Heating assembly and aerosol generating device

Abstract

The present application relates to a heating assembly and an aerosol generating device, the heating assembly including a tubular body having an internal cavity and an open proximal end for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate in an aerosol-generating product, the tubular body having a heating region and a blank region, at least a portion of the heating region and at least a portion of the blank region surrounding the outer periphery of the aerosol-forming substrate, the temperature and / or heating rate of the blank region being lower than that of the heating region, the proximal end of the heating region being closer to the proximal end of the tubular body than the distal end of the heating region, the distal end of the heating region and the distal end of the tubular body being spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the tubular body, and the blank region being at least partially located between the distal end of the heating region and the distal end of the tubular body.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to a Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on October 15, 2022, bearing application number 202211275451.7 and entitled "Heating Assembly and Aerosol Generating Device," the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present application relates to the technical field of aerosol generation, and more particularly to heating assemblies and aerosol generating devices. [Background technology]

[0003] Conventional aerosol generating devices include a heating assembly inside, and generate an aerosol for use or inhalation by a user by heating an aerosol generating product with the heating assembly. However, conventional aerosol generating products can exude oily liquid after being heated with the heating assembly, which can cause internal contamination of the aerosol generating device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present application provide a heating assembly and an aerosol generating device that can reduce contamination from aerosol-generating products.

[0005] The heating assembly provided in the examples of the present application comprises: a tubular body having an internal cavity and an open proximal end for allowing an aerosol-forming substrate in the aerosol-generating product to enter the cavity; the tubular body has a heating region and a blank region, and at least a portion of the heating region and at least a portion of the blank region are both provided to surround an outer periphery of the aerosol-forming substrate; the temperature and / or heating rate of the blank area is lower than the temperature and / or heating rate of the heated area; The proximal end of the heating region is closer to the proximal end of the tubular body than the distal end of the heating region, the distal end of the heating region and the distal end of the tubular body are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the tubular body, and the blank region is located between the distal end of the heating region and the distal end of the tubular body.

[0006] The heating assembly provided in the examples of the present application comprises: a tubular body having an internal cavity formed therein, the proximal end of the tubular body being open to allow a portion of the aerosol-generating product to enter the cavity, the tubular body including a heating region and a blank region; a heating element at least partially disposed in the heating zone, the heating element being used to heat an aerosol-forming substrate in the aerosol-generating product to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate entering the heating zone from a proximal end of the heating zone; the temperature of the blank region is lower than the temperature of the heated region, or the temperature rise rate of the blank region is lower than the temperature rise rate of the heated region, or the heating efficiency of the aerosol-forming substrate by the blank region is lower than the heating efficiency of the aerosol-forming substrate by the heated region; The blank area is provided with a positioning feature for determining at least a portion of the boundary of the heating element.

[0007] The heating assembly provided in the examples of the present application comprises: a tubular body having an internal cavity formed therein, the proximal end of the tubular body being open to allow a portion of the aerosol-generating product to enter the cavity, the tubular body including a heating region and a blank region; a heating element at least partially disposed in the heating zone, the heating element being used to heat an aerosol-forming substrate in the aerosol-generating product to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate entering the heating zone from a proximal end of the heating zone; the temperature of the blank region is lower than the temperature of the heated region, or the temperature rise rate of the blank region is lower than the temperature rise rate of the heated region, or the heating efficiency of the aerosol-forming substrate by the blank region is lower than the heating efficiency of the aerosol-forming substrate by the heated region; The blank areas include locking locations for clamping the tubular body during processing of the heating assembly.

[0008] The heating assembly provided in the examples of the present application comprises: a tubular body having an internal cavity and an open proximal end for allowing an aerosol-forming substrate in the aerosol-generating product to enter the cavity; the tubular body has a heating region and a blank region, the heating region is used to heat the aerosol-forming substrate that has entered the heating region from a proximal end thereof to generate an aerosol, and the temperature of the blank region is lower than that of the heating region, or the temperature rise rate of the blank region is lower than that of the heating region, or the heating efficiency of the aerosol-forming substrate by the blank region is lower than the heating efficiency of the aerosol-forming substrate by the heating region; At least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponding to the blank area is clamped.

[0009] The aerosol generating device provided in the embodiments of the present application comprises a housing and the heating assembly, wherein a receiving cavity for receiving the heating assembly is formed inside the housing, the housing has an insertion port, and the aerosol-forming substrate enters the cavity through the insertion port.

[0010] In the heating assembly and aerosol generating device described above, the distal end of the heating region and the distal end of the tubular body are spaced apart, and at least a portion of the blank region is located between the distal end of the heating region and the distal end of the tubular body, so that the distal end of the aerosol-forming substrate is at a relatively low environmental temperature, or oil liquid exuded from the aerosol-forming substrate remains at the distal end of the tubular body, thereby preventing contamination of the aerosol-generating product by the exuded oil liquid when it is baked. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] One or more embodiments are illustratively described by corresponding figures in the accompanying drawings, but these illustrative descriptions are not intended to be limiting of the embodiments, and in the drawings, elements with the same reference numerals designate similar elements and, unless otherwise specified, the figures in the drawings are not to scale.

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device provided in one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a heating assembly and an aerosol-generating product provided in one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a heating assembly provided in one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic diagram of a second tubular body provided in one embodiment of the present application. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a tubular body provided in one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram of a tubular body provided in one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a tubular body provided in one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a tubular body provided in another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a jig provided in one embodiment of the present application and a tubular body fitted together. FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a jig and a tubular body fitted together in one embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it should be understood that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, and are not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments that can be obtained by those skilled in the art without any creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0014] The terms "first," "second," and "third" used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, quantity, or order of the indicated technical features. All directional indications (e.g., up, down, left, right, front, rear, etc.) in the examples of this application are merely for describing the relative positional relationships or movement situations between components in a specific position (as shown in the drawings); when the specific position changes, the directional indications also change accordingly. Furthermore, the terms "comprise" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus comprising a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include additional steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to the process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0015] The term "embodiment" referred to in this specification means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of the term in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it necessarily mean that the embodiment is an exclusively independent or alternative embodiment to other embodiments. It is explicitly or implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0016] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed" to another element, it may be directly located on the other element, or there may be intervening elements. When an element is referred to as being "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected to the other element, or there may simultaneously be one or more intervening elements therebetween. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar descriptions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only embodiment.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol generating device that can be used to heat an aerosol generating product 1 so that an aerosol for inhalation is generated from the aerosol generating product 1.

[0018] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating product" refers to a product that includes an aerosol-generating substrate that, upon heating, releases volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. "Aerosol-generating product" refers to a product that includes an aerosol-forming substrate that is intended to be heated, rather than combusted, to release volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. Aerosols formed by heating an aerosol-forming substrate may contain fewer known harmful components than aerosols formed by burning or thermally decomposing the aerosol-forming substrate. In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating product is removably coupled to an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating product may be disposable or reusable.

[0019] The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a solid component and a liquid component. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavour compounds that are released from the substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material and a non-tobacco material.

[0020] The outer diameter of the aerosol-generating product 1 may be between about 5 mm and about 12 mm, for example between about 5.5 mm and about 8 mm. In one embodiment, the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating product 1 is 6 mm + / - 10%.

[0021] The total length of the aerosol-generating product 1 may be between about 25 mm and about 100 mm. The total length of the aerosol-generating product 1 may be between about 30 mm and about 100 mm. In one embodiment, the total length of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 is half the total length of the aerosol-generating product 1. In one embodiment, the total length of the aerosol-generating product 1 is about 84 mm. In one embodiment, the total length of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 is about 42 mm. In one embodiment, the total length of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 is about 34 mm.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol-generating product 1 includes a nozzle 13, a cooling segment 12, and an aerosol-forming substrate 11, with the cooling segment 12 positioned between the nozzle 13 and the aerosol-forming substrate 11, and the nozzle 13 being positioned outside the aerosol-generating device so as to be held in a user's mouth.

[0023] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating device" refers to a device that couples with or interacts with an aerosol-generating product 1 to form an inhalable aerosol. An aerosol-generating device interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. An electrically-operated aerosol-generating device is a device that includes one or more components for generating an aerosol by providing energy, for example, from a power assembly, to heat an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0024] The aerosol generating device may be a heated aerosol generating device, which is an aerosol generating device that includes a heating assembly 2. The heating assembly 2 is used to heat the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating product 1 to generate the aerosol.

[0025] The aerosol generating device may include a power supply assembly for providing power to the heating assembly 2. The power supply assembly may include any suitable power source, such as a DC source, such as a battery. In one embodiment, the power supply is a lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery, such as a lithium-cobalt, lithium-iron phosphate, lithium titanate, or lithium polymer battery.

[0026] The aerosol generating device may include a circuit board for controlling the supply of power from the power source to the heating assembly 2. The circuit board may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers.

[0027] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the aerosol generating device is provided with an insertion port 3, and a portion of the aerosol generating product 1 is inserted into the aerosol generating device through the insertion port 3 so that the aerosol-forming substrate 11 can be heated by the heating assembly 2 inside the aerosol generating device.

[0028] The heating assembly 2 may include at least one external heating assembly. As used herein, the term "external heating assembly" refers to a heating assembly positioned outside the aerosol-generating product 1 when assembling an aerosol-generating system including the aerosol-generating product 1. In one embodiment, the at least one external heating assembly is distributed in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating product 1. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 , the at least one external heating assembly includes a tubular body 21 that extends in the longitudinal direction (i.e., extends vertically) of the aerosol-generating product 1 and is disposed around the periphery of the aerosol-generating product 1. In one embodiment, the heating assembly 2 includes multiple external heating assemblies for independently heating different longitudinal sections of the aerosol-forming substrate 11. As used herein, the term "independently heated" means that two or more heating assemblies have different heating start time, heating end time, heating duration, heating power, target heating temperature, maximum heating temperature, etc.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, a cavity is formed inside the tubular body 21, the proximal end of the tubular body 21 is open so that the aerosol-forming substrate 11 can enter the cavity, the nozzle 13 of the aerosol-generating product 1 is located at the proximal end of the aerosol-generating product 1, and the bottom of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 is located at the distal end of the aerosol-generating product 1.

[0030] The tubular body 21 has a heated region 26 and a blank region 29. The heated region 26 has a relatively high temperature, a relatively fast heating rate, or a relatively high heating efficiency when heating the aerosol-forming substrate 11, at least a portion of the heated region 26 surrounds the aerosol-forming substrate 11 and heats at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 to generate an aerosol in the aerosol-forming substrate 11, the proximal end of the heated region 26 is closer to the proximal end of the tubular body 21 than the distal end of the heated region 26, and the aerosol-forming substrate 11 enters the heated region 26 from the proximal end of the heated region 26. In one embodiment, the temperature of the blank region 29 is lower than that of the heated region 26, or the rate of temperature rise of the blank region 29 is lower than that of the heated region 26, or the efficiency of heating the aerosol-forming substrate 11 by the blank region 29 is lower than that of the heated region 26, so that the blank region 29 is advantageous in reducing the amount or rate of oil exudation from the aerosol-forming substrate 11 compared to the heated region 26. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the blank region 29 is provided surrounding the outer periphery of the aerosol-forming substrate 11, and the temperature of that portion of the blank region 29 is lower than 160°C, so that the aerosol-forming substrate 11 surrounded by that portion of the blank region 29 is in a relatively low-temperature environment and does not generate aerosol or exude oil.

[0031] Due to the presence of the blank area 29, the heated area 26 occupies only a portion of the tubular body 21.

[0032] Based on this, in alternative embodiments, there may be one or more heating zones, and the tubular body within the heating zone is heated by electromagnetic waves. Specifically, the tubular body within the heating zone includes a susceptor, and when positioned within a varying electromagnetic field, eddy currents induced within the susceptor cause the susceptor to heat.

[0033] As used herein, the term "susceptor" refers to a material capable of converting electromagnetic energy into heat. When placed within a fluctuating electromagnetic field, eddy currents induced within the susceptor cause the susceptor to heat. The susceptor may be designed to be coupled to an electrically actuated aerosol generating device that includes a magnetic field generator. The magnetic field generator generates a fluctuating electromagnetic field to heat the susceptor positioned within the fluctuating electromagnetic field. In use, the susceptor is positioned within the fluctuating electromagnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator. When the tubular body includes a susceptor, the aerosol generating device may include a magnetic field generator capable of generating the fluctuating electromagnetic field and a power supply connected to the magnetic field generator. The magnetic field generator may include one or more induction coils that generate the fluctuating electromagnetic field. The one or more induction coils may surround the susceptor. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device may generate a fluctuating electromagnetic field of 1 to 30 MHz, e.g., 2 to 10 MHz, e.g., 5 to 7 MHz. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device can generate a varying electromagnetic field having a magnetic field strength (H field) of 1-5 kA / m, e.g., 2-3 kA / m, e.g., about 2.5 kA / m. In one embodiment, the susceptor can include metal or carbon. In one embodiment, the susceptor can include a ferromagnetic material, such as ferrite, ferromagnetic steel, or stainless steel. A suitable susceptor can be or include aluminum. In one embodiment, the susceptor can be formed from 400 series stainless steel, e.g., grade 410, grade 420, or grade 430 stainless steel. Different materials dissipate different amounts of energy when placed in an electromagnetic field with similar frequency and magnetic field strength values. Therefore, susceptor parameters, such as material type, length, width, and thickness, can all be varied to provide a desired power dissipation within a known electromagnetic field.

[0034] Furthermore, the magnetic field generator includes one or more induction coils disposed around the tubular body and surrounding only a portion of the tubular body. In one embodiment, the heating region 26 is the region surrounded by the induction coils, and the blank region 29 is the region not surrounded by the induction coils. In another embodiment, the heating region 26 is located in an area where the magnetic field fluctuates in strength / frequency, and the blank region 29 is located in an area where the magnetic field fluctuates in strength / frequency. In yet another embodiment, the blank region 29 and the tubular body 21 corresponding to the heating region 26 are made of different materials, e.g., the magnetic induction coefficient of the tubular body 21 in the heating region 26 is greater than the magnetic induction coefficient of the tubular body 21 in the blank region 29. In other words, the temperature and / or heating rate and / or heating efficiency of the blank region 29 are lower than the temperature and / or heating rate and / or heating efficiency of the heating region 26.

[0035] In another optional embodiment, there may be one or more heating regions 26, and the heating assembly 2 further includes one or more heating elements 23 provided in the corresponding heating region 26 for heating the tubular body 21 corresponding to the heating region 26 and for heating the aerosol-forming substrate 11 via the tubular body 21 of the region 26, or for heating the aerosol-forming substrate 11 by direct conduction or radiation.

[0036] In one embodiment, the heating element 23 may comprise an electrically resistive material that generates Joule heat when an electric current is applied. Suitable electrically resistive materials include, but are not limited to, semiconductors, such as doped ceramics, electrically conductive ceramics (e.g., molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys, and composites of ceramic and metallic materials. Such composites may include doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbide. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and platinum group metals. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, Constantan, nickel-containing alloys, cobalt-containing alloys, chromium-containing alloys, aluminum-containing alloys, titanium-containing alloys, zirconium-containing alloys, hafnium-containing alloys, niobium-containing alloys, molybdenum-containing alloys, tantalum-containing alloys, tungsten-containing alloys, tin-containing alloys, gallium-containing alloys, manganese-containing alloys, and iron-containing alloys, as well as nickel-, iron-, cobalt-based superalloys, stainless steels, iron-aluminum-based alloys, and iron-manganese-aluminum-based alloys.

[0037] Furthermore, the resistance value of the heating element 23 may be 0.48 to 1.53Ω, and specifically may be 0.98Ω, 0.99Ω, 1.01Ω, 1.03Ω, or the like.

[0038] In another embodiment thereof, the heating element 23 may include a susceptor capable of generating heat in a varying electromagnetic field.

[0039] In another embodiment, the heating element 23 may include an infrared electric heating coating applied to the outer surface of the tubular body 21. In this case, the tubular body 21 is preferably transparent to infrared rays. For example, the tubular body 21 may be made of transparent quartz. Of course, it is not excluded that the infrared electric heating coating may be applied to the inner surface of the tubular body 21. The infrared electric heating coating generates thermal energy when energized and can also generate infrared rays of a certain wavelength, for example, far infrared rays of 8 μm to 15 μm. When the infrared wavelength matches the absorption wavelength of the aerosol-forming substrate, the infrared energy is easily absorbed by the aerosol-forming substrate. In the embodiment of the present application, the infrared wavelength is not limited and may be infrared rays of 0.75 μm to 1000 μm, or optionally far infrared rays of 1.5 μm to 400 μm. The infrared electric heating coating is optionally formed by thoroughly mixing the far-infrared electric heating ink, ceramic powder and inorganic binder until homogeneous, then applying it to the outer surface of the substrate, and then drying and curing it for a certain period of time. The thickness of the infrared electric heating coating is 30 μm to 50 μm. Of course, the infrared electric heating coating can also be a mixture of tin tetrachloride, tin oxide, antimony trichloride, titanium tetrachloride and anhydrous copper sulfate in a certain ratio, which is then stirred and applied to the outer surface of the substrate; or it can be one of a silicon carbide ceramic layer, a carbon fiber composite layer, a zirconium titanium-based oxide ceramic layer, a zirconium titanium-based nitride ceramic layer, a zirconium titanium-based boride ceramic layer, a zirconium titanium-based carbide ceramic layer, an iron-based oxide ceramic layer, an iron-based nitride ceramic layer, an iron-based boride ceramic layer, an iron-based carbide ceramic layer, a rare earth-based oxide ceramic layer, a rare earth-based nitride ceramic layer, a rare earth-based boride ceramic layer, a rare earth-based carbide ceramic layer, a nickel-cobalt-based oxide ceramic layer, a nickel-cobalt-based nitride ceramic layer, a nickel-cobalt-based boride ceramic layer, a nickel-cobalt-based carbide ceramic layer or a high silicon molecular sieve ceramic layer. The infrared thermal coating may also be other conventional material coatings.

[0040] In one selectable example, the heating element 23 includes a heating coil, an etched mesh, a metal sleeve, or the like that is wound around or fitted around the outer periphery of the heating region 26. In another selectable example, the heating element 23 includes a heating coil, an etched mesh, a metal sleeve, or the like that is at least partially fitted into the tubular body 21 that corresponds to the heating region 26. In another selectable example, the heating element 23 includes a heating film layer formed by applying a slurry to the heating region 26 of the tubular body 21.

[0041] In one embodiment in which the heating element 23 comprises a heating coil, etched mesh or metal sleeve provided in the heating region 26, the heating element 23 may be electrically connected directly to a lead wire or conductive terminal and further electrically connected to the power supply assembly via the lead wire or conductive terminal, i.e., the heating assembly 2 may not be provided with an electrode 24 for electrically connecting the lead wire (or conductive terminal) to the heating element 23, in which case the blank region 29 lacks at least the heating element 23 in the heating region 26, and for example, when attempting to improve the heating efficiency of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 by the heating region 26, the tubular body 21 of the heating region 26 may further have a thermally conductive layer or radiative layer that increases heat conduction efficiency or increases heat radiation efficiency, and thus the blank region 29 further lacks a thermally conductive layer or radiative layer in the heating region 26.

[0042] In embodiments where the heating elements 23 include an electrically resistive material for generating Joule heat when energized, or where the heating elements 23 include an infrared electrothermal coating for generating thermal energy when energized, the heating assembly further includes electrodes 24 electrically connected to the corresponding heating elements 23 to supply electrical energy for heating the corresponding heating elements 23. In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 6 , the electrical current on the heating elements 23 flows through the heating elements 23 along the longitudinal direction of the tubular body 21, and therefore the electrodes 24 include a pair of proximal electrodes connected to the proximal end of the corresponding heating element 23 and a distal electrode electrically connected to the distal end of the corresponding heating element 23. In one example, at least a portion of the proximal electrode overlaps the proximal end of the heating region 26, and the overlapping portion defines at least the proximal end of the corresponding uppermost blank region (described below); that is, at least a portion of the proximal electrode may be located within the uppermost blank region; in a specific embodiment, the electrode 24 has such low resistance that the heating element 23 overlapping with the electrode 24 is almost short-circuited by the electrode 24, so that the distal end of the proximal electrode may define the proximal end of the corresponding heating region 26, or the distal end of the proximal electrode may define the distal end of the corresponding uppermost blank region. In another example, at least a portion of the distal electrode overlaps the distal end of the heating region 26, and the overlapping portion defines at least the proximal end of the corresponding bottom blank region (described below), i.e., at least a portion of the distal electrode may be located within the bottom blank region; in a specific embodiment, the electrode 24 has such low resistance that the heating element 23 overlapping the electrode 24 is almost short-circuited by the electrode 24, so the proximal end of the distal electrode may define the distal end of the corresponding heating region 26, or the proximal end of the distal electrode may define the proximal end of the corresponding bottom blank region. Furthermore, when there is only one heating element 23 and one electrode 24 is connected to each of the upper and lower ends of the heating element 23 so that the heating element 23 has a longitudinal current, the distal end of the proximal electrode and the proximal end of the distal electrode define the upper and lower boundaries of the heating region 26.

[0043] In yet another alternative embodiment, there are one or more blank areas 29, one of which is a bottom blank area, which is located between the distal end of the heating area 26 and the distal end of the tubular body 21, and which separates the distal end of the heating area 26 from the distal end of the tubular body 21.

[0044] In a further embodiment, the longitudinal distance between the distal end of the heating region 26 and the distal end of the tubular body 21 is 1 to 12 mm, for example, 1 to 5 mm, preferably 3 mm, or 6 to 12 mm. Alternatively, the longitudinal length L2 of the bottom blank region may be 1 to 12 mm, for example, 1 to 5 mm, preferably 3 mm, or 6 to 12 mm.

[0045] In one embodiment having a heating element 23 and an electrode 24, the electrode 24 has a high resistance and is directly connected to the heating element 23, so that the tubular body 21 corresponding to the electrode 24 also has a high temperature, or a fast heating rate, or a high heating efficiency on the aerosol-forming substrate, and thus the area corresponding to the electrode 24 belongs to the heating area 26, and therefore the distal end of the corresponding heating area 26 may be defined by the distal end of the distal electrode, and thereby the bottom blank area is limited between the distal end of the distal electrode and the distal end of the tubular body 21.

[0046] Based on this, in yet a further embodiment, the distal end of the distal electrode is spaced apart from the distal end of the tubular body 21, and the distance is 0.01 to 12 mm.

[0047] In another embodiment having a heating element 23 and an electrode 24, the blank area 29 further includes a top blank area, and in one embodiment, the top blank area surrounds the aerosol-forming substrate 11 of the aerosol-generating product 1, and in one particular example, the proximal end of the top blank area is aligned with the proximal end of the aerosol-forming substrate 11, and in another embodiment, the top blank area surrounds the cooling segment 12 of the aerosol-generating product 1, and in one particular example, the distal end of the top blank area is aligned with the proximal end of the aerosol-forming substrate 11, and in yet another embodiment, the top blank area partially surrounds the aerosol-forming substrate 11 and the remaining portion surrounds the cooling segment 12.

[0048] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the top blank area is located between the distal end of the proximal electrode and the proximal end of the tubular body. In another embodiment, the top blank area may be located between the proximal end of the proximal electrode and the proximal end of the tubular body. In another embodiment, the top blank area may be located between the proximal end of the heating element 23 and the proximal end of the tubular body.

[0049] Here, it can be understood that the vertical extension length of the top blank area may be different from the vertical extension length of the bottom blank area, and that the vertical extension length of the top blank area may be different from the vertical extension length of the bottom blank area, but this is not essential but optional.

[0050] In one embodiment having a bottom blank region, the aerosol-forming substrate 11 has a relatively short extension length in the longitudinal direction, such that the distal end of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 does not extend into the cavity defined by the tubular body 21 corresponding to the bottom blank region, i.e., the distal end of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 is surrounded by the heating region 26. Oil liquid exuded from the aerosol-forming substrate 11 due to high-temperature baking in the heating region 26 may flow along the inner wall of the tubular body 21 corresponding to the bottom blank region under the action of gravity; on the one hand, the tubular body 21 corresponding to the bottom blank region lengthens the path for the oil liquid to flow out of the tubular body 21, helping to keep the oil liquid on the inner wall of the tubular body 21 in the corresponding region; on the other hand, the tubular body 21 corresponding to the bottom blank region has a higher temperature after absorbing heat from the heating region 26, and this temperature helps to evaporate or vaporize the oil liquid, thereby reducing the amount of oil liquid remaining on the inner wall of the tubular body 21 in the corresponding region. Therefore, the tubular body 21 corresponding to the bottom empty area can reduce leakage of oil liquid exuded from the aerosol-forming substrate 11.

[0051] In another embodiment having a bottom blank area, the aerosol-forming substrate 11 comprises a bottom section, the distal end of the bottom section is aligned with the distal end of the aerosol-forming substrate 11, the longitudinal length between the proximal end of the bottom section and the distal end of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 is 1 to 12 mm, and the longitudinal length of the bottom section of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 is smaller than the longitudinal length of the bottom blank area, so that the distal end of the aerosol-generating product 1 is located above the distal end of the tubular body 21, and part of the bottom blank area surrounds the bottom section of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 and part of the bottom blank area is empty and does not contain the aerosol-forming substrate 11. In this way, a portion of the bottom blank area can bake the bottom section of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 therein at a low temperature or slowly, and the bottom section surrounded by the bottom blank area can also absorb oil liquid exuded from the aerosol-forming substrate 11 surrounded by the heating area 26, while the remaining bottom blank area can retain or evaporate or vaporize the oil liquid that exuded from the aerosol-forming substrate 11 and diffused into the area under high temperature.

[0052] In another embodiment having a bottom blank region, the longitudinal length of the bottom section of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 is greater than the longitudinal length of the bottom blank region, such that a portion of the bottom section of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 protrudes from the distal end of the tubular body 21 and is located longitudinally below the distal end of the tubular body 21, and a portion of the bottom section of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 is located outside the tubular body 21. In this manner, the bottom section of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 located outside the tubular body 21 is hardly baked by the tubular body 21, and this portion of the bottom section does not exude oil and can also absorb oil spilled downward from the baked section of the aerosol-forming substrate 11, thereby helping to prevent contamination of the tubular body 21 by oil. The bottom section of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 surrounded by the bottom blank area may be baked at a low temperature or slowly by the corresponding tubular body 21, or may be baked at a low temperature or slowly by heat diffused from the heating area, and can absorb oil liquid exuded from the aerosol-forming substrate 11 baked at a high temperature in the heating area.

[0053] In another embodiment having a bottom blank region, referring to Figures 2 and 5, the distal end of the bottom blank region is aligned with the distal end of the aerosol-forming substrate 11, the bottom section of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 is completely surrounded by the bottom blank region, and the vertical length of the bottom section and bottom blank region of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 is 1 to 12 mm. If the vertical length is too long, the distal end of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 may not be baked sufficiently and may be wasted. If the vertical length is too short, the aerosol-forming substrate 11 in the bottom section may be baked in the adjacent heated region and oil may ooze out, or if the vertical length is too short, it may be insufficient to absorb and retain oil oozing from the aerosol-forming substrate 11 surrounded by the heated region. Therefore, the vertical length is preferably 1 to 12 mm. The bottom blank area allows the bottom section of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 to be heated at a low temperature or slowly relative to the heating area, which helps to reduce the baked oil liquid from the bottom section of the aerosol-forming substrate 11, and the bottom section of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 can also absorb the oil liquid that has seeped out from the aerosol-forming substrate 11 corresponding to the heating area, thereby preventing the oil liquid from leaking from the tubular body 21.

[0054] In summary, providing a bottom blank area can reduce oil liquid seeping out of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 or reduce oil liquid detachment from the cavity in the tubular body 21, which helps to reduce oil contamination within the aerosol generating device.

[0055] In one embodiment, when the tubular body 21 is integrally molded using the same type of material, the material of the tubular body 21 corresponding to the blank area 29 and the heating area 26 is the same, and both may be metal or ceramic, etc. In one embodiment, the tubular body 21 includes at least one first tubular body 212 and at least one second tubular body 213, the heating area 26 is located in the first tubular body 212, the blank area 29 is located in the second tubular body 213, the first tubular body 212 and the second tubular body 213 are molded separately, and the first tubular body 212 and the second tubular body 213 may be made of different materials, and the second tubular body 213 may be specifically as follows.

[0056] In one example, the second tubular body 213 comprises a thermally conductive material. As used herein, the term "thermally conductive" refers to a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 10 W / mK, preferably at least 40 W / mK, and more preferably at least 100 W / mK at 23°C and 50% relative humidity. Specifically, the second tubular body is formed of a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 40 W / mK, preferably at least 100 W / mK, more preferably at least 150 W / mK, and most preferably at least 200 W / mK at 23°C and 50% relative humidity. This facilitates heat conduction from the first tubular body 212 to the second tubular body 213, helping the second tubular body 213 to heat up relatively quickly. When an aerosol-forming substrate 11 is present in the cavity defined by the second tubular body 213, the second tubular body 213 can heat the heated aerosol-forming substrate 11 at a low temperature or slowly relative to the heating region 26.

[0057] In another example, the second tubular body 213 may be formed of a heat storage material. As used herein, the term "heat storage material" refers to a material with a high heat capacity. In this manner, the second tubular body 213 can function as a heat accumulator, absorbing and storing heat from the first tubular body 212 and continuously releasing heat to the aerosol-forming substrate 11 over time. When the aerosol-forming substrate 11 is present in the cavity defined by the second tubular body 213, the second tubular body 213 can heat the aerosol-forming substrate 11 at a low temperature or slowly relative to the heating region 26. Specifically, the second tubular body 213 is formed of a material having a specific heat capacity of at least 0.5 J / gK, preferably at least 0.7 J / gK, and more preferably at least 0.8 J / gK at 25°C and a constant pressure.

[0058] In another example, the second tubular body 213 may be thermally insulating. As used herein, the term "thermal insulating" means that the thermal conductivity of the material is less than 100 W / mK, preferably less than 40 W / mK or less than 10 W / mK, at 23°C and 50% relative humidity. Therefore, the second tubular body 213 can keep the aerosol-forming substrate 11 warm. During the heating process of the aerosol-forming substrate 11, the first tubular body 212 transfers some heat to the aerosol-forming substrate 11 surrounded by the second tubular body 123 via the airflow within the aerosol-forming substrate 11 or by some of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 itself. The second tubular body 213 can prevent this heat from being lost and fully utilize it. When the aerosol-forming substrate 11 is present in the cavity defined by the second tubular body 213, the aerosol-forming substrate 11 surrounded by the second tubular body 213 can be heated at a lower temperature or more slowly than the heating region 26.

[0059] In another example, the second tubular body 213 may be formed of one or more materials, and may simultaneously include two or more of a thermally conductive material, a thermal storage material, and a thermal insulating material, for example.

[0060] Because the first tubular body 212 and the second tubular body 213 are molded separately, the first tubular body 212 and the second tubular body 213 may be spaced apart and not in contact with each other when assembled into the complete tubular body 21. In another embodiment, with reference to Figures 2 to 4, the adjacent first tubular body 212 and second tubular body 213 are connected by being partially fitted together. It is understandable that the connection between the adjacent first tubular body 212 and second tubular body 213 may be achieved by a method other than fitting together.

[0061] In accordance with any one of the above embodiments, the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 may be a metal tube. In one embodiment, the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 comprises a metal tube with a seamless sidewall, which may be produced by a process such as drawing. In another embodiment, the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 comprises a metal tube wound from a metal sheet, which has a seam or weld in the sidewall due to being wound from the metal sheet. Here, the metal tube has an ultra-thin sidewall, with a wall thickness of 1 mm or less. The wall thickness of the metal tube may be 0.3 mm or less, and even more preferably, the wall thickness of the metal tube may be 0.15 mm or less, more specifically, the wall thickness is 0.03 to 0.15 mm. In one embodiment, the wall thickness of the metal tube is approximately 0.12 mm, thereby further reducing energy consumption by the tubular body 21.

[0062] Alternatively, the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 may be a ceramic tube, which may be a dense ceramic tube that prevents air or liquid from passing through its sidewall. In one embodiment, the ceramic tube is thin-walled, with a wall thickness of less than 1.2 mm, more specifically, less than 0.25 mm, and in one embodiment, the ceramic tube has a wall thickness of 0.2 mm. Because the ceramic tube contains zirconium oxide, a thin wall thickness of the ceramic tube is advantageous in reducing heat loss to the heating assembly 2 and increasing the efficiency with which heat from the heating element 23 is transferred to the aerosol-forming substrate 11. In a specific embodiment, the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 is a ceramic tube with a seamless sidewall.

[0063] In another embodiment of the present application, the heating assembly 2 may have one or more blank areas 29, and the aerosol-forming substrate 11 corresponding to at least one of the blank areas 29 may be clamped, thereby holding the aerosol-forming substrate 11 in the cavity. In one embodiment, the blank areas 29 may directly clamp the aerosol-forming substrate 11, while in another embodiment, the blank areas 29 may be fitted with clamping members to clamp the aerosol-forming substrate 11, thereby indirectly clamping the aerosol-forming substrate 11 with the blank areas 29.

[0064] Clamping the aerosol-forming substrate 11 within the cavity of the heating assembly 2 helps to reduce the resistance force before the aerosol-forming substrate 11 enters the cavity when the aerosol-generating product 1 is clamped in the insertion port 3 of the aerosol generating device or between the insertion port 3 and the heating assembly 2, helping to ensure that the aerosol-forming substrate 11 enters the cavity smoothly and preventing twisting or bending of the aerosol-forming substrate 11.

[0065] Based on this, in one selectable embodiment, the inner diameter of at least a part of the blank region 29 is smaller than the outer diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate 11, or a protrusion is formed on a part of the inner wall of the tubular body 21 corresponding to the blank region 29, so that at least a part of the blank region 29 presses the aerosol-forming substrate 11 laterally inward, thereby increasing the insertion / extraction force between the aerosol-forming substrate 11 and the tubular body 21 corresponding to the blank region, and achieving retention of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 within the cavity. At the same time, the blank region 29 belongs to a region other than the heated region 26, and its temperature or heating rate, etc., is lower or slower than those of the heated region 26, so that when the blank region 29 is in close contact with the aerosol-forming substrate 11, the aerosol-forming substrate 11 in the corresponding region can be prevented from being burnt.

[0066] In a specific embodiment, the inner diameter of at least a portion of the lowest blank area is smaller than the outer diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate 11, or a protrusion is formed on only a portion of the inner wall of the tubular body 21 corresponding to the lowest blank area 29, thereby clamping the bottom section of the aerosol-forming substrate 11, and the inner diameter of other areas of the tubular body 21 is equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating product 1, which is advantageous for the aerosol-forming substrate 11 to move smoothly from the proximal end of the tubular body 21 to its distal end, and finally, the bottom section of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 is clamped by force interference with the lowest blank area 29.

[0067] Here, the longitudinal distance between the distal end of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 and its clamped position may be 1 to 4 mm, for example, the longitudinal distance is about 2.2 mm.

[0068] More specifically, the lowermost blank area 29 may be the bottom blank area described in any one of the embodiments above.

[0069] In another alternative embodiment, the heating assembly 2 further includes a clamping member 27, which has a first notch 28 formed in the corresponding blank area 29, and at least a portion of the clamping member 27 enters the cavity through the first notch 28 so as to clamp the aerosol-forming substrate 11. The clamping member 27 is provided on the outside of the tubular body 21 and may be fixed to the aerosol-generating device outside the heating assembly 2, for example, to a heat-insulating member outside the heating assembly 2; in another embodiment, the clamping member 27 may be fixed to the outer periphery of the tubular body 21.

[0070] The aerosol-generating product 1 may be held by the clamping member 27 in an elastic manner, and when the aerosol-generating product 1 comes into contact with the clamping member 27, the clamping member 27 is elastically deformable to hold the aerosol-generating product 1 well and stably. When the aerosol-generating product 1 is placed in a user's mouth, the nozzle 13 adheres to the mouth, preventing the aerosol-generating product 1 from being accidentally taken out of the aerosol generating device by the user. Specifically, the clamping member 27 may be made of a flexible material such as silica gel.

[0071] The clamping member 27 may have a guide inclined surface 271 provided toward the proximal end of the tubular body 21, and as the aerosol-generating product 1 enters the distal end of the cavity, the aerosol-generating product 1 comes into contact with at least a portion of the guide inclined surface 271, and the guide inclined surface 271 can guide the entry of the aerosol-generating product 1 and reduce the resistance force when the aerosol-generating product 1 enters deeper into the cavity, and the guide inclined surface 271 helps the aerosol-generating product 1 to reach the distal end of the cavity smoothly.

[0072] Furthermore, at least a portion of the tubular body 21 is made of a metal substrate, and the first notch 28 is formed in the metal substrate, which makes it easier to form the first notch 28 in a metal substrate than in a ceramic substrate.

[0073] As shown in Figure 2, the clamping member 27 is used to clamp the bottom section of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 so as to reduce the resistance force before the aerosol-forming substrate 11 enters the bottom of the cavity and ensure that the aerosol-forming substrate 11 can smoothly enter the bottom of the cavity.

[0074] Specifically, the longitudinal distance L1 between the clamping member 27 and the distal end of the tubular body 21 or the distal end of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 is 1 to 4 mm, for example, the longitudinal distance L1 is approximately 2.2 mm. The longitudinal distance L1 between the clamping member 27 and the distal end of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 is smaller than the longitudinal length of the bottom section of the aerosol-forming substrate 11, and the longitudinal length of the bottom section of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 may be 1 to 12 mm.

[0075] In yet another embodiment, the tubular body includes at least one first tubular body 212 and at least one second tubular body 213, where the first tubular body 212 may be the same as the first tubular body 212 described in any one of the above embodiments, and the second tubular body 213 may be the same as the second tubular body 213 described in any one of the above embodiments. The first tubular body 212 is located in the heated region, and the second tubular body 213 is located in the blank region 29, and the second tubular body 213 may be made of an insulating material such as plastic or ceramic, where the at least one second tubular body 213 sandwiches the aerosol-forming substrate 11.

[0076] In a further embodiment, at least one second tubular body 213 is provided with a clamping member 27, at least a part of which clamps the aerosol-forming substrate 11 and protrudes into the cavity to hold the aerosol-forming substrate 11. The clamping member 27 may have various forms, for example, the clamping member 27 may be a protrusion or elastic piece formed on the inner wall of the second tubular body 213 for pressing the aerosol-forming substrate 11 by abutment or elastic abutment.

[0077] In another further embodiment, the heating assembly 2 further includes a clamping member 27, wherein at least one second tubular body 213 has a first notch 28 formed therein, and the clamping member 27 includes a fixing portion 272 that surrounds the second tubular body 213 and is supported by the second tubular body 213, and a protrusion 273 that clamps the aerosol-forming substrate 11 and enters the cavity through the first notch 28 to further hold the aerosol-forming substrate 11.

[0078] Specifically, the fixing portion 272 may be an elastic ring-shaped member that can be fitted into the second tubular body 213 and tightly connected to the second tubular body 213 by elastic contraction force, and the two members are fixed to each other. To accurately position the clamping member 27 or prevent displacement of the fixing portion 272 relative to the second tubular body 213, the second tubular body 213 has a positioning groove 211 on its outer periphery, and the fixing portion 272 is fitted into the positioning groove 211. The protrusion 273 has one end connected to the fixing portion 272 and the other end protruding into the cavity via the first notch 28, and can further clamp the aerosol-forming substrate 11. The radial length of the protrusion 273 extending into the cavity via the first notch 28 may be 0.05 to 0.5 mm. The protrusion 273 may be provided with the guide inclined surface 271 described in any one of the above embodiments. The protrusions 272 are elastically deformed when pressed by the aerosol-forming substrate 11 .

[0079] Furthermore, the longitudinal length between the protrusion 272 and the distal end of the aerosol-forming substrate 11 is 1 to 4 mm, and may be, for example, 2.2 mm. The clamping member 27 and the nearest heating region 26 are spaced apart from each other to avoid damage or aging of the clamping member 27 due to the high temperature of the heating region 26.

[0080] In yet another further embodiment, referring to Figure 2, one second tubular body 213 includes a bottom wall extending radially of the cavity and defining the bottom of the cavity, the bottom wall forming a stopper that prevents the aerosol-generating product 1 from exiting from below the cavity.

[0081] Furthermore, an air intake is formed in the bottom wall, and air enters the cavity through the air intake.

[0082] In the heating assembly 2 provided in another embodiment of the present application, the heating element includes a heating film layer, which may include a coating formed of an electrically resistive material or an infrared electric heating coating, and may include one or more planar heating film layers or one or more heating trace film layers. The heating film layer may be formed in the heating region 26 by a coating method. The coating method may include printing, spraying, PVD coating, or electroplating. At least one blank area 29 described in any one of the above embodiments has a locking position for coupling with the rotating jig 4 so as to rotate the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 according to the jig 4 and coat the heating element 23 on the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212.

[0083] When the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 is a tube (including a metal tube, a ceramic tube, etc.), the heating element 23 may be formed in the heating region 26 by a curved surface coating technique. When the curved surface coating technique is employed, the jig 4 needs to be coupled to a locking position on the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212.

[0084] In one embodiment, the jig 4 is connected to a rotating electric machine, a rotary motor, a rotary cylinder, or the like, and is coupled in a locked position, so that the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 can rotate along with the jig 4 due to the force of the coupling, and an application head for applying the heat-generating film layer applies the heat while the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 is rotating, thereby forming the heat-generating element 23 in the heating region 26. In another embodiment, the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 is fixed with the jig 4, and the application head is rotated around the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212, thereby forming the heat-generating element 23 in the heating region 26.

[0085] Specifically, the coating thickness of the heat generating film layer may be 0.01 to 0.05 mm, and in a more specific embodiment, the coating thickness of the heat generating element 23 is about 0.012 to 0.022 mm.

[0086] In one embodiment, the present application further provides a jig 4 for engaging with the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 described in any one of the above embodiments to rotate or not rotate the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 during application.

[0087] 9 and 10, the jig 4 includes a first support portion 41 and a second support portion 42, which are inserted into the cavity from the proximal end and distal end of the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212, respectively, to support the side wall of the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212. In particular, when the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 is made of a thin-walled metal tube with a wall thickness of 0.05 to 0.08 mm, the support of the side wall of the thin-walled metal tube by the first support portion 41 and the second support portion 42 can prevent the side wall of the thin-walled metal tube from deforming during the coating process, which is advantageous for maintaining good conformity of the side wall of the thin-walled metal tube.

[0088] The first support portion 41 and the second support portion 42 are connected to each other, and the interconnection may be a detachable connection, for example, a detachable connection using a screw thread. Specifically, when the first support portion 41 and the second support portion 42 are inserted into the cavity from opposite ends of the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212, the first support portion 41 and the second support portion 42 are rotated, thereby detachably connecting the first support portion 41 and the second support portion 42 to the inside of the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212.

[0089] In a further embodiment, at least one of the first support portion 41 and the second support portion 42 is provided with a stopper portion 43 that abuts against the end of the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212, prevents the first support portion 41 and the second support portion 42 from penetrating excessively into the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212, and leaves a portion of the first support portion 41 and the second support portion 42 outside the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212; such a portion left outside the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 is defined as a connecting grip; at least one of the connecting grips is used to connect to rotating equipment such as a rotating electric machine, a rotating motor, or a rotating cylinder; and by driving and rotating the connecting grip with the rotating equipment, rotation of the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 is achieved by the first support portion 41 and the second support portion 42.

[0090] In yet a further embodiment, the connection grip of the first support 41 is a first connection grip 421 and the connection grip of the second support 42 is a second connection grip 421, and the first connection grip 411 is used to connect to a rotating equipment and the second connection grip 421 is not used, thereby ensuring that the rotation speeds of the first support 411 and the second support 421 are the same.

[0091] In yet a further embodiment, the first connecting grip 411 of the first support 41 fits into a locking position on the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212. In one embodiment, if the locking position is the first notch 28, a through hole, or a recessed groove, the first support 41 has convex teeth 412 that can be locked into the first notch 28, the through hole, or the recessed groove, so that when the first support 41 rotates, the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 is driven to rotate synchronously, and mismatch in rotation speed due to slippage is avoided. In one embodiment, if the locking position is a rib, the first support has a notch that can be locked into the notch, so that when the first support rotates, the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body is driven to rotate synchronously.

[0092] In yet another embodiment, the first connecting grip 411 of the first support part 41 and the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 are connected by a buckle, and the second support part 42 and the first support part 41 are connected by a screw thread inside the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212, and there is no buckle between the second support part 42 and the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212.

[0093] In yet another embodiment, the outer diameter of the first support portion 41 and the second support portion 42 is equal to the inner diameter of the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 .

[0094] It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the first support portion and the second support portion may be a one-piece, integrally molded structure that enters one end of the tubular body or first tubular body and partially exits the other end, or is flush with the other end.

[0095] When the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 is a metal tube, at least one insulating layer 22 may be formed on the outer surface of the metal tube by a process such as coating. The heating element 23 (including a coated or uncoated heating element) is provided on the insulating layer 22 in the corresponding heating area, and the insulating layer 22 is used to insulate the heating element 23 from the metal tube. The insulating layer 22 may be applied by the coating process described above. In another embodiment, the insulating layer 22 may include a metal oxide layer formed by oxidizing a metal in a high-temperature environment, and therefore it is understandable that the insulating layer 22 may be formed on the surface of the metal tube by a method other than coating. In another embodiment, the insulating layer 22 may be an insulating sleeve fitted on the outer surface of the metal tube. In still another embodiment, the insulating layer 22 may be formed on the surface of the metal tube by anodizing.

[0096] In a specific embodiment, the thickness of the insulating layer 22 may be 0.01 to 0.05 mm, and in a more specific embodiment, the thickness of the insulating layer 22 is about 0.012 to 0.022 mm.

[0097] When the heating element 23 includes a heating film layer, the electrode 24 (electrode film layer) electrically connected to the heating element 23 may also be formed on the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 by the above-mentioned application process, or applied to the insulating layer 22 of the metal tube.

[0098] Specifically, the coating thickness of the electrode 24 (electrode film layer) may be 0.01 to 0.05 mm, and more specifically, the coating thickness of the electrode 24 (electrode film layer) is approximately 0.012 to 0.022 mm.

[0099] Alternatively, if the tubular body 21 is a metal tube, any of the above-mentioned bottom blank areas may be further limited between the distal end of the insulating layer 22 and the distal end of the tubular body 23, i.e., the bottom blank area may not be coated with the insulating layer 22. In another example, the metal tube corresponding to the bottom blank area also has an insulating layer.

[0100] 7 and 8, the outer periphery of the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 may further have a protective layer 25 for protecting the heating element 23 and the electrodes 24, and a portion of the electrodes 24 may be exposed outside the protective layer 25 so as to be electrically connected to a lead wire or a conductive terminal electrically connected to a power source. The protective layer 25 may also be formed on the outer periphery of the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 by the coating process described above.

[0101] Specifically, the thickness of the protective layer 25 may be 0.01 to 0.05 mm, and more specifically, the protective layer 25 is applied to a thickness of about 0.012 to 0.022 mm.

[0102] In a heating assembly 2 provided in another embodiment of the present application, at least one blank area 29 described in any one of the above embodiments has a positioning portion, which forms a reference coordinate and is used to determine at least a portion of the boundary of the heating element 23.

[0103] Based on this, in one embodiment, referring to Figure 8, the heating element 23 can surround the heating area 26 360°, thereby forming at least a portion of the heating element 23 in a closed ring shape, and the positioning portion can be used as a reference point to determine the position of the heating element 23 on the tubular body 21, and the position of the heating element 23 on the tubular body 21 can be associated with the positioning portion.

[0104] 6 and 7 , in another embodiment, the heating element 23 includes a heating film layer extending in the circumferential direction of the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 and having a second notch 231, the second notch 231 causing the heating element 23 to be open rather than being a closed annular shape, or to lose the continuity of at least a portion of the heating element 23. In one embodiment, the second notch 231 can be formed by removing a portion of the film layer of the heating element 23; for example, by removing a portion of the closed annular heating element 23, the heating element 23 becomes an unclosed annular shape, and the second notch 231 is formed in the unclosed portion; that is, the second notch 231 can be formed by a film removal process (one of which is to remove a coating of a predetermined thickness by laser etching). In another embodiment, the second notch 231 is formed by the end of coating, for example, one of the two opposing sides of the second notch 231 is the start side of coating and the other side is the end side of coating, so that the start and end of coating do not overlap, and the second notch 231 can be formed by rotating the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 at an angle of less than 360° relative to the coating head in a curved surface coating process. In another embodiment, the second notch 231 is formed by an interruption in coating, so that the coating head jumps when coating a certain location, and the heating film layer is not applied to that location, resulting in a gap, i.e., the second notch 231.

[0105] 6 and 7, the current flows through the heating film layer in the vertical direction, and the second notches 231 are linear and extend in the vertical direction, so that the corresponding heating film layer is roughly C-shaped. It can be understood that in some embodiments, there may be one or more second notches 231, and the second notches 231 may be circular, triangular, rectangular, etc., and may be surrounded by the heating film layer and distributed regularly or irregularly on the tubular body 21. In one embodiment, the heating film layer may be meshed with multiple second notches 231.

[0106] By providing the second notch, it is possible to adjust the resistance of the heat generating film layer and adjust the temperature field distribution of the tubular body 21, thereby meeting more heating demands.

[0107] In one embodiment, the positioning portion is used to position at least a portion of the boundary of the heating element 23, thereby making it possible to control the position and dimensions of at least a portion of the heating element 23, making processing easier and helping to improve production efficiency.

[0108] Specifically, the positioning portion may be a structure such as a rib, a groove, a first notch or a through hole, and a reference point can be formed by the positioning portion, for example the first notch 28, and the coordinates or boundary line of the edge of the second notch 231 in the tubular body 21 can be determined based on one or more reference points, for example, to determine the starting edge or ending edge in the case of a film removal process, or to determine the starting edge or ending edge during application, or to determine the jump point and landing point of a jump during application, etc., thereby allowing the boundary of the heating element 23 in the heating area 26 and the boundary of the heating element 23 in the case of the second notch 231 to be determined based on the positioning portion, which is useful for standardized mass production of heating assemblies 2 with the same specifications.

[0109] It is understood that the locking location and the positioning portion may be substituted for each other or may be the same component.

[0110] In one embodiment, the locking position or positioning portion is located outside the heating region 26 of the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212, and it can be understood that the locking position or positioning portion of the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 may remain after all coating and / or film removal operations are completed. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device includes a accommodating cavity and a mounting seat, and the remaining locking position or positioning portion fits into the mounting seat, is further positioned in the mounting seat, and can be held in the accommodating cavity via the mounting seat. In one embodiment, the remaining locking position or positioning portion is the first notch described in any one of the above embodiments for clamping the aerosol-forming substrate 11 with the clamping member 27.

[0111] In another embodiment, the locking positions or positioning portions are located in the top blank area or bottom blank area of ​​the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212, and after all coating and / or film removal operations are completed, the locking positions or positioning portions can be removed by removing the area where the locking positions or positioning portions are located in the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212, and particularly if the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212 is a metal tube, the blank area 29 having the locking positions or positioning portions can be removed by cutting techniques.

[0112] Based on this, in one embodiment, when the tubular body 21 simultaneously includes a top blank area and a bottom blank area, the vertical extension length of the top blank area may be different from the vertical extension length of the bottom blank area. For example, when the bottom blank area has the above-mentioned locking position or positioning portion and the top blank area does not have the above-mentioned locking position or positioning portion, the vertical extension length of the top blank area may be smaller than the vertical extension length of the bottom blank area. When a portion of the bottom blank area is removable, a locking position or positioning portion can be provided at the removable location, and when the bottom blank area is removed, the top blank area and the remaining bottom blank area may have the same vertical length. In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 5, the tubular body 21 simultaneously includes a top blank area and a bottom blank area, the vertical extension length of the top blank area is the same as the vertical extension length of the bottom blank area, and the bottom blank area is provided with a locking position or positioning portion or first notch described in any one of the above embodiments, however, the locking position, positioning portion and first notch are an integral structure.

[0113] It should be noted that the locking position or positioning portion or first notch is provided in the top blank area or bottom blank area of ​​the tubular body 21 or the first tubular body 212, but it is possible not to destroy the integrity of the electrode 24, i.e., it is provided away from the electrode 24, and preferably can be spaced apart from the electrode 24, and the distance may be 0.1 to 3 mm.

[0114] In any one of the above embodiments, the ratio of the longitudinal extension length of the heating region 26 to the longitudinal extension length of the aerosol-forming substrate is 0.6 to 1.1. When the length ratio is 0.6 to 1, the energy consumption of the heating assembly 2 can be reduced. When the length ratio is 1 to 1.1, (1) the heating element 23 completely surrounds the outer periphery of the aerosol-forming substrate 11, or (2) the proximal end of the heating element 23 is closer to the nozzle 13 than the proximal end of the aerosol-forming substrate 11, or (3) the distal end of the heating element 23 is farther from the nozzle 13 than the distal end of the aerosol-forming substrate 11. (1) and (2) are useful for improving the aerosol formation speed and are advantageous in shortening the time a user has to wait for the first inhale. Regarding (3), the oil liquid in the aerosol-forming substrate 11 exudes under high temperature and flows downward. When it flows through the heating area 26 where the heating element 23 is located outside the distal end of the aerosol-forming substrate 11, it can be vaporized by the heating element 23, thereby reducing oil contamination in the aerosol generating device.

[0115] In the heating assembly and aerosol generating device provided in the present application, the distal end of the heating region and the distal end of the tubular body are spaced apart, and at least a portion of the blank region is located between the distal end of the heating region and the distal end of the tubular body, so that the distal end of the aerosol-forming substrate is at a relatively low environmental temperature, or oil liquid exuded from the aerosol-forming substrate remains at the distal end of the tubular body, thereby preventing contamination by the exuded oil liquid when the aerosol-generating product is baked.

[0116] The heating assembly and aerosol generating device provided herein have a blank area, so that the heating area does not cover the entire tubular body. Under the condition that the material and thickness are the same, the relatively small area of ​​the heating area can reduce the power consumption of the heating assembly. The heating assembly can clamp the aerosol-forming substrate between the blank area or the second tubular body, which is advantageous for the aerosol-forming substrate to smoothly enter the cavity. The blank area or the second tubular body may have a first notch, locking position, or positioning portion, which can assist the clamping member in clamping the aerosol-forming substrate and can be fitted with a jig to rotate the tubular body and apply a curved coating to the tubular body. Furthermore, the first notch, locking position, or positioning portion can be used as a reference point to position the application area of ​​the heating element or the film removal area of ​​the heating element.

[0117] It should be noted that the specification and drawings of this application show preferred embodiments of the present application, but are not limited to the embodiments described in this specification, and that those skilled in the art may make improvements and modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications shall fall within the scope of protection of the appended claims of this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1. Aerosol-generating products 11 Aerosol-forming substrates 12 Cooling Segment 13 nozzles 2 Heating Assembly 21 Tubular body 211 Positioning groove 212 First tubular body 213 Second tubular body 22 Insulating layer 23 Heating element 231 Second notch 24 electrodes 25 Protective layer 26 heating area 27 Clamping member 271 Guide inclined surface 272 Fixed part 273 Protrusion 28 First notch 29 Blank area 3 Insertion port 4 Jig 41 1st support part 411 First connecting grip 412 Convex teeth 42 Second support part 421 Second connecting grip 43 Stopper part

Claims

1. a tubular body having an internal cavity formed therein and an open proximal end for allowing an aerosol-forming substrate in the aerosol-generating product to enter the cavity; the tubular body has a heating region and a blank region, and at least a portion of the heating region and at least a portion of the blank region are both provided to surround an outer periphery of the aerosol-forming substrate, the temperature and / or heating rate of the blank area is lower than the temperature and / or heating rate of the heated area; A heating assembly characterized in that the proximal end of the heating region is closer to the proximal end of the tubular body than the distal end of the heating region, the distal end of the heating region and the distal end of the tubular body are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the tubular body, and the blank region is at least partially located between the distal end of the heating region and the distal end of the tubular body.

2. a distal end of the aerosol-generating product is closer to the distal end of the tubular body than a proximal end of the aerosol-forming substrate; 10. The heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the aerosol-generating product is disposed below, above, or flush with the distal end of the tubular body.

3. 2. The heating assembly of claim 1, including a heating element formed in a portion of the tubular body and defining a boundary of the heating area, the blank area being devoid of at least the heating element compared to the heating area.

4. 2. The heating assembly of claim 1, comprising a heating element including a heating film layer, further comprising an electrode film layer, wherein the heating film layer and the electrode film layer are formed on the tubular body so as to overlap, and the overlapping portion defines at least a portion of the proximal end of at least the blank area.

5. 5. The heating assembly according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the tubular body in the heated region and the tubular body in the blank region are made of different materials.

6. 10. The heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the blank area is less than 160°C.

7. 2. The heating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the longitudinal extension of the heating region to the longitudinal extension of the aerosol-forming substrate is between 0.6 and 1.

1.

8. 2. The heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal separation distance between the distal end of the heating region and the distal end of the tubular body is 1 to 12 mm.

9. 2. The heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner walls of the blank area directly or indirectly sandwich at least a portion of the aerosol-generating product.

10. 10. The heating assembly of claim 9, further comprising a clamping member fitted to the outside of the tubular body, wherein the blank area has a notch, and the clamping member at least partially enters the cavity through the notch so as to clamp the aerosol-forming substrate.

11. 11. The heating assembly of claim 1 or 10, wherein the portion of the tubular body in the blank area comprises an insulated metallic material.

12. The heating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the blank areas include locking locations for clamping the tubular body during processing of the heating assembly.

13. The heating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the blank area is provided with a locating portion for determining at least a portion of the boundary of the heating element.

14. a tubular body having an internal cavity formed therein, an open proximal end for allowing a portion of the aerosol-generating product to enter the cavity, the tubular body including a heated region and a blank region; a heating element at least partially disposed in the heating zone, the heating element being used to heat an aerosol-forming substrate in the aerosol-generating product to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate entering the heating zone from a proximal end of the heating zone; the temperature of the blank region is lower than the temperature of the heated region, or the temperature rise rate of the blank region is lower than the temperature rise rate of the heated region, or the heating efficiency of the aerosol-forming substrate by the blank region is lower than the heating efficiency of the aerosol-forming substrate by the heated region; A heating assembly, characterized in that the blank area is provided with a locating portion for determining at least a portion of the boundary of the heating element.

15. a heating element including a heating film layer extending in a circumferential direction of the tubular body, the heating film layer having a notch so as to form an unclosed annular shape; The heating assembly of claim 14, wherein the location of the notch is related to the positioning portion.

16. a tubular body having an internal cavity formed therein, the proximal end of the tubular body being open to allow a portion of the aerosol-generating product to enter the cavity, the tubular body including a heating region and a blank region; a heating element at least partially disposed in the heating zone, the heating element being used to heat an aerosol-forming substrate in the aerosol-generating product to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate entering the heating zone from a proximal end of the heating zone; the temperature of the blank region is lower than the temperature of the heated region, or the temperature rise rate of the blank region is lower than the temperature rise rate of the heated region, or the heating efficiency of the aerosol-forming substrate by the blank region is lower than the heating efficiency of the aerosol-forming substrate by the heated region; A heating assembly, characterized in that the blank area includes a locking location for clamping the tubular body during processing of the heating assembly.

17. 17. The heating assembly of claim 16, wherein the stop is coupled to a jig to rotate the tubular body according to the jig and apply the heating element to the tubular body.

18. a tubular body having an internal cavity and an open proximal end for allowing an aerosol-forming substrate in the aerosol-generating product to enter the cavity; the tubular body has a heating region and a blank region, the heating region is used to heat the aerosol-forming substrate that has entered the heating region from a proximal end thereof to generate an aerosol, and the temperature of the blank region is lower than that of the heating region, or the temperature rise rate of the blank region is lower than that of the heating region, or the heating efficiency of the aerosol-forming substrate by the blank region is lower than the heating efficiency of the aerosol-forming substrate by the heating region; A heating assembly, characterized in that at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate corresponding to the blank area is clamped.

19. an inner diameter of at least a part of the blank area is smaller than an outer diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate; or 20. The heating assembly of claim 18, wherein a portion of the tubular body corresponding to the blank area has a protrusion on an inner wall.

20. 20. The heating assembly of claim 19, further comprising a clamping member, wherein the corresponding blank area has a notch, and the clamping member at least partially enters the cavity through the notch to clamp the aerosol-forming substrate.

21. the clamping members comprise an elastic material for elastically clamping the aerosol-forming substrate; and / or 21. The heating assembly of claim 20, wherein the clamping member has a guide inclined surface provided toward the proximal end of the tubular body.

22. An aerosol generating device comprising a housing and a heating assembly described in any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein an accommodating cavity for accommodating the heating assembly is formed inside the housing, the housing has an insertion port, and the aerosol-forming substrate enters the cavity through the insertion port.

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