Aerosol-generating device capable of controlling flow of air flow

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device comprising: an insertion part for an aerosol-generating product into which an aerosol-generating product is inserted; a sensor unit for detecting the stimulation; at least one air flow channel which is connected to the insertion part for the aerosol-generating article and which can deliver outside air to the insertion part for the aerosol-generating article; and an opening and closing control member for controlling the opening and closing of the airflow passage based on the stimulus detected by the sensor unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly to an aerosol generating device capable of controlling the flow of airflow.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0096631, filed on August 3, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety as a part of this specification. Background Art

[0003] In recent years, there has been a growing demand for alternative smoking articles that overcome the shortcomings of conventional aerosol-generating products. For example, there is an increasing demand for devices that generate aerosols by electrically heating aerosol-generating product rods (e.g., aerosol-generating product-type electronic cigarettes). Therefore, research on electrically heated aerosol-generating devices and aerosol-generating product rods (or aerosol-generating products) applied to the electrically heated aerosol-generating devices is being actively conducted.

[0004] The aerosol generating device may include a channel that enables an airflow to flow within the device. In this case, it is necessary to control the flow of the airflow through the airflow channel according to the preferences of the user using the aerosol generating device.

[0005] For example, when the user wants to reduce the suction resistance when smoking, the flow of airflow needs to be strengthened. On the contrary, when the user wants to increase the suction resistance when smoking, the flow of airflow needs to be weakened.

[0006] In another example, the user needs to strengthen the flow of airflow to reduce the heat sensation at the beginning of smoking. On the contrary, the user needs to weaken the flow of airflow during smoking to increase the suction resistance and improve the smoking satisfaction.

[0007] Technology for controlling the opening and closing of an aerosol passage connected to a vaporizer that generates an aerosol or controlling the flow of air through an airflow passage connected to the outside has been studied, but a specific method of controlling the flow of airflow according to user preference needs to be additionally studied and developed.

[0008] [Prior art literature]

[0009] [Patent Document]

[0010] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0127579 Summary of the invention

[0011] Technical issues

[0012] As a result of the above research and development, an object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device capable of controlling the opening and closing of at least one airflow channel based on a stimulus detected by a sensor unit.

[0013] Technical Solution

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, an aerosol generating device capable of controlling the flow of airflow may include: an insertion part for an aerosol generating product, into which the aerosol generating product is inserted; a sensor unit for detecting stimulation; at least one airflow channel, which is connected to the insertion part for an aerosol generating product and transmits external air to the insertion part for an aerosol generating product; and an opening and closing control component, which controls the opening and closing of the airflow channel based on the stimulation detected by the sensor unit.

[0015] In an embodiment, the number of air flow channels may be two or more.

[0016] In an embodiment, at least one of the airflow channels may have a different size than the other airflow channels.

[0017] In an embodiment, the opening and closing control member may be opened or closed based on a stimulus detected by the sensor unit.

[0018] In an embodiment, the opening and closing control members may control the opening and closing of the air flow passage independently of each other.

[0019] In an embodiment, the stimulus may be temperature, and when the temperature is a preset temperature or higher, the opening and closing control member may be opened, and when the temperature is lower than the preset temperature, the opening and closing control member may be closed.

[0020] In an embodiment, the stimulation may be a user's puffing, and when the number of puffs is less than a first set number, the opening and closing control member may be opened, and when the number of puffs is greater than or equal to the first set number, the opening and closing control member may be closed.

[0021] In an embodiment, when the number of puffs is greater than or equal to a second set number, the opening and closing control member may be opened, and the second set number may be greater than the first set number.

[0022] In an embodiment, the sensor unit may include a touch sensor, and the opening and closing control member may be opened or closed based on the number of touch inputs to the touch sensor.

[0023] In an embodiment, the sensor unit may include a touch sensor, and the opening and closing control member may be opened or closed based on a duration of a touch input to the touch sensor.

[0024] In an embodiment, the sensor unit may include a touch sensor, and the opening and closing control member may be opened or closed based on the intensity of a touch input to the touch sensor.

[0025] In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further include a vaporizing unit that heats the composition to generate an aerosol and releases the generated aerosol to the insert for the aerosol generating article, wherein the generated aerosol may be transmitted to the insert for the aerosol generating article through the aerosol channel.

[0026] In an embodiment, the stimulation may be a user's puff, and when the number of puffs within a preset time is greater than or equal to a preset number, the opening and closing control member may be opened.

[0027] In an embodiment, the opening and closing control member may be partially opened or fully opened.

[0028] Beneficial Effects

[0029] The aerosol generating device according to the present invention may include a sensor unit and an opening and closing control member, which can control the opening and closing of the airflow channel based on the stimulus detected by the sensor unit. Therefore, the opening and closing control member can operate under the control of the user using the aerosol generating device or according to external conditions (e.g., temperature, etc.), and can allow the airflow to flow inside the aerosol generating device, thereby improving the user's satisfaction with smoking. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1a to Figure 1c FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an aerosol generating device according to the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the aerosol generating device according to the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3a to Figure 3b FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the aerosol generating device according to the present invention.

[0033] Figures 4a to 4c FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the aerosol generating device according to the present invention.

[0034] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the aerosol generating device according to the present invention.

[0035] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the aerosol generating device according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present invention will be described in more detail below.

[0037] The currently widely used general terms are selected as the terms for the embodiments of the functions of the present invention, but may be changed according to the intention of those skilled in the art or the emergence of judicial precedents, new technologies, etc. In addition, in certain cases, there may be terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant. In this case, the meanings of these terms will be described in detail in the corresponding description parts of the present invention. Therefore, the terms used in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the content in the present invention rather than the simple names of the terms.

[0038] Throughout this specification, unless explicitly described to the contrary, "comprising" any component will be understood to imply the inclusion of other elements rather than the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms "... unit", "... module", etc. described in the specification refer to a processing unit of at least one function or operation, and can be implemented by hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software.

[0039] Throughout the specification, "aerosol-forming substance" refers to a substance that can generate an aerosol, and may also refer to an aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol may include volatile compounds. An aerosol-forming substance may be solid or liquid.

[0040] For example, solid aerosol-generating substances may include solid materials based on tobacco raw materials, such as flat leaf tobacco, shredded filler and reconstituted tobacco, and liquid aerosol-generating substances may include liquid materials based on nicotine, tobacco extracts and various flavoring agents. Of course, it is not limited to the above examples.

[0041] Throughout the specification, an aerosol generating device may be a device that uses an aerosol generating substance to generate an aerosol that can be directly inhaled into the user's lungs through the user's mouth. For example, the aerosol generating device may be a holder.

[0042] Throughout the specification, "puff" refers to inhalation by a user, and inhalation may refer to the situation where a puff is inhaled into the oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs of the user through the mouth or nose of the user.

[0043] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs can easily practice the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the examples of the embodiments described herein.

[0044] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] Figure 1a to Figure 1c is a diagram showing an embodiment of an aerosol generating device according to the present invention, Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the aerosol generating device according to the present invention.

[0046] Reference Figure 1a The aerosol generating device 100 may include an aerosol generating article inserting portion 110, a heating unit 120, a sensor unit 130, a control unit 140, a first airflow channel PA1, and a first opening and closing control member OC1. Only components related to the present embodiment are shown in the aerosol generating device 100. Therefore, those skilled in the art can easily understand that the aerosol generating device 100 includes the following components: Figure 1a In addition to the components shown in FIG. 1 , other common components may also be included. In addition, the aerosol generating device 100 may be in the form of a rod-shaped member or a holder.

[0047] The aerosol-generating article insertion portion 110 corresponds to an area of ​​the aerosol-generating device 100 and can provide a space for inserting the aerosol-generating article 10. The aerosol-generating article 10 can have a generally known form and can have a form in which a tobacco raw material is deposited on a heat-conductive material. For example, the heat-conductive material can be a metal foil, such as an aluminum foil.

[0048] In one embodiment, the heating unit 120 can heat the aerosol generating product 10 inserted into the aerosol generating product insertion portion 110. The heating unit 120 can be, for example, a heater module. The heater module can include a tubular heating element, a plate heating element, and a needle-shaped or rod-shaped heating element, and can heat the inside and / or outside of the aerosol generating product 10 according to the shape of the heating element. The heater module can generate an aerosol with a tobacco flavor by heating the aerosol generating product 10, so that the user can inhale the aerosol with a tobacco flavor by inhaling one end of the aerosol generating product 10 with his / her mouth. The suction force of the user inhaling one end of the aerosol generating product 10 can be maintained within a certain range. Therefore, the aerosol generating device 100 according to the present invention proposes a method of independently generating an airflow and discharging the airflow toward the aerosol generating product insertion portion 110 to reduce the suction resistance generated when the user inhales.

[0049] The sensor unit 130 may detect an external stimulus. The control unit 140 may control the operation of the aerosol generating device 100 according to the stimulus detected by the sensor unit 130. In one embodiment, the stimulus may be an external temperature, and the sensor unit 130 may include a temperature sensor to detect the temperature.

[0050] In another embodiment, the stimulus may be a puff of the user, and the sensor unit 130 may include a puff detection sensor for detecting the puff of the user. The puff detection sensor may detect the number of puffs of the user.

[0051] In another embodiment, the stimulus may be a user's touch, and the sensor unit 130 may include a touch sensor capable of detecting the user's touch. The touch sensor may detect a microcurrent generated by the user's hand, or may detect the pressure applied by the user's hand. The touch sensor may be a capacitive touch sensor, a resistive touch sensor, or a button touch sensor.

[0052] See also Figure 1a and Figure 1b , when the temperature detected by the sensor unit 130 is a preset temperature or higher, the control unit 140 may open the first opening and closing control member OC1. In this case, the airflow flowing in from the outside through the first airflow channel PA1 will flow to the insertion portion 110 for the aerosol generating product, so the user's suction resistance will be weakened, and the burning sensation felt by the user when smoking will be reduced. On the contrary, when the temperature detected by the sensor unit 130 is lower than the preset temperature, the control unit 140 may close the first opening and closing control member OC1. In this case, the airflow flowing in from the outside may be blocked, so that the user's suction resistance will increase, and the burning sensation felt by the user when smoking will increase. In one embodiment, the control unit 140 may control the opening and closing of the first opening and closing control member OC1 to be completely closed or opened. In another embodiment, as Figure 1c As shown, the control unit 140 may control the opening or closing of the first opening and closing control member OC1 to be completely closed or opened or partially closed or opened.

[0053] The preset temperature may vary according to the user's setting. For example, the preset temperature may be 30° C., and when the external temperature detected by the sensor unit 130 is 30° C. or higher, the control unit 140 may open the first opening and closing control member OC1.

[0054] The sensor unit 130 of the aerosol generating device 100 can also detect the temperature of the vaporizing unit 150 (see Figure 2The temperature of the vaporization unit 150 may refer to the heating temperature of the aerosol generating material of the vaporization unit 150 , or may refer to the temperature of the aerosol released from the vaporization unit 150 to the aerosol generating product insertion portion 110 .

[0055] In this way, the aerosol generating device 100 according to the present invention controls the opening and closing of the first opening and closing control member OC1 based on the external temperature and / or internal temperature detected by the sensor unit 130 to control the heat sensation felt by the user, thereby improving the user's smoking satisfaction.

[0056] Alternatively, the control unit 140 may open the first opening and closing control member OC1 when the number of puffs detected by the sensor unit 130 is less than the first set number. In this case, the airflow flowing in from the outside through the first airflow channel PA1 may flow to the aerosol generating product insertion portion 110, thereby reducing the user's puff resistance, and the discomfort felt by the user may be alleviated by the heat sensation generated at the initial stage of smoking. Since the heat generated during puffing decreases after the first set number of times, it is necessary to reduce the puff resistance. Therefore, when the number of puffs detected by the sensor unit 130 is greater than or equal to the first set number of times, the control unit 140 may close the first opening and closing control member OC1. When the number of puffs is greater than or equal to the second set number of times, and the second set number of times is greater than the first set number of times, the control unit 140 may reopen the first opening and closing control member OC1 in the second half of smoking to reduce the puff resistance again. In this way, the control unit 140 may open or close the first opening and closing control member OC1 according to the number of puffs, thereby improving the user's smoking satisfaction in terms of puff resistance and heat sensation.

[0057] The set number of times can be changed according to the user's setting. For example, the first set number of times can be four times, and the control unit 140 can open the first opening and closing control member OC1 until the number of puffs detected by the sensor unit 130 is three times, and close the first opening and closing control member OC1 when the number of puffs is four times. In this way, the decline in user smoking satisfaction caused by excessive heat sensation in the early stage of smoking can be reduced.

[0058] The second set number of times may be ten times, and the control unit 140 may reopen the first opening and closing control member OC1 when the number of puffs detected by the sensor unit 130 is ten times. In this way, the user's smoking satisfaction may be improved by reducing the puff resistance in the later stage of smoking.

[0059] Puffing allows the user to inhale both aerosol and air. When the desired amount of aerosol and air is not inhaled by puffing, the user can repeat the puffing to achieve smoking satisfaction. Therefore, when continuous puffing is detected, the sensor unit 130 can open the first opening and closing control member OC1 to increase the user's smoking satisfaction.

[0060] In an embodiment, when the sensor unit 130 detects a greater number of puffs than a preset number of puffs within a preset time, the first opening and closing control member OC1 may be partially opened or fully opened. For example, when three or more puffs are detected within 5 seconds after one puff, the sensor unit 130 may determine that the puff resistance is high, thereby partially or fully opening the first opening and closing control member OC1. When the first opening and closing control member OC1 is partially opened, and the sensor unit 130 again detects a greater number of puffs exceeding the preset number of puffs within the preset time, the sensor unit 130 may determine that the puff resistance is still high, thereby further opening the first opening and closing control member OC1.

[0061] However, this is only an example, and the constant time may be determined in various ways other than 5 seconds, and the number of puffs detected within a certain time may be determined in various ways other than 3 or more times.

[0062] Alternatively, the control unit 140 may open or close the first opening and closing control member OC1 according to the number of touches detected by the sensor unit 130. For example, the control unit 140 may open the first opening and closing control member OC1 when the number of touches is one, and close the first opening and closing control member OC1 when the number of touches is two.

[0063] The control unit 140 may open or close the first opening and closing control member OC1 according to the touch duration detected by the sensor unit 130. For example, the control unit 140 may open the first opening and closing control member OC1 when the touch duration is 1 to 3 seconds, and close the first opening and closing control member OC1 when the touch duration is 4 to 6 seconds.

[0064] The control unit 140 may open or close the first opening and closing control member OC1 according to the touch strength detected by the sensor unit 130. For example, when the touch strength reaches a first set strength, the control unit 140 may open the first opening and closing control member OC1, and when the touch strength reaches a second set strength, the control unit 140 may close the first opening and closing control member OC1. The description of the first opening and closing control member OC1 described above may also be applied to the opening and closing control member described later.

[0065] In another embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, the aerosol generating device 100 may further include a vaporizing unit 150. The vaporizing unit 150 may be connected to the aerosol generating device 100 so that the vaporizing unit may be replaced. The vaporizing unit 150 may generate an aerosol by heating the liquid composition, and the generated aerosol may be released toward the inserted aerosol generating article 10, so that the generated aerosol passes through the aerosol generating article 10 inserted into the aerosol generating article inserting portion 110. The generated aerosol may move through the aerosol channel. The opening and closing of the aerosol generating channel may also be controlled by the same opening and closing control member as the opening and closing control member described above. Therefore, a tobacco flavor may be added to the aerosol passing through the aerosol generating article 10, and the user may inhale the aerosol having the tobacco flavor by inhaling one end of the aerosol generating article 10 with his / her mouth. Therefore, the user may simultaneously inhale the aerosol generated by the vaporizing unit 150 and the aerosol generated by heating the aerosol generating article 10. In this case, the heater module may heat the aerosol-generating article 10 at a relatively low temperature. For example, the heater module may heat the aerosol-generating article 10 to a temperature of about 40°C to 200°C.

[0066] In another embodiment, the aerosol-generating article insert 110 may not include the heating unit 120 for heating the inserted aerosol-generating article 10. In this case, the vaporizing unit 150 (see Figure 2 ) can also be added with tobacco flavor, even if the aerosol passes through the unheated aerosol-generating article 10. In particular, the aerosol-generating article 10 with controlled flavor can release tobacco flavor components by contacting the surrounding air or aerosol. Therefore, the user can inhale the aerosol with tobacco flavor from the unheated aerosol-generating article 10.

[0067] See also Figure 1a , Figure 1b and Figure 2, the control unit 140 may control the operation of the aerosol generating device 100 as a whole. Specifically, the control unit 140 may control the operation of the heating unit 120, the sensor unit 130, the vaporization unit 150, and the first opening and closing control member OC1 as well as other components included in the aerosol generating device 100. In addition, the control unit 140 may confirm the status of each component of the aerosol generating device 100 and determine whether the aerosol generating device 100 is in an operable state. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may further include a battery, and the control unit 140 may check the charging status of the battery to determine whether the aerosol generating device 100 is in an operable state.

[0068] The control unit 140 may include at least one processor. The control unit may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory, in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. In addition, those skilled in the art may easily understand that the present embodiment may be implemented using other types of hardware.

[0069] Figure 3a and Figure 3b FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the aerosol generating device according to the present invention. Figure 3a and Figure 3b In addition to the following aspects Figure 1a and Figure 1b Basically the same: the second air flow passage PA2 and the second opening and closing control member OC2 are added. Therefore, the description of the repeated configuration will be omitted.

[0070] refer to Figure 3a and Figure 3b , the aerosol generating device 100 may include a first airflow channel PA1 and a second airflow channel PA2 and a first opening and closing control member OC1 and a second opening and closing control member OC2. The first opening and closing control member OC1 may control the opening and closing of the first airflow channel PA1, and the second opening and closing control member OC2 may control the opening and closing of the second airflow channel PA2. In this case, the first opening and closing control member OC1 and the second opening and closing control member OC2 may work independently. For example, the first opening and closing control member OC1 and the second opening and closing control member OC2 are usually closed, and when a stimulus is detected, the first opening and closing control member OC1 and the second opening and closing control member OC2 may be opened at the same time, or only one of the first opening and closing control member OC1 and the second opening and closing control member OC2 may be opened. The second opening and closing control member OC2 may also be opened and closed according to the stimulus detected by the sensor unit 130.

[0071] When the first and second opening and closing control members OC1 and OC2 are opened at the same time, the external airflow can flow stronger and the user's suction resistance can be effectively reduced compared to the case where only one of the first and second opening and closing control members OC1 and OC2 is opened.

[0072] exist Figure 1a and Figure 1b In the embodiment, the first opening and closing control member OC1 is shown to be opened by sliding to one side, but this is just an example and may be Figure 3a and Figure 3b The illustrated embodiment is opened by sliding to the sides.

[0073] In addition, Figure 3a and Figure 3b , the first airflow channel PA1 and the second airflow channel PA2 are illustrated as being combined with each other, but this is only an example, and the first airflow channel PA1 and the second airflow channel PA2 may be connected to the aerosol generating article insert 110, respectively. Although the opening and closing control devices OC1 and OC2 are illustrated as being arranged only at the inlet portion of each of the airflow channels PA1 and PA2, this is an example and is not limited thereto. For example, an opening and closing control member (not shown) may be arranged at a position where each of the airflow channels PA1 and PA2 is combined and connected to the aerosol generating article insert 110, and the flow of the airflow may be controlled by the opening and closing control member (not shown). The same may be applied to the embodiments described below.

[0074] Figure 2 The vaporization unit 150 described in the Figure 3a and Figure 3b In the aerosol generating device 100 shown in .

[0075] Figure 4a to Figure 4b FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the aerosol generating device according to the present invention. Figure 4a and Figure 4b In addition to the following aspects Figure 3a and Figure 3b Basically the same: the third air flow passage PA3 and the third opening and closing control member OC3 are added. Therefore, the description of the repeated configuration will be omitted.

[0076] See also Figures 4a to 4c, the aerosol generating device 100 may include first to third airflow channels PA1, PA2, PA3 and first to third opening and closing control members OC1, OC2, OC3. The first opening and closing control member OC1 may control the opening and closing of the first airflow channel PA1, the second opening and closing control member OC2 may control the opening and closing of the second airflow channel PA2, and the third opening and closing control member OC3 may control the opening and closing of the third airflow channel PA3. In this case, the first to third opening and closing control members OC1, OC2, OC3 may work independently. For example, as Figure 4c As shown, the first opening and closing control member OC1 and the second opening and closing control member OC2 may be open, and the third opening and closing control member OC3 may be closed. That is, the first opening and closing control member to the third opening and closing control member OC1, OC2, OC3 may be closed normally, and when a stimulus is detected, the first opening and closing control member to the third opening and closing control member OC1, OC2, OC3 may be opened at the same time, or at least one or more of the first opening and closing control member to the third opening and closing control member OC1, OC2, OC3 may be opened.

[0077] The opening and closing of the third opening and closing control member OC3 may also be performed according to the stimulus detected by the sensor unit 130 .

[0078] When the aerosol generating device 100 uses the first opening and closing control member OC1 and the third opening and closing control member OC2 to control opening and closing, the inhalation resistance during smoking can be reduced by using airflows of various strengths. For example, if necessary, only one of the first to third opening and closing control members OC1, OC2, OC3 can be opened to form a weak airflow, any two of the first to third opening and closing control members OC1, OC2, OC3 can be opened to form a medium airflow stronger than the weak airflow, and all of the first to third opening and closing control members OC1, OC2, OC3 can be opened to form an airflow stronger than the medium airflow.

[0079] Different from the above, the first to third opening and closing control members OC1, OC2, OC3 can be opened while rotating with one end fixed to a fixed axis. Figures 4a to 4c , the first to third opening and closing control members OC1, OC2, OC3 can be opened by rotating 90° with one end portion being fixed.

[0080] In addition, Figures 4a to 4c , the first to third airflow channels PA1, PA2 and PA3 are shown as being combined with each other, but this is only an example, and the first airflow channel PA1, the second airflow channel PA2 and the third airflow channel PA3 may be connected to the aerosol generating product insert 110, respectively.

[0081] Figure 2 The vaporization unit 150 described in the Figures 4a to 4c In the aerosol generating device 100 shown in .

[0082] Figure 5 1 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the aerosol generating device according to the present invention. In addition to the different sizes of the first to third airflow channels PA1, PA2 and PA3, Figure 5 Can be used with Figure 4a Therefore, the description of the repeated configuration will be omitted.

[0083] refer to Figure 5 , the first airflow channel PA1 may have a first size D1, the second airflow channel PA2 may have a second size D2, and the third airflow channel PA3 may have a third size D3. In this specification, the size of the airflow channel refers to the diameter of the airflow channel when the shape of the airflow channel in the plane is circular. When the shape of the airflow channel in the plane is square, the size of the airflow channel can be defined as the straight-line distance between a cross section of a cube and another cross section facing the cross section. In addition, the shape of the airflow channel can vary, and the size of the airflow channel can be defined in different ways depending on the shape. For example, when the shape of the airflow channel in the plane is a triangle, the size of the airflow channel can be defined as the area of ​​the triangle.

[0084] The first size D1, the second size D2, and the third size D3 may be different from each other. Therefore, when the opening and closing of the first to third opening and closing control members OC1, OC2, and OC3 are independently adjusted based on the stimulus detected by the sensor unit 130, the airflow intensity may be adjusted in various ways. Since the first to third sizes D1, D2, and D3 are different from each other, when the first to third opening and closing control members OC1, OC2, and OC3 are independently opened, the airflow intensity transmitted to the insert 10 for the aerosol-generating article may change.

[0085] By designing the first dimension D1 to be half of the second dimension D2, when the first opening and closing control member OC1 is opened, the same effect as when the second opening and closing control member OC2 is only half opened can be obtained. Therefore, even in the case where the aerosol generating device 100 controls only the first to third opening and closing control members OC1, OC2, and OC3 to be completely opened and closed, the same effect as when any one or more of the first to third opening and closing control members OC1, OC2, and OC3 are controlled to be partially opened can be obtained.

[0086] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the aerosol generating device according to the present invention.

[0087] See also Figure 6 , only at least one of the first to third dimensions D1, D2, and D3 may be different. For example, the first dimension D1 and the second dimension D2 may be the same dimension, and the third dimension D3 may be different from the first dimension D1 and the second dimension D2. In addition, the first to third airflow channels PA1, PA2, and PA3 may be merged in the middle and then connected to the aerosol-generating article insert 110, or only part of the first to third airflow channels PA1, PA2, and PA3 may be merged in the middle and then connected to the aerosol-generating article insert 110. For example, the first airflow channel PA1 and the second airflow channel PA2 are merged in the middle and then connected to the aerosol-generating article insert 110, and the third airflow channel PA3 may be separately connected to the aerosol-generating article insert 110. However, this is only an example, and the first to third airflow channels PA1, PA2, and PA3 may also be separately connected to the aerosol-generating article insert 110.

[0088] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the above preferred embodiments, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, as long as these modifications and changes belong to the spirit of the present invention, they all fall within the scope of the claims.

[0089] [Explanation of Reference Numerals]

[0090] 10: Aerosol-generating products

[0091] 100: Aerosol Generating Device

[0092] 110: Insertion portion for aerosol generating product

[0093] 120: Heating unit

[0094] 130: Sensor unit

[0095] 140: Control unit

[0096] 150: Vaporization unit

[0097] PA1, PA2, PA3: First airflow channel to third airflow channel

[0098] OC1, OC2, OC3: first to third opening and closing control members.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device capable of controlling airflow, the aerosol generating device comprising: an aerosol generating product insertion portion for inserting the aerosol generating product; a sensor unit, wherein the sensor unit detects a stimulus; at least one airflow channel connected to the aerosol-generating article insert and conveying external air to the aerosol-generating article insert; as well as An opening and closing control member controls the opening and closing of the air flow channel based on the stimulus detected by the sensor unit.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The number of the air flow channels is two or more.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein: At least one of the air flow channels has a size that is different from the sizes of the other air flow channels.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, wherein: The opening and closing control member is opened or closed based on a stimulus detected by the sensor unit.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein: The opening and closing control members control the opening and closing of the air flow passages independently of each other.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The stimulus is temperature, When the temperature is a preset temperature or higher, the opening and closing control member is opened, and When the temperature is lower than the preset temperature, the opening and closing control member is closed.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The stimulus is a user's puffing, When the number of suctions is less than a first set number, the opening and closing control member is opened, and When the number of suctions is greater than or equal to the first set number, the opening and closing control member is closed.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7, wherein: The opening and closing control member is opened when the number of times of the puffing is greater than or equal to a second set number of times, and the second set number of times is greater than the first set number of times.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The sensor unit includes a touch sensor, and The opening and closing control member is opened or closed based on the number of touch inputs to the touch sensor.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The sensor unit includes a touch sensor, and The opening and closing control member is opened or closed based on the duration of the touch input to the touch sensor.

11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The sensor unit includes a touch sensor, and The opening and closing control member is opened or closed based on the intensity of the touch input to the touch sensor.

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising a vaporizing unit that heats the composition to generate an aerosol and releases the generated aerosol to the inserting portion for the aerosol generating article, in, The generated aerosol passes through the aerosol passage and is transported to the aerosol-generating product insertion portion.

13. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The stimulus is a puff by the user, and When the number of suctions within a preset time is greater than or equal to a preset number, the opening and closing control member is opened.

14. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The opening and closing control member is partially opened or fully opened.

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