Porous moisture absorbent material and atomizer using the same

Abstract

The embodiments relate to a porous absorbent, and in particular to a porous absorbent that is made of porous granules and facilitates the absorption and transport of liquid. [Solution] An embodiment provides a porous moisture absorbent, which is characterized in that it is composed of a plurality of porous granules in which micropores are formed on the surface or inside using the Benard cell phenomenon, and macropores are formed between the plurality of porous granules.

Description

Technical Field

[0007]

[0001] Examples relate to a porous moisture absorber and an atomizer using the same, and particularly to a porous moisture absorber that consists of a group of porous particles and smoothly absorbs and transfers liquid, and an atomizer using a porous moisture absorber that covers a heating wire between electrical terminals or the like with the porous moisture absorber.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, an electronic cigarette is an electronic device that can atomize and inhale a liquid containing nicotine filled in a replaceable cartridge in an aerosol or gaseous state (atomized state). <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​to There is a risk of causing this. The atomizer using a porous moisture absorber shown in Figures 1 and 2 was developed to improve this problem and includes a porous ceramic 10 that absorbs and supports liquid, and a heating element 16 attached to the lower surface of the porous ceramic 10 that heats and vaporizes the liquid. Heating element 1 attached to the surface of the porous ceramic 10 6 A power line 14 for applying current to the heating element 16 may be connected to it.

[0008] The porous ceramic 10 includes a groove 12 in the center that serves as a reservoir for storing liquid. Having a reservoir capable of storing liquid offers the advantage of stably and continuously supplying liquid into the pores of the porous ceramic 10.

[0009] Furthermore, in the porous ceramic 10, liquid movement occurs at a low speed, aerosol movement at high temperatures is smooth, and each pore of the porous ceramic 10 is connected to form an airway through which the aerosol can pass. ceramic The larger the specific surface area, the greater the amount of moisture absorbed by the liquid, which in turn increases the amount of atomization.

[0010] However, the porosity of the conventional technology ceramic Option 10 has a problem in that when the liquid comes into contact with the heated heating element, the temperature of the liquid rises rapidly, causing it to splash outwards (liquid splashing phenomenon). [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] The purpose of the examples is to ensure smooth moisture absorption and transfer of liquid by consisting of porous granules, unlike conventional porous materials. ceramic The objective is to provide an atomizer using a porous moisture absorbent in which heating wires between electrical terminals, etc., are inserted into or covered by the porous moisture absorbent, in order to prevent liquid splashing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The embodiment provides a porous moisture absorbent characterized by comprising a plurality of porous granules in which micropores are formed on the surface or inside using the Benard cell phenomenon, and macropores are formed between the plurality of porous granules.

[0013] In another embodiment of the examples, a porous moisture absorbent is provided, characterized in that the porous granules consist of a metal component and a silicate.

[0014] In another embodiment of the examples, a porous moisture-absorbing material is provided, characterized in that the metal component is an alkaline earth metal.

[0015] In another embodiment of the examples, a porous moisture absorbent is provided, characterized in that the porous granules contain fiberglass.

[0016] In another embodiment of the examples, a porous moisture absorbent is provided, characterized in that the fiberglass contains SiO2 as 50% or more by weight.

[0017] In another embodiment of the examples, a porous moisture absorbent is provided, characterized in that the micropores belong to the range of 20 to 50 μm.

[0018] In another embodiment of the examples, a porous moisture absorbent is provided, characterized in that the macropores belong to the range of 1 to 20 μm.

[0019] In another embodiment of the examples, an atomizer using a porous moisture absorbent is provided, characterized in that the porous granules are composed of one or more substances selected from the group including magnesium silicate, aluminum silicate, silicate silicate, zeolite, titanium oxide, titanium carbide, zirconia, silica, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, mullite, cordierite, tungsten carbide, zirconium carbide, and aluminum nitride.

[0020] In another aspect of the embodiment, a porous moisture absorber is provided, which includes the porous moisture absorber according to any one of the embodiments and a heating wire portion for heating the porous moisture absorber. Using A nebulizer is provided.

[0021] In another aspect of the embodiment, the porous moisture absorber is in the form of beads or spherical powder, and a plurality of granules are filled in a predetermined space to form the porous moisture absorber. Using A nebulizer is provided.

[0022] In another aspect of the embodiment, a part of the group of granules in the form of beads or spherical powder serves as a cover layer covering the heating wire portion with a thickness in the range of 10 to 500 μm, and the thickness of the heating wire portion is smaller than the thickness of the porous moisture absorber cover layer. A nebulizer using the porous moisture absorber is provided.

[0023] In another aspect of the embodiment, a nebulizer using a porous moisture absorber is provided, which includes a porous moisture absorber block composed of a three-dimensional porous granule group, a heater portion including a heating wire portion mounted on or adjacent to the first surface of the porous moisture absorber block, and a porous moisture absorber cover layer having a porous property and mounted on the first surface of the porous moisture absorber block while covering the heating wire portion.

[0024] In another aspect of the embodiment, a nebulizer using a porous moisture absorber is provided, wherein the porous moisture absorber block and the porous moisture absorber cover layer are made of a hydrophilic material.

[0025] In another aspect of the embodiment, a nebulizer using a porous moisture absorber is provided, wherein the thickness of the porous moisture absorber cover layer belongs to the range of 10 to 500 μm, and the thickness of the heating wire portion is smaller than the thickness of the porous moisture absorber cover layer.

[0026] In another aspect of the embodiment, a groove for inserting the heating wire portion is formed on the first surface of the porous moisture absorber block, and the porous moisture absorber cover layer covers the groove to fill the heating wire portion. A nebulizer using the porous moisture absorber is provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] The porous moisture absorber according to the embodiment is configured to include a group of porous particles or a group of spherical particles with an increased specific surface area, so that the moisture absorption amount of the liquid or gel aerosol-forming base material can be increased, and the transfer amount of the liquid to the air-forming base material due to capillary action can also be increased, and finally the aerosol generation amount can be increased.

[0028] In the embodiment, the heat ray part formed on one surface of the porous moisture absorber is inserted (filled) or covered with the porous moisture absorber, so that the transfer amount of the liquid increases and the atomization amount increases, a liquid leakage prevention function can be provided, and the char smell in the carbonization process of the liquid can be prevented from being discharged to the outside.

[0029] Also, the unit particle group of the porous moisture absorber according to the embodiment is composed of a group of porous particles or a group of porous spherical particles that generate the Benard cell phenomenon, so that defects are induced on the surface of the particles due to the Benard cell phenomenon, and as a result, the specific surface area of the porous particles can be increased, thereby increasing the moisture absorption amount of the liquid, and finally increasing the aerosol generation amount.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] [Figure 1] It is a view of an atomizer using a porous moisture absorber according to the prior art as seen from above. [Figure 2] It is a view of an atomizer using a porous moisture absorber according to the prior art as seen from below. [Figure 3] It is a scanning electron micrograph of a group of porous particles constituting a porous moisture absorber for using the Benard cell phenomenon according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a view showing various three-dimensional shapes of the porous moisture absorber according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a conceptual perspective view of an atomizer using a porous moisture absorber according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a conceptual perspective view of an atomizer using a porous moisture absorber according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031] The following describes the embodiments in more detail based on the attached drawings. However, the embodiments described are not limited thereto and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives. In the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar components.

[0032] In this document, expressions such as "possess," "may possess," "include," or "may include" refer to the existence of the relevant feature (e.g., numerical values, functions, operations, or components), and do not exclude the existence of additional features.

[0033] In this document, expressions such as "A or B," "A or / and at least one of B," or "one or more of A or / and B" can include all possible combinations of the items listed together. For example, "A or B," "A and at least one of B," or "A or at least one of B" can refer to (1) including at least one A, (2) including at least one B, or (3) including both at least one A and at least one B.

[0034] Expressions such as "first," "second," "first," or "second" used in this document can be used to mathematically represent various components regardless of their order and / or importance. They are used only to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit the components themselves. For example, the first user device and the second user device may refer to different user devices, regardless of their order or importance. For example, the first component may be named as the second component without exceeding the scope of rights described in this document, and similarly, the second component may be named in place of the first component.

[0035] The terminology used in this document is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and does not limit the scope of other embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, singular expressions may include plural expressions. Terms used, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as those generally understood by a person with ordinary skill in the technical field described in this document. Terms used in this document that are defined in general dictionaries may be interpreted as having the same or similar meaning as they do in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless explicitly defined in this document. In some cases, even terms defined in this document should not be interpreted in a way that excludes the embodiments described in this document.

[0036] In the examples, the liquid or liquid aerosol cartridge contains a liquid or gel-like aerosol-forming substrate (for example, containing one or more substances such as fragrance, nicotine, VG (vegetable glycerin), PG (propylene glycol), chemicals, cloves, etc.) in its internal containment space.

[0037] The liquid cartridge is configured to include an atomizer made of a porous moisture absorber, which is in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate and allows the aerosol-forming substrate to be transported by capillary action.

[0038] In the example, porous moisture absorber Using The atomizer consists of a porous moisture absorber comprising a liquid intake surface that contacts the aerosol-forming substrate, and an atomizing surface formed on a side not adjacent to the liquid intake surface, or an outlet surface from which the atomized aerosol is discharged. In the example, a heating element is mounted adjacent to the atomizing surface or the outlet surface.

[0039] The aerosol generator according to the embodiment comprises a case in which a liquid cartridge is installed, a power supply unit (control device) that supplies power to the liquid cartridge, and an airflow path that connects the external space with the atomizing surface and the discharge surface. Alternatively, the aerosol generator according to the embodiment comprises a containment space for containing an aerosol-forming substrate and a porous moisture absorbent body in contact with the liquid intake surface in the containment space. UsingAtomizer and a porous moisture absorber that communicates with the outside space. Using It can also consist of an airflow path in contact with the atomizing surface and discharge surface of the atomizer.

[0040] Figure 3 is a scanning microscope image of the porous granule group constituting the porous moisture absorbent material used to utilize the Bénard cell phenomenon in the example.

[0041] In this embodiment, the unit granule group of the porous moisture absorbent or porous moisture absorbent block is a porous granule group or porous spherical granule group formed using the Bénard cell phenomenon, in which defects are induced on the surface of the particles by the Bénard cell phenomenon, thereby increasing the specific surface area of ​​the porous granule group, which in turn increases the moisture absorption capacity of the liquid or gel-like aerosol-forming substrate, and ultimately increases the amount of aerosol generated.

[0042] The porous granule group in question is a porous three-dimensional (or spherical) particle in which numerous grooves and pores are formed on its surface due to the induction of surface defects (cracks), and in which its specific surface area is significantly increased.

[0043] The porous granules may be in the form of beads or spherical powder. The diameter and size of the porous granules range from 10 to 300 μm. The pores formed on the surface and inside the porous granules are micropores and range from 20 to 50 μm.

[0044] The pores between these porous granule groups are the pores of a porous moisture absorber, corresponding to macropores, and belong to the range of 1 to 130 μm. As will be described later, when porous granule groups are used as a porous moisture absorber by being formed into three-dimensional blocks with a binder, the pores between the porous granule groups within the block are macropores. When granules in the form of beads or spherical powder are used as a porous moisture absorber, the spacing between the granule groups placed in the installation space of the porous moisture absorber becomes macropores. The porosity of a porous moisture absorber belongs to the range of 30 to 70%. Porosity is calculated as the sum of macropores and micropores.

[0045] Each of the porous granule groups consists of a metallic component and a silicate. The metallic component is an alkaline earth metal such as aluminum, magnesium, or calcium. In particular, the porous granule group is composed of one or more substances selected from the group including magnesium silicate, aluminum silicate, silicate silicate, zeolite, titanium oxide, titanium carbide, zirconia, silica, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, mullite, cordierite, tungsten carbide, zirconium carbide, and aluminum nitride.

[0046] Additionally, it is desirable that the porous granule group has hydrophilic properties in order to absorb moisture from liquid or gel-like aerosol-forming substrates.

[0047] Furthermore, the porous granule group may include fibrous glass. Such fibrous glass may contain SiO2 at a weight percentage of 50% or more.

[0048] In this embodiment, the porous moisture absorber has the function of absorbing liquid or gel-like aerosols, and / or, when attached to an aerosol generator or cartridge, has the function of transporting liquid aerosol-forming substrate by capillary action. These moisture absorption and transport functions can be performed more smoothly with a porous moisture absorber consisting of porous granules according to the embodiment. Due to these moisture absorption and transport functions, when applied to an aerosol generator or cartridge, a certain amount of aerosol-forming substrate can be transported when the user puffs, thereby enabling the generation of a certain amount of mist.

[0049] When a porous moisture absorbent is used as an atomizer in an aerosol generator or cartridge, the porous granules are blocked into a three-dimensional shape by a binder, and a heating element for heating the porous moisture absorbent block may be installed on one side of the block. However, the porous moisture absorbent can also be used as an atomizer in an aerosol generator or cartridge as granules in bead form or spherical powder form without any additional blocking process. A liquid or gel-like aerosol-forming substrate can be absorbed into the granular porous moisture absorbent in bead form or spherical powder form, and then loaded into the aerosol generator or cartridge, with the heating element positioned in contact with the granular porous moisture absorbent in bead form or spherical powder form. In this case, the heating element can have various shapes, such as blade form, cylindrical shape, or pin shape. Since the granules in bead form or spherical powder form do not have a specific shape, the shape and arrangement of the heating element can be freely determined, and the contact area between the heating element and the porous moisture absorbent can be increased. Furthermore, when an aerosol-generating substrate is absorbed by a granular porous moisture absorbent in the form of beads or spherical powder, the same amount of aerosol-generating substrate can be absorbed in a shorter time compared to a block form.

[0050] In other words, when the granules themselves are used as a porous moisture absorbent, they have excellent moisture absorption and transfer capabilities for liquids. Compared to when porous granules are formed into blocks, the manufacturing time for atomizers using porous moisture absorbents can be shortened during production, and during use, the liquid can be transferred smoothly, increasing the amount of atomization.

[0051] Figure 4 shows various three-dimensional shapes of porous moisture absorbers according to the embodiment.

[0052] As shown in Figure 4, the porous moisture absorber can be implemented in various ways depending on the structure and shape of the aerosol generator or cartridge used. In particular, in one embodiment, vertical pores can be formed. These vertical pores can be utilized as airflow paths for the aerosol atomized by heating the aerosol generating substrate absorbed by the porous moisture absorber with a heating element.

[0053] Figure 5 is a conceptual perspective view of an atomizer using a porous moisture absorbent according to the first embodiment, and Figure 6 is a conceptual perspective view of an atomizer using a porous moisture absorbent according to the second embodiment.

[0054] In Figure 5, the atomizer using the porous moisture absorber has a three-dimensional shape and is composed of a porous moisture absorber block 10 consisting of the aforementioned porous granule group, a heating element 2 attached to or bonded to the atomizing surface 10a which is one side of the porous moisture absorber block 10, a heater section having first and second electrical terminals 3a and 3b connected to both ends of the heating element 2, and a porous moisture absorber cover layer 12 that covers the upper and outer surfaces of the heating element 2 and is attached to the atomizing surface 10a of the porous moisture absorber 10.

[0055] The porous moisture-absorbing block 10 comprises an atomizing surface 10a and a moisture-absorbing surface that are oriented in opposite directions or are not adjacent to each other. When the atomizer is attached to a liquid cartridge or aerosol generator, the moisture-absorbing surface is the part that comes into contact with or is supplied with the liquid, and the atomizing surface 10a corresponds to the atomizing surface or the discharge surface. The atomizing surface 10a is inserted into or bonded to the airflow path.

[0056] Furthermore, the porous moisture absorber 10 transports the liquid by capillary action, from the moisture absorption surface to the atomizing surface 10 a The liquid is transferred to [location].

[0057] Furthermore, the aforementioned material of the porous moisture-absorbing block 10 can also be sintered in a mold to have a three-dimensional shape.

[0058] The heater section is connected to both ends of the heating element section 2 and to a control device (not shown). It is equipped with first and second electrical terminals 3a and 3b to which power is supplied, thereby generating thermal energy which is transmitted, diffused, or applied to the atomizing surface 10a of the porous moisture-absorbing block 10.

[0059] The heating element 2 of the heater unit has a sine wave shape or a mesh shape, and is attached to or adhered to the atomizing surface 10a in a solid state of metal material or as a metal paste. The metal material of the heating element 2 is made up of one of the following: nickel-chromium, SUS, Kanthal, tungsten, titanium, copper, or graphene.

[0060] The porous moisture-absorbing cover layer 12 has hydrophilic properties, and the heat-emitting part 2 and a portion of the atomizing surface 10a in the surrounding area, and the first and second electric air Terminals 3a and 3b are formed to be exposed to the outside. The porous moisture absorber cover layer 12 is made of the same material as the porous moisture absorber block 10 and can consist of a group of porous granules.

[0061] The thickness of the porous moisture-absorbing cover layer 12 is in the range of 10 to 500 μm, and the heating element 2 is mounted on the surface of the atomizing surface 10a and its thickness is smaller than the thickness of the porous moisture-absorbing cover layer 12 so that it is filled in by the porous moisture-absorbing cover layer 12.

[0062] The porous moisture-absorbing cover layer 12, as described above, covers the heating element 2 and is attached to or adhered to the atomizing surface 10a, thereby preventing the heating element 2 from coming into close contact with the porous moisture-absorbing block 10 and directly contacting the airflow path. This prevents burnt flavors from being released along with the aerosol passing through the airflow path, even if the liquid aerosol-forming substrate is carbonized on the heating element 2. In addition, the porous moisture-absorbing cover layer 12 prevents liquid leakage of the aerosol-forming substrate from the atomizing surface 10a of the porous moisture-absorbing block 10.

[0063] In Figure 6, the atomizer using the porous moisture absorbent has a three-dimensional shape and is composed of a porous moisture absorbent block 20 consisting of the aforementioned porous granule group, a heating element 2 inserted into a groove 20b formed on the atomizing surface 20a, which is one side of the porous moisture absorbent block 20, a heater section having first and second electrical terminals 3a and 3b connected to both ends of the heating element 2 and inserted into the groove 20b, and a porous moisture absorbent cover layer 22 that covers the groove 20b, while exposing the first and second electrical terminals 3a and 3b to the outside and covering the heating element 2.

[0064] The groove 20b has the same shape as the heater section and has a depth that allows the heating element 2 to be completely inserted into the groove 20b. The depth of the groove 20b is in the range of 10 to 500 μm, and the heating element 2 has a thickness less than the depth of the groove 20b. The thickness of the porous moisture-absorbing cover layer 22 is the same as or less than the depth of the groove 20b.

[0065] The porous moisture-absorbing cover layer 22 is formed to completely cover the upper surface of the heating element 2 and to cover the groove 20b.

[0066] In Figure 6, the function of the porous moisture-absorbing cover layer 22 is the same as that of the porous moisture-absorbing cover layer 12 in Figure 5.

[0067] On the other hand, unlike the embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 6, a similar splash-proof structure can be applied even when the porous granules themselves are used as the porous moisture absorber without being formed into blocks. By loading liquid-containing bead-shaped or spherical powder granules into a predetermined space, installing the heating element, and then loading the bead-shaped or spherical powder granules in a range of 10 to 500 μm so that the heating element is covered, a portion of the bead-shaped or spherical powder granules can act as a cover layer.

[0068] As explained above, the invention is not limited to the specific preferred embodiments described above, and any person with ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs can carry out a variety of modifications without departing from the gist of the claims, and such modifications fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. The material is composed of multiple porous granules whose specific surface area has increased due to the induction of defects on the surface by the Bénard cell phenomenon, which leads to the formation of micropores on the surface and inside. Macropores are formed between multiple porous granules, The increased specific surface area due to micropores formed by surface defects increases the moisture absorption capacity of the aerosol-forming substrate. A porous moisture absorbent characterized in that macropores transport an aerosol-forming substrate by capillary action, allowing vaporized aerosols to pass through.

2. The porous moisture absorbent according to claim 1, characterized in that the porous granules consist of a metal component and a silicate.

3. The porous moisture absorbent according to claim 2, characterized in that the metal component is an alkaline earth metal.

4. The porous moisture absorbent according to claim 2, characterized in that the porous granules include fiberglass.

5. Fiberglass contains SiO2 as a weight percentage of 50% or more. ２ A porous moisture absorbent according to claim 4, characterized by containing the following.

6. The porous moisture absorbent according to claim 1, characterized in that the macropores are in the range of 20 to 50 μm.

7. The porous moisture absorbent according to claim 1, characterized in that the micropores are in the range of 1 to 20 μm.

8. The atomizer using a porous moisture absorbent according to claim 1, characterized in that the porous granules are composed of one or more substances selected from the group including magnesium silicate, aluminum silicate, silicate silicate, zeolite, titanium oxide, titanium carbide, zirconia, silica, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, mullite, cordierite, tungsten carbide, zirconium carbide, and aluminum nitride.

9. A porous moisture absorbent according to any one of claims 1 to 8, A atomizer using a porous moisture absorbent, characterized by including a heating element for heating the porous moisture absorbent.

10. The porous moisture absorbent is a granule in the form of beads or spherical powder, and is formed by filling a plurality of granules into a predetermined space, as described in claim 9, in an atomizer using a porous moisture absorbent.

11. Some of the granules, in the form of beads or spherical powder, act as a cover layer that covers the heating element with a thickness ranging from 10 to 500 μm. The atomizer using a porous moisture absorbent according to claim 10, characterized in that the thickness of the heating element is smaller than the thickness of the porous moisture absorbent cover layer.

12. A porous moisture absorber block comprising a porous moisture absorber according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which consists of a group of three-dimensional porous granules, is capable of absorbing moisture from an aerosol-forming substrate, and can transport the aerosol-forming substrate by capillary action, A heater section is attached to or adjacent to the first surface of a porous moisture-absorbing block and includes a heating element that heats and vaporizes the aerosol-forming substrate that has absorbed moisture into the porous moisture-absorbing block. A atomizer using a porous moisture absorber, characterized by comprising: a porous moisture absorber cover layer that has porous properties, is formed on the first surface of a porous moisture absorber block while covering the heating element, can absorb moisture from an aerosol-forming substrate, can transport the aerosol-forming substrate by capillary action, and can allow vaporized aerosols to pass through.

13. The atomizer using a porous moisture absorber according to claim 12, characterized in that the porous moisture absorber block and the porous moisture absorber cover layer are made of a hydrophilic material.

14. The thickness of the porous moisture-absorbing cover layer is in the range of 10 to 500 μm. The atomizer using a porous moisture absorbent according to claim 12, characterized in that the thickness of the heating element is smaller than the thickness of the porous moisture absorbent cover layer.

15. A atomizer using a porous moisture absorbent according to claim 12, characterized in that a groove into which a heating element is inserted is formed on the first surface of the porous moisture absorbent block, and the porous moisture absorbent cover layer covers the groove and fills in the heating element.

Images