Aerosol generator and heater used in aerosol generator

Abstract

The present invention provides an aerosol generator and a heater used in the aerosol generator. [Solution] The aerosol generator includes a cavity for receiving an aerosol generating product, a magnetic field generator for generating a changing magnetic field, and a heater 30 for heating the aerosol generating product. The heater includes a susceptor 31 having a cavity that extends axially and is penetrated and heated by the changing magnetic field, at least a portion of which extends within the cavity, a temperature sensor used to detect the temperature of the susceptor, at least a portion of which is located within the cavity and connected to the inner wall surface of the susceptor, and a hole that penetrates from the outer surface of the susceptor to the cavity, the connection position between the temperature sensor and the susceptor corresponding to the hole. In the above aerosol generator, the heater makes the connection operation between the temperature sensor and the susceptor via the hole more convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - reference to Related Applications) This application claims the priority of a Chinese application with application number 202123257899.X, titled "Aerosol Generator and Heater Used in Aerosol Generator", filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on December 21, 2021, and all its contents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application relates to the technical field of aerosol generation, and particularly to an aerosol generator and a heater used in the aerosol generator.

Background Art

[0003] Tobacco products (such as cigarettes, cigars, etc.) generate tobacco smoke by burning tobacco during use. As an alternative to these products that burn tobacco, attempts have been made to produce products that release compounds without combustion.

[0004] An example of such a product is a heating device, which releases compounds by heating materials rather than burning them. For example, the material can be tobacco or other non - tobacco products, and these non - tobacco products may or may not contain nicotine. As another example, in the prior art, an electromagnetic induction heating device that generates smokable aerosol by heating tobacco or non - tobacco products with a susceptor that can generate heat when penetrated by a changing magnetic field has been proposed. Known heating devices detect the temperature of the susceptor in real - time by opening a hole inside the susceptor and then enclosing a temperature sensor, but opening a hole in the susceptor and enclosing a temperature sensor is difficult in production and processing.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] One embodiment of this application is an aerosol generator for heating an aerosol - generating product to generate an aerosol, a cavity for receiving the aerosol - generating product, A magnetic field generator for generating a changing magnetic field, A heater for heating an aerosol generating product, wherein the heater is A susceptor having a cavity that extends axially, at least a portion of which extends within the cavity and is configured to be penetrated and heated by a changing magnetic field, A temperature sensor used to detect the temperature of the susceptor, with at least a portion of it located within the cavity, The present invention provides an aerosol generator comprising: a hole that penetrates from the outer surface of the susceptor to the cavity and provides a path for operating the temperature sensor, thereby configuring the connection of the temperature sensor to the susceptor.

[0006] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, at least a portion of the temperature sensor is visible through the hole.

[0007] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the hole extends substantially along the radial direction of the susceptor.

[0008] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the size of the hole along the longitudinal direction of the susceptor is larger than the size along the circumferential direction of the susceptor.

[0009] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the holes are 1.2 to 2 mm in size along the longitudinal direction of the susceptor, and / or 0.5 to 1.0 mm in size along the circumferential direction of the susceptor.

[0010] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the cross-sectional area of ​​the hole is 2 mm 2 It is smaller than that.

[0011] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the cavity includes a terminal that terminates within the susceptor, and the hole is adjacent to the terminal.

[0012] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the heater is: The susceptor further includes a protective layer bonded to its outer surface and covering the pore.

[0013] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the temperature sensor includes a first thermocouple wire and a second thermocouple wire connected to the susceptor, wherein the first thermocouple wire and the second thermocouple wire are made of different materials.

[0014] Another embodiment of this application is, A susceptor configured to be penetrated and generate heat by a changing magnetic field, structured as an elongated shape extending along an axis, and having a cavity extending along the axis, A temperature sensor used to detect the temperature of the susceptor, with at least a portion of it located within the cavity, A heater for use in an aerosol generator is provided, which includes a hole that penetrates from the outer surface of the susceptor to the cavity and provides a path for operating the temperature sensor, thereby configuring the temperature sensor to be fixedly connected to the susceptor.

[0015] The above heater offers more convenient operation for connecting the temperature sensor and susceptor via a hole. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] One or more embodiments are illustrated by corresponding accompanying drawings, but these illustrative descriptions are not limiting to embodiments, elements with the same reference numeral in the drawings are similar elements, and unless otherwise specified, the figures in the accompanying drawings are not limiting to proportions. [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generator provided in one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the heater. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the heater from one viewing angle. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the susceptor in Figure 3 from one viewing angle. [Figure 5]It is a schematic cross-sectional view from a perspective of the heater in FIG. 2.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] To facilitate understanding of the present application, the present application will be described in more detail below in association with the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0018] One embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol generator, the structure of which is as shown in FIG. 1, a cavity in which an aerosol generating product A is removably received, a magnetic field generator such as an induction coil 50 for generating a magnetic field that changes under an alternating current, a heater 30 at least partially extending within the cavity, inductively coupled to the induction coil 50 and penetrated by the changing magnetic field to generate heat, thereby heating an aerosol generating product A such as tobacco, volatilizing at least one component of the aerosol generating product A, and configured to form a smoking aerosol; a battery cell 10 which is a rechargeable DC battery cell capable of outputting a DC current, a circuit 20 which is appropriately electrically connected to the rechargeable battery cell 10 to convert the DC current output from the battery cell 10 into an alternating current having an appropriate frequency and then supply it to the induction coil 50.

[0019] According to the settings in the use of the product, the induction coil 50 may include a cylindrical induction coil wound in a spiral shape as shown in FIG. 1. The radius r of the cylindrical induction coil 50 wound in a spiral shape may be in the range of about 5 mm to about 10 mm, and in particular, the radius r may be about 7 mm. The length of the cylindrical induction coil 50 wound in a spiral shape may be in the range of about 8 mm to about 14 mm. The number of turns of the induction coil 50 is in the range of about 8 turns to 15 turns. Accordingly, the internal volume may be in the range of about 0.15 cm 3 to about 1.10 cm 3 range.

[0020] In a more preferred embodiment, the frequency of the alternating current supplied from the circuit 20 to the induction coil 50 is in the range of 80 kHz to 500 kHz, and more specifically, the frequency may be in the range of approximately 200 to 300 kHz.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the DC power supply voltage provided by the battery cell 10 is in the range of approximately 2.5V to approximately 9.0V, and the amperage of the DC current that can be provided by the battery cell 10 is in the range of approximately 2.5A to approximately 20A.

[0022] In one preferred embodiment, the heater 30 has a substantially pin-like, needle-like, rod-like, or blade-like shape, which is advantageous for insertion into the aerosol-generating product A. The heater 30 may also have a length of about 12 mm, a width of about 4 mm, and a thickness of about 0.5 mm, and may be made of grade 430 stainless steel (SS430). In an alternative embodiment, the heater 30 may have a length of about 12 mm, a width of about 5 mm, and a thickness of about 0.5 mm, and may be made of grade 430 stainless steel (SS430). In other modified embodiments, the heater 30 may be further constructed in a cylindrical or tubular shape. When in use, its internal space forms a cavity for receiving the aerosol-generating product A, and generates a smoking aerosol by heating the outer circumference of the aerosol-generating product A. These heaters 30 may further be made of grade 420 stainless steel (SS420) and iron / nickel-containing alloy materials (e.g., permalloy).

[0023] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the aerosol generator further includes a holder 40 for arranging the induction coil 50 and the heater 30, and the material of the holder 40 may include a non-metallic material that can withstand high temperatures, such as PEEK or ceramic. In the embodiment, the induction coil 50 is wound around and fixed to the outer wall of the holder 40. Also, as shown in Figure 1, the holder 40 has a hollow tubular shape, and a portion of its tubular hollow space forms the cavity for receiving the aerosol generating product A.

[0024] In a selective embodiment, the heater 30 is manufactured from the sensitive material described above, or a sensitive material coating is formed on the outer surface of a heat-resistant substrate such as a non-sensitive ceramic by electroplating, deposition, or the like.

[0025] Furthermore, Figures 2-5 show schematic diagrams of a heater 30 of one embodiment, which has a free front end 310 and a terminal end 320 facing each other in the longitudinal direction. After assembly, the free front end 310 is exposed within the cavity, and the terminal end is concealed by being connected to the housing or fixing member of the aerosol generator. In addition, the heater 30 includes a susceptor 31.

[0026] The susceptor 31 is pin-shaped, needle-shaped, or rod-shaped, contains the above-mentioned sensitive material, can be penetrated by a changing magnetic field and generate heat, and the free front end 310 and end end 320 of the heater 30 are defined by both ends of the susceptor 31 in the longitudinal direction.

[0027] The susceptor 31 has a tapered portion 311 near the free front end 310, and further forms a tapered tip at the free front end 310, which is advantageous for insertion into the aerosol generating product A. The susceptor 31 has a base 312 that extends radially outward at the end 320, and the base 312 protrudes from the rest of the susceptor 31, so that during assembly, the aerosol generating device can support the heater 30 by clamping or holding the base 312, thereby stabilizing the assembly of the heater 30.

[0028] In some selective embodiments, the susceptor 31 is manufactured from the above-mentioned susceptible metal or alloy, such as magnetic stainless steel, nickel-iron alloy, or iron-aluminum alloy. In some selective embodiments, the susceptor 31 is manufactured by processes such as machining, powder metallurgy, or in-mold injection molding.

[0029] In some selective embodiments, the susceptor 31 has an outer diameter of approximately 2.0 to 3.0 mm and an extended length d1 of approximately 12 to 20 mm.

[0030] Furthermore, the susceptor 31 also has, A cavity (a structure with a hollow interior) 314 is provided that extends within the susceptor 31 in the axial direction of the susceptor 31.

[0031] The cavity 314 has an axial extension length d2 of approximately 8 to 12 mm of the susceptor 31 and an inner diameter of approximately 1.0 to 2.5 mm. The cavity 314 has a first end 3140 that is close to the free front end 310 in the longitudinal direction, the first end 3140 is located inside the susceptor 31 and terminates at the first end 3140, and the second end of the cavity 314 is open at the end 320.

[0032] Furthermore, the susceptor 31 also has, A temperature sensor is provided that enters the cavity 314 through an opening at the end 320 of the cavity 314. In the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 5, the temperature sensor includes a first thermocouple wire 341 and a second thermocouple wire 342 connected to the susceptor 31, wherein the first thermocouple wire 341 and the second thermocouple wire 342 are each made of different thermocouple materials, and a thermocouple for detecting the temperature of the heater 30 may be formed between them. For example, the first thermocouple wire 341 and the second thermocouple wire 342 are each made of two different materials from among thermocouple materials such as nickel, nickel-chromium alloy, nickel-silicon alloy, nickel-chromium-copel, constantan, and iron-chromium alloy. The first thermocouple wire 341 and the second thermocouple wire 342 have an outer diameter size of approximately 0.2 to 0.8 mm.

[0033] Furthermore, in the implementation, the susceptor 31 is provided with a hole 313 that extends from the outer surface to the first end 3140 of the cavity 314. The hole 313 is provided in close proximity to the first end 3140 of the cavity 314. The hole 313 is an operating hole for the user to connect the first thermocouple wire 341 and the second thermocouple wire 342 to the susceptor 31 at the first end 3140 of the cavity 314.

[0034] Specifically, the first thermocouple wire 341 and the second thermocouple wire 342 enter the cavity 314 and basically come into contact with the first end 3140 of the cavity 314. Furthermore, at least a portion of the first thermocouple wire 341 and the second thermocouple wire 342 can be seen through the hole 313. In addition, by irradiating the hole 313 with a laser or injecting solder, the first thermocouple wire 341 and the second thermocouple wire 342 are welded to the susceptor 31 at the first end 3140 of the cavity 314 to form a connection, thereby enabling stable measurement of the temperature of the susceptor 31.

[0035] Furthermore, the surfaces of the first thermocouple wire 341 and the second thermocouple wire 342 are provided with an insulating coating, thereby maintaining insulation from the susceptor 31. In some embodiments, the insulating coating can be manufactured on the first thermocouple wire 341 and the second thermocouple wire 342 by processes such as spray coating, dipping coating, vacuum deposition, and high-temperature oxidation.

[0036] Alternatively, in another modified embodiment, the temperature sensor may be a pre-manufactured, finished thermocouple sensor, such as a K-type or J-type enclosed thermocouple. After inserting the probe portion of the enclosed thermocouple into the first end 3140 of the cavity 314, the probe of the enclosed thermocouple is connected to the susceptor 31 by irradiating it with a laser or injecting solder through the hole 313. Alternatively, in some other modified embodiments, the temperature sensor may be a thermistor-type temperature sensor such as a PT1000.

[0037] Furthermore, referring to the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 3, the hole 313 is configured as an elongated oval hole rather than a typical circular shape. Specifically, the hole 313 is configured such that the size d32 extending along the axial direction of the susceptor 31 is larger than the size d31 extending along the circumferential direction of the susceptor 31. In some specific embodiments, the size d31 is approximately 0.5 to 1.0 mm, and the size d32 is approximately 1.2 to 2 mm. Moreover, in operations such as welding using laser irradiation, the laser irradiation angle in the longitudinal direction is larger, which is more advantageous for production, manufacturing, and operation.

[0038] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the holes 313 are preferably straight holes, which are advantageous in that they are bypass channels that cannot be bypassed at least in the return direction and do not interfere with the linear propagation of the laser. Furthermore, in a more preferred embodiment, the holes 313 are arranged along the radial direction of the susceptor 31.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2-5, the heater 30 is The device further includes a protective layer 32 formed on or covering the outer surface of the susceptor 31. The protective layer 32 covers the holes 313, thereby concealing or blocking the holes 313 on the surface of the heater 30. This prevents tobacco residue, debris, aerosol condensate, etc., originating from aerosol generating product A from entering the cavity 314 through the holes 313.

[0040] In some embodiments, the protective layer 32 may include an inorganic nonmetallic material, such as an insulating material such as an oxide (e.g., MgO, SiO2, Al2O3, B2O3, etc.), a nitride (Si3N4, B3N4, Al3N4, etc.), or another highly thermally conductive composite ceramic material. In practice, the protective layer 32 can be formed on the surface of the susceptor 31 by methods such as spray coating, dipping coating, or deposition. In one specific embodiment, the protective layer 32 is a ceramic film or a glass glaze layer.

[0041] In some embodiments, the protective layer 32 formed by methods such as spray coating, dipping coating, or deposition may have a thickness of about 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

[0042] Furthermore, a protective layer 32 is formed by methods such as spray coating or deposition, making the surface of the heater 30 smooth and flat. Because the protective layer 32 is opaque, the holes 313 are not visible on the surface of the heater 30.

[0043] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​hole 313 is 2 mm². 2The following limitations apply, and in the case of the cross-sectional area size, when forming the protective layer 32 by spray coating, dipping coating, or deposition, the holes 313 can be smoothly covered and a flat surface can be formed.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, the first thermocouple wire 341 and the second thermocouple wire 342 have an extended length of approximately 25 to 60 mm, and after manufacturing and assembly, at least a portion of the first thermocouple wire 341 and the second thermocouple wire 342 are exposed outside the end 320, which is advantageous for connecting to the circuit 20, making it easier for the circuit 20 to sample or acquire the detection results.

[0045] Furthermore, another embodiment of this application further provides a method for manufacturing a heater 30, the method comprising the following steps S10 to S40.

[0046] In S10, a susceptor 31 having the shape of a pin, needle, column, or rod is obtained, and the susceptor 31 has the cavity 314 and hole 313.

[0047] In S20, the first thermocouple wire 341 and the second thermocouple wire 342 are inserted into the cavity 314 through the opening at the distal end 320 and come into contact with the first end 3140 of the cavity 314.

[0048] In S30, the first thermocouple wire 341 and the second thermocouple wire 342 are welded to the susceptor 31 by irradiating the first end 3140 of the cavity 314 through the hole 313 with a laser.

[0049] In step S40, a protective layer 32, such as a glaze layer, is formed on the surface of the susceptor 31 by spray coating or dipping coating, covering or protecting the pores 313, and the heater 30 is obtained.

[0050] The heater 30 described above offers more convenient connection operation between the temperature sensor and the susceptor 31 via the hole 313.

[0051] It should be noted that while the specification and drawings of this application illustrate preferred embodiments of this application, this application is not limited to the embodiments described herein, and furthermore, those skilled in the art can make improvements and modifications based on the above description, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the claims attached to this application.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device for generating aerosols by heating an aerosol generating product, A cavity for receiving aerosol-generating products, A magnetic field generator for generating a changing magnetic field, A heater for heating an aerosol generating product, wherein the heater is A susceptor having a cavity that extends axially, at least a portion of which extends into the cavity and is configured to be penetrated and generate heat by a changing magnetic field, A temperature sensor used to detect the temperature of the susceptor, at least a portion of which is located within the cavity and connected to the inner wall surface of the susceptor, The susceptor includes a hole that penetrates from the outer surface of the susceptor to the cavity, An aerosol generator in which the connection position between the temperature sensor and the susceptor corresponds to the hole.

2. The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the holes substantially extend along the radial direction of the susceptor.

3. The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the size of the hole along the longitudinal direction of the susceptor is larger than the size along the circumferential direction of the susceptor.

4. The aerosol generator according to claim 3, wherein the holes have a size of 1.2 to 2 mm along the longitudinal direction of the susceptor, and / or the holes have a size of 0.5 to 1.0 mm along the circumferential direction of the susceptor.

5. The cross-sectional area of ​​the hole is 2 mm ２ The aerosol generator according to claim 1, which is smaller than the aerosol generator described in claim 1.

6. The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the cavity includes a terminal that terminates within the susceptor, and the hole is adjacent to the terminal.

7. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heater is coupled to the outer surface of the susceptor and further includes a protective layer covering the hole.

8. The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor includes a first thermocouple wire and a second thermocouple wire connected to the susceptor, and the first thermocouple wire and the second thermocouple wire are made of different materials.

9. A susceptor configured to be penetrated and generate heat by a changing magnetic field, structured as an elongated shape extending along an axis, and having a cavity extending along the axis, A temperature sensor used to detect the temperature of the susceptor, at least a portion of which is located within the cavity and connected to the inner wall surface of the susceptor, The susceptor includes a hole that penetrates from the outer surface of the susceptor to the cavity, A heater used in an aerosol generator, wherein the connection position between the temperature sensor and the susceptor corresponds to the hole.

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