Patent Description:
A heat-not-burn atomization device is an aerosol generation device that generates inhalable mist by heating an atomizable material at a low temperature in a not-burning manner. An existing needle-like heating assembly often adopts a ceramic shell, with a heating coil arranged inside the ceramic shell. The ceramic shell is insulative and is not electrically conductive, so that two lead wires must be disposed in the interior thereof, resulting in complication of the structure of a support bar in the interior. Further, to measure the temperature of the heating assembly, two additional lead wires are necessary for temperature detection. The number of lead wires is large, and the distance between the lead wires is small.

Publications <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> are considered to be relevant to the present application.

The technical problem that the present invention aims to resolve is to provide, in view of the above-described deficiency of the prior art, an improved heating assembly and an aerosol generation device including the heating assembly. This problem is solved by a heating assembly having the features of claim <NUM>, as well as by an aerosol generation device having the features of claim <NUM>.

The technical solution that the present invention adopts to resolve the technical problem is to provide a heating assembly, which includes an electrically conductive external tube, an electrical resistance circuit disposed in the external tube and having an electrode electrically connected with the external tube, a first electrode lead wire in electrical connection with the external tube, and a second electrode lead wire in electrical connection with an opposite electrode of the electrical resistance circuit, wherein the heating assembly further comprises a needle arranged at a top of the external tube, and wherein an upper end of the electrical resistance circuit is crimped between the needle and the external tube, so as to be in contact and conductive connection with the external tube.

In some embodiments, the electrical resistance circuit and/or the external tube is made of a metallic PTC material.

In some embodiments, the electrical resistance circuit and/or the external tube has a temperature coefficient of resistance in the range of <NUM>-3500ppm.

In some embodiments, the heating assembly further includes a temperature detection circuit disposed in the external tube;.

the temperature detection circuit is made of a metallic PTC material, or alternatively, the temperature detection circuit includes a thermocouple structure.

In some embodiments, an end of the temperature detection circuit is in electrical connection with the first electrode lead wire or the second electrode lead wire; and the heating assembly further includes a third electrode lead wire in electrical connection with an opposite end of the temperature detection circuit.

In some embodiments, the heating assembly further includes a third electrode lead wire and a fourth electrode lead wire that are respectively in electrical connection with two ends of the temperature detection circuit.

In some embodiments, the electrical resistance circuit and/or the temperature detection circuit includes an electrical resistance wire.

In some embodiments, the first electrode lead wire is soldered to an outside of a bottom of the external tube.

In some embodiments, an outside surface of the external tube is provided with a protection layer.

In some embodiments, the protection layer includes at least one of a ceramic coating layer and a vitreous glaze layer.

In some embodiments, the needle includes a fit-in portion fit in the external tube and a conic lead-in portion connected to an upper end of the fit-in portion.

In some embodiments, the heating assembly further includes a support bar disposed in the external tube, and the electrical resistance circuit is disposed on the support bar.

In some embodiments, the electrical resistance circuit and/or the temperature detection circuit is helically wound around the support bar.

In some embodiments, a thermally conductive filler is filled between an internal surface of the external tube and an external surface of the support bar.

In some embodiments, the second electrode lead wire is connected to a lower end of the electrical resistance circuit and is led out in company with the support bar.

In some embodiments, the heating assembly further includes a base, and a lower end of the external tube is inserted into the base.

In some embodiments, the base is made of a ceramic material or a PEEK material.

The present invention further provides an aerosol generation device, which includes a heating assembly described in any one of the above.

Implementation of the present invention provides the following beneficial effects. The external tube is configured to be electrically conductive, such that the electrode lead wires that are needed for the electrical resistance circuit and the temperature detection circuit can be led out via the external tube. Such a structural configuration can help to reduce the number of electrode lead wires needed for the heating assembly and to increase the distance among each of the electrode lead wires.

A detailed description of the present invention will be provided below with reference to the attached drawings and embodiments, and in the drawings:.

For better understanding of the technical features, purposes, and efficacy of the present invention, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> show an aerosol generation device according to some embodiments of the present invention. The aerosol generation device is operable for baking and heating an aerosol-generating substrate <NUM> inserted therein at a low temperature, in order to release an aerosol extract from the aerosol-generating substrate <NUM> in a not-burning condition. As shown in the drawings, the aerosol generation device is generally in a shape of a rectangular column, and the aerosol-generating substrate <NUM> can be a cylindrical cigarette. A top of the aerosol generation device is provided with an insertion opening <NUM> that matches with the aerosol-generating substrate <NUM> in respect of shape and size. The top of the aerosol generation device is further provided with a dust-proof lid <NUM> for closing or opening the insertion opening <NUM>. When the aerosol generation device is not in operation, the dust-proof lid <NUM> can be pushed to close the insertion opening <NUM>, in order to prevent dust from entering the insertion opening <NUM>. In an attempt to use, the dust-proof lid <NUM> can be pulled to open the insertion opening <NUM>, in order to allow the aerosol-generating substrate <NUM> to be inserted through the insertion opening <NUM>. It is appreciated that the aerosol generation device is not limited to a rectangular column and can be made in other shape, such as a cylindrical column or an elliptical column.

The aerosol generation device may include a shell <NUM>, and a heating assembly <NUM>, an extracting tube <NUM>, a main board <NUM>, and a battery <NUM> disposed inside the shell <NUM>. The extracting tube <NUM> has an internal surface defining a receiving space <NUM> in which the aerosol-generating substrate <NUM> is receivable, and the aerosol-generating substrate <NUM> is insertable through the insertion opening <NUM> into the receiving space <NUM>. An upper end of the heating assembly <NUM> is extended into the receiving space <NUM> and can be inserted into the aerosol-generating substrate <NUM> to get a tight contact engagement with the aerosol-generating substrate <NUM>. The heating assembly <NUM>, when energized to generate heat, transmits heat to the aerosol-generating substrate <NUM> so as to realize baking and heating of the aerosol-generating substrate <NUM>. The battery <NUM> is in electrical connection with the heating assembly <NUM>, and connection and disconnection between the two is controllable by means of a switch. The main board <NUM> is configured for laying a corresponding control circuit thereon.

As shown in <FIG>, the heating assembly <NUM> may include a base <NUM> that is configured for being fixed in the shell <NUM>, an external tube <NUM> that extends longitudinally through the base <NUM> and is electrically conductive, a needle <NUM> that is embedded in a top of the external tube <NUM>, a support bar <NUM> that is arranged longitudinally in the external tube <NUM>, an electrical resistance circuit <NUM> that is arranged in the external tube <NUM> and has an electrode in electrical connection with the external tube <NUM>, a first electrode lead wire <NUM> that is in electrical connection with the external tube <NUM>, and a second electrode lead wire <NUM> that is in electrical connection with an opposite electrode of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM>.

The base <NUM> can be made of a material of ceramics or polyether ether ketone (PEEK). The base <NUM> in some embodiments may be in the shape of a rectangular cuboid, and the base <NUM> is provided, in a center thereof, with a through hole <NUM> for extension of the external tube <NUM> therethrough. In other embodiments, the base <NUM> may have a cross-sectional contour in other shape, such as a circle, an ellipse, or a rectangle.

The support bar <NUM> in some embodiments may be made of a temperature-resistant insulative material, such as being made of a temperature-resistant insulative ceramic material. The support bar <NUM> can be in a shape of a solid cylindrical bar or a hollow cylindrical tube, and an outside surface of the support bar <NUM> may be provided with a helical groove for receiving the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> to wind therein. In other embodiments, the support bar <NUM> may have a cross-sectional contour in other shape, such as an ellipse, a square, or a rectangle.

The electrical resistance circuit <NUM> is helically wound around outside of the support bar <NUM> at a helical pitch in an axial direction, and an insulative layer may be provided on an external surface of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> by means of soaking or spraying. The electrical resistance circuit <NUM> has a heat generation function and a temperature detection function, and may be made of a metallic PTC (positive temperature coefficient) material. The PTC material has an electrical resistance that gets increasingly higher with an increase of the temperature, so as to realize synchronized heat generation and temperature detection, achieving an effect of "being a heat generation element and also a temperature detection element". Based on the needs of users, the temperature coefficient of resistance of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> may be selected within the range of <NUM>-3500ppm. Further, in addition to embodying the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> through winding an electrical resistant wire, embodiment may be achieved by using a screen-printed circuit or surface film coating. Such a structure realizes a solution of integrated temperature control with two lead wires, simplifying an overall structure of the heating assembly and reducing the cost. In other embodiments, the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> may be configured only for generating heat, and in this condition, the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> may be made of a metallic material that has relatively high electrical resistivity and generates a relatively large amount of heat.

In some ways of embodiment, the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> may be arranged as a structure having a variable helical pitch in order to suit the needs for a temperature field. For example, the helical pitch for an upper portion of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> is made smaller in order to suit the needs for a higher temperature in the upper portion, while the helical pitch for a lower portion is relatively large in order to suit the needs for a lower temperature in the lower portion. Further, for example, the helical pitch of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> is increased from an upper end toward a lower end.

The external tube <NUM> may be made of a temperature-resistant alloy or an electrically conductive metallic material, for example a low-resistance highconductivity material, such as stainless steel. The external tube <NUM> can be in a shape of a circular tube and is sleeved on the support bar <NUM> and the electrical resistance circuit <NUM>, and a lower end of the external tube <NUM> can be fit into the base <NUM> and welded to the base <NUM>. Due to the external surface insulation of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM>, the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> can be arranged as being in contact engagement with, or forming a gap with respect to, an inside surface of the external tube <NUM>. To enhance the effect of insulation, the inside surface of the external tube <NUM> may be subjected to insulation treatment, such as being covered with an insulation coating. An outside surface of the external tube <NUM> is coated with a protection layer, such as a ceramic coating layer or a vitreous glaze layer. The protection layer functions to isolate the external tube <NUM> from the surrounding atmosphere and also functions to make an outside surface of the heating assembly smooth, facilitating reduction of deposition of soot thereon and making cleaning easy. A filler, such as a temperature-resistant resin or glass cement having high thermal conductivity, may be filled between an internal wall of the external tube <NUM> and an external wall of the support bar <NUM>, and this helps secure the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> in position and also fills up a gap between the two to facilitate transmission of heat. In other embodiments, the external tube <NUM> may have a cross-sectional contour in other shape, such as an ellipse, a square, or a rectangle.

In other embodiments, the external tube <NUM> may be made of a metallic PTC material, namely the external tube <NUM> and the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> may commonly realize the effect of "being a heat generation element and also a temperature detection element". It is appreciated that, in some other embodiments, the effect of "being a heat generation element and also a temperature detection element" for the heating assembly can also be realized by having only the external tube <NUM> individually made of metallic PTC.

The needle <NUM> may be made of a temperature-resistant insulative or conductive material, such as stainless steel or ceramics. The needle <NUM> in some embodiments may include a lead-in portion <NUM> in an upper portion and a fit-in portion <NUM> in a lower portion. The lead-in portion <NUM> is of a conic form to facilitate penetration into the aerosol-generating substrate <NUM>. A head part of the lead-in portion <NUM> can be of a circular arc form. A diameter of a large end of the lead-in portion <NUM> is identical to an external diameter of the external tube <NUM> and is greater than an external diameter of the fit-in portion <NUM>. The fit-in portion <NUM> is of a cylindrical form and is tightly fit to inside of the external tube <NUM>, and a stepped surface that is formed between the lead-in portion <NUM> and the fit-in portion <NUM> abuts an upper end face of the external tube <NUM>. An upper end of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> is crimped between the fit-in portion <NUM> and the external tube <NUM>, so that contact and conductive connection with respect to the external tube <NUM> is achieved through interference fitting to thereby electrically conducting with the first electrode lead wire <NUM>. An external surface of the fit-in portion <NUM> is also provided with a wire slot <NUM> that receives the upper end of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> to locate therein. The first electrode lead wire <NUM> may be led out from an outer surface of a bottom portion of the external tube <NUM>. The second electrode lead wire <NUM> is connected to a lower end of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> and is led out in company with the support bar <NUM>.

To manufacture the heating assembly <NUM>, the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> is first wound around the support bar <NUM>, and soaking or spraying is applied to form the insulative layer. Afterwards, the upper end of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> is crimped between the needle <NUM> and the external tube <NUM>, so that the upper end of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> is in contact and electrically conductive connection with the external tube <NUM>. The first electrode lead wire <NUM> is soldered to the outside surface of the bottom portion of the external tube <NUM>, and the second electrode lead wire <NUM> is soldered to the lower end of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> to be led out in company with the support bar <NUM>.

The first electrode lead wire <NUM> and the second electrode lead wire <NUM> can both be electrically connected to the control circuit of the aerosol generation device at the same time, and the control circuit may realize heating control and temperature detection of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> through the first electrode lead wire <NUM> and the second electrode lead wire <NUM>. The control circuit may directly or indirectly acquire the operating resistance R of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> of the heating assembly <NUM> in an operating state, and correspondingly determines the temperature T of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> with such an operating resistance R according to the property of the metallic PTC material. It is appreciated that during the process of acquiring the temperature T, the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> may conduct heating at the same time, or may alternatively not conduct heating. In the solution where temperature detection and heating are not conducted at the same time, the heating period is t<NUM> and the temperature detection period is t<NUM>, and a complete heating and temperature detection period is t<NUM> +t<NUM>. It is appreciated that to ensure the efficiency and persistence of heating, the temperature detection period t<NUM> is generally made far less than the heating period t<NUM>. In the solution where temperature detection and heating are conducted at the same time, the control circuit may acquire the operating voltage U and the operating current I of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> in the operating state, and calculation is made to indirectly determine the operating resistance R, so as to accordingly determine the temperature T of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> at the moment. During this process, there is no need to shut down the heating process of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM>. It is appreciated that the above process is equally applicable to the embodiments in which the external tube <NUM> is made of a metallic PTC material, with a difference being that adaptive adjustment may be made in respect of a corresponding relationship between the operating resistance R and the temperature T. In fact, for the entirety of the heating assembly, the external tube <NUM> and/or the electrical resistance circuit <NUM>, at least one thereof, being made of the PCT metal material suffices to achieve the effect of "being a heat generation element and also a temperature detection element", and in the specific embodiment, adjustment is only needed for the corresponding relationship between the operating resistance R and the temperature T.

<FIG> show the heating assembly <NUM> provided in a first alternative solution of the present invention, which includes an external tube <NUM> that is electrically conductive, a needle <NUM> that is mounted in a top of the external tube <NUM>, a support bar <NUM> that is arranged longitudinally in the external tube <NUM>, an electrical resistance circuit <NUM> and a temperature detection circuit that are arranged in the external tube <NUM> and have an electrode in electrical connection with the external tube <NUM>, a first electrode lead wire <NUM> that is in electrical connection with the external tube <NUM>, a second electrode lead wire <NUM> that is in electrical connection with an opposite electrode of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM>, a third electrode lead wire <NUM> that is in electrical connection with an opposite electrode of the temperature detection circuit, and a base <NUM> arranged at a bottom of the external tube <NUM>. One electrode of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> and the temperature detection circuit is both in conductive connection with the external tube <NUM>, so as to be in conductive connection with the first electrode lead wire <NUM>, and the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> and the temperature detection circuit share one common electrode so as to reduce the number of electrode lead wires for the heating assembly <NUM>. Further, the first electrode lead wire <NUM> being led out from the external tube <NUM> can increase the distance among each of the electrode lead wires. It is appreciated that, in other embodiments, it is alternatively feasible that lower ends of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> and the temperature detection circuit share one common electrode lead wire, such as sharing the second electrode lead wire <NUM>, while two electrode lead wires soldered to the external tube <NUM> are respectively in electrical connection with upper ends of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> and the temperature detection circuit.

The support bar <NUM> may be made of a temperature-resistant insulative material, such as being made of a temperature-resistant insulative ceramic material and is generally of an elongate cylindrical form including a first section <NUM>, a second section <NUM>, and a third section <NUM> that are sequentially connected from top to bottom. A diameter of the second section <NUM> is greater than a diameter of the first section <NUM> and a diameter of the third section <NUM>, and is less than an inside diameter of the external tube <NUM>. The first section <NUM> is tightly fit in and fixed in the needle <NUM>, and a stepped surface formed between the first section <NUM> and the second section <NUM> may abut a bottom surface of the needle <NUM>, while the third section <NUM> is tightly fit in and fixed in the base <NUM>.

The electrical resistance circuit <NUM> and the temperature detection circuit are helically wound around outside of the second section <NUM> in an axial direction. The electrical resistance circuit <NUM> functions for heating the aerosol-generating substrate <NUM> when being energized to generate heat and may be made of a metallic PTC material or may be made of a metallic material that has relatively high electrical resistivity and generates a relatively large amount of heat. The temperature detection circuit may be made of a metallic PTC material, or may alternatively include a thermocouple structure. Based on the needs of users, the temperature coefficient of resistances of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> and the temperature detection circuit may be selected within the range of <NUM>-3500ppm.

The electrical resistance circuit <NUM> and the temperature detection circuit may adopt a layered structure, and specifically, the temperature detection circuit is arranged in an inner layer, while the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> is located in an outer layer. To manufacture, the temperature detection circuit is first wound around and fixed on the support bar <NUM>, and soaking or spraying is applied to form an insulative layer; and after sintering and curing, winding of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> is then conducted; and finally, fixing is performed by means of the needle <NUM> at the top and the base <NUM> at the bottom. The second electrode lead wire <NUM> that is soldered to and in conductive connection with the lower end of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> and the third electrode lead wire <NUM> that is soldered to and in conductive connection with the lower end of the temperature detection circuit are led out in company with the support bar <NUM>. Further, in addition to embodying the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> and the temperature detection circuit through winding electrical resistant wires, embodiment may be achieved by using a screen-printed circuit or surface film coating. In other embodiments, the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> and the temperature detection circuit may be arranged in the same layer on the support bar <NUM>, such as the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> and the temperature detection circuit being wound, in a side by side manner, around the support bar <NUM>.

The needle <NUM> may be made of a temperature-resistant alloy or metallic material, such as stainless steel. The needle <NUM> in some embodiments may include a lead-in portion <NUM> in an upper portion and a fit-in portion <NUM> in a lower portion. The lead-in portion <NUM> is of a tip-sharpened conic form to facilitate penetration into the aerosol-generating substrate <NUM>. A diameter of a large end of the lead-in portion <NUM> is identical to an external diameter of the external tube <NUM> and is greater than an external diameter of the fit-in portion <NUM>. The fit-in portion <NUM> is of a cylindrical form and is tightly fit to inside of the external tube <NUM>, and a stepped surface that is formed between the lead-in portion <NUM> and the fit-in portion <NUM> abuts an upper end face of the external tube <NUM>. A bottom surface of the fit-in portion <NUM> is formed, through recessing, with an insertion trough <NUM>, and the first section <NUM> at the upper end of the support bar <NUM> is tightly fit into the insertion trough <NUM>. An outside of a lower end of the fit-in portion <NUM> is provided with a guide surface <NUM> to facilitate introduction into the external tube <NUM>. The guide surface <NUM> can be an oblique surface or an arc surface, so that the lower end of the fit-in portion <NUM> is generally in a form of a circular stage. The upper ends of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> and the temperature detection circuit are crimped between the lead-in portion <NUM> of the needle <NUM> and the external tube <NUM> so as to be in conductive connection with the external tube <NUM>, and thus in conductive connection with the first electrode lead wire <NUM>. The first electrode lead wire <NUM> is soldered to an outside surface of a bottom portion of the external tube <NUM>, so as to be in conductive connection with the external tube <NUM>.

The external tube <NUM> is in a shape of a circular tube and may be made of a temperature-resistant alloy or an electrically conductive metallic material, such as stainless steel. The external tube <NUM> is filled with a temperature-resistant insulative medium in an interior thereof, while a ceramic coating layer is coated on the outside. The base <NUM> may be a ceramic structure, which is welded to the external tube <NUM> by means of a ceramic coating material. A top surface of the base <NUM> is recessed to form a mounting trough <NUM>, and the external tube <NUM> is fit into the mounting trough <NUM>, and a bottom surface of the external tube <NUM> abuts a trough bottom of the mounting trough <NUM>. A bottom surface of the base <NUM> is recessed to form electrode apertures <NUM> that are in communication with the mounting trough <NUM>, and there are at least three such electrode apertures <NUM> to respective receive the first electrode lead wire <NUM>, the second electrode lead wire <NUM>, the third electrode lead wire <NUM> to extend therethrough.

<FIG> shows the heating assembly <NUM> provided in a second alternative solution of the present invention, of which a primary difference from the first alternative solution is that in the instant embodiment, the heating assembly <NUM> further includes a fourth electrode lead wire <NUM>, and the third electrode lead wire <NUM> and the fourth electrode lead wire <NUM> respectively function as two electrodes of the temperature detection circuit <NUM> for electrical connection with two ends of the temperature detection circuit <NUM>. In the instant embodiment, the heating assembly <NUM> adopts a four-wire solution, and the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> and the temperature detection circuit <NUM> are independent of each other.

Specifically, an outside surface of the support bar <NUM> is provided with a wire slot <NUM> for laying of the fourth electrode lead wire <NUM>, and the fourth electrode lead wire <NUM>, after being soldered to an upper end of the temperature detection circuit <NUM>, is led out in company with the wire slot <NUM>, and the third electrode lead wire <NUM>, after soldered to a lower end of the temperature detection circuit <NUM>, is led out in company with the support bar <NUM>. The upper end of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> is electrically connected, through the external tube <NUM>, with the first electrode lead wire <NUM>, and the lower end of the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> is electrically connected with the second electrode lead wire <NUM>. The upper end of the temperature detection circuit <NUM> is connected, through the external tube <NUM>, with the fourth electrode lead wire <NUM>, and the lower end of the temperature detection circuit is electrically connected with the third electrode lead wire <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the heating assembly <NUM> provided in a third alternative solution of the present invention, of which a primary difference from the second alternative solution is that in the instant embodiment, the support bar <NUM> is in a form of a hollow cylinder, and the temperature detection circuit <NUM> is helically arranged on an internal surface of the support bar <NUM>, while the electrical resistance circuit <NUM> is helically arranged on an external surface of the support bar <NUM>.

It is appreciated that each of the technical features described above can be combined in any desired way, without subjecting to any constraints.

Claim 1:
A heating assembly, characterized by comprising an electrically conductive external tube (<NUM>), an electrical resistance circuit (<NUM>) disposed in the external tube (<NUM>) and having an electrode electrically connected with the external tube (<NUM>), a first electrode lead wire (<NUM>) in electrical connection with the external tube (<NUM>), and a second electrode lead wire (<NUM>) in electrical connection with an opposite electrode of the electrical resistance circuit (<NUM>),
wherein the heating assembly further comprises a needle (<NUM>) arranged at a top of the external tube (<NUM>);
characterised in that
an upper end of the electrical resistance circuit (<NUM>) is crimped between the needle (<NUM>) and the external tube (<NUM>), so as to be in contact and conductive connection with the external tube (<NUM>).