CN116671672A

CN116671672A - Gas mist generating device and heater for gas mist generating device

Info

Publication number: CN116671672A
Application number: CN202210164610.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 武建; 徐中立; 李永海
Original assignee: Shenzhen FirstUnion Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen FirstUnion Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-02-23
Filing date: 2022-02-23
Publication date: 2023-09-01

Abstract

The application discloses an aerosol generating device and a heater for the aerosol generating device; wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises: a heater for insertion into the aerosol-generating article for heating; the heater includes: a housing including a free front end and a distal end, and a cavity extending between the free front end and the distal end; a resistive heating element located within the cavity; a first conductive pin and a second conductive pin for powering the resistive heating element; the shell is provided with a notch or a window or a hole; at least one of the first and second conductive pins is in electrical communication with the resistive heating element at a notch or window or aperture. In the aerosol generating device, the notch, the window or the hole is arranged on the shell of the heater so as to provide an operation space for connecting and conducting at least one conductive pin with the resistance heating element, thereby being more convenient for mass production.

Description

Gas mist generating device and heater for gas mist generating device

Technical Field

The embodiment of the application relates to the technical field of heating non-combustion smoking articles, in particular to an aerosol generating device and a heater for the aerosol generating device.

Background

Smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, etc.) burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to replace these tobacco-burning products by making products that release the compounds without burning.

An example of such a product is a heating device that releases a compound by heating rather than burning a material. For example, the material may be tobacco or other non-tobacco products that may or may not contain nicotine. In known technology, CN202010054217.6 patent application proposes heating tobacco products with a heater enclosing a spiral heating wire inside an outer sleeve to generate aerosols.

Disclosure of Invention

One embodiment of the application provides an aerosol-generating device configured to heat an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol; comprising the following steps: a heater for insertion into the aerosol-generating article for heating; the heater includes:

a housing including free front and rear ends facing away from each other in a length direction, and a cavity extending between the free front and rear ends;

a resistive heating element located within the cavity;

a first conductive pin and a second conductive pin for powering the resistive heating element;

a notch or window or hole is formed in the shell; at least one of the first and second conductive pins is in electrical communication with the resistive heating element at the notch or window or aperture.

In a preferred embodiment, the resistive heating element is at least partially exposed within the gap or window or aperture.

In a preferred embodiment, the notch is configured to extend along the length of the housing and terminate at the end;

at least one of the first and second conductive pins is partially received and retained within the notch.

In a preferred embodiment, the extension of the notch is less than 1/3 of the length dimension of the housing.

In a preferred implementation, the notch or window or aperture is disposed proximate the end.

In a preferred implementation, the heater further comprises: a base or flange coupled to the housing; the aerosol-generating device provides retention of the heater by the base or flange;

the base or flange is arranged to at least partially block or cover the gap or window or aperture.

In a preferred implementation, the base or flange is closer to the free front end than the notch or window or aperture.

In a preferred implementation, the heater further comprises:

a base extending within the cavity;

the resistive heating element at least partially surrounds and is supported by the substrate.

In a preferred implementation, the resistive heating element is configured as a solenoid coil; the cross section of the wire material of the resistive heating element is configured such that a length extending in an axial direction of the resistive heating element is greater than a length extending in a radial direction.

Yet another embodiment of the present application also proposes a heater for an aerosol-generating device, comprising:

a housing configured as a pin or needle and having free front and rear ends facing away from each other in a length direction and a cavity extending between the free front and rear ends;

a resistive heating element located within the cavity;

Yet another embodiment of the present application also proposes an aerosol-generating device configured to heat an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol; comprising the following steps: a heater for insertion into the aerosol-generating article for heating; the heater includes:

a resistive heating element located within the cavity;

a conductive pin for powering the resistive heating element;

a notch or window or hole extending from the outer surface to the cavity is formed in the shell; the notch or window or aperture is configured to provide an operating space for connecting the conductive pin with the resistive heating element to connect the conductive pin with the resistive heating element to form a conductive path.

a resistive heating element located within the cavity;

a notch extending to the tail end is formed in the shell; a portion of at least one of the first and second conductive pins is received and retained within the notch.

In a preferred implementation, the housing is a conductor; one of the first and second conductive pins is in indirect conduction with the resistive heating element through the housing.

In the aerosol generating device, the notch, the window or the hole is arranged on the shell of the heater so as to provide an operation space for connecting and conducting at least one conductive pin with the resistance heating element, thereby being more convenient for mass production.

Drawings

One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which the figures of the drawings are not to be taken in a limiting sense, unless otherwise indicated.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the heater of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the heater of FIG. 2, before the parts are assembled;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the resistive heating element of FIG. 3 from another perspective;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the second conductive pin of FIG. 3 assembled in a notch of the housing;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a first substrate molded with an elastomer in yet another embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a heater according to yet another embodiment;

fig. 8 is a schematic view of the housing of fig. 7 soldered with a second conductive pin;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a housing in yet another embodiment;

fig. 10 is a schematic view of a housing in yet another embodiment.

Detailed Description

In order that the application may be readily understood, a more particular description thereof will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings.

An embodiment of the present application proposes an aerosol-generating device, which may be constructed as shown in fig. 1, comprising:

a chamber having an opening 40; in use, the aerosol-generating article a is removably receivable within the chamber through the opening 40 of the chamber;

a heater 30 extending at least partially within the chamber, inserted into the aerosol-generating article a for heating when the aerosol-generating article a is received within the chamber, such that the aerosol-generating article a releases a plurality of volatile compounds, and the volatile compounds are formed by the heat treatment alone;

a battery cell 10 for supplying power;

a circuit 20 for conducting current between the cell 10 and the heater 30.

In a preferred embodiment, the heater 30 is generally in the shape of a pin or needle or rod or a cylinder or a sheet or plate, which is further advantageous for insertion into the aerosol-generating article a; meanwhile, the heater 30 may have a length of about 12 to 20 mm and an outer diameter size of about 2 to 4 mm.

Further in an alternative implementation, the aerosol-generating article a preferably employs a tobacco-containing material that releases volatile compounds from a matrix upon heating; or may be a non-tobacco material capable of being heated and thereafter adapted for electrical heating for smoking. The aerosol-generating article a preferably employs a solid matrix, which may comprise one or more of powders, granules, shredded strips, ribbons or flakes of one or more of vanilla leaves, tobacco leaves, homogenized tobacco, expanded tobacco; alternatively, the solid substrate may contain additional volatile flavour compounds, either tobacco or non-tobacco, to be released when the substrate is heated.

In practice, heater 30 may generally include a resistive heating element, an auxiliary substrate to assist in resistive heating element fixation preparation, and the like. For example, in some implementations, the resistive heating element is in the shape or form of a helical coil. Or in yet other implementations, the resistive heating element is in the form of a conductive trace bonded to the substrate. Or in yet other implementations the resistive heating element is in the shape of a sheet.

Further figures 2-4 show schematic views of a heater 30 of one embodiment; the heater 30 of this embodiment includes a free front end 311 and a rear end 312 that are opposed in the length direction; wherein the free front end 311 is tapered tip for insertion into the aerosol-generating article a; specifically, the heater 30 includes:

a housing 31 configured in the shape of a pin or a needle or a column or a bar; and the opposite ends of the housing 31 in the length direction define a free front end 311 and a distal end 312, respectively, which form the heater 30; and, a cavity 313 extending between free front end 311 and distal end 312 is provided within housing 31. Wherein cavity 313 forms an opening or mouth at end 312 to facilitate assembly of functional components therein.

In this embodiment, the cavity 313 of the housing 31 is provided with:

a first base 331 configured to extend in a length direction of the housing 31; the first base 331 can be configured to be tubular or rod-like in a specific shape, or the like; and, the first substrate 331 is made of a metal or alloy material with low resistivity, such as gold, silver, copper or an alloy containing the same; further, the first substrate 331 is a conductor;

a second matrix 332 at least partially surrounding the first matrix 331; the second substrate 332 is made of an insulating material, such as ceramic, glass, organic polymer, etc.; the second substrate 332 is configured to be an elongated tubular shape;

a resistive heating element 32 surrounding and bonded to the second substrate 332; and is supported by the second substrate 332 for stable retention within the cavity 313.

In some implementations, the housing 31 has an outer diameter of about 2.1-2.8 mm, and a wall thickness of about 0.1-0.3 mm; the inner diameter of the cavity 313 of the housing 31 is about 1.5-2.1 mm and the length of the cavity 313 is about 12-15 mm.

In a preferred implementation, both the first base 331 and the second base 332 are rigid. And, in this implementation, the second substrate 332 provides insulation in a radial direction between the first substrate 331 and the resistive heating element 32.

As further shown in fig. 2-4, the resistive heating element 32 is configured in the form of a helical heating wire or coil extending along a portion of the axial direction of the housing 31.

In the implementation shown in fig. 2, the resistive heating element 32 is fully assembled and held within the cavity 313 of the housing 31, and the resistive heating element 32 and the housing 31 are thermally conductive to one another after assembly.

In an alternative implementation, the resistive heating element 32 is formed from a metallic material, a metallic alloy, graphite, carbon, a conductive ceramic, or other composite of a ceramic material and a metallic material having suitable resistance. Suitable metals or alloy materials include at least one of nickel, cobalt, zirconium, titanium, nickel alloys, cobalt alloys, zirconium alloys, titanium alloys, nichrome, nickel-iron alloys, iron-chromium-aluminum alloys, iron-manganese-aluminum alloys, or stainless steel, among others.

In an embodiment, the housing 31 is made of a thermally conductive metal or alloy material, such as stainless steel. Of course, after assembly, the resistive heating element 32 is insulated from the inner walls of the cavity 313 of the housing 31.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 3 and 4, the cross-sectional shape of the wire material of the resistive heating element 32 configured in the form of a solenoid coil is a wide or flat shape other than a conventional circular shape. In the preferred embodiment shown in fig. 2, the cross-section of the wire material of the resistive heating element 32 has a dimension extending in the longitudinal direction that is greater than a dimension extending in a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, such that the cross-section of the wire material of the resistive heating element 32 has a flat rectangular shape.

Briefly, the resistive heating element 32 of the above construction is in the form of a wire material that is completely or at least flattened in comparison to a conventional helical heating coil formed from a circular cross-section wire. Thus, the wire material extends in the radial direction to a lesser extent. By this measure, the energy loss in the resistive heating element 32 can be reduced. In particular, the transfer of heat generated by the resistive heating element 32 radially towards the housing 31 may be facilitated.

In other alternative implementations, the resistive heating element 32 may also be formed using conventional wire material having a circular cross-section.

With further reference to fig. 2 and 3, the heater 30 further includes:

an elastomer 35, in some embodiments the elastomer 35 is made of a flexible or elastic material; the assembled elastomer 35 is disposed within the cavity 313 of the housing 31 proximate the tip 312; and the elastic body 35 surrounds the first substrate 331 and avoids the second substrate 332; when assembled, elastomer 35 is closer to tip 312 than second substrate 332; and along the length of the housing 31, the elastomer 35 and the second substrate 332 are non-overlapping, i.e., they may be spaced apart or abut one another.

In some conventional implementations, the elastomer 35 is made of a flexible or elastic material such as silicone, thermoplastic elastomer, flexible resin, or the like. Or in yet other variations, the elastomer 35 is formed from an inorganic gel such as glass cement, epoxy cement, etc. mixed with ceramic/glass to form a paste slurry that is cured.

In the preferred embodiment shown in fig. 2 and 3, the elastomer 35 is an elastomeric O-ring and, when assembled, the first substrate 331 extends through the elastomer 35. After assembly, the elastomer 35 is positioned between the first base 331 and the housing 31 and is compressed by them to form an interference fit. Further, the first base 331 and the resistance heating element 32 supported by the first base 331 are stably held in the cavity 332 by elasticity on the one hand after assembly, and no rattling or loosening is generated; on the other hand, the interference fit formed by the elastic body 35 after being pressed by the first base 331 and the housing 31 generates frictional resistance, preventing the first base 331, the second base 332, the resistance heating element 32, and the like from falling out of the cavity 313 from the tip 312.

In the above implementation, the elastic body 35 and the first substrate 331 are separately obtained or prepared. Or in yet other variations, the elastomer 35 is integrally molded with the first base 331. For example, FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a first substrate 331a of yet another alternative embodiment; the first base 331a is made of a metal or alloy material of a conductor, and the first base 331a is configured to be elongated rod-like or bar-like. The elastic body 35a is molded around the first base 331a from the above flexible or elastic moldable material such as silicone rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, flexible resin, or the like. Or in yet other implementations, the elastomer 35a is formed on the first substrate 331a by spraying or deposition.

With further reference to fig. 2 and 3, the heater 30 further includes:

a first conductive pin 321 and a second conductive pin 322 for powering the resistive heating element 32. On the electrical connection, the first and second ends in the axial direction of the resistive heating element 32 configured as a solenoid coil are directly or indirectly connected to the first and second conductive pins 321 and 322 to form conduction. In the embodiment shown in fig. 2 and 3, the first end of the resistive heating element 32 proximate the free front end 311 is attached to the first substrate 331a by welding, crimping, or the like at an attachment location B1; the first conductive pin 321 is connected to the first substrate 331 at a connection position B2 near the end 312 by welding or the like, and is further indirectly connected to the first end of the resistance heating element 32 through the first substrate 331 made of a conductive material. The second end of the resistive heating element 32 proximate to the tip 312 is connected directly at connection location B1 by a second conductive pin 332, such as a solder, to form a conductive path.

Further in a preferred implementation, the first conductive pin 321 and the second conductive pin 322 are elongated wires. The first conductive pin 321 and the second conductive pin 322 are made of a metal wire having a low resistivity, such as a nickel wire, a silver-plated nickel wire, a copper wire, or the like. And after assembly, the first conductive pin 321 and the second conductive pin 322 are connected to the circuit 20, respectively, to conduct current.

With further reference to fig. 2, 3 and 5, the housing 31 has a notch 314 extending lengthwise and terminating in a tip 312; the length of the notch 314 is less than 1/5 of the length of the housing 31. And the width of the notch 314 is greater than the diameter of the second conductive pin 322.

In assembly, the second conductive pin 322 is at least partially received within the notch 314 and soldered to the second end of the resistive heating element 32 within the notch 314.

It is advantageous to reduce the spatial interference with the housing 31 by forming the notch 314 in the housing 31 to provide room for the second conductive pin 322 to be soldered to the second end of the resistive heating element 32.

Referring to fig. 2, the notch 314 extends over a length greater than the length of the elastic body 35; and, after assembly, the notch 314 spans the elastomer 35.

The above heater 30 is advantageous for modular mass production preparation of the components, for example, in one embodiment the preparation process of the heater 30 includes:

winding wire material onto the second substrate 332 by a winding apparatus to form the resistive heating element 32 in the form of a solenoid coil;

sequentially sleeving a second substrate 332 carrying the resistance heating element 32 and the elastic body 35 on the first substrate 331 respectively, and welding the first end of the resistance heating element 32 with the exposed part of the first substrate 331 at the connection position B1 to prepare a modularized module;

the above module is integrally assembled from the end 312 of the housing 31 into the cavity 312, and the second conductive pin 322 is soldered to the second end of the resistive heating element 32 at the connection location B3 in the notch 314, thereby preparing the heater 30.

In still further variations, the extension of the notch 314 and/or the second conductive pin 322 within the notch 314 is at least partially overlapping with the extension of the resistive heating element 32. In practice, the portion of the resistive heating element 32 that overlaps the second conductive pin 322 is substantially non-conductive, i.e., no current, after the second conductive pin 322 is made conductive by soldering the resistive heating element 32 within the gap 314. The effective length of the resistive heating element 32 is substantially uniform during mass production manufacturing by welding by a welding operator with the gap 314 as a reference. Further to this embodiment, the welding position of the resistive heating element 32 and the second conductive pin 322 after the assembly of the heater 30 is made substantially flush with the end portion after the bonding of the aerosol-generating article a in the sizing, so that the portion of the heater 30 that is substantially inserted into the aerosol-generating article a is a heat generating region, while the portion that is not inserted into the aerosol-generating article a does not generate heat, thereby improving the heat utilization efficiency and the uniformity of the product.

And after assembly, it is further possible to integrate the second conductive pin 322 with the connection of the housing 31 within the notch 314 by solder, laser welding, or the like, and to cover or conceal the notch 314 by the second conductive pin 322. Thus, the surface of the heater 30 is sealed or closed to prevent aerosols, aerosol condensate or organic residues from the aerosol-generating article a or the like from entering the housing 31 through the gap 314.

Further in the above implementation, the first substrate 331 has a length of about 12-15 mm and an outer diameter of about 1-1.5 mm. And, the second substrate 332 has a length of about 8-10 mm; the second substrate 332 has an inner diameter of about 1 to 1.5 mm; the second substrate 332 has an outer diameter of about 1.3-1.8 mm.

And further according to figures 2 and 3, the annular elastomer 35 has a length of about 3 to 5mm and an inner diameter of about 0.5 to 1mm and an outer diameter of 1.8 to 2.4 mm. The extension length of the above O-shaped annular elastic body 35 along the axial direction is larger than the thickness of the radial direction; the O-ring shaped elastic body 35 is axially flattened after assembly and does not itself roll or rotate by friction force during assembly into the housing 31; is advantageous for stable retention after assembly.

And in still other implementations, the notch 314 has a length of about 4-6 mm and a width of about 1-3 mm. The extension of the notch 314 is less than 1/3 of the length dimension of the housing 31.

Or further figure 9 shows a schematic view of the outer shell 31c of a heater of yet another embodiment; in this implementation, housing 31c has a window or aperture 314c near end 312 c.

The window or aperture 314c is used to provide space for a soldering operation of the second conductive pin 322c to the second end of the resistive heating element. Specifically, when the first substrate 331, the second substrate 332, the resistive heating element 32, etc. are assembled to the housing 31c, the second end of the resistive heating element 32 is exposed to the window or aperture 314c, and further in preparation, it is convenient for the operator to extend the second conductive pin 322c from the end 312c into the housing 31c, and weld the second conductive pin 322c to the second end of the resistive heating element 32 by laser or the like through the window or aperture 314c.

With further reference to fig. 2 and 3, the heater 30 further includes:

a base or flange 34; in the drawing, the base or flange 34 is made of a heat-resistant material such as ceramic or PEEK; the shape is preferably annular. In assembly, base or flange 34 surrounds and is coupled to housing 31 and is proximate end 312; in some implementations, the base or flange 34 is formed or bonded to the housing 31 near the end 312 by high temperature glue or molding, such as in-mold injection molding, or the like; the aerosol-generating device may then be stably mounted and retained to the heater 30 by supporting, clamping or retaining the base or flange 34.

With further reference to FIG. 2, the assembled base or flange 34 is closer to the free front end 311 than the notch 314; the notch 314 in the housing 31 is obscured by the base or flange 34 and is advantageous in preventing aerosol condensate or organic residue from entering the notch 314.

Or, similarly, the window or aperture 314c is also obscured by the base or flange 34 after assembly of the housing 31c of the embodiment of fig. 9.

Further, fig. 7 shows a schematic view of a heater 30b of yet another embodiment; the heater 30b in this embodiment includes:

a housing 31b configured as a pin, needle, or the like; the housing 31b has free front 311b and distal 312b ends facing away from each other in the length direction, and a cavity 313b extending to the distal 312b end; the housing 31b is also made of a conductive material, such as stainless steel, iron-aluminum alloy, nickel-iron alloy, etc.;

a first matrix 331b of conductive material, located within cavity 313b;

a second base 332b made of an insulating material configured to be a tubular shape partially surrounding the first base 331 b;

a resistive heating element 32b surrounding a portion of the second substrate 332b; the first end of the resistive heating element 32B adjacent the free front end 311B is welded to the first substrate 331B at a connection location B1 to form a conductive path; a second end of resistive heating element 32B proximate tip 312B is soldered to housing 31B at connection location B3 to form a conductive path;

an elastic body 35b disposed within the cavity 313b near the tip 312; the elastic body 35b partially surrounds the first base 311b; the elastic body 35b is located between the housing 31b and the first base 311b, and is pressed by them to form an interference fit;

the first conductive pin 321B is welded on the first substrate 311B at the connection position B2, and is further indirectly connected to the first end of the resistance heating element 32B through the first substrate 311B;

a second conductive pin 322B soldered to housing 31B at end 312B or at connection location B4 near end 312B, thereby indirectly conducting to a second end of resistive heating element 32B; fig. 8 shows a schematic diagram of the second conductive pin 322b after soldering with the housing 31 b;

a base or flange 34b surrounds and is coupled to housing 31b and is proximate end 312b.

Or further in still other variations, the first end of the above resistive heating element 32/32b is also in solder communication with the first conductive pin through a notch or window or aperture in the housing. For example, fig. 10 shows a schematic view of a housing 31d of yet another embodiment, the housing 31d being provided with a notch 314d extending from a distal end 312d to near a free front end 311 d; in assembly or manufacture, the first conductive pin 321d is received and held within the notch 314d and is directly connected to the first end of the resistive heating element 32/32b by laser welding or the like at a location of the notch 314d proximate the free front end 311d to form a conductive path. The direct connection in this embodiment forms a conduction that is more stable than the indirect connection through the first substrate 331/331 a. Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the housing 31d may be made of an insulating material such as ceramic, quartz, etc., and then the first conductive pin 321d and the housing 31d are welded in a gap between them by solder, etc., so that they are connected together and substantially close the notch 314d, preventing the aerosol condensate or organic residue from entering the housing 31d from the notch 314 d.

It should be noted that the description of the application and the accompanying drawings show preferred embodiments of the application, but are not limited to the embodiments described in the description, and further, that modifications or variations can be made by a person skilled in the art from the above description, and all such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating device configured to heat an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol; characterized by comprising the following steps: a heater for insertion into the aerosol-generating article for heating; the heater includes:

a resistive heating element located within the cavity;

2. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the resistive heating element is at least partially exposed within the gap or window or aperture.

3. The aerosol-generating device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the gap is configured to extend along a length of the housing and terminate at the tip;

4. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 3, wherein the indentation extends less than 1/3 of the length dimension of the housing.

5. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the indentations or windows or apertures are arranged close to the end.

6. The aerosol-generating device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the heater further comprises: a base or flange coupled to the housing; the aerosol-generating device provides retention of the heater by the base or flange;

7. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 6, wherein the base or flange is closer to the free front end than the notch or window or aperture.

8. The aerosol-generating device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the heater further comprises:

a base extending within the cavity;

the resistive heating element at least partially surrounds the substrate and is at least partially supported by the substrate.

9. The aerosol-generating device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the resistive heating element is configured as a solenoid coil; the cross section of the wire material of the resistive heating element is configured such that a length extending in an axial direction of the resistive heating element is greater than a length extending in a radial direction.

10. A heater for an aerosol-generating device, comprising:

a resistive heating element located within the cavity;

11. An aerosol-generating device configured to heat an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol; characterized by comprising the following steps: a heater for insertion into the aerosol-generating article for heating; the heater includes:

a resistive heating element located within the cavity;

a conductive pin for powering the resistive heating element;

12. An aerosol-generating device configured to heat an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol; characterized by comprising the following steps: a heater for insertion into the aerosol-generating article for heating; the heater includes:

a resistive heating element located within the cavity;

13. The aerosol-generating device of claim 12, wherein the housing is a conductor; one of the first and second conductive pins is in indirect conduction with the resistive heating element through the housing.