Heater structure for electronic cigarette having minimized contact resistance with electrode terminal

Abstract

An embodiment of the utility model provides a heater structural body for an electronic cigarette, which minimizes contact resistance with an electrode terminal, and is characterized by comprising a porous ceramic component, a heater component and an electrode terminal, the porous ceramic component is porous so as to absorb liquid aerosol generating substances, and the heater component is arranged on the electrode terminal. And a heater member which is formed so as to adhere to one surface of the porous ceramic member and atomizes the liquid aerosol-generating substance, the heater member including a contact hole that is formed in at least a part of one surface that is in contact with an external electrode terminal in order to improve the strength of contact with the tip of the external electrode terminal.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to a heater structure for electronic cigarette, more particularly to a heater structure for electronic cigarette minimizing the contact resistance with electrode terminal and an aerosol generating device for electronic cigarette comprising the same. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, the cigarette form of cigarette was almost the only way used when inhaling a favorite substance, but recently, a liquid electronic cigarette has become a way.

[0003] Such a liquid electronic cigarette applies heat or ultrasonic waves to a cartridge containing a liquid form of inhaled substance, atomizes the inhaled substance using steam, and generates fine particles. Thus, the liquid electronic cigarette is completely different from the conventional cigarette form of cigarette in terms of the way of generating smoke, and can particularly prevent various harmful substances generated by combustion.

[0004] The above-mentioned liquid electronic cigarette mostly uses an assembly in which a porous member that absorbs a liquid aerosol generating base material and a heater that heats the liquid are combined. In order to manufacture the assembly in which the porous member and the heater are combined as described above, an In-mold method in which the heater is built into the inside of the porous member and a method in which the heater is recessed in the inside direction on the surface of the porous member according to the thickness of the heater can be used.

[0005] As described above, in the case in which the heater is recessed on the porous member to the thickness thereof, the production cost of the assembly in which the porous member and the heater are combined is relatively reduced, and the amount of aerosol generation is increased compared to the In-mold method.

[0006] On the other hand, the heater combined with the porous member contacts a pogo pin of an electrode terminal in the electronic cigarette body to supply current, and at this time, when an oxide film, foreign matter, or the like exists in the terminal portion of the heater contacting the pogo pin, the contact resistance is increased to generate a resistance value higher than a required resistance value, and thus there can be a problem in that the current cannot be smoothly supplied. SUMMARY

[0007] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0008] The technical problem to be solved by the utility model lies in providing a heater structure for electronic cigarette minimizing the contact resistance with electrode terminal.

[0009] The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is not limited to the above-mentioned technical problem, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the utility model pertains through the following description.

[0010] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0011] To achieve the technical problem, an embodiment of the present application provides a heater structure for an electronic cigarette which minimizes contact resistance with an electrode terminal, characterized by comprising: a porous ceramic member formed with porosity so as to be able to absorb a liquid aerosol generating material; and a heater member formed in a form attached to one surface of the porous ceramic member to atomize the liquid aerosol generating material, the heater member including a contact hole formed in at least a portion of the one surface in contact with an electrode terminal of the outside to improve contact strength with a tip of the electrode terminal of the outside.

[0012] In the embodiment of the present application, the contact hole can be formed of a first contact hole of a first type which allows the liquid aerosol generating material to pass through the porous ceramic member located at the upper portion, or can be formed of a second contact hole of a second type which has a dimple shape in a recessed form which is not a through structure.

[0013] In the embodiment of the present application, the contact hole can be formed using at least one of a laser processing method, an etching processing method, and a press processing method, and the contact hole formed by at least one of the laser processing method, the etching processing method, and the press processing method is in contact with the electrode terminal of the outside, separates an oxide film formed around the heater member after sintering processing and exposed to the outside air, and thus the electrode terminal of the outside can be in contact with the heater member without being exposed to the oxide film in a state in which contact resistance is minimized.

[0014] In the embodiment of the present application, the width of the contact hole can be narrower than the width of the tip of the electrode terminal of the outside.

[0015] In the embodiment of the present application, a contact protrusion can be formed at a lower edge of the heater member which is in contact with the electrode terminal of the outside and in which the contact hole is formed.

[0016] In the embodiment of the present application, the heater member can include a conductive pattern body which is in contact with the electrode terminal of the outside, supplies a current to heat the heater member, and an anchor which is formed in connection with the conductive pattern body, protrudes in a perpendicular direction with respect to the conductive pattern body, and improves the bonding strength of the porous ceramic member and the heater member.

[0017] In the embodiment of the present application, the conductive pattern body can be formed in a state of being exposed to the surface of the porous ceramic member, and the anchor can be formed in a state of being inserted into the inside of the porous ceramic member.

[0018] In the embodiment of the present application, the anchor can be formed with a coupling support hole that can penetrate the central portion, so as to increase the contact area between the beads of the porous ceramic member sintered around the periphery of the anchor.

[0019] Effects of the present application

[0020] According to the embodiment of the present application, the contact resistance with the electrode terminal can be minimized. Specifically, the present application has the effect that the contact terminal can be minimized by the oxidation film generated after sintering.

[0021] The effects of the present application are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and it should be understood that all effects that can be inferred from the configuration of the present application described in the specification or claims of the present application are included. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a diagram briefly showing an aerosol-generating device for an electronic cigarette according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0023] Figure 2 is a diagram shown to explain a heater structure for an electronic cigarette according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0024] Figure 3 is a reference diagram shown to explain a state in which a heater member not formed with a contact hole contacts a pogo pin.

[0025] Figure 4 is a diagram shown to explain a heater structure for an electronic cigarette according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Figure 5 is a diagram shown to explain a heater structure for an electronic cigarette according to still another embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure 6 is a diagram showing a specific shape of a lower portion of an edge of a contact hole according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 7 is a diagram shown to explain a detailed structure of an anchor according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Hereinafter, the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present application can be implemented in various different forms, and thus is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Also, in the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description of the present application are omitted for the sake of clarity, and like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0030] Throughout the specification, when certain parts are "connected" (connected, contacted, combined) with other parts, this includes not only the case of "direct connection" but also the case of "indirect connection" with other parts in between. Also, when certain parts "include" certain structural elements, this means that other structural elements can also be included unless otherwise specifically stated, rather than excluding other structural elements.

[0031] The terms used in the present specification are used only to explain specific embodiments and not to limit the present application. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present specification, it should be understood that the terms "include" or "have" are used to indicate the presence of the described features, numbers, steps, actions, structural elements, components, or combinations thereof, and do not preclude the presence or additiveness of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, structural elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, an electronic cigarette heater structure minimizing contact resistance with an electrode terminal and an electronic cigarette aerosol generating device including the same will be described.

[0033] Figure 1 is a diagram briefly showing an electronic cigarette aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Referring to Figure 1 , the electronic cigarette aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present application can include a porous ceramic member 100, a heater member 200, a cartridge 300, a mouthpiece 400, a start button 500, and a battery 600.

[0035] For a description of the porous ceramic member 100 and the heater member 200, detailed descriptions will be made later with reference to Figures 2 to 7 .

[0036] The cartridge 300 is located at an upper portion of the porous ceramic member 100 and can store an aerosol generating material in a liquid state inside.

[0037] The liquid aerosol generating material can mean a liquid composition including more than one aerosol generating material. For example, the liquid aerosol generating material can include at least one of propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (GLY), and can include at least one of ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. As another example, the aerosol generating material can further include at least one of nicotine, moisture, and an aromatic substance. As still another example, the aerosol generating material can further include various additive substances such as cassia, capsaicin, etc. The constituent materials constituting the aerosol generating material can be variously selected according to embodiments, and the mixing ratio thereof can also be different according to embodiments.

[0038] The drip tip 400 is a portion that is inhaled by the user's mouth and is located at the uppermost end of the aerosol generating device.

[0039] The activation button 500 can be a button for generating a trigger signal to enable activation of the aerosol generating device when the user holds the aerosol generating device with the hand.

[0040] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a view to illustrate a heater structure for an electronic cigarette according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0041] For a conventional electronic cigarette, when exposed to the outside air after sintering, the heater component is oxidized to naturally form an oxidation film. Due to the oxidation film based thereon, when the heater component contacts the external electrode terminal (spring needle), the resistance increases, and there is a problem that it is difficult to smoothly supply the current, and the following-described heater structure according to the present application can solve the above-described conventional problem.

[0042] Referring to Figure 2 The heater structure according to the present application can include the porous ceramic component 100 and the heater component 200.

[0043] The heater structure according to the present application functions to apply heat to the liquid aerosol material as it passes through the porous ceramic component 100 to atomize the liquid aerosol material.

[0044] The porous ceramic component 100 according to the embodiment of the present application can be formed to be porous so as to be capable of absorbing the liquid aerosol generating material.

[0045] The porous ceramic component 100 is a structure comprising multiple beads 110. For example, it can be a structure with sphere packing of a body-centered cubic (BCC) or face-centered cubic (FCC) structure, but it is not limited to these and can have various packing structures. The shape of the porous ceramic component 100 is not specifically shown; it can be any shape that allows for easy absorption of liquid aerosol-generating substances from the chamber storing such substances. For example, it can be designed with various shapes such as H-like shapes, ∩-like shapes, and U-like shapes.

[0046] The porous ceramic component 100 includes a plurality of porous beads 110. The raw materials of the porous beads 110 can be varied, such as glass beads, ceramic beads, or alumina beads. As a porous raw material, any bead that can smoothly transport liquid aerosol generating substances is acceptable and is not particularly limited.

[0047] In this specification, a “face” of a porous ceramic component can be defined as the area in the porous ceramic component that is exposed to the outside and located at the outermost edge, formed by the continuous connection of porous beads, which can include a flat face or a curved face.

[0048] Furthermore, the heater component 200 is formed in the form of being attached to one side of the porous ceramic component 100, which can atomize the liquid aerosol generating material.

[0049] refer to Figure 2 In part (a), the heater component 200 of this invention may be configured as a conductive patterned body 210 and an anchor 230.

[0050] The conductive pattern body 210 contacts the external electrode terminals, thereby supplying current to heat the heater component 200.

[0051] According to this embodiment, the conductive pattern body 210 is as follows: Figure 2 As shown in part (a), it may include: a current application part 211 located at both ends of the heater component and in contact with external electrode terminals, and a connecting part 213 formed in a zigzag shape and connected between the current application parts 211 located at both ends of the heater component.

[0052] The connecting part 213 forms a flat heating pattern consisting of alternating horizontal and vertical patterns.

[0053] In this case, the "lateral pattern" can be defined as a pattern arranged in the direction of a longer edge of a corner in one face of the porous ceramic member in which the heater member 200 is placed or one face of the porous ceramic member in which the internal heater member is placed, and the "vertical pattern" can be defined as a pattern arranged in the direction of a shorter edge of a corner in one face of the porous ceramic member or one face of the porous ceramic member in which the internal heater member is placed, in contrast.

[0054] The heating pattern can be a structure in which the lateral pattern is connected while maintaining a balance between the vertical patterns. Specifically, as shown in (a) of FIG. 10, the heating pattern can be connected in the order of a lateral pattern, a vertical pattern, a lateral pattern, and a vertical pattern, which can be a structure in which the lateral pattern is connected at the end of each vertical pattern and the vertical pattern is connected at the end of each lateral pattern. Figure 2

[0055] The anchor 230 of the present embodiment is formed by connecting the conductive pattern body 210, and protrudes in a perpendicular direction with respect to the conductive pattern body 210, thereby improving the bonding strength of the porous ceramic member 100 and the heater member 200.

[0056] The conductive pattern body 210 of the present embodiment can be formed so as to be exposed to the surface of the porous ceramic member 100, and the anchor 230 can be formed so as to be inserted into the inside of the porous ceramic member 100.

[0057] More specifically, the conductive pattern body 210 is inserted into the porous ceramic member 100 to a thickness level (i.e., only the upper surface and the side surface of the conductive pattern body 210 are recessed into the inside of the porous ceramic member), and can be implemented so that only the lower surface is exposed to the outside.

[0058] Also, the anchor 230 is completely inserted into the porous ceramic member 100 in a perpendicular direction, thereby functioning to fix and support the heater member 200 on the porous ceramic member 100.

[0059] The anchor 230 according to the present embodiment is formed as a plurality of anchors on both sides of the current application part 211 and the connection part 213, as shown in (a) of FIG. 10, thereby being arranged at a predetermined interval distance. Figure 2 The anchor 230 according to the present embodiment is formed as a plurality of anchors on both sides of the current application part 211 and the connection part 213, as shown in (a) of FIG. 10, thereby being arranged at a predetermined interval distance.​

[0060] Furthermore, the current application part 211 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a contact hole 250, which is formed on at least a portion of the side that contacts the spring pin 30 in order to improve the contact strength with the end of the external electrode terminal, i.e., the pogo pin 30.

[0061] like Figure 2 The contact hole shown can be in the form of a first contact hole 251, which is a structure in which liquid aerosol generating material can penetrate to the porous ceramic component 100 located at the top.

[0062] Figure 2 Part (b) represents Figure 2 The diagram of section AA in (a) is shown in the reference diagram. Figure 2 (b) According to this embodiment, the first contact hole 251 must be narrower than the width of the spring pin 30.

[0063] according to Figure 2 (b) The first contact hole 251 of the present invention can be achieved by etching (e.g., chemical etching).

[0064] The width of the first contact hole 251 is narrower than the width of the spring pin 30, so that the contact resistance caused by oxide film and foreign matter formed on the heater component 200 can be minimized while the end of the spring pin 30 contacts the edge portion (highlighted) of the first contact hole 251.

[0065] Figure 3 This is a reference diagram shown to illustrate the contact configuration between a heater component without a contact hole and a spring pin. (Reference) Figure 3 When the heater component applying current does not have a contact hole as described in this invention and comes into contact with the spring pin, the oxide film and foreign matter adhering to the heater component may cause incomplete contact, which may make it difficult to apply current.

[0066] However, as Figure 2 As shown, when the contact hole 251 is formed, a portion of the end of the spring pin 30 is inserted between the contact holes 251, thereby achieving more effective contact between the heater component 200 and the spring pin 30, and also causing oxide film and foreign matter present around the contact hole 251 to fall off.

[0067] Figure 4 This figure is shown to illustrate the structure of an electronic cigarette heater according to another embodiment of the present invention. The contact hole formed on the current application portion 211 according to this embodiment is like... Figure 2Similarly, the first contact hole 251 of the structure can be formed by liquid aerosol generating material penetrating into the porous ceramic component 100 located at the top.

[0068] However, according to this embodiment, the first contact hole 251 is not only formed in the area that contacts the spring pin 30, but can be formed in multiple places on the entire area of ​​the current application part 211.

[0069] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first contact hole 251 is as follows: Figure 4 As shown in (b), the width is narrower than the end of the spring pin 30, which allows for a narrower width compared to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 The first contact hole 251 is formed with a narrow width.

[0070] Figure 5 The figure is shown to illustrate a heater structure for an electronic cigarette according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] According to this embodiment, the contact hole formed on the current application part 211 can be in the form of a second contact hole 253, and the second contact hole 253 is in the shape of a pit with a concave shape (see reference). Figure 5 The structure of (b) is not a through structure like the first contact hole 251.

[0072] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the specific shape of the lower edge of the contact hole according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] refer to Figure 6 The contact hole 250, which is formed on the current application part 211 and includes a first contact hole 251 and a second contact hole 253, can be made by pressing so that a contact protrusion 215 is formed on the lower part of the edge (shown in red) that contacts the end of the spring pin 30.

[0074] By using a pressing method, if a contact protrusion 215 is formed on the lower edge of the current application portion 211 that forms the contact hole 251, it can more effectively contact the end of the spring pin 30, thereby significantly reducing the contact resistance.

[0075] As described above, the contact holes formed by pressing and the edge portions of the contact holes formed by etching contact with the spring pins, which are external electrode terminals, thereby damaging the oxide film. The spring pins contact the internal surface of the current application portion that is not exposed to the oxide film, thereby reducing the contact resistance.

[0076] This invention utilizes a laser device to roughen the surface of the current application part 211 that contacts the spring needle 30, thereby minimizing the contact resistance.

[0077] To explain in more detail the method of making the contact hole of the current application part 211, if the current application part 211 is irradiated with a laser, a dummy pad is accumulated around it while forming the contact hole, so as to form the contact hole in the shape of a pit.

[0078] This recessed contact hole contacts the spring pin, which serves as the external electrode terminal, crushing the accumulated dummy pads. The spring pin then smoothly supplies current while contacting the internal surface of the current application section that is not exposed to the oxide film. At this time, the spring pin simultaneously contacts both the recessed contact hole and the crushed dummy pads.

[0079] Figure 7 The figure is shown to illustrate the detailed structure of an anchor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] The anchor 230 forms a connecting support hole 231 that extends to the center, so as to increase the contact area between the anchor 230 and the beads 110 of the porous ceramic component 100 sintered around the periphery of the anchor 230.

[0081] Figure 7 Part (a) indicates the shape of the beads sintered around the anchor when the support hole 231 is not connected. Figure 7 Part (b) represents the shape of a bead sintered around an anchor 230 having a connecting support hole 231 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] As described in this utility model, if there is a connecting support hole 231 in the center, then many beads 110 can be filled between the connecting support holes 231 and sintered together, thereby increasing the area where the anchor 230 is fixed and improving the bonding force between the heater component 200 and the porous ceramic component 100.

[0083] At this time, the size of the support hole 231 according to this embodiment must be larger than the particle size of the raw material constituting the porous ceramic component 100.

[0084] When heat is applied to the anchor, the force is applied by means of thermal expansion. At this time, it is necessary to fix the connection 213 of the heater component 200 to prevent it from detaching from the porous ceramic component 100.

[0085] On the other hand, as described above, if the anchor 230 forming the connecting support hole 231 of this utility model is used, it is accurately embedded in the porous ceramic component 100, and even if it expands thermally at high temperature due to heat generation, the connecting part 213 will not separate.

[0086] In the anchor 230 according to the embodiments of the present application, the shape of the outer frame can also be formed by a polygon such as a triangle, a quadrilateral, a pentagon, a hexagon, etc., and can also be formed by a circular shape. Furthermore, the shape of the support hole 231 can also be formed by a polygon such as a triangle, a quadrilateral, a pentagon, a hexagon, etc., and can also be formed by a circular shape. The combination of the shape of the outer frame of the anchor 230 and the shape of the support hole 231 can be realized in a plurality of combinations.

[0087] The foregoing description of the present application is intended for illustration and a person skilled in the art can understand that the present application can be easily modified in other specific forms without changing the technical idea or essential characteristics of the present application. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all aspects and are not limiting. For example, each structural element described in a single form can also be implemented in a distributed manner, and a structural element described in a distributed form can also be implemented in a combined form.

[0088] The scope of the present application is shown by the appended claims, and all modifications or variations derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and its equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A heater structure for electronic cigarettes that minimizes contact resistance with electrode terminals, characterized in that, include: Porous ceramic components are formed in a porous manner to facilitate the absorption of liquid aerosol-generating substances. The heater component, formed to be attached to one side of the porous ceramic component, atomizes the liquid aerosol-generating substance. The heater component includes a contact hole, which is formed on at least a portion of the side that contacts the external electrode terminal in order to improve the contact strength with the end of the external electrode terminal.

2. The heater structure for electronic cigarettes that minimizes contact resistance with electrode terminals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The contact hole is formed by a first contact hole of a first type that allows liquid aerosol-generating material to pass through to the porous ceramic component located at the top, or It is formed by a second type of second contact hole with a concave shape that is not a through structure.

3. The heater structure for electronic cigarettes that minimizes contact resistance with electrode terminals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The contact hole is formed using at least one of laser processing, etching, and pressing methods. The contact hole formed by at least one of the laser processing, etching processing and pressing processing methods contacts the external electrode terminal, thereby separating the oxide film formed around the heater component after sintering and exposure to external air. This allows the external electrode terminal to contact the heater component, which is not exposed to the oxide film, with minimal contact resistance.

4. The heater structure for electronic cigarettes that minimizes contact resistance with electrode terminals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width of the contact hole is narrower than the width of the end of the external electrode terminal.

5. The heater structure for electronic cigarettes that minimizes contact resistance with electrode terminals according to claim 1, characterized in that, A contact protrusion is formed on the lower edge of the heater component that contacts the external electrode terminal and forms the contact hole.

6. The heater structure for electronic cigarettes that minimizes contact resistance with electrode terminals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heater component includes: The conductive pattern body contacts the external electrode terminals to supply current, thereby heating the heater component. An anchor-like structure, formed by connecting to the conductive pattern body, protrudes vertically relative to the conductive pattern body to improve the bonding strength between the porous ceramic component and the heater component.

7. The heater structure for electronic cigarettes that minimizes contact resistance with electrode terminals according to claim 6, characterized in that, The conductive pattern body is formed in a form that exposes the surface of the porous ceramic component. The anchor is formed in a shape that is inserted into the interior of the porous ceramic component.

8. The heater structure for electronic cigarettes that minimizes contact resistance with electrode terminals according to claim 7, characterized in that, The anchor forms a connecting support hole that extends to the center, thereby increasing the contact area between the anchor and the beads of the porous ceramic component sintered around the anchor.

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