技术领域Technical Field
本公开涉及一种电子蒸汽提供装置、一种电子蒸汽提供系统以及一种生成蒸汽的方法。The present disclosure relates to an electronic steam providing device, an electronic steam providing system and a method for generating steam.
背景技术Background technique
已知的电子蒸汽提供装置包括蒸汽前体材料，诸如储存在贮存器中的液体。该装置还包括加热器以加热贮存器中的液体，以便从液体生成蒸汽。然后，使用者能够在该装置上吸入，通过捕获生成的蒸汽的流动路径抽吸空气，从而允许蒸汽的材料由使用者吸入。在此类已知装置中，可以使用电阻式或感应式加热器来加热贮存器中的液体，电能被提供到该加热器以便对加热元件进行加热。一旦被加热，加热元件继而将热量传输到蒸汽前体材料。Known electronic vapor providing devices include a vapor precursor material, such as a liquid stored in a reservoir. The device also includes a heater to heat the liquid in the reservoir so as to generate vapor from the liquid. The user can then inhale on the device, drawing air through the flow path that captures the generated vapor, thereby allowing the vapor material to be inhaled by the user. In such known devices, a resistive or inductive heater can be used to heat the liquid in the reservoir, and electrical energy is provided to the heater to heat the heating element. Once heated, the heating element then transfers heat to the vapor precursor material.
发明内容Summary of the invention
根据一个方面，提供了一种电子蒸汽提供装置，包括：According to one aspect, there is provided an electronic steam providing device, comprising:
用于生成射频(RF)电磁辐射以用于加热液体来生成蒸汽以供使用者吸入的天线装置，其中，天线装置包括第一段和第二段；an antenna device for generating radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation for heating a liquid to generate vapor for inhalation by a user, wherein the antenna device comprises a first section and a second section;
用于控制由天线装置生成的RF电磁辐射的控制器；a controller for controlling RF electromagnetic radiation generated by the antenna arrangement;
用于屏蔽使用者免受RF电磁辐射的RF屏蔽件，其中，RF屏蔽件至少部分地限定由天线装置生成的RF电磁辐射被容纳在其之内的加热腔；以及an RF shield for shielding a user from RF electromagnetic radiation, wherein the RF shield at least partially defines a heating cavity within which the RF electromagnetic radiation generated by the antenna device is contained; and
内部支撑结构件，该内部支撑结构件至少部分地布置在加热腔内并且布置在天线装置的第一段与第二段之间。An internal support structure is disposed at least partially within the heating cavity and between the first section and the second section of the antenna assembly.
可选地，内部支撑结构件是非屏蔽的，使得RF电磁辐射能够穿过内部支撑结构件。Optionally, the inner support structure is unshielded, allowing RF electromagnetic radiation to pass through the inner support structure.
可选地，内部支撑结构件包括一个或多个内部芯吸构件，可选地其中，一个或多个内部芯吸构件被布置为通过毛细作用将液体从液体源输送。Optionally, the internal support structure comprises one or more internal wicking members, optionally wherein the one or more internal wicking members are arranged to transport liquid from the liquid source by capillary action.
可选地，内部支撑结构件包括玻璃、玻璃纤维、陶瓷、石墨、棉、或聚合物材料。Optionally, the internal support structure comprises glass, fiberglass, ceramic, graphite, wool, or a polymer material.
可选地，内部支撑结构件包括多个细丝或纤维。Optionally, the internal support structure comprises a plurality of filaments or fibers.
可选地，内部支撑结构件包括网。Optionally, the internal support structure comprises a mesh.
可选地，内部支撑结构件包括泡沫。Optionally, the internal support structure comprises foam.
可选地，内部支撑结构件包括石墨烯泡沫或聚酰亚胺泡沫。Optionally, the internal support structure comprises graphene foam or polyimide foam.
可选地，内部支撑结构件是多孔的。Optionally, the inner support structure is porous.
可选地，内部支撑结构件是烧结的。Optionally, the inner support structure is sintered.
可选地，天线装置限定在天线装置之内的内部体积，并且其中，内部支撑结构件在内部体积之内延伸。Optionally, the antenna arrangement defines an internal volume within the antenna arrangement, and wherein the internal support structure extends within the internal volume.
可选地，内部支撑结构件在内部体积之内纵向延伸。Optionally, the internal support structure extends longitudinally within the internal volume.
可选地，内部体积在与内部支撑结构件相同的方向上纵向延伸，并且其中，天线装置的纵向端是开放的。Optionally, the internal volume extends longitudinally in the same direction as the internal support structure, and wherein the longitudinal ends of the antenna arrangement are open.
可选地，第一段和第二段对应于同一天线的部分。Optionally, the first section and the second section correspond to parts of the same antenna.
可选地，第一天线段包括第一天线，并且其中，第二天线段包括第二天线。Optionally, the first antenna segment comprises a first antenna, and wherein the second antenna segment comprises a second antenna.
可选地，内部支撑结构件具有0.1μl至10μl、可选地0.1μl至5μl的液体容量。Optionally, the inner support structure has a liquid capacity of 0.1 μl to 10 μl, optionally 0.1 μl to 5 μl.
可选地，内部支撑结构件具有至少0.4mm-1的表面积与体积比。Optionally, the internal support structure has a surface area to volume ratio of at least 0.4 mm−1 .
可选地，内部支撑结构件的开放空间百分比为50％至90％。Optionally, the open space percentage of the internal support structure is 50% to 90%.
可选地，内部支撑结构件的至少一部分延伸通过RF屏蔽件的一部分。Optionally, at least a portion of the internal support structure extends through a portion of the RF shield.
可选地，RF屏蔽件包括一个或多个液体运送区域，该液体运送区域被配置为从一个或多个液体源接纳流体，并且将接纳到的液体运送通过RF屏蔽件并进入到加热腔中。Optionally, the RF shield includes one or more liquid delivery regions configured to receive fluid from one or more liquid sources and to deliver the received liquid through the RF shield and into the heating chamber.
可选地，内部支撑结构件被配置为从一个或多个液体运送区域接纳液体。Optionally, the internal support structure is configured to receive liquid from one or more liquid delivery regions.
可选地，内部支撑结构件与一个或多个液体运送区域流体连通。Optionally, the internal support structure is in fluid communication with one or more liquid transport regions.
可选地，该电子蒸汽提供装置还包括一个或多个液体源，每个液体源包括液体贮存器。Optionally, the electronic vapor providing device further comprises one or more liquid sources, each liquid source comprising a liquid reservoir.
可选地，液体源的每个液体贮存器被布置为将液体传送到一个或多个运送区域中的对应运送区域，并且其中，每个液体源还包括流量控制元件，该流量控制元件被配置为控制流体从所述液体源的液体贮存器到对应运送区域的流量。Optionally, each liquid reservoir of the liquid source is arranged to deliver liquid to a corresponding delivery area among the one or more delivery areas, and wherein each liquid source further comprises a flow control element configured to control the flow of fluid from the liquid reservoir of the liquid source to the corresponding delivery area.
可选地，对于每个液体源，控制器被配置为控制所述液体源的流量控制元件的致动，以便控制液体从液体源的液体贮存器到一个或多个运送区域中的对应运送区域的传送。Optionally, for each liquid source, the controller is configured to control actuation of a flow control element of the liquid source to control delivery of liquid from a liquid reservoir of the liquid source to a corresponding one of the one or more delivery regions.
可选地，每个流量控制元件包括用于泵送流体通过一个或多个运送区域并进入到内部支撑结构件中的泵。Optionally, each flow control element comprises a pump for pumping fluid through the one or more delivery regions and into the internal support structure.
可选地，该电子蒸汽提供装置还包括一个或多个联接器，每个联接器被配置为接纳包括液体贮存器的烟弹。Optionally, the electronic vapor providing device further comprises one or more connectors, each connector being configured to receive a cartridge comprising a liquid reservoir.
可选地，每个联接器被布置为将液体从由所述联接器接纳的烟弹的液体贮存器传送到一个或多个运送区域中的对应运送区域。Optionally, each coupler is arranged to transfer liquid from a liquid reservoir of a cartridge received by the coupler to a corresponding one of the one or more delivery regions.
可选地，每个联接器包括流量控制元件，该流量控制元件被配置为控制流体从所述液体源的液体贮存器到对应运送区域的流量，并且其中，对于每个联接器，控制器被配置为控制所述联接器的流量控制元件的致动，以便控制液体从联接到所述联接器的烟弹的液体贮存器到一个或多个运送区域中的对应运送区域的传送。Optionally, each connector includes a flow control element configured to control the flow of fluid from a liquid reservoir of the liquid source to a corresponding delivery area, and wherein, for each connector, the controller is configured to control actuation of the flow control element of the connector so as to control the transfer of liquid from a liquid reservoir of a cartridge connected to the connector to a corresponding delivery area in one or more delivery areas.
可选地，每个流量控制元件包括用于泵送流体通过一个或多个运送区域并进入到内部支撑结构件中的泵。Optionally, each flow control element comprises a pump for pumping fluid through the one or more delivery regions and into the internal support structure.
可选地，该电子蒸汽提供装置包括多个内部芯吸构件以及用于生成射频(RF)电磁辐射以用于使液体汽化以形成蒸汽以供使用者吸入的多个天线装置，每个天线装置被配置为在对应内部芯吸构件处指引RF电磁辐射，并且其中，控制器被配置为控制由每个天线装置生成的RF电磁辐射。Optionally, the electronic vapor providing device includes a plurality of internal wicking members and a plurality of antenna devices for generating radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation for vaporizing a liquid to form vapor for inhalation by a user, each antenna device being configured to direct the RF electromagnetic radiation at a corresponding internal wicking member, and wherein the controller is configured to control the RF electromagnetic radiation generated by each antenna device.
可选地，多个天线装置中的每个天线装置包括第一段和第二段，并且其中，每个内部芯吸构件布置在对应天线装置的第一段与第二段之间。Optionally, each antenna arrangement of the plurality of antenna arrangements comprises a first section and a second section, and wherein each internal wicking member is arranged between the first section and the second section of the corresponding antenna arrangement.
可选地，控制器被配置为独立地控制由每个天线装置生成的RF电磁辐射。Optionally, the controller is configured to independently control the RF electromagnetic radiation generated by each antenna arrangement.
可选地，RF屏蔽件包括一个或多个空气可渗透区域，该一个或多个空气可渗透区域被配置为允许空气和蒸汽从其中穿过。Optionally, the RF shield includes one or more air permeable regions configured to allow air and vapor to pass therethrough.
可选地，该电子蒸汽提供装置还包括空气出口。Optionally, the electronic steam providing device further comprises an air outlet.
可选地，空气出口包括烟嘴。Optionally, the air outlet comprises a mouthpiece.
可选地，该电子蒸汽提供装置还包括空气入口。Optionally, the electronic steam providing device further comprises an air inlet.
可选地，该电子蒸汽提供装置还包括空气流动路径，该空气流动路径从空气入口延伸，通过一个或多个空气可渗透区域进入到加热腔中，通过加热腔，通过一个或多个空气可渗透区域从加热腔离开，并且到达空气出口。Optionally, the electronic steam providing device also includes an air flow path extending from the air inlet, into the heating chamber through one or more air permeable areas, through the heating chamber, out of the heating chamber through one or more air permeable areas, and to the air outlet.
可选地，一个或多个空气可渗透区域包括用于气流进入加热腔的第一空气可渗透区域以及用于气流离开加热腔的第二空气可渗透区域。Optionally, the one or more air permeable regions comprise a first air permeable region for air flow into the heating chamber and a second air permeable region for air flow out of the heating chamber.
可选地，第一空气可渗透区域和第二空气可渗透区域布置在加热腔的相对端处，可选地，以便在第一段与第二段之间并且沿着内部支撑结构件引导气流。Optionally, the first air permeable region and the second air permeable region are arranged at opposite ends of the heating chamber, optionally so as to direct airflow between the first section and the second section and along the internal support structure.
可选地，该电子蒸汽提供装置还包括用于生成射频信号以提供到至少一个天线的信号发生器。Optionally, the electronic steam providing device further comprises a signal generator for generating a radio frequency signal to provide to at least one antenna.
可选地，信号发生器被配置为在处于30Hz至300GHz范围内的一个或多个频率下生成射频信号。Optionally, the signal generator is configured to generate a radio frequency signal at one or more frequencies in the range of 30 Hz to 300 GHz.
可选地，该电子蒸汽提供装置还包括用于放大射频信号并将放大的射频信号传输到至少一个天线的射频(RF)功率放大器。Optionally, the electronic vapor providing device further comprises a radio frequency (RF) power amplifier for amplifying the radio frequency signal and transmitting the amplified radio frequency signal to at least one antenna.
可选地，RF屏蔽件被配置为反射比由RF屏蔽件吸收的RF电磁辐射多的RF电磁辐射。Optionally, the RF shield is configured to reflect more RF electromagnetic radiation than is absorbed by the RF shield.
可选地，RF屏蔽件被配置为对于由至少一个天线生成的RF电磁辐射具有0.5至1.0的定向反射率。Optionally, the RF shield is configured to have a directional reflectivity of 0.5 to 1.0 for RF electromagnetic radiation generated by the at least one antenna.
可选地，RF屏蔽件被配置为对于由至少一个天线生成的RF电磁辐射具有0.0至0.7的定向吸收率。Optionally, the RF shield is configured to have a directional absorptivity of 0.0 to 0.7 for RF electromagnetic radiation generated by the at least one antenna.
可选地，RF屏蔽件被配置为对于由至少一个天线生成的RF电磁辐射具有0.0至0.3的定向透射率。Optionally, the RF shield is configured to have a directional transmittance of 0.0 to 0.3 for RF electromagnetic radiation generated by the at least one antenna.
可选地，RF屏蔽件被配置为对于由至少一个天线生成的RF电磁辐射具有至少0.05mm-1的有效衰减系数。Optionally, the RF shield is configured to have an effective attenuation coefficient of at least 0.05 mm−1 for RF electromagnetic radiation generated by the at least one antenna.
可选地，RF屏蔽件包括铝。Optionally, the RF shield comprises aluminum.
可选地，RF屏蔽件包括反射箔。Optionally, the RF shield comprises a reflective foil.
可选地，RF屏蔽件包括片状金属材料。Optionally, the RF shield comprises a sheet metal material.
可选地，RF屏蔽件包括金属网纱或金属网。Optionally, the RF shield comprises a metal gauze or a metal mesh.
可选地，RF屏蔽件包括具有5mm或更小的宽度的开口。Optionally, the RF shield comprises an opening having a width of 5 mm or less.
可选地，RF屏蔽件包括包含开口的一个或多个区域，其中，开口覆盖所述一个或多个区域的面积的20％至80％。Optionally, the RF shield comprises one or more regions comprising openings, wherein the openings cover 20% to 80% of the area of the one or more regions.
可选地，RF屏蔽件包括铝。Optionally, the RF shield comprises aluminum.
根据另一方面，提供了一种电子蒸汽提供装置，包括：According to another aspect, there is provided an electronic steam providing device, comprising:
用于生成射频(RF)电磁辐射以用于加热气雾剂生成材料来生成蒸汽的至少一个天线；at least one antenna for generating radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation for heating the aerosol generating material to generate vapor;
用于控制由至少一个天线生成的RF电磁辐射的控制器；以及a controller for controlling RF electromagnetic radiation generated by at least one antenna; and
用于屏蔽使用者免受RF电磁辐射的RF屏蔽件。RF shields are used to shield users from RF electromagnetic radiation.
上文描述的特征中的任何一个都可以应用于该方面的电子蒸汽提供装置。Any of the features described above may be applied to the electronic steam providing device of this aspect.
根据另一方面，提供了一种电子蒸汽提供系统，包括：According to another aspect, there is provided an electronic steam providing system comprising:
如上所述的电子蒸汽提供装置；以及An electronic vapor providing device as described above; and
液体供应器，在使用中液体被汽化以形成蒸汽以供使用者吸入。A liquid supply device, in use, the liquid is vaporized to form steam for the user to inhale.
根据另一方面，提供了一种生成蒸汽的方法，包括：According to another aspect, there is provided a method of generating steam, comprising:
使用包括第一段和第二段的天线装置来生成射频(RF)电磁辐射以用于加热液体来生成蒸汽以供使用者吸入；using an antenna assembly including a first segment and a second segment to generate radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation for heating a liquid to generate a vapor for inhalation by a user;
控制由天线装置生成的RF电磁辐射；controlling RF electromagnetic radiation generated by the antenna device;
设置用于屏蔽使用者免受RF电磁辐射的RF屏蔽件，其中，RF屏蔽件至少部分地限定由至少一个天线生成的RF电磁辐射被容纳在其之内的加热腔；以及providing an RF shield for shielding a user from RF electromagnetic radiation, wherein the RF shield at least partially defines a heating cavity within which RF electromagnetic radiation generated by the at least one antenna is contained; and
设置内部支撑结构件，该内部支撑结构件至少部分地布置在加热腔之内并且布置在天线装置的第一段与第二段之间。An internal support structure is provided that is at least partially disposed within the heating chamber and between the first section and the second section of the antenna assembly.
附图说明BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
现将仅通过示例并且参考附图来描述各种实施例，在附图中：Various embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
图1示出了通过根据各种实施例的电子蒸汽提供装置的示意性表示的剖视图；FIG1 shows a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of an electronic vapor providing device according to various embodiments;
图2示出了通过根据各种实施例的电子蒸汽提供装置的加热组件的示意性表示的剖视图；FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of a heating assembly of an electronic vapor providing device according to various embodiments;
图3示出了通过根据各种实施例的加热组件和液体源的示意性表示的剖视图；3 shows a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of a heating assembly and a liquid source according to various embodiments;
图4示出了通过根据各种实施例的加热组件和液体源的示意性表示的剖视图；4 shows a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of a heating assembly and a liquid source according to various embodiments;
图5示出了通过根据各种实施例的加热组件和液体源的示意性表示的剖视图；5 shows a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of a heating assembly and a liquid source according to various embodiments;
图6示出了通过根据各种实施例的加热组件和液体源的示意性表示的剖视图；并且FIG6 shows a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of a heating assembly and a liquid source according to various embodiments; and
图7示出了通过根据各种实施例的加热组件和液体源的示意性表示的剖视图。7 shows a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of a heating assembly and a liquid source according to various embodiments.
具体实施方式Detailed ways
本文讨论或描述了某些示例和实施例的方面和特征。某些示例和实施例的一些方面和特征可以按常规方式实施，并且为了简洁起见，不再详细讨论/描述这些方面和特征。因此，应当理解，本文讨论的没有详细描述的设备和方法的方面和特征可以根据用于实施此类方面和特征的任何常规技术来实施。Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed or described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented in a conventional manner, and for the sake of brevity, these aspects and features are not discussed/described in detail. Therefore, it should be understood that aspects and features of the apparatus and methods discussed herein that are not described in detail may be implemented according to any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.
本公开涉及蒸汽提供装置，诸如电子烟，包括混合装置。在整个以下描述中，有时可以使用术语“电子烟”或“电子香烟”，但是应当理解，该术语可以与蒸汽提供系统/装置和电子蒸汽提供系统/装置可互换地使用。此外，并且如技术领域中常见的，术语“蒸汽”和“气雾剂”以及相关术语，诸如“汽化”、“挥发”和“气雾化”，一般可以可互换地使用。The present disclosure relates to vapor providing devices, such as electronic cigarettes, including hybrid devices. Throughout the following description, the term "electronic cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may sometimes be used, but it should be understood that the term can be used interchangeably with vapor providing system/device and electronic vapor providing system/device. In addition, and as is common in the art, the terms "vapor" and "aerosol" and related terms, such as "vaporization", "volatization" and "aerosolization", can generally be used interchangeably.
气雾剂提供装置用于从气雾剂生成材料生成气雾剂。气雾剂生成材料是能够生成气雾剂的材料，例如当以任何其他方式加热、辐射或通电时。气雾剂生成材料可以是例如可以包含或者可以不包含活性物质和/或风味剂的固体、液体或凝胶的形式。在一些实施例中，气雾剂生成材料可以包括“无定形固体”，该无定形固体可以替代地被称为“整体式固体”(即，非纤维状)。在一些实施例中，无定形固体可以是干凝胶。无定形固体是可以在其之内保留一些流体(诸如液体)的固体材料。在一些实施例中，气雾剂生成材料可以例如包括约50重量％、60重量％或70重量％的无定形固体至约90重量％、95重量％或100重量％的无定形固体。气雾剂生成材料可以包括一种或多种活性物质和/或香料、一种或多种气雾剂前身材料和可选的一种或多种其他功能材料。在一些实施例中，气雾剂生成材料包括晶体结构。Aerosol providing device is used to generate aerosol from aerosol generating material.Aerosol generating material is a material capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, radiated or powered on in any other way.Aerosol generating material can be, for example, a solid, liquid or gel form that may or may not contain active substance and/or flavoring agent.In certain embodiments, aerosol generating material can include "amorphous solid", which can be alternatively referred to as "monolithic solid" (that is, non-fibrous).In certain embodiments, amorphous solid can be xerogel.Amorphous solid is a solid material that can retain some fluids (such as liquid) therein.In certain embodiments, aerosol generating material can, for example, include an amorphous solid of about 50 wt %, 60 wt % or 70 wt % to an amorphous solid of about 90 wt %, 95 wt % or 100 wt %.Aerosol generating material can include one or more active substances and/or spices, one or more aerosol precursor materials and optional one or more other functional materials.In certain embodiments, aerosol generating material includes crystalline structure.
气雾剂提供装置的构造可以取决于被配置为从其生成气雾剂的气雾剂生成材料的形式而改变。然而，尽管下文将关于各种不同形式的气雾剂生成材料和对应的不同气雾剂提供装置构造来讨论示例，但是本文讨论的加热技术可以在所有形式的气雾剂生成材料中应用。The configuration of the aerosol providing device may vary depending on the form of the aerosol generating material configured to generate the aerosol therefrom. However, although examples will be discussed below with respect to various different forms of aerosol generating materials and corresponding different aerosol providing device configurations, the heating techniques discussed herein may be applied in all forms of aerosol generating materials.
用于生成气雾剂的系统经常(但不总是)包括模块化组件，该模块化组件既包括可重复使用的部分(例如，气雾剂提供装置)，又包括可更换(一次性)的烟弹部分，也被称为消耗品。可更换的烟弹部分将经常包括蒸汽前体材料和汽化器，并且可重复使用的部分将包括电源(例如，可再充电电池)、激活机构(例如，按钮或喷烟传感器)和控制电路。然而，应当理解，这些不同的部分还可以包括另外的元件，这取决于功能性。例如，对于混合装置，烟弹部分还可以包括附加的风味元件，例如作为插入件(“荚”)提供的烟草的一部分。在此类情况下，风味元件插入件本身可以从一次性烟弹部分移除，因此它可以与烟弹分开更换，例如以改变风味或者因为风味元件插入件的使用寿命小于烟弹的蒸汽生成部件的使用寿命。可重复使用的装置部分经常还包括附加部件，诸如用于接纳使用者输入并且显示操作状态特性的用户接口。The system for generating aerosol often (but not always) includes a modular assembly, which includes both a reusable part (e.g., an aerosol providing device) and a replaceable (disposable) cartridge part, also referred to as a consumable. The replaceable cartridge part will often include a steam precursor material and a vaporizer, and the reusable part will include a power source (e.g., a rechargeable battery), an activation mechanism (e.g., a button or a puff sensor) and a control circuit. However, it should be understood that these different parts may also include additional elements, depending on functionality. For example, for a mixing device, the cartridge part may also include an additional flavor element, such as a part of tobacco provided as an insert ("pod"). In such cases, the flavor element insert itself can be removed from the disposable cartridge part, so it can be replaced separately from the cartridge, such as to change the flavor or because the service life of the flavor element insert is less than the service life of the steam generating component of the cartridge. The reusable device part often also includes additional components, such as a user interface for receiving user input and displaying operating state characteristics.
对于模块化系统，烟弹和可重复使用的装置部分电联接并且机械联接在一起使用，例如使用螺纹、闩锁、摩擦配合或带有适当接合电触点的卡口式固定。当烟弹中的蒸汽前体材料耗尽时，或者使用者希望切换到具有不同蒸汽前体材料的不同烟弹时，可以从装置部分移除烟弹并将更换烟弹附接在其位置。符合这种类型的两件式模块化配置的装置一般可以被称为两件式装置或多件式装置。For modular systems, the cartridge and the reusable device portion are electrically and mechanically coupled together for use, such as using threads, latches, friction fits, or bayonet-style fastenings with appropriate engaging electrical contacts. When the vapor precursor material in the cartridge is exhausted, or the user wishes to switch to a different cartridge with a different vapor precursor material, the cartridge can be removed from the device portion and a replacement cartridge attached in its place. Devices conforming to this type of two-piece modular configuration may generally be referred to as two-piece devices or multi-piece devices.
相对常见地，电子烟具有大致细长的形状，并且为了提供具体的示例，本文描述的本公开的某些实施例将被视为包括大致细长的单个部分装置，该装置采用容纳液体蒸汽前体材料的液体贮存器。然而，应当理解，本文描述的基本原理可以同样适于不同的电子烟配置，例如，采用容纳蒸汽前体材料的一次性烟弹的多件式装置或者包括多于两个部分的模块化装置；可再填充装置；以及单次使用的一次性装置；以及混合装置，该混合装置具有附加风味元件(诸如烟草荚插入件)，该附加风味元件位于沿着空气流动路径的位置并且在汽化器的上游；以及符合其他整体形状的装置，例如基于典型地具有更像盒子的形状的所谓盒子模块高性能装置。Relatively commonly, electronic cigarettes have a generally elongated shape, and to provide specific examples, certain embodiments of the present disclosure described herein will be considered to include a generally elongated single-part device that employs a liquid reservoir containing a liquid vapor precursor material. However, it should be understood that the basic principles described herein can be equally applicable to different electronic cigarette configurations, such as a multi-piece device that employs a disposable cartridge containing a vapor precursor material or a modular device that includes more than two parts; a refillable device; and a single-use disposable device; and a hybrid device that has an additional flavor element (such as a tobacco pod insert) located along the air flow path and upstream of the vaporizer; and devices that conform to other overall shapes, such as a so-called box-module high-performance device that is typically more box-like in shape.
现在将更详细地描述各种实施例。Various embodiments will now be described in more detail.
图1是通过根据各种实施例的电子蒸汽提供装置1的示意性表示的剖视图。FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of an electronic steam providing device 1 according to various embodiments.
电子蒸汽提供装置1包括外壳60、电源40、控制电路30、一个或多个液体源20和加热设备10。外壳60可以由任何合适的材料形成，例如塑料材料。外壳60还可以封装其他部件，即电源40、控制电路30、一个或多个液体源20和加热设备10。电子蒸汽提供装置1是手持式电子蒸汽装置，这意味着封装其他部件的外壳60被尺寸设计为并且被配置为被握在使用者的手中。换句话说，该装置是便携式的。The electronic steam providing device 1 comprises a housing 60, a power source 40, a control circuit 30, one or more liquid sources 20 and a heating device 10. The housing 60 can be formed of any suitable material, such as a plastic material. The housing 60 can also encapsulate other components, namely the power source 40, the control circuit 30, one or more liquid sources 20 and the heating device 10. The electronic steam providing device 1 is a handheld electronic steam device, which means that the housing 60 encapsulating the other components is sized and configured to be held in the hand of the user. In other words, the device is portable.
电子蒸汽提供装置1还可以包括烟嘴50。外壳60和烟嘴50可以形成为单个部件(也就是说，烟嘴60形成外壳60的一部分)。烟嘴50可以被限定为外壳60的区域，该区域包括空气出口并且以这样的方式成形，使得使用者可以舒适地将他们的嘴唇放在烟嘴50周围以与空气出口接合。在图1中，外壳60的厚度朝向空气出口28减小，以提供装置1的相对较薄部分，该部分更容易被使用者的嘴唇容纳。然而，在其他具体实施中，烟嘴50可以是与外壳60分开但能够联接到该外壳的可移除部件，并且可以被移除以用于清洁和/或用另一个烟嘴50更换。The electronic vapor providing device 1 may also include a mouthpiece 50. The housing 60 and the mouthpiece 50 may be formed as a single component (that is, the mouthpiece 60 forms a part of the housing 60). The mouthpiece 50 may be defined as an area of the housing 60 that includes an air outlet and is shaped in such a way that a user can comfortably place their lips around the mouthpiece 50 to engage with the air outlet. In FIG. 1 , the thickness of the housing 60 decreases toward the air outlet 28 to provide a relatively thin portion of the device 1 that is more easily accommodated by the user's lips. However, in other specific implementations, the mouthpiece 50 may be a removable component that is separate from the housing 60 but can be coupled to the housing, and may be removed for cleaning and/or replacement with another mouthpiece 50.
电源40被配置为向电子蒸汽提供装置1提供运行功率。电源40可以是任何合适的电源，诸如电池。例如，电源40可以包括可再充电电池，诸如，锂离子电池。电源40可以是可移除的或者形成电子蒸汽提供装置1的集成部分。在一些具体实施中，可以通过将装置1通过关联连接端口(诸如USB端口(未示出))或者经由合适的无线接收器(未示出)连接到外部电源(诸如市电电源)来对电源40进行再充电。The power supply 40 is configured to provide operating power to the electronic vapor providing device 1. The power supply 40 can be any suitable power source, such as a battery. For example, the power supply 40 can include a rechargeable battery, such as a lithium-ion battery. The power supply 40 can be removable or form an integrated part of the electronic vapor providing device 1. In some specific implementations, the power supply 40 can be recharged by connecting the device 1 to an external power source (such as a mains power supply) through an associated connection port (such as a USB port (not shown)) or via a suitable wireless receiver (not shown).
控制电路30合适地被配置或者被编程为控制气雾剂提供装置的操作，以提供电子蒸汽提供装置1的某些操作功能。控制电路也可以可互换地被称为“控制器”。控制电路30可以被认为逻辑上包括与气雾剂提供装置的操作的不同方面相关联的各种子单元/电路元件。例如，控制电路30可以包括用于控制电源40的再充电的逻辑子单元。此外，控制电路30可以包括用于通信的逻辑子单元，例如以促进来自或去往装置1的数据输送。然而，控制电路30的主要功能是控制气雾剂生成材料的加热，如下文更详细描述的。应当理解，可以以各种不同的方式提供控制电路30的功能性，例如使用一个或多个合适地编程的可编程计算机和/或所配置的一个或多个合适地配置的专用集成电路/电路/芯片/芯片组来提供期望的功能性。控制电路30连接到电源40并且可以从电源40接收电力，并且可以被配置为分配或控制向电子蒸汽提供装置1的其他部件的电力供应。控制电路30是作为连接到电子蒸汽提供装置1的各种部件来讨论的，并且应该理解，在每个实例中，这种连接可以是直接或间接连接。The control circuit 30 is suitably configured or programmed to control the operation of the aerosol providing device to provide certain operating functions of the electronic steam providing device 1. The control circuit may also be interchangeably referred to as a "controller". The control circuit 30 may be considered to logically include various subunits/circuit elements associated with different aspects of the operation of the aerosol providing device. For example, the control circuit 30 may include a logic subunit for controlling the recharging of the power supply 40. In addition, the control circuit 30 may include a logic subunit for communication, such as to facilitate data transmission from or to the device 1. However, the main function of the control circuit 30 is to control the heating of the aerosol generating material, as described in more detail below. It should be understood that the functionality of the control circuit 30 can be provided in various different ways, such as using one or more appropriately programmed programmable computers and/or one or more appropriately configured dedicated integrated circuits/circuits/chips/chip sets configured to provide the desired functionality. The control circuit 30 is connected to the power supply 40 and can receive power from the power supply 40, and can be configured to distribute or control the power supply to other components of the electronic steam providing device 1. The control circuit 30 is discussed as being connected to the various components of the electronic steam providing device 1 and it will be appreciated that in each instance this connection may be a direct or indirect connection.
电子蒸汽提供装置1还包括一个或多个液体源20，每个液体源包括包含液体蒸汽前体材料的液体贮存器。液体蒸汽前体材料可以被称为电子烟液。在实施例中，一个或多个液体源20布置在外壳60之内，但是如上文讨论的，在电子蒸汽提供装置1是多部件或模块化系统的实施例中，一个或多个液体源20可以布置在一个或多个一次性烟弹之内，该一个或多个一次性烟弹被配置为可释放地联接到电子蒸汽提供装置1的其余部分。也就是说，烟弹能够由蒸汽提供装置1接纳或被接纳在该蒸汽提供装置中。The electronic vapor providing device 1 also includes one or more liquid sources 20, each of which includes a liquid reservoir containing a liquid vapor precursor material. The liquid vapor precursor material can be referred to as an electronic cigarette liquid. In an embodiment, the one or more liquid sources 20 are arranged within the housing 60, but as discussed above, in an embodiment where the electronic vapor providing device 1 is a multi-component or modular system, the one or more liquid sources 20 can be arranged within one or more disposable cartridges, which are configured to be releasably connected to the rest of the electronic vapor providing device 1. That is, the cartridge can be received by the vapor providing device 1 or be received in the vapor providing device.
尽管下文更详细地讨论了具体实施例，但是每个液体贮存器可以以与本文讨论的加热技术相容的任何形状形成。也可以根据常规技术形成一个或多个液体贮存器，并且例如它可以包括塑料材料，并且可以与外壳60一体成型。注意，虽然在该具体描述中讨论的特征是在作为液体蒸汽前体材料的气雾剂生成材料的语境下，但是可以设想到，这些特征可以应用于其他形式的气雾剂生成材料，诸如，如上文讨论的固体或凝胶。Although specific embodiments are discussed in more detail below, each liquid reservoir may be formed in any shape compatible with the heating techniques discussed herein. The one or more liquid reservoirs may also be formed according to conventional techniques, and for example, it may comprise a plastic material and may be integrally formed with the housing 60. Note that while the features discussed in this specific description are in the context of an aerosol generating material that is a liquid vapor precursor material, it is contemplated that these features may be applied to other forms of aerosol generating materials, such as solids or gels as discussed above.
根据各种实施例的电子蒸汽提供装置可以包括如图2中示意性地示出的加热组件10。加热组件10可以连接到控制电路30。根据各种实施例，加热组件10使用射频(RF)电磁辐射，诸如微波辐射，尽管可以使用其他波长，来加热液体蒸汽前体材料。RF电磁辐射是指具有在30Hz至300GHz范围内的频率的电磁辐射。RF电磁辐射可以具有3kHz至300GHz、可选地3MHz至100GHz、可选地30MHz至30GHz的频率。加热组件10可以包括信号发生器170，诸如压控振荡器(“VCO”)，以生成提供到连接的放大器180的信号。放大器180可以连接到布置在加热腔120之内的一个或多个天线115。在一些实施例中，一个或多个天线115包括一个或多个贴片天线。在另一个实施例中，一个或多个天线115包括一个或多个定向天线。控制电路30可以控制由一个或多个天线115生成的RF电磁辐射，并且在实施例中，控制由一个或多个天线115生成的频谱。一个或多个天线115也可以被称为天线装置115。The electronic vapor providing device according to various embodiments may include a heating assembly 10 as schematically shown in FIG. 2. The heating assembly 10 may be connected to a control circuit 30. According to various embodiments, the heating assembly 10 uses radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation, such as microwave radiation, although other wavelengths may be used, to heat the liquid vapor precursor material. RF electromagnetic radiation refers to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency in the range of 30 Hz to 300 GHz. The RF electromagnetic radiation may have a frequency of 3 kHz to 300 GHz, optionally 3 MHz to 100 GHz, optionally 30 MHz to 30 GHz. The heating assembly 10 may include a signal generator 170, such as a voltage controlled oscillator ("VCO"), to generate a signal provided to a connected amplifier 180. The amplifier 180 may be connected to one or more antennas 115 arranged within the heating chamber 120. In some embodiments, the one or more antennas 115 include one or more patch antennas. In another embodiment, the one or more antennas 115 include one or more directional antennas. The control circuit 30 may control the RF electromagnetic radiation generated by the one or more antennas 115, and in an embodiment, control the spectrum generated by the one or more antennas 115. The one or more antennas 115 may also be referred to as antenna arrangement 115 .
加热腔120由RF屏蔽件111限定，该RF屏蔽件基本上防止由一个或多个天线115生成的RF电磁辐射从加热腔120逸出。RF屏蔽件311通过界定在其之内基本上防止RF电磁辐射逸出的体积来限定加热腔320，如下文将讨论的。一个或多个天线115布置在加热腔120之内。通过RF电磁辐射的反射和吸收的组合，可以防止RF电磁辐射逸出加热腔120，并且可选地，RF屏蔽件111可以被配置为将比由RF屏蔽件111吸收的RF电磁辐射多的RF电磁辐射反射回到加热腔120中。The heating chamber 120 is defined by an RF shield 111 that substantially prevents RF electromagnetic radiation generated by one or more antennas 115 from escaping from the heating chamber 120. The RF shield 311 defines the heating chamber 320 by defining a volume within which the RF electromagnetic radiation is substantially prevented from escaping, as will be discussed below. The one or more antennas 115 are disposed within the heating chamber 120. The RF electromagnetic radiation may be prevented from escaping the heating chamber 120 by a combination of reflection and absorption of the RF electromagnetic radiation, and optionally, the RF shield 111 may be configured to reflect more RF electromagnetic radiation back into the heating chamber 120 than is absorbed by the RF shield 111.
例如，RF屏蔽件111可以被配置为对于由天线115生成的RF电磁辐射具有0.5至1.0、可选地0.7至1.0的定向反射率，定向反射率是由表面反射的辐射通量除以由该表面接收的辐射通量。RF屏蔽件111可以被配置为对于由天线115生成的RF电磁辐射具有0.0至0.7、可选地0.1至0.5的定向吸收率，定向吸收率是由表面吸收的辐射通量除以由该表面接收的辐射通量。此外，RF屏蔽件111可以被配置为对于由天线115生成的RF电磁辐射具有0.0至0.3、可选地0.1至0.2的定向透射率，定向透射率是由表面透射的辐射通量除以由该表面接收的辐射通量。此外，RF屏蔽件可以被配置为对于由天线生成的RF电磁辐射具有至少0.05mm-1、可选地至少0.1mm-1、可选地至少0.2mm-1、可选地至少0.5mm-1的有效衰减系数，其中有效衰减系数是由每单位长度的体积吸收并散射的辐射通量除以由该体积接收的辐射通量。For example, the RF shield 111 can be configured to have a directional reflectivity of 0.5 to 1.0, optionally 0.7 to 1.0, for the RF electromagnetic radiation generated by the antenna 115, where the directional reflectivity is the radiant flux reflected by the surface divided by the radiant flux received by the surface. The RF shield 111 can be configured to have a directional absorptivity of 0.0 to 0.7, optionally 0.1 to 0.5, for the RF electromagnetic radiation generated by the antenna 115, where the directional absorptivity is the radiant flux absorbed by the surface divided by the radiant flux received by the surface. In addition, the RF shield 111 can be configured to have a directional transmittance of 0.0 to 0.3, optionally 0.1 to 0.2, for the RF electromagnetic radiation generated by the antenna 115, where the directional transmittance is the radiant flux transmitted by the surface divided by the radiant flux received by the surface. Furthermore, the RF shield may be configured to have an effective attenuation coefficient of at least 0.05 mm-1 , optionally at least 0.1 mm-1 , optionally at least 0.2 mm-1 , optionally at least 0.5 mm-1 for RF electromagnetic radiation generated by the antenna, wherein the effective attenuation coefficient is the radiant flux absorbed and scattered by a volume per unit length divided by the radiant flux received by the volume.
在一些实施例中，RF屏蔽件111包括导电材料、磁性材料，有利地是导电和磁性材料，并且可以包括金属，例如铝、铜、黄铜、镍或其他金属。铝、铜、黄铜和镍是特别有用的，因为它们除了具有导电性外，还具有合意的高反射率和光泽。RF屏蔽件111可以包括带有金属涂层(诸如金属油墨)的基板(例如电绝缘基板)。在实施例中，RF屏蔽件111可以包括：包括铝或铜的合金。在一些实施例中，RF屏蔽件111包括反射箔。RF屏蔽件111可以包括片状金属材料。在其他实施例中，RF屏蔽件111可以包括金属网纱或金属网。例如，RF屏蔽件111可以包括具有5mm或更小、可选地2.5mm或更小、可选地1.5mm或更小、可选地1.0mm或更小、可选地0.5mm或更小、可选地0.2mm或更小、可选地0.1mm或更小的宽度的开口。如下文讨论的，虽然开口的这些尺寸中的任何一个都可以应用于液体运送区域或空气可渗透区域，但是具有2.5mm或更小的宽度的开口可能非常适于允许空气和液体两者以及空气、液体和/或蒸汽的混合物穿过，而具有0.5mm或更小的宽度的开口可能适于允许液体穿过。这些窄的开口足以基本上防止RF电磁辐射从加热腔120逸出，同时仍然准许流体从其中穿过。在实施例中，开口可以具有小于由天线115生成的RF电磁辐射的最小波长的宽度。此外，在RF屏蔽件111的包括开口的区域中，(例如，液体运送区域或空气可渗透区域，如下文讨论的)，开口可以覆盖这些区域中表面积的20％至80％、可选地40％至60％。开口的这一比例可以使期望体积的流体能够穿过RF屏蔽件111，同时保持结构上的稳定。In some embodiments, the RF shield 111 includes a conductive material, a magnetic material, advantageously a conductive and magnetic material, and may include a metal, such as aluminum, copper, brass, nickel, or other metal. Aluminum, copper, brass, and nickel are particularly useful because they have desirable high reflectivity and gloss in addition to being conductive. The RF shield 111 may include a substrate (e.g., an electrically insulating substrate) with a metal coating (such as a metallic ink). In an embodiment, the RF shield 111 may include: an alloy including aluminum or copper. In some embodiments, the RF shield 111 includes a reflective foil. The RF shield 111 may include a sheet of metal material. In other embodiments, the RF shield 111 may include a metal gauze or a metal mesh. For example, the RF shield 111 may include an opening having a width of 5 mm or less, optionally 2.5 mm or less, optionally 1.5 mm or less, optionally 1.0 mm or less, optionally 0.5 mm or less, optionally 0.2 mm or less, optionally 0.1 mm or less. As discussed below, although any of these sizes of openings can be applied to liquid transport areas or air permeable areas, openings with a width of 2.5 mm or less may be well suited for allowing both air and liquid and mixtures of air, liquid and/or steam to pass through, while openings with a width of 0.5 mm or less may be suitable for allowing liquid to pass through. These narrow openings are sufficient to substantially prevent RF electromagnetic radiation from escaping from the heating chamber 120 while still permitting fluid to pass therethrough. In an embodiment, the opening may have a width less than the minimum wavelength of the RF electromagnetic radiation generated by the antenna 115. In addition, in the areas of the RF shield 111 that include openings (e.g., liquid transport areas or air permeable areas, as discussed below), the openings may cover 20% to 80%, optionally 40% to 60% of the surface area in these areas. This ratio of openings can enable a desired volume of fluid to pass through the RF shield 111 while maintaining structural stability.
因而，当一个或多个天线115用于生成RF电磁辐射时，在腔之内的材料可以通过经由电介质加热的机制暴露于该辐射而变热，在电介质加热的机制中，在腔之内的材料的极性分子由RF电磁辐射驱动以旋转，从而引起在腔之内的材料被汽化。然而，RF屏蔽件111可以被布置为基本上防止RF电磁辐射逸出腔120。这是很重要的，特别是对于手持式的电子蒸汽提供装置，因为从加热腔120逸出的任何RF电磁辐射都会在极接近于使用者的地方逸出。在一方面，设置RF屏蔽件可以帮助防止RF辐射逸出到RF屏蔽件之外，并且因此提供相对安全的加热机制(在防止使用者暴露于RF辐射方面)。此外，在RF屏蔽件至少部分地反射RF辐射的实例中，生成的RF电磁辐射的强度可以在RF屏蔽件的边界之内增加。Thus, when one or more antennas 115 are used to generate RF electromagnetic radiation, the material within the cavity can be heated by being exposed to the radiation via a dielectric heating mechanism, in which the polar molecules of the material within the cavity are driven by the RF electromagnetic radiation to rotate, thereby causing the material within the cavity to be vaporized. However, the RF shield 111 can be arranged to substantially prevent the RF electromagnetic radiation from escaping the cavity 120. This is very important, especially for handheld electronic vapor providing devices, because any RF electromagnetic radiation escaping from the heating cavity 120 will escape in close proximity to the user. On the one hand, providing an RF shield can help prevent RF radiation from escaping outside the RF shield, and thus provide a relatively safe heating mechanism (in terms of preventing the user from being exposed to RF radiation). In addition, in an instance where the RF shield at least partially reflects RF radiation, the intensity of the generated RF electromagnetic radiation can be increased within the boundaries of the RF shield.
如下文将关于示例性实施例更详细讨论的，液体蒸汽前体材料可以由RF屏蔽件111的液体运送区域121提供到加热腔120。为了使液体蒸汽前体材料能够进入加热腔120，同时仍然容纳RF电磁辐射，液体运送区域121对应于RF屏蔽件111的一部分，该一部分被配置为准许流体从其中跨过，但仍被配置为使得基本上防止RF电磁辐射穿越，即逸出加热腔120。因此，液体运送区域121允许液体进入加热组件，而不需要RF屏蔽件中的间隙，该间隙将基本上准许RF电磁辐射逸出。As will be discussed in more detail below with respect to exemplary embodiments, liquid vapor precursor material may be provided to the heating chamber 120 by a liquid delivery region 121 of the RF shield 111. In order to enable the liquid vapor precursor material to enter the heating chamber 120 while still containing the RF electromagnetic radiation, the liquid delivery region 121 corresponds to a portion of the RF shield 111 that is configured to permit fluid to pass therethrough, but is still configured such that the RF electromagnetic radiation is substantially prevented from traversing, i.e., escaping the heating chamber 120. Thus, the liquid delivery region 121 permits liquid to enter the heating assembly without requiring a gap in the RF shield that would substantially permit the RF electromagnetic radiation to escape.
为了实现这一点，RF屏蔽件111的液体运送区域121包括开口，该开口被尺寸设计以准许液体从其中流过，但是该开口的尺寸基本上防止RF电磁辐射从其中穿过，该开口可以具有上文讨论的尺寸。如下文将更详细讨论的，液体运送区域121可以由一个或多个芯吸构件限定，该一个或多个芯吸构件被配置为通过毛细作用将液体从液体源跨过RF屏蔽件111输送。应当理解，毛细作用的程度或量级可能受到被芯吸的液体的属性(例如，粘度)以及液体运送区域121的开口(或更一般的毛细通道)的大小的影响。然而，尽管将在由一个或多个芯吸构件提供的液体运送区域的语境下讨论许多以下示例，但是这些示例中的每一个都可以更一般地应用于提供了一个或多个液体运送区域的布置，该一个或多个液体运送区域可以具有或者可以不具有芯吸属性。换句话说，一个或多个芯吸构件可以概括为准许流体从其中跨过传输但防止RF电磁辐射从其中跨过传输的一个或多个液体运送区域。To achieve this, the liquid transport region 121 of the RF shield 111 includes an opening that is sized to allow liquid to flow therethrough, but the size of the opening substantially prevents RF electromagnetic radiation from passing therethrough, and the opening may have the size discussed above. As will be discussed in more detail below, the liquid transport region 121 may be defined by one or more wicking members that are configured to transport liquid from a liquid source across the RF shield 111 by capillary action. It should be understood that the degree or magnitude of the capillary action may be affected by the properties (e.g., viscosity) of the wicked liquid and the size of the opening (or more generally the capillary channel) of the liquid transport region 121. However, although many of the following examples will be discussed in the context of a liquid transport region provided by one or more wicking members, each of these examples may be more generally applied to an arrangement that provides one or more liquid transport regions that may or may not have wicking properties. In other words, one or more wicking members may be summarized as one or more liquid transport regions that allow fluid to be transmitted across them but prevent RF electromagnetic radiation from being transmitted across them.
如下文讨论的各种实施例中详细示出的，RF屏蔽件111的液体运送区域121与一个或多个液体源20流体连通。液体蒸汽前体材料能够从一个或多个液体贮存器流动，并且通过液体运送区域121进入到加热腔120中。液体运送区域121可以包括相对于加热腔120布置在不同区域中的一个或多个液体运送区域121，每个液体运送区域与一个或多个液体源中的对应液体源流体连通。在实施例中，液体蒸汽前体材料可以通过毛细作用抽吸通过液体运送区域121。每个液体源20可以包括流量控制元件，该流量控制元件被配置为控制来自液体源的液体贮存器的液体的流量，并且一个或多个液体源20可以连接到控制电路30，使得从每个液体贮存器进入到加热腔120中的流量可以由控制电路30控制。替代地，液体运送区域121可以被布置为提供一定的液体进给速率(例如，通过相对于相应液体源的属性的合适的开口数量/开口大小)，以控制在RF屏蔽件111之内的液体的相对量。As shown in detail in various embodiments discussed below, the liquid transport region 121 of the RF shield 111 is in fluid communication with one or more liquid sources 20. Liquid vapor precursor material can flow from one or more liquid reservoirs and enter the heating chamber 120 through the liquid transport region 121. The liquid transport region 121 may include one or more liquid transport regions 121 arranged in different areas relative to the heating chamber 120, each liquid transport region being in fluid communication with a corresponding liquid source in the one or more liquid sources. In an embodiment, the liquid vapor precursor material can be drawn through the liquid transport region 121 by capillary action. Each liquid source 20 may include a flow control element configured to control the flow of liquid from the liquid reservoir of the liquid source, and the one or more liquid sources 20 may be connected to the control circuit 30 so that the flow rate from each liquid reservoir into the heating chamber 120 can be controlled by the control circuit 30. Alternatively, the liquid delivery region 121 may be arranged to provide a certain liquid feed rate (eg, via an appropriate number/size of openings relative to the properties of the corresponding liquid source) to control the relative amount of liquid within the RF shield 111 .
一旦在腔内部，液体蒸汽前体材料可以由支撑结构件(未示出)保留，该支撑结构件被配置为将液体蒸汽前体材料保留在腔之内。在存在多个液体运送区域的情况下，每个液体运送区域可以被配置为将液体蒸汽前体材料传送到相应支撑结构件。该支撑结构件可以是RF屏蔽件111的内壁(的区域)(例如在液体运送区域处)，和/或可以是布置在加热腔120之内的单独支撑结构件，即内部支撑结构件。除了基本上防止RF电磁辐射逸出加热腔120之外，RF屏蔽件111还可以被配置为最好地将辐射朝向支撑结构件以及由此保留的液体蒸汽前体材料引导。当一个或多个天线115用于在加热腔120之内生成RF电磁辐射时，正是该液体蒸汽前体材料在腔之内并由支撑结构件保留，被加热并且至少部分地被汽化以在加热腔120之内生成蒸汽。这可以是相对少量的液体蒸汽前体材料，因此有利地，它可以被相当快地加热并汽化。因而，确保控制电路30被配置为以确保该汽化在最佳条件下发生的方式控制加热组件10也是很重要的，这将在下文中更详细地讨论。为此，加热组件10可以包括用于检测腔中的条件的一个或多个传感器，包括温度传感器、化学传感器和/或湿度传感器，该一个或多个传感器连接到控制电路30。替代地，可以使用算法来估计温度，诸如应用观测器控制理论的算法，或者人工智能和/或机器学习。Once inside the chamber, the liquid vapor precursor material can be retained by a support structure (not shown), which is configured to retain the liquid vapor precursor material within the chamber. In the case of multiple liquid delivery areas, each liquid delivery area can be configured to transfer the liquid vapor precursor material to a corresponding support structure. The support structure can be the inner wall (area) of the RF shield 111 (e.g., at the liquid delivery area), and/or can be a separate support structure, i.e., an internal support structure, arranged within the heating chamber 120. In addition to substantially preventing RF electromagnetic radiation from escaping the heating chamber 120, the RF shield 111 can also be configured to best guide the radiation toward the support structure and the liquid vapor precursor material retained thereby. When one or more antennas 115 are used to generate RF electromagnetic radiation within the heating chamber 120, it is the liquid vapor precursor material that is retained within the chamber and by the support structure, heated and at least partially vaporized to generate steam within the heating chamber 120. This can be a relatively small amount of liquid vapor precursor material, so advantageously, it can be heated and vaporized quite quickly. Thus, it is also important to ensure that the control circuit 30 is configured to control the heating assembly 10 in a manner that ensures that vaporization occurs under optimal conditions, as will be discussed in more detail below. To this end, the heating assembly 10 may include one or more sensors for detecting conditions in the chamber, including temperature sensors, chemical sensors, and/or humidity sensors, connected to the control circuit 30. Alternatively, an algorithm may be used to estimate the temperature, such as an algorithm that applies observer control theory, or artificial intelligence and/or machine learning.
电子蒸汽提供装置1可以包括在充当蒸汽发生室的加热腔120与空气出口(诸如烟嘴中的开口)之间延伸的空气流动路径，使得经由烟嘴在出口上吸入的使用者可以抽吸来自加热腔120的空气(包括加热腔120中的已经从液体蒸汽前体材料生成的任何蒸汽)，以供使用者吸入。流动路径可以始于空气入口，诸如外壳中的入口(未示出)，该空气入口用于将空气朝向加热腔120引导并且由一个或多个空气通道(未示出)限定。为了促进该气流通过加热腔120，RF屏蔽件111的这些空气可渗透区域可以包括，该空气可渗透区域可以包括RF屏蔽件111中的开口，该开口仍然基本上防止RF电磁辐射从腔逸出。RF屏蔽件111的这些空气可渗透区域可以包括宽度为2.5mm或更小的开口，并且可以是如上文讨论的金属。这允许气流131进入到加热腔120中，该加热腔可以收集已经通过介电加热在腔之内生成的蒸汽，并且作为气流132离开加热腔以供使用者吸入。如图2和后续图所示，进入和/或离开加热腔的气流由穿过RF屏蔽件的一个或多个箭头指示，这些箭头指示气流(可选地包括使用期间在腔内生成的蒸汽)通过RF屏蔽件的示例性通路。为了促进这一点，第一空气可渗透区域可以布置在加热腔120的一侧处，并且第二空气可渗透区域布置在加热腔120的另一侧(即相对侧)处，使得空气通过第一空气可渗透区域被抽吸到加热腔(例如，从空气入口)中，通过加热腔，并且从第二空气可渗透区域离开。The electronic steam providing device 1 may include an air flow path extending between a heating chamber 120 acting as a steam generating chamber and an air outlet (such as an opening in a mouthpiece), so that a user who inhales via a mouthpiece on the outlet can draw air from the heating chamber 120 (including any steam that has been generated from the liquid steam precursor material in the heating chamber 120) for the user to inhale. The flow path may start from an air inlet, such as an inlet (not shown) in a housing, which is used to guide air toward the heating chamber 120 and is defined by one or more air channels (not shown). In order to facilitate the airflow through the heating chamber 120, these air permeable areas of the RF shield 111 may include, and the air permeable areas may include an opening in the RF shield 111, which still substantially prevents RF electromagnetic radiation from escaping from the chamber. These air permeable areas of the RF shield 111 may include openings with a width of 2.5 mm or less, and may be metal as discussed above. This allows airflow 131 to enter the heating chamber 120, which can collect steam that has been generated within the chamber by dielectric heating, and leave the heating chamber as airflow 132 for inhalation by the user. As shown in Figure 2 and subsequent figures, the airflow entering and/or leaving the heating chamber is indicated by one or more arrows passing through the RF shield, which indicate exemplary paths of airflow (optionally including steam generated in the chamber during use) through the RF shield. To facilitate this, a first air permeable area can be arranged at one side of the heating chamber 120, and a second air permeable area is arranged at the other side (i.e., the opposite side) of the heating chamber 120, so that air is drawn into the heating chamber (e.g., from the air inlet) through the first air permeable area, passes through the heating chamber, and leaves from the second air permeable area.
图3示出了通过根据本公开的各种实施例的电子蒸汽提供装置的加热组件310和液体源330的示意性表示的剖视图。如上文讨论的，电子蒸汽提供装置1可以包括多个液体源330，每个液体源包括液体贮存器，每个液体贮存器包括液体蒸汽前体材料。虽然图3描绘了单个液体贮存器，但是本文讨论的概念同样可适用于从多个液体源330向加热腔120供应液体蒸汽前体材料的布置。FIG3 shows a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of a heating assembly 310 and a liquid source 330 of an electronic vapor providing device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As discussed above, the electronic vapor providing device 1 may include multiple liquid sources 330, each of which includes a liquid reservoir, each of which includes a liquid vapor precursor material. Although FIG3 depicts a single liquid reservoir, the concepts discussed herein are equally applicable to an arrangement in which a liquid vapor precursor material is supplied to the heating chamber 120 from multiple liquid sources 330.
加热组件310对应于上文关于图2讨论的加热组件格式的特定实施例。以同样的方式，它包括RF屏蔽件311，该RF屏蔽件限定容纳一个或多个天线315的加热腔320，该一个或多个天线可以被控制以生成RF电磁辐射。如图3所示，加热组件310可以与液体源330相邻地布置，并且可以与液体源330流体连通。The heating assembly 310 corresponds to a specific embodiment of the heating assembly format discussed above with respect to FIG. 2. In the same manner, it includes an RF shield 311 that defines a heating cavity 320 housing one or more antennas 315 that can be controlled to generate RF electromagnetic radiation. As shown in FIG. 3, the heating assembly 310 can be arranged adjacent to a liquid source 330 and can be in fluid communication with the liquid source 330.
根据各种实施例，RF屏蔽件311的一个或多个部分可以形成一个或多个芯吸构件312。一个或多个芯吸构件312可以包括液体运送区域321。除了被配置为准许液体从其中跨过，但仍被配置为使得基本上防止RF电磁辐射穿越，限定液体运送区域321的一个或多个芯吸构件312还用于将液体蒸汽前体材料从液体源330芯吸到加热腔320中。According to various embodiments, one or more portions of the RF shield 311 can form one or more wicking members 312. The one or more wicking members 312 can include a liquid transport region 321. In addition to being configured to permit liquid to pass therethrough, but still configured such that RF electromagnetic radiation is substantially prevented from passing therethrough, the one or more wicking members 312 defining the liquid transport region 321 also serve to wick liquid vapor precursor material from the liquid source 330 into the heating chamber 320.
一个或多个芯吸构件312可以包括金属材料。为一种或多种芯吸材料312提供金属材料可以确保芯吸材料提供RF屏蔽。在某些实施例中，一个或多个芯吸构件312包括钢，诸如不锈钢。金属材料可以涂覆有例如导电层，诸如石墨烯或碳。例如，这可以通过使用网来容易地提供。有利地，一个或多个芯吸构件312可以包括烧结网，该烧结网包括多根金属(例如钢、不锈钢)绞线，这些金属绞线已经被覆盖并加工，使得绞线在彼此接触或重叠的地方熔融或接合。这种布置允许建立三维结构，其中可以精细地控制开放空间的维度，这可以表现出对液体的有效毛细吸引，并且可以实现高液体吞吐量。One or more wicking members 312 may include a metallic material. Providing a metallic material for one or more wicking materials 312 can ensure that the wicking material provides RF shielding. In certain embodiments, one or more wicking members 312 include steel, such as stainless steel. The metallic material can be coated with, for example, a conductive layer, such as graphene or carbon. For example, this can be easily provided by using a mesh. Advantageously, one or more wicking members 312 may include a sintered mesh comprising a plurality of metal (e.g., steel, stainless steel) strands that have been covered and processed so that the strands are melted or joined where they contact or overlap each other. This arrangement allows for the creation of a three-dimensional structure in which the dimensions of the open space can be finely controlled, which can exhibit effective capillary attraction to liquids and can achieve high liquid throughput.
一个或多个芯吸构件312可以包括多个珠子，该多个珠子使得能够从所使用的珠子的维度选择孔隙空间。这些珠子可以由金属材料形成，或者可以由诸如玻璃之类的非金属材料形成，并且可以涂覆有例如金属材料。此外，一个或多个芯吸构件312可以包括泡沫结构，该泡沫结构包括上文讨论的材料中的任何一种。The one or more wicking members 312 may include a plurality of beads that enable the pore space to be selected from the dimensions of the beads used. The beads may be formed of a metallic material, or may be formed of a non-metallic material such as glass and may be coated with, for example, a metallic material. In addition, the one or more wicking members 312 may include a foam structure that includes any of the materials discussed above.
此外，注意，一个或多个天线315可以由关于一个或多个芯吸构件312讨论的所描述的构造中的任何一个形成。例如，一个或多个天线315可以由上文讨论的材料形成，一个或多个天线315可以是如上文讨论的涂覆材料，和/或一个或多个天线315可以包括烧结网。Furthermore, note that the one or more antennas 315 can be formed from any of the described constructions discussed with respect to the one or more wicking members 312. For example, the one or more antennas 315 can be formed from the materials discussed above, the one or more antennas 315 can be a coated material as discussed above, and/or the one or more antennas 315 can include a sintered mesh.
RF屏蔽件311的形成一个或多个芯吸构件312的一个或多个部分可以被布置为通过毛细作用将液体从液体贮存器326输送。为了发生毛细作用，一个或多个芯吸构件必须包括窄孔，使得液体通过芯吸构件被抽吸到一个或多个芯吸构件的内侧表面，即位于加热腔320的内侧的一个或多个芯吸构件312的表面。因此，在某些实施例中，一个或多个芯吸构件312包括多个细丝或纤维、网或泡沫。在实施例中，一个或多个芯吸构件312可以包括一个或多个延伸开口，诸如管状或平面通道，该一个或多个延伸开口被配置为提供毛细作用并且可以具有小于1mm或小于200μm的窄开口。One or more portions of the RF shield 311 forming one or more wicking members 312 may be arranged to transport liquid from the liquid reservoir 326 by capillary action. In order for capillary action to occur, the one or more wicking members must include narrow holes so that the liquid is drawn through the wicking members to the inside surface of the one or more wicking members, i.e., the surface of the one or more wicking members 312 located inside the heating chamber 320. Therefore, in some embodiments, the one or more wicking members 312 include a plurality of filaments or fibers, a mesh or a foam. In an embodiment, the one or more wicking members 312 may include one or more extended openings, such as a tubular or planar channel, which are configured to provide capillary action and may have a narrow opening of less than 1 mm or less than 200 μm.
一个或多个芯吸构件312与液体源330的液体蒸汽前体材料流体连通。一个或多个芯吸构件312可以将液体蒸汽前体材料从液体贮存器抽吸到一个或多个芯吸构件312的面向一个或多个天线315的内表面。因而，在这种情况下，一个或多个芯吸构件312充当上文关于图2讨论的支撑结构件。因此，从一个或多个天线315生成的RF电磁辐射能够与在加热腔320之内的液体蒸汽前体材料相互作用并对其进行加热，从而允许生成蒸汽。The one or more wicking members 312 are in fluid communication with the liquid vapor precursor material of the liquid source 330. The one or more wicking members 312 can draw the liquid vapor precursor material from the liquid reservoir to the inner surface of the one or more wicking members 312 facing the one or more antennas 315. Thus, in this case, the one or more wicking members 312 act as the support structure discussed above with respect to FIG. 2. Therefore, the RF electromagnetic radiation generated from the one or more antennas 315 can interact with and heat the liquid vapor precursor material within the heating chamber 320, thereby allowing the generation of vapor.
在某些实施例中，RF屏蔽件311的一个或多个芯吸构件312可以延伸到液体源330中，例如延伸到一个或多个液体贮存器中。在其他实施例中，RF屏蔽件311的一个或多个芯吸构件312可以与设置在贮存器之内的一个或多个贮存器芯吸构件325流体连通。设置在贮存器之内的此类贮存器芯吸构件325可能不需要设置RF屏蔽，并且因而可以包括非金属纤维状或多孔材料，例如，陶瓷材料、有机植物基材料、纸浆、聚酰胺纤维或棉。In some embodiments, one or more wicking members 312 of the RF shield 311 can extend into the liquid source 330, such as into one or more liquid reservoirs. In other embodiments, one or more wicking members 312 of the RF shield 311 can be in fluid communication with one or more reservoir wicking members 325 disposed within the reservoir. Such reservoir wicking members 325 disposed within the reservoir may not require RF shielding and thus may include non-metallic fibrous or porous materials, such as ceramic materials, organic plant-based materials, pulp, polyamide fibers, or cotton.
此外，尽管一个或多个芯吸构件312可以形成RF屏蔽件111的一部分，但是它们也可以包括非屏蔽芯吸材料，以便辅助流体跨过RF屏蔽件111的芯吸并进入到加热腔120中。例如，一个或多个芯吸构件312可以包括非金属材料，诸如玻璃、玻璃纤维、陶瓷、石墨、棉或聚合物材料(诸如合成聚合物(例如人造丝)或非合成(天然)聚合物(诸如纤维素))。这些也可以具有上文关于一个或多个芯吸构件312讨论的许多结构属性，并且它们也可以是多孔的或烧结的。In addition, while the one or more wicking members 312 may form part of the RF shield 111, they may also include non-shielding wicking materials to assist in the wicking of fluid across the RF shield 111 and into the heating chamber 120. For example, the one or more wicking members 312 may include non-metallic materials such as glass, fiberglass, ceramic, graphite, cotton, or polymer materials such as synthetic polymers (e.g., rayon) or non-synthetic (natural) polymers (such as cellulose). These may also have many of the structural properties discussed above with respect to the one or more wicking members 312, and they may also be porous or sintered.
如上文讨论的，因为RF电磁辐射不能穿透RF屏蔽件311，所以只有在一个或多个芯吸构件312的面向天线的内表面上的液体蒸汽前体材料可以被汽化。因此，任何时候只有少量的液体蒸汽前体材料可以被汽化。这可能在允许更快地生成蒸汽时是有利的。As discussed above, because RF electromagnetic radiation cannot penetrate the RF shield 311, only the liquid vapor precursor material on the inner surface of the one or more wicking members 312 facing the antenna can be vaporized. Therefore, only a small amount of liquid vapor precursor material can be vaporized at any time. This may be advantageous in allowing faster generation of vapor.
然而，在某些具体实施中，使更大体积的液体汽化可能是有益的。图4示意性地示出了根据各种实施例的加热布置。该布置包括加热组件410和液体源430，其类似于图3的布置。加热组件410包括布置在由RF屏蔽件411限定的加热腔420之内的一个或多个天线415。液体源430与加热组件相邻地并与加热组件流体连通地布置，并且包括在液体源430的液体贮存器426中的一个或多个芯吸构件425。However, in some implementations, it may be beneficial to vaporize a larger volume of liquid. FIG4 schematically illustrates a heating arrangement according to various embodiments. The arrangement includes a heating assembly 410 and a liquid source 430, which is similar to the arrangement of FIG3 . The heating assembly 410 includes one or more antennas 415 arranged within a heating cavity 420 defined by an RF shield 411. The liquid source 430 is arranged adjacent to the heating assembly and in fluid communication with the heating assembly, and includes one or more wicking members 425 in a liquid reservoir 426 of the liquid source 430.
RF屏蔽件411还包括液体运送区域421(例如，由一个或多个芯吸部分412在RF屏蔽件411中提供)，液体蒸汽前体材料可以从液体源430行进通过该液体运送区域。然而，与图3的布置相比，图4的加热组件410还包括布置在加热腔420之内的内部支撑结构件413。该内部支撑结构件413与RF屏蔽件411的一个或多个芯吸部分412流体连通并接触(并且换句话说，与液体运送区域421流体连通)，并且被配置为从液体运送区域421接收液体蒸汽前体材料。The RF shield 411 also includes a liquid transport region 421 (e.g., provided in the RF shield 411 by one or more wicking portions 412) through which the liquid vapor precursor material can travel from the liquid source 430. However, in contrast to the arrangement of Fig. 3, the heating assembly 410 of Fig. 4 also includes an internal support structure 413 disposed within the heating chamber 420. The internal support structure 413 is in fluid communication and contact with the one or more wicking portions 412 of the RF shield 411 (and in other words, in fluid communication with the liquid transport region 421), and is configured to receive the liquid vapor precursor material from the liquid transport region 421.
内部支撑结构件413因此充当在加热腔420之内的体积以用于保留液体蒸汽前体材料。因而，它可以允许增加在加热腔420之内的液体蒸汽前体材料的量。此外，它可以被成形并被布置为改善储存在其中的液体蒸汽前体材料对于来自一个或多个天线415的RF电磁辐射的暴露。The internal support structure 413 thus acts as a volume within the heating chamber 420 for retaining the liquid vapor precursor material. Thus, it can allow for an increased amount of liquid vapor precursor material within the heating chamber 420. Furthermore, it can be shaped and arranged to improve exposure of the liquid vapor precursor material stored therein to RF electromagnetic radiation from the one or more antennas 415.
内部支撑结构件413可以包括不提供RF屏蔽的材料，诸如非金属纤维状或多孔材料，例如，陶瓷材料、有机植物基材料、纸浆、聚酰胺纤维或棉，或者甚至烧结材料，诸如烧结玻璃。此外，内部支撑结构件413可以包括芯吸材料，即支撑结构件413可以对应于一个或多个内部芯吸构件413。这些芯吸构件可以被布置为通过毛细作用将液体从液体运送区域421输送到加热腔420中。为了发生毛细作用，一个或多个内部芯吸构件413可以包括窄孔，使得液体被抽吸通过一个或多个内部芯吸构件413以传播到加热腔420中。因此，在某些实施例中，一个或多个内部芯吸构件413可以包括多个细丝或纤维、网或泡沫。内部芯吸构件413也可以是非屏蔽的，即被配置为使得它们基本上不阻止RF电磁辐射从其中传输通过。The internal support structure 413 may include a material that does not provide RF shielding, such as a non-metallic fibrous or porous material, for example, a ceramic material, an organic plant-based material, pulp, polyamide fiber or cotton, or even a sintered material, such as sintered glass. In addition, the internal support structure 413 may include a wicking material, that is, the support structure 413 may correspond to one or more internal wicking members 413. These wicking members may be arranged to transport liquid from the liquid transport area 421 to the heating chamber 420 by capillary action. In order for capillary action to occur, one or more internal wicking members 413 may include a narrow hole so that the liquid is sucked through one or more internal wicking members 413 to propagate into the heating chamber 420. Therefore, in some embodiments, one or more internal wicking members 413 may include a plurality of filaments or fibers, a net or a foam. The internal wicking member 413 may also be non-shielded, that is, configured so that they do not substantially prevent RF electromagnetic radiation from being transmitted therethrough.
内部支撑结构件413可以在加热腔之内提供0.1μl至10μl、可选地0.1μl至5μl、可选地0.5μl至1μl的液体容量。此外，内部支撑结构件413可以具有20mm2至100mm2的表面积以及2mm3至50mm3的体积，从而给出至少0.4mm-1、可选地1比50mm-1的表面积与体积比。内部支撑结构件413的材料结构也可以使得在内部支撑结构件413之内的开放空间的百分比为50％至90％。The internal support structure 413 may provide a liquid capacity of 0.1 μl to 10 μl, optionally 0.1 μl to 5 μl, optionally 0.5 μl to 1 μl within the heating chamber. In addition, the internal support structure 413 may have a surface area of 20 mm2 to 100 mm2 and a volume of 2 mm3 to 50 mm3 , thereby providing a surface area to volume ratio of at least 0.4 mm-1 , optionally 1 to 50 mm-1 . The material structure of the internal support structure 413 may also be such that the percentage of open space within the internal support structure 413 is 50% to 90%.
虽然此处在图4所示的布置的语境下讨论了在加热腔之内使用支撑结构件(诸如一个或多个内部芯吸构件)的这一概念，但是应当理解，这种布置可以应用于本文所公开的任何其他实施例。此外，这也可以应用于电子蒸汽发生装置1包括或接纳多个液体源430的布置，该多个液体源包括多个相应液体贮存器426；在这种情况下，一个或多个内部芯吸构件可以被布置为使得芯吸构件与对应于多个相应液体贮存器的多个液体运送区域中的一个液体运送区域流体连通地布置。Although the concept of using a support structure (such as one or more internal wicking members) within the heating chamber is discussed herein in the context of the arrangement shown in Figure 4, it should be understood that this arrangement can be applied to any other embodiment disclosed herein. In addition, this can also be applied to an arrangement in which the electronic vapor generating device 1 includes or receives multiple liquid sources 430, which include multiple corresponding liquid reservoirs 426; in this case, the one or more internal wicking members can be arranged so that the wicking member is arranged in fluid communication with one of the multiple liquid transport regions corresponding to the multiple corresponding liquid reservoirs.
图5示意性地示出了根据包括加热组件510和液体源520的实施例的电子蒸汽提供装置1的示例性实施例。如图2所示的布置一样，加热组件510包括布置在由RF屏蔽件511限定的加热腔520之内的一个或多个天线515。液体源520与加热组件相邻地并与加热组件流体连通地布置，并且包括液体源520的液体贮存器。FIG5 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of an electronic vapor providing device 1 according to an embodiment comprising a heating assembly 510 and a liquid source 520. As with the arrangement shown in FIG2 , the heating assembly 510 comprises one or more antennas 515 arranged within a heating cavity 520 defined by an RF shield 511. The liquid source 520 is arranged adjacent to the heating assembly and in fluid communication with the heating assembly and comprises a liquid reservoir of the liquid source 520.
RF屏蔽件511还包括液体运送区域521(例如，由一个或多个芯吸部分512在RF屏蔽件511中提供)，液体蒸汽前体材料可以从液体源530行进通过该液体运送区域，进入到加热腔520中。在所描绘的实施例中，液体源被布置为使得一个或多个贮液器限定从其中通过的中央通道560。例如，一个或多个液体贮存器可以按环形布置来布置，该环形布置限定中央通道560。中央通道560可以被布置为提供从RF屏蔽件511的空气可渗透区域570朝向出口或烟嘴的流动路径的一部分。The RF shield 511 also includes a liquid transport region 521 (e.g., provided in the RF shield 511 by one or more wicking portions 512) through which liquid vapor precursor material can travel from the liquid source 530 into the heating chamber 520. In the depicted embodiment, the liquid source is arranged such that the one or more liquid reservoirs define a central passage 560 therethrough. For example, the one or more liquid reservoirs can be arranged in an annular arrangement that defines the central passage 560. The central passage 560 can be arranged to provide a portion of a flow path from the air permeable region 570 of the RF shield 511 toward an outlet or mouthpiece.
如上文讨论的，电子蒸汽提供装置1可以是细长的，具有如由使用者想要抓握该装置的取向所限定的上端和下端。在图5所示的实施例中，一个或多个液体贮存器布置在加热组件510上方。结果，液体运送区域521朝向液体贮存器的底部布置，并且因而液体蒸汽前体材料的流动受到重力的辅助，并且液体运送区域521将与液体贮存器中的液体蒸汽前体材料保持流体接触，而不管填充水平如何。As discussed above, the electronic vapor providing device 1 can be elongated, with upper and lower ends as defined by the orientation in which the user intends to grasp the device. In the embodiment shown in FIG5 , one or more liquid reservoirs are arranged above the heating assembly 510. As a result, the liquid transport region 521 is arranged toward the bottom of the liquid reservoir, and thus the flow of the liquid vapor precursor material is assisted by gravity, and the liquid transport region 521 will maintain fluid contact with the liquid vapor precursor material in the liquid reservoir regardless of the fill level.
在此类细长结构中，减小装置的形状因子也很重要。因而，通过将RF屏蔽件511布置为使得空气可渗透区域570从RF屏蔽件511向上引导，即朝向电子蒸汽提供装置1的上端，烟嘴一般定位在该上端处，不需要在加热腔的外围周围提供附加的气流部件或引导件。因而，可以减小电子蒸汽提供装置1的最小横向尺寸。In such an elongated structure, it is also important to reduce the form factor of the device. Thus, by arranging the RF shield 511 so that the air permeable area 570 is directed upwards from the RF shield 511, i.e. towards the upper end of the electronic vapor providing device 1, where the mouthpiece is generally located, there is no need to provide additional airflow components or guides around the periphery of the heating chamber. Thus, the minimum lateral dimension of the electronic vapor providing device 1 can be reduced.
图6示意性地示出了电子蒸汽提供装置1的实施例，其包括加热组件610、第一液体源630和第二液体源640。如图2所示的布置一样，加热组件610包括由RF屏蔽件611限定的加热腔620。然而，在该实施例中，加热组件包括布置在加热腔620之内的第一天线617和第二天线616。如上文讨论的，并且如应用于所有实施例的，这些第一天线617和第二天线616连接到控制电路30。在实施例中，可以一起控制第一天线617和第二天线616，即，使得它们生成相同的RF电磁辐射。在其他实施例中，这些第一天线617和第二天线616各自被配置为生成独立的RF电磁辐射。FIG6 schematically shows an embodiment of an electronic vapor providing device 1, which includes a heating assembly 610, a first liquid source 630 and a second liquid source 640. As in the arrangement shown in FIG2, the heating assembly 610 includes a heating chamber 620 defined by an RF shield 611. However, in this embodiment, the heating assembly includes a first antenna 617 and a second antenna 616 arranged within the heating chamber 620. As discussed above, and as applied to all embodiments, these first antennas 617 and second antennas 616 are connected to the control circuit 30. In an embodiment, the first antenna 617 and the second antenna 616 can be controlled together, that is, so that they generate the same RF electromagnetic radiation. In other embodiments, these first antennas 617 and second antennas 616 are each configured to generate independent RF electromagnetic radiation.
第一液体源640和第二液体源630与加热组件610相邻地并与该加热组件流体连通地布置。在所描绘的实施例中，第一液体源640包括第一液体贮存器646，第二液体源630包括第二液体贮存器636。第一液体贮存器626和第二液体贮存器636中的每一个都经由RF屏蔽件611的相应液体运送区域621(例如，由一个或多个芯吸部分612在RF屏蔽611中提供)与加热腔620流体连通，在实施例中，该液体运送区域由RF屏蔽件611的限定液体运送区域621的一个或多个芯吸构件621提供。除了液体贮存器之外，每个液体源包括流量控制元件，该流量控制元件被配置为控制液体从液体源的液体贮存器到相应液体运送区域的流量；这些流量控制元件连接到控制电路，使得控制电路可以控制液体蒸汽前体材料从每个液体源进入到加热腔中的传送。每个流量控制元件还可以可选地包括泵。A first liquid source 640 and a second liquid source 630 are disposed adjacent to and in fluid communication with the heating assembly 610. In the depicted embodiment, the first liquid source 640 includes a first liquid reservoir 646 and the second liquid source 630 includes a second liquid reservoir 636. Each of the first liquid reservoir 626 and the second liquid reservoir 636 is in fluid communication with the heating chamber 620 via a corresponding liquid transport region 621 of the RF shield 611 (e.g., provided in the RF shield 611 by one or more wicking portions 612), which in an embodiment is provided by one or more wicking members 621 of the RF shield 611 that define the liquid transport region 621. In addition to the liquid reservoir, each liquid source includes a flow control element configured to control the flow of liquid from the liquid reservoir of the liquid source to the corresponding liquid transport region; these flow control elements are connected to the control circuit so that the control circuit can control the delivery of the liquid vapor precursor material from each liquid source into the heating chamber. Each flow control element may also optionally include a pump.
虽然这是在两个液体源的语境下讨论的，但是这些概念当然可以在使用三个或更多个液体源的情况下应用。此外，这同样应用于模块化或多部分电子蒸汽提供装置，其中如上所述使用了可更换的烟弹。例如，代替将每个液体源布置在外壳之内并且包括液体贮存器和可选的流量控制元件，每个液体源可以对应于包括液体贮存器和流量控制元件的可更换的烟弹，该烟弹被配置为与外壳接合(提供如上文讨论的“可重复使用的装置部分”)，使得能够与加热腔流体连通。作为烟弹中的流量控制元件的替代或补充，被配置为控制来自烟弹的液体源的流体的流量的流量控制元件可以布置在外壳之内。Although this is discussed in the context of two liquid sources, these concepts can certainly be applied when three or more liquid sources are used. In addition, this also applies to modular or multi-part electronic vapor providing devices, in which replaceable cartridges are used as described above. For example, instead of arranging each liquid source within the housing and including a liquid reservoir and an optional flow control element, each liquid source can correspond to a replaceable cartridge including a liquid reservoir and a flow control element, which is configured to engage with the housing (providing a "reusable device part" as discussed above) so that it can be connected to the heating chamber fluid. As an alternative or supplement to the flow control element in the cartridge, a flow control element configured to control the flow of the fluid from the liquid source of the cartridge can be arranged within the housing.
通过具有第一液体贮存器646和第二液体贮存器636，第一液体源640和第二液体源630能够向加热腔提供不同的液体蒸汽前体材料，诸如不同的风味或组合物。例如，第一液体源640可以容纳并且被配置为传送例如包含甘油的第一组合物，而第二液体源630可以容纳并且被配置为传送例如包含丙二醇的第二组合物。通过独立地控制这些不同材料的独立传送，可以控制活性物质浓度和风味以及呼出物的可见性。By having a first liquid reservoir 646 and a second liquid reservoir 636, the first liquid source 640 and the second liquid source 630 are able to provide different liquid vapor precursor materials, such as different flavors or compositions, to the heating chamber. For example, the first liquid source 640 can contain and be configured to deliver a first composition, such as glycerin, while the second liquid source 630 can contain and be configured to deliver a second composition, such as propylene glycol. By independently controlling the independent delivery of these different materials, the active substance concentration and flavor and visibility of the exhaled product can be controlled.
此外，第一天线617可以被布置为使得从其生成的RF电磁辐射在来自第一液体贮存器646的汽化液体蒸汽前体材料处被引导(例如，在来自第一液体贮存器626的液体蒸汽前体材料被其保留的支撑结构件处被引导，无论该支撑结构件是RF屏蔽件内壁还是在加热腔620之内的内部支撑结构件)，而第二天线616被布置为使得从其生成的RF电磁辐射在来自第二液体贮存器636的汽化液体蒸汽前体材料处被引导(例如，在来自第二液体贮存器636的液体蒸汽前体材料被其保留的支撑结构件处被引导，无论该支撑结构件是RF屏蔽件内壁还是在加热腔620之内的内部支撑结构件)。这可以允许控制电路30独立地控制RF电磁辐射分别从第一天线和第二天线的生成，以便独立地控制流体分别从第一液体贮存器和第二液体贮存器的汽化。In addition, the first antenna 617 can be arranged so that the RF electromagnetic radiation generated therefrom is directed at the vaporized liquid vapor precursor material from the first liquid reservoir 646 (e.g., directed at the support structure on which the liquid vapor precursor material from the first liquid reservoir 626 is retained, whether the support structure is the inner wall of the RF shield or the internal support structure within the heating chamber 620), while the second antenna 616 is arranged so that the RF electromagnetic radiation generated therefrom is directed at the vaporized liquid vapor precursor material from the second liquid reservoir 636 (e.g., directed at the support structure on which the liquid vapor precursor material from the second liquid reservoir 636 is retained, whether the support structure is the inner wall of the RF shield or the internal support structure within the heating chamber 620). This can allow the control circuit 30 to independently control the generation of RF electromagnetic radiation from the first antenna and the second antenna, respectively, so as to independently control the vaporization of fluid from the first liquid reservoir and the second liquid reservoir, respectively.
注意，第一天线和第二天线的设置可以应用于本公开的任何实施例，例如在每个天线被优化以生成独立频率的RF电磁辐射的情况下。此外，如上文讨论的，可以设置如图6所示的第一液体贮存器626和第二液体贮存器636的设置，而不管加热组件610中是否设置了一个或多个天线。Note that the configuration of the first antenna and the second antenna can be applied to any embodiment of the present disclosure, for example, when each antenna is optimized to generate RF electromagnetic radiation of an independent frequency. In addition, as discussed above, the configuration of the first liquid reservoir 626 and the second liquid reservoir 636 as shown in FIG. 6 can be configured regardless of whether one or more antennas are configured in the heating assembly 610.
图7示意性地示出了包括加热组件710和液体源730的电子蒸汽提供装置1的实施例。如图4所示的布置一样，加热组件710、由RF屏蔽件711限定的加热腔720。液体源730与加热组件相邻地并与加热组件流体连通地布置，并且包括液体源730的一个或多个液体贮存器。RF屏蔽件711还包括液体运送区域721(例如，由一个或多个芯吸构件712在RF屏蔽件711中提供)，液体蒸汽前体材料可以从液体源730行进通过该液体运送区域，进入到加热腔720中。FIG7 schematically illustrates an embodiment of an electronic vapor providing device 1 including a heating assembly 710 and a liquid source 730. As in the arrangement shown in FIG4 , the heating assembly 710 and a heating chamber 720 are defined by an RF shield 711. The liquid source 730 is arranged adjacent to and in fluid communication with the heating assembly and includes one or more liquid reservoirs of the liquid source 730. The RF shield 711 also includes a liquid transport region 721 (e.g., provided in the RF shield 711 by one or more wicking members 712), through which liquid vapor precursor material can travel from the liquid source 730 into the heating chamber 720.
在该特定实施例中，加热组件710包括布置在加热腔720之内的第一天线段717和第二天线段716。如关于图6讨论的，这些天线段可以由控制电路30控制，以便生成相同的RF电磁辐射，或者独立地生成RF电磁辐射。例如，第一天线段717和第二天线段716可以对应于天线装置的不同部分，诸如中空天线装置，例如螺旋天线。高频电压可以同相或反相地施加到第一天线段717和第二天线段716，以便充当电容器，其中通量集中在这两个段之间。In this particular embodiment, the heating assembly 710 includes a first antenna segment 717 and a second antenna segment 716 disposed within the heating cavity 720. As discussed with respect to FIG. 6, these antenna segments can be controlled by the control circuit 30 to generate the same RF electromagnetic radiation, or to generate RF electromagnetic radiation independently. For example, the first antenna segment 717 and the second antenna segment 716 can correspond to different parts of an antenna device, such as a hollow antenna device, such as a helical antenna. A high frequency voltage can be applied to the first antenna segment 717 and the second antenna segment 716 in phase or in antiphase to act as a capacitor, wherein the flux is concentrated between the two segments.
特别地，第一天线段717和第二天线段716可以分别对应于电容器的第一端子和第二端子，并且RF电磁辐射是通过向这些第一端子和第二端子施加交变电压来生成的。可选地，第一天线段717和第二天线段716可以分别包括第一板和第二板；特别是在第一天线段717和第二天线段716对应于电容器的端子的情况下。In particular, the first antenna segment 717 and the second antenna segment 716 may correspond to the first terminal and the second terminal of the capacitor, respectively, and the RF electromagnetic radiation is generated by applying an alternating voltage to these first and second terminals. Optionally, the first antenna segment 717 and the second antenna segment 716 may include a first plate and a second plate, respectively; in particular, when the first antenna segment 717 and the second antenna segment 716 correspond to the terminals of the capacitor.
还设置了内部支撑结构件713，其延伸到加热腔720中，可选地至少50mm。内部支撑结构件713可以根据图4的内部支撑结构件的实施例来构造。替代地，它可以由提供RF屏蔽的材料形成，并且它可以是RF屏蔽件711的一个或多个芯吸构件712的突起。内部支撑结构件713可以是纵向结构，例如以片或层的形式，因此具有改善的表面积与体积比。An internal support structure 713 is also provided, which extends into the heating chamber 720, optionally by at least 50 mm. The internal support structure 713 may be constructed according to the embodiment of the internal support structure of Figure 4. Alternatively, it may be formed of a material that provides RF shielding, and it may be a protrusion of one or more wicking members 712 of the RF shield 711. The internal support structure 713 may be a longitudinal structure, for example in the form of a sheet or layer, thus having an improved surface area to volume ratio.
第一天线段717和第二天线段716被布置为使得在两个天线段之间传输(例如直接传输)的RF电磁辐射入射到内部支撑结构件713上。天线装置可以限定在其之内布置内部支撑结构件713的体积，并且甚至可以围绕内部支撑结构件713。这可以确保由天线装置生成的RF电磁辐射特别好地朝向内部支撑结构件713和保留在其上的液体蒸汽前体材料引导。优选地，内部支撑结构件713延伸到加热腔730中足够远，使得在第一天线段717与第二天线段716之间传输的辐射直接到达内部支撑结构件713的表面处，即，没有被中间物体反射。The first antenna segment 717 and the second antenna segment 716 are arranged so that the RF electromagnetic radiation transmitted (e.g. directly transmitted) between the two antenna segments is incident on the internal support structure 713. The antenna arrangement may be confined to a volume within which the internal support structure 713 is arranged, and may even surround the internal support structure 713. This may ensure that the RF electromagnetic radiation generated by the antenna arrangement is particularly well directed towards the internal support structure 713 and the liquid vapor precursor material retained thereon. Preferably, the internal support structure 713 extends far enough into the heating chamber 730 so that the radiation transmitted between the first antenna segment 717 and the second antenna segment 716 reaches directly at the surface of the internal support structure 713, i.e. without being reflected by intermediate objects.
在实施例中，内部支撑结构件713布置在第一天线段717与第二天线段716之间的中点处。这可能意味着RF电磁辐射的场集中在内部支撑结构件713的位置处，从而意味着有效地向内部支撑结构件713提供能量。由于场的最终布置，这种布置在施加到第一天线段717和第二天线段716的电压反相的情况下可能特别有效。In an embodiment, the internal support structure 713 is arranged at the midpoint between the first antenna segment 717 and the second antenna segment 716. This may mean that the field of the RF electromagnetic radiation is concentrated at the location of the internal support structure 713, which means that energy is effectively provided to the internal support structure 713. Due to the final arrangement of the field, this arrangement may be particularly effective if the voltages applied to the first antenna segment 717 and the second antenna segment 716 are in antiphase.
在特定布置中，第一天线段717是第一天线，并且第二天线段716是第二天线。换句话说，内部支撑结构件在第一天线717与第二天线716之间延伸到加热腔720中。这可以允许由内部支撑结构件713保留的液体蒸汽前体材料更多地暴露于由天线生成并且特别是在天线之间输送的RF电磁辐射。In a particular arrangement, the first antenna segment 717 is a first antenna and the second antenna segment 716 is a second antenna. In other words, the internal support structure extends into the heating chamber 720 between the first antenna 717 and the second antenna 716. This can allow the liquid vapor precursor material retained by the internal support structure 713 to be more exposed to the RF electromagnetic radiation generated by the antennas and particularly transmitted between the antennas.
此外，如图7所示，内部支撑结构件713在第一天线段717与第二天线段716之间在纵向方向上延伸。天线结构在内部支撑结构件713的纵向端处是开放的，因此气流可以沿着支撑结构件713的纵向长度被抽吸。细长支撑结构件713具有改善的表面积，并且这种布置可以允许气流沿着支撑结构件713的长度被抽吸，使得离开支撑结构件713的最大蒸汽可以被气流抽吸。虽然在图7中未描绘，但是也可能有利的是将空气可渗透区域布置在RF屏蔽件中，使得气流沿着支撑结构件713的纵向方向被抽吸通过加热腔720。In addition, as shown in FIG7 , the internal support structure 713 extends in the longitudinal direction between the first antenna segment 717 and the second antenna segment 716. The antenna structure is open at the longitudinal ends of the internal support structure 713 so that airflow can be drawn along the longitudinal length of the support structure 713. The elongated support structure 713 has an improved surface area, and this arrangement can allow airflow to be drawn along the length of the support structure 713 so that the maximum vapor leaving the support structure 713 can be drawn by the airflow. Although not depicted in FIG7 , it may also be advantageous to arrange an air permeable area in the RF shield so that airflow is drawn through the heating chamber 720 along the longitudinal direction of the support structure 713.
此外，尽管图7描绘了与包括第一天线段717和第二天线段716的天线装置组合地布置的内部支撑结构件713，但是可以设置多个内部支撑结构件，每个内部支撑结构件具有包括第一天线段和第二天线段的关联天线装置。在此类阵列类型布置中，每个内部支撑结构件可以被配置为从对应液体运送区域接纳液体蒸汽前体材料。换句话说，这种概念可以应用于包括多个液体贮存器的布置，诸如图6所描绘的布置。Furthermore, although FIG. 7 depicts an internal support structure 713 arranged in combination with an antenna arrangement including a first antenna segment 717 and a second antenna segment 716, a plurality of internal support structures may be provided, each having an associated antenna arrangement including a first antenna segment and a second antenna segment. In such an array-type arrangement, each internal support structure may be configured to receive a liquid vapor precursor material from a corresponding liquid delivery region. In other words, this concept may be applied to an arrangement including a plurality of liquid reservoirs, such as the arrangement depicted in FIG. 6 .
注意，尽管图7公开了内部支撑结构件713在第一天线与第二天线之间延伸到加热腔中的布置，但是内部支撑结构件的这种布置也可以与任何天线装置一起被利用，而不管多个天线段是否布置在内部支撑结构件的任一侧上。Note that although Figure 7 discloses an arrangement in which the internal support structure 713 extends into the heating cavity between the first antenna and the second antenna, this arrangement of the internal support structure may also be utilized with any antenna arrangement, regardless of whether multiple antenna segments are arranged on either side of the internal support structure.
本文描述的各种实施例仅是为了辅助理解和教导要求保护的特征而呈现的。这些实施例仅被提供作为实施例的代表性样本，并且不是详尽的和/或排他的。应当理解，本文描述的优点、实施例、示例、功能、特征、结构和/或其他方面不应被认为是对如由权利要求所限定的本发明的范围的限制或对权利要求的等同物的限制，并且可以利用其他实施例并可以在不脱离要求保护的发明的范围的情况下进行修改。除了本文具体描述的那些之外，本发明的各种实施例可以合适地包括、由或基本上由所公开的元件、部件、特征、部分、步骤、装置等的适当组合组成。另外，本公开可以包括目前未要求保护但将来可能要求保护的其他发明。The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative samples of embodiments, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and/or other aspects described herein should not be considered as limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on the equivalents of the claims, and other embodiments may be utilized and may be modified without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. In addition to those specifically described herein, the various embodiments of the present invention may suitably include, consist of or consist essentially of appropriate combinations of disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, devices, etc. In addition, the present disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.
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| US202263383895P | 2022-11-15 | 2022-11-15 | |
| US63/383,895 | 2022-11-15 | ||
| PCT/EP2022/086784WO2023111359A1 (en) | 2021-12-17 | 2022-12-19 | Electronic vapour provision device |
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| CN202280083329.1APendingCN118434312A (en) | 2021-12-17 | 2022-12-19 | Electronic vapor supply device |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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| CN202280083369.6APendingCN118338796A (en) | 2021-12-17 | 2022-12-19 | Electronic vapor supply device |
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