EP4381978A1

EP4381978A1 - Aerosol generation device

Info

Publication number: EP4381978A1
Application number: EP22852210.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Zexin WU; Supeng KUAI; Zhongli XU; Yonghai LI
Original assignee: Shenzhen FirstUnion Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen FirstUnion Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-02
Filing date: 2022-08-02
Publication date: 2024-06-12
Also published as: US20240324675A1; EP4381978A4; CN115701330A; WO2023011498A1

Abstract

An aerosol generation device is provided, including: a heating chamber, configured to removably receive an aerosol generation product; a heater (41, 410), provided with a proximal end and a distal end, where the proximal end of the heater (41, 410) is configured to be inserted into the aerosol generation product received in the heating chamber; a base (42, 420), configured to keep the distal end of the heater (41, 410); a fixing base (43, 430, 4300), configured to keep the base (42, 420); and a first spacer, disposed between the base (42, 420) and the fixing base (43, 430, 4300), so that a specific gap is at least partially kept between the base (42, 420) and the fixing base (43, 430, 4300). Through the first spacer disposed between the base (42, 420) and the fixing base (43, 430, 4300), a specific gap is at least partially kept between the base (42, 420) and the fixing base (43, 430, 4300); and a contact area between the base (42, 420) and the fixing base (43, 430, 4300) is reduced, heat loss of the heater (41, 410) caused by the contact between the base (42, 420) and the fixing base (43, 430, 4300) is avoided, and a surface temperature of the aerosol generation device can be reduced.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202110881326.X, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on August 2, 2021 and entitled "AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of this application relate to the field of cigarette device technologies, and in particular, to an aerosol generation device.

BACKGROUND

During use of smoking items such as cigarettes and cigars, tobacco is burnt to generate smoke. Attempts have been made to provide substitutes for these tobacco-burning items by producing products that release compounds without burning. An example of such a product is a so-called heat-not-burn product which releases compounds by heating instead of burning tobacco.
An existing aerosol generation device is provided with a heating needle that can be inserted into an aerosol generation product for heating to generate inhalable aerosols. The heating needle is generally provided with a flange, so that assembly is facilitated and a problem such as an excessively high temperature at a bottom portion can be avoided.
A problem of this aerosol generation device is that a contact area between the flange and a housing component is large, resulting in serious heat loss of the heating needle.

SUMMARY

This application provides an aerosol generation device to reduce a contact area between a flange of the aerosol generation device and a housing component, thereby reducing heat loss of a heating needle.
This application provides an aerosol generation device, including:

a heating chamber, configured to removably receive an aerosol generation product;
a heater, provided with a proximal end and a distal end, where the proximal end of the heater is configured to be inserted into the aerosol generation product received in the heating chamber;
a base, configured to keep the distal end of the heater;
a fixing base, configured to keep the base; and
a first spacer, disposed between the base and the fixing base, so that a specific gap is at least partially kept between the base and the fixing base.

According to the aerosol generation device provided in this application, through the first spacer disposed between the base and the fixing base, a specific gap is at least partially kept between the base and the fixing base; and a contact area between the base and the fixing base is reduced, heat loss of the heater caused by the contact between the base and the fixing base is avoided, and a surface temperature of the aerosol generation device can be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments are exemplarily described with reference to the corresponding figures in the accompanying drawings, and the exemplary descriptions are not to be construed as limiting the embodiments. Elements in the accompanying drawings that have same reference numerals are represented as similar elements, and unless otherwise particularly stated, the figures in the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generation device and an aerosol generation product according to a first implementation of this application;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generation device according to a first implementation of this application;
FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view of an aerosol generation device according to a first implementation of this application;
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generation device according to a first implementation of this application;
FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded view of a heat insulating assembly according to a first implementation of this application;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a heating assembly according to a first implementation of this application;
FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fixing base according to a first implementation of this application;
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a holder according to a first implementation of this application;
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a holder from another perspective according to a first implementation of this application;
FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fixing base according to a second implementation of this application;
FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generation device according to a third implementation of this application;
FIG. 12 is a schematic partial enlarged view of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a base according to a third implementation of this application;
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a fixing base according to a third implementation of this application;
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a sealing member according to a third implementation of this application; and
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a holder according to a third implementation of this application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For ease of understanding of this application, this application is described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementations. It should be noted that, when an element is expressed as "being fixed to" another element, the element may be directly on the another element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between the element and the another element. When an element is expressed as "being connected to" another element, the element may be directly connected to the another element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between the element and the another element. The terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", and similar expressions used in this specification are merely used for an illustrative purpose.
Unless otherwise defined, meanings of all technical and scientific terms used in this specification are the same as those usually understood by a person skilled in the technical field to which this application belongs. The terms used in this specification of this application are merely intended to describe objectives of the specific implementations, and are not intended to limit this application. The term "and/or" used in this specification includes any or all combinations of one or more related listed items.
As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, an aerosol generation device 100 provided in a first implementation of this application includes an upper cover 10, an extractor 20, a heat insulating assembly 30, a heating assembly 40, a sealing member 50, and a power supply assembly 60.
The power supply assembly 60 includes a substantially tubular housing 61, a battery core 62 disposed in the housing 61, a holder 63, a first circuit board 64, a second circuit board 65, and a button 66.
The battery core 62 is configured to supply power. In a preferred implementation, the battery core 62 is a rechargeable battery core.
Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, it may be understood that the holder 63 includes a heat insulating chamber 63a, a first accommodating chamber 63b, a second accommodating chamber 63c, a mounting surface 63d, a fixing hole 63e, a step 63f, a slot 63g, a support plate 63h, a convex buckle 63i, and a second bump 63j.
The second accommodating chamber 63c is located in the first accommodating chamber 63b. The second accommodating chamber 63c is configured to accommodate a vibration motor (not shown in the figure). The vibration motor is electrically connected to the first circuit board 64. A surface of the first circuit board 64 is mounted on the mounting surface 63d, and an end thereof is disposed on the support plate 63h. The first circuit board 64 is fixed on the mounting surface 63d through engagement between a fixing member (such as a screw) and the fixing hole 63e. The button 66 is electrically connected to the first circuit board 64 and is assembled on a surface of the first circuit board 64 to which the button is electrically connected. The button 66 runs through the housing 61 and is exposed outside the housing 61. When an end of the heat insulating assembly 30 is plugged into the power supply assembly 60, an other end of the heat insulating assembly 30 moves downward along a side wall of the holder 63 and is fixed in the slot 63g. The sealing member 50 is disposed on the step 63f, is sleeved on the heat insulating assembly 30 and the holder 63, and abuts against an inner wall of the housing 61. In this way, an end of the heat insulating assembly 30, the holder 63, and a gap between the inner wall of the housing 61 are sealed by the sealing member 50.
The first circuit board 64 is configured for overall control of the aerosol generation device 100.
The second circuit board 65 is electrically connected to the first circuit board 64 and is configured for charging management of the rechargeable battery core 62. One ends of three electrodes are electrically connected to the second circuit board 65, and the other ends are exposed at an end of the housing 61.
Referring to FIG. 5, it may be understood that the heat insulating assembly 30 includes an outer cylinder 31, an inner cylinder 32, and a magnetic member 33.
The outer cylinder 31 is sleeved on the inner cylinder 32 and includes a tubular body 31a and an extending portion 31b extending from the body 31a in a direction away from the body 31a. The extending portion 31b is substantially in a semi-tube shape. Similar to the outer cylinder 31, the inner cylinder 32 also includes a tubular body 312a and an extending portion 32b. The outer cylinder 31 is provided with a fastening hole 31a1, an accommodating groove 31a2, and an end portion 31a3, and the magnetic member 33 is accommodated in the accommodating groove 31a2.
When the heat insulating assembly 30 is plugged into the power supply assembly 60, the extending portion 32b of the inner cylinder 32 moves downward close to the side wall of the holder 63 and is fixed in the slot 63g, and the extending portion 31b of the outer cylinder 31 abuts against an edge of the slot 63g. Further, the fastening hole 31a1 matches the convex buckle 63i to connect the outer cylinder 31 to the holder 63 in a fastening manner.
The extractor 20 is configured to extract an aerosol generation product 200 received in a heating chamber A. The extractor 20 is constructed in a tube shape extending in an axial direction of the heating chamber A, and a tubular hollow portion of the extractor forms the heating chamber A. When the extractor 20 does not extract the aerosol generation product 200, an end thereof extends into the inner cylinder 32, and an other end is kept on the end portion 31a3 of the outer cylinder 31. An outer wall of the extractor 20 is provided with a chamber to accommodate a magnetic member 21. In this way, through cooperation of the magnetic member 21 and the magnetic member 33, the extractor 20 can be kept on the outer cylinder 31.
The upper cover 10 is sleeved on the heat insulating assembly 30 and the extractor 20, and the upper cover 10 abuts against an end portion of the extractor 20. The upper cover 10 is flush with the housing 61 of the power supply assembly 60, keeping the appearance neat and consistent. The upper cover 10 is further provided with an opening. The aerosol generation product 200 is removably received in the heating chamber A through the opening.
Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, it may be understood that the heat assembly 40 includes a heater 41, a base 42, and a fixing base 43.
The heater 41 is configured to heat the aerosol generation product 200 received in the heating chamber A to generate inhalable aerosols. The heater 41 may be constructed in a shape of a needle or a sheet, and a proximal end thereof may run through an end of the extractor 20 (the end of the extractor 20 that extends into the inner cylinder 32 is provided with a through hole), and is inserted into the aerosol generation product 200 received in the heating chamber A. A distal end of the heater 41 is kept in the base 42, and the fixing base 43 is configured to keep the base 42. The heater 41 and the base 42 may be integrally formed, or may be formed separately.
In the examples of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the heater 41 includes a resistive heating element (not shown) to be coupled to the battery core 62 to generate heat. The heater 41 and the base 42 are formed separately. The base 42 is substantially columnar and provided with a through hole. The distal end of the heater 41 is kept in the through hole of the base 42 and may be fixed by welding, gluing, or other manners.
The fixing base 43 includes a base body 43a and a second extending portion 43b extending radially from a first open end of the base body 43a toward the outside of the aerosol generation device 100. The base body 43a is provided with the first open end, a second open end opposite to the first open end, and an accommodating room 43 c extending from the first open end to the second open end; and the base 42 is at least partially accommodated in the accommodating room 43c. The accommodating room 43c matches a shape of the base 42.
An inner wall of the base body 43a is provided with a plurality of convex edges 43d that are spaced apart. In this way, when the base 42 is accommodated in the accommodating room 43c, the convex edges 43d abut against the base 42, so that a specific gap is at least partially kept between the base 42 and the fixing base 43. An outer wall of the base 42 and the inner wall of the base body substantially include four surfaces, and a contact area between the convex edges 43d and the base 42 is less than a surface area of a surface of the outer wall of the base 42. Preferably, the contact area between the convex edges 43d and the base 42 is less than half of the surface area of the surface; further preferably, the contact area between the convex edges 43d and the base 42 is less than one quarter of the surface area of the surface; further preferably, the contact area between the convex edges 43d and the base 42 is less than one-sixth of the surface area of the surface; further preferably, the contact area between the convex edges 43d and the base 42 is less than one-eighth of the surface area of the surface; and further preferably, the contact area between the convex edges 43d and the base 42 is less than one-sixteenth of the surface area of the surface. In this way, a contact area between the base 42 and the fixing base 43 is reduced by arranging the convex edges 43d, thereby avoiding heat loss of the heater 41.
It may be understood that, it is also feasible to directly dispose a first spacer similar to the convex edge 43d between the base 42 and the fixing base 43 or dispose the plurality of convex edges 43d on the outer wall of the base, to at least partially keep a specific gap between the base 42 and the fixing base 43.
It may further be understood that it is also feasible for the fixing base 43 to be configured to surround at least part of the base 42. In this case, a contact area between the first spacer and the base 42 is less than a surface area of the outer wall of the base 42 or a surface area of any surface of the outer wall of the base 42; or a contact area between the first spacer and the fixing base 43 is less than a surface area of an inner wall of the fixing base 43 or a surface area of any surface of the inner wall of the fixing base 43.
In a preferred implementation, the gap ranges from 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm; further preferably, the gap ranges from 0.15 mm 0.3 mm; further preferably, the gap ranges from 0.2 mm 0.3 mm; and further preferably, the gap ranges from 0.25 mm 0.3 mm.
The fixing base 43 further includes a first extending portion 43e extending radially from the second open end. In this way, when the base 42 is accommodated in the accommodating room 43c, the base 42 may be kept on the first extending portion 43e. Further, the first extending portion 43e is provided with a first bump 43f extending toward the first open end, so that a specific gap is at least partially kept between the base 42 and the first extending portion 43e. Similar to the above, it is also feasible to dispose a second spacer similar to the first bump 43f may be disposed between the base 42 and the first extending portion 43e, to at least partially keep a specific gap between the base 42 and the first extending portion 43e.
When the heat insulating assembly 30 is plugged into the power supply assembly 60, the second extending portion 43b is kept on an end portion of the holder 63. The second extending portion 43b may directly abut against the end portion of the holder 63 and be sealed by gluing. In a preferred implementation, the end portion of the holder 63 is provided with a plurality of second bumps 63j that are spaced apart and protrude toward the second extending portion 43b. The second extending portion 43b abuts against the second bumps 63j, which helps reduce a contact area between the second extending portion 43b and the holder 63, avoid heat loss of the heater 41, and prevent a temperature of the housing 61 from being too high.
When the second extending portion 43b is kept on the end portion of the holder 63, the heat insulating chamber 63a at least partially surrounds the base body 43a. Through arrangement of the heat insulating chamber 63a, heat transferred to the holder 63 may be reduced and the temperature of the housing 61 may be prevented from being too high. It may be understood that the heat insulating chamber 63a may perform heat insulation by sealing air, arranging heat insulating materials, vacuuming, and the like.
FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fixing base according to a second implementation of this application.
The fixing base 430 includes a base body 430a, a second extending portion 430b, an accommodating room 430c, convex edges 430d, and a first extending portion 430e. These components are similar to those shown in FIG. 7. For details, reference may be made to the foregoing content and the details are not described herein again.
Different from FIG. 7, the fixing base 430 further includes a third extending portion 430g extending axially from the second extending portion 430b toward the proximal end of the heater. The third extending portion 430g may be inserted into the aerosol generation product 200 received in the heating chamber A to transfer heat of the fixing base 430 to the aerosol generation product 200. The third extending portion 430g may be made of a material different from other components. In a preferred implementation, a heat conductivity of the third extending portion 430g is greater than a heat conductivity of the base body 430a and/or a heat conductivity of the second extending portion 430b, thereby helping transfer the heat of the fixing base 430 to the aerosol generation product 200. In another example, the third extending portion 430g may be made of a material same as other components, and the fixing base 430 may further include a heat conducting member (not shown) disposed on the third extending portion 430g, where the heat conducting member is configured to transfer the heat of the fixing base 430 to the aerosol generation product 200.
FIG. 11 to FIG. 16 are schematic diagrams of an aerosol generation device and other components according to a third implementation of this application.
It should be noted that, for most structures, reference may be made to the schematic diagrams and descriptions in FIG. 1 to FIG. 9. Differences from the examples in FIG. 1 to FIG. 9 are explained below.
In the examples of FIG. 11 to FIG. 16, the heater 410 is configured to be penetrated by a variable magnetic field to generate heat.
In the examples of FIG. 11 to FIG. 16, the first spacer includes a second convex edge 420a formed on an outer wall of the base 420. In a preferred implementation, a plurality of second convex edges 420a are spaced apart. When the base 420 is kept in the fixing base 4300, the second convex edge 420a abuts against the fixing base 4300, so that a specific gap is at least partially kept between the base 420 and the fixing base 4300.
In the examples of FIG. 11 to FIG. 16, the base 420 and the fixing base 4300 are configured to be connected in a fastening manner. Specifically, an outer wall of the base 420 is provided with a convex buckle 420b, and a side wall of the fixing base 4300 that is close to the second open end is provided with a fastening hole 4300i matching the convex buckle 420b.
In the examples of FIG. 11 to FIG. 16, the fixing base 4300 includes a fourth extending portion 4300h extending axially from the second extending portion 4300b toward the holder 630. The second extending portion 4300b is kept on a step 630j of the holder through the fourth extending portion 4300h, and the step 630j is formed in the heat insulating chamber 630a. In a preferred implementation, the fourth extending portion 4300h may be a plurality of bumps that are spaced apart to reduce a contact area between the fixing base 4300 and the holder.
In the examples of FIG. 11 to FIG. 16, the aerosol generation device further includes a sealing member 440, and the sealing member 440 is disposed between the base 420 and the fixing base 4300. An axial distance between the sealing member 440 and the heater 410 is less than an axial distance between the first spacer and the heater 410, that is, the sealing member 440 is disposed closer to a proximal end of the heater 410 relative to the second convex edge 420a.
Referring to FIG. 15, the sealing member 440 includes a body 440a and a deviation portion 440b. The body 440a and the deviation portion 440b are integrally formed. The body 440a is sleeved on the base 420. An end of the deviation portion 440b is disposed on the body 440a, and an other end deviates from the body 440a and abuts against the fixing base 4300. In this way, a contact area between the sealing member 440 and the fixing base 4300 is reduced, thereby reducing heat transfer.
In a preferred implementation, a longitudinal cross-section of the sealing member 440 is in an inverted V shape. An included angle θ between the deviation portion 440b and the body 440a is less than 90°; further preferably, the included angle θ between the deviation portion 440b and the body 440a is less than 60°; and further preferably, the included angle θ between the deviation portion 440b and the body 440a is less than 45°.
It should be noted that, in another example, the sealing member 440 may be a liquid sealant, and it is also feasible to implement sealing between the base 420 and the fixing base 4300 through the liquid sealant.
It should be noted that, the specification of this application and the accompanying drawings thereof illustrate preferred embodiments of this application. However, this application may be implemented in various different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. These embodiments are not intended to be an additional limitation on content of this application, and are provided for the purpose of providing a more thorough and comprehensive understanding of the content disclosed in this application. Moreover, the foregoing technical features are further combined to form various embodiments not listed above, and all such embodiments shall be construed as falling within the scope of this application. Further, a person of ordinary skill in the art may make improvements or modifications according to the foregoing description, and all the improvements and modifications shall fall within the protection scope of the attached claims of this application.

Claims

An aerosol generation device, comprising:
a heating chamber, configured to removably receive an aerosol generation product;

a heater, provided with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the heater is configured to be inserted into the aerosol generation product received in the heating chamber;

a base, configured to keep the distal end of the heater;

a fixing base, configured to keep the base; and

a first spacer, disposed between the base and the fixing base, so that a specific gap is at least partially kept between the base and the fixing base.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the gap ranges from 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, or ranges from 0.15 mm to 0.3 mm, or ranges from 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm, or ranges from 0.25 mm to 0.3 mm.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing base is configured to surround at least part of the base.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 3, wherein a contact area between the first spacer and the base is less than a surface area of an outer wall of the base or a surface area of any surface of the outer wall of the base; or a contact area between the first spacer and the fixing base is less than a surface area of an inner wall of the fixing base or a surface area of any surface of the inner wall of the fixing base.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 4, wherein the first spacer comprises a first convex edge formed on the inner wall of the fixing base, and the first convex edge abuts against the base; and/or
the first spacer comprises a second convex edge formed on the outer wall of the base, and the second convex edge abuts against the fixing base.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 3, wherein the fixing base is provided with a first open end, a second open end opposite to the first open end, and an accommodating room extending from the first open end to the second open end; and
the base is at least partially accommodated in the accommodating room.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 6, wherein the fixing base further comprises a first extending portion extending radially from the second open end, and the base is kept on the first extending portion.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 7, further comprising a second spacer disposed between the base and the first extending portion, so that a specific gap is at least partially kept between the base and the first extending portion.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 8, wherein the second spacer comprises a first bump formed on the first extending portion.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 6, wherein the base is buckled with the fixing base.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 10, wherein an outer wall of the base is provided with a convex buckle, and an inner wall of the fixing base is provided with a fastening hole matching the convex buckle.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing member, wherein the sealing member is disposed between the base and the fixing base.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 12, wherein an axial distance between the sealing member and the proximal end of the heater is less than an axial distance between the first spacer and the proximal end of the heater.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 12, wherein the sealing member is sleeved on the base.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 12, wherein the sealing member comprises a body and a deviation portion;
the body abuts against the base; and an end of the deviation portion is disposed on the body, and an other end deviates from the body and abuts against the fixing base.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 15, wherein an included angle between the deviation portion and the body is less than 90°; or an included angle between the deviation portion and the body is less than 60°; or an included angle between the deviation portion and the body is less than 45°.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 15, wherein a longitudinal cross-section of the sealing member is in an inverted V shape.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 1, further comprising a holder, configured to keep the fixing base.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 18, wherein the fixing base comprises a base body and a second extending portion extending radially from the base body toward the outside of the aerosol generation device; and the base body is configured to keep the base, and the second extending portion is kept on the holder.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 18, wherein the holder comprises a heat insulating chamber, and the heat insulating chamber at least partially surrounds the fixing base.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 18, wherein the fixing base comprises a third extending portion extending axially toward the proximal end of the heater; and
the third extending portion is configured to be inserted into the aerosol generation product to transfer heat of the fixing base to the aerosol generation product.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 21, wherein a heat conductivity of the third extending portion is greater than a heat conductivity of the base body.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 21, further comprising a heat conducting member disposed on the third extending portion, wherein the heat conducting member is configured to transfer the heat of the fixing base to the aerosol generation product.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 18, wherein the fixing base comprises a fourth extending portion extending axially toward the holder, so that the fixing base is kept on the holder through the fourth extending portion; or
an end portion of the holder is provided with a second bump protruding toward the fixing base, and the fixing base is kept on the second bump.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 1, further comprising an extractor, configured to extract the aerosol generation product received in the heating chamber.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the heater is integrally formed with the base.
The aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the heater is configured to be penetrated by a variable magnetic field to generate heat; or
the heater comprises a resistive heating element coupled to a battery core to generate heat.