Thick plate type receptor and smoke cartridge comprising same

Abstract

The utility model provides a thick plate type susceptor and a smoke cartridge containing the same, which comprise at least two layers of susceptor elements which are tightly and physically combined, a first susceptor with a first thickness is a strong magnetic heating element, a second susceptor with a second thickness is a strong magnetic temperature marking element, and the second susceptor with a second thickness is a strong magnetic temperature marking element. The first receptor and the second receptor are made of different materials, and the sum of the first thickness and the second thickness is larger than 0.1 mm. The sensor has enhanced thickness and mechanical strength, so that the sensor can adapt to the embedding of various aerosol generating matrixes, the construction of an electromagnetic smoke cartridge is realized, and the sensor can stably work in a wide temperature range of 200-400 DEG C. According to the design, the manufacturing convenience of the electromagnetic smoke cartridge is improved, the universality of the receptor in different matrix forms is expanded, and the carbonization temperature requirements of various matrixes are met, so that embedding operation is facilitated, and deformation is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of novel tobacco heating technology, and in particular to a thick-film sensor and a tobacco cartridge containing the thick-film sensor. Background Technology

[0002] Induction heating is an existing technology for aerosol-generating products. Specifically, it is existing technology to include an aerosol-forming matrix that forms an inhalable aerosol after being heated by an induction heating sensor. The heating matrix can be tobacco, herbal ingredients, natural plant extracts, or chemically synthesized flavorings in tablets or powder. After being induction heated, it releases an aerosol aroma containing its own characteristics. The induction heating method can be an induction heater including an induction source that generates an alternating electromagnetic field. The alternating electromagnetic field induces heat in the sensor, generating eddy currents and / or hysteresis losses. The sensor itself is thermally adjacent to the aerosol-forming matrix to be heated. Specifically, the sensor can be integrated into the tobacco cartridge to make direct physical contact with the aerosol-forming matrix.

[0003] For different types of receptors with varying compositions or forms, the first type, a commercially available brand of e-cigarette cartridge, uses a thin, sheet-like receptor embedded within the cartridge as a heating element. The thickness of this receptor is controlled between 10 and 100 micrometers, and it employs an electromagnetic central heating mode. The second type, also a commercially available brand of e-cigarette cartridge, uses a ring-shaped receptor on the inner wall of the cartridge compartment as a heating element, employing an electromagnetic circumferential heating mode.

[0004] The choice of sensor depends on the model / type of the cartridge. For cartridges containing granular, powdered, sponge-like, and honeycomb-like aerosol-generating matrices, cutting the sensor into individual pieces and inserting it into the aerosol-generating matrix is ​​an extremely difficult process, which can lead to sensor breakage, bending, and other defects. Therefore, the sensor must have a certain thickness and strength to prevent deformation during insertion. However, according to the design of commercially available sensors, increasing the thickness and strength would obviously change its magnetic properties, making it unusable in electromagnetic smoking systems. Therefore, it is necessary to propose a sensor with high strength. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems in the prior art, this utility model provides a thick-film sensor comprising at least two tightly physically bonded sensor elements. The first sensor, having a first thickness, is a magnetic heating element, and the second sensor, having a second thickness, is a strongly magnetic temperature marking element. The first and second sensors are composed of different materials. Within a temperature range of 20-350℃, the permeability of the first sensor is less than that of the second sensor, and the sum of the first and second thicknesses is greater than 0.1 mm.

[0006] Furthermore, the methods of combining the first sensor element and the second sensor element include rolling, electroplating, electroless plating, sputtering, riveting, gluing, coating, or welding.

[0007] Furthermore, the first thickness is not less than the second thickness.

[0008] Furthermore, the average Vickers hardness of the receptor element is greater than 140.

[0009] Furthermore, the tensile strength of the receptor element is greater than 300 MPa.

[0010] Furthermore, a protective layer is also included on the opposite side of the second receptor relative to the first receptor.

[0011] Furthermore, the weight of the receptor element ranges from 20 mg to 150 mg.

[0012] This utility model provides a tobacco cartridge, which includes the aforementioned thick-film sensor, the length of which is 60%-100% of the length of the cartridge matrix segment.

[0013] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are: the sensor has a thickness exceeding 0.1 mm and corresponding strength, possessing enhanced thickness and mechanical strength, enabling it to be embedded in various aerosol-generating matrices, thereby realizing the construction of electromagnetic cartridges. This sensor can operate stably within a wide temperature range of 200-400℃. This design improves the ease of manufacturing electromagnetic cartridges, expands the versatility of the sensor in different matrix morphologies, and covers the carbonization temperature requirements of various matrices, facilitating embedding operations without deformation. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is the cross-sectional microstructure of Example 1.

[0015] Figure 2 The tensile strength test curve is shown in Example 1.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the composition structure of Example 2. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0018] In electromagnetically heated cartridge systems, the sensor is coupled to the coil, achieving a dual function of energy transfer and signal feedback. On one hand, the sensor, acting as an energy receiver, induces eddy currents through a high-frequency alternating magnetic field, achieving the Joule heating effect and converting electrical energy in the device into heat energy on the sensor within the cartridge. On the other hand, the sensor's inductive characteristics change with temperature, providing real-time temperature information to the control circuit through an impedance feedback mechanism, thereby achieving precise temperature control and power adjustment. Therefore, the sensor design must balance electromagnetic induction efficiency and signal feedback sensitivity to ensure system stability and safety; the relevant technical description is as described in the applicant's previous patent CN114794592A.

[0019] Existing technologies embed thin, sheet-like sensors within the cartridge as heating elements, as illustrated in patent JP6666854B2. The sensor thickness is controlled between 10-100 micrometers, employing an electromagnetic center heating mode. This method is limited to thin-sheet aerosol-generating matrices and is relatively mature in application. For cartridges containing granular, powdered, sponge-like, or honeycomb-like aerosol-generating matrices, using the electromagnetic center heating mode requires first cutting the sensor into single pieces and then inserting them into the aerosol-generating matrix.

[0020] Example 1

[0021] The thick-film sensor of this application comprises at least two tightly bonded sensor elements with significant thickness and strength. It includes a first sensor A and a second sensor B. The first sensor A has a first thickness and is made of a magnetic heating material; the second sensor B has a second thickness and is made of a strongly magnetic temperature-marking material. The first sensor A and the second sensor B are composed of different proportions. Within a temperature range of 20-350℃, under the same conditions (such as volume, shape, and temperature), the permeability of the first sensor is less than that of the second sensor. The sum of the first thickness and the second thickness is greater than 0.1 mm.

[0022] like Figure 1As shown, the sensor employs a three-layer stacked structure, composed of a first sensor A, a second sensor B, and a protective layer C, with a total thickness of approximately 0.13 mm. The top layer, the first sensor A, is an inductively heated material exhibiting soft magnetic properties, maintaining stable magnetism within the 25-400℃ range, and continuously generating significant eddy currents for heating. The middle layer, the second sensor B, is a temperature-marking material with strong magnetism, exhibiting significant magnetic fluctuations within the 200-400℃ range, and displaying peak characteristics with temperature changes. These peak characteristics are fed back to the electronic circuitry to mark the sensor's real-time temperature. Under the same conditions (e.g., volume, shape, temperature), the permeability of the first sensor is lower than that of the second sensor. The bottom protective layer C is a corrosion-resistant, non-magnetic material with a thickness of approximately 0.01 mm, designed to provide rust protection for the middle layer, preventing its Fe component from reacting with oxygen and acidic components in the aerosol-generating matrix.

[0023] The first sensor A and the second sensor B are combined using a mechanical rolling composite process, while layer C is prepared using a single-sided electroplating deposition process. In addition, the first sensor element and the second sensor element can be combined using known methods such as electroplating, electroless plating, sputtering, or welding. The sum of the first thickness and the second thickness is greater than 0.1 mm, with the first thickness slightly larger than the second thickness to achieve a better heating effect; preferably, the first thickness is not less than the second thickness.

[0024] Based on Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction and Ohm's law, eddy currents are generated inside a conductor when it moves in an electromagnetic field or when the direction of the electromagnetic field changes at a high frequency. These eddy currents result in energy loss. The expression for the eddy current loss P per unit volume of conductor when a sinusoidal alternating magnetic flux passes through it is:

[0025] P = K * f² * B² * d² * μ

[0026] Where K is a constant, f is the magnetic field frequency, and B is the magnetic field strength; these three are parameters related to the smoking device. μ is the magnetic permeability of the conductor, and d is the conductor thickness; these two are parameters related to the conductor. Therefore, it can be seen that the eddy current effect is proportional to the square of the magnetic field frequency, the square of the magnetic field strength, the square of the conductor thickness, and the magnetic permeability of the conductor.

[0027] To enhance the electromagnetic induction effect, this invention selects a high-permeability material as the sensor to generate strong eddy currents in an alternating magnetic field. Ferromagnetic materials such as iron, nickel, cobalt and their alloys, as well as magnetic soft steel, exhibit high permeability in the 1-10 MHz frequency range, and are therefore selected as suitable candidate materials. Based on experimental data and relevant literature, the relative permeability of the sensor is set in the range of 5-70,000 to ensure sufficient eddy current effect in the target frequency range, thereby achieving continuous carbonization of the aerosol-generating matrix.

[0028] To generate a strong eddy current effect, a thick-film sensor as described in this application is employed. With the relevant parameters of the smoking device remaining unchanged, increasing the sensor thickness *d* significantly increases the eddy current loss power, thereby achieving rapid heating and temperature rise. Preferably, the thickness *d* is set between 0.1-0.25 mm, and not less than 0.1 mm. The thick-film sensor can shorten the preheating time of the aerosol generation matrix, reducing the user's waiting time before inhalation. The sensor temperature can reach 300°C or even higher within 3-5 seconds, promoting the release of a large amount of aerosol in the cartridge.

[0029] The mechanical strength of a receptor characterizes its ability to resist external forces without deformation. During production and use, the receptor may interact mechanically with the aerosol-generating matrix and may also collide with production fixtures and human tools (such as tweezers). This application aims to ensure that the receptor material itself possesses the ability to resist these processes without significant deformation.

[0030] For cigarette cartridges using granular, powdered, sponge-like, and honeycomb-shaped aerosol generating matrices, the sensor can only be inserted after the aerosol generating matrix has been filled, requiring a sensor with high strength. This application sets the tensile strength of the sensor's metal material to be above 300 MPa, preferably in the range of 300 MPa to 700 MPa.

[0031] In this embodiment, the tensile strength and Vickers hardness of a composite sensor strip were tested. The strip was 0.12 mm thick and 4 mm wide. The tensile speed in the tensile test was 1 mm / s, and a typical force-time curve is shown below. Figure 2 As shown. In the hardness test, the top and bottom surfaces were selected, and a test force of 0.2KG was used to create indentations on each surface. The average value of the test results from both surfaces was then taken.

[0032] The results show that the tensile strength of the sensor material is approximately 520.83 MPa, and its average Vickers hardness HV0.2 is 152.4.

[0033] The purpose of using a thick-film sensor in this application is to ensure its high mechanical strength, facilitating high-speed and efficient insertion into the aerosol-generating matrix without deformation. Considering strong magnetism and ease of cutting, the sensor material needs to undergo annealing heat treatment to ultimately prepare it in a soft or semi-hard state. This invention sets the average Vickers hardness HV0.2 of the sensor's double-sided test to be above 140, preferably within the range of 140-200.

[0034] Based on the materials selected for the above configuration, combined with the square size of the receptor element (approximately 4mm x 12mm), its weight is approximately 20mg to 150mg.

[0035] Taking a cartridge containing a matrix segment as an example, the sensor is designed to be inserted roughly longitudinally along the central axis of the cartridge. Here, "roughly longitudinally" means that after final assembly, the angle between the sensor's plane and the cartridge's central axis is between 0 and 15 degrees. If this angle is further increased, the effective length of the magnetic field lines passing through the sensor will be significantly reduced, thus affecting the stability and precision of the electromagnetic coupling reaction, and the insertion resistance will also be greater. It is worth noting that, to achieve effective heating and carbonization, this application sets the length of a single sensor to 60%-100% of the matrix segment length, which yields better results. For smaller single sensors or cartridges made of different materials, multiple thick-plate sensors can be placed in the matrix segment of the same cartridge, such as two or three evenly arranged to cooperate in heating.

[0036] Based on this embodiment, the thick-film sensor has enhanced thickness and mechanical strength, enabling it to be embedded in various aerosol generation matrices, thereby realizing the construction of electromagnetic smoke cartridges.

[0037] Example 2

[0038] Unlike Embodiment 1, this embodiment employs a novel combination method to form another thick-film receptor to achieve a similar function. (Refer to...) Figure 3 As mentioned earlier, the first receptor A and the second receptor B are joined together by laser welding or ultrasonic welding to form a spliced ​​structure with the weld seam shown in the diagram. Figure 2 The markings indicate the thickness direction, and both dimensions have their own thicknesses, the sum of which is greater than 0.1 mm. In this embodiment, the length and width may be smaller than the thickness. It is understood that the directional description in this embodiment is merely for clarity and does not have the function of limiting the claims. Therefore, other solutions that do not depart from the innovative concept of this solution should be included within the scope of the claims.

[0039] In addition, the bonding method of this embodiment can also be made by traditional processes such as riveting, gluing, and wrapping. The resulting products are basically similar to the aforementioned effects, and therefore should all be included within the scope of protection of this application.

[0040] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

[0041] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely preferred examples and are not intended to limit the utility model. Various changes and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claimed utility model. The scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A slab inductor, characterized by, The thick plate type susceptor comprises at least two physically closely combined susceptor elements, a first susceptor element with a first thickness is a magnetic heating element, and a second susceptor element with a second thickness is a strong magnetic temperature marker element, the magnetic permeability of the first susceptor element is less than that of the second susceptor element in the temperature range of 20-350℃, the first susceptor element and the second susceptor element are made of different materials, and the sum of the first thickness and the second thickness is greater than 0.1mm.

2. A slug inductor according to claim 1, characterised in that The combination mode of the first susceptor element and the second susceptor element includes calendering, electroplating, chemical plating, sputtering, riveting, gluing, cladding or welding.

3. A slug inductor according to claim 1, wherein The first thickness is not less than the second thickness.

4. A slug inductor according to claim 1, wherein The average Vickers hardness of the susceptor element is greater than 140.

5. A slug inductor according to claim 1, wherein The tensile strength of the susceptor element is greater than 300Mpa.

6. A slug susceptor according to claim 1, wherein The weight of the susceptor element is 20mg to 150mg.

7. A slug inductor according to claim 1, wherein The first susceptor is a soft magnetic heating element.

8. A cartridge, characterized by, The thick plate type susceptor comprises at least two physically closely combined susceptor elements, a first susceptor element with a first thickness is a magnetic heating element, and a second susceptor element with a second thickness is a strong magnetic temperature marker element, the magnetic permeability of the first susceptor element is less than that of the second susceptor element in the temperature range of 20-350℃, the first susceptor element and the second susceptor element are made of different materials, and the sum of the first thickness and the second thickness is greater than 0.1mm.

9. The cartridge of claim 8, wherein, The length of the thick plate type susceptor is 60%-100% of the length of the cartridge substrate section.

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