EP4678038A1

EP4678038A1 - Aerosol generating apparatus, and heater for aerosol generating apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP4678038A1
Application number: EP24777824.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Liang Peng; Zhongli XU; Yonghai LI
Original assignee: Shenzhen FirstUnion Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen FirstUnion Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-03-24
Filing date: 2024-03-20
Publication date: 2026-01-14
Also published as: JP2026511192A; WO2024199035A1; KR20250160217A; CN118680338A

Abstract

Provided are an aerosol generating apparatus (100), and a heater (30) for the aerosol generating apparatus (100). The aerosol generating apparatus (100) includes: a heating element (32) including a first heating portion (321) and a second heating portion (322) that are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction; a battery cell (130), configured to supply power; a circuit, connecting the first heating portion (321) and the second heating portion (322) in series or in parallel to the battery cell (130), to perform heating simultaneously; and a temperature sensor, combined with the first heating portion (321). The circuit is further configured to control, based on a temperature that is of the first heating portion (321) and that is sensed by the temperature sensor, power provided for the first heating portion (321) and power provided for the second heating portion (322), for the first heating portion (321) to be maintained at a first target temperature and the second heating portion (322) to be maintained at a second target temperature. The foregoing aerosol generating apparatus (100) can selectively enable the first heating portion (321) and the second heating portion (322) of the heating element (32) to perform heating simultaneously in series or in parallel, and can control, based on a power correlation between the heating portions, temperatures of the first heating portion (321) and the second heating portion (322) only through the temperature sensor combined with the first heating portion (321).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310331626.X, filed with China National Intellectual Property Administration on March 24, 2023 and entitled "AEROSOL GENERATING APPARATUS, AND HEATER FOR AEROSOL GENERATING APPARATUS", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of this application relate to the field of aerosol generating technologies through heating rather than burning, and in particular, to an aerosol generating apparatus and a heater for an aerosol generating apparatus.

BACKGROUND

During use of tobacco products (such as cigarettes and cigars), tobacco is burnt to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts are made to replace these tobacco-burning products by manufacturing products that release compounds without burning.
An example of this type of products is a heating apparatus that releases compounds by heating rather than burning a material. For example, the material may be an aerosol generating product including tobacco or other non-tobacco products. These non-tobacco products may or may not include nicotine. To heat different parts of an aerosol generating product simultaneously to different temperatures, an existing heating apparatus includes a plurality of independent heating elements that respectively heat the different parts of the aerosol generating product under an electric power supply.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of this application provides an aerosol generating apparatus, configured to heat an aerosol generating product to generate an aerosol, including:

a heating element, configured to heat the aerosol generating product, where the heating element includes a first heating portion and a second heating portion that are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction;
a battery cell, configured to supply power;
a circuit, configured to selectively connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in series or in parallel to the battery cell, for the first heating portion and the second heating portion to perform heating simultaneously in series or in parallel; and
a temperature sensor, combined with the first heating portion, and configured to sense a temperature of the first heating portion, where
the circuit is further configured to control, based on the temperature that is of the first heating portion and that is sensed by the temperature sensor, power provided for the first heating portion and power provided for the second heating portion, for the first heating portion to be maintained at a first target temperature and the second heating portion to be maintained at a second target temperature.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating apparatus further includes:

a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode, where the first heating portion is electrically connected between the first electrode and the second electrode; the second heating portion is electrically connected between the first electrode and the third electrode; and
the circuit is configured to connect the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode in different electrical connection manners to the battery cell, to selectively connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in series or in parallel to the battery cell.

In some embodiments, the heating element further defines:
a gap, defined between the first heating portion and the second heating portion in the longitudinal direction, to prevent heat transfer between the first heating portion and the second heating portion.
In some embodiments, a gap is formed between the first heating portion and the second heating portion, so that the first heating portion and the second heating portion of the heating element are spaced apart but not arranged continuously. In addition, the first heating portion and the second heating portion are not in contact.
In some embodiments, the heating element is provided with a plurality of holes, to form a mesh pattern on the heating element.
In some embodiments, a dimension of the hole extending in the longitudinal direction of the heating element is greater than a dimension of the hole extending in a circumferential direction of the heating element.
In some embodiments, the holes include:

a first hole, arranged on the first heating portion; and
a second hole, arranged on the second heating portion.

In some embodiments, a dimension of the first hole extending in the longitudinal direction of the heating element is less than a dimension of the second hole extending in the longitudinal direction of the heating element; and/or

a dimension of the first hole extending in a circumferential direction of the heating element is less than a dimension of the second hole extending in the circumferential direction of the heating element; and/or
a gap between adjacent first holes is greater than a gap between adjacent second holes in the longitudinal direction and/or the circumferential direction of the heating element.

In some embodiments, the first heating portion includes: a plurality of first resistive conductor paths, defined by the first hole, and extending circuitously between the first electrode and the second electrode in a circumferential direction of the heating element; and/or
the second heating portion includes: a plurality of second resistive conductor paths, defined by the second hole, and extending circuitously between the first electrode and the third electrode in the circumferential direction of the heating element.
In some embodiments, a path length of the first resistive conductor path is less than a path length of the second resistive conductor path; and/or a width of the first resistive conductor path is greater than a width of the second resistive conductor path.
In some embodiments, the heating element further includes:
a connection portion, extending from the first heating portion to the second heating portion, and configured to electrically connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion.
In some embodiments, the first heating portion, the second heating portion, and the connection portion are formed integrally.
In some embodiments, the first electrode is at least partially combined with the connection portion.
In some embodiments, the heating element includes a first end and a second end that face away from each other in the longitudinal direction; and
the heating element is provided with a side opening extending from the first end to the second end, for the heating element to be unclosed in a circumferential direction.
In some embodiments, the side opening has a first side and a second side that face away from each other in the circumferential direction of the heating element; and
the first electrode is arranged on the first side, and the second electrode and the third electrode are arranged on the second side.
In some embodiments, the aerosol generating apparatus further includes:

a chamber, configured to receive the aerosol generating product; and
an opening, where during use, the aerosol generating product is capable of being at least partially received in the chamber through the opening or being removed from the chamber through the opening;
the heating element is arranged to surround at least a part of the chamber; and the first heating portion is closer to the opening than the second heating portion.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating apparatus further includes:

a base, surrounding or defining at least a part of the chamber, where
the heating element includes a coating or film or conductive trace or heating mesh combined with the base; and the heating element and the base conduct heat to each other, for the base to receive heat from the heating element to heat the aerosol generating product.

In some embodiments, the circuit is arranged to selectively connect one of a positive electrode or a negative electrode of the battery cell to the second electrode, and connect the other to the third electrode, to connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in series to the battery cell to perform heating simultaneously.
In some embodiments, the circuit is arranged to selectively connect one of a positive electrode or a negative electrode of the battery cell to the first electrode, and connect the other to both the second electrode and the third electrode, to connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in parallel to the battery cell to perform heating simultaneously.
In some embodiments, when the first heating portion and the second heating portion are connected in parallel to the battery cell to perform heating simultaneously, the power of the first heating portion is greater than the power of the second heating portion.
In some embodiments, when the first heating portion and the second heating portion are connected in series to the battery cell to perform heating simultaneously, the power of the first heating portion is less than the power of the second heating portion.
In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to:

connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in parallel to the battery cell in a first time phase, for the first heating portion and the second heating portion to perform heating simultaneously; and
connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in series to the battery cell in a second time phase, for the first heating portion and the second heating portion to perform heating simultaneously.

In some embodiments, the circuit is further configured to:

control the power provided for the first heating element and the power provided for the second heating element by the battery cell, to make a temperature of the first heating element higher than a temperature of the second heating element and maintain a first temperature difference in a first time phase, and to make a temperature of the first heating element higher than a temperature of the second heating element and maintain a second temperature difference in a second time phase, where
the first temperature difference is greater than the second temperature difference.

In some embodiments, a dimension of the first heating portion extending in a circumferential direction of the heating element is greater than a dimension of the second heating portion extending in the circumferential direction of the heating element.
In some embodiments, the second electrode and the second heating portion are staggered in the longitudinal direction of the heating element.
In some embodiments, the heating element includes at least one of a resistive heating element or an infrared heating element.
Another embodiment of this application further provides an aerosol generating apparatus, configured to heat an aerosol generating product to generate an aerosol, including:

a heating element, configured to heat the aerosol generating product, where the heating element includes a first heating portion and a second heating portion that are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction;
a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode, where the first heating portion is electrically connected between the first electrode and the second electrode; and the second heating portion is electrically connected between the first electrode and the third electrode;
a battery cell, configured to supply power; and
a circuit, configured to:
- in a first time phase, connect one of a positive electrode or a negative electrode of the battery cell to the first electrode, and connect the other to both the second electrode and the third electrode, to connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in parallel to the battery cell to perform heating simultaneously; and
- in a second time phase, connect one of the positive electrode or the negative electrode of the battery cell to the second electrode, and connect the other to the third electrode, to connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in series to the battery cell to perform heating simultaneously.

Another embodiment of this application further provides an aerosol generating apparatus, configured to heat an aerosol generating product to generate an aerosol, including:

a heating element, configured to heat the aerosol generating product, where the heating element includes a first heating portion and a second heating portion that are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction;
a battery cell, configured to supply power; and
a circuit, configured to:
- connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in parallel to the battery cell in a first time phase, to perform heating simultaneously based on power of the first heating portion being greater than power of the second heating portion; and
- connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in series to the battery cell in a second time phase, to perform heating simultaneously based on power of the first heating portion being less than power of the second heating portion.

Another embodiment of this application further provides a heater for an aerosol generating apparatus, including:

a base, arranged in a tubular shape and extending in a length direction of the heater;
a heating element, arranged around at least a part of the base, where the heating element includes:
- a first heating portion and a second heating portion that are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction;
- a gap, defined between the first heating portion and the second heating portion in the longitudinal direction, to prevent heat transfer between the first heating portion and the second heating portion;
- a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode, where the first heating portion is electrically connected between the first electrode and the second electrode; and the second heating portion is electrically connected between the first electrode and the third electrode; and
- a temperature sensor, combined with the first heating portion, and configured to sense a temperature of the first heating portion.

The foregoing aerosol generating apparatus can selectively enable the two portions of the heating element to perform heating simultaneously in series or in parallel, and can control, based on a power correlation between the two portions, temperatures of the two portions only through the temperature sensor combined with the first heating portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus according to an embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a heater in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the heater in FIG. 2 before assembly of all parts;
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a heating element in FIG. 3 unfolded in a circumferential direction;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of steering a current on a heating element according to an embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of steering a current on a heating element according to another embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of steering a current on a heating element according to another embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of steering a current on a heating element according to another embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a heating curve of a heating element in a heating process according to an embodiment; and
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a heating curve of a heating element in a heating process according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The technical solution in the embodiments of this application is clearly and completely described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. Apparently, the described embodiments are merely some rather than all of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on embodiments of this application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of this application.
The terms "first", "second", and "third" in this application are merely intended for a purpose of description, and shall not be understood as indicating or implying relative significance or implicitly indicating a quantity or order of indicated technical features. All directional indications (such as upper, lower, left, right, front, and back) in the embodiments of this application are merely used for explaining a relative position relationship, a motion situation, or the like between components in a particular posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the particular posture changes, the directional indications change correspondingly. In addition, the terms "include", "have", and any variants thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device including a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but further optionally includes steps or units that are not listed, or further optionally includes other steps or units inherent to the process, method, product, or device.
The "embodiment" mentioned in this specification means that particular features, structures, or characteristics described with reference to the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The phrase appearing at various locations in this specification unnecessarily indicates the same embodiment or an independent or alternative embodiment exclusive of other embodiments. A person skilled in the art explicitly or implicitly understands that the embodiments described in this specification may be combined with other embodiments.
It needs to be noted that, when an element is "fixed" to another element, the element may be directly on the another element, or there may be an intervening element. When an element is "connected" to another element, the element may be directly connected to the another element, or there may be one or more intervening elements. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right", and similar expressions used herein are merely for the purpose of description, but do not indicate a unique implementation.
An embodiment of this application provides an aerosol generating apparatus 100 that heats but does not burn an aerosol generating product 1000, for example, a cigarette, to volatilize or release at least one component of the aerosol generating product 1000 to form an aerosol for inhalation, as shown in FIG. 1.
In an optional implementation, the aerosol generating product 1000 is preferably made of a tobacco-containing material that releases a volatile compound from a substrate when being heated, or may be made of a non-tobacco material suitable for releasing smoke through electrical heating after being heated. The aerosol generating product 1000 is preferably made of a solid substrate, which may include one or more of powder, particles, fragmented strips, strips, or sheets of one or more of vanilla leaves, dried flowers, herbaceous crops with volatile fragrance, tobacco leaves, homogeneous tobacco, and expanded tobacco. Alternatively, the solid substrate may include additional tobacco or non-tobacco compounds with volatile fragrance to be released when the substrate is heated.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, after the aerosol generating product 1000 is received by the aerosol generating apparatus 100, a part of the aerosol generating product, for example, a filter tip, is exposed outside the aerosol generating apparatus 100, which is beneficial for inhalation by a user.
A structure of the aerosol generating apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of this application may be shown in FIG. 1. An overall shape of the apparatus is roughly configured into a flat cylinder shape, and an external component of the aerosol generating apparatus 100 includes:
a housing 10, substantially defining an outer surface of the aerosol generating apparatus, and being hollow inside, to form assembly space for necessary functional components such as an electronic device and a heating device. The housing 10 has a proximal end 110 and a distal end 120 that are opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction. During use, the proximal end 110 is an end close to a user to facilitate operation, accommodation, heating, and inhalation of the aerosol generating product 1000; and the distal end 120 is an end away from the user.
The proximal end 110 is provided with a receiving port 111, and the aerosol generating product 1000 can be received into the housing 10 through the receiving port 111 to be heated or removed from the housing 10.
The distal end 120 is provided with an air inlet hole 121; and the air inlet hole 121 is provided to allow outside air to enter the housing 10 during inhalation.
In some examples, the housing 10 may be formed by a metal or alloy such as stainless steel or aluminum. Other suitable materials include various plastics (for example, polycarbonate), metal-plating over plastics, ceramics, and the like.
As shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating apparatus 100 further includes:
a chamber, configured to accommodate or receive the aerosol generating product 1000. During use, the aerosol generating product 1000 is removably received in the chamber through the receiving port 111.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating apparatus 100 further includes:
an air channel 150, located between the chamber and the air inlet hole 121. Then, during use, the air channel 150 provides a channel path from the air inlet hole 121 into the chamber/aerosol generating product 1000, as shown by an arrow R11 in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating apparatus 100 further includes:

a battery cell 130 for supplying power, where preferably, the battery cell 130 is a rechargeable direct-current battery cell 130 and can be connected to an external power supply for charging; and
a circuit board 140, in which a circuit is arranged or integrated, configured to control heating or operation of the aerosol generating apparatus 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating apparatus 100 further includes:
a heater 30, at least partially surrounding and defining the chamber. When the aerosol generating product 1000 is received in the housing 10, the heater 30 at least partially surrounds or encloses the aerosol generating product 1000 and performs heating from a periphery of the aerosol generating product 1000. In addition, when received in the housing 10, the aerosol generating product 1000 is at least partially accommodated and held in the heater 30.
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the heater 30 is configured substantially into an elongated tubular shape, and includes:
a tubular base 31, arranged around a chamber; and the chamber that is for receiving the aerosol generating product 1000 and that is surrounded and defined by a tubular hollow 330 of the base 31 during implementation. A material of the base 31 is a material with good thermal conductivity, for example, ceramic, glass, or a surface-insulated metal or alloy such as anodized aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper alloy, or stainless steel. During use, the base 31 is at least partially defined and configured to accommodate and hold the aerosol generating product 1000. In addition, in some implementations, thermal conductivity of the base 31 is at least 10 W/m.k, preferably at least 100 W/m.k. Alternatively, in some implementations, thermal conductivity of the base 31 is greater than 200 W/m.k or higher. In some implementations, the base 31 includes a metal suitable for the foregoing high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, copper, titanium, or an alloy including at least one of aluminum, copper, and titanium.
In some specific implementations, the base 31 has a wall thickness of about 0.05 mm to 1 mm; and the base 31 has an inner diameter of about 5.0 mm to 8.0 mm; and the base 31 has a length of about 30 mm to 60 mm. During implementation, the aerosol generating product 1000 is surrounded or enclosed by the base 31 by a length greater than 30 mm; or the aerosol generating product 1000 is heated by the base 31 by a length greater than 30 mm.
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the heater 30 further includes:
a heating element 32, at least partially surrounding or enclosing the base 31. During use, the base 31 receives or transfers heat from the heating element 32 to heat the aerosol generating product 1000.
In some implementations, the heating element 32 includes a resistive heating element; and the heating element 32 can generate resistive Joule heat when a direct current flows through the heating element 32. In addition, in some implementations, the heating element 32 is made of a metal material, a metal alloy, graphite, carbon, or a composite material of conductive ceramic or another ceramic material and a metal material, with appropriate impedance. An appropriate metal or alloy material includes at least one of nickel, cobalt, zirconium, titanium, a nickel alloy, a cobalt alloy, a zirconium alloy, a titanium alloy, a nickel chromium alloy, a nickel iron alloy, an iron chromium alloy, an iron chromium aluminum alloy, an iron manganese aluminum based alloy, stainless steel, or the like. Alternatively, in some other implementations, the heating element 32 may further include an electromagnetic induction heating element, an infrared heating element, or the like.
Alternatively, in some other varied implementations, the heater 30 may include only a heating element 32, and the heating element 32 surrounds or defines a chamber to accommodate the aerosol generating product 1000 and directly transfer heat to the aerosol generating product 1000 for heating.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the heating element 32 is configured into a cylindrical shape surrounding or enclosing the base 31. In addition, a dimension of the heating element 32 extending in a longitudinal direction of the heater 30 is less than an extension dimension of the base 31. For example, in some specific implementations, the heating element 32 has a length greater than 20 mm to 50 mm. For example, specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the heater 30 includes an end portion 310 and an end portion 320 that face away from each other in the longitudinal direction. In addition, in a specific implementation, the end portion 310 and the end portion 320 are defined by two ends of the base 31 in the longitudinal direction. There is a gap d1 between a first end of the heating element 32 and the end portion 310, and the gap d1 is about 3 mm to 10 mm; and there is a gap d2 between a second end of the heating element 32 and the end portion 320, and the gap d2 is about 3 mm to 10 mm.
After assembly, the heating element 32 does not completely surround or enclose an outer surface of the base 31, so that the outer surface of the base 31 has a first exposed region 311 that is defined by the gap d1 and that is close to the end portion 310. In addition, the outer surface of the base 31 has a second exposed region 312 that is defined by the gap d2 and that is close to the end portion 320. During assembly, the aerosol generating apparatus 100 supports the heater 30 by combining a clamping component or a supporting component or a fixing component to the first exposed region defined by the gap d1 and the second exposed region defined by the gap d2.
In some implementations, the heating element 32 is insulated from the base 31. In some conventional implementations, a surface insulating layer may be formed on the outer surface of the base 31 through surface anodization, spraying, deposition, or the like. The surface insulating layer may include at least one of an oxide, a glaze, ceramic, an organic polymer, and the like. Alternatively, in some other implementations, an insulating organic polymer film is provided between the heating element 32 and the base 31, to provide insulation therebetween. For example, the organic polymer film is a polyimide film or a polytetrafluoroethylene film.
As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the heating element 32 is a resistive heating mesh. In this embodiment, the heating element 32 is a heating element obtained by rolling a sheet or mesh substrate. The rolled heating element 32 is in an unclosed tubular shape in a circumferential direction, and is in a cylindrical shape with a side opening 335 in a longitudinal direction. In addition, the side opening 335 extends from the first end to the second end of the heating element 32 in the longitudinal direction. In addition, in some implementations, the side opening 335 has a width of about 2 mm to 6 mm.
Alternatively, in some other varied embodiments, the surface of the base 31 is insulated; and the heating element 32 is a resistive heating trace or film or coating formed on the base 31 through printing, spraying, deposition, or the like. For example, the heating element 32 is a resistive heating trace that meanders and twists in the circumferential direction; or the heating element 32 is a patterned resistive heating trace.
Alternatively, in some other varied embodiments, the heating element 32 is an infrared-emitting coating formed on the base 31 through printing, spraying, deposition, or the like. The heating element 32 is an electrically induced infrared-emitting coating. When a current flows through the infrared-emitting coating, the infrared-emitting coating can emit an infrared ray into the chamber to heat the aerosol generating product 1000. The infrared-emitting coating for radiating infrared rays may include oxides of at least one or more metal elements such as Mg, Al, Ti, Zr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, and Zn. These metal oxides can radiate far-infrared rays with a heating effect when electrothermally heated to appropriate temperatures.
As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the heating element 32 includes:
a first heating portion 321 and a second heating portion 322 that are arranged in a longitudinal direction. The first heating portion 321 is closer to the proximal end 110 and/or the end portion 310, and the second heating portion 322 is closer to the distal end 120 and/or the end portion 320.
A gap d3 is defined between the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322. The first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 are not arranged continuously through the gap d3. In addition, the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 are separated through the gap d3, so that the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, the gap d3 has a length of about 3 mm to 10 mm. Then, after assembly, a third exposed region 313 defined by the gap d3 is formed on the surface of the base 31.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the heating element 32 unfolded in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 of the unfolded heating element 32 are each in a mesh shape. In addition, a length of the unfolded heating element 32 is greater than a width of the unfolded heating element 32. For example, in FIG. 4, a length of the unfolded heating element 32 is about 32.8 mm, and a width of the unfolded heating element 32 is about 18.7 mm. In addition, a ratio of the length to the width of the heating element 32 is at least 1.5 or higher, which is conducive to reducing resistance and increasing power in the same area. Moreover, in some implementations, when a ratio of a length of the heating element 32 to an extension dimension or circumference in the circumferential direction is at least 1.5 or higher, resistance of the heating element 32 can be further reduced to 0.6 Ω or lower by steering a current in the circumferential direction of the heating element 32, which is advantageous. Alternatively, in some other implementations, resistance of the heating element 32 can be further reduced to 0.3 Ω or lower by steering a current in the circumferential direction of the heating element 32, and it is conducive to controlling the overall resistance of the heating element 32 to be 0.2 Ω to 0.6 Ω.
In addition, further, as shown in FIG. 4, in the unfolded heating element 32, the first heating portion 321 is close to or defines the first end, and the second heating portion 322 is close to or defines the second end. Moreover, in some implementations, an extension length of the first heating portion 321 is substantially equal to an extension length of the second heating portion 322; or the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 have a substantially same extension length. For example, in a specific implementation, the first heating portion 321 and/or the second heating portion 322 have/has a length of about 15 mm. Alternatively, in some other varied implementations, an extension length of the first heating portion 321 is greater than an extension length of the second heating portion 322; or the second heating portion 322 is longer than the first heating portion 321.
During use, electrodes are spaced apart in the circumferential direction, so that a current is steered in the circumferential direction of the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 of the heating element 32. The unfolded heating element 32 includes a first side 3210 and a second side 3220 that face away from each other in a width direction. The heater 30 further includes:

a first electrode 331, for example, an elongated conductive lead, extending from the first end of the heating element 32 to the outside of the second end, where the first electrode 331 is combined with both the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 on the first side 3210 for electric conduction;
a second electrode 332, for example, an elongated conductive lead, combined with the first heating portion 321 on the second side 3220 for electric conduction; and
a third electrode 333, for example, an elongated conductive lead, combined with the second heating portion 322 on the second side 3220 for electric conduction.

After arrangement on the base 31, the first side 3210 and the second side 3220 define the side opening 335; or the side opening 335 is located between the first side 3210 and the second side 3220 in the circumferential direction.
The first electrode 331 and/or the second electrode 332 and/or the third electrode 333 are/is made of a good conductive metal material with relatively low resistivity, such as gold, silver, copper, or an alloy thereof. During use, a current can be steered in the circumferential direction of the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 through the first electrode 331 and/or the second electrode 332 and/or the third electrode 333. In addition, the first electrode 331 and/or the second electrode 332 and/or the third electrode 333 are/is securely combined with the heating element 32 through welding or in another manner for electric conduction.
Moreover, the heating element 32 is provided with holes. These holes are provided substantially in a matrix or array or regular pattern, so that the heating element 32 is in a mesh shape. In the implementation shown in FIG. 4, the hole is in a rectangular shape; and a dimension of the hole in a length direction of the heating element 32 is greater than a dimension of the hole in the circumferential direction or a width direction of the heating element 32. Alternatively, the hole extends in a length direction of the heating element 32.
Alternatively, in some other varied embodiments, the heating element 32 further has more heating portions, for example, a third heating portion spaced apart from the second heating portion 322 in the longitudinal direction; or may further include a fourth heating portion, a fifth heating portion, and the like.
Correspondingly, the heater 30 may further include more electrodes. In addition, some electrodes may be used as common electrodes of a plurality of heating portions. For example, in some specific embodiments, the heater 30 may include:

a first heating portion 321, a second heating portion 322, and a third heating portion;
a first electrode 331, arranged on the first side 3210, extending from the first heating portion 321 to the second heating portion 322, and performing electric conduction with both the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322;
a second electrode 332, arranged on the second side 3220, and only combined with the first heating portion 321 for electric conduction;
a third electrode 333, arranged on the second side 3220, extending from the second heating portion 321 to the third heating portion, and performing electric conduction with both the second heating portion 322 and the third heating portion; and
a fourth electrode, arranged on the first side 3210, and only combined with the third heating portion for electric conduction.

During implementation, a manner of connecting the foregoing electrode and circuit may be adjusted to selectively heat one of the first heating portion 321, the second heating portion 322, and the third heating portion alone, heat two of the first heating portion 321, the second heating portion 322, and the third heating portion in parallel or in series in parallel or in series, or heat all of the first heating portion 321, the second heating portion 322, and the third heating portion in parallel or in series or in series and parallel.
Specifically, the holes on the heating element 32 include:

a hole 3211, arranged on the first heating portion 321; and
a hole 3221, arranged on the second heating portion 322.

In some implementations, the hole 3211 on the first heating portion 321 and/or the hole 3221 on the second heating portion 322 are/is formed through laser cutting or etching on a sheet substrate before forming the heating element 32 through rolling. The holes 3211 on the first heating portion 321 are arranged in an array, so that the first heating portion 321 is in a mesh shape; and the holes 3221 on the second heating portion 322 are arranged in an array, so that the second heating portion 322 is in a mesh shape.
In the embodiments of FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the hole 3211 and/or the hole 3221 are/is a rectangular hole. Alternatively, in some other varied embodiments, the hole 3211 and/or the hole 3221 may be in a circular, triangular, or polygonal shape.
In some embodiments, an area of the hole 3211 on the first heating portion 321 is smaller than an area of the hole 3221 on the second heating portion 322. Alternatively, a length of the hole 3211 on the first heating portion 321 is less than a length of the hole 3221 on the second heating portion 322; or a width of the hole 3211 on the first heating portion 321 is less than a width of the hole 3221 on the second heating portion 322. For example, in some implementations, the hole 3211 has a length of about 3 mm to 7 mm and a width of about 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm; and the hole 3221 has a length of about 4 mm to 8 mm and a width of about 0.7 mm to 1.2 mm.
Alternatively, in some other varied embodiments, the hole 3211 and/or the hole 3221 may be arranged to have a dimension extending in the circumferential direction of the heating element 32 greater than a dimension extending in the longitudinal direction of the heating element 32; that is, the hole 3211 and/or the hole 3221 have/has a longer shape in the circumferential direction.
In the implementation shown in FIG. 4, in a width direction, a gap d31 between adjacent holes 3211 on the first heating portion 321 is about 0.5 mm; and in a length direction, a gap d32 between adjacent holes 3211 is about 0.5 mm. In addition, in the implementation shown in FIG. 4, in the width direction, a gap d33 between adjacent holes 3221 on the second heating portion 322 is about 0.2 mm; and in the length direction, a gap d34 between adjacent holes 3221 is about 0.2 mm.
As shown in FIG. 4, the heating element 32 further includes:
a connection portion 324, arranged on the first side 3210, where the connection portion 324 extends from the first heating portion 321 to the second heating portion 322, to connect the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 for electric conduction. Then, based on the connection portion 324, the gap d33 is closed on the first side 3210, and the gap d33 is open on the second side 3220.
In some embodiments, the heating element 32 including the first heating portion 321, the connection portion 324, and the second heating portion 322 is formed or prepared integrally. For example, the first heating portion 321, the connection portion 324, and the second heating portion 322 are obtained integrally after a sheet substrate precursor is etched or cut to remove excess parts.
In an embodiment, the first electrode 331 and the connection portion 324 are combined and electrically conductive. Therefore, it is conducive to improving stability of the electrical connection between the first electrode 331 and the first heating portion 321 as well as between the first electrode 331 and the second heating portion 322.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a width of the first heating portion 321 may be greater than a width of the second heating portion 322. Therefore, when the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 are flush on the first side 3210, the first heating portion 321 protrudes slightly relative to the second heating portion 322 on the second side 3220. In this case, after the second electrode 332 and the third electrode 333 are welded, in the longitudinal direction of the heating element 32, the elongated second electrode 332 and the third electrode 333/second heating portion 322 are staggered, which is conducive to preventing a short circuit therebetween.
Alternatively, in some other varied embodiments, a width of the first heating portion 321 may be equal to a width of the second heating portion 322. In this case, after the elongated second electrode 332 and the third electrode 333 are welded, an insulating tube is sleeved on or a surface insulating layer is sprayed on each of the second electrode 332 and the third electrode 333, to provide insulation to prevent a short circuit formed due to contact between the second electrode 332 and the third electrode 333 during assembly.
During use, any two or three of the first electrode 331, the second electrode 332, and the third electrode 333 can be selectively connected to the circuit board 140, to selectively steer a current on the first heating portion 321 and/or the second heating portion 322 of the heating element 32. Specifically, for example, through a switch transistor, for example, a MOS transistor, that can switch between an on state and an off state, the first electrode 331, the second electrode 332, and the third electrode 333 are selectively connected to the circuit board 140, so that a heated segment of the aerosol generating product 1000 by the heating element 32 can be changed.
The first electrode 331, the second electrode 332, and the third electrode 333 are selectively connected to the circuit board 140 in different electrical connection manners, so that only one of the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 can be selectively used alone for heating, or the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 can be selectively used in series or in parallel for simultaneous heating.
Specifically, for example, one of the first heating portion 321 or the second heating portion 322 may be enabled alone for heating, and the other is not enabled for heating, to heat a partial segment of the aerosol generating product 1000 alone. In another example, the first heating portion 321 or the second heating portion 322 is connected to the circuit board 140 in different series or parallel connection manners, so that the first heating portion 321 or the second heating portion 322 can heat different segments of the aerosol generating product 1000 simultaneously with different powers. In this case, different temperatures are generated on the segments that are of the aerosol generating product 1000 and that are surrounded by the first heating portion 321 or the second heating portion 322, resulting in different aerosol generating efficiencies.
Specifically, for example, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram in which the first electrode 331 and the second electrode 332 are respectively connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the battery cell 130 after the first electrode 331 and the second electrode 332 are connected to the circuit board 140, to form a loop to steer a current i11 on the first heating portion 321 in an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, in a connection manner in which a closed loop is formed in the manner in FIG. 5, a working current in the circumferential direction is formed only on the first heating portion 321, and there is no current on the second heating portion 322.
As shown in FIG. 5, when a current is steered on the first heating portion 321 through the first electrode 331 and the second electrode 332, several resistive conductor paths from the first electrode 331 to the second electrode 332 in the circumferential direction are formed on the first heating portion 321. These resistive conductor paths substantially extend circuitously; and these resistive conductor paths are defined and formed by several holes 3211.
Specifically, for example, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram in which the first electrode 331 and the third electrode 333 are respectively connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the battery cell 130 after the first electrode 331 and the third electrode 333 are connected to the circuit board 140, to form a loop to steer a current i21 on the second heating portion 322 in another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, in a connection manner in which a closed loop is formed in the manner in FIG. 6, a working current in the circumferential direction is formed only on the second heating portion 322, and there is no current on the first heating portion 321. As shown in FIG. 6, when a current is steered on the second heating portion 322 through the first electrode 331 and the second electrode 332, several resistive conductor paths from the first electrode 331 to the third electrode 333 in the circumferential direction are formed on the second heating portion 322. These resistive conductor paths substantially extend circuitously; and these resistive conductor paths are defined and formed by several holes 3221.
In the implementations of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a width of a path of the current i11 is greater than a width of a path of the current i21. In this case, when a current is steered on the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 in the circumferential direction in the manner of FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, a resistance value of the first heating portion 321 is less than a resistance value of the second heating portion 322.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of steering currents simultaneously on the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 that are in parallel in another embodiment. In FIG. 7, the first electrode 331 is connected to the circuit board 140 to be connected to the positive electrode of the battery cell 130, and the second electrode 332 and the third electrode 333 are connected to the circuit board 140 to be connected to the negative electrode of the battery cell 130. In this case, a circumferential current i12 on the first heating portion 321 and a circumferential current i22 on the second heating portion 322 can be formed simultaneously, so that the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 can perform heating simultaneously. In this case, the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 that are in parallel have same voltages at two ends. Then, it can be learned according to the formula P = U²/R of a relationship among power, voltage, and resistance that the first heating portion 321 has a smaller resistance, so that the first heating portion 321 has heating power greater than that of the second heating portion 322.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of steering currents simultaneously on the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 that are in series in another embodiment. In FIG. 8, the second electrode 332 is connected to the circuit board 140 to be connected to the positive electrode of the battery cell 130, and the third electrode 333 is connected to the circuit board 140 to be connected to the negative electrode of the battery cell 130. In addition, in this embodiment, the first electrode 331 is not connected to the circuit, so that a series arrangement of the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 in FIG. 8 is formed. Moreover, in FIG. 8, a total current i13 on the first heating portion 321 and a total current i23 on the second heating portion 322 are the same. It can be learned according to the formula P = I² × R of a relationship among power, current, and resistance that, when resistance of the first heating portion 321 is lower than resistance of the second heating portion 322, power of the first heating portion 321 is lower than that of the second heating portion 322.
During implementation, any manner in FIG. 5 to FIG. 8 can be selectively used for the circuit board 140 to supply power to the heating element 32, so that only one or both of the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 can be heated.
Alternatively, in some other varied embodiments, the heater 30 further includes:
a thermal insulation element, configured to surround or enclose the heating element 32 from an outer side, to provide thermal insulation from the outer side. The thermal insulation element is, for example, a rolled-up aerogel blanket or a porous material or a vacuum tube. Alternatively, in some other varied embodiments, the thermal insulation element of the heater 30 is a tube with an inner thermal insulation cavity. The thermal insulation cavity is provided between an inner surface and an outer surface of the tubular thermal insulation element. A pressure of the thermal insulation cavity is lower than an external pressure. In other words, the thermal insulation element is a vacuum thermal insulation tube with a vacuum degree. Alternatively, in some other varied embodiments, a thermal insulation cavity is provided between an inner surface and an outer surface of the tubular thermal insulation element, and the thermal insulation cavity is filled with a thermal insulation gas, for example, argon. At the same pressure and temperature, thermal conductivity of argon is about one third less than that of air, effectively providing thermal insulation.
Alternatively, in some other varied embodiments, the heater 30 further includes:
a temperature sensor, attached to the first heating portion 321 to sense a temperature of the first heating portion 321.
Alternatively, in some other varied embodiments, the heater 30 further includes:
a thermoplastic closely-fitting component, enclosing the temperature sensor outside the heater 30, and configured to surround and secure the first temperature sensor.
In some embodiments, the thermoplastic closely-fitting component includes at least one of heat-resistant synthetic resin, polytetrafluoroethylene as Teflon, and silicon. In some other varied embodiments, the thermoplastic closely-fitting component includes a heat shrinkable tube or high-temperature-resistant tape.
For example, in a specific embodiment, a process of heating the aerosol generating product 1000 includes:

in a first time phase S10, connecting the first electrode 331 and the second electrode 332 to the circuit board 140 in the electrical connection manner of FIG. 5, to steer a current on the first heating portion 321, for a first segment that is of the aerosol generating product 1000 and that is surrounded by the first heating portion 321 to be heated; and
in a second time phase S20, connecting the second electrode 332 and the third electrode 333 to the circuit board 140 in the electrical connection manner of FIG. 8 to be respectively connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the battery cell 130, for the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 to be connected in series to perform heating simultaneously, where in this phase, the first heating portion 321 performs heating based on power lower than that of the second heating portion 322.

In this manner, the first segment that is of the aerosol generating product 1000 and that is surrounded by the first heating portion 321 can be first heated quickly in a preheating phase, for example, the first time phase S10; and then in the second time phase S20, the first segment that is of the aerosol generating product 1000 and that is surrounded by the first heating portion 321 and a second segment that is of the aerosol generating product 1000 and that is surrounded by the second heating portion 322 can be heated simultaneously, so that a temperature of the second segment that is of the aerosol generating product 1000 and that is surrounded by the second heating portion 322 is increased gradually to approach a temperature of the first segment surrounded by the first heating portion 321, reducing a temperature difference therebetween caused by heating only the first segment in the first time phase S10.
In some embodiments, the first time phase S10 and the second time phase S20 are continuous. Alternatively, in some other varied embodiments, the first time phase S10 and the second time phase S20 may be non-continuous, for example, may have an interval.
Alternatively, in another varied embodiment, a process of heating the aerosol generating product 1000 includes:

in a first time phase S10a, connecting the first electrode 331 and the second electrode 332 to the circuit board 140 in the electrical connection manner of FIG. 5, to steer a current on the first heating portion 321, for a first segment that is of the aerosol generating product 1000 and that is surrounded by the first heating portion 321 to be heated; and
in a second time phase S20a, in the electrical connection manner of FIG. 7, connecting the first electrode 331 to the positive electrode of the battery cell 130, and connecting the second electrode 332 and the third electrode 333 to the negative electrode of the battery cell 130, for the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 to be connected in parallel to perform heating simultaneously, where in the second time phase, the first heating portion 321 performs heating based on power higher than that of the second heating portion 322.

In this manner, the first segment that is of the aerosol generating product 1000 and that is surrounded by the first heating portion 321 can be first heated quickly in a preheating phase, for example, the first time phase S10a; and then in the second time phase S20a, the first segment that is of the aerosol generating product 1000 and that is surrounded by the first heating portion 321 and a second segment that is of the aerosol generating product 1000 and that is surrounded by the second heating portion 322 can be heated simultaneously, so that a temperature difference between a temperature of the first segment that is of the aerosol generating product 1000 and that is surrounded by the first heating portion 321 and a temperature of the second segment surrounded by the second heating portion 322 gradually becomes larger.
For example, in a specific embodiment, a process of heating the aerosol generating product 1000 includes:

in a first time phase S10b, connecting the second electrode 332 and the third electrode 333 to the circuit board 140 in the electrical connection manner of FIG. 7 to be respectively connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the battery cell 130, for the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 to be connected in parallel to perform heating simultaneously, where in this phase, the first heating portion 321 performs heating based on power greater than that of the second heating portion 322, so that a temperature of a first segment that is of the aerosol generating product 1000 and that is surrounded by the first heating portion 321 is increased to a temperature higher than that of a second segment; and
in a second time phase S20b, connecting the second electrode 332 and the third electrode 333 to the circuit board 140 in the electrical connection manner of FIG. 8 to be respectively connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the battery cell 130, for the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 to be connected in series to perform heating simultaneously, where in this phase, the first heating portion 321 performs heating based on power lower than that of the second heating portion 322, so that a temperature difference between the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 that is caused due to the first time phase S10b is gradually reduced.

For example, in the first time phase S10b, the first heating portion 321 is heated to a temperature higher than that of the second heating portion 322, leading to a first temperature difference therebetween; and in the second time phase S20b, the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 are heated simultaneously, and a temperature of the second heating portion 322 is increased more quickly, so that the first temperature difference therebetween is reduced to a second temperature difference.
In addition, in this embodiment, the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 are always heated simultaneously in the heating process, that is, in the first time phase S10b and the second time phase S20b. In this case, when the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 are heated simultaneously, the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 are correlated in power; and the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 may be correlated in temperature based on the power correlation. Then, in this embodiment, a temperature of the first heating portion 321 can be sensed by the temperature sensor combined only with the first heating portion 321, and a temperature of the second heating portion 321 with the correlation can be determined based on the temperature of the first heating portion 321 that is sensed by the temperature sensor. Therefore, the circuit can control, only based on the temperature of the first heating portion 321 that is sensed by the temperature sensor, power provided for the first heating portion 321 and power provided for the second heating portion 322 during simultaneous heating, so that the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 can maintain respectively required target temperatures. In addition, in an embodiment, the heater 30 may not include a temperature sensor combined with the second heating portion 322 to sense a temperature of the second heating portion 322.
In another example, in an embodiment, the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 are connected in parallel always in the electrical connection manner shown in FIG. 7 to simultaneously heat the first segment and the second segment of the aerosol generating product 1000. In the heating process, the first segment and the second segment of the aerosol generating product 1000 always have different temperatures. Specifically, in this embodiment, temperature curves in the heating process always in the electrical connection manner shown in FIG. 7 may be shown in FIG. 9. In FIG. 9, a curve S1 is the temperature curve of the first heating portion 321, and a curve S2 is the temperature curve of the second heating portion 322. The heating process includes:

in a time phase of 0 to t1, controlling the first heating portion 321 to be quickly heated to a target temperature T1 for preheating, where in the first time phase, the second heating portion 322 has a heating rate lower than the first heating portion 321 due to lower power, so that the second segment of the aerosol generating product 1000 is heated more slowly than the first segment and cannot be heated quickly to the temperature T1;
in a time phase of t1 to t2, maintaining a heating temperature of the first heating portion 321 substantially at the target temperature T1, for the first segment that is of the aerosol generating product 1000 and that is surrounded by the first heating portion 321 to be heated to generate an aerosol, where in the second time phase, a heating temperature of the second heating portion 322 is substantially increased gradually, but the temperature is still lower than that of the first heating portion 321;
in a time phase of t2 to t4, enabling the first heating portion 321 to reach a higher temperature T2 at t3 before t4, and maintaining the temperature T2, where certainly, in the third time phase, a temperature of the second heating portion 322 is still lower than the temperature T2 of the first heating portion 321; and
in a time phase of t4 to t5, maintaining the heating temperature of the first heating portion 321 at the target temperature T2 to perform heating until inhalation ends.

In some embodiments, in FIG. 9, the curve S1 may be used as a target temperature curve of the first heating portion 321 in the heating process; and the curve S2 may be used as a target temperature curve of the second heating portion 322 in the heating process. In addition, the circuit can maintain the heating temperature of the first heating portion 321 at the target temperature on the curve S1 only based on a sensing result of the temperature sensor combined with the first heating portion 321; and can further maintain the heating temperature of the second heating portion 322 at the target temperature on the curve S2 based on the power correlation.
In some specific implementations shown in FIG. 9, the target temperature of the first heating portion 321 in the time phase 0 to t1 and the time phase t1 to t2 is set to the temperature T1, and the temperature T1 may be set to 200°C to 450°C.
In a specific implementation shown in FIG. 9, the target temperature of the second heating portion 322 in the time phase t2 to t4 and the time phase t4 to t5 may also be set to the temperature T1, which is the same as the target temperature of the first heating portion 321 in the time phase 0 to t1 and the time phase t1 to t2.
In a specific implementation shown in FIG. 9, the target temperature of the second heating portion 322 in the time phase t2 to t4 and the time phase t4 to t5 may be higher or lower than the target temperature of the first heating portion 321 in the time phase 0 to t1 and the time phase t1 to t2.
In a specific implementation shown in FIG. 9, time for quick heating and preheating in the time phase 0 to t1 may be set to about 5s to 20s; time for inhalation in the time phase t1 to t2 is about 40s to 80s; time for the time phase t2 to t4 is about 5s to 20s; and time for inhalation in the time phase t4 to t5 is about 40s to 100s.
In a specific implementation shown in FIG. 9, in the time phase 0 to t1 and the time phase t1 to t2, the first heating portion 321 quickly heats the segment that is of the aerosol generating product 1000 and that is surrounded by the first heating portion 321 to generate the aerosol quickly; and in the time phase t2 to t4 and the time phase t4 to t5, overall heating is then performed.
Alternatively, in a specific implementation shown in FIG. 9, a length of the time phase t4 to t5 may be greater than a length of the time phase t1 to t2, to compensate for heating on the segment that is of the aerosol generating product 1000 and that is surrounded by the second heating portion 322.
In addition, in the foregoing implementations, the heating temperature of the first heating portion 321 and/or the heating temperature of the second heating portion 322 are/is not reduced. For example, in a specific implementation, the temperature of the first heating portion 321 and/or the temperature of the second heating portion 322 are/is increased in gradients.
For example, FIG. 10 is a graph of temperature changes of the first segment and the second segment of the aerosol generating product 1000 that are respectively heated by the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 of the heating element 32 in a specific embodiment. In FIG. 10, a curve S1 is a temperature curve of the first heating portion 321, and a curve S2 is a temperature curve of the second heating portion 322. As shown in FIG. 10, the heating process includes:

in a first time phase S10c (0 to t1), heating the first heating portion 321 quickly in the parallel connection manner in FIG. 7 to a target temperature T1, where a temperature of the second heating portion 322 is lower than the target temperature T1;
in a second time phase S20c (t1 to t2), heating the second heating portion 322 more quickly in the series connection manner in FIG. 8, to gradually reduce a temperature difference from the first heating portion 321, where the second heating portion 322 and the first heating portion 321 substantially reach a target temperature T2 at t2;
in a third time phase S30c (t2 to t3), continuously keeping the first heating portion 321 and the second heating portion 322 in the electrical connection manner in FIG. 8 to perform heating simultaneously; but adjusting power outputted by the battery cell 130, to continuously heat the second heating portion 322 to a higher target temperature T3, and maintain a temperature of the first heating portion 321 at the target temperature T2; and
in a fourth time phase S40c (t3 to t4), for example, in a temperature maintenance phase, adjusting power outputted by the battery cell 130 in the electrical connection manner in FIG. 8 or FIG. 6, to keep the second heating portion 322 substantially at the target temperature T3 to perform heating until inhalation ends, where because the first heating portion 321 is quickly heated in advance in the first time phase S10c and the second time phase S20c, a volatile material in the first segment of the aerosol generating product 1000 has been volatilized quickly, and then in the fourth time phase S40c, the temperature of the second heating portion 322 is maintained, and the temperature of the first heating portion 321 is reduced, or heating on the first heating portion 321 is stopped, and then the first heating portion 321 is naturally cooled down.

In some specific implementations shown in FIG. 10, time for quick heating and preheating in the time phase 0 to t1 may be set to about 5s to 20s; time for inhalation in the time phase t1 to t2 is about 40s to 80s; time for the time phase t2 to t3 is about 5s to 20s; and time for inhalation in the time phase t3 to t4 is about 40s to 100s.
In some specific implementations shown in FIG. 10, in the time phase 0 to t1 and the time phase t1 to t2, the first heating portion 321 quickly heats, at higher temperature, the first segment that is of the aerosol generating product 1000 and that is surrounded by the first heating portion 321 to generate the aerosol quickly; and in the time phase t2 to t3 and the time phase t3 to t4, overall heating is then performed.
It needs to be noted that, the specification and the accompanying drawings of this application provide preferred embodiments of this application, but are not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. Further, a person of ordinary skill in the art may make improvements or modifications according to the foregoing descriptions, and all the improvements and modifications shall fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of this application.

Claims

An aerosol generating apparatus, configured to heat an aerosol generating product to generate an aerosol, comprising:
a heating element, configured to heat the aerosol generating product, wherein the heating element comprises a first heating portion and a second heating portion that are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction;

a battery cell, configured to supply power;

a circuit, configured to selectively connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in series or in parallel to the battery cell, for the first heating portion and the second heating portion to perform heating simultaneously in series or in parallel; and

a temperature sensor, combined with the first heating portion, and configured to sense a temperature of the first heating portion, wherein

the circuit is further configured to control, based on the temperature that is of the first heating portion and that is sensed by the temperature sensor, power provided for the first heating portion and power provided for the second heating portion, for the first heating portion to be maintained at a first target temperature and the second heating portion to be maintained at a second target temperature.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode, wherein

the first heating portion is electrically connected between the first electrode and the second electrode; the second heating portion is electrically connected between the first electrode and the third electrode; and

the circuit is configured to connect the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode in different electrical connection manners to the battery cell, to selectively connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in series or in parallel to the battery cell.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating element further defines:
a gap, defined between the first heating portion and the second heating portion in the longitudinal direction, to prevent heat transfer between the first heating portion and the second heating portion.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a dimension of the first heating portion extending in a circumferential direction of the heating element is greater than a dimension of the second heating portion extending in the circumferential direction of the heating element.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second electrode and the second heating portion are staggered in the longitudinal direction of the heating element.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating element is provided with a plurality of holes, to form a mesh pattern on the heating element.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a dimension of the hole extending in the longitudinal direction of the heating element is greater than a dimension of the hole extending in a circumferential direction of the heating element.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the holes comprise:
a first hole, arranged on the first heating portion; and

a second hole, arranged on the second heating portion.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a dimension of the first hole extending in the longitudinal direction of the heating element is less than a dimension of the second hole extending in the longitudinal direction of the heating element; and/or
a dimension of the first hole extending in a circumferential direction of the heating element is less than a dimension of the second hole extending in the circumferential direction of the heating element; and/or

a gap between adjacent first holes is greater than a gap between adjacent second holes in the longitudinal direction and/or the circumferential direction of the heating element.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first heating portion comprises: a plurality of first resistive conductor paths, defined by the first hole, and extending circuitously between the first electrode and the second electrode in a circumferential direction of the heating element; and/or
the second heating portion comprises: a plurality of second resistive conductor paths, defined by the second hole, and extending circuitously between the first electrode and the third electrode in the circumferential direction of the heating element.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a path length of the first resistive conductor path is less than a path length of the second resistive conductor path; and/or a width of the first resistive conductor path is greater than a width of the second resistive conductor path.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the heating element further comprises:
a connection portion, extending from the first heating portion to the second heating portion, and configured to electrically connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first heating portion, the second heating portion, and the connection portion are formed integrally.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first electrode is at least partially combined with the connection portion.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the heating element comprises a first end and a second end that face away from each other in the longitudinal direction; and
the heating element is provided with a side opening extending from the first end to the second end, for the heating element to be unclosed in a circumferential direction.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the side opening has a first side and a second side that face away from each other in the circumferential direction of the heating element; and
the first electrode is arranged on the first side, and the second electrode and the third electrode are arranged on the second side.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
a chamber, configured to receive the aerosol generating product; and

an opening, wherein during use, the aerosol generating product is capable of being at least partially received in the chamber through the opening or being removed from the chamber through the opening;

the heating element is arranged to surround at least a part of the chamber; and the first heating portion is closer to the opening than the second heating portion.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising:
a base, surrounding or defining at least a part of the chamber, wherein

the heating element comprises a coating or film or conductive trace or heating mesh combined with the base; and the heating element and the base conduct heat to each other, for the base to receive heat from the heating element to heat the aerosol generating product.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the circuit is arranged to selectively connect one of a positive electrode or a negative electrode of the battery cell to the second electrode, and connect the other to the third electrode, to connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in series to the battery cell to perform heating simultaneously.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the circuit is arranged to selectively connect one of a positive electrode or a negative electrode of the battery cell to the first electrode, and connect the other to both the second electrode and the third electrode, to connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in parallel to the battery cell to perform heating simultaneously.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the first heating portion and the second heating portion are connected in parallel to the battery cell to perform heating simultaneously, the power of the first heating portion is greater than the power of the second heating portion.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the first heating portion and the second heating portion are connected in series to the battery cell to perform heating simultaneously, the power of the first heating portion is less than the power of the second heating portion.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the circuit is configured to:
connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in parallel to the battery cell in a first time phase, for the first heating portion and the second heating portion to perform heating simultaneously; and

connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in series to the battery cell in a second time phase, for the first heating portion and the second heating portion to perform heating simultaneously.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the circuit is further configured to:
control the power provided for the first heating element and the power provided for the second heating element by the battery cell, to make a temperature of the first heating element higher than a temperature of the second heating element and maintain a first temperature difference in a first time phase, and to make a temperature of the first heating element higher than a temperature of the second heating element and maintain a second temperature difference in a second time phase, wherein

the first temperature difference is greater than the second temperature difference.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating element comprises at least one of a resistive heating element or an infrared heating element.
The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the aerosol generating apparatus has no temperature sensor that is combined with the second heating portion and that is for sensing a temperature of the second heating portion.
An aerosol generating apparatus, configured to heat an aerosol generating product to generate an aerosol, comprising:
a heating element, configured to heat the aerosol generating product, wherein the heating element comprises a first heating portion and a second heating portion that are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction;

a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode, wherein the first heating portion is electrically connected between the first electrode and the second electrode; and the second heating portion is electrically connected between the first electrode and the third electrode;

a battery cell, configured to supply power; and

a circuit, configured to:
in a first time phase, connect one of a positive electrode or a negative electrode of the battery cell to the first electrode, and connect the other to both the second electrode and the third electrode, to connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in parallel to the battery cell to perform heating simultaneously; and

in a second time phase, connect one of the positive electrode or the negative electrode of the battery cell to the second electrode, and connect the other to the third electrode, to connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in series to the battery cell to perform heating simultaneously.
An aerosol generating apparatus, configured to heat an aerosol generating product to generate an aerosol, comprising:
a heating element, configured to heat the aerosol generating product, wherein the heating element comprises a first heating portion and a second heating portion that are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction;

a battery cell, configured to supply power; and

a circuit, configured to:
connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in parallel to the battery cell in a first time phase, to perform heating simultaneously based on power of the first heating portion being greater than power of the second heating portion; and

connect the first heating portion and the second heating portion in series to the battery cell in a second time phase, to perform heating simultaneously based on power of the first heating portion being less than power of the second heating portion.
A heater for an aerosol generating apparatus, comprising:
a base, arranged in a tubular shape and extending in a length direction of the heater;

a heating element, arranged around at least a part of the base, wherein the heating element comprises:
a first heating portion and a second heating portion that are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction;

a gap, defined between the first heating portion and the second heating portion in the longitudinal direction, to prevent heat transfer between the first heating portion and the second heating portion;

a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode, wherein the first heating portion is electrically connected between the first electrode and the second electrode; and the second heating portion is electrically connected between the first electrode and the third electrode; and

a temperature sensor, combined with the first heating portion, and configured to sense a temperature of the first heating portion.