Aerosol-generating device

Abstract

The aerosol generating device includes: an oscillation unit that generates microwaves; a resonance unit that accommodates an aerosol-generating article and heats the aerosol-generating article by resonating the microwaves; a power monitoring unit that measures the reflected microwave power reflected from the resonance unit and input to the oscillation unit; and a processor that controls the output of the oscillation unit on the basis of the reflected microwave power measured by the power monitoring unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device that heats an aerosol generating article by dielectric heating, and more specifically, to an aerosol generating device that can track in real time the change in resonance frequency corresponding to the consumption of a dielectric substance contained in the aerosol generating article. Background Art

[0002] Recently, there is an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of conventional aerosol-generating articles. For example, there is an increasing demand for systems that generate aerosol by heating cigarettes (or "aerosol-generating articles") using an aerosol-generating device rather than burning the cigarettes.

[0003] In addition, conventional aerosol generating devices heat aerosol generating materials by resistance heating, induction heating, or ultrasonic heating. However, these conventional aerosol generating devices have problems such as slow preheating speed and inability to achieve uniform heating compared to dielectric heating.

[0004] In addition, some of the existing aerosol generating devices use a dielectric heating method, but these are only equivalent to a microwave radiation method using an antenna, and therefore there is a problem that the power transmission efficiency is significantly reduced. Summary of the invention

[0005] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the technical problem of the present disclosure is to provide an aerosol generating device capable of heating an aerosol generating article by a dielectric heating method utilizing microwave resonance.

[0007] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the technical problems described above, and other technical problems can be deduced from the following examples.

[0008] Means used to solve problems

[0009] According to one embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes: an oscillating portion that generates microwaves; a resonating portion that accommodates an aerosol generating article and heats the aerosol generating article by causing the microwaves to resonate; a power monitoring portion that measures reflected microwave power reflected from the resonating portion and input to the oscillating portion; and a processor that controls the output of the oscillating portion based on the reflected microwave power measured by the power monitoring portion.

[0010] Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the aerosol generating device of the present disclosure, since the dielectric material is heated by microwave resonance, it has the advantage of being able to significantly improve power transfer efficiency.

[0012] In addition, according to the aerosol generating device, since the resonance frequency of microwave resonance is estimated in real time to keep the resonance frequency consistent with the output frequency of the oscillation unit, the power transmission efficiency is significantly improved, and a uniform smoking sensation can be provided until the second half of heating.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the aerosol generating device, since the aerosol generating article is heated by microwave resonance, the aerosol generating article can be heated uniformly as a whole.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the aerosol generating device, since the aerosol generating article is heated by microwave resonance, the aerosol generating article can be preheated quickly.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the aerosol generating device, when heating the aerosol generating article by utilizing microwave resonance, power consumption can be significantly reduced.

[0016] The effects of the invention are not limited to the above-described contents, and the present invention also includes more diverse effects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Internal block diagram of the dielectric heating section.

[0020] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a heater assembly.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a perspective view schematically showing a heater assembly according to another embodiment.

[0023] Figure 7 FIG. 4 is an internal block diagram for explaining an output control method of an oscillating unit according to an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 8 1 is a diagram for explaining a method for tracking a resonance frequency using an output microwave power of an oscillation part and a reflected microwave power of a resonance part according to an embodiment.

[0025] Fig. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a method for operating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] According to one embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes: an oscillating portion that generates microwaves; a resonating portion that accommodates an aerosol generating article and heats the aerosol generating article by causing the microwaves to resonate; a power monitoring portion that measures reflected microwave power reflected from the resonating portion and input to the oscillating portion; and a processor that controls the output of the oscillating portion based on the reflected microwave power measured by the power monitoring portion.

[0027] Furthermore, in the resonating portion, as the dielectric substance contained in the aerosol-generating article is consumed by being heated by the microwaves, the resonant frequency of the microwaves is changed.

[0028] In addition, the resonance frequency of the resonance portion increases as the amount of the dielectric substance contained in the aerosol-generating article decreases.

[0029] In addition, the power monitoring section measures the reflected microwave power corresponding to the change in the resonance frequency.

[0030] In addition, the processor controls the output of the oscillating part so that the reflected microwave power measured by the power monitoring part is included in a preset reference power range.

[0031] In addition, the processor sweeps the output frequency of the microwave power output by the oscillating part within a preset reference frequency band range, and adjusts the output frequency of the microwave power so that the reflected microwave power is included in the reference power range.

[0032] In addition, the processor scans the output frequency of the microwave power output by the oscillating part within the reference frequency band range between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz.

[0033] In addition, the processor matches the output frequency of the microwave power with the resonant frequency of the resonant part by adjusting the output frequency of the microwave power to any one frequency selected from the reference frequency band range.

[0034] In addition, the processor adjusts the magnitude of the microwave power output by the oscillating part according to a preset power profile, and controls the magnitude of the microwave power and the output frequency of the microwave power independently of each other.

[0035] In addition, the resonating portion includes: a first internal conductor, which is in the shape of a hollow cylinder and surrounds an area of ​​the aerosol generating article; and a second internal conductor, which is in the shape of a hollow cylinder and surrounds another area of ​​the aerosol generating article and is arranged at a specified distance from the first internal conductor, and the microwave is resonated by the first internal conductor and the second internal conductor.

[0036] In addition, the resonating portion includes: a first plate surrounding an area of ​​the aerosol generating article; and a second plate spaced apart from the first plate along the peripheral direction of the aerosol generating article and surrounding another area of ​​the aerosol generating article, and the microwaves are resonated by the first plate and the second plate.

[0037] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Regardless of the figure numbers, the same or similar components are given the same figure numbers, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0038] The suffixes "module" and "unit" of the constituent elements used in the following description are only given or used interchangeably in consideration of the convenience of completing the description, and they themselves do not have different meanings or functions from each other.

[0039] In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that the specific description of the related known technology makes the subject matter of the embodiments disclosed in this specification unclear, the detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the drawings, and it should be understood that all changes, equivalents and substitutes within the ideas and technical scope of this disclosure are included.

[0040] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited to the terms. The terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components.

[0041] When a certain component is “connected” or “joined” to another component, it should be understood that it can be directly connected or joined to the other component, and other components may exist between the two. On the contrary, when a certain component is “directly connected” or “directly joined” to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components between the two.

[0042] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, an expression in the singular includes an expression in the plural form.

[0043] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0044] Reference Figure 1According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating device 100 may include: a housing 110 capable of accommodating an aerosol generating article 10 ; and a heater assembly 200 for heating the aerosol generating article 10 accommodated in the housing 110 .

[0045] The housing 110 may form the overall appearance of the aerosol generating device 100, and the components of the aerosol generating device 100 may be arranged in the internal space (or "installation space") of the housing 110. For example, the internal space of the housing 110 may be equipped with a heater assembly 200, a battery, a processor and / or a sensor, but the components arranged in the internal space are not limited thereto.

[0046] An insertion hole 110h may be formed in a region of the housing 110, and at least one region of the aerosol generating article 10 may be inserted into the interior of the housing 110 through the insertion hole 110h. For example, the insertion hole 110h may be formed in a region of the upper end surface (e.g., the surface facing the z direction) of the housing 110, but the formation position of the insertion hole 110h is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the insertion hole 110h may also be formed in a region of the side surface (e.g., the surface facing the x direction) of the housing 110.

[0047] The heater assembly 200 may be disposed in the inner space of the housing 110 and heat the aerosol generating article 10 inserted through the insertion hole 110h or accommodated inside the housing 110. For example, the heater assembly 200 may be configured to surround at least one region of the aerosol generating article 10 inserted or accommodated inside the housing 110 to heat the aerosol generating article 10.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the heater assembly 200 can heat the aerosol generating article 10 by dielectric heating. The "dielectric heating method" in the present disclosure refers to a method of heating a dielectric material as a heat-receiving body by using microwaves and / or the resonance of the electric field (or magnetic field) of microwaves. Microwaves, as an energy source for heating the heat-receiving body, are generated by high-frequency power, and therefore, microwaves and microwave power can be used interchangeably hereinafter.

[0049] Inside the heater assembly 200, the charges or ions of the dielectric material included in the aerosol generating article 10 may vibrate or rotate due to microwave resonance, and heat may be generated in the dielectric material due to the frictional heat generated by the charges or ions during the vibration or rotation process, so that the aerosol generating article 10 may be heated.

[0050] As the aerosol-generating article 10 is heated by the heater assembly 200, an aerosol may be generated from the aerosol-generating article 10. In the present disclosure, "aerosol" may refer to gas particles generated by mixing air and steam generated when the aerosol-generating article 10 is heated.

[0051] The aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article 10 may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100 through the aerosol generating article 10 or through the empty space between the aerosol generating article 10 and the insertion hole 110h. The user contacts an area of ​​the aerosol generating article 10 exposed to the outside of the housing 110 with the oral cavity, and may smoke by inhaling the aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 may further include: a cover 111, which is movably configured on the housing 110 to open or close the insertion hole 110h. For example, the cover 111 may be slidably coupled to the upper end surface of the housing 110, so that the insertion hole 110h is exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100, or the insertion hole 110h is covered to prevent the insertion hole 110h from being exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0053] In one example, the cover 111 may expose the insertion hole 110h to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100 in the first position (or "open position"). If the aerosol generating device 100 is exposed to the outside, the aerosol generating article 10 may be inserted into the housing 110 through the insertion hole 110h.

[0054] In another example, the cover 111 may cover the insertion hole 110h at the second position (or "closed position") to prevent the insertion hole 110h from being exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100. At this time, when the aerosol generating device 100 is not in use, the cover 111 may prevent external foreign matter from flowing into the interior of the heater assembly 200 through the insertion hole 110h.

[0055] Figure 1 2 and 3 , only the aerosol generating device 100 for heating the aerosol generating article 10 in a solid state is shown, but the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

[0056] The aerosol generating device according to another embodiment may also generate aerosol by heating the aerosol generating substance in a liquid or gel state of the aerosol generating article 10 in a non-solid state through the heater assembly 200 .

[0057] According to another embodiment, the aerosol generating device includes a heater assembly 200 for heating the aerosol generating article 10 and an aerosol generating substance in a liquid or gel state, and may also include a cartridge (or "vaporizer") for heating the aerosol generating substance. The aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substance may move to the aerosol generating article 10 through the airflow channel connecting the cartridge and the aerosol generating article 10, and after mixing with the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating article 10, pass through the aerosol generating article 10 and pass to the user.

[0058] Figure 2 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0059] Reference Figure 2 The aerosol generating device 100 may include an input portion 102 , an output portion 103 , a sensor portion 104 , a communication portion 105 , a memory 106 , a battery 107 , an interface portion 108 , a power conversion portion 109 and a dielectric heating portion 200 .

[0060] The input unit 102 may receive user input. For example, the input unit 102 may be configured as a single pressure-type button. As another example, the input unit 102 may be a touch panel including at least one touch sensor. The input unit 102 may transmit an input signal to the processor 101. The processor 101 may supply power to the dielectric heating unit 200 based on the user input, or may output a user notification by controlling the output unit 103.

[0061] The output unit 103 may output information about the state of the aerosol generating device 100. The output unit 103 may output the charge / discharge state of the battery 107, the heating state of the dielectric heating unit 200, the insertion state of the aerosol generating article 10, and error information of the aerosol generating device 100. To this end, the output unit 103 may include a display, a haptic motor, and an audio output unit.

[0062] The sensor unit 104 can sense the state of the aerosol generating device 100 or the surrounding state of the aerosol generating device 100 and send the sensed information to the processor 101. The processor 101 can control the aerosol generating device 100 based on the sensed information to perform various functions such as heating control of the dielectric heating unit 200, smoking restriction, insertion judgment of the aerosol generating article 10, notification display, etc.

[0063] The sensor part 104 may include a temperature sensor, a suction sensor, and an insertion sensing sensor.

[0064] The temperature sensor may sense the temperature inside the dielectric heating portion 200 in a non-contact manner, or may directly acquire the temperature of the resonator by contacting the dielectric heating portion 200. According to an embodiment, the temperature sensor may also sense the temperature of the aerosol generating article 10. In addition, the temperature sensor may be arranged adjacent to the battery 107 to acquire the temperature of the battery 107. The processor 101 may control the power supply to the dielectric heating portion 200 based on the temperature information of the temperature sensor.

[0065] The suction sensor can sense the user's suction. The suction sensor can sense the user's suction based on at least one change in temperature change, flow change, power change, and pressure change. The processor 101 can control the power supply to the dielectric heating unit 200 based on the suction information of the suction sensor. For example, the processor 101 counts the number of puffs, and when the number of puffs reaches a preset maximum number of puffs, the power supply to the dielectric heating unit 200 can be blocked. As another example, when no puff is sensed to last for more than a preset time, the processor 101 can block the power supply to the dielectric heating unit 200.

[0066] The insertion sensing sensor can be arranged in the receiving space ( Figure 4 The insertion sensing sensor may be arranged inside the insertion hole 110h or adjacent to the accommodation space 220h to be able to sense the insertion and removal of the aerosol generating article 10 accommodated in the insertion hole 110h. For example, the insertion sensing sensor may include an inductive sensor and / or a capacitive sensor. When the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 110h, the processor 101 may supply power to the dielectric heating portion 200.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the sensor unit 104 may further include a reuse sensing sensor, a motion sensing sensor, a humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a cover removal sensing sensor, a position sensor (GPS), and a proximity sensor, etc. The functions of each sensor can be intuitively inferred from their names, so a specific description will be omitted.

[0068] The communication unit 105 may include at least one communication module for communicating with an external electronic device. The processor 101 may send information of the aerosol generating device 100 to the external electronic device by controlling the communication unit 105. Alternatively, the processor 101 may receive information from the external electronic device through the communication unit 105 to control the components included in the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the transmission information between the communication unit 105 and the external electronic device may include user authentication information, firmware update information, user smoking pattern information, etc.

[0069] The memory 106 is hardware for storing various data processed in the aerosol generating device 100, and can store data processed in the processor 101 and data to be processed. For example, the memory 106 can store data such as the working time of the aerosol generating device 100, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature distribution, and the smoking pattern of the user.

[0070] The battery 107 can supply power to the dielectric heating unit 200 to heat the aerosol generating article 10. In addition, the battery 107 can supply power required for the operation of other components provided in the aerosol generating device 100. The battery 107 can be a rechargeable battery or a detachable battery.

[0071] The interface unit 108 may include a connection terminal that can be physically connected to an external electronic device. The connection terminal may include at least one of an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector) or a combination thereof. The interface unit 108 may send / receive information or charge with an external electronic device through the connection terminal.

[0072] The power conversion section 109 may convert the DC power received from the battery 107 into AC power. In addition, the power conversion section 109 may provide the converted AC power to the dielectric heating section 200. The power conversion section 109 may be an inverter including at least one switching element, and the processor 101 may convert the DC power into AC power by controlling the ON / OFF of the switching element included in the power conversion section 109. The power conversion section 109 may be configured as a full-bridge or a half-bridge.

[0073] The dielectric heating unit 200 can heat the aerosol generating article 10 by dielectric heating. Figure 1 The heater assembly 200 has a corresponding structure.

[0074] The dielectric heating unit 200 can heat the aerosol generating article 10 using microwaves and / or microwave electric fields (hereinafter referred to as microwaves or microwave power if no distinction is necessary). The dielectric heating unit 200 can heat the aerosol generating article 10 by generating microwaves in a resonant structure, rather than by radiating microwaves using an antenna. The resonant structure will refer to Figure 4 The following is described later.

[0075] The dielectric heating unit 200 can output high-frequency microwaves to the resonance unit ( Figure 3The microwave may be of the power of the Industrial Scientific and Medical equipment (ISM) band allowed for heating, but is not limited thereto. The resonating portion 220 may be designed by considering the wavelength length of the microwave so that the microwave can resonate within the resonating portion 220.

[0076] The aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the resonance part 220, and the dielectric material in the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by the resonance part 220. For example, the aerosol generating article 10 can contain a polar substance, and the molecules in the polar substance can be polarized inside the resonance part 220. The molecules can vibrate or rotate by the polarization phenomenon, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by friction heat or the like generated in the process. Figure 3 , the dielectric heating unit 200 is described in more detail.

[0077] The processor 101 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 100. The processor 101 can be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or can be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing programs executable by the microprocessor. In addition, it can also be implemented by other forms of hardware.

[0078] The processor 101 can control the DC power supplied by the battery 107 to the power conversion unit 109 and / or the AC power supplied by the power conversion unit 109 to the dielectric heating unit 200 according to the required power of the dielectric heating unit 200. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 may include a converter that increases or decreases the voltage of the DC power, and the processor 101 can adjust the magnitude of the DC power by controlling the converter. In addition, the processor 101 can control the AC power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200 by adjusting the switching frequency and duty cycle of the switching element included in the power conversion unit 109.

[0079] The processor 10 can control the heating temperature of the aerosol generating article 10 by controlling the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit 200 and the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200. Figure 3 The oscillating unit 210 , the isolating unit 240 , the power monitoring unit 250 and the matching unit 260 may also be part of the processor 101 .

[0080] The processor 101 may control the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit 200 based on the temperature distribution information stored in the memory 106. In other words, the temperature distribution includes information of the target temperature of the dielectric heating unit 200 corresponding to time, and the processor 101 may control the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit 200 according to time.

[0081] The processor 101 may adjust the frequency of the microwaves to make the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200 constant. The processor 101 may track the change of the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200 corresponding to the heating of the heated object in real time, and may control the dielectric heating unit 200 to output the microwave frequency corresponding to the changed resonant frequency. In other words, the processor 101 may change the microwave frequency in real time regardless of the pre-stored temperature distribution.

[0082] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Internal block diagram of the dielectric heating section.

[0083] Reference Figure 3 The dielectric heating portion 200 may include an oscillating portion 210 , an isolating portion 240 , a power monitoring portion 250 , a matching portion 260 , a microwave output portion 230 , and a resonating portion 220 .

[0084] The oscillating part 210 may receive AC power from the power converting part 109 to generate high frequency microwave power. According to an embodiment, the power converting part 109 may be a configuration included in the oscillating part 210. The microwave power may be selected from 915 MHz, 2.45 GHz, and 5.8 GHz bands included in the ISM band.

[0085] The oscillating part 210 includes a solid-state RF generating device, and microwave power can be generated by the device. The solid-state RF generating device can be implemented by a semiconductor. If the oscillating part 210 is implemented by a semiconductor, there is an advantage that the dielectric heating part 200 can be miniaturized and the device life is increased.

[0086] The oscillating part 210 can output microwave power to the resonating part 220. The oscillating part 210 includes a power amplifier (power amp) that increases or decreases the microwave power, and the power amplifier can adjust the size of the microwave power under the control of the processor 101. For example, the power amplifier can reduce or increase the amplitude of the microwave. As the amplitude of the microwave is adjusted, the microwave power can also be adjusted.

[0087] The processor 101 may adjust the magnitude of the microwave power output from the oscillating portion 210 based on the pre-stored temperature profile. For example, the temperature profile includes target temperature information corresponding to the preheating interval and the smoking interval, and the oscillating portion 210 may supply microwave power at a first power in the preheating interval, and supply microwave power at a second power lower than the first power in the smoking interval.

[0088] The isolation part 240 can block the microwave power input from the resonance part 220 to the oscillation part 210. Most of the microwave power output from the oscillation part 210 is absorbed by the heat receiving body, but according to the heating mode of the heat receiving body, a part of the microwave power can be reflected by the heat receiving body to be transmitted again in the direction of the oscillation part 210. This is because the impedance from the oscillation part 210 to the resonance part 220 changes as the polar molecules according to the heating of the heat receiving body are exhausted. "The impedance from the oscillation part 210 to the resonance part 220 changes" can have the same meaning as "the resonant frequency of the resonance part 220 changes". When the microwave power reflected from the resonance part 220 is input to the oscillation part 210, not only will the oscillation part 210 fail, but also the desired output performance cannot be exerted. The isolation part 240 does not return the microwave power reflected from the resonance part 220 to the oscillation part 210, but guides it in a prescribed direction and absorbs it. To this end, the isolation part 240 may include a circulator and a dummy load.

[0089] The power monitoring unit 250 may monitor the microwave power output from the oscillating unit 210 and the reflected microwave power reflected from the resonating unit 220. The power monitoring unit 250 may send information related to the microwave power and the reflected microwave power to the matching unit 260.

[0090] The matching part 260 may match the impedance from the oscillation part 210 to the resonance part 220 with the impedance from the resonance part 220 to the oscillation part 210 to minimize the reflected microwave power. Impedance matching may have the same meaning as "making the frequency of the oscillation part 210 consistent with the resonant frequency of the resonance part 220". Therefore, the matching part 260 may change the frequency of the oscillation part 210 in order to match the impedance. In other words, the matching part 260 may adjust the frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillation part 210 to minimize the reflected microwave power. The impedance matching of the matching part 260 may be performed in real time regardless of the temperature distribution.

[0091] In addition, the oscillating unit 210, the isolating unit 240, the power monitoring unit 250 and the matching unit 260 described above can be implemented as a microwave source in the form of a chip as separate components distinguished from the microwave output unit 230 and the resonating unit 220 described later. In addition, according to an embodiment, the oscillating unit 210, the isolating unit 240, the power monitoring unit 250 and the matching unit 260 described above can also be implemented as a partial component of the processor 101.

[0092] The microwave output unit 230 is a structure for inputting microwave power to the resonance unit 220, and can be Figure 3The following couplers correspond to the following configurations. The microwave output unit 230 may be implemented in the form of SMA, SMB, MCX, or MMCX connectors. The microwave output unit 230 transmits the microwave power generated in the microwave source to the resonator 220 by connecting the microwave source in the form of a chip to the resonator 220 .

[0093] The resonating part 220 can heat the heated object by forming microwaves in the resonant structure. The resonating part 220 includes a housing space for housing the aerosol generating article 10, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be exposed to microwaves for dielectric heating. For example, the aerosol generating article 10 can contain a polar substance, and the molecules in the polar substance can be polarized by microwaves inside the resonating part 220. The molecules can vibrate or rotate through the polarization phenomenon, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by friction heat or the like generated in the process.

[0094] The resonance part 220 includes at least one internal conductor so that microwaves may be resonated, and the microwaves may be resonated inside the resonance part 220 according to the arrangement, thickness, length, etc. of the internal conductor.

[0095] The resonator 220 can be designed by considering the wavelength length of the microwave so that the microwave can resonate inside the resonator 220. In order to make the microwave resonate inside the resonator 220, it is necessary to be equipped with a closed end (short end) with a closed cross section and an open end (open end) with at least one area of ​​the cross section opened in the opposite direction of the closed end. In addition, the length between the closed end and the open end should be set to an integer multiple of 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength. The resonator 220 of the present disclosure selects a 1 / 4 length of the microwave wavelength to miniaturize the device. In other words, the length between the closed end and the open end of the resonator 220 can be set to a 1 / 4 wavelength length of the microwave wavelength.

[0096] The resonating part 220 may include a dielectric material storage space. The dielectric material storage space is a structure different from the storage space of the aerosol generating article 10, in which a material capable of miniaturizing the resonating part 220 by changing the overall resonant frequency of the resonating part 220 is configured. In one embodiment, the dielectric material storage space can accommodate a dielectric material with a low microwave absorptivity. This is to prevent the phenomenon that the energy that should be transferred to the heated body is transferred to the dielectric material and the dielectric material itself is heated. The microwave absorptivity can be expressed as a loss tangent, which is the ratio of the real part of the complex dielectric constant to the imaginary part. In one embodiment, the dielectric material storage space 227 can accommodate a dielectric material with a loss tangent of a preset size or less, and the preset size can be 1 / 100. For example, the dielectric material can be at least any one of quartz, polytetrafluoroethylene and alumina or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

[0097] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to an embodiment.

[0098] Reference Figure 4 The heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may include an oscillation part 210 and a resonance part 220 . Figure 4 It may be an embodiment of the heater assembly 200 and the dielectric heating unit 200 described above, and repeated descriptions will be omitted below.

[0099] As power is supplied, the oscillation part 210 may generate microwaves of a designated frequency band. The microwaves generated in the oscillation part 210 may be transferred to the resonance part 220 through a coupler (not shown).

[0100] The resonating part 220 may include a receiving space 220h of at least one region for receiving the aerosol generating article 10, and the aerosol generating article 10 may be heated by dielectric heating by resonating the microwaves generated in the oscillating part 210. For example, the electric charge of glycerin contained in the aerosol generating article 10 may vibrate or rotate by the resonance of the microwaves, and heat may be generated in the glycerin under the effect of the frictional heat generated by the vibration or rotation of the electric charge, thereby heating the aerosol generating article 10.

[0101] According to an embodiment, the resonating part 220 may be made of a material having a low microwave absorptivity to prevent the microwaves generated in the oscillating part 210 from being absorbed by the resonating part 220 .

[0102] Below, refer to Figure 5 The specific structure of the resonance part 220 of the heater assembly 200 will be described.

[0103] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a heater assembly. Figure 5 Shown along the A-A' direction Figure 4 A cross section of the heater assembly 200 is shown.

[0104] Reference Figure 5 According to an embodiment, the heater assembly 200 may include an oscillating portion 210, a resonating portion 220, and a coupler 230. The components of the heater assembly 200 may be Figure 4 At least one of the constituent elements of the heater assembly 200 is the same or similar, and repeated description will be omitted below.

[0105] With the application of the AC voltage, the oscillation part 210 may generate microwaves of a specified frequency band, and the microwaves generated in the oscillation part 210 may be transferred to the resonance part 220 through the coupler 230 .

[0106] According to one embodiment, the oscillating part 210 may be fixed to the resonating part 220 to prevent it from being separated from the resonating part 220 during use of the aerosol generating device. In one embodiment, the oscillating part 210 is supported by a bracket 220b protruding from one region of the resonating part 220 along the x-direction, so that it can be fixed to the resonating part 220. In another embodiment, the oscillating part 210 may be fixed to the resonating part 220 by being attached to one region of the resonating part 220 without the bracket 220b.

[0107] Although the drawings only show an embodiment in which the oscillating part 210 is fixed to one region of the resonating part 220 in the x direction, the position of the oscillating part 210 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. As another embodiment, the oscillating part 210 may also be fixed to other regions of the resonating part 220 in the -z direction.

[0108] The resonance portion 220 may be configured to surround at least one region of the aerosol generating article 10 inserted into the inside of the aerosol generating device, and the aerosol generating article 10 may be heated by the microwaves generated in the oscillation portion 210. For example, a dielectric material included in the aerosol generating article 10 may generate heat due to an electric field generated inside the resonance portion 220 by the microwaves, and the aerosol generating article 10 may be heated due to the heat generated in the dielectric material.

[0109] According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating article 10 may include a tobacco rod 11 and a filter rod 12 .

[0110] The tobacco rod 11 includes an aerosol-generating substance, which may be made of a sheet or strand material, or may be made of shredded tobacco obtained by cutting tobacco sheets into fine pieces. For example, the aerosol-generating substance may include at least one of glycerol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the tobacco rod 11 may contain other additives such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids. In addition, a flavoring liquid such as menthol or a humectant may be added to the tobacco rod 11 by spraying it onto the tobacco rod 11.

[0111] The filter rod 12 may be a cellulose acetate filter. In addition, the shape of the filter rod 12 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 12 may be a cylindrical rod, or a tubular rod having a hollow portion therein. In addition, the filter rod 12 may be an embedded rod. If the filter rod 12 is composed of a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may be made into a different shape.

[0112] At least one region of the aerosol generating substance (eg, glycerin) contained in the aerosol generating article 10 may be a dielectric material having polarity in an electric field, and at least a portion of such aerosol generating substance may generate heat by dielectric heating to heat the aerosol generating article 10 .

[0113] According to an embodiment, the resonance part 220 may include an outer conductor 221 , a first inner conductor 223 , and a second inner conductor 225 .

[0114] The outer conductor 221 may form the overall appearance of the resonance part 220 and have a hollow interior, so that the components of the resonance part 220 may be arranged inside the outer conductor 221. The outer conductor 221 may include a storage space 220h capable of storing the aerosol generating article 10, and the aerosol generating article 10 may be inserted into the outer conductor 221 through the storage space 220h.

[0115] According to one embodiment, the outer conductor 221 may include: a first surface 221a; a second surface 221b, which is arranged to face the first surface 221a; and a side surface 221c, which surrounds the empty space between the first surface 221a and the second surface 221b. At least a portion of the components of the resonance part 220 (for example, the first internal conductor 223, the second internal conductor 225) may be arranged in the internal space of the resonance part 220 formed by the first surface 221a, the second surface 221b and the side surface 221c.

[0116] The first inner conductor 223 may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the first surface 221 a of the outer shell conductor 221 toward the inner space of the outer shell conductor 221 .

[0117] According to one embodiment, a region of the first inner conductor 223 may be in contact with the coupler 230 connected to the oscillating part 210, and the microwave generated in the oscillating part 210 may be transferred to the first inner conductor 223 through the coupler 230. For example, the coupler 230 may be configured to penetrate the outer conductor 221, one end of which is in contact with the oscillating part 210, and the other end of which is in contact with a region of the first inner conductor 223, and the microwave generated in the oscillating part 210 may be transferred to the first inner conductor 223 through the coupler 230.

[0118] At this time, in order to transmit microwaves, the coupler 230 can be configured not to contact the outer conductor 221 but to penetrate the outer conductor 221. If the microwaves generated in the oscillation part 210 can be transmitted to the first inner conductor 223, the arrangement structure of the coupler 230 is not limited thereto.

[0119] The first region formed between the outer conductor 221 and the first inner conductor 223 can act as a "first resonator" that generates an electric field through the resonance of microwaves. The first region can refer to a space formed by the first surface 221a, the side surface 221c and the first inner conductor 223 of the outer conductor 221, and the microwaves transmitted through the coupler 230 can resonate inside the first region to generate an electric field.

[0120] The second inner conductor 225 may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the second surface 221b of the outer shell conductor 221 toward the inner space of the outer shell conductor 221. The second inner conductor 225 may be arranged in the inner space of the outer shell conductor 221 at a predetermined distance from the first inner conductor 223, and a gap 226 may be formed between the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225.

[0121] The second region formed between the outer conductor 221 and the second inner conductor 225 can act as a "second resonator" that generates an electric field through the resonance of microwaves. The second inner conductor 225 can be coupled with the first inner conductor 223 (for example, capacitive coupling). According to the above-mentioned coupling relationship, when an electric field is generated inside the first region, an induced electric field can also be generated inside the second region. In the present disclosure, "capacitive coupling" can refer to a coupling relationship in which energy can be transferred through the electrostatic capacity (capacitance) between two conductors.

[0122] For example, as microwaves generated from the oscillation part 210 are transmitted to the first inner conductor 223 , an electric field may be generated inside the first region by resonance, and an induced electric field may be generated inside the second region formed by the outer conductor 221 and the second inner conductor 225 coupled to the first inner conductor 223 .

[0123] According to an embodiment, the first region and the second region of the resonant unit 220 may operate as resonators having a 1 / 4 wavelength (λ) length of microwaves.

[0124] In one example, as the cross-section of the first region is enclosed by the first surface 221a of the outer conductor 221, one end of the first region (e.g., the end in the -z direction) may be formed as a closed end (short end), and as the cross-section is open due to the absence of the first surface 221a, the other end of the first region (e.g., the end in the z direction) may be formed as an open end. In another example, as the cross-section is open, one end of the second region (e.g., the end in the -z direction) may be formed as an open end, and as the cross-section of the second region is enclosed by the second surface 221b of the outer conductor 221, the other end of the second region (e.g., the end in the z direction) may be formed as a closed end.

[0125] That is, when observed in the xz plane, the first region and the second region include a closed end and an open end, and thus can be formed as a "匚" shape as a whole. With the above structure, the first region and the second region can operate as resonators having a 1 / 4 wavelength length of microwaves.

[0126] According to an embodiment, the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 may be formed to have the same length with respect to the z-axis, such that the first region and the second region are configured to be symmetric to each other, but it is not limited thereto.

[0127] The aerosol generating article 10 inserted into the inner space of the outer conductor 221 through the accommodation space 220h is surrounded by the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 and can be heated by dielectric heating.

[0128] In the first region and / or the second region, at least a part of the electric field generated by the resonance of microwaves may propagate into the interior of the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225 through the gap 226 between the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225, and the aerosol generating article 10 surrounded by the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 may be heated by the propagated electric field. For example, the dielectric material included in the aerosol generating article 10 may generate heat due to the electric field propagating through the gap 226, and the aerosol generating article 10 may be heated by the heat generated from the dielectric material.

[0129] In the heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment, by making the diameters of the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 smaller than a specified value, it is possible to prevent the electric field propagating into the interior of the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225 from leaking to the outside of the heater assembly 200 or the resonant unit 220.

[0130] In the present disclosure, the “specified value” may refer to a diameter value at which the electric field begins to leak to the outside of the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225. For example, when the diameter of the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225 is greater than the specified value, a portion of the electric field flowing into the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225 may leak to the outside of the resonance part 220.

[0131] On the other hand, according to the heater assembly 200 of one embodiment, the electric field can be prevented from propagating to the outside of the resonance portion 220 by a structure in which the diameters of the first internal conductor 223 and the second internal conductor 225 are smaller than a specified value. As a result, the electric field can be prevented from leaking to the outside of the heater assembly 200 or the resonance portion 220 without an additional shielding member.

[0132] According to one embodiment, when the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the resonance part 220 through the accommodation space 220 h , the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol generating article 10 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the gap 226 between the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 .

[0133] As the electric field generated in the first region and the electric field generated in the second region flow into the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225 through the gap 226 , the strongest electric field may be generated in the peripheral area of ​​the gap 226 in the inner area of ​​the resonance part 220 .

[0134] In a heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment, the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the heater assembly 200 can be improved by configuring a tobacco rod 11 including a dielectric material that generates heat using an electric field at a position corresponding to a gap 226 having the strongest electric field.

[0135] According to an embodiment, the resonating part 220 may further include: a closing part 224, which is located inside the first inner conductor 223 and limits the flow direction of the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article 10 by closing the cross section of the first inner conductor 223. For example, the closing part 224 may block the flow of the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article 10 in the -z direction by closing the cross section of the first inner conductor 223.

[0136] When the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article 10 or the droplets generated by the liquefaction of the aerosol flows in the -z direction and flows into the aerosol generating device (for example: Figure 1On the other hand, the heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment limits the flow direction of the aerosol by the sealing portion 224, thereby preventing the components of the aerosol generating device from being misoperated or damaged due to aerosol or droplets.

[0137] According to an embodiment, the resonator 220 may further include a dielectric material receiving space 227 for receiving a dielectric material. The dielectric material receiving space 227 may refer to an empty space formed between the outer conductor 221 and the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225, and a dielectric material with a low microwave absorption rate may be received in the dielectric material receiving space 227. For example, the dielectric material may be at least any one of quartz, polytetrafluoroethylene, and alumina, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

[0138] According to the heater assembly 200 of one embodiment, by disposing the dielectric material inside the dielectric material containing space 227, it is possible to generate the same electric field as when the resonating portion 220 does not include the dielectric material while reducing the overall size of the resonating portion 220. That is, according to the heater assembly 200 of one embodiment, the size of the resonating portion 220 can be reduced by disposing the dielectric material inside the dielectric material containing space 227, so that the installation space of the resonating portion 220 in the aerosol generating device can be reduced, and as a result, the aerosol generating device can be miniaturized.

[0139] Figure 6 This is a perspective view schematically showing a heater assembly according to another embodiment.

[0140] according to Figure 6 The heater assembly 300 of the illustrated embodiment may include a resonance portion 320 generating microwave resonance and a coupler 311 supplying microwaves to the resonance portion 320 .

[0141] The resonating part 320 may include: a housing 321 ; a plurality of plates 323 a , 323 b ; and a connecting part 322 connecting the plurality of plates 323 a , 323 b and the housing 321 .

[0142] The coupler 311 may supply microwaves to at least one of the plurality of plates 323 a , 323 b to generate microwave resonance in the resonance portion 320 .

[0143] The resonating portion 320 may surround at least one region of the aerosol generating article 10 inserted into the aerosol generating device. The coupler 311 may supply microwaves generated in the oscillating portion (not shown) to the resonating portion 320. When microwaves are supplied to the resonating portion 320, microwave resonance is generated in the resonating portion 320, so that the resonating portion 320 may heat the aerosol generating article 10. For example, a dielectric material included in the aerosol generating article 10 may generate heat due to an electric field generated inside the resonating portion 220 by the microwaves, and the aerosol generating article 10 may be heated due to the heat generated in the dielectric material.

[0144] The housing 321 of the resonance part 320 performs the function of an “outer conductor.” Since the housing 321 is formed to have a hollow shape with a vacant interior, the components of the resonance part 320 can be arranged inside the housing 321 .

[0145] The housing 321 may include a storage space 320h that can store the aerosol generating article 10, and an opening 321a that can be inserted into the aerosol generating article 10. The opening 321a is connected to the storage space 320h. Since the opening 321a is open to the outside of the housing 321, the storage space 320h is connected to the outside through the opening 321a. Therefore, the aerosol generating article 10 can be inserted into the storage space 320h of the housing 321 through the opening 321a of the housing 321.

[0146] Although the housing 321 shown in the drawings has a square cross-sectional shape, the shape of the housing 321 can be deformed into various shapes. For example, the housing 321 can be deformed into various cross-sectional shapes such as a rectangle, an ellipse or a circle. The housing 321 can extend longer in one direction.

[0147] A plurality of plates 323 a and 323 b capable of performing the function of an “inner conductor” of the resonance unit 320 may be disposed inside the housing 321 .

[0148] The plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the peripheral direction of the aerosol generating article 10 accommodated in the accommodation space 320h. The plurality of plates 323a, 323b may include: a first plate 323a arranged to surround one area of ​​the aerosol generating article 10; and a second plate 323b arranged to surround another area of ​​the aerosol generating article 10.

[0149] The plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be connected to the housing 321 via the connection portion 322. In addition, one end of the first plate 323a and one end of the second plate 323b among the plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be connected to each other via the connection portion 322. Therefore, an end portion closed by the connection portion 322 may be formed at one end of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b.

[0150] The other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b among the plurality of plates 323a and 323b can be opened by being spaced apart from each other. Since the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b are spaced apart from each other, an open end can be formed at the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b.

[0151] The resonator assembly may be realized by connecting the plurality of plates 323a, 323b to each other through the connection portion 322. The shape of a cross section cut along the length direction of the resonator assembly may include a "horseshoe-shape".

[0152] The plurality of plates 323a, 323b extend in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article 10. At least a portion of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be bent so as to protrude outward from the center of the aerosol-generating article 10 in the longitudinal direction.

[0153] For example, when the aerosol generating article 10 is manufactured into a cylindrical shape, the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be formed to be curved in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol generating article 10. The radius of curvature of the cross section of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be the same as the radius of curvature of the aerosol generating article 10. The radius of curvature of the cross section of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be variously deformed. For example, the radius of curvature of the cross section of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be greater than or less than the radius of curvature of the aerosol generating article 10.

[0154] According to the structure in which the plurality of plates 323 a and 323 b are formed to bend in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol-generating article 10 , a more uniform electric field is formed in the resonance portion 320 , and thus the heater assembly 300 can uniformly heat the aerosol-generating article 10 .

[0155] The open ends of the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be arranged toward the opening 321a of the housing 321. The opening 321a of the housing 321 may be configured to be spaced apart from the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b in a direction away from the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b.

[0156] The open ends of the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be aligned with respect to the opening 321a of the housing 321. Therefore, when the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted through the opening 321a of the housing 321 and is located in the accommodation space 320h, a portion of the aerosol generating article 10 located in the accommodation space 320h may be surrounded by the plurality of plates 323a, 323b.

[0157] Two of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be disposed at positions opposite to each other relative to the center of the length direction of the aerosol generating article 10. The embodiment is not limited by the number of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b, for example, the number of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be three, or more than four.

[0158] The plurality of plates 323 a and 323 b may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article 10 (ie, the direction in which the aerosol-generating article 10 extends).

[0159] At least one of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be in contact with the coupler 311 connected to the oscillating portion (not shown). Specifically, at least a portion of the first plate 323a may be in contact with the coupler 311. When the microwave is transmitted to the first plate 323a through the coupler 311, the resonance of the microwave is formed between the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. In addition, the resonance of the microwave is also formed between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the housing 321 and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the housing 321. Therefore, electric fields can be generated between the plurality of plates 323a, 323b and the connecting portion 322, between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the housing 321, and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the housing 321.

[0160] The coupler 311 may penetrate the housing 321 so that one end of the coupler 311 contacts the oscillating portion (not shown) and the other end of the coupler 311 contacts an area of ​​the first plate 323a. As microwaves generated in the oscillating portion (not shown) are transferred to the plurality of plates 323a, 323b and the connecting portion 322 through the coupler 311, an electric field may be generated inside the assembly of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b and the connecting portion 322.

[0161] In addition, according to the structure of the resonating part 320 of the heater assembly 300, a triple resonance mode can be formed in the resonating part 320. The resonance of the transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM mode) of the microwave is formed between the plurality of plates 323a and 323b. In addition, the resonance of the TEM mode different from the resonance formed between the plurality of plates 323a and 323b is formed between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the shell 321 and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the shell 321. Figure 6 The resonant part 320 can resonate in the TEM mode through the multiple plates 323a and 323b, so it is different from the resonant part 320 which can only resonate in the transverse electric mode (TE) and the transverse magnetic mode (TM). Figure 5Compared with the resonant part 220, it can be manufactured in a smaller size.

[0162] As triple resonance is generated in the resonance portion 320 of the heater assembly 300 , the aerosol-generating article 10 can be heated more efficiently and uniformly.

[0163] The resonating portion 320 related to the above embodiment may include a closed end (short end) with a closed end surface and an open end (open end) located in the opposite direction of the closed end and with at least one region of the end surface open in a manner having a length (λ / 4) of 1 / 4 of the wavelength (λ) of the microwave.

[0164] and Figure 6 The left side region corresponds to the region of one end of the resonator 320, which forms a closed end closed by a structure in which one end of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b and the connecting portion 322 are connected to the housing 321. Figure 6 The region on the right side corresponds to the region at the other end of the resonance part 320, which is open to the outside through the opening 321a of the housing 321 to form an open end. With the structure of the resonance part 320 as described above, the resonance part 320 can operate as a resonator having a length of 1 / 4 wavelength of microwaves.

[0165] According to the resonance structure of the resonance part 320, the electric field can be prevented from propagating to the outer region of the resonance part 320. Therefore, the heater assembly 300 can prevent the electric field from leaking to the outside of the heater assembly 300 even without an additional shielding member for shielding the electric field.

[0166] The aerosol generating article 10 inserted into the storage space 320h of the housing 321 is surrounded by the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b, and can be heated by dielectric heating. For example, a portion of the aerosol generating article 10 including a dielectric material inserted into the storage space 320h of the housing 321 can be arranged in the space between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b. The dielectric material included in the aerosol generating article 10 generates heat due to the electric field generated in the space between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b, so that the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated.

[0167] In addition, under the action of the electric field generated by the resonance modes formed between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the shell 321 and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the shell 321, a secondary heating effect on the aerosol generating article 10 can be achieved.

[0168] When the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the interior of the resonance portion 320 through the accommodation space 320h, the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol generating article 10 may be located between the plurality of plates 323a, 323b.

[0169] The length L4 of the tobacco rod 11 can be formed to be longer than the length L1 of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. Therefore, the front end 11f of the tobacco rod 11 connected to the filter rod 12 is located in a direction toward the opening 321a of the housing 321, and is located at a position more protruding than the other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b.

[0170] A resonance peak is formed at the other end of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b operating as a resonator, thereby generating a stronger electric field than other regions. When the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the heater assembly 300, the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the heater assembly 300 can be improved by arranging the tobacco rod 11 including a dielectric material that can generate heat by an electric field corresponding to the region with the strongest electric field.

[0171] Reference Figure 6 , the length L1 of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be set to be smaller than the length (L1+L2) of the internal space of the housing 321. Therefore, the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be located at a position closer to the inside of the housing 321 than the opening 321a. That is, the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be arranged at a position separated by a distance L2 from the rear end of the opening 321a.

[0172] The length of the opening 321a from the rear end of the opening 321a connected to the housing 321 to the front end of the opening 321a where the opening 321a is opened may be L3. The overall length of the housing 321 along the length direction of the housing 321 may be L. The overall length L of the housing 321 may be determined by the sum of the length L1 of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b, the length L2 of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b spaced from the rear end of the opening 321a, and the length L3 of the opening 321a protruding from the housing 321.

[0173] In order to prevent leakage of microwaves, the front end of the opening 321a where the opening 321a is opened is configured to protrude by a length L3 from the housing 321. By making the opening 321a of the housing 321 protrude from the housing 321, the opening 321a can perform a function of preventing microwaves inside the housing 321 of the resonance part 320 from leaking to the outside of the housing 321.

[0174] The resonator 320 may further include a dielectric material receiving space 327 for receiving a dielectric material. The dielectric material receiving space 327 may be formed in an empty space between the housing 321 and the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. The dielectric material receiving space 327 may receive a dielectric material having a low microwave absorption rate.

[0175] The heater assembly 300 can generate an electric field at the same level as the electric field generated in the resonance part that does not include the dielectric material, while reducing the overall size of the resonance part 320 by disposing the dielectric material inside the dielectric material storage space 327. That is, by reducing the size of the resonance part 320 by disposing the dielectric material inside the dielectric material storage space 327, the installation space of the resonance part 320 in the aerosol generating device can be reduced, and as a result, the aerosol generating device can be miniaturized.

[0176] Figure 7 FIG. 4 is an internal block diagram for explaining an output control method of an oscillating unit according to an embodiment.

[0177] More specifically, Figure 7 Only the components included in the aerosol generating device 100 are shown. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The output of the oscillating unit 210 may refer to the magnitude and frequency of the microwave power. Figure 3 and Figure 4 Duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

[0178] Reference Figure 7 The aerosol generating device 100 may include an oscillating section 210 , a power monitoring section 250 , a resonating section 220 and a processor 101 .

[0179] The oscillating unit 210 may output microwaves having a preset output frequency and a preset power level under the control of the processor 101 .

[0180] The oscillating part 210 includes at least one switching element, and the processor 101 can change the output frequency of the microwave by adjusting the on / off of the switching element. For example, the processor 101 can control the oscillating part 210 to have a microwave with any output frequency selected in the range of 2.4Ghz to 2.5Ghz or the range of 5.7Ghz to 5.9Ghz.

[0181] In addition, the oscillating unit 210 includes a power amplifier, and the processor 101 controls the power amplifier to increase or decrease the amplitude of the microwave, so that the power of the output microwave can be adjusted. For example, the processor 101 can control the oscillating unit 210 to output microwaves with any power selected from the range of 3W to 20W.

[0182] The microwaves outputted from the oscillation part 210 may be outputted to the resonance part 220 .

[0183] The resonating part 220 accommodates the aerosol generating article 10 and can heat the aerosol generating article 10 by resonating the microwaves received from the oscillating part 210. The internal structure of the resonating part 220 can be similar to Figures 4 to 6 Same as shown.

[0184] The power monitoring unit 250 may be configured to track the change in the resonance frequency of the resonance unit 220 in real time.

[0185] More specifically, as the dielectric material contained in the aerosol generating article 10 is consumed by microwave heating, the impedance of the resonance part 220 changes. If the oscillation part 210 is still controlled with a fixed output when the impedance of the resonance part 220 changes, the first impedance Zeq1 from the oscillation part 210 to the resonance part 220 and the second impedance Zeq2 from the resonance part 220 to the oscillation part 210 may be inconsistent. In other words, the first impedance Zeq1 and the second impedance Zeq2 may not match each other. In addition, since impedance matching is related to the maximum power transfer condition, the maximum power transfer condition may not be satisfied. As a result, the power supplied to the oscillation part 210 may not be completely transferred to the resonance part 220, and a part of it may be reflected from the resonance part 220 and re-input in the direction of the oscillation part 210.

[0186] In order to match such a first impedance Zeq1 and a second impedance Zeq2, the power monitoring unit 250 may measure the reflected microwave power reflected from the resonance unit 220 and input to the oscillation unit 210. According to an embodiment, the power monitoring unit 250 may additionally measure the output microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 and input to the resonance unit 220. Hereinafter, the output microwave power may be named as the first power P1, and the reflected microwave power may be named as the second power P2. The first power P1 and the second power P2 may refer to the magnitude of the power.

[0187] The power monitoring unit 250 may provide information related to the first power P1 and / or the second power P2 to the processor 101 .

[0188] The processor 101 may match the first impedance Zeq1 and the second impedance Zeq2 based on the information related to the first power P1 and / or the second power P2 received from the power monitoring unit 250. Impedance matching may be achieved by adjusting the output frequency of the oscillating unit 210. This is because impedance is a parameter associated with frequency.

[0189] The processor 101 may adjust the output frequency of the oscillating unit 210 so that the second power P2 measured by the power monitoring unit 250 is included in the reference power range. According to an embodiment, the processor 101 may adjust the output frequency of the oscillating unit 210 so that the difference between the first power P1 and the second power P2 measured by the power monitoring unit 250 is included in a preset reference power range. For example, the reference power range may be between 0w and 1w, but is not limited thereto.

[0190] The processor 101 may control the oscillating unit 210 so that the second power P2 is included in the reference power range while sweeping the output frequency output by the oscillating unit 210 within the preset reference frequency band range. According to an embodiment, the processor 101 may control the oscillating unit 210 so that the difference between the first power P1 and the second power P2 is included in the preset range. For example, the reference frequency band range may be a range of 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz or a range of 5.7 GHz to 5.9 GHz, but is not limited thereto.

[0191] In addition, the output frequency adjustment of the processor 101 can be performed in real time. In other words, the processor 101 can adjust the output frequency of the oscillating unit 210 independently of the power adjustment of the oscillating unit 210 described later.

[0192] Regardless of the adjustment of the output frequency of the oscillating part 210 , the processor 101 may adjust the magnitude of the microwave power output by the oscillating part 210 according to a preset temperature distribution and / or power distribution.

[0193] The temperature distribution may include information related to the target temperature of the aerosol generating article 10 corresponding to the time. In addition, the power distribution may include information related to the target power of the oscillating unit 210 corresponding to the time. In other words, the temperature distribution and the power distribution may include information related to the target temperature and the target power corresponding to the preheating interval and the smoking interval, respectively.

[0194] The processor 101 may output a first microwave power in the preheating interval by controlling the oscillating unit 210. In addition, the processor 101 may output a second microwave power smaller than the first microwave power in the smoking interval after the preheating interval by controlling the oscillating unit 210. In addition, the processor 101 may progressively increase the microwave power in the smoking interval.

[0195] The processor 101 can match the output frequency of the oscillating portion 210 with the resonant frequency of the resonating portion 220 in real time while adjusting the magnitude of the microwave power output by the oscillating portion 210 according to a preset distribution. As the output frequency of the oscillating portion 210 and the resonant frequency of the resonating portion 220 are matched, the power transfer efficiency is significantly increased, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be uniformly heated.

[0196] Figure 8 1 is a diagram for explaining a method for tracking a resonance frequency using an output microwave power of an oscillation part and a reflected microwave power of a resonance part according to an embodiment.

[0197] Reference Figure 8 , the processor 101 senses the mismatch between the first impedance Zeq1 and the second impedance Zeq2 with the difference between the first power P1 and / or the second power P2. In order to match the impedance, the output frequency of the oscillation unit 210 can be adjusted. As the output frequency is adjusted, the output frequency and the resonant frequency of the resonator 220 can be matched. The matching disclosed in the present invention not only includes complete consistency, but also includes the case where the output frequency is included in the upper critical value and lower critical value range of the resonant frequency. This is to take into account the losses caused by the internal structure of the dielectric heating unit 200. For example, matching refers to the case where the output frequency is included in the range of the resonant frequency -α to the resonant frequency +α, and α can be 10khz, but is not limited to this.

[0198] Figure 8 The x-axis in φ represents the frequency, and the y-axis represents the amount of power transmitted to the resonance unit 220 corresponding to the frequency. Figure 8 Graph 810 is shown in which f1, which is the output frequency of the oscillation part 210, and f2, which is the resonant frequency of the resonator part 220, are consistent with each other, and graph 820 is shown in which the resonant frequency of the resonator part 220 is changed to f2' so as to make f1, which is the output frequency of the oscillation part 210, and f2', which is the changed resonant frequency of the resonator part 220, consistent with each other.

[0199] exist Figure 8 , f1, which is the output frequency of the oscillation part 210, and f2, which is the resonance frequency of the resonance part 220, may be matched. For example, when a user input for the heating device is received, the processor 101 scans the output frequency of the oscillation part 210, and may select Fa, which is the frequency at which the second power P2 reflected from the resonance part 220 and input to the oscillation part 210 reaches a minimum, as the output frequency. According to an embodiment, the processor 101 may select Fa, which is the frequency at which the difference between the first power P1 transmitted from the oscillation part 210 to the resonance part 220 and the second power P2 reflected from the resonance part 220 and input to the oscillation part 210 reaches a minimum, as the output frequency. As f1, which is the output frequency of the oscillation part 210, and f2, which is the resonance frequency of the resonance part 220, coincide, Pa, which is the maximum power, may be provided to the resonance part 220. The resonance part 220 may heat the aerosol generating article 10 using the power provided from the oscillation part 210.

[0200] In addition, as the dielectric material contained in the aerosol generating article 10 is consumed by microwave heating, the impedance of the resonance part 220 will change, and f2, which is the resonance frequency, will also change accordingly. In one embodiment, as the dielectric material contained in the aerosol generating article 10 decreases, f2, which is the resonance frequency of the resonance part 220, can increase to f2'. When the oscillation part 210 is still controlled at a fixed output frequency when the resonance frequency of the resonance part 220 increases to f2', Pa', which is the maximum power, will not be transmitted to the resonance part 220, but a power of Pb smaller than Pa' can be transmitted to the resonance part 220. In other words, the resonance part 220 can consume a power of Pb, and the remaining power is reflected and output to the oscillation part 210.

[0201] The processor 101 can adjust f1 so that the maximum power is transmitted to the resonance part 220 by matching f1, which is the output frequency of the oscillation part 210, with f2', which is the changed resonance frequency. To this end, the processor 101 can receive information related to the first power P1 output from the oscillation part 210 to the resonance part 220 from the power monitoring part 250. In addition, the processor 101 can receive information related to the second power P2 reflected from the resonance part 220 and input in the direction of the oscillation part 210. The processor 101 can receive information related to the second power P2 corresponding to the change of the resonance frequency of the resonance part 220 from the power monitoring part 250 in real time.

[0202] The processor 101 may control the oscillating unit 210 so that the second power P2 measured by the power monitoring unit 250 is included in the reference power range. According to an embodiment, the processor 101 may control the output of the oscillating unit 210 so that the difference between the first power P1 and the second power P2 measured by the power monitoring unit 250 is included in a preset reference power range. For example, the reference power range may be between 0w and 1w, but is not limited thereto.

[0203] The processor 10 may scan the frequency of the microwave power output by the oscillating part 210 within a preset reference frequency band range Fre, and control the oscillating part 210 so that the second power P2 is included in the reference power range. According to an embodiment, the processor 101 may adjust the output frequency of the microwave power so that the difference between the first power P1 and the second power P2 is included in the reference power range. For example, the reference frequency band range Fre may be a range of 2.4Ghz to 2.5Ghz or a range of 5.7Ghz to 5.9Ghz, but is not limited thereto.

[0204] The processor 101 adjusts the output frequency of the microwave power to any frequency selected from the reference frequency band range Fre so that the difference between the first power P1 and the second power P2 is included in the reference power range, thereby matching the output frequency with the resonant frequency. In other words, the processor 101 can adjust the output frequency of the oscillation part 210 from Fa to Fb, which is the resonant frequency of the resonator 210. The above-mentioned microwave power output frequency adjustment can be performed independently of the size of the microwave power.

[0205] Fig. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a method for operating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0206] Reference Fig. 9 In step S910, the oscillating unit 210 may generate microwaves.

[0207] The oscillation part 210 includes a solid-state based RF generating device, and can generate microwaves using the device.

[0208] The oscillating unit 210 may output microwaves having a preset output frequency and a preset power level under the control of the processor 101 .

[0209] The oscillating part 210 includes at least one switching element, and the processor 101 can change the output frequency of the microwave by adjusting the on / off of the switching element. For example, the processor 101 can control the oscillating part 210 to output microwaves having any one output frequency selected in the range of 2.4Ghz to 2.5Ghz or the range of 5.7Ghz to 5.9Ghz.

[0210] In step S920 , the resonance portion accommodates the aerosol-generating article 10 , and can heat the aerosol-generating article 10 by causing microwaves to resonate.

[0211] like Figure 5 As shown, the resonance part 220 may include: a first inner conductor 223, which is in a hollow cylindrical shape and surrounds one region of the aerosol generating article 10; and a second inner conductor 225, which is in a hollow cylindrical shape and surrounds another region of the aerosol generating article 10 and is arranged at a predetermined distance from the first inner conductor 223. By using the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225, microwaves can be resonated between the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 and the outer conductor 221, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by an electric field corresponding to the resonance of the microwaves.

[0212] In addition, if Figure 6As shown, the resonating portion 220 may include: a first plate 323a surrounding an area of ​​the aerosol generating article 10; and a second plate 323b spaced apart from the first plate 323a along the peripheral direction of the aerosol generating article 10 and surrounding another area of ​​the aerosol generating article 10. By using the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b, microwaves may be resonated between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b, and between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b and the housing 321 (so-called triple resonance structure), and the aerosol generating article 10 may be heated by an electric field corresponding to the resonance of the microwaves.

[0213] In step S930, the power monitoring section 250 may measure the first power P1 output from the oscillating section 210 and input to the resonating section 220 and the second power P2 reflected from the resonating section 220 and input toward the oscillating section 210. According to an embodiment, the power monitoring section 250 may also perform the subsequent steps by measuring only the second power P2.

[0214] As the dielectric substance contained in the aerosol generating article 10 is consumed by microwave heating, the resonant frequency of the resonant part 220 changes. When the resonant frequency of the resonant part 220 changes, the maximum power of the oscillating part 210 cannot be provided to the resonant part 220, and therefore, the power monitoring part 250 is configured to sense such frequency mismatch by the second power P2 or the difference between the first power P1 and the second power P2, thereby providing information related to the first power P1 and / or the second power P2 to the processor 101.

[0215] In step S940, processor 101 may control the output of oscillating section 210 based on first power P1 and second power P2 measured by power monitoring section 250. According to an embodiment, processor 101 may also control the output of oscillating section 210 based only on second power P2 measured by power monitoring section 250.

[0216] The processor 101 may adjust the output frequency of the oscillating unit 210 so that the second power P2 measured by the power monitoring unit 250 is included in the reference power range. According to an embodiment, the processor 101 may control the output of the oscillating unit 210 so that the difference between the first power P1 and the second power P2 measured by the power monitoring unit 250 is included in the preset reference power range. At this time, the output of the oscillating unit 210 may refer to the output frequency of the microwave power.

[0217] The processor 101 may scan the output frequency of the microwave power output by the oscillating part 210 within a preset reference frequency band range, and may control the oscillating part 210 so that the second power P2 is included in the reference power range. According to an embodiment, the processor 101 may adjust the output frequency of the microwave power so that the difference between the first power P1 and the second power P2 is included in the reference power range.

[0218] The processor 101 can match the output frequency and the resonance frequency by adjusting the output frequency of the microwave power to any frequency selected within the reference frequency band range.

[0219] In addition, the processor 101 can control the magnitude of the microwave power and the output frequency of the microwave power independently of each other.

[0220] Any embodiments of the present disclosure described above or other embodiments are not exclusive or distinct from each other. The configurations or functions of any embodiments of the present disclosure described above or other embodiments may be used or combined.

[0221] For example, this means that component A described in a specific embodiment and / or drawing can be combined with component B described in another embodiment and / or drawing. In other words, this means that even if the combination between components is not directly described, the components can be combined unless it is described that they cannot be combined.

[0222] The above detailed description should not be interpreted as limiting in any aspect, but should be considered as exemplary. The scope of the present invention should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, in, include: an oscillating portion for generating microwaves; a resonance part that accommodates an aerosol-generating article and heats the aerosol-generating article by causing the microwave to resonate; a power monitoring section that measures a reflected microwave power that is reflected from the resonance section and input to the oscillation section; and A processor controls the output of the oscillating unit based on the reflected microwave power measured by the power monitoring unit.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: In the resonance portion, as the dielectric substance contained in the aerosol-generating article is consumed by being heated by the microwaves, the resonance frequency of the microwaves is changed.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein: The resonance frequency of the resonance portion increases as the dielectric substance contained in the aerosol-generating article decreases.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein: The power monitoring section measures the reflected microwave power corresponding to the change in the resonant frequency.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor controls the output of the oscillating part so that the reflected microwave power measured by the power monitoring part is included in a preset reference power range.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5, wherein: The processor scans the output frequency of the microwave power output by the oscillating part within a preset reference frequency band range, and adjusts the output frequency of the microwave power so that the reflected microwave power is included in the reference power range.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein: The processor scans the output frequency of the microwave power output by the oscillating part within the reference frequency band range between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein: The processor matches the output frequency of the microwave power with the resonant frequency of the resonant part by adjusting the output frequency of the microwave power to any one frequency selected from the reference frequency band.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor adjusts the magnitude of the microwave power output by the oscillating part according to a preset power distribution, and controls the magnitude of the microwave power and the output frequency of the microwave power independently of each other.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The resonating part comprises: a first inner conductor in the shape of a hollow cylinder surrounding a region of the aerosol-generating article, and a second internal conductor in a hollow cylindrical shape, surrounding another region of the aerosol generating article, and arranged at a predetermined distance from the first internal conductor; The microwaves are resonated by the first inner conductor and the second inner conductor.

11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The resonating part comprises: a first panel surrounding a region of the aerosol-generating article, and a second plate, spaced from the first plate along the periphery of the aerosol generating article and surrounding another region of the aerosol generating article; The microwaves are resonated by the first plate and the second plate.

Images