WO2024245330A1 - Aerosol generating device and aerosol generating system - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided in the present application are an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system. The aerosol generating device comprises: a receiving cavity having an opening, the receiving cavity being configured to selectively receive one of a first type of consumable including a first susceptor and a second type of consumable including a second susceptor, the receiving cavity comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being closer to the opening than the second portion, the first type of consumable being located in the first portion and keeping away from the second portion when being received in the receiving cavity, and the second type of consumable passing through the first portion and partially extending into the second portion when being received in the receiving cavity; and an induction coil, which is disposed around the receiving cavity and can induce heating of the first susceptor to heat the first type of consumable received in the receiving cavity or induce heating of the second susceptor to heat the second type of consumable. In the aerosol generating device, different types of consumables are received and heated at different positions in the receiving cavity, which is advantageous for heating different types of consumables at respective suitable positions.

Description

Aerosol generating device and aerosol generating system

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to a Chinese patent application filed with the Chinese Patent Office on June 1, 2023, with application number 202310648804.1 and entitled “Aerosol Generating Device and Aerosol Generating System”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application.

Technical Field

The embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of heat-not-burn aerosol generation, and in particular to an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system.

Background Art

Smoking articles (eg, cigarettes, cigars, etc.) burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. People have attempted to replace these tobacco-burning articles by creating 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 that may or may not contain nicotine. Known heating devices can only receive a specific type of tobacco or non-tobacco product and generate a magnetic field through an induction coil to induce heat in a receptor and thereby heat the specific type of tobacco or non-tobacco product received.

Application Contents

One embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol generating device, comprising:

The receiving cavity has an opening; the receiving cavity is configured to selectively receive one of a first type of consumer product containing a first receptor and a second type of consumer product containing a second receptor through the opening; the receiving cavity includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being closer to the opening than the second portion; when the first type of consumer product is received in the receiving cavity, it is located in the first portion and avoids the second portion; when the second type of consumer product is received in the receiving cavity, it passes through the first portion and partially extends into the second portion; at least a portion of the induction coil is arranged around the receiving cavity; the induction coil is configured to generate The changing magnetic field heats the first type of consumer product received in the receiving cavity by inducing the first susceptor to generate heat, or heats the second type of consumer product by inducing the second susceptor to generate heat.

In some embodiments, the first type of consumer product comprises an atomizer for atomizing a liquid substrate to generate an aerosol, and the second type of consumer product comprises a solid aerosol-generating article.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device also includes: a circuit configured to control the induction coil to generate a changing magnetic field according to a first mode when a first type of consumer product is present in the receiving chamber, and to control the induction coil to generate a changing magnetic field according to a second mode when a second type of consumer product is present in the receiving chamber.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further comprises: a detection unit configured to detect the presence of a first type of consumer product or a second type of consumer product received in the receiving cavity; and a circuit configured to control the induction coil to generate a changing magnetic field based on the detection result of the detection unit.

In some embodiments, the detection unit is configured to detect a change in at least one electrical characteristic of the induction coil caused by the first type of consumer product or the second type of consumer product being received in the receiving cavity, thereby determining the presence of the first type of consumer product or the second type of consumer product received in the receiving cavity.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device also includes: an airflow sensor for sensing the airflow flowing through the receiving chamber; a circuit configured to control the induction coil to generate a changing magnetic field in a first mode in response to the sensing result of the airflow sensor; and, when a second type of consumer product is present in the receiving chamber, the circuit is prevented from responding to the sensing result of the airflow sensor or preventing the airflow sensor from sensing the airflow flowing through the receiving chamber.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device also includes: an input element for user operation to generate an input signal; the circuit is configured to control the induction coil to generate a changing magnetic field in a second mode in response to the input signal of the input element; and, when a first type of consumer product is present in the receiving cavity, the circuit is prevented from responding to the input signal of the input element or preventing the input element from generating an input signal.

In some embodiments, the inner bottom wall of the receiving chamber facing away from the opening is provided with: a first communication port and a second communication port arranged at intervals; wherein the receiving chamber is connected to the outside atmosphere through the first communication port so as to allow the outside air to enter the receiving chamber during suction; and the receiving chamber is connected to the airflow sensor through the second communication port so as to enable the airflow sensor to sense the air flowing through the receiving chamber. flow.

In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the first portion is greater than the inner diameter of the second portion.

In some embodiments, a first abutment step is defined between the first portion and the second portion; the first abutment step is configured to provide support for the first type of consumer product received in the first portion in a longitudinal direction.

In some embodiments, the receiving cavity further defines: a second abutment step located in the second portion; the second abutment step is configured to provide support in the longitudinal direction for the second type of consumer product received in the receiving cavity.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further comprises: a proximal end and a distal end facing each other; an opening close to the proximal end; an end element close to and defining the proximal end; the end element defining a groove located at the proximal end; when the first type of consumer product is received in the receiving cavity, it is at least partially located in the groove and basically forms an airtight seal with the end element to prevent external air from entering the receiving cavity through therebetween during inhalation.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further comprises: a proximal end and a distal end facing each other; an opening close to the proximal end; an end element close to and defining the proximal end; a first magnetic element located outside the receiving cavity; the first magnetic element is configured to magnetically attract the first type of consumer product when the first type of consumer product is received in the receiving cavity, thereby keeping the first type of consumer product partially coupled to the end element.

Another embodiment of the present application also proposes an aerosol generating device, comprising: a receiving chamber, configured to selectively receive one of a first type of consumer product containing a first receptor and a second type of consumer product containing a second receptor; an induction coil, at least partially arranged around the receiving chamber; the induction coil is configured to generate a changing magnetic field, thereby heating the first type of consumer product received in the receiving chamber by inducing the first receptor to heat up, or heating the second type of consumer product by inducing the second receptor to heat up; an airflow sensor, used to sense the airflow flowing through the receiving chamber; an input element, used to generate an input signal for user operation; a circuit, configured to control the induction coil to generate a changing magnetic field in a first mode in response to the sensing result of the airflow sensor, and to control the induction coil to generate a changing magnetic field in a second mode in response to the input signal of the input element; wherein, when the first type of consumer product is present in the receiving chamber, the circuit does not respond to the input signal of the input element or prevents the input element from generating an input signal; and, when the second type of consumer product is present in the receiving chamber, the circuit does not respond to the sensing result of the airflow sensor or prevents the airflow sensing The device senses the airflow passing through the receiving cavity.

Another embodiment of the present application also proposes an aerosol generating system, comprising: a nebulizer for atomizing a liquid matrix to generate an aerosol, the nebulizer comprising a main body and a slender portion extending longitudinally from the main body, and a second magnetic element is arranged on the main body; an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising a receiving chamber with an opening, and in use, at least a portion of the nebulizer can be removably received in the receiving chamber through the opening; the aerosol generating device comprises: a shell having a proximal end and a distal end opposite to each other, and the opening is close to the proximal end; the shell defines a groove located at the proximal end, a first magnetic element close to the groove is arranged in the shell, and the first magnetic element is located outside the receiving chamber, and when at least a portion of the main body of the nebulizer is received in the groove, the first magnetic element is attracted to the second magnetic element to retain the slender portion in the receiving chamber.

The above aerosol generating device receives and heats different types of consumer products at different positions of the receiving cavity, which is beneficial for heating different types of consumer products at their respective suitable positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments are exemplarily described by pictures in the corresponding drawings, and these exemplified descriptions do not constitute limitations on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings represent similar elements, and unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings do not constitute proportional limitations.

FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device provided by an embodiment;

FIG2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the aerosol generating device in FIG1 from one viewing angle;

FIG3 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating article provided by one embodiment;

FIG4 is a schematic diagram of an atomizer provided by an embodiment;

FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram of the atomizer in FIG4 from another perspective;

FIG6 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the atomizer in FIG4 from one viewing angle;

7 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating system formed by receiving the aerosol generating article in FIG. 3 in the aerosol generating device in FIG. 1 ;

FIG8 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the aerosol generating system in FIG7 from one viewing angle;

FIG9 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating system formed by receiving the atomizer in FIG4 into the aerosol generating device in FIG1;

FIG10 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the aerosol generating system in FIG9 from one viewing angle;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to yet another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to facilitate the understanding of the present application, the present application is described in more detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

One embodiment of the present application provides an aerosol generating system for generating aerosol. In some implementations, the aerosol generating system may include two or more parts that are separated or replaced from each other, which, when combined, form a complete combined use state of the aerosol generating system and can generate aerosol in response to user operations.

In one embodiment, the aerosol generating system includes an aerosol generating device; the aerosol generating device can be selectively used in combination with at least two types of consumer products of different types to form. For example, in some implementations, the aerosol generating device can be selectively used with any one of the first type of consumer products or the second type of consumer products to form an aerosol generating system to generate an aerosol.

In some implementations, the aerosol generating device is configured so that it can only receive one consumable product at a time; for example, in some implementations, the aerosol generating device can only receive one of the first type of consumable product or the second type of consumable product at a time, but not both of them at the same time.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device may include a detection unit, the detection unit detection system is configured to detect the presence of a first type of consumer product or a second type of consumer product inserted into the aerosol generating device. Specifically, the detection unit can be used to detect or identify the type of consumer product incorporated into the aerosol generating device, so that the operation of the aerosol generating device, in particular the output such as heating or power, is optimized to match or adapt to the corresponding first type of consumer product or second type of consumer product. For example, when the detection unit detects that the first type of consumer product is inserted into the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device is controlled to start operating in a first power output mode; and when the detection unit detects that the second type of consumer product is inserted into the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device is controlled to start operating in a second power output mode.

In some specific optional implementations, the detection unit may include a color sensor to determine the type of the consumable product by detecting the color of the consumable product combined with the aerosol generating device.

For example, in some implementation variations, the aerosol generating device can determine the type of the consumer product by detecting the physical properties of the electronic components in the consumer product. The aforementioned physical properties may include, for example, one or more of the resistance value, inductance value, voltage value, capacitance value, magnetism, etc. of the electronic components in the consumer product. In this implementation, the detection element may include a detection function circuit, such as the circuit module described below.

Or in some special implementations, the first type of consumer product or the second type of consumer product each has a different heating element; the aerosol generating device can determine the type of the consumer product by detecting the characteristics of the heating element in the consumer product.

In some implementations, the first type of consumer product may include an atomizer that stores a liquid base in a liquid state and vaporizes at least one component of the liquid base to generate an aerosol. In some implementations, the liquid base may include glycerin, propylene glycol, etc., which can be heated and vaporized to generate an aerosol.

In some implementations, the second type of consumer product may include a solid aerosol-generating product, which is heated to volatilize or release at least one component of the solid aerosol-generating product to form an aerosol for inhalation. In some implementations, the solid aerosol-generating product preferably uses a tobacco-containing material that releases volatile compounds from the matrix when heated; or it can also be a non-tobacco material that can be heated and suitable for electric heating and smoking. In some specific implementations, the aerosol-generating product preferably uses a solid matrix, which may include one or more of powder, particles, fragments, strips, or flakes of one or more of vanilla leaves, dried flowers, volatile aromatic herbs, tobacco leaves, homogenized tobacco, and expanded tobacco; or, the solid matrix may contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile aroma compounds to be released when the matrix is heated.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show schematic diagrams of an aerosol generating device 200 according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the aerosol generating device 200 comprises:

The proximal end 2110 and the distal end 2120 are opposed to each other in the longitudinal direction; in use, the proximal end 2110 is the end for receiving a consumer product such as a nebulizer 100 or an aerosol-generating article 300 .

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the aerosol generating device 200 further includes:

The receiving cavity 270 is arranged in a longitudinal direction adjacent to the proximal end 2110 and is arranged along the longitudinal extension of the aerosol generating device 200; and the receiving cavity 270 has an opening located at the proximal end 2110 in the longitudinal direction; in use, a consumer product such as the atomizer 100 or the aerosol generating product 300 can pass through The aerosol generating article 300 is received in the receiving cavity 270 through the opening, or removed from the receiving cavity 270. In addition, one or more ridges 273 are arranged at the opening of the receiving cavity 270, and are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the receiving cavity 270; when the aerosol generating article 300 is received in the receiving cavity 270, the ridges 273 radially clamp the aerosol generating article 300, so that the aerosol generating article is retained in the receiving cavity 270.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the aerosol generating device 200 further includes:

An input element 201 for user operation is provided to form an input signal; and then the aerosol generating device controls the heating of the aerosol generating article 300 according to the user's input signal. In some embodiments, the input element 201 is selected from a mechanical button, a membrane button, a mechanical switch, a rotary encoder, a dial, a knob, a capacitive touch button, a resistive touch button, a joystick, a slider, a trigger button, a touch screen, and a magnetic switch.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the rechargeable battery cell 210 is used to output power; and the battery cell 210 is arranged near the distal end 2120;

The circuit board 220 includes, for example, a PCB board or an FPC board; the circuit board 220 is integrated with a circuit for controlling the operation of the aerosol generating device 200, and in particular, the circuit controls the power output by the battery cell 210. In FIGS. 1 and 2 , the circuit board 220 is arranged along the longitudinal extension of the aerosol generating device 200;

The bracket 240 is arranged along the longitudinal extension of the aerosol generating device 200; and the bracket 240 is located between the battery cell 210 and the circuit board 220; the bracket 240 is used to at least partially accommodate and retain the battery cell 210; and the circuit board 220 is fastened to the bracket 240 by a fastening component of a screw, thereby being supported and retained by the bracket 240.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the input element 201 is electrically connected to the circuit board 220 ; thus, the circuit can receive an input signal generated by a user operating the input element 201 , thereby controlling the heated aerosol generating article 300 .

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the aerosol generating device 200 is further provided with:

The airflow sensor 250 is used to sense the airflow generated by the user sucking the nebulizer 100 when the nebulizer 100 is received in the receiving chamber 270; the circuit board 220 controls the power to be supplied to the nebulizer 100 according to the sensing result of the airflow sensor 250, so that the nebulizer 100 atomizes the liquid matrix to generate an aerosol.

In some implementations, the aerosol generating device 200 generates a changing magnetic field through the receiving cavity 270 to induce heating of the consumer product; specifically, an induction heating element may be arranged in the consumer product, and when the consumer product is received in the receiving cavity 270, the changing magnetic field can penetrate and generate heat to heat the consumer product to generate an aerosol. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 200 includes:

The coil support 230 surrounds and defines the receiving cavity 270; the coil support 230 is arranged near the proximal end 2110;

The induction coil 260 is arranged around the coil support 230 ; and the induction coil 260 is operably electrically connected to the circuit board 220 , so that a changing magnetic field can be generated in the receiving cavity 270 when an alternating current provided by the circuit board 220 flows through the induction coil 260 .

Specifically, the circuit of the circuit board 220 includes a capacitor, and forms an LC resonant circuit with the induction coil 260 through the capacitor; and the circuit board 220 drives the LC resonant circuit to oscillate at a predetermined frequency to form an alternating current flowing through the induction coil 260, thereby causing the induction coil 260 to generate a changing magnetic field that can penetrate the receiving cavity 270. In some implementations, the frequency of the alternating current supplied to the induction coil 260 by the circuit on the circuit board 220 is between 80KHz and 2000KHz.

In some embodiments, the induction coil 260 has approximately 5 to 15 turns; and the induction coil 260 has an axial length of approximately 5 mm to 15 mm.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the receiving cavity 270 of the aerosol generating device 200 is defined as follows:

The first abutting step 232 and the second abutting step 231; wherein,

The first abutting step 232 is closer to the opening than the second abutting step 231 ; when the atomizer 100 is received in the receiving cavity 270 , it abuts against the first abutting step 232 ;

The second abutting step 231 is located at or defines the end of the receiving cavity 270 away from the opening; when the aerosol generating article 300 is received in the receiving cavity 270, it abuts against the second abutting step 231 to form a stop.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the aerosol generating device 200 further includes:

The air inlet 202 is arranged on the outer surface of the housing of the aerosol generating device 200 for allowing air to enter during inhalation; the air inlet 202 is arranged close to the proximal end 2110 .

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the inner bottom wall of the receiving cavity 270 is also provided with:

The first connecting port 233 is connected to the air inlet 202 through the air inlet passage 205; thus, during suction, the outside air entering from the air inlet 202 enters the receiving port through the first connecting port 233. Adductor cavity 270;

The second communication port 234 is in airflow communication with the airflow sensor 250 through the sensing channel 251; thus, during inhalation, the airflow sensor 250 can sense the airflow when the user inhales through the sensing channel 251 and the second communication port 234 to determine the user's inhalation action.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the air inlet channel 205 provides a flow path for air to enter the receiving cavity 270 from the air inlet 202, specifically including:

A first channel portion 203 extending from the air inlet 202 toward a distal end 2120;

The second channel portion 204 extends radially from the first channel portion 203 to the first communication opening 233 of the receiving cavity 270. In the embodiment shown in FIG.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the aerosol generating device 200 further includes:

an end element 2113 adjacent to and defining the proximal end 2110 of the housing of the aerosol generating device 200;

The groove 2111 is located on the surface of the proximal end 2110; the groove 2111 is surrounded and defined by the end element 2113; and when at least part of the nebulizer 100 is received in the receiving chamber 270, the nebulizer 100 is at least partially accommodated or retained in the groove 2111 defined by the end element 2113, and the nebulizer 100 fits with the end element 2113, so that the nebulizer 100 is basically airtight at the proximal end 2110 and the aerosol generating device 200, so as to prevent the external air from passing between them and entering the receiving chamber 270 during inhalation; and the external air can only enter the receiving chamber 270 from the air inlet 202. The end element 2113 can be made of a rigid polymer plastic; or in some other embodiments, the end element 2113 can be made of a flexible silicone, etc., which is beneficial for promoting airtightness with the nebulizer 100.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the end element 2113 is assembled with other components of the aerosol generating device 200 to define the housing of the aerosol generating device 200. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the end element 2113 is integrally molded with the housing of the aerosol generating device 200, or the end element 2113 is part of the housing of the aerosol generating device 200.

The inner side wall of the groove 2111 defined by the end element 2113 is also provided with a protrusion 2112 for connecting with the slot 114 on the atomizer 100. When the atomizer 100 is at least partially received in the receiving cavity 270, the connection between the protrusion 2112 and the slot 114 prevents the atomizer 100 from being moved. Loose.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the aerosol generating device 200 is further provided with:

The first magnetic element 280 is arranged adjacent to the proximal end 2110; accordingly, a second magnetic element 13 is arranged on the nebulizer 100; when the nebulizer 100 is received in the receiving cavity 270 and abuts against the proximal end 2110, the nebulizer 100 is stably received in the receiving cavity 270 through the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 280 and the second magnetic element 13.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the first magnetic element 280 is located outside the receiving cavity 270, and the first magnetic element 280 is arranged close to the end surface of the proximal end 2110. Therefore, when the first portion 121 of the second housing 12 of the atomizer 100 is received in the receiving cavity 270, the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 280 and the second magnetic element 13 keeps the second portion 122 of the second housing 12 of the atomizer 100 against and combined with the end element 2113.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the first portion 121 of the second housing 12 of the atomizer 100 defines a longitudinal or slender portion extending into the receiving chamber 270, so that the atomizer is received in the receiving chamber 270 through the slender portion for heating and atomization; and the second portions 122 of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 serve as the main body exposed outside the receiving chamber 270. The second magnetic element 13 is arranged on the main body and magnetically adsorbed to the first magnetic element 280, so that the main body exposed outside the receiving chamber 270 abuts against or is combined with the end element 2113.

FIG. 3 , FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show schematic diagrams of a solid aerosol generating article 300 used as a second type of consumer product received in a receiving chamber 270 of an aerosol generating device 200 to form an aerosol generating system in one embodiment; as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 , in this embodiment, the aerosol generating article 300 includes:

The heating element 310 may be a susceptor made of a susceptor metal or alloy. Also, the heating element 310 may be embedded in or surround the volatile component material of the aerosol generating product 300, thereby heating the volatile component material of the aerosol generating product 300 to generate an aerosol. When the aerosol generating product 300 is received in the receiving cavity 270, the heating element 310 is located in the induction coil 260, and the heating element 310 can be penetrated by the magnetic field generated by the induction coil 260 to generate heat, thereby heating the volatile component material of the aerosol generating product 300 to generate an aerosol.

In this embodiment, a portion of the aerosol generating article 300, such as the volatile component material portion, is received in the receiving chamber 270 and heated, and a portion of the aerosol generating article 300, such as the filter portion, is located in the receiving chamber 270. The aerosol is outside the aerosol generating device 200 and is provided for the user to inhale.

When the aerosol generating article 300 is received in the aerosol generating device 200, the circuit board 220 can respond to the user's operation on the input element 201, and drive the induction coil 260 to generate a magnetic field according to a heating curve of a predetermined time, so as to heat the heating element 310 on the aerosol generating article 300. Specifically, for example, the applicant provides a variety of modes and content details about heating the aerosol generating article 300 according to a heating curve of a predetermined time in Chinese patent application CN112335940A, etc., and the above documents are fully incorporated herein by reference.

As shown by arrow R3 in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 , during inhalation, external air enters the receiving chamber 270 from the air inlet 202 via the air inlet channel 205 , passes through the aerosol generating article 300 , and then carries the aerosol out to be inhaled by the user.

7 and 8 , the aerosol generating article 300 abuts against the second abutting step 231 to form a stop. When the aerosol generating article 300 is received in the receiving cavity 270, under the radial clamping of the ridge 273 and the second abutting step 231, a distance is maintained between the aerosol generating article 300 and the inner surface of the receiving cavity 270, and the distance is about 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm.

Figures 4 to 6 show schematic diagrams of an atomizer 100 used for a second type of consumer product in one embodiment; and Figures 9 and 10 show schematic diagrams of the atomizer 100 combined with an aerosol generating device 200 to form an aerosol generating system. In this embodiment, the atomizer 100 includes:

The housing 10 includes a first end 110 and a second end 120 opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction; the first end 110 of the housing 10 has an air outlet 111 for outputting aerosol for inhalation by a user; the second end 120 of the housing 10 has an air inlet 123 for allowing air to enter during inhalation. The housing 10 includes a first shell 11 and a second shell 12; the first shell 11 is close to and defines the first end 110, and the second shell 12 is close to and defines the second end 120.

The second housing 12 includes: a first portion 121 and a second portion 122 arranged in sequence along the longitudinal direction. The first portion 121 extends into the first housing 11 and forms a tight fit and seal with the first housing 11 through interference fit; the second portion 122 is cylindrical and is located outside the first housing 11. The outer diameter of the first portion 121 of the second housing 12 is greater than the outer diameter of the second portion 122, so that the second housing 12 has a step between the first portion 121 and the second portion 122.

When the atomizer 100 is received in the aerosol generating device 200, the atomizer 100 is The second portion 122 extends into the receiving cavity 270 , and the second end 120 of the second portion 122 abuts against the first abutting step 232 of the receiving cavity 270 . When the atomizer 100 is received in the aerosol generating device 200 , the first portion 121 abuts against the inner bottom wall of the groove 2111 .

The second magnetic element 13 is disposed on the first portion 121 of the second housing 12 .

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 , the atomizer 100 further includes:

The aerosol output tube 112 is arranged in the first housing 11 and extends from the gas outlet 111 toward the second end 120 to output the aerosol in the atomizer 100 to the gas outlet 111;

A liquid storage chamber 113, defined between the aerosol output tube 112 and the first housing 11, for storing a liquid matrix;

The inner tube 14 is located in the second shell 12; the inner tube 14 extends from the first portion 121 of the second shell 12 to the second portion 122; the inner tube 14 at least partially surrounds and is combined with the aerosol output tube 112; and a liquid guide channel 15 is defined between the inner tube 14 and the second shell 12; the inner tube 14 also has a through hole 141, so that the liquid matrix in the liquid guide channel 15 can enter the inner tube 14 through the through hole 141;

The atomization component is located in the inner tube 14; the atomization component includes a liquid guiding element 30 and a heating element 40, which are used to absorb the liquid matrix through the perforation 141 and heat it to generate aerosol; specifically, the liquid guiding element 30 is connected to the liquid guiding channel 15 through the perforation 141 to receive the liquid matrix; the heating element 40 is combined with the liquid guiding element 30, and is used to be penetrated by the changing magnetic field generated by the induction coil 260 to generate heat, thereby heating at least part of the liquid matrix in the liquid guiding element 30 to generate aerosol.

In some embodiments, the liquid-conducting element 30 is a capillary element or a porous element with internal pores, which can absorb and transfer liquid matrix by capillary action. In some implementations, the liquid-conducting element 30 may include a soft porous capillary element, such as fiber cotton, non-woven fabric, etc.; or, the liquid-conducting element 30 may include a rigid porous element, such as porous ceramics, porous glass, foam metal, etc. And in the implementations shown in Figures 4 to 6, the heating element 40 may be in the form of a heating track, a heating film, a heating coating, a heating mesh or a heating coil, etc., which are combined with the liquid-conducting element 30. And in the implementations shown in Figures 4 to 6, the heating element 40 is an induction heating element, for example, it is made of a sensitive metal or alloy, which can be penetrated by a changing magnetic field to generate heat. In some specific implementations, the sensitive metal or alloy is, for example, nickel-iron alloy, nickel-aluminum alloy, S430 stainless steel, S420 stainless steel, etc. And, when the atomizer 100 is at least partially received or When coupled to the receiving cavity 270 , the heating element 40 is at least partially surrounded by the induction coil 260 , or the heating element 40 is at least partially located within the magnetic field generated by the induction coil 260 .

In the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 6, the liquid-conducting element 30 is in a hollow cylindrical shape; the porous element 30 includes an outer surface and an inner surface that are opposite to each other in the radial direction; the outer surface of the liquid-conducting element 30 is configured as a liquid absorption surface for being in fluid communication with the liquid storage chamber 12 and then absorbing the liquid matrix, as shown by arrow R1 in Figure 6; the inner surface of the liquid-conducting element 30 is configured as an atomization surface, and the heating element 40 is arranged in combination with or adjacent to the inner surface of the liquid-conducting element 30 to heat the liquid matrix to generate an aerosol and release it from the atomization surface; and then during inhalation, it is transferred to the inhalation port 111 along with the inhalation airflow to be inhaled, as shown by arrow R2 in Figure 6.

Or in more variations, the liquid-conducting element 30 can also be arranged in a roughly sheet-like or plate-like or block-like shape, and the two side surfaces opposite to each other in the thickness direction are used as the liquid absorption surface and the atomization surface respectively. Or in more embodiments, the liquid-conducting element 30 can have more shapes, such as an arched, cup-like, groove-like, trapezoidal shape, etc. Or, for example, the applicant provides the shape of an arched porous element with an internal channel in Chinese patent application CN215684777U, and the configuration details of the porous element for absorbing liquid matrix and atomizing liquid matrix are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 , the atomizer 100 further includes:

The flexible sealing element 16 is configured in the shape of a cap; the sealing element 16 wraps or covers the first portion 121 of the second shell 12; the sealing element 16 is at least partially located between the first portion 121 of the second shell 12 and the first shell 11, thereby providing a seal therebetween. Furthermore, the sealing element 16 is also at least partially located between the inner tube 14 and the aerosol output tube 11, thereby providing a seal therebetween. The sealing element 16 is also provided with an avoidance hole 161 opposite to the liquid guide channel 15, so that the liquid matrix in the liquid storage chamber 113 flows into the liquid guide channel 15 after passing through the avoidance hole 161.

As shown by arrow R3 in FIG. 10 , when the user inhales the atomizer 100, the external air entering through the air inlet 202 enters the receiving chamber 270 through the air inlet channel 205, enters the atomizer 100 and carries the aerosol to be output to the air outlet 111. As shown in FIG. 10 , when the user inhales the atomizer 100, the airflow sensor 250 senses the airflow passing through the atomizer 100 caused by the user's inhalation through the sensing channel 251 and the second communication port 234.

In some embodiments, the circuit on the circuit board 220 controls the power supply to provide an alternating current to the induction coil 260 according to the sensing result of the airflow sensor 250, so that the induction coil 260 generates a changing magnetic field, thereby inducing the heating element 40 to heat and generate aerosol.

In some implementations, based on the situation that the aerosol generating device 200 generates a changing magnetic field through the induction coil 260 in the embodiment, thereby inducing the heating element 40/heating element 310 in the consumer product that can be penetrated by the magnetic field and generate heat. In some implementations, the circuit board 220 includes a detection unit; in some implementations, the detection unit is configured to detect the presence of the atomizer 100 or the aerosol generating product 300 inserted into the aerosol generating device 200. Specifically, the detection unit can be used to detect or identify the type of consumer product combined with the aerosol generating device 200, so that the operation of the aerosol generating device 200, especially the output of heating or electricity, is optimized to match or adapt to the corresponding first type of consumer product or second type of consumer product.

Specifically, in some embodiments, based on the characteristics that the heating element 40 and the heating element 310 have different structures and/or lengths and/or sizes and/or shapes and/or magnetic permeabilities and/or materials, the detection unit determines the type of consumer product by detecting the difference in electrical characteristics such as the equivalent inductance value, resonant frequency and/or quality factor Q value and/or resonant voltage and/or resonant current of the induction coil 260. Also, for example, the applicant provides specific electronic module composition, component arrangement, and principle and step details of the circuit on the circuit board 220 for detecting electrical characteristics such as the resonant frequency and/or quality factor Q value and/or resonant voltage and/or resonant current of the induction coil 260 in Chinese patent applications CN114601199A and CN112806618A, etc., and the above documents are fully incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, when the circuit board 220 detects that the aerosol generating article 300 is received in the receiving chamber 270, the circuit board 220 responds to the input signal generated by the user operating the input element 201, and provides an alternating current to the induction coil 260 according to the first power mode, so that the induction coil 260 generates a magnetic field to induce the heating element 310 in the aerosol generating article 300 to heat the aerosol generating article 300 according to the heating curve of the predetermined time. For example, the applicant provides a variety of modes and content details about making the heating element 310 heat the aerosol generating article 300 according to the heating curve of the predetermined time in Chinese patent application CN112335940A, etc., and the above-mentioned documents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. And in some embodiments, when the circuit board 220 detects that the aerosol generating article 300 is received in the receiving chamber 270, the circuit board 220 only responds to the input element 201 to generate an alternating current. The generated input signal controls the supply of alternating current to the induction coil 260 and prevents the airflow sensor 250 from sensing the airflow through the receiving cavity 270 generated by the user's puffing.

In some embodiments, when the circuit board 220 detects that the atomizer 100 is received in the receiving chamber 270, the airflow sensor 250 is allowed to sense the airflow generated by the user's suction; and when the airflow sensor 250 detects the user's suction action, the circuit board 220 responds to the sensing result of the airflow sensor 250 and provides an alternating current to the induction coil 260 according to the second power mode, so that the induction coil 260 generates a magnetic field to induce the heating element 40 in the atomizer 100 to heat. The second power mode is provided by the applicant in the Chinese patent application CN115067564A for a constant power supply mode and content details of liquid matrix heating atomization, and the above document is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Or in some other implementations, power output can also be provided according to a constant temperature heating mode.

In some embodiments, when the circuit board 220 detects that the atomizer 100 is received in the receiving chamber 270, the circuit board 220 only controls the supply of alternating current to the induction coil 260 in response to the sensing result of the airflow sensor 250, and prevents the circuit board 220 from controlling the supply of alternating current to the induction coil 260 in response to the input signal generated by the user operating the input element 201.

In the above embodiments, when the atomizer 100 and the aerosol generating product 300 are respectively received in the receiving cavity 270, they have different insertion depths, respectively; thereby, the heating elements 40 and the heating elements 310 having different structures therein can be induced to generate heat in their respective suitable regional positions, respectively; thereby, the magnetic field regional ranges, intensities or distributions suitable for them can be advantageously applied to the atomizer 100 and the aerosol generating product 300, respectively.

Alternatively, FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device 200a according to another embodiment; in the embodiment of FIG. 11 , the aerosol generating device 200a comprises:

The housing has a proximal end 2110a and a distal end 2120a that are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction;

The battery cell 210a and the circuit board 220a near the distal end 2120a, and the bracket 240a supporting and fixing the battery cell 210a and the circuit board 220a;

An input element 220a, electrically connected to the circuit board 220a, for generating an input signal for a user to operate;

a receiving cavity 270a near the proximal end 2110a for selectively receiving one of the nebulizer 100 or the aerosol generating article 300;

The induction coil 260a is arranged around the receiving cavity 270a; the induction coil 260a is operably electrically connected to the circuit board 220a, and the circuit board 220a can provide an alternating current to generate a changing magnetic field in the receiving cavity 270a.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 , the receiving cavity 270a has an opening near the proximal end 2110a for removably receiving one of the nebulizer 100 or the aerosol generating article 300 through the opening; the receiving cavity 270a includes:

A first portion 271a and a second portion 272a are arranged in sequence along the longitudinal direction; wherein the first portion 271a is close to the opening;

The inner diameter or cross-sectional area of the first portion 271a is greater than the inner diameter or cross-sectional area of the second portion 272a, thereby defining a first abutting step 232a therebetween; and the second portion 272a has a second abutting step 231a on a side facing away from the opening;

When the aerosol generating product 300 is received in the receiving cavity 270a, it extends from the opening and abuts against the second abutting step 231a to form a stop; and, when the atomizer 100 is received in the receiving cavity 270a, the atomizer 100 is only received in the first part 271a and abuts against the second abutting step 231a to form a stop. And, one or more ridges 273a are arranged at the opening of the receiving cavity 270a, arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction; when the aerosol generating product 300 is received in the receiving cavity 270a, the ridges 273a clamp or hold the aerosol generating product 300 from the radial direction.

In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the aerosol generating article 300 is basically adapted to at least part of the inner diameter of the second part 272a of the receiving cavity 270a, and is smaller than the inner diameter of the first part 271a of the receiving cavity 270a; thus, when the aerosol generating article 300 is received in the receiving cavity 270a, it is in contact or abutment with at least part of the inner surface of the second part 272a, but is not in contact with the inner surface of the first part 271a and has a distance therebetween.

Obviously, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 , the length of the first portion 271a of the receiving cavity 270a is greater than the length of the second portion 272a; in some embodiments, the length of the first portion 271a is about 8 mm to 15 mm, and the length of the second portion 272a is about 3 mm to 6 mm. Also, the length and/or number of turns of the induction coil 260a around the first portion 271a is greater than the length and/or number of turns around the second portion 272a. The induction coil 260a has only 1 to 2 turns around the second portion 272a.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 , the aerosol generating device 200a further includes:

A groove 2111a located at the proximal end 2110a;

When the atomizer 100 is partially received from the opening into the receiving chamber 270a, at least part of the atomizer 100 is accommodated in the groove 2111a and abuts against the inner bottom wall of the groove 2111a. In addition, the aerosol generating device 200a is further arranged with:

The first magnetic element 280 is used to attract the magnetic force of the second magnetic element 13 on the atomizer 100, so that the atomizer 100 is stably received in the receiving cavity 270a and abuts against the inner bottom wall of the groove 2111a.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 , the aerosol generating device 200a further includes:

The airflow sensor 250a is connected to the receiving chamber 270a through the sensing channel 251a, so as to sense the airflow flowing through the receiving chamber 270a when the user inhales;

The air inlet 202a is arranged on the outer surface of the shell of the aerosol generating device 200a, and is connected to the receiving chamber 270a through the air inlet channel 205a, so as to supply external air to enter the receiving chamber 270a when the user inhales, as shown by the arrow R3 in Figure 11; and in this embodiment, the air inlet 202a is arranged in the longitudinal direction close to the side of the receiving chamber 270a away from the opening.

It should be noted that the preferred embodiments of the present application are given in the specification and drawings of the present application, but are not limited to the embodiments described in the specification. Furthermore, it is possible for a person of ordinary skill in the art to make improvements or changes based on the above description, and all such improvements and changes should fall within the scope of protection of the claims attached to the present application.

Claims (15)

An aerosol generating device, characterized in that it comprises: A receiving cavity having an opening; the receiving cavity is configured to selectively receive one of a first type of consumer product containing a first susceptor and a second type of consumer product containing a second susceptor through the opening; the receiving cavity comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being closer to the opening than the second portion; when the first type of consumer product is received in the receiving cavity, the first type of consumer product is located in the first portion and avoids the second portion; when the second type of consumer product is received in the receiving cavity, the first type of consumer product passes through the first portion and partially extends into the second portion; An induction coil is arranged at least partially around the receiving cavity; the induction coil is configured to generate a changing magnetic field, thereby heating the first type of consumer product received in the receiving cavity by inducing the first susceptor to generate heat, or heating the second type of consumer product by inducing the second susceptor to generate heat. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the first type of consumer product comprises an atomizer for atomizing a liquid matrix to generate an aerosol, and the second type of consumer product comprises a solid aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating device as described in claim 1 or 2 is characterized in that it also includes: a circuit configured to control the induction coil to generate a changing magnetic field according to a first mode when a first type of consumer product is present in the receiving cavity, and to control the induction coil to generate a changing magnetic field according to a second mode when a second type of consumer product is present in the receiving cavity. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, further comprising: a detection unit configured to detect the presence of a first type of consumer product or a second type of consumer product received in the receiving cavity; The circuit is configured to control the induction coil to generate a changing magnetic field based on a detection result of the detection unit. The aerosol generating device as described in claim 4 is characterized in that the detection unit is configured to detect a change in at least one electrical characteristic of the induction coil caused by the first type of consumer product or the second type of consumer product being received in the receiving cavity, thereby determining the presence of the first type of consumer product or the second type of consumer product received in the receiving cavity. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, further comprising: an airflow sensor, used for sensing the airflow flowing through the receiving cavity; The circuit is configured to control the induction coil to generate a changing magnetic field according to a first mode in response to a sensing result of the airflow sensor; And, when there is a second type of consumer product in the receiving cavity, the circuit is prevented from responding to the sensing result of the airflow sensor or the airflow sensor is prevented from sensing the airflow flowing through the receiving cavity. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, further comprising: Input element, used for user operation to generate input signal; The circuit is configured to control the induction coil to generate a changing magnetic field according to a second mode in response to an input signal from the input element; And, when a first type of consumer product is present in the receiving cavity, the circuit is prevented from responding to an input signal of the input element or the input element is prevented from generating an input signal. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, characterized in that the inner bottom wall of the receiving chamber away from the open opening is provided with: a first communication opening and a second communication opening arranged at intervals; wherein, The receiving chamber is connected to the outside atmosphere through the first connecting port so as to allow outside air to enter the receiving chamber during suction; and the receiving chamber is connected to the airflow sensor through the second connecting port so as to enable the airflow sensor to sense the airflow flowing through the receiving chamber. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The inner diameter of the first portion is greater than the inner diameter of the second portion. The aerosol generating device as described in claim 9 is characterized in that a first abutment step is defined between the first part and the second part; the first abutment step is configured to provide support for the first type of consumer product received in the first part in the longitudinal direction. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, characterized in that the receiving cavity further defines: A second abutting step is located in the second portion; the second abutting step is configured to provide support for the second type of consumer goods received in the receiving cavity in a longitudinal direction. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a proximal end and a distal end facing each other; the opening is close to the proximal end; An end element is close to and defines the proximal end; the end element defines a groove located at the proximal end; when the first type of consumer product is received in the receiving cavity, it is at least partially located in the groove and basically forms an airtight seal with the end element to prevent external air from entering the receiving cavity through therebetween during suction. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a proximal end and a distal end facing each other; the opening is close to the proximal end; an end member adjacent to and defining the proximal end; The first magnetic element is located outside the receiving cavity; the first magnetic element is configured to magnetically attract the first type of consumer product when the first type of consumer product is received in the receiving cavity, thereby partially keeping the first type of consumer product combined with the end element. An aerosol generating device, characterized in that it comprises: a receiving cavity configured to selectively receive one of a first type of consumer product containing a first susceptor and a second type of consumer product containing a second susceptor; An induction coil is arranged at least partially around the receiving cavity; the induction coil is configured as Used to generate a changing magnetic field, thereby heating the first type of consumer product received in the receiving cavity by inducing the first susceptor to generate heat, or heating the second type of consumer product by inducing the second susceptor to generate heat; an airflow sensor, used for sensing the airflow flowing through the receiving cavity; Input element, used for user operation to generate input signal; A circuit configured to control the induction coil to generate a changing magnetic field in a first mode in response to a sensing result of the airflow sensor, and to control the induction coil to generate a changing magnetic field in a second mode in response to an input signal of the input element; Wherein, when a first type of consumer product exists in the receiving cavity, the circuit does not respond to an input signal of the input element or prevents the input element from generating an input signal; and, when a second type of consumer product exists in the receiving cavity, the circuit does not respond to a sensing result of the airflow sensor or prevents the airflow sensor from sensing the airflow passing through the receiving cavity. An aerosol generating system comprising: A nebulizer, used for atomizing a liquid matrix to generate an aerosol, the nebulizer comprising a main body portion and an elongated portion extending longitudinally from the main body portion, and a second magnetic element is arranged on the main body portion; an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising a receiving chamber having an opening, wherein in use at least a portion of the atomizer can be removably received in the receiving chamber through the opening; Characterized in that the aerosol generating device comprises: A housing having a proximal end and a distal end facing each other, wherein the opening is adjacent to the proximal end; The shell defines a groove located at the proximal end, and a first magnetic element is arranged in the shell near the groove, and the first magnetic element is located outside the receiving cavity. When at least a portion of the main body of the nebulizer is received in the groove, the first magnetic element is attracted to the second magnetic element to retain the slender portion in the receiving cavity.