US20260020605A1

US20260020605A1 - Aerosol generating device

Info

Publication number: US20260020605A1
Application number: US18/993,551
Authority: US
Inventors: Jong Sub Lee; Sun Hwan JUNG; Byung Sung CHO
Original assignee: KT&G Corp
Current assignee: KT&G Corp
Priority date: 2022-12-20
Filing date: 2023-11-22
Publication date: 2026-01-22
Also published as: WO2024136168A1; JP2025533552A; CN120282721A; EP4637455A1

Abstract

An aerosol generating device includes an acrosol generator configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating material, and including a storage configured to store an acrosol generating material and an accommodation portion configured to accommodate an aerosol generating article such that the aerosol passes through the aerosol generating article in response to a puff, and a main body detachably coupled to the aerosol generator and including a sensor unit disposed toward the accommodation portion and configured to generate a signal regarding a physical quantity of the accommodation portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating device capable of obtaining accurate information regarding an aerosol generating article.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, the demand for alternative methods for overcoming the shortcomings of general cigarettes has increased.
For example, there is increasing demand for a system for generating aerosols by heating a cigarette or an aerosol generating material by using an aerosol generating device, rather than by burning cigarettes.
Examples of aerosol generating devices include an aerosol generating device in which an aerosol generating article (e.g., cigarette) is used together with a cartridge containing a liquid aerosol generating material. Such an aerosol generating device has a structure in which an aerosol is generated by heating a liquid aerosol generating material and the generated aerosol passes through the aerosol generating article and is inhaled by a user.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

When an aerosol generating article is reused, the quality of an aerosol supplied to a user is low. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a user with information to prevent the user from reusing an aerosol generating article, or when an attempt is made to reuse an aerosol generating article that has already been used, it is required to prevent an aerosol generating device from carrying out an aerosol generation operation.
One or more embodiments provide an aerosol generating device capable of sensitively and accurately detecting a physical quantity regarding an aerosol generating article, in relation to a function of preventing the reuse of an aerosol generating article.
One or more embodiments also provide an aerosol generating device capable of improving the reliability and accuracy of determining whether an aerosol generating article is used or determining a usage cycle.
According to one or more embodiments, damage to a sensor included in an aerosol generating device is prevented, and durability of the sensor is improved.
The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned description, and other technical problems may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the attached drawings.

Solution to Problem

According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating material and including a storage configured to store an aerosol generating material and an accommodation portion configured to accommodate an aerosol generating article such that the aerosol passes through the aerosol generating article in response to a puff, and a main body detachably coupled to the aerosol generator and including a sensor unit disposed toward the accommodation portion and configured to generate a signal regarding a physical quantity of the accommodation portion.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In an aerosol generating device according to one or more embodiments, a sensor unit is disposed toward an accommodation portion which accommodates an aerosol generating article, and thus precisely and accurately senses physical quantities regarding the aerosol generating article.
An aerosol generating device according to one or more embodiments may have improved reliability and accuracy in determining a usage cycle of an aerosol generating article by comparing values of signals provided by at least two sensors.
In an aerosol generating device according to one or more embodiments, damage to a sensor is prevented and durability of a sensor is improved, because an aerosol generating material and a sensor are spatially separated from each other.
The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned description, and other technical problems may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an aerosol generator and an aerosol generating device including the same, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a structure and a function of an aerosol generator included in an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a structure and a function of a main body included in an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken along a line II-II of FIG. 1 , for explaining an arrangement of a sensor of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an arrangement of a sensor of an aerosol generating device, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates an arrangement of a sensor of an aerosol generating device, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a structure of a cigarette that may be removably inserted in an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a structure of a cigarette that may be removably inserted in an aerosol generating device, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Regarding the terms in the various embodiments, the general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of a new technology, and the like.
In addition, in certain cases, terms which can be arbitrarily selected by the applicant in particular cases. In such a case, the meaning of the terms will be described in detail at the corresponding portion in the description of the present disclosure.
Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.
In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements.
In addition, the terms “-er”, “-or”, and “module” described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.
As used herein, hen an expression such as “at least any one” precedes arranged elements, it modifies all elements rather than each arranged element.
For example, the expression “at least any one of a, b, and c” should be construed to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.
In an embodiment, an aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosols by electrically heating an aerosol generating article accommodated in an interior space thereof.
The aerosol generating device may include a heater.
In an embodiment, the heater may be an electro-resistive heater.
For example, the heater may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track.
The heater may include a tube-shaped heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating clement, or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the inside or outside of an aerosol generating article according to the shape of a heating element.
The heater may heat the aerosol generating article itself, or may heat an aerosol generating material separately provided outside the aerosol generating article.
A plurality of heaters may be disposed in the aerosol generating device.
The plurality of heaters may be arranged to be inserted inside the aerosol generating article, or may be placed outside the aerosol generating article.
Additionally, some of the plurality of heaters may be arranged to be inserted into the interior of the aerosol generating article, and others may be disposed outside the aerosol generating article.
An aerosol generating article may include a tobacco rod and a filter rod.
The tobacco rod may be formed of sheets, strands, and tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet.
Also, the tobacco rod may be surrounded by a heat conductive material.
For example, the heat conductive material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil.
The filter rod may include a cellulose acetate filter.
The filter rod may include at least one segment.
For example, the filter rod may include a first segment configured to cool aerosols, and a second segment configured to filter a certain component in aerosols.
In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further include a cradle.
The aerosol generating device may configure a system together with a separate cradle.
For example, the cradle may charge a battery of the aerosol generating device.
Alternatively, the heater may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device are coupled to each other.
Hereinafter, the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily work the present disclosure.
The present disclosure may be implemented in a form that can be implemented in the aerosol generating devices of the various embodiments described above or may be implemented in various different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an aerosol generator and an aerosol generating device including the same, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 1 illustrates components of an aerosol generating device 1, which are related to the present embodiment. Other components than the components illustrated in FIG. 1 may be further included in the aerosol generating device 1.
Referring to FIG. 1 , the aerosol generating device 1 may include an aerosol generator 10 and a main body 20. A controller and a battery may be arranged in the main body 20. The aerosol generator 10 may be referred to as a cartridge.
The aerosol generating device 1 may generate an aerosol by using the aerosol generator 10 storing an aerosol generating material.
Also, an aerosol generating article 30 may be removably inserted into the aerosol generator 10.
The aerosol generating material may be stored in the aerosol generator 10 and provided to an atomizer included in the aerosol generator 10. Accordingly, the aerosol generating material may be aerosolized by the atomizer inside the aerosol generator 10.
In the present specification, the term ‘aerosol’ may refer to particles produced from the mixture of air and vapor generated from a heated aerosol generating material, and the term may be used in the same meaning below. Detailed descriptions regarding other components, such as the atomizer, are provided below.
The aerosol generator 10 may be detachably coupled to the main body 20 while containing the aerosol generating material. However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto, and the aerosol generating material may be injected into the aerosol generator 10 while the aerosol generator 10 is coupled to the main body 20.
The main body 20 may support the aerosol generator 10. In the main body 20, components for an operation of the aerosol generating device 1 may be arranged.
The internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 1 . In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1, the arrangement of the components, such as the aerosol generator 10 and the main body 20, may be changed.
As necessary, the aerosol generating device 1 may operate the aerosol generator 10 even when the aerosol generating article 30 is not inserted into the aerosol generator 10.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a structure and a function of an aerosol generator, according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 illustrates the aerosol generator 10 separated from the main body.
Referring to FIG. 2 , the aerosol generator 10 may include a storage 11 in which an aerosol generating material is stored, an accommodation portion 12, an airflow passage 13, and an atomizer 14, but one or more embodiments are not limited to the structure of FIG. 2 . That is, the arrangement of the storage 11, the accommodation portion 12, the airflow passage 13, and the atomizer 14 may be variously modified.
The aerosol generator 10 may generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 11.
The aerosol generator 10 may contain an aerosol generating material in any one of various states, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, a gel state, or the like.
The aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition.
For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material.
For example, aerosol generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetracthylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but are not limited thereto.
For example, the liquid composition may include a glycerin and propylene glycol solution at an arbitrary weight ratio to which a nicotine salt is added.
The liquid composition may contain two or more nicotine salts.
Nicotine salts can be formed by adding appropriate acids, including organic or inorganic acids, to nicotine.
Nicotine is a naturally occurring nicotine or synthetic nicotine that can have any suitable weight concentration for the total solution weight of the liquid composition.
The acid for the formation of nicotine salts can be appropriately selected in consideration of the blood nicotine absorption rate, the operating temperature, flavor or flavor, and solubility of the aerosol generating device 1.
For example, acids for the formation of nicotine salts may be benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvate, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid, or a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group, but are not limited thereto.
The liquid substance composition may include water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, flavoring agent, or vitamin mixture.
Flavors may include, but are not limited to, menols, peppermints, spiamint oils, and various fruit flavored ingredients.
The flavoring agent may include ingredients capable of providing various flavors or flavors to the user.
The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto.
In addition, the liquid substance composition may include aerosol-forming agents such as glycerin and propylene glycol.
The storage 11 may store a liquid composition. The storage 11 may be detached/attached from/to the aerosol generator 10 and formed integrally with the aerosol generator 10.
As an example of the use of the storage 11 that may be detached/attached from/to the aerosol generator 10, when the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 11 is exhausted, the use may replace the aerosol generator 10 with a new one to continue to smoke.
As another example of the use of the storage 11 that may be detached/attached from/to the aerosol generator 10, when an aerosol is insufficiently generated or the aerosol generating material leaks because of the degradation in the performance of the component (e.g., the atomizer, etc.) of the aerosol generator 10, the user may replace an existing aerosol generator 10 with a new one to generate a sufficient amount of aerosol or prevent the aerosol generating material from leaking.
The storage 11 may store the aerosol generating material and may be arranged on an upper portion of the airflow passage 13, thus communicating with an inner space of the airflow passage 13.
The aerosol generating article 30 may be removably inserted into the aerosol generator 10. The aerosol generating article 30 may be a medium through which air containing an aerosol passes. The aerosol generator 10 may include a cavity for accommodating the aerosol generating article 30, and the cavity may be referred to as the accommodation portion 12. The aerosol generating article 30 may be removably inserted into the accommodation portion of the aerosol generator 10 (see FIG. 1 ).
The accommodation portion 12 may have a shape corresponding to the aerosol generating article. For example, the aerosol generating article has a cylindrical shape, an inner diameter of the accommodation portion 12 is greater than an outer diameter of the aerosol generating article, and an inner circumferential surface of the accommodation portion 12 may be spaced apart from an outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating article at a certain distance.
When the aerosol generating article is inserted into the accommodation portion 12 of the aerosol generator 10, the aerosol generating device may operate the aerosol generator 10 to generate an aerosol.
The aerosol generated by the aerosol generator 10 may be delivered to the aerosol generating article 30 through the airflow passage 13 described below and may pass through the aerosol generating article 30, thus being discharged to the outside. In this case, the user may contact the aerosol generating article 30 with his/her mouth and inhale the aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 through the aerosol generating article 30. The aerosol generating article 30 according to an embodiment is described below in detail.
The aerosol generating article inserted into the accommodation portion 12 may receive the aerosol from the airflow passage 13 described below.
The accommodation portion 12 may accommodate the aerosol generating article 30 and may be arranged on a side of the storage 11. The inner space of the accommodation portion 12 accommodating the aerosol generating article 30 may be spatially separated from the storage 11, so that the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 11 may not flow into the inner space of the accommodation portion 12.
The aerosol generating article may be similar to a general combustive aerosol generating article. For example, the aerosol generating article may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter, etc. Alternatively, the second portion of the aerosol generating article may also include a separate aerosol generating material. For example, an aerosol generating material made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.
The entire first portion of the aerosol generating article may be inserted into the accommodation portion 12, and the second portion of the aerosol generating article may be exposed out of the accommodation portion 12. Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion of the aerosol generating article may be inserted into the accommodation portion 12. Alternatively, the entire first portion or a portion of the second portion of the aerosol generating article may be inserted into the accommodation portion 12.
The user may puff an aerosol while holding the second portion by the mouth of the user. In this case, the aerosol is generated by the external air passing through the first portion of the aerosol generating article, and the generated aerosol passes through the second portion of the aerosol generating article and is delivered to the user's mouth.
The airflow passage 13 may be configured such that the aerosol may pass through the aerosol generating article and be delivered to the user. Air mixed with the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material may move through the airflow passage 13 and penetrate the aerosol generating article arranged in the accommodation portion 12.
The opening and closing of the airflow passage 13, formed in the aerosol generator 10, and/or the adjustment of its size may be done by the user. Accordingly, the amount and the quality of vapor may be adjusted by the user. To this end, in the airflow passage 13, a value operated through manual manipulation of the user and configured to adjust the size of the airflow passage 13 or a value operated in response to an electrical signal and configured to adjust the size of the airflow passage 13 may be arranged.
The airflow passage 13 may include an air inlet 131, an aerosol generating portion 132, and an air outlet 133.
For example, external air may flow into the airflow passage 13 through at least one air inlet 131 formed in the aerosol generator 10. As another example, the external air may flow into the airflow passage 13 through at least one hole (not shown) formed in the main body.
The aerosol generating portion 132 is configured to deliver, to the airflow passage 13, the aerosol generated by the atomizer 14 described below. In the aerosol generating portion 132, the aerosol generated by the atomizer 14 may join the flow of the air from the air inlet 131.
The external air may generate a new airflow after joining the aerosol in the aerosol generating portion 132, and the new airflow including the aerosol may move towards the air outlet 133. The airflow including the aerosol and the external air may move to the accommodation portion 12 through the air outlet 133.
The airflow passage 13 may communicate with the outside of the aerosol generator 10, and the accommodation portion 12 may communicate with the airflow passage 13; thus, the accommodation portion 12 may be communicate with the outside. Therefore, the external air and the aerosol may flow into the accommodation portion 12.
The atomizer 14 may be referred to as a cartomizer or a vaporizer, but it is not limited thereto. The atomizer 14 may be a component for heating a liquid composition delivered by a liquid delivery element from the storage 11.
The atomizer 14 may be an electro-resistive heater. For example, the atomizer 14 may include an electrically conductive track and may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track. However, the atomizer 14 is not limited to the example described above and may include all atomizers which may be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosol generating device or may be set by a user.
Also, the atomizer 14 may include, for example, a metal wire, a metal plate, a ceramic heater, or the like, but is not limited thereto. Also, the atomizer 14 may include a conductive filament, such as nichrome wire, and may be wound on the liquid delivery element or arranged adjacent to the liquid delivery element. The atomizer 14 may be heated by a current supply and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the atomizer 14, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol may be generated from the aerosol generating material.
The atomizer 14 may include a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element.
Also, the aerosol generator 10 may include a plurality of atomizers 14.
The type and location of the atomizer 14 are not limited to those illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , and the atomizer 14 may have various shapes and be located at various locations.
The atomizer 14 may be operated in response to an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body to perform a function of generating an aerosol by converting the phase of the aerosol generating material transferred from the storage 11 into a gaseous phase. The aerosol may refer to a gas in which vaporized particles generated from an aerosol generating material are mixed with air.
In an embodiment, the atomizer 14 may generate an aerosol by heating a liquid composition, and the generated aerosol may pass through the aerosol generating article to be delivered to a user. In other words, the aerosol generated by the atomizer 14 may move to the aerosol generating article along the airflow passage 13 of the aerosol generator 10, and the airflow passage 13 may be configured such that the aerosol generated by the atomizer 14 passes through the aerosol generating article to be delivered to the user.
In another embodiment, the atomizer 14 may generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method. At this time, the ultrasonic vibration method may mean a method of generating an aerosol by converting an aerosol generating material into an aerosol with ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.
The atomizer 14 may include a vibrator, and generate short-period vibration through the vibrator to convert the aerosol generating material into an aerosol. The vibration generated by the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibration may be in a frequency band of about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but is not limited thereto.
The atomizer 14 may further include a wick that absorbs an aerosol generating material. For example, the wick may be arranged to surround at least one area of the vibrator or may be arranged to contact at least one area of the vibrator.
As a voltage (for example, an alternating voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations may be generated from the vibrator, and the heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator may be transmitted to the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick. The aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick may be converted into a gaseous phase by the heat and/or the ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the vibrator, and as a result, an aerosol may be generated.
For example, the viscosity of the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick may be lowered by the heat generated by the vibrator, and as the aerosol generating material having a lowered viscosity is granulated by the ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator, an aerosol may be generated, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.
As another example, the atomizer 14 may include an induction heater. In detail, the atomizer 14 may include an electrically conductive coil for heating an aerosol generating material in an induction heating method and may include a susceptor that may be heated by a magnetic field generated by the coil.
The coil may apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. As power is supplied to the coil from the battery of the main body, a magnetic field may be formed inside the coil. In an embodiment, the susceptor may be a magnetic body that generates heat by an external magnetic field. As the susceptor is positioned inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied to the susceptor, the susceptor generates heat to heat an aerosol generating article. In addition, optionally, the susceptor may be positioned within the aerosol generating article.
The atomizer 14 may be heated by the power supplied from the battery of the main body. For example, when the aerosol generating article is inserted into the accommodation portion 12, the atomizer 14 may increase the temperature of the aerosol generating material in the storage 11.
The aerosol generator 10 may further include a liquid delivery element (not shown). The liquid delivery element may transmit the liquid composition of the storage 11 to the atomizer 14. For example, the liquid delivery element may be a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a structure and a function of a main body included in an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.
The aerosol generating device 1 according to the present embodiment is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 .
The main body 20 may include a coupling portion 21, a sensor unit 22, a controller 23, and a battery 24.
The coupling portion 21 may provide a portion to which the aerosol generator 10 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 is detachably coupled. The coupling portion 21 may be shaped in various forms as long as it can be coupled to the aerosol generator 10. In FIG. 3 , for example, the aerosol generator 10 may move in a vertical direction and be coupled to or separated from the coupling portion 21, or with a modified structure, the aerosol generator 10 may move in a horizontal direction and be coupled to or separated from the coupling portion 21.
The aerosol generator 10 may be coupled to the main body 20 as being coupled to the coupling portion 21, and as the aerosol generator 10 is separated from the coupling portion 21, the aerosol generator 10 may be separated from the main body 20.
The sensor unit 22 may be configured to sense a state of the aerosol generator 10 or the aerosol generating article 30 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 . The sensor unit 22 may sense physical quantities (humidity, temperature, movement, etc.) of the accommodation portion 12, and generate signals indicating the physical quantities. As such, the sensor unit 22 may sense humidity, temperature, movement, and the like of the aerosol generating article 30. The sensor unit 22 may include a plurality of sensors.
The sensor unit 22 may include at least one sensor (a humidity sensor, a puff sensor, a temperature sensor, a proximity sensor, etc.).
The sensor unit 22 may be disposed toward the accommodation portion 12. The sensor unit 22 may be arranged on an inner wall of the coupling portion 21. At least a portion of the sensor unit 22 may be exposed to the inside of the coupling portion 21. In this case, when the aerosol generator 10 is coupled to the coupling portion 21, at least a portion of the sensor unit 22 may be exposed to the aerosol generator 10. That is, a portion of the sensor unit 22 may directly face the aerosol generator 10 from a close position with no obstructions in between.
Also, as another example, when the aerosol generator 10 is coupled to the coupling portion 21, at least a portion of the sensor unit 22 may be physically in direct contact with the aerosol generator 10.
According to the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, because the sensor unit 22 is positioned closely to the aerosol generating device 10, the sensor unit 22 may sensitively and accurately sense various physical quantities, such as humidity and temperature of the accommodation portion 12 and/or the aerosol generating article 30 inserted in the accommodation portion 12.
The sensor unit 22 may include metal. For example, the sensor unit 22 may include brass or stainless steel, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.
The sensor unit 22 may be in the form of a thin film, but is not limited thereto.
At least a portion of a surface of the sensor unit 22 that is exposed towards the aerosol generator 10 and/or the coupling portion 21 may be plated with metal. For example, the sensor unit 22 may be plated with gold, nickel, or the like, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. When the sensor unit 22 is plated, damage to the surface of the sensor unit 22 that is exposed to the coupling portion 21 may be minmized, the damage being caused by friction resulting from repetitive separation/coupling of the aerosol generating article 30.
Also, as the sensor unit 22 is plated, the electrical conductivity of the sensor unit 22 may be improved, and thus, the sensor unit 22 may sensitively and accurately sense a sensing target.
The sensor unit 22 may be arranged in various forms. For example, at least a portion of the sensor unit 22 may be inserted into a surface of the main body 20. In detail, at least a portion of the sensor unit 22 may be inserted into the inner wall of the coupling portion 21.
As another example, the sensor unit 22 may be attached to a portion of the main body 20. For example, at least a portion of the sensor unit 22 may be coupled to the inner wall of the coupling portion 21 by a coupling means, such as a rivet, a screw, a protrusion, or a groove.
As another example, the sensor unit 22 may be attached to a portion of the main body 20 by an adhesive material. For example, the sensor unit 22 may be attached to a portion of the main body 20 by a double-sided tape.
For example, the sensor unit 22 may be provided in plural on an outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generator 10 coupled to the coupling portion 21. In detail, the sensor unit 22 may be provided in plural on an outer circumferential surface of the accommodation portion 12. As another example, the sensor unit 22 may be provided in plural on an inner circumferential surface of the coupling portion 21.
One or more embodiments regarding the arrangement of the sensor unit 22 are described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 .
The sensor unit 22 may include a sensor for sensing the humidity of the accommodation portion 12 and/or the aerosol generating article 30.
At least a portion of the aerosol generated in the aerosol generating portion 132 of the airflow passage 13 may be liquefied while moving towards the accommodation portion 12. The liquefied aerosol may include some moisture and may be soaked into or cause wetness on the aerosol generating article 30 accommodated in the accommodation portion 12. In an embodiment, the sensor unit 22 may generate a signal based on the amount of aerosol (or moisture) soaked into or present on the aerosol generating article 30. As a signal regarding the moisture detected by the sensor unit 22 is provided to a processor or a memory of the main body 20, information regarding the moisture and/or the humidity of the aerosol generating article 30 may be obtained.
In an embodiment, when the amount of moisture soaked into or present on some areas of the aerosol generating article 30 accommodated in the accommodation portion 12 changes, the electromagnetic characteristics may change. In response, the sensor unit 22 may generate a signal regarding such a change in the electromagnetic characteristics. The controller may sense the information regarding the moisture and/or humidity of the aerosol generating article 30, based on the signal from the sensor unit 22.
For example, the sensor unit 22 may include a capacitance sensor (or a capacitive sensor) (not shown). For example, the sensor unit 22 may include at least two plates arranged at a certain interval. The capacitance sensor may sense a change in the humidity of the accommodation portion 12 and/or the aerosol generating article 30. The capacitance sensor may sense a change in relative humidity.
The two plates included in the capacitance sensor may include a conductive material and be formed of a thin film material, such as a polymer functioning as a dielectric. A capacitance between the two plates changes according to the change in the relative humidity of the air around the capacitance sensor.
By measuring the capacitance between the plates included in the capacitance sensor, the relative humidity of the air around the capacitance sensor may be determined. The capacitance sensor may detect a capacitance variation. The capacitance sensor may generate a signal regarding the capacitance. The capacitance sensor may measure a variation in the humidity of the aerosol generating article 30 and/or the accommodation portion 12 by measuring the change in the capacitance and/or permittivity between the two plates.
The accuracy and reliability of humidity measurement by the capacitance sensor may be improved along with other techniques, for example, impedance measurement or RC vibration.
The two plates included in the capacitance sensor may be referred to as one channel. The capacitance sensor may include a plurality of channels and simultaneously measure capacitances in multiple portions. A resolution of a detection system or detection accuracy may be improved through the channels. For example, when the capacitance sensor includes two channels, the relative humidity in two areas may be detected.
Additionally or alternatively, the sensor unit 22 may include a humidity sensor for measuring the humidity of the accommodation portion 12 and/or the aerosol generating article 30, employing a method different from that of a capacitance sensor.
At least a portion of the sensor unit 22 may be arranged at a location corresponding to an upstream section of the air passing through the aerosol generating article 30. In this case, another portion of the sensor unit 22 may be arranged at a location corresponding to a downstream of the air passing through the aerosol generating article 300.
The lifespan of the aerosol generating article 30 may be set in advance. A determination of whether the lifespan of the aerosol generating article 30 has ended may be made by measuring the humidity (or moisture) of the aerosol generating article 30. For example, when the amount of humidity (or moisture) of the aerosol generating article 30 detected by the sensor unit 22 is greater than a preset value, it may be considered that the lifespan of the aerosol generating article 30 has ended.
However, when the humidity in the vicinity of the aerosol generating device 1 or the aerosol generating article 30 increases due to humid weather or rain, the moisture level of the aerosol generating article 30 may rise, exceeding the preset humidity value, even if the aerosol generating article 30 remains unused. In this case, the lifespan of the aerosol generating article 30 may be mistakenly determined to have ended, even though the aerosol generating article 30 has not been used at all.
In the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment, a variation in the humidity in at least two areas is measured. Thus, even when the humidity of the aerosol generating article 30 increases due to its immediate surroundings, an accurate determination may be made with regard to whether the lifespan of the aerosol generating article 30 has ended.
Referring to FIG. 1 , the aerosol generating article 300 may be divided into a first area B and a second area T. The air passing through the aerosol generating article 300 may pass through the first area B and then the second area T, thus being delivered to the user.
With regard to the airflow passing through the aerosol generating article 300, the first area B is situated upstream of the second area T. That is, the second area T is positioned downstream of the first area B within the airflow in the aerosol generating article 300.
The sensor unit 22 may comprise a plurality of sensors, including a first sensor 221 and a second sensor 222. The first sensor 221 may generate a first signal and the second sensor 222 may generate a second signal by detecting the variation in the humidity of the aerosol generating article 30 and/or the accommodation portion 12. The first sensor 221 and the second sensor 222 may be arranged along a lengthwise direction of the aerosol generating article 30. That is, the first sensor 221 and the second sensor 222 may be arranged along a lengthwise direction of the accommodation portion 12. The first sensor 221 may be arranged at a location corresponding to the first area B of the aerosol generating article 30, and the second sensor 222 may be arranged at a location corresponding to the second area T of the aerosol generating article 30.
The first sensor 221 and the second sensor 222 may each be the capacitance sensor described above.
The controller 23 may receive the signal generated by the sensor unit 22. The controller 23 may receive the signal regarding the physical quantity of the accommodation portion 12 from the sensor unit 22. The controller 23 may control the operation of the aerosol generator 10 based on the signals generated by the first sensor 221 and the second sensor 222. The controller 23 may obtain humidity-related information by comparing the signal from the first sensor 221 with that from the second sensor 222 and may control the operation of the aerosol generator 10 based on the humidity-related information.
The air containing the aerosol generated by the atomizer 14 of the aerosol generator 10 may move towards the second area T from the first area B. Therefore, the first area B may be affected by the aerosol before the second area T and thus soaked more, and the humidity change in the first area B may be greater than that in the second area T. That is, in the case of the used aerosol generating article 30, the difference between the humidity in the first area B and the humidity in the second area T may be greater than that of an unused aerosol generating article 30. In this regard, when the difference between the humidity in the first area B and the humidity in the second area T has a certain value or greater, it may be determined that the lifespan of the aerosol generating article 30 has ended. Therefore, the controller 23 may compare the humidity change in the first area B with that in the second area T, and determine whether the lifespan of the aerosol generating article 30 has ended based on the comparison results.
For example, when the humidity around the unused aerosol generating article 30 is very high due to humid weather (e.g., rain), the humidity in both of the first area B and the second area T of the aerosol generating article 30 may increase, and thus the humidity difference between the first area B and the second area T may be less than a preset value. On the contrary, when the humidity around the unused aerosol generating article 30 is moderate or low, the humidity in both of the first area B and the second area T of the aerosol generating article 30 may be lowered, and the humidity difference between the first area B and the second area T may be less than a preset value. Therefore, in the case of the unused aerosol generating article 30, the humidity difference between the first area B and the second area T is measured to be at least the preset value, and thus it may be determined that the aerosol generating article 30 has not been used.
On the contrary, when the humidity difference between the first area B and the second area T is the preset value or greater, the controller 23 may determine that the lifespan of the aerosol generating article 30 has ended, and thus may stop the operation of the aerosol generator 10.
According to the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, by measuring the humidity in at least two areas of the aerosol generating article 30 as described above, it may be possible to accurately determine whether the lifespan of the aerosol generating article 30 has ended, irrespective of diverse weather conditions.
After the aerosol generating article 30, of which lifespan has ended is removed, and a new aerosol generating article 30 is inserted into the accommodation portion 12, the controller 23 may sense the humidity difference between the first area B and the second area T of the new aerosol generating article 30 and determine whether to operate the aerosol generator 10 based on the humidity difference.
The sensor unit 22 may further include a third sensor 223. In an embodiment, the third sensor 223 may sense the insertion and/or removal of the aerosol generating article 30. For example, the third sensor 223 may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitance sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, and may generate a signal according to the insertion and/or removal of an aerosol generating article 30.
The third sensor 223 may be arranged opposite to the first sensor 221 with respect to the second sensor 222. Along the lengthwise direction of the aerosol generating article 30 or the accommodation portion 12, the third sensor 223 may be arranged downstream of the second sensor 222. However, such an arrangement of the third sensor 223 is merely an example, and the third sensor 223 may be arranged at various locations where the insertion and/or removal of the aerosol generating article 30 is sensed.
When the insertion of the aerosol generating article 30 is sensed based on a third signal from the third sensor 223, the controller 23 may use the first sensor 221 and the second sensor 222 to start sensing the humidity of the accommodation portion 12 and/or the aerosol generating article 30. When the controller 23 senses the removal of the aerosol generating article 30 based on the third signal from the third sensor 223, the controller 23 may stop sensing the humidity by using the first sensor 221 and the second sensor 222.
When the humidity of the accommodation portion 12 is measured using the sensor unit 22, the humidity of the liquid aerosol generating material in the storage 11 may interfere with the humidity measurement of the accommodation portion 12. Therefore, the storage 11 may be arranged far from the sensor unit 22, so that the error in the humidity measurement of the accommodation portion 12 may be reduced.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 , the accommodation portion 12 may be arranged between the storage 11 and the sensor unit 22. That is, the sensor unit 22 may be arranged opposite to the storage 11, with the accommodation portion 12 in between. With the structure, the error in the humidity measurement of the sensor unit 22 may be minimized.
The sensor unit 22 may be arranged at a location spatially separated from the storage 11. That is, the sensor unit 22 may be arranged in the main body 20, and the storage 11 may be arranged in the aerosol generator 10 that is spatially separated from the main body 20. Thus, the sensor unit 22 and the storage 11 may be separated by the accommodation portion 12. Accordingly, because the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 11 is prevented from penetrating into the sensor unit 22, the damage or possibility of damage to the sensor unit 22 by the aerosol generating material may be reduced.
The controller 23 controls the general operation of the aerosol generating device 1. In detail, the controller 23 controls operations of other components included in the aerosol generating device 1 in addition to the aerosol generator 10 and the battery 24. Also, the controller 23 may check the state of each component of the aerosol generating device 1 to determine whether the aerosol generating device 1 is operable.
The controller 23 may determine whether the lifespan of the aerosol generating article 30 has ended according to the above method and control the operation of the aerosol generator 10 based on the determination. For example, when it is determined that the lifespan of the aerosol generating article 30 has ended, the controller 23 may stop the operation of the aerosol generator 10.
When the insertion of the aerosol generating article 30 into the accommodation portion 12 is detected based on the third signal from the third sensor 223, the controller may control the operation of the aerosol generator 10 based on the first signal from the first sensor 221 and the second signal from the second sensor 222. For example, when the third sensor 223 senses the insertion of the aerosol generating article 30 after sensing the removal of the aerosol generating article 30 whose lifespan has ended, and determines that the inserted aerosol generating article 30 is unused, the controller 23 may resume the operation of the aerosol generator 10.
The aerosol generating device 1 may further include various components in addition to the coupling portion 21, the sensor unit 22, the controller 23, and the battery 24. For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include an output unit (not shown). The output unit may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting tactile information.
The output unit may externally output information. The output unit may provide the user with information regarding the expiry of the lifespan of the aerosol generating article 30. For example, when determining that the lifespan of the aerosol generating article 30 has ended by sensing a difference between the humidity variation in the first area B and the second area T of the aerosol generating article 30, based on the first signal from the first sensor 221 and the second signal from the second sensor 222, the controller 23 may inform the user of a need for replacement of the aerosol generating article 30 through the output unit.
The controller 23 may control the output unit to output the information based on the first signal from the first sensor 221 and the second signal the second sensor 222. In detail, when determining that the aerosol generating article 30 is unused by sensing the difference in the humidity variation in the first area B and the second area T based on the first signal from the first sensor 221 and the second signal the second sensor 222, the controller 23 may inform, through the output unit, the user that the lifespan of the aerosol generating article 30 has not yet been ended and the aerosol generating device 1 normally operates.
The controller 23 may include at least one processor. A processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or can be implemented as a com-bination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the processor can be implemented in other forms of hardware.
The battery 24 supplies power to be used for the aerosol generating device 1 to operate. For example, the battery 24 may supply power to the aerosol generator 10, which is coupled to the coupling portion 21, to generate an aerosol and power for the controller 23 to operate. Also, the battery 24 may supply power for operations of a display, a sensor, a motor, and the like mounted in the main body 20.
Also, the main body 20 may be formed as a structure that, even when the aerosol generating article 30 is inserted, may introduce external air or discharge internal air.
FIG. 4 illustrates an arrangement of a sensor of an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 1 , taken along line II-II.
Referring to FIG. 4 , at least a portion of the sensor unit 22 may have a shape corresponding to an outer surface of the accommodation portion 12 (i.e., a portion of a housing of the aerosol generator 10 which defines the accommodation portion 12). For example, when the outer surface of the accommodation portion 12 is a curved surface forming a portion of a cylinder, the sensor unit 22 may also have a curved surface forming a portion of the cylinder.
Both the accommodation portion 12 and the sensor unit 22 may include a cylindrical curved surface with the same radius of curvature, and the outer diameter of the accommodation portion 12 may be greater than the inner diameter of the sensor unit 22. Therefore, the accommodation portion 12 and the sensor unit 22 may be spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to a difference between the outer diameter of the accommodation portion 12 and the inner diameter of the sensor unit 22. In the present embodiment, the distance between the accommodation portion 12 and the sensor unit 22 may be uniform along the circumferential direction of the accommodation portion 12. Accordingly, because the sensor unit 22 is arranged apart from the accommodation portion 12 at a certain distance, the sensor unit 22 may more sensitively and accurately detect the inner moisture and/or humidity of the accommodation portion 12 than the accommodation portion 12.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an arrangement of a sensor of an aerosol generating device, according to another embodiment. FIGS. 5 and 5 illustrate a cross-section of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 1 , taken along line II-II.
According to the design of the aerosol generating device 1, a variation in the humidity in a certain area of the accommodation portion 12 may be greater than a variation in the humidity in other areas. In this case, the humidity variation may be more sensitively and accurately sensed by setting a distance between the sensor unit 22 and the area with a great humidity variation to be narrower than a distance between the sensor unit 22 and other areas with a small humidity variation among the entire area of the accommodation portion 12.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , a portion of the sensor unit 22 may be spaced apart from the outer surface of the accommodation portion 12 by a first distance A, and another portion of the sensor unit 22 may be spaced apart from the outer surface of the accommodation portion 12 by a second distance B.
For example, referring to FIG. 5 , because the first distance A is less than the second distance B, where the humidity variation in an area of the accommodation portion 12 corresponding to the first distance A is greater than the humidity variation in another area of the accommodation portion 12 corresponding to the second distance B, the humidity variation may be sensitively and accurately measured.
As another example, referring to FIG. 6 , because the second distance B is less than the first distance A, where the humidity variation in an area of the accommodation portion 12 corresponding to the second distance B is greater than the humidity variation in another area of the accommodation portion 12 corresponding to the first distance A, the humidity variation may be sensitively and accurately measured.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate examples of an aerosol generating article.
Hereinafter, examples of the aerosol generating article are described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 .
Referring to FIG. 7 , the aerosol generating article 40 may include a tobacco rod 41 and a filter rod 42. The first portion described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 may include the tobacco rod 41, and the second portion may include the filter rod 42.
FIG. 7 illustrates that the filter rod 42 includes a single segment. However, the filter rod 42 is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod 42 may include a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod 42 may include a segment configured to cool an aerosol and a segment configured to filter a certain component included in the aerosol. Also, as necessary, the filter rod 42 may further include at least one segment configured to perform other functions.
The diameter of the aerosol generating article 40 is within the range of 5 mm to 9 mm, and the length may be about 48 mm, but is not limited thereto. For example, the length of the tobacco rod 42 may be about 12 mm, the length of the first segment of the filter rod 42 may be about 10 mm, the length of the second segment of the filter rod 42 may be about 14 mm, and the length of the third segment of the filter rod 42 may be about 12 mm. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.
The aerosol generating article 40 may be packaged by at least one wrapper 44. The wrapper 44 may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the aerosol generating article 40 may be packaged by one wrapper 44. As another example, the aerosol generating article 40 may be doubly packaged by at least two wrappers 44. For example, the tobacco rod 41 may be packaged by a first wrapper 441, and the filter rod 42 may be packaged by wrappers 442, 443, and 444. In addition, the entire aerosol generating article 40 may be repackaged by a single wrapper 44. When the filter rod 42 includes a plurality of segments, each segment may be packaged by the wrappers 442, 443, and 444.
The first wrapper 441 and the second wrapper 442 may be formed of general filter wrapping paper. For example, the first wrapper 441 and the second wrapper 442 may be porous wrapping paper or non-porous wrapping paper. Also, the first wrapper 441 and the second wrapper 442 may be made of an oil-resistant paper sheet and/or an aluminum laminate packaging material.
The third wrapper 443 may be made of hard wrapping paper. For example, a basis weight of the third wrapper 443 may be within a range of 88 g/m²to 96 g/m². For example, the basis weight of the third wrapper 443 may be within a range of 90 g/m²to 94 g/m². Also, a thickness of the third wrapper 443 may be within a range of 120 μm to 130 μm. For example, the thickness of the third wrapper 443 may be 125 μm.
The fourth wrapper 444 may be made of oil-resistant hard wrapping paper. For example, a basis weight of the fourth wrapper 444 may be within a range of about 88 g/m²to about 96 g/m². For example, the basis weight of the fourth wrapper 444 may be within a range of 90 g/m²to 94 g/m². Also, a thickness of the fourth wrapper 444 may be within a range of 120 μm to 130 μm. For example, the thickness of the fourth wrapper 444 may be 125 μm.
The fifth wrapper 445 may be made of sterilized paper (MFW). Here, the MFW refers to a paper specially prepared so that tensile strength, water resistance, smoothness, etc. thereof are further improved compared to those of general paper. For example, a basis weight of the fifth wrapper 445 may be within a range of 57 g/m²to 63 g/m². For example, the basis weight of the fifth wrapper 445 may be about 60 g/m². Also, a thickness of the fifth wrapper 445 may be within a range of 64 μm to 70 μm. For example, the thickness of the fifth wrapper 445 may be 67 μm.
A predetermined material may be included in the fifth wrapper 445. An example of the material may include silicon, but it is not limited thereto. Silicon has characteristics such as heat resistance robust to temperature conditions, oxidation resistance, resistance to various chemicals, water repellency to water, and electrical insulation, etc. However, any material other than silicon may be applied to (or coated on) the fifth wrapper 445 without limitation as long as the material has the above-mentioned characteristics.
The fifth wrapper 445 may prevent the aerosol generating article 40 from being burned. For example, when the tobacco rod 410 is heated by the atomizer, there is a possibility that the aerosol generating article 40 is burned. In detail, when the temperature is raised to a temperature above the ignition point of any one of materials included in the tobacco rod 410, the aerosol generating article 40 may be burned. Even in this case, since the fifth wrapper 445 includes a non-combustible material, the burning of the aerosol generating article 40 may be prevented.
In addition, the fifth wrapper 445 may prevent a holder from being contaminated by substances generated in the aerosol generating article 40. By a user's puff, liquid substances may be generated in the aerosol generating article 40. For example, as an aerosol generated in the aerosol generating article 40 is cooled by external air, liquid substances (e.g., moisture, etc.) may be generated. As the fifth wrapper 445 wraps the aerosol generating article 40, the liquid substances generated in the aerosol generating article 40 may be prevented from leaking out of the aerosol generating article 40.
The tobacco rod 41 may include an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but it is not limited thereto. Also, the tobacco rod 41 may include other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic acid. Also, the tobacco rod 41 may include a flavored liquid, such as menthol or a moisturizer, which is injected into the tobacco rod 41.
The tobacco rod 41 may be manufactured in various forms. For example, the tobacco rod 41 may be formed as a sheet or a strand. Also, the tobacco rod 41 may be formed as a pipe tobacco, which is formed of tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet. Also, the tobacco rod 41 may be surrounded by a heat-conducting material. For example, the heat-conducting material may be, but is not limited to, metal foil such as aluminum foil. For example, the heat-conducting material surrounding the tobacco rod 41 may uniformly distribute heat transmitted to the tobacco rod 41, and thus, the heat conductivity applied to the tobacco rod may be increased and taste of the tobacco may be improved. Also, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 41 may function as a susceptor heated by the induction atomizer. Here, although not illustrated in the drawings, the tobacco rod 41 may further include an additional susceptor, in addition to the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 41.
The filter rod 42 may include a cellulose acetate filter. Shapes of the filter rod 42 are not limited. For example, the filter rod 42 may include a cylinder-type rod or a tube-type rod having a hollow inside. Also, the filter rod 42 may include a recess-type rod. When the filter rod 42 includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may have a different shape.
The first segment of the filter rod 42 may be a cellulose acetate filter. For example, the first segment may be a tube-type structure having a hollow inside. When the atomizer is inserted by the first segment, the inner material of the tobacco rod 410 may be prevented from being pushed back, and a cooling effect of the aerosol may occur. A diameter of the hollow included in the first segment may be an appropriate diameter within a range of 2 mm to 4.5 mm, but is not limited thereto.
The length of the first segment may be an appropriate length within a range of 4 mm to 30 mm, but is not limited thereto. For example, the length of the first segment may be 10 mm, but is not limited thereto.
The hardness of the first segment may be adjusted by adjusting the content of the plasticizer during manufacture of the first segment. In addition, the first segment may be manufactured by inserting a structure such as a film or a tube made of the same or different material into the inside (e.g., hollow).
The second segment of the filter rod 42 cools the aerosol generated as the atomizer heats the tobacco rod 41. Therefore, the user may puff the aerosol which is cooled at an appropriate temperature.
The length or diameter of the second segment may be variously determined according to the shape of the aerosol generating article 40. For example, the length of the second segment may be an appropriate length within a range of 7 mm to 20 mm. Preferably, the length of the second segment may be about 14 mm but is not limited thereto.
The second segment may be manufactured by weaving a polymer fiber. In this case, a flavoring liquid may also be applied to the fiber formed of the polymer. Alternatively, the second segment may be manufactured by weaving together an additional fiber coated with a flavoring liquid and a fiber formed of a polymer. Alternatively, the second segment may be formed by a crimped polymer sheet.
For example, a polymer may be formed of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), cellulose acetate (CA), and aluminum foil.
As the second segment is formed by the woven polymer fiber or the crimped polymer sheet, the second segment may include a single channel or a plurality of channels extending in a longitudinal direction. Here, a channel refers to a passage through which a gas (e.g., air or aerosol) passes.
For example, the second segment formed of the crimped polymer sheet may be formed from a material having a thickness between about 5 μm and about 300 μm, for example, between about 10 μm and about 250 μm. Also, a total surface area of the second segment may be between about 300 mm²/mm and about 1000 mm²/mm. In addition, an aerosol cooling element may be formed from a material having a specific surface area between about 10 mm²/mg and about 100 mm²/mg.
The second segment may include a thread including a volatile flavor component. Here, the volatile flavor component may be menthol but is not limited thereto. For example, the thread may be filled with a sufficient amount of menthol to provide the second segment with menthol of 1.5 mg or more.
The third segment of the filter rod 42 may be a cellulose acetate filter. The length of the third segment may be an appropriate length within a range of 4 mm to 20 mm. For example, the length of the third segment may be about 12 mm but is not limited thereto.
The third segment may be fabricated such that flavor is generated by spraying a flavored liquid on the third segment in the process of fabricating the third segment. Alternatively, a separate fiber coated with flavoring liquid may be inserted into the third segment. The aerosol generated in the tobacco rod 41 is cooled as it passes through the second segment of the filter rod 42, and the cooled aerosol is delivered to the user through the third segment. Therefore, when the flavoring clement is added to the third segment, the effect of enhancing the persistence of the flavor delivered to the user may occur.
Also, the filter rod 42 may include at least one capsule 43. Here, the capsule 43 may generate a flavor or an aerosol. For example, the capsule 43 may have a configuration in which a liquid including a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. The capsule 43 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.
Referring to FIG. 8 , an aerosol generating article 50 may further include a front-end plug 53. The front-end plug 53 may be located on a side of a tobacco rod 51, the side facing a filter rod 52. The front-end plug 53 may prevent the tobacco rod 51 from being detached and prevent liquefied aerosol from flowing into the aerosol generator (10 of FIGS. 1 and 3 ) from the tobacco rod 51, during smoking.
The filter rod 52 may include a first segment 521 and a second segment 522. Here, the first segment 521 may correspond to the first segment of the filter rod 42 of FIG. 4 , and the second segment 522 may correspond to the third segment of the filter rod 42 of FIG. 4 .
The diameter and the total length of the aerosol generating article 50 may correspond to the diameter and the total length of the aerosol generating article 50 of FIG. 7 . For example, a length of the front-end plug 53 may be about 7 mm, a length of the tobacco rod 51 may be about 15 mm, a length of the first segment 521 may be about 12 mm, and a length of the second segment 522 may be about 14 mm, but embodiments are not limited thereto.
The aerosol generating article 50 may be packaged by at least one wrapper 55. The wrapper 55 may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the front-end plug 53 may be wrapped using a first wrapper 551, the tobacco rod 51 may be wrapped using a second wrapper 552, the first segment 521 may be wrapped using a third wrapper 553, and the second segment 522 may be wrapped using a fourth wrapper 554. Further, the entire aerosol generating article 50 may be repackaged by a fifth wrapper 555.
In addition, the fifth wrapper 555 may have at least one perforation 56 formed therein. For example, the perforation 56 may be formed in an area of the fifth wrapper 555 surrounding the tobacco rod 51 but is not limited thereto. For example, the perforation 56 may transfer heat formed by the atomizer 14 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 into the tobacco rod 51.
Also, the second segment 522 may include at least one capsule 54. Here, the capsule 54 may generate a flavor or an aerosol. For example, the capsule 54 may have a configuration in which a liquid including a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. The capsule 54 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape but is not limited thereto.
The first wrapper 551 may be formed by combining general filter wrapping paper with metal foil such as aluminum foil. For example, the total thickness of the first wrapper 551 may be within a range of 45 μm to 55 μm, for example, 50.3 μm. Also, a thickness of the metal foil of the first wrapper 551 may be within a range 6 μm to 7 μm, for example, 6.3 μm. In addition, a basis weight of the first wrapper 551 may be within a range of 50 g/m²to 55 g/m², for example, 53 g/m².
The second wrapper 552 and the third wrapper 553 may be formed of general filter wrapping paper. For example, the second wrapper 552 and the third wrapper 553 may be porous wrapping paper or non-porous wrapping paper.
For example, porosity of the second wrapper 552 may be 35000 CU, but is not limited thereto. Also, a thickness of the second wrapper 552 may be within a range of 70 μm to 80 μm, for example, 78 μm. A basis weight of the second wrapper 552 may be within a range of 20 g/m²to 25 g/m², for example, 23.5 g/m².
For example, porosity of the third wrapper 553 may be 24000 CU, but is not limited thereto. Also, a thickness of the third wrapper 553 may be in a range of about 60 μm to about 70 μm, for example, 68 μm. A basis weight of the third wrapper 553 may be in a range of about 20 g/m²to about 25 g/m², for example, 21 g/m².
The fourth wrapper 554 may be formed of PLA laminated paper. Here, the PLA laminated paper refers to three-layer paper including a paper layer, a PLA layer, and a paper layer. For example, a thickness of the fourth wrapper 554 may be in a range of 100 μm to 120 μm, for example, 110 μm. Also, a basis weight of the fourth wrapper 554 may be in a range of 80 g/m²to 100 g/m², for example, 88 g/m².
The fifth wrapper 555 may be formed of MFW. Here, the MFW refers to paper which is particularly manufactured to improve tensile strength, water resistance, smoothness, and the like more than ordinary paper. For example, a basis weight of the fifth wrapper 555 may be in a range of 57 g/m²to 63 g/m², for example, 60 g/m². Also, a thickness of the fifth wrapper 555 may be in a range of 64 μm to 70 μm, for example, 67 μm.
The fifth wrapper 555 may include a preset material added thereto. An example of the material may include silicon, but it is not limited thereto. Silicon has characteristics such as heat resistance robust to temperature conditions, oxidation resistance, resistance to various chemicals, water repellency to water, and electrical insulation, etc. Besides silicon, any other materials having characteristics as described above may be applied to (or coated on) the fifth wrapper 555 without limitation.
The front-end plug 53 may be formed of cellulose acetate. For example, the front-end plug 53 may be formed by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to cellulose acetate tow. Mono-denier of filaments constituting the cellulose acetate tow may be in a range of 1.0 to 10.0. For example, the mono-denier of filaments constituting the cellulose acetate tow may be within a range of 4.0 to 6.0. For example, the mono-denier of the filaments of the front-end plug 53 may be 5.0. Also, a cross-section of the filaments constituting the front-end plug 53 may be a
shape. Total denier of the front-end plug 53 may be in a range of 20000 to 30000. For example, the total denier of the front-end plug 33 may be within a range of 25000 to 30000. For example, the total denier of the front-end plug 53 may be 28000.
Also, as needed, the front-end plug 53 may include at least one channel, and a cross-sectional shape of the channel may be manufactured in various shapes.
The tobacco rod 51 may correspond to the tobacco rod 41 described above with reference to FIG. 7 . Therefore, hereinafter, the detailed description of the tobacco rod 51 will be omitted.
The first segment 521 may be formed of cellulose acetate. For example, the first segment may be a tube-type structure having a hollow inside. The first segment 521 may be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to cellulose acetate tow. For example, the mono-denier and total denier of the first segment 521 may be the same as the mono-denier and total denier of the front-end plug 53.
The second segment 522 may be formed of cellulose acetate. Mono denier of filaments constituting the second segment 522 may be in a range of 1.0 to 10.0. For example, the mono denier of the filaments of the second segment 522 may be within a range of about 8.0 to about 10.0. For example, the mono denier of the filaments of the second segment 522 may be 9.0. Also, a cross-section of the filaments of the second segment 522 may be a
shape. Total denier of the second segment 522 may be in a range of 20000 to 30000. For example, the total denier of the second segment 522 may be 25000.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment.
The aerosol generating device 1 may include an aerosol generator 10, a sensor unit 22, a controller 23, a battery 24, an output unit 25, a communication unit 26, a memory 27, and a user input unit 28.
However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 9 .
That is, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that some of the components shown in FIG. 9 may be omitted or new components may be added.
In addition, some of the components such as the sensor unit 22, controller 23, battery 24, output unit 25, communication unit 26, memory 27, and user input unit 28 may be included in the main body or in the aerosol generator 10.
The aerosol generator 10 includes an atomizer 14 that generates an aerosol from an aerosol generating material as described above with reference to FIG. 1-6 .
The atomizer 14 may receive power from the battery 24 to heat an aerosol generating material.
Although not illustrated in FIG. 9 , the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a direct current (DC)/DC converter) that converts power of the battery 24 and supplies the same to the atomizer 14.
In addition, when the aerosol generating device 1 generates aerosols in an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a DC/alternating current (AC) that converts DC power of the battery 24 into AC power.
The sensor unit 22 may sense a state of the aerosol generating device 1 and a state around the aerosol generating device 1, and transmit sensed information to the controller 23.
Based on the detected information, the controller 23 may control other components of the aerosol generating device 1 so that various functions such as operation control of the aerosol generator 10, smoking restrictions, determination of whether the aerosol generating articles (30 in FIG. 1 ) or aerosol generator 10 is combined, and notification display are performed.
The sensor unit 22 may include at least one of a temperature sensor, an insertion sensor, and a puff sensor in addition to the first sensor 221, a second sensor 222, and a third sensor 223 described above, but is not limited thereto.
Descriptions of the functions of the first sensor 221, the second sensor 222, and the third sensor 223 are the same as those described in FIG. 3 , and thus will be omitted.
The temperature sensor may sense the temperature to which other components, such as atomizer 14, aerosol generating material, or aerosol generating article, are heated.
The aerosol generating device 1 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the atomizer 14, or the atomizer 14 may serve as a temperature sensor.
Alternatively, the temperature sensor may also be arranged around the battery 24 to monitor the temperature of the battery 24.
The puff sensor may sense a user's puff on the basis of various physical changes in an airflow passage or an airflow channel.
For example, the puff sensor may sense a user's puff on the basis of any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.
The sensor unit 22 may include, in addition to the temperature sensor, the insertion detection sensor, and the puff sensor described above, at least one of a temperature/humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a location sensor (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)), a proximity sensor, and a red-green-blue (RGB) sensor (illuminance sensor).
Because a function of each of sensors may be intuitively inferred by one of ordinary skill in the art from the name of the sensor, a detailed description thereof may be omitted.
The controller 23 may control general operations of the aerosol generating device 1.
In an embodiment, the controller 23 may include at least one processor.
The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the microprocessor is stored.
It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the processor may be implemented in other forms of hardware.
The controller 23 may control the temperature of the atomizer 14 by controlling supply of power of the battery 24 to the atomizer 14.
For example, the controller 23 may control power supply by controlling switching of a switching element between the battery 24 and the atomizer 14.
In another example, a direct heating circuit may also control power supply to the atomizer 14 according to a control command of the controller 23.
The controller 23 may analyze a result sensed by the sensor unit 22 and control subsequent processes to be performed.
For example, the controller 23 may control power supplied to the atomizer 14 to start or end an operation of the atomizer 14 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensor unit 22.
As another example, the controller 23 may control, based on a result sensed by the sensor unit 22, an amount of power supplied to the atomizer 14 and the time the power is supplied, such that the atomizer 14 may be heated to a certain temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.
The controller 23 may control the output unit 25 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensor unit 22.
For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor reaches a preset number, the controller 23 may notify the user that the aerosol generating device 1 will soon be terminated through at least one of the display unit 251, the haptic unit 252, and the sound output unit 253.
In one embodiment, the controller 23 may control the power supply time and/or power supply amount to the atomizer 14 according to the state of the aerosol generating article detected by the sensor unit 22.
For example, when the aerosol generating article 15 is in an overhumidified state, the controller 23 can control the power supply time to the induction coil to increase the preheating time compared to the case where the aerosol generating article 15 is in a general state.
One embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a computer-readable recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module executable by the computer.
The computer-readable recording medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media.
In addition, the computer-readable recording medium may include both a computer storage medium and a communication medium.
The computer storage medium includes all of volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media implemented by any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.
The communication medium typically includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in modulated data signals such as program modules, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information transfer media.
The battery 24 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1.
The battery 24 may supply power such that the atomizer 14 may be heated.
In addition, the battery 24 may supply power required for operations of other components (e.g., the aerosol generator 10, the sensor unit 22, the controller 23, the output unit 25, the communication unit 26, the memory 27, and the user input unit 28) in the aerosol generating device 1.
The battery 24 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.
For example, the battery 24 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.
The output unit 25 may output information on a state of the aerosol generating device 1 and provide the information to a user.
The output unit 25 may include at least one of a display unit 251, a haptic unit 252, and a sound output unit 253, but is not limited thereto.
When the display unit 251 and a touch pad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 251 may also be used as an input device in addition to an output device.
The display unit 251 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user.
For example, information about the aerosol generating device 1 may mean various pieces of information, such as a charging/discharging state of the battery 24 of the aerosol generating device 1, a preheating state of the atomizer 14, an insertion/removal state of an aerosol generating article, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generating device 1 is restricted (e.g., sensing of an abnormal object), or the like, and the display unit 251 may output the information to the outside.
The display unit 251 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, or the like.
In addition, the display unit 251 may be in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) light-emitting device.
The haptic unit 252 may tactilely provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus.
For example, the haptic unit 252 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.
The sound output unit 253 may audibly provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user.
For example, the sound output unit 253 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and output the same to the outside.
The controller 23, the sensor unit 22, the output unit 25, the user input unit 28, the memory 27, and the communication unit 26 may each receive power from the battery 24 to perform a function.
Although not illustrated in FIG. 9 , the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit that converts power of the battery 24 to supply the power to respective components, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit, or a voltage regulator circuit.
In an embodiment, the atomizer 14 may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material.
For example, the suitable electrically resistive material may be a metal or a metal alloy including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, or the like, but is not limited thereto.
In addition, the atomizer 14 may be implemented by a metal wire, a metal plate on which an electrically conductive track is arranged, a ceramic heating element, or the like, but is not limited thereto.
In another embodiment, the atomizer 14 may be a heater of an induction heating type.
For example, the atomizer 14 may include a susceptor that heats an aerosol generating material by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil.
In one embodiment, the atomizer 14 may include a plurality of heaters.
For example, the atomizer 14 may include a first heater for heating an aerosol generating article and a second heater for heating a liquid material.
The communication unit 26 may include at least one component for communication with another electronic device.
For example, the communication unit 26 may include a short-range wireless communication unit 261 and a wireless communication unit 262.
The short-range wireless communication unit 261 may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a wireless LAN (WLAN) (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, or the like, but is not limited thereto.
The wireless communication unit 262 may include a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN)) communication unit, or the like, but is not limited thereto.
The wireless communication unit 262 may also identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 1 within a communication network by using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).
The memory 27 is a hardware component that stores various types of data processed in the aerosol generating device 1, and may store data processed and data to be processed by the controller 23.
The memory 27 may include at least one type of storage medium from among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card-type memory (for example, secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD) memory, etc.), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk.
The memory 27 may store an operation time of the aerosol generating device 1, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, data on a user's smoking pattern, etc.
The user input unit 28 may receive information input from the user or may output information to the user.
For example, the user input unit 28 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (a contact capacitive method, a pressure resistance film method, an infrared sensing method, a surface ultrasonic conduction method, an integral tension measurement method, a piezo effect method, or the like), a jog wheel, a jog switch, or the like, but is not limited thereto.
In addition, although not illustrated in FIG. 9 , the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a connection interface, such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may connect to other external devices through the connection interface, such as the USB interface, to transmit and receive information, or to charge the battery 24.
The descriptions of the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and equivalents thereof may be made.
Therefore, the scope of the disclosure should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to those described in the claims will be construed as being included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.
Those of ordinary skill in the technical field related to the present embodiment will understand that it may be implemented in a modified form without departing from the essential characteristics of the above description.
Therefore, the disclosed methods should be considered from an explanatory point of view, not from a limited point of view.
The scope of this invention is not shown in the above description, but in the claims, and all differences within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in this invention.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device comprising:

an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating material, and comprising:

a storage configured to store the aerosol generating material; and

an accommodation portion configured to accommodate an aerosol generating article such that the aerosol passes through the aerosol generating article in response to a puff; and

a main body detachably coupled to the aerosol generator, and comprising:

a sensor unit disposed toward the accommodation portion and configured to generate a signal regarding a physical quantity of the accommodation portion.

2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the sensor unit is arranged at a location corresponding to an upstream section of airflow passing through the aerosol generating article.

3. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the accommodation portion is arranged between the storage and the sensor unit.

4. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein

the main body further comprises a controller configured to receive the signal regarding the physical quantity of the accommodation portion from the sensor unit,

the sensor unit comprises:

a first sensor arranged at a location corresponding to a first area of the aerosol generating article; and

a second sensor arranged at a location corresponding to a second area of the aerosol generating article, and

the controller is further configured to control the aerosol generator based on a first signal received from the first sensor and a second signal received from the second sensor.

5. The aerosol generating device of claim 4, wherein

the main body further comprises an output unit configured to output information, and

the controller is further configured to control the output unit to output the information based on the first signal received from the first sensor and the second signal received from the second sensor.

6. The aerosol generating device of claim 4, wherein the controller is further configured to control the aerosol generator based on humidity-related information that is obtained by comparing the first signal received from the first sensor with the second signal received from the second sensor.

7. The aerosol generating device of claim 4, wherein

the sensor unit further comprises a third sensor configured to generate a third signal indicating insertion of the aerosol generating article into the accommodation portion, and

the controller is further configured to, when the insertion of the aerosol generating article into the accommodation portion is detected based on the third signal received from the third sensor, control the aerosol generator based on the first signal received from the first sensor and the second signal received from the second sensor.

8. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein

the main body further comprises a controller configured to receive the signal regarding the physical quantity of the accommodation portion from the sensor unit, and

the sensor unit comprises a capacitance sensor configured to detect a capacitance variation.

9. The aerosol generating device of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to control the aerosol generator based on the capacitance variation detected by the capacitance sensor.

10. The aerosol generating device of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to detect humidity of the aerosol generating article based on a signal regarding the capacitance received from the capacitance sensor.

11. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the sensor unit has a shape corresponding to an outer surface of the accommodation portion.

12. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the sensor unit is spaced apart from an outer surface of the accommodation portion by a first distance, and another portion of the sensor unit is spaced apart from the outer surface of the accommodation portion by a second distance.

13. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the sensor unit that is disposed toward the aerosol generator is plated.

14. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is inserted into a surface of the main body.

15. The aerosol generating device of claim 1. wherein the sensor unit is attached to a surface of the main body.