Aerosol Generator

Abstract

The aerosol generating device includes a support (31), at least a portion of which forms a chamber (310) for containing a respirable material A, an induction coil (32) disposed on the support, a receptor (33) electromagnetically coupled to the induction coil for heating the respirable material A contained in the chamber and including a heating portion (331) and a base portion (332), and a ceramic support (34) disposed within the support, the receptor's heating portion penetrating the ceramic support and entering the chamber, and the receptor's base abutting against the ceramic support to secure and hold the receptor. This aerosol generating device is simple to assemble, since the receptor is secured to the support by the ceramic support and the receptor (33) is simply abutted against the ceramic support so as to penetrate the support. Furthermore, the ceramic support prevents heat generated in the receptor from being transferred to the support via electrical contact, thereby effectively insulating the receptor.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to an earlier application (application number 202020039697.4) and to an earlier application (application number 202020132725.7).

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD The present application relates to the technical field of heated tobacco, and in particular to an aerosol generating device. [Background technology]

[0003] Tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, etc.) burn tobacco leaves to produce tobacco vapor during use. Instead of burning tobacco leaves, attempts have been made to create products that release compounds without burning tobacco leaves.

[0004] An example of such a product is a heating device that releases compounds by heating a material rather than burning it. For example, the material may be a non-tobacco leaf product or a tobacco leaf product, with or without nicotine. As a known prior art, Patent No. 201821518619.1 proposes an electromagnetic induction type heating device that uses a mutually coupled induction coil and induction heating plate to form an induction heating device, specifically, by drilling holes in the induction heating plate and fitting engagement protrusions on a fixing base into the holes in the induction heating plate, the induction heating plate is attached and fixed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiment of the present application aims to provide an aerosol generating device that makes it easier to fix and assemble a receptor in order to solve the problems of mounting and fixing an induction heating plate in the prior art induction heating device.

[0006] The aerosol generating device of the present application is used to generate an aerosol by heating an inhalable material, a support having a longitudinally extending tubular shape, at least a portion of the tubular hollow defining a chamber for containing a suctionable material; an induction coil disposed on the support and configured to generate a varying magnetic field; a receptor configured to generate heat when a changing magnetic field passes therethrough and to heat an inhalable material contained within said chamber, said receptor including a pin or blade-like heating portion extending at least partially along an axial direction of said chamber, and a base portion; a ceramic mount including a first side facing the chamber and a second side opposite the chamber; The heating portion extends through the ceramic mounting base from the second side to the first side and at least partially into the chamber, and the base portion abuts the ceramic mounting base to prevent movement of the receptor within the support.

[0007] In a more preferred embodiment, a partition extending in a radial direction is provided within the support, and the tubular hollow portion of the support is divided into a first portion and a second portion located on opposite sides of the partition along an axial direction, among which: the first portion being configured as the chamber for containing a respirable material; The base of the receptor is received in the second portion.

[0008] In a more preferred embodiment, the ceramic fixing base is provided within the second portion and abuts against the partition portion.

[0009] In a more preferred embodiment, the receptor is not in contact with the support.

[0010] In a more preferred embodiment, the partition is annular, the ceramic support is cylindrical and extends in an axial direction of the support and has a first section proximal to the chamber and a second section distal to the chamber, the first section having an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the second section; The first section extends at least partially into an annular central bore of the partition, and the second section abuts the partition.

[0011] In a more preferred embodiment, the face of the first section facing the chamber is flush with the face of the divider facing the chamber.

[0012] In a more preferred embodiment, the second portion is further provided with a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the receptor, The temperature sensor is disposed on a side of the base portion remote from the chamber and abuts against the base portion.

[0013] In a more preferred embodiment, the second portion is further provided with an elastomer configured to provide a resilient force for abutting the temperature sensor against a base portion.

[0014] In a more preferred embodiment, the end of the support proximate the second portion is provided with an end cap for supporting the elastomer.

[0015] In a more preferred embodiment, the temperature sensor further comprises an elongated conductive pin; The end caps are provided with openings for passing the conductive pins through to the outside of the support.

[0016] In a more preferred embodiment, a spring is further provided within the second portion and configured to elastically support the elastomer so as to bring the elastomer into contact with the temperature sensor.

[0017] In a more preferred embodiment, the spring is configured in a spiral shape and extends along an axial direction of the support, The second portion further includes a support base located between the elastomer and the spring along an axial direction of the support, the elastomer being held by the support base; The spring abuts against the support base to elastically support the elastomer.

[0018] In a more preferred embodiment, a temperature sensor, an elastomer and a spring are further provided within the support, among which: the temperature sensor is disposed on a side of the base away from the chamber and abuts the base, and is used to sense a temperature of the receptor; the elastomer is configured to provide an elastic force for abutting the temperature sensor to a base portion; The spring is configured to elastically support the elastomer so as to bring the elastomer into contact with a temperature sensor.

[0019] In the aerosol generating device of the present application, the receptor is fixed to the support by the ceramic fixing base, and it is only necessary to abut the ceramic fixing base so as to penetrate the receptor, so that assembly is simple. In addition, the ceramic fixing base can prevent heat generated in the receptor from being transmitted to the support through contact conduction, thereby effectively insulating the receptor. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] One or more embodiments are illustrated by accompanying drawings, which illustrative illustrations are not intended to be limiting of the embodiments, and in which elements of the drawings having the same reference numerals represent similar elements and in which the drawings are not to be construed as limiting the scale unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an aerosol generating device provided by one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a three-dimensional structure when viewed from the heating mechanism in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the heating mechanism in FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is an exploded schematic view of each part of the heating mechanism in FIG. 3 before assembly. FIG. [Figure 6]6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of each part of the heating mechanism in FIG. 5 before assembly. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a heating mechanism provided according to another embodiment. [Figure 8] 8A to 8C are schematic cross-sectional views of the heating mechanism of FIG. 7 before assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the following clearly and completely describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application with reference to the drawings of the embodiments of the present application, and the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of them. It can be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for interpreting the present application, and do not limit the present application. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts are included in the protection scope of the present application.

[0023] It should be understood that when an element is described as being "fixed" to another element, it may be directly connected to the other element, or there may be one or more central elements between them. When an element is described as being "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected to the other element, or there may be one or more central elements between them. As used herein, terms such as "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and the like, are for illustrative purposes only.

[0024] Furthermore, the technical features of the various embodiments of the present application described below can be combined with each other unless a contradiction occurs between them.

[0025] One embodiment of the present application proposes an aerosol generating device that heats, rather than burns, an inhalable material, such as tobacco, to volatilize or release at least one component of the inhalable material to form an aerosol for smoking.

[0026] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the structure of the aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present application is configured as a substantially flat cylindrical shape. The external member of the aerosol generating device is It includes a housing 10, the interior of which is of hollow structure and further defines an assembly space for necessary functional parts such as electromagnetic induction heating.

[0027] The respirable material A can be removably received within the housing 10 via a receiving hole at the top end of the housing 10 .

[0028] Still referring to FIG. 2, provided within the housing 10 is an electric core 20 for providing electrical power and a heating mechanism 30 for heating the attractable material A contained within the housing 10 by electromagnetic induction.

[0029] Specifically, and referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the heating mechanism 30 includes a support 31, an induction coil 32, a receptor 33, and a ceramic mounting base .

[0030] The support 31 has a generally tubular shape as a whole, and at least a part of its internal space is configured as a chamber 310 for containing a suctionable material A, An induction coil 32 is wound around the support 31, and a first conductive part 321 and a second conductive part 322 for supplying power to the induction coil 32 are provided at both ends of the induction coil 32, respectively, and an AC current can be supplied to the induction coil 32 by the first conductive part 321 and the second conductive part 322, thereby generating an AC magnetic field in the induction coil 32; Further based on the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the induction coil 32 is a spiral coil and has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, specifically, the dimension along the axial direction is larger than the dimension along the radial direction, as shown in Figure 4.

[0031] The support body 31 is provided with a partition portion 311 extending radially inward from the inner surface, and the partition portion 311 divides the tubular hollow portion of the support body 31 into a chamber 310 located above and an installation space 320 located below.

[0032] Furthermore, a receptor 33 inductively coupled to the induction coil 32 is provided within the support 31. This receptor 33 generates heat when an alternating magnetic field generated by the induction coil 32 passes through it, and is used to heat the suctionable material A contained in the chamber 310. Specifically, The receptor 33 includes a pin or blade-shaped heating portion 331 extending along the axial direction of the chamber 310, and a base portion 332 for fixing and mounting the receptor 33 in the mounting space 320. In a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the base portion 332 extends along the cross section of the heating portion 331 and has a larger outer diameter dimension than the heating portion 331, making it possible to easily fix the receptor 33.

[0033] The ceramic fixing base 34 is accommodated in the mounting space 320 and abuts against the partition portion 311. According to a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the ceramic fixing base 34 is generally columnar having two portions with different outer diameter dimensions, specifically, it includes a first section 342 having a relatively large dimension, a second section 343 having a relatively small dimension, and a through hole 341 passing through the first section 342 and the second section 343 in the axial direction. In the mounted state shown in FIG. 4, the second section 343 is extended into the central hole 315 of the partition portion 311 to abut the upper end of the first section 342 against the partition portion 311, and the through hole 341 is used to insert the heating portion 331 of the receptor 33 from the mounting space 320 into the chamber 310.

[0034] The ceramic fixing base 34 effectively insulates the receptor 33 and prevents the heat generated in the receptor 33 from being directly transferred to the support 31 through contact conduction, thereby preventing the support 31 made of a polymer, resin, or the like from being deformed or damaged by high temperatures. In a more preferred embodiment, the ceramic fixing base 34 is made of a ceramic material having a relatively low thermal conductivity, such as zirconia ceramic.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 6, when the second section 343 of the ceramic fixing base 34 is extended into the central hole 315 of the partition 311, the upper surface of the second section 343 is flush with the upper surface of the partition 311, thereby preventing the formation of a concave gap due to the difference in height between the two, which would tend to accumulate tobacco leaf residue that has fallen from the inhalable material A and condensed oil from the aerosol, making cleaning difficult.

[0036] When the heating portion of the receptor 33 passes through the through-hole 341 of the ceramic fixing base 34 , the base portion 332 comes into contact with the lower surface of the first section 342 to fix the receptor 33 in place.

[0037] Furthermore, a temperature sensor 35 is further provided in the mounting space 320, located below the base portion 332 of the receptor 33 and in intimate contact with the base portion 332, and is used to sense the temperature of the receptor 33 to facilitate power control during use.

[0038] Furthermore, the mounting space 320 is provided with a silicone elastomer 36 attached below the temperature sensor 35, which is used to provide elasticity to allow the temperature sensor 35 to come into close contact with the base portion 332 of the receptor 33 and to prevent a gap caused by non-contact between the temperature sensor 35 and the receptor 33 from affecting the accuracy of the temperature detection result. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the silicone elastomer 36 is provided with a recess 361 that fits the temperature sensor 35, and the temperature sensor 35 is held within the recess 361, thereby providing stable support.

[0039] An end cap 37 is further provided at the lower end of the support 31 to seal the lower end of the support 31 and support the silicone elastomer 36, the temperature sensor 35, the ceramic fixing base 34 and the receptor 33 so that they can be stably enclosed within the mounting space 320 of the support 31.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the end cap 37 is provided with an annular wall 371 extending into the mounting space 320, and the internal space of the wall 371 forms a receiving cavity 372, which supports the silicone elastomer 36 by receiving the silicone elastomer 36 in the receiving cavity 372 during mounting.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the end cap 37 can be connected and fixed to the support 31 by engaging a slot 373 provided in the end cap 37 with an engaging protrusion that fits into a slot 373 provided on the outer surface of the support 31.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the temperature sensor 35 generally has an elongated conductive pin 351 for powering the temperature sensor 35 and transmitting a sensing signal, and in order to easily connect the conductive pin 351 to a circuit board thereafter, the end cap 37 further has a notch 374 for passing the conductive pin 351 through the outside of the end cap 37 to facilitate connection to the circuit board.

[0043] The present application proposes a further preferred embodiment of the heating mechanism 30a, and referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the structure thereof includes a support 31a, an induction coil 32a, a receptor 33a, a ceramic fixing base 34a, a temperature sensor 35a, a silicone elastomer 36a, and an end cap 37a, similar to the previous embodiment.

[0044] The hollow, approximately tubular support 31a is provided with a partition portion 311a extending radially inward, and the internal hollow of the support 31a is further divided into a chamber 310a located at the top for containing the suctionable material A, and an attachment space located at the bottom for attaching and holding each part.

[0045] An induction coil 32a wound around the support 31a is used to generate an alternating magnetic field when an alternating current is supplied to it.

[0046] The blade-shaped receptor 33a is inductively coupled to the AC magnetic field generated by the induction coil 32a, and further generates heat through induction of the AC magnetic field, thereby being able to heat the attractable material A. Specifically, structurally it includes a heating section 331a and a base section 332a, at least a portion of the heating section 331a extending into the chamber 310a and being inserted into the attractable material A to heat it when the attractable material A is contained in the chamber 310a, and the base section 332a is stably held within the mounting space so that the receptor 33a is securely held.

[0047] When the receptor 33a penetrates, the ceramic fixing base 34a abuts against the base portion 332a, thereby stably holding the receptor 33a and separating the support 31a from the receptor 33a. When installed, the ceramic fixing base 34a itself abuts against the partition portion 311a of the support 31a.

[0048] Once attached, the temperature sensor 35a fits closely underneath the base portion 332a, thereby sensing the temperature of the receptor 33a.

[0049] The silicone elastomer 36a is attached below the temperature sensor 35a and is used to provide elasticity to enable the temperature sensor 35a to adhere closely to the base portion 332a of the receptor 33a and to prevent a gap caused by non-adhesion between the temperature sensor 35a and the receptor 33a from affecting the accuracy of the temperature detection results.

[0050] The end cap 37a seals the opening at the lower end of the support 31a.

[0051] Furthermore, when in use, the silicone elastomer 36a remains at the high temperatures of the receptor 33a for a long time, and after a certain period of use it deteriorates and breaks, losing its elastic support effect on the temperature sensor 35a. Therefore, by providing a spring 38a in the mounting space for elastically supporting the silicone elastomer 36a when in use, the elastic support force acts to keep the temperature sensor 35a and receptor 33a in close contact with each other, even if the silicone elastomer 36a deteriorates.

[0052] Since direct elastic contact between the spring 38a and the silicone elastomer 36a does not facilitate stable attachment or implementation, an auxiliary structure is provided in which a rigid silicone support base 361a is added between the silicone elastomer 36a and the spring 38a, the silicone elastomer 36a is held on the upper surface of the silicone support base 361a, and the spring 38a abuts against the lower surface of the silicone support base 361a, so that the spring elastically supports the silicone elastomer 36a via the silicone support base 361a.

[0053] In an embodiment, the silicone support base 361a and the end cap 37a are each provided with a corresponding post structure to facilitate attachment of the spring 38a, and the spring 38a has a spiral shape extending along the axial direction of the support 31a, with both ends fitted into the corresponding posts and abutting against the silicone support base 361a and the end cap 37a to be stably attached within the support 31a.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, the mounting space is further provided with a first fixing member 391a and a second fixing member 392a to assist in mounting the auxiliary temperature sensor 35a, the silicone elastomer 36a, and the spring 38a.

[0055] The first fixing member 391a for restricting and fixing the temperature sensor 35a has a hollow annular shape, and the temperature sensor 35a is accommodated within the annular hollow of the first fixing member 391a to prevent radial movement of the support 31a.

[0056] The second fixing member 392a is also configured as a substantially hollow annular shape, and the ceramic fixing base 34a, the temperature sensor 35a, the first fixing member 391a, and the silicone elastomer 36a are all contained and restricted within the hollow annular shape.

[0057] Although the above specification and drawings have described the preferred embodiments of the present application, the present application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein, and these embodiments are not additional restrictions on the contents of the present application, but are provided to provide a more complete and comprehensive understanding of the disclosure of the present application. In addition, various embodiments not described above formed by combining each of the above technical features with each other are all considered to be within the scope of the specification of the present application, and further, those skilled in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications shall be included in the scope of protection of the claims attached to this application.

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol generating device for heating an inhalable material to generate an aerosol, comprising: a support having a tubular shape extending in a longitudinal direction, at least a portion of the tubular hollow forming a chamber for accommodating a suction-capable material, the support having a radially extending partition dividing the tubular hollow of the support into a first portion and a second portion located on opposite sides of the partition along an axial direction, the first portion being the chamber for accommodating a suction-capable material, the partition having a central hole; an induction coil disposed on the support and configured to generate a varying magnetic field; a receptor configured to generate heat when a changing magnetic field passes therethrough and to heat an inhalable material contained within said chamber, said receptor including a pin or blade-like heating portion extending at least partially along an axial direction of said chamber, and a base portion connected to the heating portion; a ceramic mount including a first side facing the chamber and a second side opposite the chamber; the heating portion extends through the ceramic support from the second side to the first side and at least partially into the chamber, and the base portion abuts against the ceramic support to prevent movement of the receptor within the support; An aerosol generating device, wherein the ceramic fixing base is cylindrical extending in the axial direction of the support and has a first section close to the chamber and a second section away from the chamber, the first section extends at least partially into the central hole of the partition, the receptor and the support are not in contact, and the ceramic fixing base is used to prevent heat generated in the receptor from being transferred to the support via contact conduction.

2. An aerosol generating device as described in claim 1, wherein a base portion of the receptor is contained in the second portion.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2 , wherein the ceramic fixing base is provided in the second portion and abuts against the partition portion.

4. The partition portion is annular, and the central hole is annular, the first section has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the second section; The aerosol generating device according to claim 3 , wherein the second section abuts against the partition.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4 , wherein a surface of the first section facing the chamber is flush with a surface of the partition facing the chamber.

6. the second portion further includes a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the receptor; The aerosol generating device according to claim 3 , wherein the temperature sensor is disposed on a side of the base portion away from the chamber and abuts against the base portion.

7. The aerosol generating device of claim 6 , wherein the second portion is further provided with an elastomer configured to provide an elastic force for abutting the temperature sensor against the base portion.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7 , wherein an end cap for supporting the elastomer is provided at an end of the support adjacent to the second portion.

9. The temperature sensor further includes an elongated conductive pin; The aerosol generating device according to claim 8 , wherein the end cap is provided with an opening for allowing the conductive pin to penetrate to the outside of the support.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7 , wherein the second portion is further provided with a spring configured to elastically support the elastomer so as to bring the elastomer into contact with a temperature sensor.

11. The spring is configured in a spiral shape and extends along an axial direction of the support; The second portion further includes a support base located between the elastomer and the spring along an axial direction of the support, the elastomer being held by the support base; The aerosol generating device according to claim 10 , wherein the spring abuts against the support base to elastically support the elastomer.

12. Further provided within the support are a temperature sensor, an elastomer and a spring, wherein: the temperature sensor is disposed on a side of the base away from the chamber and abuts the base, and is used to sense a temperature of the receptor; the elastomer is configured to provide an elastic force for abutting the temperature sensor to a base portion; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the spring is configured to elastically support the elastomer so as to bring the elastomer into contact with a temperature sensor.

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