Aerosol-generating device

Abstract

The present application discloses an aerosol-generating device comprising: a chamber for removably receiving at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article; a heating element for heating the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol; the light source is used for providing light information for the cavity; the first sensing element is used for sensing the change of light information in the cavity and generating a first sensing signal when an insert exists in the cavity; and the controller is electrically connected with the first sensing element, and the controller is configured to control the heating element to start heating based on the first sensing signal. By means of the mode, the aerosol generating product can be recognized, the heating element is controlled to start heating, and therefore the self-starting function of the aerosol generating device is achieved.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of aerosol technology, and in particular to an aerosol generating device. [Background Technology]

[0002] Traditional tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, etc.) burn tobacco to produce tobacco smoke during use. Products that release compounds through heating without combustion are already available in the prior art as an alternative to these traditional tobacco products. Examples of such products are aerosol-generating devices, which typically include a heating element and a receiving chamber. The receiving chamber is used to accommodate an aerosol-generating product used in conjunction with the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating product can be a solid tobacco or non-tobacco filler, such as a cigarette. When the aerosol-generating product is received in the receiving chamber, the heating element heats the aerosol-generating product, causing at least a portion of the active substance in the aerosol-generating product to volatilize and generate an aerosol. [Utility Model Content]

[0003] The present application provides an aerosol generating device for identifying an aerosol generating product, thereby enabling the aerosol generating device to automatically start heating.

[0004] At least one embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol generating device, comprising:

[0005] a chamber for removably receiving at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article;

[0006] a heating element for heating the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol;

[0007] a light source, for providing light information to the chamber;

[0008] a first sensing element, configured to sense a change in the light information and generate a first sensing signal when an inserted object is present in the chamber;

[0009] A controller is electrically connected to the first sensing element, and is configured to control the heating element to start heating based on the first sensing signal.

[0010] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device further comprises a second sensing element electrically connected to the controller, the second sensing element being configured to sense the insert, and the controller being further configured to control the light source to start operating based on a second sensing signal generated by the second sensing element.

[0011] In one embodiment, the second sensing element includes a distance sensor, which is arranged on a side wall of the chamber to transmit a detection signal into the chamber and receive a reflection signal reflected from the chamber.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first sensing element includes an ambient light sensor.

[0013] In one embodiment, the light source is a white light source.

[0014] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device includes a cover for covering or exposing the chamber and a third sensing element for sensing the position of the cover, the third sensing element is electrically connected to the controller, and the controller is further configured to activate the second sensing element based on a third sensing signal sent by the third sensing element.

[0015] In one embodiment, the third sensing element comprises a Hall effect sensor, and the aerosol generating device further comprises a magnetic member used in conjunction with the Hall effect sensor.

[0016] In one embodiment, the magnetic member is disposed in the cover, and the Hall effect sensor is fixed to the outside of the cover.

[0017] In one embodiment, the aerosol generator further includes a rotating member linked to the cover body, and the rotation of the rotating member drives the cover body to move, the magnetic member is arranged in the rotating member, and the Hall effect sensor is solid on the outside of the rotating member.

[0018] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device includes a flexible circuit board, which includes a first portion and a second portion bent and extended from the first portion, the extension direction of the first portion is perpendicular to the extension direction of the chamber, and the extension direction of the second portion is parallel to the extension direction of the chamber, the third sensing element is arranged on the first portion, and the light source and the first sensing element are arranged on the second portion.

[0019] The aerosol generating device provided in the above embodiment provides light information to the chamber through a light source, and senses the changes in the light information in the chamber through a first sensing element to generate a first sensing signal. Since different inserts have different light absorption properties, the changes in the light information in the chamber will also be different when different inserts are accommodated in the chamber, resulting in different intensities of the first sensing signal. The controller can identify the aerosol generating product based on the first sensing signals of different intensities, and control the heating element to start heating when it is confirmed that the insert is an aerosol generating product.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] One or more embodiments are exemplarily illustrated by corresponding drawings, which do not constitute limitations on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are represented as similar elements, and unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings do not constitute proportional limitations.

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of an aerosol generating device provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of an aerosol generating device provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of an aerosol generating device provided in yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of the cover of the aerosol generating device provided in one embodiment of the present application when the cover is in the first position;

[0025] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of the cover moving to the second position;

[0026] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of an aerosol generating device provided by another embodiment of the present application with the cover in the first position;

[0027] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of the cover body when it moves to the first position;

[0028] Figure 8 for Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of the cover body when it moves to the second position;

[0029] Figure 9 for Figure 1 A structural diagram of an arrangement of the light source and the first sensing element in a specific embodiment;

[0030] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the circuit board. [Specific implementation method]

[0031] In order to facilitate the understanding of the present application, the present application is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that when an element is described as being "fixed to" / "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or one or more intermediate elements can exist therebetween. When an element is described as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or one or more intermediate elements can exist therebetween. The terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inside", "outside" and similar expressions used in this specification are for illustrative purposes only.

[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used in this specification are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this application. The term "and / or" as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items.

[0033] In addition, the technical features involved in different embodiments of the present application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0034] In the embodiments of the present application, the "installation" includes fixing or restricting a component or device to a specific position or place by welding, screwing, clamping, bonding, etc. The component or device can remain stationary at a specific position or place or can move within a limited range. After the component or device is fixed or restricted to a specific position or place, it may or may not be disassembled, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0035] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the number of the technical features indicated. Thus, a feature specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. Throughout the description of this application, "plurality" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0036] An embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol generating device 100, such as Figure 1As shown, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a battery cell 10, a mainboard 20, and a heating element 30. The mainboard 20 is provided with a controller for the aerosol generating device 100. The battery cell 10 and the heating element 30 are electrically connected to the controller, so that the controller can control the battery cell 10 to provide electrical energy to the heating element 30. The aerosol generating device 100 is also provided with a longitudinally extending chamber 40 for accommodating an aerosol-generating article 200. When the aerosol-generating article 200 is accommodated in the chamber 40, the heating element 30 can heat the aerosol-generating article 200 in the chamber 40, and at least a portion of the active material filled in the aerosol-generating article 200 is volatilized by the heat to generate an aerosol. The battery cell 10 serves as the power source for the aerosol generating device 10 and can be either a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery cell.

[0037] The aerosol generating device 100 also includes an air flow channel 50, which connects the external air and the chamber 40. When the user uses the aerosol generating product 200 to inhale, the external cold air can enter the chamber 40 through the air flow channel, and then enter the aerosol generating product 200 and carry the aerosol in the aerosol generating product 200 to escape. The user can inhale the aerosol by inhaling on the aerosol generating product 200.

[0038] The aerosol-generating article 200 preferably comprises a tobacco-containing material that releases volatile compounds from the article upon heating; alternatively, it may comprise a non-tobacco material that is suitable for electrically heated smoking after heating. The aerosol-generating article 200 preferably comprises a solid substrate that may comprise one or more of powder, granules, shredded strips, ribbons, or flakes of one or more of herb leaves, tobacco leaves, homogenized tobacco, and expanded tobacco; alternatively, the solid substrate may contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds that are released upon heating of the substrate.

[0039] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 As shown, the heating element 30 can be a resistive heating wire wound on the outer wall of the chamber 40, or a thick film heating material printed on the outer wall of the chamber 40. After the heating element 30 is energized, it generates heat and transfers the heat to the aerosol generating article 200 in the chamber 40, thereby heating the aerosol generating article 200.

[0040] In such Figure 2In another embodiment shown, the aerosol-generating device 100 can also heat the aerosol-generating article 200 using electromagnetic induction heating. Specifically, the heating element 30 extends at least partially into the chamber 40, and its end extending into the chamber 40 is configured in a pin-like or sheet-like shape to facilitate smooth insertion of the heating element 30 into the aerosol-generating article 200 for heating. A coil 60 is wound around the outer wall of the chamber 40. The controller controls the battery cell 10 to pass an alternating current through the coil 60. Under the action of the alternating current, the coil 60 generates a varying magnetic field. This varying magnetic field penetrates the heating element 30, inducing eddy currents in the heating element 30. The heating element 30 generates heat due to the eddy current effect and the hysteresis effect, thereby heating the aerosol-generating substrate 200.

[0041] Suitable materials for the heating element 30 may include graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, stainless steel, niobium, aluminum, nickel, iron, copper, nickel-containing compounds, titanium, and metal composites. In some embodiments, to better induce eddy currents and improve heating efficiency, the heating element 30 is preferably made of or composed of a ferromagnetic material, such as ferritic iron, a ferromagnetic alloy (e.g., ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel), ferromagnetic particles, and ferrite.

[0042] Also, in some embodiments, when the heating element 30 is inserted into the aerosol generating product 200 for heating, the heating element 30 can also be a ceramic heating element. The ceramic heating element is a heating element made by sintering an electric heating element and a ceramic at a high temperature and fixing them together. The heating element 30 is directly electrically connected to the controller of the mainboard 20, and then the controller can control the battery cell 10 to provide electrical energy to the heating element 30, and the heating element 30 can generate heat after obtaining the electrical energy.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the aerosol generating device 100 further includes a light source 70 and a first sensing element 80. The light source 70 is disposed on the side of the chamber 40 to provide light information into the chamber 40. The light source 70 can be any type of light source, such as an LED lamp, a tungsten filament lamp, or a halogen lamp. Specifically, a through hole 41 can be provided in the side wall of the chamber 40. Light generated by the light source 70 enters the chamber 40 through the through hole 41, thereby providing light information to the chamber 40. The first sensing element 80 is disposed adjacent to the light source 70 to receive light from the chamber 70 through the through hole 41 and thereby sense changes in the light information of the chamber 70. The first sensing element 80 is electrically connected to the controller. After sensing changes in the light information, the first sensing element 80 generates a first sensing signal, which can then be transmitted to the controller.

[0044] Alternatively, in some embodiments, Figure 3As shown, a through hole 41 is provided on one side of the chamber 40, and a through hole 42 is provided on the opposite side. The light source 70 and the through hole 41 are provided on one side of the chamber 40, and the first sensing element 80 and the through hole 42 are provided on the other side of the chamber 40. The light source 70 provides light to the chamber 40 through the through hole 41, and the first sensing element 80 receives the light in the chamber 40 through the through hole 42, thereby sensing the change of light information in the chamber 40, wherein the change of light information can be a change of light brightness in the chamber 40.

[0045] Furthermore, in some embodiments, lenses (not shown) may be provided in the through holes 41 and 42 for light to pass through. The lenses are interference fit in the through holes 41 and 42, thereby sealing the through holes 41 and 42, thereby preventing the airflow entering the chamber 40 from escaping from the through holes 41 and 42, thereby affecting the taste of the aerosol when inhaled.

[0046] The object inserted into the chamber 40 may be an aerosol generating product 200 that the user needs to inhale, or it may be a cotton swab or brush used to clean the chamber 40, or it may be a slender stick, iron wire, etc. that a child unconsciously inserts. Different objects have different shapes or colors, so they will have different light absorption properties when inserted into the chamber 40, which will cause the light information in the chamber 40 to change differently, and the intensity of the first sensing signal generated and sent to the controller will also be different. Based on this, the controller can determine the type of object inserted into the chamber 40, where the first sensing signal can be a voltage signal or a current signal.

[0047] Specifically, a preset threshold value can be pre-set in the controller, and the preset threshold value can be a numerical range. After the controller receives the first sensing signal, the controller compares the numerical value of the first sensing signal with the preset threshold value. If the numerical value of the first sensing signal falls within the range of the preset threshold value, the controller determines that the object inserted into the chamber 40 is an aerosol-generating product 200, and the controller then controls the heating element 30 to start heating; if the numerical value of the first sensing signal falls outside the numerical range of the preset threshold value, the controller determines that the object inserted into the chamber 40 is not an aerosol-generating product 200, and the controller then controls the heating element 30 not to start heating.

[0048] Through the method of this embodiment, it is only necessary to use the first sensing element to sense the change of the light information in the chamber 40. The first sensing element generates a corresponding first sensing signal based on the change of the light information. The controller can identify the aerosol generating product 200 based on the first sensing signal and control the heating element 30 to start heating.

[0049] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device 100 further includes a second sensing element, which is configured to sense whether an insert is present in the chamber 40 and generate a second sensing signal if an insert is present. The second sensing element is also electrically connected to the controller, and the second sensing signal is also transmitted to the controller.

[0050] When the controller receives the second sensing signal, it determines that an object is inserted into the chamber 40 and then controls the light source 70 and the first sensing element 80 to start operating. If the controller does not receive the second sensing signal, it controls the light source 70 and the second sensing element 80 to not start operating. This prevents the light source 70 and the first sensing element 80 from being in operation for a long time. The light source 70 and the first sensing element 80 only start operating when an object is detected in the chamber 40, effectively saving energy loss and reducing the power consumption of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0051] In a specific embodiment, Figure 4 As shown, the second sensing element is a distance sensor 90, which is arranged on the side wall of the chamber 40 and can transmit a detection signal into the chamber 40. The detection signal can be any of infrared, laser, or ultrasonic waves. When there is an insert in the chamber 40, the detection signal is blocked by the insert and reflected to the distance sensor 90. The distance sensor 90 can then calculate the time between the emission of the detection signal and the reception of the detection signal. If there is no insert in the chamber 40, the detection signal will be blocked by the inner wall on the other side of the chamber 40 and then reflected to the distance sensor 90. In this case, the time between the emission of the detection signal and the reception of the detection signal is longer than when there is an insert. The controller can determine whether there is an insert in the chamber 40 based on this time.

[0052] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the second sensing element may be a capacitive sensor. The aerosol generating device 100 further includes a capacitor (not shown), with two plates disposed on either side of the chamber 40. The capacitive sensor is configured to detect the capacitance of the capacitor. When an insert is inserted into the chamber 40, the dielectric between the two plates changes, causing the capacitance of the capacitor to change. Based on this change in capacitance, the controller can determine whether the insert is in the chamber 40. This application does not impose any restrictions on the specific form of the second sensing element. It is sufficient that, when an insert is present in the chamber 40, the insert can trigger the second sensing element to generate a second sensing signal.

[0053] In some embodiments, the first sensing element 80 is an ambient light sensor. Due to its high sensitivity, the ambient light sensor can sense even slight changes in light brightness, thereby generating corresponding first sensing signals when different inserts are inserted into the cavity 40. The controller can then identify the inserts based on the first sensing signals. In other embodiments, the first sensing element 80 can also be a light sensor or an illumination sensor.

[0054] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the light source 70 is a white light source. Since white light has a full spectrum, the brightness of the light changes more obviously than other light colors when different inserts are inserted into the cavity 40, and can be better sensed by the first sensing element.

[0055] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device 100 further includes a cover 110, which is movable between a first position and a second position. When the cover 110 moves to the first position, the cover 110 blocks the chamber 40. Figure 5 As shown, when the cover 110 moves to the second position, the chamber 40 is exposed, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 Thus, when the aerosol generating device 100 is idle, the user can move the cover 110 to the first position. In this case, the cover 110 shields the chamber 40, preventing dust in the air from falling into the chamber 40. Excessive accumulation of dust in the chamber 40 will reduce the heating efficiency of the aerosol generating device 100. When the user needs to use the aerosol generating device 100, the user can move the cover 110 to the second position. In this case, the chamber 40 is exposed, and the user can insert the aerosol generating article 200 into the chamber 40 for inhalation.

[0056] The aerosol generating device 100 also includes a third sensing element electrically connected to the controller. The third sensing element is used to sense the moving position of the cover body 110. The third sensing element is configured to generate a third sensing signal during the movement of the cover body 110, and the signal strength of the third sensing signal varies with the position of the cover body 110. The controller can then determine whether the cover body 110 has moved to the first position or the second position based on the third sensing signal.

[0057] When the controller determines, based on the third sensing signal, that the cover 110 has moved to the second position, the controller then controls the second sensing element to activate operation. The second sensing element detects whether an object is inserted into the chamber 40. If an object is detected, the controller continues to control the light source 70 and the first sensing element 80 to activate operation and, based on the first sensing signal, determines whether the inserted object is an aerosol-generating article 200. Furthermore, when the controller determines, based on the third sensing signal, that the cover 110 has moved to the first position, the controller controls the light source 70, the first sensing element 80, and the second sensing element to deactivate operation. This approach further reduces the power consumption of the aerosol-generating device 100 and prevents the light source 70, the first sensing element 80, and the second sensing element from operating even when the aerosol-generating device 100 is idle.

[0058] In some embodiments, as Figure 5 or Figure 6 As shown, the third sensing element adopts a Hall effect sensor 120, and the aerosol generating device 100 also includes a magnetic member 130 used in conjunction with the Hall effect sensor 120. The magnetic member 130 is arranged in the cover body 110, and the Hall effect sensor 120 is arranged outside the cover body 110. The Hall effect sensor 120 is used to sense the magnetic field strength of the magnetic member 130 and generate a third sensing signal based on the magnetic field strength. As the cover body 110 moves, the distance between the magnetic member 130 and the Hall effect sensor 120 is also different, and the magnetic field strength sensed on the Hall effect sensor 120 is also different, and the strength of the third sensing signal generated is also different. The controller can determine the position of the cover body 110 based on the third sensing signal.

[0059] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a rotating member 140 operable by a user, and the rotating member 140 is configured to be linked to the cover 110 so that when the rotating member 140 rotates, the cover 110 moves. When the rotating member 140 drives the cover 110 to move to the first position, the cover 110 blocks the chamber 40, such as Figure 7 When the rotating member 140 drives the cover 110 to move to the second position, the cover 110 exposes the chamber 40, and the aerosol generating article 200 can be inserted into the chamber 40, as shown Figure 8 Furthermore, the magnetic member 130 can be disposed in the rotating member 140, and the Hall effect sensor 120 can be fixedly disposed outside the rotating member 140. When the rotating member 140 rotates, the distance between the Hall effect sensor 120 and the magnetic member 130 will also change, and the magnetic field strength of the magnetic member 130 sensed by the Hall effect sensor 120 will also change, thereby causing the strength of the third sensing signal to change.

[0060] It should be noted that the third sensing element can also generate a third sensing signal through other sensing methods. This application does not impose any specific restrictions on the sensing method in which the third sensing element generates the third sensing signal. It only requires that the controller can determine whether the cover body 110 moves to the first position or the second position based on the third sensing signal.

[0061] In some embodiments, as Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the aerosol generating device 100 further includes a flexible circuit board 150. The flexible circuit board 150 includes a first portion 151 and a second portion 152 that bends and extends from the first portion 151. The first portion 151 extends perpendicularly to the direction of extension of the chamber 40, that is, the first portion 151 extends in the radial direction of the aerosol generating device 100. The second portion 152 extends parallel to the direction of extension of the chamber 40, that is, the second portion 152 extends in the axial direction of the aerosol generating device 100. The third sensing element is disposed on the first portion 151, and the light source 70 and the first sensing element 80 are disposed on the second portion 152. Since the second portion 152 and the chamber 40 are parallel to each other, the light source 70 can emit light directly into the chamber 40, and the first sensing element 80 can receive light directly into the chamber 40.

[0062] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Based on the concept of the present application, the technical features in the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other variations in different aspects of the present application as described above. For the sake of simplicity, they are not provided in detail. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. These modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, characterized in that include: a chamber for removably receiving at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article; a heating element for heating the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol; a light source, for providing light information to the chamber; a first sensing element, configured to sense a change in the light information and generate a first sensing signal when an inserted object is present in the chamber; A controller is electrically connected to the first sensing element, and is configured to control the heating element to start heating based on the first sensing signal.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein The aerosol generating device further includes a second sensing element electrically connected to the controller, the second sensing element being configured to sense the insert. The controller is further configured to control the light source to start operating based on a second sensing signal generated by the second sensing element.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein: The second sensing element includes a distance sensor, which is arranged on a side wall of the chamber to transmit a detection signal into the chamber and receive a reflection signal reflected from the chamber.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein The first sensing element includes an ambient light sensor.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The light source is a white light source.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein: The aerosol generating device includes a cover for covering or exposing the chamber and a third sensing element for sensing the position of the cover. The third sensing element is electrically connected to the controller, and the controller is further configured to activate the second sensing element based on a third sensing signal sent by the third sensing element.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein: The third sensing element includes a Hall effect sensor, and the aerosol generating device further includes a magnetic member used in conjunction with the Hall effect sensor.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7, wherein: The magnetic member is arranged in the cover body, and the Hall effect sensor is fixed on the outside of the cover body.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7, wherein: The aerosol generator further includes a rotating member linked to the cover body, and the rotation of the rotating member drives the cover body to move. The magnetic member is arranged in the rotating member, and the Hall effect sensor is solid on the outside of the rotating member.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein: The aerosol generating device includes a flexible circuit board, which includes a first part and a second part bent and extended from the first part. The extension direction of the first part is perpendicular to the extension direction of the chamber, and the extension direction of the second part is parallel to the extension direction of the chamber. The third sensing element is arranged on the first part, and the light source and the first sensing element are arranged on the second part.

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