Aerosol generation device and aerosol generation system

Abstract

Provided in the present application are an aerosol generation device and an aerosol generation system. The aerosol generation device comprises: a power source; a receiving cavity, which is used for receiving an aerosol generation product comprising a first heating element; an induction coil, which is connected to the power source and is arranged at least partially around the receiving cavity, wherein the induction coil generates a changing magnetic field when powered on, so as to induce the first heating element to heat the aerosol generation product; and a first electrical contact, which is connected to the power source and is located outside the receiving cavity or avoids the receiving cavity, wherein when an atomizer comprising a second heating element and a liquid matrix is combined with the aerosol generation device, the first electrical contact is configured to output a direct current to the second heating element, and thus the second heating element heats the liquid matrix to generate aerosol. The aerosol generation device can generate a magnetic field by means of an induction coil, so as to induce the heating of an aerosol generation product, and can output a direct current by means of a first electrical contact, so as to supply power to an atomizer to heat and atomize a liquid matrix.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310917370.0, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on July 24, 2023 and entitled "AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE AND AEROSOL GENERATING SYSTEM", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of this application relate to the field of heat-not-burn aerosol generating technologies, and in particular, to an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system.BACKGROUND

[0003] Tobacco products (such as cigarettes and cigars) burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts are made to replace these tobacco-burning products by making products that release compounds without burning.

[0004] An example of such products is a heating device, which releases compounds by heating rather than burning materials. For example, the material may be tobacco or other non-tobacco products. These non-tobacco products may or may not include nicotine. The existing heating device can only receive a particular type of tobacco or non-tobacco product and generate a magnetic field through an induction coil, to induce a sensor to generate heat, thus heating the received particular type of tobacco or other non-tobacco product.SUMMARY

[0005] An embodiment of this application provides an aerosol generating device, which is selectively combined with one of an aerosol generating product or an atomizer and includes: a power supply; a receiving cavity configured to receive an aerosol generating product that includes a first heating element; an induction coil that is connected to the power supply and is at least partially arranged around the receiving cavity, where the induction coil is configured to generate a changing magnetic field when electrified, thereby inducing the first heating element to heat the aerosol generating product received in the receiving cavity to generate aerosols; and a first electrical contact that is connected to the power supply and is located outside or avoids the receiving cavity, where when an atomizer including a second heating element and a liquid substrate is combined with the aerosol generating device, the first electrical contact is configured to output a direct current to the second heating element to make the second heating element heat the liquid substrate to generate aerosols.

[0006] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further includes: a first magnetic element that is located outside or avoids the receiving cavity and is configured to magnetically attract the atomizer, so that the atomizer remains being combined with the aerosol generating device.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first magnetic element is arranged at least partially around the first electrical contact; or, the first electrical contact at least partially passes through the first magnetic element.

[0008] In some implementations, the aerosol generating device further includes: a proximal end and a distal end that face away from each other in a longitudinal direction, where the first electrical contact is linearly arranged in the longitudinal direction and is at least partially exposed at the proximal end.

[0009] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further includes: a circuit configured to: control the power supply to output an alternating current to the induction coil based on a first power mode to generate a changing magnetic field, and control the power supply to output a direct current to the second heating element through the first electrical contact based on a second power mode.

[0010] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to control, in the first power mode, the induction coil to generate the changing magnetic field based on predetermined duration, to induce the first heating element to heat the aerosol generating product based on a predetermined heating curve within the predetermined duration.

[0011] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to control the outputting of the direct current through the first electrical contact based on predetermined power in the second power mode, so that the second heating element heats the liquid substrate based on the predetermined power.

[0012] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further includes: an input element configured to be operated by a user to generate an input signal, where the circuit is configured to: control, in response to the input signal of the input element based on the first power mode, the induction coil to generate the changing magnetic field.

[0013] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to, when the atomizer is combined with the aerosol generating device, prevent the input element from generating the input signal or not respond to the input signal of the input element.

[0014] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further includes: an airflow sensor configured to sense an airflow flowing through the receiving cavity, where the circuit is configured to: control, in response to a sensing result of the airflow sensor based on the second power mode, the supplying of the direct current to the second heating element through the first electrical contact.

[0015] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to, when the receiving cavity receives the aerosol generating product, not respond to the sensing result of the airflow sensor or prevent the airflow sensor from sensing the airflow flowing through the receiving cavity.

[0016] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further includes: a proximal end and a distal end that face away from each other in a longitudinal direction; a groove located at the proximal end, where the groove is configured to accommodate or be combined with a portion of the atomizer; the first electrical contact is an elastic electrical contact that is selectively actuated between an extended state and a compressed state and is biased back to the extended state; at least a portion of the first electrical contact extends into the groove; and when the atomizer is combined with the aerosol generating device, the first electrical contact is pressed to the compressed state and establishes a conductive connection with the first electrical contact.

[0017] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device is configured to: prevent the outputting of the direct current through the first electrical contact when the induction coil generates the changing magnetic field and prevent, when the direct current is outputted through the first electrical contact, the induction coil from generating the changing magnetic field.

[0018] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further includes: a circuit configured to determine presence of the aerosol generating product in the receiving cavity based on a change in at least one electrical characteristic of the induction coil due to insertion or removal of the aerosol generating product including the first heating element into or from the receiving cavity.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first electrical contact includes a positive electrode contact and a negative electrode contact that are insulated from each other; the circuit is configured to determine, based on a change in at least one electrical characteristic between the positive electrode contact and the negative electrode contact due to combination between the atomizer and the aerosol generating device, that the atomizer is combined with the aerosol generating device.

[0020] Another embodiment of this application further provides an aerosol generating system, including: an atomizer configured to atomize a liquid substrate to generate aerosols; and an aerosol generating device configured to supply power to the atomizer, where the aerosol generating device includes a receiving cavity with an opening and a first electrical contact located outside the receiving cavity; the atomizer includes a main body portion and an elongated portion extending longitudinally from the main body portion; a second electrical contact is arranged on the main body portion; the elongated portion is provided with a heating element for heating the liquid substrate; the heating element is conductively connected to the second electrical contact; the elongated portion is detachably received within the receiving cavity through the opening; and when the elongated portion is received within the receiving cavity, the second electrical contact of the main body portion establishes a conductive connection with the first electrical contact, so that the aerosol generating device supplies power to the heating element of the atomizer through the first electrical contact.

[0021] Still another embodiment of this application further provides an atomizer, including: a shell including a main body portion and an elongated portion extending from the main body portion, where the main body portion includes a first side and a second side that face away from each other in a longitudinal direction, and the elongated portion is configured to extend away from the second side from the first side in the longitudinal direction; a liquid storage cavity located inside the main body portion or extending from the main body portion to the elongated portion; a heating element arranged inside the elongated portion; and an electrical contact that is arranged on the first side of the main body portion and is electrically connected to the heating element to guide a current on the heating element, where the first side of the main body portion has a surface that avoids the elongated portion, and the electrical contact is at least partially exposed from the surface.

[0022] The aerosol generating device can generate a magnetic field through the induction coil to induce heating of the aerosol generating product and can output a direct current through the first electrical contact to supply power to the atomizer to heat and atomize the liquid substrate.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] One or more embodiments are exemplarily described with reference to the corresponding figures in the accompanying drawings, and the descriptions are not to be construed as limiting the embodiments. Elements in the accompanying drawings that have same reference numerals are represented as similar elements, and unless otherwise particularly stated, the figures in the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram of the aerosol generating device in FIG. 1 in a view; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating product according to one embodiment; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagram of the aerosol generating product in FIG. 3 in a view; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an atomizer according to one embodiment; FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of the atomizer in FIG. 5 in another view; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the atomizer in FIG. 5 in a view; FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of formation of an aerosol generating system by receiving the aerosol generating product in FIG. 3 within the aerosol generating device in FIG. 1; FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional diagram of the aerosol generating system in FIG. 8 in a view; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of formation of an aerosol generating system by receiving the atomizer in FIG. 5 within the aerosol generating device in FIG. 1; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional diagram of the aerosol generating system in FIG. 10 in a view; FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment; FIG. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of an atomizer according to another embodiment in a view; FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the atomizer in FIG. 13 in a view; FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of formation of an aerosol generating system by receiving the atomizer in FIG. 13 within the aerosol generating device in FIG. 12; and FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of some basic assemblies of a circuit according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] To facilitate the understanding of this application, this application is described in more detail below with reference to accompanying drawings and specific implementations.

[0025] An embodiment of this application provides an aerosol generating system configured to generate aerosols. In some implementations, the aerosol generating system may include two or more separate or replaceable components that, when combined, form a complete combined state of the aerosol generating system and can generate aerosols in response to a user operation.

[0026] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating system includes an aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device can be selectively combined with at least two different types of consumer products for combined use. For example, in some implementations, the aerosol generating device can selectively cooperate with either a first type of consumer product or a second type of consumer product to form the aerosol generating system to generate aerosols.

[0027] In some implementations, the aerosol generating device is configured to only receive one consumer product at a time. For example, in some implementations, the aerosol generating device can only receive one of a first type of consumer product or a second type of consumer product, but not simultaneously receive them.

[0028] In some implementations, the aerosol generating device may include a detection unit. A detection system of the detection unit is configured to detect presence of the first type of consumer product or the second type of consumer product that is combined with the aerosol generating device. Specifically, the detection unit can be configured to detect or identify a type of a consumer product combined with the aerosol generating device, thereby optimizing an operation of the aerosol generating device, particularly heating or outputting of power, to match or adapt to the corresponding first second type of consumer product or second type of consumer product. For example, when the detection unit detects that the first type of consumer product is inserted into and combined with the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device is controlled o start an operation based on a first power outputting mode. When the detection unit detects that the second type of consumer product is inserted into and combined with the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device is controlled to start an operation based on a second power outputting mode.

[0029] In some specific optional implementations, the detection unit may include a color sensor, which determines a type of a consumer product by detecting a color of the consumer product combined with the aerosol generating device.

[0030] For example, in still some changing implementations, the aerosol generating device can determine a type of a consumer product by detecting a physical characteristic of an electronic element within the consumer product. The aforementioned physical characteristic may include, for example, one or more of a resistance value, an inductance value, a voltage value, a capacitance value, and magnetism of the electronic element within the consumer product. In this implementation, the detection element may include a detection function circuit, such as a circuit module described below.

[0031] Or, in still some special implementations, each of the first type of consumer product or the second type of consumer product has a different heating element. The aerosol generating device can determine a type of a consumer product by detecting a characteristic of the heating element within the consumer product.

[0032] In some implementations, the first type of consumer product may include an atomizer that stores a liquid-state liquid substrate and vaporizes at least one component of the liquid-state liquid substrate to generate aerosols. In some implementations, the liquid substrate may include glycerol, propylene glycol, and the like, which can be heated and vaporized to generate aerosols.

[0033] In some implementations, the second type of consumer product may include a solid aerosol generating product. When the solid aerosol generating product is heated, at least one component of the solid aerosol generating product is volatilized or released to form aerosols for inhalation. In some implementations, a tobacco-containing material that releases a volatile compound from a substrate when being heated is preferably used as the solid aerosol generating product, or a non-tobacco material that is suitable for being electrically heated to generate aerosols after being heated can be used as the solid aerosol generating product. In some specific implementations, the aerosol generating product is preferably a solid substrate, and may include one or more of power, particles, fragments, strips, or sheets of one or more of vanilla leaves, dried flowers, tobacco leaves, homogenized tobacco, and expanded tobacco. Or, the solid substrate may include an additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile aroma compound that is released when the substrate is heated.

[0034] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show schematic diagrams of an aerosol generating device 200 according to one embodiment. In this embodiment, the aerosol generating device 200 includes: a proximal end 2110 and a distal end 2120 that face away from each other in a longitudinal direction. During use, the proximal end 2110 is one end configured to receive a consumer product, such as an atomizer 100 or an aerosol generating product 300.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 200 further includes: a longitudinally extending receiving cavity 270 which is arranged adjacent to the proximal end 2110 and extends in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 200. The receiving cavity 270 has an opening located at the proximal end 2110 in the longitudinal direction. During use, a consumer product such as the aerosol generating product 300 can be received within the receiving cavity 270 or removed from the receiving cavity 270 through the opening. In addition, one or more ridges 273 are arranged at the opening of the receiving cavity 270 and are spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the receiving cavity 270. When the aerosol generating product 300 is received within the receiving cavity 270, the ridges 273 radially clamp the aerosol generating product 300, thereby maintaining the aerosol generating product within the receiving cavity 270.

[0036] The atomizer 100 can be detachably combined at the proximal end 2110 of the aerosol generating device 200.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 200 further includes: an input element 201 for user operation, which is configured to be operated by a user to form an input signal. Later, the aerosol generating device controls heating of the aerosol generating product 300 based on the input signal of the user. In some embodiments, the input element 201 is selected from a mechanical button, a film button, a mechanical switch, a rotary encoder, a dial, a knob, a capacitive touch button, a resistive touch button, an operating lever, a slider, a trigger button, a touchscreen, and a magnetic switch.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a rechargeable power supply 210 is configured to output power. The power supply 210 is arranged close to the distal end 2120.

[0039] The circuit board 220 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) or a flexible printed circuit (FPC) board. The circuit board 220 is integrated with a circuit to control operations of the aerosol generating device 200. Particularly, the circuit controls power outputted by the power supply 210. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the circuit board 220 is arranged in a manner of extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 200.

[0040] A bracket 240 is arranged in a manner of extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 200. The bracket 240 is located between the power supply 210 and the circuit board 220. The bracket 240 is configured to at least partially accommodate and maintain the power supply 210. The circuit board 220 is rigidly connected to the bracket 240 via a fastening component such as a screw, thereby being supported and maintained by the bracket 240.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the input element 201 is electrically connected to the circuit board 220, so that the circuit can receive the input signal generated by the user operating the input element 201, thereby controlling the heating of the aerosol generating product 300.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 200 is further provided with: an airflow sensor 250. When the atomizer 100 is combined with the proximal end 2110 of the aerosol generating device 200. The airflow sensor 250 is configured to sense an airflow generated by the user inhaling the atomizer 100. The circuit board 220 controls supplying of the power to the atomizer 100 based on the sensing result of airflow sensor 250, so that the atomizer 100 atomizes the liquid substrate to generate aerosols.

[0043] In some implementations, the aerosol generating device 200 induces heating of the consumer product by generating a changing magnetic field that passes through the receiving cavity 270. Specifically, the consumer product may be provided with an induction heating element. When the consumer product is received within the receiving cavity 270, the changing magnetic field can penetrate through the consumer product, and the consumer product is heated to generate aerosols. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 200 includes: a coil support 230 surrounding and defining the receiving cavity 270, where the coil support 230 is close to the proximal end 2110; and an induction coil 260 arranged around the coil support 230, where the induction coil 260 is operatively electrically connected to the circuit board 220, thereby generating a changing magnetic field within the receiving cavity 270 when the alternating current provided by the circuit board 220 flows through the induction coil 260.

[0044] Specifically, the circuit of the circuit board 220 includes a capacitor and forms an LC resonance circuit with the induction coil 260 through the capacitor. In addition, the circuit board 220 drives the LC resonance circuit to oscillate at a predetermined frequency, thus generating an alternating current flowing through the induction coil 260. This causes the induction coil 260 to generate a changing magnetic field penetrating through the receiving cavity 270. In some implementations, a frequency of the alternating current supplied by the circuit on the printed circuit board 220 to the induction coil 260 is between 80 KHz and 2000 KHz.

[0045] In some embodiments, the induction coil 260 has approximately 5 to 15 turns; and the induction coil 260 has an axial length of about 5 mm to 15 mm.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 200 further includes: an air inlet 202 arranged on an outer surface of a shell of the aerosol generating device 200 to allow air to enter during inhalation. The air inlet 202 is arranged close to the proximal end 2110.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an inner bottom wall of the receiving cavity 270 is further provided with: a first communication port 233 which is in airflow communication with the air inlet 202 through an air inlet channel 205, where during inhalation, external air entering through the air inlet 202 enters the receiving cavity 270 through the first communication port 233; a second communication port 234 which is in airflow communication to the airflow sensor 250 through a sensing channel 251, where during inhalation, the airflow sensor 250 can sense an airflow during inhalation of the user through the sensing channel 251 and the second communication port 234 to determine an inhalation action of a user.

[0048] According to the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the air inlet channel 205 provides a flowing path for air to enter the receiving cavity 270 from the air inlet 202, specifically including: a first channel portion 203 extending from the air inlet 202 toward the distal end 2120; and a second channel portion 204 extending radially from the first channel portion 203 to the first communication port 233 of the receiving cavity 270. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the air inlet channel 205 is defined by an inner shell component located inside the aerosol generating device 200.

[0049] According to the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 200 further includes: an end element 2113 close to and defining the proximal end 2110 of the shell of the aerosol generating device 200; and a groove 2111 located on a surface of the proximal end 2110. The groove 2111 is enclosed and defined by the end element 2113. When the atomizer 100 is at least partially received within the receiving cavity 270, the atomizer 100 is at least partially accommodated or maintained in the groove 2111 defined by the end element 2113, and the atomizer 100 is in contact with the end element 2113, so that an airtight effect is basically achieved between the atomizer 100 and the proximal end 2110 of the aerosol generating device 200, to prevent external air from entering the receiving cavity 270 through a space therebetween during inhalation. The external air can only enter the receiving cavity 270 through the air inlet 202. The end element 2113 can be made of rigid polymer plastic. Or, in some other embodiments, the end element 2113 may be made of a flexible silica gel or the like, which is advantageous for promoting the airtightness with the atomizer 100.

[0050] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the end element 2113 is assembled with other components of the aerosol generating device 200 to jointly define the shell of the aerosol generating device 200. Or, in some other embodiments, the end element 2113 is integrally molded with the shell of the aerosol generating device 200, or the end element 2113 is a portion of the shell of the aerosol generating device 200.

[0051] A clamping protrusion 2112 is further arranged on an inner side wall of the groove 2111 defined by the end element 2113, to form a connection with a clamping slot 114 on the atomizer 100. When the atomizer 100 is at least partially combined with the groove 2111, the connection between the clamping protrusion 2112 and the clamping slot 114 prevents the atomizer 100 from being loosened.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 200 is further provided with: a first magnetic element 280 arranged adjacent to the proximal end 2110. Correspondingly, the atomizer 100 is provided with a magnetic second electrical contact 13. When the atomizer 100 is received within the receiving cavity 270 and resists against the proximal end 2110, the atomizer 100 is stably received within the receiving cavity 270 by magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 280 and the magnetic second electrical contact 13.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 200 is further provided with: a first electrical contact 290 located outside the receiving cavity 270. The first electrical contact 290 at least partially extends or is exposed within the groove 2111 defined by the end element 2113. The first electrical contact 290 is arranged in a manner of penetrating through the annular magnetic element 280. Thus, when the atomizer 100 is combined with the proximal end 2110 of the aerosol generating device 200, a conductive connection is established through the contact and resisting between the first electrical contact 290 and the second electrical contact 13 on the atomizer 100, so that the aerosol generating device 200 can provide power to the atomizer 100 to atomize the liquid substrate and generate aerosols.

[0054] According to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first magnetic element 280 and the first electrical contact 290 are located outside the receiving cavity 270. Furthermore, the first magnetic element 280 is arranged close to an end surface of the proximal end 2110. Thus, when the atomizer 100 is received within the receiving cavity 270, the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 280 and the magnetic second electrical contact 13 keeps the atomizer 100 resisting against and being combined with the end element 2113.

[0055] FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 show schematic diagrams of an aerosol generating system formed by receiving a solid aerosol generating product 300 used as a second type of consumer product within the receiving cavity 270 of the aerosol generating device 200 in one embodiment. According to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the aerosol generating product 300 includes: an induction heating element 310 which can be a sensor made of a sensitive metal or alloy, such as permalloy, stainless steel, ferroalloy, nickel alloy, and other materials. In addition, the induction heating element 310 can be embedded or surrounded by a volatile component material of the aerosol generating product 300, thereby heating the volatile component material of the aerosol generating product 300 to generate aerosols. When the aerosol generating product 300 is received within the receiving cavity 270, the induction heating element 310 is located inside the induction coil 260, and the induction heating element 310 can be penetrated by a magnetic field generated by the induction coil 260 to generate heat, thereby heating the volatile component material of the aerosol generating product 300 to generate aerosols.

[0056] In this embodiment, a partial section of the aerosol generating product 300, such as the volatile component material portion, is received within the receiving cavity 270 and heated, and a partial section of the aerosol generating product 300, such as a filter portion, is located outside the aerosol generating device 200 for inhalation by a user.

[0057] When the aerosol generating product 300 is received within the aerosol generating device 200, the circuit board 220 can drive, in response to an operation of a user on the input element 201, the induction coil 260 to generate a magnetic field based on a heating curve of predetermined time, to heat the induction heating element 310 on the aerosol generating product 300. Specifically, for example, the applicant has provided various details of the mode and content of heating the aerosol generating product 300 based on the heating curve of the predetermined time in Chinese patent applications such as CN112335940A, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0058] As indicated by the arrow R3 in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, during inhalation, the external air enters the receiving cavity 270 from the air inlet 202 through the air inlet channel 205, carries the aerosols after passing through the aerosol generating product 300, and is outputted for being inhaled by a user.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the aerosol generating product 300 stops on an inner bottom wall of the receiving cavity 270. Furthermore, when received within the receiving cavity 270, the aerosol generating product 300 is radially fixed under radial clamping of the ridges 273, and a distance of approximately 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm is maintained between the aerosol generating product 300 and an inner surface of the receiving cavity 270.

[0060] FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 show schematic diagrams of an atomizer 100 used as a second type of consumer product in one embodiment. FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show schematic diagrams of an aerosol generating system formed by combining an atomizer 100 with an aerosol generating device 200. In this embodiment, the atomizer 100 includes: a main housing 10 approximately in a cylindrical shape, where certainly, an interior of the main housing 10 is a hollow necessary functional component configured to store and atomize a liquid substrate; the main housing 10 has a first end 110 and a second end 120 that face away from each other in a length direction; the first end 110 is configured as an end for a user to inhale aerosols; an air outlet 111 for user inhalation is formed in the first end 110; the second end 120 is used as an end that is combined with the proximal end 2110 of the aerosol generating device 200; and a supporting element 20 extending into the main housing 10 from the second end 120 of the main housing 10, where the supporting element 20 is configured to close the second end 120 of the main housing 10 and support and maintain an atomization assembly mounted inside the main housing 10.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, a liquid storage cavity 113 for storing the liquid substrate and an atomization assembly configured to absorb the liquid substrate from the liquid storage cavity 113 and heat and atomize the liquid substrate are arranged inside the main housing 10. An aerosol conveying tube 112 is arranged in the main housing 10 in an axial direction. The liquid storage cavity 113 for storing the liquid substrate is formed in a space between the aerosol conveying tube 112 and an inner wall of the main housing 10. The aerosol conveying tube 112 extends to or stops at the air outlet 111, thus conveying the generated aerosols to the air outlet 111 for inhalation. In some optional embodiments, the aerosol conveying tube 112 and the main housing 10 are integrally molded by using a moldable material, thereby defining and forming the liquid storage cavity 113 between the aerosol conveying tube 112 and the main housing 10, and the liquid storage cavity 113 has an opening that is opened toward the second end 120.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, the atomizer 100 further includes: an atomization assembly configured to atomize at least a portion of the liquid substrate to generate aerosols. As shown in FIG. 7, the atomization assembly is accommodated or maintained in the supporting element 20. Furthermore, the supporting element 20 basically surrounds the atomization assembly. The atomization assembly is basically perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the main housing 10. A specific configuration of the atomization assembly includes: a rigid porous body 30 roughly constructed in a plate-like or sheet-like shape, where the porous body 30 has a first surface 31 and a second surface 32 that face away from each other; the first surface 31 faces toward the liquid storage cavity 113 and is in fluid communication with the liquid storage cavity 113 to absorb the liquid substrate; and a resistance heating element 40 that is arranged as a substantially planar heating element, is combined with the second surface 32 of the porous body 30, and is configured to heat at least a portion of the liquid substrate inside the porous body 30 to generate aerosols. Specifically, the supporting element 20 is provided with a liquid guide channel 23 that implements the fluid communication between the first surface 31 of the porous body 30 and the liquid storage cavity 113. Therefore, during use, the liquid substrate in the liquid storage cavity 113 is delivered onto the first surface 31 of the porous body 30 through the liquid guide channel 23 for absorption, as indicated by the arrow R1 in FIG. 7.

[0063] In FIG. 7, the porous body 30 is constructed in a sheet-like or plate-like shape. The first surface 31 and the second surface 32 are flat extending planes. Or, in some other changing embodiments, the first surface 31 and the second surface 32 are curved surfaces, such as concave or convex curved surfaces. Or, in some embodiments, the porous body 30 may alternatively be in other regular or irregular shapes. For example, in more embodiments, the porous body 30 may be in more shapes, such as an arch shape, a cup shape, a slot shape, and a trapezoid shape. Or, for example, in Chinese Patent Application No. CN215684777U, the applicant has provided configuration details about a shape of an arch-shaped porous body element having an inner channel and about absorption and atomization of a liquid substrate by the porous body element, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0064] In some embodiments, the porous body 30 includes a common porous body material, such as rigid foam metal, porous ceramic, and porous glass, formed by sintering after mixing a raw material of the substrate with a pore forming agent; and a large number of disordered micropores arranged inside the porous body 30 defined by sintering with the pore forming agent to absorb and transfer the liquid substrate. Or, in still some embodiments, the porous body 30 is formed by performing laser perforation, mechanical drilling, or etching on a dense substrate material to form a plurality of through holes in a predetermined direction. In some embodiments, the dense substrate material may include, for example, dense glass and ceramic.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 7, the resistance heating element 40 may be a heating mesh, a heating sheet, a printed heating trajectory, a deposited heating coating, a heating film, or the like that is combined to the second surface 32. In this embodiment, the resistance heating element 40 is made of a resistive metal or alloy material. The resistive metal or alloy may include iron chromium aluminum, iron aluminum alloy, silver palladium alloy, iron nickel aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, graphite alloy, or the like.

[0066] In FIG. 7, an atomization chamber 41 is arranged between the supporting element 20 and the resistance heating element 40 to accommodate aerosols released by the second surface 32. The air inlet 22 is opposite and communicated to the atomization chamber 41, so that the external air can enter the atomization chamber 41 through the air inlet 22 during inhalation. In addition, the atomization chamber 41 is in airflow communication with the aerosol conveying tube 112, so that aerosols released in the atomization chamber 41 during the inhalation is conveyed through the aerosol conveying tube 112 to the air outlet 111 for inhalation, as indicated by the arrow R2 in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the atomization chamber 41 is located on one side of the porous body 30 facing toward the second end 120 in the longitudinal direction of the atomizer 100.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 7, the atomizer 100 further includes: a flexible first sealing element 17 located inside the supporting element 20. The first sealing element 17 is arranged between the supporting element 20 and the porous body 30 to provide sealing between them. Specifically, the first sealing element 17 may be in an annular shape and is arranged around the porous body 30.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 7, the atomizer 100 further includes: a flexible second sealing element 16 constructed in a cap shape. The second sealing element 16 is at least partially located at least between the supporting element 20 and the main housing 10 to provide sealing between them. Furthermore, the sealing element 16 is further at least partially located between the supporting element 20 and an aerosol outputting tube 11 to provide sealing between them. An avoidance hole 161 opposite to the liquid guide channel 23 of the supporting element 20 is further formed in the sealing element 16 to cause the liquid substrate in the liquid storage cavity 113 to pass through the avoidance hole 161 and flow into the liquid guide channel 23.

[0069] FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show schematic diagrams of an aerosol generating system formed by combining an atomizer 100 used as a first type of consumer product with an aerosol generating device 200 in one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the atomizer 100 is partially combined to the groove 2111 defined by the end element 2113 of the aerosol generating device 200 at the proximal end 2110, and is in fastening connection to the clamping slot 114 on the atomizer 100 by the clamping protrusion 2112 on the inner side wall of the groove 2111 of the end element 2113. Furthermore, the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 280 of the aerosol generating device 200 and the magnetic second electrical contact 13 of the atomizer 100 ensures that the atomizer 100 is stably received within the receiving cavity 270. As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the atomizer 100 is not inserted or received within the receiving cavity 270.

[0070] As indicated by the arrow R3 in FIG. 11, when a user inhales the atomizer 100, the external air entering from the air inlet 202 enters the receiving cavity 270 through the air inlet channel 205, and enters the atomizer 100 after passing through the receiving cavity 270. Finally, the external air passes through the atomizer 100, carries aerosols, and is outputted to the air outlet 111. When the user inhales the atomizer 100, the airflow sensor 250 senses, through the sensing channel 251 and the second communication port 234 of the receiving cavity 270, the airflow that is generated by the inhalation performed by the user and passes through the atomizer 100.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, when the atomizer 100 is combined with the proximal end 2110 of the aerosol generating device 200, the air inlet 22 of the atomizer 100 is opposite and in airflow communication to the receiving cavity 270.

[0072] In this embodiment, when the user inhales the atomizer 100, the circuit on the circuit board 220 controls the first electrical contact 290 to output the direct current based on the sensing result of the airflow sensor 250, thereby providing power to the resistance heating element 40 of the atomizer 100, so that the resistance heating element 40 generates heat through resistance Joule heat, to heat the liquid substrate of the porous body 30 and generate aerosols.

[0073] In some embodiments, when the airflow sensor 250 detects an inhalation action of the user on the atomizer 100, the circuit board 220 controls, in response to the sensing result of the airflow sensor 250, the direct current to be supplied in a direct current supplying manner based on the first power mode, so that the resistance heating element 40 of the atomizer 100 forms resistance Joule heat for heating when direct current flows through. In the first power mode, for example, the applicant has provided details of a constant-power supplying mode and content on heating and atomization of the liquid substrate in Chinese patent application CN115067564A, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Or, in still some implementations, power outputting can be provided based on a constant-temperature heating mode.

[0074] In some embodiments, when the circuit board 220 monitors that the aerosol generating product 300 is received within the receiving cavity 270, the circuit board 220 responds to the input signal generated by the user operating the input element 201 and provides the alternating current to the induction coil 260 based on the second power mode, so that the induction coil 260 generates a magnetic field to induce the induction heating element 310 inside the aerosol generating product 300 to heat the aerosol generating product 300 based on a heating curve of predetermined time. For example, the applicant has provided various details of the first power mode and content of making the induction heating element 310 heat the aerosol generating product 300 based on the heating curve of the predetermined time in Chinese patent applications such as CN112335940A, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0075] To satisfy induction heating on the aerosol generating product 300 and direct current heating on the atomizer 100, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the circuit arranged on the circuit board 220 of the aerosol generating device 200 includes: a direct current outputting module including a first switch S1 connected between a voltage outputting end, such as a positive electrode, of the power supply 210 and a first electrical contact 290, and the other first electrical contact 290 is grounded and connected to a negative electrode of the power supply 210, where by controlling the first switch S1 to be switched on, a direct current voltage outputted by the power supply 210 is provided to the resistance heating element 40 of the atomizer 100 through the first electrical contact 290; and an alternating current outputting module including a second switch S2 connected between the voltage outputting end, such as the positive electrode, of the power supply 210 and the inverter 222, where inverter 222 is configured to convert the direct current voltage outputted by the power supply 210 into alternating current and provide the alternating current to the induction coil 260.

[0076] Specifically in FIG. 16, the inverter 222 includes an LC oscillator composed of a capacitor C1 and the induction coil 260, and an inverter bridge that drives the LC oscillator to oscillate to form an alternating current flowing through the induction coil 260. In FIG. 16, the LC oscillator is a series LC oscillator formed by connecting the capacitor C1 with the induction coil 260 in series. Correspondingly, the inverter bridge includes a half bridge composed of a switching transistor Q1 and a switching transistor Q2. Or, in still some other changing embodiments, the LC oscillator can be a parallel LC oscillator formed by connecting a capacitor C1 with the induction coil 260 in parallel, or an LCC oscillator. Correspondingly, the inverter bridge may further include a full-bridge with four switching transistors, an H-bridge, and the like.

[0077] In some embodiments, the circuit 220 can detect a type of a consumer product combined with the aerosol generating device 200, specifically meaning whether the consumer product combined with the aerosol generating device 200 is the aerosol generating product 300 or the atomizer 100. Specifically, the circuit 220 may further include: a detection unit configured to detect or identify a type of a consumer product combined with the aerosol generating device 200, so that an operation of the aerosol generating device 200, especially heating or outputting of power, is optimized to match or adapt to the corresponding first type of consumer product or second type of consumer product.

[0078] Specifically, in some embodiments, when the induction heating element 310 is received within the receiving cavity 270, electrical characteristics of the induction coil 260 such as an equivalent inductance value, a resonance frequency, and / or a quality factor Q value, and / or a resonance voltage, and / or a resonance current change. Therefore, the circuit determines the presence of the aerosol generating product 300 within the receiving cavity 270 by monitoring the electrical characteristics of the induction coil 260 such as the resonance frequency and / or the quality factor Q value and / or the resonance voltage and / or the resonance current. For example, the applicant has provided in Chinese patent applications CN114601199A, CN112806618A, and the like a specific electronic module composition, component arrangement, as well as principle and step details of the circuit on the circuit board 220 for detecting the electrical characteristics of the induction coil 260 such as the resonance frequency and / or the quality factor Q value and / or the resonance voltage and / or the resonance current, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0079] Specifically, in some embodiments, one of the two first electrical contacts 290 is connected to the positive electrode of the power supply 210 as a positive contact, and the other first electrical contact is connected to the negative electrode of the power supply 210 as a negative contact. The positive contact and the negative contact are spaced apart from each other and are insulated from each other. When the atomizer 100 is combined with the aerosol generating device 200, the two first electrical contacts 290 are switched on through the atomizer 100. The circuit 220 determines whether the atomizer 100 is combined with the aerosol generating device 200 by monitoring a change in resistance or voltage between the two first electrical contacts 290 and switching of an electrical switch-in state or an electrical switch-off state. Specifically, the applicant has provided in Chinese patent applications CN210782934U, CN210782935U, and the like a specific device arrangement and principle and step details of determining whether the atomizer 100 is combined with the aerosol generating device 200 based on the change in resistance, voltage, or electrical switch-on / switch-off state between the first electrical contacts 290 due to the combination of the atomizer 100 with the aerosol generating device 200, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0080] In some embodiments, when the circuit board 220 monitors that the atomizer 100 is received within the aerosol generating device 200, the circuit board 220 only controls the supplying of the direct current output to the first electrical contact 290 in response to the sensing result of the airflow sensor 250, and the circuit board 220 is prevented from controlling the supplying of the alternating current to the induction coil 260 in response to the input signal generated by the user operating the input element 201. Similarly, when the circuit board 220 monitors that the aerosol generating product 300 is received within the receiving cavity 270, the circuit board 220 only controls the supplying of the alternating current to the induction coil 260 in response to the input signal generated by the input element 201, and prevents the airflow sensor 250 from sensing the airflow that flows through the receiving cavity 270 during user inhalation.

[0081] FIG. 11 to FIG. 15 show schematic diagrams of an atomizer 100a, an aerosol generating device 200a, and an aerosol generating system formed by combining the atomizer with the aerosol generating device according to another changing embodiment. In this embodiment, the aerosol generating device 200a includes: a shell having a proximal end 2110a and a distal end 2120a that face away from each other in a longitudinal direction; a power supply 210a and a circuit board 220a that are close to the distal end 2120a, and a bracket 240a supporting and fixing the power supply 210a and the circuit board 220a; an input element 201a electrically connected to circuit board 220a and operated by a user to generate an input signal; a receiving cavity 270a close to the proximal end 2110a to selectively receive one of the atomizer 100a or an aerosol generating product 300, where the receiving cavity 270a has an opening close to the proximal end 2110a to detachably receive one of the atomizer 100a or the aerosol generating product 300 through the opening; an induction coil 260a arranged around the receiving cavity 270a, where the induction coil 260a is operably electrically connected to the circuit board 220a, so that the circuit board 220a can provide the alternating current to generate a changing magnetic field within the receiving cavity 270a; a groove 2111a located at the proximal end 2110a, where when the atomizer 100a is combined at the proximal end 2110a, the atomizer 100a is at least partially accommodated within the groove 2111a and resists against an inner bottom wall of the groove 2111a; a first magnetic element 280a configured to magnetically attract a magnetic second electrical contact 13a on the atomizer 100a; a first electrical contact 290a extending into the groove 2111a after passing through the annular first magnetic element 280a, where when the atomizer 100a is combined at the proximal end 2110a, the first electrical contact 290a is in contact with the magnetic second electrical contact 13a to form conduction, to supply power to the atomizer 100a; an airflow sensor 250a communicated to a second communication port 234a of the receiving cavity 270a through a sensing channel 251a, to sense the airflow flowing through the receiving cavity 270a during user inhalation; and an air inlet 202a that is arranged on an outer side surface of a shell of the aerosol generating device 200a, and is communicated to a first communication port 233a of the receiving cavity 270a through an air inlet channel 205a, to make external air enter the receiving cavity 270a during user inhalation, as indicated by the arrow R3 in FIG. 11, where in this embodiment, the air inlet 202a is longitudinally formed close to a side of the receiving cavity 270a facing away from the opening.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 15, the atomizer 100a of this changing embodiment includes: a shell 10a including a first end 110a and a second end 120a that face away from each other in a longitudinal direction, where the first end 110a of the shell 10a has an air outlet 111a to output aerosols for a user to inhale, and the second end 120a of the shell 10a has an air inlet 123a for allowing air to enter during inhalation. The shell 10a includes a first housing 11a and a second housing 12a. The first housing 11a is close to and defines the first end 110a, and the second housing 12a is close to and defines the second end 120a.

[0083] The second housing 12a includes a first portion 121a and a second portion 122a that are arranged in sequence in the longitudinal direction. The first portion 121a extends into the first housing 11a and forms a tight fit and seal with the first housing 11a through interference fit. The second portion 122a is in a cylindrical shape and is located outside the first housing 11a. In addition, an outer diameter of the first portion 121a of the second housing 12a is greater than an outer diameter of the second portion 122a, so that the second housing 12a has a step between the first portion 121a and the second portion 122a.

[0084] When the atomizer 100a is received within the aerosol generating device 200a, the second portion 122a of the second housing 12a extends into the receiving cavity 270a. In addition, when the atomizer 100a is combined with the aerosol generating device 200a, the first portion 121a resists against the inner bottom wall of the groove 2111a.

[0085] The magnetic second electrical contact 13a is arranged on the first portion 121a of the second housing 12a.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 15, the atomizer 100a further includes: an aerosol outputting tube 112a that is arranged inside the first housing 11a and extending from the air outlet 111a toward the second end 120a, to output aerosols inside the atomizer 100a to the air outlet 111a; a liquid storage cavity 113a defined between the aerosol outputting tube 112a and the first housing 11a to store a liquid substrate; an inner tube 14a located inside the second housing 12a, where the inner tube 14a extends from the first portion 121a of the second housing 12a into the second portion 122a; the inner tube 14a at least partially surrounds and is combined with the aerosol outputting tube 112a, and a liquid guide channel 15a is defined between the inner tube 14a and the second housing 12a; the inner tube 14a further has a via hole 141a to allow the liquid substrate in the liquid guide channel 15a to enter the inner tube 14a through the via hole 141a; and an atomization assembly located inside the inner tube 14a, where the atomization assembly includes a liquid guide element 30a and a resistance heating element 40a, to absorb the liquid substrate through the via hole 141a and heat and atomize the liquid substrate to generate aerosols. Specifically, the liquid guide element 30a is communicated to the liquid guide channel 15a through the via hole 141a to receive the liquid substrate. The resistance heating element 40a is combined with the liquid guide element 30a to heat at least a portion of the liquid substrate inside the liquid guide element 30a to generate aerosols. In some embodiments, the liquid guide element 30a is a capillary element or a porous element with internal pores, and can absorb and transfer the liquid substrate through capillary action. In some implementations, the liquid guide element 30a may include a flexible porous capillary element, such as fiber cotton and a non-woven fabric. Or, the liquid guide element 30a may include a rigid porous element, such as porous ceramic, porous glass, and foam metal. In the implementations shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 15, the resistance heating element 40a may be in a form of a heating trajectory, a heating film, a heating coating, a heating mesh, or a heating coil combined with the liquid guide element 30a.

[0087] In the embodiments shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 15, the liquid guide element 30a is in a hollow cylindrical shape. The liquid guide element 30a includes an outer surface and an inner surface that face away from each other in a radial direction. An outer surface of the liquid guide element 30a is configured as a liquid absorption surface for fluid communication with the liquid storage cavity 113a to absorb the liquid substrate, as indicated by the arrow R1 in FIG. 14. An inner surface of the liquid guide element 30a is configured as an atomization surface, and the resistance heating element 40a is arranged in combination with or adjacent to the inner surface of the liquid guide element 30a to heat the liquid substrate to generate aerosols and release the aerosols from the atomization surface. Then, during inhalation, the aerosols are transferred to an air inhalation port 111a for inhalation, as indicated by the arrow R2 in FIG. 14. Or, in more changing implementations, the liquid guide element 30a can be arranged in a roughly sheet-like, plate-like, or block-like shape, and two side surfaces that face away from each other in a thickness direction are respectively used as the liquid absorption surface and the atomization surface.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 15, the atomizer 100a further includes: a flexible sealing element 16a constructed in a cap shape. The sealing element 16a wraps around or covers the first portion 121a of the second housing 12a. The sealing element 16a is at least partially located between the first portion 121a of the second housing 12a and the first housing 11a, thereby providing sealing between them. Furthermore, the sealing element 16a is further at least partially located between the inner tube 14a and the aerosol outputting tube 11a to provide sealing between them. An avoidance hole 161a opposite to the liquid guide channel 15a is further formed in the sealing element 16a to cause the liquid substrate in the liquid storage cavity 113a to pass through the avoidance hole 161a and flow into the liquid guide channel 15a.

[0089] In this embodiment, the resistance heating element 40a is made of a resistive metal or alloy material. Furthermore, two ends of the resistance heating element 40a are connected to the magnetic second electrical contact 13a through a welding conductive lead or the like. Thus, during use, the second electrical contact 13a guides a direct current on the resistance heating element 40a, so that the resistance heating element 40a generates heat through resistance Joule heat.

[0090] Correspondingly, the above aerosol generating device 200a can receive an aerosol generating product 300 with an induction heating element 310 through the receiving cavity 270a, and induce, by enabling the induction coil 260a to generate a magnetic field, the induction heating element 310 to heat the aerosol generating product 300 to generate aerosols.

[0091] Or, in some embodiments, a lengthwise or elongated portion extending into the receiving cavity 270a is defined by the second portion 122a of the second housing 12a of the atomizer 100a, so that the elongated portion is received within the receiving cavity 270 to heat and atomize the liquid substrate. The first housing 11a and the first portion 121a of the second housing 12a are used as a main body portion exposed from the receiving cavity 270a. The magnetic second electrical contact 13a is arranged on the main body portion to magnetically attract the first magnetic element 280a and resists against the first electrical contact 290a to form conduction. Thus, the main body portion of the atomizer 100a exposed from the receiving cavity 270a resists against or is combined with an end element 2113a. Or, the main body portion includes a first side and a second side that face away from each other in the longitudinal direction. The first side is a side facing away from the air outlet 111a, and the second side is a side of the air outlet 111a. In addition, the elongated portion is formed by extending from the first side of the main body portion away from the air outlet 111a or the second side, so that at least a portion of a surface of the main body portion on the first side is an exposed surface that avoids the elongated portion. The liquid storage cavity 113a can be located only within the main body portion or extend from the main body portion into the elongated portion. In addition, the resistance heating element is located within the elongated portion. The magnetic second electrical contact 13a is located on the first side of the main body portion and extends from the inside of the main body portion to the outside of the exposed surface.

[0092] Or, in still some changing embodiments, the above resistance heating element 40 / 40a may be an electrically induced infrared heating element, a microwave heating element, or the like powered by the second electrical contact 13 / 13a.

[0093] It should be noted that the preferred embodiments of this application are provided in the specification and the accompanying drawings of this application, but are not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. Further, a person of ordinary skill in the art can make improvements or modifications according to the foregoing descriptions, and all of the improvements and modifications shall fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of this application.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0024]To facilitate the understanding of this application, this application is described in more detail below with reference to accompanying drawings and specific implementations.

[0025]An embodiment of this application provides an aerosol generating system configured to generate aerosols. In some implementations, the aerosol generating system may include two or more separate or replaceable components that, when combined, form a complete combined state of the aerosol generating system and can generate aerosols in response to a user operation.

[0026]In one embodiment, the aerosol generating system includes an aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device can be selectively combined with at least two different types of consumer products for combined use. For example, in some implementations, the aerosol generating device can selectively cooperate with either a first type of consumer product or a second type of consumer product to form the aerosol generating system to generate...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310917370.0, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on July 24, 2023 and entitled "AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE AND AEROSOL GENERATING SYSTEM", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of this application relate to the field of heat-not-burn aerosol generating technologies, and in particular, to an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system.BACKGROUND

[0003] Tobacco products (such as cigarettes and cigars) burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts are made to replace these tobacco-burning products by making products that release compounds without burning.

[0004] An example of such products is a heating device, which releases compounds by heating rather than burning materials. For example, the material may be tobacco or other non-tobacco products. These non-tobacco products may or may not include nicotine. The existing heating device can only receive a particular type of tobacco or non-tobacco product and generate a magnetic field through an induction coil, to induce a sensor to generate heat, thus heating the received particular type of tobacco or other non-tobacco product.SUMMARY

[0005] An embodiment of this application provides an aerosol generating device, which is selectively combined with one of an aerosol generating product or an atomizer and includes: a power supply; a receiving cavity configured to receive an aerosol generating product that includes a first heating element; an induction coil that is connected to the power supply and is at least partially arranged around the receiving cavity, where the induction coil is configured to generate a changing magnetic field when electrified, thereby inducing the first heating element to heat the aerosol generating product received in the receiving cavity to generate aerosols; and a first electrical contact that is connected to the power supply and is located outside or avoids the receiving cavity, where when an atomizer including a second heating element and a liquid substrate is combined with the aerosol generating device, the first electrical contact is configured to output a direct current to the second heating element to make the second heating element heat the liquid substrate to generate aerosols.

[0006] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further includes: a first magnetic element that is located outside or avoids the receiving cavity and is configured to magnetically attract the atomizer, so that the atomizer remains being combined with the aerosol generating device.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first magnetic element is arranged at least partially around the first electrical contact; or, the first electrical contact at least partially passes through the first magnetic element.

[0008] In some implementations, the aerosol generating device further includes: a proximal end and a distal end that face away from each other in a longitudinal direction, where the first electrical contact is linearly arranged in the longitudinal direction and is at least partially exposed at the proximal end.

[0009] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further includes: a circuit configured to: control the power supply to output an alternating current to the induction coil based on a first power mode to generate a changing magnetic field, and control the power supply to output a direct current to the second heating element through the first electrical contact based on a second power mode.

[0010] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to control, in the first power mode, the induction coil to generate the changing magnetic field based on predetermined duration, to induce the first heating element to heat the aerosol generating product based on a predetermined heating curve within the predetermined duration.

[0011] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to control the outputting of the direct current through the first electrical contact based on predetermined power in the second power mode, so that the second heating element heats the liquid substrate based on the predetermined power.

[0012] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further includes: an input element configured to be operated by a user to generate an input signal, where the circuit is configured to: control, in response to the input signal of the input element based on the first power mode, the induction coil to generate the changing magnetic field.

[0013] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to, when the atomizer is combined with the aerosol generating device, prevent the input element from generating the input signal or not respond to the input signal of the input element.

[0014] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further includes: an airflow sensor configured to sense an airflow flowing through the receiving cavity, where the circuit is configured to: control, in response to a sensing result of the airflow sensor based on the second power mode, the supplying of the direct current to the second heating element through the first electrical contact.

[0015] In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to, when the receiving cavity receives the aerosol generating product, not respond to the sensing result of the airflow sensor or prevent the airflow sensor from sensing the airflow flowing through the receiving cavity.

[0016] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further includes: a proximal end and a distal end that face away from each other in a longitudinal direction; a groove located at the proximal end, where the groove is configured to accommodate or be combined with a portion of the atomizer; the first electrical contact is an elastic electrical contact that is selectively actuated between an extended state and a compressed state and is biased back to the extended state; at least a portion of the first electrical contact extends into the groove; and when the atomizer is combined with the aerosol generating device, the first electrical contact is pressed to the compressed state and establishes a conductive connection with the first electrical contact.

[0017] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device is configured to: prevent the outputting of the direct current through the first electrical contact when the induction coil generates the changing magnetic field and prevent, when the direct current is outputted through the first electrical contact, the induction coil from generating the changing magnetic field.

[0018] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further includes: a circuit configured to determine presence of the aerosol generating product in the receiving cavity based on a change in at least one electrical characteristic of the induction coil due to insertion or removal of the aerosol generating product including the first heating element into or from the receiving cavity.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first electrical contact includes a positive electrode contact and a negative electrode contact that are insulated from each other; the circuit is configured to determine, based on a change in at least one electrical characteristic between the positive electrode contact and the negative electrode contact due to combination between the atomizer and the aerosol generating device, that the atomizer is combined with the aerosol generating device.

[0020] Another embodiment of this application further provides an aerosol generating system, including: an atomizer configured to atomize a liquid substrate to generate aerosols; and an aerosol generating device configured to supply power to the atomizer, where the aerosol generating device includes a receiving cavity with an opening and a first electrical contact located outside the receiving cavity; the atomizer includes a main body portion and an elongated portion extending longitudinally from the main body portion; a second electrical contact is arranged on the main body portion; the elongated portion is provided with a heating element for heating the liquid substrate; the heating element is conductively connected to the second electrical contact; the elongated portion is detachably received within the receiving cavity through the opening; and when the elongated portion is received within the receiving cavity, the second electrical contact of the main body portion establishes a conductive connection with the first electrical contact, so that the aerosol generating device supplies power to the heating element of the atomizer through the first electrical contact.

[0021] Still another embodiment of this application further provides an atomizer, including: a shell including a main body portion and an elongated portion extending from the main body portion, where the main body portion includes a first side and a second side that face away from each other in a longitudinal direction, and the elongated portion is configured to extend away from the second side from the first side in the longitudinal direction; a liquid storage cavity located inside the main body portion or extending from the main body portion to the elongated portion; a heating element arranged inside the elongated portion; and an electrical contact that is arranged on the first side of the main body portion and is electrically connected to the heating element to guide a current on the heating element, where the first side of the main body portion has a surface that avoids the elongated portion, and the electrical contact is at least partially exposed from the surface.

[0022] The aerosol generating device can generate a magnetic field through the induction coil to induce heating of the aerosol generating product and can output a direct current through the first electrical contact to supply power to the atomizer to heat and atomize the liquid substrate.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] One or more embodiments are exemplarily described with reference to the corresponding figures in the accompanying drawings, and the descriptions are not to be construed as limiting the embodiments. Elements in the accompanying drawings that have same reference numerals are represented as similar elements, and unless otherwise particularly stated, the figures in the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram of the aerosol generating device in FIG. 1 in a view; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating product according to one embodiment; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagram of the aerosol generating product in FIG. 3 in a view; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an atomizer according to one embodiment; FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of the atomizer in FIG. 5 in another view; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the atomizer in FIG. 5 in a view; FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of formation of an aerosol generating system by receiving the aerosol generating product in FIG. 3 within the aerosol generating device in FIG. 1; FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional diagram of the aerosol generating system in FIG. 8 in a view; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of formation of an aerosol generating system by receiving the atomizer in FIG. 5 within the aerosol generating device in FIG. 1; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional diagram of the aerosol generating system in FIG. 10 in a view; FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment; FIG. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of an atomizer according to another embodiment in a view; FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the atomizer in FIG. 13 in a view; FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of formation of an aerosol generating system by receiving the atomizer in FIG. 13 within the aerosol generating device in FIG. 12; and FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of some basic assemblies of a circuit according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] To facilitate the understanding of this application, this application is described in more detail below with reference to accompanying drawings and specific implementations.

[0025] An embodiment of this application provides an aerosol generating system configured to generate aerosols. In some implementations, the aerosol generating system may include two or more separate or replaceable components that, when combined, form a complete combined state of the aerosol generating system and can generate aerosols in response to a user operation.

[0026] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating system includes an aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device can be selectively combined with at least two different types of consumer products for combined use. For example, in some implementations, the aerosol generating device can selectively cooperate with either a first type of consumer product or a second type of consumer product to form the aerosol generating system to generate aerosols.

[0027] In some implementations, the aerosol generating device is configured to only receive one consumer product at a time. For example, in some implementations, the aerosol generating device can only receive one of a first type of consumer product or a second type of consumer product, but not simultaneously receive them.

[0028] In some implementations, the aerosol generating device may include a detection unit. A detection system of the detection unit is configured to detect presence of the first type of consumer product or the second type of consumer product that is combined with the aerosol generating device. Specifically, the detection unit can be configured to detect or identify a type of a consumer product combined with the aerosol generating device, thereby optimizing an operation of the aerosol generating device, particularly heating or outputting of power, to match or adapt to the corresponding first second type of consumer product or second type of consumer product. For example, when the detection unit detects that the first type of consumer product is inserted into and combined with the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device is controlled o start an operation based on a first power outputting mode. When the detection unit detects that the second type of consumer product is inserted into and combined with the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device is controlled to start an operation based on a second power outputting mode.

[0029] In some specific optional implementations, the detection unit may include a color sensor, which determines a type of a consumer product by detecting a color of the consumer product combined with the aerosol generating device.

[0030] For example, in still some changing implementations, the aerosol generating device can determine a type of a consumer product by detecting a physical characteristic of an electronic element within the consumer product. The aforementioned physical characteristic may include, for example, one or more of a resistance value, an inductance value, a voltage value, a capacitance value, and magnetism of the electronic element within the consumer product. In this implementation, the detection element may include a detection function circuit, such as a circuit module described below.

[0031] Or, in still some special implementations, each of the first type of consumer product or the second type of consumer product has a different heating element. The aerosol generating device can determine a type of a consumer product by detecting a characteristic of the heating element within the consumer product.

[0032] In some implementations, the first type of consumer product may include an atomizer that stores a liquid-state liquid substrate and vaporizes at least one component of the liquid-state liquid substrate to generate aerosols. In some implementations, the liquid substrate may include glycerol, propylene glycol, and the like, which can be heated and vaporized to generate aerosols.

[0033] In some implementations, the second type of consumer product may include a solid aerosol generating product. When the solid aerosol generating product is heated, at least one component of the solid aerosol generating product is volatilized or released to form aerosols for inhalation. In some implementations, a tobacco-containing material that releases a volatile compound from a substrate when being heated is preferably used as the solid aerosol generating product, or a non-tobacco material that is suitable for being electrically heated to generate aerosols after being heated can be used as the solid aerosol generating product. In some specific implementations, the aerosol generating product is preferably a solid substrate, and may include one or more of power, particles, fragments, strips, or sheets of one or more of vanilla leaves, dried flowers, tobacco leaves, homogenized tobacco, and expanded tobacco. Or, the solid substrate may include an additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile aroma compound that is released when the substrate is heated.

[0034] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show schematic diagrams of an aerosol generating device 200 according to one embodiment. In this embodiment, the aerosol generating device 200 includes: a proximal end 2110 and a distal end 2120 that face away from each other in a longitudinal direction. During use, the proximal end 2110 is one end configured to receive a consumer product, such as an atomizer 100 or an aerosol generating product 300.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 200 further includes: a longitudinally extending receiving cavity 270 which is arranged adjacent to the proximal end 2110 and extends in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 200. The receiving cavity 270 has an opening located at the proximal end 2110 in the longitudinal direction. During use, a consumer product such as the aerosol generating product 300 can be received within the receiving cavity 270 or removed from the receiving cavity 270 through the opening. In addition, one or more ridges 273 are arranged at the opening of the receiving cavity 270 and are spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the receiving cavity 270. When the aerosol generating product 300 is received within the receiving cavity 270, the ridges 273 radially clamp the aerosol generating product 300, thereby maintaining the aerosol generating product within the receiving cavity 270.

[0036] The atomizer 100 can be detachably combined at the proximal end 2110 of the aerosol generating device 200.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 200 further includes: an input element 201 for user operation, which is configured to be operated by a user to form an input signal. Later, the aerosol generating device controls heating of the aerosol generating product 300 based on the input signal of the user. In some embodiments, the input element 201 is selected from a mechanical button, a film button, a mechanical switch, a rotary encoder, a dial, a knob, a capacitive touch button, a resistive touch button, an operating lever, a slider, a trigger button, a touchscreen, and a magnetic switch.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a rechargeable power supply 210 is configured to output power. The power supply 210 is arranged close to the distal end 2120.

[0039] The circuit board 220 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) or a flexible printed circuit (FPC) board. The circuit board 220 is integrated with a circuit to control operations of the aerosol generating device 200. Particularly, the circuit controls power outputted by the power supply 210. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the circuit board 220 is arranged in a manner of extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 200.

[0040] A bracket 240 is arranged in a manner of extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 200. The bracket 240 is located between the power supply 210 and the circuit board 220. The bracket 240 is configured to at least partially accommodate and maintain the power supply 210. The circuit board 220 is rigidly connected to the bracket 240 via a fastening component such as a screw, thereby being supported and maintained by the bracket 240.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the input element 201 is electrically connected to the circuit board 220, so that the circuit can receive the input signal generated by the user operating the input element 201, thereby controlling the heating of the aerosol generating product 300.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 200 is further provided with: an airflow sensor 250. When the atomizer 100 is combined with the proximal end 2110 of the aerosol generating device 200. The airflow sensor 250 is configured to sense an airflow generated by the user inhaling the atomizer 100. The circuit board 220 controls supplying of the power to the atomizer 100 based on the sensing result of airflow sensor 250, so that the atomizer 100 atomizes the liquid substrate to generate aerosols.

[0043] In some implementations, the aerosol generating device 200 induces heating of the consumer product by generating a changing magnetic field that passes through the receiving cavity 270. Specifically, the consumer product may be provided with an induction heating element. When the consumer product is received within the receiving cavity 270, the changing magnetic field can penetrate through the consumer product, and the consumer product is heated to generate aerosols. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 200 includes: a coil support 230 surrounding and defining the receiving cavity 270, where the coil support 230 is close to the proximal end 2110; and an induction coil 260 arranged around the coil support 230, where the induction coil 260 is operatively electrically connected to the circuit board 220, thereby generating a changing magnetic field within the receiving cavity 270 when the alternating current provided by the circuit board 220 flows through the induction coil 260.

[0044] Specifically, the circuit of the circuit board 220 includes a capacitor and forms an LC resonance circuit with the induction coil 260 through the capacitor. In addition, the circuit board 220 drives the LC resonance circuit to oscillate at a predetermined frequency, thus generating an alternating current flowing through the induction coil 260. This causes the induction coil 260 to generate a changing magnetic field penetrating through the receiving cavity 270. In some implementations, a frequency of the alternating current supplied by the circuit on the printed circuit board 220 to the induction coil 260 is between 80 KHz and 2000 KHz.

[0045] In some embodiments, the induction coil 260 has approximately 5 to 15 turns; and the induction coil 260 has an axial length of about 5 mm to 15 mm.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 200 further includes: an air inlet 202 arranged on an outer surface of a shell of the aerosol generating device 200 to allow air to enter during inhalation. The air inlet 202 is arranged close to the proximal end 2110.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an inner bottom wall of the receiving cavity 270 is further provided with: a first communication port 233 which is in airflow communication with the air inlet 202 through an air inlet channel 205, where during inhalation, external air entering through the air inlet 202 enters the receiving cavity 270 through the first communication port 233; a second communication port 234 which is in airflow communication to the airflow sensor 250 through a sensing channel 251, where during inhalation, the airflow sensor 250 can sense an airflow during inhalation of the user through the sensing channel 251 and the second communication port 234 to determine an inhalation action of a user.

[0048] According to the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the air inlet channel 205 provides a flowing path for air to enter the receiving cavity 270 from the air inlet 202, specifically including: a first channel portion 203 extending from the air inlet 202 toward the distal end 2120; and a second channel portion 204 extending radially from the first channel portion 203 to the first communication port 233 of the receiving cavity 270. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the air inlet channel 205 is defined by an inner shell component located inside the aerosol generating device 200.

[0049] According to the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 200 further includes: an end element 2113 close to and defining the proximal end 2110 of the shell of the aerosol generating device 200; and a groove 2111 located on a surface of the proximal end 2110. The groove 2111 is enclosed and defined by the end element 2113. When the atomizer 100 is at least partially received within the receiving cavity 270, the atomizer 100 is at least partially accommodated or maintained in the groove 2111 defined by the end element 2113, and the atomizer 100 is in contact with the end element 2113, so that an airtight effect is basically achieved between the atomizer 100 and the proximal end 2110 of the aerosol generating device 200, to prevent external air from entering the receiving cavity 270 through a space therebetween during inhalation. The external air can only enter the receiving cavity 270 through the air inlet 202. The end element 2113 can be made of rigid polymer plastic. Or, in some other embodiments, the end element 2113 may be made of a flexible silica gel or the like, which is advantageous for promoting the airtightness with the atomizer 100.

[0050] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the end element 2113 is assembled with other components of the aerosol generating device 200 to jointly define the shell of the aerosol generating device 200. Or, in some other embodiments, the end element 2113 is integrally molded with the shell of the aerosol generating device 200, or the end element 2113 is a portion of the shell of the aerosol generating device 200.

[0051] A clamping protrusion 2112 is further arranged on an inner side wall of the groove 2111 defined by the end element 2113, to form a connection with a clamping slot 114 on the atomizer 100. When the atomizer 100 is at least partially combined with the groove 2111, the connection between the clamping protrusion 2112 and the clamping slot 114 prevents the atomizer 100 from being loosened.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 200 is further provided with: a first magnetic element 280 arranged adjacent to the proximal end 2110. Correspondingly, the atomizer 100 is provided with a magnetic second electrical contact 13. When the atomizer 100 is received within the receiving cavity 270 and resists against the proximal end 2110, the atomizer 100 is stably received within the receiving cavity 270 by magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 280 and the magnetic second electrical contact 13.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 200 is further provided with: a first electrical contact 290 located outside the receiving cavity 270. The first electrical contact 290 at least partially extends or is exposed within the groove 2111 defined by the end element 2113. The first electrical contact 290 is arranged in a manner of penetrating through the annular magnetic element 280. Thus, when the atomizer 100 is combined with the proximal end 2110 of the aerosol generating device 200, a conductive connection is established through the contact and resisting between the first electrical contact 290 and the second electrical contact 13 on the atomizer 100, so that the aerosol generating device 200 can provide power to the atomizer 100 to atomize the liquid substrate and generate aerosols.

[0054] According to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first magnetic element 280 and the first electrical contact 290 are located outside the receiving cavity 270. Furthermore, the first magnetic element 280 is arranged close to an end surface of the proximal end 2110. Thus, when the atomizer 100 is received within the receiving cavity 270, the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 280 and the magnetic second electrical contact 13 keeps the atomizer 100 resisting against and being combined with the end element 2113.

[0055] FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 show schematic diagrams of an aerosol generating system formed by receiving a solid aerosol generating product 300 used as a second type of consumer product within the receiving cavity 270 of the aerosol generating device 200 in one embodiment. According to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the aerosol generating product 300 includes: an induction heating element 310 which can be a sensor made of a sensitive metal or alloy, such as permalloy, stainless steel, ferroalloy, nickel alloy, and other materials. In addition, the induction heating element 310 can be embedded or surrounded by a volatile component material of the aerosol generating product 300, thereby heating the volatile component material of the aerosol generating product 300 to generate aerosols. When the aerosol generating product 300 is received within the receiving cavity 270, the induction heating element 310 is located inside the induction coil 260, and the induction heating element 310 can be penetrated by a magnetic field generated by the induction coil 260 to generate heat, thereby heating the volatile component material of the aerosol generating product 300 to generate aerosols.

[0056] In this embodiment, a partial section of the aerosol generating product 300, such as the volatile component material portion, is received within the receiving cavity 270 and heated, and a partial section of the aerosol generating product 300, such as a filter portion, is located outside the aerosol generating device 200 for inhalation by a user.

[0057] When the aerosol generating product 300 is received within the aerosol generating device 200, the circuit board 220 can drive, in response to an operation of a user on the input element 201, the induction coil 260 to generate a magnetic field based on a heating curve of predetermined time, to heat the induction heating element 310 on the aerosol generating product 300. Specifically, for example, the applicant has provided various details of the mode and content of heating the aerosol generating product 300 based on the heating curve of the predetermined time in Chinese patent applications such as CN112335940A, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0058] As indicated by the arrow R3 in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, during inhalation, the external air enters the receiving cavity 270 from the air inlet 202 through the air inlet channel 205, carries the aerosols after passing through the aerosol generating product 300, and is outputted for being inhaled by a user.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the aerosol generating product 300 stops on an inner bottom wall of the receiving cavity 270. Furthermore, when received within the receiving cavity 270, the aerosol generating product 300 is radially fixed under radial clamping of the ridges 273, and a distance of approximately 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm is maintained between the aerosol generating product 300 and an inner surface of the receiving cavity 270.

[0060] FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 show schematic diagrams of an atomizer 100 used as a second type of consumer product in one embodiment. FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show schematic diagrams of an aerosol generating system formed by combining an atomizer 100 with an aerosol generating device 200. In this embodiment, the atomizer 100 includes: a main housing 10 approximately in a cylindrical shape, where certainly, an interior of the main housing 10 is a hollow necessary functional component configured to store and atomize a liquid substrate; the main housing 10 has a first end 110 and a second end 120 that face away from each other in a length direction; the first end 110 is configured as an end for a user to inhale aerosols; an air outlet 111 for user inhalation is formed in the first end 110; the second end 120 is used as an end that is combined with the proximal end 2110 of the aerosol generating device 200; and a supporting element 20 extending into the main housing 10 from the second end 120 of the main housing 10, where the supporting element 20 is configured to close the second end 120 of the main housing 10 and support and maintain an atomization assembly mounted inside the main housing 10.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, a liquid storage cavity 113 for storing the liquid substrate and an atomization assembly configured to absorb the liquid substrate from the liquid storage cavity 113 and heat and atomize the liquid substrate are arranged inside the main housing 10. An aerosol conveying tube 112 is arranged in the main housing 10 in an axial direction. The liquid storage cavity 113 for storing the liquid substrate is formed in a space between the aerosol conveying tube 112 and an inner wall of the main housing 10. The aerosol conveying tube 112 extends to or stops at the air outlet 111, thus conveying the generated aerosols to the air outlet 111 for inhalation. In some optional embodiments, the aerosol conveying tube 112 and the main housing 10 are integrally molded by using a moldable material, thereby defining and forming the liquid storage cavity 113 between the aerosol conveying tube 112 and the main housing 10, and the liquid storage cavity 113 has an opening that is opened toward the second end 120.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, the atomizer 100 further includes: an atomization assembly configured to atomize at least a portion of the liquid substrate to generate aerosols. As shown in FIG. 7, the atomization assembly is accommodated or maintained in the supporting element 20. Furthermore, the supporting element 20 basically surrounds the atomization assembly. The atomization assembly is basically perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the main housing 10. A specific configuration of the atomization assembly includes: a rigid porous body 30 roughly constructed in a plate-like or sheet-like shape, where the porous body 30 has a first surface 31 and a second surface 32 that face away from each other; the first surface 31 faces toward the liquid storage cavity 113 and is in fluid communication with the liquid storage cavity 113 to absorb the liquid substrate; and a resistance heating element 40 that is arranged as a substantially planar heating element, is combined with the second surface 32 of the porous body 30, and is configured to heat at least a portion of the liquid substrate inside the porous body 30 to generate aerosols. Specifically, the supporting element 20 is provided with a liquid guide channel 23 that implements the fluid communication between the first surface 31 of the porous body 30 and the liquid storage cavity 113. Therefore, during use, the liquid substrate in the liquid storage cavity 113 is delivered onto the first surface 31 of the porous body 30 through the liquid guide channel 23 for absorption, as indicated by the arrow R1 in FIG. 7.

[0063] In FIG. 7, the porous body 30 is constructed in a sheet-like or plate-like shape. The first surface 31 and the second surface 32 are flat extending planes. Or, in some other changing embodiments, the first surface 31 and the second surface 32 are curved surfaces, such as concave or convex curved surfaces. Or, in some embodiments, the porous body 30 may alternatively be in other regular or irregular shapes. For example, in more embodiments, the porous body 30 may be in more shapes, such as an arch shape, a cup shape, a slot shape, and a trapezoid shape. Or, for example, in Chinese Patent Application No. CN215684777U, the applicant has provided configuration details about a shape of an arch-shaped porous body element having an inner channel and about absorption and atomization of a liquid substrate by the porous body element, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0064] In some embodiments, the porous body 30 includes a common porous body material, such as rigid foam metal, porous ceramic, and porous glass, formed by sintering after mixing a raw material of the substrate with a pore forming agent; and a large number of disordered micropores arranged inside the porous body 30 defined by sintering with the pore forming agent to absorb and transfer the liquid substrate. Or, in still some embodiments, the porous body 30 is formed by performing laser perforation, mechanical drilling, or etching on a dense substrate material to form a plurality of through holes in a predetermined direction. In some embodiments, the dense substrate material may include, for example, dense glass and ceramic.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 7, the resistance heating element 40 may be a heating mesh, a heating sheet, a printed heating trajectory, a deposited heating coating, a heating film, or the like that is combined to the second surface 32. In this embodiment, the resistance heating element 40 is made of a resistive metal or alloy material. The resistive metal or alloy may include iron chromium aluminum, iron aluminum alloy, silver palladium alloy, iron nickel aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, graphite alloy, or the like.

[0066] In FIG. 7, an atomization chamber 41 is arranged between the supporting element 20 and the resistance heating element 40 to accommodate aerosols released by the second surface 32. The air inlet 22 is opposite and communicated to the atomization chamber 41, so that the external air can enter the atomization chamber 41 through the air inlet 22 during inhalation. In addition, the atomization chamber 41 is in airflow communication with the aerosol conveying tube 112, so that aerosols released in the atomization chamber 41 during the inhalation is conveyed through the aerosol conveying tube 112 to the air outlet 111 for inhalation, as indicated by the arrow R2 in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the atomization chamber 41 is located on one side of the porous body 30 facing toward the second end 120 in the longitudinal direction of the atomizer 100.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 7, the atomizer 100 further includes: a flexible first sealing element 17 located inside the supporting element 20. The first sealing element 17 is arranged between the supporting element 20 and the porous body 30 to provide sealing between them. Specifically, the first sealing element 17 may be in an annular shape and is arranged around the porous body 30.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 7, the atomizer 100 further includes: a flexible second sealing element 16 constructed in a cap shape. The second sealing element 16 is at least partially located at least between the supporting element 20 and the main housing 10 to provide sealing between them. Furthermore, the sealing element 16 is further at least partially located between the supporting element 20 and an aerosol outputting tube 11 to provide sealing between them. An avoidance hole 161 opposite to the liquid guide channel 23 of the supporting element 20 is further formed in the sealing element 16 to cause the liquid substrate in the liquid storage cavity 113 to pass through the avoidance hole 161 and flow into the liquid guide channel 23.

[0069] FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show schematic diagrams of an aerosol generating system formed by combining an atomizer 100 used as a first type of consumer product with an aerosol generating device 200 in one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the atomizer 100 is partially combined to the groove 2111 defined by the end element 2113 of the aerosol generating device 200 at the proximal end 2110, and is in fastening connection to the clamping slot 114 on the atomizer 100 by the clamping protrusion 2112 on the inner side wall of the groove 2111 of the end element 2113. Furthermore, the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 280 of the aerosol generating device 200 and the magnetic second electrical contact 13 of the atomizer 100 ensures that the atomizer 100 is stably received within the receiving cavity 270. As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the atomizer 100 is not inserted or received within the receiving cavity 270.

[0070] As indicated by the arrow R3 in FIG. 11, when a user inhales the atomizer 100, the external air entering from the air inlet 202 enters the receiving cavity 270 through the air inlet channel 205, and enters the atomizer 100 after passing through the receiving cavity 270. Finally, the external air passes through the atomizer 100, carries aerosols, and is outputted to the air outlet 111. When the user inhales the atomizer 100, the airflow sensor 250 senses, through the sensing channel 251 and the second communication port 234 of the receiving cavity 270, the airflow that is generated by the inhalation performed by the user and passes through the atomizer 100.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, when the atomizer 100 is combined with the proximal end 2110 of the aerosol generating device 200, the air inlet 22 of the atomizer 100 is opposite and in airflow communication to the receiving cavity 270.

[0072] In this embodiment, when the user inhales the atomizer 100, the circuit on the circuit board 220 controls the first electrical contact 290 to output the direct current based on the sensing result of the airflow sensor 250, thereby providing power to the resistance heating element 40 of the atomizer 100, so that the resistance heating element 40 generates heat through resistance Joule heat, to heat the liquid substrate of the porous body 30 and generate aerosols.

[0073] In some embodiments, when the airflow sensor 250 detects an inhalation action of the user on the atomizer 100, the circuit board 220 controls, in response to the sensing result of the airflow sensor 250, the direct current to be supplied in a direct current supplying manner based on the first power mode, so that the resistance heating element 40 of the atomizer 100 forms resistance Joule heat for heating when direct current flows through. In the first power mode, for example, the applicant has provided details of a constant-power supplying mode and content on heating and atomization of the liquid substrate in Chinese patent application CN115067564A, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Or, in still some implementations, power outputting can be provided based on a constant-temperature heating mode.

[0074] In some embodiments, when the circuit board 220 monitors that the aerosol generating product 300 is received within the receiving cavity 270, the circuit board 220 responds to the input signal generated by the user operating the input element 201 and provides the alternating current to the induction coil 260 based on the second power mode, so that the induction coil 260 generates a magnetic field to induce the induction heating element 310 inside the aerosol generating product 300 to heat the aerosol generating product 300 based on a heating curve of predetermined time. For example, the applicant has provided various details of the first power mode and content of making the induction heating element 310 heat the aerosol generating product 300 based on the heating curve of the predetermined time in Chinese patent applications such as CN112335940A, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0075] To satisfy induction heating on the aerosol generating product 300 and direct current heating on the atomizer 100, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the circuit arranged on the circuit board 220 of the aerosol generating device 200 includes: a direct current outputting module including a first switch S1 connected between a voltage outputting end, such as a positive electrode, of the power supply 210 and a first electrical contact 290, and the other first electrical contact 290 is grounded and connected to a negative electrode of the power supply 210, where by controlling the first switch S1 to be switched on, a direct current voltage outputted by the power supply 210 is provided to the resistance heating element 40 of the atomizer 100 through the first electrical contact 290; and an alternating current outputting module including a second switch S2 connected between the voltage outputting end, such as the positive electrode, of the power supply 210 and the inverter 222, where inverter 222 is configured to convert the direct current voltage outputted by the power supply 210 into alternating current and provide the alternating current to the induction coil 260.

[0076] Specifically in FIG. 16, the inverter 222 includes an LC oscillator composed of a capacitor C1 and the induction coil 260, and an inverter bridge that drives the LC oscillator to oscillate to form an alternating current flowing through the induction coil 260. In FIG. 16, the LC oscillator is a series LC oscillator formed by connecting the capacitor C1 with the induction coil 260 in series. Correspondingly, the inverter bridge includes a half bridge composed of a switching transistor Q1 and a switching transistor Q2. Or, in still some other changing embodiments, the LC oscillator can be a parallel LC oscillator formed by connecting a capacitor C1 with the induction coil 260 in parallel, or an LCC oscillator. Correspondingly, the inverter bridge may further include a full-bridge with four switching transistors, an H-bridge, and the like.

[0077] In some embodiments, the circuit 220 can detect a type of a consumer product combined with the aerosol generating device 200, specifically meaning whether the consumer product combined with the aerosol generating device 200 is the aerosol generating product 300 or the atomizer 100. Specifically, the circuit 220 may further include: a detection unit configured to detect or identify a type of a consumer product combined with the aerosol generating device 200, so that an operation of the aerosol generating device 200, especially heating or outputting of power, is optimized to match or adapt to the corresponding first type of consumer product or second type of consumer product.

[0078] Specifically, in some embodiments, when the induction heating element 310 is received within the receiving cavity 270, electrical characteristics of the induction coil 260 such as an equivalent inductance value, a resonance frequency, and / or a quality factor Q value, and / or a resonance voltage, and / or a resonance current change. Therefore, the circuit determines the presence of the aerosol generating product 300 within the receiving cavity 270 by monitoring the electrical characteristics of the induction coil 260 such as the resonance frequency and / or the quality factor Q value and / or the resonance voltage and / or the resonance current. For example, the applicant has provided in Chinese patent applications CN114601199A, CN112806618A, and the like a specific electronic module composition, component arrangement, as well as principle and step details of the circuit on the circuit board 220 for detecting the electrical characteristics of the induction coil 260 such as the resonance frequency and / or the quality factor Q value and / or the resonance voltage and / or the resonance current, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0079] Specifically, in some embodiments, one of the two first electrical contacts 290 is connected to the positive electrode of the power supply 210 as a positive contact, and the other first electrical contact is connected to the negative electrode of the power supply 210 as a negative contact. The positive contact and the negative contact are spaced apart from each other and are insulated from each other. When the atomizer 100 is combined with the aerosol generating device 200, the two first electrical contacts 290 are switched on through the atomizer 100. The circuit 220 determines whether the atomizer 100 is combined with the aerosol generating device 200 by monitoring a change in resistance or voltage between the two first electrical contacts 290 and switching of an electrical switch-in state or an electrical switch-off state. Specifically, the applicant has provided in Chinese patent applications CN210782934U, CN210782935U, and the like a specific device arrangement and principle and step details of determining whether the atomizer 100 is combined with the aerosol generating device 200 based on the change in resistance, voltage, or electrical switch-on / switch-off state between the first electrical contacts 290 due to the combination of the atomizer 100 with the aerosol generating device 200, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0080] In some embodiments, when the circuit board 220 monitors that the atomizer 100 is received within the aerosol generating device 200, the circuit board 220 only controls the supplying of the direct current output to the first electrical contact 290 in response to the sensing result of the airflow sensor 250, and the circuit board 220 is prevented from controlling the supplying of the alternating current to the induction coil 260 in response to the input signal generated by the user operating the input element 201. Similarly, when the circuit board 220 monitors that the aerosol generating product 300 is received within the receiving cavity 270, the circuit board 220 only controls the supplying of the alternating current to the induction coil 260 in response to the input signal generated by the input element 201, and prevents the airflow sensor 250 from sensing the airflow that flows through the receiving cavity 270 during user inhalation.

[0081] FIG. 11 to FIG. 15 show schematic diagrams of an atomizer 100a, an aerosol generating device 200a, and an aerosol generating system formed by combining the atomizer with the aerosol generating device according to another changing embodiment. In this embodiment, the aerosol generating device 200a includes: a shell having a proximal end 2110a and a distal end 2120a that face away from each other in a longitudinal direction; a power supply 210a and a circuit board 220a that are close to the distal end 2120a, and a bracket 240a supporting and fixing the power supply 210a and the circuit board 220a; an input element 201a electrically connected to circuit board 220a and operated by a user to generate an input signal; a receiving cavity 270a close to the proximal end 2110a to selectively receive one of the atomizer 100a or an aerosol generating product 300, where the receiving cavity 270a has an opening close to the proximal end 2110a to detachably receive one of the atomizer 100a or the aerosol generating product 300 through the opening; an induction coil 260a arranged around the receiving cavity 270a, where the induction coil 260a is operably electrically connected to the circuit board 220a, so that the circuit board 220a can provide the alternating current to generate a changing magnetic field within the receiving cavity 270a; a groove 2111a located at the proximal end 2110a, where when the atomizer 100a is combined at the proximal end 2110a, the atomizer 100a is at least partially accommodated within the groove 2111a and resists against an inner bottom wall of the groove 2111a; a first magnetic element 280a configured to magnetically attract a magnetic second electrical contact 13a on the atomizer 100a; a first electrical contact 290a extending into the groove 2111a after passing through the annular first magnetic element 280a, where when the atomizer 100a is combined at the proximal end 2110a, the first electrical contact 290a is in contact with the magnetic second electrical contact 13a to form conduction, to supply power to the atomizer 100a; an airflow sensor 250a communicated to a second communication port 234a of the receiving cavity 270a through a sensing channel 251a, to sense the airflow flowing through the receiving cavity 270a during user inhalation; and an air inlet 202a that is arranged on an outer side surface of a shell of the aerosol generating device 200a, and is communicated to a first communication port 233a of the receiving cavity 270a through an air inlet channel 205a, to make external air enter the receiving cavity 270a during user inhalation, as indicated by the arrow R3 in FIG. 11, where in this embodiment, the air inlet 202a is longitudinally formed close to a side of the receiving cavity 270a facing away from the opening.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 15, the atomizer 100a of this changing embodiment includes: a shell 10a including a first end 110a and a second end 120a that face away from each other in a longitudinal direction, where the first end 110a of the shell 10a has an air outlet 111a to output aerosols for a user to inhale, and the second end 120a of the shell 10a has an air inlet 123a for allowing air to enter during inhalation. The shell 10a includes a first housing 11a and a second housing 12a. The first housing 11a is close to and defines the first end 110a, and the second housing 12a is close to and defines the second end 120a.

[0083] The second housing 12a includes a first portion 121a and a second portion 122a that are arranged in sequence in the longitudinal direction. The first portion 121a extends into the first housing 11a and forms a tight fit and seal with the first housing 11a through interference fit. The second portion 122a is in a cylindrical shape and is located outside the first housing 11a. In addition, an outer diameter of the first portion 121a of the second housing 12a is greater than an outer diameter of the second portion 122a, so that the second housing 12a has a step between the first portion 121a and the second portion 122a.

[0084] When the atomizer 100a is received within the aerosol generating device 200a, the second portion 122a of the second housing 12a extends into the receiving cavity 270a. In addition, when the atomizer 100a is combined with the aerosol generating device 200a, the first portion 121a resists against the inner bottom wall of the groove 2111a.

[0085] The magnetic second electrical contact 13a is arranged on the first portion 121a of the second housing 12a.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 15, the atomizer 100a further includes: an aerosol outputting tube 112a that is arranged inside the first housing 11a and extending from the air outlet 111a toward the second end 120a, to output aerosols inside the atomizer 100a to the air outlet 111a; a liquid storage cavity 113a defined between the aerosol outputting tube 112a and the first housing 11a to store a liquid substrate; an inner tube 14a located inside the second housing 12a, where the inner tube 14a extends from the first portion 121a of the second housing 12a into the second portion 122a; the inner tube 14a at least partially surrounds and is combined with the aerosol outputting tube 112a, and a liquid guide channel 15a is defined between the inner tube 14a and the second housing 12a; the inner tube 14a further has a via hole 141a to allow the liquid substrate in the liquid guide channel 15a to enter the inner tube 14a through the via hole 141a; and an atomization assembly located inside the inner tube 14a, where the atomization assembly includes a liquid guide element 30a and a resistance heating element 40a, to absorb the liquid substrate through the via hole 141a and heat and atomize the liquid substrate to generate aerosols. Specifically, the liquid guide element 30a is communicated to the liquid guide channel 15a through the via hole 141a to receive the liquid substrate. The resistance heating element 40a is combined with the liquid guide element 30a to heat at least a portion of the liquid substrate inside the liquid guide element 30a to generate aerosols. In some embodiments, the liquid guide element 30a is a capillary element or a porous element with internal pores, and can absorb and transfer the liquid substrate through capillary action. In some implementations, the liquid guide element 30a may include a flexible porous capillary element, such as fiber cotton and a non-woven fabric. Or, the liquid guide element 30a may include a rigid porous element, such as porous ceramic, porous glass, and foam metal. In the implementations shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 15, the resistance heating element 40a may be in a form of a heating trajectory, a heating film, a heating coating, a heating mesh, or a heating coil combined with the liquid guide element 30a.

[0087] In the embodiments shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 15, the liquid guide element 30a is in a hollow cylindrical shape. The liquid guide element 30a includes an outer surface and an inner surface that face away from each other in a radial direction. An outer surface of the liquid guide element 30a is configured as a liquid absorption surface for fluid communication with the liquid storage cavity 113a to absorb the liquid substrate, as indicated by the arrow R1 in FIG. 14. An inner surface of the liquid guide element 30a is configured as an atomization surface, and the resistance heating element 40a is arranged in combination with or adjacent to the inner surface of the liquid guide element 30a to heat the liquid substrate to generate aerosols and release the aerosols from the atomization surface. Then, during inhalation, the aerosols are transferred to an air inhalation port 111a for inhalation, as indicated by the arrow R2 in FIG. 14. Or, in more changing implementations, the liquid guide element 30a can be arranged in a roughly sheet-like, plate-like, or block-like shape, and two side surfaces that face away from each other in a thickness direction are respectively used as the liquid absorption surface and the atomization surface.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 15, the atomizer 100a further includes: a flexible sealing element 16a constructed in a cap shape. The sealing element 16a wraps around or covers the first portion 121a of the second housing 12a. The sealing element 16a is at least partially located between the first portion 121a of the second housing 12a and the first housing 11a, thereby providing sealing between them. Furthermore, the sealing element 16a is further at least partially located between the inner tube 14a and the aerosol outputting tube 11a to provide sealing between them. An avoidance hole 161a opposite to the liquid guide channel 15a is further formed in the sealing element 16a to cause the liquid substrate in the liquid storage cavity 113a to pass through the avoidance hole 161a and flow into the liquid guide channel 15a.

[0089] In this embodiment, the resistance heating element 40a is made of a resistive metal or alloy material. Furthermore, two ends of the resistance heating element 40a are connected to the magnetic second electrical contact 13a through a welding conductive lead or the like. Thus, during use, the second electrical contact 13a guides a direct current on the resistance heating element 40a, so that the resistance heating element 40a generates heat through resistance Joule heat.

[0090] Correspondingly, the above aerosol generating device 200a can receive an aerosol generating product 300 with an induction heating element 310 through the receiving cavity 270a, and induce, by enabling the induction coil 260a to generate a magnetic field, the induction heating element 310 to heat the aerosol generating product 300 to generate aerosols.

[0091] Or, in some embodiments, a lengthwise or elongated portion extending into the receiving cavity 270a is defined by the second portion 122a of the second housing 12a of the atomizer 100a, so that the elongated portion is received within the receiving cavity 270 to heat and atomize the liquid substrate. The first housing 11a and the first portion 121a of the second housing 12a are used as a main body portion exposed from the receiving cavity 270a. The magnetic second electrical contact 13a is arranged on the main body portion to magnetically attract the first magnetic element 280a and resists against the first electrical contact 290a to form conduction. Thus, the main body portion of the atomizer 100a exposed from the receiving cavity 270a resists against or is combined with an end element 2113a. Or, the main body portion includes a first side and a second side that face away from each other in the longitudinal direction. The first side is a side facing away from the air outlet 111a, and the second side is a side of the air outlet 111a. In addition, the elongated portion is formed by extending from the first side of the main body portion away from the air outlet 111a or the second side, so that at least a portion of a surface of the main body portion on the first side is an exposed surface that avoids the elongated portion. The liquid storage cavity 113a can be located only within the main body portion or extend from the main body portion into the elongated portion. In addition, the resistance heating element is located within the elongated portion. The magnetic second electrical contact 13a is located on the first side of the main body portion and extends from the inside of the main body portion to the outside of the exposed surface.

[0092] Or, in still some changing embodiments, the above resistance heating element 40 / 40a may be an electrically induced infrared heating element, a microwave heating element, or the like powered by the second electrical contact 13 / 13a.

[0093] It should be noted that the preferred embodiments of this application are provided in the specification and the accompanying drawings of this application, but are not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. Further, a person of ordinary skill in the art can make improvements or modifications according to the foregoing descriptions, and all of the improvements and modifications shall fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of this application.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0024]To facilitate the understanding of this application, this application is described in more detail below with reference to accompanying drawings and specific implementations.

[0025]An embodiment of this application provides an aerosol generating system configured to generate aerosols. In some implementations, the aerosol generating system may include two or more separate or replaceable components that, when combined, form a complete combined state of the aerosol generating system and can generate aerosols in response to a user operation.

[0026]In one embodiment, the aerosol generating system includes an aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device can be selectively combined with at least two different types of consumer products for combined use. For example, in some implementations, the aerosol generating device can selectively cooperate with either a first type of consumer product or a second type of consumer product to form the aerosol generating system to generate...

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, capable of being selectively combined with one of an aerosol generating product and an atomizer and comprising: a power supply; a receiving cavity configured to receive an aerosol generating product that comprises a first heating element; an induction coil that is connected to the power supply and is at least partially arranged around the receiving cavity, wherein the induction coil is configured to generate a changing magnetic field when energized, thereby inducing the first heating element to heat the aerosol generating product received in the receiving cavity to generate aerosols; and a first electrical contact that is connected to the power supply and is located outside the receiving cavity or avoids the receiving cavity, wherein when an atomizer comprising a second heating element and a liquid substrate is combined with the aerosol generating device, the first electrical contact is configured to output a direct current to the second heating element to allow the second heating element to heat the liquid substrate to generate aerosols.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising a first magnetic element that is located outside the receiving cavity or avoids the receiving cavity and is configured to magnetically attract the atomizer, so that the atomizer remains being combined with the aerosol generating device.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein: the first magnetic element is arranged at least partially around the first electrical contact; or the first electrical contact at least partially passes through the first magnetic element.

4. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a proximal end and a distal end that face away from each other in a longitudinal direction, wherein the first electrical contact is linearly arranged in the longitudinal direction and is at least partially exposed at the proximal end.

5. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a circuit configured to control the power supply to output an alternating current to the induction coil based on a first power mode to generate a changing magnetic field, and control the power supply to output a direct current to the second heating element through the first electrical contact based on a second power mode.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5, wherein the circuit is configured to control, in the first power mode, the induction coil to generate the changing magnetic field for predetermined duration, to induce the first heating element to heat the aerosol generating product based on a predetermined heating curve within the predetermined duration.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5, wherein the circuit is configured to control the outputting of the direct current through the first electrical contact based on predetermined power in the second power mode, so that the second heating element heats the liquid substrate based on the predetermined power.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5, further comprising an input element configured to be operated by a user to generate an input signal, wherein the circuit is configured to control, in response to the input signal of the input element and based on the first power mode, the induction coil to generate the changing magnetic field.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 8, wherein the circuit is configured to, when the atomizer is combined with the aerosol generating device, prevent the input element from generating the input signal or not respond to the input signal of the input element.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5, further comprising an airflow sensor configured to sense an airflow flowing through the receiving cavity, wherein the circuit is configured to control, in response to a sensing result of the airflow sensor and based on the second power mode, the supplying of the direct current to the second heating element through the first electrical contact.

11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, wherein the circuit is configured to, when the receiving cavity has the aerosol generating product received therein, not respond to the sensing result of the airflow sensor or prevent the airflow sensor from sensing the airflow flowing through the receiving cavity.

12. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a proximal end and a distal end that face away from each other in a longitudinal direction; and a groove located at the proximal end and configured to accommodate or be combined with a portion of the atomizer, wherein: the first electrical contact is an elastic electrical contact capable of being selectively actuated between an extended state and a compressed state and biased back to the extended state; at least a portion of the first electrical contact extends into the groove; and when the atomizer is combined with the aerosol generating device, the first electrical contact is pressed to the compressed state and establishes a conductive connection with the first electrical contact.

13. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, configured to prevent the outputting of the direct current through the first electrical contact when the induction coil generates the changing magnetic field and prevent, when the direct current is outputted through the first electrical contact, the induction coil from generating the changing magnetic field.

14. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a circuit configured to determine presence of the aerosol generating product in the receiving cavity based on a change in at least one electrical characteristic of the induction coil due to insertion or removal of the aerosol generating product comprising the first heating element into or from the receiving cavity.

15. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: the first electrical contact comprises a positive electrode contact and a negative electrode contact that are insulated from each other; and the aerosol generating device further comprises a circuit configured to determine, based on a change in at least one electrical characteristic between the positive electrode contact and the negative electrode contact due to combination between the atomizer and the aerosol generating device, that the atomizer is combined with the aerosol generating device.

16. An aerosol generating system, comprising: an atomizer configured to atomize a liquid substrate to generate aerosols; and an aerosol generating device configured to supply power to the atomizer, wherein: the aerosol generating device comprises a receiving cavity with an opening and a first electrical contact located outside the receiving cavity; and the atomizer comprises a main body portion and an elongated portion extending longitudinally from the main body portion, wherein: a second electrical contact is arranged on the main body portion; the elongated portion is provided with a heating element for heating the liquid substrate, the heating element being conductively connected to the second electrical contact; the elongated portion is capable of being detachably received within the receiving cavity through the opening; and when the elongated portion is received within the receiving cavity, the second electrical contact on the main body portion establishes a conductive connection with the first electrical contact, so that the aerosol generating device supplies power to the heating element of the atomizer through the first electrical contact.

17. An atomizer, comprising: a shell comprising a main body portion and an elongated portion extending from the main body portion, wherein the main body portion comprises a first side and a second side that face away from each other in a longitudinal direction, and the elongated portion is configured to extend away from the second side from the first side in the longitudinal direction; a liquid storage cavity located inside the main body portion or extending from the main body portion to the elongated portion; a heating element arranged inside the elongated portion; and an electrical contact that is arranged on the first side of the main body portion and is electrically connected to the heating element to guide a current on the heating element, wherein the first side of the main body portion has a surface that avoids the elongated portion, and the electrical contact is at least partially exposed from the surface.

Images