Aerosol generating system and control method

Abstract

An aerosol generating system and a control method. The aerosol generating system comprises: a heater, used for heating an aerosol generating substrate (242) to generate an aerosol; a battery cell (10), used for supplying power; a main circuit switch (K1), used for intermittently outputting power from the battery cell (10) to the heater by being alternately turned on and off; and a controller (224), programmed to control, by means of a PWM control signal, the main circuit switch (K1) to be alternately turned on and off, wherein the frequency of the PWM control signal ranges from 100 Hz to 500 Hz. By controlling the main circuit switch (K1) to be turned on and off at a frequency ranging from 100 Hz to 500 Hz so as to output the power provided by the battery cell (10), the aerosol generating system is conducive to reducing fluctuations in the heating temperature during steady-state operation of the heater and preventing excessive consumption of resources by running threads of the controller (224).

Description

Aerosol-generating system and control method

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411300335.5, filed on September 14, 2024, and entitled “Aerosol-generating system and control method”, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the technical field of heating non-combustion aerosol generation, and in particular to an aerosol-generating system and a control method. BACKGROUND

[0004] Tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, etc.) bum tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these burning tobacco products by creating products that release compounds without burning.

[0005] Examples of such products are heating devices that release compounds by heating, rather than burning, a material. For example, the material can be tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which can or can not contain nicotine. As another example, there are aerosol-providing articles, such as so-called aerosol-generating systems. These devices generally contain a liquid that is heated to cause it to vaporize, thereby producing an inhalable aerosol. Known aerosol-generating systems, by arranging an inductive coil to generate a varying magnetic field to induce an inductive heater to heat the liquid to generate an aerosol; the inductive coil is oscillated by being composed of an LC oscillator with a capacitor to form an alternating current flowing through the inductive coil, thereby causing the inductive coil to generate a varying magnetic field.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] One embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol-generating system, comprising:

[0008] a heater for heating an aerosol-generating substrate to generate an aerosol;

[0009] an electric core for supplying power;

[0010] a main circuit switch for providing the electric core to output power to the heater intermittently by being turned on and off alternately;

[0011] a controller programmed to control the main circuit switch to be turned on and off alternately with a PWM control signal; the frequency of the PWM control signal is between 100 Hz and 500 Hz.

[0012] In some embodiments, the heater is an inductive heater that can be heated by a varying magnetic field penetrating through;

[0013] The aerosol-generating system further includes:

[0014] The LC oscillator includes an inductive coil and a capacitor; the LC oscillator is configured to direct an alternating current to flow through the inductive coil, which in turn causes the inductive coil to generate a varying magnetic field to induce the induction heater to heat;

[0015] The main circuit switch is connected between the battery cell and the LC oscillator.

[0016] In some embodiments, the controller is programmed to control the turn-on and turn-off of the main circuit switch according to the user's puffing with a PWM control signal; the frequency of the PWM control signal is constant when the user puffs.

[0017] In some embodiments, the controller is programmed to control the turn-on and turn-off of the main circuit switch to keep the power output by the battery cell to the heater at a predetermined power.

[0018] In some embodiments, the controller is programmed to keep the power output by the battery cell to the heater at a predetermined power by adjusting the duty cycle of the PWM control signal.

[0019] In some embodiments, the temperature fluctuation range of the induction heater is less than 10℃ when the induction heater reaches a steady state during heating.

[0020] In some embodiments, the heater is a resistive heater that heats the aerosol-generating substrate by resistive Joule heat; the main circuit switch is connected between the battery cell and the resistive heater.

[0021] In some embodiments, the frequency of the PWM control signal is between 200Hz and 300Hz.

[0022] Yet another embodiment of the present application also proposes an aerosol-generating system, comprising:

[0023] The induction heater can be heated by a varying magnetic field, which in turn heats the aerosol-generating substrate to generate an aerosol;

[0024] The LC oscillator includes an inductive coil and a capacitor; the LC oscillator is configured to direct an alternating current to flow through the inductive coil, which in turn causes the inductive coil to generate a varying magnetic field to induce the induction heater to heat;

[0025] The battery cell is used to supply power to the LC oscillator;

[0026] The controller is programmed to control the battery cell to provide a direct current voltage to the LC oscillator at a frequency of 100Hz to 500Hz.

[0027] Yet another embodiment of the present application also proposes a control method of an aerosol-generating system, the aerosol-generating system comprising:

[0028] A heater used to heat the aerosol generation matrix to produce aerosols;

[0029] Battery cells, used for power supply;

[0030] The main circuit switch is used to provide intermittent power output from the battery cell to the heater by alternately turning the circuit on and off;

[0031] The method includes:

[0032] The main circuit switch is alternately turned on and off by a PWM control signal; the frequency of the PWM control signal is between 100Hz and 500Hz.

[0033] In the above aerosol generation system, the main circuit switch is turned on and off at a frequency of 100Hz to 500Hz to output the power provided by the battery cell. This is beneficial for reducing the heating temperature fluctuation of the heater in steady state and avoiding excessive occupation of the controller's operating thread resources. Attached Figure Description

[0034] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference numerals in the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generation system provided in an embodiment;

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of removing or replacing the aerosol-generated product after the door cover of the heating device in Figure 1 is opened;

[0037] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the aerosol-generated product in Figure 2 from one perspective;

[0038] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the heating device in Figure 2 from one perspective;

[0039] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the aerosol generation system in Figure 1 from one perspective;

[0040] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the aerosol generation system in Figure 1 from another perspective;

[0041] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generation system provided in yet another embodiment;

[0042] Figure 8 is a structural block diagram of the circuitry arranged on the main circuit board in one embodiment;

[0043] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of some basic components of the circuit arranged on the main circuit board in Figure 8;

[0044] Figure 10 is a graph showing temperature fluctuations of the induction heater when the main circuit switch is turned on and off at different frequencies in a heating steady state in one embodiment;

[0045] Figure 11 is a schematic view of an aerosol-generating system according to a further embodiment;

[0046] Figure 12 is a schematic view of part of the basic components of the circuitry arranged on the main circuit board of Figure 11. Embodiments of the present application

[0047] For the purposes of the present application, the application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0048] One embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol-generating system for heating an aerosol-generating article that can be used as a consumable to generate an aerosol.

[0049] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating system can comprise a reusable heating device and a replaceable consumable, such as an aerosol-generating article. The replaceable consumable, such as the aerosol-generating article, is received or incorporated into the reusable heating device to form the aerosol-generating system.

[0050] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article comprises a solid aerosol- generating substrate, and the heating device generates an aerosol by heating the solid aerosol-generating substrate. For example, Figures 1 and 2 show a schematic view of an aerosol-generating system according to one embodiment; in this embodiment, the aerosol-generating system comprises:

[0051] an aerosol-generating article 200 as a replaceable consumable, and a heating device 100 to house and receive the aerosol-generating article 200 and to heat it.

[0052] In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, the heating device 100 comprises several components arranged within a housing (which can be referred to as a casing). The overall design of the housing can vary, and the version or configuration of the housing that defines the overall size and shape of the heating device 100 can vary. Typically, the elongate body can be formed from a single, unitary casing, or the elongate casing can be formed from two or more separable bodies. In some examples, all or only part of the housing can be formed from a metal or an alloy, such as stainless steel, aluminium, or other suitable materials including various plastics (e.g. polycarbonate), metal-plating over plastic, ceramics, and the like. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, the heating device 100 is substantially flat; the longitudinal length of the heating device 100 is greater than the width, which is greater than the thickness.

[0053] In some embodiments, the outer shell of the heating device 100 substantially defines the outer surface of the heating device 100; in the embodiments shown in Figures 1-2, the heating device 100 comprises:

[0054] The outer shell can comprise one or more reusable components; the outer shell has a proximal end 110 and a distal end 120 opposite in the longitudinal direction, a first side 130 and a second side 140 opposite in the width direction, and a front side 150 and a back side 160 opposite in the thickness direction.

[0055] In use, the proximal end 110 is configured as the end for the user to inhale aerosol, and a mouthpiece 111 is provided at the proximal end 110 for the user to inhale; and the distal end 120 is the end away from the user. The distal end 120 is arranged with a charging interface 121; the charging interface 121 is used to charge the heating device 100 and / or the battery 10 in the heating device 100. In some embodiments, the charging interface 121 is a USB Type-C interface; or in some other embodiments, the charging interface 121 can also be a USB 2.0, USB 3.0 or USB 4-pin interface.

[0056] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 111 and the outer shell / second shell 180 are separately prepared and then assembled; and the mouthpiece 111 and the outer shell are detachably connected; and in use, the mouthpiece 111 can be detached or removed from the outer shell; and airtight sealing can be achieved between them by a sealing ring such as an O-ring. Or in some other embodiments, the mouthpiece 111 and the outer shell / second shell 180 are integrally molded from a moldable material, and they are not detachable or separable relative to each other.

[0057] In use, the front side 150 is the side that is operated by the user to open the door cover 190, and then to receive or remove the aerosol generating article 200; and the back side 160 is the side where the inductive coil 30 is arranged.

[0058] According to Figures 1 and 2, the outer shell of the heating device 100 comprises:

[0059] The first shell 170 and the second shell 180; the first shell 170 is proximate to or defines the front side 150, and the second shell 180 is proximate to or defines the back side 160.

[0060] In the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2, the heating device 100 and / or the outer shell of the heating device 100 is a longitudinally elongated cylindrical shape; and in the embodiments, the length of the heating device 100 and / or the outer shell of the heating device 100 is greater than the width, and the width is greater than the thickness, so that the heating device 100 and / or the outer shell of the heating device 100 is configured to be flat.

[0061] In some embodiments, the length dimension of the heating device 100 and / or the housing of the heating device 100 is between 60-160 mm; and, the width dimension of the heating device 100 and / or the housing of the heating device 100 is between 22-50 mm; and, the thickness dimension of the heating device 100 and / or the housing of the heating device 100 is between 5-20 mm.

[0062] According to FIG. 2, the aerosol generating article 200 is generally configured in a shape of a sheet or a thin sheet; the sheet or thin sheet can be characterized in that a length of the aerosol generating article 200 is greater than or equal to a width, and the width is greater than a thickness by at least three times or at least five times.

[0063] Accordingly, the heating device 100 includes:

[0064] a receiving cavity 510 located within the housing; and, the receiving cavity 510 is substantially adapted to a shape of the aerosol generating article 200 for receiving the aerosol generating article 200. In some embodiments, the receiving cavity 510 has a length greater than or equal to a width, and the width is greater than a thickness; and, the receiving cavity 510 is arranged in a plane parallel to a longitudinal direction and a width direction of the heating device 100.

[0065] According to FIGS. 1 and 2, the receiving cavity 510 is defined with an opening 171 at the front side 150 of the housing. In embodiments, the opening 171 is formed or defined by the first housing 170 of the housing. In use, the aerosol generating article 200 can be removably received within the receiving cavity 510 or removed by the opening 171.

[0066] According to FIGS. 1 and 2, the heating device 100 further includes:

[0067] a movable door cover 190 movably coupled to the housing of the heating device 100 and movable relative to the housing to selectively move between an open position and a closed position; the door cover 190, in the open position, opens the opening 171 to enable a user to operate to removably receive or remove the aerosol generating article 200 within the receiving cavity 510; the door cover 190, in the closed position, blocks and closes the opening 171 to prevent the user from being able to operate to removably receive or remove the aerosol generating article 200 within the receiving cavity 510.

[0068] According to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the second housing 180 of the outer shell is arranged with a pin shaft 181 arranged in a longitudinal direction at the first side 130; the door cover 190 is hinged with the outer shell by the pin shaft 181 and can rotate around the pin shaft 181, as shown by the arrow R1 in FIG. 2. Further, the door cover 190 can be configured between an open position and a closed position by rotating to selectively open or close the opening 171. Alternatively, in some other variant embodiments, the pin shaft 181 can be arranged at the second side 140 of the outer shell; the door cover 190 is rotationally connected with the outer shell at the second side 140. Alternatively, in some other variant embodiments, the pin shaft 181 can be located on the door cover 190.

[0069] Alternatively, in some other variant embodiments, the door cover 190 is attached to the surface of the front side 150 of the first housing 170 and can be linearly moved relative to the first housing 170 in a longitudinal direction; and further configured between an open position and a closed position by moving to selectively open or close the opening 171.

[0070] According to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the aerosol generating article 200 includes a first end 210 and a second end 220 opposite to each other in a length direction. And, the aerosol generating article 200 includes:

[0071] a first air inlet 251 and a second air inlet 252 isolated from each other, formed or defined at the second end 220;

[0072] a first air outlet 261 and a second air outlet 262 isolated from each other, formed or defined at the first end 210;

[0073] a first air passage R21 extending from the first air inlet 251 to the first air outlet 261, and a second air passage R22 extending from the second air inlet 252 to the second air outlet 262. The first air passage R21 and / or the second air passage R22 are arranged extending in the length direction of the aerosol generating article 200. The first air passage R21 and the second air passage R22 are isolated from each other. The first air passage R21 and / or the second air passage R22 are straightly extended.

[0074] According to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the aerosol generating article 200 includes:

[0075] An outer body 230 defining a closed volume is collectively defined by a cover plate 231 and a tray 232; specifically, the cover plate 231 and the tray 232 are bonded along a thickness direction of the aerosol generating article 200 to form or define the outer body 230 of the aerosol generating article 200. The tray 232 has at least one or more discrete or arrayed cavities disposed thereon. Specifically, the cavities include at least one or more first cavities 271 spaced apart along a longitudinal direction, and at least one or more second cavities 272 spaced apart along the longitudinal direction; the at least one or more first cavities 271 are disposed along the first air passage R21; the at least one or more second cavities 272 are disposed along the second air passage R22.

[0076] In some embodiments, the cover plate 231 and the tray 232 are fastened and bonded to each other by interference or tight fit. In some embodiments, the cover plate 231 and / or the tray 232 has a partitioning protrusion 235 extending along a length direction from the first end 210 to the second end 220; when the cover plate 231 and the tray 232 are bonded to each other, the first air passage R21 and the second air passage R22 are partitioned by the partitioning protrusion 235. In embodiments, the first air passage R21 and / or the first air inlet 251 and / or the first air outlet 261 are disposed on one side of the partitioning protrusion 235, and the second air passage R22 and / or the second air inlet 252 and / or the second air outlet 262 are disposed on the other side of the partitioning protrusion 235.

[0077] The cover plate 231 and the tray 232 further have a plurality of induction heaters 241 and aerosol generating substrates 242 formed or bonded on the plurality of induction heaters 241, respectively; the induction heaters 241 can be penetrated by a varying magnetic field to generate heat, which in turn heats the aerosol generating substrates 242 bonded thereon to generate aerosol. The aerosol generating substrates 242 are sheet-like or block-like solid or gel.

[0078] In some embodiments, the induction heater 241 is sheet-like. The induction heater 241 has a thickness of about 0.03-1.0 mm. In more preferred embodiments, the induction heater 241 has a thickness of about 0.03-0.2 mm. In some specific embodiments, the induction heater 241 has a thickness of 0.26 mm.

[0079] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate 242 is a continuous thin layer disposed on the induction heater 241; for example, the aerosol generating substrate 242 substantially completely covers at least one side surface of the induction heater 241. Or in yet other embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate 242 is formed on both side surfaces of the induction heater 241.

[0080] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate 242 can be used to mean a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. The volatile compounds can be released by heating the aerosol generating substrate 242 to generate an aerosol. In some general embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate 242 is or can include a solid or a gel at room temperature.

[0081] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate 242 can include one or more of a powder, a granule, a fragment, a fine strip, a strip, or a sheet of one or more of vanilla leaf, tobacco leaf, homogenized tobacco, expanded tobacco; or, the solid aerosol generating substrate 242 can contain additional volatile flavor compounds of tobacco or non-tobacco to be released when the substrate is heated.

[0082] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate 242 can include an active base material; the active base material includes or is derived from one or more plant products or components thereof; for example, in some specific embodiments, the active base material includes a leaf, a bark, a fibrous tissue, a stem, a root, a petal, a fruit, etc. of a plant; for example, in one specific embodiment, the active base material includes or is derived from one or more plant varieties or components, derivatives, or extracts thereof, and the plant variety is tobacco. For example, in one specific embodiment, the active base material includes a mixture of plants such as tobacco and Chinese herbs. The active base material can include tobacco or tobacco-containing material; for example, the active base material can include any of tobacco leaf, tobacco leaf vein fragment, reconstituted tobacco, homogenized tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco pulp, cast leaf tobacco, and expanded tobacco.

[0083] In some optional embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate 242 further includes a flavorant; the flavorant can contain volatile flavor components. For example, in some general embodiments, the flavorant can provide a flavor selected from menthol, lemon, vanilla, orange, wintergreen, cherry, and cinnamon; the flavorant can include volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the aerosol generating substrate 242 upon heating.

[0084] In some optional embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate 242 further includes an aerosol former or a smoking agent; the aerosol former or the smoking agent aids in the formation of a dense and stable aerosol in use. In some specific embodiments, the aerosol former or the smoking agent is or includes at least one of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, etc.

[0085] In some optional embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate 242 further includes a binder; the binder promotes the bonding of the components in the aerosol generating substrate 242 in use; for example, in some specific embodiments, the binder is or includes at least one of gum arabic, casein, dextrin, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, starch, polyvinyl alcohol, guar gum, etc.

[0086] In some alternative embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate 242 further comprises: reinforcing fibers; the fiber strength of the reinforcing fibers is generally higher than the fiber strength of the tobacco plant in the active base material, thereby enhancing the strength and plasticity of the aerosol generating substrate 242 in use. For example, in some specific embodiments, the reinforcing fibers include at least one of coniferous wood fibers, broadleaf wood fibers, hemp fibers or flax fibers, bamboo fibers, etc.

[0087] In one specific embodiment, the aerosol generating substrate 242 comprises: the active base material 65-90wt%, the reinforcing fibers 3-10wt%, the adhesive 0-5wt%, the flavorant 5-15wt%, the aerosol former or smoking agent 10-20wt%.

[0088] Or in yet another specific embodiment, the aerosol generating substrate 242 comprises: the active base material 65-90wt%, the reinforcing fibers 3-10wt%, the adhesive 1-5wt%, the flavorant 5-15wt%, the aerosol former or smoking agent 15-40wt%.

[0089] In some embodiments, the areal density of the aerosol generating substrate 242 is 20-150g / m 2 .

[0090] In some embodiments, the thickness of the aerosol generating substrate 242 is 0.1-0.6mm. And in some embodiments, the thickness of the aerosol generating substrate 242 is greater than the thickness of the induction heater 241.

[0091] In some embodiments, the water content in the aerosol generating substrate 242 is 6-14wt%.

[0092] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate 242 can comprise a plurality of sub-layers; for example, in some alternative embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate 242 can comprise a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer in a laminated or layered arrangement. Wherein the first sub-layer can comprise the active base material, the reinforcing fibers, the aerosol former or smoking agent, etc.; the second sub-layer mainly comprises the flavorant. Then in use, the first sub-layer is used to generate the aerosol, and the second sub-layer is used to adjust or change the taste or flavor properties of the aerosol, etc.

[0093] Or in yet some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate 242 with a plurality of sub-layers can comprise a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer in a laminated or layered arrangement. Wherein the first sub-layer can comprise the active base material, for example tobacco; the second sub-layer comprises the flavorant, and any one or several of the functional additives such as the moisture-proof agent, the mildew-proof agent, the antibacterial agent, etc. For example, the second sub-layer comprises the essence flavorant 0-20wt%, the adhesive 80-100wt%, the moisture-proof agent 0-0.2wt%, the mildew-proof agent 0-0.5wt%, the antibacterial agent 0-0.5wt%.

[0094] In this embodiment, the adhesive of the second sub-layer includes at least one of gum arabic, casein, dextrin, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, starch, polyvinyl alcohol, guar gum; the moisture-proof agent can include at least one of dimethyl fumarate, anhydrous calcium chloride, super absorbent resin, etc.; the mildew-proof agent includes at least one of diphenyl, o-phenylphenol, 2-pyridine thiol-1-zinc oxide, ammonium persulfate, calcium phosphate, etc.; the antibacterial agent can use metal oxide or metal ion inorganic antibacterial agent, etc.

[0095] In yet some embodiments, the second sub-layer of the aerosol generating substrate 242 has a thickness of 0.001-0.1 mm; in preparation, the second sub-layer is coated on the induction heater 241 by spraying, brushing, film transfer, etc., and then the first sub-layer is combined on the surface of the second sub-layer by rolling or casting, etc., to form the multi-sub-layer aerosol generating substrate 242.

[0096] Or in yet some varied embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate 242 can include a gel and / or a paste. The gel can be defined as a substantially dilute cross-linked system that exhibits no flow when in the steady state. The paste can be defined as a viscous fluid such as a cream or a paste; for example, the paste can be a fluid that has a dynamic viscosity greater than 1 Pa·S or 5 Pa·S or 10 Pa·S when at rest.

[0097] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating substrate 242 and / or the induction heater 241 is arranged with an identifiable mark. The mark can be arranged to be an identifiable pattern; or in yet some varied embodiments, the mark is an identifiable color, a line, a number, a word, a two-dimensional code, etc. In some embodiments, the mark is used to provide an identification indication related to the unique properties of the aerosol generating article 200. The user or the heating device 100 identifies the mark to obtain the unique properties of the aerosol generating article 200.

[0098] In some embodiments, the unique properties of the aerosol generating article 200 include various information of the aerosol generating article 200, such as authenticity information, expiration date, and place of origin. In some embodiments, the above various information of the aerosol generating article 200 can be obtained through the mark, so that it can be determined whether the aerosol generating article 200 is a genuine product, or when the aerosol generating article 200 has expired, and where the aerosol generating article 200 is manufactured. Therefore, the user can not inadvertently use the aerosol generating article 200 that is not genuine, the aerosol generating article 200 that is expired, or the aerosol generating article 200 that comes from an unexpected source location.

[0099] In yet other embodiments, the unique property of the aerosol generating article 200 can include a taste of a flavor contained in the aerosol generating substrate 242, such as a honey peach taste, a mint taste, an orange taste.

[0100] For another example, in some embodiments, the unique property of the aerosol generating article 200 can include an intensity of nicotine contained in the aerosol generating substrate 242, such as a content of nicotine.

[0101] The induction heater 241 is rigid or hard in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In some embodiments, the induction heater 241 is made of a susceptor metal or alloy; thus, in use, the induction heater 241 is heated by electromagnetic induction or penetration of a changing magnetic field, which in turn heats the aerosol generating substrate 242 to generate an aerosol. In some specific embodiments, the susceptor metal or alloy from which the induction heater 241 is made or formed is at least one of iron or an iron alloy, nickel or a nickel alloy, cobalt or a cobalt alloy, graphite, plain carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, permalloy, etc. In some specific embodiments, the induction heater 241 includes permalloy with an alloy designation of 1J50 or 1J85; for example, the induction heater 241 made of permalloy has a mass percentage of iron ranging from 15 wt% to 85 wt% and a mass percentage of nickel not exceeding 85 wt%.

[0102] Specifically according to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the plurality of induction heaters 241 are accommodated and retained in the plurality of first recesses 271 and the plurality of second recesses 272.

[0103] The plurality of aerosol generating substrates 242 located in the first recesses 271 are exposed to or located in the first air passage R21, and the generated aerosol is output to the first air outlet 261 by the first air passage R21; and the plurality of aerosol generating substrates 242 located in the second recesses 272 are exposed to or located in the second air passage R22, and the generated aerosol is output to the second air outlet 262 by the second air passage R22.

[0104] In some embodiments, the cover plate 231 and / or the tray 232 have a material with a low thermal conductivity, a low mass heat capacity, such as zirconia, glass, PEEK (polyether ether ketone), etc., and a long-term temperature resistance of not less than 250°C. Alternatively, in yet other varied embodiments, the cover plate 231 and / or the tray 232 include or are paper; for example, the cover plate 231 and / or the tray 232 include a fiber paper made of wood fibers, hemp fibers or flax fibers, bamboo fibers, etc.

[0105] In some embodiments, the induction heater 241 is a mesh structure. In embodiments, the induction heater 241 has a plurality of holes to make the induction heater 241 fluid permeable. Or in yet some embodiments, the induction heater 241 can be a dense sheet.

[0106] According to FIGS. 4-6, the heating device 100 further comprises:

[0107] a battery 10 arranged between the receiving cavity 510 and the distal end 120 in the longitudinal direction for powering the heating device 100 and / or the induction coil 30;

[0108] a charging circuit board 23 located between the battery 10 and the distal end 120; the charging circuit board 23 is arranged with a charging IC (i.e., a charging management chip) for controlling charging of the battery 10 through the charging interface 121;

[0109] a main circuit board 20 integrated with or arranged with a control circuit or an MCU controller; the main circuit board 20 comprises a first portion 21 and a second portion 22 arranged in the longitudinal direction; at least part of the second portion 22 is located between the battery 10 and the rear side 160; the first portion 21 is at least partially located between the receiving cavity 510 and / or the induction coil 30 and the rear side 160.

[0110] In some embodiments, the charging circuit board 23 is connected to the second portion 22 of the main circuit board 20 by a conductive lead or a laminated conductive circuit, etc. And the battery 10 is abutted and connected to the second portion 22 of the main circuit board 20.

[0111] The first portion 21 of the main circuit board 20 is arranged with an MCU controller, etc. for controlling the provision of power to the induction coil 30. Or the first portion 21 of the main circuit board 20 is used to control the provision of power to the induction coil 30. Specifically, for example, the induction coil 30 comprises or is an induction coil 30; the first portion 21 of the main circuit board 20 is arranged with at least one inverter circuit for converting direct current output by the battery 10 into alternating current to provide to the at least one induction coil 30, so that the induction coil 30 generates a varying magnetic field. In some embodiments, the at least one inverter circuit comprises at least one capacitor, and the at least one capacitor is operable to form an LC oscillator with the at least one induction coil 30, and the oscillation of the LC oscillator forms the alternating current provided to the at least one induction coil 30.

[0112] According to FIGS. 2-6, the heating device 100 further comprises:

[0113] The first holder 50 at least partially defines a receiving cavity 510, which in turn accommodates and receives the aerosol generating article 200. At least a portion of the first holder 50 is disposed between the induction coil 30 and the front side 150. The first holder 50 is at least partially concave in shape, which in turn surrounds and defines the receiving cavity 510. In some embodiments, the first holder 50 is made of a non-inductive rigid material; for example, the first holder 50 is made of a polymer plastic or a ceramic material, etc.

[0114] According to FIGS. 2-6, the mouthpiece 111 is hollow; the mouthpiece 111 has an air inlet 113 at the proximal end 110; and the mouthpiece 111 is internally arranged with an air outlet passage 112.

[0115] The air outlet passage 112 is in airflow communication with the receiving cavity 510 through the first air outlet communication port 513 and the second air outlet communication port 514 arranged on the holder 50, which in turn outputs the aerosol to the air inlet 113, as shown by the arrow R30 in FIG. 5. The first air outlet communication port 513 and the second air outlet communication port 514 are arranged on the side of the receiving cavity 510 facing the proximal end 110.

[0116] According to FIGS. 2-6, the first holder 50 is further arranged with a first air inlet communication port 515 and a second air inlet communication port 516 on the other side facing the distal end 120, for supplying air into the receiving cavity 510 during suction. According to FIGS. 2-5, the first side 130 of the housing is arranged with a first air inlet 131 for supplying external air during suction; and the second side 140 of the housing is arranged with a second air inlet 141. The first holder 50 further has an extension portion 52 extending towards the distal end 120 and / or the battery 10. In embodiments, the extension portion 52 is located between the receiving cavity 510 and the battery 10. In embodiments, the extension portion 52 is hollow and has at least one cavity inside.

[0117] According to FIGS. 2-6, the extension portion 52 of the first holder 50 is further arranged with:

[0118] a first air inlet passage R11 extending from the first air inlet 131 to the first air inlet communication port 515;

[0119] a second air inlet passage R12 extending from the second air inlet 141 to the second air inlet communication port 516.

[0120] According to FIGS. 5 and 6, when the aerosol generating article 200 is received in the receiving cavity 510 of the first holder 50, the first air inlet 251 of the second end 220 of the aerosol generating article 200 is aligned with and in airflow communication with the first air inlet communication port 515; and the second air inlet 252 of the second end 220 of the aerosol generating article 200 is aligned with and in airflow communication with the second air inlet communication port 515. According to FIG. 5, when the aerosol generating article 200 is received in the receiving cavity 510 of the first holder 50, the first air outlet 261 of the first end 210 of the aerosol generating article 200 is aligned with and in airflow communication with the first air outlet communication port 513; and the second air outlet 262 of the first end 210 of the aerosol generating article 200 is aligned with and in airflow communication with the second air outlet communication port 514.

[0121] Further, in use, a first airflow passage extending from the first air inlet 131 to the air inlet 113 is collectively defined by the first air inlet passage R11 of the first holder 50, the first air passage R21 of the aerosol generating article 200, and the air outlet passage 112 inside the mouthpiece 111. The first airflow passage passes through the aerosol generating article 200, and is used to deliver the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating substrate 242 located in the first airflow passage to the air inlet 113. In use, a second airflow passage extending from the second air inlet 141 to the air inlet 113 is collectively defined by the second air inlet passage R12 of the first holder 50, the second air passage R22 of the aerosol generating article 200, and the air outlet passage 112 inside the mouthpiece 111. The second airflow passage passes through the aerosol generating article 200, and is used to deliver the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating substrate 242 located in the first airflow passage to the air inlet 113.

[0122] In embodiments, the first airflow passage is isolated from the second air passage R22 of the aerosol generating article 200; and the second airflow passage is isolated from the first air passage R21 of the aerosol generating article 200.

[0123] In terms of the connection and communication structure between the respective portions of the first airflow passage and / or the second airflow passage, the extension portion 52 of the first holder 50 is provided with a first joint 521 extending toward the first side 130 in the width direction, and a second joint 522 extending toward the second side 140 in the width direction. The first joint 521 is used to place the first air inlet passage R11 in airflow communication with the first air inlet 131; and the second joint 522 is used to place the second air inlet passage R12 in airflow communication with the second air inlet 141.

[0124] According to Figs. 4-6, a partition wall 53 is also arranged within the extension portion 52, extending towards and terminating at the distal end 530, for isolating the first air intake passage R11 and the second air intake passage R12.

[0125] According to Figs. 4-6, the heating device 100 further comprises:

[0126] at least one or more induction coils 30 arranged between the receiving cavity 510 and the rear side 160; the at least one or more induction coils 30 are electrically powered by the main circuit board 20. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 4-7, the at least one or more induction coils 30 are configured to generate a varying magnetic field to induce heating of the induction heater 241 of the aerosol generating article 200 by the magnetic field. When the aerosol generating article 200 is received within the receiving cavity, the at least one or more induction coils 30 induce heating of the aerosol generating article 200 by generating a magnetic field.

[0127] In particular according to Figs. 4-6, when the aerosol generating article 200 is received within the receiving cavity 510, each of the plurality of induction coils 30 is respectively opposite to each of the aerosol generating substrate 242 and / or the induction heater 241, whereby each induction coil 30 is capable of heating the opposite induction heater 241.

[0128] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 4-6, the induction coil 30 is substantially planar. In embodiments, the induction coil 30 is configured as a planar spiral coil. Also, the induction heater 241 is planar. When the aerosol generating article 200 is received within the receiving cavity, the induction coil 30 is substantially arranged in parallel with the induction heater 241. In Figs. 4-6, the induction coil 30 and / or the induction heater 241 are circular in shape; or in yet other variant embodiments, the induction coil 30 and / or the induction heater 241 are square, oval, etc. in shape.

[0129] In some embodiments, when the aerosol generating article 200 is received within the receiving cavity, the induction coil 30 is substantially arranged in parallel with the induction heater 241. Also, the spacing between the induction coil 30 and the induction heater 241 is less than 15 mm; more preferably, the spacing between the induction coil 30 and the induction heater 241 is less than 10 mm. In some embodiments, the spacing between the induction coil 30 and the induction heater 241 is less than the diameter of the induction coil 30.

[0130] In some embodiments, the at least one or more induction coils 30 are arranged discretely or in an array.

[0131] In some embodiments, at least one or more of the induction coils 30 can be independently connected to the first portion 21 of the main circuit board 20 and, in turn, can be independently powered by the main circuit board 20. For example, in some embodiments, a plurality of induction coils 30 are connected to the main circuit board 20 and, in turn, can be independently powered by the main circuit board 20 to independently generate magnetic fields by the plurality of induction coils 30 to individually initiate heating. For example, in some embodiments, the induction coils 30 are individually actuatable; such that each induction coil 30 can only individually heat the opposing induction heater 241 to, in turn, heat the aerosol- generating substrate 242 on the induction heater 241 to generate an aerosol. For another example, in some embodiments, the main circuit board 20 is configured or programmed to control the induction coils 30 to be sequentially actuated in a predetermined order, one after another. In some embodiments, the main circuit board 20 is configured or programmed to control the induction coils 30 to not be simultaneously actuated; such that, for example, the main circuit board 20 only controls one induction coil 30 to be actuated to generate an aerosol for one puff at a time. In some embodiments, in each puff, the main circuit board 20 controls one of the induction coils 30 to individually heat the aerosol-generating article 200 to generate a total particulate matter (TPM) of at least 1.5 mg, at least 1.7 mg, at least 2.0 mg, at least 2.5 mg, at least 3.0 mg, about 1.0 mg to about 5.0 mg, about 1.5 mg to about 4.0 mg, about 2.0 mg to about 4.0 mg, or about 2.0 mg to about 3.0 mg, at least 3 mg to about 7 mg, about 4 mg to about 8 mg, and about 5 mg to about 10 mg.

[0132] According to the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 6, the plurality of induction coils 30 are substantially discretely arranged. The plurality of induction coils 30 are substantially all in the same plane.

[0133] In some embodiments, the main circuit board 20 controls a predetermined order of the plurality of induction coils 30 to be activated one after another in sequence during multiple puffs by a user. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4-6, during a first puff by a user, the main circuit board 20 provides power to the first induction coil 30 closest to the left side from top to bottom to heat up, to heat up the opposing induction heater 241 and the aerosol generating substrate 242 to generate aerosol for one puff; during a next puff by a user, the main circuit board 20 provides power to the second induction coil 30 closest to the left side from top to bottom to heat up, to heat up the opposing induction heater 241 and the aerosol generating substrate 242 to generate aerosol for one puff; and so on, until all of the induction coils 30 are heated up, all of the aerosol generating substrates 242 in the aerosol generating article 200 are consumed, and the user is prompted to replace a new aerosol generating article 200. In the above embodiments, activating the induction coils 30 one after another in sequence rather than simultaneously means that the aerosol generating substrate is minimally wasted and energy is saved. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the plurality of induction coils 30 are activated in sequence in a predetermined order along the direction of the array arrangement.

[0134] Alternatively, in other embodiments, the main circuit board 20 controls the plurality of induction coils 30 to be activated in sequence one after another without intervals along the direction of the array arrangement of the induction coils 30. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the main circuit board 20 controls the plurality of induction coils 30 to be activated in sequence one after another with intervals or in a skipping manner.

[0135] In some embodiments, the plurality of induction coils 30 can be sequentially powered, i.e., powered once for each puff by a user, so that aerosol is consistently generated based on each puff.

[0136] According to FIGS. 2-6, the heating device 100 further comprises:

[0137] A second support 40 for accommodating and supporting the induction coils 30. The second support 40 is arranged close to the rear side 160; or the second support 40 is located between the induction coils 30 and the second housing 180. Specifically, after assembly, the first support 50 and the second support 40 accommodate and hold the induction coils 30 therebetween.

[0138] According to FIGS. 2-6, the second support 40 is arranged with an annular protrusion 41 and an annular protrusion 42 toward the front side 150 and / or the surface of the first support 50. The annular protrusion 41 and the annular protrusion 42 define at least one or more accommodation cavities 43 therebetween. After assembly, the plurality of induction coils 30 are respectively accommodated and mounted in the plurality of accommodation cavities 43, and are respectively surrounded by the annular protrusion 41. The annular protrusion 41 is further arranged with a plurality of notches for the conductive leads of the induction coils 30 to pass through the notches to the outside of the annular protrusion 41, and then pass through the second support 40 to be connected to the main circuit board 20.

[0139] In some embodiments, the heating device 100 comprises:

[0140] An airflow sensor (not shown in the figures), such as a microphone or a MEMS sensor, is used to sense the user's puffing action. The main circuit board 20 sequentially supplies power to the plurality of induction coils 30 based on the sensing result of the airflow sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the main circuit board 20 controls the plurality of induction coils 30 to be sequentially activated in a predetermined order according to the user's puffing action. In yet another variant, the main circuit board 20 controls the plurality of induction coils 30 to be sequentially activated at a predetermined interval, for example, between about 30 seconds and 300 seconds.

[0141] In some embodiments, the main circuit board 20 controls the plurality of induction coils 30 to be sequentially activated in a predetermined order based on the removal or replacement of the aerosol generating article 200. Specifically, in some embodiments, when the main circuit board 20 controls the above induction coils 30 to be sequentially activated, it prompts the user that the aerosol generating article 200 has been consumed and prompts the user to replace a new aerosol generating article 200.

[0142] Alternatively, in some embodiments, when a new aerosol generating article 200 is detected to be received in the receiving cavity of the heating device 100, the induction coils 30 are sequentially activated in a predetermined order again. The detection of the user replacing a new aerosol generating article 200 can be detected by a sensor, for example, a light sensor or a pressure sensor, which is used to sense the aerosol generating article 200 being combined in or removed from the receiving cavity, and determine the replacement or consumption of the aerosol generating article 200 by the user according to the combination and removal.

[0143] In some embodiments, the main circuit board 20 controls the above induction coils 30 to sequentially activate in a cycle. For example, in some embodiments, the cycle is repeated for a predetermined number of times; for example, 6 times. Specifically, when the number of times the induction coils 30 are activated, and / or the number of puffs of the user, reaches the predetermined number, a new cycle is entered to control the induction coils 30 to sequentially activate. For another example, in some embodiments, the cycle is repeated upon removal or replacement of the aerosol generating article 200.

[0144] In some embodiments, the main circuit board 20 controls the plurality of induction coils 30 to generate magnetic fields to induce the opposing induction heaters 241 to heat according to the same heating profile. For example, in some specific embodiments, the main circuit board 20 controls the plurality of induction coils 30 to generate magnetic fields to induce the opposing induction heaters 241 to heat at a temperature of 300°C. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the main circuit board 20 controls the plurality of induction coils 30 to induce the opposing induction heaters 241 to heat according to different heating profiles or heating temperatures. For example, in some embodiments, the main circuit board 20 controls the plurality of induction coils 30 to induce the opposing induction heaters 241 to heat at temperatures that increase or decrease sequentially along the order of heating activation.

[0145] For example, in some embodiments, the main circuit board 20 is configured to sequentially provide power to the induction coils 30 according to a given power sequence, such that the opposing induction heaters 241 reach an operating temperature within a predetermined time. For example, each time the main circuit board 20 provides power to the induction coils 30, such that the opposing induction heater 241 reaches a temperature of about at least 200 degrees, or at least 300 degrees, or at least 400 degrees within 0.5 seconds, and maintains the temperature for a period of about 2.5 seconds before stopping.

[0146] In some embodiments, the induction coils 30 are spirally wound from a low resistivity conductive wire material, for example, copper wire or silver wire, etc. In some embodiments, the wire material wound to form the induction coils 30 has a circular cross-sectional shape; or in some other embodiments, the wire material wound to form the induction coils 30 has a rectangular, elliptical, or triangular, etc. cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, the wire material wound to form the induction coils 30 is a litz wire, having a plurality of or strands of conductive filaments.

[0147] Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the induction coils 30 are formed as tracks or lines on a planar substrate by printing or depositing or spraying, etc. For example, in some specific embodiments, the induction coils 30 are formed as thin layers by printing or depositing or spraying on a rigid or flexible electrically insulating substrate, such as ceramic, glass, quartz, or PI film, etc.

[0148] In some embodiments, when the aerosol generating article 200 is received in the receiving cavity 510, the induction heater 241 is opposite to the induction coil 30. More preferably or accurately, the center of the induction heater 241 is aligned with the center of the induction coil 30. In some embodiments, the shape of the induction heater 241 is the same as the shape of the induction coil 30.

[0149] In yet some embodiments, the aerosol generating system generates an aerosol by heating a liquid aerosol generating substrate; in some embodiments, the liquid aerosol generating substrate includes at least one of propylene glycol, glycerol, etc. For example, FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of an aerosol generating system of one embodiment, in which the aerosol generating system includes an atomizer 100a that atomizes a liquid aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol, and a power supply mechanism 200a that provides power to the atomizer 100a. As shown in FIG. 7, the power supply mechanism 200a includes:

[0150] a proximal end 2110a and a distal end 2120a facing away from each other in a longitudinal direction; in use, the proximal end 2110a is an end for receiving the atomizer 100a;

[0151] a receiving cavity 270a disposed adjacent to the proximal end 2110a and along a longitudinal extension of the power supply mechanism 200a; and, the receiving cavity 270a has an opening facing or located at the proximal end 2110a in the longitudinal direction; in use, the atomizer 100a can be received in or removed from the receiving cavity 270a through the opening;

[0152] a chargeable battery 10 / 10aa for outputting electric power; and, the battery 10 / 10aa is disposed proximate to the distal end 2120a;

[0153] a charging interface 240a for charging the chargeable battery 10 / 10aa; and, the charging interface 240a is disposed between the battery 10 / 10aa and the distal end 2120a;

[0154] an induction coil 30a for generating a varying magnetic field. The induction coil 30a is substantially in the form of a solenoid coil, disposed around the receiving cavity 270a.

[0155] According to FIG. 7, the power supply mechanism 200a further includes a main circuit board 220a integrated or disposed on a circuit board, such as a PCB board or a FPC board, for controlling the operation of the power supply mechanism 200a, in particular, the main circuit board 220a controls the electric power output by the battery 10 / 10aa.

[0156] According to FIG. 7, the power supply mechanism 200a further includes:

[0157] An airflow sensor 250a, such as a microphone / MEMS sensor, etc., is arranged to sense the airflow through the atomizer 100a when a user puffs on the atomizer 100a, and the main circuit board 220a controls the power output of the battery 10 / 10aa according to the sensing result of the airflow sensor 250a. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the airflow sensor 250a is arranged between the battery 10 / 10aa and the receiving cavity 270a. In yet other embodiments, the airflow sensor 250a can also be mounted or fastened or integrated on the circuit board on which the main circuit board 220a is arranged. Or in yet other embodiments, the airflow sensor 250a is supported and fixed in the power supply mechanism 200a by a separate support element, such as a plastic bracket, etc.

[0158] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the power supply mechanism 200a is configured to induce the atomizer 100a to heat the liquid aerosol generating substrate by generating a varying magnetic field through the receiving cavity 270a. Specifically, the atomizer 100a can be arranged with an induction heater 241a that can be heated by the varying magnetic field to heat the liquid aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol when the atomizer 100a is received in the receiving cavity 270a.

[0159] According to FIG. 7, the atomizer 100a of this embodiment includes:

[0160] an outer body;

[0161] a liquid storage cavity 12a formed or defined in the outer body for storing the liquid aerosol generating substrate;

[0162] an induction heater 241a for heating the liquid aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol;

[0163] a liquid guide element 20a for transferring the liquid aerosol generating substrate between the liquid storage cavity 12a and the induction heater 241a. The liquid guide element 20a absorbs the liquid aerosol generating substrate and transfers or provides it to the induction heater 241a to heat it to generate an aerosol.

[0164] According to FIG. 7, a partition wall 11a is arranged in the outer body and extends in the longitudinal direction of the atomizer 100a. The partition wall 11a and the outer body define the liquid storage cavity 12a for storing the liquid aerosol generating substrate. In addition, the partition wall 11a surrounds and defines an aerosol output channel in the outer body to output the aerosol to the air outlet 111a, as shown by the arrow R12 in FIG. 7.

[0165] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the liquid guide element 20a is configured to be located within the partition wall 11a; and in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the liquid guide element 20a is configured to be a hollow cylinder extending in the longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, the liquid guide element 20a is made of a capillary material or a porous material, such as a sponge, cotton fiber, or a porous body such as a porous ceramic body, etc. The outer surface of the liquid guide element 20a is configured as a liquid suction surface for sucking the liquid aerosol generating substrate from the liquid storage cavity 12a, as shown by the arrow R11 in FIG. 7; in some specific embodiments, the partition wall 11a is provided with a plurality of perforations, and the outer surface of the liquid guide element 20a sucks the liquid aerosol generating substrate in the liquid storage cavity 12a through the perforations. The inner surface of the liquid guide element 20a is configured as an atomization surface; the induction heater 241a is combined on the inner surface of the liquid guide element 20a and heats at least part of the liquid aerosol generating substrate in the liquid guide element 20a to generate an aerosol.

[0166] In yet other embodiments, the liquid guide element 20a can also be configured in various regular or irregular shapes and partially in fluid communication with the liquid storage cavity 12a to receive the liquid aerosol generating substrate. Or in other variant embodiments, the liquid guide element 20a can be more regular or irregular shapes, such as a polygonal block shape, a groove shape with a recessed surface, or an arch shape with a hollow channel inside, etc.

[0167] Or in yet other variant embodiments, the induction heater 241a can be combined on the liquid guide element 20a by printing, deposition, sintering, or physical assembly, etc. In some other variant embodiments, the liquid guide element 20a can have a flat surface or a curved surface for supporting the induction heater 241a, and the induction heater 241a is formed on the flat surface or the curved surface of the porous liquid guide element 20a by mounting, printing, deposition, etc.

[0168] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the induction heater 241a is an induction heating element that generates heat when penetrated by a varying magnetic field. The induction heater 241a is made of a metal or alloy that is susceptible to induction heating, such as, for example, stainless steel grade 430 (SS430), stainless steel grade 420 (SS420), and ferrous-nickel containing alloy materials such as permalloy. In some embodiments, the induction heater 241a has a length of 2 mm to 10 mm, an inner diameter of 1.5 mm to 8 mm, and a wall thickness of 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm. In some embodiments, for example, the induction heater 241a has a length of 4 mm to 8 mm. As shown in FIG. 7, the induction heater 241a has a tubular shape that is closed in the circumferential direction, and the induction heater 241a has a mesh structure with a plurality of holes to make the induction heater 241a permeable to fluid. In use, the generated aerosol passes through the induction heater 241a and is released or delivered to the air outlet 111a. In other embodiments, the induction heater 241a can have a solenoid shape, or a sheet shape, a cylindrical shape, or other shapes.

[0169] In some embodiments, the induction coil 30a has a length of 6 mm to 15 mm and has about 6 to 12 turns. The length of the induction heater 241a is less than the length of the induction coil 30a. When the atomizer 100a is received in the receiving cavity 270a, the induction heater 241a is substantially entirely located in the induction coil 30a.

[0170] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a schematic diagram of the circuit on the main circuit board 20 / 220a in an embodiment. In the embodiment, the circuit on the main circuit board 20 / 220a includes:

[0171] an LC oscillator 222, which is composed of the induction coil 30 / 30a and a capacitor;

[0172] a bridge 223, which is connected between the LC oscillator 222 and the battery 10 / 10a, for driving the LC oscillator 222 to oscillate, so as to form an alternating current flowing through the induction coil 30 / 30a.

[0173] In some embodiments, the battery 10 / 10a provides a direct current supply voltage in a range of about 2.5 V to about 9.0 V. In some embodiments, the battery 10 / 10a can provide a direct current in a range of about 2.5 A to about 20 A.

[0174] In some embodiments, the LC oscillator 222 can be a series LC oscillator formed by the inductive coil 30 / 30a in series with at least one capacitor; or, the LC oscillator 222 can be a parallel LC oscillator formed by the inductive coil 30 / 30a in parallel with at least one capacitor. Or in more embodiments, the LC oscillator 222 is an LC oscillator formed by the inductive coil 30 / 30a connected with at least two capacitors, for example, a commonly used symmetrical half-bridge LC oscillator also known as LCC oscillator, etc.

[0175] In the aerosol-generating system shown in FIGS. 1-6, the heating device 100 includes a plurality of, for example, six inductive coils 30; accordingly, the main circuit board 20 includes a plurality of LC oscillators 222. Each LC oscillator 222 is composed of an inductive coil 30 and a capacitor. Each of the plurality of bridges 223 is connected between each LC oscillator 222 and the battery 10, respectively.

[0176] FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of the basic components of the main circuit board 20 / 220a of a specific embodiment, in which the LC oscillator 222 is a symmetrical half-bridge LC oscillator with two symmetrical bridge arms; specifically, in FIG. 9, the LC oscillator 222 includes:

[0177] The series-connected capacitor C1 and the capacitor C2; wherein the first end of the capacitor C1 is connected to the positive electrode of the battery 10 / 10a, and the second end is connected to the first end of the capacitor C2; the second end of the capacitor C2 is connected to the negative electrode of the battery 10 / 10a through the ground; the second end of the capacitor C1 and the first end of the capacitor C2 are simultaneously connected to the second end of the inductive coil 30 / 30a.

[0178] In some embodiments, the capacitor C1 and / or the capacitor C2 can each include a plurality of parallel-connected capacitors. Using a plurality of parallel-connected capacitors to provide the capacitance of the capacitor C1 and / or the capacitor C2 can relatively reduce the capacitance requirement of the electronic devices of each capacitor.

[0179] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the bridge 223 is a half bridge matching to a symmetrical half bridge LC oscillator; specifically in FIG. 9, the bridge 223, for example, a half bridge, includes a switch tube Q1 and a switch tube Q2 in series; in the connection of FIG. 9, the first end of the switch tube Q1 is connected to the positive pole of the battery 10 / 10a, and the second end is connected to the first end of the induction coil 30 / 30a; the first end of the switch tube Q2 is connected to the first end of the induction coil 30 / 30a, and the second end is connected to the negative pole of the battery 10 / 10a through the ground. And the on and off of the switch tube Q1 and the switch tube Q2 are controlled by the PWM pulse signal sent by the switch tube drive 225. The PWM pulse signal sent by the switch tube drive 225 is generated by the MCU controller 224. Or in some other common variation embodiments, the bridge 223 can also be a full bridge or H bridge including four switch tubes. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the MCU controller 224 drives the LC oscillator 222 to oscillate by controlling the alternating on and off of the switch tube Q1 and the switch tube Q2, thereby forming an alternating current flowing through the induction coil 30 / 30a, so that the induction coil 30 / 30a generates a changing magnetic field to induce the heating of the induction heater 241 / 241a to generate aerosol.

[0180] Or in some other embodiments, the LC oscillator 222 can also be an asymmetric half bridge LC oscillator 222 including only a capacitor C2 and an induction coil 30 / 30a in series, only having one oscillation bridge arm composed of the capacitor C2 and the induction coil 30 / 30a in series.

[0181] In some embodiments, the MCU controller 224 controls the switch tube drive 225 to modulate the PWM pulse signal to alternately turn on and off the switch tube Q1 and the switch tube Q2, thereby driving the LC oscillator 222 to oscillate to make the induction coil 30 / 30a generate a changing magnetic field.

[0182] In some embodiments, the frequency of the alternating magnetic field generated by the induction coil 30 / 30a is between 80KHz and 2000KH. Accordingly, in embodiments, the LC oscillator 222 operates at the above frequency, so that the alternating current formed to flow through the induction coil 30 / 30a has the same frequency. Specifically, for example, in embodiments, the MCU controller 224 controls the switch tube drive 225 to modulate the frequency of the PWM pulse signal to be 80KHz-2000KH, thereby controlling the switch tube Q1 and the switch tube Q2 to be configured to alternately turn on and off at a frequency of 80KHz-2000KH, thereby forming the frequency of the alternating current flowing through the induction coil 30 / 30a to be 80KHz-2000KH frequency.

[0183] Or in a more preferred embodiment, the frequency of the alternating magnetic field generated by the induction coil 30 / 30a is in the range of 600KHz to 1500KHz.

[0184] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the circuit further comprises a main circuit switch K1 electrically connected between the LC oscillator 222 and the battery 10 / 10a; specifically, the main circuit switch K1 is electrically connected between the LC oscillator 222 and the positive electrode of the battery 10 / 10a. The voltage output by the battery 10 / 10a is controlled by turning on and off the main circuit switch K1; in turn, the power provided to the LC oscillator 222 is adjusted or controlled. The main circuit switch K1 is controlled to turn on and off by the PWM control signal sent by the MCU controller 224.

[0185] In some embodiments, the MCU controller 224 controls the power provided to the induction heater 241 / 241a to heat the induction heater 241 / 241a according to a predetermined heating profile. In a specific control, the MCU controller 224 controls the power provided by the battery 10 / 10a to the LC oscillator 222, and in turn, the power provided by the induction coil 30 / 30a to the induction heater 241 / 241a through the magnetic field to maintain at a predetermined power, by controlling the duty cycle and / or frequency of the PWM control signal provided to the main circuit switch K1.

[0186] In embodiments, the MCU controller 224 is further configured or programmed to adjust the on frequency or the duty cycle of the main circuit switch K1, and in turn, maintain the operating power of the induction heater 241 / 241a at a target power P 目标 In some embodiments, the target power P 目标 The target power P

[0187] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating system heats the aerosol-generating substrate in a constant power mode; for example, in some embodiments, the operating power of the induction heater 241 / 241a is maintained at a constant value, for example, 15-25 W, in the constant power mode. Or more specifically, for example, the operating power of the induction heater 241 / 241a is maintained at 18 W or 20 W or 22 W in the constant power mode.

[0188] In some embodiments, the MCU controller 224 controls the main circuit switch K1 to turn on and off alternately, and controls the battery 10 / 10a to provide the power to the LC oscillator 222 intermittently to maintain at a predetermined power, so that the induction heater 241 / 241a is heated according to the predetermined power. Thus, a substantially consistent amount of aerosol generated or TPM is generated in each puff of the user, or the taste of each puff is maintained to be substantially consistent.

[0189] In some embodiments, as the output voltage of the battery cell 10 / 10a gradually decreases as discharging, the duty cycle of the PWM control signal is correspondingly increased so that the power provided in a unit of time is maintained at a predetermined power. For example, in some specific embodiments, when the battery cell 10 / 10a is at a fully charged sufficient level of charge, at which time the output voltage of the battery cell 10 / 10a is about 4.2V, the duty cycle of the PWM control signal / the duty cycle of the main circuit switch K1 turned on or off is calculated to be about 50% according to a target power, for example, 15W. When the battery cell 10 / 10a is used for a period of time after discharging, the output voltage of the battery cell 10 / 10a decreases to about 3.8V, and the duty cycle of the PWM control signal / the duty cycle of the main circuit switch K1 turned on or off is calculated to increase to about 65% according to a target power, for example, 15W.

[0190] In some embodiments, within the duration of each puff of the user, for example, about 3s, the voltage drop caused by the discharge of the battery cell 10 / 10a can be ignored in the power output within a single puff time due to the short time. In embodiments, the duty cycle of the PWM control signal is constant within the duration of each puff of the user, for example, about 3s.

[0191] In some embodiments, the MCU controller 224 controls the frequency of the PWM control signal provided to the main circuit switch K1 to be between 100Hz and 500Hz. The main circuit switch K1 is turned on and off according to the frequency of 100Hz to 500Hz. For the temperature fluctuation or change rate of the induction heater 241 / 241a to be maintained within a predetermined threshold within each puff of the user, it is advantageous to reduce the fluctuation of the heating temperature of the induction heater 241 / 241a.

[0192] In more preferred embodiments, the MCU controller 224 controls the frequency of the PWM control signal provided to the main circuit switch K1 to be between 150Hz and 350Hz. In more preferred embodiments, the MCU controller 224 controls the frequency of the PWM control signal provided to the main circuit switch K1 to be between 200Hz and 300Hz. It is advantageous to control the fluctuation of the heating temperature of the induction heater 241 / 241a while avoiding excessive occupation of resources reducing the running thread of the MCU controller 224.

[0193] In an embodiment, the frequency of the PWM control signal sent by the MCU controller 224 to the main circuit switch K1 is constant in each heating of a puff by the user; for example, the frequency of the PWM control signal sent by the MCU controller 224 to the main circuit switch K1 is constant at 250Hz in each heating of a puff by the user. In an embodiment, the MCU controller 224 keeps the power output by the battery cell 10 / 10a to the LC oscillator 222 at a predetermined power, for example, constant at 18W, by adjusting the duty cycle of the PWM control signal in each heating of a puff by the user.

[0194] For example, FIG. 10 shows a comparative diagram of the heating temperature variation of the induction heater 241 / 241a when the MCU controller 224 controls the main circuit switch K1 to turn on and off by PWM control signals of 10Hz and 250Hz respectively in a puff by the user, thereby forming a constant power, for example, 18W output. In the diagram shown in FIG. 10, the duty cycle of the main circuit switch K1 is the same, for example, both are 50%, when the main circuit switch K1 is turned on and off at 10Hz and 250Hz respectively. Then, the power supplied to the induction heater 241 / 241a is the same in a unit of time.

[0195] According to the diagram shown in FIG. 10, when the main circuit switch K1 is controlled to provide a constant power output at 10Hz, the on time Ton of the main circuit switch K1 in a single cycle is 50ms; when the main circuit switch K1 is controlled to provide a constant power output at 250Hz, the on time Ton of the main circuit switch K1 in a single cycle is 2ms. Then, the power distribution in a much smaller time period, for example, 100ms, is more uniform when the main circuit switch K1 is controlled to provide a constant power output at 250Hz than at 10Hz. Correspondingly, the temperature fluctuation of the induction heater 241 / 241a in a steady state during heating is also changed accordingly; of course, the average temperature of the induction heater 241 / 241a in a steady state during heating is the same or close due to the same constant power mode output.

[0196] The above "steady state" can be characterized as follows: during the heating process, after the induction heater 241 / 241a is raised from room temperature to reach the vaporization temperature of the aerosol generating substrate, the heat generated by the induction heater 241 / 241a is basically used to vaporize the aerosol generating substrate to form an aerosol, and the energy provided to the induction heater 241 / 241a is balanced with the heat absorbed by the vaporization of the aerosol generating substrate; the energy provided to the induction heater 241 / 241a no longer causes a significant increase in its temperature, and at this time the induction heater 241 / 241a is in a steady state, and its temperature is basically constant in an interval. Accordingly, the temperature of the induction heater 241 / 241a in the steady state can be described as a steady state temperature; generally, the steady state temperature is similar to or the same as the boiling point or vaporization temperature of the aerosol generating substrate.

[0197] For example, in FIG. 10, when the frequency of 250 Hz is used to provide a constant power output, the temperature fluctuation of the induction heater 241 / 241a shows a shorter period and a smaller amplitude due to the shorter continuous conduction time Ton in a single period than when the frequency of 10 Hz is used to provide a constant power output. For example, in some specific tests, when the frequency of 250 Hz is used to provide a constant power output, the temperature fluctuation of the induction heater 241 / 241a in the steady state is about 4℃, i.e., the difference between the temperature T1 and the temperature T0 in FIG. 10 is about 4℃; when the frequency of 10 Hz is used to provide a constant power output, the temperature fluctuation of the induction heater 241 / 241a in the steady state is about 20℃, i.e., the difference between the temperature T11 and the temperature T10 in FIG. 10 is about 20℃.

[0198] In some embodiments, when the induction heater 241 / 241a reaches the steady state during the heating process, the fluctuation range of the temperature of the induction heater 241 / 241a is less than 10℃, i.e., the difference between the temperature T1 and the temperature T0 in FIG. 10 is less than 10℃.

[0199] For example, FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of an aerosol-generating system according to another embodiment; in this embodiment, the aerosol-generating system comprises an atomizer 100b storing and heating a liquid aerosol-generating substrate to generate an aerosol, and a power supply mechanism 200b for supplying power to the atomizer 100. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the power supply mechanism 200b comprises a receiving cavity 270b arranged at one end in the length direction and configured to receive and accommodate at least a portion of the atomizer 100b. The power supply mechanism 200b further comprises electrical contacts 230b exposed at least partially on the surface of the receiving cavity 270b, and configured to form an electrical connection with the atomizer 100b when at least a portion of the atomizer 100b is received and accommodated in the power supply mechanism 200b, thereby supplying power to the atomizer 100b. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the atomizer 100b is provided with electrical contacts 21b at the end opposite to the power supply mechanism 200b in the length direction, thereby forming an electrical connection by contacting and abutting against the electrical contacts 230b when at least a portion of the atomizer 100b is received in the receiving cavity 270b.

[0200] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, a seal 260b is arranged in the power supply mechanism 200b, and at least a portion of the internal space of the power supply mechanism 200b is divided into the above-mentioned receiving cavity 270b by the seal 260b. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the seal 260b is configured to extend in the cross-sectional direction of the power supply mechanism 200b, and is preferably made of a flexible material such as silicone, thereby preventing the liquid aerosol-generating substrate flowing from the atomizer 100b to the receiving cavity 270b from flowing to the components such as the main circuit board 220b, the airflow sensor 250b, etc. in the internal space of the power supply mechanism 200b.

[0201] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the power supply mechanism 200b further comprises an electrical cell 210b for supplying power, which is arranged away from the receiving cavity 270b in the length direction. The power supply mechanism 200b further comprises a main circuit board 220b on which a circuit is arranged, and the main circuit board 220b is operable to guide the current between the electrical cell 210b and the electrical resistance heater 241b of the atomizer 100b. An airflow sensor 250b is configured to sense the suction airflow generated when a user sucks the atomizer 100b, and the main circuit board 220b controls the electrical cell 210b to output power to the atomizer 100b according to the sensing signal of the airflow sensor 250b. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the power supply mechanism 200b is provided with a charging interface 240b at the other end away from the receiving cavity 270b, for charging the electrical cell 210b.

[0202] For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the atomizer 100b comprises:

[0203] a liquid storage cavity 112b for storing a liquid aerosol-generating substrate;

[0204] An atomization assembly for atomizing a liquid aerosol generating substrate; wherein, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the atomization assembly comprises:

[0205] A resistive heater 241b, which generates heat by resistive Joule heating, for heating the liquid aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol;

[0206] A liquid guiding element 20b for transferring the liquid aerosol generating substrate between the liquid storage cavity 112b and the resistive heater 241b. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the liquid guiding element 20b is configured in a hollow columnar shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the atomizer 100b, and the resistive heater 241b is formed within the columnar hollow of the liquid guiding element 20b. In use, as shown by arrow R1, the liquid aerosol generating substrate of the liquid storage cavity 112b is absorbed along the outer surface of the liquid guiding element 20b in the radial direction, and then transferred to the resistive heater 241b on the inner surface for heating and vaporization to generate an aerosol; the generated aerosol is output along the longitudinal direction of the atomizer 100b within the columnar hollow of the liquid guiding element 20b, as shown by arrow R2 in FIG. 11. In some embodiments, the liquid guiding element 20b is rigid, for example, the liquid guiding element 20b can be a porous ceramic body, porous glass, or a foam metal with a microporous structure, etc.

[0207] In some embodiments, the material of the resistive heater 241b can be a metal material, a metal alloy, graphite, carbon, an electrically conductive ceramic, or a composite material of other ceramic materials and metal materials, which has a suitable resistance. Suitable metal or alloy materials include at least one of nickel, cobalt, zirconium, titanium, a nickel alloy, a cobalt alloy, a zirconium alloy, a titanium alloy, a nickel-chromium alloy, a nickel-iron alloy, a ferrochrome alloy, a ferrochrome-aluminum alloy, a titanium alloy, a ferro-manganese-aluminum-based alloy, or stainless steel, etc.

[0208] Alternatively, in yet other embodiments, the liquid guiding element 20b is configured in a sheet shape, a block shape, a plate shape, or the like. Alternatively, in yet other embodiments, the liquid guiding element 20b can also be configured in a rod shape, a bar shape, a longitudinally arranged tubular shape, or the like.

[0209] In some alternative embodiments, the resistive heater 241b is a resistive heating track formed or arranged on the atomization surface. Alternatively, in embodiments, the resistive heater 241b is an electrically conductive track formed on the surface of the liquid guiding element 20b. In yet other alternative embodiments, the electrically conductive track of the resistive heater 241b can be in the form of a printed line formed by printing. In yet other alternative embodiments, the resistive heater 241b is a patterned electrically conductive track. In yet other embodiments, the resistive heater 241b is planar. In yet other alternative embodiments, the resistive heater 241b is an electrically conductive track extending in a meandering, serpentine, reciprocating, or zigzag manner.

[0210] In some embodiments, the two ends of the electric resistance heater 241b are welded or arranged with conductive pins, and are connected to the main circuit board 220b through conductive leads for guiding current on the electric resistance heater 241b. Or in yet some other embodiments, the electric resistance heater 241b can also be an electric resistance heating net, an electric resistance heating coil, etc.

[0211] In some embodiments, the electric resistance heater 241b can be combined on the liquid guide element 20b by printing, deposition, sintering or physical assembly, etc. In some other variant embodiments, the liquid guide element 20b can have a plane or curved surface for supporting the electric resistance heater 241b, and the electric resistance heater 241b is formed on the plane or curved surface of the liquid guide element 20b by means of mounting, printing, deposition, etc.

[0212] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the atomizer 100b comprises:

[0213] An air inlet 121b for supplying air into the atomizer 100b during suction;

[0214] A suction port 111b for user suction;

[0215] An airflow passage defined between the air inlet 121b and the suction port 111b to define a flow path for outputting aerosol to the suction port 111b. And the liquid guide element 20b at least partially surrounds or defines the airflow passage.

[0216] FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of the circuit of the main circuit board 220b of an embodiment; in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the circuit of the main circuit board 220b comprises:

[0217] A main circuit switch K1 for guiding current between the electric resistance heater 241b and the battery 210b; that is, the battery 210b supplies power to the electric resistance heater 241b through the main circuit switch K1;

[0218] An MCU controller 224b for controlling the power provided to the electric resistance heater 241b by controlling the conduction or disconnection of the main circuit switch K1; the conduction and disconnection of the main circuit switch K1 are controlled by the PWM control signal sent by the MCU controller 224b.

[0219] In some embodiments, the MCU controller 224b controls the conduction and disconnection of the main circuit switch K1 to control the power provided by the battery 210b to the electric resistance heater 241b to remain at a predetermined power, so that the electric resistance heater 241b heats at a predetermined working power. Thus, the amount of aerosol generated or TPM at each suction of the user is substantially consistent, or the taste of each puff is substantially consistent.

[0220] In some embodiments, the power provided to the resistive heater 241b is controlled at a constant predetermined power, for example 7.5W.

[0221] In some embodiments, the MCU controller 224b also detects the resistance value and temperature of the resistive heater 241b, and adjusts the duty cycle of the PWM control signal provided to the main circuit switch K1 to keep the power provided to the resistive heater 241b at a predetermined power.

[0222] In some embodiments, the MCU controller 224b controls the frequency of the PWM control signal provided to the main circuit switch K1 to be between 100Hz and 500Hz. The main circuit switch K1 is then turned on and off at a frequency of 100Hz to 500Hz. It is advantageous to keep the temperature fluctuation or rate of change of the resistive heater 241b within a predetermined threshold for each puff of the user, for reducing the fluctuation of the heating temperature of the resistive heater 241b.

[0223] In some embodiments, the MCU controller 224b controls the frequency of the PWM control signal provided to the main circuit switch K1 to be between 200Hz and 300Hz, more particularly for example 250Hz. It is advantageous to control the fluctuation of the heating temperature of the resistive heater 241b while avoiding excessive occupation of the resources of the running thread of the MCU controller 224b.

[0224] It should be noted that the preferred embodiments of the present application are shown in the specification and drawings of the present application, but are not limited to the embodiments described in the specification, and further, those skilled in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications shall fall within the scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating system comprising, The heater is an inductive heater that can be heated by a changing magnetic field; the inductive heater is configured to heat the aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol; The aerosol generating system further comprises: The LC oscillator comprises an inductive coil and a capacitor; the LC oscillator is configured to direct an alternating current to flow through the inductive coil, and in turn cause the inductive coil to generate a changing magnetic field to induce the inductive heater to heat; The main circuit switch is connected between the electric cell and the LC oscillator. The controller is programmed to control the conduction and disconnection of the main circuit switch according to the user's puffing with the PWM control signal; during the user's puffing, the frequency of the PWM control signal is constant.

2. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is programmed to control the conduction and disconnection of the main circuit switch to keep the power output by the electric cell to the heater at a predetermined power. The controller is programmed to keep the power output by the electric cell to the heater at a predetermined power by adjusting the duty cycle of the PWM control signal. The temperature fluctuation range of the inductive heater is less than 10℃ when the inductive heater reaches a steady state during heating. The heater is an electric resistance heater that heats the aerosol generating substrate by electric resistance Joule heat; the main circuit switch is connected between the electric cell and the electric resistance heater.

3. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The frequency of the PWM control signal is between 200Hz and 300Hz.

4. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The heater is an inductive heater that can be heated by a changing magnetic field; the inductive heater is configured to heat the aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol; 5. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 4, wherein, The LC oscillator comprises an inductive coil and a capacitor; the LC oscillator is configured to direct an alternating current to flow through the inductive coil, and in turn cause the inductive coil to generate a changing magnetic field to induce the inductive heater to heat; 6. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 2, wherein, The electric cell is configured to supply direct current voltage to the LC oscillator at a frequency of 100Hz to 500Hz.

7. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1, wherein, 10. A control method of an aerosol generating system, the aerosol generating system comprising:

8. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The heater is an inductive heater that can be heated by a changing magnetic field; the inductive heater is configured to heat the aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol; 9. An aerosol-generating system comprising, The method comprises: controlling the conduction and disconnection of the main circuit switch with a PWM control signal; the frequency of the PWM control signal is between 100Hz and 500Hz. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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