Aerosol generator

Abstract

The present application provides an aerosol generating device including a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating product, a heater for heating the aerosol-generating product received in the cavity, a wall defining and forming at least a portion of an airflow path for an airflow passing through the aerosol generating device during smoking, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the wall, and circuitry programmed to identify a user's smoking behavior when the temperature sensor detects a temperature drop in the wall. The aerosol generating device as described above identifies a user's smoking by detecting a temperature drop in the wall that at least partially defines the airflow using the temperature sensor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - reference to related applications) This application claims the priority of a Chinese patent application with application number 202021693770.6 and title "Aerosol Generator" filed with the Chinese Patent Office on August 13, 2020, and all of its contents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The embodiments of this application relate to the technical field of non - combustion heating smoking devices, particularly to aerosol generators.

Background Art

[0003] Tobacco products (such as cigarettes, cigars, etc.) generate tobacco smoke by burning tobacco during use. Instead of these products that burn tobacco, attempts have been made to manufacture products that release compounds without combustion.

[0004] As an example of such products, there is a heating device that heats a material instead of burning it to release compounds. For example, the material may be tobacco or other non - tobacco products, and these non - tobacco products may or may not contain nicotine. As a known heating device, Patent No. 201280060087.0 provides a device that monitors the airflow change during a user's smoking by detecting the change in power and further identifies the user's smoking behavior based on the airflow change.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Embodiments of this application provide an aerosol generator for heating an aerosol generating product to generate an aerosol for smoking, comprising: a cavity for receiving the aerosol generating product; a heater for heating the aerosol generating product received in the cavity; a wall that defines and forms at least a portion of the airflow path of the airflow passing through the aerosol generator during smoking; a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the wall; and a circuit programmed to identify the user's smoking action when the temperature sensor detects a temperature drop in the wall.

[0006] The aerosol generator described above uses a temperature sensor to detect a temperature drop in the wall that at least partially defines the airflow, thereby identifying the user's smoking.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the circuit is programmed to identify the user's smoking behavior when it detects that the temperature drop range of the wall is between 7°C and 100°C.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the wall is formed in at least a portion of the heater.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the heater further includes a heat-conducting element that conducts heat, and the wall is formed of at least a portion of the heat-conducting element.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the heat conduction element is in contact with the heater.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the heater is constructed to extend along the axial direction of the cavity and surround at least a portion of the cavity, the heat conduction element is positioned upstream of the heater, the heater has an intake end adjacent to the heat conduction element along the axial direction, and the heat conduction element is configured to provide an airflow path for external air to enter the intake end.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the heat conduction element is structured in a ring shape and is arranged coaxially with the heater.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the system further includes a support located upstream of the heater and supporting the heater at the intake end, wherein the support is annular in shape and coaxially positioned with the heater, and the heat conduction element is located at least partially within the annular hollow portion of the support.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the temperature sensor is positioned and held between the outer wall of the heat conduction element and the inner wall of the support.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the heat conduction element is provided with a notch so that air enters the intake end through the notch during use.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the heat conduction element is configured to support the heater at the intake end.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the heater is an infrared emitter that emits infrared rays to an aerosol-generating product received in the cavity and further heats the aerosol-generating product; or the heater is a sensitive heater that is transmitted by a changing magnetic field and generates heat, further heating the aerosol-generating product; or the heater is a resistive heater. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] One or more embodiments are illustrated by the corresponding drawings, but these illustrative descriptions are not limiting to embodiments, elements with the same reference numeral in the drawings are similar elements, and unless otherwise specified, the drawings are not limiting to proportions. [Figure 1] This is an aerosol generator provided in one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the heater and heat conduction element. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a temperature sensor installed in the heat conduction element. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an aerosol generator provided in another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] To facilitate understanding of this application, the application will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0020] One embodiment of this application proposes an aerosol generator, the structure of which can be seen with reference to Figure 1, which is used to receive an aerosol generating product A, heat it, generate and volatilize at least one volatile component in it, and form an aerosol for smoking, wherein the aerosol generating product A includes but is not limited to cigarettes, and the structure and functional configuration of the aerosol generator may include a housing 10, a battery cell 20, a heater 30, and a support 40, based on functional requirements.

[0021] The housing 10 has an overall shape that is roughly rectangular, meaning that the dimensions along the length are greater than the dimensions along the width, and the dimensions along the width are greater than the dimensions along the thickness. Furthermore, a cavity for receiving the aerosol generating product A is formed inside the housing 10, and this cavity is used to receive the aerosol generating product A.

[0022] The battery cell 20 is used for power supply.

[0023] The heater 30 is structured in a tubular shape that extends along the axial direction of the cavity and surrounds at least a part of the cavity, and heats the aerosol generating product by radiating infrared rays to the surrounded aerosol generating product A. In some embodiments, the heater 30 is an infrared radiator, and the specific structure of the infrared radiator may be obtained by depositing an infrared radiation coating on a tubular infrared-transmissive substrate such as a quartz tube, or by coating an infrared radiation thin film, and by radiating infrared rays, the aerosol generating product A received therein can be heated. In some embodiments, the heater 30 is an infrared radiator.

[0024] The support 40 is used to support the heater 30 within the housing 10 and stably hold the heater 30 within the housing 10. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the support 40 is provided below the heater 30 and supports the heater 30 at the lower end thereof. In some embodiments, the support 40 is structured in an annular shape and arranged coaxially with the heater 30.

[0025] Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, within the housing 10, a heat conduction element 50 and a temperature sensor 60 for detecting the temperature of the heat conduction element 50 are further provided.

[0026] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the support 40 is structured in an annular shape, and the lower end of the heater 30 abuts against a structure such as a corresponding stepped portion provided in the support 40 to facilitate abutment and fixation, thereby realizing fixation.

[0027] The heat conduction element 50 is located within the annular hollow portion of the support 40 and conducts heat with the heater 30. The heat conduction element 50 can have its own temperature by receiving the temperature of the heater 30.

[0028] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, during smoking, the airflow path, as shown by arrow R, penetrates the hollow portion of the support 40 from the lower end and then enters the aerosol generating product A in the heater 30. Furthermore, the inner wall of the heat conduction element 50 is at least partially exposed to the airflow, and during smoking, the heat conduction element 50 forms or defines an airflow path through which external air enters the aerosol generating product A in the heater 30.

[0029] What needs to be explained is that, based on the airflow image formed during smoking, the support 40 and heat conduction element 50 are located upstream of the heater 30, not downstream. As used herein, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” are used to indicate the smoking flow direction in which the airflow flows through the aerosol generator during user smoking, with the gas flow direction being from “upstream” to “downstream,” and further, to describe the relative positions of the elements, or parts of the elements, of the aerosol generator arranged along the airflow direction.

[0030] The temperature sensor 60 is attached to the outer wall of the heat conduction element 50 by contact or attachment, and is used to detect the temperature of the outer wall of the heat conduction element 50. The temperature sensor 60 is located between the outer wall of the heat conduction element 50 and the inner wall of the support 40, and the temperature sensor 60 detects temperature changes of the inner wall of the heat conduction element 50. During smoking, as the low-temperature air flows over the inner wall of the heat conduction element 50, it carries away the heat from the inner wall of the heat conduction element 50, thereby further lowering the temperature of the inner wall of the heat conduction element 50.

[0031] To enable detection of the inner wall temperature of the heat conduction element 50, it is understandable that the temperature sensor 60 is not limited to being provided on the outer wall of the heat conduction element 50, but may be provided in other locations. For example, the temperature sensor 60 may be provided in the hollow cavity of the support 40, and the temperature sensor 60 may be connected to the inner wall of the heat conduction element 50 by a heat conduction connecting material, thereby enabling detection of the inner wall temperature of the heat conduction element 50.

[0032] The circuit board 70, which integrates the circuits, can identify the user's smoking behavior by monitoring the temperature drop of the inner wall of the heat conduction element 50 during smoking using the temperature sensor 60.

[0033] Furthermore, based on the identified user's smoking behavior, the aerosol generator can record the number of times or duration of smoking, and can also calculate the cumulative consumption of aerosol generating product A based on the number of times and duration of smoking. If the calculated consumption is greater than a predetermined value, the battery cell 20 will not output power. Identifying smoking behavior through the above calculations allows for monitoring whether the user is smoking excessively or whether aerosol generating product A has been completely consumed. If excessive smoking occurs or aerosol generating product A is completely consumed, the heating can be stopped.

[0034] Alternatively, in other embodiments, the number of cigarettes smoked and the amount consumed, as recorded or calculated above, can be presented to the user in real time via a UI interface on a display screen or a component with a notification function provided on the aerosol generator.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the thermal conductive element 50 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as copper, silver, aluminum, gold, or alloys containing these materials.

[0036] In a selective embodiment, the temperature sensor 60 may employ, for example, a thermocouple, a PTC / NTC temperature sensor, or a conductive pattern / track having a positive or negative temperature coefficient of resistance formed on the thermal conductive element 50.

[0037] Furthermore, referring to the preferred embodiment in Figure 3, the heat conduction element 50 also has a substantially annular shape, and its internal space provides a path for part of the airflow R.

[0038] Furthermore, in order to easily increase the contact area with the airflow and assist in intake, the heat conduction element 50 is provided with a notch 51 for air to enter its interior. During use, as shown by arrow R in Figure 3, external air enters the heat conduction element 50 through the notch 51 and flows to the heater 30.

[0039] In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 3, the temperature sensor 60 is fastened to the outer wall of the heat conduction element 50 by means of adhesive injection or the like. At the same time, the temperature sensor 60 is in contact with the inner wall of the support 40 and is stably held between the heat conduction element 50 and the support 40.

[0040] In a selective embodiment, the heat conduction element 50, after assembly, receives heat from the heater 30 by directly contacting the heater 30.

[0041] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of an aerosol generator proposed in another embodiment. It includes a housing 10a.

[0042] The housing 10a has an overall shape that is roughly rectangular, meaning that the dimensions along the length are greater than the dimensions along the width, and the dimensions along the width are greater than the dimensions along the thickness. The housing 10a includes a proximal end 110a and a distal end 120a that are opposite each other along the length, and during use, the proximal end 110a is used as the end for the user to approach and smoke and operate the aerosol generating product A.

[0043] Furthermore, a first opening 111a is provided at the proximal end 110a, and during use, the aerosol-generating product A can be received into the housing 10a through the first opening 111a and heated, or removed from the housing.

[0044] The distal end 120a is provided with a second opening 121a opposite to the first opening 111a. This second opening 121a is used as an air intake for outside air to enter while smoking, and may also be used as a cleaning port for inserting cleaning tools such as thin rods or iron wires into the housing 10a to clean the inside.

[0045] Furthermore, a cavity for receiving the aerosol-generating product A is formed within the housing 10a between the first opening 111a and the second opening 121a. The housing 10a is further provided with a battery cell 20a, a sensing heater 30a, an induction coil 40a, a second heat conduction element 50a, and a temperature sensor 60a.

[0046] Battery cell 20a is used for power supply.

[0047] The sensing heater 30a is constructed in a tubular shape that surrounds at least a portion of the cavity. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1, the sensing heater 30a is heated by the changing magnetic field, thereby further heating the aerosol generating product A.

[0048] The induction coil 40a extends along the length of the sensing heater 30a and surrounds the sensing heater 30a, and can also induce the induction heater 30a to heat up by generating a changing magnetic field during use.

[0049] The second heat conduction element 50a is positioned between the sensing heater 30a and the second opening 121a, and supports the lower end of the sensing heater 30a.

[0050] The second heat conduction element 50a is structured in a hollow tubular shape, and the internal hollow portion of the second heat conduction element 50a is used to provide an airflow path through which external air enters the cavity from the second opening 121a during smoking. During smoking, as shown by arrow R in Figure 4, external air enters from the second opening 121a, passes through the second heat conduction element 50a, and enters the aerosol generating product A of the sensing heater 30a and is smoked. The second heat conduction element 50a is located upstream of the sensing heater 30a.

[0051] The temperature sensor 60a is in close contact with the outer wall of the second heat conduction element 50a and is used to detect the temperature of the second heat conduction element 50a. Furthermore, the circuit board 70a identifies the user's smoking behavior based on the temperature drop of the second heat conduction element 50a when airflow is present.

[0052] In another preferred embodiment, the heating temperature of the sensing heater 30a is typically maintained at 280-320°C during operation, while the temperature of the second heat conduction element 50a is relatively lower than that of the sensing heater 30a, specifically at about 50-180°C. The circuit board 70 is preferably programmed to identify user smoking when it detects that the temperature drop range of the heat conduction element 50 is 7-100°C. In a more preferred embodiment, it may be more accurate to identify user smoking when it detects that the temperature drop range of the heat conduction element 50 is 20-70°C.

[0053] In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 4, the aerosol generator further includes an annular retaining element 61a fitted outside the second heat conduction element 50a, which fixes and holds the temperature sensor 60a, which is in close contact with the outer wall of the second heat conduction element 50a, by forming a clamp between the second heat conduction element 50a and the temperature sensor 60a.

[0054] Alternatively, in other selective embodiments, the aerosol generating apparatus described above may further heat the aerosol generating product A by resistance heating. Specifically, for example, it may be heated by a resistance heater after forming a resistance heating track on a tubular electrical insulating substrate such as a ceramic tube or a PI (polyimide) film.

[0055] Alternatively, in other selective embodiments, the detection of the above temperature drop is available to identify the user's smoking behavior, and the user's smoking is further identified by monitoring the temperature drop during smoking in the extended portion of the heater. Naturally, it should be noted that the portion of the tube extending from the heater does not contain or accept the aerosol generating product A. Alternatively, for example, in other selective embodiments, the heater 30 includes a quartz tube substrate and an infrared radiation coating formed on the quartz tube substrate, and the infrared radiation coating does not completely cover the surface of the quartz tube substrate, so that a portion of the wall extending downward on the quartz tube substrate is exposed, and the exposed portion further forms a wall whose temperature is detected by a temperature sensor, and further detects the user's smoking behavior.

[0056] It should be noted that while the specification and drawings of this application illustrate preferred embodiments of this application, they are not limited to the embodiments described herein, and furthermore, those skilled in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the claims attached to this application.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device for generating aerosols for smoking by heating an aerosol generating product, A cavity for receiving aerosol-generating products, A heater for heating an aerosol generating product received in the cavity, comprising a first portion and a wall extending along the axial direction of the cavity, the wall being formed to define at least a portion of the airflow path of the airflow penetrating the aerosol generating device during smoking, and formed in at least a portion of the heater, located upstream of the first portion, the first portion being a heater used to contain the aerosol generating product. A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the wall, An aerosol generator comprising: a circuit programmed to identify a user's smoking action when the temperature sensor detects a temperature drop in the wall.

2. The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the circuit is programmed to identify the user's smoking action when it detects that the temperature of the wall has dropped by 7°C to 100°C.

3. An aerosol generating device for generating aerosols for smoking by heating an aerosol generating product, A cavity for receiving aerosol-generating products, A heater for heating an aerosol-generating product received in the cavity, the heater extending along the axial direction of the cavity and structured to surround at least a portion of the cavity, and having an intake end, A support located upstream of the heater and for supporting the heater at the intake end, the support includes a hollow portion communicating with the heater, A heat conduction element located upstream of the heater and at least partially within the hollow portion of the support, which conducts heat to the heater or the cavity, and which is configured to provide an airflow path for external air to enter the intake end, A wall that defines and forms at least a portion of the airflow path of the airflow that penetrates the aerosol generator during smoking, the wall being formed of at least a portion of the heat conductive element, A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the wall, An aerosol generator comprising a circuit programmed to identify a user's smoking action when the temperature sensor detects a temperature drop in the wall.

4. The aerosol generator according to claim 3, wherein the circuit is programmed to identify the user's smoking action when it detects that the temperature of the wall has dropped by 7°C to 100°C.

5. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the heat conducting element is in contact with the heater and is structured in a ring shape that is arranged coaxially with the heater.

6. The aerosol generator according to claim 3, wherein the support is annular in structure and arranged coaxially with the heater, and the heat conductive element is at least partially located within the annular hollow portion of the support.

7. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the temperature sensor is positioned and held between the outer wall of the heat conductive element and the inner wall of the support.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, wherein a notch is provided in the heat conducting element, and air enters the intake end through the notch during use.

9. An aerosol generating device for generating aerosols for smoking by heating an aerosol generating product, A cavity for receiving aerosol-generating products, A heater for heating an aerosol-generating product received in the cavity, the heater extending along the axial direction of the cavity and structured to surround at least a portion of the cavity, and having an intake end, A heat conduction element located upstream of the heater and conducting heat to the heater or the cavity, configured to provide an airflow path for external air to enter the intake end, and structured to support the heater at the intake end, A wall that defines and forms at least a portion of the airflow path of the airflow that penetrates the aerosol generator during smoking, the wall being formed of at least a portion of the heat conductive element, A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the wall, An aerosol generator including a circuit programmed to identify a user's smoking behavior when it detects a drop in the temperature of the wall between 7°C and 100°C.

10. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claims 1 to 9, wherein the heater is an infrared emitter that emits infrared rays to an aerosol generating product received in the cavity and further heats the aerosol generating product, or the heater is a sensitive heater that is transmitted by a changing magnetic field and generates heat, and further heats the aerosol generating product, or the heater is a resistive heater.

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