Heating device for aerosol generator

Abstract

A heating device (100) for an aerosol generating device is disclosed that includes an insulation (102) having an inner wall (104) and an outer wall (106) disposed in a spaced-apart relationship, a cavity (110) adjacent the inner wall of the insulation capable of receiving an aerosol-forming substance (12), and a heater (112) disposed within the insulation in thermal contact with the inner wall of the insulation, the heater (112) configured to heat the aerosol-generating substance contained in the cavity by thermal conduction to generate an aerosol. The inner wall includes a generally flat portion (118) that includes an inner surface configured to compress a consumable (10) containing the aerosol-forming substance when the consumable is contained in the cavity, and an outer surface provided with the heater.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heating device for an aerosol generating device, and in particular to a heating device having vacuum insulation. [Background technology]

[0002] Aerosol generating devices are typically carried by users on a daily basis. Thus, there is a demand for lighter and more compact aerosol generating devices. In addition, it is desirable that aerosol generating devices can be made as efficient as possible, thereby extending battery life and thereby increasing user convenience. It is an object of the present invention to meet these demands. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] According to one aspect of the present invention, a heating device for an aerosol generating device is provided, the heating device including an insulating material including an inner wall and an outer wall spaced apart from each other, a cavity located adjacent to the inner wall of the insulating material capable of containing an aerosol-forming substance, and a heater disposed within the insulating material in thermal contact with the inner wall of the insulating material, the heater being configured to heat the aerosol-generating substance contained in the cavity by thermal conduction to generate an aerosol, the inner wall including a substantially flat portion, the substantially flat portion including an inner surface configured to compress a consumable including an aerosol-forming substance when the consumable is contained in the cavity, and an outer surface on which the heater is disposed.

[0004] In this manner, the device is made more compact with the heater located within the insulation rather than within the cavity. The heater is in thermal contact with the inner wall of the insulation and is able to heat the consumables through the inner wall. The insulation may comprise a vacuum or a suitable insulating medium (e.g., air or any suitable powder or fibrous insulation). The insulation thoroughly prevents heat from escaping the cavity through the outer wall by conduction.

[0005] Preferably, the inner and outer walls are separated by a vacuum such that the insulation is vacuum insulation. In this way, the inner and outer walls can provide more effective insulation for the heater by sealing the vacuum. Thus, the vacuum insulation inner wall can serve two purposes: to transfer heat to the consumables housed in the adjacent cavity, and also to maintain an insulating vacuum to insulate the cavity. This creates an efficient and compact heating device for the aerosol generating device.

[0006] Advantageously, the generally flat portion allows the consumable contained in the cavity to be compressed, which provides a larger surface area of ​​contact between the inner wall and the consumable contained in the cavity. Since the amount of heat transfer by conduction between two objects is proportional to the surface area of ​​contact between them, the generally flat portion allows heat to be transferred to the consumable more quickly and efficiently. Compressing the consumable may also cause the aerosol-forming material in the center of the consumable to heat up more quickly than would be the case if the generally flat portion were not present. This more uniform heating of the aerosol-forming material may help prevent unwanted combustion of the material, leading to improved aerosol quality. Furthermore, providing the generally flat portion on the inner wall of the insulation may eliminate the need for additional components to compress the consumable or to hold the consumable securely in place, thereby resulting in a more compact heating device with fewer component parts. The fewer component parts may also be advantageous in reducing the thermal mass of the heating device, thereby reducing the time it takes for the cavity to reach the temperature required for aerosol generation.

[0007] The heater is provided on the generally flat portion to deliver heat directly to the inner wall. This increases the efficiency of the device by ensuring that the maximum amount of heat is delivered to the inner wall of the insulation and not the outer wall, where it can be transferred by radiation or conduction from the insulation. Furthermore, providing the heater directly on the inner wall eliminates the need for an intervening component to thermally couple the heater to the inner wall. The heater may be printed, painted, or otherwise bonded onto the inner wall. This may be done before or after the inner wall is bent or crimped into a shape for use as part of the insulation. The generally flat portion may be completely or generally flat. Also, providing the heater on the generally flat portion allows for good contact between the heater and the inner wall, which allows for effective heat transfer between the heater and the inner wall. Also, such a configuration may be easier to manufacture.

[0008] Preferably the heater is a resistive heater, thus providing a compact, simple and easy to power form of heater, alternatively the heater may be an induction heater powered from a coil surrounding the insulation.

[0009] Preferably, the generally flat portion extends along a longitudinal axis of the insulation. More preferably, the heater extends longitudinally on an outer surface of the generally flat portion. In this way, contact between the inner wall and the consumable can be increased along the entire or substantially the entire length of the consumable contained in the cavity, and the consumable can be efficiently heated along its entire length.

[0010] Preferably, the inner wall is generally cylindrical. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the heater may be provided on the inner wall generally around the entire circumference of the inner wall, in addition to being provided on the generally flat portion. A generally cylindrical inner wall is useful in that it allows the insulation to completely surround the consumable, providing a more effective means of insulation. Providing a heater on the inner wall generally around the entire circumference of the inner wall may allow for more uniform heating of the aerosol-forming material, thereby generating a higher quality aerosol for the user's enjoyment. This may also allow for the aerosol-forming material to be heated to the aerosol-generating temperature more quickly.

[0011] Preferably, the inner wall includes a plurality of generally flat portions, each of the plurality of generally flat portions including a respective inner surface configured to compress the consumable when the consumable is received in the cavity, and a respective outer surface provided with a heater. In this manner, the aerosol forming substance can be heated more uniformly, thereby generating a higher quality aerosol for the user's enjoyment. Furthermore, the consumable can be more effectively secured within the cavity. The heating device may include two, three, four or more generally flat portions, which may be uniformly spaced around the circumference of the inner wall.

[0012] Preferably, a heater is provided on each of the plurality of substantially flat portions, in this way the aerosol forming substance can be heated more uniformly.

[0013] In some embodiments, the heater may be provided primarily on the generally flat portion, or only on the generally flat portion, or on the one generally flat portion if there is only one generally flat portion. This may maximize the effectiveness of the heater relative to its size, which may allow a smaller heater to be provided that does not include the heater's ability to heat the consumable. Alternatively, if the heater size is not reduced, the speed or efficiency with which the heater heats the consumable may be increased. In another embodiment, a separate heater may be provided for each of the multiple generally flat portions.

[0014] Preferably, the heater includes an exposed exterior surface having a material that is susceptible to oxidation in the presence of oxygen. Many heaters include materials that oxidize in the presence of oxygen. This can adversely affect the performance of the heater unless the heater is provided with an oxidation resistant coating. In this manner, the heater can have an exposed exterior surface without an oxidation resistant coating, taking advantage of the heater being provided in a vacuum, which can result in a heater that is lower in cost, lighter in mass, and / or easier to manufacture.

[0015] In some embodiments, the insulation includes a first opening for receiving the aerosol-forming substance and a second opening for allowing airflow through the cavity. In such embodiments, the insulation may be generally tubular. In another embodiment, the heater may include a single opening for both airflow and insertion of the consumable, in which case the insulation may be generally cup-shaped.

[0016] Preferably, the outer wall comprises a metal (e.g., stainless steel) and / or a plastic (e.g., polyetheretherketone (PEEK)). It has been found that the outer wall can comprise PEEK and still provide sufficient insulating properties. By using PEEK as part of the outer wall, the weight of the heating device can be advantageously reduced. When the outer wall comprises PEEK, the PEEK can be a form of PEEK that has low thermal conductivity.

[0017] Preferably, the heating device further comprises an electrical insulation layer provided between the heater and the inner wall. In this way, electrical conduction to the heating device or other components of the aerosol generating device can be prevented, thereby increasing the safety of the device. The electrical insulation layer may be provided as a layer of material deposited on the inner wall. Alternatively, the electrical insulation layer may be provided as a coating on part or all of the heater.

[0018] Preferably, the surface of the inner wall facing the cavity is exposed to the cavity so that the consumable can be contained in the cavity without contacting other components, which allows the heater to heat the consumable more efficiently and results in a more compact heating device.

[0019] In some embodiments, the insulation includes a flared opening configured to allow the consumable to be received in the cavity. In such cases, the generally flat portion may be distally, i.e., longitudinally, offset from the opening of the cavity. The generally flat portion may reduce the diameter of the cavity relative to the diameter of the opening of the cavity. In this manner, the consumable can be more easily inserted into the flared opening of the cavity before being constrained by the generally flat portion.

[0020] One or more generally flat portions of the inner wall may be joined to a peripheral portion of the inner wall by a plurality of smooth sloped surfaces, which may reduce the likelihood that the consumable will tear or be damaged when inserted into the cavity, and which may increase the surface area of ​​contact between the inner wall and the consumable by reducing the amount of air that is trapped between the consumable and the inner wall.

[0021] Preferably, the thickness of the inner wall is about 0.1 mm or less. Thus, the thickness of the inner wall corresponds to a threshold at which the thermal efficiency of the insulation material is significantly improved. The thickness of the entire inner wall may be about 0.1 mm or less, or only a portion of the inner wall may have this thickness. For example, the first and second substantially flat portions may have a thickness of 0.1 mm, and the remaining portions may be thicker. By making the inner wall have a substantially uniform thickness of about 0.1 mm or less, it is possible to make the manufacturing easier than when the inner wall has multiple thicknesses, and it is also possible to increase the thermal efficiency (especially when the insulation material is a vacuum insulation material).

[0022] Preferably, the heating device includes one or more wires configured to connect the heater to a power source. The one or more wires may be arranged through one or more gaps provided on the longitudinal surface of the outer wall. In this way, the wires may be lightweight, which may be advantageous in terms of the user's carrying weight as well as reducing the thermal mass of the device. Furthermore, the wires may be mainly in contact with the outer wall, so that less heat leaves the insulation through the wires due to the lower operating temperature of the outer wall. One or more seals may be provided in the gaps to prevent air from entering the insulation and to secure the wires in place. The gaps may be provided near either end of the insulation or elsewhere on the outer wall.

[0023] Alternatively, one or more wires may be placed through one or more gaps in the insulation at the longitudinal ends of the insulation adjacent the opening of the cavity. In this way, the wires may have less contact with the insulation. This allows less heat to be conducted from the insulation walls to the wires, thereby allowing less heat to exit the insulation through the wires. This configuration may also be particularly easy to manufacture, which may reduce manufacturing costs. In one exemplary embodiment, the contact between the wires and the insulation is a single point contact. The inner and outer walls may be joined by one or more seals that are arranged around the wires and are configured to prevent air from entering the insulation and to hold the wires in place. In this example, the insulation may contain a gaseous insulating medium or a vacuum.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device configured to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user, which includes a heating device as described above.

[0025] Preferably, the aerosol generating device further comprises a housing configured to accommodate the components of the aerosol generating device, and one or more support structures attached to the insulating material for coupling the insulating material to the housing, the one or more support structures being positioned on the insulating material such that a length of a conductive path from the heater to the one or more support structures is maximized. In this way, the amount of heat transferred to the housing during use can be minimized. This minimizes the temperature of the housing during operation of the device, further increasing the efficiency of the aerosol generating device.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device configured to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising: a heater configured to heat an aerosol-forming substance contained within the aerosol generating device; a housing configured to house components of the aerosol generating device; an insulating material configured to insulate the housing from heat generated by the heater; and one or more support structures attached to the insulating material to couple the insulating material to the housing, the one or more support structures being positioned on the insulating material so as to maximize a length of a conductive path from the heater to the one or more support structures.

[0027] For safety and efficiency, it is desirable to minimize the temperature of the housing of the aerosol generator during use. This is especially true for non-combustion heated aerosol generators that typically utilize heating ovens that operate at very high temperatures. Maximizing the conduction path length in this manner is advantageous in that heat from the heater, for example, may have to travel a long distance by conduction along the walls of the insulation before reaching the support structure. While heat is being transferred by conduction, some heat is continuously lost from the insulation by the processes of convection and radiation. Thus, less heat reaches the support structure from the heater. The support structure is positioned to maximize the conduction path length from the heater to one or more support structures. This in turn means that less heat is conducted to the housing during use. In this manner, the temperature of the housing during operation is minimized and the efficiency of the aerosol generator is improved.

[0028] It is also possible to maximize the effective conductive path length by modifying the thermal conductivity properties of the material physically connecting the heater and the one or more support structures. For example, it may be possible to provide an insulating component configured such that heat must pass through it before it can reach the one or more support structures by conduction from the heater. The insulating component may be a material with a low thermal conductivity compared to other materials of the vacuum insulation. Alternatively, the insulating component may have a geometric characteristic (e.g., thin) that limits the conductive heat flow rate through the insulating component. The location of the one or more support structures may roughly correspond to the coldest area of ​​the vacuum insulation in use. Alternatively, the one or more support structures may be positioned to maximize the conductive path length from the heater to the one or more support structures while balancing other competing demands (e.g., structural integrity).

[0029] The insulation may include a vacuum or (alternatively) a suitable insulating medium (e.g., air or any suitable powder or fibrous insulation). If the insulation includes a non-gaseous insulating medium, heat may be able to move by conduction along a direct path through the insulation to the support structure. Thus, to maximize the length of the conductive path from the heater to the connecting structure, it may be necessary to vary the location of the connecting structure on the insulation. In such an example, the supporting structure may be attached to the insulation at a point on the outer surface of the insulation that is furthest from the heater. If the insulation encapsulates a vacuum or a gaseous insulating medium, the conductive path length may be maximized even if the heater is physically located close to the supporting structure (e.g., the supporting structure is located at the closed end of a cup-shaped insulation).

[0030] In comparison, vacuum insulation can derive greater thermal efficiency savings from this more optimal placement of support structures than non-vacuum insulation. This may be because heat is forced to move by conduction along the walls of the vacuum insulation rather than through the insulating medium. For example, when a connecting structure is attached to the vacuum insulation, heat may be forced to travel a more tortuous or curvy conduction path to reach the connecting structure. Thus, the minimum conduction path length can be increased by a larger order of magnitude.

[0031] Preferably, the insulation is coupled to the housing only at one or more support structures, thus preventing heat from reaching the housing by other intervening components.

[0032] Preferably, the insulation includes an inner wall and an outer wall with a vacuum or insulating medium enclosed therebetween.

[0033] In some embodiments, the inner and outer walls are connected only at a first end of the insulation, and the one or more support structures are attached to the insulation at a second end of the insulation that is distal to the first end. In this manner, the one or more support structures are arranged to maximize the conductive path length from the heater to the support structures. This arrangement takes into account the particular geometry of the insulation, where the inner and outer walls are connected only at one end. In particular, the insulation may be a vacuum insulation, which in this configuration may enjoy the greatest efficiency savings over other embodiments in which the insulation does not include a vacuum.

[0034] In some embodiments, the inner and outer walls are joined at a first end of the insulation and a second end of the insulation distal to the first end, and the one or more support structures are attached to the insulation at a location on the outer wall approximately equidistant from the first and second ends. In this manner, the one or more support structures are arranged to maximize the conductive path length from the heater to the support structures. This arrangement takes into account the particular geometry of the insulation, in which the inner and outer walls are joined at two opposing ends. In particular, the insulation may be a vacuum insulation, which in this configuration may enjoy the greatest efficiency savings over other embodiments in which the insulation does not include a vacuum.

[0035] Preferably, the aerosol generating device includes a cavity located adjacent to an inner wall of the insulation, capable of containing an aerosol forming substance.

[0036] Preferably, the heater is provided on an inner wall of the insulation. More preferably, the heater is provided in a vacuum enclosed by the insulation. The insulation may include first and second generally flat portions as already described with respect to the previous aspect of the invention. In this way, the aerosol generating device can benefit from the heating device described above.

[0037] Preferably, the aerosol generating device includes an air gap disposed between the insulation and the housing, thus preventing heat from being conducted to the housing.

[0038] Preferably, the one or more support structures include struts or rods. In this manner, the insulation may be coupled to the housing using structures that may be relatively small in cross section, thereby allowing for a small amount of heat transfer to the housing. In another embodiment, the one or more support structures may form an integral part of the housing. In one example, the struts or rods, or any other alternative support structures, may be provided at multiple locations spaced around the circumference of the insulation outer wall.

[0039] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1A] 1 shows a perspective view of a heating device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 1B] 1 shows a perspective view of a heating apparatus with the vacuum insulation outer wall removed, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a heating device with a consumable inserted into a cavity of a vacuum insulation material, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] 1 shows a perspective view of a heating device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4B] 1 shows a perspective view of a heating apparatus with the vacuum insulation outer wall removed, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a heating device with a consumable inserted into a cavity of a vacuum insulation material, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 shows a perspective view of a heater according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] 1A and 1B show perspective views of a heating device for an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention. A heating device 100 is provided that includes a vacuum insulation 102 that includes an inner wall 104 and an outer wall 106 that are radially spaced apart from one another such that a vacuum 108 is enclosed therebetween. FIG 1A shows the heating device 100 as it would appear in use, while FIG 1B shows the heating device 100 with the outer wall 106 removed so that the interior of the vacuum insulation 102 and the inner wall 104 are visible.

[0042] Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a heating device 100 according to the embodiment of Figures 1A and 1B. The heating device 100 includes a cavity 110 disposed adjacent the inner wall 104 and configured to receive a consumable 10 including tobacco 12. Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the heating device 100 according to the embodiment of Figures 1A, 1B, and 2 with a consumable 10 inserted into the cavity 110.

[0043] The consumable 10 may be inserted into the cavity 110 by a user through an opening 111 in the cavity 110 and held in place by friction with the inner wall 104. A heater 112 is provided within the vacuum 108 and on the inner wall 104. The heater 112 is configured to heat the inner wall 104 by conduction, which in turn heats the consumable 10 and the air in the cavity 110 by conduction and radiation. The heater 112 may be powered by a battery or any other power source provided on the aerosol generating device. The heater 112 includes a first end 113 electrically connected to a first wire connector 114a and a second end (not shown) electrically connected to a second wire connector 114b. Each of the first wire connector 114a and the second wire connector 114b is electrically connected to one of two wires 116, which are configured to connect the heater 112 to a battery. The inner wall 104 further includes a first flat portion 118 and a second flat portion 120, each of which extends longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum insulation 102. The first and second flat portions 118, 120 are configured to compress the consumable 10 when the consumable 10 is received within the cavity 110 to increase the efficiency of heat transfer from the heater 112 to the tobacco 12. The inner wall 104 has an inner surface (not shown) and an outer surface 104a, the inner surface facing the cavity 110 and obscured by the tobacco 12 in Figures 1A and 1B, and the outer surface 104a visible in Figure 1B. The heater 112 is disposed on the outer surface of the first flat portion 118 and on the outer surface of the second flat portion 120.

[0044] Figures 2 and 3 show a vacuum 108 enclosed between the inner wall 104 and the outer wall 106. The consumable 10 may also include a filter 14, which is visible in Figure 3 but omitted for clarity in Figures 1A and 1B. In use, a user draws air from the cavity 110 through the filter 14, thereby transporting aerosol generated within the cavity 110 to the user for enjoyment.

[0045] The vacuum insulation 102 is hollow and encloses a vacuum 108 between its curved inner wall 104 and its curved outer wall 106. The vacuum insulation 102 is generally cylindrical in shape, which allows the vacuum insulation 102 to completely surround the consumable 10 to maximize insulation. The vacuum insulation 102 is elongated along its longitudinal axis, which allows the vacuum insulation 102 to accommodate the consumable 10 in the form of an elongated rod containing the tobacco 12. The vacuum insulation 102 has a generally oval or circular cross-section when viewed from one end of the vacuum insulation 102 in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis, although in alternative embodiments the vacuum insulation 102 may have other types of cross-sectional shapes, such as a generally square or polygonal shape.

[0046] The vacuum insulation 102 includes an opening 111 at one longitudinal end for receiving the consumable 10 and is closed at the opposite end. The vacuum insulation 102 is thus cup-shaped in cross section when viewed perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, as shown in Figure 2. In another embodiment, the vacuum insulation 102 may be open at both longitudinal ends, in which case it is tubular in cross section when viewed perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, as will be further described below with reference to Figure 5.

[0047] In another embodiment, the vacuum insulation 102 may instead be a non-vacuum insulation, ie, an insulation that includes an insulating medium such as air, fibrous insulation, or powder insulation.

[0048] The opening 111 flares outwardly to allow a user to easily insert the consumable 10 into the cavity 110. The top portion 122 of the inner wall 104 has a larger diameter than the interior region of the inner wall 104, which has a smaller diameter to compress the consumable 10 when it is placed in the cavity 110. In other embodiments, the top portion 122 or opening 111 may not be flared, and the cross-section of the inner wall 104 may be the same along the entire longitudinal length of the inner wall 104.

[0049] 1-3, the inner wall 104 comprises stainless steel. However, in alternative embodiments, the inner wall 104 may comprise other suitable materials (e.g., other metals, metal alloys, or ceramics) having suitable properties for transferring heat from the heater 112 into the cavity 110.

[0050] The inner wall 104 includes a first flat portion 118, which may be substantially flat or completely flat. As shown by arrow A in FIG. 2, the first flat portion 118 is located radially inward from a longitudinally adjacent upper portion 122 of the inner wall 104, which is located closer to the opening 111. As shown in FIG. 1B, the first flat portion 118 is connected to a circumferentially adjacent portion 126, which may have an oval or circular curvature. The first flat portion 118 is also connected to the inner wall 104 by a first angled portion 128, which is angled toward the center of the cavity 110. The first flat portion 118 extends along the inner wall 104 along substantially the entire longitudinal length of the inner wall 104.

[0051] The second flat portion 120 is disposed on the inner wall 104 opposite the first flat portion 118. In other embodiments, the first and second flat portions 118, 120 may be at other relative locations on the inner wall 104. Although the exemplary embodiment of Figures 1-3 includes two flat portions, the inner wall 104 may include only one flat portion or may include more than two flat portions.

[0052] The second flat portion 120 is configured similarly to the first flat portion 118 and is connected to the upper portion 122 of the inner wall 104 by a second sloped surface 130, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The first sloped surface 128 and the second sloped surface 130 are preferably smoothly sloped so that the consumable 10 is smoothly guided into the cavity 110 when a user inserts the consumable 10 into the cavity 110. The use of smooth sloped surfaces rather than harder edges can reduce air pockets in the cavity 110, thereby increasing the contact surface area between the inner wall 104 and the consumable 10.

[0053] The outer wall 106 comprises stainless steel. In other embodiments, the outer wall 106 may comprise other suitable materials, as further described below. The outer wall 106 comprises a single curved surface that is generally or completely cylindrical. Other shapes of the outer wall 106 may be implemented depending on the shape of the vacuum insulation. The inner wall 104 and the outer wall 106 are hermetically joined or sealed to each other at both of the two longitudinal ends of the vacuum insulation 102 such that the vacuum 108 remains contained between the inner wall 104 and the outer wall 106. In other embodiments, the vacuum insulation 102 may include additional walls that are adjacent to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vacuum insulation 102, connecting the inner wall 104 and the outer wall 106.

[0054] The cavity 110 is generally cylindrical and is located directly adjacent to the inner wall 104. Preferably, the surface of the inner wall 104 that faces the cavity 110, i.e., the "inner surface" of the inner wall 104, is largely or completely devoid of additional components, allowing the consumable 10 to directly contact the inner surface when contained within the cavity 110. This maximizes the efficiency of heat transfer from the inner wall 104 to the consumable 10. Furthermore, the lack of additional components keeps the thermal mass of the heating device low, which can improve the time required to heat the tobacco 12 to an aerosol-generating temperature.

[0055] 1-3, the heater 112 is a generally planar resistive heater configured to generate heat when an electric current is applied to it. In another embodiment, the heater 112 may be an induction heater powered by an induction coil disposed around the vacuum insulation. A resistive heater is preferred as it provides a more compact heating solution.

[0056] The heater 112 includes a wire-wound resistive heating track that extends from a first end 113 to a second end (not shown) of the heater 112. The track follows a serpentine path along the length of a first flat portion 118 and a second flat portion 120, as shown in FIG. 1B. The first and second ends 113 and 114b of the heater 112 are configured to be electrically connected to first and second wire connectors 114a, 114b, respectively, which connect to a wire 116. The wire 116 may be connected to a battery provided on the aerosol generating device.

[0057] The heater 112 may be printed or otherwise bonded to the outer surface 104a of the inner wall 104. The heater 112 may thus "trace heat" the cavity 110. As shown in FIG. 1B, the heater 112 may be serpentine in shape to cover substantially the entire portion of the first flat portion 118 and / or the second flat portion 120 on the surface of the inner wall 104. As will be further described below with reference to FIG. 6, the heater 112 may be of another shape.

[0058] The heater 112 may include a material that is susceptible to oxidation in the presence of oxygen and may be provided without an anti-oxidation coating. Exposing the heater 112 to the vacuum 108 in this manner has the advantage that the absence of oxygen within the vacuum insulation 102 makes the heater 112 cheaper and / or easier to manufacture.

[0059] 1B, the heater 112 is disposed on the first and second flat portions 118, 120 of the outer surface 104a of the inner wall 104 to maximize the efficiency of the heating. In some cases, this maximization of heating efficiency may be to the extent that rapid or effective heating is achieved without the heater 112 covering other portions of the inner wall 104. Thus, the heater 112 may be disposed primarily, mostly, or exclusively on the first and second flat portions 118, 120 to minimize the size of the heater 112, which may reduce the weight and cost of the overall heating apparatus 100.

[0060] In another example, the heater 112 may be located elsewhere on the inner wall 104 in addition to being located on the first and second planar portions 118, 120. The heater 112 may substantially cover the outer surface 104a of the inner wall 104 and / or may be located on the inner wall 104 around substantially the entire circumference of the inner wall 104. In some examples, this may allow the consumable 10 to heat more quickly or more uniformly.

[0061] Electrical insulation may be provided between the heater 112 and the inner wall 104 to prevent unwanted electrical current from reaching other parts of the heating device 100 or of the aerosol generation device including the heating device 100. This electrical insulation may be any type of electrical insulation suitable for allowing effective heat transfer from the heater 112 to the inner wall 104.

[0062] Each wire 116 may have one end connected to a battery terminal and an opposite end connected to either of the first and second wire connectors 114a, 114b. The first and second wire connectors 114a, 114b may be generally flat so that they can be installed inside the vacuum insulation 102 without contacting the exterior wall 106. The wires 116 may be installed through one or more sealed apertures in the vacuum insulation 102 and connected to the first and second wire connectors 114a, 114b inside the vacuum insulation 102. Preferably, the wires 116 are installed through sealed apertures toward either longitudinal end of the vacuum insulation 102.

[0063] The heating device 100 may be used with or may be provided within an aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device will typically include a battery to power the heater 112, a button or other input mechanism to allow a user to activate the heater 112, and a controller to control the electronic components of the device, such as the heater 112. The heating device 100 may be provided within a housing of the aerosol generating device, the housing including an opening aligned with the opening 111 of the heating device 100. The aerosol generating device may be configured as an electric smoking device.

[0064] The consumable 10 includes tobacco 12 and a filter 14, which may be held together by a tipping wrapper. Preferably, the consumable 10 is a cylindrical rod, although other shapes of consumables 10 designed to be received within the cavity 110 may also be used. As an alternative or in addition to tobacco, other forms of aerosol-forming material may also be used.

[0065] Next, an example of how the heating device 100 is used in the aerosol generating device will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0066] In use, a user can insert the consumable 10 through the opening 111 into the cavity 110. The consumable 10 may have a diameter slightly smaller than the opening 111 so that it can be initially accommodated in the cavity 110. The first flat portion 118 and the second flat portion 120 are provided at a position offset longitudinally from the opening 111, narrowing the diameter of the cavity 110 below the diameter of the opening 111 of the cavity 110. Thus, as the user pushes the consumable 10 deeper into the cavity 110, it is squeezed by the first flat portion 118 and the second flat portion 120 until it is fully accommodated within the cavity 110 as shown in FIG. 3. This increases the contact surface area between the consumable 110 and the inner wall 104, ensuring that the consumable 10 is secured within the cavity 110 by friction.

[0067] When a user wishes to initiate vaporization, the user may press a button on the aerosol generating device, and once the button is pressed, the controller may enable current to flow from the battery to the heater 112. The electrical resistance of the heater 112 generates heat, which is transferred to the first and second flat portions 118, 120 of the inner wall 104 by conduction and radiation.

[0068] The first and second flat portions 118, 120 can increase the surface area of ​​the inner wall 104, thereby increasing the contact surface area with the consumable 10. Furthermore, the first and second flat portions 118, 120 can compress the consumable 10, thereby reducing or eliminating the presence of air between the surface of the consumable 10 and the first and second flat portions 118, 120 in some locations. This can further increase the contact surface area between these surfaces. Since conductive heat transfer between two thermally interacting bodies is proportional to their contact surface area, an increase in the contact surface area is achieved to increase the heat flow rate to the consumable 10. In this way, efficient heat delivery from the heater 112 to the tobacco 12 in the consumable 10 is ensured. Compressing the consumable 10 can also allow heat to be delivered more quickly to the center of the consumable 10, which can be advantageous in terms of aerosol quality. Other surfaces of the consumable 10 are also heated as heat is transferred by conduction from the first and second flat portions 118, 120 to other portions of the inner wall 104. The absence of other components on the inner surface of the inner wall 104 reduces the thermal mass of the heating device, resulting in faster heating rates.

[0069] The heater 112 utilizes the available space within the vacuum insulation 102 to reduce the diameter of the heating device 100, thereby reducing the diameter of an aerosol generating device incorporating the heating device 100. In other known devices, a heating cup may be provided as a separate component within the central cavity of the vacuum insulation to hold consumables in place and house the heating plate. Thus, the first and second flat portions 118, 120 of the present invention allow for even smaller diameter heating devices by eliminating the need for such a heating cup.

[0070] While the heater 112 is operating, the vacuum 108 in the vacuum insulation 102 thoroughly prevents heat from escaping the cavity 110 by conduction. The vacuum insulation 102 also prevents heat from escaping by convection, except through the opening 111. Thus, the cavity 110, the heater 112, and the vacuum insulation 102 form a highly efficient heating oven that can heat the tobacco 12 in the consumable 10 to a desired aerosol-generating temperature. The controller can be configured to direct the heater 112 to heat the tobacco to a temperature below the combustion temperature of the tobacco. It may take several seconds for the cavity 110 to reach the aerosol-generating temperature. As the tobacco 12 heats up, an aerosol is generated in the cavity 110. The user can then inhale the aerosol by drawing air from the cavity 110 through the filter 14. This allows air to be drawn into the cavity 110 from the periphery of the opening 111 , thereby allowing the user to continuously inhale the aerosol from the cavity 110 .

[0071] The thickness of the inner wall 104 is approximately 0.1 millimeters (mm) or less. This relatively thin thickness reduces the thermal mass of the vacuum insulation 102, which increases the rate of thermal conduction through the inner wall 104 to the cavity 110 and the consumables 10. In particular, the outer surface of the inner wall 104 reduces the thermal conduction away from the cavity 110. A threshold of 0.1 mm or less has been found to be significant with respect to increasing the energy efficiency of the heating device 100 through these mechanisms. Specifically, it has been found that an inner wall thickness of 0.1 mm provides a significant improvement in thermal efficiency compared to an inner wall thickness of 0.25 mm.

[0072] In another embodiment, only the first planar portion 118 and / or the second planar portion 120 may be 0.1 mm or less in thickness, while other portions of the inner wall 104 may be thicker.

[0073] The outer wall 106 is approximately 0.25 mm thick, which would be preferable over a thickness of 0.1 mm to enhance the mechanical robustness and insulating properties of the vacuum insulation 102 .

[0074] 4A and 4B show perspective views of a heating device 200 for an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present invention. A heating device 200 is provided, which includes a vacuum insulation 202, which includes an inner wall 204 and an outer wall 206, with a vacuum enclosed therebetween. FIG. 4A shows the heating device 200 as it would appear in use, while FIG. 4B shows the heating device 200 with the outer wall 206 removed to reveal the interior of the vacuum insulation 202 and the inner wall 204. Additionally, the heating device 200 includes a cavity 210, an opening 211, a heater 212, first and second electrical connections 214a, 214b, a wire 216, a first flat portion 218, and a second flat portion (not shown), each of which is configured exactly like the corresponding features of the heating device 100.

[0075] The heating device 200 differs from the heating device 100 in that the outer wall 206 of the vacuum insulation 202 comprises polyetheretherketone ("PEEK"). This may be preferable in terms of cost or weight of the device. In some cases, using PEEK for the outer wall 206 can reduce the amount of heat transferred from the inner wall 204 to the outer wall 206 during operation of the heater 212. Additionally, the vacuum insulation 202 may include a seal 232 that connects the inner wall 204 and the outer wall 206 while preventing air from entering the vacuum insulation 202. Additional seals may be provided in other portions of the vacuum insulation 202 where the inner wall 204 and the outer wall 206 connect.

[0076] In other respects, heating device 100 and heating device 200 are similarly constructed and operate similarly.

[0077] 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a heating device 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention. A heating device 300 is provided that includes a vacuum insulation 302 that includes an inner wall 304 and an outer wall 306, with a vacuum 308 enclosed therebetween. The heating device 300 further includes a cavity 310 (shown in FIG. 5 with a consumable 10 inserted therein), an opening 311, a heater 312, first and second electrical connections 314a, 314b, wires (not shown), a first flat portion 318, and a second flat portion 320, each of which are configured identically to the corresponding features of the heating device 100.

[0078] Heating device 300 differs from heating device 100 in that vacuum insulation 302 is tubular rather than cup-shaped. As shown in FIGURE 5, cavity 310 includes an additional opening 334 located distal to opening 311. Opening 334 is partially or fully closed with a plug 336 to prevent consumable 10 from being inserted too far into cavity 310. Plug 336 may comprise PEEK, rubber, or other suitable heat-resistant material.

[0079] The outer wall 306 comprises stainless steel. In another embodiment, the outer wall 306 may comprise PEEK and the vacuum insulation 302 may be provided with one or more seals as described with respect to the vacuum insulation 202.

[0080] In other respects, heating device 100 and heating device 300 are similarly constructed and operate similarly.

[0081] The preferred thicknesses of inner wall 104 and outer wall 106 discussed above also apply to heating device 200 and heating device 300, and also to the embodiments described with respect to FIGS.

[0082] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an alternative heater 412 that may be used instead of the heater 112. The heater 412 is cylindrical in shape and configured to be provided on the outer surface of the first flat portion 118 and on the outer surface of the second flat portion 118. The heater 412 is also configured to cover substantially the entire circumference and longitudinal length of the outer surface 104a of the inner wall 104. This can increase the speed at which the cavity 110 reaches the aerosol-generating temperature. The heater 412 includes a serpentine resistive heating track that extends from a first end 413a to a second end 413b of the heater 412. The first and second ends 413a, 413b are configured to be electrically connected to first and second wire connectors 114a, 114b that connect to the wires 116.

[0083] Similarly, heater 412 may be used as part of heating device 200 or heating device 300 in place of heater 212 or heater 312, respectively.

[0084] FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a heating device 100 according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. For illustrative purposes only, FIG. 7 shows the heating device 100 without the heater 112 and wire connectors 114a, 114b. FIG. 7 shows an alternative arrangement of the wire 116, which passes through a gap between the inner wall 104 and the outer wall 106. This gap is provided adjacent the opening 111. The opposite end of the vacuum insulation 102, through which the wire was placed in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, is closed by the outer wall 106. A seal 115a is provided within the gap, which prevents air from entering the vacuum insulation 102 and secures the wire 116 in place relative to the inner wall 104 and the outer wall 106.

[0085] The seal 115a may comprise any suitable material, for example, rubber, metal, or heat resistant plastic.

[0086] The configuration of Figure 7 can be particularly easy to manufacture. In some cases, this configuration also allows the wire 116 to have less contact with the inner wall 104 or the outer wall 106, which in turn reduces the amount of heat that escapes from the vacuum insulation 102 through the wire 116 during use. In this configuration, the contact between the wire 116 and the vacuum insulation 102 can be a single point contact.

[0087] 7 may also be implemented in heating device 200 or heating device 300. Similarly, this configuration of wires 116 may be implemented in any of the embodiments of the aerosol generation device further described below with respect to FIGS.

[0088] Figure 8 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a heating device 100 according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. For illustrative purposes only, Figure 8 shows the heating device 100 without the heater 112 and wire connectors 114a, 114b. Figure 8 shows an alternative arrangement of the wires 116, which pass through gaps in the curved longitudinal sides of the outer wall 106. These gaps are located near the opening 111 of the cavity 110. The wires 116 are sealed against the outer wall 106 with seals 115b, 115c, which may comprise any suitable material (e.g., rubber, plastic, or metal).

[0089] The configuration of FIG. 8 can be particularly compact and can allow the heating device 100 to be lightweight. This can be advantageous in terms of the user's ability to carry heavy loads as well as reducing the thermal mass of the device. Furthermore, in this configuration, the wire 116 is mainly in contact with the outer wall 106, which generally reaches a lower maximum temperature during operation of the heater 112 than the inner wall 104. This, in turn, reduces the amount of heat that escapes from the vacuum insulation 102 through the wire 116 during use. In some implementations, locating the wire 116 toward the opening 111 can be advantageous in terms of locating the heating device 100 in an aerosol generating device. In other embodiments, the wire 116 and the gap can be located elsewhere on the outer wall 106.

[0090] The configuration of wires 116 shown in Figure 8 may also be implemented in heating device 200 or heating device 300. Similarly, this configuration of wires 116 may be implemented in any of the embodiments of the aerosol generation device further described below with respect to Figures 9 and 10.

[0091] In another embodiment, the vacuum insulation 102, the vacuum insulation 202, or the vacuum insulation 302 may instead be a non-vacuum insulation, i.e., an "insulation" that includes an insulating medium such as air, fibrous insulation, or powder insulation.

[0092] 9 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. An aerosol generating device 500 is provided, which includes a vacuum insulation 502, which includes an inner wall 504 and an outer wall 506, which are radially spaced apart from one another such that a vacuum 508 is enclosed therebetween. The aerosol generating device 500 includes a cavity 510, which is disposed adjacent to the inner wall 504 and is configured to house a consumable 10, which includes a cigarette 12 and a filter 14, as previously described. A housing 550 is provided, which is configured to house the internal components of the aerosol generating device 500. The vacuum insulation 502 is coupled to the housing 550 by a support structure 552. The vacuum insulation 502 is spaced apart from the housing 550 such that an air gap 553 is located between the housing 550 and the vacuum insulation 502. Additionally, the aerosol generating device 500 includes a button (not shown) or other input mechanism and a controller (not shown), each configured to allow a user to activate the heater 512 in response to the button being pressed.

[0093] The consumable 10 may be inserted into the cavity 510 through an opening 511 in the cavity 510 by a user, as shown in Figure 9, and held in place by friction with the inner wall 504. However, for clarity, the consumable 10 and the inner wall 504 are shown spaced apart in Figure 9. A resistive heater 512 is provided on the inner wall 504 within the vacuum 508. The heater 512 is configured to heat the inner wall 504 by conduction, which in turn heats the consumable 10 and the air within the cavity 510 by conduction and radiation. The heater 512 is powered by a battery (not shown) or any other power source provided within the aerosol generating device 500, which is connected to the heater 512 by wires (not shown) and electrical connections (not shown) as described above.

[0094] The inner wall 504 and the outer wall 506 are joined by an annular first connecting wall 554 at a first longitudinal end 556 of the vacuum insulation 502. The inner wall 504 and the outer wall 506 are also joined by an annular second connecting wall 558 at a second longitudinal end 560 of the vacuum insulation 502. The inner wall 504 of the vacuum insulation 502 includes first and second flat portions (not shown) on which the heater 512 is disposed, the first and second flat portions being configured similarly to the first and second flat portions described above with respect to the heating device 100.

[0095] The vacuum insulation 502 is tubular and open at both first and second longitudinal ends 556, 560, similar to the heating device 300. The vacuum insulation 502 has a generally circular or oval cross section when viewed parallel to its longitudinal axis. However, as described for the vacuum insulation 102, the vacuum insulation 502 may have other cross sections. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the inner wall 504 and the outer wall 506 are connected by annular first and second connecting walls 554, 558. However, in other embodiments, the outer wall 506 may be directly connected to the inner wall 504, or vice versa.

[0096] The heater 512, the vacuum insulation 502, and the cavity 510 are configured and operate similarly to the heating device 300. However, the heater 512, the vacuum insulation 502, and the cavity 510 may also be configured and operate similarly to any of the alternative embodiments of the heating device 100, the heating device 200, or the heating device 300 described above. In another exemplary embodiment, the vacuum insulation 502, the heater 512, and the cavity 510 may also be configured similarly to similar heating devices already known in the art. For example, the heater 512 may be disposed in the cavity 510 instead of in the vacuum 508, or may not be disposed directly on the interior wall 504.

[0097] The housing 550 comprises metal, plastic, or any other suitable material for housing the components of the aerosol generating device. The housing 550 also includes an opening 509 aligned with an opening 511 in the vacuum insulation 502 for receiving the consumable 10.

[0098] The support structures 552 include struts or rods that are connected at one end to the exterior wall 506 and at the other end to the housing 550, thereby attaching the vacuum insulation 502 to the housing 550. In another embodiment, the support structures 552 may be structures that form an integral part of the housing 550, coupled to the vacuum insulation 502 by a locking or attachment mechanism.

[0099] Next, an example of the use of the aerosol generating device 500 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. A user may insert the consumable 10 into the cavity and press a button. The controller then enables power to flow from the battery to the heater 512 provided on the inner wall 504. The heater 512 then starts to heat the inner wall 504 by conduction and radiation. This heat is transferred through the inner wall 504 to the cavity 510 and the cigarette 12 contained therein. The cavity 510 is insulated with a vacuum insulation material 502, which thoroughly prevents heat from escaping from the cavity 510. The cigarette 12 is then gradually heated to an aerosol generating temperature. The aerosol generating temperature can be lower than the combustion temperature of the cigarette 12. This allows the aerosol generating device 500 to function as a non-combustion heating device. The user can then inhale the aerosol generated in the cavity 510 through the filter 14.

[0100] As the heater 512 heats the cavity 510 through the inner wall 504, heat is also transferred (diffused) to other portions of the vacuum insulation 502, primarily by conduction. For example, heat is transferred by conduction along the inner wall 504 toward the first longitudinal end 556 to the first connecting wall 554, from where it is transferred to the outer wall 506. A similar process occurs toward the second longitudinal end 560, where heat is transferred through the second connecting wall 558 to the outer wall 506. In this manner, heat emitted from the heater 512 follows a "conductive path" through physically connected components to the vacuum insulation 502 and other regions of the aerosol generating device 500.

[0101] As heat diffuses from the interior wall 504 throughout the vacuum insulation 502, heat is continually carried away from the surfaces of the vacuum insulation 502 by the processes of convection and radiation. As a result, regions of the vacuum insulation 502 that are farther from the heater 512 receive progressively less heat from adjacent regions that are closer to the heater 512 in terms of the shortest available conduction path from the heater 512 to that region. That is, regions of the vacuum insulation 502 that have a longer conduction path to the heater 512 receive less heat from the heater 512. It has been discovered that some regions of the exterior wall 506 reach a significantly lower maximum temperature, i.e., receive significantly less heat during a vaping session, than other regions of the exterior wall 506.

[0102] The embodiment of FIG. 9 takes advantage of this discovery by connecting the support structure 552 to an area of ​​the outer wall 506 that corresponds approximately to the coldest area of ​​the vacuum insulation 502 during use. This minimizes the amount of heat lost by conduction through the support structure 552 to the housing 550. This in turn minimizes the temperature of the housing 550 during operation of the aerosol generating device 500. More specifically, the support structure 552 is provided attached to the vacuum insulation 502 at a location on the vacuum insulation 502 that maximizes the length of the shortest conductive path available from the heater 512 to the support structure 552. This maximizes the amount of heat dissipated from the vacuum insulation 502 by radiation and convection before reaching the support structure 552. This in turn minimizes the temperature of the housing 550 during operation of the aerosol generating device 500.

[0103] 9, heat is conducted to the exterior wall 506 through the first and second connecting walls 554, 558. Thus, the hottest areas of the exterior wall 506 in use are near the first and second longitudinal ends 556, 558 of the vacuum insulation 502. Conversely, the coldest areas are in the middle of the exterior wall 506 where the conduction path length to the heater 512 is greatest. Thus, the support structure 552 is attached to the exterior wall 506 at a mid-portion of the exterior wall 506, approximately halfway between the first and second longitudinal ends 556, 558, as shown in FIG.

[0104] However, in other embodiments, the particular location of the coldest area on the vacuum insulation in use generally depends on the particular configuration, orientation, and geometry of the aerosol generating device 500. In particular, the coldest area depends on the shape, relative position, and materials of the vacuum insulation and heater. In other embodiments, the support structure 552 may be provided on the vacuum insulation 502 at a location where the coldest area in use may be.

[0105] In some cases, it may be impractical to attach the support structure 552 to the vacuum insulation 502 in a region of the vacuum insulation 502 that is the absolute coldest region of the vacuum insulation 502 during use. For example, it may be difficult to attach the support structure 552 in this manner while ensuring a stable mechanical bond between the vacuum insulation 502 and the housing 550. Thus, the conductive path length from the heater 512 to the support structure 552 may be maximized as much as possible only while satisfying other competing design requirements of the aerosol generating device 500. That is, it may not be practical to position the support structure 552 to completely maximize the shortest available conductive path from the heater 512 to the support structure 552. Nevertheless, the conductive path length may be maximized as much as possible. One such embodiment is described further below with reference to FIG. 10.

[0106] The conductive path length can be increased in a variety of ways. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 9, the conductive path length can be increased by increasing the physical distance along the surface of the vacuum insulation 502 that the heat must travel before reaching the support structure 552. However, in other embodiments, the conductive path length can be increased by increasing the "effective length" rather than increasing the physical length. For example, the first connecting wall 556 can instead comprise another, more insulating, less thermally conductive material. This effectively increases the conductive path length along the connecting wall 554 by a percentage roughly corresponding to the ratio of the thermal conductivities of the new insulation and the original insulation. If the material used for the second connecting wall 558 is not similarly replaced with a more insulating material, this would have the effect of shifting the region of maximum conductive path length to the heater toward the first longitudinal end 556. The support structure 552 can then be shifted toward the first longitudinal end 556 accordingly. In another example, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the vacuum insulation 502 in certain locations to effectively increase the conductive path length by reducing the heat flow through the vacuum insulation 502 in those locations.

[0107] 9, an air gap 553 between the exterior wall 506 and the housing 550 also helps to insulate the housing 550 from the exterior wall 506. The support structures 552 include rods or struts, which may have a smaller cross-sectional area than other forms of support structures, which may further reduce the amount of heat transfer into the housing 550.

[0108] FIG. 10 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0109] An aerosol generating device 600 is provided, which includes a vacuum insulation 602, which includes an inner wall 604 and an outer wall 606, which are radially spaced apart from each other so that a vacuum 608 is enclosed therebetween. The aerosol generating device 600 differs from the aerosol generating device 500 in that the vacuum insulation 602 has a closed end. Thus, the vacuum insulation 602 has a cup-shaped cross section when viewed from the perspective of FIG. 10, similar to the heating device 100. The outer wall 606 and the inner wall 604 are connected only at a first longitudinal end 656 by an annular first connecting wall 654. The curved outer wall 606 is closed at a second longitudinal end 660 of the vacuum insulation 602 by a substantially circular second connecting wall 658. The aerosol generating device 600 also includes a support structure 652 , which differs from the support structure 552 in that the support structure 652 is located near a second end 660 of the vacuum insulation 602 .

[0110] In other respects, aerosol generating device 600 and aerosol generating device 500 are similarly constructed and operate similarly. That is, aerosol generating device 600 further includes a cavity 610 configured to receive consumable 10 through opening 611, a housing 650 having an opening 609, an air gap 653, a button (not shown) or other input mechanism, a controller (not shown), and a resistive heater 612. Heater 612 is powered by a battery (not shown) or any other power source provided within aerosol generating device 600, which is connected to heater 612 by wires (not shown) and electrical connections (not shown). These features of aerosol generating device 600 are constructed exactly the same as the corresponding features of aerosol generating device 500.

[0111] Returning to the vacuum insulation 602, the outer wall 606 and the inner wall 604 are connected only at the support wall 654 located near the first end 656. Thus, during use, heat transferred by conduction from the heater 612 to the support structure 652 must travel up the inner wall 604 toward the first end 656 of the vacuum insulation 602. The heat can then be conducted to the support wall 654 and then travel down the outer wall 606 toward the second connecting wall 658. During this time, heat is constantly being lost from the outer wall 606 by convection and radiation. Thus, less heat reaches the second connecting wall 658 than the first connecting wall 654 and the area of ​​the outer wall 606 near the first end 656. Thus, the coldest area of ​​the vacuum insulation 602 during use is generally the second connecting wall 658, where the conduction path length from the heater 612 is greatest.

[0112] For structural or other practical reasons, it may be less desirable to attach the vacuum insulation 602 to the housing 650 only at the connecting wall 658. For example, it may be difficult to achieve a stable attachment of the vacuum insulation 602 to the housing 650 by attaching the support structure 652 only to the second connecting wall 658. Thus, in this embodiment, the support structure 652 is attached to the exterior wall 606 only near the second end 660 of the vacuum insulation 602, as shown in Figure 10. This maximizes the conductive path length to the support structure 652 while balancing the competing demands of producing a robust aerosol generating device.

[0113] In another embodiment, it may be possible to provide support structure 652 on support wall 658 to more fully maximize the conductive path length.

[0114] In another embodiment, the vacuum insulation 502 or 602 may instead be a non-vacuum insulation, i.e., "insulation" that includes an insulating medium such as air, fibrous insulation, or powder insulation. If the insulation 502, 602 includes a non-gaseous insulating medium, heat may be transferred through the non-gaseous medium directly to the support structure 552, 652. Thus, in this case, the support structure 552, 652 may be positioned as far away as possible from the heater 512, 612 in the aerosol generating device 500 and the aerosol generating device 600. If the insulating medium is a gas, the support structure 552, 652 may be positioned similarly to the above-mentioned embodiment using a vacuum. Alternatively, the support structure 552, 652 may be positioned similarly to the embodiment using a non-gaseous insulating medium, depending on the geometry of the insulation.

Claims

1. A heating device for an aerosol generator, comprising: a heat insulating material including an inner wall and an outer wall arranged at intervals from each other; a cavity capable of accommodating an aerosol-forming substance, which is located adjacent to the inner wall of the heat insulating material; a heater provided in the heat insulating material in thermal contact with the inner wall of the heat insulating material, the heater being configured to heat the aerosol-generating substance accommodated in the cavity by heat conduction to generate an aerosol; and the inner wall includes a substantially flat portion, and the substantially flat portion includes an inner surface configured to compress the consumable when the consumable containing the aerosol-forming substance is accommodated in the cavity, and an outer surface on which the heater is provided; a heating device.

2. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the inner wall and the outer wall are separated by a vacuum so that the heat insulating material is a vacuum heat insulating material.

3. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the substantially flat portion extends along the longitudinal axis of the heat insulating material.

4. The heating device according to claim 3, wherein the heater extends longitudinally on the outer surface of the substantially flat portion.

5. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the inner wall is substantially cylindrical, and the heater is provided on the inner wall over substantially the entire circumference of the inner wall.

6. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the heater is provided only on the substantially flat portion or mainly on the substantially flat portion.

7. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the inner wall includes a plurality of substantially flat portions, and each of the plurality of substantially flat portions includes a respective inner surface configured to compress the consumable when the consumable is accommodated in the cavity, and a respective outer surface on which the heater is provided.

8. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the heat insulating material includes a flare-shaped opening configured to allow the consumable to be received in the cavity.

9. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the heater includes an exposed outer surface having a material that is prone to an oxidation reaction in the presence of oxygen.

10. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the inner wall is about 0.1 mm or less.

11. The heating device according to claim 1, further comprising one or more wires configured to connect the heater to a power source, wherein the one or more wires are arranged to pass through one or more gaps provided on the longitudinal plane of the outer wall, or are arranged to pass through one or more gaps of the heat insulating material provided at the longitudinal end of the heat insulating material adjacent to the opening of the cavity.

12. The heating device according to claim 1, further comprising an electrical insulating layer provided between the heater and the inner wall.

13. An aerosol generating device configured to generate an aerosol for a user to inhale, comprising the heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Comprising a housing configured to accommodate components of the aerosol generating device, and one or more support structures attached to the heat insulating material for coupling the heat insulating material to the housing, wherein the one or more support structures are arranged on the heat insulating material such that the length of the conduction path from the heater to the one or more support structures is maximized. The aerosol generating device according to claim 13.

15. An aerosol generating device configured to generate an aerosol for a user to inhale, comprising a heater configured to heat an aerosol-forming substance accommodated within the aerosol generating device, a housing configured to accommodate components of the aerosol generating device, a heat insulating material configured to insulate the housing from heat generated by the heater, and one or more support structures attached to the heat insulating material for coupling the heat insulating material to the housing, wherein: the one or more support structures are arranged on the heat insulating material such that the length of the conduction path from the heater to the one or more support structures is maximized; and the heat insulating material is coupled to the housing only at the one or more support structures. Aerosol generating device.

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