TW202412653A - Heating assembly for an aerosol generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

A heating assembly (10) for an aerosol generating device (8) is disclosed. The heating assembly (10) comprises: a vacuum insulator (12) having an inner wall (14) and an outer wall (20) between which a vacuum is enclosed, wherein the inner wall (14) of the vacuum insulator defines a cavity (26) having an opening (28), wherein the cavity (26) extends from a base portion (30) of the inner wall (14) to the opening (28), and wherein the cavity (26) is configured to receive an aerosol generating substrate (32) through the opening (28). A heater (34) is located within the vacuum on an outer surface (18) of the inner wall (14) of the vacuum insulator (12), wherein the heater (34) is configured to heat the aerosol generating substrate (32) received within the cavity (26) by thermal conduction to generate an aerosol. The heater (34) is arranged to at least partially surround the cavity (26) on a first portion (36) of the outer surface (18) of the inner wall (14), and wherein the first portion (36) of the inner wall (14) has a smaller thickness than at least one of: a second portion (38) of the inner wall (14) between the first portion (36) and the opening (28); and a third portion (40) of the inner wall (14) between the first portion (36) and the base portion (30).

Description

Heating assembly for aerosol generating device

The present invention relates to a heating assembly for an aerosol generating device, a method for manufacturing a heating assembly for an aerosol generating device, and an aerosol generating device including a heating assembly. The present disclosure is particularly applicable to portable aerosol generating devices, which can be self-contained and cryogenic. Such a device can heat tobacco or other suitable aerosol base materials by conduction, convection and/or radiation rather than burning to generate an aerosol for inhalation.

Over the past several years, there has been a rapid growth in the popularity and use of reduced-risk or modified-risk devices, also known as vaporizers, to help habitual smokers who wish to quit traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and roll-ups. Various devices and systems are available that heat or warm an aerosolizable substance, as opposed to burning tobacco in traditional tobacco products.

A commonly used, reduced risk or modified risk device is a heated matrix aerosol generating device or a heat-not-burn device. This type of device generates an aerosol or vapor by heating an aerosol matrix (i.e., a consumable) that typically includes moist tobacco or other suitable aerosolizable material to a temperature typically in the range of 150°C to 300°C. The aerosol released by heating the aerosol matrix without burning or burning the aerosol matrix includes the components sought by the user, but does not include undesirable combustion byproducts. In addition, the aerosol generated by heating tobacco or other aerosolizable material typically does not include a burnt or bitter taste that may be unpleasant to the user due to combustion.

In such aerosol generating devices, it is desirable to improve the efficiency of the heating operation so that the battery life of the device can be extended. To this end, vacuum insulation has been employed in aerosol generating devices to thermally insulate the cavity in which the aerosol substrate is heated, thereby limiting heat losses to the external environment.

However, during the heating of the vacuum insulator within the aerosol generating device, the heat energy from the heater will be conducted along the solid inner wall of the vacuum insulator. This usually results in a non-ideal distribution of heat relative to the aerosol matrix, resulting in inconsistent and inefficient aerosol generation.

The purpose of the present invention is to solve this problem.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heating assembly for an aerosol generating device, the heating assembly comprising: a vacuum insulator having an inner wall and an outer wall, a vacuum being enclosed between the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the inner wall of the vacuum insulator defines a cavity having an opening, wherein the cavity extends from a base portion of the inner wall to the opening, and wherein the cavity is configured to receive an aerosol generating substrate through the opening; and a heater , the heater is located on the outer surface of the inner wall of the vacuum insulation body and within the vacuum, wherein the heater is configured to heat the aerosol generating matrix received in the cavity by heat conduction to generate the aerosol, wherein the thickness of a first portion of the inner wall near the heater is less than the thickness of at least one of the following portions: a second portion of the inner wall between the first portion and the opening; and a third portion of the inner wall between the first portion and the base portion.

In this way, since the thickness of the inner wall of the vacuum insulation body is variable, the thermal conductivity of the first portion of the inner wall is higher than the thermal conductivity of the second portion and/or the third portion of the inner wall. In other words, the thermal conductivity of the inner wall decreases toward at least one of the opening and the base portion of the inner wall. This minimizes the heat transfer rate from the heater toward the opening and/or the base portion, so that the heat energy transfer rate between the inner wall of the vacuum insulation body and the aerosol generating matrix received in the cavity is significantly reduced toward the end of the aerosol generating matrix.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, it is preferred to concentrate the heating of the aerosol generating substrate away from its ends (i.e., to concentrate the heating on the region of the aerosol generating substrate near the heater) in order to optimize the efficiency of aerosol generation. Therefore, it is undesirable for heat energy to be conducted along the inner wall of the vacuum insulation away from the heater and toward the ends of the cavity of the vacuum insulation, as this would result in increased heating of the ends of the aerosol generating substrate. Therefore, by making the portion of the inner wall between the heater and the opening (i.e., the second portion) thicker, and/or making the portion of the inner wall between the heater and the base portion (i.e., the third portion) thicker, the conduction of heat from the heater toward the base portion and/or the opening is slowed down. This means that the heat transfer rate between the first portion of the inner wall of the vacuum insulation body and the aerosol generation substrate is increased, while the heat transfer rate between the portions of the inner wall of the vacuum insulation body facing away from the heater (i.e., the second portion, the third portion, and, if necessary, other portions of the inner wall other than the second portion and the third portion) is reduced. As a result, the consistency and efficiency of aerosol generation are improved.

It should be understood that the thickness of the first portion, the second portion and the third portion of the inner wall of the vacuum refers to the (vertical) distance between the inner surface of the inner wall and the outer surface of the inner wall.

It should be understood that the heater is near the first portion of the inner wall means that the heater is near the first portion of the inner wall along the radial direction of the vacuum insulation body. In other words, the heater is located on the outer surface of the inner wall so that the heater is at least partially coextensive with the first portion of the inner wall.

The inner surface of the inner wall preferably has a continuous (i.e., planar) surface, while the outer surface of the inner wall preferably has a discontinuous (i.e., stepped) surface. Thus, a variable thickness of the inner wall is provided by a variable surface height of the outer surface of the inner wall. This means that the thermal conductivity of the inner wall of the vacuum insulation can be varied without changing the internal dimensions of the cavity.

The ratio of the thickness of the first portion 36 to the thickness of the second portion 38 and/or the third portion 40 may be 1:1.5 to 1:3, such as 1:2 or 1:2.5. For example, the thickness of the first portion 36 may be 60 μm, and the thickness of the second portion 38 and/or the third portion 40 may be 120 μm, i.e., the ratio is 1:2. In another example, the thickness of the first portion 36 may be 80 μm, and the thickness of the second portion 38 and/or the third portion 40 may be 120 μm, i.e., the ratio is 1:1.5. In other examples, the thickness of the first portion 36 may be in the range of 40 μm to 80 μm, and the thickness of the second portion 38 and/or the third portion 40 may be in the range of 80 μm to 120 μm.

Preferably, the thickness of the first portion of the inner wall is less than the thickness of the second portion of the inner wall. In this way, the heat transfer rate toward the opening of the cavity is reduced, so that the heat transfer rate between the inner wall of the vacuum insulation and the mouth end of the aerosol generating matrix is also reduced.

Preferably, the thickness of the first portion of the inner wall is less than the thickness of the third portion of the inner wall. In this way, the heat transfer rate toward the base portion of the cavity is reduced, so that the heat transfer rate between the inner wall of the vacuum insulation and the insertion end of the aerosol generating matrix is also reduced.

Preferably, the thickness of the first portion of the inner wall is less than the thickness of the second portion of the inner wall and the thickness of the third portion of the inner wall. In this way, the heat transfer rate toward both the base portion and the opening is reduced, so that the heat transfer rate between the inner wall of the vacuum insulation body and both the mouth end and the insertion end of the aerosol generating substrate is reduced.

Preferably, the thickness of the inner wall is minimal along the first portion of the inner wall. In this way, the heat transfer rate from the heater to the first portion of the inner wall of the vacuum insulation is maximized, so that the heat energy supply from the inner wall of the vacuum insulation is concentrated at the mouth end and the insertion end facing away from the aerosol generating substrate (i.e., on the area of the aerosol generating substrate near the heater). Therefore, the efficiency and consistency of aerosol generation are optimized.

Preferably, the thickness of the inner wall is greatest along the second portion of the inner wall. In this way, the heat transfer rate from the heater along the inner wall of the vacuum insulation toward the opening is minimized, so that the heat energy transfer from the inner wall of the vacuum insulation to the mouth end of the aerosol generating substrate is minimized.

Preferably, the thickness of the inner wall is greatest along the third portion of the inner wall. In this way, the rate of heat transfer from the heater along the inner wall of the vacuum insulation toward the base portion is minimized, so that the heat energy transfer from the inner wall of the vacuum insulation to the insertion end of the aerosol generating substrate is minimized.

Preferably, the cavity is tubular.

Preferably, the heater is printed or coated on the outer surface of the inner wall of the vacuum insulation body. In this way, reliable thermal contact is provided between the heater and the inner wall of the vacuum insulation body.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a heating assembly for an aerosol generating device is provided, the method comprising: providing an outer wall; providing an inner wall, the inner wall being formed to define a cavity having an opening, wherein the cavity extends from a base portion of the inner wall to the opening, wherein the inner wall comprises a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, wherein the first portion is located between the second portion and the third portion, and wherein a thickness of the first portion is less than a thickness of the second portion and/or the third portion; providing a heater on an outer surface of the inner wall near the first portion; connecting the inner wall to the outer wall to form a closed space between the outer wall and the inner wall, wherein the heater is located in the closed space; and forming a vacuum in the closed space between the outer wall and the inner wall.

Preferably, providing the inner wall comprises: stamping a sheet of material to form an inner wall of variable thickness. In this way, the ease of manufacturing the aerosol generating device is improved.

Preferably, arranging the heater on the outer surface of the inner wall near the first portion includes printing or coating the heater on the outer surface of the inner wall near the first portion. In this way, reliable thermal contact is provided between the heater and the inner wall of the vacuum insulation body. In addition, the ease of manufacturing the aerosol generating device is improved.

As used herein, vapor is generally understood to refer to a substance that is in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical temperature, which means that the vapor can condense into a liquid by increasing its pressure without lowering the temperature, while an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in the air or another gas. However, it should be noted that the terms "aerosol" and "vapor" are used interchangeably in this specification, especially with respect to the form of the inhalable medium produced for inhalation by the user.

FIG. 1 illustrates an aerosol generating device 8 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol generating device 8 is shown in an assembled configuration, wherein exemplary internal components are visible. The aerosol generating device 8 is a heat-not-burn device (also referred to as a tobacco vapor device), and includes a heating assembly 10 configured to receive an aerosol substrate, such as an aerosol generating material (e.g., tobacco) rod. The aerosol generating device 8 may include a power source (e.g., a battery), and a control circuit system for controlling the power source to supply power to the heating assembly 10. The heating assembly 10 is operable to heat, but not burn, the aerosol generating material rod to generate vapor or aerosol for inhalation by a user. Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the aerosol generating device 8 depicted in FIG1 is merely an exemplary aerosol generating device according to the present invention. Other types and configurations of tobacco vapor products, vaporizers, or electronic cigarettes may also be used as aerosol generating devices according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a heating assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the heating assembly 10.

The heating assembly 10 comprises a vacuum insulator 12 having an inner wall 14 and an outer wall 20, between which a vacuum is enclosed. The vacuum insulator 12 extends from a first end 11 to a second end 13, i.e. the vacuum insulator 12 is elongated and defines a longitudinal axis. The vacuum insulator 12 defines a cavity 26 in which an aerosol generating matrix 32 can be received. Specifically, a top portion 15 of the vacuum insulator 12 at the first end 11 has an opening 28 through which the aerosol generating matrix 32 can be inserted into the cavity 26. Therefore, the vacuum insulator 12 can be referred to as cup-shaped.

The vacuum insulator 12 has a generally elliptical or circular cross-section when viewed along one of its ends 11, 13 parallel to its longitudinal axis. In particular, in the depicted embodiment, the vacuum insulator 12 is substantially cylindrical. However, in alternative embodiments, the vacuum insulator 12 may be formed into other types of cross-sectional shapes, such as generally square or polygonal shapes.

The inner wall 14 of the vacuum insulation body 12 is tubular (e.g., substantially cylindrical) and has an outer (e.g., circumferential) surface 18 and an inner (e.g., circumferential) surface 16. The inner wall 14 further includes a base portion 30. The outer wall 20 is tubular (e.g., substantially cylindrical) and has an outer (e.g., circumferential) surface 24 and an inner (e.g., circumferential) surface 22. The outer wall 20 includes a base 17 at the second end 13 of the vacuum insulation body 13.

The inner wall 14 and the outer wall 20 are radially spaced from each other to define a closed space therebetween, in which a vacuum is formed. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the inner wall 14 and the outer wall 20 are formed as concentric cylinders connected at the first end 11 of the vacuum insulator 12. In a first example, the top portion 15 of the vacuum insulator 12 may be an integral portion of the outer wall 20 attached to the inner wall 14 at the first end 11. In a second example, the top portion 15 of the vacuum insulator 12 may be an integral portion of the inner wall 14 attached to the outer wall 20 at the first end 11. In a third example, the top portion 15 of the vacuum insulator 12 may be an additional component that connects the inner wall 14 to the outer wall 20 at the first end 11.

Those familiar with the art will appreciate that the term "vacuum" refers to a space in which the pressure is significantly lower than atmospheric pressure due to the removal of free matter (especially air). The quality of the vacuum formed between the inner wall 14 and the outer wall 20 can be a low vacuum, a medium vacuum, or a high vacuum.

The inner wall 14 of the vacuum insulator 12 defines a cavity 26 in which an aerosol generating matrix 32 can be received. In particular, the cavity 26 defined by the inner wall 14 of the vacuum insulator 12 is tubular (e.g., cylindrical) and extends from the base portion 30 to the opening 28. In this way, the aerosol generating matrix 32 in the form of an elongated rod (e.g., a cylinder) can be inserted into the cavity 26 through the opening 28 so that the aerosol generating matrix 32 interfaces with the inner surface 16 of the inner wall 14 and the base portion 30. Except for a portion of the aerosol generating matrix 32 that protrudes from the opening 28 to be received in the user's mouth, the vacuum insulator 12 completely surrounds the aerosol generating matrix 32, thereby maximizing the insulation effect. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the cavity 26 is a blind hole, not a through hole.

Typically, the aerosol generating substrate 32 is a disposable and replaceable product (also referred to as a "consumable" or heat-not-burn stick) that may, for example, contain tobacco as the aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating substrate 32 has a mouth end 44 and an opposite insertion end 46.

The heating assembly 10 further includes a heater 34 disposed on the outer surface 18 of the inner wall 14 of the vacuum insulation body 12. That is, the heater 34 is located between the inner wall 14 and the outer wall 20 of the vacuum insulation body 12 and within the vacuum. The heater 34 is configured to heat the inner wall 14 of the vacuum insulation body 12 by conduction, so that the inner wall 14 heats the aerosol generating matrix 32 and the air inside the cavity 26 by conduction and radiation. The heater 34 can be powered by a battery or any other power source provided on the aerosol generating device. For example, the heater 34 can be connected to the aerosol generating device 8 including a control circuit system and a power source (such as a battery) via an electrical connector 42. In this way, a circuit can be formed between the power source and the heater 34 via the electrical connector 42. In use, the heater 34 is powered from the power source of the aerosol generating device 8, thereby generating heat by Joule heating. The heat is transferred to the aerosol generating substrate 32 received in the cavity 26 via the inner wall 14 to generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user. In Figures 2 and 3, the electrical connector 42 is shown as being connected to the base portion 30 of the inner wall 14. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the type and arrangement of the electrical connector 42 may vary, and that the heater 34 may be powered by various alternative means.

The heater 34 is a resistive heating element that generates heat by resistive heating (also known as Joule heating). The heater 34 includes a heating track (e.g., a serpentine heating pattern) that at least partially surrounds the cavity 26 on the outer surface 18 of the inner wall 14 of the vacuum insulation body 12. Specifically, the heating track surrounds the inner wall 14 of the vacuum insulation body 12 in a circumferential direction, preferably around the entire circumference of the cavity 26. Advantageously, substantially surrounding the entire circumference of the cavity 26 allows the aerosol generating substrate 32 to be heated faster or more evenly. Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the specific shape and arrangement of the heater 34 may vary. For example, the heater 34 may include a heating sheet that partially or completely surrounds the outer surface 18 of the inner wall 14 of the vacuum insulation body 12.

The heater 34 can be printed, coated or otherwise attached to the outer surface 18 of the inner wall 14 of the vacuum insulation 12. Therefore, the heater 34 can provide "accompanying heating" to the cavity 26.

The heater 34 may include a metal (e.g., a nickel-chromium alloy, a chromium-aluminum-cobalt heat-resistant steel, or a nickel-copper alloy), a ceramic, or any other suitable resistive heating material. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the heater 34 is not limited to a resistive heating element, and the type of heater 34 may vary. For example, the heater 34 may be an induction heater powered by a coil surrounding the vacuum insulation 12.

3, the thickness of the inner wall 14 of the vacuum insulation 12 varies along the length of the cavity 26, that is, along the direction defined between the opening 26 and the base portion 30. The inner wall 14 is divided into a plurality of portions, including a first portion 36, a second portion 38, and a third portion 40.

The first portion 36 is located adjacent to the heater 34. That is, the first portion 36 is a circumferential section of the inner wall 14 that is located next to the heater 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 36 is coextensive with the heater 34. However, in alternative embodiments, the first portion 36 may extend beyond the heater 34 along the length of the cavity 26, or the heater 34 may extend beyond the first portion 36 along the length of the cavity 26.

The second portion 38 is located between the first portion 36 and the opening 28. That is, the second portion 38 is a circumferential section of the inner wall 14 disposed between the heater 34 and the opening 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the second portion 38 terminates at the opening 28, i.e., the second portion 38 extends from the first portion 36 to the opening 28. However, in alternative embodiments, the second portion 38 may not extend to the opening 28, but may terminate short of the opening 28. In this case, the inner wall 14 may include one or more additional portions located between the second portion 38 and the opening 28. The thickness of the additional portions may be greater or less than the thickness of the second portion 38 and/or the first portion 36.

The third portion 40 is located between the first portion 36 and the base portion 30. That is, the third portion 40 is a circumferential section of the inner wall 14 disposed between the heater 34 and the base portion 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the third portion 40 terminates at the base portion 30, that is, the second third portion 40 extends from the first portion 36 to the base portion 30. However, in alternative embodiments, the third portion 40 may not extend to the base portion 30, but may terminate at a position short of the base portion 30. In this case, the inner wall 14 may include one or more additional portions located between the third portion 40 and the base portion 30. The thickness of the additional portion may be greater or less than the thickness of the third portion 40 and/or the first portion 36.

The thickness of each of the second portion 38 and the third portion 40 is greater than the thickness of the first portion 36. Since thermal conductivity is inversely proportional to thickness, the greater the thickness, the lower the heat flow rate. Therefore, the increase in the thickness of the second portion 38 and the increase in the thickness of the third portion 40 slow down the heat flow rate toward the opening 28 and the heat flow rate toward the base portion 30, respectively. Advantageously, this means that the temperature of the inner wall 14 of the vacuum insulation body 12 is suppressed toward the opening 28 and the base portion 30. Therefore, the heat energy supplied to the region of the aerosol generating matrix 32 near the opening 28 and the base portion 30 (i.e., the mouth end 44 and the insertion end 46) is significantly less than the heat energy supplied to the region of the aerosol generating matrix 32 between the mouth end 44 and the insertion end 46 (i.e., the region of the aerosol generating matrix 32 near the heater 34 or the first portion 36). Reducing the thermal energy supplied toward the mouth end 44 and the insertion end 46 of the aerosol generating substrate allows for more efficient and consistent aerosol generation.

The ratio of the thickness of the first portion 36 to the thickness of the second portion 38 and/or the third portion 40 may be 1:1.5 to 1:3. For example, the thickness of the first portion 36 may be 60 μm, and the thickness of the second portion 38 and/or the third portion 40 may be 120 μm, i.e., the ratio is 1:2. In other examples, the thickness of the first portion 36 may be 40 μm to 80 μm, and the thickness of the second portion 38 and/or the third portion 40 may be 80 μm to 120 μm.

The thickness of the inner wall 14 of the vacuum insulation body 12 refers to the (vertical) distance between the inner surface 16 of the inner wall 14 and the outer surface 18 of the inner wall 14. As shown in Figure 3, the inner surface 16 of the inner wall 14 forms a continuous surface. That is, the (entire) inner surface 16 of the inner wall 14 follows a circumferential plane, so that the inner surface 16 of the inner wall 14 has an invariant surface morphology.

Thus, the variable thickness of the inner wall 14 is provided by the outer surface 18 of the inner wall 14, which is formed as a stepped surface. That is, the outer surface 18 presents a discontinuous surface topography along the length of the inner wall 14. In particular, while each of the first portion 36, the second portion 38, and the third portion 40 individually define a continuous outer surface (e.g., a circumferential plane), the surface height of the outer surface 18 relative to the cavity 26 along the first portion 36 is discontinuous compared to the surface height of the outer surface 18 relative to the cavity 26 along the second portion 38 and the third portion 40. Advantageously, this arrangement means that a consistent internal interface is provided for heat transfer from the inner wall 14 to the aerosol generating matrix 32 received within the cavity 26, while also providing variable thermal conductivity along the length of the inner wall 14.

In the depicted embodiment, both the second portion 38 and the third portion 40 are thicker than the first portion 36. However, in alternative embodiments, only one of the second portion 38 or the third portion 40 may be thicker than the first portion 36, or the inner wall 14 may be composed of the first portion 36, and either the second portion 38 or the third portion 40. Furthermore, in the depicted embodiment, the second portion 38 and the third portion 40 have the same thickness. However, in alternative embodiments, the second portion 38 may be thicker than the third portion 40, or the third portion 40 may be thicker than the second portion 38. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the thickness of the second portion 38 and/or the third portion 40 may increase toward the opening 28 and/or the base portion 30, respectively. That is, the outer surface 18 of the inner wall 14 may be inclined relative to the inner surface 14 of the inner wall 14 along the second portion 38 and/or the third portion 40 such that the thermal conductivity of the inner wall 14 decreases toward the opening 28 and/or the base portion 30 .

The inner wall 14 of the vacuum insulation 12 may include any suitable material, such as stainless steel or other metal, metal alloy, or ceramic, having properties suitable for transferring heat from the heater 34 to the cavity 26. Examples of suitable materials for the outer wall 20 include stainless steel and/or plastics, such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of a method 60 for manufacturing a heating assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The method 60 begins at step 62 where the outer wall 20 is provided.

At step 64, the inner wall 14 is provided. The inner wall 14 is formed to define a cavity 26 having an opening 28, wherein the cavity 26 extends from a base portion 30 of the inner wall 14 to the opening 28. The inner wall 14 includes a first portion 36, a second portion 38, and a third portion 40, wherein the first portion 36 is located between the second portion 38 and the third portion 40, and wherein the thickness of the first portion 36 is less than the thickness of the second portion 38 and/or the third portion 40.

If desired, the inner wall 14 may be formed by a stamping (or pressing) process. Specifically, the inner wall 14 may be formed by stamping a sheet of material, wherein the thickness of the first portion 36 of the formed inner wall 14 is less than the thickness of the second portion 38 and/or the third portion 40. Stamping involves placing a sheet of material in a stamping press and then using a die to shape the sheet of material into the inner wall 14. The die is a tool that is pushed into the sheet of material so that the sheet of material takes the shape of the die.

At step 66, the heater 34 is disposed on the outer surface 18 of the inner wall 14 near the first portion 36. For example, the heater 34 can be printed, painted, or otherwise secured to the outer surface 18 of the inner wall 14 along the side of the first portion 36.

In step 68, the inner wall 14 is coupled to the outer wall 20 to form a closed space between the outer wall 20 and the inner wall 14, and the heater 34 is located in the closed space.

Finally, at step 70, a vacuum is formed in the closed space between the outer wall 20 and the inner wall 14.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the shapes, properties, and configurations of the features discussed with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 are equally applicable to the features discussed with reference to method 60.

8: aerosol generating device 10: heating assembly 11: first end 12: vacuum insulation 13: second end 14: inner wall 15: top portion 16: inner surface 17: base 18: outer surface 20: outer wall 22: inner surface 24: outer surface 26: cavity 28: opening 30: base portion 32: aerosol generating matrix 34: heater 36: first portion 38: second portion 40: third portion 42: electrical connector 44: mouth end 46: insertion end 60: method 62, 64, 66, 68, 70: steps

The embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [FIG. 1] is a three-dimensional diagram of an aerosol generating device including a heating component according to an embodiment of the present invention; [FIG. 2] is a schematic three-dimensional diagram of a heating component according to an embodiment of the present invention; [FIG. 3] is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the heating component of FIG. 2; and [FIG. 4] is a flow chart showing the steps of a method for manufacturing a heating component according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8:Aerosol generating device

10: Heating component

Claims (13)

A heating assembly for an aerosol generating device, comprising: a vacuum insulator having an inner wall and an outer wall, a vacuum being enclosed between the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the inner wall of the vacuum insulator defines a cavity having an opening, wherein the cavity extends from a base portion of the inner wall to the opening, and wherein the cavity is configured to receive an aerosol generating substrate through the opening; and a heater, the heater being located on an outer surface of the inner wall of the vacuum insulator and within the vacuum, wherein the heater is configured to heat the aerosol generating substrate received in the cavity by heat conduction to generate an aerosol, wherein the heater is arranged to at least partially surround the cavity on an outer surface of a first portion of the inner wall, and wherein a thickness of the first portion of the inner wall is less than a thickness of at least one of: a second portion of the inner wall between the first portion and the opening; and a third portion of the inner wall between the first portion and the base portion. A heating assembly as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the first portion of the inner wall is less than the thickness of the second portion of the inner wall. A heating assembly as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the first portion of the inner wall is less than the thickness of the third portion of the inner wall. A heating assembly as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the first portion of the inner wall is less than the thickness of the second portion of the inner wall and the thickness of the third portion of the inner wall. A heating assembly as described in any preceding claim, wherein the thickness of the inner wall is smallest along a first portion of the inner wall. A heating assembly as described in any preceding claim, wherein the thickness of the inner wall is greatest along the second portion of the inner wall. A heating assembly as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the inner wall is greatest along a third portion of the inner wall. A heating assembly as described in any preceding claim, wherein the chamber is tubular. A heating assembly as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein the heater is printed or coated on the outer surface of the inner wall of the vacuum insulation body. An aerosol generating device comprises a heating assembly as described in any of the preceding claims. A method of manufacturing a heating assembly for an aerosol generating device, comprising: providing an outer wall; providing an inner wall, the inner wall being shaped to define a cavity having an opening, wherein the cavity extends from a base portion of the inner wall to the opening, wherein the inner wall comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein the first portion is located between the second portion and the third portion, and wherein the thickness of the first portion is less than the thickness of the second portion and/or the third portion; providing a heater on an outer surface of the inner wall, wherein the heater is arranged to at least partially surround the cavity on an outer surface of the first portion of the inner wall; coupling the inner wall to the outer wall to form a closed space between the outer wall and the inner wall, wherein the heater is located in the closed space; and forming a vacuum in the closed space between the outer wall and the inner wall. A manufacturing method as described in claim 11, wherein providing the inner wall includes: punching the material sheet to form the inner wall with variable thickness. A manufacturing method as described in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein arranging the heater on the outer surface of the inner wall near the first portion includes: printing or coating the heater on the outer surface of the inner wall near the first portion.