Aerosol generating device

Abstract

An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes an inhalation part through which a user can inhale an aerosol, a storage part that can store an aerosol forming substrate, an atomization part that can atomize the aerosol forming substrate using surface acoustic waves, a connection part that connects the storage part and the atomization part and can transmit the aerosol forming substrate from the storage part to the atomization part, and a channel part through which the atomized aerosol forming substrate can move across at least a part of the inhalation part, the storage part, and the connection part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, the demand for alternative articles that overcome the disadvantages of traditional cigarettes has been increasing. For example, Korean Patent Publication No. 2013-0003944 discloses an atomizer for an electronic cigarette.

[0003] The above-described background art is what the inventor retained or acquired in the process of deriving the disclosure of this specification, and it is not necessarily prior art publicly known to the general public before the present application.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object according to one embodiment is to provide an aerosol generating device using surface acoustic waves.

[0005] An object according to one embodiment is to provide a stick that can be attached to and detached from an aerosol generating device using surface acoustic waves.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment includes an inhalation part through which a user can inhale aerosol, a storage part that can store an aerosol forming substrate, an atomization part that can atomize the aerosol forming substrate using surface acoustic waves, a connection part that connects the storage part and the atomization part and can transfer the aerosol forming substrate from the storage part to the atomization part, and a channel part through which the atomized aerosol forming substrate can move across at least a part of the inhalation part, the storage part, and the connection part.

[0007] The inhalation part, the storage part, the connection part, and the channel part are integrally formed and can be separated from or coupled to the aerosol generating device.

[0008] The atomization unit may include a surface acoustic wave generating element capable of generating a surface acoustic wave, a substrate element through which the generated surface acoustic wave is transmitted, and a chamber element capable of preventing the detachment of the atomized aerosol-forming substrate.

[0009] One end of the channel portion can communicate with the chamber element.

[0010] The inhalation part, the atomization part, and the connection part are integrally formed, and the storage part can be separated from or coupled to the aerosol generating device.

[0011] The connection part can transmit the aerosol-forming substrate stored in the storage part to the atomization part through capillary action.

[0012] One end of the connection part is in contact with the substrate element, and the connection part can include a passage element capable of moving the aerosol-forming substrate to the substrate element and a control element capable of controlling the flow rate of the moved aerosol-forming substrate.

[0013] The aerosol generating device according to an embodiment further includes a power supply unit capable of supplying power to the atomization unit, the inhalation part includes a respiration sensor, and the atomization part is connected to the respiration sensor so that the generation of surface acoustic waves can be adjusted.

[0014] A stick for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes an inhalation part through which a user can inhale an aerosol, a storage part capable of storing an aerosol-forming substrate, a connection part capable of moving the aerosol-forming substrate stored in the storage part, and a channel part through which the aerosol can move across at least a part of the inhalation part, the storage part, and the connection part.

[0015] The storage part can be arranged between the inhalation part and the connection part.

[0016] The channel portion can be formed to penetrate the central portions of the suction portion, the storage portion, and the connection portion.

[0017] The suction portion, the storage portion, and the connection portion can be formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0018] The channel portion can be formed to contact one side surface of the suction portion, the storage portion, and the connection portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] The aerosol generating device according to one embodiment can use surface acoustic waves.

[0020] The aerosol generating device according to one embodiment can provide a stick that can be detached from the aerosol generating device using surface acoustic waves.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is one of various aspects of the embodiments, and the following techniques form part of the detailed techniques for the embodiments. In the description of the present embodiment, specific descriptions of well-known functions or configurations will be omitted in order to clarify the gist of the present invention.

[0023] However, various changes can be made to the embodiments, and the scope of the patent application right is not restricted or limited by such embodiments. It must be understood that all changes, equivalents, or alternatives to the embodiments are included in the scope of rights.

[0024] Also, the terms or words used in this specification and the claims are not to be construed as ordinary or dictionary meanings. Based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms in order to describe his own invention in the best way, they must be construed as meanings and concepts suitable for the technical idea of the invention according to one embodiment.

[0025] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly has a different meaning. In this specification, terms such as "including" or "having" indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should not be understood as precluding the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs. Commonly used predefined terms should be construed to have a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art and are not to be construed in an idealized or overly formal sense unless clearly defined herein.

[0027] Also, when describing with reference to the drawings, the same reference numerals will be assigned to the same components regardless of the reference signs, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. In the description of this embodiment, if a specific description of related known technologies is determined to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the embodiment, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0028] In addition, when describing the components of the embodiment, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. Such terms are for distinguishing the components from other components, and the essence, order, or sequence of the components is not limited by such terms. When any component is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "joined" to another component, it should be understood that the component can be directly connected or joined to the different component, but additional components can be "connected", "coupled", or "joined" between each component.

[0029] Components including functions common to the components included in any one embodiment will be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless otherwise stated, the descriptions given in any one embodiment apply to other embodiments, and specific descriptions within the overlapping scope will be omitted.

[0030] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show a stick for an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0031] More specifically, FIG. 1A shows the appearance of the stick 10 for an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment, and FIG. 1B shows the structure of the stick 10 for an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0032] The stick 10 for an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment can be detached from the aerosol generating device. Referring to FIG. 1A, the stick 10 for an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment includes an inhalation part 100, a storage part 200, and a connection part 300. The inhalation part 100 is a part for the user to inhale, and the user may apply a negative pressure to the inhalation part 100 to inhale the aerosol. The inhalation part 100 may be formed in the shape of a mouthpiece so that the user can easily inhale. The storage part 200 can store the aerosol forming substrate. The storage part may preferably store 0.03 ml to 0.06 ml of the aerosol forming substrate. One end of the storage capacity storage part 200 is in contact with and connected to one end of the inhalation part 100. The connection part 300 connects the storage part 200 and an atomization part in the aerosol generating device described later. The connection part 300 can move the aerosol forming substrate stored in the storage part 200 to the atomization part. The connection part 300 may include a porous material such as a cotton core, a porous ceramic, or a paper filter. The connection part 300 can move the aerosol forming substrate in the storage part 200 to the atomization part through capillary action. The storage part 200 may be disposed between the inhalation part 100 and the connection part 300.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1B, a stick 10 for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes an inhalation part 100, a storage part 200, a connection part 300, and a channel part 400. The channel part 400 is arranged to cross the inhalation part 100, the storage part 200, and the connection part 300. The channel part 400 is arranged to be in contact with all of the inhalation part 100, the storage part 200, and the connection part 300. The channel part 400 functions as an air flow channel through which the aerosol atomized from the atomization part moves. The aerosol forming substrate can move to the atomization part through the connection part 300 and be atomized into the form of an aerosol at the atomization part. The atomized aerosol can move through the channel part 400 when the user inhales the inhalation part 100 and be inhaled by the user. The channel part 400 may be arranged to be in contact with one side surface of the inhalation part 100, the storage part 200, and the connection part 300. The shape and structure of the channel part 400 are not limited as shown in FIG. 1.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment includes a stick 10 for an aerosol generating device, a power supply part 500, a housing part 600, and an atomization part 700. The stick 10 for an aerosol generating device can be detached from the aerosol generating device. The stick 10 for an aerosol generating device includes an inhalation part 100, a storage part 200, a connection part 300, and a channel part 400. The atomization part 700 can atomize the aerosol forming substrate using surface acoustic waves. The atomization part 700 is supplied with the aerosol forming substrate from the storage part 200.

[0036] The atomization part 700 includes a surface acoustic wave generating element 710 that generates surface acoustic waves, a substrate element 720 to which the surface acoustic waves generated from the surface acoustic wave generating element 710 are transmitted, and a chamber element 730 that can prevent the detachment of the atomized aerosol.

[0037] The surface acoustic wave generating element 710 generates a surface acoustic wave capable of atomizing the aerosol forming substrate. The surface acoustic wave is an acoustic wave that propagates along the surface of the elastic body substrate (substrate) and can be generated from an electrical signal as a result of the piezoelectric effect. The surface acoustic wave generated by the surface acoustic wave generating element 710 can atomize the aerosol forming substrate in the liquid phase form. The surface acoustic wave generated by the surface acoustic wave generating element 710 is transmitted to the substrate element 720.

[0038] The surface acoustic wave generating element 710 can be designed to operate only when the user inhales the aerosol generating device and generate a surface acoustic wave. For example, the inhalation unit 100 may include a respiration sensor (not shown). The respiration sensor attached to the inhalation unit 100 can detect when the user inhales the aerosol generating device, thereby generating an electrical control signal so that the surface acoustic wave generating element moves only when the user inhales in the atomizing unit 700.

[0039] The connecting portion 300 of the stick 10 for the aerosol generating device can transmit the aerosol forming substrate stored in the storage portion 200 to the substrate element 720 of the atomizing unit 700. The aerosol forming substrate transmitted to the substrate element 720 can be atomized into an aerosol form in contact with the surface acoustic wave applied from the surface acoustic wave generating element 710. The aerosol generated by atomizing the aerosol forming substrate can be provided in the chamber element 730.

[0040] One end of the connecting portion 300 is brought into contact with the substrate element 720. For example, the connecting portion 300 may include a porous material such as a cotton wick, a porous ceramic, or a paper filter. The connecting portion 300 may move the aerosol forming substrate in the storage portion 200 to the atomizing portion through capillary action. Alternatively, the connecting portion 300 may include a passage element (not shown) for moving the aerosol forming substrate to the substrate element 720 and a control element (not shown) capable of controlling the flow rate of the aerosol forming substrate to be moved.

[0041] A control element (not shown) may control the flow rate of the liquid phase moved by, for example, controlling the liquid phase velocity. The control element (not shown) may be a micro pump. The control element (not shown) may supply the aerosol-forming substrate

[0042] to the substrate element 720 at a preset speed. By controlling the flow rate of the aerosol-forming substrate in the form of a liquid phase supplied to the substrate element 720, the atomization amount of the aerosol generated in the atomization unit 700 can be controlled.

[0043] When the user inhales the inhalation unit 100, the channel portion 400 of the stick 10 for the aerosol generating device communicates with the chamber element 730, and the aerosol in the chamber element 730 is inhaled by the user along the channel portion 400. The user can inhale the aerosol generating device until all the aerosol-forming substrate stored in the storage unit 200 is consumed. When all the aerosol-forming substrate stored in the storage unit 200 is consumed, the user can remove the stick 10 for the aerosol generating device from the aerosol generating device 1.

[0044] The power supply unit 500 may supply power to the atomization unit 700 or other members of the aerosol generating device 1 as necessary.

[0045] The housing unit 600 surrounds the atomization unit 700, the power supply unit 500, and the stick 10 for the aerosol generating device, thereby being protected from external impacts and other disturbances, and can form the appearance of the aerosol generating device 1. The housing unit 600 includes a mechanical structure for easily detaching and attaching the stick 10 for the aerosol generating device.

[0046] Figures 3A and 3B show a stick for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0047] More specifically, Figure 3A shows the appearance of the stick 10 for the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, and Figure 3B shows the structure of the stick 10 for the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0048] The stick 10 for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment can be detached from the aerosol generating device. Referring to FIG. 3A, the stick 10 for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes an inhalation part 100, a storage part 200, and a connection part 300. The stick 10 for an aerosol generating device may be formed in an overall cylindrical appearance. Each of the inhalation part 100, the storage part 200, and the connection part 300 included in the stick 10 for an aerosol generating device may be formed to have a cylindrical appearance. The inhalation part 100 is a part for a user to inhale, and the user may apply a negative pressure to the inhalation part 100 to inhale the aerosol. The inhalation part 100 may be formed in the form of a mouthpiece so that the user can easily inhale. The storage part 200 can store an aerosol-forming substrate. One end part of the storage part 200 is in contact with and connected to one end part of the inhalation part 100. The connection part 300 connects the storage part 200 and an atomization part in the aerosol generating device described later. The connection part 300 can move the aerosol-forming substrate stored in the storage part 200 to the atomization part. The connection part 300 may include a porous material such as a cotton wick, a porous ceramic, or a paper filter. The connection part 300 can move the aerosol-forming substrate in the storage part 200 to the atomization part through capillary action. The storage part 200 may be disposed between the inhalation part 100 and the connection part 300.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 3B, a stick 10 for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes an inhalation part 100, a storage part 200, a connection part 300, and a channel part 400. The channel part 400 is disposed to penetrate and cross the central portions of the inhalation part 100, the storage part 200, and the connection part 300. The channel part 400 functions as an air flow channel through which the aerosol atomized by the atomization part moves. The aerosol forming substrate can move from the storage part 200 through the connection part 300 to the atomization part and be atomized into the form of an aerosol by the atomization part. The atomized aerosol can move through the channel part 400 and be inhaled by the user when the user inhales the inhalation part 100. The channel part 400 is formed in a cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of the cylindrical stick 10 for the aerosol generating device, but the shape and structure of the channel part 400 are not limited as shown in FIG. 3.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 4, an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment includes a stick 10 for an aerosol generating device, a power supply part 500, a housing part 600, and an atomization part 700. The stick 10 for the aerosol generating device may be detachably attached to the aerosol generating device. The stick 10 for the aerosol generating device includes an inhalation part 100, a storage part 200, a connection part 300, and a channel part 400. The atomization part 700 can atomize the aerosol forming substrate using surface acoustic waves. The atomization part 700 is supplied with the aerosol forming substrate from the storage part 200.

[0052] The atomization part 700 includes a surface acoustic wave generating element 710 that generates surface acoustic waves, a substrate element 720 to which the surface acoustic waves generated from the surface acoustic wave generating element 710 are transmitted, and a chamber element 730 that prevents the atomized aerosol from detaching.

[0053] The surface acoustic wave generating element 710 generates a surface acoustic wave capable of atomizing the aerosol-forming substrate. The surface acoustic wave generated by the surface acoustic wave generating element 710 can atomize the aerosol-forming substrate in a liquid phase form. The surface acoustic wave generated by the surface acoustic wave generating element 710 can be transmitted to the substrate element 720.

[0054] The surface acoustic wave generating element 710 can be designed to operate only when the user inhales the aerosol generating device and generate a surface acoustic wave. The inhalation unit 100 may include a respiration sensor (not shown). The respiration sensor attached to the inhalation unit 100 can detect when the user inhales the aerosol generating device, and thereby generate an electrical control signal so that the surface acoustic wave generating element moves only when the user inhales in the atomizing unit 700.

[0055] The connecting part 300 of the aerosol generating device stick 10 can transmit the aerosol-forming substrate stored in the storage part 200 to the substrate element 720 of the atomizing part 700. The aerosol-forming substrate transmitted to the substrate element 720 can be atomized into an aerosol form in contact with the surface acoustic wave applied from the surface acoustic wave generating element 710. The aerosol generated by atomizing the aerosol-forming substrate can be provided in the chamber element 730.

[0056] One end of the connecting part 300 is brought into contact with the substrate element 720. Corresponding to the shape of the connecting part 300 with a central portion penetrated by the channel part 400, the shape of the portion where the substrate element 720 and the connecting part 300 are in contact is variable. The connecting part 300 may include a porous material such as a cotton wick, a porous ceramic, or a paper filter. The connecting part 300 can move the aerosol-forming substrate in the storage part 200 to the atomizing part through capillary action. Or, the connecting part 300 may include a passage element (not shown) capable of moving the aerosol-forming substrate to the substrate element 720 and a control element (not shown) for controlling the flow rate of the aerosol-forming substrate to be moved.

[0057] A control element (not shown) may control the flow rate of the liquid phase that is moved, for example, by controlling the velocity of the liquid phase. The control element (not shown) may be a micro pump. The control element (not shown) may supply the aerosol-forming substrate to the substrate element 720 at a preset velocity. The control element (not shown) may control the atomization amount of the aerosol generated in the atomization unit 700 by controlling the flow rate of the aerosol-forming substrate in the form of a liquid phase supplied to the substrate element 720.

[0058] The channel portion 400 of the stick 10 for the aerosol generating device communicates with the chamber element 730. When the user inhales the inhalation portion 100, the aerosol inside the chamber element 730 is inhaled by the user along the channel portion 400.

[0059] The power supply unit 500 may supply power to the atomization unit 700 or other members of the aerosol generating device 1 as necessary.

[0060] The housing portion 600 surrounds the atomization unit 700, the power supply unit 500, and the stick 10 for the aerosol generating device, thereby being protected from external impacts and other disturbances, and can form the appearance of the aerosol generating device 1. The housing portion 600 includes a mechanical structure for easily detaching and attaching the stick 10 for the aerosol generating device.

[0061] FIG. 5 shows an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 5, an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment includes a stick 10 for the aerosol generating device, a power supply unit 500, a housing portion 600, and an atomization unit 700. The stick 10 for the aerosol generating device includes an inhalation portion 100, a storage portion 200, and a connection portion 300. The power supply unit 500 may be disposed at a part inside the housing portion 600. The power supply unit 500 may be disposed at a position opposite to the storage portion 200 with respect to the atomization unit 700.

[0063] FIG. 6 shows an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 6, an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment includes an inhalation part 100, a storage part 200, a connection part 300, a power supply part 500, a housing part 600, and an atomization part 700. The atomization part 700 includes a surface acoustic wave generating element 710 capable of generating a surface acoustic wave, a substrate element 720 through which the surface acoustic wave generated from the surface acoustic wave generating element 710 is transmitted, and a chamber element 730 capable of preventing the detached atomized aerosol.

[0065] The inhalation part 100, the connection part 300, the power supply part 500, the housing part 600, and the atomization part 700 may be integrally formed. The storage part 200 may be detachable from the housing part 500. When the storage part 200 is attached to the housing part 500, the connection part 300 can transmit the aerosol forming substrate stored in the storage part 200 to the substrate element 720 of the atomization part 700. Here, preferably 0.5 ml to 1 ml of the aerosol forming substrate may be stored in the storage part 200. The user can inhale the aerosol generating device until all of the aerosol forming substrate stored in the storage part 200 is consumed. When all of the aerosol forming substrate stored in the storage part 200 is consumed, the user can remove the storage part 200 from the aerosol generating device 1.

[0066] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 900 according to an embodiment.

[0067] The aerosol generating device 900 includes a control part 910, a detection part 920, an output part 930, a battery 940, a heater 950, a user input part 960, a memory 970, and a communication part 980. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 900 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 7. That is, depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 900, those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field related to this embodiment can understand that some of the configurations shown in FIG. 7 may be omitted or new configurations may be further added.

[0068] The detection unit 920 detects the state of the aerosol generating device 900 or the state around the aerosol generating device 900, and transmits the detected information to the control unit 910. The control unit 910 can control the aerosol generating device 900 so that various functions such as operation control of the heater 950, restriction of smoking, determination of whether an aerosol generating article (for example, a cigarette, a cartridge, etc.) is inserted, and notification display are executed based on the detected information.

[0069] The detection unit 920 includes at least one of a temperature sensor 922, an insertion detection sensor 924, and a puff sensor 926, but is not limited thereto.

[0070] The temperature sensor 922 can detect the temperature at which the heater 950 (or the aerosol generating substance) heats. The aerosol generating device 900 may include a separate temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heater 950, or the heater 950 itself may serve as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 922 may be arranged around the battery 940 so as to monitor the temperature of the battery 940.

[0071] The insertion detection sensor 924 can detect the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 924 may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, a light 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.

[0072] The puff sensor 926 can detect the user's puff based on various physical changes in the air flow path or air flow channel. For example, the puff sensor 926 can detect the user's puff based on any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

[0073] In addition to the sensors 922 to 926 described above, the detection unit 920 further includes at least one of a temperature / humidity sensor, a barometric 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.

[0074] The output unit 930 can output information regarding the state of the aerosol generating device 900 and provide it to the user. The output unit 930 includes at least one of a display unit 932, a haptic unit 934, and an acoustic output unit 936, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 932 and the touch pad form a layer structure and are configured as a touch screen, the display unit 932 may be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0075] The display unit 932 can visually provide information regarding the aerosol generating device 900 to the user. For example, the information regarding the aerosol generating device 900 means various information such as the charge / discharge state of the battery 940 of the aerosol generating device 900, the preheating state of the heater 950, the insertion / removal state of the aerosol generating article, or the state in which the use of the aerosol generating device 900 is restricted (e.g., detection of an abnormal article), and the display unit 932 can output the information to the outside. The display unit 932 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light emitting display panel (OLED), or the like. Further, the display unit 932 may be in the state of an LED light emitting element.

[0076] The haptic unit 934 can convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus and provide information regarding the aerosol generating device 900 to the user tactilely. For example, the haptic unit 934 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0077] The audio output unit 936 aurally provides information about the aerosol generating device 900 to the user. For example, the audio output unit 936 can convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and output it externally.

[0078] The battery 940 supplies the electric power used for the aerosol generating device 900 to operate. The battery 940 supplies electric power so that the heater 950 can be heated. Further, the battery 940 can supply the electric power necessary for the operation of other components (for example, the detection unit 920, the output unit 930, the user input unit 960, the memory 970, and the communication unit 980) provided in the aerosol generating device 900. The battery 940 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 940 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0079] The heater 950 can heat the aerosol generating substance when electric power is supplied from the battery 940. Although not shown in FIG. 7, the aerosol generating device 900 may further include a power conversion circuit (for example, a DC / DC converter) that converts the electric power of the battery 940 and supplies it to the heater 950. Further, when the aerosol generating device 900 generates aerosol by an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 900 may further include a DC / AC converter that converts the DC power supply of the battery 940 into an AC power supply.

[0080] The control unit 910, the detection unit 920, the output unit 930, the user input unit 960, the memory 970, and the control unit 910 can perform functions when electric power is supplied from the battery 940. Although not shown in FIG. 7, a power conversion circuit that converts the electric power of the battery 940 and supplies it to each component, for example, an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, may be further included.

[0081] In one embodiment, the heater 950 may be formed from 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 950 may 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.

[0082] In other embodiments, the heater 950 may be an induction heating type heater. For example, the heater 950 generates heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil and includes a susceptor that heats the aerosol generating material.

[0083] In one embodiment, the heater 950 may include a plurality of heaters. For example, the heater 950 may include a first heater for heating a cigarette and a second heater for heating a liquid.

[0084] The user input unit 960 can receive information input from the user or output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 960 includes, but is not limited to, a keypad, a dome switch, a touch pad (capacitive touch type, pressure resistive film type, infrared detection 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. 7, the aerosol generating device 900 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 940.

[0085] The memory 970 can store the data processed by the control unit 910 and the data to be processed as hardware for storing various data processed within the aerosol generating device 900. The memory 970 includes at least one type of storage medium such as a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), a RAM (random access memory), an SRAM (static random access memory), a ROM (read-only memory), an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), a PROM (programmable read-only memory), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory 970 may store data such as the operating time of the aerosol generating device 900, the maximum puff count, the current puff count, at least one temperature profile, and data on the user's smoking pattern.

[0086] The communication unit 980 includes at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 980 includes a short-range communication unit 982 and a wireless communication unit 984.

[0087] The short-range wireless communication unit 982 includes, 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 (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee (registered trademark) communication unit, an infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, a UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, etc.

[0088] The wireless communication unit 984 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 984 may identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 900 within the communication network using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

[0089] The control unit 910 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 900. In one embodiment, the control unit 910 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or as 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 implemented in further forms of hardware.

[0090] The control unit 910 can control the temperature of the heater 950 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 940 to the heater 950. For example, the control unit 910 can control the power supply by controlling the switching of the switching element between the battery 940 and the heater 950. In a different example, according to the control command of the control unit 910, the direct heating circuit may control the power supply to the heater 950.

[0091] The control unit 910 analyzes the results detected by the detection unit 920 and then controls the processes to be executed. For example, the control unit 910 can control the power supplied to the heater 950 so that the operation of the heater 950 is started or terminated based on the results detected by the detection unit 920. As another example, the control unit 910 can control the amount of power supplied to the heater 950 and the time during which the power is supplied so that the heater 950 can be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintain an appropriate temperature based on the results detected by the detection unit 920.

[0092] The control unit 910 controls the output unit 930 based on the results detected by the detection unit 920. For example, when the number of puffs counted via the puff sensor 926 reaches a preset number, the control unit 910 notifies the user that the aerosol generator 900 will end immediately via at least one of the display unit 932, the haptic unit 934, and the acoustic output unit 936.

[0093] In one embodiment, the control unit 910 can control the power supply time and / or the power supply amount to the heater 950 according to the state of the aerosol-generating article detected by the detection unit 920. For example, when the aerosol-generating article 15 is in an over-wet state, the control unit 910 controls the power supply time to the induction coil and can increase the preheating time compared to when the aerosol-generating article 15 is in a normal state.

[0094] One embodiment can also be realized in the form of a recording medium including computer-executable instruction words such as program modules executed by a computer. The computer-readable medium can be any soluble medium accessible by a computer, including both volatile and non-volatile media, and both separable and non-separable media. Also, the computer-readable medium can include both computer storage media and communication media. The computer storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, separable and non-separable media realized by any method or technology for storing information such as computer-readable instruction words, data structures, program modules, or other data. The communication media typically includes modulated data signals such as computer-readable instruction words, data structures, program modules, and other data, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information transmission medium.

[0095] As described above, in the embodiments, the embodiments have been described by specific matters such as specific components and the like and limited embodiments and drawings, but this is provided to assist general understanding. Also, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible from such embodiments for those having ordinary knowledge in the field to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the idea of the present invention is not determined by being limited to the above-described embodiments, and it can be said that not only the following claims but also all those having equivalent modifications or equivalent variations to the claims belong to the scope of the idea of the present invention.

Claims

1. An inhalation part through which a user can inhale an aerosol, A storage part capable of storing an aerosol-forming substrate, An atomization part capable of atomizing the aerosol-forming substrate using surface acoustic waves, A connection part connecting the storage part and the atomization part and capable of transmitting the aerosol-forming substrate from the storage part to the atomization part, A channel part through which the atomized aerosol-forming substrate can move across at least a part of the inhalation part, the storage part, and the connection part, An aerosol generating device comprising the above.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the inhalation part, the storage part, the connection part, and the channel part are integrally formed and can be separated or combined from the aerosol generating device.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the atomization part includes a surface acoustic wave generating element capable of generating surface acoustic waves, a substrate element through which the generated surface acoustic waves are transmitted, and a chamber element capable of preventing the atomized aerosol-forming substrate from detaching.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, wherein one end of the channel part can communicate with the chamber element.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the inhalation part, the atomization part, and the connection part are integrally formed, and the storage part can be separated or combined from the aerosol generating device.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, wherein the connection part can transmit the aerosol-forming substrate stored in the storage part to the atomization part through capillary action.

7. One end of the connection part is contacted with the substrate element, The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein the connection part includes a passage element capable of moving the aerosol-forming substrate to the substrate element and a control element capable of controlling the flow rate of the moved aerosol-forming substrate.

8. Further comprising a power supply part capable of supplying power to the atomization part, The aerosol generating device according to claim 5, wherein the inhalation part includes a respiration sensor, and the atomization part is connected to the respiration sensor to adjust the generation of surface acoustic waves.

9. An inhalation part through which a user can inhale an aerosol, A storage part capable of storing an aerosol-forming substrate, A connection part capable of moving the aerosol-forming substrate stored in the storage part, A channel part through which an aerosol can move across at least a part of the inhalation part, the storage part, and the connection part, A stick for an aerosol generating device, including

10. The aerosol generating device stick according to claim 9, wherein the storage part may be arranged between the inhalation part and the connection part.

11. The aerosol generating device stick according to claim 10, wherein the channel part is formed so as to penetrate the central parts of the inhalation part, the storage part, and the connection part.

12. The aerosol generating device stick according to claim 11, wherein the inhalation part, the storage part, and the connection part are formed in a cylindrical shape.

13. The aerosol generating device stick according to claim 10, wherein the channel part is formed so as to contact one side surface of the inhalation part, the storage part, and the connection part.

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