Aerosol-generating device

Abstract

This application relates to the field of electronic cigarette technology and discloses an aerosol generating device. The device has a housing with an insertion cavity into which an external aerosol generating product can be inserted longitudinally. A heater is configured to heat the aerosol generating product within the insertion cavity. Light emitted by an optical component is configured to illuminate the insertion cavity. A photoelectric sensor is configured to continuously receive light reflected by the aerosol generating product, thereby obtaining continuous light and shadow images as the aerosol generating product moves within the insertion cavity. A controller is connected to the photoelectric sensor and is configured to determine the direction and position or amount of movement of the aerosol generating product based on the continuous light and shadow images. The controller also controls the power supply to provide electrical power to the heater when the aerosol generating product moves to a working position or reaches a preset amount of movement along a preset direction. This structure reduces the probability of false triggering of the heater in the aerosol generating device, resulting in high reliability, high detection accuracy, and a high degree of intelligence.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of electronic cigarette technology, and in particular to an aerosol generating device. Background Technology

[0002] An aerosol generating device is a device that heats aerosol-generating products to form aerosols through a non-combustible heating process. To improve the intelligence of aerosol generating devices, existing devices have the function of automatically detecting whether the aerosol-generating product is inserted, and starting heating after detecting the insertion, thus achieving intelligent start-up.

[0003] However, existing detection methods include infrared detection and capacitance detection. The inventors found that infrared detection is prone to false triggering under sunlight, while capacitance detection often fails and has low accuracy, resulting in a poor user experience for aerosol generating devices. Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a detection structure with high accuracy and high sensitivity. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides an aerosol generating device that can effectively improve the accuracy and sensitivity of aerosol generating product detection and enhance the user experience of the aerosol generating device.

[0005] This application provides an aerosol generating device, including a housing and a power supply, a heater, an optical component, a photoelectric sensor, and a controller disposed inside the housing. The power supply is configured to provide electrical energy; the housing has a insertion cavity into which an external aerosol generating product can be inserted longitudinally; the heater is configured to heat the aerosol generating product within the insertion cavity; the light emitted by the optical component is configured to illuminate the insertion cavity; the photoelectric sensor is configured to continuously receive light reflected by the aerosol generating product, thereby obtaining a continuous light and shadow image as the aerosol generating product moves within the insertion cavity; the controller is connected to the photoelectric sensor and is configured to determine the direction and position or amount of movement of the aerosol generating product based on the continuous light and shadow image, and to control the power supply to provide electrical power to the heater when the aerosol generating product moves to a working position or reaches a preset amount of movement along a preset direction.

[0006] In some embodiments, the light emitted by the optical component enters the plug cavity at an angle R, where 15°≤R≤45°.

[0007] In some embodiments, the housing has a mounting cavity, which is laterally distributed with the insertion cavity; the optical component and the photoelectric sensor are disposed in the mounting cavity.

[0008] In some embodiments, the housing has an insertion port for inserting the aerosol-generating article into the insertion cavity; the optical component includes a light source and a lens for guiding light emitted by the light source into the insertion cavity, the lens being arranged longitudinally with the light source and the lens being located between the insertion port and the light source.

[0009] In some embodiments, the lens includes a refractive lens, in which at least a portion of the light emitted by the light source may enter the refractive lens and be refracted and redirected by the refractive surface of the refractive lens, thereby entering the insertion cavity; or the lens includes a reflector, in which at least a portion of the light emitted by the light source may be directed toward the reflective surface of the reflector and be reflected and redirected, thereby entering the insertion cavity.

[0010] In some embodiments, the lens is configured to change the direction of incoming light from the insertion port to prevent the incoming light from shining on the photoelectric sensor.

[0011] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating apparatus further includes a focusing lens disposed between the insertion cavity and the photoelectric sensor to focus the light reflected from the aerosol-generated article onto the photoelectric sensor.

[0012] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating apparatus further includes a light-transmitting isolation lens disposed between the insertion cavity and the mounting cavity, the isolation lens being configured to prevent objects in the insertion cavity from entering the mounting cavity.

[0013] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating apparatus further includes a light-absorbing element, which and the light assembly are disposed on opposite sides of the insertion cavity, and the light-absorbing element is configured to absorb light emitted by the light assembly toward the insertion cavity to prevent light emitted by the light assembly from being reflected toward the photoelectric sensor when the insertion cavity is not inserted by the aerosol generating article.

[0014] In some embodiments, the heater includes at least one of a central heater, a circumferential heater, an air heater, and an electromagnetic heater; and / or, the light component includes an infrared light source.

[0015] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to control the light component to emit light intermittently at a preset frequency when no object movement is detected in the insertion cavity; and to control the light component to emit light stably and continuously when the movement of the aerosol-generating article in the insertion cavity is detected.

[0016] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further includes a circuit board, on which the optical components and photoelectric sensors are disposed. The circuit board is movable relative to the housing, making its position adjustable.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this application's embodiments are as follows: The aerosol generating device of this application continuously acquires the light reflected from the aerosol-generated product by setting a photoelectric sensor to form a continuous light and shadow image. Based on this light and shadow image, parameters such as the movement direction, displacement, and position information of the aerosol-generated product are determined, thereby determining whether to heat the aerosol-generated product. This structure can reduce the probability of false triggering of the heater in the aerosol generating device, resulting in high reliability, high detection accuracy, and a high degree of intelligence. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments 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.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating apparatus according to an embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating apparatus with an aerosol generating article inserted into it, according to an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A magnified schematic diagram of part A in the middle. Detailed Implementation

[0022] 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 "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. When an element is described as "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. The terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "vertical," "horizontal," etc., used in this specification indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do 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. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] Please see Figures 1 to 3 This application provides an aerosol generating device 100, including a housing 10 and a power supply 20, a heater 30, an optical component 40, a photoelectric sensor 50, and a controller 60 disposed within the housing 10. The housing 10 has a longitudinally extending insertion cavity 11, into which an external aerosol generating product 200 can be inserted longitudinally. The heater 30 is configured to heat the aerosol generating product 200 within the insertion cavity 11 to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user. The light emitted by the optical component 40 is configured to illuminate the insertion cavity 11. When an aerosol generating product 200 is inserted into the insertion cavity 11, the light emitted by the optical component 40 can illuminate the surface of the aerosol generating product 200 and be reflected.

[0026] The photoelectric sensor 50 is configured to continuously receive light reflected by the aerosol generating article 200, thereby obtaining a continuous light and shadow image when the aerosol generating article 200 moves in the insertion cavity 11; the controller 60 is connected to the photoelectric sensor 50, and the controller 60 is configured to determine the direction and position or amount of movement of the aerosol generating article 200 based on the continuous light and shadow image, and control the power supply 20 to provide electrical power to the heater 30 when the aerosol generating article 200 moves to the working position or reaches the preset amount of movement along the preset direction, so that the heater 30 starts to heat the aerosol generating article 200, thereby realizing the automatic start-up heating of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0027] In this embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 uses a photoelectric sensor 50 to continuously acquire the light reflected from the aerosol generating product 200, forming a continuous light and shadow image. Based on this light and shadow image, parameters such as the movement direction, displacement, and position information of the aerosol generating product 200 are determined, thereby determining whether to heat the aerosol generating product 200. This structure reduces the probability of false triggering of the heater 30 in the aerosol generating device 100, resulting in high reliability, high detection accuracy, and a high degree of intelligence.

[0028] In some embodiments, the controller 60 can identify the direction of movement of the aerosol generating article 200 in the insertion cavity 11 based on the light and shadow image, such as the aerosol generating article 200 being inserted longitudinally into the insertion cavity 11 or withdrawn longitudinally from the insertion cavity 11. The controller 60 only controls the heater 30 to start working to heat the aerosol generating article 200 to generate aerosol when the aerosol generating article 200 is inserted into the insertion cavity 11.

[0029] In some embodiments, the controller 60 can identify the position of the aerosol generating article 200 based on the light and shadow image. Only when the aerosol generating article 200 reaches the preset working position, for example, when the end of the aerosol generating article 200 abuts against the bottom wall of the insertion cavity 11, will the controller 60 control the heater 30 to start working to heat the aerosol generating article 200 to generate aerosol.

[0030] In some embodiments, the controller 60 can identify the amount of movement of the aerosol generating article 200 based on the light and shadow image, wherein the amount of movement includes the duration of movement or the amount of displacement. When the duration of movement of the aerosol generating article 200 reaches a preset duration, for example, when it is detected that the aerosol generating article 200 has moved along the insertion direction for 0.2 seconds, the controller can control the heater 30 to start heating. Alternatively, when the amount of movement of the aerosol generating article 200 reaches a preset amount of movement, for example, when it is detected that the aerosol generating article 200 has moved along the insertion direction for 1 centimeter, the controller can control the heater 30 to start heating.

[0031] In some embodiments, the controller 60 is configured to control the light component 40 to emit light intermittently at a preset frequency when no object movement is detected in the insertion cavity 11; this can reduce energy consumption, reduce the heat generation and power consumption of the light component 40; while when the movement of the aerosol generating article 200 in the insertion cavity 11 is detected, the light component 40 is controlled to emit light stably and continuously, so that the photoelectric sensor 50 can acquire the light and shadow pattern of the continuous reflected light, and thus determine the movement direction, position and amount of movement of the aerosol generating article 200.

[0032] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The light emitted by the optical component 40 enters the insertion cavity 11 at an angle R, where 15° ≤ R ≤ 45°. Slanting the light at an angle R within the aforementioned range allows the light to illuminate the microscopic pits on the surface of the aerosol-generated article 200 at a small angle, producing diffuse reflection: the light scatters in all directions, fully exposing the surface texture details. The slanted light creates long shadows on the microscopic uneven surface (similar to the elongated shadows of mountains in the morning light), significantly enhancing the contrast between light and dark, making it easier for the photoelectric sensor 50 to identify feature point displacements. In some embodiments, the angle R satisfies 20° ≤ R ≤ 40°; in a further embodiment, the angle R is 30 degrees.

[0033] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The housing 10 has a mounting cavity 12, which is laterally distributed with the insertion cavity 11; the longitudinal direction of the insertion cavity 11 is perpendicular to its transverse direction. The optical component 40 and the photoelectric sensor 50 are disposed within the mounting cavity 12. The optical component 40 and the photoelectric sensor 50 are positioned laterally to the side of the insertion cavity 11, allowing them to be closer to the circumferential surface of the aerosol-generating product 200, facilitating detection of the aerosol-generating product 200. Furthermore, this shortens the light propagation path, improving detection accuracy, and also helps reduce the space occupied by the optical component 40 and the photoelectric sensor 50 within the housing 10.

[0034] In some embodiments, the mounting cavity 12 and the insertion cavity 11 are directly connected, allowing light emitted from the optical component 40 to illuminate the insertion cavity 11 from the mounting cavity 12, thus reducing light loss. To prevent external debris or residue from the heated aerosol-generated product 200 from entering the mounting cavity 12 from the insertion cavity 11 and contaminating the optical component 40 and the photoelectric sensor 50, please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 3 The aerosol generating apparatus 100 also includes an isolation lens 80 disposed between the insertion cavity 11 and the mounting cavity 12. The isolation lens 80 is configured to prevent objects in the insertion cavity 11 from entering the mounting cavity 12. The isolation lens 80 is light-transmitting, allowing light emitted from the light assembly 40 to pass through. As an example, the isolation lens 80 can be transparent glass.

[0035] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 The housing 10 has an insertion port 13 for inserting the aerosol generating article 200 into the insertion cavity 11, and the insertion port 13 connects the insertion cavity 11 to the outside. The optical assembly 40 includes a light source 41 and a lens 42, which guides the light emitted by the light source 41 into the insertion cavity 11. The lens 42 and the light source 41 are arranged longitudinally. The lens 42 can be located between the insertion port 13 and the light source 41, so that the direction of the light from the light source 41 to the lens 42 is approximately 180° from the direction of the light from the outside entering the insertion cavity 11. Compared to placing the light source 41 and the insertion port 13 on the same side of the lens 42, this helps to prevent the light from the outside from entering the insertion cavity 11 through the insertion port 13 and being received by the photoelectric sensor 50, thereby preventing the controller 60 from controlling the start of the heater 30 based on changes in the light and shadow of the external environment.

[0036] In some embodiments, the light source 41 is an infrared light source 41, which emits infrared light that is outside the visible spectrum of the human eye, thus avoiding the detection light from causing trouble for the user. Infrared light is absorbed less than visible light, can reflect more light, and has a high photoelectric conversion efficiency, which helps to improve detection accuracy. The low heat generation of infrared light can reduce the risk of thermal distortion of lens 42 and ensure the stability of the optical system.

[0037] In some embodiments, lens 42 includes a refractive lens, through which at least a portion of the light emitted by light source 41 can enter and be refracted by the refractive surface of the refractive lens, thereby entering the insertion cavity 11. Alternatively, in other embodiments, lens 42 includes a reflector, through which at least a portion of the light emitted by light source 41 can be directed by the reflective surface of the reflector, thereby entering the insertion cavity 11. By using a refractive lens or a reflector to modify the light emitted by light source 41, more mounting angles of light source 41 can be achieved within the mounting cavity 12, reducing the difficulty of installing light source 41.

[0038] In some embodiments, the lens 42 is configured to change the direction of external light emitted from the insertion port 13 to prevent external light from shining on the photoelectric sensor 50 and to avoid the photoelectric controller 60 misinterpreting and triggering the heater 30 to start working. Specifically, when no aerosol generating article 200 is inserted into the insertion cavity 11, external light can be reflected to the photoelectric sensor 50 through the insertion port 13. Therefore, by setting the lens 42 to change the direction of external light reflection, external light is prevented from falling on the photoelectric sensor 50. In other embodiments, a cover plate can also be provided at the insertion port 13. When the aerosol generating device 100 is not used, the cover plate can be used to close the insertion port 13 to prevent external light from entering the insertion cavity 11.

[0039] In some embodiments, please refer to Figures 1 to 3 The aerosol generating apparatus 100 also includes a focusing lens 70, which is laterally positioned between the insertion cavity 11 and the photoelectric sensor 50 to focus the light reflected from the aerosol generating article 200 onto the photoelectric sensor 50. The light emitted from the light source 41 undergoes diffuse reflection after striking the surface of the aerosol generating article 200. Adding the focusing lens 70 between the insertion cavity 11 and the photoelectric sensor 50 increases the amount of reflected light received by the photoelectric sensor 50, thereby improving detection accuracy and sensitivity.

[0040] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2The aerosol generating device 100 also includes a light-absorbing element 91. The light-absorbing element 91 and the light assembly 40 are disposed on opposite sides of the insertion cavity 11 in the lateral direction. The light-absorbing element 91 is configured to absorb the light emitted by the light assembly 40 toward the insertion cavity 11, preventing the light emitted by the light assembly 40 from being reflected toward the photoelectric sensor 50 when the insertion cavity 11 is not inserted by the aerosol generating article 200, thus preventing the heater 30 from being falsely triggered to start heating. As an example, the light-absorbing element 91 can be light-absorbing cotton. When the aerosol generating article 200 is not inserted into the insertion cavity 11, the light emitted by the light source 41 passes through the insertion cavity 11 and reaches the light-absorbing cotton. The light-absorbing cotton significantly reduces the reflection of light, preventing the light from being reflected onto the photoelectric sensor 50. In a further embodiment, the light-absorbing element 91 is black light-absorbing cotton, which can further reduce the reflection of light.

[0041] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 The heater 30 shown includes a central heater 30, which can be inserted into the interior of the aerosol generating article 200 to heat the aerosol generating article 200 from the center outwards. In other embodiments, the heater 30 may also include at least one of a circumferential heater 30, an air heater 30, an electromagnetic heater 30, etc.

[0042] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 The aerosol generating device 100 also includes a circuit board 92, on which the optical component 40 and the photoelectric sensor 50 are both mounted. The circuit board 92 is movable relative to the housing 10, making its position adjustable. After the aerosol generating device 100 has been used for a period of time, the insertion cavity 11 needs to be cleaned by inserting a cleaning brush into the insertion cavity 11. To prevent the light emitted by the optical component 40 from being partially reflected by the cleaning brush to the photoelectric sensor 50, which could cause the photoelectric sensor 50 to misinterpret and trigger the heater 30 to start heating, the circuit board 92 is designed to be movable relative to the housing 10. For example, the circuit board 92 can be rotated circumferentially, moved vertically, or adjusted in other ways, so that the light emitted by the optical component 40 cannot be reflected to the photoelectric sensor 50, thereby preventing the heater 30 from being mistakenly activated.

[0043] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and does not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, characterized in that, include: The power source is configured to provide electrical energy; The housing is provided with a insertion cavity, into which an external aerosol-generating product can be inserted longitudinally. A heater is configured to heat the aerosol-generating article within the insertion cavity; An optical component whose emitted light is configured to illuminate the plug-in cavity; A photoelectric sensor is configured to continuously receive light reflected by the aerosol generating article, thereby obtaining a continuous light and shadow image as the aerosol generating article moves in the insertion cavity. and A controller is connected to the photoelectric sensor and is configured to determine the direction and position or amount of movement of the aerosol generating product based on the continuous light and shadow images, and to control the power supply to provide electrical power to the heater when the aerosol generating product moves to the working position or reaches a preset amount of movement along a preset direction.

2. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light emitted by the optical component enters the insertion cavity at an angle R, where 15°≤R≤45°.

3. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing is provided with a mounting cavity, and the mounting cavity and the insertion cavity are distributed laterally. The optical component and the photoelectric sensor are disposed within the mounting cavity.

4. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The housing has an insertion port for inserting the aerosol-generating product into the insertion cavity; The optical component includes a light source and a lens for guiding light emitted by the light source into the insertion cavity. The lens is arranged longitudinally with the light source and is located between the insertion port and the light source.

5. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The lens includes a refractive lens, wherein at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source can enter the refractive lens and be refracted and redirected by the refractive surface of the refractive lens, thereby entering the insertion cavity; or The lens includes a reflector, and at least a portion of the light emitted by the light source can be directed toward the reflective surface of the reflector and then reflected and redirected to enter the insertion cavity.

6. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The lens is configured to change the direction of incoming light from the insertion port to prevent the incoming light from shining on the photoelectric sensor.

7. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The aerosol generating device further includes a focusing lens, which is disposed between the insertion cavity and the photoelectric sensor to focus the light reflected by the aerosol generated product onto the photoelectric sensor.

8. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The aerosol generating device also includes a light-transmitting isolation lens disposed between the insertion cavity and the mounting cavity, the isolation lens being configured to prevent objects in the insertion cavity from entering the mounting cavity.

9. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aerosol generating device further includes a light-absorbing element, which and the light assembly are disposed on opposite sides of the insertion cavity. The light-absorbing element is configured to absorb light emitted by the light assembly toward the insertion cavity, so as to prevent the light emitted by the light assembly from being reflected toward the photoelectric sensor when the insertion cavity is not inserted by the aerosol generating article.

10. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heater includes at least one of a center heater, a circumferential heater, an air heater, and an electromagnetic heater; And / or, The optical component includes an infrared light source.

11. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller is configured to control the optical component to emit light intermittently at a preset frequency when no object movement is detected in the insertion cavity; and to control the optical component to emit light stably and continuously when the movement of the aerosol-generated product is detected in the insertion cavity.

12. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aerosol generating device also includes a circuit board, on which the optical component and the photoelectric sensor are both mounted. The circuit board is movable relative to the housing, making its position adjustable.

Images