VAPOR GENERATION DEVICE AND INFRARED EMITTER
20230263237 ยท 2023-08-24
Inventors
- LINJIAN HUANG (Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, CN)
- JIAN WU (Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, CN)
- ZHONGLI XU (Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, CN)
- YONGHAI LI (Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, CN)
Cpc classification
H05B2203/022
ELECTRICITY
H05B2203/032
ELECTRICITY
H05B3/141
ELECTRICITY
H05B2203/011
ELECTRICITY
H05B2203/02
ELECTRICITY
H05B3/148
ELECTRICITY
International classification
Abstract
A vapor generation device and an infrared emitter is provided. The vapor generation device includes a housing, where the housing is internally provided with: a cavity, configured to receive an inhalable material; an infrared emitter, including an infrared emission material, where the infrared emission material is configured to heat the inhalable material by radiating an infrared ray; a temperature sensing material, formed on the infrared emitter and insulated from the infrared emission material, where the temperature sensing material has a positive or negative resistance-temperature coefficient; and a circuit, configured to obtain a resistance value of the temperature sensing material and determine a temperature of the infrared emitter from the resistance value. The temperature of the infrared emitter can be determined by printing or depositing a temperature sensing material with a temperature sensor function on the infrared emitter itself and detecting the resistance of the temperature sensing material.
Claims
1. A vapor generation device, configured to heat an inhalable material to generate an aerosol for inhalation, comprising: a housing, wherein the housing is internally provided with: a cavity, configured to receive an inhalable material; an infrared emitter, comprising an infrared emission material, wherein the infrared emission material is configured to radiate an infrared ray to the inhalable material received in the cavity, so as to heat the inhalable material; a temperature sensing material, formed on the infrared emitter and insulated from the infrared emission material, wherein the temperature sensing material has a positive or negative resistance-temperature coefficient; and a circuit, configured to obtain a resistance value of the temperature sensing material and determine a temperature of the infrared emitter from the resistance value.
2. The vapor generation device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensing material comprises a conductive trajectory or a thermistor coating formed on the infrared emitter.
3. The vapor generation device according to claim 1, wherein the infrared emitter is configured to extend along an axial direction of the cavity and surround at least a part of the cavity.
4. The vapor generation device according to claim 3, wherein the infrared emitter further comprises: a base body, extending along the axial direction of the cavity and surrounding the cavity; and the infrared emission material is arranged to be a coating formed on the base body or a film wrapped or wound on the tubular base body.
5. The vapor generation device according to claim 4, wherein at least a part of a length of the temperature sensing material extending along the axial direction of the cavity covers a length of the infrared emission material extending along the axial direction of the cavity.
6. The vapor generation device according to claim 1, wherein the infrared emitter is configured in a shape of pin extending along an axial direction of the cavity, and is inserted into the inhalable material when the inhalable material is received in the cavity.
7. The vapor generation device according to claim 6, wherein the infrared emitter comprises: a base body, configured to be in a pin shape at least a part of which extends along the axial direction of the cavity, wherein the base body is provided with a hollow extending along the axial direction inside; and a substrate, accommodated in the hollow; and the infrared emission material is arranged to be a coating formed on a surface of the substrate or a film wrapped on the substrate.
8. The vapor generation device according to claim 7, wherein the temperature sensing material is formed on a surface of the base body.
9. The vapor generation device according to claim 2, wherein the conductive trajectory is configured in a winding, bending, or spiral shape extending along a length direction of the infrared emitter.
10. The vapor generation device according to claim 2, wherein the infrared emitter comprises: an electrothermal layer, comprising a first side and a second side facing away from each other along a thickness direction; the infrared emission material is positioned on the first side of the electrothermal layer and configured to radiate an infrared ray to the inhalable material received by the cavity when heated by the electrothermal layer; and the thermistor coating is positioned on the second side of the electrothermal layer.
11. The vapor generation device according to claim 10, wherein the infrared emitter further comprises: a first electrode layer, positioned on a first side of the electrothermal layer and electrically conductive with the electrothermal layer; a second electrode layer, positioned between the electrothermal layer and the thermistor coating and electrically conductive with both the electrothermal layer and the thermistor coating; and a third electrode layer, positioned on a side of the thermistor coating away from the electrothermal layer and electrically conductive with the thermistor coating.
12. The vapor generation device according to claim 11, wherein the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are staggered from each other along a thickness direction of the electrothermal layer.
13. An infrared emitter for a vapor generation device, comprising: an infrared emission material, configured to radiate an infrared ray to an inhalable material to heat the inhalable material; and a temperature sensing material, insulated from the infrared emission material and having a positive or negative resistance-temperature coefficient, so that a temperature of the infrared emitter is capable of being determined from a resistance value of the conductive trajectory or thermistor coating by measuring the resistance value.
14. The vapor generation device according to claim 2, wherein the infrared emitter is configured to extend along an axial direction of the cavity and surround at least a part of the cavity.
15. The vapor generation device according to claim 14, wherein the infrared emitter further comprises: a base body, extending along the axial direction of the cavity and surrounding the cavity; and the infrared emission material is arranged to be a coating formed on the base body or a film wrapped or wound on the tubular base body.
16. The vapor generation device according to claim 15, wherein at least a part of a length of the temperature sensing material extending along the axial direction of the cavity covers a length of the infrared emission material extending along the axial direction of the cavity.
17. The vapor generation device according to claim 2, wherein the infrared emitter is configured in a shape of pin extending along an axial direction of the cavity, and is inserted into the inhalable material when the inhalable material is received in the cavity.
18. The vapor generation device according to claim 17, wherein the infrared emitter comprises: a base body, configured to be in a pin shape at least a part of which extends along the axial direction of the cavity, wherein the base body is provided with a hollow extending along the axial direction inside; and a substrate, accommodated in the hollow; and the infrared emission material is arranged to be a coating formed on a surface of the substrate or a film wrapped on the substrate.
19. The vapor generation device according to claim 18, wherein the temperature sensing material is formed on a surface of the base body.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] One or more embodiments are exemplarily described with reference to the corresponding figures in the accompanying drawings, and the descriptions are not to be construed as limiting the embodiments. Components in the accompanying drawings that have same reference numerals are represented as similar components, and unless otherwise particularly stated, the figures in the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] For ease of understanding of this application, this application is described below in more detail with reference to accompanying drawings and specific implementations.
[0049] An embodiment of this application provides a vapor generation device that heats but not burns an inhalable material, such as a cigarette, so as to volatilize or release at least one of inhalable materials to form an aerosol for inhalation.
[0050] Based on a preferred implementation, the heating on the inhalable material by the vapor generation device is performed by irradiating a far-infrared ray having a heating effect, for example, a far-infrared ray of 3 .Math.m to 15 .Math.m. During use, when the wavelength of the infrared ray matches the absorption wavelength of a volatile component of the inhalable material, the energy of the infrared ray is easily absorbed by the inhalable material, and the inhalable material is heated to volatilize at least one volatile component to generate an aerosol for inhalation.
[0051] A configuration of the vapor generation device according to an embodiment of this application may be shown in
[0052] a housing 10, having a hollow structure inside, so as to form an assembling space for necessary functional components such as infrared radiation. The housing 10 has a near-end 110 and a far-end 120 opposite to each other along a length direction.
[0053] The near-end 110 is provided with a receiving hole 111, and an inhalable material A may be received in the housing 10 through the receiving hole 111 and heated or removed from the housing 10.
[0054] The far-end 120 is provided with an air inlet hole 121 and a charging interface 122. The air inlet hole 121 is configured to allow external air to enter the housing 10 during inhalation; and the charging interface 122, such as a USB type-C interface or a pin interface, is used for charging the vapor generation device after being connected to an external power source or an adapter.
[0055] Further, the configuration of the interior of the housing 10 is shown in
[0056] a tubular base body 31, which is used as a rigid carrier and an object accommodating the inhalable material A. In the implementation, the tubular base body 31 may be made of a material that is high-temperature-resistant and can emit an infrared ray, such as quartz glass, ceramic, or mica. Preferably, the tubular base body 31 is made of a transparent material, such as a high-temperature-resistant material with an infrared transmittance of 95% or more. An inner space of the tubular base body 31 forms a cavity 310 for accommodating and heating the inhalable material A.
[0057] An infrared emission coating 32 formed on at least a part of an outer surface of the tubular base body 31, the infrared emission coating 32 is an electrically powered infrared emission coating, and may be capable of heating itself and radiating the infrared ray, such as the foregoing far-infrared ray of 3 .Math.m to 15 .Math.m, which can be used to heat the inhalable material A to the inhalable material received in the cavity 310 under the condition of being electrified. When a wavelength of the infrared ray matches an absorption wavelength of a volatile component of the inhalable material A, an energy of the infrared ray is easily absorbed by the inhalable material A.
[0058] Typically, in an implementation, the infrared emission coating 32 may be a coating prepared by ceramic materials such as zirconium, Fe-Mn-Cu-based materials, tungsten-based materials, or materials of transition metals and oxides thereof.
[0059] In a preferred implementation, the infrared emission coating 32 is preferably formed by an oxide or nitride of at least one metal element including Mg, Al, Ti, Zr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Cr, For example, the infrared emission coating 32 includes but not limited to the following materials: oxides (Fe2O3, Al2O3, Cr2O3, In2O3, La203, Co2O3, Ni2O3, Sb2O3, Sb2O5, TiO2, ZrO2, MnO2, CeO2, CuO, ZnO, MgO, CaO, MoO3, etc.), carbides (for example, SiC), nitrides (for example, TiN, CrN, AIN, and Si.sub.3N.sub.4), or a combination of two or more of the above materials. When heated to an appropriate temperature, the materials radiate a far-infrared ray having a heating effect. The thickness can be preferably controlled from 30 .Math.m to 50 .Math.m. A manner of forming the infrared emission coating 32 on the surface of the base body 31 may be that the foregoing oxides of the metal element are sprayed on an outer surface of the base body 31 through atmospheric plasma spraying, and then are cured, to obtain the infrared emission coating 32.
[0060] In other variation implementations, the infrared emission coating 32 may further be formed on an inner surface of the base body 31.
[0061] The infrared emitter 30 further includes a first conductive coating 33 and a second conductive coating 34 respectively formed on at least a part of outer surfaces of opposite ends of the infrared emission coating 32. According to a preferred implementation shown in
[0062] Further, referring to
[0063] Further, referring to an embodiment shown in
[0064] Further, referring to
[0065] Further, referring to
[0066] By using the foregoing infrared emitter 30 and by printing or depositing the conductive trajectory 35 capable of sensing the temperature of the infrared emitter 30 to make the infrared emitter 30 integrated with a temperature sensor function, the combination property is more stable and the result is more accurate compared with a case of using a temperature measurement manner of attaching thermocouples.
[0067] In the preferred implementation shown in
[0068] In other optional implementations, the conductive trajectory 35 is a patterned conductive trajectory 35 formed in shape by stamping, printing, etching, electroplating, or the like. In other variation implementations, the patterned conductive trajectory 35 may be in a winding and bending shape extending along the axial direction of the infrared emitter 30.
[0069] Certainly, in the foregoing implementations, the conductive trajectory 35 and the infrared emission coating 32 on the surface of the infrared emitter 30 are insulated from each other to prevent interference in measuring the resistance of the conductive trajectory 35. Specifically, the implementations may be achieved by arranging an insulation layer (not shown in the figure) between the conductive trajectory 35 and the infrared emission coating 32. For example, a relatively thin insulating protective layer such as glass or glaze is deposited or sprayed on the surface of the infrared emission coating 32 during preparation, and then the conductive trajectory 35 is formed.
[0070] In another optional implementation, the conductive trajectory 35 is formed on an inner surface of the infrared emitter 30 surrounding the cavity 310, that is, the conductive trajectory 35 and the infrared emission coating 32 are respectively on two sides of the base body 31 along a radial direction of the base body 31. The conductive trajectory 35 is formed inside the infrared emitter 30.
[0071] In another optional embodiment shown in
[0072] A conductive trajectory 35a for sensing the temperature is formed on the surface of the infrared emission film 32a through printing or deposition. In the embodiment shown in
[0073] In an optional implementation, the conductive trajectory 35/35a may have a thickness of about 10 to 30 microns.
[0074] Further, as shown in
[0075] Further, in the implementation shown in
[0076] Alternatively, in another variation implementation, the infrared emitter 30a is formed by printing or depositing the conductive trajectory 35a on the outer surface of the base body 31a and then winding or wrapping the infrared emission film 32a.
[0077] In other variation implementations, a plurality of infrared emission coatings 32 or infrared emission films 32a arranged side by side in sequence along the axial direction are formed on the infrared emitter 30/30a, the plurality of infrared emission coatings 32 or infrared emission films 32a can be independently controlled, so as to respectively heat different parts of the inhalable material A along the length direction.
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[0079] An infrared emitter 30b is in a pin shape extending along an axial center of the tubular element 80b, so that when the inhalable material A is received in the cavity, the infrared emitter 30b is inserted into the inhalable material A and emits the infrared ray for heating the inhalable material A.
[0080] The specific configuration of the infrared emitter 30b may be shown in
[0081] a base body 31b, prepared by a material that is rigid and can transmit an infrared ray, such as quartz, glass, or ceramic, and configured to be set into a pin shape for insertion into the inhalable material A.
[0082] Certainly, for ease of installation and fixation of the infrared emitter 30b, a base portion 311b is arranged on the base body 31b. The base body 31b is internally provided with a middle hole 312b for receiving that extends along the axial direction.
[0083] An infrared emission coating 32b formed through spraying or the like outside an elongated rod-shaped substrate 33b, or an infrared emission film 32b wrapped or wound on the elongated rod-shaped substrate 33b may be encapsulated or accommodated in the base body 31b through the middle hole 312b, and may generate heat and radiate the infrared ray.
[0084] Based on temperature monitoring, a conductive trajectory 35b with a positive or negative resistance-temperature coefficient and for sensing the temperature of the infrared emitter 30b resistance-temperature coefficient is similarly formed on an outer surface of the base body 31b by printing, depositing, or the like.
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[0087] An infrared emission layer 32d, which radiates an infrared ray after being heated in a manner of thermal infrared emission in this embodiment, and the material of which may be TiO2, ZrO2, or the like.
[0088] An electrothermal layer 321d, in which a resistor generates heat and transfers the heat to the infrared emission layer 32d and causes the infrared emission layer 32d to radiate the infrared ray at the time of power supply; and the material of which may be stainless steel, nickel-chromium alloy, iron-chromium-aluminum alloy, or the like, or may be a metal material whose resistivity increases rapidly the with temperature, such as Ni70Fe30 alloy, or the like.
[0089] Alternatively, in other variation implementations, the infrared emission layer 32d electrically emits the infrared ray, so that the infrared emitter 30d may not need the electrothermal layer 321d.
[0090] A first electrode layer 33d and a second electrode layer 34d, which are respectively formed on both sides of the electrothermal layer 321d to supply power for the electrothermal layer 321d. Highly conductive and oxidation-resistant materials, such as Ag, Ni, and the like are selected and used as the materials of the first electrode layer 33d and the second electrode layer 34d.
[0091] In design, the first electrode layer 33d is in the same layer as the infrared emission layer 32d and at least a part of the first electrode layer 33d surrounds the infrared emission layer 32d. A part 3211d of the electrothermal layer 321d toward the second electrode layer 34d protrudes, so as to come into contact with the second electrode layer 34d.
[0092] An insulation layer 322d is further disposed between the second electrode layer 34d and the electrothermal layer 321d, which is made of an insulating material, preferably a flexible insulating material, such as polyimide. In addition, the insulation layer 322d surrounds the protruding part 3211d of the electrothermal layer 321d toward the second electrode layer 34d in shape.
[0093] In the foregoing implementations, the insulation layer 322d is provided such that the second electrode layer 34d is electrically connected only to the protruding part 3211d of the electrothermal layer 321d; and the positions of the first electrode layer 33d distributed on both sides of the electrothermal layer 321d along a width direction shown in the figure are staggered from the position of the protruding part 3211d. In this way, when the electrothermal layer 321d is powered through the first electrode layer 33d and the second electrode layer 34d, the current can substantially completely flow through the entire electrothermal layer 321d to uniformly heat the entire electrothermal layer 321d.
[0094] Alternatively, in other variation implementations, the first electrode layer 33d is disposed close to a left end along the width direction of the electrothermal layer 321d in the figure, while the second electrode layer 34d is disposed close to a right end along the width direction of the electrothermal layer 321d in the figure. Certainly, the first electrode layer 33d and the second electrode layer 34d are respectively located on both sides of the electrothermal layer 321d along the thickness direction in the figure, so that the current can substantially completely flow through the entire electrothermal layer 321d along the width direction to uniformly heat the entire electrothermal layer 321d.
[0095] A thermistor layer 35d, which can receive heat transmitted by the electrothermal layer 321d through the second electrode layer 34d to cause a resistance change of the thermistor layer 35d, thereby facilitating the determination of the temperature of the electrothermal layer 321d through detection of a resistance value.
[0096] In a preferred implementation, the thermistor layer 35d is a ceramic PTC film, which can be made very thin by using a film technology (for example, PVD). In this way, a resistance value of the ceramic PTC can be very low (for example, less than 0.1 Ohm), thereby achieving a purpose of accurate temperature control. For some specific materials, the thermistor layer 35d is a material in which the resistivity increases suddenly, such as barium titanate (BaTiO.sub.3), lead titanate (PbTiO.sub.3), sodium bismuth titanate (Bi.sub.0.5Na.sub.0.5TiO.sub.3), and the like.
[0097] A third electrode layer 351d, where the third electrode layer 351d and the second electrode layer 34d are respectively used as a positive end and a negative end of the thermistor layer 35d to detect a resistance of the thermistor layer 35d.
[0098] During use of the infrared emitter 30d, the first electrode layer 33d, the second electrode layer 34d, and the third electrode layer 351d can be separately soldered with a conductive pin or an electrical terminal, so as to facilitate a subsequent connection to a PCB board or a circuit board.
[0099] Meanwhile, based on the temperature detection cooperating with the infrared emitter 30, a corresponding temperature detection circuit of the vapor generation device is shown in
[0102] Then, the MCU controller 70 controls the power of the infrared emitter 30 according to the result and keeps the temperature of the inhalable material A consistent with a preset target temperature.
[0103] It should be noted that, the specification of this application and the accompanying drawings thereof illustrate preferred embodiments of this application, but this application is not limited to the embodiments described in the specification. Further, a person of ordinary skill in the art may make improvements or variations according to the foregoing descriptions, and such improvements and variations shall all fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of this application.