Aerosol generating device

Abstract

To provide an aerosol generating device that is convenient to carry and use.SOLUTION: An aerosol generating device includes: a first cartridge including a delivery hole for delivering aerosol generated from a first material; a second cartridge that includes chambers to accommodate a second material through which the aerosol delivered from the first cartridge passes, where a position of the second cartridge relative to the first cartridge is changeable; a drive device for changing the relative position of the first and second cartridges; and a controller for changing the position of the second cartridge relative to the first cartridge such that the aerosol passes through at least one of the chambers if a previously determined condition is satisfied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly to an aerosol generating device in which the relative positions of a first cartridge and a second cartridge are automatically adjusted for convenient carrying and use.

Background Art

[0002] There is an increasing demand for aerosol generating devices that generate aerosols in a non-combustion manner as an alternative to the method of burning cigarettes to generate aerosols. An aerosol generating device is, for example, a device that performs a function of generating an aerosol in a non-combustion manner from an aerosol generating substance and supplying it to a user, or supplying an aerosol having a fragrance by passing the vapor generated from the aerosol generating substance through a fragrance medium.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device that is simple to use and carry.

[0004] Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device that can generate high-quality aerosols that can meet various demands of consumers.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention provides an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system that can solve the problems of the conventional aerosol generating devices described above.

[0006] The problems to be solved through the examples are not limited to the problems described above, and problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the examples belong from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0007] An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes a first cartridge that houses a first substance and includes a transmission hole for transmitting the aerosol generated from the first substance, and a plurality of chambers that house a second substance for allowing the aerosol transmitted from the first cartridge to pass through and discharging it to the outside. At least one of the chambers is a second cartridge that can change its relative position with respect to the first cartridge so as to correspond to the transmission hole, and a driving device that changes the relative position between the first cartridge and the second cartridge by moving at least one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge. A controller that, when a preset condition is achieved, operates the driving device to change the relative position between the first cartridge and the second cartridge so that at least one of the chambers allows the aerosol to pass through.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] The aerosol generating device according to the above-described embodiment can be handled as one integrated device in which a first cartridge containing a first substance and a second cartridge containing a second substance are integrated, and is convenient to carry and use.

[0009] Further, even if the first cartridge of the aerosol generating device is designed to contain a large amount of the first substance, the driving device automatically changes the relative position between the first cartridge and the second cartridge, so that the chamber used for aerosol supply can be selected. Therefore, the effect of replacing it with a new second substance can be obtained without replacing the second cartridge containing the second substance.

[0010] Further, since the relative position between the first cartridge and the second cartridge can be adjusted to select the chamber used for aerosol supply, the effect of replacing it with a new medium can be obtained without replacing the medium cartridge.

[0011] Further, the chambers of the second cartridge can contain different types of the second substance, and the user can select one of the chambers and select the desired second substance, so that an aerosol having various scents can be freely enjoyed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 7

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Figure 9

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] An aerosol generation device according to an embodiment includes a first cartridge that houses a first substance therein and includes a transmission hole for transmitting an aerosol generated from the first substance, a plurality of chambers that house a second substance for allowing the aerosol transmitted from the first cartridge to pass therethrough and discharging it to the outside, a second cartridge that can change its relative position with respect to the first cartridge such that at least one of the chambers corresponds to the transmission hole, a drive device that changes the relative position between the first cartridge and the second cartridge by moving at least one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge, and a controller that, when a preset condition is achieved, operates the drive device to change the relative position between the first cartridge and the second cartridge so that at least one of the chambers allows the aerosol to pass therethrough.

[0014] The first cartridge further includes a heater that performs a heating operation to heat the first substance, and the preset condition for the controller to operate the drive device may include the cumulative time of the heating operation of the heater for generating the aerosol, or a combination of the cumulative time of the heating operation of the heater and the heating temperature of the heater.

[0015] The aerosol generation device further includes a puff sensor that senses fluctuations in fluid pressure and flow rate due to the flow of the fluid flowing inside the aerosol generation device, and the preset condition for the controller to operate the drive device may include any one or a combination of the number of puff operations and the cumulative time of the puff operations determined based on the signal sensed by the puff sensor.

[0016] The aerosol generation device performs a heating operation to heat the first substance of the first cartridge a heater, and an input device that receives a user's input operation for starting the heating operation of the heater and generates an input signal. The preset condition for the controller to operate the drive device may include the usage time determined based on the input signal of the input device.

[0017] The first cartridge includes a plurality of storage tanks partitioned to store the first substances respectively, and a plurality of transfer holes are provided corresponding to each of the storage tanks, and the relative position of the second cartridge with respect to the first cartridge can be changed so that at least one position of the chamber corresponds to the position of one of the transfer holes of the storage tanks.

[0018] One of the first cartridge and the second cartridge is rotatably coupled to the other one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge, and the driving device can rotate one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge.

[0019] One of the first cartridge and the second cartridge is linearly movably coupled to the other one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge, and the driving device can linearly move one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge.

[0020] The aerosol generating device may further include an information generator that notifies information for changing the position of the chamber.

[0021] The controller can change the relative position of the second cartridge with respect to the first cartridge so that one position of the chamber is aligned with the position of the transfer hole.

[0022] The controller can change the relative position of the second cartridge with respect to the first cartridge so that adjacent chambers of the chambers overlap the transfer holes simultaneously.

[0023] The first cartridge and the second cartridge may be integrally coupled to form an aerosol generating assembly, and may further include a case including an accommodation passage for accommodating the aerosol generating assembly.

[0024] The aerosol generating assembly may further include a heater provided in the first cartridge to heat the first substance, and the case may further include an electrical terminal connected to the heater to supply electricity.

[0025] The case may further include a heater that heats a first substance supplied from a second cartridge of the aerosol generating assembly housed in the accommodation passage.

[0026] The terms used in the examples were selected as general terms that are currently widely used while considering the functions of various embodiments of the present invention, but they may also vary depending on the intentions or precedents of those skilled in the art, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Also, in certain cases, terms that are not normally used may be selected, and in such cases, the meaning thereof will be described in detail in the description part of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in various embodiments of the present invention must be defined based on the meanings and explanations of the terms provided herein.

[0027] Also, when a certain part of the specification states that a component "includes", this is understood to mean that, unless there is a special statement to the contrary, it does not exclude other components, but rather further includes other components. Also, terms such as "… part" and "… module" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and this may be implemented by hardware or software, or also by a combination of hardware and software.

[0028] Expressions such as "at least one" that precede a list of elements used herein modify the entire list of elements and not the individual elements of the list. For example, "at least one of a, b, and c" must be understood to include any of simply "a", simply "b", simply "c", "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a, b, and c".

[0029] When one element or layer is referred to as "on", "above", "upper", "connected", or "coupled" to another element or layer, one element or layer can be directly on, above, upper, connected, or coupled to another element or layer. Conversely, when one element is referred to as "directly on", "immediately above", "directly upper", "directly connected", or "directly coupled" to another element or layer, there is no intervening element or layer. The same number as a whole refers to the same element.

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement them. However, the present disclosure can be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a separated state of some components of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0032] The aerosol generating device according to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is a device that performs a function of supplying an aerosol to a user, and is a device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating substance with a heater that operates in a manner using electricity, an induction magnetic field, or ultrasonic waves.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 3, the aerosol generating device includes a first cartridge 10 that houses a first substance 12 therein and includes a transmission hole 11 for transmitting the aerosol generated from the first substance 12, and a second cartridge 20 that houses a plurality of chambers 21 for accommodating a second substance 22 that allows the aerosol transmitted from the first cartridge 10 to pass through and be discharged to the outside.

[0034] The first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 are integrally coupled to each other so as to be handled as one part and form an aerosol generating assembly 5.

[0035] The aerosol generating device includes a case 7 including an accommodation passage 7a capable of accommodating the aerosol generation assembly 5. The case 7 includes a display device 7f for transmitting information to the user on an external surface and a display lamp 7d for transmitting a notice related to the operating state of the aerosol generating device to the user. The display device 7f and the display lamp 7d are an example of an information generator that performs a function of notifying the user of various forms of notices, and the information generator can also be deformed into forms such as a speaker or a vibration generator.

[0036] Also, the case 7 includes an input device 95 that the user operates and that senses the user's operation to generate a user input signal.

[0037] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the case 7 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the aerosol generation assembly 5 has a cylindrical shape that extends long in the axial direction as a whole. However, the embodiments are not limited by such shapes of the case 7 and the aerosol generation assembly 5. For example, the case 7 can also be deformed into various shapes such as a cylindrical shape that extends long in the axial direction, a cylindrical shape having an elliptical cross-section, a flat cylindrical shape, a regular hexahedron, and a rectangular parallelepiped. Also, the aerosol generation assembly 5 can also be deformed into various shapes such as a rectangular parallelepiped and a regular hexahedron.

[0038] The first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 are coupled so that their relative positions can be changed. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the relative position of the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 can be changed by the second cartridge 20 rotating relative to the first cartridge 10. The first cartridge 10 has a cylindrical shape as a whole and includes a position fixing surface 10s formed at least partially differently from the extending direction of the cylindrical surface.

[0039] The accommodation passage 7a of the case 7 is formed as a hollow cylindrical passage that extends long to accommodate the aerosol generating assembly 5. At least a part of the accommodation passage 7a is formed with a position holding surface 7s that has a shape corresponding to the position fixing surface 10s of the first cartridge 10 and is formed differently from the extending direction of the cylindrical surface of the inner wall surface of the accommodation passage 7a.

[0040] When the aerosol generating assembly 5 is accommodated in the accommodation passage 7a of the case 7, the position holding surface 7s and the position fixing surface 10s come into contact with each other, so that the position of the first cartridge 10 with respect to the case 7 can be stably held. That is, while the second cartridge 20 rotates with respect to the first cartridge 10, the position fixing surface 10s of the first cartridge 10 is supported by the position holding surface 7s, so that the first cartridge 10 does not rotate and the fixed state with respect to the case 7 is stably held.

[0041] Also, the position holding surface 7s and the position fixing surface 10s can perform an alignment function for aligning the relative position of the axial center of the aerosol generating assembly 5 with respect to the axial center of the accommodation passage 7a when the aerosol generating assembly 5 is inserted into the accommodation passage 7a of the case 7. That is, the aerosol generating assembly 5 can be inserted into the accommodation passage 7a of the case 7 only when the position fixing surface 10s of the first cartridge 10 of the aerosol generating assembly 5 and the position holding surface 7s of the accommodation passage 7a correspond to each other.

[0042] The case 7 includes an electrical terminal 50d provided at an end of the accommodation passage 7a to supply electricity to the first cartridge 10. If the aerosol generating assembly 5 is aligned with respect to the accommodation passage 7a so that the position fixing surface 10s of the first cartridge 10 of the aerosol generating assembly 5 and the position holding surface 7s of the accommodation passage 7a correspond to each other, the electrical terminal 50d can be accurately connected to the first cartridge 10.

[0043] The embodiments are not limited by the coupling structure between the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20, and the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 can be rotatably coupled to each other by various coupling structures. For example, while deforming the structure of the aerosol generating assembly 5 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 and fixedly holding the position of the second cartridge 20 with respect to the case 7, the first cartridge 10 is rotatable with respect to the second cartridge 20. Alternatively, by rotating each of the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20, the relative positions of the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 can be changed.

[0044] The first cartridge 10 can perform a function of transmitting the aerosol generated by the atomizer 50a built in the case 7 to the second cartridge 20.

[0045] The first cartridge 10 houses the first substance 12 therein. The first substance 12 is, for example, also a liquid or gel-like substance. The first substance 12 can be held in a state of being impregnated with a porous material such as a liquid sponge or cotton inside the first cartridge 10.

[0046] The first substance 12 is a liquid substance and may contain, for example, a tobacco-containing substance containing a volatile tobacco flavor component or a non-tobacco substance.

[0047] The first substance 12 may contain, for example, water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a fragrance, a flavoring agent, or a vitamin mixture.

[0048] The fragrance of the first substance 12 includes menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and fragrance components of various fruits, etc., but is not limited thereto. The flavoring agent may contain components that provide various flavors or tastes to the user.

[0049] The vitamin mixture of the first substance 12 is also a mixture in which at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E is mixed, but is not limited thereto.

[0050] In addition, the first substance 12 may contain an aerosol-forming agent such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0051] Inside the case 7, a nebulizer 50a and a controller 70 are provided for heating the first substance 12 of the first cartridge 10 below the accommodation passage 7a to generate an aerosol. The controller 70 may include a battery that supplies power to the nebulizer 50a, a control chip, a control circuit board, etc. for controlling the operation of the nebulizer 50a.

[0052] The nebulizer 50a includes a core 52 that absorbs and holds the first substance 12 from the first cartridge 10, a heater 51 that is wound around the core 52, in contact with the core 52, or disposed adjacent to the core 52 to heat the first substance 12 to generate an aerosol, and an aerosol generation chamber 50c that surrounds the heater 51 and composes an atmosphere for aerosol generation.

[0053] The nebulizer 50a performs a function of converting the phase of the aerosol product substance into a gas phase to generate an aerosol. An aerosol means a gas in a state where vaporized particles generated from the aerosol product substance and air are mixed.

[0054] The heater 51 is also an electric resistance heating element that generates heat by electricity supplied from the controller 70. The nebulizer 50a includes an electric resistance heating element, but the embodiments are not limited by the configuration of such a nebulizer 50a. The nebulizer 50a generates an aerosol, for example, by an ultrasonic method or an induction heating method.

[0055] The first cartridge 10 includes a transmission hole 11 that extends along the extension direction of the first cartridge 10 and transmits the aerosol. The aerosol generation chamber 50c transmits the aerosol generated by the heater 51 to the transmission hole 11 of the first cartridge 10. Therefore, the aerosol supplied from the aerosol generation chamber 50c is transmitted to the second cartridge 20 through the transmission hole 11 of the first cartridge 10.

[0056] The second cartridge 20 includes a plurality of chambers 21 that are rotatably arranged with respect to the first cartridge 10 and are sequentially positioned along the rotation direction, and a second substance 22 that is accommodated in each of the chambers 21 and allows the aerosol to pass through.

[0057] The second substance 22 is in a solid state and may include, for example, granules that are a collection of powders or small particles.

[0058] The second substance 22 includes, for example, a tobacco-containing substance containing a volatile tobacco flavor component, or an additive substance such as a flavoring agent, a wetting agent, and / or an organic acid, or a flavoring substance such as menthol or a humectant, or a plant extract, a fragrance, a flavoring agent, and a vitamin mixture, and may include any one of these components or a mixture of these components.

[0059] The fragrance of the second substance 22 includes menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and scent components of various fruits, but is not limited thereto.

[0060] The flavoring agent of the second substance 22 may include components that provide various flavors or tastes to the user. The vitamin mixture of the second substance 22 is also a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto.

[0061] The second cartridge 20 includes a plurality of chambers 21 that are sequentially spaced apart from each other along the rotation direction of the second cartridge 20. The chambers 21 are partitioned independently of each other by partition walls.

[0062] In FIG. 2, three chambers 21 are provided, but the embodiment is not limited by the number of chambers 21, and two or four or more chambers 21 may be provided.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 3, the first cartridge 10 includes a rotating shaft 40 that protrudes upward. The rotating shaft 40 protrudes upward from the first cartridge 10 and extends, and the second cartridge 20 is rotatably coupled to the rotating shaft 40.

[0064] A mouthpiece 26 including an exhaust port 26e for discharging to the outside an aerosol that has passed through any one of the second substances 22 in the chamber 21 is coupled to the upper portion of the second cartridge 20. An upper plate 27 that covers the upper end portion of the chamber 21 is disposed above the chamber 21. The upper plate 27 includes an upper through hole 27p through which the aerosol passes.

[0065] A flow guide 29 is coupled to the upper end portion of the rotating shaft 40 that protrudes from the upper surface of the upper plate 27. The flow guide 29 is disposed inside the mouthpiece 26 and performs a function of guiding the flow of the aerosol that has passed through the second substance 22 in the chamber 21 to the exhaust port 26e of the mouthpiece 26. The flow guide 29 may include a plurality of blades corresponding to each of the chambers 21.

[0066] With the relative position between the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 being changed in a state where the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 are coupled, at least one of the plurality of chambers 21 of the second cartridge 20 corresponds to the transmission hole 11 of the first cartridge 10. Accordingly, the aerosol discharged from the transmission hole 11 of the first cartridge 10 passes through the second substance 22 accommodated in the chamber corresponding to the transmission hole 11 among the plurality of chambers 21 of the second cartridge 20. While the aerosol passes through the second substance 22, the characteristics of the aerosol can be changed.

[0067] The aerosol generating device further includes a driving device 60 that generates a driving force to move at least one of the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the driving device 60 includes a motor 61 disposed inside the case 7 and operating by an electric signal, and a gear 62 that transmits the driving force of the motor 61 to the second cartridge 20. On the outside of the second cartridge 20, a gear surface 20g is provided so as to extend along the rotation direction of the second cartridge 20.

[0068] When the aerosol generating assembly 5 is attached to the case 7, the gear surface 20g of the second cartridge 20 is coupled to the gear 62. When an electric signal is applied from the controller 70 to the motor 61 of the driving device 60, the shaft of the motor 61 rotates, and the driving force of the motor 61 is transmitted to the gear surface 20g of the second cartridge 20 through the gear 62. Accordingly, the driving device 60 can perform a function of rotating the second cartridge 20 with respect to the first cartridge 10.

[0069] The embodiment is not limited by the configuration of the driving device 60 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. For example, the driving device 60 can be connected to the first cartridge 10 to rotate the first cartridge 10. Also, the gear 62 of the driving device 60 can be replaced with various power transmission elements such as a belt and a sprocket.

[0070] Here, the fact that at least one of the plurality of chambers 21 of the second cartridge 20 corresponds to the transmission hole 11 of the first cartridge 10 includes both the case where any one of the plurality of chambers 21 corresponds to the transmission hole 11 of the first cartridge 10 and the case where two adjacent chambers 21 among the plurality of chambers 21 correspond to the transmission hole 11 of the first cartridge 10.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the second cartridge 20 includes a label 91 provided on the outer surface. The second cartridge 20 includes a plurality of chambers 21 inside, and the label 91 of the second cartridge 20 is formed at a position corresponding to each of the chambers 21.

[0072] The first cartridge 10 includes a label 92 used as a reference position for the label 91 of the second cartridge 20 on the outer surface. Therefore, by aligning the label 91 of the second cartridge 20 with the label 92 of the first cartridge 10, the position of at least one of the chambers can be aligned with the position of the transmission hole 11 of the first cartridge 10 that discharges the aerosol.

[0073] In addition, the user can check the positions of the label 91 of the second cartridge 20 and the label 92 of the first cartridge 10, and can identify information related to the chamber through which the aerosol is currently passing among the chambers of the second cartridge 20.

[0074] Between the second cartridge 20 and the first cartridge 10, a signal generator 97 is provided that indicates the type of the second substance 22 included in the chamber through which the aerosol is currently passing among the chambers 21 according to the relative positions of the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20.

[0075] The signal generator 97 includes a transmitter 97a disposed in the second cartridge 20 and a receiver 97b disposed in the first cartridge 10 to sense the transmitter 97a. The embodiments are not limited by the arrangement positions and the number of the transmitter 97a and the receiver 97b. For example, the transmitter 97a may be disposed in the first cartridge 10, and the receiver 97b may be disposed in the second cartridge 20.

[0076] The transmitter 97a and the receiver 97b of the signal generator 97 may also be implemented by one or a combination of, for example, an optical sensing sensor such as a photocoupler, a magnetic force sensor that senses magnetic force using the Hall effect, an electrical resistance sensor that senses a change in electrical resistance, and the like.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a puff sensor 79p is disposed on a path through which the aerosol flows inside the case 7. The puff sensor 79p can perform a function of sensing an aerosol flow phenomenon generated in association with a user's aerosol inhalation operation. The puff sensor 79p, for example, by being connected to the transfer hole 11, senses fluctuations in fluid pressure and flow rate of a fluid containing the aerosol flowing through the transfer hole 11, that is, an air flow, and generates a signal. The puff sensor 79p may be disposed in a pressure sensing hole 79s connected to the transfer hole 11.

[0078] When using the aerosol generating device as described above, the aerosol transmitted from the first cartridge 10 and entering the chamber 21 of the second cartridge 20 passes through the second substance 22 accommodated in the chamber 21. The second substance 22 imparts a fragrance to the aerosol. The The aerosol containing a rich fragrance while passing through the second substance 22 passes through the upper through hole 27p of the upper plate 27 disposed above the chamber 21, and then is discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device through the mouthpiece 26.

[0079] If the preset conditions are met, the controller 70 can perform the function of changing the relative position between the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 so that at least one of the chambers 21 in the chamber 21 allows the aerosol transmitted from the first cartridge 10 to pass through by operating the drive device 60. That is, for the second substance 22 contained in the chamber 21 of the second cartridge 20, a preset use time is determined in relation to the operation of allowing the aerosol to pass through. If the actual use time when the second substance 22 is used to perform the operation of allowing the aerosol to pass through reaches the preset use time, the position of the chamber 21 allowing the aerosol to pass through must be changed.

[0080] The controller 70 can perform the function of selecting one or more adjacent chambers 21 of the chamber 21 of the second cartridge 20 to allow the aerosol to pass through by changing the relative position of the second cartridge 20 with respect to the first cartridge 10.

[0081] Figure 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the connection relationship of some components of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1.

[0082] The controller 70 illustrated in Figure 4 is also embodied by any one of a circuit board disposed inside the case 7 illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, a semiconductor chip attached to the circuit board, or software mounted on the semiconductor chip or the circuit board, or a combination thereof.

[0083] The controller 70 includes a nebulizer controller 71 that controls the nebulizer 50a to control the generation amount or temperature of the aerosol, a temperature sensor 79t that senses the temperature related to the nebulizer, a puff sensor 79p that senses changes in the pressure or velocity of the air generated when the user inhales the aerosol, a sensor controller 74 that receives the signal of a sensor that senses the change in the rotational position of the second cartridge 20 relative to the first cartridge 10 like the signal generator 97 shown in FIG. 2, an information controller 75 that controls an information generator 96 that provides information to the user or gives a notification, a user input receiver 76 that receives a user input signal from an input device 95 which is a user input device such as a button, a touch screen, or an input button that senses the user's input operation, a storage 78 that includes information related to the type of the first substance in the first cartridge 10 and the type of the second substance in the second cartridge 20, a temperature profile for controlling the operating temperature of the nebulizer, information related to the user, etc., an input / output controller 73 that transmits and receives data, a medium discriminator 72 that determines the type of the medium currently being used based on the signal received from the signal generator 97, and a drive controller 77 that controls the operation of the drive device 60.

[0084] By sensing the user's inhalation operation, the controller 70 as described above starts or stops the operation of the nebulizer. Further, the controller 70 can determine the type of the medium currently being used based on the signal applied from the signal generator 97, and can suitably control the operating temperature, operating time, etc. of the nebulizer according to the type of the medium.

[0085] When the preset conditions are satisfied, the controller 70 can operate the drive device 60. The preset conditions for the controller 70 to operate the drive device 60 to change the relative positions of the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 may include the cumulative time of the heating operation in which the heater generates heat to generate the aerosol, or a combination of the cumulative time of the heating operation of the heater and the heating temperature of the heater.

[0086] When the preset conditions are satisfied, the controller 70 first passes through the information generator 96 to the first car It is possible to generate a notification informing that a relative position change between the trigger 10 and the second cartridge 20 is necessary. When the user checks the notification and operates the input device 95, the controller 70 can operate the drive device 60 based on the input signal applied from the input device 95 to change the relative position between the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20.

[0087] When the preset conditions include the cumulative time of the heating operation of the heater, the controller 70 can calculate the amount of current or the amount of power supplied to the heater by the atomization controller 71, or sum up the time during which current is supplied to the heater to calculate the cumulative time of the heating operation of the heater. For example, when it is preset that the time during which the second substance 22 contained in one of the chambers 21 of the second cartridge 20 can pass the aerosol and impart a fragrance to the aerosol is n minutes, the controller 70 determines that when the cumulative time of the heating operation of the heater reaches n minutes, the use of the chamber through which the current aerosol is passing must be terminated, and by changing the relative position of the second cartridge 20 with respect to the first cartridge 10, a new chamber for passing the aerosol can be selected from among the chambers 21.

[0088] The heating operation of the heater may include a main heating operation that generates heat at a temperature sufficient to vaporize the first substance of the first cartridge 10, and a preheating operation that generates heat in a temperature range lower than the temperature range corresponding to the main heating operation. The heating operation of the heater included in the preset conditions for the controller 70 to operate the drive device 60 is also the main heating operation.

[0089] When the preset conditions include a combination of the cumulative time of the heating operation of the heater and the heating temperature of the heater, it is even more useful when the heating operation of the heater includes the main heating operation and the preheating operation. For example, when it is preset that the time during which the second substance 22 contained in one of the chambers 21 can pass the aerosol and impart a fragrance to the aerosol is n minutes, the controller 70 can count the cumulative time of the heating operation of the heater only when the heating temperature of the heater reaches the temperature corresponding to the main heating operation.

[0090] The preset conditions for the controller 70 to operate the drive device 60 to change the relative position between the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 may include either one or a combination of the number of puff operations determined based on the signal sensed by the puff sensor 79p and the cumulative time of the puff operations. When the intensity of the signal sensed by the puff sensor 79p exceeds a preset threshold value, the controller 70 determines that a valid inhalation operation has been performed by the user and counts the number of puff operations.

[0091] When the preset conditions include the number of puff operations, the controller 70 can count the number of puff operations performed on the chamber in the chamber 21 of the second cartridge 20 through which the aerosol currently passes, based on the signal generated by the puff sensor 79p. In such a case, the controller 70 ignores the cumulative time of the puff operations during which the user continuously performs the inhalation operation of inhaling the aerosol, and simply counts only the number of times the puff operation has occurred based on the signal of the puff sensor 79p.

[0092] For example, when the number of puff operations for allowing the second substance 22 contained in one of the chambers 21 of the second cartridge 20 to pass the aerosol and impart a fragrance to the aerosol is preset to m times, when the number of puff operations reaches m times, the controller 70 determines that it must end the use of the chamber through which the current aerosol passes, and by changing the relative position of the second cartridge 20 with respect to the first cartridge 10, a new chamber for passing the aerosol can be selected from among the chambers 21.

[0093] The controller 70 can determine the timing of changing the position of the second cartridge 20 for selecting a new chamber in consideration of the usage environment of the aerosol generating device and the inhalation habits of the user. For this purpose, the preset conditions may include the cumulative time of the puff operations, or a combination of the number of puff operations and the cumulative time of the puff operations.

[0094] When the set conditions include a combination of the number of puff operations and the cumulative time of puff operations, the operation is as follows. For example, when the number of puff operations in which the second substance 22 contained in one of the chambers 21 allows the aerosol to pass through and imparts a fragrance to the aerosol is m times, and the cumulative time of puff operations is preset to p minutes, only when both the condition that the number of puff operations reaches m times and the condition that the cumulative time of puff operations reaches p minutes are satisfied, the controller 70 determines that it must end the use of the chamber through which the aerosol is currently passing. Therefore, even if the number of puff operations reaches m times based on the signal of the puff sensor 79p, if the cumulative time of puff operations has not reached p minutes, the controller 70 keeps the position of the chamber through which the aerosol is currently passing unchanged until the cumulative time of puff operations reaches p minutes, so that the number of puff operations can reach m + x times. Even if only one of the condition that the number of puff operations reaches m times and the condition that the cumulative time of puff operations reaches p minutes is satisfied by modifying such operating conditions, the controller 70 determines that it must end the use of the chamber through which the aerosol is currently passing.

[0095] The set conditions for the controller 70 to operate the drive device 60 to change the relative positions of the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 may include the usage time determined based on the input signal generated when the input device 95 receives the user's input.

[0096] When the preset conditions include the usage time determined based on the input signal of the input device 95, it is even more useful when the user can execute the function of directly starting the operation of the heater. For example, for the purpose of satisfying the user's preferences or improving convenience, when the user operates the input device 95, the aerosol generator can provide a function that the heater immediately reacts and performs the main heating operation at high speed without performing a separate preheating operation of the atomizer. In such a case, by including the usage time determined based on the input signal of the input device 95 in the preset conditions, when the usage time during which the atomizer operates by the user's operation reaches the preset reference usage time, the controller 70 determines that it must end the use of the chamber through which the aerosol is currently passing, and by changing the relative position of the second cartridge 20 with respect to the first cartridge 10, a new chamber for passing the aerosol can be selected from among the chambers 21.

[0097] The preset conditions for the controller 70 to operate the drive device 60 to change the relative position between the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 may include any one or a combination of the number of puff operations determined based on the signal sensed by the puff sensor 79p and the cumulative time of the puff operations. The controller 70 counts the number of puff operations when it determines that an effective inhalation operation has been performed by the user when the intensity of the signal sensed by the puff sensor 79p exceeds a preset threshold value.

[0098] Among the above descriptions, letters such as m, n, p, x, etc. used to indicate time or number of times mean integers, real numbers, or lengths of time.

[0099] The preset conditions for the controller 70 to operate the drive device 60 to change the relative position between the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 may include the selection condition that at least one of the chambers 21 is selected based on the input signal generated when the input device 95 receives the user's input.

[0100] The chamber 21 of the second cartridge 20 contains a second substance 22 having different types of media or different particle sizes from each other, and the controller 70 causes the display lamp 7d to emit light. Or, by changing the emission hue or displaying information on the display device 7f, information regarding the second substance 22 contained in the chamber of the chamber 21 of the second cartridge 20 that is currently aligned with the transfer hole 11 of the first cartridge 10 can be provided to the user.

[0101] When the user operates the input device 95 to select a chamber of the chamber 21 that the user wishes to use, based on the input signal input from the input device 95 by the controller 70, it is determined that the selection condition in which the user has selected at least one chamber of the chamber 21 has been achieved, and thus the relative position between the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 can be changed.

[0102] When using the aerosol generating device as described above, before the user attaches the aerosol generating assembly 5 to the case 7, the second cartridge 20 is rotated with respect to the first cartridge 10 so that at least one position of the chamber 21 of the second cartridge 20 is placed at a position corresponding to the transfer hole 11 of the first cartridge 10. The rotational position of the second cartridge 20 can be adjusted. After adjusting the relative position between the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20, the user attaches the aerosol generating assembly 5 to the case 7.

[0103] By modifying such an operation method, even if the user does not adjust the relative position between the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20, if the user attaches the aerosol generating assembly 5 to the case 7, the drive device 60 built into the case 7 automatically rotates the second cartridge 20, so that the relative position between the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 can be automatically adjusted to the initial position for aerosol generation. The "initial position" is also a position where any one position of the chamber 21 of the second cartridge 20 corresponds to the position of the transfer hole 11.

[0104] In the chamber 21 of the second cartridge 20, at least one position corresponds to the position of the transfer hole 11 of the first cartridge 10, and the user can inhale the aerosol through the mouthpiece 26.

[0105] The aerosol generation assembly 5 of the aerosol generating device can be handled as one device in which the first cartridge 10 containing the first substance 12 and the second cartridge 20 containing the second substance 22 are integrated, and it is convenient to carry and use.

[0106] Also, even if the first cartridge 10 of the aerosol generating device is designed to contain a large amount of the first substance 12, the drive device 60 can automatically rotate the second cartridge 20 to select the chamber 21 used for aerosol supply. Therefore, an effect of alternating with a new second substance 22 can be obtained without replacing the second cartridge containing the second substance 22.

[0107] Also, the chambers 21 of the second cartridge 20 may contain different types of the second substance 22. For example, even if the chambers 21 contain the second substance 22 having different particle sizes and different flavor accelerations from each other, the controller 70 can identify the "use chamber currently in use that allows the aerosol to pass through by being aligned so as to correspond to the transfer hole 11 among the chambers 21" based on the signal generated by the signal generator 97. Since information related to the use chamber identified by the controller 70 and the second substance 22 contained in the use chamber can be provided to the user, the user can select one of the chambers 21 and select the desired second substance 22, so that the user can freely enjoy aerosols having various flavors.

[0108] FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing some components of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

[0109] In the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the aerosol generation assembly 5 is the first It includes a cartridge 10 and a second cartridge 20 rotatably coupled to the first cartridge 10. The first cartridge 10 is provided with a driving device 60. By rotating the second cartridge 20 with the driving device 60, the relative position of the second cartridge 20 with respect to the first cartridge 10 is changed.

[0110] The first cartridge 10 includes a plurality of storage tanks partitioned to respectively store the first substance 12, and a plurality of transfer holes 11 formed corresponding to the plurality of storage tanks. The aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 has the first cartridge 10 including two storage tanks and two transfer holes 11. However, the embodiment is not limited by such a configuration of the first cartridge 10, and the number of storage tanks and the number of transfer holes 11 can be variously deformed.

[0111] The aerosol generated by vaporizing the first substance 12 contained in the plurality of storage tanks is transmitted to the second cartridge 20 through the plurality of transfer holes 11 of the first cartridge 10. When generating aerosol in the first cartridge 10, the first substance 12 in all the storage tanks of the first cartridge 10 is vaporized simultaneously. If necessary, the first substance 12 is vaporized only at one location among the plurality of storage tanks, or the first substance 12 can be vaporized in a plurality of the plurality of storage tanks.

[0112] The second cartridge 20 includes a plurality of chambers 21 that accommodate a second substance 22 that allows the aerosol transmitted from the first cartridge 10 to pass through and be discharged to the outside. The first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 are integrally coupled to each other so as to be handled as one integrated part to form an aerosol generation assembly 5.

[0113] FIG. 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0114] When the second cartridge 20 rotates by a driving device, the relative position of the second cartridge 20 with respect to the first cartridge 10 can be changed. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the rotational position of the second cartridge 20 with respect to the first cartridge 10 can be aligned such that one position in the chamber 21 of the second cartridge 20 corresponds to the position of one transfer hole 11. By allowing one of the chambers 21 of the second cartridge 20 in the aligned state as illustrated in FIG. 6 to pass the aerosol transmitted from one transfer hole 11 of the first cartridge 10, the function of changing the characteristics of the aerosol can be performed.

[0115] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken in the horizontal direction showing another operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0116] When the second cartridge 20 rotates by a driving device and the relative position of the second cartridge 20 with respect to the first cartridge 10 is changed, the rotational position of the second cartridge 20 with respect to the first cartridge 10 can be aligned such that the positions of adjacent chambers 21 correspond to the position of one transfer hole 11 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0117] In FIG. 7, among the chambers 21 of the second cartridge 20, each of two adjacent chambers is positioned so as to overlap a region corresponding to half of one transfer hole 11. The embodiment is not limited by such an alignment position of the second cartridge 20, and the rotational position of the second cartridge 20 with respect to the first cartridge 10 can be aligned such that the areas where two adjacent chambers in the chamber 21 overlap the transfer hole 11 are different from each other.

[0118] For example, when the life related to the function of allowing the second substance 22 contained in one of two adjacent chambers 21 to pass the aerosol reaches 20%, it can be overlapped with an area corresponding to about 80% of the transfer hole 11, and the other one of the two adjacent chambers 21 can be overlapped with an area corresponding to about 20% of the transfer hole 11. When the life related to the function of allowing the second substance 22 contained in one of two adjacent chambers 21 to pass the aerosol reaches 20%, it can be overlapped with an area corresponding to about 80% of the transfer hole 11, and the other one of the two adjacent chambers 21 can be overlapped with an area corresponding to about 20% of the transfer hole 11.

[0119] For example, when the lifespan related to the function of allowing the second substance 22 contained in one of two adjacent chambers 21 to pass aerosol reaches 60%, it is superimposed on an area corresponding to about 40% of the transfer hole 11. Among the two adjacent chambers 21, the other chamber can be superimposed on an area corresponding to about 60% of the transfer hole 11.

[0120] Also, when the lifespan related to the function of allowing the second substance 22 contained in one of two adjacent chambers 21 to pass aerosol reaches 80%, it is superimposed on an area corresponding to about 20% of the transfer hole 11. Among the two adjacent chambers 21, the other chamber can be superimposed on an area corresponding to about 80% of the transfer hole 11.

[0121] The lifespan related to the function of allowing the second substance 22 contained in the chamber 21 of the second cartridge 20 to pass aerosol can be determined by the preset conditions used by the controller to change the relative positions of the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 as described above.

[0122] Also, when rotating the second cartridge 20 in consideration of the lifespan of the second substance 22 in the chamber 21 as described above and changing the area where the adjacent chamber 21 overlaps the transfer hole 11, the second cartridge 20 can be intermittently moved over time or continuously moved over time.

[0123] According to the method of aligning the positions of a plurality of chambers 21 of the second cartridge 20 as shown in FIG. 7 so that adjacent chambers overlap one transfer hole 11, during the operation of the second cartridge 20 rotating relative to the first cartridge 10, aerosol is generated by the first cartridge 10, and the operation of transmitting the generated aerosol toward the second cartridge 20 is not stopped, and the operation of flowing the aerosol can be continuously maintained.

[0124] Also, by changing the relative position between the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20, among the plurality of chambers 21, the chambers through which the aerosol passes can be sequentially selected. When selecting a chamber through which the aerosol passes among the plurality of chambers 21 and rotating the second cartridge 20, the position of the previous chamber through which the aerosol is currently passing is not immediately detached from the transfer hole 11, and the subsequent chamber and the previous chamber that are subsequently aligned with respect to the position of the transfer hole 11 due to the rotation of the second cartridge 20 can both perform the operation of passing the aerosol.

[0125] According to such an operation method, during the change of the relative position between the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20, the characteristics such as the temperature, humidity, and fragrance of the aerosol transmitted to the user do not change suddenly, enabling a constant and stable supply of the aerosol.

[0126] Also, when each of the plurality of chambers 21 of the second cartridge 20 contains a second substance 22 having different characteristics from each other, by allowing adjacent chambers to both pass the aerosol, the characteristics such as the components and fragrance of the aerosol can be variously deformed, so that various forms of aerosol can be provided to the user.

[0127] FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing some components of an aerosol generating device according to still another embodiment.

[0128] The aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 includes a first cartridge 10 including storage tanks 10a and 10b that respectively and independently store a first substance, a second cartridge 20 linearly movably coupled to the first cartridge 10, and a driving device 60 that linearly moves the second cartridge 20.

[0129] ​The first cartridge 10 also includes passages 11p and 11q for transmitting the aerosol generated by vaporizing the first substances respectively stored in the storage tanks 10a and 10b, and transmission holes 11 formed at the respective ends of the passages 11p and 11q.

[0130] The first cartridge 10 includes a linear guide 10t that linearly extends surrounding the upper part of the transmission hole 11, and the second cartridge 20 includes a rail 201 that is slidably coupled to the linear guide 10t. The second cartridge 20 can linearly move along the extension direction of the linear guide 10t of the first cartridge 10. The second cartridge 20 includes a plate-shaped main body 20t that extends long along the extension direction of the linear guide 10t, and a plurality of chambers 20a, 20b, and 20c that are sequentially spaced apart and arranged along the extension direction of the main body 20t.

[0131] In FIG. 8, two storage tanks 10a and 10b are arranged, and three chambers 20a, 20b, and 20c are arranged, but the number of storage tanks and the number of chambers can be variously deformed.

[0132] The aerosol generating device includes a driving device 60 that generates a driving force to move at least one of the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20. The driving device 60 includes a motor 61 that operates by an electric signal, and a gear 62 that transmits the driving force of the motor 61 to the second cartridge 20. A gear surface 20g is provided on one side of the main body 20t of the second cartridge 20.

[0133] In FIG. 8, the driving device 60 is illustrated as an electric motor that generates a rotational force to rotate the gear 62, but the embodiments are not limited by such a type of driving device 60. For example, the driving device 60 may include a linear motor including a permanently magnet arranged linearly and an electromagnet having an electric coil positioned to correspond to the permanent magnet, or a cylinder using the pressure of a fluid.

[0134] By linearly moving the second cartridge 20, any one of the chambers 20a, 20b, 20c of the second cartridge 20 or the positions of adjacent chambers can be aligned so as to correspond to the position of one transfer hole 11. Also, among the chambers 20a, 20b, 20c of the second cartridge 20, the positions of one group can correspond to one position of the two transfer holes 11, and at the same time, among the chambers 20a, 20b, 20c, the positions of the other group can be aligned so as to correspond to the remaining one position of the two transfer holes 11.

[0135] FIG. 9 is a flowchart schematically showing an aerosol generation method by an aerosol generation device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8.

[0136] The aerosol supply method according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a step (S100) of sensing a user's inhalation operation, a step (S110) of determining that the inhalation operation has been sensed and starting an aerosol supply operation, a step (S120) of sensing the rotational position of the second cartridge with respect to the first cartridge, a step (S130) of determining whether the signal of the sensed rotational position of the second cartridge is good or not, a step (S131) of adjusting the rotational position of the second cartridge when the signal of the rotational position is not good, a step (S140) of determining the type of the medium currently used for aerosol supply, that is, the type of the second substance, based on the signal of the rotational position of the second cartridge when the signal of the rotational position of the second cartridge is good, a step (S150) of determining at least one of a target temperature for the operation of the atomizer and a heating profile for controlling the heating operation of the atomizer based on the determined type of the medium, a step (S160) of operating the atomizer based on the target temperature or the heating profile, a step (S170) of sensing the current temperature and comparing it with the target temperature, a step (S180) of comparing whether a preset condition has been achieved or not, and a step (S190) of changing the relative positions of the first cartridge and the second cartridge when the preset condition has been achieved. The method includes steps (S150) of determining at least one of a target temperature for the operation of the atomizer and a heating profile for controlling the heating operation of the atomizer based on the determined type of the medium, a step (S160) of operating the atomizer based on the target temperature or the heating profile, a step (S170) of sensing the current temperature and comparing it with the target temperature, a step (S180) of comparing whether a preset condition has been achieved or not, and a step (S190) of changing the relative positions of the first cartridge and the second cartridge when the preset condition has been achieved.

[0137] The preset conditions for changing the relative position between the first cartridge and the second cartridge may include the cumulative time of the heating operation in which the heater generates heat to generate the aerosol, or the combination of the cumulative time of the heating operation of the heater and the heating temperature of the heater.

[0138] Alternatively, the preset conditions for changing the relative position between the first cartridge and the second cartridge may include any one or a combination of the number of puff operations determined based on the signal sensed by the puff sensor and the cumulative time of the puff operations.

[0139] Alternatively, the preset conditions for changing the relative position between the first cartridge and the second cartridge may include the usage time determined based on the input signal generated when the input device receives the user's input.

[0140] In the step (S190) of changing the relative position between the first cartridge and the second cartridge, the use chamber through which the aerosol currently passes in the chamber of the second cartridge can be replaced, and the position of the subsequent chamber can be changed to a position corresponding to the transfer hole of the first cartridge. The step (S190) of changing the relative position between the first cartridge and the second cartridge is automatically executed by a driving device operated by a controller.

[0141] The step (S190) of changing the relative position between the first cartridge and the second cartridge includes a step of informing the user of the necessity of changing the position of the chamber when the preset conditions are achieved, a step of receiving the input signal generated when the user operates the input device, and a step of operating the driving device based on the received input operation to change the position of at least one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge.

[0142] When the relative position between the first cartridge and the second cartridge is changed, the use chamber is immediately disengaged from the position corresponding to the transfer hole, and after aligning the subsequent chamber with the transfer hole, the aerosol is passed through the subsequent chamber, or the use chamber and the subsequent chamber are temporarily made to pass the aerosol together, and only the subsequent chamber can perform the action of passing the aerosol over time.

[0143] After the stage (S190) of changing the relative position between the first cartridge and the second cartridge, it returns to the stage (S100) of sensing the inhalation operation of the user, and the above-described stages can be repeatedly executed again.

[0144] Even if the first cartridge of the aerosol generating device is designed to contain a large amount of the first substance, the second cartridge can be automatically rotated by the driving device to select the chamber used for aerosol supply. Therefore, without replacing the second cartridge containing the second substance, the effect of replacing it with a new second substance can be obtained.

[0145] Also, the chambers of the second cartridge may contain different types of second substances. Since the user can select one of the chambers and select the desired second substance, the user can freely enjoy aerosols having various scents.

[0146] The description of the configuration and effects according to the above-described embodiments is merely exemplary, and those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the invention must be determined by the claims. Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the invention must be determined by the claims.

Industrial Applicability

[0147] The embodiment relates to an aerosol generating device in which the relative position between the first cartridge and the second cartridge is automatically adjusted, which is convenient to carry and use.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising: a first cartridge that houses a first substance therein and includes a transfer hole for transferring the aerosol generated from the first substance; a second cartridge that includes a plurality of chambers for housing a second substance that allows the aerosol transferred from the first cartridge to pass therethrough and be discharged to the outside, and is capable of changing its relative position with respect to the first cartridge such that at least one of the chambers corresponds to the transfer hole; a driving device that changes the relative position between the first cartridge and the second cartridge by moving at least one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge; a controller that, if a preset condition is achieved, operates the driving device to change the relative position between the first cartridge and the second cartridge such that at least one of the chambers allows the aerosol to pass therethrough; a puff sensor that senses fluctuations in fluid pressure and flow rate due to the flow of fluid flowing inside the aerosol generating device; a heater that performs a heating operation to heat the first substance of the first cartridge; an input device that receives a user's input operation for starting the heating operation of the heater and generates an input signal, wherein the preset condition for the controller to operate the driving device includes any one or a combination of the number of puff operations and the cumulative time of the puff operations determined based on the signal sensed by the puff sensor, or includes the usage time determined based on the input signal of the input device. An aerosol generating device.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the first cartridge includes a plurality of storage tanks partitioned to house the first substances respectively, a plurality of the transfer holes are provided so as to correspond to the respective storage tanks, and the relative position of the second cartridge with respect to the first cartridge is changed such that the position of at least one of the chambers corresponds to the position of any one of the transfer holes of the storage tanks.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge is rotatably coupled to the other one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge, and the driving device rotates one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge.

4. Of the first cartridge and the second cartridge, one of them is linearly movably coupled to the other one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge, and the driving device linearly moves one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising an information generator that notifies information for changing the position of the chamber.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the controller changes the relative position of the second cartridge with respect to the first cartridge such that one position of the chamber is aligned with the position of the transfer hole.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the controller changes the relative position of the second cartridge with respect to the first cartridge such that adjacent chambers of the chambers overlap the transfer hole at the same time.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the first cartridge and the second cartridge are integrally coupled to form an aerosol generating assembly, and further comprising a case including an accommodation passage for accommodating the aerosol generating assembly.

9. The heater is disposed in the aerosol generating assembly, The aerosol generating device according to claim 8, wherein the case further includes an electrical terminal connected to the heater to supply electricity.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 8, wherein the heater is disposed in the case.

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