Aerosol-generating device
By incorporating isolation and switching circuits into the aerosol generator, the circuit safety issues caused by microwave reflection are resolved, achieving both uniform heating and improved circuit safety.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520390516.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-03-06
AI Technical Summary
In existing aerosol generating devices, microwaves radiated by multiple microwave antennas are reflected back to the microwave generating circuit, resulting in reduced circuit safety and uneven heating.
An isolation circuit is set between the microwave generating circuit and the switching circuit to isolate the reflected microwave transmission path of the microwave antenna. The heating time and area of multiple microwave antennas are controlled by the switching circuit to achieve uniform heating and improve circuit safety.
Uniform heating of the aerosol generation device was achieved, improving the safety and stability of the circuit and enhancing the reliability of microwave transmission.
Smart Images
Figure CN223968676U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of heated non-combustible technology, and in particular to an aerosol generating device. Background Technology
[0002] A heated non-combustible aerosol generator is an electronic device that extracts aerosols by heating the aerosol-generating matrix (a solid matrix such as tobacco or other plant leaf products) without causing combustion. The heated non-combustible aerosol generator heats the aerosol-generating matrix to a high temperature, enough to produce aerosols but not enough to burn them, thus generating the desired aerosols without combustion.
[0003] Some existing aerosol generation devices include a microwave resonant cavity, a microwave generating circuit, and multiple microwave antennas. The microwave generating circuit generates and amplifies microwaves, and the multiple microwave antennas are disposed within the microwave resonant cavity to radiate microwaves. When the aerosol-generated product is received by the microwave resonant cavity, the product can be uniformly heated by controlling the alternating radiation of the multiple microwave antennas. However, microwaves radiated by the multiple microwave antennas may be reflected back to the microwave generating circuit after passing through the microwave resonant cavity and other structures, potentially damaging amplifying components and reducing circuit safety. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide an aerosol generating device that can achieve uniform heating while improving circuit safety.
[0005] At least one embodiment of this application provides an aerosol generating apparatus, which includes:
[0006] A chamber for receiving aerosol-generated products;
[0007] N microwave antennas, each corresponding to a different heating region of the aerosol-generated product, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2;
[0008] A microwave generating circuit is configured to generate microwaves;
[0009] A switching circuit is connected to the microwave generating circuit. The microwave generating circuit is further configured to control the switching circuit to switch N microwave antennas to radiate microwaves to the aerosol generating product received in the chamber based on the correspondence between the microwave antenna and the heating time, thereby heating different heating areas of the aerosol generating product through microwave heating.
[0010] An isolation circuit, disposed between the microwave generating circuit and the switching circuit, is configured to isolate the path of reflected microwaves from the microwave antenna to the microwave generating circuit.
[0011] As an example, N microwave antennas include a first microwave antenna and a second microwave antenna, which are arranged opposite to each other around the cavity.
[0012] As an example, N is an integer greater than or equal to 3, and N microwave antennas are arranged at equal intervals around the cavity.
[0013] As an example, the microwave generating circuit includes:
[0014] Controller;
[0015] A microwave generator is connected to the controller, which is configured to control the microwave generator to generate microwaves at a preset frequency.
[0016] An amplifier circuit, connected to the microwave generator, is configured to amplify the microwaves.
[0017] As an example, the amplifier circuit includes a preamplifier and a power amplifier connected in series.
[0018] As an example, the frequency range of the microwave generator is 2.4 GHz to 5.8 GHz.
[0019] As an example, the switching circuit includes:
[0020] The switches are connected to the controller and the isolation circuit, respectively.
[0021] A microwave feed mechanism corresponds one-to-one with the microwave antenna. Each microwave feed mechanism is connected between the switch and the microwave antenna, thereby forming a microwave branch. The switch is configured to switch N microwave branches to radiate microwaves to the aerosol generation product received in the chamber.
[0022] As an example, the switch includes a radio frequency switch connected to the controller, the isolation circuit, and the microwave feed mechanism, respectively. The controller is also configured to control the radio frequency switch to switch N microwave branches to radiate microwaves to the aerosol generation product received in the chamber.
[0023] As an example, the isolation circuit includes an isolator disposed between the microwave generating circuit and the switching circuit for isolating the path of reflected microwaves from the microwave antenna to the microwave generating circuit.
[0024] As an example, a shielding structure is also included, arranged around the cavity, for providing microwave shielding outside the cavity.
[0025] In the aerosol generating device provided in the above embodiments, an isolation circuit is set between the microwave generating circuit and the switching circuit to isolate the path of reflected microwaves from the microwave antenna to the microwave generating circuit, thereby achieving uniform heating and improving circuit safety. Attached Figure Description
[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments of this application or the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. In all the drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference numerals. In the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn to scale.
[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an aerosol generating apparatus provided in some embodiments of this application;
[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a microwave generating circuit, an isolation circuit, and a switch provided in some embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0029] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0030] The terms "first," "second," and "third" used in this application are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number or order of the indicated technical features. All directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of this application are only used to explain the relative positional relationship or movement of the components in a specific orientation (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific orientation changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.
[0031] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.
[0032] Please refer to Figure 1 At least one embodiment of this application provides an aerosol generating apparatus, which includes:
[0033] Chamber 10 is used to receive aerosol-generated product 1.
[0034] In some embodiments, the chamber 10 is formed by a substrate that at least partially surrounds or defines it.
[0035] In some embodiments, the length of the substrate is between 10 and 40 mm. In some specific embodiments, the circumferential length or perimeter of the substrate is greater than the length of the substrate in the longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, the substrate may have a longitudinal length of approximately 10 mm to 15 mm; or in some embodiments, the longitudinal length of the substrate is no more than 15 mm or less. For example, in some specific embodiments, the substrate may have a longitudinal length of 12 mm.
[0036] In some embodiments, the substrate has an inner diameter of approximately 5 mm to 10 mm. In some embodiments, the substrate may have an inner diameter of 7.6 mm. In some embodiments, the wall thickness of the substrate is between 0.1 and 0.6 mm; more specifically, for example, the wall thickness of the substrate is between 0.15 and 0.3 mm.
[0037] In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the substrate is slightly smaller than or equal to the outer diameter of the aerosol generating article 1. When the aerosol generating article 1 is heated within the chamber 10 of the substrate, the inner surface of the substrate is in contact with the aerosol generating article 1 and thus conducts heat to each other. In some embodiments, the substrate can withstand a temperature of at least 350°C.
[0038] according to Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the substrate is generally tubular, and the hollow portion of the substrate at least defines a chamber 10 for receiving the aerosol-generated article 1.
[0039] Aerosol-generating article 1, such as a cigarette, preferably uses a tobacco-containing material from which volatile compounds are released from the matrix upon heating; or it may be a non-tobacco material suitable for electric heating and smoking after heating. Aerosol-generating article 1 preferably uses a solid matrix, which may include one or more of the following: vanilla leaves, tobacco leaves, homogenized tobacco, expanded tobacco, in powder, granules, fragments, strips, or sheets; or the solid matrix may contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds to be released when the matrix is heated.
[0040] When the aerosol generating product 1 is received by the aerosol generating device, it is advantageous for a portion of it, such as a filter nozzle, to protrude outside the aerosol generating device for the user to inhale.
[0041] In this embodiment, the aerosol generating device heats the aerosol generating article 1 by radiating microwaves onto it. Adaptably, the overall shape of the aerosol generating device is generally elongated.
[0042] N microwave antennas 20 correspond to different heating areas of the aerosol-generated product 1, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.
[0043] according to Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the N microwave antennas 20 include a first microwave antenna 21 and a second microwave antenna 22, which are arranged opposite to each other around the cavity 10. In other embodiments, N is an integer greater than or equal to 3, and the N microwave antennas 20 are arranged at equal intervals around the cavity 10.
[0044] The microwave antenna 20 can be constructed in the form of a needle, patch, meandering, or bent extension.
[0045] In some embodiments, the microwave antenna 20 may be formed or attached to the inner peripheral sidewall of the substrate, or to the outer peripheral sidewall of the substrate, or may at least partially penetrate the substrate into the cavity 10.
[0046] Taking the formation or bonding of the microwave antenna 20 to the outer peripheral sidewall of the substrate as an example, the microwave antenna 20 is formed on the substrate by spraying, deposition, or printing. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the microwave antenna 20 is fabricated independently and then mounted onto the substrate. Or, in some embodiments, the microwave antenna 20 is formed by winding or wrapping a sheet precursor of metal or alloy onto the substrate; the sheet precursor can be formed by cutting or etching away excess portions of a dense metal sheet. Or, in some embodiments, the microwave antenna 20 is formed by fabricating a tubular precursor of metal or alloy and then nesting or wrapping it onto the substrate; the tubular precursor can be obtained by cutting or etching away excess portions of a dense metal tube.
[0047] In some embodiments, the substrate is microwave-transparent. In some embodiments, the substrate has a microwave transmittance greater than 85%; or, in some embodiments, the substrate has a microwave transmittance greater than 95%. In some specific embodiments, the substrate is made of an infrared-transparent material, such as quartz or glass.
[0048] In some embodiments, the surface of the substrate is smooth. For example, in some embodiments, the surface roughness Ra of the outer and / or inner surfaces of the substrate is less than 1 nm. A substrate with a low surface roughness Ra is advantageous for promoting microwave transmission. In still other embodiments, the surface of the substrate is rough. For example, in some embodiments, the surface roughness Ra of the outer and / or inner surfaces of the substrate is between 5 and 200 nm. A substrate with a surface roughness Ra is advantageous for promoting the formation and bonding of the microwave antenna 20 on the substrate surface.
[0049] The microwave generating circuit 30 is configured to generate microwaves.
[0050] Please see Figure 2 In some embodiments, the microwave generating circuit 30 includes: a controller 31; a microwave generator 32 connected to the controller 31, wherein the controller 31 is configured to control the microwave generator 32 to generate microwaves of a preset frequency; and an amplifier circuit 33 connected to the microwave generator 32 and configured to amplify the microwaves.
[0051] Microwaves are electromagnetic waves with frequencies between 300 MHz and 300 GHz. The frequency range of microwave generator 32 is 2.4 GHz to 5.8 GHz. As an example, the frequency of microwave generator 32 is 2.4 GHz. As another example, the frequency of microwave generator 32 is 5.8 GHz.
[0052] In some embodiments, the amplifier circuit 33 includes a preamplifier 331 and a power amplifier 332 connected in series.
[0053] Based on considerations such as gain requirements, signal quality improvement, enhanced system stability, noise control, and the realization of diverse functions, the amplifier circuit 33 is designed as a two-stage or multi-stage amplifier. For example, the amplifier circuit 33 includes a primary power amplifier, an intermediate power amplifier, and a final power amplifier, wherein the intermediate power amplifier can be a single stage or more.
[0054] The switching circuit 40 is connected to the microwave generating circuit 30. The microwave generating circuit 30 is also configured to control the switching circuit 40 to switch N microwave antennas 20 to radiate microwaves to the aerosol generating product 1 received in the chamber 10 based on the correspondence between the microwave antenna 20 and the heating time, thereby heating different heating areas of the aerosol generating product 1 through microwave heating.
[0055] In some embodiments, the microwave generating circuit 30 is further configured to control the switching circuit 40 to switch N microwave antennas 20 to radiate microwaves to the aerosol generating article 1 received in the chamber 10 according to a preset heating rule, thereby heating different heating areas of the aerosol generating article 1 by microwave heating.
[0056] As an example, N microwave antennas 20 are controlled to heat sequentially. As an example, two or more microwave antennas 20 are controlled to heat simultaneously within a heating time period. As an example, the microwave frequencies of the different microwave antennas 20 can be different.
[0057] In some embodiments, the switching circuit 40 includes: a switch 41 connected to the controller 31 and the isolation circuit 50 respectively; and a microwave feed mechanism 42 corresponding to the microwave antenna 20. Each microwave feed mechanism 42 is connected between the switch 41 and the microwave antenna 42 to form a microwave branch. The switch 41 is configured to switch N microwave branches to radiate microwaves to the aerosol generating article 1 received in the chamber 10.
[0058] In some embodiments, switch 41 includes radio frequency switch 411, which is connected to controller 31, isolation circuit 50 and microwave feed mechanism 42 respectively. Controller 31 is also configured to control radio frequency switch 411 to switch N microwave branches to radiate microwaves to aerosol generation article 1 received in chamber 10.
[0059] The RF switch 411 is an electronic component used for switching and controlling RF signals. It is mainly used for controlling the transmission of RF signals via wired connections and plays an important role in RF systems, such as signal path selection and isolation.
[0060] In one example, N microwave antennas 20 include a first microwave antenna 21 and a second microwave antenna 22, which are arranged opposite to each other around the cavity 10, and correspond to the matrix segment of the aerosol-generated product 1. The controller 31 controls the radio frequency switch 411 to switch microwaves at high speed between the first microwave antenna 21 and the second microwave antenna 22, achieving uniform temperature control. Furthermore, since the first microwave antenna 21 and the second microwave antenna 22 correspond to different heating areas of the aerosol-generated product 1, increasing the heating area achieves a rapid smoke emission effect.
[0061] In one example, N is an integer greater than or equal to 3. N microwave antennas 20 are equally spaced around the cavity 10, and each of the N microwave antennas 20 corresponds to a matrix segment of the aerosol-generated product 1. That is, the matrix segment of the aerosol-generated product 1 is divided into N heating areas according to the N microwave antennas 20. The controller 31 controls the radio frequency switch 411 based on the correspondence between the microwave antennas 20 and the heating time, so that the microwaves switch to one microwave branch to radiate microwaves to the aerosol-generated product 1 received in the cavity 10 within a heating time period, heating the heating area of the microwave antenna 20 corresponding to that microwave branch. That is, one heating area is heated within one heating time period, achieving the effect of rapid smoke emission.
[0062] The switching speed of the RF switch 411 is defined as the speed at which the RF switch 411 switches from the current microwave branch to another microwave branch. As can be seen from the above, the smoke emission speed of the aerosol generating product 1 is related to the switching speed of the RF switch 411, and a suitable RF switch 411 can be selected according to the smoke emission speed requirements of the aerosol generating product 1.
[0063] The microwave feed mechanism 42 is a device for transmitting microwaves from the microwave generator 32 to the chamber 10.
[0064] In some embodiments, the microwave feed mechanism 42 includes a transmission line and an impedance matching element. The transmission line is used to transmit microwaves; common transmission lines include coaxial cables and waveguides. Coaxial cables are suitable for low-frequency and low-power microwave transmission, offering advantages such as simple structure and ease of use. Waveguides are used for higher-frequency and high-power microwave transmission, effectively reducing signal attenuation and distortion. The impedance matching element ensures impedance matching between the microwave generator 32, the transmission line, and the load, improving microwave transmission efficiency. Common impedance matching elements include impedance transformers and modulators.
[0065] An isolation circuit 50 is disposed between the microwave generating circuit 30 and the switching circuit 40 and is configured to isolate the path of reflected microwave transmission from the microwave antenna 20 to the microwave generating circuit 30.
[0066] In some embodiments, the isolation circuit 50 includes an isolator 51. Since the preamplifier 331, the power amplifier 332, etc. are sensitive components and are susceptible to signal interference, the isolator 51 is used to ensure unidirectional microwave transmission, reduce reflected microwave signals, and prevent damage to the preamplifier 331 and the power amplifier 332, thereby improving circuit safety.
[0067] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating apparatus further includes a shielding structure 60 disposed around the chamber 10 for providing microwave shielding outside the chamber 10.
[0068] In use, the shielding structure 60 maximizes the delivery of microwaves radiated by the microwave antenna 20 into the cavity 10. In some embodiments, the shielding structure 60 is made of a conductive metallic material; conductive metallic materials are advantageous for shielding microwaves, which are electromagnetic waves.
[0069] In some embodiments, the shielding structure 60 is tubular in shape. In some embodiments, the wall thickness of the tubular shielding structure 60 is between 0.1 and 0.6 mm. In some embodiments, the shielding structure 60 may be configured as a conductive metal tube. For example, in some embodiments, the shielding structure 60 may be a copper tube, aluminum tube, iron tube, nickel tube, etc. In some embodiments, the shielding structure 60 includes a generally tubular substrate and a conductive metal layer sprayed, deposited, or formed on the substrate. In some embodiments, the tubular substrate may include a quartz tube, glass tube, ceramic tube, etc., made of inorganic insulating materials, or it may also include a PI (polyimide) tube, polyurethane tube, polycarbonate tube, etc., made of organic insulating materials. In some embodiments, the conductive metal layer may be a copper layer, aluminum layer, iron layer, nickel layer, etc.
[0070] In the aerosol generating device provided in this application, an isolation circuit is set between the microwave generating circuit and the switching circuit to isolate the path of reflected microwaves from the microwave antenna to the microwave generating circuit, thereby achieving uniform heating and improving circuit safety.
[0071] It should be noted that the preferred embodiments of this application are given in the specification and accompanying drawings, but are not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. An aerosol-generating device, characterized by, The application relates to a microwave heating device for heating an aerosol generating article. The microwave heating device comprises: a chamber for receiving the aerosol generating article; N microwave antennas corresponding to different heating areas of the aerosol generating article respectively, N being an integer greater than or equal to 2; a microwave generating circuit configured to generate microwaves; a switching circuit connected with the microwave generating circuit, the microwave generating circuit being further configured to control the switching circuit to switch the N microwave antennas to radiate microwaves to the aerosol generating article received in the chamber, so as to heat different heating areas of the aerosol generating article by microwaves; 2. The aerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein, an isolation circuit arranged between the microwave generating circuit and the switching circuit and configured to isolate a path of reflected microwaves of the microwave antennas from the microwave generating circuit.
3. The aerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein, The N microwave antennas comprise a first microwave antenna and a second microwave antenna, and the first microwave antenna and the second microwave antenna are oppositely arranged around the chamber.
4. The aerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein, N is an integer greater than or equal to 3, and the N microwave antennas are arranged at equal intervals around the chamber. The microwave generating circuit comprises: a controller; a microwave generator connected with the controller, the controller being configured to control the microwave generator to generate microwaves of a preset frequency; 5. The aerosol-generating device of claim 4, wherein, an amplification circuit connected with the microwave generator and configured to amplify the microwaves.
6. The aerosol-generating device of claim 4, wherein, The amplification circuit comprises a front-stage power amplifier and a rear-stage power amplifier connected in series.
7. The aerosol-generating device of claim 4, wherein, The frequency range of the microwave generator is 2.4 GHz-5.8 GHz. The switching circuit comprises: a switch connected with the controller and the isolation circuit respectively; 8. The aerosol-generating device of claim 7, wherein, a microwave feeding mechanism corresponding to the microwave antennas one by one, each microwave feeding mechanism being connected between the switch and the microwave antennas, so as to form a microwave branch, and the switch being configured to switch the N microwave branches to radiate microwaves to the aerosol generating article received in the chamber.
9. The aerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein, The switch comprises a radio frequency switch connected with the controller, the isolation circuit and the microwave feeding mechanism respectively, and the controller is further configured to control the radio frequency switch to switch the N microwave branches to radiate microwaves to the aerosol generating article received in the chamber.
10. Aerosol-generating device according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein The isolation circuit comprises an isolator arranged between the microwave generating circuit and the switching circuit and used for isolating the path of the reflected microwaves of the microwave antennas from the microwave generating circuit. The microwave heating device further comprises a shielding structure arranged around the chamber and used for providing microwave shielding outside the chamber.