Aerosol-generating device and heating assembly

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of electronic atomization, in particular to an aerosol generating device and a heating assembly, and the heating assembly comprises a supporting tube which defines a heating cavity used for accommodating at least one part of an aerosol generating product containing an aerosol forming substrate; and the planar microwave antenna is configured to be of a sheet-shaped or film-layer structure and is arranged on the outer surface of the supporting pipe in a surrounding manner, and the planar microwave antenna is used for emitting radio frequency energy and conducting the radio frequency energy to the heating cavity when being electrified, so that the aerosol-forming substrate in the aerosol-generating product in the heating cavity is heated to generate aerosol. Compared with an existing microwave antenna coil which is etched on the surface of the supporting tube through winding or electroplating, the planar microwave antenna is beneficial to improving the heating efficiency and reducing the complexity and the cost of a product structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electronic atomization, and in particular to an aerosol generating device and a heating component. Background Art

[0002] The aerosol generating device heats the aerosol generating product to a temperature that can generate aerosol but is not high enough to burn, so that the aerosol-forming matrix in the aerosol generating product can generate the aerosol required by the user without burning.

[0003] As an example of the prior art, an aerosol generating device is provided with a spiral microwave antenna coil on the outer surface of a support tube. The coil can emit electromagnetic waves when energized to form a microwave electromagnetic field. Under the coupled action of the microwave electromagnetic field and the aerosol forming matrix, the microwave energy is rapidly converted into heat for heating the aerosol generating matrix. However, by using such a spiral coil-shaped microwave antenna as a radiation source, the heating efficiency and energy utilization rate of the aerosol generating device are low, thereby affecting the heating speed of the heating component and the endurance of the aerosol generating device. In addition, the microwave antenna coil needs to be wound or electroplated and etched on the surface of the support tube, which increases the complexity and cost of the product structure. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the utility model provides an aerosol generating device and a heating assembly, aiming to solve the problems of low heating efficiency of spiral coil-shaped microwave antennas and increased complexity and cost of product structure.

[0005] In order to achieve the above purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] One embodiment of the present application provides a heating assembly, comprising:

[0007] A support tube defines a heating cavity for accommodating at least a portion of an aerosol-generating product including an aerosol-forming substrate; a planar microwave antenna, which is configured in a sheet shape or a film layer structure and is arranged around the outer surface of the support tube, and is used to emit radio frequency energy when powered on and conduct it to the heating cavity, thereby heating the aerosol-forming substrate in the aerosol-generating product in the heating cavity to generate an aerosol.

[0008] One of the embodiments of the present application provides a heating component, wherein the planar microwave antenna has a first side and a second side opposite to each other along a circumferential direction, and the first side and the second side do not overlap each other to form a gap.

[0009] One of the embodiments of the present application provides a heating component, wherein the planar microwave antenna is provided with a first through slot extending from the first side toward the second side, and there is a distance between the first through slot and the second side.

[0010] One of the embodiments of the present application provides a heating component, wherein the planar microwave antenna is further provided with a second through slot extending from the second side toward the first side, the second through slot is spaced apart from the first side, and the second through slot is staggered with the first through slot in the longitudinal direction.

[0011] One of the embodiments of the present application provides a heating component, wherein a distance between the first through-slot and the second side is greater than a distance between the second through-slot and the first side.

[0012] One of the embodiments of the present application provides a heating component, wherein the planar microwave antenna is provided with a first through slot and a second through slot extending along a circumferential direction or an expanded width direction and parallel to each other, and a portion of the support tube is exposed to the first through slot and the second through slot.

[0013] One of the embodiments of the present application provides a heating component, wherein the width of the first through-groove is greater than the width of the second through-groove.

[0014] One of the embodiments of the present application provides a heating assembly, characterized in that the planar microwave antenna is Z-shaped or F-shaped.

[0015] One of the embodiments of the present application provides a heating assembly, wherein the planar microwave antenna comprises a grounding end and a feeding end, and the grounding end and the feeding end are correspondingly located at two sides of an opening of the first through slot.

[0016] One of the embodiments of the present application provides a heating component, wherein the planar microwave antenna includes a grounding end and a feeding end, wherein the grounding end and the feeding end are both located on the first side, or the grounding end and the feeding end are both located on the second side.

[0017] One of the embodiments of the present application provides a heating assembly, characterized in that the height of the planar microwave antenna along the longitudinal direction of the support tube is 15 mm-19 mm, or the width of the planar microwave antenna after being unfolded along the circumferential direction is 20 mm-29 mm.

[0018] One of the embodiments of the present application provides a heating assembly, characterized in that the support tube is a cylindrical structure made of quartz, ceramic or plastic.

[0019] One of the embodiments of the present application provides a heating component, wherein the planar microwave antenna includes a flexible circuit board, or the conductor material of the planar microwave antenna includes nickel silver.

[0020] One of the embodiments of the present application provides a heating component, wherein the transmission efficiency of the radio frequency energy of the planar microwave antenna is greater than 90%, or the return loss of the planar microwave antenna is greater than 10.

[0021] One of the embodiments of the present application provides a heating component, wherein the heating frequency of the planar microwave antenna is 2430 MHz-2460 MHz.

[0022] One of the embodiments of the present application provides a heating assembly, wherein the planar microwave antenna is mounted on the outer surface of the support tube, or the conductor material of the planar microwave antenna is integrated on the support tube.

[0023] One of the embodiments of the present application provides an aerosol generating device, comprising a battery assembly and a heating assembly provided by any of the above embodiments, wherein the battery assembly provides electrical energy to the heating assembly.

[0024] The aerosol generating device and heating component described in the above embodiments have the following beneficial effects: the heating component involved in the present application uses a planar microwave antenna, which is arranged on the outer surface of the support tube, so that the planar microwave antenna can surround the heating cavity. Compared with the spiral linear antenna, it has a larger area of ​​radiation source. The planar microwave antenna radially conducts the radio frequency energy into the heating cavity, and radiates and heats the aerosol generating product in the heating cavity. Compared with the existing microwave antenna coil that is wound or electroplated and etched on the surface of the support tube, the heating efficiency of the microwave antenna is improved; on the other hand, the planar microwave antenna arranged around the outer surface of the support tube has a very small thickness, which is beneficial for reducing the volume of the heating component and miniaturization of the aerosol generating device. In addition, the planar microwave antenna in the heating component of the present application can be combined with the support tube by winding and mounting, which reduces the complexity of the product structure and the assembly cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device of an embodiment of the utility model from one viewing angle;

[0026] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the aerosol generating device of an embodiment of the utility model from another viewing angle;

[0027] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the aerosol generating device of an embodiment of the utility model;

[0028] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0029] Figure 5 It is an assembly diagram of the heating component of the embodiment of the utility model;

[0030] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the expansion of the planar microwave antenna of the embodiment of the utility model;

[0031] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of signal transmission of a microwave generating circuit according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0032] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 One of the signal transmission schematic diagrams of the microwave generating circuit;

[0033] Fig. 9 yes Figure 7 The second schematic diagram of signal transmission of the microwave generating circuit;

[0034] Fig.10 This is an electric field simulation diagram of the planar microwave antenna of the embodiment of the utility model;

[0035] Fig.11 It is a magnetic field simulation diagram of the planar microwave antenna according to an embodiment of the utility model.

[0036] Description of reference numerals:

[0037] 1. Aerosol generating device; 11. Heating component; 111. Planar microwave antenna; 1111. First through slot; 1112. Second through slot; 1113. Ground terminal; 1114. Feeding terminal; 1115. First side edge; 1116. Second side edge; 1117. First part; 1118. Second part; 1119. Third part; 112. Support tube; 1121. Heating cavity; 113. Heat insulating member; 12. Shell; 120. Charging hole; 121. First cavity; 122. Second cavity; 123. Third cavity; 13. Shell cover; 130. Insertion port; 14. Bracket; 15. Power supply unit; 16. Circuit board; 17. Control button; 18. Aerosol generating product; 181. Filter portion; 182. Smoking portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The utility model is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0039] Please refer to Figure 1 An embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol generating device 1, which can be used to heat an aerosol generating product 18 so that the aerosol generating product 18 evaporates into aerosol for inhalation by a user.

[0040] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating article 18" 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 18 is removably connected to the aerosol-generating device 1.

[0041] The aerosol-forming substrate preferably adopts a tobacco-containing material that releases volatile compounds from the substrate when heated; it can also be a non-tobacco material suitable for electric heating and smoking. 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. A suitable aerosol-forming substrate can be a cigarette filled with tobacco material.

[0042] In other embodiments, the term "aerosol-forming article 18" refers to a container or box capable of being filled with an aerosol-forming substrate, or other carrier capable of holding an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate contained in the aerosol-generating article 18 can be a liquid component or a combination of a liquid component and a solid component. For example, suitable aerosol-forming substrates include, but are not limited to: polyols, such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol and glycerol; esters of polyols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and fatty acid esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanoic acid. Preferred aerosol-forming substrates are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol and most preferably glycerol. The aerosol-forming substrate may include other additives and ingredients, such as fragrances. In some optional examples, the aerosol generating article 18 also includes a liquid retaining element for adsorbing and retaining the liquid matrix. Suitable liquid retaining elements are made of flexible fibers such as cotton fibers, non-woven fabrics, sponges, etc. In other examples, the liquid retaining element is composed of porous materials such as microporous ceramics, microporous glass or microporous metal.

[0043] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating device 1 " is a device that engages or interacts with an aerosol-generating article 18 to heat or vaporize a matrix material within the aerosol-generating article 18 to form an inhalable aerosol.

[0044] The aerosol-generating device 1 comprises a heating assembly 11 for heating an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article 18 to generate an aerosol.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol generating device 1, which includes a shell 12 and a shell cover 13. The shell cover 13 is covered on the shell 12 to form a cavity. The aerosol generating device 1 also includes a heating component 11, a bracket 14, a power supply unit 15, and a circuit board 16 accommodated in the cavity; wherein the heating component 11 includes a planar microwave antenna 111 and a support tube 112.

[0046] The bracket 14 is fixedly mounted on the housing 12 , and the heating component 11 , the power supply unit 15 and the circuit board 16 are mounted on the bracket 14 .

[0047] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the bracket 14 divides the interior of the housing 12 into a first cavity 121 and a second cavity 122, the circuit board 16 is installed in the first cavity 121, and the power supply unit 15 is installed in the second cavity 122. In addition, the bracket 14 and the housing cover 13 form a third cavity 123, and the heating assembly 11 is installed in the third cavity 123.

[0048] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the heating component 11 also includes a thermal insulation member 113, which is installed on the bracket 14, and the support tube 112 is fixed inside the thermal insulation member 113. The thermal insulation member 113 can limit the radial transfer of heat to the shell 12, thereby improving the heating efficiency of the heating component 11 and preventing heat from being transferred to the shell 12 to affect the user experience.

[0049] The heat insulating member 113 is preferably made of a plastic material with good heat insulating properties, and a suitable material may be PEEK. PEEK (polyetheretherketone) is a high-performance thermoplastic plastic with high strength, high temperature resistance, easy processing, high wear resistance and chemical resistance, and good performance in high temperature environments. Alternatively, the heat insulating member 113 may also be constructed in the form of a vacuum tube. Since the vacuum tube is in a vacuum state inside, and since the vacuum has a heat insulating effect, the heat of the heating component 11 can be isolated by the vacuum tube, so that the heat of the heating component 11 cannot be transferred to the shell 12. Alternatively, the heat insulating member 113 is covered or surrounded by aerogel on the periphery of the support tube 112 to provide heat insulation. In some exemplary embodiments, the heat insulating member 113 surrounds the periphery of the planar microwave antenna 111, so that the planar microwave antenna 111 is bent and maintained in a non-closed ring shape. The heat insulating member 113 can also provide support so that the planar microwave antenna 111 can be maintained at a specific position on the support tube 112 and cannot move.

[0050] The power supply unit 15 is used to supply power to the working circuit on the circuit board 16, and the working circuit on the circuit board 16 is used to control the planar microwave antenna 111 to start or stop working and the magnitude of the microwave output frequency. In some embodiments, the circuit board 16 is also connected to a control button 17, and the control button 17 is exposed outside the shell cover 13 through a button hole of the shell cover 13, so that the user can control the planar microwave antenna 111 to start or stop working through the control button 17.

[0051] In one embodiment of the present application, the power supply unit 15 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.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present application, the power supply unit 15 is a rechargeable battery cell, so the circuit board 16 is also provided with a charging module, and the shell 12 is provided with a charging port 120, and the charging connector can be plugged into the charging module through the charging port 120 to form a charging state.

[0053] The support tube 112 defines a heating cavity 1121 for accommodating an aerosol generating product. The heating cavity 1121 is used to accommodate an aerosol generating product 18 used in conjunction with the aerosol generating device 1. The planar microwave antenna 111 is configured in a sheet shape or a film layer structure and is disposed around the outer surface of the support tube 112. The planar microwave antenna 111 is used to emit radio frequency energy when powered on and conduct it to the heating cavity 1121, thereby heating the aerosol-forming matrix in the aerosol generating product in the heating cavity 1121 to generate an aerosol. It is understandable that different matrix materials in the aerosol generating product 18 can absorb microwave radio frequency energy to different degrees, and the matrix material and the microwave electromagnetic field are coupled to each other, thereby achieving the purpose of energy conversion. The process of microwave electromagnetic field energy conversion includes but is not limited to ion conduction, dipole rotation, interface polarization and the like. The aerosol-forming matrix absorbs microwave electromagnetic field energy and converts it into heat through ion conduction, dipole rotation and the like, thereby heating itself as a whole to produce aerosols. Compared with traditional heating methods, the heating method of the present application does not rely on heat transfer and convection radiation, thereby reducing the temperature gradient within the aerosol-forming matrix during the heating process, and has the advantages of fast heating speed and high temperature uniformity.

[0054] In one embodiment of the present application, because the planar microwave antenna 111 emits microwaves to heat the aerosol generating product 18, and the microwaves will be completely reflected when irradiated to the metal surface, affecting the return loss. Therefore, the support tube 112 of this embodiment can be a tubular structure made of non-metallic materials such as quartz, ceramic or plastic, so as to avoid the metal reflecting the microwaves emitted by the planar microwave antenna 111, thereby ensuring the return loss index.

[0055] In some embodiments, the planar microwave antenna 111 is flexible and rollable. The planar microwave antenna 111 includes a flexible film and a conductor material carried on the flexible film. The conductor material has certain corrosion resistance and good conductivity, including but not limited to metal materials such as aluminum, copper, tungsten and alloys. For example, a suitable planar microwave antenna 111 may be a flexible printed circuit (FPC). Or in other examples, the planar microwave antenna 111 may be a nickel silver sheet. The FPC and the nickel silver sheet are soft, so the planar microwave antenna 111 can be bent so that the planar microwave antenna 111 can fit around the support tube 112. In some exemplary embodiments, the heating assembly further includes a positioning component, which is used to keep the FPC or the nickel silver sheet on the outer surface of the support tube without displacement. For example, commonly used positioning components include heat shrink tubes and high temperature resistant tapes.

[0056] In one embodiment of the present application, the planar microwave antenna 111 is rolled and mounted and fixed on the outer surface of the support tube 112, such as an FPC antenna. In other alternative embodiments, the conductor material of the planar microwave antenna 111 is integrated on the support tube 112. For example, the planar microwave antenna 111 includes a film layer structure of a conductor material, and the film layer structure has a specific pattern shape (see Figure 6 ), the film structure can be combined and integrated on the outer surface of the support tube 112 by methods such as but not limited to printing, spraying, etching or vapor deposition.

[0057] In some embodiments, the planar microwave antenna 111 is in a Z-shape or an F-shape, and is formed into a ring-shaped shape around the outer periphery of the support tube 112. As an optional example, the planar microwave antenna 111 may be a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA), and the use of a PIFA antenna is beneficial for reducing the volume of the heating component.

[0058] like Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the width and height of the planar microwave antenna 111 after unfolding are matched with the outer diameter and longitudinal length of the support tube 112. In this embodiment, the circumferential width of the planar microwave antenna 111 is smaller than the circumference of the support tube 112, so as to ensure that the planar microwave antenna 111 can be just attached to the surface of the support tube 112, and at the same time, the two sides of the planar microwave antenna 111 along the width direction will not overlap when the planar microwave antenna 111 is arranged around the outer wall of the support tube 112, so as to avoid the overlapping part affecting the radiation efficiency of the planar microwave antenna 111. In the height direction, the planar microwave antenna 111 can basically cover or partially cover the longitudinal length of the support tube 112; it can be understood that the height of the planar microwave antenna 111 is matched with the length of the aerosol generating matrix section (such as the smoke generating section 182) in the aerosol generating article 18, so that the radiation area of ​​the antenna can effectively cover the matrix material.

[0059] It can be foreseen that providing a planar microwave antenna 111 in a ring form with an inner diameter and a longitudinal height of suitable size is helpful for improving the heating efficiency. In a suitable embodiment, the height of the planar microwave antenna 111 along the longitudinal direction of the support tube 112 is 15mm-19mm, and the width of the planar microwave antenna 111 after being unfolded in the circumferential direction is 20mm-29mm. The wound tubular antenna has an appropriate inner diameter, so that the axial center of the aerosol generating matrix in the heating cavity during operation can also have an electric field or magnetic field strength sufficient to volatilize one or more components in the matrix material, which is beneficial to improving the heating uniformity of the aerosol generating matrix.

[0060] like Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment of the present application, the planar microwave antenna 111 is provided with a first through slot 1111 and a second through slot 1112 extending in a circumferential direction or an unfolded width direction and parallel to each other, and a portion of the support tube 112 is exposed to the first through slot 1111 and the second through slot 1112. In an optional embodiment of the present application, the width L6 of the first through slot 1111 is greater than the width L7 of the second through slot 1112.

[0061] In one embodiment of the present application, the planar microwave antenna 111 has a first side 1115 and a second side 1116 opposite to each other in the circumferential direction, and the first side 1115 and the second side 1116 do not overlap each other to form a gap. Because the two sides of the planar microwave antenna 111 in the length direction overlap when the planar microwave antenna 111 is arranged around the outer wall of the support tube 112, the overlapping part will affect the return loss of the planar microwave antenna 111, resulting in a serious reduction in the energy transmission efficiency of the radio frequency radiation. Therefore, Figure 5As shown, the first side 1115 and the second side 1116 of the planar microwave antenna 111 of this embodiment do not overlap and have a gap, thereby ensuring that the planar microwave antenna 111 has a higher energy transmission efficiency.

[0062] In one embodiment of the present application, the planar microwave antenna 111 includes a first part 1117, a second part 1118 and a third part 1119 separated by a first through slot 1115 and a second through slot 1116, and the dimensions of the first part 1117, the second part 1118 and the third part 1119 in a direction perpendicular to the first through slot 1111 and the second through slot 1112 are L1, L2, L3 respectively, and L3>L1>L2.

[0063] In one embodiment of the present application, the planar microwave antenna 111 is provided with a first through slot 1111 extending from the first side 1115 toward the second side 1116, and there is a spacing L4 between the first through slot 1111 and the second side 1116. In one embodiment of the present application, the planar microwave antenna 111 is further provided with a second through slot 1112 extending from the second side 1116 toward the first side 1115, there is a spacing L5 between the second through slot 1112 and the first side 1115, and the second through slot 1112 is staggered with the first through slot 1111 in the longitudinal direction. In one embodiment of the present application, the spacing L4 between the first through slot 1111 and the second side 1116 is greater than the spacing L5 between the second through slot 1112 and the first side 1115.

[0064] In one embodiment of the present application, Figure 6 As shown, the planar microwave antenna 111 includes a grounding terminal 1113 and a feeding terminal 1114, which are respectively located at two sides of the opening of the first through slot 1111. The electromagnetic wave radiation of the planar microwave antenna 111 near the first through slot 1111 is strongest. Fig.10 The electric field distribution diagram of the heating component when powered on and Fig.11 As shown in the magnetic field distribution diagram, when the ground terminal 1113 and the feeding terminal 1114 are located on both sides of the opening of the first through slot 1111, the electric field intensity and the magnetic field intensity of the planar microwave antenna 111 near the first through slot 1111 are the highest. As a preferred example, the first through slot 1111 is substantially opened at the middle position of the longitudinal height of the planar microwave antenna 111 (see Figure 6). According to the predetermined length of the aerosol generating substrate, the first through slot 1111 can be designed to be positioned at a specific longitudinal position of the heating chamber, so that when the aerosol generating device is in use, when the aerosol generating product 18 is inserted into the heating chamber, the first through slot 1111 can be substantially aligned with the middle position of the aerosol generating substrate (smoke generating portion 182) along the longitudinal direction, thereby maximizing the absorption of radio frequency energy, which is conducive to increasing the heating rate of the aerosol generating substrate. Or in some alternative embodiments, the ground terminal 1113 and the feeding terminal 1114 are respectively located on both sides of the opening of the second through slot 1112.

[0065] In one embodiment of the present application, the planar microwave antenna 111 includes a ground terminal 1113 and a feeding terminal 1114, and the ground terminal 1113 and the feeding terminal 1114 are both located on the first side 1115, or the ground terminal 1113 and the feeding terminal 1114 are both located on the second side 1116, that is, the ground terminal 1113 and the feeding terminal 1114 are both located on the same side of the planar microwave antenna 111. Fig.10 As shown, when the ground terminal 1113 and the feeding terminal 1114 are both located on the first side 1115 , the gap region between the first side 1115 and the second side 1116 also has a relatively high electric field strength.

[0066] See also Figure 4 The shell cover 13 is provided with an insertion port 130 , which is communicated with the heating chamber 1121 . A part of the aerosol generating product 18 is inserted into the heating chamber 1121 through the insertion port 130 , so that the aerosol generating product 18 can be heated by the planar microwave antenna 111 inside the aerosol generating device 1 .

[0067] The aerosol generating product 18 includes a filter portion 181 and a smoking portion 182. After the smoking portion 182 of the aerosol generating product 18 is inserted into the heating chamber 1121, since the first through groove 1111 corresponds to the middle position of the smoking portion 182 of the aerosol generating product 18, the middle position of the smoking portion 182 of the inserted aerosol generating product 18 is subjected to the highest heat, and the heat is transferred to both ends of the smoking portion 182, so that the energy transmission efficiency is the highest and the heating effect on the aerosol generating product 18 is the best.

[0068] It should be noted that the aerosol generating device 1 further includes: a radio frequency cable, which is welded to the planar microwave antenna 111, so that the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the radio frequency cable are respectively welded to the ground terminal 1113 and the feeding terminal 1114 to realize the electrical connection between the radio frequency cable and the planar microwave antenna 111, and the radio frequency cable is used to connect the planar microwave antenna 111 and the circuit board 16. The welding method can be soldering or laser welding.

[0069] In one embodiment of the present application, the grounding end 1113 and the feeding end 1114 are respectively located on both sides of the opening of the first through slot 1111, and the highest energy radiation area heated by the planar microwave antenna 111 is concentrated between the grounding end 1113 and the feeding end 1114 in the first through slot 1111. The positions of the grounding end 1113 and the feeding end 1114 can be offset and adjusted along the first through slot 1111 according to needs.

[0070] Influenced by the material medium of the entire aerosol generating device 1, the plane design shape of the planar microwave antenna 111, the height of the first through slot 1111 and the length of the first through slot 1111 can all be adjusted to optimize the return loss index of the planar microwave antenna 111. When the middle position of the smoking part 182 of the aerosol generating product 18 corresponds to the highest energy point of the planar microwave antenna 111, the energy transmission efficiency is the highest and the heating effect on the aerosol generating product 18 is the best.

[0071] In some embodiments, the heating component also includes a temperature sensor, which is mounted on the outer surface of the support tube. The temperature sensor can be located in the middle position of the planar microwave antenna 111 in the longitudinal direction; or the temperature sensor is integrated on the planar microwave antenna 111 and has an electrode connection end for outputting a temperature signal, such as a welding pad, and the electrode connection end can be close to the ground terminal and the feeding terminal of the planar microwave antenna 111.

[0072] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device 1 includes a planar microwave antenna 111 arranged around the outer wall of the support tube 112, the planar microwave antenna 111 is electrically connected to the circuit board 16, the circuit board 16 is integrated with a microwave generating circuit and a controller, and the controller is connected to the microwave generating circuit. During use, the controller controls the microwave generating circuit to pass microwaves of the optimal operating frequency into the planar microwave antenna 111, and the planar microwave antenna 111 emits microwaves, and the smoke generating part 182 of the aerosol generating product 18 is radiated by microwaves, so that it generates heat and heats up through its own dielectric loss to generate aerosol. Compared with the existing spiral microwave antenna coil winding or electroplating etching on the surface of the support tube, the present application uses a planar microwave antenna 111, and the planar microwave antenna 111 is arranged on the outer surface of the support tube 112, which reduces the complexity and cost of the product structure. In addition, since the planar microwave antenna 111 is a planar wire or a strip wire and has a certain width, compared with the traditional helical antenna with linear routing, the planar microwave antenna 111 in the present application can cover most of the outer surface of the above-mentioned support tube 112, thereby providing a larger area of ​​radiation projection in the heating cavity, which is beneficial to improving the microwave heating efficiency of the heating component.

[0073] like Figure 7As shown, in some embodiments, the microwave generating circuit includes: an integrated chip, a circulator, a microstrip, a PI-type attenuator, a power detector and a load. The circulator is installed outside the heating cavity 61, the output end of the integrated chip is connected to the first end of the circulator, and the second end of the circulator is connected to the planar microwave antenna 111. The microwave output by the integrated chip is fed into the planar microwave antenna 111 through the first end and the second end of the circulator, and the aerosol generating matrix in the heating cavity 61 is heated under the action of the microwave to release the aerosol. The second end of the circulator can also receive the microwave signal fed back by the planar microwave antenna 111, and transmit the fed back microwave signal to the third end of the circulator through the second end of the circulator.

[0074] The integrated chip outputs a radio frequency signal with a transmission frequency of f and a power of Pout to the first end of the circulator, and the second end of the circulator outputs a radio frequency signal to the planar microwave antenna 111. Since the frequency of the planar microwave antenna 111 may be offset, the planar microwave antenna 111 operates within the offset broadband, and the return loss of the planar microwave antenna 111 at different frequencies is different, so part of the radio frequency signal will be reflected to the third end of the circulator, thereby being absorbed by the high-power load.

[0075] As an optional example, the integrated chip is an oscillator amplifier chip using a single integrated oscillation circuit and a 20-40W unipolar gallium nitride RF power amplifier on a substrate. The microstrip matching of the gate, drain and feedback network outside the above integrated chip occupies very little space, which is conducive to the integration and miniaturization of aerosol generating device products. The power of the unipolar gallium nitride RF power amplifier can also be selected as 20-25W, 25-30W, 30-35W or 35-40W. In one embodiment of the present application, the integrated chip uses a chip model GTAH25030C6 produced by Innogration Technologies.

[0076] like Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments, the oscillation circuit of the integrated chip is an integrated voltage-controlled oscillator VCO and an attenuator ATT, which can adjust the output power, and the output power sequentially passes through the integrated first-stage power amplifier, the driving-stage power amplifier + the final-stage power amplifier; or Fig. 9 As shown, the output power passes through the integrated first-stage power amplifier + driver-stage power amplifier and the final-stage power amplifier in sequence. A circulator is a device that transmits RF signals in one direction. The conduction direction of the signal in the circulator is from the first end to the second end, and from the second end to the third end.

[0077] refer to Figure 7 , Figure 8 or Fig. 9As shown, in some possible implementation schemes, the high-power load is selected to operate in a high-frequency state, and the rated power of the high-power load is greater than the maximum reflected power of the planar microwave antenna 111. As an optional example, the resistance of the high-power load is 50 ohms or greater, and the function of the high-power load is to absorb the energy reflected back by the planar microwave antenna 111.

[0078] In some embodiments, the microstrip includes a forward output microstrip and a reflection microstrip, the two ends of the forward output microstrip are respectively connected to the output end of the integrated chip and the PI-type attenuator, the two ends of the reflection microstrip are respectively connected to the load and the power detector, the forward output microstrip and the reflection microstrip are coupled with a certain coupling degree, the microstrip couples the power of the forward output end and the reflection end, and the sampling pin MCU_AD1 of the controller collects the voltage value V of the output end through the PI-type attenuator 耦合 , and the sampling pin MCU_AD2 collects the voltage value V of the reflected end through the power detector 反射 , so that the magnitude of the forward output end power and the reflected end power can be mapped and calculated, and further the return loss value of the planar microwave antenna 111 can be calculated through the proportional relationship between the forward output end power and the reflected end power.

[0079] In other embodiments, the microstrip includes a reflective microstrip, and the two ends of the reflective microstrip are respectively connected to a load and a power detector. The power value of the reflected microwave signal can also be mapped through the power detector. The controller can also actually map the return loss value through the mapping relationship between the changed power value and the return loss.

[0080] In some other embodiments, the forward output microstrip and the reflection microstrip can be omitted, and the stability of the integrated chip can be judged by the stable current floating change of the integrated chip. An increase in current indicates that the reflected signal of the microwave antenna is enhanced, resulting in a decrease in return loss. When the current becomes smaller, it indicates that the return loss value increases, and the efficiency of microwave heating is improved.

[0081] In some embodiments, the integrated chip operates in a frequency range of 2430 MHz-2460 MHz, and the return loss of the aerosol generating article 18 at each frequency is calculated according to the return loss RL=20log(VSWR+1 / VSWR-1)=20log(Poutput / Preflection)=20log(Vcoupling / Vreflection), where Poutput and Preflection correspond to the RF power at the forward output end and the reflected power at the reflection end, and V 耦合 and V 反射The corresponding voltage value is the voltage value at the forward output end and the voltage value at the reflection end. For example, as an example, the integrated chip output reference frequency is 2449 MHz, and the radio frequency energy with power Pout is input through the first end of the circulator, and is output to the planar microwave antenna 111 through the second end. The microwave energy reflected by the planar microwave antenna 111 is received through the third end and transferred to the load. During the operation of the aerosol generating device, the heat of the heating component will be partially transferred to the microwave generating circuit. As the temperature rises or decreases, the output frequency of the integrated chip will increase or decrease, with a maximum of no more than 2460 MHz and a minimum of no less than 2430 MHz. Therefore, the optimal return loss for debugging the planar microwave antenna 111 must cover these frequency ranges.

[0082] For example, as some test examples, when the return loss is greater than or equal to 10, the power transmission efficiency of the planar microwave antenna 111 is greater than 90%; when the return loss is greater than or equal to 13.7, the power transmission efficiency of the planar microwave antenna 111 is greater than 95.7%; when the return loss is greater than or equal to 18.2, the power transmission efficiency of the planar microwave antenna 111 is greater than 98.5%.

[0083] Through the above tests, it can be known that in this embodiment, as a suitable exemplary frequency selection, the heating frequency of the planar microwave antenna 111 is 2430MHz-2460MHz. In this frequency band, the return loss of the planar microwave antenna 111 is greater than or equal to 10, and the transmission efficiency of the planar microwave antenna 111 is greater than 90%, which has a better heating effect on the aerosol generating product 18.

[0084] The output end of the existing integrated chip is not provided with a circulator, and is directly connected to the planar microwave antenna 111. When the return loss of the planar microwave antenna 111 deteriorates, the microwave will be reflected back to the output end of the integrated chip, resulting in self-excitation and damage to the integrated chip. Therefore, this embodiment adds a circulator to the output end of the integrated chip, so that the microwave reflected back from the planar microwave antenna 111 is absorbed by the load, thereby protecting the integrated chip.

[0085] In some other embodiments of the present application, the integrated chip selects the best operating frequency point among the first five frequency points with the best transmission efficiency as the frequency point of actual microwave heating, and the heating control method is as follows: the controller controls the integrated chip to output a microwave signal with a frequency of f and a power of Pout; the microwave signal is input through the first end of the circulator, and the second end is conducted and output to the sheet-shaped microwave antenna; the sheet-shaped microwave antenna reflects part of the microwave signal to the third end of the circulator; the power of the first end and the third end of the microstrip coupling circulator is respectively output through the PI-type attenuator and the power detector. 耦合 and V 反射to the controller; the controller calculates the return loss of the output frequency according to the return loss RL = 20log (VSWR + 1 / VSWR - 1) = 20log (P output / P reflection) = 20log (V coupling / V reflection); the controller increases or decreases the output frequency of the integrated chip according to the preset adjustment value, and repeats the above steps until the output frequency of the integrated chip traverses 2430MHz-2460MHz, and obtains the return loss values ​​of multiple output frequencies; the controller selects the output frequency corresponding to the return loss greater than 10, and records the output frequency with the return loss greater than 10 and its corresponding transmission efficiency in the array to form a mapping relationship; the controller selects the first 5 output frequencies with the best transmission efficiency from the array, and selects the best output frequency from the 5 output frequencies as the actual output frequency of the integrated chip. By controlling the aerosol generating device 1 through the above heating control method, the first 5 output frequencies with the best transmission efficiency can be selected, and the best output frequency can be selected from them as the actual output frequency of the integrated chip, so that the sheet-shaped microwave antenna 111 heats the aerosol generating product 18 at the best output frequency when the transmission efficiency is greater than 90%, thereby improving the heating efficiency. It should be noted that the preset adjustment value can be set by the controller as needed. In this embodiment, the preset adjustment value can be set to 2 MHz.

[0086] It is understandable that during the heating process of the aerosol generating device 1, the microwave generating circuit can output a microwave signal with a fixed frequency. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, the optimal frequency point of the microwave antenna may be offset during the long-term use of the device. Therefore, the above program for screening the optimal output frequency is built into the controller in the microwave generating circuit. When the aerosol generating device 1 is started each time or regularly, the integrated chip calls and runs the program to determine the optimal output frequency through the above method, and then uses the optimal output frequency to feed radio frequency energy through the microwave antenna, thereby controlling the heating component to start working. For example, in other exemplary embodiments, the aerosol generating device 1 can use the above method to determine the optimal output frequency only in the debugging stage before leaving the factory, and use the determined optimal output frequency for heating during the actual use of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0087] In other exemplary embodiments, during the heating process of the aerosol generating device 1, the microwave generating circuit may output a microwave signal with a variable frequency. For example, since factors such as temperature changes may affect the frequency deviation of the microwave antenna, the controller in the microwave generating circuit is configured to collect the feedback signal parameters of the microwave antenna in real time or in stages and calculate the return loss value, so as to adjust the optimal output frequency output to the microwave antenna according to the change of the return loss value.

[0088] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does 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. A heating component, characterized in that: include: a support tube defining a heating chamber for receiving at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article including an aerosol-forming substrate; A planar microwave antenna, which is configured in a sheet shape or a film layer structure and is at least partially arranged around the outer surface of the support tube, and is used to emit radio frequency energy when powered on and conduct it to the heating chamber, thereby heating the aerosol-forming matrix in the aerosol-generating product in the heating chamber to generate an aerosol.

2. The heating assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The planar microwave antenna has a first side and a second side opposite to each other along a circumferential direction, and the first side and the second side do not overlap each other to form a gap.

3. The heating assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that The planar microwave antenna is provided with a first through slot extending from the first side toward the second side, and there is a distance between the first through slot and the second side.

4. The heating assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that The planar microwave antenna is further provided with a second through slot extending from the second side toward the first side, the second through slot is spaced apart from the first side, and the second through slot is staggered with the first through slot in the longitudinal direction.

5. The heating assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that The distance between the first through slot and the second side is greater than the distance between the second through slot and the first side.

6. The heating assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that The planar microwave antenna comprises a grounding end and a feeding end, wherein the grounding end and the feeding end are both located on the first side, or the grounding end and the feeding end are both located on the second side.

7. The heating assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The planar microwave antenna is provided with a first through slot and a second through slot extending in a circumferential direction or an expanded width direction and parallel to each other, and a portion of the support tube is exposed to the first through slot and the second through slot.

8. The heating assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that The width of the first through slot is greater than the width of the second through slot.

9. The heating assembly according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The planar microwave antenna comprises a grounding end and a feeding end, and the grounding end and the feeding end are correspondingly located at two sides of an opening of the first through slot.

10. The heating assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The planar microwave antenna is in a Z shape or an F shape.

11. The heating assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The height of the planar microwave antenna along the longitudinal direction of the support tube is 15 mm-19 mm, or the width of the planar microwave antenna after being unfolded along the circumferential direction is 20 mm-29 mm.

12. The heating assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The support tube is a cylindrical structure made of quartz, ceramic or plastic.

13. The heating assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The planar microwave antenna includes a flexible circuit board, or the conductor material of the planar microwave antenna includes nickel silver.

14. The heating assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The transmission efficiency of the radio frequency energy of the planar microwave antenna is greater than 90%, or the return loss of the planar microwave antenna is greater than 10.

15. The heating assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The heating frequency of the planar microwave antenna is 2430 MHz-2460 MHz.

16. The heating assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The planar microwave antenna is mounted on the outer surface of the support tube, or the conductor material of the planar microwave antenna is integrated on the support tube.

17. An aerosol generating device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a battery assembly and the heating assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the battery assembly provides electrical energy to the heating assembly.

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