CN118120972A

CN118120972A - Aerosol generating device and microwave heating assembly thereof

Info

Publication number: CN118120972A
Application number: CN202211531831.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杜靖; 蓝永海; 何建波; 梁峰
Original assignee: Seymour International Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Seymour International Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2022-12-01
Filing date: 2022-12-01
Publication date: 2024-06-04

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device and a microwave heating assembly thereof, wherein the microwave heating assembly comprises: an outer conductor unit having a cylindrical shape and including an open end, a closed end, and a cavity interposed between the open end and the closed end; the accommodating space is arranged in the cavity and is used for accommodating aerosol-generating products; the cavity comprises a head cavity section, a neck cavity section and a tail cavity section which are communicated, wherein the head cavity section is adjacent to the opening end, and the average inner diameter of the head cavity section is larger than that of the neck cavity section; the tail cavity section is adjacent to the closed end and has an average inner diameter greater than an average inner diameter of the neck cavity section; the neck cavity section is arranged between the head cavity section and the tail cavity section and is correspondingly arranged at the lower part of the accommodating space far away from the opening end; the invention optimizes the heating effect on the bottom of the aerosol-generating article by adjusting the cavity structure of the outer conductor unit of the microwave heating assembly.

Description

Aerosol generating device and microwave heating assembly thereof

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of aerosol generation, in particular to an aerosol generation device and a microwave heating component thereof.

Background

In the related art, an aerosol-generating device forms a microwave interaction zone within a microwave heating assembly through which microwave energy is transferred to an aerosol-generating article, during which process a microwave energy distribution field determines the microwave heating effect.

When heated by a microwave heating assembly having a probe structure, the microwave field weakens from top to bottom along the probe structure, and thus, a problem of poor bottom heating (carbonization) of the aerosol-generating article occurs during microwave heating, resulting in difficulty in increasing the carbonization rate of the aerosol-generating article.

Disclosure of Invention

The technical problem to be solved by the invention is to provide an improved aerosol-generating device and a microwave heating assembly thereof.

The technical scheme adopted for solving the technical problems is as follows: a microwave heating assembly configured for use in an aerosol-generating device, the microwave heating assembly comprising:

An outer conductor unit having a cylindrical shape and including an open end, a closed end, and a cavity interposed between the open end and the closed end;

the accommodating space is arranged in the cavity and is used for accommodating aerosol-generating products;

The cavity comprises a head cavity section, a neck cavity section and a tail cavity section which are communicated, wherein the head cavity section is adjacent to the opening end, and the average inner diameter of the head cavity section is larger than that of the neck cavity section; the tail chamber section is adjacent the closed end and has an average inner diameter greater than an average inner diameter of the neck chamber section; the neck cavity section is arranged between the head cavity section and the tail cavity section and is correspondingly arranged at the lower part of the containing space far away from the opening end.

In some embodiments, the neck cavity section is a cylindrical channel having an inner diameter sized between 7.2mm and 9.2 mm.

In some embodiments, the neck cavity section is a frustoconical channel having a minimum inner diameter between 7.2mm and 9.2 mm.

In some embodiments, an air inlet gap for avoiding complete coverage of the bottom end surface of the aerosol-generating article is also left below the receiving space. In some embodiments, the head cavity section is a frustoconical channel.

In some embodiments, the maximum inner diameter of the head cavity segment is less than or equal to 20mm.

In some embodiments, the neck cavity section is in smooth transition with the head cavity section.

In some embodiments, the neck cavity section has a frustoconical passageway, and the neck cavity section and the head cavity section form a frustoconical first passageway having an inner diameter that tapers from the open end to the closed end.

In some embodiments, the head cavity section is a cylindrical channel.

In some embodiments, the head cavity section has an inner diameter less than or equal to 20mm.

In some embodiments, the neck cavity section is a cylindrical channel, and the neck cavity section and the head cavity section form a stepped second channel.

In some embodiments, the interior wall surfaces of the head cavity section and the neck cavity section form the receiving space.

In some embodiments, the trailing cavity section is a cylindrical channel.

In some embodiments, the cephalad chamber segment, the cervical chamber segment, and the caudal chamber segment are coaxial.

In some embodiments, the microwave heating assembly further comprises:

An inner conductor unit disposed in the cavity; the inner conductor unit comprises a first fixed end and a first free end, wherein the first fixed end is connected with the closed end, and the first free end extends towards the open end.

In some embodiments, the inner conductor unit includes:

the conductor column is arranged in the tail cavity section; the conductor post includes a second fixed end coaxially connected to the closed end and a second free end extending toward the open end.

In some embodiments, the inner conductor unit includes:

And a conductor disc coaxially connected to the second free end, and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the conductor post and less than the inner diameter of the tail cavity section.

In some embodiments, the inner conductor unit includes:

and the probe device is in a longitudinal shape, one end of the probe device is embedded on the conductor disc, and the other end of the probe device extends towards the opening end.

In some embodiments, the microwave heating assembly further comprises:

the accommodating seat is embedded on the opening end and comprises an accommodating part used for defining the accommodating space.

In some embodiments, the receptacle is cylindrical with an outer diameter between 8mm and 9 mm.

In some embodiments, the microwave heating assembly further comprises a microwave feed unit;

the microwave feed unit includes:

An outer conductor mounted on the outer conductor unit and in ohmic contact with the outer conductor unit; and

An inner conductor provided in the outer conductor; one end of the inner conductor extends into the cavity to be in ohmic contact with the inner side of the outer conductor unit or the inner conductor unit;

and the dielectric layer is arranged between the outer conductor and the inner conductor.

In some embodiments, the inner conductor is in a straight shape and is in ohmic contact with the inner conductor unit along a direction perpendicular to an axis of the inner conductor unit.

The invention also constructs an aerosol generating device which comprises a microwave generating device and the microwave heating component, wherein the microwave feeding unit is connected with the microwave generating device.

The implementation of the invention has the following beneficial effects: the invention optimizes the heating effect on the bottom of the aerosol-generating article by adjusting the cavity structure of the outer conductor unit of the microwave heating assembly.

Drawings

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing the external structure of a microwave heating module in embodiment 1 of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal structural cross-sectional view of the microwave heating assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a graph showing an electric field profile obtained by testing a microwave heating assembly according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing an electric field distribution diagram obtained by testing a microwave heating assembly according to the related art;

fig. 5 is a longitudinal structural sectional view of a microwave heating assembly in embodiment 2 of the invention;

fig. 6 is a longitudinal structural sectional view of a microwave heating assembly in embodiment 3 of the invention.

Reference numerals: a microwave heating assembly 100; an aerosol-generating article 200; a first outer conductor unit 11; an inner conductor unit 12; a housing seat 13; a microwave feed unit 14; a closed end 111; an open end 112; a first conductor sidewall 113; a first conductor end wall 114; a first cavity 115; a feed hole 116; a first head chamber segment 1151; a first neck cavity segment 1152; a first tail chamber section 1153; a conductor post 121; conductor disc 122; a probe device 123; a housing portion 131; a housing space 1311; an intake gap 1312; an inner end surface 1313; an outer conductor 141; an inner conductor 142; a dielectric layer 143;

A second outer conductor unit 11a; a second conductor sidewall 113a; a second conductor end wall 114a; a second cavity 115a; a second head chamber segment 1151a; a second neck cavity segment 1152a; a second tail chamber section 1153a;

A third outer conductor unit 11b; a third conductor sidewall 113b; a third conductor end wall 114b; a third cavity 115b; a third head chamber segment 1151b; a third neck cavity segment 1152b; a third tail chamber section 1153b.

Detailed Description

For a clearer understanding of technical features, objects and effects of the present invention, a detailed description of embodiments of the present invention will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, it should be understood that the directions or positional relationships indicated by "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "longitudinal", "transverse", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "head", "tail", etc. are configured and operated in specific directions based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, are merely for convenience of describing the present invention, and do not indicate that the apparatus or element to be referred to must have specific directions, and thus should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

It should also be noted that unless explicitly stated or limited otherwise, terms such as "mounted," "connected," "secured," "disposed," and the like are to be construed broadly and may be, for example, fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally formed; can be mechanically or electrically connected; can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and can be communicated with the inside of two elements or the interaction relationship of the two elements. When an element is referred to as being "on" or "under" another element, it can be "directly" or "indirectly" on the other element or one or more intervening elements may also be present. The terms "first," "second," "third," and the like are used merely for convenience in describing the present invention and are not to be construed as indicating or implying a relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated, whereby features defining "first," "second," "third," etc. may explicitly or implicitly include one or more such features. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art according to the specific circumstances.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth such as the particular system architecture, techniques, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known systems, devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.

The present invention constructs an aerosol-generating device that heats an aerosol-generating article 200 using microwaves to atomize and generate an aerosol for inhalation or inhalation by a user. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article 200 is a solid aerosol-generating article 200 such as a treated plant leaf article. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the aerosol-generating article 200 may also be a liquid aerosol-generating article 200.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a microwave generating device (not shown) and a microwave heating assembly 100. The microwave generating device can generate microwaves; the microwave heating assembly 100, by being connected to the microwave generating device for microwave access, forms a microwave field within itself that can act on the aerosol-generating article 200 to heat it.

Referring to fig. 1 together, in embodiment 1 of the present invention, the overall shape of the microwave heating unit 100 is substantially cylindrical in some embodiments, however, the microwave heating unit 100 is not limited to cylindrical, and may be square, elliptical, or other shapes.

In embodiment 1, as shown in fig. 2, the microwave heating assembly 100 may include a first outer conductor unit 11, an inner conductor unit 12, a housing 13, and a microwave feeding unit 14.

The first outer conductor unit 11 is generally cylindrical, has a closed end 111 and an open end 112 opposite to the closed end 111, and defines a semi-closed first cavity 115.

The inner conductor unit 12 is used for adjusting the resonant frequency and the microwave distribution in the first cavity 115, and is coaxially disposed in the first cavity 115 of the first outer conductor unit 11, and one end (first fixed end) is connected to the closed end 111 of the first outer conductor unit 11, and is in ohmic contact with the end wall of the closed end 111, so as to form a short-circuited end of the microwave heating assembly 100; the other end (first free end) of the inner conductor unit 12 extends toward the open end 112 of the first outer conductor unit 11 and does not contact the first outer conductor unit 11, forming an open end of the microwave heating assembly 100.

The housing seat 13 is detachably mounted to the open end 112 of the first outer conductor unit 11, and includes a housing portion 131 disposed in the first cavity 115 for defining a housing space 1311, and the housing space 1311 is configured to house a lower structure of the aerosol-generating article 200. When the lower structure of the aerosol-generating article 200 is inserted in the receptacle 131, it is in the region where the microwave field is predominantly formed.

The microwave feeding unit 14 is configured to feed microwaves generated by the microwave generating device into the first cavity 115 (the feeding mode may include an electrical feeding mode or a magnetic feeding mode; and an electrical feeding mode is preferred). The microwave feeding unit 14 is detachably mounted to the outer peripheral wall of the first outer conductor unit 11.

Alternatively, the first outer conductor unit 11 may be integrally formed using a conductive metal material, preferably an aluminum alloy or copper. It is understood that the first outer conductor unit 11 is not limited to being integrally formed of a conductive material, but may be implemented by plating the inner wall surface of the non-conductive cylinder with a first conductive coating. The material from which the first conductive coating is made may include gold, silver, or a conductive metal oxide, or the like. Preferably, the first conductive coating is a silver coating or a gold coating.

As shown in fig. 2, the first outer conductor unit 11 may include a conductive first conductor side wall 113 and a first conductor end wall 114. The first conductor sidewall 113 may be cylindrical in shape as a whole, and includes two opposite ends. A first conductor end wall 114 is closed at a first end of the first conductor side wall 113 to form the closed end 111; the second end of the first conductor sidewall 113 has an opening structure, and the opening end 112 is formed, and the housing seat 13 can be mounted in the first cavity 115 from the opening end 112.

The first conductor side wall 113 and the first conductor end wall 114 define a semi-enclosed first cavity 115, the first cavity 115 including a first head cavity section 1151, a first neck cavity section 1152, and a first tail cavity section 1153 connected thereto. The three are arranged longitudinally and coaxially, the first head chamber segment 1151 is adjacent to the open end 112, the first tail chamber segment 1153 is adjacent to the closed end 111, the first neck chamber segment 1152 is a chamber segment located between the first head chamber segment 1151 and the first tail chamber segment 1153, and the average inner diameter (the average inner diameter refers to the average of the inner diameters corresponding to the positions in the chamber segments) of the chamber segments is smaller than the average inner diameters of the first head chamber segment 1151 and the first tail chamber segment 1153, and the first neck chamber segment 1152 is correspondingly located at the lower part of the accommodating space 1311 away from the open end 112, such that the inner wall surface of the first neck chamber segment 1152 is relatively close to the lower part of the accommodating space 1311. Furthermore, it is preferred that the end of the first neck cavity section 1152 remote from the open end 112 (the intersection of the first neck cavity section 1152 and the first tail cavity section 1153) is flush with the bottom end of the aerosol-generating article 200 disposed in the first cavity 115, relatively located at the same level of the first cavity 115.

It will be appreciated that the inner wall surface of the first neck cavity section 1152 is relatively close to the lower portion of the receiving space 1311, such that the inner wall surface of the first neck cavity section 1152 is as close as possible to the lower structure of the aerosol-generating article 200 when the aerosol-generating article 200 is inserted into the receiving space 1311. By designing the first cavity 115, the adjustment of the energy field distribution in the first cavity 115 is realized, the region of a stronger electric field around the lower structure of the aerosol-generating article 200 is enlarged, the heating effect on the lower structure of the aerosol-generating article 200 is improved, and the problem of insufficient carbonization of the lower portion of the aerosol-generating article 200 is improved, thereby improving the total smoke amount (the upper portion, the middle portion and the lower portion of the aerosol-generating article 200 are effectively carbonized) in the whole heating process of the aerosol-generating article 200.

In this embodiment, first head chamber section 1151 is a frustoconical passageway having an inner diameter that decreases from open end 112 to first neck chamber section 1152. The first neck cavity segment 1152 is a frustoconical channel having an inner diameter that gradually decreases from the first head cavity segment 1151 to the first tail cavity segment 1153. Preferably, the smooth transition between the first head chamber segment 1151 and the first neck chamber segment 1152 is such that the minimum inner diameter of the first head chamber segment 1151 is equal to the maximum inner diameter of the first neck chamber segment 1152. The first head chamber section 1151 and the first neck chamber section 1152 form a first channel having a frustoconical shape, with an inner diameter that decreases from the open end 112 to the first tail chamber section 1153. The first tail chamber section 1153 is a cylindrical channel having an inner diameter that is greater than the smallest inner diameter of the first neck chamber section 1152.

In addition, the first conductor side wall 113 is provided with a radially penetrating feed-in hole 116 near the first conductor end wall 114, and the feed-in hole 116 is used for inserting the microwave feeder 2 into the first outer conductor unit 11. The aperture of the feed-in hole 116 is adapted to the outer diameter of the outer conductor of the microwave feed-in device 2.

As shown in fig. 2, the inner conductor unit 12 may include a conductor post 121, a conductor plate 122 disposed above the conductor post 121, and a probe device 123 having one end embedded in the conductor plate 122 in embodiment 1. Preferably, the axes of the conductor post 121, the conductor disc 122, the probe device 123 and the first outer conductor unit 11 coincide with each other.

The conductor post 121 may be cylindrical in shape, including opposite second fixed ends (bottom ends) coaxially fixed to the first conductor end wall 114 of the first outer conductor unit 11, and second free ends (top ends) extending toward the open end 112 of the first outer conductor unit 11. The conductor post 121 is located in the first tail chamber section 1153 and has a diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the first tail chamber section 1153. It is to be understood that the conductor post 121 is not limited to be cylindrical, and may be square, elliptical, stepped, irregular, or the like.

Alternatively, the conductor post 121 may be integrally formed using a conductive metal material, preferably aluminum alloy or copper. It will be appreciated that the conductor post 121 is not limited to being integrally formed of a conductive material, but may be formed by plating the outer surface of the non-conductive body with a second conductive coating. The second conductive coating is preferably a silver or gold plated coating.

The conductor plate 122 is used for microwave conduction, and can also increase self inductance and capacitance and reduce resonance frequency, thereby facilitating further reduction of the size of the first cavity 115. The conductor disc 122 has a disc shape and is connected to the second free end of the conductor post 121. The conductive pad 122 may be integrally bonded to the conductive post 121, or may be soldered to the conductive post 121 and in ohmic contact with the conductive post 121. The conductor disc 122 is located in the first tail cavity section 1153 and has a diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the first tail cavity section 1153 and larger than the diameter of the conductor post 121.

Alternatively, the conductor disc 122 may be integrally formed of a conductive metallic material, preferably aluminum alloy or copper. It will be appreciated that conductor disc 122 is not limited to being integrally formed of a conductive material, but may be formed by plating the outer surface of the non-conductive body with a third conductive coating. The third conductive coating is preferably a silver or gold plated coating.

As shown in fig. 2, the probe arrangement 123 may comprise a probe for adjusting the microwave field distribution and the microwave feed frequency. The probe is in a longitudinal shape, the lower end of the probe can be fixedly or detachably embedded in the conductor disc 122, and good ohmic contact is formed with the conductor disc 122; the upper end of the probe extends upward and into the receptacle 131. As will be appreciated, when the aerosol-generating article 200 is extended into the receptacle 13, it can be sleeved on the outer periphery of the upper end of the probe; at this time, when microwaves are fed into the microwave heating assembly 100, a microwave field is formed by the part of the probe extending into the periphery of the structure of the accommodating seat 13, so as to microwave heat the aerosol-generating article 200.

Alternatively, the shape of the upper end of the probe may include one of a plane, a sphere, an ellipsoid, a cone, or a truncated cone; a frustoconical shape (not shown) is preferred because it serves to enhance the local field strength, which in turn increases the rate of atomization of the aerosol-generating article 200.

Alternatively, the probe may be integrally formed of a conductive metallic material, preferably stainless steel, aluminum alloy or copper. It will be appreciated that the probe is not limited to being integrally formed of a conductive material, but may be formed by plating the outer surface of the non-conductive body with a fourth conductive coating. The fourth conductive coating is preferably a silver or gold plated coating.

The probe device 123 may further comprise a temperature measuring element (not shown) provided in the probe for monitoring the internal temperature of the aerosol-generating article inserted into the receptacle 13 to facilitate temperature control. It will be appreciated that the probe may be of solid construction when temperature measurement is not required; and when temperature measurement is required, the probe may be a hollow probe.

As shown in fig. 2, the housing seat 13 may include a housing portion 131 and a fixing portion (not shown) integrally connected to the housing portion 131. The housing 131 is for housing the aerosol-generating article 200; the fixing portion is configured to axially seal on the open end 112 of the first outer conductor unit 11, and allow the accommodating portion 131 to extend into the first cavity 115.

The receptacle 131 may be cylindrical and may have an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameters of the first head chamber section 1151 and the chamber section. Alternatively, the outer diameter of the receptacle 131 is between 8mm-9mm, preferably 9mm. The receiving portion 131 defines an axial receiving space 1311 for receiving the aerosol-generating article 200. The fixing portion may have a ring shape and be coaxially coupled with the receiving portion 131. The fixing portion may be coaxially plugged at the open end 112 of the first outer conductor unit 11 to coaxially dispose the receiving portion 131 in the first cavity 115. Wherein the fixing portion comprises an axial through hole communicating the receiving cavity with the external environment, through which the aerosol-generating article 200 can be inserted into the receiving cavity.

Preferably, the accommodating seat 13 further comprises a plurality of longitudinal positioning ribs (not shown). The positioning ribs are uniformly arranged on the circumference of the wall surface of the accommodating cavity and/or the through hole at intervals. Each of the positioning ribs extends in a direction parallel to the axis of the housing seat 13. The ribs may be used in one aspect to grip the aerosol-generating article 200 inserted into the receiving cavity and/or through-hole and in another aspect form a longitudinally extending air inlet channel between each adjacent rib to facilitate ambient air being drawn into the bottom of the aerosol-generating article 200 and then into the aerosol-generating article 200 to carry away the aerosol generated by the microwave heating.

Preferably, an air intake gap 1312 may also be left below the receiving space 1311 to prevent the bottom end surface of the aerosol-generating article 200 from being completely covered, resulting in an unobstructed airflow. In this embodiment, the housing portion 131 includes an inner end surface 1313 abutting against the bottom end surface of the aerosol-generating article 200, and the inner end surface 1313 is provided with radially-distributed ribs (not shown) at uniform intervals. The inner end surface 1313 supports the aerosol-generating article by means of the ribs on the one hand, and the ribs on the other hand form radial second air inlet channels (i.e. air inlet gaps 1312). The second air inlet channels are respectively communicated with the first air inlet channels so as to facilitate the ambient air to be sucked into the bottom of the aerosol-generating product and then enter the aerosol-generating product to carry away the aerosol generated by microwave heating.

In some embodiments, the housing seat 13 may be made of a high temperature resistant material with low dielectric loss, which may be a polymer material (such as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), etc.), or a ceramic material (such as glass, quartz glass, alumina, zirconia, etc.).

As shown in fig. 2, the microwave feeder 2 may be a coaxial connector inserted from a feed hole 116 located at the circumferential side of the first outer conductor unit 11 and mounted on the first outer conductor unit 11. The microwave feedthrough 2 includes an outer conductor 141, an inner conductor 142 disposed within the outer conductor 141, and a dielectric layer 23 interposed between the inner conductor 142 and the outer conductor 141.

The outer conductor 141 has a cylindrical structure with two ends having an opening structure; when the microwave feeding device 2 is mounted on the first outer conductor unit 11, the side wall of the outer conductor 141 is in ohmic contact with the inner wall surface of the feeding hole 116 located on the first outer conductor unit 11.

The inner conductor 142 has a needle-like structure in a straight line shape, one end of which is a connection end and is positioned in the outer conductor 141; the other end is a feed-in end, which is located outside the outer conductor 141. The connecting end is used for being connected with the microwave generating device so as to be connected with microwaves; the connection mode can be a coaxial connection mode or a microstrip line connection mode. The feed-in end is relatively adjacent to the inner conductor unit 12 when the microwave feed-in device 2 is mounted to the first outer conductor unit 11 for insertion into a receptacle located on the conductor post 121 for electrical or magnetic coupling to guide microwaves to the inner conductor unit 12.

It is understood that the inner conductor 142 is not limited to be in a straight shape. In other embodiments, the inner conductor 142 may also be L-shaped (not shown) including a first section perpendicular to the axis of the first outer conductor unit 11 and a second section parallel to the first outer conductor unit 11. The first section is integrally connected to the second section, the end of the first section remote from the second section being connectable to the microwave generating means, and the end of the second section remote from the first section being in ohmic contact with the inner wall of the first outer conductor unit 11, such as the first conductor end wall 114.

The following description, in conjunction with experimental data, refers to fig. 3 to 4, and specifically demonstrates the function performed by the improved microwave heating assembly 100 of the present invention:

In the related art, the cavity of the outer conductor unit has a cylindrical passage, and the inner diameter of the cavity is equivalent. Referring to fig. 4, which is a graph showing the electric field distribution of a related art microwave heating assembly in a cavity, it can be seen from fig. 4 that at the location of the lower structure of the aerosol-generating article 200, the region 3 of interest, where the electric field is relatively strong, is drawn toward the probe, and the electric field fails to act on more of the lower structure of the aerosol-generating article 200.

Referring again to FIG. 3, an electric field profile was measured using the microwave heating assembly 100 of example 1 according to the present invention. In this test, the outer diameter of the housing portion 131 was 9mm; while the first channel formed by the first head chamber segment 1151 and the first neck chamber segment 1152 has a maximum inner diameter of 20mm (i.e., the first head chamber segment 1151 has a maximum inner diameter of 20 mm), the first channel has an inner diameter that tapers longitudinally downward and a minimum inner diameter of 9.2mm (the first neck chamber segment 1152 has a minimum inner diameter of 9.2 mm). As can be seen from fig. 3, at the location of the aerosol-generating article 200 infrastructure, the region of interest 3, which is relatively strong in the electric field, expands significantly laterally, the electric field being able to act on relatively more of the aerosol-generating article 200 infrastructure.

It can be seen that the inner wall surface of the first neck cavity section 1152 is relatively close to the lower portion of the accommodating space 1311, so that when the aerosol-generating article 200 is inserted into the accommodating space 1311, the inner wall surface of the first neck cavity section 1152 is as close to the lower structure of the aerosol-generating article 200 as possible, which can enlarge the region of a stronger electric field around the lower structure of the aerosol-generating article 200, improve the heating effect on the lower structure of the aerosol-generating article 200, and improve the problem of insufficient carbonization of the lower portion of the aerosol-generating article 200, thereby improving the total smoke amount (the upper portion, the middle portion and the lower portion of the aerosol-generating article 200 are effectively carbonized) of the whole heating process of the aerosol-generating article 200.

Referring again to fig. 5, there is shown a microwave heating assembly 1001 in embodiment 2 of the present invention, which is an improvement over the above-described embodiment 1, which is different from the microwave heating assembly 100 in embodiment 1 in that: the first outer conductor unit 11 in the above-described embodiment 1 is replaced with a second outer conductor unit 11 a.

In this embodiment, the second outer conductor unit 11a may include a conductive second conductor side wall 113a and a second conductor end wall 114a. The second conductor sidewall 113a may be cylindrical in shape as a whole, and includes two opposite ends. A second conductor end wall 114a is closed over the first end of the second conductor side wall 113a to form a closed end 111; the second end of the second conductor sidewall 113a is an open structure, forming an open end 112.

The second conductor side wall 113a and the second conductor end wall 114a define a semi-enclosed second cavity 115a, the second cavity 115a including a connected second head cavity section 1151a, second neck cavity section 1152a, and second tail cavity section 1153a. The three are arranged longitudinally and coaxially, the second head chamber segment 1151a is adjacent to the open end 112, the second tail chamber segment 1153a is adjacent to the closed end 111, the second neck chamber segment 1152a is located between the second head chamber segment 1151a and the second tail chamber segment 1153a, and the second neck chamber segment 1152a is correspondingly disposed at a lower portion of the accommodating space 1311 away from the open end 112. Preferably, the end of the second neck cavity section 1152a remote from the open end 112 (the junction of the second neck cavity section 1152a and the second tail cavity section 1153 a) is flush with the bottom end of the aerosol-generating article 200 disposed in the second cavity 115a, opposite to being located at the same level of the second cavity 115 a.

In this embodiment, the second head chamber segment 1151a is a cylindrical channel. The second neck cavity segment 1152a is a cylindrical channel with an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the second head cavity segment 1151a, and forms a stepped second channel with the second head cavity segment 1151 a. The inner wall surface of the second neck cavity section 1152a is relatively close to the lower portion of the receiving space 1311 such that when the aerosol-generating article 200 is inserted into the receiving space 1311, the inner wall surface of the second neck cavity section 1152a is relatively close to the lower structure of the aerosol-generating article 200. Optionally, the inner diameter of the second head chamber section 1151a is 20mm, and the inner diameter of the second neck chamber section 1152a is 9.2mm. Second, the second tail chamber section 1153a is a cylindrical channel having an inner diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the second neck chamber section 1152 a.

Referring again to fig. 6, there is shown a microwave heating assembly 1001 in embodiment 3 of the present invention, which is an improvement over the above-described embodiment 1, which is different from the microwave heating assembly 100 in embodiment 1 in that: the housing seat 13 is removed and the first outer conductor unit 11 in the above-described embodiment 1 is replaced with the third outer conductor unit 11 b.

As shown in fig. 6, the microwave heating assembly 100 does not include the housing seat 13. The outer conductor unit may comprise a conductive third conductor side wall 113b and a third conductor end wall 114b. The third conductor side wall 113b may be cylindrical in shape as a whole, and includes two ends disposed opposite to each other. A third conductor end wall 114b is closed over the first end of the third conductor side wall 113b to form a closed end 111; the second end of the third conductor sidewall 113b is an open structure, forming an open end 112.

The third conductor side wall 113b and the third conductor end wall 114b define a semi-enclosed third cavity 115b, the third cavity 115b including a third head cavity section 1151b, a third neck cavity section 1152b, and a third tail cavity section 1153b connected thereto. The three are arranged longitudinally and coaxially, the third head chamber segment 1151b is adjacent to the open end 112, the third tail chamber segment 1153b is adjacent to the closed end 111, the third neck chamber segment 1152b is located between the third head chamber segment 1151b and the third tail chamber segment 1153b, and the third neck chamber segment 1152b is correspondingly disposed at a lower portion of the accommodating space 1311 away from the open end 112. Preferably, the end of the third neck cavity section 1152b remote from the open end 112 (the junction of the third neck cavity section 1152b and the third tail cavity section 1153 b) is flush with the bottom end of the aerosol-generating article 200 disposed in the third cavity 115b, relatively located at the same level as the third cavity 115 b.

The third head chamber section 1151b has a frustoconical channel with an inner diameter that decreases from the open end 112 to the third neck chamber section 1152 b. The third neck chamber section 1152b has a frustoconical channel with an inner diameter that gradually decreases from the third head chamber section 1151b to the third tail chamber section 1153 b. The third tail chamber section 1153b is a cylindrical channel having an inner diameter that is greater than the smallest inner diameter of the third neck chamber section 1152 b.

In this embodiment, the receiving space 1311 is formed directly in the third neck cavity segment 1152b and the third head cavity segment 1151 b. The receiving space 1311 is located above the conductor plate 122 of the inner conductor unit 12, and the upper end of the probe of the inner conductor unit 12 extends upward into the second receiving space 1311. Optionally, a protrusion (not shown) may be provided on the top surface of the conductor disc 122, which aerosol-generating article 200 forms an air intake gap 1312 between the bottom end surface of the aerosol-generating article 200 and the top surface of the conductor disc 122 when the lower structure of the aerosol-generating article 200 protrudes into the receiving space 1311.

In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the third neck cavity section 1152b is relatively smaller than the first neck cavity section 1152 of embodiment 1, such that an inner wall surface of the third neck cavity section 1152b is able to be more proximate to an outer wall surface of the aerosol-generating article 200 than the first neck cavity section 1152. In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the third neck cavity section 1152b may be reduced to 7.2mm.

It will be appreciated that the housing 13 is not an essential feature of the present invention, and as an alternative, is applied in embodiment 1 to better secure the aerosol-generating article 200. In this embodiment 3, however, the aerosol-generating article 200 may be affixed thereto as appropriate upon insertion of the probe, and still normally the aerosol-generating article 200 may be subjected to microwave heating. Meanwhile, as the accommodating seat 13 is omitted, the cavity space is enlarged, and then the inner diameter of the third neck cavity section 1152b can be further reduced, so that the inner wall surface of the third neck cavity section 1152b can be more closely attached to the outer wall surface of the aerosol-generating article 200, and the heating (carbonization) effect on the lower structure of the aerosol-generating article 200 is further improved.

It is to be understood that the above examples only represent preferred embodiments of the present invention, which are described in more detail and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention; it should be noted that, for a person skilled in the art, the above technical features can be freely combined, and several variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention; therefore, all changes and modifications that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A microwave heating assembly for an aerosol-generating device, the microwave heating assembly comprising:

2. The microwave heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the neck cavity section is a cylindrical channel having an inner diameter sized between 7.2mm and 9.2 mm.

3. The microwave heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the neck cavity section is a frustoconical channel having a minimum inner diameter between 7.2mm and 9.2 mm.

4. A microwave heating assembly as in claim 1 wherein an air inlet gap is also left below the receiving space to avoid complete coverage of the bottom end face of the aerosol-generating article.

5. The microwave heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the head cavity section is a frustoconical channel.

6. The microwave heating assembly of claim 5, wherein the maximum inner diameter of the head cavity section is less than or equal to 20mm.

7. The microwave heating assembly of claim 5, wherein the neck cavity section is in smooth transition with the head cavity section.

8. The microwave heating assembly of claim 7, wherein the neck cavity section is a frustoconical passageway, the neck cavity section and the head cavity section forming a first frustoconical passageway having an inner diameter that tapers from the open end to the closed end.

9. The microwave heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the head cavity section is a cylindrical channel.

10. A microwave heating assembly as in claim 9 wherein the inner diameter of the head cavity section is less than or equal to 20mm.

11. The microwave heating assembly of claim 9, wherein the neck cavity section is a cylindrical channel, and the neck cavity section and the head cavity section form a stepped second channel.

12. The microwave heating assembly of claim 1, wherein inner wall surfaces of the head cavity section and the neck cavity section form the receiving space.

13. The microwave heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the tail cavity section is a cylindrical channel.

14. The microwave heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the head cavity section, the neck cavity section, and the tail cavity section are coaxial.

15. The microwave heating assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

16. The microwave heating assembly of claim 15, wherein the inner conductor unit comprises:

17. The microwave heating assembly of claim 16, wherein the inner conductor unit comprises:

18. The microwave heating assembly of claim 17, wherein the inner conductor unit comprises:

19. The microwave heating assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

20. A microwave heating assembly as in claim 19 wherein the receptacle is cylindrical and has an outer diameter between 8mm and 9 mm.

21. The microwave heating assembly of claim 1, further comprising a microwave feed unit;

the microwave feed unit includes:

22. The microwave heating assembly of claim 21, wherein the inner conductor is in a straight shape and is in ohmic contact with the inner conductor unit along an axis perpendicular to the inner conductor unit.

23. An aerosol-generating device comprising a microwave generating device, further comprising a microwave heating assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 22, the microwave feed unit being connected to the microwave generating device.