AN ATOMIZATION DEVICE

Abstract

 An embodiment of the application discloses an atomization device and is related to the technical field of atomization to solve the problems of low identification rate and low accuracy in the prior art OlD solutions. The atomization device includes a device body (1) and an atomization assembly (2). The atomization assembly is arranged in the device body. The atomization device includes a receiving chamber (111). The receiving chamber is configured for receiving an aerosol generation substance (7) therein. The atomization device further includes a collector (3) and a light-transmitting member (4). The collector and the light-transmitting member are mounted in the device body. The light-transmitting member is arranged at one end of the atomization assembly in the axial direction, and the light-transmitting member is located between the receiving chamber and the collector. The atomization device of the application is operable to atomize the aerosol generation substance.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of atomization, and specifically relates to an atomization device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002] An atomization device is a device that is used to heat and bake an aerosol generation substance in order to generate an aerosol to be used by a user.

[0003] Due to the difference in respect of ingredients and fabrication techniques, different aerosol generation substance may have different atomization modes. The atomization mode includes time and temperature of atomization and a relationship of variation between time and temperature. A solution that is available in the known art is that the aerosol generation substance is first identified, and then, a suitable atomization mode matching the identified aerosol generation substance is determined. There are various ways of identifying the aerosol generation substance, and one of such ways of identification is optical identification (OID).

[0004] In a process of product development, the inventor learned that, after a period of operation for an atomization device, condensate, aerosol and the likes generated during atomization cause burring and contaminants on an OID light path, leading to reduced identification rate and lowered accuracy, which affect the experience of use for users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] To solve the above-discussed problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides an atomization device. The atomization device effectively reduces the influence of condensate, aerosol, and the likes on an OID light path and enhances OID identification rate and accuracy.

[0006] An embodiment of the application provides an atomization device, which comprises a device body and an atomization assembly. The atomization assembly is arranged in the device body. The atomization device comprises a receiving chamber. The receiving chamber receives an aerosol generation substance therein. The atomization device further comprises a collector and a light-transmitting member. The collector and the light-transmitting member are mounted in the device body. The light-transmitting member is arranged at one end of the atomization assembly in the axial direction, and the light-transmitting member is located between the receiving chamber and the collector.

[0007] The atomization device provided in the embodiment of the application comprises the device body and the atomization assembly, and the atomization assembly is arranged in the device body. The atomization assembly is operable to atomize the aerosol generation substance. The aerosol generation substance is received in the receiving chamber of the atomization device. On such a basis, the atomization device further comprises the collector and the light-transmitting member, and the collector and the light-transmitting member are mounted in the device body, wherein the light-transmitting member is located at one end of the atomization assembly in the axial direction, and the light-transmitting member is located between the receiving chamber and the collector, meaning the light-transmitting member is located between the aerosol generation substance in the receiving chamber and the collector. Since it is hard for aerosol to permeate into the light-transmitting member, light propagating in the light-transmitting member is not readily affected by the aerosol. The influence of the aerosol on the light path is thus reduced to thereby effectively lower the influence of condensate and aerosol on the OID light path to help the collector to acquire clear and accurate characterization information of the aerosol generation substance thereby enhancing the OID identification rate and accuracy.

[0008] In a feasible way of embodiment of the application, the atomization assembly comprises an inner wall that forms the receiving chamber, and the light-transmitting member comprises a first surface, and the first surface is located on the extended plane of the structural surface on which the inner wall is located. In such an arrangement, the first surface of the light-transmitting member becomes a portion of the inner wall of the receiving chamber and is set closer to the aerosol generation substance in the receiving space to reduce the gap between the light-transmitting member and the aerosol generation substance thereby making it hard for the aerosol to get into such a gap and reducing the influence of the aerosol on OID.

[0009] In a feasible way of embodiment of the application, the atomization assembly comprises an inner wall that forms the receiving chamber, and the light-transmitting member comprises a first surface, and the first surface is parallel to the extended plane of the structural surface on which the inner wall is located. In such an arrangement, the first surface of the light-transmitting member is protruded with respect to the inner wall of the receiving chamber and is set closer to the aerosol generation substance in the receiving space to reduce the gap between the light-transmitting member and the aerosol generation substance thereby making it hard for the aerosol to get into such a gap and reducing the influence of the aerosol on OID.

[0010] In a feasible way of embodiment of the application, a light emitter is further included and light emitting from the light emitter is at least partly between the receiving chamber and the collector. In such an arrangement, when the environmental lighting is insufficient, the light emitting from the light emitter irradiates the aerosol generation substance and is reflected by the aerosol generation substance toward the collector to thereby transmit the characterization information of the aerosol generation substance to the collector, thereby enhancing the identification rate and accuracy of the collector in a weak light environment and expanding the application scenarios for the atomization device.

[0011] In a feasible way of embodiment of the application, the light-transmitting member further comprises a second surface facing the collector, and the second surface is a flat plane, and the second surface comprises a first portion adjacent to the collector and a second portion adjacent to the light emitter, and the second surface is arranged oblique with respect to the first surface, and the spacing distance between the second portion and the first surface is greater than the spacing distance between the first portion and the first surface. In such an arrangement, when the light emitting from the light emitter is reflected outside the field-of-view range of the collector by the second surface, the reflected light may pass through the collector, yet the reflection point is outside the field of view and thus does not affect the collector, and when the light is reflected within the field-of-view range of the collector by the second surface, the reflected light does not pass through the collector, so as to reduce the influence of the reflected light from the second surface on the collector.

[0012] In a feasible way of embodiment of the application, the light-transmitting member further comprises a second surface facing the collector, and the second surface is an arc, and the second surface is concavely formed on the light-transmitting member, and the center of the second surface is aligned with the collector. In such an arrangement, when the light emitting from the light emitter is reflected on the second surface, the reflection normal line passes through the collector, and the reflection light and the incident light are symmetric about the reflection normal line, meaning the reflection light is shifted, in position, from the collector, and thus, the interference of the reflected light of the second surface with the collector is reduced.

[0013] In a feasible way of embodiment of the application, the device body further comprises a sealed compartment, and at least a portion of the surface of the light-transmitting member forms a portion of the compartment wall of the sealed compartment, and the collector and the light-transmitting member are arranged in the sealed compartment. In such an arrangement, the sealed compartment blocks the aerosol to prevent the aerosol from entering between the light-transmitting member and the collector, so as to reduce the influence of the aerosol on the light path between the light-transmitting member and the collector to further enhance the identification rate and accuracy of the collector.

[0014] In a feasible way of embodiment of the application, the sealed compartment and the receiving chamber are respectively arranged at two opposite sides of the light-transmitting member, and the diametric size of the sealed compartment is gradually reduced in the direction away from the receiving chamber, and the sealed compartment is extended in a stepped fashion in a direction away from the receiving chamber. In such an arrangement, the end of the sealed compartment on which the collector is arranged is relatively small, and the reflection light of the light emitter on the compartment wall of the sealed compartment is directed away from the collector, reducing the interference of light with the collector, and the stepped fashion arrangement makes the reflection normal line away from the collector, to thereby have the emitting light reflected in the direction away from the collector at a greater probability to thereby further reduce the interference of the compartment wall reflection light with the collector.

[0015] An embodiment of the application further provides an atomization system, which comprises the atomization device described above and an aerosol generation substance comprising an effective identification mark;, a size of the first surface conforms to:

[0016] wherein L is the size of the first surface in the circumference direction of the atomization assembly; and X is the size of a single effective identification mark in the circumference direction of the atomization assembly, wherein the effective identification mark is arranged for acquisition and collection by the collector. In such an arrangement, the width of the first surface, which is the width of the window of the collector in the first surface is at least the width of two effective identification marks, so that even if the effective identification marks are not in alignment with the collector, the collector can acquire and collect at least one effective identification mark to acquire the characterization information of the aerosol generation substance, reducing the influence of the effect of identification for the effective identification mark facing toward the collector during the deposition of the aerosol generation substance into the receiving chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] 

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, in a sectioned form, showing an atomization device according to an embodiment of the application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing positions of a light-transmitting member and an atomization assembly in an atomization device according to an embodiment of the application;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing positions of a light-transmitting member and a receiving chamber in an atomization device according to an embodiment of the application;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a first surface of an atomization device according to an embodiment of the application located on the extended plane of the structural surface on which an inner wall is located;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a first surface of an atomization device according to an embodiment of the application parallel to the structural surface on which an inner wall is located;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing positions of a light-transmitting member and an aerosol generation substance in an atomization device according to an embodiment of the application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a structure of a marking zone on an aerosol generation substance according to an embodiment of the application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing assisting light being reflected by a second surface to generate a high brightness light spot in an atomization device according to an embodiment of the application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing assisting light being reflected by a first surface to generate a high brightness light spot in an atomization device according to an embodiment of the application;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a light path for assisting light reflected by a second surface in an atomization device of an embodiment of the application in case that the second surface is an arc;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a light path for assisting light reflected by a first surface in an atomization device of an embodiment of the application in case that the second surface is an arc;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a light path for assisting light reflected by a second surface in an atomization device of an embodiment of the application in case that the second surface is a flat plane;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a light path for assisting light reflected by a first surface in an atomization device of an embodiment of the application in case that the second surface is a flat plane;

FIG. 14 shows an image collected by a collector for a light-transmitting member being spaced from an aerosol generation substance by 3mm;

FIG. 15 shows an image collected by a collector for a light-transmitting member being spaced from an aerosol generation substance by 3mm, with the presence of aerosol;

FIG. 16 shows an image collected by a collector for a light-transmitting member being spaced from an aerosol generation substance by 3mm, with the presence of aerosol condensate drops;

FIG. 17 shows an image with high brightness light spot collected by the collector; and

FIG. 18 shows an image collected by a collector with a light-transmitting member set in contact engagement with an aerosol generation substance according to an embodiment of the application.

List of Reference Signs:

[0018] 1, device body; 11, housing; 111, receiving chamber; 112, sealed compartment; 2, atomization assembly; 21, inner wall; 3, collector; 31, lens center; 32, field-of-view boundary; 4, light-transmitting member; 41, first surface; 42, second surface; 5, light emitter; 51, assisting light; 52, light source center; 6, light filter; 7, aerosol generation substance; 71, marking zone; 711, effective identification mark; 712, center line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0019] To better expound the objectives, the technical solution, and the advantages of an embodiment of the application, a detailed description of a specific technical solution of the application will be provided below, with reference to the drawings of the embodiment of the application. The embodiment provided below is only for illustrating the application and is not intended to limit the scope of the application.

[0020] In the embodiment of the application, terms, such as "first" and "second", as used herein are adopted only the purposes of description and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly suggesting the quantity of a technical feature indicated thereby. Thus, the features that are held with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly suggest one or more such features are included. In the description of the embodiment of the application, "multiple" means two or more than two, unless otherwise described.

[0021] Further, in the embodiment of the application, directional terms, such as "up", "down", "left", and "right", as used herein are defined as being set relative to the direction in which a part is shown in a drawing, and it is appreciated that such directional terms carry only relative concepts and they are used for description and clarification, and modification may be possibly made in a manner corresponding to the direction of the part set in the drawing.

[0022] In the embodiment of the application, unless otherwise explicitly specified or constrained, terms, "connection", as used herein should be interpreted in a broad sense. For example, "connection" can be fixedly connected, or can be detachably connected, or can be formed integrally; or can be directly connected or connected with an intermediate medium therebetween.

[0023] In the embodiment of the application, terms, such as "comprise" and "include" or any other variations thereof, as used herein are intended to indicate containing, in an exclusive way, such that a process, a method, an article, or a device that consists of a series of element not only include such elements, but also includes other elements that are not explicitly listed, or includes inherent elements to such a process, method, article, or device. Without being further constrains, constraining an element with the phrase "comprising one ..." does not exclude that additional similar elements may be present in the process, method, article, or device including such an element.

[0024] In the embodiment of the application, terms, such as "illustrative" or "for example", as used herein indicates being provided as an example, illustration or explanation. In the embodiment of the application, any embodiment or design solution that is described as being "illustrative" or "for example" should not be interpreted as being better than or superior to other embodiments or design solutions. Specifically, the use of the terms "illustrative" or "for example" aims to provide a concrete representation of an abstract idea.

[0025] An embodiment of the application provides an atomization device. The atomization device is configured for heating an aerosol generation substance to generate an aerosol to be used by a user. Further, the atomization device is capable of identifying characterization information of the aerosol generation substance by means of optical identification (OID). Specifically, the characterization information is provided in the form of two-dimensional code or dot matrix arranged on a marking zone of the aerosol generation substance. An embodiment of the application further provides an atomization system which comprises the atomization device and the aerosol generation substance.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the atomization device provided in the embodiment of the application comprises a device body 1 and an atomization assembly 2. The atomization assembly 2 is mounted in the device body 1. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the atomization device includes a receiving chamber 111 which is configured to receive an aerosol generation substance 7 therein. The atomization device further comprises a collector 3 and a light-transmitting member 4. The collector 3 and the light-transmitting member 4 are arranged in the device body 1, wherein the light-transmitting member 4 is arranged at one end of the atomization assembly 2 in the axial direction, and the light-transmitting member 4 is located between the receiving chamber 111 and the collector 3.

[0027] The atomization assembly 2 is configured to atomize the aerosol generation substance 7, making it generate an aerosol. The aerosol generation substance 7 is received in the receiving chamber 111 of the atomization device. The light-transmitting member 4 is arranged at one end of the atomization assembly 2 in the axial direction, and the light-transmitting member 4 is located between the receiving chamber 111 and the collector 3, meaning the light-transmitting member 4 is located between the aerosol generation substance 7 in the receiving chamber 111 and the collector 3. Since it is hard for the aerosol to permeate into the light-transmitting member 4, light propagating in the light-transmitting member 4 is not readily affected by the aerosol. The influence of the aerosol on the light path is thus reduced, so as to reduce the influence of condensate, the aerosol, and the likes on the OID light path, allowing the collector 3 to acquire clear and accurate characterization information of the aerosol generation substance 7, thereby enhancing the OID identification rate and accuracy.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, specifically, the device body 1 comprises a housing 11, an electrical power source, a control module, and the likes. The receiving chamber 111 is formed in the housing 11, and the receiving chamber 111 is in communication with outside of the housing 11, wherein the contour of the receiving chamber 111 can be similar to the contour of the aerosol generation substance 7 in order to fix the aerosol generation substance 7 in position. It is also feasible to provide a frame in the receiving chamber 111 to fix the aerosol generation substance 7 in position. The atomization assembly 2 comprises an inner wall 21 that forms a portion of the receiving chamber 111. The aerosol generation substance 7, when deposited into the receiving chamber 111, has one end located in the inner wall 21 of the atomization assembly 2 to be heated and baked, and thus atomized by the atomization assembly 2 and the other end corresponding, in position, to the light-transmitting member 4.

[0029] Further, the electrical power source, the control module, the collector 3, and the light-transmitting member 4 are all arranged in the interior of the housing 11, and the electrical power source is in electrical connection with the atomization assembly 2, the control module, and the collector 3 to supply electrical power to the atomization assembly 2 and the control module and the collector 3.

[0030] On such a basis, the atomization assembly 2 and the collector 3 are both electrically connected with the control module and the control module is configured to control activation/deactivation, heating temperature, and heating time of the atomization assembly 2. The collector 3 is configured to carry out optical sampling for the aerosol generation substance 7 deposited into the receiving chamber 111 to collect and acquire the characterization information of the aerosol generation substance 7 and to transmit the characterization information to the control module to allow the control module to determine the type of the aerosol generation substance 7. Based on the result of determination, the control module sets up different heating strategies for different types of the aerosol generation substance 7, such as the interval of heating time and the level of heating temperature, and accordingly controls the parameters of heating time and heating temperature of the atomization assembly 2, so as to provide each type of the aerosol generation substance 7 with the best performance of use for enhancing the user's experience.

[0031] Optionally, the control module can be internally loaded with heating procedures for various atomization media. The control module may further comprise other man-machine interaction assembly, such as a display screen and an indicator light to display information, such as device activation/deactivation, heating status, and electricity capacity, to the user, or such as switch button, knob, touch screen, and fingerprint recognizer to allow the user to carry out operation control of the atomization device.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the light-transmitting member 4 comprises a first surface 41 that is distant from the collector 3. When condensate induced by atomization attaches to the first surface 41, due to the effect that liquid drops change the propagation of light, it may result that the collector 3 does not acquire a target image or an acquired target image is inaccurate, eventually affecting the final result of identification. To solve such a problem, the present invention proposes a solution in which the first surface 41 is arranged as close to the aerosol generation substance 7 deposited in the receiving chamber 111 as possible, so that even there are liquid drops accumulated on the first surface 41, due to the first surface 41 being set in contact engagement with the aerosol generation substance 7, the liquid drops may be squeezed out to thereby lower the lens effect of the liquid drops and thus lowering the effect of the liquid drops on the propagation of light to thereby make the probability of acquiring a target image by the sampler 3 higher and the acquired target image more accurate. In order to have the first surface 41 as close to the receiving chamber 111 as possible, there are various options for the position the first surface 41 relative to the inner wall 21 of the atomization assembly 2.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 4, in a feasible way of embodiment of the application, the first surface 41 is arranged to locate on the extended plane of the structural surface on which the inner wall 21 is located. The first surface 41 of the light-transmitting member 4 becomes a part of the inner wall 21 of the receiving chamber 111 and is closer to the aerosol generation substance 7 in the receiving space to reduce the gap between the light-transmitting member 4 and the aerosol generation substance 7. Particularly, in case that the aerosol generation substance 7 has a contour similar to that of the inner wall 21 of the receiving chamber 111, the first surface 41 can be set in snug contact engagement with the aerosol generation substance 7 to reduce the likelihood of the aerosol generated between the light-transmitting member 4 and the aerosol generation substance 7 and also to effectively reduce liquid drops formed through condensation of the aerosol on the light-transmitting member 4 to thereby reduce the influence of the aerosol on OID.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 5, in another feasible way of embodiment of the application, the first surface 41 and the extended plane of the structural surface on which the inner wall 21 are located are parallel to each other. In other words, the first surface 41 may be protruded or recessed relative to the inner wall 21. For being protruded beyond the inner wall 21 of the receiving chamber 111, the first surface 41 of the light-transmitting member 4 is made closer to the aerosol generation substance 7 in the receiving space, and the gap between the light-transmitting member 4 and the aerosol generation substance 7 is reduced to make it difficult for the aerosol to get into such a gap. Particularly, in case that the first surface 41 is placed in contact engagement with the aerosol generation substance 7, it is possible to reduce the aerosol generated between the light-transmitting member 4 and the aerosol generation substance 7 to effectively reduce the liquid drops of the aerosol condense on the light-transmitting member 4 to thereby reduce the influence of the aerosol on OID.

[0035] It is noted that when being deposited into the receiving chamber 111, the aerosol generation substance 7 may first passes through the light-transmitting member 4 and then passes the atomization assembly 2, namely the light-transmitting member 4 is closer to the site where the receiving chamber 111 communicates with the outside than the atomization assembly 2 is. Alternatively, the aerosol generation substance 7 may first pass the atomization assembly 2 to then pass through the light-transmitting member 4, namely the atomization assembly 2 is closer to the site where the receiving chamber 111 communicates with the outside than the light-transmitting member 4 is.

[0036] Optionally, in case that the light-transmitting member 4 is closer to the site where the receiving chamber 111 communicates with the outside than the atomization assembly 2 is, the aerosol generation substance 7 first passes the light-transmitting member 4 to have the characterization information acquired by the collector 3, and then moves into the atomization assembly 2 to be heated and atomized. Such an arrangement helps reduce mutual interference between the collector 3 and the atomization assembly 2, so as to reduce the influence of the high temperature of the atomization assembly 2 on the collector 3, and also to make the atomization assembly 2 enclosed relative to the collector 3 to allow the aerosol generated through heating to flow out along a preset path to be used by the user.

[0037] Further, the receiving chamber 111 can be feasibly embodied in various forms. For example, the receiving chamber 111 may be opened as a through hole formed in the housing 11 and having both two ends that both allow the aerosol generation substance 7 to penetrate. In an alternative example, the receiving chamber 111 may be opened as a receiving hole formed in the housing 11 and having one end closed and another end open.

[0038] It is noted that the application does not make any limitation to the form of a carrier carrying the characterization information. For example, the carrier of the characterization information can be light of different colors, such as red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and violet, and different types of the aerosol generation substance 7 reflects light of different colors. In an alternative example, the carrier of the characterization information can be patterns of triangle, quadrilateral, and circular shapes, and the aerosol generation substance 7 is provided with a pattern formed of a graph or a combination of multiple graphs, so that different types of the aerosol generation substance 7 include different patterns. In a further alternative example, the carrier of the characterization information is formed of a material of the aerosol generation substance 7, and can be of different effects of light reflection achieved with different substances, such as metal, plastics, and paper, or different effects of light reflection achieved with different levels of surface roughness, such as a sanded surface or a highly-polished surface.

[0039] On such a basis, various ways, such as printing, paint spraying, engraving, sticker, can be adopted to realize such features of color, shape, and material on the aerosol generation substance 7. Such features can be entirely arranged on the surface of the aerosol generation substance 7, or can alternatively arranged on a local area of the aerosol generation substance 7. Optionally, a marking zone 71 is arranged on the aerosol generation substance 7. The marking zone 71 can be in the form of a two-dimensional code or a dot matrix, such as a code of 10×3 dot matrix shown in FIG. 7. The two-dimensional code or dot matrix may store and carry more information and may record anti-counterfeit data or factory shipping data for realizing anti-counterfeiting and data tracking.

[0040] Correspondingly, the collector 3 can be a color transducer, a laser range-finding transducer, or a camera, or any transducer that is capable of acquiring and collecting one or multiple types of the characterization information.

[0041] Further, various options are available for the material making the light-transmitting member 4, such as glass, quartz, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, and the application does not make any limitation thereto.

[0042] To make the first surface 41 in snugger contact engagement with the aerosol generation substance 7, the first surface 41 can be of various forms. For example, the first surface 41 can be a flat plane, which is applicable to a rectangular parallelepiped configuration of the aerosol generation substance 7, or an end face of a columnar form of the aerosol generation substance 7. In an alternative example, the first surface 41 is a curved surface, which is applicable to a cylindrical configuration of the aerosol generation substance 7.

[0043] Further, in the application, the snug contact engagement between the first surface 41 and the aerosol generation substance 7 only needs to satisfy the requirement that the aerosol generated by the aerosol generation substance 7 does not affect the accuracy of identification performed with the collector 3. For example, the spacing distance between the first surface 41 and the aerosol generation substance 7 being less than or equal to 1mm suffices to realize the above requirement, and the smaller the spacing distance is, the better the effect of preventing the invasion of the aerosol therein will be.

[0044] To further reduce the influence of the aerosol on the light path, a gas-tight arrangement may be adopted between the light-transmitting member 4 and the collector 3, so that an excellent light passage may be formed between the light-transmitting member 4 and the collector 3. Further, the air-tight arrangement between the light-transmitting member 4 and the collector 3 also helps prevent the invasion of external dusts to further reduce the influence of environmental factors on the collector 3.

[0045] It is noted that regarding the air-tight arrangement between the light-transmitting member 4 and the collector 3, there are various ways of implementation. For example, one side of the light-transmitting member 4 that faces the collector 3 is positioned in contact engagement with the collector 3, such that it is hard for the aerosol to invade between the light-transmitting member 4 and the collector 3; or alternatively, an air-tight element is arranged between the light-transmitting member 4 and the collector 3 to isolate the light passage between the two from the outside. The application does not make any constraint to this.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in a feasible way of embodiment of the application, the housing 11 further comprises a sealed compartment 112, and at least a portion of the surface of the light-transmitting member 4 defines a portion of a compartment wall of the sealed compartment 112 in order to isolate and air-tightly seal the receiving chamber 111 and the sealed compartment 112. The collector 3 and the light-transmitting member 4 are both located in the interior of the sealed compartment 112. The sealed compartment 112 is air-tightly isolated from the receiving chamber 111 in order to realize an excellent effect of isolating the aerosol and to effectively reduce invasion of the aerosol or dusts into the sealed compartment 112. The collector 3 and the light-transmitting member 4 are arranged in the interior of the sealed compartment 112 so as to have an excellent light transmission environment to enhance the OlD identification rate and accuracy.

[0047] Specifically, the light-transmitting member 4 is arranged between the receiving chamber 111 and the sealed compartment 112, meaning the sealed compartment 112 and the receiving chamber 111 are respectively located at two opposite sides of the light-transmitting member 4, so as to have the sealed compartment 112 and the receiving chamber 111 air-tightly isolated from each other. Using the light-transmitting member 4 to achieve air-tight sealing ensures that the light-transmitting member 4 is set closer to the aerosol generation substance 7 and is positionable in contact engagement with the aerosol generation substance 7, and also achieve the effect of isolation and air-tight sealing of the sealed compartment 112 with respect to the receiving chamber 111.

[0048] It is noted that the application does not impose any constraint to the position of the sealed compartment 112. For example, the sealed compartment 112 and the receiving chamber 111 are arranged in a coaxial manner in the direction in which the aerosol generation substance 7 is insertable into the receiving chamber 111. The sealed compartment 112 is located at an end of the receiving chamber 111, and the collector 3 operates to acquire or collect the characterization information arranged on an end face of the aerosol generation substance 7. The axial direction of the sealed compartment 112, which is a direction of extension thereof, is consistent with the axial direction of the receiving chamber 111.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, in a feasible way of embodiment of the application, the sealed compartment 112 is arranged on a periphery of the receiving chamber 111, meaning in the moving direction of the aerosol generation substance 7. The sealed compartment 112 is arranged to be perpendicular to the direction in which the aerosol generation substance 7 is inserted into the receiving chamber 111, and the collector 3 acquires and collects the characterization information arranged on the circumference of the aerosol generation substance 7. The axial direction of the sealed compartment 112 corresponds to the radial direction of the receiving chamber 111.

[0050] To ease the description, a first direction, a second direction, and a reference plane are defined. The first direction is parallel to the first surface 41, and it is noted that in case that the first surface 41 is a flat plane, the first direction is any direction that is parallel to the first surface 41, and in case that the first surface 41 is a cylindrical surface, the first direction is the direction of the central axis of the cylindrical surface; the reference plane is a plane on which a light source center 52 of a light emitter 5, a lens center 31 of the collector 3, and the center of the light-transmitting member 4 are located; the second direction is arranged perpendicular to the first direction on the reference plane. Further, the collector 3 further has a field-of-view range, and the field-of-view range is defined by a conic area surrounded by a field-of-view boundary 32 shown in FIGS. 8-13. Light entering the field-of-view range will be acquired and collected by the collector 3.

[0051] It is noted that in case that the aerosol generation substance 7 is of a columnar form, the marking zone 71 is generally arranged circumferentially along the circumference of the aerosol generation substance 7, and when the aerosol generation substance 7 is inserted into the receiving chamber 111, the marking zone that is on the side facing the collector 3 is hard to determined. In order to allow the collector 3 to carry out identification from different angle with respect to the aerosol generation substance 7, the size of the first surface 41 is made matching the marking zone 71 of the aerosol generation substance 7, meaning the window of the collector 3 in the first surface 41 should have a width that corresponds, in size, to the marking zone 71 of the aerosol generation substance 7.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 7, taking a dot matrix marking zone 71 of a single effective identification mark 711 having a size that is X∗X (in which X≤3mm) as an example, the size of the first surface 41 of the light-transmitting member 4 conforms to:


wherein L is the size of the first surface 41 measured in the circumference direction of the atomization assembly; and X is the size of a single effective identification mark 711 on the aerosol generation substance 7 in the circumference direction of the atomization assembly, wherein the effective identification mark 711 is provided for acquisition and collection by the collector.

[0053] Further, a spreading length of the marking zone 71 is S≥6∗X, wherein the spreading length of the marking zone 71 is the length of the marking zone 71, which is arranged along the circumference of the aerosol generation substance 7, as being spread up to a planar form in the radial direction of the aerosol generation substance 7.

[0054] Since the width of the window of the collector 3 on the first surface 41 is greater than twice of the size of a single effective identification mark 711 of the aerosol generation substance 7, when an object to be identified is inserted into the receiving chamber, at least one complete effective identification mark 711 may move into the field-of-view range of the collector 3 to be identified by the collector 3, and thus the identification rate is enhanced, and there is no need to limit the direction of the effective identification mark 711 on the aerosol generation substance 7, thereby easing the use of the atomization device of the application.

[0055] Correspondingly, the window height B≥H, and height of the marking zone 71 H≥X, so that when the aerosol generation substance 7 is held in position in the receiving chamber 111, the marking zone 71 can be completely acquired and collected by the collector 3, wherein the window height is the size of the sealed compartment 112 in the first direction, and the height of the marking zone 71 is the size of the marking zone 71 in the first direction.

[0056] Correspondingly, it is feasible to arrange multiple different effective identification marks 711 in the axial direction of the aerosol generation substance 7, so as to provide a reference for the collector 3 to determine the insertion depth of the aerosol generation substance 7. Through relating the identified effective identification mark 711 to a preset depth value, the collector 3 may determine the current insertion depth of the aerosol generation substance 7. Further, the center line 712 of the effective identification marks 711 in the lowermost row of the marking zone 71 should in line with the lens center 31 of the collector 3.

[0057] Further, in the application, the sealed compartment 112 can be of a structure of constant radius or a structure of variable radius. The compartment wall of the sealed compartment 112 can be smooth or can alternatively be one that includes ridges. The application does not make any constraint to this.

[0058] To provide a better field of view to the collector 3, referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, in a feasible way of embodiment of the application, the sealed compartment 112 has a diametric size that is gradually reduced in the direction away from the receiving chamber 111, meaning the sealed compartment 112 is of a horn like configuration having a relatively small diametric size at one end on which the collector 3 is arranged and a relatively large diametric size at one end that is adjacent to the receiving chamber 111.

[0059] On such a basis, to reduce the influence caused by light reflection on the acquisition and collection of the characterization information by the collector 3, referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and, 6, in a feasible way of embodiment of the application, the sealed compartment 112 is extended in a stepped form in the direction away from the receiving chamber 111, and the inner wall of the sealed compartment 112 is reduced in a stepped fashion, so that the light irradiating on the inner wall of the sealed compartment 112 has a greater possibility of being reflected in the direction toward the opening of the sealed compartment 112 and thus reducing interfering light that is reflected by the inner wall of the sealed compartment 112 into the field-of-view range of the collector 3, so as to enhance the identification rate and accuracy of OID .

[0060] It is noted that the atomization device of the application, when used, may use environmental lighting, such as sun light and interior lighting; or the light generated by the aerosol generation substance 7 can be used, such as a fluorescent coating layer; or, for example, a dedicated light source may be arranged.

[0061] To provide sufficient illumination to allow the collector 3 to acquire and collect the characterization information at a superior level of brightness, referring to FIGS. 3 and 10, in a feasible way of embodiment of the application, the atomization device further comprises a light emitter 5, and light emitting from the light emitter 5 is at least partly between the receiving chamber 111 and the collector 3, meaning the light emitter 5 generates assisting light 51, and the assisting light 51 may be reflected by the aerosol generation substance 7 received in the receiving chamber 111 to carry the characterization information to be acquired and collected by the collector 3.

[0062] In such an arrangement, the light emitter 5 can be made in various forms. For example, the light emitter 5 can be a fluorescent light or a light-emitting diode (LED) light to emit visible light; or in a further example, the light emitter 5 can be an ultraviolet lamp or an infrared lamp that emits corresponding ultraviolet light or infrared light. It only needs to satisfy that the assisting light 51 is reflected by the aerosol generation substance 7 to be acquired and collected by the collector 3. Optionally, the application uses an LED light source that emit infrared light to serve as the light emitter 5.

[0063] Further, the application does not make any constraint to the position of the light emitter 5, and it only needs to ensure that the assisting light 51 emitting from the light emitter 5 may eventually fall into the field-of-view range of the collector 3.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 8-13, in a feasible way of embodiment of the application, the light source center 52 of the light emitter 5 and the lens center 31 of the collector 3 are sequentially arranged in the first direction. On such a basis, the light-transmitting member 4 further comprises a second surface 42 facing the collector 3. The assisting light 51 emitting from the light emitter 5, after being reflected by the first surface 41 or the second surface 42 of the light-transmitting member 4, may get into the field-of-view range of the collector 3 and forms a light spot of high brightness on an image of the aerosol generation substance 7 acquired and collected by the collector 3, affecting the effect of identification.

[0065] Specifically, referring to FIG. 8, when the assisting light 51 emitting from the light emitter 5 irradiates point A of the second surface 42, a portion of the light is reflected by the second surface 42. Point A is located in the field-of-view range of the collector 3, and when the reflection normal line of the reflected light at point A passes through the middle point M of the connection line between the light source center 52 and the lens center 31, a high brightness light spot will be formed on the image acquired and collected by the collector 3, wherein the reflection normal line at point A refers to the reference line passing through point A and perpendicular to the second surface 42 (which is the phantom line passing through point A in FIG. 8).

[0066] Referring to FIG. 9, when the assisting light 51 emitting from the light emitter 5 passes through the second surface 42 at point X, since the second surface 42 is a solid-gas interface, refraction occurs. The refracted light, upon reaching point Z of the first surface 41, is partly reflected by the first surface 41, and the reflected light eventually reaches point Y of the second surface 42. Point Y is located within the field-of-view range of the collector 3, and when the reflection normal line at point Z passes through the middle point N of the connection line between point X and point Y, a high brightness light spot will be formed on the image acquired and collected by the collector 3, wherein the reflection normal line at point Z refers to the reference line passing through point Z and perpendicular to the first surface 41 (which is the phantom line passing through point Z in FIG. 9).

[0067] To prevent the reflection light of the assisting light 51 reflected by the light-transmitting member 4 from interfering with the operation of the collector 3, referring to FIGS. 10-13, on the reference plane, the extension direction of the second surface 42 is set at an angle with respect to the first direction, so that the assisting light 51, after being reflected by the light-transmitting member 4, demonstrates position shifting with respect to the light source center 52 of the light emitter 5.

[0068] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, in a feasible way of embodiment of the application, the second surface 42 is an arc, and the second surface 42 is formed, in a concave manner, on the light-transmitting member 4. The center of curvature of the second surface 42 is aligned with the lens center 31 of the collector 3. Optionally, the center of curvature of the second surface 42 is coincident with the lens center 31, and such an arrangement allows the reflection normal line of the assisting light 51 on the second surface 42 (such as point A of FIG. 10) to pass through the lens center 31, and the incident line and the reflection line are symmetric about the reflection normal line, and consequently, preventing the reflection light from passing through the lens center 31; Further, since the second surface 42 is of an arc arrangement, the reflection normal line of the assisting light 51 on the first surface 41 is also shifted from the middle point N of the connection line between point X and point Y, so that the light, after being refracted at point Y, is shifted, in position, from the lens center 31, thereby solving the problem of high brightness light spot occurring on the image acquired and collected by the collector 3, wherein the second surface 42 can be a cylindrical or spherical surface.

[0069] On such a basis, to reduce distortion of the image acquired and collected by the collector 3 to ease image processing, optionally, in a feasible way of embodiment of the application, the second surface 42 is a spherical surface, and a spherical center of the second surface 42 is coincident with the lens center 31.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, in another feasible way of embodiment of the application, the second surface 42 is a flat plane, and the second surface 42 comprises a first portion that is adjacent to the collector 3 and a second portion that is adjacent to the light emitter 5. The second surface 42 is arranged oblique with respect to the first surface 41, and the spacing distance between the second portion and the first surface 41 is greater than the spacing distance between the first portion and the first surface 41. In other words, on the reference plane, the second surface 42 is set at an acute angle with respect to the first direction, and the distance between the second surface 42 and the lens center 31 in the second direction is greater than the distance of the second surface 42 and the light source center 52 in the second direction.

[0071] With such an arrangement, when reflection of the assisting light 51 by the second surface 42 occurs at point A, although point A is located within the field-of-view range of the collector 3, the reflection normal line at point A passes through the lens center 31, and similar to the second surface 42 of arc form described above, the reflection light is thus shifted, in position, from the lens center 31, and although the light that is reflection of the assisting light 51 at point B passes through the lens center 31, yet point B is outside the field-of-view range of the collector 3, so as not to be acquired and collected by the collector 3, and further, the reflection normal line at point Z is also shifted away from the middle N of the connection line between point X and point Y to thereby make the light refracted at point Y shifting, in position, from the lens center 31, so as to solve the problem of high brightness light spot occurring on an image.

[0072] The included angle between the second surface 42 and the first direction can be of any value from 5 degrees to 85 degrees, and specifically, adjustment can be made according to the window length. Optionally, in a feasible way of embodiment of the application, the included angle is 11 degrees.

[0073] Further, to reduce the influence of the environmental lighting on the collector 3, referring to FIG. 3, in a feasible way of embodiment of the application, a light filter 6 is further included. The light filter 6 is arranged between the collector 3 and the aerosol generation substance 7, and the light filter 6 allows only light in the wavelength range of the assisting light 51 to pass.

[0074] The light filter 6 may filter out light that is outside the wavelength range of the assisting light 51. It is noted that the wavelength range referred to herein is not an absolute range and is only an approximate range. For example, in case that the light emitter 5 emits infrared light, and the infrared light wavelength range is 750mm-850mm, then the light filter 6 may filter out light outside the wavelength range of 740mm-860mm.

[0075] Further, the light filter 6 can be arranged as a separate element or can alternatively be the light-transmitting member 4 itself, such as the light-transmitting member 4 being made of a light filtering material or the light-transmitting member 4 provided with a light filtering coating layer.

[0076] To simplify the description of the efficacy of the application, the application provides images acquired and collected by the collector 3 for reference. Referring to FIG. 14, an image acquired for the distance between the light-transmitting member 4 and the aerosol generation substance 7 being 3mm is provided; referring to FIG. 15, an image acquired for the distance between the light-transmitting member 4 and the aerosol generation substance 7 being 3mm, with the presence of aerosol, is provided; referring to FIG. 16, an image acquired for the distance between the light-transmitting member 4 and the aerosol generation substance 7 being 3mm, with presence of drops of condensate of aerosol, is provided; referring to FIG 17, an image having a high brightness light spot formed thereon is provided; referring to FIG. 18, an image in which the light-transmitting member 4 and the aerosol generation substance 7 are in contact engagement with each other and no high brightness light spot is present is provided.

[0077] The sequence of the above-discussed embodiments of the application is adopted for illustration purposes and does not indicate the superiority of any embodiment. The above provides only the preferred embodiments of the application and does not intend to limit the scope of the claims of the application. Equivalent structure of equivalent variations of flow based on the contents of the description and the drawings of the application, or direct or indirect application thereof to other related field of technology, are all considered included in the scope of protection of the claims of the application.

Claims

1. An atomization device, comprising a device body (1) and an atomization assembly (2), wherein the atomization assembly (2) is arranged in the device body (1), and the atomization device comprises a receiving chamber (111) configured for receiving an aerosol generation substance (7) therein, characterized in that the atomization device further comprises:

a collector (3) and a light-transmitting member (4) which are mounted in the device body (1);

wherein the light-transmitting member (4) is located at one end of the atomization assembly (2) in the axial direction of the atomization assembly (2), and the light-transmitting member (4) is located between the receiving chamber (111) and the collector (3).

2. The atomization device according to claim 1, characterized in that the atomization assembly (2) comprises an inner wall (21) that forms the receiving chamber (111), and the light-transmitting member (4) comprises a first surface (41) located on the extended plane of the structural surface on which the inner wall (21) is located.

3. The atomization device according to claim 1, characterized in that the atomization assembly (2) comprises the inner wall (21) that forms the receiving chamber (111), and the light-transmitting member (4) comprises a first surface (41) parallel to the extended plane of the structural surface on which the inner wall (21) is located.

4. The atomization device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by further comprising a light emitter (5), wherein light emitting from the light emitter (5) is at least partly between the receiving chamber (111) and the collector (3).

5. The atomization device according to claim 4, characterized in that the light-transmitting member (4) further comprises a second surface (42) facing the collector (3), wherein the second surface (42) is a flat plane, the second surface (42) comprises a first portion adjacent to the collector (3) and a second portion adjacent to the light emitter (5), the second surface (42) is oblique with respect to the first surface (41), and the spacing distance between the second portion and the first surface (41) is greater than the spacing distance between the first portion and the first surface (41).

6. The atomization device according to claim 4, characterized in that the light-transmitting member (4) further comprises a second surface (42) facing the collector (3), wherein the second surface (42) is an arc , the second surface (42) is concavely formed on the light-transmitting member (4), the center of the second surface (42) is aligned with the collector (3).

7. The atomization device according to claim 4, characterized in that the device body (1) further comprises a sealed compartment (112), wherein at least a portion of the surface of the light-transmitting member (4) forms a portion of the compartment wall of the sealed compartment (112), the collector (3) and the light-transmitting member (4) are arranged in the sealed compartment (112).

8. The atomization device according to claim 7, characterized in that the sealed compartment (112) and the receiving chamber (111) are respectively arranged at two opposite sides of the light-transmitting member (4), and the diametric size of the sealed compartment (112) is gradually reduced in the direction away from the receiving chamber (111), and the sealed compartment (112) is extended in a stepped fashion in the direction away from the receiving chamber (111).

9. An atomization system, characterized in that the atomization system comprises: the atomization device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, and an aerosol generation substance (7) comprising an effective identification mark (711);the size of the first surface (41) conforms to:

wherein L is the size of the first surface (41) in the circumference direction of the atomization assembly (2); and X is the size of a single effective identification mark (711) in the circumference direction of the atomization assembly (2).

Drawing