Aerosol products and aerosol generation systems

Abstract

The aerosol product comprises an aerosol-generating material that is heated by exposure to microwaves, and a first capsule that is fragmented by exposure to microwaves. The first capsule comprises a first core containing a first substance and a first shell surrounding the first core. The first shell may contain a first microwave-reactive material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating system that are heated by dielectric heating to generate an aerosol.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes. For example, there has been 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 systems heat an aerosol generating article by surrounding the outside of the aerosol generating article with a heating element using an electric resistance heating method or an induction heating method, or by inserting the heating element inside the aerosol generating article.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a conventional aerosol generating system, a region of the aerosol generating article close to the heating element is heated at a relatively high temperature, while a region of the aerosol generating article far from the heating element may be heated at a relatively low temperature. When the aerosol generating article is heated non-uniformly, the active ingredients (e.g., nicotine and / or aerosol generating substances) in the region heated at a relatively low temperature are not completely transferred and remain in the aerosol generating article. Also, the amount of active ingredients transmitted to the user during the entire heating period may be non-uniform, and the taste may not be constant.

[0006] Furthermore, in conventional aerosol generation systems, the aerosol product is heated through heat conduction from the heating element, so a predetermined preheating time may be required to heat the aerosol product. Also, the aerosol generated at the beginning of the heating section, before the temperature of the aerosol product has risen sufficiently, does not contain sufficient active ingredients.

[0007] On the other hand, flavoring substances that add flavor to aerosols are highly volatile, so capsules are used to prevent the loss of these flavoring substances. Generally, a capsule has a core containing the flavoring substance and a shell surrounding the core. The capsule is embedded in the aerosol product, and when used, the user pressurizes the embedded part of the capsule to crush it. The flavoring substance released when the capsule is crushed can add flavor to the aerosol. However, users may experience difficulties in crushing the capsule due to the thickness, strength, flexibility, viscosity, etc. of the shell.

[0008] The problems to be solved through embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and any problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] An aerosol product according to one embodiment comprises an aerosol-generating material that is heated by exposure to microwaves, and a first capsule that is fragmented by exposure to microwaves. The first capsule comprises a first core containing a first material and a first shell surrounding the first core. The first shell may contain a first microwave-reactive material.

[0010] Another embodiment of the aerosol generation system comprises an aerosol product and an aerosol generation device in which the aerosol product is contained, the aerosol generation device may include a heater assembly that generates microwaves for heating the aerosol product. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] In this embodiment, since the entire aerosol product is heated uniformly, most of the active ingredients in the aerosol product can be transferred. Furthermore, because the aerosol product is heated uniformly, the amount of active ingredients in the aerosol delivered to the user is uniform throughout the heated area, providing a consistent quality of flavor.

[0012] Furthermore, the capsules of the aerosol product according to the embodiment can be easily crushed without user intervention. The aerosol generation system according to this embodiment reduces the preheating time, and the aerosol generated at the beginning of the heating section can contain a sufficient amount of active ingredients.

[0013] The effects of the embodiments are not limited to those described above, and any effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong, based on this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of an aerosol product according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of an aerosol product according to another embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of an aerosol product according to another embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] This is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is an internal block diagram of the dielectric heating section. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view schematically showing a heater assembly according to another embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] An aerosol generating article according to one embodiment includes an aerosol generating substance that is heated by being exposed to microwaves, and a first capsule that is crushed by being exposed to microwaves. The first capsule includes a first core containing a first substance and a first shell surrounding the first core. The first shell may include a first microwave reactive substance.

[0016] The first substance may include one or more selected from the group consisting of a flavor substance, nicotine, caffeine, and a cannabinoid. The microwave may have a frequency of 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz.

[0017] The first shell may include 20% to 40% by weight of the first microwave reactive substance based on the total weight of the first shell. The first microwave reactive substance may include one or more selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol.

[0018] The aerosol generating article may include an aerosol generating rod including the aerosol generating substance and the first capsule, and a filter rod disposed downstream of the aerosol generating rod.

[0019] The aerosol generating article may further include a front plug disposed upstream of the aerosol generating rod. The front plug may include an aerosol generating substrate impregnated with an aerosol generating substance.

[0020] The aerosol product further comprises a second capsule which is fragmented upon exposure to the microwave. The second capsule comprises a second core containing a second substance and a second shell surrounding the second core. The second shell may contain a second microwave reactant.

[0021] The first capsule and the second capsule may be exposed to the microwave and shattered at different times. The first capsule is located upstream of the second capsule, is exposed to the microwaves, and may be shattered before the second capsule.

[0022] Another embodiment of the aerosol generation system comprises an aerosol product and an aerosol generation apparatus in which the aerosol product is contained. The aerosol generation apparatus may include a heater assembly that generates microwaves for heating the aerosol product.

[0023] The heater assembly includes a resonant section for generating microwaves. The resonant section comprises a plurality of plates spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol product. The microwaves can be resonated by the plurality of plates.

[0024] One end of each of the multiple plates is connected to a connecting portion, and the other ends of each of the multiple plates can be separated from each other and left open. The multiple plates extend in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol product, and at least a portion of the multiple plates may be curved so as to protrude outward from the longitudinal center of the aerosol product.

[0025] The embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, but regardless of the reference numerals used in the drawings, identical or similar components will be given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0026] The suffixes "module" and "part" used with respect to the constituent elements in the following description are added or used interchangeably solely for the sake of ease of specification drafting and do not have any distinct meaning or role on their own.

[0027] Furthermore, in describing the embodiments disclosed herein, if it is determined that a specific explanation of related known technology would obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, such detailed explanation will be omitted. The accompanying drawings are provided to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and it should be understood that the accompanying drawings do not limit the technical ideas disclosed herein and include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes that fall within the concept and technical scope of the present invention.

[0028] Terms with ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., are used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0029] When it is mentioned that one component is “connected” or “linked” to another component, it should be understood that it is directly connected to or may be linked to the other component, but other components may be in between. On the other hand, when it is said that one component is “directly connected” or “directly linked” to another component, it should be understood that no other components are in between.

[0030] A singular expression includes multiple expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, when an expression such as “at least one of the following” precedes an array of components, it modifies the entire component, not each of the individual components in the array. For example, the expression “at least one of a, b, and c” should be interpreted as comprising a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

[0031] Throughout the specification, the "aerosol generating device" is defined as a device that generates an aerosol by utilizing 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.

[0032] Throughout the specification, "aerosol product" means an article used for smoking. For example, an aerosol product can be a combustible cigarette used by being ignited and burned, or a heated cigarette used by being heated by an aerosol generating device.

[0033] Throughout the specification, the “aerosol generation system” may comprise an aerosol generating device and an aerosol product. For example, the aerosol generation system is a system that heats an aerosol product in an aerosol generating device and delivers the generated aerosol to the user.

[0034] Throughout this specification, "puff" means the user's inhalation. Inhalation means the user drawing an aerosol into their mouth, nose, or lungs through their mouth or nose.

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol product according to one embodiment. Referring to Figure 1, the aerosol product 10 may comprise an aerosol generating rod 11 and a filter rod 12. The filter rod 12 may be located downstream of the aerosol generating rod 11.

[0036] "Upstream" and "downstream" can be determined based on the direction of airflow when a user inhales an aerosol by using the aerosol product 10. For example, when a user inhales an aerosol by using the aerosol product 10 shown in Figure 1, the air moves from the aerosol generating rod 11 towards the filter rod 12, so the aerosol generating rod 11 is located "upstream" of the filter rod 12. On the other hand, a typical technician in the relevant art would easily understand that "upstream" and "downstream" are relative to each other based on the relationships between the components.

[0037] The aerosol generating rod 11 may contain tobacco material. The aerosol generating rod 11 can be heated to produce an aerosol containing nicotine. The tobacco material may, but is not limited to, tobacco strands, tobacco particles, tobacco sheets, tobacco beads, tobacco granules, tobacco powder, or tobacco extract.

[0038] For example, the aerosol-generating rod 11 comprises multiple tobacco strands, each of which may comprise sheet-shaped shredded tobacco. Sheet-shaped shredded tobacco can be produced by finely cutting sheet-shaped tobacco. Sheet-shaped shredded tobacco can be produced by the following process: Tobacco raw materials are crushed to produce a slurry of aerosol-generating substances (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, etc.), flavoring liquid, binders (e.g., guar gum, xanthan gum, carboxymethylcellulose, etc.), and water. Natural pulp or cellulose may be added to the slurry, and one or more binders may be mixed in. The slurry can be cast to form sheets, which can then be dried to produce sheet-shaped tobacco sheets. The produced sheet-shaped tobacco sheets can be cut, crimped, or finely chopped to produce sheet-shaped shredded tobacco. Tobacco raw materials include tobacco leaves, tobacco stems, and / or tobacco powder generated during tobacco processing. Sheet-shaped tobacco sheets may also contain other additives such as wood cellulose fibers.

[0039] Furthermore, the aerosol generating rod 11 may contain shredded tobacco produced by blending and processing various types of tobacco leaves, and then cutting them. The aerosol generating rod 11 may also contain a mixture of flat-leaf shredded tobacco and shredded tobacco.

[0040] As another example, the aerosol generating rod 11 may comprise a plurality of tobacco granules. The tobacco granules are particles having a diameter of approximately 100 μm to approximately 2,000 μm. The tobacco granules may be produced by extruding a mixture of crushed tobacco leaves, a pH adjuster, and a solvent.

[0041] Multiple tobacco granules may be arranged between the filter material. The filter material may, for example, comprise a bundle of cellulose acetate fiber strands that are tied together. The multiple tobacco granules may be arranged in a manner that is uniformly dispersed between the multiple cellulose fibers. As another example, the filter material may comprise a crimped paper sheet. The crimped paper sheet may be placed inside the aerosol generating rod 11 in a wound state. The crimped paper sheet is wound around an axis that extends along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating rod 11. Multiple tobacco granules may be dispersed inside the wound paper sheet.

[0042] Tobacco substances may contain aerosol-generating substances. For example, aerosol-generating substances 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. Tobacco substances may also contain other additives such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids. Flavoring liquids such as menthol or humectants may be added to tobacco substances by spraying them onto the tobacco substance.

[0043] The aerosol-generating rod 11 may contain other plant materials, excluding tobacco substances. For example, the aerosol-generating rod 11 may contain herbal substances. The aerosol-generating rod 11 may also contain a sheet containing herbal substances. The herbal substances include, but are not limited to, at least one of mint, lemongrass, cinnamon, clover leaves, rose petals, and corn silk. The sheet containing the herbal substances may be impregnated with an aerosol-generating substance.

[0044] Furthermore, the aerosol generating rod 11 may include an aerosol generating substrate impregnated with a liquid aerosol generating composition. The aerosol generating substrate comprises a crimped sheet, and the liquid aerosol generating composition is contained in the aerosol generating rod 11 while impregnated with the crimped sheet. Other additives such as flavoring agents, humectants and / or organic acids, and flavoring liquids are also contained in the aerosol generating rod 11 while absorbed with the crimped sheet.

[0045] The aerosol generating substrate can be placed inside the aerosol generating rod 11 in a wound state. The wound aerosol generating substrate is wound around an axis that extends along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol product 10, but is not limited to this.

[0046] A crimped sheet is a sheet made of a polymer material. For example, the polymer material may include at least one of the following: paper, cellulose acetate, lyocell, or polylactic acid. For example, a crimped sheet is a paper sheet that does not produce an unpleasant odor when heated to high temperatures.

[0047] Liquid aerosol-generating compositions may contain nicotine. Nicotine may consist of freebase nicotine and / or nicotine salt. Freebase nicotine refers to neutral nicotine without protons. For example, if a strong base such as ammonia is added to a positively charged nicotine salt, the strong base is converted into a cation, and the nicotine salt becomes freebase nicotine, which is in a neutral state.

[0048] Furthermore, the liquid aerosol-generating composition may contain an aerosol-generating substance. The same provisions described above apply to aerosol-generating substances contained in tobacco substances.

[0049] The liquid aerosol generating composition may be impregnated at a concentration of approximately 0.05 g to approximately 1.0 g per gram of the aerosol generating substrate. For example, the liquid aerosol generating composition may be impregnated at a concentration of approximately 0.1 g to approximately 0.8 g per gram of the aerosol generating substrate.

[0050] The aerosol-generating material contained in the aerosol-generating rod 11 can be heated by exposure to microwaves. Here, the aerosol-generating material can act as a dielectric. Due to microwave resonance, the charges of the dielectric vibrate or rotate, and the frictional heat generated during the process of the vibrating or rotating charges generates heat from the dielectric, thereby heating the aerosol-generating rod 11.

[0051] The aerosol generating rod 11 may comprise a first capsule 16-1. For example, the aerosol generating rod 11 may comprise a plurality of tobacco strands, and the first capsule 16-1 may be surrounded by the plurality of tobacco strands. In another example, the aerosol generating rod 11 may comprise a crimped sheet impregnated with a liquid aerosol generating composition, and the first capsule 16-1 may be surrounded by the crimped sheet.

[0052] The first capsule 16-1 may comprise a first core and a first shell surrounding the first core. The first core may comprise a first substance. If the first shell is fractured, the first substance contained in the first core may be released.

[0053] The first substance may comprise one or more substances selected from the group consisting of flavoring substances, nicotine, caffeine, and cannabinoids. Flavoring substances can add flavor to the aerosol produced by the aerosol product 10. Flavoring substances may include natural flavoring substances and / or synthetic flavoring substances. For example, synthetic flavoring substances may include one or more selected from the group consisting of esters, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, phenols, ethers, lactones, hydrocarbons, nitrogen-containing compounds, sulfur-containing compounds, and acids.

[0054] Furthermore, the natural flavoring substances may include one or more oils selected from the group consisting of, for example, star anise, basil, calamus, caraway, pepper, cascarilla, ginger, sage, clary sage, clove, coriander, eucalyptus, fennel, pimento, juniper, fenugreek, bay laurel, mace, almond, anise, artemisia, apricot, strawberry, fig, ylang-ylang, wintergreen, plum, elder, chamomile, galangal, quince, guava, cranberry, sansho pepper, sandalwood, perilla, jasmine, ginseng, cinnamon, star fruit, sorghum, spearmint, apple mint, peppermint, geranium, thyme, tansy, tangerine, tuberose, mint, passion fruit, vanilla, rose, coffee, bonito, pine, mango, beeswax, musk, maple, melon, peach, lavender, and rosemary.

[0055] The term "cannabinoid" refers to any one of the naturally occurring compounds found in certain species of the cannabis plant, specifically Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. Naturally occurring cannabinoid compounds from the cannabis plant include cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The term "cannabinoid" is used to describe both naturally occurring and synthetically produced cannabinoids.

[0056] The first core may comprise a lipophilic solvent mixed with the first substance. For example, the lipophilic solvent may comprise triglycerides, heavy chain triglycerides (e.g., caprylic and capric triglycerides), vegetable oils (e.g., olive oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, peanut oil, grape seed oil, wheat germ oil, vegetable oil), mineral oils, silicone oils or mixtures thereof with triglycerides, fatty acids (e.g., polyunsaturated fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid, etc.), fatty acid esters (e.g., isopropyl myristate), sucrose fatty acid esters, liquid paraffin, squalene, and the like.

[0057] The first shell may comprise a first microwave reactant and a membrane material. The membrane material may comprise at least one of the following: water-soluble hydrocolloids such as gelatin, agar, carrageenan, alginic acid, and pectin; gums such as gellan gum; starches such as potato starch and corn starch; and starch derivatives such as dextrin, maltodextrin, and cyclodextrin. The membrane material may also comprise cellulose derivatives such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), methylcellulose (MC), and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), as well as polyvinyl alcohol and polyols.

[0058] The first capsule 16-1 can be shattered by exposure to microwaves. The first shell may comprise a first microwave reactant so as to be shattered by exposure to microwaves. The first microwave reactant is heated by exposure to microwaves, thereby causing the first shell to shatter. The first microwave reactant can act as a dielectric. Microwave resonance causes the charges in the dielectric to vibrate or rotate, and the frictional heat generated from the process of the vibrating or rotating charges generates heat from the dielectric, causing the first shell to shatter.

[0059] Conventional capsules are crushed under pressure applied by the user's fingers. However, the first capsule 16-1 is crushed by microwaves generated from the heater assembly of the aerosol generator described later, so user intervention is not required for the crushing of the first capsule 16-1.

[0060] The first microwave-reactive material is a substance that, when contained within the first shell, maintains sufficient strength to allow the first shell to retain its shape, while simultaneously causing the first shell to shatter when exposed to microwaves. For example, the first microwave-reactive material comprises, but is not limited to, one or more substances selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol.

[0061] The first shell may contain approximately 20% to 40% by weight of the first microwave-reactive material, based on the total weight of the first shell. If the first shell contains less than approximately 20% by weight of the first microwave-reactive material, the first capsule 16-1 may not be shattered even when exposed to microwaves having a frequency of 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz. If the first shell contains more than approximately 40% by weight of the first microwave-reactive material, based on the total weight of the first shell, the manufactureability of the capsule decreases. For example, the first shell may contain approximately 20% to 30% by weight, or approximately 25% to 30% by weight, of the first microwave-reactive material, based on the assumed weight of the first shell.

[0062] <Example 1: Microwave-reactive material 20% by weight> Capsules were manufactured so that the shell of the manufactured capsule had the composition shown in Table 1 below. Glycerin was used as the microwave reactant.

[0063] After supplying water at approximately 85°C to 100°C to the membrane material manufacturing container, the membrane material was added, and a paddle located inside the container was stirred at 90 rpm. Subsequently, microwave reactant was added, and degassing was carried out to produce the membrane material composition. Degassing was performed in a degasser under vacuum conditions.

[0064] The manufactured membrane material composition and the heavy-chain triglyceride in which menthol was dissolved as a core material were introduced into a capsule manufacturing apparatus. The introduced membrane material composition and core material were discharged through a nozzle in the initial form of capsules, and the initial form of capsules was cooled with cooling oil to manufacture capsules.

[0065] [Table 1]

[0066] <Example 2: Microwave-reactive material 25% by weight> Capsules were manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the manufactured capsules were made so that the shells of the manufactured capsules had the composition shown in Table 2 below.

[0067] [Table 2]

[0068] <Example 3: Microwave-reactive material 30% by weight> Capsules were manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the manufactured capsules were made so that the shells of the manufactured capsules had the composition shown in Table 3 below.

[0069] [Table 3]

[0070] <Example 4: Microwave-reactive material 35% by weight> Capsules were manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the manufactured capsules were made so that the shells of the manufactured capsules had the composition shown in Table 4 below.

[0071] [Table 4]

[0072] <Example 5: Microwave reactant 40% by weight> Capsules were manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the manufactured capsules were made so that the shells of the manufactured capsules had the composition shown in Table 5 below.

[0073] [Table 5]

[0074] <Comparative Example 1: Microwave-reactive material 11% by weight> Capsules were manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the manufactured capsules were made so that the shells of the manufactured capsules had the composition shown in Table 6 below.

[0075] [Table 6]

[0076] <Comparative Example 2: Microwave-reactive material 15% by weight> Capsules were manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the manufactured capsules were made so that the shells of the manufactured capsules had the composition shown in Table 7 below.

[0077] [Table 7]

[0078] <Comparative Example 3: Microwave-reactive material 45% by weight> Capsules were manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the manufactured capsules were made so that the shells of the manufactured capsules had the composition shown in Table 8 below.

[0079] [Table 8]

[0080] <Experimental Example: Capsule Quality Evaluation> The quality of the capsules from Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 was evaluated, and the evaluation results are shown in Table 9 below.

[0081] The manufacturing suitability of the capsules was evaluated according to the following criteria. -O: Capsules are easy to manufacture and can maintain their shape. -△: The capsule is not crushed, but its shape is deformed.

[0082] -X: The capsules are not easy to manufacture, or they are crushed without maintaining their shape. The strength of the capsules was evaluated according to the following criteria.

[0083] -O: Easily crushed when pressure is applied with a finger. -△: When pressure is applied with a finger, it will not break unless considerable force is applied. -X: When pressure is applied with a finger, it will not shatter unless enough force is applied to cause pain in the finger.

[0084] Microwave fracturing properties were evaluated after exposing the capsule to microwaves at a frequency of 2.45 GHz, according to the following criteria. -O: After exposure to microwaves, it is smoothly fragmented within 5 minutes.

[0085] -△: Even when exposed to microwaves, it only deforms in shape and does not shatter smoothly. -X: The shape is not deformed or shattered even when exposed to microwaves.

[0086] [Table 9]

[0087] As can be seen from Table 9, the capsules of Examples 1 to 5, which contained 20% to 40% by weight of microwave-reactive material, all received excellent evaluations in terms of capsule manufacturing suitability, strength, and microwave shatterability. On the other hand, Comparative Example 1, which contained 11% by weight of microwave-reactive material, was not shattered by microwaves, and it was confirmed that the shell strength was excessively high. In the case of Comparative Example 2, which contained 15% by weight of microwave-reactive material, it was confirmed that shattering by microwaves was not easy. In the case of Comparative Example 3, which contained 45% by weight of microwave-reactive material, it was confirmed that the capsule shell was excessively soft and the capsule lacked manufacturing suitability.

[0088] The filter rod 12 may consist of multiple segments. The filter rod 12 may include a first segment 12-1 for cooling the aerosol and a second segment 12-2 for filtering predetermined components contained in the aerosol. Figure 1 shows the filter rod 12 having two segments, but it is not limited to this. For example, the filter rod 12 may have a single segment. The filter rod 12 may also further include at least one segment performing other functions.

[0089] The filter rod 12 can filter out certain components contained in the aerosol passing through it. The filter rod 12 may be equipped with a filter material. For example, the filter rod 12 is a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod 12 may be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to cellulose acetate tow.

[0090] There are no restrictions on the shape of the filter rod 12. For example, the filter rod 12 may be a cylindrical (type) rod, or a tubular (type) rod with a hollow interior. The filter rod 12 may also be a recessed (type) rod. If the filter rod 12 is composed of multiple segments, at least one of the segments may be made in a different shape.

[0091] The filter rod 12 may be manufactured to generate flavor. For example, a flavoring liquid may be sprayed onto the filter rod 12, or a separate fiber coated with the flavoring liquid may be inserted inside the filter rod 12.

[0092] The filter rod 12 includes a first segment 12-1 for cooling the aerosol. The first segment 12-1 may comprise a polymer or a biodegradable polymer. For example, the first segment 12-1 may comprise, but is not limited to, polylactic acid. As another example, the first segment 12-1 may comprise a hollow cellulose acetate tube or a paper tube formed of paper.

[0093] At least one pore 12-1h may be formed on the outer surface of the first segment 12-1. The at least one pore 12-1h may be formed along the circumferential direction of the first segment 12-1 and may form one or more rows. The at least one pore 12-1h can allow outside air to flow into the interior of the first segment 12-1. The outside air that flows into the interior of the first segment 12-1 may be mixed with the high-temperature aerosol generated by the aerosol generating rod 11.

[0094] The aerosol product 10 may include a trumpet 14 surrounding one of the aerosol generation rods 11 and filter rods 12. Alternatively, the aerosol product 10 may include a trumpet 14 surrounding all of the aerosol generation rods 11 and filter rods 12. The trumpet 14 may be located on the outermost casing of the aerosol product 10. The trumpet 14 is a single trumpet, but it may also be a combination of multiple trumpets.

[0095] The aerosol product 10 can be superimposed on two or more trumpets 14. For example, the aerosol generating rod 11 can be packaged by the first trumpet 14-1, the first segment 12-1 of the filter rod 12 can be packaged by the second trumpet 14-2, and the second segment 12-2 of the filter rod 12 can be packaged by the third trumpet 14-3. The entire aerosol product 10 can then be repackaged by the fourth trumpet 14-4.

[0096] The first flaps 14-1 can surround the aerosol generating rod 11. The first flaps 14-1 are made of paper and metal foil such as aluminum foil bonded together. For example, the first flaps 14-1 are laminated sheets of paper and metal foil. The first flaps 14-1 are laminated sheets with paper on one side of the metal foil, or laminated sheets with paper on both sides of the metal foil.

[0097] The paper of the first flap 14-1 may be made of an oil-resistant substance. For example, the paper of the first flap 14-1 may be made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) or silicone. The surface of the paper of the first flap 14-1 may be coated with polyvinyl alcohol or silicone.

[0098] The second wrapper 14-2 can surround the first segment 12-1 of the filter rod 12. The second wrapper 14-2 may be equipped with wrapping paper. The wrapping paper of the second wrapper 14-2 may be porous or non-porous wrapping paper. At least one perforation 15 may be formed in the second wrapper 14-2. For example, the second wrapper 14-2 may wrap the first segment 12-1 having at least one hole 12-1h formed therein, and the at least one perforation 15 formed in the second wrapper 14-2 may be formed at a position corresponding to the at least one hole 12-1h formed in the first segment 12-1.

[0099] The third wrapper 14-3 can surround the second segment 12-2 of the filter rod 12. The third wrapper 14-3 may be equipped with hard wrapping paper that is thicker and has a higher basis weight than typical wrapping paper. For example, the thickness of the hard wrapping paper may be about 70 μm to about 150 μm, and the basis weight may be about 50 g / m². 2 or approximately 100g / m 2 Furthermore, hard wrapping paper may be equipped with oil-resistant materials. For example, hard wrapping paper may be surface-treated with an oil-resistant material such as polyvinyl alcohol or silicone.

[0100] The fourth trumpet 14-4 can enclose the aerosol generating rod 11, which is packaged by the first trumpet 14-1, the first segment 12-1 of the filter rod 12, which is packaged by the second trumpet 14-2, and the second segment 12-2 of the filter rod 12, which is packaged by the third trumpet 14-3. The fourth trumpet 14-4 can prevent external contamination of the aerosol product 10 by aerosols generated in the aerosol product. Liquid substances may be generated inside the aerosol product 10 by the user's puff. For example, liquid substances (e.g., water) may be generated when the aerosol generated in the aerosol product 10 is cooled by the outside air. By packaging the outer surface of the aerosol product 10 with the fourth trumpet 14-4, leakage of the generated liquid substances to the outside of the aerosol product 10 can be prevented.

[0101] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol product according to another embodiment. Referring to Figure 2, the aerosol product 10 may comprise a front plug 13, an aerosol generating rod 11, a filter rod 12, and a trumpet 14. The same provisions described above apply to the aerosol generating rod 11, filter rod 12, and trumpet 14 of the aerosol product 10 in Figure 2.

[0102] The front plug 13 may be positioned upstream of the aerosol generating rod 11. The front plug 13 may be located on one side of the aerosol generating rod 11 opposite to the filter rod 12. The front plug 13 can prevent the aerosol generating rod 11 from detaching to the outside. The front plug 13 can also prevent liquefied aerosol from the aerosol generating rod 11 from moving to the aerosol generating device during smoking.

[0103] The front plug 13 may be made of cellulose acetate. For example, the front plug 13 is a cellulose acetate tube with a hollow structure. The front plug 13 may be packaged by a fifth flaps 14-5. The fifth flaps 14-5 are made of paper and metal foil such as aluminum foil bonded together. For example, the fifth flaps 14-5 are laminated sheets of paper and metal foil. The fifth flaps 14-5 are laminated sheets with paper on one side of the metal foil, or laminated sheets with paper on both sides of the metal foil.

[0104] Furthermore, the front plug 13 may be superimposed on two or more flaps 14. For example, the front plug 13 may be packaged by a fifth flap 14-5, the aerosol generating rod 11 by a first flap 14-1, the first segment 12-1 of the filter rod 12 by a second flap 14-2, and the second segment 12-2 of the filter rod 12 by a third flap 14-3. The entire aerosol product 10 may then be repackaged by a fourth flap 14-4.

[0105] The front plug 13 may be heated to generate an aerosol. The front plug 13 may contain an aerosol-generating substance. The front plug 13 may also contain other additives such as a wetting agent and / or an organic acid, and may contain a fragrance liquid such as menthol. For example, the aerosol-generating substance may contain at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. The aerosol-generating substance may contain the same substance as the first microwave reactant. The aerosol-generating substance may be heated by exposure to microwaves, thereby generating an aerosol.

[0106] The front plug 13 may include an aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating substrate may be impregnated with an aerosol-generating substance. The aerosol-generating substrate comprises a crimped sheet, and the aerosol-generating substance is contained in the front plug 13 while impregnated in the crimped sheet. Other additives, such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids, are also contained in the front plug 13 while impregnated in the crimped sheet.

[0107] The aerosol-generating substrate may be placed inside the front plug 13 in a wound state. The wound aerosol-generating substrate is wound around an axis that extends along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol product 10, but is not limited to this.

[0108] A crimped sheet is a sheet made of a polymer material. For example, the polymer material may include at least one of the following: paper, cellulose acetate, lyocell, or polylactic acid. For example, a crimped sheet is a paper sheet that does not produce an unpleasant odor when heated to high temperatures.

[0109] The front plug 13 has a length of approximately 7 mm to approximately 20 mm, and the aerosol generating rod 11 may have a length of approximately 7 mm to approximately 20 mm. However, the lengths of the front plug 13 and the aerosol generating rod 11 are not necessarily limited to these numerical ranges and can be appropriately changed.

[0110] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol product according to yet another embodiment. Referring to Figure 3, the aerosol product 10 may include an aerosol generating rod 11, a filter rod 12, and a trumpet 14. The same information described above regarding the aerosol generating rod 11, filter rod 12, and trumpet 14 of the aerosol product 10 in Figure 1 can be applied to the aerosol generating rod 11, filter rod 12, and trumpet 14 of the aerosol product 10 in Figure 3.

[0111] The aerosol product 10 may comprise a first capsule 16-1 and a second capsule 16-2. The second capsule 16-2 has the same shape and size as the first capsule 16-1, but is not limited thereto.

[0112] The second capsule 16-2 may comprise a second core and a second shell surrounding the second core. The second core may comprise a second substance. If the second shell is fractured, the second substance contained in the second core may be released.

[0113] The second capsule 16-2 can be shattered by exposure to microwaves. The second shell may comprise a second microwave reactant so as to be shattered by exposure to microwaves. The second microwave reactant is heated by exposure to microwaves, thereby causing the second shell to shatter. The second microwave reactant can act as a dielectric. Microwave resonance causes the charges in the dielectric to vibrate or rotate, and the frictional heat generated in the process of the vibrating or rotating charges generates heat from the dielectric, causing the second shell to shatter.

[0114] The same provisions described above apply to the first capsule 16-1 as can be applied to the second capsule 16-2. Furthermore, the second core, second substance, second shell, and second microwave reactant contained in the second capsule 16-2 may each contain the same substances as the first core, first substance, first shell, and first microwave reactant contained in the first capsule 16-1, or they may each contain different substances.

[0115] For example, the second core, second shell, and second microwave reactant are identical to the first core, first shell, and first microwave reactant, respectively, while the second substance and the first substance are different from each other. As another example, the first capsule 16-1 and the second capsule 16-2 may have identical components, with only the first and second microwave reactants differing from each other. As yet another example, the second core, second substance, second shell, and second microwave reactant are identical to the first core, first substance, first shell, and first microwave reactant, respectively, while the content of microwave reactants in each shell differs from each other.

[0116] The first capsule 16-1 and the second capsule 16-2 may be crushed at different times. For example, the first capsule 16-1 may be crushed at the beginning of the heating period, and the second capsule 16-2 may be crushed in the latter half of the heating period. Here, the "heating period" refers to the length of time from when the heater assembly of the aerosol generator, described later, starts heating until when it stops heating. Furthermore, within the overall heating period, the portion corresponding to the beginning of the period corresponds to, for example, approximately half of the heating period, while the remaining length of time corresponds to the "latter half of the heating period."

[0117] By crushing the first capsule 16-1 and the second capsule 16-2 at different times, the first and second substances can be released at different times. Since the first and second substances are released at different times, the problem of depletion of active substances (e.g., flavorings, nicotine, etc.) in the latter half of the heating period can be prevented.

[0118] For example, if the first and second substances contain different flavorings, it is possible to provide aerosols with different flavors depending on when each capsule is crushed. For instance, if the first capsule 16-1 is crushed at the beginning of the heating period and the second capsule 16-2 is crushed in the latter half of the heating period, an aerosol flavored with the first substance may be provided at the beginning of the heating period, and an aerosol flavored with the second substance may be provided in the latter half of the heating period.

[0119] The first capsule 16-1 is located upstream of the second capsule 16-2 and may be crushed before the second capsule 16-2. By crushing the upstream capsule before the downstream capsule, the problem of flavors being mixed when added to the aerosol can be prevented.

[0120] For example, if the second capsule 16-2, located downstream, is crushed at the beginning of the heating section, and the first capsule 16-1, located upstream, is crushed in the latter half of the heating section, the first substance released in the latter half of the heating section may pass through the second capsule 16-2 along with the aerosol. Therefore, a mixing problem between the first and second substances arises.

[0121] On the other hand, if the first capsule 16-1, located upstream, is crushed at the beginning of the heating section, and the second capsule 16-2, located downstream, is crushed in the latter half of the heating section, the second substance released in the latter half of the heating section does not pass through the first capsule 16-1. Therefore, the problem of the first and second substances mixing with each other can be prevented.

[0122] The first microwave reactant and the second microwave reactant may contain different substances. For example, the first microwave reactant may contain glycerin, and the second microwave reactant may contain propylene glycol. As a result, the first microwave reactant and the second microwave reactant are heated by microwaves at different rates, and consequently, the first capsule 16-1 and the second capsule 16-2 may be crushed at different times.

[0123] The first and second shells each contain the same substance as a microwave-reactive material, but may have different concentrations. For example, both the first and second microwave-reactive materials contain glycerin, with the first shell containing approximately 35% to 40% by weight of glycerin based on the total weight of the first shell, and the second shell containing approximately 20% to 25% by weight of glycerin based on the total weight of the second shell. As a result, the first shell, which has a higher content of the microwave-reactive material, reacts more sensitively to microwaves than the second shell, which has a lower content of the microwave-reactive material, and consequently, the first capsule 16-1 may be crushed before the second capsule 16-2.

[0124] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate an example in which the aerosol product 10 has a rod shape, but the embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the aerosol product may have a sheet shape. A sheet-shaped aerosol product may have a circular cross-section when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. However, it is not limited thereto, and may have a polygonal shape including triangles, rectangles, squares, or pentagons.

[0125] A sheet-like aerosol product may comprise a sheet of aerosol-generating substrate and a first capsule disposed on the sheet of aerosol-generating substrate. The sheet-like aerosol product may have a thickness of approximately 1 mm to approximately 20 mm. For example, the sheet-like aerosol product may have a thickness of approximately 5 mm to approximately 15 mm. The diameter of the first capsule contained in the sheet-like aerosol product may be smaller than the thickness of the aerosol product. For example, the thickness of the sheet-like aerosol product may be approximately 5 mm to approximately 10 mm, and the diameter of the first capsule may be approximately 1 mm to approximately 3.5 mm.

[0126] The aerosol-generating substrate sheet is a solid containing an aerosol-generating substance. The first capsule may be placed inside the solid containing the aerosol-generating substance. The solid containing the aerosol-generating substance may contain tobacco material. For example, the solid containing the aerosol-generating substance may be a single piece of tobacco solid.

[0127] For example, a sheet-like aerosol product may be manufactured by a manufacturing method comprising the steps of: preparing a tobacco composition comprising tobacco powder, a binder, and an aerosol-generating substance; inserting the tobacco composition into a sheet-like frame; inserting a first capsule into the tobacco composition inserted into the sheet-like frame; and drying the tobacco composition with the first capsule inserted. The aerosol-generating substrate sheet may have a porous structure with multiple pores. For example, the aerosol-generating substrate sheet may comprise porous tobacco solids. For example, the aerosol-generating substrate sheet may be 200 m 2 / g or 1000m 2 It may have a specific surface area of ​​ / g. Furthermore, the aerosol-generating substrate sheet is 300m 2 / g or 800m 2 It may have a specific surface area of ​​ / g.

[0128] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment. Referring to Figure 4, an aerosol generating apparatus 100 according to one embodiment may include a housing 110 for containing the aerosol product 10 and a heater assembly 200 for heating the aerosol product 10 contained in the housing 110.

[0129] The housing 110 forms the overall appearance of the aerosol generator 100, and components of the aerosol generator 100 may be arranged in the internal space (or "packaging space") of the housing 110. For example, the internal space of the housing 110 may contain, but is not limited to, a heater assembly 200, a battery, a processor, and / or sensors.

[0130] An inlet 110h is formed in one region of the housing 110, and at least one region of the aerosol product 10 can be inserted into the housing 110 through the inlet 110h. For example, the inlet 110h is formed in one region of the upper end surface of the housing 110 (e.g., the surface facing the z direction), but the location of the inlet 110h is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the inlet 110h may be formed in one region of the side surface of the housing 110 (e.g., the surface facing the x direction).

[0131] The heater assembly 200 is positioned in the internal space of the housing 110 and can heat the aerosol product 10 inserted or housed inside the housing 110 through the inlet 110h. For example, the heater assembly 200 is positioned to surround at least one area of ​​the aerosol product 10 inserted or housed inside the housing 110 and can heat the aerosol product 10.

[0132] According to one embodiment, the heater assembly 200 can heat the aerosol product 10 by dielectric heating. In the present invention, "dielectric heating method" means a method of heating a dielectric material to be heated by utilizing the resonance of microwaves and / or the electric field (or magnetic field) of microwaves. Since microwaves are generated by high-frequency power as an energy source for heating the material to be heated, microwaves may be used in combination with microwave power below.

[0133] Inside the heater assembly 200, microwave resonance causes the charges or ions of the dielectric material contained within the aerosol product 10 to vibrate or rotate, and the frictional heat generated during the process of the charges or ions vibrating or rotating causes heat to be released from the dielectric material, thereby heating the aerosol product 10.

[0134] When the aerosol product 10 is heated by the heater assembly 200, an aerosol can be generated from the aerosol product 10. In this invention, "aerosol" means gaseous particles produced by mixing the vapor generated by heating the aerosol product 10 with air.

[0135] The aerosol generated from the aerosol product 10 can pass through the aerosol product 10 or be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generator 100 through the open space between the aerosol product 10 and the inlet 110h. The user can smoke by bringing their mouth into contact with a portion of the aerosol product 10 exposed to the outside of the housing 110 and inhaling the aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol generator 100.

[0136] An aerosol generator 100 according to one embodiment may further include a cover 111 that is movably disposed in the housing 110 and opens or closes the inlet 110h. For example, the cover 111 can be slidably coupled to the upper end surface of the housing 110, exposing the inlet 110h to the outside of the aerosol generator 100, or covering the inlet 110h to prevent it from being exposed to the outside of the aerosol generator 100.

[0137] For example, the cover 111 can expose the inlet 110h to the outside of the aerosol generator 100 from a first position (or "open position"). When the aerosol generator 100 is exposed to the outside, the aerosol product 10 can be inserted into the housing 110 through the inlet 110h.

[0138] As another example, the cover 111 can prevent the inlet 110h from being exposed to the outside of the aerosol generator 100 by covering the inlet 110h from the second position (or "closed position"). In this case, the cover 111 can prevent foreign matter from the outside from flowing into the heater assembly 200 through the inlet 110h when the aerosol generator 100 is not in use.

[0139] Furthermore, an aerosol generating apparatus according to another embodiment comprises a heater assembly 200 for heating the aerosol product 10, and a liquid or gel-like aerosol generating material, and may also include a cartridge (or "vaporizer") for heating the aerosol generating material. The aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material moves to the aerosol product 10 along an airflow passage connecting the cartridge and the aerosol product 10, is mixed with the aerosol generated from the aerosol product 10, and can then be transmitted to the user through the aerosol product 10.

[0140] Figure 5 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment. Referring to Figure 5, the aerosol generator 100 may include an input unit 102, an output unit 103, a sensor unit 104, a communication unit 105, a memory unit 106, a battery 107, an interface unit 108, a power conversion unit 109, and a dielectric heating unit 200. However, the internal configuration of the aerosol generator 100 is not limited to that shown in Figure 5. Depending on the design of the aerosol generator 100, some of the configurations shown in Figure 5 may be omitted, or new configurations may be added.

[0141] The input unit 102 can receive user input. For example, the input unit 102 may be provided as a single pressurized push button. Another example is that the input unit 102 is a touch panel equipped with at least one touch sensor. The input unit 102 can transmit input signals to the processor 101. The processor 101 can supply power to the dielectric heating unit 200 or control the output unit 103 to output user notifications based on the user input.

[0142] The output unit 103 can output information regarding the status of the aerosol generator 100. The output unit 103 can output the charge / discharge status of the battery 107, the heating status of the dielectric heating unit 200, the insertion status of the aerosol product 10, and error information of the aerosol generator 100. For this purpose, the output unit 103 may include a display, a haptic motor, and an acoustic output unit.

[0143] The sensor unit 104 can sense the state of the aerosol generator 100 or the surrounding environment of the aerosol generator 100 and transmit the sensed information to the processor 101. Based on the sensed information, the processor 101 can control the aerosol generator 100 to perform various functions such as heating control of the dielectric heating unit 200, smoking restrictions, determination of whether or not to insert the aerosol product 10, and notification display.

[0144] The sensor unit 104 may include a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, and an insertion sensing sensor. The temperature sensor can either sense the internal temperature of the dielectric heating unit 200 in a non-contact manner, or it can directly obtain the temperature of the resonator by contacting the dielectric heating unit 200. Depending on the embodiment, the temperature sensor can also sense the temperature of the aerosol product 10. The temperature sensor can also obtain the temperature of the battery 107 by being positioned adjacent to the battery 107. The processor 101 can control the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200 based on the temperature information from the temperature sensor.

[0145] The puff sensor can detect a user's puff. The puff sensor can detect a user's puff based on at least one of the following: temperature change, flow rate change, power change, and pressure change. The processor 101 can control the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200 based on the puff information from the puff sensor. For example, the processor 101 can count the number of puffs and cut off the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200 when the number of puffs reaches a pre-set maximum number of puffs. As another example, the processor 101 can cut off the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200 if no puff is detected for a pre-set time or longer.

[0146] The insertion sensing sensor is positioned inside or adjacent to the containment space (220h in Figure 8) to detect the insertion and removal of the aerosol product 10 contained in the insertion port 110h. For example, the insertion sensing sensor may include an inductive sensor and / or a capacitance sensor. The processor 101 can supply power to the dielectric heating unit 200 when the aerosol product 10 is inserted into the insertion port 110h.

[0147] Depending on the embodiment, the sensor unit 104 may further include a reuse detection sensor, a motion detection sensor, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a cover removal / attachment detection sensor, a position sensor (GPS), and a proximity sensor. The function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred from its name, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0148] The communication unit 105 may include at least one communication module for communication with an external electronic device. The processor 101 can transmit information about the aerosol generator 100 to the external electronic device by controlling the communication unit 105. Alternatively, the processor 101 can control the configuration included in the aerosol generator 100 by receiving information from the external electronic device through the communication unit 105. For example, the information transmitted between the communication unit 105 and the external electronic device may include user authentication information, firmware update information, and user smoking pattern information.

[0149] Memory 106 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generator 100, and can store data processed by the processor 101 and data being processed. For example, memory 106 can store data such as the operating time of the aerosol generator 100, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

[0150] The battery 107 can supply power to the dielectric heating unit 200 so that the aerosol product 10 is heated. The battery 107 can also supply power necessary for the operation of other components provided within the aerosol generator 100. The battery 107 is either a rechargeable battery or a detachable battery.

[0151] The interface unit 108 may include a connection terminal that is physically connected to an external electronic device. The connection terminal may include at least one of the following, or a combination thereof: an HDMI® connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector). The interface unit 108 can send and receive information to and from an external electronic device or charge power through the connection terminal.

[0152] The power conversion unit 109 can convert the DC power supplied from the battery 107 into AC power. The power conversion unit 109 can also supply the converted AC power to the dielectric heating unit 200. The power conversion unit 109 is an inverter equipped with at least one switching element, and the processor 101 can convert the DC power to AC power by controlling the ON / OFF state of the switching element included in the power conversion unit 109. The power conversion unit 109 can be configured as a full-bridge or a half-bridge.

[0153] The dielectric heating unit 200 can heat the aerosol product 10 using a dielectric heating method. The dielectric heating unit 200 has a configuration corresponding to the heater assembly 200 shown in Figure 4. The dielectric heating unit 200 can heat the aerosol product 10 by utilizing microwaves and / or a microwave electric field (hereinafter referred to as microwaves or microwave power unless otherwise specified). The heating method of the dielectric heating unit 200 is not a method of radiating microwaves using an antenna, but rather a method of heating the object to be heated by forming microwaves within a resonant structure. The resonant structure will be described later with reference to Figure 7 and subsequent figures.

[0154] The dielectric heating unit 200 can output high-frequency microwaves to the resonant unit (220 in Figure 6). The microwaves are, but are not limited to, power within the ISM (Industrial Scientific and Medical Equipment) band permitted for heating. The resonant unit 220 may be designed considering the wavelength of the microwaves so that the microwaves resonate within the resonant unit 220.

[0155] When the aerosol product 10 is inserted into the resonant section 220, the dielectric material within the aerosol product 10 may be heated by the resonant section 220. For example, if the aerosol product 10 contains a polar material, the molecules within the polar material may be polarized inside the resonant section 220. The molecules vibrate or rotate due to the polarization phenomenon, and the aerosol product 10 may be heated by frictional heat generated in this process. The dielectric heating section 200 will be explained in more detail with reference to Figure 6.

[0156] The processor 101 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generator 100. The processor 101 may be implemented as an array of numerous logic gates, or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and memory storing a program executable by this microprocessor. It may also be implemented as other forms of hardware.

[0157] The 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 power requirements of the dielectric heating unit 200. In one embodiment, the aerosol generator 100 includes a converter that boosts or buckes the DC power, and the processor 101 can adjust the magnitude of the DC power by controlling the converter. The processor 101 can also control the AC power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200 by adjusting the switching frequency and duty cycle of the switching elements included in the power conversion unit 109.

[0158] The processor 101 can control the heating temperature of the aerosol product 10 by controlling the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit 200 and the resonant 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 Figure 6, which will be described later, may be part of the processor 101.

[0159] The 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 contains information about the target temperature of the dielectric heating unit 200 over time, and the processor 101 can control the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit 200 over time.

[0160] The processor 101 can adjust the microwave frequency so that the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200 remains constant. The processor 101 can track the change in the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200 due to the heating of the object to be heated in real time and control the dielectric heating unit 200 so that a microwave frequency corresponding to the changed resonant frequency is output. In other words, the processor 101 can change the microwave frequency in real time, regardless of pre-stored temperature profiles.

[0161] Figure 6 is an internal block diagram of the dielectric heating section shown in Figure 5. Referring to Figure 6, the dielectric heating unit 200 may include an oscillation unit 210, an isolation unit 240, a power monitoring unit 250, a matching unit 260, a microwave output unit 230, and a resonant unit 220. However, the internal configuration of the dielectric heating unit 200 is not limited to that shown in Figure 6. Depending on the design of the dielectric heating unit 200, some of the configurations shown in Figure 6 may be omitted, or new configurations may be added.

[0162] The oscillator 210 can generate high-frequency microwave power by receiving AC power from the power conversion unit 109. In some embodiments, the power conversion unit 109 is included in the oscillator 210. The microwave power can be selected from the 915 MHz, 2.45 GHz, and 5.8 GHz frequency bands included in the ISM band for industrial, scientific, and medical radio frequency equipment.

[0163] The oscillator 210 is equipped with a solid-state RF generator, which can be used to generate microwave power. The solid-state RF generator can be implemented using semiconductors. When the oscillator 210 is implemented using semiconductors, it is possible to miniaturize the dielectric heating unit 200 and increase the lifespan of the equipment.

[0164] The oscillator 210 can output microwave power toward the resonant section 220. The oscillator 210 is equipped with a power amplifier 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 decrease or increase the amplitude of the microwaves. By adjusting the amplitude of the microwaves, the microwave power can be adjusted.

[0165] The processor 101 can adjust the magnitude of the microwave power output from the oscillator 210 based on a pre-stored temperature profile. For example, the temperature profile includes target temperature information for the preheating section and the smoking section. The oscillator 210 can supply microwave power to the first power from the preheating section and microwave power to the second power, which is smaller than the first power, from the smoking section.

[0166] The isolation unit 240 can block the microwave power input from the resonant unit 220 toward the oscillator unit 210. The microwave power output from the oscillator unit 210 is almost entirely absorbed by the heated object, but depending on the heating condition of the heated object, some of the microwave power may be reflected by the heated object and transmitted again toward the oscillator unit 210. This is because the impedance seen from the oscillator unit 210 toward the resonant unit 220 changes due to the exhaustion of polar molecules caused by heating of the heated object. The statement "the impedance seen from the oscillator unit 210 toward the resonant unit 220 changes" is equivalent to the statement "the resonant frequency of the resonant unit 220 changes." If the microwave power reflected from the resonant unit 220 is input to the oscillator unit 210, it may cause the oscillator unit 210 to fail and may not be able to achieve the desired output performance. The isolation unit 240 can guide the microwave power reflected from the resonant unit 220 in a predetermined direction and absorb it, rather than sending it back to the oscillator unit 210. For this purpose, the isolation section 240 may be equipped with a circulator and a dummy load.

[0167] The power monitoring unit 250 can monitor the microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 and the reflected microwave power reflected from the resonance unit 220, respectively. The power monitoring unit 250 can transmit information regarding the microwave power and reflected microwave power to the matching unit 260.

[0168] The impedance matching unit 260 can match the impedance seen from the oscillator 210 to the resonant 220 with the impedance seen from the resonant 220 to the oscillator 210, so as to minimize reflected microwave power. Impedance matching is synonymous with matching the frequency of the oscillator 210 to the resonant frequency of the resonant 220. Therefore, the impedance matching unit 260 can vary the frequency of the oscillator 210 to match the impedances. In other words, the impedance matching unit 260 can adjust the frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillator 210 so as to minimize reflected microwave power. Impedance matching by the impedance matching unit 260 is performed in real time, independently of the temperature profile.

[0169] On the other hand, the aforementioned oscillation unit 210, isolation unit 240, power monitoring unit 250, and matching unit 260 can be implemented as a chip-shaped microwave source, separate from the microwave output unit 230 and resonant unit 220 described later. Furthermore, depending on the embodiment, the aforementioned oscillation unit 210, isolation unit 240, power monitoring unit 250, and matching unit 260 may be implemented as part of the processor 101.

[0170] The microwave output unit 230 is configured to input microwave power to the resonant unit 220 and corresponds to the coupler shown in Figure 6 and below. The microwave output unit 230 can be implemented using SMA, SMB, MCX, or MMCX connectors. The microwave output unit 230 can transmit microwave power generated from the microwave source to the resonant unit 220 by connecting the chip-shaped microwave source and the resonant unit 220 to each other.

[0171] The resonant section 220 can heat the object to be heated by forming microwaves within its resonant structure. The resonant section 220 has a containment space in which the aerosol product 10 is contained, and the aerosol product 10 can be dielectrically heated by exposure to microwaves. For example, the aerosol product 10 contains a polar material, and the molecules in the polar material can be polarized by microwaves inside the resonant section 220. The molecules vibrate or rotate due to the polarization phenomenon, and the aerosol product 10 can be heated by frictional heat generated in this process.

[0172] The resonant section 220 includes at least one internal conductor so that microwaves resonate. The arrangement, thickness, and length of the internal conductors can cause microwaves to resonate inside the resonant section 220.

[0173] The resonant section 220 can be designed considering the wavelength of the microwave so that the microwave resonates inside the resonant section 220. For the microwave to resonate inside the resonant section 220, a closed end (short end) with a closed cross-section and an open end (open end) with at least one region of the cross-section open in the opposite direction to the closed end are required. Furthermore, the length between the closed end and the open end must be set to an integer multiple of 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength. In the present invention, the resonant section 220 is selected to be 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength in order to miniaturize the device. In other words, the length between the closed end and the open end of the resonant section 220 can be set to a length of 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength.

[0174] The resonant portion 220 may include a dielectric housing space. The dielectric housing space is configured to be separate from the housing space for the aerosol product 10, and contains a material that changes the overall resonant frequency of the resonant portion 220 and miniaturizes the resonant portion 220. In one embodiment, the dielectric housing space may house a dielectric with low microwave absorptivity. This is to prevent the phenomenon in which energy that should be transferred to the object to be heated is transferred to the dielectric, causing the dielectric itself to heat up. Microwave absorptivity can be expressed as the loss tangent, which is the ratio of the imaginary part to the real part of the complex dielectric constant. In one embodiment, the dielectric housing space 226 houses a dielectric having a loss tangent less than or equal to a predetermined size, where the predetermined size is 1 / 100. For example, the dielectric is at least one of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and aluminum oxide, or a combination thereof, but is not limited to these.

[0175] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to one embodiment. Referring to Figure 7, one embodiment of the heater assembly 200 may include an oscillation unit 210 and a resonance unit 220. The aerosol product 10 shown in Figure 7 refers to the aerosol product 10 shown in Figure 1. Figure 7 is one embodiment of the heater assembly 200 and dielectric heating unit 200 described above, and a redundant explanation will be omitted below.

[0176] The oscillator 210 can generate microwaves in a specified frequency band by supplying power. The microwaves generated from the oscillator 210 can be transmitted to the resonant unit 220 through a coupler (not shown).

[0177] The resonant section 220 is equipped with a containment space 220h for accommodating at least one region of the aerosol product 10, and the aerosol product 10 can be heated by dielectric heating by resonating the microwaves generated from the oscillator 210. For example, the microwave resonance causes the charges of the aerosol-generating material contained in the aerosol product 10 to vibrate or rotate, and the frictional heat generated during the vibration or rotation of the charges generates heat from the aerosol-generating material, thereby heating the aerosol product 10.

[0178] According to one embodiment, the resonant portion 220 may be formed of a material with a low microwave absorption rate in order to prevent microwaves generated from the oscillator portion 210 from being absorbed by the resonant portion 220.

[0179] The specific structure of the resonant section 220 of the heater assembly 200 will be described below with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly shown in Figure 7. Figure 8 shows a cross-section of the heater assembly 200 shown in Figure 7, cut in the direction AA'.

[0180] Referring to Figure 8, one embodiment of the heater assembly 200 may include an oscillator 210, a resonant 220, and a coupler 230. The components of the heater assembly 200 are identical or similar to at least one of the components of the heater assembly 200 in Figure 7, and redundant explanations will be omitted below.

[0181] The oscillator 210 generates microwaves in a specified frequency band by applying an AC voltage, and the microwaves generated from the oscillator 210 can be transmitted to the resonant section 220 through the coupler 230.

[0182] According to one embodiment, the oscillator 210 may be fixed to the resonant section 220 to prevent it from separating from the resonant section 220 during the use of the aerosol generator. For example, the oscillator 210 may be fixed to the resonant section 220 by being supported by a bracket 220b that protrudes from one region of the resonant section 220 along the x-direction. As another example, the oscillator 210 may be fixed to the resonant section 220 by being attached to one region of the resonant section 220 without a bracket 220b.

[0183] Although the drawings show only an embodiment in which the oscillator 210 is fixed in one region of the resonant portion 220 in the x-direction, the position of the oscillator 210 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, the oscillator 210 may be fixed in other regions of the resonant portion 220 in the -z direction.

[0184] The resonant section 220 is positioned to surround at least one region of the aerosol product 10 inserted inside the aerosol generator, and can heat the aerosol product 10 through microwaves generated from the oscillator 210. For example, the dielectric material contained in the aerosol product 10 is heated by the electric field generated from inside the resonant section 220 by the microwaves. As a result, the aerosol product 10 can be heated by the heat generated from the dielectric (i.e., the aerosol generating material).

[0185] According to one embodiment, the resonant section 220 may include an outer conductor 221, a first inner conductor 223, and a second inner conductor 225. The outer conductor 221 forms the overall appearance of the resonant section 220 and is formed in a hollow shape with an empty interior, allowing the components of the resonant section 220 to be arranged inside the outer conductor 221. The outer conductor 221 has a containment space 220h in which the aerosol product 10 is contained, and the aerosol product 10 can be inserted into the interior of the outer conductor 221 through the containment space 220h.

[0186] According to one embodiment, the outer conductor 221 may include a first surface 221a, a second surface 221b positioned opposite the first surface 221a, and a side surface 221c surrounding the empty space between the first surface 221a and the second surface 221b. At least some of the components of the resonant portion 220 (for example, a first internal conductor 223, a second internal conductor 225) may be arranged in the internal space of the resonant portion 220 formed by the first surface 221a, the second surface 221b, and the side surface 221c.

[0187] The first internal conductor 223 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, extending from the first surface 221a of the outer conductor 221 toward the internal space of the outer conductor 221. Microwaves generated from the oscillation unit 210 are transmitted to the first internal conductor 223, thereby generating an electric field inside the first internal conductor 223. Depending on the embodiment, the first internal conductor 223 may be referred to as a "first resonator" that generates an electric field through microwave resonance.

[0188] According to one embodiment, a region of the first internal conductor 223 is in contact with a coupler 230 connected to the oscillator 210, so that an electric field can be generated inside the first internal conductor 223 by the resonance of microwaves transmitted through the coupler 230. For example, the coupler 230 penetrates the outer conductor 221, and is arranged such that one end of the coupler 230 is in contact with the oscillator 210 and the other end of the coupler 230 is in contact with a region of the first internal conductor 223. Microwaves generated from the oscillator 210 are transmitted to the first internal conductor 223 through the coupler 230, thereby generating an electric field inside the first internal conductor 223.

[0189] The second internal conductor 225 may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the second surface 221b of the outer conductor 221 toward the internal space of the outer conductor 221. The second internal conductor 225 is positioned at a predetermined distance from the first internal conductor 223 within the internal space of the outer conductor 221, and a gap 227 may be formed between the first internal conductor 223 and the second internal conductor 225.

[0190] The second internal conductor 225 is inductively coupled to the first internal conductor 223, and as a result, an electric field is generated inside the first internal conductor 223, which can then induce an electric field inside the second internal conductor 225. In this invention, "inductive coupling" refers to a coupling relationship in which energy is magnetically transmitted between two conductors due to their mutual inductance.

[0191] For example, when microwaves generated from the oscillator 210 are transmitted to the first internal conductor 223, an electric field is generated inside the first internal conductor 223 by resonance. Therefore, an induced electric field can be generated inside the second internal conductor 225, which is inductively coupled with the first internal conductor 223. Depending on the embodiment, the second internal conductor 225 may be referred to as a "second resonator" that generates an electric field through microwave resonance.

[0192] According to one embodiment, the resonant portion 220 may include a short end whose cross-section is closed to have a length of 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength λ (λ / 4), and an open end located in the opposite direction to the short end, in which at least one region of the cross-section is open.

[0193] As an example, the resonant portion 220 is located inside the first internal conductor 223 and includes a closing portion 224 that closes the cross-section of the first internal conductor 223. By closing the cross-section of the first internal conductor 223 with the closing portion 224, a closed end can be formed in the first region 2231 of the first internal conductor 223 where the closing portion 224 is located. Since the closing portion 224 does not exist in the second region 2232 of the first internal conductor 223, which is separated from the first region 2231, the cross-section of the second region 2232 is open, and as a result, an open end can be formed in the second region 2232 of the first internal conductor 223. In other words, when viewed from the xz plane, the first internal conductor 223 is formed in an overall "U" shape and has a closed end and an open end. Due to the structure of the first internal conductor 223 described above, the first internal conductor 223 can operate as a resonator with a length of 1 / 4 wavelength of a microwave.

[0194] As another example, a accommodating space 220h is formed in one region of the second internal conductor 225 facing the closed end, thereby opening the cross-section of the second internal conductor 225. As a result, when the resonant section 220 is viewed as a whole, a closed end is formed in the first region 2231 of the first internal conductor 223, and an open end is formed at one end of the second internal conductor 225 facing the closed end, so that a resonance of 1 / 4 wavelength can be formed within the resonant section 220.

[0195] Due to the resonant structure of the resonant section 220 described above, the electric field does not need to propagate to the area outside the resonant section 220 where there are no conductors such as the first internal conductor 223 and the second internal conductor 225. Therefore, the heater assembly 200 prevents the electric field from leaking to the outside of the heater assembly 200 without the need for a separate shielding member to block the electric field.

[0196] The aerosol product 10, inserted into the internal space of the outer conductor 221 through the containment space 220h, can be heated by dielectric heating while surrounded by the first internal conductor 223 and the second internal conductor 225. For example, a portion of the aerosol product 10 inserted into the internal space of the outer conductor 221 may be located inside the first internal conductor 223 and the second internal conductor 225, while another portion may be located outside the first internal conductor 223 and the second internal conductor 225. The aerosol product 10 can be heated by the electric fields generated from inside and outside the first internal conductor 223 and / or the second internal conductor 225, which cause the dielectric material contained in the aerosol product 10 to generate heat.

[0197] According to one embodiment, when the aerosol product 10 is inserted into the resonant section 220 through the containment space 220h, the aerosol generating rod 11 of the aerosol product 10 may be positioned at a location corresponding to the gap 227 between the first internal conductor 223 and the second internal conductor 225.

[0198] Resonance peaks are formed at the ends of the first internal conductor 223, which acts as the first resonator, and at the ends of the second internal conductor 225, which acts as the second resonator, resulting in a stronger electric field compared to other regions. As a result, the strongest electric field can be generated in the gap 227 between the first internal conductor 223 and the second internal conductor 225 within the internal region of the resonant section 220. In one embodiment of the heater assembly 200, the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the heater assembly 200 can be improved by positioning the aerosol generating rod 11, which contains a dielectric that generates heat in response to the electric field, at a location corresponding to the gap 227 with the strongest electric field.

[0199] According to one embodiment, the resonant section 220 may further include a dielectric housing space 226 for housing a dielectric. The dielectric housing space 226 is formed in the empty space between the outer conductor 221 and the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225, and a dielectric with low microwave absorption may be housed in the dielectric housing space 226. For example, the dielectric may be at least one of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and aluminum oxide, or a combination thereof.

[0200] In one embodiment, the heater assembly 200 can generate an electric field similar to that of a resonant section 220 without a dielectric, while reducing the overall size of the resonant section 220 by arranging a dielectric inside the dielectric housing space 226. In other words, in one embodiment, the heater assembly 200 reduces the size of the resonant section 220 by reducing the size of the resonant section 220 through the dielectric placed inside the dielectric housing space 226, thereby reducing the mounting space for the resonant section 220 in the aerosol generator, and as a result, the aerosol generator can be miniaturized.

[0201] Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a heater assembly according to another embodiment. The heater assembly 300 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 9 may include a resonant section 320 that generates microwave resonance and a coupler 311 that supplies microwaves to the resonant section 320. The aerosol product 10 shown in Figure 9 refers to the aerosol product 10 shown in Figure 1.

[0202] The resonant section 320 may include a case 321, a plurality of plates 323a, 323b, and a connecting section 322 that connects the plurality of plates 323a, 323b to the case 321. The coupler 311 can supply microwaves to at least one of the multiple plates 323a, 323b so as to generate microwave resonance in the resonant section 320.

[0203] The resonant section 320 can surround at least one region of the aerosol product 10 inserted inside the aerosol generator 100. The coupler 311 can supply microwaves generated from an oscillator (not shown) to the resonant section 320. When microwaves are supplied to the resonant section 320, microwave resonance occurs in the resonant section 320, so the resonant section 320 can heat the aerosol product 10. For example, the dielectric contained in the aerosol product 10 may be heated by the electric field generated inside the resonant section 220 by the microwaves, and the aerosol product 10 may be heated by the heat generated from the dielectric.

[0204] The case 321 of the resonant section 320 functions as an "outer conductor". Since the case 321 is formed in a hollow shape with an empty interior, the components of the resonant section 320 can be arranged inside the case 321.

[0205] The case 321 may include a containment space 320h into which the aerosol product 10 is contained, and an opening 321a into which the aerosol product 10 is inserted. The opening 321a is connected to the containment space 320h. Since the opening 321a is open to the outside of the case 321, the containment space 320h is connected to the outside through the opening 321a. Therefore, the aerosol product 10 can be inserted into the containment space 320h of the case 321 through the opening 321a of the case 321.

[0206] The case 321 shown in the drawing has a square cross-section, but the shape of the case 321 can be deformed into a variety of shapes. For example, the case 321 can be deformed to have various cross-sections such as rectangle, ellipse, or circle. The case 321 can be extended in one direction.

[0207] Multiple plates 323a and 323b, which function as "internal conductors" of the resonant section 320, may be arranged inside the case 321. Multiple plates 323a, 323b may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol product 10 contained in the containment space 320h. The multiple plates 323a, 323b may include a first plate 323a arranged to surround one region of the aerosol product 10 and a second plate 323b arranged to surround another region of the aerosol product 10.

[0208] Multiple plates 323a and 323b can be connected to the case 321 by connecting parts 322. Furthermore, one end of the first plate 323a and one end of the second plate 323b can be connected to each other by connecting parts 322. Therefore, a closed end can be formed at one end of each of the multiple plates 323a and 323b by the connecting parts 322.

[0209] The other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b of the multiple plates 323a and 323b can be opened by separating them from each other. Since the other ends of the multiple plates 323a and 323b are separated from each other, an open end can be formed at the other ends of the multiple plates 323a and 323b.

[0210] A resonator assembly can be completed by connecting multiple plates 323a, 323b and connecting parts 322 to each other. The cross-sectional shape of the resonator assembly when cut along its longitudinal direction may be "U-shaped (horseshoe-shaped)".

[0211] Multiple plates 323a, 323b extend in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol product 10. At least a portion of the multiple plates 323a, 323b may be curved so as to protrude outward from the longitudinal center of the aerosol product 10.

[0212] For example, if the aerosol product 10 is manufactured in a cylindrical shape, the multiple plates 323a and 323b may be formed curving circumferentially along the outer surface of the aerosol product 10. The radius of curvature of the cross-sections of the multiple plates 323a and 323b is the same as the radius of curvature of the aerosol product 10. The radius of curvature of the cross-sections of the multiple plates 323a and 323b can be deformed in various ways. For example, the radius of curvature of the cross-sections of the multiple plates 323a and 323b may be larger or smaller than the radius of curvature of the aerosol product 10.

[0213] With a structure in which multiple plates 323a and 323b are formed by curving in the circumferential direction along the outer surface of the aerosol product 10, a more uniform electric field is formed in the resonant portion 320, so that the heater assembly 300 can uniformly heat the aerosol product 10.

[0214] The open ends of the other ends of the multiple plates 323a, 323b may be positioned toward the opening 321a of the case 321. The opening 321a of the case 321 may be positioned spaced away from the other ends of the multiple plates 323a, 323b.

[0215] The open ends of the other ends of the multiple plates 323a, 323b can be aligned with the opening 321a of the case 321. Therefore, when the aerosol product 10 is inserted through the opening 321a of the case 321 and positioned in the containment space 320h, a portion of the aerosol product 10 located in the containment space 320h is surrounded by the multiple plates 323a, 323b.

[0216] The multiple plates 323a, 323b are arranged in pairs opposite each other with respect to the longitudinal center of the aerosol product 10. The embodiment is not limited by the number of multiple plates 323a, 323b, which may be, for example, three or four or more.

[0217] Multiple plates 323a, 323b can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol product 10, that is, in the extension direction of the aerosol product 10.

[0218] At least one of the multiple plates 323a, 323b can contact a coupler 311 connected to an oscillator (not shown). Specifically, at least a portion of the first plate 323a can contact the coupler 311. Microwaves transmitted to the first plate 323a through the coupler 311 resonate inside the multiple plates 323a, 323b, thereby generating an electric field inside the multiple plates 323a, 323b and the connecting portion 322.

[0219] As the coupler 311 penetrates the case 321, one end of the coupler 311 can contact the oscillator (not shown), and the other end of the coupler 311 can contact a region of the first plate 323a. Microwaves generated from the oscillator (not shown) are transmitted through the coupler 311 to the multiple plates 323a, 323b and the connecting part 322, thereby generating an electric field inside the assembly of the multiple plates 323a, 323b and the connecting part 322.

[0220] Furthermore, according to the structure of the resonant section 320 of the heater assembly 300, triple resonant modes can be formed in the resonant section 320. Resonances of microwave TEM modes (transverse electric and magnetic modes) are formed between the multiple plates 323a and 323b. In addition, resonances of different TEM modes are formed between the multiple plates 323a and 323b, as well as 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.

[0221] Triple resonance occurs in the resonant section 320 of the heater assembly 300, allowing the aerosol product 10 to be heated more effectively and uniformly. The resonant portion 320 according to the above-described embodiment may include a closed end (short end) with a closed cross-section having a length of 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength λ (λ / 4), and an open end located in the opposite direction to the closed end, with at least one region of the cross-section being open.

[0222] In Figure 9, the region at one end of the resonant section 320, corresponding to the left region, forms a closed end, where one end of the multiple plates 323a, 323b and the connecting portion 322 are connected to the case 321. In Figure 9, the region at the other end of the resonant section 320, corresponding to the right region, forms an open end, where the opening 321a of the case 321 is opened to the outside. With this structure of the resonant section 320, it can operate as a resonator having a length of 1 / 4 wavelength of a microwave.

[0223] According to the resonant structure of the resonant section 320 described above, the electric field does not need to propagate to the area outside the resonant section 320. Therefore, the heater assembly 300 can prevent the electric field from leaking to the outside of the heater assembly 300 without the need for a separate shielding member to block the electric field.

[0224] The aerosol product 10 inserted into the containment space 320h of case 321 can be heated by dielectric heating by being surrounded by the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b. For example, a portion of the aerosol product 10 inserted into the containment space 320h of case 321 that contains a medium (e.g., an aerosol generating rod 11) can be placed in the space between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b. The aerosol product 10 can be heated by the electric field generated in the space between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b, which causes the dielectric contained in the aerosol product 10 to heat up.

[0225] When the aerosol product 10 is inserted into the resonant section 320 through the containment space 320h, the aerosol generating rod 11 of the aerosol product 10 may be located between a plurality of plates 323a, 323b.

[0226] The length L4 of the aerosol generating rod 11 can be formed to be longer than the length L1 of the multiple plates 323a and 323b. Therefore, the front end 11f of the aerosol generating rod 11 that contacts the filter rod 12 is positioned to protrude more than the other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b, in the direction toward the opening 321a of the case 321.

[0227] At the other ends of the multiple plates 323a and 323b that act as resonators, a resonance peak is formed, generating a stronger electric field compared to other regions. When the aerosol product 10 is inserted into the heater assembly 300, the aerosol generating rod 11, which contains a dielectric that generates heat due to the electric field, can be positioned to correspond to the region with the strongest electric field, thereby improving the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the heater assembly 300.

[0228] Furthermore, in the case of the aerosol product 10 shown in Figure 2, the lengths of the front plug 13 and the aerosol generating rod 11 may be formed to be longer than the length L1 of the multiple plates 323a and 323b. That is, the length from the upstream end of the aerosol product 10 to the downstream end of the aerosol generating rod 11 may be formed to be longer than the length L1 of the multiple plates 323a and 323b.

[0229] Referring to Figure 9, the length L1 of the multiple plates 323a, 323b can be set to be smaller than the length L1 + L2 of the internal space of the case 321. Therefore, the other ends of the multiple plates 323a, 323b can be located inside the case 321 beyond the opening 321a. That is, the other ends of the multiple plates 323a, 323b can be located at a distance of L2 from the rear end of the opening 321a.

[0230] The length from the rear end of the opening 321a, where it is connected to the case 321, to the front end of the opening 321a, where it is opened, is L3. The total length of the case 321 along its longitudinal direction is L. The total length L of the case 321 can be determined by the sum of the lengths L1 of the multiple plates 323a, 323b, the distance L2 between the multiple plates 323a, 323b and the rear end of the opening 321a, and the length L3 of the opening 321a protruding from the case 321.

[0231] To prevent microwave leakage, the front end of the opening 321a, through which the opening is opened, protrudes from the case 321 by a length of L3. By the opening 321a protruding from the case 321, the opening 321a can perform the function of preventing microwaves inside the case 321 of the resonant section 320 from leaking to the outside of the case 321.

[0232] The resonant section 320 may further include a dielectric housing space 327 for housing a dielectric. The dielectric housing space 327 may be formed in the empty space between the case 321 and the multiple plates 323a, 323b. A dielectric with low microwave absorption may be housed in the dielectric housing space 327.

[0233] By placing a dielectric material inside the dielectric housing space 327, it is possible to generate an electric field at a level similar to that generated in a resonant section without a dielectric material, while reducing the overall size of the resonant section 320 of the heater assembly 300. In other words, by reducing the size of the resonant section 320 through the dielectric material placed inside the dielectric housing space 327, the mounting space for the resonant section 320 in the aerosol generator is reduced, resulting in a smaller aerosol generator.

[0234] An aerosol generation system according to one embodiment may include an aerosol product 10 and an aerosol generation device 100. For example, an aerosol generation system according to one embodiment may include the aerosol product 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3 and the aerosol generation device 100 shown in Figures 4 to 9.

[0235] Conventional aerosol generation systems heat the aerosol product by either surrounding the outside of the aerosol product or inserting a heating element into the inside of the aerosol product. In this case, the region of the aerosol product close to the heating element may be heated to a relatively higher temperature, while the region of the aerosol product relatively farther from the heating element may be heated to a relatively lower temperature.

[0236] For example, in an aerosol generation system where the heating element surrounds the outside of the aerosol product, only the external region of the aerosol product is heated intensively, while the internal region of the aerosol product is not sufficiently heated. As another example, in an aerosol generation system where the heating element is inserted inside the aerosol product, only the internal region of the aerosol product is heated intensively, while the external region of the aerosol product is not sufficiently heated.

[0237] When aerosol products are heated unevenly, active ingredients (e.g., nicotine and / or aerosol-generating substances) located in areas of the aerosol product heated at relatively lower temperatures are not completely migrated and remain within the aerosol product.

[0238] Furthermore, because the aerosol product is heated unevenly, the amount of aerosol active ingredients transmitted to the user throughout the entire heating period is uneven, resulting in inconsistent flavor. Furthermore, in conventional aerosol generation systems, the temperature of the aerosol product rises due to the conduction of thermal energy from a high-temperature heating element; therefore, a certain preheating time is required to heat the aerosol product. In addition, the aerosol generated at the beginning of the heating section, before the temperature of the aerosol product has risen sufficiently, does not contain sufficient nicotine or aerosol-generating substances.

[0239] Here, the "heating section" refers to the time duration from the moment the heater assembly of the aerosol generator starts heating until the moment heating ends. Furthermore, the initial part of the overall heating section is defined as, for example, approximately half of the heating section, which corresponds to the "beginning of the heating section," while the remaining time duration corresponds to the "second half of the heating section."

[0240] In one embodiment of the aerosol generation system, a dielectric heating method is applied, and the aerosol-generating material, which is a dielectric dispersed in the medium of the aerosol product 10 (for example, the aerosol generation rod 11 in Figures 1 and 3, or the front plug 13 and aerosol generation rod 11 in Figure 2), is heated, thereby preventing problems caused by uneven heating of the aerosol product 10.

[0241] For example, in one embodiment of the aerosol generation system, since the aerosol product 10 is heated uniformly, the amount of aerosol active components (e.g., nicotine and / or aerosol-generating substances) transmitted to the user throughout the entire heating section is uniform, and a consistent quality of smoking can be provided. Furthermore, since the entire area of ​​the aerosol product 10 is heated uniformly, most of the nicotine and / or aerosol-generating substances contained in the aerosol product 10 can be transferred.

[0242] Furthermore, since the process of heat energy being transferred from the heating element to the aerosol product 10 is omitted, the time required for preheating can be shortened. At the same time, the aerosol generated at the beginning of the heating section of the aerosol product 10 by the aerosol generator also contains a sufficient amount of nicotine and aerosol-generating substances.

[0243] The aforementioned embodiments of the present invention are not mutually exclusive or distinguishable from each other. The aforementioned embodiments of the present invention may be used in combination or in combination with each other in terms of their respective configurations or functions.

[0244] For example, this means that configuration A, described in a particular embodiment and / or drawing, can be combined with configuration B, described in a different embodiment and / or drawing. In other words, even if the combination of configurations is not directly described, it means that combination is possible unless it is stated that such combination is impossible.

[0245] The above detailed description should not be interpreted restrictively in any way, but should be considered illustrative. The scope of the invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the invention are included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Aerosol product, wherein the aerosol product is Aerosol-generating substances that are heated by exposure to microwaves, A first capsule that is shattered by exposure to the microwave, It is equipped with, The aforementioned first capsule is A first core containing the first material, A first shell surrounding the first core, It is equipped with, The first shell comprises a first microwave reactant. Aerosol products.

2. The first substance comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of flavoring substances, nicotine, caffeine, and cannabinoids. The aerosol product according to claim 1.

3. The microwave has a frequency of 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz. The aerosol product according to claim 1.

4. The first shell comprises 20% to 40% by weight of the first microwave reactant, based on the total weight of the first shell. The aerosol product according to claim 1.

5. The first microwave-reactive material comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. The aerosol product according to claim 1.

6. The aerosol product is, an aerosol generating rod comprising the aerosol generating substance and the first capsule, A filter rod is positioned downstream of the aerosol generating rod, It is equipped with The aerosol product according to claim 1.

7. The aerosol product further comprises a front end plug positioned upstream of the aerosol generating rod. The aerosol product according to claim 6.

8. The front end plug comprises an aerosol generating substrate impregnated with the aerosol generating substance. The aerosol product according to claim 7.

9. The aerosol product further comprises a second capsule that is broken down by exposure to the microwave, The aforementioned second capsule is A second core containing a second substance, The second shell surrounding the second core, It is equipped with, The second shell comprises a second microwave reactant. The aerosol product according to claim 1.

10. The first capsule and the second capsule are exposed to the microwave and are shattered at different times. The aerosol product according to claim 9.

11. The first capsule is located upstream of the second capsule and is destroyed before the second capsule by being exposed to the microwaves. The aerosol product according to claim 9.

12. an aerosol generation system, wherein the aerosol generation system is The aerosol product according to claim 1, an aerosol generating apparatus in which the aerosol product is contained, It is equipped with, The aerosol generating apparatus includes a heater assembly that generates microwaves for heating the aerosol product. Aerosol generation system.

13. The heater assembly includes a resonant section that generates microwaves, The resonant portion comprises a plurality of plates arranged spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol product, The microwave is resonated by multiple plates. The aerosol generation system according to claim 12.

14. One end of each of the multiple plates is connected to a connecting part. The other ends of the multiple plates are separated from each other and open. The aerosol generation system according to claim 13.

15. The multiple plates extend in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol product, At least a portion of the multiple plates is curved so as to protrude outward from the longitudinal center of the aerosol product. The aerosol generation system according to claim 13.

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