Aerosol-generating device

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device includes a housing including an accommodation space in which an aerosol-generating article is accommodated and an airflow path, the airflow path being a path in which a fluid moves inside the housing, where a volume of the airflow path is variable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating device having adjustable draw resistance and flavor of smoke. Background Art

[0002] Recently, the demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of ordinary cigarettes has increased. For example, the demand for a method of generating aerosol by heating a cigarette or an aerosol generating material using an aerosol generating device instead of burning a cigarette has been increasing. Therefore, active research has been conducted on heat-not-burn aerosol generating devices.

[0003] Since users of aerosol generating devices have their own preferences when using the aerosol generating devices, active research is being conducted on aerosol generating devices that allow changing the internal structure or settings of the devices so that users can use the aerosol generating devices according to their own preferences. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Technical Problem An aerosol generating device may include an air flow path therein, and air and aerosol may move through the air flow path. The air flow path may affect the draw resistance and flavor of the aerosol generating article.

[0005] Generally, according to the cross-sectional area and volume of the air flow path, the draw resistance when a user inhales the aerosol may vary, and the intensity of the flavor of the aerosol that the user can feel when inhaling the aerosol and the amount of aerosol atomization may vary.

[0006] When the user can directly adjust the air flow path, the user can adjust the draw resistance and flavor of the aerosol generating article to suit their own preferences. Therefore, a structure capable of adjusting the air flow path is needed.

[0007] Embodiments provide an aerosol generating device having a structure capable of changing the volume of the air flow path.

[0008] In addition, embodiments provide an aerosol generating device capable of using various types of aerosol generating articles.

[0009] The technical problems to be solved by the embodiments are not limited to the above technical problems, and those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the embodiments belong can clearly understand the technical problems not mentioned through this specification and the drawings.

[0010] Technical Solution According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating device may include a housing that includes a receiving space and an airflow path. An aerosol generating article is received in the receiving space. The airflow path is a path through which fluid moves inside the housing, and a volume of the airflow path may be variable.

[0011] Advantageous effects The aerosol generating device according to an embodiment may be used according to a user's preference by adjusting an amount of air moving inside the aerosol generating device.

[0012] Furthermore, in the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, since various types of aerosol generating articles may be received, applicability of the aerosol generating device may be increased.

[0013] The effects achieved by the embodiments are not limited to the above effects, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments pertain may clearly understand effects not mentioned through this specification and the drawings. Description of the drawings

[0014] Figures 1a to 1c is a view showing an example of an aerosol generating device; Figures 2a to 2c is a view showing an example of an airflow path applied to an aerosol generating device; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment; Figure 4a and Figure 4b are respectively a perspective view and a top view showing a first operation state of a regulator of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment applied to Figure 3 ; Figure 4c and Figure 4d are respectively a perspective view and a top view showing a second operation state of a regulator of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment applied to Figure 3 ; Figure 4e and Figure 4f are respectively a perspective view and a top view showing a third operation state of a regulator of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment applied to Figure 3 ; Figure 5a and Figure 5b is a cross-sectional view showing an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of Figure 3 according to an operation state; Figures 6a to 6c is a top view showing a regulating plate of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment applied to Figure 3 according to an operation state; Figures 7a to 7cis a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment based on an operating state; Figure 8a and Figure 8b are a perspective view and a top view showing a first operating state of an aerosol generating device according to yet another embodiment, respectively; Figure 8c and Figure 8d are respectively showing Figure 8a and Figure 8b a perspective view and a top view of a second operating state of the aerosol generating device; Figure 9a and Figure 9b are cross-sectional views showing the operating state of an aerosol generating device of an embodiment Figure 3 where an example of a support element is applied; Figure 10a and Figure 10b are cross-sectional views showing the operating state of an aerosol generating device of an embodiment Figure 3 where another example of a support element is applied; Figure 11a and Figure 11b are cross-sectional views showing the operating state of an aerosol generating device of an embodiment Figure 3 where yet another example of a support element is applied; Figure 12 is a block diagram showing an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment; and Figure 13 is a block diagram showing an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. Detailed Description

[0015] Regarding the terms in each embodiment, general terms that are currently widely used have been selected in consideration of the functions in the present invention. However, the meanings of the terms may change according to the intentions of those skilled in the art, judicial precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. In addition, in some cases, the terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant in a specific situation, and in such cases, the meanings of the terms will be described in detail at the corresponding parts in the description of the present invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the description provided herein.

[0016] In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, when a certain part is mentioned as "including" a certain element throughout the specification, this does not mean excluding other elements, but rather means that other elements may also be included. In addition, the terms "device" and "module" described in the specification refer to units for processing at least one function and operation, and may be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

[0017] As used herein, when a phrase such as "at least one" follows a list of elements, it modifies all of the elements in the list rather than the individual elements in the list. For example, the phrase "at least one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

[0018] In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol by electrically heating a cigarette accommodated in its internal space.

[0019] The aerosol generating device may include a heater. In an embodiment, the heater may be a resistive heater. For example, the heater may include a conductive track, and the heater may be heated when an electric current flows through the conductive track.

[0020] The heater may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the inside or outside of the cigarette according to the shape of the heating element.

[0021] The cigarette may include a tobacco rod and a filter rod. The tobacco rod may be formed using sheets, strands, and tiny fragments cut from tobacco sheets. In addition, the tobacco rod may be surrounded by a heat-conductive material. For example, the heat-conductive material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil.

[0022] The filter rod may include a cellulose acetate filter tip. The filter rod may include at least one segment. For example, the filter rod may include a first segment configured to cool the aerosol and a second segment configured to filter certain components in the aerosol.

[0023] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol by using a cartridge containing an aerosol generating material.

[0024] The aerosol generating device may include a cartridge containing an aerosol generating material and a body that supports the cartridge. The cartridge may be detachably coupled to the body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be integrally formed or assembled with the body and may also be fixed to the body so as not to be detached from the body by the user. The cartridge may be installed in the body in a state where the aerosol generating material is accommodated therein. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The aerosol generating material may also be injected into the inside of the cartridge in a state where the cartridge is coupled to the body.

[0025] The cartridge may include the aerosol generating material in any one of various states, such as liquid, solid, gas, gel, etc. The aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component or a liquid including a non-tobacco material.

[0026] The cartridge can be operated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body, etc., to perform the function of generating aerosol by converting the phase of the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge into a gas phase. The aerosol can refer to a gas in a state where vaporized particles generated from the aerosol-generating material are mixed with air.

[0027] In another embodiment, the aerosol-generating device can generate aerosol by heating a liquid composition, and the generated aerosol can be delivered to the user through a cigarette. That is, the aerosol generated from the liquid composition can move along the airflow channel of the aerosol-generating device, and the airflow channel can be configured to allow the aerosol to pass through the cigarette and be delivered to the user.

[0028] In another embodiment, the aerosol-generating device can be a device that generates aerosol from an aerosol-generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method. At this time, the ultrasonic vibration method can refer to a method of generating aerosol by atomizing the aerosol-generating material through ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

[0029] The aerosol-generating device can include a vibrator, and short-period vibrations are generated by the vibrator to atomize the aerosol-generating material. The vibration generated by the vibrator can be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibration can be in the frequency band of about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but is not limited thereto.

[0030] The aerosol-generating device can further include a core material that absorbs the aerosol-generating material. For example, the core material can be arranged to surround at least one region of the vibrator, or can be arranged to contact at least one region of the vibrator.

[0031] When a voltage (e.g., an alternating voltage) is applied to the vibrator, the vibrator can generate heat and / or ultrasonic vibration, and the heat and / or ultrasonic vibration generated by the vibrator can be transferred to the aerosol-generating material absorbed by the core material. The aerosol-generating material absorbed by the core material can be converted into a gas phase by the heat and / or ultrasonic vibration transferred from the vibrator, and as a result, aerosol can be generated.

[0032] For example, the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material absorbed by the core material can be reduced due to the heat generated by the vibrator, and when the aerosol-generating material with reduced viscosity is micronized by the ultrasonic vibration generated by the vibrator, aerosol can be generated, but is not limited thereto.

[0033] In another embodiment, the aerosol-generating device is a device that generates aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating article accommodated in the aerosol-generating device by an induction heating method.

[0034] An aerosol generating device may include a susceptor and a coil. In an embodiment, the coil may apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. When power is supplied to the coil from the aerosol generating device, a magnetic field may be formed inside the coil. In an embodiment, the susceptor may be a magnet that generates heat through an external magnetic field. When the susceptor is located inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied to the susceptor, the susceptor generates heat to heat the aerosol generating article. Additionally, optionally, the susceptor may be located inside the aerosol generating article.

[0035] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further include a cradle.

[0036] The aerosol generating device may form a system with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may charge the battery of the aerosol generating device. Optionally, when the cradle and the aerosol generating device are combined with each other, the heater may be heated.

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily implement the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be implemented in a form capable of being realized in the aerosol generating devices of the above various embodiments or may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Figures 1a to 1c It is a diagram showing an example of an aerosol generating device.

[0040] Figures a to Figure 1c It is a diagram showing an example in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device.

[0041] Referring to Figure 1a , the aerosol generating device 1 includes a battery 11, a controller 12, and a heater 13. Referring to Figure 1b and Figure 1c , the aerosol generating device 1 further includes a vaporizer 14. In addition, the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted into the internal space of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0042] The elements related to this embodiment are included in the aerosol generating device 1 shown in Figures 1a to 1c . Therefore, those of ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment will understand that other general elements in addition to the elements shown in Figures 1a to 1c may also be included in the aerosol generating device 1.

[0043] In addition, although the heater 13 is included in the aerosol generating device 1 in Figure 1b and Figure 1c , the heater 13 may be omitted when necessary.

[0044] In Figure 1a the battery 11, the controller 12, and the heater 13 are arranged in a row. In addition, in Figure 1b the battery 11, the controller 12, the vaporizer 14, and the heater 13 are arranged in a row. In addition, in Figure 1c the vaporizer 14 and the heater 13 are arranged side by side. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to the structure shown in Figures 1a to 1c . In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1, the arrangements of the battery 11, the controller 12, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14 can be changed.

[0045] When the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the aerosol generating device 1 can operate the heater 13 and / or the vaporizer 14 to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generated by the heater 13 and / or the vaporizer 14 passes through the aerosol generating article 2 and is delivered to the user.

[0046] When necessary, even when the aerosol generating article 2 is not inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the aerosol generating device 1 can heat the heater 13.

[0047] The battery 11 supplies the power for operating the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the battery 11 can supply power to enable the heater 13 or the vaporizer 14 to be heated, and can supply the power required for the operation of the controller 12. In addition, the battery 11 can supply the power required for the operation of a display, a sensor, or a motor, etc. provided in the aerosol generating device 1.

[0048] The controller 12 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1. Specifically, the controller 12 not only controls the operations of the battery 11, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14, but also controls the operations of other elements included in the aerosol generating device 1. In addition, the controller 12 can determine whether the aerosol generating device 1 is in an operable state by checking the states of each element of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0049] The controller 12 includes at least one processor. The processor can include an array of multiple logic gates, or can include a combination of a general - purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment will understand that the processor includes another type of hardware.

[0050] The heater 13 can be heated by the power supplied by the battery 11. For example, when a cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the heater 13 can be located outside the cigarette. Therefore, the heated heater 13 can increase the temperature of the aerosol - generating material in the cigarette.

[0051] The heater 13 can be a resistive heater. For example, the heater 13 may include conductive tracks, and when current flows through the conductive tracks, the heater 13 can be heated. However, the heater 13 is not limited to the above example and can include any heater that can be heated to a desired temperature. The desired temperature can be preset in the aerosol generating device 1 or can be set to the temperature desired by the user.

[0052] In addition, in another example, the heater 13 can be an induction heater. Specifically, the heater 13 may include a conductive coil for heating the cigarette by induction heating method, and the cigarette may include a base that can be heated by the induction heater.

[0053] For example, the heater 13 may include a tube-shaped heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and can heat the inside or outside of the aerosol generating article 2 according to the shape of the heating element.

[0054] In addition, a plurality of heaters 13 may be located in the aerosol generating device 1. In this case, the plurality of heaters 13 may be inserted inside the aerosol generating article 2 or may be located outside the aerosol generating article 2. In addition, some of the plurality of heaters 13 may be inserted inside the aerosol generating article 2 and the other heaters may be located outside the aerosol generating article 2. In addition, the shape of the heater 13 is not limited to Figures 1a to 1c the shape shown in, and can include various shapes.

[0055] The vaporizer 14 can generate an aerosol by heating a liquid composition, and the generated aerosol can pass through the aerosol generating article 2 to be delivered to the user. In other words, the aerosol generated via the vaporizer 14 can move along the airflow channel of the aerosol generating device 1, and the airflow channel can be configured such that the aerosol generated via the vaporizer 14 passes through the cigarette to be delivered to the user.

[0056] For example, the vaporizer 14 may include, but is not limited to, a liquid storage part, a liquid delivery element, and a heating element. For example, the liquid storage part, the liquid delivery element, and the heating element may be included in the aerosol generating device 1 as independent modules.

[0057] The liquid storage part can store the liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition can be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component or a liquid including a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage part can be formed to be attachable to / detachable from the vaporizer 14 or can be integrally formed with the vaporizer 14.

[0058] For example, the liquid composition may include water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a fragrance, a flavoring agent, or a vitamin mixture. The fragrance may include menthol, mint, spearmint oil, and various fruit fragrance components, but is not limited thereto. The flavoring agent may include components capable of providing various scents or flavors to the user. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the liquid composition may include aerosol-forming substances, such as glycerol and propylene glycol.

[0059] The liquid delivery element may deliver the liquid composition in the liquid storage unit to the heating element. For example, the liquid delivery element may be a cotton fiber core material, a ceramic fiber core material, a glass fiber core material, or a porous ceramic core material, but is not limited thereto.

[0060] The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition delivered by the liquid delivery element. For example, the heating element may be a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, etc., but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heating element may include a conductive filament such as a nichrome wire and may be configured to wind around the liquid delivery element. The heating element can be heated by supplying an electric current, and heat can be transferred to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol can be generated.

[0061] For example, the vaporizer 14 may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but is not limited thereto.

[0062] In addition, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include general elements in addition to the battery 11, the controller 12, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14. For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and / or a motor for outputting tactile information. In addition, the aerosol generating device 1 may include at least one sensor (e.g., a puff detection sensor, a temperature detection sensor, and a cigarette insertion detection sensor). In addition, the aerosol generating device 1 may be manufactured in a structure that allows external air to be introduced or internal gas to be discharged even when the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted.

[0063] Although not shown in Figures 1a to 1c the aerosol generating device 1 may form a system together with a separate stand. For example, the stand may be used to charge the battery 11 of the aerosol generating device 1. Optionally, the heater 13 may also be heated in a state where the stand and the aerosol generating device 1 are combined with each other.

[0064] The aerosol - generating article 2 may be similar to a conventional combustible cigarette. For example, the aerosol - generating article 2 may be divided into a first part 21 including an aerosol - generating material and a second part 22 including a filter and the like. Optionally, the aerosol - generating material may also be included in the second part 22 of the aerosol - generating article 2. For example, the aerosol - generating material made in the form of particles or capsules may be inserted into the second part 22.

[0065] The first part 21 may include a first aerosol - generating rod and a second aerosol - generating rod. The first aerosol - generating rod and the second aerosol - generating rod may be aligned in sequence along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol - generating article 2. The longitudinal direction of the aerosol - generating article 2 may be the direction in which the length of the aerosol - generating article 2 extends. For example, the longitudinal direction of the aerosol - generating article 2 may be the direction from the first part 21 towards the second part 22.

[0066] The aerosol generated in the first aerosol - generating rod and the second aerosol - generating rod may sequentially pass through the first aerosol - generating rod, the second aerosol - generating rod, and the second part 22 to form an air flow. Thus, the smoker can inhale the aerosol from the second part 22.

[0067] The first aerosol - generating rod may be heated to generate aerosol. The first aerosol - generating rod may include an aerosol - generating material. In addition, the first aerosol - generating rod may include other additives (such as a wetting agent and / or an organic acid), and may include a flavoring liquid (such as menthol). For example, the aerosol - generating material may include at least one of glycerol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol.

[0068] The first aerosol - generating rod may include an aerosol - generating substrate impregnated with an aerosol - generating material. The aerosol - generating substrate may include a crimped sheet, and the aerosol - generating material may be included in the first aerosol - generating rod in a state of being impregnated in the crimped sheet. In addition, other additives (such as a tobacco flavoring agent, a wetting agent, and / or an organic acid) and a flavoring liquid may be included in the first aerosol - generating rod in a state of being absorbed in the crimped sheet.

[0069] The aerosol - generating substrate may be located inside the first aerosol - generating rod in a crimped state. The crimped aerosol - generating substrate may be crimped around an axis extending along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol - generating article 2, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0070] The curled sheet may be a sheet formed of a polymer material. For example, the polymer material may include at least one of paper, cellulose acetate, lyocell, and polylactic acid. For example, the curled sheet may be a paper sheet that does not emit an unpleasant odor due to heat even when heated to a high temperature.

[0071] The first aerosol generating rod may extend from the end of the aerosol generating article 2 to a point of about 7 mm to about 20 mm, and the second aerosol generating rod may extend from the point where the first aerosol generating rod ends to a point of about 7 mm to about 20 mm. However, the lengths of the first aerosol generating rod and the second aerosol generating rod are not limited to this numerical range, and the lengths that the first aerosol generating rod and the second aerosol generating rod each extend can be appropriately adjusted within a range that can be easily changed by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0072] The second aerosol generating rod can be heated to generate an aerosol including nicotine. For example, the second aerosol generating rod may include a tobacco material. The tobacco material may be in the form of a tobacco strand, a tobacco particle, a tobacco sheet, tobacco beads, tobacco granules, tobacco powder, or a tobacco extract, but is not limited thereto.

[0073] For example, the second aerosol generating rod may include a plurality of tobacco strands, and the plurality of tobacco strands may include reconstituted tobacco cut filler. The reconstituted tobacco cut filler can be manufactured by finely cutting a reconstituted tobacco sheet. The reconstituted tobacco cut filler can be manufactured by the following method. The tobacco raw material is pulverized to generate a slurry, and an aerosol generating material (such as glycerin, propylene glycol, etc.), a flavoring liquid, a binder (such as guar gum, xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, etc.), and water are mixed in the slurry. Natural pulp or cellulose can be added to the slurry, and more than one binder can also be used in combination. After casting the slurry to form a sheet, it is dried to manufacture a reconstituted tobacco sheet. The reconstituted tobacco cut filler can be manufactured by cutting or finely cutting the manufactured reconstituted tobacco sheet. The tobacco raw material can be tobacco leaves, tobacco stems, and / or tobacco fine powder generated during tobacco processing. In addition, the reconstituted tobacco sheet may include other additives (such as lignocellulose fibers).

[0074] In addition, the second aerosol generating rod may include tobacco cut filler manufactured by cutting after mixing and processing various types of tobacco leaves. In addition, the second aerosol generating rod may include a mixture of reconstituted tobacco cut filler and tobacco cut filler.

[0075] In another example, the second aerosol-generating rod may include a plurality of tobacco particles. The tobacco particles may be particles having a diameter of from about 100 μm to about 2000 μm. The tobacco particles may be manufactured by extruding and mixing a mixture of ground tobacco leaves, a pH regulator, and a solvent.

[0076] The plurality of tobacco particles may be located between filter materials. The filter materials may include, for example, a fiber bundle composed of cellulose acetate fiber strands. The plurality of tobacco particles may be uniformly dispersed between the plurality of cellulose fibers. In another example, the filter material may include crimped paper sheets. The crimped paper sheets may be located inside the second aerosol-generating rod in a crimped state. The crimped paper sheets may be crimped about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article 2. The plurality of tobacco particles may be dispersed within the crimped paper sheets.

[0077] In addition, the second aerosol-generating rod may include an aerosol-generating substrate impregnated with a liquid aerosol-generating composition. The aerosol-generating substrate may include a crimped sheet, and the liquid aerosol-generating composition may be included in the second aerosol-generating rod in a state of being impregnated in the crimped sheet. The description of the aerosol-generating substrate included in the first aerosol-generating rod may be applicable to the aerosol-generating substrate included in the second aerosol-generating rod.

[0078] The liquid aerosol-generating composition may include nicotine. The nicotine may include freebase nicotine and nicotine salt. Freebase nicotine may refer to neutral nicotine to which no proton has been added. For example, when a strong base (such as ammonia) is added to a positively charged nicotine salt, the strong base may be converted into a cation, and the nicotine salt may become freebase nicotine in a neutral state.

[0079] In addition, the liquid aerosol-generating composition may include an aerosol-generating material. The description of the aerosol-generating substrate included in the first aerosol-generating rod may be applicable to the aerosol-generating material.

[0080] Each gram of the aerosol-generating substrate may be impregnated with about 0.05 g to about 1.0 g of the liquid aerosol-generating composition. For example, each gram of the aerosol-generating substrate may be impregnated with about 0.1 g to about 0.8 g of the liquid aerosol-generating composition.

[0081] The entire first portion 21 can be inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1, and the second portion 22 can be exposed to the outside. Optionally, only a part of the first portion 21 can be inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1, or the entire first portion 21 and a part of the second portion 22 can be inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1. The user can inhale the aerosol while holding the second portion 22 with his / her mouth. In this case, the aerosol is generated when outside air passes through the first portion 21, and the generated aerosol is delivered to the user's mouth through the second portion 22.

[0082] For example, the outside air can be introduced through at least one air passage formed in the aerosol-generating device 1. For example, the opening / closing of the air passage formed in the aerosol-generating device 1 and / or the size of the air passage can be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount of atomization and the smoking sensation can be adjusted by the user. In another embodiment, the outside air can be introduced into the aerosol-generating article 2 through at least one hole formed in the surface of the aerosol-generating article 2.

[0083] Figures 2a to 2c is a diagram showing an example of an air flow path applied to an aerosol-generating device.

[0084] Referring to Figures 2a to 2c , the aerosol-generating device 1 can include a housing 110 and an air flow path 120.

[0085] The housing 110 can form the overall appearance of the aerosol-generating device 1 and can include an internal space in which the elements of the aerosol-generating device 1 can be located.

[0086] The elements for generating the aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating article 2 inserted into the housing 110 and the elements for performing auxiliary functions related to the heating of the aerosol-generating article can be located in the internal space of the housing 110, which will be described in detail below.

[0087] The housing 110 can include an opening 110h and a receiving space 110i. The aerosol-generating article 2 can be inserted into the housing 110 through the opening 110h, and the aerosol-generating article 2 is received in the receiving space 110i. The opening 110h can be open towards the outside of the housing 110 at one end of the receiving space 110i.

[0088] At least a part of the aerosol-generating article 2 can be inserted into the interior of the housing 110 through the opening 110h such that the aerosol-generating article 2 is received in the receiving space 100i of the housing 110. The aerosol-generating article 2 inserted into or received in the interior of the housing 110 can be heated by a heater (e.g., Figures 1a to 1c heater 13).

[0089] The airflow path 120 can fluidly connect (or fluidly couple) the exterior of the aerosol generating device 1 and the accommodation space 110i inside the housing 110. The airflow path 120 can be used as a passage through which air and / or aerosol move. The airflow path 120 can include an air inlet 120h, which is located in a region of the housing 110 and is configured to introduce air into the aerosol generating device 1.

[0090] The air introduced into the interior space of the housing 110 through the air inlet 120h can move along the airflow path and can reach one end of the aerosol generating article 2 accommodated in the accommodation space 110i. The air introduced into the aerosol generating article 2 through one end of the aerosol generating article can be mixed with the vaporized particles generated by heating the aerosol generating article 2 to generate an aerosol. The user can inhale the aerosol discharged from the aerosol generating article 2.

[0091] The part of the aerosol generating article 2 where air is introduced is not limited to one end of the aerosol generating article 2. For example, the aerosol generating article 2 can include perforations (not shown) in a part of the outer peripheral surface. The perforations can transport the air outside the aerosol generating article 2 and the heat generated by the heater into the aerosol generating article 2.

[0092] Referring Figures 2a to 2c , airflow paths 120 with various arrangement structures applicable to the aerosol generating device 1 are shown.

[0093] Referring Figure 2a , in the example, the air inlet 120h can be located at the opening 110h of the housing 110. The air inlet 120h can be the same as the opening 110h. Even if the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted through the opening 110h, since the diameter of the opening 110h is larger than the diameter of the aerosol generating article 2, air can be introduced through the opening 110h.

[0094] The air introduced through the opening 110h can move along the accommodation space 110i. Even if the aerosol generating article 2 is accommodated in the accommodation space 110i, the air can flow along the free space existing inside the accommodation space 110i. That is, the airflow path 120 can be included in the accommodation space 110i.

[0095] Since the air introduced into the accommodation space 110i is introduced to one end of the aerosol generating article 2, the airflow path 120 can be substantially formed in a "U" shape to surround the aerosol generating article 2 and the heater accommodated in the accommodation space 110i.

[0096] Referring Figure 2b, in another example, the air inlet 120h may be located at the lower end of the housing (e.g., a region facing the -z direction). In this case, the airflow path 120 may have a "1" shape. The air introduced through the air inlet 120h may move along the airflow path 120 substantially in one direction (e.g., the z-axis direction) and may reach one end of the aerosol-generating article 2 accommodated in the accommodation space 110i.

[0097] Referring to Figure 2c , in yet another embodiment, the air inlet 120h may be located at a side surface of the housing (e.g., a surface facing the +y direction). The airflow path 120 may have an "L" shape. The air introduced through the air inlet 120h may move along the shape of the airflow path 120 and may reach one end of the aerosol-generating article 2 accommodated in the accommodation space 110i. However, the arrangement and shape of the airflow path 120 are not limited to the above examples.

[0098] Hereinafter, the airflow path 120 will be described centering on the structure of Figure 2a the airflow path 120, where the air inlet 120h of the airflow path 120 is the same as the opening 110h.

[0099] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment.

[0100] Referring to Figure 3 , the aerosol-generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a housing 110, an airflow path 120, and a regulator 200. Figure 3 At least one of the elements of the aerosol-generating device 1 of Figure 2a may be the same as or similar to at least one of the elements of the aerosol-generating device 1 of

[0101] The airflow path 120 of the aerosol-generating device 1 may affect the draw resistance and flavor of the aerosol-generating article 2.

[0102] For example, when the volume of the airflow path 120 increases, the flavor may decrease, such that the user feels a mild flavor, and the draw resistance may decrease, such that the user can sufficiently inhale the aerosol even in the case of a weak inhalation. In addition, the atomization amount of the aerosol may increase. "Mild flavor" refers to a state in which the intensity of the original flavor of the aerosol-generating article is reduced.

[0103] On the other hand, when the volume of the airflow path 120 decreases, the flavor may increase, such that the user feels a strong flavor, and the draw resistance may increase, such that the user needs to inhale strongly to inhale the aerosol. In addition, the atomization amount of the aerosol may decrease.

[0104] Both the cross-sectional area and volume of the airflow path 120 may affect the draw resistance and flavor, but the main factor affecting the draw resistance may be the cross-sectional area of the airflow path 120, and the main factor affecting the flavor may be the volume of the airflow path 120. The cross-sectional area of the airflow path 120 may be mainly inversely proportional to the draw resistance, and the volume of the airflow path 120 may be mainly inversely proportional to the flavor.

[0105] When the user can directly adjust the airflow path 120, the user can adjust the draw resistance and flavor of the aerosol-generating article to suit their own preferences. When adjusting the volume of the airflow path 120, the cross-sectional area of the airflow path 120 can also be adjusted. Therefore, various factors related to the user's preferences (e.g., draw resistance, flavor, and aerosolization amount) can be adjusted at once. Therefore, a structure capable of adjusting the volume of the airflow path 120 is needed.

[0106] To solve the above problems, the aerosol-generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a regulator 200. The regulator 200 may be located inside the housing 110 to surround at least a part of the airflow path, and may adjust the volume of the airflow path 120.

[0107] Referring to Figure 3 , since the airflow path 120 of the aerosol-generating device 1 according to an embodiment starts from the opening 110h and is formed inside the accommodation space 110i, the regulator 200 is shown inside the accommodation space 110i. However, the arrangement of the regulator 200 is not limited to the embodiment.

[0108] The regulator 200 may include a movable structure. At least a part of the regulator 200 may move to adjust the volume of the airflow path 120. For example, at least a part of the regulator 200 may move from the airflow path 120 in the first state s1 marked by a solid line to the airflow path 120 in the second state s2 marked by a dashed-dotted line.

[0109] When at least a part of the regulator 200 moves to change the airflow path 120 from the first state s1 to the second state s2, in the Figure 3 cross-sectional view, the radius of the accommodation space 110i may be reduced by the distance obtained by subtracting the distance d2 from the center axis in the longitudinal direction of the accommodation space 110i to the edge of the airflow path 120 in the second state s2 from the distance d1 from the center axis in the longitudinal direction of the accommodation space 110i to the edge of the airflow path 120 in the first state s1.

[0110] Therefore, the volume of the airflow path 120 including a region of the accommodation space 110i may be reduced. Conversely, when the airflow path 120 is changed from the second state s2 to the first state s1 by the regulator 200, the volume of the airflow path 120 may increase.

[0111] In the specification, the "longitudinal direction" may refer to the z-axis direction and may refer to the direction in which the accommodation space 110i extends longer in one direction. In addition, the "longitudinal direction" may refer to the direction in which the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the housing 110. The definition of the "longitudinal direction" may be the same hereinafter.

[0112] In a state where the aerosol generating article 2 is accommodated in the accommodation space 110i, the suction resistance value caused by the adjustment of the regulator 200 may be 30 mH2O to 60 mmH2O in a first state s1 where the volume of the airflow path 120 is maximized, and may be 60 mH2O to 90 mmH2O in a second state s2 where the volume of the airflow path 120 is minimized.

[0113] The ratio between the suction resistance value in the first state s1 and the suction resistance value in the second state s2 may be 1:1 to 3:1. In addition, the ratio may be 1:1 to 2:1. In addition, the ratio may be 1:1 to 1.5:1. In addition, the ratio may be 1:1 to 1.2:1.

[0114] The volume of the airflow path 120 can be adjusted by the regulator 200 in various ways. In an example, the volume of the airflow path 120 can be manually adjusted by using a mechanical method or a physical method. In another embodiment, the volume of the airflow path 120 can be automatically adjusted according to an electronic method using software.

[0115] According to the aerosol generating device 1 of the embodiment, since the volume of the airflow path 120 is variable and the volume of the airflow path 120 can be adjusted by the regulator 200, the aerosol generating device 1 can be used according to the user's preferences in terms of suction resistance and taste of the smoke.

[0116] Hereinafter, reference will be made to Figures 4a to 4f The operating principle of the regulator 200 for adjusting the volume of the airflow path 120 will be described in detail.

[0117] Figure 4a And Figure 4b Are respectively a perspective view and a top view showing a first operating state of the regulator of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment applied to Figure 3 The perspective view and the top view showing a first operating state of the regulator of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment applied to Figure 4c And Figure 4d Are respectively a perspective view and a top view showing a second operating state of the regulator. Figure 4e And Figure 4f Are respectively a perspective view and a top view showing a third operating state of the regulator.

[0118] Referring to Figure 4a And Figure 4b, the regulator 200 may include a plurality of adjustment units 210. Each adjustment unit 210 is a movable element. "The movement of the adjustment unit 210" or "the movement of at least a part of the adjustment unit 210" may include both the case where a part of the adjustment unit 210 moves and the case where the entire adjustment unit 210 moves, and unless otherwise described, the same meaning will be used hereinafter.

[0119] The plurality of adjustment units 210 may be arranged circumferentially along the air flow path 120. The adjustment units 210 arranged circumferentially along the air flow path 120 may move independently of each other. Refer to Figure 4a and Figure 4b , four adjustment units 210 may be arranged circumferentially along the air flow path 120. That is, the regulator 200 may include a first adjustment unit 210a, a second adjustment unit 210b, a third adjustment unit 210c, and a fourth adjustment unit 210d. However, the number of adjustment units is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0120] At least a part of one adjustment unit 210 may move in the "first direction" or the "second direction" opposite to the first direction, and the first direction is the direction from the edge of the air flow path 120 toward the inside of the air flow path 120. "Inside" may refer to the central axis in the direction in which the air flow path 120 extends, and in Figure 4a and Figure 4b , "inside" may refer to the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the accommodation space 110i. The expressions "first direction", "second direction", and "inside" may be used with the same meaning hereinafter.

[0121] The adjustment unit 210 may move within a preset movement range. The "preset movement range" may refer to the movement range in which one adjustment unit 210 does not interfere with the movement of another adjustment unit 210 and at least a part of the adjustment unit 210 is not physically completely separated from one regulator 200. The preset movement range may be used with the same meaning hereinafter.

[0122] The movement range is not limited to the above example and may be changed in various ways. In addition, the movement range may be set in various ways. For example, the movement range may be set by a mechanical method or a physical method such as using an engagement structure or arranging a stopper, or an electronic method using software. This description may apply to the "movement range" mentioned throughout the specification.

[0123] Refer to Figure 4a and Figure 4b , in the embodiment, a first operating state of the adjustment unit 210 is shown, in which the adjustment unit 210 moves to maximize the volume of the air flow path 120 according to the preset range. In Figure 4a and Figure 4bIn the first operating state, at least a portion of the adjusting unit 210 can move only in a first direction among a first direction and a second direction. The movement limit of the adjusting unit 210 is determined according to a preset range, but is not limited to the embodiments. As the preset movement range changes, the final position of at least a portion of the adjusting unit moving in the second direction can be determined.

[0124] Since the airflow path 120 of the aerosol generating device 1 according to the embodiment is included in the accommodation space 110i, when all the plurality of adjusting units 210 are adjusted to the first operating state, the volume of the accommodation space 110i can be maximized.

[0125] Referring to Figure 4c and Figure 4d , a second operating state of the adjusting unit 210 is shown, in which the adjusting unit 210 moves such that the volume of the airflow path 120 is reduced to less than the volume in the state of Figure 4a and Figure 4b . To adjust the volume of the airflow path 120, the adjusting unit 210 can include a fixed portion 210s and a movable portion 210m.

[0126] The fixed portion 210s can refer to at least a portion of the adjusting unit 210 that does not move relative to the airflow path 120 even when the operating state of the adjusting unit 210 changes. The fixed portion 210s can be located at the edge of the airflow path 120 and movably support the movable portion 210m. The fixed portion 210s can include a guiding surface that contacts the movable portion 210m and guides the movable portion 210m to linearly move.

[0127] The movable portion 210m can refer to another portion of the adjusting unit 210 that is movable relative to the airflow path 120. The shapes and sizes of the fixed portion 210s and the movable portion 210m in one adjusting unit 210 can vary according to the embodiments. The movable portion 210m can be arranged such that the movement of the movable portion 210m is not hindered by the fixed portion 210s within a preset movement range.

[0128] The movable portion 210m can move in the first direction or the second direction within a preset movement range. To limit the movement of the movable portion 210m, a stopper (not shown) can be arranged. The stopper can determine the movement range of the movable portion.

[0129] In Figure 4a and Figure 4b 's first operating state, the movable portion 210m can move only in the first direction according to a preset movement range. To reduce the volume of the airflow path 120, the movable portion 210m can move in the first direction until the movable portion 210m contacts the movable portion 210m of another adjusting unit 210.

[0130] Reference Figure 4c and Figure 4d show a state in which the movable part 210m of one adjustment unit is in contact with the movable part of another adjustment unit and cannot move further (second operating state of the adjustment unit). To increase the volume of the air flow path 120 in the second operating state, the movable part 210m can be moved in the second direction to be in the first operating state.

[0131] Reference Figure 4e and Figure 4f show the third operating state of the adjustment unit 210, in which the adjustment unit 210 is moved such that the volume of the air flow path 120 is reduced to less than Figure 4c and Figure 4d the volume in the state. To adjust the volume of the air flow path in stages, the movable range of each part of the movable part 210m can be different. In the present embodiment, the movable part 210m can include a first movable part 211 and a second movable part 212 having different movable ranges.

[0132] In the second operating state, the first movable part 211 can no longer move in the first direction. To reduce the volume of the air flow path 120 in the second operating state, the second movable part 212 adjacent to the first movable part 211 can move in the first direction relative to the first movable part 211.

[0133] Reference Figure 4e and Figure 4f show a state in which the second movable part 212 of one adjustment unit is in contact with the second movable part of another adjustment unit and cannot move further (third operating state of the adjustment unit). To increase the volume of the air flow path 120 in the third operating state, the second movable part 212 can be moved in the second direction to be in the second operating state.

[0134] The first movable part 211 and the second movable part 212 can move independently. According to an embodiment, between the first operating state and the second operating state, the first movable part 211 and the second movable part 212 can move together as one movable part m. Between the second operating state and the third operating state, the second movable part 212 can move independently of the first movable part 211.

[0135] Although in the specification the movable part 210m only includes the first movable part 211 and the second movable part 212, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, based on the same principle as described above, by including a plurality of movable parts such as a third movable part, the volume of the air flow path 120 can be further reduced.

[0136] The plurality of adjustment units 210 can be arranged not only circumferentially along the air flow path 120, but also in the extending direction of the air flow path 120. Hereinafter, reference will be made to Figure 5a and Figure 5b to describe the plurality of adjustment units 210 arranged in the extending direction of the air flow path 120.

[0137] Figure 5a and Figure 5b are cross-sectional views of an aerosol generating device showing embodiments of Figure 3 according to the operating state.

[0138] Referring to Figure 5a and Figure 5b , the regulator 200 can include a first adjustment unit 210, a second adjustment unit 220, and a third adjustment unit 230 arranged in sequence in the extending direction of the air flow path 120.

[0139] In this embodiment, since four adjustment units 210 are arranged circumferentially along the air flow path 120 and three adjustment units 210 are arranged in the extending direction of the air flow path 120, the regulator 200 can include a total of 12 adjustment units 210. However, the number of adjustment units 210 is not limited to the embodiment.

[0140] Referring to Figure 5a , a state is shown in which the volume of the air flow path 120 is maximized according to a preset movement range. The plurality of adjustment units 210 arranged in sequence in the extending direction of the air flow path 120 can be moved independently of each other to adjust the volume of the air flow path 120.

[0141] Referring to Figure 5b , a state is shown in which each of the adjustment units 210 moves in the first direction. In this case, the second adjustment unit 220 moves more in the first direction than the first adjustment unit 210, and the third adjustment unit 230 moves more in the first direction than the second adjustment unit 220. As a result, the volume of the air flow path 120 can be reduced toward one end of the aerosol generating article 2 (for example, the lower end in the -z direction). The movement state of each adjustment unit 210 is not limited to the drawings, and the volume of the air flow path 120 can be changed differently along the extending direction of the air flow path 120.

[0142] Figures 6a to 6c is a top view of a regulating plate of an aerosol generating device showing an embodiment applied to Figure 3 according to the operating state.

[0143] Referring to Figures 6a to 6c , according to an embodiment, an aerosol generating device (for example, Figure 3The aerosol generating device 1) may include a regulating plate 130. The regulating plate 130 may be located in the opening 100h of the aerosol generating device. The regulating plate 130 may be positioned to face the direction in which the opening 110h is open (e.g., the z-axis direction).

[0144] The arrangement of the regulating plate 130 is not limited to the above embodiment. Although in this embodiment the regulating plate 130 is located in the opening 110h which is an air inlet (e.g., Figure 2a the air inlet 120h), the regulating plate 130 may be located within the air flow path 120.

[0145] The regulating plate 130 may include a movable structure to adjust the opening area of the opening 110h. For example, the regulating plate 130 may have an aperture shape. When at least a part of the regulating plate 130 moves to change the opening area of the opening 110h, the cross-sectional area of the air flow path 120 may change.

[0146] Specifically, the regulating plate 130 may include a plurality of wings 131. Each of the wings 131 is a movable element. In this case, "the movement of the wing 131" may include both the case where at least a part of the wing 131 moves and the case where the entire wing 131 moves, and the following may be used with the same meaning unless otherwise described.

[0147] The plurality of wings 131 may be arranged along the circumferences of the air flow path 120 and the opening 110h. Referring to Figures 6a to 6c , although eight wings 131 are arranged along the circumference of the air flow path 120, the number of wings is not limited to the above example.

[0148] Each of the wings 131 may move in a direction from the edge of the air flow path 120 towards the inside of the air flow path 120 or in a direction opposite to this direction to adjust the opening area of the opening 110h. Each of the wings 131 may move independently within a preset movement range, as described for the adjusting unit 210 with reference to Figures 4a to 4f .

[0149] Referring to Figure 6a , a first operating state is shown in which the opening 110h is opened to the maximum extent by the regulating plate 130. Referring to Figure 6b , a second operating state is shown in which as each wing 131 of the regulating plate 130 moves towards the inside of the air flow path 120, the opening degree of the opening 110h decreases. Referring to Figure 6c , a third operating state is shown in which the opening degree of the opening 110h is smaller than Figure 6b the opening degree in the second operating state. Although not shown, when the wings 131 move towards the inside of the air flow path 120 and contact the aerosol generating article 2, the air flow path 120 may be closed.

[0150] Since the opening degree of the opening 110h is adjusted by the adjusting plate 130, the cross-sectional area of the air flow path 120 can be adjusted. In addition, the adjusting plate 130 can be used together with Figures 4a to 4f the regulator 200 to cover the air flow path 120 that is divided into a plurality of air flow paths inside the accommodation space 110i according to the movement of the adjusting unit 210.

[0151] Specifically, referring to Figures 4a to 4f , as the movable part 210m of the adjusting unit 210 moves in the first direction, the air flow path 120 can be divided into a plurality of peripheral regions surrounded by the fixed part 210s and the movable part 210m and a central region in which the aerosol generating article 2 is accommodated.

[0152] In this case, the wing 131 of the adjusting plate 130 located in the opening 110h can move to cover the plurality of peripheral regions. Therefore, only the central region in which the aerosol generating article 2 is accommodated can be in fluid communication with the outside. That is, the adjusting plate 130 can affect the volume adjustment of the air flow path 120 by the regulator 200.

[0153] Figures 7a to 7c is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment according to the operating state.

[0154] Referring to Figures 7a to 7c , the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may include a housing 110, an air flow path 120, and a regulator 300. Figures 7a to 7c At least one of the elements of the aerosol generating device 1 of Figure 3 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the elements of the aerosol generating device 1 of , and thus, the repeated description will be omitted.

[0155] At least a part of the regulator 300 can move along the longitudinal direction of the accommodation space (for example, Figure 3 the accommodation space 110i of ) to adjust the volume of the air flow path 120.

[0156] The regulator 300 may include one or more sliding parts 310, and the one or more sliding parts 310 are arranged in sequence along the direction from the edge of the air flow path 120 toward the inside of the air flow path 120. The sliding part 310 may have a tubular shape surrounding the air flow path 120. However, the shape of the sliding part 310 is not limited to the above example, and in another embodiment, it may have an arc shape.

[0157] In this embodiment, two sliding parts 310 are shown. The regulator 300 may include a first sliding part 311 and a second sliding part 312 along the direction toward the inside of the air flow path 120. However, the number of the sliding parts 310 is not limited thereto.

[0158] The sliding part 310 can move in the extending direction of the accommodation space (which is also the extending direction of the air flow path) within a preset moving range. The stopper can be positioned to limit the movement of the sliding part 310. The stopper can determine the moving range of the sliding part 310.

[0159] When the sliding part 310 is accommodated in the air flow path 120, the volume of the air flow path 120 can be reduced by the volume of the sliding part 310 accommodated in the air flow path 120. That is to say, the volume of the air flow path 120 can change as the sliding part 310 moves.

[0160] Refer to Figure 7a , which shows the first operating state where the first sliding part 311 and the second sliding part 312 are not accommodated in the air flow path 120. In the first operating state, the volume of the air flow path 120 can be maximized.

[0161] Refer to Figure 7b , which shows the second operating state where the first sliding part 311 is accommodated in the air flow path 120 along the extending direction of the air flow path 120. In this case, the second sliding part 312 may not move, and only the first sliding part 311 moves to be accommodated in the air flow path 120. The volume of the air flow path 120 in the second operating state can be smaller than the volume of the air flow path 120 in the first operating state.

[0162] Refer to Figure 7c , which shows the third operating state where the second sliding part 312 is accommodated in the air flow path 120 according to the extending direction of the air flow path 120. In this case, both the first sliding part 311 and the second sliding part 312 can be accommodated in the air flow path 120. The volume of the air flow path 120 in the third operating state can be smaller than the volume of the air flow path 120 in the second operating state.

[0163] The degree to which the sliding part 310 moves along the extending direction of the air flow path 120 is not limited to the above embodiments. Therefore, only a part of the sliding part 310 can be accommodated in the air flow path 120. In addition, the moving lengths of the multiple sliding parts 310 can be different from each other. For example, when only 70% of the first sliding part 311 is accommodated in the air flow path 120 and only 30% of the second sliding part 312 is accommodated in the air flow path 120, the volume of the air flow path 120 can be reduced towards one end of the aerosol generating article 2 (for example, the lower end in the -z direction).

[0164] Figure 8a and Figure 8b are respectively a perspective view and a top view showing the first operating state of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. Figure 8c and Figure 8d are respectively showing Figure 8a and Figure 8bA perspective view and a top view of the second operating state of the aerosol generating device.

[0165] Referring to Figures 8a to 8d , the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may include a housing 110, an airflow path 120, and a regulator 400. Figures 8a to 8d At least one of the elements of the aerosol generating device 1 may be the same as or similar to Figure 3 at least one of the elements of the aerosol generating device 1, and thus, repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0166] At least a part of the regulator 400 may rotate about a central axis in the longitudinal direction of an accommodation space (e.g., Figure 3 the accommodation space 110i) to adjust the volume of the airflow path 120.

[0167] The regulator 400 may include one or more rotating parts 410 arranged circumferentially along the airflow path 120 and one or more rotating grooves 420 for accommodating the rotating parts 410. The number of the rotating parts 410 and the rotating grooves 420 may correspond to each other in a one-to-one manner, and one rotating part 410 and one rotating groove 420 may form a pair. Although four pairs of rotating parts 410 and rotating grooves 420 are shown in this embodiment, the number of the rotating parts 410 and the rotating grooves 420 is not limited thereto.

[0168] The airflow path 120 may be located between two pairs of rotating parts 410 and rotating grooves 420. That is, the rotating parts 410 and the rotating grooves 420 may divide the airflow path 120 into a plurality of airflow paths, and the number of the airflow paths 120 may be the same as the number of the rotating parts 410 and the rotating grooves 420. In this embodiment, the airflow path 120 may be divided into four airflow paths.

[0169] The rotating part 410 may rotate circumferentially along the airflow path 120 about a rotation axis within a preset movement range. In this case, the rotation axis may refer to the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the accommodation space 110i and also refer to the central axis in the extending direction of the airflow path 120, and the central axis is spaced apart from the plurality of separated airflow paths 120 by the same distance. A stopper may be positioned to limit the movement of the rotating part 410. The stopper may determine the rotation range of the rotating part 410.

[0170] Referring to Figure 8a and Figure 8b , a first operating state in which the entire rotating part 410 is accommodated in the rotating groove 420 is shown. When the entire rotating part 410 is accommodated in the rotating groove 420, the volume of the airflow path may be maximized.

[0171] Referring to Figure 8c and Figure 8d, shows a second operating state in which the rotating part 410 moves circumferentially along the airflow path 120 such that a part of the rotating part 410 is received in the rotating groove 420. In this case, the other part of the rotating part 410 that is not received in the rotating groove 420 may enclose a part of the airflow path 120, such that compared with Figure 8a and Figure 8b the first operating state, the volume of the airflow path 120 is reduced.

[0172] Although not shown, when the rotating part 410 moves circumferentially along the airflow path 120 and thus a surface of the rotating part 410 facing the circumference of the airflow path 120 meets a surface of the airflow path, the airflow path 120 may be closed.

[0173] Hereinafter, a support element that changes the volume of the airflow path 120 included in the accommodation space 110i and supports the aerosol-generating article 2 will be described.

[0174] Figure 9a and Figure 9b are cross-sectional views showing the operating states of the aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment in which a support element is applied. Figure 3 of the embodiment.

[0175] Referring to Figure 9a and Figure 9b , the aerosol-generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a housing 110, an airflow path 120, a heater 140, and a regulator 200.

[0176] Figure 9a and Figure 9b The heater 140 may be inserted inside the aerosol-generating article 2 accommodated in the accommodation space 110i to heat the aerosol-generating article 2. In this case, the heater 140 may have a rod shape, a needle shape, or an elongated shape, and may have any shape among various shapes that can be inserted into the aerosol-generating article 2.

[0177] The heater 140 inserted inside the aerosol-generating article 2 may be a support element of the aerosol-generating article 2. When the heater 140 is inserted into the aerosol-generating article 2, the aerosol-generating article 2 may be supported inside the accommodation space 110i by the heater 140 without a separate support element.

[0178] In a state where the aerosol-generating article 2 is fixed to a region of the accommodation space 110i by the heater 140, the regulator 200 may adjust the volume of the airflow path 120 without contacting the aerosol-generating article 2.

[0179] Referring to Figure 9a, when the regulator 200 reduces the volume of the airflow path 120, the amount of air introduced into the airflow path 120 or the amount of air moving inside the airflow path 120 decreases. Refer to Figure 9b , when the regulator 200 increases the volume of the airflow path 120, the amount of air introduced into the airflow path 120 or the amount of air moving inside the airflow path 120 increases.

[0180] When the accommodation space 110i includes the airflow path 120, the regulator 200 can adjust the volumes of the accommodation space 110i and the opening 110h without contacting the aerosol-generating article 2 inserted into the heater 140. When the regulator 200 adjusts the volume of the accommodation space 110i, aerosol-generating articles 2 of various types (thicknesses) can be accommodated in the accommodation space 110i.

[0181] Figure 10a and Figure 10b is a cross-sectional view showing the operating state of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment Figure 3 that applies another example of the support element.

[0182] Refer to Figure 10a and Figure 10b , the aerosol-generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a housing 110, an airflow path 120, a heater 140, a support portion 150, and a regulator 200.

[0183] Figure 10a and Figure 10b The heater 140 may be located outside the aerosol-generating article 2 accommodated in the accommodation space 110i to heat the aerosol-generating article 2. In this case, the heater 140 may have a tubular shape or a plate shape, and may have various shapes that can be located outside the aerosol-generating article 2.

[0184] The heater 140 may be connected to the support portion 150 and supported inside the accommodation space 110i. However, the method of supporting the heater 140 is not limited thereto. The heater 140 may be supported by a separate element.

[0185] The heater 140 located outside the aerosol-generating article 2 accommodated in the accommodation space 110i may support the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol-generating article 2. That is, the heater 140 located outside the aerosol-generating article 2 may be a support element for the aerosol-generating article 2. The aerosol-generating article 2 may be supported by the heater 140 inside the accommodation space 110i without a separate support element.

[0186] The support portion 150 may be located below the accommodation space (e.g., the -z direction) to accommodate one end of the aerosol-generating article 2 and support the aerosol-generating article. The support portion 150 may include an air passage through which air moving along the airflow path 120 may move to the bottom surface of the accommodation space 110i and one end of the aerosol-generating article.

[0187] The aerosol-generating article 2 may be supported by the support portion 150 inside the accommodation space 110i. In this case, the aerosol-generating article may be supported by both the support portion 150 and the heater 140. When the aerosol-generating article 2 includes a base material that generates heat by induction heating, the aerosol-generating article 2 may be supported only by the support portion 150 without a separate heater 140.

[0188] In a state where the aerosol-generating article 2 is fixed to a region of the accommodation space 110i by the heater 140 or the support portion 150, the regulator 200 may adjust the volume of the airflow path 120 without contacting the aerosol-generating article 2.

[0189] Referring to Figure 10a and Figure 10b and, similar to Figure 9a and Figure 9b when the regulator 200 decreases or increases the volume of the airflow path 120, the amount of air introduced into the airflow path 120 or the amount of air moving inside the airflow path 120 decreases or increases.

[0190] When the accommodation space 110i includes the airflow path 120, the regulator 200 may adjust the volumes of the accommodation space 110i and the opening 110h without contacting the aerosol-generating article 2. Different from Figure 9a and Figure 9b the size of the heater 140 or the support portion 150 located outside the aerosol-generating article 2 may affect the type (e.g., thickness) of the aerosol-generating article that can be accommodated in the accommodation space.

[0191] For example, when the thickness of the aerosol-generating article 2 is smaller than the receiving diameter of the heater 140 or the support portion 150, the aerosol-generating article 2 may shake within the accommodation space 110i and may not be supported by the heater 140 or the support portion 150. Conversely, when the thickness of the aerosol-generating article 2 is greater than the receiving diameter of the heater 140 or the support portion 150, the aerosol-generating article 2 may not be accommodated in the accommodation space 110i.

[0192] Hereinafter, an improved structure capable of accommodating various types of aerosol-generating articles 2 will be described with reference to Figure 11a and Figure 11b

[0193] ​Figure 11a and Figure 11b is a cross-sectional view showing the operating state of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment showing another example in which a support member is applied Figure 3 of the embodiment

[0194] Referring to Figure 11a and Figure 11b and, the aerosol-generating device 1 according to the embodiment may include a housing 110, an air flow path 120, a regulator 200, a heater assembly 540, a support part 550, and a regulator 200. As a configuration for solving the above problems, the heater assembly 540 and the support part 550 will be described. The heater assembly 540 and the support part 550 are configured to accommodate aerosol-generating articles 2 having various thicknesses in the accommodation space 110i according to a volume change of the accommodation space 110i. Each of the heater assembly 540 and the support part 550 may be independently positioned

[0195] The heater assembly 540 may include a heater regulator 541, a heater connector 542, and a heater 543. In this case, the heater may refer to the heater 543 located outside the aerosol-generating article 2 shown in Figure 10a and Figure 10b the aerosol-generating article 2

[0196] The heater regulator 541 may operate on the same principle as the regulator 200 of Figures 4a to 4f Specifically, the heater regulator 541 may include a plurality of heater adjustment units, and the heater adjustment units may move in a first direction from the edge of the air flow path 120 toward the inside of the air flow path 120 or in a second direction opposite to the first direction on the same principle as the adjustment unit 210 of the regulator 200 of Figure 4a and Figure 4f the regulator 200. In this case, the first direction may refer to a direction from the outside of the accommodation space 110i toward the inside

[0197] The heater connector 542 may connect the heater 543 to the heater regulator 541 and may move independently of the heater regulator 541 in the first direction or the second direction to bring the heater 543 closer to the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol-generating article 2

[0198] The heater connectors 542 may be arranged in a plurality and may have a thin rod shape with a small volume. However, the number and shape of the heater connectors 542 are not limited to the embodiment. The heater connectors 542 may support the heater 543 without causing it to wobble and may include various structures that do not have a great impact on the volume of the air flow path 120

[0199] The heater regulator 541 can operate together with the regulator 200 to adjust the volume of the air flow path 120. The heater connector 542 can sufficiently allow the air flowing along the air flow path 120 to pass through, and can move the heater 543 in the first direction or the second direction. Therefore, even when the thickness of the aerosol generating article changes, the aerosol generating article 2 can be accommodated and supported in the accommodation space 110i by the moving heater 543.

[0200] The support portion 550 may include an inclined surface 551 having a funnel shape or a conical shape, and a part of the inclined surface 551 is open in the z-axis direction. The inclined surface 551 can enable the support portion 550 to accommodate and support one end of different types of aerosol generating articles 2 regardless of the thickness of the aerosol generating article.

[0201] Reference Figure 11a , a state is shown in which the relatively thick aerosol generating article 2 is accommodated in the accommodation space 110i. Reference Figure 11b , a state is shown in which the relatively thin aerosol generating article 2 is accommodated in the accommodation space 110i.

[0202] When the volume of the air flow path 120 decreases and the volume of the accommodation space 110i decreases, only the relatively thin aerosol generating article 2 can be used. On the contrary, when the volume of the air flow path 120 increases and the volume of the accommodation space 110i increases, not only the relatively thick aerosol generating article 2 but also the relatively thin aerosol generating article 2 can be used.

[0203] According to an embodiment, since the draw resistance and the taste of the smoke can be adjusted by adjusting the volume of the air flow path 120, the aerosol generating device 1 can be used according to the user's preference.

[0204] In addition, according to an embodiment, when the accommodation space 110i includes the air flow path 120, the volume of the accommodation space 110i can be adjusted by adjusting the volume of the air flow path 120. Aerosol generating articles 2 having various thicknesses can be accommodated in the accommodation space 110i with a variable volume. Therefore, various types of aerosol generating articles 2 can be used by using one aerosol generating device 1.

[0205] Figure 12 is a block diagram showing an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0206] Reference Figure 12 , the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a controller 610, a driver 620, and an input unit 630. Hereinafter, reference will be made to Figure 3 the elements of the aerosol generating device 1 Figure 12 .

[0207] The controller 610 may be the same as Figures 1a to 1c the controller 12. The controller 610 may be electrically connected to the driver 620 and the input unit 630, and may control the driver 620 and the input unit 630.

[0208] The driver 620 may be connected to at least one of the regulator 601, the adjustment plate 602, and the heater assembly 603, and may move the connected components. In this case, each of the regulator 601, the adjustment plate 602, and the heater assembly 603 may be the same as the regulator 200, 300, or 400, the adjustment plate 130, and the heater assembly 540 described above with reference to the drawings, respectively.

[0209] The driver 620 may include one or more actuators. In this case, the actuator may include various components for performing mechanical operations by using electricity, hydraulic pressure, compressed air, etc. For example, the actuator may include, but is not limited to, a motor, an electromagnet, and a solenoid valve.

[0210] The actuator may be connected to the regulator 601, and may move an adjustment unit (e.g., Figure 4a and Figure 5a the regulator 200), a sliding part (e.g., Figure 7a the sliding part 310), and a rotating part (e.g., Figure 8a the rotating part 410) of at least one. The actuator may be connected to the adjustment plate 602 and may move a wing (e.g., Figure 6a the wing 131). The actuator may be connected to the heater assembly 603, and may move a heater regulator (e.g., Figure 11a the heater regulator 541) and a heater connector (e.g., Figure 11a the heater connector 542).

[0211] The input unit 630 is configured to allow a user to adjust the volume of the air flow path 120. The input unit 630 may be disposed on a part of the housing 110, and may be manipulated by the user. The input unit 630 may generate a signal according to a user input operation, and the controller 610 may command the driver 620 to adjust the volume of the air flow path 120 based on the signal generated by the input unit 630. The driver 620 may move the regulator 601 according to the command of the controller 610 to change the volume of the air flow path 120.

[0212] The input unit 630 may be used to adjust the adjustment plate 602, the heater assembly 603, and the regulator 601. Even in this case, the same principle as the adjustment method performed by the user described above may be applied.

[0213] Although in Figure 12The content of the regulator 601, the regulating plate 602, and the heater assembly 603 being electronically controlled by the controller 610 is described, but those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the user can directly control the regulator 601, the regulating plate 602, and the heater assembly 603 or control individual elements combined with these by using mechanical or physical methods.

[0214] Figure 13 It is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 1300 according to another embodiment.

[0215] The aerosol generating device 1300 may include a controller 1310, a sensing unit 1320, an output unit 1330, a battery 1340, a heater 1350, a user input unit 1360, a memory 1370, and a communication unit 1380. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1300 is not limited to Figure 13 the situation shown. That is, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1300, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that some components shown in Figure 13 may be omitted or new components may be added.

[0216] The sensing unit 1320 may sense the state of the aerosol generating device 1300 or the state around the aerosol generating device 1300, and send the sensed information to the controller 1310. The controller 1310 may control the aerosol generating device 1300 to perform various functions based on the sensed information, such as controlling the operation of the heater 1350, restricting smoking, determining whether an aerosol generating article (e.g., a cigarette, a cartridge, etc.) is inserted, displaying a notification, etc.

[0217] The sensing unit 1320 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 1322, an insertion detection sensor, and a puff sensor 1326, but is not limited thereto.

[0218] The temperature sensor 1322 may sense the heating temperature of the heater 1350 (or the aerosol generating material). The aerosol generating device 1300 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater 1350, or the heater 1350 itself may be used as a temperature sensor. Optionally, the temperature sensor 1322 may also be arranged around the battery 1340 to monitor the temperature of the battery 1340.

[0219] The insertion detection sensor 1324 may sense the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 1324 may include at least one of a thin film sensor, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, a resistance sensor, a capacitance sensor, an inductance sensor, and an infrared sensor, and may sense a signal change according to the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol generating article.

[0220] The suction sensor 1326 can sense the user's suction based on various physical changes in the air flow channel or air flow path. For example, the suction sensor 1326 can sense the user's suction based on any one of temperature change, flow change, voltage change, and pressure change.

[0221] In addition to the above-mentioned temperature sensor 1322, insertion detection sensor 1324, and suction sensor 1326, the sensing unit 1320 may further include at least one of a temperature / humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a position sensor (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS)), a proximity sensor, and a Red-Green-Blue (RGB) sensor (illuminance sensor). Since the function of each of the sensors can be intuitively inferred by those of ordinary skill in the art from the name of the sensor, a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0222] The output unit 1330 can output information about the state of the aerosol generating device 1300 and provide the information to the user. The output unit 1330 may include at least one of a display unit 1332, a haptic unit 1334, and an audio output unit 1336, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 1332 and the touchpad form a layer structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 1332 can be used as an input device in addition to being used as an output device.

[0223] The display unit 1332 can visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 1300 to the user. For example, the information about the aerosol generating device 1300 can represent various information such as the charge / discharge state of the battery 1340 of the aerosol generating device 1300, the preheating state of the heater 1350, the insertion / removal state of the aerosol generating article, or the usage restricted state of the aerosol generating device 1300 (e.g., an abnormal article is sensed), and the display unit 1332 can output the information to the outside. The display unit 1332 can be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel, etc. In addition, the display unit 1332 can be in the form of a light emitting diode (LED) light emitting device.

[0224] The haptic unit 1334 can provide information about the aerosol generating device 1300 to the user haptically by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus. For example, the haptic unit 1334 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0225] The audio output unit 1336 can provide information about the aerosol generating device 1300 to the user auditorily. For example, the audio output unit 1336 can convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and output it to the outside.

[0226] The battery 1340 can supply the power for operating the aerosol generating device 1300. The battery 1340 can supply power so that the heater 1350 can be heated. In addition, the battery 1340 can supply the power required for operating other components in the aerosol generating device 1300, such as the sensing unit 1320, the output unit 1330, the user input unit 1360, the memory 1370, and the communication unit 1380. The battery 1340 can be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 1340 can be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0227] The heater 1350 can receive power from the battery 1340 to heat the aerosol generating material. Although Figure 13 not shown in the figure, the aerosol generating device 1300 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a direct current (DC) / DC converter), and the power conversion circuit converts the power of the battery 1340 and supplies it to the heater 1350. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 1300 generates aerosol by an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 1300 may further include a DC / AC converter that converts the DC power of the battery 1340 into an alternating current (AC) power.

[0228] The controller 1310, the sensing unit 1320, the output unit 1330, the user input unit 1360, the memory 1370, and the communication unit 1380 can each receive power from the battery 1340 to perform functions. Although Figure 13 not shown in the figure, the aerosol generating device 1300 may further include a power conversion circuit that converts the power of the battery 1340 to supply power to each component, such as a low dropout (LDO) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit.

[0229] In an embodiment, the heater 1350 can be formed of any suitable resistive material. For example, suitable resistive materials can be metals or metal alloys including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc., but are not limited thereto. In addition, the heater 1350 can be implemented by a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate with conductive tracks disposed thereon, a ceramic heating element, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0230] In another embodiment, the heater 1350 can be a heater in an induction heating manner. For example, the heater 1350 can include a base that generates heat by a magnetic field applied by a coil to heat the aerosol generating material.

[0231] The user input unit 1360 can receive information input from the user or output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 1360 may include a keypad, a dome switch, a touchpad (capacitive touch method, piezoresistive film method, infrared sensing method, surface acoustic wave conduction method, integral tension measurement method, piezoelectric effect method, etc.), a roller, a roller switch, etc., but is not limited thereto. Additionally, although Figure 13 is not shown, the aerosol generating device 1300 may further include a connection interface (such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface), and may be connected to other external devices through the connection interface (such as a USB interface) to send and receive information or charge the battery 1340.

[0232] The memory 1370 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device 1300, and can store data processed by the controller 1310 and data to be processed. The memory 1370 may include at least one type of storage medium such as a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card type memory (e.g., Secure Digital (SD) or Extreme Digital (XD) memory, etc.), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory 1370 can store the operating time of the aerosol generating device 1300, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature curve, data on the user's smoking pattern, etc.

[0233] The communication unit 1380 may include at least one component for communicating with another electronic device. For example, the communication unit 1380 may include a short-range wireless communication unit 1382 and a wireless communication unit 1384.

[0234] The short-range wireless communication unit 1382 may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0235] The wireless communication unit 1384 may include a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN)) communication unit, etc., but is not limited thereto. The wireless communication unit 1384 may also identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 1300 within the communication network by using subscription user information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identification number (IMSI)).

[0236] The controller 1310 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1300. In an embodiment, the controller 1310 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable by the microprocessor. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the processor may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

[0237] The controller 1310 may control the temperature of the heater 1350 by controlling the power supply from the battery 1340 to the heater 1350. For example, the controller 1310 may control the power supply by controlling the switching of a switching element between the battery 1340 and the heater 1350. In another example, the heating integrated circuit may also control the power supply to the heater 1350 according to a control command of the controller 1310.

[0238] The controller 1310 may analyze the results sensed by the sensing unit 1320 and control subsequent processes to be executed. For example, the controller 1310 may control the power supplied to the heater 1350 based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 1320 to start or end the operation of the heater 1350. As another example, the controller 1310 may control the amount of power and the power supply time supplied to the heater 1350 based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 1320 so that the heater 1350 can be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

[0239] The controller 1310 may control the output unit 1330 based on the result sensed by the sensing unit 1320. For example, when the number of puffs counted by the puff sensor 1326 reaches a preset number, the controller 1310 may notify the user through at least one of the display unit 1332, the tactile unit 1334, and the sound output unit 1336 that the aerosol generating device 1300 is about to terminate.

[0240] An embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module executed by a computer. Computer-readable recording media may be any available media accessible by a computer, and include volatile and non-volatile media, and removable and non-removable media. In addition, computer-readable media may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media include all volatile and non-volatile media, and removable and non-removable media implemented by any method or technology for storing information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically include computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data such as modulated data signals of program modules, or other transmission mechanisms, and include any information transmission media.

[0241] The description of the above embodiments is only an example, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent embodiments can be made therefrom. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to the scope described in the claims will be interpreted as being included within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising: A housing, including an accommodation space in which an aerosol-generating article is accommodated; and an airflow path, which is a path for fluid to move inside the housing, wherein the volume of the airflow path is variable.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising a regulator located inside the accommodation space and surrounding at least a part of the airflow path, and being movable to adjust the volume of the airflow path.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising a movable part arranged circumferentially along the airflow path and being movable within a preset movement range in a first direction towards the inner side of the airflow path or a second direction opposite to the first direction.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, further comprising a fixed part arranged in the circumferential direction to support the movable part, and the fixed part includes a guiding surface for guiding the movable part to enable the movable part to perform linear movement.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, wherein, The movable part includes a first movable part and a second movable part, and the second movable part is capable of moving relative to the first movable part in the first direction.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of adjusting units arranged in sequence in the extending direction of the airflow path and being movable within a preset movement range in a direction from the edge of the airflow path towards the inner side or a direction opposite to the direction.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein, The plurality of adjusting units can move independently.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein, The housing includes an opening that is open to the outside at one end of the accommodation space, wherein the aerosol-generating device further includes an adjusting plate located at the opening and capable of moving to adjust the area of the opening.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising one or more sliding parts having a tubular shape and arranged in sequence in a direction from the edge of the airflow path towards the inner side, wherein, The sliding part can move in the extending direction of the airflow path within a preset movement range.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein, The sliding part has a tubular shape surrounding the airflow path.

11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol generating device further comprises one or more rotating parts and one or more rotating grooves, the one or more rotating parts are arranged circumferentially along the airflow path, and the one or more rotating grooves accommodate the one or more rotating parts. wherein, The rotating part can rotate circumferentially along the airflow path around a rotation axis within a preset movement range.

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol generating device further comprises a supporting part for supporting one end of the aerosol generating article. wherein, The supporting part includes an inclined surface to support aerosol-generating articles with different thicknesses.

13. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol generating device further comprises a heater configured to heat the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodation space. wherein, The heater can move in a direction from the outside to the inside of the accommodation space or in a direction opposite to this direction.

14. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol generating device further comprises an input unit configured to generate a signal according to a user's input operation, so that the user adjusts the volume of the airflow path.

15. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol generating device further comprises: A regulator, the regulator being movable to adjust the volume of the airflow path; and an actuator configured to move the regulator.

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