Aerosol generating device

Abstract

To provide an aerosol generating device with improved atomization performance by smoothly supplying air to an aerosol generating article therein.SOLUTION: An aerosol generating device 10 includes a housing 100 including an accommodating space for accommodating an aerosol generating article, and an inlet-side support 200 positioned at an opening of the accommodating space and including at least one support body 210 for supporting the aerosol generating article, and an inflow passage 220 for receiving air from the outside of the housing, the inflow passage decreasing in width toward the inside of the accommodating space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly to an aerosol generating device in which air is smoothly supplied to an aerosol product. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for technologies to replace the conventional method of burning cigarettes to supply aerosols. For example, research is being conducted into methods of supplying a flavored aerosol by generating aerosols from liquid or solid aerosol-generating substances, or by generating vapor from a liquid aerosol-generating substance and then passing the generated vapor through a solid flavor carrier.

[0003] Recently, as an alternative to the method of burning a cigarette to supply an aerosol, an aerosol generating device capable of generating an aerosol by heating an aerosol-producing material has been proposed. For example, the aerosol generating device may refer to a device capable of generating an aerosol by heating a liquid or solid aerosol-producing material to a predetermined temperature using a heater.

[0004] Recently, research into aerosol generating devices has been increasing because the use of aerosol generating devices can improve the convenience of smoking for users, such as allowing users to smoke as much as they wish, without the need for additional equipment such as a lighter. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to ensure the atomization performance of the aerosol generating device, air must be smoothly supplied to the aerosol product.

[0006] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aerosol generating device that smoothly supplies air to the aerosol product and improves atomization performance.

[0007] In addition, the present embodiment provides an aerosol generating device that can precisely sense changes in air flow.

[0008] Problems to be solved through the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments pertain from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment also includes a housing including a storage space for storing an aerosol product; and an inlet support portion positioned at the opening of the storage space, which includes one or more supports for supporting the aerosol product and an inlet passage that receives air outside the housing and narrows as it enters the storage space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The aerosol generating device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can effectively inject airflow and improve atomization performance.

[0011] Additionally, the aerosol generating devices according to various embodiments of the present disclosure include improved airflow passages, allowing for precise sensing of changes in airflow.

[0012] The effects of this embodiment are not limited to the effects described above, and any effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment pertains from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating some components of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support part attached to the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a development view schematically showing the components of the inlet-side support part shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the inlet-side support portion shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the inlet-side support portion shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support part attached to an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support part attached to an aerosol generating device according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support part attached to an aerosol generating device according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support part attached to an aerosol generating device according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a portion of the inlet side support portion shown in FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support part attached to an aerosol generating device according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support part attached to an aerosol generating device according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a plan view of a portion of the inlet side support portion shown in FIG. 15. [Figure 17] FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view of the inlet-side support portion shown in FIG. 15. [Figure 18]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support part attached to an aerosol generating device according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support part attached to an aerosol generating device according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support part attached to an aerosol generating device according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support part attached to an aerosol generating device according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a plan view of a portion of the inlet side support portion shown in FIG. 21. [Figure 23] 22 is a side cross-sectional view of the inlet support shown in FIG. 21 with an aerosol product inserted therein. [Figure 24] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The terms used in this embodiment are currently widely used and commonly used terms, taking into consideration the functions of the present invention. However, these terms may vary depending on the intentions of engineers in the relevant field, legal precedents, or the emergence of new technologies. In addition, in certain cases, the applicant may arbitrarily select terms, and in such cases, their meanings will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in this invention should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the overall content of the present invention, rather than simply by their names.

[0015] Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain element, it does not mean excluding other elements, but also means including other elements, unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, terms such as "module" and "unit" in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and may be realized by hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0016] As used herein, when phrases such as "at least one of," when preceding an array of elements, modify the entire array and not each individual element in the array. For example, the phrase "at least one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted as including a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

[0017] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device is also a device that electrically heats a cigarette contained in the internal space to generate an aerosol.

[0018] The aerosol generating device also includes a heater. In one embodiment, the heater is an electrically resistive heater. For example, the heater may include a conductive track, and the heater may be heated when a current is passed through the conductive track.

[0019] The heater may also include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and depending on the configuration of the heating element, the cigarette may be heated internally or externally.

[0020] Cigarettes also include tobacco rods and filter rods. The tobacco rods may be made from sheets, strands, or shredded tobacco. The tobacco rods may also be surrounded by a heat-conducting material. For example, the heat-conducting material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil.

[0021] The filter rod is also a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod can be composed of at least one or more segments. For example, the filter rod can include a first segment that cools the aerosol and a second segment that filters a predetermined component contained in the aerosol.

[0022] In other embodiments, the aerosol generating device is also a device that generates the aerosol using a cartridge that holds the aerosol generating material.

[0023] The aerosol generating device also includes a cartridge that holds an aerosol-generating substance and a main body that supports the cartridge. The cartridge may be detachably connected to the main body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be formed integrally with the main body or incorporated therein and fixed so that it cannot be removed by a user. The cartridge may be attached to the main body with the aerosol-generating substance contained therein. However, is not limited thereto, and the aerosol-generating substance may be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is connected to the main body.

[0024] The cartridge can hold an aerosol-forming material in any one of a variety of states, such as a liquid, solid, gas, or gel. The aerosol-forming material can also include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition can be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0025] The cartridge is activated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body to convert the phase of the aerosol-generating material inside the cartridge into a gas phase, thereby generating an aerosol. The aerosol may refer to a gas mixture of vaporized particles generated from the aerosol-generating material and air.

[0026] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device can heat a liquid composition to generate an aerosol, which can be transmitted through the cigarette to the user, i.e., the aerosol generated from the liquid composition can travel along an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device, which can be configured to transmit the aerosol through the cigarette to the user.

[0027] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol from an aerosol-generating substance using an ultrasonic vibration method. In this case, the ultrasonic vibration method may mean a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing the aerosol-generating substance using ultrasonic vibrations generated by a vibrator.

[0028] The aerosol generating device may include a vibrator that generates short-period vibrations to atomize the aerosol-generating material. The vibrations generated by the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibrations, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibrations may be, but is not limited to, about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz.

[0029] The aerosol generating device may further include a wick that absorbs the aerosol-generating material. For example, the wick may be positioned to surround or contact at least a region of the transducer.

[0030] When a voltage (e.g., an AC voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations are generated from the vibrator, and the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator can be transferred to the aerosol-forming substance absorbed in the wick. The aerosol-forming substance absorbed in the wick can be converted into a gas phase by the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations transferred from the vibrator, resulting in the generation of an aerosol.

[0031] For example, the heat generated by the vibrator can reduce the viscosity of the aerosol-generating substance absorbed in the core, and the ultrasonic vibrations generated by the vibrator can break down the reduced viscosity aerosol-generating substance into fine particles, thereby generating an aerosol, but this is not limited to this.

[0032] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol product contained in the aerosol generating device by induction heating.

[0033] The aerosol generating device also includes a susceptor and a coil. In one embodiment, the coil can apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. When power is supplied from the aerosol generating device to the coil, a magnetic field can be formed inside the coil. In one embodiment, the susceptor is also a magnetic material that generates heat when an external magnetic field is applied. When the susceptor is located inside the coil, the aerosol product can be heated by generating heat when a magnetic field is applied. Alternatively, the susceptor can be located inside the aerosol product.

[0034] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device further comprises a cradle.

[0035] The aerosol generating device may be configured as a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may be capable of charging the battery of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, a heater may be used to heat the aerosol generating device when the cradle and the aerosol generating device are coupled together.

[0036] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. The present disclosure may be embodied in the aerosol generating device of the various embodiments described above, or may be embodied and implemented in various different forms, but is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 10 according to one embodiment also includes a housing 100 into which an aerosol product 20 can be inserted.

[0040] The housing 100 forms the overall appearance of the aerosol generating device 10 and also includes an internal space (or "arrangement space") in which the components of the aerosol generating device 10 can be arranged. Although the housing 100 is illustrated as having a semicircular cross section in the drawings, the shape of the housing 100 is not limited thereto. For example, the housing 100 may be formed in an overall cylindrical shape or a polygonal prism shape (e.g., a triangular prism or a quadrangular prism).

[0041] The internal space of the housing 100 contains components for heating the aerosol product 20 inserted into the housing 100 and generating an aerosol, as well as components for detecting the user's puffing action, and detailed explanations of these will be provided later.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the housing 100 also includes an opening 100h through which the aerosol product article 20 can be inserted into the interior of the housing 100. At least a portion of the aerosol product article 20 can be inserted or housed within the interior of the housing 100 through the opening 100h.

[0043] The aerosol producing article 20 inserted or contained within the housing 100 can be heated within the housing 100, resulting in the generation of an aerosol. The aerosol emitted from the aerosol producing article 20 can be inhaled by a user.

[0044] The aerosol generating device 10 further includes a display D on which visual information is displayed.

[0045] The display D may be disposed such that at least a portion of the display D is exposed to the outside of the housing 100. The aerosol generating device 10 may provide a variety of visual information to the user via the display D.

[0046] For example, the aerosol generating device 10 may provide information regarding whether a user has puffed and / or information regarding the number of remaining puffs of the inserted aerosol product 20 via the display D, but the information provided via the display D may be modified in various ways.

[0047] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device 10 shown in Fig. 1 taken along the II direction.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 10 according to one embodiment also includes a housing 100, an inlet support 200, a heater assembly 300, an airflow passage 400, an end support 500, and a sensor 600.

[0049] The housing 100 forms the overall appearance of the aerosol generation device 10 and also includes an internal space in which the components of the aerosol generation device 10 can be arranged. For example, the internal space of the housing 100 can accommodate the inlet support 200, the heater assembly 300, the airflow passage 400, the end support 500, and the sensor 600, but the present embodiment is not limited by the components arranged in the internal space of the housing 100.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the housing 100 also includes an opening 100h through which at least a portion of the aerosol product (not shown) can be inserted (or received) inside the housing 100. Although the drawing shows the opening 100h as being formed in a region of the top of the housing 100, the arrangement of the opening 100h is not limited to the illustrated structure.

[0051] The inlet side support part 200 is located inside the opening 100h of the housing 100 and can support at least a part of the aerosol product inserted inside the housing 100. In addition, the inlet side support part 200 can allow air existing outside the aerosol generation device 10 to flow into the aerosol generation device 10.

[0052] The inlet support portion 200 also includes a support 210 for supporting at least a portion of the aerosol production product, and an inlet passage 220 for allowing air outside the housing 100 to flow into the interior of the housing 100 .

[0053] The heater assembly 300 is located in the interior space of the housing 100. The heater assembly 300 is capable of heating an aerosol-producing article inserted inside the housing 100 to generate an aerosol.

[0054] The heater assembly 300 also includes a heater 310 that generates heat when power is supplied thereto. The heater 310 also includes a storage space 300i for storing at least a portion of the aerosol product inserted inside the housing 100. At least a region of the aerosol product stored in the storage space 300i can be heated by the heater 310. When the aerosol product is heated, vaporized particles generated from the aerosol product mix with the air in the interior space of the housing 100, and an aerosol can be generated.

[0055] The heater 310 includes a coil 311 and a susceptor 312, and can heat at least a region of the aerosol product contained in the containing space 300i by induction heating.

[0056] The coil 311 is disposed so as to surround the outer circumferential surface of the susceptor 312, and is capable of generating an AC magnetic field via power supplied from a battery (not shown).

[0057] The susceptor 312 can be arranged to surround at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol product contained in the containing space 300i. The susceptor 312 generates heat by the AC magnetic field generated by the coil 311, thereby heating the aerosol product contained in the containing space 300i.

[0058] In another example of the heater assembly 300, the heater assembly 300 may include an electrical resistance heater, such as a film heater that is arranged to surround at least a portion of the outer periphery of an aerosol product inserted inside the housing 100 of the heater assembly 300. The film heater may include conductive tracks, and when an electric current is passed through the conductive tracks, the film heater generates heat and can heat the aerosol product inserted into the housing 100.

[0059] As yet another example of the heater assembly 300, the heater assembly 300 may include at least one of a needle heater, a rod heater, and a tubular heater that can heat the interior of the aerosol product inserted into the housing 100. The heater may be inserted into at least one region of the aerosol product, for example, to heat the interior of the aerosol product.

[0060] The examples are not limited by the specific embodiment of the heater, and the heater may be modified in various forms to heat the aerosol product to a specified temperature. In this disclosure, the "specified temperature" may refer to a temperature at which the aerosol-generating material contained in the aerosol product can be heated to generate an aerosol. The specified temperature may be a preset temperature for the aerosol generation device 10. Alternatively, the specified temperature may be changeable depending on the type of aerosol generation device 10 and / or user operation.

[0061] The heater assembly 300 also includes a thermal insulation structure 320 for enclosing the heater 310 .

[0062] The heat insulating structure 320 seals the heater 310 and can prevent the heat generated by the heater 310 from being transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the housing 100. Even when the temperature of the heater 310 is maintained at a high temperature, the heat insulating structure 320 can prevent high-temperature heat from being transferred to the body (e.g., the palm) of the user holding the housing 100.

[0063] The heat insulating structure 320 may be closed by a sealing means (not shown), which seals the space in which the heater 310 is located and prevents droplets generated during the aerosol generation process from leaking out of the heater assembly 300. The sealing means may prevent components of the aerosol generating device 10 from malfunctioning or being damaged by droplets.

[0064] The thermal insulation structure 320 also includes a first insulation body 321, a second insulation body 322, and a double-walled outer insulation body 323.

[0065] The first insulator 321 is located outside the susceptor.

[0066] The second insulator 322 is coupled to the upper end of the first insulator 321 and is positioned so as to surround a part of the outer surface of the first insulator 321 .

[0067] The external insulator 323 is located outside the second insulator 322 and has a double-wall structure.

[0068] The susceptor may be located in an interior space formed by the first insulator 321 and the second insulator 322 .

[0069] The second insulator 322 may be coupled to at least a region of the upper end of the first insulator 321, but the coupling structure between the second insulator 322 and the first insulator 321 is not limited thereto. As another example, the first insulator 321 and the second insulator 322 may be integrally formed.

[0070] The airflow passage 400 is located between the susceptor 312 and the first insulator 321 in the internal space of the housing 100. The airflow passage 400 can fluidly communicate (or fluidly connect) the outside of the aerosol generation device 10 with the accommodation space 300i of the heater assembly 300.

[0071] The airflow passage 400 may be arranged to connect an airflow hole (not shown) of the inlet side support part 200 and an air inlet part (not shown) of the end support part 500 located in the accommodation space 300i while being spaced apart from the heater assembly 300. For example, the airflow passage 400 may be arranged between the coil 311 and the susceptor 312 so as to surround the susceptor 312, but the shape of the airflow passage 400 is not limited to such an arrangement structure.

[0072] The above-described arrangement of the airflow passage 400 allows fluid communication between the outside of the aerosol generation device 10 and the inside of the accommodation space 300i.

[0073] The end support portion 500 is located at one end (eg, the lower end) of the receiving space 300 i and can support the lower end region and side region of the aerosol production product inserted inside the housing 100 .

[0074] The end support 500 can be disposed as a separate element at the lower end of the receiving space 300i to support the aerosol product, or the end support 500 can be modified to be integrally formed with the receiving space 300i at the lower end thereof.

[0075] When an aerosol production product is inserted into the receiving space 300i, air from the airflow passage 400 can flow into the aerosol production product via the end support portion 500.

[0076] The sensor 600 is located in the interior space of the housing 100 and can detect the user's puffing action or detect a change in the temperature of the heater.

[0077] The sensor 600 also includes a puff sensor 610 for sensing pressure changes. The puff sensor 610 can detect pressure changes in the airflow passage 400 due to a user's puffing action.

[0078] The sensor 600 also includes a temperature sensor 620 for sensing temperature changes. The temperature sensor 620 can detect changes in the temperature of the heater while the heater is operating.

[0079] The puff sensor 610 may be disposed adjacent to the inlet side support part 200. The temperature sensor 620 may be disposed in the internal space so as to be in contact with the susceptor 312. The positions of the temperature sensor 620 and the puff sensor 610 may be variously modified.

[0080] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of some components of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. 1 is a diagram for explaining the process of air movement caused by a user's puffing action in an aerosol generating device.

[0081] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view specifically illustrating the heater assembly 300 of the aerosol generating device 10 of FIG.

[0082] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, a specific configuration of the heater assembly 300 of the aerosol generation device 10 and the movement of air caused by the user's puffing action will be described in detail.

[0083] 3, the aerosol generating device 10 according to one embodiment also includes a housing 100, an inlet support 200, a heater assembly 300, an airflow passage 400, an end support 500, and a sensor 600. At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 10 according to one embodiment is the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 10 shown in FIG. 2, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0084] According to one embodiment, when a user contacts the mouth with the aerosol product 20 and performs a puffing action, a pressure difference occurs between the outside of the aerosol generating device 10 and the internal space of the housing 100, and external air can flow into the inside of the housing 100 through the inlet side support portion 200.

[0085] The external air introduced into the housing 100 passes through the inlet passage 220 of the inlet side support part 200 and the air flow hole 400h, and then reaches the air flow passage 400.

[0086] The air that moves along the air flow passage 400 can reach the air inlet portion 500 i of the end support portion 500 .

[0087] The air that reaches the air inlet section 500i passes through the air outlet section 500e in a U-shape following the shape of the end support section 500, and flows into the end of the aerosol product 20 inserted into the storage space 300i (Figure 2).

[0088] The air flowing into the storage space 300i (FIG. 2) can be mixed with vaporized particles generated by heating the aerosol-producing product 20 to generate an aerosol. A user can inhale the aerosol generated in the storage space 300i (FIG. 2) by puffing the aerosol-producing product 20.

[0089] FIG. 4 is a plan view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0090] FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the housing 100 into which the aerosol product 20 is inserted and the inlet side support part 200 in the aerosol generating device 10 of FIG.

[0091] 4, the aerosol generating device 10 also includes a housing 100 and an inlet-side support part 200. At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 10 is the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 10 shown in FIG. 2, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0092] The inlet side support part 200 is located inside the opening 100 h of the housing 100 , is attached to the aerosol generation device 10 , and can support the aerosol product 20 .

[0093] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an inlet side support part attached to an aerosol generation device according to one embodiment.

[0094] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the inlet side support part 200 in the aerosol generation device 10 of FIG.

[0095] 5, the interior space of the housing 100 also includes a storage space 300i for storing an aerosol product (not shown). The inlet side support part 200 may be located at one end (e.g., the upper end) of the storage space 300i and exposed to the outside of the housing 100.

[0096] The inlet side support portion 200 also includes one or more supports 210 for supporting at least a portion of the aerosol product, and an inlet passage 220 for allowing air outside the housing 100 to flow into the interior of the storage space 300i.

[0097] The support 210 can contact at least a portion of the exterior of the aerosol product and support the aerosol product. Therefore, a plurality of supports 210 can be arranged around the periphery of the receiving space 300i so as to contact the exterior of the aerosol product. When the aerosol product is inserted into the inlet side support part 200, the support 210 can contact the aerosol product and form an inflow passage 220 in the space between the inlet side support part 200 and the aerosol product. That is, the inflow passage 220 can be located between adjacent supports 210.

[0098] The inlet passage 220 allows air to flow, and may have a shape that narrows as it moves from the outside of the housing 100 to the inside of the receiving space 300i. Such a shape of the inlet passage 220 may provide two advantages in relation to the air flow, compared to a conventional shape that has a constant width along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

[0099] First, the opening (not shown) of the inlet passage 220 that opens toward the outside of the housing 100 has the largest area in the entire path of the inlet passage 220, allowing a sufficient amount of external air to smoothly flow into the accommodating space 300i. Such a structure of the inlet passage may improve the atomization performance of the aerosol generation device 10.

[0100] Second, the size of the inlet passage 220 decreases from the opening that opens to the outside of the housing 100 toward the interior of the accommodating space 300i. The change in size of the inlet passage 220 may change the flow rate of the airflow passing through the inlet passage 220. The change in the flow rate of the airflow changes the air pressure in the accommodating space 300i, and the puff sensor 610 (FIG. 2) can detect the change in air pressure. The controller (not shown) can recognize the occurrence of a puff, in which the user is performing an inhalation, based on the detection of the pressure change by the puff sensor.

[0101] The size of the inflow passage 220 may decrease as it goes deeper into the accommodation space 300i along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100. One inflow passage 220 is surrounded by the support 210 in the circumferential direction of the accommodation space 300i. The size of the support 210 may increase as it goes deeper into the accommodation space 300i along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

[0102] The inlet passage 220 may have a shape that narrows as it moves from the outside of the housing 100 to the inside of the receiving space 300i. The configuration and shape of the inlet support part 200 may be modified in various ways.

[0103] The inflow passage 220 existing between adjacent supports 210 includes a side wall 220w that is closed by the supports 210 in the circumferential direction of the receiving space 300i.

[0104] Since one inflow passage 220 is surrounded by the support body 210 in the circumferential direction of the accommodation space 300i, the side wall 220w of the inflow passage 220 is also the opposing side wall of the support body 210 in the circumferential direction of the accommodation space 300i.

[0105] The sidewall 220w may extend along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 and be inclined toward the circumferential direction of the receiving space 300i. The inclination of the sidewall 220w may result in a shape in which the size of the inlet passage 220 decreases or the size of the support 210 increases as the sidewall 220w moves from the outside toward the inside of the receiving space 300i along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100. The present embodiment is not limited by such a shape of the sidewall, and the shape of the sidewall 220w may be modified in various ways.

[0106] The inlet-side support part 200 includes an upper end part facing the outside of the housing 100 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100, and a lower end part facing the inside of the accommodation space 300i. That is, the support body 210 includes an upper end part 210u and a lower end part 210l, and the inlet passage 220 also includes an upper end part 220u and a lower end part 220l.

[0107] The length by which the inflow passage 220 extends from the upper end 220u of the inflow passage 220 in the circumferential direction of the accommodating space 300i is longer than the length by which the inflow passage 220 extends from the lower end 220l of the inflow passage 220 in the circumferential direction of the accommodating space 300i. Contrary to the extension length of the inflow passage 220, the length by which the support body 210 extends from the lower end 210l of the support body 210 in the circumferential direction of the accommodating space 300i is longer than the length by which the support body 210 extends from the upper end 210u of the support body 210 in the circumferential direction of the accommodating space 300i.

[0108] Therefore, the inlet passage 220 may have a shape that narrows from the outside of the housing 100 toward the inside of the receiving space 300i, and the configuration and shape of the inlet side support part 200 may be modified in various ways.

[0109] FIG. 6 is an exploded view that schematically shows the components of the inlet side support portion shown in FIG.

[0110] FIG. 6 is a development view of the inlet side support part 200 of FIG. 5 developed in the circumferential direction, and schematically showing the support body 210, the inflow passage 220, and the air flow hole 400h.

[0111] Referring to FIG. 6, from the upper end to the lower end of the development view of the inlet side support part 200, the size of the inlet passage 220 may decrease and the size of the support 210 may increase.

[0112] The upper end of the developed view is the outside of the housing 100, and the lower end of the developed view is the portion facing the inside of the accommodation space 300i (FIG. 2). Due to the inclination of the side wall 220w described with reference to FIG. 5, the size of the inflow passage 220 decreases along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 as it goes into the accommodation space 300i (FIG. 2).

[0113] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the inlet side support portion shown in FIG.

[0114] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing only the inlet side support part 200 separated from the aerosol generation device 10 of FIG.

[0115] 7, the inlet side support part 200 includes a support body 210, an inlet passage 220, and a coupling part for coupling with the housing 100. The shape of the inlet side support part 200 can be variously modified.

[0116] Due to the inclination of the side wall 220w, the size of the inflow passage 220 may decrease along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 and toward the interior of the receiving space 300i (FIG. 2). Contrary to the shape of the inflow passage, the size of the support 210 may increase along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 and toward the interior of the receiving space 300i (FIG. 2).

[0117] The sizes of the support 210 and the inflow passage 220 are constant along the radial direction of the accommodation space 300i (FIG. 2). However, this embodiment is not limited by the shape of the inflow passage 220.

[0118] 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the inlet side support portion shown in FIG.

[0119] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the VIII-VIII direction in a state where the inlet side support part 200 shown in FIG. 7 is attached to the aerosol generation device 10. As shown in FIG.

[0120] Referring to FIG. 8, the side wall 220w of the inlet passage 220 of the inlet side support part 200 may extend along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 and be inclined toward the periphery of the receiving space 300i (FIG. 2).

[0121] The side wall 220w described with reference to Figure 5 is inclined, which is an example of a shape in which the size of the inflow passage 220 decreases along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 as it enters the interior of the storage space 300i (Figure 2).

[0122] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an inlet side support part attached to an aerosol generation device according to another embodiment.

[0123] 9 is a perspective view of an inlet side support part 200 in which the shape of the side wall 220w of the inlet passage 220 is modified along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100, as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0124] 5 and 9, the inlet passage 220 of the inlet support part 200 according to the embodiment different from the above embodiment may have a shape that narrows toward the inside of the receiving space 300i along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

[0125] The side wall 220w of the inlet passage 220 of the inlet side support part 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 may extend along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 and form a continuous plane from one end (e.g., upper end) to the other end (e.g., lower end) of the inlet passage 220.

[0126] The sidewall 220w of the inlet passage 220 of the inlet side support portion 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 may also include one or more flat or curved surfaces to form a discontinuous shape (eg, a stepped shape).

[0127] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inlet side support part attached to an aerosol generation device according to still another embodiment.

[0128] 10 is a perspective view of an inlet side support part 200 in which the shape of the side wall 220w of the inlet passage 220 is modified along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100, as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0129] 5 and 10, the inlet passage 220 of the inlet side support part 200 according to one embodiment and another embodiment may have a shape that narrows as it enters the receiving space 300i along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

[0130] The side wall 220w of the inlet passage 220 of the inlet side support part 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 may extend along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 and be linearly inclined in the circumferential direction of the receiving space 300i.

[0131] The side wall 220w of the inlet passage 220 of the inlet side support part 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 may extend along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 and be curved and inclined in the circumferential direction of the receiving space 300i.

[0132] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an inlet side support part attached to an aerosol generation device according to still another embodiment.

[0133] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the inlet side support part 200 in which the curved inclined shape of the side wall 220w is modified as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0134] 10 and 11, the inlet passage 220 of the inlet side support part 200 according to the two embodiments may have a shape that narrows toward the inside of the receiving space 300i due to a curved slope present in the side wall 220w of the inlet passage 220.

[0135] The sidewall 220w of the inlet passage 220 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 may extend along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 and form a concave curved inclination in the circumferential direction of the receiving space 300i.

[0136] The side wall 220w of the inlet passage 220 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 may extend along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 and form a convex curved inclination in the circumferential direction of the receiving space 300i.

[0137] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an inlet side support part attached to an aerosol generation device according to still another embodiment.

[0138] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the inlet side support part 200 in which the shape of the inlet passage 220 is modified along the circumferential direction of the accommodation space 300i (FIG. 2) when compared with the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0139] 5 and 12, the inlet passage 220 of the inlet-side support part 200 according to the one embodiment and the further embodiment may have a shape that narrows toward the interior of the receiving space 300i along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100. In addition, the inlet passage 220 may have a shape that opens toward the aerosol product (not shown) inserted into the aerosol generation device 10.

[0140] The inlet passage 220 of the inlet side support part 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 also includes one or more flat or curved surfaces between the supports 210 and oriented in the circumferential direction of the receiving space 300i.

[0141] The inlet passage 220 of the inlet side support part 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 may have a concave shape between the supports 210 and facing in the circumferential direction of the receiving space 300i.

[0142] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a portion of the inlet side support portion shown in FIG.

[0143] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing only a part of the inlet side support part 200 separated from the aerosol generation device 10 of FIG.

[0144] Referring to FIG. 13, the inlet side support part 200 according to another embodiment has a structure corresponding to the inlet side support part 200 according to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 7, but there is a difference in the shape of the inlet passage 220 described with reference to FIG. 12.

[0145] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an inlet side support part attached to an aerosol generation device according to still another embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining the air flow in the inflow passage.

[0146] Figure 14 is a perspective view of an inlet side support part 200 in which the shape of the inlet passage 220 is different on the air flow side compared to the embodiment shown in Figure 5, and is a diagram for explaining the different air flows depending on the shape of the inlet passage 220.

[0147] 5 and 14, the inlet passage 220 of the inlet-side support part 200 according to the one embodiment and the further embodiment may have a shape that narrows toward the inside of the receiving space 300i along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100. In addition, the inlet passage 220 allows air outside the housing 100 to flow into the receiving space 300i.

[0148] The inlet passage 220 of the inlet side support part 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 has a shape that extends along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100, allowing the inlet air to flow in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

[0149] The inlet passage 220 of the inlet side support part 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 extends along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 and also includes a shape that is curved in the circumferential direction of the receiving space 300i.

[0150] Due to its curved shape, the inlet passage 220 causes the air flowing along the inlet passage 220 to flow in a vortex shape, surrounding the aerosol-producing article (not shown).

[0151] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an inlet side support part attached to an aerosol generation device according to still another embodiment.

[0152] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the inlet side support part 200, which is modified in shape so that the inlet passage 220 becomes narrower as it goes deeper into the receiving space 300i, compared to the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0153] 5 and 15, the inlet passage 220 of the inlet-side support part 200 according to the one embodiment and the further embodiment may have a shape that narrows toward the interior of the accommodation space 300i along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100. In other words, the length extending from the inlet passage 220 in the circumferential direction of the accommodation space 300i is longer at the upper end 220u of the inlet passage 220 than at the lower end 220l of the inlet passage 220.

[0154] The inlet-side support part 200 according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 also includes an inlet passage 220 that narrows toward the interior of the receiving space 300i due to the inclination of the side wall 220w described with reference to Fig. 5. However, the size of the support body 210 and the inlet passage 220 is constant along the radial direction of the receiving space 300i.

[0155] 15, the side wall 220w of the inlet passage 220 does not slope in the circumferential direction of the accommodating space 300i. Instead, the width between the lower end 220l of the inlet passage 220 and the aerosol product in the radial direction of the accommodating space 300i is narrower than the width between the upper end 220u of the inlet passage 220 and the aerosol product.

[0156] Therefore, the inlet passage 220 of the inlet side support part 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 may have a shape that narrows as it enters the storage space 300i due to the difference in width between each part of the inlet passage 220 and the aerosol product 20.

[0157] The size of the support 210 is constant along the radial direction of the receiving space 300i. However, this embodiment is not limited by the shapes of the support 210 and the inlet passage 220, and the shapes of the support 210 and the inlet passage 220 may be variously modified.

[0158] FIG. 16 is a plan view of a portion of the inlet side support portion shown in FIG.

[0159] FIG. 16 is a plan view showing only a part of the inlet side support part 200 separated from the aerosol generation device 10 of FIG.

[0160] 16, an inlet side support part 200 according to another embodiment also includes a support body 210 and an inlet passage 220. The shape of the inlet side support part 200 may be modified in various ways.

[0161] According to yet another embodiment, due to the width difference between each portion of the inlet passage 220 described with reference to FIG. 15 and the aerosol product (not shown), the inlet passage 220 may be narrowed to fit inside the storage space 300i (FIG. 2).

[0162] The size of the support 210 is constant along the radial direction of the accommodation space 300i (FIG. 2) and along the circumferential direction of the accommodation space 300i (FIG. 2). However, this embodiment is not limited by the shapes of the support 210 and the inlet passage 220.

[0163] Figure 17 is a side cross-sectional view of the inlet side support part shown in Figure 15. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view taken in the XVII-XVII direction of the inlet side support part 200 shown in Figure 16 attached to the aerosol generation device 10 with the aerosol product 20 inserted therein.

[0164] Referring to Figure 17, in yet another embodiment, in the radial direction of the storage space 300i, the width between the lower end 220l of the inlet passage 220 and the aerosol product 20 is narrower than the width between the upper end 220u of the inlet passage 220 and the aerosol product 20.

[0165] This is also an example of a shape in which the inflow passage 220 narrows as it enters the storage space 300i due to the difference in width between each portion of the inflow passage 220 and the aerosol production product 20 as described with reference to FIG.

[0166] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an inlet side support part attached to an aerosol generation device according to still another embodiment.

[0167] Figure 18 is an oblique view of an inlet side support portion 200 in which the shape of the surface that views the aerosol product (not shown) inserted into the aerosol generation device 10 in the inlet passage 220 has been modified along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 (Figure 2), compared to the embodiment shown in Figure 15.

[0168] 15 and 18, the inlet passage 220 of the inlet support part 200 according to the two embodiments may have a shape that narrows toward the inside of the receiving space 300i along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

[0169] In the radial direction of the receiving space 300i according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the width of one end of the inlet passage 220 and the aerosol product varies continuously along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

[0170] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18, the width may vary discontinuously along the length of the housing 100 in the aforementioned direction.

[0171] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an inlet side support part attached to an aerosol generation device according to still another embodiment.

[0172] Figure 19 is an oblique view of an inlet side support part 200 in which the shape of the surface that views the aerosol product (not shown) inserted into the aerosol generation device 10 in the inlet passage 220 has been modified along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 (Figure 2) compared to the embodiment shown in Figure 15.

[0173] 15 and 19, the inlet passage 220 of the inlet support part 200 according to the two embodiments may have a shape that narrows toward the inside of the receiving space 300i along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

[0174] In the radial direction of the receiving space 300i according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the width of one end of the inlet passage 220 and the aerosol production article varies linearly along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

[0175] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 19, the width may vary non-linearly along the length of the housing 100 in the aforementioned direction.

[0176] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an inlet side support part attached to an aerosol generation device according to still another embodiment.

[0177] Figure 20 is an oblique view of an inlet side support portion 200 in which the direction of curvature of the surface viewing the aerosol product (not shown) inserted into the aerosol generation device 10 in the inlet passage 220 is different from the embodiment shown in Figure 19.

[0178] 19 and 20, the inlet passage 220 of the inlet side support part 200 according to the two embodiments may have a shape that narrows as it goes into the receiving space 300i along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 due to a width that changes nonlinearly along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

[0179] In the inlet passage 220 of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 19, the surface viewing the aerosol product is also convex.

[0180] The aforementioned surface of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20 is also concave.

[0181] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an inlet side support part attached to an aerosol generation device according to still another embodiment.

[0182] 21 is a perspective view of the inlet side support part 200, which has a modified shape in which the inlet passage 220 becomes narrower as it goes deeper into the accommodation space 300i, compared to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 15.

[0183] Referring to FIG. 21, the inlet passage 220 of the inlet support part 200 according to another embodiment may have a shape that narrows toward the inside of the receiving space 300i, as in the embodiments shown in FIGS.

[0184] 21, the side wall 220w of the inlet passage 220 does not have a slope in the circumferential direction of the receiving space 300i, as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 15. However, unlike the embodiment shown in Fig. 15, the thickness of the support body 210 in the radial direction of the receiving space 300i may vary along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

[0185] Specifically, the thickness of the upper end 210u of the support body 210 is thinner than the thickness of the lower end 210l of the support body 210 in the radial direction of the accommodation space 300i.

[0186] The upper end 210u of the support 210 does not contact the aerosol product (not shown), so that a space is formed between the support 210 and the aerosol product. The space may be a part of the inlet passage 220.

[0187] The inlet passages 220 between the supports 210 in the circumferential direction of the receiving space 300i have a constant width in the radial direction of the receiving space 300i up to the aerosol product.

[0188] The inflow passage 220 formed between the support 210 and the aerosol product may have a shape that narrows as it enters the receiving space 300i due to the difference in thickness of the support 210 described above.

[0189] The lower end 210l of the support 210 may be in contact with the outside of the aerosol product to the extent that it can support the aerosol product. However, this embodiment is not limited by the shapes of the support 210 and the inlet passage 220, and the shapes of the support 210 and the inlet passage 220 may be modified in various ways.

[0190] 22 is a plan view of a portion of the inlet side support shown in FIG.

[0191] FIG. 22 is a plan view showing the aerosol generation device 10 of FIG. 21 with the inlet side support part 200 separated therefrom, and only a part of the inlet side support part 200 being shown.

[0192] 22, an inlet side support part 200 according to another embodiment also includes a support body 210 and an inlet passage 220. The shape of the inlet side support part 200 may be modified in various ways.

[0193] According to yet another embodiment, due to the thickness difference of the support 210 described with reference to FIG. 21, the inlet passage 220 may become narrower as it enters the receiving space 300i (FIG. 2).

[0194] The size of the inflow passage 220 between the supports 210 in the circumferential direction of the accommodation space 300i (FIG. 2) is constant along the radial direction of the accommodation space 300i (FIG. 2) and along the circumferential direction of the accommodation space 300i (FIG. 2). However, this embodiment is not limited by the shapes of the supports 210 and the inflow passage 220.

[0195] FIG. 23 is a side cross-sectional view of the inlet support shown in FIG. 21 with the aerosol product inserted.

[0196] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXIII-XXIII in a state where the inlet side support part 200 shown in FIG. 22 is attached to the aerosol generation device 10 and the aerosol product 20 is inserted.

[0197] 23, the thickness of the upper end 210u of the support body 210 is thinner than the thickness of the lower end 210l of the support body 210 in the radial direction of the accommodating space 300i (FIG. 2).

[0198] This is also an example of a shape in which the inflow passage 220 becomes narrower as it goes deeper into the receiving space 300i due to the difference in thickness of the support body 210 described with reference to FIG.

[0199] The lower end 210l of the support 210 may be in contact with the outside of the aerosol product to the extent that it can support the aerosol product. However, this embodiment is not limited by the shapes of the support 210 and the inlet passage 220, and the shapes of the support 210 and the inlet passage 220 may be modified in various ways.

[0200] FIG. 24 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0201] The aerosol generating device 2400 also includes a control unit 2410, a sensing unit 2420, an output unit 2430, a battery 2440, a heater 2450, a user input unit 2460, a memory 2470, and a communication unit 2480. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 2400 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 24. That is, a person skilled in the art related to this embodiment would understand that some of the components shown in Fig. 24 may be omitted or new components may be added depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 2400.

[0202] The sensing unit 2420 can sense the state of the aerosol generating device 2400 or the state around the aerosol generating device 2400 and transmit the sensed information to the control unit 2410. Based on the sensed information, the control unit 2410 can control the aerosol generating device 2400 to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater 2450, restricting smoking, determining whether or not to insert an aerosol product (e.g., cigarette, cartridge, etc.), and displaying notifications.

[0203] The sensing unit 2420 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 2422, an insertion sensor 2424, and a puff sensor 2426, but is not limited thereto.

[0204] The temperature sensor 2422 can sense the temperature to which the heater 2450 (or the aerosol-generating substance) is heated. The aerosol-generating device 2400 may include a separate temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the heater 2450, or the heater 2450 itself may function as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 2422 may be disposed around the battery 2440 to monitor the temperature of the battery 2440.

[0205] The insertion detection sensor 2424 can detect the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol product. For example, the insertion detection sensor 2424 can include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, and can detect a change in signal due to the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol product.

[0206] The puff sensor 2426 can sense a user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or channel, such as a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, or a pressure change.

[0207] The sensing unit 2420 may further include at least one of a temperature / humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)), a proximity sensor, and an RGB (red-green-blue) (illuminance) sensor, in addition to the above-mentioned sensors (temperature sensor 2422, insertion sensor 2424, and puff sensor 2426). A person skilled in the art can intuitively infer the function of each sensor from its name, so detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0208] The output unit 2430 may output and provide to a user information related to the status of the aerosol generating device 2400. The output unit 2430 may include, but is not limited to, at least one of a display unit 2432, a haptic unit 2434, and an audio output unit 2436. When the display unit 2432 and the touchpad have a layered structure and are configured as a touch screen, the display unit 2432 may be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0209] The display unit 2432 may visually provide a user with information related to the aerosol generating device 2400. For example, the information related to the aerosol generating device 2400 may include various information such as the charging / discharging status of the battery 2440 of the aerosol generating device 2400, the preheating status of the heater 2450, the insertion / removal status of an aerosol product, or a status in which use of the aerosol generating device 2400 is restricted (e.g., abnormal item detection), and the display unit 2432 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 2432 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, an organic light-emitting display (OLED) panel, etc. The display unit 2432 may also be in the form of an LED (light-emitting diode) light-emitting element.

[0210] The haptic unit 2434 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical or electrical stimulus and provide the user with tactile information related to the aerosol generating device 2400. For example, the haptic unit 2434 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0211] The acoustic output unit 2436 can audibly provide the user with information related to the aerosol generation device 2400. For example, the acoustic output unit 2436 can convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and output it to the outside.

[0212] The battery 2440 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 2400. The battery 2440 may supply power so that the heater 2450 can be heated. The battery 2440 may also supply power necessary for the operation of other components included in the aerosol generating device 2400 (e.g., the sensing unit 2420, the output unit 2430, the user input unit 2460, the memory 2470, and the communication unit 2480). The battery 2440 may be a rechargeable battery or a single-use battery. For example, the battery 2440 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0213] The heater 2450 can heat the aerosol-generating substance by receiving power from the battery 2440. Although not shown in Fig. 24, the aerosol-generating device 2400 further includes a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC (direct current) / DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 2440 and supplies it to the heater 2450. Furthermore, when the aerosol-generating device 2400 generates an aerosol by an induction heating method, the aerosol-generating device 2400 further includes a DC / AC (alternating current) converter that converts the direct current power supply of the battery 2440 into alternating current power supply.

[0214] The control unit 2410, the sensing unit 2420, the output unit 2430, the user input unit 2460, the memory 2470, and the communication unit 2480 can perform their functions by receiving power from the battery 2440. Although not shown in Fig. 24, the device may further include a power conversion circuit, for example, an LDO (low drop out) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, that converts the power of the battery 2440 and supplies it to each component.

[0215] In one embodiment, heater 2450 may be formed from any suitable electrically resistive material, such as, but not limited to, 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. Heater 2450 may also be embodied as, but not limited to, a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate with conductive tracks, a ceramic heating element, etc.

[0216] In another embodiment, heater 2450 is an induction heater, for example, heater 2450 may include a susceptor that generates heat via a magnetic field applied by a coil to heat the aerosol-generating material.

[0217] The user input unit 2460 can receive information input by a user or output information to a user. For example, the user input unit 2460 can be, but is not limited to, a keypad, a dome switch, a touchpad (touch-type capacitance type, pressure-type resistive film type, infrared sensing type, surface ultrasonic conduction type, integral tension measurement type, piezoelectric effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc. Although not shown in FIG. 24 , the aerosol generating device 2400 can further include a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and can connect to another external device via the connection interface such as the USB interface to transmit and receive information or charge the battery 2440.

[0218] The memory 2470 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device 2400 and can store data processed by the control unit 2410 and data to be processed by the control unit 2410. The memory 2470 may include at least one type of recording medium selected from the group consisting of flash memory, hard disk, micro multimedia card, card-type memory (e.g., secure digital (SD) memory or extreme digital (XD) memory), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk. The memory 2470 can store data related to the operating time of the aerosol generating device 2400, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

[0219] The communication unit 2480 also includes at least one component for communication with other electronic devices, such as a short-range wireless communication unit 2482 and a wireless communication unit 2484.

[0220] The short-range communication unit 2482 may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a WLAN (wireless local area network) (Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity)) communication unit, a Zigbee (registered trademark) communication unit, an IrDA (infrared data association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct communication unit, a UWB (ultra-wideband) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, and the like.

[0221] The wireless communication unit 2484 may include, but is not limited to, 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. The wireless communication unit 2484 may also use subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) to identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 2400 within the communication network.

[0222] The control unit 2410 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 2400. In one embodiment, the control unit 2410 also includes at least one processor. The processor can be realized by an array of multiple logic gates, or by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that can be executed by the microprocessor. Those skilled in the art will understand that the processor can also be realized by other forms of hardware.

[0223] The control unit 2410 can control the temperature of the heater 2450 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 2440 to the heater 2450. For example, the control unit 2410 can control the power supply by controlling the switching of switching elements between the battery 2440 and the heater 2450. As another example, a heating direct circuit can control the power supply to the heater 2450 in response to a control command from the control unit 2410.

[0224] The control unit 2410 may analyze the results sensed by the sensing unit 2420 and control subsequent processing. For example, the control unit 2410 may control the power supplied to the heater 2450 so that the operation of the heater 2450 is started or stopped based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 2420. As another example, the control unit 2410 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 2450 and the time for which the power is supplied so that the heater 2450 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 2420.

[0225] The control unit 2410 can control the output unit 2430 based on the result sensed by the sensing unit 2420. For example, if the number of puffs counted via the puff sensor 2426 reaches a preset number, the control unit 2410 can notify the user via at least one of the display unit 2432, the haptic unit 2434, and the audio output unit 2436 that the aerosol generating device 2400 will soon be shut down.

[0226] In one embodiment, the control unit 2410 can control the time and / or amount of power supplied to the heater 2450 based on the state of the aerosol product (e.g., aerosol product 20 (FIG. 1)) sensed by the sensing unit 2420. For example, when the aerosol product 20 is in an overly humid state, the control unit 2410 can control the time of power supply to the induction coil (e.g., induction coil 311 (FIG. 2)) to extend the preheating time compared to when the aerosol product 20 is in a normal state.

[0227] An embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium containing computer-executable instructions, such as a program module executed by a computer. Computer-readable media are any available media that can be accessed by a computer, including both volatile and nonvolatile media, and both detachable and non-detachable media. Computer-readable media also encompass both computer recording media and communication media. Computer recording media include both volatile and non-volatile, detachable and non-detachable media embodied in 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 in a modulated data signal, such as a program module, or other transmission mechanism, and include any information delivery media.

[0228] The above description of the embodiments is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true scope of protection of the invention is defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to the contents described in the claims should be construed as being included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. In the aerosol generating device, a housing including a storage space for storing an aerosol product; an inlet-side support part located at an opening of the storage space, the inlet-side support part including a plurality of supports for supporting the aerosol product and an inlet passage for receiving air from outside the housing and providing it to the inside of the storage space; the plurality of supports are arranged along a circumferential direction of the containing space so as to contact the exterior of the aerosol product; the inflow passage is formed between adjacent supports among the plurality of supports, the inlet passage includes an upper end portion facing the outside of the housing and a lower end portion facing the inside of the accommodation space in a longitudinal direction of the housing, An aerosol generating device, wherein the width of the lower end of the inflow passage is narrower than the width of the upper end of the inflow passage in the radial direction of the storage space.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the size of the inflow passage decreases toward the interior of the accommodation space along the longitudinal direction of the housing.

3. 3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein at least one side wall of the inlet passage in the circumferential direction of the storage space extends along the longitudinal direction of the housing and is inclined in the circumferential direction of the storage space.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one side wall is curved and slopes.

5. 2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the inlet passage has a concave shape and opens toward the aerosol product.

6. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the inlet passage extends along the longitudinal direction of the housing and has a curved shape toward the periphery of the storage space, and the inlet passage causes air flowing along the inlet passage to flow in a vortex shape surrounding the aerosol product.

7. An aerosol generating device as described in claim 1, wherein the length by which the opening of the inlet passage facing the outside of the housing extends along the circumferential direction of the storage space is longer than the length by which the portion of the inlet passage located inside the storage space extends along the circumferential direction of the storage space.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the width of the inflow passage narrows discontinuously.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the width of the inlet passage narrows nonlinearly.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the size of at least one of the plurality of supports increases from the outside of the housing to the inside of the storage space in the longitudinal direction of the housing.

11. The aerosol generating device described in claim 10, wherein the side wall of at least one of the multiple supports that faces in the circumferential direction of the storage space extends along the longitudinal direction of the housing and is inclined in the circumferential direction of the storage space.

12. The aerosol generating device described in claim 1, wherein, in the longitudinal direction of the housing, the length extending along the circumferential direction of the storage space of the lower end of at least one of the multiple supports toward the inside of the storage space is longer than the length extending along the circumferential direction of the storage space of the upper end of at least one of the multiple supports toward the outside of the housing.

13. The aerosol generating device described in claim 1, wherein each of the multiple supports includes an upper end portion facing the outside of the housing and a lower end portion facing the inside of the storage space in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and the thickness of the upper end portion of each of the multiple supports in the radial direction of the storage space is thinner than the thickness of the lower end portion of each of the multiple supports.

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