Aerosol generating device

Abstract

An aerosol generation device according to one aspect includes an oscillation unit that generates microwaves, a resonance unit that accommodates an aerosol generation article and heats the aerosol generation article by outputting an electric field due to resonance of the microwaves to the aerosol generation article, and a processor that controls the output of the oscillation unit so that the maximum electric field absorption region of the aerosol generation article is moved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device that heats an aerosol generating article by a dielectric heating method, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating device capable of moving a maximum electric field absorption region of the aerosol generating article.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, the demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes has been increasing. For example, there is an increasing demand for a system that generates an aerosol by heating a cigarette (or "aerosol generating article") using an aerosol generating device, rather than by burning a cigarette to generate an aerosol.

[0003] Conventional aerosol generating devices heat aerosol generating substances by a resistance heating method, an induction heating method, or an ultrasonic heating method. However, such conventional aerosol generating devices have problems in that the preheating speed is slow and uniform heating is impossible compared to the dielectric heating method.

[0004] In addition, some of the conventional aerosol generating devices use a dielectric heating method, but it is only a microwave radiation method using an antenna, and there is a problem that the power transmission efficiency is significantly reduced.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The technical problem of the present disclosure is to provide an aerosol generating device capable of heating an aerosol generating article through a dielectric heating method using microwave resonance in order to solve the above-described problems.

[0006] The technical problem of the present disclosure is not limited to the above, and other technical problems can be analogized from the following examples.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An aerosol generation device according to one aspect includes an oscillation unit that generates microwaves, a resonance unit that houses an aerosol generation article and outputs an electric field due to resonance of the microwaves to the aerosol generation article to heat the aerosol generation article, and a processor that controls the output of the oscillation unit so that the maximum electric field absorption region of the aerosol generation article is moved.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] The aerosol generation device of the present disclosure has the advantage that the power transmission efficiency is significantly increased because it uses microwave resonance to heat a dielectric material.

[0009] In addition, since the aerosol generation device uses microwave resonance to heat the aerosol generation article, the aerosol generation article can be quickly preheated.

[0010] In addition, when the aerosol generation device uses microwave resonance to heat the aerosol generation article, the power consumption can be significantly reduced.

[0011] In addition, the aerosol generation device can provide a uniform taste sensation in the entire heating section by moving the maximum electric field absorption region due to microwave resonance within the aerosol generation article.

[0012] The advantages of the invention are not limited to the contents exemplified above, and more various advantages are included in this specification.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] An aerosol generating device according to one aspect includes an oscillation unit that generates microwaves, a resonance unit that houses an aerosol generating article and outputs an electric field due to resonance of the microwaves to the aerosol generating article to heat the aerosol generating article, and a processor that controls the output of the oscillation unit so that the maximum electric field absorption region of the aerosol generating article is moved.

[0015] Further, the resonance part includes a first plate surrounding one area of the aerosol generating article, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate along the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article and surrounding another area of the aerosol generating article, and a connecting part connecting the first plate and the second plate. The microwave is resonated by the first plate, the second plate, and the connecting part, and the aerosol generating article is heated by the electric field output from the ends of the first plate and the second plate.

[0016] Further, the lengths of the first plate and the second plate are formed shorter than the length of the tobacco rod included in the aerosol generating article, and the tobacco rod is arranged at a position protruding from the ends of the first plate and the second plate in the direction toward the opening in which the aerosol generating article is accommodated. Thus, at the initial stage of heating, a maximum electric field absorption region is generated in a predetermined region of the tobacco rod arranged on the end side of the first plate and the second plate.

[0017] Further, the processor controls the output of the oscillation part so that the maximum electric field absorption region moves along the longitudinal direction of the tobacco rod included in the aerosol generating article.

[0018] Further, the maximum electric field absorption region moves in the tobacco rod in the direction opposite to the direction toward the opening in which the aerosol generating article is accommodated.

[0019] Further, the processor adjusts the magnitude of the microwave power output from the oscillation part according to a preset power profile so that the maximum electric field absorption region of the aerosol generating article moves.

[0020] Further, the processor controls the oscillation part so that microwave power of a first magnitude is output in a preheating section.

[0021] Further, after the preheating period, when the smoking period is started, the processor controls the oscillation unit to output microwave power of a second magnitude smaller than the first magnitude, and as the smoking period progresses, the power output from the oscillation unit is progressively increased so that the maximum electric field absorption region is moved.

[0022] Further, the processor tracks in real time a change in the resonance frequency of the resonance unit due to exhaustion of the dielectric material contained in the aerosol generating article, and adjusts the output frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit based on the change in the resonance frequency of the resonance unit.

[0023] Further, the processor controls the magnitude of the microwave power and the output frequency of the microwave power independently of each other.

[0024] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail. However, regardless of the reference numerals in the drawings, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0025] The suffixes “~module” and “~unit” related to the components used in the following description are given or mixed only for ease of specification writing, and do not have meanings or roles that are distinguishable from each other by themselves.

[0026] Also, in the description of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, when it is determined that a specific description of related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof is omitted. Further, the accompanying drawings are only for facilitating understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical idea disclosed in this specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and it should be understood that all changes, equivalents or alternatives included in the idea and technical scope of this disclosure are included.

[0027] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first and second can be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0028] When it is mentioned that a certain component is "connected to" or "attached to" another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected to or attached to the other component, but there may also be other components in between. In addition, when it is mentioned that a certain component is "directly connected to" or "directly attached to" another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0029] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment also includes a housing 110 that can accommodate an aerosol generating article 10, and a heater assembly 200 for heating the aerosol generating article 10 accommodated in the housing 110.

[0032] The housing 110 forms the overall appearance of the aerosol generating device 100, and components of the aerosol generating device 100 can be arranged in the internal space (or "mounting space") of the housing 110. For example, a heater assembly 200, a battery, a processor, and / or a sensor can be arranged in the internal space of the housing 110, but the components arranged in the internal space are not limited thereto.

[0033] In a region of the housing 110, an insertion port 110h is formed, and at least one region of the aerosol generating article 10 can be inserted into the housing 110 through the insertion port 110h. For example, the insertion port 110h can be formed in a region of the upper end surface (e.g., the surface facing in the z direction) of the housing 110, but the position where the insertion port 110h is formed is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the insertion port 110h can also be formed in a region of the side surface (e.g., the surface facing in the x direction) of the housing 110.

[0034] The heater assembly 200 is disposed in the internal space of the housing 110 and can heat the aerosol generating article 10 inserted or accommodated in the housing 110 through the insertion port 110h. For example, the heater assembly 200 is disposed so as to surround at least one region of the aerosol generating article 10 inserted or accommodated in the housing 110 and can heat the aerosol generating article 10.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the heater assembly 200 can heat the aerosol generating article 10 by a dielectric heating method. In the present disclosure, the "dielectric heating method" means a method of heating a dielectric material, which is the object to be heated, by utilizing the resonance of microwaves and / or the electric field (or magnetic field including the electric field) of microwaves. The microwaves are an energy source for heating the object to be heated and are generated by high-frequency power. Therefore, hereinafter, the microwaves can be used interchangeably with microwave power.

[0036] Inside the heater assembly 200, due to microwave resonance, the charges or ions of the dielectric contained inside the aerosol generating article 10 vibrate or rotate, and heat is generated in the dielectric due to the frictional heat generated during the process in which the charges or ions vibrate or rotate, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated.

[0037] When the aerosol-generating article 10 is heated by the heater assembly 200, an aerosol can be generated from the aerosol-generating article 10. In the present disclosure, "aerosol" can mean gaseous particles generated by mixing vapor and air generated by heating the aerosol-generating article 10.

[0038] The aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating article 10 can be discharged to the outside of the aerosol-generating device 100 by passing through the aerosol-generating article 10 or through the empty space between the aerosol-generating article 10 and the insertion port 110h. The user can smoke by bringing the mouth into contact with a region of the aerosol-generating article 10 exposed to the outside of the housing 110 and inhaling the aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol-generating device 100.

[0039] The aerosol-generating device 100 according to one embodiment further includes a cover 111 movably arranged in the housing 110 for opening and closing the insertion port 110h. For example, the cover 111 is slidably coupled to the upper end surface of the housing 110 to expose the insertion port 110h to the outside of the aerosol-generating device 100 or to cover the insertion port 110h so that the insertion port 110h is not exposed to the outside of the aerosol-generating device 100.

[0040] In one example, the cover 111 is configured such that the insertion port 110h is exposed to the outside of the aerosol-generating device 100 in the first position (or "open position"). When the aerosol-generating device 100 is exposed to the outside, the aerosol-generating article 10 can be inserted into the housing 110 through the insertion port 110h.

[0041] In another example, in the second position (or "closed position"), the cover 111 covers the insertion port 110h so that the insertion port 110h is not exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100. At this time, when the aerosol generating device 100 is not in use, the cover 111 can prevent foreign substances from flowing into the inside of the heater assembly 200 through the insertion port 110h.

[0042] FIG. 1 only shows an aerosol generating device 100 for heating a solid-state aerosol generating article 10, but the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

[0043] An aerosol generating device according to another embodiment can also heat a liquid or gel-like aerosol generating substance instead of the solid-state aerosol generating article 10 through the heater assembly 200 to generate an aerosol.

[0044] An aerosol generating device according to still another embodiment includes a heater assembly 200 for heating the aerosol generating article 10 and a cartridge (or "vaporizer") containing a liquid or gel-like aerosol generating substance for heating the aerosol generating substance. The aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substance moves along the cartridge and an air flow path communicating with the aerosol generating article 10 to the aerosol generating article 10, and after being mixed with the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article 10, it can pass through the aerosol generating article 10 and be transmitted to the user.

[0045] FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 100 also includes an input unit 102, an output unit 103, a sensor unit 104, a communication unit 105, a memory 106, a battery 107, an interface unit 108, a power conversion unit 109, and a dielectric heating unit 200.

[0047] The input unit 102 can receive user input. For example, the input unit 102 can be provided as a single pressure-type push button. As another example, the input unit 102 is also a touch panel including at least one touch sensor. The input unit 102 can transmit an input signal to the processor 101. The processor 101 can supply power to the dielectric heating unit 200 or control the output unit 103 based on the user input to output a user notification.

[0048] The output unit 103 can output information related to the state of the aerosol generating device 100. The output unit 103 can output the charge / discharge state of the battery 107, the heating state of the dielectric heating unit 200, the insertion state of the aerosol generating article 10, and the error information of the aerosol generating device 100. For this purpose, the output unit 103 also includes a display, a haptic motor, and an acoustic output unit.

[0049] The sensor unit 104 can sense the state of the aerosol generating device 100 or the surrounding state of the aerosol generating device 100 and transmit the sensed information to the processor 101. The processor 101 can control the aerosol generating device 100 based on the sensed information so that various functions such as heating control of the dielectric heating unit 200, smoking restriction, determination of whether the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted, and notification display are performed.

[0050] The sensor unit 104 also includes a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, and an insertion sensing sensor.

[0051] The temperature sensor can non-contactedly sense the temperature inside the dielectric heating unit 200 or contact the dielectric heating unit 200 to directly obtain the temperature of the resonator. According to one embodiment, the temperature sensor can also sense the temperature of the aerosol generating article 10. Further, the temperature sensor is arranged adjacent to the battery 107 and can obtain the temperature of the battery 107. The processor 101 can control the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200 based on the temperature information of the temperature sensor.

[0052] The puff sensor can sense the user's puff. The puff sensor can sense the user's puff based on at least one of a temperature change, a flow change, an electric power change, and a pressure change. The processor 101 can control the electric power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200 based on the puff information of the puff sensor. For example, the processor 101 can count the number of puffs, and when the number of puffs reaches a preset maximum number of puffs, it can cut off the electric power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200. As another example, when no puff is sensed for a preset time or more, the processor 101 can cut off the electric power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200.

[0053] The insertion sensing sensor is arranged inside the accommodation space 220h (Fig. 4) or adjacent to the accommodation space 220h, and can sense the insertion and removal of the aerosol generating article 10 accommodated in the insertion port 110h. For example, the insertion sensing sensor may include an inductive sensor and / or a capacitance sensor. When the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the insertion port 110h, the processor 101 can supply electric power to the dielectric heating unit 200.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the sensor unit 104 may additionally include a reuse sensing sensor, a motion sensing sensor, a humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a cover detachment sensing sensor, a position sensor (GPS (global positioning system)), and a proximity sensor, etc. Since the functions of each sensor can be intuitively inferred from its name, specific descriptions are omitted.

[0055] The communication unit 105 also includes at least one communication module for communication with an external electronic device. The processor 101 can control the communication unit 105 and transmit information related to the aerosol generating device 100 to the external electronic device. Or, the processor 101 can receive information from the external electronic device via the communication unit 105 and control the components included in the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the transmission information between the communication unit 105 and the external electronic device may include user authentication information, firmware update information, and user smoking pattern information, etc.

[0056] The memory 106 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device 100, and can store the data processed by the processor 101 and the data to be processed. For example, the memory 106 can store the operating time of the aerosol generating device 100, the maximum puff count, the current puff count, at least one temperature profile, and data related to the user's smoking pattern.

[0057] The battery 107 can supply power to the dielectric heating unit 200 so that the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated. Further, the battery 107 can supply power required for the operation of other components provided within the aerosol generating device 100. The battery 107 is also a rechargeable battery and a separable detachable battery.

[0058] The interface unit 108 also includes connection terminals that can be physically connected to an external electronic device. The connection terminals include at least one of an HDMI (registered trademark) (high definition multimedia interface) connector, a USB (universal serial bus) connector, an SD (secure digital) card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector), or a combination thereof. The interface unit 108 can transmit and receive information to and from an external electronic device or charge the power supply via the connection terminals.

[0059] The power conversion unit 109 can convert the DC power supply supplied from the battery 107 into an AC power supply. Further, the power conversion unit 109 can provide the converted AC power supply to the dielectric heating unit 200. The power conversion unit 109 is also an inverter including at least one switching element, and the processor 101 can control the ON / OFF of the switching element included in the power conversion unit 109 to convert the DC power supply into an AC power supply. The power conversion unit 109 can be configured as a full-bridge or a half-bridge.

[0060] The dielectric heating unit 200 can heat the aerosol generating article 10 by the dielectric heating method. The dielectric heating unit 200 also has a configuration corresponding to the heater assembly 200 in FIG. 1.

[0061] The dielectric heating unit 200 can utilize microwaves and / or the electric field of microwaves (hereinafter, referred to as microwaves or microwave power when there is no need for distinction) to heat the aerosol generating article 10. The heating method of the dielectric heating unit 200 is not a method of radiating the microwaves using an antenna, but is also a method of heating the object to be heated by forming the microwaves within a resonance structure. The resonance structure will be described later with reference to FIG. 4 and below.

[0062] The dielectric heating unit 200 can output microwaves, which are high-frequency waves, to the resonance unit 220 (FIG. 3). The microwaves are also the power in the ISM (industrial, scientific and medical equipment) band allowed for heating, but are not limited thereto. The resonance unit 220 can be designed in consideration of the wavelength of the microwaves so that the microwaves can be resonated within the resonance unit 220.

[0063] The aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the resonance unit 220, and the dielectric substance in the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by the resonance unit 220. For example, the aerosol generating article 10 also contains a polar substance, and the molecules in the polar substance can be polarized inside the resonance unit 220. The molecules vibrate or rotate due to the polarization phenomenon, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by the frictional heat generated during this process. The description related to the dielectric heating unit 200 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

[0064] Processor 101 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 100. Processor 101 can be embodied by an array of a large number of logic gates, or can also be embodied by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the microprocessor is stored. It can also be embodied by other forms of hardware.

[0065] Processor 101 can control the DC power supplied from the battery 107 to the power conversion unit 109 and / or the AC power supplied from the power conversion unit 109 to the dielectric heating unit 200 according to the required power of the dielectric heating unit 200.

[0066] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a converter that boosts or intensifies DC power, and processor 101 can control the converter and adjust the magnitude of the DC power. Also, processor 101 can control the AC power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200 by adjusting the switching frequency and duty ratio of the switching elements included in the power conversion unit 109.

[0067] Processor 101 can control the heating temperature of the aerosol generating article 10 by controlling the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit 200 and the resonance frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200. Therefore, the oscillation unit 210, isolation unit 240, power monitoring unit 250, and matching unit 260 shown in FIG. 3 described later are also part of the configuration of processor 101.

[0068] Processor 101 can control the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit 200 based on the temperature profile information stored in the memory 106. In other words, the temperature profile includes information related to the target temperature of the dielectric heating unit 200 over time, and processor 101 can control the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit 200 over time.

[0069] The processor 101 can adjust the frequency of the microwave so that the resonance frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200 is constant. The processor 101 can track in real time the change in the resonance frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200 due to the heating of the object to be heated, and control the dielectric heating unit 200 so that the microwave frequency based on the changed resonance frequency is output. In other words, the processor 101 can change the microwave frequency in real time regardless of the pre-stored temperature profile.

[0070] Figure 3 is an internal block diagram of the dielectric heating unit of Figure 2.

[0071] Referring to Figure 3, the dielectric heating unit 200 also includes an oscillation unit 210, an isolation unit 240, a power monitoring unit 250, a matching unit 260, a microwave output unit 230, and a resonance unit 220.

[0072] The oscillation unit 210 can be provided with AC power from the power conversion unit 109 and generate high-frequency microwave power. According to one embodiment, the power conversion unit 109 is also configured to be included in the oscillation unit 210. The microwave power can be selected from among the frequency bands of 915 MHz, 2.45 GHz, and 5.8 GHz included in the ISM band.

[0073] The oscillation unit 210 can include an RF (radio frequency) generation device on a solid-state substrate and use it to generate microwave power. The RF generation device on the solid-state substrate can be implemented by a semiconductor. When the oscillation unit 210 is implemented with a semiconductor, there are advantages such as the possibility of miniaturizing the dielectric heating unit 200 and extending the device life.

[0074] The oscillation unit 210 can output microwave power towards the resonance unit 220. The oscillation unit 210 includes a power amplifier (power amp) that increases or decreases the microwave power, and the power amplifier can adjust the magnitude of the microwave power under the control of the processor 101. For example, the power amplifier can increase or decrease the amplitude of the microwave. By adjusting the amplitude of the microwave, the microwave power can be adjusted.

[0075] The processor 101 can adjust the magnitude of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 based on a pre-stored power profile. For example, the power profile includes target power information for a preheating section and a smoking section, and the oscillation unit 210 can supply microwave power at a first power in the preheating section and supply microwave power at a second power smaller than the first power in the smoking section.

[0076] The isolation unit 240 can block the microwave power input from the resonance unit 220 towards the oscillation unit 210. Most of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 is absorbed by the object to be heated, but due to the heating state of the object to be heated, a part of the microwave power can be reflected by the object to be heated and further transmitted to the oscillation unit 210 side. This is because the impedance seen from the oscillation unit 210 to the resonance unit 220 changes due to the depletion of polar molecules caused by the heating of the object to be heated. The meaning of "the impedance seen from the oscillation unit 210 to the resonance unit 220 changes" is the same as the meaning of "the resonance frequency of the resonance unit 220 changes". When the microwave power reflected by the resonance unit 220 is input to the oscillation unit 210, not only the failure of the oscillation unit 210 but also the expected output performance cannot be achieved. The isolation unit 240 can guide the microwave power reflected by the resonance unit 220 in a predetermined direction without returning it to the oscillation unit 210 and absorb it. For this purpose, the isolation unit 240 also includes a circulator and a dummy load.

[0077] The power monitoring unit 250 can monitor the microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 and the reflected microwave power reflected by the resonance unit 220 respectively. The power monitoring unit 250 can transmit information related to the microwave power and the reflected microwave power to the matching unit 260.

[0078] The matching unit 260 can match the impedance seen from the oscillation unit 210 to the resonance unit 220 and the impedance seen from the resonance unit 220 to the oscillation unit 210 so that the reflected microwave power is minimized. This impedance matching also means the same as making the frequency of the oscillation unit 210 coincide with the resonance frequency of the resonance unit 220. Therefore, the matching unit 260 can vary the frequency of the oscillation unit 210 to match the impedance. In other words, the matching unit 260 can adjust the frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 so that the reflected microwave power is minimized. The impedance matching of the matching unit 260 can be performed in real time regardless of the temperature profile.

[0079] Note that the aforementioned oscillation unit 210, isolation unit 240, power monitoring unit 250, and matching unit 260 are separate configurations distinct from the microwave output unit 230 and resonance unit 220 described later, and can be implemented as a chip - shaped microwave source. Also, according to one embodiment, the aforementioned oscillation unit 210, isolation unit 240, power monitoring unit 250, and matching unit 260 can also be implemented as part of the processor 101.

[0080] The microwave output unit 230 is configured to input microwave power to the resonance unit 220 and also corresponds to the coupler shown in FIG. 4 and below. The microwave output unit 230 can be embodied in the form of SMA (SubMiniature Version A), SMB (SubMiniature Version B), MCX (Micro Coaxial), or MMCX (Micro-Miniature Coaxial) connectors. The microwave output unit 230 can connect the chip-shaped microwave source and the resonance unit 220 to each other and transmit the microwave power generated in the microwave source to the resonance unit 220.

[0081] The resonance unit 220 can heat the object to be heated by forming microwaves within the resonance structure. The resonance unit 220 includes an accommodation space in which the aerosol generating article 10 is accommodated, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be exposed to microwaves and dielectrically heated. For example, the aerosol generating article 10 also contains a polar substance, and the molecules within the polar substance can be polarized by microwaves inside the resonance unit 220. The molecules vibrate or rotate due to the polarization phenomenon, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by the frictional heat generated during this process.

[0082] The resonance unit 220 includes at least one internal conductor so that microwaves can be resonated, and microwaves can be resonated inside the resonance unit 220 depending on the arrangement, thickness, length, etc. of the internal conductor.

[0083] The resonance unit 220 can be designed in consideration of the wavelength of the microwave so that the microwave can resonate inside the resonance unit 220. In order for the microwave to resonate inside the resonance unit 220, a cross-section having a closed end and an open end with at least one region of the cross-section opened in the direction opposite to the closed end is required. Also, the length between the closed end and the open end must be set to an integer multiple of 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength. The resonance unit 220 of the present disclosure selects 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength for miniaturization of the device. In other words, the length between the closed end and the open end of the resonance unit 220 can be set to 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength.

[0084] The resonance unit 220 also includes a dielectric accommodation space. The dielectric accommodation space is configured to be separated from the accommodation space of the aerosol generating article 10, and a substance that can change the overall resonance frequency of the resonance unit 220 and miniaturize the resonance unit 220 is arranged therein. In one embodiment, a dielectric having a low microwave absorption degree can be accommodated in the dielectric accommodation space. This is to prevent the phenomenon that the energy that must be transmitted to the object to be heated is transmitted to the dielectric and the dielectric itself generates heat. The microwave absorption degree can be expressed by the loss tangent, which is the ratio of the imaginary part to the real part of the complex dielectric constant. In one embodiment, a dielectric having a loss tangent equal to or less than a preset magnitude, which is also 1 / 100, is accommodated in the dielectric accommodation space 227. For example, the dielectric is at least one of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and aluminum oxide, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

[0085] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to an embodiment.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 4, the heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment also includes an oscillation unit 210 and a resonance unit 220. FIG. 4 is also one embodiment of the aforementioned heater assembly 200 and the dielectric heating unit 200, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted hereinafter.

[0087] As power is supplied to the oscillation unit 210, it can generate microwaves in a specified frequency band. The microwaves generated by the oscillation unit 210 can be transmitted to the resonance unit 220 via a coupler (not shown).

[0088] The resonance unit 220 also includes an accommodation space 220h for accommodating at least one region of the aerosol generating article 10, and can heat the aerosol generating article 10 by dielectric heating by resonating the microwaves generated by the oscillation unit 210. For example, due to the resonance of the microwaves, the charges of the glycerin contained in the aerosol generating article 10 vibrate or rotate, and heat is generated in the glycerin due to the frictional heat generated during the vibration or rotation of the charges, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the resonance unit 220 can be formed of a material with a low microwave absorption rate to prevent the microwaves generated by the oscillation unit 210 from being absorbed by the resonance unit 220.

[0090] Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 5, the specific structure of the resonance unit 220 of the heater assembly 200 will be described.

[0091] FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the heater assembly according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 5, the heater assembly 200 according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 also includes a resonance unit 220 that generates microwave resonance and a coupler 211 that supplies microwaves to the resonance unit 220.

[0093] The resonance part 220 also includes a case 221, a plurality of plates 223a, 223b, and a connecting part 222 that connects the plurality of plates 223a, 223b and the case 221.

[0094] The coupler 211 can supply microwaves to at least one of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b so as to generate microwave resonance from the resonance part 220.

[0095] The resonance part 220 can surround at least one area of the aerosol generating article 10 inserted inside the aerosol generating device. The coupler 211 can supply the microwaves generated by an oscillation part (not shown) to the resonance part 220. When microwaves are supplied to the resonance part 220, microwave resonance occurs in the resonance part 220, and the resonance part 220 can heat the aerosol generating article 10. For example, the dielectric contained in the aerosol generating article 10 generates heat due to the electric field generated inside the resonance part 220 by the microwaves, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by the heat generated in the dielectric.

[0096] The case 221 of the resonance part 220 functions as an "outer conductor". Since the case 221 is formed in a hollow shape with an empty interior, the components of the resonance part 220 can be arranged inside the case 221.

[0097] The case 221 also includes a storage space 220h in which the aerosol generating article 10 can be stored and an opening 221a through which the aerosol generating article 10 can be inserted. The opening 221a is connected to the storage space 220h. Since the opening 221a is open toward the outside of the case 221, the storage space 220h is connected to the outside through the opening 221a. Therefore, the aerosol generating article 10 can be inserted into the storage space 220h of the case 221 through the opening 221a of the case 221.

[0098] The case 221 illustrated in the drawings has a square cross-sectional shape, but the shape of the case 221 can be deformed into various shapes. For example, the structure of the case 221 can be deformed to have various cross-sectional shapes such as rectangular, elliptical or circular. The case 221 can be elongated in one direction.

[0099] Inside the case 221, a plurality of plates 223a, 223b that can perform the function of the "inner conductor" of the resonance part 220 can be arranged.

[0100] The plurality of plates 223a, 223b can be arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article 10 accommodated in the accommodation space 220h. The plurality of plates 223a, 223b also include a first plate 223a arranged to surround one region of the aerosol generating article 10 and a second plate 223b arranged to surround another region of the aerosol generating article 10.

[0101] The plurality of plates 223a, 223b can be connected to the case 221 by the connecting part 222. Also, one end of the first plate 223a and one end of the second plate 223b of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b can be connected to each other by the connecting part 222. Therefore, at one end of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b, a closed end portion by the connecting part 222 can be formed.

[0102] The other end 223af of the first plate 223a and the other end 223bf of the second plate 223b of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b can be opened by being spaced apart from each other. Since the other ends of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b are spaced apart from each other, an open end portion can be formed at the other ends of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b.

[0103] By connecting the plurality of plates 223a, 223b and the connecting part 222 to each other, a resonator assembly can be completed. The shape of the cross-section cut along the longitudinal direction of the resonator assembly also includes a "horseshoe-shape".

[0104] The plurality of plates 223a, 223b extend in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 10. At least a portion of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b can be curved so as to protrude outward from the longitudinal center of the aerosol generating article 10.

[0105] For example, when the aerosol generating article 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the plurality of plates 223a, 223b can be formed to be curved in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol generating article 10. The radius of curvature of the cross section of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b can also be the same as the radius of curvature of the aerosol generating article 10. The radius of curvature of the cross section of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b can be variously deformed. For example, the radius of curvature of the cross section of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b can be larger or smaller than the radius of curvature of the aerosol generating article 10.

[0106] According to the structure in which the plurality of plates 223a, 223b are formed to be curved in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol generating article 10, a more uniform electric field is formed in the resonance portion 220, so that the heater assembly 200 can uniformly heat the aerosol generating article 10.

[0107] The open ends of the other ends of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b can be positioned so as to face the opening 221a of the case 221. The opening 221a of the case 221 can be positioned so as to be spaced in a direction away from the ends of the other ends of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b.

[0108] The open ends of the other ends of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b can be aligned with the opening 221a of the case 221. Therefore, if the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted through the opening 221a of the case 221 and positioned in the accommodation space 220h, a portion of the aerosol generating article 10 positioned in the accommodation space 220h can be surrounded by the plurality of plates 223a, 223b.

[0109] A plurality of plates 223a, 223b are arranged in two positions opposite to the longitudinal center of the aerosol generating article 10. One embodiment is not limited by the number of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b, and the number of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b may be, for example, three, or four or more.

[0110] The plurality of plates 223a, 223b can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article 10, that is, the central axis in the direction in which the aerosol generating article 10 extends.

[0111] At least one of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b can contact a coupler 211 connected to an oscillation part (not shown). Specifically, at least a part of the first plate 223a can contact the coupler 211. If microwaves are transmitted to the first plate 223a via the coupler 211, microwave resonance is formed between the plurality of plates 223a, 223b. Also, microwave resonance is formed between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the case 321, and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the case 321, respectively. Therefore, an electric field can be generated between the plurality of plates 223a, 223b and the connecting part 222, between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the case 321, and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the case 321, respectively.

[0112] The coupler 211 penetrates the case 221, one end of the coupler 211 can contact an oscillation part (not shown), and the other end of the coupler 211 can contact a region of the first plate 223a. When the microwaves generated by the oscillation part (not shown) are transmitted to the plurality of plates 223a, 223b and the connecting part 222 via the coupler 211, an electric field can be generated inside the assembly of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b and the connecting part 222.

[0113] Moreover, according to the structure of the resonance part 220 of the heater assembly 200, a triple resonance mode can be formed in the resonance part 220. Between the plurality of plates 223a and 223b, resonance in the TEM mode (transverse electric & magnetic mode) of microwaves is formed. Also, between the first plate 223a and the upper plate of the case 221, and between the second plate 223b and the lower plate of the case 221, respectively, resonance in a TEM mode different from the resonance formed between the plurality of plates 223a and 223b is formed. Since the resonance part 220 in FIG. 5 enables resonance in the TEM mode by the plurality of plates 223a and 223b, it can be manufactured in a smaller size than a conventional cylindrical resonator that is only capable of the TE (transverse electric) mode and the TM (transverse magnetic) mode.

[0114] In the resonance part 220 of the heater assembly 200, due to the occurrence of triple resonance, the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated more effectively and uniformly.

[0115] The resonance part 220 according to the above-described embodiment also includes a closed end (short end) whose cross-section is closed so as to have a length of 1 / 4 of the wavelength (λ) of microwaves, and an open end located on the side opposite to the closed end and having at least one region of the cross-section opened.

[0116] In FIG. 5, the region at one end of the resonance part 220 corresponding to the left region forms a closed end that is closed due to the structure in which one end of the plurality of plates 223a and 223b and the connecting part 222 are connected to the case 221. In FIG. 5, the region at the other end of the resonance part 220 corresponding to the right region forms an open end due to the opening 221a of the case 221 being opened to the outside. Due to such a structure of the resonance part 220, the resonance part 220 can operate as a resonator having a 1 / 4 wavelength length of microwaves.

[0117] According to the resonance structure of the resonance part 220 described above, an electric field is not propagated in the outer region of the resonance part 220. Therefore, the heater assembly 200 can prevent the electric field from leaking to the outside of the heater assembly 200 even without a separate shielding member for shielding the electric field.

[0118] The aerosol-generating article 10 inserted into the accommodation space 220h of the case 221 is surrounded by the first plate 223a and the second plate 223b and can be heated by the dielectric heating method. For example, a part including the medium of the aerosol-generating article 10 inserted into the accommodation space 220h of the case 221 can be arranged in the space between the first plate 223a and the second plate 223b. The dielectric contained in the aerosol-generating article 10 generates heat due to the electric field generated in the space between the first plate 223a and the second plate 223b, so that the aerosol-generating article 10 can be heated.

[0119] In addition, a secondary heating action on the aerosol-generating article 10 can be performed by the action of the electric field in the resonance mode formed respectively between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the case 321 and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the case 321.

[0120] According to one embodiment, the aerosol-generating article 10 also includes a tobacco rod 11 and a filter rod 12.

[0121] The tobacco rod 11 contains aerosol generating substances and may be made of a sheet or strand, or may also be made of shredded tobacco in which the tobacco sheet is finely shredded. For example, the aerosol generating substances may include, but are not limited to, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. Further, the tobacco rod 11 may also contain other additive substances such as flavoring agents, wetting agents, and / or organic acids. Also, a flavoring liquid such as menthol or a humectant may be added to the tobacco rod 11 by a method of spraying it onto the tobacco rod 11.

[0122] The filter rod 12 is also a cellulose acetate filter. There is no limitation on the shape of the filter rod 12. For example, the filter rod 12 may be a cylindrical rod or a tube-shaped rod having a hollow inside. Also, the filter rod 12 may be a recessed rod. If the filter rod 12 is composed of a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may also be made in a different shape.

[0123] At least a part (e.g., glycerin) of the aerosol generating substances contained in the aerosol generating article 10 is also a polar dielectric in an electric field, and at least a part of such aerosol generating substances can generate heat by a dielectric heating method to heat the aerosol generating article 10.

[0124] When the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the resonance part 220 through the accommodation space 220h, the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol generating article 10 may be located between a plurality of plates 223a, 223b.

[0125] The length L4 of the tobacco rod 11 can be formed longer than the lengths L1 of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b. Therefore, the front end portion 11f of the tobacco rod 11 in contact with the filter rod 12 is positioned at a position protruding from the other end 223af of the first plate 223a and the other end 223bf of the second plate 223b in the direction toward the opening 221a of the case 221.

[0126] Resonance peaks are formed at the other ends of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b that operate as resonators, and a strong electric field can be generated in a region compared to other regions. When the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the heater assembly 200, the tobacco rod 11 containing a dielectric that can generate heat by the electric field is arranged so as to correspond to the region where the electric field is the strongest, thereby improving the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the heater assembly 200.

[0127] Referring to FIG. 5, the length L1 of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b can be set shorter than the length (L1 + L2) of the internal space of the case 221. Therefore, the other ends of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b can be located inside the case 221 from the opening 221a. That is, the other ends of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b can be positioned so as to be separated by a distance L2 from the rear end portion of the opening 221a.

[0128] The length from the rear end portion of the opening 221a connected to the case 221 to the front end portion of the opening 221a where the opening 221a is opened is also L3. The total length of the case 221 along the longitudinal direction of the case 221 is also L. The overall length L of the case 221 can be determined by the sum of the length L1 of the plurality of plates 223a, 223b, the length between the plurality of plates 223a, 223b and the rear end portion of the opening 221a separated by L2, and the length L3 by which the opening 221a protrudes from the case 221.

[0129] In order to prevent microwave leakage, the front end of the opening 221a through which the opening 221a is opened is positioned so as to protrude from the case 221 by a length of L3. By protruding the opening 221a of the case 221 from the case 221, the opening 221a can function to prevent the microwave inside the case 221 of the resonance unit 220 from leaking to the outside of the case 221.

[0130] The resonance unit 220 further includes a dielectric accommodation space 227 for accommodating a dielectric. The dielectric accommodation space 227 can be formed in the space between the case 221 and the plurality of plates 223a, 223b. A dielectric with a low microwave absorption degree can be accommodated in the dielectric accommodation space 227.

[0131] By arranging a dielectric inside the dielectric accommodation space 227, the heater assembly 200 can generate an electric field at the same level as the electric field generated in the resonance unit without a dielectric while reducing the overall size of the resonance unit 220. That is, by means of the dielectric arranged inside the dielectric accommodation space 227, the size of the resonance unit 220 can be reduced, and the mounting space of the resonance unit 220 in the aerosol generating device can be reduced. As a result, the aerosol generating device can be miniaturized.

[0132] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0133] Referring to FIG. 6, when the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the support cylinder 225 of the resonance unit 220, the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol generating article 10 can be positioned between the plurality of plates 223a, 223b. Since the closed surface at one end of the support cylinder 225 supports the left end of the tobacco rod 11, the movement of the aerosol generating article 10 facing the left side direction can be restricted.

[0134] The lengths L1 of the plurality of plates 223a and 223b can be set shorter than the length (L1 + L2) of the internal space of the case 221. Therefore, the other ends of the plurality of plates 223a and 223b can be located at positions spaced apart from the opening 221a inside the case 221. That is, the other ends of the plurality of plates 223a and 223b can be located so as to be spaced apart by a distance L2 from the rear end of the opening 221a.

[0135] The length of the opening 221a protruding from the case 221 is also L3. The total length of the case 221 along the longitudinal direction of the case 221 is also L. The total length L of the case 221 is defined in the range of 25 mm to 35 mm, and the total length L of the case 221 in FIG. 6 is about 29 mm. In order to prevent leakage of microwaves, the length L3 of the opening 221a is also 5 mm or more.

[0136] The height H of the case 221 in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the case 221 is defined in the range of 13 to 25 mm, and the height H of the case 221 in FIG. 6 is about 16 mm.

[0137] The front end of the dielectric 224 disposed inside the resonance part 220 can protrude from the other ends of the plurality of plates 223a and 223b in the longitudinal direction of the case 221. In FIG. 6, the front end of the dielectric 224 can contact the inner surface of the case 221. The length L2 by which the front end of the dielectric 224 protrudes from the other ends of the plurality of plates 223a and 223b can be variously deformed. Therefore, the front end of the dielectric 224 can be spaced apart from the inner surface of the case 221 so that the front end of the dielectric 224 protrudes from the other ends of the plurality of plates 223a and 223b but does not contact the inner surface of the case 221.

[0138] At least a part of the first plate 223a among the plurality of plates 223a and 223b can contact the coupler 211. The position where the coupler 211 and the first plate 223a contact each other can be defined at a position further adjacent to the connecting part 222 than the opening 221a in the section from the opening 221a to the connecting part 222.

[0139] When microwaves are transmitted through the coupler 211 to the first plate 223a, microwave resonance is formed between the multiple plates 223a and 223b. Also, microwave resonance is formed between the first plate 223a and the upper plate of the case 221, and between the second plate 223b and the lower plate of the case 221, respectively. Therefore, an electric field can be generated between the multiple plates 223a and 223b and the connecting portion 222, between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the case 321, and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the case 321, respectively. In particular, resonance peaks are formed at the end portions 223af and 223bf of the first plate 223a and the second plate 223b that operate as resonators, and a stronger electric field can be generated compared to other regions.

[0140] Note that the front end of the tobacco rod 11 in contact with the filter rod 12 is located at a position protruding from the other end 223af of the first plate 223a and the other end 223bf of the second plate 223b in the direction toward the opening 221a of the case 221. Thereby, at the initial stage of heating, the maximum electric field absorption region 610 can be arranged in the tobacco rod 11 disposed on the end portions 223af and 223bf sides of the first plate 223a and the second plate 223b. The maximum electric field absorption region 610 can be increased or decreased by the output of the oscillation unit 210. Also, the initial stage of heating may mean until a predetermined time elapses after the start of the smoking section.

[0141] In FIG. 7 below, the maximum electric field generation region in the resonator will be described via the electric field distribution, and in FIG. 8, the maximum electric field absorption region will be described via the heating density distribution of the tobacco rod 11.

[0142] FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing the electric field distribution of the heater assembly according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0143] The electric field distribution illustrated in FIG. 7 shows the intensity of the voltage (V / m) per unit length of the resonance portion.

[0144] Referring to FIG. 7, according to the structure of the resonance part 220 of the heater assembly, in the resonance part 220, a triple resonance mode can be formed. Between the plurality of plates 223a and 223b, a resonance in the TEM mode of microwaves is formed. Also, between the first plate 233a and the upper plate of the case 221, and between the second plate 223b and the lower plate of the case 221, respectively, a resonance in a TEM mode different from the resonance formed between the plurality of plates 223a and 223b is formed. In particular, resonance peaks are formed at the ends of each of the first plate 223a and the second plate 223b, and it can be known that a strong electric field is generated compared to other regions.

[0145] FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing the heating density distribution of an aerosol generating article heated by a heater assembly according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0146] The heating density distribution illustrated in FIG. 8 shows the temperature energy per unit volume (W / m3) in each region of the aerosol generating article to be heated.

[0147] Referring to FIG. 8, due to the strong electric fields generated at the ends of each of the first plate 223a and the second plate 223b, a maximum heating density region 810 can be arranged on the tobacco rod 11 arranged on the end sides of the first plate 223a and the second plate 223b. The heating density is the temperature energy per unit volume and is related to the electric field absorption. Therefore, the maximum heating density region 810 is also the same as the maximum electric field absorption region 610.

[0148] Note that since the maximum heating density region 810 has a high temperature energy per unit volume, the heating rate of the dielectric material is faster than that in other regions. In other words, the tobacco rod 11 is first heated from the region where it abuts against the filter rod. Thereby, there is an advantage that the initial suction resistance of the aerosol generating article 10 is reduced.

[0149] In addition, when fixing the maximum electric field absorption region within the tobacco rod 11, only the substances arranged in the specific region will be depleted quickly, so a uniform taste sensation cannot be provided throughout the entire smoking section. In order to solve such problems, the present disclosure moves the maximum electric field absorption region within the tobacco rod 11 by controlling the power supplied to the oscillation unit 210 over time.

[0150] FIG. 9 is an internal block diagram for explaining an output control method of an oscillation unit according to an embodiment.

[0151] More specifically, FIG. 9 illustrates only the configuration for adjusting the magnitude and frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 in the configurations of FIGS. 2 and 3 included in the aerosol generating device 100. Therefore, in the following, descriptions overlapping with FIGS. 2 and 3 will be omitted.

[0152] Referring to FIG. 9, the aerosol generating device 100 also includes a memory 106, an oscillation unit 210, a power monitoring unit 250, a resonance unit 220, and a processor 101.

[0153] The oscillation unit 210 can output microwaves having a preset output frequency and a preset magnitude of power. The oscillation unit 210 can provide the generated microwaves to the resonance unit 220.

[0154] The resonance unit 220 can accommodate the aerosol generating article 10, resonate the microwaves provided from the oscillation unit 210, and heat the aerosol generating article 10. The internal structure of the resonance unit 220 is as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0155] Memory 106 also contains temperature profile information and power profile information. The temperature profile includes information related to the target temperature of the resonance unit 220 over time, and the processor 101 can control the magnitude of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 based on the temperature profile information. Also, the power profile includes information related to the target power of the oscillation unit 210 over time, and the processor 101 can control the magnitude of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 based on the power profile. Hereinafter, a method for controlling the magnitude of microwave power based on the power profile will be described, but the following description is also applicable to a method for controlling the magnitude of microwave power based on the temperature profile.

[0156] The processor 101 can control the oscillation unit 210 according to the power profile and output microwave power of a first magnitude in the preheating section. Also, after the preheating section, in the smoking section, the processor 101 can control the oscillation unit 210 and output microwave power of a second magnitude smaller than the first magnitude. Also, in the smoking section, the processor 101 can gradually increase the magnitude of the microwave power. By gradually increasing the magnitude of the microwave power in the smoking section, the maximum electric field absorption region can be moved into the tobacco rod 11.

[0157] The oscillation unit 210 includes a power amplifier, and the processor 101 can control the power amplifier to adjust the magnitude of the microwave power described above. The power amplifier can adjust the power magnitude of the microwave by increasing or decreasing the amplitude of the microwave under the control of the processor 101. For example, the processor 101 can control the oscillation unit 210 to output a microwave having any one power magnitude selected from the range of 3W to 20W.

[0158] Note that, regardless of the control of the magnitude of the microwave power described above, the processor 101 can track the change in the resonance frequency of the resonance unit 220 in real time and align the output frequency of the oscillation unit 210 with the resonance frequency of the resonance unit 220. In other words, the processor 101 can align the output frequency of the oscillation unit 210 with the resonance frequency of the resonance unit 220 in real time from the state of adjusting the magnitude of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 according to a preset power profile. By aligning the output frequency of the oscillation unit 210 with the resonance frequency of the resonance unit 220, the power transfer efficiency can be significantly increased, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be uniformly heated.

[0159] The power monitoring unit 250 can be provided to track such a change in the resonance frequency of the resonance unit 220 in real time.

[0160] More specifically, the impedance of the resonance unit 220 can be varied by heating and consuming the dielectric material contained in the aerosol generating article 10 with microwaves. Despite the impedance of the resonance unit 220 being variable, when the oscillation unit 210 is controlled to have a fixed output, the first impedance looking across the resonance unit 220 from the oscillation unit 210 and the second impedance looking across the oscillation unit 210 from the resonance unit 220 do not match. In other words, the first impedance and the second impedance do not match each other. Also, since impedance matching is related to the maximum power transfer condition, the maximum power transfer condition is not satisfied. As a result, the power supplied from the oscillation unit 210 cannot be completely transferred to the resonance unit 220, and a part of it can be reflected from the resonance unit 220 and further input to the oscillation unit 210 side.

[0161] The power monitoring unit 250 can measure the first power P1 output from the oscillation unit 210 and input to the resonance unit 220 and the second power P2 reflected from the resonance unit 220 and input to the oscillation unit 210 in order to match such first impedance and second impedance. At this time, the first power P1 and the second power P2 can mean the magnitude of the power.

[0162] The power monitoring unit 250 can provide information related to the first power P1 and the second power P2 to the processor 101.

[0163] Based on the information related to the first power P1 and the second power P2 provided by the power monitoring unit 250, the processor 101 can match the first impedance and the second impedance. The matching of the impedance can be achieved through the adjustment of the output frequency of the oscillation unit 210. This is because the impedance is a parameter related to the frequency.

[0164] The oscillation unit 210 includes at least one switching element, and the processor 101 can control the on / off of the switching element to adjust the output frequency of the oscillation unit 210 described above.

[0165] The processor 101 can adjust the output frequency of the oscillation unit 210 so that the difference between the first power P1 and the second power P2 measured by the power monitoring unit 250 is included in a preset reference power range. For example, the reference power range is also between 0W and 1W, but is not limited thereto.

[0166] Within a preset reference band range, the processor 101 can control the oscillation unit 210 so that the difference between the first power P1 and the second power P2 is included in a preset range while sweeping the output frequency output from the oscillation unit 210. For example, the reference band range is also in the range of 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz or in the range of 5.7 GHz to 5.9 GHz, but is not limited thereto.

[0167] Note that the adjustment of the output frequency of the processor 101 described above can be performed in real time. In other words, the processor 101 can adjust the output frequency of the oscillation unit 210 independently of the adjustment of the power magnitude of the oscillation unit 210.

[0168] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a power profile for controlling the output of the oscillation unit according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0169] Referring to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 illustrates a power profile according to an embodiment. The power profile includes information related to the target power in the preheating section and the smoking section. In FIG. 10, the preheating section is the same as the first hour t1, and the smoking section may mean from after the first hour t1 to the fifth hour t5. For example, the first hour t1 is 20 seconds, and the fifth hour t5 is 4 minutes and 30 seconds or more, but is not limited thereto.

[0170] The processor 101 can control the oscillation unit 210 during the first hour t1 and output microwave power of the first magnitude Pa. For example, the first magnitude Pa is also 20W.

[0171] Note that the first hour t1 is the same as the preheating section, and the target power of the first hour t1 is independent of the movement of the maximum electric field absorption region. In other words, the fact that the first magnitude Pa is larger than the second magnitude Pb to the fifth magnitude Pe described later is for quickly heating the tobacco rod 11 and is maintained only for a short time such as 20 seconds. In a predetermined region of the tobacco rod 11, not only is the dielectric material not completely depleted, but relatively high power is supplied to the resonance unit 220, so that the dielectric material is quickly heated as a whole. Therefore, in the preheating section, it is not necessary to move the maximum electric field absorption region.

[0172] The processor 101 can control the oscillation unit 210 from after the first hour t1 to the second hour t2 and output microwave power of the second magnitude Pb that is smaller than the first magnitude Pa. The difference between the second hour t2 and the first hour t1 is larger than the first hour t1. For example, the difference between the second hour t2 and the first hour t1 is also 1 minute and 30 seconds, but is not limited thereto. Also, the second magnitude Pb can be any one selected from the range of 3W to 4W.

[0173] When microwave power of the second magnitude Pb is output to the resonance unit 220, more electric fields are output to a partial region of the tobacco rod 11. Therefore, a maximum electric field absorption region can be generated in the tobacco rod 11.

[0174] If the maximum electric field absorption region of the tobacco rod 11 is not moved, the electric field is concentrated in a specific region, and the tobacco rod 11 cannot be uniformly heated. Therefore, the processor 101 gradually increases the microwave power in order to move the maximum electric field absorption region of the tobacco rod 11 during the smoking period.

[0175] The processor 101 can control the oscillation unit 210 to output microwave power of a third magnitude Pc greater than the second magnitude Pb from after the second time t2 until the third time t3. The difference between the third time t3 and the second time t2 is the same as or greater than the difference between the second time t2 and the first time t1. For example, the difference between the third time t3 and the second time t2 is 1 minute and 30 seconds or more and less than 2 minutes, but it is not limited thereto. Also, the third magnitude Pc is any one selected from the range of 4 w to 5 w. By the oscillation unit 210 outputting microwave power of a third magnitude Pc greater than the second magnitude Pb, the maximum electric field absorption region can be moved within the tobacco rod 11.

[0176] The processor 101 can control the oscillation unit 210 to output microwave power of a fourth magnitude Pd greater than the third magnitude Pc from after the third time t3 until the fourth time t4. The difference between the fourth time t4 and the third time t3 is the same as or greater than the difference between the third time t3 and the second time t2. For example, the difference between the fourth time t4 and the third time t3 is 1 minute and 30 seconds or more and less than 2 minutes, but it is not limited thereto. Also, the fourth magnitude Pd is any one selected from the range of 5 w to 6 w. By the oscillation unit 210 outputting microwave power of a fourth magnitude Pd greater than the third magnitude Pc, the maximum electric field absorption region can be moved within the tobacco rod 11.

[0177] From after the fourth hour t4 to the fifth hour t5, the processor 101 can control the oscillation unit 210 to output microwave power of a fifth magnitude Pe that is greater than the fourth magnitude Pd. The difference between the fifth hour t5 and the fourth hour t4 is the same as or greater than the difference between the fourth hour t4 and the third hour t3. For example, the difference between the fifth hour t5 and the fourth hour t4 is 1 minute and 30 seconds or more and less than 2 minutes, but it is not limited thereto. Also, the fifth magnitude Pe is any one selected from the range of 6 w to 7 w. By the oscillation unit 210 outputting microwave power of a fifth magnitude Pe that is greater than the fourth magnitude Pd, the maximum electric field absorption region can be moved within the tobacco rod 11.

[0178] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating the movement of the maximum electric field absorption region according to the power profile according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0179] Referring to FIG. 11, the processor 101 can control the oscillation unit 210 in the first section of the smoking section to output microwave power of a second magnitude Pb. The first section means from after the first hour t1 to the second hour t2, and the second magnitude Pb is any one selected from the range of 3 w to 4 w. When the microwave power of the second magnitude Pb is output, resonance peaks are formed at the ends of the first plate 223a and the second plate 223b of the resonance unit 220, and a strong electric field is generated compared to other regions. Thereby, the maximum electric field absorption region can be generated in the first region 1110 of the tobacco rod 11 arranged on the end side of the first plate 223a and the second plate 223b.

[0180] Note that the aerosol generating device 100 of the present disclosure has the advantage that the initial suction resistance of the aerosol generating article 10 is reduced because the tobacco rod 11 is first heated at the first region 1110 where it abuts the filter rod. However, if the maximum electric field absorption region is fixed throughout the heating section, there is a problem that the tobacco rod 11 cannot be heated uniformly. Therefore, the processor 101 gradually increases the microwave power in order to move the maximum electric field absorption region of the tobacco rod 11 during the smoking section.

[0181] The processor 101 gradually increases the magnitude of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 along the longitudinal direction of the tobacco rod 11 so that the maximum electric field absorption region is moved. As the magnitude of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 increases, the maximum electric field absorption region in the tobacco rod 11 moves to the opposite side of the opening where the aerosol generating article 10 is accommodated, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0182] More specifically, the processor 101 can control the oscillation unit 210 in the second section after the first section of the smoking period and output microwave power of a third magnitude Pc greater than the second magnitude Pb. The second section may mean from after the second time t2 to the third time t3. Since there is no dielectric substance in the filter rod and the dielectric substance present in the first region 1110 is consumed to a considerable extent in the first section, when the microwave power is increased to the third magnitude Pc, the maximum electric field absorption region is moved to the second region 1120, which is the opposite direction of the opening where the aerosol generating article 10 is accommodated.

[0183] The processor 101 can control the oscillation unit 210 in the third section after the second section and output microwave power of a fourth magnitude Pd greater than the third magnitude Pc in order to move the maximum electric field absorption region of the tobacco rod 11 again. The third section may mean from after the third time t3 to the fourth time t4. Similarly, since there is no dielectric substance in the filter rod and the dielectric substance present in the second region 1120 is consumed to a considerable extent in the second section, when the microwave power is increased to the fourth magnitude Pd, the maximum electric field absorption region is moved to the third region 1130, which is the opposite direction of the opening where the aerosol generating article 10 is accommodated.

[0184] In order to move the maximum electric field absorption region of the tobacco rod 11 once again, after the third interval, in the fourth interval, the processor 101 controls the oscillation unit 210 and can output microwave power of a fifth magnitude Pe greater than the fourth magnitude Pd. The fourth interval may mean from after the fourth time t4 to the fifth time t5. Similarly, there is no dielectric substance in the filter rod, and since the dielectric substance present in the third region 1130 is substantially consumed in the third interval, when the microwave power increases to the fifth magnitude Pe, the maximum electric field absorption region moves to the fourth region 1140, which is the opposite direction to the opening where the aerosol generating article 10 is accommodated. Note that FIG. 11 only illustrates a method of gradually increasing the microwave power by a total of four intervals, but the number of intervals can be increased or decreased depending on the length of the medium and the magnitude of the microwave power.

[0185] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a method of operating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0186] Referring to FIG. 12, in step S1210, the oscillation unit 210 can generate microwaves.

[0187] The oscillation unit 210 includes an RF (radio frequency) generating device on a solid-state base and can use it to generate microwaves.

[0188] The oscillation unit 210 can output microwaves having a preset output frequency and a preset power magnitude under the control of the processor 101.

[0189] The oscillation unit 210 includes a power amplifier, and the power amplifier can adjust the magnitude of the microwave power under the control of the processor 101. For example, the power amplifier can increase or decrease the amplitude of the microwave. By adjusting the amplitude of the microwave, the microwave power can be adjusted.

[0190] In the S1220 stage, the resonance unit 220 can heat the aerosol generating article 10 by outputting an electric field generated by microwave resonance to the aerosol generating article 10.

[0191] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the resonance unit 220 includes a first plate 223a surrounding one region of the aerosol generating article 10, a second plate 223b spaced apart from the first plate 223a along the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article 10 and surrounding another region of the aerosol generating article 10, and a connecting portion 222 connecting the first plate 223a and the second plate 223b. Due to the first plate 223a, the second plate 223b, and the connecting portion 222, microwaves resonate (so-called triple resonance structure) between the first plate 223a and the second plate 223b, and between each of the first plate 223a and the second plate 223b and the case 221, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by the electric field generated by the resonance of the microwaves.

[0192] In particular, the lengths of the first plate 223a and the second plate 223b are formed shorter than the length of the tobacco rod 11 included in the aerosol generating article 10, and the tobacco rod 11 can be arranged at a position protruding from the ends of the first plate 223a and the second plate 223b in the direction toward the opening in which the aerosol generating article 10 is accommodated. Since a strong electric field is generated at the ends of the first plate 223a and the second plate 223b, a maximum electric field absorption region can be generated in a predetermined region of the tobacco rod 11 arranged on the end side of the first plate 223a and the second plate 223b at the initial stage of heating. The initial stage of heating can mean until a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the smoking section.

[0193] In the tobacco rod 11, when the maximum electric field absorption region is fixed, only the dielectric material arranged in the predetermined region is exhausted quickly, so a uniform taste feeling cannot be provided throughout the smoking section. In order to solve such a problem, the present disclosure moves the maximum electric field absorption region in the tobacco rod 11 by increasing the magnitude of the microwave power in the smoking section.

[0194] In the S1230 stage, the processor 101 can control the output of the oscillation unit 210 so that the maximum electric field absorption region of the aerosol generating article 10 is moved.

[0195] The processor 101 can adjust the magnitude of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 according to a preset power profile so that the maximum electric field absorption region of the aerosol generating article 10 is moved.

[0196] In the preheating section, the processor 101 can control the oscillation unit 210 so that microwave power of a first magnitude Pa is output. Note that in the preheating section, the microwave power is relatively large, such as 20 w, and the preheating section is maintained for only a relatively short time, such as 20 seconds. Therefore, there is little need to move the maximum electric field absorption region. In other words, in this preheating section, relatively high power is supplied to the resonance unit 220 for a relatively short time, so that the dielectric is rapidly heated as a whole. Therefore, in this preheating section, there is little need to move the maximum electric field absorption region.

[0197] After the preheating section, when the smoking section is started, the processor 101 can control the oscillation unit 210 to output microwave power of a second magnitude Pb that is smaller than the first magnitude Pa. As the smoking section progresses, the processor 101 can gradually increase the power output from the oscillation unit 210 so that the maximum electric field absorption region is moved.

[0198] In one embodiment, in the first section of the smoking section, the processor 101 can control the oscillation unit 210 to output microwave power of the second magnitude Pb. Also, after the first section, in the second section, the processor 101 can control the oscillation unit 210 to output microwave power of a third magnitude Pc that is larger than the second magnitude Pb. Also, the processor 101 can control the oscillation unit 210 to output microwave power of a fourth magnitude Pd that is larger than the third magnitude Pc in the third section after the second section, and can output microwave power of a fifth magnitude Pe that is larger than the fourth magnitude Pd in the fourth section after the third section.

[0199] In the smoking period, as the microwave power gradually increases, the maximum electric field absorption region moves along the longitudinal direction of the tobacco rod 11. In one embodiment, the maximum electric field absorption region can be moved in the tobacco rod 11 in a direction opposite to the direction toward the opening where the aerosol generating article 10 is accommodated.

[0200] Note that the processor 101 can track in real time the change in the resonance frequency of the resonance unit 220 due to the depletion of the dielectric material contained in the aerosol generating article 10 regardless of the power profile. Further, the processor 101 can adjust the output frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 based on the change in the resonance frequency. In other words, the processor 101 can control the magnitude of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 and the output frequency of the microwave power independently of each other.

[0201] Any embodiment of the present disclosure or other embodiments described above are not exclusive or distinguishable from each other. Any embodiment of the present disclosure or other embodiments described above can be used in combination or combined with each other in terms of their respective configurations or functions.

[0202] For example, it means that a specific embodiment and / or an embodiment different from the configuration A described in the drawings and / or a configuration B described in the drawings can be combined. That is, regarding the combination between configurations, even if not directly described, it means that the combination is possible except when it is described that the combination is impossible.

[0203] The foregoing detailed description should not be construed as restrictive in all respects, but should be considered exemplary. The scope of the present invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. In an aerosol generating device, an oscillation unit that generates microwaves, a resonance unit that houses an aerosol generating article and outputs an electric field due to resonance of the microwaves to the aerosol generating article to heat the aerosol generating article, a processor that controls the output of the oscillation unit so that the maximum electric field absorption region of the aerosol generating article is moved, the aerosol generating device comprising the processor.

2. The resonance unit a first plate that surrounds one region of the aerosol generating article, a second plate that is separated from the first plate along the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article and surrounds another region of the aerosol generating article, a connecting portion that connects the first plate and the second plate, wherein the first plate, the second plate, and the connecting portion resonate the microwaves, and the aerosol generating article is heated by an electric field output from ends of the first plate and the second plate, the aerosol generating device according to claim 1.

3. The lengths of the first plate and the second plate are formed shorter than the length of a tobacco rod included in the aerosol generating article, and the tobacco rod is disposed at a position protruding from ends of the first plate and the second plate in a direction toward an opening in which the aerosol generating article is housed, so that a predetermined region of the tobacco rod disposed on the end side of the first plate and the second plate generates the maximum electric field absorption region at an initial stage of heating, the aerosol generating device according to claim 2.

4. The processor controls the output of the oscillation unit so that the maximum electric field absorption region moves along the longitudinal direction of a tobacco rod included in the aerosol generating article, the aerosol generating device according to claim 1.

5. The maximum electric field absorption region moves to the opposite side of the direction toward an opening in which the aerosol generating article is housed within the tobacco rod, the aerosol generating device according to claim 4.

6. The processor adjusts the magnitude of microwave power output from the oscillation unit according to a preset power profile so that the maximum electric field absorption region of the aerosol generating article moves, the aerosol generating device according to claim 1.

7. The processor controls the oscillation unit so that microwave power of a first magnitude is output in a preheating section, the aerosol generating device according to claim 6.

8. The processor When the smoking interval is started after the preheating interval, the oscillation unit is controlled to output microwave power of a second magnitude smaller than the first magnitude, and as the smoking interval progresses, the power output from the oscillation unit is gradually increased so that the maximum electric field absorption region is moved. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7.

9. The processor The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the processor tracks in real time a change in the resonance frequency of the resonance unit due to depletion of a dielectric material included in the aerosol generating article, and adjusts an output frequency of microwave power output from the oscillation unit based on the change in the resonance frequency of the resonance unit.

10. The processor The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein the processor controls the magnitude of the microwave power and the output frequency of the microwave power independently of each other.

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