Aerosol-generating substrate and microwave heating method

Abstract

An aerosol generating substrate (100) and a microwave heating method are provided, wherein the aerosol generating substrate (100) has at least one aerosol release passage (10), and the thickness of the wall (20) that constitutes the aerosol release passage (10) is 0.1 mm to 1.2 mm. The aerosol generating substrate (100) of the embodiment of the present application can improve the aerosol extraction efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - reference to related applications) This application claims the priority of a Chinese patent application with the application number 202310787002.9, which was filed with the Chinese Patent Office on June 29, 2023, and all the contents of the Chinese patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application relates to the technical field of smoking products, and particularly to an aerosol - generating substrate and a microwave heating method.

Background Art

[0003] An aerosol - generating substrate generally generates an aerosol by a non - combustion heating method. Specifically, the aerosol - generating substrate is heated using an external heat source to a degree sufficient to just emit a fragrance. The aerosol - generating substrate does not burn and contains an aerosolizing agent, so that when in use, the aerosolizing agent is released by heating to form a smoke.

[0004] In related technologies, the methods for heating an aerosol - generating substrate include resistance heating, electromagnetic heating, microwave heating, etc. Before suction, it is necessary to pre - heat the aerosol - generating substrate first. After preheating, the user can continuously suction the aerosol - generating substrate a predetermined number of times to achieve the purpose of inhaling the aerosol.

[0005] However, in related technologies, due to the high density of the physical structure of the aerosol - generating substrate, during the heating process, it is difficult for the aerosol to flow through the physical structure of the aerosol - generating substrate in a short time or to be released from the physical structure of the aerosol - generating substrate to the outside. As a result, the extraction efficiency of the aerosol - generating substrate is significantly reduced, and it cannot meet the requirement of immediate suction.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide an aerosol generating substrate and a microwave heating method that can improve the extraction efficiency of aerosols. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, embodiments of the present application provide an aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating substrate has at least one aerosol release passage, and the thickness of the wall constituting the aerosol release passage of the aerosol-generating substrate is 0.1 mm to 1.2 mm.

[0008] In one embodiment, the thickness of the wall is 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm.

[0009] In one embodiment, the difference in the thickness of the wall at different positions on the aerosol-generating substrate is 0 to 100%.

[0010] In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating substrate is an extruded structure.

[0011] In one embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​each aerosol discharge passage is S1, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the wall constituting the corresponding aerosol discharge passage is S2, where S1:S2 = 1:1 to 5:1.

[0012] In one embodiment, the wall includes a first wall that constitutes the outer contour of the aerosol-generating substrate, and a portion of the inner surface of the first wall is recessed toward the outside of the aerosol-generating substrate, thereby forming a plurality of first grooves spaced apart on the inner circumference side of the first wall.

[0013] In one embodiment, the wall includes a first wall that constitutes the outer contour of the aerosol-generating substrate, and a portion of the outer surface of the first wall is recessed toward the inside of the aerosol-generating substrate, thereby forming a plurality of second grooves spaced apart on the outer circumference of the first wall.

[0014] In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating substrate has a plurality of first grooves and a plurality of second grooves, and the first grooves and the second grooves are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence facing each other along the thickness direction of the wall.

[0015] In one embodiment, the wall comprises a first wall and a second wall, the first wall comprising the outer contour of the aerosol-generating substrate and a hollow region located inside the aerosol-generating substrate, and the second wall provided within the hollow region, thereby separating the hollow region into at least two aerosol-releasing passages.

[0016] In one embodiment, there are multiple second walls, with one side of each second wall connected to the first wall and the opposite sides of each second wall connected to one another.

[0017] In one embodiment, the aerosol discharge passage includes at least one first aerosol discharge passage and a plurality of second aerosol discharge passages surrounding the periphery of the first aerosol discharge passage.

[0018] In one embodiment, the wall comprises a first wall, a plurality of second walls, and an annular third wall, the first wall constituting the outer contour of the aerosol-generating substrate and a hollow region located inside the aerosol-generating substrate, the plurality of second walls together with the third wall provided within the hollow region, one side of each second wall connected to the first wall, the opposite side of each second wall connected to the third wall, the first aerosol release passage formed within the third wall, and the first wall, the third wall, and two adjacent second walls jointly constitute the second aerosol release passage.

[0019] In one embodiment, pores are provided in the wall.

[0020] In one embodiment, the wall has a radio wave absorbing material.

[0021] In one embodiment, the wall is used to generate an aerosol by absorbing microwaves to generate heat.

[0022] In one embodiment, one end of the aerosol discharge passage is an open end that penetrates the aerosol generation substrate, and the other end on the opposite side of the aerosol discharge passage is a closed end.

[0023] In one embodiment, both opposite ends of the aerosol discharge passage are open ends that penetrate the aerosol generation substrate.

[0024] Another embodiment of the present application provides a microwave heating method used for the aerosol generation substrate described above. The method includes heating the aerosol generation substrate using microwaves and discharging the aerosol generated by the aerosol generation substrate into the aerosol discharge passage.

[0025] In one embodiment, the number of the aerosol discharge passages is plural, and the microwave heating method includes heating the wall of a part of the aerosol discharge passages among the plural aerosol discharge passages each time.

[0026] In one embodiment, the aerosol discharge passage includes at least one first aerosol discharge passage and a plurality of second aerosol discharge passages surrounding the circumferential side of the first aerosol discharge passage, and the microwave heating method includes heating the wall of a part of the second aerosol discharge passages among the plural second aerosol discharge passages each time.

[0027] Embodiments of the present application provide an aerosol generation substrate and a microwave heating method. The aerosol generation substrate has at least one aerosol discharge passage, and the thickness of the wall forming the aerosol discharge passage of the aerosol generation substrate is 0.1 mm to 1.2 mm. By setting the thickness of the wall within the range of 0.1 mm to 1.2 mm, it is advantageous for quickly discharging the aerosol during the heating process, improving the extraction efficiency of the aerosol, ensuring the carbonization rate of the aerosol generation substrate, and improving the utilization rate. Furthermore, this thickness range can also endow the aerosol generation substrate with sufficient structural strength and make it difficult to deform.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the first type of aerosol generation substrate according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] It is a schematic diagram showing the cross-section of the aerosol generation substrate shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the second type of aerosol generation substrate according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] It is a schematic diagram showing the cross-section of the aerosol generation substrate shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the third type of aerosol generation substrate according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] It is a schematic diagram showing the cross-section of the aerosol generation substrate shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the fourth type of aerosol generation substrate according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] It is a schematic diagram showing the cross-section of the aerosol generation substrate shown in FIG. 7.​​​​​​​​​​​​​The embodiments of the present application provide an aerosol-generating substrate 100, which, referring to Figures 1 to 9, has at least one aerosol release passage 10, and the thickness of the wall 20 constituting the aerosol release passage 10 of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 (the letter D in Figures 2, 4, 6, and 8 all represent the thickness of each wall 20) is 0.1 mm to 1.2 mm (including the endpoint value).

[0030] The aerosol-generating substrate 100 is used in combination with an aerosol-generating device equipped with a heating unit. Specifically, the heating unit generates an aerosol for use by the user for inhalation or for pharmaceutical and cosmetic purposes by heating and atomizing the aerosol-generating substrate 100.

[0031] The heating methods of the heating unit vary, and exemplarily, heating methods include central heating and peripheral heating. Central heating refers to inserting the heating unit inside the aerosol generating substrate 100 and heating the aerosol generating substrate 100 from the inside out. Peripheral heating refers to placing the heating unit outside the aerosol generating substrate 100 and heating the aerosol generating substrate 100 from the outside in. Specifically, these heating methods may include resistance heating, electromagnetic heating, infrared heating, microwave heating, laser heating, etc.

[0032] For example, the aerosol-generating substrate 100 is used for microwave heating, and the walls of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 are used to generate aerosols by absorbing microwaves and generating heat.

[0033] The specific structure of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 is not limited here. Exemplarily, in one embodiment, the aerosol-generating substrate 100 may be manufactured from the atomizing medium itself, for example, a smoke-generating flavor medium. In some other embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate 100 may include a substrate and an atomizing medium provided on the substrate, and the substrate may be, for example, a high-temperature resistant carbon fiber. By providing a substrate in this way, the strength of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 can be increased, and it can also withstand a certain level of high temperature and not generate off-flavors.

[0034] The specific components of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 are not limited here. For example, in one example, the aerosol-generating substrate 100 may include plant components, auxiliary components, smoke-generating components, adhesive components, and the like.

[0035] In one embodiment, the plant component is one or more combinations of powders formed after grinding tobacco leaf raw materials, tobacco leaf fragments, tobacco stems, tobacco powder, flavoring plants, etc. The plant component is the core source of the product's flavor, and endogenous substances within the plant component, such as nicotine, enter the human bloodstream through atomization, promoting dopamine production by the pituitary gland, thereby providing a physiological sense of satisfaction.

[0036] In one embodiment, the auxiliary component may be one or more combinations of inorganic fillers, lubricants, and emulsifiers. Here, the inorganic filler may be one or more combinations of heavy calcium carbonate, light calcium carbonate, zeolite, attapulgite, talc, and diatomaceous earth. The inorganic filler can provide skeletal support to the plant components, and at the same time, the inorganic filler has even more micropores, which can improve the porosity of the wall material after molding of the plant components, thereby improving the aerosol release rate.

[0037] The lubricant may be one or a combination of candelilla wax, carnauba wax, shellac, sunflower wax, rice bran, beeswax, stearic acid, and palmitic acid. The lubricant can increase particle fluidity, reduce friction between particles, make the overall density of the particle distribution more uniform, reduce the pressure required for mold forming, and reduce mold wear.

[0038] The emulsifier may be one or a combination of polyglycerin fatty acid esters, Tween-80, and polyvinyl alcohol. Emulsifiers can, to some extent, mitigate the loss of flavor substances during storage, increase the stability of flavor substances, and improve the sensory quality of the product. Emulsifiers (also known as surfactants) can reduce the interfacial tension between water-soluble and water-insoluble components in the mixture, forming a relatively firm thin film on the surface of microdroplets, or forming a double electrical layer on the surface of microdroplets due to the charge imparted by the emulsifier, preventing aggregation of microdroplets and maintaining a uniform emulsion. Emulsifying and homogenizing two miscible components can improve the consistency of product quality.

[0039] The role of the fumigating agent component is to improve the amount of smoke produced by the product by generating a large amount of vapor when heated. In one embodiment, the fumigating agent may be one or more combinations of monohydric alcohols (such as menthol), polyhydric alcohols (such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and glycerin), esters of polyhydric alcohols (such as monoacetin, diacetin, or triacetin), monocarboxylic acids, polycarboxylic acids (such as lauric acid and myristic acid), or aliphatic esters of polycarboxylic acids (such as dimethyl dodecanediate, dimethyl tetradecanediate, erythritol, 1,3-butanediol, tetraethylene glycol, triethyl citrate, propylene carbonate, ethyl laurate, triacetin, mesoerythritol, diacetin mixture, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, ethyl vanillate, tributyline, lauryl acetate, etc.).

[0040] In one embodiment, the adhesive component is a natural plant extract or a nonionic modified viscous polysaccharide, and includes one or more combinations of tamarind polysaccharide, pullulan, seaweed polysaccharide, locust bean gum, guar gum, and xyloglucan. The adhesive adheres to the constituent materials of the product by wetting the interface and generating intermolecular attractive forces, thereby bonding the powder, liquid, etc. of the constituent materials. At the same time, by selecting a natural plant extract or a nonionic modified adhesive, the release of harmful substances such as methanol, formaldehyde, and acrolein due to colloidal modification can be avoided, thereby enhancing the safety of the product.

[0041] In one embodiment, the wall may further contain a radio wave absorbing material, which is a material having a relatively high absorption rate for microwaves and is well suited to microwave heating.

[0042] Exemplary, the aerosol-generating substrate 100 may be a particle binder, which is a type of reconstituted tobacco medium, for example, a reconstituted tobacco medium containing components such as a smoke-generating agent and tobacco. The aerosol-generating substrate 100 is a single-piece structure, and may be a single-piece structure formed by, for example, injection molding, compression molding, or extrusion molding processes. Here, extrusion molding refers to a processing method in which a raw material mixture is fed into an extruder, and the raw material mixture is pushed forward by the screw due to the action between the cylinder and screw of the extruder, and continuously passes through a die head to produce products or semi-finished products of various cross-sections. The aerosol substrate formed by extrusion molding is rod-shaped.

[0043] Since the aerosol-generating substrate 100 is a particle aggregate, the aerosol-generating substrate 100 remains a single medium even after heat absorption or cessation, making it less susceptible to disintegration and shedding. This solves problems such as peeling of the flakes, shedding of filamentous and particle components, and difficulty in cleaning that are seen in the three types of aerosol-generating substrates 100 in the conventional technology: flake-like, dispersed particulate, and filamentous.

[0044] The shape of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 is not limited, as long as an aerosol release channel can be installed. For example, referring to Figure 1, the aerosol-generating substrate 100 may be columnar. The cross-sectional shape of the columnar aerosol-generating substrate 100 may be circular, polygonal (including but not limited to triangles, quadrilaterals, rhombuses, etc.), elliptical, track-shaped, irregular, etc., where irregular refers to any symmetrical or asymmetrical shape other than those mentioned above.

[0045] The aerosol release passage 10 is a passage for extracting aerosols during heating. In other words, the aerosols generated by the heat absorption of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 enter the aerosol release passage 10 and are discharged from the aerosol release passage 10.

[0046] The number of aerosol discharge passages 10 may be one or multiple.

[0047] One end of the aerosol release passage 10 may be an open end that penetrates the aerosol-generating substrate 100, while the other end of the aerosol release passage 10 is a closed end. In other words, the aerosol release passage 10 penetrates only one end of the aerosol-generating substrate 100.

[0048] Both opposing ends of the aerosol release passage 10 may be open ends that penetrate the aerosol-generating substrate 100. In other words, the aerosol release passage 10 may penetrate both ends of the aerosol-generating substrate 100.

[0049] For an aerosol-generating substrate 100 having multiple aerosol release passages 10, as an example, referring to Figures 5 and 6, each aerosol release passage 10 may be provided at intervals along the circumferential direction of the aerosol-generating substrate 100.

[0050] Illustratively, referring to Figures 7 to 9, at least one aerosol release passage 10 may be provided in the intermediate region of the aerosol-generating substrate 100, and the other aerosol release passages 10 surround the periphery of the aerosol release passage 10 located in the intermediate region. For example, for convenience of explanation, the aerosol release passages 10 in Figures 7 to 9 can be called the first aerosol release passage 10a and the second aerosol release passage 10b, respectively. In Figures 7 to 9, there is only one first aerosol release passage 10a and multiple second aerosol release passages 10b, and the multiple second aerosol release passages 10b surround the periphery of the first aerosol release passage 10a. In some other embodiments, multiple first aerosol release passages 10a may be provided, and the multiple second aerosol release passages 10b can surround the periphery of the first aerosol release passage 10a.

[0051] The wall 20 constituting the aerosol release passage 10 corresponds to the side wall of the aerosol release passage 10. Referring to Figures 5 to 9, when there are multiple aerosol release passages 10, the aerosol-generating substrate 100 also includes the wall 20 described in the embodiment of this application in the portion separating two adjacent aerosol release passages 10 (this portion may also be called a partition wall located between two adjacent aerosol release passages 10).

[0052] The specific thickness of the wall 20 can be adjusted according to the design requirements. For example, the thickness of the wall 20 may be 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.35 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm, 1.1 mm, or 1.2 mm.

[0053] If the thickness of the wall 20 exceeds 1.2 mm, the wall 20 becomes too thick, preventing rapid extraction of the aerosol and making it more susceptible to cooling inside the aerosol-generating substrate 100. If the thickness of the wall 20 is less than 0.1 mm, the wall 20 becomes too thin, resulting in insufficient aerosol generation per unit area of ​​the aerosol-generating substrate 100 due to heat absorption, and the aerosol-generating substrate 100 becomes more prone to deformation. If the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 is circular, deformation can lead to insufficient circularity.

[0054] In contrast, setting the thickness of the wall 20 within the range of 0.1 mm to 1.2 mm is advantageous for rapidly releasing aerosols during heating, improving the aerosol extraction efficiency, ensuring the carbonization rate of the aerosol-generating substrate 100, and improving its utilization rate. Furthermore, this thickness range also allows the aerosol-generating substrate 100 to have sufficient structural strength and be less prone to deformation.

[0055] More preferably, the thickness of the wall 20 may be 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm (including the endpoint value), for example, the thickness of the wall 20 may be 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, or 0.5 mm. This dimensional range ensures that the aerosol-generating substrate 100 has relatively high structural strength and is advantageous for the rapid release of aerosols generated by the heat absorption of the aerosol-generating substrate 100.

[0056] In one embodiment, the difference in thickness of the walls 20 at different positions of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 may be 0 to 100% (including the endpoint value).

[0057] The different locations referred to here may be the same wall 20 or different wall 20.

[0058] For example, taking the aerosol-generating substrate 100 shown in Figures 1 to 4 as an example, if there is only one aerosol release passage 10, then there is also only one wall 20 constituting the aerosol release passage 10. The difference in thickness of the wall 20 at different locations may be between 0 and 100%. If the difference in thickness of the wall 20 at different locations is 0, then the wall 20 corresponds to a uniform thickness structure where the thickness is the same at any given location. If the difference in thickness of the wall 20 at different locations is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 100%, then the wall 20 corresponds to a non-uniform thickness structure where the thickness has a maximum and a minimum value, where the difference in thickness between the maximum and minimum values ​​is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 100%.

[0059] In another example, taking the aerosol-generating substrate 100 shown in Figures 5 and 6 as an example, if the aerosol-generating substrate 100 has multiple aerosol release passages 10, the walls 20 at different positions on the aerosol-generating substrate 100 may be different walls 20 on the aerosol-generating substrate 100 (for example, the first wall 20a and any one second wall 20b shown in Figures 5 and 6, or any two of the multiple second walls 20b), or they may be the same wall 20 on the aerosol-generating substrate 100 (for example, the first wall 20a shown in Figures 5 and 6, or any one of the second walls 20b). Furthermore, if the difference in thickness between different walls 20 in the aerosol-generating substrate 100 is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 100%, then if there are both unequal-thickness walls 20 and equal-thickness walls 20, the difference in thickness between the thickness of the equal-thickness walls 20 and the maximum thickness of the unequal-thickness walls 20 is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 100%, and the difference in thickness between the thickness of the equal-thickness walls 20 and the minimum thickness of the unequal-thickness walls 20 is also greater than 0 and less than or equal to 100%. If there are at least two unequal-thickness walls 20, then for any two unequal-thickness walls 20, the difference in thickness between the maximum thickness of any one of the unequal-thickness walls 20 and the minimum thickness of the other unequal-thickness wall 20 is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 100%.

[0060] For example, the difference in thickness of the wall 20 at different positions of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 may be 0, 20%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 85%, or 100%.

[0061] Since the difference in thickness of the walls 20 at different positions of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 is between 0 and 100%, processing and manufacturing can be facilitated. For example, if the aerosol-generating substrate 100 is an extruded structure, by ensuring that the difference in pressure received by the force-receiving points at different extrusion positions of the extrusion die is kept relatively small during the extrusion process, the aerosol-generating substrate 100 can be smoothly, stably, and completely extruded. If the difference in thickness of the walls 20 at different positions of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 exceeds 100%, the aerosol-generating substrate 100 extruded from the extrusion die may have an incomplete morphology, for example, only a portion of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 may be extruded.

[0062] In one embodiment, for the sake of explanation, the cross-sectional area of ​​each aerosol discharge passage 10 can be represented by S1, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the wall 20 constituting the corresponding aerosol discharge passage 10 can be represented by S2, and the ratio of S1 to S2 can be 1:1 to 5:1, i.e., S1:S2 = 1:1 to 5:1 (including endpoint values).

[0063] Specifically, if the ratio of S1 to S2 is less than 1:1, the cross-sectional area of ​​the aerosol release passage 10 is small, the pressure when the aerosol release passage 10 extracts the aerosol is relatively high, and the airflow velocity is too fast. As a result, the aerosol begins to be released before the aerosol generating substrate 100 has been sufficiently heated, causing some of the aerosol to condense inside the aerosol generating substrate 100 and not be fully extracted. If the ratio of S1 to S2 exceeds 5:1, the cross-sectional area of ​​the aerosol release passage 10 becomes excessive, the pressure when the aerosol release passage 10 extracts the aerosol is relatively low, and the airflow velocity is slow, which is unfavorable for aerosol extraction.

[0064] For example, the ratio of S1 to S2 may be 1:1, 2.5:1, 3:1, 4:1, or 5:1.

[0065] When the ratio of S1 to S2 is within the range of 1:1 to 5:1, the pressure at which the aerosol discharge passage 10 extracts the aerosol is appropriate, and the airflow velocity is also appropriate, so that the aerosol generated by the heat absorption of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 per unit area can be extracted sufficiently and quickly.

[0066] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 3 and 4, for the sake of explanation, the wall 20 that constitutes the outer contour of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 can be called the first wall 20a. A portion of the inner surface of the first wall 20a is recessed toward the outside of the aerosol-generating substrate 100, thereby forming a plurality of first grooves 30 that are spaced apart on the inner circumference side of the first wall 20a.

[0067] The portion of the first wall 20a in which the first groove 30 is provided corresponds to a reduction in the thickness of the first wall 20a at that position, allowing the aerosol generated by the heat absorption of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 to be rapidly released through the first groove 30, thus facilitating user inhalation.

[0068] A first wall 20a with a relatively large thickness, for example, a first wall 20a with a relatively large thickness of 0.5 mm to 1.2 mm (including the endpoint value), is suitable for providing the first groove 30.

[0069] Continuing to refer to Figures 3 and 4, a portion of the outer surface of the first wall 20a may be recessed toward the inside of the aerosol-generating substrate 100, thereby forming a plurality of second grooves 40 spaced apart on the outer circumference of the first wall 20a.

[0070] Similar to the first groove 30, the portion of the first wall 20a where the second groove 40 is provided corresponds to a reduction in the thickness of the first wall 20a at that position. As a result, the aerosol generated by the heat absorption of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 can be rapidly released through the second groove 40, facilitating user inhalation.

[0071] A first wall 20a with a relatively large thickness, for example, a first wall 20a with a thickness of 0.5 mm to 1.2 mm (including the endpoints), is also suitable for installing the second groove 40.

[0072] In Figures 3 and 4, the first wall 20a is provided with both a first groove 30 and a second groove 40. More preferably, the first groove 30 and the second groove 40 may be provided in a one-to-one opposing manner along the thickness direction of the first wall 20a, that is, the second groove 40 is located outside the position where the first groove 30 is provided on the first wall 20a. This installation method ensures that the first wall 20a has sufficient structural strength, and also allows the portion of the first wall 20a located between the first groove 30 and the second groove 40 to have a relatively small thickness, which is advantageous for the rapid release of aerosols.

[0073] In some embodiments, the first groove 30 and the second groove 40 may be offset from each other.

[0074] Furthermore, the first wall 20a is not limited to having both the first groove 30 and the second groove 40 simultaneously; in some embodiments, only the first groove 30 may be provided, or only the second groove 40 may be provided.

[0075] Furthermore, in Figures 3 and 4, the first wall 20a of the aerosol-generating substrate 100, which has only one aerosol release passage 10, is provided with a first groove 30 and a second groove 40. However, in some other embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate 100 having multiple aerosol release passages 10 may also be provided with at least one of the first groove 30 and the second groove 40 on its first wall 20a.

[0076] In some embodiments, pores may be provided in the wall 20 as needed, and the number of pores may be one or multiple. The location and method of installation of the pores are not limited; for example, the pores may penetrate at least one end of the opposing ends of the wall 20, penetrate at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of the wall 20, or be provided inside the wall 20 without penetrating any location on the wall 20. Note that the pores described in the embodiments of this application are holes in a macroscopic sense, and since the pores are mainly formed by processing, the dimensions such as the cross-sectional area and length of the pores can be changed according to design requirements. Providing pores is also advantageous for the rapid release of aerosols.

[0077] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 5 to 8, an aerosol generating substrate 100 having multiple aerosol release passages 10 may have each aerosol release passage 10 jointly composed of different walls 20.

[0078] For illustrative purposes, referring to Figures 5 and 6, for the sake of explanation, the different walls 20 in Figures 5 and 6 can be referred to as the first wall 20a and the second wall 20b, respectively. The first wall 20a constitutes the outer contour of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 and the hollow region located inside the aerosol-generating substrate 100, while the second wall 20b is provided within the hollow region, thereby separating the hollow region into at least two aerosol-releasing passages 10.

[0079] In other words, by providing the first wall 20a and the second wall 20b, at least two aerosol discharge passages 10 can be formed.

[0080] In Figures 5 and 6, there are multiple second walls 20b, with one side of each second wall 20b connected to the first wall 20a, and the opposite sides of each second wall 20b connected to one another. In other words, each second wall 20b is arranged radially within the hollow region, and each aerosol release passage 10 is jointly constructed by the first wall 20a and two adjacent second walls 20b.

[0081] In some other embodiments, there may be only one second wall 20b, and the opposing sides of the second wall 20b are each connected to the first wall 20a, which corresponds to separating the hollow region into two aerosol discharge passages 10.

[0082] For illustrative purposes, referring to Figures 7 and 8, for the sake of explanation, the different walls 20 in Figures 7 and 8 can be called the first wall 20a, the second wall 20b, and the third wall 20c, respectively. There are multiple second walls 20b, and the third wall 20c is annular. The first wall 20a constitutes the outer contour of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 and the hollow region located inside the aerosol-generating substrate 100. Multiple second walls 20b are provided within the hollow region together with the third wall 20c, with one side of each second wall 20b connected to the first wall 20a and the opposite side of each second wall 20b connected to the third wall 20c. A first aerosol discharge passage 10a is formed within the third wall 20c, and the first wall 20a, the third wall 20c, and two adjacent second walls 20b jointly constitute the second aerosol discharge passage 10b.

[0083] In other words, by providing the first wall 20a, the second wall 20b, and the third wall 20c, the first aerosol discharge passage 10a described in the above embodiment and a plurality of second aerosol discharge passages 10b surrounding the periphery of the first aerosol discharge passage 10a can be formed.

[0084] Furthermore, in the case of an aerosol-generating substrate 100 having multiple aerosol release passages 10, each aerosol release passage 10 does not necessarily have to be jointly constructed by different walls 20. For example, referring to Figure 9, the aerosol-generating substrate 100 in Figure 9 also has multiple aerosol release passages 10, but the different walls 20 in this aerosol-generating substrate 100 cannot be clearly distinguished.

[0085] The embodiments of the present application further provide a microwave heating method used for an aerosol-generating substrate 100 provided in any embodiment of the present application. Referring to Figure 10, the method includes the following steps.

[0086] In step S1, the aerosol generating substrate is heated using microwaves, and the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating substrate is released into the aerosol release passage.

[0087] Specifically, taking the aerosol-generating substrate 100 shown in Figures 1 to 9 as an example, during the microwave heating process, the microwave field enters the physical structure of the aerosol-generating substrate 100, the polar molecules of the aerosol-generating substrate 100 move due to the action of microwaves and generate heat, the aerosol-generating substrate 100 receives heat and generates an aerosol, the aerosol enters the aerosol release passage 10 and is discharged from the aerosol release passage 10.

[0088] It should be noted that microwave heating is only one feasible heating method, and in other application scenarios, the aerosol-generating substrate 100 may be heated using other heating methods.

[0089] In one embodiment, with an aerosol generating substrate having multiple aerosol discharge passages, heating can be applied to the walls of some of the multiple aerosol discharge passages each time.

[0090] Taking the aerosol-generating substrate 100 shown in Figures 5 and 6 as an example, the microwaves can, in a typical sequence, primarily heat the wall 20 of one aerosol-releasing passage 10 at a time, causing the aerosol to be released mainly into the aerosol-releasing passage 10 composed of the heated wall 20. After one heating cycle is complete (for example, after the user inhales once, or after a certain number of inhalations), the microwaves primarily heat the wall 20 of another aerosol-releasing passage 10.

[0091] For example, the microwaves may heat the walls 20 of more than one aerosol discharge passage 10 at a time (i.e., the number of heated aerosol discharge passages 10 is more than one and less than the total number of aerosol discharge passages 10). After one heating cycle is complete (for example, after the user has inhaled once or after a certain number of inhalations), the microwaves may heat the walls 20 of other aerosol discharge passages 10.

[0092] A rotating unit may be provided in the aerosol generating device. After the heating unit has finished heating the wall 20 of the corresponding aerosol discharge passage 10, the rotating unit can drive the aerosol generating substrate 100 to rotate, thereby allowing the other aerosol discharge passages 10 of the aerosol generating substrate 100 to rotate to a position corresponding to the microwave field generated by the heating unit. In this way, the components and temperature of the aerosols generated by heating the wall 20 in different cycles are relatively consistent, resulting in a relatively high consistency in the mouthfeel experienced by the user when inhaling.

[0093] The aerosol-generating substrate 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention can release aerosols sufficiently and rapidly during the heating process. Therefore, by heating only a portion of the walls 20 of the aerosol-releasing passages 10 within the multiple aerosol-releasing passages 10 each time, the user's inhalation demand can be satisfied. Such a heating method can increase the total number of times the aerosol-generating substrate 100 is heated, which in turn can increase the number of times the user inhales, and consequently improve the user experience.

[0094] In some embodiments, heating can be performed simultaneously for all aerosol discharge passages 10.

[0095] In one embodiment, with respect to an aerosol-generating substrate having a first aerosol discharge passage and a second aerosol discharge passage, heating can be performed on the walls of some of the multiple second aerosol discharge passages each time.

[0096] Taking the aerosol-generating substrate 100 shown in Figures 7 to 9 as an example, the aerosol is mainly released into the second aerosol release passage 10b, which is composed of heated walls 20, and a small amount of aerosol is released into the first aerosol release passage 10a. In other words, only the walls 20 of the second aerosol release passage 10b are heated, and the walls 20 of the first aerosol release passage 10a do not need to be heated. Furthermore, for a wall 20 located between the first aerosol release passage 10a and the second aerosol release passage 10b, for example, the third wall 20c shown in Figures 7 and 8, the side of the wall 20 closer to the second aerosol release passage 10b is heated, and the side of the wall 20 closer to the first aerosol release passage 10a does not need to be heated.

[0097] Exemplary, the microwave heats only one wall 20 of the second aerosol discharge passage 10b at a time, allowing the aerosol to be mainly released into the second aerosol discharge passage 10b, which is composed of the heated wall 20, while a small amount of aerosol is released into the first aerosol discharge passage 10a. After one heating cycle is complete (for example, after the user inhales once, or after a certain number of inhalations), the microwave heats mainly another wall 20 of the second aerosol discharge passage 10b.

[0098] For example, the microwaves may heat a number of the walls 20 of the second aerosol discharge passages 10b that are greater than one at a time (i.e., the number of heated second aerosol discharge passages 10b is greater than one and less than the total number of second aerosol discharge passages 10b). After one heating cycle is complete (for example, after the user has inhaled once or after a certain number of inhalations), the microwaves may heat mainly another number of the walls 20 of the second aerosol discharge passages 10b.

[0099] Similar to the previous embodiment, the user's inhalation demand can be satisfied by simply heating the wall 20 of some of the second aerosol discharge passages 10b within the multiple second aerosol discharge passages 10b each time. This heating method can increase the total number of times the aerosol generating substrate 100 is heated, which in turn increases the number of times the user inhales, and ultimately improves the user experience.

[0100] In some embodiments, heating can be performed simultaneously on all second aerosol discharge passages 10b.

[0101] In some embodiments, heating may be applied to the wall 20 of the first aerosol discharge passage 10a.

[0102] In this specification, terms such as “one example,” “several examples,” “several other examples,” or “exemplary” mean that the specific features, structures, materials, or properties described in relation to that example or example are included in at least one example or example of the examples of this application. In this application, the exemplary expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same example or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or properties described may be combined in an appropriate manner in any one or more examples or examples. In addition, a person skilled in the art may combine different examples or examples and features of different examples or examples described in this application, as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0103] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the Application and is not intended to limit the Application, and various modifications and changes can be made to the Application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the Application should be included within the scope of protection of the Application.

Claims

1. Aerosol-generating substrate, The aerosol-generating substrate has at least one aerosol release passage, and the thickness of the wall constituting the aerosol release passage of the aerosol-generating substrate is 0.1 mm to 1.2 mm. Aerosol-generating substrate.

2. The thickness of the aforementioned wall is 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 1.

3. The difference in the thickness of the wall at different positions of the aerosol-generating substrate is 0 to 100%, and / or The aerosol-generating substrate has an extruded structure. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The cross-sectional area of ​​each aerosol discharge passage is S1, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the wall constituting the corresponding aerosol discharge passage is S2, where S1:S2 = 1:1 to 5:

1. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The wall includes a first wall that constitutes the outer contour of the aerosol-generating substrate, A portion of the inner surface of the first wall is recessed toward the outside of the aerosol-generating substrate, thereby forming a plurality of first grooves spaced apart on the inner circumference of the first wall, and / or, A portion of the outer surface of the first wall is recessed toward the inside of the aerosol-generating substrate, thereby forming a plurality of second grooves spaced apart on the outer circumference of the first wall. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The aerosol-generating substrate has a plurality of first grooves and a plurality of second grooves, and the first grooves and the second grooves are arranged in a one-to-one opposing manner along the thickness direction of the wall. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 5.

7. The wall comprises a first wall and a second wall, the first wall constituting the outer contour of the aerosol-generating substrate and a hollow region located inside the aerosol-generating substrate, and the second wall provided within the hollow region, thereby separating the hollow region into at least two aerosol-releasing passages. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The number of the second walls is multiple, and one side of each second wall is connected to the first wall, and the opposite sides of each second wall are connected to one another. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 7.

9. The aerosol discharge passage includes at least one first aerosol discharge passage and a plurality of second aerosol discharge passages surrounding the periphery of the first aerosol discharge passage. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The wall comprises a first wall, a plurality of second walls, and an annular third wall, the first wall constituting the outer contour of the aerosol-generating substrate and a hollow region located inside the aerosol-generating substrate, the plurality of second walls together with the third wall are provided within the hollow region, one side of each second wall is connected to the first wall, the opposite side of each second wall is connected to the third wall, the first aerosol release passage is formed within the third wall, and the first wall, the third wall, and two adjacent second walls jointly constitute the second aerosol release passage. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 9.

11. Pores are provided in the wall. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The wall has a radio wave absorbing material and / or, The aforementioned wall is used to generate an aerosol by absorbing microwaves and generating heat. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 1 or 2.

13. One end of the aerosol release passage is an open end that penetrates the aerosol-generating substrate, and the other end of the aerosol release passage opposite to it is a closed end, and / or Both opposing ends of the aerosol release passage are open ends that penetrate the aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating substrate according to claim 1 or 2.

14. A microwave heating method used for an aerosol-generating substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 13, This includes heating the aerosol-generating substrate using microwaves and releasing the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating substrate into the aerosol discharge passage. Microwave heating method.

15. The number of aerosol discharge passages is multiple, and the microwave heating method is This includes heating the wall of some of the aerosol discharge passages among the multiple aerosol discharge passages each time, The microwave heating method according to claim 14.

16. The aerosol discharge passage includes at least one first aerosol discharge passage and a plurality of second aerosol discharge passages surrounding the periphery of the first aerosol discharge passage, and the microwave heating method is This includes heating the wall of one of the multiple second aerosol discharge passages each time, The microwave heating method according to claim 14.

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