EP4371431A1

EP4371431A1 - Heating device for aerosol generation apparatus and aerosol generation apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP4371431A1
Application number: EP22841435.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Zexin WU; Zhongli XU; Yonghai LI
Original assignee: Shenzhen FirstUnion Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen FirstUnion Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-07-14
Filing date: 2022-07-13
Publication date: 2024-05-22
Also published as: WO2023284802A1; CN115606855A; US20240315336A1; EP4371431A4

Abstract

This application provides a heater for a vapor generation device and a vapor generation device. The heater is constructed to be a pin or in a needle shape, and includes a front end and a rear end that are opposite in an axial direction, and a resistance heating element extending between the front end and the rear end; the resistance heating element includes a first electrical connection portion close to the front end, a second electrical connection portion close to the rear end, and a heating portion located between the first electrical connection portion and the second electrical connection portion; and a plurality of notches or hollow holes are provided on the heating portion. The foregoing heater is powered by the electrical connection portions at the front end and the rear end, and generates heat at the heating portion that is formed between the electrical connection portions and has the plurality of notches or hollow holes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202110794796.2, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on July 14, 2021 and entitled "HEATER FOR VAPOR GENERATION DEVICE AND VAPOR GENERATION DEVICE", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of this application relate to the field of heat not burning cigarette device technologies, and in particular, to a heater for a vapor generation device and a vapor generation device.

BACKGROUND

Tobacco products (such as cigarettes and cigars) burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts are made to replace these tobacco-burning products by manufacturing products that release compounds without combustion.
An example of such a product is a heating device that releases a compound by heating rather than burning a material. For example, the material may be tobacco or other non-tobacco products. These non-tobacco products may include or not include nicotine. Among known technologies, Patent No. 202010054217.6 proposes to use a heater with a spiral heating wire encapsulated in an outer tube to heat the product to generate an aerosol.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of this application provide a vapor generation device, configured to heat a vapor generation product to generate an aerosol for inhalation, and including:

a cavity, configured to receive the aerosol-forming product; and
a heater, at least partially extending in the cavity, and configured to heat the aerosol-forming product, where the heater includes a free front end and a rear end that are opposite in an axial direction, and a resistance heating element extending between the free front end and the rear end;
the resistance heating element includes a first electrical connection portion close to the free front end, a second electrical connection portion close to the rear end, and a heating portion located between the first electrical connection portion and the second electrical connection portion; and a plurality of notches or hollow holes are provided on the heating portion.

In a preferred implementation, the plurality of notches or hollow holes are discontinuous.
In a preferred implementation, the notches or hollow holes form a repeating pattern on the heating portion.
In a preferred implementation, the notches or hollow holes are in rectangular shapes, to enable the heating portion to form a grid pattern.
In a preferred implementation, the notches or hollow holes are constructed to have an extension size in a circumferential direction of the heater greater than an extension size in the axial direction.
In a preferred implementation, the notches or hollow holes are staggered in an axial direction of the heating element.
In a preferred implementation, the resistance heating element defines a hollow extending through the resistance heating element.
In a preferred implementation, the resistance heating element is in a tubular shape extending in the axial direction of the heater.
In a preferred implementation, the resistance heating element is formed through sheet winding.
In a preferred implementation, the heater further includes:

a first conductive pin, connected to the first electrical connection portion, and extending in the hollow to outside the second electrical connection portion; and
a second conductive pin, connected to the second electrical connection portion, and extending in the hollow to outside the second electrical connection portion.

In a preferred implementation, the first conductive pin and the second conductive pin are made of different materials, to form, between the first conductive pin and the second conductive pin, a thermocouple for sensing a temperature of the resistance heating element.
In a preferred implementation, the first conductive pin is surrounded by a first electrical insulating layer, and the second conductive pin is surrounded by a second electrical insulating layer. The first electrical insulating layer and the second electrical insulating layer are about 2 micrometers to about 10 micrometers in thickness.
In a preferred implementation, the first electrical insulating layer and the second electrical insulating layer include polytetrafluoroethylene.
In a preferred implementation, the first electrical connection portion and/or the second electrical connection portion is constructed to be in a ring or strip shape extending in a circumferential direction of the heater.
In a preferred implementation, the first electrical connection portion and/or the second electrical connection portion is about 0.1 millimeters to about 2 millimeters in width in an axial direction.
In a preferred implementation, the resistance heating element is in a range of about 10 millimeters to about 16 millimeters in length extending in the axial direction of the heater.
In a preferred implementation, the resistance heating element is about 0.05 millimeters to about 0.5 millimeters in thickness in a radial direction of the heater.
In a preferred implementation, an extension size of the notches or hollow holes in the axial direction of the heater is about 0.1 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters.
In a preferred implementation, a distance between adjacent notches or hollow holes in the axial direction of the heater is about 0.1 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters.
In a preferred implementation, a distance between adjacent notches or hollow holes in the axial direction of the heater is variable.
In a preferred implementation, the resistance heating element is in a range of about 0.8 ohms to about 3 ohms in resistance.
In a preferred implementation, the heater further includes a base or flange close to the rear end, and the vapor generation device provides support for the heater by holding the base or flange.
In a preferred implementation, the base or flange avoids the resistance heating element in the axial direction of the heater.
In a preferred implementation, the base or flange is closer to the rear end than the resistance heating element.
In a preferred implementation, a distance of at least more than 0.1 millimeters is kept between the resistance heating element and the base or flange in the axial direction of the heater.
In a preferred implementation, the heater further includes:

a shell, having a hollow extending axially; and
the resistance heating element is accommodated and held in the hollow.

In a preferred implementation, the heater further includes:
a base body, extending in the axial direction of the heater; and the resistance heating element is arranged to surround the base body.
In a preferred implementation, a groove is provided on an outer surface of the base body, and at least a part of the resistance heating element is accommodated or held in the groove.
In a preferred implementation, an outer surface of the resistance heating element is not significantly protruding or recessed relative to the outer surface of the base body.
In a preferred implementation, the base body is rigid.
In a preferred implementation, the base body is formed by molding a moldable material in the resistance heating element, and is coupled to the resistance heating element.
In a preferred implementation, at least a part of the resistance heating element is visible on a surface of the heater.
Another embodiment of this application further provides a heater for a vapor generation device, where the heater is constructed to be in a pin or needle shape, and includes a front end and a rear end that are opposite in an axial direction, and a resistance heating element extending between the front end and the rear end;
the resistance heating element includes a first electrical connection portion close to the front end, a second electrical connection portion close to the rear end, and a heating portion located between the first electrical connection portion and the second electrical connection portion; and a plurality of discontinuous notches or hollow holes are provided on the heating portion.
The foregoing vapor generation device and the heater are powered by the electrical connection portions at the free front end and the rear end, and generates heat at the heating portion that is formed between the electrical connection portions and has the plurality of discontinuous notches or hollow holes.
Another embodiment of this application further provides a vapor generation device, configured to heat a vapor generation product to generate an aerosol for inhalation; and including:

a cavity, configured to receive the aerosol-forming product; and
a heater, at least partially extending in the cavity, and configured to heat the aerosol-forming product, where the heater includes a free front end and a rear end that are opposite in an axial direction, and a resistance heating element extending between the free front end and the rear end; and
the resistance heating element is constructed in a tubular shape extending in the axial direction of the heater.

In a preferred implementation, the heating portion is constructed in a spiral shape extending in an axial direction of the resistance heating element.
A notch or hollow hole in a spiral shape is formed on the heating portion.
Another embodiment of this application further provides a vapor generation device, configured to heat a vapor generation product to generate an aerosol for inhalation; and including:

a cavity, configured to receive the aerosol-forming product; and
a heater, at least partially extending in the cavity, and configured to heat the aerosol-forming product, where the heater includes:
- a rigid base body; and
- a resistance heating element, extending in an axial direction of the heater and surrounding the base body.

In a preferred implementation, the base body includes:

a first section close to a free front end, where the first section is constructed in a conical shape;
a second section, where the second section is located downstream of the first section, and the resistance heating element is coupled on to the second section; and
a third section close to a rear end.

In a preferred implementation, a groove is provided on an outer surface of the second section of the base body, and at least a part of the resistance heating element is accommodated or coupled in the groove. In addition, in a preferred implementation, after the resistance heating element is coupled on to the outer surface of the second section, an outer surface of the resistance heating element is in substantially flat engagement with the outer surface of the second section. In other words, the outer surface of the resistance heating element is in an insignificantly protruding or recessed state relative to the outer surface of the second section.
In a preferred implementation, a plurality of protruding portions extending in a circumferential direction are formed on the outer surface of the second section of the base body. In addition, from a shape and construction point of view, the protruding portions are discontinuous with each other, so that the outer surface of the second section of the base body is not completely continuous, but has at least one discontinuous portion.
In a preferred implementation, a distance between adjacent protruding portions is substantially constant in an axial direction of the base body. Alternatively, in some other variation implementations, a distance between the adjacent protruding portions is variably arranged. For example, specifically, in an optional implementation, the distance between the adjacent protruding portions gradually increases inward in the axial direction. In other words, a distance close to the free front end and/or the rear end is greater than that close to a central portion.
In a preferred implementation, the heater further includes a base or flange, where the base or flange is surrounding, mounted, or positioned on the third section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objective implementation, functional features, and advantages of this application are further described with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are exemplarily described with reference to the corresponding figures in the accompanying drawings, and the descriptions do not constitute a limitation to the embodiments. Components in the accompanying drawings that have same reference numerals are represented as similar components, and unless otherwise particularly stated, the figures in the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vapor generation device according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a heater in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a base body in FIG. 2 from another perspective;
FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a tubular resistance heating element in FIG. 2 from another perspective;
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heater in FIG. 2 from a perspective;
FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a resistance heating element after being unfolded according to another embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a heater according to another embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heater in FIG. 7 from a perspective; and
FIG. 9 is a schematic exploded view of each part of the heater in FIG. 8 before being assembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To make the foregoing objectives, features, and advantages of this application more comprehensible, detailed description is made to specific implementations of this application below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, many specific details are described for fully understanding this application. However, this application may be implemented in many other manners different from those described herein. A person skilled in the art may make similar improvements without departing from the connotation of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.
In the description of this application, it should be understood that, orientations or position relationships indicated by terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", and "circumferential" are orientations or position relationships shown based on the accompanying drawings, and are merely used for describing this application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the apparatus or element should have a particular orientation or be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore, should not be construed as a limitation to this application.
In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used merely for the purpose of description, and shall not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implying a quantity of indicated technical features. Therefore, features defining "first" and "second" can explicitly or implicitly comprise at least one of the features. In the descriptions of this application, unless otherwise specified, "a plurality of" means at least two, for example, two or three.
In this application, unless explicitly specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted", "connected", "connection", and "fixed" should be understood broadly. For example, a connection may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; or the connection may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; or the connection may be a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or internal communication between two elements or a mutual action relationship between two elements, unless otherwise specified explicitly. A person of ordinary skill in the art can understand specific meanings of the foregoing terms in this application according to a specific situation.
In this application, unless explicitly specified or limited otherwise, a first characteristic "on" or "under" a second characteristic may be the first characteristic in direct contact with the second characteristic, or the first characteristic in indirect contact with the second characteristic through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature "over", "above", and "up" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that a horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature "under", "below", and "down" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that a horizontal height of the first feature is less than that of the second feature.
It should be noted that, when a component is referred to as "being fixed to" or "being disposed to" another component, the component may be directly on the other component, or an intervening component may exist. When a component is considered to be "connected to" another component, the component may be directly connected to the another component, or an intervening component may also exist. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "down", "left", "right" and similar expressions used in this specification are only for purposes of illustration but not indicate a unique implementation.
An embodiment of this application provides a vapor generation device. For construction thereof, reference may be made to FIG. 1. The vapor generation device includes:

a cavity, where an aerosol-forming product A is removably received in the cavity;
a heater 30, at least partially extending in the cavity, where when the aerosol-forming product A is received in the cavity, the heater is inserted into the aerosol-forming product A for heating, to enable the aerosol-forming product A to release a plurality of volatile compounds, and these volatile compounds are formed only through heating processing;
a core 10, configured to supply power; and
a circuit 20, configured to guide a current between the core 10 and the heater 30.

In a preferred embodiment, the heater 30 is generally in a pin or needle shape, which is advantageous for insertion into the aerosol-forming product A. In addition, the heater 30 may be about 12 millimeters to 19 millimeters in length, and be about 2 millimeters to 4 millimeters in outer diameter.
Further, in an optional embodiment, a tobacco-containing material releasing a volatile compound from a substrate when heated is preferably used for the aerosol-forming product A. Alternatively, a non-tobacco material that can be heated and then be suitable for electrically heated smoking may be used. A solid substrate that may include one or more of powder, a granule, a fragment, a thin strip, a strip, or a slice of one or more of a vanilla leaf, a tobacco leaf, homogeneous tobacco, and expanded tobacco, may be used for the aerosol-forming product A. Alternatively, the solid substrate may include an appended tobacco or non-tobacco volatile aroma compound, to be released when the substrate is heated.
FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a heater 30 in an embodiment. The heater 30 includes:

a base body 31, generally constructed to be in a pin or needle shape; and
a resistance heating element 32, a tubular element surrounding or sleeved over the base body 31.

Further, FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the base body 31 in FIG. 2 from another perspective. Construction of the base body 31 includes:
a front end 311 and a rear end 312 that are opposite in an axial direction, where the front end 311 is a free end extending into the cavity; and the rear end 312 is an end generally used for assembly or connection with a vapor generation device, so that the heater 30 can be stably held in the vapor generation device.
In an implementation, the base body 31 is rigid. In a further preferred implementation, the base body 31 is made of a material with an appropriate heat conduction and heat storage capability. For example, in some optional implementations, the base body 31 is made of a non-metal inorganic material, for example, an insulating material such as a metal oxide (such as MgO, Al₂O₃, or B₂O₃) or a metal nitride (such as Si₃N₄, B₃N₄, or Al₃N₄), or another highly heat-conductive composite ceramic material. Alternatively, in some other optional implementations, the foregoing base body 31 is made of a heat-conductive metal or alloy material. In some embodiments, the heat-conductive metal or alloy material is preferably a material with a melting point lower than 800 degrees, such as Al with a melting point of 670 degrees or AlCu with a melting point of 640 degrees. In the foregoing implementations, when the base body 31 is the metal or alloy, the base body 31 needs to be surface-insulated, so that the resistance heating element 32 is insulated from the base body 31. In an implementation, a process method such as vacuum evaporation or thermal spraying is used to deposit or spray an insulating material on a surface of the base body 31 to form an insulating layer. In some optional implementations, the insulating material of the insulating layer is preferably an insulating material such as a metal oxide (such as MgO, Al₂O₃, or B₂O₃) with an excellent thermal conductivity or a metal nitride (such as Si₃N₄, B₃N₄, or Al₃N₄), or is optionally a high-temperature-resistant glass glaze. For example, preferably, a melting point temperature of glass powder is higher than 800°C, and a minimum thereof is not lower than 450°C.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the base body 31 includes:

a first section 3110 close to the front end 311, where a shape of the first section 3110 is constructed into a shape of a conical tip, which is advantageous for insertion into an aerosol-forming product A;
a second section 3120, where the second section 3120 is located downstream of the first section 3110, and the resistance heating element 32 is coupled on to the second section 3120; and
a third section 3130 close to the rear end 312, where the third section 3130 is configured to be a part connected to the vapor generation device. During assembly, in the vapor generation device, the third section 3130 may be clamped or held, so that the heater 30 can be stably held in the vapor generation device.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, an outer surface of the second section 3120 of the base body 31 has a groove 3121 adapted to the tubular resistance heating element 32, and the resistance heating element 32 is accommodated or coupled in the groove 3121. In addition, in a preferred implementation, after the resistance heating element 32 is coupled on to the outer surface of the second section 3120, an outer surface of the resistance heating element 32 is in substantially flat engagement with the outer surface of the second section 3120. In other words, the outer surface of the resistance heating element 32 is in an insignificantly protruding or recessed state relative to the outer surface of the second section 3120.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of protruding portions 3122 extending in a circumferential direction are formed on the outer surface of the second section 3120 by using the groove 3121. In addition, from a shape and construction point of view, the protruding portions 3122 are discontinuous with each other, so that the outer surface of the second section 3120 of the base body 31 is not completely continuous, but has at least one discontinuous portion.
Further, in a preferred implementation as shown in FIG. 3, a distance between the protruding portions 3122 adjacent to each other in the axial direction is substantially constant in the axial direction of the base body 31.
Alternatively, in some other variation implementations, a distance between the protruding portions 3122 adjacent to each other is variably arranged. For example, specifically, in an optional implementation, the distance between the adjacent protruding portions 3122 gradually increases inward in the axial direction. In other words, a distance between protruding portions 3122 close to the front end 311 and/or the rear end 312 is greater than that close to a central portion. Such a design is used, a density of the corresponding tubular resistance heating element 32 is uneven. Specifically, a portion close to the center in the axial direction is loose, while portions at both ends are dense, which is advantageous for preventing heat from accumulating in the central portion of the heater 30 and improving uniformity of a temperature field.
Further, according to a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the heater 30 further includes a base or flange 33. The base or flange 33 is surrounding, mounted, or positioned on the third section 3130, and then the base or flange 33 may be clamped or held in the vapor generation device, so that the heater 30 can be stably held in the vapor generation device. In the figure, the base or flange 33 is a heat-resistant material such as PEEK or ceramic, for example, ZrO₂ or Al₂O₃ ceramic. In preparation, the base or flange 33 is fixed on the third section 3130 through high-temperature adhesive bonding, molding such as in-mold injection molding, or welding. Further, as shown in the figure, a cross-sectional area of the base or flange 33 is greater than a cross-sectional area of the third section 3130.
Further, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the resistance heating element 32 in FIG. 2 from another perspective. The tubular shape of the resistance heating element 32 defines a hollow extending therethrough, and the resistance heating element 32 includes:

a first end and a second end that are opposite in an axial direction, where the first end has a first electrical connection portion 3210, and the second end has a second electrical connection portion 3220; and
a heating portion 3230 extending between the first electrical connection portion 3210 and the second electrical connection portion 3220. In an implementation, the first electrical connection portion 3210 and the second electrical connection portion 3220 are in ring shapes. In an implementation, the heating portion 3230 generates heat through resistance heating.

Further, refer to FIG. 4. The heating portion 3230 includes a plurality of notches or hollow holes extending in a circumferential direction. Specifically, the notches or hollow holes include a first notch or hollow hole 3231 on a side in a radial direction, and a second notch or hollow hole 3232 on another side. In addition, as shown in the figure, the first notch or hollow hole 3231 and the second notch or hollow hole 3232 are staggered in an axial direction. The notches or hollow holes form a repeating pattern on the heating portion 3230.
Further, in a more preferred implementation, the first notch or hollow hole 3231 and/or the second notch or hollow hole 3232 is in a rectangular shape, so that the heating portion 3230 is in a grid pattern. In addition, it may be seen from the figure that, an extension size of the notches or hollow holes in a circumferential direction of the resistance heating element 32 is greater than that in the axial direction.
Alternatively, in another variation implementation, the notches or hollow holes may be further in circular, square, or polygonal shapes, so that the heating portion 3230 is in a honeycomb pattern.
Alternatively, in another optional variation implementation, the heating portion 3230 extending between the first electrical connection portion 3210 and the second electrical connection portion 3220 are constructed into a spiral shape extending in the axial direction of the resistance heating element 32. Specifically, in an implementation, the heating portion 3230 is an elongated strip extending in a form of a solenoid between the first electrical connection portion 3210 and the second electrical connection portion 3220. In addition, formation is performed on the spiral heating portion 3230.
In addition, in a preferred implementation as shown in the figure, the plurality of notches or hollow holes, for example, the first notch or hollow hole 3231 and/or the second notch or hollow hole 3232, are separated from each other and are discontinuous.
In some implementations, the resistance heating element 32 is made of a metal material with appropriate impedance, a metal alloy, graphite, carbon, and a composite material of a conductive ceramic or another ceramic material and a metal material. An appropriate metal or alloy material includes at least one of nickel, cobalt, zirconium, titanium, a nickel alloy, a cobalt alloy, a zirconium alloy, a titanium alloy, a nickel-chromium alloy, a nickel-iron alloy, an iron-chromium alloy, an iron-chromium-aluminum alloy, a titanium alloy, an iron-manganese-aluminum-based alloy, stainless steel, or the like.
Further, in a more preferred implementation, a length d2 of the tubular resistance heating element 32 extending in the axial direction ranges from about 10 millimeters to about 16 millimeters. In addition, the tubular resistance heating element 32 is about 0.05 millimeters to about 0.5 millimeters in wall thickness.
Further, in a more preferred implementation, the tubular resistance heating element 32 is in a range of about 0.8 ohms to about 3 ohms in resistance.
Further, in a more preferred implementation, a width d3 of the first electrical connection portion 3210 and/or the second electrical connection portion 3220 in the axial direction is between about 0.1 millimeters and about 2 millimeters.
Further, in a more preferred implementation, a width d4 of the first notch or hollow hole 3231 and/or the second notch or hollow hole 3232 is between about 0.1 millimeters and 0.5 millimeters. Further, in a more preferred implementation, a distance d5 between notches or hollow holes adjacent to each other is between about 0.1 millimeters and 0.5 millimeters.
Alternatively, in some variation implementations, a distance between the notches or hollow holes adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the resistance heating element 32 is variably arranged. As described above, a portion close to the center has a large and loose distance, while portions at both ends have small and dense distances, which is advantageous for preventing heat from accumulating in the central portion of the resistance heating element 32 and improving uniformity of a temperature field.
Further, in a more preferred implementation, an arc of the first notch or hollow hole 3231 and/or the second notch or hollow hole 3232 extending in a circumferential direction is greater than π, which is advantageous for increasing resistance.
Further, in a more preferred implementation, the tubular resistance heating element 32 is obtained by alternately cutting a tubular base material from both sides in the radial direction to form the first notch or hollow hole 3231 and/or the second notch or hollow hole 3232. Alternatively, in another optional implementation, the notch or hollow hole on the tubular resistance heating element 32 is formed by electrochemical etching.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, after the tubular resistance heating element 32 is coupled on to the second section 3120 of the base body 31, a distance d1 is kept between the second electrical connection portion 3220 of the resistance heating element 32 and the base or flange 33 in the axial direction, where the distance d1 is at least more than 0.1 millimeters; and preferably, the distance is more than 0.5 millimeters, which is advantageous in preventing heat from being transferred to the base or flange 33.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a first conductive pin 321 and a second conductive pin 322 are arranged on the tubular resistance heating element 32, to supply power to the tubular resistance heating element 32. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the first conductive pin 321 and the second conductive pin 322 are located in the hollow of the tubular resistance heating element 32, where

the first conductive pin 321 is connected to the first electrical connection portion 3210 and extends from a first section of the resistance heating element 32 to the second end; and
the second conductive pin 322 is connected to the second electrical connection portion 3220.

Further, in FIG. 2, a first hole 313 is provided on a position of the second section 3120 of the base body 31 close to the first section 3110. After assembly, the first conductive pin 321 penetrates into the base body 31 from the first hole 313 and extends beyond the rear end 312 in the axial direction, for ease of connecting to the circuit 20.
Similarly, a second hole (not shown in the figure) for penetration of the second conductive pin 322 is further provided on a position of the second section 3120 of the base body 31 close to the third section 3130, and then the second conductive pin 322 extends beyond the rear end 312 of the base body 31, for ease of connecting to the circuit 20.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a first insulating layer 323 is sleeved over a portion of the first conductive pin 321 exposed outside the rear end 312 of the base body 31. In addition, a second insulating layer 324 is sleeved over a portion of the second conductive pin 322 exposed outside the rear end 312 of the base body 31. The first insulating layer 323 and the second insulating layer 324 are respectively configured to provide insulation to exposed surfaces of the first conductive pin 321 and the second conductive pin 322. In some preferred implementations, the first insulating layer 323 and the second insulating layer 324 are prepared by using insulating materials such as polyimide and polytetrafluoroethylene.
The first insulating layer 323 and the second insulating layer 324 are between about 2 micrometers and about 10 micrometers in thickness.
Alternatively, in some other variation implementations, insulation may be provided to exposed surfaces of the first conductive pin 321 and the second conductive pin 322 by spraying insulating coats, for example, glazes.
In a preferred implementation, a material of the tubular resistance heating element 32 is preferably prepared by using a material with a positive or negative resistance temperature coefficient, for example, a nickel-aluminum alloy, a nickel-silicon alloy, a palladium-containing alloy, or a platinum-containing alloy. During operation, according to a correlation between a temperature and resistance, the circuit 20 may detect resistance of the resistance heating element 32, to determine a temperature of the resistance heating element 32.
Alternatively, in another preferred implementation, the first conductive pin 321 and the second conductive pin 322 are prepared by using two different couple wire materials among galvanic materials such as nickel, a nickel-chromium alloy, a nickel-silicon alloy, nickel-chromium-constantan, constantan copper, and ferrochromium. Therefore, a thermocouple that may be configured to detect the temperature of the resistance heating element 32 is formed between the first conductive pin 321 and the second conductive pin 322, to obtain the temperature of the resistance heating element 32.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, after the resistance heating element 32 is assembled on the base body 31, protective coats may be formed on outer surfaces of the resistance heating element 32 and the base body 31 in a manner such as deposition or spraying. Preferably, the protective coat is insulating, and is configured to provide insulation to an exposed surface of the resistance heating element 32. In some other preferred implementations, the protective coat is transparent, so that at least a part of the resistance heating element 32 is visible on a surface of the heater 30. For example, glass or a glaze.
In an optional implementation, the base body 31 is formed by molding in the tubular resistance heating element 32. For example, after raw material powder forming the base body 31 and an organic additive for injection molding are mixed to form a slurry, the slurry is injected from a mold cavity into the resistance heating element 32, and the heater 30 may be obtained after the slurry is molded and solidified.
FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a resistance heating element 32a after being unfolded according to another optional implementation. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the resistance heating element 32a is formed by winding a sheet-like grid-shaped element on a surface of a base body 31. A winding direction is shown by an arrow R in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the resistance heating element 32a includes:

a first electrical connection portion 3210a located at an upper end in a longitudinal direction, and a second electrical connection portion 3220a located at a lower end, where the first electrical connection portion 3210a and/or the second electrical connection portion 3220a is in a shape of a straight strip after being unfolded; and
a heating portion 3230a extending between the first electrical connection portion 3210a and the second electrical connection portion 3220a, where a plurality of hollow holes 3231a and hollow holes 3232a are provided on the heating portion 3230a, which is advantageous for reducing an area of the heating portion 3230a and increasing resistance.

Further, refer to a preferred implementation as shown in FIG. 6. The hollow holes 3231a and the hollow holes 3232a are staggered in the longitudinal direction of the resistance heating element 32a, and at least are not aligned in the longitudinal direction.
In some implementations, the hollow holes 3231a and/or the hollow holes 3232a are in rectangular shapes. In some other variations, the hollow holes 3231a and/or the hollow holes 3232a may be further in circular, square, or polygonal shapes, so that the heating portion 3230a is in a mesh pattern.
In some implementations, the resistance heating element 32a are also about 0.05 millimeters to about 0.5 millimeters in thickness.
As shown in FIG. 6, the resistance heating element 32a further includes:

a first conductive pin 321a, connected to the first electrical connection portion 3210a and extends from the upper end of the resistance heating element 32a to the lower end; and
a second conductive pin 322a, connected to the second electrical connection portion 3220a.

As shown in FIG. 6, during winding, the first conductive pin 321a and the second conductive pin 322a are located on an inner side instead of being exposed on an outer side.
Further, FIG. 7 to FIG. 9 are schematic structural diagrams of another heater 30b. In this implementation, the heater 30b includes:

a shell 31b, where the shell 31b is constructed in a shape of a pin or needle of an inner cavity 313b, and a front end 311b is shown as a conical tip for ease of insertion into an aerosol-forming product A, and the inner cavity 313b has an opening or aperture at a rear end 312b for ease of internal assembly of various functional components therein; and
a resistance heating element 32b, configured to generate heat, where the resistance heating element 32b is in a tubular shape and defines a hollow extending through the resistance heating element 32b along an axial line; and after assembly, the resistance heating element 32b is accommodated and held in the inner cavity 313b of the shell 31b, and conducts heat with the shell 31b.

The heater 30b further includes a base or flange 33b, where in the figure, the base or flange 33b is a heat-resistant material such as ceramic or PEEK; and a shape is preferably a ring shape. During assembly, the base or flange 33b is fixed at a portion of the shell 31b close to the rear end 312b by using a high-temperature adhesive or through molding, such as in-mold injection molding, so that a vapor generation device may support, clamp, or hold the base or flange 33b to fix the heater 30b.
The shell 31b is prepared by using a heat-resistant and heat-conductive material such as glass, a ceramic, metal, or an alloy, for example, stainless steel. Certainly, after assembly, the resistance heating element 32b and an inner wall of the inner cavity 313b of the shell 31b abut to conduct heat to each other, and additionally, are insulating to each other when the metal or the alloy is used for the shell 31b. For example, insulation may be formed between surfaces that the resistance heating element 32b and the inner wall contact by gluing, surface oxidation, spraying an insulating layer, or the like.
In this implementation, the resistance heating element 32b includes:
a first end and a second end that are opposite in an axial direction, where the first end has a first electrical connection portion 3210b, and the second end has a second electrical connection portion 3220b; and a heating portion 3230b extending between the first electrical connection portion 3210b and the second electrical connection portion 3220b. In an implementation, the first electrical connection portion 3210b and the second electrical connection portion 3220b are in ring shapes. In an implementation, the heating portion 3230b generates heat through resistance heating.
Similarly, the heating portion 3230b includes a plurality of notches or hollow holes extending in a circumferential direction, and a repeating pattern is formed. Similarly, the notches or hollow holes are in rectangular, circular, square, or polygonal shapes, so that the heating portion 3230b is in a grid pattern.
Similarly, the resistance heating element 32b is in a range of about 10 millimeters to about 16 millimeters in length. In addition, the resistance heating element 32b is about 0.05 millimeters to about 0.5 millimeters in wall thickness. The resistance heating element 32b is in a range of about 0.8 ohms to about 3 ohms in resistance. The first electrical connection portion 3210b and/or the second electrical connection portion 3220b is about 0.1 millimeters to about 2 millimeters in width.
Similarly, a first conductive pin 321b and a second conductive pin 322b are further arranged on the tubular resistance heating element 32b, to supply power. Similarly, the first conductive pin 321b and the second conductive pin 322b are located in the hollow of the tubular resistance heating element 32b, where

the first conductive pin 321b is connected to the first electrical connection portion 3210b and extends from a first section of the resistance heating element 32b to the second end; and
the second conductive pin 322b is connected to the second electrical connection portion 3220b.

Similarly, a first insulating layer 323b is sleeved over an exposed surface of the first conductive pin 321b, and a second insulating layer 324b is sleeved over an exposed surface of the second conductive pin 322b.
Similarly, a circuit 20 may detect resistance of the resistance heating element 32b, to determine a temperature of the resistance heating element 32b. Alternatively, similarly, the first conductive pin 321b and the second conductive pin 322b are prepared by using two different couple wire materials, so that a thermocouple that may be configured to detect the temperature of the resistance heating element 32b is formed between the first conductive pin 321b and the second conductive pin 322b, to obtain the temperature of the resistance heating element 32b.
In an optional implementation, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the heater 30b further includes a filler located in the hollow of the shell 31b. The filler is configured to provide support to or hold the tubular resistance heating element 32b; and in addition, the filler is further configured to provide heat storage and heat retention in the shell 31b, thereby preventing the temperature of the heater 30b from suddenly dropping during a vaping process and keeping the temperature stable, which is advantageous.
In some optional implementations, the filler is powder, including glass, an inorganic oxide with a melting point below 1500°C, a carbide, a nitride, or an inorganic salt, or the like. For example, the filler uses at least one of alumina or a precursor thereof, silica or a precursor thereof, an aluminate, an aluminosilicate, an aluminum nitride, aluminum carbide, zirconia, silicon carbide, silicon boride, silicon nitride, titanium dioxide, titanium carbide, boron carbide, boron oxide, borosilicate, silicate, rare earth oxide, soda lime, barium titanate, lead zirconate titanate, aluminum titanate, barium ferrite, strontium ferrite, or a such inorganic material, which is easy to be obtained and prepared. In some other optional implementations, the filler includes a highly heat-conductive material, for example, silicon carbide.
During preparation, filler power and an organic ceramic adhesive such as an epoxy adhesive are mixed to form a slurry, to be injected into the shell 3 1b mounted with the resistance heating element 32b.
Alternatively, in another variation implementation, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the heater 30b further includes a base body 34b located in the hollow of the shell 31b. The base body 34b provides support to the resistance heating element 32b. Specifically, the base body 34b is in a rod or bar shape, and is made of a rigid material. The resistance heating element 32b is held by surrounding and being coupled on to the base body 34b.
Alternatively, in another variation implementation, the base body 34b is formed by molding a molding material in the shell 31b. Specifically,
for example, in some implementations, a material with a melting point lower than a melting point of the shell 31b of the heater, for example, glass, silica, or a glaze, is used for the base body 34b, where original powder of the material is heated to be in a molten state and is then injected into the shell 31b accommodating the resistance heating element 32b, and then the molten state is cooled and solidified to form the base body 34b through natural cooling or cooling.
For example, in some other variation implementations, the base body 34b is prepared in the shell 31b through an injection molding process. During preparation, the original powder for the base body 34b and an organic additive are mixed to form an injection slurry, then the injection slurry is injected into the shell 31b accommodating the resistance heating element 32b, and the inner cavity 313b of the shell 31b is filled with the slurry. After injection is completed and the slurry is molded and solidified, the heater 30b may be obtained. In this implementation, a material appropriate for injection molded base body 34b may include a metal oxide (such as MgO, Al₂O₃, or B₂O₃) with an excellent thermal conductivity, a metal nitride (such as Si₃N₄, B₃N₄, or Al₃N₄), heat-conductive metal or alloy materials that can be prepared by powder metallurgy technology, such as Al with a melting point of 670 degrees, and AlCu with a melting point of 640 degrees, or the like.
Further, refer to a preferred implementation as shown in FIG. 9, a first hole 341b is also provided on the rod-shaped or bar-shaped base body 34b, for the first conductive pin 321b to penetrate into the first hole from a portion close to the upper end and extend beyond the lower end. Similarly, a second hole 342b is also provided on the rod-shaped or bar-shaped base body 34b, for the second conductive pin 322b to penetrate into the second hole from a portion close to the lower end and extend beyond the lower end.
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, the base or flange 33b avoids the resistance heating element 32b in an axial direction at a coupled portion of the shell 31b. According to FIG. 8, a distance at least more than 0.1 millimeters is kept between the resistance heating element 32b and the second electrical connection portion 3220b in the axial direction; and preferably, the distance is at least more than 0.5 millimeters, which is advantageous in preventing heat from being transferred to the base or flange 33b.
Alternatively, in a variation implementation, the resistance heating element 32b of the heater 30b is formed after the sheet-shaped element shown in FIG. 6 is wound on the rod-shaped or bar-shaped base body 34b, which is more convenient than preparation for a tubular shape.
Similarly, for construction of the base body 34b, a groove 3121 or a protruding portion 3122 may also be provided on a surface of the base body 31 to accommodate and hold the resistance heating element 32b.
The technical features in the foregoing embodiments may be randomly combined. For concise description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the embodiments are described. However, provided that combinations of the technical features do not conflict with each other, the combinations of the technical features are considered as falling within the scope described in this specification.
The foregoing embodiments only describe a plurality of implementations of this application specifically and in detail, but cannot be construed as a limitation to the patent scope of this application. It should be noted that for a person of ordinary skill in the art, various changes and improvements may be made without departing from the ideas of this application, which shall all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of this application is subject to the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

A heater for a vapor generation device, wherein the heater is constructed to be in a pin or needle shape, and comprises a front end and a rear end that are opposite in an axial direction, and a resistance heating element extending between the front end and the rear end;
the resistance heating element comprises a first electrical connection portion close to the front end, a second electrical connection portion close to the rear end, and a heating portion located between the first electrical connection portion and the second electrical connection portion; and a plurality of notches or hollow holes are provided on the heating portion.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of notches or hollow holes are discontinuous.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notches or hollow holes are in rectangular shapes, to enable the heating portion to form a grid pattern.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notches or hollow holes are constructed to have an extension size in a circumferential direction of the heater greater than an extension size in the axial direction.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notches or hollow holes are staggered in an axial direction of the heating element.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resistance heating element defines a hollow extending through the resistance heating element.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resistance heating element is in a tubular shape extending in the axial direction of the heater.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resistance heating element is formed through sheet winding.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heater further comprises:
a first conductive pin, connected to the first electrical connection portion, and extending in the hollow to outside the second electrical connection portion; and

a second conductive pin, connected to the second electrical connection portion, and extending in the hollow to outside the second electrical connection portion.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 9, wherein the first conductive pin and the second conductive pin are made of different materials, to form, between the first conductive pin and the second conductive pin, a thermocouple for sensing a temperature of the resistance heating element.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first electrical connection portion and/or the second electrical connection portion is constructed to be in a ring or strip shape extending in a circumferential direction of the heater.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 11, wherein the first electrical connection portion and/or the second electrical connection portion is about 0.1 millimeters to about 2 millimeters in width in an axial direction.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resistance heating element is in a range of about 10 millimeters to about 16 millimeters in length extending in the axial direction of the heater.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resistance heating element is 0.05 millimeters to about 0.5 millimeters in thickness in a radial direction of the heater.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an extension size of the notches or hollow holes in the axial direction of the heater is about 0.1 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a distance between adjacent notches or hollow holes in the axial direction of the heater is about 0.1 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a distance between adjacent notches or hollow holes in the axial direction of the heater is variable.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resistance heating element is in a range of about 0.8 ohms to about 3 ohms in resistance.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heater further comprises a base or flange close to the rear end, and the vapor generation device provides support for the heater by holding the base or flange.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 19, wherein the base or flange avoids the resistance heating element in the axial direction of the heater.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 20, wherein the base or flange is closer to the rear end than the resistance heating element.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 20, wherein a distance of at least more than 0.1 millimeters is kept between the resistance heating element and the base or flange in the axial direction of the heater.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heater further comprises:
a shell, having a hollow extending axially; and

the resistance heating element is accommodated and held in the hollow.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heater further comprises:
a base body, extending in the axial direction of the heater; and the resistance heating element is arranged to surround the base body.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 24, wherein a groove is provided on an outer surface of the base body, and at least a part of the resistance heating element is accommodated or held in the groove.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 25, wherein an outer surface of the resistance heating element is not significantly protruding or recessed relative to the outer surface of the base body.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 24, wherein the base body is rigid.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 24, wherein the base body is formed by molding a moldable material in the resistance heating element, and is coupled to the resistance heating element.
The heater for a vapor generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a part of the resistance heating element is visible on a surface of the heater.
A vapor generation device, configured to heat an aerosol-forming product to generate an aerosol, and comprising:
a cavity, configured to receive the aerosol-forming product; and

a heater, at least partially extending in the cavity, and configured to heat the aerosol-forming product, wherein the heater comprises a free front end and a rear end that are opposite in an axial direction, and a resistance heating element extending between the free front end and the rear end;

the resistance heating element comprises a first electrical connection portion close to the free front end, a second electrical connection portion close to the rear end, and a heating portion located between the first electrical connection portion and the second electrical connection portion; and a plurality of notches or hollow holes are provided on the heating portion.