Aerosol-generating device
By introducing detection circuits and sensing elements into the aerosol generation device to control the conduction and disconnection of electrical connections, the problem of burns during disassembly is solved, and a safe disassembly process is achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing aerosol generating devices lack protective measures during disassembly, which can easily lead to burns.
An aerosol generation device including a detection circuit was designed. The device controls the conduction and disconnection of electrical connections when the cover is connected to and separated from the main body by a sensing element, thereby preventing electrical energy from being transferred to the heating element and ensuring that the heating element does not work during disassembly.
This effectively avoids the risk of burns when disassembling the aerosol generating device, improving safety during use.
Smart Images
Figure CN223968634U_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] This application relates to the field of aerosol technology, and more particularly to an aerosol generating apparatus. [Background Technology]
[0002] Traditional tobacco-generating matrices (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, etc.) produce tobacco smoke by burning tobacco during use. Existing technologies offer alternatives to these traditional tobacco-generating matrices by releasing compounds through heating without combustion. An example of such a product is an aerosol generating device, which typically includes a housing chamber and a heating element. The housing chamber houses the aerosol-generating article (e.g., a cigarette) used in conjunction with the device, while the heating element heats the aerosol-generating article within the housing chamber, causing at least a portion of the active substances in the article to evaporate and generate an aerosol.
[0003] Aerosol generating devices also include a battery cell, which provides the electrical energy needed to heat the heating element. Existing aerosol generating devices are designed for easy disassembly, allowing users to replace the battery cell and thus extending the device's lifespan. However, existing aerosol generating devices lack protective measures during disassembly, which can easily lead to burns. [Utility Model Content]
[0004] This application provides an aerosol generating device to avoid the risk of burns during the disassembly of the aerosol generating device.
[0005] At least one embodiment of this application provides an aerosol generating device, including a main body and a cover removably connected to the main body, the main body comprising:
[0006] Containment chamber for containing aerosol-generated products;
[0007] A heating element for heating the aerosol-generating article to produce an aerosol;
[0008] Battery cells are used to provide electrical energy to the heating element;
[0009] A controller is used to control the battery cell to supply electrical energy to the heating element;
[0010] The main body further includes a detection circuit, which includes a sensing element electrically connected to the controller. When the cover and the main body are connected, the detection circuit is turned on, thereby causing the sensing element to generate an electrical signal. When the cover and the main body are separated, the detection circuit is turned off, thereby causing the sensing element to stop generating the electrical signal. The controller is configured to disconnect the electrical connection between the battery cell and the heating element based on the electrical signal when the cover and the main body are separated.
[0011] In one embodiment, the detection circuit includes a first conductive part and a second conductive part, the sensing element is electrically connected between the first conductive part and the second conductive part, the cover is a conductor, and when the cover is connected to the main body, both the first conductive part and the second conductive part are electrically connected to the cover.
[0012] In one embodiment, the sensing element includes a temperature sensing element for sensing the temperature of the heating element.
[0013] In one embodiment, both the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion include a wire electrically connected to the sensing element, and a conductive elastomer or switching element disposed at the end of the wire for electrical connection to the cover.
[0014] In one embodiment, when the end of the wire is provided with a conductive elastomer for electrical connection with the cover, the conductive elastomer includes a spring pin.
[0015] In one embodiment, the switching element includes any one of a tactile switch, a micro switch, a photoelectric switch, a limit switch, or a proximity switch.
[0016] In one embodiment, the main body further includes a hollow heat insulation component, the heating element is disposed in the hollow area of the heat insulation component, the conductive elastomer or the switching element is attached to the heat insulation component, and when the cover is connected to the main body, the cover is fitted around the periphery of the heat insulation component.
[0017] In one embodiment, the wall of the thermal insulation member defines a through hole communicating with the hollow region, and the conductive elastomer or the switching element is mounted in the through hole.
[0018] In one embodiment, the body further includes a heating tube defining the receiving chamber, the heating element being disposed on the outer wall or inside of the heating tube, the heating tube being positioned in the hollow region of the insulation member and maintaining a gap with the inner wall of the insulation member, and the wire extending in the gap.
[0019] In one embodiment, the thermal insulation includes a top wall defining an inlet for the aerosol to enter the containment chamber, and the elastic element or the switching element is coupled to the top wall.
[0020] In the aerosol generating device provided in the above embodiments, when the cover is removed from the main body during the disassembly of the aerosol generating device, the sensing element in the detection circuit no longer generates the electrical signal, so the controller cannot continue to acquire the electrical signal. Consequently, the controller controls the disconnection of the electrical connection between the battery cell and the heating element, thus avoiding the risk of burns during the disassembly of the aerosol generating device. [Attached Image Description]
[0021] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements having the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.
[0022] Figure 1 A perspective view of an aerosol generating apparatus provided in one embodiment of this application from one direction.
[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 An exploded view of a medium-sized aerosol generation device;
[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the aerosol generation device in one direction;
[0025] Figure 4 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus provided in another embodiment of this application;
[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the aerosol generation device from another direction;
[0027] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the insulation component of the aerosol generation device in one direction.
Detailed Implementation Methods
[0028] To facilitate understanding of this utility model, a more detailed description is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that when an element is described as "fixed to" or "attached to" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. When an element is described as "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. The terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," and similar expressions used in this specification are for illustrative purposes only.
[0029] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The term "and / or" as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0030] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.
[0031] In this embodiment of the utility model, "installation" includes fixing or restricting a component or device to a specific position or place by means of welding, screwing, snapping, bonding, etc. The component or device may remain stationary in the specific position or place or may move within a limited range. After the component or device is fixed or restricted to the specific position or place, it may or may not be disassembled. This embodiment of the utility model does not impose any restrictions.
[0032] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0033] One embodiment of this application provides an aerosol generating device 100, such as... Figures 1-3 As shown, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a main body 10 and a cover 20 removably connected to the main body 10. A heating tube 11 is provided in the main body 10. The heating tube 11 is hollow to define a receiving chamber 111. The receiving chamber 111 is used to receive the aerosol generating product 200 used in conjunction with the aerosol generating device 100. When the aerosol generating product 200 is received in the receiving chamber 111, the heating tube 11 can heat the aerosol generating product 200, thereby causing some of the active substances filled inside the aerosol generating product 200 to evaporate and generate aerosol. The user can inhale the aerosol by sucking it on the aerosol generating product 200.
[0034] In some embodiments, a heating element 12 is attached to the outer wall of the heating tube 11. The heating element 12 can be a mesh resistive heating element, a heating film, or a heating material printed onto the outer wall of the heating tube 11 by thick film printing. The aerosol generating device 100 also includes a main board 19 and a battery cell 13. A controller is provided on the main board 19. Both the heating element 12 and the battery cell 13 are electrically connected to the controller. The controller can then control the battery cell 13 to provide electrical energy to the heating element 12. After the heating element 12 is energized, it generates heat, which can be transferred to the receiving chamber 111 to heat the aerosol generating article 200.
[0035] In order to efficiently conduct the heat generated by the heating element 12 to the receiving chamber 111, the heating tube 11 can be made of a high thermal conductivity material. The high thermal conductivity material can be a metal or a ceramic material, and the ceramic material can be any one of oxides, nitrides, carbides, borides, etc.
[0036] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device 100 can also heat the aerosol generating product 200 via electromagnetic induction. Specifically, an induction coil (not shown) surrounds the heating tube 11. The controller controls the battery cell 13 to supply alternating current to the induction coil. Under the action of the alternating current, the induction coil generates a changing magnetic field. This changing magnetic field penetrates the heating tube 11, inducing eddy currents in the heating tube 11. The heating tube 11 generates heat under the action of the eddy current effect and the hysteresis effect, thereby heating the aerosol generating product 200 in the receiving chamber 111. In other words, the heating tube 11 itself generates heat and acts as a heating element to heat the aerosol generating product in the receiving chamber 111.
[0037] The suitable material for the heating element 11 can be any one of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, stainless steel, niobium, aluminum, nickel, iron, copper, nickel-containing compounds, titanium, and metal composites. In some embodiments, to better induce eddy currents and improve heating efficiency, the material of the heating element 11 is preferably a ferromagnetic material or composed of ferromagnetic materials, such as ferritic iron, ferromagnetic alloys (e.g., ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel), ferromagnetic particles, and ferrite.
[0038] Alternatively, in some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the heating element 12 can also be disposed in the receiving chamber 111, and its end extending into the receiving chamber 111 is configured as a pin or a plate, so that when the aerosol generating article 200 is contained in the receiving chamber 111, the heating element 12 can be inserted into the aerosol generating article 200 for heating, thereby improving the heating efficiency of the heating element 12.
[0039] The aerosol-generating article 200 preferably uses a tobacco-containing material from which volatile compounds are released upon heating; or it may be a non-tobacco material suitable for electric heating and smoke generation after heating. The aerosol-generating article 200 preferably uses a solid matrix, which may include one or more of the following: vanilla leaves, tobacco leaves, homogenized tobacco, expanded tobacco, powder, granules, fragments, strips, or sheets; or the solid matrix may contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile aroma compounds to be released when the matrix is heated.
[0040] The aerosol generating device 100 also includes a detection circuit, such as Figure 5 As shown, the detection circuit includes a first conductive part 14 and a second conductive part 15, and a sensing element (not shown) electrically connected between the first conductive part 14 and the second conductive part 15. The sensing element is electrically connected to the control unit. The cover 20 is made of a conductive material, thus forming a conductor. When the cover 20 is connected to the main body 10, both the first conductive part 14 and the second conductive part 15 are in electrical contact with the cover 20, thereby forming an electrical connection between the first conductive part 14 and the second conductive part 15 through the cover 20, which in turn enables the detection circuit to conduct. After the detection circuit is conducted, the sensing element can start working and generate an electrical signal. This electrical signal is further sent to the controller. The controller can determine that the cover 20 has been connected to the main body 10 upon receiving the electrical signal, and thus the controller can control the battery cell 13 to provide power to the heating element 12 under further user operation. For example, the user can press a button on the aerosol generating device 100 to start heating.
[0041] When the cover 20 and the main body 10 are separated, the first conductive part 14 and the second conductive part 15 are electrically isolated, the detection circuit is disconnected, the sensing element stops working, the controller no longer receives the electrical signal sent by the sensing element, the controller can determine that the cover 20 and the main body 10 have been separated, the controller controls the disconnection of the electrical connection between the battery cell 13 and the heating element 12, so that the heating element 12 cannot heat. In other words, when the cover 20 is removed from the main body 10, the heating element 12 cannot heat.
[0042] In this embodiment, when the aerosol generating device 100 needs to be disassembled to remove the battery cell 13 for replacement, the detection circuit is disconnected after the cover 20 is removed, and the heating element 12 cannot heat up, thereby avoiding the risk of burns during the disassembly process.
[0043] For example, if the aerosol generating device 100 is being heated before disassembly, and it cannot be confirmed from the outside that the aerosol generating device 100 is being heated, there is a risk of burns when disassembling the aerosol generating device 100.
[0044] In some embodiments, the sensing element includes a temperature sensing element (not shown), which is used to sense the temperature of the heating element 12. The temperature sensing element can be any one of a thermocouple, a thermistor, or a semiconductor-based temperature sensor. When the cover 20 and the main body 10 are connected, the aerosol generating device 100 can operate normally. During the heating process of the heating element 12, the controller acquires the electrical signal sent by the temperature sensing element and calculates the real-time temperature of the heating element 12 based on the electrical signal. This allows the controller to control the temperature of the heating element 12, so that the heating element 12 heats according to a preset heating curve.
[0045] When the cover 20 is removed from the main body 10, the detection circuit is disconnected, the temperature sensing element stops working, the controller can no longer obtain the temperature of the heating element 12, and the controller controls the battery cell 13 to stop supplying power to the heating element 12, and the heating element 12 stops heating.
[0046] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, both the first conductive part 14 and the second conductive part 15 include a wire 16 and a conductive elastic body 17 disposed at the end of the wire 16 for electrical connection with the cover 20. When the cover 20 and the main body 10 are connected, the conductive elastic body 17 abuts against the cover 20. Under the squeezing force of the cover 20, the conductive elastic body 17 undergoes elastic deformation, and thus the conductive elastic body 17 can make tight contact with the cover 20 under the action of its elastic restoring force, thereby effectively improving the stability of the electrical connection between the first conductive part 14, the second conductive part 15 and the cover 20. Preferably, the conductive elastic body 17 is a spring pin; or, in some embodiments, the conductive elastic body 17 can also be a spring sheet.
[0047] In some embodiments, to improve the stability of the electrical connection between the first conductive part 14, the second conductive part 15 and the cover 20, the first conductive part 14 and the second conductive part 15 further include a switching element (not shown) disposed at the end of the wire 16. When the cover 20 is connected to the main body 10, the switching element is closed, so that both the first conductive part 14 and the second conductive part 15 are electrically connected to the cover 20. The first conductive part 14 and the second conductive part 15 can be electrically connected through the cover 20, thereby enabling the detection circuit to conduct and the sensing element to start working.
[0048] For example, the switching element can be a physical switch such as a micro switch or a tactile switch. When the cover 20 and the main body 10 are connected, the cover 20 drives the drive rod of the micro switch or the button of the tactile switch to actuate, thereby closing the micro switch or tactile switch to conduct electricity, so as to electrically connect the first conductive part 14 and the second conductive part 15 to the cover 20. In some other embodiments, the switching element can also be a photoelectric switch, a limit switch, or a proximity switch, etc., which realizes the switching function through signal detection.
[0049] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the main body 10 also includes a heat insulation component 18. The heat insulation component 18 is hollow, thus defining a hollow region 181. The heating tube 11 is disposed in the hollow region 181 to prevent heat loss from the heating tube 11. A conductive elastomer 17 or a switching element is attached to the heat insulation component 18. When the cover 20 is connected to the main body 10, the cover 20 is fitted around the heat insulation component 18, thereby facilitating electrical connection between the first conductive part 14 and the second conductive part 15 and the cover 20. Preferably, the heat insulation component 18 is made of plastic material. On the one hand, plastic has good heat insulation properties, which can effectively retain the heat on the heating tube 11; on the other hand, plastic has good rigidity, which can stably hold the conductive elastomer 17 or the switching element.
[0050] And, in some embodiments, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the wall of the heat insulation member 18 has a first through hole 182 communicating with the hollow region 181. The conductive elastomer 17 or the switching element is installed in the through hole 182, thereby connecting the conductive elastomer 17 or the switching element to the heat insulation member 18. For example, the conductive elastomer 17 or the switching element can be installed in the first through hole 182 by interference fit or by snap-fit with the hole wall of the first through hole 182. The conductive elastomer 17 or the switching element is partially exposed on the outer surface of the heat insulation member 18, so that when the cover 20 and the main body 10 are connected, the first conductive part 14 and the second conductive part 15 can be electrically connected to the cover 20.
[0051] And, in some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the heat insulation component 18 includes a top wall 183, which has a second through hole 1831 communicating with the hollow region 181. The second through hole 1831 provides an entrance for the aerosol-generating article 200 to enter the receiving chamber 111. The first through hole 182 and the second through hole 1831 are spaced apart on the top wall 183, meaning that the conductive elastomer 17 or the switching element is attached to the top wall 183 of the heat insulation component 18. Therefore, when the cover 20 is removed from the main body 10, the first conductive part 14 and the second conductive part 15 can quickly separate from the cover 20, the detection circuit can be quickly disconnected, and the heating element 12 can quickly stop heating, further improving the protection effect during disassembly.
[0052] And, in some embodiments, such as Figure 3As shown, a gap 184 is maintained between the heating tube 11 and the inner wall of the heat insulation member 18, and the wire 16 extends in the gap 184 so that the wire 16 and the conductive elastomer 17 or the switching element are electrically connected.
[0053] It should be noted that in some other embodiments, the cover 20 may also be made of a non-conductive material, and a separate conductor may be provided between the first conductive part 14 and the second conductive part 15. When the cover 20 and the main body 10 are connected, the cover 20 drives the conductor to move to make electrical contact with the first conductive part 14 and the second conductive part 15, thereby achieving electrical connection between the first conductive part 14 and the second conductive part 15, that is, making the detection circuit conductive. When the cover 20 and the main body 10 are separated, that is, when the cover 20 is separated from the main body 10, the cover 20 synchronously drives the conductor to move, so that the first conductive part 14 and the second conductive part 15 are separated from the conductor, thereby disconnecting the detection circuit.
[0054] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and not to limit it; under the concept of this utility model, the technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other variations of different aspects of this utility model as described above, which are not provided in detail for the sake of brevity; although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.
Claims
1. An aerosol-generating device, characterized by, The main body comprises: a receiving chamber for receiving an aerosol generating article; a heating element for heating the aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol; an electric core for providing electric energy to the heating element; a controller for controlling the electric core to provide electric energy to the heating element; wherein the main body further comprises a detection circuit comprising an inductive element electrically connected to the controller, the detection circuit is turned on when the cover and the main body are connected, thereby causing the inductive element to generate an electric signal; the detection circuit is turned off when the cover and the main body are separated, thereby causing the inductive element to stop generating the electric signal, and the controller is configured to cut off the electrical connection between the electric core and the heating element when the cover and the main body are separated based on the electric signal.
2. The aerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein, The detection circuit comprises a first conductive part and a second conductive part, the inductive element is electrically connected between the first conductive part and the second conductive part, the cover is a conductive body, and the first conductive part and the second conductive part are both electrically connected to the cover when the cover and the main body are connected.
3. The aerosol-generating device of claim 2, wherein, The inductive element comprises a temperature inductive element for inducting the temperature of the heating element.
4. The aerosol-generating device of claim 2, wherein, The first conductive part and the second conductive part both comprise a wire electrically connected to the inductive element, and a conductive elastomer or a switch element provided at the end of the wire to be electrically connected to the cover.
5. The aerosol-generating device of claim 4, wherein, When the end of the wire is provided with a conductive elastomer for electrical connection with the cover, the conductive elastomer comprises a spring needle.
6. The aerosol-generating device of claim 4, wherein, The switch element comprises any one of a tactile switch, a micro switch, a photoelectric switch, a limit switch or a proximity switch.
7. The aerosol-generating device of claim 4, wherein, The main body further comprises a hollow heat insulating member, the heating element is arranged in the hollow area of the heat insulating member, the conductive elastomer or the switch element is combined on the heat insulating member, and the cover is sleeved on the periphery of the heat insulating member when the cover and the main body are connected.
8. The aerosol-generating device of claim 7, wherein, The wall of the heat insulating member defines a through hole in communication with the hollow area, and the conductive elastomer or the switch element is installed in the through hole.
9. The aerosol-generating device of claim 7, wherein, The main body further comprises a heating tube defining the receiving chamber, the heating element is arranged on the outer wall or inside of the heating tube, the heating tube is positioned in the hollow area of the heat insulating member and maintains a gap with the inner wall of the heat insulating member, and the wire extends in the gap. 10.The aerosol-generating device of claim 7, wherein, The heat insulating member comprises a top wall defining an inlet for the aerosol to enter the receiving chamber, and the conductive elastomer or the switch element is combined on the top wall.