WO2023204568A1

WO2023204568A1 - Heater structure for electronic cigarette

Info

Publication number: WO2023204568A1
Application number: PCT/KR2023/005223
Authority: WO
Inventors: 이승수; 홍경의
Original assignee: 주식회사 기공기술
Priority date: 2022-04-21
Filing date: 2023-04-18
Publication date: 2023-10-26

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides a heater structure for an electronic cigarette, comprising: a porous ceramic member formed to be porous to absorb liquid aerosol-generating substances; a heater member attached to one surface of the porous ceramic member so as to atomize the liquid aerosol-generating substances, wherein the heater member includes: a conductive pattern body to which a current is supplied through contact with an external electrode terminal so as to heat the heater member; and an anchor which is connected to the conductive pattern body and protrudes in a vertical direction with respect to the conductive pattern body so as to improve the bonding strength between the porous ceramic member and the heater member.

Description

Heater structure for electronic cigarettes

The present invention relates to a heater structure for an electronic cigarette, and more specifically, to a heater structure for an electronic cigarette with improved bonding strength between a porous ceramic member and a heater member.

In general, cigarette-type tobacco was almost the only means of inhaling recreational substances, but recently, liquid electronic cigarettes have become one of the means.

These liquid electronic cigarettes generate fine particles by atomizing the inhaled material into vapor by applying heat or ultrasonic waves to a cartridge containing the inhaled material in liquid form. Accordingly, liquid electronic cigarettes are completely different from conventional cigarette-type cigarettes that generate smoke in terms of their method, and in particular, they can prevent the generation of various harmful substances that may be generated by combustion.

The liquid electronic cigarette often uses an assembly that combines a porous member that absorbs the liquid aerosol-generating base and a heater that heats the liquid. In order to manufacture an assembly combining a porous member and a heater as described above, an in-mold method is used to embed the heater inside the porous member, and a method is used to dent the heater inward on the surface of the porous member by only the thickness of the heater. This can be used.

As described above, when the heater is depressed on the porous member to the same thickness, there is an advantage that the production cost of the assembly combining the porous member and the heater is relatively reduced, and the amount of aerosol generation is increased compared to the in-mold method.

Meanwhile, in order to sink the heater into the porous member to the same thickness, a part of the heater must be inserted into the porous member and fixed. At this time, the bonding strength between the sintered porous bead and the part of the heater is not high, so the heater is porous. A phenomenon of separation or excitement from absence appears. In this way, when the bonding strength between the heater and the porous member decreases, there is a problem in that the liquid filled in the space between the heater and the porous member burns and produces a burnt taste.

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a heater structure for an electronic cigarette in which the heater is accurately embedded in a porous ceramic member and the heater is not separated even when heat expands in a high temperature state due to heat generation.

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is not limited to the technical problem mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. There will be.

In order to achieve the above technical problem, an embodiment of the present invention provides a heater structure for an electronic cigarette, which includes a porous ceramic member formed to be porous to absorb a liquid aerosol-generating material, and attached to one surface of the porous ceramic member. It is provided in a form and includes a heater member that atomizes the liquid aerosol-generating material, wherein the heater member includes a conductive pattern body that supplies current to heat the heater member when it comes into contact with an external electrode terminal, and the conductive A heater structure for an electronic cigarette that is connected to a pattern body and includes an anchor that protrudes in a vertical direction with respect to the conductive pattern body, thereby improving the bonding strength of the porous ceramic member and the heater member. to provide.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the conductive pattern body may be exposed on the surface of the porous ceramic member, and the anchor may be inserted into the porous ceramic member.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the anchor may have a penetrable coupling support hole formed in the central portion to increase the contact area with the bead of the porous ceramic member sintered surrounding the anchor.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the anchor may be formed in a polygonal or circular shape, and the coupling support hole may be formed in a polygonal or circular shape.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of coupling support holes may be provided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the conductive pattern body is located at both ends and includes a current applying portion that is in contact with an external electrode terminal, and a connection portion formed in a zigzag pattern to connect the current applying portions. , the anchors may be formed in plural numbers on both sides of the current applying unit and the connecting unit and may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the heater is not separated from the porous ceramic member even when heat expands in a high temperature state, the user can minimize the occurrence of a burnt taste.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the configuration of the invention described in the description or claims of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a heater structure for an electronic cigarette according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a three-dimensional diagram illustrating a heater structure for an electronic cigarette according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the detailed structure of an anchor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an anchor that may have the form of a coupling support hole according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an aerosol generator for electronic cigarettes according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and, therefore, is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In order to clearly explain the present invention in the drawings, parts that are not related to the description are omitted, and similar parts are given similar reference numerals throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected (connected, contacted, combined)" with another part, this means not only "directly connected" but also "indirectly connected" with another member in between. "Includes cases where it is. Additionally, when a part is said to “include” a certain component, this does not mean that other components are excluded, but that other components can be added, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

The terms used herein are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as “comprise” or “have” are intended to indicate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but are not intended to indicate the presence of one or more other features. It should be understood that this does not exclude in advance the possibility of the existence or addition of elements, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Hereinafter, a heater structure for an electronic cigarette and an aerosol generating device for an electronic cigarette including the same will be described.

Referring to Figure 1, a heater structure according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a porous member 100 and a heater member 200.

The heater structure of the present invention serves to atomize the liquid aerosol material by applying heat when it is absorbed and passes through the porous member 100.

Here, the liquid aerosol-generating material may mean a liquid composition containing one or more aerosol-generating materials. For example, the liquid aerosol-generating material may include at least one of propylene glycol (PG) and glycerin (GLY), ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl. It may contain at least one alcohol. As another example, the aerosol-generating material may further include at least one of nicotine, moisture, and flavoring material. As another example, the aerosol-generating material may further include various additives such as cinnamon and capsaicin. The composition of the aerosol-generating material may be selected in various ways depending on the embodiment, and the mixing ratio may also vary depending on the embodiment.

The porous ceramic member 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be formed to be porous to absorb liquid aerosol-generating substances.

The porous ceramic member 100 is a structure including a plurality of beads 110, for example, a sphere packing (sphere) with a body-centered cubic (BCC) or face-centered cubic (FCC) structure. It may be a packed structure, but is not particularly limited thereto and may have various packing structures. The shape of the porous ceramic member 100 is not particularly limited as long as it is a shape that can easily absorb the liquid aerosol-generating material from the chamber storing the liquid aerosol-generating material, for example, H-like shape, ∩-like shape, U It can be designed and implemented in various shapes, such as similar shapes.

The porous ceramic member 100 includes a plurality of porous beads 110. The material of the porous bead 110 may vary and may include, for example, glass beads, ceramic beads, or alumina beads, but the porous material generates a liquid aerosol. There is no particular limitation as long as the bead is made of a material that can smoothly transport the material.

In this specification, “one side” of a porous ceramic member may be defined as an area formed by continuously connecting porous beads located on the outermost side and exposed to the outside of the porous ceramic member, and may include both a flat surface and a bent surface. there is.

Additionally, the heater member 200 is attached to one surface of the porous ceramic member 100 and can atomize the liquid aerosol-generating material.

Referring to Figure 1, the heater member 200 of the present invention may be configured to include a conductive pattern body 210 and an anchor 230.

As the conductive pattern body 210 contacts an external electrode terminal, current is supplied to heat the heater member 200.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conductive pattern body 210 according to this embodiment is located at both ends and has current applying portions 211 in contact with external electrode terminals, and is formed in a zigzag shape at both ends. It may include a connecting portion 213 connecting the current applying portions 211 located therein.

The connection portion 213 forms a flat heating pattern in which horizontal and vertical patterns are alternately repeated and connected.

Here, the “horizontal pattern” is defined as a pattern arranged in the direction of a long edge on one side of the porous ceramic member on which the heater member 200 is located or on one side of the porous ceramic member on which the heater member is installed, “ Conversely, “vertical pattern” can be defined as a pattern arranged in the direction of a short edge on one side of a porous ceramic member or on one side of a porous ceramic member where a heater member is installed.

The heating pattern may have a structure in which the horizontal patterns are connected while maintaining parallelism between the vertical patterns. Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, current applicators 211 (terminals) are located at both ends of the heater member 200, and between the current applicators 211 at both ends there are a horizontal pattern, a vertical pattern, and a horizontal pattern. , repeated heating patterns may be located in the order of vertical patterns, horizontal patterns may be connected at the end of each vertical pattern, and vertical patterns may be connected and repeated at the end of each horizontal pattern. Through the structure of the heater member in which the horizontal and vertical patterns are repeated, a gap can be formed between the vertical patterns, and the liquid aerosol generating material absorbed through the porous ceramic member 100 contacts air through the gap. It can be transported to one side of the heater member that faces the outside or to one side of the heater member that faces the outside, generating an aerosol when heated.

The anchor 230 of the present invention is formed by being connected to the conductive pattern body 210, and is formed to protrude in a vertical direction with respect to the conductive pattern body 210, thereby forming a bond between the porous ceramic member 100 and the heater member 200. Strength can be improved.

Referring to Figure 2, the conductive pattern body 210 of the present invention is provided in a form exposed on the surface of the porous ceramic member 100, and the anchor 230 is inserted into the interior of the porous ceramic member 100. can be formed.

To be more specific, the conductive pattern body 210 is inserted into the porous ceramic member 100 only to the thickness (i.e., only the upper and side surfaces of the conductive pattern body 210 are recessed into the porous ceramic member), and only the lower surface is inserted into the porous ceramic member 100. It may be implemented in a state exposed to the outside.

Additionally, the anchor 230 is completely inserted into the porous ceramic member 100 in the vertical direction and serves to fix and support the heater member 200 on the porous ceramic member 100.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the anchors 230 according to this embodiment are formed in plural numbers on both sides of the current applying part 211 and the connecting part 213, so they can be arranged to be spaced apart at a predetermined distance. there is.

The anchor 230 forms a penetrable coupling support hole 231 in the center to increase the contact area with the bead 110 of the porous ceramic member 100 that is sintered surrounding the anchor 230.

Figure 3 (a) shows the bead sintered around the anchor in the case where there is no coupling support hole 231, and Figure 3 (b) shows the coupling support hole 231 according to an embodiment of the present invention. ) shows the bead sintered around the anchor 230.

When the coupling support hole 231 is provided in the center as in the present invention, numerous beads 110 can be filled between the coupling support holes 231 and sintered together, thereby fixing the anchor 230. As the area increases, the bonding strength between the heater member 200 and the porous ceramic member 100 can be improved.

At this time, the size of the coupling support hole 231 according to this embodiment must be larger than the particle size of the raw material constituting the porous ceramic member 100.

When heat is applied to the anchor, force is applied due to thermal expansion, and at this time, the connection portion 213 of the heater member 200 must be fixed so as not to separate from the porous ceramic member 100.

Meanwhile, as described above, when the anchor 230 having the coupling support hole 231 of the present invention is used, it is accurately embedded in the porous ceramic member 100, and even if heat expands in a high temperature state due to heat generation, The connection portion 213 cannot be separated.

In the above, it is illustrated that only one coupling support hole 231 of the present invention is formed in the middle of the anchor 230. However, this is only one embodiment, and in another embodiment, a plurality of coupling support holes 231 may be provided. .

Referring to FIG. 4, the outer frame of the anchor 230 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be formed in a polygonal shape such as a triangle, square, pentagon, or hexagon, or may be formed in a circular shape.

Additionally, the shape of the coupling support hole 231 may be polygonal, such as a triangle, square, pentagon, or hexagon, or may be circular.

The combination of the shape of the outer frame of the anchor 230 and the shape of the coupling support hole 231 can be implemented in various combinations.

Figure 5 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an aerosol generator for electronic cigarettes according to an embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol generating device for electronic cigarettes according to this embodiment is a device configured to include the heater structure described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

Referring to Figure 5, the aerosol generating device according to this embodiment includes a porous ceramic member 100, a heater member 200, a chamber 300, a housing 400, a separating intermediate member 500, and a sealing member 600. ) may be configured to include.

Since the description of the porous ceramic member 100 and the heater member 200 overlaps with the description referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, it will be omitted below.

The chamber 300 is located at the top of the aerosol generating device and can store liquid aerosol generating material therein.

The housing 400 is located at the bottom of the aerosol generating device and may serve to support the chamber 300, the heater member 200, the separation intermediate member 500, and the silicone member 600. The housing 400 according to this embodiment is implemented by forming a hollow center, which is formed only in the border area.

The heater member 200 can be heated by contacting an electrode terminal on the external electronic cigarette body.

The sealing member 600 is formed along the lower circumference of the chamber 300 and can fix and support the chamber 300, the porous ceramic member 100, and the heater member 200. The sealing member 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be made of silicon.

The separation intermediate member 500 is disposed below the sealing member 600 to minimize heat transfer to the sealing member 600 by the heater member 200, and the separation intermediate member 500 serves as a sealing member. By being disposed in the middle of the member 600 and the porous ceramic member 100, the two

members

100 and 600 are separated.

The separation intermediate member 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided to reduce the amount of harmful substances generated when heat generated from the heater member 200 is applied to silicon in order to atomize liquid aerosol-generating substances. As a configuration, the separating intermediate member 500 of the present invention prevents the porous ceramic member 100 and the sealing member 600 from coming into direct contact, thereby preventing harmful substances (for example, siloxane, etc.) from being in contact. It can reduce the amount generated.

As shown in Figure 5, the separation intermediate member 500 is formed along the lower circumference of the chamber 300 like the sealing member 600, and fixes and supports the chamber 300 and the porous ceramic member 100. It can assist in the role of the sealing member 600.

The separating intermediate member 500 and the sealing member 600 of the present invention may have a hollow formed in the central portion, and the porous ceramic member 100 and the heater member 200 located below may be exposed through the hollow portion. You can.

Meanwhile, in the case of existing liquid electronic cigarettes, the more a person sucks in the liquid inhalation substance inside the cartridge, the more pressure changes occur inside the cartridge. At this time, the silicone prevents air from entering the cartridge from the outside. As time went by, there was the inconvenience of gradually becoming unable to absorb liquid inhalable substances well.

The aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention compensates for the negative pressure phenomenon generated inside the chamber 300 as the liquid aerosol generating material inside the chamber 300 is atomized and discharged to the outside through the heater member 200. To this end, an air passage opening may be provided on the sealing member 600 and the separating intermediate member 500 so that air flowing in from the outside can flow into the chamber 300.

The description of the present invention described above is for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be easily modified into other specific forms without changing the technical idea or essential features of the present invention. will be. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. For example, each component described as unitary may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may also be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described below, and all changes or modified forms derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

In the heater structure for electronic cigarettes,

A porous ceramic member formed to be porous to absorb liquid aerosol-generating substances,

It includes a heater member attached to one surface of the porous ceramic member to atomize the liquid aerosol-generating material,

The heater member is,

A conductive pattern body that heats the heater member by supplying current as it comes into contact with an external electrode terminal;

A heater for electronic cigarettes, comprising an anchor that is connected to the conductive pattern body and protrudes in a vertical direction with respect to the conductive pattern body, thereby improving the bonding strength of the porous ceramic member and the heater member. struct.
According to paragraph 1,

The conductive pattern body is provided in an exposed form on the surface of the porous ceramic member,

The anchor is a heater structure for an electronic cigarette, wherein the anchor is inserted into the porous ceramic member.
According to paragraph 1,

The anchor is,

A heater structure for an electronic cigarette, characterized in that a coupling support hole capable of penetrating is formed in the central portion to increase the contact area with the bead of the porous ceramic member sintered surrounding the anchor.
According to paragraph 3,

The anchor is formed in a polygonal or circular shape,

A heater structure for an electronic cigarette, wherein the coupling support hole is formed in a polygonal or circular shape.
According to paragraph 3,

A heater structure for an electronic cigarette, characterized in that a plurality of coupling support holes are provided.
According to paragraph 1,

The conductive pattern body is,

A current applying portion located at both ends and in contact with an external electrode terminal,

It includes a connection part formed in a zigzag pattern to connect the current applying parts,

The anchor is,

A heater structure for an electronic cigarette, characterized in that a plurality of heater structures are formed on both sides of the current applying portion and the connecting portion and are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance.