Aerosol generator capable of controlling the flow of air current

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device including an aerosol generating article insertion part into which an aerosol generating article can be inserted, a sensor part that senses a stimulus, at least one or more air flow passages connected to the aerosol generating article insertion part and capable of transmitting external air to the aerosol generating article insertion part, and an opening / closing adjustment member that adjusts the opening and closing of the air flow passages based on the stimulus sensed by the sensor part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device. Specifically, the present invention relates to an aerosol generating device capable of controlling the flow of air.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0096631 filed on August 3, 2022, and includes all the contents disclosed in the literature of the Korean patent application as part of this specification.

Background Art

[0003] In recent years, the demand for alternative smoking articles that overcome the drawbacks of traditional aerosol generating articles has been increasing. For example, the demand for devices that generate aerosol by electrically heating an aerosol generating article stick (for example, an aerosol generating article type electronic cigarette) has been increasing. Accordingly, research on electrically heated aerosol generating devices and aerosol generating article sticks (or aerosol generating articles) applied thereto has been actively conducted.

[0004] An aerosol generating device can include a passage through which air can flow inside the device. At this time, it is necessary to control the flow of air flowing through the air passage according to the preference of the user who uses the aerosol generating device.

[0005] For example, when a user wants to reduce the suction resistance during smoking, it is necessary to strengthen the flow of air. Conversely, when a user wants to increase the suction resistance during smoking, it is necessary to weaken the flow of air.

[0006] In another example, the user needs to strengthen the flow of air in order to reduce the heat sensation generated at the initial stage of smoking. Conversely, when the user increases the suction resistance in the middle stage of smoking to enhance the smoking satisfaction, it is necessary to weaken the flow of air.

[0007] Research has already been conducted on technologies for regulating the opening and closing of an aerosol passage connected to a vaporizer that generates an aerosol, or for controlling the flow of air through an air passage connected to the outside. However, at present, further research and development are needed on specific methods for controlling the flow of air according to user preferences.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] The present invention is the result of the above research and development, and an object thereof is to provide an aerosol generating device capable of adjusting the opening and closing of at least one or more air passages based on a stimulus sensed by a sensor unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] An aerosol generating device capable of controlling the flow of air according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above object includes an aerosol generating article insertion part into which an aerosol generating article can be inserted, a sensor part for sensing a stimulus, at least one or more air passages connected to the aerosol generating article insertion part and capable of transmitting external air to the aerosol generating article insertion part, and an opening / closing adjusting member for adjusting the opening and closing of the air passage based on the stimulus sensed by the sensor part.

[0011] In an embodiment, there may be two or more of the air passages.

[0012] In an embodiment, the size of at least one of the air passages may be different from the sizes of the others.

[0013] In an embodiment, the opening / closing adjustment member can open and close based on the stimulus sensed by the sensor unit.

[0014] In an embodiment, the opening / closing adjustment member can independently adjust the opening and closing of the air flow passage.

[0015] In an embodiment, the stimulus is temperature. When the temperature is equal to or higher than a preset temperature, the opening / closing adjustment member can be opened. When the temperature is lower than the preset temperature, the opening / closing adjustment member can be closed.

[0016] In an embodiment, the stimulus is the puff of a user. When the number of puffs is less than a first set number, the opening / closing adjustment member can be opened. When the number of puffs is equal to or greater than the first set number, the opening / closing adjustment member can be closed.

[0017] In an embodiment, when the number of puffs is equal to or greater than a second set number, the opening / closing adjustment member can be opened, and the second set number may be greater than the first set number.

[0018] In an embodiment, the sensor unit includes a touch sensor, and the opening / closing adjustment member can be opened and closed based on the number of touches input to the touch sensor.

[0019] In an embodiment, the sensor unit includes a touch sensor, and the opening / closing adjustment member can be opened and closed based on the duration of the touch input to the touch sensor.

[0020] In an embodiment, the sensor unit includes a touch sensor, and the opening / closing adjustment member can be opened and closed based on the intensity of the touch input to the touch sensor.

[0021] In an embodiment, the composition is heated to generate an aerosol, and the vaporization unit further includes a vaporization unit that discharges the generated aerosol to the aerosol generating article insertion portion, and the generated aerosol can be transmitted to the aerosol generating article insertion portion through the aerosol passage.

[0022] In an embodiment, the stimulus is the puff of the user, and when the number of puffs is equal to or greater than a preset number during a preset time, the opening / closing adjustment member can be opened.

[0023] In an embodiment, the opening / closing adjustment member can be partially opened or fully opened.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] The aerosol generating device according to the present invention can include a sensor unit and an opening / closing adjustment member that can adjust the opening and closing of the air flow passage based on the stimulus sensed by the sensor unit. Thereby, the opening / closing adjustment member can be actuated according to the adjustment of the user using the aerosol generating device or according to an external situation (for example, temperature, etc.), allowing an air flow to flow inside the aerosol generating device and enhancing the user's smoking satisfaction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

Figure 1a

Figure 1b

Figure 1c

Figure 2

Figure 3a

Figure 3b

Figure 4a

Figure 4b

Figure 4c

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.

[0027] In the embodiments, the terms used are, as much as possible, general terms that are currently widely used while considering the functions in the present invention. However, this may vary depending on the intentions or precedents of those skilled in the art, the emergence of new technologies, etc. In addition, 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 should be defined based not only on the name of the terms but also on the meaning of the terms and the overall content of the present invention.

[0028] Throughout the specification, when a certain part "includes" a certain component, this means that, unless otherwise stated, it does not exclude other components, but can further include other components. Also, terms such as "… part" and "… module" described in the specification mean units that process at least one function or operation, and these can be implemented by hardware or software, or by a combination of hardware and software.

[0029] Throughout the specification, "aerosol generating substance" means a substance capable of generating an aerosol and can also mean an aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol can contain volatile compounds. The aerosol generating substance may be solid or liquid.

[0030] For example, the solid aerosol generating substance can include solid substances based on tobacco raw materials such as sheet tobacco, cut grass, reconstituted tobacco, etc., and the liquid aerosol generating substance can include liquid substances based on nicotine, tobacco extracts, and various flavoring agents. Of course, it is not limited to the above examples.

[0031] Throughout the specification, the aerosol generating device can be a device that generates an aerosol using an aerosol generating substance in order to generate an aerosol that can be directly inhaled into the user's lungs through the user's mouth. For example, the aerosol generating device can be a holder.

[0032] Throughout the specification, "puff" means the user's inhalation, and inhalation can mean the situation of drawing in through the user's mouth or nose into the user's oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs.

[0033] With reference to the drawings attached below, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs can easily implement them. However, the present invention can be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described here.

[0034] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0035] Figures 1a to 1c are diagrams showing an embodiment of the aerosol generating device according to the present invention, and Figure 2 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the aerosol generating device according to the present invention.

[0036] Referring to Fig. 1a, the aerosol generating device (100) can include an aerosol generating article insertion part (110), a heating part (120), a sensor part (130), a control part (140), a first air flow path (PA1), and a first on-off adjusting member (OC1). Only the components related to this embodiment are shown in the aerosol generating device (100). Therefore, those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field related to this embodiment can easily understand that the aerosol generating device (100) can further include other general-purpose components in addition to the components shown in Fig. 1a. Also, the aerosol generating device (100) may be in a stick shape or a holder shape.

[0037] The aerosol generating article insertion part (110) corresponds to a region at one end of the aerosol generating device (100) and can provide a space into which the aerosol generating article (10) is inserted. The aerosol generating article (10) can have a generally known form at present and can have a form in which tobacco raw materials are stacked on a heat conductive material. For example, the heat conductive material can be a metal foil such as aluminum foil.

[0038] In one embodiment, the heating unit (120) can heat the aerosol generating article (10) inserted into the aerosol generating article insertion unit (110). The heating unit (120) can be, for example, a heater module. The heater module may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle or a rod-shaped heating element, and can heat the inside and / or outside of the aerosol generating article (10) according to the shape of the heating element. The heater module can heat the aerosol generating article (10) to generate an aerosol with a tobacco flavor added, so that the user can inhale the aerosol with a tobacco flavor added by inhaling one end of the aerosol generating article (10) with the mouth. The inhalation force when the user inhales one end of the aerosol generating article (10) can be maintained within a certain range. Therefore, the aerosol generating device (100) according to the present invention presents a solution of separately generating an air flow and discharging it toward the aerosol generating article insertion unit (110) in order to reduce the suction resistance generated when the user inhales.

[0039] The sensor unit (130) can sense an external stimulus. Based on the stimulus sensed by the sensor unit (130), the control unit (140) can control the operation of the aerosol generating device (100). In one embodiment, the stimulus can be an external temperature, and the sensor unit (130) can include a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature.

[0040] In another embodiment, the stimulus can be the puff of the user, and the sensor unit (130) can include a puff sensing sensor for sensing the puff of the user. The puff sensing sensor can sense the number of puffs of the user.

[0041] In another embodiment, the stimulus may be a touch of the user, and the sensor unit (130) may include a touch sensor capable of sensing the touch of the user. The touch sensor can sense a minute current generated from the user's hand and can also sense the pressure applied by the user's hand. The touch sensor may be a capacitive touch sensor, a pressure-sensitive touch sensor, or a button-type touch sensor.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1a and 1b, when the temperature sensed by the sensor unit (130) is equal to or higher than a preset temperature, the control unit (140) can open the first opening / closing adjustment member (OC1). In this case, the airflow flowing in from the outside through the first air passage (PA1) can be made to flow into the aerosol generating article insertion part (110), the suction resistance of the user can be reduced, and the heat sensation felt by the user during smoking can be alleviated. Conversely, when the temperature sensed by the sensor unit (130) is lower than the preset temperature, the control unit (140) can close the first opening / closing adjustment member (OC1). In this case, the airflow flowing in from the outside is blocked, the suction resistance of the user can be increased, and the heat sensation felt by the user during smoking can be increased. In one embodiment, the control unit (140) can adjust the opening / closing so as to completely close or completely open the first opening / closing adjustment member (OC1). In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1c, the control unit (140) can adjust the opening / closing so as to completely close, completely open, or partially open the first opening / closing adjustment member (OC1).

[0043] The preset temperature may vary depending on the user's setting. For example, the preset temperature may be 30°C, and when the external temperature sensed by the sensor unit (130) is 30°C or higher, the control unit (140) can open the first opening / closing adjustment member (OC1).

[0044] The sensor unit (130) of the aerosol generator (100) can also sense the temperature of the vaporization unit (150, see Figure 2). The temperature of the vaporization unit (150) can mean the heating temperature for heating the aerosol generating substance in the vaporization unit (150), or can also mean the temperature of the aerosol discharged from the vaporization unit (150) towards the aerosol generating article insertion unit (110).

[0045] Thus, the aerosol generator (100) according to the present invention can adjust the opening and closing of the first opening and closing adjustment member (OC1) based on the external temperature and / or internal temperature detected by the sensor unit (130), thereby adjusting the heat sensation felt by the user and enhancing the user's smoking satisfaction.

[0046] Alternatively, when the number of puffs sensed by the sensor unit (130) is less than the first set number of times, the control unit (140) can open the first opening and closing adjustment member (OC1). In this case, the airflow flowing in from the outside through the first air flow path (PA1) can be made to flow to the aerosol generating article insertion unit (110), reducing the suction resistance of the user and reducing the inconvenience felt by the user due to the heat sensation generated at the beginning of smoking. When the first set number of times is exceeded, since the heat sensation generated during puffing is reduced, it is necessary to lower the suction resistance. Therefore, when the number of puffs sensed by the sensor unit (130) is greater than or equal to the first set number of times, the control unit (140) can close the first opening and closing adjustment member (OC1). When the number of puffs is greater than the first set number and greater than or equal to the second set number of times, the control unit (140) can open the first opening and closing adjustment member (OC1) again, and can lower the suction resistance again in the latter half of smoking. In this way, the control unit (140) can open and close the first opening and closing adjustment member (OC1) according to the number of puffs, and enhance the user's smoking satisfaction with respect to the suction resistance and heat sensation.

[0047] The above-mentioned set number of times can vary according to the user's settings. For example, the first set number of times can be 4 times, and the control unit (140) can open the first on-off adjustment member (OC1) when the number of puffs sensed by the sensor unit (130) is up to 3 times, and can close the first on-off adjustment member (OC1) when the number of puffs is 4 times. Through this, it is possible to reduce the decrease in the user's smoking satisfaction due to the high heat sensation occurring at the initial stage of smoking.

[0048] The second set number of times can be 10 times, and when the number of puffs sensed by the sensor unit (130) reaches 10 times, the control unit (140) can open the first on-off adjustment member (OC1) again. Through this, it is possible to reduce the suction resistance in the latter half of smoking and increase the user's smoking satisfaction.

[0049] By the puff, the user can inhale both aerosol and air. If the user does not inhale a desired amount of aerosol and air by the puff, the user can repeat the puff for smoking satisfaction. Therefore, when continuous puffs are sensed, the sensor unit (130) can open the first on-off adjustment member (OC1) to increase the user's smoking satisfaction.

[0050] In an embodiment, when the sensor unit (130) senses more than a preset number of puffs within a preset time, the first on-off adjustment member (OC1) can be partially opened or fully opened. For example, if the sensor unit (130) senses more than 3 puffs within 5 seconds after one puff, it determines that the suction resistance is high, and the first on-off adjustment member (OC1) can be partially opened or fully opened. When the first on-off adjustment member (OC1) is partially opened, if the sensor unit (130) senses more than a preset number of puffs within the preset time again, the sensor unit (130) still determines that the suction resistance is high and can further open the first on-off adjustment member (OC1).

[0051] However, this is exemplary, and the fixed time can be determined in various ways other than 5 seconds, and the number of puffs sensed within the fixed time can also be determined in various ways other than 3 times or more.

[0052] Alternatively, the control unit (140) can open and close the first opening / closing adjustment member (OC1) based on the number of touches sensed by the sensor unit (130). For example, when the number of touches is 1, the control unit (140) can open the first opening / closing adjustment member (OC1), and when the number of touches is 2, the control unit (140) can close the first opening / closing adjustment member (OC1).

[0053] The control unit (140) can open and close the first opening / closing adjustment member (OC1) based on the duration of the touch sensed by the sensor unit (130). For example, when the duration of the touch is 1 to 3 seconds, the control unit (140) can open the first opening / closing adjustment member (OC1), and when the duration of the touch is 4 to 6 seconds, the control unit (140) can close the first opening / closing adjustment member (OC1).

[0054] The control unit (140) can open and close the first opening / closing adjustment member (OC1) based on the intensity of the touch sensed by the sensor unit (130). For example, when the intensity of the touch reaches the first set intensity, the control unit (140) can open the first opening / closing adjustment member (OC1), and when the intensity of the touch reaches the second set intensity, the control unit (140) can close the first opening / closing adjustment member (OC1). The description of the aforementioned first opening / closing adjustment member (OC1) can also be similarly applied to the opening / closing adjustment members described later.

[0055] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device (100) may further include a vaporizing unit (150). The vaporizing unit (150) may be coupled to the aerosol generating device (100) in an interchangeable manner. The vaporizing unit (150) can heat a liquid composition to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol can be discharged toward the inserted aerosol generating article (10) such that the generated aerosol passes through the aerosol generating article (10) inserted into the aerosol generating article insertion part (110). The generated aerosol can move through an aerosol passage. The aerosol generation passage can also be adjusted to be opened and closed by the same opening and closing adjustment member as the aforementioned opening and closing adjustment member. Accordingly, a tobacco flavor can be added to the aerosol that has passed through the aerosol generating article (10), and the user can inhale through the mouth one end of the aerosol generating article (10) to inhale the aerosol with the added tobacco flavor. Accordingly, the user can inhale both the aerosol generated by the vaporizing unit (150) and the aerosol generated from the heating of the aerosol generating article (10). At this time, the heater module can heat the aerosol generating article (10) at a relatively low temperature. For example, the heater module can heat the aerosol generating article (10) at a temperature of about 40°C to 200°C.

[0056] In still another embodiment, the aerosol generating article insertion part (110) may not include a heating part (120) for heating the inserted aerosol generating article (10). In this case, the aerosol generated by the vaporizing unit (150, see FIG. 2) can have a tobacco flavor added even when passing through the non-heated aerosol generating article (10). In particular, the aerosol generating article (10) that has been taste-adjusted can release tobacco flavor components by contact with the surrounding air or the aerosol. Accordingly, the user can inhale the aerosol with the added tobacco flavor from the non-heated aerosol generating article (10).

[0057] Referring to both FIGS. 1a, 1b and 2, the control unit (140) can generally control the operation of the aerosol generator (100). Specifically, the control unit (140) can control not only the heating unit (120), the sensor unit (130), the vaporization unit (150) and the first on-off adjustment member (OC1), but also the operations of other components included in the aerosol generator (100). In addition, the control unit (140) can check the state of each component of the aerosol generator (100) and determine whether the aerosol generator (100) is in an operable state. For example, the aerosol generator (100) can further include a battery, and the control unit (140) can check the charge state of the battery and determine whether the aerosol generator (100) is in an operable state.

[0058] The control unit (140) can include at least one processor. The processor can also be implemented as an array of a number of logic gates, or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable by the microprocessor. Also, those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present embodiment belongs can easily understand that it can also be implemented in other forms of hardware.

[0059] FIGS. 3a and 3b are diagrams showing another embodiment of the aerosol generator according to the present invention. FIGS. 3a and 3b can be substantially the same as FIGS. 1a and 1b except that a second air flow path (PA2) and a second on-off adjustment member (OC2) are added. Accordingly, descriptions of overlapping configurations are omitted.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 3a and 3b, the aerosol generating device (100) can include first and second air flow passages (PA1, PA2) and first and second opening / closing adjusting members (OC1, OC2). The first opening / closing adjusting member (OC1) can adjust the opening and closing of the first air flow passage (PA1), and the second opening / closing adjusting member (OC2) can adjust the opening and closing of the second air flow passage (PA2). At this time, the first opening / closing adjusting member (OC1) and the second opening / closing adjusting member (OC2) can operate independently of each other. For example, the first opening / closing adjusting member (OC1) and the second opening / closing adjusting member (OC2) are normally closed, and when the stimulus is sensed, they may open simultaneously, or only one of them may open. The opening and closing of the second opening / closing adjusting member (OC2) can also be performed based on the stimulus sensed by the sensor unit (130).

[0061] When the first and second opening / closing adjusting members (OC1, OC2) open simultaneously, a stronger external air flow can be made to flow than when only one of them opens, and the suction resistance of the user can be effectively reduced.

[0062] In FIGS. 1a and 1b, the first opening / closing adjusting member (OC1) is shown as sliding open to one side, but this is exemplary, and as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, it can also slide open to both sides.

[0063] Also, in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the first air flow passage (PA1) and the second air flow passage (PA2) are shown as being joined to each other, but this is exemplary, and the first air flow passage (PA1) and the second air flow passage (PA2) can also be separately connected to the aerosol generating article insertion part (110). Although the opening / closing adjusting devices (OC1, OC2) are shown as being arranged only at the inlet portions of the respective air flow passages (PA1, PA2), this is exemplary and not limited thereto. For example, an opening / closing adjusting member (not shown) may be arranged where the respective air flow passages (PA1, PA2) are joined and connected to the aerosol generating article insertion part (110), and the flow of the air flow may be controlled by the opening / closing adjusting member not shown. This can be similarly applied in the embodiments described below.

[0064] An aerosol generating device (100) disclosed in FIGS. 3a and 3b may also be added with a vaporizing unit (150) described in FIG. 2.

[0065] FIGS. 4a and 4b are diagrams showing still other embodiments of the aerosol generating device according to the present invention. FIGS. 4a and 4b may be substantially the same as FIGS. 3a and 3b except that a third air flow passage (PA3) and a third opening / closing adjustment member (OC3) are added. Accordingly, descriptions of overlapping configurations are omitted.

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4c, the aerosol generating device (100) may include first to third air flow passages (PA1, PA2, PA3) and first to third opening / closing adjustment members (OC1, OC2, OC3). The first opening / closing adjustment member (OC1) adjusts the opening and closing of the first air flow passage (PA1), the second opening / closing adjustment member (OC2) adjusts the opening and closing of the second air flow passage (PA2), and the third opening / closing adjustment member (OC3) can adjust the opening and closing of the third air flow passage (PA3). At this time, the first to third opening / closing adjustment members (OC1, OC2, OC3) can operate independently. For example, as shown in FIG. 4c, the first opening / closing member (OC1) and the second opening / closing member (OC2) may be open, and the third opening / closing member (OC3) may be closed. That is, the first to third opening / closing adjustment members (OC1, OC2, OC3) are usually closed, and when the stimulus is sensed, they may open simultaneously, but at least one or more of them may also open.

[0067] The opening and closing of the third opening / closing adjustment member (OC3) can also be performed based on the stimulus sensed by the sensor unit (130).

[0068] When the aerosol generator (100) adjusts opening and closing using the first and third opening / closing adjustment members (OC1, OC2), the suction resistance during smoking can be reduced using various airflow strengths. For example, if necessary, only one of the first to third opening / closing adjustment members (OC1, OC2, OC3) can be opened to form a weak airflow, or two of the first to third opening / closing adjustment members (OC1, OC2, OC3) can be opened to form an intermediate airflow stronger than the weak airflow, or all of the first to third opening / closing adjustment members (OC1, OC2, OC3) can be opened to form an airflow stronger than the intermediate airflow.

[0069] As described above, the first to third opening / closing members (OC1, OC2, OC3) can open while rotating with one end fixed to the fixed shaft. For example, referring to FIGS. 4a to 4c, the first to third opening / closing adjustment members (OC1, OC2, OC3) can open while rotating 90 degrees with one end fixed.

[0070] Also, in FIGS. 4a to 4c, the first to third air passageways (PA1, PA2, PA3) are shown as being joined to each other, but this is exemplary, and the first air passageway (PA1), the second air passageway (PA2), and the third air passageway (PA3) can each be separately connected to the aerosol generating article insertion portion (110).

[0071] The vaporization portion (150) described in FIG. 2 can also be added to the aerosol generator (100) disclosed in FIGS. 4a to 4c.

[0072] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the aerosol generator according to the present invention. FIG. 5 can be substantially the same as FIG. 4a except that the sizes of the first to third air passageways (PA1, PA2, PA3) are different. Thus, the description of overlapping configurations is omitted.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 5, the first air flow passage (PA1) can have a first size (D1), the second air flow passage (PA2) can have a second size (D2), and the third air flow passage (PA3) can have a third size (D3). In this specification, when the shape of the air flow passage is circular on a plane, the size of the air flow passage means the diameter of the air flow passage. When the shape of the air flow passage is rectangular on a plane, it can be defined by the straight-line distance between one cross-section of the rectangle and another cross-section opposite to the one cross-section. In addition to this, the shape of the air flow passage can be diverse, and the size of the air flow passage can be defined differently according to the shape. For example, when the shape of the air flow passage is triangular on a plane, the size of the air flow passage can also be defined by the area of the triangle.

[0074] The first size (D1), the second size (D2), and the third size (D3) may be different from each other. Thereby, based on the stimulus sensed by the sensor unit (130), when independently adjusting the opening and closing of the first to third opening and closing adjustment members (OC1, OC2, OC3), the strength of the air flow can be adjusted in various ways. Since the first to third sizes (D1, D2, D3) are different from each other, when the first to third opening and closing adjustment members (OC1, OC2, OC3) are independently opened, the strength of the air flow transmitted to the aerosol generating article insertion part (10) can be diverse.

[0075] By designing the first size (D1) to be half of the second size (D2), when opening the first opening and closing adjustment member (OC1), the same effect as when opening the second opening and closing adjustment member (OC2) only halfway can be obtained. Therefore, the aerosol generating device (100) can obtain the same effect as adjusting one or more of the first to third opening and closing adjustment members (OC1, OC2, OC3) to be partially opened only by adjusting the first to third opening and closing adjustment members (OC1, OC2, OC3) to be fully opened and closed.

[0076] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing still another embodiment of the aerosol generating device according to the present invention.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 6, only at least one of the first to third sizes (D1, D2, D3) may be different. For example, the first size (D1) and the second size (D2) may be the same size, and the third size (D3) may be different from the first size (D1) and the second size (D2). Also, the first to third air flow passages (PA1, PA2, PA3) can be connected to the aerosol generating article insertion part (110) after being joined in the middle, or only a part of them can be joined to each other in the middle and then connected to the aerosol generating article insertion part (110). For example, after the first air flow passage (PA1) and the second air flow passage (PA2) are joined in the middle, they are connected to the aerosol generating article insertion part (110), and the third air flow passage (PA3) can be separately connected to the aerosol generating article insertion part (110). However, this is exemplary, and the first to third air flow passages (PA1, PA2, PA3) can also be separately connected to the aerosol generating article insertion part (110).

[0078] Even if the present invention is described in connection with the foregoing preferred embodiments, various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the appended claims include such modifications and variations as long as they belong to the spirit of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0079] 10: Aerosol generating article 100: Aerosol generating device 110: Aerosol generating article insertion part 120: Heating part 130: Sensor part 140: Control part 150: Vaporization part PA1, PA2, PA3: First to third air flow passages OC1, OC2, OC3: First to third opening / closing adjustment members

Claims

1. An aerosol generating article insertion part into which an aerosol generating article can be inserted, A sensor part that senses a stimulus, At least one or more air flow channels connected to the aerosol generating article insertion part and capable of transmitting external air to the aerosol generating article insertion part, and An aerosol generating device capable of controlling the flow of air, including an opening / closing adjustment member that adjusts the opening and closing of the air flow channel based on the stimulus sensed by the sensor part.

2. The aerosol generating device capable of controlling the flow of air according to Claim 1, wherein there are two or more of the air flow channels.

3. The aerosol generating device capable of controlling the flow of air according to Claim 2, wherein at least one size of the air flow channels is different from the sizes of the others.

4. The aerosol generating device capable of controlling the flow of air according to Claim 3, wherein the opening / closing adjustment member opens and closes based on the stimulus sensed by the sensor part.

5. The aerosol generating device capable of controlling the flow of air according to Claim 2, wherein the opening / closing adjustment member adjusts the opening and closing of the air flow channels independently of each other.

6. The stimulus is temperature, When the temperature is equal to or higher than a preset temperature, the opening / closing adjustment member is opened, The aerosol generating device capable of controlling the flow of air according to Claim 1, wherein when the temperature is lower than the preset temperature, the opening / closing adjustment member is closed.

7. The stimulus is the puff of a user, When the number of puffs is less than a first set number, the opening / closing adjustment member is opened, The aerosol generating device capable of controlling the flow of air according to Claim 1, wherein when the number of puffs is equal to or greater than the first set number, the opening / closing adjustment member is closed.

8. When the number of puffs is equal to or greater than a second set number, the opening / closing adjustment member is opened, The aerosol generating device capable of controlling the flow of air according to Claim 7, wherein the second set number is greater than the first set number.

9. The sensor part includes a touch sensor, The aerosol generating device capable of controlling the flow of air according to Claim 1, wherein the opening / closing adjustment member opens and closes based on the number of touches input to the touch sensor.

10. The sensor part includes a touch sensor, The aerosol generating device capable of controlling the flow of air flow according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing adjusting member is opened / closed based on the duration of the touch input to the touch sensor.

11. The sensor unit includes a touch sensor, The aerosol generating device capable of controlling the flow of air flow according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing adjusting member is opened / closed based on the intensity of the touch input to the touch sensor.

12. Further comprising a vaporizing unit that heats a composition to generate an aerosol and discharges the generated aerosol to the aerosol article insertion portion, The aerosol generating device capable of controlling the flow of air flow according to claim 1, wherein the generated aerosol is transmitted to the aerosol article insertion portion through an aerosol passage.

13. The stimulus is the puff of the user, The aerosol generating device capable of controlling the flow of air flow according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing adjusting member is opened when the number of puffs is equal to or more than a preset number during a preset time.

14. The aerosol generating device capable of controlling the flow of air flow according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing adjusting member opens partially or fully.

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