Aerosol-generating device

Abstract

The utility model discloses an aerosol generating device, comprising: a chamber defining a chamber for accommodating an aerosol generating product, the chamber having a first open end and a second open end oppositely arranged along its length direction, the first open end being used for providing an inlet for the aerosol generating product to enter the chamber; the light source is used for generating heat radiation; the cell is used for providing electric energy for the light source; the light transmitting piece covers the light source; the light source is provided with a first position and a second position relative to the cavity, and when the light source is located at the first position, the light source and the second opening end are staggered; and when the light source is located at the second position, the light source is opposite to the second opening end of the cavity, so that the light source transmits heat radiation into the cavity through the second opening end to heat the aerosol generating product to generate aerosol. In this way, residues or condensate falling onto the light-transmitting part can be effectively reduced, and the situation that the heating efficiency of the light source is reduced due to the fact that heat radiation generated by the light source is shielded is relieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of aerosol generation technology, and more particularly to an aerosol generation apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, etc.) produce tobacco smoke by burning tobacco during use. Existing technologies offer alternatives to these traditional tobacco products by releasing compounds through heating without combustion. Examples of such products include aerosol generating devices, which typically include a heating element and a housing chamber. The housing chamber contains an aerosol-generating product for use with the aerosol generating device, and the heating element heats the aerosol-generating product within the housing chamber, causing at least a portion of its active material to evaporate or volatilize, producing an inhalable aerosol.

[0003] In existing technologies, heating elements include a light source. When the light source is powered on, it generates thermal radiation, which is further transferred to the aerosol-generating product. The aerosol-generating product absorbs the thermal radiation, generates heat, and then volatilizes the aerosol. The light source typically needs to be used in conjunction with a light-transmitting component. This component covers the light source, allowing the light emitted by the source to pass through and thus transfer the thermal radiation. It also protects the light source by preventing dust and other solid particles from falling onto it.

[0004] However, after each heating, residue or condensate remaining in the containment chamber may fall onto the light-transmitting component. As the aerosol generating device is used for a long time, too much residue or condensate falling onto the light-transmitting component will accumulate, thus blocking the transmission of heat radiation and affecting the heating efficiency of the light source. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides an aerosol generating apparatus to alleviate the technical problem that when heating an aerosol-generated article using thermal radiation generated by a light source, solid residues or condensate remaining in the containment chamber drip onto the light-transmitting element of the light source.

[0006] At least one embodiment of this application provides an aerosol generating apparatus, a chamber defining a chamber for containing an aerosol-generated article, the chamber having a first opening end and a second opening end disposed opposite to each other along its length direction, the first opening end being used to provide an inlet for the aerosol-generated article to enter the chamber.

[0007] A light source used to generate thermal radiation;

[0008] Battery cells, used to provide electrical energy to the light source;

[0009] A light-transmitting element that covers the light source;

[0010] The light source has a first position and a second position relative to the chamber. When it is in the first position, the light source is offset from the second opening end. When it is in the second position, the light source is positioned opposite to the second opening end of the chamber, so that the light source transmits thermal radiation into the chamber through the second opening end to heat the aerosol generating product and generate aerosol.

[0011] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device includes a movable member that can move between a third position and a fourth position, the chamber being defined by the movable member, the light source being kept fixed, the light source having a first position relative to the chamber when the movable member is moved to the third position, and the light source having a second position relative to the chamber when the movable member is moved to the fourth position.

[0012] In one embodiment, the movable element moves along a straight line between the third position and the fourth position.

[0013] In one embodiment, when the movable member moves to the third position, the outer wall of the movable member is aligned with the edge of the outer surface of the light-transmitting member.

[0014] In one embodiment, the inner wall of the chamber is formed with a plurality of spaced and longitudinally extending ridges for holding the aerosol-generated article.

[0015] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device further includes a driving member and a transmission member, the movable member being rotatably connected to the transmission member, the driving member being used to drive the transmission member to rotate, and the transmission member being used to drive the movable member to move between the third position and the fourth position.

[0016] In one embodiment, the transmission component includes a screw, and the movable component is provided with a screw hole that mates with the screw.

[0017] In one embodiment, the light source, the driving element, and the battery cell are all electrically connected to the controller of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device further includes a detection element disposed at the third position and electrically connected to the controller. The detection element is used to detect whether the aerosol-generated article is contained in the chamber. The controller is configured to control the driving element to drive the movable element from the third position to the fourth position when the aerosol-generated article is contained in the chamber.

[0018] In one embodiment, the detection element includes a capacitor with a first plate and a second plate disposed opposite each other on both sides of the chamber, and the controller is configured to control the drive to move the movable element from the third position to the fourth position based on the change in the capacitance value of the capacitor.

[0019] In one embodiment, the light source includes a tungsten filament lamp.

[0020] The aerosol generating apparatus provided in the above embodiments, when the aerosol generating apparatus is in an idle state, can be moved so that the light source is positioned in a first position relative to the chamber by moving the chamber or the light source. In this case, the second opening ends of the light source and the chamber are offset from each other, preventing residue or condensate remaining in the chamber 11 after heating from falling onto the light-transmitting element through the second opening ends. When the aerosol generating apparatus needs to be used to heat the aerosol-generated product, the chamber or the light source can be moved so that the light source is positioned in a second position relative to the chamber. In this case, the second opening ends of the light source and the chamber are opposite each other, and the heat radiation generated by the light source can be transferred to the chamber through the second opening ends to heat the aerosol-generated product. Therefore, through the above method, the amount of residue or condensate falling onto the light-transmitting element can be effectively reduced, and the reduction in heating efficiency caused by the blocking of the heat radiation generated by the light source can be alleviated. Attached Figure 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 schematic diagram of the structure of an aerosol generating apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application when the light source is in a second position relative to the chamber;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the aerosol generation device when the light source is in the first position relative to the chamber;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generated product contained in the chamber of the aerosol generation device. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To facilitate understanding of this application, 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 being "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 being "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.

[0026] 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 application belongs. 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 application. The term "and / or" as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0027] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of this application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0028] In the embodiments of this application, "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 application does not impose any restrictions.

[0029] 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 application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0030] One embodiment of this application provides an aerosol generating device 100, such as... Figure 1As shown, the aerosol generating device 100 is provided with a chamber 11, which is used to contain and maintain the aerosol generating product 200 used in conjunction with the aerosol generating device 100. The aerosol generating device 100 also includes a light source 20, a battery cell 30, and a main board 40. The main board 40 is provided with a controller for the aerosol generating device. The light source 20 and the battery cell 30 are both electrically connected to the controller, so that the controller can control the battery cell 30 to provide electrical energy to the light source 20, thereby causing the light source 20 to generate thermal radiation. This thermal radiation is further transferred to the chamber 11, and the aerosol generating product 200 can absorb the thermal radiation to generate heat, and at least a portion of the active material filled inside it is heated to generate aerosol. The user can inhale the aerosol by sucking it on the aerosol generating product 200.

[0031] The matrix filling the aerosol-generating article 200 is preferably a tobacco-containing material that releases volatile compounds from the article upon heating; or it may be a non-tobacco material suitable for electric heating and smoke generation after heating. The matrix of the aerosol-generating article 200 is preferably 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.

[0032] The aerosol generating product 200 is generally elongated in shape and includes a tobacco section 211, a cooling section 212, and a filter section 213 along its longitudinal length. The aerosol generating matrix is ​​filled in the tobacco section 211. The cooling section 212 is hollow and has multiple vents (not shown in the figure) on its outer surface for external air to enter. The filter section 213 is filled with filter material and is inhaled by the user. When the user inhales in the filter section 213, the aerosol generated in the tobacco section 211 flows into the cooling section 212. At this time, the high-temperature aerosol and the external cold air mix in the cooling section 212, thereby reducing the temperature of the aerosol. The cooled aerosol then flows into the filter section 213, where the filter material filters the aerosol, removing some unwanted particulate matter. Finally, the filtered aerosol escapes from the filter section 213 for the user to inhale.

[0033] The aerosol generating apparatus 100 also includes a light-transmitting element 50, which is made of a transparent material, such as quartz glass. The light-transmitting element 50 covers the light source 20, thereby preventing the condensate formed when the high-temperature aerosol generated by the aerosol generating product 200 mixes with external cold air during the heating process from dripping onto the light source 20. It also prevents dust from falling onto the light source 20 through the chamber 11 when the aerosol generating apparatus 100 is idle, that is, when the chamber 11 does not contain the aerosol generating product 200, thus affecting the excitation efficiency of the light source 20.

[0034] The light source 20 is made of a material that heats up and produces light when energized, so that the thermal radiation generated by the light source 20 can be transmitted in the form of visible light or infrared radiation. In some preferred embodiments, the light source 20 is a tungsten filament lamp, which heats up and emits light when energized, and can efficiently generate infrared radiation. Of course, in other embodiments, the heating filament of the light source 20 can also be made of materials such as nickel-chromium, iron-chromium-aluminum, etc., which can also generate infrared radiation when heated.

[0035] Please continue reading. Figure 1 The chamber 11 has a first opening end 111 and a second opening end 112 disposed opposite to each other along its length. The first opening end 111 serves as an inlet for the aerosol generating article 200 to enter the chamber 11, that is, the aerosol generating article 200 is inserted into the chamber 11 through the first opening end 111. The light source 20 has a first position and a second position relative to the chamber 11. When the light source 20 is in the first position relative to the chamber 11, such as... Figure 2 As shown, at this time, the light source 20 and the second opening end 112 of the cavity 11 are offset from each other. In this case, the infrared radiation generated by the light source 20 cannot enter the cavity 11, meaning the thermal radiation generated by the light source 20 cannot be transmitted into the cavity 11. However, when the light source 20 is in the second position relative to the cavity 11, as... Figure 1 As shown, at this time, the light source 20 and the second opening end 112 are arranged opposite to each other, that is, the light source 20 and the aerosol generating product 200 are arranged opposite to each other. The infrared rays generated by the light source 20 pass through the light-transmitting element 50 and are transmitted to the chamber 11 through the second opening end 112, and are then absorbed by the aerosol generating product 200 in the chamber 11.

[0036] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the aerosol generating device 100 also includes a movable member 10 capable of moving between a third position and a fourth position, while the light source 20 remains fixed. The movable member 10 is constructed as a hollow cylindrical body with open ends, and a chamber 11 is defined by the hollow region of the movable member 10. The relative position of the light source 20 and the chamber 11 can be changed by moving the movable member 10. Specifically, when the movable member 10 moves to the third position, as... Figure 2 As shown, at this time, the light source 20 is in the first position relative to the chamber 11, and when the movable part 10 moves to the fourth position, as... Figure 1 As shown, the light source 20 is in the second position relative to the chamber 11 at this time. It is easy to understand that in some other embodiments, the chamber 11 may remain fixed, while the light source 20 is moved to achieve the first and second positions relative to the chamber 11 as described above.

[0037] In this embodiment, when the aerosol generating device 100 is idle, that is, when the aerosol generating device 100 does not contain the aerosol generating product 200, the light source 20 can be positioned in a first position relative to the chamber 11 by moving the chamber 11 or the light source 20. At this time, the second opening end 112 of the light source 20 and the chamber 11 is offset from each other to prevent residues or condensate remaining in the chamber 11 after heating from falling onto the light-transmitting element 50 through the second opening end 112. When it is necessary to use the aerosol generating device 100 to heat the aerosol generating product 200, the light source 20 can be positioned in a second position relative to the chamber 11 by moving the chamber 11 or the light source 20. At this time, the light source 20 and the second opening end 112 of the chamber 11 are positioned opposite each other, and the heat radiation generated by the light source 20 can be transmitted to the chamber 11 through the second opening end 112 to heat the aerosol generating product 200. In this way, the amount of residue or condensate falling onto the light-transmitting component 50 can be effectively reduced, and the heat radiation generated by the light source 20 can be blocked, which would reduce the heating efficiency of the light source 20.

[0038] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown in Figure 2, the movable part 10 moves along a straight line between the third and fourth positions, which shortens the path of the movable part 10 during movement and minimizes the structural space required for the movement of the movable part 10.

[0039] And, in some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, when the movable part 10 moves in a straight line to the third position, the outer wall of the movable part 10 is flush with the edge area of ​​the outer surface of the light-transmitting part 50, so that the light source 20 just avoids the second opening end 112. This method can minimize the moving distance of the movable part 10 when it moves in a straight line, further reducing the structural space occupied by the movable part 10 when it moves, which is beneficial to maintaining the small volume of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0040] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the inner wall of the chamber 11 has a plurality of longitudinally extending and spaced protrusions 113. The plurality of protrusions 113 enclose a clamping space. When the aerosol generating product 200 is housed in the chamber 11, the plurality of protrusions 113 will clamp the aerosol generating product 200, thereby keeping the aerosol generating product 200 in the chamber 11. Thus, when the movable part 10 moves, it can drive the aerosol generating product 200 to move synchronously.

[0041] And, in some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, a contact portion 114 is also provided in the chamber 11. The contact portion 114 is disposed adjacent to the second opening end 112 to provide support for the aerosol generating article 200. When the aerosol generating article 200 is contained in the chamber 11, the contact portion 114 abuts against the bottom of the aerosol generating article 200, thereby limiting the insertion depth of the aerosol generating article 200 so that the aerosol generating article 200 and the light source 20 are kept at a certain gap, avoiding direct contact between the light source 20 and the aerosol generating article 200, which would cause the aerosol generating article 200 to be overheated and produce a burnt smell.

[0042] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device 100 further includes a driving member and a transmission member. The driving member is used to drive the transmission member to rotate. The transmission member and the movable member 10 are rotatably connected. When the transmission member rotates, it drives the movable member 10 to move along a straight line between a third position and a fourth position. Thus, the movable member 10 can be driven to move by electrical drive without the need for the user to manually operate the movable member 10 to move.

[0043] As a specific example, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the driving component is a motor 60, the transmission component is a screw 70, and the movable component 10 includes an extension 115 extending toward the screw 70. The extension 115 is provided with a screw hole (not shown) through which the screw 70 passes and mates with the screw 70. The screw 70 and the output shaft of the motor 60 are fixedly connected, so that when the motor 60 is working, the output shaft of the motor 60 rotates, thereby driving the screw 70 to rotate. The rotation of the screw 70 can further drive the movable component 10 to move in a straight line.

[0044] As is easy to understand, the driving component can also be a cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, etc., while the transmission component can also be a gear drive, belt drive, chain drive, or rack and pinion drive, or other transmission methods well known to those skilled in the art.

[0045] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating apparatus 100 further includes a detection element disposed at a third position. The detection element is electrically connected to a controller. The detection element is used to detect whether the aerosol generating article 200 is contained in the chamber 11. When the aerosol generating article 200 is detected to be contained in the chamber 11, the detection element generates a corresponding electrical signal and sends it to the controller. The controller controls the driving component to operate based on the electrical signal, thereby causing the driving component to drive the movable component 10 to move from the third position to the fourth position, and controlling the battery cell 30 to provide power to the light source 20. In this way, when the aerosol generating article 200 is contained in the chamber 11, the aerosol generating apparatus 100 can automatically move the aerosol generating article 200 from the third position to the fourth position for heating.

[0046] The aerosol generating device 100 is usually preset with a fixed heating time. When the preset heating time is reached, that is, when the heating ends, the user will pull the aerosol generated product 200 out of the chamber 11. The controller controls the drive unit to immediately drive the movable part 10 from the fourth position back to the third position to avoid the movable part 10 staying in the fourth position for too long. This can reduce the amount of residue or condensate remaining in the chamber 11 during the heating process falling onto the light-transmitting element 50. After the movable part 10 returns to the third position, the detection element continues to detect whether a new aerosol generated product 200 is inserted into the chamber 11.

[0047] In a specific embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the detection element is a capacitor 80, which includes a first electrode 81 and a second electrode 82 arranged opposite to each other. The first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82 are arranged on both sides of the chamber 11. When the aerosol generating product 200 is contained in the chamber 11, the insulating medium between the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82 changes from air to the aerosol generating product 200, thereby causing the capacitance value of the capacitor 80 to change.

[0048] The controller acquires the capacitance value of capacitor 80 at preset intervals and calculates the change in capacitance between any two consecutive values. It then compares the calculated change with a preset threshold. If the change falls within the preset threshold range, the controller can determine that the aerosol generating article 200 has been contained in chamber 11. This preset threshold is the change in capacitance of capacitor 80 when the aerosol generating article 200 is contained in chamber 11, and can be pre-set in the controller through programming.

[0049] It is easy to understand that in some other embodiments, the detection element can also be other sensing elements, such as pressure sensors, tactile switches, micro switches or infrared photocells, as long as the detection element can be triggered to generate a corresponding electrical signal and send it to the controller when the aerosol generating article 200 is contained in the chamber 11.

[0050] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and not to limit them; under the concept of this application, 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 application as described above, which are not provided in detail for the sake of brevity; although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent substitutions for 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 application.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating device, characterized by, The aerosol-generating device comprises: a chamber defining a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article, the chamber having a first open end and a second open end oppositely arranged along a length direction of the chamber, the first open end being configured to provide an entrance for the aerosol-generating article into the cavity; a light source configured to generate thermal radiation; an electric core configured to provide electric energy for the light source; a light-transmitting member covering the light source; wherein the light source has a first position and a second position relative to the chamber, when being in the first position, the light source is misaligned with the second open end, and when being in the second position, the light source is oppositely arranged with the second open end, so that the light source transmits thermal radiation into the cavity through the second open end to heat the aerosol-generating article to generate aerosol.

2. The aerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein, The aerosol-generating device comprises a movable member capable of moving between a third position and a fourth position, the chamber is defined by the movable member, and the light source is fixed, when the movable member moves to the third position, the light source has the first position relative to the chamber, and when the movable member moves to the fourth position, the light source has the second position relative to the chamber.

3. The aerosol-generating device of claim 2, wherein, The movable member moves linearly between the third position and the fourth position.

4. The aerosol-generating device of claim 3, wherein, When the movable member moves to the third position, an outer wall of the movable member is aligned with an edge of an outer surface of the light-transmitting member.

5. The aerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein, An inner wall of the chamber is formed with a plurality of convex ribs arranged at intervals and extending longitudinally, the convex ribs being configured to hold the aerosol-generating article.

6. The aerosol-generating device of claim 2, wherein, The aerosol-generating device further comprises a driving member and a transmission member, the movable member is rotationally connected with the transmission member, the driving member is configured to drive the transmission member to rotate, and the transmission member is configured to drive the movable member to move between the third position and the fourth position.

7. The aerosol-generating device of claim 6, wherein, The transmission member comprises a screw rod, and the movable member is provided with a screw hole matched with the screw rod. 8.The aerosol-generating device of claim 6, wherein, The light source, the driving member, and the electric core are electrically connected with a controller of the aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device further comprises a detection element arranged at the third position and electrically connected with the controller, the detection element is configured to detect whether the aerosol-generating article is received in the chamber, and the controller is configured to control the driving member to drive the movable member to move from the third position to the fourth position when the aerosol-generating article is received in the chamber.

9. The aerosol-generating device of claim 8, wherein, The detection element comprises a capacitor, the capacitor comprises oppositely arranged first and second plates, the first and second plates are arranged on two sides of the chamber, and the controller is configured to control the driving member to drive the movable member to move from the third position to the fourth position based on a change amount of a capacitance value of the capacitor.

10. Aerosol-generating device according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein The light source comprises a tungsten filament lamp.

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