Patent Description:
Atomization device can heat a solid atomization medium such as a cigarette in a heating-without-burning manner to generate an aerosol that can be inhaled by a user. The atomization device typically includes a heater and a power supply. The power supply supplies power to the heater. The heater converts electrical energy into thermal energy. The atomization medium absorbs heat and is atomized to form aerosol.

The heater of the conventional atomization device pierces the atomization medium to form a central heating method from the inside to the outside. As the use time increases, a large amount of dirt is easily attached and accumulated on the surface of the heater. The dirt not only affects the appearance of the heater, but also can absorb the heat from the heater and generate peculiar smell or harmful gas, thus affecting the consistency of the inhalation taste of the aerosol.

<CIT> discloses a heater according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Accordingly, an object of the present application is to provide a heater to reduce dirt and an atomization device having the same.

A heater includes a heating member having a mounting surface and a covering layer covering the mounting surface. The mounting surface is an uneven low surface energy structure, and the low surface energy structure is at least one of a micron structure and a nanostructure. The ratio of the thickness of the portion of the covering layer with the maximum thickness to the thickness of the portion of the covering layer with the minimum thickness is less than or equal to <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the surface of the covering layer is continuous and smooth.

In an embodiment, the cross-section of the heating member intersects the mounting surface at an intersection line, and the intersection line is a polygonal line or a smooth curve.

In an embodiment, the surface roughness Ra of the heating member at the low surface energy structure satisfies: <NUM> ≤ Ra ≤ <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the surface roughness Ra of the covering layer satisfies: Ra ≤ <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the thickness H of the covering layer satisfies: <NUM> ≤ H ≤ <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the covering layer is a glaze layer.

In an embodiment, the heating member includes a base body and a heating body wrapped in the base body, the mounting surface is located on the base body, and the heating body and the covering layer are located on opposite sides of the base body in the thickness direction thereof, respectively.

In an embodiment, the base body and the heating body are made of different materials.

In an embodiment, the thermal conductivity of the base body is greater than the thermal conductivity of the covering layer.

In an embodiment, the heating member is in the shape of a column, a sheet, a barrel or a pot.

In an embodiment, the heating member is in the shape of a barrel or a pot, and the covering layer is provided on the inner surface of the heating member.

An atomization device includes a main body and any one of the above heaters. The heater is provided on the main body.

According to the heater and the atomization device, since the mounting surface is configured as a low surface energy structure, and the ratio of the thickness of the portion of the covering layer with the maximum thickness to the thickness of the portion of the covering layer with the minimum thickness is less than or equal to <NUM>, the entire heater still has a low surface energy structure, thus ensuring that the surface of the heater has strong hydrophobic and oleophobic properties. When the liquid produced by the atomization medium during the atomization process comes into contact with the covering layer, the contact angle between the liquid and the covering layer is almost an obtuse angle, such that the liquid is difficult to adhere to the heater. Moreover, the surface of the covering layer is extremely smooth, which further increases the difficulty of adhesion of the liquid. Similarly, it is also difficult for solid atomization products generated during the atomization process of the atomization medium to adhere to the smooth covering layer. Therefore, it is difficult for dirt generated through a series of physical and chemical reactions between liquid and solid atomization products to adhere to the heater, which ultimately reduces the generation of dirt on the heater. In this way, on the one hand, irritating and harmful substances produced by dirt during the heating process of the heater are avoided, thereby improving the inhalation taste and safety, on the other hand, the frictional resistance of the heater when inserting into the atomization medium will be reduced, so that the risk of being bent and broken of the heater will also be effectively prevented, thereby increasing the service life of the heater. Furthermore, even if there is a small amount of dirt attached to the heating surface, since the surface of the covering layer is extremely smooth, the adhesion between the dirt and the covering layer can be reduced, thereby reducing the difficulty of cleaning the dirt. At the same time, the covering layer with uniform thickness can increase the heat transferring speed of the heater, such that the thermal field distribution of the heater can be more uniform, and the heating efficiency and atomization effect of the heater can be improved.

The technical solution in the embodiment of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiment of the application. Apparently, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the application, not all of them. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by a person skilled in the art without making creative efforts shall all fall within the protection scope of the present application.

It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly fixed to another element or intervening elements may also be present. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to another element or intervening elements may also be present. The terms "inner", "outer", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation manner.

Referring to <FIG>, an atomization device provided by an embodiment of the present application includes a main body and a heater <NUM> provided on the main body. The main body includes a battery configured to supply power to the heater <NUM>. The heater <NUM> is configured to convert electrical energy into thermal energy. The main body is configured to accommodate a solid atomization medium. During the operation process, at least one heating surface of the heater <NUM> is in contact with the atomization medium, the atomization medium absorbs the heat from the heater <NUM> and is atomized in a heating-without-burning manner to form an aerosol that can be inhaled by a user. The solid atomization medium may be a cigarette, etc. The heater <NUM> includes a heating member <NUM> and a covering layer <NUM>. The covering layer <NUM> covers the heating member <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the heating member <NUM> may include a base body <NUM> and a heating body <NUM>, which are made of different materials. The battery of the main body supplies power to the heating body <NUM>, and the heating body <NUM> converts electrical energy into thermal energy. The structural strength of the base body <NUM> is greater than that of the heating body <NUM>. The heating body <NUM> is provided on the base body <NUM>, so that the base body <NUM> can serve as a carrier for the heating body <NUM> and prevent the entire heating member <NUM> from being bent, broken or deformed during the process of inserting or accommodating the atomization medium. The base body <NUM> forms a wrapping and supporting effect for the heating body <NUM>, that is, the heating body <NUM> is wrapped in the base body <NUM>. The base body <NUM> has excellent thermal conductivity, so that the heat generated by the heating body <NUM> can be quickly transferred to the atomization medium through the base body <NUM> from the inside to the outside, that is, the base body <NUM> mainly serves a bearing function and a heat conduction function, while the heating body <NUM> mainly serves a heating function.

In other embodiments, the base body <NUM> and the heating body <NUM> may be made of the same material. In other words, the heating member <NUM> is integrally formed and made of a single material, so that the entire heating member <NUM> has sufficient structural strength to prevent the heating member <NUM> from being bent, broken or deformed when being inserted into the atomization medium, and also serves a heating function.

In some embodiments, the heating member is in the shape of a column or a sheet. The base body <NUM> has two surfaces in the thickness direction. The two surfaces of the base body <NUM> are spaced apart and face opposite directions along the thickness direction of the base body <NUM>. The heating body <NUM> is provided on one of the two surfaces in the thickness direction of the base body <NUM>. The other surface of the two surfaces serves as a mounting surface <NUM>. The mounting surface <NUM> is an uneven microstructure surface, therefore the mounting surface <NUM> is configured as a low surface energy structure, that is, the entire heating member <NUM> has a low surface energy structure. The mounting surface <NUM> with a low surface energy structure means that the surface tension of the mounting surface <NUM> is small and it is difficult for water molecules or oil molecules to adhere. On the contrary, if the mounting surface <NUM> has a high surface energy structure, the surface tension of the mounting surface <NUM> is large and it is easy for water molecules or oil molecules to adhere. The low surface energy structure is a micron structure and/or a nanostructure, that is, the low surface energy structure can be a micron structure, a nanostructure, or a combination of a micron structure and a nanostructure. Since the mounting surface <NUM> is configured as a low surface energy structure, the base body <NUM> has a certain surface roughness at the low surface energy structure. The surface roughness Ra of the base body <NUM> at the low surface energy structure satisfies: <NUM> ≤ Ra ≤ <NUM>. Specifically, the surface roughness Ra of the base body <NUM> at the low surface energy structure may be <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, etc..

In some embodiments, the low surface energy structure may be formed using a laser ablation process. For example, in the case that the base body <NUM> and the heating member <NUM> are in the shape of sheet, an outer surface of the base body <NUM> that is a horizontal plane in the thickness direction can be processed through a laser ablation process, so that multiple recessed spaces are formed on the outer surface, and the recessed space may be a counterbore or a countersink, so that the outer surface with the recessed spaces is transformed into the uneven mounting surface <NUM>. For another example, in the case that the base body <NUM> and the heating member <NUM> are in the shape of columnar, the columnar outer peripheral surface of the base body <NUM> can be processed through a laser ablation process, so that multiple recessed spaces are formed on the outer peripheral surface. This can also make the outer peripheral surface with the recessed space be transformed into the uneven mounting surface <NUM>. In other embodiments, the low surface energy structure may also be formed using a chemical etching process or a mechanical sandblasting process.

In other embodiments, the heating member <NUM> may be in the shape of a pot, a barrel, etc. The configuration of the heating member <NUM> in a pot shape or a barrel shape can form an accommodating space in the heating unit <NUM>, and the atomization medium can be accommodated in the accommodating space. The covering layer <NUM> can be provided at least on the inner surface of the barrel-shaped or pot-shaped heating member <NUM>. The inner surface of the heating member <NUM> is in direct contact with the atomization medium, thus it can heat and atomize the atomization medium. Therefore, the interior portion of the heater <NUM> can be cleaned more easily.

Referring to <FIG>, in some embodiments, the cross-section of the base body <NUM> intersects the mounting surface <NUM> at an intersection line <NUM>. The cross-section of the base body <NUM> may be a transverse cross-section of the base body <NUM> or a longitudinal cross-section of the base body <NUM>. The intersection line <NUM> includes a first segment <NUM> and a second segment <NUM>, and a plurality of first segment <NUM> and a plurality of second segment <NUM> can be provided. The plurality of first segments <NUM> are spaced apart along the extension direction of the intersection line <NUM>, and each second segment <NUM> is connected between adjacent two first segments <NUM>, so that one end of the second segment <NUM> is connected to an end of one of the first segments <NUM>, and the other end of the second segment <NUM> is connected to an end of the other first segment <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in one embodiment, the intersection line <NUM> is a polygonal line. Specifically, the first segment <NUM> is a straight line, that is, the first segment <NUM> is a line segment, and the second segment <NUM> is a polygonal line. Taking the surface of the base body <NUM> adjacent to the heating body <NUM> in the thickness direction as a reference plane <NUM>, the second segment <NUM> is more adjacent to the reference plane <NUM> than the first segment <NUM>, that is, the second segment <NUM> is more adjacent to the heating body <NUM> than the first segment <NUM>. In other embodiments, the second segment <NUM> may be further away from the reference plane <NUM> than the first segment <NUM>. The second segment <NUM> may be formed into a rectangle with one side missing. In other words, the second segment <NUM> is formed into a flat-bottomed U-shape. The second segment <NUM> may also be formed in a V-shape, etc..

Referring to <FIG>, in other embodiments, the intersection line <NUM> is a smooth curve, so that the intersection line <NUM> has no sharp corners. Specifically, both the first segment <NUM> and the second segment <NUM> are smooth curves. The first segment <NUM> may be an arc curve, a sinusoidal curve, an elliptic curve, etc. Taking the surface of the base body <NUM> adjacent to the heating body <NUM> in the thickness direction as a reference plane <NUM>, and the opening formed by the bending of the first segment <NUM> is provided toward the reference plane <NUM> and the heating body <NUM>. The second segment <NUM> may also be an arc curve, a sinusoidal curve, an elliptic curve, etc., and the opening formed by the bending of the second segment <NUM> is arranged away from the reference plane <NUM> and the heating body <NUM>. The second segment <NUM> is more adjacent to the reference plane <NUM> than the first segment <NUM>. In an embodiment, the opening formed by the bending of the first segment <NUM> may be arranged away from the reference plane <NUM>, and the opening formed by the bending of the second segment <NUM> may be arranged facing the reference plane <NUM>. In other embodiments, the intersection line <NUM> is a non-smooth curve. Referring to <FIG>, the first segment <NUM> and the second segment <NUM> have the same structure, i.e., the openings formed by bending the first segment <NUM> and the second segment <NUM> are both arranged facing or away from the reference plane <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in another embodiment, the intersection line <NUM> may be in a zigzag shape, which can be generally understood to mean that the intersection line <NUM> can be formed by connecting multiple V-shaped segments or W-shaped segments end to end.

In some embodiments, the covering layer <NUM> covers the mounting surface <NUM>, such that the covering layer <NUM> and the heating body <NUM> are located on opposite sides of the base body <NUM> in the thickness direction thereof, respectively. The ratio of the thickness of the portion of the covering layer <NUM> with the maximum thickness to the thickness of the portion of the covering layer <NUM> with the minimum thickness is less than or equal to <NUM>, so that the thickness of the covering layer <NUM> is relatively uniform. The covering layer <NUM> with uniform thickness can conduct the heat to the atomization medium more evenly and quickly, so that the heater has higher heating efficiency, the thermal field distribution is more uniform, and the atomization effect is better. Therefore, since the mounting surface <NUM> is configured as a low surface energy structure, after the mounting surface <NUM> is covered by the covering layer <NUM>, the entire heater <NUM> will still have a low surface energy structure.

In some embodiments, the covering layer <NUM> is a glaze layer, that is, the covering layer <NUM> is made of glaze material, so that the covering layer <NUM> has high temperature resistance and an extremely smooth surface. The surface roughness Ra of the covering layer <NUM> satisfies: Ra ≤ <NUM>, so that the surface of the covering layer <NUM> is extremely smooth, and the surface of the covering layer <NUM> can be a continuous and smooth surface, which can eliminate sharp corners or steps existing on the original surface of the mounting surface <NUM>. It should be understood that the surface of the covering layer <NUM> is a continuous and smooth surface, which may specifically include the following characteristics: on the one hand, the continuous surface means that although the surface may be uneven, there is no sudden change on the surface, which can be further explained as the first order derivative of the function on which the surface is continuous; on the other hand, a smooth surface means that the roughness of the surface is small. The thickness H of the covering layer <NUM> satisfies: <NUM> ≤ H ≤ <NUM>. Specifically, the thickness H of the covering layer <NUM> may be <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>, etc..

Referring to <FIG>, when the covering layer <NUM> covers the mounting surface <NUM> of the columnar base body <NUM>, the entire heater <NUM> becomes columnar. Referring to <FIG>, when the covering layer <NUM> covers the mounting surface <NUM> of the sheet-shaped base body <NUM>, the entire heater <NUM> is in the shape of sheet. When the heater <NUM> is inserted in the atomization medium, the heat generated by the heating body <NUM> is first transferred to the base body <NUM>, then transferred to the covering layer <NUM> through the base body <NUM>, and finally transferred to the atomization medium through the covering layer <NUM>. Since the thickness of the covering layer <NUM> is uniform, the thermal conductivity properties of the covering layer <NUM> are the same everywhere, which can make the temperature distribution everywhere on the covering layer <NUM> uniform, so that the entire heater <NUM> can evenly heat the atomization medium and improve the inhalation taste of aerosol. If the low surface energy structure is directly provided on the covering layer <NUM>, the thickness of the covering layer <NUM> will be non-uniform, resulting in the heater <NUM> being unable to uniformly heat the atomization medium.

In the case that the heater <NUM> is not provided with a low surface energy structure, when the heater is inserted into the solid atomization medium, the atomization medium will produce a certain amount of liquid and solid atomization products during the atomization process. The liquid and solid atomization products will adhere to the surface of the heater and are difficult to fall off. When the heater generates heat, the liquid and solid atomization products will undergo a series of physical and chemical reactions in a high temperature environment, causing the liquid and solid atomization products to transform into dirt that adheres firmly to the heater. Due to the existence of this dirt, on the one hand, the dirt will produce irritating and harmful substances during the heating process of the heater, thereby affecting the inhalation taste and the health of consumers; on the other hand, the frictional resistance of the heater when the heater is inserted into the atomization medium is increased, which is not conducive to the atomization medium being accommodated in the main body, and also puts the heater at risk of being bent and broken, thus reducing the service life of the heater.

According to the above embodiments, since the heater <NUM> has the low surface energy structure, the surface of the heater <NUM> has strong hydrophobic and oleophobic properties. When the liquid produced by the atomization medium during the atomization process comes into contact with the covering layer <NUM>, the contact angle between the liquid and the covering layer <NUM> is almost an obtuse angle, such that the liquid is difficult to adhere to the heater <NUM>. Moreover, the surface of the covering layer <NUM> is extremely smooth, which further increases the difficulty of adhesion of the liquid. Similarly, it is also difficult for solid atomization products generated during the atomization process of the atomization medium to adhere to the smooth covering layer <NUM>. Since it is difficult for liquid and solid atomization products to adhere to the heater <NUM>, it will also be difficult for dirt generated by the reaction of liquid and solid atomization products to adhere to the heater <NUM>. In this way, on the one hand, irritating and harmful substances produced by dirt during the heating process of the heater <NUM> are avoided, thereby improving the inhalation taste and safety, on the other hand, the frictional resistance of the heater <NUM> when inserting into the atomization medium will be reduced, so that the atomization medium can be accommodated in the main body smoothly, and the risk of being bent and broken of the heater <NUM> will also be effectively prevented, thereby increasing the service life of the heater <NUM>. Moreover, even if there is a small amount of dirt attached to the heater <NUM>, since the surface of the covering layer <NUM> is extremely smooth, the adhesion force between the dirt and the covering layer <NUM> can be reduced, thereby reducing the difficulty of cleaning the dirt.

Claim 1:
A heater (<NUM>), comprising:
a heating member (<NUM>) having a mounting surface (<NUM>), wherein the mounting surface (<NUM>) is an uneven low surface energy structure, and the low surface energy structure is at least one of a micron structure and a nanostructure; and characterized by
a covering layer (<NUM>) covering the mounting surface (<NUM>), wherein the ratio of the thickness of the portion of the covering layer (<NUM>) with the maximum thickness to the thickness of the portion of the covering layer (<NUM>) with the minimum thickness is less than or equal to <NUM>.