Aerosol generation device

Abstract

To provide an aerosol generation device which smoothly supply an air to an aerosol generation object, and in which an atomization performance is improved.SOLUTION: An aerosol generation device 10 includes: an inner cylinder 200 including an accommodation space 200i for accommodating an aerosol generating article 20; a first support portion 210 provided at an entrance of the accommodation space to support the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodation space and having an inflow passage for allowing an external air to flow into the storage space; a second support portion 220 provided inside the accommodation space to support an end of the aerosol generating article, and including a transfer passage through which air in the accommodation space flows into the aerosol generating article; and a heater 300 provided inside accommodation space to support an outer surface of the aerosol generating article and configured to generate heat to heat the aerosol generating article.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly to an aerosol generating device capable of smoothly supplying air 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] The problems to be solved through the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the problems described above, 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]

[0008] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating device includes an inner cylinder including a storage space for storing an aerosol product; a first support part disposed at an entrance of the storage space, supporting the aerosol product stored in the storage space, and including an inlet passage through which external air flows into the storage space; a second support part disposed inside the storage space, supporting an end of the aerosol product, and including a transmission passage through which air from the storage space flows into the aerosol product; and a heater disposed inside the storage space, supporting an outer surface of the aerosol product, generating heat and heating the aerosol product. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The aerosol generating device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can effectively introduce airflow into the aerosol product, improving atomization performance.

[0010] In addition, the aerosol generating device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can be configured to A sufficient amount of air can be ensured, and the amount of atomization of the aerosol product can be improved.

[0011] The effects of this embodiment are not limited to those 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]

[0012] [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 shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 1, cut at a different angle than in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an enlarged portion of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of some components of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 2 is a perspective view of a first support part attached to the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second support part attached to the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inner cylinder of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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" used 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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 interior or exterior of the cigarette may be heated.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] In other embodiments, the aerosol generating device is also a device that generates the aerosol using a cartridge that holds the aerosol generating material.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] The aerosol generating device also includes an oscillator, and generates short-period vibrations through the oscillator. The vibrations generated by the vibrator can be ultrasonic vibrations, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibrations can be, but is not limited to, a frequency band of about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is an induction heater. It is also a device that generates aerosols by heating the aerosol product contained in the aerosol generating device using a method called "heating."

[0032] 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.

[0033] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device further comprises a cradle.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 10 according to one embodiment includes an aerosol generating device. It also includes a housing 100 into which the sensor 20 can be inserted.

[0039] 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 the shape of a cylinder overall, or a polygonal prism (e.g., a triangular prism or a rectangular prism).

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] The aerosol generating device 10 further includes a display D on which visual information is displayed.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG.

[0047] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device 10 shown in FIG. 1 taken along the AA direction.

[0048] The aerosol generating device 10 according to one embodiment also includes an inner cylinder 200 , a first support 210 , a second support 220 , and a heater 300 .

[0049] The inner barrel 200 can be located in the interior space of the housing 100. The inner barrel 200 also includes a receiving space 200i for receiving the aerosol product 20.

[0050] The receiving space 200i not only receives the aerosol product 20 but also serves as a passage through which air flows from the outside. An internal passage 200p may be formed between the internal cylinder 200 and the heater 300 so that air flowing into the receiving space 200i through an inlet passage (not shown) of the first support part 210 can flow to the second support part 220. The air flowing into the receiving space 200i moves along the internal passage 200p and reaches the second support part 220. can.

[0051] The first support part 210 is disposed at the entrance of the accommodation space 200i and can support at least a part of the aerosol product 20 accommodated in the accommodation space 200i. In addition, the first support part 210 allows air present outside the aerosol generation device 10 to flow into the accommodation space 200i.

[0052] The first support part 210 also includes a support (not shown) for supporting at least a part of the aerosol product, and an inflow passage through which air outside the aerosol generation device 10 flows into the accommodation space 200i.

[0053] The first support part 210 also includes a puff sensing hole 210h that is connected to the puff sensor 330. The puff sensing hole 210h may be disposed at a lower end of the puff sensor 330 adjacent to the first support part 210. Air that has passed through the inlet passage may pass through the puff sensing hole 210h and enter the puff sensor 330. The puff sensing hole 210h may become narrower as it approaches the puff sensor 330, but is not limited to the above shape.

[0054] The second support part 220 is disposed inside the receiving space 200i and can support an end of the aerosol product 20. In addition, the second support part 220 allows air present inside the receiving space 200i to flow into the aerosol product 20.

[0055] The second support part 220 also includes a communication passage (not shown) through which air in the receiving space 200i flows into the aerosol product.

[0056] One end (for example, the lower end) of the heater 300 may be inserted into the second support portion 220. Thus, the heater 300 may be supported by the second support portion 220.

[0057] The coupling part 230 may be coupled to a lower end of the first support part 210 .

[0058] The coupling part 230 also includes a first air hole (not shown) through which air that has passed through the inlet passage of the first support part 210 flows into the receiving space 200i.

[0059] When the coupling part 230 and the first support part 210 are coupled together, a puff sensing passage 230p may be formed between the upper end of the coupling part 230 and the first support part 210. The puff sensing passage 230p may connect the inlet passage and the puff sensor 330. Air that has passed through the inlet passage of the first support part 210 may pass through the puff sensing passage 230p and enter the puff sensor 330 adjacent to the first support part 210.

[0060] According to one embodiment, air moving along the puff sensing passage 230 p can pass through the puff sensing hole 210 h of the first support portion 210 and reach the puff sensor 330 .

[0061] A portion of the coupling portion 230 may surround the outside of the inner tube 200. Other components outside the coupling portion 230 may contact the portion of the coupling portion 230 and be supported by the coupling portion 230.

[0062] Another part of the coupling part 230 may be open, thereby ensuring a space inside the aerosol generation device 10 in which other components may be arranged.

[0063] The coupling portion 230 has a guide 231 for guiding the insertion of the aerosol production product 20. It also includes more.

[0064] To prevent the aerosol product 20 from getting caught on the guide 231 and interfering with the insertion into the aerosol generating device 10, at least a portion (e.g., the upper end) of the guide 231 may be chamfered. The chamfered portion may be beveled or rounded.

[0065] In other examples, the guide 231 may support at least a portion of the outer periphery of the aerosol product article 20 .

[0066] One end (for example, the upper end) of the inner tube 200 may be inserted into the coupling portion 230. Thus, the inner tube 200 may be supported by the coupling portion 230.

[0067] One end (for example, an upper end) of the outer tube 250 may be inserted into the coupling part 230. Thus, the outer tube 250 may be supported by the coupling part 230.

[0068] An upper ring 240 may be coupled to the lower surface of the upper portion of the coupling portion 230 .

[0069] The upper ring 240 also includes a second air hole (not shown) through which the air that has moved through the first air hole of the coupling part 230 flows into the receiving space 200i.

[0070] One end (for example, the upper end) of the heater 300 may be inserted into the upper ring 240. As a result, the heater 300 may be supported by the upper ring 240.

[0071] The outer tube 250 may be positioned outside the inner tube 200 at a distance.

[0072] The outer cylinder 250 can block the heat generated by the heater 300 from being transferred to the outside. To improve the efficiency of the thermal insulation, the outer cylinder 250 also includes a double-wall structure.

[0073] The outer cylinder 250 also includes an inner wall 251 facing the inner cylinder 200, an outer wall 252 spaced from the inner wall 251 toward the outside of the outer cylinder 250, and an insulating space 250i formed between the inner wall 251 and the outer wall 252. The insulating space 250i may be placed in a vacuum state to minimize heat transfer to the outside of the aerosol generation device 10. Here, the "vacuum state" does not only mean a state where there is no air at all, but also includes a state where the pressure is lower than the surrounding atmospheric pressure.

[0074] The outer tube 250 also includes a through hole (not shown) at the bottom end thereof, through which one or more electric wires or magnetic field generators 310 can exit to the outside of the outer tube 250.

[0075] The inner tube 200 also includes one or more support stands 201 that contact the inner lower end of the outer tube 250. The support stands 201 allow the inner tube 200 to be positioned at a distance toward the inside of the outer tube 250 and supported by the outer tube 250 in the longitudinal direction, which is the direction in which the aerosol product 20 is inserted.

[0076] The shielding portion 260 may be disposed to surround at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the coupling portion 230. The shielding portion 260 may be in contact with at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the coupling portion 230 and may be supported by the coupling portion 230.

[0077] The shielding section 260 prevents the induced magnetic field generated inside the aerosol generation device 10 from blocking the aerosol generation This can prevent leakage to the outside of the device 10.

[0078] The shielding portion 260 also includes a wiring hole (not shown) that is open in the radial direction of the accommodation space 200i so that the temperature sensing wiring 320 can pass through.

[0079] The sealing part 270 is disposed at the outer lower end of the outer cylinder 250 to prevent liquid leakage. The sealing part 270 may include an elastic material such as rubber or silicone.

[0080] The sealing portion 270 also includes a wiring passage (not shown) through which one or more electric wires or magnetic field generators 310 pass. The one or more electric wires or magnetic field generators 310 can exit to the outside of the sealing portion 270 through the wiring passage of the sealing portion 270.

[0081] The heater 300 may be disposed inside the accommodation space 200i. The heater 300 may accommodate at least a portion of the aerosol production product 20 inserted inside the housing 100. The heater 300 may support the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol production product 20 accommodated in the accommodation space 200i.

[0082] The heater 300 can generate heat by being supplied with power, and at least a region of the contained aerosol production article 20 can be heated by the heater 300. When the aerosol production article 20 is heated, vaporized particles produced in the aerosol production article 20 can be mixed with the air in the interior space of the housing 100 to produce an aerosol.

[0083] The aerosol generating device 10 according to one embodiment also includes a magnetic field generator 310. In this case, the heater 300 can be a susceptor.

[0084] The magnetic field generator 310 may be coupled to the inner cylinder 200. For example, the magnetic field generator 310 may be attached to the outside of the inner cylinder 200.

[0085] The magnetic field generator 310 can heat at least a region of the aerosol production product 20 contained in the containing space 200i by induction heating.

[0086] The magnetic field generator 310 is disposed so as to surround the outer circumferential surface of the susceptor 300, and is capable of generating an induction magnetic field toward the susceptor 300 via power supplied from a battery (not shown).

[0087] The susceptor 300 may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol product 20 accommodated in the accommodation space 200i. The susceptor 300 may generate heat by the alternating magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator 310, thereby heating the aerosol product accommodated in the accommodation space 200i.

[0088] As another example of the heater 300, the aerosol generating device 10 may include an electrical resistance heater, such as a film heater arranged to surround at least a portion of the outer periphery of an aerosol product inserted inside the housing 100. The film heater may include a conductive track, and when an electric current flows through the conductive track, the film heater generates heat and can heat the aerosol product inserted inside the housing 100.

[0089] As further examples of the heater 300, the aerosol generating device 10 may include a needle heater, a rod heater, and a tubular heater that can heat the inside 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.

[0090] The examples are not limited by the specific embodiment of the heater 300, and the heater may be modified in various forms to heat the aerosol product 20 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 20 is 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 changed depending on the type of the aerosol generation device 10 and / or a user operation.

[0091] The temperature sensing wire 320 is an example of a temperature sensor. The temperature sensing wire may also be a thermocouple. As another example, the temperature sensing wire may be a thermally conductive wire for transferring heat, and a sensor module that generates a signal in response to a temperature change may be connected to the temperature sensing wire.

[0092] A portion of the temperature sensing wire 320 may be coupled to the heater 300. The temperature sensing wire 320 may detect a change in the temperature of the heater 300 while the heater 300 is operating.

[0093] The temperature sensing wire 320 can be routed to the outside of the inner tube 200 through the space between the inner tube 200 and the coupling part 230 in the receiving space 200i. The temperature sensing wire 320 can be extended through the space between the inner tube 200 and the outer tube 250.

[0094] The other part of the temperature sensing wire 320 passes through the outer tube 250 via the through-hole of the outer tube 250 and can exit to the outside of the outer tube 250.

[0095] The heater 300 further includes a protrusion 301 that protrudes outward. A portion of the temperature sensing wiring 320 may be connected to the protrusion 301 of the heater 300.

[0096] The puff sensor 330 may be disposed adjacent to the first support portion 210 and may detect a change in pressure in the airflow passage caused by a user's puffing action.

[0097] The positions and shapes of the above components are not limited to one embodiment and may be modified in various ways.

[0098] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 1, taken at a different angle than that of FIG.

[0099] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device 10 shown in FIG. 1 taken along the BB direction.

[0100] Hereinafter, any description that overlaps with the content described with reference to FIG. 2 will be omitted.

[0101] Referring to FIG. 3, the through-hole 250h of the outer barrel 250 and the wiring passage 270p of the sealing portion 270 may be located away from the central axis of the aerosol production product 20 in the longitudinal direction.

[0102] At least a portion of the sealing portion 270 can be inserted into the through hole 250h of the outer barrel 250. One or more electric wires or magnetic field generators 310 can pass through the wiring passage 270p of the sealing portion 270 while passing through the through hole 250h of the outer barrel 250.

[0103] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG.

[0104] The dashed line in FIG. 4 indicates the longitudinal center axis of the aerosol production article 20 that is inserted into the aerosol generating device (not shown).

[0105] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relative positions of the components of the aerosol generating device using dashed lines.

[0106] The aerosol generating device according to one embodiment also includes a cover 110 .

[0107] The cover 110 is disposed at the upper end of the housing 100 (FIG. 1) and can open and close an opening 100h (FIG. 1) of the housing 100 (FIG. 1). A user presses the cover 110 to open the opening 100h (FIG. 1), and can insert the aerosol product 20 into the aerosol generating device through the opening 100h (FIG. 1).

[0108] The aerosol product 20 inserted into the aerosol generating device can contact the first support part 210, the connecting part 230, the upper ring 240, the heater 300 and the second support part 220 in the longitudinal direction, which is the direction in which the aerosol product 20 is inserted.

[0109] The heater 300 and the second support part 220 may be disposed in the receiving space 200 i of the inner cylinder 200 , and the coupling part 230 and the upper ring 240 may be disposed at the entrance of the inner cylinder 200 .

[0110] The coupling portion 230 is disposed at the entrance of the inner cylinder 200 and can surround at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 200 while supporting the upper end portion of the inner cylinder 200 .

[0111] The protrusion 301 of the heater 300 may protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the heater 300 to the outside of the heater 300 and extend along the circumferential direction of the heater 300. A portion of the temperature sensing wire 320 (FIG. 2) may be connected to the protrusion 301 of the heater 300.

[0112] The shielding portion 260 may surround the outer periphery of the coupling portion 230 from the outside of the coupling portion 230. The shielding portion 260 may also include a wiring hole 260h that opens radially of the accommodating space 200i to allow the temperature sensing wiring 320 (FIG. 2) to pass through. The position of the wiring hole 260h may vary depending on the embodiment.

[0113] The shielding part 260 may be disposed inside the outer cylinder 250 , and the sealing part 270 may be disposed at the outer lower end of the outer cylinder 250 .

[0114] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an enlarged portion of FIG.

[0115] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing only the relevant components enlarged to show the air flow.

[0116] An airflow passage may be formed by connecting the inlet passage 210i of the first support part 210, the first air hole 230h of the connecting part 230, the second air hole 240h of the upper ring 240, the internal passage (not shown) between the inner cylinder 200 and the heater 300, and the transmission passage 220p of the second support part 220. Here, the "airflow passage" may refer to a passage through which air moves from the outside of the aerosol generating device (not shown) to the lower end of the aerosol product (not shown).

[0117] The first support part 210, the connecting part 230, the upper ring 240, the heater 300 and the second support part 220 are connected and arranged along the longitudinal direction, which is the direction in which the aerosol product is inserted. Ugh.

[0118] The inlet passage 210i of the first support part 210, the first air hole 230h of the connecting part 230, the second air hole 240h of the upper ring 240, and the transmission passage 220p of the second support part 220 may be connected in the longitudinal direction. As a result, air entering through the inlet passage 210i may flow in the longitudinal direction. Here, "connected in the longitudinal direction" of elements does not only mean that the centers of the holes of the elements are aligned perfectly, but also includes an arrangement in which the holes of each element are aligned so that air can flow along the longitudinal direction.

[0119] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of some components of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG.

[0120] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the process of air movement caused by a user's puffing action in the aerosol generating device.

[0121] According to one embodiment, when a user contacts the mouth of 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 first support part 210.

[0122] External air flowing into the housing 100 may pass through the inlet passage 210i of the first support part 210. The air passing through the inlet passage 210i may pass through the first air hole 230h and the second air hole 240h and reach the internal passage 200p between the internal cylinder 200 and the heater 300. The air moving along the internal passage 200p may flow into the second support part 220.

[0123] The air flowing into the transmission passage 220p of the second support part 220 follows the shape of the second support part 220, forms a U-shape, passes through the transmission passage 220p, and can flow into the end of the aerosol product 20 inserted into the storage space 200i.

[0124] The air flowing into the aerosol-producing product 20 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 200i by puffing the aerosol-producing product 20.

[0125] 7 is a perspective view of a first support part attached to the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

[0126] The first support portion 210 also includes one or more supports 210s for supporting at least a portion of the aerosol product (not shown), and an inlet passage 210i through which air outside the aerosol generating device 10 flows into the storage space 200i.

[0127] The support 210s may contact at least a portion of the exterior of the aerosol product and support the aerosol product. Therefore, a plurality of support members 210s may be arranged around the periphery of the receiving space 200i so as to contact the exterior of the aerosol product. When the aerosol product is inserted into the first support member 210, the support members 210s may contact the aerosol product and form an inflow passage 210i in the space between the first support member 210 and the aerosol product. That is, the inflow passage 210i may be located between adjacent support members 210s.

[0128] The inlet passage 210i allows air to flow, and may have a shape that narrows as it moves from the outside of the aerosol generation device 10 into the accommodation space 200i. Such a shape of the inlet passage 210i may provide two advantages in relation to the air flow, compared to when the inlet passage has a constant width along the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

[0129] First, the opening (not shown) of the inlet passage 210i that opens toward the outside of the housing 100 has the largest area among the entire path of the inlet passage 210i, so that a sufficient amount of external air can smoothly flow into the accommodating space 200i. Such a structure of the inlet passage 210i can improve the atomization performance of the aerosol generation device 10.

[0130] Second, the size of the inlet passage 210i may become smaller as it extends from the opening that opens to the outside of the housing 100 to the interior of the accommodating space 200i. The change in the size of the inlet passage 210i may change the flow rate of the airflow passing through the inlet passage 210i. The change in the flow rate of the airflow changes the air pressure in the accommodating space 200i, and the puff sensor 330 (FIG. 2) may detect the change in air pressure. The control unit (not shown) can recognize the occurrence of a puff action, in which the user is performing an inhalation action, based on the detection of the pressure change by the puff sensor 330 (FIG. 2).

[0131] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second support part attached to the aerosol generating device shown in FIG.

[0132] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the process of air movement in the second support part 220. As shown in FIG.

[0133] When an aerosol product (not shown) is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10 and comes into contact with the inner surface of the second support part 220, a transmission passage 220p can be formed in the space between the second support part 220 and the aerosol product (not shown).

[0134] The air that has moved along the internal passage 200p between the internal cylinder 200 and the heater 300 may flow into the communication passage 220p of the second support part 220. The communication passage 220p may have a U-shape in accordance with the shape of the second support part 220. The air that has moved along the communication passage 220p may reach the end of the aerosol product.

[0135] However, the arrangement and shape of the transmission passage 220p are not limited to the above embodiment and may be variously changed.

[0136] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an inner cylinder of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

[0137] Compared with the inner cylinder 200 of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment, the inner cylinder 900 of the aerosol generating device according to the other embodiment has a groove 900g formed on the outside of the inner cylinder 900. A magnetic field generator (not shown) may be attached to the groove 900g. The attached magnetic field generator may be more strongly coupled to the inner cylinder 900.

[0138] Compared with the inner cylinder 200 of the aerosol generation device according to one embodiment, the inner cylinder 900 of the aerosol generation device according to another embodiment may have a reduced thickness at least in part to ensure a sufficient flow rate of air accommodated in the accommodation space (not shown). For example, the thickness of the inner cylinder 900 may be reduced toward the bottom surface of the lower end of the inner cylinder 900 along the longitudinal direction, which is the direction in which the aerosol product (not shown) is inserted (W1>W2). As a result, the size of the accommodation space increases as it extends toward the bottom surface of the lower end of the inner cylinder 900, thereby ensuring a larger flow rate of air.

[0139] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

[0140] The aerosol generating device 1000 also includes a control unit 1010, a sensing unit 1020, an output unit 1030, a battery 1040, a heater 1050, a user input unit 1060, a memory 1070, and a communication unit 1080. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1000 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 10. That is, a person skilled in the art related to this embodiment would understand that some of the components shown in Fig. 10 may be omitted or new components may be added depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 1000.

[0141] The sensing unit 1020 can sense the state of the aerosol generating device 1000 or the state around the aerosol generating device 1000 and transmit the sensed information to the control unit 1010. Based on the sensed information, the control unit 1010 can control the aerosol generating device 1000 to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater 1050, restricting smoking, determining whether or not to insert an aerosol product (e.g., cigarette, cartridge, etc.), and displaying notifications.

[0142] The sensing unit 1020 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 1022, an insertion sensor 1024, and a puff sensor 1026, but is not limited thereto.

[0143] The temperature sensor 1022 can sense the temperature to which the heater 1050 (or the aerosol-generating substance) is heated. The aerosol-generating device 1000 may include a separate temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the heater 1050, or the heater 1050 itself may function as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 1022 may be disposed around the battery 1040 to monitor the temperature of the battery 1040.

[0144] The insertion detection sensor 1024 can detect the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol product. For example, the insertion detection sensor 1024 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.

[0145] The puff sensor 1026 can sense a user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or airflow channel, for example, the puff sensor 1026 can sense a user's puff based on any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

[0146] In addition to the above-mentioned sensors (temperature sensor 1022, insertion detection sensor 1024, and puff sensor 1026), the sensing unit 1020 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) sensor (illuminance sensor). The function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred by a person skilled in the art from its name, so detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0147] The output unit 1030 can output information related to the status of the aerosol generating device 1000 and provide it to a user. The output unit 1030 includes a display unit 1032, a hub boutique unit, The display unit 1032 may include, but is not limited to, at least one of a display unit 1034 and an audio output unit 1036. When the display unit 1032 and the touchpad are layered to form a touch screen, the display unit 1032 may be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0148] The display unit 1032 can visually provide a user with information related to the aerosol generating device 1000. For example, the information related to the aerosol generating device 1000 refers to various information such as the charging / discharging status of the battery 1040 of the aerosol generating device 1000, the preheating status of the heater 1050, the insertion / removal status of an aerosol generating product, or a status in which use of the aerosol generating device 1000 is restricted (e.g., abnormal item detection), and the display unit 1032 can output the information to the outside. The display unit 1032 can be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) or an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED). The display unit 1032 can also be in the form of a light-emitting element such as an LED (light-emitting diode).

[0149] The hub boutique 1034 can convert an electrical signal into a mechanical or electrical stimulus and provide the user with tactile information related to the aerosol generating device 1000. For example, the hub boutique 1034 can include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0150] The acoustic output unit 1036 can audibly provide the user with information related to the aerosol generation device 1000. For example, the acoustic output unit 1036 can convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and output it to the outside.

[0151] The battery 1040 can supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1000. The battery 1040 can supply power so that the heater 1050 can be heated. The battery 1040 can also supply power necessary for the operation of other components included in the aerosol generating device 1000 (e.g., the sensing unit 1020, the output unit 1030, the user input unit 1060, the memory 1070, and the communication unit 1080). The battery 1040 can be a rechargeable battery or a single-use battery. For example, the battery 1040 can be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0152] The heater 1050 can receive power from the battery 1040 and heat the aerosol-generating material. Although not shown in Fig. 10, the aerosol-generating device 1000 further includes a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC (direct current) / DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 1040 and supplies it to the heater 1050. Furthermore, when the aerosol-generating device 1000 generates aerosol by an induction heating method, the aerosol-generating device 1000 also includes a DC / AC (alternating current) converter that converts the direct current power supply of the battery 1040 into alternating current power supply.

[0153] The control unit 1010, the sensing unit 1020, the output unit 1030, the user input unit 1060, the memory 1070, and the communication unit 1080 can perform their functions by receiving power from a battery 1040. Although not shown in FIG. 10, the device may further include a power conversion circuit, for example, an LDO (low drop out) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, that converts power from the battery 1040 and supplies it to each component.

[0154] In one embodiment, the heater 1050 may be formed from any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, and the like. The heater 1050 may be a metal or metal alloy including, but not limited to, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. The heater 1050 may also be embodied as, but not limited to, a metal heat wire, a metal hot plate with conductive tracks, a ceramic heating element, etc.

[0155] In another embodiment, heater 1050 is an induction heater, for example, heater 1050 may include a susceptor that generates heat via a magnetic field applied by a coil to heat the aerosol-generating material.

[0156] The user input unit 1060 can receive information input by a user or output information to a user. For example, the user input unit 1060 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. 10 , the aerosol generating device 1000 can further include a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and can be connected to another external device via the connection interface such as the USB interface to transmit and receive information or charge the battery 1040.

[0157] The memory 1070 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device 1000 and can store data processed by the control unit 1010 and data to be processed by the control unit 1010. The memory 1070 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 1070 can store data related to the operating time of the aerosol generating device 1000, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

[0158] The communication unit 1080 also includes at least one component for communication with other electronic devices, such as a short-range wireless communication unit 1082 and a wireless communication unit 1084.

[0159] The short-range communication unit 1082 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.

[0160] The wireless communication unit 1084 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 1084 may also use subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) to identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 1000 within the communication network.

[0161] The control unit 1010 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1000. In one embodiment, the control unit 1010 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.

[0162] The control unit 1010 can control the temperature of the heater 1050 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 1040 to the heater 1050. For example, the control unit 1010 can control the power supply by controlling the switching of switching elements between the battery 1040 and the heater 1050. In another example, a heating direct circuit can also control the power supply to the heater 1050 by a control command from the control unit 1010.

[0163] The control unit 1010 may analyze the results sensed by the sensing unit 1020 and control subsequent processing. For example, the control unit 1010 may control the power supplied to the heater 1050 so that the operation of the heater 1050 is started or stopped based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 1020. As another example, the control unit 1010 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 1050 and the time for which the power is supplied so that the heater 1050 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 1020.

[0164] The control unit 1010 can control the output unit 1030 based on the result sensed by the sensing unit 1020. For example, if the number of puffs counted via the puff sensor 1026 reaches a preset number, the control unit 1010 can notify the user via at least one of the display unit 1032, the puff bout unit 1034, and the audio output unit 1036 that the aerosol generating device 1000 will soon be shut down.

[0165] In one embodiment, the control unit 1010 can control the time and / or amount of power supplied to the heater 1050 based on the state of the aerosol product (e.g., the aerosol product 20 (FIG. 1)) sensed by the sensing unit 1020. For example, when the aerosol product 20 is in an overly humid state, the control unit 1010 can control the time of power supply to the induction coil (e.g., the magnetic field generator 310 (FIG. 2)) to extend the preheating time compared to when the aerosol product 20 is in a normal state.

[0166] An embodiment may also be realized in the form of a recording medium containing computer-executable instructions, such as a program module executed by a computer. A computer-readable medium is any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, including both volatile and non-volatile media, and both separate and non-separate media. The computer-readable medium also includes both computer recording media and communication media. The computer recording medium is any medium for storing information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. This includes both volatile and nonvolatile, detachable and non-detachable media embodied in a method or technology. The 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 includes any information delivery media.

[0167] 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. an inner barrel including a receiving space for receiving an aerosol product; a first support portion disposed at an entrance of the receiving space, supporting the aerosol product received in the receiving space, and including an inlet passage through which external air flows into the receiving space; a heater disposed within the storage space, supporting an outer surface of the aerosol product, and generating heat to heat the aerosol product; a coupling part coupled to the first support part, the coupling part including a first air hole through which air that has passed through the inlet passage of the first support part flows into the accommodating space.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising a second support part disposed inside the storage space, supporting an end of the aerosol product, and including a communication passage through which air in the storage space flows into the aerosol product.

3. 3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein an internal passage between the internal tube and the heater is formed so that air flowing into the storage space through the inlet passage of the first support part flows to the second support part.

4. further comprising a puff sensor adjacent to the first support portion; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the first support portion further includes a puff sensing hole communicating with the puff sensor.

5. further comprising a puff sensor adjacent to the first support portion; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling portion and the first support portion form a puff sensing passage that connects the inflow passage and the puff sensor.

6. further comprising an upper ring coupled to the coupling portion; 2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the upper ring includes a second air hole through which air that has moved through the first air hole of the connecting portion flows into the storage space, and one end of the heater is inserted into the upper ring, and the upper ring supports the heater.

7. The aerosol generating device described in claim 6, wherein the first support portion, the connecting portion, the upper ring, and the heater are configured to be connected along a longitudinal direction in which the aerosol product is inserted, and the inlet passage, the first air hole, and the second air hole are configured to be connected in the longitudinal direction, so that air entering through the inlet passage flows in the longitudinal direction.

8. an outer cylinder spaced apart from the inner cylinder to prevent heat from being transferred to the outside; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the outer cylinder includes a through hole for passing one or more electric wires or magnetic field generators therethrough.

9. 9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 8, wherein the external cylinder includes an inner wall facing the internal cylinder, an outer wall spaced apart from the inner wall toward the outside of the external cylinder, and a heat insulating space formed between the inner wall and the outer wall.

10. the inner tube is configured to be inserted into a portion of the coupling portion so as to be supported by the coupling portion; The aerosol generating device of claim 8, wherein the inner tube further includes one or more support stands that contact the inner lower end of the outer tube so as to be supported by the outer tube in the longitudinal direction, which is the direction in which the aerosol product is inserted.

11. The outer tube further includes a sealing portion disposed at a lower end thereof to prevent leakage of liquid. The aerosol generating device according to claim 8 , wherein the sealing portion includes a wiring passage for passing one or more electrical wires or magnetic field generators.

12. a temperature sensing wire, a portion of which is connected to the heater and which extends through a space between the inner tube and the outer tube; The aerosol generating device according to claim 8 , wherein the other portion of the temperature sensing wiring passes through the external cylinder via the through hole of the external cylinder.

13. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , further comprising a magnetic field generator coupled to the inner cylinder to generate an induction magnetic field toward the heater, the heater being a susceptor that generates heat by an induction magnetic field.

14. The inner tube further includes a groove formed on the outside, The aerosol generating device according to claim 13 , wherein the magnetic field generator is attached to the groove of the inner cylinder.

15. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the thickness of at least a portion of the inner cylinder is reduced so as to ensure a flow rate of air accommodated in the accommodation space.

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