Aerosol-generating device and aerosol-generating article

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device according to various embodiments may comprise: a housing comprising an open end and an elongated cavity in communication with the open end to receive an aerosol-generating article; a rod holder which is provided in the elongated cavity, captures the aerosol-generating product, and rotates the aerosol-generating product with respect to a longitudinal center axis of the aerosol-generating product; and a light irradiation element that irradiates light to heat a medium segment included in the aerosol-generating article.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following embodiments relate to aerosol-generating devices and aerosol-generating articles. Background Art

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative products that overcome the shortcomings of traditional cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing need for devices that generate aerosols by electrically heating cigarette rods (e.g., cigarette-type electronic cigarettes). Therefore, research on electrically heated aerosol generating devices and cigarette rods (or aerosol generating products) applied thereto is being actively conducted. For example, Patent Publication No. 10-2017-0132823 discloses a non-combustion flavor inhaler, a flavor source unit, and an atomization unit. Summary of the invention

[0003] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0004] One embodiment is directed to an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article that are heated by a laser heating source to reduce heat loss.

[0005] One embodiment is directed to an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article that generate a uniform amount of aerosol during use.

[0006] Means used to solve problems

[0007] According to various embodiments, an aerosol generating device may include: a shell, including an open end and an elongated cavity connected to the open end to accommodate an aerosol generating product; a rod holder, arranged in the elongated cavity, capturing the aerosol generating product and causing the aerosol generating product to rotate with the longitudinal central axis of the aerosol generating product as a reference; and a light irradiation element, irradiating light to heat a medium segment included in the aerosol generating product.

[0008] In one embodiment, the light irradiation element can be arranged side by side with the elongated cavity, and the light irradiation element may include: a light source portion that emits light; a reflecting portion that directs the light emitted from the light source portion toward the medium segment; and an angle adjustment portion that is arranged adjacent to the reflecting portion and adjusts the angle of the light reflected by the reflecting portion so that the light reaches the medium segment uniformly.

[0009] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating product may also include a first section arranged on the upstream side of the medium section and a second section arranged on the downstream side of the medium section, the medium section may include a first medium end connected to the first section and a second medium end connected to the second section, and the angle adjustment portion may enable the light reflected from the reflecting portion to be continuously irradiated from the first medium end to the second medium end.

[0010] In one embodiment, the rod holder may include: a first holder, arranged on the bottom surface of the elongated cavity to capture the first section of the aerosol generating article; and a second holder, arranged adjacent to the open end of the shell to capture the second section of the aerosol generating article.

[0011] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further include a rotating element, which rotates the rod holder with respect to a central axis in a depth direction of the elongated cavity as a reference.

[0012] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further comprise an input button connected to the rotating element, and operation of the input button may activate the rotating element and cause the rotating element to rotate.

[0013] In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further include a puff sensor connected to the rotating element and sensing a user's puff, and operation of the puff sensor may activate the rotating element and cause the rotating element to rotate.

[0014] In one embodiment, the elongated cavity may include an inner wall surface opposite to the aerosol generating article, and at least a portion of the inner wall surface may be made of a light-transmitting material.

[0015] In an embodiment, the media segment may comprise a medium which may be exposed towards the exterior of the aerosol-generating article.

[0016] According to various embodiments, the aerosol generating product may include a first end face, a second end face located on the opposite side of the first end face, a side surface formed between the first end face and the second end face, a media segment, a first segment, a second segment, and a wrapping paper, wherein the first segment is arranged on the upstream side of the media segment, the second segment is arranged on the downstream side of the media segment, and the wrapping paper wraps the side surfaces corresponding to the first segment and the second segment except the media segment.

[0017] In one embodiment, the medium segment may include a hollow tube, and aerosol formed when the medium segment is heated may move toward the second end surface through the hollow tube.

[0018] In one embodiment, the media segment may be filled with folded or rolled plate-shaped leaf media.

[0019] In one embodiment, the medium segment may include a medium, and the medium may be exposed to the outside.

[0020] Effects of the Invention

[0021] The aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment are heated by a laser heating source, thereby reducing heat loss.

[0022] An aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment may generate a uniform amount of aerosol during use.

[0023] The effects of the aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating product according to an embodiment are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by ordinary technicians in this field through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 2a is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0026] Figure 2b is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device with an aerosol generating article inserted therein according to an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment.

[0028] Figure 4a is a perspective view of the interior of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 4b yes Figure 4a An enlarged view of region A of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0030] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The terms used in the embodiments are selected from currently widely used general terms in consideration of the functions of the terms in the present invention. However, different terms may be used according to the intentions of those skilled in the art, precedents, or the emergence of new technologies. In addition, in certain cases, the terms are arbitrarily selected by the applicant of the present disclosure, and the meanings of these terms will be described in detail in the corresponding parts of the specific description. Therefore, the terms used in the present disclosure are not defined based on the term names, but should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and all the contents of the present disclosure.

[0032] Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain constituent element, unless the context clearly stipulates otherwise, the part does not exclude another constituent element, but may also include another constituent element. In addition, terms such as "~ part", "~ module" and the like used in the specification may refer to a unit for processing at least one function or action, and may be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0033] As used herein, expressions such as "at least one of..." do not modify each of the listed constituent elements, but modify all constituent elements. For example, the expression "at least one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted as including a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b and c.

[0034] In the following embodiments, "aerosol generating article" as an article containing a medium refers to an article that transfers the medium as the aerosol passes through the corresponding article. A representative example of an aerosol generating article is a cigarette, but the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0035] In the following embodiments, "upstream" or "upstream direction" refers to the direction away from the user's (smoker's) mouth; "downstream" or "downstream direction" refers to the direction close to the user's mouth. Upstream and downstream are used to describe the relative positions of the components of the aerosol-generating article.

[0036] In the following embodiments, "puff" refers to inhalation by a user, and inhalation refers to a situation where a user inhales into the user's oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs through the mouth or nose.

[0037] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that electrically heats an aerosol generating article contained in an inner space thereof to generate aerosol.

[0038] The aerosol generating device may include a heater. In one embodiment, the heater may be a resistive heater. For example, the heater may include a conductive track, and the heater is heated as current flows through the conductive track.

[0039] The heater may comprise a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element or a rod-shaped heating element, and the inside or the outside of the aerosol-generating article may be heated depending on the shape of the heating element.

[0040] The aerosol generating product may include a tobacco rod and a filter rod. The tobacco rod may be made of a sheet, a strand, or shredded tobacco cut from a tobacco sheet. Furthermore, the tobacco rod may be wrapped with a heat conductive material. For example, a non-limiting example of a heat conductive material is a metal foil such as aluminum foil.

[0041] The filter rod may be a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod may be composed of at least one section. For example, the filter rod may include a first section for cooling the aerosol and a second section for filtering a predetermined component contained in the aerosol.

[0042] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may generate the aerosol using a cartridge containing an aerosol generating substance.

[0043] The aerosol generating device may include a cartridge containing an aerosol generating substance and a main body supporting the cartridge. The cartridge may be detachably coupled to the main body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge and the main body may be integrally formed or assembled, and the cartridge may be fixed to prevent separation due to user operation. The cartridge may be mounted to the main body with the aerosol generating substance contained therein. However, the aerosol generating substance may also be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the main body.

[0044] The cigarette cartridge may contain an aerosol-generating substance in any state of liquid, solid, gaseous, gel, etc. The aerosol-generating substance may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco substance containing a volatile tobacco aroma component, or may be a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0045] The cartridge can be operated based on an electrical signal or wireless signal transmitted by the main body, so as to perform the function of converting the phase of the aerosol-generating substance inside the cartridge into a gas phase to generate an aerosol. The aerosol can be a mixed gas of vaporized particles generated by the aerosol-generating substance and air.

[0046] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device can generate an aerosol by heating a liquid composition, and deliver the generated aerosol to a user through a cigarette. That is, the aerosol generated by the liquid composition can move along the airflow channel of the aerosol generating device, and the airflow channel enables the aerosol to be delivered to the user via the cigarette.

[0047] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may generate aerosol from the aerosol generating substance by ultrasonic vibration. Here, the ultrasonic vibration method may refer to a method of generating aerosol by atomizing the aerosol generating substance by ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

[0048] The aerosol generating device may include a vibrator, and the vibrator generates short-period vibrations to atomize the aerosol generating substance. The vibration generated by the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibration may be about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but is not limited thereto.

[0049] The aerosol generating device may further comprise a core material that absorbs the aerosol generating substance.For example, the core material may wrap around at least one region of the vibrator or contact at least one region of the vibrator.

[0050] When a voltage (e.g., an alternating voltage) is applied to the vibrator, the vibrator may generate heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations, and the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations generated by the vibrator may be transmitted to the aerosol-generating substance absorbed by the core material. The aerosol-generating substance absorbed by the core material may be converted into a gas phase by the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations transmitted by the vibrator, and finally generate an aerosol.

[0051] For example, the viscosity of the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the core material is reduced by heat generated by the vibrator, and the aerosol generating substance with reduced viscosity is transformed into fine particles by ultrasonic vibration generated by the vibrator, thereby generating aerosol, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0052] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may heat the aerosol generating article contained in the aerosol generating device by induction heating to generate the aerosol.

[0053] The aerosol generating device may include a susceptor and a coil. In one embodiment, the coil may apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. When the aerosol generating device supplies power to the coil, a magnetic field may be formed inside the coil. In one embodiment, the susceptor may be a magnetic element that generates heat through an external magnetic field. When the susceptor is located inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied, heat may be generated to heat the aerosol generating article. In addition, the susceptor may be selectively located inside the aerosol generating article.

[0054] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further comprise a cradle.

[0055] The aerosol generating device may form a system together with a separate bracket. For example, the bracket may be used to charge the battery of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, the heater may be used to heat the aerosol generating device when the bracket is combined with the aerosol generating device.

[0056] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings to help those skilled in the art understand and implement the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and the present disclosure can be implemented in the aerosol generating device of the above embodiments or in other forms.

[0057] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0058] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0059] The aerosol generating device 100 may include a control unit 110, a sensing unit 120, an output unit 130, a battery 140, a heater 150, a user input unit 160, a memory 170, and a communication unit 180. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to Figure 1 It should be understood by those skilled in the art that, depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 100, the Figure 1 Some of the constituent elements shown may be modified or new constituent elements may be added.

[0060] The sensing unit 120 can sense the state of the aerosol generating device 100 or the surrounding state of the aerosol generating device 100, and transmit the sensed information to the control unit 110. The control unit 110 can control the aerosol generating device 100 to perform multiple functions based on the sensed information, such as controlling the action of the heater 150, restricting smoking, determining whether an aerosol generating article (e.g., an aerosol generating product, a cigarette cartridge, etc.) is inserted, displaying a notification, etc.

[0061] The sensing part 120 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 122 , an insertion sensing sensor 124 , and a suction sensor 126 , but is not limited thereto.

[0062] The temperature sensor 122 can sense the heating temperature of the heater 150 (or the aerosol generating substance). The aerosol generating device 100 may include a separate temperature sensor to sense the temperature of the heater 150, or the heater 150 itself may be used as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 122 may be disposed around the battery 140 to monitor the temperature of the battery 140.

[0063] The insertion sensing sensor 124 may sense the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol generating article. For example, the insertion sensing sensor 124 may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, a resistance sensor, a capacitance sensor, an inductance sensor, and an infrared sensor, which may sense a signal change when the aerosol generating article is inserted and / or removed.

[0064] The suction sensor 126 can sense the user's suction based on various physical changes in the airflow path or airflow channel. For example, the suction sensor 126 can sense the user's suction based on any one of temperature change, flow change, voltage change and pressure change.

[0065] In addition to the above-mentioned sensors 122 to 126, the sensing unit 120 may further include at least one of a temperature / humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a position sensor (e.g., GPS), a proximity sensor, and an RGB sensor (e.g., an illuminance sensor). Since a person of ordinary skill in the art can intuitively infer the function of each sensor from the name, a detailed description is omitted.

[0066] The output unit 130 may output state information about the aerosol generating device 100 to the user. The output unit 130 may include at least one of a display unit 132, a tactile unit 134, and a sound output unit 136, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 132 and a touch panel are provided in a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 132 may be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0067] The display unit 132 can visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 100 to the user. For example, the information about the aerosol generating device 100 may refer to various information such as the charging / discharging state of the battery 140 of the aerosol generating device 100, the preheating state of the heater 150, the insertion / removal state of the aerosol generating article, or the use restriction state of the aerosol generating device 100 (for example, abnormality is sensed), and the display unit 132 can output the information to the outside. For example, the display unit 132 may be a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light emitting display panel (OLED), etc. The display unit 132 may also be an LED light emitting element.

[0068] The haptic portion 134 may convert the electrical signal into a mechanical stimulation or an electrical stimulation to provide the user with tactile information about the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the haptic portion 134 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0069] The sound output unit 136 may provide the user with information about the aerosol generating device 100 in an auditory manner. For example, the sound output unit 136 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and output it to the outside.

[0070] The battery 140 can provide the power required for the operation of the aerosol generating device 100. The battery 140 can supply power to heat the heater 150. In addition, the battery 140 can provide the power required for the operation of other structures in the aerosol generating device 100 (such as the sensing unit 120, the output unit 130, the user input unit 160, the memory 170, and the communication unit 180). The battery 140 can be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 140 can be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0071] The heater 150 may receive power from the battery 140 to heat the aerosol generating substance. Figure 1 Although not shown in the figure, the aerosol generating device 100 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC / DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 140 and supplies it to the heater 150. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 100 generates aerosol by induction heating, the aerosol generating device 100 may further include a DC / AC converter to convert the DC power of the battery 140 into AC power.

[0072] The control unit 110, the sensing unit 120, the output unit 130, the user input unit 160, the memory 170, and the communication unit 180 may receive power from the battery 140 to implement their functions. Figure 1 Although not shown, a power conversion circuit, such as a low dropout (LDO) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, which converts the power of the battery 140 and supplies the power to each component may be further included.

[0073] In one embodiment, the heater 150 may be formed of any suitable resistive material. For example, the suitable resistive material may be a metal or metal alloy including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nickel-chromium, etc., but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater 150 may be implemented as a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate provided with a conductive track, a ceramic heating element, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0074] In another embodiment, the heater 150 may be an induction heating heater. For example, the heater 150 may include a susceptor that heats the aerosol generating substance by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil.

[0075] In an embodiment, the heater 150 may include a plurality of heaters. For example, the heater 150 may include a first heater for heating the aerosol-generating article and a second heater for heating the liquid.

[0076] The user input unit 160 can receive information input by the user or output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 160 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (contact capacitance method, pressure resistance film method, infrared sensor method, surface ultrasonic conduction method, integral tension measurement method, piezoelectric effect method, etc.), a roller, a roller switch, etc., but is not limited thereto. In addition, although Figure 1 Not shown, the aerosol generating device 100 may further include a connection interface such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may be connected to other external devices via the USB interface to send and receive information, or to charge the battery 140.

[0077] The memory 170 is hardware for storing various data processed by the aerosol generating device 100, and can store data processed by the control unit 110 and data to be processed. The memory 170 is at least one storage medium selected from a flash memory type memory, a hard disk type memory, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card type memory (such as an SD or XD memory, etc.), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. For example, the memory 170 can store data on the operation time of the aerosol generating device 100, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature curve, and a user's smoking pattern.

[0078] The communication unit 180 may include at least one component for communicating with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 180 may include a short-range communication unit 182 and a wireless communication unit 184 .

[0079] The short-range communication unit 182 includes a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a near field communication unit (Near Field Communication unit), a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared data association (IrDA, Infrared Data Association) communication unit, a Wi-Fi direct connection (WFD) communication unit, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, etc., but is not limited to this.

[0080] The wireless communication unit 184 may include, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN) communication unit, etc. The wireless communication unit 184 may use subscriber information (e.g., an International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)) to confirm and authenticate the aerosol generating device 100 within the communication network.

[0081] The control unit 110 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 100. In one embodiment, the control unit 110 may include at least one processor. The processor 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, wherein the memory stores a program executable by the microprocessor. In addition, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the at least one processor may be other forms of hardware.

[0082] The control unit 110 may control the temperature of the heater 150 by controlling the power supply from the battery 140 to the heater 150. For example, the control unit 110 may control the power supply by controlling the switching of the switching element between the battery 140 and the heater 150. In another example, the power supply from the heating integrated circuit to the heater 150 may be controlled according to a control command of the control unit 110.

[0083] The control unit 110 may analyze the sensing result of the sensing unit 120 and control subsequent processing. For example, the control unit 110 may control the power supplied to the heater 150 according to the sensing result of the sensing unit 120, thereby starting and shutting down the heater 150. For another example, the control unit 110 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 150 and the power supply time according to the sensing result of the sensing unit 120, so that the heater 150 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at a suitable temperature.

[0084] The control unit 110 may control the output unit 130 according to the result sensed by the sensing unit 120. For example, when the number of puffs counted by the puff sensor 126 reaches a preset number, the control unit 110 may inform the user through at least one of the display unit 132, the tactile unit 134, and the sound output unit 136 that the aerosol generating device 100 is about to stop.

[0085] In one embodiment, the control unit 110 may control the power supply time and / or power supply amount to the heater 150 according to the state of the aerosol generating product sensed by the sensing unit 120. For example, when the aerosol generating product is in an over-humidified state, the control unit 110 may control the power supply time to the induction coil, thereby extending the preheating time of the aerosol generating product compared to the normal state.

[0086] One embodiment may be implemented as a recording medium, which includes instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module executable by a computer. Computer-readable media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer, and includes all volatile and non-volatile media, separable and non-separable media. In addition, computer-readable media may include computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media include all volatile and non-volatile media, separable and non-separable 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 include other data or other transmission mechanisms that modulate data signals such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and include any information transmission media.

[0087] Figure 2a is an aerosol generating device 200 (eg, Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device 100). Figure 2b Schematic diagram of an aerosol-generating device 200 with an aerosol-generating article 300 inserted therein, according to an embodiment.

[0088] Reference Figure 2a and Figure 2b , an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes a housing 210 , a stick holder 220 , a rotating element 226 , a light irradiation element 230 , an input button 240 , a battery 260 , and a control unit 270 .

[0089] The housing 210 according to an embodiment may include one end, another end formed at an opposite side of the one end, an open end 212, and an elongated cavity 214. In an embodiment, the housing 210 may accommodate various mechanical / electronic components of the aerosol generating device 200 in an internal space of the housing 210. In an embodiment, the housing 210 may be made of a hard material (e.g., plastic, metal, carbon plate, synthetic resin, etc.).

[0090] According to one embodiment, the open end 212 may be disposed on any one of the one end and the other end and communicate with the elongated cavity 214. According to one embodiment, the elongated cavity 214 is a cavity formed by extending from the open end 212 of the shell 210 to the inside of the shell 210, and may include a space for accommodating an aerosol generating product.

[0091] In one embodiment, the elongated cavity 214 may include an inner wall surface 214a and a bottom surface 214b. The inner wall surface 214a according to one embodiment corresponds to the inner wall surface of the elongated cavity 214, and may correspond to the side surface of the aerosol generating product when the aerosol generating product is inserted into the elongated cavity 214. The bottom surface 214b according to one embodiment is the end surface of the elongated cavity 214, and may correspond to the upstream end of the aerosol generating product when the aerosol generating product is inserted into the elongated cavity 214.

[0092] In one embodiment, the elongated cavity 214 may include a light-transmitting element 216. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the inner wall surface 214a of the elongated cavity 214 may be formed of a light-transmitting material. In one embodiment, in the elongated cavity 214, the light-transmitting element 216 may be arranged in a direction corresponding to the light irradiation element 230. According to one embodiment, the light-transmitting element 216 is arranged in a direction corresponding to the light irradiation element 230, so that the light irradiated by the light irradiation element 230 can irradiate the interior of the elongated cavity 214.

[0093] In one embodiment, the rod holder 220 may include a first holder 222 and a second holder 224 .

[0094] In one embodiment, the first retaining member 222 may be disposed on the bottom surface 214b of the elongated cavity 214. In one embodiment, the first retaining member 222 may capture the aerosol generating article (e.g., Figure 3 One side end portion of the aerosol generating article 300) (e.g., Figure 3In one embodiment, the first retaining member 222 may include a retaining portion 2221, a shaft 2222, and a through hole 2223. In one embodiment, the retaining portion 2221 corresponds to a portion that accommodates one side end of the aerosol generating article 300. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the retaining portion 2221 may be the same as the inner diameter of the aerosol generating article 300. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the retaining portion 2221 may be larger than the inner diameter of the aerosol generating article 300. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the retaining portion 2221 may be smaller than the inner diameter of the aerosol generating article 300. In one embodiment, the shaft 2222 connects the retaining portion 2221 and the bottom surface 214b of the elongated cavity 214 to help the retaining portion 2221 stably accommodate the aerosol generating article 300. In one embodiment, the shaft 2222 and the retaining portion 2221 may be formed of a single and continuous material. In one embodiment, the shaft 2222 is combined with the holding portion 2221 as a portion different from the holding portion 2221. In one embodiment, the through hole 2223 may penetrate the wall of the holding portion 2221 parallel to the bottom surface 214b of the elongated cavity 214. In one embodiment, the airflow flowing into the interior of the aerosol generating device 200 may move to the interior of the aerosol generating article 300 through the through hole 2223 (see Figure 2b arrow F1).

[0095] In one embodiment, the second retaining member 224 may be disposed adjacent to the open end 212 of the housing 210. In one embodiment, the second retaining member 224 may capture a middle portion (e.g., Figure 3 In one embodiment, the second retainer 224 may include a gear. In one embodiment, the second retainer 224 is arranged to rotate around the entrance of the elongated cavity 214 and with the longitudinal central axis of the elongated cavity 214 as a reference. In one embodiment, the second retainer 224 may be formed to protrude toward the longitudinal axis of the center compared to the inner wall 214a of the elongated cavity 214 to capture the aerosol generating article 300. In one embodiment, the second retainer 224 may include a perforation (not shown) to allow the airflow to flow smoothly. In one embodiment, the perforation of the second retainer 224 may be parallel to the perforation 2243 of the first retainer 222.

[0096] In one embodiment, the rotating element 226 can rotate the rod holder 220 with the central axis of the depth direction of the elongated cavity 214 as a reference. In one embodiment, the rotating element 226 may include a motor 2261 and a gear 2262. The motor 2261 according to one embodiment may include an energy source for realizing active rotational motion. The motor 2261 according to one embodiment may include a servo motor. When the rotating element 226 includes a servo motor, the user can rotate the rod holder 220 to a desired angle. The gear 2262 according to one embodiment may be combined with the motor shaft of the motor 2261. The gear 2262 according to one embodiment may mesh with the gear of the second holder 224 and thereby achieve driving. For example, the gear 2262 according to one embodiment may be a driving gear connected to the motor 2261, and the gear of the second holder 224 according to one embodiment may be a pinion gear. In one embodiment, the rotation direction of the rod holder 220 may be determined according to the rotation direction of the rotating element 226. The rotation direction of the rod holder 220 according to an embodiment may be opposite to the rotation direction of the rotating element 226. The rotation direction of the rod holder 220 according to an embodiment may be the same as the rotation direction of the rotating element 226. The rotation direction of the aerosol generating article 300 according to an embodiment (e.g., see Figure 2b The arrow D1) in FIG. 2 may be in the same direction as the rotation direction of the rod holder 220 .

[0097] In one embodiment, the light irradiation element 230 may irradiate light toward the aerosol-generating article 300 to heat the medium (eg, Figure 3 The medium segment 310). According to an embodiment, the light irradiation element 230 may be arranged in parallel with the elongated cavity 214. According to an embodiment, the light irradiation element 230 may be arranged side by side with the elongated cavity 214. According to an embodiment, the light irradiation element 230 may include a light source portion 232, a reflecting portion 234, an angle adjustment portion 236, and an amplifying portion 238. In an embodiment, the light source portion 232 may emit light. For example, the light source portion 232 may include a laser emitter. In an embodiment, the reflecting portion 234 may reflect the light emitted by the light source portion 232 at an appropriate angle and direct it toward the aerosol generating article 300. For example, the reflecting portion 234 may include quartz, glass, or a high-gloss metal material, but is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the angle adjustment portion 236 may change the angle of the reflecting portion 234 (see Figure 2b ), so that the light is evenly irradiated to the medium section of the aerosol generating article 300 (e.g., Figure 3In one embodiment, the angle adjustment portion 236 may be disposed adjacent to the reflective portion 234. In one embodiment, the angle adjustment portion 236 may include a motor 236a, a first gear 236b, and a second gear 236c. In one embodiment, the amplifying portion 238 may be disposed between the light source portion 232 and the reflective portion 234. The amplifying portion 238 according to one embodiment may amplify the intensity, brightness, vibration number, and / or wavelength of light emitted from the light source portion 232. Figure 4a and Figure 4b The light irradiation element 230 according to an embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0098] In one embodiment, the input button 240 (e.g., Figure 1 The user input portion 160 of the housing 210 may be disposed at one side end of the housing 210. In one embodiment, the input button 240 may protrude to the outside of the housing 210. In one embodiment, the input button 240 may be connected to the rotating element 226. In one embodiment, the rotating element 226 may be activated by operating the input button 240. For example, the stick holder 220 may be rotated by operating the input button 240. In one embodiment, the rotation angle of the rotating element 226 when the input button 240 is operated once may be different according to the user's preferences, habits and / or the preset value of the aerosol generating device. In one embodiment, the user may customize the rotation angle of the rotating element 226 when the input button 240 is operated once.

[0099] In one embodiment, the battery 260 can supply the power required for the operation of the aerosol generating device 200. The battery 260 can supply power to drive the motors 2261, 236a. In addition, the battery 260 can supply the power required for the operation of other components in the aerosol generating device 200 (for example, the light source unit 232 and the input button 240). The battery 260 can be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 260 can be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0100] In one embodiment, the control unit 270 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 200. In one embodiment, the control unit 270 may include at least one processor. The processor 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, wherein the memory stores a program executable by the microprocessor. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the at least one processor may be other forms of hardware.

[0101] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an aerosol-generating article 300 according to an embodiment.

[0102] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating article 300 can be accommodated in the elongated cavity 214 of the aerosol generating device 200 to generate aerosol. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating article 300 includes a first end surface 300a, a second end surface 300b formed on the opposite side of the first end surface 300a, and a side surface 300c formed between the first end surface 300a and the second end surface 300b. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating article 300 includes a media segment 310, a first segment 320 disposed on the upstream side of the media segment 310, a second segment 330 disposed on the downstream side of the media segment 310, a wrapper 340, and a filter segment 350.

[0103] In one embodiment, the medium segment 310 may include a first medium end 310a and a second medium end 310b. In one embodiment, the first medium end 310a may be an end connected to the first segment 320. In one embodiment, the second medium end 310b may be an end connected to the second segment 330. According to one embodiment, the medium segment 310 may include a medium. For example, the medium may include a solid substance based on tobacco raw materials such as plate-shaped leaf tobacco, shredded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, and / or a liquid composition based on nicotine, tobacco extracts or other flavoring agents, but is not limited thereto. For example, according to one embodiment, the medium segment may be configured to be filled with a folded or curled plate-shaped leaf medium. In one embodiment, the medium segment 310 may include a hollow tube 312. In one embodiment, the aerosol generated by heating the medium segment 310 may flow to the first end surface 300a through the hollow tube 312 formed in the center of the medium segment 310. For example, the aerosol may be smoothly transferred to the user's mouth through the hollow tube 312 formed in the center of the medium segment 310. In one embodiment, the media segment 310 may be exposed on the outside of the aerosol-generating article 300. For example, the media segment 310 may be in a state where the wrapping paper 340 surrounding it is peeled off.

[0104] In one embodiment, the first section 320 can prevent the medium in the medium section 310 from falling off. For example, the first section 320 can include a front end plug. The front end plug can be arranged on the side opposite to the second section 330. In one embodiment, the front end plug can prevent the medium from detaching to the outside, and can also prevent the aerosol liquefied from the medium section during smoking from flowing into the aerosol generating device. The front end plug can be made of cellulose acetate. For example, the front end plug 23 can be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to a cellulose acetate tow. In one embodiment, the cross-section of the filament constituting the front end plug can be Y-shaped. In one embodiment, the front end plug can include at least one channel, and the cross-section of the channel can be made into different shapes.

[0105] In one embodiment, the second section 330 may be disposed to be connected to the downstream side of the medium section 310. The second section 330 according to one embodiment may include a paper tube inside. In one embodiment, the second section 330 may cool the aerosol generated by the medium section 310.

[0106] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating article 300 may be packaged with at least one wrapping paper 340. The wrapping paper 340 according to one embodiment may have at least one hole through which external air is introduced or through which internal gas flows out. For example, the first section 320 and the filter section 350 may be packaged with a first wrapping paper 341, and the first section 320, the second section 330, and the filter section 350 may be packaged again with a second wrapping paper 342. For example, the wrapping paper 340 may wrap the side 300c corresponding to the first section 320, the second section 330, and the filter section 350 except the medium section 310.

[0107] In one embodiment, although the filter section 350 is Figure 3 350 is shown as having a single segment, but is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter segment 350 may be composed of a plurality of segments. For example, the filter segment 350 may include a segment for cooling the aerosol and a segment for filtering a predetermined component contained in the aerosol. In addition, as required, the filter segment 350 may also include at least one segment that performs another function. The filter segment 350 may be an acetate filter. However, there is no limitation on the shape of the filter segment 350. For example, the filter segment 350 may be a cylindrical rod, or a tubular rod including a hollow portion therein, or a recessed rod.

[0108] Figure 4a is a perspective view of the interior of an aerosol generating device 200 according to an embodiment. Figure 4b yes Figure 4a FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a region A of an aerosol generating device 200 according to an embodiment.

[0109] Reference Figure 4a and Figure 4b , the aerosol generating article 300 is securely held in the elongated cavity (e.g., Figure 2aThe light emitted from the light source portion 232 can travel along a straight line. In one embodiment, the light emitted from the light source portion 232 can be reflected by the reflecting portion 234 toward the medium segment 310 of the aerosol generating article 300. Since the light emitted from the light source portion 232 has concentrated light energy and / or heat energy, the medium 311 exposed to the outside of the medium segment 310 can be heated. In one embodiment, the heated position of the medium segment 310 will be different depending on the configuration angle of the reflecting portion 234 relative to the light source portion 232. In one embodiment, the angle adjustment portion 236 can adjust the angle of the reflecting portion 234 relative to the light source portion 232. In one embodiment, the angle of the reflecting portion 234 can be rotated with respect to an axis perpendicular to the length direction of the aerosol generating article 300 (e.g., the Z direction). For example, the angle of the reflecting portion 234 can be along Figure 2b When the reflective portion 234 according to an embodiment rotates, the light emitted from the light source portion 232 is emitted from the first medium end (eg, Figure 3 The first medium end 310a) is continuously irradiated to the second medium end (for example, Figure 3 In one embodiment, the area of ​​the heating region 313 heated by a continuous light irradiation may vary according to the length l1 of the medium segment and the width l2 of the irradiated light. In one embodiment, the area of ​​the heating region 313 heated by a continuous light irradiation may be calculated by multiplying the length l1 of the medium segment by the width l2 of the irradiated light.

[0110] In one embodiment, the aerosol generated by heating the medium segment 310 by the light irradiation element 230 can be discharged through a hollow tube (eg, Figure 3 The hollow tube 312) moves toward the second end surface 300b.

[0111] Figure 5 is an aerosol generating device 500 (eg, Figure 2a and Figure 2b An enlarged view of the aerosol generating device 200).

[0112] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 500 may include a puff sensor 550. In one embodiment, the puff sensor 550 (e.g., Figure 1The sensing portion 120 of the housing 510 may be disposed at one side end of the housing 510. In one embodiment, the suction sensor 550 may sense the user's suction inside the housing 510. In one embodiment, the suction sensor 550 may be connected to the rotating element 526. In one embodiment, the rotating element 526 may be activated when the suction sensor 550 senses the user's suction. For example, the stick holder, in particular the second holder 524, may be rotated by operating the suction sensor 550. In one embodiment, the rotation angle of the rotating element 526 when the suction sensor 550 is operated once may be different according to the user's preference, habit and / or the preset value of the aerosol generating device. In one embodiment, the user may customize the rotation angle of the rotating element 526 when the input button 240 is operated once. In one embodiment, the suction sensor 550 may replace the input button 240 of the aerosol generating device 200 according to one embodiment.

[0113] As described above, although the embodiments are described by limiting the accompanying drawings, a person skilled in the art can implement various technical modifications and variations based on the above contents. For example, even if the described techniques and / or multiple structural elements of the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, etc. are performed in a different order than the described methods, or multiple structural elements are combined or combined in a different form than the described methods, or replaced or substituted by other structural elements or equivalent technical solutions, appropriate results can be achieved.

[0114] Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents thereof are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, in, include: a housing comprising an open end and an elongated cavity communicating with the open end for accommodating an aerosol-generating article; a rod holder disposed in the elongated cavity, capturing the aerosol generating article and rotating the aerosol generating article about a longitudinal central axis of the aerosol generating article; and A light irradiation element irradiates light to heat the medium segment included in the aerosol generating article.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The light irradiation element is arranged side by side with the elongated cavity, The light irradiation element comprises: A light source portion, emitting light; a reflecting portion for directing the light emitted from the light source portion toward the medium segment; and The angle adjustment part is arranged adjacent to the reflecting part, and adjusts the angle of the light reflected by the reflecting part so that the light reaches the medium segment uniformly.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein: The aerosol-generating article further comprises a first section disposed on an upstream side of the media section and a second section disposed on a downstream side of the media section, The medium segment includes a first medium end connected to the first segment and a second medium end connected to the second segment, The angle adjustment unit allows the light reflected from the reflection unit to be continuously irradiated from the first medium end to the second medium end.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, wherein: The rod holder comprises: a first retaining member disposed on a bottom surface of the elongated cavity to capture a first section of the aerosol generating article; and A second retainer is disposed adjacent the open end of the housing to capture the second section of the aerosol-generating article.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4, wherein: Also includes rotating elements, The rotating element rotates the rod holder with respect to a central axis in a depth direction of the elongated cavity.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5, wherein: The aerosol generating device further comprises an input button connected to the rotating element, Operation of the input button activates the rotating element and causes the rotating element to rotate.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5, wherein: The aerosol generating device further comprises a puff sensor connected to the rotating element and sensing a puff of a user, Operation of the suction sensor activates the rotating element and causes the rotating element to rotate.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The elongated cavity comprises an inner wall surface opposite to the aerosol generating article, at least a portion of the inner wall surface being made of a light-transmitting material.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The medium segment includes a medium, The medium is exposed to the exterior of the aerosol-generating article.

10. An aerosol-generating article, wherein: The invention comprises a first end surface, a second end surface located on the opposite side of the first end surface, a side surface formed between the first end surface and the second end surface, a medium section, a first section, a second section and packaging paper, The first section is arranged on the upstream side of the medium section, and the second section is arranged on the downstream side of the medium section. The wrapping paper wraps the sides corresponding to the first section and the second section excluding the medium section.

11. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 10, wherein The medium segment includes a hollow tube, and aerosol formed when the medium segment is heated moves toward the second end surface through the hollow tube.

12. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 10 or 11, wherein The media section is filled with folded or rolled plate-shaped leaf media.

13. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 10, wherein: The medium segment includes a medium, and the medium is exposed to the outside.

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