hole, and the first positioning protrusion passes through the first positioning hole and the second positioning hole in sequence.

[0019] Preferably, it also includes:

[0020] A lens is used to seal the first through hole and the second through hole, and the light emitted by the infrared transmitter passes through the lens and is received by the infrared receiver.

[0021] Preferably, it also includes:

[0022] The cover plate comprises a smoke inlet portion, wherein the upper end cover at least partially surrounds the smoke inlet portion, the smoke inlet portion defines a portion of the receiving cavity, the smoke inlet portion is provided with a mounting hole, and the lens is mounted in the mounting hole.

[0023] Preferably, the mounting hole is provided with a reinforcing recess, and the lens is provided with a reinforcing rib, and the reinforcing rib cooperates with the reinforcing recess to enable the lens to be embedded in the mounting hole.

[0024] Preferably, a sealing element is clamped between the upper end cover and the smoke inlet portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0025] Preferably, the shape of the lens is elliptical.

[0026] Preferably, the height of the lens is 0.5 mm to 3 mm, and the width is 3 mm to 6 mm.

[0027] Preferably, the flexible circuit board includes a mounting portion on which the infrared transmitter and the infrared receiver are mounted, and the mounting portion surrounds the accommodating cavity.

[0028] Preferably, the flexible circuit board further includes an electrical connection portion extending toward the controller, one end of the electrical connection portion is electrically connected to the controller, and the other end of the electrical connection portion is electrically connected to the mounting portion.

[0029] The aerosol generating device of the utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0030] The controller controls the infrared transmitter to transmit infrared signals on one side of the flexible circuit board, and receives the infrared signals through the infrared receiver located on the other side of the flexible circuit board. When the user places the aerosol generating product in the receiving cavity, the aerosol generating product will block the transmission path of the infrared signal, so that the infrared receiver cannot receive the infrared signal. At this time, the controller determines that the aerosol generating product is inserted, and controls the aerosol generating device to start heating the aerosol generating product. When the user takes the aerosol generating product out of the receiving cavity, the infrared receiver receives the infrared signal emitted by the infrared transmitter again. At this time, the controller determines that the aerosol generating product is taken out, and controls the aerosol generating device to stop heating. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0032] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0033] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the aerosol generating device of an embodiment of the utility model;

[0034] Figure 4 It is a partial structural schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0035] Figure 5It is a schematic diagram of partial structural disassembly of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0036] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the upper end cover and the cover plate of an embodiment of the utility model;

[0037] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the assembly and disassembly of the cover plate and the lens of an embodiment of the utility model;

[0038] Figure 8 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the upper end cover of an embodiment of the utility model;

[0039] Fig. 9 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a detection component of an embodiment of the utility model;

[0040] Fig.10 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a bracket according to an embodiment of the utility model.

[0041] Description of reference numerals:

[0042] 1. housing; 11. insertion port; 12. proximal end; 13. distal end;

[0043] 2. Cover plate; 21. Smoke inlet; 22. Mounting hole; 221. Reinforced concave portion; 23. Lens; 231. Reinforced rib; 24. Fixing portion; 25. Second positioning convex portion; 26. Upper cover;

[0044] 3. Heating element;

[0045] 4. bracket; 41. third positioning protrusion; 42. receiving groove; 43. fourth positioning protrusion;

[0046] 5. Power supply unit;

[0047] 6. tubular body; 61. receiving cavity; 62. sealing silica gel;

[0048] 7. Detection component; 71. Flexible circuit board; 710. Mounting part; 711. First positioning hole; 712. Connecting part; 713. Electrical connecting part; 714. Fifth positioning hole; 72. Infrared transmitter; 73. Infrared receiver; 74. First reinforcement element; 741. Second positioning hole; 75. Second reinforcement element;

[0049] 8. Controller;

[0050] 9. Upper end cover; 91. First through hole; 92. Second through hole; 93. Mounting groove; 931. First part; 932. Second part; 933. Third part; 94. First positioning protrusion; 95. Smoke inlet hole; 96. Sealing part; 97. Sealing element; 98. Third positioning hole; 99. Fourth positioning hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The utility model is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0052] Please refer to Figure 1 An embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol generating device, which can be used to heat an aerosol generating product so that the aerosol generating product evaporates into aerosol for inhalation.

[0053] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating article" refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is intended to be heated rather than combusted to release volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. The aerosol formed by heating the aerosol-forming substrate may contain fewer components known to be hazardous than an aerosol produced by combustion or pyrolytic degradation of the aerosol-forming substrate. In an embodiment, the aerosol-generating article may be coupled to an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating article may be disposable or reusable.

[0054] The aerosol-forming substrate preferably adopts a tobacco-containing material that releases volatile compounds from the substrate when heated; or it can also be a non-tobacco material that can be suitable for electric heating and smoking after heating. The aerosol-forming substrate preferably adopts a solid substrate, which can include one or more of powder, particles, fragments, strips or flakes of one or more of vanilla leaves, tobacco leaves, homogenized tobacco, and expanded tobacco; or, the solid substrate can contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds to be released when the substrate is heated. Suitable aerosol-forming substrates can be cigarette sticks filled with tobacco materials.

[0055] As used herein, the term "aerosol generating device" is a device that engages or interacts with an aerosol generating article to form an inhalable aerosol. An aerosol generating device interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. An electrically operated aerosol generating device is a device that includes one or more components for supplying energy from, for example, an electric core to heat an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol.

[0056] An aerosol generating device may be described as a heated aerosol generating device, which is an aerosol generating device comprising a heating component for heating an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol.

[0057] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 and Figure 2The figures show a three-dimensional schematic diagram and a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device provided by one embodiment of the present invention in one direction. The aerosol generating device is generally flat, having a proximal end 12 and a distal end 13 relative to each other. A cavity is defined inside the aerosol generating device, and the cavity is used to receive a cigarette-shaped aerosol generating product from an insertion port 11 at the proximal end 12, and to heat the aerosol generating product so that at least a portion of the active substance in the aerosol product is volatilized by heat to generate an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user.

[0058] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol generating device, which includes a shell 1 and a cover plate 2. The cover plate 2 is covered on the shell 1 to form a cavity. The aerosol generating device also includes a heating element 3, a bracket 4, a power supply unit 5, a tubular body 6, a detection component 7 and a controller 8 accommodated in the cavity.

[0059] The bracket 4 is fixedly installed inside the housing 1 , and the tubular body 6 , the power supply unit 5 , the detection component 7 and the controller 8 are installed on the bracket 4 .

[0060] The power supply unit 5 is used to supply power to the controller 8 and the heating element 3 . The controller 8 is used to control the heating element 3 to start or stop working according to the signal of the detection component 7 .

[0061] Further, the power supply unit 5 includes a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery cell, and in some embodiments, the power supply is a lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a nickel metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery, such as lithium cobalt, lithium iron phosphate, lithium titanate, or a lithium polymer battery.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, the power supply unit 5 is a rechargeable battery cell, so the controller 8 is also connected to a charging module, and the shell 1 is provided with a charging hole (not shown) at a position corresponding to the charging module, and the charging connector can be plugged into the charging module through the charging hole to form a charging state.

[0063] The tubular body 6 is formed with a receiving cavity 61, which is used to receive at least a portion of an aerosol generating product used in conjunction with the aerosol generating device. The heating element 3 is installed in the receiving cavity 61, and the receiving cavity 61 is provided with an insertion port 11. When the aerosol generating product passes through the insertion port 11 and is received in the receiving cavity 61, the heating element 3 heats the aerosol generating product so that the active substance inside the aerosol generating product is volatilized by heat to generate an aerosol, and the user can inhale the aerosol on the aerosol forming substrate.

[0064] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device may adopt an electromagnetic circumferential heating method. Specifically, the aerosol generating device includes a coil (not shown) wound on the outer wall of the tubular body 6, the coil is electrically connected to the controller 8, and when the aerosol generating product is contained in the containing chamber 61, the tobacco or non-tobacco filling section in the aerosol generating product is located in the tubular body 6. The tubular body 6 is made of a material with conductive properties, thereby forming a heating element 3. When the controller 8 controls the power supply unit 5 to pass an alternating current into the coil, the coil generates an alternating magnetic field under the action of the alternating current, and the alternating magnetic field passes through the heating element, thereby inducing eddy currents on the tubular body 6. The tubular body 6 can generate heat under the action of the eddy currents, and the heat is transferred to the aerosol generating product in the tubular body 6 from the circumferential direction. The material of the tubular body 6 can be any one of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, stainless steel, niobium, aluminum, nickel, iron, copper, nickel-containing compounds, titanium, and metal material composites.

[0065] In some embodiments, in order to better induce eddy currents to improve heating efficiency, the material of the tubular body 6 is preferably ferromagnetic material or composed of ferromagnetic materials, such as ferrite, ferromagnetic alloys (such as ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel), ferromagnetic particles and ferrite.

[0066] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the aerosol generating device can also adopt a circumferential heating method of resistance. Specifically, the heating element 3 includes a metal heating net coated on the outer wall of the tubular body 6, and the controller 8 controls the metal heating net to be energized and heated, and the heat is transferred to the tubular body 6, and then the tubular body 6 transfers the heat from the circumference to the aerosol forming matrix. At this time, the material of the tubular body 6 is made of a high thermal conductivity material to efficiently conduct the heat generated by the metal heating net to the aerosol forming matrix. The high thermal conductivity material can be a metal or a ceramic material, and the ceramic material can be any one of oxides, nitrides, carbides, borides, etc.

[0067] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the aerosol generating device may also use infrared heating. Specifically, an infrared electrothermal coating may be coated on the outer wall of the tubular body 6 to form a heating element 3, and the infrared electrothermal coating is used to receive electric power to generate heat, thereby generating infrared rays of a certain wavelength, such as far infrared rays of 8 μm to 15 μm. When the wavelength of the infrared rays matches the absorption wavelength of the aerosol-forming substrate, the energy of the infrared rays is easily absorbed by the aerosol-forming substrate, thereby generating heat on the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0068] Or as in the following embodiment, the heating element 3 is configured to be inserted into the aerosol forming matrix for heating. The aerosol generating device can also adopt infrared or electromagnetic or resistive central heating. Specifically, the heating element 3 is configured to be elongated in shape (not shown), having a needle-shaped spike end, and at least a portion of the heating element 3 extends in the receiving channel. When the aerosol product is received in the receiving cavity 61, the spike end of the heating element 3 is inserted into the aerosol product for heating, thereby forming a central heating method. The heating element 3 can be a ceramic heating element, which is a heating element made by sintering an electric heating element and a ceramic at a high temperature and fixing them together. Or the heating element 3 can be made of a conductive material, which can be traversed by a changing magnetic field to induce eddy currents, and then generate heat under the action of the eddy currents.

[0069] Please continue reading Figures 2 to 5 ,as well as Fig. 9 The detection component 7 of this embodiment includes a flexible circuit board 71, and an infrared transmitter 72 and an infrared receiver 73 installed on the flexible circuit board 71; the infrared transmitter 72 is used to transmit infrared signals; the infrared receiver 73 is used to receive infrared signals; the controller 8 is electrically connected to the infrared transmitter 72 and the infrared receiver 73 through the circuit on the flexible circuit board 71, and the controller 8 is used to control the infrared transmitter 72 to transmit infrared signals, receive infrared signals through the infrared receiver 73, and control the aerosol generating device to start or stop working according to the infrared signals.

[0070] The controller 8 of this embodiment controls the infrared transmitter 72 to transmit infrared signals on one side of the flexible circuit board 71, and receives the infrared signals through the infrared receiver 73 located on the other side of the flexible circuit board 71. When the user places the aerosol generating product in the receiving cavity 61, the aerosol generating product will block the transmission path of the infrared signal, so that the infrared receiver 73 cannot receive the infrared signal. At this time, the controller 8 determines that the aerosol generating product is inserted, and controls the aerosol generating device to start heating the aerosol generating product. When the user takes the aerosol generating product out of the receiving cavity 61, the infrared receiver 73 receives the infrared signal emitted by the infrared transmitter 72 again. At this time, the controller 8 determines that the aerosol generating product is taken out, and controls the aerosol generating device to stop heating.

[0071] It can be understood that the flexible circuit board 71 is a highly reliable and extremely flexible printed circuit board made of polyimide or polyester film as a substrate. It is referred to as a soft board or FPC, which has the characteristics of high wiring density, light weight and thin thickness. Because the flexible circuit board 71 is made of flexible material, the flexible circuit board 71 can be bent arbitrarily. In this embodiment, a part of the flexible circuit board 71 is bent so that the flexible circuit board 71 is limited to a part of the receiving cavity 61, so that the infrared transmitter 72 and the infrared receiver 73 can be arranged relative to the receiving cavity 61. When the infrared transmitter 72 on one side of the receiving cavity 61 transmits an infrared signal, the infrared receiver 73 located on the other side of the receiving cavity 61 can receive the infrared signal.

[0072] like Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, the aerosol generating device also includes an upper end cover 9, which defines a part of the receiving cavity 61. The upper end cover 9 is provided with a first through hole 91 and a second through hole 92 which are connected to the receiving cavity 61. The light emitted by the infrared transmitter 72 can be emitted into the receiving cavity 61 through the first through hole 91, and the infrared receiver 73 can receive the light emitted by the infrared transmitter 72 through the second through hole 92.

[0073] Since the flexible circuit board 71 is made of flexible material, it is easy to deform. If the flexible circuit board 71 is deformed, the relative position of the infrared transmitter 72 and the infrared receiver 73 will change, and the infrared receiver 73 will not be able to receive the infrared signal of the infrared transmitter 72, thereby affecting the judgment of the controller 8, causing the controller 8 to mistakenly turn on the heating element 3, resulting in the aerosol generating device burning empty. Therefore, in some embodiments, in order to avoid the flexible circuit board 71. For example Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, the upper end cover 9 is provided with a mounting groove 93 for mounting the flexible circuit board 71 , and the first through hole 91 and the second through hole 92 are provided in the mounting groove 93 .

[0074] By fixing the flexible circuit board 71 in the mounting groove 93, the shape of the flexible circuit board 71 is fixed, and deformation of the flexible circuit board 71 is avoided. At the same time, because the flexible circuit board 71 is installed in the mounting groove 93, the first through hole 91 and the second through hole 92 are set in the mounting groove 93, so that the infrared transmitter 72 and the infrared receiver 73 can work normally.

[0075] It should be noted that the upper end cover 9 is preferably made of high temperature resistant plastic material, such as PEEK, PI, PBI, PPS and heat resistant PC.

[0076] like Figure 5 and Fig. 9 As shown, the flexible circuit board 71 includes a mounting portion 710 on which the infrared transmitter 72 and the infrared receiver 73 are mounted. The mounting portion 710 surrounds the receiving cavity 61 so that the infrared transmitter 72 and the infrared receiver 73 are in a relative arrangement.

[0077] The mounting portion 710 is installed in the mounting groove 93; and, the mounting groove 93 is provided with a first through hole 91 and a second through hole 92 which are respectively connected to the accommodating cavity 61, the infrared transmitter 72 is aligned with the first through hole 91, the infrared receiver 73 is aligned with the second through hole 92, and at the same time, the first through hole 91 is aligned with the second through hole 92.

[0078] By fixing the mounting portion 710 to the mounting groove 93 , the shape of the mounting portion 710 is fixed, thereby preventing the mounting portion 710 from being deformed.

[0079] In this embodiment, the mounting portion 710 is disposed around the insertion port 11 , the infrared transmitter 72 is mounted on one side of the mounting portion 710 , and the infrared receiver 73 is mounted on the other side of the mounting portion 710 relative to the infrared transmitter 72 .

[0080] In this embodiment, the interval time of the infrared transmitter 72 intermittently emitting characteristic infrared rays is about 0.001 to 3 seconds, preferably 0.1 to 1 second. When the infrared transmitter 72 is working, the infrared receiver 73 is in a normally open state. When no cigarette is inserted, the infrared receiver 73 can receive the characteristic infrared rays, and the device heater does not start; when the adapted cigarette is inserted into the device insertion port 11, the characteristic infrared rays emitted by the infrared transmitter 72 will be blocked by the cigarette, and the infrared receiver 73 cannot receive the characteristic infrared rays. At this time, the device automatically starts heating, which is convenient for operation and saves user time. When the user pulls out the cigarette midway, the device heater stops working immediately to reduce power consumption.

[0081] Furthermore, if Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments, the mounting groove 93 includes a first portion 931, a second portion 932 and a third portion 933 extending sequentially, the first portion 931 and the third portion 933 are rectangular planes, the second portion 932 is an arcuate surface, and the first through hole 91 and the second through hole 92 are respectively arranged in the first portion 931 and the third portion 933.

[0082] Since the flexible circuit board 71 is fixed in the mounting groove 93 and the flexible circuit board 71 needs to be arranged around the insertion port 11, in order to avoid the bending angle of the mounting portion 710 being not smooth enough when bending, the second part 932 of the mounting groove 93 is set to an arc surface, so that the bending of the flexible circuit board 71 in the second part 932 is smooth.

[0083] like Fig. 9 As shown, in some embodiments, the detection component 7 further includes a first reinforcement element 74 and a second reinforcement element 75 mounted on the flexible circuit board 71 , the first reinforcement element 74 is used to position the infrared transmitter 72 ; the second reinforcement element 75 is used to position the infrared receiver 73 .

[0084] In order to strengthen the structural strength of the flexible circuit board 71 in the mounting portion 710, a first reinforcing element 74 and a second reinforcing element 75 are bonded to the other side of the mounting portion 710 opposite to the mounting groove 93 by double-sided tape. The mounting groove 93 cooperates with the first reinforcing element 74 and the second reinforcing element 75 to clamp the mounting portion 710 from both sides, so that the shape of the mounting portion 710 is fixed.

[0085] The first reinforcing element 74 is located in the first part 931 and is used to position the infrared emitter 72. The second reinforcing element 75 is located in the third part 933 and is used to position the infrared receiver 73. The first part 931 and the second part 932 are arranged as rectangular planes to facilitate the bonding of the first reinforcing element 74 and the second reinforcing element 75. By arranging the first reinforcing element 74 and the second reinforcing element 75, the positions of the infrared emitter 72 and the infrared receiver 73 can be fixed respectively, so as to avoid displacement of the infrared emitter 72 and the infrared receiver 73 during transportation or use of the aerosol generating device.

[0086] Furthermore, if Figure 5 , Figure 8 , Fig. 9 As shown, in some embodiments, the upper end cover 9 is provided with a first positioning protrusion 94, the flexible circuit board 71 is provided with a first positioning hole 711, the first reinforcement element 74 and the second reinforcement element 75 are both provided with a second positioning hole 741, the second positioning hole 741 corresponds to the first positioning hole 711, and the first positioning protrusion 711 passes through the first positioning hole 711 and the second positioning hole 741 in sequence.

[0087] In order to make the first through hole 91 correspond to the infrared transmitter 72 and the second through hole 92 correspond to the infrared receiver 73, a first positioning protrusion 94 is provided on the upper end cover 9, and a first positioning hole 711 is provided on the flexible circuit board 71. When the flexible circuit board 71 is fixed in the mounting groove 93, the first positioning hole 711 cooperates with the first positioning protrusion 94 to fix the mounting position of the flexible circuit board 71 and the mounting groove 93. Therefore, when the flexible circuit board 71 is fixed around the mounting groove 93, the position will not change, so that the first through hole 91 and the second through hole 92 can correspond to the infrared transmitter 72 and the infrared receiver 73 respectively. At the same time, after the flexible circuit board 71 is fixedly installed in the mounting groove 93, the cooperation between the first positioning hole 711 and the first positioning protrusion 94 prevents the mounting portion 710 of the flexible circuit board 71 fixed in the mounting groove 93 from shifting.

[0088] Preferably, one of the two first positioning holes 711 is a round hole, and the other is an oblong hole, so as to absorb a certain amount of length tolerance of the flexible circuit board 71 and improve the yield rate of the device production.

[0089] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the first positioning protrusion 94 is disposed in the mounting groove 93. In other embodiments, the first positioning protrusion 94 may also be disposed at other positions other than the mounting groove 93, as long as the positioning of the mounting portion 710 and the mounting groove 93 can be completed. The mounting groove 93 is provided with the first positioning protrusion 94 in the first portion 931 and the third portion 933; the mounting portion 710 is correspondingly provided with two first positioning holes 711.

[0090] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments, the inner side of the mounting portion 710 is bonded to the first portion 931 , the second portion 932 , and the third portion 933 of the mounting groove 93 by double-sided adhesive.

[0091] Since the flexible circuit board 71 is made of an FPC substrate, the flexible circuit board 71 is flexible, so the inner side of the mounting portion 710 can be bonded to the first portion 931 , the second portion 932 , and the third portion 933 of the mounting groove 93 by double-sided adhesive.

[0092] In this embodiment, the infrared transmitter 72 and the infrared receiver 73 are arranged on the flexible circuit board 71, and are electrically connected to the controller 8 through the flexible circuit board 71. Since the flexible circuit board 71 is easy to bend and thin, it can be flexibly arranged in the aerosol generating device, thereby saving space.

[0093] Since the aerosol generating device generates aerosol when heating the aerosol-forming substrate, a part of the aerosol is released from the insertion port 11 to the outside. During this process, the aerosol enters the flexible circuit board 71 through the first through hole 91 and the second through hole 92, and solidifies on the flexible circuit board 71, thereby preventing the infrared transmitter 72 from transmitting infrared signals and the infrared receiver 73 from receiving infrared signals. Therefore, in some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further includes a lens 23, which is used to seal the first through hole 91 and the second through hole 92, and the light emitted by the infrared transmitter 72 passes through the lens 23 and is received by the infrared receiver 73. Therefore, the lens 23 can prevent the aerosol from entering the first through hole 91 and the second through hole 92, and the lens 23 will not prevent the infrared transmitter 72 from transmitting infrared signals and the infrared receiver 73 from receiving infrared signals.

[0094] like Figure 5 and Figure 7As shown, in this embodiment, the cover plate 2 includes a smoke inlet portion 21 , the upper end cover 9 at least partially surrounds the smoke inlet portion 21 , the smoke inlet portion 21 defines a portion of the accommodating cavity 61 , the smoke inlet portion 21 is provided with a mounting hole 22 , and the lens 23 is mounted in the mounting hole 22 .

[0095] The mounting hole 22 provided in the smoke inlet 21 corresponds to the first through hole 91 and the second through hole 92, so that the lens 23 can prevent aerosol from entering the first through hole 91 and the second through hole 92, and the lens 23 will not hinder the infrared transmitter 72 from transmitting infrared signals and the infrared receiver 73 from receiving infrared signals.

[0096] like Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments, the mounting hole 22 is provided with a reinforcing recess 221 , and the lens 23 is provided with a reinforcing rib 231 . The reinforcing rib 231 cooperates with the reinforcing recess 221 to enable the lens 23 to be embedded in the mounting hole 22 .

[0097] By providing a reinforcing rib 231 on the lens 23 to cooperate with the reinforcing recess 221 of the mounting hole 22, the connection strength between the lens 23 and the cover plate 2 is further strengthened to prevent the lens 23 from falling out of the cover plate 2 during normal use and cleaning of the device.

[0098] In order to prevent aerosol from entering the flexible circuit board 71 from the assembly gap between the cover plate 2 and the upper end cover 9, Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments, the upper end cover 9 and the smoke inlet portion 95 clamp a sealing element 97 in the longitudinal direction.

[0099] The sealing element 97 can well seal the gap between the smoke inlet 21 and the upper end cover 9, preventing aerosol from entering the flexible circuit board 71 and contaminating the infrared transmitter 72 and the infrared receiver 73, thereby ensuring the long-term stable operation of the detection component 7.

[0100] Specifically, Figure 5 As shown, the upper end cover 9 is provided with a smoke inlet hole 95 , and a sealing portion 96 is provided circumferentially inside the smoke inlet hole 95 , and a sealing element 97 is clamped between the lower surface of the smoke inlet portion 21 and the upper surface of the sealing portion 96 .

[0101] The sealing element 97 can well seal the gap between the smoke inlet portion 21 and the sealing portion 96, preventing aerosol from entering the flexible circuit board 71 and contaminating the infrared transmitter 72 and the infrared receiver 73, thereby ensuring long-term stable operation of the detection component 7.

[0102] In some embodiments, the shape of the lens 23 can be square, triangular, circular, etc., as long as it can ensure that the light emitted by the infrared transmitter 72 can be received by the infrared receiver 73. Figure 7As shown, the shape of the lens 23 is elliptical.

[0103] Furthermore, the height of the lens 23 is 0.5 mm to 3 mm, and the width is 3 mm to 6 mm. The height is set to 0.5 to 3 mm, so that reducing the height of the lens 23 is conducive to reducing the height size of the device, and increasing the width of the lens 23 to 3 to 6 mm is conducive to improving the accuracy of the device's cigarette insertion self-starting system in identifying cigarettes, and preventing the controller 8 from mistakenly identifying the cotton swab or brush as a cigarette and starting heating when the user inserts an object with a diameter smaller than the aerosol generating product such as a cotton swab or a brush into the aerosol generating device.

[0104] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, in order to ensure the sealing between the tubular body 6 and the upper end cover 9, a sealing silicone 62 is provided between the lower surface of the sealing portion 96 of the upper end cover 9 and the upper surface of the tubular body 6, so as to seal the gap between the tubular body 6 and the sealing portion 96, thereby preventing aerosol from entering the flexible circuit board 71 and contaminating the infrared transmitter 72 and the infrared receiver 73, thereby ensuring the long-term and stable operation of the detection component 7.

[0105] like Figures 5 to 8 As shown, in some embodiments, the cover plate 2 further includes a fixing portion 24, a second positioning protrusion 25 is provided on the lower surface of the fixing portion 24, and the upper end cover 9 is provided with a third positioning hole 98, and the second positioning protrusion 25 cooperates with the third positioning hole 98. The upper end cover 9 is positioned with the cover plate 2 by the cooperation between the third positioning hole 98 and the second positioning protrusion 25, so that the installation of the upper end cover 9 is facilitated.

[0106] Further, if Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, in some embodiments, the bracket 4 is provided with a third positioning protrusion 41, and the upper end cover 9 is provided with a fourth positioning hole 99, and the third positioning protrusion 41 cooperates with the fourth positioning hole 99. The bracket 4 and the upper end cover 9 are positioned by the cooperation between the third positioning protrusion 41 and the fourth positioning hole 99, and the upper end cover 9 is better fixed in position by the clamping of the upper end cover 9 from both sides by the cover plate 2 and the bracket 4 respectively, and the positioning of the upper end cover 9 by the second positioning protrusion 25 and the third positioning protrusion 41.

[0107] like Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, in some embodiments, the flexible circuit board 71 is provided with a connecting portion 712, and the connecting portion 712 is connected to the mounting portion 710; the bracket 4 is provided with a receiving groove 42, and the connecting portion 712 is bonded to the receiving groove 42 by double-sided tape.

[0108] In order to fix the flexible circuit board 71 on the bracket 4 , a connecting portion 712 is provided on the flexible circuit board 71 , and a receiving groove 42 is provided on the bracket 4 . The connecting portion 712 is bonded to the receiving groove 42 by double-sided tape, so that the flexible circuit board 71 is fixed on the bracket 4 .

[0109] like Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, in some embodiments, in order to ensure that the connecting part 712 can be installed in the preset position of the receiving groove 42, a fourth positioning protrusion 43 is provided in the receiving groove 42, and a fifth positioning hole 714 is provided corresponding to the connecting part 712. The fourth positioning protrusion 43 cooperates with the fifth positioning hole 714 to complete the precise positioning of the connecting part 712 and the installation groove 42, and at the same time, it can also strengthen the fixed connection strength between the connecting part 712 and the receiving groove 42.

[0110] like Figure 4 and Fig. 9 As shown, in some embodiments, the flexible circuit board 71 further includes an electrical connection portion 713 extending toward the controller 8, one end of the electrical connection portion 713 is electrically connected to the controller 8, and the other end of the electrical connection portion 713 is electrically connected to the mounting portion 710. Thus, signal transmission can be performed between the infrared transmitter 72 and the infrared receiver 73 and the controller 8.

[0111] It should be noted that the electrical connection portion 713 , the connection portion 712 and the mounting portion 710 are integrally formed, and the electrical connection portion 713 is fixed to the side surface of the bracket 4 .

[0112] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Therefore, any minor modifications, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention are still within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device for heating an aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol, characterized in that: include: a receiving chamber for receiving at least a portion of the aerosol generating product; Detection components, including: flexible circuit board, infrared transmitter, infrared receiver; The infrared transmitter is mounted on the flexible circuit board and is used to transmit infrared signals; The infrared receiver is mounted on the flexible circuit board and is used to receive the infrared signal; A controller is electrically connected to the infrared transmitter and the infrared receiver through the circuit on the flexible circuit board. The controller is used to control the infrared transmitter to transmit the infrared signal, receive the infrared signal through the infrared receiver, and control the aerosol generating device to start or stop working according to the infrared signal.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: The upper end cover defines a portion of the receiving cavity, and is provided with a first through hole and a second through hole connected to the receiving cavity. The light emitted by the infrared transmitter can be emitted into the receiving cavity through the first through hole, and the infrared receiver can receive the light emitted by the infrared transmitter through the second through hole.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The upper end cover is provided with a mounting groove for mounting the flexible circuit board, and the first through hole and the second through hole are provided in the mounting groove.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The mounting groove includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion extending sequentially, the first portion and the third portion are rectangular planes, the second portion is an arcuate surface, and the first through hole and the second through hole are respectively arranged in the first portion and the third portion.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The detection component also includes a first reinforcement element and a second reinforcement element installed on the flexible circuit board, the first reinforcement element is used to position the infrared transmitter; the second reinforcement element is used to position the infrared receiver.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The upper end cover is provided with a first positioning protrusion, the flexible circuit board is provided with a first positioning hole, the first reinforcement element and the second reinforcement element are both provided with a second positioning hole, the second positioning hole corresponds to the first positioning hole, and the first positioning protrusion passes through the first positioning hole and the second positioning hole in sequence.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, characterized in that: Also includes: A lens is used to seal the first through hole and the second through hole, and the light emitted by the infrared transmitter passes through the lens and is received by the infrared receiver.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7, characterized in that: Also includes: The cover plate comprises a smoke inlet portion, wherein the upper end cover at least partially surrounds the smoke inlet portion, the smoke inlet portion defines a portion of the receiving cavity, the smoke inlet portion is provided with a mounting hole, and the lens is mounted in the mounting hole.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The mounting hole is provided with a reinforcing recess, and the lens is provided with a reinforcing rib, and the reinforcing rib cooperates with the reinforcing recess to enable the lens to be embedded in the mounting hole.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 8, characterized in that The upper end cover and the smoke inlet portion clamp a sealing element in the longitudinal direction.

11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The shape of the lens is elliptical.

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible circuit board comprises a mounting portion on which the infrared transmitter and the infrared receiver are mounted, and the mounting portion surrounds the receiving cavity.

13. The aerosol generating device according to claim 12, characterized in that: The flexible circuit board also includes an electrical connection portion extending toward the controller, one end of the electrical connection portion is electrically connected to the controller, and the other end of the electrical connection portion is electrically connected to the mounting portion.

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