Aerosol generation module and aerosol generator

Abstract

The aerosol generating module according to various embodiments includes an ultrasonic vibration unit that generates an aerosol via ultrasonic waves, a surface acoustic wave vibration unit that generates an aerosol via surface acoustic waves, and a transmission element that transmits an aerosol-forming substrate to at least one of the ultrasonic vibration unit or the surface acoustic wave vibration unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following embodiments relate to an aerosol generation module and an aerosol generator.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, the demand for alternative products that overcome the disadvantages of traditional cigarettes has been increasing. For example, the demand for devices that generate aerosol by electrically heating a cigarette stick (e.g., cigarette-type electronic cigarettes) has been increasing. Therefore, research on electrically heated aerosol generators and cigarette sticks (or aerosol articles) applied thereto has been actively conducted. For example, Patent Publication No. 10-2017-0132823 discloses a non-combustible flavor inhaler, a flavor source unit, and an atomization unit.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] An object according to one embodiment is to provide an aerosol generation module and an aerosol generator capable of assisting atomization and preheating through the fusion of surface acoustic waves and ultrasonic waves.

[0004] An object according to one embodiment is to provide an aerosol generation module and an aerosol generator in which the durability of the aerosol generation module and other internal structures is improved by performing preheating using surface acoustic waves or ultrasonic waves before main heating.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The aerosol generation modules according to various embodiments include an ultrasonic vibration unit that generates aerosol through ultrasonic waves, a surface acoustic wave vibration unit that generates aerosol through surface acoustic waves, and a transmission element that transmits an aerosol forming substrate to at least one of the ultrasonic vibration unit or the surface acoustic wave vibration unit.

[0006] In one embodiment, the surface acoustic wave vibrating section can be formed to surround the ultrasonic vibrating section.

[0007] In one embodiment, the transmission element includes a first surface facing at least one of the ultrasonic vibrating section and the surface acoustic wave vibrating section, and a second surface disposed on the opposite side of the first surface, a part of the first surface is adjacent to the ultrasonic vibrating section, and at least a part of the remaining of the first surface can be adjacent to the surface acoustic wave vibrating section.

[0008] In one embodiment, the temperature of the aerosol generation module can be increased by the vibrations of the ultrasonic vibrating section and the surface acoustic wave vibrating section.

[0009] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic vibrating section includes a piezoelectric body, and the surface acoustic wave vibrating section can include a piezoelectric substrate and a transducer.

[0010] An aerosol generator according to various embodiments includes a housing, a cartridge disposed within the housing for storing an aerosol-forming substrate, and an aerosol generation module disposed adjacent to the cartridge, the aerosol generation module including an ultrasonic vibrating section for generating an aerosol via ultrasonic waves, a surface acoustic wave vibrating section for generating an aerosol via surface acoustic waves, and a transmission element including an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0011] In one embodiment, the transmission element includes a first surface facing at least one of the ultrasonic vibrating section and the surface acoustic wave vibrating section, and a second surface disposed on the opposite side of the first surface and facing the cartridge, a part of the first surface is adjacent to the ultrasonic vibrator, and at least a part of the remaining of the first surface can be adjacent to the surface acoustic wave vibrating section.

[0012] In one embodiment, the surface acoustic wave vibrating portion is disposed so as to surround the ultrasonic vibrating portion, a first region of the first surface of the transmission element overlaps with the ultrasonic vibrating portion, and a second region of the first surface of the transmission element can overlap with the surface acoustic wave vibrating portion.

[0013] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic vibrating portion includes a piezoelectric body, and the surface acoustic wave vibrating portion can include a piezoelectric substrate and a transducer.

[0014] In one embodiment, the cartridge includes a first end wall, a second end wall disposed on the opposite side of the first end wall, an outer peripheral wall and an inner peripheral wall connecting the first end wall and the second end wall, and a storage space for storing an aerosol-forming base material can be formed between the first end wall, the second end wall, the outer peripheral wall and the inner peripheral wall.

[0015] In one embodiment, it includes an air flow path penetrating through the first end wall and the second end wall and surrounded by the inner peripheral wall, and an aerosol can move through the air flow path.

[0016] In one embodiment, it further includes a control unit, and the control unit can control the presence or absence and frequency of vibration of the ultrasonic vibrating portion and the surface acoustic wave vibrating portion.

[0017] In one embodiment, the control unit controls the aerosol generator to operate in any one of at least two modes, and the at least two modes include: a first mode in which the ultrasonic vibrating portion and the surface acoustic wave vibrating portion vibrate simultaneously with different frequencies or vibration periods from each other to generate an aerosol; and a second mode in which either one of the ultrasonic vibrating portion and the surface acoustic wave vibrating portion vibrates first to preheat the aerosol-forming base material of the transmission element, and then the other one of the ultrasonic vibrating portion and the surface acoustic wave vibrating portion vibrates to generate an aerosol.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] The aerosol generation module and the aerosol generator according to one embodiment enable atomization assistance and preheating through the fusion of surface acoustic waves and ultrasonic waves.

[0019] The aerosol generation module and the aerosol generator according to one embodiment perform preheating before main heating using surface acoustic waves or ultrasonic waves, thereby improving the durability of the aerosol generation module and other internal structures.

[0020] The effects of the aerosol generation module and the aerosol generator according to one embodiment are not limited to those described above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

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Figure 4

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Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] The terms used in the embodiments are selected as general terms that are currently widely used while considering the functions in the present invention. However, these may change according to 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 corresponding invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention are not just simple term names and must be defined based on the meaning the terms have and the overall content of the present invention.

[0023] When any part of the specification states that any component "includes", this does not exclude other components unless there is a particularly contrary description, and it means that other components are further included. 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 in hardware or software, or by a combination of hardware and software.

[0024] As used in this specification, when an expression such as "at least any one of" is in front of an array of components, it modifies the entire set of components rather than each of the arranged components. For example, the expression "at least any one of a, b, and c" must be interpreted to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c.

[0025] In the following embodiments, an "aerosol-generating article" means an article that contains a medium, and through which an aerosol passes and the medium is transferred. A typical example of an aerosol-generating article is a cigarette, but the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0026] In the following embodiments, "upstream" or "upstream direction" means the direction away from the user's (smoker's) mouth, and "downstream" or "downstream direction" means the direction approaching the user's mouth. The terms upstream and downstream are used to describe the relative positions of the elements constituting the aerosol-generating article.

[0027] In the following embodiments, "puff" means the user's inhalation, and inhalation means the situation of drawing in through the user's mouth or nose into the oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs of the user.

[0028] In the following embodiments, "Surface Acoustic Wave" is a transverse wave as an acoustic wave propagating along the surface of an elastic substrate, and is an acoustic wave generated from an electrical signal as a result of the Piezoelectric Effect.

[0029] In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating device is a device that electrically heats a wrapped tobacco accommodated in an internal space to generate an aerosol.

[0030] The aerosol-generating device includes a heater. In one embodiment, the heater may be an electrical resistance heater. For example, the heater may include an electrically conductive track, and when an electric current flows through the electrically conductive track, the heater is heated.

[0031] The heater may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and heats the inside or outside of the wrapped tobacco according to the shape of the heating element.

[0032] A wrapped cigarette includes a tobacco rod and a filter rod. The tobacco rod may be manufactured as a sheet, as a strand, or as shredded tobacco in which the tobacco sheet is finely cut. Also, the tobacco rod can be surrounded by a heat-conductive material. For example, the heat-conductive material may be a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but is not limited thereto.

[0033] The filter rod may be an acetyl cellulose filter. The filter rod may be composed of at least one or more segments. For example, the filter rod includes a first segment that cools the aerosol and a second segment that filters a predetermined component contained in the aerosol.

[0034] In other embodiments, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol using a cartridge that holds an aerosol generating substance.

[0035] The aerosol generating device includes a cartridge that holds an aerosol generating substance and a body that supports the cartridge. The cartridge can be detachably coupled to the body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be integrally formed with or assembled to the body and fixed so as not to be detached by the user. The cartridge may be mounted on the body with the aerosol generating substance accommodated therein. However, without being limited thereto, the aerosol generating substance may be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the body.

[0036] The cartridge may hold an aerosol generating substance in any one of various states such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, and a gel state. The aerosol generating substance includes a liquid phase composition. For example, the liquid phase composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0037] The cartridge functions to convert the phase of the aerosol product substance inside the cartridge into the gaseous phase by being activated by an electrical signal, a wireless signal, etc. transmitted from the main body, thereby generating an aerosol. An aerosol means a gas in a state where vaporized particles generated from the aerosol product substance and air are mixed.

[0038] In a further embodiment, the aerosol generating device can heat a liquid-phase composition to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol may pass through a rolled tobacco and be transmitted to the user. That is, the aerosol generated from the liquid-phase composition moves along the air flow path of the aerosol generating device, and the air flow path can be configured such that the aerosol passes through the rolled tobacco and is transmitted to the user.

[0039] In a further embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol from an aerosol product substance using an ultrasonic vibration method. Here, the ultrasonic vibration method means a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing the aerosol product substance with ultrasonic vibrations generated by a vibrator.

[0040] The aerosol generating device includes a vibrator, and short-period vibrations can be generated via the vibrator to atomize the aerosol product substance. The vibrations generated by the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibrations, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibrations may be in the frequency band of about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but it is not limited thereto.

[0041] The aerosol generating device further includes a transmission element that absorbs the aerosol product substance. For example, the transmission element may be arranged to surround at least one region of the vibrator or arranged to contact at least one region of the vibrator.

[0042] When a voltage (e.g., an alternating voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations are generated from the vibrator, and the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator are transmitted to the aerosol product substance absorbed by the transmission element. The aerosol product substance absorbed by the transmission element can be converted into the gas phase by the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the vibrator, and as a result, an aerosol can be generated.

[0043] For example, the heat generated from the vibrator can lower the viscosity of the aerosol product substance absorbed by the transmission element, and the aerosol product substance with lowered viscosity due to the ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator can be atomized to generate an aerosol, but it is not limited thereto.

[0044] In a further embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating article accommodated in the aerosol generating device by an induction heating method.

[0045] The aerosol generating device includes a susceptor and a coil. In one embodiment, the coil applies a magnetic field to the susceptor. When power is supplied from the aerosol generating device to the coil, a magnetic field is formed inside the coil. In one embodiment, the susceptor is a magnetic body that generates heat by an external magnetic field. When the susceptor is located inside the coil and generates heat by the applied magnetic field, the aerosol generating article is heated. Also, optionally, the susceptor may be disposed within the aerosol generating article.

[0046] In a further embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further include a cradle.

[0047] The aerosol generating device can form a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may charge the battery of the aerosol generating device. Or, the heater may be heated with the cradle and the aerosol generating device coupled.

[0048] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a detailed description will be given so that those having ordinary knowledge in the art can easily implement the embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure can be implemented in a form that can be embodied in the aerosol generating devices of the various embodiments described above, or can be embodied in different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0049] The following will describe the embodiments of the present disclosure in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0050] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0051] The aerosol generating device 100 includes a control unit 110, a detection unit 120, an output unit 130, a battery 140, a heater 150, a user input unit 160, a memory 170, and a communication unit 180. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1. That is, those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field related to this embodiment will understand that depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 100, some of the configurations shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted or new configurations may be added.

[0052] The detection unit 120 detects the state of the aerosol generating device 100 or the state around the aerosol generating device 100, and transmits the detected information to the control unit 110. Based on the detected information, the control unit 110 can control the aerosol generating device 100 so that various functions such as operation control of the heater 150, restriction of smoking, determination of the presence or absence of insertion of an aerosol generating article (for example, an aerosol generating article, a cartridge, etc.), and notification display are performed.

[0053] The detection unit 120 includes at least one of a temperature sensor 122, an insertion detection sensor 124, and a puff sensor 126, but is not limited thereto.

[0054] The temperature sensor 122 detects the temperature at which the heater 150 (or the aerosol generating substance) is heated. The aerosol generating device 100 may include a separate temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heater 150, or the heater 150 itself may serve as the temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 122 may be disposed around the battery 140 so as to monitor the temperature of the battery 140.

[0055] The insertion detection sensor 124 detects the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 124 includes at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, and can detect a signal change due to the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol generating article.

[0056] The puff sensor 126 detects the user's puff based on various physical changes in the air flow path or air flow channel. For example, the puff sensor 126 may detect the user's puff based on any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

[0057] In addition to the sensors 122 to 126 described above, the detection unit 120 may further include at least one of a temperature / humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., GPS), a proximity sensor, and an RGB sensor (illuminance sensor). Since the function of the angle sensor can be intuitively inferred by those skilled in the art from its name, a specific description thereof is omitted.

[0058] The output unit 130 outputs information regarding the state of the aerosol generating device 100 and provides it to the user. The output unit 130 includes at least one of a display unit 132, a haptic unit 134, and an acoustic output unit 136, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 132 and the touch pad form a layer structure and are configured as a touch screen, the display unit 132 may be used as an input device in addition to the output device.

[0059] The display unit 132 visually provides information about the aerosol generator 100 to the user. For example, the information about the aerosol generator 100 means various information such as the charging / discharging state of the battery 140 of the aerosol generator 100, the preheating state of the heater 150, the insertion / removal state of the aerosol article, or the state in which the use of the aerosol generator 100 is restricted (for example, detection of an abnormal article), and the display unit 132 can output the information to the outside. The display unit 132 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED), or the like. Also, the display unit 132 may be in the form of an LED light-emitting element.

[0060] The haptic unit 134 converts an electrical signal into a mechanical or electrical stimulus to tactually provide information about the aerosol generator 100 to the user. For example, the haptic unit 134 includes a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0061] The acoustic output unit 136 aurally provides information about the aerosol generator 100 to the user. For example, the acoustic output unit 136 can convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and output it to the outside.

[0062] The battery 140 supplies the power used for the aerosol generator 100 to operate. The battery 140 supplies power so that the heater 150 can be heated. Also, the battery 140 can supply the power necessary for the operation of other components provided in the aerosol generator 100 (for example, the detection unit 120, the output unit 130, the user input unit 160, the memory 170, and the communication unit 180). The battery 140 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 140 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0063] The heater 150 is supplied with power from the battery 140 to heat the aerosol generating substance. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 100 may further include a power conversion circuit (for example, a DC / DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 140 and supplies it to the heater 150. Further, when the aerosol generating device 100 generates aerosol by an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 100 further includes a DC / AC converter that converts the DC power source of the battery 140 into an AC power source.

[0064] The control unit 110, the detection unit 120, the output unit 130, the user input unit 160, the memory 170, and the communication unit 180 can be supplied with power from the battery 140 and perform functions. Although not shown in FIG. 1, it may further include a power conversion circuit, such as an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, that converts the power of the battery 140 and supplies it to each component.

[0065] In one embodiment, the heater 150 can be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials include 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., but are not limited thereto. Further, the heater 150 can be realized by a metal wire, a metal hot plate on which an electrically conductive track is arranged, a ceramic heating element, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0066] In other embodiments, the heater 150 may be an induction heating type heater. For example, the heater 150 includes a susceptor that generates heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil and heats the aerosol generating substance.

[0067] In one embodiment, the heater 150 includes a plurality of heaters. For example, the heater 150 includes a first heater for heating the aerosol generating article and a second heater for heating the liquid phase.

[0068] The user input unit 160 can receive information input by the user or output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 160 includes, but is not limited to, a keypad, a dome switch, a touch pad (capacitive touch type, piezoresistive type, infrared sensing type, surface acoustic wave conduction type, integral tension measurement type, piezoelectric effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 100 further includes a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and can be connected to other external devices via a connection interface such as a USB interface to transmit and receive information or charge the battery 140.

[0069] The memory 170 is hardware for storing various data processed within the aerosol generating device 100, and can store the data processed by the control unit 110 and the data to be processed. The memory 170 includes at least one type of storage medium such as a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), a RAM (random access memory), an SRAM (static random access memory), a ROM (read-only memory), an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), a PROM (programmable read-only memory), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory 170 may store data such as the operating time of the aerosol generating device 100, the maximum puff count, the current puff count, at least one temperature profile, and data regarding the user's smoking pattern.

[0070] The communication unit 180 includes at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 180 includes a short-range communication unit 182 and a wireless communication unit 184.

[0071] The short-range wireless communication unit 182 includes, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee (registered trademark) communication unit, an infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, a UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, etc.

[0072] The wireless communication unit 184 includes, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN) communication unit, etc. The wireless communication unit 184 may identify and authenticate the aerosol generator 100 within the communication network using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)).

[0073] The control unit 110 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generator 100. In one embodiment, the control unit 110 includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable by the microprocessor. Also, those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which this embodiment belongs can understand that it can be implemented in further forms of hardware.

[0074] The control unit 110 can control the temperature of the heater 150 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 140 to the heater 150. For example, the control unit 110 can control the power supply by controlling the switching of the switching element between the battery 140 and the heater 150. In a different example, in response to a control command from the control unit 110, a direct heating circuit may control the power supply to the heater 150.

[0075] The control unit 110 analyzes the results detected by the detection unit 120 and controls the processes to be executed thereafter. For example, the control unit 110 can control the power supplied to the heater 150 so that the operation of the heater 150 is disclosed or terminated based on the results detected by the detection unit 120. As another example, the control unit 110 can control the amount of power supplied to the heater 150 and the time for which the power is supplied so that the heater 150 can be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintain an appropriate temperature based on the results detected by the detection unit 120.

[0076] The control unit 110 controls the output unit 130 based on the results detected by the detection unit 120. For example, when the number of puffs counted via the puff sensor 126 reaches a preset number, the control unit 110 can notify the user that the aerosol generator 100 will end immediately via at least one of the display unit 132, the haptic unit 134, and the acoustic output unit 136.

[0077] In one embodiment, the control unit 110 can control the power supply time and / or the power supply amount to the heater 150 according to the state of the aerosol generating article detected by the detection unit 120. For example, when the aerosol generating article is in an over-wet state, the control unit 110 can control the power supply time to the induction coil and increase the preheating time compared to when the aerosol generating article is in a general state.

[0078] One embodiment can also be realized in the form of a recording medium containing computer-executable instructions such as program modules executed by a computer. A computer-readable medium may be any soluble medium accessible by a computer, including all volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. Also, a computer-readable medium includes all computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes all volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented by any method or technology for storing information such as computer-executable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically includes modulated data signals such as computer-executable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information transmission medium.

[0079] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generation module 220 according to one embodiment. FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of the aerosol generation module 220 excluding the transmission element 226 according to one embodiment.

[0080] In one embodiment, the aerosol generation module 220 includes an ultrasonic vibration unit 222, a surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224, and a transmission element 226. The ultrasonic vibration unit 222 according to one embodiment can generate an aerosol by atomizing an aerosol formation substrate placed on the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 through minute vibrations. The surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224 according to one embodiment can generate an aerosol by atomizing an aerosol formation substrate placed on the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224 through surface acoustic waves. The transmission element 226 according to one embodiment may transmit an aerosol formation substrate to the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 and / or the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224 that generate an aerosol from a cartridge or a liquid phase storage unit. Hereinafter, the aerosol generation module 220 including both the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 and the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224 and the aerosol generation device 200 including the aerosol generation module 220 according to one embodiment will be described in detail.

[0081] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the surface acoustic wave vibrating part 224 and the ultrasonic vibrating part 222 according to one embodiment may be arranged on the same plane. Preferably, the surface acoustic wave vibrating part 224 may be formed to surround the outer peripheral surface of the ultrasonic vibrating part 222. The surface acoustic wave vibrating part 224 and the ultrasonic vibrating part 222 are arranged to be adjacent to at least one surface of the transmission element 226 and can receive the supply of the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate according to one embodiment is supplied in the form of a liquid phase, a gas phase or a solid phase, and preferably may be supplied in the form of a liquid phase.

[0082] The ultrasonic vibrating part 222 according to one embodiment includes a piezoelectric material 222-1. The surface acoustic wave vibrating part 224 according to one embodiment includes a piezoelectric substrate 224-1 and a transducer 224-2. The piezoelectric substrate 224-1 according to one embodiment may form a surface on which the surface acoustic wave generated by the transducer 224-2 is transmitted. The transducer 224-2 according to one embodiment includes an interdigital transducer. The transducer 224-2 has a polarity. The transducer 224-2 does not have a polarity. The transducer 224-2 includes all of the piezoelectric material having a polarity and the piezoelectric material not having a polarity.

[0083] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generation module 220 cut along the line X-X' of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, the transmission element 226 included in the aerosol generation module 220 according to an embodiment includes a first surface 226a that faces at least one of the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 and / or the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224 and is disposed at least adjacent thereto, and a second surface 226b disposed on the opposite side of the first surface 226a. In the transmission element 226 according to an embodiment, the first surface 226a may be disposed facing at least one of the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 and / or the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224. Preferably, a partial region of the first surface 226a is adjacent to the ultrasonic vibration unit 222, and at least a part of the remaining partial region of the first surface 226a may be adjacent to the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224. When the first surface 226a of the transmission element 226 according to an embodiment is disposed adjacent to both the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 and the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224 at the same time, the aerosol generation efficiency is improved by the interaction between the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 and the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224. In the aerosol generation module 220 according to an embodiment, heat of friction is generated during the process of generating an aerosol by the vibration of at least one of the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 and the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224. During the process in which electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy through the piezoelectric body 222-1 and / or the piezoelectric substrate 224-1, a part of the electrical energy may be converted into thermal energy. The converted thermal energy heats the aerosol-forming substrate, and the viscosity of the aerosol-forming substrate with an increased temperature decreases, so that the aerosol can be generated more smoothly by the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 and the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224.

[0084] The following will describe in detail the structures of the ultrasonic vibration unit 222, the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224, and the transmission element 226 that constitute the aerosol generation module 220 with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

[0085] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 of the aerosol generation module 220 according to an embodiment. The ultrasonic vibration unit 222 according to an embodiment includes a piezoelectric body 222-1. The piezoelectric body 222-1 according to an embodiment is a conversion element that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy and can generate ultrasonic waves under the control of a control unit (for example, the control unit 110 in FIG. 1). In one embodiment, when an alternating current power supply is applied to the polarized piezoelectric body 222-1, the piezoelectric body 222-1 repeats expansion and contraction. In one embodiment, due to the repeated expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric body, the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 can vibrate at a characteristic frequency. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 may further include a diaphragm (not shown) disposed in contact with the piezoelectric body. The diaphragm in contact with the piezoelectric body 222-1 vibrates at the characteristic frequency together with the piezoelectric body 222-1 due to the expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric body 222-1. Those skilled in the art can clearly understand the principle of the piezoelectric vibration element, so a more detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0086] The ultrasonic vibration unit according to a further embodiment includes a piezoelectric transducer and a mesh plate. The piezoelectric transducer according to another embodiment can generate ultrasonic waves under the control of a control unit (for example, the control unit 110 in FIG. 1) as a conversion element that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. Those skilled in the art can clearly understand the principle of the piezoelectric transducer, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The mesh plate according to another embodiment can atomize (aerosolize) the aerosol-forming substrate in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate. The vibration generated by the piezoelectric transducer according to another embodiment generates a pressure wave on the aerosol-forming substrate, and the pressure wave can push the substrate into the space, narrow area or holes between the fine meshes of the mesh plate to atomize the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0087] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a surface acoustic wave vibration section 224 of an aerosol generation module 220 according to an embodiment. The surface acoustic wave vibration section 224 includes a piezoelectric substrate 224-1 and a transducer 224-2. The transducer 224-2 according to an embodiment includes a first electrode 224-2a and a second electrode 224-2b. The first electrode 224-2a and the second electrode 224-2b according to an embodiment each include two or more fingers. Tensile and compressive deformations on the piezoelectric substrate generated between the fingers due to the voltage applied to the individual fingers of the transducer 224-2 electrodes 224-2a, 224-2b occur, whereby the piezoelectric substrate 224-1 is mechanically deformed or vibrated. The interval between the fingers of the electrodes 224-2a, 224-2b according to an embodiment corresponds to the wavelength of the mechanical wave. The mechanical wave generated in this way generally has an amplitude on the nanometer scale and propagates along the surface of the piezoelectric substrate 224-1. An aerosol can be generated by the surface acoustic wave generated by the surface acoustic wave vibration section 224 according to an embodiment.

[0088] In one embodiment, a SAW sensor chip generally known as a surface acoustic wave vibration section 224 may be used. The SAW sensor chip according to an embodiment typically includes at least one or more interdigital transducers including electrodes disposed on a piezoelectric substrate 224-1.

[0089] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the transmission element 226 of the aerosol generation module 220 according to an embodiment. As described above, the transmission element 226 includes a first surface 226a and a second surface 226b. A partial region of the first surface 226a of the transmission element 226 is adjacent to the ultrasonic vibration part 222, and at least a part of the remaining partial region of the first surface 226a is adjacent to the surface acoustic wave vibration part 224. Referring to FIG. 6, the first surface 226a of the transmission element 226 includes a first region Z1 and a second region Z2. In one embodiment, the first region Z1 of the first surface 226a of the transmission element 226 is a region that overlaps with the ultrasonic vibration part 222. The second region Z2 of the first surface 226a of the transmission element 226 is a region that overlaps with the surface acoustic wave vibration part 224. In one embodiment, the areas of the first region Z1 and the second region Z2 are adjusted differently according to the sizes of the ultrasonic vibration part 222 and the surface acoustic wave vibration part 224, and are not limited to the areas and shapes shown in FIG. 6.

[0090] The transmission element 226 according to an embodiment may be a capillary element, for example, a paper strip or a wick, or a penetrating element for penetrating a cartridge, and is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0091] The following will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 for the aerosol generator 200 (for example, the aerosol generator 100 in FIG. 1) including the aerosol generation module 220.

[0092] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generator according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, the aerosol generator 200 includes a housing 210, an aerosol generation module 220, a cartridge 230, a control unit 240, a mouthpiece 250, a battery 260, and an auxiliary element 270.

[0093] In one embodiment, the housing 210 may be configured to accommodate various electronic / mechanical components. In one embodiment, the aerosol generation module 220, the cartridge 230, the control unit 240, the battery 260, and the auxiliary element 270 are all housed inside the housing 210 and can be safely protected from external stimuli (e.g., dust, shock, heat, etc.).

[0094] In one embodiment, the aerosol generation module 220 includes an ultrasonic vibration unit 222, a surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224, and a transmission element 226. Since the aerosol generation module 220 according to one embodiment has been described in detail above with reference to FIGS. 2A to 6, a detailed description of the aerosol generation module 220 will be omitted hereinafter.

[0095] In one embodiment, the cartridge 230 may be disposed inside the housing 210 to store an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be stored inside the cartridge 230 in at least one of the gas phase, liquid phase, and solid phase forms, and preferably may be stored inside the cartridge 230 in the liquid phase form. The cartridge 230 according to one embodiment will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to FIG. 8.

[0096] In one embodiment, the control unit 240 includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executed by the microprocessor. The control unit 240 included in the aerosol generation device 200 according to one embodiment can control the presence or absence and frequency of vibration of the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 and the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224 of the aerosol generation module 220. The control unit 240 according to one embodiment will be described in more detail hereinafter.

[0097] In one embodiment, as a portion that contacts the user's oral cavity, the mouthpiece 250 allows the aerosol to migrate to the user via the fluid flow path included in the mouthpiece 250. In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 250 may be disposed at one end of the housing 210, and preferably, the mouthpiece 250 may be disposed so as to contact one end surface of the housing 210.

[0098] In one embodiment, the battery 260 (e.g., the battery 140 in FIG. 1) can supply the power used for the aerosol generator 200 to operate. For example, the battery 260 supplies power so that the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 and the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224 of the aerosol generation module 220 vibrate, and supplies the power necessary for the control unit 240 to operate. Further, the battery 260 may supply the power necessary for the display, sensor, motor, etc. provided in the aerosol generator 200 to operate.

[0099] In one embodiment, the auxiliary element 270 includes an elastic body 272, an electrode pin 274, and an electric wire 276. The auxiliary element 270 according to one embodiment may include all of the additional units for the aerosol generator 200 to operate smoothly, in addition to the modules and / or units described above. The elastic body 272 according to one embodiment is disposed adjacent to the aerosol generation module 220 and serves to compress the aerosol-forming substrate from the cartridge 230 so as to be smoothly transmitted by the aerosol generation module 220. Compression of the elastic body 272 further shortens the distance between the transmission element 226 of the aerosol generation module 220 and the cartridge 230, and the aerosol generation substrate having at least one of the gas phase, liquid phase, or solid phase stored in the cartridge 230 can be efficiently transmitted to the aerosol generation module 220. The electrode pin 274 and the electric wire 276 according to one embodiment connect the control unit 240 and the battery 260 to the aerosol generation module 220, and transmit power to the aerosol generation module 220 to enable control.

[0100] Hereinafter, the aerosol generation module 220 controlled by the control unit 240 will be described. In one embodiment, the control unit 240 controls the aerosol generator 200 to operate in any one of at least two modes.

[0101] The first mode according to one embodiment corresponds to a mode in which the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 and the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224 vibrate simultaneously. In the first mode, even if the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 and the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224 vibrate simultaneously, they vibrate with different frequencies and vibration periods from each other, and thus are classified into a main-vibration member and a sub-vibration member. When the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 is the main vibration member, the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224 may be the sub-vibration member. When the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224 is the main vibration member, the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 may be the sub-vibration member. If an aerosol is generated by the main vibration member, the aerosol generation amount will be further enriched by the sub-vibration member.

[0102] The second mode according to an embodiment is a mode in which either one of the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 and the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224 vibrates first to preheat the aerosol-forming base material of the transmission element 226, and then the other one of the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 and the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224 vibrates to generate an aerosol. When the aerosol-forming base material is in a liquid phase, generally the aerosol-forming base material has a high viscosity. In order for the aerosol-forming base material to be atomized more smoothly, it is preferable to apply a certain level of heat for preheating. Thereby, after either one of the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 and the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224 vibrates to preheat the aerosol-forming base material contained in the transmission element 226, by causing the other one of them to vibrate, a richer aerosol can be generated. In particular, when the preheating temperature reaches a temperature equal to or higher than a certain temperature (for example, the Curie temperature) during the preheating of the aerosol-forming base material through the self-heating of the ultrasonic vibration unit 222, the unit contained in the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 may be damaged and the device may be damaged. When the aerosol is generated by the ultrasonic vibration unit 222 after the preheating is performed in advance through the surface acoustic wave vibration unit 224, it also has advantages in terms of the durability of the device.

[0103] In addition to the first mode and the second mode described above, the control unit 240 according to an embodiment can operate the aerosol generator 200 in various modes.

[0104] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a cartridge 230 according to an embodiment. In one embodiment, the cartridge 230 includes a first end wall 230a, a second end wall 230b disposed on the opposite side of the first end wall 230a, an outer peripheral wall 230c and an inner peripheral wall 230d connecting the first end wall 230a and the second end wall 230b. A storage space 232 for storing an aerosol-forming substrate may be formed between the first end wall 230a, the second end wall 230b, the outer peripheral wall 230c and the inner peripheral wall 230d. The cartridge 230 according to one embodiment may form through holes penetrating the first end wall 230a and the second end wall 230b when formed together with the above. When the cartridge 230 according to one embodiment is disposed inside the aerosol generating device 200, the aerosol formed from the upper part of the transmission element 226 (for example, the second surface 226b of the transmission element 226 in FIG. 3) may move through the through holes (see FIG. 7). That is, the cartridge 230 according to one embodiment includes an air flow path (for example, the air flow path P in FIG. 7) penetrating the first end wall 230a and the second end wall 230b and surrounded by the inner peripheral wall 230d. The aerosol is transmitted to the mouthpiece 250 through the air flow path P and can reach the user's mouth.

[0105] As described above, although the embodiments have been described with reference to the limited drawings, those skilled in the art can apply various technical modifications and variations based on the above. For example, the described technology may be performed in an order different from the described method, and / or the components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. may be combined or assembled in a form different from the described method, or may be opposed or replaced by other components or equivalents, and appropriate results can still be achieved.

[0106] Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims also fall within the scope of the claims described below.

Claims

1. An aerosol generation module, comprising: an ultrasonic vibration unit that generates an aerosol via ultrasonic waves; a surface acoustic wave vibration unit that generates an aerosol via surface acoustic waves; a transmission element that transmits an aerosol formation substrate to at least one of the ultrasonic vibration unit or the surface acoustic wave vibration unit; and the surface acoustic wave vibration unit surrounds the ultrasonic vibration unit to form the aerosol generation module.

2. The transmission element includes a first surface facing at least one of the ultrasonic vibration unit and the surface acoustic wave vibration unit, and a second surface disposed on the opposite side of the first surface, a part of the first surface is adjacent to the ultrasonic vibration unit, and at least a part of the remaining first surface is adjacent to the surface acoustic wave vibration unit. The aerosol generation module according to claim 1.

3. The temperature of the aerosol generation module rises due to the vibrations of the ultrasonic vibration unit and the surface acoustic wave vibration unit. The aerosol generation module according to claim 1.

4. The ultrasonic vibration unit includes a piezoelectric body, The surface acoustic wave vibration unit includes a piezoelectric substrate and a transducer. The aerosol generation module according to claim 1.

5. An aerosol generation device, comprising: a housing; a cartridge disposed within the housing for storing an aerosol formation substrate; an aerosol generation module disposed adjacent to the cartridge; and the aerosol generation module includes: an ultrasonic vibration unit that generates an aerosol via ultrasonic waves; a surface acoustic wave vibration unit that generates an aerosol via surface acoustic waves; a transmission element including an aerosol formation substrate including The surface acoustic wave vibrating part is arranged surrounding the ultrasonic vibrating part, and is an aerosol generator.

6. The transmission element includes a first surface facing at least one of the ultrasonic vibrating part and the surface acoustic wave vibrating part, and a second surface arranged on the opposite side of the first surface and facing the cartridge. The aerosol generator according to claim 5, wherein a part of the first surface is adjacent to the ultrasonic vibrator, and at least a part of the remaining part of the first surface is adjacent to the surface acoustic wave vibrating part.

7. The aerosol generator according to claim 6, wherein a first region of the first surface of the transmission element overlaps with the ultrasonic vibrating part, and a second region of the first surface of the transmission element overlaps with the surface acoustic wave vibrating part.

8. The ultrasonic vibrating part includes a piezoelectric body. The aerosol generator according to claim 5, wherein the surface acoustic wave vibrating part includes a piezoelectric substrate and a transducer.

9. The cartridge includes a first end wall, a second end wall arranged on the opposite side of the first end wall, an outer peripheral wall and an inner peripheral wall connecting the first end wall and the second end wall. The aerosol generator according to claim 5, wherein a storage space for storing an aerosol forming base material is formed between the first end wall, the second end wall, the outer peripheral wall and the inner peripheral wall.

10. includes an air flow path penetrating through the first end wall and the second end wall and surrounded by the inner peripheral wall. The aerosol generator according to claim 9, wherein the aerosol moves through the air flow path.

11. further includes a control unit. The aerosol generator according to claim 5, wherein the control unit controls the presence or absence and frequency of vibration of the ultrasonic vibrating part and the surface acoustic wave vibrating part.

12. The control unit controls the aerosol generator to operate in any one of at least two modes, The at least two modes are, A first mode in which the ultrasonic vibration unit and the surface acoustic wave vibration unit vibrate simultaneously with different frequencies or vibration periods from each other to generate an aerosol; and A second mode in which one of the ultrasonic vibration unit and the surface acoustic wave vibration unit vibrates first to preheat the aerosol forming base material of the transmission element, and the other one of the ultrasonic vibration unit and the surface acoustic wave vibration unit vibrates later to generate an aerosol, The aerosol generator according to claim 11, comprising:

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