Heating assembly and aerosol generator

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device (2030) and a heating assembly (2010). The heating assembly (2010) includes a heating element (2011), which heats an aerosol-generating substrate (10100, 2020, 301). The heating element (2011) has at least two heating regions (10121, 20115), and a thermal insulating structure is provided between at least one pair of adjacent heating regions (10121, 20115), which reduces heat transfer between the adjacent heating regions (10121, 20115). A thinned tube wall portion (3028) slows down the rate of heat transfer between adjacent heating regions (3024). When one of the adjacent heating zones (3024) heats, the heat is more concentrated in the area heated by the operating heating zone (3024), resulting in higher heat utilization, lower heat loss, and improved independent heating efficiency of the heating zones (3024).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of atomization devices, and particularly to a heating assembly and an aerosol generating device.

Background Art

[0002] Non-combustion heating type aerosol generating devices have advantages such as being safe, convenient, healthy, and environmentally friendly, so people's attention and interest in them are increasing. Non-combustion heating type aerosol generating devices bake and heat different forms of aerosol generating substrates to generate aerosols for users to inhale. By such a "non-combustion heating" method, the aerosol generating substrate is only heated at a low temperature, does not burn, and no fire is generated, effectively avoiding the generation of harmful substances by the aerosol generating substrate.

[0003] The heating element in a non-combustion heating device usually heats the aerosol generating substrate in the circumferential direction. However, the heating element is concentrated in the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating substrate, and accordingly, the heating temperature becomes too high, resulting in the generation of high-temperature aerosols and affecting the user experience.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a heating assembly that forms a relatively independent heating region, avoids generating high-temperature aerosols at too high heating temperatures, and improves the user experience.

[0006] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide an aerosol generating device using the above-described heating assembly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to a first embodiment, a heating assembly is provided which includes a heating element for heating an aerosol generating substrate, the heating element having at least two heating regions, and a heat insulating structure between at least one pair of adjacent heating regions, the heat insulating structure blocking heat transfer between adjacent heating regions.

[0008] According to the heating assembly of the above embodiment, the heating element of the heating assembly has at least two heating regions, and there is an insulating structure between at least one pair of adjacent heating regions. The insulating structure blocks heat transfer between adjacent heating regions, reduces the heat transfer rate between different heating regions, and improves the insulating performance between the two adjacent heating regions. This forms a relatively independent heating section between the two adjacent heating regions, allowing heating using the heating regions as needed. Furthermore, it can lower the temperature of the entire heating element, lower the temperature of the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substrate, and improve the user experience.

[0009] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the heating element has an insulating region, the insulating region is provided between two adjacent heating regions, the insulating structure includes an insulating body, the insulating body is fitted into the insulating region of the heating element to block heat transfer between adjacent heating regions.

[0010] According to the heating assembly of the above embodiment, the heating element of the present invention divides different heating regions by fitting an insulating material into an insulating region and physically blocks heat transfer between each heating region. As a result, when the heating element heats one heating region, heat transfer from that heating region to other heating regions is reduced, enabling localized baking of the aerosol generating substrate. This allows for control of localized heating when the user inhales the aerosol for the first few times, preventing the aerosol temperature from becoming too high, resulting in a lower temperature felt by the user when inhaling the aerosol for the first few times, reducing the risk of burning the mouth, and improving the user experience.

[0011] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the heating element includes a heating tube, the heating tube heats an aerosol generating substrate, the tube wall of the heating tube includes at least two heating regions, each heating region is capable of heating the aerosol generating substrate, an insulating gap is provided between adjacent heating regions to block heat transfer between adjacent heating regions, the insulating gap penetrates the tube wall of the heating tube in the radial direction, the heating regions form the heating regions, the insulating gap forms the insulating structure, the heating assembly includes a thermoplastic sealing layer, the thermoplastic sealing layer is provided on the heating tube and covers the insulating gap, preventing airflow inside the heating tube from flowing out through the insulating gap.

[0012] According to the heating assembly of the above embodiment, the adiabatic gap blocks heat transfer between adjacent heating regions, reduces the heat transfer rate between different heating regions, and further minimizes mutual influence and heat loss when the heating requirements of adjacent heating regions are different. At the same time, by covering the adiabatic gap with a thermoplastic sealing layer, it is possible to prevent airflow within the heating tube from flowing out through the adiabatic gap, thereby further reducing heat loss.

[0013] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the heating element includes a heat transfer tube and an electric heating member disposed on the heat transfer tube, the heat transfer tube having a heating cavity for inserting an aerosol generating substrate, the tube wall of the heat transfer tube having at least two heating regions, the number of electric heating members being at least two, each heating region corresponding to at least one electric heating member, the electric heating member heating the corresponding heating region, and the tube wall of the heat transfer tube between at least a pair of adjacent heating regions being provided with a thin-walled portion, the thickness of the thin-walled portion being smaller than the thickness of the heating region, the heating region forming the heat-generating region, and the thin-walled portion forming the heat-insulating structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the heating assembly of the above embodiment, the thin-walled portion of the tube wall slows down the heat transfer rate between adjacent heating regions. When one of the adjacent heating regions is heated, the heat is more concentrated in the area being heated by the operating heating region, resulting in a higher heat utilization rate, lower heat loss, and improved independent heating efficiency of the heating regions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of a partially enlarged section A in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the heat transfer element and heating structure in a heating assembly according to the first embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] This is an exploded view of the heat transfer element and heat generation structure in a heating assembly according to the first embodiment of the present application. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the heat transfer element and heating structure in a heating assembly according to a second embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] This is an exploded view of the heat transfer element and heat generation structure in a heating assembly according to a second embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of the heat transfer element and heating structure in a heating assembly according to the third embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] It is an exploded view of a heat transfer body and a heat generation structure in a heating assembly according to the third embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] It is a schematic structural diagram of a heating assembly according to an embodiment of the present application from a perspective view. [Figure 10] It is a schematic structural diagram from another perspective view of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] It is an exploded view of FIG. 9. [Figure 12] It is an exploded view of a heating assembly according to another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 13] It is a schematic structural diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 14] It is a front view of an aerosol generating device in an embodiment. [Figure 15] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] It is a schematic structural diagram of an aerosol generating substrate heating assembly in an embodiment. [Figure 17] It is a schematic structural diagram of a heat shrink sealing layer and a heating tube in an embodiment. [Figure 18] It is a schematic structural diagram of a heating tube and an electric heating member in an embodiment. [Figure 19] It is a cross-sectional view of a heat shrink sealing layer and a heating tube in an embodiment. [Figure 20] It is a schematic diagram showing the positions of a heating tube and an electric heating member after unfolding in an embodiment. [Figure 21] It is a schematic structural diagram of a heat transfer tube in an embodiment. [Figure 22] It is a cross-sectional view of a heat transfer tube in an embodiment. [Figure 23] It is a schematic structural diagram of a heat transfer tube and an electric heating member in an embodiment. [Figure 24] It is a schematic diagram showing the positions of a heat transfer tube and an electric heating member after unfolding in an embodiment. [Figure 25] It is a schematic structural diagram of a guide base in an embodiment. [Figure 26] It is a schematic structural diagram of a heat exchanger in an embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to specific embodiments and drawings. In different embodiments, similar elements will be referred to by the corresponding similar element reference numerals. Much of the detailed description in the following embodiments is for the purpose of better understanding the present application. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that some features may be omitted where different, or may be replaced by other elements, materials, or methods. In certain circumstances, some operations related to the present application are not presented or described in the specification. This is to prevent the core of this specification from being buried in excessive description, and those skilled in the art do not need detailed descriptions of these related operations, as they can be fully understood by the descriptions in the specification and general technical knowledge in the art.

[0017] Furthermore, the features, operations, or characteristics described in the specification can be combined in any suitable manner to form various embodiments. At the same time, each step or operation described in the method may be rearranged or modified in a manner that is obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the various orders in the specification and drawings are for the purpose of clearly illustrating a particular embodiment and do not imply that they are essential orders unless specifically stated that one must follow a particular order.

[0018] In this specification, part numbers themselves, such as "Part 1," "Part 2," etc., are used simply to distinguish the objects being described and do not have any order or technical meaning. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the terms "connection" and "linking" in this application include both direct and indirect connections (linking).

[0019] In one embodiment, the heating assembly includes a heating element that heats an aerosol-generating substrate, the heating element having at least two heating regions, and an insulating structure between at least one pair of adjacent heating regions, the insulating structure blocking heat transfer between adjacent heating regions. The heating assembly is an aerosol-generating substrate heating assembly.

[0020] An aerosol generator includes a power supply and a heating assembly, the power supply providing power to the heating assembly. An aerosol generator is also called an aerosol generator, electronic atomizer, or atomizer.

[0021] The heating assembly and aerosol generator will be described in detail below, mainly from four aspects.

[0022] First aspect This application provides a heating assembly and an aerosol generator. The heating assembly is applied to the aerosol generator, which can generate aerosols by heating an atomizable aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol is a colloidal dispersion system in which fine solid or liquid particles are dispersed and suspended in a gaseous medium. In this application, the aerosol generator generates aerosols from the aerosol generating substrate by non-combustion heating. It heats the aerosol generating substrate using a special heat source, atomizes various substances in the aerosol generating substrate during heating, and generates aerosols through volatilization. No fire is generated during heating, making it environmentally friendly and providing a good user experience. It also reduces harmful substances generated when conventional atomizing substrates decompose at high temperatures during combustion.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, the heating assembly according to this embodiment includes a heat transfer element 1010, a heat generating structure 1020, and a heat exchange structure 1030.

[0024] The heat transfer element 1010 has a housing cavity 1011 with openings at both ends. The heat transfer element 1010 has a first heat transfer region 1012 and a second heat transfer region 1013 distributed in the axial direction. An aerosol generating substrate 1010 is inserted in the part of the housing cavity 1011 corresponding to the first heat transfer region 1012. A heat exchange structure 1030 is attached to the part of the housing cavity 1011 corresponding to the second heat transfer region 1013. A heat generating structure 1020 is provided in the first heat transfer region 1012. The heat generating structure 1020 generates heat. The first heat transfer region 1012 conducts the heat generated by the heat generating structure 1020 to the second heat transfer region 1013. The heat exchange structure 1030 exchanges heat with the second heat transfer region 1013 to preheat the incoming gas.

[0025] Since the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substrate 10100 at high temperatures floats in the gaseous medium, one of the open-ended containment cavities in the heat transfer element 1010 is used for intake, and a heat exchange structure 1030 is installed inside this port. The heat exchange structure 1030 preheats the incoming gas, and the preheated gas flows back into the aerosol generating substrate 10100. The heat exchange structure 1030 works in cooperation with the heat generating structure 1020 to reduce the energy consumption of the heat generating structure 1020.

[0026] To ensure effective heat transfer, the heat transfer element 1010 is typically manufactured from a material with high thermal conductivity. The heat generating structure 1020 may be a heating wire, heating sheet, or other structure capable of generating heat when energized. The heat generated by the heat generating structure 1020 located in the first heat transfer region 1012 is conducted through the heat transfer element 1010 into the interior of the containment cavity 1011, and further heats the aerosol generating substrate 10100 to generate aerosols. Simultaneously, some of the heat is conducted from the first heat transfer region 1012 to the second heat transfer region 1013. The second heat transfer region 1013 can conduct heat to the heat exchange structure 1030 inside the containment cavity 1011 corresponding to the second heat transfer region 1013, thereby allowing the heat exchange structure to preheat the incoming gas.

[0027] In this embodiment, the first heat transfer region 1012 has at least two heat-generating regions 10121, the heat-generating structure 1020 includes at least two heat-generating components 1021, the heat-generating components 1021 are provided in the heat-generating regions 10121, and the heat transfer body 1010 further includes an insulating cutout 10122 between two adjacent heat-generating regions 10121.

[0028] Most of the heat generated in the heat-generating region 10121 is concentrated inside the containment cavity 1011 corresponding to the first heat transfer region 1012, and some of the heat is conducted through the first heat transfer region 1012 to the second heat transfer region 1013, providing heat to the heat exchange structure 1030 inside the containment cavity 1011 corresponding to the second heat transfer region 1013, and further heating the incoming gas.

[0029] In one embodiment, by providing an insulating cutout 10122 between two adjacent heat-generating regions 10121, a gap is formed between the two adjacent heat-generating regions 10121 by the insulating cutout 10122, and the two adjacent heat-generating regions 10121 are connected by the remaining portion other than the insulating cutout 10122, and the remaining portion has a smaller area than the insulating cutout 10122, so that the heat generated by the heat-generating component 1021 provided in each heat-generating region 10121 is less likely to be transferred to the adjacent heat-generating region 10121 by the insulating cutout 10122, and the two adjacent regions Heat can be transmitted only through the remaining small area, excluding the insulating cutouts 10122 between the heat-generating regions 10121, improving the insulating performance between two adjacent heat-generating regions 10121, forming relatively independent heating sections between the two adjacent heat-generating regions 10121, further forming different heating cavities inside the housing cavity 1011 corresponding to the first heat transfer region 1012, lowering the overall temperature inside the housing cavity 1011, and further lowering the temperature of the aerosols generated from the aerosol-generating substrate 10100, thereby improving the user experience.

[0030] In this embodiment, the first heat transfer region 1012 of the heat transfer element 1010 is provided with two heat-generating regions 10121, and correspondingly, the heat-generating structure 1020 includes two heat-generating components 1021, both of which can generate heat independently. That is, when one heat-generating component 1021 generates heat, the other heat-generating component 1021 may or may not generate heat. The two heat-generating components 1021 use independent control circuits and do not interfere with each other.

[0031] Of course, in other embodiments, the two heat-generating components 1021 may generate heat synchronously, as long as the heating temperature meets the actual demand.

[0032] In this embodiment, the heat transfer element 1010 has a hollow cylindrical structure, and since both ends of the internal cavity of the hollow cylindrical heat transfer element 1010 are open, the internal cavity of the heat transfer element 1010 forms a housing cavity 1011, and since the housing cavity 1011 is also cylindrical in shape, the heat transfer element 1010 is easy to manufacture. At the same time, the heat transfer element 1010 having a cylindrical structure can heat the inside of the housing cavity 1011 more uniformly.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the two heat-generating regions 10121 are uniformly distributed along the circumferential direction of the heat transfer body 1010; in other words, the two heat-generating regions 10121 are uniformly distributed in the first heat transfer region 10121 along the circumferential direction of the hollow cylindrical heat transfer body 1010, and the insulating cutouts 10122 extend and are distributed along the axial direction of the heat transfer body 1010. As shown in Figures 5 to 8, the two heat-generating regions 10121 are uniformly distributed along the axial direction of the heat-generating component 1021; in other words, the two heat-generating regions 10121 are uniformly distributed in the first heat transfer region 1012 along the axial direction of the hollow cylindrical heat-generating component 1021, and the insulating cutouts 10122 extend and are distributed along the circumferential direction of the heat transfer body 1010.

[0034] In this embodiment, the length of the insulating cutout 10122 is greater than or equal to the length of the heat transfer element 1010 parallel to the insulating cutout 10122. That is, the extended length of the insulating cutout 10122 allows the insulating cutout 10122 to block most of the heat conduction, and furthermore, it can maintain a relatively independent temperature range, thereby allowing for better control of the temperature of the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substrate.

[0035] Next, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the distance between the heat-insulating cutouts 10122 that extend and are distributed along the axial direction of the heat transfer element 1010 and the port closest to the heat transfer element 1010 is greater than 1 mm. This distance connects the two heat-generating regions 10121, and the connection point has a small area, thereby reducing heat conduction between the two heat-generating regions 10121.

[0036] As shown in Figures 3 to 8, the heat insulating cutout section 10122 includes at least one elongated cutout, and as shown in Figures 5 to 8, the heat insulating cutout section 10122 is provided with two coaxial elongated cutouts. Of course, in other embodiments, the heat insulating cutout section 10122 may be provided with three, four, or other numbers of elongated cutouts, and can be provided specifically according to the actual needs.

[0037] In this embodiment, the width of the elongated weight-reducing holes is greater than 0.1 mm, thereby ensuring heat insulation while simultaneously reducing the impact on the strength of the heat transfer element 1010.

[0038] As shown in Figures 4, 6, and 8, the heat-insulating cutout 10122 is provided along the boundary line L (shown as a dotted line in the figures) between two adjacent heat-generating regions 10121, and this boundary line L is located midway between the two adjacent heat-generating regions 10121.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the heating assembly according to this embodiment further includes a flow guide 1040, which is attached to a portion of the containment cavity 1011 corresponding to the second heat transfer region 1013 and is located between the heat exchange structure 1030 and the aerosol generating substrate 10100. The flow guide 1040 is provided with guide holes 1041, which guide the air preheated by the heat exchange structure 1030 to the aerosol generating substrate 10100.

[0040] In one embodiment, the heat exchange structure 1030 is provided with a plurality of intake holes 1031, which communicate with guide holes 1041, thereby guiding preheated air to the aerosol generating substrate 10100 via the guide holes 1041.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1, this embodiment further provides an aerosol generator which includes the heating assembly in the above embodiment, and further includes an inner housing 1050, a reflective film 1060, a circuit board 1070, a battery 1080, and an outer housing 1090, wherein the heating assembly is provided inside the inner housing 1050, which similarly uses a hollow structure with openings at both ends, the reflective film 1060 is laid on the inner surface of the inner housing 1050 and can reflect heat from the heating assembly, the inner housing 1050, the circuit board 1070, and the battery 1080 are all provided inside the outer housing 1090, the battery 1080 is connected to the heating assembly and provides power to the heating assembly, the heating assembly is connected to the circuit board 1070 and can control the two heat-generating components 1021 to generate heat independently or synchronously, or can adjust the temperature generated by the heat-generating components 1021.

[0042] As described above, in the heating assembly and aerosol generator according to this embodiment, by providing an insulating cutout between two adjacent heating regions, a gap is formed between the two adjacent heating regions by the insulating cutout, and the two adjacent heating regions are connected by the remaining portion other than the insulating cutout, and the remaining portion has a smaller area than the insulating cutout. As a result, the heat generated by the heating components provided in each heating region is less likely to be transferred to the adjacent heating region by the insulating cutout, and can be transferred only by the remaining portion with a smaller area other than the insulating cutout between the two adjacent heating regions, thereby improving the thermal insulation performance between the two adjacent heating regions, forming a relatively independent heating section between the two adjacent heating regions, further reducing the temperature of the entire interior of the housing cavity by forming a different heating cavity inside the housing cavity corresponding to the first heat transfer element, and further reducing the temperature of the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substrate, thereby improving the user experience.

[0043] Second aspect Current heating assemblies typically heat the aerosol-generating substrate as a whole, and when the substrate is heated as a whole, the temperature of the generated aerosol is too high, making it easy for users to burn their mouths when inhaling the aerosol for the first few times, resulting in a poor user experience.

[0044] Referring to Figures 9 to 13, the present invention provides a heating assembly 2010 which specifically houses an aerosol generating substrate 2020 and heats the aerosol generating substrate 2020 when energized. The aerosol generating substrate 2020 may specifically include a plant leaf substrate, for example, a tobacco substrate, and the aerosol generating substrate 2020 may further include a protective cover, the protective cover may cover the plant leaf substrate, for example, the plant leaf substrate may be wrapped inside aluminum foil or paper and used together.

[0045] Specifically, in one embodiment, the heating assembly 2010 includes a heating element 2011 and an insulating element 2012.

[0046] The heating element 2011 contains an aerosol generating substrate 2020, and the heating element 2011 contains a heat-generating material. The heating element 2011 supports the aerosol generating substrate 2020 contained therein and generates heat when energized, heating the aerosol generating substrate 2020 contained therein to form an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user.

[0047] The heating element 2011 may be made entirely of a conductive material, for example, conductive ceramics, and may include an insulating substrate and a conductive heating layer provided on the surface of the insulating substrate. In the embodiments shown in Figures 9-11, the heating element 2011 includes a substrate 20111 and a heating layer 20112. When energized, the heating layer 20112 generates heat to heat the aerosol generating substrate 2020, and both ends of the heating layer 20112 are connected to two electrodes 20113, which are electrically connected to the power supply assembly 2040 and the controller 2050 via external conductors. The electrodes 20113 may be a conductive coating applied to the substrate 20111, and the conductive coating may be a metal coating, conductive silver paste, or conductive tape, or a metal conductive sheet provided on the substrate 20111 or metal deposited on the substrate 20111, for example, a gold film, an aluminum film, or a copper film.

[0048] The heating layer 20112 may be a metal layer, a conductive ceramic layer, or a conductive carbon layer. The shape of the heating layer 20112 may be a continuous film structure, a porous network structure, or a stripe structure. The substrate 20111 is made of an insulating material, and the substrate 20111 may be a high-temperature resistant insulating material such as quartz glass, ceramic, or mica. The substrate 20111 has a housing cavity 201111, which houses the aerosol generating substrate 2020. The housing cavity 201111 has an opening, thereby allowing the aerosol generating substrate 2020 to be inserted into and removed from the housing cavity 201111 through the opening.

[0049] The heating element 2011 may have a tubular structure. In this embodiment, the base 20111 is a cylindrical tubular structure, the housing cavity 201111 is also cylindrical, and the wall thickness of the side wall of the base 20111 is fixed. This allows the heating element 2011 to uniformly heat the aerosol generating substrate 2020.

[0050] In this application, the heating element 2011 has an insulating region 20114 and at least two independent heating regions 20115. The independent heating regions 20115 mean that each heating region 20115 can generate heat independently. The insulating region 20114 is provided between two adjacent heating regions 20115, and the insulating element 2012 is fitted into the insulating region 20114 to block heat transfer between adjacent heating regions 20115.

[0051] Specifically, in the embodiments shown in Figures 9-11, the number of heat-generating regions 20115 is the same as the number of heat-generating layers 20112, and the heat-generating regions 20115 correspond one-to-one with the heat-generating layers 20112, that is, one heat-generating layer 20112 corresponds to one heat-generating region 20115. At least a portion of the insulating material 2012 is provided between two adjacent heat-generating layers 20112 to block heat transfer between the two adjacent heat-generating layers 20112. As shown in Figures 9-11, the entire insulating material 2012 may be provided between two adjacent heat-generating layers 20112, or a portion of the insulating material 2012 may be provided between two adjacent heat-generating layers 20112.

[0052] The material of the insulating material 2012 must simultaneously satisfy the conditions of being able to withstand high temperatures and having low thermal conductivity. For example, in one embodiment, the thermal conductivity of the insulating material 2012 is less than 8 W / (m·K), and / or the material of the insulating material 2012 includes at least one of crystallized glass, zirconia ceramic, polyetheretherketone, and polyimide.

[0053] The heating element 2011 of this application divides different heating regions 20115 by fitting the insulating material 2012 into the insulating region 20114, physically blocking heat transfer between each heating region 20115. As a result, when the heating element 2011 is heated in one heating region 20115, heat transfer from that heating region 20115 to other heating regions 20115 is reduced, enabling localized baking of the aerosol generating substrate 2020. This allows for control of localized heating when the user inhales the aerosol for the first few times, preventing the aerosol temperature from becoming too high, resulting in a lower temperature felt by the user when inhaling the aerosol for the first few times, reducing the risk of burning the mouth, and improving the user experience.

[0054] Furthermore, some conventional heating assemblies 2010 are provided with two heat-generating components, that is, two conventional independent heat-generating regions 20115 are provided on each of the two heat-generating components, and the two heat-generating components are connected to both ends of an insulating member to achieve heat insulation. However, such conventional structures have many parts, a complex assembly process, and low reliability of the connection strength that fixes the two heat-generating components together with the insulating member. In the present invention, each independent heat-generating region 20115 and insulating region 20114 are provided on the same heat-generating component, and heat insulation is achieved by fitting an insulating body 2012 into the insulating region 20114. Compared to the conventional structure described above, there are fewer parts, the connection and assembly process between the heat-generating components and the insulating member is omitted, and the insulating body 2012 is fitted into the heat-generating component 2011, so as not to excessively affect the structural strength of the heat-generating component 2011, the structural strength of the heat-generating component 2011 is highly reliable.

[0055] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 9 to 11, the heat insulating region 20114 has a hollow structure 201141, and the heat insulating material 2012 may be filled into the hollow structure 201141. The hollow structure 201141 is a through groove or through hole in the heat insulating region 20114 that penetrates the side wall of the heating element 2011 along the thickness direction of the heating element 2011. The heat insulating material 2012 may be filled into the hollow structure 201141 by processes such as coating, spraying, or dispensing. On the one hand, the hollowed-out structure 201141 prevents the mutual diffusion of energy between different heat-generating regions 20115 through physical isolation, improving the independence of each heat-generating region 20115. On the other hand, the insulating material 2012 fills the hollowed-out structure 201141, allowing the heat-generating element 2011 to maintain a certain level of airtightness. This makes it less likely for aerosols generated by heating from the heat-generating element 2011 to overflow from the hollowed-out structure 201141, thereby improving energy utilization efficiency.

[0056] As shown in Figures 9-11, the weight-reducing structure 201141 may be, for example, an insulating hole 201141a, and the insulating hole 201141a is a linear hole structure. Of course, in other embodiments, the insulating hole 201141a may be a folded structure, a bent structure, or may have other regular or irregular shapes.

[0057] In one embodiment, the weight-reducing structure 201141 may be a spaced, intermittent weight-reducing structure 201141. For example, as shown in Figure 12, in the embodiment of Figure 12, the weight-reducing structure 201141 includes a plurality of spaced-apart insulation holes 201141a. Compared to a continuous weight-reducing structure 201141, providing the weight-reducing structure 201141 intermittently at intervals can improve the structural strength of the insulation region 20114.

[0058] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 9-12, each heat-generating region 20115 is arranged in parallel along the circumferential direction of the heat-generating element 2011, and the insulating holes 201141a extend along the axial direction to block adjacent heat-generating regions 20115. In other embodiments, each heat-generating region 20115 may be arranged in parallel along the axial direction of the heat-generating element 2011, and the insulating holes 201141a extend along the circumferential direction to block adjacent heat-generating regions 20115. Of course, in one embodiment, the heat-generating regions 20115 may be arranged along the circumferential direction or along the axial direction, some insulating holes 201141a may be arranged along the axial direction, and some insulating holes 201141a may be arranged along the circumferential direction, as long as each heat-generating region 20115 is physically blocked.

[0059] In the embodiments shown in Figures 9-11, the heating element 2011 has a first heating region 201151 and a second heating region 201152. There are two insulating regions 20114, and two insulating holes 201141a, which are the first insulating hole 201142 and the second insulating hole 201143, both of which extend along the axial direction. The first heating region 201151 has opposing first and second ends along the circumferential direction, and the second heating region 201152 has opposing first and second ends along the circumferential direction. It has a first end and a second end facing each other, the first end of the first heat-generating region 201151 is close to the second end of the second heat-generating region 201152, the first insulating hole 201142 is provided between the first end of the first heat-generating region 201151 and the second end of the second heat-generating region 201152, and the second insulating hole 201143 is provided between the second end of the first heat-generating region 201151 and the first end of the second heat-generating region 201152.

[0060] In one embodiment, the heat insulating region 20114 does not necessarily have a hollow structure 201141, and the heat insulating region 20114 has a groove, which is a dead-end groove, and the heat insulating body 2012 is provided within the groove. The heat insulating region 20114 having a groove structure can prevent aerosol overflow more effectively than the heat insulating region 20114 having a hollow structure 201141, and the heating element 2011 can maintain good sealing performance. Of course, in other embodiments, the heat insulating region 20114 may include both a hollow structure 201141 and a groove.

[0061] As shown in Figure 13, in one embodiment, the heating assembly 2010 further includes a housing assembly 2013, an insulating layer 2014, a flow guide 2015, and a heat exchange core 2016.

[0062] The housing assembly 2013 includes an upper housing 20131 and a lower housing 20132, the upper housing 20131 having a mounting cavity 201311 and an insertion channel 201312, the insertion channel 201312 being provided at one end of the mounting cavity 201311 and communicating with the mounting cavity 201311, and the lower housing 20132 being provided at one end of the mounting cavity 201311 away from the insertion channel 201312 and closing the end of the mounting cavity 201311 away from the insertion channel 201312. The heating element 2011 is provided within the mounting cavity 201311, and one end of the heating element 2011 adjacent to the lower housing 20132 is detachably connected to the lower housing 20132, while the other end of the heating element 2011 adjacent to the insertion channel 201312 is detachably connected to the side wall of the insertion channel 201312.

[0063] The aerosol generating substrate 2020 is inserted into the housing cavity 201111 of the heating element 2011 via the insertion channel 201312. The lower housing 20132 has an intake passage 201321 which communicates with the intake port of the heating assembly 2010. When the heating assembly 2010 is operating, airflow flows from the intake port of the heating assembly 2010 into the intake passage 201321 of the lower housing 20132, and from the intake passage 201321 into the heating element 2011. The heating element 2011 heats the aerosol generating substrate 2020 to generate an aerosol, which flows out from the exhaust port of the heating assembly 2010 and becomes available for inhalation by the user.

[0064] The insulation layer 2014 may be provided on the inner wall of the mounting cavity 201311. By providing the insulation layer 2014, the transfer of heat generated by the heat-generating element 2011 to the outside of the mounting cavity 201311 can be blocked, thereby improving the energy utilization rate of the heat-generating element 2011. The insulation layer 2014 may be made of a high-temperature resistant insulation material, such as zirconia, alumina, quartz, or glass.

[0065] The heat exchange core 2016 is mounted within the heating element 2011 and may be located at one end of the heating element 2011 closer to the lower housing 20132. Normally, the airflow flows directly from the intake passage 201321 of the lower housing 20132 to the heating element 2011. In such a direct intake heating method, the airflow heat exchange distance is short, resulting in a small heat exchange area for the airflow. As the heated airflow rises, the temperature gradually decreases, and the temperature reaching the aerosol-generating substrate is insufficient, affecting the suction sensation. By providing the heat exchange core 2016 between the heating element 2011 and the intake passage 201321, the heat exchange area for the airflow can be increased.

[0066] The flow guide 2015 may be provided within the heating element 2011 and between the aerosol generating substrate 2020 and the heat exchange core 2016. The flow guide 2015 can concentrate the airflow within the heat exchange core 2016 towards the center of the aerosol generating substrate 2020. In the direct inhalation heating method, after the temperature of the airflow rises during use, nicotine is easily carried out all at once, resulting in an unbalanced nicotine content, with too high a nicotine content during the first few inhalations of the aerosol and too low a nicotine content afterward. This invention adds the flow guide 2015 and guides the hot airflow to the central region of the aerosol generating substrate 2020, thereby enabling the hot airflow to carry out nicotine from the central region of the aerosol generating substrate 2020, resulting in a gradual release of nicotine, improving the balance of inhalation, extending the usage time of the aerosol generating substrate 2020, and improving the user experience.

[0067] As shown in Figure 13, the present invention further provides an aerosol generator 2030, which includes a heating assembly 2010, a power supply assembly 2040, and a controller 2050. The controller 2050 is connected to the heating assembly 2010 and the power supply assembly 2040, respectively, and after receiving a start signal, controls the power supply assembly 2040 to supply power to the heating assembly 2010, and controls the heating power, heating time, etc., of the heating assembly 2010. The power supply assembly 2040 is electrically connected to the heating assembly 2010 and supplies power to the heating assembly 2010. In one embodiment, the power supply assembly 2040 may specifically include a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The heating assembly 2010 of the aerosol generator 2030 has the same or similar structure as the heating assembly 2010 according to any of the above embodiments and can achieve the same or similar effects, and its description is omitted here.

[0068] Third aspect Aerosol generators include heating tubes, and to make the heating method of the heating tubes more flexible, some aerosol generators currently have independent heating regions in their heating tubes. By providing independent heating regions, the problem of the generated aerosol being too hot can be improved. However, heat transfer between adjacent heating regions is rapid, and a lot of heat is transferred to other heating regions by the heating tube, making the heat in this area unusable. Furthermore, this negatively affects the set heating program and leads to serious heat loss. For example, if one adjacent heating region is operating and the other is not, a lot of heat is transferred from the operating heating region to the non-operating heating region, and the heat transferred to the non-operating heating region is unusable, resulting in serious heat loss. To solve this problem, this invention provides an insulating gap between adjacent heating regions, and then covers the insulating gap with a heat-shrinkable heat-insulating layer to prevent airflow leakage. In this way, the insulating gap reduces heat transfer between adjacent heating regions and further reduces heat loss.

[0069] As shown in Figures 14 to 20, before describing the aerosol generating substrate heating assembly in detail, first describe the aerosol generating substrate 301, which is the object of heating in the heating assembly. The aerosol generating substrate 301 is an aerosol generating rod, with one end being an intake end 3011 for drawing in aerosols and the other end being an intake end 3012 into which airflow flows. During intake, gas flows from the intake end 3012 into the aerosol generating substrate 301. In one embodiment, the intake end 3011 of the aerosol generating substrate 301 has a filter (not shown). The material of the filter (not shown) can be any of various existing or future feasible methods, such as sponge or chip paper. The aerosol generating substrate 301 includes an aerosol generating segment 3013, which is inserted into the heating assembly of the aerosol generator. The aerosol generation segment 3013 contains an aerosol generation substrate that generates aerosols, and the aerosol generation substrate may be a filamentous aerosol or a sheet-like aerosol. In one embodiment, the aerosol generation substrate 301 is a non-combustion heating rod, and the aerosol generation substrate can be heated and aerosols can be generated without burning the aerosol generation substrate.

[0070] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 14 to 16, the aerosol generating substrate heating assembly includes a heating tube 302 and a thermoplastic sealing layer 304. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating substrate heating assembly generates an aerosol by heating the aerosol generating substrate 301 without burning the aerosol generating substrate.

[0071] In some embodiments, the heating tube itself can be heated. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate heating assembly further includes an electric heating member 303 (see Figure 18), which is positioned on the heating tube 302 and is in thermal conduction contact with the heating tube 302, transferring the generated heat to the heating tube 302 to heat the aerosol generating substrate 301. The electric heating member 303 may be in one of several feasible forms, for example, the electric heating member 303 may be a resistance coating or a resistance wire coil, or for example, the electric heating member 303 may be a heating film printed on the outer surface of the heating tube 302, in which case the electric heating member 303 together with the heating tube 302 forms a thick film tube, and there is an insulating layer outside the heating film, in which case the heating tube 302 may be a metal tube with high thermal conductivity, or for example, the electric heating member 303 may be fitted into the tube wall of the heating tube 302. The electric heating element 303 may be a resistance wire, in which case the heating tube 302 may be manufactured using an insulating heat conductive material, and of course, an insulating layer may be coated on the outer circumference of the resistance wire, in which case the heating tube 302 may be manufactured using a conductive material, and for example, the electric heating element 303 may be a resistance wire wrapped around the outer wall of the heating tube 302, and for example, the electric heating element 303 may be laid on the inner surface of the heating tube 302.

[0072] In this application, thermal conduction contact includes not only direct contact but also indirect contact capable of transferring heat, and there are multiple methods of indirect contact. For example, thermal conduction grease is applied between the electric heating element and the heating tube, and for example, an insulating layer is added between the heating tube and the electric heating element to ensure safety.

[0073] The heating tube 302 has a heating cavity 3021 (see Figure 17) into which the aerosol generating substrate 301 is inserted and heated. Specifically, in one embodiment, both ends of the heating tube 302 are open, with one end being an insertion end 3022 for inserting the aerosol generating substrate 301, and the other end being a ventilation end 3023 into which airflow flows into the heating tube 302. In some other embodiments, the heating tube 302 can be configured in any feasible manner. For example, the heating tube 302 can seal the vent end 3023 in the above embodiment, in which case the gas flows into the heating tube 302 from the insertion end 3022, flows through the gap between the heating tube 302 and the aerosol generating substrate 301, and flows into the intake end of the aerosol generating substrate 301. Alternatively, for example, the aerosol generating substrate 301 can be inserted through the heating tube 302, in which case the intake end of the aerosol generating substrate 301 extends outside the heating tube 302.

[0074] As shown in Figures 17 to 20, the tube wall of the heating tube 302 includes at least two heating regions 3024, each capable of heating the aerosol generating substrate 301 inserted into the heating cavity 3021. An adiabatic gap 3025 is provided between adjacent heating regions 3024 to block heat transfer between them, and the adiabatic gap 3025 penetrates the tube wall of the heating tube 302 in the radial direction. The adiabatic gap 3025 penetrates the tube wall of the heating tube 302 in the thickness direction, meaning that the adiabatic gap is a weight-reducing structure that blocks heat transfer. The adiabatic gap 3025 reduces heat transfer between adjacent heating regions 3024, thereby reducing heat loss.

[0075] In order to prevent the heated hot airflow from flowing out through the adiabatic gap 3025, in this application, the thermoplastic sealing layer 304 is provided on the heating tube 302 and covers the adiabatic gap 3025, thereby preventing the airflow inside the heating tube 302 from flowing out through the adiabatic gap 3025. This further improves the energy utilization rate of each heating region.

[0076] In the aerosol generating substrate heating assembly according to the present invention, the adiabatic gap 3025 reduces heat transfer between adjacent heating regions 3024, and the thermoplastic sealing layer 304 covers the adiabatic gap 3025, thereby preventing airflow from flowing out through the adiabatic gap 3025 and reducing heat loss.

[0077] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 17 and 20, each heating region 3024 corresponds to at least one electric heating element 303, and the electric heating element 303 heats the corresponding heating region 3024 independently, thereby allowing each heating region 3024 to independently heat the aerosol generating substrate 301 inserted into the heating cavity 3021. When each heating region 3024 operates by heating independently, the adiabatic gap 3025 reduces the transfer of heat to heating regions that are not operating, thereby reducing heat loss and improving the heating efficiency of the heating regions 3024 that operate by heating independently.

[0078] In this embodiment, the heating regions 3024 in the heating tube 302 can independently heat the aerosol generating substrate 301. In actual use, heating is not limited to only a portion of the heating regions 3024, but may be performed simultaneously by all heating regions 3024 depending on the actual needs. In this case, the entire heating tube 302 heats the aerosol generating substrate 301. For example, one heating method for the aerosol generating substrate 301 is as follows.

[0079] When heating of the aerosol generating substrate 301 is initiated, there is a certain amount of moisture in the aerosol generating substrate 301, so the aerosol generated after heating contains water vapor. At this time, if the temperature of the aerosol is too high, the water vapor can easily burn the mouth when the aerosol is inhaled. Therefore, when heating of the aerosol generating substrate 301 is initiated, the aerosol generating substrate 301 is heated using only some of the heating regions 3024, and after the moisture in the aerosol generating substrate 301 is discharged, each heating region 3024 operates simultaneously, heating the aerosol generating substrate 301 with the entire heating tube 302.

[0080] For example, one heating method for the aerosol generating substrate 301 is as follows: Each heating region 3024 is divided into two sets, one set of heating regions 3024 heats a portion of the aerosol generating substrate 301, and then the other set of heating regions 3024 heats the other portion of the aerosol generating substrate 301. The two sets of heating regions 3024 operate in a time-division manner, partially heating the aerosol generating substrate 301, and in this way, the number of times the aerosol generating substrate 301 can be inhaled can be increased.

[0081] In some other embodiments, each heating region may always operate simultaneously, and the heating power of the electric heating element corresponding to one of the pair of heating regions (i.e., the low-temperature heating region) is less than that of the electric heating element corresponding to the other heating region (i.e., the high-temperature heating region).

[0082] In one specific embodiment, the number of electric heating elements 303 corresponds one-to-one with the number of heating regions 3024. There are two heating regions 3024, and there are also two electric heating elements 303. In some other embodiments, the number of heating regions 3024 and the number of electric heating elements 303 may be increased as needed; for example, there may be three or more heating regions 3024. In some other embodiments, one heating region 3024 may correspond to two or more electric heating elements 303.

[0083] The arrangement of the heating regions 3024 in the heating tube 302 can be any feasible configuration. For example, as shown in Figure 18, the heating regions 3024 may be arranged circumferentially around the heating tube 302. Alternatively, the heating regions 3024 may be arranged axially around the heating tube 302. Furthermore, there may be four or more heating regions 3024, with at least two arranged circumferentially around the heating tube 302 and at least two arranged axially around the heating tube 302.

[0084] The insulating intervals 3025 can be arranged in any feasible manner. For example, linear insulating intervals 3025 may be used, or multiple insulating intervals 3025 may be arranged at continuous intervals. In this case, the insulating intervals may be not only elongated in shape, but also in any shape such as square or circular, or curved insulating intervals 3025 may be used.

[0085] Furthermore, in one embodiment, as shown in Figures 17 and 19, the thermoplastic sealing layer 304 is a heat-shrinkable tube that has been heat-shrinked onto the heating tube 302. The heat-shrinkable tube is fitted onto the heating tube 302, heat-shrinked, and then fixed to the heating tube 302, and the heat-shrinking process of the heat-shrinkable tube is simple. In some other embodiments, the thermoplastic sealing layer 304 may be a thermoplastic film that heat-shrinks onto the heating tube 302. Specifically, the thermoplastic film can be any usable heat-resistant and heat-shrinkable film from the prior art, such as PI film or Peek film. In one embodiment, the material of the heat-shrinkable sealing layer is required to have a heat resistance of 250°C or higher, and of course, in some other embodiments, this heat resistance requirement may decrease or improve due to the temperature change of aerosol generation by the aerosol-generating substrate 301.

[0086] Furthermore, in one embodiment, as shown in Figures 17 and 18, the electric heating member 303 is positioned between the thermoplastic sealing layer 304 and the heating tube 302. In this way, after the thermoplastic sealing layer 304 and the heating tube 302 are thermoplastically fixed, there is also a certain fixing effect on the electric heating member 303, improving the structural stability of the electric heating member 303 and making it less likely for the electric heating member 303 to separate from the heating tube 302.

[0087] Furthermore, in one embodiment, as shown in Figure 18, the electric heating member 303 is fixed to the outer surface of the heating tube 302, so that the electric heating member 303 is less likely to separate from the heating tube 302 and the thermoplastic sealing layer 304 is more likely to thermally shrink to the heating tube 302. Specifically, the electric heating member 303 is a heating film formed on the outer surface of the heating tube 302, in which case the electric heating member 303 forms a thick film tube together with the heating tube 302, and there is an insulating layer outside the heating film, in which case the heating tube 302 is a metal tube with high thermal conductivity. In some other embodiments, the electric heating member 303 may be fitted into the heating tube 302 or a heating wire wrapped around the outer surface of the heating tube 302.

[0088] In some other embodiments, the electric heating member 303 can maintain thermal conduction contact with the heating tube 302 due to the thermal shrinkage of the thermoplastic sealing layer 304. In this case, it is not necessary to fix the electric heating member 303 and the heating tube 302 before the molding of the thermoplastic sealing layer 304, and the electric heating member 303 and the heating tube 302 are fixed during the thermal shrinkage process of the thermoplastic sealing layer 304. In some other embodiments, the electric heating member 303 may be located on the outside of the thermoplastic sealing layer 304, i.e., on the side of the thermoplastic sealing layer 304 away from the heating tube 302. In this case, aerosols in the heating tube 302 can contact the electric heating member 303 and avoid erosion of the electric heating member 303, and further improve the service life of the electric heating member 303.

[0089] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 15, 16, and 19, the heating tube 302 includes an airflow heating segment 3026 and an aerosol generating rod heating segment 3027, which are arranged axially in the heating tube 302, and the airflow heating segment 3026 heats the airflow flowing into the aerosol generating substrate 301. An aerosol generating rod stopper structure is provided within the airflow heating segment 3026, and the aerosol generating rod stopper structure limits the depth to which the aerosol generating rod is inserted into the heating cavity 3021 of the aerosol generating substrate 301 by engaging with the end face that is inserted into the heating cavity 3021 of the aerosol generating substrate 301. All heating regions 3024 are located in the aerosol generating rod heating segment 3027. By preheating the airflow that flows into the aerosol generating substrate 301 with the airflow heating segment 3026, the aerosol generating substrate 301 is heated both internally and externally, resulting in uniform heating throughout.

[0090] Furthermore, in one embodiment, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, a heat exchanger 305 is provided within the airflow heating segment 3026, and the airflow heating segment 3026 is in heat conduction contact with the heat exchanger 305. The heat exchanger 305 has a plurality of airflow passages 3051, which allow airflow to pass through and heat the airflow passing through them. The heat exchanger 305 heats the airflow uniformly and improves the heating efficiency of the airflow.

[0091] Specifically, in one embodiment, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, the airflow passages 3051 of the heat exchanger 305 extend along the axial direction of the heating tube 302, and multiple airflow passages 3051 are arranged at equal intervals. In some other embodiments, the heat exchanger 305 may not be provided, in which case the airflow is heated directly after passing through the airflow heating segment 3026.

[0092] To further improve the uniformity of heating to the aerosol generating substrate 301, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, the aerosol generating rod stopper structure is a guide base 306 located on one side of the heat exchanger 305, the guide base 306 having an aerosol generating rod stopper surface 3061 for engaging with the aerosol generating substrate 301, the aerosol generating rod stopper surface 3061 being located on the side of the guide base 306 away from the heat exchanger 305, and the guide base 306 having a guide hole 3062 in the center, the guide hole 3062 for guiding the airflow to flow into the aerosol generating substrate 301 from the center of the end face of the aerosol generating substrate 301. In some other embodiments, an annular projection may be provided on the heating tube 302 to engage with the end face of the aerosol generating substrate 301, and the heat exchanger 305 may form an aerosol generating rod stopper structure to engage with the end face of the aerosol generating substrate 301.

[0093] Specifically, in one embodiment, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, both the guide base 306 and the heat exchanger 305 are fitted tightly onto the heating tube 302.

[0094] To facilitate the installation of the heating tube 302, in one embodiment, as shown in Figures 15 to 16, the aerosol generating substrate heating assembly includes a first heating tube base 307 and a second heating tube base 308, the heating tube 302 being interposed between the first heating tube base 307 and the second heating tube base 308, the first heating tube base 307 having a first base hole 3071 through which the aerosol generating substrate 301 passes and is inserted into the heating cavity 3021, and the second heating tube base 308 having a second base hole 3081 through which the airflow flowing into the aerosol generating substrate 301 passes.

[0095] Specifically, in one embodiment, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, the insertion end 3022 of the heating tube 302 is inserted into the first base hole 3071 and tightly fitted with the first base hole 3071, and the ventilation end 3023 is inserted into the second base hole 3081 and tightly fitted with the second base hole 3081. The first heating tube base 307 includes a first base body 3072 and a sheath 3073, the first base body 3072 being integrally molded with the sheath 3073. One end of the sheath 3073 is connected to the first base body 3072, and the other end is tightly fitted to the second heating tube base 308. An annular gap 309 is formed between the sheath 3073 and the heating tube 302, the annular gap 309 blocks heat transfer to the sheath 3073 and further reduces heat overflow. To further reduce heat conduction to the outside, the inner wall of the sheath 3073 is covered with a reflective film 3010, which reflects infrared light to the heating tube 302, reducing the infrared light absorbed by the sheath 3073 and lowering the temperature of the sheath 3073.

[0096] Otherwise, the heating tube 302 may be assembled in any feasible manner. For example, the heating tube 302 may be directly fixed to the housing of the aerosol generator, or, for example, the insertion end 3022 of the heating tube 302 may be fixed to the housing of the aerosol generator and the vent end 3023 may be fixed to the second heating tube base 308, in which case it is not necessary to use the first heating tube base.

[0097] In some embodiments of the aerosol generator, as shown in Figures 14 to 16, the aerosol generator includes an aerosol generating substrate heating assembly, a power supply 30101, and a housing 30102, wherein the aerosol generating substrate heating assembly is the aerosol generating substrate heating assembly in any of the embodiments described above, and the power supply 30101 supplies power to the aerosol generating substrate heating assembly. Both the power supply 30101 and the aerosol generating substrate heating assembly are housed in the housing 30102. Specifically, the power supply 30101 is a battery.

[0098] Fourth aspect Currently, when generating aerosols using an aerosol-generating substrate, the overall heating temperature of the heating tube in the aerosol generator is high. At the start of inhalation, the high temperature of the aerosol and the large amount of water vapor in the aerosol make it easy to burn the mouth. To make it easier to control the heating temperature of the heating tube, a heating region that generates heat independently is usually provided in the heating tube, so that the corresponding heating region can be selected and heated as needed, heating a portion of the aerosol-generating substrate to generate the aerosol. While this method can lower the overall temperature of the aerosol, the current method has problems: heat transfer between heating regions is fast, and when one heating region is heated, a lot of heat diffuses out of the other heating regions, resulting in a slow rise in temperature of the parts of the aerosol-generating substrate heated by the heating regions, a low independent heating effect, and large heat loss.

[0099] This application provides a heating assembly and further provides an atomizing device that generates aerosols using the heating assembly, the atomizing device that generates aerosols by heating a solid aerosol generating substrate. In one embodiment, the atomizing device that generates aerosols heats the aerosol generating substrate but does not burn the aerosol generating substrate, generates aerosols from the aerosol generating substrate during heating, does not generate fire during heating, and reduces harmful substances that are generated when conventional aerosol generating substrates decompose at high temperatures during combustion.

[0100] The heating assembly in the fourth embodiment is similar in structure to some parts of the aerosol generator, and specific embodiments can be found by referring to the examples in the third embodiment. The differences from the third embodiment will be described below.

[0101] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 14 to 16, the heating assembly includes an electric heating element 303 and a heat transfer tube which is a heating tube 302. The electric heating element 303 is positioned on the heating tube 302 and makes heat conduction contact with the heating tube 302, transferring the generated heat to the heating tube 302 to heat the aerosol generating substrate 301.

[0102] As shown in Figures 15 and 21-23, the heating tube 302 has a heating cavity 3021 for inserting the aerosol generating substrate 301, and the electric heating member 303 is attached to the outer wall of the heating tube 302 or fitted inside the heating tube 302.

[0103] Specifically, in one embodiment, the heating tube 302 has an insertion end 3022 at one end for inserting the aerosol generating substrate 301, and a ventilation end 3023 at the other end through which airflow flows into the heating tube 302. Both the insertion end 3022 and the ventilation end 3023 are open, and in several other embodiments, the heating tube 302 can be configured in any feasible manner. For example, the heating tube 302 can seal the opening of the ventilation end 3023 in the above embodiment. In this case, the gas flows into the heating tube 302 from the insertion end 3022, through the gap between the heating tube 302 and the aerosol generating substrate 301, and into the intake end 3012 of the aerosol generating substrate 301.

[0104] As shown in Figures 23 and 24, the tube wall of the heating tube 302 includes at least two heating regions 3024, and there are at least two electric heating members 303. Each heating region 3024 corresponds to at least one electric heating member 303, and the electric heating member 303 independently heats the corresponding heating region 3024. In a specific embodiment, as shown in Figure 23, the number of electric heating members 303 corresponds one-to-one with the number of heating regions 3024. There are two heating regions 3024, and there are also two electric heating members 303. In some other embodiments, the number of heating regions 3024 and the number of electric heating members 303 may be increased as needed; for example, there may be three or more heating regions 3024. In some other embodiments, one heating region 3024 may correspond to two or more electric heating members 303.

[0105] A thin-walled portion 3028 is provided in the wall of the heating tube 302 between at least one pair of adjacent heating regions 3024. The thickness of the thin-walled portion 3028 is smaller than the thickness of the heating region 3024, thereby slowing down the heat transfer rate between adjacent heating regions 3024.

[0106] In this invention, the thickness of the thin-walled portion 3028 of the tube wall is smaller than the thickness of the heating region 3024. Thus, the rate at which heat is transferred through the thin-walled portion 3028 of the tube wall is reduced. When only one of the adjacent heating regions 3024 is heating and the other heating region 3024 does not start heating, the heat transferred to the non-operating heating region 3024 is reduced, energy waste is reduced, the temperature of the heating region that is heating independently rises faster, and the heating efficiency is higher.

[0107] Specifically, in one embodiment, each heating region 3024 can independently heat the aerosol generating substrate 301 inserted into the heating cavity 3021.

[0108] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 23 and 24, the heating region includes a first heating region 30241 and a second heating region 30242. The first heating region 30241 is adjacent to the second heating region 30242, and a thin-walled portion 3028 of the pipe wall is provided between the first heating region 30241 and the second heating region 30242. The thickness of the thin-walled portion 3028 is smaller than the thickness of the first heating region 30241 and also smaller than the thickness of the second heating region 30242, thereby slowing down the heat transfer rate between the first heating region 30241 and the second heating region 30242.

[0109] In this invention, the thickness of the thin-walled portion 3028 of the tube wall is smaller than the thickness of the first heating region 30241 and also smaller than the thickness of the second heating region 30242. In this way, the rate at which heat is transferred through the thin-walled portion 3028 of the tube wall is reduced. When only the first heating region 30241 is heating and the second heating region 30242 does not start heating, the heat transferred to the second heating region 30242 is reduced. When only the second heating region 30242 is heating independently and the first heating region 30241 does not start heating, the heat transferred to the first heating region 30241 is reduced. This reduces energy waste, allows the temperature of the independently heating region to rise faster, and increases heating efficiency.

[0110] In this application, the heating region 3024 in the heating tube 302 can independently heat the aerosol generating substrate 301. In actual use, heating is not limited to only the first heating region 30241 or only the second heating region 30242. Depending on the actual needs, the first heating region 30241 and the second heating region 30242 may be heated simultaneously. In this case, the entire heating tube 302 heats the aerosol generating substrate 301. For example, one heating method for the aerosol generating substrate 301 is as follows.

[0111] When heating of the aerosol generating substrate 301 is initiated, there is a certain amount of moisture in the aerosol generating substrate 301, so the aerosol generated after heating contains water vapor. At this time, if the temperature of the aerosol is too high, the water vapor can easily burn the mouth when the aerosol is inhaled. Therefore, when heating of the aerosol generating substrate 301 is initiated, the aerosol generating substrate 301 is heated using only the first heating region 30241. After the moisture in the aerosol generating substrate 301 is discharged, the first heating region 30241 and the second heating region 30242 operate simultaneously, heating the aerosol generating substrate 301 with the entire heating tube 302.

[0112] For example, one heating method for the aerosol generating substrate 301 is as follows: A first heating region 30241 and a second heating region 30242 are arranged vertically, with the first heating region 30241 heating one segment of the aerosol generating substrate 301, and then the second heating region 30242 heating the other segments of the aerosol generating substrate 301. The first heating region 30241 and the second heating region 30242 operate in a time-division manner, heating the aerosol generating substrate 301 segment by segment. In this way, the number of times the aerosol generating substrate 301 can be inhaled can be increased.

[0113] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the outer surface of the thin-walled portion 3028 is recessed into the heating tube 302. In several other embodiments, the inner surface of the thin-walled portion 3028 is recessed out of the heating tube 302. In several other embodiments, the outer surface of the thin-walled portion 3028 is recessed into the heating tube 302, and the inner surface of the thin-walled portion 3028 is recessed out of the heating tube 302. Since the inner surface of the tube wall of the heating tube 302 itself is an arc-shaped surface that is recessed outwards, the fact that the inner surface of the thin-walled portion 3028 described in this application is recessed outwards from the heating tube 302 means that the width to which the thin-walled portion 3028 is recessed outwards is greater than that of other regions, thereby achieving that the thickness of the tube wall of the thin-walled portion 3028 is smaller than that of the tube wall of other regions.

[0114] Furthermore, in one embodiment, as shown in Figure 23, the first heating region 30241 and the second heating region 30242 are arranged adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the heating tube 302, and the thin-walled portion 3028 of the tube wall extends along the axial direction of the heating tube 302.

[0115] The arrangement of the heating regions 3024 in the heating tube 302 can be any feasible configuration. For example, in addition to the above configuration, the first heating region 30241 and the second heating region 30242 may be arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the heating tube 302, and the thin-walled portion 3028 of the tube wall extends along the circumferential direction of the heating tube 302. Furthermore, for example, the number of heating regions 3024 may be four or more, with at least two of them arranged adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the heating tube 302 and at least two arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the heating tube 302.

[0116] The thin-walled portion 3028 of the pipe wall can be any feasible shape, for example, it may be straight or curved, or it may be a series of intermittently arranged portions, or it may be any shape such as a square or a circle.

[0117] Specifically, in one embodiment, as shown in Figures 25 and 26, both the guide base 306 and the heat exchanger 305 are fitted onto the heating tube 302. The heat exchanger 305 includes a housing cylindrical portion 3052 and a stopper flange 3053 located at one end of the housing cylindrical portion 3052. The stopper flange 3053 limits the insertion depth of the housing cylindrical portion 3052 by engaging with the vent end of the heating tube 302. To facilitate the positioning of the guide base 306, the housing cylindrical portion 3052 of the heat exchanger 305 is provided with a positioning projection 3054, and the guide base 306 is provided with a positioning groove 3063 that engages with the positioning projection 3054, so that the heat exchanger 305 is positioned and stacked with the guide base 306.

[0118] In one embodiment, the stopper 3053 is sandwiched between the heating tube 302 and the second heating tube base 308.

[0119] The present invention has been explained above with specific examples, but these are intended to aid in understanding the invention and do not limit it. Those skilled in the art can make several simple inferences, modifications, or substitutions based on the concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. A heating assembly, The invention includes a heating element, the heating element heats an aerosol generating substrate, the heating element has at least two heating regions, and there is an insulating structure between at least one pair of adjacent heating regions, the insulating structure blocks heat transfer between adjacent heating regions. The heating element comprises a heat transfer element and a heating structure, the heating assembly further comprises a heat exchange structure, the heat transfer element has a housing cavity with both ends open, the heat transfer element has a first heat transfer region and a second heat transfer region distributed in the axial direction, an aerosol generating substrate is inserted in the portion of the housing cavity corresponding to the first heat transfer region, the heat exchange structure is attached to the portion of the housing cavity corresponding to the second heat transfer region, the heating structure is provided in the first heat transfer region, the heating structure generates heat, the first heat transfer region conducts the heat generated by the heating structure to the second heat transfer region, and the heat exchange structure exchanges heat with the second heat transfer region to heat the incoming gas. The first heat transfer region has at least two heat-generating regions, the heat-generating structure includes at least two heat-generating components, the heat-generating components correspond one-to-one with the heat-generating regions, and in the heat transfer body, a heat-insulating cutout is further provided between two adjacent heat-generating regions, and the heat-insulating cutout forms the heat-insulating structure. The heat transfer element has a hollow cylindrical structure, and the housing cavity is the internal cavity of the heat transfer element. At least two of the heat-generating regions are uniformly distributed along the circumferential direction of the heat transfer body, and the heat-insulating cutouts are distributed extending along the axial direction of the heat transfer body to the cylindrical wall of the heat transfer body. A heating assembly characterized in that the distance between the heat-insulating cutout and the port closest to the heat transfer element is greater than 1 mm.

2. The heating assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat insulating cutout is provided along the boundary line between two adjacent heating regions.

3. A heating assembly, The invention includes a heating element, the heating element heats an aerosol generating substrate, the heating element has at least two heating regions, and there is an insulating structure between at least one pair of adjacent heating regions, the insulating structure blocks heat transfer between adjacent heating regions. The heating element includes a heating tube, the heating tube heats the aerosol generating substrate, the tube wall of the heating tube includes at least two heating regions, each heating region is capable of heating the aerosol generating substrate, an insulating gap is provided between adjacent heating regions to block heat transfer between adjacent heating regions, the insulating gap penetrates the tube wall of the heating tube in the radial direction, the heating regions form the heating region, the insulating gap forms the insulating structure, the heating assembly includes a thermoplastic sealing layer, the thermoplastic sealing layer is provided on the heating tube and covers the insulating gap, preventing airflow within the heating tube from flowing out through the insulating gap, A heating assembly characterized in that at least two of the heating regions are uniformly distributed along the circumferential direction of the heating tube, and the insulating spacing extends and is distributed along the axial direction of the heating tube along the tube wall of the heating tube.

4. The heating assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the thermoplastic sealing layer is a heat-shrinkable tube or heat-shrinkable film that has been heat-shrinkable onto the heating tube.

5. A heating element comprising a heating element that heats an aerosol generating substrate, the heating element having at least two heating regions, and having an insulating structure between at least one pair of adjacent heating regions, the insulating structure blocking heat transfer between adjacent heating regions. The heating element includes a heat transfer tube and an electric heating member disposed on the heat transfer tube, the heat transfer tube having a heating cavity for inserting an aerosol generating substrate, the tube wall of the heat transfer tube includes at least two heating regions, the number of electric heating members is at least two, each heating region corresponds to at least one electric heating member, the electric heating member heats the corresponding heating region, the tube wall of the heat transfer tube between at least a pair of adjacent heating regions is provided with a thin-walled portion, the thickness of the thin-walled portion is smaller than the thickness of the heating region, the heating region forms the heat-generating region, and the thin-walled portion forms the heat-insulating structure. A heating assembly characterized in that at least two of the heating regions are uniformly distributed along the circumferential direction of the heat transfer tube, and the thin-walled portion of the tube wall extends and is distributed along the axial direction of the heat transfer tube.

6. The heating assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the outer surface of the thin-walled portion of the tube wall is recessed into the heat transfer tube, and / or the inner surface of the thin-walled portion of the tube wall is recessed outside the heat transfer tube.

7. An aerosol generating apparatus comprising a power supply and a heating assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the power supply supplies power to the heating assembly.

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