Aerosol generating device and aerosol generating article

Abstract

An aerosol generating device according to various embodiments includes a housing including an open end and an elongated cavity communicating with the open end for accommodating an aerosol generating article, a stick holder disposed within the elongated cavity for capturing the aerosol generating article and rotating it about a longitudinal central axis of the aerosol generating article, and a light irradiation element for irradiating light to heat a medium segment included in the aerosol generating article.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative articles that overcome the disadvantages of traditional cigarettes. For example, there has been an increasing demand for devices that generate aerosol by electrically heating a cigarette stick (e.g., cigarette-type electronic cigarettes). Therefore, research on electrically heated aerosol generating devices and cigarette sticks (or aerosol generating articles) applied thereto has been actively conducted. For example, Patent Publication No. 10-2017-0132823 discloses a non-combustible flavor attractor, a flavor source unit, and an atomization unit.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] An object according to one embodiment is to provide an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article in which heat loss is reduced through heating by a laser heat source.

[0004] An object according to one embodiment is to provide an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article that generate a uniform amount of aerosol during use.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In an aerosol generating device according to various embodiments, a housing including an open end and an elongated cavity communicating with the open end for accommodating an aerosol generating article, a stick holder disposed in the elongated cavity for capturing the aerosol generating article and rotating it about a longitudinal central axis of the aerosol generating article, and a light irradiation element for irradiating light to heat a medium segment contained in the aerosol generating article.

[0006] The light irradiation element according to one embodiment is arranged alongside the elongated cavity, and includes a light source unit that emits light, a reflection unit that directs the light from the electrical light source unit toward the medium segment, and an angle adjustment unit that is arranged adjacent to the reflection unit and adjusts the angle of the light reflected by the reflection unit so that the light reaches the medium segment equally.

[0007] The aerosol generating article according to one embodiment further includes a first segment arranged upstream of the medium segment and a second segment arranged downstream of the medium segment. The medium segment includes a first medium end in contact with the first segment and a second medium end in contact with the second segment. The angle adjustment unit can be configured such that the light reflected by the reflection unit irradiates continuously from the first medium end to the second medium end.

[0008] The stick holder according to one embodiment is arranged on the bottom surface of the elongated cavity and can include a first holder that captures the first segment of the aerosol generating article and a second holder that is arranged adjacent to the open end of the housing and captures the second segment of the aerosol generating article.

[0009] In one embodiment, it further includes a rotating element, and the rotating element can rotate the stick holder with reference to the central axis in the depth direction of the elongated cavity.

[0010] The aerosol generating device according to one embodiment further includes an input button connected to the rotating element, and the operation of the input button can activate the rotating element to rotate the rotating element.

[0011] The aerosol generating device according to one embodiment further includes a puff sensor connected to the rotating element and configured to detect the puff of a user, and the operation of the puff sensor can activate the rotating element to rotate the rotating element.

[0012] The elongated cavity according to one embodiment includes an inner wall surface facing the aerosol generating article, and at least a part of the inner wall surface can be composed of a material through which light can pass.

[0013] The medium segment according to one embodiment includes a medium, and the medium can be exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating article.

[0014] In the aerosol generating article according to various embodiments, it includes a first end face, a second end face opposite to the first end face, a side face formed between the first end face and the second end face, a medium segment, a first segment, a second segment, and a bellows. The first segment is arranged upstream of the medium segment, the second segment is arranged downstream of the medium segment, and the bellows can surround the side faces corresponding to the first segment and the second segment excluding the medium segment.

[0015] The medium segment according to one embodiment includes a hollow tube, and the aerosol formed by heating the medium segment can move toward the second end face through the hollow tube.

[0016] The medium segment according to one embodiment can be filled by folding or rolling a sheet tobacco medium.

[0017] The medium segment according to one embodiment includes a medium, and the medium can be exposed to the outside.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] The aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating article according to one embodiment can reduce heat loss through heating by a laser heat source.

[0019] The aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating article according to one embodiment can generate a uniform amount of aerosol during use.

[0020] The effects of the aerosol generating device and aerosol generating article according to one embodiment are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] The terms used in the embodiments are general terms widely used at present while considering the functions in the present invention, but these may change according to the intentions or precedents of those skilled in the art, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Also, in certain cases, there are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning thereof will be described in detail in the description part of the corresponding invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention are not just simple term names, but must be defined based on the meaning the terms have and the overall content of the present invention.

[0023] When any part of the specification states that a component "includes" another component, this means that it further includes other components, unless there is a statement to the contrary. Also, terms such as "~ part" and "~ module" described in the specification mean units that process at least one function or operation, and these may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0024] As used herein, when an expression such as "at least any one of" is placed before an arrayed component, it modifies the entire set of components rather than each of the arrayed components. For example, the expression "at least any one of a, b, and c" must be interpreted to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c.

[0025] In the following embodiments, an "aerosol-generating article" means an article that contains a medium, and through which an aerosol passes and the medium is transferred. A typical example of an aerosol-generating article is a cigarette, but the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0026] In the following embodiments, "upstream" or "upstream direction" means the direction away from the user's (smoker's) mouth, and "downstream" or "downstream direction" means the direction approaching the user's mouth. The terms upstream and downstream are used to describe the relative positions of the components that make up the aerosol-generating article.

[0027] In the following embodiments, "puff" means the user's inhalation, and inhalation means the situation of drawing in through the user's mouth or nose into the user's oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs.

[0028] In one embodiment, an aerosol-generating device is a device that electrically heats an aerosol-generating article housed in an internal space to generate an aerosol.

[0029] The aerosol generating device includes a heater. In one embodiment, the heater may be an electric resistance heater. For example, the heater may include an electrically conductive track, and when an electric current flows through the electrically conductive track, the heater is heated.

[0030] The heater may include a tubular heating element, a plate - type heating element, a needle - type heating element, or a rod - type heating element, and heats the inside or outside of the aerosol generating article according to the shape of the heating element.

[0031] The aerosol generating article includes a tobacco rod and a filter rod. The tobacco rod may be manufactured in a sheet, in strands, or in shredded tobacco where the tobacco sheet is finely cut. Also, the tobacco rod can be surrounded by a heat - conductive material. For example, the heat - conductive material may be a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but is not limited thereto.

[0032] The filter rod may be an acetyl cellulose filter. The filter rod may be composed of at least one or more segments. For example, the filter rod includes a first segment that cools the aerosol and a second segment that filters a predetermined component contained in the aerosol.

[0033] In other embodiments, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol using a cartridge that holds an aerosol - generating substance.

[0034] The aerosol generating device includes a cartridge that holds the aerosol generating substance and a main body that supports the cartridge. The cartridge can be detachably coupled to the main body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be integrally formed or assembled with the main body and fixed so as not to be detached by the user. The cartridge may be mounted on the main body with the aerosol generating substance accommodated therein. However, without being limited thereto, the aerosol generating substance may be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the main body.

[0035] The cartridge may hold an aerosol generating substance in any one of various states such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, and a gel state. The aerosol generating substance includes a liquid phase composition. For example, the liquid phase composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0036] The cartridge functions to convert the phase of the aerosol generating substance inside the cartridge into a gaseous phase to generate an aerosol by operating by means of an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body. An aerosol means a gas in a state where vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating substance and air are mixed.

[0037] In a further embodiment, the aerosol generating device can heat the liquid phase composition to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol may be transmitted to the user through a rolled tobacco. That is, the aerosol generated from the liquid phase composition moves along the air flow path of the aerosol generating device, and the air flow path may be configured such that the aerosol passes through the rolled tobacco and is transmitted to the user.

[0038] In a further embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol from an aerosol generating substance using an ultrasonic vibration method. Here, the ultrasonic vibration method means a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing the aerosol generating substance with ultrasonic vibrations generated by a vibrator.

[0039] The aerosol generator includes a vibrator, and can generate vibrations with a short period through the vibrator to atomize the aerosol product substance. The vibrations generated by the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibrations, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibrations may be in the frequency band of about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but it is not limited thereto.

[0040] The aerosol generator further includes a core for absorbing the aerosol product substance. For example, the core may be arranged to surround at least one region of the vibrator, or may be arranged to contact at least one region of the vibrator.

[0041] When a voltage (for example, an alternating 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 are transmitted to the aerosol product substance absorbed by the core. The aerosol product substance absorbed by the core is converted into a gas phase by the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the vibrator, and as a result, an aerosol can be generated.

[0042] For example, the heat generated from the vibrator reduces the viscosity of the aerosol product substance absorbed by the core, and the aerosol product substance with reduced viscosity is atomized by the ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator, whereby an aerosol can be generated, but it is not limited thereto.

[0043] In a further embodiment, the aerosol generator may be a device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol product accommodated in the aerosol generator by an induction heating method.

[0044] The aerosol generating device includes a susceptor and a coil. In one embodiment, the coil applies a magnetic field to the susceptor. When power is supplied from the aerosol generating device to the coil, a magnetic field is formed inside the coil. In one embodiment, the susceptor is a magnetic material that generates heat by an external magnetic field. When the susceptor is located inside the coil and heat is generated by applying a magnetic field, the aerosol generating article is heated. Optionally, the susceptor may be disposed within the aerosol generating article.

[0045] In a further embodiment, the aerosol generating device further includes a cradle.

[0046] The aerosol generating device can form a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may charge the battery of the aerosol generating device. Or, the heater may be heated with the cradle and the aerosol generating device coupled together.

[0047] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a detailed description will be given so that those having ordinary knowledge in the art can easily implement the embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be implemented in a form that can be implemented by the aerosol generating devices of various embodiments described above, or may be implemented in different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0048] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0049] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0050] The aerosol generating device 100 includes a control unit 110, a detection unit 120, an output unit 130, a battery 140, a heater 150, a user input unit 160, a memory 170, and a communication unit 180. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1. That is, depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 100, some of the components shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted or new components may be added, which can be understood by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field related to this embodiment.

[0051] The detection unit 120 detects the state of the aerosol generating device 100 or the state around the aerosol generating device 100, and transmits the detected information to the control unit 110. Based on the detected information, the control unit 110 can control the aerosol generating device 100 to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater 150, restricting smoking, determining whether an aerosol generating article (e.g., an aerosol generating article, a cartridge, etc.) is inserted, and providing notification displays.

[0052] The detection unit 120 includes at least one of a temperature sensor 122, an insertion detection sensor 124, and a puff sensor 126, but is not limited thereto.

[0053] The temperature sensor 122 detects the temperature at which the heater 150 (or the aerosol generating substance) is heated. The aerosol generating device 100 may include a separate temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heater 150, or the heater 150 itself may serve as the temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 122 may be disposed around the battery 140 to monitor the temperature of the battery 140.

[0054] The insertion detection sensor 124 detects the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 124 includes 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 signal change due to the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol generating article.

[0055] The puff sensor 126 detects the user's puff based on various physical changes in the air flow path or air flow channel. For example, the puff sensor 126 may detect the user's puff based on any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

[0056] In addition to the sensors 122 to 126 described above, the detection unit 120 further includes at least one of a temperature / humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., GPS), a proximity sensor, and an RGB sensor (illuminance sensor). Since the function of the angle sensor can be intuitively inferred by those skilled in the art from its name, a specific description thereof is omitted.

[0057] The output unit 130 outputs information regarding the state of the aerosol generator 100 and provides it to the user. The output unit 130 includes at least one of a display unit 132, a haptic unit 134, and an acoustic output unit 136, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 132 and the touch pad form a layer structure and are configured as a touch screen, the display unit 132 may be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0058] The display unit 132 visually provides the user with information regarding the aerosol generator 100. For example, the information regarding the aerosol generator 100 means various information such as the charge / discharge state of the battery 140 of the aerosol generator 100, the preheating state of the heater 150, the insertion / removal state of the aerosol article, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generator 100 is restricted (e.g., detection of an abnormal article), and the display unit 132 can output the information to the outside. The display unit 132 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light emitting display panel (OLED), or the like. Also, the display unit 132 may be in the form of an LED light emitting element.

[0059] The haptic unit 134 converts an electrical signal into a mechanical or electrical stimulus to tactually provide information about the aerosol generator 100 to the user. For example, the haptic unit 134 includes a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0060] The acoustic output unit 136 aurally provides information about the aerosol generator 100 to the user. For example, the acoustic output unit 136 can convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and output it externally.

[0061] The battery 140 supplies the power used for the operation of the aerosol generator 100. The battery 140 supplies power so that the heater 150 can be heated. Also, the battery 140 can supply the power necessary for the operation of other components (for example, the detection unit 120, the output unit 130, the user input unit 160, the memory 170, and the communication unit 180) provided in the aerosol generator 100. The battery 140 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 140 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0062] The heater 150 is supplied with power from the battery 140 and heats the aerosol generating substance. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generator 100 further includes a power conversion circuit (for example, a DC / DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 140 and supplies it to the heater 150. Also, when the aerosol generator 100 generates aerosol by an induction heating method, the aerosol generator 100 further includes a DC / AC converter that converts the DC power supply of the battery 140 into an AC power supply.

[0063] The control unit 110, the detection unit 120, the output unit 130, the user input unit 160, the memory 170, and the communication unit 180 can function when supplied with power from the battery 140. Although not shown in FIG. 1, it further includes a power conversion circuit that converts the power of the battery 140 and supplies it to each component, for example, an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit.

[0064] In one embodiment, the heater 150 can be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials include, but are not limited to, metals or metal alloys such as titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. Further, the heater 150 can be realized by a metal wire, a metal hot plate on which an electrically conductive track is disposed, a ceramic heating element, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0065] In other embodiments, the heater 150 may be an induction heating type heater. For example, the heater 150 includes a susceptor that generates heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil and heats the aerosol generating material.

[0066] In one embodiment, the heater 150 includes a plurality of heaters. For example, the heater 150 includes a first heater for heating the aerosol generating article and a second heater for heating the liquid phase.

[0067] The user input unit 160 can receive information input from the user or output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 160 includes, but is not limited to, a keypad, a dome switch, a touch pad (capacitive touch type, pressure resistive film type, infrared sensing type, surface acoustic wave conduction type, integral tension measurement type, piezoelectric effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc. Further, although not shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 100 further includes a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and can be connected to other external devices via a connection interface such as a USB interface to transmit and receive information or charge the battery 140.

[0068] Memory 170 can store data processed by control unit 110 and data to be processed, as hardware for storing various data processed within aerosol generating device 100. Memory 170 includes at least one type of storage medium among flash memory type, hard disk type, multimedia card micro type, card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), RAM (random access memory), SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), PROM (programmable read-only memory), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk. Memory 170 may store data such as the operation time of aerosol generating device 100, the maximum puff count, the current puff count, at least one temperature profile, and data regarding the user's smoking pattern.

[0069] Communication unit 180 includes at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, communication unit 180 includes short-range communication unit 182 and wireless communication unit 184.

[0070] Short-range wireless communication unit 182 includes, but is not limited to, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit, BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) communication unit, Near Field Communication unit, WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, Zigbee (registered trademark) communication unit, infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication unit, WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, Ant+ communication unit, etc.

[0071] The wireless communication unit 184 includes, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN) communication unit, etc. The wireless communication unit 184 may confirm and authenticate the aerosol generator 100 within the communication network using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

[0072] The control unit 110 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generator 100. In one embodiment, the control unit 110 includes at least one processor. The processor may be realized by an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be realized by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable by the microprocessor. Also, those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which this embodiment belongs can understand that it can be realized by further forms of hardware.

[0073] The control unit 110 can control the temperature of the heater 150 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 140 to the heater 150. For example, the control unit 110 can control the power supply by controlling the switching of the switching element between the battery 140 and the heater 150. In a different example, according to the control command of the control unit 110, the direct heating circuit may control the power supply to the heater 150.

[0074] The control unit 110 analyzes the results detected by the detection unit 120 and controls the subsequent processes. For example, the control unit 110 can control the power supplied to the heater 150 so that the operation of the heater 150 is disclosed or terminated based on the results detected by the detection unit 120. As another example, the control unit 110 can control the amount of power supplied to the heater 150 and the time during which the power is supplied so that the heater 150 can be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintain an appropriate temperature based on the results detected by the detection unit 120.

[0075] The control unit 110 controls the output unit 130 based on the results detected by the detection unit 120. For example, when the puff count counted via the puff sensor 126 reaches a preset number of times, the control unit 110 can notify the user that the aerosol generator 100 will end immediately via at least one of the display unit 132, the haptic unit 134, and the acoustic output unit 136.

[0076] In one embodiment, the control unit 110 can control the power supply time and / or the power supply amount to the heater 150 according to the state of the aerosol generating article detected by the detection unit 120. For example, when the aerosol generating article is in an over-wet state, the control unit 110 can control the power supply time to the induction coil and increase the preheating time compared to when the aerosol generating article is in a general state.

[0077] One embodiment can also be realized in the form of a recording medium including computer-executable instructions such as program modules executed by a computer. The computer-readable medium may be any soluble medium accessible by a computer, including all volatile and non-volatile media, separable and non-separable media. Also, the computer-readable medium includes all computer storage media and communication media. The computer storage media includes all volatile and non-volatile, separable and non-separable media realized by any method or technology for storing information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. The communication media typically includes modulated data signals such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information transmission medium.

[0078] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generator 200 (e.g., the aerosol generator 100 in FIG. 1) according to one embodiment. FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of the aerosol generator 200 with an aerosol generating article 300 inserted therein according to one embodiment.

[0079] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes a housing 210, a stick holder 220, a rotating element 226, a light irradiation element 230, an input button 240, a battery 260, and a control unit 270.

[0080] The housing 210 according to an embodiment includes one end, the other end formed on the opposite side of one end, an open end 212, and an elongated cavity 214. In one embodiment, the housing 210 can accommodate various mechanical / electronic components of the aerosol generating device 200 in the internal space of the housing 210. In one embodiment, the housing 210 may be composed of a rigid material (e.g., plastic, metal, carbon plate, synthetic resin, etc.).

[0081] The open end 212 according to an embodiment is disposed on one of the surfaces of one end or the other end and communicates with the elongated cavity 214. The elongated cavity 214 according to an embodiment is a cavity formed by extending from the open end 212 of the housing 210 to the inside of the housing 210 and includes a space for accommodating an aerosol generating article.

[0082] In one embodiment, the elongated cavity 214 includes an inner wall surface 214a and a bottom surface 214b. The inner wall surface 214a according to an embodiment corresponds to the inner wall surface of the elongated cavity 214 and corresponds to the side surface of the aerosol generating article when the aerosol generating article is inserted into the elongated cavity 214. The floor surface 214b according to an embodiment corresponds to the end surface where the elongated cavity 214 ends and corresponds to the upstream end of the aerosol generating article when the aerosol generating article is inserted into the elongated cavity 214.

[0083] In one embodiment, the elongated cavity 214 includes a light transmissive element 216. In one embodiment, at least a part of the inner wall surface 214a of the elongated cavity 214 may be made of a material through which light can pass. In one embodiment, the light transmissive element 216 may be arranged to correspond to the direction in which the light irradiation element 230 is arranged with respect to the elongated cavity 214. By arranging the light transmissive element 216 according to the embodiment to correspond to the direction in which the light irradiation element 230 is arranged, the light emitted from the light irradiation element 230 can be irradiated into the elongated cavity 214.

[0084] In one embodiment, the stick holder 220 includes a first holder 222 and a second holder 224.

[0085] In one embodiment, the first holder 222 is disposed on the bottom surface 214b of the elongated cavity 214. In one embodiment, the first holder 222 may capture one side end portion (e.g., the first segment 320 in FIG. 3) of the aerosol generating article (e.g., the aerosol generating article 300 in FIG. 3). In one embodiment, the first holder 222 includes a holding portion 2221, a shaft 2222, and a perforation 2223. In one embodiment, the holding portion 2221 corresponds to the portion where one side end portion of the aerosol generating article 300 is accommodated. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the holding portion 2221 may be the same as the inner diameter of the aerosol generating article 300. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the holding portion 2221 may be larger than the inner diameter of the aerosol generating article 300. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the holding portion 2221 may be smaller than the inner diameter of the aerosol generating article 300. In one embodiment, the shaft 2222 is disposed so as to connect the holding portion 2221 and the bottom surface 214b of the elongated cavity 214, and enables the holding portion 2221 to stably accommodate the aerosol generating article 300. In one embodiment, the shaft 2222 is formed from a single continuous material with the holding portion 2221. In one embodiment, the shaft 2222 may be coupled to the holding portion 2221 as another part and the holding portion 2221. In one embodiment, the perforation 2223 may be formed to penetrate the wall of the holding portion 2221 disposed parallel to the bottom surface 214b of the elongated cavity 214. In one embodiment, the airflow flowing into the aerosol generating device 200 can move into the aerosol generating article 300 through the perforation 2223 (see arrow F1 in FIG. 2B).

[0086] In one embodiment, the second holder 224 is disposed adjacent to the open end 212 of the housing 210. In one embodiment, the second holder 224 captures an intermediate portion of the aerosol generating article 300 (e.g., the second segment 330 of FIG. 3). In one embodiment, the second holder 224 includes gears. In one embodiment, the second holder 224 is disposed to surround the inlet of the elongated cavity 214 and may rotate about the longitudinal central axis of the elongated cavity 214. In one embodiment, the second holder 224 may be formed to protrude toward the longitudinal axis central to the inner wall 214a of the elongated cavity 214 in order to capture the aerosol generating article 300. In one embodiment, the second holder 224 may include perforations (not shown) to facilitate the inflow of air. In one embodiment, the perforations of the second holder 224 may be formed parallel to the perforations 2243 of the first holder 222.

[0087] In one embodiment, the rotating element 226 rotates the stick holder 220 with respect to the central axis in the depth direction of the elongated cavity 214. In one embodiment, the rotating element 226 includes a motor 2261 and a gear 2262. The motor 2261 according to one embodiment includes an energy source that actively creates a rotational motion. The motor 2261 according to one embodiment may include a servo motor. When the rotating element 226 includes a servo motor, the user can rotate the stick holder 220 by a desired angle. The gear 2262 according to one embodiment may be arranged to be coupled to the motor shaft of the motor 2261. The gear 2262 according to one embodiment may be driven by meshing with the gear of the second holder 224. For example, the gear 2262 according to one embodiment may be a driving gear connected to the motor 2261, and the gear of the second holder 224 according to one embodiment may be a pinion gear. In one embodiment, the rotation direction of the stick holder 220 can be determined by the rotation direction of the rotating element 226. The rotation direction of the stick holder 220 according to one embodiment may be opposite to the rotation direction of the rotating element 226. The rotation direction of the stick holder 220 according to one embodiment may be the same as the rotation direction of the rotating element 226. The rotation direction of the aerosol generating article 300 according to one embodiment (see, for example, arrow D1 in FIG. 2B) may be the same as the rotation direction of the stick holder 220.

[0088] In one embodiment, the light irradiation element 230 irradiates light toward the aerosol generating article 300 and heats the medium (e.g., the medium segment 310 in FIG. 3) contained in the aerosol generating article 300. The light irradiation element 230 according to one embodiment may be arranged in parallel with the elongated cavity 214. The light irradiation element 230 according to one embodiment may be arranged alongside the elongated cavity 214. The light irradiation element 230 according to one embodiment includes a light source unit 232, a reflection unit 234, an angle adjustment unit 236, and an enlargement unit 238. In one embodiment, the light source unit 232 emits light in a divergent manner. For example, the light source unit 232 may include a laser emitter. The reflection unit 234 according to one embodiment can reflect the light from the light source unit 232 at an appropriate angle so as to be directed toward the aerosol generating article 300. For example, the reflection unit 234 includes, but is not necessarily limited to, quartz, glass, and a high-gloss metal material. In one embodiment, the angle adjustment unit 236 can change the angle of the reflection unit 234 so that the medium segment of the aerosol generating article 300 (e.g., the medium segment 310 in FIG. 3) is evenly irradiated with light (see, for example, arrow D2 in FIG. 2B). In one embodiment, the angle adjustment unit 236 may be arranged adjacent to the reflection unit 234. In one embodiment, the angle adjustment unit 236 includes a motor 236a, a first gear 236b, and a second gear 236c. In one embodiment, the enlargement unit 238 may be arranged between the light source unit 232 and the reflection unit 234. The enlargement unit 238 according to one embodiment amplifies the intensity, brightness, frequency, and / or wavelength of the light emitted from the light source unit 232. The light irradiation element 230 according to one embodiment will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0089] In one embodiment, the input button 240 (e.g., the user input unit 160 in FIG. 1) is disposed at one side end of the housing 210. In one embodiment, the input button 240 may protrude from the outside of the housing 210. The input button 240 according to one embodiment may be connected to the rotating element 226. In one embodiment, the rotating element 226 can be activated by the operation of the input button 240. For example, the stick holder 220 may rotate by the operation of the input button 240. In one embodiment, according to the user's preference, habit and / or the preset value of the aerosol generating device, the angle by which the rotating element 226 rotates when the input button 240 is actuated once may change. In one embodiment, the angle by which the rotating element 226 rotates when the input button 240 is actuated once may be customized.

[0090] In one embodiment, the battery 260 supplies the power used for the aerosol generating device 200 to operate. The battery 260 can supply power so that the motors 2261, 236a are driven. Also, the battery 260 may supply the power necessary for the operation of other components (e.g., the light source unit 232, the input button 240) provided in the aerosol generating device 200. The battery 260 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 260 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0091] In one embodiment, the control unit 270 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 200. In one embodiment, the control unit 270 may include at least one processor. The processor may be realized by an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be realized by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executed by the microprocessor. Also, those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which this embodiment belongs can understand that it can be realized by other forms of hardware.

[0092] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cross-section of an aerosol generating article 300 according to an embodiment.

[0093] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating article 300 can be accommodated in the elongated cavity 214 of the aerosol generating device 200 to generate an aerosol. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating article 300 includes a first end face 300a, a second end face 300b formed on the opposite side of the first end face 300a, and a side face 300c formed between the first end face 300a and the second end face 300b. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating article 300 includes a medium segment 310, a first segment 320 disposed upstream of the medium segment 310, a second segment 330 disposed downstream of the medium segment 310, a horn 340, and a filter segment 350.

[0094] In one embodiment, the medium segment 310 includes a first medium end 310a and a second medium end 310b. The first medium end 310a according to one embodiment may be an end in contact with the first segment 320. The second medium end 310b according to one embodiment may be an end in contact with the second segment 330. The medium segment 310 according to one embodiment contains a medium. For example, the medium includes a solid substance based on tobacco raw materials such as sheet tobacco, tobacco, and reconstituted tobacco, and a liquid-phase composition based on nicotine, tobacco extract, and / or various flavoring agents, but is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the medium segment according to one embodiment may be configured such that the sheet tobacco medium is folded or rolled and filled. In one embodiment, the medium segment 310 includes a hollow tube 312. In one embodiment, the aerosol generated by heating the medium segment 310 can move toward the first end face 300a through the hollow tube 312 formed in the medium segment 310. For example, the aerosol can be smoothly transmitted to the user's mouth through the hollow tube 312 formed in the medium segment 310. In one embodiment, the medium segment 310 is exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating article 300. For example, the bellows 340 may be peeled off around the medium segment 310.

[0095] In one embodiment, the first segment 320 can prevent the medium of the medium segment 310 from dropping off. For example, the first segment 320 includes a shear plug. The shear plug may be disposed on one side facing the second segment 330. In one embodiment, the shear plug can prevent the medium from escaping to the outside and prevent the aerosol liquefied from the medium segment during smoking from flowing into the aerosol generating device. In one embodiment, the shear plug may be made of acetyl cellulose. For example, the shear plug 23 may be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to acetyl cellulose tow. In one embodiment, the cross-section of the filament constituting the shear plug may be Y-shaped. In one embodiment, the shear plug may include at least one channel, and the cross-sectional shape of the channel may be manufactured in various ways.

[0096] In one embodiment, the second segment 330 may be disposed in contact with the downstream side of the medium segment 310. The second segment 330 according to one embodiment may include a paper tube inside. In one embodiment, the second segment 330 cools the aerosol generated in the medium segment 310.

[0097] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating article 300 may be packaged by at least one bellows 340. At least one hole is formed in the bellows 340 according to one embodiment to allow external air to flow in or internal gas to flow out. For example, the first segment 320 and the filter segment 350 may be packaged by the first bellows 341, and the first segment 320, the second segment 330, and the filter segment 350 may be repackaged by the second bellows 342. For example, the bellows 340 may surround the side surface 300c corresponding to the first segment 320, the second segment 330, and the filter segment 350 excluding the medium segment 310.

[0098] In one embodiment, although the filter segment 350 is illustrated as a single segment in FIG. 3, it is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter segment 350 may be composed of a plurality of segments. For example, the filter segment 350 may include a segment for cooling the aerosol and a segment for filtering a predetermined component contained in the aerosol. Further, if necessary, the filter segment 350 may further include at least one segment for performing other functions. The filter segment 350 may be an acetyl cellulose filter. On the other hand, there is no limitation on the shape of the filter segment 350. For example, the filter segment 350 may be a cylindrical rod, or may be a tube-shaped rod including a hollow inside. Further, the filter segment 350 may be a recessed rod.

[0099] FIG. 4A is an internal perspective view of the aerosol generating device 200 according to one embodiment. FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the region A of the aerosol generating device 200 according to one embodiment of FIG. 4A.

[0100] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the aerosol generating article 300 can be firmly disposed inside an elongated cavity (e.g., the elongated cavity 214 in FIG. 2A) without being shaken by the first holder 222 and the second holder 224. In one embodiment, the light emitted by the light source unit 232 may have a rectilinear property. In one embodiment, the light emitted by the light source unit 232 is refracted by the reflector 234 and directed towards the medium segment 310 of the aerosol generating article 300. Since the light emitted by the light source unit 232 has condensed light energy and / or thermal energy, it heats the medium 311 exposed outside the medium segment 310. In one embodiment, depending on the angle at which the reflector 234 is disposed with respect to the light source unit 232, the positions where the medium segment 310 is heated may be different from each other. In one embodiment, the angle of the reflector 234 with respect to the light source unit 232 may be adjusted by the angle adjustment unit 236. In one embodiment, the angle of the reflector 234 may rotate with respect to an axis in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 300 (e.g., the Z direction). For example, the angle of the reflector 234 may rotate in the direction of arrow D2 and the opposite direction of arrow D2 in FIG. 2B. By rotating the reflector 234 according to one embodiment, the light emitted by the light source unit 232 is continuously irradiated from the first medium end (e.g., the first medium end 310a in FIG. 3) to the second medium end (e.g., the second medium end 310b in FIG. 3). In one embodiment, the area of the heating region 313 heated by one continuous light irradiation may vary depending on the length l1 of the medium segment and the width l2 of the irradiated light. In one embodiment, the area of the heating region 313 heated by one continuous light irradiation can be calculated by the product of the length l1 of the medium segment and the width l2 of the irradiated light.

[0101] In one embodiment, the aerosol generated by heating the medium segment 310 by the light irradiation element 230 can move towards the second end face 300b through a hollow tube (e.g., the hollow tube 312 in FIG. 3) formed in the middle of the medium segment 310.

[0102] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an aerosol generator 500 (e.g., the aerosol generator 200 of FIGS. 2A and 2B) according to an embodiment.

[0103] In one embodiment, the aerosol generator 500 includes a puff sensor 550. In one embodiment, the puff sensor 550 (e.g., the detection unit 120 of FIG. 1) may be disposed at one end of the housing 510. In one embodiment, the puff sensor 550 may detect the user's puff inside the housing 510. In one embodiment, the puff sensor 550 may be connected to the rotating element 526. In one embodiment, when the puff sensor 550 detects the user's puff, the rotating element 526 is activated. For example, the stick holder, particularly the second holder 524, may rotate according to the operation of the puff sensor 550. In one embodiment, according to the user's preference, habit, and / or the preset value of the aerosol generator, the angle by which the rotating element 526 rotates during one operation of the puff sensor 550 may vary. In one embodiment, the angle by which the rotating element 526 rotates during one operation of the input button 240 can be customized. In one embodiment, the puff sensor 550 can replace the input button 240 of the aerosol generator 200 according to an embodiment.

[0104] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field can apply various technical modifications and variations based on the above. For example, the described technology may be executed in an order different from the described method, and / or the components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. may be combined or assembled in a form different from the described method, or replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents, and appropriate results can still be achieved.

[0105] Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is defined by equivalents such as those equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising: a housing including an open end and an elongated cavity communicating with the open end for accommodating an aerosol generating article; a stick holder disposed within the elongated cavity for capturing the aerosol generating article and rotating it about a longitudinal central axis of the aerosol generating article; a light irradiation element for irradiating light to heat a medium segment contained in the aerosol generating article; An aerosol generating device comprising the above.

2. The light irradiation element is disposed alongside the elongated cavity and includes: a light source unit that emits divergent light; a reflection unit for directing light from the electrical light source unit towards the medium segment; an angle adjustment unit disposed adjacent to the reflection unit for adjusting the angle of the light reflected by the reflection unit so that light reaches the medium segment evenly; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, comprising the above.

3. The aerosol generating article further includes a first segment disposed upstream of the medium segment and a second segment disposed downstream of the medium segment, The medium segment includes a first medium end in contact with the first segment and a second medium end in contact with the second segment, The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein the angle adjustment unit is configured such that the light reflected from the reflection unit irradiates continuously from the first medium end to the second medium end.

4. The stick holder includes: a first holder disposed on the bottom surface of the elongated cavity for capturing the first segment of the aerosol generating article; a second holder disposed adjacent to the open end of the housing for capturing the second segment of the aerosol generating article; The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, comprising the above.

5. Further comprising a rotation element, The rotation element rotates the stick holder about a central axis in the depth direction of the elongated cavity. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4, comprising the above.

6. The aerosol generating device further includes an input button coupled to the rotation element, Actuation of the input button activates the rotation element to rotate it. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5, comprising the above.

7. The aerosol generating device further includes a puff sensor coupled to the rotation element for detecting a user's puff. The aerosol generator according to claim 5, wherein the operation of the puff sensor activates the rotating element to rotate the rotating element.

8. The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the elongated cavity includes an inner wall surface facing the aerosol-generating article, and at least a part of the inner wall surface is made of a material through which light can pass.

9. The medium segment contains a medium, The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the medium is exposed to the outside of the aerosol-generating article.

10. An aerosol-generating article, including a first end face, a second end face opposite to the first end face, a side face formed between the first end face and the second end face, a medium segment, a first segment, a second segment, and a bellows, wherein the first segment is disposed upstream of the medium segment, and the second segment is disposed downstream of the medium segment, The bellows surrounds the side faces corresponding to the first segment and the second segment excluding the medium segment. An aerosol-generating article.

11. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 10, wherein the medium segment includes a hollow tube, and the aerosol formed by heating the medium segment moves toward the second end face through the hollow tube.

12. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the medium segment is filled with a sheet tobacco medium that is folded or rolled.

13. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 10, wherein the medium segment contains a medium, and the medium is exposed to the outside.

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