Heating assembly and aerosol generating device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device (2030) and a heating assembly (2010). The heating assembly (2010) includes a heating element (2011), which heats an aerosol-generating substrate (10100, 2020, 301). The heating element (2011) has at least two heating regions (10121, 20115), and a thermal insulating structure is provided between at least one pair of adjacent heating regions (10121, 20115), which reduces heat transfer between the adjacent heating regions (10121, 20115). A thinned tube wall portion (3028) slows down the rate of heat transfer between adjacent heating regions (3024). When one of the adjacent heating zones (3024) heats, the heat is more concentrated in the area heated by the operating heating zone (3024), resulting in higher heat utilization, lower heat loss, and improved independent heating efficiency of the heating zones (3024).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of atomization devices, and more particularly to a heating assembly and an aerosol generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] Non-combustion heating aerosol generators have attracted increasing attention and interest due to their advantages of safety, convenience, health, and environmental friendliness. Non-combustion heating aerosol generators bake and heat different types of aerosol-generating substrates to generate aerosols that are inhaled by users. This "non-combustion heating" method allows the aerosol-generating substrate to be heated only at low temperatures, without combustion or fire, effectively avoiding the generation of harmful substances by the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0003] The heating elements in non-combustion heating devices typically heat the aerosol-generating substrate in a circumferential direction, but the heating elements tend to be concentrated in the circumferential direction of the aerosol-generating substrate, and the heating temperature becomes too high accordingly, resulting in the generation of high-temperature aerosols and affecting the user's experience. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Chinese Utility Model No. 216453385 [Patent Document 2] Chinese Utility Model No. 218354684 [Patent Document 3] Chinese Patent Publication No. 115530438 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a heating assembly that creates relatively independent heating zones, avoiding excessively high heating temperatures that would otherwise generate hot aerosols, and improving the user experience.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device using the above heating assembly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to a first aspect, in one embodiment, a heating assembly is provided which includes a heating element, the heating element being configured to heat an aerosol-generating substrate, the heating element having at least two heating regions, and an insulating structure between at least one pair of adjacent heating regions, the insulating structure blocking heat transfer between the adjacent heating regions.

[0008] According to the heating assembly of the above embodiment, the heating element of the heating assembly has at least two heating areas, and there is an insulating structure between at least one pair of adjacent heating areas. The insulating structure blocks heat transfer between adjacent heating areas, reduces the heat transfer rate between different heating areas, and improves the insulating performance between the two adjacent heating areas, thereby forming a relatively independent heating section between the two adjacent heating areas, which can be heated using the heating area as needed, and further reduces the temperature of the entire heating element and the temperature of the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate, thereby improving the user's experience.

[0009] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the heating element has an insulating region, which is provided between two adjacent heating regions, and the insulating structure includes an insulating body, which is fitted within the insulating region of the heating element to block heat transfer between the adjacent heating regions.

[0010] According to the heating assembly of the above embodiment, the heating element of the present application divides different heating areas by fitting an insulator into the insulating area, and blocks heat transfer between each heating area by physically blocking it. As a result, when the heating element heats in a certain heating area, the heat transfer from that heating area to other heating areas is reduced, realizing local baking of the aerosol-generating substrate and controlling local heating when the user inhales the aerosol for the first few times, so that the temperature of the aerosol is not too high, the temperature felt by the user when inhaling the aerosol for the first few times is low, and the mouth is less likely to be burned, thereby improving the user's experience.

[0011] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the heating element includes a heating tube, which heats the aerosol-generating substrate, the wall of the heating tube includes at least two heating zones, each of which can heat the aerosol-generating substrate, an insulating gap is provided between adjacent heating zones to block heat transfer between the adjacent heating zones, the insulating gap penetrates the wall of the heating tube in the radial direction of the heating tube, the heating zones form the heating zones, and the insulating gap forms the insulating structure, the heating assembly includes a thermoplastic sealing layer, which is provided on the heating tube and covers the insulating gap to prevent air flow inside the heating tube from escaping through the insulating gap.

[0012] In the heating assembly according to the above embodiment, the insulating gap blocks heat transfer between adjacent heating zones, reducing the heat transfer rate between different heating zones. Furthermore, when the heating demands of adjacent heating zones are different, the mutual influence is small and heat loss is reduced. At the same time, by covering the insulating gap with a thermoplastic sealing layer, the air flow in the heating pipe is prevented from escaping through the insulating gap, further reducing heat loss.

[0013] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the heating element includes a heat transfer tube and an electric heating element arranged in the heat transfer tube, the heat transfer tube has a heating cavity for inserting an aerosol-generating substrate, the tube wall of the heat transfer tube includes at least two heating areas, the number of the electric heating elements is at least two, each of the heating areas corresponds to at least one of the electric heating elements, and the electric heating element heats the corresponding heating area, and the tube wall of the heat transfer tube between at least a pair of adjacent heating areas is provided with a thin-walled tube wall portion, the thickness of the thin-walled tube wall portion is smaller than the thickness of the heating area, the heating area forms the heat generation area, and the thin-walled tube wall portion forms the insulating structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] In the heating assembly according to the above embodiment, the thinned tube wall portion slows down the heat transfer rate between adjacent heating zones, so that when one of the adjacent heating zones heats, the heat is more concentrated in the area heated by the active heating zone, resulting in higher heat utilization, lower heat loss, and improved independent heating efficiency of the heating zones. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to the present application. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged schematic view of part A in FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a heat transfer body and a heat generating structure in a heating assembly according to a first embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] 1 is a development view of a heat transfer body and a heat generating structure in a heating assembly according to a first embodiment of the present application. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a heat transfer body and a heat generating structure in a heating assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a development view of a heat transfer body and a heat generating structure in a heating assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a heat transfer body and a heat generating structure in a heating assembly according to a third embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a heat transfer body and a heat generating structure in a heating assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a heating assembly according to an embodiment of the present application at one viewing angle; [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a structural schematic diagram of FIG. 9 at another viewing angle. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a development view of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a heating assembly according to another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 13] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a front view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an aerosol-generating substrate heating assembly in one embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a heat shrinkable sealing layer and a heating tube in one embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a heating tube and an electric heating element in an embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a heat shrink sealing layer and a heating tube in one embodiment. [Figure 20] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the deployed position of the heating tube and electric heating element in one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a heat transfer tube according to an embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a heat transfer tube according to an embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a heat transfer tube and an electric heating element in an embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the deployed position of the heat transfer tube and the electric heating element in one embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a guide base in one embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to specific embodiments and drawings. In different embodiments, similar elements will be designated by the same associated element reference numerals. In the following embodiments, many of the detailed descriptions are provided for a better understanding of the present application. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that some features may be omitted in different cases or may be substituted by other elements, materials, or methods. In some circumstances, some operations related to the present application will not be presented or described in the specification. This is to avoid obscuring the core of the specification with excessive description. Those skilled in the art will not need detailed descriptions of these related operations, and will be able to fully understand the related operations based on the descriptions in the specification and general technical knowledge in the art.

[0017] Furthermore, the features, operations, or characteristics described in the specification may be combined in any suitable manner to form various embodiments. At the same time, the steps or actions described in the methods may be reordered or rearranged in ways that would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, various orders in the specification and figures are merely for the purpose of clarifying certain embodiments and are not intended to imply a required order unless specifically stated to follow a particular order.

[0018] In this specification, the component numbers themselves, such as "first" and "second," are used simply to distinguish between the objects being described and have no sequential or technical significance. Note that, unless otherwise specified, the terms "connection" and "coupling" used in this application include both direct and indirect connection (coupling).

[0019] In one embodiment, the heating assembly includes a heating element configured to heat the aerosol-generating substrate, the heating element having at least two heating regions, and a thermal insulating structure between at least one pair of adjacent heating regions, the thermal insulating structure blocking heat transfer between the adjacent heating regions. The heating assembly is an aerosol-generating substrate heating assembly.

[0020] The aerosol generating device includes a power supply and a heating assembly, and the power supply provides power to the heating assembly. The aerosol generating device is also called an aerosol generating device, an electronic atomizer, or a nebulizing device.

[0021] The heating assembly and the aerosol generating device will be described in detail below, mainly from four aspects.

[0022] First aspect The present application provides a heating assembly and an aerosol generating device, the heating assembly being applicable to the aerosol generating device, which can generate an aerosol by heating an atomizable aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol being a colloidal dispersion system in which fine solid or liquid particles are dispersed and suspended in a gaseous medium. In the present application, the aerosol generating device generates an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate in a non-combustion heating manner, using a special heat source to heat the aerosol-generating substrate, and upon heating, various substances in the aerosol-generating substrate are atomized and generate an aerosol through volatilization. No fire is generated during heating, which is environmentally friendly and provides a good user experience, while also reducing the harmful substances generated by the decomposition of conventional atomizing substrates at high temperatures during combustion.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the heating assembly according to this embodiment includes a heat transfer body 1010, a heat generating structure 1020, and a heat exchanging structure 1030. The heat transfer body 1010 is made of a material such as aluminum.

[0024] The heat transfer body 1010 has a storage cavity 1011 with both ends open, and the heat transfer body 1010 has a first heat transfer area 1012 and a second heat transfer area 1013 distributed in the axial direction. An aerosol-generating substrate 10100 is inserted into the storage cavity 1011 at a position corresponding to the first heat transfer area 1012. A heat exchange structure 1030 is attached to the storage cavity 1011 at a position corresponding to the second heat transfer area 1013. A heat generating structure 1020 is provided in the first heat transfer area 1012. The heat generating structure 1020 generates heat. The first heat transfer area 1012 conducts the heat generated in the heat generating structure 1020 to the second heat transfer area 1013. The heat exchange structure 1030 exchanges heat with the second heat transfer area 1013 to preheat the gas that flows in.

[0025] Since the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate 10100 at high temperature floats in the gaseous medium, one port of the heat transfer body 1010's accommodating cavity, which is open at both ends, is used for air intake, and a heat exchange structure 1030 is attached inside the port, so that the heat exchange structure 1030 preheats the gas that flows in, and the preheated gas flows back into the aerosol-generating substrate 10100, and the heat exchange structure 1030 cooperates with the heat-generating structure 1020 to reduce the energy consumption of the heat-generating structure 1020.

[0026] To ensure a good heat conduction effect, the heat transfer body 1010 is typically made of a material with high thermal conductivity. The heat-generating structure 1020 may be a heating wire, a heating sheet, or other structure capable of generating heat when electrically connected. The heat generated by the heat-generating structure 1020 in the first heat-transfer region 1012 is conducted to the inside of the accommodating cavity 1011 via the heat transfer body 1010, thereby heating the aerosol-generating substrate 10100 and generating aerosol. At the same time, some of the heat is conducted from the first heat-transfer region 1012 to the second heat-transfer region 1013, which can then conduct the heat to the heat exchange structure 1030 in the accommodating cavity 1011 corresponding to the second heat-transfer region 1013, thereby preheating the incoming gas.

[0027] In this embodiment, the first heat transfer area 1012 has at least two heat generating areas 10121, the heat generating structure 1020 includes at least two heat generating components 1021, the heat generating components 1021 are arranged in the heat generating areas 10121, and the heat transfer body 1010 further includes an insulating cutout portion 10122 between two adjacent heat generating areas 10121.

[0028] Most of the heat generated in the heat generation area 10121 is concentrated inside the accommodating cavity 1011 corresponding to the first heat transfer area 1012, and some of the heat is conducted to the second heat transfer area 1013 through the first heat transfer area 1012, providing heat to the heat exchange structure 1030 inside the accommodating cavity 1011 corresponding to the second heat transfer area 1013, and can further heat the flowing-in gas.

[0029] In one embodiment, by providing a heat insulating cutout 10122 between two adjacent heat generating areas 10121, a gap is formed between the two adjacent heat generating areas 10121 by the heat insulating cutout 10122, and the two adjacent heat generating areas 10121 are connected by the remaining portion other than the heat insulating cutout 10122, and the remaining portion has a smaller area than the heat insulating cutout 10122, the heat generated by the heat generating component 1021 provided in each heat generating area 10121 is less likely to be transmitted to the adjacent heat generating area 10121 by the heat insulating cutout 10122, and ... is less likely to be transmitted to the adjacent heat generating area 10121 by the heat insulating cutout 10122. The heat can be transmitted only through the remaining small area portion other than the insulating cutout portion 10122 between the heat-generating areas 10121, thereby improving the insulating performance between the two adjacent heat-generating areas 10121 and forming a relatively independent heat-generating section between the two adjacent heat-generating areas 10121.Furthermore, a different heating cavity is formed inside the accommodating cavity 1011 corresponding to the first heat-transfer area 1012, thereby reducing the temperature inside the accommodating cavity 1011 as a whole, and further reducing the temperature of the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate 10100, thereby improving the user's experience.

[0030] In this embodiment, the first heat transfer area 1012 of the heat transfer body 1010 is provided with two heat generating areas 10121, and the heat generating structure 1020 accordingly includes two heat generating components 1021, each of which can generate heat independently, i.e., when one heat generating component 1021 generates heat, the other heat generating component 1021 may or may not generate heat. The two heat generating components 1021 use independent control circuits and do not interfere with each other.

[0031] Of course, in other embodiments, the two heat generating components 1021 may generate heat synchronously, as long as the heating temperature meets the actual demand.

[0032] In this embodiment, the heat transfer body 1010 has a hollow cylindrical structure, and both ends of the internal cavity of the hollow cylindrical heat transfer body 1010 are open, so that the internal cavity of the heat transfer body 1010 forms a receiving cavity 1011, which also has a cylindrical shape, making it easy to manufacture the heat transfer body 1010. At the same time, the heat transfer body 1010 with a cylindrical structure can heat the inside of the receiving cavity 1011 more uniformly.

[0033] 3 and 4, the two heat generating regions 10121 are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction of the heat transfer body 1010, in other words, the two heat generating regions 10121 are uniformly distributed in the first heat transfer region 10121 along the circumferential direction of the heat transfer body 1010 having a hollow cylindrical structure, and the insulating cutouts 10122 are distributed extending along the axial direction of the heat transfer body 1010. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the two heat generating regions 10121 are uniformly distributed in the axial direction of the heat generating component 1021, in other words, the two heat generating regions 10121 are uniformly distributed in the first heat transfer region 10121 along the axial direction of the heat generating component 1021 having a hollow cylindrical structure, and the insulating cutouts 10122 are distributed extending along the circumferential direction of the heat transfer body 1010.

[0034] In this embodiment, the length of the insulating cutout 10122 is greater than or equal to the length of the heat transfer body 1010 parallel to the insulating cutout 10122, i.e., due to the extended length of the insulating cutout 10122, the insulating cutout 10122 can block most of the heat conduction, and further maintain relatively independent temperature regions, thereby better controlling the temperature of the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0035] Next, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the distance between the insulating cutout 10122 extending and distributed along the axial direction of the heat transfer body 1010 and the port closest to the heat transfer body 1010 is greater than 1 mm, and the distance connects the two heat generating areas 10121, and the connection point has a small area, thereby reducing the heat conduction between the two heat generating areas 10121.

[0036] As shown in Figures 3 to 8, the heat insulating cutout 10122 includes at least one elongated cutout hole, and as shown in Figures 5 to 8, the heat insulating cutout 10122 is provided with two coaxial elongated cutout holes. Of course, in other embodiments, the heat insulating cutout 10122 may be provided with three, four, or more elongated cutout holes, and the number of elongated cutout holes can be determined according to actual needs.

[0037] In this embodiment, the width of the elongated lightening hole is greater than 0.1 mm, which ensures heat insulation and reduces the influence on the strength of the heat transfer body 1010.

[0038] As shown in Figures 4, 6, and 8, the insulating cutout 10122 is provided along the boundary line L (shown by the dotted line in the figures) between two adjacent heat generation areas 10121, and the boundary line L is located midway between the two adjacent heat generation areas 10121.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the heating assembly of this embodiment further includes a flow guide 1040, which is attached to a portion corresponding to the second heat transfer area 1013 of the accommodating cavity 1011 and is located between the heat exchange structure 1030 and the aerosol-generating substrate 10100. The flow guide 1040 has a guide hole 1041, which guides the air preheated by the heat exchange structure 1030 to the aerosol-generating substrate 10100.

[0040] In one embodiment, the heat exchange structure 1030 is provided with a plurality of intake holes 1031, which are connected to the guide holes 1041, thereby guiding preheated air to the aerosol-generating substrate 10100 through the guide holes 1041.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1 , this embodiment further provides an aerosol generating device, which includes the heating assembly of the above embodiment, and further includes an inner housing 1050, a reflective film 1060, a circuit board 1070, a battery 1080, and an outer housing 1090. The heating assembly is located inside the inner housing 1050, which also has a hollow structure with openings at both ends. The reflective film 1060 is laid on the inner surface of the inner housing 1050 and can reflect heat from the heating assembly. The inner housing 1050, the circuit board 1070, and the battery 1080 are all located inside the outer housing 1090. The battery 1080 is connected to the heating assembly to provide power to the heating assembly. The heating assembly is connected to the circuit board 1070. Two heat-generating components 1021 can be controlled to generate heat independently or synchronously, or the temperature generated by the heat-generating components 1021 can be adjusted.

[0042] As described above, in the heating assembly and aerosol generating device of this embodiment, by providing an insulating cutout between two adjacent heat generating areas, a gap is formed between the two adjacent heat generating areas by the insulating cutout, the two adjacent heat generating areas are connected by the remaining part other than the insulating cutout, and the remaining part has a small area compared to the insulating cutout. This makes it difficult for the heat generated by the heat generating components provided in each heat generating area to be transmitted to the adjacent heat generating area due to the insulating cutout, and it can be transmitted only by the remaining part with a small area other than the insulating cutout between the two adjacent heat generating areas, thereby improving the insulating performance between the two adjacent heat generating areas and forming a relatively independent heat generating section between the two adjacent heat generating areas. Furthermore, a different heating cavity is formed inside the accommodating cavity corresponding to the first heat transfer body, which reduces the temperature inside the accommodating cavity as a whole and further reduces the temperature of the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substrate, improving the user experience.

[0043] Second aspect Current heating assemblies typically heat the aerosol-generating substrate as a whole, and when the aerosol-generating substrate is heated as a whole, the temperature of the generated aerosol is too high, making it easy for the user to burn their mouth when inhaling the aerosol for the first few times, resulting in a poor user experience.

[0044] 9 to 13, the present application provides a heating assembly 2010, which specifically houses an aerosol-generating substrate 2020 and heats the aerosol-generating substrate 2020 when current is applied. The aerosol-generating substrate 2020 may specifically include a plant leaf substrate, such as a tobacco substrate, and the aerosol-generating substrate 2020 may further include a protective cover, which may cover the plant leaf substrate; for example, the plant leaf substrate may be wrapped in aluminum foil or paper and used together.

[0045] Specifically, in one embodiment, the heating assembly 2010 includes a heating element 2011 and an insulator 2012 .

[0046] The heating element 2011 houses the aerosol-generating substrate 2020, the heating element 2011 comprising a heat-generating material, which supports the aerosol-generating substrate 2020 housed therein and which, when energized, generates heat to heat the aerosol-generating substrate 2020 housed therein to form an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user.

[0047] The heating element 2011 may be made entirely of a conductive material, such as a conductive ceramic, or may include an insulating substrate and a conductive heating layer provided on the surface of the insulating substrate. In the embodiment of FIGS. 9 to 11, the heating element 2011 includes a substrate 20111 and a heating layer 20112. The heating layer 20112 generates heat and heats the aerosol-generating substrate 2020 when current is applied, and both ends of the heating layer 20112 are connected to two electrodes 20113, which are electrically connected to the power supply assembly 2040 and the controller 2050 via external conductors. The electrodes 20113 may be a conductive coating applied to the substrate 20111. The conductive coating may be a metal coating, conductive silver paste, or conductive tape, or may be a metal conductive sheet provided on the substrate 20111 or a metal, such as a gold film, aluminum film, or copper film, deposited on the substrate 20111.

[0048] The heating layer 20112 may be a metal layer, a conductive ceramic layer, or a conductive carbon layer. The heating layer 20112 may have a continuous film structure, a porous network structure, or a striped structure. The base 20111 is made of an insulating material, and may be a high-temperature resistant insulating material such as quartz glass, ceramic, or mica. The base 20111 has a accommodating cavity 201111, which accommodates the aerosol-generating substrate 2020. The accommodating cavity 201111 has an opening that allows the aerosol-generating substrate 2020 to be inserted into or removed from the accommodating cavity 201111.

[0049] The heating element 2011 may be a tubular structure, and in this embodiment, the base 20111 is a cylindrical tubular structure, the accommodating cavity 201111 is also cylindrical, and the thickness of the side wall of the base 20111 is a fixed value, thereby allowing the heating element 2011 to heat the aerosol-generating substrate 2020 uniformly.

[0050] In the present application, the heating element 2011 has a heat insulating region 20114 and at least two independent heat generating regions 20115. The independent heat generating regions 20115 mean that each heat generating region 20115 can generate heat independently. The heat insulating region 20114 is provided between two adjacent heat generating regions 20115, and the heat insulator 2012 is fitted into the heat insulating region 20114 to block heat transfer between the adjacent heat generating regions 20115.

[0051] Specifically, in the embodiments of Figures 9 to 11, the number of heat generating regions 20115 is the same as the number of heat generating layers 20112, and the heat generating regions 20115 correspond one-to-one to the heat generating layers 20112, i.e., one heat generating layer 20112 corresponds to one heat generating region 20115. At least a portion of the heat insulator 2012 is provided between two adjacent heat generating layers 20112 to block heat transfer between the two adjacent heat generating layers 20112. As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the entire heat insulator 2012 may be provided between two adjacent heat generating layers 20112, or only a portion of the heat insulator 2012 may be provided between the two adjacent heat generating layers 20112.

[0052] The material of the insulator 2012 must be able to withstand high temperatures and have low thermal conductivity at the same time. For example, in one embodiment, the thermal conductivity of the insulator 2012 is less than 8 W / (m·K), and / or the material of the insulator 2012 includes at least one of crystallized glass, zirconia ceramic, polyetheretherketone, and polyimide.

[0053] The heating element 2011 of the present application is configured by fitting an insulator 2012 into an insulating region 20114 to separate different heating regions 20115, thereby physically isolating heat transfer between each heating region 20115. As a result, when the heating element 2011 is heated in a certain heating region 20115, the heat transfer from that heating region 20115 to other heating regions 20115 is reduced, thereby realizing local baking of the aerosol-generating substrate 2020 and controlling local heating when the user inhales the aerosol for the first few times, so that the temperature of the aerosol is not too high, the temperature felt by the user when inhaling the aerosol for the first few times is low, and the mouth is less likely to be burned, thereby improving the user's experience.

[0054] In addition, some conventional heating assemblies 2010 are provided with two heat-generating components, i.e., conventional independent heat-generating regions 20115 are provided on two heat-generating components, and the two heat-generating components are connected to both ends of an insulating member to achieve thermal insulation. This conventional structure requires many parts, a complex assembly process, and low reliability of the connection strength of the insulating member that securely connects the two heat-generating components. In the present application, the independent heat-generating regions 20115 and the insulating region 20114 are all provided on the same heat-generating component, and thermal insulation is achieved by fitting an insulator 2012 into the insulating region 20114. Compared to the above conventional structure, there are fewer parts, the process of connecting and assembling the heat-generating components and the insulating member is omitted, and the insulator 2012 is fitted into the heat-generating element 2011, which does not excessively affect the structural strength of the heat-generating element 2011, and the structural strength of the heat-generating element 2011 is highly reliable.

[0055] 9 to 11, the heat insulating region 20114 may have a lightening structure 201141, and the heat insulating material 2012 may be filled in the lightening structure 201141. The lightening structure 201141 is a through groove or through hole that penetrates the side wall of the heating element 2011 along the thickness direction of the heating element 2011 in the heat insulating region 20114. The heat insulating material 2012 may be filled in the lightening structure 201141 by a process such as painting, spraying, or dispensing. On the one hand, the hollowed-out structure 201141 prevents mutual diffusion of energy between different heat generating areas 20115 by physical insulation, improving the independence of each heat generating area 20115; on the other hand, the insulator 2012 is filled into the hollowed-out structure 201141, allowing the heat generating element 2011 to maintain a certain level of sealing, making it difficult for aerosols generated by heating by the heat generating element 2011 to overflow from the hollowed-out structure 201141, thereby improving energy utilization rate.

[0056] As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the hollowed-out structure 201141 may be, for example, an insulating hole 201141a, and the insulating hole 201141a is a linear hole structure; of course, in other embodiments, the insulating hole 201141a may be a bent structure, a curved structure, or other regular or irregular shapes.

[0057] In one embodiment, the cutout structure 201141 may be an intermittent cutout structure 201141 spaced apart. For example, as shown in Fig. 12, in the embodiment of Fig. 12, the cutout structure 201141 includes a plurality of insulation holes 201141a spaced apart. Compared to a continuous cutout structure 201141, by providing the cutout structure 201141 intermittently at intervals, the structural strength of the insulation region 20114 can be improved.

[0058] 9 to 12, the heat generating regions 20115 are arranged in parallel along the circumferential direction of the heat generating element 2011, and the insulating holes 201141a extend along the axial direction to isolate adjacent heat generating regions 20115. In another embodiment, the heat generating regions 20115 may be arranged in parallel along the axial direction of the heat generating element 2011, and the insulating holes 201141a extend along the circumferential direction to isolate adjacent heat generating regions 20115. Of course, in one embodiment, the heat generating regions 20115 may be arranged in the circumferential direction or in the axial direction, or some of the insulating holes 201141a may be arranged in the axial direction and some of the insulating holes 201141a may be arranged along the circumferential direction, as long as the heat generating regions 20115 are physically isolated.

[0059] 9 to 11, the heating element 2011 has a first heating region 201151 and a second heating region 201152. The number of heat insulating regions 20114 is two, and the number of heat insulating holes 201141a is two, which are the first heat insulating hole 201142 and the second heat insulating hole 201143, respectively. The first heat insulating hole 201142 and the second heat insulating hole 201143 both extend along the axial direction. The first heat insulating region 201151 has a first end and a second end that face each other along the circumferential direction. The second heat insulating region 201152 has a first end and a second end that face each other along the circumferential direction. The first heat generating region 201151 has a first end and a second end facing each other, the first end of the first heat generating region 201151 being close to the second end of the second heat generating region 201152, the first insulation hole 201142 being provided between the first end of the first heat generating region 201151 and the second end of the second heat generating region 201152, and the second insulation hole 201143 being provided between the second end of the first heat generating region 201151 and the first end of the second heat generating region 201152.

[0060] In one embodiment, the heat insulating region 20114 does not have the cutout structure 201141, but has a groove, which is a blind groove, and the heat insulator 2012 is disposed in the groove. The heat insulating region 20114 having the groove structure can better prevent aerosol overflow and maintain good sealing of the heating element 2011 than the heat insulating region 20114 having the cutout structure 201141. Of course, in other embodiments, the heat insulating region 20114 may include both the cutout structure 201141 and the groove.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 13, in one embodiment, the heating assembly 2010 further includes a housing assembly 2013, a thermal insulation layer 2014, a flow guide 2015, and a heat exchange core 2016.

[0062] The housing assembly 2013 includes an upper housing 20131 and a lower housing 20132, the upper housing 20131 having a mounting cavity 201311 and an insertion channel 201312, the insertion channel 201312 being provided at one end of the mounting cavity 201311 and communicating with the mounting cavity 201311, and the lower housing 20132 being provided at one end of the mounting cavity 201311 away from the insertion channel 201312 and blocking the one end of the mounting cavity 201311 away from the insertion channel 201312. The heating element 2011 is disposed within the mounting cavity 201311, and one end of the heating element 2011 adjacent to the lower housing 20132 is detachably connected to the lower housing 20132, and one end of the heating element 2011 adjacent to the insertion channel 201312 is detachably connected to the side wall of the insertion channel 201312.

[0063] The aerosol-generating substrate 2020 is inserted into the receiving cavity 201111 of the heating element 2011 via the insertion channel 201312. The lower housing 20132 has an intake passage 201321 which is connected to the intake port of the heating assembly 2010. When the heating assembly 2010 is operated, air flows from the intake port of the heating assembly 2010 into the intake passage 201321 of the lower housing 20132 and from the intake passage 201321 into the heating element 2011. The heating element 2011 heats the aerosol-generating substrate 2020 to generate aerosol, which flows out from the exhaust port of the heating assembly 2010 and can be inhaled by the user.

[0064] The heat insulating layer 2014 may be provided on the inner wall of the mounting cavity 201311, and providing the heat insulating layer 2014 can block the transfer of heat generated by the heating element 2011 to the outside of the mounting cavity 201311, thereby improving the energy utilization rate of the heating element 2011. The heat insulating layer 2014 may be made of a high-temperature resistant insulating material, such as zirconia, alumina, quartz, or glass.

[0065] The heat exchange core 2016 may be mounted in the heating element 2011 and provided at one end of the heating element 2011 near the lower housing 20132. Normally, air flows directly from the intake passage 201321 of the lower housing 20132 to the heating element 2011. In such a direct intake air heating method, the airflow heat exchange distance is short, and the heat exchange area of ​​the airflow is small. As the heated airflow rises, its temperature gradually decreases, and the temperature that reaches the aerosol-generating substrate is insufficient, affecting the inhalation feel. By providing the heat exchange core 2016 between the heating element 2011 and the intake passage 201321, the heat exchange area of ​​the airflow can be increased.

[0066] The flow guide 2015 may be disposed within the heating element 2011, between the aerosol-generating substrate 2020 and the heat exchange core 2016. The flow guide 2015 can guide the airflow in the heat exchange core 2016 to concentrate toward the center of the aerosol-generating substrate 2020. In the direct-flow inhalation heating method, after the temperature of the airflow rises during use, the nicotine is easily carried away as is, resulting in an unbalanced state where the nicotine content is too high during the first few puffs and then becomes low. In the present application, the flow guide 2015 is added and guides the heated airflow to the central region of the aerosol-generating substrate 2020, allowing the heated airflow to carry the nicotine from the central region of the aerosol-generating substrate 2020, realizing a gradual release of nicotine, improving the balance of inhalation, extending the use time of the aerosol-generating substrate 2020, and improving the user experience.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 13 , the present application further provides an aerosol generating device 2030, which includes a heating assembly 2010, a power supply assembly 2040, and a controller 2050. The controller 2050 is connected to the heating assembly 2010 and the power supply assembly 2040, respectively. After receiving an activation signal, the controller 2050 controls the power supply assembly 2040 to supply power to the heating assembly 2010 and control the heating power, heating time, etc. of the heating assembly 2010. The power supply assembly 2040 is electrically connected to the heating assembly 2010 to supply power to the heating assembly 2010. In one embodiment, the power supply assembly 2040 may specifically include a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The heating assembly 2010 of the aerosol generating device 2030 may have the same or similar structure as the heating assembly 2010 of any of the above embodiments and may achieve the same or similar effects, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0068] Third aspect Aerosol generators include heating tubes. To allow for more flexible heating methods for the heating tubes, some currently provide independent heating zones on the heating tubes of aerosol generators. While providing independent heating zones can alleviate the problem of the generated aerosol being too hot, the heat transfer between adjacent heating zones is rapid, resulting in a large amount of heat being transferred by the heating tube to other heating zones, rendering the heat useless. This further adversely affects the set heating program and causes significant heat loss. For example, if one adjacent heating zone is operating and the other is not, a large amount of heat is transferred from the operating heating zone to the inoperable heating zone, rendering the heat transfer to the inoperable heating zone useless, resulting in significant heat loss. To solve this problem, the present application provides an insulating gap between adjacent heating zones, and then covers the insulating gap with a heat-shrinkable insulation layer to prevent airflow. In this way, the insulating gap reduces heat transfer between adjacent heating zones, further reducing heat loss.

[0069] Before describing the aerosol-generating substrate heating assembly in detail, as shown in Figures 14 to 20, we will first explain the aerosol-generating substrate 301, which is the target to be heated by the heating assembly. The aerosol-generating substrate 301 is an aerosol-generating rod. One end of the aerosol-generating substrate 301 is an inhalation end 3011 for inhaling an aerosol, and the other end is an inhalation end 3012 through which air flows in. During inhalation, air flows into the aerosol-generating substrate 301 from the inhalation end 3012. In one embodiment, the inhalation end 3011 of the aerosol-generating substrate 301 has a filter (not shown). The filter (not shown) can be made of various existing or future materials, such as sponge or tipping paper. The aerosol-generating substrate 301 includes an aerosol-generating segment 3013, which is inserted into the heating assembly of an aerosol generating device. The aerosol-generating segment 3013 includes an aerosol-generating substrate for generating an aerosol, which may be a thread-shaped aerosol or a sheet-shaped aerosol. In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating substrate 301 is a non-combustion heating rod that heats the aerosol-generating substrate and generates an aerosol without burning the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0070] 14-16, the aerosol-generating substrate heating assembly includes a heating tube 302 and a thermoplastic sealing layer 304. In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating substrate heating assembly heats the aerosol-generating substrate 301 to generate an aerosol without burning the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0071] In some embodiments, the heating tube itself can be heated. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate heating assembly further includes an electric heating element 303 (see FIG. 18 ), which is disposed on the heating tube 302 and is in thermally conductive contact with the heating tube 302 to transfer the generated heat to the heating tube 302 to heat the aerosol-generating substrate 301. The electric heating element 303 may take a variety of forms, including a resistive coating or a resistive wire coil, or a heating film printed on the outer surface of the heating tube 302, in which case the electric heating element 303 and the heating tube 302 form a thick-film tube with an insulating layer outside the heating film. In this case, the heating tube 302 may be a metal tube with high thermal conductivity, or the electric heating element 303 may be embedded in the wall of the heating tube 302. The electric heating element 303 may be a resistance wire, in which case the heating tube 302 may be made of an insulating heat-conducting material, and of course the resistance wire may be coated with an insulating layer on its outer periphery, in which case the heating tube 302 may be made of a conductive material, and for example the electric heating element 303 may be a resistance wire wound around the outer wall of the heating tube 302, or for example the electric heating element 303 may be laid on the inner surface of the heating tube 302.

[0072] The heat conductive contact in this application not only includes direct contact but also indirect contact that can transfer heat, and there are multiple ways of indirect contact, for example, applying heat conductive grease between the electric heating element and the heating tube, or adding an insulating layer between the heating tube and the electric heating element to ensure safety.

[0073] The heated tube 302 has a heating cavity 3021 (see FIG. 17 ) for inserting the aerosol-generating substrate 301 and heating the aerosol-generating substrate 301. Specifically, in one embodiment, both ends of the heated tube 302 are open, with one end being an insertion end 3022 for inserting the aerosol-generating substrate 301 and the other end being an air vent end 3023 through which air flows into the heated tube 302. In some other embodiments, the heated tube 302 can use any feasible manner, for example, the heated tube 302 can seal the vent end 3023 in the above embodiment, in which case the gas flows into the heated tube 302 from the insertion end 3022, flows through the gap between the heated tube 302 and the aerosol-generating substrate 301 and flows into the intake end of the aerosol-generating substrate 301, or for example, the aerosol-generating substrate 301 is inserted through the heated tube 302, in which case the intake end of the aerosol-generating substrate 301 extends outside the heated tube 302.

[0074] As shown in Figures 17 to 20, the wall of the heating tube 302 includes at least two heating regions 3024, and each heating region 3024 can heat the aerosol-generating substrate 301 inserted in the heating cavity 3021. Between adjacent heating regions 3024, an insulating gap 3025 is provided to block heat transfer between the adjacent heating regions 3024, and the insulating gap 3025 penetrates the wall of the heating tube 302 in the radial direction of the heating tube 302. The insulating gap 3025 penetrates the wall of the heating tube 302 in the thickness direction; that is, the insulating gap is a hollow structure that blocks heat transfer. The insulating gap 3025 reduces heat transfer between adjacent heating regions 3024, thereby reducing heat loss.

[0075] In order to prevent the heated airflow from escaping through the insulating gap 3025, in the present application, a thermoplastic sealing layer 304 is provided on the heating pipe 302 and covers the insulating gap 3025 to prevent the airflow in the heating pipe 302 from escaping through the insulating gap 3025. This can further improve the energy utilization rate of each heating zone.

[0076] The insulating gap 3025 in the aerosol-generating substrate heating assembly of the present application reduces heat transfer between adjacent heating regions 3024, and the thermoplastic sealing layer 304 covers the insulating gap 3025, thereby preventing airflow from escaping through the insulating gap 3025 and reducing heat loss.

[0077] 17 and 20, each heating region 3024 corresponds to at least one electric heating element 303, and each electric heating element 303 independently heats its corresponding heating region 3024, thereby allowing each heating region 3024 to independently heat the aerosol-generating substrate 301 inserted in the heating cavity 3021. When each heating region 3024 operates independently, the insulating spacing 3025 reduces heat transfer to inactive heating regions, thereby reducing heat loss and improving the heating efficiency of each heating region 3024 operating independently.

[0078] In this embodiment, the heating zones 3024 of the heating tube 302 can independently heat the aerosol-generating substrate 301. In practice, heating is not limited to only some of the heating zones 3024, but may be performed simultaneously by the heating zones 3024 according to actual needs, in which case the entire heating tube 302 heats the aerosol-generating substrate 301. For example, one heating method for the aerosol-generating substrate 301 is as follows:

[0079] When heating of the aerosol-generating substrate 301 begins, there is a certain amount of moisture in the aerosol-generating substrate 301, so the aerosol generated after heating contains water vapor. At this time, if the temperature of the aerosol is too high, the water vapor is likely to burn the mouth when the aerosol is inhaled. Therefore, when heating of the aerosol-generating substrate 301 begins, only some of the heating regions 3024 are used to heat the aerosol-generating substrate 301. After the moisture in the aerosol-generating substrate 301 is discharged, each heating region 3024 operates simultaneously, and the aerosol-generating substrate 301 is heated by the entire heating tube 302.

[0080] For example, one heating method for the aerosol-generating substrate 301 is as follows: each heating region 3024 is divided into two sets, one of which heats a part of the aerosol-generating substrate 301, and then the other set of heating regions 3024 heats another part of the aerosol-generating substrate 301. The two sets of heating regions 3024 operate in a time-sharing manner to partially heat the aerosol-generating substrate 301, thereby increasing the number of inhalations of the aerosol-generating substrate 301.

[0081] In some other embodiments, the heating zones may always operate simultaneously, and the heating power of the electric heating element corresponding to one heating zone (i.e., the low-temperature heating zone) of at least one pair of heating zones is smaller than the heating power of the electric heating element corresponding to the other heating zone (i.e., the high-temperature heating zone).

[0082] In one specific embodiment, the number of electric heating elements 303 corresponds one-to-one with the heating zones 3024. The number of heating zones 3024 is two, and the number of electric heating elements 303 is also two. In some other embodiments, the number of heating zones 3024 and the number of electric heating elements 303 may be increased as needed, for example, three or more heating zones 3024 are provided. In some other embodiments, one heating zone 3024 can correspond to two or more electric heating elements 303.

[0083] The arrangement of the heating regions 3024 on the heating pipe 302 can be in any feasible form, for example, as shown in FIG. 18 , the heating regions 3024 can be arranged in the circumferential direction of the heating pipe 302, or for example, the heating regions 3024 can be arranged in the axial direction of the heating pipe 302, or for example, the number of heating regions 3024 can be four or more, at least two of which can be arranged in the circumferential direction of the heating pipe 302 and at least two of which can be arranged in the axial direction of the heating pipe 302.

[0084] The insulating intervals 3025 may be arranged in any feasible manner, for example, a linear insulating interval 3025 may be used, or a plurality of insulating intervals 3025 arranged at intervals in succession may be used, in which case the insulating interval may not only be elongated, but also have any shape such as a square, a circle, or the like, or a curved insulating interval 3025 may be used.

[0085] Furthermore, in one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 19 , the thermoplastic sealing layer 304 is a heat-shrinkable tube that is heat-shrunk onto the heating tube 302. The heat-shrinkable tube is fitted over the heating tube 302, heat-shrunk, and then fixed to the heating tube 302, simplifying the heat-shrinking process. In other embodiments, the thermoplastic sealing layer 304 may be a thermoplastic film that is heat-shrunk onto the heating tube 302. Specifically, any conventionally available heat-resistant and heat-shrinkable film may be used as the thermoplastic film, such as a PI film or a peek film. In one embodiment, the material of the heat-shrinkable sealing layer must be heat-resistant to 250°C or higher. Of course, in other embodiments, the heat-resistance requirement may be lowered or increased depending on the temperature change of the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating substrate 301.

[0086] 17 and 18, the electric heating element 303 is located between the thermoplastic sealing layer 304 and the heating tube 302. In this way, after the thermoplastic sealing layer 304 and the heating tube 302 are thermoplastically fixed together, a certain fixing effect is also exerted on the electric heating element 303, which improves the structural stability of the electric heating element 303 and makes it more difficult for the electric heating element 303 to separate from the heating tube 302.

[0087] 18, the electric heating element 303 is fixed to the outer surface of the heating tube 302, so that the electric heating element 303 is less likely to separate from the heating tube 302 and the thermoplastic sealing layer 304 is more likely to heat shrink to the heating tube 302. Specifically, the electric heating element 303 is a heating film molded on the outer surface of the heating tube 302. In this case, the electric heating element 303 and the heating tube 302 form a thick film tube, and there is an insulating layer outside the heating film. In this case, the heating tube 302 is a metal tube with high thermal conductivity. In some other embodiments, the electric heating element 303 may be a heating wire embedded in the heating tube 302 or wrapped around the outer surface of the heating tube 302.

[0088] In some other embodiments, the electric heating element 303 can maintain thermal contact with the heating tube 302 due to the heat shrinkage of the thermoplastic sealing layer 304. In this case, there is no need to fix the electric heating element 303 and the heating tube 302 before molding the thermoplastic sealing layer 304, but the electric heating element 303 and the heating tube 302 are fixed during the heat shrinkage process of the thermoplastic sealing layer 304. In some other embodiments, the electric heating element 303 can be located outside the thermoplastic sealing layer 304, i.e., on the side of the thermoplastic sealing layer 304 away from the heating tube 302. In this case, aerosols in the heating tube 302 can be prevented from contacting and corroding the electric heating element 303, and the service life of the electric heating element 303 can be improved.

[0089] 15, 16 and 19, the heating tube 302 includes an airflow heating segment 3026 and an aerosol-generating rod heating segment 3027, which are arranged axially along the heating tube 302. The airflow heating segment 3026 heats the airflow that flows into the aerosol-generating substrate 301. An aerosol-generating rod stopper structure is provided within the airflow heating segment 3026, and the aerosol-generating rod stopper structure engages with the end face that is inserted into the heating cavity 3021 of the aerosol-generating substrate 301, thereby limiting the depth to which the aerosol-generating rod can be inserted into the heating cavity 3021 of the aerosol-generating substrate 301. Both heating regions 3024 are located in the aerosol-generating rod heating segment 3027. The airflow that has flowed into the aerosol-generating substrate 301 is preheated by the airflow heating segment 3026, so that the aerosol-generating substrate 301 is heated both inside and outside, and is heated uniformly overall.

[0090] 15 and 16, a heat exchanger 305 is provided within the airflow heating segment 3026, and the airflow heating segment 3026 is in thermal contact with the heat exchanger 305. The heat exchanger 305 has a plurality of airflow passages 3051 through which the airflow passes and heats the airflow passing through. The heat exchanger 305 heats the airflow uniformly, improving the heating efficiency of the airflow.

[0091] 15 and 16, in one embodiment, the airflow passages 3051 of the heat exchanger 305 extend along the axial direction of the heating pipe 302, and a plurality of the airflow passages 3051 are arranged at equal intervals. In some other embodiments, the heat exchanger 305 may not be provided, and in this case, the airflow is directly heated after passing through the airflow heating segment 3026.

[0092] 15 and 16, to further improve the uniformity of heating of the aerosol-generating substrate 301, the aerosol-generating rod stopper structure is a guide base 306 located on one side of the heat exchanger 305, the guide base 306 having an aerosol-generating rod stopper surface 3061 for engaging with the aerosol-generating substrate 301, the aerosol-generating rod stopper surface 3061 being located on the side of the guide base 306 facing away from the heat exchanger 305, and the guide base 306 having a guide hole 3062 at its center for guiding the airflow so that it flows into the aerosol-generating substrate 301 from the center of the end face of the aerosol-generating substrate 301. In some other embodiments, the heating tube 302 may have an annular protrusion for engaging with the end face of the aerosol-generating substrate 301, and the heat exchanger 305 may form an aerosol-generating rod stopper structure for engaging with the end face of the aerosol-generating substrate 301.

[0093] Specifically, in one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the guide base 306 and the heat exchanger 305 are both press-fitted onto the heating tube 302 .

[0094] To facilitate installation of the heating tube 302, in one embodiment, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, the aerosol-generating substrate heating assembly includes a first heating tube base 307 and a second heating tube base 308, the heating tube 302 is interposed between the first heating tube base 307 and the second heating tube base 308, the first heating tube base 307 has a first base hole 3071 through which the aerosol-generating substrate 301 passes and is inserted into the heating cavity 3021, and the second heating tube base 308 has a second base hole 3081 through which the air flow flowing into the aerosol-generating substrate 301 passes.

[0095] 15 and 16 , in one embodiment, the insertion end 3022 of the heating tube 302 is inserted into the first base hole 3071 and is tight-fitted therewith, and the vent end 3023 is inserted into the second base hole 3081 and is tight-fitted therewith. The first heating tube base 307 includes a first base body 3072 and a sheath 3073, and the first base body 3072 is integrally molded with the sheath 3073. One end of the sheath 3073 is connected to the first base body 3072 and the other end is tight-fitted to the second heating tube base 308. An annular gap 309 is formed between the sheath 3073 and the heating tube 302. The annular gap 309 blocks heat transfer to the sheath 3073 and can further reduce heat overflow. In order to further reduce the heat conduction to the outside, a reflective film 3010 is coated on the inner wall of the sheath 3073, which can reflect the infrared light to the heating tube 302, reducing the infrared light absorbed by the sheath 3073 and lowering the temperature of the sheath 3073.

[0096] Alternatively, the heated tube 302 may be assembled in any feasible manner, for example, the heated tube 302 may be directly fixed to the housing of the aerosol generating device, or, for example, the insertion end 3022 of the heated tube 302 may be fixed to the housing of the aerosol generating device and the vent end 3023 may be fixed to the second heated tube base 308, in which case there is no need to use the first heated tube base.

[0097] In some embodiments of the aerosol-generating device, as shown in Figures 14 to 16, the aerosol-generating device includes an aerosol-generating substrate heating assembly, a power supply 30101, and a housing 30102, where the aerosol-generating substrate heating assembly is the aerosol-generating substrate heating assembly of any of the above embodiments, and the power supply 30101 supplies power to the aerosol-generating substrate heating assembly. Both the power supply 30101 and the aerosol-generating substrate heating assembly are housed in the housing 30102. Specifically, the power supply 30101 is a battery.

[0098] Fourth aspect Currently, when aerosols are generated using an aerosol-generating substrate, the heating temperature of the entire heating tube in the aerosol generator is high. At the start of inhalation, the aerosol temperature is high and the aerosol contains a large amount of water vapor, which can easily burn the mouth. To facilitate control of the heating temperature of the heating tube, the heating tube typically has independent heating zones that can be selectively heated as needed to heat a specific region of the aerosol-generating substrate to generate aerosol. While this method can reduce the overall temperature of the aerosol, it suffers from problems such as fast heat transfer between the current heating zones, which means that when one heating zone is heated, a large amount of heat diffuses out of the other heating zones. This results in slow temperature rise in the areas of the aerosol-generating substrate heated by the heating zone, low independent heating efficiency, and significant heat loss.

[0099] The present application provides a heating assembly and further provides an atomization device that generates an aerosol using the heating assembly, where the atomization device that generates an aerosol can generate an aerosol by heating a solid aerosol-generating substrate. In one embodiment, the atomization device that generates an aerosol heats the aerosol-generating substrate but does not burn the aerosol-generating substrate, and generates an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate upon heating, without generating a fire during heating, and reducing harmful substances that are generated when conventional aerosol-generating substrates decompose at high temperatures during combustion.

[0100] The heating assembly in the fourth aspect has the same structure as a part of the aerosol generating device, and specific embodiments can be referred to the examples in the third aspect. The following mainly describes the differences from the third aspect.

[0101] 14-16, the heating assembly includes an electric heating element 303 and a heat transfer tube, which is a heating tube 302. The electric heating element 303 is disposed on the heating tube 302 and is in thermally conductive contact with the heating tube 302, transferring the generated heat to the heating tube 302 to heat the aerosol-generating substrate 301.

[0102] As shown in Figures 15 and 21 to 23, the heating tube 302 has a heating cavity 3021 for inserting the aerosol-generating substrate 301, and the electric heating element 303 is attached to the outer wall of the heating tube 302 or fitted within the heating tube 302.

[0103] Specifically, in one embodiment, the heated tube 302 has one end as an insertion end 3022 for inserting the aerosol-generating substrate 301, and the other end as a vent end 3023 through which air flows into the heated tube 302. Both the insertion end 3022 and the vent end 3023 are open. In some other embodiments, the heated tube 302 can be configured in any feasible manner. For example, the opening of the vent end 3023 in the above embodiment can be sealed. In this case, the air flows into the heated tube 302 from the insertion end 3022, flows through the gap between the heated tube 302 and the aerosol-generating substrate 301, and then flows into the intake end 3012 of the aerosol-generating substrate 301.

[0104] As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 , the tube wall of the heating tube 302 includes at least two heating zones 3024, and the number of electric heating elements 303 is at least two. Each heating zone 3024 corresponds to at least one electric heating element 303, and each electric heating element 303 independently heats its corresponding heating zone 3024. In a specific embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23 , the number of electric heating elements 303 corresponds one-to-one to the number of heating zones 3024. The number of heating zones 3024 is two, and the number of electric heating elements 303 is also two. In some other embodiments, the number of heating zones 3024 and the number of electric heating elements 303 may be increased as needed, for example, three or more heating zones 3024 may be provided. In some other embodiments, one heating zone 3024 may correspond to two or more electric heating elements 303.

[0105] A thinned pipe wall portion 3028 is provided on the pipe wall of the heating pipe 302 between at least one pair of adjacent heating regions 3024. The thickness of the thinned pipe wall portion 3028 is smaller than the thickness of the heating regions 3024, thereby slowing down the rate of heat transfer between the adjacent heating regions 3024.

[0106] The thickness of the thin tube wall portion 3028 in the present application is smaller than the thickness of the heating region 3024, and thus the rate at which heat is transferred through the thin tube wall portion 3028 is reduced, and when only one of the adjacent heating regions 3024 is operating in heating mode and the other heating region 3024 does not start heating, less heat is transferred to the inoperative heating region 3024, less energy is wasted, the temperature of the heating region operating alone rises faster, and the heating efficiency is higher.

[0107] Specifically, in one embodiment, each heating region 3024 can independently heat an aerosol-generating substrate 301 inserted into the heating cavity 3021 .

[0108] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 23 and 24, the heating region includes a first heating region 30241 and a second heating region 30242, the first heating region 30241 is adjacent to the second heating region 30242, and a thin tube wall portion 3028 is provided between the first heating region 30241 and the second heating region 30242, and the thickness of the thin tube wall portion 3028 is smaller than the thickness of the first heating region 30241 and smaller than the thickness of the second heating region 30242, thereby slowing down the heat transfer rate between the first heating region 30241 and the second heating region 30242.

[0109] The thickness of the thin tube wall portion 3028 in this application is smaller than the thickness of the first heating area 30241 and also smaller than the thickness of the second heating area 30242. Thus, the rate at which heat is transferred through the thin tube wall portion 3028 is reduced, and when only the first heating area 30241 is operating in heating mode and the second heating area 30242 does not start heating, the heat transferred to the second heating area 30242 is reduced; when only the second heating area 30242 is operating in heating mode alone and the first heating area 30241 does not start heating, the heat transferred to the first heating area 30241 is reduced, reducing energy waste and resulting in a faster temperature rise in the heating area operating alone, resulting in higher heating efficiency.

[0110] It should be noted that in the present application, the heating zones 3024 of the heating tube 302 can independently heat the aerosol-generating substrate 301, and in actual use, heating is not limited to being performed by only the first heating zone 30241 or only the second heating zone 30242. According to actual needs, the first heating zone 30241 and the second heating zone 30242 may heat simultaneously, in which case the entire heating tube 302 heats the aerosol-generating substrate 301. For example, one heating method for the aerosol-generating substrate 301 is as follows:

[0111] When heating of the aerosol-generating substrate 301 begins, there is a certain amount of moisture in the aerosol-generating substrate 301, so the aerosol generated after heating contains water vapor. At this time, if the temperature of the aerosol is too high, the water vapor is likely to burn the mouth when the aerosol is inhaled. Therefore, when heating of the aerosol-generating substrate 301 begins, the aerosol-generating substrate 301 is heated using only the first heating region 30241. After the moisture in the aerosol-generating substrate 301 is discharged, the first heating region 30241 and the second heating region 30242 operate simultaneously, and the aerosol-generating substrate 301 is heated by the entire heating tube 302.

[0112] For example, one heating method for the aerosol-generating substrate 301 is as follows: a first heating region 30241 and a second heating region 30242 are arranged one above the other, and the first heating region 30241 heats one segment of the aerosol-generating substrate 301, and then the second heating region 30242 heats another segment of the aerosol-generating substrate 301. The first heating region 30241 and the second heating region 30242 operate in a time-division manner, heating the aerosol-generating substrate 301 segment by segment, thereby increasing the number of times the aerosol-generating substrate 301 can be inhaled.

[0113] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the outer surface of the thinned tube wall portion 3028 is recessed into the heater tube 302. In some other embodiments, the inner surface of the thinned tube wall portion 3028 is recessed outward from the heater tube 302. In some other embodiments, the outer surface of the thinned tube wall portion 3028 is recessed into the heater tube 302, and the inner surface of the thinned tube wall portion 3028 is recessed outward from the heater tube 302. Since the inner surface of the tube wall of the heater tube 302 itself is an arcuate surface that is recessed outward, the fact that the inner surface of the thinned tube wall portion 3028 is recessed outward as described herein means that the width of the thinned tube wall portion 3028 that is recessed outward is greater than the other regions, thereby realizing that the thickness of the tube wall at the thinned tube wall portion 3028 is smaller than the thickness of the tube wall in other regions.

[0114] Furthermore, in one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, the first heating region 30241 and the second heating region 30242 are arranged adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the heating tube 302, and the thin-walled portion 3028 of the tube wall extends along the axial direction of the heating tube 302.

[0115] The arrangement of the heating zones 3024 in the heating pipe 302 can be any feasible form. For example, in addition to the above arrangement forms, the first heating zone 30241 and the second heating zone 30242 may be arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the heating pipe 302, and the thin-walled portion 3028 of the pipe wall may extend along the circumferential direction of the heating pipe 302. For example, the number of heating zones 3024 may be four or more, at least two of which are arranged adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the heating pipe 302, and at least two of which are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the heating pipe 302.

[0116] The thinned pipe wall portion 3028 may have any feasible shape, for example, may be straight or curved, may be multiple and intermittently arranged, and may have any shape such as square or circular.

[0117] 25 and 26 , in one embodiment, the guide base 306 and the heat exchanger 305 are both press-fit onto the heating pipe 302. The heat exchanger 305 includes a cylindrical housing portion 3052 and a stopper flange 3053 located at one end of the cylindrical housing portion 3052. The stopper flange 3053 engages with the vent end of the heating pipe 302, thereby limiting the insertion depth of the cylindrical housing portion 3052. To facilitate positioning of the guide base 306, a positioning protrusion 3054 is provided on the cylindrical housing portion 3052 of the heat exchanger 305, and a positioning groove 3063 that engages with the positioning protrusion 3054 is provided on the guide base 306, so that the heat exchanger 305 is positioned relative to the guide base 306 when stacked.

[0118] In one embodiment, the stopper 3053 is sandwiched between the heater tube 302 and the second heater tube base 308 .

[0119] Although the present invention has been described above using specific examples, these are merely for the purpose of aiding understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art may make some simple inferences, modifications, or substitutions based on the concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. A heating assembly comprising a heating element for heating an aerosol-generating substrate, the heating element having at least two heating regions, an insulating structure between at least one pair of adjacent heating regions, the insulating structure blocking heat transfer between the adjacent heating regions.

2. the heat generating element includes a heat transfer body and a heat generating structure, and the heating assembly further includes a heat exchange structure, the heat transfer body has a receiving cavity with both ends open, the heat transfer body has a first heat transfer area and a second heat transfer area distributed in an axial direction, an aerosol-generating substrate is inserted into the receiving cavity at a portion corresponding to the first heat transfer area, the heat exchange structure is attached to the receiving cavity at a portion corresponding to the second heat transfer area, the heat generating structure is provided in the first heat transfer area, the heat generating structure generates heat, the first heat transfer area conducts the heat generated by the heat generating structure to the second heat transfer area, and the heat exchange structure exchanges heat with the second heat transfer area to heat the gas that flows in, 2. The heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first heat transfer area has at least two of the heat generating areas, the heat generating structure includes at least two heat generating components, the heat generating components correspond one-to-one to the heat generating areas, and the heat transfer body further includes an insulating cutout between two adjacent heat generating areas, the insulating cutout forming the heat insulating structure.

3. 3. The heating assembly according to claim 2, wherein the length of the heat insulating cutout is equal to or greater than the length of the heating element parallel to the heat insulating cutout.

4. The heating assembly of claim 2 , wherein the insulating cutout comprises at least one elongated cutout hole.

5. 5. The heating assembly of claim 4, wherein the width of the elongated lightening hole is greater than 0.1 mm.

6. The heating assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the heat insulating recessed portion is provided along a boundary line between two adjacent heat generating regions.

7. 3. The heating assembly of claim 2, wherein the heat transfer body is a hollow tubular structure, and the receiving cavity is an interior cavity of the heat transfer body.

8. 8. The heating assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least two heat generating regions are uniformly distributed along the circumferential direction of the heat transfer body, and the insulating cutouts are distributed extending along the axial direction of the heat transfer body, or the at least two heat generating regions are uniformly distributed along the axial direction of the heat transfer body, and the insulating cutouts are distributed extending along the circumferential direction of the heat transfer body.

9. 9. The heating assembly of claim 8, wherein the distance between the insulating recesses distributed along the axial direction of the heat transfer body and the port closest to the heat transfer body is greater than 1 mm.

10. 3. The heating assembly of claim 2, further comprising a flow guide, the flow guide being attached to a portion of the accommodating cavity corresponding to the second heat transfer area and positioned between the heat exchange structure and the aerosol-generating substrate, the flow guide being provided with a guide hole for guiding the preheated air to the aerosol-generating substrate.

11. 2. The heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the heat generating element has an insulating region, the insulating region being provided between two adjacent heat generating regions, and the insulating structure includes an insulating body, the insulating body being fitted within the insulating region of the heat generating element to block heat transfer between the adjacent heat generating regions.

12. The heating assembly of claim 11 , wherein the insulating region has a hollow structure, and the insulating material is filled into the hollow structure.

13. 12. The heating assembly of claim 11, wherein the insulating region has a recessed groove, and the insulating material is disposed within the recessed groove.

14. The heating assembly according to claim 12, wherein the hollowed structure is a heat insulating hole, and the heat insulating hole is a linear hole structure.

15. 15. The heating assembly of claim 14, wherein the heating element has a tubular structure, the insulating holes are arranged along the axial direction, the heating element has a first heating region and a second heating region, the number of the insulating holes is two or more, the insulating holes include a first insulating hole and a second insulating hole, the first heating region has a first end and a second end opposite to each other along the circumferential direction, the second heating region has a first end and a second end opposite to each other along the circumferential direction, the first end of the first heating region is adjacent to the second end of the second heating region, the first insulating hole is arranged between the first end of the first heating region and the second end of the second heating region, and the second insulating hole is arranged between the second end of the first heating region and the first end of the second heating region.

16. The heating assembly of claim 12, wherein the recessed structure is a recessed structure with discontinuous intervals.

17. 12. The heating assembly of claim 11, wherein the thermal conductivity of the insulator is less than 8 W / (m·K) and / or the material of the insulator includes at least one of crystallized glass, zirconia ceramic, polyether ether ketone, and polyimide.

18. The heating element is a base having a receiving cavity for receiving the aerosol-generating substrate; 12. The heating assembly of claim 11, comprising at least two heat generating layers, the heat generating layers being provided on the base, the heat generating layers being in one-to-one correspondence with the heat generating areas, and the heat generating layers generating heat when energized to heat the aerosol generating substrate.

19. 12. The heating assembly of claim 11, further comprising a housing assembly and a thermal insulating layer, the housing assembly having a mounting cavity, the heating element being disposed in the mounting cavity, and the thermal insulating layer being disposed on an inner wall of the mounting cavity.

20. 2. The heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the heating element includes a heating tube, the heating tube heats the aerosol-generating substrate, the wall of the heating tube includes at least two heating zones, each of which can heat the aerosol-generating substrate, and an insulating gap is provided between adjacent heating zones to block heat transfer between the adjacent heating zones, the insulating gap penetrates the wall of the heating tube in the radial direction of the heating tube, the heating zones form the heat-generating zones, and the insulating gap forms the insulating structure, and the heating assembly includes a thermoplastic sealing layer provided on the heating tube and covering the insulating gap to prevent air flow inside the heating tube from escaping through the insulating gap.

21. 21. The heating assembly of claim 20, wherein the thermoplastic sealing layer is a heat shrink tube or film heat shrunk onto the heating tube.

22. 21. The heating assembly of claim 20, further comprising an electric heating element, wherein each of the heating zones corresponds to at least one of the electric heating elements, and each of the electric heating elements independently heats the corresponding heating zone, thereby enabling each of the heating zones to independently heat the aerosol-generating substrate inserted within the heating tube.

23. 23. The heating assembly of claim 22, wherein the electric heating element is located between the thermoplastic sealing layer and the heating tube.

24. 24. The heating assembly of claim 23, wherein the electric heating element is maintained in thermally conductive contact with the heating tube by virtue of the thermoplastic sealing layer.

25. 24. The heating assembly of claim 23, wherein the electric heating element is secured to an outer surface of the heating tube.

26. 23. The heating assembly of claim 22, wherein the electric heating element is located on the side of the thermoplastic sealing layer remote from the heating tube.

27. 23. The heating assembly of claim 20, wherein the heating tube includes an airflow heating segment and an aerosol-generating rod heating segment, the airflow heating segment and the aerosol-generating rod heating segment being arranged in the axial direction of the heating tube, the airflow heating segment heating the airflow that flows into the aerosol-generating substrate, the heating tube having a heating cavity for inserting the aerosol-generating substrate to heat the aerosol-generating substrate, an aerosol-generating rod stopper structure being provided within the airflow heating segment, the aerosol-generating rod stopper structure engaging with the end face of the aerosol-generating substrate that is inserted into the heating cavity, thereby limiting the depth to which the aerosol-generating substrate is inserted into the heating cavity, and all of the heating regions are located in the aerosol-generating rod heating segment.

28. 28. The heating assembly of claim 27, wherein the airflow heating segment is provided with a heat exchanger, the airflow heating segment is in thermally conductive contact with the heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger has a plurality of airflow passages through which airflow passes to heat the airflow passing therethrough.

29. 2. The heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the heating element includes a heat transfer tube and an electric heating element disposed in the heat transfer tube, the heat transfer tube having a heating cavity for inserting an aerosol-generating substrate, the wall of the heat transfer tube including at least two heating zones, the number of electric heating elements being at least two, each heating zone corresponding to at least one of the electric heating elements, the electric heating element heating the corresponding heating zone, and the wall of the heat transfer tube between at least a pair of adjacent heating zones having a thin wall portion, the wall thickness of the thin wall portion being smaller than the wall thickness of the heating zone, the heating zone forming the heat generating zone, and the thin wall portion forming the thermal insulating structure.

30. 30. The heating assembly of claim 29, wherein the outer surface of the thinned tube wall portion is recessed into the heat transfer tube and / or the inner surface of the thinned tube wall portion is recessed out of the heat transfer tube.

31. 30. The heating assembly of claim 29, wherein the thinned portion of the tube wall is provided between any pair of adjacent heating regions.

32. 30. The heating assembly of claim 29, wherein the heating zone includes a first heating zone and a second heating zone, the first heating zone and the second heating zone being adjacent to each other in a circumferential direction of the heat transfer tube, and the thinned tube wall portion extending along the axial direction of the heat transfer tube; or the first heating zone and the second heating zone being adjacent to each other in an axial direction of the heat transfer tube, and the thinned tube wall portion extending along the circumferential direction of the heat transfer tube.

33. 30. The heating assembly of claim 29, wherein the electric heating element is laid on an outer surface of the heat transfer tube, or the electric heating element is laid on an inner surface of the heat transfer tube, or the electric heating element is embedded in the wall of the heat transfer tube.

34. 34. The heating assembly of claim 29, wherein the heat transfer tube includes an airflow heating segment and an aerosol-generating rod heating segment, the airflow heating segment and the aerosol-generating rod heating segment being arranged in the axial direction of the heat transfer tube, the airflow heating segment heating the airflow that flows into the aerosol-generating substrate, an aerosol-generating rod stopper structure being provided within the airflow heating segment, the aerosol-generating rod stopper structure engaging with an end face of the aerosol-generating substrate that is inserted into the heating cavity, thereby limiting the depth to which the aerosol-generating substrate is inserted into the heating cavity, and the heating region is located in the aerosol-generating rod heating segment.

35. 35. The heating assembly of claim 34, wherein a heat exchanger is provided within the airflow heating segment, the airflow heating segment being in thermally conductive contact with the heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger has a plurality of airflow passages within it, the airflow passages allowing airflow to pass therethrough to heat the airflow passing therethrough.

36. The heating assembly described in claim 35, characterized in that the aerosol-generating rod stopper structure is a guide base located on one side of the heat exchanger, the guide base having an aerosol-generating rod stopper surface for engaging with the aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol-generating rod stopper surface being located on the side of the guide base facing away from the heat exchanger, and a guide hole being located in the center of the guide base, which guides the airflow to flow into the aerosol-generating substrate from the center of the end surface of the aerosol-generating substrate.

37. The heating assembly of claim 29 or 30, characterized in that the heating assembly includes a first heat transfer tube base and a second heat transfer tube base, the heat transfer tube being sandwiched between the first heat transfer tube base and the second heat transfer tube base, the first heat transfer tube base having a first base hole for passing the aerosol-generating substrate through and inserting it into the heating cavity, and the second heat transfer tube base having a second base hole for passing the air flow flowing into the aerosol-generating substrate through.

38. 38. An aerosol generating device comprising a power source and a heating assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 37, wherein the power source supplies power to the heating assembly.

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