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 chamber having an opening for receiving an aerosol generating article; a heating body surrounding or defining at least a portion of the chamber and for heating the aerosol-generating article; the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged on the heating body in a spaced mode and used for guiding current on at least part of the heating body; the conductive track is formed or combined on the heating body; at least one conductive trace is arranged to extend from the first electrode to the second electrode and can be applied by the first electrode and the second electrode to generate resistive Joule heat. According to the aerial fog generating device, the conductive track is additionally arranged between the electrodes of the heating body, so that the heating speed of the heating body and the temperature gradient in the longitudinal direction are improved under the same power.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of heating-not-burning aerosol generation, and in particular to an aerosol generating device and a heater for use in an aerosol generating device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, and the like, burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these burning tobacco products by creating products that release compounds without burning.

[0003] Examples of such products are heating devices that release compounds by heating, rather than burning, a material. For example, the material can be an aerosol-generating article that includes tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which can or can not include nicotine. Known heating devices receive and heat an aerosol-generating article by a tubular heating element made of a conductive ceramic material, and arrange ring-shaped electrodes at longitudinally opposite ends of the tubular conductive ceramic heating element, thereby inducing an electric current to generate Joule heat throughout the longitudinal direction of the tubular heating element. SUMMARY

[0004] One embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol generating device configured to heat an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol; comprising:

[0005] a chamber having an open mouth; in use, the aerosol-generating article is at least partially receivable into or removable from the chamber through the open mouth;

[0006] a heating element surrounding or defining at least a portion of the chamber and configured to heat the aerosol-generating article;

[0007] first and second electrodes spacedly arranged on the heating element for inducing an electric current on at least a portion of the heating element;

[0008] at least one electrically conductive track formed on or integrated with the heating element; the at least one electrically conductive track is arranged to extend from the first electrode to the second electrode and is configured to be applied with a voltage by the first and second electrodes to generate electrically resistive Joule heat.

[0009] In some embodiments, the heating element is made of a conductive ceramic material by a process of molding and sintering, or the heating element is a conductive ceramic body.

[0010] And / or, the at least one electrically conductive track is made of a metal or an alloy.

[0011] In some embodiments, the material of the heating element has a resistivity at room temperature that is greater than the resistivity at room temperature of the material of the electrically conductive track.

[0012] In some embodiments, the material of the heating body has an electrical resistivity at room temperature that is at least 100 times the electrical resistivity at room temperature of the material of the electrically conductive trace;

[0013] In some embodiments, the material of the heating body has an electrical resistivity at room temperature that is at least 100 times the electrical resistivity at room temperature of the material of the electrically conductive trace; -4 Ω-cm and 1.3 x 10 -1 Ω-cm, and the material of the electrically conductive trace has an electrical resistivity at room temperature that is between 9.78 x 10 -6 Ω-cm and 1.0 x 10 -4 Ω-cm.

[0014] In some embodiments, the material of the at least one electrically conductive trace has a sheet resistance between 5 mΩ / sq and 2500 mΩ / sq.

[0015] In some embodiments, the heating body and the at least one electrically conductive trace have a Schottky barrier between them when no voltage is applied to the heating body and the at least one electrically conductive trace by the first and second electrodes.

[0016] In some embodiments, the heating body and the at least one electrically conductive trace transition from a Schottky contact to an Ohmic contact between them when a voltage is applied to the heating body and the at least one electrically conductive trace by the first and second electrodes.

[0017] In some embodiments, the material of the heating body has a negative temperature coefficient of resistance; and the material of the electrically conductive trace has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance.

[0018] In some embodiments, the material of the heating body has a temperature coefficient of resistance between -3000 and -1000 ppm / °C;

[0019] In some embodiments, the material of the at least one electrically conductive trace has a temperature coefficient of resistance between 0 and 6000 ppm / °C.

[0020] In some embodiments, the heating body has a thermal conductivity between 5 W / m.K and 40 W / m.K.

[0021] In some embodiments, the heating body comprises:

[0022] a first end proximate the opening, and a second end distal from the first end;

[0023] a first portion and a second portion arranged in a longitudinal direction; wherein the first portion is proximate or defines the first end, and the second portion is proximate or defines the second end;

[0024] the first electrode, the second electrode, and the at least one electrically conductive trace are arranged on the first portion, and are clear of the second portion.

[0025] In some embodiments, when an electric current is directed through the first electrode and the second electrode on the heating body and the at least one conductive track, the first portion and the at least one conductive track can generate heat by resistive Joule heating, and the second portion generates heat by receiving heat transferred from the first portion.

[0026] In some embodiments, the heating body comprises:

[0027] a first end and a second end longitudally opposite to each other;

[0028] The first electrode and / or the second electrode and / or the at least one conductive track is / are closer to the first end than to the second end.

[0029] In some embodiments, further comprising:

[0030] an electric cell for power supply;

[0031] a circuit arranged to apply a voltage to the heating body and the at least one conductive track by connecting one of the first electrode and the second electrode to a positive pole of the electric cell and the other to a negative pole of the electric cell.

[0032] In some embodiments, the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged spaced apart along a circumferential direction of the heating body; and the at least one conductive track extends from the first electrode to the second electrode along a circumferential direction of the heating body.

[0033] In some embodiments, an arc along which the at least one conductive track extends along a circumferential direction of the heating body is between π / 6 and π.

[0034] In some embodiments, a size along which the at least one conductive track extends along a circumferential direction of the heating body is between 3 and 12 mm.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged spaced apart along a longitudinal direction of the heating body; the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged extending along a circumferential direction of the heating body, and at least a portion of the first electrode is opposite to at least a portion of the second electrode along a longitudinal direction of the heating body.

[0036] In some embodiments, the first electrode and / or the second electrode is / are a closed loop.

[0037] Alternatively, the first electrode and / or the second electrode is / are configured to be non-closed in the circumferential direction.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first electrode has at least one first section and the second electrode has at least one second section; at least one of the first section and at least one of the second section are opposite in a longitudinal direction of the heating element.

[0039] In some embodiments, the at least one electrically conductive track extends from the first section to the second section.

[0040] Yet another embodiment of the present application also provides an aerosol generating device configured to heat an aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol; comprising:

[0041] a chamber having an open mouth through which, in use, an aerosol generating article can be at least partially received within or removed from the chamber;

[0042] a heating element surrounding or defining at least a portion of the chamber and configured to heat an aerosol generating article;

[0043] first and second electrodes spaced apart on the heating element for directing an electric current over at least a portion of the heating element;

[0044] at least one electrically conductive track formed on or integrated with the heating element and extending from the first electrode to the second electrode;

[0045] the heating element and the at least one electrically conductive track are transitionable from a Schottky contact to an Ohmic contact when a voltage is applied to the heating element and the at least one electrically conductive track via the first and second electrodes.

[0046] Yet another embodiment of the present application also provides a heater for an aerosol generating device; comprising:

[0047] a chamber having an open mouth through which, in use, an aerosol generating article can be at least partially received within or removed from the chamber;

[0048] a heating element surrounding or defining at least a portion of the chamber and configured to heat an aerosol generating article;

[0049] first and second electrodes spaced apart on the heating element for directing an electric current over at least a portion of the heating element;

[0050] at least one electrically conductive track formed on or integrated with the heating element; the at least one electrically conductive track is arranged to extend from the first electrode to the second electrode, whereby a voltage can be applied by the first and second electrodes to generate resistive Joule heat.

[0051] The above aerosol generating device, by adding a conductive track between the electrodes of the heating body, is advantageous for increasing the temperature rising speed of the heating body and the temperature gradient in the longitudinal direction under the same power. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0052] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example in the figures that are part of this disclosure and which are illustrative, but not restrictive, of the embodiments, wherein elements having the same reference number designates like elements throughout the various figures, unless otherwise expressly provided for in the patent claim(s), the figures do not limit the proportionality.

[0053] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment;

[0054] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a heater according to an embodiment;

[0055] Figure 3 is Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a heater according to an embodiment;

[0056] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a heater according to an embodiment;

[0057] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a heater according to an embodiment;

[0058] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a heater according to an embodiment;

[0059] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a heater according to an embodiment;

[0060] Figure 8 is Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a heater according to an embodiment;

[0061] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a heater according to an embodiment;

[0062] Figure 10 is Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a heater according to an embodiment;

[0063] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a heater according to an embodiment;

[0064] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a heater according to an embodiment;

[0065] Figure 13 is a graph showing the change in resistance of an electrically conductive track of an alloy material with temperature, measured in one embodiment;

[0066] Figure 14 is a graph showing the change in resistance of a heater having an electrically conductive track formed on a heating body of an electrically conductive ceramic, in operation, with temperature, in one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] For the purposes of the present application, the present application will be described in greater detail below, with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0068] One embodiment of the present application proposes an aerosol-generating article 1000, such as a cigarette, for heating rather than combustion, and thus for volatilising or releasing at least one component of the aerosol-generating article 1000 to form an aerosol for smoking, by means of an aerosol-generating device 100, such as Figure 1 as shown.

[0069] In alternative embodiments, the aerosol-generating article 1000 preferably employs a tobacco-containing material that releases volatile compounds from a substrate upon heating; or can also be a non-tobacco material that is suitable for electrically heated smoking after heating. The aerosol-generating article 1000 preferably employs a solid substrate that can include one or more of a powder, granules, shreds, strips or sheets of one or more of a tobacco leaf, a tobacco leaf, homogenised tobacco, expanded tobacco, dried flowers, tea leaves, etc.; or the solid substrate can contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavour compounds to be released upon heating of the substrate.

[0070] According to Figure 1 as shown, when the aerosol-generating article 1000 is received in the aerosol-generating device 100, a portion of the aerosol-generating article 1000, such as a filter, is exposed outside the aerosol-generating device 100, which is advantageous for a user to draw on.

[0071] The configuration of the aerosol-generating device 100 of one embodiment of the present application can be seen with reference to Figure 1 as shown, the overall shape of the device is configured to be generally elongate, and the aerosol-generating device 100 includes:

[0072] a chamber having an open end 40; in use, the aerosol-generating article 1000 is removably received in the chamber through the open end 40 of the chamber;

[0073] a heater 30 arranged at least partially around or defining the chamber; when the aerosol-generating article 1000 is received in the chamber, the heater 30 surrounds and heats the aerosol-generating article 1000 from the outside, thereby causing the aerosol-generating article 1000 to release a plurality of volatile compounds, and these volatile compounds are formed only by the heating process;

[0074] An electric cell 10 for supplying power; more preferably the electric cell 10 is a rechargeable direct current electric cell 10 and is chargeable by connecting to an external power source;

[0075] A circuit board 20, such as a PCB board or a FPC board, is provided with a circuit for conducting electric current between the electric cell 10 and the heater 30.

[0076] In Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the heater 30 is arranged in a tubular shape and a cavity for receiving the aerosol generating article 1000 is formed or defined by at least a portion of the tubular hollow of the heater 30. When the aerosol generating article 1000 is received in the cavity, the heater 30 at least partially surrounds or encloses the aerosol generating article 1000 and heats from the outer periphery of the aerosol generating article 1000. Also, the aerosol generating article 1000 is at least partially contained and held within the heater 30 when received in the cavity.

[0077] In some embodiments, the heater 30 can have an inner diameter dimension d11 of about 5.8mm to 10mm. In some embodiments, the heater 30 can have a length d12 of about 10mm to 15mm. In embodiments, the circumferential length or circumference of the heater 30 is greater than the length d12 of the heater 30 along the longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, the longitudinal length d12 of the heater 30 is no more than 15mm or less than 15mm; preferably, the longitudinal length d12 of the heater 30 is between 9mm and 15mm. In some specific embodiments, the heater 30 can have an inner diameter d11 of 7.6mm; the heater 30 can have a length d12 of 11mm.

[0078] In some embodiments, the heating body 31 is dense. In some specific embodiments, the heating body 31 has a porosity of less than 5%; more preferably, the heating body 31 has a porosity of less than 3%.

[0079] In some embodiments, the heating body 31 has a tube wall thickness of 0.3mm to 2.0mm. In some specific embodiments, the heating body 31 has a tube wall thickness of 0.6mm.

[0080] In some embodiments, the tubular heating body 31 made of the electrically conductive ceramic material is prepared by injection molding the raw material of the electrically conductive ceramic material in a mold and then sintering and solidifying. For example, the preparation process can include: mixing the raw material of the electrically conductive ceramic material with a liquid solvent to form an injectable slurry; injecting the slurry into a cavity of the mold to form a tubular green body, and obtaining the heating body 31 by sintering and solidifying after demolding the green body.

[0081] In some embodiments, the heating body 31 is formed by a conductive ceramic material independently. In embodiments, the tubular heating body 31 made of the conductive ceramic material includes or has only a single heating body, rather than a composite heating body formed by combining multiple functional elements of different materials. For example, the composite heating body includes an electrically insulating substrate (e.g., an electrically insulating ceramic or a surface-insulated metal, etc.) providing support, a heating body formed by printing or depositing or wrapping or mounting, etc. a resistive heating track or coating or etching mesh, etc. on a surface of the electrically insulating substrate. In some embodiments, the heating body 31 is or includes only a conductive ceramic body.

[0082] In some embodiments, the heating body 31 has a thermal conductivity of 5 W / m.K to 40 W / m.K. In more preferred embodiments, the heating body 31 has a thermal conductivity of 6 W / m.K to 27 W / m.K.

[0083] In some embodiments, the heating body 31 has a thermal conductivity designed to be higher than that of a conventional ordinary glass or ceramic; generally, the thermal conductivity of glass is about 1 W / m.K, and the thermal conductivity of ceramic is less than 20 W / m.K or lower, e.g., less than 10 W / m.K. In embodiments, the heating body 31 has a thermal conductivity of more than 20 W / m.K; more preferably, the heating body 31 has a thermal conductivity of 20 to 40 W / m.K.

[0084] In embodiments, the heating body 31 has a thermal conductivity of more than 25 W / m.K; in some specific embodiments, the heating body 31 made of the conductive ceramic material has a thermal conductivity of 25 to 40 W / m.K. Or in yet some specific embodiments, the heating body 31 has a thermal conductivity of about 30 W / m.K. In embodiments, by having the heating body 31 with the thermal conductivity in the above range, it is advantageous for the difference in the formation of the Joule heat and the heating of the intermediate temperature field by arranging the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322 on the partial area.

[0085] In some embodiments, the relatively high thermal conductivity of the heating body 31 is achieved by adding a metal oxide component having a relatively high thermal conductivity, e.g., alumina, titania, etc., as a ceramic phase. In some embodiments, the relatively high thermal conductivity of the heating body 31 is achieved by adding a conductive metal, e.g., gold, silver, copper, etc., having a high thermal conductivity to the conductive ceramic material.

[0086] In some embodiments, the heating body 31 made of the conductive ceramic material has an electrical resistivity of 1 x 10 -4 Ω·cm to 1.3 x 10 -1 Ω·cm at room temperature. Figure 2 and Figure 3In some embodiments, the heating body 31 has an electrical resistance value of about 0.5-5 Ω when the current is directed through the heating body 31 by the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322. In some preferred embodiments, the heating body 31 has an electrical resistance value of about 0.8-1.5 Ω when the current is directed through the heating body 31 by the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322. In one specific embodiment, the heating body 31 has an electrical resistance value of about 1.4 Ω when the current is directed through the heating body 31 by the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322.

[0087] In some embodiments, the battery cell 10 has an output voltage of about 3.7-4.5 V; then in use, the heating body 31 has an operating power of about 10-40 W when the circuit board 20 supplies power to the heating body 31 through the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322.

[0088] In some embodiments, the conductive ceramic material of the heating body 31 comprises a main component and a doping component. In some embodiments, the main component accounts for more than 80% and less than or equal to 98% of the mass percentage of the conductive ceramic; and the doping component accounts for more than 1% and less than or equal to 20% of the mass percentage of the conductive ceramic.

[0089] In some embodiments, the main component comprises a first metal oxide, and the doping component comprises a second metal oxide; the valence of the metal in the first metal oxide is different from the valence of the metal in the second metal oxide. In some embodiments, the valence of the metal in the first metal oxide is less than the valence of the metal in the second metal oxide; or in some embodiments, the valence of the metal in the first metal oxide is greater than the valence of the metal in the second metal oxide. In some embodiments, the valence of the metal in the second metal oxide is higher than 3.

[0090] In some embodiments, the main component comprises zinc oxide; and the doping component comprises at least one of aluminum oxide, zirconium dioxide, titanium dioxide, or niobium pentoxide. In some embodiments, the zinc oxide accounts for about 94%-97% of the mass percentage of the conductive ceramic. In some embodiments, the doping component comprises aluminum oxide, and the aluminum oxide accounts for about 0.5%-5% of the mass percentage of the conductive ceramic.

[0091] In some embodiments, the main component comprises titanium dioxide; and the doping component comprises at least niobium pentoxide. In some embodiments, the titanium dioxide accounts for about 85%-95% of the mass percentage of the conductive ceramic; and the niobium pentoxide accounts for about 5%-20% of the mass percentage of the conductive ceramic.

[0092] In some embodiments, the main component comprises tantalum pentoxide; and the doping component comprises at least one of titanium dioxide or zirconium dioxide.

[0093] In some embodiments, the host component includes at least one of an electrically conductive metal boride or metal nitride or metal carbide; and the dopant component includes at least one of a non-conductive metal oxide or metal nitride.

[0094] In some embodiments, the host component includes at least one of titanium boride, titanium nitride or titanium carbide. In some embodiments, the dopant component includes at least one of silicon dioxide, zirconium dioxide.

[0095] In some embodiments, the host component is between 20% and 80% by mass of the electrically conductive ceramic. In some embodiments, the dopant component is between 30% and 80% by mass of the electrically conductive ceramic.

[0096] In some embodiments, the electrically conductive ceramic material of the heating element 31 further includes an electrically conductive resistivity / thermal conductivity adjusting component for controlling the resistivity or thermal conductivity of the electrically conductive ceramic within a target range. In some embodiments, the electrically conductive resistivity / thermal conductivity adjusting component includes at least one of an electrically conductive metal carbide, metal boride, carbon powder or electrically conductive metal powder. In some embodiments, the metal carbide includes silicon carbide; and / or the metal boride includes titanium boride. In some embodiments, the electrically conductive metal powder includes at least one of gold powder, silver powder or copper powder.

[0097] In some embodiments, the electrically conductive resistivity / thermal conductivity adjusting component is between 10% and 50% by mass of the electrically conductive ceramic.

[0098] In some alternative embodiments, the electrically conductive ceramic material of the heating element 31 includes zinc oxide at 94-97% by mass, aluminum trioxide at 0.8-5%, titanium dioxide at 0-1% and zirconium dioxide at 0-0.5.

[0099] In some alternative embodiments, the electrically conductive ceramic material of the heating element 31 includes titanium dioxide at 85-95% by mass and niobium pentoxide at 5-20%.

[0100] In some alternative embodiments, the electrically conductive ceramic material of the heating element 31 includes titanium boride at 5-10% by mass, zinc oxide at 80-90% and aluminum trioxide at 1-5%.

[0101] In some alternative embodiments, the electrically conductive ceramic material of the heating element 31 includes titanium boride at 50-80% by mass, silicon carbide at 20-50% and silicon dioxide at 0.1-2%.

[0102] In some alternative embodiments, the electrically conductive ceramic material of the heating element 31 includes titanium boride at 40-70% by mass, zirconium dioxide at 30-60% and silicon dioxide at 0.1-5%.

[0103] In some alternative embodiments, the electrically conductive ceramic material of the heating body 31 comprises titanium boride in a mass percentage of 20-50%, zirconium dioxide in a mass percentage of 30-50%, and copper powder or silver powder or gold powder in a mass percentage of 10-30%.

[0104] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the heating body 31 is a semi-conductive electrically conductive ceramic body; for example, silicon nitride, silicon carbide ceramic, or the like.

[0105] In some embodiments, the heating body 31 made of the electrically conductive ceramic material has a negative temperature coefficient of resistance. Then, in operation, as the temperature of the heating body 31 increases, the resistance of the heating body 31 decreases. For example, in some embodiments, the heating body 31 made of the electrically conductive ceramic material has a temperature coefficient of resistance of -3000 to -1000 ppm / °C. In more preferred embodiments, the heating body 31 has a temperature coefficient of resistance of -2500 to -1500 ppm / °C. For example Figure 12 A graph showing the measured resistance of a heating body 31 made of an electrically conductive ceramic material as a function of temperature during heating is shown in one embodiment; according to Figure 12 As shown, at room temperature and without an external voltage applied, the heating body 31 appears as an insulator to the outside; when a voltage is applied through the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322, the instantaneous resistance of the heating body 31 rapidly decreases, and when a voltage of 5.5 V is applied, the instantaneous resistance decreases to 44 Ω. When a voltage of 5.5 V or 6 V is applied and maintained, the resistance of the heating body 31 further decreases as the temperature increases, and when the temperature reaches 200 °C, the resistance is 5.993 Ω, and when the temperature is 300 °C, the resistance is 4 Ω.

[0106] For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 When a current is conducted through the heating body 31 by the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322 at room temperature, the initial resistance of the heating body 31 is 1.4 Ω; when the temperature of the heating body 31 is raised to about 350 °C, the resistance of the heating body 31 decreases to about 0.5 Ω.

[0107] According to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The heating body 31 comprises:

[0108] a first end 310 and a second end 320 opposite each other in a longitudinal direction. The first end 310 is arranged towards the opening 40; in use, the aerosol-generating article 1000 can be received within the heating body 31 or removed from the heating body 31 from the first end 310.

[0109] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 The heater 30 comprises:

[0110] a tubular heating element 31 made of an electrically conductive ceramic material; and

[0111] a first electrode 321 and a second electrode 322 formed on the outer surface of the heating element 31.

[0112] In some embodiments, the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322 are formed directly on the surface of the heating element 31.

[0113] In yet other embodiments, a transition bonding layer is provided between the first electrode 321 and / or the second electrode 322 and the heating element 31; in embodiments, the transition bonding layer forms a tight bond between the metal first electrode 321 and / or the second electrode 322 and the ceramic heating element 31.

[0114] In some embodiments, the transition bonding layer has a thickness of about 0.01 mm to 1.0 mm. In more preferred embodiments, the transition bonding layer has a thickness of about 0.05 mm to 0.8 mm.

[0115] In some embodiments, the transition bonding layer has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is less than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the first electrode 321 and / or the second electrode 322. This is advantageous in inhibiting deformation of the first electrode 321 and / or the second electrode 322 during use.

[0116] In some embodiments, the transition bonding layer is electrically conductive.

[0117] For example, in some embodiments, the material of the transition bonding layer can be a metal or an alloy. For example, silver, aluminum, titanium or alloys thereof.

[0118] For example, in some embodiments, the material of the transition bonding layer can be a composite of a ceramic and a metal. This allows the transition bonding layer to have a material compatible bond with both the metal first electrode 321 and / or the second electrode 322 and the ceramic heating element 31. For example, in some alternative embodiments, the material of the transition bonding layer can include 10 to 80% of a metal and 20 to 90% of a ceramic. The metal of the transition bonding layer can include at least one of gold, silver, copper, aluminum, nickel, titanium, zirconium, platinum, etc. The ceramic of the transition bonding layer can include an oxide such as alumina, zirconia, titania, ferric oxide, silica, etc. or a nitride.

[0119] In some embodiments, the transition bonding layer is obtained by printing or coating a slurry of the above materials on the outer surface of the heating element 31 and then sintering.

[0120] According to Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322 are combined on the outer surface of the heating body 31 and are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the heating body 31. In embodiments, the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322 are arranged opposite to each other along the radial direction of the heating body 31.

[0121] In some embodiments, the first electrode 321 and / or the second electrode 322 comprises at least one of an electrode ring, an electrode cap, an electrode sheet, a track electrode, or an electrode coating. In some embodiments, the first electrode 321 and / or the second electrode 322 is made of a metal or an alloy with low electrical resistivity. For example, the first electrode 321 and / or the second electrode 322 comprises gold, silver, copper, or an alloy containing at least one of them. In some embodiments, the first electrode 321 and / or the second electrode 322 is obtained by printing or spraying or depositing, etc. a conductive paste containing the above metal or alloy with low electrical resistivity on the outer surface of the heating body 31 and then solidifying. For example, the first electrode 321 and / or the second electrode 322 is obtained by printing a conductive silver paste on the outer surface of the heating body 31 and then solidifying.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first electrode 321 and / or the second electrode 322 is configured to be circular, square, trapezoidal, or polygonal, etc.

[0123] In some embodiments, the first electrode 321 and / or the second electrode 322 has a first spacing d21 with the first end 310. And, the first spacing d21 is smaller than a second spacing d23 of the first electrode 321 and / or the second electrode 322 with the second end 320. In Figure 2 And Figure 3 In some embodiments, the second spacing d23 of the first electrode 321 and / or the second electrode 322 with the second end 320 is greater than or equal to 1 / 2 of the longitudinal length of the heating body 31. In some embodiments, the first electrode 321 and / or the second electrode 322 has a height dimension d22 along the longitudinal direction of the heater 30. In some embodiments, the first spacing d21 is smaller than the height dimension d22. In some embodiments, the first spacing d21 is between 0.5-2.0 mm; and the height dimension d22 is between 1-4 mm. In some alternative embodiments, the first spacing d21 is about 1 mm; and the height dimension d22 is about 2 mm. In some embodiments, the second spacing d23 is between 6-12 mm; and in some more specific embodiments, the second spacing d23 is about 8 mm.

[0124] According to Figure 2 And Figure 3 As shown, the first electrode 321 and / or the second electrode 322 has a width dimension along the circumferential direction of the heater 30 between 5-11 mm.

[0125] In some embodiments, the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322 are electrically connected to the circuit board 20, such as by soldering conductive leads or the like; such that in use, the circuit board 20 is operable to connect the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322 to the positive / negative poles of the battery cell 10, respectively, to direct current through the heating body 31.

[0126] According to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The heater 30 further comprises:

[0127] At least one electrically conductive trace, such as the electrically conductive trace 341 and the electrically conductive trace 342, is formed on or in the heating body 31. In particular, the at least one electrically conductive trace is formed on an outer surface of the heating body 31.

[0128] The at least one electrically conductive trace, such as the electrically conductive trace 341 and the electrically conductive trace 342, is formed on or in the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322. In particular, the at least one electrically conductive trace, such as the electrically conductive trace 341 and the electrically conductive trace 342, extends from the first electrode 321 to the second electrode 322.

[0129] In some embodiments, the at least one electrically conductive trace, such as the electrically conductive trace 341 and the electrically conductive trace 342, is electrically conductive with the heating body 31. Or in yet other embodiments, the at least one electrically conductive trace, such as the electrically conductive trace 341 and the electrically conductive trace 342, is electrically insulated from the heating body 31.

[0130] In some embodiments, the electrically conductive trace, such as the electrically conductive trace 341 and the electrically conductive trace 342, is made of an electrically resistive metal or alloy material. In some embodiments, suitable metal or alloy materials include at least one of silver, palladium, platinum, tungsten, nickel, cobalt, zirconium, titanium, nickel alloy, cobalt alloy, zirconium alloy, titanium alloy, silver-palladium alloy, nickel-chromium alloy, nickel-iron alloy, iron-chromium alloy, iron-chromium-aluminum alloy, iron-manganese-aluminum-based alloy, or stainless steel.

[0131] In some embodiments, the electrically resistive metal or alloy material of the at least one electrically conductive trace, such as electrically conductive trace 341 and electrically conductive trace 342, has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance or has a PTC effect. In some alternative embodiments, the temperature coefficient of resistance of the electrically resistive metal or alloy material of the at least one electrically conductive trace is between 0 and 6000 ppm / °C. More preferably, the temperature coefficient of resistance of the electrically resistive metal or alloy material of the at least one electrically conductive trace is between 0 and 3500 ppm / °C. More preferably, the temperature coefficient of resistance of the electrically resistive metal or alloy material of the at least one electrically conductive trace is between 50 and 3500 ppm / °C. More preferably, the temperature coefficient of resistance of the electrically resistive metal or alloy material of the at least one electrically conductive trace is between 100 and 3500 ppm / °C. More preferably, the temperature coefficient of resistance of the electrically resistive metal or alloy material of the at least one electrically conductive trace is between 200 and 3500 ppm / °C. More preferably, the temperature coefficient of resistance of the electrically resistive metal or alloy material of the at least one electrically conductive trace is between 800 and 1100 ppm / °C. In some embodiments, the resistance of the at least one electrically conductive trace, such as electrically conductive trace 341 and electrically conductive trace 342, at room temperature is between 0.45 Ω and 6 Ω. More preferably, the resistance of the at least one electrically conductive trace, such as electrically conductive trace 341 and electrically conductive trace 342, at room temperature is between 0.45 Ω and 3 Ω. For example Figure 13 A graph showing the resistance of the electrically conductive trace 341 of the alloy material measured as a function of temperature is shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3, the electrically conductive trace 341 exhibits a PTC effect as the temperature is increased, with a resistance of 2.26 Ω at 200 °C and a resistance of about 2.4 Ω at 300 °C. Figure 13

[0132] In some alternative embodiments, the temperature coefficient of resistance of the electrically resistive metal or alloy material of the at least one electrically conductive trace is between -3000 and 0 ppm / °C. More preferably, the temperature coefficient of resistance of the electrically resistive metal or alloy material of the at least one electrically conductive trace is between -2000 and 0 ppm / °C. In some embodiments, the resistance of the at least one electrically conductive trace, such as electrically conductive trace 341 and electrically conductive trace 342, at room temperature is between 0.8 Ω and 8.5 Ω. In some embodiments, the resistance of the at least one electrically conductive trace, such as electrically conductive trace 341 and electrically conductive trace 342, at room temperature is between 0.8 Ω and 4 Ω.

[0133] In some embodiments, the sheet resistance of the material of the at least one electrically conductive trace is between 5 mΩ / sq and 2500 mΩ / sq.

[0134] ​In some embodiments, the conductive tracks have a thickness of 0.005mm to 0.2mm. In more specific embodiments, the conductive tracks have a thickness of 0.01mm to 0.3mm.

[0135] According to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , at least one conductive track, such as conductive track 341 and conductive track 342, is arranged to extend along the circumference of the heater 30 / heating body 31. Alternatively, in yet other variant embodiments, at least one conductive track is arranged to extend in a meandering manner; or, at least one conductive track is arranged to extend in a zigzag manner.

[0136] According to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , at least one conductive track is arranged to extend along an arcuate strip along the circumference of the heater 30 / heating body 31. In embodiments, at least one conductive track extends along the circumference of the heating body 31 by a dimension of about 3mm to 12mm. In embodiments, at least one conductive track extends along the circumference of the heating body 31 by an arcuate dimension of π / 6 to π; more preferably, at least one conductive track extends along the circumference of the heating body 31 by an arcuate dimension of π / 2 to 5π / 6.

[0137] In embodiments, the resistivity of the heating body 31 of the conductive ceramic material is greater than the resistivity of the conductive tracks of the alloy material at room temperature. In some preferred embodiments, the resistivity of the heating body 31 of the conductive ceramic material is at least 100 times greater than the resistivity of the conductive tracks of the alloy material. For example, the resistivity of the material of the conductive tracks is in the range of 9.78 x 10 -6 Ω·cm to 1.0 x 10 -4 Ω·cm. For example, the resistivity of the conductive tracks of an iron-chromium-aluminum alloy material is 1.4 x 10 -4 Ω·cm; the resistivity of the conductive tracks of a nickel-chromium alloy material is 1.0 x 10 -4 Ω·cm; and the resistivity of the conductive tracks of a manganese-copper alloy is 4.4 x 10 -5 Ω·cm.

[0138] In use, when the circuit board 20 is operable to connect the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322 to the positive / negative poles of the battery cell 10 to conduct current, a Schottky barrier is formed between the heating body 31 of the conductive ceramic material and the at least one conductive track of the metal alloy, and the Schottky barrier is not completely broken. The Schottky barrier is a term in the field of physics, and refers to a potential barrier formed due to the existence of an energy level difference at the interface when two different materials are in contact. In the present application, the Schottky barrier is formed between the heating body 31 of the conductive ceramic material and the at least one conductive track of the metal alloy.

[0139] In the heater 30, the heating body 31 of the conductive ceramic material is equivalent to an insulator when no voltage is applied at room temperature. Then, when the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322 are not connected to the positive and negative poles of the battery cell 10, the heating body 31 and the at least one conductive track can be in a Schottky contact. According to Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 3, when the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322 are connected to the positive and negative poles of the battery cell 10, a voltage is applied to the at least one conductive track and the heating body 31, and the at least one conductive track forms a current i11 and generates resistive Joule heat to be heated before the heating body 31; and during the voltage application, the Schottky barrier between the heating body 31 and the at least one conductive track is broken down to become an ohmic contact with a low resistance, and a current i12 is formed on the heating body 31 to generate heat to participate in heating. The heater 30 with the conductive track is advantageous in use for forming a gradient temperature field on the heating body 31. In some embodiments, the breakdown of the Schottky barrier is substantially instantaneous when the voltage is applied.

[0140] Wherein, the Schottky contact is a term based on the physics of the Schottky barrier; specifically, the Schottky contact refers to the existence of a Schottky barrier at the contact interface, and a large interface resistance is caused or formed by the existence of the Schottky barrier. Corresponding to the Schottky contact is the ohmic contact, which has a very small or no contact barrier at the interface.

[0141] When the Schottky barrier between the heating body 31 and the conductive track is eliminated by applying a voltage, the heating body 31 and the at least one conductive track generate resistive Joule heat simultaneously during heating. Or, during heating, a current i11 is formed on the conductive track and a current i12 is formed on the heating body 31, so that they are simultaneously heated by generating heat.

[0142] Or in other variant embodiments, the heating body 31 and the at least one conductive track can be in an ohmic contact.

[0143] In an embodiment, when the heating body 31 has at least one conductive track formed thereon, the resistance value of the heater 30 changes with temperature when the current is guided by the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322 for heating, which is jointly presented by the resistance effects of both the at least one conductive track and the heating body 31. For example Figure 14 A schematic diagram showing the resistance of the heater 30 with the conductive tracks 341 and 342 of nickel-chromium alloy formed on the conductive ceramic heating body 31 in an embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. According to Figure 14 As shown in FIG. 4, the overall resistance value of the heater 30 increases first and then decreases with the increase of temperature, i.e., it has no PTC or NTC characteristics. Specifically, at Figure 14As shown, the overall resistance of heater 30 is approximately 2.0Ω at the initial room temperature. When the temperature rises to 178–200℃, the resistance reaches its maximum value of 2.078Ω, and then decreases further with increasing temperature, dropping to approximately 2.0Ω at 300℃. According to... Figure 14 As shown, during the heating process, the resistance effect of the conductive ceramic heating element 31 becomes increasingly dominant as the temperature rises.

[0144] according to Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the heating element 31 further includes a first portion 311 and a second portion 312 arranged longitudinally; wherein the first portion 311 is adjacent to or defines the first end 310, and the second portion 312 is adjacent to and defines the second end 320. In the embodiment, the first portion 311 and the second portion 312 are continuous; there is no separation or dividing boundary between the first portion 311 and the second portion 312.

[0145] according to Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the first electrode 321 and / or the second electrode 322 are arranged close to the first end 310; and the first electrode 321 and / or the second electrode 322 are located away from the second end 320. In some embodiments, the first electrode 321 and / or the second electrode 322 are located in the first portion 311 of the heating element 31 and away from the second portion 312. The second portion 312 has no electrodes for conducting current thereon. In use, the first portion 311 can conduct current via the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322, thereby generating resistance Joule heating for heating. Since there is almost no current in the second portion 312, the second portion 312 primarily receives heat transferred from the first portion 311, such as... Figure 3 As indicated by the middle arrow R1; the second part 312 receives heat and then heats the aerosol-generated product 1000 again.

[0146] In some embodiments, at least one conductive trace, such as conductive trace 341 and conductive trace 342, is located in the first portion 311 of the heating element 31 and avoids the second portion 312. This is advantageous for creating a temperature field with differences or gradients in the longitudinal direction of the heating element 31 during heating. In use, at least one conductive trace generates heat in the first portion 311.

[0147] For example, the following table shows the measured temperature values of the heater 30 of an embodiment and the heater of a comparative example at different inner surface positions in the longitudinal direction during heating, in which the heater 30 is powered at a power of 23 W. The heater 33 in the embodiment includes the heating body 31 of the electrically conductive ceramic material, and the electrically conductive track 341 and the electrically conductive track 342 formed on the heating body 31; the heater in the comparative example only includes the heating body 31 of the electrically conductive ceramic material. In the embodiment and the comparative example, the total length d12 of the heating body 31 in the longitudinal direction is 10 mm, and the inner diameter d11 is 7.6 mm; the first spacing d21 of the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322 from the first end 310 is 2 mm, the height dimension d22 of the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322 is 3 mm, and the extension width of the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322 in the circumferential direction is 4 mm.

[0148]

[0149] From the test results in the above table, it can be seen that the electrically conductive ceramic heating body 31 of the comparative example reaches the highest temperature at 8.4 s, and the highest temperature of the inner surface is 337℃; the electrically conductive ceramic heating body 31 with the electrically conductive track 341 and the electrically conductive track 342 in the embodiment reaches the highest temperature of 377℃ at about 9.5 s. According to the sampling temperature calculation in the above table, the maximum temperature difference of the electrically conductive ceramic heating body 31 in the embodiment is 206.7℃ on the longitudinal length of 10 mm at about 5 s, 292.5℃ on the longitudinal length of 10 mm at 9.5 s, and 61.7℃ on the longitudinal length of 10 mm at 200 s. The maximum temperature difference of the electrically conductive ceramic heating body 31 in the comparative example is 181.3℃ on the longitudinal length of 10 mm at about 5 s, 233.4℃ on the longitudinal length of 10 mm at 8.4 s, and 55.7℃ on the longitudinal length of 10 mm at 200 s. The electrically conductive ceramic heating body 31 with the electrically conductive track 341 and the electrically conductive track 342 in the embodiment has a relatively faster temperature rising speed under the same power, and the temperature gradient difference in the longitudinal direction is more obvious.

[0150] In some embodiments, the circuit on the circuit board 20 is configured to control the power supply to the heater 30 according to a predetermined heating curve, so that the heater 30 heats the aerosol generating article 1000 according to the predetermined heating curve. For example, the applicant provides various details of the heating curve with respect to the predetermined time in the Chinese patent CN112335940A and the like, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0151] During the heating process of the heater 30 by the first electrode 321 and the second electrode 322, the temperature change of the first portion 311 and the second portion 312 includes:

[0152] In a first time period or preheating period, the first portion 311 is raised from room temperature to a predetermined temperature; in the first time period, since the second portion 312 can only be heated by receiving heat transferred from the first portion 311, the temperature of the first portion 311 is greater than the temperature of the second portion 312, and has a first temperature difference;

[0153] In a second time period or heating period, the first portion 311 is kept at the predetermined temperature interval for heating; in the second time period, since the heating body 31 has the above-mentioned improved thermal conductivity, the second portion 312 receives the conducted heat faster and the temperature of the second portion 312 is substantially the same as or close to the temperature of the first portion 311 or has a second temperature difference. The second temperature difference is less than the first temperature difference.

[0154] Alternatively Figure 4 A schematic view of a heater 30a of yet another embodiment is shown; in this embodiment, the heater 30a comprises:

[0155] a tubular heating body 31a made of an electrically conductive ceramic material; and,

[0156] a first electrode 321a and a second electrode 322a formed on an outer surface of the heating body 31a; and at least one electrically conductive track, such as an electrically conductive track 341a and an electrically conductive track 342a, formed on the heating body 31a and extending between the first electrode 321a and the second electrode 322a.

[0157] According to Figure 4 as shown, the first electrode 321a and / or the second electrode 322a has a width dimension d24 along a circumferential direction of the heater 30a. The width dimension d24 is greater than a height dimension of the first electrode 321a and / or the second electrode 322a. In some alternative embodiments, the width dimension d24 is approximately between 5-11 mm.

[0158] In Figure 4 the embodiment shown, the first electrode 321a and the second electrode 322a are formed on or bonded to the outer surface of the heating body 31a and are arranged opposite to each other along a radial direction of the heating body 31a.

[0159] According to Figure 4 as shown, the first electrode 321a and / or the second electrode 322a is arranged to be trapezoidal in shape. In a longitudinal direction of the heater 30a, the width dimension d24 of the first electrode 321a and / or the second electrode 322a is varied. For example, in Figure 4 the width dimension d24 of the first electrode 321a and / or the second electrode 322a gradually increases in a direction close to the first end 310a.

[0160] In Figure 4In the illustrated embodiment, the spacing between the first electrode 321a and the second electrode 322a varies, specifically, the spacing between them gradually decreases in the direction close to the first end 310a; thus the current density on the first portion 311a of the heating body 31a increases in the direction close to the first end 310a, which is advantageous for forming temperature difference on the heating body 31a.

[0161] In Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the heating body 31a comprises a first portion 311a and a second portion 312a arranged successively in the axial direction; the first electrode 321a and the second electrode 322a, and the at least one conductive track are formed on or located on the first portion 311a. The second portion 312a is mainly heated by receiving heat transferred from the first portion 311a.

[0162] Alternatively Figure 5 A schematic view of a heater 30b is shown, which is another embodiment; in this embodiment, the heater 30b comprises:

[0163] a heating body 31b extending from a first end 310b to a second end 320b;

[0164] a first electrode 321b and a second electrode 322b formed on the heating body 31b and arranged spacedly along the circumferential direction of the heating body 31b;

[0165] a conductive track 341b and a conductive track 342b formed on the heating body 31b and extending from the first electrode 321b to the second electrode 322b.

[0166] In this embodiment, the first electrode 321b and the second electrode 322b are stepped. In Figure 5 In particular, the first electrode 321b and / or the second electrode 322b comprises two electrode portions with different widths. For example, the first electrode 321b has a first electrode portion 3211b and a second electrode portion 3212b with different widths; the width of the first electrode portion 3211b is greater than the width of the second electrode portion 3212b, and the first electrode portion 3211b is closer to the first end 310b than the second electrode portion 3212b. The second electrode 322b has a first electrode portion 3231b and a second electrode portion 3222b with different widths; the width of the first electrode portion 3231b is greater than the width of the second electrode portion 3222b, and the first electrode portion 3231b is closer to the first end 310b than the second electrode portion 3222b. Thus the current density on the heating body 31b is greater on the side close to the first end 310b.

[0167] In Figure 5In the illustrated embodiment, at least one conductive track, such as conductive track 341b and / or conductive track 342b, is disposed on the first electrode portion 3211b of the first electrode 321b and the first electrode portion 3231b of the second electrode 322b. Alternatively, at least one conductive track, such as conductive track 341b and / or conductive track 342b, is extended from the first electrode portion 3211b of the first electrode 321b to the first electrode portion 3231b of the second electrode 322b. In an embodiment, at least one conductive track, such as conductive track 341b and / or conductive track 342b, is avoided from the second electrode portion 3212b and / or the second electrode portion 3222b.

[0168] Alternatively Figure 6 A schematic view of a heater 30c is shown to illustrate yet another embodiment; in this embodiment, the heater 30c comprises:

[0169] A tubular heating body 31c extending between a first end 310c and a second end 320c; the heating body 31c comprises a first portion 311c and a second portion 312c arranged axially successively;

[0170] A first electrode 321c and a second electrode 322c formed on or bonded to an outer surface of the heating body 31c and arranged oppositely in a radial direction of the heating body 31c;

[0171] At least one conductive track, such as conductive track 341c and conductive track 342c, formed on the heating body 31c and extended from the first electrode 321c to the second electrode 322c.

[0172] In this embodiment, the first electrode 321c and the second electrode 322c have a longer extension on the heating body 31b; the first electrode 321c and the second electrode 322c are extended from the first portion 311c to the second portion 312c.

[0173] In this embodiment, the first electrode 321c and / or the second electrode 322c is terminated at the first end 310c. The first electrode 321c and / or the second electrode 322c has a height dimension d31 extending in the longitudinal direction; the first electrode 321c and / or the second electrode 322c has a second spacing d32 from the second end 320c; the height dimension d31 is greater than the second spacing d32. For example, in some specific embodiments, the height dimension d31 is about 6-10 mm, and the second spacing d32 is about 2-6 mm.

[0174] In Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the height dimension d31 is greater than 1 / 2 of the longitudinal length of the heating body 31c. For example, in some specific embodiments, the height dimension d31 is about 7-9 mm.

[0175] exist Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the first electrode 321c and / or the second electrode 322c are trapezoidal in shape and have varying width dimensions, thereby causing the heating element 31c to have different current densities in the axial direction, resulting in a temperature difference in the axial direction during the first time phase. Alternatively, in some other varied embodiments, the first electrode 321c and / or the second electrode 322c are stepped in shape; the first electrode 321c and / or the second electrode 322c include a first electrode portion located on a first portion 311c and a second electrode portion located on a second portion 312c; both the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion are constant, and the width of the first electrode portion is greater than the width of the second electrode portion.

[0176] or Figure 7 and Figure 8 A schematic diagram of heater 30d according to yet another embodiment is shown; in Figure 7 As shown, heater 30d includes:

[0177] Heating element 31d,

[0178] A first electrode 321d and a second electrode 322d are formed on the outer surface of the heating element 31d;

[0179] At least one conductive trace, such as conductive trace 341d and conductive trace 342d, is located between the first electrode 321d and the second electrode 322d.

[0180] exist Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the first electrode 321d and the second electrode 322d are coupled to the outer surface of the heating element 31d and are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the heating element 31d.

[0181] exist Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the first electrode 321d and / or the second electrode 322d are arranged extending circumferentially along the heating element 31d. The first electrode 321d and / or the second electrode 322d are annular around the heating element 31d. According to... Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the first electrode 321d and / or the second electrode 322d are closed in the circumferential direction; or, the first electrode 321d and / or the second electrode 322d are closed rings.

[0182] according to Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the first electrode 321d and / or the second electrode 322d are located in the first portion 311d of the heating element 31d and avoid the second portion 312d. There is no electrode on the second portion 312d for conducting current thereon.

[0183] According to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the first electrode 321d is closer to the first end 310d than the second electrode 322d. According to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the first electrode 321d and / or the second electrode 322d is closer to the first end 310d than to the second end 320d. The first electrode 321d and / or the second electrode 322d is relatively closer to the first end 310d; and, the first electrode 321d and / or the second electrode 322d is relatively further away from the second end 320d.

[0184] In Figure 8 and Figure 9 to Figure 10 , the first electrode 321d has a first distance d31 from the first end 310d. The first electrode 321d has a second distance d32 from the second electrode 322d. The second electrode 322d has a third distance d33 from the second end 320d.

[0185] In some embodiments, the first distance d31 is smaller than the third distance d33 of the second electrode 322d from the second end 320d. The first distance d31 is smaller than the second distance d32. The second distance d32 is smaller than the third distance d33. In some embodiments, the first distance d21 is between 0.5-2.0mm. The second distance d32 is between 1-4mm. In some alternative embodiments, the first distance d21 is about 1mm. The second distance d32 is about 2mm. Or in some embodiments, the ratio of the second distance d32 to the longitudinal length d12 of the heating body 31d is between 5%-50%; or more preferably, the ratio of the second distance d32 to the longitudinal length d12 of the heating body 31d is between 5%-40%. In Figure 9 and Figure 10 , the third distance d33 of the second electrode 322d from the second end 320d is between 0%-85% of the longitudinal length d12 of the heating body 31d. Or more preferably, the ratio of the third distance d33 to the longitudinal length of the heating body 31d is between 40%-80%.

[0186] In some embodiments, the first electrode 321d and / or the second electrode 322d has a dimension along the longitudinal direction of the heating body 31d of between 1 and 4 mm. In some alternative embodiments, the first electrode 321d and / or the second electrode 322d has a dimension along the longitudinal direction of the heating body 31d of about 2 mm. In some alternative embodiments, the first electrode 321d and / or the second electrode 322d has a dimension along the longitudinal direction of the heating body 31d of between 1% and 40% of the longitudinal length of the heating body 31d; more preferably, the first electrode 321d and / or the second electrode 322d has a dimension along the longitudinal direction of the heating body 31d of between 5% and 40% of the longitudinal length d12 of the heating body 31d; more preferably, the first electrode 321d and / or the second electrode 322d has a dimension along the longitudinal direction of the heating body 31d of between 10% and 30% of the longitudinal length d12 of the heating body 31d.

[0187] In embodiments, the first electrode 321d and the second electrode 322d are electrically connected to the circuit board 20, for example by soldering a conductive lead or the like to the circuit board 20; such that in use, the circuit board 20 is operable to connect the first electrode 321d and the second electrode 322d to the positive / negative terminal of the battery cell 10, respectively, to direct an electrical current through the heating body 31d.

[0188] In embodiments, the heater 30d comprises only the first electrode 321d and the second electrode 322d. Then in use, when the heating body 31d and the conductive tracks are supplied with an electrical current via the first electrode 321d and the second electrode 322d, the first portion 311d of the heating body 31d generates heat by resistive Joule heating. The second portion 312d does not generate heat itself, but rather generates heat by receiving heat transferred from the first portion 311d, as indicated by arrow R1 in Figure 9 to Figure 10 In embodiments, the heater 30d comprises only the first electrode 321d and the second electrode 322d. Then in use, when the heating body 31d and the conductive tracks are supplied with an electrical current via the first electrode 321d and the second electrode 322d, the first portion 311d of the heating body 31d generates heat by resistive Joule heating. The second portion 312d does not generate heat itself, but rather generates heat by receiving heat transferred from the first portion 311d, as indicated by arrow R1 in

[0189] In some alternative embodiments, the heater 30d comprises a plurality of first electrodes 321d and a plurality of second electrodes 322d, for example as shown in Figure 9 to Figure 10 In some alternative embodiments, the heater 30d comprises a plurality of first electrodes 321d and a plurality of second electrodes 322d, for example as shown in

[0190] In some alternative embodiments, the heater 30d comprises a plurality of first electrodes 321d and a plurality of second electrodes 322d, for example as shown in

[0191] In some alternative embodiments, the heater 30d comprises a plurality of first electrodes 321d and a plurality of second electrodes 322d, for example as shown in

[0192] In some alternative embodiments, the heater 30d comprises a plurality of first electrodes 321d and a plurality of second electrodes 322d, for example as shown in

[0193] In some alternative embodiments, the heater 30d comprises a plurality of first electrodes 321d and a plurality of second electrodes 322d, for example as shown in Figure 9 to Figure 10 In some alternative embodiments, the heater 30d comprises a plurality of first electrodes 321d and a plurality of second electrodes 322d, for example as shown in Figure 9 to Figure 10In the illustrated embodiment, the first electrode 321e and / or the second electrode 322e is arranged to extend along a circumference of the heating body 31e. In embodiments, the first electrode 321e and / or the second electrode 322e is non-closed in the circumferential direction of the heating body 31e. Alternatively, at least one of the first electrode 321e and the second electrode 322e is non-closed in the circumferential direction.

[0194] In Figure 9 to Figure 10 In the illustrated embodiment, the first electrode 321e and / or the second electrode 322e is arranged to extend along a circumference of the heating body 31e. In embodiments, the first electrode 321e and / or the second electrode 322e is non-closed in the circumferential direction of the heating body 31e. Alternatively, at least one of the first electrode 321e and the second electrode 322e is non-closed in the circumferential direction. Figure 9 to Figure 10 In the illustrated embodiment, the first electrode 321e and / or the second electrode 322e is arranged to extend along a circumference of the heating body 31e. In embodiments, the first electrode 321e and / or the second electrode 322e is non-closed in the circumferential direction of the heating body 31e. Alternatively, at least one of the first electrode 321e and the second electrode 322e is non-closed in the circumferential direction.

[0195] In Figure 9 to Figure 10 In the illustrated embodiment, the first electrode 321e and / or the second electrode 322e is arranged to extend along a circumference of the heating body 31e. In embodiments, the first electrode 321e and / or the second electrode 322e is non-closed in the circumferential direction of the heating body 31e. Alternatively, at least one of the first electrode 321e and the second electrode 322e is non-closed in the circumferential direction.

[0196] In Figure 9 In the illustrated embodiment, the first electrode 321e and / or the second electrode 322e is arranged to extend along a circumference of the heating body 31e. In embodiments, the first electrode 321e and / or the second electrode 322e is non-closed in the circumferential direction of the heating body 31e. Alternatively, at least one of the first electrode 321e and the second electrode 322e is non-closed in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, the extension arc of the first notch 3211e and / or the extension arc of the second notch 3221e is approximately between 0.1π and 0.8π. For example, in some embodiments, the extension arc of the first notch 3211e is approximately between 0.1π and 0.8π.Figure 9 to Figure 10 In some embodiments, the first gap 3211e and / or the second gap 3221e has an extension of about 0.3π to 0.5π.

[0197] In some embodiments, the first gap 3211e and / or the second gap 3221e has an extension of about 0.3π to 0.5π. Figure 9 to Figure 10 In some embodiments, the first electrode 321e has at least one or more first sections longitudinally opposite to the second electrode 322e, and the second electrode 322e has at least one or more second sections longitudinally opposite to the first electrode 321e. Figure 9 In some embodiments, the first electrode 321e has two first sections longitudinally opposite to the second electrode 322e, and the second electrode 322e has two second sections longitudinally opposite to the first electrode 321e. Figure 10 In some embodiments, the first sections are spaced apart, and the second sections are spaced apart.

[0198] In some embodiments, each of the first sections and / or each of the second sections has an extension of 0.03π to π in the circumferential direction; or each of the first sections and / or each of the second sections has an extension of 5° to 180° in the circumferential direction. Figure 9 to Figure 10 In some embodiments, each of the first sections and / or each of the second sections has an extension of 0.03π to π in the circumferential direction; or each of the first sections and / or each of the second sections has an extension of 5° to 180° in the circumferential direction.

[0199] In some embodiments, at least one of the electrically conductive tracks extends from the first section to the second section. Figure 9 to Figure 10 In some embodiments, the electrically conductive track 341e extends from the first section 3212e to the second section 3222e; and / or the electrically conductive track 342e extends from the first section 3213e to the second section 3223e. Figure 11 In some embodiments, the electrically conductive track 341e extends from the first section 3212e to the second section 3222e; and / or the electrically conductive track 342e extends from the first section 3213e to the second section 3223e. Figure 11 In some embodiments, the electrically conductive track 341e extends from the first section 3212e to the second section 3222e; and / or the electrically conductive track 342e extends from the first section 3213e to the second section 3223e.

[0200] In some embodiments, the electrically conductive track 341e extends from the first section 3212e to the second section 3222e; and / or the electrically conductive track 342e extends from the first section 3213e to the second section 3223e. Figure 11In the illustrated embodiment, when a current is directed through the first electrode 321e and the second electrode 322e on the heating body 31e; a current i31 is formed on the conductive track 341e and the conductive track 342e, and a current i32 is formed on the heating body 31e at the first region between the first section 3212e and the second section 3222e, and at the second region of the first section 3213e and the second section 3223e. Thus, in operation, the resistive Joule heat generated on the heating body 31e is mainly generated at the first region between the first section 3212e and the second section 3222e, and at the second region of the first section 3213e and the second section 3223e; which is advantageous for forming a temperature field that is different on the heating body 31e.

[0201] In Figure 11 In the illustrated embodiment, the length of the first section 3213e is less than the length of the first section 3212e; or, the length of the second section 3222e is less than the length of the second section 3223e. Then the area of the first region is greater than the area of the second region. Or in yet other embodiments, the length of the first section 3213e is equal to the length of the first section 3212e; or, the length of the second section 3222e is equal to the length of the second section 3223e; then the area of the first region is equal to the area of the second region.

[0202] Or in Figure 11 A schematic view of a heater 30f is shown in FIG. 32, in which the heater 30f comprises:

[0203] a tubular heating body 31f extending between a first end 310f and a second end 320f;

[0204] a first electrode 321f and a second electrode 322f formed on or bonded to an outer surface of the heating body 31f and spaced apart along a circumferential direction of the heating body 31f. The first electrode 321f and the second electrode 322f are arranged extending from the first end 310f towards the second end 320f. The first electrode 321f and the second electrode 322f are terminated at the first end 310f.

[0205] In ​ In the illustrated embodiment, the first electrode 321f and / or the second electrode 322f has a height dimension d42 extending along a longitudinal direction of the heating body 31f; the height dimension d42 of the first electrode 321f and / or the second electrode 322f is greater than 1 / 2 of a longitudinal length d12 of the heating body 31f. And, the first electrode 321f and / or the second electrode 322f has a second spacing d43 from the second end 320f. In ​ In the illustrated embodiment, the height dimension d42 is greater than the second spacing d43.

[0206] In ​In the illustrated embodiment, the first electrode 321f and / or the second electrode 322f is / are step-shaped. In ​ In the illustrated embodiment, the first electrode 321f comprises a first electrode portion 3211f and a second electrode portion 3212f arranged in sequence in the longitudinal direction. The first electrode portion 3211f is arranged close to the first end 310f. The width of the first electrode portion 3211f is greater than the width of the second electrode portion 3212f. Correspondingly, the second electrode 322f can also comprise a first electrode portion and a second electrode portion arranged in sequence in the longitudinal direction. In use, it is advantageous for the heating body 31f to form a temperature field in the longitudinal direction that is graduated.

[0207] It should be noted that the preferred embodiments of the present application are shown in the description and drawings of the present application, but are not limited to the embodiments described in the description, and further, those of ordinary skill in the art can make improvements or changes according to the above description, and all these improvements and changes shall belong to the protection scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating device configured to heat an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol; characterised in that, Comprising: a chamber having an opening; in use, an aerosol-generating article is at least partially receivable in or removable from the chamber through the opening; a heating body surrounding or defining at least a portion of the chamber and configured to heat an aerosol-generating article; first and second electrodes spacedly arranged on the heating body for directing an electric current over at least a portion of the heating body; at least one electrically conductive track formed on or integrated with the heating body; the at least one electrically conductive track is arranged to extend from the first electrode to the second electrode and is configured to be subjected to a voltage applied by the first and second electrodes to generate resistive Joule heat.

2. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein, The heating body is an electrically conductive ceramic body.

3. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The material of the heating body has an electrical resistivity at room temperature greater than that of the material of the electrically conductive track.

4. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 3, wherein The material of the heating body has an electrical resistivity at room temperature at least 100 times greater than that of the material of the electrically conductive track. and / or the material of the heating body has an electrical resistivity at room temperature comprised between 1 x 10 -4 Ω cm and 1.3 x 10 -1 Ω cm, the material of the conductive track has an electrical resistivity at room temperature comprised between 9.78 x 10 -6 Ω cm and 1.0 x 10 -4 Ω cm.

5. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 3, wherein The material of the at least one electrically conductive track has a sheet resistance between 5 mΩ / sq and 2500 mΩ / sq.

6. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein When no voltage is applied to the heating body and the at least one electrically conductive track by the first and second electrodes, a Schottky barrier exists between the heating body and the at least one electrically conductive track.

7. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein When a voltage is applied to the heating body and the at least one electrically conductive track by the first and second electrodes, the contact between the heating body and the at least one electrically conductive track changes from Schottky to Ohmic.

8. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The material of the heating body has a negative temperature coefficient of resistance; and the material of the electrically conductive track has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance.

9. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The temperature coefficient of resistance of the material of the heating body is between -3000 and -1000 ppm / °C. The temperature coefficient of resistance of the material of the at least one electrically conductive track is between 0 and 6000 ppm / °C.

10. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The heating body has a thermal conductivity between 5 W / m.K and 40 W / m.K.

11. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The heating body comprises: a first end proximate to the opening and a second end distal from the first end; a first portion and a second portion arranged in a longitudinal direction; wherein the first portion is proximate to or defines the first end and the second portion is proximate to or defines the second end; the first and second electrodes and the at least one electrically conductive track are arranged on the first portion and away from the second portion.

12. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 11, wherein, When an electric current is directed over the heating body and the at least one electrically conductive track by the first and second electrodes, the first portion and the at least one electrically conductive track generate heat by resistive Joule heat and the second portion generates heat by receiving heat transferred from the first portion.

13. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The heating body comprises: first and second ends distal from each other in a longitudinal direction; the first and / or second electrodes and / or the at least one electrically conductive track are arranged closer to the first end than to the second end.

14. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Further comprising: an electric cell for supplying power; a circuit arranged to apply a voltage to the heating body and the at least one electrically conductive track by connecting one of the first and second electrodes to a positive pole of the electric cell and the other to a negative pole of the electric cell.

15. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first and second electrodes are spaced apart along a circumferential direction of the heater; the at least one electrically conductive track extends along a circumferential direction of the heater from the first electrode to the second electrode.

16. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 15, wherein An arc along which the at least one electrically conductive track extends along a circumferential direction of the heater is between π / 6 and π; And / or, a dimension along which the at least one electrically conductive track extends along a circumferential direction of the heater is between 3 and 12 mm.

17. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first and second electrodes are spaced apart along a longitudinal direction of the heater; the first and second electrodes are arranged to extend along a circumferential direction of the heater, and at least part of the first electrode is opposite at least part of the second electrode in a longitudinal direction of the heater.

18. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 17, wherein, The first and / or second electrodes are closed loops; Alternatively, the first and / or second electrodes are configured to be non-closed in a circumferential direction.

19. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 17, wherein, The first electrode has at least one first section, and the second electrode has at least one second section; at least one first section and at least one second section are opposite in a longitudinal direction of the heater.

20. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 19, wherein, The at least one electrically conductive track extends from the first section to the second section.

21. An aerosol-generating device configured to heat an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol; characterised in that, Comprising: a chamber having an opening; in use, an aerosol-generating article can be at least partially received within or removed from the chamber through the opening; a heater surrounding or defining at least part of the chamber and configured to heat an aerosol-generating article; first and second electrodes spaced apart on the heater for directing an electric current over at least part of the heater; at least one electrically conductive track formed on or in the heater and extending from the first electrode to the second electrode; when a voltage is applied to the heater and the at least one electrically conductive track via the first and second electrodes, the heater and the at least one electrically conductive track can transition from a Schottky contact to an Ohmic contact.

22. A heater for an aerosol generating device, characterized in that, Comprising: a chamber having an opening; in use, an aerosol-generating article can be at least partially received within or removed from the chamber through the opening; a heater surrounding or defining at least part of the chamber and configured to heat an aerosol-generating article; first and second electrodes spaced apart on the heater for directing an electric current over at least part of the heater; at least one electrically conductive track formed on or in the heater; the at least one electrically conductive track is arranged to extend from the first electrode to the second electrode, whereby a voltage can be applied by the first and second electrodes to generate resistive Joule heat.

Images