Support structure and aerosol-generating device
By adjusting the area of the clearance channel in the support structure, the problem of insufficient external airflow in the aerosol generation device was solved, enabling timely removal of aerosols and improving microwave heating performance, thereby reducing energy consumption and production costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ALD GRP
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-16
AI Technical Summary
Traditional support structures result in low airflow velocity in the outer area of the aerosol generation matrix, which cannot carry out aerosols in time, leading to condensate accumulation and affecting microwave heating performance.
Design a support structure that adjusts the position of the support part through a reversible drive part, increases or decreases the flow area of the avoidance channel, reduces the occlusion rate of the bottom surface of the aerosol generation matrix, and improves the airflow in the peripheral area. Use a thermo-deformable shape memory alloy or an elastic reset component to assist the movement of the support part.
The process of suction enhances the external airflow, promptly removes aerosols, reduces condensate accumulation, improves microwave heating performance, and lowers production costs and energy consumption.
Smart Images
Figure CN224357003U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of electronic atomization technology, and in particular to a support structure and an aerosol generating device. Background Technology
[0002] For aerosol generation devices used to provide inhalable aerosols, related technologies have proposed a technique of heating the aerosol generation matrix using microwave heating. Specifically, microwaves are emitted from a radio frequency source into a heating cavity (resonant cavity) containing the aerosol generation matrix. The microwaves act on the target area of the aerosol generation matrix, causing the polar molecules in that area to oscillate under the influence of microwave energy and generate heat through friction, thereby achieving atomization. Compared to traditional heating methods such as resistance contact heating, infrared radiation heating, and electromagnetic induction heating, microwave heating has significant advantages in terms of heating speed and heating uniformity.
[0003] The aforementioned heating chamber typically contains a support structure to support the aerosol-generating matrix. The central area of this support structure has a ventilation structure. The airflow generated during user inhalation flows through this ventilation structure across the aerosol-generating matrix, carrying out the generated aerosols for the user to inhale. Traditional support structures, to ensure support effectiveness, have a high obstruction rate on the bottom surface of the aerosol-generating matrix. In this case, primarily the edge area of the bottom surface of the aerosol-generating matrix is obstructed. This causes the airflow generated during user inhalation to flow more concentratedly through the central area of the aerosol-generating matrix, resulting in less airflow through the peripheral areas and consequently, a lower airflow velocity in the peripheral areas. During the user's suction process, the airflow velocity through the outer area of the aerosol generating matrix is low, which makes it impossible to carry out the aerosol generated in the outer area of the aerosol generating matrix in a timely and effective manner. As a result, the aerosol generated in the outer area of the aerosol generating matrix is prone to condensation and accumulation on the inner wall of the heating chamber, which leads to a significant decrease in microwave heating performance and ultimately affects the atomization effect of the aerosol generating matrix. Utility Model Content
[0004] This application aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this application proposes a support structure and an aerosol generation device. The support structure can reduce the occlusion rate of the bottom surface of the aerosol generation matrix during the user's suction process, thereby increasing the airflow through the peripheral area of the aerosol generation matrix. This, in turn, helps to carry out the aerosol generated in the peripheral area of the aerosol generation matrix in a timely and effective manner, thereby improving the situation of condensate accumulation on the inner wall surface of the heating chamber.
[0005] The support structure according to the first aspect embodiment of this application includes:
[0006] A base, on which a ventilation structure is provided;
[0007] At least two support portions, movably mounted on the base and used to support the aerosol generating matrix, the at least two support portions enclosing to form a clearance channel for avoiding the ventilation structure; and...
[0008] At least two drive units are provided, each drive unit being connected to each support unit. Each drive unit is used to drive the support units to move closer to each other or further away from each other, so as to adjust the flow area of the avoidance channel.
[0009] The support structure according to the embodiments of this application has at least the following beneficial effects: During the user's suction process, the driving parts drive the support parts to move away from each other. At this time, the inner diameter of the avoidance channel increases, that is, the flow area of the avoidance channel increases, which can reduce the occlusion rate of the support parts on the bottom surface of the aerosol generating matrix. This is conducive to increasing the airflow through the outer area of the aerosol generating matrix, and thus helps to carry out the aerosol generated in the outer area of the aerosol generating matrix in a timely and effective manner, thereby improving the situation of condensate accumulation on the inner wall of the heating chamber. After the user finishes the suction action, the driving parts drive the support parts to move closer together. At this time, the inner diameter of the avoidance channel returns to normal, that is, the flow area of the avoidance channel returns to normal, thereby restoring the occlusion rate of the support parts on the bottom surface of the aerosol generating matrix, and thus restoring the support effect of the support parts on the aerosol generating matrix.
[0010] According to some embodiments of this application, the driving unit is configured to undergo reversible thermal deformation, and each driving unit can drive each supporting unit to move away from each other when its own temperature or the ambient temperature is greater than a preset temperature, so as to increase the flow area of the avoidance channel.
[0011] According to some embodiments of this application, the drive unit is made of a shape memory alloy with a two-way memory effect.
[0012] According to some embodiments of this application, the support structure further includes an elastic reset member, which is used to assist the support portion in resetting to a preset initial position.
[0013] According to some embodiments of this application, the elastic reset member is a compression spring, one end of which is connected to the support portion, and the other end of which is connected to the portion of the base located outside the clearance channel.
[0014] According to some embodiments of this application, the elastic reset member is a tension spring, one end of which is connected to the support portion, and the other end of which is connected to the portion of the base located within the clearance channel.
[0015] According to some embodiments of this application, each of the driving parts is provided with the elastic reset member on both sides.
[0016] According to some embodiments of this application, the ventilation structure includes a plurality of ventilation holes spaced apart on the base.
[0017] According to some embodiments of this application, there is always a gap between two adjacent support portions.
[0018] According to some embodiments of this application, the ventilation structure includes a plurality of ventilation holes spaced apart on the base, wherein at least one ventilation hole is provided at each of the gaps.
[0019] An aerosol generating apparatus according to a second aspect of this application includes a heating chamber and a support structure according to the first aspect of this application described above. The heating chamber is used to accommodate the aerosol generating matrix and has an open end and a closed end disposed opposite to each other. The support structure is disposed in the heating chamber and located at the closed end. The closed end is provided with an air inlet channel that is connected to the external atmosphere and leads to the support structure.
[0020] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description
[0021] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this application will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
[0022] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the aerosol generation matrix;
[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the support structure according to an embodiment of this application;
[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A top view of the structure shown;
[0025] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus according to an embodiment of this application;
[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle.
[0027] Figure label:
[0028] Aerosol generation matrix a, central region a1, and peripheral region a2;
[0029] Avoidance passage b, gap c, heating cavity d;
[0030] Base 100, vent 110;
[0031] Support section 200;
[0032] Installation section 300;
[0033] Drive unit 400;
[0034] 500 elastic reset element;
[0035] Air intake channel 600. Detailed Implementation
[0036] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.
[0037] In the description of this application, it should be understood that if directional descriptions are involved, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicating the directional or positional relationship based on the directional or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, it is only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element 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 application.
[0038] In the description of this application, if words such as several, greater than, less than, exceeding, above, below, or within appear, "several" means one or more, "more than" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," "exceeding," etc. are understood to exclude the number itself, and "above," "below," "within," etc. are understood to include the number itself.
[0039] In the description of this application, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" is for the purpose of distinguishing technical features only, and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated or the order of the technical features indicated.
[0040] In the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly defined, terms such as "setup," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this application in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.
[0041] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 1A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a columnar aerosol matrix (such as a tobacco stick) is shown. The central region a1 of the aerosol generating matrix a is the region close to the axis of the aerosol generating matrix a, and the peripheral region a2 of the aerosol generating matrix a is the region away from the axis of the aerosol generating matrix a.
[0042] Reference Figures 2 to 5 The support structure according to the embodiments of this application includes a base 100, a support portion 200, and a drive portion 400.
[0043] Specifically, the base 100 is provided with a ventilation structure, and there are at least two support parts 200. The support parts 200 are movably disposed on the base 100 and are used to support the aerosol generating matrix a. All the support parts 200 enclose to form a clearance channel b for avoiding the ventilation structure. The inner diameter of the clearance channel b is smaller than the diameter of the aerosol generating matrix a. There are at least two drive parts 400. Each drive part 400 is connected to each support part 200. Each drive part 400 is used to drive each support part 200 to move closer to or further away from each other in order to adjust the flow area of the clearance channel b.
[0044] During the user's suction process, the drive units 400 drive the support units 200 to move away from each other. At this time, the inner diameter of the avoidance channel b increases, meaning the flow area of the avoidance channel b increases. This reduces the obstruction rate of the support units 200 on the bottom surface of the aerosol generating matrix a, thereby increasing the airflow through the outer region a2 of the aerosol generating matrix a. This facilitates the timely and effective removal of aerosols generated in the outer region a2 of the aerosol generating matrix a, improving the accumulation of condensate on the inner wall of the heating chamber d. After the user finishes suction, the drive units 400 drive the support units 200 to move closer together. At this time, the inner diameter of the avoidance channel b returns to its original size, meaning the flow area of the avoidance channel b returns to its original size. This restores the obstruction rate of the support units 200 on the bottom surface of the aerosol generating matrix a, thus restoring the support effect of the support units 200 on the aerosol generating matrix a.
[0045] In some embodiments, the drive unit 400 is configured to undergo reversible thermal deformation. Each drive unit 400 can drive the support units 200 to move away from each other when its own temperature or ambient temperature is higher than a preset temperature, thereby increasing the flow area of the avoidance channel b. Specifically, because the drive unit 400 can undergo reversible thermal deformation, when the own temperature or ambient temperature of the drive unit 400 is higher than the preset temperature, the shape of each drive unit 400 changes to drive the support units 200 to move away from each other. When the own temperature or ambient temperature of the drive unit 400 returns to normal temperature, the shape of each drive unit 400 returns to normal to drive the support units 200 to move closer together. Thus, there is no need to set up an electrically driven power source such as a motor, which helps to reduce the production cost and energy consumption during use.
[0046] In some embodiments, the drive unit 400 is made of a shape memory alloy with a two-way memory effect. The austenitic phase transformation temperature of the drive unit 400 is lower than the atomization temperature of the aerosol-generating matrix a, and the martensitic phase transformation temperature of the drive unit 400 is higher than room temperature. Specifically, because the drive unit 400 is made of a shape memory alloy with a two-way memory effect, through a certain training process (combined with repeated heating and cooling under applied stress), the drive unit 400 forms two shape memories: an unshrunken state and a shrunken state. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The base 100 is provided with a mounting part 300 located outside the clearance channel b, and each drive part 400 connects each support part 200 to the mounting part 300. At this time, the drive part 400 is located outside the clearance channel b, so that the drive part 400 will not block the airflow flowing through the clearance channel b to the aerosol generating matrix a, which is beneficial to ensuring the ventilation effect of the clearance channel b.
[0047] During the user's suction process, the aerosol generating matrix a is heated, which in turn heats the drive unit 400. Since the austenitic phase transformation temperature of the drive unit 400 is lower than the atomization temperature of the aerosol generating matrix a, the drive unit 400 can reach the austenitic phase transformation temperature before the aerosol generating matrix a is atomized to form an aerosol. This allows the drive unit 400 to transform from martensite to austenite before the aerosol generating matrix a is atomized to form an aerosol. Consequently, each drive unit 400 contracts radially along the avoidance channel b before the aerosol generating matrix a is atomized to form an aerosol, thereby driving each support unit 200 to move away from each other.
[0048] After the user finishes the suction action, the aerosol generating matrix a is no longer heated, so the drive part 400 is also no longer heated. Since the martensitic transformation temperature of the drive part 400 is higher than the room temperature, the drive part 400 can reach the martensitic transformation temperature before cooling to the room temperature. This allows the drive part 400 to transform from austenite to martensite before cooling to the room temperature, and then each drive part 400 can return to its shape before shrinkage when it cools to the room temperature, so as to drive each support part 200 to move closer together.
[0049] It should be noted that in some other embodiments, the drive unit 400 can also be trained to form two shape memories: an unextended state and an extended state. In this embodiment, the base 100 is provided with a mounting part 300 located within the clearance channel b, and each drive unit 400 connects each support part 200 to the mounting part 300. In this case, each drive unit 400 can extend radially along the clearance channel b during the transformation from martensite to austenite, thereby causing the support parts 200 to move away from each other. Simultaneously, each drive unit 400 can return to its pre-extension state during the transformation from austenite to martensite, thereby causing the support parts 200 to move closer together.
[0050] Specifically, the shape memory alloy used can be one of NiTiNb alloy, NiTiCu alloy, or FeMnSiCr alloy. Of course, other types of shape memory alloys can also be used, and no limitation is made here.
[0051] It should be noted that in some other embodiments, the drive unit 400 may also be configured as an elastic hollow bladder filled with a thermally expandable and contractible material (such as air, carbon dioxide, inert gas, etc.). In this embodiment, the base 100 has a mounting portion 300 located within the clearance channel b, and each drive unit 400 connects to each support portion 200. When the temperature of the drive unit 400 or the ambient temperature exceeds a preset temperature, the material inside each drive unit 400 expands to drive the support portions 200 away from each other. When the temperature of the drive unit 400 or the ambient temperature returns to normal, the material inside each drive unit 400 contracts to drive the support portions 200 closer together.
[0052] It should be noted that, in some other embodiments, the drive unit 400 may also be configured as a transmission component that cooperates with an electrically driven power source such as a motor, and the support unit 200 is moved by the electrically driven power source such as a motor.
[0053] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, the base 100 is provided with at least three support portions 200 arranged in a ring array. The support portions 200 are arc-shaped so that the cross-section of the enclosed clearance channel b is circular, so as to better fit the aerosol generating matrix a with a circular cross-section.
[0054] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the support structure further includes an elastic reset member 500, which is used to assist the support part 200 in resetting to a preset initial position so that the support part 200 can quickly restore the occlusion rate of the bottom surface of the aerosol generating matrix a after the user ends the suction action, thereby quickly restoring the support effect of the support part 200 on the aerosol generating matrix a.
[0055] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5In some embodiments, the elastic reset member 500 is a compression spring, with one end of the compression spring connected to the support 200 and the other end of the compression spring connected to the portion of the base 100 located outside the clearance channel b. In this case, the elastic reset member 500 is located outside the clearance channel b, so that the elastic reset member 500 will not block the airflow flowing through the clearance channel b to the aerosol generating matrix a, which is beneficial to ensuring the ventilation effect of the clearance channel b.
[0056] Specifically, when the mounting part 300 is located outside the clearance channel b, the end of the compression spring away from the support part 200 is connected to the mounting part 300.
[0057] It should be noted that in some other embodiments, the elastic reset member 500 may also be a tension spring. Specifically, one end of the tension spring is connected to the support 200, and the other end of the tension spring is connected to the part of the base 100 located in the clearance channel b.
[0058] Specifically, when the mounting part 300 is located within the clearance channel b, the end of the tension spring away from the support part 200 is connected to the mounting part 300.
[0059] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, each drive unit 400 is provided with an elastic reset member 500 on both sides, which helps to ensure that the support unit 200 is subjected to uniform force, thereby preventing the support unit 200 from shifting during movement, and thus improving the stability and reliability of the support unit 200 during operation.
[0060] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, there is one mounting part 300, which is a closed ring structure. The support part 200 is located inside the mounting part 300, so that the mounting part 300 has the function of restricting and guiding the airflow introduced by the ventilation structure to reduce the escape of the airflow, so that the airflow introduced by the ventilation structure mainly flows to the aerosol generating matrix a, thereby increasing the airflow flowing through the aerosol generating matrix a.
[0061] It should be noted that in some other embodiments, the number of mounting parts 300 may also be multiple. Specifically, multiple mounting parts 300 are distributed in a ring array.
[0062] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the ventilation structure includes a plurality of ventilation holes 110 spaced apart on the base 100. Compared with the case where only one ventilation port is provided for air intake, this is beneficial to improve the uniformity of the intake airflow, thereby helping to improve the uneven distribution of airflow flowing through the aerosol generation matrix a.
[0063] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, there is always a gap c between two adjacent support portions 200 so that the airflow introduced by the ventilation structure can flow through the gap c to the edge region of the bottom surface of the aerosol generating matrix a, thereby helping to increase the airflow through the outer region a2 of the aerosol generating matrix a.
[0064] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, when the ventilation structure consists of multiple vent holes 110 spaced apart on the base 100, at least one vent hole 110 is provided at the gap c, so that the airflow can directly flow through the vent hole 110 located at the gap c to the edge region of the bottom end face of the aerosol generating matrix a. This allows the airflow to flow through the gap c to the edge region of the bottom end face of the aerosol generating matrix a without changing its flow direction, reducing the difficulty of the airflow flowing through the gap c to the edge region of the bottom end face of the aerosol generating matrix a, thereby further increasing the airflow through the outer region a2 of the aerosol generating matrix a.
[0065] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 According to an embodiment of this application, an aerosol generating apparatus includes a heating chamber d and the aforementioned support structure. The heating chamber d is used to contain an aerosol generating matrix a and has an open end and a closed end disposed opposite to each other. The support structure is disposed inside the heating chamber d and located at the closed end of the heating chamber d. The closed end of the heating chamber d is provided with an air inlet channel 600 that is connected to the external atmosphere and leads to the support structure.
[0066] It should be noted that since the aerosol generating apparatus of the embodiments of this application includes the above-mentioned support structure, the aerosol generating apparatus of the embodiments of this application includes all the technical effects of the above-mentioned support structure.
[0067] In the description of this specification, the use of terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," and "some examples" indicates that the specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
[0068] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A support structure, characterized in that, include: A base, on which a ventilation structure is provided; At least two support parts are movably disposed on the base and used to support the aerosol generating matrix, and the at least two support parts enclose and form an avoidance channel for avoiding the ventilation structure; as well as, At least two drive units are provided, each drive unit being connected to each support unit. Each drive unit is used to drive the support units to move closer to each other or further away from each other, so as to adjust the flow area of the avoidance channel.
2. The support structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The driving unit is configured to undergo reversible thermal deformation. Each driving unit can drive each supporting unit to move away from each other when its own temperature or the ambient temperature is higher than a preset temperature, thereby increasing the flow area of the avoidance channel.
3. The support structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The drive unit is made of a shape memory alloy with a two-way memory effect.
4. The support structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The support structure also includes an elastic reset member, which is used to assist the support portion in resetting to a preset initial position.
5. The support structure as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The elastic reset element is a compression spring, one end of which is connected to the support portion, and the other end of which is connected to the portion of the base located outside the clearance channel.
6. The support structure as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The elastic reset element is a tension spring, one end of which is connected to the support portion, and the other end of which is connected to the portion of the base located within the clearance channel.
7. The support structure as described in claim 4, characterized in that, Each of the driving units is provided with an elastic reset member on both sides.
8. The support structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The ventilation structure includes a plurality of ventilation holes spaced apart on the base.
9. The support structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, There is always a gap between two adjacent support parts.
10. The support structure as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The ventilation structure includes a plurality of ventilation holes spaced apart on the base, wherein at least one ventilation hole is provided at each of the gaps.
11. An aerosol generating device, characterized in that, The device includes a heating chamber and a support structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 10. The heating chamber is used to accommodate the aerosol generating matrix and has an open end and a closed end disposed opposite to each other. The support structure is disposed in the heating chamber and located at the closed end. The closed end is provided with an air inlet channel that is connected to the external atmosphere and leads to the support structure.