Aerosol generating device and heater for aerosol generating device

Abstract

The utility model provides an aerosol generating device and a heater for the aerosol generating device. Wherein the aerosol generating device comprises a heater which is used for being inserted into the aerosol generating product for heating; the heater includes: a housing including a free front end and a tail end opposite to each other in a length direction, and a cavity extending between the free front end and the tail end; the heating element is assembled in the cavity and extends in the longitudinal direction of the cavity; and the positioning element is positioned in the cavity and is configured to provide positioning when the heating element is assembled in the cavity so as to keep the heating element at a preset position in the cavity. According to the aerial fog generating device, positioning of the heating element in the shell is provided through the positioning element in the heater, and preparation of the heater is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of aerosol generation, and in particular, to an aerosol generating device and a heater for an aerosol generating device. Background Art

[0002] During use, tobacco products (such as cigarettes, cigars, etc.) burn tobacco to produce tobacco smoke. People have tried to replace these tobacco-burning products by manufacturing products that release compounds without burning.

[0003] Examples of such products are heating devices that release compounds by heating rather than burning materials. For example, the material can be tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. Known heating devices heat by inserting a pin or needle-shaped heater into the tobacco or other non-tobacco products; the applicant proposed in Chinese Patent CN116268569A a heater structure including a pin-shaped housing and a heating coil inside the housing; wherein, both ends of the heating coil are welded with conductive leads for power supply, and a tubular support element is arranged inside the heating coil to support the heating coil. In the assembly of the heating coil and the housing, the heating coil is vulnerable to extrusion deformation and cannot be accurately longitudinally positioned inside the housing. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] An embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol generating device configured to heat an aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol; including: a heater for inserting into the aerosol generating article for heating; the heater includes:

[0005] a housing including a free front end and a terminal end facing away from each other in the length direction, and a cavity extending between the free front end and the terminal end;

[0006] a heating element assembled in the cavity and extending longitudinally along the cavity;

[0007] a positioning element located in the cavity and configured to provide positioning when the heating element is assembled in the cavity so as to hold the heating element at a predetermined position in the cavity.

[0008] In some embodiments, the housing generates heat by receiving the heat of the heating element and then heats the aerosol generating article.

[0009] In some embodiments, the heating element is a helical heating coil.

[0010] In some embodiments, the cavity has an opening at the terminal end; the heating element is assembled into the cavity via the opening.

[0011] In some embodiments, the heating element abuts longitudinally against the positioning element.

[0012] In some embodiments, the positioning element is located between the heating element and the free front end.

[0013] In some embodiments, when the heating element is at the predetermined position, it is 1 to 3.5 mm away from the free front end.

[0014] In some embodiments, the positioning element is configured to be spherical.

[0015] In some embodiments, the ratio of the diameter of the positioning element to the maximum inner diameter of the cavity is between 0.15 and 0.97;

[0016] Alternatively, the ratio of the diameter of the positioning element to the maximum inner diameter of the cavity is between 0.5 and 0.8;

[0017] Alternatively, the diameter of the spherical positioning element is between 0.8 and 1.5 mm.

[0018] In some embodiments, the positioning element is electrically insulating;

[0019] and / or, the positioning element is rigid;

[0020] and / or, the positioning element is dense;

[0021] and / or, the positioning element is solid.

[0022] In some embodiments, the cavity has a tapered section with a decreasing inner diameter near the free front end; the positioning element is substantially received or held in the tapered section with the decreasing inner diameter.

[0023] In some embodiments, the housing includes:

[0024] a substrate, and a protective coating formed on or covering the outer surface of the substrate;

[0025] The outer surface of the substrate is a rough surface and has a surface roughness of 0.2 to 3.0 μm.

[0026] In some embodiments, the ratio of the thickness of the protective coating to the surface roughness of the outer surface of the substrate is greater than 2:1.

[0027] In some embodiments, the heating element is configured to be a helical heating coil extending longitudinally along the cavity, and has a first end near the free front end and a second end near the terminal end;

[0028] The heating coil has an abutting portion at the first end thereof, and longitudinally abuts against the positioning element by the abutting portion.

[0029] In some embodiments, the abutting portion is formed or defined by bending the wire material of the heating coil inward.

[0030] In some embodiments, the heater further comprises:

[0031] A support element, at least partially positioned inside the heating coil, and configured to provide support to the heating coil from inside the heating coil; the support element longitudinally abuts against the abutting portion.

[0032] In some embodiments, the heater further comprises:

[0033] A support element, at least partially positioned inside the heating element, and configured to provide support to the heating element from inside the heating element;

[0034] At least one end or both ends of the support element are smooth arc surfaces or chamfered.

[0035] In some embodiments, the heating element has a first end near the free front end and a second end near the end;

[0036] The heater further comprises:

[0037] A first conductive pin and a second conductive pin for guiding current on the heating element; the first conductive pin is connected to the first end of the heating element and at least partially extends outside the end and passes through the support element; the second conductive pin is connected to the second end of the heating element and at least partially extends outside the end.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first end of the heating element and / or the abutting portion are non - contacting with the housing.

[0039] In some embodiments, the heater further comprises:

[0040] A flange, at least partially surrounding the housing, and arranged to provide structural support to the housing to hold the housing in the aerosol - generating device; at least one notch is arranged on the flange.

[0041] Another embodiment of the present application further provides an aerosol - generating device configured to heat an aerosol - generating article to generate an aerosol; comprising: a heater for inserting into the aerosol - generating article for heating; the heater comprises:

[0042] A housing, comprising a free front end and a terminal end that are opposite to each other in the length direction, and a cavity extending between the free front end and the terminal end; the cavity has an opening at the terminal end;

[0043] A heating element, assembled in the cavity and extending longitudinally along the cavity;

[0044] A support element, at least partially positioned inside the heating element and configured to provide support to the heating element from the inside of the heating element;

[0045] A positioning element, located in the cavity and configured to provide positioning when the support element is assembled in the cavity through the opening.

[0046] Another embodiment of the present application further provides an aerosol generating device configured to heat an aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol; comprising: a heater for inserting into the aerosol generating article for heating; the heater includes:

[0047] A housing, comprising a free front end and a terminal end that are opposite to each other in the length direction, and a cavity extending between the free front end and the terminal end;

[0048] A heating element, assembled in the cavity and extending longitudinally along the cavity;

[0049] A positioning element, located in the cavity;

[0050] The positioning element is located between the heating element and the free front end, and the heating element abuts longitudinally against the positioning element.

[0051] Another embodiment of the present application further provides a heater for an aerosol generating device, comprising:

[0052] A housing, constructed in the shape of a pin or a needle, and comprising a free front end and a terminal end that are opposite to each other in the length direction, and a cavity extending between the free front end and the terminal end;

[0053] A heating element, assembled in the cavity and extending longitudinally along the cavity;

[0054] A positioning element, located in the cavity;

[0055] The positioning element is located between the heating element and the free front end, and the heating element abuts longitudinally against the positioning element.

[0056] Another embodiment of the present application further provides a method for manufacturing a heater for an aerosol generating device, the manufacturing method comprising:

[0057] Obtain a housing, a positioning element, and a heating element; the housing includes a free front end and a terminal end that are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction, and a cavity that extends between the free front end and the terminal end, and the cavity has an opening at the terminal end;

[0058] Assemble the positioning element from the opening into the cavity;

[0059] Assemble the heating element from the opening into the cavity, and longitudinally abut the heating element against the positioning element to hold the heating element at a predetermined position within the cavity.

[0060] In some embodiments, the heating element is configured as a helical heating coil that extends longitudinally along the cavity and includes a first end and a second end that face away from each other. The heating coil has an abutting portion at the first end, and the abutting portion is formed or defined by bending the wire material of the heating coil inward.

[0061] In some embodiments, before assembling the heating element from the opening into the cavity, it further includes:

[0062] Form an insulating layer on the surface of the heating element to provide insulation. In some embodiments, the insulating layer includes glass glaze or ceramic film, etc.

[0063] In some embodiments, before assembling the heating element from the opening into the cavity, it further includes:

[0064] Obtain a support element, and insert the support element from the second end of the heating element into the heating element to provide support for the heating element from the inside of the heating element.

[0065] In some embodiments, the support element longitudinally abuts against the abutting portion.

[0066] In some embodiments, before assembling the heating element from the opening into the cavity, it further includes:

[0067] Obtain a first conductive pin and a second conductive pin;

[0068] Insert the first conductive pin from the second end of the heating element through the support element to the first end of the heating element, and connect the first conductive pin to the first end of the heating element;

[0069] Connect the second conductive pin to the second end of the heating element.

[0070] In some embodiments, before assembling the heating element from the opening into the cavity, it further includes:

[0071] Inject the precursor slurry for forming the heat storage medium or heat conduction medium into the cavity through the opening.

[0072] In some embodiments, the heat storage medium or heat conduction medium is, for example, ceramic or glass glaze, or inorganic glass glue.

[0073] In some embodiments, the preparation method further includes:

[0074] Bake or sinter the precursor slurry to cure the precursor slurry to form the heat storage medium or heat conduction medium.

[0075] For the above aerosol generating device, it is advantageous for the preparation of the heater to provide the positioning of the heating element in the housing through the positioning element in the heater. Description of the Drawings

[0076] One or more embodiments are exemplarily illustrated by the pictures in the corresponding drawings. These exemplary illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are represented as similar elements, unless otherwise stated, and the drawings in the drawings do not constitute a proportional limitation.

[0077] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device provided by an embodiment;

[0078] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic structural diagram of a perspective of the heater in;

[0079] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a perspective of the heater in;

[0080] Figure 4 is Figure 2 a schematic exploded diagram of a cross-sectional perspective of the heater in;

[0081] Figure 5 is Figure 3 a schematic diagram of arranging conductive pins at both ends of the heating coil in;

[0082] Figure 6 is is Figure 3 a schematic structural diagram of another perspective of the support element in;

[0083] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the support element and the heating coil in the preparation of the heater of an embodiment;

[0084] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of successively assembling the conductive pins and the insulating tube with the heating coil in the preparation of the heater of an embodiment;

[0085] Figure 9Schematic diagram of successively assembling a flange and a positioning element to a housing in the preparation of a heater according to an embodiment;

[0086] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of injecting a slurry for forming a heat storage medium or a heat conducting medium into the cavity of the housing through an injection device in the preparation of a heater according to an embodiment;

[0087] Figure 11 Schematic diagram of assembling a heating module including a heating coil into the cavity of the housing in the preparation of a heater according to an embodiment. Detailed implementation manners

[0088] For ease of understanding the present application, the present application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementation manners.

[0089] An embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol generating device, the structure of which can be seen Figure 1 as shown, and includes:

[0090] A chamber having an opening 40; in use, an aerosol generating article 1000 can be removably received into the chamber through the opening 40 of the chamber;

[0091] A heater 30 extending at least partially within the chamber, which is inserted into the aerosol generating article 1000 for heating when the aerosol generating article 1000 is received in the chamber, so that the aerosol generating article 1000 releases a variety of volatile compounds, and these volatile compounds are formed only through heat treatment;

[0092] A battery cell 10 for supplying power;

[0093] A circuit 20 for guiding current between the battery cell 10 and the heater 30.

[0094] In a preferred embodiment, the DC supply voltage provided by the battery cell 10 is in the range of about 2.5V to about 9.0V, and the amperage of the DC current that the battery cell 10 can provide is in the range of about 2.5A to about 20A.

[0095] In a preferred embodiment, the heater 30 is generally in the shape of a pin or a needle or a rod or a bar or a column or a sheet or a plate, which is advantageous for insertion into the aerosol generating article 1000. In some embodiments, the heater 30 may have a length of about 10 - 18 millimeters and an outer diameter dimension of about 2 - 4 millimeters.

[0096] In some alternative embodiments, the aerosol-generating article 1000 preferably employs a tobacco-containing material that releases volatile compounds from the matrix upon heating; or alternatively, it may be a non-tobacco material that is suitable for electrically heated smoking after heating. The aerosol-generating article 1000 preferably employs a solid matrix, which may include one or more of powder, granules, fragments, strips, bands, or flakes of vanilla leaves, tobacco leaves, homogenized tobacco, expanded tobacco, etc.; or the solid matrix may contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds to be released when the matrix is heated.

[0097] In some embodiments, the heater 30 generally may include a resistive heating element and an auxiliary substrate for assisting in the preparation of fixing the resistive heating element, etc. For example, in some embodiments, the resistive heating element is in the shape or form of a helical coil. Or in still other embodiments, the resistive heating element is in the form of a conductive trace bonded to a carrier. Or in still other embodiments, the resistive heating element is in the shape of a sheet.

[0098] Or in still other variant embodiments, the heater 30 is an electromagnetic induction heater that can be penetrated by a changing magnetic field to generate heat. Or in still other variant embodiments, the heater 30 is an infrared heater that heats the aerosol-generating article 1000 to generate an aerosol by radiating infrared rays to the aerosol-generating article 1000.

[0099] Figures 2 to 6 A schematic diagram of a heater 30 of an embodiment is shown; the heater 30 of this embodiment includes a free front end 311 and a terminal end 312 that are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction; wherein the free front end 311 is configured as a conical tip and has a conical portion 314 with a decreasing outer diameter at the free front end 311 for insertion into the aerosol-generating article 1000. In Figures 2 to 6 As shown, the heater 30 includes:

[0100] A housing 31 that defines at least a part of the outer surface of the heater 30. In Figures 2 to 6 As shown, the housing 31 is configured in the outer shape of a pin or a needle or a column or a rod. In Figures 2 to 6 As shown, the two opposite ends of the housing 31 in the longitudinal direction respectively define the free front end 311 and the terminal end 312 of the heater 30; and a cavity 313 extending between the free front end 311 and the terminal end 312 is formed or arranged inside the housing 31. Among them, the cavity 313 forms an opening or an aperture at the terminal end 312 to facilitate the assembly of various functional components inside it.

[0101] In some embodiments, the housing 31 is thermally conductive. The housing 31 is prepared from a thermally conductive material; for example, the housing 31 can be prepared from ceramics such as alumina ceramics, zirconia ceramics, or glass, or can be prepared from metals or alloys such as ferroaluminum alloys, stainless steels, and the like. In some alternative embodiments, the housing 31 comprises a metal or alloy having a thermal conductivity greater than at least 20 W / m·K, such as stainless steel or aluminum alloy.

[0102] In some embodiments, a protective coating is also formed on the surface of the housing 31 by means such as spraying or deposition. The protective coating is used to form a protection on the surface of the housing 31 to prevent or reduce the adhesion of residues or aerosol condensate from the aerosol-generating article 1000 on the surface of the housing 31. In some specific embodiments, the protective coating may include a glass glaze layer, a ceramic film, and the like. In some embodiments, the housing 31 comprises a substrate in the form of a pin, needle, or sheet, and a protective coating formed on the outer surface of the substrate. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the substrate is a rough surface obtained by surface roughening treatment, which is beneficial for enhancing the bonding of the protective coating.

[0103] In some embodiments, the protective coating is more corrosion-resistant than the substrate. For example, the substrate is prepared from a metal or alloy; the protective coating is a glass glaze, a ceramic film, and the like.

[0104] In some alternative embodiments, the outer surface of the substrate is formed with a rough surface having surface roughness by surface treatments such as sandblasting, chemical etching, laser etching, etc. In some alternative embodiments, the surface roughness Ra of the outer surface of the substrate ranges from 0.2 to 3.0 μm. In some more preferred embodiments, the surface roughness Ra of the outer surface of the substrate ranges from 0.6 to 1.2 μm. In a specific embodiment, the surface roughness Ra of the outer surface of the substrate is about 0.8 μm.

[0105] Among them, "surface roughness" is a term in the machining field, which refers to the unevenness of the machining surface with smaller spacing and minute peaks and valleys. In actual regulations and applications, surface roughness has multiple characterization parameters. For example, the national standard GB / T 1031-2009 "Surface texture: Profile method - Surface roughness parameters and their values" details and describes the terms and evaluation parameter standards related to surface roughness; among them, the characterization parameters of surface roughness include height characteristic parameters, spacing characteristic parameters, and shape characteristic parameters, all of which can be used to measure surface roughness. The above "Ra, i.e., the arithmetic mean deviation of the profile" is one of the height characteristic parameters of surface roughness; in the national standard GB / T 1031-2009 "Surface texture: Profile method - Surface roughness parameters and their values", it is detected and calculated by the arithmetic mean of the absolute values of the profile offsets within the sampling length lr.

[0106] In some embodiments, the thickness of the protective coating is greater than the surface roughness Ra of the outer surface of the substrate. In more preferred embodiments, the ratio of the thickness of the protective coating to the surface roughness Ra of the outer surface of the substrate is greater than 2:1; more preferably, the ratio is greater than 5:1; or more preferably, the ratio is greater than 10:1. In some embodiments, the thickness of the protective coating is approximately between 10 and 50 μm; in some alternative embodiments, the thickness of the protective coating is approximately between 20 and 30 μm. This is beneficial for the protective coating to have good bonding strength on the outer surface of the substrate without peeling off.

[0107] In some embodiments, the outer shell 31 has an outer diameter of approximately 2.0 - 3.2 mm and a wall thickness of approximately 0.1 - 0.3 mm; then the inner diameter of the cavity 313 of the outer shell 31 is approximately 1.5 - 2.5 mm and the length of the cavity 313 is approximately 12 - 15 mm.

[0108] In Figures 2 to 6 the illustrated embodiment, the side of the cavity 313 close to or facing the free front end 311 is closed; and, the cavity 313 is open on the side of the end 312. In Figures 2 to 6 the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 313 has a tapered section 3131 with a decreasing inner diameter close to the free front end 311. Thus, a partial section of the cavity 313 close to the free front end 311 is in a tapered shape with a gradually decreasing inner diameter. In some embodiments, the length of the tapered section 3131 with a decreasing inner diameter in the longitudinal direction of the outer shell 31 is approximately 0.5 - 3.0 mm.

[0109] According to Figures 2 to 6 as shown, the heater 30 further includes:

[0110] A heating coil 32, such as a spiral solenoid coil, is located in the cavity 313 of the outer shell 31. In some embodiments, the heating coil 32 has approximately 4 - 12 windings or turns. In some embodiments, the heating coil 32 has an extended length of 8 - 12 mm. In some embodiments, the heating coil 32 has an outer diameter of 1.2 - 2 mm and an inner diameter of 0.6 - 1.6 mm.

[0111] According to Figures 2 to 6 as shown, the heater 30 further includes:

[0112] The first conductive pin 321 and the second conductive pin 322 are used to conduct current, such as direct current or alternating current, through the heating coil 32 to cause the heating coil 32 to generate heat for heating. The first conductive pin 321 and the second conductive pin 322 are respectively connected to two ends of the heating coil 32; specifically, the first conductive pin 321 is connected to the first end of the heating coil 32 near the free front end 311 by welding or the like, and the second conductive pin 322 is connected to the second end of the heating coil 32 near the end 312 by welding or the like. Also, the first conductive pin 321 and the second conductive pin 322 at least partially extend from within the cavity 313 to outside the end 312, which is beneficial for connection to the circuit 20. Also, the first conductive pin 321 is connected to the upper end of the heating coil 32 by welding or the like and penetrates through the heating coil 32 to outside the end 312; the second conductive pin 322 is directly connected to the lower end of the heating coil 32 by welding or the like. The first conductive pin 321 and the second conductive pin 322 have a diameter of approximately 0.1 - 0.5 mm. Or in some specific embodiments, the first conductive pin 321 and the second conductive pin 322 have a diameter of 0.3 mm. The first conductive pin 321 extends longitudinally through the heating coil 32.

[0113] In an embodiment, a heating portion for insertion into the aerosol - generating article 1000 for heating is constituted by the housing 31 and the heating coil 32 held within the housing 31. Then in some embodiments, the heating coil 32 is used to generate resistive Joule heat, and the housing 31 is heated by receiving the heat of the heating coil 32 and in turn heats the aerosol - generating article 1000. Or, the heating coil 32 is used to generate a changing magnetic field when an alternating current flows through; the housing 31 is made of a susceptive metal or alloy, and the housing 31 can be penetrated by the changing magnetic field to generate heat so as to heat the aerosol - generating article 1000. Or in yet some variant embodiments, a heating portion for insertion into the aerosol - generating article 1000 for heating is defined by a rod - shaped heating member; for example, the heating member may further include: a rod - shaped electrical insulator carrier such as ceramic, polymer, etc., and a resistive heating track formed or bonded to the electrical insulator carrier.

[0114] In an optional embodiment, the heating coil 32 is made of a metal material, a metal alloy, graphite, carbon, a conductive ceramic, or a composite material of other ceramic materials and metal materials having appropriate impedance. Among them, appropriate metal or alloy materials include at least one of nickel, cobalt, zirconium, titanium, nickel alloy, cobalt alloy, zirconium alloy, titanium alloy, nickel-chromium alloy, nickel-iron alloy, iron-chromium alloy, iron-chromium-aluminum alloy, iron-manganese-aluminum-based alloy, or stainless steel, etc. Of course, after assembly, the heating coil 32 and the inner wall of the cavity 313 of the outer shell 31 are insulated from each other. And in use, the outer shell 31 heats the aerosol generating article 1000 by receiving or transferring the heat of the heating coil 32. In some embodiments, an insulating layer is formed on the surface of the heating coil 32 by dip coating, spraying, deposition, or surface oxidation, etc., for providing insulation between the heating coil 32 and the inner wall of the cavity 313 of the outer shell 31. The insulating layer is, for example, a glass glaze layer, a ceramic film layer, etc.

[0115] In some embodiments, the first conductive pin 321 and / or the second conductive pin 322 have a diameter of approximately 0.1 - 0.5 mm; and the first conductive pin 321 and / or the second conductive pin 322 have a length of approximately 20 - 40 mm. And the first conductive pin 321 and / or the second conductive pin 322 are made of a metal or alloy with low resistivity, such as gold, silver, copper, or an alloy containing them; or in some other embodiments, the first conductive pin 321 and / or the second conductive pin 322 are made of a copper wire or copper line with a coating on the surface, such as a nickel layer. Or in some other embodiments, the first conductive pin 321 and / or the second conductive pin 322 can also be sprayed or coated with an insulating layer, such as a ceramic layer, a glaze layer, an organic layer, etc., which is beneficial for insulation.

[0116] For example, in some embodiments, an insulating tube 381 is sleeved outside the first conductive pin 321 and / or the second conductive pin 322, which is beneficial for providing insulation. In some embodiments, the insulating tube 381 is made of an organic polymer material; the organic polymer material such as Teflon, polyimide, etc.

[0117] In the embodiment, the heating coil 32 is not in contact with the aerosol generating article 1000.

[0118] According to Figures 2 to 6 In the shown embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the wire material of the heating coil 32 is different from the conventional circular shape. According to Figures 2 to 6In the illustrated embodiment, the cross-section of the wire material of the heating coil 32 has a dimension extending axially that is greater than the dimension extending radially perpendicular to the axial direction, such that the cross-section of the wire material of the heating coil 32 is in a flattened rectangular shape. Simply put, compared with a conventional helical heating coil formed of a wire with a circular cross-section, the form of the wire material of the heating coil 32 as described above is completely or at least flattened. Therefore, the wire material extends to a lesser extent in the radial direction. By this measure, energy loss in the heating coil 32 can be reduced. In particular, heat generated by the heating coil 32 can be promoted to transfer radially towards the housing 31.

[0119] Or in some further variant embodiments, the wire material of the heating coil 32 can be in a shape with a circular cross-section.

[0120] See Figures 2 to 6 As shown, the heater 30 further includes:

[0121] A flange 34, at least partially surrounding or coupled to the housing 31. The flange 34 is arranged close to the end 312, and the aerosol generating device stabilizes the installation and fixation of the heater 30 within the device by clamping or holding the flange 34. Also, the flange 34 is substantially clear of the heating coil 32; in some embodiments, there is at least a 2 mm spacing between the flange 34 and the heating coil 32. Alternatively, the flange 34 is substantially located between the heating coil 32 and the end 312. Or in some further embodiments, the flange 34 is closer to the end 312 than the heating coil 32. The flange 34 can include materials such as ceramics, PEEK, alloys, etc.

[0122] In Figures 2 to 6 the illustrated embodiment, the flange 34 is arranged in a sheet shape. The sheet-shaped flange 34 has a thickness of approximately 0.1 - 1.2 mm. In some embodiments, the flange 34 is made of metal or an alloy. In some embodiments, the flange 34 can be firmly connected to the housing 31 by welding, riveting, press-fitting, etc. Also, the flange 34 is non-detachable from the housing 31.

[0123] In Figures 2 to 6 the illustrated embodiment, the flange 34 is configured in an annular shape. At least one notch 341 is arranged on the flange 34. The notch 341 can be used to provide angle alignment or positioning for the assembly of the flange 34 and the housing 31 by equipment or production personnel.

[0124] See Figures 2 to 6 As shown, the heater 30 further includes:

[0125] The support element 33 is configured to extend along the length of the heater 30 within the heating coil 32; the support element 33 is configured to be tubular; the support element 33 is made of an insulating material such as ceramics, glass, etc.; the heating coil 32 surrounds and is bonded to the support element 33, and the support element 33 provides support for the heating coil 32 within the heating coil 32.

[0126] See Figures 2 to 6 As shown, the support element 33 has a through hole 333 extending longitudinally therethrough; the through hole 333 extends from the upper end 331 to the lower end 332 of the support element 33. After assembly, the first conductive pin 321 penetrates or passes through the through hole 333 of the support element 33; the first conductive pin 321 extends from the first end of the heating coil 32, passes through the through hole 333 of the support element 33, and then extends outside the end 312.

[0127] In some embodiments, the support element 33 arranges separate and spaced through holes 333 to limit the first conductive pin 321 within the support element 33, so as to separate the first conductive pin 321 from the second conductive pin 322 / heating coil 32 and prevent them from contacting and short - circuiting.

[0128] In some embodiments, the support element 33 has a length of approximately 10 - 12 mm. According to Figures 2 to 6 In the shown embodiment, the length of the support element 33 is slightly less than the length of the heating coil 32. Also, the length of the support element 33 is less than the length of the cavity 313 of the outer shell 31; as Figure 2 shown, after assembly, the support element 33 located within the outer shell 31 has a spacing from the end 312 of the outer shell 31. In some embodiments, the spacing between the lower end 332 of the support element 33 and the end 312 is greater than 2 mm. In some embodiments, the through hole 333 of the support element 33 has a diameter of approximately 0.5 mm.

[0129] See Figures 2 to 6 As shown, the wire material of the heating coil 32 has an abutting portion 3210 formed by bending inward at the first end. The abutting portion 3210 bends inward into the heating coil 32. In some embodiments, the abutting portion 3210 bends inward flatly; or, the abutting portion 3210 bends in an arc. During assembly, the support element 33 extends into the heating coil 32 from the second end of the heating coil 32 and longitudinally abuts against the abutting portion 3210 to form a stop. According to Figures 2 to 6 As shown in, the upper end 331 of the support element 33 longitudinally abuts against the abutting portion 3210.

[0130] See Figures 2 to 6 As shown, the upper end 331 and / or the lower end 332 of the support element 33 are cut or polished to form a smooth curved surface or arc surface. In Figures 2 to 6In [description], the support element 33 has a first chamfered portion 334 at the upper end 331; the first chamfered portion 334 enables an arc-shaped / smooth transition between the upper end 331 of the support element 33 and the outer surface. In Figures 2 to 6 In [description], the support element 33 has a second chamfered portion 335 at the lower end 332; the second chamfered portion 335 enables an arc-shaped / smooth transition between the lower end 331 of the support element 33 and the outer surface. The support element 33 having the first chamfered portion 334 and / or the second chamfered portion 335 is beneficial for inserting the support element 33 into the heating coil 32 during assembly.

[0131] Refer to Figures 2 to 6 As shown, the heater 30 further includes:

[0132] A positioning element 35, located in the cavity 313 of the housing 31. More preferably, the positioning element 35 is located in the tapered section 3131 with a reduced inner diameter. After assembly, the positioning element 35 is disposed between the first end of the heating coil 32 and the housing 31. The first end of the heating coil 32 abuts longitudinally against the positioning element 35. During assembly, when the heating coil 32 extends into the cavity 313 from the end 312, it provides a stop by abutting against the positioning element 35, thereby keeping the heating coil 32 longitudinally in a predetermined position within the cavity 313. Or more specifically, the abutting portion 3210 of the heating coil 32 abuts between the positioning element 35 and the support element 33.

[0133] In some embodiments, when the heating coil 32 is in the predetermined position, it has a distance of 1 to 3.5 mm from the free front end 3111. Alternatively, the predetermined position characterizes that the distance between the heating coil 32 and the free front end 311 meets the position of the heating temperature field of the heater 30 during use.

[0134] In some embodiments, the positioning element 35 is electrically insulating.

[0135] In some embodiments, the positioning element 35 is rigid.

[0136] In some embodiments, the positioning element 35 is made of materials such as glass or ceramic. For example, the positioning element 35 is made of glass or ceramic materials such as alumina, zirconia, silica, carbide, nitride, etc.

[0137] In some embodiments, the positioning element 35 is dense. Or in some other embodiments, the positioning element 35 is porous or foamed.

[0138] In some embodiments, the positioning element 35 is solid. Or in some other embodiments, the positioning element 35 is hollow, such as a hollow sphere.

[0139] In some embodiments, the positioning element 35 is configured to be spherical. In some embodiments, the ratio of the diameter of the positioning element 35 to the maximum inner diameter of the cavity 313 ranges from 0.15 to 0.97. In more preferred embodiments, the ratio of the diameter of the positioning element 35 to the maximum inner diameter of the cavity 313 ranges from 0.5 to 0.8. In more specific embodiments, the ratio of the diameter of the positioning element 35 to the maximum inner diameter of the cavity 313 is 0.6.

[0140] In some embodiments, the diameter of the spherical positioning element 35 ranges from 0.8 to 1.5 mm.

[0141] In some embodiments, the positioning element 35 is spherical. In still other embodiments, the positioning element 35 is ellipsoidal, rod-shaped spherical, or olive-shaped, etc. Or in more embodiments, the positioning element 35 is configured to be cubic. Or in more embodiments, the positioning element 35 is configured to be a polyhedral sphere, such as a regular pentagonal polyhedral sphere, a regular octahedron, a regular dodecahedron, etc. Or, the positioning element 35 is configured to be a regular polyhedron.

[0142] Or in still other variant embodiments, the positioning element 35 is conical. The conical positioning element 35 is more advantageous for adapting to the conical section 3131 with a decreasing inner diameter.

[0143] Or in still other variant embodiments, the heating coil 32 is supported by the support element 33; and the support element 33 longitudinally abuts against the positioning element 35 to provide stopping and / or assembly positioning.

[0144] See Figures 2 to 6 As shown, a heat storage medium or a heat conducting medium 36 is further arranged in the cavity 313 of the outer shell 31:

[0145] The heat storage medium or the heat conducting medium 36 is at least partially filled or arranged between the heating coil 32 and the inner surface of the outer shell 31. The heat storage medium or the heat conducting medium 36 is used to eliminate the gap between the heating coil 32 and the inner surface of the outer shell 31, etc., so as to improve the heat conduction between them. Or, the heat storage medium or the heat conducting medium 36 at least partially provides heat conduction between the heating coil 32 and the outer shell 31. Or, the heat storage medium or the heat conducting medium 36 at least partially provides heat storage within the outer shell 31.

[0146] In some embodiments, the heat storage medium or heat conduction medium 36 includes heat-conductive ceramics or glass glaze, etc. In some embodiments, the heat storage medium or heat conduction medium 36 is formed by sintering or curing a slurry injected into the cavity 313. For example, in some specific embodiments, the heat storage medium or heat conduction medium 36 is formed by sintering or curing a glass glaze slurry or a ceramic slurry injected into the cavity 313. For example, in some specific embodiments, the glass glaze slurry or the ceramic slurry may include a slurry formed by mixing at least one of glass powder, barium oxide powder, silica powder, boron oxide powder, alumina powder, magnesia powder, etc. with an organic solvent, etc.

[0147] In some embodiments, the thermal conductivity of the material of the heat storage medium or heat conduction medium 36 is between 1 and 25 W / m·K. For example, the thermal conductivity of glass glaze is about 1 W / m·K, and the thermal conductivity of alumina ceramics is about 20 W / m·K. In some specific embodiments, the starting melting point of the material of the heat storage medium or heat conduction medium 36 is not lower than 500 °C. In some specific embodiments, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the heat storage medium or heat conduction medium 36 is not lower than 8 ppm / °C, preferably 10 - 13 ppm / °C.

[0148] In some specific implementations, the heat storage medium or heat conduction medium 36 may include inorganic glass glue such as sodium silicate sol, aluminum silicate sol, etc. After injecting inorganic glass glue such as sodium silicate sol, aluminum silicate sol, etc. into the cavity 313 by means of gluing, it is cured to form the heat storage medium or heat conduction medium 36.

[0149] Figures 7 to 11 Shows the mass production process of the heater 30 in one embodiment. In the embodiment, the production process includes:

[0150] S10, as Figure 7 shown, obtain the heating coil 32 and the support element 33, insert the support element 33 into the heating coil 32 from the second end of the heating coil 32, and make the support element 33 longitudinally abut against the abutting portion 3210 at the first end of the heating coil 32.

[0151] S20, as Figure 8 shown, obtain the first conductive pin 321 and the second conductive pin 322; pass the first conductive pin 321 through the through hole 333 of the support element 33, and then weld / electrically connect it to the first end / abutting portion 3210 of the heating coil 32; weld / electrically connect the second conductive pin 322 to the second end of the heating coil 32.

[0152] S30, as Figure 8 shown, obtain the insulating tube 381, and wrap the insulating tube 381 outside the first conductive pin 321 and the second conductive pin 322 for providing insulation.

[0153] S40. Form an insulating layer on the surface of the heating coil 32. For example, immerse the heating coil 32 in a precursor slurry of glass glaze by dip coating, and then bake and / or sinter it, so that the precursor slurry of the glaze glass glaze is uniformly coated and cured on the surface of the heating coil 32, thereby forming an insulating layer. Or, for another example, spray a ceramic slurry on the outside of the heating coil 32 by plasma spraying, and then bake and / or sinter it so that the ceramic slurry is uniformly coated and cured on the surface of the heating coil 32 to form an insulating layer, thus obtaining the heating module.

[0154] S50, as Figure 9 shown in, obtain the housing 31 and the flange 34; combine the flange 34 with the housing 31 via the end 312 of the housing 31, and connect and fasten the housing 31 and the flange 34 by laser welding or the like.

[0155] S60, as Figure 9 shown in, obtain the positioning element 35 and place the positioning element 35 into the cavity 313 from the end 312 of the housing 31, and make it abut against the tapered section 3131 with a reduced inner diameter.

[0156] S70, as Figure 10 shown in, inject the precursor slurry 36a of glass glaze or ceramic forming the heat storage medium or the heat conduction medium 36 into the cavity 313 from the end 312 of the housing 31 through the injection device 400.

[0157] S80, as Figure 11 shown in, Figure 7 Place the heating module including the heating coil 32 shown in into the cavity 313 from the end 312 of the housing 31, and make the abutting portion 3210 of the heating coil 32 abut against the positioning element 35 to form a stop, thereby providing positioning.

[0158] S90. Bake or sinter the precursor slurry 36a to cure the precursor slurry 36a to form the heat storage medium or the heat conduction medium 36, thus obtaining the heater 30.

[0159] It should be noted that the description and drawings of the present application give 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 according to the above description, and all such improvements and transformations should fall within the protection scope of the claims attached to the present application.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device configured to heat an aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol; characterized in that, Comprising: A heater for insertion into an aerosol-generating article for heating; the heater comprising: A housing including a free front end and a distal end facing away from each other in a longitudinal direction, and a cavity extending between the free front end and the distal end; A heating element assembled within the cavity and extending longitudinally along the cavity; A positioning element located within the cavity and configured to provide positioning for the heating element when the heating element is assembled within the cavity, thereby holding the heating element in a predetermined position within the cavity.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating element abuts longitudinally against the positioning element.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The positioning element is located between the heating element and the free front end; when in the predetermined position, the heating element is at a distance of 1 to 3.5 mm from the free front end.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The positioning element is configured to be spherical.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4, wherein, The ratio of the diameter of the positioning element to the maximum inner diameter of the cavity is between 0.15 and 0.97; alternatively, the ratio of the diameter of the positioning element to the maximum inner diameter of the cavity is between 0.5 and 0.8; alternatively, the diameter of the spherical positioning element is between 0.8 and 1.5 mm.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The positioning element is electrically insulating; and / or, the positioning element is rigid; and / or, the positioning element is dense; and / or, the positioning element is solid.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The cavity has a tapered section with a reduced inner diameter near the free front end; the positioning element is substantially received or held within the tapered section with the reduced inner diameter.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The housing includes: a substrate, and a protective coating formed on or covering the outer surface of the substrate; The outer surface of the substrate is a rough surface and has a surface roughness of 0.2 to 3.0 μm.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 8, wherein, The ratio of the thickness of the protective coating to the surface roughness of the outer surface of the substrate is greater than 2:

1.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The heating element is configured to be a helical heating coil extending longitudinally along the cavity, and having a first end near the free front end and a second end near the distal end; The heating coil has an abutting portion at the first end, and the heating coil abuts longitudinally against the positioning element by the abutting portion.

11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, wherein, The abutting portion is formed or defined by bending the wire material of the heating coil inward.

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, wherein, The heater further includes: a support element at least partially positioned inside the heating coil and configured to provide support for the heating coil from inside the heating coil; the support element abuts longitudinally against the abutting portion.

13. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The heater further includes: A support element at least partially positioned inside the heating element and configured to provide support for the heating element from inside the heating element; At least one end or both ends of the support element are smooth arc surfaces or chamfered.

14. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first end of the heating element and / or the abutting portion are / is non-contact with the housing.

15. An aerosol generating device configured to heat an aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol; characterized in that, Comprising: A heater for insertion into an aerosol-generating article for heating; the heater comprising: A housing including a free front end and a distal end facing away from each other in a longitudinal direction, and a cavity extending between the free front end and the distal end; the cavity has an opening at the distal end; A heating element assembled within the cavity and extending longitudinally along the cavity; A support element, at least partially positioned inside the heating element and configured to provide support to the heating element from inside the heating element; A positioning element, located inside the cavity and configured to provide positioning when the support element is assembled into the cavity via the opening.

16. An aerosol generating device configured to heat an aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol; characterized in that, Comprising: A heater for insertion into an aerosol-generating article for heating; the heater comprises: A housing including a free front end and a distal end facing away from each other in a longitudinal direction, and a cavity extending between the free front end and the distal end; A heating element assembled in the cavity and extending longitudinally along the cavity; A positioning element located inside the cavity; The positioning element is located between the heating element and the free front end, and the heating element abuts longitudinally against the positioning element.

17. A heater for an aerosol generating device, characterized in that, Comprising: A housing constructed in the form of a pin or a needle and including a free front end and a distal end facing away from each other in a longitudinal direction, and a cavity extending between the free front end and the distal end; A heating element assembled in the cavity and extending longitudinally along the cavity; A positioning element located inside the cavity; The positioning element is located between the heating element and the free front end, and the heating element abuts longitudinally against the positioning element.

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