Aerosol Generator

Abstract

The aerosol generating device includes a heater that heats a first aerosol generating substrate inserted into the cavity, a vaporizer that heats a second aerosol generating substrate, and a control unit that controls power supplied to the heater and the vaporizer based on a first mode for generating a smokeless aerosol and a second mode for generating a smoked aerosol.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly to an aerosol generating device capable of generating both smokeless aerosol and smoked aerosol. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the shortcomings of conventional cigarettes, such as methods of generating aerosols by heating an aerosol-generating material in a cigarette or liquid storage unit (e.g., cartridge) rather than by burning the cigarette.

[0003] However, conventional aerosol generating devices have a problem in that they cannot be switched from a mode for generating a smokeless aerosol to a mode for generating a smoke aerosol. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device capable of switching between a smokeless mode and a smoke mode.

[0005] The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above, and further technical problems can be inferred from the following examples. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An aerosol generating device according to one aspect includes a heater for heating a first aerosol generating substrate inserted into a cavity, a vaporizer for heating a second aerosol generating substrate, and a control unit for controlling power supplied to the heater and the vaporizer based on a first mode for generating a smokeless aerosol and a second mode for generating a smoked aerosol. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The aerosol generating device of the present disclosure has the advantage that it can be switched between a smokeless mode for generating a smokeless aerosol and a smoked mode for generating a smoked aerosol, as required.

[0008] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and various other effects are included in the present specification. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing a first aerosol-generating substrate according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram showing an inhalation substrate according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram showing a heater according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a top side view of a heater according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a top side view of a heater according to another embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a heater according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An aerosol generating device according to one aspect includes a heater for heating a first aerosol generating substrate inserted into a cavity, a vaporizer for heating a second aerosol generating substrate, and a control unit for controlling power supplied to the heater and the vaporizer based on a first mode for generating a smokeless aerosol and a second mode for generating a smoked aerosol.

[0011] The heater also includes a support forming a bottom surface of the cavity, and a heating element disposed in the center of the support and into which the first aerosol-generating substrate is inserted.

[0012] In addition, the aerosol generating device further includes an airflow path through which the aerosol generated from the second aerosol generating substrate flows, and the support body includes a plurality of through holes arranged at a distance greater than a preset distance from the center so that the airflow path and the cavity are connected.

[0013] The plurality of through holes are larger from the center of the support toward the outside of the support.

[0014] The plurality of through holes also includes a first set of through holes disposed within a range of a first separation distance to a second separation distance from a center of the support and having a first diameter, and a second set of through holes disposed within a range of the second separation distance to a third separation distance from the center and having a second diameter larger than the first diameter.

[0015] Moreover, the control unit supplies power to the heater and cuts off power supplied to the evaporator in the first mode.

[0016] In addition, when the first aerosol-generating substrate is inserted into the cavity in the second mode, the control unit supplies power to the heater and the vaporizer according to a first sub-mode included in the second mode.

[0017] In addition, when an inhalation substrate different from the first aerosol-generating substrate is inserted into the cavity in the second mode, the control unit cuts off the power supplied to the heater and supplies power to the vaporizer according to a second sub-mode included in the second mode.

[0018] Alternatively, the first aerosol-forming substrate comprises a tobacco rod and a filter rod, and the inhalation substrate comprises a filter rod without a tobacco rod.

[0019] The aerosol generating device further includes an input unit for receiving a user input, and the control unit controls the power in the first mode or the second mode based on the user input.

[0020] The terms used in the examples are currently commonly used terms, as far as possible, selected while taking into consideration the function in this disclosure, but these may differ depending on the intentions or precedents of those skilled in the art, the emergence of new technologies, etc.

[0021] In addition, in certain cases, the applicant may arbitrarily select a term, and in such cases, the meaning of the term will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in this disclosure must be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of this disclosure, not simply the name of the term.

[0022] In the entire specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, it does not mean excluding other components, but may further include other components, unless otherwise specified to the contrary. In addition, the terms "... unit" and "... module" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be realized by hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0026] The components according to this embodiment are illustrated in the aerosol generating device 1 shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, a person having ordinary skill in the art according to this embodiment would understand that the aerosol generating device 1 further includes other general components in addition to the components illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0027] 1, an aerosol-generating device 10 includes a battery 11, a control unit 12, a heater 130, and a vaporizer 14. In addition, a first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or an inhalation substrate 3 can be inserted into the internal space of the aerosol-generating device 1.

[0028] The first aerosol-generating substrate 2 is also a cigarette. The inhalation substrate 3 is formed in the shape of a cigarette and does not include a tobacco medium portion. The first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the inhalation substrate 3 will be described later with reference to Figs. 2 and 3.

[0029] When the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the substrate for inhalation 3 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1, the aerosol-generating device 1 may generate an aerosol by activating the heater 13 and / or the vaporizer 14. The aerosol generated by the heater 13 and / or the vaporizer 14 passes through the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the substrate for inhalation 3 and is delivered to the user.

[0030] If necessary, the aerosol-generating device 1 can heat the heater 13 even when the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 3 is not inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1 .

[0031] The battery 11 supplies power used for the operation of the aerosol generation device 1. For example, the battery 11 can supply power to heat the heater 13 and / or the vaporizer 14, and can supply power necessary for the operation of the control unit 12. The battery 11 can also supply power necessary for the operation of a display, a sensor, a motor, and the like provided in the aerosol generation device 1.

[0032] The control unit 12 generally controls the operation of the aerosol generation device 1. Specifically, the control unit 12 controls the operation of not only the battery 11, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14, but also other components included in the aerosol generation device 1. The control unit 12 also checks the state of each component of the aerosol generation device 1 and determines whether the aerosol generation device 1 is in an operable state.

[0033] The control unit 12 includes at least one processor. The processor may be realized as an array of a number of logic gates, or may be realized by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executed by the microprocessor is stored. Those skilled in the art will understand that the processor may also be realized by other types of hardware.

[0034] The heater 13 can be heated by power supplied from the battery 11. For example, when the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1, the heater 13 can be located inside the first aerosol-generating substrate 2. Thus, the heated heater 13 can increase the temperature of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2.

[0035] On the other hand, when the substrate for inhalation 3 is inserted into the aerosol generation device 1, the heater 13 is located inside the substrate for inhalation 3 but is not heated. This is because the substrate for inhalation 3 is used to filter the aerosol generated in the vaporizer 14 and provide inhalation resistance. In other words, the substrate for inhalation 3 does not need to be heated because it does not include a tobacco medium portion.

[0036] The heater 13 may also be an electric resistive heater. For example, the heater 13 may include a conductive track, and the heater 13 may be heated by passing a current through the conductive track. However, the heater 13 is not limited to the above example, and may correspond to any heater that can be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be preset in the aerosol generation device 1, or may be set to a desired temperature by a user.

[0037] Meanwhile, as another example, the heater 13 may be an induction heating heater. Specifically, the heater 13 may include a conductive coil for heating the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 by an induction heating method, and the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may include a susceptor heated by the induction heating method.

[0038] For example, the heater 13 may comprise a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the inside or the outside of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 depending on the shape of the heating element.

[0039] In one embodiment, a plurality of heaters 13 may be disposed in the aerosol-generating device 1. In this case, the plurality of heaters 13 may be disposed so as to be inserted inside the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the substrate for inhalation 3, or may be disposed outside the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the substrate for inhalation 3. In addition, some of the plurality of heaters 13 may be disposed so as to be inserted inside the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the substrate for inhalation 3, and the remaining may be disposed outside the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the substrate for inhalation 3. In addition, the shape of the heater 13 is not limited to the shape illustrated in FIG. 1, and may be manufactured in various shapes.

[0040] The vaporizer 14 heats the liquid composition to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol can be delivered to a user through the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the substrate for inhalation 3. That is, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14 moves along an airflow passage of the aerosol-generating device 1, and the airflow passage can be configured such that the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14 can be delivered to a user through the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the substrate for inhalation 3.

[0041] For example, the vaporizer 14 includes, but is not limited to, a liquid storage unit, a liquid delivery means, and a vaporization element. For example, the liquid storage unit, the liquid delivery means, and the vaporization element may be included as independent modules in the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the vaporizer 14 may also be referred to as, but is not limited to, a cartomizer or an atomizer.

[0042] The liquid storage portion can store a second aerosol-generating substrate. The second aerosol-generating substrate can include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition can be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance, including volatile tobacco flavor components. Alternatively, the liquid composition can be a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance. The liquid storage portion can be made separable from the vaporizer 14 or can be made integral with the vaporizer 14.

[0043] For example, the liquid composition may include water, solvent, ethanol, plant extracts, flavors, flavorings, or vitamin mixtures. The flavors may include, but are not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit scents, and the like. The flavorings may include ingredients that provide a variety of flavors or tastes to the user. The vitamin mixture may include, but is not limited to, at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E. The liquid composition may also include an aerosol forming agent, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0044] The liquid transfer means transfers the liquid composition in the liquid reservoir to the heating element, for example, but not limited to, a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic.

[0045] The vaporization element is an element for vaporizing the liquid composition delivered by the liquid delivery means.

[0046] The vaporization element can generate the aerosol by heating the liquid composition, or the vaporization element can generate the aerosol by vibrating the liquid composition.

[0047] When the vaporization element generates the aerosol by a heating method, the vaporization element can heat the liquid composition by a resistance heating and / or an induction heating method. For example, the vaporization element can include, but is not limited to, a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater coil, and the like. The vaporization element can also be configured with a conductive filament such as a nichrome wire and arranged in a structure wound around a liquid transfer means. The vaporization element can be heated by a current supply and transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the vaporization element, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol can be generated.

[0048] When the vaporization element generates the aerosol by a vibration method, the vaporization element may include a vibrator that generates ultrasonic vibrations, a liquid transmission means, and a vibration container that transmits ultrasonic vibrations to the aerosol-generating substrate absorbed in the liquid transmission means to generate the aerosol. The vibrator may generate short-period vibrations. The vibrations generated from the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibrations, and the frequency of the ultrasonic vibrations may be, for example, 100 kHz to 3.5 MHz. The aerosol-generating substrate may be vaporized and / or atomized by the short-period vibrations generated from the vibrator and atomized into the aerosol. The vibrator may include a piezoelectric element, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic. The vibrator generates vibrations (physical force) by the applied electricity, and such small physical vibrations may atomize the aerosol-generating substrate into fine particles and atomize it into the aerosol. The liquid transmission means transmits the aerosol-generating substrate in the liquid storage unit in the cartridge to the vibration container, and the vibration container may perform a function of converting the aerosol-generating substrate transmitted by the liquid transmission means to the aerosol after receiving the vibrations generated by the vibrator. Meanwhile, the vaporization element may be embodied in a mesh or plate shape without a separate liquid transmission means, and may generate aerosol by absorbing and transmitting the aerosol-generating substrate as well as accommodating vibrations.

[0049] Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a general-purpose component in addition to the battery 11, the control unit 12, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14. For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and / or a motor for outputting tactile information. The aerosol generating device 1 may also include at least one sensor (e.g., a puff detection sensor, a temperature detection sensor, a cigarette insertion detection sensor, etc.). The aerosol generating device 1 may also be fabricated in a structure in which external air flows in or internal gas flows out even when the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 is inserted.

[0050] Although not shown in Fig. 1, the aerosol generation device 1 may form a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 11 of the aerosol generation device 1. Alternatively, the heater 13 and the vaporizer 14 may be operated in a state where the cradle and the aerosol generation device 1 are combined.

[0051] The first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the inhalation substrate 3 are also similar to those of a general combustion cigarette. For example, the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol-generating compound and a second portion including a filter or the like. The second portion of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may also include an aerosol-generating compound. For example, an aerosol-generating compound made in a granular or encapsulated form may be inserted into the second portion. Similarly, the inhalation substrate 3 may be divided into a first portion and a second portion. The inhalation substrate 3 may also not include an aerosol-generating compound. That is, the first portion and the second portion of the inhalation substrate 3 may include a filter or the like. In some embodiments, the second portion of the inhalation substrate 3 may include a flavoring compound that is made in a granular or encapsulated form and that imparts flavor to the aerosol generated in the vaporizer 14.

[0052] The entire first part may be inserted into the aerosol generation device 1, and the second part may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a part of the first part may be inserted into the aerosol generation device 1, and the entire first part and a part of the second part may be inserted. A user can inhale the aerosol while holding the second part in their mouth. In this case, the aerosol generated in the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the vaporizer 14 passes through the first part and the second part and is delivered to the user's mouth.

[0053] External air may flow in through at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generation device 1. For example, the opening and / or closing of the air passage formed in the aerosol generation device 1 and / or the size of the air passage may be adjusted by the user. This allows the user to adjust the amount of atomization, smoking sensation, etc. As another example, external air may flow in through at least one hole formed in the surface of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 3.

[0054] Examples of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the inhalable substrate 3 will now be described with reference to FIGS.

[0055] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a first aerosol-generating substrate according to one embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an inhalable substrate according to one embodiment.

[0056] Referring to Fig. 2, the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 includes a tobacco rod 21 and a filter rod 22. Referring to Fig. 1, the first portion includes the tobacco rod 21, and the second portion includes the filter rod 22. Although Fig. 2 illustrates the filter rod 22 as a single segment, this is not limiting. That is, the filter rod 22 may be composed of multiple segments. For example, the filter rod 22 may include a segment for cooling the aerosol and a segment for filtering a predetermined component contained in the aerosol. Furthermore, the filter rod 22 may further include at least one segment that performs another function, if necessary.

[0057] The first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may be wrapped by at least one wrapper 24. The wrapper 24 may have at least one hole through which external air can flow in or internal gas can flow out. As an example, the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may be wrapped by one wrapper 24. As another example, the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may be wrapped by two or more wrappers 24 in a superimposed manner. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be wrapped by the first wrapper 241, and the filter rod 22 may be wrapped by wrappers 242, 243, and 244. Then, the entire first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may be rewrapped by a single wrapper 245. If the filter rod 22 is made up of a plurality of segments, each of the segments may be wrapped by the wrappers 242, 243, and 244.

[0058] The tobacco rod 21 includes an aerosol-forming material. When the tobacco rod 21 is heated, invisible smoke can be generated. For example, the aerosol-forming material can include propylene glycol (PG). The aerosol-forming material can also be free of vegetable glycerin (VG).

[0059] The tobacco rod 21 may include other additives, such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids. Additionally, a flavoring liquid, such as menthol or a humectant, may be added to the tobacco rod 21 by being sprayed onto the tobacco rod 21.

[0060] The tobacco rod 21 may be manufactured in various ways. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be manufactured in the form of a sheet or a strand. The tobacco rod 21 may be manufactured from tobacco shreds obtained by cutting a tobacco sheet into small pieces. The tobacco rod 21 may also be surrounded by a thermally conductive material. For example, the thermally conductive material may be a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but is not limited thereto. For example, the thermally conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 may uniformly distribute the heat transferred to the tobacco rod 21 to improve the thermal conductivity applied to the tobacco rod, thereby improving the smoking experience. The thermally conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 may also function as a susceptor that is heated by an induction heater. In this case, although not shown, the tobacco rod 21 may further include an additional susceptor in addition to the thermally conductive material surrounding the outside.

[0061] The filter rod 22 is also a cellulose acetate filter. Meanwhile, the shape of the filter rod 22 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 22 may be a cylindrical rod or a tubular rod having a hollow inside. The filter rod 22 may also be a recessed rod. If the filter rod 22 is composed of multiple segments, at least one of the multiple segments may be made to have a different shape.

[0062] The filter rod 22 may also include at least one capsule 23. Here, the capsule 23 may perform a function of generating flavor or a function of generating aerosol. For example, the capsule 23 may be a structure that encases a liquid containing a flavoring agent with a coating. The capsule 23 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 3, the inhalable substrate 3 can cool the aerosol generated in the vaporizer 14 and provide resistance to inhalation.

[0064] The inhalation substrate 3 does not include a tobacco rod 21, unlike the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 in Figure 2. The inhalation substrate 3 includes a cooling rod 31 and a filter rod 32. With reference to Figure 1, the first portion 31 described above includes the cooling rod 31, and the second portion 32 includes the filter rod 32.

[0065] The inhalation substrate 3 may be packaged by at least one wrapper 34 .

[0066] The wrapper 34 may have at least one hole through which external air can flow in or internal gas can flow out. As an example, the substrate 3 for inhalation may be packaged by one wrapper 34. As another example, the substrate 3 for inhalation may be packaged by two or more wrappers 34 stacked on top of each other. For example, the cooling rod 21 may be packaged by a first wrapper 341, and the filter rod 32 may be packaged by wrappers 342, 343, and 344. Then, the substrate 3 for inhalation may be repackaged by another wrapper 343.

[0067] The cooling rod 31 can cool the aerosol generated in the vaporizer 14. The cooling rod 31 can further include a structure for providing a suction resistance. The filter rod 32 can be a cellulose acetate filter. Meanwhile, the shape of the filter rod 32 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 32 can be a cylindrical rod or a tubular rod including a hollow inside. The filter rod 32 can be a recessed rod.

[0068] The filter rod 32 may also include at least one capsule 33. Here, the capsule 33 can perform the function of generating flavor. For example, the capsule 33 is a structure that encases a liquid containing a flavoring agent with a coating. The capsule 33 has a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0069] FIG. 4 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0070] 4, the aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment may include a control unit 120, a battery 110, a heater 130, a vaporizer 140, a substrate sensing unit 180, an output unit 170, an input unit 160, and a memory 150. The battery 110, the control unit 120, the heater 130, and the vaporizer 140 in FIG. 4 may correspond to the battery 11, the control unit 12, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14 in FIG. 1, respectively.

[0071] The control unit 120 can collectively control the battery 110, the first heater 130, the vaporizer 140, the memory 150, the input unit 160, the output unit 170 and the substrate sensing unit 180 included in the aerosol generation device 1.

[0072] The battery 110 supplies power to the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140 , and the amount of power supplied to the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140 can be adjusted by the control unit 120 .

[0073] The heater 130 can generate a first aerosol by heating the first aerosol-generating substrate 2. When a current is applied to the heater 130, heat is generated due to the specific resistance, and when the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 is brought into contact (coupled) with the heated heater 130, an aerosol can be generated.

[0074] The first aerosol-generating substrate 2 is also a solid base material that generates a smokeless aerosol. Smokeless aerosol may be referred to by other terms such as invisible vapor. For example, the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may contain propylene glycol (PG). The first aerosol-generating substrate 2 may also be free of vegetable glycerin (VG).

[0075] The vaporizer 140 may include a liquid storage section 141 for storing the second aerosol-generating substrate and a vaporization element 142 for vaporizing the second aerosol-generating substrate. The vaporization element 142 may be powered by the battery 110. The vaporization element 142 may generate a second aerosol from the second aerosol-generating substrate through a heating method and / or an ultrasonic vibration method.

[0076] The second aerosol-forming substrate may also be a liquid carrier that produces a smoke aerosol, which may also be referred to by other terms such as a visible vapor.

[0077] The control unit 120 may control the power supplied to the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140. The control unit 120 may control the battery 110 to adjust the power to the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140. The power supplied to the vaporizer 140 may be transferred to the vaporization element 142 to generate smoked aerosol.

[0078] The control unit 120 may control the power supplied to the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140 through a pulse width modulation (PWM) method. To this end, the control unit 120 may include a pulse width modulation module.

[0079] The control unit 120 can control the power supplied to the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140 to heat the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the second aerosol-generating substrate.

[0080] The control unit 120 can control the power supplied to the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140 based on a first mode for generating a smokeless aerosol and a second mode for generating a smoked aerosol.

[0081] The control unit 120 can supply power to the heater 130 in a first mode for generating a smokeless aerosol and can cut off power supplied to the vaporizer 140. The first aerosol-generating substrate 2 can be heated by the heater 130 to generate the first aerosol. Because the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 includes a compound that generates a smokeless aerosol, the first aerosol is also a smokeless aerosol.

[0082] When the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 is inserted in the second mode for generating a smoke-generating aerosol, the control unit 120 can supply power to the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140 in the first sub-mode. The vaporizer 140 can generate a second aerosol from the second aerosol-generating substrate. Since the second aerosol-generating substrate contains a compound that generates a smoke-generating aerosol, the second aerosol is also a smoke-generating aerosol. The second aerosol can pass through the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and be delivered to the user together with the first aerosol. In the first sub-mode, not only the first aerosol but also the second aerosol, which is a smoke-generating aerosol, is delivered to the user, and is also referred to as a smoke-generating mode.

[0083] When the substrate 3 for inhalation is inserted in the second mode for generating a smoky aerosol, the control unit 120 may cut off the power supplied to the heater 130 and supply power to the vaporizer 140 in the second submode. The second aerosol, which is a smoky aerosol, may pass through the substrate 3 for inhalation and be delivered to the user.

[0084] In one embodiment, information about the substrate inserted into the cavity may be obtained by the substrate sensing unit 180. For example, the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the substrate for inhalation 3 each include a different magnetic material, and the substrate sensing unit 180 may determine the type of substrate inserted into the cavity based on a change in inductance caused by the insertion of the substrate. However, the method of determining the type of substrate is not limited thereto.

[0085] In another embodiment, the input unit 160 may receive a user input to select a mode, and the control unit 120 may control the power supplied to the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140 in the first mode or the second mode based on the user input. For example, the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 3 may be inserted into the cavity based on the user's selection, and the aerosol-generating device 1 may operate in the first mode or the second mode based on the user command received by the input unit 160.

[0086] If the substrate for inhalation is inserted into the cavity, the control unit 120 does not heat the heater 130 even if it receives a user input signal for the first mode or the second submode, because the first portion of the substrate for inhalation includes a cooling rod instead of a tobacco rod, and therefore, carbonization of the substrate for inhalation due to heating of the first portion is prevented.

[0087] The output unit 170 can output visual information and / or tactile information related to the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the control unit 120 can obtain information on the substrate inserted into the cavity from the substrate sensing unit 180 and output the information on the substrate via the output unit 170. As another example, the control unit 120 can obtain mode selection information received by the input unit 160 and control the output unit 170 to output the mode selection information.

[0088] The memory 150 can store information for the operation of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0089] For example, the memory 150 can store a look-up table for identifying a substrate to be inserted into the cavity. As another example, the memory 150 can store temperature profile information for the heater 130 and the vaporizer 140 in each mode.

[0090] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 5, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a heater 130 and a vaporizer 140.

[0092] The heater 130 may include a support 135 forming the bottom surface of the cavity 510 and a heating element 131 into which the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalable substrate 3 is inserted. The heating element 131 is disposed in a center O of the support 135 and may penetrate the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalable substrate 3. The first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the inhalable substrate 3 may also be solid substrates. The heating element 131 may heat the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 to generate a smokeless first aerosol. The heating element 131 may also not heat the inhalable substrate 3 when the inhalable substrate 3 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1. The support 135 includes at least one through hole 136, which allows the airflow path 145 described below and the cavity 510 to be fluidly connected to each other via the through hole 136.

[0093] The vaporizer 140 may be provided replaceably and may include a liquid storage section 141 and a vaporization element 142. The liquid storage section 141 may store a second aerosol-generating substrate 144 for generating a smoky aerosol. The second aerosol-generating substrate 144 may also be a liquid composition. The vaporization element 142 may generate a smoky second aerosol from the second aerosol-generating substrate 144. To this end, the vaporization element 142 may include a liquid transfer means and a heating means. However, the present invention is a method for generating a second aerosol, and is not limited to the heating method. For example, the vaporization element 142 of the present disclosure may generate a second aerosol by an ultrasonic method.

[0094] The vaporizer 140 includes a communication hole 143 through which the second aerosol is discharged, and the communication hole 143 may be fluidly connected to an airflow path 145. The airflow path 145 is disposed at the bottom of the support 135, and may be fluidly connected to the cavity 510 via a through hole 136 formed in the support 135. Thus, the second aerosol generated in the second mode may be transferred to the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the inhalation substrate 2 via the airflow path 145 and the through hole 136.

[0095] More specifically, when the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 is inserted into the cavity 510 in a first sub-mode included in the second mode, the second aerosol generated in the vaporizer 140 can be transferred to the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 through the airflow path 145 and the through hole 136. In addition, since the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 is also heated in the first sub-mode, the first aerosol generated from the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 can be transferred to the user together with the second aerosol.

[0096] In a second sub-mode included in the second mode, when the substrate 3 is inserted into the cavity 510, the second aerosol generated in the vaporizer 140 may be delivered to the substrate 3 through the airflow path 145 and the through hole 136. Also, in the second sub-mode, since the substrate 3 is not heated, only the second aerosol may be delivered to the user.

[0097] In the first mode, the vaporization element 142 is not heated, so that only the first aerosol generated in the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 is delivered to the user.

[0098] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a heater according to an embodiment.

[0099] 6, the heater 130 may include a heating element 131 inserted into the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the substrate 3, and a support 135 supporting the heating element 131. The heating element 131 may extend along the longitudinal direction of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the substrate 3 so as to correspond to at least a part of the overall length of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the substrate 3. The heating element 131 may have a cylindrical or rod-like shape with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the substrate 3. The length of the heating element 131 may be set to be shorter than the overall length of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 or the substrate 3. In this case, the length refers to the longitudinal dimension along which the central axis of the heating element 131 extends.

[0100] The shape of the heating element 131 is not limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings, and the shape of the heating element 131 can be modified in various ways. For example, the diameter of the heating element 131 can be modified to be wider or narrower than that shown in FIG. 6, and can also be made into a needle-like shape.

[0101] One end 132 of the heating element 131 has a tapered shape so that the one end 132 of the heating element 131 can be easily inserted into the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the inhalation substrate 3 .

[0102] The support 135 can be coupled to the heating element 131 to hold the position of the heating element 131. The support 135 can extend outwardly of the heating element 131 and support the ends of the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the inhalation substrate 3 when the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 and the inhalation substrate 3 are inserted into the cavity 510.

[0103] The heating element 131 may be connected to the support 135 by penetrating the support 135 or may be connected to the support 135 by a connecting member. However, the connecting method of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the heating element 131 and the support 135 may be connected to each other by a bayonet mount fastening structure, a screwing method, or an insert injection method.

[0104] The support 135 may include a plurality of through holes 136 for communicating the airflow path 145 and the cavity with each other. In addition, in order to prevent the second aerosol from sticking to the heating element 131, the plurality of through holes 136 may be arranged farther away from the center O of the support 135 than a preset distance d. The diameter of the plurality of through holes 136 may be selected in the range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm. Meanwhile, in FIG. 6, the shape of the through holes 136 is illustrated as being circular, but the shape of the through holes 136 is not limited thereto. For example, the shape of the through holes 136 may be an ellipse, a polygon, or the like. In addition, the arrangement of the through holes 136 is not limited to the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 6. For example, the through holes 136 may be arranged irregularly.

[0105] FIG. 7 is a top side view of a heater according to one embodiment.

[0106] 7, the support 135 may include a plurality of through holes 136 disposed farther away from the center O than a preset separation distance d. The separation distance d is also referred to as a reference distance d.

[0107] The through holes 136 may be larger from the center O of the support 135 toward the outside of the support 135. For example, the diameter of a first through hole disposed a first distance from the center O of the support 135 may be smaller than the diameter of a second through hole disposed farther away from the center O of the support 135. In this case, the first distance may be larger than the first separation distance d.

[0108] Since the heating element 131 is positioned at the center O of the support 135, by setting the diameter of the through hole 136 arranged close to the center O to be small, the aerosol generated in the vaporizer 14 can be effectively prevented from sticking to the heating element 131.

[0109] FIG. 8 is a top side view of a heater according to another embodiment.

[0110] 8, the support 135 may include a plurality of through holes 136 disposed at a distance farther away from a center O than a preset separation distance d. The first through hole set 136a may be disposed within a range of a first separation distance d1 to a second separation distance d2 greater than the first separation distance d1 from the center O of the support 135. The second through hole set 136b may be disposed within a range of a second separation distance d2 to a third separation distance d3 greater than the second separation distance d2. The first separation distance d1 is also greater than the preset reference distance d.

[0111] The diameter of the through hole 136 included in the first through hole set 136a may have a first diameter. The diameter of the through hole 136b included in the second through hole set 136b may have a second diameter. The first diameter may be smaller than the second diameter. As described in FIG. 7, by setting the diameter of the first through hole set 136a arranged to be adjacent to the center O of the support 135 to be small, it is possible to effectively prevent the aerosol generated in the vaporizer 14 from adhering to the heating element 131. Also, unlike FIG. 7, FIG. 8 has the advantage of increasing the convenience of manufacture since the through hole size within a certain area is set to be the same.

[0112] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a heater according to one embodiment.

[0113] Referring to FIG. 9, the support 135 may include a plurality of through holes 136 disposed at a distance farther away from the center O than a preset separation distance d.

[0114] The axial direction (dix) of the heating element 131 and the extension direction (dia) of the through hole 136 may intersect with each other. The extension direction (dia) of the through hole 136 may also be inclined with respect to the axial direction (dix) of the heating element 131. The angle between the axial direction (dix) of the heating element 131 and the extension direction (dia) of the through hole 136 may be set within a range of 5° to 40°.

[0115] By setting the extension direction (dia) of the through hole 136 at an angle to the axial direction (dix) of the heating element 131, the aerosol generated in the vaporizer 14 can be more effectively prevented from sticking to the heating element 131.

[0116] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0117] 10, in step S1010, the input unit 160 may receive a user input. The user input may be an operation command for a first mode for generating a smokeless aerosol or a second mode for generating a smoked aerosol. The input unit 160 may convert the user input into an electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to the control unit 120.

[0118] In step S1020, the control unit 120 determines whether the user input is in the first mode.

[0119] The first mode is also one that produces a smokeless aerosol, which may also be referred to by other terms such as a non-visible vapor.

[0120] In operation S1030, if the control unit 120 determines that the user input is the first mode, it may supply power to the heater 130 and cut off power supplied to the vaporizer 140.

[0121] As a result, the heater 130 can generate the first aerosol by heating the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 in the first mode. According to an embodiment, when the control unit 120 determines that the substrate 3 for inhalation is inserted into the cavity 510, it does not supply power to the heater 130 even when a user input for the first mode is received. This is to prevent carbonization of the substrate for inhalation due to heating of the first portion, since the first portion of the substrate for inhalation includes a cooling rod instead of a tobacco rod.

[0122] If the control unit 120 determines that the user input is not in the first mode in step S1040, the control unit 120 determines whether the user input is in the second mode.

[0123] The second mode is also one that produces a smoky aerosol, also referred to by other terms such as visible vapor.

[0124] If the control unit 120 determines that the user input is in the second mode in step S1050, the control unit 120 determines whether the user input is in the first submode.

[0125] According to an embodiment, the control unit 120 may operate in the first sub-mode even without a user input for the first sub-mode, depending on the type of substrate detected by the substrate detection unit 180. For example, the control unit 120 may operate in the first sub-mode when the substrate detection unit 180 detects the first aerosol-generating substrate 2.

[0126] In step S1060, the control unit 120 may supply power to the heater 130 and the evaporator 140 in the first sub-mode.

[0127] In a first sub-mode, the heater 130 can heat the first aerosol-generating substrate 2 to generate a first aerosol. The vaporizer 140 can heat the second aerosol-generating substrate 144 to generate a second aerosol. The first sub-mode can be included in the smoky mode because a visible vapor (e.g., a smoky aerosol) is generated by the second aerosol-generating substrate 144.

[0128] If the control unit 120 determines that the user input is not the first sub-mode in step S1070, the control unit 120 determines whether the user input is the second sub-mode.

[0129] According to an embodiment, the control unit 120 may operate in the second sub-mode without a user input for the second sub-mode depending on the type of substrate detected by the substrate detection unit 180. For example, the control unit 120 may operate in the second sub-mode when the substrate detection unit 180 detects a substrate 3 for inhalation.

[0130] In step S1080, the control unit 120 may cut off the power supplied to the heater 130 and supply power to the evaporator 140 in the second sub-mode.

[0131] In a second sub-mode, the vaporizer 140 can heat the second aerosol generating substrate 144 to generate a second aerosol. The inhalable substrate 3 can cool the second aerosol and provide resistance to drawing.

[0132] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be embodied in various modified forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the above description. Therefore, the disclosed method should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The scope of the present invention is defined in the claims, not the above description, and all differences within the scope of the equivalents should be interpreted as being included in the present invention.

Claims

1. In the aerosol generating device, a heater for heating a first aerosol-generating substrate inserted into the cavity; a vaporizer for heating a second aerosol-generating substrate; an airflow path through which the aerosol generated from the second aerosol-generating substrate flows; a control unit that controls power supplied to the heater and the vaporizer based on a first mode for generating invisible vapor and a second mode for generating visible vapor; The heater is A support forming a bottom surface of the cavity; a heating element disposed at the center of the support and inserted into the first aerosol-generating substrate; the support includes a plurality of through holes disposed at a distance greater than a preset distance from the center so as to communicate the airflow path with the cavity; an axial direction of the heating element and an extension direction of each of the central axes of the plurality of through holes intersect with each other; An aerosol generating device, wherein the central axes of the multiple holes are configured to face toward the wall surface of the cavity and for aerosol passing through the holes to flow away from the heating element.

2. The plurality of through holes are The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the aerosol size increases from the center of the support to the outside of the support.

3. The plurality of through holes are 2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, comprising a first set of holes positioned within a range of a first separation distance to a second separation distance from a center of the support and having a first diameter, and a second set of holes positioned within a range of the second separation distance to a third separation distance from the center and having a second diameter larger than the first diameter.

4. The control unit is The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein in the first mode, power is supplied to the heater and power supplied to the vaporizer is cut off.

5. The control unit is when the first aerosol-generating substrate is inserted into the cavity in the second mode, The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the second mode is a first sub-mode that supplies power to the heater and the vaporizer.

6. The control unit is The aerosol generating device of claim 5, wherein when an inhalation substrate other than the first aerosol generating substrate is inserted into the cavity in the second mode, a second sub-mode included in the second mode cuts off power supplied to the heater and supplies power to the vaporizer.

7. the first aerosol-generating substrate comprises a tobacco rod and a filter rod; 7. The aerosol generating device of claim 6, wherein the inhalation substrate comprises a filter rod without a tobacco rod.

8. further comprising an input unit for receiving a user input; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the power in the first mode or the second mode based on the user input.

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