Cartridge and aerosol generating device comprising the same

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a cartridge and an aerosol generating device. The cartridge is coupled to the body of the aerosol generating device in a replaceable manner, and the cartridge includes: a mouthpiece having a discharge hole; a liquid storage portion configured to accommodate an aerosol generating substance; and a vibration receiver configured to transmit vibrations generated by a vibrator of the body to the aerosol generating substance, so that an aerosol is generated from the aerosol generating substance by the vibrations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One or more embodiments relate to a cartridge and an aerosol generating device including the cartridge, and more particularly to a cartridge capable of generating an aerosol by using ultrasonic waves and an aerosol generating device including the cartridge. Background Art

[0002] Recently, the demand for alternatives to traditional combustible cigarettes has increased. For example, the demand for aerosol generating devices that generate an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating substance rather than by burning a cigarette has been increasing. Accordingly, research on heated cigarettes or heated aerosol generating devices has been actively conducted. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Technical Problem

[0004] One or more embodiments provide a cartridge capable of generating an aerosol in a state where the aerosol generating substance does not directly contact a vibrator that generates ultrasonic waves, and an aerosol generating device including the cartridge.

[0005] The technical problems to be solved by the embodiments are not limited to the above problems, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand the problems not mentioned based on the present disclosure and the drawings.

[0006] Technical Solution to Solve the Technical Problem

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a cartridge that can be detachably coupled to a main body of an aerosol generating device may include: a mouthpiece having a discharge hole; a liquid storage unit configured to accommodate an aerosol generating substance; and a vibration receiver configured to receive vibration generated by a vibrator of the main body to the aerosol generating substance so that an aerosol is generated from the aerosol generating substance by the vibration.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device may include a main body and a cartridge, the main body including a vibrator configured to generate vibration, the cartridge being detachably coupled to the main body, wherein the cartridge may include: a mouthpiece having a discharge hole; a liquid storage unit configured to accommodate an aerosol generating substance; and a vibration receiver configured to receive vibration generated by the vibrator to the aerosol generating substance so that an aerosol is generated from the aerosol generating substance by the vibration.

[0009] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0010] In an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, a main body including a vibrator configured to generate high-frequency vibrations (e.g., ultrasonic waves) and a cartridge storing an aerosol generating material may be separately configured such that the cartridge is replaceable. The aerosol generating material does not directly contact the vibrator, and thus the lifespan of the vibrator can be extended.

[0011] In addition, since an aerosol can be generated in a non-heated manner by using the vibrator, hazards during the aerosol generation process can be reduced.

[0012] The technical problems to be solved by the embodiments are not limited to the above problems, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand the problems not mentioned through the present disclosure and the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment;

[0014] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment;

[0015] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a main body and a cartridge of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment are separated;

[0016] Figure 4 illustrates Figure 3 a cross-sectional view of a state in which a main body and a cartridge of the aerosol generating device in the embodiment shown in

[0017] Figure 5 is Figure 4 an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the main body and the cartridge in the embodiment shown in

[0018] Figure 6 is Figure 5 a perspective view of the vibration receiver shown in

[0019] Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part for aerosol generation in an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

[0020] Figure 8 is Figure 7 a perspective view of the mesh structure shown in

[0021] Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part for aerosol generation in an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The best mode for carrying out the present invention

[0023] A cartridge according to an embodiment can be detachably coupled to a body of an aerosol generating device, and the cartridge includes: a mouthpiece having a discharge hole; a liquid storage unit configured to accommodate an aerosol generating substance; and a vibration receiver configured to transfer vibration generated by a vibrator of the body to the aerosol generating substance so that aerosol is generated from the aerosol generating substance by the vibration.

[0024] In addition, the cartridge according to an embodiment may further include a liquid transfer member stacked on the vibration receiver, and the liquid transfer member is configured to transfer the aerosol generating substance accommodated in the liquid storage unit to the vibration receiver. The vibration receiver may generate aerosol from the aerosol generating substance transferred through the liquid transfer member.

[0025] In addition, the cartridge according to an embodiment may further include a mesh structure having a plurality of holes, the mesh structure being stacked on the vibration receiver, and the mesh structure being configured to vibrate together with the vibration receiver so that the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substance passes through the plurality of holes.

[0026] In addition, the cartridge according to an embodiment may further include a mesh structure having a plurality of holes, the mesh structure being stacked on the liquid transfer member, and the mesh structure being configured to vibrate together with the vibration receiver so that the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substance transferred through the liquid transfer member passes through the plurality of holes.

[0027] In addition, the mesh structure may be in the form of a flat metal plate.

[0028] In addition, the vibration receiver may include a concave portion and a circumferential portion that extends in a radial direction along a circumference of the concave portion.

[0029] In addition, when the cartridge and the body are coupled, the concave portion may contact the vibrator of the body.

[0030] In addition, the concave portion may include a flat surface that contacts the vibrator of the body.

[0031] In addition, the cartridge according to an embodiment may further include a sealing member disposed along an outer peripheral edge of the circumferential portion.

[0032] In addition, the vibration receiver may include at least one of stainless steel and aluminum.

[0033] In addition, the vibration receiver may have a thickness of 0.03 mm to 0.2 mm.

[0034] Additionally, the cartridge according to the embodiment may further include an aerosol discharge passage having one end facing the vibration receiver and the other end connected to the discharge hole of the mouthpiece, such that the aerosol generated in the vibration receiver moves through the aerosol discharge passage toward the discharge hole.

[0035] Additionally, the cross-sectional area of the aerosol discharge passage may decrease from the one end toward the other end.

[0036] Additionally, the cartridge according to the embodiment may further include an air flow passage formed to surround the outside of the aerosol discharge passage, in fluid communication with the aerosol discharge passage, and configured to introduce external air.

[0037] An aerosol generating device according to another embodiment may include a main body and a cartridge. The main body includes a vibrator configured to generate vibration. The cartridge is removably coupled to the main body. The cartridge may include: a mouthpiece having a discharge hole; a liquid storage portion configured to contain an aerosol generating substance; and a vibration receiver configured to transfer the vibration generated by the vibrator to the aerosol generating substance, such that the aerosol generating substance generates aerosol through vibration.

[0038] The solution of the present invention

[0039] Regarding the terms used to describe the various embodiments, general terms that are currently widely used are selected considering the functions of the structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the meanings of these terms may change according to intention, judicial precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Additionally, in specific cases, less commonly used terms may be selected. In such cases, the meaning of the term will be described in detail at the corresponding part 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 meaning of the terms and the description provided herein.

[0040] Additionally, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the term "comprising" and its variants, such as "comprises" and "comprised of", will be understood to mean including the stated elements but not excluding any other elements. Additionally, the terms "-er", "-portion", and "module" described in the specification refer to a unit for processing at least one function and / or operation, and may be implemented by a combination of hardware components or software components.

[0041] As used herein, a phrase such as “at least one of...” when located after a list of elements modifies the entire list of elements and not each individual element in the list. For example, the phrase “at least one of a, b, and c” should be understood to mean: including only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, or all of a, b, and c.

[0042] Additionally, the term “cigarette” (i.e., when used alone without a modifier such as “conventional,” “traditional,” or “combustible”) can refer to an aerosol-generating article having a shape similar to that of a conventional combustible cigarette. The cigarette (i.e., a cigarette-shaped aerosol-generating article) can contain an aerosol-generating substance and generate an aerosol upon operation (e.g., heating) of an aerosol-generating device.

[0043] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “above,” “upper,” “on top of,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, the element or layer can be directly above, upper, on top of, directly connected to, or directly coupled to the other element or layer, or there can be intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly above,” “directly upper,” “directly on top of,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers. Throughout the text, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[0044] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown so that a person of ordinary skill in the art can easily implement the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0045] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment.

[0047] Referring to Figure 1 , the aerosol-generating device 10000 can include a battery 11000, an atomizer 12000, a sensor 13000, a user interface 14000, a memory 15000, and a processor 16000. However, the internal structure of the aerosol-generating device 10000 is not limited to Figure 1 the structure shown in Figure 1Some of the hardware components shown in the figure, or new components can be added.

[0048] In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10000 may include a main body, and the hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 10000 are located in the main body. In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10000 may include a main body and a cartridge, and in this case, the hardware components may be included in the main body and the cartridge in a distributed manner. Alternatively, at least some of the hardware components of the aerosol generating device 10000 may be located in both the main body and the cartridge.

[0049] Hereinafter, the operation of the component will be described without limiting the position of each component in the aerosol generating device 10000.

[0050] The battery 11000 supplies the power for operating the aerosol generating device 10000. That is, the battery 11000 can supply power so that the atomizer 12000 can atomize the aerosol generating substance. In addition, the battery 11000 can supply the power required for operating other hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 10000, such as the sensor 13000, the user interface 14000, the memory 15000, and the processor 16000. The battery 11000 can be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.

[0051] For example, the battery 11000 may include a nickel-based battery (e.g., nickel metal hydride battery and nickel cadmium battery) or a lithium-based battery (e.g., lithium cobalt battery, lithium phosphate battery, lithium titanate battery, lithium ion battery, or lithium polymer battery). However, the type of the battery 11000 that can be used in the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited thereto. When needed, the battery 11000 may include an alkaline battery or a manganese battery.

[0052] The atomizer 12000 receives power from the battery 11000 under the control of the processor 16000. The atomizer 12000 can receive power from the battery 11000 to atomize the aerosol generating substance stored in the aerosol generating device 10000.

[0053] The atomizer 12000 may be located in the body of the aerosol generating device 10000. Alternatively, when the aerosol generating device 10000 includes a body and a cartridge, the atomizer 12000 may be located in the cartridge or may be positioned across the body and the cartridge. When the atomizer 12000 is located in the cartridge, the atomizer 12000 may receive power from the battery 11000 in at least one of the body and the cartridge. Additionally, when the atomizer 12000 is positioned across the body and the cartridge, the components in the atomizer 12000 that require power may receive power from the battery 11000 in at least one of the body and the cartridge.

[0054] The atomizer 12000 generates an aerosol from the aerosol generating material inside the cartridge. An aerosol refers to a suspension in which liquid and / or solid fine particles are dispersed in a gas. Thus, the aerosol generated from the atomizer 12000 may refer to a state in which the vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating material are mixed with air. For example, the atomizer 12000 may change the phase of the aerosol generating material to the gas phase by vaporization and / or sublimation. Additionally, the atomizer 12000 may generate an aerosol by granulating and discharging the aerosol generating material in a liquid and / or solid state.

[0055] For example, the atomizer 12000 may generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method. The ultrasonic vibration method may refer to a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing the aerosol generating material by utilizing ultrasonic vibrations generated by a vibrator.

[0056] Although not illustrated in Figure 1 the atomizer 12000 may include a heater that may heat the aerosol generating material by generating heat. The aerosol generating material may be heated by the heater to generate an aerosol.

[0057] The heater may be formed of any suitable resistive material. For example, suitable resistive materials may be metals or metal alloys including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, or nichrome, but are not limited thereto. Additionally, the heater may be implemented by a metal wire, a metal plate provided with conductive traces, a ceramic heating element, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0058] For example, according to an embodiment, the heater may be included in the cartridge 2000 ( Figure 2The components shown in [figure number] (not shown). Additionally, the cartridge 2000 may include a liquid delivery element and a liquid storage unit described below. The aerosol-forming substance contained in the liquid storage unit may move to the liquid delivery element, and the heater may heat the aerosol-forming substance absorbed by the liquid delivery element, thereby generating aerosol. For example, the heater may be wound around the liquid delivery element or arranged adjacent to the liquid delivery element.

[0059] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10000 may include a receiving space for receiving a cigarette, and the heater may heat the cigarette inserted into the receiving space of the aerosol generating device 10000. When the cigarette is received in the receiving space of the aerosol generating device 10000, the heater may be located inside and / or outside the cigarette. Therefore, the heater may generate aerosol by heating the aerosol-forming substance in the cigarette.

[0060] The heater may include an inductive heater. The heater may include a conductive coil for heating the cigarette or the cartridge by an inductive heating method, and the cigarette or the cartridge may include a base that can be heated by the inductive heater.

[0061] The aerosol generating device 10000 may include at least one sensor 13000. The results sensed by the at least one sensor 13000 may be sent to the processor 16000, and the processor 16000 may control the aerosol generating device 10000 to perform various functions according to the sensing results, such as controlling the operation of the atomizer 12000, restricting smoking, determining whether a cartridge (or cigarette) is inserted, displaying notifications, etc.

[0062] For example, the at least one sensor 13000 may include a puff detection sensor. The puff detection sensor may sense the user's puff based on at least one of the flow rate change, pressure change, and sound sensing of the airflow introduced from the outside. The puff detection sensor may sense the start time and end time of the user's puff, and the puff detection sensor may determine the puff period and non-puff period according to the sensed start time and end time of the puff.

[0063] In addition, the at least one sensor 13000 may include a user input sensor. The user input sensor may receive an input from a user and may be implemented by a switch, a physical button, a touch sensor, etc. For example, the touch sensor may be a capacitance sensor, which may sense the user's input by sensing a change in capacitance that occurs when the user touches a specific area formed of a metallic material. The processor 16000 may determine whether a user input has occurred by comparing the values before and after the capacitance change received from the capacitance sensor. When the value obtained by comparing the values before and after the capacitance change is greater than a preset threshold, the processor 16000 may determine that a user input has occurred.

[0064] In addition, the at least one sensor 13000 may include a motion sensor. Information about the movement of the aerosol generating device 10000, such as the inclination, movement speed, acceleration, etc. of the aerosol generating device 10000, may be obtained through the motion sensor. For example, the motion sensor may measure information about the following: the state of movement of the aerosol generating device 10000, the stationary state of the aerosol generating device 10000, the state in which the aerosol generating device 10000 is inclined at an angle within a specific range for suction, and the state in which the aerosol generating device 10000 is inclined at an angle different from the angle during the suction operation between each suction operation. The motion sensor may measure the motion information of the aerosol generating device 10000 by using various methods known in the art. For example, the motion sensor may include an acceleration sensor capable of measuring accelerations in three directions of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, and a gyroscope sensor capable of measuring angular velocities in three directions.

[0065] In addition, the at least one sensor 13000 may include a proximity sensor. A proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or distance of an object close by or in the vicinity without mechanical contact by using the force of an electromagnetic field, infrared light, etc. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether a user is approaching the aerosol generating device 10000.

[0066] In addition, the at least one sensor 13000 may include an image sensor. For example, the image sensor may include a camera configured to acquire an image of an object. The image sensor may identify the object based on the image acquired by the camera. The processor 16000 may determine whether the user is in a situation of using the aerosol generating device 10000 by analyzing the image acquired by the image sensor. For example, when the user brings the aerosol generating device 10000 close to his / her lips to use the aerosol generating device 10000, the image sensor may acquire an image of the lips. The processor 16000 may analyze the acquired image and determine that this is a situation where the user is using the aerosol generating device 10000 when the acquired image is determined to be a lip image. Accordingly, the aerosol generating device 10000 may pre-operate the atomizer 12000 or may pre-heat the heater.

[0067] In addition, the at least one sensor 13000 may include a consumable attachment and detachment sensor, which may sense the installation or removal of a consumable (e.g., a cartridge, a cigarette, etc.) that can be used in the aerosol generating device 10000. For example, the consumable attachment and detachment sensor may sense whether the consumable has come into contact with the aerosol generating device 10000, or may determine whether the consumable is installed or removed through an image sensor. Additionally, the consumable attachment and detachment sensor may be an inductance sensor that senses a change in the inductance value of a coil that can interact with a marker of the consumable, or a capacitance sensor that senses a change in the capacitance value of a capacitor that can interact with a marker of the consumable.

[0068] In addition, the at least one sensor 13000 may include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may sense the temperature at which the heater (or the aerosol generating material) of the atomizer 12000 is heated. The aerosol generating device 10000 may include a separate temperature sensor that senses the heater temperature, or the heater itself may serve as a temperature sensor without including a separate temperature sensor. Alternatively, while the heater serves as a temperature sensor, a separate temperature sensor may also be included in the aerosol generating device 10000. In addition, the temperature sensor may sense not only the temperature of the heater, but also the temperature of internal components of the aerosol generating device 10000 such as a printed circuit board (PCB), a battery, etc.

[0069] In addition, the at least one sensor 13000 may include various sensors that measure information about the surrounding environment of the aerosol generating device 10000. For example, the at least one sensor 13000 may include a temperature sensor that can measure the temperature of the surrounding environment, a humidity sensor that measures the humidity of the surrounding environment, an atmospheric pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the surrounding environment, etc.

[0070] The sensor 13000 in the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited to the above types and may also include various sensors. For example, the aerosol generating device 10000 may include: a fingerprint sensor that can obtain fingerprint information from the user's finger for user authentication and security, an iris recognition sensor that analyzes the pupil iris pattern, a vein recognition sensor that senses the absorption of infrared rays by hemoglobin restored from veins by capturing an image of the palm, a face recognition sensor that identifies feature points such as eyes, nose, mouth, facial contour, etc. in a two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) method, a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor, etc.

[0071] The aerosol generating device 10000 may include one or more of the above various sensors 13000. In other words, the aerosol generating device 10000 may combine and use the information sensed by at least one of the above sensors.

[0072] The user interface 14000 may provide information about the state of the aerosol generating device 10000 to the user. The user interface 14000 may include various interface devices, such as a display or a lamp for outputting visual information, a motor for outputting tactile information, a speaker for outputting sound information, an input / output (I / O) interface device (e.g., a button or a touch screen) for receiving information input from the user or outputting information to the user, a terminal for performing data communication or receiving charging power, and a communication interface module for performing wireless communication with an external device (e.g., Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), etc.).

[0073] However, the aerosol generating device 10000 may be implemented by selecting only some of the above various interface devices.

[0074] The memory 15000 may be a hardware component configured to store various data processed in the aerosol generating device 10000, and the memory 15000 may store data that has been processed or is to be processed by the processor 16000. The memory 15000 may include various types of memories, such as: random access memory (RAM) such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), etc.; read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), etc.

[0075] The memory 15000 may store the operation time of the aerosol generating device 10000, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature curve, data on the user's smoking pattern, etc.

[0076] The processor 16000 controls the general operation of the aerosol generating device 10000. The processor 16000 may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general - purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable in the microprocessor. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the processor may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

[0077] The processor 16000 analyzes the results sensed by the at least one sensor 13000 and controls the processing to be performed subsequently.

[0078] The processor 16000 may control the power supplied to the atomizer 12000 based on the results sensed by the at least one sensor 13000, such that the operation of the atomizer 12000 starts or terminates. Additionally, based on the results sensed by the at least one sensor 13000, the processor 16000 may control the amount of power supplied to the atomizer 12000 and the time of power supply, such that the atomizer 12000 can generate an appropriate amount of aerosol. For example, the processor 16000 may control the current supplied to the vibrator such that the vibrator of the atomizer 12000 vibrates at a specific frequency.

[0079] In an embodiment, the processor 16000 may start the operation of the atomizer 12000 after receiving an input from the user to the aerosol generating device 10000. Additionally, the processor 16000 may start the operation of the atomizer 12000 after sensing the user's puffing through the use of a puff - detection sensor. Additionally, the processor 16000 may stop supplying power to the atomizer 12000 when the number of puffs reaches a preset number after counting the number of puffs by using the puff - detection sensor.

[0080] The processor 16000 may control the user interface 14000 based on the results sensed by the at least one sensor 13000. For example, when the number of puffs reaches a preset number after counting the number of puffs by using the puff - detection sensor, the processor 16000 may notify the user that the aerosol generating device 10000 is about to terminate by using at least one of a light, a motor, or a speaker.

[0081] Although not illustrated in Figure 1 An aerosol generating system may be constructed from the aerosol generating device 10000 and a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 11000 of the aerosol generating device 10000. For example, the aerosol generating device 10000 may be supplied with power from the battery of the cradle while being housed in the accommodation space of the cradle to charge the battery 11000 of the aerosol generating device 10000.

[0082] One embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as program modules executable by a computer. A computer-readable medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer and includes volatile and non-volatile media as well as removable and non-removable media. Additionally, a computer-readable medium can include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes all volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented by any method or technology for storing information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in a modulated data signal such as program modules, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information transmission media.

[0083] Figure 2 is a schematic view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0084] Figure 2 The aerosol generating device 10000 according to an embodiment shown in includes a cartridge 2000 that houses an aerosol generating substance and a main body 1000 that supports the cartridge 2000.

[0085] The cartridge 2000 can be coupled to the main body 1000 with the aerosol generating substance accommodated in the cartridge 2000. For example, when a part of the cartridge 2000 is inserted into the main body 1000 or a part of the main body 1000 is inserted into the cartridge 2000, the cartridge 2000 can be mounted on the main body 1000. For example, the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 can be held in a coupled state by a snap-fit method, a screw coupling method, a magnetic coupling method, an interference fit method, etc., but the coupling method of the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 is not limited to the above methods.

[0086] The cartridge 2000 can include a mouthpiece 2100. The mouthpiece 2100 can be inserted into a user's mouth and can be formed on a side opposite to the part coupled to the main body 1000. The mouthpiece 2100 can include a discharge hole 2110 for discharging the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating substance of the cartridge 2000 to the outside.

[0087] The cartridge 2000 can accommodate an aerosol generating substance in any one of, for example, a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, a gel state, etc. The aerosol generating substance can include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition can be a liquid including a tobacco-containing substance having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or can be a liquid including a non-tobacco substance.

[0088] For example, the liquid composition may include one or more components selected from water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, fragrances, flavorants, and vitamin mixtures. The fragrance may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruity components, etc., but is not limited thereto. The flavorant may include components capable of providing various scents or tastes 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. Additionally, the liquid composition may include aerosol formers such as glycerol and propylene glycol.

[0089] For example, the liquid composition may include a glycerol and propylene glycol solution added with nicotine salts. The liquid composition may include two or more kinds of nicotine salts. The nicotine salts may be formed by adding a suitable acid including an organic acid or an inorganic acid to nicotine. The nicotine may be naturally occurring nicotine or synthetic nicotine and may have any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

[0090] The acid for forming the nicotine salts may be appropriately selected considering the rate of nicotine absorption in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 10000, the scent or flavor, solubility, etc. For example, the acid for forming the nicotine salts may be a monoacid selected from the group consisting of the following or a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group: benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, hexanoic acid, octanoic acid, decanoic acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid, or malic acid, but is not limited thereto.

[0091] The cartridge 2000 may include a liquid storage unit 2200 that houses the aerosol generating substance therein. For example, the liquid storage unit 2200 may be used as a container that simply holds the aerosol generating substance, or may include an element impregnated with (i.e., containing) the aerosol generating substance, such as a sponge, cotton, fabric, or porous ceramic structure.

[0092] The aerosol generating device 10000 may include an atomizer that transforms the phase of the aerosol generating substance included in the cartridge 2000 to generate an aerosol.

[0093] For example, the atomizer of the aerosol generating device 10000 can transform the phase of the aerosol generating substance by using an ultrasonic vibration method in which the aerosol generating substance is atomized by ultrasonic vibration. The atomizer may include a vibrator 1300 for generating ultrasonic vibration, a liquid delivery element 2400 for absorbing the aerosol generating substance and holding the aerosol generating substance in an optimal state for transformation into an aerosol, and a vibration receiver 2300 for generating an aerosol by transmitting the ultrasonic vibration to the aerosol generating substance of the liquid delivery element 2400.

[0094] The vibrator 1300 can generate high-frequency vibration. The vibration generated by the vibrator 1300 can be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency of the ultrasonic vibration can be, for example, 100 kHz to 3.5 MHz. The aerosol generating substance can be vaporized and / or granulated by the short-duration vibration generated by the vibrator 1300, and thus atomized into an aerosol.

[0095] The vibrator 1300 can include, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic which is a functional material capable of generating electricity (i.e., voltage) by physical force (i.e., pressure). Conversely, when electricity is applied, the piezoelectric ceramic transforms the electricity into vibration (i.e., mechanical force). In other words, vibration (i.e., physical force) can be generated by applying electricity to the vibrator 1300, and this vibration can split the aerosol generating substance into small particles and atomize the aerosol generating substance into an aerosol.

[0096] The vibrator 1300 can be in electrical contact with the circuit by a spring pin or a C-shaped clip. Thus, the vibrator 1300 can receive current from the spring pin or the C-shaped clip to generate vibration. However, the type of the element connected to supply current to the vibrator 1300 is not limited to the above description.

[0097] The vibration receiver 2300 can perform the function of receiving the vibration generated by the vibrator 1300 and transforming the aerosol generating substance transmitted from the liquid storage unit 2200 into an aerosol.

[0098] The liquid delivery element 2400 can deliver the liquid composition of the liquid storage unit 2200 to the vibration receiver 2300. For example, the liquid delivery element 2400 can be a core including at least one of cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, and porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

[0099] In an embodiment, the atomizer can be implemented by a vibration receiver in the form of a net or a plate, which performs the function of absorbing the aerosol generating substance and holding the aerosol generating substance in an optimal state for transformation into an aerosol without a separate liquid delivery element, and performs the function of generating an aerosol by transmitting vibration to the aerosol generating substance.

[0100] InFigure 2 In this case, the vibrator 1300 of the atomizer is disposed in the main body 1000, and the vibration receiver 2300 and the liquid delivery element 2400 are disposed in the cartridge 2000, but the embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the cartridge 2000 may include the vibrator 1300, the vibration receiver 2300, and the liquid delivery element 2400, and when a part of the cartridge 2000 is inserted into the main body 1000, the main body 1000 may supply power to the cartridge 2000 through terminals (not shown), or supply signals related to the operation of the cartridge 2000 to the cartridge 2000. Therefore, the operation of the vibrator 1300 can be controlled.

[0101] At least a part of the liquid storage part 2200 of the cartridge 2000 may include a transparent material so that the aerosol generating substance contained in the cartridge 2000 can be visually recognized from the outside. The mouthpiece 2100 and the liquid storage part 2200 may be formed entirely or partially of a transparent material, such as transparent plastic, glass, etc.

[0102] The cartridge 2000 of the aerosol generating device 10000 may include an aerosol discharge passage 2500 and an air flow passage 2600.

[0103] The aerosol discharge passage 2500 may be formed inside the liquid storage part 2200 and may be in fluid communication with the discharge hole 2110 of the mouthpiece 2100. Therefore, the aerosol generated by the atomizer can move along the aerosol discharge passage 2500 and can be transmitted to the user through the discharge hole 2110 of the mouthpiece 2100.

[0104] The air flow passage 2600 is a passage that can introduce external air into the aerosol generating device 10000. The external air introduced through the air flow passage 2600 may be introduced into the aerosol discharge passage 2500, or may be introduced into the space where aerosol is generated. Therefore, aerosol can be generated by mixing with external air from the vaporized particles of the aerosol generating substance.

[0105] For example, as Figure 2 shown, the air flow passage 2600 may be formed to surround the outside of the aerosol discharge passage 2500. Therefore, the forms of the aerosol discharge passage 2500 and the air flow passage 2600 may be such a double-tube form in which the aerosol discharge passage 2500 is disposed inside and the air flow passage 2600 is disposed outside the aerosol discharge passage 2500. Therefore, external air can be introduced in a direction opposite to the direction in which the aerosol moves in the aerosol discharge passage 2500.

[0106] The configuration of the air flow passage 2600 is not limited to the above description. For example, the air flow passage 2600 may be a space formed between the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 and in fluid communication with the atomizer.

[0107] In the aerosol generating device 10000 according to the above-described embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 when cut in a direction across the longitudinal direction may be substantially circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, or various forms of polygons. However, the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited to the above description. For example, the aerosol generating device 10000 is not necessarily limited to a structure that linearly extends when extending in the longitudinal direction, and may be bent into a streamlined shape or bent at a preset angle in a specific area to facilitate the user's grip. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape may change along the longitudinal direction.

[0108] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the main body and the cartridge of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment are separated, and Figure 4 is an illustration of Figure 3 a cross-sectional view of the state in which the main body and the cartridge of the aerosol generating device in the embodiment of

[0109] Hereinafter, regarding Figure 1 and Figure 2 the content described for the aerosol generating device 10000 may also be applicable to the aerosol generating device to be described below even if omitted.

[0110] Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the aerosol generating device 1000 includes a main body 100 and a cartridge 200 that can be detachably coupled to the main body 100.

[0111] The main body 100 may include a battery 110, a processor 120, and a vibrator 130 that can generate vibrations under the control of the processor 120. In addition, the cartridge 200 may include a mouthpiece 210, a liquid storage unit 220, a vibration receiver 230, a liquid transfer member 240, an aerosol discharge passage 250, and an air flow passage 260.

[0112] When the cartridge 200 is coupled to the main body 100, the vibration receiver 230 of the cartridge 200 may receive the vibration generated by the vibrator 130. The vibration receiver 230 may generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating substance by the vibration received from the vibrator 130. In addition, as will be described below, when other components are stacked on the vibration receiver 230, the vibration receiver 230 may transmit the vibration to these other components.

[0113] As Figure 3 andFigure 4 As shown, the cartridge 200 can be enclosed by the vibration receiver 230. Additionally, the vibration receiver 230 can have a shape that is exposed to the outside of the cartridge 200. Thus, when the cartridge 200 is coupled to the main body 100, the vibration receiver 230 of the cartridge 200 can contact the vibrator 130 of the main body 100. The vibration generated by the vibrator 130 can be transmitted to the vibration receiver 230 through the contact between the vibrator 130 and the vibration receiver 230, and aerosol can be generated inside the cartridge 200.

[0114] Since the cartridge 200 is enclosed by the vibration receiver 230, the vibrator 130 of the main body 100 does not directly contact the aerosol-generating substance. Therefore, after the use of the aerosol-generating substance in the liquid storage unit 220 is terminated, the vibrator 130 of the main body 100 can continue to be used, and the user can only replace the cartridge 200.

[0115] The liquid transfer member 240 can be arranged to be stacked on the vibration receiver 230. Thus, the liquid transfer member 240 can transfer the aerosol-generating substance accommodated in the liquid storage unit 220 to the vibration receiver 230.

[0116] One end of the aerosol discharge channel 250 can be arranged to face the vibration receiver 230, and the other end can be connected to the discharge hole 211 of the mouthpiece 210. The aerosol generated in the vibration receiver 230 can move through the aerosol discharge channel 250 and can be discharged to the outside through the discharge hole 211.

[0117] The cross-sectional area of the aerosol discharge channel 250 can decrease from one end close to the vibration receiver 230 toward the other end connected to the discharge hole 211. Thus, as the aerosol moves from the vibration receiver 230 through the aerosol discharge channel 250 toward the discharge hole 211, the speed of the aerosol can increase. Therefore, even when starting to use the aerosol generating device 1000, the user can quickly inhale the aerosol.

[0118] The air flow channel 260 can be formed to surround the outside of the aerosol discharge channel 250, as described above. For example, the air flow channel 260 is in fluid communication with the aerosol discharge channel 250 near the end of the aerosol discharge channel 250, such that outside air can be introduced into the aerosol discharge channel 250.

[0119] Figure 5 is Figure 4 An enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the main body and the cartridge in the embodiment shown.

[0120] The following will refer to Figure 5Describe the operation of generating aerosol. Since the liquid transfer member 240 is stacked on the vibration receiver 230, the aerosol generating substance in the liquid storage unit 220 can be transferred to the vibration receiver 230 through the liquid transfer member 240. The vibration receiver 230 can contact the vibrator 130 of the main body 100 to receive the vibration of the vibrator 130. Therefore, the vibration receiver 230 can generate aerosol from the aerosol generating substance by the vibration received from the vibrator 130. The aerosol generated in the vibration receiver 230 can be mixed with the external air introduced through the air flow channel 260 and can move along the aerosol discharge channel 250. Finally, as described above, the aerosol can be transferred to the user through the discharge hole 211 of the mouthpiece 210.

[0121] Figure 6 is Figure 5 The perspective view of the vibration receiver shown in.

[0122] Referring to Figure 6 , the vibration receiver 230 may include a concave portion 231 and a circumferential portion 232.

[0123] When the cartridge 200 is coupled to the main body 100, the concave portion 231 is the portion of the vibration receiver 230 that contacts the vibrator 130 of the main body 100. The concave portion 231 may include a flat surface that contacts the vibrator 130 of the main body 100, so that a large contact area is formed between the concave portion 231 and the vibrator 130.

[0124] The circumferential portion 232 may extend in the radial direction along the circumference of the concave portion 231, so that the vibration receiver 230 closes one side of the cartridge 200.

[0125] Referring again to Figure 5 , the cartridge 200 may further include a sealing member 221 disposed along the outer peripheral edge of the circumferential portion 232 of the vibration receiver 230. Therefore, leakage of liquid from the cartridge 200 can be prevented by the sealing member 221.

[0126] In addition, the vibration receiver 230 may include at least one of stainless steel and aluminum. The vibration receiver 230 may have a thickness of 0.03 mm to 0.2 mm, and preferably may have a thickness of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm. Since the vibration receiver 230 is made of an elastic metal and has a very thin thickness at the same time, the vibration generated from the vibrator 130 of the main body 100 can be transmitted to the vibration receiver 230.

[0127] Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the part for aerosol generation in an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

[0128] Referring toFigure 7 The cartridge 200 may include a mesh structure 241 that is stacked on the vibration receiver 230 and has a plurality of holes.

[0129] Compared with Figure 5 the embodiment shown in Figure 7 In the embodiment shown in

[0130] Figure 8 is Figure 7 a perspective view of the mesh structure shown in

[0131] Referring to Figure 8 the mesh structure 241 may include a flat plate 241p and a plurality of holes 241h located on the plate 241p. The plurality of holes 241h may be very small, for example, they may be micropores.

[0132] Referring again to Figure 7 the aerosol must pass through the plurality of holes 241h of the mesh structure 241 to be introduced into the aerosol discharge channel 250. Therefore, the aerosol can be discharged as fine particles.

[0133] Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part for generating aerosol in an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

[0134] Referring to Figure 9 the cartridge 200 may include a liquid delivery member 240 and a mesh structure 241. Similarly, the mesh structure 241 may receive the vibration of the vibration receiver 230 to vibrate together with the vibration receiver 230. At this time, the aerosol generating material may be delivered to the vibration receiver 230 by the liquid delivery member 240, and the vibration receiver 230 and the mesh structure 241 vibrate together to generate aerosol from the aerosol generating material.

[0135] According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the components, elements, modules or units (collectively referred to as "components" in this paragraph) represented by the blocks may be implemented as various numbers of hardware, software, and / or firmware structures that perform the respective functions described above. For example, at least one of these components may use a direct circuit structure, such as a memory, a processor, a logic circuit, a look-up table, etc., and the direct circuit structure may execute the corresponding function under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. In addition, at least one of these components may be specifically implemented by a module, program, or partial code that includes one or more executable instructions for performing a specified logical function and is executed by one or more microprocessors or other control devices. In addition, at least one of these components may include a processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) that executes the corresponding function, a microprocessor, etc., or may be implemented by a processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) that executes the corresponding function, a microprocessor, etc. Two or more of these components may be combined into a single component that performs all the operations or functions of the two or more combined components. In addition, at least a part of the functions of at least one of these components may be performed by another of these components. In addition, although a bus is not shown in the above block diagram, communication between components may be performed via a bus. The functional aspects of the above exemplary embodiments may be implemented by an algorithm executed on one or more processors. In addition, the components represented by the blocks or processing steps may employ any number of related technologies for electronic configuration, signal processing and / or control, data processing, etc.

[0136] Those of ordinary skill in the art related to the embodiments of the present invention can understand that various changes in form and detail may be made in these embodiments without departing from the scope of the above features. The disclosed methods should be considered as merely descriptive and not for the purpose of limitation. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope of the equivalents of the present disclosure should be construed as being included in the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A cartridge, wherein, the cartridge is connected to the body of the aerosol generating device in a replaceable manner, and the cartridge includes: a mouthpiece having a discharge hole; a liquid storage portion configured to contain an aerosol generating substance; a vibration receiver configured to transmit the vibration generated by the vibrator of the body to the aerosol generating substance, so that an aerosol is generated from the aerosol generating substance by the vibration; and a mesh structure having a plurality of holes, the mesh structure being stacked on the vibration receiver, and the mesh structure being configured to vibrate together with the vibration receiver, so that the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substance passes through the plurality of holes, wherein the vibration receiver includes: a concave portion configured such that when the cartridge and the body are connected, the concave portion contacts the vibrator of the body; and a circumferential portion extending in a radial direction along the circumference of the concave portion, and the circumferential portion being configured to enclose a side portion of the cartridge adjacent to the body.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1, further including: a liquid transfer member stacked on the vibration receiver, and the liquid transfer member is configured to transfer the aerosol generating substance contained in the liquid storage portion to the vibration receiver, wherein the mesh structure is stacked on the liquid transfer member, and wherein the vibration receiver generates an aerosol through the aerosol generating substance transferred by the liquid transfer member.

3. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, the mesh structure has the form of a flat metal plate.

4. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, the concave portion includes a flat surface that contacts the vibrator of the body.

5. The cartridge according to claim 1, further including: a sealing member disposed along the outer periphery of the circumferential portion.

6. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, the vibration receiver includes at least one of stainless steel and aluminum.

7. The cartridge according to claim 6, wherein, the vibration receiver has a thickness of 0.03 mm to 0.2 mm.

8. The cartridge according to claim 1, further including: an aerosol discharge channel having one end facing the vibration receiver and the other end connected to the discharge hole of the mouthpiece, so that the aerosol generated in the vibration receiver moves toward the discharge hole through the aerosol discharge channel.

9. The cartridge according to claim 8, wherein, the cross-sectional area of the aerosol discharge channel decreases from the one end toward the other end.

10. The cartridge according to claim 8, further including: an air flow channel formed around the outside of the aerosol discharge channel, in fluid communication with the aerosol discharge channel, and configured to introduce external air.

11. An aerosol generating device, wherein, the aerosol generating device includes: A main body including a vibrator configured to generate vibrations; and A cartridge removably coupled to the main body, the cartridge including: A mouthpiece having a discharge hole; A liquid storage portion configured to contain an aerosol-forming substance; A vibration receiver configured to transmit vibrations generated by the vibrator to the aerosol-forming substance so that an aerosol is generated from the aerosol-forming substance by the vibrations; and A mesh structure having a plurality of holes, the mesh structure stacked on the vibration receiver and configured to vibrate together with the vibration receiver so that the aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substance passes through the plurality of holes, wherein the vibration receiver includes: A concave portion configured such that when the cartridge and the main body are coupled, the concave portion contacts the vibrator of the main body; and A circumferential portion extending in a radial direction along a circumference of the concave portion and configured to close a side portion of the cartridge adjacent to the main body.

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