Aerosol generating device

Abstract

To provide an aerosol generating device in which internal heat generation is improved during atomization.SOLUTION: An aerosol generating device includes: a housing 500; a first printed circuit board 510 arranged to extend along one surface of the housing; and a second printed circuit board 520 arranged in the housing, and on which a processor 521 configured to generate a control signal is mounted, the second printed circuit board extending in a direction crossing a direction in which the one surface of the housing extends.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol using ultrasonic vibration.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, the demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes has been increasing. For example, there is an increasing demand for a method of generating an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating substance, rather than a method of generating an aerosol by burning a cigarette. Accordingly, research on heated cigarettes or heated aerosol generating devices has been actively conducted.

[0003] Conventional aerosol generators using ultrasonic vibration operate in such a way that when the viscosity of the liquid in contact with an ultrasonic vibrator decreases due to ultrasonic vibration caused by an ultrasonic vibrator to which an AC voltage is applied, the liquid becomes finer and an aerosol is generated through the ultrasonic vibration. In order to atomize the liquid through ultrasonic vibration, the battery voltage must be boosted, and at this time, high heat is generated from the elements used in the circuit due to the generated high voltage.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device with improved internal heat generation.

[0005] The problems to be solved through the embodiments are not limited to the above-described problems, and problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the embodiments belong from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The aerosol generating device according to the embodiment includes a housing; a first printed circuit board arranged to extend along one surface of the housing; and a second printed circuit board arranged inside the housing, on which a processor for generating a control signal is mounted and which extends in a direction crossing the direction in which the one surface extends.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the embodiment, by increasing the number of printed circuit boards included in the main body and optimizing the arrangement of various modules around the increased number of printed circuit boards, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of malfunction of heat-sensitive elements due to an excessive rise in the internal temperature of the aerosol generating device.

[0008] The effects according to the embodiment are not limited to the effects described above, and the effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the embodiment belongs from the present specification and the attached drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The aerosol generating device according to the embodiment includes a housing; a first printed circuit board arranged to extend along one surface inside the housing; and a second printed circuit board arranged inside the housing, on which a processor for generating a control signal is mounted and which extends in a direction crossing the direction in which the one surface extends.

[0011] The terms used in the embodiment are, as much as possible while considering the functions in the present invention, general terms that are currently widely used. However, this 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, there are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in such cases, the meaning thereof will be described in detail in the description part of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention must be defined based not on the mere names of the terms but on the meanings the terms have and the overall content of the present invention.

[0012] Throughout the specification, when a certain part "includes" a certain component, it means that, unless there is a particularly contrary description, it does not exclude other components and may further include other components. Also, terms such as "… part" and "… module" described in the specification mean units that process at least one function or operation, and these may be embodied by hardware or software, or also by a combination of hardware and software.

[0013] As used in this specification, when an expression such as "at least any one" is positioned before the arranged components, it modifies the entire components that are not each of the arranged components. For example, the expression "at least any one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c.

[0014] 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 invention can be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0015] Also, terms including ordinal numbers such as "first" or "second" used in this specification are used in the description of various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0016] In addition, some components in the drawings are also illustrated with some exaggeration in terms of their size, ratio, etc. Also, there may be cases where a component illustrated in one drawing is not illustrated in another drawing.

[0017] Also, throughout the specification, the "longitudinal direction" of a component is also the direction in which the component extends along one-directional axis of the component. At this time, the one-directional axis of the component may mean a direction in which the component extends longer than the other-directional axis crossing the one-directional axis.

[0018] Also, throughout the specification, "puff" means inhalation by the user, and inhalation means the inhalation situation into the user's oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs through the user's mouth or nose.

[0019] Throughout the specification, an "embodiment" is an arbitrary section for easily explaining the invention in the present invention, and each embodiment does not necessarily have to be mutually exclusive. For example, the configuration disclosed in one embodiment can be applied and / or embodied in other embodiments, and can be applied and / or embodied with modifications within the scope of the present invention. In the present invention, the singular form includes the plural form unless otherwise specifically mentioned.

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field can easily implement them. However, the embodiments can be embodied in various different forms and are not limited to the embodiments described here.

[0021] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, the aerosol generating device 10000 includes a battery 11000, an atomizer 12000, a sensor 13000, a user interface 14000, a memory 15000, and a processor 16000. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited to what is shown in Figure 1. A person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field related to this embodiment will understand that, depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 10000, some of the hardware components shown in Figure 1 may be omitted or new components may be further added.

[0023] As an example, the aerosol generating device 10000 includes a main body, in which case the hardware elements included in the aerosol generating device 10000 are located in the main body.

[0024] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10000 includes a main body and a cartridge, and the hardware elements included in the aerosol generating device 10000 are divided and located in the main body and the cartridge. Alternatively, at least some of the hardware elements included in the aerosol generating device 10000 may be located in the main body and the cartridge respectively.

[0025] Hereinafter, without limiting the space where each element included in the aerosol generating device 10000 is located, the operations of each element will be described.

[0026] The battery 11000 supplies the power used for the operation of the aerosol generating device 10000. That is, the battery 11000 supplies power so that the atomizer 12000 atomizes the aerosol generating substance. Also, the battery 11000 supplies the power necessary for the operation of other hardware elements provided in the aerosol generating device 10000, namely, the sensor 13000, the user interface 14000, the memory 15000, and the processor 16000. The battery 11000 can be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.

[0027] For example, the battery 11000 includes a nickel-based battery (e.g., nickel metal hydride battery, nickel cadmium battery), or a lithium-based battery (e.g., lithium cobalt battery, lithium iron phosphate battery, lithium titanate battery, lithium ion battery, or lithium polymer battery). However, the type of the battery 11000 used in the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited by what is described above. If necessary, the battery 11000 includes an alkaline battery or a manganese battery.

[0028] The atomizer 12000 is supplied with power from the battery 11000 under the control of the processor 16000. The atomizer 12000 is supplied with power from the battery 11000 and can atomize the aerosol generating substance stored in the aerosol generating device 10000. It can atomize the aerosol generating substance stored in the aerosol generating device 10000.

[0029] The atomizer 12000 is located in the main body of the aerosol generating device 10000. Or, when the aerosol generating device 10000 includes a main body and a cartridge, the atomizer 12000 is located in the cartridge or is divided and located in the main body and the cartridge. When the atomizer 12000 is located in the cartridge, the atomizer 12000 can be powered by a battery 11000 located at least in one of the main body and the cartridge. Also, when the atomizer 12000 is divided and located in the main body and the cartridge, the components that require power supply by the atomizer 12000 can be powered by a battery 11000 located at least in one of the main body and the cartridge.

[0030] The atomizer 12000 generates an aerosol from the aerosol generating substance inside the cartridge. An aerosol means a suspension in which liquid and / or solid fine particles are dispersed in a gas. Therefore, the aerosol generated from the atomizer 12000 means a state in which the vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating substance and air are mixed. For example, the atomizer 12000 can convert the phase of the aerosol generating substance into the gas phase through vaporization and / or sublimation. Also, the atomizer 12000 can generate an aerosol by atomizing and discharging the aerosol generating substance in the liquid and / or solid phase.

[0031] For example, the atomizer 12000 can generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating substance by using an ultrasonic vibration method. The ultrasonic vibration method means a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing the aerosol generating substance with ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

[0032] Although not shown in FIG. 1, the atomizer 12000 selectively includes a heater that heats the aerosol generating substance by generating heat. The aerosol generating substance is heated by the heater, and as a result, an aerosol can be generated.

[0033] The heater can be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials include, but are not limited to, metals or metal alloys such as titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. Also, the heater can be embodied by, but is not limited to, a metal wire, a metal plate with conductive tracks disposed thereon, a ceramic heating element, etc.

[0034] For example, in one embodiment, the heater is also part of the cartridge 2000. The cartridge 2000 also includes a liquid delivery means and a liquid storage section, which will be described later. The aerosol product substance contained in the liquid storage section moves to the liquid delivery means, and the heater can heat the aerosol product substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means to generate an aerosol. For example, the heater can be wound around the liquid delivery means or disposed adjacent to the liquid delivery means.

[0035] As another example, the aerosol generating device 10000 includes a storage space for accommodating a cigarette, and the heater can heat the cigarette inserted into the storage space of the aerosol generating device 10000. When a cigarette is accommodated in the storage space of the aerosol generating device 10000, the heater is located inside and / or outside the cigarette. Thereby, the heater can heat the aerosol product substance in the cigarette to generate an aerosol.

[0036] On the other hand, the heater is also an induction heating type heater. The heater includes a conductive coil for heating a cigarette or a cartridge by an induction heating method, and the cigarette or the cartridge includes a susceptor that is heated by the induction heating type heater.

[0037] The aerosol generating device 10000 includes at least one sensor 13000. The result sensed by the at least one sensor 13000 is transmitted to the processor 16000, and based on the sensing result, the processor 16000 controls the aerosol generating device 10000 so that various functions such as controlling the operation of the atomizer 12000, restricting smoking, determining whether a cartridge (or cigarette) is inserted, and displaying notifications are performed.

[0038] For example, the at least one sensor 13000 may include a puff sensing sensor. The puff sensing sensor can sense the user's puff based on at least one of a change in the flow rate, a change in pressure, and detection of sound of the airflow flowing in from the outside. The puff sensing sensor detects the start timing and end timing of the user's puff, and the processor 16000 determines the puff period and non-puff period based on the detected start timing and end timing of the puff.

[0039] Also, the at least one sensor 13000 may include a user input sensor. The user input sensor is also a sensor that receives user input, such as a switch, a physical button, or a touch sensor. For example, the touch sensor is a capacitance type sensor that can sense user input by detecting a change in capacitance when the user touches a predetermined area formed of a metal material. The processor 16000 can determine whether user input has occurred by comparing the values before and after the change in capacitance received from the capacitance type sensor. When the values before and after the change in capacitance exceed a preset threshold value, the processor 16000 determines that user input has occurred.

[0040] Further, at least one sensor 13000 may include a motion sensor. Information regarding the movement of the aerosol generating device 10000, such as the inclination, moving speed, and acceleration of the aerosol generating device 10000, is obtained via the motion sensor. For example, the motion sensor can measure information regarding the state in which the aerosol generating device 10000 is moving, the stopped state of the aerosol generating device 10000, the state in which the aerosol generating device 10000 is tilted at an angle within a predetermined range for puffing, and the state in which the aerosol generating device 10000 is tilted at an angle different from that during the puffing operation between each puff operation. The motion sensor can measure the motion information of the aerosol generating device 10000 using various methods known in the art. For example, the motion sensor may include an acceleration sensor that measures the acceleration in three directions of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, and a gyro sensor that measures the angular velocity in three directions.

[0041] Further, at least one sensor 13000 may include a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor means a sensor that detects the presence or absence or distance of an approaching object or an object existing in the vicinity without mechanical contact using the force of an electromagnetic field or infrared rays, etc., and through which the presence or absence of the approach of a user to the aerosol generating device 10000 is detected.

[0042] Further, at least one sensor 13000 may include an image sensor. The image sensor may include, for example, a camera for acquiring an image of an object. The image sensor can recognize an object based on the image acquired by the camera. The processor 16000 analyzes the image acquired via the image sensor to determine whether the situation is for the user to use the aerosol generating device 10000. For example, when the user approaches the aerosol generating device 10000 to the vicinity of the lips to use the aerosol generating device 10000, the image sensor acquires an image of the lips. When the processor 16000 analyzes the acquired image and determines that it is a lip, it determines that the situation is for the user to use the aerosol generating device 10000. Through this, The aerosol generation device 10000 can pre-operate the atomizer 12000 or pre-heat the heater.

[0043] In addition, at least one sensor 13000 may include a consumable attachment / detachment sensor that senses the attachment or detachment of consumables (e.g., cartridges, cigarettes, etc.) used in the aerosol generation device 10000. For example, the consumable attachment / detachment sensor senses whether the consumable has come into contact with the aerosol generation device 10000, or determines whether the consumable has been detached by an image sensor. Also, the consumable attachment / detachment sensor is an inductance sensor that senses a change in the inductance value of a coil that can interact with a marker of the consumable, or a capacitance sensor that senses a change in the capacitance value of a capacitor that interacts with a marker of the consumable.

[0044] In addition, at least one sensor 13000 may include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor senses the temperature at which the heater (or aerosol generating substance) of the atomizer 12000 is heated. The aerosol generation device 10000 includes a separate temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the heater, or instead of including a separate temperature sensor, the heater itself can perform the role of a temperature sensor. Or, while the heater performs the role of a temperature sensor, the aerosol generation device 10000 may further include a separate temperature sensor. Also, the temperature sensor can sense the temperature of not only the heater but also internal components such as the printed circuit board (PCB) and battery of the aerosol generation device 10000.

[0045] In addition, at least one sensor 13000 may include various sensors that measure information about the surrounding environment of the aerosol generation device 10000. For example, at least one sensor 13000 may include a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the surrounding environment, a humidity sensor that measures the humidity of the surrounding environment, an atmospheric pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the surrounding environment, etc.

[0046] The sensor 13000 provided in the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited to the types described above and may further include various sensors. For example, the aerosol generating device 10000 may include a fingerprint sensor that acquires fingerprint information from a user's finger for user authentication and security, an iris recognition sensor that analyzes the iris pattern of the pupil, a vein recognition sensor that senses the infrared absorption amount of intravenously reduced hemoglobin from an image of the palm, a face recognition sensor that recognizes feature points such as eyes, nose, mouth, and facial contours in a 2D or 3D manner, and an RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) sensor, etc.

[0047] Among the examples of the various sensors 13000 exemplified above, only a part may be selectively implemented in the aerosol generating device 10000. That is, the aerosol generating device 10000 can utilize the information sensed by at least one or more of the aforementioned sensors in combination.

[0048] The user interface 14000 provides information about the state of the aerosol generating device 10000 to the user. The user interface 14000 may include a display or lamp that outputs visual information, a motor that outputs tactile information, a speaker that outputs sound information, an input / output (I / O) interfacing means (e.g., a button or touch screen) that receives information input by the user or outputs information to the user and communicates with data, a terminal for being supplied with charging power, and various interfacing means such as a communication interfacing module for performing wireless communication (e.g., WI-FI, WI-FI Direct, Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near-Field Communication), etc.) with an external device.

[0049] However, only a part of the examples of the various user interfaces 14000 exemplified above may be selectively implemented in the aerosol generating device 10000.

[0050] The memory 15000 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device 10000, and the memory 15000 can store the data processed by the processor 16000 and the data to be processed. The memory 15000 can be implemented by various types such as DRAM (dynamic random access memory), SRAM (static random access memory) like RAM (random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory).

[0051] Data related to the operating time, maximum puff count, current puff count, at least one temperature profile, and the smoking pattern of the user of the aerosol generating device 10000 can be stored in the memory 15000.

[0052] The processor 16000 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 10000. The processor 16000 can also be implemented as an array of a large number of logic gates, and can also be implemented by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executed by the microprocessor is stored. Also, those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present embodiment belongs will be able to understand that the processor 16000 can also be implemented as other forms of hardware.

[0053] The processor 16000 analyzes the results sensed by at least one sensor 13000 and controls the subsequent processing.

[0054] The processor 16000 controls the power supplied to the atomizer 12000 such that the operation of the atomizer 12000 is started or terminated based on the results sensed by at least one sensor 13000. Further, the processor 16000 controls the amount of power supplied to the atomizer 12000 and the time for which the power is supplied such that the atomizer 12000 generates an appropriate amount of aerosol based on the results sensed by at least one sensor 13000. For example, the processor 16000 controls the current or voltage supplied to the vibrator of the atomizer 12000 such that the vibrator of the atomizer 12000 vibrates at a predetermined frequency.

[0055] In one embodiment, the processor 16000 starts the operation of the atomizer 12000 after receiving a user input to the aerosol generating device 10000. Further, the processor 16000 starts the operation of the atomizer 12000 after sensing the puff of the user using a puff sensing sensor. Further, the processor 16000 may interrupt the power supply to the atomizer 12000 if the number of puffs reaches a preset number after counting the number of puffs using a puff sensing sensor.

[0056] The processor 16000 controls the user interface 14000 based on the results sensed by at least one sensor 13000. For example, after counting the number of puffs using a puff sensing sensor, if the number of puffs reaches a preset number, the processor 16000 uses at least one of a lamp, a motor, and a speaker to notify the user that the aerosol generating device 10000 is about to end.

[0057] On the other hand, although not shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 10000 may be included in the aerosol generating system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle is used to charge the battery 11000 of the aerosol generating device 10000. For example, the aerosol generating device 10000 is in a state of being accommodated in the accommodation space inside the cradle, and the It can be powered by a battery to charge the battery 11000 of the aerosol generating device 10000.

[0058] One embodiment can also be embodied in the form of a recording medium containing computer-executable instructions such as program modules executed by a computer. A computer-readable medium is also any available medium accessible by a computer, including both volatile and non-volatile media, and removable and non-removable media. In addition, a computer-readable medium includes both computer storage media and communication media. A computer storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media embodied by any method or technology for storing information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. A communication media typically includes modulated data signals such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information delivery media.

[0059] FIG. 2 is a drawing schematically showing an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0060] The aerosol generating device 10000 according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a cartridge 2000 holding an aerosol generating substance and a main body 1000 supporting the cartridge 2000.

[0061] The cartridge 2000 is coupled to the main body 1000 with the aerosol generating substance accommodated therein. For example, the cartridge 2000 can be attached to the main body 1000 by inserting a part of the cartridge 2000 into the main body 1000 or inserting a part of the main body 1000 into the cartridge 2000. At this time, the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 can hold a coupled state by a snap-fit method, a screwing method, a magnetic coupling method, a fitting method, etc., but the coupling method between the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 is not limited by what is described above.

[0062] The cartridge 2000 includes a mouthpiece 2100. The mouthpiece 2100 is formed in a direction opposite to a part coupled to the main body 1000 and is a part inserted into the user's oral cavity. The mouthpiece 2100 includes a discharge hole 2110 that discharges the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substance inside the cartridge 2000 to the outside.

[0063] The cartridge 2000 can hold an aerosol generating substance having any one of, for example, a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, or a gel state. The aerosol generating substance includes a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition is also a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance including a volatile tobacco flavor component and is also a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0064] The liquid composition includes, for example, any one component of water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a fragrance, a flavoring agent, and a vitamin mixture, or a mixture of these components. The fragrance may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and fragrance components of various fruits. The flavoring agent includes components that provide various flavors or tastes to the user. The vitamin mixture 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 to them. Further, the liquid composition includes an aerosol forming agent such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0065] For example, the liquid composition includes a glycerin and propylene glycol solution in an arbitrary weight ratio to which a nicotine salt is added. The liquid composition may contain two or more types of nicotine salts. The nicotine salt can be formed by adding an appropriate acid containing an organic acid or an inorganic acid to nicotine. The nicotine is natural nicotine or synthetic nicotine and has an arbitrary appropriate weight concentration with respect to the total solution weight of the liquid composition. The liquid composition has an arbitrary appropriate weight concentration with respect to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

[0066] The acid for the formation of the nicotine salt can be appropriately selected in consideration of the blood nicotine absorption rate, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 10000, the flavor or taste, solubility, etc. For example, the acid for the formation of the nicotine salt is a single acid selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid or malic acid, or a mixture of two or more acids selected from the said group, but is not limited thereto.

[0067] The cartridge 2000 includes a liquid storage part 2200 that stores the aerosol generating substance therein. That the liquid storage part 2200 "stores the aerosol generating substance therein" means that the liquid storage part 2200 performs the function of simply containing the aerosol generating substance like the use of a container, and that the inside of the liquid storage part 2200 contains an element that impregnates (contains) the aerosol generating substance, such as a sponge, cotton, fabric or porous ceramic structure.

[0068] The aerosol generating substance stored in the liquid storage part 2000 is a liquid. According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating substance may also be in a gel state, and depending on the phase of the aerosol generating substance, the liquid storage part 2000 may be also referred to as a storage part.

[0069] The aerosol generating device 10000 may include an atomizer that converts the phase of the aerosol generating substance inside the cartridge 2000 to generate an aerosol.

[0070] For example, the atomizer of the aerosol generator 10000 can convert the phase of the aerosol product substance by using an ultrasonic vibration method that atomizes the aerosol product substance by ultrasonic vibration. The atomizer includes a vibrator 1300 that generates ultrasonic vibration, a liquid transfer means 2400 that absorbs the aerosol product substance and maintains it in an optimal state for conversion into an aerosol, and a vibration housing portion 2300 that transmits the ultrasonic vibration to the aerosol product substance of the liquid transfer means to generate an aerosol.

[0071] The vibrator 1300 can generate short-period vibrations. The vibrations generated from the vibrator 1300 are also ultrasonic vibrations, and the frequency of the ultrasonic vibrations is, for example, also in the range of 100 kHz to 3.5 MHz. The aerosol product substance can be vaporized and / or atomized into an aerosol by the short-period vibrations generated from the vibrator 1300.

[0072] The vibrator 1300 includes, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic. The piezoelectric ceramic can generate electricity (voltage) by a physical force (pressure), and conversely, when electricity is applied, it can generate vibrations (mechanical force), thereby converting electricity and mechanical force into each other. Therefore, vibrations (physical forces) are generated by the electricity applied to the vibrator 1300, and such small physical vibrations can atomize the aerosol product substance into an aerosol.

[0073] The vibrator 1300 can be electrically connected to the circuit by a PogoPin or a C-clip. Therefore, the vibrator 1300 can be supplied with current or voltage from the PogoPin or the C-clip to generate vibrations. However, the type of element connected to supply current or voltage to the vibrator 1300 is not limited by what is described above.

[0074] The vibration housing portion 2300 performs the function of converting the aerosol product substance transmitted from the liquid storage portion 2200 into an aerosol by receiving the vibrations generated from the vibrator 1300.

[0075] The liquid transfer means 2400 transfers the liquid composition in the liquid storage unit 2200 to the vibration housing unit 2300. For example, the liquid transfer means 2400 can be a wick including at least one of cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, and porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

[0076] In another embodiment, when the aerosol product substance is not in a liquid state, the liquid transfer means 2400 can be alternatively referred to as a substance transfer means.

[0077] Also, the atomizer can be implemented by a mesh-shaped or plate-shaped vibration housing unit that performs both the function of holding the aerosol product substance in an optimal state for absorption and conversion into an aerosol without using a separate liquid transfer means, and the function of transmitting vibration to the aerosol product substance to generate an aerosol.

[0078] Also, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the vibrator 1300 of the atomizer is disposed in the main body 1000, and the vibration housing unit 2300 and the liquid transfer means 2400 are disposed in the cartridge 2000, but are not limited thereto.

[0079] For example, the cartridge 2000 includes the vibrator 1300, the vibration housing unit 2300, and the liquid transfer means 2400. If a part of the cartridge 2000 is inserted into the main body 1000, the main body 1000 can supply power to the cartridge 2000 via a terminal (not shown) or supply a signal related to the operation of the cartridge 2000 to the cartridge 2000, and through which the operation of the vibrator 1300 can be controlled.

[0080] Also, according to an embodiment, the vibration housing part 2300 in the aerosol generating device 10000 according to the embodiment may be omitted. In that case, the cartridge 2000 includes a vibrator 1300, a liquid storage part 2200, and a liquid transfer means 2400. Since the aerosol generating device 10000 according to the above embodiment omits the vibration housing part 2300, it is embodied differently from that shown in FIG. 2, and the vibration generated by the vibrator 1300 can be directly transmitted to the aerosol generating substance (liquid) in the liquid transfer means 2400.

[0081] At least a part of the liquid storage part 2200 of the cartridge 2000 may include a transparent material so that the aerosol generating substance accommodated inside the cartridge 2000 can be visually recognized from the outside. The mouthpiece 2100 and the liquid storage part 2200 may be made of a material such as transparent plastic or glass as a whole, and only a part of the liquid storage part 2200 may be made of a transparent material.

[0082] The cartridge 2000 of the aerosol generating device 10000 includes an aerosol discharge passage 2500 and an air flow passage 2600.

[0083] The aerosol discharge passage 2500 is formed inside the liquid storage part 2200 and can be in fluid communication with the discharge hole 2110 of the mouthpiece 2100. Therefore, the aerosol generated by the atomizer can move along the aerosol discharge passage 2500 and be transmitted to the user through the discharge hole 2110 of the mouthpiece 2100.

[0084] The air flow passage 2600 is a passage that can allow external air to flow into the aerosol generating device 10000. The external air flowing in through the air flow passage 2600 can flow into the aerosol discharge passage 25 00 or can flow into the space where the aerosol is generated. Thereby, an aerosol can be generated by being mixed with the vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating substance.

[0085] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the air flow passage 2600 can be formed to surround the outside of the aerosol discharge passage 2500. Therefore, the forms of the aerosol discharge passage 2500 and the air flow passage 2600 are also in a double-tubular form where the aerosol discharge passage 2500 is disposed inside and the air flow passage 2600 is disposed outside the aerosol discharge passage 2500. Through this, outside air can flow into the aerosol discharge passage 2500 in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the aerosol.

[0086] On the other hand, the structure of the air flow passage 2600 is not limited by what has been described above. For example, the air flow passage is also a space formed between the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 and in fluid communication with the atomizer when the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 are coupled.

[0087] In the aerosol generating device 10000 according to the above-described embodiment, the cross-sectional shape in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 is also a substantially circular, elliptical, square, rectangular or polygonal cross-sectional shape of various forms. However, the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited by what has been described above, and the aerosol generating device 10000 is not necessarily limited to a structure that extends linearly when extending in the longitudinal direction. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 10000 can be curved in a streamline shape for easy handling by the user or bent at a preset angle in a specific region and can extend long, and the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 10000 can change along the longitudinal direction.

[0088] FIG. 3 is an example of a drawing for explaining the temperature of the main elements of the PCB that continues to increase as the puff is advanced through the aerosol generating device.

[0089] More specifically, FIG. 3 is a drawing schematically showing a partial configuration of an aerosol generating device 300 in which a cartridge 310 and a main body 330 are coupled and operate. The aerosol generating device of FIG. 3 includes a cartridge 310 and a main body 330, respectively. The cartridge 310 includes a first temperature measurement unit 315, and the main body 330 includes a second temperature measurement unit 331 and a third temperature measurement unit 333, respectively. The aerosol generating device 300, the cartridge 310, and the main body 330 in FIG. 3 are regarded as corresponding to the aerosol generating device 10000, the cartridge 2000, and the main body 1000 in FIG. 2, respectively.

[0090] In FIG. 3, the first temperature measurement unit 315, the second temperature measurement unit 331, and the third temperature measurement unit 333 are named to clearly refer to the positions where the temperature is measured in the aerosol generating device 300, and do not mean specific modules detachable from the aerosol generating device 300.

[0091] Also, specific modules may be located in the first temperature measurement unit 315, the second temperature measurement unit 331, and the third temperature measurement unit 333. For example, if the aerosol generating device 300 is an ultrasonic vibration type aerosol generating device, a vibration receiving unit that transmits vibration from the ultrasonic vibrator of the main body 330 to vibrate the liquid substrate is arranged in the first temperature measurement unit 315, and the second temperature measurement unit 331 and the third temperature measurement unit 333 are also the positions where field effect transistors (FETs) that perform a switching function for power supply are mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB).

[0092] Specifically, the first temperature measurement unit 315 means a position adjacent to the coupling part where the cartridge 310 and the main body 330 are coupled. If the user turns on the power of the aerosol generating device 300 and continues to puff, the temperature of the first temperature measurement unit 315 rises to 31.6°C to 108.0°C. At this time, the end point of one smoking session of the aerosol generating device 300 is also when 14 puffs are completed or when 4 minutes and 30 seconds have elapsed after the start of puffing. session) is also the time when 14 puffs are completed or when 4 minutes and 30 seconds have elapsed after the start of puffing.

[0093] The second temperature measurement unit 331 and the third temperature measurement unit 333 mean two positions that are offset in the positive direction of the x-axis at the center of the printed circuit board (PCB) included in the main body 330. As shown in FIG. 3, if the second temperature measurement unit 331 and the third temperature measurement unit 333 are shown in three-dimensional space coordinates, they have the same x-axis coordinate value and only differ in the y-axis coordinate value. As in the example described above, a field effect transistor (Power FET) that performs a switch function based on an electrical signal and is involved in power supply can be arranged in the second temperature measurement unit 331 and the third temperature measurement unit 333.

[0094]

Table 1

[0095] Table 1 is a table showing the temperature values of the different first temperature measurement unit 315, second temperature measurement unit 331, and third temperature measurement unit 333 as the puff progresses in FIG. 3. Referring to Table 1, it can be seen that the temperature of the first temperature measurement unit 315 rises to 108 °C as the puff progresses, the temperature of the second temperature measurement unit 331 rises to 86.3 °C, and the temperature of the third temperature measurement unit 333 rises to 82.6 °C.

[0096] If Table 1 is interpreted assuming that the aerosol generating device 300 is an ultrasonic vibration type aerosol generating device, the temperature rise rate of the first temperature measurement unit 315 where the vibration receiving part that transmits the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator and heats the liquid substrate of the cartridge 310 is located is the fastest, and the temperature rise rates of the second temperature measurement unit 331 and the third temperature measurement unit 333 that are relatively separated from the positions of the ultrasonic vibrator and the vibration receiving part by a certain distance are slow.

[0097] Also, referring to Table 1, the second temperature measurement unit 331 and the third temperature measurement unit 333 are separated from the first temperature measurement unit 315 by the same x-axis distance, but are affected by the peripheral elements mounted on the PCB of the main body 330, and it can be seen that the temperature rise rates of the second temperature measurement unit 331 and the third temperature measurement unit 333 are different from each other.

[0098] Among the sensors (modules) mounted on the PCB of the aerosol generating device or electrically connected thereto even if not directly mounted on the PCB, there is a sensor that exhibits a malfunction phenomenon near 100°C. (Module) exists. For example, the recommended temperature range of some models of a pressure sensor that senses a pressure change inside the device is -40°C to 85°C. Such a pressure sensor may malfunction when the internal temperature of the aerosol generating device 300 exceeds 85°C or rises near 85°C, as illustrated in Table 1. The above-described temperature values and temperature ranges are exemplary values and thus vary depending on the type of sensor used and the model number of the sensor, and are not limited to specific values or ranges.

[0099] FIG. 4 is another example of a drawing for explaining the temperature of the main elements of the PCB that continues to increase as puffing proceeds through the aerosol generating device.

[0100] More specifically, FIG. 4 is a drawing schematically showing a partial configuration of an aerosol generating device 400 in which a cartridge 410 and a main body 430 are coupled and operate. The aerosol generating device 400 in FIG. 4 includes a cartridge 410 and a main body 430, respectively, and the main body 430 includes a fourth temperature measurement unit 431, a fifth temperature measurement unit 433, and a sixth temperature measurement unit 435, respectively. The aerosol generating device 400, cartridge 410, and main body 430 in FIG. 4 are regarded as corresponding to the aerosol generating device 10000, cartridge 2000, and main body 1000 in FIG. 2, respectively.

[0101] In FIG. 4, the fourth temperature measurement unit 431, the fifth temperature measurement unit 433, and the sixth temperature measurement unit 435 are named to clearly refer to the positions where the temperature is measured in the aerosol generating device 400, like the first temperature measurement unit 315, the second temperature measurement unit 331, and the third temperature measurement unit 333 in FIG. 3, and do not mean a specific module detachable from the aerosol generating device 400.

[0102] Specifically, the fourth temperature measurement unit 431 means a position that is biased in the positive direction of the x-axis at the center of the printed circuit board (PCB) included in the main body 430, the fifth temperature measurement unit 433 means the center position of the main body 430, and the sixth temperature measurement unit 435 means a position that is biased in the negative direction of the x-axis at the center of the main body 430.

[0103] If the aerosol generating device 400 in FIG. 4 is an ultrasonic vibration type aerosol generating device, as the puff is repeated and the cumulative vibration time of the ultrasonic vibrator becomes longer, the temperatures of the fourth temperature measurement unit 431, the fifth temperature measurement unit 433, and the sixth temperature measurement unit 435 continue to rise.

[0104]

Table 2

[0105] Table 2 is a table showing the temperature values of the different fourth temperature measurement unit 431, fifth temperature measurement unit 433, and sixth temperature measurement unit 435 as the puff is advanced in FIG. 4. Referring to Table 2, it can be seen that the fourth temperature measurement unit 431 rises to 93.1 °C as the puff is advanced, the fifth temperature measurement unit 433 rises to 59.5 °C, and the sixth temperature measurement unit 435 rises to 50.8 °C.

[0106] As an example, a processor for controlling various modules of the aerosol generating device 400 may be mounted on the fifth temperature measurement unit 433. As another example, even if a pressure sensor with an upper limit value of the recommended temperature range described in Table 1 of 85 °C is mounted on the fifth temperature measurement unit 433 and the sixth temperature measurement unit 435, the pressure sensor operates normally regardless of the number of puffs.

[0107] Assuming that the aerosol generator 400 is an ultrasonic vibration type aerosol generator and interpreting Table 2, it can be seen that the heating rate of the fourth temperature measurement unit 431 located closest to the ultrasonic vibrator vibrating at a specific frequency is the fastest, and the heating rates of the fifth temperature measurement unit 433 and the sixth temperature measurement unit 435, which are relatively separated from the position of the ultrasonic vibrator by a certain distance, are slow. In particular, since the sixth temperature measurement unit 435 is located at the farthest position in the negative direction of the x-axis from the fourth temperature measurement unit 431, the temperature value that rises as puffing progresses is the smallest.

[0108] Interpreted comprehensively from FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen that in an ultrasonic vibration type aerosol generator, the closer the position is to the ultrasonic vibrator or the vibration receiving part that has received the vibration transmitted from the ultrasonic vibrator, the faster the heating rate due to the increase in the number of puffs. For example, the heating rate of the first temperature measurement unit 315 is the fastest, and the heating rate of the sixth temperature measurement unit 435 is the slowest.

[0109] Also, even if the distance from the position where vibration occurs is the same, the heating rates are different due to the characteristics of the elements mounted at that position and the influence of other elements mounted on the PCB. For example, it was explained through Table 1 that the second temperature measurement unit 331 and the third temperature measurement unit 333 are separated from the first temperature measurement unit 315 by the same distance but have different heating rates.

[0110] The embodiment proposes an aerosol generator characterized by an element arrangement that operates an element whose upper limit value of the recommended temperature range is 50°C to 100°C based on the above experimental and empirical data. The embodiment has a significantly lower occurrence rate of malfunction phenomena due to overheating than existing aerosol generators that operate on a single PCB as described in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0111] FIG. 5 is a drawing schematically showing the internal configuration of the aerosol generator according to the embodiment.

[0112] The aerosol generating device according to the embodiment can operate with a cartridge coupled to the housing 500 illustrated in FIG. 5. The cartridge can be coupled to one end of the housing 500 in FIG. 5 or, according to the embodiment, can also be coupled in a form included inside the housing 500 in FIG. 5. As an example, FIG. 5 specifically illustrates the aerosol generating device excluding the cartridge.

[0113] The housing 500 forms an appearance such that various modules are provided inside or outside. A cavity is defined inside the housing 500, and various necessary modules are provided to operate the aerosol generating device. At least two or more printed circuit boards are provided inside the housing 500.

[0114] The first printed circuit board 510 is provided on one surface inside the housing 500. Referring to FIG. 5, the first printed circuit board 510 is provided on one surface 500a inside the housing 500 that extends parallel to the plane formed by the x-axis and the y-axis. In FIG. 5, one surface 500a inside the housing 500 is a surface that faces the other surface 500b inside the housing 500 illustrated in the lid form of the housing 500.

[0115] The second printed circuit board 520 is provided so as to extend in a direction crossing the extension direction of the surface of the housing 500 where the first printed circuit board 510 is provided. As an example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the second printed circuit board 520 can protrude in the positive direction of the z-axis as the vertical direction of the surface of the housing 500 where the first printed circuit board 510 is provided. According to the embodiment, if the surface where the first printed circuit board 510 is provided is a plane located in a direction different from the plane illustrated in FIG. 5, the direction where the second printed circuit board 520 is provided may also be different from that illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0116] A processor 521 that generates a control signal and transmits the control signal to various modules inside the housing 500 can be mounted on the second printed circuit board 520.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 5, if the directions in which the first printed circuit board 510 and the second printed circuit board 520 are provided are perpendicular to each other, the effects of conduction heat, convection heat, and radiation heat generated in the first printed circuit board 510 and the second printed circuit board 520 are dispersed without geometric progression accumulation, thereby preventing the temperature inside the housing 500 and the temperature of the elements mounted on the printed circuit board provided inside the housing 500 from rising rapidly.

[0118] Also, considering the characteristics of the elements mounted on the first printed circuit board 510 and the second printed circuit board 520, appropriately limiting the types of elements mounted on the first printed circuit board 510 and the second printed circuit board 520, or effectively arranging various modules arranged around the first printed circuit board 510 and the second printed circuit board 520, can prevent the temperature inside the housing 500 and the temperature of the elements mounted on the printed circuit board provided inside the housing 500 from rising rapidly.

[0119] Next, the bracket 530 (bracket) is arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction of the second printed circuit board 520 so as to be supported by the other surface inside the housing 500, and performs the function of holding the position of the second printed circuit board 520 inside the housing 500. Here, the surface on which the bracket is supported means a surface different from the surface on which the first printed circuit board 510 is provided. For example, if the housing 500 has a cuboid shape, the surface on which the bracket 530 is supported can be any one of the remaining five surfaces excluding the surface 500a on which the first printed circuit board 510 is provided.

[0120]

[0121] ​According to an embodiment, the bracket 530 is at least one or more. Further, the bracket 530 includes a support portion coupled to one end of the second printed circuit board 520. According to an embodiment, the support portion is also a portion including a recess formed in either one of the bracket 530 and the second printed circuit board 520. One of the bracket 530 and the second printed circuit board 520 is inserted into the recess. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the bracket 530 includes a recess 530a and one end of the second printed circuit board 520 is coupled to the recess 530a. Although not shown in FIG. 5, according to an embodiment, a recess is included in the second printed circuit board 520, and the bracket 530 is also embodied in a form in which it is coupled to the recess formed in the second printed circuit board 520. The description of the recess 530a formed in the bracket 530 will be specifically described through FIG. 7.

[0122] The air sensing microphone 540 (air sensing MIC) is provided on one side outside the housing 500, and performs a function of sensing a change in the air flow outside or inside the housing 500 and transmitting the sensed result to the processor of the second printed circuit board 520. As shown in FIG. 5, the air sensing microphone 540 can be electrically connected to the second printed circuit board 520 while being spaced apart from the second printed circuit board 520 by a certain distance.

[0123] In FIG. 5, a connector 561 that electrically connects the air sensing microphone 540 and the second printed circuit board 520 is shown, but the element that electrically connects the air sensing microphone 540 and the second printed circuit board 520 is not limited thereto. Setting a predetermined isolation distance between the air sensing microphone 540 and the second printed circuit board 520 is to prevent the air sensing microphone 540 from malfunctioning due to the heat generated by the second printed circuit board 520.

[0124] As another embodiment, although not shown in FIG. 5, inside the housing 500, a heat pipe made of a heat conductive material and containing a refrigerant inside is provided. The heat pipe can be embodied in a form in which a small amount of water or a fluorocarbon refrigerant is introduced into a hollow pipe made of a heat conductive material with the inside in a vacuum state. The heat pipe is provided between the air sensing microphone 540 and the second printed circuit board 520, and can prevent heat transfer to the air sensing microphone 540.

[0125] The charging module 550 is mounted on the first printed circuit board 510 and charges the battery 570 of the housing 500. When an external charging connector 550a is connected, the charging module 550 performs the function of charging the battery 570 included in the housing 500. The type of the charging connector 550a can be any one of various types such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) type, a C-type, and a micro 5-pin type. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which the battery 570 is arranged, and the arrangement position of the battery 570 inside the housing 500 is not limited to a specific position.

[0126] According to an embodiment, if the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment is embodied as an ultrasonic vibration type aerosol generating device, the charging module 550 is arranged on the first printed circuit board 510, and the processor 521 is respectively mounted on the second printed circuit board 520. The first printed circuit board 510 and the second printed circuit board 520 are provided in a perpendicular direction to each other, and a heat dissipation effect can occur. In particular, the heat dissipation effect as described above prevents unnecessary heat from being applied to the ultrasonic vibrator that vibrates by transmitting power through the PogoPin, thereby preventing the ultrasonic vibrator from being damaged.

[0127] If the flexible circuit board 560 (FPCB) is provided with an input unit 590 that accommodates a user's input in the housing 500, the flexible One end of the circuit board 560 is connected to the input unit 590, and the other end of the flexible circuit board 560 is bent and connected to the second printed circuit board 520. The flexible circuit board 560 is opposite to one surface 500a of the housing 500It extends from one end to the other end so as to face. The input unit 590 and the second printed circuit board 520 can be electrically connected. In FIG. 5, the input unit 590 is provided on the opposite side (or the facing side) of the main body where the air sensing microphone 540 is provided.

[0128] The flexible circuit board 560 can electrically connect the input unit 590 and the second printed circuit board 520, and can perform the function of stably holding the position of the bracket 530. That is, since the bracket 530 performs the function of holding the position of the second printed circuit board 520, the flexible circuit board 560 that stably holds the position of the bracket 530 also indirectly helps to stably hold the position of the second printed circuit board 520.

[0129] The substrate support portion 580 is a member that stably supports the second printed circuit board 520 provided in the positive direction of the z-axis in FIG. 5, and is embodied in various shapes. The function of the substrate support portion 580 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0130] An opening 599 may be formed on one side of the housing 500. Although not shown in FIG. 5, a cartridge that is coupled to and operates with the housing 500 can be coupled to the housing 500 through the opening 599 and electrically connected to the processor and battery inside the housing 500.

[0131] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the arrangement of the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board.

[0132] FIG. 6 is a drawing for specifically explaining the relative arrangement characteristics of the first printed circuit board 510 and the second printed circuit board 520 described in FIG. 5. For convenience of explanation, among the modules provided inside the housing 500, some modules are omitted. Hereinafter, FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0133] The first printed circuit board 510 is provided on one surface 500a inside the housing 500.

[0134] The second printed circuit board 520 is provided so as to extend (or protrude) in a direction crossing the direction in which one surface of the housing 500 provided with the first printed circuit board 510 extends. As an example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the second printed circuit board 520 is provided so as to extend in the positive direction of the z-axis, which is perpendicular to the plane formed by the x-axis and the y-axis.

[0135] Although FIG. 6 illustrates the first printed circuit board 510 and the second printed circuit board 520 as being physically in contact, depending on the embodiment, the second printed circuit board 520 is provided at a certain interval from the first printed circuit board 510. Also, although FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment in which the second printed circuit board 520 is in contact with the surface 500b facing the one surface 500a inside the housing 500, depending on the embodiment, the second printed circuit board 520 is not in contact with the surface 500b facing the one surface 500a inside the housing 500.

[0136] In FIG. 6, the bracket 530 can enhance the stability of the installation state of the second printed circuit board 520 by fixing one end of the second printed circuit board 520 erected in the positive direction of the z-axis, which is perpendicular to the plane formed by the x-axis and the y-axis. The bracket 530 is provided with a recess for accommodating one end of the second printed circuit board 520, and the recess will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

[0137] The board support portion 580 is a member that supports the provided second printed circuit board 520 if the second printed circuit board 520 is provided in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first printed circuit board 510 is provided. Depending on the embodiment, the board support portion 580 can be mounted on the first printed circuit board 510 and electrically connected to the charging module 550.

[0138] Although not illustrated in FIG. 6, the board support portion 580 further includes a terminal (socket) electrically connected to the charging module 550, and can serve as a medium for transmitting the power supplied by the charging module 550 to the battery included in the housing 500 to charge the battery.

[0139] The substrate support portion 580 is mounted on the first printed circuit board 510 to physically support the second printed circuit board 520, and at the same time, it is organically connected to the charging module 550 and can operate as a multi-functional element involved in charging the battery.

[0140] FIG. 7 is a drawing for specifically explaining the bracket of FIG. 5.

[0141] In FIG. 7, for the sake of convenience of explanation, among the various modules constituting the housing 500 of FIG. 5, the configurations other than the bracket 530 and the flexible circuit board 560 are omitted, and hereinafter, FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0142] The bracket 530 includes a recess 530a for effectively supporting one end of the second printed circuit board 520. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the recess 530a means a part of the bracket 530 that is recessed to accommodate at least a part of one end of the second printed circuit board 520.

[0143] The first printed circuit board 510 is provided on one surface of the housing 500 and is stable, but the second printed circuit board 520 is erected in the vertical direction of the surface of the housing 500 where the first printed circuit board 510 is provided for the heat dissipation effect and is not fixed to the inner wall of the housing 500. Therefore, it has a relatively unstable fixed state compared to the first printed circuit board 510.

[0144] In order to improve the stability of the installation state of the second printed circuit board 520, the substrate support portion 580 described in FIG. 6 is mounted on the first printed circuit board 510. As another method, the bracket 530 may further include a recess 530a. By accommodating one end of the second printed circuit board 520, the recess 530a can minimize the arbitrary change of the installation state of the second printed circuit board 520.

[0145] The bracket 530 can be supported by the bracket support portion 530b on the other surface inside the housing 500. The bracket support portion 530b indicates a portion located at the uppermost end of the bracket 530 and having a constant width. As shown in FIG. 6, the bracket 530 is formed to have a length with a constant ratio to the length in the x-axis direction of the other surface so that the bracket 530 is supported by the other surface inside the housing 500. Here, the other surface inside the housing 500 means a surface different from the one surface 500a inside the housing 500 where the first printed circuit board 510 is provided.

[0146] The flexible circuit board 560 performs a function of electrically connecting the input portion 590 provided outside the housing 500 and the second printed circuit board 520. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively, the flexible circuit board 560 can contact at least a part of the bracket 530 and electrically connect the input portion 590 and the second printed circuit board 520.

[0147] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an example of a pressure sensor.

[0148] For convenience, FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0149] In an embodiment, the housing 500 may further include a pressure sensor independently to sense a change in air flow with the air sensing microphone 540, or to replace the air sensing microphone 540 or regardless of the air sensing microphone 540. The pressure sensor senses a pressure change and transmits the sensing result to a processor mounted on the second printed circuit board 520 and operating.

[0150] Compared with other modules, the pressure sensor has a lower upper limit value of the recommended temperature range and operates when mounted on the first printed circuit board 510. As another example, the pressure sensor 810 includes a first portion 811 including a single chip and a second portion 812 including a plurality of passive elements, and the first portion 811 and the second portion 812 operate when mounted on different printed circuit boards.

[0151] FIG. 8 is a drawing specifically showing an example of a pressure sensor 810 composed of a first part 811 and a second part 812.

[0152] In FIG. 8, the pressure sensor 810 includes a first part 811 including a single chip (single chip or SoC), and the remaining part (second part) excluding the first part. The first part 811 of the pressure sensor 810 has the characteristic of being able to operate normally at a relatively low temperature. On the other hand, the second part 812 includes passive elements such as resistors and capacitors, and has the characteristic of being able to operate normally at a relatively higher temperature than the first part 811.

[0153] As shown in FIG. 8, the first part 811 of the pressure sensor 810 can be mounted on the first printed circuit board 510, and the second part 812 can be separately mounted on the second printed circuit board 520. By mounting the relatively heat-vulnerable first part 811 of the pressure sensor 810 on the first printed circuit board 510 and mounting the second part 812 of the pressure sensor 810 with excellent heat resistance on the second printed circuit board 520, malfunction due to overheating of the pressure sensor 810 can be prevented.

[0154] According to the embodiment, by increasing the number of printed circuit boards included in the main body and optimizing the arrangement of various modules around the increased number of printed circuit boards, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of malfunction of elements with low heat resistance due to excessive rise in the internal temperature of the aerosol generating device.

[0155] Those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field related to this embodiment will understand that it can be embodied in a modified form without departing from the essential characteristics described above. Therefore, the disclosed method should be considered from an illustrative rather than a limiting perspective. The scope of the present invention is shown not in the foregoing description but in the claims, and all differences within the equivalent scope thereof should be construed as being included in the present invention.

Claims

1. Housing and a first printed circuit board disposed to extend along one surface of the housing; a second printed circuit board disposed inside the housing, the second printed circuit board including a processor for generating control signals mounted thereon, the second printed circuit board extending in a direction transverse to the direction in which the one surface extends; at least one bracket supported by another surface of the housing and configured to hold the second printed circuit board in position; an input section disposed on one side of the exterior of the housing and configured to receive user input; An aerosol generating device comprising: a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) disposed inside the housing and electrically connecting the second printed circuit board and the input portion.

2. The at least one bracket comprises: The aerosol generating device of claim 1 , further comprising a bracket support supported by an interior portion of the housing.

3. The at least one bracket comprises: The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , further comprising a support coupled to one end of the second printed circuit board.

4. The support portion is a recess formed in one of the at least one bracket and the second printed circuit board; The aerosol generating device according to claim 3 , wherein the other of the at least one bracket and the second printed circuit board is inserted into the recess.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one bracket extends along a longitudinal direction of the second printed circuit board.

6. The aerosol generating device of claim 5, wherein one end of the flexible circuit board is connected to the input portion, the other end of the flexible circuit board is folded and connected to the second printed circuit board, and the flexible circuit board extends from the one end to the other end so as to face the one surface of the housing.

7. further comprising an air sensing MIC disposed in the housing; The air sensing microphone is The aerosol generating device of claim 1 , electrically connected to the second printed circuit board.

8. The first printed circuit board has: The aerosol generating device of claim 1 , further comprising a charging module for charging the battery via external power.

9. The aerosol generating device of claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor mounted on the first printed circuit board to sense pressure changes.

10. The pressure sensor may further include a pressure sensor separately mounted on the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board for detecting a pressure change. The pressure sensor includes: a first portion mounted on the first printed circuit board and including a single chip; and a second portion mounted on the second printed circuit board and including at least one passive element.

11. The aerosol generating device comprises: an ultrasonic transducer provided inside the housing and vibrating at a predetermined frequency in response to a control signal from the processor; a cartridge coupled to the housing; The cartridge comprises: A storage unit for storing an aerosol generating material; 2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising: a substance transfer means for absorbing the aerosol generating substance in the storage portion and vibrating due to vibration of the ultrasonic transducer so that the aerosol generating substance is converted into an aerosol.

12. further comprising a cartridge coupled to the housing; The cartridge comprises: an ultrasonic transducer provided inside the cartridge and vibrating at a predetermined frequency in response to a control signal from the processor; A storage unit for storing an aerosol generating material; 2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising: a substance transfer means for absorbing the aerosol generating substance in the storage portion and vibrating due to vibration of the ultrasonic transducer so that the aerosol generating substance is converted into an aerosol.

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