Porous ceramic heater and liquid cartridge equipped with same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an evaporation unit of a fine particle generator, and more particularly to an evaporation unit of a fine particle generator that can prevent carbonization by containing a liquid in a material that has a small difference in heat transfer coefficient from a heating coil. [Solution] The present invention provides a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, comprising: a porous ceramic produced by mixing silicate, a binder, and a pore-forming agent to produce a slurry, and then molding, drying, and sintering the slurry; and a resistance heating element that is bonded to the porous ceramic and generates heat when a current is applied to the porous ceramic, and the heat generated by the heating element vaporizes a liquid impregnated in the porous ceramic.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an evaporation unit of a fine particle generator, and more particularly to an evaporation unit of a fine particle generator that can prevent carbonization by containing a liquid in a material having a small difference in heat transfer coefficient from a heating coil. [Background technology]

[0002] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fine particle generating device using a liquid cartridge according to the prior art.

[0003] The conventional fine particle generator includes an upper part of a main body 3 equipped with a battery (not shown) and a control circuit (not shown), and a cartridge 1 equipped with a liquid storage tank for storing liquid and an atomizer for atomizing the liquid supplied from the liquid storage tank. The cartridge 1 is detachably attached to the upper part of the main body 3, receives power from the main body 3, heats the liquid, and generates fine particles.

[0004] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a liquid cartridge according to the prior art.

[0005] The cartridge includes a liquid storage housing 3001 for storing liquid, an elastomeric cap 3011 installed in the liquid storage housing 3001 and dividing a liquid storage space and an atomization space, a core / coil assembly 3002 installed at one end of the liquid storage housing 3001 installed below the elastomeric cap 3011, a core housing 3005 for fixing the core / coil assembly 3002, a cannula 3009 penetrating the elastomeric cap 3011 and the liquid storage space, a mouthpiece 3017 separated from the tank for inhaling fine particles that pass through the cannula 3009, and one or more absorbent pads 3019 installed in the mouthpiece 3017 for absorbing liquid droplets.

[0006] A pair of contact terminals 3007 are provided for connecting with the coil of the core / coil assembly 3002 and for receiving power from the main body. The contact terminals 3007 pass through the liquid storage housing 3001, with a portion of the contact terminals 3007 exposed to the outside of the liquid storage housing 3001 and the remaining portion located inside the liquid storage housing 3001.

[0007] In addition, before the cartridge is coupled to the main body, a cover 3015 can be coupled to the bottom of the liquid storage housing 3001 to protect the contact terminals 3007 exposed to the outside of the liquid storage housing 3001 and prevent liquid leakage.

[0008] When the core / coil assembly 3002 is placed under the elastomer cap 3011, air flows in through an air hole formed at the bottom of the liquid storage housing 3001, atomizing the liquid from the core / coil assembly 3002 and forming fine particles which are inhaled through the cannula 3009.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a core / coil assembly provided in a liquid cartridge according to the prior art. The core / coil assembly 3002 is in the form of a coil 3002b wound around a core 3002a made of silica wick, sponge foam material, fiber material, etc., and when power is applied, the coil 3002b generates heat and vaporizes the liquid contained in the core 3002a. At this time, due to the difference in heat transfer speed between the core 3002a and the coil 3002b, local carbonization may occur in the liquid and the core 3002a. If the liquid or the core 3002a is carbonized, it may cause discomfort during inhalation by the user and reduce satisfaction. Therefore, there is a demand for the development of a structure that can prevent carbonization of the heat generating part. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, in which contact pads are formed on the ceramic heater instead of lead wires, and the pads and terminals are accurately in contact with each other during assembly, thereby eliminating unnecessary processes and preventing the generation of harmful substances, and a liquid cartridge having the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention provides a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, comprising: a porous ceramic manufactured by mixing silicate, a binder, and a pore-forming agent to prepare a slurry, and then molding, drying, and sintering the slurry; and a resistance heater that is bonded to the porous ceramic and generates heat when a current is applied thereto to heat the porous ceramic, and the heat generated by the heater vaporizes a liquid impregnated in the porous ceramic.

[0012] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, in which the porous ceramic contains SiO2 to improve strength.

[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, wherein the silicate constituting the porous ceramic is magnesium silicate or aluminum silicate.

[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, wherein the silicate constituting the porous ceramic is a spherical particle.

[0015] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, characterized in that the silicate particles are only particles having a particle size within ±30% of the average silicate particle size.

[0016] As another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, characterized in that the silicate particle diameter is 75 to 95 μm.

[0017] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, characterized in that the pore size of the porous ceramic is 25 to 40 μm.

[0018] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, characterized in that the porosity of the porous ceramic is 45 to 65%.

[0019] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, wherein the mechanical strength of the porous ceramic is 5 kgf or more.

[0020] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, characterized in that the sintering temperature of the porous ceramic is 700 to 800°C.

[0021] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, characterized in that the resistance of the resistance heater is 0.7 to 1.5 Ω.

[0022] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, characterized in that the maximum heating temperature of the resistance heater is limited to 300°C.

[0023] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, characterized in that the resistance heating element is made of SUS so that the heating temperature can be monitored.

[0024] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, characterized in that the TCR range of SUS for manufacturing the resistance heater is 2,000 to 3,000 ppm / °C.

[0025] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, which further includes a pair of terminal pads that are connected or in contact with an external power source, electrically connected to the resistance heater, and supply power to the resistance heater.

[0026] In addition, as another example of the present invention, a pair of terminal pads are connected to both ends of a resistance heater, and the resistance heater is bent at least twice between the terminal pads to be parallel to adjacent portions, thereby providing a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device.

[0027] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, characterized in that adjacent parallel portions of the resistance heater are arranged at a distance of 0.2 to 1.0 mm from each other.

[0028] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, characterized in that the total area of ​​the resistance heater and the terminal pad is 30% or more of the area of ​​the porous ceramic surface closest to the resistance heater.

[0029] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, characterized in that the terminal pad is made of a metal having low electrical resistance, such as SUS, lead-free brass, gold, silver, copper, an alloy, tungsten, nickel, Al, chromium, or iron.

[0030] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, wherein the terminal pad is made of the same material as the resistance heater.

[0031] In another embodiment of the present invention, a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device is provided, in which a terminal pad is made of a material different from that of a resistance heater.

[0032] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, characterized in that the resistance heater is made of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the terminal pad.

[0033] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, wherein the width of the resistance heater is 50% or less of the width of the terminal pad.

[0034] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, wherein the terminal pads are plated with gold, nickel, tin, silver, platinum, palladium or zinc.

[0035] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, in which a resistance heater and a terminal pad are inserted into a porous ceramic.

[0036] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a liquid cartridge having a ceramic heater, wherein the porous ceramic has a through hole perpendicular to a surface on which the resistance heater is placed.

[0037] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, characterized in that the resistance heating element has a width of 0.05 mm or more.

[0038] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, wherein the minimum thickness of the porous ceramic is 0.5 mm or more.

[0039] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, further comprising a heat-resistant elastic cover that surrounds an outer surface of the porous ceramic to prevent leakage of liquid.

[0040] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, characterized in that the heat-resistant elastic cover is located on the opposite side to the installation surface of the terminal pad.

[0041] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, characterized in that the shape of the porous ceramic is a hexahedron, a cylinder, or a bath shape.

[0042] As another example of the present invention, there is provided a liquid cartridge with a ceramic heater, comprising: a case for storing liquid and having a flow path for inhaling fine particles generated by vaporization of the liquid; a ceramic heater according to claims 15 to 13; and a terminal installed in the case, one end of which contacts a terminal pad of the ceramic heater and the other end of which contacts an external power source, characterized in that the liquid impregnated in the porous ceramic is vaporized by the heat of the hot wire.

[0043] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a liquid cartridge having a porous ceramic heater, wherein the terminal pad is formed by bending a metal plate.

[0044] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a liquid cartridge having a porous ceramic heater, wherein one end of the terminal pad is connected to a resistance heater and the other end of the terminal pad is in contact with a terminal pad of the porous ceramic heater.

[0045] In another embodiment of the present invention, a liquid cartridge having a porous ceramic heater is provided, wherein the terminal has a contact protrusion formed on a surface that contacts the terminal pad.

[0046] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, wherein the terminals are processed into a pillar shape or a dumbbell shape.

[0047] As another example of the present invention, there is provided a liquid cartridge with a ceramic heater, characterized in that the case includes a main case having a liquid storage space and a flow path, and a lower case coupled to the inside lower portion of the main case, and the terminal is inserted during injection molding of the lower case.

[0048] In addition, as another example of the present invention, there is provided a liquid cartridge equipped with a ceramic heater, wherein the lower case has an air inlet for introducing outside air into the porous ceramic side.

[0049] As another example of the present invention, there is provided a liquid cartridge equipped with a ceramic heater, characterized in that the air inlet is perpendicular to the heat generating surface of the ceramic heater. Effect of the Invention

[0050] The vaporization section of the fine particle generating device of the present invention has the advantage that the liquid is contained in a material that has a thermal conductivity that is little different from that of the heating coil, and the liquid is vaporized by generating heat, thereby preventing carbonization of the liquid or liquid moisture absorbent.

[0051] The vaporization section of the fine particle generating device according to the present invention is made by impregnating a porous ceramic with liquid, and by heating the liquid impregnated in the porous ceramic, it is easier to process than a material made from cotton or silica wick, and therefore the dimensional accuracy can be improved.

[0052] In addition, the vaporization section of the fine particle generating device according to the present invention has the advantage that it has little processing deviation, which can improve deviation in the amount of atomization and leakage of liquid, and has high thermal conductivity, which can quickly atomize the liquid. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0053] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fine particle generating device using a liquid cartridge according to the prior art. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a liquid cartridge according to the prior art. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 shows a tip / coil assembly included in a liquid cartridge according to the prior art. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a liquid cartridge equipped with a ceramic heater according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid cartridge equipped with a ceramic heater according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a ceramic heater included in the liquid cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between silicate particles and pore size in porous ceramics. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the operation and airflow movement of a liquid cartridge with a ceramic heater according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a ceramic heater included in a liquid cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0054] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0055] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a liquid cartridge equipped with a ceramic heater according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid cartridge equipped with a ceramic heater according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the ceramic heater provided in the liquid cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] The liquid cartridge with a ceramic heater according to an embodiment of the present invention includes cases 110, 120, and 130 that store liquid and have a flow path 114 that can absorb fine particles generated by vaporization of the liquid.

[0057] The cases 110 , 120 , 130 include a main case 110 having a liquid storage space 112 and a flow passage 114 , a lower case 120 coupled to the inside and below of the main case 110 , and an upper case 130 coupled to the outside and above of the main case 110 .

[0058] The main case 110 has a wall 116 in which the liquid storage space 112 and the flow passage 114 are arranged in parallel, and below which the lower case 120 is coupled. The lower case 120 is inserted into the wall 116. The lower case 120 has a wall 122 at its upper part which forms a space in which a ceramic heater, which will be described later, is accommodated, and fine particles are generated within the wall 122 by the ceramic heater. A through hole 126 is formed in the wall 122, and the through hole 126 connects the flow passage 114 of the main case 110 to the internal space of the wall 122.

[0059] At this time, an O-ring 500 made of an elastic material may be installed on the outer periphery of the lower case 120 to prevent leakage of liquid. The O-ring 500 maintains airtightness between the lower case 120 and the main case 110.

[0060] Meanwhile, a magnet 600 may be installed under the lower case 120. The magnet 600 supports the liquid cartridge to be kept coupled by exerting an attractive force on a magnet or an iron plate installed in a fine particle generating device (not shown) to which the liquid cartridge is coupled.

[0061] The ceramic heater includes a porous ceramic 200 fixed to the main case 110 and the lower case 120, a resistance heater 310 and a terminal pad 320 coupled to the porous ceramic 200. The porous ceramic 200 is coupled to the lower side of the liquid storage space 112 of the main case 110, and a recess 202 capable of storing liquid is formed on the upper part. In this case, it is preferable to further include a heat-resistant elastic cover 210 surrounding the outer periphery of the porous ceramic 200 in order to prevent liquid from leaking from the coupling part between the porous ceramic 200, the main case 110 and the lower case 120. The upper case 130 is coupled to the upper part of the main case 110 and includes an intake hole 132 capable of absorbing fine particles transferred through the flow path 114 of the main case 110. In this case, a moisture absorbent 135 or a sealing film 137 may be provided between the upper case 130 and the main case 110 in order to prevent the intake of droplets that may be generated due to cooling of the liquid while passing through the flow path 114.

[0062] The porous ceramic 200 can be manufactured by mixing silicate, binder, and pore-forming agent to prepare a slurry, and then molding, drying, and sintering the slurry. SiO2 can be further added to improve the strength of the porous ceramic 200. In this case, the silicate is preferably magnesium silicate or aluminum silicate. Here, it is preferable that the silicate particles are spherical and have a uniform particle size distribution. For example, it is preferable to manufacture the porous ceramic 200 using only a particle group having a particle size within ±30% of the average particle size, or a particle group having a particle size within a range of 75 to 97 μm.

[0063] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between silicate particles forming a porous ceramic and the pore size. As shown in the figure, when spherical particles having a diameter d are packed, pores having a diameter of 0.414d can be formed. In addition, although not shown in the figure, when spherical particles having a diameter d are packed using another packing method, tetraheral site, pores having a diameter of about 0.25d can be formed. That is, when the diameters of silicate particles are uniformly distributed, the pore size between silicate particle groups can also be predicted, and the porosity and pore size can be sufficiently controlled. Therefore, it is desirable that the silicate particle diameter for manufacturing the porous ceramic 200 is uniform. On the other hand, the pore size of the porous ceramic 200 is desirably within 25 to 40 μm, and the porosity is desirably 45 to 65%.

[0064] The manufactured porous ceramic 200 has thick portions and thin portions such as the outer periphery of the recess 202. To prevent breakage, the thickness of the portion of the porous ceramic 200 having the minimum thickness is preferably 0.5 mm or more. In addition, the porous ceramic 200 preferably has a breaking strength of 5 kgf or more.

[0065] A resistance heater 310 may be embedded in the porous ceramic 200 or may be located near the surface of the porous ceramic 200 and at least a part of the resistance heater 310 may be exposed. A pair of terminal pads 320 for contacting terminals, which will be described later, may be formed on both ends of the resistance heater 310. The resistance heater 310 and the terminal pads 320 may be inserted during molding before sintering the porous ceramic 200 and bonded together as one piece, or may be bonded through a separate process after the porous ceramic 200 is manufactured. When the resistance heater 310 and the terminal pads 320 are inserted during molding of the porous ceramic 200 and sintered, the sintering temperature is preferably 700 to 800° C. to prevent oxidation of the resistance heater 310 and the terminal pads 320.

[0066] At this time, the resistance heater 310 may be bent at least twice to maximize the length connected to the porous ceramic 200 and to increase the amount of heat generated, and may be formed in a shape (S-shape or zigzag shape) parallel to adjacent parts. At this time, the interval (a) between adjacent bent parts of the resistance heater 310 is preferably 0.2 to 1.0 mm. Meanwhile, the shape of the terminal pad 320 is not particularly limited, and may be implemented in various shapes such as a circle, a rectangle, or a polygon. At this time, the area of ​​the resistance heater 310 and the terminal pad 320 is preferably 30% or more of the area of ​​the surface closest to the resistance heater 310 among the outer surfaces of the porous ceramic 200. The porous ceramic 200 shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 is a bath type having an approximately hexahedral shape and a recess 202 formed on the upper surface. The resistance heater 310 and the terminal pad 320 are disposed on the lower surface of the porous ceramic 200. Therefore, in the liquid cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 4 to 6, the total area of ​​the resistance heater 310 and the terminal pad 320 must be 30% or more of the area of ​​the lower surface of the porous ceramic 200.

[0067] Here, the porous ceramic 200 may have a cylindrical shape, a hexahedral shape without any recesses, or an irregular outer surface if necessary. Among the outer surfaces of the porous ceramic 200, the outer surface closest to the resistance heater 310 can be determined, and in this case, the area of ​​the resistance heater 310 and the terminal pad 320 must be 30% or more of the area of ​​the outer surface closest to the resistance heater 310.

[0068] At this time, the terminal pad 320 and the resistance heater 310 may be made of the same material, but since it is preferable that the terminal pad 320 does not generate heat and only the resistance heater 310 generates heat, the resistance heater 310 may be made of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the terminal pad. Also, the width of the resistance heater 310 is preferably 50% or less of the width of the terminal pad 320. However, in order to ensure a sufficient amount of heat generation, the width of the resistance heater 310 is preferably more than 0.05 mm. At this time, the resistance of the resistance heater 310 is preferably within a range of 0.7 to 1.5 Ω.

[0069] The resistance heater 310 is preferably made of SUS so that the heat generation temperature can be monitored, and the TCR range is preferably 2,000 to 3,000 ppm / ° C. The terminal pad 320 is made of a metal with low electrical resistance, such as SUS, lead-free brass, gold, silver, copper, an alloy, tungsten, nickel, Al, chromium, or iron, and the terminal pad 320 is plated with gold, nickel, tin, silver, platinum, palladium, zinc, or the like.

[0070] Meanwhile, a sensor pattern (not shown) for measuring temperature can be formed by being bonded to the porous ceramic 200. The sensor pattern can also be attached near the heating element 310 to sense the heating temperature of the heating element 310. As described above, since the porous ceramic 200 is made of a material having high thermal conductivity, the sensor pattern can be attached to the surface of the porous ceramic 200 instead of near the heating element 300 to measure the heating temperature of the porous ceramic 200.

[0071] The sensor pattern may be made of any one or combination of NTC thermistor material including one or more of Mn, Co, Ni, Fe, PTC thermistor material including one or more of BaTi3, Y, Ce, La, Sn, platinum (Pt), and a circuit structure in which the resistance change due to temperature is read.

[0072] Meanwhile, the terminal 400 includes a terminal 400 that contacts the terminal pad 320 so that an external power source is transferred to the resistance heater 310 via the terminal pad 320. The terminal 400 can be manufactured as a single piece by being inserted during injection molding of the lower case 120 manufactured from an injection molding material. The shape of the terminal 400 is a dumbbell shape having a flange part extending from a cylinder to the outer periphery at a part coupled to the lower case 120 so that it is not easily removed from the lower case 120. A pillar protruding upward from the flange part located at the upper part is further provided, and the pillar protruding upward is in contact with the terminal pad 320. In addition, the flange part located at the lower part contacts the terminal of the fine particle generating device to which the external power source, i.e., the liquid cartridge, is coupled.

[0073] However, the shape of the terminal 400 is not particularly limited, and may be any shape as long as it can electrically connect the terminal pad 320 and the terminal of the fine particle generating device while maintaining a coupled state with the lower case 120. For example, the terminal 400 may be a bent plate material, at least a portion of which is inserted and injected into the lower case 120.

[0074] The terminal 400 may be made of one or more materials selected from metals having low electrical resistance, such as SUS, lead-free brass, gold, silver, copper, alloys, tungsten, nickel, Al, chromium, and iron, and is plated with one or more materials selected from gold, nickel, tin, silver, platinum, palladium, and zinc.

[0075] When electricity is supplied through the terminals 400 to heat the resistance heater 310, the liquid impregnated in the porous ceramic 200 vaporizes and generates fine particles.

[0076] At this time, the lower case 120 is formed with an air inlet 124 for introducing outside air so that the user can inhale smoothly. The air inlet 124 is formed to be perpendicular to the surface having the highest temperature among the outer surfaces of the porous ceramic 200. As described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, the lower surface of the porous ceramic 200 is the surface closest to the resistance heater 310, and therefore the lower surface of the porous ceramic 200 has the highest temperature among the outer surfaces. Therefore, the air inlet 124 formed in the lower case 120 is disposed to be perpendicular to the heat generating surface of the porous ceramic 200. At this time, the heat generating surface is defined as the surface of the porous ceramic 200 that is closest to the resistance heater 310.

[0077] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the operation and airflow movement of a liquid cartridge having a ceramic heater according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] As described above, the heat-resistant elastic cover 210 is attached to the porous ceramic 200 on which the resistance heater 310 and the terminal pad 320 are formed, and the porous ceramic 200 is installed in the main case 110 and the lower case 120. A space is formed below the lower surface of the porous ceramic 200 in the lower case 120. When power is applied to the terminal pad 320 formed on the porous ceramic 200 through the terminal 400 installed on the lower side of the lower case 120, the liquid impregnated in the porous ceramic 200 is vaporized by the heat generated by the resistance heater 310, and the vaporized fine particles are retained in the space formed below the lower surface of the porous ceramic 200. Thereafter, when the user generates sound pressure through the intake hole 132 of the upper case (see FIG. 4) 130, outside air flows in through the airflow inlet 124 of the lower case 120 and moves together with the vaporized fine particles through the through hole 126 of the wall 122 of the lower case 120 to the flow path 114 of the main case 110, and is inhaled by the user through the intake hole 132.

[0079] In addition, the porous ceramic 200 has a form in which liquid moves slowly and fine particles move smoothly at high temperatures, and each pore of the porous ceramic 200 is connected to form an air passage through which the aerosol passes. At this time, it is preferable that the pore size is 25 to 40 μm and the porosity is 45 to 65%.

[0080] The porous ceramic 200 can be manufactured by a powder injection molding method. After mixing silicate, binder, and pore-forming agent to prepare a slurry, the mixture is injected into a mold to manufacture the desired shape. After that, the binder is removed and sintering is performed to manufacture the porous ceramic 200 in the desired shape.

[0081] The porous ceramic 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be manufactured in a shape having a recess 202 capable of storing liquid as described above, or in a tube shape having a through hole 202a instead of the recess 202 as shown in Fig. 9. It may also be manufactured in a plate shape or in a specific shape without a recess or hole.

[0082] In the porous ceramic heater according to the present invention, when a current is applied to the resistance heater through the terminal pad, the resistance heater generates heat and the heat is transferred to the porous ceramic. Unlike conventional ceramics, the porous ceramic is made of a material with high thermal conductivity, and the temperature difference between the resistance heater that generates heat directly and the porous ceramic heated by the resistance heater is small, so that the porous ceramic can be heated uniformly. Therefore, the possibility of carbonization of the liquid impregnated in the porous ceramic or the porous ceramic can be reduced.

[0083] Meanwhile, by adjusting the porosity of the porous ceramic, the amount of liquid impregnated therein can be adjusted, and thus the amount of atomization upon inhalation can be adjusted.

Claims

1. A porous ceramic produced by mixing silicate, a binder, and a pore-forming agent to produce a slurry, and then molding, drying, and sintering the slurry; a resistive heater coupled to the porous ceramic, the resistive heater generating heat when an electric current is applied to the resistive heater, thereby heating the porous ceramic; The heat generated by the resistance heater vaporizes the liquid impregnated in the porous ceramic. The porous ceramic is doped with SiO 2 , The silicate constituting the porous ceramic is magnesium silicate or aluminum silicate, The silicate that constitutes the porous ceramic is a spherical particle, The shape of the porous ceramic is hexahedron, cylinder, or bus shape. The resistance heater has a width of 0.05 mm or more, A porous ceramic heater for a fine particle generating device, characterized in that the minimum thickness of the porous ceramic is 0.5 mm or more.

2. 2. The porous ceramic heater of claim 1, wherein the silicate particles used are only particles having a particle size within ±30% of the average silicate particle size.

3. 2. The porous ceramic heater of claim 1, wherein the silicate particle diameter is 75 to 95 μm, the porous ceramic pore size is 25 to 40 μm, the porous ceramic porosity is 45 to 65%, and the porous ceramic mechanical strength is 5 kgf or more.

4. 2. The porous ceramic heater of claim 1, wherein the sintering temperature of the porous ceramic is 700 to 800°C.

5. 2. The porous ceramic heater of claim 1, wherein the resistance of the resistance heater is 0.7 to 1.5 Ω, and the maximum heating temperature of the resistance heater is limited to 300°C.

6. The resistance heater is made of SUS so that the heat generation temperature can be monitored.

2. The porous ceramic heater of claim 1, wherein the TCR of the SUS used to manufacture the resistance heater is in the range of 2,000 to 3,000 ppm / °C.

7. The heater further includes a pair of terminal pads that are connected to or in contact with an external power source, electrically connected to the resistance heater, and supply power to the resistance heater; 2. The porous ceramic heater of claim 1, wherein the total area of ​​the resistance heater and the terminal pad is 30% or more of the area of ​​the porous ceramic surface closest to the resistance heater, and the width of the resistance heater is 50% or less of the width of the terminal pad.

8. The pair of terminal pads are connected to both ends of the resistance heater, and the resistance heater has a shape that is bent at least twice between the terminal pads so that adjacent portions are parallel to each other; 8. The porous ceramic heater of claim 7, wherein adjacent parallel portions of the resistance heater are arranged at a distance of 0.2 to 1.0 mm from each other.

9. 8. The porous ceramic heater of claim 7, wherein the terminal pad is made of a metal having low electrical resistance, such as SUS, lead-free brass, gold, silver, copper, an alloy, tungsten, nickel, Al, chromium, or iron.

10. 8. The porous ceramic heater of claim 7, wherein the terminal pad is made of the same material as the resistance heater or a material different from that of the resistance heater.

11. 8. The porous ceramic heater of claim 7, wherein the terminal pads are plated with gold, nickel, tin, silver, platinum, palladium, or zinc.

12. 8. The porous ceramic heater of claim 7, wherein the resistance heater and the terminal pad are inserted into the porous ceramic.

13. 2. The liquid cartridge with a porous ceramic heater according to claim 1, wherein the porous ceramic has through holes perpendicular to the installation surface of the resistance heater.

14. The container further includes a heat-resistant elastic cover that surrounds the outer surface of the porous ceramic to prevent leakage of the liquid; 2. The porous ceramic heater of claim 1, wherein the heat-resistant elastic cover is located on the opposite side of the installation surface of the terminal pad.

15. A case that stores liquid and creates a flow path that can inhale fine particles generated by vaporization of the liquid, A porous ceramic heater according to any one of claims 1, 5, 6, 10, 11 and 13; a terminal that is installed in the case, one end of which contacts the terminal pad of the porous ceramic heater and the other end of which contacts an external power source; A liquid cartridge equipped with a porous ceramic heater, characterized in that the liquid impregnated in the porous ceramic is vaporized by heat generated by a resistance heating element.

16. A liquid cartridge equipped with a porous ceramic heater as described in claim 15, characterized in that the terminal is formed by bending a metal plate, one end of the terminal is connected to a terminal of the fine particle generating device, and the other end of the terminal contacts a terminal pad of the porous ceramic heater.

17. 17. The liquid cartridge with a porous ceramic heater according to claim 16, wherein the terminals have contact protrusions formed on surfaces that come into contact with the terminal pads.

18. 17. The liquid cartridge equipped with a porous ceramic heater according to claim 16, wherein the terminals are processed into a pillar shape or a dumbbell shape.

19. The case includes a main case having a liquid storage space and a flow path, and a lower case coupled to the inside of the main case below the main case; The terminals are inserted during the injection molding of the lower case, 16. The liquid cartridge with a porous ceramic heater according to claim 15, wherein the lower case has an air inlet for introducing outside air into the porous ceramic.

20. 20. The liquid cartridge with a porous ceramic heater according to claim 19, wherein the air inlet is perpendicular to the heating surface of the porous ceramic heater.

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