Heating module and aerosol generating device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a heating module and an aerosol generating device, and the heating module comprises a first heating assembly which comprises a first heating element and a first receiving pipe with a receiving cavity inside; the receiving cavity extends in the longitudinal direction and is used for receiving at least part of the aerosol-generating product, the near end of the first receiving tube is open so that the aerosol-generating product can be inserted into the receiving cavity, and the wall of the first receiving tube comprises a first part surrounding the part of the receiving cavity and a second part surrounding the part of the receiving cavity; the first part and the second part are arranged in the longitudinal direction, and the first part is adjacent to the near end of the first receiving tube; the first heating element is arranged corresponding to the first part, and the first heating element is configured to heat a part of the aerosol generating product mainly by radiating infrared rays to the inner side of the first part; the second heating assembly and the first heating assembly are arranged in a spaced mode, the second heating assembly is configured to allow the airflow to flow through and can heat the flowing airflow, and the second heating assembly is arranged on the upstream of the containing cavity in the airflow direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of aerosol generation, and particularly relates to a heating module and an aerosol generating device including the heating module. Background Art

[0002] An aerosol generating device is a device that can generate an aerosol from a tobacco product. However, in some exemplary prior arts, there is an aerosol generating device having a heating component that includes both a circumferential heater and an air heater. Along the air flow direction, the circumferential heater is disposed downstream of the air heater, and the circumferential heater is configured to surround the periphery of the tobacco product, so as to release heat outside the tobacco product. The air heater is configured to heat air to form hot air, and the hot air flows into the interior of the tobacco product and releases heat in the tobacco product.

[0003] However, since the circumferential heater uses resistance heating or electromagnetic heating, the circumferential heater mainly releases heat to the tobacco product by means of heat conduction. Although it helps to quickly increase the temperature of the surface of the tobacco product, it is likely to cause a large temperature difference between the inside and outside of the tobacco product, resulting in a large amount of miscellaneous gas and poor taste of the aerosol generated by the tobacco product, affecting the user experience. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to provide a heating module and an aerosol generating device including the heating module, which can effectively reduce the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the aerosol generating product and improve the taste of the aerosol.

[0005] At least one embodiment of the present application provides a heating module, which includes:

[0006] A first heating component, including a first heating element and a first receiving tube having a receiving cavity therein;

[0007] The receiving cavity extends longitudinally for receiving at least a part of the aerosol generating product. The proximal end of the first receiving tube is open for the aerosol generating product to be inserted into the receiving cavity. The wall of the first receiving tube includes a first part surrounding a part of the receiving cavity and a second part surrounding a part of the receiving cavity. The first part and the second part are arranged longitudinally and the first part is adjacent to the proximal end of the first receiving tube;

[0008] The first heating element is disposed corresponding to the first part, and the first heating element is configured to mainly heat a part of the aerosol generating product by radiating infrared rays to the inside of the first part; and

[0009] A second heating component spaced apart from the first heating component, the second heating component being configured to allow an air flow to pass therethrough and capable of heating the air flow passing therethrough, and being disposed upstream of the receiving cavity along the direction of the air flow.

[0010] As an example, the first heating element is disposed outside the first part, and the first part is configured to be transmissive to infrared rays.

[0011] As an example, the wall thickness of the first receiving tube is greater than or equal to 0.3 mm.

[0012] As an example, the ratio of the length of the first part to the total length of the first receiving tube is between 1 / 3 and 2 / 3; and / or

[0013] The ratio of the length of the second part to the total length of the first receiving tube is between 1 / 3 and 2 / 3; and / or

[0014] The length of the second part is less than or equal to 6 mm.

[0015] As an example, the second heating component includes an electric heating member and an air flow heating element, the electric heating member being disposed around the air flow heating element, and the air flow heating element being configured to heat the air flow passing therethrough by releasing at least part of the heat absorbed from the electric heating member.

[0016] As an example, the electric heating member includes a second receiving tube and a second heating element disposed outside the second receiving tube, and the air flow heating element is disposed inside the second receiving tube.

[0017] As an example, the electric heating member further includes an electrode, the electrode being disposed outside the second receiving tube and electrically connected to the second heating element.

[0018] As an example, the thickness of the second receiving tube is less than or equal to 0.2 mm; or

[0019] The thickness of the second receiving tube is less than the wall thickness of the first receiving tube.

[0020] As an example, the heating module further includes a first heat insulation layer and a second heat insulation layer, the first heat insulation layer being disposed around the first heating element, and the second heat insulation layer being disposed around the second heating component.

[0021] As an example, the second heat insulation layer supports the first heat insulation layer or the first receiving tube.

[0022] As an example, the heating module further includes a connecting member that connects the second heating component and the second heat insulation layer, such that the second heating component is held inside the second heat insulation layer.

[0023] As an example, the connecting member includes a connecting portion extending longitudinally and a supporting portion extending transversely. The connecting portion is connected to the second heating component, and at least a part of the first surface of the supporting portion faces the receiving cavity and is used to support the bottom of the aerosol-generating article.

[0024] As an example, the connecting member includes a connecting portion extending longitudinally and a supporting portion extending transversely. The connecting portion is connected to the second heating component, and at least a part of the second surface of the supporting portion overlaps on the second heat insulation layer and is supported by the second heat insulation layer.

[0025] As an example, the heating module further includes a sealing ring that connects the first receiving tube and the connecting member to provide a seal between the first receiving tube and the connecting member.

[0026] As an example, the second heat insulation layer and the second heating component are spaced apart, such that an air heat insulation layer is provided in the space between the second heat insulation layer and the electrothermal member and surrounds the second heating component.

[0027] At least one embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol-generating device, which includes a heating module and further includes a power supply component. The power supply component is configured to supply power for the first heating component to heat the aerosol-generating article and the second heating component to heat the airflow.

[0028] The heating module and the aerosol generating device including the heating module provided in the above embodiments, the heating module includes a first heating component and a second heating component, the first heating component includes a first heating element and a first receiving tube having a receiving cavity therein, the receiving cavity extends longitudinally for receiving at least a part of the aerosol generating article, the proximal end of the first receiving tube is open for the aerosol generating article to be inserted into the receiving cavity, and the wall of the first receiving tube includes a first part disposed around a part of the receiving cavity and a second part disposed around a part of the receiving cavity, the first part and the second part are arranged longitudinally and the first part is adjacent to the proximal end of the first receiving tube, the first heating element is disposed on the first part, and the first heating element is configured to be able to radiate infrared rays toward the inside of the first part to heat a part of the aerosol generating article; the second heating component is configured to allow air flow to pass through and be able to heat the flowing air, along the direction of the air flow, the second heating component is disposed upstream of the receiving cavity; wherein, the first heating component and the second heating component are spaced apart. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the first receiving tube from absorbing a large amount of heat from the second heating component, effectively prevent the temperature of the first receiving tube from being too high, and reduce the heat released by the first receiving tube to the aerosol generating article by means of heat conduction. At the same time, the first heating element mainly heats the aerosol generating article by means of heat radiation. Therefore, it is possible to effectively reduce the temperature difference inside and outside the aerosol generating article, help reduce the impurities in the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating article, and improve the taste. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art. In all the drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference numerals. In the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn to actual scale.

[0030] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device provided by some embodiments of the present application;

[0031] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a heating module provided by some embodiments of the present application;

[0032] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a first heating component provided by some embodiments of the present application;

[0033] Figure 4 is an exploded schematic diagram of a heating module provided by some embodiments of the present application;

[0034] In the figure:

[0035] 1. Heating module; 11. First heating component; 111. First heating element; 112. First receiving tube; 112a. First part; 112b. Second part; 1121. Receiving cavity; 113. First electrode; 114. Temperature sensor; 12. Second heating component; 121. Electric heating member; 1211. Second heating element; 1212. Second receiving tube; 1213. Second electrode; 122. Airflow heating element; 1221. Air hole; 14. First heat insulation layer; 15. Second heat insulation layer; 16. Fixing member; 17. Connecting member; 171. Connecting part; 172. Supporting part; 18. Sealing ring; 19. Air heat insulation layer;

[0036] 2. Aerosol generating article; 21. Aerosol forming substrate;

[0037] 3. Power supply component; 31. Battery; 32. Circuit board. Detailed implementation manners

[0038] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0039] The terms "first", "second", and "third" in the present application are only for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity or order of the indicated technical features. All directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back...) in the embodiments of the present application are only used to explain the relative position relationship or movement conditions between components in a specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly. In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally further include unlisted steps or units, or may optionally further include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0040] Referring to "embodiments" herein means that specific features, structures, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiments can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The phrase appears in various places in the specification and does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0041] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may also be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or there may be one or more intermediate elements therebetween. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation.

[0042] Please refer to Figure 1 , some embodiments of the present application provide an aerosol generating device including a heating module 1, and the aerosol generating device is used to generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating article 2 coupled thereto.

[0043] As used herein, the term "aerosol generating article" refers to an article including an aerosol-forming substrate 21 that releases volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol when heated. The "aerosol generating article" refers to an article including an aerosol-forming substrate 21 that is intended to be heated rather than burned to release volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. Compared with the aerosol generated by burning or pyrolytic degradation of the aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol formed by heating the aerosol-forming substrate may contain fewer known harmful components. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating article 2 is removably coupled to the aerosol generating device. The article can be disposable or reusable.

[0044] The aerosol-forming substrate 21 may include a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may include a tobacco-containing material that contains volatile tobacco flavor compounds released from the substrate when heated. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may include a non-tobacco material. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may include a tobacco-containing material and a non-tobacco material. When the aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol generating article can be a cigarette, a smoking rod, a cigar, etc.

[0045] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating article 2 is generally in a rod shape extending longitudinally.

[0046] The heating module 1 is used to directly heat and / or indirectly heat the aerosol-forming substrate 21 of the aerosol generating article 2 to generate an aerosol. The heating module 1 can be described as an electrically heated heating module. Therefore, the aerosol generating device may further include a power supply component 3, and the power supply component 3 is electrically connected to the heating module 1 to provide power support for the heating module 1 to heat the aerosol-forming substrate 21.

[0047] The power supply assembly 3 may include any suitable battery 31. In one embodiment, the battery 31 is a lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the battery 31 may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery, such as a lithium cobalt, lithium iron phosphate, lithium titanate, or lithium polymer battery. The power supply assembly 3 may include a circuit board 32 and one or more control circuits disposed on the circuit board 32. The control circuit may control the output of the battery 31, such as causing the battery 31 to output an alternating current or a direct current, or for example causing the battery 31 to output a current or a voltage in the form of a pulse, or for example adjusting the magnitude of the power output by the battery 31.

[0048] The control circuit may have one or more controllers. The controller may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device. Specifically, the controller not only controls the operations of the battery and the heating module, but also controls the operations of other components in the aerosol generating device. In addition, the controller may determine whether the aerosol generating device can operate by checking the states of the components of the aerosol generating device. The controller includes at least one processor. The processor may include a logic gate array, or may include a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing programs executable by the microprocessor. In addition, those skilled in the art should understand that the controller may include another type of hardware.

[0049] The heating module 1 includes a first heating component 11 and a second heating component 12. The aerosol generating device completes the heating of the aerosol generating article 2 through the cooperation of the first heating component 11 and the second heating component 12.

[0050] Reference may be made to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the first heating component 11 includes a first heating element 111 and a first receiving tube 112 having a receiving cavity 1121 therein. The receiving cavity 1121 extends longitudinally for receiving at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 2. The proximal end of the first receiving tube 112 is open for the aerosol generating article 2 to be inserted into the receiving cavity 1121. The wall of the first receiving tube 112 includes a first portion 112a surrounding a portion of the receiving cavity 1121 and a second portion 112b surrounding a portion of the receiving cavity 1121. The first portion 112a and the second portion 112b are arranged longitudinally. Therefore, when the aerosol generating article 2 is coupled to the heating module 1, a portion of the aerosol generating article 2 is surrounded by the first portion 112a, a portion is surrounded by the second portion 112b, and the first portion 112a and the second portion 112b are provided corresponding to different positions of the aerosol generating article 2 in the longitudinal direction.

[0051] Among them, the first heating element 111 is disposed corresponding to the first portion 112a. The first portion 112a can be used to hold the first heating element 111. For example, the first heating element 111 is disposed on the inner surface of the first portion 112a, or for example, the first heating element 111 is disposed on the outer surface of the first portion 112a, or for example, at least a part of the first heating element 111 is embedded in the wall of the first portion 112a. Of course, the first heating element 111 can also be disposed outside the first portion 112a and spaced apart from the first portion 112a. The first heating element 111 is configured to heat a part of the aerosol-generating article 2 mainly by radiating infrared rays into the receiving cavity 1121 inside the first portion 112a. In other words, the first heating element 111 mainly heats the aerosol-forming substrate 21 inside the first portion 112a by means of thermal radiation.

[0052] In some embodiments, the first heating element 111 includes an infrared film layer that can generate heat energy when powered on, and then generate infrared rays of a certain wavelength, such as infrared rays with a wavelength of 0.75 μm to 1000 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. In the embodiment of the present application, the wavelength of the infrared rays is not limited, and it can be far infrared rays with a wavelength of 1.5 μm to 400 μm, or it can be far infrared rays with a wavelength of 8 μm to 15 μm.

[0053] The heat on the first heating element 111 is mainly released in the form of infrared rays, so the first heating element 111 can not contact the aerosol-generating article 2 when heating the aerosol-generating article 2.

[0054] In some embodiments, reference may be made to Figure 3 and Figure 4, the first heating element 111 is disposed outside the first portion 112a. For example, the first heating element 111 is outside the first portion 112a and spaced apart from the first portion, or for example, the first heating element 111 is disposed on the outer surface of the first portion 112a. The first portion 112a is configured to be infrared transmissive. For example, the first portion 112a can be made of glass or quartz, so that the first portion 112a is transparent and light transmissive. In this embodiment, the receiving cavity 1121 and the first heating element 111 are spaced apart by the first portion 112a, and the first portion 112a has a certain heat insulation effect, which can reduce the heat released by the first heating element 111 and conducted to the heated aerosol-generating article 2 by the first portion 112a in a heat conduction manner. When the first heating element 111 is disposed outside the first portion 112a and spaced apart from the first portion 112a, there is a large temperature difference between the inner surface of the first portion 112a and the first heating element 111. When the first heating element 111 is disposed on the outer surface of the first portion 112a, there is a large temperature difference between the outer surface and the inner surface of the first portion 112a.

[0055] Preferably, the wall thickness of the first receiving tube 112 is greater than or equal to 0.3 mm. For example, the wall thickness of the first receiving tube 112 can be about 0.8 mm. To ensure that when the first heating element 111 operates, there is a large temperature difference between the outer surface and the inner surface of the first portion 112a.

[0056] Preferably, the first heating element 111 is disposed on the outer surface of the first portion 112a by means of spraying, printing, physical deposition, chemical deposition, ion sputtering or particle implantation.

[0057] Therefore, when the first heating element 111 mainly heats the aerosol-forming substrate 21 by means of thermal radiation, the temperature difference in the transverse direction of the aerosol-forming substrate 21 corresponding to the first heating element 111 can be effectively reduced, which helps to improve the heating uniformity of the part of the aerosol-forming substrate 21 and the air flow flowing through the cross-section of the part of the aerosol-forming substrate 21, and reduce the miscellaneous gas in the aerosol generated by the part of the aerosol-forming substrate 21, so that the taste of the aerosol can be effectively improved.

[0058] The first receiving tube 112 can be integrally formed. The first portion 112a and the second portion 112b can be made of the same material, and there may be no obvious boundary line between the first portion 112a and the second portion 112b.

[0059] In such as Figure 3 and Figure 4In the illustrated embodiment, the first heating assembly 11 further includes a first electrode 113, at least a portion of the first electrode 113 is disposed on the first portion 112a and electrically connected to the first heating element 111. In one example, reference may be made to Figure 3 , the first heating element 111 is a closed ring disposed on the outer surface of the first portion 112a, the first electrode 113 is a strip extending longitudinally, and is disposed on the outer surface of the first heating element 111, and the surface of the first electrode 113 facing away from the first heating element 111 is used for electrical connection to the power supply assembly 3. In one example, the first electrode 113 is a strip extending longitudinally, and at least a portion of it is disposed on the outer surface of the first receiving tube 112, the first heating element 111 is a closed ring disposed on the outer surface of the first portion 112a, wherein a portion of the first electrode 113 is located between the first portion 112a and the first heating element 111, and thus is covered by the first heating element 111 and electrically connected to the first heating element 111, and a portion of the first electrode 113 extends to be disposed on the outer surface of the second portion 112b for electrical connection to the power supply assembly 3.

[0060] There may be two first electrodes 113, which are a positive electrode and a negative electrode respectively. The first electrode 113 can be formed by means such as spraying, printing, physical deposition, chemical deposition, ion sputtering or particle implantation.

[0061] The first heating assembly 11 may further include a temperature sensor 114, the temperature sensor 114 is connected to the first heating element 111 to sense the temperature of the first heating element 111, or is connected to the first portion 112a to sense the temperature of the first portion 112a, and the controller is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 114 to obtain the temperature of the first heating element 111 or the first portion 112a, and thereby control the magnitude of the current, the magnitude of the voltage, the current pulse frequency or the voltage pulse frequency, etc. output by the battery 31 to the first heating element 111, so as to regulate the temperature of the first heating element 111 or the generation density or the range of the generation wavelength of the infrared rays.

[0062] The temperature sensor 114 may include a thermistor or may include a thermocouple, which is not limited herein.

[0063] Please refer to Figure 2, the second heating component 12 is configured to allow air flow through and be capable of heating the air flow passing through. Along the direction of the air flow, the second heating component 12 is disposed upstream of the receiving cavity 1121. The second heating component 12 is used to turn the air flow passing through into a high-temperature air flow. When the high-temperature air flow flows into the receiving cavity 1121 downstream of it, it flows into the aerosol-forming substrate 21. The good fluidity of the high-temperature air flow enables the high-temperature air flow to be distributed relatively uniformly in the aerosol-forming substrate 21 in the transverse direction, which helps to reduce the temperature difference in the aerosol-forming substrate 21 in the transverse direction, so as to uniformly heat the aerosol-forming substrate 21 in the same cross-section.

[0064] Along the direction of the air flow, the receiving cavity 1121 in the second part 112b is located upstream of the receiving cavity 1121 in the first part 112a, and the aerosol-forming substrate 21 in the second part 112b is located upstream of the aerosol-forming substrate 21 in the first part 112a. The high-temperature air flow formed by heating by the second heating component 12 first flows into the aerosol-forming substrate 21 in the second part 112b, and then flows into the aerosol-forming substrate 21 in the first part 112a.

[0065] However, as the high-temperature air flow gradually releases heat when flowing longitudinally in the aerosol-forming substrate 21, the temperature of the high-temperature air flow in the aerosol-forming substrate 21 becomes lower as it flows downstream. Based on this, in order to prevent the temperature of the high-temperature air flow from being too low when flowing to the downstream area inside the aerosol-forming substrate 21, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the first part 112a is disposed adjacent to the proximal end of the first receiving tube 112, so that the infrared rays radiated by the first heating element 111 can heat at least part of the downstream area inside the aerosol-forming substrate 21 and the air flow in this area (the air flow in this area includes the high-temperature air flow heated by the second heating component 12 and / or the aerosol generated by the aerosol-forming substrate 21 in the second part 112b), so that the aerosol-forming substrate 21 in the first part 112a and the aerosol-forming substrate 21 in the second part 112b can both be sufficiently heated at least within a period of time. Among them, the aerosol-forming substrate 21 in the second part 112b is mainly heated by the high-temperature air flow heated by the second heating component 12, and the temperature of the high-temperature air flow in the aerosol-forming substrate 21 in the second part 112b can be greater than the volatilization temperature of at least part of the compounds in the aerosol-forming substrate 21, so that the aerosol-forming substrate 21 in the second part 112b can generate aerosol under the heating of the high-temperature air flow.

[0066] In some embodiments, the ratio of the length D1 of the first part 112a to the total length of the first receiving tube 112 is between 1 / 3 and 2 / 3, preferably, the ratio of the length D1 of the first part 112a to the total length of the first receiving tube 112 is between 1 / 2 and 2 / 3. In some embodiments, the ratio of the length D2 of the second part 112b to the total length of the first receiving tube 112 is between 1 / 3 and 2 / 3, preferably, the ratio of the length D2 of the second part 112b to the total length of the first receiving tube 112 is between 1 / 3 and 1 / 2.

[0067] In some embodiments, reference may be made to Figure 2 , the second part 112b is disposed between the first part 112a and the distal end of the first receiving tube 112. In order to sufficiently heat the aerosol-forming substrate 21 adjacent to the first part 112a in the second part 112b, the longer the second part 112b is, the higher the temperature of the high-temperature gas flow formed by heating of the second heating assembly 12 is required. The higher the temperature of the high-temperature gas flow is, the easier it is to cause the upstream end of the aerosol generating article 2 to be burnt. Therefore, preferably, the length of the second part 112b is less than or equal to 6 mm. For example, the length of the second part 112b may be about 4.5 mm.

[0068] In some embodiments, the first part 112a and the second part 112b have substantially the same length.

[0069] In some embodiments, reference may be made to Figure 2 and Figure 4 , the second heating assembly 12 includes an electrothermal member 121 and a gas flow heating element 122. The electrothermal member 121 can generate heat based on the current, voltage or electromagnetic field provided by the power supply assembly 3. The gas flow heating element 122 allows the gas flow to pass through, and the gas flow heating element 122 is configured to heat the flowing gas mainly by releasing at least part of the heat absorbed from the electrothermal member 121.

[0070] The gas flow heating element 122 may be a honeycomb structure having a plurality of pores 1221. The gas flow heating element 122 may be a foam structure having a large number of pores 1221. The gas flow heating element 122 may include ceramics, graphite, graphite alloy or foam metal, etc.

[0071] The interior of the air flow heating element may have mounting holes for holding at least a part of the electrothermal member. The electrothermal member is connected to the air flow heating element by a glaze layer in the mounting hole. However, the electrothermal member is relatively fragile and is prone to deformation during the process of being assembled into the mounting hole, resulting in the shedding of the glaze layer. When the air flow heating element contains graphite, graphite alloy or foam metal, the shedding of the glaze layer will cause a short circuit between the electrothermal member and the air flow heating element. And it will cause the pins for electrically connecting with the power supply assembly on the electrothermal member to be exposed outside the air flow heating element for a long time. Oils permeating from the aerosol generating article and condensate formed by the aerosol on the air flow heating element are likely to condense on the pins, causing a short circuit between the two pins or a short circuit between the pin and the air flow heating element.

[0072] If the electrothermal member uses electromagnetic heating, after the electrothermal member is arranged in the mounting hole, the air flow heating element containing graphite, graphite alloy or foam metal will affect the electrothermal member's reception of the magnetic field, resulting in a reduction in the heating efficiency of the electrothermal member. If ceramics are used to prepare the air flow heating element, it will cause the air flow heating element to have a large heat capacity and a small thermal conductivity, resulting in an increase in energy consumption.

[0073] Therefore, in some embodiments of the present application, reference may be made to Figure 2 , preferably, the electrothermal member 121 is arranged to surround the air flow heating element 122.

[0074] Based on this, in some embodiments, the electrothermal member 121 includes a susceptor and can thus use electromagnetic heating. As used herein, the term "susceptor" refers to a material that can convert electromagnetic energy into heat. When located in a changing electromagnetic field, the eddy currents induced in the susceptor cause heating of the susceptor. In such embodiments, the susceptor is designed to engage with an aerosol generating device including a magnetic field generator. The magnetic field generator generates a changing magnetic field to heat the susceptor located within the changing magnetic field. In use, the susceptor is located within the changing magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator. Among them, the magnetic field generator is electrically connected to the power supply assembly, and the power supply assembly provides a current for the magnetic field generator to generate a changing magnetic field. The magnetic field generator may include one or more induction coils that generate a changing magnetic field, and the one or more induction coils may surround the susceptor. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device can generate a changing magnetic field between 1 MHz and 30 MHz, for example, between 2 MHz and 10 MHz, for example, between 5 MHz and 7 MHz. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device can generate a changing magnetic field having a field strength (H field) between 1 Hz and 5 kA / m, for example, between 2 kA / m and 3 kA / m, for example, about 2.5 kA / m.

[0075] Among them, the sensor can include metal or carbon. In one embodiment, the sensor can include a ferromagnetic material, such as ferrite, ferromagnetic steel, or stainless steel. In one embodiment, the sensor includes a nickel-iron alloy. In one embodiment, the sensor includes a 400 series stainless steel, and the 400 series stainless steel includes grade 410 or grade 420 or grade 430 stainless steel.

[0076] The sensor can be a metal ring, which is disposed at least partially around the periphery of the air flow heating element, and can be fixed on the surface of the air flow heating element and in direct contact with the air flow heating element.

[0077] In some embodiments, the electrothermal member 121 includes a resistive material, which obtains current or voltage by being electrically connected to the power supply assembly, and thus generates Joule heat. Suitable resistive materials include but are not limited to: semiconductors, such as doped ceramics, conductive ceramics (such as molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys, and composite materials made of ceramic materials and metal materials. Such composite materials may include doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbide. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and platinum group metals. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, Constantan, nickel-containing alloys, cobalt-containing alloys, chromium-containing alloys, aluminum-containing alloys, titanium-containing alloys, zirconium-containing alloys, hafnium-containing alloys, niobium-containing alloys, molybdenum-containing alloys, tantalum-containing alloys, tungsten-containing alloys, tin-containing alloys, gallium-containing alloys, manganese-containing alloys, and iron-containing alloys, as well as nickel-based, iron-based, and cobalt-based superalloys, stainless steel, iron-aluminum-based alloys, and iron-manganese-aluminum-based alloys.

[0078] The resistive material can be formed on the surface of the air flow heating element 122 by means such as coating, printing, chemical deposition, physical deposition, ion sputtering, or particle implantation.

[0079] In some embodiments, the electrothermal member 121 includes an infrared film layer. At least part of the infrared rays emitted by the infrared film layer irradiate on the air flow heating element 122, thereby heating the air flow heating element 122.

[0080] In some embodiments, reference can be made to Figure 4 , the electrothermal member 121 includes a second receiving tube 1212 and a second heating element 1211 disposed on the second receiving tube 1212. The second receiving tube 1212 is used to hold the second heating element 1211, and the second heating element 1211 can include at least one of a sensor, a resistive material, and an infrared film layer. The air flow heating element 122 is disposed inside the second receiving tube 1212 and can be disposed closely against the inner surface of the second receiving tube 1212.

[0081] Compared with the sensor, the resistance material has a low cost and a high electrothermal conversion rate. Therefore, in the embodiments of the present application, the second heating element 1211 is preferably made of a resistance material, and the second heating element 1211 can be formed on the second receiving tube 1212 by means of spraying, printing, physical deposition, chemical deposition, ion sputtering, or particle implantation. Based on this, the electrothermal member 121 further includes a second electrode 1213, and there can be two second electrodes 1213, namely a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The second electrode 1213 can be formed by means of spraying, printing, physical deposition, chemical deposition, ion sputtering, or particle implantation.

[0082] When the second heating element 1211 has obvious temperature characteristics (the characteristic that the resistance value increases or decreases with the increase of temperature), the controller can obtain the resistance value, current value, and / or voltage value of the second heating element 1211 by electrically connecting to the second electrode 1213 as the temperature-related parameters of the second heating element 1211, and thereby control the magnitude of the current output by the battery to the second heating element 1211, the magnitude of the voltage, the current pulse frequency, or the voltage pulse frequency, etc., to regulate the heating temperature of the second heating element 1211.

[0083] In the embodiment as Figure 4 shown, both the second heating element 1211 and the second electrode 1213 are arranged on the outer surface of the second receiving tube 1212: on the one hand, it can prevent the second heating element 1211 and the second electrode 1213 from contacting the air flow heating element 122, which helps to prevent a short circuit from forming between the second heating element 1211 and the second electrode 1213 and the air flow heating element 122; on the other hand, the two second electrodes 1213 can be arranged on opposite sides of the second receiving tube 1212, so that there is a large distance between the two second electrodes 1213. When the two second electrodes 1213 are respectively electrically connected to the power supply assembly 3 through leads or conductive terminals 13, it can prevent the oil permeating out of the aerosol generating article 2 and the liquid overflowing from the pores 1221 in the air flow heating element 122 from condensing on the leads or conductive terminals 13, which helps to prevent a short circuit from forming between the leads or conductive terminals 13.

[0084] Based on the second heating element 1211 being arranged on the outer surface of the second receiving tube 1212, in order to reduce power consumption and improve the heating-up efficiency of the air flow heating element, the second receiving tube 1212 can have a smaller thickness to reduce the heat absorbed by the second receiving tube 1212 from the second heating element 1211. For example, the thickness of the second receiving tube 1212 can be made less than the wall thickness of the first receiving tube 112, or the thickness of the second receiving tube 1212 can be made less than or equal to 0.2 mm. Specifically, the thickness of the second receiving tube 1212 can be about 0.135 mm. The second receiving tube 1212 can be made of an insulating material, such as ceramic, tape casting, quartz, or glass, etc. The second receiving tube 1212 can also be made of a heat-conducting material. A heat-conducting material can be understood as a material with a thermal conductivity of at least 10 W / (m·k) at 23°C and 50% relative humidity, preferably at least 40 W / (m·k), more preferably at least 100 W / (m·k), and most preferably at least 150 W / (m·k). Suitable heat-conducting materials include but are not limited to: graphite, graphene, aluminum, copper, zinc, steel, silver, heat-conducting polymers, or any combination or alloy thereof. When the second receiving tube 1212 can conduct electricity, an insulating layer can be provided on the surface of the second receiving tube 1212, and at least a part of the second heating element 1211 can be arranged on the insulating layer.

[0085] In some embodiments, heating the aerosol-generating article 2 by the heating module 1 includes a first stage and a second stage. In chronological order, the first stage is before the second stage.

[0086] The controller can control the first heating element 111 to operate at a first power in the first stage and at a second power in the second stage, and the first power is greater than the second power. The first stage can be a preheating stage, and in the first stage, the first heating element 111 rises from an initial temperature (the initial temperature includes room temperature or the residual temperature that has not dissipated after the first heating element 111 finished working last time) to a preset temperature of the first stage, so that the aerosol-forming matrix 21 corresponding to the first part 112a can quickly generate aerosol, thereby shortening the waiting time for the user to take the first puff. The second stage can be a constant-temperature stage. In this stage, the temperature of the first heating element 111 can basically remain constant, and the preset temperature of the first heating element 111 in the first stage is higher than the temperature of the first heating element 111 in the second stage.

[0087] The controller can control the second heating element 1211 to operate at a third power in both the first stage and the second stage. The third power can be greater than the first power, but this is not limited thereto.

[0088] Alternatively, the controller may control the second heating element 1211 to operate at a third power in the first stage and at a fourth power in the second stage, where the third power is greater than the fourth power, which helps the air flow heating element 122 to quickly reach the preset temperature from the initial temperature and also helps prevent the aerosol forming matrix 21 from being burnt.

[0089] Of course, in some embodiments, in the first stage, when the first heating element 111 operates at the preset power, the second heating element 1211 may not operate. In the second stage, when the second heating element 1211 operates at the preset power, the first heating element 111 may not operate. In other embodiments, in the first stage, when the second heating element 1211 operates at the preset power, the first heating element 111 may not operate. In the second stage, when the first heating element 111 operates at the preset power, the second heating element 1211 may not operate.

[0090] In some embodiments, reference may be made to Figure 2 , the first heating assembly 11 and the second heating assembly 12 are arranged at intervals. Specifically, the first heating element 111 is arranged at intervals from the electrothermal member 121, the first receiving tube 112 is arranged at intervals from the electrothermal member 121, and the first heating assembly 11 is arranged at intervals from the air flow heating element 122. To prevent the first receiving tube 112 from absorbing heat from the electrothermal member 121 when the electrothermal member 121 operates, and then the first receiving tube 112 releases at least part of the heat it absorbs from the electrothermal member 121 to the aerosol generating article 2 in the first part 112a in a heat conduction manner to heat the surface layer of the aerosol generating article 2, so that the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the aerosol generating article 2 in the transverse direction increases.

[0091] In some embodiments, reference may be made to Figure 2 , the heating module 1 further includes a first heat insulation layer 14 and a second heat insulation layer 15. The first heat insulation layer 14 is arranged around the first heating element 111, and the second heat insulation layer 15 is arranged around the second heating assembly 12. Using two independent heat insulation layers to respectively insulate and keep warm the first heating element 111 and the second heating assembly 12 can, on the one hand, reduce power consumption, and on the other hand, increase the thermal resistance of the heat transfer between the two heat insulation layers. Therefore, it can prevent the second heat insulation layer 15 from transferring at least part of the heat it absorbs from the second heating assembly 12 to the first heat insulation layer 14, and then the first heat insulation layer 14 releases at least part of the heat it absorbs from the second heating assembly 12 to the first receiving tube 112 to increase the temperature of the first receiving tube 112. Furthermore, it can reduce the first receiving tube 112 from releasing at least part of the heat it absorbs from the first heat insulation layer 14 to the aerosol generating article 2 in the first part 112a in a heat conduction manner to heat the surface layer of the aerosol generating article 2, so that the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the aerosol generating article 2 in the transverse direction increases.

[0092] As an example, reference may be made to Figure 2 , where the first heat insulation layer 14 is disposed around the entire first receiving tube 112.

[0093] As an example, reference may be made to Figure 2 , where the second heat insulation layer 15 supports the first heat insulation layer 14 or supports the first receiving tube 112. Based on this, the thickness of the second heat insulation layer 15 is greater than or equal to the thickness of the first heat insulation layer 14, and / or the thickness of the second heat insulation layer 15 is greater than or equal to the thickness of the first receiving tube 112.

[0094] In the embodiment as shown in Figure 2 , the first heating assembly 11 and the second heating assembly 12 are arranged longitudinally, both the first heat insulation layer 14 and the second heat insulation layer 15 extend longitudinally, and the proximal end of the second heat insulation layer 15 supports the distal end of the first heat insulation layer 14 or supports the distal end of the first receiving tube 112. The heating module 1 further includes a fixing member 16, which is disposed on the periphery of the first heat insulation layer 14 and the second heat insulation layer 15 and connects the first heat insulation layer 14 and the second heat insulation layer 15 to prevent the first heat insulation layer 14 and the second heat insulation layer 15 from separating. The fixing member 16 can be a PI film with adhesive on its inner side or can be a tape, and the first heat insulation layer 14 and the second heat insulation layer 15 are bonded to the inner side of the fixing member 16 in a sticky manner.

[0095] As an example, reference may be made to Figure 2 , where both the first heat insulation layer 14 and the second heat insulation layer 15 are made of heat insulation materials. Heat insulation materials refer to materials with a thermal conductivity less than 40 W / (m·K) at 23°C and 50% relative humidity, preferably less than 10 W / (m·K) or less than 1 W / (m·K). Suitable heat insulation materials include but are not limited to: aerogel, felt, fiberglass, glass felt, ceramics, silica, PAEK-based materials, PI materials or PBI materials, where PAEK-based materials include PEEK, PEKK, PEKEKK or PEK materials.

[0096] The first heat insulation layer 14 and the second heat insulation layer 15 can be made of different heat insulation materials. The first heat insulation layer 14 and the second heat insulation layer 15 can be made of the same heat insulation materials. The first heat insulation layer 14 and the second heat insulation layer 15 can both be made of aerogel, but not limited thereto.

[0097] In some embodiments, reference may be made to Figure 2 and Figure 4 , where the heating module 1 further includes a connecting member 17, and the connecting member 17 connects the second heating assembly 12 and the second heat insulation layer 15 so that the second heating assembly 12 is kept inside the second heat insulation layer 15.

[0098] Further, reference may be made to Figure 2 wherein the connecting member 17 includes a connecting portion 171 extending longitudinally and a supporting portion 172 extending transversely. The connecting portion 171 is connected to the second heating assembly 12, and at least a part of the first surface of the supporting portion 172 faces the receiving cavity 1121 for supporting the bottom of the aerosol-generating article 2 (the bottom of the aerosol-generating article 2 is the distal end or the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article 2).

[0099] In some embodiments, reference may be made to Figure 1 and Figure 2 wherein at least a part of the connecting portion 171 is inserted into the second receiving tube 1212 from the proximal end of the second receiving tube 1212 and fixedly connected to the second receiving tube 1212. The ways to achieve the fixed connection include but are not limited to: welding the connecting portion 171 to the second receiving tube 1212; or connecting the connecting portion 171 to the second receiving tube 1212 by riveting.

[0100] A part of the connecting portion 171 may be disposed between the second receiving tube 1212 and the air-flow heating element 122. The proximal end of the second receiving tube 1212 may be higher than the proximal end face of the air-flow heating element 122.

[0101] In some embodiments, reference may be made to Figure 1 and Figure 2 wherein the heating module 1 further includes a sealing ring 18. The sealing ring 18 connects the first receiving tube 112 and the connecting member 17 to provide a seal between the first receiving tube 112 and the connecting member 17.

[0102] In the embodiment as shown in Figure 2 the sealing ring 18 is disposed between the first receiving tube 112 and the supporting portion 172, so that the connecting member 17 is spaced apart from the first receiving tube 112 and the connecting member 17 is spaced apart from the first heating element 111. This is beneficial to increasing the thermal resistance between the connecting member 17 and the first heating assembly 11.

[0103] In some embodiments, reference may be made to Figure 2 wherein at least a part of the second surface of the supporting portion 172 overlaps and is supported by the second heat-insulating layer 15. Specifically, the connecting member 17 connects the proximal end of the second heating assembly 12 and the proximal end of the second heat-insulating layer 15, so that the second heating assembly 12 is suspended in the second heat-insulating layer 15.

[0104] In the embodiment as shown in Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, the second heat insulation layer 15 and the electrothermal member 121 are spaced apart such that there is an air heat insulation layer 19 disposed around the periphery of the electrothermal member 121 between the intervals of the second heat insulation layer 15 and the electrothermal member 121. On the one hand, it can increase the heat insulation effect on the second heating assembly 12, and on the other hand, it provides a space for accommodating leads or conductive terminals 13 that are electrically connected to the second electrode 1213 and are disposed outside the second receiving tube 1212.

[0105] It should be noted that the description and drawings of the present application provide preferred embodiments of the present application, but are not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. Further, for those of ordinary skill in the art, improvements or transformations can be made based on the above description, and all such improvements and transformations should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A heating module, characterized in that, Comprising: A first heating assembly, including a first heating element and a first receiving tube having a receiving cavity therein; The receiving cavity extends longitudinally for receiving at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article. The proximal end of the first receiving tube is open for the aerosol-generating article to be inserted into the receiving cavity, and the wall of the first receiving tube includes a first portion surrounding a part of the receiving cavity and a second portion surrounding a part of the receiving cavity. The first portion and the second portion are arranged longitudinally and the first portion is adjacent to the proximal end of the first receiving tube; The first heating element is disposed corresponding to the first portion, and the first heating element is configured to heat a portion of the aerosol-generating article mainly by radiating infrared rays to the inner side of the first portion; and A second heating assembly spaced from the first heating assembly, the second heating assembly being configured to allow an air flow to pass through and capable of heating the passing air flow. In the direction of the air flow, the second heating assembly is disposed upstream of the receiving cavity.

2. The heating module according to claim 1, wherein The first heating element is disposed outside the first portion, and the first portion is configured to be transmissive to infrared rays.

3. The heating module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The wall thickness of the first receiving tube is greater than or equal to 0.3 mm.

4. The heating module according to claim 1, wherein The ratio of the length of the first portion to the total length of the first receiving tube is between 1 / 3 and 2 / 3; and / or The ratio of the length of the second portion to the total length of the first receiving tube is between 1 / 3 and 2 / 3; and / or The length of the second portion is less than or equal to 6 mm.

5. The heating module according to claim 1, wherein The second heating assembly includes an electrothermal member and an air flow heating element. The electrothermal member surrounds the air flow heating element, and the air flow heating element is configured to heat the passing air flow by releasing at least a portion of the heat absorbed from the electrothermal member.

6. The heating module according to claim 5, wherein The electrothermal member includes a second receiving tube and a second heating element disposed outside the second receiving tube, and the air flow heating element is disposed inside the second receiving tube.

7. The heating module according to claim 6, wherein The electrothermal member further includes an electrode disposed outside the second receiving tube and electrically connected to the second heating element.

8. The heating module according to claim 6, wherein, The thickness of the second receiving tube is less than or equal to 0.2 mm; or The thickness of the second receiving tube is less than the wall thickness of the first receiving tube.

9. The heating module according to claim 1, wherein The heating module further includes a first heat insulation layer and a second heat insulation layer. The first heat insulation layer surrounds the first heating element, and the second heat insulation layer surrounds the second heating assembly.

10. The heating module according to claim 9, wherein The second heat insulation layer supports the first heat insulation layer or the first receiving tube.

11. The heating module according to claim 9, wherein The heating module further includes a connecting member connecting the second heating assembly and the second heat insulation layer, such that the second heating assembly is held inside the second heat insulation layer.

12. The heating module according to claim 11, wherein, The connecting member includes a connecting portion extending longitudinally and a supporting portion extending transversely. The connecting portion is connected to the second heating assembly, and at least a part of the first surface of the supporting portion faces the receiving cavity for supporting the bottom of the aerosol-generating article.

13. The heating module according to claim 11, wherein, The connecting member includes a connecting portion extending longitudinally and a supporting portion extending transversely. The connecting portion is connected to the second heating assembly, and at least a part of the second surface of the supporting portion overlaps on the second heat insulation layer and is supported by the second heat insulation layer.

14. The heating module according to claim 11, wherein The heating module further includes a sealing ring, and the sealing ring connects the first receiving pipe and the connecting member to provide a seal between the first receiving pipe and the connecting member.

15. The heating module according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second heat insulation layer and the second heating assembly are spaced apart, such that an air heat insulation layer surrounding the second heating assembly is provided between the second heat insulation layer and the second heating assembly.

16. An aerosol generating device, characterized in that, The heating module according to any one of claims 1-15 further includes a power supply assembly, and the power supply assembly is configured to supply power for heating the aerosol-generating article by the first heating assembly and heating the air flow by the second heating assembly.

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