CN110432548A

CN110432548A - Aerosol Generating System

Info

Publication number: CN110432548A
Application number: CN201910711181.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 范方琴; 郭永录; 徐中立; 李永海
Original assignee: Shenzhen FirstUnion Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen FirstUnion Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-06-12
Filing date: 2019-08-02
Publication date: 2019-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-02
Also published as: CN110432548B; EP3692827A1; EP3692827B1; EP4278914A3; EP4278914A2

Abstract

The present invention proposes that a kind of aerosol generates system, have it is opposite proximally and distally, including inhalator generator and power supply device；Inhalator generator is in the longitudinal that extends along proximate, and with along its length respectively with proximally and distally opposite first end and the second end；First end and the second end are equipped with the first atomizer and the second atomizer respectively；Inhalator generator can opposed power device it is mobile, and there is first position and the second position；It further includes the position detection component and controller for being in first position or the second position for detecting inhalator generator that aerosol, which generates system,；Controller controls power supply device to one of the first atomizer or the second atomizer output power according to the position of the inhalator generator of position detection component detection.Aerosol of the invention generates system, accurately detects position in suction switching and is worked respectively according to two atomizers of position control, prevents false triggering so as to accurately control suction.

Description

Aerosol-generating system

Technical Field

The embodiment of the invention relates to the technical field of electronic cigarettes, in particular to an aerosol generating system.

Background

Current electronic cigarette products are based on functional requirements and typically include an aerosol-generating device for generating a smokable aerosol, and a power supply device to power the aerosol-generating device. Of the many types of products, a flat smoking product of more classical construction is shown in figure 1 and comprises an aerosol-generating device 100 and a power supply device 200 assembled to one another in an axial direction, the overall assembled shape being a flat, elongate shape. Wherein, the power supply device 200 is provided with a spring electrode needle 210, the aerosol-generating device 100 is provided with a corresponding electrode connector, which is not shown in fig. 1 due to an angle, and is used for supplying power after being connected with the spring electrode needle 210; the aerosol-generating device 100 may be disassembled and replaced after assembly, and the product has a very good user experience when in use.

When this product is used, after the aerosol-generating device 100 and the power supply device 200 are assembled, the internal battery and the main board are always in the conductive state, and the aerosol-generating device 100 and the power supply device 200 can only be detached when the conductive state is released. With increasing consumer demands, it is desirable to have a disconnection state that is non-conductive after assembly, to ensure safety and to eliminate the possibility of false triggering of the aerosol-generating device 100.

Based on the above situation, the applicant's invention patent No. 201910015687.9 proposes an aerosol generating system, which uses a relatively slidable power supply and an aerosol generating device to switch on and off during smoking. However, in the specific implementation details, the two atomizers of the aerosol generating device are respectively triggered by the two microphones, and when the two atomizers slide in two suction positions in use, the atomizers are both in a conductive connection state with the circuit board, and meanwhile, the microphones are easily interfered by airflow to cause false triggering, so that the accurate control of the suction process of a user is influenced.

Disclosure of Invention

To solve the problem of false triggering of aerosol-generating systems in the prior art, embodiments of the present invention provide an aerosol-generating system that can accurately control the puff.

With the above objective of accurately controlling the puff, an aerosol-generating system of an embodiment of the invention, having opposite proximal and distal ends, comprises an aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol, and a power supply device for powering the aerosol-generating device; the aerosol-generating device is elongate in shape extending proximally to distally and has first and second ends opposite the proximal and distal ends, respectively, along the length; the first end portion being provided with a first atomiser for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to produce an aerosol and the second end portion being provided with a second atomiser for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to produce an aerosol;

the aerosol-generating device is movable relative to the power supply device and has a first position and a second position relative to the power supply device;

the aerosol-generating system further comprises a position detection assembly for detecting whether the aerosol-generating device is in a first position or in a second position, and a controller;

the controller is configured to control the power supply device to output power to the first nebulizer or the second nebulizer according to the position of the aerosol-generating device detected by the position detection component.

Preferably, the power supply device is elongated in shape extending proximally to distally and has third and fourth ends respectively opposite to the proximal and distal ends in the length direction;

at least a portion of the first atomizer projects relative to a third end of the power supply device when in the first position, and at least a portion of the second atomizer projects relative to a fourth end of the power supply device when in the second position.

Preferably, the controller is configured to: when the position detection assembly detects that the aerosol-generating device is at a first position, controlling the power supply device to output power to the first atomizer; and/or, when the position detection assembly detects that the aerosol-generating device is in the second position, control the power supply device to output power to the second atomizer.

Preferably, the position detection assembly comprises an electrically conductive connection provided on the aerosol-generating device, and a first contact provided on the power supply device;

the conductive connecting piece can be in conductive connection with the first contact at one of the first position or the second position;

the position detection assembly further comprises a detection circuit for detecting whether the conductive connecting piece is connected with the first contact to be conductive.

Preferably, the power supply device comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, and the first contact is connected with the first electrode; the detection circuit comprises a first voltage-dividing resistor and a second voltage-dividing resistor; the first end of the first voltage-dividing resistor is connected with the conductive connecting piece, the second end of the first voltage-dividing resistor is connected with the first end of the second voltage-dividing resistor, and the second end of the second voltage-dividing resistor is connected with the second electrode;

the controller also comprises a voltage sampling end used for acquiring voltage values at two ends of the second voltage-dividing resistor, and the voltage sampling end is connected with the first end of the second voltage-dividing resistor; and the controller controls the power supply device to output power to the first atomizer or the second atomizer according to the acquired voltage value.

Preferably, the position detection assembly comprises a magnetic field generator provided on one of the aerosol-generating device or the power supply device, and a hall sensor provided on the other;

the magnetic field generator is used for generating a magnetic field; the Hall sensor is used for sensing the change of the magnetic field intensity at the position to generate a sensing signal; the controller controls the power supply device to output power to the first atomizer or the second atomizer according to the sensing signal of the Hall sensor.

Preferably, the position detection assembly comprises a reflective photosensor disposed on one of the aerosol-generating device or the power supply device; the reflection type photoelectric sensor is provided with a light emitting end and a reflected light receiving end, and generates a sensing signal according to the intensity of reflected light received by the reflected light receiving end;

the controller controls the power supply device to output power to the first atomizer or the second atomizer according to the sensing signal of the reflective photoelectric sensor.

Preferably, the first atomizer comprises a first suction nozzle arranged at a first end part, and the second atomizer comprises a second suction nozzle arranged at a second end part; at least a portion of the first nozzle projects relative to a third end of the power supply device when in the first position, and at least a portion of the second nozzle projects relative to a fourth end of the power supply device when in the second position.

Preferably, the first atomizer comprises a first suction port arranged on the first suction nozzle for suction of a user, and a first air flow channel for transmitting the aerosol generated by the first atomizer to the first suction port; the second atomizer comprises a second air suction port arranged on the second suction nozzle for suction of a user and a second air flow channel for transmitting aerosol generated by the second atomizer to the second air suction port;

the aerosol-generating device further comprises a third air flow passage for communicating the first air flow passage and the second air flow passage.

Preferably, the second air inlet is configured as an air inlet into which air flows when the first air inlet is drawn by a user; and/or the first air intake is configured as an air intake into which air flows when the second air intake is drawn by a user.

Preferably, the first nebulizer comprises a first inhalation port for inhalation by a user, and a first airflow channel that transmits aerosol generated by the first nebulizer to the first inhalation port; the second atomizer comprises a second air suction port for suction of a user and a second air flow channel for conveying aerosol generated by the second atomizer to the second air suction port;

the aerosol-generating system further comprises an airflow sensor for sensing airflow in the first airflow channel and the second airflow channel;

the controller is configured to control the power supply device to output power to the first nebulizer or the second nebulizer according to a sensing signal of the airflow sensor.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating device further comprises a third air flow passage for communicating the first air flow passage and the second air flow passage; the airflow sensor is arranged in the third airflow channel.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating device further comprises a fourth airflow channel;

the airflow sensor separates the third airflow channel from the fourth airflow channel, and one side of the airflow sensor is communicated with the third airflow channel, and the other side of the airflow sensor is communicated with the outside atmosphere through the fourth airflow channel.

Preferably, the airflow sensor comprises a first sensing face and a second sensing face; wherein,

the first sensing surface is directly or indirectly communicated with the outside atmosphere so as to sense a first air pressure value of the outside atmosphere;

the second sensing surface is communicated with the third air flow channel so as to sense a second air pressure value of the air flow in the third air flow channel;

and the controller controls the power supply device to output power to the first atomizer or the second atomizer according to the difference value of the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value.

Preferably, the airflow sensor is an airflow direction sensor for sensing the airflow direction in the third airflow channel;

the controller controls the power supply device to output power to the first atomizer or the second atomizer according to the airflow flowing direction sensed by the airflow direction sensor.

Preferably, the controller is configured to: when the airflow direction sensed by the airflow direction sensor is from the second airflow channel to the first airflow channel, controlling the power supply device to output power to the first atomizer;

and/or when the airflow direction sensed by the airflow direction sensor is from the first airflow channel to the second airflow channel, controlling the power supply device to output power to the second atomizer.

the first sensing surface is in airflow communication with the first airflow channel so as to sense a first air pressure value of airflow in the first airflow channel;

the second sensing surface is in airflow communication with the second airflow channel to sense a second air pressure value of the airflow in the second airflow channel;

Preferably, the controller is configured to control the power supply device to output power to the first nebulizer when the first air pressure value is less than a second air pressure value, and to control the power supply device to output power to the second nebulizer when the first air pressure value is greater than the second air pressure value.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating device comprises a flexible seal disposed between the first atomizer and the second atomizer, the flexible seal having a groove or through-hole extending proximally to distally; the space of the groove or the through hole forms the third air flow passage.

Preferably, the flexible sealing member further comprises a receiving cavity for receiving the airflow sensor, and the receiving cavity is disposed on the third airflow channel.

Preferably, the first atomizer is in a non-conductive connection with the power supply means when in the second position;

and/or the second atomizer is not electrically connected to the power supply device when in the first position.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating device further has a third position opposite the power supply device; when the aerosol-generating device is in the third position, the first end is flush with a third end of the power supply device and the second end is flush with a fourth end of the power supply device.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating device is slidably connected to the power supply device and is slidable in the longitudinal direction relative to the power supply device between a first position, a second position and a third position.

Preferably, the third position is disposed between the first position and the second position in a proximal to distal direction.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating device is in a third position in non-conductive connection with the power supply device.

Preferably, the power supply device is provided with a second contact and a third contact; the aerosol generating device is provided with a conductive bullet needle;

the power supply device is in conductive connection with the second contact through the conductive elastic needle at a first position so as to supply power to the aerosol generation device, and is in conductive connection with the third contact through the conductive elastic needle at a second position so as to supply power to the aerosol generation device.

Preferably, the power supply device comprises a battery cell and an electrode contact piece arranged on the battery cell; the second contact and the third contact are formed by bending at least a portion of the electrode contact towards the aerosol-generating device.

Preferably, the electrically heated smoking system further comprises a positioning mechanism for stably holding the aerosol-generating device with the power supply device in the first, second and third positions.

Preferably, the positioning mechanism comprises a positioning elastic needle and a positioning hole matched with the positioning elastic needle; one of the positioning hole and the positioning elastic needle is arranged on the power supply device, and the other one of the positioning hole and the positioning elastic needle is arranged on the aerosol generating device;

the positioning holes comprise a first positioning hole matched with the positioning elastic needle at a first position, a second positioning hole matched with the positioning elastic needle at a second position, and a third positioning hole matched with the positioning elastic needle at a third position.

Preferably, the positioning mechanism comprises a first magnetic body arranged on one of the power supply device or the aerosol generating device, and a second magnetic body, a third magnetic body and a fourth magnetic body arranged on the other;

the second magnetic body is used for being magnetically attracted with the first magnetic body when in the first position, the third magnetic body is used for being magnetically attracted with the first magnetic body when in the second position, and the fourth magnetic body is used for being magnetically attracted with the first magnetic body when in the third position.

Preferably, the positioning mechanism includes a first magnetic body and a second magnetic body provided on one of the power supply device or the aerosol-generating device, and a third magnetic body and a fourth magnetic body provided on the other;

the second magnetic body and the third magnetic body are magnetically attracted in the first position;

the first magnetic body and the fourth magnetic body are magnetically attracted when in the second position;

and in the third position, the first magnetic body and the third magnetic body are magnetically attracted, and the second magnetic body and the fourth magnetic body are magnetically attracted.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating device further comprises a width direction and a height direction; the aerosol generating device is stacked with the power supply device along the height direction;

the aerosol-generating device is flush with the power supply device at both ends in the width direction.

Preferably, the first atomiser comprises a first heating element for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol and the second atomiser comprises a second heating element for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol;

the first and second heating elements are configured to have different resistance values.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate of the first atomizer has a different composition of matter than the aerosol-forming substrate of the second atomizer.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a solid substrate or is a liquid substrate.

The aerosol generating system of the invention can accurately detect the position in the suction switching and control the two atomizers to respectively work according to the position, thereby accurately controlling the suction and preventing the false triggering.

Based on further ensuring a smooth airflow path during inhalation by the aerosol-generating system, embodiments of the present invention further provide another aerosol-generating system having opposing proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being provided with a first atomizer for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol, and the distal end being provided with a second atomizer for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol; the first atomizer comprises a first air suction port arranged at the proximal end and used for a user to suck, and a first air flow channel for transmitting the aerosol generated by the first atomizer to the first air suction port; the second atomizer comprises a second air suction port arranged at the far end and used for a user to suck, and a second air flow channel for transmitting aerosol generated by the second atomizer to the second air suction port;

the aerosol-generating system further comprises a third airflow channel for communicating the first airflow channel and the second airflow channel;

the second air inlet is configured as an air inlet into which air flows when the first air inlet is drawn by a user; and/or the first air intake is configured as an air intake into which air flows when the second air intake is drawn by a user.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating system further comprises an airflow sensor for sensing airflow in the third airflow channel;

the aerosol-generating system further comprises a power source and a controller configured to control the power source to output power to the first nebulizer or the second nebulizer as a function of a sensing signal of the airflow sensor.

and the controller controls the power supply to output power to the first atomizer or the second atomizer according to the difference value of the first air pressure value and the second air pressure value.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating system comprises a flexible seal between the first and second atomisers, the flexible seal being provided with a groove or through-hole extending proximally to distally; the space of the groove or the through hole forms the third air flow passage.

the controller controls the power supply to output power to the first atomizer or the second atomizer according to the airflow flowing direction sensed by the airflow direction sensor.

Preferably, the controller is configured to: when the airflow direction sensed by the airflow direction sensor is from the second airflow channel to the first airflow channel, controlling the power supply to output power to the first atomizer;

and/or when the airflow direction sensed by the airflow direction sensor is from the first airflow channel to the second airflow channel, controlling the power supply to output power to the second atomizer.

Preferably, the controller stores a correlation between the resistance value of the first heating element and the power output by the power supply device to the first atomizer, and controls the power output by the power supply device to the first atomizer according to the resistance value of the first heating element;

and/or the controller stores the correlation between the resistance value of the second heating element and the power output by the power supply device to the first atomizer, and controls the power output by the power supply device to the second atomizer according to the resistance value of the second heating element.

According to the aerosol generation system, when one atomizer is sucked, the air suction port and the air flow channel of the other atomizer are used as air inlet in air flow design, so that stable air flow paths of the first atomizer and the second atomizer during suction can be met, and smoothness of air flow in the suction process is guaranteed.

Further in accordance with the above object of accurately controlling the puff, a further embodiment of the invention also proposes a further aerosol-generating system having opposite proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being provided with a first atomizer for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol, the distal end being provided with a second atomizer for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol; the first atomizer comprises a first air suction port arranged at the proximal end and used for a user to suck, and a first air flow channel for transmitting the aerosol generated by the first atomizer to the first air suction port; the second atomizer comprises a second air suction port arranged at the far end and used for a user to suck, and a second air flow channel for transmitting aerosol generated by the second atomizer to the second air suction port;

the aerosol-generating system further comprises a power supply and a controller configured to control the power supply device to output power to the first nebulizer or the second nebulizer in dependence on a sensing signal of the airflow sensor.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating system further comprises a third airflow channel for communicating the first airflow channel and the second airflow channel; the airflow sensor is an airflow direction sensor arranged in the third airflow channel and used for sensing the airflow flowing direction in the third airflow channel;

the aerosol-generating system further comprises a power source and a controller configured to control the power source to output power to the first nebulizer or the second nebulizer as a function of the airflow direction sensed by the airflow direction sensor.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating system comprises an aerosol-generating device extending proximally to distally, the aerosol-generating device comprising a first end opposite the proximal end, and a second end opposite the distal end;

the first atomizer is arranged at the first end part, and the second end part is arranged at the second end part;

the power supply extends along the proximal end to the distal end and has a third end opposite the proximal end, and a fourth end opposite the distal end;

the aerosol-generating device is movable relative to a power source and has at least one position of movement relative to the power source such that the first atomizer projects relative to a third end of the power source or the second atomizer projects relative to a fourth end of the power source.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating device is slidable relative to the power source in a direction extending proximally to distally and has a first slide position and a second slide position relative to the power source;

the first atomizer projects relative to a third end of the power source in a first sliding position and the second atomizer projects relative to a fourth end of the power source in a second sliding position.

By adopting the aerosol generating system of the embodiment of the invention, the air flow in the first air flow channel and the second air flow channel is detected through the specifically arranged air flow sensors, so that the suction action of the user on the first atomizer and the second atomizer is identified, the work of the sucked atomizer is correspondingly controlled, and the accurate control of the suction process is ensured.

Drawings

One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, which correspond to the figures in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and which are not to scale unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a prior art flat tobacco product;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an aerosol-generating system according to an embodiment in a first state;

figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the aerosol-generating system of figure 2 in a puff state;

figure 4 is a schematic structural view of the aerosol-generating system of figure 2 in another state of puff;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the construction of one embodiment of the first atomizer of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural view of yet another embodiment of the first atomizer of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the power supply apparatus of FIG. 2 from a perspective;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the power supply apparatus of FIG. 7, shown without the parts assembled;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 2 from a perspective;

figure 10 is an exploded schematic view of the aerosol-generating device of figure 9 shown without the parts assembled;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the portion S of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the detection circuitry in the position detection assembly of one embodiment;

figure 13 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol-generating device control architecture according to an embodiment;

fig. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a position detecting assembly according to another embodiment;

fig. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of a position detecting assembly according to yet another embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the reflective photosensor of FIG. 15 shown exposed in a third position;

figure 17 is a schematic view of a positioning structure of an aerosol-generating system according to yet another embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of the positioning structure shown in FIG. 17 in a second position;

FIG. 19 is a schematic view of the positioning structure shown in FIG. 17 in a third position;

figure 20 is a schematic view of a positioning structure of an aerosol-generating system according to yet another embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of the positioning structure shown in FIG. 20 in a second position;

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of the positioning structure shown in FIG. 20 in a third position;

figure 23 is a schematic diagram of the airflow path of the aerosol-generating device of figure 9;

FIG. 24 is a schematic view of the airflow path of FIG. 23 illustrating the direction of airflow during a first atomizer suction;

FIG. 25 is a schematic view of the airflow path of FIG. 23 illustrating the direction of airflow during suction by the second atomizer;

FIG. 26 is a schematic view of the construction of the flexible seal member forming the third air flow passage of FIGS. 10 and 23;

figure 27 is a schematic view of an airflow path configuration of the aerosol-generating device of figure 26 after assembly of the flexible seal;

FIG. 28 is a schematic view of the sensed airflow of an embodiment of an airflow sensor;

FIG. 29 is a schematic view of an airflow sensor sensing airflow according to yet another embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a schematic view of an airflow sensor sensing airflow according to yet another embodiment;

fig. 31 is a schematic structural diagram of a power supply apparatus according to yet another embodiment;

fig. 32 is a schematic structural view of cells and electrode contacts within the power supply apparatus of fig. 31;

figure 33 is a schematic structural view of a further embodiment of an aerosol-generating system in a state;

figure 34 is a schematic view of the aerosol-generating system of figure 33 in a puff state;

figure 35 is a schematic diagram of the aerosol-generating system of figure 33 in another inhalation state.

Detailed Description

In order to facilitate an understanding of the invention, the invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and detailed description.

An aerosol-generating system product according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the following figures by way of example in the form of a flat cigarette; the structural ideas and uses thereof can be extended to other types of aerosol-generating system products, such as non-combustion bake-heating aerosol-generating system products, and the like. The detailed structure and technical implementation of the aerosol-generating system of an embodiment is shown with particular reference to figures 2 to 4.

The system comprises a power supply device 10 and an aerosol-generating device 20 for generating aerosol, which are assembled by means of a detachable connection; fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the power supply device 10 and the aerosol-generating device 20 after being assembled, fig. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the aerosol-generating device 20 in one use state, and fig. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the aerosol-generating device 20 in another use state.

Referring to fig. 2 to 4, the power supply device 10 and the aerosol-generating device 20 each have a flat shape, and the power supply device 10 includes a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a height direction, which are indicated by an L direction, a W direction, and an H direction, respectively, as coordinates shown in fig. 2. Wherein, the size of the power supply device 10 along the length direction is larger than the size along the width direction and the height direction; the aerosol-generating device 20 is similar in shape to the power supply device 10, and the dimensions of the aerosol-generating device 20 in the longitudinal direction, the width direction, and the height direction are adapted to be the same as those of the power supply device 10 due to the refinement and the beauty of the product appearance.

At the time of assembly, the power supply device 10 and the mist generating device 20 are stacked and assembled in the height direction, and a combined state shown in fig. 2 is formed. After assembly, both ends of the gas mist generating device 20 in the longitudinal direction are flush with both ends of the power supply device 10 in the longitudinal direction, and both ends of the gas mist generating device 20 in the width direction are flush with both ends of the power supply device 10 in the width direction.

Further, the power supply unit 10 has a proximal end 110 and a distal end 120 that are longitudinally opposed, depending on the requirements and characteristics of the product design and use. The proximal end 110 is typically the end that is generally intended to be in contact with the user's mouth for suctioning, and the distal end 120 is the end that is distal from the user, typically depending on the general product usage. In use, the aerosol-generating device 20 is movable in the longitudinal direction relative to the power supply device 10, and is moved to different positions for inhalation. In particular, the method comprises the steps of,

with the non-inhalation state shown in fig. 2 as the first position a, the aerosol-generating device 20 is moved a distance in the longitudinal direction toward the proximal end 110 to the second position B shown in fig. 3 or moved a distance in the longitudinal direction toward the distal end 120 to the third position C shown in fig. 4, respectively.

According to the above design feature of relative movement, a first atomizer 21 and a second atomizer 22 for realizing smoking function are respectively arranged at two ends of the aerosol-generating device 20 opposite to the proximal end 110 and the distal end 120, for generating aerosol for smoking. And, in the second position B, at least a portion of the first atomizer 21 is caused to protrude relative to the proximal end 110, and in the third position C, at least a portion of the second atomizer 22 is caused to protrude relative to the distal end 120, thereby facilitating aspiration.

Further depending on the nature of the product design, it may be more specific or preferable to have the nozzle portions of the first atomizer 21 and the second atomizer 22 be oriented in opposite directions along their lengths, such that the nozzle portion of the first atomizer 21 protrudes relative to the proximal end 110 in the second position B and the nozzle portion of the second atomizer 22 protrudes relative to the distal end 120 in the third position C, thereby facilitating suction.

It is noted here that the first atomizer 21 and the second atomizer 22 are intended to receive an aerosol-forming substrate and heat it, thereby generating an aerosol which is to be inhaled by the smoker. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid-based substrate or a liquid smoke-based substrate. A solid substrate such as a volatile tobacco material containing a volatile tobacco flavoring compound that is released from the substrate upon heating; the solid-based substrate may also include tobacco powders, granules, strips, flakes, and the like that emit smoke upon heating. The liquid tobacco tar base material includes tobacco tar materials such as glycerin, propylene glycol, essence, nicotine salt, etc.

In one embodiment, the first atomizer 21 is of the type that generates an aerosol for a smoker to smoke upon heating and atomizing a liquid tobacco-based substrate, and a functional example of the structural components thereof is shown in fig. 5; the method comprises the following steps:

an upper housing 213 and a lower housing 211 that together constitute the outer structure of the first atomizer 21; wherein, the upper end of the upper shell 213 is a closed end, the material and shape of the outer surface of the upper shell 213 can be adopted according to the requirement of the suction nozzle, at least one part of the upper shell 213 close to the upper end is used as the suction nozzle part for the suction of the user, and the end part is provided with a suction nozzle port 2131 for sucking the aerosol; the lower end of the lower housing 211 is open-ended and is provided with a removable end cap 217 to facilitate mounting of various functional components inside the lower housing 211.

The smoke transmission pipe 212 is arranged in the upper shell 213 and the lower shell 211 along the axial direction, the upper end of the smoke transmission pipe is connected with the suction nozzle 2131, the lower end of the smoke transmission pipe is connected with the atomization assembly 214 arranged in the lower shell 211, and therefore aerosol generated by the atomization assembly 214 is transmitted to the suction nozzle 2131 to be inhaled by a user. The space between the outer wall of the smoke transmission pipe 212 and the inner walls of the upper and lower cases 213 and 211 forms an oil storage chamber 2111 for storing the smoke.

The atomizing assembly 214 in the lower housing 211 includes a porous ceramic body 2142 disposed at least partially in the oil storage chamber 2111, and it can be seen from fig. 5 that the porous ceramic body 2142 has a hollow columnar shape whose outer and inner surfaces in the radial direction are configured as an oil suction surface and an atomizing surface, respectively; the oil absorption surface is in contact with the tobacco tar in the oil storage cavity 2111 and is used for absorbing the tobacco tar from the oil storage cavity 2111, the atomizing surface is provided with a heating element 2141, and the tobacco tar absorbed by the porous ceramic body 2142 is heated and atomized to generate aerosol for absorption; the tobacco tar is atomized on the atomizing surface and then released into the middle hole of the porous ceramic body 2142, and the aerosol is conveyed to the smoke conveying pipe 212 through the suction airflow until the suction nozzle port 2131 is sucked. When the atomizing assembly 214 is in operation, the transfer path of the soot is shown by arrow P1 in fig. 5, and is absorbed by the porous ceramic body 2142 and transferred to the atomizing surface for atomization.

In order to seal the oil storage chamber 2111 to prevent oil leakage and facilitate the installation and fixation of the atomizing assembly 214, a silicone seat 215 located below the oil storage chamber 2111 is further arranged in the lower housing 211, the cross section of the silicone seat 215 is matched with the cross section of the lower housing 211, so that the oil smoke is prevented from leaking out, and meanwhile, a fixed installation structure corresponding to the atomizing assembly 214 is arranged on the silicone seat 215 to install and fix the atomizing assembly 214 on the silicone seat 215 to realize stable maintenance.

The end cap 217 is provided with two conductive posts 216 for being connected with the positive and negative electrodes of the power supply apparatus 10 for power supply during subsequent assembly, and two ends of the heating element 2141 are connected with the conductive posts 216 through conductive pins 2143, respectively, so that the heating element 2141 generates heat under the power supply of the power supply apparatus 10, thereby realizing the atomization of the smoke. Meanwhile, in order to facilitate the external air to enter the first atomizer 21 during suction to form a complete air flow circulation, an air inlet 218 is further provided on the end cap 217. During suction, external air enters from the air inlet 218, enters the central hole of the porous ceramic body 2142, and carries the generated aerosol through the flue gas delivery tube 212 until the suction nozzle 2131 is sucked, as shown by an arrow P2 in fig. 5, forming a complete air flow circulation.

In yet another embodiment, a first atomizer 21a of a solid type substrate as shown in fig. 6 may be used, which has a structure including:

a housing member 211a having a hollow cylindrical shape is internally controlled, the housing member 211a is filled with a smokable material 212a, a cooling filter material 214a, and a mouthpiece core 215a in this order in a direction approaching the user's suction proximal end 110, and a heat generating element 213a is further provided in the smokable material 212 a. The smokable material 212a may be a solid substrate such as a tobacco paste, tobacco material, tobacco shred, etc., and when heated by the heating element 213a generates an aerosol for smoking, the aerosol eventually escapes from the end of the mouthpiece core 215a and is smoked.

Of course, in the first atomizer 21a shown in fig. 6, in order to facilitate smooth air flow and power supply connection during the suction process, the first atomizer 21a further includes an end cap 216a disposed at the end of the housing member 211a, an air inlet (not shown) is disposed on the end cap 216a for supplying suction air, and two electrode posts 217a connected to the heating element 213a are further disposed on the end cap 216 a; after the first atomizer 21a is mounted on the gas mist generating device 20, the electrode posts 217a are connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the power supply device 10, respectively, to supply power to the heating element 213 a.

In the aerosol-generating device 20 of the above dual atomizer structure, based on similar usage scenarios, the first atomizer 21 and the second atomizer 22 may be heated by tobacco tar, promoted or replaced by tobacco/volatile substance to heat the type of smoke, and may have different tobacco tar tastes from each other, so as to satisfy more diverse smoking experiences of smoking users of electronic cigarettes.

Further, in another embodiment, in order to accurately control the suction in the moving position state, the circuit configuration or the control method is such that the aerosol generation device 20 and the power supply device 10 are not electrically connected to each other in the first position a, only the first atomizer 21 is in a state in which the suction operation can be triggered in the second position B, and only the second atomizer 22 is in a state in which the suction operation can be triggered in the third position C. Therefore, according to the idea of the circuit or the control mode, the situation that the corresponding protruding atomizers can only be triggered to work to realize suction respectively under different positions can be ensured, and the situation that another atomizer which does not need suction triggers dry burning by mistake is avoided.

From the standpoint of the above control, the electrical connection structure is performed in one embodiment by using the structure shown in fig. 7 to 10, and specifically, the battery cell 11 is provided in the power supply device 10, and the electrode contact pieces 12 are provided on the battery cell 11 and connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the battery cell 11, respectively; in the preferred design shown in fig. 7 and 8, the electrode contact 12 is a long strip attached to the surface of the battery cell 11 and extending along the length direction of the power supply device 10, and is made of a common electrode conductive material such as copper, silver, gold, etc. The electrode contact piece 12 is provided with two contacts formed by protruding at least a part of the electrode contact piece 12 toward the aerosol-generating device 20, specifically, a first contact 121 and a second contact 122. Wherein the first contact 121 is adapted to be electrically conductive in connection with the aerosol-generating device 20 in the second position B and the second contact 122 is adapted to be electrically conductive in connection with the aerosol-generating device 20 in the third position C. In general, the exterior of the power supply device 10 has a housing structure in terms of aesthetic design of the product and stable maintenance of the components, and in order to facilitate smooth connection of the first contact 121 and the second contact 122 with the aerosol-generating device 20 during use of the product, the first contact 121 and the second contact 122 are configured to penetrate the exterior of the housing of the power supply device 10, as shown in fig. 7.

Corresponding to the structure of the power supply device 10, the aerosol generating device 20 is provided with a conductive connecting device and a structure for controlling the operation of the first atomizer 21 and the second atomizer 22; with particular reference to fig. 9 and 10, the method comprises:

a hollow outer case 23, the inside of which accommodates and mounts a main substrate 24, and an intermediate lid 25 for assisting the assembly and fixation of the main substrate 24;

the main substrate 24 is a main circuit board structure for controlling the operation of the gas mist generator 20, and has a first conductive pin 241 and a second conductive pin 242 provided at both ends of the upper surface thereof along the gas mist generator 20. The first conductive pin 241 is used to connect with the first atomizer 21, and the second conductive pin 242 is used to connect with the second atomizer 22.

The main substrate 24 is provided with a conductive latch 243 for supplying power to the main substrate 24, and the conductive latch 243 is used for being connected with the first contact 121 and the second contact 122 on the electrode contact 12 of the power supply device 10 respectively at the second position B and the third position C.

In the above-described design of the relatively movable structure of the gas mist generating device 20 and the power supply device 10, in the embodiment shown in fig. 7 to 10, the slider 231 is provided on the surface of the outer case 23 facing the power supply device 10, and the power supply device 10 and the gas mist generating device 20 can be relatively slid by fitting the slider 231 to the slider 13 provided on the power supply device 10 and sliding the slider 231. In detail, the power supply device 10 is hooked by the hook 232 bent at the tip of the slider 231, so that the power supply device 10 and the mist generator 20 are both kept connected during sliding, and are prevented from being separated from each other. In other embodiments, the slide guide structure of the slide groove 13/the slide fastener 231 may be replaced by each position, specifically, for example, the slide groove 13 is replaced by being disposed on the gas mist generating device 20 and the corresponding slide fastener 231 is disposed on the power supply device 10. In other embodiments, the sliding guide connection of the chute 13/slide 231 may be replaced with another guide connection such as a push rod, so long as it is ensured that both the aerosol-generating device 20 and the power supply device 10 can provide directional guidance when moving between the first position a, the second position B and the third position C.

Meanwhile, in order to further facilitate the fixation and the holding of the aerosol-generating device 20 and the power supply device 10 at the second position B and the third position C, a positioning structure is further designed on the structure; in the embodiment shown in fig. 7, the power supply device 10 is provided with a positioning hole 14 on the housing part, and the aerosol-generating device 20 is provided with a positioning bullet 26 which is matched with the positioning hole 14 for positioning; as further shown in fig. 6, the positioning holes 14 include three sets, namely a first set 141 for positioning and holding the first position a, a first set 142 for positioning and holding the second position B, and a second set 143 for positioning and holding the third position C; when the positioning elastic needle 26 slides to the second position B and the third position C, the positioning elastic needle can be inserted into the corresponding positioning hole 14 under the elastic force to realize positioning and fixing. Of course, based on the same positioning function, the above positioning holes 14 and the positioning elastic pins 26 adopted in the embodiment can be replaced by positioning columns/grooves, limiting structures, magnetic attraction, etc. to guide the sliding position.

As further shown in fig. 9 and 10, the above conductive latch 243 and the positioning latch 26 are both provided on the main substrate 24 and penetrate through the corresponding fitting holes of the middle cover 25 and the outer case 23 until partially exposed out of the surface of the outer case 23, so as to be connectable to the electrode pads 12 and the positioning holes 14 on the power supply device 10. In addition, the electronic components disposed on the main substrate 24 are directly or indirectly connected to the conductive pogo pins 243 through printed circuits, so as to ensure that the electronic components are electrically connected to the main substrate 24 completely.

Meanwhile, in order to enable the operation of the first atomizer 21 and the second atomizer 22 to be triggered by the suction action of the user, an airflow sensor 27 is provided on the main substrate 24. The airflow sensor 27 is disposed opposite to the air inlet of the first atomizer 21 and/or the second atomizer 22, and based on design considerations, the airflow sensor 27 is only used for sensing the airflow generated by the user during the suction process, and generating a sensing signal in response to the suction action of the user. The aerosol-generating device 20 includes a first atomizer 21 and a second atomizer 22, and when a user sucks one of them, the other is deactivated to prevent dry burning or the like. Thus, the aerosol-generating device 20 further comprises a position detection assembly 40 for detecting the position of the aerosol-generating device 20, whereby the position detection assembly 40 detects whether the aerosol-generating device 20 is in the second position B or the third position C when inhaled by the user, and controls the operation of the first nebulizer 21 if in the second position B, and controls the operation of the second nebulizer 22 if in the third position C.

Based on the above principle of controlling the first atomizer 21 and the second atomizer 22 respectively, as shown in fig. 13, an embodiment of a hardware structure of the control may be that the power supply device 10 supplies electric energy to the first atomizer 21 and the second atomizer 22 through a first transistor and a second transistor respectively; the switching on and off of the first transistor and the second transistor is controlled by the MCU controller 29 according to the position detected by the position detecting assembly 40. Of course, the content of this control is as described above, so that smooth implementation of the above functions can be ensured.

In view of the above, in one embodiment of the present invention, the position detecting assembly 40 includes one conductive connector 41 provided on the main substrate 23, as shown in fig. 9 to 11, and a third contact 42 provided on the electrode contact piece 12 of the power supply device 10 to be conductively connected to the conductive connector 41. The third contact 42 is configured to be in conductive connection with the conductive connection 41 when the aerosol-generating device 20 is moved to the second position B, and further by detecting whether the conductive connection 41 is in conductive connection with the third contact 42 during inhalation, it can be determined whether the aerosol-generating device 20 is in the second position B or the third position C.

Based on the detection of the electrically conductive connection state of the electrically conductive connector 41 and the third contact 42, a detection circuit 43 is provided on the main substrate 24, and as shown in fig. 12, the detection circuit 43 of this preferred embodiment includes: a first divider resistor R1 and a second divider resistor R2; wherein,

the first end of the first voltage-dividing resistor R1 is connected with the conductive connecting piece 41, the second end is connected with the first end of the second voltage-dividing resistor R2, and the second end of the second voltage-dividing resistor R2 is grounded; the first voltage-dividing resistor R1 and the second voltage-dividing resistor R2 form a voltage-dividing circuit connected in series. In addition, the main substrate 24 is further provided with an MCU controller 29, and the first end of the second voltage-dividing resistor R2 is further connected to a voltage sampling pin of the MCU controller 29; the voltage across the second divider resistor R2 is sampled by the MCU controller 29.

In practice, when the third contact 42 is set to the electrode contact 12 connected to the positive electrode of the cell 11, when the aerosol-generating device 20 moves to the second position B, the conductive connection member 41 is connected to the third contact 42, and then the first voltage dividing resistor R1 and the second voltage dividing resistor R2 form a voltage dividing detection path between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the cell 11.

When the aerosol generating device 20 moves to the third position C, since the first voltage dividing resistor R1 is not connected to the circuit, the MCU controller 29 samples the voltage signal at the two ends of the second voltage dividing resistor R2 to be 0, and thus the MCU controller 29 samples the voltage signal at the two ends of the second voltage dividing resistor R2 to know whether the conductive connecting member 41 is conductively connected to the third contact 42, thereby determining whether the aerosol generating device 20 is located at the second position B or the third position C.

It should be noted that, in the above embodiment, it is adopted that the third contact 42 is set to be connected to the positive electrode of the battery cell 11, and the second end of the second voltage-dividing resistor R2 is grounded and is further connected to the negative electrode of the battery cell 11, so that when the conductive connecting piece 41 is conductively connected to the third contact 42, the above detection circuit forms a loop. In another embodiment, the circuit may be formed by connecting the third contact 42 to the negative electrode of the battery cell 11 and connecting the second end of the second voltage-dividing resistor R2 to the positive electrode of the battery cell 11.

In another embodiment, the position detection assembly 40 may be implemented using a permanent magnet 42a disposed on the power supply device 10 and a hall sensor 41a disposed on the aerosol-generating device 20 as shown in fig. 14. The magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 42a is indicated by a magnetic induction line M shown by a dotted line in fig. 14, when the hall sensor 41a moves to the second position B and the third position C along with the gas mist generating device 20, the hall sensor 41a has different distances from the permanent magnet 42a, the magnetic field strength at the position of the hall sensor 41a also changes correspondingly, and the hall sensor 41a outputs voltage signals with different strengths according to the change of the position, so that whether the gas mist generating device 20 is in the second position B or the third position C can be determined according to the magnitude of the voltage signal output by the hall sensor 41 a. The preferred embodiment shown in the figures is to provide the permanent magnet 42a on the power supply device 10 and the hall sensor 41a on the aerosol-generating device 20, while in other variations the permanent magnet 42a and hall sensor 41a may be arranged in interchangeable positions.

When the hall sensor 41a and the permanent magnet 42a cooperate to detect the relative position of the aerosol-generating device 20 and the power supply device 10, the hall sensor 41a is preferably a linear hall sensor that outputs a voltage signal linearly proportional to the intensity of the magnetic field under the condition that the power supply to the linear hall sensor is constant. When the permanent magnet 42a is used in the product of the embodiment of the present invention, the farther the relative distance between the permanent magnet 42a and the hall sensor 41a is, the lower the magnetic field strength of the position where the hall sensor 40 is located, and the lower the generated electric signal; by using the linear correspondence relationship, the correspondence relationship between the positions of the first position a, the second position B, and the third position C and the electric signal generated by the hall sensor 41a can be established, so that the user can know the position of the aerosol-generating device 20 according to the electric signal of the hall sensor 41a when inhaling.

In another embodiment, the position detecting assembly 40 includes a reflective photosensor 42b provided on the power supply device 10, as shown in fig. 15 and 16; disposed at a location proximate to the proximal end 110 or the distal end 120 and, when installed and disposed, such that both the light emitting end and the reflected light receiving end of the reflective photosensor 42b are directed toward the aerosol generating device 20; then the reflective photosensor 42B is covered or uncovered when the aerosol-generating device 20 is in the second position B or the third position C, and the intensity signal of the reflected light received when the reflective photosensor 42B is covered or uncovered is different, thereby producing a sensed signal related to the intensity of the reflected light. Therefore, whether the reflective photoelectric sensor 42B is covered by the aerosol-generating device 20 can be known according to the sensing signal, and the position of the aerosol-generating device 20 can be determined to be the second position B or the third position C by detecting the signal of the reflective photoelectric sensor 42B. Of course, the reflective photoelectric sensors 42b may be disposed at positions near both ends of the gas mist generating device 20 in a variable manner.

In addition to the embodiments listed above, the position detecting assembly 40 for detecting the position of the aerosol-generating device 20 may also be implemented by adopting more structures and means for achieving the same purpose, and the description of the present invention will not be exhaustive. Corresponding to the detection result of the position detection assembly 40, the MCU controller 29 on the main substrate 24 controls the output in coordination with the detection result; and at the same time, for controlling the above electronic components and structures, and more mainly, for accurately controlling the operating states of the first atomizer 21 and the second atomizer 22.

In one usage scenario, the first atomizer 21 and the second atomizer 22 may be configured to have different tobacco/tobacco smoke properties, material compositions or flavors based on the user's desire for a more versatile smoking experience, while the two ends of the aerosol-generating device 20 are generally identical in structure identifying the first atomizer 21 and the second atomizer 22, i.e., the positions of the first atomizer 21 and the second atomizer 22 may be interchanged in product design and production, and are structurally compatible. However, for example, when the viscosity, taste, and material composition of the tobacco tar are different and the operation control is required to be performed at different operating powers and operating temperatures, identification is required.

Based on the above, in the above embodiment, the resistance value of the heating element 2141 of the first atomizer 21 may be different from that of the second atomizer 22 by a certain difference in resistance value. A sensor for measuring the resistance of the connected nebulizer is provided on the main substrate 23 (see patent specification No. 201610156080.9 for details and implementation of resistance detection), so as to identify the type of nebulizer. Meanwhile, in a control mode, the resistance value of the heating element and the product information and/or the physical quantity parameters related to work of the atomizer form a correlation relationship, and the correlation relationship is stored in the MCU 29; therefore, the MCU controller 29 can accurately control the work of the atomizer correspondingly through the identification of the resistance value.

Of course, the product information of the atomizer may include at least one of stored tobacco flavor, tobacco viscosity, tobacco composition, production date, amount of smoke, operating temperature, operating power, or heating element parameters based on the needs of the product's control and use. The operation-related physical quantity parameter may include at least one of power, power duty cycle, voltage, current, or frequency.

Further, on the basis of the above embodiments, another magnetic-type positioning structure is further proposed in another embodiment of the present invention, which is shown in fig. 17 to 19; the method comprises the following steps:

a first magnetic body 26a provided on the gas mist generating device 20;

a second magnetic body 141a, a third magnetic body 142a, and a fourth magnetic body 143a provided in this order in the longitudinal direction in correspondence with the power supply device 10; wherein,

the second magnetic body 141a is magnetically attracted to the first magnetic body 26a on the gas mist generating device 20 when the gas mist generating device 20 moves to the second position B; the third magnetic body 142a is magnetically attracted to the first magnetic body 26a on the gas mist generating device 20 at the first position a; the fourth magnetic body 143a is magnetically attracted to the first magnetic body 26a on the gas mist generating device 20 in the third position C. Through above four magnetic substances respectively realize location and stable the keeping under the different positions at the magnetic adsorption in different positions to first magnetic substance 26a slides the interact between the in-process and other magnets, can also provide the damping force in the slip in-process, keeps sliding and feels.

The number and arrangement of the above magnetic bodies may be equally changed in the manner shown in fig. 20 to 22, based on the same idea as the above magnetic attraction manner; the method specifically comprises the following steps:

a first magnetic body 261b and a second magnetic body 262b provided on the gas mist generator 20;

the power supply device 10 is provided with a third magnetic body 141b and a fourth magnetic body 142b which are arranged in this order in the longitudinal direction. Wherein,

in the first position a, the first magnetic body 261b and the third magnetic body 141b are magnetically attracted to each other, and the second magnetic body 262b and the fourth magnetic body 142b are magnetically attracted to each other;

in the second position B, the second magnetic body 262B and the third magnetic body 141B are magnetically attracted to each other, and the first magnetic body 261B and the fourth magnetic body 142B are offset from each other at both ends;

in the third position, the first magnetic element 261b and the fourth magnetic element 142b are magnetically attracted toward each other, and the second magnetic element 262b and the third magnetic element 141b are offset from each other at both ends. This magnetic-type slide positioning mode maximizes the magnetic attraction strength at the intermediate first position a, and maximizes the stability in the storage state when not being suctioned.

Based on the above embodiment of the present invention having the structural design of the first atomizer 21 and the second atomizer 22, the airflow path when the first atomizer 21 or the second atomizer 22 sucks is shown by the arrow R3 in fig. 10; in order to ensure the smooth airflow path, the air path structure of the aerosol-generating device 20 in one embodiment is implemented by using the airflow design shown in fig. 23:

specifically, taking the structure of the atomizer adopted based on fig. 5 as an example, the first atomizer 21 has a first air flow passage Q1, the second atomizer 22 has a second air flow passage Q2, and the first air flow passage Q1 and the second air flow passage Q2 are on the same straight line along the length direction of the generating device of the aerosol generating device 20. Further, a third air flow passage Q3 joining the first air flow passage Q1 and the second air flow passage Q2 is formed by the outer housing 23 of the aerosol-generating device 20 and the space inside the main base plate 24; thereby forming a complete airflow circulation path during the user's pumping.

And the airflow direction during inhalation is respectively seen in fig. 24 and 25, when the user inhales the nozzle mouth 2131 of the first atomizer 21, then the nozzle mouth 2231 of the second atomizer 22 opposite to the distal end 120 is used as the air intake port of the aerosol generating device 20, and the external air enters the second atomizer 22 from the nozzle mouth 2231 of the second atomizer 22 in the direction shown by the arrow in fig. 22, and passes through the second airflow channel Q2, the third airflow channel Q3 and the first airflow channel Q1 in sequence until the nozzle mouth 2131 of the first atomizer 21 is inhaled. Conversely, when the user draws on the nozzle orifice 2231 of the second atomizer 22, then the nozzle orifice 2131 of the first atomizer 21 opposite the proximal end 110 serves as a port for air intake of the aerosol-generating device 20.

According to the manner of the airflow circulation path adopted above, the airflow sensor 27 is provided in the third airflow path Q3; in order to assist the packaging of the air flow sensor 27 so that it is not disturbed by the atmosphere and to accurately form the third air flow passage Q3 for stable air flow, referring to fig. 10, 26 and 27, a flexible sealing member 30 is further provided in the aerosol-generating device 20, a groove 31 is provided on the flexible sealing member 30 and extends along the length direction of the aerosol-generating device 20, and the space of the groove 31 forms the third air flow passage Q3 for connecting the first air flow passage Q1 and the second air flow passage Q2 as described above.

While the third air flow path Q3 is formed by the space of the groove 31 in one embodiment described above with reference to the drawings and the text, in an alternative or equivalent embodiment, the third air flow path Q3 may be formed by a through hole in the interior of the flexible seal 30.

Meanwhile, the flexible sealing element 30 is further provided with an accommodating cavity 32 for covering the outside of the airflow sensor 27, and when the airflow sensor 27 is accommodated and covered in the accommodating cavity 32, the airflow sensor 27 can be ensured not to be interfered by outside airflow when in use, so that the sensitivity and the accuracy are improved. For the purpose of sensing the suction airflow by the airflow sensor 27, the accommodation chamber 32 is provided in the third airflow path Q3, and at least a part of the accommodation chamber 32 is made to communicate with the third airflow path Q3, so that the airflow can be sensed by the airflow sensor 27 while flowing.

Further, according to the sensing principle of the airflow sensor 27, the airflow sensor 27 may be implemented by a differential pressure type airflow sensor in one embodiment of the present invention, which is configured as shown in fig. 28, wherein the differential pressure type airflow sensor 27 has a first sensing surface 271 and a second sensing surface 272. When installed and set, the first sensing surface 271 can be directly or indirectly communicated with the outside atmosphere to sense the air pressure value of the outside atmosphere; in the specific design and production of the product, as shown in fig. 28, the first sensing surface 271 communicates with the outside atmosphere through a fourth air flow passage Q4 formed by an aperture or the like oppositely arranged on the outer shell 23, so as to sense the air pressure value of the outside atmosphere. Meanwhile, the second sensing surface 272 is in contact with and communicated with the third airflow channel Q3 to sense the airflow pressure value in the third airflow channel Q3. According to the signal principle of the differential pressure type airflow sensor 27, when the user sucks the first atomizer 21 or the second atomizer 22 to form negative pressure inside the aerosol-generating device 20, so as to generate airflow in the third airflow channel Q3, the second sensing surface 272 may sense the air pressure value generated by the airflow in the third airflow channel Q3 caused by suction; by calculating the difference between the air pressure value and the outside air sensed by the first sensing surface 271, the MCU controller 29 controls the power supply 10 to output power to the aerosol generating device 20 according to the air pressure difference. The MCU controller 29 may perform the power output control in two ways:

in one mode, the MCU controller 29 compares the above air pressure difference value with a preset threshold value, and when the air pressure difference value is higher than the preset threshold value, the MCU controller controls the power supply device 10 to output power to the aerosol-generating device 20; if below the threshold, no response and no trigger are made. In another mode, the power supply device 10 may be controlled to output corresponding power to the aerosol generating device 20 according to a pre-stored correlation between the pressure difference and the output power, and according to the numerical value of the pressure difference; for example, when the air pressure difference is larger, it can be considered that the pumping action of the user is stronger, and correspondingly higher power is output.

Of course, based on the simple requirement of conventional triggering, the above airflow sensor 27 may also be implemented in other alternative ways using a microphone commonly used in electronic cigarette products, and when sensing that suction airflow exists in the third airflow channel Q3, a high level signal is generated and sent to the MCU controller 29. Moreover, since the microphone has two side surfaces connected to the third airflow channel Q3 and the atmosphere directly or indirectly, the microphone may be mounted in the same manner as the differential pressure type airflow sensor 27 shown in fig. 28, such that one side surface of the microphone is directly communicated with the third airflow channel Q3, and the other side surface of the microphone is communicated with the outside atmosphere through the fourth airflow channel Q4 formed by the structure such as the aperture oppositely disposed on the outer housing 23.

Further, in order to facilitate the airtightness of the air flow in the use of the aerosol-generating device 20 and promote the connection between the two ends of the third air flow channel Q3 and the air inlets of the first atomizer 21 or the second atomizer 22, the flexible sealing element 30 is correspondingly provided with a first sealing portion 33 and a second sealing portion 34 opposite to the first atomizer 21 and the second atomizer 22, respectively; the first sealing portion 33 seals an end portion of the first atomizer 21 opposite to the distal end 120, and when the first sealing portion 33 is installed, a certain gap is left between the first sealing portion 33 and the end portion of the first atomizer 21, and a space formed by the gap is used for smoothly connecting the first end 311 of the groove 31 and the air inlet 218 on the end cap 217 of the first atomizer 21.

Similarly to the first sealing portion 33, the second sealing portion 34 seals the end of the second atomizer 21 opposite to the proximal end 110, so that the air inlet of the second atomizer 21 is smoothly communicated with the second end 312 of the groove 31, and thus a first air flow passage Q1, a second air flow passage Q2 and a third air flow passage Q3 are smoothly and completely communicated with each other.

Based on the design of the same product concept, the gas path structure of the aerosol-generating device 20 above can be applied to any product type having the first atomizer 21 and the second atomizer 22, in addition to the aerosol-generating system in which the power supply device 10 and the aerosol-generating device 20 are slidably separated in the above embodiments. For example, two ends of the power supply of the flat cigarette shown in fig. 1 are respectively provided with an atomizer, and the air passage and the sensing structure are arranged in the housing of the power supply according to the above third air flow passage Q3 and the air flow sensor 27, so that when one atomizer sucks, the other atomizer is used as an air inlet passage, and the air flow sensor for sensing the suction action is arranged in the power supply, so that the same effect can be obtained.

In the above, by moving the aerosol-generating device 20 and the power supply device 10 to the opposite positions, the operation mode of the first atomizer 21 or the second atomizer 22 is controlled correspondingly, and in a further preferred modified embodiment, in combination with the above-described case where the airflow direction in the aerosol-generating device 20 is different when the first atomizer 21 and the second atomizer 22 suck, an airflow direction sensor 27a as shown in fig. 29 may be provided in the third airflow channel Q3 in the aerosol-generating device 20 for detecting the airflow direction in the third airflow channel Q3 when sucking.

If the airflow direction sensor 27a detects that the airflow direction is from the second nebulizer 22 toward the first nebulizer 21, indicating that the user is inhaling the first nebulizer 21, the corresponding MCU controller 29 controls the power supply device 10 to output power to the first nebulizer 21 to operate; on the contrary, if the airflow sensing device 27a detects that the airflow direction is from the first nebulizer 21 toward the second nebulizer 22, the corresponding MCU controller 29 controls the second nebulizer 21 to operate.

For the purpose of detecting the air flow direction, the air flow direction sensor 27a may be selected from an air direction sensor, and a partial pressure resistance type direction sensor, an electromagnetic type direction sensor, a photoelectric type direction sensor, and the like are generally available. This type of sensor is generally constructed with a mechanical structure having a wind vane that rotates with the airflow, and a signal generating section that generates a signal in cooperation with the wind vane; for example, the direction sensor of the voltage dividing resistor type adopts a sliding rheostat and a voltage dividing resistor to form a voltage dividing circuit, a sliding rod of the sliding rheostat is driven by a wind vane (when the wind vane moves along with the airflow, the sliding rod is driven to move so as to change the resistance value of the sliding rheostat), when the wind vane rotates, the sliding rod of the sliding rheostat can move along with the wind vane, and therefore the direction of the airflow can be deduced according to different voltage changes generated at two ends of the voltage dividing resistor.

Based on the above situation that the user sucks different airflow directions to identify the corresponding control of the atomizer sucked by the user, the invention also provides a pressure differential type airflow sensor to correspondingly identify the content of the atomizer sucked by the user. Specifically, as shown in fig. 30, the first atomizer 21 itself includes a first air flow channel Q1 for delivering the generated aerosol to the outside for inhalation, and the second atomizer 22 itself includes a second air flow channel Q2 for delivering the generated aerosol to the outside for inhalation; a first air inlet hole 233 and a second air inlet hole 234 are respectively arranged on the outer shell 23 corresponding to the aerosol generating device 20; and a third air flow passage Q3 for communicating the first intake ports 233 with the first air flow passage Q1, and a fourth air flow passage Q4 for communicating the second intake ports 234 with the second air flow passage Q2, respectively, are provided therein. Meanwhile, the first sensing surface 271b of the differential pressure type air flow sensor 27b provided inside the outer case 23 communicates with the third air flow passage Q3, and the second sensing surface 272b communicates with the fourth air flow passage Q4.

Meanwhile, as shown in fig. 30, the third air flow path Q3 and the fourth air flow path Q4 are isolated from each other by the air flow sensor 27b in terms of space design; the third air flow passage Q3 and the fourth air flow passage Q4 are communicated with the atmosphere through the first air intake hole 233 and the second air intake hole 234, respectively, so that the internal air pressure is atmospheric pressure when not sucking; when the user sucks the first atomizer 21, negative pressure is formed in the third air flow channel Q3, and the air flow enters from the first air inlet hole 233 as shown in fig. 30, and is sucked after passing through the third air flow channel Q3 and the first air flow channel Q1 in sequence, so that the air pressure P1 of the third air flow channel Q3 sensed by the first sensing surface 271b of the air flow sensor 27b is negative pressure, which is smaller than the air pressure P2 of the fourth air flow channel Q4 sensed by the second sensing surface 272 b; conversely, when the user sucks the second nebulizer 22, the air pressure P2 of the fourth air flow passage Q4 sensed by the second sensing surface 272b is smaller than the air pressure P1 of the third air flow passage Q3 sensed by the first sensing surface 271 b; the MCU controller 29 can further determine which atomizer the user sucks by calculating the differential pressure value, and accordingly control the output power of the power supply device 10.

Of course, in the above implementation, the suction operation is determined by the pressure difference value between the air pressure P1 in the third air flow passage Q3 and the air pressure P2 in the fourth air flow passage Q4, and in order to ensure the accuracy of the result, the calculated pressure difference value may be compared with a preset threshold value, and if the pressure difference value is smaller than the threshold value, the pressure difference value between the air pressure P1 and the air pressure P2 is too small, and there is a possibility that the detection data of the sensor changes due to a small human action or the like (such as a waving or the like) in the non-suction state, and when the pressure difference value is smaller than the threshold value, the trigger signal of the sensor is not responded, so as to ensure the accuracy of the.

Based on the above usage state of the product, the aerosol-generating system of an embodiment includes the aerosol-generating device and the power supply device 10a, and the aerosol-generating device and the power supply device 10a can be in the conductive connection state in the above position state and the moving process, and the above first position a, second position B and third position C are only used for adjusting the aerosol-generating device to be in the suction state or the non-suction state.

As shown in fig. 31 and 32, the electrode contact 12a of the power supply device 10a extends along the length direction of the power supply device 10a and is exposed on the outer surface of the power supply device 10a, and the extending length thereof is at least longer than the stroke length of the aerosol generating device sliding from the second position B to the third position C; the conductive pogo pin on the aerosol-generating device can be electrically connected to the electrode contact 12a all the time while sliding. The displaced position is only used to project the atomiser to facilitate drawing by the user's lips, corresponding to the aerosol-generating device being powered at all times.

Based on the positioning and detecting of the moving position and the control of the pumping, the above embodiments can be used and implemented, and the detailed description is not repeated in this section.

Based on the shape of the above products, which can be changed equally, the present invention also provides an aerosol-generating system, which is configured as shown in fig. 33 to 35, and includes:

an elongated power supply device 10, wherein two ends of the power supply device 10 along the length direction are respectively configured as a near end 110 and a far end 120 of a product; the inside of the aerosol-generating device is also provided with a through hole 30b penetrating in the longitudinal direction, and the through hole 30b serves as a space for accommodating and mounting the aerosol-generating device 20 b.

The gas mist generating device 20b is formed in a longitudinal shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the power supply device 10 in a shape matching the shape of the through hole 30 b. And the ends of the aerosol-generating device 20b opposite the proximal end 110b and the distal end 120b are provided with a first atomizer 21b and a second atomizer 22b, respectively.

Similarly, the gas mist generating device 20B is telescopically slidable in the axial direction of the through hole 30B with respect to the power supply device 10B, and three slide positions, which are a first position a, a second position B, and a third position C shown in fig. 33 to 35, are set. In the first position a, both ends of the aerosol-generating device 20b are flush with both the proximal end 110b and the distal end 120 b; in the second position B, at least a portion of the first atomizer 21B protrudes with respect to the proximal end 110B, so as to facilitate the user's suction; in the third position C, at least a portion of the second atomizer 22b protrudes relative to the distal end 120 b.

Similarly, the content for facilitating the position detection and control and the positioning of the sliding position in the implementation of the product can be implemented by the content described above, and the detailed description is omitted here.

It should be noted that the preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the specification and the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the specification, and further, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and changes can be made in the above description, and all such modifications and changes should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating system having opposed proximal and distal ends, comprising an aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol, and a power supply device for powering the aerosol-generating device; wherein the aerosol-generating device is elongate in shape extending proximally to distally and has first and second ends opposite the proximal and distal ends, respectively, in the length direction; the first end portion being provided with a first atomiser for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to produce an aerosol and the second end portion being provided with a second atomiser for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to produce an aerosol;

2. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1, wherein the power supply means is elongate in shape extending proximally to distally and has third and fourth ends respectively opposite the proximal and distal ends in the length direction;

3. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to: when the position detection assembly detects that the aerosol-generating device is at a first position, controlling the power supply device to output power to the first atomizer; and/or, when the position detection assembly detects that the aerosol-generating device is in the second position, control the power supply device to output power to the second atomizer.

4. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the position detection assembly comprises an electrically conductive connection provided on the aerosol-generating device, and a first contact provided on the power supply device;

5. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 4, wherein the power supply means comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, the first contact being connected to the first electrode; the detection circuit comprises a first voltage-dividing resistor and a second voltage-dividing resistor; the first end of the first voltage-dividing resistor is connected with the conductive connecting piece, the second end of the first voltage-dividing resistor is connected with the first end of the second voltage-dividing resistor, and the second end of the second voltage-dividing resistor is connected with the second electrode;

6. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the position detection assembly comprises a magnetic field generator provided on one of the aerosol-generating device or the power supply device, and a Hall sensor provided on the other;

7. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the position detection assembly comprises a reflective photosensor disposed on one of the aerosol-generating device or the power supply device; the reflection type photoelectric sensor is provided with a light emitting end and a reflected light receiving end, and generates a sensing signal according to the intensity of reflected light received by the reflected light receiving end;

8. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first atomiser comprises a first nozzle provided at a first end and the second atomiser comprises a second nozzle provided at a second end; at least a portion of the first nozzle projects relative to a third end of the power supply device when in the first position, and at least a portion of the second nozzle projects relative to a fourth end of the power supply device when in the second position.

9. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 8, wherein the first atomizer comprises a first air-intake port provided on the first nozzle for a user to draw, and a first air-flow channel for conveying aerosol generated by the first atomizer to the first air-intake port; the second atomizer comprises a second air suction port arranged on the second suction nozzle for suction of a user and a second air flow channel for transmitting aerosol generated by the second atomizer to the second air suction port;

10. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 9, wherein the second air-intake is configured as an air-intake into which air flows when the first air-intake is drawn by a user; and/or the first air intake is configured as an air intake into which air flows when the second air intake is drawn by a user.

11. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first nebuliser comprises a first inhalation port for inhalation by a user, and a first airflow channel for conveying aerosol generated by the first nebuliser to the first inhalation port; the second atomizer comprises a second air suction port for suction of a user and a second air flow channel for conveying aerosol generated by the second atomizer to the second air suction port;

12. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 11, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a third air flow passage for communicating the first air flow passage and the second air flow passage; the airflow sensor is arranged in the third airflow channel.

13. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 12, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a fourth airflow channel;

14. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 12, wherein the airflow sensor comprises a first sensing surface and a second sensing surface; wherein,

15. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 12, wherein the airflow sensor is an airflow direction sensor for sensing an airflow direction within the third airflow channel;

16. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to: when the airflow direction sensed by the airflow direction sensor is from the second airflow channel to the first airflow channel, controlling the power supply device to output power to the first atomizer;

17. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 11, wherein the airflow sensor comprises a first sensing surface and a second sensing surface; wherein,

18. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 17, wherein the controller is configured to control the power supply device to output power to the first nebulizer when the first air pressure value is less than a second air pressure value and to control the power supply device to output power to the second nebulizer when the first air pressure value is greater than a second air pressure value.

19. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 12, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a flexible seal disposed between the first atomizer and the second atomizer, the flexible seal having a groove or through-hole extending proximally to distally; the space of the groove or the through hole forms the third air flow passage.

20. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 19, wherein the flexible seal further comprises a receiving cavity for receiving the airflow sensor, the receiving cavity being disposed on the third airflow passage.

21. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first atomiser is in a second position in non-conductive connection with the power supply means;

22. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the aerosol-generating device further has a third position opposite the power supply device; when the aerosol-generating device is in the third position, the first end is flush with a third end of the power supply device and the second end is flush with a fourth end of the power supply device.

23. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 22, wherein the aerosol-generating device is slidably connected to the power supply device and is slidable lengthwise relative to the power supply device between the first position, the second position, and the third position.

24. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 23, wherein the third position is disposed between the first position and the second position in a proximal to distal direction.

25. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 22, wherein the aerosol-generating device is in a non-conductive connection with the power supply device when in the third position.

26. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power supply means is provided with a second contact and a third contact; the aerosol generating device is provided with a conductive bullet needle;

27. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 26, wherein the power supply device comprises a cell and electrode contacts disposed on the cell; the second contact and the third contact are formed by bending at least a portion of the electrode contact towards the aerosol-generating device.

28. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 22, wherein the electrically heated smoking system further comprises a positioning mechanism for stably holding the aerosol-generating device with the power supply device in the first position, the second position, and the third position.

29. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 28, wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a positioning pogo pin and a positioning hole fitted with the positioning pogo pin; one of the positioning hole and the positioning elastic needle is arranged on the power supply device, and the other one of the positioning hole and the positioning elastic needle is arranged on the aerosol generating device;

30. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 28, wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a first magnetic body disposed on one of the power supply device or the aerosol-generating device, and a second, third and fourth magnetic body disposed on the other;

31. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 28, wherein the positioning mechanism comprises first and second magnetic bodies disposed on one of the power supply device or the aerosol-generating device, and third and fourth magnetic bodies disposed on the other;

32. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a width direction and a height direction; the aerosol generating device is stacked with the power supply device along the height direction;

33. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first atomiser comprises a first heating element for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol and the second atomiser comprises a second heating element for heating an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol;

34. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate of the first atomiser has a different composition of matter than the aerosol-forming substrate of the second atomiser.

35. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a solid substrate or is a liquid substrate.