Aerosol generator and its heat generating module

Abstract

To provide an aerosol generation device and a heat generating module thereof.SOLUTION: A heat generating module includes a heat generation rod, a cover film partially wrapping the heat generation rod, and a fixed base covered with the heat generation rod. In the fixed base, an assembly hole is formed. The heat generation rod includes a function part provided with the cover film and an assembly part not provided with the cover film. The assembly part is housed in the assembly hole. The assembly part of the heat generation rod is not covered with the cover film, so that it has high working accuracy. Thus, because an assembly gap between the assembly part and the assembly hole greatly reduces, yield at the right angle of a manufacture improves.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of atomization, and more particularly to an aerosol generating device and its heat generating module. [Background technology]

[0002] A non-combustion / heating aerosol generator is an electronic device that heats an aerosol-generating substrate using a non-combustion / heating method. The core component of a non-combustion / heating aerosol generator is a heating element. The heating element heats the aerosol-generating substrate to a temperature that allows aerosol generation but does not cause combustion, thereby generating the aerosol required by the user on the aerosol-generating substrate, assuming no combustion.

[0003] Conventional heating elements are constructed by wrapping a heating rod with film tape, which carries heating and conductive patterns. However, the diameter tolerance of the heating rod increases when the film tape is used. To improve process yield and operability, the flange hole of the flange mated to the heating element must be enlarged. However, this impacts the squareness yield of the heating element. For example, if the diameter tolerance of the heating rod is ±0.03 mm, the diameter tolerance after the film tape is ±0.07 mm, so the inner diameter of the flange hole must be enlarged. This results in a gap of up to 0.14 mm, which affects the squareness of the product. Furthermore, the squareness yield in actual production only reaches a maximum of 85%. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technical problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an improved heat generating module and an aerosol generating device having the heat generating module in order to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks in the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The technical solutions adopted by the present invention to solve the technical problems are as follows:

[0006] A heat generating module for use in an aerosol generating device is configured. The heat generating module includes a heat generating rod, a cover film partially enclosing the heat generating rod, and a fixed base that covers the heat generating rod. An assembly hole is formed in the fixed base. The heat generating rod includes a functional portion that is covered with the cover film and an assembly portion that is not covered with the cover film. The assembly portion is accommodated in the assembly hole.

[0007] In some embodiments, the heating rod has a cylindrical shape, and the functional portion and the assembly portion are arranged along the axial direction of the heating rod.

[0008] In some embodiments, the functional part is located completely outside the fixed base, the end face of the functional part connected to the assembly part abuts the end face of the fixed base, or the end face of the functional part connected to the assembly part has a gap between it and the fixed base.

[0009] In some embodiments, the fixed base further has an attachment hole communicating with the assembly hole, and a portion of the functional portion is received in the attachment hole.

[0010] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional size of the mounting hole is larger than the cross-sectional size of the assembly hole, thereby forming a step surface between the mounting hole and the assembly hole, and an end face of one end of the functional part connected to the assembly part abuts against the step surface.

[0011] In some embodiments, the heating rod further includes a pointed portion, and the pointed portion and the mounting portion are located at opposite ends of the functional portion, respectively.

[0012] In some embodiments, the cover film includes a base film and a heat generating film disposed on the base film.

[0013] In some embodiments, the heat generating film is disposed inside the base film.

[0014] In some embodiments, the cover film further includes two conductive films mounted on the base film and connected to the heating film, and the heating module further includes two electrode lead wires respectively connected to the two conductive films.

[0015] In some embodiments, the base film has two conductive holes formed therein, and each of the conductive films includes an external connection part located outside the base film and connected to the electrode lead wire, and a conductive part located within the conductive hole and connected to the heating film.

[0016] In some embodiments, the heating rod is made of an insulating material, and the heating film is in close contact with the heating rod.

[0017] In some embodiments, the heating rod is made of a conductive material, and the cover film further includes an insulating film disposed between the heating film and the heating rod.

[0018] In some embodiments, a gap is formed between the heat generating film and the fixed base.

[0019] In some embodiments, the cover film is formed by wrapping a flexible film tape around the heating rod and then sintering it.

[0020] In some embodiments, the flexible film tape is manufactured by a casting technique.

[0021] The present invention further provides an aerosol generating device including any of the heat generating modules described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] The present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: The mounting portion of the heating rod is not covered with a cover film, allowing for high processing accuracy. This significantly reduces the gap between the mounting portion and the mounting hole, improving the yield of squareness of the product.

[0023] The present invention will be further described below in combination with the drawings and examples. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a heat generating module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the heat generating module shown in FIG. 1 in a vertical cross section taken along line AA. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a vertical cross section of a heat generating module according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of an aerosol-generating device according to some embodiments of the present invention, in which an aerosol-generating substrate is housed. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a vertical cross section of the aerosol-generating device shown in FIG. 4 when an aerosol-generating substrate is housed therein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] In order to make the technical features, objects, and effects of the present invention more clearly understood, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, many specific details will be described to fully understand the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without departing from the content of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific examples disclosed below.

[0026] In describing the present invention, it should be understood that directions or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "longitudinal," "axial," "upper," "lower," "ceiling," "bottom," "inner," and "outer" are directions or positional relationships based on the drawings or directions or positional relationships of customary arrangements when using the product of the present invention, and are merely for the convenience and simplification of the description of the present invention, and do not expressly or imply that the subject devices or components must have a specific orientation and be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0027] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used merely for convenience of description and should not be interpreted as expressing or implying relative importance or the number of technical features involved. Therefore, when a "first" or "second" feature is limited, it may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the feature. Furthermore, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise clearly and specifically limited, "plurality" means at least two, e.g., two, three, etc.

[0028] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "attach," "couple," "connect," "fix," etc. should be interpreted broadly. For example, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, they may be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integral. They may also be mechanically connected or electrically connected. They may also be directly connected, indirectly connected via an intermediate medium, internal communication between two components, or an interactive relationship between two components. Those skilled in the art can interpret the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0029] 1 and 2 show a heat generating module 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The heat generating module 10 includes a heat generating rod 11, a cover film 12 that partially encases the heat generating rod 11, and a fixed base 14 that covers the outside of the heat generating rod 11. The heat generating module 10 is inserted into an aerosol-generating substrate and can be used to bake and heat the aerosol-generating substrate after being energized.

[0030] The heating rod 11 is used to provide rigidity and support to the cover film 12, and may be columnar, sheet-like, solid, or hollow, without any specific limitations. The material of the heating rod 11 may be a conductive material or a non-conductive insulating material. Generally, thermal conductivity is taken into consideration when selecting the material and structure of the heating rod 11. Generally, a heating rod 11 made of a highly thermally conductive material will result in higher energy consumption of the heating module 10. Furthermore, a heating rod 11 with a solid columnar structure will result in higher energy consumption of the heating module 10.

[0031] In this embodiment, the heating rod 11 has a solid cylindrical shape and is made of an insulating material, such as ceramics or heat-resistant plastic. The heating rod 11 includes a functional portion 111 provided with a cover film 12 and an assembly portion 112 not provided with the cover film 12. The functional portion 111 and the assembly portion 112 can be arranged along the axial direction of the heating rod 11. Furthermore, the heating rod 11 may include a pointed portion 113 located at one end of the heating rod 11. The pointed portion 113 may have a conical or truncated conical shape, etc. The heating module 10 is inserted into the aerosol-generating substrate via the pointed portion 113. In this embodiment, the pointed portion 113, the functional portion 111, and the assembly portion 112 are arranged in this order from top to bottom along the axial direction of the heating rod 11.

[0032] The cover film 12 can be wrapped around the functional portion 111 of the heating rod 11 and can include a base film 122 and a heating film 121 attached to the base film 122. The heating film 121 generates heat when energized to heat the aerosol-generating substrate. The base film 122 provides a molding base for the heating film 121. In some embodiments, the base film 122 can be a flexible thin film tape formed by a casting technique. The heating film 121 can also be molded onto the base film 122 by screen printing, electroplating, physical vapor deposition, or other methods. The material of the base film 122 can be one or a combination of crystallized glass, glass-ceramics (e.g., calcium borosilicate glass-silicon oxide), low-temperature ceramics (e.g., barium tin borate ceramics, barium zirconium borate ceramics), etc., as long as it can be sintered at 1000°C or less. In one embodiment, the material of the base film 122 is a glass-ceramic material. The heating film 121 may be made of a material with high electrical resistivity so that it can generate a lot of heat after being energized.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the heating film 121 is attached to the inner surface of the base film 122 and is in close contact with the heating rod 11. Because the heating film 121 covers the inside of the base film 122, it is not exposed. This eliminates the risk of oxidation and corrosion of the heating film 121, thereby extending the service life of the heating module 10. In addition, because the base film 122 is made of materials such as glass and / or ceramics, the outer surface of the base film 122 has high surface smoothness. The smooth surface is easy to clean and reduces the unpleasant taste and burnt odor caused by soot on the outer surface of the base film 122 after long-term use. This provides a better user experience. In other embodiments, the outer surface of the base film 122 may be coated with a glaze layer to further improve surface smoothness.

[0034] Furthermore, the heat generating module 10 also includes two conductive films 123 connected to both poles of the heat generating film 121, respectively, and two electrode lead wires 13 connected to the two conductive films 123, respectively. The heat generating module 10 is connected to an external power source via the two electrode lead wires 13. The conductive films 123 and the electrode lead wires 13 may both be made of a material with low electrical resistivity so that they do not generate heat or generate little heat after electricity is applied.

[0035] In this embodiment, two conductive films 123 are disposed on the lower end of the base film 122. They can be formed on the base film 122 by screen printing, electroplating, physical vapor deposition, or other methods. Two conductive holes 1220 are formed in the base film 122. Each conductive film 123 includes a conductive portion 1231 disposed in the conductive hole 1220 and an external connection portion 1232 disposed on the outside of the base film 122. The external connection portion 1232 is connected to the heating film 121 via the conductive portion 1231. The electrode lead wire 13 can be connected to the external connection portion 1232 by coating with conductive paste or welding, for example. Alternatively, a conductive pad 15 can be disposed on the outside of the external connection portion 1232, and the electrode lead wire 13 can be connected to the external connection portion 1232 via the conductive pad 15. In one embodiment, the conductive pad 15 is a welding pad, and the electrode lead wire 13 can be connected to the conductive pad 15 by high-temperature brazing using a silver-copper brazing material. In another embodiment, the conductive pad 15 is formed by sintering a conductive paste coated on the external connection portion 1232 .

[0036] At least a portion of the fixed base 14 is attached to the mounting portion 112 of the heating rod 11. The fixed base 14 can be made of a heat-resistant material such as ceramics or PEEK (polyether ether ketone). The fixed base 14 has an assembly hole 140 for accommodating the mounting portion 112 and two wire passages 141 for passing the two electrode lead wires 13. The mounting portion 112 is fitted into the assembly hole 140. To attach and secure the heating rod 11, the cross-sectional shape and size of the mounting portion 112 match those of the assembly hole 140. The mounting portion 112 is not covered with the cover film 12 and has higher precision than the functional portion 111 (i.e., the mounting portion 112 has the same high processing precision as the heating rod 11 itself). This allows for a good clearance fit between the mounting portion 112 and the assembly hole 140, improving the squareness yield of the product. For example, if the hole accuracy of the assembly hole 140 is ±0.03 mm and the rod accuracy of the assembly part 112 is ±0.03 mm, the maximum gap between the assembly part 112 and the assembly hole 140 is 0.06 mm. This maximum gap is significantly reduced compared to conventional structures, thereby improving the squareness yield of the product. In actual production, the squareness yield for each production lot of the heat-generating module 10 can reach 93 to 100%. In addition, the outer wall surface of the assembly part 112 and the wall surface of the assembly hole 140 may be bonded and fixed with glass glaze, ceramic material, or the like.

[0037] In this embodiment, the mounting hole 140 extends vertically upward from the lower end surface of the fixed base 14 to the upper end surface of the fixed base 14. The wiring path 141 is formed by recessing the wall of the mounting hole 140. The lower end surface of the cover film 12 abuts against the upper end surface of the fixed base 14. This allows the cover film 12 to function as a positioning control when the heating rod 11 is mounted to the fixed base 14, eliminating the need for additional jigs to control the position and simplifying the size control process. A certain distance is provided between the lower end surface of the heating film 121 and the upper end surface of the fixed base 14. This is advantageous for thermal insulation and reduces heat transfer from the heating film 121 to the fixed base 14. In other embodiments, a certain distance may be provided between the lower end surface of the cover film 12 and the upper end surface of the fixed base 14. This installation method facilitates actual production. In some other embodiments, the lower end of the cover film 12 may be partially recessed into the fixed base 14.

[0038] 3 shows a heating module 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The main differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment are as follows: the heating rod 11 in this embodiment is made of a conductive material such as metal. Furthermore, the lower end of the cover film 12 in this embodiment is fitted into the fixed base 14.

[0039] Because the heating rod 11 is conductive, the cover film 12 in this embodiment further includes an insulating film 124. The insulating film 124 is disposed between the heating rod 11 and the heating film 121 to insulate and separate the heating rod 11 and the heating film 121.

[0040] The fixed base 14 further has a mounting hole 142 formed therein for receiving the lower end of the cover film 12. The mounting hole 142 extends vertically downward from the upper end surface of the fixed base 14. The assembly hole 140 extends vertically upward from the lower end surface of the fixed base 14 until it communicates with the mounting hole 142. The cross-sectional size of the mounting hole 142 is larger than that of the assembly hole 140. The squareness yield of the heat-generating module 10 is achieved by the combination of the assembly hole 140 and the assembly portion 112. In addition, the lower end surface of the cover film 12 can abut against a step surface 143 between the mounting hole 142 and the assembly hole 140. This allows the cover film 12 to also function as a positioning control during assembly, simplifying the size control process.

[0041] 4 and 5 show an aerosol-generating device 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The aerosol-generating device 100 can be used to release an aerosol extract from the aerosol-generating substrate 200 in a non-combustion state by baking the aerosol-generating substrate 200 inserted therein at a low temperature. The aerosol-generating substrate 200 may be cylindrical, or the aerosol-generating device 100 may be substantially rectangular. The aerosol-generating substrate 200 is removably inserted into the aerosol-generating device 100, so that it can be conveniently removed after heating and replaced with a new aerosol-generating substrate 200. As can be appreciated, in other embodiments, the aerosol-generating device 100 is not limited to a rectangular prism shape but may have other shapes, such as a cylindrical shape or an elliptical cylinder. Furthermore, the aerosol-generating substrate 200 is not limited to a cylindrical shape but may have other shapes, such as an elliptical cylinder.

[0042] The aerosol-generating device 100 includes a casing 30, a heat-generating module 10 housed in the casing 30, a housing tube 20, a battery 40, and a motherboard 50. The heat-generating module 10 may be the heat-generating module in any of the above-described embodiments. The inner wall of the housing tube 20 defines a housing space 21 for housing an aerosol-generating substrate 200. An insertion opening 31 for inserting the aerosol-generating substrate 200 is formed in the top wall of the casing 30. The aerosol-generating substrate 200 can be inserted into the housing space 21 through the insertion opening 31. The upper end of the heat-generating module 10 is extendable into the housing space 21 and is inserted into the aerosol-generating substrate 200 to bake the aerosol-generating substrate 200 after it is heated by electrical current. The motherboard 50 is electrically connected to the battery 40 and the heat-generating module 10. The motherboard 50 has associated control circuits arranged thereon, and a switch installed in the casing 30 can control the on / off between the battery 40 and the heat generating module 10 .

[0043] As can be understood, the above technical features can be used in any combination without limitation.

[0044] The above examples merely illustrate specific embodiments of the present invention, and although they have been described with relative specificity and detail, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can freely combine the above technical features and make slight modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and all of these fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications and supplements made within the scope of the claims of the present invention shall fall within the scope of coverage of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A heat generating module for use in an aerosol generating device, The heating rod (11) includes a heat generating rod (11), a cover film (12) partially enclosing the heat generating rod (11), and a fixed base (14) covering the heat generating rod (11), the fixed base (14) having an assembly hole (140) formed therein, the heat generating rod (11) includes a functional portion (111) on which the cover film (12) is provided and an assembly portion (112) on which the cover film (12) is not provided, the assembly portion (112) being accommodated in the assembly hole (140), The cover film (12) includes a base film (122) and a heat generating film (121) attached to the base film (122), The heat generating module is characterized in that the base film (122) is used to mold the heat generating film (121).

2. The heating module according to claim 1, characterized in that the heating rod (11) is cylindrical, and the functional part (111) and the assembly part (112) are arranged along the axial direction of the heating rod (11).

3. The heat generating module according to claim 1, characterized in that the functional part (111) is located completely outside the fixed base (14), and the lower end of the cover film (12) abuts against the upper end surface of the fixed base (14), or the lower end of the cover film (12) has a gap between it and the upper end surface of the fixed base (14).

4. The heat generating module according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed base (14) further has an attachment hole (142) communicating with the assembly hole (140), and a portion of the functional part (111) is accommodated in the attachment hole (142).

5. The heat generating module according to claim 4, characterized in that the cross-sectional size of the mounting hole (142) is larger than the cross-sectional size of the assembly hole (140), thereby forming a stepped surface (143) between the mounting hole (142) and the assembly hole (140), and the lower end of the cover film (12) abuts against the stepped surface (143).

6. The heating module according to claim 1, characterized in that the heating rod (11) further includes a pointed portion (113), and the pointed portion (113) and the assembly portion (112) are respectively located at both ends of the functional portion (111).

7. 2. The heat generating module according to claim 1, wherein a gap is formed between the heat generating film (121) and the fixed base (14).

8. 2. The heat generating module according to claim 1, wherein the cover film (12) is a flexible film tape wound around the heat generating rod (11).

9. A heat generating module for use in an aerosol generating device, The heating rod (11) includes a heat generating rod (11), a cover film (12) partially enclosing the heat generating rod (11), and a fixed base (14) covering the heat generating rod (11), the fixed base (14) having an assembly hole (140) formed therein, the heat generating rod (11) includes a functional portion (111) on which the cover film (12) is provided and an assembly portion (112) on which the cover film (12) is not provided, the assembly portion (112) being accommodated in the assembly hole (140), The cover film (12) includes a base film (122) and a heat generating film (121) attached to the base film (122), The base film (122) is used to mold the heat generating film (121), The heat generating film (121) is disposed inside the base film (122), The cover film (12) further includes two conductive films (123) that are installed on the base film (122) and connected to the heat generating film (121), and the heat generating module further includes two electrode lead wires (13) that are respectively connected to the two conductive films (123); A heat-generating module characterized in that two conductive holes (1220) are formed in the base film (122), and each of the conductive films (123) includes an external connection portion (1232) that is located outside the base film (122) and connected to the electrode lead wire (13), and a conductive portion (1231) that is located within the conductive hole (1220) and connected to the heat-generating film (121).

10. The heating module according to claim 9, wherein the heating rod (11) is made of an insulating material, and the heating film (121) is in close contact with the heating rod (11).

11. The heating module according to claim 9, characterized in that the heating rod (11) is made of a conductive material, and the cover film (12) further includes an insulating film (124) installed between the heating film (121) and the heating rod (11).

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